Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

So an interesting tidbit about AHA hockey this season:

It's a 12-team league with single-division standings but the league will be divided into 2 "pods".

Bentley is seeded into the East with AIC, Army, Conn, HC, and SH. The west will be Air Force, Niagra, Canisius, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, and RIT.

The schedule heavily balances to Bentley's favor. The Eastern division is relatively weak in comparison to the West. The schedule will have every team playing its pod teams 3 times and every other team in the other pod twice. Although it's a single division for standings, the playoffs line with the top seed in each pod getting a bye followed by first round playoffs with seedings by division. For the QFs, the seasonal standings will be used.

Confusing I know, but that means Bentley hypothetically could win their pod and get a first round bye before meeting up with a team in the QFs that would get an utterly grueling first round series. And more than likely, your playoff hopes will hinge on beating the rest of your division. While that doesn't bode well for the long run, and it kinda screws the Western DIvision, the Eastern Division is still very weak.

THe first home weekend of the season is against SH. It could start then.

I can already feel my blood pumping ready for the season.

Also, as a note, Bentley will once again carry the home games from the JAR on B2 Networks. No word yet on whose doing the games, but they'll carry a $6 charge for audio/video single game packages. Road games are still very much up in the air; last year the student radio carried the road game, and B2 carried audio only for the Brown Univ. game.

Maybe we see them go to Northeastern since its local and a big opponent? And maybe we see what happens with potential road games at UConn, AIC, and HC?

It also looks like Bentley will suit up many sophomores on the line. In two years, with a couple of strong recruiting classes, expect the Falcons to make a run, esp. if the young guys get ready and with this divisional format.

LETS GO FALCONS

 

[schiegs]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

No one is a huge fan of the playoff format, and it clearly favors the weaker eastern teams.....this year.

However, its a false assumption to believe the west teams will continue to be stronger in aggregate forever. Parity is taking hold in this league, the bottom teams are adding resources (scholarships), and closing the gap over time. What can AFA do to add more talent? RIT? Niagra? Those teams are already at their scholarship max (0,0, and 12 respectively.) Add Mercyhurst to that list as well. Meanwhile some eastern teams are adding scholarship money (albeit at a painfully slow pace).

 

[XCTiger]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Although it's a single division for standings, the playoffs line with the top seed in each pod getting a bye followed by first round playoffs with seedings by division. For the QFs, the seasonal standings will be used.

Actually, the top 2 places in each pod will get a first round bye.

The only sense is that it does mean that other than AFA, all of the first round games should be reasonable bus trips.

Just means round 1 bye teams might have to travel to their Quarter final games.

One thing about the AHA administration....The sure know how to keep things "interesting".

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

No one is a huge fan of the playoff format, and it clearly favors the weaker eastern teams.....this year.

However, its a false assumption to believe the west teams will continue to be stronger in aggregate forever. Parity is taking hold in this league, the bottom teams are adding resources (scholarships), and closing the gap over time. What can AFA do to add more talent? RIT? Niagra? Those teams are already at their scholarship max (0,0, and 12 respectively.) Add Mercyhurst to that list as well. Meanwhile some eastern teams are adding scholarship money (albeit at a painfully slow pace).

I think it's very interesting to see what's happened with the league. If you go back a few years ago, Air Force was a lot stronger because it was a western school playing in a very weak eastern league. They were coming from an extremely strong CHA at the time with Findlay, Bemidji, and Wayne State. Plus they had the benefit of playing non-cons against the Colorado schools and Minnesota. They stepped into a conference highlighted by very small schools in the east, namely Holy Cross.

The parity happened because of a few reasons - Air Force's talent base slowly eroded by players' desire to go to a tougher, more elite conference. The same player that would've gone to Air Force now goes to Mankato or Ohio State. Couple that with the emergence of RIT, the presence of Canisius and Mercyhurst, and the surprising runs of Sacred Heart, Bentley, Army, and Holy Cross, and the conference is very very underrated (much like the Mountain West in college football). It'll be very interesting to see how this now plays out and how rivalries form and what new teams can maybe step to the front. I, for one, enjoyed RIT's putting Atlantic Hockey on the map last year (outside of Air Force). I'd love to see more teams get runs and deep runs into the NCAA tournament, which woudl establish a very competitive and entertaining conference on the ice.

About the resources off the ice - agreed wholeheartedly. I think, though, that some of the schools have A LOT of work to do to make a big splash. I point to Bentley and AIC at the forefront. In this conference, only these two play at municipal rinks, as does Sacred Heart (who finished 2nd). Every other school either owns or plays in a very nice rink on or near campus.

I know we've talked about it at length on past boards, but I think Bentley really needs to look at its hockey situation. They have a campus that can sell out a basketball game. They never have issues drawing students and fans - they need to make the dedication to hockey and put the on-campus rink in. If they invest the money, they will get the return. This is a hockey-mad region. If you build it, they will come. They built the Dana Center... they can do this too for their only D1 program.

And we're not talking about a 15,000, Ralph-like arena. We're talking a simple 1,500 or 2,000 seat barn that is maybe like holy Cross's or UConn's.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

One thing about the AHA administration....The sure know how to keep things "interesting".

Touche good sir. Touche.

I also point to a potential first round series between Mercyhurst and Canisius while a team like Army or Holy Cross gets a bye (excluding Bentley from this conversation because...well...they're my team).

It's no secret of the Mercy/Can rivalry. If they cannibalize each other in a best-of-3 series, they could be limping into the next weekend set against a team that is physical and can play. I'm not saying that I don't want league-wide parity. I'm just saying that it kind of stinks that a team could have an extremely physical first round series after an ultra-competitive league regular season, then have to host a team that has no concept of home-ice advantage (aka - can beat anybody, any time, anywhere... but doesnt have the record to show it).

 

[schiegs]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

I know we've talked about it at length on past boards, but I think Bentley really needs to look at its hockey situation. They have a campus that can sell out a basketball game. They never have issues drawing students and fans - they need to make the dedication to hockey and put the on-campus rink in. If they invest the money, they will get the return. This is a hockey-mad region. If you build it, they will come. They built the Dana Center... they can do this too for their only D1 program.

And we're not talking about a 15,000, Ralph-like arena. We're talking a simple 1,500 or 2,000 seat barn that is maybe like holy Cross's or UConn's.

Keep in mind, this type of capital project rarely comes from an institution's general funds. It more often comes from large alumni donations, something that Bentley sorely lacks. Often people direct their desires for such projects (and frustrations in a lack thereof) at the institution directly, a misguided approach IMHO. This type of facility is ancilary to a college's core mission, and threfore will most likely require a big check from "Mr. Jenkins Phatcat '69", not from an institutional "decision."

 

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Touche good sir. Touche.

I also point to a potential first round series between Mercyhurst and Canisius while a team like Army or Holy Cross gets a bye (excluding Bentley from this conversation because...well...they're my team).

It's no secret of the Mercy/Can rivalry. If they cannibalize each other in a best-of-3 series, they could be limping into the next weekend set against a team that is physical and can play. I'm not saying that I don't want league-wide parity. I'm just saying that it kind of stinks that a team could have an extremely physical first round series after an ultra-competitive league regular season, then have to host a team that has no concept of home-ice advantage (aka - can beat anybody, any time, anywhere... but doesnt have the record to show it).

I believe that the first round in the play offs is a single game elimination. Then, reseeding happens for the following best two of three game series. See post #300 in the off-season AHA thread.

http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?t=90731&page=15

Despite some good recruiting the past two years (on front lines last year, on defense year before), I think that this season is the big one for Bentley, with two seasoned goalies pushing one another, 4-5 experienced d-men, and seniors Cloutier and Peterson healthy to make up a formidable first line, accompanied by some goal scoring potential from the second and third lines.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

So here we go folks - the first weekend set preview post of the year.

Opponents: Friday at Quinnipiac, Saturday at RPI

What to expect:
Quinnipiac --

Q is looking to struggle this year. They were picked 8th by the coaches in the preseason poll, but honestly, I don't see them doing a whole lot. They opened up the year 12-1 last year, and they looked like one of the best teams in NCAA. Then they faltered, struggled, and limped home before getting crushed by Union in the ECAC Playoffs. That series included a 5-OT win for the Cats, but honestly, they expended so much that they just didn't have anything left in the tank after that. Dartmouth took them to 3 games in the first round, and I don't see them as being overly threatening. It's a good non-conference game for the Falcons, since it's still a threatening team with a decent home ice advantage.

Quinnipiac no longer has Brandon Wong; that's huge. They also lost their other two players in the top 3 in scoring. If nobody steps up, they'll have to become a defensive team, which their style doesn't entail.

Bentley shows up with a chip on their shoulder - they can win this game. This is extremely winnable if Koudys, Campanelli, and whoever plays with them on that line have improved. If Bentley's defense even improves slightly from last year's debacle, then the Falcons could take this one. I see it:

3-1 Bentley

RPI is a differnet story. I got a first-hand experience of Houston Field House last year in the ECAC Playoffs when I went up there to watch Brown play them on Saturday and Sunday in games 2 and 3.

The Engineers return Chase Polacek, whose their Hobey Hopeful. Polacek is extremely dangerous, and even though Brown's gameplan worked to minimze his damage in the playoffs, he's still probably the most explosive player on the team.

What helps against RPI is that their team was built to be unbelievable this year, and then they lost pieces. Jerry D'Amigo bolted for the NHL, as did Brandon Pirri. If D'Amigo and Pirri were back, RPI would probably be a threat for the top 3 in ECAC. Instead, they're the preseason USCHO-6th place team, even though the coaches and media seed them 4th and 5th.

Defensively, Eric Bergdorfer (def. spelled wrong) is gone (thank God). But Allen York returns between the pipes, and although he wasn't fantastic during the regular season, I thought he looked very good in Game 2 and at times in Game 3.

To beat RPI, Bentley needs to do what Brown did - get physical. Brown proved that physicality works against RPI since it knocks the fast forwards off their mark. They need to get big in the neutral zone, apply a vicious forecheck, not be afraid to take some penalties. They need to draw RPI into a bloodbath slugfest game, and that's not goign to be easy. The Mighty Minis that play forward for Bentley probably can't do that, so say hello to Trent Bonnett and Ryan Kayfis (but thankfully the Human Penalty Bobby Preece has graduated for times like this).

Also, as I've mentioned before, heading up to Troy usually produces a hostile environment. Brown lucked out; they were there during Spring Break, so it wasn't as loud as it could be (even though the noise was still pretty high). The Auditorium seating usually results in echoing sound. It's not the prettiest rink (not that we can talk), but it's loud. And the fans there are passionate-- I'm almost positive their wahoos will comment on this posting and refute everything I said, treating me like I'm a complete moron. Hell, they did that last year; I expect nothing different.

Honestly...as much as RPI annoys me at times, I think they're a dangerous team with a dangerous rink. Having to go from Hamden, CT to Albany, NY in one day is a tough road trip. Plus I think Calvi plays in net, and I'm not really sold on him this year after both he and Rank didn't really play well down the stretch. Score this one 5-2 RPI.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts for Bentley's upcoming season.

 

[turk181]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

it's nice to see Eric Burgdoerfer made such an "impression". Just so you know, his twin, Greg, now skates for RPI (forward not D). I think he will leave most with the same "impression". Not sure what goalie will be in net for Sat.'s tilt. We play NE Friday. Allen York, 1st team pre-season ECAC goaltender, maybe plays the Fri. game with backup Bryce Merriam playing Sat., if they split goaltending duties for the wknd. BTW, Merriam was in goal in last years 5-2 win over Bentley. FYI, Fr. Defenseman Patrick Koudys (6-4 210) is Dan Koudys' cousin. As for what the atmosphere might be like...it's Reunion & Homecoming Wknd, so expect a large/enthusiastic crowd

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Also, as I've mentioned before, heading up to Troy usually produces a hostile environment. Brown lucked out; they were there during Spring Break, so it wasn't as loud as it could be (even though the noise was still pretty high). The Auditorium seating usually results in echoing sound. It's not the prettiest rink (not that we can talk), but it's loud. And the fans there are passionate-- I'm almost positive their wahoos will comment on this posting and refute everything I said, treating me like I'm a complete moron. Hell, they did that last year; I expect nothing different.

Oh come now, we have fun when you guys show up. Just don't sit in our sections, and you'll be fine (unlike some Brown fans found out last year). Plus, one of your players was fun to taunt in the penalty box, I think he had a hat trick for that last year. Granted we may have to be a little more careful with that now that there's no glass there anymore, but it should be fun.

BTW, Erik Burgdörfer may be gone, but his twin brother's around.

 

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Nice article about Dan Koudys in Boston Globe by Nancy Marrapese-Burrell this week.

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_hockey/articles/2010/10/06/koudys_working_to_make_grade/

I had hoped to make the road trip to CT and NY this weekend, but looks like I will be in NH instead.

The Falcons are 0-5 against the Bobcats the past six seasons; time for another upset win, like what happened at UMass last January.

In contrast, we are 1-2 against RPI the past three seasons (4-3 OT win in 08-09), but I think that RPI is much stronger now.

I would be happy with 2 pts after this weekend, whether it be via one win or two ties; either would be fine.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Not a bad showing last night down in Hamden, CT. Quinnipiac got out early (1:04 into the first period) and roared to a 3-0 lead. Bentley had a late rally, scoring two with under 10 to go in the game, but still lost 3-2.

Interesting to see a couple of things last night. Number one - an inordinate amount of freshmen. Cloutier's top line had a freshman on it, as did Campanelli's 2nd line. I'll paste the lines from last night in a future posting after this.

Great to see Dustin back out there after blowing out his knee last season. Goals by Stonacek and Switzer. Chemistry is just starting to gel - with that many froshs in the lineup, you have to think it could be an issue for the first few games until they get into a rhythm. But I think it's great that the team is playing as many sophomores and freshmen as it is.

The least noted, but most interesting point - Calvi was replaced as the #2 goalie by Komm. Rank is still entrenched (for now) as the starter, but Calvi's been relegated by the emergence of the freshman Komm. I think Komm might see some action tonight in Troy against RPI. I personally would love to see him go head to head with the vaunted Engineer attack to get him a trial by fire in a non conference game.

Hot rumor is that Komm was recruited by RPI too. It's probably just hearsay, but that's what I've heard. Couldn't correlate it at all, so it's baseless conjecture, but who knows. Also heard Clarkson was after him out ECAC, but again, I have nothing to correlate or confirm it.

As for travel, the team went from Hamden to Albany last night so as to avoid bus travel today. It's roughly a 3 hour bus ride. Any thoughts for anyone for last night or tonight?

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Last night's lines:

Koudys-Cloutier-Justin Breton
Peterson-Jared Rickord-Campanelli
Nudy-Andrew Fitzstephens-Brett Gensler
Robert-Stonacek-Hartung

Bonnett-Zach Marginsky
Kayfis-Williams
Zach Ledford-Switzer

Rank #1 - Komm #2 - Calvi #3

 

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Last night's lines:

Koudys-Cloutier-Justin Breton
Peterson-Jared Rickord-Campanelli
Nudy-Andrew Fitzstephens-Brett Gensler
Robert-Stonacek-Hartung

Bonnett-Zach Marginsky
Kayfis-Williams
Zach Ledford-Switzer

Rank #1 - Komm #2 - Calvi #3

Interesting lines that I had not expected, but then I have not been to any practices this season. Good to see that the Falcons hung in there and made a game of it down the stretch last night. Will be interesting to see if they can keep the Engineers off the scoreboard a little longer than they did with the Bobcats last night, in which case they might surprise us.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Hot rumor is that Komm was recruited by RPI too. It's probably just hearsay, but that's what I've heard. Couldn't correlate it at all, so it's baseless conjecture, but who knows. Also heard Clarkson was after him out ECAC, but again, I have nothing to correlate or confirm it.

Although anything is possible, RPI wasn't looking for a goalie for this year, unless it was to be a walkon.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

As predicted, RPI just had too much talent and Polacek is the difference in a 3-0 Engineer win. Polacek had the first goal and then assisted on the other two. 5 PM start on the game, and it really flew under the radar in the college hockey world today.

Anyways...Bentley appeared strong by all accounts because it was a sloppy first period. Held them scoreless through one, and York reportedly was in net for RPI. Then it devolved after Polacek put RPI up, and Bentley fell 3-0. Not a bad loss. Bentley will struggle against better teams, and they've looked strong at times against better teams. Granted, they haven't won, but I'm taking positives from these.

Be interesting to see the lines and to see how the team prepares for a poor Clarkson team this weekend. The Knights are a terrible team, and much like Brown last year, this is the nonconference games we have to think Bentley can, should, and will win. WIll wait for the post-game report to be posted and will post the lines.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Lines from yesterday's game at RPI:

Koudys-Cloutier-Breton
Peterson-Rickord-Hartung
Nudy-Campanelli-Gensler
Goodsell-Stonacek-Trottier

Graffunder-Williams
Bonnett-Marginsky
Ledford-Switzer

Not dressed: Kayfis

Goalie: Komm
Rank
Calvi

Key stats: Bentley was 0-6 of pp attempts (including 2 5-on-3's). RPI outshot Bentley 24-23 (even stephen there), and no team had 10 shots in a period. Komm made 19 saves, and Alan York made 25.

Overall... I think it was just a sloppy game. But, then again, it looks like sloppy might be the way to go for Bentley. Get big, get physical, and make it devolve into a slopfest against bigger, stronger, and faster opponents. We'll see how things go heading into next weekend in Potsdam.

 

[allnightwong]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Be interesting to see the lines and to see how the team prepares for a poor Clarkson team this weekend. The Knights are a terrible team, and much like Brown last year, this is the nonconference games we have to think Bentley can, should, and will win. WIll wait for the post-game report to be posted and will post the lines.

Tough to call them "terrible" or "poor" when they went out and beat St. Cloud who was ranked in the top ten at the time 6-2. I agree that they are in a down year but to call them out and say that Bentley "should" and "will" win this game is crazy.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

RPI fan here, I thought your team played well and clean. It was a good match and I wish you luck this season.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Bentley Falcons 2010-2011: Reclaim The Pride

Tough to call them "terrible" or "poor" when they went out and beat St. Cloud who was ranked in the top ten at the time 6-2. I agree that they are in a down year but to call them out and say that Bentley "should" and "will" win this game is crazy.

But it is the same Clarkson team that lost 8-0 to Nebraska-Omaha. They're very raw, but they're also a year away from consistently being competitive. I see this team as being one not to overlook but at the same time, also one that Bentley should not lose to. If Bentley loses to Clarkson, then Falcon supporters might need to reevaluate how they look at this team for this season, at least in the early goings.

For Bentley, this is a game similar to the Brown game last year. It's a game that they very easily could lose, but at the same time, we need to expect them to win.