Nescac 2013-14

[rufus22]

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

The state of the Panthers is baffling. I would never have imagined seeing an effort like Saturday's in a NESCAC playoff, at home, against Bowdoin. It makes you wonder what's going on. One thing is for sure they need to go out and get some better goaltending.

 

[OhioMule]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

UGH.
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.

Losing Lanza and Chwick will hurt. I also like Sullivan and a couple other Freshmen as well. But, they all pretty much stopped scoring in the last few games. I would like to see them pick up a Freshman like the one Trinity got this year who has scored a bunch of goals. Or the guy Colby has on their lacrosse team who scored six goals (four unassisted) and two assists, yesterday.

 

[Golden007]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

The state of the Panthers is baffling. I would never have imagined seeing an effort like Saturday's in a NESCAC playoff, at home, against Bowdoin. It makes you wonder what's going on. One thing is for sure they need to go out and get some better goaltending.

It is baffling, and it's impossible to imagine how a proud program sinks this far. The Panthers are loaded with talented players, but they were dysfunctional as an organization. And it wasn't like the Bowdoin goalie played out of his mind........he mostly had to make a few average saves. Allowing so many soft goals in front of the home crowd is awful!!! This is the team that beat Norwich in a shootout in November to advance to the Primelink final, losing a close one to Plattsburgh. The panthers were loaded with talent at every position. I just don't get how a great school with a great rink can perform so poorly.

 

[rufus22]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

It really does make you wonder if players are buying into Beaney the way the have in the past. Because I agree they have tons of talent. That and they really need to obtain some solid goaltending. For all the offense they produced in the heyday, the goalies were a really important part.

 

[NUProf]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

The goalies were a really important part.

They were huge - it seems as though Middlebury just isn't getting the talent in goal that they used to have. Often Beaney was alternating between two goalies who would have been full-time starters for most DIII teams and more than a few DI teams. Lately he hasn't had that level of talent between the pipes, and it makes a difference for the offense to have a goalie you can count on - you can "cheat" a little on the attack if you have faith in the goalie.

 

[Golden007]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

They were huge - it seems as though Middlebury just isn't getting the talent in goal that they used to have. Often Beaney was alternating between two goalies who would have been full-time starters for most DIII teams and more than a few DI teams. Lately he hasn't had that level of talent between the pipes, and it makes a difference for the offense to have a goalie you can count on - you can "cheat" a little on the attack if you have faith in the goalie.

I think it's more about philosophy than talent recently. The soph they went with for the stretch run has a severe losing record, and if you watch him play online, he's brutal He wasn't even on the roster when the season started. I've watched Middlebury hockey for a while, and I remember the days of a true rotation when you could beat anybody on most nights, and it wasn't that long ago

 

[d3follower]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

They were huge - it seems as though Middlebury just isn't getting the talent in goal that they used to have. Often Beaney was alternating between two goalies who would have been full-time starters for most DIII teams and more than a few DI teams. Lately he hasn't had that level of talent between the pipes, and it makes a difference for the offense to have a goalie you can count on - you can "cheat" a little on the attack if you have faith in the goalie.

Not sure that the talent point is the real issue. The pre-Middlebury history of the Middlebury goalies puts them on a par with the goalies at most of the other NESCACs. At least two of the current crop of goalies -- BonDurant and Michals -- were Heisenberg D1 prospects and Michals was good enough to be rated by the NHL's Central Scouting Services. IIRC, Moorfield-Yee had an excellent prep career at Cushing so no slouch either in terms of credentials.

 

[puxrex]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

The days of Middlebury (or any of the NESCAC teams) dominating the league the way Midd did in their championship years are long gone and are not likely to return. The NESCAC presidents wanted parity in the "helmet" sports and they are getting just what they want. I find it odd that it's non-Midd hockey fans who seem the most upset by the current state of Middlebury men's hockey. It's not coaching, or the need for a new goalie, or player apathy (though they all could be better), it's just that things have changed. There will be good Midd teams in the future but it can no longer be considered an elite national d3 program. Yes, they can play a good game or two against the likes of Plattsburgh or Norwich at the Primelink, but they are also going to have bad games against the bottom of the NESCAC.

 

[OLD GUY '61]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

The days of Middlebury (or any of the NESCAC teams) dominating the league the way Midd did in their championship years are long gone and are not likely to return. The NESCAC presidents wanted parity in the "helmet" sports and they are getting just what they want. I find it odd that it's non-Midd hockey fans who seem the most upset by the current state of Middlebury men's hockey. It's not coaching, or the need for a new goalie, or player apathy (though they all could be better), it's just that things have changed. There will be good Midd teams in the future but it can no longer be considered an elite national d3 program. Yes, they can play a good game or two against the likes of Plattsburgh or Norwich at the Primelink, but they are also going to have bad games against the bottom of the NESCAC.

Yes, let's all agree that NESCAC schools, especially Middlebury, strive for mediocrity.

 

[rufus22]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I think it's more about philosophy than talent recently. The soph they went with for the stretch run has a severe losing record, and if you watch him play online, he's brutal He wasn't even on the roster when the season started. I've watched Middlebury hockey for a while, and I remember the days of a true rotation when you could beat anybody on most nights, and it wasn't that long ago

Agreed on all fronts. I was very surprised to see Beaney settle on Moorfield-Yee down the stretch. I thought any of the other three were more likely, with Peters the most likely.

 

[Golden007]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

The days of Middlebury (or any of the NESCAC teams) dominating the league the way Midd did in their championship years are long gone and are not likely to return. The NESCAC presidents wanted parity in the "helmet" sports and they are getting just what they want. I find it odd that it's non-Midd hockey fans who seem the most upset by the current state of Middlebury men's hockey. It's not coaching, or the need for a new goalie, or player apathy (though they all could be better), it's just that things have changed. There will be good Midd teams in the future but it can no longer be considered an elite national d3 program. Yes, they can play a good game or two against the likes of Plattsburgh or Norwich at the Primelink, but they are also going to have bad games against the bottom of the NESCAC.

It seems so, although with much more to offer scholar athletes than most of the competition, I think it doesn't have to be so. There are enough reasons that Middlebury could still be an elite D3 program, or at least an elite NESCAC program. I think it will be a while before there are good Midd teams in the future, unfortunately. However, more power to the likes of Bowdoin, a team that can lose to tenth place Tufts and then take a decisive road game to make the final weekend.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

It seems so, although with much more to offer scholar athletes than most of the competition, I think it doesn't have to be so. There are enough reasons that Middlebury could still be an elite D3 program, or at least an elite NESCAC program. I think it will be a while before there are good Midd teams in the future, unfortunately. However, more power to the likes of Bowdoin, a team that can lose to tenth place Tufts and then take a decisive road game to make the final weekend.

Both Bowdoin and Middlebury are talented teams that underachieved during the regular season. Despite being a Polar Bear fan, I'd actually picked the Panthers to win it all. I was surprised as to the extent the Polar Bears dominated the quarterfinal game against Middlebury, even to the point of limiting the Panthers to one short on goal in the second period.

Middlebury fans must realize that the so-called glory days of Middlebury domination are gone forever as other schools like Bowdoin and Trinity have upgraded their facilities and their operations, and Amherst and Williams have been able to attract a larger cohort of solid student athletes to their hockey program. Indeed, the last time Middlebury hosted the final NESCAC weekend was in 2006. Since 2007 Bowdoin has hosted the tournament three times (2007, 2010 and 2013), Amherst has hosted it twice (2009 and 2012), Colby once (2008), Williams once (2011) and Trinity once (2014). Five consecutive Middlebury classes have graduated without ever experiencing a championship weekend at home, though the Panthers won titles on the road in 2007 and 2010.

Nevertheless, let's stop spelling the doom of Middlebury hockey. Together with Amherst, Bowdoin, Trinity and Williams, Middlebury remains solidly ensconced in the top echelon of NESCAC hockey.

Finally, I'm picking Trinity to win the NESCAC tournament. I think the Trinity offense is just too strong and the coaching is outstanding. This is Trinity's year.

 

[jimmy d]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Actually Trinity will have hosted twice. They were the first team to host other than Middlebury. It was in 2005 or 2006, I believe. Middlebury ended up with the championship.

Both Bowdoin and Middlebury are talented teams that underachieved during the regular season. Despite being a Polar Bear fan, I'd actually picked the Panthers to win it all. I was surprised as to the extent the Polar Bears dominated the quarterfinal game against Middlebury, even to the point of limiting the Panthers to one short on goal in the second period.

Middlebury fans must realize that the so-called glory days of Middlebury domination are gone forever as other schools like Bowdoin and Trinity have upgraded their facilities and their operations, and Amherst and Williams have been able to attract a larger cohort of solid student athletes to their hockey program. Indeed, the last time Middlebury hosted the final NESCAC weekend was in 2006. Since 2007 Bowdoin has hosted the tournament three times (2007, 2010 and 2013), Amherst has hosted it twice (2009 and 2012), Colby once (2008), Williams once (2011) and Trinity once (2014). Five consecutive Middlebury classes have graduated without ever experiencing a championship weekend at home, though the Panthers won titles on the road in 2007 and 2010.

Nevertheless, let's stop spelling the doom of Middlebury hockey. Together with Amherst, Bowdoin, Trinity and Williams, Middlebury remains solidly ensconced in the top echelon of NESCAC hockey.

Finally, I'm picking Trinity to win the NESCAC tournament. I think the Trinity offense is just too strong and the coaching is outstanding. This is Trinity's year.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Actually Trinity will have hosted twice. They were the first team to host other than Middlebury. It was in 2005 or 2006, I believe. Middlebury ended up with the championship.

Please, read what I said: "Since 2007 Bowdoin has hosted the tournament three times (2007, 2010 and 2013), Amherst has hosted it twice (2009 and 2012), Colby once (2008), Williams once (2011) and Trinity once (2014)." I was talking about the teams that have hosted the NESCAC final weekend since the last time Middlebury did it in 2006.

Trinity hosted the final weekend in 2005, therefore BEFORE 2006. The Bantams lost to Bowdoin (4) in the semifinal, and Middlebury (2) beat Bowdoin the final.

Overall Middlebury has hosted the final weekend six times, Bowdoin three times, Amherst twice, Trinity twice, Colby once and Williams once.

 

[jimmy d]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Please, read what I said: "Since 2007 Bowdoin has hosted the tournament three times (2007, 2010 and 2013), Amherst has hosted it twice (2009 and 2012), Colby once (2008), Williams once (2011) and Trinity once (2014)." I was talking about the teams that have hosted the NESCAC final weekend since the last time Middlebury did it in 2006.

Trinity hosted the final weekend in 2005, therefore BEFORE 2006. The Bantams lost to Bowdoin (4) in the semifinal, and Middlebury (2) beat Bowdoin the final.

Overall Middlebury has hosted the final weekend six times, Bowdoin three times, Amherst twice, Trinity twice, Colby once and Williams once.

So sorry, I guess that I missed the Since 2007 part. That 2005 series was one of the best ever, and I've been in attendance at ALL of them!

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

So sorry, I guess that I missed the Since 2007 part. That 2005 series was one of the best ever, and I've been in attendance at ALL of them!

I'm in complete agreement.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

BOWDOIN 5 - TRINITY 4

The Polar Bears will be playing for the NESCAC championship for the fourth time since 2010. Wow!

Quick thoughts:

1. Trinity has an AWESOME offense (but a very average defense and overrated goaltending).

2. However, with that awesome offense, it'll make a lot of noise in the NCAA tournament. The Bantams should be good for the number two seed in the East. That great offense may carry them to a national title if the defense and goaltending hold. (NESCAC will probably have two entries in the national tournament: Trinity and the winner of the NESCAC tournament, i.e., either Amherst or Bowdoin).

3. Bowdoin almost completely self-destructed with bad penalties after taking a 4-1 lead in the second period. Par for the course for the Polar Bears...

4. Polar Bear goaltender Max Fenkel was up to his playoff heroics this afternoon. Truly outstanding.

5. Colin Downey, John McGinnis and Mitch Barrington had excellent games for the Polar Bears.

6. Jay Kourkoulis had his best game of the season for Bowdoin, blocking numerous shots by the Trinity and playing physical but clean hockey.

7. Bowdoin coach Terry Meagher devised the perfect system to beat Trinity.

8. Trinity coach Matt Greason is the best young Division III coach in the nation. Period.

9. The NSN announcer was the NESCAC hockey version of [figure skating] commentator Scott Hamilton. TRULY ANNOYING.

 

[EastCoastBias]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

Trinity losing today at home is a not a shock, but it is a surprise. The Polar Bears have been up and down this season, and came the game with defense and goaltending, something that has been absent too often. I thought Colby would knock off the Ephs last week, so their loss to Amherst today was par for the course. The match-up tomorrow for the auto-bid into the NCAA is intriguing with the 2 and 5 seeds. Slight edge to the Jeffs with the clutch netminder and defensive discipline, but they had some players banged up today which could be a problem tomorrow with the short turnaround. Bantams should live to fight another day despite the loss, so it's bonus time for the NESCAC who may have 2 teams in the national tourney. That has to rub some of the other D3 conferences the wrong way.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

The match-up tomorrow for the auto-bid into the NCAA is intriguing with the 2 and 5 seeds. Slight edge to the Jeffs with the clutch netminder and defensive discipline, but they had some players banged up today which could be a problem tomorrow with the short turnaround.

I think this is a fair assessment. Amherst has a solid defense (Aaron Deutsch may be the best in defenseman in the league) and a very good goaltender (second team NESCAC). Bowdoin has more offensive weapons, but offense alone doesn't win championships. (See Trinity.) In the regular season, I'd have given the edge to Bowdoin, but in a playoff situation I also have to give the edge to Amherst.

Also, the two coaches J. Arena (Amherst) and T. Meagher (Bowdoin) are among the best in the business.

Whoever wins will be a good representative of NESCAC in the national tournament, together with Trinity, which should receive an at-large bid.

 

[joecct]

Re: Nescac 2013-14

I think this is a fair assessment. Amherst has a solid defense (Aaron Deutsch may be the best in defenseman in the league) and a very good goaltender (second team NESCAC). Bowdoin has more offensive weapons, but offense alone doesn't win championships. (See Trinity.) In the regular season, I'd have given the edge to Bowdoin, but in a playoff situation I also have to give the edge to Amherst.

Also, the two coaches J. Arena (Amherst) and T. Meagher (Bowdoin) are among the best in the business.

Whoever wins will be a good representative of NESCAC in the national tournament, together with Trinity, which should receive an at-large bid.

Devil's advocate time -- who has Trinity played and beaten OOC? A veritable murderer's row of Salve, Wentworth, Becker, and Western New England.