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

[Red Cloud]

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

Im not going to comment on this past weekend because it will be beaten to death by everyone else. What I will comment on is a group of classless individuals at the top of section 9 or 10 who decided it would be cool to boo the seniors after the game last night while honoring them.

Plain and simple, if your one of those people and reading this, you really need to get your life in check if you feel the need to boo a group of guys who left home to come play in front of us fans for 4 years. They gave up missing family events, friends, and other things to follow a dream and play Division 1 hockey and get a great education. For you to feel the need to boo them, I feel sorry for you, that you cannot in a down season, step back and honor these guys who gave us everything each night and made us proud to say we follow RPI hockey both on and off the ice. I really wished you and your group of what have you done for me lately friends would have left before the game was over so when the fans who have class and respect were honoring these guys, we wouldnt have had to listen to you boo them. Im sorry if this is a long winded post but just be glad I didnt post anything last night or else I may no longer be allowed on this board.

Well said. No matter how the team has been, no matter what it's going through, senior night is always a time to honor men who have poured four years of dedication into the program.

Normally I don't like to see people leave before the game's over, but those people should never have shown up in the first place.

And I totally agree... last night's game was a total cluster and I have nothing to say about it, other than that some of the posters around here have a really, really short memory.

 

[burgie12]

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

Is this the first time that happened, or has that always happened? AFAIK I haven't changed anything. I know that ehf complained about it a few years ago also, but not in that manner.

There had always been a small blue line across the top corner from the music clips, but since Chrome updated itself, it's taken over the entire page. Add in the fact that the music clips play automatically and it is very difficult to read the first page of the score thread.

 

[Big Jim]

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

Look, SA took over a lousy program, and immediately brought in very good coaches and very good players.
Even without winning the first few years, you could see the improvement in the system.
I think his problem is, he doesn't understand the mental part of the game.
Instead of getting up for big games (and there are big games), his team comes out nervous and unprepared.
Instead of pressing the point when they score a big goal, they sit back and give it back.
When he took this job, he had never been a head coach in D-1 hockey before. He needs to grow in his job, If he doesn't adjust after this season, then I too might jump on the fire SA bandwagon. But for now, I am willing to give him one more season.

So if I'm understanding correctly we get to endure one more season before we say what is wrong with this program? Sadly, I don't see next year being much brighter unless some of next years frosh can become instant stars, otherwise it is the same crew as this year, each class will have one more years experience but the added years of experience has not shown us much in this year or past years, it just seems we don't improve. I have stated before we either don't have the talent...or if one argues we do have the talent...then you are really stating SA does not know what to do with it. Unlike the thread title, I have stopped believing. On a side note I do find the booing to be distrubing.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

There had always been a small blue line across the top corner from the music clips, but since Chrome updated itself, it's taken over the entire page. Add in the fact that the music clips play automatically and it is very difficult to read the first page of the score thread.

I don't normally use Chrome, but I just tried it, and it works, but I may not have a current version. If anyone has any idea what I did wrong please post it. I copied code that someone else wrote for linking in music.

 

[RPI67]

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

This season may be the only time I have not seen a game in person since 1963. I seriously considered driving from Boston because it was senior night. I am always an RPI and ECAC fan. I agree with your post. In addition to not responding to the other team, SA may not be reading his own team utilizing individual strengths. We have the talent as shown in coaches polls and recruiting rankings to be better than just a top 50 team. GO RPI.

Very well said-I like SA- a lot. I think he is a great addition to this program. But he is nto a strategic coach who can get his team prepared for the big important games and he certainly does not seem able to adapt during games to changes made on the ice. I think he mises having Monty around. I would love to see what happens if he can get a second in coammand to work with the troops before and during games. I maintain that we have a bunch of wonderfully talented boys both on this team and coming next year. But we do not seem to have a team system. We do not have a system for the power play, for penalty killing, for the few times we have an extra attacker at the end of games with the goalie pulled, for dealing with one hot scoring line on an opposing team, or for moving the puck rapidily out of our own defensive zone. We seem to be 6 players out there all trying there best but not working together. This is not a matter of not having the talented individuals-it is a matter of playing together as a cohesive group. I have been indicating this for most of this season-this is coaching and practicing some very fundamental aspects of this game.

 

[hockeymascot]

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

Look, SA took over a lousy program.

Yes....because the program had no resources for the student athletes compared to other D-1 programs they compete against. The previous coach did remarkably well with the resources he had to work with. The budget and support staff, not to mention the salaries, have vastly improved. SA brought in good Asst. coaches because he could now pay what a good staff is worth. Shirley gave this program nothing until SA arrived. I am also NOT advocating a coaching change. As far as I'm concerned, Mike Babcock could be the head coach and those on this board will still find a way to find/create kinks in the armor!

 

[DrDemento]

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

This season may be the only time I have not seen a game in person since 1963. I seriously considered driving from Boston because it was senior night. I am always an RPI and ECAC fan. I agree with your post. In addition to not responding to the other team, SA may not be reading his own team utilizing individual strengths. We have the talent as shown in coaches polls and recruiting rankings to be better than just a top 50 team. GO RPI.

I finished at RPI in '66 so you and I have a very similar historical perspective. We have seen 48-49 teams and at least 8 coaches. I have seen teams with far less talent wih far more games. This has been one of the most frustrating seasons for me. We have shown at various times weaknesses in virtually evry aspect of the game. We are the third lowest scoring team in NCAA hockey (GPG). When there is this much going wrong, this many different ways to lose games or perform poorly, I just cannot fathom that the problem is that 21 players all play poorly at the same time all the time.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

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

So if I'm understanding correctly we get to endure one more season before we say what is wrong with this program? Sadly, I don't see next year being much brighter unless some of next years frosh can become instant stars, otherwise it is the same crew as this year, each class will have one more years experience but the added years of experience has not shown us much in this year or past years, it just seems we don't improve. I have stated before we either don't have the talent...or if one argues we do have the talent...then you are really stating SA does not know what to do with it. Unlike the thread title, I have stopped believing. On a side note I do find the booing to be distrubing.

I am not asking you or anyone else to endure anything. I will wait one more season before jumping on your bandwagon.
I think that the current freshmen have the ability to raise their game. The defense and the goaltending were ok for most of the season and Diebold should be better in his second year.
In reality, I am giving this years freshmen a chance to show us that they have the offensive ability that we thought they would bring to the table.
One last thing, this season is not over yet, and i will continue to look for improvement before it ends.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

I received a copy of next year's, probably tentative, schedule by mail.

10/6 Acadia
10/12 Ferris
10/13 Ferris
10/19 @ MSU-Mankato
10/20 @ MSU-Mankato
10/26 WMU
10/27 WMU
11/2 Union
11/3 @Union
11/9 @DC
11/10 @HU
11/16 Mercyhurst
11/17 Mercyhurst
11/23 open
11/24 open
11/30 PU
12/1 QU
12/7 @Yale
12/8 @Brown
12/31 SHU
1/4/13 @BU
1/6 @UNH
1/11 @QU
1/12 @PU
1/18 Colgate
1/19 Cornell
1/26 Union location TBD nonleague
2/1 HU
2/2 DC
2/8 @SLU
2/9 @CCT
2/15 Brown
2/16 Yale
2/22 @Cornell
2/23 @Colgate
3/1 CCT
3/2 SLU

I apologize for typos

 

[DrDemento]

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

One last point and then i have to get ready to go watch the NJ Prep Grodon Cup-why is it that we get promising freshmen-who do not seem to be improving by their second year? And in fact do not progress in their third or fourth years? Other than Chase, i can't relly think of many players who became more prolific players by their final year in Troy during the past decade. Yet, this happened with regularity in the past, the 60's, the 70's the 80's and the 90's. Maybe i am missing something here and it is the same at other programs. But we recruit some very promising boys-good boys-who just do not not seem to improve or have their hockey talents mature and develop over the 4 years at RPI.
And i agree 100% with EHF-for me these season is not over until we are eliminated. I will still be the most ardent fan and supporter of these kids for as many more weeks as we get the pleasure of having them on the ice. Just my 2¢

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

I received a copy of next year's, probably tentative, schedule by mail.

10/6 Acadia
10/12 Ferris
10/13 Ferris
10/19 @ MSU-Mankato
10/20 @ MSU-Mankato
10/26 WMU
10/27 WMU
11/2 Union
11/3 @Union
11/9 @DC
11/10 @HU
11/16 Mercyhurst
11/17 Mercyhurst
11/23 open
11/24 open
11/30 PU
12/1 QU
12/7 @Yale
12/8 @Brown
12/31 SHU
1/4/13 @BU
1/6 @UNH
1/11 @QU
1/12 @PU
1/18 Colgate
1/19 Cornell
1/26 Union location TBD nonleague
2/1 HU
2/2 DC
2/8 @SLU
2/9 @CCT
2/15 Brown
2/16 Yale
2/22 @Cornell
2/23 @Colgate
3/1 CCT
3/2 SLU

I apologize for typos

Looks like a solid schedule. NC: 2 WCHA, 4 CCHA, 3 Atlantic, 2 HEA, 1 ECAC

I wonder if the Union NC game will be at the TUC in conjunction with an Albany Devils game.

 

[GRussinko]

Looks like a solid schedule. NC: 2 WCHA, 4 CCHA, 3 Atlantic, 2 HEA, 1 ECAC

I especially like the single game against Sacred Heart over the holidays.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

I especially like the single game against Sacred Heart over the holidays.

Black Friday vs. Union, Freakout likely either Dartmouth or Yale.

 

[jericho]

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

Im not going to comment on this past weekend because it will be beaten to death by everyone else. What I will comment on is a group of classless individuals at the top of section 9 or 10 who decided it would be cool to boo the seniors after the game last night while honoring them.

Plain and simple, if your one of those people and reading this, you really need to get your life in check if you feel the need to boo a group of guys who left home to come play in front of us fans for 4 years. They gave up missing family events, friends, and other things to follow a dream and play Division 1 hockey and get a great education. For you to feel the need to boo them, I feel sorry for you, that you cannot in a down season, step back and honor these guys who gave us everything each night and made us proud to say we follow RPI hockey both on and off the ice. I really wished you and your group of what have you done for me lately friends would have left before the game was over so when the fans who have class and respect were honoring these guys, we wouldnt have had to listen to you boo them. Im sorry if this is a long winded post but just be glad I didnt post anything last night or else I may no longer be allowed on this board.

I said something about this after the game last night. I hope the people that left were listening on the radio and heard it.

 

[Big Jim]

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

One last point and then i have to get ready to go watch the NJ Prep Grodon Cup-why is it that we get promising freshmen-who do not seem to be improving by their second year? And in fact do not progress in their third or fourth years? Other than Chase, i can't relly think of many players who became more prolific players by their final year in Troy during the past decade. Yet, this happened with regularity in the past, the 60's, the 70's the 80's and the 90's. Maybe i am missing something here and it is the same at other programs. But we recruit some very promising boys-good boys-who just do not not seem to improve or have their hockey talents mature and develop over the 4 years at RPI.
And i agree 100% with EHF-for me these season is not over until we are eliminated. I will still be the most ardent fan and supporter of these kids for as many more weeks as we get the pleasure of having them on the ice. Just my 2¢

Doc - I totally agree this is the point I'm trying to make, except for Chase I think most have been neutral or actually gone backwards. I'm glad you are still behind the team but I have already written the season off.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

I especially like the single game against Sacred Heart over the holidays.

Because it isn't an important game?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

Because it isn't an imporant game?

I think it's more along the lines of, even though it isn't the tournament we all remember (or at least most of us remember), it continues the tradition of a home NC game during the holiday season.

 

[Beman]

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

On a side note I do find the booing to be distrubing.

Booing Rensselaer senior hockey players is bull$#!+. These kids go to practice every day, and keep their grades up enough too play at RPI. They shouldn't be booed for 4 seasons worth of work. Booing an occasional breakdown during a game ok that is understandable. But booing these kids after 4 years on the ice and classroom? Come on get a life.
Win or loose Senior Night should be a great night for Seniors and their families. The sacrifice that these kids and their families have made to get to this point is huge. Unfortunately after this season most of these young men will not play in front of crowds this size. What pleasure could you possibly have in booing them?
If you need to boo someone go watch the Bruins play. You can boo them all you want!!

 

[AspyDad]

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

Booing Rensselaer senior hockey players is bull$#!+. These kids go to practice every day, and keep their grades up enough too play at RPI. They shouldn't be booed for 4 seasons worth of work. Booing an occasional breakdown during a game ok that is understandable. But booing these kids after 4 years on the ice and classroom? Come on get a life.
Win or loose Senior Night should be a great night for Seniors and their families. The sacrifice that these kids and their families have made to get to this point is huge. Unfortunately after this season most of these young men will not play in front of crowds this size. What pleasure could you possibly have in booing them?
If you need to boo someone go watch the Bruins play. You can boo them all you want!!

Well stated. It was nice to see the guys skate around and clap to the fans. Very classy group. I've gotten to know #13 the last month or so through a mutual friend and he is a fine example of sportsmanship, class and competitiveness. All my best to Alex ,Jeremy, Justin, Mike, Josh, Paddy C and Bergin.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

Deos anyone remember if Joel Malchuk was honored on Senior Night a year ago? I am wondering if we get a read on whether or not Mike Bergin will use his red-shirt year by the precedence that Malchuk set.