RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

I am missing something or I wasn't clear. I do realize that it was a two-game total-goal series. After that tie, the winning streak was no more (although the non-losing streak remained), so the streak was off their shoulders, athough of course they had to beat UMD anyway.

The winning streak meant little to our coach. He was trying to do what we fell short of the year before ( a bitter disappointment losing at home to NDak to eliminate us) he wanted to just be sure we got to Joe Louis Arena to finish the job. We had ample opportunity to win that second night-and probably could have but he was just not going to risk anything. We needed to stay within 4 goals and that was the plan form the opening whistle. There was no weight lifted off our shoulders-everyone understood that the result of that game meant zero as long as we did not lose big.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

Jenny and i was staying in the old Holiday Inn down in town. After the first night we had dinner there (the food for a few years there was actually incredibly good) with the parents of one of the players for LSSU. They pretty much knew already that they could not outscore us by 4 the second night and resigned themselves to it. But they said they were coming back for the following year for the RPI Xmas tournament and we would meet for dinner again. (actually the tourney was held in November around Thanksgiving time). We had a great time with them, and with the coach of Alaska Anchorage-Brush Christiensen. We beat LSSY then 3-2 but you could see they were on the upswing and we were not.

Obviously we were not on the upswing with not only losing the graduating seniors, but we also lost Puppa, Oates and Servinis who left early and Kraig Neinhuis who had to leave due to an eligibility issue (he was too old to continue playing at that time). The incoming class did not come close to replacing this group, and things just went downhill from there.

I still miss the holiday tournament. Of course, I'm probably in the minority...

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

Obviously we were not on the upswing with not only losing the graduating seniors, but we also lost Puppa, Oates and Servinis who left early and Kraig Neinhuis who had to leave due to an eligibility issue (he was too old to continue playing at that time). The incoming class did not come close to replacing this group, and things just went downhill from there.

I still miss the holiday tournament. Of course, I'm probably in the minority...

I am strongly in the same minority. I go back to the days when it was a 3 day tournament with 6 teams. But even the 2 day tournament was a highlight of the winter for us. saw some great games and some great teams and players. But mostly it was a chance to see teams that we could not see without the tournament. and since they all seemed to stay in the Holiday Inn/Rensselaer Inn/Best Wsetern-we got to meet many of the players and coaches. Unlikely to happen-but I truly hope we get to see it restarted.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

I am strongly in the same minority. I go back to the days when it was a 3 day tournament with 6 teams. But even the 2 day tournament was a highlight of the winter for us.

The very first year -- long before my time -- had eight teams. (12 games total) Then it became 3 days with four teams. (6 games total) Then finally two days with four teams. (4 games total0

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

The very first year -- long before my time -- had eight teams. (12 games total) Then it became 3 days with four teams. (6 games total) Then finally two days with four teams. (4 games total0

I believe that it was a 3-day tournament until the early 80s. We were the only tournament in the country to do this. It became more and more difficult to get teams who wanted to play 3 straight days. So that's why they made it a 2-day affair. Now a lack of sponsorship and the failure of trying to run it during thanksgiving weekend brought it to a sad end.
Only getting a new sponsor and moving it back to Christmas could possibly bring it back. Of course, there are now a lot of tournaments going on during that time, so getting teams may be difficult.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

I believe that it was a 3-day tournament until the early 80s. We were the only tournament in the country to do this. It became more and more difficult to get teams who wanted to play 3 straight days. So that's why they made it a 2-day affair. Now a lack of sponsorship and the failure of trying to run it during thanksgiving weekend brought it to a sad end.
Only getting a new sponsor and moving it back to Christmas could possibly bring it back. Of course, there are now a lot of tournaments going on during that time, so getting teams may be difficult.

Of course-but if we were a nationally ranked team every year and if money enough was offerred, I think some minds could be swayed. it is a different world ow and there is a ton of competition. But if we are looking for exposure nationally, it can only help. As i said, we may never see it again but i sure miss it.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

I believe that it was a 3-day tournament until the early 80s. We were the only tournament in the country to do this. It became more and more difficult to get teams who wanted to play 3 straight days. So that's why they made it a 2-day affair. Now a lack of sponsorship and the failure of trying to run it during thanksgiving weekend brought it to a sad end.
Only getting a new sponsor and moving it back to Christmas could possibly bring it back. Of course, there are now a lot of tournaments going on during that time, so getting teams may be difficult.

Last 3 day was December 1980 http://www.augenblick.org/chha/t_rpi_01.html.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

As of this post-our PWR is 15 as Brown became a TUC. We could do ourlselves a lot of good next weekend with a coule wins. Darn, a couple of better breaks early this season and we could be ranked 13th and in the NCAA field (Union and QU games tied instead of losses). Just amazing how a couple small things affect these standings so much.

 

[turk181]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

we just jumped into a 3way tie at #14 in PairWise....still have to see how the late games play out though.... http://www.uscho.com/rankings/pairwise-rankings/d-i-men/

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

It just feels great to be ahead of Union in the pairwise for the first time in quite a number of years.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

we just jumped into a 3way tie at #14 in PairWise....still have to see how the late games play out though.... http://www.uscho.com/rankings/pairwise-rankings/d-i-men/

We really cannot gain too much by winning the next two games-but we can lose a tremendous amount of our position by losing. We need a lot of help to stay within the NCAA field-we seem to be getting some of the help but we surely need to win the next 2, win a playoff series and perhaps win the first game in AC at the very least(and even that is not a lock for us). Regardless-2 months ago-who could possibly think we would be having this discussion? We have a chance to finsih 2nd in the ECAC-something I don't think we have done in 20 years (but i would have to look that one up).

 

[hawthr]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

We really cannot gain too much by winning the next two games-but we can lose a tremendous amount of our position by losing.

Looking quick, Yale & Dartmouth are the two ahead of us we can flip with some wins (and a loss or 2 for them). The comparison with UNO could also flip - root against them. That seems to be about it, though.

 

[turk181]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

Looking quick, Yale & Dartmouth are the two ahead of us we can flip with some wins (and a loss or 2 for them). The comparison with UNO could also flip - root against them. That seems to be about it, though.

wouldn't we own the tie-breaker with Yale if it came down to it?

 

[fr joe]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

It just feels great to be ahead of Union in the pairwise for the first time in quite a number of years.

Yes it does! Let's see how it's (still) looking after next weekend.

 

[fr joe]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

Looking quick, Yale & Dartmouth are the two ahead of us we can flip with some wins (and a loss or 2 for them). The comparison with UNO could also flip - root against them. That seems to be about it, though.

First things first , let's nail down next weekend... a big weekend coming up. Pay attention to details, honor the process and skate our game. And just win, baby.

I just love it when Al Davis comes for a visit.

 

[turk181]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

First things first , let's nail down next weekend... a big weekend coming up. Pay attention to details, honor the process and skate our game. And just win, baby.

I just love it when Al Davis comes for a visit.

Big Al will be in a lot of locker-rooms next weekend.

 

[hawthr]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

wouldn't we own the tie-breaker with Yale if it came down to it?

Talking about PWR, not league standings. But yes, we hold the league tiebreaker with Yale.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

The Clarkson game is important-getting some points there could take a little pressure off of saturday night. Union will not be a push over for SLU and could help make Saturday much easier for us. Anyone know what the tie breaker would be for us with dartmouth? if we just get 2 points this weekend and DC gets all 4-we would be tied in points and split the season series. I know we win the tie breaker with Yale based on head to head comparison but not sure how we would do with DC. We seem to be in the driver's seat for 2nd but there are just too many ways for us to slip out of the top 4 for any comfort level just yet.

 

[fr joe]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

On tonight's game thread, someone asked when was the last time we finished second...
It was 92/93. For the record, we finished third in 93/94, 97/98, 98/99 and 99/00.

 

[Waite21]

Re: RPI Hockey 2012-2013 Part IV: Not A Finished Product Yet

I believe that it was a 3-day tournament until the early 80s. We were the only tournament in the country to do this. It became more and more difficult to get teams who wanted to play 3 straight days. So that's why they made it a 2-day affair. Now a lack of sponsorship and the failure of trying to run it during thanksgiving weekend brought it to a sad end.
Only getting a new sponsor and moving it back to Christmas could possibly bring it back. Of course, there are now a lot of tournaments going on during that time, so getting teams may be difficult.

Last 3 day was December 1980 http://www.augenblick.org/chha/t_rpi_01.html.

As RPI fan 4 life noted, it was getting difficult to attract teams to play three straight days. The tournament field in December 1980 included Vasby (a club team from Sweden), Holy Cross (which I'm not sure had even attained Division I status yet), and Maine.

Interesting historical note - The 1980-81 season was Mike Addesa's second as head coach at RPI. By that time, he had procured new uniforms for his team, featuring the ornate style of lettering that is still seen on RPI uniforms today.

Before coming to RPI, Addesa had been the head coach at Holy Cross. When Holy Cross came out onto the Field House ice for that tournament, it was immediately obvious that Addesa had liked that style of lettering for a long time.