Union College: 2017-2018

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Good thing RPI was slow and never one-timed their opportunities... Game could have been another story. That was way more stressful than it needed to be. We missed a bunch of grade A chances in the first period; props to the RPI goalie for stepping in and keeping his team in the game.

I feel like Union goes through minutes where they're a bit lost as to what to do. I really like the new system we have going but it seems that not everyone on the team is 100% sure what the execution is supposed to be. A few more days of practice and some games will help with that. More contributions from a bunch of players, it's nice to see. Finally, Hanson had another very decent game. He got pushed around by RPI a bit but in-game experience should help with that. You can tell he is comfortable on the ice as long as the puck is some distance away, but when things get up close and personal, he doesn't look so smooth. Again, in-game experience is his best friend.

I thought for a few minutes in the second period that the ref were going to steal the game for RPI.
Turned out OK in the end.

Things are ramping up soon: Clarkson will be a very good test (impressive record so far) and Saint Lawrence is going to want to start their league play with a W after a rough start to their season.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

props to the RPI goalie for stepping in and keeping his team in the game.

I also thought Perry played very well both nights, especially the first-period last night. The Clarkson goalie is off to a great start.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

My favourite play on Saturday was when Connor Light (6'5", 215) drove the net and drew the penalty. He is a senior and has not yet scored a goal.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Here is how we are supposed to do this year:

September 25 - 6th - Coaches Poll
September 25 - 6th - Media Poll
October 3 - "Bottom 4" - USCHO Season Preview
October 10 - 10th - CHN

The October 10 CHN is below:

Union Dutchmen
Head Coach: Rick Bennett, 7th year
2016-17 Record: 25-10-3, 16-4-2 ECAC (t-1st)

Changes: The Dutchmen lost many key pieces from a team that won a share of the ECAC regular-season title last year. The biggest loss will be Mike Vecchione, who was tied for first in points and second in goals nationally. Vecchione was a key piece in both ends of the ice and his loss will be a massive one.

Spencer Foo left a year of eligibility on the table to turn pro and will also be a big departure; the junior was fourth in the country with 62 points and fifth in plus-minus. Defenseman Nick Desimone left a year early for the pros and Jeff Taylor graduated, so the defense also took a big hit. Alex Sakellaropoulos also graduated, which leaves a gaping hole between the pipes. The Dutchmen have already lost their first three games, which should indicate some of the growing pains they will face this season.

Union added nine that probably be asked to play big roles right away. The class includes a pair of NHL draft picks in Jack Adams (6th round, Red Wings) and Parker Foo (5th, Blackhawks). It also includes a goaltender, Darion Hanson, who led the BCHL in GAA (1.84) and save percentage (.929) last season.

Strength: The Dutchmen lost a ton on offense but they also return a good top six that was able to develop last season. Sebastian Vidmar and Brett Supinski will lead that group as the two of them combined for 77 points and 22 goals. Ryan Walker, Luc Brown and Ryan Scarfo should also join them in the forward ranks that should be able to score. The big question, is whether the depth will be there to provide a consistent charge.

“We are kind of hoping that a guy like Brett Supinski, Cole Maier or even Sebatian Vidmar (will make a jump),” Bennett said. “All three of them are juniors. We lost some guys, but it happens to every team and no one will feel sorry for you. It is just a great opportunity for those guys and many others.”

Weakness: Entering the season, Union goaltenders have a combined 20 games of college experience. Jake Kupsky, who the job will probably fall to early in the year, has struggled in limited time between the pipes. In nine appearances last season, Kupsky had a 3.98 GAA and a .878 save percentage. In the year prior, he had a 3.20 and .891 mark. One could assume he and Hanson will vie for time at some point, but both are unproven and inexperienced.

2017-18 Outlook: Union should drop off after its regular-season title last year, but just how much? The Dutchmen lost on a ton on both ends of the ice and its goaltending situation is questionable at best. There are no replacing players with the quality of Vecchione, Spencer Foo and Jeff Taylor. Bennett is a great coach and one should think that he would be able to right this ship, but the holes are as gaping as they have been in his tenure. Union still has the offense to finish close to a home-ice, top eight finish, but they finish just short.

Prediction: 10th

 

[Miami Ice]

With four straight Ws, albeit against unranked teams, the Dutchmen are back in familiar territory. Looks like another great Union goaltender may be in the making. With the scoring well spread out among the maturing lines, the season could evolve into something very interesting after all the naysaying. In any event, knocking off RPI is very good for the soul.
The north country trip will give us a pretty good read. Clarkson looks strong. St.L gets an impressive first win against a powerful Wis. On to a revived Princeton club and always formidable Q, followed by the boys in Grand Forks. Union hockey is never dull.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

The last time we beat St. Lawrence in Appleton Arena was 2011? Ugh !

Tale of the Tape
Union vs. St. Lawrence
Results from the last 10 seasons, inclusive.
Date Visitor Home
2017-01-28 Union 3 St. Lawrence 4 St. Lawrence
2016-11-11 St. Lawrence 2 Union 2 ot tie
2016-02-06 St. Lawrence 3 Union 3 ot tie
2015-11-06 Union 3 St. Lawrence 6 St. Lawrence
2015-02-27 St. Lawrence 2 Union 3 Union
2015-02-07 Union 1 St. Lawrence 7 St. Lawrence
2014-02-22 St. Lawrence 2 Union 6 Union
2014-01-31 Union 1 St. Lawrence 2 St. Lawrence
2013-03-01 St. Lawrence 1 Union 5 Union
2013-02-09 Union 2 St. Lawrence 4 St. Lawrence
2012-01-28 St. Lawrence 0 Union 6 Union
2011-11-04 Union 2 St. Lawrence 0 Union

 

[ecachawkeyfan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

New commit...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Morton (Wenatchee Wild) has committed to Union College for 2018-2019. <a href="https://twitter.com/Unionmhockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Unionmhockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/smorton_82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@smorton_82</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WenatcheeWild1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WenatcheeWild1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bchllive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bchllive</a></p>— Hockey Commitments (@HockeyCommits) <a href="https://twitter.com/HockeyCommits/status/925013281986764800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

St. Lawrence has played an incredible preseason. They have played the current #4, #6, #7, #17 and UML and Michigan who are currently not ranked. They will also face UML and Vermont. They are going to benefit greatly from this challenge later in the year. For their first 4 games they averaged 1 goal for and 4.25 goals against. For their second 4 games they averaged 3.25 goals for and 4.5 goals against. They are getting the offense cranked up.

In the first game against Wisconsin, they were outshot 40-19 by Wisconsin and total attempts 84-40. The Saints blocked 26 shots !!!
In the second game against Wisconsin, they were outshot 37-13 by Wisconsin but won 6-3. Yes, those numbers are correct. They are developing some snipers. Hayton did not start for Wisconsin in the second game.

The penalty kill is not a strength. They are committing a lot of penalties but will have hometown ECAC refs (worth a point or two at least)

In the last three games, they gave up a goal in the first two minutes.

In years past in Canton, they have come out smoking ... and jumped to early big leads. Can we reverse that? We have not won in Appleton since 2011.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

St. Lawrence vs Wisconsin Highlights
https://youtu.be/x5MgXYdOXM4

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

College hockey: Saints look to build momentum after last weekend’s win at Wisconsin
PUBLISHED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017 AT 5:15 AM
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/...after-last-weekends-win-at-wisconsin-20171103

KNOW YOUR FOE
St. Lawrence has experienced recent success against Union, particularly at home, where it has won its last five games against the Dutchmen at Appleton Arena.
The Saints have also lost only once in their past five games against Union at 2-1-2, which included a 2-2 tie on the road last season and a 4-3 St. Lawrence victory in Canton on Jan. 28.
Union, which was selected to finish sixth in ECAC Hockey by the league’s coaches, comes into tonight’s game riding a four-game winning streak after losing its first five games of the season.

PARADE TO THE PENALTY BOX
St. Lawrence has already racked up the third most penalty minutes in the country with 127, trailing only Minnesota (133) and Colgate (130), which have also played eight games each, and stands seventh in the nation in average penalty minutes per game (15.9).
Consequently, the Saints have been shorthanded 42 times, which is second in the country to Clarkson, which has faced 46 power plays.
St. Lawrence has struggled on the penalty kill this season, allowing 12 power-play goals from 42 of the opposition’s chances for 71-percent efficiency. It has yielded multiple power-play goals in five games this season, including two in each of its past three outings.
Chris Fitz Gerald covers St. Lawrence University hockey for the Times. He can be reached at cfitzgerald@wdt.net

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Of the 60 NCAA DI Men's Ice Hockey

Weight
Cornell 6th heaviest 194lbs
Colgate 11th heaviest 190.8
Clarkson 12th heaviest 190.7
Saints 14th heaviest 190.4

Union 54th heaviest 183.1
Yale 55th heaviest 183.0

Denver 59th heaviest 180.5

Height
Cornell 2nd tallest
Union 6th tallest

Saints have a 6'8" player
Knights have a 6'7" player

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Quote of the week:
“They had us on our heels in the first 10 minutes,” said Harvard coach Ted Donato, who couldn’t really explain why his team lacked zip early. Though a good enough reason could have been the physical pressure Yale brought right from the opening faceoff.

“Catch up hockey is losing hockey,” said Donato.

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/recaps/2017/11/03/ecac-yale-upsets-no-3-harvard/#ixzz4xSrkb100

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Three of our next 4 are currently USCHO top 20 and the forth has yet to lose.

Knights 13th
Q 11th
Tigers
Sioux 4th

Winning is not going to get any easier.

 

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Winning tonight would be huge.

Couple of thoughts from yesterday: Brassard seemed to have some extra speed, hope it's a sign of good things to come. Kosack has a nice vision of the game, still playing a little shy sometimes, but hope he keeps it up.

Let's go Union!!!

 

[UnionFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Jake Keilly of Clarkson has put up unbelievable numbers with 1.443 GAA and .949 SV%. Tonight will be a big test for the team and Hanson and I'm looking forward to tuning in. Go U! Also, In case it helps anyone else having video quality trouble when streaming SLU/Clarkson games, my problems were resolved by switching the quality setting from "Auto" to "720p".

 

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Just watched part of yesterday's game between Clarkson and RPI, and Clarkson's transition game is impressive. If we don't manage to neutralize that part of their game, it's going to be an uphill battle. They pass the puck well, with speed going into the zone. They seem to aim for backdoor plays so Hanson should be ready move quite a lot. They also have an aggressive forecheck (2 players on a regular basis), defense should be ready for that, and forwards should be ready to help out. Finally, on the power play, they move the puck a LOT. Creates lots of openings and slowly they close in on the goal and any one guy with a chance will shoot the puck.

Go Union!!!!

 

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Just watched part of yesterday's game between Clarkson and RPI, and Clarkson's transition game is impressive. If we don't manage to neutralize that part of their game, it's going to be an uphill battle. They pass the puck well, with speed going into the zone. They seem to aim for backdoor plays so Hanson should be ready move quite a lot. They also have an aggressive forecheck (2 players on a regular basis), defense should be ready for that, and forwards should be ready to help out. Finally, on the power play, they move the puck a LOT. Creates lots of openings and slowly they close in on the goal and any one guy with a chance will shoot the puck.

Go Union!!!!

Good preview - and then watched it unfold just like that...
Mix in the uncalled elbow to #13's head, a few stick holds not called and presto another Clarkson win...

One note on your preview - when our forwards help out the D - they produce little offensive pressure
(see games #1 thru 5 and last nights)...

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

We had 4 power plays, Clarkson had 4 power plays.
We got off 3 shots on goal in our 4 power plays, Clarkson got off 11 shots on goal in their 4 power plays
We did not score a goal in our 4 power plays, Clarkson scored 3 goals in their 4 power plays.
We lost 2-3

Taking away all the power play shots on goal, each team had 21 shots on goal.

You can see the game replay in it entirety on
http://clarksonathletics.com/sports/2017/9/16/clarkson-mens-hockey-from-cheel-arena.aspx

Thank You
Clarkson University

PS Clarkson scored on 6 of 8 powerplays this weekend.

 

[Miami Ice]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Watching the first half of the St. L game one might have had the feeling that, in spite of the impressive play by Union, it might be one of those "Oh no" nights when everything goes well but no goals. Fortunately that turned out not to be the case, with the Dutchmen winning in convincing fashion. Even the St. L announcer was deferential as he pegged Union a top four team in the league. Had he been in Potsdam on Saturday night, he may have changed his tune as Clarkson dominated a ragged Union effort. The Dutchmen eventually looked like they might be able to claw their way back; they almost did. However, Clarkson looked very impressive.
It doesn't get any easier, with a madder than hell Q team after this weekend and a Princeton team beginning to make some noise. RB is one of the best. No doubt he is doing his best to smooth out the rough edges.

 

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

We had 4 power plays, Clarkson had 4 power plays.
We go off 3 shots on goal in our 4 power plays, Clarkson got off 11 shots on goal in their 4 power plays
We did not score a goal in our 4 power plays, Clarkson scored 3 goals in their 4 power plays.
We lost 2-3

Taking away all the power play shots on goal, each team had 21 shots on goal.

You can see the game replay in it entirety on
http://clarksonathletics.com/sports/2017/9/16/clarkson-mens-hockey-from-cheel-arena.aspx

Thank You
Clarkson University

PS Clarkson scored on 6 of 8 powerplays this weekend.

It always amazes me that the penalties - no matter the opponents so often turn out even.
Most times it's not the number called it's the situations in which they are called.
But when an elbow to the head is not called with 4 sets of eyes supposedly watching just makes one wonder why.

Their powerplay is dynamic and always moving - passes are crisp - the shots weren't all that special.. But they put them in.
Ours (at least with one of the groups) wastes so much time bringing the puck to center then giving back half the ice to pass it back just to bring it up again
while at least 2 of the players are standing still getting into the zone.. Seems silly and certainly hasn't resulted in much...
A good power play requires crisp accurate passes (a challenge some nights for us) - to make the defenders work .. and somebody screening the goalie (not much of that last night)
So getting it in the zone and taking a weak or wide angle shot - with no screen -isn't very helpful.. -- might as well just refuse the penalty.

Hopefully another weeks work on it will help..