Rpi 2008 - 2009

[hab]

I can imagine that it will be a very happy bus trip back to Troy this evening as the Engineers savour a 4 point weekend against the Bobcats and Tigers, and find themselves tied with Dartmouth and St. Lawrence on top of the ECAC :cool: . Four weeks off now before they head out west for a couple of games and then into a second half conference schedule that will be tougher than the first half. CONGRATULATIONS RPI! :D

[GRussinko]

Wow, what a weekend...it's a great time to be a fan of this team. Two exciting games and two wins on the road, what more can we ask for?

Quinnipiac is indeed better than you'd guess from looking at their record. They played with a lot of heart and worked hard all game, outshooting the Engineers and taking fewer penalties to boot. But they were unable to net a second goal, even with nearly a minute of extra attacker time following an RPI penalty at the end of the game, and the Engineers came out with a 2-1 win.

The Princeton game looked a lot tougher (from the stands at least). Besides the officiating (which was a bit lopsided in Princeton's favor), Princeton was a much tougher, grittier team to play against. After an early Princeton goal in the first, RPI answered right back and got one of their own before the midway point of the period. They proceeded to dominate play through the rest of the first and much of the second, going up 2-1 right after the intermission.

Princeton started mounting a strong effort to come back throughout the latter half of the second, including a couple of Tiger powerplays, but a late goal by RPI sent them to the locker room with a 3-1 lead. The score had nearly been 2-2 on a Princeton goal but it was immediately waved off by the ref behind the goal for being played with a high stick.

RPI had to weather a storm in the third period as Princeton tried their hardest to get back in the game, trapping RPI in their own zone for much of the period and peppering Van der Bliek with shots. They only managed one powerplay goal in the middle of the frame and couldn't find the game tying goal despite nearly 3 minutes of extra attacker time, 2 of it on an RPI penalty giving the Tigers a 6 on 4 advantage. 3-1 final.

Now for some downtime heading into the holidays before heading out west for games against North Dakota and St. Cloud. I think the nonconference games will be a good thing, giving the team a chance to get back into the swing of things before facing Princeton and Quinnipiac again at home and heading into the home stretch of the conference schedule.

Some tougher games coming up, yes, but I feel like this team can skate with anyone in the ECAC, and am looking forward to seeing what they can do in the second half.

Let's go red!

[rpi82]

McDonald and Mayr didn't dress on Friday. I assume they are injured. Does anyone know their status?

A few other comments about the Quinnipiac game. Harrison and Naslund were easily the two most impressive forwards on the ice. Gersten was solid on defense and Daniels looks very skilled, although it seems a bit odd to see a player that really looks no taller than 5' on defense.

Perhaps the most impressive player, however, was van der Bliek. Admittedly she wasn't overly tested by the Bobcats, but she seems very confident in net. The goal she gave up appeared to go off a player screening just above the crease. The highlight of the afternoon was a 3rd period save she made while down to the left of her net. The puck came out to a Quinnipiac forward between the circles that spun around and released a shot headed for the center of the goal. Somehow VDB saw the puck and while still sprawled on the ice threw out a leg to make the save.

[Ralph Baer]

If they can put together a strong weekend against Princeton and Quinnipiac (after a weekend off) I would expect to see them get some top 10 votes. You called that correctly. The team got three points in the USCHO poll.

[Ralph Baer]

Sonja van der Bliek won the ECAC GOTW. http://www.rpiathletics.com/news/2008/12/8/WICE_1208081308.aspx?path=whock. Naslund and Harrison made the honor roll.

[hab]

You called that correctly. The team got three points in the USCHO poll.

Glad you noticed because I don't often call these things right. The Easton Showcase in St. Cloud should be a real sorting-out for four teams who have been hovering just outside the top ten: RPI, Wayne State, North Dakota, and St. Cloud. If anyone can come away with two wins they ought to find their way into the top ten. I would love to be able to see these games, and this is the closest that RPI comes to my neck of the woods...a mere 1200 miles away :rolleyes: .

[Jersey]

Wow, what a weekend...it's a great time to be a fan of this team. Two exciting games and two wins on the road, what more can we ask for?

Quinnipiac is indeed better than you'd guess from looking at their record. They played with a lot of heart and worked hard all game, outshooting the Engineers and taking fewer penalties to boot. But they were unable to net a second goal, even with nearly a minute of extra attacker time following an RPI penalty at the end of the game, and the Engineers came out with a 2-1 win.

The Princeton game looked a lot tougher (from the stands at least). Besides the officiating (which was a bit lopsided in Princeton's favor), Princeton was a much tougher, grittier team to play against. After an early Princeton goal in the first, RPI answered right back and got one of their own before the midway point of the period. They proceeded to dominate play through the rest of the first and much of the second, going up 2-1 right after the intermission.

Princeton started mounting a strong effort to come back throughout the latter half of the second, including a couple of Tiger powerplays, but a late goal by RPI sent them to the locker room with a 3-1 lead. The score had nearly been 2-2 on a Princeton goal but it was immediately waved off by the ref behind the goal for being played with a high stick.

RPI had to weather a storm in the third period as Princeton tried their hardest to get back in the game, trapping RPI in their own zone for much of the period and peppering Van der Bliek with shots. They only managed one powerplay goal in the middle of the frame and couldn't find the game tying goal despite nearly 3 minutes of extra attacker time, 2 of it on an RPI penalty giving the Tigers a 6 on 4 advantage. 3-1 final.

Now for some downtime heading into the holidays before heading out west for games against North Dakota and St. Cloud. I think the nonconference games will be a good thing, giving the team a chance to get back into the swing of things before facing Princeton and Quinnipiac again at home and heading into the home stretch of the conference schedule.

Some tougher games coming up, yes, but I feel like this team can skate with anyone in the ECAC, and am looking forward to seeing what they can do in the second half.

Let's go red!
I watched this game in the lovely confines of the Baker Rink and IMHO, RPI got away with quite a bit. Lots of crosschecks in front of the net went uncalled. RPI got a great effort from their goalie. She stayed square to the shooter at all times. Princeton needed a bounce or two to go their way, but to no avail. The Engineers are a good team and I'm not surprised at their place in the standings. Hopefully the Tigers will turn things around in Duluth

[Ralph Baer]

Glad you noticed because I don't often call these things right.

I figured that you are one of the voters. :D Just kidding.

[hab]

Finally some RPI news from the recruits thread. Apparently Andrea LeDonne, a D from Durham Jr. Lightning of the Ontario PWHL is coming to RPI. With 6 seniors on this year's team (2 goalies, 2 forwards, one defence, and one F/D), I hope we will see some more news soon.

[Ralph Baer]

Finally some RPI news from the recruits thread. Apparently Andrea LeDonne, a D from Durham Jr. Lightning of the Ontario PWHL is coming to RPI. With 6 seniors on this year's team (2 goalies, 2 forwards, one defence, and one F/D), I hope we will see some more news soon.

Yes, finally. I was getting concerned. http://www.dwgha.com/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=3918&leagueID=12408&teamID=175109&playerID=446614 Hopefully, the other spots will also be filled soon.

[Ralph Baer]

Her PWHL page http://www.pwhl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=2285&leagueID=5478&teamID=170803&playerID=252820. I guess she plays in two different leagues. Does anyone know? Here her stat line is given as 14-0-4-4-22.

[Top Row]

Hey Ralph, I hope you don't mind if I hi-jack this thread for a moment to extend an invitation to all RPI, Wayne State, and North Dakota fans making the trip to the Easton Holiday Classic to attend a pre-game social hosted by the Center Ice Club on Saturday, January 3 from 2-4:00 PM at the White Horse Restaurant located on St. Germain Street in downtown St. Cloud. If anyone has questions, please feel free to contact me.

Okay...carry on...thank you.

[rpi82]

Finally some RPI news from the recruits thread. Apparently Andrea LeDonne, a D from Durham Jr. Lightning of the Ontario PWHL is coming to RPI. With 6 seniors on this year's team (2 goalies, 2 forwards, one defence, and one F/D), I hope we will see some more news soon.

At 5'10" she's a fitting replacement (physically at least) for Boik.

[Ralph Baer]

On Saturday, the Durham Lightning lost to the Stoney Creek Sabres 7-2. Andrea LeDonne had a tripping penalty. http://www.pwhl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=2285&leagueID=5478&gameID=592567

LeDonne's line is now 15-0-4-4-24.

[ECCZamboni]

Hey Ralph, I hope you don't mind if I hi-jack this thread for a moment to extend an invitation to all RPI, Wayne State, and North Dakota fans making the trip to the Easton Holiday Classic to attend a pre-game social hosted by the Center Ice Club on Saturday, January 3 from 2-4:00 PM at the White Horse Restaurant located on St. Germain Street in downtown St. Cloud. If anyone has questions, please feel free to contact me.

Okay...carry on...thank you.

It will be interesting to see just how RPI does in this tournament. Yes, at the break they have to be pleased with their overall record, but if you look more closely, I only see wins over BU and Princeton as quality victories. The tie against Harvard can count also, but after that, what is there? Going out to Minnesota and winning those 2 games, (and it won't be easy), will help convince me that they're better than what I think they are.

[fanof the game]

Regarding Anrea LeDonne (Andie) I believe she has grown and is actually closer to 6' now. She is definitely a prescence on the ice!

[Ralph Baer]

On Sunday, the Durham Lightning beat the Cambridge Fury 3-2. Andrea LeDonne had no points or penalties. http://www.pwhl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=2285&leagueID=5478&gameID=592575

LeDonne's line is now 16-0-4-4-24.

[Ralph Baer]

On Saturday, the Durham Lightning beat the Etobicoke Dolphins 9-1. Andrea LeDonne had sn assist. http://www.pwhl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=2285&leagueID=5478&gameID=592581

LeDonne's line is now 17-0-5-5-24.

[Ralph Baer]

On Sunday, the Durham Lightning beat the Hamilton Hawks 4-3. Andrea LeDonne had an assist as well as body checking and boarding penalties. http://www.pwhl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=2285&leagueID=5478&gameID=592584

LeDonne's line is now 18-0-6-6-28.

[jericho]

Women go 1-1 in Minnesota with a 3-2 OT loss to UND and a 2-0 shutout of St. Cloud.