Finally back after the long trip to Ann Arbor and then moving up to school,
I can now comment on Cornell's last 3 games, during which they are unbeaten
(to put a positive spin on it)
 
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN:
 
        After traveling 600 miles to get to Ann Arbor, along with
Hockey-Lers Jon Flint and Jen Conley who traveled just over 1000 miles
themselves, we were treated to a heck of a game.  Some has already posted
on the 3-3 tie, but what I felt were the keys in that game were
 
1)  Cornell played a physical game along the boards, not allowing Michigan
many odd man rushes.  In playing this type of game, which did not play to
Michigan's superior speed, the Red were able to wear down the Wolverines,
and prevent Jason Elliot from having to stop too many point blank attempts.
 
2)  When Elliot did have such attempts to thwart, he played outstandingly.
 
3)  Jason Kendall, inserted into the lineup in place of freshman defenseman
Rick Sacchetti (who incidently was spotted sitting with the Cornell fans
atop the North End), played like a man possessed.  Kendall made several
outstanding plays on Michingan 3 on 2 breaks, on one occassion going down
to take the pass away and then sweeping the puck of the attackers stick in
the same motion.  Sacchetti has not played since, with Kendall now forming
a third of the all-Jason defense (Elliot, Daily and Kendall).
 
4)  Cornell broke out of their zone well, generating a good number of odd
man rushes where they were abl to get some good scoring chances, including
one oin the povertime.  Oh, if only ...
 
        Going to Yost was a lot of fun, and I do want to thank Hockey-Ler
John Haeussler for helping us Cornell fans out to find a few extra tickets
for Yost.  And for taking us to Pizza Bob's before the game.  The arena is
a gorgeous facility, but I do agree with John's post that the Michigan
crowd was never really in the game, exceptwhen they were singing "Hail to
the Victors"  Nice fight song, neat with all the fists pumping into the
air, but potentially vdry, very annoying if played 13 times, for sure.
According to the papers after the game, Michigan wanted to send a message
that Cornell couldn't play with their caliber of team , were the two to
meet later on.  Well, I think the message is that Red are capable of
playing with anyone, anywhere.  The last 3 games against CCHA foes:
 
LSSU 5, CU 4 (NCAA East Reginals)
Miami 5, CU 4
Michigan 3, CU 3
 
Out of curiosity, besides the 11-0 game against CC, what was the last
Cornell game against a WCHA foe?
 
ITHACA, NY:
 
        Somehow the Red managed a 1-1 tie against a decidedly lesser Army
squad.  It was clear the Red had the advantage in skating, stick handling,
coaching, in every category except perhaps goaltending which could be
cosudered at least a draw for Armt.  Darryl Chamberlain played an excellent
game, thwarting a lot of very good chances.
 
        The Red seemed concerned with playing the game as drawn on the
chalkboard, in direct contrast with the Michigan game where the Red broke
out whenever they got the opportunity.  Cornell resumed the strategy of
setting up the play from behind their own net, as they did against Union
and RPI.  While the play itself is working much better now, it generated
several opportunities, the team seemed unable to finish their scoring
opportunities by grinding the puck into the net.  In fact, they were so
frustrated by this that in an overtime scramble, Tymchyshyn actually picked
up the puck and tried to throw it in the net.  I don't know how this game
ended 1-1, it really shouldn't have, but perhaps this will be the wakeup
call the team needs, I'll take 14-1-1 the rest of the way, especially
considering that the ECAC will not require 36 points to win this year.  My
guess is that 30-32 will be sufficient.
 
HAMITON, NY:
 
        Making the trip with 30 Cornell fans to Hamilton, the Red returned
to dominating form.  At least for the first half of the game.  Colgate got
an early power play, but after that Cornell dominated the first period.  As
the game went on Brezavich got more and more wanderlust, venturing out of
his net several times.  Once being caught out so far, on of his players was
forced to grab the in the crease.  My understanding of such a play is that
this is at leat a oenalty, if not a penalty shot.  Am I wrong, since the
referees called nothing at all.  Cornell was visibly upset at the non-call,
but that's the way it went.
 
        After the ten minute mark of the second period Cornell holed up,
protectinng its lead.  The defense played well, Elliot made some very good
stops, and the game began to get very chippy.  A very large number of
punches were thrown, slashes executed and words said, and very little was
done about it, as far as I could tell.  I always fear such a situation,
since there is always the potential for someone to get a DQ and be out for
the next game.  Or for someone to get hurt.  But none of that occured, and
the game ended uneventfully.  Colgate scored with 4 seconds to go, but it
was a meaningless goal, though Elliot was visibly upset.  As far as the
Assistant Referree call, I thought there were several opportunities for
such calls before that one; however, I didn't see where the infraction
occurred, so I can't comment on the actual validity of the call.  It is the
first such call I have seen, halfway through the season, which makes me
quesion the usefulness of the system.  I've seen a lot more chippy play let
go this year than last, and a lot less penalties called. (not that that is
a terrible thing - but whole games without power plays?)  I can't say I'm
liking this system.
 
        Well, the Big Red move to 1 point back of Princeton with the game
in hand.  The teams to vie for the title look to be the Tigers (-9), the
Red (-8), Vermont (-6), and the Golden Knights (-8), and RPI (-7).  The
numbers are points lost to date from maximum, 2 for a loss and 1 for a tie.
Everyone else is at -10 or above for about the halfway point.  That's not
going to be enough.  Princeton still hasn't really beaten anyone good, they
sit in first despite the highest negative score on this list due to
possesing several games in hand with respect to everyone else in
contention.  With all due respect to their good play so far, I look for
them to fade.  Look for Vermont, Cornell, Clarkson, and RPI to host playoff
games and fight for the regular season crown.
 
 
Larry Weintraub,
Cornell University
Let's Go BIG RED!!!!!
 
Quote of the Week:
   "Our program was coming but when we played Cornell our building just
changed.  The Cornell fans brought a lot of their chants and their
tradition to this building.  From then on, our crowd has taken off"
 
                --Michigan Hockey Coach Red Berenson
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.