Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic City!

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

We saw Brown score during a delayed penalty call last night and then in accordance with the new rule, still got the 2 minutes a man up following their score. I think that's a really dumb rule, a double penalty in a sense. I'm not sure what the rationale for that is other than to increase scoring.

I think the rationale is that the player (as opposed to the team) is not actually penalized. I do agree that the goal is enough of a penalty.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

I think the rationale is that the player (as opposed to the team) is not actually penalized. I do agree that the goal is enough of a penalty.

If they wanted to penalize the player, they could put him in the penalty box but allow a substitute.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

If they wanted to penalize the player, they could put him in the penalty box but allow a substitute.

The rules commitee would then ask why they don't do that during a regular power play when a goal is scored.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

The rules commitee would then ask why they don't do that during a regular power play when a goal is scored.

True.

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

As much as U has accomplished in the last couple years, the one thing I've been waiting for is the "Big Win".. obviously (sigh) today was another opportunity lost. I didn't get a sniff of audio or video of this game so interested in any observations from people who actually saw it. From the post-game reports sounds like U made a lot of turn-overs, weren't very physical and couldn't convert on the PP (including 2 minutes 5x3!).

I'm not pushing the panic button yet, as Yale is definitely a terrific team and can make anyone look bad.. but going oh-fer the weekend on the PP is cause for concern. Radio guys seemed to imply that Brown was anticipating Union's passing pattern on the PP, and I saw similar comments that Yale seemed to have figured it out too. Hopefully that's something the coaches can correct.. and might improve with Prez back in the lineup.

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

If they wanted to penalize the player, they could put him in the penalty box but allow a substitute.

FWIW, they used to do that in college hockey many moons ago.. player served the whole amount of the penalty regardless if they scored. Of course, that was back when forechecking in the offensive zone was illegal too!

 

[aweise]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

As much as U has accomplished in the last couple years, the one thing I've been waiting for is the "Big Win".. obviously (sigh) today was another opportunity lost. I didn't get a sniff of audio or video of this game so interested in any observations from people who actually saw it. From the post-game reports sounds like U made a lot of turn-overs, weren't very physical and couldn't convert on the PP (including 2 minutes 5x3!).

I'm not pushing the panic button yet, as Yale is definitely a terrific team and can make anyone look bad.. but going oh-fer the weekend on the PP is cause for concern. Radio guys seemed to imply that Brown was anticipating Union's passing pattern on the PP, and I saw similar comments that Yale seemed to have figured it out too. Hopefully that's something the coaches can correct.. and might improve with Prez back in the lineup.

Union was lucky to get out of the first 2 periods being down only 2-0. If it weren't for Kinkaind, it could have been 5-0 after two periods.

U's power play wasn't much to write home about, but it did look like Yale had it figured out. There was constant pressure on the point men and the PP unit looked like they never had an answer. The 2-minute 5x3 was the game - I couldn't fathom how they couldn't get many pucks on net. It seemed like every shot they took was blocked or missed the net.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

Union was lucky to get out of the first 2 periods being down only 2-0. If it weren't for Kinkaind, it could have been 5-0 after two periods.

U's power play wasn't much to write home about, but it did look like Yale had it figured out. There was constant pressure on the point men and the PP unit looked like they never had an answer. The 2-minute 5x3 was the game - I couldn't fathom how they couldn't get many pucks on net. It seemed like every shot they took was blocked or missed the net.

One thing I noticed with the 5-on-3 is that Union was pinching in so much (I realize you want to do that to get your shot to the net quicker), yet they didn't have the forwards right next to the net to grab rebounds, that the puck really couldn't be moved around at all, so Yale had a pretty easy time getting in position to defend. Not to mention Yale was being very aggressive on marking the pointmen, but that is going to happen with some teams.

 

[OsecnUC]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

Saturday's going to be REAL tough... especially seeing as how your team plays on Sunday.

Did you ever do someting really dumb and quickly look to the left and look to the right in hopes that no one saw you? Imagine me standing in front of Ingalls on Saturday evening, tickets in hand, looking right then left. Thought I got away with it but the dude with the flag caught me!

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

Didn't see any of the game. I have it recorded but I'm not sure when I'll have the heart to watch it. For whatever reason(s), it appears that Union was not ready for prime time yesterday. I would imagine it was a combination of factors including being somewhat shorthanded, showing the effects of a 3 week layoff, and perhaps most importantly just not being as good as Yale which in itself is no shame as they look like the real deal. If not the number one team in the country right now, I imagine they certainly belong in the discussion. Anyway, I am hopeful that the boys will bounce back this month as they have two games this weekend and then some quality opponents coming up on the road between now and the resumption of league play in January. I'm not down on the team, just a little down.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

Did you ever do someting really dumb and quickly look to the left and look to the right in hopes that no one saw you? Imagine me standing in front of Ingalls on Saturday evening, tickets in hand, looking right then left. Thought I got away with it but the dude with the flag caught me!

Dude sees all, knows all.

 

[AnthonySaxe]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

That was an ugly game. We played passive and afraid for much of the game, and made way too many mistakes. In the end, we just looked totally outmatched.

 

[UnionHockeyManiac]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

I watched the Union/Yale game at a bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The Saints game ended and then I politely asked the bartender to switch it over to ESPNU for some college hockey. The football games were on 7 of the 8 big screens but I was able to watch our Dutchmen on the other one while drinking a Hurricane and eating a po-boy. Unfortunately, we didn't deliver but we knew the game was going to be a huge challenge. People in this bar must have thought it was hilarious as I got more and more ****ed off with each Yale goal. I'm not going to panic about a loss like this but I think it's important that we come back and get the sweep in our next two games...our opponents will not be on Yale's level. Not quite.

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

In looking at Sunday's boxscore, it struck me what a young & relatively inexperienced lineup the coaches put out there. All 5 freshmen forwards plus Pallos, who despite being a senior hasn't had much big game experience. On the blueline, everyone except Matheson have a year's or less experience. Not necessarily saying the coaches made a mistake (or even choices when it comes to the d-men), but if you had told me back in October that this was the lineup that would play Yale in New Haven I would have been rather surprised that players like Cain, Yanovitch or Kyle Bodie weren't in there.

This was definitely not the sole reason that Yale won the game the way they did, as U still had plenty of experienced upperclassmen out there, but I do wonder if it contributed to the team looking overwhelmed at times. And don't get me wrong, I think the last two recruiting classes have been excellent and will produce many exciting moments for Union fans this season and over the next couple years. I'm mostly saying that this game should be a terrific learning experience for all the players in what big games against top teams are like. The upcoming games at Western Michigan and Minnesota should be in this category too. Hopefully this experience will help the team be better prepared mentally for the tough games to come going down the stretch.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

I agree with ADK that we did have a young lineup out there, and the absence of Prez who is as tough a competitor as Union has ever put out there, could not have helped. That being said, this was likely going to be a loss no matter how you slice it. Let's hope the team takes it as a learning experience from which they can grow and improve. Still it's been a while this season since Union has hit on all cylinders and I'm thinking maybe the early blowouts may in some ways have been counterproductive. Nonetheless we are still highly (and probably at this point over) ranked in the polls which I guess is better than the opposite. I have a lot of faith in this team and the coaching staff.

I'm sort of scratching my head wondering why we are playing the two OOC teams this weekend. It seems that AIC and Army have become semi-permanent fixtures on the schedule, and although Army always plays tough, I'm not sure what we have to gain by playing these teams, no offense intended to them. Of course a few years ago OOC fans probably said the same thing about scheduling lowly Union. RPI is hosting BU Saturday which makes me wonder if any thought was given to hosting BU on Friday, though I know it was a home and home deal. I'm guessing money is an issue there with U's tiny rink. Win or lose IMO there's a lot more to be gained playing that kind of team than Army and AIC. Of course if we manage to lose or tie either of them I'll be eating my words with a fork and spoon.

 

[CornwallAce]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

Wholin, I would like to thank Union for playing AIC. I'd like to think that Union appreciates the scholar-athlete more than most teams, especially after the 40% comment a few years ago. AIC does put a lot more focus on the education than on hockey. And especially this year, AIC only has 3 OOC games, so this games means a lot.
I'm hoping for a close game, as AIC has been surging of late, beating Air Force, Mercyhurst(sweep in Erie) and 6-2 over RIT. But I do know that Union is by far in a class above AIC. I can easily see Union finishing 2nd in the ECAC. Don't know if it will happen, but it is obtainable.

 

[unionbob]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

somewhat of concern are two things.... 1) the number of short handed goals we are giving up and 2) the lack of goals scored....only 11 in league play...which i believe is last in the league.......

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

I agree with ADK that we did have a young lineup out there, and the absence of Prez who is as tough a competitor as Union has ever put out there, could not have helped. That being said, this was likely going to be a loss no matter how you slice it. Let's hope the team takes it as a learning experience from which they can grow and improve. Still it's been a while this season since Union has hit on all cylinders and I'm thinking maybe the early blowouts may in some ways have been counterproductive. Nonetheless we are still highly (and probably at this point over) ranked in the polls which I guess is better than the opposite. I have a lot of faith in this team and the coaching staff.

I'm sort of scratching my head wondering why we are playing the two OOC teams this weekend. It seems that AIC and Army have become semi-permanent fixtures on the schedule, and although Army always plays tough, I'm not sure what we have to gain by playing these teams, no offense intended to them. Of course a few years ago OOC fans probably said the same thing about scheduling lowly Union. RPI is hosting BU Saturday which makes me wonder if any thought was given to hosting BU on Friday, though I know it was a home and home deal. I'm guessing money is an issue there with U's tiny rink. Win or lose IMO there's a lot more to be gained playing that kind of team than Army and AIC. Of course if we manage to lose or tie either of them I'll be eating my words with a fork and spoon.

I definitely think the lack of early tough games (Alaska excepted) didn't help Union. As comparison, last season's early games with Maine & St. Cloud I think really had the team mentally prepared for the RPI games and the start of league play. But.. the schedule is what it is, and the reality is that the last 3 games have been great tests and at least 4 of the next 6 should be too. Hopefully the boys will get some wins in these games before the league stretch run.

As for getting BU or BC on Union's schedule anytime soon, don't hold your breath. And it's really not money related. HE schools only have like 7-9 non-conf games and for BU & BC they have the Beanpot, plus a game with Harvard if they aren't scheduled to play in the Pot, so they really only have like 4-5 OOCs schedule. To play BU or BC you have to either be a consistent top 10 program or have connections. RPI obviously was (& may soon be again) a top program and has those connections, and they are consistently on BU's schedule. And with the level of competition night-in & night-out in HE, there is absolutely no reason for a BU or BC to play a slightly middle of the pack team like Union that might actually beat them and won't help their strength-of-schedule. IMO the only chance U will have of playing them is if they end up in a tournament with them.

Of course, non of this explains why U couldn't get any other teams in HE on the schedule, though maybe U's improvement in the last couple years has something to with that. I was actually hoping to see Merrimack, as U hasn't played them in a while and they actually have a very good team that be in the upper half of HE.

As for AIC & Army, I tend to agree that not much good can come from these games, but hopefully the boys get some offensive confidence back.

 

[OsecnUC]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

ADK is on the money with this. Bottom line is that this season's schedule is a bit disappointing, with no digs intended toward Army & AIC. Not knowing what the actual process is in scheduling a season, I can only speculate, but the BU/BC observations are nuts on. There are many other fish in the pond who U could match up with and help in the RPI department. I guess the big factor is how far in advance are deals made for these games? We're sort of in uncharted waters, with a team that is now respected and looked at as one of the better ones in the country. Last year we were strong for the first time, so I think the jury may be still out, waiting to see what happens this year. Once the program can consistently field (or ice?) a competitive team, then stronger teams will want to match up. Personally, I would like to see some future dates with CCHA teams such as the Michigan schools or Ohio State. I just seems that they play in larger venues and having the boys exposed to larger crowds, not to mention the level of competition, would help them to grow along with receiving some more national recognition.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Dutchmen Hockey 2010-11: There's one way and that's to Atlantic Cit

Other than the Alaska trip, the OOC schedule has been pedestrian. By the time the weekend is over Union will have played half of the Atlantic conference. I don't have anything against that except they're not really the teams I'd like to see for the most part though it might be nice to build on the RIT rivalry that started in D-3 days. As pointed out though, wishing isn't having. I don't think scheduling is done all that far in advance in many instances. However, the problems mentioned here are formidable. I didn't realize that BU and RPI for example have a standing game each season as RC kindly pointed out to me. But I agree that even without BU and BC there are other HE teams that might be willing to slot us as Maine and Providence did in recent seasons. Although it would be good for the program, I was being somewhat selfish in that I think it would heighten spectator interest as well.

Anyway, the final 4 OOC this month and at New Year's will be good tests for the Dutchmen. Western Michigan at least until recently was exceeding expectations and playing Minnesota in Minnesota as well as Bemidji will be good tests and should prime the team for the ECAC push.

Hopefully we will see two wins this weekend but the boys had best be ready to roll. As pointed out AIC is playing respectably and the last two games with Army were nailbiting wins.

I believe Toys for Tots will be collecting before the game on Saturday and I'd urge everyone to consider supporting that cause, especially with the tough times many are facing these days. It's also Military Appreciation weekend, a nice tribute, but I hope we don't take it too far vs. the Black Knights .

Go U!