RPI 2023-24: In Our 200th Year, We're Getting It Right

[RPI fan 4 life]

Totally agree with the last 2 posts. But despite all of that, it was a 2-1 game for 50 minutes.
A few observations from last nights game. Despite Cornell being so “composed”, they were called for TWO bench minors. And a rule took place last night that I had forgotten about. During a delayed penalty, Cornell scored and the RPI player still has to serve the penalty giving Cornell a PP, which they scored on to essentially put the game out of reach. IMO, that is a stupid rule. I can understand having the player serve the penalty but it shouldn’t affect the on-ice strength. I don’t think the NHL does it, so why does the NCAA? Of course, if I’m wrong, I’m wrong.
Looking forward to attending my 45th FREAKOUT! Tonight. I know it’s the 46th, but they wouldn’t let fans in in 2022. Let’s go RED!!

 

[CMcGarvey]

Still way too many lapses in our game. Cornell is a talented team, just not in a speed and skill way, more in a physical way. Think of Morgan Barron who’s in the NHL now. What I think they have that we don’t is an identity, Schafer recruits a specific type of kid for his system and it works. I don’t really understand what the criteria is that we are recruiting for, but we aren’t very tough to play against anymore. Long stretches of good play, Watson bailed them out quite a few times though

 

[tony/troy]

Reported attendance for Friday's game 2317 meaning the place was more than half full??? Not sure that is very buyable. Even if it actually happened, is it a sign things are picking up a bit? No!!! The place was invaded by the Cornell faithful and still only 2317.

Freakout tonight and Colgate fans do not travel well!!! Really hope turnout tonight is not a total embarrassment. Never thought it could ever deteriorate to the point where you hope people actually show up on freakout night.

 

[Engineers]

Still way too many lapses in our game. Cornell is a talented team, just not in a speed and skill way, more in a physical way. Think of Morgan Barron who’s in the NHL now. What I think they have that we don’t is an identity, Schafer recruits a specific type of kid for his system and it works. I don’t really understand what the criteria is that we are recruiting for, but we aren’t very tough to play against anymore. Long stretches of good play, Watson bailed them out quite a few times though

Cornell has speed skill and physicality. That’s why they’re always good. Schafer is a master at recruiting for his program compared to our great coach. I’ve given up trying to figure out our recruiting strategy. I guess 4th line grinders out of AJHL is what we look for now. I have no idea anymore. Nothing makes sense with this program anymore. I will say hotson and goffredo are good players. Funny they both came out of the USHL and their freshman but they’re better than most of the team. Maybe we should recruit more players out of the USHL or recruit players that will eventually be going to the USHL. Since most are committed before then. Watson saved the team from a 7-1 loss. He played great.

 

[DavidSec17]

Reported attendance for Friday's game 2317 meaning the place was more than half full??? Not sure that is very buyable. Even if it actually happened, is it a sign things are picking up a bit? No!!! The place was invaded by the Cornell faithful and still only 2317.

Freakout tonight and Colgate fans do not travel well!!! Really hope turnout tonight is not a total embarrassment. Never thought it could ever deteriorate to the point where you hope people actually show up on freakout night.

Unless there's a big walkup I don't anticipate more than 3500, I hope I'm wrong. Freakout hasn't sold out in years. I looked earlier this week and the corners (secs 2 and 3 19 and 20 ) were pretty much unsold. There was a group of 5 or so Cornell fans behind me last night. I overheard one of them saying they couldn't believe they were able to get 5 seats together, basically center ice, right before the game.

​​​​​​ I never thought RPIs attendence would drop to the levels of Capital District Islanders games in the early 90's but here we are.

All this said I liked our effort last night, but if not for Watson, it's a blowout. Thought we stabilized after a shaky start and was staring to have some hope, but special teams continues to be an issue, as it has all season. One of the faster Cornell teams I can remember in recent memory.

 

[Engineers]

Reported attendance for Friday's game 2317 meaning the place was more than half full??? Not sure that is very buyable. Even if it actually happened, is it a sign things are picking up a bit? No!!! The place was invaded by the Cornell faithful and still only 2317.

Freakout tonight and Colgate fans do not travel well!!! Really hope turnout tonight is not a total embarrassment. Never thought it could ever deteriorate to the point where you hope people actually show up on freakout night.

The field house was maybe half full last night. Half were Cornell fans. It’s pretty sad actually.

 

[Engineers]

The field house was maybe half full last night. Half were Cornell fans. It’s pretty sad actually.

The field house has been lifeless this year.
No buzz no excitement. Fans have seemed to settle into the idea of constantly losing. Place has turned into a morgue

 

[DavidSec17]

Cornell has speed skill and physicality. That’s why they’re always good. Schafer is a master at recruiting for his program compared to our great coach. I’ve given up trying to figure out our recruiting strategy. I guess 4th line grinders out of AJHL is what we look for now. I have no idea anymore. Nothing makes sense with this program anymore. I will say hotson and goffredo are good players. Funny they both came out of the USHL and their freshman but they’re better than most of the team. Maybe we should recruit more players out of the USHL or recruit players that will eventually be going to the USHL. Since most are committed before then. Watson saved the team from a 7-1 loss. He played great.

Episode 291 of the Hockey Think Tank podcast is an interview with Mike Schaefer and North Dakota head coach Brad Berry. They talk about their recruiting, etc. Sounds like it was recorded during Covid or shortly thereafter. It's a interesting listen.

 

[Engineers]

Episode 291 of the Hockey Think Tank podcast is an interview with Mike Schaefer and North Dakota head coach Brad Berry. They talk about their recruiting, etc. Sounds like it was recorded during Covid or shortly thereafter. It's an interesting listen.

I’ll take a listen. Maybe I’ll forward it over to our great coach.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

The field house was maybe half full last night. Half were Cornell fans. It’s pretty sad actually.

You are right. I sit in Section 6 and there were more Cornell fans sitting there than RPI fans. Thought I was in Ithaca when Cornell scored. And then looking at the other side and seeing so many empty seats made me just shake my head.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

The field house has been lifeless this year.
No buzz no excitement. Fans have seemed to settle into the idea of constantly losing. Place has turned into a morgue

When you’re 3-8-1 at home and your team is in 11th place, it’s hard to create any buzz or excitement.
If they can ever turn things around and start winning again, the fans will come back and maybe the excitement with it…

 

[RPI Hockey Guy]

The field house has been lifeless this year.
No buzz no excitement. Fans have seemed to settle into the idea of constantly losing. Place has turned into a morgue

What you have to look at in regards to student turnout is RPI has never played a good game when students came this year. In blackout we played terribly, turning many potential fans away. Combine that with the fact that with the fact that we have only had 1 non-scrimmage win at home that didn't overlap with either a break or finals week, and it's easy to understand why no students are really going. What RPI needs is a freakout that is both really entertaining to watch and a good win for RPI, and even that might not be enough to spike student interest until next year.

 

[25+years]

Overall I thought it was a good hockey game. Cornell is a fast, tenacious team and like every Cornell team plays a hard, physical game. But I thought RPI played them well for two periods. If you look at the first two Cornell goals: both were as a result of poor play by Muzzatti. The first goal was an egregious turnover at his offensive blue line. The second goal resulted when the Cornell player in the corner with Muzzatti to the left of Watson was allowed to go out in front of the net unimpeded and he scored. All I saw as the goal went in was Muzzatti standing in the corner by himself. I have also noted he is great in and around the opponents goal. But he is slow on the back check. The type of play I see from him at this stage of the season tells me for all the skill he has, he won’t make it in the pros unless he really picks up his defensive game and makes better decisions with the puck. And doesn’t take undisciplined penalties.

 

[jstadts]

I felt it was a good effort by the engineers. Watson was incredible. Saw a first in over 40 years of watching college hockey last night. It appeared the Refs thru a penalty box official out? Happened after the review of a Cornell goal. My best guess is he disagreed with ref and said so. Very odd.

 

[DrDemento]

Overall I thought it was a good hockey game. Cornell is a fast, tenacious team and like every Cornell team plays a hard, physical game. But I thought RPI played them well for two periods. If you look at the first two Cornell goals: both were as a result of poor play by Muzzatti. The first goal was an egregious turnover at his offensive blue line. The second goal resulted when the Cornell player in the corner with Muzzatti to the left of Watson was allowed to go out in front of the net unimpeded and he scored. All I saw as the goal went in was Muzzatti standing in the corner by himself. I have also noted he is great in and around the opponents goal. But he is slow on the back check. The type of play I see from him at this stage of the season tells me for all the skill he has, he won’t make it in the pros unless he really picks up his defensive game and makes better decisions with the puck. And doesn’t take undisciplined penalties.

Pretty incisive description and i agree totally. Hope we get to see a much better effort tonight in front of what may be at least a decent sized crowd.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

It appeared the Refs thru a penalty box official out? Happened after the review of a Cornell goal. My best guess is he disagreed with ref and said so. Very odd.

If it happened, I missed it, but I was on the other side of the rink. Maybe those who watched the broadcast have more information. That was the 3rd Cornell goal and it was a killer; delayed penalty on Smolinski that Cornell turned into a 4th goal on the resulting power play. There was only one replay shown on the scoreboard, but I thought that it was a legal goal.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Schafer is a master at recruiting for his program compared to our great coach. I’ve given up trying to figure out our recruiting strategy.

I think most coaches try and recruit the best available player. Having the right eye or analytical structure is obviously part of any success, but there are a bunch of other things that go into it. Relationships with amateur coaches, salesmanship, campus environments, cooperation with the admissions office. Even if you identify the "right" players, convincing them to attend is a separate process.

 

[Engineers]

I think most coaches try and recruit the best available player. Having the right eye or analytical structure is obviously part of any success, but there are a bunch of other things that go into it. Relationships with amateur coaches, salesmanship, campus environments, cooperation with the admissions office. Even if you identify the "right" players, convincing them to attend is a separate process.

Well yeah that’s part of recruiting. That’s what separates the good recruiters from the bad ones. Getting them on campus is the end result.

 

[Engineers]

What you have to look at in regards to student turnout is RPI has never played a good game when students came this year. In blackout we played terribly, turning many potential fans away. Combine that with the fact that with the fact that we have only had 1 non-scrimmage win at home that didn't overlap with either a break or finals week, and it's easy to understand why no students are really going. What RPI needs is a freakout that is both really entertaining to watch and a good win for RPI, and even that might not be enough to spike student interest until next year.

I feel the students pain for sure.

 

[CMcGarvey]

I think most coaches try and recruit the best available player. Having the right eye or analytical structure is obviously part of any success, but there are a bunch of other things that go into it. Relationships with amateur coaches, salesmanship, campus environments, cooperation with the admissions office. Even if you identify the "right" players, convincing them to attend is a separate process.

Yes and no on the first part. There’s some level of finding the players that are the correct fit for what your trying to do as a program