Back In The Saddle

Ok, shaking off the last 2 weekends. Got to dust yourself off. RPI is still 15th in Without A Peer's pairwise rankings. They still are very much in control of home ice advantage and if they can actually get it in gear, they might have a first round bye.

That being said, they HAVE to get 4 points this weekend. RPI is at home, which has been kinder to them than the road this year and they are back on the Ivy beat with Harvard and the Big Green of Dartmouth. Harvard over the last few years has been very strong and Dartmouth very weak. This year, roles are reversed with the Big D being up near the top of the ECAC and Harvard near the bottom.

Regardless of rank, RPI needs wins over both. What I am hoping for is that RPI gets momentum and really beats up against Harvard and then uses that to carry over into a tight game against D which RPI eventually wins. So, despite my nature of predicting a split, I am going for RPI with the sweep!


Of course, here are USCHO's picks:

Harvard at Rensselaer — 7:00

Harvard hereby becomes the fourth team, if I’m not mistaken (Brown, Clarkson, Colgate, now Harvard), for whom I’ve had to invoke The Brown Rule. 3–1 RPI.

Dartmouth at Rensselaer — 4:00

I have a real hard time believing that Dartmouth would lose both games this weekend... but I have an equally difficult time seeing either of the Capital District teams losing at home (combined 17–1–1; 5–1–0 ECAC). Betting on the hosts here, 4–2 RPI.

BD: Dartmouth has a winning record in league play. RPI did beat Dartmouth this year but it was only Dartmouth’s 3rd game of the year. Big Green are going to Troy and leaving with a split on the weekend. Dartmouth beats up the Engineers 5–1 (sorry RPI: no disrespect; prove me wrong)

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/ecac-blog/2011/01/21/ecac-hockey-picks-week-16/#ixzz1Bh2iqElD

Ughhhh

Well, is there much more to say than that? Cornell, weak this year, .500 team at best, ripe for the plucking. Colgate, worst team in the ECAC and probably bottom 5 in the country. What does RPI do? Get blown out in the 3 period/barn against Cornell and barely beats 'Gate in overtime due to Chase.

This team needs the home ice advantage at this point in order to make a run to the ECAC Final Four so they better start picking up more than 2 points a weekend.

C Is For Chill

While typically over the last few years in the ECAC, Ivy teams have been the ones to advance to the NCAA tourney (specifically Yale and Harvard). However, the teams I have always felt have given RPI much problems have been the C schools, Cornell and Colgate. Especially when RPI travels to central New York to play them.

No matter how well RPI is playing at the time, they just seem to disappear into the black hole that is "gorges".

This year, even though I have been beating the drumbeat of .500 despite RPI's overall record and despite this seemingly historical ineptitude against the C's, I think RPI really has a shot this weekend to beat both schools. Having looked up the 2010 results for the C's, its clear that it is a down year for both programs. They are just not the same dynamos that we have come to expect.

Therefore, this weekend I am chilling out on RPI's ECAC prospects and thinking they will rise up and win the weekend. I think Cornell will be close, maybe 2-1 or so and then RPI will turn on the afterburners on Colgate and win 5-0.

Can't wait to hear all the action tonight on WRPI although when tuning in last weekend, there was a noticeable drop off in the color commentary. I realize students and people with passion have done the games over the years and I am glad there are people to do it and they are not professionals so much slack on my end (having done color for my college's D3 hockey team, I know it is tough). Still, RPI prides itself on being as damn close to a professional radio station as you can get (much like Emerson College radio in Boston) and RPI has always enjoyed quality hockey announcers as a subset of that quality so hopefully the announcing team gets solidified in the coming weeks for the playoff push.

No matter who is in the booth, I can't wait to hear the call and cheer on the lads!

So, What Did We Learn?

RPI can outshoot a team and lose, get outshot and win.

As goes Chase, so goes the team. The win, 1 goal, 2 assists. The loss, 0 points.

0-5 on the powerplay, that's a paddlin and a loss.

Outshot consistently in the third period. Questions still about the legs in the final frame.

Still and RPI fan? Check. Still believe the lads can blitz the ECAC in the remaining games, check? Think it will happen, probably not but the lads have no time to rest. A very important central NY weekend is coming up with the C schools. RPI needs to do well against these traditional powerhouses in order to re-establish their ECAC dominance.

North Country Conundrum

What is it about the NC teams that give RPI such fits? Every year, when RPI travels to the Northern reaches of New York or they come to the Houston Field House, RPI never seems to be able to do well, much less sweep the teams for needed points.

Last night was no exception. RPI, needing to charge through the ECAC to secure home ice and a sense of confidence going into the playoffs were stymied by Clarkson (who at 1 minute after 9:10am still sucks) last night and lost 3-2. There was basically no defense played as each team had over 30 shots. However, when it counted in overtime, Clarkson had 4, RPI 0.

The infuriating part about RPI hockey over the last couple of seasons is that their path to glory has been in their ECAC tinged hands. If they had been better than .500 in the ECAC over the last few seasons, home ice advantage, possible deeper playoff pushes and possibly better results. Instead, they muddle through at .500 in the ECAC, don't get home ice and then are bounced.

I am not saying this will happen this year but certainly after a great November and December, a loss is typical and a bit disheartening. Still, always cheer on the lads in cherry and white for tonight's game!

Well, A Win Is A Win

As Without A Peer stated: "Does RPI need to pound the Chargers this week? No, they just need a couple of wins"

And yes, I agreed with that sentiment. RPI did not need to convincingly win over Alabama, just win! And win they did with two identical 2-1 scores. York was solid in net and had (according to the ears on WRPI.org) some spectacular saves. One just has to wonder when RPI will separate themselves from lower competitors? RPI out-shot Alabama by 2 in the first game and by 17 in the second game and could not put perhaps the worst team in D1 away.

Still, better to have fought and won and to that, I salute RPI and their march up the all important Pairwise rankings. Still, they have to keep winning, especially now that NC sched is over. Next weekend is the always great North Country tussle which should be a good test to see where this team is at.

Least you think that I am not pumped, I am and can't wait for next weekend!

Welcome Back!

Halo RPI fans, I hope you had a good holiday break! I certainly did as my absence from the blog can attest. Of course, RPI did me a favor by not playing any games over the last 12 million weeks but it feels good to be back and to have Ripeee back in action as well.

RPI is in Alabama for a back to back holiday twofer and I see no reason for them to lose any of these games coming up. RPI does historically well against lesser NC opponents. With Alabama being 2-16 on the season, I would say that qualifies them to be lesser. This should be good to get RPI back into a groove before the always tough North Country boys come to Troy for a true test of the ECAC prowess of the Cherry and White.

As always, Let's Go Red, Let's Go White!


As usual, here is USCHO's picks:

Rensselaer at Alabama-Huntsville — 8:00

I try to make my picks before reading my guest-guessers’, but Mr. Davis’ first sentence below says it all. 5–1 RPI.

BD: Anyway you look at this series it should be all RPI. The Engineers should have no issues with the Chargers even in Alabama. Engineers in a close one due to travel legs 3–1.

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/ecac-blog/2010/12/29/ecac-hockey-picks-week-13/#ixzz19dHkspAd

Rensselaer at Alabama-Huntsville — 4:05

Second verse, same as the first (but a little bit louder and a little bit worse). Oh, Henry the eighth I am, Henry the eighth I am, I am... oh wait, wrong song. 4–2 ‘Tute.

BD: RPI runs all over the Chargers in the final on the week. Engineers 5–1.

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/ecac-blog/2010/12/29/ecac-hockey-picks-week-13/#ixzz19dI7GIa1

The Turnaround?

I do not wish any team ill. College players are not professionals, have off nights and despite fans paying for tickets and jerseys and the rest, the fans still can get caught up in the games.

I do not wish BU ill but for some reason, I wanted them to lose, lose, lose and lose some more to the lads in Cherry and White and that is exactly what they did. RPI brought the hammer down 4-1 against those durr hurrr hurrr Terriers from Boston.

It is only one game and it is a non-conference game to boot but perhaps this team gets RPI going strong into the break and the ECAC schedule with a bit of a jump in their bones and as Without A Peer says, "And when you get a chance to play a highly ranked team, you need to grab the bull by the horns and go for the win."

Go RPI!

Playing With The Big Boys

A beautiful day here in LA and yet thoughts are firmly on the ice as RPI hosts the dreaded Terriers from Boston on Saturday. While RPI has played to my expectations, I recently detailed how they have started to pick it up against NC foes. Well, if there is ever a time to shake off the .500 dusting that has coated the program with winning against perennial National power BU.

BU is currently tied for second in Hockey East and putting together another fine season. Still, I think with home ice advantage and the students still there before finals, RPI has an excellent chance to win this game. No inde-pth analysis this week, just win RPI!!!!


USCHO finally comes through with their picks this week and they are picking the lads!

Boston University at Rensselaer — 3:30

Two teams with a lot to prove: BU squeaked out a comeback home win over low-ish (if not lowly) Northeastern on Wednesday, while RPI is still trying to establish the consistency that carried them so well last year. This is one of those cases where I believe the national stereotype of the ECAC might work for the Engineers, giving them some element of surprise on the shorthanded Terriers. 4–3 RPI in a close one.

TR: I am hesitant to predict the outcome of this game. As you know I bleed cherry red and white, and I would love to see an upset here. R.P.I had the upper hand last year against the Terriers, but B.U. is coming off of a weekend in which they were smacked by B.C. by a combined score of 14 — 7. I would imagine they are going to have extra motivation in this one. That being said... I am still going to go with the Engineers in a 4 — 3 win.

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/ecac-blog/2010/12/10/ecac-hockey-picks-week-11/#ixzz17jDKuRxW

.500? But of course!

So RPI loses 4-2 against Yale and wins 6-2 against Brown. What are we to take from all of this? I think that RPI is in the middle of pack of the ECAC which puts them in the lower half of teams in the country.

Do I think they are better than this? Yes! Do I think they have the goal-tending, the scoring, the coaching to take them to the top of the ECAC and make them competitive against the Hockey East's of the world? Yes! Do I think all these elements are inconsistent and coupled with a suspect D makes for about a .500 team? More than yes.

Do not get me wrong, I root for RPI, win or loss, year in and year out.

I just think that when you look at the body of SA's coaching efforts, they lead right to the middle of success and failure and RPI needs more than that right now. As always, GO RED, GO WHITE!

Back Into The Thick Of It

Ok Non-Conference, ADIOS! The lads of RPI are fully into the ECAC swing of things this weekend with two games in division. Yale and then Brown are on the radar tonight. Yale is putting together an impressive year at 8-1 and 4-0 in the ECAC. Brown is hovering around .500 the same as RPI.

Clearly, based on past history, I am expecting a split although a win against Yale could be a good sign of things to come over the next few months. I have always thought the ECAC was among the weakest divisions in college hockey and for RPI to really start clicking on a national level, they would really have to tear through the ECAC. This weekend could start that. However, I think the way RPI is currently constructed, we are looking at a slightly better than .500 team.

Can't wait to be proven wrong and GO RPI!!!!

200th Post- RPI Holiday Win?

It has been a crazy couple of years here at RPI Hockey. Blogspot. Com. I have posted my musings on the Cherry and White and have been linked on many RPI blogs and College hockey blogs, for which I am truly thankful. I am just a fan who wants the lads to do well and it seems like y'all out there agree!

And what a better way to celebrate 200 posts then to talk about RPI ACTUALLY WINNING THEIR OWN TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LIKE 700 YEARS!!!! It was also a real up and down tourney with RPI scoring 9 but giving up 7. It is nice to know that if the D gives up easy ones (like the last BG goal in regulation) or York is off, the O can pick it up and actually win shootouts. I think the key to this team starts in net but it bodes well for the second half of the season if the O can pick up the slack when needed.

Also, congrats to Tyler who had two goals over the weekend. Of course, Brutlag was the real MVP amassing 2 goals and one assist but more importantly a goal when it counted, for the freakin' win! Go Red, go White!

Great Video

From those folks over at Without a Peer, really check this out. A great way to start Turkey Day!

Holiday, Holiday, Holiday, Holiday

Happy Turkey Day to everyone out there in Cherry and White land! Can't wait to listen to the Holiday Tourney on the Interwebs as RPI some questionable teams again. It has been awhile since RPI has actually won the tourney but hope spring eternal!

I just stumbled across this new RPI Hockey blog which I thought I would turn you guys onto. They say hockey is a religion well this guy takes it to new heights.

http://firstchurchofrpihockey.wikispaces.com/

I particularly like this second commandment:

II.

Thou shalt respect thy idol, Father Puckman

For the tourney, I see RPI beating Conn in the semifinal and then losing to BGSU in the final. Whatever the results, I hope you have lots of turkey and lots of good family memories!

No Hockey? What To Do.

Well the lads in Cherry and White are taking a week off. The next games will be after Turkey Day for the annual Holiday Tournament. I had many a mug from the Holiday Tourneys of old but as I believe I have documented on here, no mugs this time!

This will be my first HT that I have missed in awhile. I usually tried to make the first RPI game but now I will have to listen from afar. Still, what to do with the downtime?

I Think I Will

1) Start cutting out felt letters and numbers for an eventual champeenship on my mini-replica National Championship banner.
2) Create a Paypal account and website to help pay the fines SA receives for speaking his mind.
3) Polish the old vuvuzela that was used in 80s freakouts before the World Cup came along.
4) Light a candle of thanks for Jason Moy and his brilliant USCHO website.

A Split?

I can accept a lot of things about my life. I can accept the fact that I am good looking. That people want to fly me on their private jets everywhere. That I live in a place that is perpetually sunny and in the 70s.

What I am having difficultly understanding is how a team that is as talented as RPI has been over the last two seasons CONSISTENTLY be a .500 team. It gets to the point where you want them to win the weekend, they NEED to win the weekend but man, they just lose that Friday night game and that is that.

I really believe the ECAC is there for the taking. If you said that a team had a top league scorer and the best goaltender, you would think that team would be tops of the table. Instead it is a constant split weekend, split months and ultimately not a good position for the ECAC playoffs.

I remain hopeful though. Things slow down after the holiday tourneys and then the real meat of the ECAC schedule takes hold and we will see what's what for RPI this season. Until then, I will accept RPI is a .500 team in the ECAC until they prove me wrong.

Rivals

What makes for a good rivalry? Certainly the function of geography helps. "Cross town", "subway series" and other catchphrases belies the fact that if you are in the same town, county or even sometimes state you have fanbases ready to state why they are best.

History also plays a part. Is one team the new kid on the block? Have there been missed calls or terrible puck bounces that stick with the fans forever?

Finally, who do the fans look to as their rival? One of the most interesting thought exercises is to ask "who is your top rival?" between Sabres, Leafs, Sens and Habs fans. Often, who you look to as a rival is big kid/small kid syndrome due to location and history.

Well, RPI has this in spades with Union and this weekend, the travel partners become bitter enemies in back to back games. As an RPI fan, I can say my dislike for Union comes mostly from location as well the history of the 2 programs. RPI, long standing program, 2 time national champ with multiple NHL players. Union, seems like they were formed yesterday, have done slightly better over the last 10 years and really, their uniforms are terrible. Factor that all in and I want RPI to stomp all over them this weekend.

I don't want RPI to be a .500 team (an ENTERTAINING .500 team but still) and it all starts this weekend. I think York leading the way, hopefully stomps all over em. Let's go Cherry And White!

One Night Only, Hurray Hurra Hurra

Hey everyone, this was passed along to me and if you have time and the desire to go up the Northway, go see one of the former Cherry And Reds go at it tonight!

Attention all RPI alumni and fans! Jerry D’Amigo returns to the area as a member of the Toronto Marlies for the only time this season! The Adirondack Phantoms face Jerry and the Marlies at 7:00pm. Come to the Glens Falls Civic Center box office, say “I’m from RPI” and receive a special $5 ticket tonight only. For more information, call the Adirondack Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

Buy Me A Powerball Ticket

For some crazy reason, RPI is pretty much tracking along my predictions each week. 1-1 this weekend, killing D, losing to H? Yea I think I nailed it. What is apparent is that SA better do everything he possibly can to convince York to stick around for the next two years. He keeps the Cherry and White in the game and very rarely lets other teams back in once RPI's offense is clicking.

I think with the season in full swing, we will see RPI break out of the .500 blues this season and maybe get it up to .666 (DEVIL!) this season. With Tyler assisting, Chase scoring and York backstopping, I think the team has a legit chance to be in the top 4 of the league this year. One thing I would like to see if the scoring be more consistent. 4 goals 1 game and NONE the second game? York will keep them in it, just get a few more goals lads!

Ivies

RPI is going up against the Green of Dartmouth and Crimson of Harvard this weekend. Both teams don't have a lot of history this season to draw upon but you have to like the goals for/against on Dartmouth (5/8). Dartmouth has traditionally been around a .500 team but Harvard has had some great runs in the regular season. I figure probably a split this weekend with RPI taking Big Green.