Norwich Hockey - Time to Regroup

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Excitement is back! Good crowd considering students on break, lots of noise.
Hitting picked up noticeably in the second, and so did the play. Could (should) have avoided a couple penalties, but great effort shown, and rewarded.
Great job this year by coach Dawes!
Also, trying to remember when I’ve seen a goalie challenge a player like that after the whistle?

Ben Binga, circa SUNY Cortland years 2005 or 2006?

 

[***JCB***]

Really fun night in the barn!!!

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Ben Binga, circa SUNY Cortland years 2005 or 2006?

Ahhh, what memories... LOL

 

[Fishman'81]

I have great news! According to a bunch of dorks on the internet, Canada is better even though they lost because they outshot the U.S. I'm going to pour through the Norwich stats and update their record to reflect any games where they outshot the opponent in regulation and change those to regulation wins. We're going to skyrocket up the NPI now!

Canada played far better hockey, never mind the SOG one way or the other.

Bucky was the sole reason that that game didn't end 4-1, or worse.

 

[KrbFlint]

Canada played far better hockey, never mind the SOG one way or the other.

Bucky was the sole reason that that game didn't end 4-1, or worse.

Indeed. Sometimes the “better” team runs into the better goaltender.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Canada played far better hockey, never mind the SOG one way or the other.

Bucky was the sole reason that that game didn't end 4-1, or worse.

Let’s not act like the US didn’t deserve to be on the same ice here. Sure Canada had stretches they carried the play, but the US played a very good game and deserved the win. Yes Hellebuck was a big part of it. But let’s not forget Canada failing to score on the 5x3 and players like Trocheck and Miller being huge on the PK.

I’ve seen plenty of D3 hockey games over the years with similar shot totals and the team with less shots won.

 

[KrbFlint]

Steering things back to Norwich, after watching the complete dismantling of UMB last weekend, I think this team COULD make it as far the final four. They could also lose to Babson this weekend and be done. That said, when they're playing at their highest level, they're as good as ALMOST anyone. Staying out of the box and not falling behind early will be critical.

 

[***JCB***]

I'm super hopeful and excited for the big game but I don't know if we have the evidence to say they are as good as the top teams in the country. They didn't have a great OOC record this year and this last unbeaten run has been all league opponents. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't even want to think past this weekend and I'm sure the guys won't be. NCAA hockey in the new coach's first year would just be a bonus. More than I could have hoped for.

 

[KrbFlint]

I'm super hopeful and excited for the big game but I don't know if we have the evidence to say they are as good as the top teams in the country. They didn't have a great OOC record this year and this last unbeaten run has been all league opponents. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't even want to think past this weekend and I'm sure the guys won't be. NCAA hockey in the new coach's first year would just be a bonus. More than I could have hoped for.

I didn't say they were as good as the top teams in the country. I said when they play their best, they can beat *almost* anyone. A quick look at the NPI rankings leads me to believe Norwich, when playing their best, belongs on the ice with anyone not named Hobart.

Now, the MAJOR caveat to that is they've only really played at their maximum potential once or twice all season. So, it is indeed a crapshoot. Like I said, they could lose to Babson and end the season Saturday or get/stay hot and win a game or two in the NCAAs.

 

[***JCB***]

Okay I agree!