Definitely wrote last week. It was a great win over Elmira no doubt about it. Finally played hard through the whole game. My only continuing critique is where are the fans especially the sudents?
Funny ...
Great LOYAL fans dumping all over the team after some disappointing outings ...
Now after back to back wins over Babson and Elmira ... Crickets.
Where are you guys now?
Regardless of what happens in OT, great effort tonight.
.If there ever was such a thing as a moral victory that was it.
As to previous posts about dull boring hockey .... lol!
Amazing 3-point weekend against #1 & #2. I admit I was wrong because I didn't think this Norwich team was capable of having a weekend like this not by a long shot. I appreciate Jerry being a realist. Many things still need to change with this program both on the ice and the fan experience. Hopefully we can look back on this weekend as the time when things turned a corner.
.
Although this is a reply to George’s post, it isn’t necessarily about his post, but comments in general.
Until the Babson game, it WAS boring for reasons previously brought up.
So, what changed? Instead of backing up across the blue line, the defense actually pinched at times, extending time in the offensive zone. The players actually played physically (somewhat), giving more control of the flow and the puck.
Forwards played, and shot, from in close instead of from the perimeter.
Less icings, at least until the Elmira game, keeping the lines fresher and able to play better in the defensive zone.
Nice changes, moves in the right direction. All things brought up earlier as problems. Not admitting those things is foolish. let’s see if they continue.
Let’s talk scorers. Elmira and Hobart’s top scorers have twice the point total of NU players. They play the same league teams, so it’s obvious they play better offensively. So scorers are still out there, but less likely to come to a team that over emphasizes defense.
Smaller crowds? Well, if students aren’t there in the same numbers, why? They were last year many times. Maybe they aren’t engaged as much in general. There certainly are fewer on campus. I remember not too long ago when players promoted the games as well as giving out tix.
Adults? Many of them are older and less likely to show up now. What pumps up casual fans? Like it or not, scoring and physical play, things that were in short supply for quite a while.
So far as I know, the maximum allotment for season tickets is still sold each year. Some sit in them, some stand on the rail, some stay home and watch. A lot no longer feel connected to the team. There certainly are less interactions between team and town.
As far as being loyal, I’ve watched games starting in the seventies off and on, then attending all the home games starting when the Simonetti’s played. Win or lose, I went. Some teams were good, others not as much. But they ALWAYS played hard and with heart. That isn’t always the case now.
It isn’t disloyal to recognize problems and comment on them. At least those commenters are watching.
Thats my take on it.
Ec
First off , Jerry I would NEVER question your loyalty... you were there long before I showed up !
And yes I too miss the hell bent for leather teams of the McShane years.
But remember our last GREAT team ... the nine straight shutouts team done in by Covid in March of 2020 ... was an Ellsworth team ... playing a tight defensive style that helped Tommy Abrun to post those amazing numbers!
I too would love to see the Cadets blowing out opponents 8-1 every night, but the world has changed ... the other teams are too good.
Unfortunately the Northeast has had a huge drop in D3 Sports attendance over the years, especially with online event availability. Hobart has gone to free admission to all sporting events in order to get more attendance and encourage local kids in town to become fans of the college.. Even this has had a limited impact AND the number of online viewers is not that impressive. I remember crowds at football and lacrosse games in the thousands in Geneva when it was the only way to view the event , but that was also when everyone actually sang the National Anthem. Some colleges now require a minimum attendance at sporting events in order to gain the privilege to access work out gyms and pools...calling it something like "spirit points". Unfortunately a beautiful facility like Kreitsberg is lucky to get 1000+ for a matchup with the #1ranked team. This is the new world and without getting Taylor Swift to the Cadet games, I think it is what it is.
Geneseo this year went to free admission to all sporting events, except for hockey. (Of course, Geneseo students were always free just like any other SUNY school.)