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

[UnionTDX04]

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 daughter and I will be heading to Schenectady tomorrow for the series. Having never been there before I have some questions about the rink if anyone can help.

We'll be coming from the Holiday Inn on Nott Terrace... where's the best place to park for a game and how quickly do the lots fill up?

We got our tickets from the Q ticket office last night for Sec 7. What are the sight lines like from there? Are there places to stand to watch the game?

Is Messa a cold rink or is is bearable for mere mortals?

Looking forward to a good series.

If the lots by the rink are full, there should be spaces available in the two lots near Admissions. The rink is a 5 min walk from there (and you can grab a campus map at Admissions if you don't have one). When you take a left onto Nott Terrace from the Holiday Inn parking lot, you will drive maybe 1/2 a mile and take a right at Union st. (the campus is right there). If you then take a left into the main gate Admissions is the yellow building on the right. The lots are behind it on your left and right.

Also, you can park on Lenox Ave right behind the rink. That is where the majority of the fans park though there are no spaces or meters so it can be a free-for-all (watch out for the mud).

 

[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.

My daughter and I will be heading to Schenectady tomorrow for the series. Having never been there before I have some questions about the rink if anyone can help.

We'll be coming from the Holiday Inn on Nott Terrace... where's the best place to park for a game and how quickly do the lots fill up?

We got our tickets from the Q ticket office last night for Sec 7. What are the sight lines like from there? Are there places to stand to watch the game?

Is Messa a cold rink or is is bearable for mere mortals?

Looking forward to a good series.

I would honestly just walk if I was you. Here is a map with directions from the Holiday Inn to the rink. It's pretty close: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=100 N...ent=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

I have never sat in Section 7 but I'm sure it's fine. I have sat in section Q for every game I have ever been to...No seat in Messa is a bad one. If you want to stand, behind the goals is really the only option. We also stand (at least in the top row) in section Q but I don't think you'd be too welcome there if you aren't rooting for Union.

Messa is not cold at all. I usually wear a long sleeved t-shirt and I'm fine.

 

[Wholin1]

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 have a feeling Jason Walters will be out to prove a point this weekend.

 

[achillesrink-3-7-5]

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 have a feeling Jason Walters will be out to prove a point this weekend.

Let's hope the whole team is out to prove a point.

It definitely seems like a long time since the senior night win against Q.

 

[achillesrink-3-7-5]

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.

Hey Union Fans!
I think I will be making the trip up to Union this weekend for the series and was wondering what there is to keep busy during the day and what restaurants are highly recommended?
I went up to St. Lawrence last year and it was quite boring sitting in the hotel room all day, so I'm hoping to avoid that this year!
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!

I may be too late getting in on this to be helpful -- but in my opinion the best meal in Schenectady before a Union hockey game is a cheesesteak from Morrette's on Erie Blvd.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

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 don't know who your Play by Play guy is, but if any of you can pass it on, there have been numerous comments in the score updates thread about his great job tonight so far. One of the best PbP guys I've been able to listen to.

 

[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.

Words cannot explain how I feel right now. Terrible, terrible loss. I hope they can find some way to come back and win tomorrow but it's going to be tough.

I arrived at the rink at 6:00 PM and left at 1:00 AM, seven hours later. Wow.

 

[TimU]

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.

Are you kidding me? Twice in four years?

This one's gotta hurt. I feel for you guys and your players. Good luck tonight.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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.

Are you kidding me? Twice in four years?

This one's gotta hurt. I feel for you guys and your players. Good luck tonight.

At least it wasn't short-handed this time.

Better luck tonight.

 

[aweise]

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.

Words cannot explain how I feel right now. Terrible, terrible loss. I hope they can find some way to come back and win tomorrow but it's going to be tough.

I arrived at the rink at 6:00 PM and left at 1:00 AM, seven hours later. Wow.

Don't know if I'd go so far as to say "terrible" loss, but it's certainly pretty darn disappointing. Outside of the second period, Union controlled the play a lot and had plenty of chances. They just didn't convert...sound familiar, anyone?

As the night (and morning) wore on, I was more impressed with the players on both teams. Nobody wanted to lose that game and it showed with players diving to block shots and continued effort despite being completely gassed by the 4th OT.

I actually thought Union would eventually score. Even though there's the old concern about losing the game on that one chance the other way, Union was getting plenty of scoring opportunities and I figured it would just be a matter of time.

 

[aweise]

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.

At least it wasn't short-handed this time.

Better luck tonight.

Quinnipiac took a penalty late in the 4th OT and I almost reminded my neighbor (achillesrink-3-7-5) of the last time Union had a PP in a 5th OT.

I still give credit to the way Q played last night, but I'm wondering whether or not Union's luck will ever change.

 

[UnionTDX04]

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 College Hockey: No one plays longer than we do.

I was at the previous longest game against Yale as well and I will say I was very impressed with the crowd's energy and that so many people hung around to the end (I thought it was better than the Yale game). The student section was loud the entire game and even got a Hobey Baker chant going when MVT blocked the open net shot (I never expected to hear a chant like that with Union hockey).

Kinkaid was absolutely deflated after letting the game winner in. Do you think Leaman will go with a fresh Milan tonight?

 

[SteveP]

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 don't know who your Play by Play guy is, but if any of you can pass it on, there have been numerous comments in the score updates thread about his great job tonight so far. One of the best PbP guys I've been able to listen to.

Speaking from experience, I have no doubt that he is about as gassed this morning as the players.

Wish I could have been there to see and experience that one. Congrats to both teams.

 

[Wholin1]

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.

Oh my. That was surreal in almost every regard. I also have to give kudos to both teams for the heart and character that they displayed. With the exception of a brutal hit to Boileau, who by the way took a couple of shifts and then didn't return, it was a hard fought clean battle with both teams showing tremendous heart and will. As far at the first game, i.e. regulation, I thought the turning points were the relatively uncontested Qpac powerplay goal and the inability of Union to connect on the 5 minute major. Clarke was also very solid.

As an armchair athlete, I'm not sure how a team recovers from a loss like that, but I don't think there is any quit in this Union team. Still, facing one or possibly two elimination games, without factoring in playing the equivalent of over 2 games in one night already, has to be a huge uphill battle.

As far as tonight is concerned, my uneducated guess is that we will see some fresh legs out there. I have to believe also that Corey may very well get the start as Kinkaid is not a big kid and physically and possibly mentally has to be spent to some degree. Of course what makes sense to me is often not reality based.

I also agree that the crowd was great last night. I'd say that well over half of the fans were still there, led by the section Q cohort, at the end and were tremendously supportive and cheered the team as they left the ice at the end of the game. Go U! This isn't over yet.

 

[ts8801]

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.

Words cannot explain how I feel right now. Terrible, terrible loss. I hope they can find some way to come back and win tomorrow but it's going to be tough.

I arrived at the rink at 6:00 PM and left at 1:00 AM, seven hours later. Wow.

hey at least you have a shot at finishing the year at #26

Joking aside that must have been one hell of a game.

 

[Goaliefan]

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.

Towards the end of last night's game, I started wondering if the old playoff system was better (first three points). Any thoughts?

 

[Wholin1]

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.

Towards the end of last night's game, I started wondering if the old playoff system was better (first three points). Any thoughts?

I can see pluses and minuses. Based on Union's 1-7 record in playoff OT games, I guess I could see it. On the other hand in the Clarkson series that went 3 OTs they might still be playing. Maybe only the league championship game should go all the way to the end. Or what about 4 on 4 if no winner after one OT or something similar? These are all variations on a theme but I think they should be considered. Letting these kids play for hours on end can't help either team in the long run.

 

[Goaliefan]

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 guess the way I envision it is leave the "play until you drop" game for the 3rd one of the series. The first two could end in a tie with each team getting one point. I cannot imagine what tonight's game will be like if that also goes into overtime like the Clarkson series did. The players will be crawling off the ice.

 

[aweise]

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 guess the way I envision it is leave the "play until you drop" game for the 3rd one of the series. The first two could end in a tie with each team getting one point. I cannot imagine what tonight's game will be like if that also goes into overtime like the Clarkson series did. The players will be crawling off the ice.

With the Clarkson series, those games only went to 1 OT (which is child's play to Union, apparently), so I didn't think that was so bad on the players.

I never liked the first to three points format and I don't see a reason to go back to it. I just think a team has to win games to advance in the playoffs.

I haven't looked at the stats since the format went to best-of-3, but I can't imagine there have been so many long-overtime games that would warrant a change in the playoff format. Hockey should be played until someone scores. It just happened to be a freak of nature that Union played two of these ridiculously long games within 4 years.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

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.

Dear Lord, please keep the continuous OT format, and don't switch to anything resembling a shootout. It's bad enough that the consolation has a shootout after 1 OT (only to determine 3rd, its officially a tie at that point), which likely cost SLU a possible bid last year.