NESCAC 24-25: This time for sure!

[tjoneslo]

There are two teams that have a specific grudges against Midd. Trinity is one, Tufts is the other. Trinity was being over the top physical in their attempt to win the game, and the penalties really took their toll.

And yes, Midd takes down the 10-3 Purple Knights with a score of 7-0. I've not seen a score like that out of the Panthers in a long time. Like a decade or more. They were playing with a confidence and skill I'd really like to see in the next few games.

 

[neumyer]

There are two teams that have a specific grudges against Midd. Trinity is one, Tufts is the other. Trinity was being over the top physical in their attempt to win the game, and the penalties really took their toll.

And yes, Midd takes down the 10-3 Purple Knights with a score of 7-0. I've not seen a score like that out of the Panthers in a long time. Like a decade or more. They were playing with a confidence and skill I'd really like to see in the next few games.

One of the goal scorers was a first time player Dmitri Tzaferis. The recap for the game said it was his first appearance as a Panther. Does anybody know if he was a recent add on to the team after the holiday or was this just his first time dressing?

 

[MikeMidd]

There are two teams that have a specific grudges against Midd. Trinity is one, Tufts is the other. Trinity was being over the top physical in their attempt to win the game, and the penalties really took their toll.

And yes, Midd takes down the 10-3 Purple Knights with a score of 7-0. I've not seen a score like that out of the Panthers in a long time. Like a decade or more. They were playing with a confidence and skill I'd really like to see in the next few games.

Interesting, what's the back-story on Trinity's and Tufts's grudges? Never heard of that and don't think of them as typical big rivals. And certainly the gulf in results from Trinity to Middlebury has been pretty wide over the past 5-10 years.

Big result against St Mike's, real surprise. Did Middlebury do things differently that led to that type of performance - more attacking, different shape, etc.? Or just on their game?

One of the goal scorers was a first time player Dmitri Tzaferis. The recap for the game said it was his first appearance as a Panther. Does anybody know if he was a recent add on to the team after the holiday or was this just his first time dressing?

Middlebury hockey Instagram account listed him as an incoming player back in July. How'd he do?

 

[neumyer]

Interesting, what's the back-story on Trinity's and Tufts's grudges? Never heard of that and don't think of them as typical big rivals. And certainly the gulf in results from Trinity to Middlebury has been pretty wide over the past 5-10 years.

Big result against St Mike's, real surprise. Did Middlebury do things differently that led to that type of performance - more attacking, different shape, etc.? Or just on their game?




Middlebury hockey Instagram account listed him as an incoming player back in July. How'd he do?

Tzaferis scored the lone goal against Plattsburgh. Too bad Midd couldn't hang on in OT for a tie. Plattsburgh outshot them 2 to 1 so credit is due the goalkeeper, Sullivan for keeping them in the game.

 

[tjoneslo]

Big result against St Mike's, real surprise. Did Middlebury do things differently that led to that type of performance - more attacking, different shape, etc.? Or just on their game?

They were just on their game. For the whole game. There was one really perfect 2-on-1 goal. But most of it was just having the bounces go their way. The Purple Knights seemed like they were well organized, but just couldn't figure out the combination of Midd defense and goal tending. It also helped that Midd stayed out of the penalty box and that seem to let their offense get into a next gear.

 

[Mike Hutter]

After this past weekend, looks like this is Hamilton's year for a NESAC championship.

 

[neumyer]

Middlebury faces Bowdoin and Colby tonight on their ice. Midd defeated both teams on the opening weekend of the season. It will take a strong effort by the Panthers to duplicate that feat. They could use some points in the standings to get them in the top eight for the NESCAC tournament. After last year's success in the tournament, it would be a shame to be left out. I am guessing Sullivan will be in net for the and they will need him on his game. Special teams play, and staying away from dumb penalties should be key to the games.

 

[MikeMidd]

A bad night at Bowdoin for Middlebury. While the Panthers had a healthy advantage in shots and Bowdoin got two ENGs, a 5-1 loss in Maine after a 5-0 win at home is not good.

The Panthers are 1-7-0 in away and neutral games, 6-1-0 at home. And some of those away losses have been real thumpings. Interesting to know if that's down to their set-up and approach for away games, something in mental preparation and attitude, or something else.

Nine more games for Middlebury (five home, four away). A couple weeks ago, I said .500 in conference and a good playoff spot would be a reasonable ambition. With a 3-6-0 NESCAC record, now it is just about securing a playoff spot and trying to get up to the six seed to avoid Hamilton or Trinity in the first round.

As for the rest of the NESCAC, Hamilton and Trinity pick up wins again. While Colby is quietly putting together a very good season, it's clear that there are two top-tier teams in the league. Will be interesting to see if Trinity's experience gives them an advantage down the stretch over a Hamilton team that has been building nicely over the past couple years.

 

[tjoneslo]

Middlebury managed to avenge their loss by a 6-4 defeat of Colby, and Williams taking a tie with Bowdoin. This sets up a four way tie for 6th place in NESCAC.

This coming weekend ought to clear up the top spot pretty cleanly as the Amherst/Hamilton travel partners host the Trinity/Wesleyan travel pair.

Middlebury/Williams is hosting the Tufts/Conn College. We can only hope the Midd at home record holds up.

 

[neumyer]

Middlebury managed to avenge their loss by a 6-4 defeat of Colby, and Williams taking a tie with Bowdoin. This sets up a four way tie for 6th place in NESCAC.

This coming weekend ought to clear up the top spot pretty cleanly as the Amherst/Hamilton travel partners host the Trinity/Wesleyan travel pair.

Middlebury/Williams is hosting the Tufts/Conn College. We can only hope the Midd at home record holds up.

Midd still can't hold a lead. Within minutes of gaining a 2 goal lead in the second period, they surrendered one goal and shortly thereafter were tied up. This inability has doomed them in several games this season, particularly in the third period, but against Colby it was good to see them regain the lead for good in the third period.

 

[MikeMidd]

Big win for Middlebury over Colby, which had been looking like the best of the pack behind Hamilton and Trinity. But agree about that challenge of holding a lead. Not unlike the excessive penalties, feels like a discipline and focus thing.

Elsewhere, a surprise loss by Trinity to a Tufts team currently in eighth place gives Hamilton a five point advantage. The NESCAC is theirs to lose.

Meanwhile, Conn College has lost six in a row and that promising start has taken a hit.

Mid-pack on down looks to be really competitive this year, making the playoffs could be tight or come down to half-points or tie-breakers.

Let's go Midd.

 

[tjoneslo]

This weekend will be an interesting one. Hamilton is facing off against Trinity for the second time, who is their only NESCAC loss. Can Trinity break the Hamilton 7 game win streak.

The Tufts / Middlebury isn't so much as a rivalry as Tufts seems to pull out the stops to win games against two teams: Trinity and Midd. For the past several years, against Midd, this has been a blowout win that Tufts never seemed able to do against any other team in the league.

Really like the new forums.