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2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

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  • 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

    With the SUNYAC season over for nearly a month now, its time to break down last year and look forward to next year. There are some BIG shoes to fill on some teams, and some BIG senior heavy rosters on others. Some teams need to work on finishing, some teams need to work on starting. Here are my thoughts, what is yours??


    The NON Playoff Teams

    9. BROCKPORT GOLDEN EAGLES
    7TH 5-9-2 (9-13-3)
    BIG WINS: PLATTSBURGH (4-2), ELMIRA NC (4-3OT)
    SENIORS: 6 – CODY, FINNERTY, SHOFF, WREN
    RETURNING: PANEPINTO

    Just two years after hosting a SUNYAC playoff game, the Golden Eagles found themselves once again out of the SUNYAC playoffs. But missing the playoffs still wasn’t a total loss season for the Eagles. Of their 13 losses on the season, 10 of them came by way of 2 or fewer goals. Brockport was “in” just about every game they played in 2011-2012. Part of the reason was the play of SUNYAC Player Of The Year Senior James Cody (11-8-19) who finished his career at Brockport with 60 goals and 116 points. Unfortunately for Brockport, there will be no 5th year eligibility status for neither Cody nor fellow seniors Ian Finnerty and Adam Shoff whose combined 58 points accounted for nearly 40% of the Golden Eagle conference offence.

    Looking forward, Brockport will return 4 other 10+ players from last years squad in Polino, Cangro, Rothfuss, and Hayward. Cangro was 2nd on the team behind Cody in conference goals with 7. Goaltending will be a major question for the Eagles. Since the departure of Todd Sheridan, who holds nearly every major goaltending record at Brockport, the Eagles had the luxury of a very stable goaltender in Oliver Wren. Now that Wren has graduated, Aaron Green is next in line for overall playing time. He will have to improve on his 4.10GAA and .870 save% in hopes of keeping Brockport a float.

    I can’t foresee Brockport pulling in any kind of offensive talent to replace the big three. Losing 40% of your offense in just 3 players will be very hard. Brockport takes a step back and continues to miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

    8. CORTLAND RED DRAGONS
    8TH 4-11-1 (6-18-1)
    BIG WINS: HOBART NC (3-2)
    SENIORS: 10 CHRISTIANO, LOMPADO, REILLY
    RETURNING: BEVILACQUA, ZAPPIA

    Another disappointing season for the Red Dragons in 2011-2012. Cortland posted half of their total wins before Thanksgiving and was just 1 game under .500 at that point. The Dragons would finish the season 3-14-0 getting their remaining wins over New England College, Brockport, and Potsdam. 10 of their 18 losses were by 3 or more goals in 2011-2012. They finished the season “strong” with 3 of their 4 loses by 1 goal, but still a step behind. St.Norbert transfer and team point leader Adam Bevilacqua and Nick Zappia, who led the Red Dragons in goals as a freshman, will need to really pick up production in 2012-2013.

    They will lose a lot of not only talent, but leadership in their 10 seniors. This could be a good thing if coach Baldarotta, who will be entering his 6th season at Cortland, can land some nice recruits. Since coming to Cortland, Coach Baldarotta has seen a decrease each year in winning percentage (.481, .360, .280, .280, .260). Coach Baldarotta has only had 2 seasons below .500 since 1991-1992 before coming to Cortland in 2007-2008.

    I’m not sure that trend will continue, but it will be another playoff-less season for the Red Dragons and Coach Baldarotta.


    7. MORRISVILLE MUSTANGS
    9TH 4-11-1 (5-19-1)
    BIG WINS: NONE (TIE VS OSWEGO 3-3)
    SENIORS: 4 – HOSMER, MATZEL, LONGLAND, CRISTINI
    RETURNING: NELSON, RENAUD, BREEN

    Hopes were high for Morrisville entering the 2011-2012 season. With the addition of Todd Hosmer, the biggest question was who would fill the shoes of Mr.Mustang Caylin Relkoff. Morrisville brought in Christopher Azzano who transferred in from Wentworth, but battled for time with fellow sophomore Colin Breen. Neither were the answer to backstopping the Mustangs. Morrisville will enter next season with just 2 seniors. A very young Mustang team went through a lot of growing pains, which could help them next season.

    Another major issue for Morrisville was their lack of discipline. Morrisville led the league in penalty minutes with nearly 23 minutes a game average. Combine that with the fact they had the 2nd worst penalty kill in the league at just 72% it was a recipes for disaster. Losing Todd Hosmer to graduation, and the other 3 seniors, will also exile 172 penalty minutes from last year. Nearly 70% of the teams overall penalty minutes in just those 4 players.

    Coach Grady needs to really get his team under control if the Mustangs plan on getting back out from underneath the SUNYAC rankings. I don’t see it happening. If he can turn things around and put the Mustangs in the playoffs, sign Grady up for Coach of the Year right now.
    Remy Babineaux
    remyb616@gmail.com
    D3FHL Web Page

  • #2
    Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

    Your playoff bound teams for 2012-2013

    6. GENESEO KNIGHTS
    4TH 7-8-1 (13-12-1)
    BIG WINS: BUFF STATE (4-3OT), ELMIRA NC (4-2), HOBART NC (6-2)
    SENIORS: 8 – ARDUIN, OLSON, DECOSSE, GERSHON
    RETURNING: VIT, BULACH, MANLEY, RUBENIUK

    As I sat there at the Ira Wilson Arena listening to them name off all the seniors for the Knights, and seeing the majority of them walk up in street clothes, one has to wonder what might have been. The Knights only had 8 players play in 22 or more games last season. Only three played in all 26 games for the Knights. They will be hit hard on the defensive end which was 4th overall in the SUNYAC last season. Scagnelli, Yard, and Powers stabilized the blueline for all 4 years for the Knights. They will also say goodbye to the hard working Cory Gershon who defended the crease in some big games for the Knights.

    They will return former Rookie Of The Year Zachary Vit and injury prone counterpart Rich Manley. The Knights will have 8 seniors on their roster next year including goaltender Adrian Rubeniuk who will need to pick up the part of full time starter unless Geneseo can find another goaltender for 2012-2013. While his numbers (2.64 and .908) were better then Gershons (3.53 and .877), Rubeniuk will need to be more consistent against the tougher competition and will have a lot more minutes on his pads in 2012-2013.

    Geneseo is a big question. After all their injuries they still finished 4th in the league. While it’s not the result they were looking for, it gave playing time to a lot more underclassmen who will have a lot more ice time under their skates then expected. If, and a BIG if, Geneseo can stay healthy (more so Vit and Manley) the Knights could very well challenge for the 3rd sport. They have a lot more talent then their record showed in 2011-2012.


    5. POTSDAM STATE BEARS
    6TH 6-10-0 (8-16-2)
    BIG WINS:
    SENIORS: 4 - NUTKEVITCH
    RETURNING: COPE, PLACE, WARE, MCFARLAND

    Potsdam came out strong in the first half of the SUNYAC season going 4-4, but would falter down the stretch finishing at just 6-10-0 still good enough for the final playoff spot and a trip to Buffalo where they lost the lead with just over 7 minutes left and then lost the game after giving up a power play goal with less then 4 minutes remaining.

    Potsdam would finish 3rd in overall combined special teams with a power play of 21% and a penalty kill of 83%. Potsdam was also 3rd in the league in penalty minutes averaging 18.4 penalty minutes a game. Coach Bernard will have to clean up the Bears if they hope to improve in 2012-2013 and make a return trip to the playoffs. They lose senior Sy Nutkevitch (5-22-27) but return 6 of their top 7 scorers from last season including goal scoring leaders Viola (8) and Place (7).

    Still a ways to go before Potsdam can compete for a SUNYAC title, but the Bears could be dangerous if their young team (17 returning underclassmen) can gel some more in 2012-2013.


    4. FREDONIA BLUE DEVILS
    5TH 6-7-3 (12-11-3)
    BIG WINS: NEUMANN NC (3-2OT)
    SENIORS: 3 ROSS, SANBORN, LABELLA
    RETURNING: MUHS, HEHR, WYNIA, FRIESEN

    After a trip to the SUNYAC Finals, things were looking good for the Blue Devils. A familiar path of sorts led them to the Campus Center once again in the SUNYAC Semi Finals facing the #1 seed Oswego State Lakers. Unlike in 2010-2011, the Lakers never let the Blue Devils stay in the game. Matter of fact, the Lakers played the Blue Devils just two weeks prior and lost by a combined 5-18 in those two games against Oswego. Fredonia only managed 3 points over the top 4 teams in the SUNYAC going 1-6-1 during the regular season. Senior forward Bryan Ross (8-15-23) led the Blue Devils once again and was the only Blue Devil with over 20 points on the season. Ross finished his career with 53 goals and 84 assists for 137 points in just 103 games for the Blue Devils.
    The Blue Devils will have 10 seniors on their roster in 2012-2013 including Mat Hehr and Mike Muhs who will have to step up their play to replace Ross. Fredonia did receive Rookie of the Year honors in forward Jared Wynia (7-3-10) whose 7 conference goals was second to only Ross, 6 of which were scored on the power play.

    I can see the Blue Devils with such a senior loaded team challenging for the last home ice position for the SUNYAC play in game. They could play spoiler once again if Friesen can play to potential. If not it will be a quick out in the playoffs for the Blue Devils.


    3. PLATTSBURGH STATE CARDINALS
    2ND 12-3-1 (19-5-4)
    BIG WINS: BUFF STATE (4-3OT), OSWEGO (3-2)
    SENIORS: 5 – KUDROCH, CRAIG, TAYLOR, SCHLUETER, MACLEOD
    RETURNING: N.JENSEN, A.JENSEN, CADIEUX

    An improvement on the 9-7-0 record from 2010-2011, and another SUNYAC Championship added to the trophy case, but still a lot of question marks coming into 2012-2013. Power Play? Please no. In games against ranked opponents, Plattsburgh’s power play was a meek 12% going 6 for 51. Not too many teams would be worried only losing 5 seniors, and only 2 of your top 6 scorers, but scoring is the biggest question mark for Plattsburgh.

    For being in 2nd place, they were still 42 goals behind #1 Oswego in goals for. However, because of the play of transfer goaltender Cadieux the Cards were able to win those close games, 12 to be exact. Of their 19 wins, 12 were by 2 goals or less. And on the flip side, of their 5 losses, 3 were by 2 or few goals. The plus side for Plattsburgh will be their schedule for 2012-2013. Plattsburgh will host Norwich, Middlebury, and Williams and will travel to Castleton and Skidmore in non-conference games. Once again Plattsburgh will boast one of the toughest schedules in Division III hockey.

    I think it will be a rough start for the Cards. With teams like Oswego and Buff State with such a returning core of senior packed rosters, Plattsburgh will need some breaks to get one of the first two spots in the conference. If they can get some scoring talent from both incoming freshman and returning upperclassmen, it could lift Plattsburgh, but still some major questions.


    2. BUFFALO STATE BENGALS
    3RD 8-7-1 (13-12-2)
    BIG WINS: PLATTSBURGH (4-3), ST.THOMAS NC (3-2)
    SENIORS: 1 – DURHAM
    RETURNING: MCKINNEY, KLIN, KNEE, CARR

    The Bengals have come a long way from its early years, tho next year could be a make or break season for Buffalo. Losing just 1 senior in James Durham (6-5-11), the Bengals will return 4 of its top 5 players all whom put up over 10 points in conference. Buffalo will also have 8 seniors scheduled for 2012-2013. A very seasoned group ready to make a statement. They scored an early season victory over Plattsburgh, but was the only point earned from the divisions top 2 teams. Buffalo led the conference in power play going 25/80 (31.2%). They were also 2nd in scoring offense at 4.06. After playing in and losing the 2nd longest DIII game of all time Buffalo will sure have some hunger in their game.

    2012-2013 could be a very good season for the Bengals if they can get some consistency. Not once in 2011-2012 did the Bengals sweep a weekend. They have one of the best goaltenders in the conference with Kevin Carr, and some very potent offensive skilled players with McKinney and Knee.

    Could this be the year we say Buffalo State competes for a SUNYAC Title? I think so. If the Bengals can stay healthy and get a bounce here and there, Buffalo could be a very dangerous team and challenge for the top spots in the SUNYAC.


    1. OSWEGO STATE LAKERS
    1ST 14-0-2 (24-4-2)
    BIG WINS: PLATTSBURGH (3-0), AMHERST NC (2-1OT)
    SENIORS: 5 – BOOTS, VAN BOXMEER, MATHER, ANDERSON
    RETURNING: WHITELAW, RODRIGUES, MOODIE, HARE

    Another great season, record wise, for the Lakers but once again come up empty handed. The Lakers won the SUNYAC regular season title once again, but failed to win their holiday tournament, SUNYAC Championship, and NCAA Championship for the 2nd straight year in a row. It was also the 5th time in 8 years Oswego has won the SUNYAC regular season title, but failed to win the post season tournament. But there is no problem going on here.

    Good news bad news for the Lakers, the Lakers will have 15 scheduled seniors next season. Bad news is they have 15 scheduled seniors next season. Is it do or die time for the Lakers? While Oswego tends to reload, not rebuild, if they had to have the best chance to win not only a SUNYAC title but a National Title, next year would be it. Once those 15 seniors depart, there will be no Lakers on the team that have won a post season tournament, eventho they’ve been apart of arguably some of the best teams in Laker history.

    Will those seniors go out as the class that couldn’t, or will they finally get it done in Laker land? Keep in mind, this is for the regular season not post season.
    Remy Babineaux
    remyb616@gmail.com
    D3FHL Web Page

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

      Thnks Remy for a great preview and overview, I think the only thing that we will have to wait and see is the recruiting classes,we have seen some nice additions to the SUNYAC line-ups as frshmn and transfers...As for my Lakers couldnt agree more with your post, this is a BIG yr coming up and just because you have 15 VERY experienced seniors doenst mean your going to win even 1 game let alone the whole magilla.....well love to watch and see what/who is coming in to all SUNYAC teams,looks like Platty and Bport are off to a good start with a few nice looking recruits......ps did Constantine win rookie of the yr at Platty if you guys do that stuff, he had a nice frshmn yr

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      • #4
        Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

        Good read as always. Thanks Remy.
        #OneKnight

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        • #5
          Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

          Good reading Remy, one correction though. McFarland will not be returning, he's graduating.
          LETS GO BEARS!

          "Never play flag football in the nude"-Bob Kevoian

          "Don't let anyone tell you what we do builds character, it only reveals it." J.Marsh

          SUNY Potsdam '98

          St.Lawrence '00


          Mike St. Louis is not a BUM!

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

            [QUOTE=PSUChamps2001;5420343]Your playoff bound teams for 2012-2013


            1. OSWEGO STATE LAKERS
            1ST 14-0-2 (24-4-2)
            BIG WINS: PLATTSBURGH (3-0), AMHERST NC (2-1OT)
            SENIORS: 5 – BOOTS, VAN BOXMEER, MATHER, ANDERSON
            RETURNING: WHITELAW, RODRIGUES, MOODIE, HARE

            QUOTE]

            Seniors: 5??

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

              Its really interesting to see that Cortlands winning percentage has gone down every year since getting the new coach. Is it just me or shouldn't the administration want him to be winning more games each year? Does this mean that Cortland is searching for a new coach? I hope the can turn this drastic slide around and start winning some games. Our school NEEDS hockey to make the playoffs in order to get support. I just don't understand how your winning percentage could keep going down and down. As a coach, wouldn't you be bringing in players that you think would improve the team?

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

                [QUOTE=mdmadison;5420783]
                Originally posted by PSUChamps2001 View Post
                Your playoff bound teams for 2012-2013


                1. OSWEGO STATE LAKERS
                1ST 14-0-2 (24-4-2)
                BIG WINS: PLATTSBURGH (3-0), AMHERST NC (2-1OT)
                SENIORS: 5 – BOOTS, VAN BOXMEER, MATHER, ANDERSON
                RETURNING: WHITELAW, RODRIGUES, MOODIE, HARE

                QUOTE]

                Seniors: 5??
                seniors lost

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

                  Originally posted by tabernacle67 View Post
                  Its really interesting to see that Cortlands winning percentage has gone down every year since getting the new coach. Is it just me or shouldn't the administration want him to be winning more games each year? Does this mean that Cortland is searching for a new coach? I hope the can turn this drastic slide around and start winning some games. Our school NEEDS hockey to make the playoffs in order to get support. I just don't understand how your winning percentage could keep going down and down. As a coach, wouldn't you be bringing in players that you think would improve the team?
                  Unfortunately Cortland isn't drawing from as big a talent pool as the other SUNY schools because of their reluctance to let them recruit heavily in Canada. There are too many schools ahead of them on the food chain when it comes to getting the best players. Most of the top players in the E go D1, the ones that don't will go to one of the top Eastern D3 schools and the ones that are left end up at a school without much history of success like Cortland. The AJHL has even less top flight talent than the E and outside of those leagues there isn't a whole lot left. The top prep school guys are going to follow the same path as the junior players. In the US a majority of the best athletes don't play hockey so from top to bottom there isn't a ton of depth.

                  If Cortland could find a real gamer for a goalie it would be a step in the right direction. A goalie that can keep you in games will allow you to win a few and if players start to view Cortland as a place where you can go an be successful on the ice then the lack of support wont be so much of a hindrance.
                  Last edited by Laker28; 04-04-2012, 07:25 PM.

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                  • #10
                    Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

                    Yes as a alumni you would think after 5 years of terrible records they would be looking for a new guy for next year, unfortunately Baldarotta will be back.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

                      Originally posted by donny16 View Post
                      Yes as a alumni you would think after 5 years of terrible records they would be looking for a new guy for next year, unfortunately Baldarotta will be back.
                      Again like I posted in the other thread, the past 5 years under Baldarotta have been some of the best hockey seasons at Cortland. Losing and Cortland kind of go hand in hand. I think the admin is content with it as they've proven over and over and over through the years. Until someone higher up at the school stands up and says "let's make Cortland a hockey school too...", winning 2 games is the same as winning 10-12 games in the conference....they just don't care.
                      Remy Babineaux
                      remyb616@gmail.com
                      D3FHL Web Page

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        [QUOTE=bakdraft21;5420823]
                        Originally posted by mdmadison View Post
                        seniors lost
                        I count 4.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          [QUOTE=mdmadison;5422562]
                          Originally posted by bakdraft21 View Post

                          I count 4.
                          Boots
                          Van Box
                          Mather
                          Anderson
                          Beckwith

                          looks like five to me..... :-)
                          Remy Babineaux
                          remyb616@gmail.com
                          D3FHL Web Page

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

                            I have said this before the senior class for Oswego is going to come in with a chip on their shoulder because if they do not win it all next year that class is going to have the imaginary asterisk next to thier class list showing that thier big game abilities were poor. An even bigger question is Gosek going to be able to bring in some recruits that know they are prolly going to only play in 4-5 games especially a goalie that will be lucky to get 2-3 games. If he wants to stop this trend of every 4 years having 14 seniors he is going to have to go with last years and this years recuiting class to really round out the roster as well as next years. What I mean is a majority of the roster with be from last years recuiting class and this years so he would not have to bring in 14 more recruits he could bring in a smaller number and break that trend if he doesnt then every 5th yr he is going to have to hope that he continues to find players like Whitelaw and get transfers like Hare and Boots. If he can't then it could get ugly really quick for him in Oswego.

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                            • #15
                              Re: 2012-2013 SUNYAC Thoughts.....

                              Originally posted by dmac1103 View Post
                              I have said this before the senior class for Oswego is going to come in with a chip on their shoulder because if they do not win it all next year that class is going to have the imaginary asterisk next to thier class list showing that thier big game abilities were poor. An even bigger question is Gosek going to be able to bring in some recruits that know they are prolly going to only play in 4-5 games especially a goalie that will be lucky to get 2-3 games. If he wants to stop this trend of every 4 years having 14 seniors he is going to have to go with last years and this years recuiting class to really round out the roster as well as next years. What I mean is a majority of the roster with be from last years recuiting class and this years so he would not have to bring in 14 more recruits he could bring in a smaller number and break that trend if he doesnt then every 5th yr he is going to have to hope that he continues to find players like Whitelaw and get transfers like Hare and Boots. If he can't then it could get ugly really quick for him in Oswego.
                              Well this topic for Oz of a huge senior class will be a much posted about issue for Oz fans, that said, there is a lot that can happen btwn now and the 2013-14 season, we will probably get a few more guys,frshmn and transfers this yr, and that would leave about 12 or so spots for the yr after...I think what will be left for the 2013-14 yr that is on the team now is pretty good, and Im sure the guys we get this yr and the yr after will be just fine, it is what it is,... we concentrate on this yr and let the cards, not platty, fall where they may, look at Ferris St they were picked to finish 9th in their confrence this yr, WOW, look what they did..

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