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Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

bothman said:
Here's the story tonight:
1) Great comeback and heart both for the team and for Blackwell.
2) Harvard's D is slow. There is no two ways about it. Yes, they miss Jaw, but this D is constantly on their heels and playing in fear.
3) Wiley Sherman better figure out who he is because he plays awfully soft for someone who is 6'6''. An NHL D goes down and gives up the body and blocks the shot on that GWG. Sherman didn't do that and who knows what would have happened if he had.
4) Vesey was invisible for most of the game. He shows up in the stat sheet, but this is now 3 straight games (Minnesota, BU, and Quinnipiac) where he is playing on the perimeter almost like he is a decoy. This team goes nowhere if he doesn't stop playing like he's afraid of getting injured and not getting a NHL pay day.
5) PP is not as good with 2 D on the point. Like to see us go back to having Donato on point with Newell.
6) Amazing efforts on the goals. They were all highlight reel goals, especially Moy's and Donato's

Time to get back to ECAC hockey and a very hungry SLU team and Clarkson come to town next weekend.
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We better sweep next weekend and get some mojo back because these last two games were utter disasters between the final three BU goals and the four that the Bobcats rang up to start the game.

Agree about the D. We're too soft back there. I don't think speed is necessarily the problem. But we have to step it up and play with discipline and poise. As far as Vesey is concerned, I don't think it is a fear of getting hurt - he went to the dirty areas when he could against BU. They did a very good job of keeping him to the perimeter. He had zero room to roam and set up. His mates have to help him there.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Thisisahockeywebsite said:
Two teams outside the pairwise 16 this week. Really need to get two wins to stay where we are. I wrote up a little something about the last two games, again only my opinion. www.thisisahockey.website
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Nice job. We really need four points this weekend. More importantly, the team has to get back to doing what they do best - pressure the puck and move it from our blue to the opponents blue line with a couple of passes at most. Our transition game is what will decide how we will fare in most games assuming decent netminding.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Okay so you look at the shot totals and assume that Harvard controlled this game. Nothing could be further from the truth. SLU dominated us for two periods and it looked for all the world like we were headed for our third straight loss. Then Hobey 19 took over.

His first goal was one of those special moves that only a player like Vesey or a Lane MacDonald can execute. Skating through and around the SLU defenders in their zone, he cut to the middle and roofed a backhander to tie it at one. A few minutes later, taking a pass from Alexander Kerfoot at the SLU blue line, he drove to the middle between the two circles and fired a wrist shot to make it 2-1. Vesey completed his hat trick with a little more than 11 minutes to go when he cut through traffic in close and found a small seam to flip a shot to the goalie's stick side. Literally, Jimmy V scored a hat trick by beating the goalie to all sides, high and low. It's what great players do when they need to take over a game.

Our D and goaltending right now are not good enough to get us to the Frozen Four. Not even close and that's with Jaw returning tonight to the lineup. It wasn't until the third period that the team started to skate with purpose and passion and we broke down SLU's forecheck and forced them to play in their own zone. SLU's second goal was a direct result of our inability to clear the puck which was an issue for most of the night.

Tomorrow night should be easier with Clarkson coming to town but who knows at this point? The team isn't sharp in any phase of the game save for penalty killing. Madsen should have stopped the first goal and he can't continue to let in softies. We need to step up and stop thinking about our national ranking.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Skate79 said:
Okay so you look at the shot totals and assume that Harvard controlled this game. Nothing could be further from the truth. SLU dominated us for two periods and it looked for all the world like we were headed for our third straight loss. Then Hobey 19 took over.
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It's interesting to watch a player say "I'm taking over now." I wish Harvard would at least attempt to skate the puck into the offensive zone with 5 minutes left and a lead. It's just so obvious that all they are trying to do is dump the puck, everyone adjusts.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Hey Coach Donato:
1) Why do you play Lackey?
2) Why do you play 2 defenseman on the PP when none of them have the ability to hit the net from the blue line? PP has been poor ever since you made the switch.

Hate to say it, but this one is 100% on the coach. That game was a total disgrace.

Also, even though we don't have the depth on defense, Sherman needs to sit. He is completely lost out there. From not being able to clear a guy out of the slot that was half of his size that led to SLU's 2nd goal to receiving the puck on the PK and having all the time in the world and he shoots it over the glass. I think the Bruins drafted him and they must be loving that pick right about now.
 
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Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

bothman said:
For those thinking of leaving early, here is Louis leblanc's story

From Harvard to hard knocks for former Canadien Louis Leblanc
Leblanc said the Canadiens never forced him to leave school, but insisted that "playing junior hockey would be a better route."

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/h...ocks-in-khl-for-former-canadien-louis-leblanc
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“I don’t regret choices,” Leblanc said in a phone interview from Bratislava before news of his move to Lausanne. “At the time, I made an educated decision.”

No Louis you did not make an educated decision. An educated decision would have been to finish what you started, get your degree from one of the most prestigious universities on the planet and then take a shot at the NHL. If you want proof, look no further than Jimmy Vesey who has opted to get his degree despite the Predators desire to have him skip his senior season. You needed to learn the game, develop your skills and grow up. You are not Jack Eichel or Paul Kariya.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

I didn't attend last night because of the Pats game. From the box score and stats, it is absolutely inconceivable how this team can't take care of business against weak opposition. Sorry but Clarkson doesn't scare anyone and there is no excuse for losing by such a big margin at home. This team needs a heart transplant and a whole lot more before they are deserving of a Top Ten ranking.

Agree about Sherman. He is simply not engaged physically or mentally at this point. Not sure what is up with him but at the moment, he is a liability out there. But you could say that about a number of players on this team. It sure looks like they are reading their national ranking and thinking that it affords them some kind of exclusivity. Like the opposition should just lay down for them.

The coaches are as much at fault as the players. The PP looks anemic and their breakouts are too predictable. They are giving the opposition way to much room to operate through the neutral zone and along the boards.

Maybe Don Sweeney will swallow his pride and trade Sherman, a #1 pick and Ericksson for either a stud right wing or a puck rushing defenseman. The Bruins need both. Badly.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

I hate to say it, but this Harvard team plays arrogant right now. They think because of the talent on the roster, they can just show up and win.

We have seen 3 games in a row (and the BU meltdown late) where Harvard has been thoroughly outplayed to start games and against Clarkson, they were outplayed for the entire game except for a 5 minute stretch in the 3rd. Harvard has more talent than Clarkson up and down the roster, but when you get outcompeted and can't win battles, it doesn't matter.

Here is what I think warrants examination:
1) The lines aren't clicking. I would consider mixing up lines 2-4.
2) Absolutely need to get Donato back on the 1st PP. None of the D have the ability to hit the net with a slapshot and thus I would prefer to have a forward back there who can make better passes and move the puck more quickly
3) They say that faceoffs are a proxy for compete level. I haven't looked at the stats, but this team is getting killed at face-offs
4) The D has to work on breaking the puck out of the zone. They are tentative and teams are aggressively forechcecking them and preventing Harvard from getting into any sort of rhythm (Cornell is going to forecheck the heck out of this team up at Lynah)
5) Lackey is done for the year (barring an injury to Madsen). He is in his own head right now and can't control a rebound. Clarkson's first 3 goals were about as soft as they come (rebounds directed into the slot as opposed to the corner) and it completely took the wind out of Harvard's sails.
6) Kerfoot needs to shoot the puck more. Way too unselfish out there and there are times where he has a clean look but opts to try and thread the needle and suddenly, the opponent is going the other way

We all said it at the beginning of the season, but at the end of the day, I'm just not sure that this team has the defensive quality it needs to do damage this year.

This team is ranked #6 right now in the PWR, but they feel like a team teetering on the brink. Sometimes a good road trip is what a struggling team needs to recapture the magic, but it won't get any easier heading to the friendly confines of Colgate and Cornell (I am glad we have Colgate first).

I would expect a tough weak of practice because this team needs a serious wake up call.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Skate79 said:
........ it is absolutely inconceivable how this team can't take care of business against weak opposition. Sorry but Clarkson doesn't scare anyone and there is no excuse for losing by such a big margin at home. .........
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You and I guess Mr Donato consider Clarkson to be "weak opposition" but when Clarkson comes to play like they did against Quinnipiac earlier in the year and Harvard last night; in your face, setting up a man infront of the goalie, pressing whoever had the puck, quick breakouts where the passing is spot on and actually shooting pucks on net they can play with anyone. You better not be playing your 2nd string goalie and your first string goalie better be on his game. It is really frustrating being a fan of this Clarkson team. They throw in a stinker one night then follow up looking like a top 10 team the next or vice versa (See SLU, Quinny/Prinny, Dartmouth/Harvard, Merrimac/UNH and Bowling Green). Their goaltending is just baffeling, again looking great one night and then can't stop a beach ball the next. They are scoring challenged and to see them get 5 goals in a game is just, well unbelieveable.

I watched Harvard and the Vesey-Kerfoot-Criscollo (Spelling?) line is just awe some. They could have had 4 or 5 goals if more of their shots were on net and if Lewis did not play as good as I have seen him play this year. Vesey is special and you are lucky to have him. I am sure the last weekend of the Regular Season is going to be really something in The North Country. Not predicting a Clarkson win but I am sure Harvard will be more than ready for game 2 as will my Knights.
 
Skate79 said:
“I don’t regret choices,” Leblanc said in a phone interview from Bratislava before news of his move to Lausanne. “At the time, I made an educated decision.”

No Louis you did not make an educated decision. An educated decision would have been to finish what you started, get your degree from one of the most prestigious universities on the planet and then take a shot at the NHL. If you want proof, look no further than Jimmy Vesey who has opted to get his degree despite the Predators desire to have him skip his senior season. You needed to learn the game, develop your skills and grow up. You are not Jack Eichel or Paul Kariya.
Click to expand...


In fairness he did make an educated decision. Bright kid and thought about it and did it. We live in a country that holds a freak like Caitlyn Jenner up as a hero but blast a kid who picked hockey over school. Hindsight is a beautiful thing and at least he isn't sitting at the bar blaming everyone
Political correctness 101
Can burn the flag but leave Harvard and look out!
I agree with you 100% but it's not my choice
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Good for Leblanc, chase a dream that less than one half of one percent could ever even imagine. If it doesn't work, finish school or venture out to something else. I am all for college degrees, but in today's world college degree is college degree. Harvard, Michigan state or St cloud puts the same groceries in your cabinet.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Ronnieb said:
Good for Leblanc, chase a dream that less than one half of one percent could ever even imagine. If it doesn't work, finish school or venture out to something else. I am all for college degrees, but in today's world college degree is college degree. Harvard, Michigan state or St cloud puts the same groceries in your cabinet.
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I hope you are not equating a Harvard degree with one from St cloud-Earnings potential?
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Hokydad said:
In fairness he did make an educated decision. Bright kid and thought about it and did it. We live in a country that holds a freak like Caitlyn Jenner up as a hero but blast a kid who picked hockey over school. Hindsight is a beautiful thing and at least he isn't sitting at the bar blaming everyone
Political correctness 101
Can burn the flag but leave Harvard and look out!
I agree with you 100% but it's not my choice
Click to expand...

It's not just Harvard. I was always taught you finish what you start. I get that he can come back and finish down the road but he got bad advice from the Canadiens. Pro teams don't care about the individual. They care about wins and losses. Louis simply wasn't ready for the pro game after one season. All of us could see it.
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

vicb said:
You and I guess Mr Donato consider Clarkson to be "weak opposition" but when Clarkson comes to play like they did against Quinnipiac earlier in the year and Harvard last night; in your face, setting up a man infront of the goalie, pressing whoever had the puck, quick breakouts where the passing is spot on and actually shooting pucks on net they can play with anyone. You better not be playing your 2nd string goalie and your first string goalie better be on his game. It is really frustrating being a fan of this Clarkson team. They throw in a stinker one night then follow up looking like a top 10 team the next or vice versa (See SLU, Quinny/Prinny, Dartmouth/Harvard, Merrimac/UNH and Bowling Green). Their goaltending is just baffeling, again looking great one night and then can't stop a beach ball the next. They are scoring challenged and to see them get 5 goals in a game is just, well unbelieveable.

I watched Harvard and the Vesey-Kerfoot-Criscollo (Spelling?) line is just awe some. They could have had 4 or 5 goals if more of their shots were on net and if Lewis did not play as good as I have seen him play this year. Vesey is special and you are lucky to have him. I am sure the last weekend of the Regular Season is going to be really something in The North Country. Not predicting a Clarkson win but I am sure Harvard will be more than ready for game 2 as will my Knights.
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Vic, you sort of made my point with the goaltending and scoring issues Clarkson has dealt with this season. When you are playing a team that has been up and down all season, you want to get on them early and make sure they wave the white flag by the third period. Instead, Harvard is taking an entitled attitude lately and doesn't want to pay the price to win games. Last night was Exhibit A. If this continues, their wake up call will be in the form of a road trip in the first round of the ECAC playoffs.

Oh and we're still searching for our #1 goalie.
 
Skate79 said:
It's not just Harvard. I was always taught you finish what you start. I get that he can come back and finish down the road but he got bad advice from the Canadiens. Pro teams don't care about the individual. They care about wins and losses. Louis simply wasn't ready for the pro game after one season. All of us could see it.
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We speak the same language, would never let my kid make that move even if he was 19 or 20, but he isn't
I know exactly how much a Harvard degree is worth
 
Re: Harvard Crimson 2015-2016 - All things Bright and Beautiful

Skate79 said:
Oh and we're still searching for our #1 goalie.
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We have our #1 goalie and it is Madsen is it by a landslide. I think Lackey will get it together but simply stated, he can not control rebounds. Clarkson's first 2 goals were the result of him not taking care of rebounds.
 
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