Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

PrezdeJohnson9 has made a valid observation about the changes in the game over just the last decade or so--since Clever and Accoin played. Actually, this is the second time this season that I have heard almost the same thing said about the changes in the game.

The first was in radio interview before the holidays that Puck Voice had with Mike McShane about today's headgear. Mike said he felt that injuries were increasing due in part to the speed and skill sets of today's players versus those who played even a decade ago. I think it is fair to say that any change in speed, etc. which are subsequently combined with a growing pool of talent throughout Div III will likely change how any individual player's statistics measure up against history. Want to start a real fight? Just ask who... Ruth...Williams...or Aaron... was the better home run hitter? Good luck.

But more important than how well Thomas "plays with others" are this season team's statistics which speaks to more than how many wins...how many losses...or even how the Cadets rank in the USCHOL poll.

The statistics say that as individuals--even Cadet standouts like Janke and Thomas are not the most productive players in DIII hockey. Among the Div III scoring leaders Janke is ranked 24th (19 pts.) and Thomas is ranked 34th (18 pts). Thomas is ranked 20th--among the scoring leaders while Janke is ranked #20 for assists.

The more crucial statistics is that the Cadets are 10-0-1 not because of individuals but because they are a team, which happens to be ranked in Div III...8th in Offense... 3rd in Defense... 3rd in Power Play goals...and thankfully not even mentioned on the chart for penalty minutes. Our two goalies are not mentioned yet neither have posted a loss. And to that add those 20 Cadet players have all shared in this team effort. Through the first half of the season among those 20--each has gotten at least one assist so far--which is just a bit less than the total team pace of the last two very successful seasons.

Personally, I think I will leave this issue of Kyle Thomas alone, watch and enjoy and leave the knit picking to "the experts". And rely on what Puck Voice--who has maybe seen more NU teams and games than any of us (other than Cadet Crosby) and remarked, "I DO NOT understand the criticism this kid gets ... One of the top five forwards I've seen in my 14 years doing the games."

Neither do I George. Neither do I.

Post of the year.

Great stuff!

 

[hawk]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

PrezdeJohnson9 has made a valid observation about the changes in the game over just the last decade or so--since Clever and Accoin played. Actually, this is the second time this season that I have heard almost the same thing said about the changes in the game.

The first was in radio interview before the holidays that Puck Voice had with Mike McShane about today's headgear. Mike said he felt that injuries were increasing due in part to the speed and skill sets of today's players versus those who played even a decade ago. I think it is fair to say that any change in speed, etc. which are subsequently combined with a growing pool of talent throughout Div III will likely change how any individual player's statistics measure up against history. Want to start a real fight? Just ask who... Ruth...Williams...or Aaron... was the better home run hitter? Good luck.

But more important than how well Thomas "plays with others" are this season team's statistics which speaks to more than how many wins...how many losses...or even how the Cadets rank in the USCHOL poll.

The statistics say that as individuals--even Cadet standouts like Janke and Thomas are not the most productive players in DIII hockey. Among the Div III scoring leaders Janke is ranked 24th (19 pts.) and Thomas is ranked 34th (18 pts). Thomas is ranked 20th--among the scoring leaders while Janke is ranked #20 for assists.

The more crucial statistics is that the Cadets are 10-0-1 not because of individuals but because they are a team, which happens to be ranked in Div III...8th in Offense... 3rd in Defense... 3rd in Power Play goals...and thankfully not even mentioned on the chart for penalty minutes. Our two goalies are not mentioned yet neither have posted a loss. And to that add those 20 Cadet players have all shared in this team effort. Through the first half of the season among those 20--each has gotten at least one assist so far--which is just a bit less than the total team pace of the last two very successful seasons.

Personally, I think I will leave this issue of Kyle Thomas alone, watch and enjoy and leave the knit picking to "the experts". And rely on what Puck Voice--who has maybe seen more NU teams and games than any of us (other than Cadet Crosby) and remarked, "I DO NOT understand the criticism this kid gets ... One of the top five forwards I've seen in my 14 years doing the games."

Neither do I George. Neither do I.

To follow up a little bit on the syle of hockey played by Norwich and top D3 teams, the game seem a lot more focused on defense than on the earlier days. Watching Norwich play a good D3 team is almost like watching Dartmouth play a good D1 team where defensive hockey is the focus of both teams. This makes it hard to compare today's players with players of 10 years ago.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

This is all I have to say about Kyle Thomas' abilities:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_p9jjS54SUs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[oldguard]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Prez,

Thanks for providing the video. I was lucky enough to be there Friday night when Thomas scored that goal, and all of us were talking about how we would like to see a video replay because he seemed to come out of nowhere. Looking at the video, he was at the defensive face off circle when the puck was chipped out by Lindensmith. The two defensemen were at the blue line or even back of it. He caught and passed them even though they had such a head start.

Certainly was impressive and exciting at the time. I am glad he is on our team. By the way, thank all of you for great tournament, well organized and run by you, Charlie, Tony Mariano and all those who worked on it. Good to see Bell and Forkey back and to see Nevin Lawler score his first goal against his hometown team and his older brother.

 

[NUProf]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Prez,

Thanks for providing the video. I was lucky enough to be there Friday night when Thomas scored that goal, and all of us were talking about how we would like to see a video replay because he seemed to come out of nowhere. Looking at the video, he was at the defensive face off circle when the puck was chipped out by Lindensmith. The two defensemen were at the blue line or even back of it. He caught and passed them even though they had such a head start.

Certainly was impressive and exciting at the time. I am glad he is on our team. By the way, thank all of you for great tournament, well organized and run by you, Charlie, Tony Mariano and all those who worked on it. Good to see Bell and Forkey back and to see Nevin Lawler score his first goal against his hometown team and his older brother.

And thanks for stopping by my end of Krietzberg between periods. I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you in person. Thomas' empty netter was a real gem of a goal.

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

This is all I have to say about Kyle Thomas' abilities:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_p9jjS54SUs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Prez I am sure he has more abilities than just being fast, that about what that video shows...ok and some hustle as well......rock on

 

[CARDS_rule_the_Burgh]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Prez I am sure he has more abilities than just being fast, that about what that video shows...ok and some hustle as well......rock on

-Speed is obvious

-Composure. I've seen player miss nearly identical shots because they got over-excited and sent it into the side of the net, or clean across the crease. Thomas kept his cool and put it in a fairly narrow angle.

-Balance. I'm not entirely convinced he hadn't already lost his edge when taking the shot. Looks like the bottom half of his body was already falling (away from the net, I might add), but he had the strength to keep his chest and shoulders upright to finish the shot before inevitably falling and sliding into the board.

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

-Speed is obvious

-Composure. I've seen player miss nearly identical shots because they got over-excited and sent it into the side of the net, or clean across the crease. Thomas kept his cool and put it in a fairly narrow angle.

-Balance. I'm not entirely convinced he hadn't already lost his edge when taking the shot. Looks like the bottom half of his body was already falling (away from the net, I might add), but he had the strength to keep his chest and shoulders upright to finish the shot before inevitably falling and sliding into the board.

LOL. never in my 40yrs of hockey playing and watching have I seen an empty net goal getting sooooo much ink......and the dance continues ps I have seen guys score from behind the net , as most fans have

 

[OSU2010]

LOL. never in my 40yrs of hockey playing and watching have I seen an empty net goal getting sooooo much ink......and the dance continues ps I have seen guys score from behind the net , as most fans have

you do have a point the net was wide open its not like he was facing a goalie, I'm not quite convinced.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

you do have a point the net was wide open its not like he was facing a goalie, I'm not quite convinced.

If you had the pleasure of watching Neil Musselwhite while you were at Oz.. (did you? judging from your username you might have been in the same class as him?)

Thomas is Musselwhite with more of a physical, finesse, edge game etc and a bit more of a knack for finding the net whether it be through brute strength or what have you. Musselwhite had a nice pair of mitts on him and his hands are better than Kyle's. I'd give anything to watch the two of them in a race though. That'd be epic.

 

[17'sfanNU]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

This is all I have to say about Kyle Thomas' abilities:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_p9jjS54SUs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Prez, thanks for the video, it happened so fast, and I was so focused on the puck, that I never saw Thomas until his stick touched the puck. It was amazing how he got past the two defensive players that were way in front of him to start. Good job to all of the team, because if Lindensmith hadn't shot it toward the net, Kyle would not have scored the goal. It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team to be winners. Enough said about that. It was also awesome for Lawler to get his first goal against his brother's team. And Czarnota, I really like his composure in the net, especially since he hasn't had a lot of game time. Anyone else feel he may be as talented as Parker Carroll...that is a great indication of the depth of this team. Very impressed with all of them, reminds me quite a bit of the 2010 team.

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

If you had the pleasure of watching Neil Musselwhite while you were at Oz.. (did you? judging from your username you might have been in the same class as him?)

Thomas is Musselwhite with more of a physical, finesse, edge game etc and a bit more of a knack for finding the net whether it be through brute strength or what have you. Musselwhite had a nice pair of mitts on him and his hands are better than Kyle's. I'd give anything to watch the two of them in a race though. That'd be epic.

would be interesting, I remember someone put a clip of a goal he scored and it seemed like he had a rocket in his ***..like I said b4 to bad no skills comp,as i am sure he would be there for D3..

 

[Old Rook NU'66]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Originally Posted by OSU2010
you do have a point the net was wide open its not like he was facing a goalie, I'm not quite convinced.

Good point. Well grab your skates, stick and puck. Now head for the nearest empty net and with one guy breathing down your neck on your left side at full speed but not quite between you and the net--with another guy right behind him.

Me? I'll shoot the video of you proving how easily it is to hit that open net, at that speed, with that guy on your back, with about 5% of the goal mouth open from the angle of your shot. Your pond or mine?

 

[OSU2010]

If you had the pleasure of watching Neil Musselwhite while you were at Oz.. (did you? judging from your username you might have been in the same class as him?)

Thomas is Musselwhite with more of a physical, finesse, edge game etc and a bit more of a knack for finding the net whether it be through brute strength or what have you. Musselwhite had a nice pair of mitts on him and his hands are better than Kyle's. I'd give anything to watch the two of them in a race though. That'd be epic.

IDK I watched that video a couple of times and I went and watched a video of Neil from his freshman year... I think Neil was faster.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

IDK I watched that video a couple of times and I went and watched a video of Neil from his freshman year... I think Neil was faster.

Here is the Musselwhite video you are referring to. I posted it a year ago or so and it's got over 2000 views...not bad

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3eL_fGDJEyQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Here is the Musselwhite video you are referring to. I posted it a year ago or so and it's got over 2000 views...not bad

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3eL_fGDJEyQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I should have figured it was you who posted it or Norm the link-a-nator..fast and smooth

 

[hawk]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Prez isn't there any way Norwich can schedule a game with Oswego each year. It would add a lot of excitement to D3 hockey in the east and good compeition.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Prez isn't there any way Norwich can schedule a game with Oswego each year. It would add a lot of excitement to D3 hockey in the east and good compeition.

As simple as dumping Muddlebury.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: Norwich Cadets Hockey 2011-2012: In Search of a Title

Prez isn't there any way Norwich can schedule a game with Oswego each year. It would add a lot of excitement to D3 hockey in the east and good compeition.

It's possible yes. Norwich has an extra game to play with every year now that the Interlock is gone.

It's quite a hike from Oswego to Norwich though and I'm sure both teams would want to maximize it if they were going to do it and try and schedule two games for the weekend.

It'd be a great thing to see for sure.

 

[OSU2010]

It's possible yes. Norwich has an extra game to play with every year now that the Interlock is gone.

It's quite a hike from Oswego to Norwich though and I'm sure both teams would want to maximize it if they were going to do it and try and schedule two games for the weekend.

It'd be a great thing to see for sure.

Make it happen, we'd definitely sell out the CC