Colgate 2010-11

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Classes don't start until after MLK day I believe. I'd imagine folks will be trickling back throughout the weekend but I don't think we'll have any large student turnout for either game just because they are not around.

Good news is that they'll be back in time for the Cornell game on Jan. 21.

Quick thoughts on the game here as I'll have my other recap posted well, you know where.

Hard to get any type of momentum when the whistle keeps blowing every five minutes. Not a lot was called in the first, everything was called in the second and then the third went back to being basically no penalties. Three of Princeton's goals were on the power play and two of those were 5-on-3's. Really, it comes down to staying out of the box and being in the correct position so you're not in a spot where you can take a penalty.

Princeton's quick-strike transition game has been strong for several years now and when you go in to play them at Hobey, you have to be ready to backcheck and get back up the ice quickly to avoid the counter attack. In the case of both Lohry goals, that didn't happen and there's the difference.

Hard to win as well when you're outshot by around 20 and most of your shots are coming from the outer perimeter. Colgate couldn't get anything going inside the high-traffic area in front and Princeton's defense played a tremendous game - particularly Fedun and Pallis.

It is what it is at this point and the team really this week simply needs to figure out how to win. That's what it boils down to with an 0-9-0 record in one-goal games and an 0-15-0 record when tied or trailing after two.

 

[CU13]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

The Senior Class is invited to come back to campus a few days early for a career conference, so a lot of them will be back on Thursday. In addition, the Alumni Council and at least 70 other alumni will be in town.......so, hopefully there will be a good crowd when we get our first league win next weekend! Go 'Gate!

 

[HockeyEh]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Can some one explain why we didn't dress a full roster? One forward short and they didn't dress an extra D-man from what I can tell.

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Although, Rainman, if that was you in the Colgate sweatshirt standing in the first row looking stressed out, I met you briefly at the end of the game(I was the bearded guy in the Colgate tie whose optimism has been altogether sapped). And if you think your drive home was tough I had to ride home with the family sitting behind you(my friend and her three kids) through the same unplanned roads. . .

Marmot -- it was nice meeting you, even though the game didn't go our way. My optimism has also been sapped, unfortunately.

Thanks for the report, Rainman. Sorry you had the tough drive home; snow happens. I take it you won't be going to the Princeton game? Congrats on reaching 1,000...

Thank you, thank you Though the way our season's been going I couldn't bear to have post 1,000 be on this thread. I was not at the Princeton game -- I live in MA and my snow trouble was on I-95 from New London to just past the RI border. CTDOT (for those of you who know highway dept. lingo) does not know how to properly maintain its highways.

Sorry about your travels, Rainman. We've all been there...me on Route 20 more times than I can remember (and one of them was during the 2003 football playoffs, which I wouldn't trade for anything). Guess the weather Gods wanted to bring a little piece of Hamilton to you on the road!

Thanks. I went to school there but never had a car in Hamilton. At least I'm alive. I was planning a trip to Starr to see the Cornell game, but after that painful living nightmare and the way our season has been going, it's just not worth it.

Re: today, we now have FOUR games where we've scored 4 goals and lost. Why did Evin start!?!?!? Bessette looked good on Friday, why not give him another chance? Every game Bessette has started (including 2008-09 and the Canisius game in 2009-10) has been a game where the outcome has been decided by a goal.

If there's a silver lining, whenever we host Union and RPI we've taken at least 3 pts. on that particular weekend every year since I've been following 'Gate hockey (2005-06 was my freshman year). Most of those years were home sweeps (including an 8-0 thrashing of the Dutchmen in February 2008). Will the trend continue? I don't think so. But I hope I'm wrong.

 

[rodney]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Re: today, we now have FOUR games where we've scored 4 goals and lost. Why did Evin start!?!?!? Bessette looked good on Friday, why not give him another chance? Every game Bessette has started (including 2008-09 and the Canisius game in 2009-10) has been a game where the outcome has been decided by a goal.

Bessette didn't even dress???

 

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Regarding the line-up against Princeton as to why certain players were and were not dressed. I spoke with Coach Vaughan on both issues during the pre-game Coaches Corner segment.

Regarding the goaltending situation, the coaches still are in search of someone that can take over the number one job and someone that will possibly be able to steal a low-scoring game or a one-goal game. Bryan played well for the most part against Dartmouth and Quinnipiac, another goaltender was just getting a shot. It wasn't mentioned, but Alex has also played well against Princeton previously and he had both wins over Princeton last season including one in a low-scoring game at Baker Rink. Though, last year's Colgate side was much better defensively as a team.

Now obviously this game was not low scoring and even that said, I don't think it would've mattered who was in goal during the 5-on-3 situations. With four goaltenders, there is always someone that sits out because only three can dress and it this case it was just Bryan. I would liken it to a pitching rotation sort of, he was just on an off day. Everyone at least once this season has sat out.

Forward lines. With a television game, the coaches were just looking to shorten up the bench and figured they could do it because of the delays in game play that a television broadcast calls for. However, neither team could've prepared for a game primarily controlled by special teams - basically from the middle of the first period through the end of the second and the officials kept the game moving right along. What ended up happening was because of all the special teams play, the extra forwards (in this case McCann and Firman) didn't see a lot of ice time in the first two periods though they did play a decent amount during the third period.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I thought(with the exception of the first goal) Evin was very good ! (So did Barry Melrose lol). He made some tremendous saves. Come on...seven powerplays and two 5 on three goals against us...they could have had eight goals easily. How many two on ones did he make saves on also ? Fourty four shots on our goal !!!

Our defense is non existant...instead of meeting their forwards at the blueline I noticed we were backing in halfway to the goalie and letting them shoot. Check out the first goal Q-Pac got on us(on the Q-Pac thread). We had two great powerplay goals against Princeton and Bourdon is scoring...he shoots from anywhere, did u see his five on three PP goal ?

We have to stop taking stupid penalties and turnovers in our own end. I thought the offense was pretty decent but quit hanging the goalies out to dry !!

Another thing ...I have never ever seen the" crying" that's going on here. I know there's parents here that want Vaughan's head because lil Johnny isn't getting enough ice time. FFS..."Please let your kids grow up" This is the first time ever this thread has had so much dissention !! We need to be together here...and on the ice !! And yes....from credible sources....their are some parents causing problems in the lockerroom. All I'll say !

 

[UHhky]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

We unfortunately live in a society where the inmates (or parents of the inmates) run the institution. There is no doubt (at least in my mind) that this team hasn't quit and that Don has always been very good at getting as much as he can out of the roster. The overall quality of the roster IS the real issue and you could see it yesterday. Princeton is far superior in the transition game - speed kills and creates panic - and they have TEN frosh on the roster. Evin was good people and let's get this straight: GOALTENDING IS NOT THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE. ECAC hockey gets better every year and Colgate is stuck in the mud (that would be my criticism of current leadership, NOT how DV relates to his players or how he prepares a team). We have to work harder on the recruiting trail (to beat a dead horse, USHL, BCJHL, etc.). With a couple of exceptions folks we're not losing to the North Dakota's of the world. We've lost twice to Robert Morris, twice to Niagara, etc. Where do you think we would be if we were in Atlantic Hockey this year??? Middle of the pack AT BEST...

 

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Shabby,
I agree wholeheartedly with you on your analysis of the D backing in. But I have to say the negativity on the board is a result of a 3-16-1 record and extreme disappointment in the under achieving of this team. Since you have some knowledge here I have to ask, how can a parent of a college hockey player "cause problems in the locker room"?

 

[tiger]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

As a Princeton fan I think you are being too hard on your team. If they play each game like they did against us, you will be fine. I loved your resolve and the game could have gone either way. Maybe your defense is a little soft, but no team is perfect ( we shoot alot and dont finish as well).

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

See if this makes any sense. DV would never let any parents into the lockerroom, never ! Consider it's possible that parents in this "ERA" spend too much time nurturing their son, but remember, "He's an adult now". Are the parents being negative against the team and coach, too supportive of their own boy, or adding support and value, by pushing their son to work harder both on the ice during challenging times, as well as in the dressing room building chemistry amongst the whole team ?

When the going gets tough, the tough get going and only makes you stronger.

 

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

See if this makes any sense. DV would never let any parents into the lockerroom, never ! Consider it's possible that parents in this "ERA" spend too much time nurturing their son, but remember, "He's an adult now". Are the parents being negative against the team and coach, too supportive of their own boy, or adding support and value, by pushing their son to work harder both on the ice during challenging times, as well as in the dressing room building chemistry amongst the whole team ?

When the going gets tough, the tough get going and only makes you stronger.

Shabby,
I would say you are probably right. But I have to say that the same thing happens on every college team in the nation, whether they are the number 1 ranked team or at the bottom. There are players that sit every night and may not get the ice time they or their parents think they should be getting. Every night in every program there are disappointed parents feeding their sons discontent. That all being said, this is a new coaching challenge for all coaches and teams, not just ours. I think our programs biggest problem is that we don't carry enough players. If the school allowed a larger roster, like a SLU, then we would be able to weed out the attitude problems in the locker room. Unfortunately the only posotion we have depth in is in goal with 4 of them on the roster. Which rolls me into another question.

If we have a certain number of allotted spots for our program, why are we carrying 4 goalies when we could have an additional D or F on the roster?

 

['Gate Man]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Being in attendance on Friday night one readily noticeable thing about the game was that our third and fourth lines never seem to play. Which seems unfortunate because when they DO play they seem to be productive. Does anyone have an explanation for this?

Not much to say beyond that; another desultory result.

Although, Rainman, if that was you in the Colgate sweatshirt standing in the first row looking stressed out, I met you briefly at the end of the game(I was the bearded guy in the Colgate tie whose optimism has been altogether sapped). And if you think your drive home was tough I had to ride home with the family sitting behind you(my friend and her three kids) through the same unplanned roads. . .

Overplaying the top players has been a DV trademark for years. They play all Powerplay and shorthanded situations in addition to regular shifts and frequent double shifting. Other coaches have the same philosophy. I believe doing so in the 3rd period of a close game makes sense, but not the entire game... especially when playing back to back games every weekend. In a game of inches and short bursts playing tired is often costly.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Good point to ponder Gateman. Is it better to play less talented players on the PP and PK to save your best for the last ??? Not sure . Unfortuneately with our lack of depth we always have 2-3 players that are better than the rest...hmmmm ?

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

See if this makes any sense. DV would never let any parents into the lockerroom, never ! Consider it's possible that parents in this "ERA" spend too much time nurturing their son, but remember, "He's an adult now". Are the parents being negative against the team and coach, too supportive of their own boy, or adding support and value, by pushing their son to work harder both on the ice during challenging times, as well as in the dressing room building chemistry amongst the whole team ?

I think it's called "helicopter parents.""

 

[hockeymascot]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Sorry for the intrusion, but when a team struggles, everyone (players, coaches, fans) asks questions and looks for answers. This is not uncommon for losing teams. Some of you have indicated that parents are involved.....causing problems. Let's face it.....parents can be an issue on teams at all levels and and at all ages. When you don't hold your son/daughter accountable for their own performance on a team, the player never accepts responsibility for their own performance, and looks to point fingers at others (refs, linemates, coaches) or come up with excuses as to why they did not perform as expected. Everyone on this team has a job to do....the coaching staff....and the individual players themselves. They need to figure out how collectively, they can become a team again playing for the good of the whole as opposed to an entity of individuals, playing individually.

 

[UHhky]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I suppose we should start blaming the parents if we're not going to blame the players and the coaching staff. They're typically on the ice or running the show behind the bench during most games.

If you're making the point that the men on the roster are adults, and can therefore responsibly handle the pressures of D1 hockey, then the impact of the parents is a non-factor. However, if you're saying that the parents are a problem then are we to assume that the team is just a bunch of kids incapable of dealing with the rigors of a D1 season? Make up your mind on this point.

When you look at the performance of the team over the last couple seasons, in which classes have come and gone; that is no championships, no regular season titles, not getting out of the ECAC, I don't think you can blame the players or parents. You can chalk it up to bad recruiting and bad coaching decisions though, but hey, we're all for mediocrity and not complaining about real problems here, so who cares?

I apologize for wanting to see this team be better and actually make it to the tournament. I suppose I'll resign myself to continuing to throw money at the problem through Silver Puck, hoping for the best.

 

[HockeyEh]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

If we don't have any talent on the roster then why are most games close? Two years ago all the OT games. This year all the one goal games. I think we have the talent to play. If we were getting blown out I'd say it was a talent issue, but we aren't getting blown out. Goaltending has been the typical scape goat, but I think all of the goalies have played respectable. Parents an issue? If the coaches let that happen then shame on them. Never heard of a D-1 coach in any sport dealing with parents- players only. Parents are only an issue when coaches let them become one. I have no clue what is wrong with Gate but it looks like players aren't being held accountable. Listen to Barry Melrose commentary about a bad penalty off the play and then the player is right back out there. No accountability. That is a coaching issue. Frankly I think this team is made up of a bunch of moderately talented cry babies with a coaching staff that enables that behavior. The wheels are officially off. I've officially given up on this season, one I had such high hopes for. I am now resigned to being entertained by this thread. Far more entertaining than a gate hockey game.

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

UHhky...well stated...as a 30+ year member of Silver Puck I feel the same way...again, you could see this coming several years ago and it has arrived like a ton of bricks...I'm having drinks with a good friend of mine from Yale tonight and we'll talk about Yale hockey, Yale hockey, Yale hockey...bottom line: the recruiting HAS been bad (again, I won't name names, but you've got grant-in-aid recipients who are no better than borderline 4th liners at the DI level; I'm not blaming the kids - they are trying their best -but let's do something). The Colgate I've always known prided itsself on the competitive nature of the institution. We rank #7 in the country in the median income of graduates who are 10 years out of college. It's OK to want to win and it's OK to ask tough questions when we lose (and our winter sports record for the men is now 4-30-1)...UHhky, keep the posts coming...