Can anyone out there in the Hockey-L stratosphere offer commentary on the
success of the Yale Bulldogs this year?
 
It's clear that Yale is no longer a team to be brushed aside, especially
after last night's 6-2 defeat over Merrimack (in which they led 3-0 and
5-1). Some may comment that they haven't played even a tough schedule, and
that's true when comparing them against the Sioux, the Spartans, or the
Terriers. But they have beaten both Cornell and Merrimack, teams which have
been receiving votes in the polls. Not too shabby for a team all too
familiar with cellar dwelling.
 
Clearly, a key reason for the Bulldog's success this year has been their
stingy defense -- as of today (11/30/97) they've got a goals-against
average of 1.67, among the best in the country (if not the best). Last
night they allowed only two goals (both PPG) against a Merrimack offense
that many people feel has some of the best talent in the country
(Porter-Cohen et al).
 
When viewed alongside their defensive statistics, their offensive output
has also been fairly strong this year, averaging 3.33 goals per game --
that means they're outscoring their opponents two to one, a pretty good
ratio for a hockey team at any level. Additionally, it seems that much of
their scoring is fairly spread out; as can be best deduced from the box
last night's goals came from 4 players on 3 lines. All goals came on even
strength, too.
 
But does this team have the strength and stability to hold on this way
through the season? Is this team playing as a very tight unit, or is it
only a matter of time before its ECAC competition tightens up? And what
about consistency -- they've lost twice now to Brown (once in overtime,
once in an exhibition), a 1-6 team whose only victory was against Yale
(granted, Brown has played both BC and BU). It'll be hard to take the
Bulldogs seriously if they can't beat those guys when they meet again come
February.
 
Aside from next weekend's date with Princeton, I suppose we'll have to wait
almost a month before learning the true nature of this team, when they play
against Lake State and Army/RPI in RPI's
we've-got-the-longest-name-in-the-country tournament. A win against the
tigers and a trophy from the tournament would certainly mean a lot of
momentum through the end of the season.
 
Might this team be representing the ECAC come tournament time? Also, should
Yale turn out a "dream" season and win both the ECAC regular season as well
as the ECAC tournament, how would that affect the at-large bids of other
ECAC teams? After the season's over, will the tournament commitee's
forumlas help or hurt those teams which have faced -- and lost to -- the
Bulldogs? Looking at the Bulldog's schedule for the rest of the season, it
is a fair guess to say that their strength-of-schedule rating would be
among the lowest in the tournament.
 
Also, it seems that New Haven has taken notice of these Ivies, what with a
crowd of 2,799 over thanksgiving weekend.
 
Anyhow, this is only my babbling from what I've read here and on the web.
How about comments from those of you that have seen them play?
 
 
Yale's 7-2-0 season thus far (clipped from US College Hockey Online), not
including exhibition games:
 
 
 H 11/01/1997 W      5 Air Force              1  NC
 H 11/07/1997 W      2 Clarkson               1  EC
 H 11/08/1997 W      3 St Lawrence            0  EC
 A 11/14/1997  L     2 Brown                  3  EC   ot
 A 11/15/1997 W      3 Harvard                1  EC
 A 11/21/1997 W      5 Colgate                1  EC
 A 11/22/1997 W      2 Cornell                1  EC   ot
 A 11/28/1997  L     2 Providence             5  NC
 H 11/29/1997 W      6 Merrimack              2  NC
 
 
 
greenie
S P O O N  ! !
(go BU)
(go RAPIDS!!!!)
 
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