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

[vicious]

some quick back-of-the envelope stats comparisons between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, at the winter break:

GP: 16. 2023-24: 4-11-1 (2-4) .281
2024-25: 6-8-2 (1-5) .437

2023-24 GF: 45 GA: 73
2024-25 GF: 49 GA: 58
Change: GF +4 GA: -15

2023-24 PP: 18.2% PK 69.9% (these are full-season stats)
2024-25 PP: 20% PK 70%

Offense:
Through 16 GP last season Tyler Hotson was 6-4-10. This season: 4-10-14.
Sutter Muzzatti was 4-6-10. Muzzatti has played 10 games this season and currently has 2-1-3.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

some quick back-of-the envelope stats comparisons between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, at the winter break:

GP: 16. 2023-24: 4-11-1 (2-4) .281
2024-25: 6-8-2 (1-5) .437

2023-24 GF: 45 GA: 73
2024-25 GF: 49 GA: 58
Change: GF +4 GA: -15

2023-24 PP: 18.2% PK 69.9% (these are full-season stats)
2024-25 PP: 20% PK 70%

Offense:
Through 16 GP last season Tyler Hotson was 6-4-10. This season: 4-10-14.
Sutter Muzzatti was 4-6-10. Muzzatti has played 10 games this season and currently has 2-1-3.

While most of these stats seem to favor this season over last, you have to take into consideration last years OOC schedule.
All of the numbers are skewed due to the opposition last year.

 

[DrDemento]

While most of these stats seem to favor this season over last, you have to take into consideration last years OOC schedule.
All of the numbers are skewed due to the opposition last year.

Exactly. What stand out to me though is the PK. Obviously last year that was one of the top priorities to be addressed and so far, it does not look statistically much different and as you point out, that is against a much weaker OOC schedule. From what I have been able to see, since many games have not been broadcast, we seem to be a much more exciting offensive team. The boys are fun to watch but the PK and the large number of defensive turnovers in our own end are still major hurdles that have to be dealt with. We also seem to have the same trouble just getting the puck out of our own defensive zone which is allowing opponents far too much offensive zone time and far too many chances to score.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Exactly. What stand out to me though is the PK. Obviously last year that was one of the top priorities to be addressed and so far, it does not look statistically much different and as you point out, that is against a much weaker OOC schedule. From what I have been able to see, since many games have not been broadcast, we seem to be a much more exciting offensive team. The boys are fun to watch but the PK and the large number of defensive turnovers in our own end are still major hurdles that have to be dealt with. We also seem to have the same trouble just getting the puck out of our own defensive zone which is allowing opponents far too much offensive zone time and far too many chances to score.

Deja vu all over again

 

[DrDemento]

Deja vu all over again

When the team makes the same mistakes with new and different players, when the same problems exist year to year even when new recruit classes come in - you kind of have to think the problem does not lie with the players themselves.

 

[Waite21]

This has nothing to do with hockey or football, but as one who's been out of touch with student life at RPI for longer than I like to think about, I'm wondering if the office of President of the Union still exists.

I got an e-mail from the Office of Alumni Engagement, including a link to a Times-Union article about the burying of a time capsule in front of the Troy Building. Pictured participating in the ceremony was a young lady named Vivian Ross-Nasshan, who was wearing a top hat. I assumed, and was able to verify, that the top hat signified she was the Grand Marshal. However, though there were pictures of other people, none of them was wearing a derby, the traditional headgear of the PU.

Does RPI have a PU any more?

 

[Ralph Baer]

This has nothing to do with hockey or football, but as one who's been out of touch with student life at RPI for longer than I like to think about, I'm wondering if the office of President of the Union still exists.

I got an e-mail from the Office of Alumni Engagement, including a link to a Times-Union article about the burying of a time capsule in front of the Troy Building. Pictured participating in the ceremony was a young lady named Vivian Ross-Nasshan, who was wearing a top hat. I assumed, and was able to verify, that the top hat signified she was the Grand Marshal. However, though there were pictures of other people, none of them was wearing a derby, the traditional headgear of the PU.

Does RPI have a PU any more?

They did at least until last year.
https://archives.rpi.edu/institute-history/grand-marshal-and-president-of-union-historical-list

 

[Ralph Baer]

Another question. Isn't there a rule that each team must have a break of at least 2 weeks? We played last Sunday and we play again next Saturday. That is only 12 off days. (Then again we are "off" in another sense almost every day..

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

I noticed that Colgate has added a recruit from the OHL ....Tyson Doucette from the Sarnia Sting - he currently leads the team in scoring. Given all of the talk Smitty was giving to having been "on top" of the players in the CHL, I'dve thought we'd have a recruit or two by now...

 

[Ralph Baer]

I noticed that Colgate has added a recruit from the OHL ....Tyson Doucette from the Sarnia Sting - he currently leads the team in scoring. Given all of the talk Smitty was giving to having been "on top" of the players in the CHL, I'dve thought we'd have a recruit or two by now...

I also thought that we would and am concerned that we don't yet.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

When the team makes the same mistakes with new and different players, when the same problems exist year to year even when new recruit classes come in - you kind of have to think the problem does not lie with the players themselves.

I believe that you are correct. However, Having watched these players for the last two years, I have to question their decision making.
They never make the easy play. They have no respect for their defensive blue line. Consistently trying to make passes through opposition players with a clear path to get out of their defensive zone, they go backwards in stead of taking the puck out of the zone.
These are decisions made on the ice in real time. They have to go back to basics.

 

[DrDemento]

I believe that you are correct. However, Having watched these players for the last two years, I have to question their decision making.
They never make the easy play. They have no respect for their defensive blue line. Consistently trying to make passes through opposition players with a clear path to get out of their defensive zone, they go backwards in stead of taking the puck out of the zone.
These are decisions made on the ice in real time. They have to go back to basics.

Absolutely the way I have seen it also. Poor decision making more often than not and the delay in clearing our own defensive zone has cost us time after time.

 

[RPI67]

Absolutely the way I have seen it also. Poor decision making more often than not and the delay in clearing our own defensive zone has cost us time after time.

When I watch Cornell the D-man hit the puck hard along the boards and let the forwards chase the puck. If they loose control at least it's out of the D-zone.
RPI uses short passes in the D-zone. Turnovers are in the D-zone and lead to shots on goal.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

When I watch Cornell the D-man hit the puck hard along the boards and let the forwards chase the puck. If they loose control at least it's out of the D-zone.
RPI uses short passes in the D-zone. Turnovers are in the D-zone and lead to shots on goal.

If at least three of us can see that, why can't the coaches correct it?

 

[DrDemento]

If at least three of us can see that, why can't the coaches correct it?

ehf-I have been seeing it happen for a long time and called attention to it here. We have been poor at paying attention to some of the fundamentals for some time. Special teams play is just such a big part of the game and we have simply not been good for many years. Even when we are trying to protect a lead at the end of the third period and the opponents pull the goalie for a man advantage we seem to suffer when compared to other teams.

 

[Ralph Baer]

https://rpiathletics.com/news/2024/...rst-named-rpi-athletics-academic-advisor.aspx
Michelle Broadhurst Named RPI Athletics Academic Advisor

It wasn't her most recent job but "head cheerleading coach" certainly qualifies her.

 

[Engineers]

I noticed that Colgate has added a recruit from the OHL ....Tyson Doucette from the Sarnia Sting - he currently leads the team in scoring. Given all of the talk Smitty was giving to having been "on top" of the players in the CHL, I'dve thought we'd have a recruit or two by now...

Definitely concerning. One recruit for all of 24? Looking at the recruit list we need major help at forward and goalie. The defenseman actually look very good ironically

 

[rpi82]

https://rpiathletics.com/news/2024/...rst-named-rpi-athletics-academic-advisor.aspx
Michelle Broadhurst Named RPI Athletics Academic Advisor

It wasn't her most recent job but "head cheerleading coach" certainly qualifies her.

Perhaps it’s because Bob Conway was my work-study boss and a great friend since I was 16, but this appointment concerns me. I hope this lady does a great job but I see nothing in her background that qualifies her for the role. She apparently has no experience in academic support or at an academically challenging school like RPI. Despite the title, it is far more than advising. Bob created a support structure and programs that enabled our athletes, across all sports, to not just stay eligible, but have generally superior academic achievement despite dedicating a large portion of available time to their sport. Just look at Dean’s list and academic all-league rates. We can be proud that our players really are student-athletes. I hope she’ll be able to continue that tradition.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Perhaps it’s because Bob Conway was my work-study boss and a great friend since I was 16, but this appointment concerns me. I hope this lady does a great job but I see nothing in her background that qualifies her for the role. She apparently has no experience in academic support or at an academically challenging school like RPI. Despite the title, it is far more than advising. Bob created a support structure and programs that enabled our athletes, across all sports, to not just stay eligible, but have generally superior academic achievement despite dedicating a large portion of available time to their sport. Just look at Dean’s list and academic all-league rates. We can be proud that our players really are student-athletes. I hope she’ll be able to continue that tradition.

Do you know what in Bob Conway's background qualified him? IIRC, he had been Troy's mayor.

 

[rpi82]

Do you know what in Bob Conway's background qualified him? IIRC, he had been Troy's mayor.

Sure. First, to clarify, Bob was mayor back when Troy had a city manager form of government. The mayor was closer to a head of city council role, so he didn't handle day to day operations. In fact, although I never asked him, I don't think the mayor got any remuneration. If he did, it wasn't much. A few decades ago, after Bob left office, Troy switched to a more traditional strong mayor structure and eliminated the city manager.

Before, during and after that time Bob worked for RPI - a total of about 50 years. He was Assistant Registrar when I first worked for him as a freshman and I followed him as he switched to the Dean of Students Office as Director of Academic Advising. He grew that role over decades to include academic support programs as well. Long after I graduated I remember talking to him about a program he was trying to get off the ground that would have on-call support resources available in the evenings for the large freshman and sophomore lecture classes (Calculus, Physics, Chem, etc.). It was intended to supplement traditional office hours during those times when students are commonly studying and working on assignments. As a long-time RPI sports fan and season ticket holder he also worked closely with the athletic department to create their academic support programs. After he retired from running institute-wide advising and learning programs he stayed on for about a decade as part-time director of that role for athletics. He would regularly meet with coaches and teams to establish study groups, study halls, tutoring programs, etc. and track their progress. The amount of time athletes sacrifice to their sport is significant, so they have to be particularly diligent and structured in their approach to academics.