04/05 Champ? [Archive] - USCHO.com Fan Forum

spwood

11-23-2004, 04:23 PM

I see Plattsburgh's biggest obstacle to winning the title being the weekend trip to Elmira this year. As Elmira will tell you from experience last year, that weekend probably determines home ice for the ECAC Championship and probably some home ice issues in the NCAA tournament as well. That said, I still voted for the Cards to get it done this year. This group has gotten just a little farther every year.....this year they get over the hump and win the NCAA title...

uvmcats

11-24-2004, 01:11 AM

OK, I've now seen Middlebury, Plattsburgh and Manhattanville. My two cents: Manhattanville is the most talented top to bottom. They play, however, more as individuals than do Middlebury and Plattsburgh. Manhattanville challenges every puck regardless of ice location which is a big asset in my view. Constant pressure creates turnovers. Excellent team speed. If Manhattanville ever fully plays as a team, I don't see Platty or Midd beating them.

Middlebury plays most like a team right now. They had great puck movement and really use the back door. They also are more likely to hang a forward to force a team out of normal offensive sets. They are disciplined and see the ice better than the other two. Their passes in the offensive zone always seem to create danger. I didn't get to see their number #1 goalie so I don't really know how much of a wall she is.

Plattsburgh has some great players also. Clarke, Taylor and Gibson know where to go with the puck. I didn't think the team has the same overall speed as Midd or M-ville but they do in their first two lines. I didn't think their defense moved or handled the puck as well as the other two teams.

My guess if they were to play today would be a slight edge to Middlebury. I think M-ville should be the superior team by season's end. Plattsburgh will be there but I don't think they have the same depth of the others.

Will see RPI, Elmira, Utica and Williams later this season.