Re: RPI vs Union-Mayor's Cup 1/24/15
So, here's my take on the game, from my vantage point in the upper deck, right on the goal line that Union defended twice. Even though RPI scored three goals, they were very lucky that they were able to get them. All night long RPI played on their heels, it's not anything that Union did, RPI just wasn't there tonight, all game. Even though it was 3-1, the way that RPI (wasn't) clearing pucks and (weren't) winning faceoffs, it was bound to happen. The refs had a bad game, on both sides. The first too many men on the ice call on RPI occurred because Melanson was being blocked by a Union player from getting off the ice. In fact, my section, (the majority of which were Union fans) all groaned when the penalty was called because everyone thought Union was going to the box. The subsequent Union penalty was an obvious make up call, and then Laliberte's hold was terrible. Why would Laliberte hold the Union defender when Laliberte was playing the puck? I don't know what replay the refs were watching, but on both goals that were reviewed they shouldn't have been allowed. The replay on the big screen in the arena showed Liechtenwald's stick above his shoulder batting the puck in. The second one I don't know how they could determine that the entire puck was over the line. Yes, Kasdorf's momentum took him backwards, but the puck never fell out of his glove, and his glove never went over the line all the way, so I don't know how the refs could determine where the puck was in his glove. However, it didn't matter at that point. What Wood did at the end was terrible and should earn him a coach's suspension for a couple of games, but for a team captain of a national championship team (Vasaturo) to take off his glove and flip the bird to some RPI fans over by the Union bench should warrant a few games from the league, but I doubt it will. Bottom line, thankfully no one got hurt (on either team) Union can have their little nonconference win, RPI will take the four league points from earlier in the season.
So, here's my take on the game, from my vantage point in the upper deck, right on the goal line that Union defended twice. Even though RPI scored three goals, they were very lucky that they were able to get them. All night long RPI played on their heels, it's not anything that Union did, RPI just wasn't there tonight, all game. Even though it was 3-1, the way that RPI (wasn't) clearing pucks and (weren't) winning faceoffs, it was bound to happen. The refs had a bad game, on both sides. The first too many men on the ice call on RPI occurred because Melanson was being blocked by a Union player from getting off the ice. In fact, my section, (the majority of which were Union fans) all groaned when the penalty was called because everyone thought Union was going to the box. The subsequent Union penalty was an obvious make up call, and then Laliberte's hold was terrible. Why would Laliberte hold the Union defender when Laliberte was playing the puck? I don't know what replay the refs were watching, but on both goals that were reviewed they shouldn't have been allowed. The replay on the big screen in the arena showed Liechtenwald's stick above his shoulder batting the puck in. The second one I don't know how they could determine that the entire puck was over the line. Yes, Kasdorf's momentum took him backwards, but the puck never fell out of his glove, and his glove never went over the line all the way, so I don't know how the refs could determine where the puck was in his glove. However, it didn't matter at that point. What Wood did at the end was terrible and should earn him a coach's suspension for a couple of games, but for a team captain of a national championship team (Vasaturo) to take off his glove and flip the bird to some RPI fans over by the Union bench should warrant a few games from the league, but I doubt it will. Bottom line, thankfully no one got hurt (on either team) Union can have their little nonconference win, RPI will take the four league points from earlier in the season.
