>From:    Michael Willen <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: RPI-Cornell Replay Goal
>
>I had the opportunity to watch the game via the Empire Network.  I agree
that it seemed quite clear that the puck was not shot in by a stick.
However, it is >NOT clear that the RPI player was the one to push it in.
>One could not see Garver move his hand; only his body seemed to be moving.
It is just as plausible that one of the Cornell players lying on top of or
near >Garver (there seemed to be at least two) could have been trying to
push the puck TO Elliot in order to freeze it and accidentally pushed it
past him.  We don't >see ANYONE'S arm or hand doing the pushing so either
explanation is possible.  Murphy signalled a goal when he saw the puck in
the net and the light on.  >He did his job to check with the  replay
officials.  Gallagher and Ammian did the right thing.  They didn't see who
pushed the puck in either.  Since they could >not say conclusively that
Garver pushed it in, they had to allow the goal.  The only other question
could have been whether or not the whistle blew bofore the >puck went in;
the television replay with sound showed that the puck went in first.  The
bottom line is that Cornell won.  Move on to the NCAAs and forget one
>lousy goal.
 
I don't mean to drag this thread out even further, but I'm curious about
something.  Can the goal judge offer an opinion about how the puck went in?
From their vantage point, they may see what the camera angles & perhaps the
on-ice officials don't.  Can the ref ask the goal judge for this
information to confirm a goal, or is their only function to indicate that
the puck crossed the line - period?  Does this vary between college & pro?
 
As for the tournament seeding thread, I concur that the committee did a
good job applying the pre-established criteria.  When people say, in
effect, "it doesn't matter who you have to play, because you have to win
every game to be the champs" that's certainly true, but may be
oversimplifying things a bit.  Without presenting an in-depth analysis, I
think it's fair to say that some teams match up better/worse against
certain opponents - size/speed of players, style of play (up-tempo,
defensive, neutral-zone trap), etc.  Therefore, I'd prefer to face teams
that I match up better against, & let someone else battle (& hopefully
beat!) teams against whom I don't match up well.  Simply put, my team may
have a better chance of winning the tournament if I face certain teams &
avoid facing other teams.  How teams match-up is certainly not a seeding
criteria, nor do coaches/players have a say in the matter, especially as
each playoff round progresses.  They'll have to prepare for any opponent in
whatever ways are necessary to win.  However, I don't think the match-up
factor can be overlooked or underestimated.
 
Just my 2 cents...
 
Drop the puck!
 
Dave Hatfield
UML'86
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