RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

The obligatory team picture.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_Hockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RPI_Hockey</a> Reclaims Mayor's Cup <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RPIHockey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RPIHockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ECACHockey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ECACHockey</a> <a href="https://t.co/V2MgXXgzmF">https://t.co/V2MgXXgzmF</a></p>— RPI Athletics (@RPIAthletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/RPIAthletics/status/1221292582321500160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

Here is a suggestion to replace the Mayor’s Cup:
Have a 2-night event in which 2 teams would be brought in. In one year, RPI would play the late game both nights, and the following year, Union would be the host and play the late game both nights. This way, fans from both schools can still attend. The women can still play the Cup game if they wish. It would just be on a different date.

I think that is a sterling idea! How about we do it and host it at the HFH and call it the RPI Invitational Tournament!

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I think that is a sterling idea! How about we do it and host it at the HFH and call it the RPI Invitational Tournament!

And the problem would still be that in order to get quality opponents we would have to agree to play two games in each of their rinks. It would mean a total of more road games for us than home games.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. This would have to be something that we would work with Union on doing.
For example, let’s say that we would host this event next season and invite BC and BU. The following year, Union would be hosting this event and say they would invite UMass and Lowell. In that year, we would be traveling to BC and BU. After that, it would be RPI’s turn again and so on.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I have an idea. How about everybody that dosen't like the Mayors Cup game gives it a break. The kids love the game. It triples the attendance of many home games for both schools and it gets more press coverage than any other game!. If you dont like it, dont go!

Right on. Over 6,000 people again last night. I don't understand the objections to the Mayor's Cup.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. This would have to be something that we would work with Union on doing.
For example, let’s say that we would host this event next season and invite BC and BU. The following year, Union would be hosting this event and say they would invite UMass and Lowell. In that year, we would be traveling to BC and BU. After that, it would be RPI’s turn again and so on.

I do not understand how this is any different from a regular season non-conference arrangement or a holiday tournament. If RPI couldn't make the scheduling work to keep the Christmas tournament alive, I do not think an alternative Mayor's Cup would be enough to draw outside teams in to create what you envision here.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

The young ladies at RPI deserve far better and MacElroy needs to get off his can and take action. That SAJ has allowed the dumpster fire to go on this long is equally telling. There are many talented, experienced and qualified WOMEN coaches out there who would kill to have a D1 HC job. I know all of the reasons why they haven't made a change, but seriously.... a joke.

I haven't watched a single RPI women's game live (which is contributing to one problem of a lack of support for the team) so it is not for me to say what the problems are or what the solutions should be. I know they lost an exceptional goaltender, but what else has contributed to a really difficult season?

 

[fishcore12]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I enjoy going to the TU Center for the Mayors Cup each year. It’s nice to see both schools get a little bit more publicity during a time when Siena and UAlbany basketball and high school sports get the bulk of the local coverage.

I see lots of kids and families at this game and it really brings the two communities together for one night at least.

The ice looked terrible to me but I’m not an expert on that subject. However you can see both teams struggle at times with puck possession. Can’t really expect perfect ice conditions when it is put down maybe twice a year now for Disney on Ice and the Mayors Cup. Not to mention a Siena hoops game played Friday night and a game today at 3 pm. Shoutout to the crew at the TU for the quick turnarounds this weekend.

Can Savory finally get the bulk of the starts moving forward, I don’t know what else he needs to prove to make this happen.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I haven't watched a single RPI women's game live (which is contributing to one problem of a lack of support for the team) so it is not for me to say what the problems are or what the solutions should be. I know they lost an exceptional goaltender, but what else has contributed to a really difficult season?

Complete and total lack of offense. RPI hasn't scored more than one goal in a game except for the 5-4 loss to Clarkson and the 2-2 tie with Holy Cross and has scored 0 goals in 15 of 27 games. Adding injury to insult, our top scorer (with a whopping 4 goals) has been hurt for the last few weeks and will reportedly be out for the season. We get outshot by nearly 23 shots per game (not actually that much worse than last year where we were down about 19 shots/gm), but as you said, our goaltending went from Selander (.942 sv%, an otherworldly talent) to a mix of Nystrom and Rampado (combined .919%, which is still pretty decent).

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I enjoy going to the TU Center for the Mayors Cup each year. It’s nice to see both schools get a little bit more publicity during a time when Siena and UAlbany basketball and high school sports get the bulk of the local coverage.

I see lots of kids and families at this game and it really brings the two communities together for one night at least.

The ice looked terrible to me but I’m not an expert on that subject. However you can see both teams struggle at times with puck possession. Can’t really expect perfect ice conditions when it is put down maybe twice a year now for Disney on Ice and the Mayors Cup. Not to mention a Siena hoops game played Friday night and a game today at 3 pm. Shoutout to the crew at the TU for the quick turnarounds this weekend.

Can Savory finally get the bulk of the starts moving forward, I don’t know what else he needs to prove to make this happen.

Well said. I don't think Savory has done much wrong to have his playing time reduced, but I am okay with a tandem with Calvaruso. Our defense requires our goalies to work hard and I think Calvaruso has played well in limited opportunities (e.g. some great saves against Yale to prevent it from getting embarrassing). Good to keep both relatively fresh for an eventual playoff run where I think you have to go with your best goalie every night.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

Complete and total lack of offense. RPI hasn't scored more than one goal in a game except for the 5-4 loss to Clarkson and the 2-2 tie with Holy Cross and has scored 0 goals in 15 of 27 games. Adding injury to insult, our top scorer (with a whopping 4 goals) has been hurt for the last few weeks and will reportedly be out for the season. We get outshot by nearly 23 shots per game (not actually that much worse than last year where we were down about 19 shots/gm), but as you said, our goaltending went from Selander (.942 sv%, an otherworldly talent) to a mix of Nystrom and Rampado (combined .919%, which is still pretty decent).

What is going on with the recruiting system that the team's skaters appear so over-matched?

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

Well said. I don't think Savory has done much wrong to have his playing time reduced, but I am okay with a tandem with Calvaruso. Our defense requires our goalies to work hard and I think Calvaruso has played well in limited opportunities (e.g. some great saves against Yale to prevent it from getting embarrassing). Good to keep both relatively fresh for an eventual playoff run where I think you have to go with your best goalie every night.

I am pretty much in agreement with that. At this time of the year, it is good to have more than one goalie playing, but in the playoffs, do with your best.

 

[25+years]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I enjoy going to the TU Center for the Mayors Cup each year. It’s nice to see both schools get a little bit more publicity during a time when Siena and UAlbany basketball and high school sports get the bulk of the local coverage.

I see lots of kids and families at this game and it really brings the two communities together for one night at least.

The ice looked terrible to me but I’m not an expert on that subject. However you can see both teams struggle at times with puck possession. Can’t really expect perfect ice conditions when it is put down maybe twice a year now for Disney on Ice and the Mayors Cup. Not to mention a Siena hoops game played Friday night and a game today at 3 pm. Shoutout to the crew at the TU for the quick turnarounds this weekend.

Can Savory finally get the bulk of the starts moving forward, I don’t know what else he needs to prove to make this happen.

So it was an entertaining game. Lots of chances on both sides, good goaltending, and a physical edge. The major drawback was a low scoring affair. Bad ice conditions definitely contributed. As to the future of the Mayor's Cup or converting it to a tournament, why? You have two teams that struggle to get into the top of the league standings. They draw 6000. Not even the NCAA regionals draw that. The Albany Devils couldn't draw. Attendance at RPI games is down. If it ain't broken don't fix it. It is to hockey what the Dutchmans Shoes are to Football. Get rid of that too?

 

[sezenack]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

What is going on with the recruiting system that the team's skaters appear so over-matched?

Vines is a terrible coach is what is going on

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

Vines is a terrible coach is what is going on

It is easy to say the coach is poor when the team is 0-26. Perhaps it is that simple, but I think you also have to ask whether there is something more structural. If, for example, the team does not have adequate resources to recruit versus other teams (e.g. travel budgets, sufficient assistant coaches to handle the task), then changing the coach is not likely to improve the situation very much. And that's something to take to the leadership of the school. Although in this fiscal environment for many colleges, getting investment in Division I athletics can be hard to achieve unless some well-heeled donors lead the charge.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

And the problem would still be that in order to get quality opponents we would have to agree to play two games in each of their rinks. It would mean a total of more road games for us than home games.

Just my way of turning back the clock a bit to a better time for this program. There have been a lot of changes over the years, some for the good and some for the not so good. 60 years of hosting the tournament in some shape or form and so many good memories. For those who do not go back that far, you simply do not know what you have missed.

 

[Waite21]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

And the problem would still be that in order to get quality opponents we would have to agree to play two games in each of their rinks. It would mean a total of more road games for us than home games.

Though many of us might like to forget the results, RPI played at UMass-Lowell and Merrimack earlier this season in what was billed as the Turkey Leg Classic.

Did Lowell and Merrimack both agree to play two future games in Troy?

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

Though many of us might like to forget the results, RPI played at UMass-Lowell and Merrimack earlier this season in what was billed as the Turkey Leg Classic.

Did Lowell and Merrimack both agree to play two future games in Troy?

I believe someone reported on the Part I thread that as part of the agreement, Merrimack or Lowell would have to play 2 in Troy next year, with the other team playing 2 in State College against Penn State.

 

[sezenack]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

I believe someone reported on the Part I thread that as part of the agreement, Merrimack or Lowell would have to play 2 in Troy next year, with the other team playing 2 in State College against Penn State.

Lowell is coming to Troy for 2 next year; Merrimack is going to Penn State

 

[rpi82]

Re: RPI Hockey 2019 - 2020 Part II: Moving on with 2020 Vision!

Just watched Sacred Heart stomp on Yale and QU on consecutive nights, both teams that thoroughly walked on us. SHU undoubtedly can let in some players we can't, but this win was achieved as much with dedication to a system, hustle and strong senior leadership as it was talent. They clearly wanted it more than two teams that were on paper just better. I hope our guys get the same message.