Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

[Jasma]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

We can't take anyone for granted. Even if Harvard is playing undermaned, we have to give it our full attention and put them away early. Don't leave anything to chance.
As for Dartmouth, I don't think we can take anything from that game, as Appert was sending the team a message and it probably cost us any chance of matching up with them.
We still have to find a way to score more than two goals a game.

One game at a time please. I hope the boys don't read this blog, but some likely do. You can't take anyone lightly in this league. Nobody goes winless and nobody goes undefeated. If you don't bring your A game you have a very good chance of losing.

In my opinion, it is time to lay of the officiating. It is what it is and it won't change soon. The calls do tend to even out over the course of a couple of seasons and all teams are helped and hurt by bad calls. Everyone likes to beat up on this crowd's favorite whipping boy Hicks. He isn't very good, but he made a couple of bad calls at Union 2 weeks ago so it isn't just RPI that he bones.

In the end, if this team can finally find a couple of guys who can put the puck in the net consistently, the officials won't matter.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

One game at a time please. I hope the boys don't read this blog, but some likely do. You can't take anyone lightly in this league. Nobody goes winless and nobody goes undefeated. If you don't bring your A game you have a very good chance of losing.

Unless you're 1970 Cornell, of course.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

Unless you're 1970 Cornell, of course.

or 1956 Clarkson

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

That's how I saw it. Dartmouth present a different challenge but I think we gain a certain advantage by playing them this time in Troy. I never underestimate the value of having home ice for the last change. When you go up against a team that you do not match up well with (either due to size, speed, or talent on some lines) it always helps to be able to put the guys out you want against their special lines. As EHF said, we have to put Harvard on the defensive early, we need to score more than 2 goals per game, and we just cannot allow that game to remain close so that one of the zebras can call a late interference penalty on us which could determine the outcome.

Agree with thoughts re: Harvard. Dartmouth is a skilled team that has had a roller coaster season so far -- a convincing win again UNH, close losses at Q and PU. I do think RPI is a far more complete team than we were the first time around and expect/hope the boys are ready to deliver some payback.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

Against Dartmouth, we always seem to have either two close games or two blowouts, at least historically speaking. The only exception I can see since I started at RPI is 07-08, also the only time in many years that we have been swept on Freakout weekend. I fully expect this one to be "over" by about 15 minutes into the third. Which way? Who knows. Read, though: I follow the tenth commandment of RPI hockey.

 

[rdf8585]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

Dartmouth associate head coach Dave Peters told me today that Brandon McNally won't be available this weekend.

McNally, their fifth leading scorer, has 6 goals and 5 assists in 16 games. He was injured against Brown on 1/18 and hasn't been back since.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

In my opinion, it is time to lay of the officiating. It is what it is and it won't change soon. The calls do tend to even out over the course of a couple of seasons and all teams are helped and hurt by bad calls. Everyone likes to beat up on this crowd's favorite whipping boy Hicks. He isn't very good, but he made a couple of bad calls at Union 2 weeks ago so it isn't just RPI that he bones.

I don't think anyone's claiming he has a vendetta against RPI, if he made moronic calls at Union 2 weeks ago that's just more evidence of incompetence.

 

[fr joe]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

This weekend really could be a major turning point for us this season. We are a vastly different team than the one that played at Harvard earlier this season. We have to take them seriously and we have to score enough so they cannot hang around late in the game when one call made by an official can affect the outcome. Dartmouth is a different can of worms. We did not match up well with them the last time and we will have to play a much different game. We need a successful weekend to get the trend going for the final 10 games. Go Red!!

I agree w the Good Doctor! This is a big weekend... I suspect the middle of the ECAC pack will remain tight for the next few weekends. Let's take the initiative with some points this weekend. See you on Friday night! GO RED!

 

[DrDemento]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

I agree w the Good Doctor! This is a big weekend... I suspect the middle of the ECAC pack will remain tight for the next few weekends. Let's take the initiative with some points this weekend. See you on Friday night! GO RED!

I have always believed hockey is a game that is won and lost on special teams and a game that is one of match ups. Playing at home we have a distinct advantage-coach SA has the ability to pur who he wants out there against whatever line up he sees. Against Harvard it might not be as important-but against Dartmouth he has to come up with a battle plan of who he wants against each line and get it to work. They just man handled us in their barn. Against both these teams we just need to have the special teams play result in a net positive each night. If we can do that-we have the best chance to get a 4 point weekend. There is no question in my mind after watching this team and getting this far into the season-we can beat anyone and perhaps everyone if we execute those two things. There is a world of talent on this squad-a lot more than we have had in a long time. We could be one of the toughest teams to play for anyone-that is of course if the officials call a consistent and fair game.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

I have always believed hockey is a game that is won and lost on special teams and a game that is one of match ups. Playing at home we have a distinct advantage-coach SA has the ability to pur who he wants out there against whatever line up he sees. Against Harvard it might not be as important-but against Dartmouth he has to come up with a battle plan of who he wants against each line and get it to work. They just man handled us in their barn. Against both these teams we just need to have the special teams play result in a net positive each night. If we can do that-we have the best chance to get a 4 point weekend. There is no question in my mind after watching this team and getting this far into the season-we can beat anyone and perhaps everyone if we execute those two things. There is a world of talent on this squad-a lot more than we have had in a long time. We could be one of the toughest teams to play for anyone-that is of course if the officials call a consistent and fair game.

Dartmouth certainly isn't short on talent; heck, I'm surprised it has taken them this long to finally get it together, as I do recall for a couple of years picking them at the top of the league. RPI's keys to the game are as follows:

1. Stay out of the box
2. Patience on the power play
3. Stay out of the box

 

[DrDemento]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

Dartmouth certainly isn't short on talent; heck, I'm surprised it has taken them this long to finally get it together, as I do recall for a couple of years picking them at the top of the league. RPI's keys to the game are as follows:

1. Stay out of the box
2. Patience on the power play
3. Stay out of the box

Those three things duly noted-also-we cannot let anything happen to even remotely allow the officials to put us down 2 men at any time during the game. That is sure disaster for us. i would also add that the first 10 minutes of the game could set the tone. So often we get in a hole early either giving up a goal or taking a couple penalties that alters our entire flow in the period. Against Harvard we might be able to survive a mistake. But Dartmouth is just a tougher club for us to play and we cannot afford to give away anything.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

RPI's game notes are out: http://www.rpiathletics.com/documents/2013/1/30/2012-13MHKYGameNotes_HarDar.pdf?id=1447

Roy and Dumas will be doing both games for RPI. Dumas was involved in the Princeton game a couple weeks ago.

In addition, Time Warner will be televising the Freakout at least in the Albany area (channel 1); check your local listings for anywhere else in NYS (Syracuse has Crunch/Amerks on the flagship; not sure about the alternates). As last year, they will merely be providing the uplink, while RPI-TV's crew will handle the game. I don't know the impact, if any, on the availability of a live stream because of TV.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

I don't know the impact, if any, on the availability of a live stream because of TV.

mackek2, any info?

 

[DrDemento]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

RPI's game notes are out: http://www.rpiathletics.com/documents/2013/1/30/2012-13MHKYGameNotes_HarDar.pdf?id=1447

Roy and Dumas will be doing both games for RPI. Dumas was involved in the Princeton game a couple weeks ago.

In addition, Time Warner will be televising the Freakout at least in the Albany area (channel 1); check your local listings for anywhere else in NYS (Syracuse has Crunch/Amerks on the flagship; not sure about the alternates). As last year, they will merely be providing the uplink, while RPI-TV's crew will handle the game. I don't know the impact, if any, on the availability of a live stream because of TV.

I have seen Dumas do RPI games several times. Always felt he was actually pretty decent and did not make his presence felt. He was terrible in Princeton-but then again he was paired with Kotyra. Too many quick whistles in the Princeton end and missed one probable RPI goal. I do enjoy reading his novels however. "One for all and all for one"

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

I have seen Dumas do RPI games several times. Always felt he was actually pretty decent and did not make his presence felt. He was terrible in Princeton-but then again he was paired with Kotyra. Too many quick whistles in the Princeton end and missed one probable RPI goal. I do enjoy reading his novels however. "One for all and all for one"

I like Roy, he seems to be pretty good.

Dumas is on notice.

Kotyra and Hicks are dead to me.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

I like Roy, he seems to be pretty good.

Dumas is on notice.

Kotyra and Hicks are dead to me.

Complete agreement with Roy. I think I may have put him on my "good refs" list on another thread (if I didn't, he should be there, and this wasn't provoked by your words, either). It is true that Dumas can sometimes be Dumas(s), but it's not as bad as the Tonawanda brothers. I do like your Kevin O'Leary quip, though.

It also looks like some of the better linesmen, too. Granted, I think there's only one linesman I'm not thrilled about, and he even does AHL games.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

It also looks like some of the better linesmen, too. Granted, I think there's only one linesman I'm not thrilled about, and he even does AHL games.

His name rhymes with Phlegmination.

You have to be a special kind of slow to get noticed enough to be hated when you're a linesman. He sucks on wheels. He's the cause of more "drop the ****in puck" shouts from the crowd than the rest of the league combined.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

His name rhymes with Phlegmination.

You have to be a special kind of slow to get noticed enough to be hated when you're a linesman. He sucks on wheels. He's the cause of more "drop the ****in puck" shouts from the crowd than the rest of the league combined.

And then the puck doesn't even hit the dot; it ends up almost halfway outside the faceoff circle.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

And then the puck doesn't even hit the dot; it ends up almost halfway outside the faceoff circle.

If it ends up on our end of the circle, it won't be that bad...

BTW, if you look at the game notes, it mentions that this is the 356th annual,Freakout! And I thought that I've been to all of them...

Sorry, I know this should be on the Math thread...

 

[DrDemento]

Re: Harvard @ RPI and Dartmouth @ RPI & Union (2/1, 2/2)

His name rhymes with Phlegmination.

You have to be a special kind of slow to get noticed enough to be hated when you're a linesman. He sucks on wheels. He's the cause of more "drop the ****in puck" shouts from the crowd than the rest of the league combined.

There must be some sort of art to dropping the puck. There has to be-since several of the linesmen we seem to get now just cannot do it properly. I never seemed to notice that years ago so it probably is a recent phenomenon. Missing off sides has been around for a long time but that too is happening seemingly more often.