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Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Magic number is 3. Any combination of Cadet points and points that Hobart does not get totaling 3 gives the regular season title to NU. A Cadet win and a Hobart loss/tie tomorrow is all that it takes. On the other hand, I hate going into that place in Henniker. They say it's 200 x 85, but it looks smaller than that. I hope they don't get sucked into retaliating against NEC's sly stick work.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Points are points but that was the definition of playing with fire. Can’t go down 2 goals next Friday...
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

And they win it in overtime. Cadets snatched victory from defeat in this one. Scored 2 in the third and then in overtime. A short handed goal, and 2 PP goals
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Need a point next weekend that's all. Need, however to beat Hobart to get a running start on the playoffs.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Old Rook NU'66 said:
Just returned from the USM game...another cliff hanger. The boys certainly fired enough shots off (32) but only scored twice...but enough for the win. I cannot recall a game where we got off as many "almost goals" only to miss by inches...including a late minute attempt at an empty netter. We managed, for the most part, to stay out of "the box"...no doubt due to some McShane's remedial after practice coaching this past week. Obviously USM didn't get the memo and gooned it up...including a five minute major. I maybe wrong but it seems that all the games have had more rough stuff this season than I can ever recall. I also can't recall as aggressive forechecking by Norwich than what we've seen this season. BTY... I was told this was the USM goalie's first game...he did a superb job.

As I said earlier I sense the NU team is really coming together...I just wish we'd see a few more insurance goals rather than these 1 goal wins. I guess Skidmore brought their best game to UMass tonight...thank you ponies. And neither Babson or Hobart got much out of their game. It is clear that USM...Skidmore...and NEC....even with their current records are not to be taken lightly. We still have a lot of work ahead to bring the Conference Championship back home to Northfield.
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I maybe wrong but it seems that all the games have had more rough stuff this season than I can ever recall. I also can't recall as aggressive forechecking by Norwich than what we've seen this season. BTY... I was told this was the USM goalie's first game...he did a superb job.

That was USM "3" goalie on the depth chart...Gutsy effort from the kid
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

On every team/conference thread it seems like people are seeing an increase in the rough play. It could be a trend. It's also a style of hockey. There's plenty of hockey fans who wish the NHL was like it used to be.

As for the Cadets, I was unable to watch the game today, but I'm happy with the outcome. One shouldn't worry about style points when playing in Henniker. Just get the W and go home.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

LIttle known secret the Cadets lack offensive scoring power this season. As such, opposing coaches are much more comfortable playing their 2nd and 3rd string goalies. The absence of a Piacentini or a Pelletier is most evident. Norwich attracts that type of player once every four years or so. I’m seeing more coasting this year than in recent memory, but the aggressiveness seems to have picked up in the last few games.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Speaking of Piacentini, he scored a hat trick for the Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL last night.
 
Bog Hockey said:
LIttle known secret the Cadets lack offensive scoring power this season. As such, opposing coaches are much more comfortable playing their 2nd and 3rd string goalies. The absence of a Piacentini or a Pelletier is most evident. Norwich attracts that type of player once every four years or so. I’m seeing more coasting this year than in recent memory, but the aggressiveness seems to have picked up in the last few games.
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I think Coby Downs will mature into that type of player. Kid has serious mitts. Check out his juniors highlights if you want. Very gifted.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Bog Hockey said:
LIttle known secret the Cadets lack offensive scoring power this season. As such, opposing coaches are much more comfortable playing their 2nd and 3rd string goalies. The absence of a Piacentini or a Pelletier is most evident. Norwich attracts that type of player once every four years or so. I’m seeing more coasting this year than in recent memory, but the aggressiveness seems to have picked up in the last few games.
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This is true, but you've got to play good defensive hockey and maximize your chances. Downs is progressing. Norwich has (for years) been in this recruiting cycle where they go from senior heavy to frosh heavy. Eventually the frosh develop into great players. You have to have patience for the new kids to develop. I spent 30 years teaching at Norwich and following hockey, so this is not a new phenomenon in any case.
 
Bog Hockey said:
LIttle known secret the Cadets lack offensive scoring power this season. As such, opposing coaches are much more comfortable playing their 2nd and 3rd string goalies. The absence of a Piacentini or a Pelletier is most evident. Norwich attracts that type of player once every four years or so. I’m seeing more coasting this year than in recent memory, but the aggressiveness seems to have picked up in the last few games.
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While I agree that we are not scoring, I am not ready to believe that opposing coaches are so comfortable with the Cadets lack of scoring that they're willing to put even a third string goalie in against NU. More likely, a coach with only three or four wins at this point of the season is giving everyone on his squad a chance to play--including 3rd string goalies...and even against the Cadets.

One again, McShane was in a rebuilding year and yet somehow we find ourselves on top of the heap going into the last weekend. We've done it before during these so called, "rebuilding" years. And wouldn't we all be shuttering if we were going through a 10-10 season like that great program at Plattsburgh is currently enduring?

NU Prof is right...this club is full of YOUNG talent...but more recently they seem to be playing more as a mature team. It was a team that was down 2 goals today in the third period...but a great team that was able to reach inside itself to deliver an OT win. We have to have faith!!!!

Honestly? I am delightfully surprised by our success while noting that traditional conference rivals like UMass and Babson have been stubbing their own toes along the way. Against Hobart next week we will find out how good and consistent our young Cadets can be. I've always felt that Hobart was going to be a huge factor this season and in the seasons to follow.
 
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Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

I’ve said this team is TALENTED enough to make the final four, or even win it all with some puck luck. It’s all a matter of discipline and consistency, which is obvious given the relative youth. As long as Coach McShane is coaching (and perhaps more importantly, Steve Mattson is recruiting), Norwich will always have very good hockey players.

I grew up watching Shawn Walsh’s Maine teams, who were in the hunt for a national title virtually every season. Walsh was a great coach, but the key to the whole thing was Grant Standbrook. He recruited all those kids. We have a version of that in Mattson. He is an excellent recruiter and critical to this program’s consistent excellence.

Another positive is that, while there aren’t a lot of seniors, there are a ton of sophomores, and those sophomores played a significant role in last season’s championship. They won’t be cowed by the big stage, should Norwich reach it.

I’m really excited for Friday night (understatement). Let’s secure home ice for the conference tourney, and see what happens. The talent is there. With some good bounces, health, and a “survive and advance” mentality, I think this team could go further than most people outside our fan base think!
 
Let’s all remember too, for “not being able to score”, the team is 17-5-1 and in position to clinch home ice for the playoffs again in perhaps one of the most competitive if not the most competitive season in the NEHC since the interlock ended.

Another really strong senior class will depart after this year but there is a lot of talent in the younger classes. I’ve been really impressed with the progression we’ve seen of Jordan Hall, Ryan Boucher and Scott Swanson this season to name a few. Obviously Downs is Downs and has been a stud since Day 1. But certainly has 40+ point potential.
 
PrezdeJohnson09 said:
Let’s all remember too, for “not being able to score”, the team is 17-5-1 and in position to clinch home ice for the playoffs again in perhaps one of the most competitive if not the most competitive season in the NEHC since the interlock ended.

Another really strong senior class will depart after this year but there is a lot of talent in the younger classes. I’ve been really impressed with the progression we’ve seen of Jordan Hall, Ryan Boucher and Scott Swanson this season to name a few. Obviously Downs is Downs and has been a stud since Day 1. But certainly has 40+ point potential.
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2-1 wins count the same as 6-2 wins!
 
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