Cornell-Wisconsin postgame thread (post-season thread?) NCAA quarterfinals 2006

[RichH]

What Fred said.  Post of the year, seriously this time.

The only new things I can add that haven't already been said:

- I never, ever would've guessed that this team would've given me that feeling I got again from the 3rd period on.  You know, that heart-in-the-throat feeling.  That feeling we had in Providence in 2003 and in Minnesota in 2005.  Never thought I'd have that.  Not this team.  Not this year.  With all the ups and downs this year, we got back to a level where we had a legitimate chance to make a run at the big one.  We were back to where we worked so hard to get last season, and took it further vs. a better team and goaltender.  To the team and coaches:  Thank you so very, very much.

- I've been hoping and dreaming for a chance to play Wisconsin for the past couple of years.  They're just different than other western teams.  They play defense.  They're gritty.  They're tough.  They're fun to watch.  That said, I feel with the effort we put out tonight, we would've beaten anyone else.  Wisconsin turned out to be our worst possible opponent:  ourselves.  It was simply the greatest Red/White game ever played.  

- If it's possible, this may very well be my favorite loss I've experienced.  Certainly the greatest goaltender duel that immediately comes to mind.  Elliott's save on Bitz in the 2nd was sick, and he just got better from there.  McKee's rapid-fire save succession at the end of the 1st OT (I think?) was simply superlative.  For 1 weekend, we had vintage 2005 McKee out there, and he saved our bacon.  Both teams had to work so hard to generate chances...such strong positional defense and remarkable poke-checking.  The ebb and flow was wonderful.  Eaves flipped the "WCHA" switch near the end of the 3rd, but we survived.  We strongarmed some wonderful chances in the OTs.  It was a game where a 3-3 situation seemed like an odd-man rush.  I hope coaches show kids a tape of that game for defensive clinics.  

- The winning goal was a great play.  No big defensive letdown like I was worried about, just a surprisingly strong and accurate backhand pass from the boards.  In the 3rd OT.  Hats off to that.

- I've only missed one Frozen Four since 1999.  At every one I've been to, I've encountered Badger fans.  That is absolutely the fanbase I want to associate with.  We are so very similar.  They are Cornell West.  We are Wisconsin East.  We both fancy ourselves as "Goaltender U."  They love hockey and they know how to have fun...and you can almost always find one to have a beer with.  They may be a little bit Big-10, but we're a little bit Ivy League.  I always find myself cheering for East over West.  Not this year.  I will be pulling for Bucky in Milwaukee.  Let's Go Red.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone associated with Cornell Hockey.  I'm so proud to be onboard.

[2tkCornell]

The best hockey game I have ever seen.  The best goaltending performance I have ever seen.  The best DUEL I have ever seen.  Every single player, on both teams, played with tremendous heart.  What more can be said about Wisconsin's Robbie Earl.  Just Unbelievable!!!

Although there is a deep pit in my stomach due to our loss, I am so proud of our players.  They left it all on the ice and they should not be disappointed with their performance.  This is a game that everyone who watched will be talking about for years to come.

I understand that Elliot had 2 shutouts this weekend, but I thought that since Elliot won the MVP of the Regional, they should've put McKee on the All-Regional Team (or maybe both of them).

Words cannot describe the performance of David McKee.  I think that most people - media, fans, myself - questioned McKee during the course of the season, but Coach Schafer was right, he is a great goalie and one of the best big game goalies I have seen in recent years.

I hope that he doesn't turn pro next year, but bringing two goalies in, it seems likely.  Our team will be young next year, but we will have plently of NCAA experience with the Sophomore and especially Junior and Senior classes.  It will be tough to replace any of the players leaving.  But here is what I see:

(1) 3 small, gritty players leaving (Abbott, Abbott, Pegoraro) replaced by three small offense minded players (Milo, Romano, Gallagher).  Hopefully in the years to come, Schafer can mold them into two way forwards just like the 3 seniors leaving.

(2) 1 offensive powerhouse leaving (Moulson) replaced by powerforward Colin Greening.  It seems like Greening plays a similar style to Bitz/Hynes/Sawada.

(3) 1 defensive defenseman leaving (Gleed) replaced by Brendon Nash.

(4) 1 backup Goalie leaving (Chabot) replaced by Ben Scrivens.

Here are possible early pro signees:

(5) 1 ALLSTAR goalie leaving (McKee) replaced by Troy Davenport.

(6) 1 of the 2 Towering Defenseman leaving (O'Byrne/Pokulok) replaced by Justin Krueger

That leaves us with one extra incoming forward in Joe Scali.  So either way, unless a forward leaves early to sign a pro contract, one current member of the forward contingent may find themselves fighting for a roster spot.

Here is my opening lineup:

Left-Center-Right
Scali-Bitz-Greening
Barlow-Scott-Romano
McCutcheon-Gallagher-Carefoot
Mugford-Kennedy-Sawada

LD-RD
Krantz-O'Byrne
Glover-Nash
Seminoff-Krueger

Goalies
Starter:  Troy Davenport
Backup1:  Ben Scrivens
Backup2:  Dan DiLeo

- We are losing some great penalty killers (Gleed, Abbotts, Pegs) and I see Kennedy and Scali filling those roles.
- I think that Schafer will definitely work on the powerplay strategy this offseason and with skilled offensive players coming in, hopefully it will be much better.

PLAYING THE BEST GAME OF THE SEASON TONIGHT ... I AM SO F***'IN PROUD OF CORNELL HOCKEY - THIS IS WHY I AM A CORNELL FAN.

[2tkCornell]

[quote RichH]What Fred said.  Post of the year, seriously this time.

The only new things I can add that haven't already been said:

- I never, ever would've guessed that this team would've given me that feeling I got again from the 3rd period on.  You know, that heart-in-the-throat feeling.  That feeling we had in Providence in 2003 and in Minnesota in 2005.  Never thought I'd have that.  Not this team.  Not this year.  With all the ups and downs this year, we got back to a level where we had a legitimate chance to make a run at the big one.  We were back to where we worked so hard to get last season, and took it further vs. a better team and goaltender.  To the team and coaches:  Thank you so very, very much.

- I've been hoping and dreaming for a chance to play Wisconsin for the past couple of years.  They're just different than other western teams.  They play defense.  They're gritty.  They're tough.  They're fun to watch.  That said, I feel with the effort we put out tonight, we would've beaten anyone else.  Wisconsin turned out to be our worst possible opponent:  ourselves.  It was simply the greatest Red/White game ever played.  

- If it's possible, this may very well be my favorite loss I've experienced.  Certainly the greatest goaltender duel that immediately comes to mind.  Elliott's save on Bitz in the 2nd was sick, and he just got better from there.  McKee's rapid-fire save succession at the end of the 1st OT (I think?) was simply superlative.  For 1 weekend, we had vintage 2005 McKee out there, and he saved our bacon.  Both teams had to work so hard to generate chances...such strong positional defense and remarkable poke-checking.  The ebb and flow was wonderful.  Eaves flipped the "WCHA" switch near the end of the 3rd, but we survived.  We strongarmed some wonderful chances in the OTs.  It was a game where a 3-3 situation seemed like an odd-man rush.  I hope coaches show kids a tape of that game for defensive clinics.  

- The winning goal was a great play.  No big defensive letdown like I was worried about, just a surprisingly strong and accurate backhand pass from the boards.  In the 3rd OT.  Hats off to that.

- I've only missed one Frozen Four since 1999.  At every one I've been to, I've encountered Badger fans.  That is absolutely the fanbase I want to associate with.  We are so very similar.  They are Cornell West.  We are Wisconsin East.  We both fancy ourselves as "Goaltender U."  They love hockey and they know how to have fun...and you can almost always find one to have a beer with.  They may be a little bit Big-10, but we're a little bit Ivy League.  I always find myself cheering for East over West.  Not this year.  I will be pulling for Bucky in Milwaukee.  Let's Go Red.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone associated with Cornell Hockey.  I'm so proud to be onboard.[/quote]

Rich ... great post and comments ... you echoed the sentiments of Cornell Fans throughout the world.  Your comments about Wisconsin fans were classy and 100% true.  This game embodied everything that is good about college sports.

[Omie]

Well like everyone here I am so incredibly proud and happy about what we played, I am truly amazed to where we got and how close we came to the Frozen Four. Mckee once again showed why he is the best goalie out there. It was a tough loss to take in but I did not have a sick feeling in my stomach as when we lost to Minnesota last year, I think this was due to the fact that Cornell was simply espectacular tonight BUT they were also characterized by missing opportunities all season long (i.e. Senior Night vs. Sucks, lost to RPI which costs us the RS, and then the loss to Sucks for the ECACHL Champ.). This year was full of up and downs and I honestly didn't expect them to make such a run in the NCAA's, but what a way to end your season!
I am hoping Mckee stays next year (although I doubt it) but with 3-4 goalies and all the new smaller but quicker forwards we are bringing in I think next year will be Frozen Four material and hopefully NCAA Champ material. I am honestly thrilled abotu next year. And can't wait to seat on the new Lynah. I think next year's seniors have a lot of guys with character that will be great leaders on/off the ice like O'Byrne and McCutcheon, and you can throw Topher in there too, which is what we lacked the most this year.

Thank you seniors! Thank you Dave! Thanks Schafer! Let's Go Red!!!

[nuclear614]

All I can say is, what a game.  Great job all around, no regrets at all!

I'm going to grind the rumor mill a bit....I friend of mine in Albany said that he spoke with McKee's parents there, and they are all for him staying another year at Cornell.  The impression he had of the tone of the conversation was "he isn't leaving until he gets a degree."

[Townie]

[quote 2tkCornell]The best hockey game I have ever seen.  But here is what I see:

(1) 3 small, gritty players leaving (Abbott, Abbott, Pegoraro) replaced by three small offense minded players (Milo, Romano, Gallagher).  Hopefully in the years to come, Schafer can mold them into two way forwards just like the 3 seniors leaving.

(2) 1 offensive powerhouse leaving (Moulson) replaced by powerforward Colin Greening.  It seems like Greening plays a similar style to Bitz/Hynes/Sawada.

(3) 1 defensive defenseman leaving (Gleed) replaced by Brendon Nash.

(4) 1 backup Goalie leaving (Chabot) replaced by Ben Scrivens.

Here are possible early pro signees:

(5) 1 ALLSTAR goalie leaving (McKee) replaced by Troy Davenport.

(6) 1 of the 2 Towering Defenseman leaving (O'Byrne/Pokulok) replaced by Justin Krueger

That leaves us with one extra incoming forward in Joe Scali.  So either way, unless a forward leaves early to sign a pro contract, one current member of the forward contingent may find themselves fighting for a roster spot.

Here is my opening lineup:

Left-Center-Right
Scali-Bitz-Greening
Barlow-Scott-Romano
McCutcheon-Gallagher-Carefoot
Mugford-Kennedy-Sawada

LD-RD
Krantz-O'Byrne
Glover-Nash
Seminoff-Krueger

Goalies
Starter:  Troy Davenport
Backup1:  Ben Scrivens
Backup2:  Dan DiLeo

- We are losing some great penalty killers (Gleed, Abbotts, Pegs) and I see Kennedy and Scali filling those roles.
- I think that Schafer will definitely work on the powerplay strategy this offseason and with skilled offensive players coming in, hopefully it will be much better.

PLAYING THE BEST GAME OF THE SEASON TONIGHT ... I AM SO F***'IN PROUD OF CORNELL HOCKEY - THIS IS WHY I AM A CORNELL FAN.[/quote]

Definitely a great game for both teams and for college hockey.

Regarding players, won't Fontas be playing next year? I understand he's also an impact player.

I wonder if Sasha will be called up.

[ugarte]

Ran out of time to read all of the great posts on this thread. Here, though, are the collected thoughts of Ugarte, as they appeared in real time, slightly edited:
[Q]End of 1: First 10 minutes, we were lucky to escape with a tie. Last five minutes, they were. Even when our offense was sloppy our D was punishing and the defenders don't give up on any plays.

Still, I'd like to see a bit more effort trying to hit teammates on the stick. The passing has been, shall we say, errant... Some great play out of McKee.

Biggest upset of the day can't happen in hockey after Connecticut lost to George Mason. GMU in the Final Four is a bigger shocker than HC 4, Goofers 3. [/Q]

[Q]End of 2: Second period saw two very even teams play a punishing game. Wisco is more aggressive, Cornell more opportunistic. Their Dmen much more willing to jump into the play and forecheck; when Cornell loses possession the D quickly skate into the neutral zone and there have been a few loose pucks above the circles that could have been opportunities. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Also, I love McC's playmaking ability but I think he always makes one too many moves. I will keep thinking that until the second he puts it past Elliott at which point I will know that he was right all along.

Wisconsin is getting all of the fancy highlight hits but are showing the wear of having to fight along the boards. Cornell is definitely winning the battle of the boards despite all of the open ice pyrotechnics ESPNU has been showing when the game goes to commercial.

So far, so good. It could be better but I'm very happy with where Cornell is right now. [/Q]

[Q]End of 3: Dave-Mc-Kee! Dave-Mc-Kee! Dave-McKee! We're Not Worthy! We're Not Worthy! We're Not Worthy!!!

Also, both Cornell penalties were ticky-tack. Barlow didn't even skate into the guy, he thrust his pelvis at him and the guy fell down about a foot short of the boards. The call on Topher was worse. The little guy touched a giant's shoulder and the dude dropped like a sack of bricks. If anything was called on that play, it should have been a dive against Wisco. Great no-call on the Earl takedown, though. Easy to blow the whistle when a top scorer goes down when charging at the net, but he was clearly going down on his own.

This game is going to give me a heart attack. Let's Go BIG Red! [/Q]

[Q]End of 4: All Wisconsin for 19 minutes, then Cornell for about 15 seconds. Wisconsin is playing clean and playing well. Cornell is playing clean but very, very sloppy. Thank McKee that we are still alive.

The big difference between Cornell and Wisconsin: Wisconsin faces forward when they pass the puck,

The big similarity: Passes end up on the stick of a Wisconsin player.

I ... can't ... take ... this ... [/Q]

[Q]End of 5: More of the same. My fiancee is going to kill me. NB: She didn't -ed. [/Q]

[Q]End of game: Skille is amazing. Still the best game I've ever seen even though I am really, really depressed. Finally got some chances and Elliott showed why he is a Hobey Baker candidate (and McKee showed last year's Hobeyesque form). The better team won, but the second best team on the ice showed that they deserve to be considered among the best in the country.

Congratulations Badgers. Go win it all.[/Q]

That still sums up my thinking. We had our chances but the better team won. Let's go Lax and I'm looking forward to 06-07.

[billhoward]

We should send the eBadger forum a collective note saying their team played well and while we abhor the idea of attending a state college (um, other than if attached to Cornell), if it must be so, Wisconsin isn't a bad place. They deserve to win it all.

Second choice for the title would be an eastern team, say the Maine team that lost to the UMD team we beat for the Florida Classic championship.

Awesome fans. Helped out by Green Bay being roughly Ithaca-to-Albany away from campus.

[MARooney]

Great game.  This Colgate fan was pullin' for the Big Red.  Congrats on a tremendous effort and an excellent performance on the national stage - you did the ECACHL proud.

[Drew]

You guys played a hell of a game.  Did the ECAC proud, like I said when we lost to you, all you want from your team is to put you in the position to win the game, and you certainly had your chances.
Cheers!
Drew

[pfibiger]

[quote 2tkCornell]
(3) 1 defensive defenseman leaving (Gleed) replaced by Brendon Nash.

(4) 1 backup Goalie leaving (Chabot) replaced by Ben Scrivens.

Here are possible early pro signees:

(5) 1 ALLSTAR goalie leaving (McKee) replaced by Troy Davenport.

(6) 1 of the 2 Towering Defenseman leaving (O'Byrne/Pokulok) replaced by Justin Krueger

That leaves us with one extra incoming forward in Joe Scali.  So either way, unless a forward leaves early to sign a pro contract, one current member of the forward contingent may find themselves fighting for a roster spot.

Here is my opening lineup:

Left-Center-Right
Scali-Bitz-Greening
Barlow-Scott-Romano
McCutcheon-Gallagher-Carefoot
Mugford-Kennedy-Sawada

LD-RD
Krantz-O'Byrne
Glover-Nash
Seminoff-Krueger

Goalies
Starter:  Troy Davenport
Backup1:  Ben Scrivens
Backup2:  Dan DiLeo

- We are losing some great penalty killers (Gleed, Abbotts, Pegs) and I see Kennedy and Scali filling those roles.
- I think that Schafer will definitely work on the powerplay strategy this offseason and with skilled offensive players coming in, hopefully it will be much better.
[/quote]

This looks pretty good. In terms of who replaces whom, Brendon Nash has turned into a legit offensive defenseman this year, and is almost 6'4", so I'd say that he more readily replaces Pokulok, and Krueger replaces Gleed.

Scrivens has been playing very well in the AJHL playoffs, If McKee does leave I wonder if we'll see Schafer platoon until a clear #1 emerges? I felt like McKee had played himself out of a NHL contract this year, but I wonder whether his performance lasta night played him back into one.

I highly doubt Joe Scali will be on the 1st line. He's got a lot of quickness, but he's a grinder. These are my potential forward lines for next year:

Left-Center-Right
Greening-Bitz-McCutcheon
Barlow-Gallagher-Carefoot
Fontas/Kindret-Romano-Scott
Mugford-Kennedy-Sawada

leaving Kindret, Connors, and Scali as Scratches.

[DeltaOne81]

"That's one of the most exciting...games that hockey has seen," Schafer said. "It's tough to explain in words how proud I am of our guys. I asked them not to have any regrets and they don't."

Amen, Mike.


McKee is a little less happy, saying ""We really wanted to move on and go to the Frozen Four. We're just pretty bitter." But I think he'll be better in a couple days.

Do that all season next year, Dave, and you won't have to face a Wisconsin on the way to the FF. (and yes, count me in in the camp that thinks the odds favor him staying, although not a sure thing).

[Trotsky]

[quote DeltaOne81]Do that all season next year, Dave, and you won't have to face a Wisconsin on the way to the FF. (and yes, count me in in the camp that thinks the odds favor him staying, although not a sure thing).[/quote]

If he does that all season, and we have some extra punch form the frosh and the maturation of the underclassmen, and the D continues to gel (jell?), then that elusive third banner may hang from renovated Lynah's rafters.

Amazing weekend, fully worthy of the Cornell tradition and every bit as impressive as the 03 run.  Well done, team.

[Robb]

[quote ugarte]End of 5: More of the same. My fiancee is going to kill me. NB: She didn't -ed. [/quote]
Heh.  I was watching with my fiancee, too.  As soon as the game ended, my parents called to be sure the wedding was still on, because they figured now she's seen me at my worst...

It's on.  

[KeithK]

If you have to lose in 3 OT's, better to have it happen on a great play by the other team than some dumb mistake by one of our guys.  Engel's backhand pass from the boards was right on target and Skille made a great shot.  It still hurts, a lot, but props to them for finding the seam.

Great job guys.  I really thought we were going to do it.