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.
Have been trying to digest what happened this weekend.. and I think what strikes me most is how both Harvard & Dartmouth seemed to have distinct defensive strategies for dealing with Union. It was really shocking to me to see Harvard play so passively and defensively conservative; basically willing to give up puck possession along the boards & in the corners in order to stay in position defensively and wait for U to make a mistake so could counter-attack. Dartmouth did a certain amount of the same, but were much more aggressive on the forecheck and along the boards in the defensive zone. In sum, both teams packed the slot with d-men & at least one forward and dared U to shoot from outside. Both teams also did a good job (especially Harvard) of clogging/trapping the neutral zone once the got the lead, which further frustrated Union, and they both attacked U's PP out by the blueline and forced passes into the corners, where passing/shooting options were limited.
On Friday, U still had many many A+ chances to score and just plain missed opportunities that they had been burying. On Saturday I thought the team looked surprised at how hard the Green took the play to them right off the bat - completely different from Friday's game. Then the softie on the first goal just seemed to deflate the team and made things easier for Dartmouth to defend. Mostly I think it was a matter of imperfect execution and not effort, so believe the boys can turn it around.
Overall, this is what happens when you are the hunted and not the hunter. Every team takes you seriously and devises strategies to negate your strengths. Still can't get over the irony of how Harvard frankly looked like Union used to look playing against top teams like Cornell, Clarkson, RPI, and yes Harvard - pack it in around Mayotte and hope for couple breaks to pot a goal or two. U can expect to see more of this stuff as the season goes on, and the players & coaches will need to be prepared and be able to adjust and/or stick to their systems.
As for next weekend, it already scares the crap out of me. Yale is one team that will NOT change its style of play against Union. They will try to out-quick and out-puck-possess Union and they have the horses to do it. Brown on the other hand is the exact opposite and will try beat-up Union every chance they get and rely on excellent goaltending. I do believe that most of last weekends problems are mostly just execution and not effort related, but the boys will need to show more poise and precision in the 3rd periods to closeout these games and get Ws.
It's a shame too, because there were two great crowds this weekend and they were basically taken out of it after the midway point on Friday. Maybe it's a good thing that they hit the road next weekend.
