Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

CTV has an article on the Harvard olympians: Friends at Harvard, Enemies at the Olympics.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

MLP Cup
Gold Medal Game - Canada 9, Switzerland 0 - The rematch of what was a one-sided round robin game turned out to be even more-so the second time around. Natalie Spooner and Jessica Wong each score two goals for the Canadians, while Jennifer Wakefield and Vicki Bendus each have a goal and two assists. Christina Kessler had 15 saves for the shutout. Dominique Slongo and Sophie Celine Anthamatten combined for 38 saves for the Swiss.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Big weekend this weekend as the Crimson host Cornell and Colgate. Can't make it to the first game (unfortunately, I know how big it is) but hope to be there for the second (which I think makes me the student section. J-term ).

Anyway, what are the thoughts? I just read in the Frozen Eight thread that we are 6th in the pairwise (which needs to improve to be safe) and everyone there is talking about how Kessler's return will be big for Harvard. Yet their loss this weekend was 1-0, and neither Kessler or Bellamy can win games without at least a goal. They are 4 points out of second with 3 games in hand, although Cornell and SLU right now are above them and even in games in hand. There is also only 6 points separating them and Colgate for out of the playoffs and the Raiders have a game in hand. So a weekend sweep moves you closer to Cornell and away from Colgate.

Despite the league record, I'm very impressed with how this young team has come along, and how I've seen them play against some of the top teams in the country. It would be great to see them in the NCAA's and a sweep this weekend would certainly help.

 

[Skate79]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Big weekend this weekend as the Crimson host Cornell and Colgate. Can't make it to the first game (unfortunately, I know how big it is) but hope to be there for the second (which I think makes me the student section. J-term ).

Anyway, what are the thoughts? I just read in the Frozen Eight thread that we are 6th in the pairwise (which needs to improve to be safe) and everyone there is talking about how Kessler's return will be big for Harvard. Yet their loss this weekend was 1-0, and neither Kessler or Bellamy can win games without at least a goal. They are 4 points out of second with 3 games in hand, although Cornell and SLU right now are above them and even in games in hand. There is also only 6 points separating them and Colgate for out of the playoffs and the Raiders have a game in hand. So a weekend sweep moves you closer to Cornell and away from Colgate.

Despite the league record, I'm very impressed with how this young team has come along, and how I've seen them play against some of the top teams in the country. It would be great to see them in the NCAA's and a sweep this weekend would certainly help.

Last weekend was a downer to be sure although Q-Pac seems to have come a long way since November. Could they be this year's RPI? We'll see. To come away with only one point won't cut it nationally.

Harvard's big problem this year has been scoring and they need to find a way to finish to take advantage of the next four games, all at the Bright Center. They tend to play better against the good teams and somewhat let down against the not so good teams.

If we were to sweep the next four, that should put us in good position for the stretch run and a shot at second or third place. A Beanpot title would also be nice especially since they are out of conference games.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Last weekend was a downer to be sure although Q-Pac seems to have come a long way since November. Could they be this year's RPI? We'll see. To come away with only one point won't cut it nationally.

Harvard's big problem this year has been scoring and they need to find a way to finish to take advantage of the next four games, all at the Bright Center. They tend to play better against the good teams and somewhat let down against the not so good teams.

If we were to sweep the next four, that should put us in good position for the stretch run and a shot at second or third place. A Beanpot title would also be nice especially since they are out of conference games.

At this point, it seems like our OOC schedule is what's keeping us in the picture for the pairwise and national rankings. Are we undefeated at the moment out of conference? (if so knock on wood) I remember we went 1-0-1 vs. Minnesota, and I remember a win vs UConn and a tie with UNH. Am I missing anything/wrong about anything? It's sometimes hard to keep track of schedules when my main focus is the men's team.

 

[Watson Rink]

A real bang-bang first five minutes

A real bang-bang first five minutes

The team is looking confident and fluid both five on five and with the man advantage.

Two more periods like this one would prove they're back to form.

Anybody see whether on the C goal their player was (A) in the crease and (B) in contact with Kessler? Couldn't be sure from my line of vision....

 

[Watson Rink]

Too Many Players in the Crease?

Too Many Players in the Crease?

Why not just a new rule that if Cornell puts three or more players in the crease at the same time, they get an automatic goal?

 

[Skate79]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Well we totally gave away two points tonight. I can't believe how Cornell gets away with mugging the goalie and players in the crease. The first goal should not have counted and the last goal was tied up only the ref froze his whistle. Unreal.

That said, Kessler was not at her best tonight. She blew the second goal by mishandling the puck and seemed not to be sure of herself all night. Didn't seem her usual confident self. Perhaps a letdown from the recent tournament. Also, I thought our coaching staff really didn't do a good job in matching up against Cornell. Katey as usual shortened her bench and it cost us toward the end of the game. When will she learn that it doesn't pay to overplay certain players? They were gassed when we finally got the power plays late in the third and in OT.

This one definitely hurt. We'll need to win our next three to stay in the conversation for home ice for the ECAC first round. Otherwise, it's on the road to possibly Ithaca. Ugh.

 

[Skate79]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

At this point, it seems like our OOC schedule is what's keeping us in the picture for the pairwise and national rankings. Are we undefeated at the moment out of conference? (if so knock on wood) I remember we went 1-0-1 vs. Minnesota, and I remember a win vs UConn and a tie with UNH. Am I missing anything/wrong about anything? It's sometimes hard to keep track of schedules when my main focus is the men's team.

You're on track here. We still have a game against Providence at the end of the month at Bright and the Beanpot. That's it for out of conference and if we can win those games, we'll be in good shape provided we don't blow games like we did tonight.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Sounds like I missed a doozie, in a not good way.

Definitely a tough tie. As skate said though, it's giving away two points, as we lose one and Cornell gains one. Sounds like there's reasons to gripe with the refs, but I wasn't there and anyway, what's past is past.

How did Kessler play last year post-MLP cup? I seem to remember there was a bit of an early January let down, possibly involving a loss to Princeton at home while she was away and I'm trying to remember how Kessler looked that first series after returning from Germany, but I feel like it was similar to what skate described, only Harvard was able to pull out the win. And then obviously she turned it on starting with the Yale-Brown home series and continued through the Beanpot until RPI ended the season (and that game featured the terrible disallowed goal on Harvard when someone shot the puck off her own foot and they said she kicked it, but again, what's past is past).

Looking at the standings:
6. Harvard, 14 points, 6 wins, 12 games
5. SLU, 14 points, 6 wins, 11 games
4. Princeton, 17 points, 7 wins, 14 games
3. Quinnipiac, 17 points, 6 wins, 14 games
2. Cornell, 17 points, 7 wins, 11 games
1. Clarkson, 19 points, 9 wins, 11 games

Also conference games remaining for us:
Colgate H
Union H and A
RPI H and A
Brown H
Yale H
Dartmouth A
St. Lawrence A
Clarkson A

Not a lot of games against teams ahead of us, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it.

As for non-conference, SLU just beat BC at BC 4-0, FWIW (which I know is pretty much nothing).

 

[Skate79]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Good win for the Crimson this afternoon especially after last night's collapse in the third against Cornell. 3 out of 4 points isn't bad but we need wins if we are going to capture home ice for the first round. A sweep next weekend is imperative. And we owe RPI a massive beat down for last spring.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

Good win for the Crimson this afternoon especially after last night's collapse in the third against Cornell. 3 out of 4 points isn't bad but we need wins if we are going to capture home ice for the first round. A sweep next weekend is imperative. And we owe RPI a massive beat down for last spring.

Yes, we really do owe RPI. They've been a tough team at the Bright, we also tied them last year early in the season.

 

[Watson Rink]

tactics

tactics

A couple of facets of yesterday's game plan became evident in the first few minutes. First, after Colgate had pinned H's first line in their own end for the first shift, every H line successively pinned C in their own end by cycling, cycling and more cycling. And after everybody had established a pattern of C defenders scrambling around in Brownian motion to chase the puck in the cycle, numerous seams opened up and good scoring chances materialized. Second, it seemed that H was shooting all night directly for the number 30 in the middle of the goalie's chest, which occasionally created long, juicy rebounds and more usually resulted in H going right back on offense with a face-off win (35-23 for the night). Buesser's redirect of Dempsey's pass on the fly into the zone may have been more breathtaking, but Coskren's tap into an open net after some crisp tictactoe passing was more typical of the productive power of the team's "halfcourt" offense last night.

 

[Skate79]

Re: tactics

Re: tactics

A couple of facets of yesterday's game plan became evident in the first few minutes. First, after Colgate had pinned H's first line in their own end for the first shift, every H line successively pinned C in their own end by cycling, cycling and more cycling. And after everybody had established a pattern of C defenders scrambling around in Brownian motion to chase the puck in the cycle, numerous seams opened up and good scoring chances materialized. Second, it seemed that H was shooting all night directly for the number 30 in the middle of the goalie's chest, which occasionally created long, juicy rebounds and more usually resulted in H going right back on offense with a face-off win (35-23 for the night). Buesser's redirect of Dempsey's pass on the fly into the zone may have been more breathtaking, but Coskren's tap into an open net after some crisp tictactoe passing was more typical of the productive power of the team's "halfcourt" offense last night.

Great analysis with one caveat; constant cycling w/o shooting gets you nowhere fast. I'm glad that the Crimson finally got the message to shoot more. We need to not only create rebounds but crash the net and show some grit. Finesse will only get you so far and in the playoffs, goals don't often happen off 'pretty' plays.

The Crimson need to continue to play together and tighten up defensively a bit. That combined with Kessler's return to form will take us a long way. Wouldn't it be something if they made it to the Frozen Four after losing the talent from last year's team?

 

[HockeyTeacher]

Re: tactics

Re: tactics

The Crimson need to continue to play together and tighten up defensively a bit. That combined with Kessler's return to form will take us a long way. Wouldn't it be something if they made it to the Frozen Four after losing the talent from last year's team?

I think it is time to recognize all of the talented freshmen that have contributed significantly to the success of this Team.

Yes, they graduated some great hockey Players, but they also have some great leadership in the Upper Classmen who have taken the new freshman and have help them feel real comfortable in their new roles at the collegiate level.

And they are very much a Team. It is a credit to the Coaches, Captians, and the rest of the Team.

This TEAM is very talented, and will only get better over time.

 

[Skate79]

Re: tactics

Re: tactics

I think it is time to recognize all of the talented freshmen that have contributed significantly to the success of this Team.

Yes, they graduated some great hockey Players, but they also have some great leadership in the Upper Classmen who have taken the new freshman and have help them feel real comfortable in their new roles at the collegiate level.

And they are very much a Team. It is a credit to the Coaches, Captians, and the rest of the Team.

This TEAM is very talented, and will only get better over time.

I agree that they will only get better over time but I wouldn't say that all the freshman have contributed significantly. Margaret Chute, Katharine's sister, rarely makes it off the bench and she was highly touted coming in. Not sure why she isn't playing more; perhaps she needs to adjust to the college game.

 

[HockeyTeacher]

Re: tactics

Re: tactics

I agree that they will only get better over time but I wouldn't say that all the freshman have contributed significantly. Margaret Chute, Katharine's sister, rarely makes it off the bench and she was highly touted coming in. Not sure why she isn't playing more; perhaps she needs to adjust to the college game.

Early on Margaret was taking a regular shift on the "second" line playing with her sister .......so I would say that she has contributed quite a bit to the success of the Harvard Team.

And most recently, she has been ready to play whenever she has been called upon. She is a Player!

There is a major adjustment from High School hockey to Division I college hockey....the time both on the ice and in the gym consumes a a large amount of time and discipline. Also, lets not forget about the academic requirements either.

And yes.....there is an adjustment to the college game. Competition, Speed, physicallity, tactics, and the "need" to win.

There is a lot expected of the Division I student athlete!

 

[alslammerz]

Re: tactics

Re: tactics

Early on Margaret was taking a regular shift on the "second" line playing with her sister .......so I would say that she has contributed quite a bit to the success of the Harvard Team.

And most recently, she has been ready to play whenever she has been called upon. She is a Player!

There is a major adjustment from High School hockey to Division I college hockey....the time both on the ice and in the gym consumes a a large amount of time and discipline. Also, lets not forget about the academic requirements either.

And yes.....there is an adjustment to the college game. Competition, Speed, physicallity, tactics, and the "need" to win.

There is a lot expected of the Division I student athlete!

Don't take what Skate is saying to be criticism of Chute the Younger. I'm 95% sure that's just his way of saying he thinks she and the other forwards not on the top two lines should be playing more, which in a roundabout way I think makes it a compliment.

PS- The fact that Margaret did contribute early on in the season is actually backing up skate's point. And I only know all this because I had a similar discussion with him a couple of pages ago when I asked if she was hurt because at the beginning of the season she was playing so much and yet I hadn't remembered seeing her during the Minnesota weekend.

Also note I don't have a dog in this race, just want to clear up any misunderstandings.

 

[Skate79]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

What I was saying is that since early December, Margaret Chute hasn't made it off the bench all that much if at all. She may have been playing second line early on but that probably was due in part to injuries and players such as Ling Ling Lok and Whitney Kennedy dropping out of the program or taking a year off. I would not say that she has been a significant contributor at all; if she was, Ashley Wheeler would not be playing up front.

I'm not disparaging her but let's face facts; if Katey Stone thought that Margaret could be an impact player right now, she would be getting more ice time. I'm not saying that Ashley Wheeler is the answer at the moment. All I am saying is that there has to be a reason that Margaret is not seeing more ice time and only Coach Stone knows that reason.

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Harvard Crimson Women 09-10

What I was saying is that since early December, Margaret Chute hasn't made it off the bench all that much if at all. She may have been playing second line early on but that probably was due in part to injuries and players such as Ling Ling Lok and Whitney Kennedy dropping out of the program or taking a year off. I would not say that she has been a significant contributor at all; if she was, Ashley Wheeler would not be playing up front.

I'm not disparaging her but let's face facts; if Katey Stone thought that Margaret could be an impact player right now, she would be getting more ice time. I'm not saying that Ashley Wheeler is the answer at the moment. All I am saying is that there has to be a reason that Margaret is not seeing more ice time and only Coach Stone knows that reason.

Sorry if I was putting words in your mouth then. I just thought considering your previous thoughts on shortening the bench, that's what you were talking about.

No harm, no foul I hope.