RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

[Senna]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

Another weekend, and another Sunday night where i will limit my comments and hope whatever ails this team is figured out --quickly. Here a few random thoughts in particular order, apologies for the rant.... I am beyond fed up.

1) Whatever the problem with this team is, goaltending is the least of them. If I believe 1/2 of what WRPI announcers said, Merriam stood on his head last night, while the rest of his team was apparently hung over, medicated or both... particularly in the 1st period when the team apparently forgot that the game started at 7PM. Late in the game, he stopped at least two odd man rushes and a break away. The fact that it was only 1-0 after 1 is due directly to his play. Give the kid some effing credit for crissakes.

2) I cannot tolerate hearing Seth say YET AGAIN that "we're not playing Engineer hockey." I'm going to vomit if I hear it again. He recruited these kids, he coaches these guys, I would HOPE by now that it is blatantly clear exactly what he expects of them. The question he needs to answer for himself, his employer and the fans is: WHY are is this team consistently not playing the way we all think they can? Until Seth can answer that, I have no reason to expect change.

3) The D needs to clear the effing puck. Have some pride, have some urgency, communicate and pass the **** puck like you mean it. Not into the guys skates, not behind him, but ON THE FREAKING TAPE. As the DC fan posted on here....Forwards: get the puck to the net low and hard and get your ### to the net.

I am so freakin' tired of going to HFH with ZERO expectations, I can't begin to tell you guy. ARGGGGHHH

+1 Nobody can tell me that our team just doesnt stack up against every other team. We have the players. There is something else going on here. The fact that SA sits this number of players this far into the season already and in a league game after getting our *** handed to us by Union and the Dartmouth makes me wonder who's got control here and what is going on. This all should have been sorted already, particularly after going thru last year. I have always been a supporter, but I'm with WS in that I cant hear AGAIN about the team not playing our style of hockey. What specifically are they coaching then ? What specifically is it that the team is not buying into ? Also makes me wonder if his all goes back far enough to at least be part of the reason that JDA and BP left after 1 year, and one of our drafted players (PK) left at the end of last year....

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

Also makes me wonder if his all goes back far enough to at least be part of the reason that JDA and BP left after 1 year, and one of our drafted players (PK) left at the end of last year....

You can't control the past, you can only control the future!!!!!!!!!

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

You can't control the past, you can only control the future!!!!!!!!!

But if you can't learn from the past, where does that leave us???

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

+1 Nobody can tell me that our team just doesnt stack up against every other team. We have the players. There is something else going on here. The fact that SA sits this number of players this far into the season already and in a league game after getting our *** handed to us by Union and the Dartmouth makes me wonder who's got control here and what is going on. This all should have been sorted already, particularly after going thru last year. I have always been a supporter, but I'm with WS in that I cant hear AGAIN about the team not playing our style of hockey. What specifically are they coaching then ? What specifically is it that the team is not buying into ? Also makes me wonder if his all goes back far enough to at least be part of the reason that JDA and BP left after 1 year, and one of our drafted players (PK) left at the end of last year....

It's "new hockey", similar to new math. The most important part is the process of playing, and not the W.

 

[fishcore12]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

A few times last night I saw our D-Men hesitate on taking shots from the point, then take the shot into the legs of a Harvard player...yes I totally understand the concept of getting a shooting lane but if you take a shot and it hits a man in front at least it is in the zone and your forwards can go to work keeping it in the zone. I enjoy watching Nick Bailen but if we are going to let him roam more, just make him a forward already and let one of our freshman D man get more playing time. Every time I see NB do a spin and most of the time lose the puck and end up chasing the guy who took it, I just shake my head more and more.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

Another weekend, and another Sunday night where i will limit my comments and hope whatever ails this team is figured out --quickly. Here a few random thoughts in particular order, apologies for the rant.... I am beyond fed up.

1) Whatever the problem with this team is, goaltending is the least of them. If I believe 1/2 of what WRPI announcers said, Merriam stood on his head last night, while the rest of his team was apparently hung over, medicated or both... particularly in the 1st period when the team apparently forgot that the game started at 7PM. Late in the game, he stopped at least two odd man rushes and a break away. The fact that it was only 1-0 after 1 is due directly to his play. Give the kid some effing credit for crissakes.

2) I cannot tolerate hearing Seth say YET AGAIN that "we're not playing Engineer hockey." I'm going to vomit if I hear it again. He recruited these kids, he coaches these guys, I would HOPE by now that it is blatantly clear exactly what he expects of them. The question he needs to answer for himself, his employer and the fans is: WHY are is this team consistently not playing the way we all think they can? Until Seth can answer that, I have no reason to expect change.

3) The D needs to clear the effing puck. Have some pride, have some urgency, communicate and pass the **** puck like you mean it. Not into the guys skates, not behind him, but ON THE FREAKING TAPE. As the DC fan posted on here....Forwards: get the puck to the net low and hard and get your ### to the net.

I am so freakin' tired of going to HFH with ZERO expectations, I can't begin to tell you guy. ARGGGGHHH

WS-Agree with point number 1 completely. But point number 2 is so exactly on the button that i almost think that i wrote it. I have been trying to put that thought into words without being as straight forward as you have been. But posting by innuendo just did not cut it. Thank you for posting what has been my thought for several years now. Point 3 has been a problem for us for so many years now that i cannot remember when it wasn't a problem. Frustrated, disgusted, disappointed-pick one-any one-and you have my feeling as well.

 

[turk181]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

apparently there's also some disharmony out at Harvard. It's being reported (by twitter during the Live Chat of the Can. West vs US game) that goaltender Steven Mihalek has left and gone to Cedar Rapids.

 

[Senna]

apparently there's also some disharmony out at Harvard. It's being reported (by twitter during the Live Chat of the Can. West vs US game) that goaltender Steven Mihalek has left and gone to Cedar Rapids.

I was reading the Harvard thread this week to get a sense for what their posters were saying about their team, and it read like our board about how this was a big weekend for them and would define their season and about their overall level of play. This was also a team in disarray. Tells you where we are at.....

 

[Senna]

You can't control the past, you can only control the future!!!!!!!!!

I completely agree...but I'm starting to ask myself whether this issue didn't also exist the last time we made the tournament. If I'm not mistaken, we started that year with a number of wins, but that the last half there were more losses than wins and that we basically backed into the tourney. Start connecting those dots and players leaving and I'm left with a big unanswered question.

 

[Beman]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

I can deal with Dartmouth beating RPI 4 zip I was at the game Dartmouth is really good. Harvard dunno how good they are. My thoughts at the Dartmouth game.. they could have won by 10 but Bob Gaudet is too classy to pour it on.
Our guys need to play out of their socks to win a game. ugh

 

[Waite21]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

They were having some sort of difficulty with their PA system that was keeping them from making announcements or playing music through most of the game. It worked out well for us though. We got to play much more than we would have otherwise.

I would assume that later in the year, Harvard will have a band at their home games. Saturday, their band was in Philadelphia playing at the Harvard-Penn football game.

By the way, did RPI's Pep Band split up for the weekend, with some traveling to Hanover and Cambridge and some staying in Troy to play at the RPI-Union football game? Or did the football team do without a band?

 

[bothman]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

apparently there's also some disharmony out at Harvard. It's being reported (by twitter during the Live Chat of the Can. West vs US game) that goaltender Steven Mihalek has left and gone to Cedar Rapids.

Did he leave or are they parking him in JRs for a season to retain another year of eligibility?

 

[RPI67]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

+1 Nobody can tell me that our team just doesnt stack up against every other team. We have the players. There is something else going on here. The fact that SA sits this number of players this far into the season already and in a league game after getting our *** handed to us by Union and the Dartmouth makes me wonder who's got control here and what is going on. This all should have been sorted already, particularly after going thru last year. I have always been a supporter, but I'm with WS in that I cant hear AGAIN about the team not playing our style of hockey. What specifically are they coaching then ? What specifically is it that the team is not buying into ? Also makes me wonder if his all goes back far enough to at least be part of the reason that JDA and BP left after 1 year, and one of our drafted players (PK) left at the end of last year....

I was at the Harvard game on Saturday. I thought RPI played well for the first 6-8 mintues passing and breaking out. Lots of energy. Maybe Harvard was just watching while we got tired. Then for the rest of the game Harvard was able to disrupt much of the passing.

Bokenfohr had a lot of minutes even of the PP. Nice to have a right hand shot (very hard shot). He did get caught not moving at the blue line a couple of time in the third period. I could see Bailen as a forward and get the right hand shot Freshman D into the game.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

By the way, did RPI's Pep Band split up for the weekend, with some traveling to Hanover and Cambridge and some staying in Troy to play at the RPI-Union football game? Or did the football team do without a band?

We split and played at home and away.

 

[troyboy]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

Didn't go to Dartmouth but I was @ Harvard. Where does one start first off there was alot of long faces among the non dressed players I have no Idea what is going on behind closed doors w/this team but I'am quite certain it is not some ongoing problem that goes way back to JDA and BP they left for 1 reason and 1 reason only MONEY. In fact JDA spent a couple of weeks here at RPI training at the end of the summer if he didn't like it here why would he come back and hang out so we should put that to bed ! As for PK we might be getting a little warm there my gut feeling is that this may have been a style of play issue and PK didn't think the way we needed him to play was what was gong to get him to the NHL so He left nobodys fault these things happen. We have a very talented team as much talant as most teams in Our league but as we all know in the ECAC it is a tight checking game of mistakes and missed opportunities every period of every game is a test of wills and the teams that keeps their emotions in tact and sticks to the plan has the most success plain and simple. We saw that last year at the end of the year. We don't have a failed system what we have is a failure to execute the system 100% of the time which is a DISIPLINE problem. Its been an ongoing problem for a couple of years now SA is aware of it because he has told us a hundred times in coach speak that this is the problem and He let it get out of hand last year he admits that and what we saw @ Harvard was an attempt to nip it in the bud. These players need to take a long look at themselves and decide if they are holding their end up and nothing like a little humble pie and spectator time to speed that process up. There is a lot of Hockey left lets not give up yet lets enjoy the ride. And on a final note not to disagree with WS but I believe we have let in a whole lot of goals in the last 4 games to NOT have a goaltending problem enough said on that. GO RED !!!!!

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

I'am quite certain it is not some ongoing problem that goes way back to JDA and BP they left for 1 reason and 1 reason only MONEY.

I respectfully disagree with you!!

"These players need to take a long look at themselves and decide if they are holding their end up and nothing like a little humble pie and spectator time to speed that process up."

These players you are speaking of are the players brought to RPI by SA, and "speeding up that process" is your view of the outcome! The outcome may be a whole lot different than what you expect. Time will tell!!

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

I respectfully disagree with you!!

"These players need to take a long look at themselves and decide if they are holding their end up and nothing like a little humble pie and spectator time to speed that process up."

These players you are speaking of are the players brought to RPI by SA, and "speeding up that process" is your view of the outcome! The outcome may be a whole lot different than what you expect. Time will tell!!

I see nothing wrong about sitting players who aren't performing well. And this should have nothing to do with who recruited them. Some (most?) players benefit from the soul-searching that can come withn a seat in the stands. Not knowing any of the players personally, I cannot comment on the recent benchings, and I wouldn't if I did know them.

As you wrote, "Time will tell!!"

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

Bokenfohr had a lot of minutes even of the PP. Nice to have a right hand shot (very hard shot). He did get caught not moving at the blue line a couple of time in the third period. I could see Bailen as a forward and get the right hand shot Freshman D into the game.

I didn't see the games, but noting from the broadcasts B4's lack of speed, that explains why he was highly rated in the original NHL draft lists but fell out of the draft. He will become quite useful if he learns to compensate for his lack of speed -- Cornell has had many such defenders over the years.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

I respectfully disagree with you!!

"These players need to take a long look at themselves and decide if they are holding their end up and nothing like a little humble pie and spectator time to speed that process up."

These players you are speaking of are the players brought to RPI by SA, and "speeding up that process" is your view of the outcome! The outcome may be a whole lot different than what you expect. Time will tell!!

Just another post that I tend to absolutely agree with. Well said.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part 1: Pocket Protectors and Hockey Sticks

Didn't go to Dartmouth but I was @ Harvard. Where does one start first off there was alot of long faces among the non dressed players I have no Idea what is going on behind closed doors w/this team but I'am quite certain it is not some ongoing problem that goes way back to JDA and BP they left for 1 reason and 1 reason only MONEY. In fact JDA spent a couple of weeks here at RPI training at the end of the summer if he didn't like it here why would he come back and hang out so we should put that to bed ! As for PK we might be getting a little warm there my gut feeling is that this may have been a style of play issue and PK didn't think the way we needed him to play was what was gong to get him to the NHL so He left nobodys fault these things happen. We have a very talented team as much talant as most teams in Our league but as we all know in the ECAC it is a tight checking game of mistakes and missed opportunities every period of every game is a test of wills and the teams that keeps their emotions in tact and sticks to the plan has the most success plain and simple. We saw that last year at the end of the year. We don't have a failed system what we have is a failure to execute the system 100% of the time which is a DISIPLINE problem. Its been an ongoing problem for a couple of years now SA is aware of it because he has told us a hundred times in coach speak that this is the problem and He let it get out of hand last year he admits that and what we saw @ Harvard was an attempt to nip it in the bud. These players need to take a long look at themselves and decide if they are holding their end up and nothing like a little humble pie and spectator time to speed that process up. There is a lot of Hockey left lets not give up yet lets enjoy the ride. And on a final note not to disagree with WS but I believe we have let in a whole lot of goals in the last 4 games to NOT have a goaltending problem enough said on that. GO RED !!!!!

TB-You know well how much I love talking hockey with you guys-and most often agree with you. But this time I have to go a different path. I am very tired of excuses. 7 years is a long time to keep having different reasons for why the players are not performing as they should. We are talking about 7 different recruit classes-most of whom stayed the entire 4 years and played the system as designed and implemented by our coaching staff. We have constantly disapponted-and the only constant at all has been at the coaching level-the players are all different and unique. This is not a failure of the players to be disciplined or a failure to adapt or learn the system. It is, in my mind (which is getting a bit old and feeble I admit) a failure of the system that they are being asked to buy into. Something is indeed wrong-but in so many places that we can pick virtually any aspect-power play, penalty kill, taking stupid penalties, odd man rushes, holding leads, breakout plays, you name it-that it simply cannot be blamed on each and every player we have had over the past 7 years. Just my 2¢ and as I mentioned-in this economy that is worth even less now than it has been before.