Okay so it looks like I'm the only one who cares to write something about the Crimson. Can't really blame folks for abandoning the thread. I'll try and make this mildly interesting to read.
Just when you thought you had seen it all in college hockey, along comes tonight's game between two bottom feeders. First, the Zamboni developed mechanical problems that necessitated a call to a mechanic to come to the rink for repairs (I'm not making this up). The Zamboni repaired and the ice finished almost two hours after the original start time, the teams warmed up a bit when it was announced that the game would begin right away. Oh wait, what about the national anthem? Okay, well, we'll have the anthem played by the Harvard University band. Whoops, not so fast. A recording of the anthem starts playing even though the band is in attendance (now I see why they don't come to games anymore. I thought it was because the Crimson stink. Silly me). Then while the puck is dropped and play starts, the starting lineup for the Crimson is announced. Between the first and second periods, it was announced that Chuck a Puck would not happen for tonight's game. Fast forward to the second period and viola! Chuck a Puck will indeed take place between the second and third periods.
Yup, that's Harvard hockey 2013-2014. A colossal joke. The game was so bad, I really was wishing that I had stayed home and watched the opening ceremonies from Sochi. Would it have killed them to keep the men's basketball game on the big screen even after the hockey game commenced? There just wasn't anything good to say about tonight's game. Horrendous passing, no clue as to how to set up a play, on and on it goes. How the mighty have fallen.
To make matters worse, Guiltinan got another game disqualification when he rammed his elbow into the head of a Dartmouth player and they proceeded to roll on the ice and throw haymakers at each other. Guiltinan comes off the ice bleeding and laughing at the same time and Teddy does nothing. Not a word. This kind of nonsense would not be tolerated by Billy Cleary. Harvard continues to take stupid penalties (Esposito negates a PP only 16 seconds in) and their undisciplined play and total lack of focus is really alarming. Even during Tommasoni's last season, it wasn't this bad. How Teddy lets this happen is beyond me.
I don't really want to hear about how talented we are because that is a load of you know what. We don't have the talent people think we have. And it is really clear that Teddy has to go. Nothing personal but he can't run a D-1 program. He is overmatched and it shows. We blow and to say otherwise is to be in denial. Time for a program overhaul. Now.
No disrespect to the dead, but look what happened at Yale when a long time well respected alumni Coach was allowed to stay on too long. Not sure what the deal is with the Admin up there, but the team seems like it needs more support from the University as well. Are there not two Zamboni's up there? Pretty much the standard at a D-1 rink.
3. Guiltinan needs to be sat a game or two in addition to any league stuff.
He and Esposito seem to be pretty proud of their antics based on their post-game tweets:
http://i57.tinypic.com/2ykxrts.png
I feel bad for you guys and the Harvard coaching staff that this is the attitude the players are carrying, in public no less.
Whoops, sorry: wrong Esposito (is he related to Luke?)...but the fact that Guiltinan seems to take it as a compliment is still troubling.
No idea if the Esposito who tweeted is related to Luke but it is a sad day for Harvard hockey when this kind of nonsense is tolerated. Where is the leadership? Clearly Dan Ford doesn't seem to care or mind; he should be setting an example in the locker room and it's obvious that he is not engaged at all. Of course, he may be taking his cue from the coaching staff.
I'll be interested to see if Teddy has the stones to sit Guiltinan for the rest of the season. A one game suspension isn't enough for this clown.
1. I heard it was a local HS fill-in band for tonight's game - if true, probably the reason for them not playing the anthem
2. Not the first time Harvard/Dartmouth has been delayed by mechanical problems. In 2011, Game 3 of the playoffs was delayed for hours after the Hanoverian staff drilled too deep and hit a coolant pipe. Also, LTSatch, 2 zambonis wouldn't have helped because it broke on the ice.
3. Guiltinan needs to be sat a game or two in addition to any league stuff.
4. Somehow, Princeton and Dartmouth are way worse than us this year.
How many PIMs does KG have? A young Kevin Melrose?
I am actually a little more optimistic about the hockey team after watching that 1st period...optimism will probably be dashed tonight at the Garden..than the basketball team, who were terrible both games this weekend and face 4 games on the road, but that's another forum.
Guiltinan has 71 penalty minutes. Dan Ford is next with 21. That's right, 21 penalty minutes. A 50 minute gap. That isn't something to brag about.
I wouldn't compare him to Melrose because Kevan played smart, tough physical hockey that intimidated the opponent. Guiltinan plays reckless with no accountability. He doesn't care if he hurts anyone or what it costs his team. This kid needs a wake-up call in the worst way.
I wouldn't compare him to Melrose because Kevan played smart, tough physical hockey that intimidated the opponent. Guiltinan plays reckless with no accountability. He doesn't care if he hurts anyone or what it costs his team.
That exactly describes Melrose.
I know everybody loves their own agitator, but Melrose was nothing but a cement head. He wasn't even a goon, since goons have a practical, albeit simplistic, plan. Guiltinan is aiming for, at worst, second place on the all-time loser list.
Play nice Kepler. Do u know who your coach is?
I don't know how you can be optimistic even with the win on Saturday. They played a terrible team that is going nowhere much like themselves. There wasn't anything positive you could take from that win especially considering Guiltinan's shot to the head. Having a physical presence on the back line is important, I'll grant you that. But playing stupid and reckless with a total lack of respect for your opponent is simply inexcusable. And that is what this Harvard team does night in and night out. Did you like Esposito's penalty 16 seconds into a power play? Where's the accountability? The discipline? Sorry but I don't see anything about this team that tells me there is hope for the future.
Are you sure? I thought it was a game against RPI/Union. I tried checking the "Legends" section of TBRW, but sadly, he does not appear there.Oh, I do. Schafer was exactly the kind of instigator who everybody else hates. My point is Melrose was a categorically different creature. We had a player like that, too, named Damian Rocke. He lasted 2.5 shifts (against Harvard, ironically), whereas Melrose lasted 2.5 seasons before he was finally kicked out.
Are you sure? I thought it was a game against RPI/Union. I tried checking the "Legends" section of TBRW, but sadly, he does not appear there.Hockeydb.com, though, does dutifully record his 15 PIM in his 1 game played.