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Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
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Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Tough loss. I was feeling pretty good after 2 periods, but that third period was a dagger. Losing is always painful, but that kind of loss is one that stays with you. I have a couple more thoughts on the blog, and on a somewhat related note, there's also a postgame video w/ women's head coach Barcomb on there from earlier today.
It's hard to have a pulse on the men's team right now. On one hand, I can hope that getting back home on their ice will help.... it's certainly been long enough. They only have four games outside of the Capital District the rest of the way.
Tough loss. I was feeling pretty good after 2 periods, but that third period was a dagger. Losing is always painful, but that kind of loss is one that stays with you. I have a couple more thoughts on the blog, and on a somewhat related note, there's also a postgame video w/ women's head coach Barcomb on there from earlier today.
It's hard to have a pulse on the men's team right now. On one hand, I can hope that getting back home on their ice will help.... it's certainly been long enough. They only have four games outside of the Capital District the rest of the way.
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
I guess it's time for a reality check for me at least. Going into this season I was hoping for another top four league finish and a possible playoff run. I still see that as a possibility although this team is a real enigma to me. Yes we lost a lot of talent but I felt the nucleus was there to be a top team. It seems apparent that there has been a bigger drop off than I at least anticipated.
Solid three period efforts are few and far between. Goal tending has statistically at least, dropped off considerably. Even strength scoring has been spotty. The PK and PP have been consistent strengths. Perhaps most striking to me is the absence of the "killer instinct" of the past few seasons. Last night was a case in point. Qpac is obviously a talented and deep team, but going into the third period up 2 and on a sustained power play, we would have put them away in the past few seasons. I guess that is my point in a way. The here and now is not going to be dictated by the past. So hopefully we can straighten out our problems and be a factor down the stretch.
I guess it's time for a reality check for me at least. Going into this season I was hoping for another top four league finish and a possible playoff run. I still see that as a possibility although this team is a real enigma to me. Yes we lost a lot of talent but I felt the nucleus was there to be a top team. It seems apparent that there has been a bigger drop off than I at least anticipated.
Solid three period efforts are few and far between. Goal tending has statistically at least, dropped off considerably. Even strength scoring has been spotty. The PK and PP have been consistent strengths. Perhaps most striking to me is the absence of the "killer instinct" of the past few seasons. Last night was a case in point. Qpac is obviously a talented and deep team, but going into the third period up 2 and on a sustained power play, we would have put them away in the past few seasons. I guess that is my point in a way. The here and now is not going to be dictated by the past. So hopefully we can straighten out our problems and be a factor down the stretch.
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
This just shows how razor thin the difference is between being a top 10 or15 team and a middle of the pack team. For Union especially, its always been about the little details and the whole being bigger than the sum of the parts. In games against good teams (and make no mistake, Qpac is a VERY good team) it will typically come down to a small handful of key moments that decide the game. Last night's game was a very tough one - frankly for both teams. Losing Stuart in the 1st period was huge. He was Union's biggest most physical defenseman and meant that U's D was undersized & overworked as the game went on. On top of it there were like 500 penalties so the PP & PK units were gassed by the 3rd period. The key moment was obviously the first 5 minutes of the 3rd period and U being unable to score. I haven't seen U's PP look that clueless in quite a while. I don't understand why they didn't have 3 men up high and spread out Qpac's PKers. The Bobcats definitely had legs that U didn't, but U didn't adjust. A little surprised that Bennett didn't call a timeout when they were obviously struggling. Of course, the Q had very similar adversity to deal with and kept plugging until they broke through - all credit to them.
U is struggling in a few areas and it's making the difference this season. Faceoffs are a real problem this season. K. Bodie is not too bad, but most everyone else is doing terribly and there really isn't a "go to" faceoff guy that you know will win, or at least not cleanly lose, a big FO. 2 of Qpac's goals last night came directly off FOs and every big one seemed to go to the Bobcats. It's a little detail, but a clean FO win can get your PP going or give you an opportunity to ice it on the PK. I've noticed the past couple seasons that when U does well they almost always dominate the FO dot and when they lose its either very close or went the other way.
U is also getting more penalties this season. They are 4th in the league this season and typically are near the bottom in PIMs. Part of U's strength the past 2-3 seasons has been ability to draw penalties on opponents while keeping the PK off the ice. As the game wears on, this meant the top players on the opposing team get tired and U had an advantage. This season U is often the team with no gas in the tank late in games and may explain the habit of blowing 2 goal leads instead of "sealing the deal" to use the phrase.
There is also the issue that U's defense, at least on most nights, is undersized. Don't get me wrong, I love Ghost, MBodes, and Coburn but except for Stuart there isn't another real thumper out there most nights. I had hoped that maybe Vasaturo and Boyle would step into more prominent roles, but so far that hasn't happened. As a result U's ability to control the front of the net has taken a hit this season IMO. On top of that, as Wholin notes, Grosenick isn't as out-of-this-world as he was last season. I'm not completely surprised by this. Troy essentially had his whole freshman year to get stronger and work on his technique, and was amazingly fresh going into last season. This past summer he was busy at 2 NHL prospect camps and was coming off a season that ended late. He's still been quite good, but hasn't been able to make the difference in some of these close games like he did last season.
In the end, U is still a very talented team that can give anyone a lot of trouble, but the road to a top 4 ECAC and NCAA berth just got much more difficult. There is almost no room for error now. U's PWR is pretty much cooked. On the positive side, it looks like the Carr-Novak-Wilkins line is gaining confidence and chemistry and the 3rd & 4th lines are taking shape. At times last night, I thought the 4th line was U's best though that may have been because they were the least tired. At any rate there is still quite a bit of hockey to be played and hopefully U can get back in control of their fate.
This just shows how razor thin the difference is between being a top 10 or15 team and a middle of the pack team. For Union especially, its always been about the little details and the whole being bigger than the sum of the parts. In games against good teams (and make no mistake, Qpac is a VERY good team) it will typically come down to a small handful of key moments that decide the game. Last night's game was a very tough one - frankly for both teams. Losing Stuart in the 1st period was huge. He was Union's biggest most physical defenseman and meant that U's D was undersized & overworked as the game went on. On top of it there were like 500 penalties so the PP & PK units were gassed by the 3rd period. The key moment was obviously the first 5 minutes of the 3rd period and U being unable to score. I haven't seen U's PP look that clueless in quite a while. I don't understand why they didn't have 3 men up high and spread out Qpac's PKers. The Bobcats definitely had legs that U didn't, but U didn't adjust. A little surprised that Bennett didn't call a timeout when they were obviously struggling. Of course, the Q had very similar adversity to deal with and kept plugging until they broke through - all credit to them.
U is struggling in a few areas and it's making the difference this season. Faceoffs are a real problem this season. K. Bodie is not too bad, but most everyone else is doing terribly and there really isn't a "go to" faceoff guy that you know will win, or at least not cleanly lose, a big FO. 2 of Qpac's goals last night came directly off FOs and every big one seemed to go to the Bobcats. It's a little detail, but a clean FO win can get your PP going or give you an opportunity to ice it on the PK. I've noticed the past couple seasons that when U does well they almost always dominate the FO dot and when they lose its either very close or went the other way.
U is also getting more penalties this season. They are 4th in the league this season and typically are near the bottom in PIMs. Part of U's strength the past 2-3 seasons has been ability to draw penalties on opponents while keeping the PK off the ice. As the game wears on, this meant the top players on the opposing team get tired and U had an advantage. This season U is often the team with no gas in the tank late in games and may explain the habit of blowing 2 goal leads instead of "sealing the deal" to use the phrase.
There is also the issue that U's defense, at least on most nights, is undersized. Don't get me wrong, I love Ghost, MBodes, and Coburn but except for Stuart there isn't another real thumper out there most nights. I had hoped that maybe Vasaturo and Boyle would step into more prominent roles, but so far that hasn't happened. As a result U's ability to control the front of the net has taken a hit this season IMO. On top of that, as Wholin notes, Grosenick isn't as out-of-this-world as he was last season. I'm not completely surprised by this. Troy essentially had his whole freshman year to get stronger and work on his technique, and was amazingly fresh going into last season. This past summer he was busy at 2 NHL prospect camps and was coming off a season that ended late. He's still been quite good, but hasn't been able to make the difference in some of these close games like he did last season.
In the end, U is still a very talented team that can give anyone a lot of trouble, but the road to a top 4 ECAC and NCAA berth just got much more difficult. There is almost no room for error now. U's PWR is pretty much cooked. On the positive side, it looks like the Carr-Novak-Wilkins line is gaining confidence and chemistry and the 3rd & 4th lines are taking shape. At times last night, I thought the 4th line was U's best though that may have been because they were the least tired. At any rate there is still quite a bit of hockey to be played and hopefully U can get back in control of their fate.
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Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
We clearly need some good news, so here's some. Former program standout Zajac was recalled to the AHL and made a quick impact: http://bit.ly/USzLMD
Wholin and ADK have said things so well there isn't much to add on the current state of the team.
We clearly need some good news, so here's some. Former program standout Zajac was recalled to the AHL and made a quick impact: http://bit.ly/USzLMD
Wholin and ADK have said things so well there isn't much to add on the current state of the team.
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
I think he is going to be a good player in the AHL...and if he continues to develop, maybe even the NHL, but that's just guesswork on my part. As far as the absence of Stuart, I have to admit that I didn't even realize until yesterday that he was off the ice in the final two periods. I had shut off the sound on the video stream because the QPac homers were making me ill. ADK's points are very well taken. I found the Plms and the FO stats to be particularly interesting and relevant.
It would be better news if he was still playing for Union.
I think he is going to be a good player in the AHL...and if he continues to develop, maybe even the NHL, but that's just guesswork on my part. As far as the absence of Stuart, I have to admit that I didn't even realize until yesterday that he was off the ice in the final two periods. I had shut off the sound on the video stream because the QPac homers were making me ill. ADK's points are very well taken. I found the Plms and the FO stats to be particularly interesting and relevant.Wicked Slappaahs
I miss Tie Domi
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Anytime your special teams are very sound (Like Union) you will be a contender. Union may be struggling a bit right now, but you played two very good teams this weekend.... I fully expect Union will get it going down the stretch. ..not that I'm hoping for it, but.....
Anytime your special teams are very sound (Like Union) you will be a contender. Union may be struggling a bit right now, but you played two very good teams this weekend.... I fully expect Union will get it going down the stretch. ..not that I'm hoping for it, but.....
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Down a spot to 17 in USCHO poll.
http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/
Down a spot to 17 in USCHO poll.
http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
I hope you are right, but we all know it's not just flipping a switch. As long as we're in good shape by the 26th.Anytime your special teams are very sound (Like Union) you will be a contender. Union may be struggling a bit right now, but you played two very good teams this weekend.... I fully expect Union will get it going down the stretch. ..not that I'm hoping for it, but.....
JakeMalloy
New member
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
A few observations:
1. Clearly, and as expected, Union misses the finishing touch of a high level scorer like we had last year. I have watched or attended a handful of games in recent weeks and the time either struggles to generate any real scoring changes - aka playmaking - or like vs. Princeton they just cant finish. Union should have had at least 6 goals in that game. The Princeton goalie was good but not great. I dont recall him "robbing" anyone. No reason that should have been a one goal game.
2. The Goalie has not been nearly as good as last year. In all the games recently he had let up at least one "bad" goal per game. Whereas last year his confidence was high and he was bailing out the team regularly, this year his confidence is shaken and he is at best average. See goal #1 vs. Princeton and at least one of the 3rd period goals vs. Qpac. Last year a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd was game over - total lockdown.
3. Frozen Four letdown - no way to pinpoint this and its not easily quantifiable, but the team just doesnt seem to have the "it" factor this year.
All this said Union has two things going for them -
1. The league is still one where Union could make a run and snag an automatic bid. While Qpac has the regular season title locked down they are certainly not a lock to win the tourney. Union HAS to be peaking at season's end.
2. The national media still like Union - no other way to explain why they have not dropped out of all polls completely. Of course, unlike hoops and football its 100% computers that matter.
More than points Union needs to build confidence right now. Of course, a sweep this weekend goes a long way to doing that - the Qpac loss was really a killer. Gotta shake that off - and fast!
A few observations:
1. Clearly, and as expected, Union misses the finishing touch of a high level scorer like we had last year. I have watched or attended a handful of games in recent weeks and the time either struggles to generate any real scoring changes - aka playmaking - or like vs. Princeton they just cant finish. Union should have had at least 6 goals in that game. The Princeton goalie was good but not great. I dont recall him "robbing" anyone. No reason that should have been a one goal game.
2. The Goalie has not been nearly as good as last year. In all the games recently he had let up at least one "bad" goal per game. Whereas last year his confidence was high and he was bailing out the team regularly, this year his confidence is shaken and he is at best average. See goal #1 vs. Princeton and at least one of the 3rd period goals vs. Qpac. Last year a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd was game over - total lockdown.
3. Frozen Four letdown - no way to pinpoint this and its not easily quantifiable, but the team just doesnt seem to have the "it" factor this year.
All this said Union has two things going for them -
1. The league is still one where Union could make a run and snag an automatic bid. While Qpac has the regular season title locked down they are certainly not a lock to win the tourney. Union HAS to be peaking at season's end.
2. The national media still like Union - no other way to explain why they have not dropped out of all polls completely. Of course, unlike hoops and football its 100% computers that matter.
More than points Union needs to build confidence right now. Of course, a sweep this weekend goes a long way to doing that - the Qpac loss was really a killer. Gotta shake that off - and fast!
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
I chatted with Ryan Mougenel about former captain Nolan Julseth-White. Mougenel is Julseth-White's head coach with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL).
The coach discusses what impresses him about Julseth-White, his potential, and more.
To listen to his comments, go to: http://bit.ly/USzLMD
I chatted with Ryan Mougenel about former captain Nolan Julseth-White. Mougenel is Julseth-White's head coach with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL).
The coach discusses what impresses him about Julseth-White, his potential, and more.
To listen to his comments, go to: http://bit.ly/USzLMD
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Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Insightful Union piece by Nate Owen: http://www.uscho.com/2013/01/16/a-much-needed-homecoming-awaits-for-slumping-union/
Insightful Union piece by Nate Owen: http://www.uscho.com/2013/01/16/a-much-needed-homecoming-awaits-for-slumping-union/
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
In advance of Saturday's game vs Colgate, I chatted with Colgate head coach Don Vaughan. Now in his 20th season on the Colgate bench, the coach discusses what kind of team he has this year, the Dutchmen, and more.
http://bit.ly/USzLMD
In advance of Saturday's game vs Colgate, I chatted with Colgate head coach Don Vaughan. Now in his 20th season on the Colgate bench, the coach discusses what kind of team he has this year, the Dutchmen, and more.
http://bit.ly/USzLMD
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Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Following Thursday's practice, I spoke with men's hockey head coach Rick Bennett.
The second year head coach addresses several topics, including the health of defenseman Shawn Stuart, avoiding a repeat of the third period collapse against Quinnipiac, this weekend's games with Cornell and Colgate, and more.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tO8CyFkKZGY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://bit.ly/USzLMD
Following Thursday's practice, I spoke with men's hockey head coach Rick Bennett.
The second year head coach addresses several topics, including the health of defenseman Shawn Stuart, avoiding a repeat of the third period collapse against Quinnipiac, this weekend's games with Cornell and Colgate, and more.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tO8CyFkKZGY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://bit.ly/USzLMD
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Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Julseth-White gets a PTO with San Antonio of the AHL: http://unionhockeynews.blogspot.com/2013/01/julseth-white-set-to-debut-in-ahl.html
Lineup - Stuart, Forgaard replaced by Boyle and Vasaturo. Only other change is Hatch and Sullivan swapping sides. Grosenick in goal.
Julseth-White gets a PTO with San Antonio of the AHL: http://unionhockeynews.blogspot.com/2013/01/julseth-white-set-to-debut-in-ahl.html
Lineup - Stuart, Forgaard replaced by Boyle and Vasaturo. Only other change is Hatch and Sullivan swapping sides. Grosenick in goal.
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Another day another collapse, I can't really add anything on that front that hasn't been said.
However, that was one of the worst officiated games I've seen in a while. Schafer must have premptively told the ECAC he was "never coming back" just like he did after the Denver series, because that was a horribly officiated game. The sequence before Cornell's second goal involved M. Bodie receiving a flying elbow to the head from DeSwardt, and then Bardreau had Ghost pinned to the ice in the slot, neither got called and the puck ended up in the net. The Ghost embellishment call was a joke, McCarron did two things on that play that should've been called but Ghost got a phantom embellishment call at the end...unbelieveable. Don't get me wrong, Cornell dominated Union in the second and the third, but the way that game was called was mind boggling. The embellishment call added on to an actual penalty trend that has been happening throughout hockey lately is embarrassing. It's either a penalty or embellishment, don't call them both or better yet just don't call anything at all.
Seventh straight game where Union scored all of their goals in one period. This has happened in 8 out of the last 9 as well.
Another day another collapse, I can't really add anything on that front that hasn't been said.
However, that was one of the worst officiated games I've seen in a while. Schafer must have premptively told the ECAC he was "never coming back" just like he did after the Denver series, because that was a horribly officiated game. The sequence before Cornell's second goal involved M. Bodie receiving a flying elbow to the head from DeSwardt, and then Bardreau had Ghost pinned to the ice in the slot, neither got called and the puck ended up in the net. The Ghost embellishment call was a joke, McCarron did two things on that play that should've been called but Ghost got a phantom embellishment call at the end...unbelieveable. Don't get me wrong, Cornell dominated Union in the second and the third, but the way that game was called was mind boggling. The embellishment call added on to an actual penalty trend that has been happening throughout hockey lately is embarrassing. It's either a penalty or embellishment, don't call them both or better yet just don't call anything at all.
Seventh straight game where Union scored all of their goals in one period. This has happened in 8 out of the last 9 as well.
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FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: Union Hockey 2012-2013 - Unfinished Business
Now you know how we feel when we play you... or Cornell... or Colgate... or Brown... or just about any ECAC team ever...
Now you know how we feel when we play you... or Cornell... or Colgate... or Brown... or just about any ECAC team ever...
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