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RPI 2023-24: In Our 200th Year, We're Getting It Right
- Thread starter Ralph Baer
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I know of someone. System won't allow me to send private messages. Any way to reach you off-list?
Preview for Union weekend!
https://open.substack.com/pub/thefi...ion?r=1mx7gw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
https://open.substack.com/pub/thefi...ion?r=1mx7gw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
We will soon know which team progressed more since exhibition game - RPI or Union?
Puckfan90
Fan in the Berkshires
Here's the interview with Smith. Also with Union's Josh Hauge.
https://1045theteam.com/who-will-win-the-ecac-hockey-game-this-weekend-rpi-or-union/
Good timing, because even though the good guys won, that was the best they looked. I must admit to being a bit disappointed. I thought Doc was too concerned about the D because they had faced some of the best offensive teams in the country. I was wrong. Tonight was a series of defensive breakdowns that resulted in a win only because Union's may have been worse. The last Union goal (or I think it was the last one), where Watson was incredibly late getting across the crease epitomized our defensive play. Watching the replay, he was late because he had to lean the other way to see around the huge Union a** blocking his view. If we don't do a better job of clearing around the net (particularly net front and players on the back door) it's going to be a very long season. Don't get me started on special teams.................
Very disappointing game. Like you said good guys won but the special teams and defensive breakdowns are going to sink this team. Payant is the real deal tho. He’s very good. He should start over Beaton going forward. Beaton hasn’t produced much past 2 years.
Totally agree. Those defense optional games out of the 60's, 70's and even 80's with a score like this just won't get it done these days.
Even more stunning than the score was the fact that their tiny barn had some 250 empty seats. Not even conceivable some four decades ago when the rivalry resumed. Until recently, if you didn't get your ticket by the time the leaves started turning and falling, then you were not going to any early November Schenectady game.
Why? Surely the more recent lack of success of both of these programs plays at least some part. However (and as noted AT THE TIME by guess which poster), being one of the mere eight to shut down their programs entirely for what eventually proved to be a year and a half was a grievous error that would take years to ever overcome. Again, and as noted at the time, that was simply too long and people once passionately interested in these programs understandably lost their interest and just moved on to doing other things instead.
Lastly, be very wary of some eye popping attendance figure listed for the Saturday game in the bigger barn at least until it is compared to the actual fannies in seats. Last year there were a couple of listed attendance figures at this venue that were very highly suspect. Until proven otherwise, do not believe those kind of numbers will happen for real with PAID FOR AND ACTUALLY USED tickets anytime in the foreseeable future.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
We are all the way up to 42 in the Pairwise. 
As you hinted, cannot blame Watson for almost any of the goals against but he was slow getting across on that one. Union was able to get behind our net, out fight for the puck and center to an unguarded player more times than any team deserves. Defense is going to have to clear the lanes for the sake of goalie visibility much better. The first 4 games were admittedly against high level talent, but it was obvious that the poor defensive play made the games even more one sided than they would have been. it continued last night. And totally agree, do not get me started on special teams play. We had the most inept power play while at the same time allowing Union to look like the best team in the country whenever they had the man advantage. If we stay out of the box tonight (and the refs do not see a phantom 5 minute major against us), we might have an easier time of it. Our offense is showing some real promise and Payant is the real deal with Kelly Askew like speed.
My concern is still the defense and of course the anemic special teams. But there was a lot of offensive bright spots last night and we will need that type of performance again tonight.
Defense and special teams are a real problem currently. Union pushed around after the 1st period. Particularly below the dots. This payant kid is unbelievable. You have to see this kid skate. It’s unbelievable how fast he is. No bullshit he’s faster than melanson, Brackett, askew. Not just fast north-south but East-west he might be faster. He needs 2 strides and he’s gone. Like blow past 3 defenders gone. I have no idea who was recruiting him but we hit a home run with him. He put up 4 points last night. He can shoot the puck as well. Very talented young man.
engineerhockeyfan
PUCKMAN RULES!!!
The team was fine until Union pushed back.
It seemed like we sat back every time we had a three goal lead. We cannot allow any team to come back because of our complacency.
I liked Payant from the first time I saw him. The puck seems to follow him and he knows what to do with it when it finds him.
I still can't see a penalty that caused a 5 minute major to our player. No call during play and 5 minutes after review that showed very little to overturn the call on the ice.
And why wasn't the Union player disqualified after his major? Even the Union broadcasters were stunned by that one.
Anyway, it was good to get a win, now lets get serious.
It seemed like we sat back every time we had a three goal lead. We cannot allow any team to come back because of our complacency.
I liked Payant from the first time I saw him. The puck seems to follow him and he knows what to do with it when it finds him.
I still can't see a penalty that caused a 5 minute major to our player. No call during play and 5 minutes after review that showed very little to overturn the call on the ice.
And why wasn't the Union player disqualified after his major? Even the Union broadcasters were stunned by that one.
Anyway, it was good to get a win, now lets get serious.
Payant wastes little time with the puck. He’s a sniper! Neutral zone had him 3.5* man were they wrong. His skating is 5* and he can shoot the puck.
Absolutely agree. i have used Askew as the standard for skating speed for many years and Payant is at least that fast and as you mention, perhaps more so in all directions. What is even more important, he stays on his feet and can handle the puck at that top speed. Saw Melanson in high school for years, he was very quick and could back up a defense as well as anyone. We have had several very fast skaters in Troy but only a very few who also had the scorer's touch (Tapper sure comes to mind). Let us hope the coaching staff can find the best ways to utilize Payant's speed with proper line mates, or on some of the special team play. i recall that Askew was often used short handed to fore check and drive the opposition to distraction and often on the point on the power play as the 4th forward but acting like a defenseman to get back quickly and guard against short handed attempts against.
Should also mention that also on this team with good speed and quickness is Hotsen who can also do some damage. As i have posted before, our offense does not seem to be the problem (we scored 6 yesterday before Muzzatti, our biggest threat, was even on the score sheet I believe).
Did not have the luxury to replay our 5 minute penalty as we were at a local pub watching the game. No one in the place was an RPi fan. Virtually no one was even a hockey fan. But absolutely no one who saw the call was able to figure out why anything at all was called, let a lone a 5 minute major. There was virtually no contact and definitely no attempt at contact to the head. If it was supposed to be a make up call - the added misconduct and disqualification from the game was far more than the Union player got for his penalty earlier. Which, btw, I thought might also be only a 2 minute penalty. Would not have mattered since we played those 5 minutes about as poorly as we could giving whatever momentum we had to Union.
We are all the way up to 42 in the Pairwise.
Doubtful we move up at all after tonight since even with a win in regulation, Union is a team well below us in the pairwise.
Couldn’t agree more doc. Payant doesn’t slow down when he has the puck he’s just as fast with the puck. He’s a weapon for 4sure. Hotson is a stud. He can play
I was encouraged by our offensive showing for sure. Defense and goaltending needs to be better, but you've all already said that. I assume we'll have Cherepak in net. I don't think either coach is happy with the defense from last night, so tonight will be low scoring I bet
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