Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15
From what I can guess, playing your arch rival 4 times essentially guarantees 4 sell-outs for the schools. Little to no costs associated with travel, from a business stand point it makes sense.
Bingo. Plus, in my era we won more than 50% and the Clarkson games (along with Harvard, RPI and Vermont) were always the most memorable. Cornell too actually. They are great recruiting tools because what kid doesn't want to see a game with a high energy rivalry? They sell tickets, they are fun for the players, everyone gets to sleep in their own beds, and it's a North Country affair (which sucks for those of us that don't live in the NC).
As long as I live, I'll never forget losing to them 10-1 in December 1985 where we without all four of our top defensemen and Derek Ray and Scott Nickerson went toe to toe at center ice, or playing them a month later and beating them at Appleton in OT 6-5 after Hurley took a retaliation penalty and Don Vaughan was screaming some inappropriate things from the press box over where the President used to sit. I'll never forget beating them 8-4 in 1988 with 5 guys suspended from a fight at Dartmouth and Buckeridge making a move that even they applauded. Or beating them 3-0 in the 1988 ECAC Championship game where shooter had a perfect one-timer on the PP from the top of the circle. Or Mike McKenzie putting on a one man show in period 3 of game 3 at Appleton 3-4 years ago to come from behind and win. Clarkson even eventually got a lame D-1 rink (Cheel) to replace the Canton Pavilion North (Walker). Other than shutting out Cornell at Lynah, the 9-8 game where Lappin and Neweindyk went back and forth, and beating them like a drum 6-1 in the 1989 Semi's and beating them 6-3 after trailing 3-0 at Appleton after 2, I'd say those are the games I remember the best. Now, we add to that with a nice shutout in their building. I'll take it, league game or not.
The only thing about Hayton who I knew last year when I watched him in the USHL was going to be really good for us is, if he keeps playing this way, he may be gone too quickly. Kyle, if you are reading this, see Derek Gustafson....stud goalie, now pumping gas someone where in OR and probably growing fatter. Stay at SLU. You'll never regret playing with a team like this that has the potential in a couple of years on the national stage.
