RPI 2024–25: Come for the Hockey, Stay for the Football

[rpi82]

Gotta challenge it. All the players kept on playing. Critical time in the game.

Well, they did a complete line change and obviously none of those players told the coaches that they thought it didn't go in. Even Smolinski, who picked up the puck in the corner, didn't seem to have a reaction as he left the ice.

BTW, No one has pointed to the problem that caused this situation. Hotson swung toward the boards as he approached the blue line and then made a blind lateral pass just inside the zone to the defenseman at the point. Even I know the most dangerous place to make a pass in traffic is just inside the blue line. It was just the kind of careless pass we seem to make but more disciplined teams like Q never do. I think failure to enforce such discipline is a bigger problem than not challenging a missed call that the players on the ice didn't see either.

 

[troyboy]

I look at that list of recruits and I see one player committed for 2024? Sanborn commited back in 2021 which is crazy. He’s gotten worse every year. Not sure why this coaching staff has not pivoted to another player?? I think the lack of players committing tells me the word is out to advisors and teams smith is gone after this year. Lame duck coaching staff.

Like I Said.!

 

[bgtrpi]

A couple of observations on recent games that I attended. First, Giesbrecht made a number of unbelievable saves in the 2nd Miami game and the Qpac game that were better than anything I’ve seen in recent years by a RPI goalie. He deserved a tie against Qpac and was the reason RPI won the Miami game. Qpac’s first goal came on the PP as a result of one of the softest cross checking calls I’ve ever seen. And, as others have pointed out, the 3rd goal didn’t go in. Unfortunately, Giesbrecht could’t follow up the next night and gave up a couple soft goals.

Second, in evaluating the team up to this point of the season, it must be pointed out that all of the wins have come against really bad teams. It doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season but hopefully there is time to turn things around.

Finally, Coach Smith was not behind the bench for the Princeton game although I spoke to him briefly just prior to the game. I hope he decided just to watch from the stands and did not come down sick or have another emergency.

 

[Engineers]

A couple of observations on recent games that I attended. First, Giesbrecht made a number of unbelievable saves in the 2nd Miami game and the Qpac game that were better than anything I’ve seen in recent years by a RPI goalie. He deserved a tie against Qpac and was the reason RPI won the Miami game. Qpac’s first goal came on the PP as a result of one of the softest cross checking calls I’ve ever seen. And, as others have pointed out, the 3rd goal didn’t go in. Unfortunately, Giesbrecht could’t follow up the next night and gave up a couple soft goals.

Second, in evaluating the team up to this point of the season, it must be pointed out that all of the wins have come against really bad teams. It doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season but hopefully there is time to turn things around.

Finally, Coach Smith was not behind the bench for the Princeton game although I spoke to him briefly just prior to the game. I hope he decided just to watch from the stands and did not come down sick or have another emergency.

Giesbrecht is not the problem. He’s quite good actually. I don’t think many people believe this staff can turn this around.
You hope he decided to watch from the stands? He’s the head coach why wouldn’t he be behind the bench? Barring a family emergency or a serious illness I never heard of a coach watching his team from the stands? You talked to him did he seem sick?? Lol

 

[AspyDad]

You hope he decided to watch from the stands? He’s the head coach why wouldn’t he be behind the bench? Barring a family emergency or a serious illness I never heard of a coach watching his team from the stands? You talked to him did he seem sick?? Lol

He was suspended for verbal abuse of an official during QPac game. Mutiple sources have informed me.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

A couple of observations on recent games that I attended. First, Giesbrecht made a number of unbelievable saves in the 2nd Miami game and the Qpac game that were better than anything I’ve seen in recent years by a RPI goalie. He deserved a tie against Qpac and was the reason RPI won the Miami game. Qpac’s first goal came on the PP as a result of one of the softest cross checking calls I’ve ever seen. And, as others have pointed out, the 3rd goal didn’t go in. Unfortunately, Giesbrecht could’t follow up the next night and gave up a couple soft goals.

Second, in evaluating the team up to this point of the season, it must be pointed out that all of the wins have come against really bad teams. It doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season but hopefully there is time to turn things around.

Finally, Coach Smith was not behind the bench for the Princeton game although I spoke to him briefly just prior to the game. I hope he decided just to watch from the stands and did not come down sick or have another emergency.

I agree with your observations on Giesbrecht and the teams evaluation.
What is most troubling to me is the lack of improvement from last years team.
These guys make the same mistakes in their defensive zone, make poor decisions all over the ice, commit too many penalties and cannot kill a penalty.
All of these things should be correctable, and yet they are now two years old.

 

[Engineers]

He was suspended for verbal abuse of an official during QPac game. Mutiple sources have informed me.

Oh nice

 

[Engineers]

He was suspended for verbal abuse of an official during QPac game. Mutiple sources have informed me.

I wonder why nothing was reported about this?

 

[CMcGarvey]

I don't even think anyone reports on the team anymore

 

[Ralph Baer]

I Haven't received a letter or email this year ask for a donation to the hockey team.

 

[AspyDad]

I don't even think anyone reports on the team anymore

Hey man, in all seriousness this thing could get better. Changes need to be made but put in a plan for new barn, etc. and generate some excitement. We have two Natty's in the rafters, which other programs don't. Inertia at this point isn't working, admin needs a sense of urgency after this season. Season's greetings, AD

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

I asked this question on the Q board, but it also applies here: Are teams allowed to have a staffer in the press box or similar location monitoring the video feeds and notifying the bench of an incorrect call? That's the way it works in the various major league sports, but I've never heard of such a thing in college hockey. Either that, or bring back goal judges

I do not know what if any arrangements RPI makes for reviewing plays on the road. It would as simple as having someone in the press box or camera well with a lap top, but I have no idea if RPI bothers with this.
I would be willing to bet many teams do make arrangements for seeing plays on review.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

21 goals in the last 4 games is unreal!
lee is a goon. Constantly putting the team in a bad position killing one penalty after another. No idea why he even plays.
New Hampshire comes to town end of the month to hang 6-8 goals on us. Honestly it’s almost comical at this point.!

The immediate concern is whether they can beat #64 Mercyhurst on the road. If this isn't a sweep, then Smitty needs to be offered a some cab fair for a ride back to Troy.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

I do not know what if any arrangements RPI makes for reviewing plays on the road. It would as simple as having someone in the press box or camera well with a lap top, but I have no idea if RPI bothers with this.
I would be willing to bet many teams do make arrangements for seeing plays on review.

I haven't been to a road game this year but, in the past, I have seen RPI staff up in the press box during games (and run down to the locker rooms during the intermissions with whatever data they have collected). What I don't know is if there is a mechanism for that person to communicate with coaches on the bench during the game...there may be rules governing this.

Regardless, not good that it wasn't challenged. Perhaps the angle and the nature of the play (breakaway) prevented anyone from RPI on ice level from having a clear view of the issue, but Smolinski appeared confused as he prepared to play the puck up the ice in the corner. The Quinnipiac play-by-play man excitedly called it a save live, and expressed bewilderment when the referee signaled a goal.

That situation aside, I'm more concerned that RPI is an experienced team but is doing things that experienced teams don't normally do, i.e. take a lot of penalties and be so weak on the penalty kill. Impossible to win at this level with that combination. Injuries are an issue again this year, but these are some principles of play that every member of the team has to abide by.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

I wonder why nothing was reported about this?

Part of this is local media economics, and college hoops generates more interest. Accordingly, freelancers cover college hockey on an episodic basis; the full-time employees cover Siena and UAlbany basketball. That said, the ECAC apparently can't afford much of a sports information presence to promote what happens; the press releases on the ECAC site are minimal and I could find no statement about any disciplinary action from the weekend.

Beyond this situation, RPI needs to devote more resources to sports information. Ever since they stopped posting the pre and post game press conferences on YouTube, the amount of information about the team that's publicly released to the fans has slowed to a trickle.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Hey my friend. Let's hope this is the case because I have not seen enough from Bowers yet. Maybe she has not pulled the bandage yet because of $$$ but we need to see a sense of urgency from her and Marty. Appreciate your takes.

At a school like RPI, I would bet that a major personnel decision in athletics needs to be approved by the President and/or the Board of Trustees. Which is to say that Dr. Bowers might be making recommendations and not be making the ultimate decision in those matters. . . and is understandably guarded with public statements. Merry Christmas to you, Teri, and the family!

 

[CMcGarvey]

Hey man, in all seriousness this thing could get better. Changes need to be made but put in a plan for new barn, etc. and generate some excitement. We have two Natty's in the rafters, which other programs don't. Inertia at this point isn't working, admin needs a sense of urgency after this season. Season's greetings, AD

To you as well!

 

[AspyDad]

At a school like RPI, I would bet that a major personnel decision in athletics needs to be approved by the President and/or the Board of Trustees. Which is to say that Dr. Bowers might be making recommendations and not be making the ultimate decision in those matters. . . and is understandably guarded with public statements. Merry Christmas to you, Teri, and the family!

Agreed that dirty laundry should not be trodded out but there was zero communication from anyone after last season, which was a huge low point for the program. Lack of transparency hurts the fans and interest. Thanks for the kind wishes. Best to you and your loved ones David. Merry Christmas my friend

 

[ServinisScores]

Agreed that dirty laundry should not be trodded out but there was zero communication from anyone after last season, which was a huge low point for the program. Lack of transparency hurts the fans and interest. Thanks for the kind wishes. Best to you and your loved ones David. Merry Christmas my friend

I agree AD, only thing worse than communicating bad or controversial topics, is no communication at all. Very strange, given the new administration has been in place for a while, and the messaging & social media presence seems to be in retreat, not on the front foot. There are no good signals coming from this program, nor the institute at the moment. Hope all is well with you and family.

 

[AspyDad]

I agree AD, only thing worse than communicating bad or controversial topics, is no communication at all. Very strange, given the new administration has been in place for a while, and the messaging & social media presence seems to be in retreat, not on the front foot. There are no good signals coming from this program, nor the institute at the moment. Hope all is well with you and family.

Merry Christmas and Season's greetings SS to you and yours