As for this past weekend, I'm disappointed with the results, but am satisfied that the team fought hard each night and gained some very valuable experience playing in front of big crowds against excellent competition. These games came down to a few key moments (or in the case of the 1st game one really bad period). Regarding Stevens, I agree with RDF that I thought he would get one of the starts - the big picture of these games was to give the team experience and I think the coaches saw it as important to give him the opportunity.
Overall, I would say that the tough OOC schedule was a success and the strengths & weaknesses of the team have been revealed. When Union is able to control the puck and draw PP opportunities they do well (e.g. Michigan and Merrimack). When they don't draw penalties and/or take bad ones themselves, the results are not so good (e.g. Yale, UNH, and the 2 games this weekend). Union is a very good defensive team (its really kind of astounding considering who they played that their worst game was giving up 4 goals) but has problems scoring at even strength. Welsh & Carr are only true snipers - and Carr struggled the first month+ - so really need some other players like Zajac, Simpson, K. Bodie, etc. to step up and pitch in with goals. Would definitely like to see more from the 3rd line - that was one of the team strengths last season. I'm not too worried about the 4th line, as their roll is to be an energy defensive line. Coatta and Ikkala are two of the faster and best defensive players on the team, and Novak has good speed and a pretty good stick. IMO Yano has earned a consistent spot in the lineup and brings senior leadership to lines that have a lot of freshmen. Agree with the comments on Mingoia too and am hopeful that things will start to click for him offensively in the 2nd half.
As for the PWR, there is still a lot of good that can happen. These games have helped Union's strength of schedule, which is a big part of the RPI comparison, and I'm expecting there could be 4-5 ECAC TUC teams in addition to Union, so the teams' fate is very much in their own control. Games with Cornell, Colgate, and Yale as well as Qpac, Harvard and Dartmouth will be big.
reference to last season's finish. Agreed that the second half will be a dogfight.
. U's NHL sibling trend continues.
) broadcasted the Rangers v. Kings exhibition game held outdoors at Caesar's Palace in Vegas. I think the game time temperature was 85 degrees. Rick Bennett had an assist on one of the Rangers goals which I think was scored by Doug Wait.