Yale Hockey 2010

[Wholin1]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Well, if I'm following Klump accurately, and if he is correct as to the possible involvement of other players in the Backman incident, it seems apparent that the Yale players were facing a huge distraction this weekend and that had to have had some bearing on what to me was an otherwise incongruous series loss (no offense intended to Brown).

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

I'd choose Backman as "most valuable," though. It isn't necessarily the best or flashiest player (that would be a toss-up between Polacek and Little), it's, well, the most valuable. Backman was clearly the key opponent we faced all year, and the one guy we had (and failed) to contain in order to win. He's a game-changing force like Hamilton, Kaufmann and Wood were. That's why it's killing Yale to be without him.

Not to split hairs but the award is Player of the Year, is that necessarily MVP? Well I guess to answer my own question, I suppose it could be. I don't disagree with your analysis though because stats alone don't necessarily tell the tale.

 

[klumpmypants]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Well, if I'm following Klump accurately, and if he is correct as to the possible involvement of other players in the Backman incident, it seems apparent that the Yale players were facing a huge distraction this weekend and that had to have had some bearing on what to me was an otherwise incongruous series loss (no offense intended to Brown).

Thank you sir. You do follow. Chip Malafronte of the NHR reported last week that other players were involved when he broke the story. I spoke to him directly and he confirmed this. This is what I care about as a reporter, not slamming Sean or any individual. And more than what you just said, I think it was a distraction the whole bye week with the police being involved and the team and athletic dept. trying to keep it under wraps.

 

[BigDEli]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

I'd choose Backman as "most valuable," though. It isn't necessarily the best or flashiest player (that would be a toss-up between Polacek and Little), it's, well, the most valuable. Backman was clearly the key opponent we faced all year, and the one guy we had (and failed) to contain in order to win. He's a game-changing force like Hamilton, Kaufmann and Wood were. That's why it's killing Yale to be without him.

LOVE the Randy Wood reference. the 3-2 double-ot loss in the semis in '86 still haunts the great Tim Taylor to this day...

 

[bulldog66]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Thank you sir. You do follow. Chip Malafronte of the NHR reported last week that other players were involved when he broke the story. I spoke to him directly and he confirmed this. This is what I care about as a reporter, not slamming Sean or any individual. And more than what you just said, I think it was a distraction the whole bye week with the police being involved and the team and athletic dept. trying to keep it under wraps.

"trying to keep it under wraps"

Remember there are privacy laws that prevent schools from revealing information about investigations, medical information (injuries) etc, without the express permission of the parties involved. Unless criminal charges are filed, Yale is very limited in what they can say.

 

[klumpmypants]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

"trying to keep it under wraps"

Remember there are privacy laws that prevent schools from revealing information about investigations, medical information (injuries) etc, without the express permission of the parties involved. Unless criminal charges are filed, Yale is very limited in what they can say.

Fair enough, but they didn't even say what they have said until they were forced to.

 

[bulldog66]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

I don't recall if the award is supposed to be based on conference performance only, or overall performance, but in my mind I've always considered it a 22-game award so I agree with yaledoc that Little is Yale's best nominee, so to speak.

As to whether either Little or Backman should win, I would have to say neither. I think both had great years and would be deserving, but i think the team is so deep offensively that you'd be hard pressed to pick one guy to be player of the year. Similarly, while Scrivens' numbers are light years ahead of any other goalie, you have to acknowledge the team's role in that, and rightly or wrongly he probably suffers from comparisons to recent great seasons by other Cornell goalies, not just his foes this season. Additionally, he's a mortal lock for the Dryden and First Team All-American, and there are always a small contingent of voters out there that think a goalie shouldn't win a POY award when they have their own separate category. i don't feel that way personally, but some do.

In my mind, that leave Polacek, who put up huge numbers with a talented but very young supporting cast, as the POY. It felt like he was all over the scoresheet every time I checked an RPI box score, and as a Yale fan he scares me more than Scrivens (or any other player in the league, for that matter).

I am not sure that Scriven is a lock for First Team All-America. I agree that Scriven is a heck of a goalie but Miami fans would argue that Marc Cheverie's stats are as good (save % is better) and he has more wins in a tougher league.

 

[yalehockeyfan]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Fair enough, but they didn't even say what they have said until they were forced to.

Can it be assumed that injuries Backman suffered and subsequent surgery was signficant enough that it will keep him out of the NCAAs as well? I guess so, but have we heard for certain. Has he pulled out of taking part in skills competition at Frozen Four?

 

[yalehockeyfan]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

As for on the ice issues.
It appears we will make NCAAs unless some very strange things happen in rest of league tournaments.
Likely #3 seed and certainly potential to wind up in Worcester or Albany.
What do people think of our chances to make it to elite 8 and play on Sunday for a chance at frozen 4?

 

[bothman]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Not to split hairs but the award is Player of the Year, is that necessarily MVP? Well I guess to answer my own question, I suppose it could be. I don't disagree with your analysis though because stats alone don't necessarily tell the tale.

The way I come to Sean Backman is when I look across all the teams across the ECAC, which single player do I fear the most? Sean Backman is the one player who I feel can score everytime the puck is on his stick.

 

[klumpmypants]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Can it be assumed that injuries Backman suffered and subsequent surgery was signficant enough that it will keep him out of the NCAAs as well? I guess so, but have we heard for certain. Has he pulled out of taking part in skills competition at Frozen Four?

We have not heard for certain, but it is fair to assume until we hear otherwise.

He is out of the Skills Competition.

 

[BigDEli]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

I am not sure that Scriven is a lock for First Team All-America. I agree that Scriven is a heck of a goalie but Miami fans would argue that Marc Cheverie's stats are as good (save % is better) and he has more wins in a tougher league.

Completely fair point....there's an East team and a West team, and I was saying he's a mortal lock for the East team. I would say that Cheverie is every bit the lock for the West team that Scrivens is for the East, and I'd go a step further to say that while Scrivens will be one of the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker, I'd be shocked not to see Cheverie as a Hobey Hat Trick nominee.

 

[redrocker]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

I am not sure that Scriven is a lock for First Team All-America. I agree that Scriven is a heck of a goalie but Miami fans would argue that Marc Cheverie's stats are as good (save % is better) and he has more wins in a tougher league.

In the past there have been two "first-team All-American" teams. One from the east, one from the west. Kind of defeats the purpose of an All-America team, but Scrivens should get the honor for the east. Cheverie in the west.

 

[BigDEli]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

As for on the ice issues.
It appears we will make NCAAs unless some very strange things happen in rest of league tournaments.
Likely #3 seed and certainly potential to wind up in Worcester or Albany.
What do people think of our chances to make it to elite 8 and play on Sunday for a chance at frozen 4?

I think this depends entirely on the opponent, although they'll obviously have to play better than they did this past weekend.

I think (this year especially) there's a huge, HUGE advantage to being a 3-seed rather than a 4-seed. I think Yale really wants to avoid any of the 1-seeds, and also needs to avoid the highest 2-seed (BC or North Dakota most likely). Other than that, I kind of like the potential matchups Yale gets as a 3-seed.

They've gotta feel good if they get Ferris, and Bemidji doesn't seem to be playing their best hockey (something that can be said for a lot of the bottom half of whatever the bracket looks like as well). Nor do i think Bemidji brings the same potential level of intimidation as a traditional power does, which I feel often plays a role this time of year. Obviously they're talented and experienced and must be respected, but the name on the front of the sweater makes a difference on occasion and all things being equal I think it would give Yale one less thing to overcome.

With the rest of the potential matchups, it seems like there's a lot of talent but some inconsistancy too...I think there's a lot to be said for momentum, and since Yale clearly won't have any, I think they're better off playing someone who's sputtering into the tournament too.

 

[LTsatch]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Then again, for lacking them Yale sure took care of us.
and they are playing with maximum confidence with a white hot goalie.

The goalie that got pulled in game two of the last series, white hot for one game.

 

[LTsatch]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

If Backman and Little were both seniors, I believe Little would be Player of the Year, I do not know enough about Polacek to comment, his numbers are huge though.

 

[electpuck]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

As for on the ice issues.
It appears we will make NCAAs unless some very strange things happen in rest of league tournaments.
Likely #3 seed and certainly potential to wind up in Worcester or Albany.
What do people think of our chances to make it to elite 8 and play on Sunday for a chance at frozen 4?

I haven't been able to get them in Albany due to Cornell being a 2 or 3. It would be difficult not to put Cornell in Albany.
The problem with Worcester would be UNH. UNH is probably on the three line. Again UNH would be a great draw in Worcester. I see an outside possibility of being in Worcester. More likely, Yale sent to Fort Wayne or St. Paul.
I certainly am hoping for Worcester.

 

[electpuck]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

I was corrected that there is the outside possibility that Cornell doesn't make the tournament, but that involves too many variables. However, there is not much doubt in my mind that if they make the tournament, Cornell is a 2 or 3 and will be sent to Albany.

 

[Boola]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Backman or Little?? Not even close. Little is a great goal scorer, unreal hands and very exciting, I love to watch him play. But has anybody else watched him disapear for entire games? Sometimes he is in his own world out there. Doesn't back check all that often and is often hanging around center ice, which is probably his role on this team. How many times have you seen a Yale player have to hold up at the blue line to wait for Little to take his time getting out of the offensive zone? Backman always brings energy and is always flying around the ice. They really missed that this weekend. Next year can be Broc's team, this year was Sean's team.

As for Backman being ready for the Frozen Four... reports say he may be able to test his heel on a stationary bike in 4-5 weeks. So I wouldnt count on it.

 

[yalehockeyfan]

Re: Yale Hockey 2010

Completely agreed.
Little doesn't back check, hangs and waits for that 1-on-1 or breakaway chance. He excells there and there is good reason for Yale to have him play that style. Sean was a more complete player, and watching the two of them operate on the powerplay there is no comparison.