What's new
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Colgate 2025-26

Shabby,
I purchased my tickets online just now for the Colgate vs. Union exhibition game on Sunday, October 5, at the Clinton (N.Y.) Arena.
Will you attend the game?
Thanks!
Tom S.
 
Happy October 1st everyone! The start of the new hockey season is rapidly approaching!

What will we see from Year 3 of the Mike Harder era? I'm optimistic that we will build on our regular season success in the past 2 seasons. Six OOC games against BU, Maine, and Michigan State will certainly provide a good measuring stick for us compared to other national contenders. I just wish some of these games were at home. But if we can split each of these series it would be HUGE for the Pairwise NPI. In case you haven't heard, a new method is now in place for selecting NCAA Tournament teams.

As for Colgate, we've had 2 consecutive seasons where we earned a 1st round bye. But since Mike Harder became head coach, we are 0-4 in playoff games. This bothers me. We almost always got to Albany/Atlantic City/Lake Placid when Don Vaughan was the head coach and we had a playoff bye. This season will not be a success to me if we don't win a playoff series. Especially if we can notch at least 1 win against either BU/Maine/MSU.

I'm curious to see what others' thoughts are on the upcoming season. I certainly believe we are trending up!
 
The best article that I have read so far on the NCAA Power Index (NPI), which replaces the PairWise Ranking (PWR)…


Rainman, I sincerely hope that we get a first-round bye again. Having said that, all three parts of our game are going to have to be strong each night. Just in the eight years that I have been back East, we’ve seen seasons with incredible goaltending, inexperienced goaltending, decent offense, porous defense, and strong defense (with lackluster offense). Somehow we need to get all three gears turning together for the whole season.

Success in the early season non-conference schedule is critical for the post-season NPI. On paper, we have a relatively easy home non-conference schedule and a really tough away one. Otherwise, we just hope to do well in-conference (including the first-round bye) and then win the ECAC auto-bid in Lake Placid again.

As always, I am excited about the upcoming season. I dislike exhibition games but am wicked excited about seeing one in the historic Clinton Arena. I am also excited about the early season trips to Boston and Maine. I have my tickets and accommodations all set. I also have my Class of 1965 Arena season ticket, parking pass and four new snow tires. he he he
 
Random thoughts from this weekend…

on Friday, Canisius defeated Clarkson, 3-1, in Buffalo. Hopefully our coaching staff will watch that video in preparation for our series against Canisius on October 17-18.

on Friday, Quinnipiac defeated Boston College, 4-3, in Boston. Clearly QU is going to be as tough this season (‘against the boards’) as the ECAC coaches expect them to be.

on Saturday, Union tied Army West Point, 1-1, in the opening men’s game at their new M&T Bank Center in Schenectady. Union came back late to tie it (and then ‘lost’ in a shootout).

on Saturday, Saint Lawrence lost at Niagara, 5-2. Again, Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) teams could be tougher than I give them credit.

on Saturday, Boston University beat LIU, 4-2, in Boston. Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson again stood out, as did Owen McLaughlin. We shall see them all next weekend.

Lastly, Shabby, will we see three different ‘Gate goalies in periods one, two and three this afternoon at the Clinton Arena? I would expect so.
 
Shabby, I sat behind Patty and finally asked her, ‘do you see Shabby? He is supposed to be here.’ She hadn’t seen you either. he he he

I thought we looked good, but not great. Andrew Takacs played the first half-game and Reid Duck played the second half. They both looked good. To me, Daniel Panetta, Simon LaBelle and Owen Neuharth look like they are ready to provide leadership to our team this year. But, for gosh sakes, we need to stay out of the freakin’ penalty box!!

I honestly think BU will eat our lunch this coming weekend. I know it was only an exhibition game with a new squad, but we made too many mistakes to feel good about playing in Boston this week (even against their new squid). But, I will be there to cheer on ‘Gate both nights. There is a pre-game get-together on Saturday for anyone else going.

The 1950 arena was super kewl; thanks so much for encouraging me to go. Buffalo Dave joined me and we just loved the old-timey nature of everything there, including the Clinton Comets historical photos and rosters. My Syracuse Blazers friends, Dick O’Brien, Don Bartlett and Dick Carbery, remember those days fondly.

Lastly, it was great logging in the Clinton Arena (#149 for me), getting the exhibition ‘w’ and seeing Patty, Donovan, Zach and others, but the highlight yesterday was hearing that Barb is doing better and gaining strength everyday!!

P.S. - Davide Patella also played, though he wasn’t in the printed pre-game line-up.
 
Last edited:
Shabby, I sat behind Patty and finally asked her, ‘do you see Shabby? He is supposed to be here.’ She hadn’t seen you either. he he he

I thought we looked good, but not great. Andrew Takacs played the first half-game and Reid Duck played the second half. They both looked good. To me, Daniel Panetta, Simon LaBelle and Owen Neuharth look like they are ready to provide leadership to our team this year. But, for gosh sakes, we need to stay out of the freakin’ penalty box!!

I honestly think BU will eat our lunch this coming weekend. I know it was only an exhibition game with a new squad, but we made too many mistakes to feel good about playing in Boston this week (even against their new squid). But, I will be there to cheer on ‘Gate both nights. There is a pre-game get-together on Saturday for anyone else going.

The 1950 arena was super kewl; thanks so much for encouraging me to go. Buffalo Dave joined me and we just loved the old-timey nature of everything there, including the Clinton Comets historical photos and rosters. My Syracuse Blazers friends, Dick O’Brien, Don Bartlett and Dick Carbery, remember those days fondly.

Lastly, it was great logging in the great Clinton Arena (#149 for me), getting the exhibition ‘w’ and seeing Patty, Donovan, Zach and others, but the highlight yesterday was hearing that Barb is doing better and gaining strength everyday!!

P.S. - Davide Patella also played, though he wasn’t in the printed pre-game line-up.
Tom - I have been waiting for your recap - no one does it better!!!! Thank you for being such a caring friend and for the mention at the end of your post. I’m very excited for the season and to see the boys play!!!! Go ‘gate!!!!!! 🏒❤️
 
Reid Dyck led Colgate out onto the ice here at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass., tonight. Mikhail Yegorov did the same for BU. Very interesting.

Last night, I took in Clarkson’s 6-4 win at Penn State. It was a great game. Gavin McKenna had two assists, but the real stud was J.J. Wiebusch of PSU. Natural hat trick. All four PSU goals. Clarkson got stronger as the game wore on, despite being out-shot 40-26. Has to be good for all ECAC teams in the NPI (formerly PWR).

Cole Hutson scored for BU with less than a minute in the period.

Colgate looked very respectable in that period, and Reid Dyck made some great saves. BU is just so fast. They beat us to the puck a number of times… in our own end.

BU 14, Colgate 11, SOG after one.
BU 1, Colgate 0, score after one.

Five minutes into the second, BU’s Mich Frechette scored a beauty.

Minutes later, another beauty by BU’s Ryder Ritchie.

Colgate penalty (roughing).
BU PPG by sniper Cole Eiserman.

Finally, a beauty by ‘Gate’s Tyson Doucette.

BU penalty (too many men on the ice). Killed. Not very effective PP.

Matching roughing penalties.

Colgate 19, BU 18, faceoffs won.
BU 25, Colgate 20, SOG after two.
BU 4, Colgate 1, score after two.

The floodgates opened in the second period.

Colgate penalty (slashing).
 
Last edited:
Colgate penalty killed.

BU penalty (high sticking). Killed.

Colgate penalty (hooking or holding).
BU PPG by Cole Eiserman.

BU penalty (tripping). Killed.

BU penalty (holding).
Colgate PPG by Isiah Norlin.

BU penalty (goaltender interference).
Dyck pulled. BU SHG (empty net).

BU 38, Colgate 26, final SOG.
BU 6, Colgate 2, final score.
 
Last edited:
Well, not only are we in a different conference, we clearly weren’t even in their league tonight. Their speed, skating and stick handling were far superior to ours tonight. I can’t believe that much will change tomorrow, but one never knows for sure. Western Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State all went down last night in their respective home arenas. Anything can happen.

But no matter what does happen on Saturday, I am still a big believer in Mike Harder’s strategy this year in scheduling several non-conference games against last season’s NCAA tournament teams. Hopefully we will learn some things from these meetings which will benefit us later in the season. If nothing else, we see first-hand what we need to improve to get to the next level.

Go ‘Gate!
 
lots of work to do...key losses will results in new line pairings and new defensive pairings...just get improvement game-by-game...BU is probably a top three team, but let's be a little more competitive...a long season with lots of new faces in key positions...
 
Andrew Takacs led Colgate out onto the ice here at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass., tonight. Mikhail Yegorov did the same for BU.

30 seconds in… Colgate penalty (unnecessary roughness). Killed.

Stat displayed. Last year. Colgate PP… 16%. BU PP… 28%.

BU penalty (interference). Killed.
30 seconds in. Colgate penalty (holding).

Colgate goal… Ryan Sullivan (from Max Nagel). Great teamwork.

BU penalty (slashing the goaltender). Killed.

Colgate penalty (too many men on the ice).

BU 11, Colgate 7, SOG after one.
Colgate 1, BU 0, score after one.

13 seconds still on the Colgate penalty. We just need to do a better job of staying out of the penalty box this season. We are just asking for trouble. At the same time, this game is getting chippy.

BU’s Cole Eiserman with another beauty.
Seconds later… Colgate penalty (roughing). Killed.

Halfway through the game, Colgate has 11 SOG. Apparently you can’t fire a lot of pucks on net from the penalty box.

When BU has the puck in our end, they just skate circles around us. Their abilities are just unreal, especially the Coles, Eiserman and Hutson. Fun to watch, actually.

BU penalty (holding).
One minute in… Colgate penalty (too many…).

BU 22, Colgate 16, SOG after two.
Colgate 1, BU 1, score after two.

9 seconds left on BU penalty.
61 seconds left on Colgate penalty.
Penalties killed.

Colgate score by Antonio Fernandez.
Minutes later, Jack Murtagh beats Takacs on a breakaway.

44.4 left. BU snipes it. Goal. Challenged for offsides. Goal overturned!!

BU 32, Colgate 21, SOG after regulation.
Colgate 2, BU 2, score after regulation.

BU penalty (tripping). Killed.

35-24. 2-2 tie.
 
Last edited:
Andrew Takacs led Colgate out onto the ice here at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass., tonight. Mikhail Yegorov did the same for BU.

30 seconds in… Colgate penalty (unnecessary roughness). Killed.

Stat displayed. Last year. Colgate PP… 16%. BU PP… 28%.

BU penalty (interference). Killed.
30 seconds in. Colgate penalty (holding).

Colgate goal… Ryan Sullivan (from Max Nagel). Great teamwork.

BU penalty (slashing the goaltender). Killed.

Colgate penalty (too many men on the ice).

BU 11, Colgate 7, SOG after one.
Colgate 1, BU 0, score after one.

13 seconds still on the Colgate penalty. We just need to do a better job of staying out of the penalty box this season. We are just asking for trouble. At the same time, this game is getting chippy.

BU’s Cole Eiserman with another beauty.
Seconds later… Colgate penalty (roughing). Killed.

Halfway through the game, Colgate has 11 SOG. Apparently you can’t fire a lot of pucks on net from the penalty box.

When BU has the puck in our end, they just skate circles around us. Their abilities are just unreal, especially the Coles, Eiserman and Hutson. Fun to watch, actually.

BU penalty (holding).
One minute in… Colgate penalty (too many…).

BU 22, Colgate 16, SOG after two.
Colgate 1, BU 1, score after two.

9 seconds left on BU penalty.
61 seconds left on Colgate penalty.
Penalties killed.

Colgate score by Antonio Fernandez.
Minutes later, Jack Murtagh beats Takacs on a breakaway.

44.4 left. BU snipes it. Goal. Challenged for offsides. Goal overturned!!

BU 32, Colgate 21, SOG after regulation.
Colgate 2, BU 2, score after regulation.

BU penalty (tripping). Killed.

35-24. 2-2 tie.
 
No tie has felt more like a win than tonight.

Tough, physical game tonight and it’s tied 2-2. With 44.4 seconds remaining in regulation, BU scored the game-winner. 6,000 people went wild and what a deflated feeling for ‘Gate fans. All that hard work tonight for naught. But, wait, Coach Mike Harder challenges for an offsides. The review takes forever, but ‘No Goal!’ Holy cow! OT was interesting when BU took a penalty. But they held us off. And Andrew Takacs made some great saves, too, in regulation and in OT.

Not only did Andrew Takacs play well, but, tonight, the whole team played well, never gave up, and was not intimidated by BU. Cole Hutson and one of their assistant coaches both said, ‘Tonight, Colgate wanted it more’ in Jumbotron interviews. I think they were right.

After seeing Boston University in-person, and like Magoo said, I don’t know how you can be disappointed with a loss and a tie this weekend at Agganis Arena. I am not. And, as GreenCoat wanted, we definitely showed improvement from last night to tonight.

Kudos to Katie Saeger for coordinating a great pre-game reception tonight at the Yard House near Fenway Park. I had a fun conversation with Daniel Panetta’s mother about her hockey sons.

P.S. - I apologize in advance if I sound like a broken record this season, but, after one exhibition game and two non-conference games… “stay out of the freakin’ penalty box!” Usually we take a silly ‘too many men on the ice’ penalty once a game. Tonight we felt obligated to take two of ‘em. Sheesh!!
 
Still wound up and looking ahead…
Canisius beat Clarkson.
Canisius beat Saint Lawrence.
Canisius beat Long Island.
Canisius lost to Long Island.
Canisius at Army West Point on Tuesday.
Hopefully someone will be scouting them on Tuesday.
Canisius at Colgate on Friday & Saturday.
 
Back
Top