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RPI 2023-24 (Part II): The Search for Special Teams Excellence

tony/troy said:
Tall order to get much of anything there with only 3,600 seats unless someone really gets greased!!! May be barely big enough for those traveling multi performer shows of still touring 70's and 80's disco acts!!!
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wont stop them from bidding, especially if the casino can give guaranteed money
 
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CMcGarvey said:
Can I play devil's advocate? I don't think this is as great of a move for their hockey as it seems. Almost no college hockey teams play off campus, I think there is a reason for that.
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I agree that Messa/Achilles had some charm and that wood ceiling was cool, but the issue is that it might be one of the worst rinks around from a spectator comfort perspective, and Union enjoys decent attendance from non-students that will appreciate easier access to the rink. Almost any facility will be better, and it was unfeasible to try and renovate. The school will solve any distance issues for the students.
 
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tony/troy said:
Whatever RPI decides to do or not do with their facility to keep up with the Joneses, at least it does not appear that it will include being a front, a lure or a draw for a gambling operation. Not even a two hour diversion for gamblers wanting a break from the machines and tables.

A supposedly prestigious university getting themselves involved in this endeavor with that industry just plain looks and smells bad and dirty.

Does anyone know if the sports rooms at casinos presently take college hockey??? If so, eventually Schenectady fans will be able stop by the room before the game to lay their action down. They will probably also be able to scoot to the room between periods to lay down action on those game in progress bets with the odds adjusted depending on how the game is going thus far!!! When and if that day comes, will Union get a cut of the action on their games???
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I know for a fact that Rivers Casino does not take action on any college game (hockey, football, basketball, etc.) that involves any New York State schools. I tried betting on UAlbany football when they were in the NCAA tournament and that’s what they told me.
 
DavidNardolillo said:
I agree that Messa/Achilles had some charm and that wood ceiling was cool, but the issue is that it might be one of the worst rinks around from a spectator comfort perspective, and Union enjoys decent attendance from non-students that will appreciate easier access to the rink. Almost any facility will be better, and it was unfeasible to try and renovate. The school will solve any distance issues for the students.
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All of this is true. Also, the school gains cost certainty for the next 25 years regarding the hockey facility. Given today's perilous fiscal realities for most northeastern universities, this is a big deal. Union won't have to face any emergencies such as when a compressor goes down or there is a refrigerant leak, etc. They pay the monthly rent and the landlord deals with upkeep and maintenance.
 
vicious said:
Colgate also has to be very happy with their first year head coach, heading into the last weekend of regular season in 3rd place. Dartmouth has also had a major turn around from last season.
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Amazing what happens with a good coaching staff. Dartmouth has been very impressive all year. Our coaching staff just bangs out 20+ loss seasons like it’s good for them.
 
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CMcGarvey said:
The Union news is interesting. For one thing, it clearly forces RPIs hand as far as their own renovations go. It is a chance for Dr Bowers and Schmidt to flex their commitment to hockey and counter Union's move. Can I play devil's advocate? I don't think this is as great of a move for their hockey as it seems. Almost no college hockey teams play off campus, I think there is a reason for that. It is not football and basketball, students are generally not traveling to get to a college hockey game. Also, part of what makes college hockey rinks cool is that many are so personalized, and when you are a renter in a space it will never truly be yours. Look at Lynah, Agganis, Alfond. If Messa was architecturally unsound and an upgrade needed to be made I understand, and it is certainly cheaper than the alternative. I just don't think it is as great for the program as U is going to attempt to spin it.
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One of the articles mentioned it would be 20 million to renovate messa rink. I think given all that needs to be done at HFH it would be that much if not more for the field house. I think a new rink would be the better investment. Along with a coaching staff that knows what it’s doing.
 
Wicked Slappaahs said:
I made the mistake of looking at some ECAC team stats yesterday....and was shocked by how many categories Union was near the top of the league (I'll spare you the details...).
This was achieved by a second year head coach who inherited a rather depleted roster. Point being, in a very short period of time they have righted their ship following Mongo's exit....
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I’m not that surprised. Hauge came from Clarkson so he knows what it takes. He’s also a very good recruiter. Ronan is a mainstay at union so he’s coached very successful union teams. Childs came from ushl and he’s a beast coaching pk and defensive side of things. Lennie child’s is a good coach.
put it together and you get a very good coaching staff. Compared to RPI staff it’s laughable.
 
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Ralph Baer said:
Not surprising. The bigger question is if Watson will too.
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I have some concern about several of the boys testing the waters. Cannot really blame anyone who has only a year left of eligibility trying for the bigger better deal but would hate to see any sort of exodus from classes with 2 or 3 years left on their dance card.
Have not heard of anyone from the girl's side as yet. That would be especially damaging as we are already losing an unusually large number from the graduating class.
 
The Miller thing means nothing. He obviously will not be back next year, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that. Half of Holy Cross's seniors are already in the portal bc they can not return next year, and that team is in top 25 pairwise. Probably no skin off anyone's back to let him start searching for his next spot
 
Engineers said:
I’m not that surprised. Hauge came from Clarkson so he knows what it takes. He’s also a very good recruiter. Ronan is a mainstay at union so he’s coached very successful union teams. Childs came from ushl and he’s a beast coaching pk and defensive side of things. Lennie child’s is a good coach.
put it together and you get a very good coaching staff. Compared to RPI staff it’s laughable.
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With all the ECAC programs on the upswing if we could just get President Marty to light a fire under the Engineers we could have 12 teams all at the top of the ECAC. What a sight, 12 teams tied for first place!
;-)
 
Tonight’s loss leaves RPI in 11th place. They cannot finish any higher and a Brown win and RPI loss means we finish dead last.
The only teams that we can play in the one-game playoff is either Dartmouth, Clarkson or Union. All of course on the road.
Finally, tonight’s loss was RPI’s 20th of the season.
 
RPI fan 4 life said:
Tonight’s loss leaves RPI in 11th place. They cannot finish any higher and a Brown win and RPI loss means we finish dead last.
The only teams that we can play in the one-game playoff is either Dartmouth, Clarkson or Union. All of course on the road.
Finally, tonight’s loss was RPI’s 20th of the season.
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If Brown gets two more points than RPI does on Saturday then RPI will indeed finish last as pointed out above by our esteemed colleague. Should that happen, it will be for the first time in 58 years (57 not counting the year RPI was not allowed to play). Ironically, with the exception of two games the previous season, it was my first full season of attending most of the games. What a start!!!

They were winless in ECAC play that year. Should anyone be wondering where the hell the three non ECAC wins came from, the list is as follows:

1) Opening night against the University of Pennsylvania who were playing their very first varsity game ever as a rebooted program. They were an independent in that very first year and would join the ECAC one year later. Their head coach was Jim Salfi who would later be hired by RPI.

2) Christmas tournament against non Division 1 Middlebury against whom they lost a rematch at Middlebury around a week or so later.

3) Mid week game later that season against non Division 1 Hamilton. Thankfully and fortunately, there was no at Hamilton rematch scheduled.
 
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