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NESCAC 2025-2026: Don't Call it a Comeback
- Thread starter MikeMidd
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- middlebury nescac
That was an exciting quarterfinals. The live game I watched was the Middlebury - Wesleyan game. The Cardinals were playing a smart, defensive game, it was paying off for them, and they are up 2-0 with two minutes left in the third. The Panthers, who have been dominating play all game, shots are 56-17 at the end of regulation, pull their goaltender and score twice in 40 seconds to tie the game. It takes another period and a half of back and forth play before Midd scores the game winner.
This was exactly the thing teams fear most in these one and done games: The opposition has a hot goaltender and a solid defense. Patrick McDevitt in goal sets a school and NESCAC championship record for number of saves in one game.
Next weekend at Sage rink, Middlebury takes on Bowdoin, having split their games in the regular season. And Hamilton, with an squeeker of an overtime win against Conn College, faces down Williams.
This was exactly the thing teams fear most in these one and done games: The opposition has a hot goaltender and a solid defense. Patrick McDevitt in goal sets a school and NESCAC championship record for number of saves in one game.
Next weekend at Sage rink, Middlebury takes on Bowdoin, having split their games in the regular season. And Hamilton, with an squeeker of an overtime win against Conn College, faces down Williams.
As exciting a hockey game as you’ll ever see.
After the first seven minutes of period one, Midd dominated the game. Wesleyan’s first goal came off a juicy rebound, second one from just enough of a defensive breakdown: Heinze would have liked at least one of those back.
But the story of the game was the dominance of Midd (shots 75 - 25), the record-breaking goaltending from Wesleyan's Patrick McDevitt, and the sheer resilience of this remarkable Middlebury team. As the minutes ticked on, they never panicked, they stuck to their game, and Coach Ceglarski stayed cool as a cucumber.
As promised, their recruiting class has shone. Look at the scoring leaderboard: three of the four top scorers are first-years. No matter the result next weekend - I think Bowdoin is coming in as the favorite - a great year for Panther Hockey.
After the first seven minutes of period one, Midd dominated the game. Wesleyan’s first goal came off a juicy rebound, second one from just enough of a defensive breakdown: Heinze would have liked at least one of those back.
But the story of the game was the dominance of Midd (shots 75 - 25), the record-breaking goaltending from Wesleyan's Patrick McDevitt, and the sheer resilience of this remarkable Middlebury team. As the minutes ticked on, they never panicked, they stuck to their game, and Coach Ceglarski stayed cool as a cucumber.
As promised, their recruiting class has shone. Look at the scoring leaderboard: three of the four top scorers are first-years. No matter the result next weekend - I think Bowdoin is coming in as the favorite - a great year for Panther Hockey.
Despite having split their meetings with the Panthers, Bowdoin smells blood. I agree that the PBears are the favorite for the semi-final, but I do think the Panthers will make a game of it.
The other game will also be interesting, Hamilton seems to be running flat right now, when they should be peaking. And Williams, coming off an unset of Tufts, and also having a split with Hamilton, will be looking for the next upset.
I'm not going to guess scores.
The other game will also be interesting, Hamilton seems to be running flat right now, when they should be peaking. And Williams, coming off an unset of Tufts, and also having a split with Hamilton, will be looking for the next upset.
I'm not going to guess scores.
CornwallAce
Patron Saint of Defunct Teams
Watched the Middlebury game online, the Hamilton game and during intermissions, the Williams game. I caught the Middlebury game vs Williams a few weeks ago. The problem with Middlebury to my eyes is that they have no finishers. They put quantity shots on Williams and Wesleyan but not quality. I will say, if these players learn to finish, dang, they're going to be at the top of the league. But they're not there right now. I have mostly watched Hamilton in the second half of the year, and I see a good team, but not a top ranked team. They're really strong on the Power Play, but they don't come close to looking like a dominant team otherwise. In my eyes, what they have going for themselves is that they know how to win, but I have Bowdoin in this tourney. I'm 60-40 on it.
After Midd’s incredible comeback on Saturday, I wonder which team will show up against Bowdoin this weekend? Could it be the one that lost to Amherst on the last weekend of the regular season or the team that bested Wesleyan in OT. If it is the latter, I hope they are able to finish. I know the WES goalie stood on his head, but with a 75-25 SOG advantage, I am not sure why they didn’t win that game 8-2. Heinze, who has been marvelous, will likely have to stand on his head against Bowdoin. Scoring first will be huge for Midd.
A frustrating end to the season for Middlebury, who fall 4-2 to Williams in the NESCAC championship. So close to an NCAA berth that would've been the next step in the return to being nationally prominent.
Like in mid-February at Middlebury, the Ephs played big, got under the Panthers' skin, threw hits around. It was hard for Middlebury to get much free space, particularly along the boards, as even after a player had passed the puck, a hit was still coming. The ref missed a few calls that felt surprising, but the Williams gameplan just worked.
As said by @CornwallAce, Middlebury just doesn't have the finishing to back up some of the speed and skill yet. Will be curious to see if the young players improve or if it's about just continuing to bring in more talent. And well done to the seniors, who have been so important to Middlebury's rebirth.
In the meantime, Williams heads to the NCAAs, Hamilton is surely in, and Bowdoin will be sweating and looks like they're on the outside of the bubble now.
Like in mid-February at Middlebury, the Ephs played big, got under the Panthers' skin, threw hits around. It was hard for Middlebury to get much free space, particularly along the boards, as even after a player had passed the puck, a hit was still coming. The ref missed a few calls that felt surprising, but the Williams gameplan just worked.
As said by @CornwallAce, Middlebury just doesn't have the finishing to back up some of the speed and skill yet. Will be curious to see if the young players improve or if it's about just continuing to bring in more talent. And well done to the seniors, who have been so important to Middlebury's rebirth.
In the meantime, Williams heads to the NCAAs, Hamilton is surely in, and Bowdoin will be sweating and looks like they're on the outside of the bubble now.
Congratulations to Williams for becoming the NESCAC tournament champion for the first time. Best of luck in the NCAA Tournament.
I would agree that Middlebury needs a little more finishing to win more of these games. They have the capability of doing it, and next year they should be better than before.
I do think that special teams may have played a bigger part of the game. But the refs simply swallowed their whistles.
I would agree that Middlebury needs a little more finishing to win more of these games. They have the capability of doing it, and next year they should be better than before.
I do think that special teams may have played a bigger part of the game. But the refs simply swallowed their whistles.
CornwallAce
Patron Saint of Defunct Teams
Well, I was kind of right on things. So weird to see Williams, whom I saw look milk toast opening weekend up in Maine, to showing moments of competency.... To winning the NESCAC tourney. I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but it seems like the coach has found the style that works with the players that he has.
Hamilton continues to disappoint me down the stretch.
Bowdoin surprised me how human they looked. They did not look at all like the team that demolished Williams opening weekend, or the team that kept Hamilton at bay late in the year. At least versus Williams, Hamilton had scoring chances, but that game versus Bowdoin, they looked tamed by Bowdoin.
Was not able to watch the final game due to family commitments. I am hoping to go up to Utica to see the game. Math conference in Middletown, NY first, gets over at 2 pm, so should be enough time. Is there any worry about selling out at Utica?
Hamilton continues to disappoint me down the stretch.
Bowdoin surprised me how human they looked. They did not look at all like the team that demolished Williams opening weekend, or the team that kept Hamilton at bay late in the year. At least versus Williams, Hamilton had scoring chances, but that game versus Bowdoin, they looked tamed by Bowdoin.
Was not able to watch the final game due to family commitments. I am hoping to go up to Utica to see the game. Math conference in Middletown, NY first, gets over at 2 pm, so should be enough time. Is there any worry about selling out at Utica?
Pioneer247
Active member
Tickets are moving pretty well right now, but if you get on at 5 PM tomorrow when they go on sale to the general public, you shouldn't have a problem
Congratulations and good luck to Williams. They executed their game plan and frustrated Middlebury offensively.
A word about the video angle at Hamilton. While I prefer a center ice perspective, the near end zone angle produces exciting footage of the goaltender on power plays, saves and scores when there is activity at that end. When the puck is at the other end, it not great for fan viewing.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
I assume they are shooting from the press box which is in that corner?