I would imagine Norwich has played the most or close to the highest number of games against teams in the NCAA field.
Curry, Endicott, Plattsburgh (2), Hobart (2)
3-3 record vs. that crew too. Not too shabby.
Who would’ve thought the first game of the season would be so instrumental in helping Norwich (hopefully) make the NCAAs. I like the non-conference schedules and how Norwich likes to keep that first matchup a strong contender.
This is where I totally get your point of Middlebury needing the possible axe from the schedule. A win does close to nothing whereas a loss puts you down bad.
I would love nothing more than for Middlebury to become a good men’s hockey team again. Those early Midd/Norwich games while I was at NU were awesome when Norwich did the whiteout games vs. them and Mulvey capped the PrimeLink tourney comeback vs. them in 2012.
I know Norwich already plays a ridiculously hard conference schedule, but I just think they could find more meaningful matchups right now than what that game has become.
That is interesting, was he a graduate student there because I thought he'd graduated last year. I suppose he had another year of eligibility left. To be quite honest, I thought he was a so so player, made a lot of turnovers and didn't do much offensively. Glad he found his niche.
That is interesting, was he a graduate student there because I thought he'd graduated last year. I suppose he had another year of eligibility left. To be quite honest, I thought he was a so so player, made a lot of turnovers and didn't do much offensively. Glad he found his niche.
Flint, what are your thoughts going into the Plattsburgh game? Do you expect anything to change or will it be much of the same? I hope they take advantage of this opportunity. Thanks.
Word is the boys are energized to have this second chance, and eager to face a team they know full well they can beat.
I expect to see some shuffling of the lines, and I think we’re going to see a more aggressive offensive approach. I anticipate a lot of bodies crashing the net for rebound opportunities. If you look back at both NEHC tourney games, there were a ton of juicy rebounds left with no one home to cash them in. I think we’ll see improvement there on Saturday.
IMO this bracket is wide open, although I gotta think Hobart is the favorite (Utica has to prove they can win an NCAA game before I even consider them). I wouldn’t be surprised if Norwich reaches the final four (despite the thoughts of some posters, I think NU’s defense and goaltending gives them a chance against anyone) and I wouldn’t be shocked if the season ends Saturday. What cannot happen, IMO, is going down early. The NEC game notwithstanding, Norwich isn’t a team built to come from behind. All in all, I feel good about this weekend.
Side note: the ultimate irony would be winning the whole thing with nothing but 2-1 wins lol
For what it’s worth, Platty is a very different team now than it was 3 months ago - playing their best hockey at the most crucial time of year - I have not clue where Norwich is on this scale, but the Birds played a solid rivalry game in a tough atmosphere - as the Prez knows all too well, things never are what they seem this time of year…underestimate the Cardinals at your own peril. Good Luck Cadets!
