Nescac 2013-14

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

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

You think settling on a goaltender has something to do with the Panthers stronger play of late? Moorfield-Yee has started the last 7 and should go again today.

Amherst and Williams go at it today for the right play Connecticut College in round 1 next week. Coaches won't admit it, but I don't think Amherst or Williams want to see the Camels, so there might be some soft goals today. Bowdoin has had an up and down season, but still have the guns to catch fire in a short series. Have to credit Tufts for not laying down with a tie and win against 2 top 4 teams in their last 3 games. Middlebury should sneak into the 4th spot today setting up a very intriguing game next week vs the Polar Bears.

 

[nasa69]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

And its over. Hamilton played Williams very tough this year. A 1:1 Tie that vaulted the Continentals to 16th in the rankings just before the new year break and then a one goal loss right after the break. But with the most important game of the year on the line vs the Ephs, and Quattrochhi back in net, the team lost 3:1.

The top 4 scores were kept off the board and the majority of their shots were from the perimeter. Many passes bounced off their sticks and the close support passing that led to early season tallies was gone. In times past it seemed that the team got stronger as the season progressed. But over the last several years the team looked more lifeless and worn down as middle January and February emerged. Hockey is supposed to be fun and a respite from the Nescac academic grind...but it appears to be just one more task for these students.

The last game for what started as a stellar 2010 recruiting class is today. Of the 8 that matriculated, following Bazin's leaving, 2 transferred, 2 were cut by Haberbusch, and 1 graduated early. Middlebury needs this game for playoff standing, lets see what the boys can bring to the table.

It was a great Junior hockey experiment that Bazin started...recruiting predominantly 20 and 21 year old junior players to play in a league dominated by prep players. Haberbusch followed this strategey with excellent recruiting classes but was never able to take advantage of these players in spite of the other Nescac teams being slow to implement this philosophy. Looking at the listed recruits for next year, it seems that the other schools have now caught on and Hamilton has only 2 prep players committed. Its early in the recruiting year and most Jr. players are holding out hoping for D1 offers, however, 3 progressively worse seasons has to have an impact on recruiting.

Who knows, maybe the powers that run this cash cow...I mean academic institution do not want 21 year old freshman. I mean what has it gotten them? Certainly not a better team. Or perhaps its not the players. Perhaps its what they are being taught...or not taught.

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

It was a great Junior hockey experiment that Bazin started...recruiting predominantly 20 and 21 year old junior players to play in a league dominated by prep players. Haberbusch followed this strategey with excellent recruiting classes but was never able to take advantage of these players in spite of the other Nescac teams being slow to implement this philosophy.

Actually, you've got it backwards. If you look at the Colby or Middlebury rosters from the early 2000s, you will see many junior players, including bunches from the Canadian junior leagues. These two schools close proximity to the border also certainly helped them attract Canadian players.

What happened is that other D3 schools got more involved in junior recruitment, which spread this talent pool out and led to more prep players on NESCAC rosters. Also, keep in mind that NESCAC schools have higher admission standards than other D3 schools, like the SUNYACs, which makes it tough to recruit/admit junior players for whom school hasn't necessarily been their focus. (I know I'm opening a can of worms here, and other posters might get on my back for promoting "NESCAC elitism", but the admissions statistics are fact.) Prep schools tend to emphasize academics as well as sports, which makes prep players an easier "sell" to college admission officers. Finally, there is the $ consideration. Last I checked, tuition at any NESCAC was 50K+ a year, whereas Plattsburgh (just a random example) is 30k a year. Since D3 schools cannot give athletic scholarships, for a lot of families the non-NESCAC route makes more sense.

As a Colby fan, I can empathize with Hamilton's drop from first to the bottom of the league. It seems that Colby is slowly getting it together under their new coach, hopefully Hamilton can follow suit!

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

How did Colby end up playing Williams? I thought Conn Col had tie-breaker. No matter, I'm happy with that match-up. Better for the Mules than playing Amherst...

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

How did Colby end up playing Williams? I thought Conn Col had tie-breaker. No matter, I'm happy with that match-up. Better for the Mules than playing Amherst...

From nescachockey.com, "The two teams split the season series but Colby has a better record against the top four (whether it is Bowdoin or Middlebury who ends up the fourth seed), so they win the tiebreaker."

I'll be traveling to Williamstown on Saturday for the game. The last two times I've seen Colby play there, they lost, so third time's the charm?

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Could be a wild weekend. I can see all lower seeds getting wins if you have followed the NESCAC men this season. Only Trinity is the most predictable likely winning result. The others are 50/50. In fact, I like Bowdoin over Middlebury and Colby over Williams. The Ephs are playing their worst hockey of the year. And, would anyone be surprised if the Camels pull one out at Amherst based on recent form?

 

[CROSBYNU63]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I'll take Middlebury over Bowdoin and Williams over Colby. I believe your reasoning on the Ephs would apply to Bowdoin as they had not played well lately

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I'll take Middlebury over Bowdoin and Williams over Colby. I believe your reasoning on the Ephs would apply to Bowdoin as they had not played well lately

I think Bowdoin can turn it on at a moments notice and have more bullets in the holster. Williams looks tired. Colby has a real shot. The Bantams can be had, but they are solid in all 3 zones of the ice and have a #1 backstop. Tough to go against them. Middlebury always seems to be there at the end. Two weeks ago, they appeared to be headed for 7th place. Single elimination means no slackers and no-shows invited to the party.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

From nescachockey.com, "The two teams split the season series but Colby has a better record against the top four (whether it is Bowdoin or Middlebury who ends up the fourth seed), so they win the tiebreaker."

I'll be traveling to Williamstown on Saturday for the game. The last two times I've seen Colby play there, they lost, so third time's the charm?

Maybe you better stay home. They seem to have done better without you.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Looking at the top scorers for Trinity (4 out of the top 5 in NESCAC), I see a Junior, a Sophomore and two Freshman, plus a Junior who is tied for top scoring Defenseman and a Sophomore who is tied for fifth. The rest of the league can be as concerned about next year as they are about this one. The only downside I see for the Bantams next year is their goalie (second in save percentage) will have graduated.

Conversely, all of Colby's top scorers are Seniors, and the large Freshman class, which looked promising for much of the season, has been almost invisible lately.

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Maybe you better stay home. They seem to have done better without you.

I've already turned down tickets to ND @ BC on Saturday, so there's no going back now!

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

My prediction is that Middlebury will defeat Bowdoin in the quarterfinals, and go on to win the NESCAC tournament. I've seen Bowdoin play Middlebury twice this season. Even though the Polar Bears are 1-0-1, I'm impressed with Middlebury's skill level. Besides, Middlebury is playing good hockey at the right time, which is the opposite of Bowdoin.

I also believe Colby will beat Williams. I really like the White Mules' approach to the game this season. And I've never been a big fan of William's prodding style.

Trinity has great scorers, but is a beatable team if one hits them early and hard. I give Wesleyan a decent chance against Trinity though I think that Trinity will prevail.

I don't think Connecticut College has enough talent to beat Amherst though the progress CC has made this year is impressive.

Good luck to all the teams and their fans!

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

My prediction is that Middlebury will defeat Bowdoin in the quarterfinals, and go on to win the NESCAC tournament. I've seen Bowdoin play Middlebury twice this season. Even though the Polar Bears are 1-0-1, I'm impressed with Middlebury's skill level. Besides, Middlebury is playing good hockey at the right time, which is the opposite of Bowdoin.

I also believe Colby will beat Williams. I really like the White Mules' approach to the game this season. And I've never been a big fan of William's prodding style.

Trinity has great scorers, but is a beatable team if one hits them early and hard. I give Wesleyan a decent chance against Trinity though I think that Trinity will prevail.

I don't think Connecticut College has enough talent to beat Amherst though the progress CC has made this year is impressive.

Good luck to all the teams and their fans!

I understand your reasoning in all of these, but come up with some different conclusions:

I have been touting Trinity for some time now, but Wesleyan had been on the rise at the end of the season, until that home-and-home with the Bantams. Beating the Cards three times in a row is a pretty tall order. I see Wesleyan in an OT win.

I would like to agree with you on Colby-Williams, but I just don't see the Mules rising to the occasion at the end of what must seem like a very long season to all those Freshmen. And, as above, Williams is due to pop their balloon. Good goaltending is going to take this one and that means Williams, of course. Colby couldn't handle the Camel's hot goalie Saturday. It could be another shutout.

I agree with you on Conn. College. I'll be pulling for them, but I'm afraid Amherst is too steady for them.

The Polar Bears... Man, what is up with them? They needed that game against Tufts and pretty much sleep-walked through it. Meanwhile, Middlebury is peaking at the right time. I watched them come from behind against Hamilton and turned off the webcast shaking my head. You are probably right about them taking it all.

That being said, nothing would surprise me this year. It'll be fun.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I understand your reasoning in all of these, but come up with some different conclusions: [...]

The Polar Bears... Man, what is up with them? They needed that game against Tufts and pretty much sleep-walked through it. Meanwhile, Middlebury is peaking at the right time. I watched them come from behind against Hamilton and turned off the webcast shaking my head. You are probably right about them taking it all.

My impression is that the Polar Bears still behave as though they were as talented as last season's outstanding team, which could play half-heartedly and still win. Their performance against Tufts (no direspect to Tufts) was indicative of what I'm talking about. They kind of sleepwalked through the game after a solid performance against a much more talented Connecticut College team the night before. The talent is there for the Polar Bears to reach the semifinals, but they would need to work much, much harder against a Middlebury squad that is at least as talented. Bowdoin hasn't done well at Middlebury for the past twenty years. I can only remember a couple of Bowdoin wins. I don't expect it'll be different this year.

And as I stated before, I'm concerned about Bowdoin's recruiting not being as strong as in the past, which doesn't bode well for the future.

That being said, nothing would surprise me this year. It'll be fun.

You have a point. It's NESCAC after all. As a supporter of Bowdoin, I hope you're right.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

With playoff games starting at 3:00, 4:00, 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. today , if one were so inclined, one could catch part or all of every game. And the bonus... Lacrosse season starts today, with most of the games at 1:00 p.m. Tell me, does it get any better than this..?

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Seems like the Northeast Sports Network is overloaded. Takes forever to get the main page, can't get the Williams page at all...

 

[OhioMule]

Seems like the Northeast Sports Network is overloaded. Takes forever to get the main page, can't get the Williams page at all...

Sorry I was able to log on. Williams scored their second goal within seconds of me getting in.

Go Mules... Lacrosse!

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Three of the top 4 seeds advanced. Bowdoin in the mix now and can't be shortchanged. Did Wesleyan get off the bus to show up? It appears not. Amherst guts one out and Williams rights the ship. At this point, it will be the will to win that prevails in the end.

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

UGH.

Colby's goaltending yesterday was so UGH. Williams 3rd goal yesterday (to go up 3-1) was a no-angle backhand shot that somehow found space between Parker's shoulder and the pipe. Why Parker's shoulder wasn't against the pipe is beyond me...

I'm not blaming Parker entirely, since the Mules defense looked incapable of clearing the puck at times, but he certainly gave up a number of bad rebounds that led to a number of Williams chances/goals. Simply put, Parker did not play to the necessary level to keep Colby in the game. By comparison, the Colby offense pounded the Williams net all afternoon, and put their share of pressure on Dougherty (who made some INSANE saves). From being at the game, I would say that the official 50+ shots for Colby was not exaggerated. Even when Colby was down 3-1 and 5-3 it still felt like they were in the game given the consistent pressure they were putting on Williams. In the end, however, a few untimely defensive turnovers and soft goals doomed the White Mules.

Looking forward, the loss of Lanza and Chwick to graduation is huge for Colby. I see a bright future for Rauseo and Albert, as the play between the two was again dynamic yesterday. Hopefully having a committed and consistent coach will help with recruiting. Now, Colby just needs to find their next Cody McKinney.

 

[WhiteMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Go Mules... Lacrosse!

That win over Trinity looked convincing. Are we good, or is Trinity not good?