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

[FlagDUDE08]

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

Fish: I have the utmost respect for our coach. He is a great asset to this program and I am overjoyed that we have him locked up for the next several years. But I would much prefer to give the credit this weekend to where I think it belongs-this team just took it upon themselves to show that they were not done-that they had not thrown in the towel and that they could play with anyone. They shook off horrible officiating-come on, 6 penalties to us versus 1 on Cornel? 11 on us versus 6 on Colgate? I give full credit to the senior captains who led by example-Malchuk and Bergin could have easily just played like their careers were coming to an end and they did not. And the freshmen, who played like this will be their team and they want to show that they will have to be reckoned with. We played 2 nationally ranked teams in their barns with horrible home town reffing and we played 120 minutes of inspired hockey-and all of this from a team with the 3rd worst goals per game offense in the country. These boys played RPI hockey-the RPI hockey I remember from the many great years i have seen the program. I have no idea if they will go any further this year-no one can possibly know-but no matter how poorly most of this year had gone, no matter how frustrating it has been for everyone-I will remember this year and this group as showing incredible character and heart. Now-I'll get off my soapbox and let these boys have the time to think about what they have accomplished this weekend-and get ready to do it all over again in the dreaded North Country (against what i will always consider our greates rival). Just very proud to still bleed RPI RED.

Proving the point once again... Players win, coaches lose.

One other stat: We CANNOT finish worse than the 2008-09 season.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

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

Very well said, and I realize that you didn't mean to omit the OT when you wrote "120 minutes of inspired hockey", as that may have been in the most inspired hockey by RPI in several years.

I 2nd that RB. Helluva weekend for our squad. As happy as I am, I'm really happy for the squad. The 2nd season has begun and you can't kick it off any better than we did. Playin' with house money now boys !!!

Amazing what can occur when everybody is pulling on the sled together. I believe WRPI announcers mentioned that RPI is #13 in penalty killing - obviously a by product of our physical play - but IMO, that kind of success on the PK only comes from attitude and a willingness to bust your @#$. Well done team!

Speaking of WRPI, I'd be remiss if I didn't compliment the WRPI crew this weekend. Insightful and lively broadcast. My vote is for you two to be our permanent play by play team! Well done.

 

[fishcore12]

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

Fish: I have the utmost respect for our coach. He is a great asset to this program and I am overjoyed that we have him locked up for the next several years. But I would much prefer to give the credit this weekend to where I think it belongs-this team just took it upon themselves to show that they were not done-that they had not thrown in the towel and that they could play with anyone. They shook off horrible officiating-come on, 6 penalties to us versus 1 on Cornel? 11 on us versus 6 on Colgate? I give full credit to the senior captains who led by example-Malchuk and Bergin could have easily just played like their careers were coming to an end and they did not. And the freshmen, who played like this will be their team and they want to show that they will have to be reckoned with. We played 2 nationally ranked teams in their barns with horrible home town reffing and we played 120 minutes of inspired hockey-and all of this from a team with the 3rd worst goals per game offense in the country. These boys played RPI hockey-the RPI hockey I remember from the many great years i have seen the program. I have no idea if they will go any further this year-no one can possibly know-but no matter how poorly most of this year had gone, no matter how frustrating it has been for everyone-I will remember this year and this group as showing incredible character and heart. Now-I'll get off my soapbox and let these boys have the time to think about what they have accomplished this weekend-and get ready to do it all over again in the dreaded North Country (against what i will always consider our greates rival). Just very proud to still bleed RPI RED.

Totally agree with you Doc that the team took this weekend by the horns and didnt give up. I was just preparing us fans that didnt give up on this team for the Appert bashers who regardless of if we win, lose or tie want him gone from Troy. Funny none of those people name a person they would want to come in and do a better job.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

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

EHF-There have been several differences. Some nights it hasn't been there, but when it is-the results are pretty good. Tinordi is quickly becoming an extremely valuable boy out there. I don't really don't care which line you put him on (although I prefer him with Malchuk) he makes his presence felt. McGowan is showing that he was a great pick up also. I still have dreams of an L-M-N line in the future and maybe it will come to pass. The freshmen have taken over. Their energy especially late in games is infectious. We won tonight with two valuable veterans sitting out-O'Grady and AAG. And of course you are right-Cullen is possessed. But then again so are a group of others. The penalty kill was a major reason we won both games (we did take 17 penalties to our opponents only getting 7). Credit the guys who did the work-Malchuk did all the little things and the defensemen were rock solid. I really hope that people notice how well Luke Curadi has come along. His game just keeps improving-and our record seems to be better for it. I hope that whatever has happened continues-I would hope that we did not give everythign out there this weekend and we left it all on the ice with nothing left for the playoffs. I would like to think we are peaking at the right time and not one week too soon. I could not be prouder of these boys-if this week did not show what heart and soul they have-nothing ever will. Just an emotional 2¢

Completely agree DOc. Amazing how much better a defense can execute when the forecheck machine is cranked to the redline. Its no coincidence folks. Cornell clearly could not handle our pressure and n-zone trap, forcing them to speed up their normally very deliberate entrance into the zone...we contested every puck.

BTW Doc, I almost spit out my cocktail when I heard WRPI announcer describe Curadi bouncing a crease-loitering Cornell forward off of our crossbar !!! That's how you enforce the crease boys !!!! LOVE IT.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

In case anyone was wondering, here's the last time we swept that weekend: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0001/schedules/renm

 

[troyboy]

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

I would like to pose a question to all.In retrospect what were/are the "BIG" games for us this season

A) Big Red Freakout

B)Colgate/Cornell (this past weekend)

C)The upcoming playoff series vs Clarckson

I submit that it is the the game friday @ Clarckson.Which means SA was correct all along that your next BIG game is in fact your next game,and in my words not his the BRF is just what it says it is a freak show.This coming weekend will come down to Goaltending.In order to win a series on enemy turf your goaltending need to be outstanding,maybe even steal a game for you.It's the Playoff's Baby...LETS GO RED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

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

Anyone have info if/when RPI will have tix available?

 

[Senna]

Fish: I have the utmost respect for our coach. He is a great asset to this program and I am overjoyed that we have him locked up for the next several years. But I would much prefer to give the credit this weekend to where I think it belongs-this team just took it upon themselves to show that they were not done-that they had not thrown in the towel and that they could play with anyone. They shook off horrible officiating-come on, 6 penalties to us versus 1 on Cornel? 11 on us versus 6 on Colgate? I give full credit to the senior captains who led by example-Malchuk and Bergin could have easily just played like their careers were coming to an end and they did not. And the freshmen, who played like this will be their team and they want to show that they will have to be reckoned with. We played 2 nationally ranked teams in their barns with horrible home town reffing and we played 120 minutes of inspired hockey-and all of this from a team with the 3rd worst goals per game offense in the country. These boys played RPI hockey-the RPI hockey I remember from the many great years i have seen the program. I have no idea if they will go any further this year-no one can possibly know-but no matter how poorly most of this year had gone, no matter how frustrating it has been for everyone-I will remember this year and this group as showing incredible character and heart. Now-I'll get off my soapbox and let these boys have the time to think about what they have accomplished this weekend-and get ready to do it all over again in the dreaded North Country (against what i will always consider our greates rival). Just very proud to still bleed RPI RED.

I feel exactly the same. I cannot describe how incredibly happy I am for the boys. I have always been proud of them, even at what seemed to be the bottom of the season emotionally this year. Yes, we did have a couple stinkers, but that is always going to happen each year. In general, I thought that we have played pretty hard this year, and at different points in time it hasn't been the whole team. Mostly, when we had miscues that happen to all teams, they were really bad and the opposition always seemed to be able to capitalize. Likewise, we just had no puck luck in getting it in the net. One things that I have noticed as a significant change during this 2nd half of the season is that we are frequently outshooting the opposition, and sometimes by a wide margin. We were not even close to doing that last year or at the beginning of this year. I don't think any of these kids ever quit. They all stuck together, and they are playing like it now. Over the past 2+ months guys like AAG and Cullen have been nothing short of inspiring. The kids, in particular McGowan, Haggerty and Schroeder have more than adapted and are playing way beyond a freshman level. We never really discuss Leonard, but how much more consistent can a defenseman be ? I love Koudys and LeBoeuf, and am so so happy that the BRO is getting consistent playing time. My personal opinion has always been that this is an exceptional group of young men coming from fantastic families, and with a program with coaches and an AD that I would want my kids associated with. Am very happy for them all. From adversity comes strength - lets just stick with these kids thru thick and thin. Regardless, there is excitement in this program again.....but seems to me that is more outside the team. I think that they have always stuck together thru this season and that this last weekend is evidence of that. Go Red !!

 

[DrDemento]

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

Something about combined special teams has never really sat well with me. You look at it and it almost never makes sense.

Normally most stats do not make sense to me. Then I have a little vodka-and it all seems to get very clear.

 

[DrDemento]

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

Very well said, and I realize that you didn't mean to omit the OT when you wrote "120 minutes of inspired hockey", as that may have been in the most inspired hockey by RPI in several years.

Correct-just an oversight. The boys came out with fire that i have not in a very long time.

 

[DrDemento]

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

I would like to pose a question to all.In retrospect what were/are the "BIG" games for us this season

A) Big Red Freakout

B)Colgate/Cornell (this past weekend)

C)The upcoming playoff series vs Clarckson

I submit that it is the the game friday @ Clarckson.Which means SA was correct all along that your next BIG game is in fact your next game,and in my words not his the BRF is just what it says it is a freak show.This coming weekend will come down to Goaltending.In order to win a series on enemy turf your goaltending need to be outstanding,maybe even steal a game for you.It's the Playoff's Baby...LETS GO RED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very sensible as you usually are. I just maintain that not all games are of equal importance-but often for very different reasons. This past weekend was HUGE-for the sake of saving the season, for the psyche of those players ending their careers in Troy, for the sake of those freshmen who will have to lead next year, for the fans who were hanging on by a thread, for the momentum it creates for the bus ride up north next week (BTW guys wave as you pass our house if you go the scenic route through the adirondacks). The BRF is big for totally different reasons-the crowd(many of whom know little of RPI hockey and it is their only exposure), the tradition, the possible recruits visiting, and never forget-it is OUR game in OUR place. I understand fully where SA is coming from-he wants every game to be prepared for and taken as important. Of course-there is nothing to disagree with in any of that. But to even indicate that playing Alabama or AIC or RIT or many others is as important as games like this past weekend, or the BRF, or Clarkson next week is just nonsense(unless we are playing Huntsville or AIC in the NCAA Tournament). I think SA should take a lot of pride in what has happened-I think we all need to realize that he is doing a great job and is a great model for our boys and I cannot think of anyone I would want in his job. But these 2 games were BIGGER than most of the rest of this season. And this weekend the credit belongs where we are all seemingly placing it-with a group of young men who showed what they are made of.

 

[DrDemento]

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

One more thing-if we get Kotyra and Murphy in Potsdam next week-I want an investigation!!!

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

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

Fish: I have the utmost respect for our coach. He is a great asset to this program and I am overjoyed that we have him locked up for the next several years. But I would much prefer to give the credit this weekend to where I think it belongs-this team just took it upon themselves to show that they were not done-that they had not thrown in the towel and that they could play with anyone. They shook off horrible officiating-come on, 6 penalties to us versus 1 on Cornel? 11 on us versus 6 on Colgate? I give full credit to the senior captains who led by example-Malchuk and Bergin could have easily just played like their careers were coming to an end and they did not. And the freshmen, who played like this will be their team and they want to show that they will have to be reckoned with. We played 2 nationally ranked teams in their barns with horrible home town reffing and we played 120 minutes of inspired hockey-and all of this from a team with the 3rd worst goals per game offense in the country. These boys played RPI hockey-the RPI hockey I remember from the many great years i have seen the program. I have no idea if they will go any further this year-no one can possibly know-but no matter how poorly most of this year had gone, no matter how frustrating it has been for everyone-I will remember this year and this group as showing incredible character and heart. Now-I'll get off my soapbox and let these boys have the time to think about what they have accomplished this weekend-and get ready to do it all over again in the dreaded North Country (against what i will always consider our greates rival). Just very proud to still bleed RPI RED.

Doc, I agree with everything you said.
But to be fair, If we are to blame the coaching staff for some of the games that we had to endure during the season, we have to give them credit for finally finding the right buttons to push with this group.
SA has to get credit for finding the line combinations and the motivation that brought this team to this weekend.
And one last thing, we can't forget the goaltending. They were terrific.

 

[rpi82]

One more thing-if we get Kotyra and Murphy in Potsdam next week-I want an investigation!!!

As the clock wound down I was psyched about having the boys come back to New Haven. I was even logged into the Yale ticket server ready to buy (Aisle 8 Row G) until Mr. Cullen stole it away. I was never so happy to lose a chance to see a game. Great effort by the boys and coach. It was a real character display. Here's hoping they spend the next few weeks on a mission to shorten that list of league opponents that swept us this year.

 

[HighlanderRPI]

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

Something tells me we don't face Union or Cornell or anyone the weekend after.

 

[DrDemento]

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

As the clock wound down I was psyched about having the boys come back to New Haven. I was even logged into the Yale ticket server ready to buy (Aisle 8 Row G) until Mr. Cullen stole it away. I was never so happy to lose a chance to see a game. Great effort by the boys and coach. It was a real character display. Here's hoping they spend the next few weeks on a mission to shorten that list of league opponents that swept us this year.

I really wanted the Yale scenario to work out also. I just think we have had their number for the past few years and that they indeed know that. But then I thought how wonderful it would be to get that winner in OT at Ithaca-it does not get rid of the bitter taste I have from March 14th 2009-but it was like a bit of mouthwash. When Pat Cullen put it in from Tinordi and Higgs-it just made life better. The food tasted better, the gimlet was devine, the cognac was tremendous. I just slept so much better last night.

 

[REDaero91]

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

When Pat Cullen put it in from Tinordi and Higgs-it just made life better.

Well said!

The postgame interviews, if anyone missed them on RPI Athletics' site:
@ Colgate
@ Cornell

 

[AspyDad]

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

One more thing-if we get Kotyra and Murphy in Potsdam next week-I want an investigation!!!

No worries on this front. I have an onging file open on the league and the veil of secrecy and bias that enshrouds it. The disparagy of penatly minutes this weekend is being examined by me.

 

[DrDemento]

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

No worries on this front. I have an onging file open on the league and the veil of secrecy and bias that enshrouds it. The disparagy of penatly minutes this weekend is being examined by me.

Aspy-thought you might be interested in a little history of John Murphy in games we play against Cornell. Here is the breakdown since 1999 and included last night.

In Troy- RPI penalties 3 for 6 minutes Cornell penalties 3 for 6 minutes
Lake Placid- RPI penalties 5 for 10 minutes Cornell penalties 2 for 4 minutes
In Ithaca- RPI penalties 35 for 73 minutes Cornell penalties 16 for 32 minutes

Totals-RPI penalties 43 for 89 minutes Cornell penalties 21 for 42 minutes

We have had him only once during this period in Troy and only once in an ECAC playoff game in lake Placid.
We have had him 4 times in Ithaca.

The statistics guys here can make of this what they want. But in not any single game has he called more penalties for more minutes against Cornell than he has against RPI(at least in the last 13 years). I guess Cornell is just a very disciplined team(especially at home) when they play against RPI and we are just a bunch of hooligans when we travel.

I have an more incredilbe chart about Tim Kotyra but it is still a little incomplete. As an interesting note-we used to draw Dan Murphy or Chip McDonald very often when we played against Cornell in Ithaca and the numbers when they were on the ice were vastly different. Probably just some weird coincidence???

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

The statistics guys here can make of this what they want. But in not any single game has he called more penalties for more minutes against Cornell than he has against RPI(at least in the last 13 years). I guess Cornell is just a very disciplined team(especially at home) when they play against RPI and we are just a bunch of hooligans when we travel.

Or, given where those refs are from, they really ARE homers (most of the ones we don't like are from either Rochester or the Buffalo area). I doubt it though.

BTW, wasn't embellishment supposed to be an emphasis this year? You'd think the Pyongyang Diving Squad would have more penalties this year.