RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

No earlier than October 4, which is the first practice and first competition date set by the NCAA.

It's as good a guess as any. Thanks.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I would mostly agree with your analysis of the transition game. Goes along with my "when they play well, they play REALLY well, when they stink, they REALLY stink" quip; sometimes the D makes some great choices, a lot of times they just don't.

However, not sure the lack of depth is entirely correct, in my maybe not so useful opinion. I've seen the freshmen put plenty of shots on net, but in the stats we see, only the ones that go in the net really count, for both the actual goal scorer and the helpers. Again, it may not be the talent that is missing. It may be some X-factor that we as armchair coaches can't see. I did hear Appert say before the Yale game that we have three recruits coming in that are already NHL drafted. I know that doesn't mean everything, but it is nice to see the guy can still recruit.

As for our inconsistency, I thought that might be obvious. Look at our W/L/T record over the whole season. You'll see few streaks, if any.

There are no streaks, because we keep losing on Friday and winning on Saturday.
That makes for a .500 season with no streaks. Sound familiar?

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

2 things that I see hampering this team:

Second is the lack of depth. Not to hurt anyone's feelings but this is the worst performance I have ever seen out of a freshman class since I have followed RPI hockey. Outside of the top 6 forwards and a couple of stay at home defensemen, I am not seeing all the talent everyone else is seeing.

Have to agree here, unfortunately. Really had higher expectations for Bourbonnais, if they'd been on point he'd probably be playing every game by now. As it is he gets the least amount of ice time among the forwards.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

Have to agree here, unfortunately. Really had higher expectations for Bourbonnais, if they'd been on point he'd probably be playing every game by now. As it is he gets the least amount of ice time among the forwards.

I wonder what got him into SA's dog house. Wood, DeVito, and Soffer are as I expected. Reno was performing better than I expected early. I don't know what happened since then. That isn't to say that Bokenfohr hasn't deserved the ice team he has been receiving. He has. However both IMHO are among our top-6 defensemen.

 

[Kepler]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

There are no streaks, because we keep losing on Friday and winning on Saturday.

The question is, what about Sunday?

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

The question is, what about Sunday?

We lost to BC and defeated the U18 team in an exhibition. I think that is all.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

A shout-out to the Pep Band today and the wonderful enthusiasm they bring to the games.

While it isn't "official", in my book today is National Marching Band Day.

March Forth / Fourth

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I did hear Appert say before the Yale game that we have three recruits coming in that are already NHL drafted. I know that doesn't mean everything, but it is nice to see the guy can still recruit.

I did not hear that statement-can you tell me the 3 that have been NHL drafted?

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

If anything, RPI has 2 potential matchups where they could advance so we will see what happens.

Correct-as long as we can avoid our 2 worst matchups-Union and Quinnipiac-we do indeed have a relatively more favorable position this year(on paper). Dartmouth is certainly not the team we faced early in the year however. We have to be healthy and we have to be hungry. Our season seems to parallel our game play. We start out just great(fantastic first periods-very good early start to the season) We suffer the dreaded second period(grossly outscored and outshot-deep slump mid season where we just seem lackadaisical and complacent) Then a decent third period where we play better(but often just not well enough to catch up after the horrid second period-and for the season not well enough to move ourselves up the standings enought).

It has been posted before by many-we have to adapt as each game progresses and we have to adapt as the season progresses. We haven't done that agin this season for whatever reasons anyone wants to postulate. Can we accomplish that in the playoffs?

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I did not hear that statement-can you tell me the 3 that have been NHL drafted?

Nanne has been drafted. That is one. Conceivably he included major junior drafted which would include Prapavessis and Bell. Dillon also, but I don't expect him. I don't really expect Bell either, but he could be coming.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I wonder what got him into SA's dog house. Wood, DeVito, and Soffer are as I expected. Reno was performing better than I expected early. I don't know what happened since then. That isn't to say that Bokenfohr hasn't deserved the ice team he has been receiving. He has. However both IMHO are among our top-6 defensemen.

From what I saw in juniors with Bourbonnais, what they had originally expected of him was, in a way, exposed in the USHL, and subsequently in college. Sure, he has talent (after all, if you don't, then you don't even get to the college level), but how much of his scoresheet was a product of systems with his linemates, as opposed to someone who is really creating opportunities out there? Sure, once in a while you will get a guy that can make a great individual stand to help the team like a Brandon Pirri, but unless you can get that person, where do you go? I'd much rather see a player that has the vision and creativity to find and execute those openings on the ice, and is where we got really lucky in guys like Mike Zalewski and Matt Neal.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

Today is March 4, 2014. There aren't any players ahead of Brock Higgs! Did you vote today?

Vote HERE.

We are very near the point where if you've been using the "vote for Brock and the two lowest vote getters" method, you should STOP. If Brock passes 33.3%, this plan will actually decrease his share, not increase it.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

Correct-as long as we can avoid our 2 worst matchups-Union and Quinnipiac-we do indeed have a relatively more favorable position this year(on paper). Dartmouth is certainly not the team we faced early in the year however. We have to be healthy and we have to be hungry. Our season seems to parallel our game play. We start out just great(fantastic first periods-very good early start to the season) We suffer the dreaded second period(grossly outscored and outshot-deep slump mid season where we just seem lackadaisical and complacent) Then a decent third period where we play better(but often just not well enough to catch up after the horrid second period-and for the season not well enough to move ourselves up the standings enought).

It has been posted before by many-we have to adapt as each game progresses and we have to adapt as the season progresses. We haven't done that agin this season for whatever reasons anyone wants to postulate. Can we accomplish that in the playoffs?

Doc, based on Seth Apperts comments throughout his tenure as RPI coach, I don't think we will adapt to anything.
All he ever talks about is playing the RPI way. No adjustments, just the process.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

From what I saw in juniors with Bourbonnais, what they had originally expected of him was, in a way, exposed in the USHL, and subsequently in college. Sure, he has talent (after all, if you don't, then you don't even get to the college level), but how much of his scoresheet was a product of systems with his linemates, as opposed to someone who is really creating opportunities out there? Sure, once in a while you will get a guy that can make a great individual stand to help the team like a Brandon Pirri, but unless you can get that person, where do you go? I'd much rather see a player that has the vision and creativity to find and execute those openings on the ice, and is where we got really lucky in guys like Mike Zalewski and Matt Neal.

I know that you saw him play and I didn't, but 66-25-27-52-48 isn't bad.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I know that you saw him play and I didn't, but 66-25-27-52-48 isn't bad.

You said more in one sentence than he did in a whole paragraph.

You also you proved you know hockey. His, not so much.

 

[Waite21]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

A shout-out to the Pep Band today and the wonderful enthusiasm they bring to the games.

While it isn't "official", in my book today is National Marching Band Day.

March Forth / Fourth

Hear, hear!

I'd like to express my belated appreciation to the band for being there during last year's playoff series, even though it took place during spring break (as this year's playoff series will, also).

I came up for last year's series. Moments after I came through the front door, I heard someone start whacking on a bass drum and the trumpets playing the opening notes of the fight song.

I hadn't been to the Field House in a number of years, but as soon as I heard those sounds, I knew I was at home.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I know that you saw him play and I didn't, but 66-25-27-52-48 isn't bad.

He was actually in the dog house for the first period in the game I saw. Of course, according to this statement, it means that Mark Miller would do awful for RPI because his score sheet didn't show much, and we have seen the complete opposite. There's much more to a game than the score sheet, and that is true regardless of the sport. Otherwise, coaches wouldn't go out to watch the kids. They'd just sit back and recruit from score sheets.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

He was actually in the dog house for the first period in the game I saw. Of course, according to this statement, it means that Mark Miller would do awful for RPI because his score sheet didn't show much, and we have seen the complete opposite. There's much more to a game than the score sheet, and that is true regardless of the sport. Otherwise, coaches wouldn't go out to watch the kids. They'd just sit back and recruit from score sheets.

There is indeed more than the score sheet, but the score sheet is worth a lot.

 

[RedWrister]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

I believe per game. I also believe if you buy Sunday tickets ahead of time and the game is not necessary you can get a refund or donate to the Let's Go Red foundation.

You are correct, I stopped by the HFH for my tickets this am. $12 per seat per game for the public with no alumni pricing (Students are $8). There may have been a children and seniors rate as well but I don't recall. My seats don't seem all that good. I'm not sure if season ticket holders took a lot or if RPI blocks a lot for VIPs. Students are on spring break so I'm guessing they didn't soak up a lot of seats. Surely Dartmouth has some blocked out but I really expected to have better options.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2013/14 Part III: Maximum Overdrivel

Nanne has been drafted. That is one. Conceivably he included major junior drafted which would include Prapavessis and Bell. Dillon also, but I don't expect him. I don't really expect Bell either, but he could be coming.

There are NHL-drafted players who for one reason or another aren't committed. For example, Sam Kurker, a St. Louis draft choice, played for BU and is now in the USHL. I have seen nothing indicating that we are interested.