Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

[starlessixisky]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

This team reminds me of that 2005 team, only better. In 2005, the Bobcats never took a shift off, and even though they didn't have the talent to compete in the league, they still shocked by finishing 9th, I think it was, winning the first round series against RPI, and almost beating Colgate. This team has way more skill than that team had, and they have the opportunity to make waves if they continue to play with this amount of passion.


That being said, great effort by Quinnipiac tonight, Clarke was obviously tremendous, the Eric Lampe show was fun to watch, (great job, Lamper!), and again, I'm very impressed by this team. Rand's right -- this team is buying in, and it's fun to watch.

We still have tomorrow to go, but if my theory is right, I think Q is figuring out their weak spots and it's going to be a tremendous season.
I agree with ZYanks that this team strongly resembles the 2005 team. That team went severely underrated, if you look back at the scores, many of the games I lost came very late in the third period and they lost by only one goal. But it was an extremely hard working team and a good effort by all players. I definitely think this year's team has that and are beginning to buy in and utilize one another. There's still many more games to come, but I have a good feeling.


Lampe had a great game, he blasted through everybody all night. Great effort by Holt too! and Clarke, wow! I am impressed. Wonger and Mark have heard me say how I haven't been a big fan of clarke, but tonight I have to say that he did a nice job! And nice shot by Langlois on the open net.
The game should have been 5-0 but i'll still take the win!
I'll be late to tomorrow's game, but it'll be fun to see how tomorrow night goes!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

That being said, great effort by Quinnipiac tonight

A great TEAM effort by Quinnipiac tonight! They came out hard and skated a full 60 minutes. It was an awesome game! I can't believe the excitement this team has... you can actually feel it.

Clarke was stellar. Other than a rather fluke goal, he was on his game all night and again had some great help in front. Another strong showing from our PK, killing yet another 5-on-3.

Lampe was... Lampe! Hustle, grit, never-say-die attitude. I thought Dickinson had an tremendous game on D. The 4th line did just what they were supposed to do by grinding it out and taking time off the clock. Just a total team effort.

Another nice showing by the student section too! Loud and rowdy, they did a really nice job supporting the team (with the exception of the wave ).

Nice job, guys! Rest up and bring it back tomorrow for the Big Green.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

I haven't been a big fan of clarke, but tonight I have to say that he did a nice job!

I think a lot of people have had their opinion of Clarke changed in the past 3 games. Last night he made some key saves when he needed to, even stoning that penalty shot! For most of the game, one more goal by Harvard could have been trouble.

So... does Rand stay with the hot hand or give one of the frosh a chance? I'll admit I don't know what to think.

As for tonight, I hope the guys can bring and maintain the same level of intensity against Dartmouth. Looking forward to another "complete" game!

 

[allnightwong]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

I think a lot of people have had their opinion of Clarke changed in the past 3 games. Last night he made some key saves when he needed to, even stoning that penalty shot! For most of the game, one more goal by Harvard could have been trouble.

So... does Rand stay with the hot hand or give one of the frosh a chance? I'll admit I don't know what to think.

As for tonight, I hope the guys can bring and maintain the same level of intensity against Dartmouth. Looking forward to another "complete" game!

For a while I was the strongest Clarke opposer, but I think you ride the hot hand and until he proves he's cooled off you have to keep him in net. He made some spectacular saves last night and in a game that seemed like it was a blowout even when it was 3-1, Clarke was the saving grace that caused it to feel that way.

I turned to MarkEagle half way through the game, I think close to the tick tack toe Lampe goal late, and said that they were skating phenomenally and that I didn't want to jinx em. But the fact of the matter is this team has the perfect blend of talented, possible All American senior leaders (Wong, Lamps etc), mixed with dependable sophs and juniors (Zurvy, Hansen, Yuri, etc) and possibly the best Freshman class the school has seen.

Now that is very lofty given some of the classes that have come through the school in recent memory. But take into account simply the number of them. Granted some will never be more than 4th line grinders, but even those guys performed their roles to perfection last night. When your talkin having the likes of Davis, Dalhuisen, Currie, Barron, Langlois, Rolheiser, Arnt, Oakes, Clay Harvey Oswald on top of the Freshman goalie depth we have, you can't help but be excited as a Bobcat fan. The present and current state of the team is cohesive and fun to watch and the future is bright with all the talent we will retain.

That being said, don't overlook a desperate Dartmouth team tonight.

Go Q!

 

[ECACHL writer]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

QU put on a heck of a show last night, but I have to ask from those who may have been in attendance: did NESN neuter the crowd in the broadcast, or was it really that quiet? It certainly didn't appear to be a true sellout in the seats, and as much as I'd love to give Quinnipiac credit for generating an exciting hockey atmosphere, I just couldn't see (or hear) it in the crowd. I know this is an old topic - that of fan energy at QU - but I'm just looking for an honest opinion of last night's atmosphere as someone who only got to watch it on the tube.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

but I'm just looking for an honest opinion of last night's atmosphere as someone who only got to watch it on the tube.

I thought the place was rockin' for the first 2 periods. The student section was holding their own. It did get quiet for some reason in the 3rd and a lot of people (not just students) left with over 5 minutes to go.

I noticed watching the game this morning that the cameras did seem to pick up every empty seat in the house. And the crowd did seem "calm" on the broadcast.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

QU put on a heck of a show last night, but I have to ask from those who may have been in attendance: did NESN neuter the crowd in the broadcast, or was it really that quiet? It certainly didn't appear to be a true sellout in the seats, and as much as I'd love to give Quinnipiac credit for generating an exciting hockey atmosphere, I just couldn't see (or hear) it in the crowd. I know this is an old topic - that of fan energy at QU - but I'm just looking for an honest opinion of last night's atmosphere as someone who only got to watch it on the tube.

I was watching on TV, myself. When the student section was chanting, it didn't seem loud on the broadcast, but I know what that sounds like in real life -- yes, TV didn't do a great job micing the crowd. Last year during the Yale game, they almost over-mic'ed the crowd which resulted in some audio spikes during the course of the game.

And while they did show a lot of empty seats, and for some reason QU tends to have quite a few no-shows, they do have a ton of people who watch the games from the SRO areas, which I'm sure you've seen. Remember the Yale games the last couple years? There were people standing 5 and 6 deep even though there were empty seats.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

they do have a ton of people who watch the games from the SRO areas

I resemble that remark!

There were people standing all around the concourse. Not 5 or six deep, but it was full. As a matter of fact, I even commented to wonger about the number of SRO students! Even the QU cheerleaders were standing above the student section!

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

I resemble that remark!

There were people standing all around the concourse. Not 5 or six deep, but it was full. As a matter of fact, I even commented to wonger about the number of SRO students! Even the QU cheerleaders were standing above the student section!

There definitely weren't 3300 people in there, but I'd be shocked if there were less than 28-2900... it was mostly full. But having 300 no-shows really isn't that big a deal. A place like Cornell never has those, but for some reason, we have quite a few no-shows every night.

 

[allnightwong]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

There definitely weren't 3300 people in there, but I'd be shocked if there were less than 28-2900... it was mostly full. But having 300 no-shows really isn't that big a deal. A place like Cornell never has those, but for some reason, we have quite a few no-shows every night.

I have to believe that a ton of the standees are like myself and Mark who own seats but opt to stand leaving the seats empty. That wouldn't account for all the empties but definitely a good amount of them. Students were very loud when the game started, but the game took on a weird tone that even with it only being a 2 goal game, it seemed like QU was winning 8-0. I think this led to the place quieting down a bit. Either way, in comparison to the horrid student turnout last season, I thought it was a great hockey atmosphere last night. Any time you have students standing 4-5 deep, something is right at the Bank.

 

[FredDavenport]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

All,

Wow 7-1!

There definitely was 3300 or more there. And yes there were empty seats. It is pretty simple for me to judge from Section 112. I count the empty seats of one section, then the number of people standing exactly behind that section. In many sections there were more standing behind the section than empty seats.

Nice problem QU seems to have is that one of the best seats in the house is standing.

Video Highlights of all QU Goals and Interviews are now up at:

http://athleticsmedia.quinnipiac.edu/athletics/photos/MensIceHockey/index.html?DB_OEM_ID=17500

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

History at the Bank has shown that the regular crowd (present company excluded) is rather tame. There have been games where it seemed the visiting fans were louder the we were. The place needs the students there in numbers to create the rowdy college hockey atmosphere.

It'll be interesting to see what the turnout is tonight...

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

In many sections there were more standing behind the section than empty seats.

I have to agree with this. Looking around the concourse there were very few openings in the SRO crowd. The area under the press box seemed especially crowded last night.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

1. Take fewer penalties
2. Get a new public address announcer
3. Bring back Boomer
4. Go back to throwing the free shirts from the ice
5. Add the 2008 Toyota UConn Hockey Classic Championship to the championship banner

1. They tried... and it showed.
2. The regular guy was back last night.
3. Boomer was seen roaming the stands.
4. Still no dice. Since they're immediately bringing out the Zamboni's, I wonder if it has more to do with making sure they get a good sheet of ice laid down than entertaining the fans?
5. Nada.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

Excited to see Montreal's first rounder LeBlanc on Fri (taken right before the Rangers nabbed Kreider) but would be even happier to see him flattened by one of our D-Men.

I don't recall if he ever got flattened, but the D certainly contained him. I was NOT impressed by him at all.

And a learned friend told us before the game to keep an eye on Huxley because, and I quote, "he's a stud!" - not even close last night.

Anyway, tonight's another game against a team that's looking for its first win. Another effort like last night and we'll be in good shape.

Go Q!

 

[Skate79]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

I don't recall if he ever got flattened, but the D certainly contained him. I was NOT impressed by him at all.

And a learned friend told us before the game to keep an eye on Huxley because, and I quote, "he's a stud!" - not even close last night.

Anyway, tonight's another game against a team that's looking for its first win. Another effort like last night and we'll be in good shape.

Go Q!

While the Bobcats are certainly a very good team, you are not very astute when it comes to judging talent. Leblanc was far and away the best player on the ice for Harvard last night which isn't saying much if you look at the scoreboard. But I saw the game and your D was running around trying to contain his line. It was Harvard's best line last night and will probably be that way for the remainder of the season. LeBlanc is a certified 'stud' and you can ask anyone who has seen him play so far. The opposition fans are in agreement on that too.

Huxley is playing better than he has the prior two seasons but you wouldn't know that because you haven't seen him play on a regular basis.

Again, Harvard did not submit its best effort and your guys obviously had a lot to do with that. As the season goes along, things may change. It's early.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

The Bobcats have wings tonight!!!

3-0, after the first period!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

3-0, after the first period!

After another great start, they faltered a bit in the 2nd. Darmouth totally outplayed us and almost climbed back into it.

I'm sure Rand wasn't happy with the performance in the 2nd and let 'em have it during the break. The wings returned in the 3rd and I thought they played their hearts out.

Clarke had another decent outing. There was nothing he could do on the first goal as he had 4 or 5 bodies on top of him. The puck squirted out (we thought there should have been a whistle) and Dartmouth buried it over the heap. He had some big saves, especially a breakaway midway through the 3rd.

It was nice to see them rebound for the final period.

It was also nice to put a face to a couple of fellow posters. Hopefully we'll see you guys at a few more games?

By the way, in case nobody noticed... another weekend schweeep by the Bobcats!

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

Hey, they're not all gonna be picture perfect. Not sure if Dartmouth is that bad, Quinnipiac is that good, or a mixture of both. QU sure did look good for a solid 40 minutes, and against this DC team, that was enough for a win.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 09-10: Clawing our way to Albany

you are not very astute when it comes to judging talent

Perhaps I should defer to your superiority?

Leblanc was far and away the best player on the ice for Harvard last night which isn't saying much if you look at the scoreboard.

That was my point... for all the press he's gotten, he was a non-factor last night. I have not seen him play and I don't follow the Crimson so all I have to go on is the 60 minutes I saw last night. If he buries us in Cambridge, I'll acknowledge it.

LeBlanc is a certified 'stud' and you can ask anyone who has seen him play so far. The opposition fans are in agreement on that too.

He was the main topic of conversation prior to the game Friday. Everyone, myself included, was concerned he might be trouble... it just never happend.

Huxley is playing better than he has the prior two seasons but you wouldn't know that because you haven't seen him play on a regular basis.

Of course. I realize I saw only a small sample, but what I did see did not impress me. I don't think you can fault me for stating that.

Again, Harvard did not submit its best effort and your guys obviously had a lot to do with that. As the season goes along, things may change. It's early.

I know all to well what that's like. It is still early and I know we've had a month or so more time together than you have. We'll just have to see what happens at the end of December. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get to Cambridge that day to see in person.