Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

[osuhockeyfan]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

From someone that was at the game, Adrian really put the pressure on the Lakers. In my opinion they can justly say that they are deserving of being a ranked team. For much of the game they were pushing Oswego harder than most other teams had all season. With that being said, the team was too tense and undisciplined. I think the importance of the game got to them and they took too many chances that were just too risky such as pulling their goalie like they did. It was a ballsy move and while I respect the determination of the team I think they'd have done better keeping him in, especially seeing as he was their best player all night. Here's hoping we meet again in March, and good luck on the rest of your season Bulldogs.

 

[PSUChamps2001]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

I think the game if viewed personally or online vs the "homer" play by play version that we were forced to listen to was a little different.

Full marks to Oswego. It sounds like they are a great team. Having said that, listening to the worst play by play guys in the history of hockey, you'd think that their angelic Lakers have never ever been called for a penalty in the past and they have never seen a game which involved body contact. My gawd, they acted like they had never seen a game get chippy. "It takes 2 to tango".

No, it's pretty much the way it was. Adrian had some nice spurts of their offensive tallent, but the lack of discipline was wow. I've said it for a while, goaltending/defense and discipline was their two biggest downfalls...goaltending was deffently not what I expected after last weekend...Fogal played very well and was the reason it wasnt a 4 or 5-0 after one. He gave Adrian a chance. The defense was decent, and had some very nice pickups and just getting back to make plays...discipline...not even going to go there....do I think Adrian is a 50min+ team a game, no...after 3 loses in a row...and something these players have never had to deal with...fustration is only the start.

5 on 5 very good team.....curve the penalties....and keep building the program...they will be playing late into March soon....

 

[skipperbob]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Was at the game, Adrian played Oswego as tough as anyone has all season but their lack of discipline killed them. Hard to believe that was the same goalie who played last weekend against Hamline - he was terrific tonight (except for that third goal). Oswego should have had at least 1 or 2 more off of him. One big difference, Oswego's penalty killing really shut down your power play.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

This is all for tonight as I just got in to Elmira after driving back from Oswego and need sleep:

Adrian has one heck of a hockey team. 5x5, they were the better team than Oswego tonight IMHO. I said that to EVERYONE.

Great meeting the Adrian fans, they were a great group of people and I'll be rooting for Adrian the rest of the way and hopefully see them back in Lake Placid in March.

Expanded thoughts to come tomorrow.

 

[prospect]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Nice to see Adrian playing some real teams. Not surprised to see Adrian going 0-3 against real quality teams like Oswego and Hamline. Always we're and never more a middle of the pack team in any legit conference.

At least you had some years to pump your tires about how could you THOUGHT you were. That tumble you hear is Adrian falling down the rankings.

 

[mtuck20]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

I'll try to be as non-homer as I can. I was at the game. I sat directly behind Fogal in the first and KGT in the second before I moved to the side to get away from a couple of annoying kids......

Fogal was tremendous. Early penalties stacked the shots against him, and there were 5-6 grade A opportunities that Fogal stopped. One shot was whacked out of mid-air on the goal line by an Adrian player. It has been well-documented that penalties were the story of the game. 5v5 I still think Oswego was the better team, though Adrian showed they can play during the second period. After Oswego went up 2-0 in the first, honestly, it never really felt like the game was in doubt until Adrian pulled their goalie. Even with a close score it never felt like Adrian was going to catch up. I attribute that to Oswego's defensive play last night. They did an excellent job of keeping the puck to the outside, blocking shots, and just getting into passing lanes. Anything else, KGT made some good stops. The 2 Bulldog goals came when KGT already was down for a save or for a shot that got blocked in front of him and then Oswego was unable to clear. Very similar.

Overall I think that Adrian showed a lot of frustration, and that can be attributed to the weak conference schedule they play. They aren't used to adversity. That was probably more shots than Fogal normally sees in 3 games. I do think that the game was a positive for them. Now they know where they need to be in March. Its just too bad they won't see a game like that again this year.....Good turnout by the Adrian fans. See you in 2 years, if not sooner.

 

[MW4Bucky&SNC]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Here is how I see it for Adrian. They now have a pretty good guage for the program in the middle of year 3. Hamline is a good team with a reasonable shot at the NCAAs. This is the caliber of team they'll have to beat if they want to win a game in the NCAAs. Oswego is a legit title contender, so if they want to compete at the Frozen Four they now got a glimpse of that. Obviously they are still an overwhelming favorite to win the MCHA AQ, although now they have no margin for error should something unexpected happen. If they don't win the conference tournament they won't get in via Pool C. Now things are pretty well laid out for them. Unfortunately, they have to keep fine tuning their game over the next 2 months without much competition to keep them battle tested.

As far as the Adrian fans, I've been impressed with their reaction here to disappointing results in the team's best opportunity to prove itself this season. The first two seasons there were a few loudmouths beating the drum with nothing more than their record to point to because they didn't understand how the system worked, but the reasonable folks have taken over.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

This is all for tonight as I just got in to Elmira after driving back from Oswego and need sleep:

Adrian has one heck of a hockey team. 5x5, they were the better team than Oswego tonight IMHO. I said that to EVERYONE.

Great meeting the Adrian fans, they were a great group of people and I'll be rooting for Adrian the rest of the way and hopefully see them back in Lake Placid in March.

Expanded thoughts to come tomorrow.

Nice to see Adrian playing some real teams. Not surprised to see Adrian going 0-3 against real quality teams like Oswego and Hamline. Always we're and never more a middle of the pack team in any legit conference.

At least you had some years to pump your tires about how could you THOUGHT you were. That tumble you hear is Adrian falling down the rankings.

Boy, you sure can tell who has watched this team play, and who just sits back, trolls, and runs his lips.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Few on this board would argue that Plattsburgh isn't a Top Ranked team, so Adrian looses 5-2 against Oswego - the EXACT same score Plattsburgh lost by, but Plattsburgh had home ice advantage, Adrian did not. Plattsburgh got off 34 shots on goal, Adrian only 30, BUT Fogal stopped 42 shots, Leis only 9. Both games saw late third period 10 minute penalties go to the loosing team, and the winning team take an ENG. If Plattsburgh still belongs in the top 10, so perhaps should Adrian.

 

[PSUChamps2001]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Boy, you sure can tell who has watched this team play, and who just sits back, trolls, and runs his lips.

Exactly....hopefully the games shuts most of them up...and at the same time gives some (most have moved on and learned) that just because you are undefeated against a bunch of mid pack DIII teams doesn't mean you are at the elite level of hockey...As I said last year..if the mcha grows as a whole it will only help adrian. Caveman said it after the game...Oswego plays these games all the time...they are use to it...

 

[PSUChamps2001]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Few on this board would argue that Plattsburgh isn't a Top Ranked team, so Adrian looses 5-2 against Oswego - the EXACT same score Plattsburgh lost by, but Plattsburgh had home ice advantage, Adrian did not. Plattsburgh got off 34 shots on goal, Adrian only 30, BUT Fogal stopped 42 shots, Leis only 9. Both games saw late third period 10 minute penalties go to the loosing team, and the winning team take an ENG. If Plattsburgh still belongs in the top 10, so perhaps should Adrian.

And I will say, you should have been there....

I don't think anyone there will say Adrian=Plattsburgh......two totally different teams and level....Adrian was good, but as someone said...Oswego was in control of the game...there wasnt much doubt. Fogal was the only reason Adrian was ever in that game...period.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Caveman said it after the game...Oswego plays these games all the time...they are use to it...

Yep. I said that on the other thread yesterday, too.

Okay, two days ago, but all the same

 

[norm1909]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

And I will say, you should have been there....

I don't think anyone there will say Adrian=Plattsburgh......two totally different teams and level....Adrian was good, but as someone said...Oswego was in control of the game...there wasnt much doubt. Fogal was the only reason Adrian was ever in that game...period.

I agree Adrian has a LONG way to go before they can claim to be an equal of Plattsburgh. I only got to hear the homer call, but I'm not convienced Oswego was in control of the game because of their skill, but rather because Adrian was in the box so much. I wouldn't put Adrian in the top 5, but losing on the road by the same score that Plattsburgh did at home, doesn't cause me to think they deserve a thrashing in the rankings either.

PS
I will be in Oswego for the Plattsburgh game section 52 seat 14 (some row).

 

[PSUChamps2001]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

I agree Adrian has a LONG way to go before they can claim to be an equal of Plattsburgh. I only got to hear the homer call, but I'm not convienced Oswego was in control of the game because of their skill, but rather because Adrian was in the box so much. I wouldn't put Adrian in the top 5, but losing on the road by the same score that Plattsburgh did at home, doesn't cause me to think they deserve a thrashing in the rankings either.

PS
I will be in Oswego for the Plattsburgh game section 52 seat 14 (some row).

A thrashing no, a top 15 team yes. I would say probably 12-14....pretty respectable for a 3rd year team...they are 0-3 against the only decent competition they will face all season (till ncaa's). Some of it was the box yes, but if it wasn't for Fogal that game was easily 4-0 at the end of one...

The way Plattsburgh controlled Oswego in that game was not the same way Adrian controlled Oswego...scores are just that on the board, it does not tell how good/not good a team/game is....

 

[NUProf]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

The only way for Adrian to learn how to play with top level teams is to play them. It is only good for D3 as a whole to become deeper by increasing the supply of top quality programs. I'm glad Oswego stepped up to schedule the Bulldogs. I think they have learned a lot in the last couple of weeks that can only help them in the long run. The schools from the ECAC NE that have become stronger and more recognized on the national level are the ones like Curry and Wentworth that have stepped up and scheduled the toughest out of conference games that they can find.

Good luck to Adrian the rest of the way.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

A thrashing no, a top 15 team yes. I would say probably 12-14....pretty respectable for a 3rd year team...they are 0-3 against the only decent competition they will face all season (till ncaa's). Some of it was the box yes, but if it wasn't for Fogal that game was easily 4-0 at the end of one...

The way Plattsburgh controlled Oswego in that game was not the same way Adrian controlled Oswego...scores are just that on the board, it does not tell how good/not good a team/game is....

That I totally agree with, having gone 0-3 takes them to "12-14", and I also agree Adrian fans need to happy they are there. As a Plattsburgh fan, I am happy where Plattsburgh is at, with 13 freshman - including both goalies and only 3 seniors and 5 juniors. As NUProf said "Good luck to Adrian the rest of the way", but I'll add, until they face Plattsburgh in Lake Placid

 

[Laker Ranger]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

That was an excellent game last night, both in quality and competitiveness - I don't think Oswego has had that kind of run for their money in quite sometime. Your goaltender basically kept your team in the running, and aside from that single Behind-The-Net Musselwhite Waltz, Fogal was immaculately good.
Looked like a WWE smackdown out there on occasion, and the physical game was great too. Discipline can go a long way at times though.
Thanks for stopping by Adrian - good game.

 

[nysportsfan29]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

The way Plattsburgh controlled Oswego in that game was not the same way Adrian controlled Oswego...scores are just that on the board, it does not tell how good/not good a team/game is....

Ohhh boy... Here we go again?

I really wish I could have been there. Sounds like it was a good one.

 

[NorthernLite]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

I realize this post, given the time is late, however the long drive home has provided ample opportunity to reflect on the visit to SUNY Oswego, and our first exposure to a highly successful DIII program.

Pregame
The "Meet & Greet" was a great idea, and our hosts put on a wonderful spread. The venue provided a super atmosphere for fans to socialize, and for forum members to become acquainted. No doubt the numbers of USCHO users paled in comparison to to those converging on tournament sites hosting four teams. However this paticular group that assembled for one much anticipated game was very special. It was unfortunate that the elements prevented some from attending.
I'd like to express my sincere thanks to all involved in organizing this little event for all friends of DIII hockey.

The Game
For those who tried to follow the action on the broadcast and weren't sure if there were actually two teams playing, I'll give my recap of how I saw it live.
Oswego are a great team frome the crease out, and clearly held the edge in play overall. They move the puck quickly usually on the tape and are effective in all zones of the rink.
While officiating frequently interrupted good even strength action, strong penalty killing on both sides prevented the officials' calls from being a factor in the outcome. (with the exception of the margin of SOG that favoured Oswego.)
Fogal spoiled several great Laker scoring chances, and Gunn-Taylor answered when called upon. The deciding goal unfortunately resulted from a bad decision on Fogal's part to handle the puck behind his net. Good teams apply pressure that cause turnovers and Oswego capitalzed to pull in front 3-1 at a point in the game when the momentem was in Adrian's favour.
Desperate efforts by Adrian in the final few minutes got them to within a goal but two empty netters sealed it for the Lakers.

ICE CHIPS
Oswego: I anticipated going into the game, that the Selleck/Fox/Laganiere would stand out,... but it wasn't the case. Hands down Neil Musselwhite was the best player on the ice both on the scoresheet and defensively. Gunn-Taylor was the other player that stood out for me making big saves when needed.

Adrian : Brad Fogal had Oswego players and fans shaking their heads for most of the night.........and those on the Adrian side were shaking their heads when he tried to do too much behind his net. Penalty killing was outstanding, and Kyle Watson was huge particularly when the Laker's had two 5 on 3 advantages for the better part of two minutes. Mike Dahlinger scored a couple and was pretty much a pest in the offensive zone.

Discipline: Skelly's major penalty for for HFB is going to be called more often than not. In the neutral zone the Oswego player turned to shield the puck and it happened. I credit the player for getting up quickly. Frequently players will lay on the ice until the major is assessed before lining up for the ensuing faceoff. A brief discussion by the officials resulted in a early shower for this key player.
The end of the game could have really gotten out of hand. Mallaro scored an empty netter to make it 4-2 then skates to the Adrian bench where his team-mates join him to celebrate his big goal. He's chirping and raising his arms like he's won a playoff game in OT. Not a classy move and one that I think warranted an unsportsmanlike call.......(to keep control).
The Adrian bench were upset and responded with some undisciplined behaviour of their own to end the game. It didn't get out of hand.....but it could have. Good ref's don't let that kind of crap happen.

Summary
If Oswego are the besy team in DIII, then I think Adrian gave a pretty good accounting of themselves. It's always disappointing to lose, but lessons are learned, and I expect this experience will help Adrian going forward.

 

[altazo]

Re: Adrian Hockey 2009-10: A New Hope

Nice to see Adrian playing some real teams. Not surprised to see Adrian going 0-3 against real quality teams like Oswego and Hamline. Always we're and never more a middle of the pack team in any legit conference.

At least you had some years to pump your tires about how could you THOUGHT you were. That tumble you hear is Adrian falling down the rankings.

I think Adrian fans should find comfort in this attempted flame by the author's complete failure at writing the english language...