Union College: 2017-2018

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Scarfo player of the week.

http://ecachockey.com/men/2017-18/We...rds_102417.pdf

[ecachawkeyfan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Colin Stevens gets a PTO with AHL Wilkes-Barre, the same team that former Union teammate Jeff Taylor is on.

http://www.wbspenguins.com/2017/10/2...n-stevens-pto/

[UnionFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

What are they thinking with these pink jerseys...

https://twitter.com/Unionmhockey/sta...63817919975425

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

If anyone is thinking about going to the game at RPI on Saturday, the school's ticket website says only ~165 seats are left.

It's Parents Weekend so that's going to happen. It's just about sold out; 10 tickets remain.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

I hope we start Hanson.

[lugnut92]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Here's one final reminder that today is the LAST DAY to submit an entry into the ECAC Pick The Standings contest! League play starts tonight, so if you'd like to participate, just head on over to the thread and submit your prediction! Thanks and good luck!

(also you're going down, LET'S GO RED!)

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

It's Parents Weekend so that's going to happen. It's just about sold out; 10 tickets remain.

...and it's now sold out.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Going to be a barn burner tomorrow.

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

A good game. A few average plays here and there (give up the blind passes, please!!!!) but very good overall effort. Hope Hanson can calm down a touch, he seemed to fight the puck more than necessary towards the end of the game.
The first 2 goals are beautiful set plays, with perfect execution.
Let's stay out of the box tonight. Keep the communication going.

The atmosphere is always very electric at the RPI field house, it will be a good test for the team.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

IMO
- Blue Line starting to get more involved in the offence.
- 4 lines showing a willingness to score.
- The possibility of developing scoring depth? 18 players have already scored at least 1 point.
- Freshmen exceeding expectations
- Nice Forechecking
- Transitioning to defence needs work
- Need to talk to each other
- Rinaldi, Supinski and Vidmar line fantastic
- RPI has dangerous forwards and big D and played for 60 minutes
- At least one of our starting D became a spectator the last 10 minutes.
- All our great Goalies these past 10 years have had very tough going early on in their freshmen year.
- I still don't know how good/bad this team will be.

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Good thing RPI was slow and never one-timed their opportunities... Game could have been another story. That was way more stressful than it needed to be. We missed a bunch of grade A chances in the first period; props to the RPI goalie for stepping in and keeping his team in the game.

I feel like Union goes through minutes where they're a bit lost as to what to do. I really like the new system we have going but it seems that not everyone on the team is 100% sure what the execution is supposed to be. A few more days of practice and some games will help with that. More contributions from a bunch of players, it's nice to see. Finally, Hanson had another very decent game. He got pushed around by RPI a bit but in-game experience should help with that. You can tell he is comfortable on the ice as long as the puck is some distance away, but when things get up close and personal, he doesn't look so smooth. Again, in-game experience is his best friend.

I thought for a few minutes in the second period that the ref were going to steal the game for RPI.
Turned out OK in the end.

Things are ramping up soon: Clarkson will be a very good test (impressive record so far) and Saint Lawrence is going to want to start their league play with a W after a rough start to their season.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

props to the RPI goalie for stepping in and keeping his team in the game.

I also thought Perry played very well both nights, especially the first-period last night. The Clarkson goalie is off to a great start.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

My favourite play on Saturday was when Connor Light (6'5", 215) drove the net and drew the penalty. He is a senior and has not yet scored a goal.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Here is how we are supposed to do this year:

September 25 - 6th - Coaches Poll
September 25 - 6th - Media Poll
October 3 - "Bottom 4" - USCHO Season Preview
October 10 - 10th - CHN

The October 10 CHN is below:

Union Dutchmen
Head Coach: Rick Bennett, 7th year
2016-17 Record: 25-10-3, 16-4-2 ECAC (t-1st)

Changes: The Dutchmen lost many key pieces from a team that won a share of the ECAC regular-season title last year. The biggest loss will be Mike Vecchione, who was tied for first in points and second in goals nationally. Vecchione was a key piece in both ends of the ice and his loss will be a massive one.

Spencer Foo left a year of eligibility on the table to turn pro and will also be a big departure; the junior was fourth in the country with 62 points and fifth in plus-minus. Defenseman Nick Desimone left a year early for the pros and Jeff Taylor graduated, so the defense also took a big hit. Alex Sakellaropoulos also graduated, which leaves a gaping hole between the pipes. The Dutchmen have already lost their first three games, which should indicate some of the growing pains they will face this season.

Union added nine that probably be asked to play big roles right away. The class includes a pair of NHL draft picks in Jack Adams (6th round, Red Wings) and Parker Foo (5th, Blackhawks). It also includes a goaltender, Darion Hanson, who led the BCHL in GAA (1.84) and save percentage (.929) last season.

Strength: The Dutchmen lost a ton on offense but they also return a good top six that was able to develop last season. Sebastian Vidmar and Brett Supinski will lead that group as the two of them combined for 77 points and 22 goals. Ryan Walker, Luc Brown and Ryan Scarfo should also join them in the forward ranks that should be able to score. The big question, is whether the depth will be there to provide a consistent charge.

“We are kind of hoping that a guy like Brett Supinski, Cole Maier or even Sebatian Vidmar (will make a jump),” Bennett said. “All three of them are juniors. We lost some guys, but it happens to every team and no one will feel sorry for you. It is just a great opportunity for those guys and many others.”

Weakness: Entering the season, Union goaltenders have a combined 20 games of college experience. Jake Kupsky, who the job will probably fall to early in the year, has struggled in limited time between the pipes. In nine appearances last season, Kupsky had a 3.98 GAA and a .878 save percentage. In the year prior, he had a 3.20 and .891 mark. One could assume he and Hanson will vie for time at some point, but both are unproven and inexperienced.

2017-18 Outlook: Union should drop off after its regular-season title last year, but just how much? The Dutchmen lost on a ton on both ends of the ice and its goaltending situation is questionable at best. There are no replacing players with the quality of Vecchione, Spencer Foo and Jeff Taylor. Bennett is a great coach and one should think that he would be able to right this ship, but the holes are as gaping as they have been in his tenure. Union still has the offense to finish close to a home-ice, top eight finish, but they finish just short.

Prediction: 10th

[Miami Ice]

With four straight Ws, albeit against unranked teams, the Dutchmen are back in familiar territory. Looks like another great Union goaltender may be in the making. With the scoring well spread out among the maturing lines, the season could evolve into something very interesting after all the naysaying. In any event, knocking off RPI is very good for the soul.
The north country trip will give us a pretty good read. Clarkson looks strong. St.L gets an impressive first win against a powerful Wis. On to a revived Princeton club and always formidable Q, followed by the boys in Grand Forks. Union hockey is never dull.