Harvard Crimson 2022-2023

[Skate79]

Really like the team this far. With farinacci back (sounds like early Jan based on yesterday’s telecast), Harvard will have 3 lines that can score. Harvard has not had that kind of depth in recent years.

Potential derailers could be injuries, selfish play, lazy penalties (wong is the poster child here), lack of engagement in walkover games (feels like ECAC is down this year) - both 3rd periods this weekend we’re kind of meh. Also, I assume Gibson is the guy in net, but rotating 3 goalies is likely not a winning formula.

I, too, was surprised by Teddy using each goalie. I don't see that happening moving forward unless he feels that Gibson needs more of a breather to be fresh for March.

Also, the ice was a problem this weekend because of the unusually warm weather we are experiencing here in NE (we're close to or have set records this weekend). Made it difficult to pass the puck effectively.

One troubling trend. Sean Farrell seems to have fallen in love with taking every available shot and not using his teammates. This is hurting Coronato in particular. Hoping the coaching staff points this out to him.

[Skate79]

Harvard is off to the best start (4-0) in recent years. The opposition has been relatively weak, but our depth is impressive, esp. at goal with all three fully capable starters. Meanwhile, Karpa has stepped up nicely centering the second line in Farinacci's absence. Alex Gaffney provides great energy with his skilled spirited play. The Ivies and the ECAC in general, except for Q'pac, seem off to a slower start the usual, but the season is long and challenging opposition will surely come in Michigan, Ithaca, and Hamden. I want to hear others' perspectives on what you see as our strengths, weaknesses, and biggest challenges going forward.

As Bothman suggests, the team is firing on all cylinders and everyone, including the frosh, is getting involved. When Farinacci returns in early January, they should be even stronger.

One concern I have is that we are very 'right-handed' on D. We've had some problems on the breakout and there has been some miscommunication leading to prime scoring opportunities by the opposition. I expect the coaching staff to work it out as the season progresses.

[Dutchman]

Wrong……they lost ALL their studs

DCU/USCHO Division I Men's Poll - October 31, 2022

1	Michigan	(22)	7-1-0	944	4
2	Denver	(15)	6-2-0	926	3
3	Minnesota	(5)	5-3-0	869	1
4	St. Cloud	(6)	7-1-0	863	2
5	Massachusetts	(1)	5-1-1	773	5

[ICECAT1811]

DCU/USCHO Division I Men's Poll - October 31, 2022

1	Michigan	(22)	7-1-0	944	4
2	Denver	(15)	6-2-0	926	3
3	Minnesota	(5)	5-3-0	869	1
4	St. Cloud	(6)	7-1-0	863	2
5	Massachusetts	(1)	5-1-1	773	5

ok? The topic was “are the top players from Michigan coming back” the reply is the same….NO they are NOT….Luke Hughes exception. Do you think Michigan ranked #1 means they did return lol? No Union man….they RELOAD new elite talent…period

[ROMD]

ok? The topic was “are the top players from Michigan coming back” the reply is the same….NO they are NOT….Luke Hughes exception. Do you think Michigan ranked #1 means they did return lol? No Union man….they RELOAD new elite talent…period

This pains me to say as the Maize and Blue are my second favorite team after the Crimson but with Red and Pearson in the past (and Pearson's departure being messy with the GLI COVID debacle for example), Michigan might have a rough few years coming relatively speaking. Look at the decommits. The early record and rankings don't mean much. The poll respondents are mainly voting on reputations this early in the season. Eventually Pairwise, KRACH, and rankings will generally align. Does anyone really know if Michigan is better or worse than the Gophers or Penn State at this point? Ohio State and Michigan State might be decent too this year.

I would anticipate the 2 games to be exciting and well matched. Hopefully, Harvard will get a few fans in the stands at Yost over Thanksgiving (and the games are available on cable).

[Skate79]

So, I'll leave the Michigan discussion to those in the know. Hoping the Crimson comes out with a split.

Last night's game against RPI was a typical Harvard-RPI grind-it-out game. Nothing ever comes easy against the Engineers although Harvard looked like it was asleep for the first two periods. Fortunately, they woke up in the third with Austin Wong's greasy goal that had RPI questioning goaltender interference. From what I could tell watching the game on ESPN+, the RPI defender pushed the Harvard player into Watson, the RPI goalie, allowing Wong to pick up the puck and stuff it home. Then came the Alex Gaffney show. The tying goal was a thing of beauty - a wrister from the middle of the offensive zone, above the shoulder. The winner in OT was one of those innocent plays where Gaffney circled behind the net, then moved in between the circles and put the puck on goal hoping for what he got: a goal. May have been tipped. Hard to tell. We'll take the points.

On to Union.

[bothman]

So, I'll leave the Michigan discussion to those in the know. Hoping the Crimson comes out with a split.

Last night's game against RPI was a typical Harvard-RPI grind-it-out game. Nothing ever comes easy against the Engineers although Harvard looked like it was asleep for the first two periods. Fortunately, they woke up in the third with Austin Wong's greasy goal that had RPI questioning goaltender interference. From what I could tell watching the game on ESPN+, the RPI defender pushed the Harvard player into Watson, the RPI goalie, allowing Wong to pick up the puck and stuff it home. Then came the Alex Gaffney show. The tying goal was a thing of beauty - a wrister from the middle of the offensive zone, above the shoulder. The winner in OT was one of those innocent plays where Gaffney circled behind the net, then moved in between the circles and put the puck on goal hoping for what he got: a goal. May have been tipped. Hard to tell. We'll take the points.

On to Union.

Completely agree. Thought RPI dictated tempo, played their game, and frankly, deserved to win the game. Harvard was sluggish, sloppy (pucks bouncing off sticks all night), and I feel some of our younger defenseman were exposed with decision making. Harvard was lucky to be down only 2-0 after 2.

On Harvard's 1st goal, the puck was in the net long before the RPI goalie tried to move to his right so regardless of whether that was interference / RPI defender push hindered Aucion from leaving the crease, it did not effect the goalie. I am biased, but I thought it was the right call.

It was encouraging to get a win when the top line really had no juice all night and the PP generated next to nothing. Like to see them tighten things up tonight and make a statement early.

[Skate79]

So last night's game left me a bit confused. Where did the bad blood between Harvard and Union come from? Last year's game on the final regular season weekend? The rough stuff was unusual and the chirping (Farrell giving it to Connor Murphy the Union goalie after he scored to make it 3-1 was over the top) seemed out of character. Maybe not. Fortunately, we don't see the Dutchman until the last weekend of the season so maybe cooler heads will prevail.

As to the game, Harvard played better than Friday night's come-from-behind win. The Crimson had control of the game even after Union made it 2-1 (Mullahy should have had it) and the first line had its way with Union all night. Coronato's goal sealed the deal.

Looks like Teddy will be rotating goalies. Guessing he will do it depending on the opponent. Next up is UNH on Tuesday so we'll probably see Gibson with Mullahy taking BC.

[bothman]

Good win against UNH. Should have probably won 6-1. Missed several break aways and the goal UNH scored was a bad rebound by Gibson on a initial shot he should have smothered. Harvard gets a real test next weekend against Michigan on the road. I think a split would be great, but we will see. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

[Skate79]

Good win against UNH. Should have probably won 6-1. Missed several breakaways and the goal UNH scored was a bad rebound by Gibson on an initial shot he should have smothered. Harvard gets a real test next weekend against Michigan on the road. I think a split would be great, but we will see. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Don't forget we've got BC on Tuesday before the trip out to Michigan. Agree about the UNH game. We should have won by a wider margin. The second and third lines need to pick up the scoring slack and not leave it entirely to Farrell and Coronato. And I'd like to see Jack Bar show some maturity and not take so many stupid penalties. Teddy should have a sit-down with him.

Fun moment the other night on the Carolina Hurricanes TV broadcast. Tripp Tracy '96 is the 'Canes color analyst and he shared a great story about his former teammate Ted Drury '93 who is Jack's dad (Jack is up with the Canes and is making a good impression on Rod Brind'Amour). Ted would invite Tripp over for dinner when Tripp was playing in the AHL. Tripp's broadcast partner started giving him a hard time about his Harvard connections, all in good fun. But you could tell Tripp has a ton of respect for the Drury family and why not? They are terrific (I got to know Ted's dad and mom during his time at Harvard).

[HUJFKLINE]

Don't forget we've got BC on Tuesday before the trip out to Michigan. Agree about the UNH game. We should have won by a wider margin. The second and third lines need to pick up the scoring slack and not leave it entirely to Farrell and Coronato. And I'd like to see Jack Bar show some maturity and not take so many stupid penalties. Teddy should have a sit-down with him.

Fun moment the other night on the Carolina Hurricanes TV broadcast. Tripp Tracy '96 is the 'Canes color analyst and he shared a great story about his former teammate Ted Drury '93 who is Jack's dad (Jack is up with the Canes and is making a good impression on Rod Brind'Amour). Ted would invite Tripp over for dinner when Tripp was playing in the AHL. Tripp's broadcast partner started giving him a hard time about his Harvard connections, all in good fun. But you could tell Tripp has a ton of respect for the Drury family and why not? They are terrific (I got to know Ted's dad and mom during his time at Harvard).

Other than the Beanpot, BC doesn't appear on the schedule this year.

[Skate79]

Other than the Beanpot, BC doesn't appear on the schedule this year.

I whiffed. The women are playing BC, not the men.

[Dutchman]

Great first period !!! Hope it continues ....

[bothman]

I thought Harvard played a very good game overall - against a very good opponent in a packed barn on the road. Controlled play for much of the 1st and 2nd period before withstanding a Michigan onslaught in the 3rd. Harvard did not get the puck deep (too much finesse) which allowed Michigan to come the other way with speed.

Was very impressed with Fantilli, Hughes, and Brindley. The speed and skill was off the charts.

Harvard did prevail in the shoot out, but this game goes in the books as a tie. Not sure how that effects the PWR, but overall a very good result on the road.

Bar did not dress (not sure if injured or sick) and Farinacci still out.

[Skate79]

I thought Harvard played a very good game overall - against a very good opponent in a packed barn on the road. Controlled play for much of the 1st and 2nd period before withstanding a Michigan onslaught in the 3rd. Harvard did not get the puck deep (too much finesse) which allowed Michigan to come the other way with speed.

Was very impressed with Fantilli, Hughes, and Brindley. The speed and skill was off the charts.

Harvard did prevail in the shoot out, but this game goes in the books as a tie. Not sure how that effects the PWR, but overall a very good result on the road.

Bar did not dress (not sure if injured or sick) and Farinacci still out.

I'm guessing Bar sat because he has been taking some dumb penalties lately and Teddy wanted to send a message. Farinacci hopefully will return for Northeastern on New Years Day.