Clarkson @ Quinnipiac and Princeton

[vicb]

Well, if this team is gonna make any kind of run for home ice in the playoffs it has to start this weekend. You gotta beat the teams below you in the standings. No if ands or butts ;) and this weekend 4 points is a must. Will we still see the goalie rotation? My guess is it depends on how Leggio plays on Friday. If he wins and plays convincingly well then I think he gets the start at Princeton. These teams will be no pushovers, especially Princeton with wins this year over Denver and Cornell. Looking forward to seein the team at Hobey Baker Saturday Knight and hoping to see lots of Roundtable goers at the pregame festivities at the Clarion.

LGT LGT LGT

[RSTuthill]

Is there a function before the game at Q? I have not heard anything.

[coolhandtouc]

Is there a function before the game at Q? I have not heard anything.

We can always have our own function :)

[oldtimehockey]

Is there a function before the game at Q? I have not heard anything.
Yes. This year it's f(x,y) = Asinh(x) - Bcosh(y).

[daredevilcu]

Those stupid hyperbolic functions get me every time... now does that mean the function goes before the game or after the game? If you take the derivative, does it depend on the outcome of the game?

[scottcomstock]

ROFL :D (and I damn near flunked calculus @ Clarkson)

[Bill]

Well, if this team is gonna make any kind of run for home ice in the playoffs it has to start this weekend. You gotta beat the teams below you in the standings. No if ands or butts ;) and this weekend 4 points is a must.
Vic:
Absolutely agree - If the Knights can't sweep the bottom of the league, they will be the bottom of the league -- they will need a consistent effort for both games, however, as Princeton has been there and done that with the big boys, and Q scores in bunches.

LGT!!!

[Todd '86]

What concerns me about this weekend is how different the team plays on the road. At home Clarkson is 9-2-1; away 3-9-0. The three road wins were Niagara, Yale and Bowling Green. Throw in that the Knights haven't won on the road since early December, and I don't think it paints a pretty picture.

So, I agree. The time is now to start making that run for home ice. This middle of the league stuff is getting old.

[coolhandtouc]

That Union/RPI weekend was a killer.

[Brett Gobe]

While its still possible to get a first round bye, I think the team needs to focus on a home ice playoff series in the first round more than anything. As Todd noted this team is not good on the road, and very good at Cheel. They have not had a home playoff series at Cheel since the playoffs changed formats, and the last home playoff series was against UVM in the Parker year. A home playoff series can provide alot of momentum going into wherever they may end up. They just need to get there first.

[andy]

Actually clarkson 'has' had a home playoff series since the new format. The year Mark got fired Clarkson was swept in a first-round series by Vermont. That was the first year all 12 teams made the playoffs.


While its still possible to get a first round bye, I think the team needs to focus on a home ice playoff series in the first round more than anything. As Todd noted this team is not good on the road, and very good at Cheel. They have not had a home playoff series at Cheel since the playoffs changed formats, and the last home playoff series was against UVM in the Parker year. A home playoff series can provide alot of momentum going into wherever they may end up. They just need to get there first.

[Brett Gobe]

Actually clarkson 'has' had a home playoff series since the new format. The year Mark got fired Clarkson was swept in a first-round series by Vermont. That was the first year all 12 teams made the playoffs.
Thanks. I should have known that.

UVM ended up losing to Cornell that year?

[Earl_Leatherland]

What concerns me about this weekend is how different the team plays on the road. At home Clarkson is 9-2-1; away 3-9-0. The three road wins were Niagara, Yale and Bowling Green. Throw in that the Knights haven't won on the road since early December, and I don't think it paints a pretty picture.

So, I agree. The time is now to start making that run for home ice. This middle of the league stuff is getting old.

Todd - I think you hit the nail right on the head. Clarkson is very comfortable at home this year, which is great for a fan base, but that also is main downfall. They need that cheering and enthusiasm that a home crowd can give to them. The pep band did great at SLU. You could not hear them during the first period as SLU fans were revved up and drowned them at every opportunity, but in the second and third period they continued their consistent praise and were heard as SLU looked around with consternation. Unfortunately, once the corner was turned and SLU was dominating, Clarkson was out of gas and did not have enough of a fan base to help them ignite and dig down deep.

So, tell friends to attend the games in mass. I really believe it makes a considerable difference for this team this year.

This is in addition to all the other benefits of being at home.:D

[SpongeRob]

As pointless and stupid as it is......Phillipe Paquet made the Cocktail Napkin this week!

[Goldie Knight]

Can you please tell me what the cocktail napkin is? I really have no idea what that means. Thank you.

[Ron]

Can you please tell me what the cocktail napkin is? I really have no idea what that means. Thank you.

The cocktail napkin is a weekly humor piece on Inside College Hockey (http://www.insidecollegehockey.com). Once in awhile it's humorous, but lately they've been stretching.

[oldtimehockey]

Those stupid hyperbolic functions get me every time... now does that mean the function goes before the game or after the game? If you take the derivative, does it depend on the outcome of the game?


ROFL :D (and I damn near flunked calculus @ Clarkson)

Yup, hilarious!! Only us techers can truly appreciate this -- and I'll bet we all nearly, or totally, flunked calc at some point. Brilliant comment, ddcu -- in fact priceless!

I think the function might exist BOTH before and after (?), but the derivative maybe vanishes when the game is not continuous (??!)

[Goldie Knight]

Thursday, February 2, 2006 9:30 PM

The local newspaper had an article about Clarkson's games this weekend. Coach Roll believes the team is capable of putting together a run during the month of February. Basically, the team has played very well in the past four games, and the coach felt Clarkson could have won them all. Coach Roll felt the Golden Knights were capable of winning those games.....however there are some areas of concern which need to be addressed...George did expound on those areas.

George felt there was a possibility that the policy of rotating goaltenders could change.....that could change if either David McNulty or David Leggio begin to perform at a higher level. He expected to do an evaluation after each game and will play the goaltender who has performed better. If both David dn Kyle are doing well, then George will continue to play both of them.

He mentioned that Clarkson's defensive awareness needed to improve. And I bet the team worked on that aspect of their game at practice this week. The Golden Knights have to do better offensively and finish their chances. The coaches would like to rely on other lines to score, not just Nick Dodge's. It would be best to have all three lines scoring.

Well, folks, there is no room for any Clarkson losses this weekend. We definitely must have the goal of earning home ice for the first round of the ECAC Playoffs. Clarkson has not had a first-round playoff at Cheel for way too long...the past two years, we have had to travel to Union for the first round of the playoffs there.

BEAT THE BOBCATS FRIDAY KNIGHT.:)

[Crease Monkey]

Crystal Ball - Clarkson will win both of these games. Not in a dominant fashion, however. Clarkson will not fall behind more than one goal in either game but will experience times of being caught behind.

CLARKSON 5 Q 3
CLARKSON 4 P 3

Go get 'em KNIGHTS.

[mccullmw]

I will most likely be at Q tonight as it's about 20 minutes from my house. If I'm there I'll be in the obnoxious gold 3rd jersey from the 98-99 season.

[Ron]

I too have Clarkson taking both games. Although this is entirely dependent on which Princeton team shows up.

[Stemmer]

I too have Clarkson taking both games. Although this is entirely dependent on which Princeton team shows up.

In all the years I've gone to games at Princeton, they always play us tough, no matter who the coach has been. I don't expect that to change tomorrow.

[mccullmw]

Does anyone know if you can still get tickets for the Q game at the Northford Ice Pavillion? There's no way to get in touch with someone at Q to find out (or at least I haven't found anyone to call) so I may end up just heading down to the arena and trying to get in.

[coolhandtouc]

I just called the Pavillion, and tickets are still available.

[Goldie Knight]

Friday, February 3, 2006 4:20 PM

Hi Mr. Mcc,

I am just reading your email. With the Clarkson Media Guide in front of me, the only telephone number I see listed is an office phone: 203 582 8625. The press box telephone is 203 484 7592. The website is

www.quinnipiacbobcats.com

Good luck to you. It sounds like the arena is tiny, seating only 1,000.

BEAT THE BOBCATS, CLARKSON GOLDEN KNIGHTS.:)

[Stemmer]

I just called the Pavillion, and tickets are still available.

Drive safely Andrew...and come on down tomorrow.

We'll have a couple of cold ones waiting for ya! :D

[vicb]

What words can I use to describe this debacle. Embarassing, Unacceptable, Childish, Pathetic

THE GOOD

You gotta be kidding me.

THE NOT SO GOOD

Where to start

Not showing up in the first period. 1 total shot on goal the whole freakin period.
Penalty after penalty in the 3rd.
Weller and Paquet getting thrown out.
No heart.
No life
No offense
No defense
No NOTHING.

I have never been as embarassed as a Clarkson fan as I am today. And to think I have to drive 2 and 1/2 hours to Joisey and sit in Baker Rink and possibly have to watch this type of effort tomorrow. :eek:

[Brett Gobe]

Something tells me we wont see these lines tomorrow night.

[Brett Gobe]

Roll:
"I take all responsiblity for the loss tonight. Nothing worked in any facet of the game, and I obviously didnt get them prepared for the game tonight."

[Goldie Knight]

THE GOLDEN DISASTER, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2006 (post game conversation)

Bob Ahlfeld talked with Coach Roll at the conclusion of the game. George said there was not anything positive you can say about this game...it certainly is very frustrating....no one showed any life....the Q's beat us in all facets of this game....he did not prepare the team for this game and he will take full responsibility. In the second period, Clarkson had some chances....Chris D'Alvise had a couple of good opportunities to score....our effort has to be much better.

I think Bob said the team was leaving for Princeton this evening....I'm so discouraged I had hoped they would instead return to Potsdam tonight:rolleyes:

[Todd '86]

Interesting quote. If the team doesn't understand at this point of the season that this is the home stretch - that this is the time to get it done - its not going to happen. Just what is it going to take for this team to gel, and win the games it should?

This thing tonight was not running into a hot goalie, it wasn't playing just well enough to lose - it was an absolute failure. I think they had more penalties than shots (too PO'd to do the math).

Tomorrow is character check time. If this is any sort of team, Princeton will wish they forfeited.

[coolhandtouc]

Not for nothing, last year, when we posted the schedule for this year,.....I knew we were in trouble. This was a tough schedule for a young team, like they say if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger.

[Earl_Leatherland]

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I AM GLAD I HAD A DATE WITH MY WIFE TONIGHT! What in the world went on? Quinnipiac had 6 GOALS!!! The Knights only had 18 shots on goal and 17 PENALTIES! I am standing here with my son and he said "Maybe you shouldn't look at this anymore...then it won't get you upset." A wise young man. I'm out.:( :confused:

[Stripes55]

I have never been as embarassed as a Clarkson fan as I am today. And to think I have to drive 2 and 1/2 hours to Joisey and sit in Baker Rink and possibly have to watch this type of effort tomorrow. :eek:

Geez, I hope not. I actually have tickets for this game. It's the first time I'll be able to see the Knights since the 1997 Syracuse Invitational. They'd better play a lot better against Princeton....

[mccullmw]

So I ended up making it to the game after all. I left wanting the previous two hours of my life back (and $20 plus some for pain and suffering) Tonight marked a first for me: I left my first sporting event with time still on the clock. I was HUMILIATED to be standing in that arena wearing the Green and Gold and the Q fans around me were starting to gloat after Q's 5th. (:eek:)

Couple of observations:
-Leggio was terrible. He was consistently out of position and got beat almost every single time. I think beefing up the goaltending needs to be a recruiting priority because if he's the best we've got we're in trouble.
-They were FLAT FLAT FLAT in the 1st. I was standing behind Q's offensive zone and saw a lot of action. The only time the puck seemed to make its way to the Tech zone was when we iced it. They came out strong in the 2nd, sweet PPG by Cayer made me think they were turning it around. The 3rd was an unmitigated disaster. Worst hockey I've ever seen played in my life. No excuse for that crap. None.
-This is a team that appears to have no heart or drive. They don't get down in the corners and fight for the puck, they don't actively go after the puck, and they don't go after the rebounds. If they shoot and miss that seems to be good enough.
-They can't pass. Period.
-The Pass-Pass-Pass-Clear/Whiff-On-The-Shot power play doesn't work and never has.
Two Positives:
-Nick Dodge has incredible speed and puck handling.
-Cayer's PPG was sweet. It almost made me think they were turning it around. Almost.

Other observations:
Q's new barn can't be completed soon enough. The Pavillion is terrible (and has a funky odor).
Q's Pep Band apparently also plays Blues Brothers when the Bobcats leave the ice (when the arena DJ isn't playing Final Countdown by Europe). I actually looked for the CU Pep Band at the end of the 1st when I heard it, was quite confused.
Apparently there's competition for Zamboni in the ice resurfacer industry by a company called Olympia. The Pavillion had one of each. Zambonis look much nicer.

All and all tonight was a disaster. Whatever went wrong needs to be fixed or we'll be finding ourselves on the road for the playoffs for the third straight year. I was really impressed with this team out of the gates, but something happened over Christmas break that's changed the whole dynamic of this team. They need to figure it out and soon.

[Todd '86]

I think beefing up the goaltending needs to be a recruiting priority because...

Chris Heisenberg's site (http://members.aol.com/cheisenber/Recruit06.htm) shows goalie Matt Smith from the Mississauga Chargers (OPJHL) joining the team next year.

33 games, 1915:27 min, Record: 13-15-4 SHO: 0 GAA: 3.98 SV%: .901

The team's record is 16-28-4. By my calcs, the defense allows about 40 shots/game.

I also see we are getting a transfer from Air Force? How is that possible, I thought there was a committment in the armed forces acadamies?

[vicb]

Chris Heisenberg's site (http://members.aol.com/cheisenber/Recruit06.htm) shows goalie Matt Smith from the Mississauga Chargers (OPJHL) joining the team next year.

33 games, 1915:27 min, Record: 13-15-4 SHO: 0 GAA: 3.98 SV%: .901

The team's record is 16-28-4. By my calcs, the defense allows about 40 shots/game.

I also see we are getting a transfer from Air Force? How is that possible, I thought there was a committment in the armed forces acadamies?

Not sure what is going on with Matt Smith. As far as I can tell he has not played for or suited up as the backup for Mississauga since getting lit up for 8 goals on 27 shots in a 10-1 loss on January 2nd. Not sure if he is injured or has been traded or GOD FORBID benched.

As the Air Force transfer, I believe that they can get out of their commitment if they decide to leave the academy before their junior year.

[Stemmer]

Geez, I hope not. I actually have tickets for this game. It's the first time I'll be able to see the Knights since the 1997 Syracuse Invitational. They'd better play a lot better against Princeton....

HERE HERE!!!

I feel the same way. I'm missing my HS game tonight and it's one we have a chance to win! If I find out later that we won and I watched another disaster at PU, I'll be mad as heck.

Came home last night and told my wife that Tech lost 6-1 to the Q....she was horrified and made some comment about what's going to happen at Princeton.

Guys, we've known since the beginning of the season or sooner, that this team has a lot of skill players but is short on hard nosed grinders who are willing to battle in the corners. To see that now in spades is not at all shocking.

The chickens have come home to roost. They all need to suck it up and commit to being more physical or Albany will become only a pipe dream.

I'll be watching tonight with my "coach's eye" more than my "fan's eye."

[Goldie Knight]

Saturday, February 4, 2006 9:30 AM

And the misery continues for the Clarkson Golden Knights. Less than one minute after Q's sixth goal last knight, some more unpleasantness occurred between the two teams. When all was said and done, the following penalties were assessed to Clarkson:

1. Shawn Weller....five minutes for fighting and a game disqualification. Shawn will NOT be permitted to play toknight.

2. Max Kolu....two minutes for roughing and a game misconduct. It is my understanding that a game misconduct means a player is out of the game only for that particular game.

3. Philippe Paquet....two minutes for cross checking, two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, and a game misconduct.

It must have been Clarkson's thinking.....if we can't beat them on the scoreboard, perhaps we can just beat them up.:rolleyes:

The final analysis: the Golden Knights had a total of 18 shots on goal and 17 penalties.....unbelievable.

Coach Roll stated that he took full responsibility for the team not be prepared for this game. That comment raised some interesting questions in my mind. I do not hold the coaches responsible. I hold some of the Golden Knights accountable for their poor play. Where is their pride in Clarkson hockey and in being a member of this team? Why didn't the team follow the correct strategies they had been taught by their coaches?

If the season were to end today, even though we are tied for eighth place with RPI, we would be relegated to ninth place because of our record against RPI this season....it is in RPI's favor...one win and one tie against us. As you know, home ice advantage has been huge for the Golden Knights this season because we don't win too often on the road.

I will not be satisfied with anything less than eighth place at the end of the season. I hope the Golden Knights feel the same way.....and their play in the last seven games will reflect those thoughts.

Mr. Mcc,

I found your game summary most informative....telling it like it is is important for those of us who cannot be there in person.

TERRORIZE THE TIGERS TOKNIGHT.:)

[coolhandtouc]

Not sure what is going on with Matt Smith.

As the Air Force transfer, I believe that they can get out of their commitment if they decide to leave the academy before their junior year.

Matt Smith is out with a very bad groin injury. Central scouting has him as a 'B' prospect.


Merkowsky was a top scorer for Air Force in his frosh and Soph years...I believe their asst. coach knew Dreschel and contacted him, saying he would be a good addition, so he had the Academy's blessing, so to speak.

[Stemmer]

Saturday, February 4, 2006 9:30 AM

Coach Roll stated that he took full responsibility for the team not be prepared for this game. That comment raised some interesting questions in my mind. I do not hold the coaches responsible. I hold some of the Golden Knights accountable for their poor play. Where is their pride in Clarkson hockey and in being a member of this team? Why didn't the team follow the correct strategies they had been taught by their coaches?



Goldie, etal,

As you know, George is a stand up guy. All coaches should take responsibility for their teams' preparedness and their play.

As to your last question, coaches in all sports have been asking that question since the beginning of time. My colleagues and I asked ourselves that last night at our HS game.

When you find the answer, please pass it along.

Oh, and when you do, you will become one flithy rich lady because every coach in the world will want to know. :D

Levity aside, I learned long ago that athletes who do not play the style their coaches preach are being selfish and hurting themselves and their team.

Hoping to see a better and more disciplined effort toknight. If not, then talking with Vic and me is gonna be a real unpleasant experience for our wives. :rolleyes:

[Goldie Knight]

Saturday, February 4, 2006 10 AM

I think that in order to gain acceptance to any of our US military academies, the individual needs to have a Congressional appointment.....it comes with an all-expenses paid education, followed by a military commitment.

According to the Clarkson University Directory, Brandon Merkosky is currently a sophomore at Clarkson, with a major in CE ~ BS. Interesting also is the fact that his brother Kyle is a freshman at Clarkson. Their home is in Queensbury, NY, which is near Glens Falls. Brandon is undoubtedly sitting out of hockey this year in order to complete his one year of ineligibility for transferring from the Air Force Academy in Colorado to Clarkson.

We definitely need something positive to focus on today after the disturbing disaster last knight in Hamden, CT.

Rich,

Your comment about the team not working hard in the corners is thought-provoking...and absolutely correct. We have a lot of talent on this team, but every single Golden Knight has to work diligently to earn the results we must have. I hope your favorite college team and your favorite high school team both win toknight.

CU........BEAT.......PU.......TROUNCE THE TIGERS.:)

[Todd '86]

Anothe L. Who do we call "PU" now?

[Ron]

Anothe L. Who do we call "PU" now?

A horrible weekend for the North Country. SLU getting swept makes me wonder if Princeton and Quinnipiac are just teams that were in major ruts of their own, or what.

Anything goes in the ECAC!

[Todd '86]

Curious to hear what George (no pun intended) has to say in the post-game tonight.

[vicb]

Well, another game, another loss. I sure as H E double hockey sticks don't know what is going on. I for one did not think we played all that badly toknight.

Period 1 I thought we certainly had the better of play, outshot them yet we are losing 2-0. Why you ask? The first goal one of our players got outmuscled for the puck along the boards by a Princeton player. He passes across ice infront of the goal to a wide open Goekner Zoeller and he buries the puck into an open net. Second goal is the all to often herd on the internet "poor clearing attempt by Clarkson". We try to clear the zone by passing up center ice with no momentum. Princeton player stops it at the point and a slap shot and deflection in front gets them goal #2. We had at least three 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 chances that we could not put together a good pass. Other times we had open shots and tried to make the perfect pass that was blocked or deflected away.

Second period more of the same. We had chances and failed to capitalize. At the end of a power play Princeton got us running around in our own end. Just as the power play expired McNulty gives up a rebound in front to a wide open Princeton player and the guy buries the puck. We shoot and hit 2 posts. We had a shot blocked, the puck flew up in the air, landed behind the Princeton goalie and instead of bouncing into the net it bounced to the right and out. We had another puck get behind the Princeton goalie and TRAVELED COMPLETELY ACROSS THE GOAL MOUTH FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT POST RIGHT ON THE GOAL LINE and that did not go in.

Third period we get a goal on a goal mouth scramble, they get a goal from a guy who shoots one from the right faceoff circle almost even with the goal line and it somehow goes in off the far post. He could have shot that puck 100 times and probably not scored on 99 of them. Guthrie made two absolutely highlight reel moves around a Princeton defender and has the goalie beat but shoots the puck over the net. We get another goal on a goal mouth scramble late and then later must have hit the post 2 more times from scrambles in front. Too little too late.

To see the look of disbelief and anguish on the faces of Roll, Dreschel and Houle after the game was just well....... Gotta give credit to the team for not giving up and mailing in this one like they did last knight at Q. It don't get any better next week with Cornell and Colgate coming to town. In summary

The Good
There was a nice contingent of Clarkson fans at the game.
The pregame festivities were nice at the Clarion, good food and I won a tee shirt that I traded for a copy of the book: A Clarkson Mosaic by Brad Broughton (The guy who won the book already had bought it ;) ). Thanks to the Jersey Alumni Association for all their work.
The team did not give up and fought till the end.
Dell and the linesmen called a good game (did miss a spear on Nick Dodge)

The Not so Good
Another loss Sigh

[Stemmer]

Curious to hear what George (no pun intended) has to say in the post-game tonight.

Don't know what he had to say with Gary M....and I haven't looked....but I talked with all 3 coaches. George had very little to say. The look on his face said it all.

[Chaz]

We are in need of a goalie who can steal a game here and there.I have yet to have seen or heard of a game this year where one of our goalies stepped up and won a game for us. This team is in a severe downward spiral and they need a boost from soomewhere. A good goalie can provide that spark. Problem is........we don't have that luxury.

[Goldie Knight]

Sunday, February 5, 2006 10 AM

Well, the good thing about this road trip is that it is over.

As always, Vic, your recap of the Princeton game is better than that of any well-trained sports writer. One reason for that is because you are such an avid Clarkson fan that you pay particular attention to details. Thanks for your summary.....while reading it, I felt I was personally at Hobey Baker Rink.

This morning's newspaper states that the Clarkson Golden Knights have set a school record for losing on the road....oh my goodness, what a horrid statement. Princeton had lost 17 consecutive games against Clarkson until last knight.....another terrible statement.

Coach Roll was pleased with the effort the Golden Knights exerted last knight. He is frustrated because the team can't play at that level for every game. Clarkson outshot Princeton 39 to 25, as opposed to their measly 18 shots on goal the entire evening Friday against the Q's. The Golden Knights got no breaks, hitting the goal post four or five times during the game at Hobey Baker Rink.

The Golden Knights have now relegated themselves to a tie with Princeton for ninth and tenth place in the ECAC. We all know it is much too late in the season to be in that location. Our only salvation is that all teams make the playoffs....however, that is little consolation for those who us love Clarkson hockey.

Congratulations.....

to Steve Zalewski on scoring Clarkson's first goal, with help from David Cayer and Michael Grenzy.

to Nick Dodge for scoring Clarkson's second goal, with assists being given to Chris D'Alvise and Jeff Genovy.

It must have been a dreadfully long trip back to Potsdam....in view of the fact that Clarkson lost two games this weekend.

Rich or Vic, one of you probably know how long the trip would take. I believe the bus travels right through NY City.

Vic, I love your new word......

KNIGHTMARE.:o

[Muskieman]

When the schedules came out last summer, I really liked the idea of CCT and SLU playing one-another on a one-weekend Friday and Sat. NOT ANYMORE!

There were 16 combined points (yes, a few SLU grads. can add :)) available to the NC teams for the weekends before and after they played each other, and CCT and SLU came away with ZERO points. PLEASE, I PRAY, THAT THERE NEVER AGAIN BE ANY BACK-TO-BACK GAMES BETWEEN CCT AND SLU (unless it's in the playoffs).

Well, at least the road trips from "hell" for the NC teams are mercifully over.

[andy]

playing devil's advocate here:
point 1: Clarkson lost 6 straight road games BEFORE playing SLU, so dont see how playing them last weekend back to back has anything to do with the road losing streak continuing. SLU also had 2 straight road losses heading into that series.

point 2: the *only* win clarkson has had since early Jan. was that game, so it seems the plan worked because nothing else has earned them any points.



When the schedules came out last summer, I really liked the idea of CCT and SLU playing one-another on a one-weekend Friday and Sat. NOT ANYMORE!

There were 16 combined points (yes, a few SLU grads. can add :)) available to the NC teams for the weekends before and after they played each other, and CCT and SLU came away with ZERO points. PLEASE, I PRAY, THAT THERE NEVER AGAIN BE ANY BACK-TO-BACK GAMES BETWEEN CCT AND SLU (unless it's in the playoffs).

Well, at least the road trips from "hell" for the NC teams are mercifully over.

[daredevilcu]

I would say that Leggio basically stole the SLU home game, Chaz... but that's a bit of a stretch too. Other than that... it definitely has not happened. I REALLY wish that Dustin Traylen had a better attitude last year, because this would have been his senior season and we would have been a REALLY dangerous team.

[Stemmer]

Goldie,

It's an 8 hr trip from Princeton to Potsdam, the longest in the ECACHL. Even longer when you've had a lost weekend. But the bus would not travel via New York City as that would be out of the way and take a lot longer.

A couple of options but they probably took the NJ Tpke north and connected with the NYS Thruway just above at the NJ/NY border.

I wasn't convinced by last night's effort. Yes we had a lot of shots but many were from far out and not legit scoring chances and we didn't pursue the rebounds well. Our passing in the off zone was awful, wasting odd man rushes on which you HAVE to get quality scoring chances more often than not. We didn't. Joe, Vic, and I talked about this betw periods.

Same thing I mentioned the other day, we didn't battle hard enough on the boards and in the corners to get chances down low until it was much too late in the game. Hey boys, it's a 60 minute game! Playing with desperation for only 5 or 10 mins doesn't get it done and is a sign of a team with attitude issues. Not having Weller, one of the few guys who grind along the wall and in the corners hurt, but that's another story.

Our power play was pitiful until late in the game. They moved the puck too slowly, they flubbed one-timers, they were out of position, effectively negating the man advantage, and they didn't take enough shots, nor did they screen the goalie or battle for rebounds! On the PP that got Zalewski's goal, they finally did some of those things to get the results.

Watching Princeton, a team with less skill, outwork us most of the night, was hard to take. But thats why a less talented team sometimes wins..."Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

As Vic noted, I think, two glaring errors in our zone in the first and both wound up in the net. Their last goal was weak and a backbreaker when we had just taken control of the play. I'm sure McNulty wants that one back.

Nice to see Nick Dodge return to the game after what appeared to be a nasty hit.

Not much time to turn it around if Albany is to be anything more than a pipe dream. The talent is there but they need to play with more grit and a better attitude. Gotta think positive!

We missed ya Goldie but at least you didn't have to experience all the pain in person! See you in Albany, I hope!

[vicb]

It must have been a dreadfully long trip back to Potsdam....in view of the fact that Clarkson lost two games this weekend.

Rich or Vic, one of you probably know how long the trip would take. I believe the bus travels right through NY City.



Rich and I were talking after the game and figure the trip back to Potsdam was probably 8 hours. :eek: . If I was to do it I would go I-95 to the Pa Turnpike and take the Northeast extention to Scranton and then pickup I-81 thru Binghamton, Syracuse and Watertown. The bus back to Potsdam from Princeton does not go anywhere near NYC on this route. Of coarse they also could go North Thru Joisey on the Turnpike to the Garden State Parkway and pick up the NYS Thurway North of NYC and take it up to Albany and the Northway back to Potsdam. This is closer to NYC but still does not go thru the city.

Not sure the route they take from New Haven to Princeton but I doubt they go thru the city (I know I would not). My guess is they probably go down I-95 or across Hudson River by way of the TappenZ bridge then the Garden State Parkway to the Joisey Turnpike and pick up 195 to 295 into Princeton.

Edit: I see Rich posted while I was doing this writeup. :D .

[Stemmer]

Vic,

That shows that great minds think alike. :D

It also proves that Goldie and her husband need to make a trip down to Joisey next year so that we can show them all the wonderful highways here...and all the roads that could take her into NYC! :D

I'm with you Vic, you'd want to cross the Hudson at the TZ bridge...very scenic on a sunny day especially, rather than the GWB or via NYC, to get down to Princeton.

I hate the NJ Pike, especially on a weeknight, including Fridays, so I'd go down via I 287 and then 206 into Princeton. That's the way we go from North Jersey.

As native Broome County guys, you and I may prefer the route you mentioned but I'd bet the bus last night took the Tpke/Thruway/northway route. I go that way (I 287/Thruway/Northway) from here to the NC. 6 and a half hrs with little stopping time, especially if I drive alone. ;)

[joecct]

I asked the bus driver

NJT
Thruway
Northway
Off @ Lake Placid
Up to Potsdam.

[Stemmer]

I asked the bus driver

NJT
Thruway
Northway
Off @ Lake Placid
Up to Potsdam.

Joe's is another great Tech mind! :D

[vicb]

I asked the bus driver

NJT
Thruway
Northway
Off @ Lake Placid
Up to Potsdam.

They probably go this way to miss the lake effects blizzards around Watertown ;) .

[Stripes55]

Not that it means anything, but Clarkson REALLY did only lose by 1 last night. They scored with about 8 seconds left in the third. Puck goes in the net to the right of Leroux, hits the back of the net (along the bottom, so the netting itself never moves) and comes back out the left side. Sadly, though, the ref, the goal judge, etc. all fail to see this happen.

Not that 8 seconds would have been a lot of time to get the tying goal, anyway...ah well, I see the officials are just as blind now as they were the last time I saw the Knights play...

[Bill]

This team can play with anybody - but only for the last 5 minutes of a game when they are down by 1 or 2. Major sign of immaturity of Freshmen and Sophs.
I think the beginning of the year ruined them -- wins came too easy and led them to believe it would always be that way. George & Greg can only do so much & then it's up to the players. I thought last weekend would've turned them on, as their backs are against the wall, but they obviously were not ready. Major test this coming weekend -- let's hope they respond with hard work one shift at a time mentality - starting at the first puck drop and continuing for a full 60 minutes.:(

[JR]

This has certainly turned into a Bizarro world season for Clarkson Hockey.

Instead of the usual slow start and improved play after the Christmas break it's been the exact opposite.

And count me amongst those that were spoiled by the strong start!:D

[chuck]

... Major sign of immaturity of Freshmen and Sophs...


This has been a popular theme this year and I agree that it's true. I also took some solice in the fact that the team is young and will be better in the future. While that's probably true (depending on who jumps to the pros), I saw the other day that BC is the youngest team in the country. At the time they were also the #1 team in the country. They are now ranked #5, but the point is that with the talent the Knights have they should be better. And in the future other teams will be more mature too.

[Bill]

I saw the other day that BC is the youngest team in the country. At the time they were also the #1 team in the country. They are now ranked #5, but the point is that with the talent the Knights have they should be better. And in the future other teams will be more mature too.
Chuck - yes they should be better - as to BC, young doesn't necessarily mean immature -- if the physical talent is there, the rest is upstairs and is usually solved by a combination of experience and psychology. We can only hope the Knights will turn the corner at some point before leaving or graduating.
:p

[SpongeRob]

One thing to keep in mind when comparing the Clarkson situation to BC:

I was watching the Beanpot yesterday, and they were discussing the young age of BC. While they have the youngest average age for any team, they do have 9 seniors on the team. Not only that, but all 9 of them have spent their 4 years playing teams like Maine, BU, UNH, who perenially (as does BC) camp at the top of the national polls and make the NCAA tournament. This means that those seniors have a wealth of experience and tough play to draw on. Clarkson has less (I believe) juniors and seniors combined, and only 2 seniors. Not only that, but none of those players has ever experienced a winning or even consistent season, and have played the Clarkson cupcake schedule for their entire careers. As this last group of Morris recruits finds the door, and the sophomores become juniors, and the team grows, some of that similar leadership, grittiness, mental toughness, and winning attitude will begin to come through.

[Stemmer]

One thing to keep in mind when comparing the Clarkson situation to BC:

Not only that, but none of those players has ever experienced a winning or even consistent season, and have played the Clarkson cupcake schedule for their entire careers. As this last group of Morris recruits finds the door, and the sophomores become juniors, and the team grows, some of that similar leadership, grittiness, mental toughness, and winning attitude will begin to come through.

Bob, I agree with some of what you said.

However, I don't think the reference to the seniors as Morris recruits is meaningful. If your point is that the two seniors are not the senior leaders we were accustomed to in better years, that may be true to some degree, but I don't see them as this year's problem. There were also many of his recruits in earlier years who were outstanding leaders who displayed that physical and mental toughness that this current team seems to be lacking.

Frankly, from what I have heard and seen along with what I've been told, the qualities you mentioned are somewhat lacking in the freshman and sophomores. At least it hasn't been shown this year and there's no guarantee it will in the next year or two. It definitely wasn't displayed this past weekend. Maybe experience is the answer but that's not always the case.

Talent is one thing but I'm sure we can all think of talented players in college programs who didn't mature into leaders that played with grit, determination, and discipline. All we can do is have confidence and faith that the coaches have recruited kids with character, not characters.

I think the jury is still out on a few of them from what I've seen.

[SpongeRob]

I apologize for the misinterpretation there Rich. In fact, I always heard and saw the qualities I spoke of from this year's class, in Brekelmans especially, while I was at school. The Morris part wasn't a stab at the character of those he recruited, but rather a statement that they are the last group of players that aren't truly Roll's. Remember that college players are usually recruited by coaches and assistants at a pretty young age and on a pretty personal level. These guys were the most affected by the whole debacle, essentially missing out on a freshman year, and never got a chance to be a part of a winning team, or even one with a winning attitude. Even with the potential to lead, there has to be an effect on a player's psyche to have been through that, and they may simply not know how to communicate that winning attitude without having been around it.

As far as talent not always breeding leadership, believe me, as a watcher of the Bruins (Joe Thornton) I know what you mean. However, there is something to be said for lessons learned while having to constantly play against teams who are the best of the best. Additionally, that type of experience tends to expose which players are the talent-only, and which players are the talented leaders that work hard.

[Stemmer]

SpongeBob,

Agreed on the dynamics of recruiting! Had the chance to learn a lot of what goes on there with D1 recruits from a number of sources, including one very close to home and others with our favorite program.

I've seen and heard a lot around here the past few years regarding HS football kids being recruited and yes, that's as personal as it gets.

You're right about the value of experiencing winning; its so true. When you hear a coach say, "we haven't yet learned how to win," he's saying a lot. I learned that painful lesson when I started coaching HS hockey a few years ago...talk about discipline, maturity and leadership !

And the concept you mention about exposing the ones with only talent is true big time! We lost our most talented kid this year in mid-season and it has been addition by subtraction because of the way he affected the younger kids.

[chuck]

SR,
Points well taken. Thanks.

[daredevilcu]

Does anyone think the early season success might have gone to the heads of some of the younger players, particularly freshmen? They may have fallen off a little toward November/December but the Ottawa stomping of SLU might have also contributed to overconfidence and a feeling that the team is more talented than they need to be to win at this level. Regardless, I cannot wait for Friday -- several cheers that the Pep Band was yelling at goaltender Dave McKee were stymied by the Cornell staff, and I am looking forward to letting them fly in full force at Cheel this weekend.

[coolhandtouc]

Doesn't leadership come from the coaches? Wouldn't players look to the coaches when things were tough?
To a mild degree, maybe early success went to the heads of more than just the freshmen.

[Todd '86]

Wouldn't losing seven of eight have just the opposite effect?

[daredevilcu]

Right... I agree, the first couple games were a result of maybe a slight overconfidence, but now it's probably this... If any of you checked out the CHF interview with Josh Bartell, color commentator alongside Bob Ahfeld, I think he hit it on the head. The goals aren't coming, the players are getting frustrated and impatient, and it's making them release shots a split-second too quickly, resulting in posts, near misses, and ridiculous saves by goalies that they otherwise wouldn't have had a chance on. If they settle down, quit trying to make the PERFECT pass and the PERFECT shot all really quickly, just put some shots on goal rather than hit the corners exactly, the goals will start coming back.

[Goldie Knight]

Tuesday, February 7, 2006 10:30 PM

When the Golden Knights are on the road, sometimes Josh Bartell accompanies Bob Ahlfeld and provides the radio commentary. He also does this for Clarkson's home games, but I never get to to listen to him because I am always at Cheel Arena. Josh was himself a Clarkson Golden Knight from 1992 through 1996. He has a brilliant hockey mind. I personally feel this is exactly what the Golden Knights' problem is regarding scoring. I have the utmost respect for Josh, and I believe he has answered a question a lot of us have deliberated.

Also, Coach George Roll was hired in April, 2003, as Clarkson's head coach. He replaced Coach Fred Parker. However, a lot of players had already committed to come to Clarkson prior to George's arrival. Those members of this year's junior class are

Nathan Beausoleil
Matt Curley
Mike Sullivan
Max Kolu
Brodie Rutherglen
Kyle McNulty
Jamie McKinven
Michael Grenzy

After George's arrival, one of his recruits was the unforgettable Matt Nickerson. Although Matt only played for Clarkson for one year, it was definitely a memorable one.

By the way, we only have two remaining seniors, Chris Breckelmans and Jeff Genovy, who began with this year's senior class. That class originally included eight players.

Whatever the reasons are for our pathetic record lately, there is no question that the Golden Knights have to change and change immediately. I still have hope we will begin the first round of the playoffs at Cheel Arena on March 3.

Technically, I think the current freshmen and sophomores are the Golden Knights who are the actual choices made by the current coaches. Feel free to correct me if I mispoke.

beat little red.:)

[vicb]

Tuesday, February 7, 2006 10:30 PM

Also, Coach George Roll was hired in April, 2003, as Clarkson's head coach. He replaced Coach Fred Parker. However, a lot of players had already committed to come to Clarkson prior to George's arrival. Those members of this year's junior class are

Nathan Beausoleil
Matt Curley
Mike Sullivan
Max Kolu
Brodie Rutherglen
Kyle McNulty
Jamie McKinven
Michael Grenzy


........ Feel free to correct me if I mispoke.


Here is Rolls first recruiting class according to Chris Heisenbergs site and their committment date. Other than Grenzy all committed after George was announced as coach.

Matt Nickerson-RD (7/19/03)
%Aaron Fox-RW (6/30/03)
%Emerson Mish-RD (6/30/03)
%Billy Irish-Baker-LW (5/25/03)
%Nathan Beausoleil-RD (5/20/03)
%Lyon Porter-RW (5/1/03)
%Max Kolu-C (5/1/03)
%Mike Sullivan-C (5/1/03)
%Brodie Rutherglen-RW (5/1/03)
%Matthew Culey-D (5/1/03)
%Chris Cross-LC (5/1/03)
%Kyle McNulty-G (4/8/03)
%Michael Grenzy-LD (2/4/02)

[andy]

what goldie said is partially right....those players, other than grenzy, were all recruited by roll, but remember one thing: recruiting is a 'year-round' process and a LOT of it is done 'during' the season.
Roll was hired *after* the season ended and he had to scramble to basically get what was still left over. Considering that, landing players like Sullivan, for example, was a pretty good achievement.
However, I would consider the past two classes (the current freshmen and sophomores) as more a FULL roll/drechsel/houle recruiting class in that they were the result of what a full-time coach who is there from day one can do. The jr. class was basically a respectable 'catch up' group.

[Goldie Knight]

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 3:30 PM

Thanks to you folks who posted additional information about the recruits.

Vic, there are four named recruits that I never remember hearing about at Clarkskon.

Aaron Fox
Emerson Mish
Billy Irish-Baker
Chris Cross

Did they attend another university?

I do believe that Fred Parker and his assistant coaches. Mike and Jason, did the recruiting during the one season when Fred replaced Mark Morris. Throughout that season, no one really knew who the coach would be during the subsequent season. I also remember hearing that some recruits were lost to Clarkson because of the disarray of the hockey program after Mark Morris left.

beat little red:)

[MikeR]

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 3:30 PM


Aaron Fox
Emerson Mish
Billy Irish-Baker
Chris Cross

Did they attend another university?



http://goldenknightshockey.com/roundtable/showpost.php?p=9000&postcount=15

Emerson Mish is playing for Cortland St.
Chris Cross....disappeared
after Aaron Fox's stint with the Athens Aeros he played for the South Grenville Jr. B Rangers

[vicb]

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 3:30 PM

Thanks to you folks who posted additional information about the recruits.

Vic, there are four named recruits that I never remember hearing about at Clarkskon.

Aaron Fox
Emerson Mish
Billy Irish-Baker
Chris Cross

Did they attend another university?

I do believe that Fred Parker and his assistant coaches. Mike and Jason, did the recruiting during the one season when Fred replaced Mark Morris. Throughout that season, no one really knew who the coach would be during the subsequent season. I also remember hearing that some recruits were lost to Clarkson because of the disarray of the hockey program after Mark Morris left.

beat little red:)

Billy Irish Baker is playing Div I hockey with his brother at I think Canisius. Too lazy to look it up. Not sure if he ever came to Clarkson.