RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

For as many years as i can remember-I have kept hoping that we would concentrate more on having effective special teams. Having a potent power play and being able to defend well short handed just seems to decide so many games. I am not sure how many minutes are spent either a man up or a man down per game-but often that makes the difference.

Totally agree. We need look no further than across town to Union. Their special teams have been excellent for the past two years. Their PP was lethal last season.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Go a few blocks south to Madison and Lombardos for good Italian food or Hill Street Pub for wings and beer.
Better yet, go up the hill to Lark Street and you will find all sorts of good places open.
Also, at the bottom of State Street you have Jack;s, though pricey and then around the corner on Broadway is Franklin's Tower.
At the end of the Pearl Street strip near The Palace is McGerary's Irish Pub and a couple of other spots.

Thanks to all for the dining/imbibing tips. I worked downtown - a block from the TUC - for ten years, until leaving recently...so I known the neighborhood. My apparently poorly made point was that at 4:30 on Sat. afternoon in January, you are more apt to be hit up by a panhandler than find an unlocked door to a bar or restaurant.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Ok maybe that's a bit too far. Hopefully someone develops into the garbage collector who scores goals by being in the right spot on the ice instead of through pure skill this year. That guy is crucial on a good PP.

Zalewski?

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

I didn't intend to be too negative. As I stated earlier, as lousy as they were for most of the season, the team was playing very well down the stretch last year. I witnessed the 3 game CCT series win and the two close losses at Union to end the season....I just went back and crunched some numbers - we scored 22 goals in the last 7 games of the season (3.14 goals/game).

So the evidence is there that when we have our fowards healthy and strong, we can hang some goals. I guess I 'd have felt better if Appert had mentioned something more affirmative, along the lines of: "We intend to build on the momentum we had at the end of last year...hard skating, finishing checks, pucks to the net, blah, blah, blah..."

I have every reason to think that the returning forwards will take another step forward this year, especially with the addition of Zalewski...who I think is the wide body forward -with a scorers touch - that Doc has been describing for some time.

 

[burgie12]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Well, it used to be Pass, pass, pass, pass, Chase.

I'm a little surprised that it didn't morph into Pass, pass, pass, pass, Bailen.

hrbrendan is absolutely correct that we're going to need another O'Grady-type player willing to get the snot kicked out of him standing in front of the crease and pick up the "clutch" goals.

From the way they mention not having Chase Polacek to rely on anymore, you'd think he graduated this past May instead of two years ago. I wonder if the team relied on him more even than we thought

Chase scored 21.5% of the team's goals over his final two seasons. Now, that's not quite as dramatic as Austin Smith's 29.8% from last season, but it's still a very high percentage and it's hard not to become dependent on it.

On that tangentially related point, I will be picking Colgate to finish in the bottom quarter of the standings this season. I just don't think they'll be able to get it done with their go-to guys graduated / leaving early.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

...I still recall the difference between Notre Dame and RPI in last year's game, Notre Dame was passing to spots on the ice, while RPI was passing to players.

Well to be fair, there was more to it than simple Xs and Os, that ND team was chock-a-block with USNDTP kids and NHL draft picks. Think of it as having 3 or 4 Jerry D'Amigos and 3 or 4 Bailen-types on your team. They were all fast, skilled and hockey smart.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Not making excuses but ….. If SA team included York, Chase, JDA and BP the year the two latter left, he would have gone to the Frozen Four. If that had been the case, he would have been way ahead of schedule on the rebuild. It is my belief, that our great Coach has changed styles from when he came in. He wanted to play like they do in the west but can’t because of style of play, plus admission standards. He has adjusted by bringing in McGowan, Haggs, Mike Z. We will not get pushed around again…ever. I credit him for adjusting. Let’s face it, we’re in this slog league for awhile and he is making necessary adjustments.

Now, I am going to take the heat because my supposition is based on players that left but ladies and gents that’s the deal. Bottom line, we would have been ahead of schedule.

IMO SA has raised expectations for all of us. I think that some of the coach speak from him is trying to take the heat off the guys. Has anyone heard Gwoz during an intermission or Capt. Jack, they say the same thing.

I’m all for criticizing, hell that’s what this board is here for but let’s give the guy a chance this year. I believe he had one of his better years behind the pine last year. He beat Clarkson in a PO for the first time in the history of the school. SA beat the Dear Leader in Lynah!!!!! To deny him the Cleary Cup, proving the existence of a higher deity.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Well to be fair, there was more to it than simple Xs and Os, that ND team was chock-a-block with USNDTP kids and NHL draft picks. Think of it as having 3 or 4 Jerry D'Amigos and 3 or 4 Bailen-types on your team. They were all fast, skilled and hockey smart.

Concur.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Thanks to all for the dining/imbibing tips. I worked downtown - a block from the TUC - for ten years, until leaving recently...so I known the neighborhood. My apparently poorly made point was that at 4:30 on Sat. afternoon in January, you are more apt to be hit up by a panhandler than find an unlocked door to a bar or restaurant.

There's always Hill Street

 

[jericho]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Thanks to all for the dining/imbibing tips. I worked downtown - a block from the TUC - for ten years, until leaving recently...so I known the neighborhood. My apparently poorly made point was that at 4:30 on Sat. afternoon in January, you are more apt to be hit up by a panhandler than find an unlocked door to a bar or restaurant.

There is also the newly opened City Beer Hall. It is right by the TUC on the corner of Howard and Lodge streets. Great place. Every time someone orders something to drink, you get a free personal pan pizza. If someone wo doesn't drink, like me, goes there with people who do, I eat for free. My sister just got a gig taking pictures of the food for their website,, so even better. Then, when you are done, go upstairs and ride the bull.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

I have every reason to think that the returning forwards will take another step forward this year, especially with the addition of Zalewski...who I think is the wide body forward -with a scorers touch - that Doc has been describing for some time.

You're 100% right we have lacked a guy to go to the tough spots on the ice. Where's ESPO when you need him.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

SA beat the Dear Leader in Lynah!!!!! To deny him the Cleary Cup, proving the existence of a higher deity.

But look who got it instead.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

You're 100% right we have lacked a guy to go to the tough spots on the ice. Where's ESPO when you need him.

Not sure if Matt Tinordi would entire fill the bill-I just do not know enough to know if he has the scorers touch in front. But he is one heck of a tough boy to knock off his skates. That is the kind of thing I appreciate greatly. If any of the new boys coming in can be like that and score-then we will have something I have been looking for.

 

[fishcore12]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

We are still talking about guys who graduated/left 2 or more years ago right? Ok, just checking to make sure. Once again, I will present the question to all those who want coach appert removed from his position, who is out there to take over? Don't give me a wish list full of big name coaches who would most likely never come to Troy. Give me some actual names and what they have done.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Not sure if Matt Tinordi would entire fill the bill-I just do not know enough to know if he has the scorers touch in front. But he is one heck of a tough boy to knock off his skates. That is the kind of thing I appreciate greatly. If any of the new boys coming in can be like that and score-then we will have something I have been looking for.

If it's any of them, it is Z. None of the others frowards seem to come close.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Not sure if Matt Tinordi would entire fill the bill-I just do not know enough to know if he has the scorers touch in front. But he is one heck of a tough boy to knock off his skates. That is the kind of thing I appreciate greatly. If any of the new boys coming in can be like that and score-then we will have something I have been looking for.

Great take Doc. I didn't mean to omit Tinordi. I flat out love the kid...he changes the tone on the ice every time he goes over the boards. FWIW - as per the roster, Zalewski is 2" taller and 10# heavier than the Tin Man.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Not making excuses but ….. If SA team included York, Chase, JDA and BP the year the two latter left, he would have gone to the Frozen Four. If that had been the case, he would have been way ahead of schedule on the rebuild. It is my belief, that our great Coach has changed styles from when he came in. He wanted to play like they do in the west but can’t because of style of play, plus admission standards. He has adjusted by bringing in McGowan, Haggs, Mike Z. We will not get pushed around again…ever. I credit him for adjusting. Let’s face it, we’re in this slog league for awhile and he is making necessary adjustments.

Now, I am going to take the heat because my supposition is based on players that left but ladies and gents that’s the deal. Bottom line, we would have been ahead of schedule.

IMO SA has raised expectations for all of us. I think that some of the coach speak from him is trying to take the heat off the guys. Has anyone heard Gwoz during an intermission or Capt. Jack, they say the same thing.

I’m all for criticizing, hell that’s what this board is here for but let’s give the guy a chance this year. I believe he had one of his better years behind the pine last year. He beat Clarkson in a PO for the first time in the history of the school. SA beat the Dear Leader in Lynah!!!!! To deny him the Cleary Cup, proving the existence of a higher deity.

Better reasoned than my argument. Fair and balanced. I suspect you're working for Fox.

 

[hrbrendan]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

We are still talking about guys who graduated/left 2 or more years ago right? Ok, just checking to make sure. Once again, I will present the question to all those who want coach appert removed from his position, who is out there to take over? Don't give me a wish list full of big name coaches who would most likely never come to Troy. Give me some actual names and what they have done.

I don't think anyone is saying he should be replaced, at least not yet. I personally just don't think they have been outplaying their skill level recently. The coaches job is to figure out ways to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

Ok maybe that's a bit too far. Hopefully someone develops into the garbage collector who scores goals by being in the right spot on the ice instead of through pure skill this year. That guy is crucial on a good PP.

Just as long as they don't even think about trying what I saw the Crunch try on the 5v3 once: putting the "point men" BEHIND the goal. Even though one man was back by the time the puck went in, it's the first time I've visually witnessed a 3v5 SHG.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012 Part III: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bratwurst

We are still talking about guys who graduated/left 2 or more years ago right? Ok, just checking to make sure. Once again, I will present the question to all those who want coach appert removed from his position, who is out there to take over? Don't give me a wish list full of big name coaches who would most likely never come to Troy. Give me some actual names and what they have done.

I'm being serious, I totally agree with your post except the stuff where you go after me. SA is going nowhere. The caliber of player has improved no doubt.