East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

[burgie12]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

I know several people who are going.

Anyone that would be able to purchase a jersey? (Of course, I would be paying them back.) I would much rather wear orange to the TUC than Engineers' red.

I saw my first RIT game ever (in person) a couple weeks ago, and really enjoyed watching Burt, Ringwald, and Knowles. Burt is a workhorse but has a great shot and seemed well balanced. Ringwald appeared to be an excellent choice for captain and has a heck of a shot. There is no doubt that RIT's d-men have no qualms about shooting / pinching. And, Knowles, even though he is a 3rd (4th?)-liner, and smaller than most is fun to watch because he can skate up and down the ice faster than nearly everyone and definitely comes to play every time his skates hit the ice.

 

[ken892]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

I am a Holy Cross fan since my nephew plays there. AHA will be "well represented" in this year`s tourney. RIT can play w/the big boys.You have a great defense,which can also score.The offense is very good & goaltending is great.I predict RIT over Denver 4-2.Good Luck Guys !

Look at the schedule, RIT hasn't beaten anyone outside of the weak conference they play in. Thinking that they can play with the "real big boys" is a pipe dream. I think that your already smoking from it.

 

[RIT4life]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Look at the schedule, RIT hasn't beaten anyone outside of the weak conference they play in. Thinking that they can play with the "real big boys" is a pipe dream. I think that your already smoking from it.

i guess you have not watch the ncaa basketball tourney? if northern iowa can beat a team like kansas, surely some of the dogs in the hockey tourney can beat some of the legit favorites..

 

[RITProf]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Look at the schedule, RIT hasn't beaten anyone outside of the weak conference they play in. Thinking that they can play with the "real big boys" is a pipe dream. I think that your already smoking from it.

Yep, there it is. If the DU team falls into this trap, RIT will be playing on Sat.

Note: I don't think there is any chance the DU team is going to underestimate RIT. They have enough experience with AFA, etc.

What I actually expect is a pretty good game with DU winning as they should. If it's a great game, all the better. If RIT wins ... bring on Cornell!!!!

(Another Note: If RIT doesn't, I will be cheering for Cornell.)

Edit: Interesting bit of trivia ... RIT has beaten a top-20 ranked team each year they've been in DI. However, it hasn't happened this year ... yet!

 

[cplinford]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Look at the schedule, RIT hasn't beaten anyone outside of the weak conference they play in. Thinking that they can play with the "real big boys" is a pipe dream. I think that your already smoking from it.

I don't think anyone could make a legit argument that RIT is a better team than DU but as others have pointed out in single elimination anything can happen.

Besides there were a number of OOC games RIT should have won early in the reason. We doubled up Clarkson and St Lawrence in shots on the road but our offense was still recovering from some senior losses and just couldn't finish

 

[LtPowers]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

And, Knowles, even though he is a 3rd (4th?)-liner,

Don't pay much attention to the "order" of RIT's forward lines. We're actually fairly balanced top-to-bottom, and I think Coach Wilson just assigns the numbers randomly. (For example, I believe Burt's line is usually listed as the third line on the official lineup but they usually get introduced as the starters.)


Powers &8^]

 

[WildShawn]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Yep, there it is. If the DU team falls into this trap, RIT will be playing on Sat.

Note: I don't think there is any chance the DU team is going to underestimate RIT. They have enough experience with AFA, etc.

What I actually expect is a pretty good game with DU winning as they should. If it's a great game, all the better. If RIT wins ... bring on Cornell!!!!

(Another Note: If RIT doesn't, I will be cheering for Cornell.)

Edit: Interesting bit of trivia ... RIT has beaten a top-20 ranked team each year they've been in DI. However, it hasn't happened this year ... yet!

Awful nice of the NCAA's to give Cornell a bye

 

[JB]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Hey I fast type a lot myself.. what was this supposed to say?

Lost an S at the end of goalies.

There is a reason goalies in hockey east with better numbers weren't on the first team.

 

[sammich824]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Awful nice of the NCAA's to give Cornell a bye

I don't think RITProf was assuming that Cornell would win on Friday, I think he was just trying to express his hope for RIT to play Cornell.

 

[komey1]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Yep, there it is. If the DU team falls into this trap, RIT will be playing on Sat.

Note: I don't think there is any chance the DU team is going to underestimate RIT. They have enough experience with AFA, etc.

What I actually expect is a pretty good game with DU winning as they should. If it's a great game, all the better. If RIT wins ... bring on Cornell!!!!

(Another Note: If RIT doesn't, I will be cheering for Cornell.)

Edit: Interesting bit of trivia ... RIT has beaten a top-20 ranked team each year they've been in DI. However, it hasn't happened this year ... yet!

That DU regularly plays an AHA team - and one that has given them tough games the last couple years - should help them realize that top teams from the AHA are pushovers. They will have to earn their win against RIT.

And RITProf - RIT didn't get to play a top-20 team this year - until now.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Look at the schedule, RIT hasn't beaten anyone outside of the weak conference they play in. Thinking that they can play with the "real big boys" is a pipe dream. I think that your already smoking from it.

Don't fall into the fan trap of overlooking the AHA. AHA teams have proven over and over again they can not only skate with the big boys, but beat them in tourney play. In hockey, a hot goalie can keep any team close to any other team. Once you get to the Dance, it's not you got there, it's how you play that day.The days of "big boys" overlooking AHA teams were put to rest by the Holy Cross a few years ago....

 

[tangledupinblue]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Seems to me B."Mullet?"Melrose has (without even mentioning UNH)challenged Bobby and the" O "to score on Big Red.If my math is right I count 5 of 10 HB Award finalists playing in the Albany bracket-cool. According to Melrose the Nat. Champ is going to come from the Albany bracket as well.GO UNH WILDCATS!

 

[RITProf]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

I don't think RITProf was assuming that Cornell would win on Friday, I think he was just trying to express his hope for RIT to play Cornell.

Thanks. Definitely not. I think CU-UNH will be a great game. I'd just love to see the CU-RIT matchup since I have connections to both schools and the atmosphere should be great.

I saw the CU-UNH game in '03 (?) in the Buffalo Frozen Four and was seated with a bunch of UNH fans. I know there's is a lot of enthusiasm there and UNH is a great team.

Heck ... I'll be almost as ecstatic to see and RIT-UNH matchup on Saturday!!!!

I'm staying for the Sat. game regardless of Friday's outcome because I know there will be some great hockey from all four teams (I hope) this weekend.

 

[RITProf]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

That DU regularly plays an AHA team - and one that has given them tough games the last couple years - should help them realize that top teams from the AHA are pushovers. They will have to earn their win against RIT.

And RITProf - RIT didn't get to play a top-20 team this year - until now.

I know, Komey! But thanks, anyway. Also, a friendly amendment to your post ... I think you left a "not" out just before "pushovers"

 

[goblue]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

From the article about some of UNH's Hockey East awards, I found this one the most surprising. In postseason play, a LOT depends on special teams play. UNH's powerplay is abysmal, so it helps that they stay out of the box.

Full article:
http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mice/2009-10/releases/20100317o1abtc

"Hockey East proudly recognizes an entire team for its sportsmanlike play with the Charles E. Holt Sportsmanship Award, named after the former UNH coach. This award is given to the team which receives the lowest average penalty minutes per game over the course of regular season Hockey East play. The Team Sportsmanship Award was established by the league’s directors in 1992 and was renamed to honor Holt in 1998. The award is in the form of a shadow box with etched glass depicting the image of New Hampshire’s legendary coach. New Hampshire earns the award bearing the name of its former coach for the fifth time in program history and first time since the 1999-00 season. UNH’s 8.8 penalty minutes per game are the fewest ever for the winner of this award. The Wildcats are the least penalized team in all of Division I college hockey with just 9.6 pmpg."

I think teaching this team to stay out of the box is part of the reason Coach Umile won Co-Coach honors. Now, UNH must find a balance between clean, and physical, hockey. No more Lake Whittemore advantage.

And the other reason I think they won the Sportsmanship Award is because of their abysmal PP. They prefer not to take advantage of situations when their opponent is playing with anything less than their full complement of players.

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Where are other UNH fans sitting? Looking at buying tickets, want to make as much noise as possible.

 

[NYTrojan]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Look at the schedule, RIT hasn't beaten anyone outside of the weak conference they play in. Thinking that they can play with the "real big boys" is a pipe dream. I think that your already smoking from it.

To be fair, in RIT's short D1 history we have victories over Cornell, St. Lawrence, and Minnesota. We've played and won against Big Boys before. Perhaps not this year, but these players have seen real competition before. I'm sure DU is favored by a few scores (and rightfully so) but let's just say I sure hope the DU players feel exactly the same way you do.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Seems to me B."Mullet?"Melrose has (without even mentioning UNH)challenged Bobby and the" O "to score on Big Red.If my math is right I count 5 of 10 HB Award finalists playing in the Albany bracket-cool. According to Melrose the Nat. Champ is going to come from the Albany bracket as well.GO UNH WILDCATS!

"Only" Four Hobey Finalists--Scrivens, Butler, Cheverie, and Rakhshani

 

[Wholin1]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Great thread so far everyone. I coughed up the 600 and will be there in DU red. I'd only add a couple of things to Swami's summary. One is that DU is a slightly above average team with a super goal tender. Chevy has carried this team this season. If we make to it to the FF it will be because he is dialed in. We have a spotty D crew. #6 Chris Nutini has been out for about a five weeks (ankle) and will return Friday. He won't be 100% but his presence will help--he's a true thinking D man. Two, DU is fast and precise with the puck when they are in the groove. A sporadic weakness (especially on small ice) is the break out. If pressed the young D group gets sloppy with the puck. Lastly, this team was billed as an offensive powerhouse and has struggled to rise to hit that mark. In the first 2/3 of the season most of the production came from the top line. In the last third it started to spread out but our top forward on the second line broke his finger Friday night. They don't spend too much time in the sin bin--I think it's about an 4 P average. The kill is strong and the PP is average (although it's dropped off lately). If DU scores first they mainly win--maybe only one loss all year when scoring first.

A slighty above average team with a great goalie, but still ranked no. 1? Wow!

A few tips for those travelling to Albany. If possible I would really recommend staying downtown and avoiding the Wolf Road hotels. It's a lot more convenient and if you are at one of the downtown hotels, you don't have to worry about parking as all of the hotels which follow are an easy walk to the TUC. I haven't checked on availability but the biggest and the standby is the Crowne Plaza which frankly is getting a bit long in the tooth and can use a makeover. The place was swarming with Cornell fans this weekend so you can judge if that is a plus or minus. There is also a new Hampton Inn with a great restaurant, though I haven't been to either. There is also a Holiday Inn Express which is conveniently located. My favorite place is 74 State, a boutique hotel around the corner from the TUC with a nice restaurant (Marche) great bar and wonderfully appointed rooms. You can find it on the web at http://74state.com/

As far as restaurants, a great casual place with a wonderful feel and home brews is the Albany Pump Station. Upper scale is 677 Prime, Dale Miller's and The Brown Derby. Again, all are very walkable to and from the TUC, but I would suggest making reservations.

Albany is shall I say, a bit on the quiet side, but there are things to do and places to go if you search them out. Good luck and good hockey to all.

 

[tangledupinblue]

Re: East Regional: #1 Denver v. #4 RIT; #2 Cornell v. #3 New Hampshire

Thanx "vizoroo" I got mixed up with RPI (Chase Polacek) and RIT.