2024-25: D3whky

[SHockey98]

T

That's the part that I think is weird. Augsburg loses to a team not even close to the top 25 and they barely drop. So if Hamline, St Bene's, or St Mary's win the MIAC, which would still be highly unlikely but possible. The MIAC possibly sends three teams, LOL. That would be just as bad as the NESCAC sending three teams, I don't feel any conference should get that. While the conference talent is up allowing the parity, there's not a top 5 worthy team in the MIAC. Top 10 yes, but there's no team scaring anyone.

If UWRF wins out in the senario above does the West gets 5 teams in? The point I'm making is GAC and UWRF were clearly head and shoulder's above the rest, solid top 5 teams the last few years. However UWEC had some really good teams and was always left out of the tourney because they had to beat GAC or UWRF to get ranked high enough. Seems ironic that when UWRF, Adrian, and GAC take steps down from their primes (Adrian/UWRF just one year removed) that more teams in the West would qualify. Most likely keeping a more deserving team in the East from getting in.

Guess what goes around comes around.

The mental gymnastics is comical.

Re: “What goes around comes around.”

Nothing has happened yet, and you can ask the same damn question of the East?

if…….. and I mean if…. RF, GAC, and Augsburg are not top 5 teams this year, who is?????

Other than Middlebury, any logical east fan could say there’s an argument for Amherst, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Endicott and maybe Cortland or Colby.

But none of those teams are above those 3 west teams, and you can throw SNC and Adrian in that group as well. So the fact is, four of ALL of those East and west teams have arguments at being a top 5 team. To say they’re not top 5 teams is bias and arrogance on your part.

EVERYONE has come back to the pack. The skill is more spread out, and the teams are just not as talented as the Gustavus, Plattsburgh, RF, and Middlebury teams of the last 5-6 years.

 

[VTpucksouteast]

T

The mental gymnastics is comical.

Re: “What goes around comes around.”

Nothing has happened yet, and you can ask the same damn question of the East?

if…….. and I mean if…. RF, GAC, and Augsburg are not top 5 teams this year, who is?????

Other than Middlebury, any logical east fan could say there’s an argument for Amherst, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Endicott and maybe Cortland or Colby.

But none of those teams are above those 3 west teams, and you can throw SNC and Adrian in that group as well. So the fact is, four of ALL of those East and west teams have arguments at being a top 5 team. To say they’re not top 5 teams is bias and arrogance on your part.

EVERYONE has come back to the pack. The skill is more spread out, and the teams are just not as talented as the Gustavus, Plattsburgh, RF, and Middlebury teams of the last 5-6 years.

I mean, if we’re just talking top 5 teams, the question would be: @JDHack51

If you were voting in a top 15 poll, who do you put in the top 5. I would struggle with this too, I don’t feel strongly about it, and it just seems like everyone’s very even

I would go 1) Midd, 2) GAC, 3) RF, 4) Oz, 5) Augsburg. I’d buy any argument to put in a Plattsburgh Amherst Adrian or Endicott though

 

[JDHack51]

T

The mental gymnastics is comical.

Re: “What goes around comes around.”

Nothing has happened yet, and you can ask the same damn question of the East?

if…….. and I mean if…. RF, GAC, and Augsburg are not top 5 teams this year, who is?????

Other than Middlebury, any logical east fan could say there’s an argument for Amherst, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Endicott and maybe Cortland or Colby.

But none of those teams are above those 3 west teams, and you can throw SNC and Adrian in that group as well. So the fact is, four of ALL of those East and west teams have arguments at being a top 5 team. To say they’re not top 5 teams is bias and arrogance on your part.

EVERYONE has come back to the pack. The skill is more spread out, and the teams are just not as talented as the Gustavus, Plattsburgh, RF, and Middlebury teams of the last 5-6 years.

Good point, maybe I should have said it this way. I couldn't tell you who would win out of Augsburg, GAC, SNC and UWRF. My pick would be UWRF based on their talent, but their goaltending is so damn scary any of three could beat them on a given day. SNC is the weakest of the teams listed and thus correctly ranked lower, but they have a senior lead team and will keep the score close.

If you're an Augsburg fan, last nights game vs St Bene's or the UWEC loss who has a suspect team, or the OT win vs Hamline that Augsburg tied up with 3 min left would be enough to make you puke. Their game vs SNC was pretty much even, the refs clearly missed a SNC goal, and Augsburg scored about a min later swinging the momentum. Watching it, the styles matched up really well. I can't say their team is worth a top 5 when you struggle with the teams listed.

With GAC it's been consistancy, but they also have the talent to make a run. Went 2-1 vs River Falls, but in reality GAC doesn't look any better than Augsburg when watching. However if there was a default team from the MIAC to put in the top 5 that would be it.

I'm not an East guy, I'm in the West so I'm not going to pretend to rank East teams. What I do know is UWRF or Adrian's team of last year were clearly superior to these teams this year. It's not even close if you watched them last year.

 

[JDHack51]

I mean, if we’re just talking top 5 teams, the question would be: @JDHack51

If you were voting in a top 15 poll, who do you put in the top 5. I would struggle with this too, I don’t feel strongly about it, and it just seems like everyone’s very even

I would go 1) Midd, 2) GAC, 3) RF, 4) Oz, 5) Augsburg. I’d buy any argument to put in a Plattsburgh Amherst Adrian or Endicott though

I totally agree, it's very hard this year. I watch a ton of hockey in the West, but hardly any in the East. Mainly because of having family friends on many of the teams. I'd still have UWRF and GAC in the top 5. They still have the most talent in the West, but it's anyone's game. It's actually made it more fun to watch this year.

 

[VTpucksouteast]

Absolute danger zone in Duluth, Scholastica is tied with Gustavus at 1 headed into the third. CSS goalie Cole is one of the best in the country on a not-great team. She is 46/47 through 2 periods (!!!!!) a loss for GAC might kill their at-large hopes.

 

[Scott_TG]

After getting drubbed 7-0 yesterday, Williams extracted revenge against #1 Middlebury on their leg of the home-and-home with a 4-1 win.

Manhattanville defeats #12 Utica 2-1 in OT.

Those are the only two big upsets I can spot for today...

 

[spwood]

So, if the SUNYAC website is correct (and I haven't double-checked it) and Cortland sweeps Oswego this weekend, it would create a three-way tie at the top of the league with identical 14-3-1 records. Anyone know what the tiebreakers are for SUNYAC women's hockey? I couldn't find anything on their website (because why would you want that to be clear to fans!?).

 

[Scott_TG]

So, if the SUNYAC website is correct (and I haven't double-checked it) and Cortland sweeps Oswego this weekend, it would create a three-way tie at the top of the league with identical 14-3-1 records. Anyone know what the tiebreakers are for SUNYAC women's hockey? I couldn't find anything on their website (because why would you want that to be clear to fans!?).

I believe if Cortland sweeps, Cortland would end up the one seed on head to head over both Oz and Platty, Oswego would be 2nd by virtue of winning the shootout that took place after the tie that took place in the first game between the Lakers and Cardinals. Plattsburgh would be 3rd and have to go on the road for the semifinals against Oswego.

 

[Scott_TG]

New USCHO poll is out for 2/17:

1. UW-River Falls
2. Middlebury
3. Gustavus Adolphus
4. Oswego
5. Augsburg
6. Amherst
7. Adrian
8. Plattsburgh
9. Cortland
10. SNC
11. Endicott
12. Colby
13. Utica
14. Nazareth
15. Bowdoin


NPI Rankings as of 2/17:
1. Middlebury*
2. GAC^
3. Amherst^
4. Augsburg*
5. UWRF^
6. Oswego*
7. Plattsburgh^
8. Endicott*
9. Cortland
10. Colby
11. SNC*
12. Adrian
13. Wilkes*
...
17. Norwich*
18. Nazareth*

*Projected Pool A
^Projected Pool C

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Anyone know what the tiebreakers are for SUNYAC women's hockey? I couldn't find anything on their website (because why would you want that to be clear to fans!?).

If you want to send me on an all out rant, ask me that question directly... In person. And with beers lined up on the counter.

 

[Scott_TG]

I believe if Cortland sweeps, Cortland would end up the one seed on head to head over both Oz and Platty, Oswego would be 2nd by virtue of winning the shootout that took place after the tie that took place in the first game between the Lakers and Cardinals. Plattsburgh would be 3rd and have to go on the road for the semifinals against Oswego.

For SUNYACs the scenarios depend on the Cortland vs Oswego home-and-home this weekend.

If Oswego sweeps they're first, Plattsburgh is 2nd and Cortland is 3rd. SUNYAC semis are Cortland at Plattsburgh and either Canton or Morrisville at Oswego.
If Cortland sweeps in regulation both games, they're first, Oz is 2nd and Plattsburgh is third. SUNYAC semis are Plattsburgh at Oswego and Morrisville/Canton at Cortland.
If Cortland sweeps but one is OT, Oswego is first, Cortland is 2nd and Plattsburgh is 3rd. SUNYAC semis are Plattsburgh at Cortland and Morrisville/Canton at Oswego.
If the series splits, Oz is first, Plattsburgh is 2nd and Cortland is 3rd. SUNYAC semis are Cortland at Plattsburgh and either Canton or Morrisville at Oswego.

Morrisville and Canton play each other twice at Morrisville with Morrisville leading the standings by 1 point. Canton needs a sweep or a combo of a regulation win and a tie to take the last spot in the playoffs from the Mustangs. If Canton wins in OT one game and ties the other it goes to tiebreakers.

 

[Scott_TG]

Williams pulls of their second straight upset beating #8 Plattsburgh 3-2. The Cardinals will likely have to win the SUNYAC Pool A to avoid missing their first NCAA tourney since 2011, I'd be surprised if they were still in position for a Pool C in the NPI after this one...heartbreaker for the Cards as they didn't make that many mistakes and played well, Williams just capitalized and outworked them.

The Cardinals went up early on a power play goal. They had great puck movement and Mattie Norton got hold of a rebound and fired it in. Williams would tie it up on their next power play putting it in on a scrum.

Annie Gallagher of the Ephs made it 2-1 early in the third on a pretty wrap-around.

Emily Kasprzak of the Cards made it level again with a great solo effort deking through the Ephs defense and sniping the goalie up high.

Leah Rubinshteyn would net the game winner at 1:01 on a shift where Plattsburgh blocked shot after shot but Williams' persistence paid off when Rubinshteyn got the puck without a Cardinal there to block her.

 

[SHockey98]

Williams pulls of their second straight upset beating #8 Plattsburgh 3-2. The Cardinals will likely have to win the SUNYAC Pool A to avoid missing their first NCAA tourney since 2011, I'd be surprised if they were still in position for a Pool C in the NPI after this one...heartbreaker for the Cards as they didn't make that many mistakes and played well, Williams just capitalized and outworked them.

The Cardinals went up early on a power play goal. They had great puck movement and Mattie Norton got hold of a rebound and fired it in. Williams would tie it up on their next power play putting it in on a scrum.

Annie Gallagher of the Ephs made it 2-1 early in the third on a pretty wrap-around.

Emily Kasprzak of the Cards made it level again with a great solo effort deking through the Ephs defense and sniping the goalie up high.

Leah Rubinshteyn would net the game winner at 1:01 on a shift where Plattsburgh blocked shot after shot but Williams' persistence paid off when Rubinshteyn got the puck without a Cardinal there to block her.

It's a NESCAC loss. They'll be fine. That's how it works.

 

[SHockey98]

NPI updated. Plattsburgh still in over Colby by over 600 points. Even with a first round loss in the SUNYAC, they have a chance. Win a semi and they’re in.

 

[Scott_TG]

NPI finally updated and Plattsburgh is only down to 8 and with Endicott being in line for Pool A they are still in Pool C contention as of now.

I think for the sake of their standing in the NPI, Plattsburgh would need an Oswego sweep of Cortland since the Lakers are already ahead of the Cards, and if the Cardinals don't make Pool A I think they would need the loss to be to Oz and not Cortland.

Last night's loss actually cemented 2024-25 as Plattsburgh's worst regular season record in program history at 18-6-1. Their previous 6 and 7 loss seasons included losses in the ECAC West and then NCAA tourneys (having received at-large bids) to accumulate these many losses. I really hope things turn around for my 7-time-champion alma mater next season.

 

[Scott_TG]

Also, Colby plays Midd twice this weekend and are right behind Plattsburgh so if Colby takes one or both games they will likely move into final Pool C position as they would get Quality Win Bonuses. That and Cortland taking wins from Oswego this weekend are the two biggest threats to their Pool C aspirations.

 

[Scott_TG]

Northland is officially closing this spring. They won't be attempting to stay open like they did last year.

They went 0-19 with a roster of 16. Their best scorers were junior Kyleigh Moffatt with 7 points in 19 games and sophomore Kennedy Gruhlke with 5 points in the same number of games. Northland Women's Hockey will go out on a 33 game losing streak dating back to last season unless they can win one their final two home games or their WIAC play-in game on the road. All three games are against UW-Superior who they have not beaten since they won a first-round matchup in February 2023, their only win against Superior in their 9 seasons of play.

The players may get looks from teams with small rosters themselves. Hilbert especially would be wise to see how many of their eligible players might be willing to come east. If you were to combine Northland's players with eligibility left to Hilbert's roster that has no seniors you would end up with 23 players, 17 skaters and 6 goalies. Convince half the goalies to play out and you have a full roster with 2 scratches...

This leaves the WIAC women's hockey conference down to 4 teams again. LaCrosse and Stout have ACHA club teams, why won't they elevate to varsity? Can someone get their ADs on record?

EDIT: I added clarification on their possibility of ending the program on a 30+ game losing streak including history against their final opponent UW-Superior.

 

[Lord_Zubin]

Is hilbert a good option?? It's not like cazenovia medaille st rose and wells have all closed in NY in the past 2 years(among many more). Can't imagine their financials are much better. They just reached a 10 year high of 1000 kids which isn't all that much

 

[Scott_TG]

Is hilbert a good option?? It's not like cazenovia medaille st rose and wells have all closed in NY in the past 2 years(among many more). Can't imagine their financials are much better. They just reached a 10 year high of 1000 kids which isn't all that much

They put a claim out in late 2023 that they balanced their budget as a result of raising revenue by 50%.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Is hilbert a good option?? It's not like cazenovia medaille st rose and wells have all closed in NY in the past 2 years(among many more). Can't imagine their financials are much better. They just reached a 10 year high of 1000 kids which isn't all that much

Remember Eisenhower college? That was a long time ago, though.