Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Ooooh, stats...
I'm curious who put this page together for CHN, because they're definition of "close" differs from what's used when discussing the NHL. First of all, "Fenwick Close" refers to the stat Fenwick (unblocked shot attempts) when the game is close. Second, "close" is usually considered to mean a one goal game in the first two periods (not two, as stated by CHN), or tied in the third.
In any case, I wish they would provide totals for shot attempts in categories other than "Total". When considering these stats, one usually ignores events that happen when the game is not close (due to the all powerful "score effect") and when the teams are not playing five a side (i.e., not a PP, EN, or 4x4/3x3 situation). We can mostly deduce these values from the numbers that are given, but it would be nice if CHN provided them.
In any case, I'll do some playing around with these and throw together some fancy charts for things like 5v5_CF%, 5v5_FF%, PDO, and all that nonsense.
Very very interesting...
There are different views on stats like blocked shots. One is very positive as if aggressive in the defensive zone and that limited things getting to net and therefore scoring chances. Other stat like this is hits (how many more hits do you have than your opponent).
Other other view is that if you are consistently blocking more shots or have more hits than your opponent, that you dont have possession of the puck and that the play is likely mostly in your end. Some have looked at these metrics (as well as the number of times that you had possession unchallenged and turned over relative to your opponent) as extremely negative and indicative of who controlled the play.
I'm certainly not here to be negative or speak in a derogatory way about the team. Just the opposite. In fact, I think we have generally played harder and better than what I think I saw last year. Competitiveness is up and absent a those couple minutes most games, we played teams very aggressively and straight up. I will grant you that I havent see all or even a majority of the games so cant speak to the Bentley's, but did see BU and some others and knew that there were some very positive things to come out of those games despite how the boys may have felt and all the negativity on this board.
Here is what I will say - we need to pressure the play more. We concede the offensive blue line and the red line all the time. Defense doesn't start at out defensive blue line...its the other lines that matter. Pressure the play offensively. Dont concede the red line where the other team can just dump deep and make us play froward the entire sheet. Also, CONTROL the puck. We relentlessly gain possession in our end and then just play off the glass or just do anything to clear and then lose control and right back in. I DONT CARE if we lose games or give up goals as a result of pressing the play and controlling the puck. I do care if we are always back on our heels trying to protect a lead that our play never gives us. In that respect, we just dont make ourselves that difficult to play against.
Last thing - we have recruited speed and scoring. Look at all of the stats of our team. These kids can play and they can score. LET THEM PLAY. I consistently been struck by how we recruit what we say we want (speed and dynamic and intensity and scoring), and then somehow constrain the boys by our system. Again, I'd rather lose and see us net 4 or 5 than see us not score or score 1 for 80% of our games. Its college hockey. You dont win games not scoring or 1-0. Put the puck in the net. I'll tell you this - say what you want about Union last year...that team won a national championship because it relentlessly and aggressively pressed the play and capitalized on every opportunity to score (how many did they net on Minnesota in the Championship ?...wasnt 1 or 2 or even 3).
I see a lot of positives, and want the best for the boys. They dont owe me anything as I think I'm seeing effort and thats all I can ask. Flip side is when we have more hits and blocked shots and conceding the offensive blue line and red line I start to mist over as we are handicapping them from succeeding. I look forward to the day that we say that the other team has 2X the blocked shots and hits we do, because then we will be possessing the puck and in the offensive zone with a multiple of the shots we have now. That will be exciting and can assure you will also result in a reversal of the record we see now.
Its January and nothing is decided yet. In fact, much is open to claim. Lets support our team ad lets allow them to acheive what they have the ability to and take the leash off. Jesus we'll be dangerous if that happens.