For ECAC fans only

[SurfCityRed]

Re: For ECAC fans only

I hope Yale wins, primarily because they have always been in our conference, and I also like pulling for the underdog. But I'm happy either way!

 

[joecct]

You know...at first I was going to comment and say how dumb a split would be...but I kind of like it! If Penn added a team (extremely doubtful), we could have a nice little 7-team conference with four games against each opponent in league play. Most of our non conference opponents could be former ECAC teams, meaning we can stop scheduling AHA opponents. Speaking from Brown's perspective, at least, attendance is generally higher for Ivy opponents than for the other ECAC teams.

I love our league as it is, but I wouldn't be entirely opposed to an Ivy League hockey conference...not that it would ever happen, of course.

7 x 4 = 28. Which means one non conference game per school. That tournament in FLA would need another host school.

 

[burgie12]

Re: For ECAC fans only

7 x 4 = 28. Which means one non conference game per school. That tournament in FLA would need another host school.

7 teams means that you only play six others. 6 x 4 = 24, limiting the Ivies to five OOC games. Certainly not ideal.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Fine, 3 games each. That's 18, with 11 non-conference games. Or, Penn doesn't get a team, and 4 games against 5 opponents with 9 non-conference games.

Either way, I wasn't really serious! Let's get back to the point of this thread- the Yale-QU for the National Championsip .

 

[critsports]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Totally conflicted. Other than the boys from across the river there are probably no two ECAC teams I would prefer less to see win it. I don't care for Allain or Pecknold at all but I like the way Yale plays and we did handle them with ease at AC. I think Qpac plays a nasty and at times dirty style but agree that their fans are a good bunch. I guess I will hold my nose and go with Yale, FWIW.

So far as the game is concerned I give the huge edge to Hartzell over Malcolm and that could be enough. First goal sets the tone so whoever gets it wins.

I'm with you.....but less conflicted. Allain is a bit more tolerable, although he always seems to have that sour puss face on 100% of the time. I think there is almost universal dislike for Pecknold.
I too like the way Ylae plays....fast, uptempo. And I agree the best part about Q Pac are it's loyal fans like Mark Eagle and Allnightwong. But I'm pulling for Ylae. I think my rationale is I'm jealous of Q Pac. Beautiful arena.....big marketing budget, they spend a ton of money on their program. They are the Gordon Gecko of the ECAC. To me it would feel like they bought a title as opposed to earning it. That and I think it would be an anathema to me as it came too soon and easy for them. That said I think they will be a force to be reckoned with for seasons to come.

I think for Yale everything is contingent on the start. Q is clearly in the Eli's psyche and if Yale can play like they did and have in the tournement..... they have a good shot. If they take the bait from Q...or get behind early, I think it will be all over early. I'm still not sold on Malcolm and he (to me) looked unsteady in parts of the game against UML. I think Q will win but I'm pulling for Ylae.

 

[bcarlisle]

Re: For ECAC fans only

I'm with you.....but less conflicted. Allain is a bit more tolerable, although he always seems to have that sour puss face on 100% of the time. I think there is almost universal dislike for Pecknold.
I too like the way Ylae plays....fast, uptempo. And I agree the best part about Q Pac are it's loyal fans like Mark Eagle and Allnightwong. But I'm pulling for Ylae. I think my rationale is I'm jealous of Q Pac. Beautiful arena.....big marketing budget, they spend a ton of money on their program. They are the Gordon Gecko of the ECAC. To me it would feel like they bought a title as opposed to earning it. That and I think it would be an anathema to me as it came too soon and easy for them. That said I think they will be a force to be reckoned with for seasons to come.

I think for Yale everything is contingent on the start. Q is clearly in the Eli's psyche and if Yale can play like they did and have in the tournement..... they have a good shot. If they take the bait from Q...or get behind early, I think it will be all over early. I'm still not sold on Malcolm and he (to me) looked unsteady in parts of the game against UML. I think Q will win but I'm pulling for Ylae.

I agree.

I'm rooting for Yale much as it pains me to root Ivy. I've tried hard, but I still don't accept Q-Pac as a true ECAC team. They have no tradition. They behave like a Hockey East program in terms of spending and academic qualifications -- they don't fit the mold of the traditional older Ivy / Small upstate college that gives the ECAC its own special cachet. And Pecknold seems like a robot.

If Yale comes out flying, they win. If it turns into a grinder, Hartzell will take it. But it's all good. Much more fun than watching the umpteenth BC v Minnesota. North Dakota Michigan, Denver crew.

 

[bcarlisle]

Re: For ECAC fans only

One more thing. I wish the Q-Pac press would stop trying to pretend that they have a "rivalry" with Yale. Yale's rivals are Harvard and Princeton, in that order. Q-Pac is so far down on their rivals list it's not even funny. (another reason I'm rooting Yale)

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: For ECAC fans only

They behave like a Hockey East program in terms of spending and academic qualifications -- they don't fit the mold of the traditional older Ivy / Small upstate college that gives the ECAC its own special cachet. And Pecknold seems like a robot.

You're kidding right? In terms of spending, that is a good thing. There are certain ECAC schools that can take some notes budget wise that when you commit to be D-1 in a sport, you go all in....it's all about resources for the student-athletes. Look at Quinnipiac's facilities, look at the academic programs which they offer. As far as academic qualifications, maybe I'm missing the boat, but what are you referring to here?

You know that Northeastern, Maine, BU, and Providence were all once apart of the ECAC???????? For the sake of a long post, there are others I am omitting. Quinnipiac is as much a part of the ECAC as Clarkson, SLU, and the other schools.

As far as tradition, once they win the NCAA Championship, they will have more tradition.....than Yale!!

 

[Dutchfan]

Re: For ECAC fans only

I'm pulling for Yale, no questions asked. Pecknold is probably the biggest a-hole in hockey that I've had the displeasure of meeting and unfortunately that has soured me on anything related to Quinnipiac.

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: For ECAC fans only

I'm pulling for Yale, no questions asked. Pecknold is probably the biggest a-hole in hockey that I've had the displeasure of meeting and unfortunately that has soured me on anything related to Quinnipiac.

Believe me.....your sentiments are felt by many!

 

[J.D.]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Why can't non-ECAC fans pick a winner?

 

[Brett Gobe]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Rooting for Ylae.

 

[antioch1098]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Quinnipiac is not Yale's traditional or biggest rival. However, they are certainly Yale's biggest local rival.

The key to understanding this local rivalry is understanding the culture and history of the New Haven area.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Obviously, I'm biased and shouldn't need to state who I'm rooting for.

That said, here's what I'm thinking. Yale is playing tomorrow on house money. By that I mean they were a single bounce away from making the tournament to begin with. Then, they took it to the Gophers only to let them back into the game before capitalizing on a mistake to win in OT. Last night, they dominated UML but allowed them to climb right back into the game, again winning in OT on a mistake. Keep playing with fire and eventually you'll get burned.

Now, I admit that Yale is playing much better (and with Malcolm) than they did the first 2 times we met this year. They were extremely sloppy in our game in Atlantic City (understandable under the circumstances, but inexcusable based on their pairwise situation at the time). Therefore, I don't know what team is going to show up against us tomorrow, but I like our chances regardless.

Based on that, I think the game comes down to the guys between the pipes, and the senior leadership on the bench. That gives the edge to the Bobcats.

 

[LTsatch]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Yale

 

[matt]

Re: For ECAC fans only

I'm with you.....but less conflicted. Allain is a bit more tolerable, although he always seems to have that sour puss face on 100% of the time. I think there is almost universal dislike for Pecknold.
I too like the way Ylae plays....fast, uptempo. And I agree the best part about Q Pac are it's loyal fans like Mark Eagle and Allnightwong. But I'm pulling for Ylae. I think my rationale is I'm jealous of Q Pac. Beautiful arena.....big marketing budget, they spend a ton of money on their program. They are the Gordon Gecko of the ECAC. To me it would feel like they bought a title as opposed to earning it. That and I think it would be an anathema to me as it came too soon and easy for them. That said I think they will be a force to be reckoned with for seasons to come.

I think for Yale everything is contingent on the start. Q is clearly in the Eli's psyche and if Yale can play like they did and have in the tournement..... they have a good shot. If they take the bait from Q...or get behind early, I think it will be all over early. I'm still not sold on Malcolm and he (to me) looked unsteady in parts of the game against UML. I think Q will win but I'm pulling for Ylae.

To the extent that they can't allow any cheap goals, yes the start matters.
But even more important is that they play with discipline. Their performances against North Dakota and UML were wonderful in that regard -- no dumb penalties, and smart play throughout. In league, though, they have tended to play looser, and they can't allow that to happen tomorrow.

 

[antioch1098]

Re: For ECAC fans only

The New Haven area is proud of both teams. We are a college hockey town with a rich college and pro tradition.

However, I am a QU fan. BEAT YALE!!!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: For ECAC fans only

In league, though, they have tended to play looser, and they can't allow that to happen tomorrow.

Keep in mind that we won't be seeing ECAC refs in the game tomorrow night. That can and will have an impact on both teams style of play, though I must say the officiating so far this weekend has been pretty good.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: For ECAC fans only

Obviously, I'm biased and shouldn't need to state who I'm rooting for.

That said, here's what I'm thinking. Yale is playing tomorrow on house money. By that I mean they were a single bounce away from making the tournament to begin with. Then, they took it to the Gophers only to let them back into the game before capitalizing on a mistake to win in OT. Last night, they dominated UML but allowed them to climb right back into the game, again winning in OT on a mistake. Keep playing with fire and eventually you'll get burned.

Now, I admit that Yale is playing much better (and with Malcolm) than they did the first 2 times we met this year. They were extremely sloppy in our game in Atlantic City (understandable under the circumstances, but inexcusable based on their pairwise situation at the time). Therefore, I don't know what team is going to show up against us tomorrow, but I like our chances regardless.

Based on that, I think the game comes down to the guys between the pipes, and the senior leadership on the bench. That gives the edge to the Bobcats.

The two teams both play a very similar game. Defensive, but transition hockey. The biggest difference I see in the game is in the goaltending. Hartzell is the best goaltender in the country, and Malcolm is not. He'll have to outplay Hartzell to win it, and I have a tough time seeing that happen.

The other thing going for QU, the last 5-6 weeks or so, they've been much, much better in Game 2 of a weekend than they were in Game 1. If that continues tomorrow night, Yale will have a very tough time winning.

I think Quinnipiac takes it. And, obviously, that's who I'm rooting for. May the best team win.

 

[ADK11]

Re: For ECAC fans only

First & foremost I'm thrilled that an ECAC team will finally win a NC for the first time in 24 years. I know its not going to change everyone's opinion of the league, but it puts to rest some of the EZAC B.S. and the notion that the league is a poor second fiddle to mighty HE. When Harvard won the last one back in '89, there was still talk that it was just the last fumes from the old ECAC prior to the HE split. This one will definitely be for the whole league as it stands now.

I don't put much stock in what I hear about the personalities of coaches. Most of it is just hearsay and plenty of the greatest coaches of all time had rough personalities. Both of these coaches are doing it right. They are recruiting very good players and getting them to play a specific style of hockey. Personally I'll root for Qpac because I like the tougher style of hockey they play and I don't like the Ivy superior "skating circles around everybody" comments that have come from some Yale posters. Still, I won't be too upset if Yale wins either - I love their fast skating style of play.

As for the game itself, I think it comes down to Malcolm not laying an egg. Yale has lost in their previous NCAA appearances when their goaltending imploded. If Malcolm doesn't give up any softies, then Yale has a chance and could even win going away if Qpac takes some bad penalties. But everything else being equal, this game is Qpac's to lose. The Bobcat's physical style and speed is a bad matchup for Yale, particularly if Hartzell is on his game.