Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

I worry about the outlook for Ferguson. I was at the U-18 game and the Princeton shellacking. Whatever his skill level is - any more of this won't help his mental state.

With a line like his (9.19 GAA, .688 SVP) I can't imagine that he wouldn't have the yips coming into any game right now, no matter how mentally tough of a kid he might be.

I'd like to see them give him one more shot against Bentley and see if he can get some confidence. The game means little in big picture. I doubt he'd play much in the ECAC stretch run anyway but it'd be nice to have him have a little success going in to that run just in case, God forbid, Clark gets hurt.

 

[backwater]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

With a line like his (9.19 GAA, .688 SVP) I can't imagine that he wouldn't have the yips coming into any game right now, no matter how mentally tough of a kid he might be.

I'd like to see them give him one more shot against Bentley and see if he can get some confidence. The game means little in big picture. I doubt he'd play much in the ECAC stretch run anyway but it'd be nice to have him have a little success going in to that run just in case, God forbid, Clark gets hurt.

Agreed. Consistency of goal tending was a big question mark entering the season, and now that we see the drop off if Clark goes down, I hope Bob has a line on a recruit for next year. I do appreciate what he's up against in recruiting up here.

 

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Agreed. Consistency of goal tending was a big question mark entering the season, and now that we see the drop off if Clark goes down, I hope Bob has a line on a recruit for next year. I do appreciate what he's up against in recruiting up here.

Deerfield goalie Thomas Gale is a commit set to come to Hanover next year. Canadian kid, Quebec-league draftee who went the prep/college route rather than play Major Junior.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

I worry about the outlook for Ferguson. I was at the U-18 game and the Princeton shellacking. Whatever his skill level is - any more of this won't help his mental state.

Welcome to the BG board as we direly need some more posters; it's get kind of old and stale from GreenBear and my perspective!

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

With a line like his (9.19 GAA, .688 SVP) I can't imagine that he wouldn't have the yips coming into any game right now, no matter how mentally tough of a kid he might be.

I'd like to see them give him one more shot against Bentley and see if he can get some confidence. The game means little in big picture. I doubt he'd play much in the ECAC stretch run anyway but it'd be nice to have him have a little success going in to that run just in case, God forbid, Clark gets hurt.

100% agreed with both of you! BG certainly needs a capable back up, if not Ferguson why not give Shatzer a chance. However, I do think that Ferguson at bare minimum deserves another chance this year. When I am not quite so sure as way too many variables contributes to that decision. While Clark is clearly better than above, he still has consistency issues and tends to let in a "bad" goal every so often.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Got to see Joey Musa play yesterday. Listed at 5’9”....160, that’s about right. He can skate, very quick hands & very skilled you can see that. He didn’t score, unless he had the 2nd assist on their lone goal (1-1 tie w/Albany Academy). Got 7 games in Nov. with Omaha of the USHL (scoreless). He’s not ready, IMO, for D1 next year. BTW, I see LeSeaur hasn’t played yet. Is he injured or a healthy scratch?

Hey turk181! What can you tell me about this goalie? Deerfield goalie Thomas Gale is a commit set to come to Hanover next year. Canadian kid, Quebec-league draftee who went the prep/college route rather than play Major Junior. Thanks as usual!

 

[FLHockeyMom]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Hey turk181! What can you tell me about this goalie? Deerfield goalie Thomas Gale is a commit set to come to Hanover next year. Canadian kid, Quebec-league draftee who went the prep/college route rather than play Major Junior. Thanks as usual!

Great kid, great family. Gale should do quite well for the Big Green. Currently leading Deerfield to a 4-0 record and #3 ranking in NE prep. It will be interesting to see how Gale & Co. does at the Flood-Marr. Recall he led DA to a surprise Flood-Marr win 2 seasons ago.

As for Ferguson, I'm also familiar with his game and think he just needs a bit of time to settle in. The few times I've seen him struggle, he's always come back strong.

 

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

100% agreed with both of you! BG certainly needs a capable back up, if not Ferguson why not give Shatzer a chance. However, I do think that Ferguson at bare minimum deserves another chance this year. When I am not quite so sure as way too many variables contributes to that decision. While Clark is clearly better than above, he still has consistency issues and tends to let in a "bad" goal every so often.

Personally, I think Clark has been very good overall and has been one of the team's strengths in the early going. We disagree I think on his play to this point, but maybe only slightly.

The rest I totally agree with: I don't think anyone took my earlier post to be down on Ferguson, and I hope not, as I'm not down on him at all--not in the big picture. He's had a rough start, but as of now that's all it's been. I casually follow the womens team as I knew of a couple of players from the Greater Toronto Area--Christie Honor had a very rough start as a freshman in her first couple of games with the womens team, and she's turned into a very good NCAA D-1 goaltender--that team doesn't win much, but it's not been due to bad goaltending. Ferguson could well be the same. I'm definitely not ready to give up on him, just that at this point, it'd be difficult even if a player has titanium-like mental toughness, to not be impacted by their first 2 games. Bentley is the perfect start: nothing against the Falcons, who did after all beat Dartmouth last year, but if worst case scenario happens again (a UNH like start), a Dartmouth loss doesn't impact what they're really playing for, which is points in the ECAC. It's not like the Big Green are likely to be on the short list of bubble teams for an at-large tourney bid--the Big Green's postseason is the ECAC tourney, and anything after that would be brought about by winning that. Bentley doesn't factor into the equation, so I hope the coaching staff gives Ferguson another shot.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Personally, I think Clark has been very good overall and has been one of the team's strengths in the early going. We disagree I think on his play to this point, but maybe only slightly.

The rest I totally agree with: I don't think anyone took my earlier post to be down on Ferguson, and I hope not, as I'm not down on him at all--not in the big picture. He's had a rough start, but as of now that's all it's been. I casually follow the womens team as I knew of a couple of players from the Greater Toronto Area--Christie Honor had a very rough start as a freshman in her first couple of games with the womens team, and she's turned into a very good NCAA D-1 goaltender--that team doesn't win much, but it's not been due to bad goaltending. Ferguson could well be the same. I'm definitely not ready to give up on him, just that at this point, it'd be difficult even if a player has titanium-like mental toughness, to not be impacted by their first 2 games. Bentley is the perfect start: nothing against the Falcons, who did after all beat Dartmouth last year, but if worst case scenario happens again (a UNH like start), a Dartmouth loss doesn't impact what they're really playing for, which is points in the ECAC. It's not like the Big Green are likely to be on the short list of bubble teams for an at-large tourney bid--the Big Green's postseason is the ECAC tourney, and anything after that would be brought about by winning that. Bentley doesn't factor into the equation, so I hope the coaching staff gives Ferguson another shot.

I am with you, GreenBear with Clark; if he can just cut out that "bad" goal!

I truly do hope that Ferguson rights the ship as you aptly gave a nice perspective on freshman goalies; it is a very difficult transition from Juniors or wherever they came from. Righting the ship requires a fiduciary relationship with staff based on trust and communication! If we are playing well leading up to Bentley and Clark needs a break and yes that would be an opportune time for Ferguson to get back on the saddle.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Great kid, great family. Gale should do quite well for the Big Green. Currently leading Deerfield to a 4-0 record and #3 ranking in NE prep. It will be interesting to see how Gale & Co. does at the Flood-Marr. Recall he led DA to a surprise Flood-Marr win 2 seasons ago.

As for Ferguson, I'm also familiar with his game and think he just needs a bit of time to settle in. The few times I've seen him struggle, he's always come back strong.

It is always great to get some background information on players as it provides a greater perspective on them. Thanks!

 

[turk181]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Hey turk181! What can you tell me about this goalie? Deerfield goalie Thomas Gale is a commit set to come to Hanover next year. Canadian kid, Quebec-league draftee who went the prep/college route rather than play Major Junior. Thanks as usual!

Sorry BG but while I’m familiar with the name I’ve never seen him play or talked with anyone who has. That’s a huge step for a goalie, most players really, to go from Prep hockey to D1. In my last Post about Joey Musa I should’ve noted he has a younger brother on the Team, Jack. Kid is 14 & small but man, kid gets in there. Played in all situations (PP, PK). Pretty impressive considering his age & size.

 

[backwater]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Welcome to the BG board as we direly need some more posters; it's get kind of old and stale from GreenBear and my perspective!

Well, thanks - I'll be around sporadically. I have season tickets, but I work 12 hr. shifts and every other Sat & Sun - this year the schedule hasn't cooperated in coinciding too much, although I can usually catch the last half of home games on the Saturdays I have to work if I'm not totally fried.

I will say my favorite game this season has been the Harvard win - I was jumping around and high-fiving total strangers. It was a great start to the season.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

It's Game Day as the BG travels to BU for the last game prior to Holiday Break. BU is struggling this year, relative to BU of the past but they almost always get top recruits. BG has established a pattern of playing up to good teams on paper and playing down to not so good teams on paper (with all due respect) and that's why I stated on paper.

Keys to the game:

Clark has got to outplay the BU goalie or bare minimum be equal
BU generally has big and fast guys so calling all Tree Line to negate and do some damage themselves and get off their mini slide
Bottom 6 needs to be equal and any pluses in a bonus
D has to play simple and minimize dangerous area turnovers; Team D will be huge
Finally get a huge BG W and feel good going into Holiday Break

Goooooooo BIG GREEN!

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

The good news is that there is a break in the action for the BG as they are simply not playing well and do not look good. It seems to me that they have very jump in their legs and more importantly in the heads. And this go for the entire team!

Key points:

On the first goal given up, Yau and Less (welcome back and to be expected rusty) could not clear the zone and O'Connor allows his right D man to step down and back door him for a goal. Now Clark saw him the whole way he did not have any options but to come down on the right side but this D man goes forehand backhand and beats Clark. Yes, it was a semi break away circle in, but if Clark wants to considered very good he needs to make that save. His opposition, Oettinger on the other hand, made those same saves and even more difficult ones (O'Connor, Hesler, O'Connor again on an open net). I know I am being picky here, GreenBear as we have slightly different opinions on Clark. He is still clearly better than the other two. Getting back to the goal, O'Connor is caught puck watching and his man beats him and Clark. I know he has been scoring but assignments and details is what counts. On the second goal, Harper goes around on the outside I believe is Han and beats Clark (although one could say it was not kicked in but guided in with Harper's right skate blade. Was it intentional absolutely? Nevertheless, it a goal so let's move on. On the third goal, after mounting a furious attack for the would be tying goal BU comes down on a 2 on 1 (righty and lefty on their off wings;this is key) with Demler back. Demler allows the lefty to pass across for the righty who has opened up and square to the net, for a beautiful one-timer goal. Demler just cannot let that pass come across as he has the passee and Clark has the passer and shooter. I am surprised that Clark did not pull a groin. Very simple right, NO. This is what is getting scary, some BG players (I will call repeat offenders) are not playing their "keys" and thus are not playing smart. It is hard enough to beat an opponent but why give them any help like with O'Connor and Demler. At this level and way higher, it is mostly the "hockey smarts" that will players on to the next level.

The Tree Line needs some fertilizer and revitalization. They are not playing well. Their leader Graber has slipped, Sellar is nowhere close to where he was last year, and Foreman's poor puck decisions and lack of play-making stalls on what should be a grade A scoring opportunities. Also he needs to win more puck/board battles; he loses them too easily for his size.

Freshmen hitting that proverbial wall as O'Connor , Losurdo, and Markell are nowhere where they were at the beginning of the season. It should be a nice progression upward.

PP is still in a funk although entries and scoring chances were better as they inserted Yau on the first unit to QB it. Graber had most of his shots blocked from the right point/circle. I still say put Graber (righty) on the left half wall, Baker (righty) down low for stuff shots or pass to Sellar (lefty) in the high slot or through the box/diamond to O'Connor on the right half wall. Between Graber and Yau playing catch, they not only are the best offensive decision and play-makers but they see plays the other BG players don't. Also entries would be better and cleaner.

Oh, I hated to write this post but it was dearly needed and if I wasn't so "into" it, you probably would only get a quick generalization blurb which any fan can write. Besides they are only two loyal BG posters, me and GreenBear.

So BG take a load off and re-group, re-energize, and re-focus as this break is very timely. And come back with a vengeance! Go BG!

 

[DLG]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

From a Bu perspective I thought Dartmouth outplayed BU for most of game and Oettinger kept BU in game
BU was without 3 of top 4 players including top two center ice men which was a big loss
Both teams needed to have better power plays
Disappointing year for both teams

 

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

I came up from RI to see this one last night. As usual, you make many very good points, and a couple I'd quibble with. I'll start w/ the latter:

-As you mentioned, I do think you're somewhat too harsh on Clark and expect him to be make NHL-type stops. That's not who he is--he isn't Oettinger, or his fellow Stars prospect Colton Point, or Matt Galajda, etc. He is, however, an excellent NCAA D-1 goalie and I fully believe we're more solid in goal that we were last year. And that's no knock on Buffalo, who I thought was a great backbone for this team all last season. I'd almost...almost....put him in Charles Grant territory, and in fact would say Clark is better when he's on, but Grant (his senior year anyway was more consistent). I don't blame him for any of the 3 goals he allowed, including the opener where his D hung him out to dry.
-O'Connor was flat-footed on one goal; he also saved one with a great defensive play knocking a puck off the goal line. I wouldn't mind seeing him play with Graber as a way to maybe energize both. Sellar is right now not able to do anything offensively: one goal since the opener, and that was playing with Hesler. Graber has one point in a month. Maybe give it a try with Graber and one or both of the freshmen, if they want to try Losurdo up there too. I don't know--the scoring doldrums we saw about this time last year are back again.
-Less will help the defense, but you're right: he was rusty last night (and his turnover showed it). He'll be an asset moving forward.
-One guy you didn't single out is Matt Baker, who is stone cold right now, and last night had a real hard time getting any opportunities. It stood out to me, so I looked it up--3 goals in his last 24 games. He has been a scratch a couple of times, and I have to think that's why--not lack of production (other guys aren't cashing in either) but lack of production from a guy who is looked at as one of the top 4 forwards on this team and has been an NHL camp invitee. He's not, and they need him to start being the sniper that he was for a stretch mid-season last year.

The break will be good for these guys. And if it's any consolation (it isn't much, but still) at least this funk has happened in non-conference games that don't impact their ECAC points.

 

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Disappointing year for both teams

Not yet. This month has been disappointing. But the Big Green's season is completely about their ECAC schedule. A bad run where they lose a bunch of non-conference games isn't really impactful.

If this slide continues into January, then yeah--things will get disappointing awfully quickly, considering where last year's team left the bar.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

I came up from RI to see this one last night. As usual, you make many very good points, and a couple I'd quibble with. I'll start w/ the latter:

-As you mentioned, I do think you're somewhat too harsh on Clark and expect him to be make NHL-type stops. That's not who he is--he isn't Oettinger, or his fellow Stars prospect Colton Point, or Matt Galajda, etc. He is, however, an excellent NCAA D-1 goalie and I fully believe we're more solid in goal that we were last year. And that's no knock on Buffalo, who I thought was a great backbone for this team all last season. I'd almost...almost....put him in Charles Grant territory, and in fact would say Clark is better when he's on, but Grant (his senior year anyway was more consistent). I don't blame him for any of the 3 goals he allowed, including the opener where his D hung him out to dry.
-O'Connor was flat-footed on one goal; he also saved one with a great defensive play knocking a puck off the goal line. I wouldn't mind seeing him play with Graber as a way to maybe energize both. Sellar is right now not able to do anything offensively: one goal since the opener, and that was playing with Hesler. Graber has one point in a month. Maybe give it a try with Graber and one or both of the freshmen, if they want to try Losurdo up there too. I don't know--the scoring doldrums we saw about this time last year are back again.
-Less will help the defense, but you're right: he was rusty last night (and his turnover showed it). He'll be an asset moving forward.
-One guy you didn't single out is Matt Baker, who is stone cold right now, and last night had a real hard time getting any opportunities. It stood out to me, so I looked it up--3 goals in his last 24 games. He has been a scratch a couple of times, and I have to think that's why--not lack of production (other guys aren't cashing in either) but lack of production from a guy who is looked at as one of the top 4 forwards on this team and has been an NHL camp invitee. He's not, and they need him to start being the sniper that he was for a stretch mid-season last year.

The break will be good for these guys. And if it's any consolation (it isn't much, but still) at least this funk has happened in non-conference games that don't impact their ECAC points.

Hey GreenBear, I hear you about Clark. Like you aptly stated, he is not NHL quality like the goalies you mentioned but rightly or wrongly, Clark has been out-goaltended by many of the so-called "lesser" losses (teams below .500). But also to your point Clark overall has been good and way better than Ferguson. And also yes to Clark being better than Buffalo.

I agree with you on Baker and I have pointed him and Rutherford out on previous post. And I didn't know that he was a prospect invitee at an NHL camp; good for and by him but he does need to step it up. He plays with an edge and physicality that is suited for him being down low on the PP and with him and Sellar with net presence. Remember some of his goals last year were of the tip in variety on the PP.

 

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

I agree with you on Baker and I have pointed him and Rutherford out on previous post. And I didn't know that he was a prospect invitee at an NHL camp; good for and by him but he does need to step it up. He plays with an edge and physicality that is suited for him being down low on the PP and with him and Sellar with net presence. Remember some of his goals last year were of the tip in variety on the PP.

I missed you mentioning Baker (and wasn't intending to suggest that you should or shouldn't have--just that he was one I noticed outside of those you'd just mentioned). He went to Vegas Golden Knights camp as an undrafted invite; no idea if he turned any heads there, but just getting an invite was impressive enough. I do think he'll start scoring; I have the feeling that he may be a streaky player. If the PP gets going, Baker may heat up as well, but right now, the power play has been pretty anemic. I'm not sure if Baker's lack of production lately is more resulting from the lack of PP success or is more a factor in it. I do hope he starts filling the net in the new year (or more accurately, he can start just before if he'd like at the Ledyard).

I don't think Rutherford is getting the ice time he was last year, which may be a part of why he hasn't been in the offensive mix. Also not playing on the 2nd line as often.

Here's another thing: we have one goal from our defensemen. One. I know last year we didn't exactly get a ton of scoring from the back end, either, but we did have Tim Shoup. Yau and Less set up plenty (and Yau has continued to, and will almost certainly surpass his career best 12 assists his sophomore year), but the one goal the Big Green do have is a prayer from Han against Yale that happened to go in.

There are plenty of positives to like about the Big Green this year, recent slide notwithstanding. But I do hope that as has been the trend recently, the BG improve after the break. And if they do, and do get depth scoring, some offense from defense, and have even a respectable power play combined with the ability of Clark to play consistently at his best, then this team is an upper-echelon ECAC team. We who closely follow the club see that possibility; it's just that a few things have to simultaneously happen for them to get there. It's possible, and in fact it mostly was the case last season, which is why we're at this point of "Placid or the year is a letdown". It'll be intriguing to see how things play out.

Looking forward to the Ledyard already.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Season : Failure is NOT an Option...SUCCESS

Hey GreenBear, thanks for your thoughts and giving a different and much needed perspective on the BG! And 100% agreed on your point with the BG needing some supplemental scoring help from the backline; you have pointed out puck distributors in Yau and Less and I would like to add a sleeper in Matthews but you would need to pair him with a defensive, stay at home D (just like with Han). Matthews can carry the puck as good as any D man BG has. So with all this said, let's some have some fun and tinker with the line ups: (cannot hurt as we are in a mid season funk)

G Clark
D Yau/Less Demler/Markell Matthews/Han/Roth (3 man rotation and let it play itself out)
F O'Connor/Graber/Rutherford
Jasiek/Hesler/Forman
Sellar/Baker/Losurdo
Warpecha/Kilistoff/Strong
Ernsting, Michalowski, Blankemeier waiting in the wings
Freshmen S Hesler and LeSueur needs to get at least a fighting chance to show what they can do

Thoughts GreenBear and Backwater???