Union College: 2017-2018

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

We took a 3-2 lead into period 3 and until the Rinaldi penalty at 6:39 into the third I thought we had the momentum. Putting Princeton man up is like giving them a goal which is exactly what happened.

One interesting stat

Princeton blocked shots by period
Period #1 - 2
Period #2 - 1
Period #3 - 9

Princeton shut us out in period 3, usually our best scoring period. If this shot blocking frenzy was a premeditated plan, based on our scoring patterns, it was an excellent move on their part. Blocking 9 shots in a period, or a rate of 27 a game is astronomically high.

Union blocked shots by period
Period #1 - 6
Period #2 - 7
Period #3 - 2

Union scored twice in the second to re-take the lead, but Princeton battled back. While Union looked like it was dominating the early possession in the third, the Tigers managed to get a power play — its first one of the game — to calm things down, and then capitalized when Ryan Kuffner lifted one past Kupsky.

This penalty really hurt.

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

I can’t argue with this. Combined with Princeton’s sharp play, I was surprised the game was as close as it was. In no way do I pin this loss on Kupsky, but he usually stops those shots in his sleep (referring to Grande’s game-winner).

It seemed like every break-out pass was challenged and turned over into a Princeton scoring chance. It also seemed like Union could never settle the puck down and make a crisp, clean pass. The puck was bouncing all over the place.

They usually play better on Saturdays, but they’ll really need to be sharp tonight. Princeton has even more confidence than we all thought they did.

You can see confidence or great film study, or maybe Union predictability when the U pulls the goalie has 6 on 5 in your zone and you have 3 guys
playing out high by the defensemen and just seem to know the offense is going to throw it out to the point. And you get an easy empty netter..

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

We took a 3-2 lead into period 3 and until the Rinaldi penalty at 6:39 into the third I thought we had the momentum. Putting Princeton man up is like giving them a goal which is exactly what happened.

One interesting stat

Princeton blocked shots by period
Period #1 - 2
Period #2 - 1
Period #3 - 9

Princeton shut us out in period 3, usually our best scoring period. If this shot blocking frenzy was a premeditated plan, based on our scoring patterns, it was an excellent move on their part. Blocking 9 shots in a period, or a rate of 27 a game is astronomically high.

Union blocked shots by period
Period #1 - 6
Period #2 - 7
Period #3 - 2

Union scored twice in the second to re-take the lead, but Princeton battled back. While Union looked like it was dominating the early possession in the third, the Tigers managed to get a power play — its first one of the game — to calm things down, and then capitalized when Ryan Kuffner lifted one past Kupsky.

This penalty really hurt.

You HAD to know that penalty was coming - maybe not when but there was surely going to be the even up call...
I'm not sure anyone on the Union team knew they did anything to get one. Lots of stuff let go to make THAT call
Now the Kolias call - yes that was a real penalty..

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

I can’t argue with this. Combined with Princeton’s sharp play, I was surprised the game was as close as it was. In no way do I pin this loss on Kupsky, but he usually stops those shots in his sleep (referring to Grande’s game-winner).

It seemed like every break-out pass was challenged and turned over into a Princeton scoring chance. It also seemed like Union could never settle the puck down and make a crisp, clean pass. The puck was bouncing all over the place.

They usually play better on Saturdays, but they’ll really need to be sharp tonight. Princeton has even more confidence than we all thought they did.

The real difference could be seen in the missed back side open shot that Rinaldi couldn't handle on our PP (nice pass ) and the one Princeton did handle for their PP goal...

[kdt34wqx]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Ouch! But Princeton was much the better team so they deserve what they earned. (Princeton was the better team last year also.) Best wishes to Princeton in Lake Placid. Still, Union did really well this year (better than expectations) and gave the fans a lot of thrills. Finishing a strong second in ECAC after starting 0-5 showed a lot of progress. Union fans will be out in force again next year so "get ready".

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Ouch! But Princeton was much the better team so they deserve what they earned. (Princeton was the better team last year also.) Best wishes to Princeton in Lake Placid. Still, Union did really well this year (better than expectations) and gave the fans a lot of thrills. Finishing a strong second in ECAC after starting 0-5 showed a lot of progress. Union fans will be out in force again next year so "get ready".

Alas, It's that time of year once again..
- To say good-bye to young men who we have watched grow and mature for four years - Good luck gentlemen - LIFE awaits you..
- To realize that only one team doesn't end each season with a loss
- To understand that college hockey is a game, played with heart and guts and without a pay day - refreshing in today's world
- To learn from the mistakes and use the next 5 months to do whatever you can to prepare so you don't make them again.
- To know that everyone starts even next time.

Enjoy your summer, but work to improve, rest those aching bodies, lose those bruises and come back ready willing and more than able to
carry the load that will be waiting for you. We will be waiting, watching and will be ready when you once again strap it up and hit the ice.

Thank you for a great season .. go U

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Ouch! But Princeton was much the better team so they deserve what they earned. (Princeton was the better team last year also.) Best wishes to Princeton in Lake Placid. Still, Union did really well this year (better than expectations) and gave the fans a lot of thrills. Finishing a strong second in ECAC after starting 0-5 showed a lot of progress. Union fans will be out in force again next year so "get ready".

Sorry, Can't agree that Princeton was the "MUCH" better team - but they do most certainly deserve the wins as they adapted and were more consistent and came through when an opportunity presented itself..
These two teams were/are about as even as you can get and consistency and staying within the system and the game plan usually results in winning and in that they exceeded..

[UFan]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Friday's game was best summarized by the Coach: Princeton wanted it more.
As for Saturday's game, why did we play so well in the second period? This is the kind of hockey Union plays!!! but one period out of 3 isn't enough. Lots of great blocks, everyone put their bodies on the line, lots of great chances, good shots on net, good passes, lots of good hits, intense forecheck!!! It was like watching a different team (compared to an anemic first period, and a third where we started to look like we were running out of gas...) Combined with a lack of maturity on the ice from some players, we didn't give ourselves a clean chance. Some players need to spend the summer watching tapes of games in slow motion so they can understand how to read the game better. We didn't have much puck luck either, which could have saved us on Saturday, but not on friday (we played about 10 minutes).

Princeton's game on the other hand was quite a delight to watch: crisp passes, clean break outs, a well executed system. You can tell all the kids on the team work hard and believe in the system the coach has in place. It's simple and efficient hockey.

Season is over, it's a bit of a disappointment to not make it to Lake Placid, but finishing 2nd in the league was pretty good after a rough start. Thank you to all the Seniors for their contributions and good luck to them for their future careers.

I'm hoping that the new kids on the team fit is as well as the freshmen did this year. If so, with a bit more experience under the belt of the current team, we should be a strong team next year.

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

The Tigers will be looking to exorcise some demons against the Dutchmen, who not only swept the season series against the Tigers this year but ended the Tigers’ season last year in the ECAC Quarterfinals with a one-goal overtime win. However, after watching these games, perhaps the Dutchmen are feeling just a bit more nervous about the impending series.

Nervous? How about feeling hungry

It was pretty obvious by their play this weekend that Princeton was starving. Simply put, Princeton was hungrier. Congrats to Coach Bennett on another excellent regular season, although, I know he's not satisfied.

[UnionFan4Life]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

I’m very proud of this team and season; definitely exceeded expectations for a rebuilding year. As long as Vidmar and Kupsky return, there’s no reason Union can’t go deep in the NCAA tournament next year.

[Miami Ice]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

New England Hockey Journal includes Rick Bennett as a dark horse candidate for the Merrimack opening. Could anything be more preposterous? One would hope not. RB has become synonymous with Union hockey.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

How is the ECAC going to do in the NCAA's? Very pleased we got three teams in the NCAA's. Also very pleased that the selection committee played it straight and all of our teams are in separate regionals. Can Cornell get by BU? Cornell has a history of playing well in NCAA playoffs. Can Clarkson take out Providence? Big time matchups between HE and ECAC. Can Princeton keep it going? Good luck to all three teams !!!

[Pokey]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

How is the ECAC going to do in the NCAA's? Very pleased we got three teams in the NCAA's. Also very pleased that the selection committee played it straight and all of our tweens are in separate regionals. Can Cornell get by BU? Cornell has a history of playing well in NCAA playoffs. Can Clarkson take out Providence? Big time matchups between HE and ECAC. Can Princeton keep it going? Good luck to all three teams !!!

it depends on which team shows up on any given night..
Is it the early season Clarkson or the one that walked through the rest of the season?
Same with Princeton - when they show up and use their speed - very tough - when they commit penalties - no so much
Cornell will be tough for almost anybody because they are big and stay within their system (not pretty but effective)
the NCAAs are made for Cornell - tighter play and usually closer games

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

it depends on which team shows up on any given night..
Is it the early season Clarkson or the one that walked through the rest of the season?
Same with Princeton - when they show up and use their speed - very tough - when they commit penalties - no so much
Cornell will be tough for almost anybody because they are big and stay within their system (not pretty but effective)
the NCAAs are made for Cornell - tighter play and usually closer games

I agree. I think Cornell has the best shot at the F4. If that happened, might be the only eastern team to make it.

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2017-2018

Hard to figure this year. I am worried that by tomorrow evening the ECAC will be 0-3 this NCAA cycle. Cornell has the toughest #4 seed. If they can get by BU they might end up in the finals but they are so young. Princeton switched on defense and their goals agains went down steadily in their last 12 games. Can they continue to play defense? They don't have the playpoff experience. Clarkson is also young. Can they get the mogo back? Next year will be the year for the ECAC. The show starts tonight at 6:00pm with Clarkson. Good luck knights !!!!