Patty Kaz 2010

[PrincetonFan]

As we get close to the break it might be fun to start thinking about the Patty Kaz award this year. Taking a look at the scoring leaders this thing is wide open, with lots of players who have never been nominated before (befitting an Olympic year).

The top ten in scoring are separted by only eight points, and are dominated by multiple players from three teams: UNH (Paton, Long), Mercyhurst (Scanzano, Bendus, Bram), and UMD (Blais, Frinfiddson, Wilson). Perhaps those who follow those teams can speculate on who, right now, would have the inside track on their best candidate for the award. OSU's Langan, Minnesota's West and Providence's Cottrell round on the top ten (eleven players total, due to a tie for tenth). Clarkson's Thibault started off hot, but has slipped down the list.

The goaltending leaders are pretty bunched, too: Schelling, Raty, Pattenden and Dahm fairly close in stats.

I would imagine it's uphill skating for the freshmen I've mentioned, given that no frosh has ever won the award, and it's doubtful one would this year unless the numbers couldn't be ignored, and that's not the case now.

Let the speculating/arguing begin!

 

[WHKY blogger]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Could be a real tough call with many of the top players playing nationally this year.

 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

The top ten in scoring are separted by only eight points, and are dominated by multiple players from three teams: UNH (Paton, Long), Mercyhurst (Scanzano, Bendus, Bram), and UMD (Blais, Frinfiddson, Wilson). Perhaps those who follow those teams can speculate on who, right now, would have the inside track on their best candidate for the award. OSU's Logan, Minnesota's West and Providence's Cottrell round on the top ten (eleven players total, due to a tie for tenth). Clarkson's Thibault started off hot, but has slipped down the list.

Usually at this stage, we look at the top scorers in terms of PPG, because the number of games played varies so much due to late-starting Ivies. This top ten really ends at West, because Holy Cross players are typically ignored, given that they are a D-I program in name, but not in schedule. Hokey Langan, the top scorer for OSU, will have to battle the unfamiliarity that goes with being a frosh, particularly one who was not hugely hyped before the season, and people calling her Logan. I doubt she'll finish higher, but at this rate, she makes my top 10.

The goaltending leaders are pretty bunched, too: Schelling, Roty, Pattenden and Dahm fairly close in stats.

IMO, Schelling and Räty have separated to some extent from the other two. Räty is going to miss too many games in the second half to finish higher than top ten, and I guess Schelling will as well.

I would imagine it's uphill skating for the freshmen I've mentioned, given that no frosh has ever won the award, and it's doubtful one would this year unless the numbers couldn't be ignored, and that's not the case now.

They haven't won, but a number have made the top 10.

Of Minnesota players, I expect that Räty, West, and Schleper will be nominated. I'd say that Schleper and Birchard of UNH are the D with the best chance to make the top 10. Perhaps Rasmussen of UMD if her numbers tick upward a bit.

My guesses for top 3? I'd put Schelling in there, except it is hard to gauge the impact of the Olympics, and it will depend to some extent what happens to Northeastern when their league schedule gets tougher. I think Paton gets in the top three at her current pace. Scanzano, Bendus, and Bram will start to show some separation from each other at some point (or maybe not, like the WSU trio in some years past), and then one or two gets in the top three, depending on how Schelling goes.

Don't see anyone from the WCHA getting in the top 3. Nobody from the ECAC has a great case for the top ten right now, but Buesser and Parsons have played so few games that things could change considerably.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Courtney Birchard - Defense

Nationally:
35th Overall in scoring (first Defenseman)

33th Overall Goals /game (first Defenseman)

4th (tie) Overall Power Play Goals (first Defenseman)

4th (tie) Overall Shorthanded Goals (log jam with 1 each)

4th Overall Game Winning goals (3) (first Defenseman)

1st Defenseman Points Per game 1.0

I know defenseman have traditionally not gotten a lot of Kaz love, but Ms. Birchard is making her presence known in a big way, and IMHO should be on the list.

 

[PrincetonFan]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Courtney Birchard - Defense


I know defenseman have traditionally not gotten a lot of Kaz love, but Ms. Birchard is making her presence known in a big way, and IMHO should be on the list.

It's true that judging defensemen is tough based on statistics alone, so it's good to hear from those who actually see these players in action. Usually one D is always included in the ten semifinalists, so perhaps Birchard will be the one this year. Of course, there's the sticky problem of each coach only being allowed to nominate two from their team (although I believe other players can get votes even if they aren't coach-nominated, but that's got to make it tougher). If Birchard is nominated, that probably means Long won't be.

 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

If Birchard is nominated, that probably means Long won't be.

I'd say that it is a safe bet that Paton, Birchard, and Long will all be nominated. IIRC, last year was the first season where they opened up the nomination process such that other coaches around the league can nominate players from outside their team who did not receive a nomination by their own coach. I would think the one left off of McCloskey's list will stand out among the best players in HEA.

 

[PrincetonFan]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I'd say that it is a safe bet that Paton, Birchard, and Long will all be nominated. IIRC, last year was the first season where they opened up the nomination process such that other coaches around the league can nominate players from outside their team who did not receive a nomination by their own coach. I would think the one left off of McCloskey's list will stand out among the best players in HEA.

Thanks for the correction. I think that's fair and appropriate.

 

[RStarr]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

One of the requirements should be remaining in an upright position for at least 50% of the game. That would eliminate any UNH player right off the bat.

 

[RStarr]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I'd like to see Emily West on the list. IMO, she's Minnesota's Erika Lawler as well as one heck of a person OFF the ice. I'd also like to see a few MC players on the list along with a few UMD players. And is Pezon already a senior? dang....time is flying.

 

[MICZamboni]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I can't disagree at all that these 3 could be nominated from Mercyhurst. All 3 are speciall players but Bendus is my favorite. Something about her size and her heart while playing is enjoyable to watch.

 

[freak]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

If Paton keeps it up I think she'll be a Top 3 nomination. I can't speak about some of the other top scorers, but Paton has not only been prolific this year, but she's been clutch and shown great leadership.

It seems that whenever UNH NEEDS a goal, she either gets it or sets it up. Witness the late goal to beat Syracuse or the hattrick/4 pt game vs RPI. On the gwg vs RPI it was as if she just decided "Screw it, I'm scoring NOW."

Paton is also on the top PP and PK, and she's also great in the defensive zone. Last year she was given the task of shutting down Stack in the HEA tourney and did so, and also shadowed Irwin in the NCAAs, keeping her off the scoresheet until Paton went down with an injury.

But it's also a long way to go.

 

[LakersFan]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Scanzano, Bendus, and Bram will start to show some separation from each other at some point (or maybe not, like the WSU trio in some years past), and then one or two gets in the top three, depending on how Schelling goes.

Based on this season alone...

If I had to pick one player to put on the ice at the end of the game because I need a goal, I would choose Bram.

If I had to pick one player I would start a team around and she would be the captain, lead penalty killer, and play point on the power play, I would choose Bendis.

Scanzano has a slight knee injury and has not been playing as well as she did last season. I think we saw glimpses of the 2008-09 Scanzano this past weekend against Colgate, so she may be ready to start taking over games.

I agree with MIC. If I had to pick one, it would Bendis.

If Hurst and UM continue to separate themselves as the top two teams, I think you need to take a player from each team and then the next best player from the rest of the country.

 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I'd like to see Emily West on the list. IMO, she's Minnesota's Erika Lawler ...

While comparison to Lawler is always a high compliment, I don't know that Westy is really from the same mold. Lawler was perpetual motion during her shift, then barely making it back to the bench on a depleted tank. Although West plays all 3 zones like Lawler, her speed is on display more in sudden bursts up the wing, at the end of which she goes to the net with what a football announcer would call "reckless abandon". I'm always afraid she won't be able to get up, but she's one tough kid.

In terms of numbers, she shows well in some important categories: tied for 2nd in both goals and GPG, tied for 2nd in gamewinners, tied for 1st in SH goals.

If Paton keeps it up I think she'll be a Top 3 nomination.

I agree. She still stands out in my mind from a game played over 3 years ago, and players who are memorable do well in this voting.

I agree with MIC. If I had to pick one, it would Bendis.

The problem I have in embracing Bendus over the other two is that I have zero memory of her. I should, given her stature would make her unique on the Laker roster, but in terms of my FF memories ... nothing. Now Hux will tell you that this is because I slept through the weekend, but he was too busy figuring out how to fill his stomach to know. I do have vivid memories of both Bram and Scanzano though. Interesting that you think that the latter has not been performing that well when she leads the country in points per game. As this evolves, I'm sure we'll look beyond the overall numbers at who produced best in big games, at crunch time, etc., but for now, I think we all agree that all three will be in the mix.

 

[THE Icemom]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I definitely think Emily West deserves to be in the running, 1st in goals, 1st in short handed goals and 1st in game winning goals. Heck of a player.

 

[gotice]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I definitely think Emily West deserves to be in the running, 1st in goals, 1st in short handed goals and 1st in game winning goals. Heck of a player.

I totally agree.

 

[dave1381]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Thinks it's time to update this thread. A few thoughts, with plenty of hockey left to go:

-- Before this season I might have expected a goalie to win the award, given that scoring is often down in Olympic years. But I think some of the potential goalie contenders: Schelling (NU), Kessler (Harvard), Dahm (Clarkson) haven't come up big in their biggest games this month. Noora Raty's a contender though, though she'll be missing games soon, and it's always tough for freshmen to get votes.

-- Mercyhurst is having such a solid, consistent, dominant season, it's hard for me to imagine the winner not coming from Mercyhurst if the vote were today. The offense is doing something unprecedented: 4.8 GPG, while the next best team is Minnesota at 3.4. I don't think there's ever been that kind of gap before between the No. 1 and 2 teams. Even if you adjust for strength-of-schedule (see WCHODR) the gap is still larger than ever.

-- Moreover, Mercyhurst's top scorers have been consistent, coming up big in all their games including their big games. Usually you look at a contenders' body of work and can point to a few games where you think they could have done better, but it's tough to find any such evidence for the Mercyhurst contenders.

-- Paton is certainly a contender and I expect she'll make top 3.

-- Who's the leading candidate for Mercyhurst? Scanzano? Bendus? I feel like Bendus has been more of the MVP based on the timing of goals she'll scored, and she hasn't missed as many games as Scanzano. The Mercyhurst fans seemed to agree a month ago.
As ARM suggests, Scanzano's certainly the one who entered the season with a better reputation. Bendus was shut out in the Frozen Four but she was on the ice at the key points of the Minnesota game. It seems Bendus has stepped up her level the most, and that's endearing.

-- It's not hard to imagine some kind of scenario where voters only put 1 Mercyhurst player in the top 3 but splits between the contenders, while Paton ends up on all the ballots, and ends up winning. Coaches in their endorsements can signal who they think on their team deserves more votes though, so maybe that's not as much as problem as you might think.

 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Noora Raty's a contender though, though she'll be missing games soon, and it's always tough for freshmen to get votes.

In terms of goaltenders, I think she's been the steadiest, allowing a goal or less in all but two starts (2 vs BSU, 4 @ UW.) But the volume of games missed is going to be too much for a freshman to overcome. She might end up playing as many games as a typical Minnesota #1, because we've never been a program where the backup doesn't get off the bench, but she'll miss too many at a key point. I think she makes top 10, and that's it.

-- Mercyhurst is having such a solid, consistent, dominant season, it's hard for me to imagine the winner not coming from Mercyhurst if the vote were today. The offense is doing something unprecedented: 4.8 GPG, while the next best team is Minnesota at 3.4. I don't think there's ever been that kind of gap before between the No. 1 and 2 teams.

The gap problem at this point might be more the gap that doesn't exist on Mercyhurst. Some of the Laker contenders already have a bit of a name recognition problem, having been overshadowed by Agosta. IMO, this is a problem slightly of the MC faithful's making, because that is about all we've heard for three years, and then when you watch them, they are more than a one-player team. Five of the top 9 scorers in D-I PPG (ignoring Holy Cross) play in Erie. Looking at their totals as points, Bendus has 39, Scanzano 36, Bram 34, Jones 29, and Cockell 27. So a lot of people are putting up numbers for the Lakers, and if there was an ensemble cast award, they'd be a slam dunk for that. But it is a little bit tough to buy that their numbers are the product of one person elevating their offense singlehandedly.

I do think that we will see some separation over time, and somebody will emerge from this pack. But if somebody like Paton makes a run, has numbers as good or better than anyone from MC, UNH's tougher schedule and her better name recognition may boost her. IMO, the winner and at least two of the finalists will be from MC and UNH.

 

[dave1381]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

The thing is, it's not as if the other top scorers outside of Mercyhurst (e.g. UNH's Paton, Minnesota's West, UMD's Blais) have put a whole lot of separation between themselves and their teammates.

To clarify why I don't think the "teammates split votes so no one wins" problem here will be as large as it would be in other award voting: the award is decided by a small committee, with very limited information other than stats and the small fraction of games the committee has watched. Coach's endorsements can play a large role in the process.

So it's in the best interests of the coaches with multiple contenders to implicitly or explicitly endorse a favorite (e.g. use the language "hardest worker on the team" or "MVP the team" for one player and not the other), and thus help coordinate votes towards that candidate. A coach whose endorses each candidate equally and lets the committee decide does so at his/her own peril, due to this problem of splitting votes.

 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

The thing is, it's not as if the other top scorers outside of Mercyhurst (e.g. UNH's Paton, Minnesota's West, UMD's Blais) have put a whole lot of separation between themselves and their teammates.

Agreed. But I don't think the gap between the Lakers and other teams in team offense is an advantage for their players. For example, Scanzano has a hand in 36 of 96 team goals. Paton has a scoring point in 33 of 64 team goals. So the former is involved in 3/8 of the team's goals, the latter in just over 4/8 of her team's scoring. I have trouble in giving Scanzano an added boost for what her teammates do outside of her own contributions.

A coach who endorses each candidate equally and lets the committee decide does so at his/her own peril, due to this problem of splitting votes.

I can't imagine a coach faced with a Darwitz/Wendell type of case championing one and implicitly throwing the other under the bus. I think too much is made of intangibles that might not exist, such as Wendell wearing a "C" instead of Darwitz. Both were leaders, but one just happened to be a couple of years older. Some athletes just "look" like they are hustling and working hard. Others can be so smooth that the effort isn't always as readily apparent. Sometimes, the team and coach know who is most deserving; other times, it really is a virtual toss up.

 

[The Boomer]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

After seeing Mercyhurst play SCSU twice, it would be a hands-down choice for me--Scanzano. She is a presence on the ice; one of the smoothest skating players I have seen. She also is good positionally and always (it seemed) in a scoring situation. She was cool, calm and collected, and any knee injury was undetected until I read this thread.

While Bendus is a firey player, I liked Cailin Hogan (SCSU) over the same-sized Bendus. Both would be valuable players for any team in the country.

But Scanzano just seemed a level better--a very special hockey player.