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Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
I agree - I'll take 3-1 any day. LGR!
I agree - I'll take 3-1 any day. LGR!
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RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
- Thread starter Ralph Baer
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Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Just took a quick look at the USCHO rankings for Nov. 10. I know this early in the season they mean little or nothing. But can someone explain how Cornell, who has not won a single game yet and has only scored one goal and is currently in last place in the ECAC-got 4 votes in the poll??? I have gotten used to teams early in the season that have not even played a game getting votes, but it just seems that once you start the season, i think you should at least have at least a win before you get anyone's vote. I think i can understand Union at 0-3-1 in the ECAC still being ranked at number 12 in the country (perhaps based on last year) but even that seems a bit odd.
Just took a quick look at the USCHO rankings for Nov. 10. I know this early in the season they mean little or nothing. But can someone explain how Cornell, who has not won a single game yet and has only scored one goal and is currently in last place in the ECAC-got 4 votes in the poll??? I have gotten used to teams early in the season that have not even played a game getting votes, but it just seems that once you start the season, i think you should at least have at least a win before you get anyone's vote. I think i can understand Union at 0-3-1 in the ECAC still being ranked at number 12 in the country (perhaps based on last year) but even that seems a bit odd.
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
If we can come out of this coming weekend with 3 points-this would be one of our best ECAC starts in a very long time. The ECAC has always been crazy competitive but it would appear that this year, you cannot afford to give away any points. You cannot allow a tie to turn into a loss or a win into a tie with a late game collapse.
If we can come out of this coming weekend with 3 points-this would be one of our best ECAC starts in a very long time. The ECAC has always been crazy competitive but it would appear that this year, you cannot afford to give away any points. You cannot allow a tie to turn into a loss or a win into a tie with a late game collapse.
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
I agree. This year the ECAC is incredibly hard to predict. For a conference that currently holds the national championship it is very underrepresented in the rankings. In the end, I think that the team that emerges as conference champions will have been well tested and a real contender. But who will that be?
It is unfortunate, however, that this competiveness is blunted by an insane playoff format that says that even if you lose every single conference game you get to go to the playoffs. I think that the competitive edge of this conference (and others) would be greatly strengthened if teams knew that they had to compete throughout the winter if they wanted a shot at a national championship. Forgive me, I have to give this little speech once each season.
I agree. This year the ECAC is incredibly hard to predict. For a conference that currently holds the national championship it is very underrepresented in the rankings. In the end, I think that the team that emerges as conference champions will have been well tested and a real contender. But who will that be?
It is unfortunate, however, that this competiveness is blunted by an insane playoff format that says that even if you lose every single conference game you get to go to the playoffs. I think that the competitive edge of this conference (and others) would be greatly strengthened if teams knew that they had to compete throughout the winter if they wanted a shot at a national championship. Forgive me, I have to give this little speech once each season.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
I have always assumed that some voters vote based upon how they perceive the team doing in the entire season -- not on how the team has done to date. Also the voters don't want to admit that they were totally wrong in the past and thus won't drop a team completely based upon one or two early weeks. If Cornell continues to perform as they have to date they will disappear from the poll, just as we did last year. I don't expect Cornell to continue to lose although it wouldn't bother me at all if their only wins were against Union.
I have always assumed that some voters vote based upon how they perceive the team doing in the entire season -- not on how the team has done to date. Also the voters don't want to admit that they were totally wrong in the past and thus won't drop a team completely based upon one or two early weeks. If Cornell continues to perform as they have to date they will disappear from the poll, just as we did last year. I don't expect Cornell to continue to lose although it wouldn't bother me at all if their only wins were against Union.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
I certainly agree that not all teams should make the playoffs, but money is the driving factor. If hardly anyone went to the games only 8 teams would make the playoffs as with the women. Eight is certainly more than enough for a 12-team league.
I agree. This year the ECAC is incredibly hard to predict. For a conference that currently holds the national championship it is very underrepresented in the rankings. In the end, I think that the team that emerges as conference champions will have been well tested and a real contender. But who will that be?
It is unfortunate, however, that this competiveness is blunted by an insane playoff format that says that even if you lose every single conference game you get to go to the playoffs. I think that the competitive edge of this conference (and others) would be greatly strengthened if teams knew that they had to compete throughout the winter if they wanted a shot at a national championship. Forgive me, I have to give this little speech once each season.
I certainly agree that not all teams should make the playoffs, but money is the driving factor. If hardly anyone went to the games only 8 teams would make the playoffs as with the women. Eight is certainly more than enough for a 12-team league.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Bingo, and that's what was said on the USCHO podcast from last week. Heck, we've even benefit from it, in 2007-08 we were in the polls for half the year because of an insane SoS and playing those games close, and that turned out to be one of our worst years of recent.
I have always assumed that some voters vote based upon how they perceive the team doing in the entire season -- not on how the team has done to date. Also the voters don't want to admit that they were totally wrong in the past and thus won't drop a team completely based upon one or two early weeks. If Cornell continues to perform as they have to date they will disappear from the poll, just as we did last year. I don't expect Cornell to continue to lose although it wouldn't bother me at all if their only wins were against Union.
Bingo, and that's what was said on the USCHO podcast from last week. Heck, we've even benefit from it, in 2007-08 we were in the polls for half the year because of an insane SoS and playing those games close, and that turned out to be one of our worst years of recent.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Have to seen attendance for first round games? Students are on break. Attendance is way down for playoffs, especially considering the league sets minimum prices, and they are higher than most schools. I bet the league loses money on first round games.
Have to seen attendance for first round games? Students are on break. Attendance is way down for playoffs, especially considering the league sets minimum prices, and they are higher than most schools. I bet the league loses money on first round games.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
I remember when I was an undergrad and 8 of 15 to 17 schools made the ECAC tourney. That seemed like a lot to me as I was used to baseball which when I was a child just had one team from each league meeting in the World Series.
Edit: I didn't phrase that correctly, because still only one team from each league makes the WS, but you know what I mean.
There is some reason that the ECAC went from 8 to 10 to 12 teams in the playoffs. If it isn't money, what is it?
I remember when I was an undergrad and 8 of 15 to 17 schools made the ECAC tourney. That seemed like a lot to me as I was used to baseball which when I was a child just had one team from each league meeting in the World Series.
Edit: I didn't phrase that correctly, because still only one team from each league makes the WS, but you know what I mean.
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Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Ralph, I'm going to disagree with you on this one. There is just not that much money in first-round ECAC playoff games. Even teams that draw fairly well during the season - RPI, Clarkson, Q'Pac, SLU and Union & Yale the past few years, just don't draw many for the first-round of the playoffs. I think RPI attendance the past few years has been in the 2,300 range. Not bad for most ECAC programs, but very low for RPI.That may get the league a small net profit at RPI, but if the other first-round games are at say Brown, Princeton and Harvard, they may have trouble breaking even on the first round.
I think the change in the playoff format dates back to the 1980's when most of the Ivy programs were bottom feeders and didn't make the playoffs. The league has beecome much more balanced and competitive the past 15-20 years.
Ralph, I'm going to disagree with you on this one. There is just not that much money in first-round ECAC playoff games. Even teams that draw fairly well during the season - RPI, Clarkson, Q'Pac, SLU and Union & Yale the past few years, just don't draw many for the first-round of the playoffs. I think RPI attendance the past few years has been in the 2,300 range. Not bad for most ECAC programs, but very low for RPI.That may get the league a small net profit at RPI, but if the other first-round games are at say Brown, Princeton and Harvard, they may have trouble breaking even on the first round.
I think the change in the playoff format dates back to the 1980's when most of the Ivy programs were bottom feeders and didn't make the playoffs. The league has beecome much more balanced and competitive the past 15-20 years.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Then why do you think that the number of teams has increased to 12?
Then why do you think that the number of teams has increased to 12?
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
So Union could get in every year prior to 2009.
So Union could get in every year prior to 2009.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
As well as 2015.
So Union could get in every year prior to 2009.
As well as 2015.
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
It increased to 12 because the Ivies were virtually always the teams that were left out of the playoffs and they were embarrassed and they only got to play the 26 games (at that time) allowed by their league. The coaches likely felt that playing 8 -10 fewer games each year hurt their players' development.
It increased to 12 because the Ivies were virtually always the teams that were left out of the playoffs and they were embarrassed and they only got to play the 26 games (at that time) allowed by their league. The coaches likely felt that playing 8 -10 fewer games each year hurt their players' development.
rvd5star69
hockey
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Let's score some goals this weekend
Let's score some goals this weekend
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
It would be nice if we can win a few first periods for a change. That used to be our best period-followed by a second or third period that we would like to forget. This year, so far we have the reverse. Games have been a struggle as we just fall behind early. I again hope that we are not faced with a busy special teams weekend. We seem to get the short end of the calls and our penalty kill has, shall we say, been less than stellar.
It would be nice if we can win a few first periods for a change. That used to be our best period-followed by a second or third period that we would like to forget. This year, so far we have the reverse. Games have been a struggle as we just fall behind early. I again hope that we are not faced with a busy special teams weekend. We seem to get the short end of the calls and our penalty kill has, shall we say, been less than stellar.
Thanks for dragging me back to the boards here Turk, as I have been trying to stay away for all the nonsense posted by those that dont understand the game and clearly have never played before at any level,
You are right - I have said it for quite some time. We recruit a ton of stellar kids, both on the ice and off...and then seemingly dont let them play and utilize the strengths that they were recruited for. We say we want to be a team built on speed, and then we dont use it. We were beat by Harvard because they beat us with the speed and aggressive play we say we want. They forechecked us hard and constantly pressured the puck at the offensive blue line and the especially the red line. THIS is so key, as we couldnt break out of the defensive zone and couldnt get to the red line to just get deep into their end - and so boxed us in. What is it that we do ? We back up and concede the offensive blue line and let them get to center ice, and then we are standing still and totally on our heels and they can get the puck deep. I just dont understand it. I'd so much rather get beat by trying to make a great play than to get beat trying to prevent one, This is all coaching philosophy and strategy, and what I have said to Turk for years, is to maybe just say screw it at some point and take the leash off this kids and just let them play. Its not like this group doesnt know what they are doing, but they certainly look confused by the system being employed. I also keep saying to Turk that imagine how the kids feel, and whether they can possibly be enjoying this and having fun ? Id give my left nut to be able to play 1 game with these kids, but they sometimes seem like the joy and enthusiasm has been sucked out of them and that this just isnt fun. Think of this senior group and ask how this can be enjoyable and how they can want to have the desire to want to come to practice and games given the style of play ? I'm now done posting on this topic - just let them play and stop with all the systems. We handicap ourselves. Make the game fun for them again and about what they can do versus what we try to avoid happening and let the results roll. At least the games will be fun and exciting and enjoyable to watch - and make easy to root for the kids again, because quite frankly, they deserve it and better than they have gotten over the past several years. We are way better than we play and I'll say as Ive said before - I like the kids we have and wouldnt trade them for another team.
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Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a winner!
RPI did not play well and Harvard did. They are also a very good team, and maybe they are finally going to overcome the coaching, or bad breaks, or academic cheaters, or whatever was keeping them from playing the way many thought they would the past few years. With 11 NHL draft choices on the roster, I don't see how this team can't finish in the top four in the ECAC. Time will tell.
Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a winner!
RPI did not play well and Harvard did. They are also a very good team, and maybe they are finally going to overcome the coaching, or bad breaks, or academic cheaters, or whatever was keeping them from playing the way many thought they would the past few years. With 11 NHL draft choices on the roster, I don't see how this team can't finish in the top four in the ECAC. Time will tell.
Re: RPI Hockey 2014-2015: Dedicated to Rich Curadi
IMO, it’s not about Harvard playing well, it’s about the lack of effort we see from Appert teams. Harvard didn’t win races to pucks.....because very few times was there an RPI player in the race! 11 NHL picks, although most are 6-7th rd picks and IIRC last year’s NC had 1 pick....picks don’t equal success.
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