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Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Veritas said:
Oh well! <sigh>

It was a good season though, much better than last year. A nice job by Teddy and all the players. Best wishes to all the senors.


WHRB, as usual, did a great job on the broadcast. It was silent for about 5 minutes around the time of the 2nd union goal but not sure if they lost the RF feed or just the streaming, where I live the HRB signal is weak.

Alslamerrz - I think you said you are a senior. Thank you for the outstanding job you did on all those away games through the years. Best wishes to you for whatever you do in the future.
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I'll second that. Very much enjoyed the broadcasts although one comment; don't forget to give the score more often. People tune in at the oddest of times especially when they are driving home from an evening out! :)

A few closing thoughts on the season:

1. No question that this team overachieved and proved a lot of skeptics wrong. Sure, the ties were frustrating but they will learn from this and hopefully take it to the next level next year. They started to come together in February and hung tough in tight games. The Cornell semifinal blow torching was absolutely the sweetest win in a long time.

2. The third line really solidified things late in the season. Valek played like a man possessed. Reminds me of Timmy Barakett. Tim didn't start his Harvard career on fire but by the time he graduated, he was one of Harvard's most feared snipers. Hopefully Valek continues what he started late this season.

3. We have to feel good about the goaltending. We've got Raph for two more seasons and Michalek for three more. They will only get better and that will help us especially come March of next season.

4. We lose Kroshus and Killorn but as Both pointed out, the returning forwards plus the incoming should give us a good starting point for next year. What does concern me is the inconsistency. We score six against a tough defensive squad like Cornell, then only one against Union where Teddy says we just didn't have our legs. Perhaps fatigue played a factor but I want to see Fallstrom and Everson turn it up a notch next year. They have the talent to do more and they should.

5. While Teddy has received his share of criticism (including from yours truly), you have to feel good about how the team responded after losing the first game to Yale in the quarters. With better incoming talent, perhaps some of the critics will ease up and Teddy can learn from the past few seasons and start Harvard back to the Frozen Four. It won't be easy but he knows what it takes to win on many levels and that is hard to find in a coach. I'm hoping he can continue to progress with the team.

Finally, congrats to the seniors. They took us further this year than we could have imagined. Best of luck for the future. Hope to see Alex playing with the Lightening next season.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Skate79 said:
5. While Teddy has received his share of criticism
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As the first person to say on this board two seasons ago, and again last season, that Donato should be fired, after this season, I'm glad he wasn't. He may be improving as a coach and that may have been reflected in the team's play. But I do wonder whether the true leader of this team, and the reason they exceeded expectations, was Alex Killorn, who seemed to carry the team on his back (even more than Biega, and with some surprising help from Girard) especially at the end of the year. Harvard teams over the previous three years had lacked leadership, and played without collective character (all the inviduals had character, but this year's team played with collective character and resilience) Without Killorn, who contemplated leaving after last season but instead really stepped up for Harvard, I think Harvard would have been a 9th or 10th place team. Without him next year, we'll find out a lot about this year's team's relative success.

One thing Donato's proven is that he can recruit. I was in AC for both games and was really impressed with the freshman class, and I understand next year's will be even better. Up until this year, it seemed like he was lousy at developing talent into NHL caliber players. Hopefully Killorn and Biega are reflective of that changing.

This team was exasperating because of all the ties, which seemed dysfunctional, but intriguing to follow because they were so resilient and competitive again. It would be nice to see a non-dysfunctional Harvard team. Let's face it, Harvard Hockey has been dysfunctional in one way or another since the mid 90s, when the Tomassoni era went south and talented teams underperformed. The Mazz teams were dysfunctional most years by underachieving all year and then pulling it together. Donato's teams, except in the first year when he had all Mazz's players, have been dysfunctional, with huge winless streaks, going practically oh-for-December, dreadful Beanpot performances (except reaching the finals against BC), then year-end bursts, too little, too late -- until just this year.

All of that said, the exasperation has been worth it for us die-hard fans because in the 21st century we've had 3 ECAC championships and two ECAC finals and 5 NCAA appearances. Hopefully the dysfunction will go away and the team will be more consistent. Once they broke the dysfunction with an overtime goal, they went on a tear, and were VERY competitive against Union, although not as deep. Depth will be a big factor next year in trying to get to the next level. Let's hope we have it. And let's hope Girard keeps it up, as the goaltender is the most important player on the ice.

I hope this year proves not to be an anomaly and that Harvard hockey is truly back and that Donato has learned a lot and is now up to the task of taking the team to the next level, or at least being competitive and exciting and in the ECAC final four as they were this year. One pretty good year after three awful years has not fully convinced me of that. We'll see how we do next year without Killorn. There has been no better player or leader in Harvard hockey this century. How well Donato does without him will give us a clearer picture of whether he's turned the corner for good. I hope he has. I went to Harvard in the late 80s and he did wonders for the program and seems like a great guy who truly cares about the kids. So I wish him and the Crimson the best next year, when I hope they'll convince me beyond all doubt that I was wrong to say they should fire him. I sure hope I was.

In any event, thanks to him and this team for an entertaining, admirable season that fell just one (non-empty-net) goal short of an amazing year. And they lost to a terrific team. Go Dutchmen in the NCAAs. And Go Crimson always and forever!
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Without Killorn, who contemplated leaving after last season but instead really stepped up for Harvard, I think Harvard would have been a 9th or 10th place team. Without him next year, we'll find out a lot about this year's team's relative success.
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No question that Alex raised his game this year and scored some big goals for us. But what I really liked about the team down the stretch was how the second and third lines came together and performed very well. That bodes well for next year and beyond. I'm not too concerned about the lack of leadership although I do agree it has been lacking in past seasons. Better players with character and fortitude will go a long way towards changing that aspect of Harvard's program.

This team was exasperating because of all the ties, which seemed dysfunctional, but intriguing to follow because they were so resilient and competitive again. It would be nice to see a non-dysfunctional Harvard team. Let's face it, Harvard Hockey has been dysfunctional in one way or another since the mid 90s, when the Tomassoni era went south and talented teams underperformed. The Mazz teams were dysfunctional most years by underachieving all year and then pulling it together. Donato's teams, except in the first year when he had all Mazz's players, have been dysfunctional, with huge winless streaks, going practically oh-for-December, dreadful Beanpot performances (except reaching the finals against BC), then year-end bursts, too little, too late -- until just this year.
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The program has been in a funk since making the Frozen Four back in '94. Yes, we've been to the NCAAs since then but we have been one and done and not really competitive outside the conference. Better players, a system that works for them and coaching that takes that talent to the next level have all been missing. Hopefully Teddy has turned a corner. Billy Cleary had a stretch of six or seven years when things were bleak. That changed when the Fuscos arrived and the talent started coming back to Cambridge. Maybe we are seeing the beginning of that same scenario with Teddy and the program going forward.

And let's hope Girard keeps it up, as the goaltender is the most important player on the ice.
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He is the real deal. This isn't a fluke. He is only going to get better and with Michalek, we've got one of the best goalie combos in the East. Maybe in college hockey.

We'll see how we do next year without Killorn. There has been no better player or leader in Harvard hockey this century.
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Hmm, not sure I agree with that statement. Alex is a great player and unquestionably, took the team on his back. But he had a lot of help. As far as being the best player, you can't ignore Dom Moore, Dov Grumet Morris, Tim Petit and my favorite, Tyler Kolarik. All terrific players and leaders. Especially Kolarik.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Hey gang. I was watching the Islanders-Bruins game and Jack Edwards kept referencing "Reese" as an Islanders' D and I think it was our Dylan Reese '07 that he was talking about. Good for Dylan if that is the case. Hope he sticks with the Islanders although in the post-game, Kluzak kept talking about how awful the Islanders D was in the third (they were). I'm sure he was talking about the other Islanders' D. :)
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Skate79 said:
Hey gang. I was watching the Islanders-Bruins game and Jack Edwards kept referencing "Reese" as an Islanders' D and I think it was our Dylan Reese '07 that he was talking about. Good for Dylan if that is the case. Hope he sticks with the Islanders although in the post-game, Kluzak kept talking about how awful the Islanders D was in the third (they were). I'm sure he was talking about the other Islanders' D. :)
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one and the same
http://islanders.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470798
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Aside from Killorn, it looks like Ryan Grimshaw and Eric Kroshus are both playing pro right now. Grimshaw with the Trenton Titans, Kroshus with the Wheeling Nailers, both of the ECHL. Nice to see, hasn't been a lot of this over the past 4 or so years.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

4faz said:
As the first person to say on this board two seasons ago, and again last season, that Donato should be fired, after this season, I'm glad he wasn't. He may be improving as a coach and that may have been reflected in the team's play. But I do wonder whether the true leader of this team, and the reason they exceeded expectations, was Alex Killorn, who seemed to carry the team on his back (even more than Biega, and with some surprising help from Girard) especially at the end of the year. Harvard teams over the previous three years had lacked leadership, and played without collective character (all the inviduals had character, but this year's team played with collective character and resilience) Without Killorn, who contemplated leaving after last season but instead really stepped up for Harvard, I think Harvard would have been a 9th or 10th place team. Without him next year, we'll find out a lot about this year's team's relative success.

One thing Donato's proven is that he can recruit. I was in AC for both games and was really impressed with the freshman class, and I understand next year's will be even better. Up until this year, it seemed like he was lousy at developing talent into NHL caliber players. Hopefully Killorn and Biega are reflective of that changing.

This team was exasperating because of all the ties, which seemed dysfunctional, but intriguing to follow because they were so resilient and competitive again. It would be nice to see a non-dysfunctional Harvard team. Let's face it, Harvard Hockey has been dysfunctional in one way or another since the mid 90s, when the Tomassoni era went south and talented teams underperformed. The Mazz teams were dysfunctional most years by underachieving all year and then pulling it together. Donato's teams, except in the first year when he had all Mazz's players, have been dysfunctional, with huge winless streaks, going practically oh-for-December, dreadful Beanpot performances (except reaching the finals against BC), then year-end bursts, too little, too late -- until just this year.

All of that said, the exasperation has been worth it for us die-hard fans because in the 21st century we've had 3 ECAC championships and two ECAC finals and 5 NCAA appearances. Hopefully the dysfunction will go away and the team will be more consistent. Once they broke the dysfunction with an overtime goal, they went on a tear, and were VERY competitive against Union, although not as deep. Depth will be a big factor next year in trying to get to the next level. Let's hope we have it. And let's hope Girard keeps it up, as the goaltender is the most important player on the ice.

I hope this year proves not to be an anomaly and that Harvard hockey is truly back and that Donato has learned a lot and is now up to the task of taking the team to the next level, or at least being competitive and exciting and in the ECAC final four as they were this year. One pretty good year after three awful years has not fully convinced me of that. We'll see how we do next year without Killorn. There has been no better player or leader in Harvard hockey this century. How well Donato does without him will give us a clearer picture of whether he's turned the corner for good. I hope he has. I went to Harvard in the late 80s and he did wonders for the program and seems like a great guy who truly cares about the kids. So I wish him and the Crimson the best next year, when I hope they'll convince me beyond all doubt that I was wrong to say they should fire him. I sure hope I was.

In any event, thanks to him and this team for an entertaining, admirable season that fell just one (non-empty-net) goal short of an amazing year. And they lost to a terrific team. Go Dutchmen in the NCAAs. And Go Crimson always and forever!
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Sadly, I do not think this year was anymore successful than Ron's or Mazz's late-season rushes. I will say this is the first winning season (13-10-11) in four seasons, so that is good, right? Dismal hockey, dismal coaching and if I were a serious prospect I'd not consider Harvard but Yale or Cornell.

A fan since the Cleary days, I long for those days, but he was not a god either just a little more skilled team in OT in '89.

Fire Donato, and make a serious improvements in the program. Thing is, who on earth would want to coach at H? Another D-III guy?! Next year a whopping 15 wins and the masses will be ready to give Ted the Coach of the Year when in reality he should have been fired from Harvard 3 years ago. But I will give H loyalists a tip of the hat - you can tell a Harvard man, but you cannot tell him much! Stay with Donato, you'll stay losing.
 
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Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

eaglehockeyrules said:
Sadly, I do not think this year was anymore successful than Ron's or Mazz's late-season rushes. I will say this is the first winning season (13-10-11) in four seasons, so that is good, right? Dismal hockey, dismal coaching and if I were a serious prospect I'd not consider Harvard but Yale or Cornell.

A fan since the Cleary days, I long for those days, but he was not a god either just a little more skilled team in OT in '89.

Fire Donato, and make a serious improvements in the program. Thing is, who on earth would want to coach at H? Another D-III guy?! Next year a whopping 15 wins and the masses will be ready to give Ted the Coach of the Year when in reality he should have been fired from Harvard 3 years ago. But I will give H loyalists a tip of the hat - you can tell a Harvard man, but you cannot tell him much! Stay with Donato, you'll stay losing.
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Sounds like you should just go be a fan of another school. "just a little more skilled in ot in 89" Dumbest comment I ever heard. Ted was the 5th leading scorer with over 50 points.

Good hockey players are good hockey players. The Harvard degree is worth far more then a Cornell degree and in my opinion, a Yale degree.

It wasnt dismal hockey. It was pretty open, many ot's, very good power play. They went to final 4 and had a winning season. Harvard is not trying to replicate Maine.

-1
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

'89 could have gone either way - you know that. Harvard was not dominant against Minnie either; in fact, I'd say Minnie was the better team, but H got the GWG in OT. If H were vastly superior on the ice, the score would have been more like 5 - 2. Donato's performance as a player, has nothing to do with his inability to coach - which he has proven he is not able to coach even with Cleary on the bench holding his hand. Hey, what can I say I am a vocal fan and H alum; I'd love to see Donato go, but I am not sure who would have any success - Donato stunk up this program which was already floundering from Mazz. We agree to disagree.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

eaglehockeyrules said:
'89 could have gone either way - you know that. Harvard was not dominant against Minnie either; in fact, I'd say Minnie was the better team, but H got the GWG in OT. If H were vastly superior on the ice, the score would have been more like 5 - 2. Donato's performance as a player, has nothing to do with his inability to coach - which he has proven he is not able to coach even with Cleary on the bench holding his hand. Hey, what can I say I am a vocal fan and H alum; I'd love to see Donato go, but I am not sure who would have any success - Donato stunk up this program which was already floundering from Mazz. We agree to disagree.
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You play the cards you are dealt. Admission screwed up with Calof and several others. I would worry more about why the alums dont go to the games and have not for many years. Why would school support more if those supporting them could care less.

Harvard is fine and is simply a ship sailing into a future that does not embrace their athletic/student model. Kind of like West Point was so dominant in football for so many years and now cant get it done. Still worth supporting.

Same with Harvard. Maybe they could have had Triviano, Nicastro etc and won a few more games.

Harvard hockey is fine. Several impact freshman this year and more to come. Vesey, Fidler, Tringale are all high end BU/BC types but the difference is, their dads have been there, done that and get the big picture. Harvard has not gotten those type of kids over last 4 or 5+ years, now they are. Very good things to come
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Hokydad said:
You play the cards you are dealt. Admission screwed up with Calof and several others. I would worry more about why the alums dont go to the games and have not for many years. Why would school support more if those supporting them could care less.

Harvard is fine and is simply a ship sailing into a future that does not embrace their athletic/student model. Kind of like West Point was so dominant in football for so many years and now cant get it done. Still worth supporting.

Same with Harvard. Maybe they could have had Triviano, Nicastro etc and won a few more games.

Harvard hockey is fine. Several impact freshman this year and more to come. Vesey, Fidler, Tringale are all high end BU/BC types but the difference is, their dads have been there, done that and get the big picture. Harvard has not gotten those type of kids over last 4 or 5+ years, now they are. Very good things to come
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Yup...and you may be forgetting the biggest recruit next year - Brian Hart!
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

It's true that the team struggled this year and at times looked lost or confused. But there were other times where they gave us some very entertaining hockey (UNH, BU at Bright) and wound up sticking it to Yale and especially Cornell in the playoffs. Consider this; in two straight elimination games, the Crimson outscored their opponents 14 - 3. That's making a statement and hopefully it will carry over to next season. Losing to Union was nothing to be ashamed of. Union was a very good team this year as evidenced by their run to the Frozen Four.

I think Teddy deserves another year to see if he can get us to 20 wins or more. If the talent continues to find its way to Cambridge and they can be molded as a unit to play an up-tempo style with grit and determination, anything is possible. I have faith that it is about to turn around for us and that we can make it back to the national stage.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Skate79 said:
It's true that the team struggled this year and at times looked lost or confused. But there were other times where they gave us some very entertaining hockey (UNH, BU at Bright) and wound up sticking it to Yale and especially Cornell in the playoffs. Consider this; in two straight elimination games, the Crimson outscored their opponents 14 - 3. That's making a statement and hopefully it will carry over to next season. Losing to Union was nothing to be ashamed of. Union was a very good team this year as evidenced by their run to the Frozen Four.

I think Teddy deserves another year to see if he can get us to 20 wins or more. If the talent continues to find its way to Cambridge and they can be molded as a unit to play an up-tempo style with grit and determination, anything is possible. I have faith that it is about to turn around for us and that we can make it back to the national stage.
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No offense, but you said the same thing two years ago.

Like Obama, I hope for a change... but I jsut do not see actions that would give us the change we need.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Lets be honest ehr, this team was a much better team and had a much better season than the last three years. I look at the BU game where they were up, outplayed BU, but lost in OT. Or the couple RPI ties where they really should have won. A little consistent goaltending midway through the year and this team easily could have been in the NCAA tournament. I agree, Donato should still be on a very short leash. But this season was a big step up from the past 3 years.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

eaglehockeyrules said:
No offense, but you said the same thing two years ago.

Like Obama, I hope for a change... but I jsut do not see actions that would give us the change we need.
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None taken but I think my optimism was tempered quite a bit more than it is today. Two years ago, there was no way we would have beaten Yale and Cornell back to back in the playoffs. So I'm not sure where you draw the conclusion that I was saying the same thing as I did two years ago.

I do recall saying that Teddy deserved more time two years ago. I also said last year that if this year didn't end well, he was probably done at Harvard. So I think that I've presented a balanced view to the program and I certainly have not held back my criticism when warranted.

As far as '89 is concerned, of course that final game could have gone either way. One thing you failed to point out is that Minnesota was essentially playing at home in front of a crowd that was 90% for the Gophers, 10% for Harvard. Tough environment yet the Crimson prevailed and I felt that they more than held their own.

You have the right to say what you want on this board and to criticize the Crimson up and down. But as a Harvard grad, why must you be incessant in hammering your alma mater's hockey program? Give them a break now and then. Right now, they deserve our support.
 
Re: Harvard 2011-12 Thread: Celebrating our 375th

Not sure if I missed mention, but both Danny Biega and Alex Killorn were first team All-Americans. Also Grimshaw played a game w/ his hometown Rochester Americans (AHL) on an ATO.
 
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