RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

I figure it is best to throw a few back-win, lose or tie. Not to make light of the situation though. This was our worst BRF performance in several respects-we have never given up 8 goals in that game before. We used to own that evening. I know coach SA feels it is just another game but our performance that night during his tenure so far shows exactly that. Since the game is played so late in the season- If for no reason other than to energize our team-the BRF can be used as an injection of confidence for the very important remainder of the season. As everyone who posts here knows-i am old fashioned about RPI hockey. For many years there have been things that just seemed to symbolize RPI hockey and could be used at times to add a certain impetus. I always felt hositng and winning the Invitation Tournament was one of those points. I also thought that winning at the BRF did likewise. And more recently, Black Friday was an additional spark to start the league season. Obviously there seems to be a lot of things not going right for this team this year-I have been thinking that some of it could be blamed on an attitude change as some of it. Count me as one who believes that some of the RPI hockey tradition has been lost and could be playing some sort of part in all of this. As usual just my 2¢

+1

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

I figure it is best to throw a few back-win, lose or tie. Not to make light of the situation though. This was our worst BRF performance in several respects-we have never given up 8 goals in that game before. We used to own that evening. I know coach SA feels it is just another game but our performance that night during his tenure so far shows exactly that. Since the game is played so late in the season- If for no reason other than to energize our team-the BRF can be used as an injection of confidence for the very important remainder of the season. As everyone who posts here knows-i am old fashioned about RPI hockey. For many years there have been things that just seemed to symbolize RPI hockey and could be used at times to add a certain impetus. I always felt hositng and winning the Invitation Tournament was one of those points. I also thought that winning at the BRF did likewise. And more recently, Black Friday was an additional spark to start the league season. Obviously there seems to be a lot of things not going right for this team this year-I have been thinking that some of it could be blamed on an attitude change as some of it. Count me as one who believes that some of the RPI hockey tradition has been lost and could be playing some sort of part in all of this. As usual just my 2¢

"Big Game Syndrome" can work either way. Quite frankly, I'd let it play out for at least the first period. When you say it's "just another potential two points", it'd be a great way to calm the kids if they're trying too hard, but it can hurt you if the team is lackadaisical. Whereas, if the team doesn't seem to have "pep in their step", then you emphasize the big game for some extra motivation (similar to the story that was brought up earlier about Freakout 2002).

We didn't seem to play our game, which is what had made us successful in the past 5 games (even though one of them was a loss, we played our game throughout). Perhaps then we needed motivation that this is Freakout and we need to grab the game by the *ahem*.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Exactly. There are just a few times that you can use some sort of pyschological boost for a team to grab onto. I always felt the excitement of the Tournament(in the early years and especially in the 80's). The addition of the BRF later in the season seemed to do the same. I would just like to see whatever it takes to inject some excitement used to full advantage. What is it Yogi used to say-"50% of this game is 1/2 mental". Motivation is a difficult thing to quantify. Whatever it takes to excite the team and even the fans-is something that would be OK with me.

 

[redhead18]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Thought this was interesting, heres the available tv ratings for the NBC Sports college hockey broadcasts so far:

http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/2...rs/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Either theres a lot more Harvard/Yale hockey fans then I thought or the whole NBC Sports college hockey deal is gaining more and more popularity, which would be great to see. Id also like to find out what kind of ratings the Cornell/RPI game got last Friday in comparison to the Dartmouth game back in January.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Thought this was interesting, heres the available tv ratings for the NBC Sports college hockey broadcasts so far:

http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/2...rs/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Either theres a lot more Harvard/Yale hockey fans then I thought or the whole NBC Sports college hockey deal is gaining more and more popularity, which would be great to see. Id also like to find out what kind of ratings the Cornell/RPI game got last Friday in comparison to the Dartmouth game back in January.

My brother watched the Cornell game but not the Dartmouth game, so that's one more TV.

 

[DavidSec17]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

I figure it is best to throw a few back-win, lose or tie. Not to make light of the situation though. This was our worst BRF performance in several respects-we have never given up 8 goals in that game before. We used to own that evening. I know coach SA feels it is just another game but our performance that night during his tenure so far shows exactly that. Since the game is played so late in the season- If for no reason other than to energize our team-the BRF can be used as an injection of confidence for the very important remainder of the season. As everyone who posts here knows-i am old fashioned about RPI hockey. For many years there have been things that just seemed to symbolize RPI hockey and could be used at times to add a certain impetus. I always felt hositng and winning the Invitation Tournament was one of those points. I also thought that winning at the BRF did likewise. And more recently, Black Friday was an additional spark to start the league season. Obviously there seems to be a lot of things not going right for this team this year-I have been thinking that some of it could be blamed on an attitude change as some of it. Count me as one who believes that some of the RPI hockey tradition has been lost and could be playing some sort of part in all of this. As usual just my 2¢

Agree 100 %. A few other traditions that have been lost; No puckman on the jerseys, on the ice(or anyplace in HFH for that matter) or any of the merchandise. I refuse to buy anything without the puckman on it. Its been replaced by a Bank of America logo on the BRF handouts. Please.

The band used to play the national anthems, from the stage. Now they are crammed up in the corner and they never play the national anthem anymore, or only on rare occasions. That was the biggest band I've ever seen at the BRF and they don't play the anthems prior to the B.R.F? These may seem like small things to some, but they are traditions at an RPI hockey game that have been around for 25 years, and have been phased out for whatever reason. I'll trade the fancy scoreboard and the useless box plastered with GE logos at the west end for these traditions back. Oh, throw in a top 4 finish too.

 

[DavidSec17]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

and perhaps being mentally overwhelmed by the atmosphere. I enjoy Freakout!, Black Friday, the hype of Union and Clarkson games, etc., but if the trade-off is too much pressure on the team for them to play well, or perhaps ill after-effects at the next game from a bad loss in a "big" game (remains to be seen, of course), I'd rather get rid of them. Besides, people started leaving in droves, especially after the second period. Which was disheartening as a fan, I can only imagine how much that doesn't help the team's play.
.

Isn't that way early on in the Appert regime we travelled to play "big time" games like Miami, Great Lakes Invatational, Minnesota, CC, Denver? (I'm sure I'm leaving some out, I remember Miami came here, as did Notre Dame in the now defunct RPI Tournament) Those games were supposed to get us used to playing in big time games. Or so we were told.

So then are we supposed to take Union and Clarkson off the league schedule? Replace them with who?

As as far as you being disheartened becasue of fans leaving, I found the game on the ice far more disheartening.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Agree 100 %. A few other traditions that have been lost; No puckman on the jerseys, on the ice(or anyplace in HFH for that matter) or any of the merchandise. I refuse to buy anything without the puckman on it. Its been replaced by a Bank of America logo on the BRF handouts. Please.

The band used to play the national anthems, from the stage. Now they are crammed up in the corner and they never play the national anthem anymore. There was the biggest band I've ever seen at the BRF and they don't play the anthems prior to the B.R.F? These may seem like small things to some, but they are traditions at an RPI hockey game that have been around for 25 years, and have been phased out for whatever reason. I'll trade the fancy scoreboard and the useless box at the west end for these traditions back. Oh, throw in a top 4 finish too.

I am still holding out for a return of the Bee and the Swarm (Buzz Buzz Buzz)

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Agree 100 %. A few other traditions that have been lost; No puckman on the jerseys, on the ice(or anyplace in HFH for that matter) or any of the merchandise. I refuse to buy anything without the puckman on it. Its been replaced by a Bank of America logo on the BRF handouts. Please.

The band used to play the national anthems, from the stage. Now they are crammed up in the corner and they never play the national anthem anymore. There was the biggest band I've ever seen at the BRF and they don't play the anthems prior to the B.R.F? These may seem like small things to some, but they are traditions at an RPI hockey game that have been around for 25 years, and have been phased out for whatever reason. I'll trade the fancy scoreboard and the useless box at the west end for these traditions back. Oh, throw in a top 4 finish too.

Totally agree with letting the band play the anthems... Put them back on a tall riser on the east end where they belong. Also agree with Top 4 finish. Given that we have a new zamboni that has absolutelty no lettering or decals on it, could we please plant some 6' Puck Man logos on it...along with a few smaller corporate logos to pay the freight (if need be).

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

If you guys keep it up, Seth will 86 puckman.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Overall I think too much is being made of the BRF and its impact on the players. Most/all of our kids have played in pressure packed games in front of similar and often larger crowds than HFH. Bottom line is that RPI should've had all the motivation it needed to face Colgate, given what they did to us in the playoffs last spring. We needed to come out in the 1st and punch them in the mouth, didn't happen. We spotted them two and were playing from behind the rest of the way.

Also, I think too little is being made of how well Colgate is playing right now. The Austin Smith I saw Sat. night could be a top six AHL forward right now. They are an excellent team. Did we play well? No. But credit the Raiders for taking it to us.

Let's move on and get ready to make some noise in the playoffs.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Traditions I like. Old uni's with RPI lettering (lost crappy puckman ones, sorry Dana). Coach having players sit on bench while alumni are introduced on alumni weekend. Bringing Fat Mike A. back for 25th anniversary, Coach having players become a big part of community. Etc., etc., etc.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Traditions I like. Old uni's with RPI lettering (lost crappy puckman ones, sorry Dana). Coach having players sit on bench while alumni are introduced on alumni weekend. Bringing Fat Mike A. back for 25th anniversary, Coach having players become a big part of community. Etc., etc., etc.

....Inviting (successfully) Fridgen to the golf tourney.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Totally agree with letting the band play the anthems... Put them back on a tall riser on the east end where they belong. Also agree with Top 4 finish. Given that we have a new zamboni that has absolutelty no lettering or decals on it, could we please plant some 6' Puck Man logos on it...along with a few smaller corporate logos to pay the freight (if need be).

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Colonel is getting a singer to try to prevent people from yelling "Red" during the US anthem.

Plus, the girl they have doing it takes WAY too long.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Agreed. She needs to lose about 30 secs off of her anthem delivery....I wonder if that's as hard as getting Tim Tebow to shorten his delivery??

In our section at HFH sits a retired Naval officer -- he yells "RED!" during the anthem...I take my cues from him.

 

[DavidSec17]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Colonel is getting a singer to try to prevent people from yelling "Red" during the US anthem.
.

I think I heard a mention of that as well.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

I think I heard a mention of that as well.

He also tried to dump O Canada... that idea got nixed pretty quick.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

To be honest, its matters like these -small as they may be in the grand scheme - where an active, engaged hockey booster club can make a difference. If the booster numbers are large, and they are active (cutting checks, attending events) you will have the coaches ear on matters such as these...IMO.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

To be honest, its matters like these -small as they may be in the grand scheme - where an active, engaged hockey booster club can make a difference. If the booster numbers are large, and they are active (cutting checks, attending events) you will have the coaches ear on matters such as these...IMO.

I would think it's less up to the coach and more up to the athletic / facility administration. They're more apt to listen to money.

 

[JCrawford]

Re: RPI 2011-12 Part V: Don't Stop Believing

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Colonel is getting a singer to try to prevent people from yelling "Red" during the US anthem.

And we all see how well *that* is working.

Plus, the girl they have doing it takes WAY too long.

Is it any wonder the team gets off to a slow start after hearing the anthem sung at a pace only otherwise heard at a funeral?