What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

Hate to say it, but at this point, it's clear that this is a middle of the pack ECAC team. They couldn't beat Yale. Brown. Princeton. Quinnipiac. And now Harvard.

We witnessed yet another third period collapse tonight. A 3-1 lead going into the third ended in a 3-3 tie and Union is fortunate Harvard didn't win it late in regulation. Harvard completely dominated the latter stages of the third... Union was hanging by the threads of their jerseys. A stark contrast from early in the game as Union came out looking great and scored only 65 seconds into the game. They held Harvard to only three or four shots in the first... it was looking like Union's night for sure. But I guess it's a reminder that these games last 60 minutes, not 20 or 40.

This is, what, the third time in 6 home games where they had a lead going into/in the third and failed to come away with a win? That's not even mentioning the 3-0 collapse at Princeton. The best teams find a way to win those kind of games, especially on their own ice. But not coming away with wins in those games has happened too much. I'd like to see Vasaturo in there tomorrow night to add some more physical presence. Union was worn down by Harvard's physical play in the third.

Apparently, Union now leads the country in ties with 6 (9-5-6 overall). Not exactly what you aspire to lead in. Schott tweeted that last year's team would bury their opponents. Why hasn't this one? Many of the players from last year are back this year, but something is missing.

Speaking of Schott, here's his post game video: http://www.dailygazette.com/videos/2012/jan/06/921/
 
rdf8585 said:
Hate to say it, but at this point, it's clear that this is a middle of the pack ECAC team. They couldn't beat Yale. Brown. Princeton. Quinnipiac. And now Harvard.

We witnessed yet another third period collapse tonight. A 3-1 lead going into the third ended in a 3-3 tie and Union is fortunate Harvard didn't win it late in regulation. Harvard completely dominated the latter stages of the third... Union was hanging by the threads of their jerseys. A stark contrast from early in the game as Union came out looking great and scored only 65 seconds into the game. They held Harvard to only three or four shots in the first... it was looking like Union's night for sure. But I guess it's a reminder that these games last 60 minutes, not 20 or 40.

This is, what, the third time in 6 home games where they had a lead going into/in the third and failed to come away with a win? That's not even mentioning the 3-0 collapse at Princeton. The best teams find a way to win those kind of games, especially on their own ice. But not coming away with wins in those games has happened too much. I'd like to see Vasaturo in there tomorrow night to add some more physical presence. Union was worn down by Harvard's physical play in the third.

Apparently, Union now leads the country in ties with 6 (9-5-6 overall). Not exactly what you aspire to lead in. Schott tweeted that last year's team would bury their opponents. Why hasn't this one? Many of the players from last year are back this year, but something is missing.

Speaking of Schott, here's his post game video: http://www.dailygazette.com/videos/2012/jan/06/921/
Click to expand...
Can't disagree with the "middle of the pack" assessment.. this was a game that U should have broken wide open in the 1st & 2nd periods. IMO the lack of converting scoring chances at even strength is what's hurting the most. I too thought going into the season that the offense would be at least as good as last year's and possibly better, but that hasn't quite been the case. It's easy for us fans to look at the stats of the returning players and expect that they'll be at least as good as last season and hopefully better, but that obviously is not how it always works.

It has to be remembered that 8 very good seniors and an All-American goalie left this past summer. Included in that group were some of the best defensive players U has ever had in Brock Matheson, John Simpson and Andrew Buote. And then there was Presiznuk who is only U's D-1 career leading scorer. Each of the seniors was strong on the puck, experienced in the U system and had been through the wars of all these tight league games. All of this added up to a lot of intangibles that made the difference in a number of very very tight games down the stretch last season. There are a lot of freshmen and sophomores in key roles this season, and the cohesiveness and crispness of having played and practiced together for 3+ seasons just isn't there yet. Hopefully it will come together soon (like say tomorrow night) or else U will find themselves fighting for 1st round home ice..
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

Excellent post by ADK11. After the first period especially, I thought Harvard was fortunate to only be down a goal. Union certainly had a bevy of good chances throughout the game but didn't capitalize on enough of them. People can only use the "hot goalie" excuse for so long.

Intangibles probably do get underrated. Sometimes it's easy to get fixated on things you can see in the boxscore while ignoring things that can't be measured. Upperclass role players like Cain, Pallos, Boileau, Buote might be more appreciated now than when they were here.

It's easy to forget we also have a rookie head coach. While Bennett had been an assistant for many years, it's undoubtedly different when you're running the team. I'm sure there have been growing pains there too. It's not easy when you're doing something for the first time. Dumais is in his first year at Union and I think Tapp's responsibilities have increased this year too. A lot of upheaval behind the bench.

Dartmouth won't be easy. I expected Union to win going into this weekend, but now it's a 50-50 proposition for me.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

Big sigh. :( That was indeed a bitter pill to swallow last night. This is a talented but young team still trying to define itself and find a way to finish chances and to finish games. I'm as puzzled as anyone but I still see the glass as half full but with each game and each lost opportunity, time is growing shorter. In many ways I think it is unfair to compare this year's team with last year's which reached what to date is the program's high water mark. As mentioned, the seniors who led that team were a unique group in terms of talent and perhaps most importantly, leadership. I think this team can make its own mark--eventually. Whether it will be this season, I have no idea. U is still within striking distance of a first round bye and it would take an epic collapse to fall out of the top eight. With all of the disappointments, they can still make their mark.

Credit also to Harvard which is a big, fast and talented team. Michalek made a bunch of big saves, and although he gave up numerous rebounds they were hard ones that seemed to jump off of Union sticks. Being up only one after a dominant first period was representative of Union's difficulties in finishing chances. Also the review nullifying Bennett's goal which led to the PP to tie the game was a huge buzz kill. One thing that struck me about that was that the replay which nullified the goal also resulted in the penalty call against Union which I don't think was initially made by the officials. I didn't realize a penalty could be based on a review, I assumed it was only to determine goal or no goal.

Every league game is huge but I think after last night's disappointment, tonight's v. Dartmouth will tell a lot about the character and resiliency of this team. I'm looking or at least hoping for a big Union bounceback.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

Welsh, Jooris and Carr reunited. It will be interesting to see if their reUnion produces. Also, it seems that Coburn is being benched at least for tonight. I assume he is a healthy scratch. Fourth line of Bennett, Coatta and Ikkala remain intact. I thought they were pretty good last night.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

That's the Union I've been waiting to see. Never thought I'd have to wait until 1/7 to see Union win on home ice (missed the AIC game). Pretty much a flawless performance and it seems like the message got through after last night. I wouldn't change a thing for the Friday game. Mingoia impressive.

Dumais said on the postgame that he thinks Reid and Simpson are fine.
 
Last edited:
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

rdf8585 said:
That's the Union I've been waiting to see. Never thought I'd have to wait until 1/7 to see Union win on home ice (missed the AIC game). Pretty much a flawless performance and it seems like the message got through after last night. I wouldn't change a thing for the Friday game. Mingoia impressive.

Dumais said on the postgame that he thinks Reid and Simpson are fine.
Click to expand...

Agreed...a very impressive response to last night's disappointment. Perhaps the boys heard coach Bennett, because they finished what they started...early lead and kept putting pressure on Dartmouth. I also liked Mingoia's play, but I was most impressed by the line of Coatta-Bennett-Ikkala. I thought they kept a lot of the play in the offensive zone and wore down the Big Green a little bit.

Dartmouth played a physical game, but I thought they lost some composure near the end with some vicious and uncalled-for hits. We may never know what was said, but Rick Bennett was clearly not happy with Bob Gaudet - and vice versa - near the end of the game and during the post-game handshake.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

The way the game was going, I thought something might happen at the end of the game. But Union doesn't need any guys getting suspended for those kind of things (i.e Welsh vs Brown). Those blows to Reid and Simpson were bone crunching hits. Reid was just flattened (and he's not a small player). That hit seemed a little late and from behind. I didn't have a good feeling when Simpson went back to the locker room, but fortunately he came back. Dartmouth was likely frustrated that they couldn't do anything all night and had to resort to borderline dirty play. Down as big as they were, they probably figured they had nothing to lose.

R.Bennett reaction: http://www.dailygazette.com/videos/2012/jan/07/922/

Carr, Mingoia reaction: http://www.dailygazette.com/videos/2012/jan/07/923/
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

LOL.. 24 hours later and things look a tad brighter. Great effort tonight and nice to see some home ice mojo. Is obvious that the coaches reminded the players of how Dartmouth took it to them last season in Schenectady. Liked Bennett's post-game comment that "Union players will not back down".. the rematch in Hanover could be an interesting game.

Was also very pleased to see the 4th line creating a lot of havoc and the 3rd line making a major contribution on the score sheet. And while I can't help thinking that this team still lives & dies by the powerplay, U's depth and intensity certainly caused the penalties so hopefully this is the first step in building a winning formula for the rest of the season. On to the Fenway!!!!
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

WOW! I have been watching U play since joining the ECAC and I don't think I have ever seen U play as well as it did against Dartmouth. U simply destroyed Dartmouth. Continuing that play will get U far in the ECAC as well as NCAA tourney.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

rdf8585 said:
Schott has a 10 minute interview with Ingoldsby @ http://www.dailygazette.com/videos/2012/jan/09/924/

Union up 3 spots to #8 in the INCH rankings, but stay at 14 in the USCHO poll. Union is currently at 26 in the pairwise.
Click to expand...
That was a very interesting and poignant interview. Another reminder of the risks in this game which we as observers and fans sometimes overlook. Also brings home the unacceptability of thuggish behavior on the ice particularly after some of what we saw on Saturday with two potential head injuries to our players.

I hope Mike makes a total recovery so that he feels great and can return to the game he obviously loves to play.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

On the topic of pairwise, I noticed that Union and Providence are once again side by side in the rankings and have been more often than not most of the season.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

Congrats to the Union Hockey faithful and coaching staff! Tyler Hynes, a senior forward at Albany Academy has committed to Union College! He is a special player....good skater, strong as an ox, and he has good offensive scoring capablities.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2011-2012 Season Thread "We Can See Cleary Now"

sk8tronthepond said:
Congrats to the Union Hockey faithful and coaching staff! Tyler Hynes, a senior forward at Albany Academy has committed to Union College! He is a special player....good skater, strong as an ox, and he has good offensive scoring capablities.
Click to expand...
You beat Ralph and Heisenberg on this one. I'll be interested in learning more about him.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top