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Oswego vs. Stevens Point

pete99race

Rocking 'The Stone'
Time to discuss this matchup...
Have they ever faced each other in hockey??
Point played SNC tough in our game with them @ the Willett...
I was impressed with their fore check and depth @ the forward position...
When Jaeger is on he can be tough to beat.
His numbers:
1.92 GA and .924 Save %, Record: 19-5-1..
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

2010-11 Pathfinder, Consolation Round. Oswego, 6-1.

Very disappointing tournament for both teams.
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

UWSP will pick up right where UWEC left off last year against the Lakers. Although Oswego has done an awesome job getting back to the final four, UWSP with only three seniors, is going to be the second western team of the night to win, and for the second year in a row a WIAC team will end the Lakers season. The Pointers are too deep and they play solid in their own zone. The Lakers will be a team to watch grow the next few seasons and because of how young they are, it seems they will be frozen four participants and future favorites to win a National Championship in the very near future. The win will set up an all western final and showcase two former NCHA rivals in the Championship game. The loss will once again shift the focus on the forum towards transfer players (UWSP has a lot) and their age (yup, almost all I believe are three year junior players). What is really interesting about this UWSP team is that two of their top players (both transfers from the same school I believe) were supposed to be Seniors this year (Ladd and Brodie), but both were able to get another year of eligibility to come back for another campaign.
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

UWSP will pick up right where UWEC left off last year against the Lakers. Although Oswego has done an awesome job getting back to the final four, UWSP with only three seniors, is going to be the second western team of the night to win, and for the second year in a row a WIAC team will end the Lakers season. The Pointers are too deep and they play solid in their own zone. The Lakers will be a team to watch grow the next few seasons and because of how young they are, it seems they will be frozen four participants and future favorites to win a National Championship in the very near future. The win will set up an all western final and showcase two former NCHA rivals in the Championship game. The loss will once again shift the focus on the forum towards transfer players (UWSP has a lot) and their age (yup, almost all I believe are three year junior players). What is really interesting about this UWSP team is that two of their top players (both transfers from the same school I believe) were supposed to be Seniors this year (Ladd and Brodie), but both were able to get another year of eligibility to come back for another campaign.

Is Oswego the UNDERDOG?? Yup....as they have been in four of the last five games...winning all FOUR!! (they also beat Fredonia but were the favorite in that one)
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

UWSP will pick up right where UWEC left off last year against the Lakers. Although Oswego has done an awesome job getting back to the final four, UWSP with only three seniors, is going to be the second western team of the night to win, and for the second year in a row a WIAC team will end the Lakers season. The Pointers are too deep and they play solid in their own zone. The Lakers will be a team to watch grow the next few seasons and because of how young they are, it seems they will be frozen four participants and future favorites to win a National Championship in the very near future. The win will set up an all western final and showcase two former NCHA rivals in the Championship game. The loss will once again shift the focus on the forum towards transfer players (UWSP has a lot) and their age (yup, almost all I believe are three year junior players). What is really interesting about this UWSP team is that two of their top players (both transfers from the same school I believe) were supposed to be Seniors this year (Ladd and Brodie), but both were able to get another year of eligibility to come back for another campaign.
Bold predictions - fueled by a little too much Bohemian Pilsner for breakfast? :D Lakers are playing with house money and have nothing to lose - that makes them dangerous...very, very dangerous...but don't take my word for it, ask Potsdam, Plattsburgh, Fredonia, Plattsburgh, Geneseo, Bowdoin or Babson... If it's ok with you, we will show up and play the game.
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

Is Oswego the UNDERDOG?? Yup....as they have been in four of the last five games...winning all FOUR!! (they also beat Fredonia but were the favorite in that one)

The one thing that all of the other teams you referenced have in common is that they are all eastern teams. I believe the west has continued to become stronger and the east has not changed very much compared to the last few years. Friday's games will either support if what I believe is right or not.
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

The one thing that all of the other teams you referenced have in common is that they are all eastern teams. I believe the west has continued to become stronger and the east has not changed very much compared to the last few years. Friday's games will either support if what I believe is right or not.
You got it...let's play the games this weekend and compare notes later!!
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

Absolutely, that's why they play the game. Last year no one gave the team I pull for a chance, so I could be waaaaaaay off in my prediction. It's just an opinion I have and because I have more time available since my team is done until the fall, I thought I'd share it with everyone because I know my opinion means so much to everyone who visits the site. :D
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

Absolutely, that's why they play the game. Last year no one gave the team I pull for a chance, so I could be waaaaaaay off in my prediction. It's just an opinion I have and because I have more time available since my team is done until the fall, I thought I'd share it with everyone because I know my opinion means so much to everyone who visits the site. :D
I know the two Western teams (and their fans) appreciate your support!!
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

Eau-Claire had a lot of luck on their side in last years final four which plays a huge part in a one and done tournament. If Oswego or Geneseo can get that kind of luck then I think they have a really good shot at it. The Western region is a stronger region than the East because there are less teams to dilute the talent pool both in D1 and D3. Their style of play, banging bodies, playing in front of nets, screens etc. lends itself to good playoff results. Western teams are built to win these types of tournaments. The Eastern recruiting hotbeds are more about stick skills and organic flowing hockey which doesn't always match up well with the jackhammer style the West teams use.

Speaking of diluted talent pools, I wonder what effect allowing Major Junior players to play college without penalty would have on the college hockey landscape. I know it won't happen and I know a lot of the guys that exhaust their Junior eligibility aren't that great but it would add a lot of players to the recruiting pool.
 
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Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

Eau-Claire had a lot of luck on their side in last years final four which plays a huge part in a one and done tournament. If Oswego or Geneseo can get that kind of luck then I think they have a really good shot at it. The Western region is a stronger region than the East because there are less teams to dilute the talent pool both in D1 and D3. Their style of play, banging bodies, playing in front of nets, screens etc. lends itself to good playoff results. Western teams are built to win these types of tournaments. The Eastern recruiting hotbeds are more about stick skills and organic flowing hockey which doesn't always match up well with the jackhammer style the West teams use.
We could debate the skill set of the Eastern vs Western teams until the games begin on Friday, but I would like to hear your opinion as to why the West is enjoying more success in the FF in recent years, than they achieved in earlier years (ie. during Middlebury domination), etc..
My personal opinion is that it is more than "banging bodies, screens," etc..
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

The neutral zone trap or torpedo (whatever they called it) is what kept the West teams (or anyone else) from having success in the Middlebury years. The game was mostly played in the neutral zone which prevented teams from getting any sustained offensive zone pressure and took away the team speed. Once teams figured out Middlebury's system they became beatable. Now that the game has changed the Western style has taken over again like it did before the Midd years. For the most part Western teams play North-South get it to the net and bang away. They play team defense fore checking, back checking etc. versus the pack all five in front of the net style a lot of Eastern teams play. While I think the East has more pure shooters than the West (there are exceptions) there are a lot of big boys out there and they can get up and down the ice in a hurry. They also seem extremely adept at getting the puck through to the net (especially St. Norbert) which is a key to beating the Eastern pack it in defense.

I also think the depth of the West better prepares their representatives for the Final Four. Oswego and Geneseo have three games against each other, and several with Plattsburgh, one with Adrian and Norwich to prepare them for this. St. Norbert and Point have a lot more games against very good teams than they do. Oswego and Geneseo had a lot of games where they could make a lot of mistakes and still win, that doesn't happen that much out West.

With all that said, Oswego and Geneseo are playing more a North-South game this year and it is working. I don't know that they have the speed and strength to beat the Western teams but they are good a capitalizing on momentum changing situations so if Point or St. Norbert give them a chance then they have the ability to take it.
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

The neutral zone trap or torpedo (whatever they called it) is what kept the West teams (or anyone else) from having success in the Middlebury years. The game was mostly played in the neutral zone which prevented teams from getting any sustained offensive zone pressure and took away the team speed. Once teams figured out Middlebury's system they became beatable. Now that the game has changed the Western style has taken over again like it did before the Midd years. For the most part Western teams play North-South get it to the net and bang away. They play team defense fore checking, back checking etc. versus the pack all five in front of the net style a lot of Eastern teams play. While I think the East has more pure shooters than the West (there are exceptions) there are a lot of big boys out there and they can get up and down the ice in a hurry. They also seem extremely adept at getting the puck through to the net (especially St. Norbert) which is a key to beating the Eastern pack it in defense.

I also think the depth of the West better prepares their representatives for the Final Four. Oswego and Geneseo have three games against each other, and several with Plattsburgh, one with Adrian and Norwich to prepare them for this. St. Norbert and Point have a lot more games against very good teams than they do. Oswego and Geneseo had a lot of games where they could make a lot of mistakes and still win, that doesn't happen that much out West.

With all that said, Oswego and Geneseo are playing more a North-South game this year and it is working. I don't know that they have the speed and strength to beat the Western teams but they are good a capitalizing on momentum changing situations so if Point or St. Norbert give them a chance then they have the ability to take it.
Thanks for your insight.. your point about the pack it in style of Eastern teams is a good one.
When we first started playing more Eastern teams in the FF, that style difference really stood out to our group. esp. on the PK....compared to the more aggressive PK employed by most Western teams..
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

The second tier Eastern teams recruit a good goalie and a bunch of big d men and try to keep you off the board long enough to sneak in a goal or two of a bounce to win 2-1. Heck even Babson, the East 1 seed this year let Oswego have free reign of the offensive zone for most of the game. They did get a lot of sticks in the lanes but they had no real chance at a counter attack doing that. Bowdoin did play up and down with Oswego which was nice and a few others do as well.

Oswego does lay back a bit on the PK and as a result their PK sucks, luckily they aren't on it often.
 
Re: Oswego vs. Stevens Point

Is Oswego the UNDERDOG?? Yup....as they have been in four of the last five games...winning all FOUR!! (they also beat Fredonia but were the favorite in that one)
We will take the underdog roll for sure as you said has been pretty good so far,one thing I am sure is Eau Claire will not repeat,gotta b in it to win it...
 
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