Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

[OsecnUC]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Penalty shots are a disadvantage! Your reward for a breakaway and getting pulled down, slashed, hooked, etc. is one shot on a keeper that is totally focused, doesn't have to worry about a rebound, and has plenty of time to concentrate on the shooter? I rather get the man advantage for 2 minutes and get 3-5 shots off in the middle of chaos. This could have been a tremendous momentum killer/swing.

 

[OsecnUC]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

The players and coach Leaman said it - they were lucky to come away with the win.

Don't know if I buy it. This may be a bit of gamesmanship and brainwashing by Leaman.
They did turn over the puck a few times in their own zone, but thanks to Kinkaid, trouble was averted. The majority of the 2nd and all of the 3rd, U dominated. The SOG don't show this but if someone has the stat on time of possession, I would bet U had the puck in Colgate's half of the rink for over 70% of the game. In the 3rd, it was probably close to 15 minutes of possession. Colgate did there usual job of clogging up the center and slot, but U had great patience and just kept cycling the puck, looking for an opportunity. when you're up by 2 you have the advantage of being able to taking your time.

The boys were physical and a force to reckon with on the forecheck. If they come out tonight with the same aggressive attitude, taking the body and actively forechecking, things should go their way.

When you are confident in your goalie and believe he will make some big saves when needed, it frres up the team to play at an entirely different level. We may be approaching this. Hope we haven't released the jinx .

GooooooU!

 

[UnionHockeyManiac]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

You're the kid who used to fill the water bottles? Those 2 were the only ones in that area generating any noise. At least your not the guy wearing the Mr. Met hat...sheesh

I was the guy wearing the Mr. Met hat.

Why sheesh?

 

[UnionHockeyRadio]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

My two cents as someone who's seen a lot of Union Hockey games over the last several years:

A. Colgate games are ALWAYS dead. They don't travel well, our fans don't really seem to get pumped for them - add in the students not being here, and you get what you saw last night, a quiet building. But that's how it always is against Colgate. Union fans in general (minus the student section) aren't the most vocal fans in the league either. Games at Starr rink have a similar quiet atmosphere (At least against Union).

B. Cornell travels better, there's more local interest, and we tend to play them well and our fans get up for them - so I expect a better crowd presence tonight.

Personally, while thinking it wasn't Union's BEST game of the year, I was a little surprised to hear the coach's comments. I felt we played much better than Colgate, but the same mistakes we made against them would kill us tonight.

And just as a reminder, for those NOT making it to the rink, this game will be televised on TWC throughout upstate and western New York. And as always, the game can be heard locally on 89.7 WRUC, and on the internet at www.teamline.cc

Couple of announcer notes for those who care: The Greening/Galagher line has scored in all but one of Cornell's games this year. And of course, Scrivens is among the top 10 in GAA/Save %. Also, Cornell's power play is operating at a crushing 30%. They only got 19 shots against RPI last night.

Enjoy the game all! Let's go U!

 

[UnionHockeyManiac]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Well, we remain unbeaten in ECAC play with the tie against Cornell. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to this game so I had to listen to the entire game on teamline.cc.

Can someone who was there please sum it up? I'm really curious what it was like.

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Overall I would say that was a dang good hockey game. Both teams played pretty well, lots of hard hits, all the goals were good ones and the end result was well deserved. The Trabucco-Walters line gave Cornell fits all night and the Red ramped it up in the 3rd to get the tying goal. Thought U had a slight edge in OT, but couldn't get the big one. Kinkaid played very well again and really seems to have given the team confidence to make plays up ice. He still scares the heck out of me every time he goes out of the net to play the puck, but he kept it pretty simple tonight so were no disasters.

The crowd was much better than Friday, but was not exactly rocking like when the students are in session.. IMO VERY poor planning to schedule the Red without school in session - this is a big game every season and gets a lot of buzz on campus.

This was a great weekend and keeps the team well in the hunt for a top of the league finish. Huge congrats to the players and coaches!! I see that Schottsky is petitioning on his blog for Union to get ranked.. but frankly agree with Leaman that its not worth a hill of beans if the team doesn't keep winning.. and all it will do is give RPI even more motivation for Wednesday's game in Troy. Not much time to savor things..

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Penalty shots are a disadvantage! Your reward for a breakaway and getting pulled down, slashed, hooked, etc. is one shot on a keeper that is totally focused, doesn't have to worry about a rebound, and has plenty of time to concentrate on the shooter? I rather get the man advantage for 2 minutes and get 3-5 shots off in the middle of chaos. This could have been a tremendous momentum killer/swing.

As it turns out, the rules allow the non-penalized team to choose if they want to take the penalty shot or a 2-minute minor. I'm assuming the refs asked Leaman and he said take the shot. With Mario taking it I was pretty confident he would get it done, but also agree that the goalies tend to have a big advantage in these situations. Luckily it didn't impact the final outcome.

 

[OsecnUC]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

I was the guy wearing the Mr. Met hat.

I knew that....
how 'bout wearing the hat of a classy winning team instead of the hapless Mets? They sell Union hockey hats in the opposite corner of the arena. Show some pride.

 

[OsecnUC]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

As it turns out, the rules allow the non-penalized team to choose if they want to take the penalty shot or a 2-minute minor. I'm assuming the refs asked Leaman and he said take the shot. With Mario taking it I was pretty confident he would get it done, but also agree that the goalies tend to have a big advantage in these situations. Luckily it didn't impact the final outcome.

Gee;...didn't know that. It seems like the shot is always selected. Just seems while it may take longer, if a team has a good PP, then that would be the way to go.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

As it turns out, the rules allow the non-penalized team to choose if they want to take the penalty shot or a 2-minute minor. I'm assuming the refs asked Leaman and he said take the shot. With Mario taking it I was pretty confident he would get it done, but also agree that the goalies tend to have a big advantage in these situations. Luckily it didn't impact the final outcome.

Friday Union had a chance to do something Mario Lemieux did once himself in a game, and that is score in every possible variety-even strength, shorthanded, power play, empty net and penalty shot. Kind of hockey's version of hitting for the cycle.

With baby Leaman in attendance at his first game last night, it was fitting indeed that the game ended in a "Ty".

I thought this was a great weekend for Union hockey. 3 out of 4 points is a very good result against 2 teams ahead of us in the standings. The effort last night was very solid. I was impressed by both teams and thought it was a hard fought, clean game. Cornell is a physically impressive and skilled team. Schafer's post game comments were also quite sportsmanlike, although the poll issue is not really worth worrying about except in the event where Union might be looking for an at large NCAA bid which is getting WAY ahead of things.

I can't imagine there will be a letdown this week at RPI, but if there is, Union could be looking at their first blemish on their league record. RPI is struggling a bit now but I can't imagine they won't be riled up for the midweek game.

 

[TimV]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

And as always, the game can be heard locally on 89.7 WRUC,

Good post and true overall, but you should know that frequently you can't receive the station right in the rink or even on a car radio on Union Street.

On those occasions when you can get rink reception, the 7-10 second delay is brutal. I love your work, but I'm beggin ya - get more power and lose the delay.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

Good post and true overall, but you should know that frequently you can't receive the station right in the rink or even on a car radio on Union Street.

On those occasions when you can get rink reception, the 7-10 second delay is brutal. I love your work, but I'm beggin ya - get more power and lose the delay.

Neither of my new car radios get the broadcast outside of the rink. I miss being able to listen to the postgame as I drive away. Last year I could get it pretty much to exit 25. I'm pretty sure that licensing with the FCC limits the strength of RUC's signal very significantly.

One other thing about last night's game. Schafer really came off looking smart as he called a TO with about 20 ticks left on their 5 on 3 PP and they ended up converting.

 

[TimV]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

Neither of my new car radios get the broadcast outside of the rink. I miss being able to listen to the postgame as I drive away. Last year I could get it pretty much to exit 25. I'm pretty sure that licensing with the FCC limits the strength of RUC's signal very significantly.

If that's the case, then Union deserves better. They are becoming much more popular in the Capital District outside of Troy, are more fun to watch, and even without a band are a better place to watch a game. Seats are closer to the ice, the crowd is more involved, and you even have your own railroad horn. To quote Rocky, Union is not "just another bum from the neighborhood" any more, so get a better radio outlet.

But keep the broadcast team.

 

[UnionHockeyManiac]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

INCH just came out with there weekly power rankings and Union is sitting pretty at #18. This is the second time we have been in their power rankings. Back on October 11th, after our sweep of Maine, we were at #19. Here is what they have to say about us:

"Union is the only undefeated team in ECAC Hockey play (3-0-3) but stands in fifth place. The Dutchmen will make up a bunch of games in hand against teams they currently trail in January and February."

http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/5Polls/0910/polls_0811.htm

Hopefully we will crack the top 20 when the poll comes out in about 12 hours.

 

[aweise]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

Neither of my new car radios get the broadcast outside of the rink. I miss being able to listen to the postgame as I drive away. Last year I could get it pretty much to exit 25. I'm pretty sure that licensing with the FCC limits the strength of RUC's signal very significantly.

Usually, I can pick it up from the rink to the Rexford Bridge without a problem, then it starts getting fuzzy as I drive towards Clifton Park. Friday night was the first time I noticed static while I was still in the parking lot. I didn't check it on Saturday night. Was something going on over this past weekend?

 

[aweise]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

INCH just came out with there weekly power rankings and Union is sitting pretty at #18. This is the second time we have been in their power rankings. Back on October 11th, after our sweep of Maine, we were at #19. Here is what they have to say about us:

"Union is the only undefeated team in ECAC Hockey play (3-0-3) but stands in fifth place. The Dutchmen will make up a bunch of games in hand against teams they currently trail in January and February."

http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/5Polls/0910/polls_0811.htm

Hopefully we will crack the top 20 when the poll comes out in about 12 hours.

A wise man once said, "Polls are nice, but so are ceramic dalmatians."

That said, it's good to see Union getting some recognition. Mike Schaefer said after the game on Saturday that he didn't know why Union wasn't ranked in the top 15, but also admitted that these polls usually come as a result of a school's reputation...of which Union has very little. Winning games and playoff series would go a long way towards adding to that rep.

Both Union & RPI have played the fewest games of any ECAC team so far (6, which will be 7 after Wednesday). Getting 3 points this weekend against teams ahead of them and who have games in hand is a huge lift. Every team ahead of Union in the standings has played more games, which favors Union down the stretch. Still, there are a lot of games to play.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

A wise man once said, "Polls are nice, but so are ceramic dalmatians."

I know that guy.

Union played a whale of a game Saturday and got a lot of respect from the Cornell players, coaching staff, broadcast team, and traveling Faithful. They played smart and really showed the maturity everyone has noted about them. Definitely an Albany threat. Good luck to you guys the rest of the year -- a rising tide lifts all boats, so it's always great to see an ECAC program making big strides.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the ye

I know that guy.

Union played a whale of a game Saturday and got a lot of respect from the Cornell players, coaching staff, broadcast team, and traveling Faithful. They played smart and really showed the maturity everyone has noted about them. Definitely an Albany threat. Good luck to you guys the rest of the year -- a rising tide lifts all boats, so it's always great to see an ECAC program making big strides.

Union beat Cornell 2-0 on Saturday, but also lost to the Nash boys 2-0 (and don't forget Riley's crossbar doink. ). Curious if they have ever combined for all of CU's goals in a game previously.

 

[Rolevio]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Union is ranked 20th in this week's USCHO poll. Valery-Trabucco was named ECAC Player of the Week and Kinkaid was named ECAC Rookie of the Week.

 

[UnionHockeyManiac]

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

Re: Union College Hockey 2009-2010: Playoff series win? Check. Albany? This is the year.

18th (kind of) in the USA Today Poll!

http://www.uscho.com/rankings/?data=usatoday&week=poll