Nescac '12-'13

[polarbear2]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

End of 2nd

Bowdoin 4
USM. 1

[NUProf]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

The rink at Bates is just barely too small to be of regulation size. Rumor has it that the person who funded the project didn't like hockey players and gave the money for the rink with the stipulation that they were never to have a varsity team. The purpose was to have it for the school, for club hockey/figure skating, and as a link to the community (and added revenue for the school). Again, rumors but that's what I have always been told.

As far as Tufts leaving the NESCAC, I think too many of their other sports would be opposed. And I don't see the school wanting to give up that academic title, either.

There is no regulation size for hockey rinks - that seems to be an urban legend. If there were a "regulation size," then many D3 schools, including some prominent programs, would not be in compliance. If you regard NHL size 85X200 as regulation, you would find that Plattsburgh, Manhattanville, Colby, Conn College are among many schools with a home rink that is smaller than NHL size.

[jerrynu26]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

Actually, there are regulations concerning the minimum requirements. The goal line shall be a minimum of 10 feet from end boards. Each blue line shall be at least 60 feet from the goal line. The center face off circle shall be a 15 foot circle. Therefore...........the minimum length is 155 feet.

[neumyer]

There is no regulation size for hockey rinks - that seems to be an urban legend. If there were a "regulation size," then many D3 schools, including some prominent programs, would not be in compliance. If you regard NHL size 85X200 as regulation, you would find that Plattsburgh, Manhattanville, Colby, Conn College are among many schools with a home rink that is smaller than NHL size.

Anyone that ventured to the old Trinity rink at Kingswood Oxford school would know, regretably, that it doesn't take an overly large ice surface to host a game.

[NUProf]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

Actually, there are regulations concerning the minimum requirements. The goal line shall be a minimum of 10 feet from end boards. Each blue line shall be at least 60 feet from the goal line. The center face off circle shall be a 15 foot circle. Therefore...........the minimum length is 155 feet.

I don't think the Bates rink is that small - you are (as usual) otherwise correct

[neumyer]

I don't think the Bates rink is that small - you are (as usual) otherwise correct

Underhill Arena, completed in 1995, features a 200-foot by 85-foot ice surface used for the Bates intramural and club hockey programs, skating classes, and College recreational skaters. Upstairs, the Davis Fitness Center features a full Nautilus circuit, BodyMaster machines, and a full array of free weights. With 5,200 square feet and a capacity for 65 simultaneous users, it is among the largest collegiate weight rooms in the Northeast.

[Plus/Minus]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

... If you regard NHL size 85X200 as regulation, you would find that Plattsburgh, Manhattanville, Colby, Conn College are among many schools with a home rink that is smaller than NHL size.

Conn College's Dayton Arena is a full sized (NHL style) ice surface - 200 x 85.

[Plus/Minus]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

Actually, there are regulations concerning the minimum requirements. The goal line shall be a minimum of 10 feet from end boards. Each blue line shall be at least 60 feet from the goal line. The center face off circle shall be a 15 foot circle. Therefore...........the minimum length is 155 feet.

Just to put a finer point on those dimensions; the radius of the center face-off circle is 15'. The diameter of the circle is 30'. Thus, the minimum length of a rink would be 170'.

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

Connecticut College - 7, Colby College 2.

What I witnessed tonight via webcast was the lowest point I can remember in watching 51 years of Colby hockey. I tuned in a couple minutes late and the Mules were already down by a goal. There was never any doubt about the outcome of this game against a team Colby used to have for breakfast. To add insult to injury, Conn. Col. scored three short-handed goals. Will somebody please tell me what happened to the once glorious Colby hockey program?

Just as I was starting to gear up for last season, I learned that long-time, successful coach Jim Tortorella was leaving to take an assistant coach position in Div. I. Then Colby dragged their feet in hiring a new coach, ultimately coming up with a no-brainer, Stan Moore, a real hockey guy from right in their own backyard. But they took too long and only made him an interim. That's okay, interims cam become permanent.

The team got off to a rocky start last season, but came on strong in the second half as they became comfortable with Moore's system. Then came the announcement that we are starting the new season with a new coach. No explanation for Tortorella's departure - no explanation why Moore isn't back this year. The new coach, however, is another seasoned hockey guy, but has apparently inherited a situation where last-year's recruiting could have been better. No surprise there, with all the shaking up that was going on...

This season started out looking very much like the start of last year. According to the announcer on the Colby webcast of the second Bowdoin game, last week, new coach Blaise McDonald said that it will take time for the team to learn his system, but he was heartened by their effort in the first Bowdoin game, a 3-1 loss, and expects them to be strong starting in January.

There were signs that McDonald's assessment was right on, as most of the team's early losses were by only one goal, and they did have a lopsided win (their only one) against a soft opponent. They appeared to be competitive in what is a very strong league. But then there was tonight. There was nothing - no effort - no spark - no hope. Please somebody tell me the team has been stricken by the flu. That's about the only explanation I can accept for their performance tonight.

[d3follower]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

It's tough to keep up with your NESCAC brethren when you blow off 2 consecutive years of recruiting. It's going to take a while for McDonald to rebuild. Coach T did Colby no favors when he left in August of 2011. Of course who knows whether he was pushed or jumped but it did seem as though the departure was planned (whether by him or by Colby) since he clearly did not do much recruiting in the year before he left.

[neumyer]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

The good news is that Middlebury can score goals this year, which had been a problem the last couple of years. Their power play is much improved, but 3 games this year already, they have coughed up late leads. That needs to be addressed. Another positive is the teams ability to play from behind, but come from behind hockey is generally losing hockey over the long term. With their scoring punch, they need to get out in front first and limit the gift wrapped goals they are giving up off rebounds and odd man rushes let teams back into games.

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

It's tough to keep up with your NESCAC brethren when you blow off 2 consecutive years of recruiting. It's going to take a while for McDonald to rebuild. Coach T did Colby no favors when he left in August of 2011. Of course who knows whether he was pushed or jumped but it did seem as though the departure was planned (whether by him or by Colby) since he clearly did not do much recruiting in the year before he left.

Just a couple more things:

I didn't intend to demean the Conn Col program in what I said above. With a tie at Midd and the drubbing of Colby, they have shown that they will be a team to look out for this year. I love watching programs grow and I love parity in NESCAC.

As a loyal Colby alum, I am not looking to blame anyone, least of all the players - not blaming the new coach either. I just hope the AD is on top of the situation and making adjustments in moving forward. Maybe hockey is not on her radar - the women's team isn't faring much better. But three shorthanded goals has to be a Conn Col record - probably a record for Colby, too. I don't remember ever seeing that in a game before. I hope she understands that... And I hope she knows that the alumni still care about hockey.

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

Colby 5, Tufts 2

Feeling better, now... It's always good to go off on break with a win.

Interesting things going on with the goalie position. All of a sudden Sam Parker is in the mix in a big way. Great game last night with 38 saves!

[CACHockey]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

Coach T, who was tenured at the time, left to become the Associate Head Coach at UNH. His departure was completely unexpected by Colby, but likely planned by him for some time. The AD at Colby is terrible. Look at all of their teams... Aside from I think Women's Basketball and Women's Lacrosse, they are struggling, and have been for some time. Coaches are rewarded for losing seasons with long-term contracts. My son told me that the majority of athletes at the school don't even know who she is; she has barely any interaction with the players. The athletic department need some overhaul and it should start from the top.

[jimmy d]

Re: Nescac '12-'13

I think that it was Euler18 who asked early on in this thread if there was a conference in DIII that was as strong top to bottom as NESCAC. I don't know the answer to that, but based on the out of conference game results, NESCAC looks pretty good, anyway. In the first semester NESCAC went 15-7-1, with 5 of the 7 losses being by one goal! There were a few impressive wins (Midd 3, Platty 2; Trinity 3, Manhattanville1; Tufts 6, Curry 0), and some respectable one goal losses (Norwich 5, Midd 4; Utica 4, Amherst 3 )

There are some great out of conference contests coming up to start the second semester, as well. The premier event would have to be the Cardinal Classic with Amherst/Elmira, and Wesleyan/Plattsburgh. Middlebury has fielded some better teams for their classic this year also, hosting Manhattanville, Wentworth, and Babson.