First Round of Playoffs vs. UVM

[tbch13]

Well, anyone want to place bets...or guesses on what the outcome will be. I think we will do it but in 3 games. Unfortunately the incident two years ago when we were at the top of the ECAC and we lost to them, keeps coming into my mind:rolleyes: let's hope that we can have payback time.

[Lil Elwood]

This will definitely be Payback Weekend. Conshafter's mastery over the Knights ends on Friday and we will score at least 4 goals in each game of the series. I'm looking for Matt S to play big and physical like he did against Princeton and for Desrochers and Blight to keep up the productivity. Let's Go Tech! Beat the Elephant Walkers!

[vicb]

My concern with this series is two fold. First; how does the team solve Conshafter. We continually do poorly scoring against the guy for what whatever reason.

Second, and of coarse I hate to sound like a broken record but the undisciplined penalties have to stop. We turned 2 wins into 2 ties this weekend with the undisciplined penalties. I'm not saying you can't take any penalties but taking hooking and interference penalties behind the play and taking retaliation penalties for things the referee missed are what I am talking about. BTW our Penalty kill has not been what it was earlier in the season and we seem to be giving up a lot more PP goals lately. Anyway, play with discipline and desire and we should beat these guys.

Any word on whether McFetters will be back or Scuderi?

And I have to say whatever Fred Parker has done to Desrocher he better bottle it. Jean was all over the ice in both games this weekend. Just a break here or there and he could have had a couple of more goals. Keep up the hard work Jean.

[joecct]

Vic

Discipline & Desire.

When did they show up this season? I've missed them.

Joe

[tbch13]

Vic, Parker has done wonders with Jean, just like we have seen...great kid with lots of raw skill.

I'm hoping Ken Scuderi will be in the lineup, so we have two lines of D's for sure. I thought I had heard he was going to be, which is great because we have definitly missed his surity.
Not sure if Rob McFeeters will be in the lineup...anyone heard yet?

[placid]

is it really 'payback time' if 7th place Clarkson beats 10th place Vermont'? only real payback will be if Vermont's ever a no 1 seed and a No 12 Clarkson wins its first series and then upsets the catamounts.

[vicb]

Originally posted by placid
..........a No 12 Clarkson wins its first series and then upsets the catamounts.


Bite your tongue Placid :) . I'd better not ever live to see the day we are a 12th seed in this league.

[Pete]

Originally posted by vicb
Bite your tongue Placid :) . I'd better not ever live to see the day we are a 12th seed in this league.

Being the 7th seed is hard enough to take.:mad:

[Lil Elwood]

I consider the first time we see Vermont in the playoffs since the upset a chance for payback. It's not exactly the same scenario, I'll give you that. But if it's not enough to provide motivation for the team, then the results could be similar to 2001. I'm banking on the fact that the Knights seize the opportunity and really take it to the Cats.

Let's Go Tech!

[chuck]

I agree with Placid... this cannot be payback time. We've been talking about payback for 2 years and we'll never be able to get that revenge on the cats. Winning this weekend will be just doing what is expected. My boss is a UVM grad and the only time sweet revenge will be had will be when UVM is expected and hopes to go far and we end it, but as vic says I hope I never see the day when Tech is a 12th seed (unfortunately with a new era upon us I'm afraid it's closer than we think).

[Goldie Knight]

Monday, March 3, 2003 9:30 AM

If I remember correctly, Ken Scuderi was supposed to have his arm/wrist cast removed the week of February 23.

Robbie McFeeters's picture was in last week's Courier Observer. He was involved with the Skate with a Knight program on Wednesday, February 26. Does anyone know how Robbie got a concussion?

Robbie was responsible for ending the ECAC Division I Men's College hockey fifth longest game on March 10, 2001. It was Game 2 of the ECAC Quarterfinals at Cheel. #10 UVM had defeated #1 Clarkson 5 - 3 in the first game of those quarterfinals the night before. Game 2 had only seven seconds left in the second overtime when Robbie unleashed the black bullet over Conshafter's left shoulder at 99:53 to win the game for Clarkson.

Tragically, the next night UVM player Graham Mink drove Mike Walsh to the ice, and in the process removed Mike's helmet. Mike was knocked unconscious and required 14 stitches to close the gash on his head. Truly shocking was the fact that no penalty was ever called against UVM. Karl Matteson came in to finish the game for Clarkson, and we lost 3 - 2 to the 10th place Catamounts. Our season was over, but it will never be forgotten.

Here are my four "D" words for this weekend.

1. DESIRE
2. DISCIPLINE
3. DETERMINATION
4. DEFENSE

LET'S GO TECHERS, ON TO TWO VICTORIES OVER THE KITTY CATS.

[CU on the ice]

Hope CK will focus on good hockey not on getting back/revenge against VT. This is a new game and a new team --put the past where it is. As others have mentioned, dicipline-- we continue to need it.


After this weekend with no game losses it looks promising the guys must be focused. They probably are more aware of what they are cabable of doing under maximum pressure and have the confidence to stay focused with passion. :)

[RPI]

Jean is one hell of a hockey player, he was just never given the chance to prove himself for more than one game, can't get your confidence back that way. He was mentally beat to death before... thank you Parker for bring Jean back to life.

[BrownEyedGirl]

I came across this quote and am wondering if there is any way to get it to the Golden Knights!!:)

"It's the attitude of the players, not their skills, that is the biggest factor in determining whether you win or lose." Harry Sinden

If they play smart, and play like they want to win and don't take stupid penalties I think we have a good chance of winning this weekend. Yes this team has a lot of talent, ( we argure on here to much as to whether the team is talented or not) but, their skills alone can't win a game for us.

Good luck this weekend boys, go into the games with pure determination and we're pretty much guaranteed to win! ( I hope).

Lets Go Tech...beat the Cats!

[vicb]

Originally posted by Goldie Knight
Robbie McFeeters's picture was in last week's Courier Observer. He was involved with the Skate with a Knight program on Wednesday, February 26. Does anyone know how Robbie got a concussion?


According to Bob Ahfeld on the Friday Knight Pregame show, Rob received the concussion or has concussion like symptoms from a hit late in the Princeton contest.

[Goldie Knight]

Tuesday, March 4, 2003 7 PM

We just returned from Cheel Arena, and the news concerning two of our Golden Knights is very encouraging. I spoke with both Ken Scuderi and Robbie McFeeters. And I am delighted to report they will both be playing against the Kitty Cats this weekend.

It is also very true that Fred Parker has withdrawn his name from the five finalists being considered for the head coaching position. I am most always uncritical of things that occur at Clarkson, but the circumstances surrounding Fred's decision to withdraw his name are simply deplorable and unacceptable. The head coach is the one who should be making the decisions about who is excused from practices, as the team is ultimately his responsibility.

Let's hope the team puts forth a concerted effort this weekend and gives Vermont more than they can handle.

UVM has lost four consecutive games...let's add two to more their list.

BEAT THE KITTY CATS!

[Todd '86]

To quote David Letterman,

"HERE, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY!"

Put the 'Cats out, TECH!

[CU on the ice]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Todd '86
[B]To quote David Letterman,

"HERE, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY!"

Now that's the attitude we need! ha ha ha

[Goldie Knight]

Thursday, March 6, 2003 4:45 PM

Just a quick note......Bob Ahlfeld interviewed Coach Parker briefly on the radio today. Fred said for the first time in quite a while all the Golden Knights were healthy for this weekend's games at Cheel.

As Clarkson lost to the Catamounts in Burlington on St. Valentine's Day, it seems logical to me that the Golden Knights will remember just how hard they have to work in order to beat those Vermont Varmints......and in two games please.

BEAT THE KITTY CATS!

[Stemmer]

Originally posted by Goldie Knight
Thursday, March 6, 2003 4:45 PM

it seems logical to me that the Golden Knights will remember just how hard they have to work in order to beat those Vermont Varmints......and in two games please.

BEAT THE KITTY CATS!

Goldie, I agree with you but....

as one who has played the game...and coached...and just finished my first season coaching HS kids...

it's not about logic...its about committment, attitude, discipline, and teamwork...all of which have been sorely lacking this year.

Can we hope they all are present tomorrow? Absolutely

Should we count on it? Glad I'm not a betting man...:rolleyes:

[vicb]

Don't forget to get your picks in on my ECAC Pick the Playoffs Contest on USCHO. It is in the Div I Forum. Join in people.

As for Vermont, glad to see we will have a full team and I bet they will be raring to go. LGT

[Todd '86]

I see Blaeser & Moy have Clarkson picked to sweep the Cats this weekend. Noticed too that at the bottom of the article, where they mention Potsdam, there is a link to the Potsdam State Bears page. Wonder if THEY'RE making a statement about Tech's play this year......

[Goldie Knight]

Last weekend, those folks chose both Harvard and Brown to defeat Clarkson.

So, it hopefully follows, that this weekend their choices will be correct.

NO CATS NO!

GOOD LUCK, CLARKSON GOLDEN KNIGHTS

[vicb]

Well not much to say. Play the first 5 min of the game and the last 5 min of the game just ain't gonna cut it. Too bad Bahen fell in the last min to give Vt the empty net goal. Well it's still a 3 game series. Go get em tomorrow or else.

[mccullmw]

I'm speechless about tonight's game. Absolutely speechless.

That was not playoff hockey.

That was not first game of the season hockey.

Anyone else in attendance feel the same way?

[Rocketman]

One of the best indicators of the caliber of a team is how it does in close games. Down the stretch in August and September the admonition is to always watch the team that consistently wins the one run ball games.

If we apply this to Clarkson this year, and discount empty net goals, we see that Clarkson's record on one goal games is a dismal 4-12.

The bottom line is that this team is simply not good.

[Freeze]

The Fat Lady is getting the vocal chords warmed up. Let's get this season over with already and move on.

HIRE SOMEBODY! How difficult a decision can it be to choose between 4 ex assistant coaches? Analysis Paralysis!

[CU on the ice]

postive thinking...
we know how the kitty cats play... lets pounce on them tonight! we need to play off the fire that held us in the game with 30 sec. to go.

maybe i am out of the loop, why was the rink so empty?

lets go tech!

[Goldie Knight]

Saturday, March 8, 2003 11:45 AM

Cheel Arena probably had its lowest attendance ever last knight...a few above 1,500. Both Union and Colgate had over 2,000 fans, but the Brown/Princeton series drew around 900. There are numerous reasons for this, some of which I won't go into today. The one I will mention is that students were required to pay $4 for a ticket, and show their identification in order to be admitted. That always reduces attendance at the playoff games. The enthusiasm of the CU students invariably adds a special aura to Cheel.

I am very sick of hearing that absurb chant, "Go Cats Go", so the Golden Knights need to eliminate any reason to hear that toknight.

The Golden Knights also need to motivate themselves and play as a team for sixty minutes, or they will say goodbye for their worst season in ages. I wondered if there was something wrong with the ice last night because of the number of hockey players who slipped and fell evidently over nothing.

I also found it interesting that US College Hockey on line featured an article concerning the four finalists for the Clarkson head hockey coaching position. Only one picture was shown and that was of George Roll. What does that suggest to you folks?

The bottom line is........

NO CATS NO........NO MORE VICTORIES FOR YOU.

[placid]

reason roll was the only person pictures is simple: uscho has EVERY head coaches mug shot on file, they are on the pages for each team. He's the only person who is a head coach, hence he's the only picture they could put up with very little effort on their part. i wouldnt read inot it any more than that

[joecct]

Freeze

You can't hire anyone from outside the program while that coach is still involved in the season. Assistants can be hired now, but if Roll is the guy, then common courtesy says wait till Oswego is eliminated from post season play.

An a second note, how long do we continue to support this group of players? Yes, I know it's the Alma Mater and all that, but loyalty is a two way street. Give 100% and I'll support you 100%. To me, the loyalty meter is a bit low.

Joe

[Chaz]

Normally I won't say to much in regards to the play of the Knights. This is an exception. This club seems to lack the chemistry to play as a cohesive unit. Last night's game surely was evidence of this. They looked like they a bunch of kids playing in a pick-up street hockey game. One gentleman sitting behind me made the comment, "I feel like I'm watching a very bad high school team". By this time of the year, these guys have been playing and practicing together for nearly five solid months. If they haven't learned how to play together by now, it's not going to happen. Bottom line......it's just not there. Sad thing is, it's not going to get any better for next year. Whoever is chosen as Clarkson's next head coach is going to have to scramble together some recruits and at this stage of the recruiting game, it's too late to find quality student/athletes.

[Richard Beeler]

I am trying to figure out what attitude I should assume while listening to toKnight's game. At the present moment, I am looking at it this way: I will NOT listen with a defeatist attitude because I have not done that in over 50 years and I am not going to start toKnight! On the other hand, if I were ever to throw in the towel before the final whistle of the season, NOW would be as good a time as any. If only 1500 or so decided that live Clarkson home playoff hockey was better than another night of TV, this is about as low as fan support has been in my memory. Clarkson fans are no different from any others in that they like to see the good guys win, but they will also go to see good hockey. This year has produced few wins and even fewer games in the Golden Knights played in a manner that was in keeping with the grand tradition. Both of these facts make me sad, but the second makes me sadder than the first.

The season will probably be remembered more for the nature of the coaching change than for the team's record, but the two are undoubdtedly connected. It is a chicken and egg dilemma to figure out which one had the biggest influence on the other. Both of them leave a bad taste in my mouth. Neither is an example of what Clarkson hockey is, and always has been, about. We are a small school playing with class among the big boys. We are always good -- sometimes we approach true greatness. Our fans are loud, loyal and learned. Our band is the best, period. From our rafters hang the visible proof of what has been accomplished with these teams and these fans. It has been nearly three decades since a Clarkson team amassed more losses than wins. That is a truly remarkable achievement -- and a great statement about the consistently marvelous thing that Clarkson hockey has been.

I want this season to be over so that the new coach can start to reconstruct the image that the two words, Clarkson hockey, bring to mind. But I do not want it to be over bad enough to wish for a UVM victory toKnight. Is this a horrible moment? You better believe it is, no matter how long you have been a Clarkson fan. But the fat lady is still silent. A win -- and another tomorrow -- and we get a fresh chance. So what if that chance means that we, or somebody else, is going to have to beat the #2 team in the country to make it to the big dance!! We are still alive and as long as we are,next year will just have to wait!

What I will listen for toKnight is any indication that the Green and Gold are playing with the effort and attitude that have always been hallmarks of Clarkson hockey. I will be very interested to hear the size of the crowd. I will also be interested to hear whether or not our fans can drown out the Let's Go Cats cheers. I will care about the final score -- Hell, I am a Clarkson fan!! -- but my fondest hope is that, win or lose, we play -- and cheer -- in a manner befitting the best of Clarkson hockey.

LETS GO TECH!!!

[mccullmw]

One explaination for the lack of attendance could be the fact that students have to pay to get in. Everyone I have talked to doesn't want to pay 12 dollars to sit at a hockey game, particularly this season. Standing room tickets are only $4, but still. Students always have to show their ID to get in (unless the person at the entrance recognizes you), but don't have to pay.

I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure that last season, reserved seating was only $8 for students. Granted, there was attendance last season because we were #2 and playing SLU(t).

The performance last night was terrible. The team played the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes of the game. The rest of the time they skated around and kind of hit the puck when it came to them. At one point in the game, I turned to someone behind me and said, "I think they need to do a few 6AM passing drills tomorrow."

I'm going to the game tonight hoping that it is not like last night. Something has to get these guys going.

[Richard Beeler]

Everyone I have talked to doesn't want to pay 12 dollars to sit at a hockey game, particularly this season.



That's OK. If it isn't worth $12 to these people to see a Clarkson home playoff hockey game, I don't think that the team needs them there anyway. I have NO idea what their interests are, but they are NOT Clarkson hockey fans. Clarkson hockey fans are the people who drove from Potsdam to Colorado Springs in March of 1957 -- without tickets -- and stood in the cold outside the Broadmoor Ice Palace just to be near the Golden Knights when Eddie Rowe's goal at 5:12 of
overtime beat Harvard, 2-1, for 3rd place in the NCAA's. THESE were hockey fans.

This may very well be the last game in the careers of the Seniors on this year's team. To those on the fence on this issue: You have an hour and a half to make up your mind. SPEND THE 12 BUCKS!!!

LETS GO TECH!!!

[fleet]

Bluto: What?! Over? Did you say over? NOTHING is over until WE
decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
HELL, NO!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.
Bluto: It ain't over now! For when the goin' gets
tough,..............the tough get going! Who's with me!? LET'S GO!
C'MON! OOOOOOOOOOOO! :o :o :o

Following Clarkson hockey for almost 25 years, I figured a quote from this 25 year old movie was appropriate. All we need is to start a 10 game winning streak toKnight and:

1. We have a winning record for the season :)
2. We avoid the first Clarkson 20 game loss season EVER :mad:
3. and best of all we'd be ECAC & NCAA Champions :D

Ok, maybe a stretch, but it isn't time to throw in the towel on home ice. Where are the fans - only 1500 - come on. Let's at least support the team and beat the Cats!

[Todd '86]

The coffin on this season is now closed. UVM wins 6-1.

What a nightmare, but the nightmare is over.

[Stemmer]

embaressing...pathetic...awful. The "leaders" on this team should be ashamed of themselves.

Are you happy now Denny? :rolleyes:

[vicb]

What a difference. This was no 6-1 game, just ended up that way. We dominate Vermont for 40 min, get screwed by the ref on 2 calls that turns a 1-0 lead into a 2-1 deficit and we never recover. Big problem in this game that hurt us all year was our inability to take advantage of numerous scoring chances in the first and second period. The third period was just a synopsis of the season. We get behind and things just spiral out of control.

Well, our first 20 loss season IN THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM. Major bummer. I will say though I thought we at least played with some heart and determination tonight. Unfortunately it was not enough. Thanks to the seniors. Sorry it ended this way.

Thanks to Fred Parker, Mike McCourt and Jason Lammers. You guys deserved better. Now we wait for the new coach.

[Bushwhacker]

Congratulations to the Clarkson administration on wrapping up their first ever season at the helm of the Hockey Team. Pretty good job - first 20 loss season, first losing season in...I'd lost count, ran one coach out of town, alienated another, probably destroyed the morale of any players on the team that had charcter to begin with - I'm sure there were many.

All in all a pretty good inaugural campaign. Now I'm sure there are at least four gentlemen who are wondering if the administration performing the Head Coaching duties is something that will go on in the future or if it was just a one year experiment. You think Mark Morris' reputation kept good players from coming to Potsdam, eh, these clowns will be lucly to land Roll, no shot at all at anyone with a D1 track record.

You know, we talk so much about this stuff that sometimes it doesn't sink in just how ridiculous things have gotten - a little reminder:

PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!
PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!
PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!
PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!
PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!
PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!
PLAYERS MISSED PRACTICE THE WEEK OF THE PLAYOFFS TO INTERVIEW COACHING CANDIDATES!!!!

Remember, don't miss the denny Brown farewell tour, coming soon to a city near you!

[mccullmw]

Worst.

Game.

Ever.

I'm disgusted. I'll still be a Clarkson Hockey fan for life, but I'm absolutely disgusted by this team. Major changes better come this off-season or I'm going to spend alot of time screaming at my roommate's Zach Schwan jersey next year.

[Richard Beeler]

I had a terrible dream this evening. I dreamed that Clarkson finished 7th in the weakest of the 4 major leagues and then lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2 straight games -- the second one by a score of 6-1 -- to the team that finished 10th. The coach on the bench for those two games was not the coach who started the season. HE got fired for hitting one of his own players during a scrimmage and was now suing the university for 11 million dollars.

God, I am glad that it was only a dream.

It was a dream, wasn't it?

[Bushwhacker]

...scream all you want, but keep your hands to yourself.

[Bushwhacker]

Dick, we might not wake up from this "dream" for years.

[mccullmw]

Yeah, the University may find out and expell me.

[Bushwhacker]

mccullmw,

Don't worry, the administration will be too buy working on line combinations for next year.

[Bushwhacker]

that should've been "too busy"

[Bushwhacker]

Clarkson in the ECAC Tournament First Round:

1990-2000 (21-0)
2001-2003 (3-4)

...A New Knight Is Upon Us! (No Sh!t)

[AJM o' the Jolt]

I could tell we were finished when I saw this: We lost the puck in UVM's end (what else was new?) and Kevin O'Flaherty (the CAPTAIN) stopped skating and watched UVM score on the breakaway. He didn't even try to get back on defense.

Traylen was solid for the first two periods, but after the third UVM goal he completely broke down. His captain giving up sure didn't help him any.

I think we should have let Walshy suit up as a skater. He would have given UVM some payback for the infamous cheap shot of two years ago. He's a tough player and a good guy; I hope he catches on somewhere.

Here's to a good season next year, and a draw of someone other than UVM in the playoffs.

[Freeze]

Joe,

Alabama hired the Washington St. head football coach before their season ended. He finished the year coaching the Cougars in the Rose Bowl. It is not unprecendented. Next year's recruiting class is a loss. This program will be down for the next 2 years minimum. This is a Division 1 hockey program with a Division 3 mentality.

[Richard Beeler]

And for me, it just get's worse .......

Union (my alma mater and hockey safety school) outshoots the hated Cherry and White in the third period, 14 - 4, but gives up two shorthanded goals in 50 seconds (same player, same two assists, same shift -- ever heard of that before?) and joins the Knights on the golf course.:( :mad:

[Stemmer]

Never in my worst nightmares did I think I'd hear or see the words "gave up" in the same sentence as the name "O'Flaherty". I hope that Uncle Bill did not have to suffer through watching that.

Both he and all Tech fans deserve better.

Guess we'll soon find out what it's like to experience serious "rebuilding" like so many others do far more often than us.

I'll tell ya this...just this week, I got my notice of this July's Hockey Alumni Reunion...trumpeting the arrival of a new logo. Hmmm....I think us alumni and all fans are more interested in something a tad more substantial! :mad:

[Richard Beeler]

Suggestion for new logo. Knight is replaced by Court Jester with arms raised in surrender.

What, me cynical?? Never!!

LET'S GO (play golf) TECH!!

[Chaz]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last night was fittingly an exclamation point to this season. Thankfully I've been spared having to shell out another $12 to witness what was supposed to be (but unfortunately fell far short of) Clarkson Hockey.