Nescac 2009/2010

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

I would hesitate to call Colby a top-3 team in the NESCAC at this point, but maybe I'm just pessimistic. At this point, Williams looks dominate, Tufts much improved, not to mention that Middlebury, Trinity, and Amherst are lurking in the standings

Still, as other posters have said, there seems to be greater parity in the NESCAC this year than the past. Given that, and from the games I've seen, I would say Colby has a competitive chance to win any of its conference games, and could finish in the top-3. Unlike last year, this team doesn't quit when facing a 2-0 deficit, or when they have a 3-0 lead.

 

[Mules11]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Much too early to project Colby as a top three or four team. After all, they have not won a game outside the great state of Maine (although a road win at Bowdoin will be among the most hostile environments they face all year). Their big test will come as we get into the grind of the season in January and February, as it will for all other teams.

The team seems to be skating well together, and has a variety of weapons to turn to (Jarnot with three goals on the weekend!?!) as well as great defense and special teams in recent contests. It should be interesting to see if they can continue their hot play after the break and, perhaps, ease the burden on McKinney in net (out shot in both games over the weekend).

The newfound parity should make the chase at the end very exciting, as it seems that many teams are capable of handing a title-contender an L to damper its hopes of home-ice advantage. While hosting the finals again would be a real treat, my goal for Colby is a top-4 finish so they can host a first round matchup.

 

[hawk]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

The 1/8 & 1/9 weekend is going to be a real interesting for the NESCAC and Norwich. For the Cadets the Maine trip has always presented problems, even in there national champonship years. When the year started I thought the only NESCAC team to worry about was Bowdoin. With Colby's 2 recents wins over Bowdoin one has to assume that both teams are going to present lots of problems for teams coming to Maine. Further Colby's ice box hockey rink in my opinion is one of the most difficult D3 rinks to play in New England. Compare that with the Bowdoin rink which is one of the top 3 in New England (Bowdoin, Norwich, Middlebury). Looks like Weiniger & Hardy are playing well for Bowdoin. With each team only having 2 losses the Norwich weekend should be exciting. However before that weekend Norwich has huge games with Curry, Potsdam or NEC, and Plattsburgh (probable the best team in the country). Landscape could look a little difference before that weekend comes around.

 

[CROSBYNU63]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

I would not overlook Curry...they are a very good team

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Congratulations to Colby for their two wins over Bowdoin this past weekend. It looks like the White Mules are for real.

Goaltending continues to be the Polar Bears' Achilles heel. Compare these goalie stats this past weekend:

Cody McKinney (Colby): 73 shots, 68 saves, .931 save percentage
Richard Nerland (Bowdoin): 49 shots, 41 saves, .836 save percentage

Saturday night Nerland had 18 saves while McKinney had 32. While Nerland had an 81%-save night, McKinney had a 91%-save night.

The pattern appears the same as over the past three seasons: Bowdoin consistently outshots opponents, but still loses.

 

[hawk]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Hard to believe if you are a Norwich fan but I believe the Cadets record in Maine since the 1998/1999 season has been something like 3W, 5L, and 2T. Nothing great but respectful considering Bowdoin and Colby also had some good teams over the years. That why when some Norwich fans talk about an undefeated season all they have to do is hit the history books and see that probable is not going to happen. I assume that many of the other good inter-lock teams such as NEC, Trinity, Williams, Middlebury, Babson, ect have also had there problems on the coast.

 

[polarbear2]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Congratulations to Colby for their two wins over Bowdoin this past weekend. It looks like the White Mules are for real.

Goaltending continues to be the Polar Bears' Achilles heel. Compare these goalie stats this past weekend:

Cody McKinney (Colby): 73 shots, 68 saves, .931 save percentage
Richard Nerland (Bowdoin): 49 shots, 41 saves, .836 save percentage

Saturday night Nerland had 18 saves while McKinney had 32. While Nerland had an 81%-save night, McKinney had a 91%-save night.

The pattern appears the same as over the past three seasons: Bowdoin consistently outshots opponents, but still loses.

Right on...I stubbornly hold on to SOG's for some sort of salvation...but they mean nothing if you're on the short end of the final score!!

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

(Jarnot with three goals on the weekend!?!)

Jeff Jarnot just earned NESCAC player of the week honors for that performance.

 

[neverplayed]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Bowdoin goaltending is not the best in the league, and I did not see the games, however, I did see Bowdoin a couple of times last year. The system they play puts players who aren't defensemen in a defensive position and when you combine that with some players I saw last year who frankly were weak skaters for this level a gaolie will be tested. Maybe Bowdoin has made the necessary changes this year, their system does create a lot of offensive opportunities, so if they can finish they can score enough in theory to mitigate average goaltending. Colby must be improved to win both games, and it sounds like games could have gone either way.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Bowdoin goaltending is not the best in the league, and I did not see the games, however, I did see Bowdoin a couple of times last year. The system they play puts players who aren't defensemen in a defensive position and when you combine that with some players I saw last year who frankly were weak skaters for this level a gaolie will be tested. Maybe Bowdoin has made the necessary changes this year, their system does create a lot of offensive opportunities, so if they can finish they can score enough in theory to mitigate average goaltending. Colby must be improved to win both games, and it sounds like games could have gone either way.

Though I agree with most of what you write on the Fan Forum, I've been somewhat puzzled by your comments about a supposed lack of skating ability by the Bowdoin players. If you toook last year's team, for example, for every Aaron O'Callahan there was a Matt Smith or a Leland Fidler, for every Jeff Fanning there was a Kyle Shearer-Hardy or a Graham Sisson. In addition to moving the puck very quickly and generating lots of good offensive opportunities, the Polar Bears have a knack for blocking shots. In most games, they seem to have the puck most of the time, yet the goaltenders tend to give up easy goals at critical junctures. I remember a game at New England College last year in which Bowdoin was leading NEC twenty-one shots to three, I believe, and LOSING 2-1 at the beginning of the second period. There was a game Bowdoin lost at Middlebury a couple of years ago in which I believe the Polar Bears gave up nine goals on eighteen shots.

Many people criticize the torpedo-like system Bowdoin uses. I, for one, think that it works fine and it's beautiful to watch. As long as everyone plays the system well, it generates lots of offensive opportunities without necessarily compromising the defense. But the goaltenders still need to stop the puck.

Richard Nerland is a definite improvement over Chris Rossi. Nerland's technique is sound and Nerland can be brilliant in spots. Nevertheless, sometimes his concentration seems to wander off. I believe that in the NEC game that I alluded to, he didn't see the puck for long stretches of time, which obviously didn't help, but he still needed to be better prepared when the shots came. If Nerland can resolve these consistency problems, he'll be fine and the Polar Bears will do well.

 

[neverplayed]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

You may be right, I don't watch Bowdoin enough, I did like the system when middlebury played it, and i saw it a lot. Google the torpedo and you'll find that the reason more teams don't use it is it requires high skill players who can make good decisions with the puck. When I saw Bowdoin last year they did have many that fit that description, but there were several who were really weak, which resulted in numerous turnovers in the neutral zone and few odd man rushes which is a hallmark of the torpedo system, you get and give odd man rushes. Those players were ill suited to that style of play and i said that last year and Bowdoin had one of their worst years. On every team the players on the ice need to match up with the system. Middlebury in past years had those players, now they have changed. I too love watching the system in action, but when it doesn't work it is ugly. Bowdoin has a lot of talent and always recruits well, I hope this year is different.

 

[Jim]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Congratulations to Colby for their two wins over Bowdoin this past weekend. It looks like the White Mules are for real.

Goaltending continues to be the Polar Bears' Achilles heel. Compare these goalie stats this past weekend:

Cody McKinney (Colby): 73 shots, 68 saves, .931 save percentage
Richard Nerland (Bowdoin): 49 shots, 41 saves, .836 save percentage

Saturday night Nerland had 18 saves while McKinney had 32. While Nerland had an 81%-save night, McKinney had a 91%-save night.

The pattern appears the same as over the past three seasons: Bowdoin consistently outshots opponents, but still loses.

McKinney did play exceptionally well last weekend, but I also point out that Colby made a number of very nice scoring plays, particularly on Friday night. The 4th goal, I think it was, was a very pretty play. Not sure you can lay everything on Nerland.

 

[d3follower]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

McKinney did play exceptionally well last weekend, but I also point out that Colby made a number of very nice scoring plays, particularly on Friday night. The 4th goal, I think it was, was a very pretty play. Not sure you can lay everything on Nerland.

Agreed on Friday - Colby scored several nice goals, especially a power play in the third period by Hartigan that was set up with a beautiful pass from the right boards into the slot. It wasn't the winning goal but it was a momentum killer as Bowdoin had pulled within one and was on the move. But on Saturday there were a couple of really bad Colby goals that should have been saved (in particular, the short-handed goal and the winning goal (a long and unscreened slapper from just inside the blue line)).

 

[Jim]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Agreed on Friday - Colby scored several nice goals, especially a power play in the third period by Hartigan that was set up with a beautiful pass from the right boards into the slot. It wasn't the winning goal but it was a momentum killer as Bowdoin had pulled within one and was on the move. But on Saturday there were a couple of really bad Colby goals that should have been saved (in particular, the short-handed goal and the winning goal (a long and unscreened slapper from just inside the blue line).

I have to admit I didn't see the whole game Saturday, including the final goal. I was catching bits and pieces between setting up for a holiday brunch the next morning...the short-handed goal didn't strike me as that bad other than Colby was shorthanded. those things are usually tough stops since it is the skater vs the goalie.

by the way, you're right. it was the Hartigan goal off the pass from the right corner that I was thinking of.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

I have to admit I didn't see the whole game Saturday, including the final goal. I was catching bits and pieces between setting up for a holiday brunch the next morning...the short-handed goal didn't strike me as that bad other than Colby was shorthanded. those things are usually tough stops since it is the skater vs the goalie.

by the way, you're right. it was the Hartigan goal off the pass from the right corner that I was thinking of.

I generally agree with the posts by Jim and d3follower. I certainly wasn't trying to lay all the blame on [Bowdoin goaltender] Richard Nerland, nor was I trying to take anything away from Colby. Colby appears to be a good team and to play with a lot of heart. Two wins against Bowdoin on consecutive nights can't be a fluke. This is why I congratulated the White Mules.

My point is exactly what has been mentioned by others: For the past few seasons Bowdoin goaltending has not only given up too many bad goals, but also allowed goals at crucial times in the game. There's nothing that picks up a team more than a great save. And nothing deflates a team more than a bad goal.

As I said before, I believe that Richard Nerland has good technique. For example, he cuts angles well and is quite mobile. My concern is about his lack of consistency. He can go from very good to very bad pretty quickly.

 

[Jim]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

I generally agree with the posts by Jim and d3follower. I certainly wasn't trying to lay all the blame on [Bowdoin goaltender] Richard Nerland, nor was I trying to take anything away from Colby. Colby appears to be a good team and to play with a lot of heart. Two wins against Bowdoin on consecutive nights can't be a fluke. This is why I congratulated the White Mules.

My point is exactly what has been mentioned by others: For the past few seasons Bowdoin goaltending has not only given up too many bad goals, but also allowed goals at crucial times in the game. There's nothing that picks up a team more than a great save. And nothing deflates a team more than a bad goal.

As I said before, I believe that Richard Nerland has good technique. For example, he cuts angles well and is quite mobile. My concern is about his lack of consistency. He can go from very good to very bad pretty quickly.

Agree with you completely on the impact of a goaltender...a great save at a critical moment can spark a team and a bad goal can kill a team. In facty a hot goalie can carry a team a long way, witness Trrinity's 2008 NESCAC tourney win. In my view they were the 4th team in the playoffs and by a good margin, but road an unbelievable performance by their goaltender to the NCAA tourney.

By the way, I am a Colby fan, mostly, though I also follow the Connecticut teams since I live there, so I'm basing my views on Bowdoin goaltending on a relatively small sample.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Some random thoughts on Colby and a few questions:

After going from first to worst last year, this season didn't seem to hold forth much promise. Then the Mules lost their first two games. With only three freshmen on the roster, the long-term future didn't look too bright either.

All of a sudden things are looking up. The three freshmen have all contributed and are playing like veterans. McKinney is playing up to expectations. Colby swept Bowdoin for the first time in over ten years and they are 6-2 and starting to show up in the polls. What a roller coaster!

Praise the lord for the Internet - I got to see both of the Bowdoin games. My take on how Colby won despite being out-shot in both games: goaltending and well setup scoring plays. At times Bowdoin seemed to be running around and disorganized, especially in their own end.

Questions: I didn't hear Bobby Sullivan's name mentioned in either game. Is he injured? If Colby continues to add only three players to its roster every year, how are they going to sustain a hockey team? Are there Freshman hockey players not on the roster for this year?

In the past, whenever Colby moved up in the polls, it's been the death knell. I wish the players would stay off the Internet and stop reading their own reviews. They have shown potential, but they have a lot of tough games ahead.

One last thought: I hate intersession!

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Some random thoughts on Colby and a few questions:

After going from first to worst last year, this season didn't seem to hold forth much promise. Then the Mules lost their first two games. With only three freshmen on the roster, the long-term future didn't look too bright either.

All of a sudden things are looking up. The three freshmen have all contributed and are playing like veterans. McKinney is playing up to expectations. Colby swept Bowdoin for the first time in over ten years and they are 6-2 and starting to show up in the polls. What a roller coaster!

Praise the lord for the Internet - I got to see both of the Bowdoin games. My take on how Colby won despite being out-shot in both games: goaltending and well setup scoring plays. At times Bowdoin seemed to be running around and disorganized, especially in their own end.

Questions: I didn't hear Bobby Sullivan's name mentioned in either game. Is he injured? If Colby continues to add only three players to its roster every year, how are they going to sustain a hockey team? Are there Freshman hockey players not on the roster for this year?

In the past, whenever Colby moved up in the polls, it's been the death knell. I wish the players would stay off the Internet and stop reading their own reviews. They have shown potential, but they have a lot of tough games ahead.

One last thought: I hate intersession!

Bobby Sullivan has been out with concussion problems. Jesse Lehman & Karl Burns have also been scratched due to injuries.

In terms of numbers of freshmen, Torotrella actually took 2 "walk-ons" this year. I saw "walk-ons" because one was recruited to play at Colby (Matt Delaney, G, Fr), quit over the summer, and then re-joined the team this fall. The other (Jacob Billiar, F, Fr) wasn't recruited as far as I know, but posted descent stats (44 gp, 17 g, 29 a) playing junior hockey with the Tulsa Rampage of the Western States Hockey League.

Also, keep in mind that Colby graduated only four seniors last year, and unlike Bowdoin, don't keep a huge roster.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

Bobby Sullivan has been out with concussion problems. Jesse Lehman & Karl Burns have also been scratched due to injuries.

In terms of numbers of freshmen, Torotrella actually took 2 "walk-ons" this year. I saw "walk-ons" because one was recruited to play at Colby (Matt Delaney, G, Fr), quit over the summer, and then re-joined the team this fall. The other (Jacob Billiar, F, Fr) wasn't recruited as far as I know, but posted descent stats (44 gp, 17 g, 29 a) playing junior hockey with the Tulsa Rampage of the Western States Hockey League.

Also, keep in mind that Colby graduated only four seniors last year, and unlike Bowdoin, don't keep a huge roster.

Thanks! I feel isolated from Colby hockey out here in SW Ohio. Ironically, the best Division One team in the country is just down the road about an hour. Hockey in Ohio..? Somehow it just doesn't seem right.

 

[NESCACalacka]

Re: Nescac 2009/2010

How about the Jumbos?! What a great start for Tufts this year. Who would have thought they would be ahead of Amherst heading into the break. DeRosa, Diaco and Walker are leading the way on the stat sheet, but the real star is Barchard! We'll see if they can keep it up.

What's going on with Connecticut College? Has anyone seen them play to make an objective determination of why they are off to such a poor start? I thought they were supposed to be solid this year with Parker in net and some added depth...