Re: Norwich 14-15
As much as I enjoy watching Norwich beat Castleton in anything, I can't help but feel that the momentum of this rivalry took a hit with that 10-1 beat town in the conference tournament a few years back.
So far so good: What a wonderful season is unfolding with all this drama leading up to the ECAC-E post holiday meeting between the Cadets and those twin threats from Boston when they visit early next month. And that suspense can only be amplified by the UMass Beacons and Baboon Beavers own match up after their visit to Northfield. It is almost as if Hollywood scripted it. But I keep looking at the list of ECAC-E teams other than these three and just know there is a spoiler among them. From what I have seen so far my money is on UNE, NEC and St. Mikes--who on any given night now believe they can spoil what might be up to then be someone's record with few blemishes.
If I were NU, UMass and Babson I would be weary of anyone of those dark horses.
Great weekend for the Cadets: First at Skidmore and last night at Castleton. I keep wondering whether our opponents have really been that weak---or is this just an extremely efficient workman like Norwich Club that is surgically dismembers a club almost from the get go. With so many games now played I am close to giving the nod to what is clearly a very good NU team.
At 9-0-1 the Cadet's scoring efficiency has climbed by almost a goal (4.7 per game) from last year's season ending 3.8. Meanwhile the Cadet defense is surrendering a bit more than a goal (1.1) per game as opposed to last year's 1.73 goals per game. And their power play efficiency has improved dramatically, from 21.1% at the close of the season to 27.1. Those changes are dramatic. What's more, statistics aside, I personally feel very comfortable at the dramatic change in goal these two new faces have brought to the party (Ostepchuk and Richenbach). Both of them stand right in there in tight situation and handle their jobs very well.
Last night in the pre-game hosted by Jack Healy (Castleton's own Puck Voice) he interviewed (I believe it was) Steve Moffat--the Castleton Coach. He summed up the Cadet's offensive clout by saying that Norwich runs four very, very strong lines rather than one or two to carry the load. Spot on--there are no super stars just deadly offensive efficiency. Norwich is putting a great club on the ice this year thanks again to McShane and Mattson for this very talented, well coached bunch.
Next objective for the team? Please forget amateurish Kudos like mine, don't believe anything you read in the papers.... and focus on the next opponent---Colby College.
Two comments on the Castleton game. (1.) Castleton stayed with the Cadets even down two goals--they are a team with plenty of heart. They also lost eight seniors so it is a bit early to claim they are on the rocks--and the NU/CSU rivalry is in trouble.
As Moffat said in the interview--the Spartans need more mature leadership[ on the ice--which will come in time. (2.) Compliments to Jack Healy--who like George Commo--gave listeners an extremely professional well balanced play-by-play analysis of the game. Healy is class act and I wish that he and George would do one of their joint broadcasts as they did last year. A memorable performance by two seasoned professionals.