Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Better Canisius, home or away, than Sacred Heart, AIC, or Army, I think.

My only thing is that Canisius has much better goaltending than all of them, save for maybe AIC as of late. Meisner's been great, but there's no denying that the other foot MIGHT drop on the Jackets at some point because the team in front of him is playing better. But they're not a great team. Canisius and Army have the power to go head to head with Bentley, and SHU's been good but they just got creamed by Holy Cross.

My thought process is that the goaltending at Canisius is overall better, followed by AIC, Army, and SHU. Because of that, I'mg oing to choose them in that reverse order. Wouldn't face SHU anyways. But if I had to choose, I'd rather face Mercyhurst in there somehow because those guys have gone down the tubes in the 2nd half.

I'm really worried about this weekend; Meisner named goalie of the month. Unless the other shoe drops, he can win games, and Komm's played like crap the last month.

[Pk Specialist]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Expecting Komm to have the same season he did last year is foolish. He saved multiple games last season. As far as the team goes, it's tough to expect much through the playoffs. You don't finish the season well without making a run at the end. Clearly that is not the case. Like most years past, they appear to be limping to the finish. The good news is the returners have spring training to look forward to. Hope that's not what they're thinking about at the intermissions this weekend

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

In 80% of the AHA scenarios that I have run for this weekend, including sweeps by Bentley and by AIC, Bentley ends up hosting Canisius for 2 of 3 at the JAR. But, I agree that it would be good to carry some momentum into the post-season this year, even if just a home and home weekend sweep against AIC. I sure never imagined that I would be writing that two months ago.

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Expecting Komm to have the same season he did last year is foolish. He saved multiple games last season. As far as the team goes, it's tough to expect much through the playoffs. You don't finish the season well without making a run at the end. Clearly that is not the case. Like most years past, they appear to be limping to the finish. The good news is the returners have spring training to look forward to. Hope that's not what they're thinking about at the intermissions this weekend

Absolutely agree. I didn't expect Komm to have remotely close to the same season as he had last year. He was fully healthy after essentially a year off, and he had a great defensive team in front of him that could make plays at big moments. Komm has definite game-breaking ability, and that showed. Look at the save on Cole Schneider a year ago, and look at what he can do on breakaways this year.

In intense moments, he manages to elevate his game like few other players. Unfortunately, though, with a weaker defense in front of him, he showed that he can be prone to a rough patch when the puck's in front of him or it's simple play. He's like a guy who can solve advanced calculus, but he struggles with doing basic math (sometimes). He absolutely could not be what he was last year, but he had to be better this year. One or two flukey goals - I understand that. Four or five showed he was fighting the puck at times. And the last couple of weeks, something's been wrong with him. He'll fix it, though, either in time for the playoffs or in the off-season. He was the best returning goalie in AHA this year based on last year's numbers and results; the pressure's on him to perform like that in the playoffs and next year.

The thing i've noticed is that this team can play well under pressure. Hopefully they do that this weekend needing to pick up points and get home ice, and hopefully they amke noise in the playoffs. They'll need help, though, to avoid either NIagara or Air Force. If AIC or Army can pull out a first round upset, Bentley can find itself either at UConn or Holy Cross, both of which I like from a matchup standpoint.

Of course that's contingent on winning the first round, which could be an issue.

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

GAME DAY- Congrats to the seniors playing their final game at home this weekend for the regular season. Hopefully not the last home game, though.

http://excalibursportspage.com/2013/...ional-college/

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

GAME DAY- Congrats to the seniors playing their final game at home this weekend for the regular season. Hopefully not the last home game, though.

http://excalibursportspage.com/2013/...ional-college/

Good summary, Dan. Need minor fix in your Bentley AHA penalty minutes ranking, which is one area where Bentley has continued to do well until most recently. Gosh, what ever happened to Bentley's PP: how does something like that go competely south given the variety of defenses Bentley faces each weekend? Any word on whether Blomquist will be back on the right side of the first D pair? Will we see Komm in both games this weekend? And, ditto, congrats to Campanelli, Koudys, and Hartung; likewise, hope that I get to see them for a couple more games at the JAR this season after Saturday's game.

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

I should probably leave this thread on page 3 and not post any more here this season. But, I am hoping that someone will explain to me what happened in OT on Saturday night. We had 9th place and a post-season return trip to RIT locked up if we could simply keep the puck in the AIC zone for the final 15 seconds for the tie. But, instead we pull Komm and give up the point on the AIC ENG and now must travel to Canisius, which had already swept RIT on the season, a good 10 minutes before Bentley entered OT. An EAG and OT win for Bentley would have made no difference in the standings than a tie.

Other than the question above, I was glad to see the three seniors play together on the first line in their final regular season game, and I thought that they played well together. With Blomquist, Gladiuk, Breton, and Bacon not in the game on Saturday night, I was surprised to see the Falcons actually take a 3-1 lead against the "hottest Div 1 team in the country." But, no lead was ever safe the last six weeks of this season, and I would have been happy with a tie and a trip to RIT.

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

I should probably leave this thread on page 3 and not post any more here this season. But, I am hoping that someone will explain to me what happened in OT on Saturday night. We had 9th place and a post-season return trip to RIT locked up if we could simply keep the puck in the AIC zone for the final 15 seconds for the tie. But, instead we pull Komm and give up the point on the AIC ENG and now must travel to Canisius, which had already swept RIT on the season, a good 10 minutes before Bentley entered OT. An EAG and OT win for Bentley would have made no difference in the standings than a tie.

Other than the question above, I was glad to see the three seniors play together on the first line in their final regular season game, and I thought that they played well together. With Blomquist, Gladiuk, Breton, and Bacon not in the game on Saturday night, I was surprised to see the Falcons actually take a 3-1 lead against the "hottest Div 1 team in the country." But, no lead was ever safe the last six weeks of this season, and I would have been happy with a tie and a trip to RIT.

I loved the call, and I would absolutely make that call again if I'm Ryan Soderquist. I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. It backfired, but what a moment that was.

Here's the deal with the way the coaches view the matchups in the playoffs. They a) knew that Canisius had beaten RIT when they called timeout in OT. They b) knew they were going on the road and really didn't give a care about the difference between a 9 seed and a 10 seed and who they're playing. And c) for the seniors, on the last game of the year, where at that point they knew nothing was really at stake, they went for broke. Would they do it again? yes. Would I support that decision? Absolutely.

The coaches view the league in 3 tiers, and it really doesn't matter what your seed is in that tier. You're either 1-4, 5-8 or 9-12. If you're 1-4, it doesn't matter who you play because you only need to win two games to advance to Rochester. If you're 5-8, it doesn't matter who you play because you only have to win 2 games at home to advance to someone's campus, and if you're 9-12, it doesn't matter who you play because you only have to win two games on the road to advance.

The biggest difference is between if you're at home or on the road. If the difference and decision is going to cost you home ice, then he doesn't make that call. But since it wasn't going to change anything besides a trip to Rochester (7 hours) or Canisius (8 hours), then it doens't matter. Coach isn't thinking about future matchups, and if you think he should, then I respect that opinion. But I absolutely loved the call; it took major major major stones to make that call, and I would absolutely do it again. Hell, AIC yanked the goalie 10 seconds earlier and I loved the call when they did it.

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Btw folks - here's the link to the senior day stuff from yesterday.

http://excalibursportspage.com/2013/...or-day-honors/

[Pk Specialist]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

I loved the call, and I would absolutely make that call again if I'm Ryan Soderquist. I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. It backfired, but what a moment that was.

Here's the deal with the way the coaches view the matchups in the playoffs. They a) knew that Canisius had beaten RIT when they called timeout in OT. They b) knew they were going on the road and really didn't give a care about the difference between a 9 seed and a 10 seed and who they're playing. And c) for the seniors, on the last game of the year, where at that point they knew nothing was really at stake, they went for broke. Would they do it again? yes. Would I support that decision? Absolutely.

The coaches view the league in 3 tiers, and it really doesn't matter what your seed is in that tier. You're either 1-4, 5-8 or 9-12. If you're 1-4, it doesn't matter who you play because you only need to win two games to advance to Rochester. If you're 5-8, it doesn't matter who you play because you only have to win 2 games at home to advance to someone's campus, and if you're 9-12, it doesn't matter who you play because you only have to win two games on the road to advance.

The biggest difference is between if you're at home or on the road. If the difference and decision is going to cost you home ice, then he doesn't make that call. But since it wasn't going to change anything besides a trip to Rochester (7 hours) or Canisius (8 hours), then it doens't matter. Coach isn't thinking about future matchups, and if you think he should, then I respect that opinion. But I absolutely loved the call; it took major major major stones to make that call, and I would absolutely do it again. Hell, AIC yanked the goalie 10 seconds earlier and I loved the call when they did it.

Pulling the goalie or not really seems trivial. The fact that they were in that situation against AIC given the talent on this year's team is in itself a disgrace. The team's gone 1-3-2 in their last six against the worst teams in the AHA/ country (en route to a playoff run?). This is the point as a player where you start talking about turning in your gear to Play-it-Again. It's golf season, or, if you are an underclassmen- running season. Hopefully the boys post good big loop times this spring.

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

I loved the call, and I would absolutely make that call again if I'm Ryan Soderquist. I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. It backfired, but what a moment that was.

Here's the deal with the way the coaches view the matchups in the playoffs. They a) knew that Canisius had beaten RIT when they called timeout in OT. They b) knew they were going on the road and really didn't give a care about the difference between a 9 seed and a 10 seed and who they're playing. And c) for the seniors, on the last game of the year, where at that point they knew nothing was really at stake, they went for broke. Would they do it again? yes. Would I support that decision? Absolutely.

The coaches view the league in 3 tiers, and it really doesn't matter what your seed is in that tier. You're either 1-4, 5-8 or 9-12. If you're 1-4, it doesn't matter who you play because you only need to win two games to advance to Rochester. If you're 5-8, it doesn't matter who you play because you only have to win 2 games at home to advance to someone's campus, and if you're 9-12, it doesn't matter who you play because you only have to win two games on the road to advance.

The biggest difference is between if you're at home or on the road. If the difference and decision is going to cost you home ice, then he doesn't make that call. But since it wasn't going to change anything besides a trip to Rochester (7 hours) or Canisius (8 hours), then it doens't matter. Coach isn't thinking about future matchups, and if you think he should, then I respect that opinion. But I absolutely loved the call; it took major major major stones to make that call, and I would absolutely do it again. Hell, AIC yanked the goalie 10 seconds earlier and I loved the call when they did it.

Naw, I still do not buy it. Who cares about which tier your team is in; it is all about match ups, and it seems to me that the Falcons, especially Komm, would have been seething for a chance to visit RIT again to settle the score from last post-season. And, Canisius is the "tier 2" team with the momentum going into next weekend, not RIT.

Hey, PK Specialist, I agree that this Facons team had way too much talent to explain the collapse over the past month. But, I will give them a pass on their last two games, as AIC was the hottest team in the league over the past month, Meisner was playing in net to prove more than just being the goalie with the greatest number of saves in AHA history, and the Falcons really were short-handed with two top linemen and one of their first pair Dmen on the shelf. Any word on whether these three and Bacon will be available at Canisius this coming weekend?

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Naw, I still do not buy it. Who cares about which tier your team is in; it is all about match ups, and it seems to me that the Falcons, especially Komm, would have been seething for a chance to visit RIT again to settle the score from last post-season. And, Canisius is the "tier 2" team with the momentum going into next weekend, not RIT.

Hey, PK Specialist, I agree that this Facons team had way too much talent to explain the collapse over the past month. But, I will give them a pass on their last two games, as AIC was the hottest team in the league over the past month, Meisner was playing in net to prove more than just being the goalie with the greatest number of saves in AHA history, and the Falcons really were short-handed with two top linemen and one of their first pair Dmen on the shelf. Any word on whether these three and Bacon will be available at Canisius this coming weekend?

Everybody is back next week for the playoffs, but Bacon is the only questionable one. Bacon got slashed on the wrist on Friday against AIC; the x-rays were negative but his hand was pretty swollen. So it'll depend on his swelling and range of motion with the stick about which line or if he's in the lineup at all. Meads looked good last night, so worst case, I wouldn't have a problem with him playing if Bacon can't go on the fourth line.

Gladiuk has been out since the SHU game with a concussion; he could've gone last night but hasn't had the full practice time. I was told before the game he was kept out for precuationary reasons to make sure he was healthy for the playoffs. Same with Breton and Blomquist.

Bentley will have a full healthy complement of skaters on Friday for the first time since the HOly Cross weekend. Blomquist's MCL tore during the Niagara weekend.

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

I'm running over the lines in my head, and I'm thinking that Switzer-Grieve-Gensler will be the top pairing, but do you keep that senior line together as a second line? I dont know of any glaring issues with Gladiuk coming back from a concussion, but I think he'd be better suited on the third line with Breton (who is also coming back from injury) and someone else. I'm thinking the lines should be Switzer-Grieve-Gensler with Breton-Gladiuk-Fitzstephens. Then Campanelli-Hartung-Koudys with the fourth line of Meads-Kubiak-Rickord. This puts Bacon out (implying he's not ready to come back) and it puts Krause back in the press box (where he sort of belongs after he was invisible during 3 shifts on Saturday).

Defensively, I'm going with Weinstein-Blomquist (have to), with Marginsky-Ledford and Maher-Reardon/O'Brien. I'd go with Maher for the game experience like when Bentley inserted Williams into the lineup in last year's playoffs. I think it's a better matchup to have speedy, offensive-minded guys on that third pairing for at least the Canisius series.

[beenthere77]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Williams replaced Ledford correct?

I'm running over the lines in my head, and I'm thinking that Switzer-Grieve-Gensler will be the top pairing, but do you keep that senior line together as a second line? I dont know of any glaring issues with Gladiuk coming back from a concussion, but I think he'd be better suited on the third line with Breton (who is also coming back from injury) and someone else. I'm thinking the lines should be Switzer-Grieve-Gensler with Breton-Gladiuk-Fitzstephens. Then Campanelli-Hartung-Koudys with the fourth line of Meads-Kubiak-Rickord. This puts Bacon out (implying he's not ready to come back) and it puts Krause back in the press box (where he sort of belongs after he was invisible during 3 shifts on Saturday).

Defensively, I'm going with Weinstein-Blomquist (have to), with Marginsky-Ledford and Maher-Reardon/O'Brien. I'd go with Maher for the game experience like when Bentley inserted Williams into the lineup in last year's playoffs. I think it's a better matchup to have speedy, offensive-minded guys on that third pairing for at least the Canisius series.

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins

Correct. Williams replaced Ledford for physicality reasons. It was a case of the better matchup taking effect