December 15, 2011

ECRHA Roundtable: Mid Season Recap Edition

Join Bourque, Creek, DaSilva, and Prescott as they look to ECRHA Regionals

Jesse: Welcome to another edition of ECRHA round table! This week, marketing members Phil DaSilva and Ian Prescott join Bill and I.

Bill: As always, it is a pleasure to be here.

Phillip: Honored to be invited.

Ian: Glad to be here, Jesse and Bill, you've done a great job all year on the roundtable.

Jesse: Happy to have you both. So the big news this week: 2012 Nationals to be held in Salt Lake City. Thoughts?

Phillip: Its great to be having the event at such a historic facility.

Ian: I think it's great that the location has been revealed just in time for the holidays, and in such an absolutely amazing location it'll be great for all who are privileged to take part.

Bill: I for one am excited and jealous, teams are going to get to play in a world class venue that few players in this league will ever get the chance to play in again.

Ian: Not to mention Bill it's a great opportunity to usher interest from schools in the region as we promote the sport.

Jesse: Good points, I think a lot of problems that occurred in Madison were taken into account, and hopefully this facility will provide a national tournament that people will talk about for a while.

Bill: I think the biggest issue last year in Wisconsin was the problem's that occurred with moisture going over the ice. However, with the ice melted down and a state of the art dehumidification system this should not be a concern.

Phillip: It looks like the facility itself is rather large, it seemed to me last year the space was rather tight, hard to move around.

Bill: Now that the biggest ticket item is off the table we can turn the focus back to the first semester. This year is shaping up to be a fun one as many teams are in position to make a run at regional titles.

Ian: The parity we had hoped for when the NCRHA introduced the divisional application has really shown through across the board in all divisions

Jesse: Regional titles? Some teams have national title aspirations, too. Let's start with Division I, shall we?

Phillip: I'm really excited to see Stony Brook match up with West Chester. They really play with some fire and they are going to make it a close one.

Bill: You won't have to wait long for that showdown, Stony Brook and West Chester are scheduled to play in the very first event of the semester.

Jesse: I agree. If I could make a prediction about the division I final right now, I'd put SBU against West Chester.

Ian: I think the tandem of WCU and SBU have gotten the most attention out of most fans of the ECRHA but don't forget about Hofstra or Neumann University. Both teams have something that really keeps them in the competition with teams like WCU and SBU and that's great goaltending and timely scoring on special teams.

Bill: I wouldn't be shocked if in Neumann actually found themselves in the final. They seem to have a great team that can take on anyone. They have beaten national power Central Florida (5-3), with ties against Towson (1st in Central) and Suffolk. Their only loss was a 7-5 setback against West Chester that was decided in the last 2 minutes, despite holding a 5-3 lead with 8 minutes to play.

Jesse: An all PA team final is very possible. Don't forget about West Point, who almost took down West Chester, going up 5-0 before falling 7-5.

Ian: Absolutely, that West Point team is a serious contender. A good deep bench with a ton of heart, I think in terms of dark horses you have to look to UConn, gaining back one of the most dangerous tandems in DI in Tyler DaSilva and Nick Tomczyk they could make a real push for a low seed and upset a ton of teams at regionals.

Bill: That brings us to the ultimate question, what 8 teams do you think will make Regionals in Division I?

Bill: I am going to predict the following, in no particular order: Stony Brook, Hofstra, Towson, West Point, West Chester, Connecticut, Temple, and Brockport

Jesse: Stony Brook, Hofstra, UConn, Towson, West Point, Penn State, West Chester, and Neumann

Bill: Correction: Stony Brook, Hofstra, Towson, West Point, West Chester, Connecticut, Neumann, and Brockport… I don't know how I left out Neumann.

Ian: West Chester, Neumann, Stony Brook, Hofstra, West Point, Conneticut, Temple, and Penn State glad seeing everyone is using the oxford comma while listing teams.

Bill: Phil?

Ian: Ladies and Gentlemen Phil DaSilva has left the building.

Jesse: His computer broke lol. Literally went black. Trying to restart it.

Bill: Seems like Phil gave his computer a virus. Let's hope its not contagious. It seems we all agree expect Penn State and Temple.

Jesse: Basically, it seems like the last two regionals spots are up for grabs.

Bill: Temple has been hot, winning 3 out of 4 games, and holds a 4-1 victory over Penn State if they can catch up in the standings.

Ian: True, but you can't forget defending regional champion Rowan either. They have yet to play Buffalo this year and have a win against Connecticut this season when head to head is vital.

Jesse: All very good points. The last couple of events should be very exciting. Let's take a look at Division II a division you two are very familiar with. Any surprises as you look at the standings after the first semester?

Bill: I think the biggest surprise is how well UMass has adjusted to Division II. UMass, a former DIII member is sitting at 7-1-2 in second place in the North.

Ian: UMass-Amherst, by far has taken me by surprise coming from DIII they've far surpassed expectations, however, UMass has amassed those points without playing either of Slippery Rock or Pittsburgh.

Jesse: I would definitely agree. I was thinking that way too- but also wanted to mention Queens as well. They too have had an impressive first half, going 5-2-3, all while adjusting to playing in Division II as well.

Bill: I think the most exciting matchup of the season will take place right away to start the second semester, undefeated Pittsburgh vs Northeastern, both teams finished the first semester at 10-0-0.

Ian: I think that will be almost as exciting any of the DI rivalry matchups during All-Star Weekend; I'm sure Pitt will be out for blood to avenge a 5-0 preseason loss from Northeastern.

Jesse: Perhaps. Don't count out Slippery Rock either. They may have suffered a bad loss at the hands of Pitt, but they certainly have the talent to take down any of the top teams in DII. At 6-1-3, they are certainly in the hunt for a top spot at regionals.

Bill: Nobody is mentioning reigning regional champion Binghamton? Sitting at 10-1-2 and running over opponents this season, with only a 5-2 loss to Northeastern and ties against Queens/UMass. They can beat anyone at anytime.

Jesse: That is not a knock on Binghamton, but merely a testament to the strength of Division II. Anyone can come out on top- would it surprise any of you if any one of the aforementioned teams came out on top?

Bill: Not really, despite Northeastern and Pittsburgh mostly liking finishing with the top two seeds, last years DII regionals should be enough to convince anyone that its not easy to win in Feasterville with a trip to nationals on the line.

Ian: True, I however think the separation between the top 4 is a little more prevalent than it was last year when we rolled into regionals.

Jesse: Well- we will certainly see at regionals this year, maybe an upstart such as Delaware, Boston, or Albany can pull off an big upset.

Ian: If anyone can do it Delaware can.

Jesse: Bill, what teams do you think make it to regionals?

Bill: I think that UMass, Northeastern, Boston, Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock, Binghamton, and Queens will make it, with Delaware and Albany battling it out for the final spot.

Ian: I think in this order we'll see Northeastern, Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock, Binghamton, Umass, Delaware, and Boston.

Bill: Ian, I think you forgot to place Queens in your list, your only taking 7 teams. Are you expecting an Ohio State type scandal?

Ian: Argh, I pulled a Bourque, I have no idea how I forgot them.

Bill: I am sticking with the Ohio State scandal.

Jesse: I agree with Ian's list. Although Albany might take a spot from Boston or

Delaware.

Ian: I think that's possible with Albany leading the season series, not to mention Boston still has to play Pitt and Northeastern before the season is over and Albany has yet to play Shippensburg.

Jesse: Very good points, Division II should be fun to watch unfold come March. Let's move on to Division III, shall we?

Ian: I would just like to mention DIII might have the biggest rivalry ever the competition between team representatives of Oswego and Cortland, brothers Billy and Tommy Farr. I can't imagine how brutal Christmas dinner is going to be. With so many inter-squad connections Cortland and Oswego just don't like one another.

Bill: I think its going to be those two teams in the final this season as well. Cortland has been the best team all season, as two victories over Oswego displays, however, Oswego made the DIII final last season and may have what it takes to pull off the upset this season.

Jesse: It is looking that way. Cortland might get a little complacent at times, but they certainly get fired up for any games involving Oswego. Don't forget- we really have not seen a full Syracuse team. Will they ever have one? Who knows.

Ian: On the southern side of the conference I'm pretty impressed with the bit of nastiness developing between Lehigh and Ramapo Ramapo works very hard game in and game out and have always been a very well run team, Lehigh has developed into a formidable team in a short year as well.

Bill: Lehigh and Ramapo are in a dog fight for the playoff bye and Southern Conference Title, who do you give the edge in that battle?

Bill: If either of these teams can put it all together, they might just make a run against Cortland or Oswego.

Ian: I'd give the slight edge to Lehigh who are leading the season series between them and Ramapo

Bill: I am going to turn around and pick Ramapo. They have one more chance to even the series, I expect them to take it.

Jesse: I am going to say Lehigh. They have enough scoring, and are a more disciplined team than Ramapo. Any time you can spend more time on the power play than your opponent, you gotta like your chances to win that game.

Ian: Glad you can see the clearly correct side in this Jesse. Onward to the B Division?

Jesse: Let's bring this bad boy home.

Bill: I think this discussion should start and end with West Chester B. They are easily the best B team in the league, if not the country. They were less than 2 minutes from a national title last season before losing a heartbreak in overtime and they are even better this season. I think anything less than a championship would be a disappointment from this squad.

Jesse: As I wrote in my first semester recap, it almost seems at this point that anything sort of a national championship will be a disappointment. Agree or disagree?

Wow, lofty expectations.

Ian: Well lets not go giving them the National Championship just yet boys. While I do think there is a clear separation between WCU and everyone else in B, Nationally there are some severely talented teams out there including that team that snatched the B championship from their clutches in OT last year.

Bill: Agreed. It is always hard to rule out 7-time national champion, Lindenwood.

Jesse: Okay, okay. In that case, which ECRHA team poses the biggest threat to hand WCU a loss?

Bill: I am going out on limb here and going with 5-5-0 Suffolk. The team has had commitment issues all season, but if they can get their work/school schedules in line in time for Regionals, they are a team to watch out for.

Ian: I don't know if an ECRHA team can do it but if it is going to be anyone it would be Suffolk, who came within 4 goals of the powerhouse. To quote a great man "If it bleeds we can kill it."

Jesse: Fair enough. Lot of teams near the bottom of the B division., no one is out of the playoff picture by any stretch of the imagination. Tht being said, which two teams are left out in the cold this year?

Ian: Hate to say it but Rutgers organizationally has had a pretty rough year, I see them and Brockport on the outside looking in.

Bill: Tough question, I don't know any fair way to judge the teams as it seems they can all beat each other. If pressed, I will go with Brockport and Rutgers because they have primary colors of Red and Green and it seems festive to me.

Jesse: I think Brockport can turn it around. I would go with Stony Brook and Rutgers. Either team CAN make it, but they would have to win some big games in the second semester and hope teams ahead of them lose some important games too.

Ian: So with all of this said and done who are you picking for Regional Champions/Runners up of each Division?

Jesse: WCU over Stony Brook, Northeastern over Pittsburgh, Cortland over Oswego, and West Chester over Suffolk.

Jesse: Bill?

Bill: WCU over Neumann, Pittsburgh over Queens, Cortland over Oswego, and West Chester over Rowan.

Jesse: Interesting.

Bill: Ian?

Ian: WCU over Hofstra, Northeastern over Pittsburgh, Cortland over Oswego, West Chester Over Hofstra.

Jesse: Lots of variation, I like it.

Bill: I did that intentionally, didnt want it to be boring.

Ian: definitely a couple of surprises on there.

Jesse: The round table is never boring.

Bill: Fact.

Ian: Anything left?

Jesse: I think that will about do it. I hope everyone has a peaceful and restful holiday, looking forward to a frantic second semester.

Bill: Agreed. It was a pleasure, but it is time for Chipotle, I am out.

Ian: Best of luck to all our teams competing in interregionals this year and have a fantastic holiday.