Castleton

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Castleton

I am not sure how far Hamilton is to Central Vermont but it must be close to 300 miles. Our NESCAC friends are going to enjoy going over there once a year starting in 2011. Seriously I am interested in observing how Castelton has turned the program around and Bowdoin is the best now in the NESCAC. I would like to see all the ECAC East teams do well this weekend against the NESCAC.

I wouldnt crown Bowdoin as best in the NESCAC yet. We've read this story before. Bowdoin is almost always the best team in the NESCAC in November and December. But come February and March the Polar Bears start their yearly tailspin almost every time.

Hamilton, which is in Clinton, N.Y. (not far from Utica) is 186 miles from Middlebury.

http://www.mapquest.com/link/h/9-nEnitdxy

 

[NUProf]

Re: Castleton

I wouldnt crown Bowdoin as best in the NESCAC yet. We've read this story before. Bowdoin is almost always the best team in the NESCAC in November and December. But come February and March the Polar Bears start their yearly tailspin almost every time.

Hamilton, which is in Clinton, N.Y. (not far from Utica) is 186 miles from Middlebury.

http://www.mapquest.com/link/h/9-nEnitdxy

It does mean that every year the NESCACers get to do the ridiculous Hamilton/Amherst road trip, regardless of how far they came from to get there. It should be especially fun for Bowdoin/Colby and Tufts/Conn College

 

[1985]

Re: Castleton

The reason the program has turned around is because they are finally playing hockey where the forwards actually play on lines and the d actually play d, the past 3 years we played some screwy system the coach came up with....why do you think there was almost mass mutiny and the system was challanged by an outgoing Senior who did not get to play the 3rd period of the playoff LOSS

 

[hawk]

Re: Castleton

I wouldnt crown Bowdoin as best in the NESCAC yet. We've read this story before. Bowdoin is almost always the best team in the NESCAC in November and December. But come February and March the Polar Bears start their yearly tailspin almost every time.

Hamilton, which is in Clinton, N.Y. (not far from Utica) is 186 miles from Middlebury.

http://www.mapquest.com/link/h/9-nEnitdxy

Talking of road trips Colby/Bowdoin traveling to Skidmore and Rutland has to be a good one too. Just my observation watching Castleton a few times was there scoring was lacking the last couple of years. Didn't Castleton beat Norwich two years in a row and also beat Middlebury in the past. These are very big accomplishments.

On another note has Castleton done anything to increase the seating in Spartans Arena? I think there is potential on the second level and the non-seating side of the rink.

 

[neumyer]

Re: Castleton

It does mean that every year the NESCACers get to do the ridiculous Hamilton/Amherst road trip, regardless of how far they came from to get there. It should be especially fun for Bowdoin/Colby and Tufts/Conn College

Not necessarily

 

[hawk]

Re: Castleton

Not necessarily

Are you saying teams will double up on the same weekend. Middlebury or Bowdoin playing 2 games a Tufts would not be very exciting.

 

[BUhockey24]

Re: Castleton

In regards to Castleton Hockey as a program I dont think you can be anything but impressed with how quickly they have been able to establish themselves and not only become nationally recognized but do so in a difficult division (ECAC EAST/NESCAC).

Living in Rutland I must admit its an amazing oppertunity this school has to play against the likes of Amherst, Middlebury, Williams, Bowdoin...some of the best college in the country which under any other circumstances would never be in the same sentence as Castleton State College (I know you could make this argument about many ECAC East schools).

I still do not think Coach Alex Todd and Coach Moran get enough credit, both of these men built this program from the bottom up and have built a team identity that is recognized throuhgout the northeast; Castleton is a physical and hard working team. Nobody likes playing Castleton, its dog fight whether you win or you lose. The fact that this is Moran's first time coaching college hockey and Todd's first time being a Head Coach is very impressive.

Lastly, I watched the Spartans at their Thanksgiving tournament and I will admit they did not see any real competition there, but they looked very fast. Castleton has been a team in the past built on toughness and endurance but never speed and skill, im not sure I am ready to put them up there with the Middlebury's and Norwich's in terms of talent but from what I saw this past week I would definately say they are much improved in team speed and have still maintained a very physical style of play. Stuart Stefan is the real deal for anyone who has heard the name and has not seen him play; hes a two-way player, talented, shifty and not afraid to throw his body around.

For me the big question this season will be goaltending. I am not saying I do not believe in McNary but Castleton is not skilled enough to score 4-5 goals each night, they just do not have that kind of firepower and they are going to need a goalie that can keep them in it. If its a tie game going into the third, I like Castletons chances against just about anyone.

 

[1985]

Re: Castleton

Trust me, the guys that have left here the last 3 years wanted to be here, were good enough to be here, and most are still in the school......you don't loose your leading scorer(Culbertson) to his senior year because he needed more playing time or did not want to play, you can play up Todd all you want but there was no mistake at the end of last year where the majority of the players did not want to play for the guy

 

[neumyer]

Re: Castleton

Are you saying teams will double up on the same weekend. Middlebury or Bowdoin playing 2 games a Tufts would not be very exciting.

It is possible, the women do it. Midd lost to Tufts so I am not sure what you are talking about. The payback the next night would have been nice.

 

[hawkhockey]

Re: Castleton

I will candidly admit I know vitually nothing about Castleton but after a little digging a one thing re:their hockey team jumps out.
In 2006, 9 members of their mens team, all academic ECACE (league's best)
In2007, 14 members ! all ECACE all academic (league best)
In 2008, 13 members all ECACE all academic(league best)
in 2099 ,10 members all ECACE all academic (league best)
What this all about.Castleton wil have more all academic than Babson,Skidmore,St.Mike's ,on a regular and consistent basis? Help me with this.
Half their team in 2007, all academic,I have never heard of anything like this

 

[D3 Hockey is the Best]

Re: Castleton

I agree that Castleton has greatly improved during the past few years. But I wonder if they were smart in electing to play Becker and Brockport in their two non-conference games before tackling Colby and Bowdoin this weekend. They lost both games for a 0 point weekend. Conversely, Skidmore played three strong teams in Pottsdam, Buffalo, and Elmira in its 3 non-conference games before this weekend -- and earned 3 points beating Bowdoin and tying Colby.

 

[NUProf]

Re: Castleton

I agree that Castleton has greatly improved during the past few years. But I wonder if they were smart in electing to play Becker and Brockport in their two non-conference games before tackling Colby and Bowdoin this weekend. They lost both games for a 0 point weekend. Conversely, Skidmore played three strong teams in Pottsdam, Buffalo, and Elmira in its 3 non-conference games before this weekend -- and earned 3 points beating Bowdoin and tying Colby.

The thing about scheduling NC games is that it is a two way street. Not only do you have to want to play your opponent, but your opponent has to want to play you. You can't just order up a dish of Manhattanville and have them appear at your arena. They have to have an opening in their schedule and a desire to play you.

 

[D3 Hockey is the Best]

Re: Castleton

The thing about scheduling NC games is that it is a two way street. Not only do you have to want to play your opponent, but your opponent has to want to play you. You can't just order up a dish of Manhattanville and have them appear at your arena. They have to have an opening in their schedule and a desire to play you.

You make a very good point. In the future, I would hope that given the quality of its program Castleton could schedule stronger opposition and help prepare it for conference games.

 

[hawk]

Re: Castleton

One thing most fans don't know is Castleton is slowly making a lot of nice improvements at the Rutland Mall rink. The place looks very clean and Stadium Seating was been added for fans who agree to pay a little extra. They are doing construction to the balcony area (don't know purpose) and have contructed a balcony for the band to use during the game. It isn't a Middlebury or Norwich but it is turning into a nice hockey arena. Sounds like it a lot better than arena's then Hamilton and Tufts.

 

[CROSBYNU63]

I would hope so, the Tufts rink is a dump. Castleton has done a lot of great upgrades to their athletic facilities hats off to their Pres. I think Hawk should spend more time in the Rutland area.

One thing most fans don't know is Castleton is slowly making a lot of nice improvements at the Rutland Mall rink. The place looks very clean and Stadium Seating was been added for fans who agree to pay a little extra. They are doing construction to the balcony area (don't know purpose) and have contructed a balcony for the band to use during the game. It isn't a Middlebury or Norwich but it is turning into a nice hockey arena. Sounds like it a lot better than arena's then Hamilton and Tufts.

 

[D3 Hockey is the Best]

Re: Castleton

One thing most fans don't know is Castleton is slowly making a lot of nice improvements at the Rutland Mall rink. The place looks very clean and Stadium Seating was been added for fans who agree to pay a little extra. They are doing construction to the balcony area (don't know purpose) and have contructed a balcony for the band to use during the game. It isn't a Middlebury or Norwich but it is turning into a nice hockey arena. Sounds like it a lot better than arena's then Hamilton and Tufts.

Hamilton is playing in the Sage Rink, the oldest indoor collegiate rink in the US. When they renovated about 20 years ago, Hamilton tried to retain the original character of the rink while upgrading seating, etc. I guess it was somewhat successful.

Tufts had the chance to have its own rink when some alums offered to build and operate one on Tufts owned land. The school declined and plays on a public rink in the city of Malden -- a decent facility but one that requires busing of students to the games.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Castleton

Hamilton is playing in the Sage Rink, the oldest indoor collegiate rink in the US. When they renovated about 20 years ago, Hamilton tried to retain the original character of the rink while upgrading seating, etc. I guess it was somewhat successful.

Tufts had the chance to have its own rink when some alums offered to build and operate one on Tufts owned land. The school declined and plays on a public rink in the city of Malden -- a decent facility but one that requires busing of students to the games.

I like Sage. The sightlines are rough but other than I think the place is great. Sitting up high behind the near goal as you walk in isn't a bad seat and that's where I usually try and stake my claim when I'm there.

The rink definitely has character and is unique. Wish we had more old barns like it still.

 

[jerrynu26]

Re: Castleton

I like Sage. The sightlines are rough but other than I think the place is great. Sitting up high behind the near goal as you walk in isn't a bad seat and that's where I usually try and stake my claim when I'm there.

The rink definitely has character and is unique. Wish we had more old barns like it still.

Nope, down the right side ALL the way to the end, just under where the broadcasters are. Slightly curves, you can see the entire ice surface from there.

 

[skratch29]

Re: Castleton

im new to this and im just trying to find the thread i wrote in earlier and i cant seem to find it. just wondering what im doing that i cant find it? it was the other castleton thread called castleton spartans.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

im new to this and im just trying to find the thread i wrote in earlier and i cant seem to find it. just wondering what im doing that i cant find it? it was the other castleton thread called castleton spartans.

It looks like it got deleted for some reason...