Atlantic Hockey Summer News

[schiegs]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I always made it a point to read the CHA thread because it seemed like the folks posting there genuinely supported each other and understood that the sucess of any of the teams benefited the league as a whole. Sometimes it seems that has been missing from the AHA.

To be blunt, I couldn't disagree more. All of the AHA posters (maybe only 20 or so max) have celebrated the conference's firsts. First win against a Big-4, first win against a ranked team, first tourney win, first poll points, first draftees, etc.. I can still remember some of them. Most AHA posters would agree that they root for any and every AHA team in OOC games, regardless of opponent.

What little consternation there has been to date has tended to focus on head-to-head matters and the management of the league itself.

This aire of harmony and mutual support will eventually fade as the conference grows and becomes more legit. We'll all get a little more cocky and assured in our place in D-1 college hockey.

HC su%*s!!!

 

[komey1]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I agree with schiegs to a point. I know I root for all the AHA teams (even Canisius - shudder) when it comes to non-conference games. And I am sure that the AHA posters were very happy that one of the teams made it to the Frozen Four.

I think we just have some differences on how some of the teams operate. Either that, or the improvements that are happening are not as big as we would hope so that the league could get sustained success even as a "cost containment" league. I think that the additions of RIT and Air Force have helped teams step up a bit. I suspect that Niagara and Robert Morris's additions will do the same.

What I don't want to see is that "cost containment" means don't give all you can or that mediocrity is acceptable.

 

[schiegs]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

What I don't want to see is that "cost containment" means don't give all you can or that mediocrity is acceptable.

Here, here.

 

[Jim]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

Here, here.

I always root for AHA teams out of conference and in the post season. And for those who haven't followed my posts over the years (and I'm sure that is pretty much everybody), I get extremely frustrated with the fact that UCONN has not performed up to the level they to which they should. Even given the limitations, I saw much better Husky teams several years ago. But here's the point. I recognize that they are performing within certain constraints. Would I like to see them make a run in the NCAA tournament? Sure. that would be great. Great for UCONN, and I think great for the League. for those of you who don't follow, when the UCONN pr machine gets rolling it is like few anywhere. Certainly superior to anything in the AHA. But, just like a fan of Boston University doesn't expect his basketball team to win the NCAA tourney...the program simply isn't built for that, I accept that as a general rule the AHA isn't built to win NCAA championships (arguably the same could be said for the ECAC now, but they'll never admit it). so I look forward to exciting competetive hockey (something admittedly missing in Storrs in recent years) within the league, maybe a handful of wins against non-league opponents (Benetly's over UMass was a great thrill). I love to see ECAC/HEA/CCHA teams come into Storrs for the UCONN Christmas Tourney. But like when UCONN plays Maine in basketball, its pretty easy usually to predict the outcome, so it will be when they meet on the ice in October. I'll be rooting for the Huskies, hoping they keep it close and maybe steal one, but I won't be crushed if they lose, certainly not as disappointed as if they lose to Holy Cross...I hate them too. But that is the reality for the AHA for the most part. It is about winning in the league. If I look at UCONN's non-league schedule, there are probably 2-3 winnable games (Union, Merrimack, and depending on who theyplay in the various tourneies one other). they won't be favored in any. There are a couple where they will be huge underdogs, like Maine. Considering that all but the UCONN tourney will be on the road, I'll be ok if they go 2-6 non-conference, or even 1-6-1. Lst year they were basically non-competetive out of conference. that shouldn't be either. What I won't be thrilled with is another 6 win conference campaign.

 

[Jim]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I was just looking at the UCONN schedule, and can somebody explain the league schedule this year? I thought that they played 27 league games. I get that they play the western teams twice, Air force Mercyhurst and Canisius at home and RMU, RIT and Niagara on the road, but within the eastern division, where I thought they played everyone 3 times, it doesn't seem to be right. They only have AIC scheuled twice, and virtually every other eastern team is played twice on the road and only once at UCONN. Just seems odd scheduling and only 26 league games. And while I realize that with the new teams the old scheduling might need to be changed, I'd think that since they played at Bentley twice, at Army twice and at Holy Cross twice last year, it would be the Huskies turn to host 2 this season. Am I missing something?

 

[schiegs]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I wonder if UConn falls into the same situation as a lot of AHA schools regarding coaches. Just my observation, but... it seems that a lot of coaches in the league are there because they have been the coach for the last ump-teen years. a.k.a. inertia. Are these programs willing to fire coaches for not performing given a certain amount of resources? Or, are the coaches there because they are "tenured" in a sense, and it is their's until they quit? Do the ADs care about the W's?

 

[komey1]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I was just looking at the UCONN schedule, and can somebody explain the league schedule this year? I thought that they played 27 league games. I get that they play the western teams twice, Air force Mercyhurst and Canisius at home and RMU, RIT and Niagara on the road, but within the eastern division, where I thought they played everyone 3 times, it doesn't seem to be right. They only have AIC scheuled twice, and virtually every other eastern team is played twice on the road and only once at UCONN. Just seems odd scheduling and only 26 league games. And while I realize that with the new teams the old scheduling might need to be changed, I'd think that since they played at Bentley twice, at Army twice and at Holy Cross twice last year, it would be the Huskies turn to host 2 this season. Am I missing something?

Did you count the tournament that they are hosting? UConn makes the first round a league game for them.

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I was just looking at the UCONN schedule, and can somebody explain the league schedule this year? I thought that they played 27 league games. I get that they play the western teams twice, Air force Mercyhurst and Canisius at home and RMU, RIT and Niagara on the road, but within the eastern division, where I thought they played everyone 3 times, it doesn't seem to be right. They only have AIC scheuled twice, and virtually every other eastern team is played twice on the road and only once at UCONN. Just seems odd scheduling and only 26 league games. And while I realize that with the new teams the old scheduling might need to be changed, I'd think that since they played at Bentley twice, at Army twice and at Holy Cross twice last year, it would be the Huskies turn to host 2 this season. Am I missing something?

The schedule is misprinted, it would seem, as there is made mention of a November 20th home date vs. AIC in the schedule release article, which is confirmed on AIC's own schedule release here.

Holy Cross is already accounted for as part of the tournament. The Rentschler Field game against Sacred Heart counts as one of the two home dates we were to have against them (and it's not like East Hartford is going to be any less of a "home" date for us, such as the likely meager attendance will show).

I suppose at least getting those three teams we didn't play in Storrs at all last year once is a marginal improvement, but who knows? Maybe that's just where the cards fell.

I wonder if UConn falls into the same situation as a lot of AHA schools regarding coaches. Just my observation, but... it seems that a lot of coaches in the league are there because they have been the coach for the last ump-teen years. a.k.a. inertia. Are these programs willing to fire coaches for not performing given a certain amount of resources? Or, are the coaches there because they are "tenured" in a sense, and it is their's until they quit? Do the ADs care about the W's?

That would be almost exactly my estimation as to why Marshall still hasn't been fired, yes.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I'll be ok if they go 2-6 non-conference, or even 1-6-1.

I'd be AMAZED if they managed to go 2-6 or 1-6-1 in only 7 games.

 

[BC/HE]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I'd be AMAZED if they managed to go 2-6 or 1-6-1 in only 7 games.

That conference tournament game confuses a lot of us. Makes it seem like an 8th OOC game and only 26 league games.

The only way I see UConn getting 2 OOC wins is if they win the consolation in both tournaments or the RPI consolation and win their own tournament. Union and Merrimack are much better this year than people think especially at home. Renselaer is not planning on playing in their own tournaments' consolation game either for that is why they scheduled UConn over the other two teams. It is very difficult for an underdog to continuously play on the road and make many upsets.

 

[Patman]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I'm watching random TV... end up on "Ace of Cakes"... see the main cook/chef with an authentic UConn jersey.

For those of you who know how I've been about the availability of UConn jerseys (as in, none, never, and in no way) i'm fairly miffed about this.

http://newyorkchica.com/2010/06/decorating-cakes-with-duff-goldman-from-ace-of-cakes/

 

[AFHockeyFan]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I know I root for all the AHA teams

Almost always true. I was hoping for a 7-overtime game between DU and RIT in the tourney, but I guess the right team won in the end. I don't really have a reason to hate RIT (yet) although some AF fans refer to them as "our neighbors to the north!"
I've actually had a horrible experience at Magness. DU really sucks. RIT, not so much.

 

[Spydey629]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

To be blunt, I couldn't disagree more. All of the AHA posters (maybe only 20 or so max) have celebrated the conference's firsts. First win against a Big-4, first win against a ranked team, first tourney win, first poll points, first draftees, etc.. I can still remember some of them. Most AHA posters would agree that they root for any and every AHA team in OOC games, regardless of opponent.

What little consternation there has been to date has tended to focus on head-to-head matters and the management of the league itself.

This aire of harmony and mutual support will eventually fade as the conference grows and becomes more legit. We'll all get a little more cocky and assured in our place in D-1 college hockey.

HC su%*s!!!

Well, that makes me feel better. I was beginning to worry. I was already starting to miss "the gang" from our CHA threads. I'm glad to hear the same comraderie exists over here in AHA-land, too - minor grievances aside.

Here's hoping I learn to "hate" one of our new rivals. Heck, we still debate who RMU's biggest CHA rival was - and that's a split vote at last check.

The only schools I hate right now are all due to football... the Cess Pool of the West... the Hucking Fuskers (welcome to the Big Ten!)... the ucking uckeyes... yadda, yadda, yadda.

 

[Patman]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

That would be almost exactly my estimation as to why Marshall still hasn't been fired, yes.

That and nobody has gotten a picture of him with a goat, yet.

 

[Jim]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I'd be AMAZED if they managed to go 2-6 or 1-6-1 in only 7 games.

Yup! Double counted the Holy Cross game in the tourney. And the 3rd AIC game isn't listed on the on-line schedule but is mentioned in the writeup. Now it makes sense.

As far as winning out of conference, I always figure they'll get one somewhere. I've seen it happen a few times and although I named Union as winnable, history isn't on our side in that one. We've played them several times and they've always blasted us. I just don't think Union is quite at the level of most of the other OOC teams. But again, they always seem to look like they could win the Stanley Cup when UCONN comes to town. Merimack has improved markedly over the last few seasons, but the Huskies have played htem alot and usually give them a good game. Like I said, 1-5-1 I'd consider a decent non-league performance.

and sadly I agree on Bruce Marshall. He was a guy who really did a nice job early in his career, but I have a sense that he is just going through the motions now. And our chucklehead of an AD neither knows what is going on nor cares.

 

[schiegs]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

Without commenting on Ryan Soderquist directly (only met him twice, nice guy), I do know that the current athletic administration at Bentley (DeFelice and other AADs) are much more concerned with grades and staying out of trouble than W's. I had heard that the hockey team got into a little bit of warm water a few years back based on academics and a few minor "incidents." DeFelice read the riot act and Soderquist cracked the whip a little bit. At no point was W-L brought up as a concern. It was all about off-ice issues.

Keep in mind this is extracted from comments from 3 or 4 sources and put together, so take it with a big grain of salt.

My impression: Bentley is much more concerned with team off-ice performance than W-L record. Therefore, if a coach (any sport) keeps the team clean, they could be around for quite awhile.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

Without commenting on Ryan Soderquist directly (only met him twice, nice guy), I do know that the current athletic administration at Bentley (DeFelice and other AADs) are much more concerned with grades and staying out of trouble than W's. I had heard that the hockey team got into a little bit of warm water a few years back based on academics and a few minor "incidents." DeFelice read the riot act and Soderquist cracked the whip a little bit. At no point was W-L brought up as a concern. It was all about off-ice issues.

Keep in mind this is extracted from comments from 3 or 4 sources and put together, so take it with a big grain of salt.

My impression: Bentley is much more concerned with team off-ice performance than W-L record. Therefore, if a coach (any sport) keeps the team clean, they could be around for quite awhile.

Nothing wrong with academic achievement....
Speaking of which, RIT managed to beat nearly everyone else (save for AIC) in the conference at that, too...
http://www.atlantichockeyonline.com/news/2009-10_News/09-10_Academic_All-Conference


140 players from 10 teams... Not bad. I wonder how the WCHA numbers stack up in comparison?

 

[RITProf]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I don't really have a reason to hate RIT (yet) although some AF fans refer to them as "our neighbors to the north!"

At least friendly neighbors, eh!

 

[AFHockeyFan]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

At least friendly neighbors, eh!

Yeah, if you guys ever get a Russian or two on the roster, all the John Birchers out here will come unglued!

For Air Force, the AHA is the best of both worlds. A viable, stable league and a chance to get reacquainted with most of the old CHA gang. Already looking forward to the game with RMU at the Pens place, haven't really missed Buffalo since we've been going to Canisius, no reason to ever go to Bemidji now, and hoping to get Huntsville back on the roster, especially in mid-January when this place turns into Ice Station Zebra!

Looking forward to a competitive season, and hoping we can stay in the top four in the standings.

 

[komey1]

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

My impression: Bentley is much more concerned with team off-ice performance than W-L record. Therefore, if a coach (any sport) keeps the team clean, they could be around for quite awhile.

My gut feeling is that at minor conferences, the coachs are there as much for the off-field performances as their on-field.