Nescac 2013-14

[nasa69]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Oh my, my poor Continentals. Can't seem to finish. Did not see the game but have to wonder about the line-up and lines. What ever happened to Vasso's. Kid is a good 2nd or 3rd line play maker with an amazing 1-timer. Wasted on 4th line to start the season (at 5'6" he is not a checker) and now can't crack the line-up. Curtis shows he can score around the net on PP but needs set-up men. Sticking him on 3rd kills his opportunities. Haney is a great forechecker and classic checking line player. Has not shown point production. How about: 1st line - Murden - Matheson - DiMare, 2nd line - Curtis - Landowski - Vassos, 3rd line - Jancaterino - Haney - O'Neil, 4th line Vasquez - Rausch - Sen. Just my $0.02 and that wont buy you a video feed from Wesleyan.....Now how pathetic is that athletic department. Come on Bill Parcels, donate a handi cam.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Good news, Mule fans... Amherst has added a webcast of tonight's game. I was hoping they would see the wisdom in covering what promises to be a competitive match. I will hurry home from Stick & Puck tonight to catch it.

Meanwhile, it feels like Maine here in Southwest Ohio. -8 degs. this morning when I walked the dog. -15 a few days ago. But somehow this bothers me much more than the winters in Waterville. At least it feels like hockey season.

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Mules didn't have it vs Amherst yesterday but rebounded against Hamilton to keep pace with Bowdoin for 4th spot in the standings. Polar Bears drop one at Amherst today despite controlling play for the most part. Williams lays an egg at Wesleyan and the Bantams keep pace for 1st with a win vs the Panthers. Midd goalies are still drawing straws to see who gets the start in net. Can't be good for team morale. Wouldn't want to see the Camels in Round 1 of the playoffs who are priming for an upset special.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Wouldn't want to see the Camels in Round 1 of the playoffs who are priming for an upset special.

I logged in this morning to say just that. In fact they are a problem for anyone coming up against them in the next four games, especially the Mules in what could be a pivotal final game of the regular season.

I gotta say, I really enjoy listening to Hugh Campbell, the Amherst webcaster. He does his homework before every game and is a knowledgeable play-by-play guy. He had a lot of nice things to say about the Colby Freshmen, especially Geoff Sullivan, who didn't get any points in that game, but was playing well. What he said was prophetic, however, as Sullivan scored the next day vs. Hamilton. My desktop background is a Dustin Satloff photo of Sullivan scoring against Bowdoin in the first game of the home-and-home this year. Sullivan is horizontal in front of the goal and the puck is in the net in what is reminiscent of that iconic photo of Bobby Orr scoring the the Stanley Cup playoffs. Standing next to the crease is frosh Devin Albert, who got the assist. http://dsatloff.smugmug.com/Colby-2...13/Colby-College-vs-Bowdoin-Colle/i-ZDhx3dx/A

It's a bit too early to be talking about "wait until next year," but we need more of the freshmen stepping up to the plate as we close out the season and head into the playoffs, before I will be as optimistic about Colby's future as Campbell is. We are still counting too much on the seniors to bail us out. Chwick, Lanza and Bartlett continue to amaze.

Colby's biggest problem is simple. They give up more goals than they get. A power play could help that situation, but it is not materializing. MacDonald has done a great job with this team. I'm surprised he hasn't been able to fix that.

However... Way to battle yesterday, Mules! Let's shoot down Trinity, next week. They are flying too high right now.

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Well, well, well............the Ephs have dropped 3 of heir last 6 conference games and have fallen to 3rd spot behind a surging Lord Jeff squad and the Bantams. Wesleyan found enough form to grab 4pts and should now finish at least in 8th. The Panthers face a tough last 4 games facing Williams twice and Amherst and could easily get bypassed by an improved Camel team on the way up. Bowdoin and Colby are fighting it out for the all-important 4th spot to secure a home playoff game. Both teams have identical schedules down the stretch.

 

[CROSBYNU63]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I don't think I have even seen or believed that I would see the Panthers fall so far.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Bowdoin and Colby are fighting it out for the all-important 4th spot to secure a home playoff game. Both teams have identical schedules down the stretch.

I think Bowdoin has the tie-breaker. They have the same goal differential in their home-and-home, but Bowdoin is way ahead in goals-for vs. the rest of NESCAC. In any event, it's looking more and more like a first round match up and I don't think it really matters who has the home ice. It didn't in the regular season.

 

[OLD GUY '61]

I don't think I have even seen or believed that I would see the Panthers fall so far.

They've been doing this for several years now...all kinds of talent and drive as seen in the Primelink, then comes Christmas break and after that, the plunge. It's like the staff is intent on making a sow's ear out of a silk purse. Sad to watch if you're a long-time alum.

 

[ColbyWMHB]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I think Bowdoin has the tie-breaker. They have the same goal differential in their home-and-home, but Bowdoin is way ahead in goals-for vs. the rest of NESCAC. In any event, it's looking more and more like a first round match up and I don't think it really matters who has the home ice. It didn't in the regular season.

Here are the tiebreakers for the NESCAC:

Best record among tying teams, against one another (head-to-head).--A wash there, as they split their 2 games.
Most conference wins (in games that are part of the conference schedule and count toward league standings).--Identical records for now, and if they end up tied, probably identical at the end, as just 4 games remain..
Comparison of results of conference games played against top 4 teams (including all teams at the 4th spot)--Right now, Colby has it here due to their 1-0-1 record against top-ranked Williams, compared to 0-2 for the Bears. Games against Trinity and Amherst wash out.

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Seems to me it would be more important for Colby to have home-ice for a first round match up vs Bowdoin even though both teams split success against each other on the road. Hard to fathom the Middlebury slide and the uncertainty in goal has to be a major factor. Moorfield-Yee has been the starter for 4-games straight going 1-3. Very odd Coach Beaney hasn't settled on Mike Peters in net. His conference record is 4-0-1 and 4-1-2 overall with GAA 2.44, so the guy isn't a stiff. Injuries, doghouse, internal dissent may be some reasons...........anybody close to the team is probably sworn to secrecy, so we will never know for sure. Amherst has to be careful not look past the Camels or Jumbos this weekend to set them up for a possible conference title bid the final weekend of play. Conn College is playing really well and it would be no surprise to see them pull out a win or tie at Orr on Saturday. Williams has to get back on track. They have a short roster, so again, not publicized nagging injuries could be plaguing their form. Back to back games against a sagging Panther team this weekend might be just the right medicine. Trinity will be tested in Maine this weekend, but I like to them to get at least 3pts because they have the 2 most important ingredients to success; goaltending and defense.

 

[nasa69]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Hamilton may have finally played themselves out of the playoffs.
Lets see if the troops can rally. Pat Curtis has really stepped up. Others need to show their team spirit and put out in both zones of the ice.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Seems to me it would be more important for Colby to have home-ice for a first round match up vs Bowdoin even though both teams split success against each other on the road. ...... Trinity will be tested in Maine this weekend, but I like to them to get at least 3pts because they have the 2 most important ingredients to success; goaltending and defense.

Well, now the Mules are up against it. After getting thumped by a steadily rising Wesleyan, last night, they will have to beat the best team in the league to salvage the weekend and make all our talk about home ice advantage meaningful. Unless, of course, Wesleyan beats Bowdoin, which seems like a reasonable possibility given the Cardinals' past few games...

Meanwhile, I just got done watching USA - Russia. What a game...

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Trinity with wins in Maine this weekend have set themselves up for #1 seed in the playoffs. Amherst tie vs a tough Conn Coll squad yesterday missed a chance to keep pace with the Bantams. I don't see Trinity dropping their last 2 vs Wesleyan and in fact I look for the Bantams and Cardinals to play next 3 games including a 1st round playoff tilt. Camels and Mules will sort out 6th place next weekend. Williams continues to slide backwards but should stay in 3rd when it's all said and done. Panthers stopped the bleeding at the expense of a slumping Eph team as Coach Beaney appears to have finally settled on a goaltender. Bowdoin still hanging around in 4th.....Seems to me if the Ephs stay in 3rd spot, the last team they want to see in round 1 is a surging Camel squad. Amherst should gets 2pts today against a bad Tufts team, but their last match-up saw the Jumbos lead 3-0 before the Jeffs rallied. Not a gimmee. I suspect Trinity and Williams will be tuning into the webcast today with much interest. Great stuff in the NESCAC as usual.

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Camels win again at Hamilton. Now have gone 6-2-1 last 8 and are a real threat to teams in the top 4 come the playoffs in 2-weeks. Bowdoin and Colby are in the Camel's target sight next weekend. Have to love these late season charges by former also-ran clubs challenging the status quo. Lord Jeffs squandered a chance to keep tabs on Trinity with a hard fought tie against the Jumbos. Getting very interesting. The only sure thing is that Tufts will finish out of the playoffs ahead of Bates. Everything else is subject to change.

 

[nasa69]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

DO OR DIE FOR HAMILTON THIS WEEKEND:

Hamilton's playoff fate is probably in their own hands. Wesleyan plays Trinity twice and CC plays Bowdoin and Colby. This is probably a career make or break weekend for coach Haberbusch. Phil Grady never had more than 2 losing season seasons in a row until his last 3 years. 2 in his first 2 seasons, a couple midway through his tenure and then the final 3. Bazin only had one losing year. This will be Haberbusch's third in a row AND that is a guarantee. But if he finishes it off out of the playoffs....it could be a death knell.

He has recruited well. In fact IMO this is the most talent the team has had in 15 years. But the system, the style of play, the forced 80' passes: frankly it looks like knee hockey the kids play in the living room. It may be all that was implemented at Army and may have been required with the talent Army had but, it doesn't take advantage of a teams skills. And no doubt this team has skill.

Goals and defense wins games. The D is very good but I do not like how every breakout is a rim pass or chip off the boards. Every team has seen it for 3 years now and everyone knows how to defend the rim. The last 8 games his leading scorer has 3 points. In the last 10 games including 2 against Tufts is top 4 scorers have a total of 7 goals. One would think a coach would recognize this....but if not....season may be over and who knows about the career.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Connecticut College is one of the hottest teams in the league now. Their program has taken a quantum leap since a pretty dismal season last year. Bowdoin and Colby willl have to be on top of their game to defeat the Camels.

Sorry to hear that Bates will once again finish 11th in our 10-team league.

The Camels got thumped by the Polar Bears last night. This afternoon's game is all-important for Colby, as they had better success during the regular season against Williams and Bowdoin than Amherst. If they win this afternoon, which team they play between those two will be determined by how Middlebury does in its two remaining games, where they figure for a split. If the Mules lose, they will play at Amherst. I would prefer to see them play Bowdoin, even though they split during the year and the Mules took three out of four points from Williams, and Williams has slumped somewhat in the late going. They would have fresher legs on the short trip to Brunswick and you never know how the dynamics of the rivalry will play into it. Plus it would be a fun game to watch.

Amazing game for Ben Chwick against the Jumbos, last night. Two goals and two assists in a 4-1 win that saw a goal scored on a penalty shot and an empty-netter with less than one second left on the clock.

Well anyway, this afternoon, it's the Mules vs. the Camels, and I just happen to be having lunch in Columbus with a Conn. College alum I skate with fairly regularly. Imagine that!

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

THE SAD DECLINE OF THE BOWDOIN POLAR BEARS

I've been watching Bowdoin hockey for more than forty decades but I've never seen a Bowdoin team underperform as much as the 2014 group. Not even the weak 1974 and 1999 teams played as poorly as this year's team. Colin Downey continues to impress, but in general the senior class has failed to lead.

And after two weak recruiting classes in a row since Assistant Coach Pellegrini departed, and another very average one (at best) scheduled to enter next fall, the future of Bowdoin hockey does not look bright. There's no way Bowdoin will be able to compete with Trinity, Williams, Amherst, Middlebury and a fast improving Colby if this trend continues. Is there anyway we can bring Pellegrini back?

Whatever team draws Bowdoin in the first round of the playoffs (it appears that it'll be Middlebury) should consider themselves fortunate. It shouldn't be hard to defeat a team that plays an indifferent game.

 

[d3follower]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

THE SAD DECLINE OF THE BOWDOIN POLAR BEARS

I've been watching Bowdoin hockey for more than forty decades but I've never seen a Bowdoin team underperform as much as the 2014 group. Not even the weak 1974 and 1999 teams played as poorly as this year's team. Colin Downey continues to impress, but in general the senior class has failed to lead.

And after two weak recruiting classes in a row since Assistant Coach Pellegrini departed, and another very average one (at best) scheduled to enter next fall, the future of Bowdoin hockey does not look bright. There's no way Bowdoin will be able to compete with Trinity, Williams, Amherst, Middlebury and a fast improving Colby if this trend continues. Is there anyway we can bring Pellegrini back?

Whatever team draws Bowdoin in the first round of the playoffs (it appears that it'll be Middlebury) should consider themselves fortunate. It shouldn't be hard to defeat a team without heart.

Those forty decades of watching Bowdoin hockey have definitely taken their toll!!! While this year's edition of the team has clearly under performed, the 2008-09 edition was even worse, with a sub .500 11-12-2 record.

 

[CROSBYNU63]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

And just when you thought it was safe to take to the ice, here comes the Panthers.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Those forty decades of watching Bowdoin hockey have definitely taken their toll!!! While this year's edition of the team has clearly under performed, the 2008-09 edition was even worse, with a sub .500 11-12-2 record.

Yes, but the Polar Bears had a superstar defenseman in Kyle Shearer-Hardy, with the great class of 2013 waiting in the wings plus Coach Pellegrini's two strong recruiting classes to follow. Next year the Polar Bears will have three classes essentially without a front line player, the only exception being defenseman Mitch Barrington.

If you can't recruit effectively for the Polar Bears with Bowdoin's great hockey tradition, strong fan base, sparkling new facility, not to mention top-notch academics, then maybe you should be in a different line of work.