Norwich Hockey - Time to Regroup

[jerrynu26]

The lens I'm looking through is, simply by virtue of a much weaker league, the record will be better and - hopefully - the conference tourney results will be better. I think we'll really see what the trajectory looks like once Dawes/Mattson have time to recruit a full class of "Dawes guys". There were some late adds after Dawes was hired (see: Fancy, Ocean) but it's certainly not a full class of Dominick's recruits.

Bog, no one really engaged with my thoughts on final standings. I'd be interested to hear what you think (objectively). In my view, a third place finish in a weaker league coming off three straight 2nds in one of the best leagues in the country is in no way a sign of any kind of progress.

I can reiterate.
New league, new coach, new system. I see improvements, and areas that will require more experience.
Babson was a loss, USM was one more mistake from a tie at the end, UMD was not an easy game, and they are not a top notch team. Castleton can be a tough opponent, and Keene (with more games played) is decent. Plymouth has apparently resolved their problems somewhat, and they were better than the score indicated when NU played them. So, NU was 2nd last year, but tied in points with Babson. So it isn’t unreasonable to see Babson ahead at end of regular season. Also not unreasonable that Plymouth is very near the top of the LEC at end of year.
If this was Dawes Year 2, much more likely that NU is at the top, but a couple more stumbles against the better teams would have a big impact.
Today will be a good measure, and next weekend even better.

 

[Bog Hockey]

I can reiterate.
New league, new coach, new system. I see improvements, and areas that will require more experience.
Babson was a loss, USM was one more mistake from a tie at the end, UMD was not an easy game, and they are not a top notch team. Castleton can be a tough opponent, and Keene (with more games played) is decent. Plymouth has apparently resolved their problems somewhat, and they were better than the score indicated when NU played them. So, NU was 2nd last year, but tied in points with Babson. So it isn’t unreasonable to see Babson ahead at end of regular season. Also not unreasonable that Plymouth is very near the top of the LEC at end of year.
If this was Dawes Year 2, much more likely that NU is at the top, but a couple more stumbles against the better teams would have a big impact.
Today will be a good measure, and next weekend even better.

I could be off here, but I don’t think Flint would necessarily disagree with your analysis. That said, I’m absolutely with Flint regarding his disappointment assessment and need to restore discipline. Penalties like boarding are scary and potentially inches away from injuries, majors, ejections, suspensions, etc.. If this behavior is the result of still fighting for spots then that’s one thing. If it persists, then there’s a leadership issue. Either way, that sort of reckless play has the potential to hinder our chances of finishing atop of the league. My experience is that Flint typically nails it. Flint?

 

[Bog Hockey]

Of course, the white elephant on campus is whether or not the president throws ample resources at his commitment to restore competitiveness to any and all athletic programs. Without generous financial aid to dole out, Norwich sports teams will sink deeper and deeper into the bowels of standings. The football team is the laughingstock of D3, but the program fills too many beds to eliminate. But it doesn’t stop at financial aid, does it? No more journeyman coaches, no more promotions from within, no more part-timers, etc. There also needs to be a commitment to recruiting the best and brightest coaches, as well. My blood pressure is rising so I need to stop here. Flint?

 

[KrbFlint]

I can reiterate.
New league, new coach, new system. I see improvements, and areas that will require more experience.
Babson was a loss, USM was one more mistake from a tie at the end, UMD was not an easy game, and they are not a top notch team. Castleton can be a tough opponent, and Keene (with more games played) is decent. Plymouth has apparently resolved their problems somewhat, and they were better than the score indicated when NU played them. So, NU was 2nd last year, but tied in points with Babson. So it isn’t unreasonable to see Babson ahead at end of regular season. Also not unreasonable that Plymouth is very near the top of the LEC at end of year.
If this was Dawes Year 2, much more likely that NU is at the top, but a couple more stumbles against the better teams would have a big impact.
Today will be a good measure, and next weekend even better.

More or less agree, I guess. I’ll still be alarmed with a 3rd in the LEC

 

[KrbFlint]

I could be off here, but I don’t think Flint would necessarily disagree with your analysis. That said, I’m absolutely with Flint regarding his disappointment assessment and need to restore discipline. Penalties like boarding are scary and potentially inches away from injuries, majors, ejections, suspensions, etc.. If this behavior is the result of still fighting for spots then that’s one thing. If it persists, then there’s a leadership issue. Either way, that sort of reckless play has the potential to hinder our chances of finishing atop of the league. My experience is that Flint typically nails it. Flint?

Agree on all counts. It’s clear this team wants to play more aggressively but it’s gotta be worth the risk. Consistently putting yourself a man down is a dangerous game.

 

[KrbFlint]

Of course, the white elephant on campus is whether or not the president throws ample resources at his commitment to restore competitiveness to any and all athletic programs. Without generous financial aid to dole out, Norwich sports teams will sink deeper and deeper into the bowels of standings. The football team is the laughingstock of D3, but the program fills too many beds to eliminate. But it doesn’t stop at financial aid, does it? No more journeyman coaches, no more promotions from within, no more part-timers, etc. There also needs to be a commitment to recruiting the best and brightest coaches, as well. My blood pressure is rising so I need to stop here. Flint?

It’s not the President. The trustees have made it clear that saving money/increasing revenue is the priority. He reports to them. Until that tone changes, I think there’s a pretty low ceiling.

As far as football goes, I think they face significant challenges in the NEWMAC. They never should have gone into that league in the first place. NU does not have the resources, the facilities, or the attractive location to win recruiting battles against those schools. In a different league I think the narrative shifts. I watched them pummel Plymouth State in the preseason only to see Plymouth State go 8-2 this season in the MASCAC. Quick math this fall showed 80% of the roster being freshman or sophomores so hopefully building.

 

[jerrynu26]

Not a great ending….
Credit for tying it late, but they did look “flat” most of the first two periods.

 

[Bog Hockey]

Are they not responding to Dawes or is it a lack of talent, skill, conditioning, and hockey acumen or a combination thereof? I see they’re still able to shoot the puck at the opposing goalie’s pads and chest.

 

[jerrynu26]

Are they not responding to Dawes or is it a lack of talent, skill, conditioning, and hockey acumen or a combination thereof? I see they’re still able to shoot the puck at the opposing goalie’s pads and chest.

I think they are responding to the new coach and style. There are some learning collegiate hockey, and a whole bunch unlearning 3 years of coaching. I don’t think it is conditioning, they were able to be more uptempo late in the game still.
Shooting (effectively) has been a problem at NU for a few years now, for both men and women. Too many pucks high and/or wide, and a lot of shots are squarely into the goalie.

And last nite, doing nothing on the last play except holding it on the boards was a safer bet.

I think (IMO) it was known this would take a while, but overall it is better than the past and is trending in the right direction.