Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
RPI continues playing at the level of its opponents vs. SLU and Clarkson. Will it continue vs. Harvard and Dartmouth?
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RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
- Thread starter Ralph Baer
- Start date
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
We will need to be much better finishers against these two teams than we were against Clarkson. We have been playing well but there still seems to be a lack of chemistry with some of the line changes. These should be 2 close games but if we can play our game we should do well. We must avoid getting in the position of being 2 men short handed. That has either killed us this year or at least allowed the other team back in the game.
We will need to be much better finishers against these two teams than we were against Clarkson. We have been playing well but there still seems to be a lack of chemistry with some of the line changes. These should be 2 close games but if we can play our game we should do well. We must avoid getting in the position of being 2 men short handed. That has either killed us this year or at least allowed the other team back in the game.
Section 22
New member
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
1st round bye still in reach but that tie to SLU really hurts now with Union defeating them. Looking for an RPI sweep and a SLU collapse this week. Can't forget about Colgate either, they need to get off our heels.
1st round bye still in reach but that tie to SLU really hurts now with Union defeating them. Looking for an RPI sweep and a SLU collapse this week. Can't forget about Colgate either, they need to get off our heels.
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
Mostly accurate. The tie with SLU hurts more in the sense that, given our sweep of Yale, we were more likely to be able to win the tiebreaker with the Saints if we'd won on Friday. Now, more than likely, in order to get the bye we've got to finish at least a point ahead of them (unless we get into a three-way with, like, Yale. Kinky.)
Colgate does have a game in hand, but it's the Cornell game, and I have to think Cornell's a solid favorite in that one.
Mostly accurate. The tie with SLU hurts more in the sense that, given our sweep of Yale, we were more likely to be able to win the tiebreaker with the Saints if we'd won on Friday. Now, more than likely, in order to get the bye we've got to finish at least a point ahead of them (unless we get into a three-way with, like, Yale. Kinky.)
Colgate does have a game in hand, but it's the Cornell game, and I have to think Cornell's a solid favorite in that one.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
It's only a 1-point difference, so 2 points does it. They still have to play Yale, and a Princeton team who just came off of beating Cornell. Granted we get Colgate/Cornell instead of Yale/Brown, but the rest of the opponents are common. If we can get a leg up out of one game, that should put us in a great position.
We should also look to see if Yale loses a little ground. Remember, we hold the tiebreak over them.
It's only a 1-point difference, so 2 points does it. They still have to play Yale, and a Princeton team who just came off of beating Cornell. Granted we get Colgate/Cornell instead of Yale/Brown, but the rest of the opponents are common. If we can get a leg up out of one game, that should put us in a great position.
We should also look to see if Yale loses a little ground. Remember, we hold the tiebreak over them.
Section 22
New member
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
At least the tougher opponent is once again on Friday night. However, both teams gave RPI issues at home. Should be some great, but tough games. Looking for Polacek to get some goals this coming weekend - much needed to stay in Hobey contention.
At least the tougher opponent is once again on Friday night. However, both teams gave RPI issues at home. Should be some great, but tough games. Looking for Polacek to get some goals this coming weekend - much needed to stay in Hobey contention.
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
I did not like Halpern at all on that top line. Hopefully Helfrich gets moved back up.
I did not like Halpern at all on that top line. Hopefully Helfrich gets moved back up.
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
Our weekend with Princeton and Quinnipiac will be very telling. I have seen Princeton a couple of times this year and their record does not do them justice at all. They are a far tougher team than their record shows. We handled them beautifully once this year and need to repeat that performance. We have 6 league games left and probably have to win 4 to have any chance at finishing top 4(even then we might need a little help). I just want to see this team finish on a roll and enter the playoffs with nobody wanting to play against them.
Our weekend with Princeton and Quinnipiac will be very telling. I have seen Princeton a couple of times this year and their record does not do them justice at all. They are a far tougher team than their record shows. We handled them beautifully once this year and need to repeat that performance. We have 6 league games left and probably have to win 4 to have any chance at finishing top 4(even then we might need a little help). I just want to see this team finish on a roll and enter the playoffs with nobody wanting to play against them.
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
IMO I think he has been a bit heavy handed on Helfrich this year. Without mentioning other names (although I am sure you can figure it out) there have been a few players that brutally have hurt this team and nothing is or was ever said and done(meaning taking them out of the game). Helfrich and Polacek have had chemistry since day one and to break that up just hurts this team. Last night Helfich and Polacek were on the ice together for 15 seconds and within that time they connected and fed D'Amigo who had a wide open shot in the crease but missed...should have been an easy goal. I have seen that in games past when they are on the ice for seconds there is an immediate connection. I guess what bothers me is why he allows others to get away with so much and he is so harsh on Helfrich. During his interviews some times I wonder what game was he watching? It is almost like he is trying to protect certain players and allows others to be the hit man to send a message. I know coaches do that but frankly it is and has hurt this team. So if you are reading Coach Appert--with all due respect what are we seeing that you are not?
IMO I think he has been a bit heavy handed on Helfrich this year. Without mentioning other names (although I am sure you can figure it out) there have been a few players that brutally have hurt this team and nothing is or was ever said and done(meaning taking them out of the game). Helfrich and Polacek have had chemistry since day one and to break that up just hurts this team. Last night Helfich and Polacek were on the ice together for 15 seconds and within that time they connected and fed D'Amigo who had a wide open shot in the crease but missed...should have been an easy goal. I have seen that in games past when they are on the ice for seconds there is an immediate connection. I guess what bothers me is why he allows others to get away with so much and he is so harsh on Helfrich. During his interviews some times I wonder what game was he watching? It is almost like he is trying to protect certain players and allows others to be the hit man to send a message. I know coaches do that but frankly it is and has hurt this team. So if you are reading Coach Appert--with all due respect what are we seeing that you are not?
GreatLakerMohawk
Mushroom Cloud-Laying Mofo
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
I thought Helfrich played pretty poorly against Clarkson, I was not impressed at all.
I thought Helfrich played pretty poorly against Clarkson, I was not impressed at all.
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
Since Union is in the thread title I'll go "Dutch" for a few comments. First, although the home teams are both in the lower half of the standings, that provides small solace. The dual losses to Harvard and Dartmouth started Union's mini-swoon and now they face them on the road. Harvard owns Union and plays with tremendous confidence against them. Dartmouth always plays U tough, including in more recent seasons when Union was showing signs of life. All that being said, I can't believe that both of the opposition's goaltenders will play out of their minds again, and the MVT/Walters/Prez line broke out of their slump this weekend in a big way, so I am despite the above, cautiously optimistic that Union should return with some points.
Since Union is in the thread title I'll go "Dutch" for a few comments. First, although the home teams are both in the lower half of the standings, that provides small solace. The dual losses to Harvard and Dartmouth started Union's mini-swoon and now they face them on the road. Harvard owns Union and plays with tremendous confidence against them. Dartmouth always plays U tough, including in more recent seasons when Union was showing signs of life. All that being said, I can't believe that both of the opposition's goaltenders will play out of their minds again, and the MVT/Walters/Prez line broke out of their slump this weekend in a big way, so I am despite the above, cautiously optimistic that Union should return with some points.
Wicked Slappaahs
I miss Tie Domi
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
I disagree. I thought Halpern was probably our most energetic forward last night . He was all over the ice , and he hit anything within 5 feet of him all night. If the other forwards - including Helfrich - had played with that kind of intensity, it would have been a wider margin of victory.
I disagree. I thought Halpern was probably our most energetic forward last night . He was all over the ice , and he hit anything within 5 feet of him all night. If the other forwards - including Helfrich - had played with that kind of intensity, it would have been a wider margin of victory.
Wicked Slappaahs
I miss Tie Domi
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
The reason Appert has been "harsh" ( to use your word) on Tyler is because Appert knows what he is capable of, and for whatever reason he has not been showing it on the ice this season. It's inaccurate to say he's singling out Helfrich, because Cullen has been sitting right along with him. Helfrich was perhaps our least effective forward last night...a non-factor. He was either pouting for skating on the 4th line, or there is something messing with his head, because he was terrible last night.
If nothing changes in practice this week, it wouldn't surprise me to see him back on the pine this weekend.
The reason Appert has been "harsh" ( to use your word) on Tyler is because Appert knows what he is capable of, and for whatever reason he has not been showing it on the ice this season. It's inaccurate to say he's singling out Helfrich, because Cullen has been sitting right along with him. Helfrich was perhaps our least effective forward last night...a non-factor. He was either pouting for skating on the 4th line, or there is something messing with his head, because he was terrible last night.
If nothing changes in practice this week, it wouldn't surprise me to see him back on the pine this weekend.
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Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
Playing hard is great and all, but he simply doesn't have the skill to make Polacek and D'Amigo as effective as they're capable of. Hard work is great, and it'd great if we got 100% out of everyone every single night, but that doesn't happen - it's a fact of life. In a key ECAC game when we can't afford to sacrifice points at any cost, I'll take Helfrich giving 90% over Halpern giving 100%, and it's a no brainer for me.
Playing hard is great and all, but he simply doesn't have the skill to make Polacek and D'Amigo as effective as they're capable of. Hard work is great, and it'd great if we got 100% out of everyone every single night, but that doesn't happen - it's a fact of life. In a key ECAC game when we can't afford to sacrifice points at any cost, I'll take Helfrich giving 90% over Halpern giving 100%, and it's a no brainer for me.
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
I'm not saying he played all that great. But the fact is we know how talented he can be when he has the puck on his stick in the corner and skill players setting up in the slot and behind the net. Playing on the 4th line doesn't give him the opportunity to play his game, so I don't think it's fair to use his ineffectiveness last night as a demonstration that he doesn't belong.
I'm not saying he played all that great. But the fact is we know how talented he can be when he has the puck on his stick in the corner and skill players setting up in the slot and behind the net. Playing on the 4th line doesn't give him the opportunity to play his game, so I don't think it's fair to use his ineffectiveness last night as a demonstration that he doesn't belong.
GreatLakerMohawk
Mushroom Cloud-Laying Mofo
Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
I just can't agree with your take on Helfrich, he really looked poor out there last night. He seems to be playing with very little confidence and he still looks slow. To me it looks like Helfrich isn't even at 90% and the fact he was playing on what's tantamount to the fourth line tells me there's something up there.
Edit to add and reply to your other statement:
We all know how talented he is and that he CAN play better, there's no doubt about that, but if its because his ankle is still nagging at him or if there's something else up there he's just not performing at that level. Appert has made it clear that spots are not just going to be handed out, they have to be earned with play in practice and on the ice. I've been suspecting since he's come back from his ankle injury that it's still bothering him and its affecting his play.
I just can't agree with your take on Helfrich, he really looked poor out there last night. He seems to be playing with very little confidence and he still looks slow. To me it looks like Helfrich isn't even at 90% and the fact he was playing on what's tantamount to the fourth line tells me there's something up there.
Edit to add and reply to your other statement:
We all know how talented he is and that he CAN play better, there's no doubt about that, but if its because his ankle is still nagging at him or if there's something else up there he's just not performing at that level. Appert has made it clear that spots are not just going to be handed out, they have to be earned with play in practice and on the ice. I've been suspecting since he's come back from his ankle injury that it's still bothering him and its affecting his play.
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Re: RPI & Union @ Harvard & Dartmouth (2/12 & 2/13)
In the beginning of the season Helfrich was on top of his game. Playing on a top line when you are a play maker and playing on a checking line when you are a play maker are completely different. I would not sit two players who have demonstrated that they are high point producers for this team. There is more to playing a great game besides talent. Chemistry and confidence play a huge role in the success of a game. Finally, you missed the point of my post.
In the beginning of the season Helfrich was on top of his game. Playing on a top line when you are a play maker and playing on a checking line when you are a play maker are completely different. I would not sit two players who have demonstrated that they are high point producers for this team. There is more to playing a great game besides talent. Chemistry and confidence play a huge role in the success of a game. Finally, you missed the point of my post.