Colgate 2012-13

[Woodstick]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

they were beatable tonight and we didn't get it done...horrible passing, lack of discipline in the defensive zone, and, as usual, stupid penalties...; ...there are numerous players on this team - none that shall be mentioned - that are virtual turnover machines

This team has a lot of players that have never been held accountable. That is starting to cost Gate games.

 

[kwik]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

This team has a lot of players that have never been held accountable. That is starting to cost Gate games.

I don't think the referees did 'Gate any favors (and I put that scrum after the horn directly on their shoulders, and hopefully Vaughan let them have it with both barrels), that said, this WAS a winnable game. Both games this weekend started the same way- they came out flying, and creating chances, and are going to rue those two point-blank chances that were saved. Then the opposition takes advantage of questionable defending, and, before you know it, you are playing from behind. Battle to get it tied, and then the defending hops up again, and you are back against the wall. Poor refereeing aside- and they WERE poor, and I'll get into that in a second- stupid penalties, and there you go. It also didn't help that they never figured out how to beat the Q-Pac forecheck, that was wicked at times. If the goal is a 30-45 second shift, and you spend 20 seconds trying to beat the forecheck to even set up in the offensive zone, you don't get a whole lot of chances. Of course, if that breakaway early in the 3rd was just a touch lower, and doesn't ring off the crossbar, it's a little different, though, on the whole, Q-Pac probably deserved the win. The worry is going to be that Finney getting hung out to dry so much is gonna wear on his confidence.

Now, all that said, the refereeing tonight was embarrassing. When you are spending more time making sure that everyone is absolutely perfect on the faceoff, there is something wrong. Part of the reason there is so much jabbing, jostling, and jumping on the draws is that the linesman are taking way, WAY too long on these faceoffs.

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Ugh, I wasn't expecting a zero-point weekend, especially at home. At least Princeton beat Cornell which takes the sting out of Friday's loss. Wonder what's wrong with Cornell this year?

Meanwhile, Princeton and RPI are now 3rd and 4th while we could possibly fall to 10th tomorrow afternoon. The good news is that we're still 4 points out of 4th place. And despite the negative results at least Spencer Finney is keeping us in the game. He stopped three breakaway shots on the weekend and a few other point-blank chances for the opposition. But can we at least play better as a team defensively? This is what torched us back in the 2010-11 regular season until February of that year, when we finally got our act together.

 

[blemberg]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

We should have taken down the #1 team in country last night and we had our chances.......Wilson's shorty break-away, Murphy's shot off the post, etc.......not sure where our senior 6'5" defenseman's head was last night.....watched him give away too many pucks in front of the net ("in Finney we trust"......thank goodnees for him), speared a Q-Pac player, took a 10 min penalty, when we already have a shortened d-line......his play has been very inconsistent this second half. Some of the freshmen need to stop playing like freshman.....too late in the season for that......they can't take penalties in the last minutes of the game and hope to win. Q-Pac's winning goal was bad/lucky/ugly.....bad break for us, but nonetheless, the winning goal. Our upperclassmen really need to step it up, if we hope to get a bye for the first round. 6 games to go, and we have to win now!!! Can't agree with you more that Don needs to hold some of the players more accountable....seniors and freshmen alike!

Let's go 'Gate and go Spiro!!!
Thinking of SG6!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

welcome Blemberg and I also welcome your comments...hopefully last night's game is not the type of "senior leadership" that we will see down the stretch...

 

[Rjm7272]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Now, all that said, the refereeing tonight was embarrassing. When you are spending more time making sure that everyone is absolutely perfect on the faceoff, there is something wrong. Part of the reason there is so much jabbing, jostling, and jumping on the draws is that the linesman are taking way, WAY too long on these faceoffs.

As much as I don't want to blame the officiating, I really do think it had an impact last night. Yes, Quinnipiac was certainly beatable last night, but for a few defensive mistakes (leading to their goals) and several missed opportunities on the offensive end. But, the refs made their presence known last night. At times, it seemed as if they didn't even know what icing was, calling it off (both ways) when it should not have been. And the penalties (or lack there-of)...and that is both ways as well, as we were sitting up there thinking they missed a couple calls against us as well as several that should have been in our favor. Oh well, guess we can't go back now. Hopefully, they can put this behind them, and come out strong against Harvard and Dartmouth next weekend. We'll need a good showing if we don't want to be playing on the road in the first round of the playoffs, and if they can avoid the mistakes, they can get it.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

C'mon folks...We lost 3-2 to the #1 team in the country ! (this week) The refs did not lose the game for us, but, the penalties do hurt us. You can't take a crosschecking penalty with two minutes left...that doomed us !

Q-Pac is the most complete team I've seen this year...we skated with them...yes maybe we could have won...but give the team some credit. We are a very young team with alot of upside...we just don't have the depth some teams have.

We did hit the post twice...but Finney made some "unreal" saves just to keep us in the game...he's an impact player. We just came up a "little short" of the upset !

 

[red133883]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

I agree you can't take penalties in the last two minutes of a one goal game (bad penalty to take) but it wasn't a penalty for the rest of the game. How do you expect a player to know they will call the penalty when it wasn't earlier. I mean they called a slash when we were a man down but running over the goaltender was "incidental contact". They also couldn't control the face off, Baun and vanbrabant should have been sent off multiple times. They let the game get out of hand and then called random penalties. They missed an elbow to the head in the third on a one on one, missed a blatant hook by bourdon. I was stunned when they called any penalty

 

[still an empty net]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

As stated earlier by another poster I was not that overly impressed with Quinny. Their goals were off terrible turnovers in our own end. Their third goal was a 3-1 on one that happened like twice in a row right before that, eventually a team is going to score if you give them three 2-1 or 3-1 in a minute time span. Terrible in front of our goal and clearing the puck. We can definitely skate with these team just made too many errors that they eventually capitalized on. Yea we hit the post twice but one of their players also missed a WIDE open net on that 5-3 in the first. I don't know if he was trying to pass or what but that should have definitely gone in. That being said, great teams always find a way to win and Quinny won again.

After losing to Princeton Friday that game was a necessity to win. We are 2-4-2 since resuming play after Sacred Heart and are now 0-2-2 over are last 4 games and only picked up 2 points in 4 games when we were better than 3/4 of those teams. A first round bye is almost out the window, 4 points separate but their are too many teams ahead of us which means we would need a lot of luck as well. Just hope to go .500 in the final 6 games and match up with a weak team in the first round.

 

[yaledoc]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

As stated earlier by another poster I was not that overly impressed with Quinny. Their goals were off terrible turnovers in our own end. Their third goal was a 3-1 on one that happened like twice in a row right before that, eventually a team is going to score if you give them three 2-1 or 3-1 in a minute time span. Terrible in front of our goal and clearing the puck. We can definitely skate with these team just made too many errors that they eventually capitalized on. Yea we hit the post twice but one of their players also missed a WIDE open net on that 5-3 in the first. I don't know if he was trying to pass or what but that should have definitely gone in. That being said, great teams always find a way to win and Quinny won again.

After losing to Princeton Friday that game was a necessity to win. We are 2-4-2 since resuming play after Sacred Heart and are now 0-2-2 over are last 4 games and only picked up 2 points in 4 games when we were better than 3/4 of those teams. A first round bye is almost out the window, 4 points separate but their are too many teams ahead of us which means we would need a lot of luck as well. Just hope to go .500 in the final 6 games and match up with a weak team in the first round.

The only "weak" teams currently are Harvard and Cornell. Furthermore, "on any given night....."

 

[czeckthebody]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Yaledoc is correct. Unless a team plays Harvard or Cornell in the playoffs they could lose, and I am tempted to elimiate Cornell from the weak team category because as awful as they have been this year they have the size to grind a team down over a 3 game series if Iles plays exceptionally well. Dartmouth might be becoming a weak team. They have looked very soft the last few times I have seen them play.

Two years ago Colgate finished last and beat RPI and Union to get to AC. That Colgate team was actually very good and nothing like this year's Harvard team, but the point is that anyone can beat anyone.

The posters on this board who have written that Quinnipiac is not that good, is beatable, etc,.... OK, maybe last night they were beatable, whatever that means.. But they are undefeated in the league and there are only 6 games left. That didn't happen by accident. Thet are unquestobaly the best team in the league and the fact that they didn't wow some spectators on the second night of a road weekend doesn't not diminish what they have accomplished. The are the best team I have seen in this league since Yale's team a few years ago that should have gone to the Frozen Four but for some almost impossibly bad goaltending against BC in Worcester.

We need another ECAC team in the Frozen Four this year and I'm rooting for QPAC to not only get there, but perhaps win it.

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Video footage of both Friday's and Saturday's losses are on the ECAC website.

As far as Friday's game goes, Princeton's 2nd and 3rd goals were "tough breaks" for us. The 2nd goal came off a faceoff and a Princeton defenseman took a slap shot from the blue line, and somehow it went in. The 3rd goal was 7 seconds into a Princeton power play, a loose puck was in front of the net and Finney didn't have a chance to stop it. But the 1st and 4th goals ... we were playing sloppy right before them and it torched us, just like in the middle stretches of the 2010-11 season.

Saturday we actually played much better than we did on Friday, and we were going toe-to-toe with Quinnipiac. But elementary mistakes were what led to Qpac's 1st 2 goals. On the 1st goal we made no effort to check Kellen Jones who received a head's up pass from his twin brother Connor. On the 2nd goal a Bobcat forward was just standing in front of the crease and we made no effort to cover him -- he scores and Finney doesn't have a chance to make the stop. The 3rd goal was just kind of a lucky break for Quinnipiac. It just happened to trickle through the 5-hole.

Still, Spencer Finney kept us in both games, stopping at least 3 breakaway shots (and didn't give up any breakaway goals) and a few other point-blank chances for the opposition. It should also be noted that our 2 goals against Quinnipiac were both off turnovers. We capitalized on their mistakes. That was a game we could have won. If it weren't for us taking a penalty with under 2 minutes to go in the 3rd, maybe, just maybe we would have tied it.

Up next, Harvard. They're struggling but we seem to struggle at their rink. Also we have yet to win an ECAC road game. Also we have never swept the Harvard/Dartmouth trip (though we did get 3 points on that trip in 2007-08 and 2009-10 though, each time tying Dartmouth and beating Harvard). Maybe we can turn the tide?

 

[TchrBill]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Princeton is a game we should have won; Qpac was a game we could have won. We have lost some of our consistency (winning at home, ppg) and are becoming notorious for others (penalties, misconducts). Playing down a man is the biggest team demoralizer! Our passing game is all over the place...and dumping the puck into the corner...no team has mastered it better! Qpac skated it in well past the blue line. That will keep any team on its heels.

I'm glad Finney got the nod this season. He can only get better and had a good first run, but has let in some soft goals IMHO. I think Colgate will be dangerous in the playoffs...we tend to play some of our better hockey then. Not sure any team wants to draw us, even if we're on the road.

Anyone see the rendering of the new rink on tv?! Looks impressive! Would like to see some better displays for all of the hockey memorabilia and Colgate's NHL draft picks. Have read/heard 1500 seats, is this true? It will *appear* more full, but have never heard of making a rink smaller in today's day and age! Seems an identical building next door would be ideal for basketball and volleyball. The complex would be amazing...and yes I am dreaming!

 

[still an empty net]

Princeton is a game we should have won; Qpac was a game we could have won. We have lost some of our consistency (winning at home, ppg) and are becoming notorious for others (penalties, misconducts). Playing down a man is the biggest team demoralizer! Our passing game is all over the place...and dumping the puck into the corner...no team has mastered it better! Qpac skated it in well past the blue line. That will keep any team on its heels.


I'm glad Finney got the nod this season. He can only get better and had a good first run, but has let in some soft goals IMHO. I think Colgate will be dangerous in the playoffs...we tend to play some of our better hockey then. Not sure any team wants to draw us, even if we're on the road.

Anyone see the rendering of the new rink on tv?! Looks impressive! Would like to see some better displays for all of the hockey memorabilia and Colgate's NHL draft picks. Have read/heard 1500 seats, is this true? It will *appear* more full, but have never heard of making a rink smaller in today's day and age! Seems an identical building next door would be ideal for basketball and volleyball. The complex would be amazing...and yes I am dreaming!

What they need to do is put in a on campus private "club" (bar) at the rink like Clarkson does if they want to increase attendance. Very simple, just have somebody checking IDs at the door and put a band around your wrist. If anybody has ever been to Cheel they know what I'm talking about.

 

[kwik]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Anyone see the rendering of the new rink on tv?! Looks impressive! Would like to see some better displays for all of the hockey memorabilia and Colgate's NHL draft picks. Have read/heard 1500 seats, is this true? It will *appear* more full, but have never heard of making a rink smaller in today's day and age! Seems an identical building next door would be ideal for basketball and volleyball. The complex would be amazing...and yes I am dreaming!

What I've seen and read about the new facility (and this is still contingent on receiving about $4 million more in donations, with the total cost being $37.8 million, with donations covering $25 million of it), is that it is going to replace the Buildings and Grounds facilities near the current facility. Starr will become a practice and recreational rink, and the new facility will have the main rink, locker rooms and offices for the men's and women's teams, workout and meeting areas, as well as offices for lacrosse and soccer. The statement does say 1,500, but the only rendering I have seen is the one of the exterior, so I wonder if it is actually going to be 1,500 chairbacks, with bleachers/standing room. Right now they're averaging 1224, with one sellout at a listed capacity of 2301, for Cornell, and 2 other crowds over 1,500 (1714 vs. RIT & 1962 vs. Yale)

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

1500 seats would be ridiculous !!

 

[TchrBill]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Straight from Herbst's mouth:

“The construction of the new facility, where 1,500 people can come together in common spirit, will be a major benefit to all of us.”

Would like to think the AD/Coaches/President/BOT know what they're doing. Have been complaining for so long about a new rink that it seems hypocritical to complain. Can't wait to break ground! Where will B&G be relocated to? It's always been an eyesore. So is Reid - inside and out - which is why I'd rather see it replaced despite some nice history.

Still getting votes this week in the polls...have beaten #1, 10, 15 & 17...but lost to 3 bubble teams!? Congrats to Qpac, a feat to be treasured and remembered because unless you're BC it will never happen again.

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

first of all, I believe the seating capacity will be very similar to that of Starr Rink...whether the "avid" students will help in selling out the anticipated facility is another matter...once again, I'd like to discuss our roster size...as Rainman so aptly put the issue in his post on 1/26 we lose eight seniors this year, none of which are goalies...as of today (at least according to Heisenberg - as good a source as I can find) we have eight frosh coming in next year, including one goalie...even assuming Spiro comes back next fall (and frankly at this point all I care about is the young man's good health going forward) we will lose ANOTHER skater for 2013-14...this "rule" that prohibits our teams from bringing in more frosh than graduating seniors has been and continues to be a real problem for the program...and if we're going to build a $38 million facility I would hope the "powers that be" make a serious commitment to our hockey program (a la Union several years ago)...and I mean "serious"...since the advent of full grant-in-aides we appear to act as though we are embarrassed to provide this option to prospective recruits...we need broader recruiting parameters: more BCJHL, SOME USHL for Christ-sakes, and the ability to put together a competitive team with depth...there should be legitimate competition for ice time among forwards and defensemen, with a minimum of 22 skaters...look what Princeton has done this year with widespread injuries and then a flu breakout; I give them credit...we're playing it too close to the edge on depth...

 

[Woodstick]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

we need broader recruiting parameters: more BCJHL, SOME USHL for Christ-sakes, and the ability to put together a competitive team with depth...there should be legitimate competition for ice time among forwards and defensemen, with a minimum of 22 skaters...look what Princeton has done this year with widespread injuries and then a flu breakout; I give them credit...we're playing it too close to the edge on depth...

First, Gate has always done a good job of getting top players out of the eastern Canada leagues (Winchester, Spink, etc.) so I don't always believe you need to be going after the USHL and BCHL. It is just too hard to get top players when you are competing against Denver, North Dakota, etc. The staff knows the eastern Canadian leagues and they are known there, so the program has the credibility to compete for the best players versus second tier players in the USHL. In regard to increasing the roster, this staff has never held their "top" players accountable. Only the fourth liners and occasionally a third liner are made to compete for playing time. Until that changes, you don't really need more players sitting in the stands because it will always be the same ones every weekend. That's not competition for playing time and does nothing to change the mentality of the team.

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2012-13

Woodstick, I admit we've gotten some quality talent from Ontario...why not expand our search to include USHL players? EVERY OTHER ECAC TEAM HAS DONE SO...I look at our incoming list of frosh and, again, no one from the USHL...and, again, it's a class that merely replaces the eight seniors lost to graduation...someone, please someone, give me a reason we continue to refrain from USHL talent...fine..we're 0-2 so far...try again...I am hoping my reasonably charitable Silver Puck gifts are well spent...I am sure that with an additional depth of talent coming to the 'Gate DV will get it done on the ice...