What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

NU56 said:
Seems too quiet on this thread after an interesting weekend of hockey, especially the OT at Hobart where the stats show Hobart with one shot on goal and Norwich with zero. I hope we are not going to skate into the sunset like our state rivals, the Muddleberry Panthers. Maybe somebody can come up with something about this weekend. I see we didn't even rate a pick on Tim Costello's column.
Click to expand...


Work made it difficult for me to engage too much this week (also missed last night's game because of it - I'm still adjusting to Mountain time), so I should be more engaged going forward.

That's certainly a disappointing result to come back to. But, I maintain that this young team will need to go through some adversity now if they want to be at their best later on in the season. I'm not saying losses are necessarilly a good thing, but they certainly aren't reasons to panic.

It's important for us Norwich fans to have some perspective and realize how spoiled we've become. We did just double our loss total from last season because we've now lost TWICE. Big picture, that's a pretty good spot to be. They'll figure it out. They have lots of talent.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Wonder if one of the backup goalies, Tom Aubrun or Jordon Brant, get a chance sometime. With Hobart's lost to UMASS Boston and the number of good teams in the NEHC it looks like it will be a real battle to gain the top spot in the league. NEC always seems to play its best against Norwich.
 
Okay Norwich fans ... where are You? Where were you this weekend? What did you think? Will you be at the Primelink?
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

PuckVoice said:
Okay Norwich fans ... where are You? Where were you this weekend? What did you think? Will you be at the Primelink?
Click to expand...

I'm always here...I was at Kreitzberg for all 4 games this weekend. I think we have a couple of excellent hockey teams. I will be at the Primelink cheering on the Cadets as usual. "Go Wick!"
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Can't be there but will definitely be watching. The Primelink is a Bucket List item for me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

PuckVoice said:
Okay Norwich fans ... where are You? Where were you this weekend? What did you think? Will you be at the Primelink?
Click to expand...

Maybe you can stir up some posts on this thread. I've been trying to do it, but without much success except for a couple of fans. I believe you meant more fans going to the games. but it wouldn't hurt to post on this thread for those who can't get back to Northfield. I have been watching the games on my TV down here in Florida and really enjoying them. Even those that are not so well done gives you the flavor of it.
At least this year we don't have the volume of gloom and doom guys that we had last year after the end of our league domination. It is not the end of NU's hockey program. Coach has found some real talent and after playing together will learn the "Norwich Way" and we will have another good year. Maybe not always first, but right up there as the division III teams continue to improve.
What do you think of Tom's goalie start? Can't help but feel good. The Prime Link usually is won by the team that brings Their "A" game to the ice. Remember, seconds and inches really become important in these tournaments.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

always look foward to the prime link every year-as for norwich-they are quite a young team with alot of 1st and 2nd year players who have demonstrated very good skating ability and skill level--i think it is just a matter of time before they jell into a very good team--it will be alot of fun watching this team develop into a strong contender --
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

I think expectations were too high for this team coming into the season, having lost 10 seniors (thank you, Captain Obvious).

There's probably going to be a few more disappointments along the way. Hopefully the team can develop and grow and get hit at the end of the season. At the start of the season I said this team was a Frozen Four contender, but they're far from that right now.

Also, perhaps a stupid and uneducated observation, but does anyone else think that this team can be a bit too patient and methodical at times? Especially on power plays, seems like a lot of time is spent skating around the perimeter waiting for the perfect set-up as opposed to getting pucks to the net. This was really evident against Hobart with 1 shot on goal during the 5 minute major in overtime.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

NU Pastime said:
I think expectations were too high for this team coming into the season, having lost 10 seniors (thank you, Captain Obvious).

There's probably going to be a few more disappointments along the way. Hopefully the team can develop and grow and get hit at the end of the season. At the start of the season I said this team was a Frozen Four contender, but they're far from that right now.

Also, perhaps a stupid and uneducated observation, but does anyone else think that this team can be a bit too patient and methodical at times? Especially on power plays, seems like a lot of time is spent skating around the perimeter waiting for the perfect set-up as opposed to getting pucks to the net. This was really evident against Hobart with 1 shot on goal during the 5 minute major in overtime.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you said except maybe the Frozen Four, but they have a good chance of being a contender, but then you said that, not necessarily the Final Frozen Four. I thought this team has worked harder in the all the 3rd periods, but today they only worked hard some of the time. Not sure what happened, but what a team we would have if they played whole games like the first 10 minutes of today's game. It will take more time to figure out who plays better together.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

Good rebound game. I know Middlebury isn't good, but they've been able to frustrate the Cadets the last couple years. The team came out and dominated like they should, even adding a couple of powerplay goals. It's nice to have Auburn step up and have a nice game in net to give Ostepchuk a rest.

And heck, beating Middlebury always makes for a good day. Charlie would be happy.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

After watching this Middlebury game, you have to wonder...what the heck happened yesterday? It looked like two different teams out there this weekend. Were we unprepared for Plattsburgh? Is it just a matter of injecting hungry players into the line up? Or, is it just one of those games where no matter how hard you try, puck gods are just not with you.I am not sure, but I have to believe that this years team does have potential based on the depth of the team. I know McShane will be working on the answers and history tells us that while this is a rebuilding year, it does not mean a losing season. The power play was much better tonight and I believe NU Pastime nailed it on the head in the above post.You have to shoot at the net and get players there to cash in on rebounds. It is nice to know that we may very well have a 2 goalie system again, as Aubrun made another good show of himself. Take heart all Cadets, you have the drive and the skill, you just need to work as a unit instead of individuals. With so much talent on the team, that is going to take time and practice,...it still is a young season.
 
Re: Norwich 2017-18 Season Thread: Defending the Crown

I don't think 5-3-1 is where anyone wanted to be at this point, but like I said, I think our expectations were just too high for a team that lost so much seniority. Good thing is that only one of those losses are in conference. Out of the three biggest threats in conference, NU already has wins over two (UMB and Babson) and tied the third on their home ice (Hobart). The Cadets are in pretty good shape to win the conference regular season and play for an NCAA tourney birth on home ice.

At that point, who knows what could happen? It'll be fun to watch these guys develop and improve between now and then.
 
NU Pastime said:
I don't think 5-3-1 is where anyone wanted to be at this point, but like I said, I think our expectations were just too high for a team that lost so much seniority. Good thing is that only one of those losses are in conference. Out of the three biggest threats in conference, NU already has wins over two (UMB and Babson) and tied the third on their home ice (Hobart). The Cadets are in pretty good shape to win the conference regular season and play for an NCAA tourney birth on home ice.

At that point, who knows what could happen? It'll be fun to watch these guys develop and improve between now and then.
Click to expand...

5-3-1 isn’t too far off what I would have predicted at the start of the season. People need to remember we lost nearly 2 full lines, 2 d pairs and a goalie. Many of those players are playing professional hockey this year.

As I’ve said and you pointed out...4-1-1 in league is what really matters right now and that’s pretty darn good.

I’m relatively content with the way the first half has played out. The team has yet to put together a 60 minute game yet.

Positives so far: Tom Aubrun has been superb in his time in net. Given up one goal in 160 minutes counting exhibitions.

Connor Evangelista has taken a step and has turned into a pretty solid two-way defenseman this season playing top line minutes. Ideally he’s a great second pair guy on a national championship team but regardless, he’s been great so far this year in his role.

Scoring has been very spread out. Norwich has four lines that can score, problem is finding it consistently.

Downs could be NEHC Rookie of the Year. Carter Cowlthorp should be a tremendous four-year player if he keeps developing. Love what I’ve seen so far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top