HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

[alslammerz]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Word of warning- during most of Friday night's game (and a better part of Saturday's), on the WHRB low bandwidth stream will be men's basketball. So if you want to tune in to hockey online, you have to click the high bandwidth stream. It will be men's hockey on the actual radio if you tune in to 95.3.

Also, if the women's game goes into OT and pushes the men's game back either night, we'll probably start with basketball at 7 and keep it there until about 10 min. before the drop of the puck for the men's game.

 

[CMKnight]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

All Team ECAC?! Isn't that kind of like a player from the Detriot Lions being invited to the Pro Bowl?! LOL. Just kidding, sort of.

Let's hope for a weekend sweep to close, yet another dismal regular season.

"Maybe" H could be spoiler post-season.

Hey, stop picking on my Lions! Next year they'll be on the way up, like Harvard.

D Biega has been good this year and had some clutch moments ( 3 gwgs ). Some folks don't like all the penalties he takes but he plays more aggressively than our other dmen, and frequently gets put in take-a-penalty-or-else situations by them. He also doesn't have great foot speed and it's frustrating to watch him at times, but he works hard and he, for one, is strong on his skates. Honestly, I like him better than Alex, especially in our own end. He is one guy who has worked really hard since he's come to Harvard and he deserves some recognition for the season he's had.

Good to see Harvard saving some of its best hockey for the end of the season ( 3 w's in the last 4 ) and a weekend with two struggling visitors ( both with 3 losses in their last 4 ). Having momentum is crucial this time of the year, and we will be real spoilers if we ride it into the playoffs. I don't expect us to leapfrog Brown this weekend though with Colgate visiting them this Sat. Whoever draws us in Rd. # 1 will lose. That's my Rex Ryan Guarantee.

I was hoping that Girard might get some time this weekend with both Kyle and Ryan graduating this spring but it may not happen. Girard's only seen 69 mins this season and Teddy's going to have to get the goalie situation resolved quickly next fall.

Next season Teddy should have us back above .500 if we get the goalie position settled. There's some OK talent returning up front and the d should be improved. We should gain ground in the standings next season with other programs losing more talent than us.

 

[bothman]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

I was hoping that Girard might get some time this weekend with both Kyle and Ryan graduating this spring but it may not happen. Girard's only seen 69 mins this season and Teddy's going to have to get the goalie situation resolved quickly next fall.

Next season Teddy should have us back above .500 if we get the goalie position settled. There's some OK talent returning up front and the d should be improved. We should gain ground in the standings next season with other programs losing more talent than us.

Harvard has one of the top freshman goalies in the country coming in next year. I would be shocked if Michalek doesn't come in start as a freshman.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Today's version of If the ECAC playoffs started today. There'll be new playoff based stuff tonight and tomorrow as well (I'll see if I can beat Sully's post this year. Nothing felt worse than staying up until 2am last year working out all the tiebreakers only to see Brian had beat me to it by about 30 min.)

Off to write a draft for this "school" thing. See you all from the Bright at 6:45.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Looks like I managed to beat Brian by about 3 seconds this year, haha. Now hopefully I didn't make any mistakes.

Anyway, here's the playoff picture for tomorrow. It's relatively simple for Harvard. Win or tie and they are 10th. Lose and they are 11th.

 

[CMKnight]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Harvard has one of the top freshman goalies in the country coming in next year. I would be shocked if Michalek doesn't come in start as a freshman.

I'm glad Steve is coming next season but if we've learned anything over the last 3-4 years it's not to relie too heavily on recruits press clippings. Even if he does start, as I expect, it's good to have a Plan B in place and I don't think enough has been done in that respect. Steve's had a brutal season with Loomis and he has struggled recently,dropping out of the Top 10 for prep goalies ( SV % ). I've seen him twice and he definitely has solid fundamentals-- his style reminds me of Aaron Israel a bit--- but he's very young (17) and could add some bulk. IMO, he needs a year of juniors before he comes to Harvard but after Ryan and Kyle depart we will need him right away. Coming off a tough prep season ( he just saw 70+ shots his last game ) he's entering a much faster level of hockey next season on a down note. His play deteriorated a good bit the second time I saw him and I was more than a little concerned by what I saw. I do not think his is a similar situation to Hughes from Nobles where Hughes came in young but played for a more solid defensive team and won the title his first year. You can't fault Teddy for much of this season but I wish he had managed the goalie situation a little differently. In a perfect world, I would have rather seen Girard in juniors this year since with Ryan and Kyle on the team he was never going to see much time anyway. Oh, well.


Another win last night and right now I'd say, after Union, Harvard is the hottest team in the ECAC. Teddy has these guys playing with a confidence and purpose that they lacked much of the season. They will be very tough to beat from here on out. Everything seems to be improved, particularly the PK. In-zone play continues to be a big concern but it has gotten better. If the goalies continue to play well and we bury whatever chances we can generate we will be very tough in the tourney. I see players who have been invisible ( or terrible ) much of the year emerging in their play and it's nice to see this happening at the right time. Good job, Teddy and Co. !

 

[bothman]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Can anyone cmment on the PP? Harvard's has been clicking at like a 33% rate over the last several games. Has Teddy changed the approach. Special teams is generally the difference come the play-offs.

 

[bothman]

I'm glad Steve is coming next season but if we've learned anything over the last 3-4 years it's not to relie too heavily on recruits press clippings. Even if he does start, as I expect, it's good to have a Plan B in place and I don't think enough has been done in that respect. Steve's had a brutal season with Loomis and he has struggled recently,dropping out of the Top 10 for prep goalies ( SV % ). I've seen him twice and he definitely has solid fundamentals-- his style reminds me of Aaron Israel a bit--- but he's very young (17) and could add some bulk. IMO, he needs a year of juniors before he comes to Harvard but after Ryan and Kyle depart we will need him right away. Coming off a tough prep season ( he just saw 70+ shots his last game ) he's entering a much faster level of hockey next season on a down note. His play deteriorated a good bit the second time I saw him and I was more than a little concerned by what I saw. I do not think his is a similar situation to Hughes from Nobles where Hughes came in young but played for a more solid defensive team and won the title his first year. You can't fault Teddy for much of this season but I wish he had managed the goalie situation a little differently. In a perfect world, I would have rather seen Girard in juniors this year since with Ryan and Kyle on the team he was never going to see much time anyway. Oh, well.


Another win last night and right now I'd say, after Union, Harvard is the hottest team in the ECAC. Teddy has these guys playing with a confidence and purpose that they lacked much of the season. They will be very tough to beat from here on out. Everything seems to be improved, particularly the PK. In-zone play continues to be a big concern but it has gotten better. If the goalies continue to play well and we bury whatever chances we can generate we will be very tough in the tourney. I see players who have been invisible ( or terrible ) much of the year emerging in their play and it's nice to see this happening at the right time. Good job, Teddy and Co. !

When you face between 50-70 shots per game, you will wear down as a seson progresses. Expectations for frosh should be tempered, but I think he'll be fine.

Harvard's D will be better next year. Lose Huxley and bring in McNally who has been the best D in prep hockey by a landslide this year. Plus Fick and Ford will be a year older and wiser.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Can anyone cmment on the PP? Harvard's has been clicking at like a 33% rate over the last several games. Has Teddy changed the approach. Special teams is generally the difference come the play-offs.

Not an umbrella anymore. Using two point men, working it down low to the corners and then looking for the cross-ice pass. Also a lot of shots wide from the defensman looking for a redirection from someone sneaking out of the corner. Coming into tonight, Harvard had best power play in league games in ECAC.

 

[mwade]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Gallery now added to recap - half game/half senior night - http://www.uscho.com/recaps/2011/02/26/streaking-harvard-solves-st-lawrence-4-3/

Mad at myself for not noticing the "easy button" until after Biega was past it following his goal.

 

[Skate79]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

When you face between 50-70 shots per game, you will wear down as a seson progresses. Expectations for frosh should be tempered, but I think he'll be fine.

Harvard's D will be better next year. Lose Huxley and bring in McNally who has been the best D in prep hockey by a landslide this year. Plus Fick and Ford will be a year older and wiser.

I'm more concerned with who is going to put the puck in the net than who is going to keep it out of the net. We have two excellent senior goalies this year and still finished 10th in the conference. Goaltending wasn't our problem. Scoring goals and headmanning the puck in quick breakouts was the problem. Over the past few games, things have gotten better and you can see improvement. I like what I saw last night in terms of effort, speed, and puck possession. We mucked and grinded to get the lead and then built on it before falling back late in the game. Maybe this is the start of a turnaround.

 

[bothman]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

I'm more concerned with who is going to put the puck in the net than who is going to keep it out of the net. We have two excellent senior goalies this year and still finished 10th in the conference. Goaltending wasn't our problem. Scoring goals and headmanning the puck in quick breakouts was the problem. Over the past few games, things have gotten better and you can see improvement. I like what I saw last night in terms of effort, speed, and puck possession. We mucked and grinded to get the lead and then built on it before falling back late in the game. Maybe this is the start of a turnaround.

Fair enough.

Harvard loses very little ofensive stats next year. 47 points in total (I think Lane Mac had more points than that as a frosh )

It will be interesting to see how guys like Linell & Placek & O'Regan translate to the college game. I would expect the most from Linell as a frosh.

 

[hockeyenthusiast]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

You heard it here first. You guys are going to Atlantic City.

Also, I would not put much stock on prep school players, at least for their frosh and soph years. The transition is too much, especially for a goalie.

Loomis is a pretty bad team too, so that might explain the low numbers.

 

[bothman]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

You heard it here first. You guys are going to Atlantic City.

Also, I would not put much stock on prep school players, at least for their frosh and soph years. The transition is too much, especially for a goalie.

Loomis is a pretty bad team too, so that might explain the low numbers.

I hear you, but guys like Cory Schneider, Chris Kreider, etc didn't need a whole lot of time to adjust....

It can be done!

Thanks for the vote of confidence on AC. I hope you are right.

 

[ALONZO]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

You heard it here first. You guys are going to Atlantic City.

Also, I would not put much stock on prep school players, at least for their frosh and soph years. The transition is too much, especially for a goalie.

Loomis is a pretty bad team too, so that might explain the low numbers.

I love this prediction particularly from a Colgate alumnus. After all you beat us at Bright and then tied Yale in New Haven in a game that denied the Elis the ECAC championship. I have to think your team has as good a chance as we do to make it to Atlantic City. All you have to do is take down RPI and Union on the road while we do the same at Clarkson and Dartmouth.

I can't recall a third tier team ever making it to the ECAC final four. Maybe this is the year.

GO CRIMSON! GO RAIDERS!

 

[burgie12]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

I can't recall a third tier team ever making it to the ECAC final four. Maybe this is the year.

It's that hard to remember all the way back to last year?

(#11) Brown in 2010 and (#9) Clarkson in 2004 are the only two third-tier teams to make the final weekend since the new format was put in before the 2002-2003 season.

Google doc with all ECAC Tournament results since the 02-03 season, if you would like to peruse them.

 

[hockeyenthusiast]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

I love this prediction particularly from a Colgate alumnus. After all you beat us at Bright and then tied Yale in New Haven in a game that denied the Elis the ECAC championship. I have to think your team has as good a chance as we do to make it to Atlantic City. All you have to do is take down RPI and Union on the road while we do the same at Clarkson and Dartmouth.

I can't recall a third tier team ever making it to the ECAC final four. Maybe this is the year.

GO CRIMSON! GO RAIDERS!

We beat you at Starr, not Bright, in a hard-fought game that could have gone either way. I agree both Colgate and Harvard are playing their best hockey of the season, and are to me big threats in the upcoming first round series.

 

[bothman]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

A thought just occurred to me:

If I told you that in any season that Harvard both beat BU in the Beanpot and Cornell at Lynah, what would be your reaction? Mine too

Amazing our record is what it is, given the above which we never achieve.

 

[cornellgradyalefan]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

Given your team's recent success, does this mean that Donato doesn't get fired now?

 

[CMKnight]

Re: HARVARD CRIMSON 2010-2011 - A New Beginning

You heard it here first. You guys are going to Atlantic City.

Also, I would not put much stock on prep school players, at least for their frosh and soph years. The transition is too much, especially for a goalie.

Teddy has done a magnificent job getting this team to up its game. There has not been a lot of talent here the last couple years-- and other ECAC programs have really emerged -- but Harvard is probably playing to its fullest potential at the moment. They aren't killing teams buy they have learned how to win.

I think a lot of fans frustrations over the last couple years stem from unrealistic expectaions, and perhaps unfamiliarity with the recruiting scene. Fans here have too often jumped to wild conclusions out of all proportions about recruits. Little of it has been grounded in reality. When some fans' fantasies aren't fullfilled they then turn on Teddy. Things are difficult enough without having people call for Teddy's hyde. This is a team that has struggled to find themselves and they have done so with very little true fan support. I'm hoping that people will realize that Teddy has done a wonderful job in getting this team to gel and believe they can win.

Yep, prep hockey isn't what it used to be. Coaches relying heavily on junior hockey to more fully develop players has resulted in older, stronger players in the game. It often does take prep players longer to acclimate to the college game. But there are still players coming out of prep who can make an immediate impact, and I believe that in certain cases a goalie can be one of those players.

When you face between 50-70 shots per game, you will wear down as a seson progresses. Expectations for frosh should be tempered, but I think he'll be fine.

Harvard's D will be better next year. Lose Huxley and bring in McNally who has been the best D in prep hockey by a landslide this year. Plus Fick and Ford will be a year older and wiser.

McNally will be recognized as the top prep d man this year by many, but really he's not. Mike KcKee at Kent, only a junior, is the top guy. Right now, he's a bigger, stronger and better defensively than McNally. There are others, too, IMO.

McNally is a another guy who really needs a year of juniors to round out his defensive zone play and put on bulk, but he'll already be 20 this December... as a frosh. Right now, he's an old-timer playing among a younger crowd. ( McKee on the other hand is a 93 ). I love McNally's speed ( obviously the Islanders do , too ) and while he may currently be the Paul Coffey of the preps , at this point, I can already see him hurting Harvard in its own zone once he meets faster, stronger competition. Defensively I don't see McNally replacing Huxley next year-- and I'm not one of Huxley's biggest fans. If McNally had headed to a HE school those coaches would have preferred him at forward. Teddy may even want to give him a long look at forward as well. It's not that McNally couldn't eventually become very solid defensively and much stronger; he can, it's just that right now he's got a lot of work to do in that area. With a new starter in goal next year for Harvard, defensive zone support is going to be critical. This is what concerns me about McNally. Better that we take your advice about tempering expectations for frosh, especially in this instance. Like you, I'm delighted that Pat's coming to Harvard though.