NESCAC 2016-2017 season

[shelfit]

From what I have seen, Conn appears to be fast and pretty deep, and they forecheck well, but they play too much of a perimeter game. They love to 'cycle' the puck endlessly in the corners, then settle for a weak shot from 30 feet out from a bad angle [preferably right at the goalie]. They don't go into the dirty areas of the ice nearly enough.... There is no net-front presence...no screens, no deflections, no rebounds. They will still be heard from this year, but they need to simplify their game, work harder, get into the paint and start scoring some dirty goals.

Sounds like they have all the tools to play good enough hockey. Unfortunately for them the tool behind bench doesn't know what to do and that has always been the program's prime area of failure.

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Goalie Neuberger was 20/20 and made Hlinka's 1st period score stand up as Middlebury (6-4-1 NESCAC) skated past Wesleyan (4-5-2 NESCAC) 1-0 this evening at the Spurrier-Snyder Rink in Middletown. The Panthers had an early chance with a 2x1, St. Clair on the left feds Aiello for a backhand in close, but Cardinal goalie Smith (37/38 on the night) made the stop. The winning goal came mid period. Sheline and Young were cycling in the left wing corner, Young broke toward the net and passed across to Hlinka, who made the catch and quick release forehand into the twine from the goalie Smith's gloveside. The 2nd saw both goalies trading saves. Smith made a nice glove stop on a screened shot by Navratil after a face off drawn to her at the top of the left circle about 3:00. Smith then robbed Sheline off a deflection of a Watson point powerplay drive. Panther goalie Neuberger returned the favor as the period ended with a big stop on Sholty from the slot. Neuberger was tested again a 6:00 of the 3rd when Carroll made a play at the blueline, stepping in on a breakout pass and launching a drive from the slot that Neuberger parried with the blocker. Smith came back at 17:40 stoning Panther Sheline in 1x0 at the top of the crease. The Cardinals did get the extra attacker on ice, but a penalty was assessed them and Hlinka's 1st period goal stood as the gamewinner.

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Middlebury special teams came alive this afternoon, cashing in 3 of 4 powerplay opportunties (entering the game 6/38 since the break) and blanking Wesleyan on their 3 powerplay chances, propelling the Panthers to a 4-2 win.
The Panthers struck early in the 1st. Winslow controlled the puck on the blue line, passing left to Winslow, over to Young top right circle. Cardinal goalie Smith kicked out Young's drive, but Portner was able to dish to Winslow in the low left circle and her wrister beat Smith up. Wesleyan evened the score with Nickolenko and Frattasio digging the puck from the right corner, along the end wall and to Sarosi who inserted the puck beneath Panther goalie Han. Middlebury regained the lead seconds later. Jennings sprang Young with a pass off the neutral zone side boards. Young put on speed down right wing and turned the D, then was in front of the net, deking stickside and moving Smith, before slipping a backhand into the crease gloveside of Smith. Wesleyan picked up the pace in the early 2nd and was getting time in the Panther zone the initial 5 or so minutes. Middlebury came back on mid 2nd. Smith made an excellent blocker parry of a wrist shot Watson launched from low in the right circle about 13: with the teams skating 4x4. Controversy erupted at 14:50 with Young coming out of the box, receiving the puck and in utterly alone on goalie Smith. The puck, Smith and Young ended up in the net. One of the refs was in position but did not immediately rule goal. Consultation with the other ref and linespeople resulted in a no goal call. I happened to see, after the game, a still photo taken as the play developed clearly showing the puck behind Smith prior to contact with Young. The Panthers added another powerplay goal as the period ended and the Wesleyan penalty was about to expire. Sherman passed up to Wulf in center ice and she fed left to Hlinka and a 2x1 developed. Hlinka moved slightly left with the puck on her forehand, had Wulf as an option to the right, but instead ripped a forehand beating Smith low to her gloveside. The teams traded 3rd period goals. On the powerplay, Watson passed from center blue line to Winslow on the right side. Winslow faked a pass across to Young and took a shot. Smith made the initial stop, but Portner put the rebound home from the top of the crease (congrats on career goal #1!). The Cardinals narrowed it to 4-2 minutes later. Banquer got the puck in deep, passed to Mangiafridda and she moved the puck out to Carroll at right D. Carroll's long low slap shot got through and beat Panther goalie Han low.
Here is the way it looks with 2 weekends left in the regular season.
Women's Ice Hockey Standings
Conference Overall
GP Record Win %
1 Connecticut College 9-4 0 .692
2 Hamilton 7-4-1 .625
3 Middlebury 7-4-1 .625
4 Amherst 5-3-4 .583
5 Williams 7-5-2 .571
6 Bowdoin 6-5-2 .538
7 Trinity 5-6-1 .458
8 Wesleyan 4-6-2 .417
9 Colby 0-13-1 .036

[CrossCheck]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Middlebury special teams came alive this afternoon, cashing in 3 of 4 powerplay opportunties (entering the game 6/38 since the break) and blanking Wesleyan on their 3 powerplay chances, propelling the Panthers to a 4-2 win.
The Panthers struck early in the 1st. Winslow controlled the puck on the blue line, passing left to Winslow, over to Young top right circle. Cardinal goalie Smith kicked out Young's drive, but Portner was able to dish to Winslow in the low left circle and her wrister beat Smith up. Wesleyan evened the score with Nickolenko and Frattasio digging the puck from the right corner, along the end wall and to Sarosi who inserted the puck beneath Panther goalie Han. Middlebury regained the lead seconds later. Jennings sprang Young with a pass off the neutral zone side boards. Young put on speed down right wing and turned the D, then was in front of the net, deking stickside and moving Smith, before slipping a backhand into the crease gloveside of Smith. Wesleyan picked up the pace in the early 2nd and was getting time in the Panther zone the initial 5 or so minutes. Middlebury came back on mid 2nd. Smith made an excellent blocker parry of a wrist shot Watson launched from low in the right circle about 13: with the teams skating 4x4. Controversy erupted at 14:50 with Young coming out of the box, receiving the puck and in utterly alone on goalie Smith. The puck, Smith and Young ended up in the net. One of the refs was in position but did not immediately rule goal. Consultation with the other ref and linespeople resulted in a no goal call. I happened to see, after the game, a still photo taken as the play developed clearly showing the puck behind Smith prior to contact with Young. The Panthers added another powerplay goal as the period ended and the Wesleyan penalty was about to expire. Sherman passed up to Wulf in center ice and she fed left to Hlinka and a 2x1 developed. Hlinka moved slightly left with the puck on her forehand, had Wulf as an option to the right, but instead ripped a forehand beating Smith low to her gloveside. The teams traded 3rd period goals. On the powerplay, Watson passed from center blue line to Winslow on the right side. Winslow faked a pass across to Young and took a shot. Smith made the initial stop, but Portner put the rebound home from the top of the crease (congrats on career goal #1!). The Cardinals narrowed it to 4-2 minutes later. Banquer got the puck in deep, passed to Mangiafridda and she moved the puck out to Carroll at right D. Carroll's long low slap shot got through and beat Panther goalie Han low.
Here is the way it looks with 2 weekends left in the regular season.
Women's Ice Hockey Standings
Conference Overall
GP Record Win %
1 Connecticut College 9-4 0 .692
2 Hamilton 7-4-1 .625
3 Middlebury 7-4-1 .625
4 Amherst 5-3-4 .583
5 Williams 7-5-2 .571
6 Bowdoin 6-5-2 .538
7 Trinity 5-6-1 .458
8 Wesleyan 4-6-2 .417
9 Colby 0-13-1 .036

As noted previously....Midd [and Amherst] are decent teams...but can't really beat any good team 5 on 5. The only way...the Only way they beat you is on the PP. Stay out of the box and they lose....[That's why Hammy...the least penalized team in the Conf. swept Midd and could do the same to the PC team formerly known as the Lordly Jeffs next weekend]. #1 seed props comes down to the final weekend in Whale City.

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

#1 seed props comes down to the final weekend in Whale City.

The #1 seed is huge. There was some buzz at Spurrier-Snyder that the NESCAC has decided Conn does not have a facility capable of hosting the finals and the highest seed surviving the quarterfinal round (that is not Conn) will be the host site for the NESCACs 2017 edition.

[CrossCheck]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

The #1 seed is huge. There was some buzz at Spurrier-Snyder that the NESCAC has decided Conn does not have a facility capable of hosting the finals and the highest seed surviving the quarterfinal round (that is not Conn) will be the host site for the NESCACs 2017 edition.

LOL...there was some "Buzz" at Wesly that Conn can't host the finals??...That's rich. I've heard that same garbage all year...always form the same unnamed "source" which is either a Midd or Wesly parent. There flat out is no such rule...Get over it ladies...there's a very good chance that the finals will be in Whale City...and The Camels at home are a very, very tough out.

[HockeyEast33]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

LOL...there was some "Buzz" at Wesly that Conn can't host the finals??...That's rich. I've heard that same garbage all year...always form the same unnamed "source" which is either a Midd or Wesly parent. There flat out is no such rule...Get over it ladies...there's a very good chance that the finals will be in Whale City...and The Camels at home are a very, very tough out.

As I posted elsewhere, I believe you are correct. The underlying theory is that if the rink is good enough for league play then it is good enough for the league tournament (not that I think that anyone except Conn College is looking forward to a tournament there because of the dressing rooms, bad layout, ice quality, etc.). I'm also not sure why Wesleyan folks would care - low chance they will be participating in the NESCAC final four.

If Conn were to win the NESCAC and move to the NCAA tourney as a host school (the latter probably not likely this season), then that might be a different discussion. The NCAA has clear rules on rink suitability for NCAA tournament games and it is definitely possible that Dayton may have some deficiencies against these rules (especially if they ever got to the point of hosting the NCAA final four).

[CrossCheck]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

As I posted elsewhere, I believe you are correct. The underlying theory is that if the rink is good enough for league play then it is good enough for the league tournament (not that I think that anyone except Conn College is looking forward to a tournament there because of the dressing rooms, bad layout, ice quality, etc.). I'm also not sure why Wesleyan folks would care - low chance they will be participating in the NESCAC final four.

If Conn were to win the NESCAC and move to the NCAA tourney as a host school (the latter probably not likely this season), then that might be a different discussion. The NCAA has clear rules on rink suitability for NCAA tournament games and it is definitely possible that Dayton may have some deficiencies against these rules (especially if they ever got to the point of hosting the NCAA final four).

Agree 100%. Yes, we all know the rink facilities are lame [however I disagree on the quality of the ice, and that includes boards, penalty boxes, etc....those are as good or better than any other nescac rink].

I still think there is a better than 50% chance they will not be the top seed, but if they are it will be worth it to see them host and in the process totally embarrass the lame-*** AD and the school Admin...Who could give 2 %#$@'s about these girls [who by the way are the only decent nescac team that school has in any sport...other than maybe women's soccer].

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Hamilton 3 Amherst 2 OT

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Anyone comment on Conn bench minor for slashing at 16:06 of the 3rd (PB scored pp goal)???

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Zumwinkle scored twice (congratulations on career first!) in a 3 minute span of the 2nd and three other Panthers logged a goal and assist (Winslow, Sherman and Laven) as the Middlebury offense exploded for a 6-0 win over Colby at Kenyon this evening. Winslow opened the scoring with a backhand from the slot where she grabbed the rebound of a Laven shot from right point off a feed from Sherman working out from the right corner. Colby goalie Fine (45/51) and the shot blocking Mules in front of her worked hard keeping it a 1 goal game through the end of the 1st. Young dug in the left corner and moved the puck to St. Clair along the end boards. St. Clair made a nice feed to Hlinka for a forehand jam beneath Fine. Then Aiello and Jackson ground the puck out of the left corner, up the half boards and then over to Zumwinkle on the blue line slightly right of center; Zumwinkle's long shot made it through traffic and eluded Fine. Middlebury then had a 5x3 opportunity; Young top left circle to Watson left point across to the right to Zumwinkle. There was space and Zumwinkle launched a rocket slap shot beating Fine low to the short, gloveside. The Panthers scored on a delayed penalty midway in the 3rd. The ref had an arm up but Marmer made a play keeping the puck in zone and then passing left to Aiello, staying on side inside the offensive zone. Aiello advanced the puck to Laven on the left point and her long shot made it 5-0. The final goal was a weird play at the blue line resulting in goalie Fine facing a 3x0 Panther rush. Sherman took the feed from Winslow to the net. Sherman took her time, showing puck, faking left, stickside, before roofing a forehand gloveside. Neuberger made 5 saves for the evening's shutout (one, a long shot by Dupre at 11 of the 3rd was a beauty).
Tomorrow's game is moved up as there is a winter storm warning for 8"-12" (with higher amounts in higher terrain). What's a little snow during hockey season anyway?
http://nescac.com/sports/wice/2016-17/standings
You have to love the NESCAC...it all comes down to the final weekend!

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Anyone comment on Conn bench minor for slashing at 16:06 of the 3rd (PB scored pp goal)???

Did anyone watch this game? I would still love to know if collegehockeystats box (http://collegehockeystats.net/1617/boxes/wbowctc1.f11) is correct in describing the Conn bench minor at 16:06 as for slashing? Conn was short handed at the time of the slashing and Bowdoin scored the decisive goal skating 6x4.

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

Middlebury (9-4-1 NESCAC) skated to an easy 8-1 win over Colby (0-15-1 NESCAC) this snowy afternoon at Kenyon. Led by Winslow's hat trick (4 points on the day), Sheline with 2 goals, Young with a shortie and 2 assists, Sherman with a goal and an assist and Jackson's first of the season, 11 Panthers scored points.
Sherman got things started taking a Winslow pass from right wing low into the left circle; Sherman's shot was partially block and flipped high over Colby goalie Fine into the net (Watson the 2nd assist). The lone powerplay goal of the afternoon came with Young carrying the puck up the right half boards, curling along the blueline, faking a drop pass for Watson and moving into the slot, passing to Wulf low in the right circle; Wulf's shot was saved by Fine only to be one timed into the net by Winslow from low in the left circle. The third goal came after a face off to Fine's left. Young moved the puck into the right corner, Hlinka came off the back boards to the crease and Fine blocked her shot, but Sheline popped the puck in over Fine.
The onslaught continued in the 2nd. Winslow jamming in her second goal from the gloveside post after Shuchuk made a strong move down right wing and carried the puck to the net. Young scored shorthanded dancing from the left corner to the crease and sliding a backhand 5 hole. Sherman then set up Winslow's hat trick goal. Sherman into the zone broke wide right, went to the net, Fenton (in goal for Colby) made the stop but Winslow converted the rebound from stickside of the crease. Less than a minute later Jackson converted on a feed from St.Clair.
The White Mules got one back early in the 3rd. Rudinski fed Knutzen and she moved on left wing and got the puck on net; Panther goalie Han made the stop but McLaughlin followed and put the puck in over Han. Sheline got the final goal, sinking a rebound from low in the slot , off a rebound pf Marmer's shot (Hlinka with the 2nd assist).
http://nescac.com/sports/wice/2016-17/standings

[HockeyEast33]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

You have to love the NESCAC...it all comes down to the final weekend!

You know it is close when a team (Williams or Bowdoin in this case) can finish anywhere between 2nd and 7th depending on the final weekend results....

My guess:

- 1/2 - Hamilton and Middlebury finish tied for first, each winning a game (Hamilton seems to have an uncanny knack of avoiding the sweep). Think Hamilton wins the tiebreaker based on head-to-head (confirmation anyone?)
- 3 - Conn College
- 4/5/6 - Williams, Bowdoin, Amherst finish tied for fourth. No idea who wins this tiebreaker. At least Williams and Trinity don't have to play in the quarters for the fourth year in a row
- 7 - Trinity
- 8 - Wesleyan

[obserbear]

Re: NESCAC 2016-2017 season

You know it is close when a team (Williams or Bowdoin in this case) can finish anywhere between 2nd and 7th depending on the final weekend results....

My guess:

- 1/2 - Hamilton and Middlebury finish tied for first, each winning a game (Hamilton seems to have an uncanny knack of avoiding the sweep). Think Hamilton wins the tiebreaker based on head-to-head (confirmation anyone?)
- 3 - Conn College
- 4/5/6 - Williams, Bowdoin, Amherst finish tied for fourth. No idea who wins this tiebreaker. At least Williams and Trinity don't have to play in the quarters for the fourth year in a row
- 7 - Trinity
- 8 - Wesleyan

Hamilton owns the Middlebury tie-breaker, as I understand it: 2-0 head to head. Middlebury can finish #1 by sweeping Williams, if the Conn and Hamilton games do not result in a sweep by either team.