Colgate 2010-11

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

This quote comes from the games notes for this weekend's games at gocolgateraiders.com:



That means when we DO score at least 3 goals, we're 3-5-1. We're also 3-5-0 when scoring first, which means we're 0-5-1 when our opponent scores first. And we're actually 0-10-1 when our opponent scores at least two goals, yes TWO! This all equates to a dysfunctional team! And don't forget the fact that Austin Smith has been in a long funk.

If there IS something working in our favor, it's the fact that we're 4-0-1 lifetime against RMU. Though based on the way we've been playing, I can't see us taking at least 3 points this weekend. Prove us wrong, Raiders, prove us wrong...

Only loss when allowing two is Lake State and that was in the second game of the season, a 2-1 defeat. The team is 3-1 when allowing two or less. But, you're right, in the 10 other games, it's been three or more goals scored by the opposition.

 

[ECACHL writer]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I wouldn't exactly call Bourdon and McPherson a tandem in terms of a 1-2 punch like the article is suggesting. Sure they have eight goals between them (Bourdon - 5, McPherson - 3) though one is an offensive-minded forward with a quick release snap shot/wrist shot from the wing and the other is a defenseman starting to offensively elevate his game.

Myself, I'd be more inclined to choose Day and Smith as Colgate's top tandem though the goal-scoring numbers don't quite equal that since Austin's in the midst of a dry spell right now. Really, it's hard to pick two just because everyone has been inconsistant - some nights one line plays extremely well, another night that line is quiet as a mouse. And no one's finishing on a consistant basis either whereas on those others teams, it's pretty straightforward.

Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to "endorse" any specific tandems based on anything other than this year's raw numbers. In Colgate's case, Bourdon and McPherson have created the most goals together (so far) of any two players on the team. Do I think Day/Smith/Larkon-Bourdon would be worse combos? Of course not, but the lines and results haven't played out quite that way yet.

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

If there IS something working in our favor, it's the fact that we're 4-0-1 lifetime against RMU. Though based on the way we've been playing, I can't see us taking at least 3 points this weekend. Prove us wrong, Raiders, prove us wrong...

RMU's KRACH is 29 while we are 56 out of 58. Their PWR is 25. I think asking for 3 pts this weekend is a tall order.

 

[HockeyEh]

Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to "endorse" any specific tandems based on anything other than this year's raw numbers. In Colgate's case, Bourdon and McPherson have created the most goals together (so far) of any two players on the team. Do I think Day/Smith/Larkon-Bourdon would be worse combos? Of course not, but the lines and results haven't played out quite that way yet.

I believe most of the top tandems in the article are actually on the same line. We can't seem to find the tandem where 1 + 1 = 3 like Burton and Winchester. I'd settle for finding a tandem where 1 + 1 = 2.1!

 

[Woodstick]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I think the guys are going to build off the bottom this weekend. Robert Morris is on a roll, but our guys have no way to go but up. Just think they will pull it all together when we least expect it. That's my hunch.

 

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Expectations have been reduced greatly and taking 1 point out of this week end would be encouraging. Hard to decide which piece of scheduling is worse, the Lake Superior 14 hour trip in week 2 of the season or the Pittsburgh bus trip the weekend of finals.

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I will say this, playing a game the weekend before exams and then 2 games (on the road) the weekend after exams is a bad, BAD idea. I'm sure Coach Vaughan didn't want the team playing either of these two weekends for academic reasons, but I'm guessing there were scheduling issues with Niagara and Robert Morris and had no common open dates anywhere else in the year, so they were forced to play these 3 games at this *stressful* time of year. That's too bad especially considering we had a "bye week" of sorts (1 exhibition game) back on Oct. 15-16, where we could have made the trip to Pittsburgh or hosted Niagara. But like I said, I'm guessing both of those teams had commitments at that time.

This has been the most puzzling Colgate team I've ever seen (and I've only been following the team since 2005-06). Yes, this "underachieving" has happened before, but even in 2008-09 when we had injuries and a lack of depth offensively, we found ways to give our opponent fits -- particularly, 19 times we went into overtime, and 6 of those OT games were wins. And we built on this in 2009-10 where we finished 4th and at times, came back from 2-goal or even 3-goal deficits to earn a win or tie.

But this year, it's been blown leads or not finishing -- finding new ways to lose. There's still 20 regular season games left and 16 league games -- can the team get its act together and/or find an identity? Maybe playing Boston College will do that, but I have to see it to believe it.

 

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Expectations have been reduced greatly and taking 1 point out of this week end would be encouraging. Hard to decide which piece of scheduling is worse, the Lake Superior 14 hour trip in week 2 of the season or the Pittsburgh bus trip the weekend of finals.

RMU trip was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. When the Cornell game at the Prudential Center on Nov. 27 came about, the RMU games had to be moved. This was one of the only mutual off weekends available.

And the Lake State trip had to come at some point and was going to be a bear no matter what. Even if the team had flown, it would've still been 5-6 hours in the bus from southern Michigan up to the Soo. And that's not counting all the time at the airport getting the players and equipment from the plane into a bus. If you make the trip later in the season, you have to contend with rotten weather.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Robert Morris is 10-4 with wins over Ohio State and Air Force and OT loss to RIT. I believe they were on the bubble to be ranked nationally earlier this year.

 

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Tonight at the second intermission I'll be joined by 2010 Colgate graduate and current Arizona Sundog (Central Hockey League) Jason Williams.

Are there any former players you'd like to hear in the second half of the season? David McIntyre is already on my short list along with Mark Dekanich and Kyle Wilson (a little harder with these two to get them on given that they are current NHL'ers). Over the past four seasons, we've been joined by many former Raiders including but not limited to Mike Harder, Steve Poapst, Andy McDonald, Jesse Winchester (few times), Liam Huculak, Ron Fogarty, Mark Anderson, Shep Harder, Justin Kowalkoski and Matt Torti.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Arghhhhh !!! As Don replied "This game was a microcosm of our whole year, we're so close" ! You have to feel bad for them.

 

[Oldtimer]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Since I graduated in the late '60s the closest I've followed Colgate hockey is during the last decade. During that time we've had our ups and downs and lost many a game we should have won, but I must say I've never seen a team that is less disciplined and less intuitive about when they must work their hardest and make the fewest mistakes than this year's edition of the Raiders. What is it about Coach Vaughan that has him continuously reinforcing the bad play by not benching or sitting out the violators when they continuously make the same mistakes which is as I recall the definition of insanity. I don't care if someone can score, he shouldn't be on the ice in the last minute of a period if he's a cherry picker, never gets back on D and continues to take dumb penalties in an effort to compensate. The season is close to lost, let's reward the players who play well and sit those who don't regardless of who they are. Unfortunately for us some of the worst violators are our "most seasoned " vets. Two goals in the last minute of the 1st and 2nd and a second straight OT where we are scored upon in the first minute...What's so hard about being ready for those seminal times in a game? I don't feel sorry for anyone except those players who continue to play their hearts out and use their heads and the Gate fans who have had to watch this Pee Wee hockey now since October. Being in games doesn't mean squat unless you can close them out and that is a "learned" skill which either has never been taught to some of these guys or inconceivably has never been absorbed. I thought the Cornell loss at the Rock was bad and it was, but the last two games, especially last night, were rock bottom. Senior leadership clearly isn't getting it done, so DV, please do the right thing and send a message by benching all those underperforming NHL draft picks and others who don't get the fact it's a team game and that preventing goals or holding leads/ties is just as important as scoring goals it just takes a lot more work and focus.

 

[HockeyEh]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Well said Old Timer, well said. There are clearly two classes of players in Don's eyes. Those that are never lacking and never have a consequence to bad play and those that can't make a single mistake or they are benched and/or don't dress. The 4th line has looked good but they get one or two shifts a period and that is it. They have the best plus minus and have scored goals despite barely getting playing time. Nasca brings energy- may not score but he gives 100% plus. Don't even know if he has been out for more than two shifts this year. I too am sick of the insanity- Don keeps doing the same things and expects a different outcome. At least he is giving another goalie a shot. He looked good last evening.

 

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Oldtimer you are right on. There is passion missing from many of these players game.

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Are there any former players you'd like to hear in the second half of the season? David McIntyre is already on my short list along with Mark Dekanich and Kyle Wilson (a little harder with these two to get them on given that they are current NHL'ers). Over the past four seasons, we've been joined by many former Raiders including but not limited to Mike Harder, Steve Poapst, Andy McDonald, Jesse Winchester (few times), Liam Huculak, Ron Fogarty, Mark Anderson, Shep Harder, Justin Kowalkoski and Matt Torti.

Joey Mormina, Tyler Burton, Nick St.Pierre

Last night .

 

[TheValleyRaider]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Didn't see/hear/follow either game. Too busy this afternoon drinking after the Giants.....

Hey, more beer....

 

[HockeyEh]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I am just plain depressed. Had such high hopes this season. Geeeezzzzzz!

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I'm with TVR. After the Giants epic collapse all I needed was to listen to the RMU game...so I didn't..

Think I'll take an 11 day hiatus from college hockey, and hopefully come back to see a (positive) change in this team.

 

[UHhky]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Would just like to say it again: can we get a good coach already?

DV i know you read this: stop being such a bad hockey coach.

 

[hockeyenthusiast]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Would just like to say it again: can we get a good coach already?

DV i know you read this: stop being such a bad hockey coach.

UHhky,

Can I ask you what exactly do you have against DV? Every comment that you've posted on here has been a slight against him calling for his head. The team has had a rough first half, it happens. It's time to put it behind, not only for them, but for us fans. How do you think they are feeling? They are the ones playing the games after all. The only thing us folks can do is keep supporting them and hope for a strong effort against BC. At this point, even if we win-out in the regular season, there is no way we could make the dance without meaning the ECAC, so the two games in the tournament, except for the sake of confidence and momentum are pretty much meaningless. The crucial games restart on January 7 when we take on Quinnipiac. I still believe in this team and know that they will turn it around. It doesn't matter if it comes at Dartmouth, on January, February, or March, but I know they will bounce back. Colgate hockey has been a program that has fought through adversity in the past and I don't think this year will be any different.

It's still only December and only 16 of the RS 34 games have been played. There are 16 out of 22 league games remaining. There's still plenty of hockey to be played and I believe this team will find their groove and surprise us.

Happy holidays to all.