SLU 2009-2010 Season

[critsports]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

First, I also hope Cunningham is OK.

Second, everybody read this article. (Nice job, Dan.)

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100221/SPORTS03/302219976/0/sports

I'm going up for the Harvard game. Anyone else?

One minute I'm going....the next I'm not. I keep going into the "not" mode when I think about going up the following weekend for what now appears likely for the playoff series at home. (God if we miss the bye I hope we don't open against Clarkson)

I'll let you know Tim.

What a great article by Dan. That's what makes us all so proud of Coach Marsh, Saint Lawrence and the program. I'd like to take the course myself but the commute is a bit long.

Upon reflection (after the bitter taste from last night has left) at the start of the season many in the know identified the goals for this team as being reaching a 500 record and garnering home ice in the first round of the playoffs. Even with a complete flop next weekend we still will have done that. I'm just hoping we can gain some momentum back on our side as we head into the playoffs. I was at both games this weekend and it's not like we played badly or our effort wasn't there. We just need a win or two and to get our mojo back.

 

[critsports]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Colgate can sneak into a bye with only 1 point, assuming they take it from RPI (they win the head-to-head tiebreaker) and SLU gets swept. A Friday win pushes their magic number for a bye to 2 and keeps them in control of their destiny. The Raiders can fall all the way to 7th because Quinnipiac holds the tiebreaker by sweeping the season series.

RPI would need at least two points to get a bye. A win against Colgate on Friday guarantees that RPI finishes no lower than 5th based on tiebreakers (the head-to-head and wins tiebreakers with Colgate would be tied, but with the win over Colgate, the points against the top 4 would be a guaranteed RPI win). RPI cannot finish 7th because they swept the series against the Bobcats.

Saint Lawrence benefits by holding tiebreakers over Colgate and Rensselaer. Therefore, any two points with a Colgate-RPI tie, and losses to both of those teams Saturday night, keeps St. Lawrence from playing hockey during the first weekend of March. A SLU sweep means that they cannot finish lower than fifth. On the other hand, SLU can drop all the way to 8th by getting swept by Harvard and Dartmouth, Harvard also beating Clarkson, and Quinnipiac getting at least 3 points. Quinnipiac swept SLU and Harvard's weekend sweep would tie the head-to-head and give them the second tiebreaker (9 wins - 8 wins). A three-way tie between SLU, Quinnipiac, and Harvard would land Quinnipiac in 6th, Harvard in 7th, and St. Lawrence in 8th.

Quinnipiac wins every tiebreaker except those against Union and RPI (they were swept in both series) while those against Yale (moot) and Brown are still in flux, depending on the results of the upcoming weekend. Since the Bears already beat the Bobcats in December and Quinnpiac is leading in the standings by two points, if the Brown tiebreaker does come into play, then Quinnipiac loses it. Holding the tiebreaker over Dartmouth guarantees that the Bobcats cannot fall into 11th place. Beating Brown on Friday guarantees the Bobcats home-ice while a tie does not (but it would reduce the magic number to 1).

Harvard cannot catch the Engineers or the Raiders, but would win the tiebreaker against the Saints if it does come into play. Harvard cannot lose the tiebreaker against Brown (thanks to the season split, an inability to win less games than the Bears and be tied, and their sweep of Union, which means that they would win the points vs top-4 comparison), but did lose the head-to-head battle with the Tigers. Harvard can clinch home-ice on Friday, but only with help. Harvard's season sweep of Dartmouth means that the Big Green would have to sweep this weekend in the North Country for the Crimson to fall to 11th.

Read this on the ECAC Last Weekend Thread and found it interesting reading. All the various scenarios from first to last are plotted out on that thread.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

So, I'm the stupid person who leaves their ski pants in Massena, NY when I need them in NYC. Therefore, headed home next weekend for sure, I'll be at both games.

Tim/Mike/everybody else who might be there, I basically always stand behind the student section somewhere just inside the blueline.

 

[Got 6 Want More]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

First, I also hope Cunningham is OK.

Second, everybody read this article. (Nice job, Dan.)

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100221/SPORTS03/302219976/0/sports

Third, three points in three weekends - including a home set against two teams behind us in the standings - is a big disappointment. No doubt about it. But then again, I picked this team to finish 9th. If they win both games next weekend, chances are they'll finish 4th. If they don't, they're still guaranteed a home playoff series. The contributions from Tisi and the freshmen have been terrific; we really had no right to expect them all to be this good. Injuries have really hurt. Maybe they hit a wall - it's the first D1 season for a lot of guys, and they have to be banged up and tired. As far as last night goes . . . it was Brown.

If we get another one-point weekend to finish the season, I'll be pretty disappointed, and like Mike said that's not the direction you want to be headed going into the playoffs. But they'll still be ahead of where most people thought they'd be back in October, and after watching them play in December and January, we all know they can do some damage in the playoffs. I think I'll just hope for two wins next week, and if RPI and/or Colgate end up ahead of us, I'll tip my hat and move on.

I'm going up for the Harvard game. Anyone else?

I plan to go to both games if I can find a hotel room closer than Ogdensburg. It is not looking good...everything is sold out. I do have reservations for the following two weekends and hope to be cancelling the one for the first weekend in March!

We have not been lucky and we have not done a good job of protecting leads. We had leads against RPI, Yale, Union, and Brown at either the middle or end of the second periods. That is the key area where we need to improve.

I have this feeling (possibly hope is a better word) that with Clarkson locked into 12th that next weekend turns into a goon fest with many suspensions for both teams on both nights so Harvard will be weakened for Saturday and if we have to play Clarkson or Dartmouth in the 1st round that they are down a few key players! Here is to hoping!!!

Let's go Union, Cornell, Saints and Team USA!!!

 

[TimU]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

I just found out that STUPID NBC is going to show the US/Canada game tonight on MSNBC, WHICH I DON'T GET. Ice dancing, biathlon, and bobsled on the main network, and US/Canada on MSNBC????????????? What is wrong with these people?

I am really ****ed.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

I just found out that STUPID NBC is going to show the US/Canada game tonight on MSNBC, WHICH I DON'T GET. Ice dancing, biathlon, and bobsled on the main network, and US/Canada on MSNBC????????????? What is wrong with these people?

I am really ****ed.

They've discussed this, it's because they want the casual fan (women) to tune in to figure skating, which is one of the only events women actually care about.

I think there is somewhere on the nbc site that will show it online for you Tim, let me see if I can find it for you.

It should be somewhere around this site when it comes on, Tim.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/hockey/index.html

 

[TimU]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

They've discussed this, it's because they want the casual fan (women) to tune in to figure skating, which is one of the only events women actually care about.

I think there is somewhere on the nbc site that will show it online for you Tim, let me see if I can find it for you.

It should be somewhere around this site when it comes on, Tim.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/hockey/index.html

Thanks for that. I actually checked it out the other day, and from what I could tell it only works if you have a subscription that includes MSNBC!!! So you can watch it on your computer as long as you already have the ability to watch in on your TV.

 

[vicb]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

I just found out that STUPID NBC is going to show the US/Canada game tonight on MSNBC, WHICH I DON'T GET. Ice dancing, biathlon, and bobsled on the main network, and US/Canada on MSNBC????????????? What is wrong with these people?

I am really ****ed.

And you missed one hell of a game. Miller was fabulous. GO USA. LGT

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Interesting tidbit for everybody to crunch on, on this otherwise fine Monday Morning.

Pete Feola has been on the lines for 3 Olympic games thus far:

Russia vs Latvia Link
Canada vs Switzerland Link
Russia vs Czech Republic Link.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the officials.

I guess the good news is that means he isn't killing the ECAC wearing the bands.

 

[CamNeelyphile]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

For those that are geographically close to the US-Canada border and are missing the Canadian television coverage of winter Olympics (which actually pays attention to the other countries and is not 100% "national") please know that the consortium of CTV/Sportsnet and yes folks, TSN is doing a bang up job. They outbid the CBC for this event years ago and you can't see it as it is more cable/satellite based.

Now can we all say in unison.... "Blame it on Bob".

 

[Saints17]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Not sure how much this is worth.....

I did a little asking around about the newest recruit, the goalie from Flin Flon to be exact.
I was informed he broke the shut out record for Flin Flon this season, a top notch person, and someone who will be a solid if not special tender for SLU.
Great recruit.......

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

For those who will be around Canton this weekend, the Women are playing over at... THAT... place down the road in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Games are at 4pm Friday, 2pm Saturday. I'm considering going Friday for a doubleheader, then possibly Saturday if I can find something to do in between games.

 

[TimU]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

For those who will be around Canton this weekend, the Women are playing over at... THAT... place down the road in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Games are at 4pm Friday, 2pm Saturday. I'm considering going Friday for a doubleheader, then possibly Saturday if I can find something to do in between games.

I'd go to both games with you on Saturday.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

I'd go to both games with you on Saturday.

Hm. Just saw that the men play at 4pm Saturday. With a 2pm womens start, isnt that a little tight for warmups as well?

Edit: Men play at 7 Saturday because of the women's game. USCHO has the game listed incorrectly.

Tim: I'll plan on going Saturday.

 

[TimU]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Hm. Just saw that the men play at 4pm Saturday. With a 2pm womens start, isnt that a little tight for warmups as well?

Edit: Men play at 7 Saturday because of the women's game. USCHO has the game listed incorrectly.

Tim: I'll plan on going Saturday.

Great. I just sent you an e-mail.

 

[W-force]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Predicting a four point weekend AND a bye based on nothing more than "we're due", and some wishful, positive thinking.
Was at Whale friday and saw a team that stayed focused in a face of a major (16-1 SOG) storm out of the gate. Attended with some neutral, knowlegeable, hockey-fluent gents - one a former pro player.
They were very impressed with the visitor's grit and counter-punching. Torture seeing yale wear us down in the end -Our Dmen were visibly beat with 10mins left. The other by-product of the ambush and all the penalties was that our 4th line never got into the flow - they were lost out there.
But left whale very proud and impressed with our effort. Hats off to eli - they are fast, confident and skilled. (weakness, ironically, appears to be in net.)
Seems to me we've played enough quality games against elite - yale, Cornel and BC - to have real confidence heading into the stretch run.
We ended last reg season with two strong wins. (shutouts @ Union/RPI).
Same 4 pts are coming our way this time.
Go Saints.

 

[Got 6 Want More]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Just let my hotel room in Canton go for this weekend. I am recovering from a stomach flu, sick wife and kids and a storm that is going to dump a lot of water (frozen or not???) on all points between NH and Canton. I have to be back at Boston airport for Sunday night. Really bummed actually, but will watch the games on B2 and have reservations to go back to Canton for the playoffs which hopefully will start for us in 2 weeks!!

We are in playoff hockey now. We need these wins to build confidence and get our mojo back and will be rooting for Union and Cornell. (Hey, maybe that is the real cause of my stomach flu?? )

Have heard Jeremiah will be okay...all tests came back okay. That is good news. You never know when a kid leaves the ice with those symptoms. Glad it appears to be nothing serious!!

These are going to be tough games. Harvard could have easily beat us if not for a spectacular game by Petizian. Dartmouth's goalie won the game for us but we looked out of sorts for that game. Still, we were lucky to get 2 points on that road trip so turning that into 4 at home won't be easy!

Good luck to the men and women! Go Saints and Go Team USA!

 

[critsports]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

OK I'm bleary eyed but not quite hockeyed out yet. I made it a point to get home in time to watch USA/Switzerland and boy for a neutral country did they put up a good fight!!!!

I was shocked by how easily Canada beat Russia and although Mike Milbury is taking a lot of heat over his Euro Trash comment I think (although he could have been more elegant) he was spot on in his analysis that the Russians played a weak perimeter game with no heart. Canada was all heart and for the most part good sports (except for Getzlaf showing poor sportsmanship from the bench near the end of the game).
One wonders how when they get back to the NHL games if some "grudges" won't carry over.

I then watched Finland advance and stayed up for part of the Sweden game (who I secretly pull for as I worked for a Swedish company for 25 years and love the country and people). Too bad Lidstrom ended his brilliant Olympic career that way but the guy has two Olympic Gold Medals and I think 4 Norris Trophies and a few Stanley Cups he can console himself with. The amazing thing about watching the Suomi game vs. the Checks I was amazaed at how much space Finland had to handle the puck on all areas of the ice whereas Canada didn't give the Russians a speck of breathing room anywhere.

Back to the Saints I'm wishing/hoping for the best which would be a sweep and some help from Union and Cornell. I'd like to try and get to Canton for Saturday but don't think it will be possible. However we are on a bit of a downer (although we played well last weekend until the end at Brown). I just hope we snap out of whatever was ailing us and more important than where we finish (although a bye would be sweet) that we head into the playoffs on a positive note.
Perhaps someone has an update on Child's progress???

Glad to hear Jeremiah is OK....that's a big relief. I'll probably have to settle for B-2 although Friday night I am going to see a friends son play in a band and won't be around to watch at all.

Best of luck to the Saints men and women this weekend and for Brandon or Tim you can always send me a text with score updates!!!!

 

[critsports]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

Best of luck to the Saints this weekend and thanks mucho to our seniors for 4 great years.

I just read Sullvans column and while I realized how much we need a sweep and some help for the bye.......I didn't realize if we lay an egg we could drop as much as he said all the way to 9th. Yikes!!!!!!!!! Talk about close. I'm now thinking it would be good for Clarkson to win against Harvard on Friday to take a little motivation away from the Crimson.

It always comes down to the final weekend in the ECAC and this year is probably more competitive than any in my time watching.

Hey.......arguably the biggest weekend of the year and no chatter or posts here in quite some time. Where are all you loyal Saint fans????

Good luck boys.........put your fate in your own hands by sweeping and let the chips fall where they may. Let's Go Saints!!!!!!

 

[SaintsFan1]

Re: SLU 2009-2010 Season

First off Got 6 I hope you're feeling better. Well this is going to be one crazy weekend. We're at home playing two teams under us, so that makes me feel a little better. Apparently Pete Child will be playing this weekend as well along with Jeremiah as we all know. So, hopfully that will bring some lift back. We have to sweep. Anything less and we will probably not get a bye. Unless RPI and Gate tie and both lose Saturday but I'm not banking on that. So I guess that means I actually may have to root for Cornell. But hey that bye would be great. Then the boys can get rested prepared and play at home and then hopefully another road trip this year in mid March.

Also, let's have some good luck for the women's team playing Clarkson. This is a big weekend for both teams. I'm hoping for a sweep and then our fate lies with Cornell and Union to win on Saturday. Whoever makes it up there have safe travels and let's bring home a sweep. GO SAINTS!