RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

[hockeymascot]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

It doesn't take much to get me going on this topic. Any league that allows all teams into the playoffs is relegating their regular season to a long drawn-out exhibition series. On the women's side of the ECAC, some of the most exciting games are those in the second half of the season amongst the 7 or 8 teams fighting for the 4 or 5 (out of eight) playoff spots that are still undecided. Eliminating one round of playoffs would allow for one more non-conference weekend.

-
With all due respect hab, I disagree. It makes shooting for a bye weekend and the top four spot a goal for each team during the regular season. It was very exciting this year since it came down to the last weekend to see who would get fourth place and the final bye. Also, the non-conference weekend by eliminating one round of playoffs is a mute point since you still can only play 34 games (non-ivies). Lastly, if this is such a terrible playoff model, the CCHA would not have adopted a similar format for their league playoffs.

 

[burgie12]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

-
With all due respect hab, I disagree. It makes shooting for a bye weekend and the top four spot a goal for each team during the regular season. It was very exciting this year since it came down to the last weekend to see who would get fourth place and the final bye. Also, the non-conference weekend by eliminating one round of playoffs is a mute point since you still can only play 34 games (non-ivies). Lastly, if this is such a terrible playoff model, the CCHA would not have adopted a similar format for their league playoffs.

Wouldn't there have been a similar amount of angst over grabbing home-ice? Sure, it's not as awesome as a bye, but being able to play in front of your own fans makes quite the difference. Yes, the CCHA has the same format as the ECAC for playoffs, but Hockey East eliminates down to 8 (just like the ECAC women). Is the HEA any less of an example than the CCHA? And, that extra weekend would definitely come in handy. This season, Rensselaer had two "off" weekends: Nov 19th / 20th and Dec 24th / 25th (which everyone in the entire nation had off). This upcoming season is not going to be any kinder, especially with two separate trips to Michigan. Starting the ECAC regular season a week later, or getting an extra weekend off in January could be absolutely huge with regards to health and safety of our players.

 

[Senna]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Scrooge - you actually just made me laugh out loud. I think that Im about the only one who thinks that I am at all rational ! Actually, after having coached for so long and having had the opportunity to be influenced by some individuals at the highest level of this sport who i can honestly say that I am a better person for having met, has given me some perspective. My best teams, the best kids, and the one that I am still associated and involved with even now that they are in college or graduated after having coached them as mites at 6-8 years old, are exactly the kind of kids that I see here. Its the kind of long term program and consistency that I see being built, and the kind of closeness and comeraderie that most never experience. they are the kind of kids that you die to have on your team, regardless of outcome, and the kind that everyone wants to be associated with because they are winners. We may have some losses in hockey and who knows what next year will bring, but I'm praying that my oldest son gets admitted and my youngest develops the type of attitude and personality that would be desired in this group. Like I have said, this program is inches away from being scary for a long long time. If people get lost in a 2 overtime loss to Colgate or the bit of slide the last few weeks, then shame on them. I am still proud of these kids and this program and in calling myself associated with it, than upset over how things have apparently ended for them this season. You know, I have always told kids when I coached, generally with their parents in the locker room listening, that they as hockey players are different. They work harder than others, complain less than others, are committed to being their personal best and yet doing it all for a team because teams succeed. I would also tell them that their parents would never understand because they have never palyed the game and dont really know what it takes. Playing this sport is a microcosm (sp?) of life in that you can work harder and do all the right things and not succeed - and its not about wins, its about how you come back and the determination to be the best that you can and committed to being better than you can be. I see that here with this program. We have incredibly positive people and influences here. Im sticking with this program and the people involved in it. They are great people and as I have said people I want my kids involved with and that I am a better person for having met. Others arent happy - thats ok, and honestly to be expected. Thats why they are not part of the program. Its unfortunate that people focus on a lost series or not making some tournament this year for what is really going on and happening with this program. I for one am ok that we still fly under the radar a bit - helps me understand who's really part of the team and who's just along for the ride. Hope to meet all the true fans in due course.

 

[ajt6954]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

I avoided this thread all afternoon for fear of getting caught up in everything and can honestly say it does seem that everyone's on the same side...haha...in an emotion-filled, romance-comedy novel filled with statistics kind a way Thanks to everyone, as always, for the avid speculation and following...I always look forward to logging in .

Wow...haha (still laughing after catching up on the last 7 pages)

 

[fr joe]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Scrooge - you actually just made me laugh out loud. I think that Im about the only one who thinks that I am at all rational ! Actually, after having coached for so long and having had the opportunity to be influenced by some individuals at the highest level of this sport who i can honestly say that I am a better person for having met, has given me some perspective. My best teams, the best kids, and the one that I am still associated and involved with even now that they are in college or graduated after having coached them as mites at 6-8 years old, are exactly the kind of kids that I see here. Its the kind of long term program and consistency that I see being built, and the kind of closeness and comeraderie that most never experience. they are the kind of kids that you die to have on your team, regardless of outcome, and the kind that everyone wants to be associated with because they are winners. We may have some losses in hockey and who knows what next year will bring, but I'm praying that my oldest son gets admitted and my youngest develops the type of attitude and personality that would be desired in this group. Like I have said, this program is inches away from being scary for a long long time. If people get lost in a 2 overtime loss to Colgate or the bit of slide the last few weeks, then shame on them. I am still proud of these kids and this program and in calling myself associated with it, than upset over how things have apparently ended for them this season. You know, I have always told kids when I coached, generally with their parents in the locker room listening, that they as hockey players are different. They work harder than others, complain less than others, are committed to being their personal best and yet doing it all for a team because teams succeed. I would also tell them that their parents would never understand because they have never palyed the game and dont really know what it takes. Playing this sport is a microcosm (sp?) of life in that you can work harder and do all the right things and not succeed - and its not about wins, its about how you come back and the determination to be the best that you can and committed to being better than you can be. I see that here with this program. We have incredibly positive people and influences here. Im sticking with this program and the people involved in it. They are great people and as I have said people I want my kids involved with and that I am a better person for having met. Others arent happy - thats ok, and honestly to be expected. Thats why they are not part of the program. Its unfortunate that people focus on a lost series or not making some tournament this year for what is really going on and happening with this program. I for one am ok that we still fly under the radar a bit - helps me understand who's really part of the team and who's just along for the ride. Hope to meet all the true fans in due course.

Two thumbs up!

 

[hockeymascot]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Yes, the CCHA has the same format as the ECAC for playoffs, but Hockey East eliminates down to 8 (just like the ECAC women). Is the HEA any less of an example than the CCHA?

I don't understand your point. HEA is not less of an example, however, my post was in reference to a format where all teams make the playoffs. The CCHA had the same format as HEA, as a matter of fact, so did the ECAC. When the ECAC changed, the CCHA followed. This format would not work in HEA since there are only 10 teams.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

This was an upgrade plan to HFH that was in the planning stages before Seth arrived, which was part of the lure for a new coach.

Renovations to HFH were indeed part of the ECAV master plan, but never had a firm timeline other than potentially being a part of Phase 3 or 4. That it was moved up to Phases 1 (locker rooms) & 2 (facade, scoreboard, paint, lighting) is a direct result of the head coach.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Thanks RC (and the others who repped me). It is just beyond me how we cant be sitting here right now focusing on where we are going rather than where we have been. I am convinced that the recruiting job has been fantastic, 1.) because we are brining in top of the shelf kids, and 2.) we are bringing in the "right" kids (people that are leaders and winners in life, with the right attitude, that display commitment, and who's success is not going to be measured by an NCAA championship or college hockey career). Do I want an ECAC and NCAA championship ? Absolutely. If we dont get either, is the program and its direction going to fail ? No. I know for a fact that there were kids that were looked at that offers were not made to precisely because they were not all of the things mentioned above rather than just very good hockey players. Examples ? JFK. Many of us (including myself) have posted this year that he may be the least skilled of our defensemen. Want him on my team and deserving to be captain ? Absolutely. The guy is a warrior. Never a second of quit and lays it all on the line, all of the time. I'll take a whole team of JFKs. Brutlag. Recruited to play defense and later asked to play offense. All this kid did was lead by example, every game, absolutely working his *** off. High energy and hit everything in sight. Give him a role and he accepts it and gets it done. Last one - Koudys. I have thought him to be very good, but not really putting together that he was 17/18 this year. That is unbelievable....until I read that article that got linked thru one of the threads. Kids like him come around once a generation, and he chose us. We are going to get a lot more of these types of recruits and players, and in fact think that we are in the direction that they will be actively seeking this program out above others. iIs gonna happen....and its happening. Lets see the comments on these threads then.

Game, Set, Match. Nice work.

 

[troyboy]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Wow !!!!!! that was inspireing...thats the most names Ive been called since I got into a fist fight w/Mickey Mouse @ Disney World.I was worried about thread action over the off season but things look encouraging.I would like to say that I was above the fray but somebody had to work and pay taxes today....and for JohnK everything has become more clear to me...lets see if I have this straight you own a Bar and are your freinds w/Schotzie and Fridge who'd a figuered (its only a joke).

 

[troyboy]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Thanks RC (and the others who repped me). It is just beyond me how we cant be sitting here right now focusing on where we are going rather than where we have been. I am convinced that the recruiting job has been fantastic, 1.) because we are brining in top of the shelf kids, and 2.) we are bringing in the "right" kids (people that are leaders and winners in life, with the right attitude, that display commitment, and who's success is not going to be measured by an NCAA championship or college hockey career). Do I want an ECAC and NCAA championship ? Absolutely. If we dont get either, is the program and its direction going to fail ? No. I know for a fact that there were kids that were looked at that offers were not made to precisely because they were not all of the things mentioned above rather than just very good hockey players. Examples ? JFK. Many of us (including myself) have posted this year that he may be the least skilled of our defensemen. Want him on my team and deserving to be captain ? Absolutely. The guy is a warrior. Never a second of quit and lays it all on the line, all of the time. I'll take a whole team of JFKs. Brutlag. Recruited to play defense and later asked to play offense. All this kid did was lead by example, every game, absolutely working his *** off. High energy and hit everything in sight. Give him a role and he accepts it and gets it done. Last one - Koudys. I have thought him to be very good, but not really putting together that he was 17/18 this year. That is unbelievable....until I read that article that got linked thru one of the threads. Kids like him come around once a generation, and he chose us. We are going to get a lot more of these types of recruits and players, and in fact think that we are in the direction that they will be actively seeking this program out above others. iIs gonna happen....and its happening. Lets see the comments on these threads then.

I believe that may be the Ralph winner for post of the year right there !!!!

 

[hockeymascot]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

That it was moved up to Phases 1 (locker rooms) & 2 (facade, scoreboard, paint, lighting) is a direct result of the head coach.

The renovation plan was still in place prior to Coach Appert's arrival. If Phases 1 and 2 took the place of Phases 3 and 4, what are Phases 3 and 4?

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

I don't understand your point. HEA is not less of an example, however, my post was in reference to a format where all teams make the playoffs. The CCHA had the same format as HEA, as a matter of fact, so did the ECAC. When the ECAC changed, the CCHA followed. This format would not work in HEA since there are only 10 teams.

The CCHA is not exactly the same since they now have only 11 teams.

 

[jmhusker]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Nice to have peace and quiet again. Now let's just keep our fingers crossed that all the things that have to happen to get us into the NCAA field happen as we need them to. It is a very long shot-but you never know.

Making the NCAA would be poetic justice for this season... and it seems quite possible from where I'm sitting. Quinni is playing well and 2 wins by them will knock the Big Red out of the TUC, greatly improving our TUC record. If Dartmouth wins both games this weekend and then proceeds to lose the semis and runner up game then we flip the comparison with them. Merrimack will knock off Maine at Lawler this weekend and NE just might take it to BU too. If all of that happens and the titles in the big 4 conferences all go to top teams then we just might be sitting in 15th when it's all over.

Seems to me that we've learned an interesting scheduling strategy this year. Play the weak members of the big leagues in OOC games and beat them. Sooner or later those same teams will upset some teams in their own conferences, flipping the COP our way (thanks BG). We really aren't even a top 20 team right now IMO, but the season is long and wins in 2010 count just as much as wins in 2011.

Seems as though the early departures worked out as predicted... the engineers suffered and our "one and done" boys have shown that another year in college might have done them a lot of good. Hope that the incoming frosh are as good as predicted. I like the idea of Malchuk as C next year. JFK was a warrior but hard work isn't always a substitute for talent. We played our best stretch this year when he was on the sidelines. Although he'll make a good coach or CEO some day, I really think that our D will be much better next year with the other 6. The big question is whether York is back or not. That could be the difference between a bye and a middling campaign.

 

[Shoot the Puck]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Scrooge - you actually just made me laugh out loud. I think that Im about the only one who thinks that I am at all rational ! Actually, after having coached for so long and having had the opportunity to be influenced by some individuals at the highest level of this sport who i can honestly say that I am a better person for having met, has given me some perspective. My best teams, the best kids, and the one that I am still associated and involved with even now that they are in college or graduated after having coached them as mites at 6-8 years old, are exactly the kind of kids that I see here. Its the kind of long term program and consistency that I see being built, and the kind of closeness and comeraderie that most never experience. they are the kind of kids that you die to have on your team, regardless of outcome, and the kind that everyone wants to be associated with because they are winners. We may have some losses in hockey and who knows what next year will bring, but I'm praying that my oldest son gets admitted and my youngest develops the type of attitude and personality that would be desired in this group. Like I have said, this program is inches away from being scary for a long long time. If people get lost in a 2 overtime loss to Colgate or the bit of slide the last few weeks, then shame on them. I am still proud of these kids and this program and in calling myself associated with it, than upset over how things have apparently ended for them this season. You know, I have always told kids when I coached, generally with their parents in the locker room listening, that they as hockey players are different. They work harder than others, complain less than others, are committed to being their personal best and yet doing it all for a team because teams succeed. I would also tell them that their parents would never understand because they have never palyed the game and dont really know what it takes. Playing this sport is a microcosm (sp?) of life in that you can work harder and do all the right things and not succeed - and its not about wins, its about how you come back and the determination to be the best that you can and committed to being better than you can be. I see that here with this program. We have incredibly positive people and influences here. Im sticking with this program and the people involved in it. They are great people and as I have said people I want my kids involved with and that I am a better person for having met. Others arent happy - thats ok, and honestly to be expected. Thats why they are not part of the program. Its unfortunate that people focus on a lost series or not making some tournament this year for what is really going on and happening with this program. I for one am ok that we still fly under the radar a bit - helps me understand who's really part of the team and who's just along for the ride. Hope to meet all the true fans in due course.

Although I don't make many comments, I always read the comments that are being made, and thanks to Ralph, Dr. D and many others I have learned much about hockey and especially RPI hockey. I just want to thank you for this comment and the prior comments. Your insight regarding the team and their coaches confirms my feelings that our players are being developed into good hockey players and even more important good and honorable men. I would, also, like to thank Tom for his "The Dream" article in WAP. It kind of says it all.

 

[REDaero91]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

I would, also, like to thank Tom for his "The Dream" article in WAP. It kind of says it all.

That article was wonderful, and a great help keeping my spirits up after attending Sunday's game. I would, however, like to submit to the jury that Allen York be named as Hero #3 for the series. Although it unfortunately came down to the fact that he let in one more goal than Mihalik, the number of times he stood on his head for us was incredible. The game could have ended much earlier, so many times over, if it wasn't for Yorkie keeping us in.

Your insight regarding the team and their coaches confirms my feelings that our players are being developed into good hockey players and even more important good and honorable men.

The article about the team and Ben Mayo is just the latest proof of the character our guys have. I really hope the NCAA bid works out in our favor, because they deserve that second chance.

 

[burgie12]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

This format would not work in HEA since there are only 10 teams.

What's to stop the HEA from having 7 play 10 and 8 play 9 in the first round before re-seeding for the quarters?

And, you didn't address how an extra week in the regular season to play those 34 games would be a bad thing.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

"RPI waiting, hoping" by Ed Weaver http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/...4d7709c5894b3565894123.txt?viewmode=fullstory

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

138 posts in this thread yesterday

I don't remember if we got that high when Pirri and D'Amigo bolted... or when we were female dogging about the refs...

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

138 posts in this thread yesterday

I don't remember if we got that high when Pirri and D'Amigo bolted... or when we were female dogging about the refs...

I think that we did when 9 and 16 left.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2010-2011 V: The "Chase" to AC & Beyond

Seems as though the early departures worked out as predicted... the engineers suffered and our "one and done" boys have shown that another year in college might have done them a lot of good. Hope that the incoming frosh are as good as predicted. I like the idea of Malchuk as C next year. JFK was a warrior but hard work isn't always a substitute for talent. We played our best stretch this year when he was on the sidelines. Although he'll make a good coach or CEO some day, I really think that our D will be much better next year with the other 6. The big question is whether York is back or not. That could be the difference between a bye and a middling campaign.

You and I have been on the same page for a while now. I posted several times that we played much better defense when JFK was injured. He is a very good defensive defenseman-but added little to our offense and just was not the type of defenseman we needed in the ECAC play as the season wore on. By mid season it was obvious that going with the other six D-men was most effective. With our frosh a year older, next year the defense should be solid and adding 2 big frosh D-men should not hurt us at all. We simply cannot replace Polacek and Helfrich-that duo made for an extememly potent set of weapons-but we will have more depth at forward with freshmen coming in. I don't see why they will not contribute immediately. Offensively we will be OK but not spectacular yet. Perhaps one more year of good offensive recruits and we could have something special. This year we had one or at most 2 good offensive lines-having watched Yale a couple times this year-they rolled 3-4 potent lines out there and just kept coming at you until you wore down. Next year we might have 2-3 lines like that.