vs. Adrian (11/13-11/21)

[mbenecke]

Folks, barring another postponement in the next few hours, Falcon Hockey is back.

The opponent is Adrian College. They've won every game/exhibition they've played this season, twice beating Trine and also defeating the USNTDP U-18 team, 5-3. Last year, they were 21-5-3. From what I understand, they play a scrappy game and they've a Division III powerhouse.

I am hoping to see a good amount of success tonight. It's a quality (lower-level) opponent, but this team should be really good this year when we round into March. I'm curious to see how the seniors lead this team and what we look like with Gavin Gould now in the fold.

Looking forward to tonight! Roll Along!

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Is this game an exhibition? Everything I've seen indicates it's a non-conference regular season game. I admit I'm confused.

https://www.uscho.com/scoreboard/bowlin ... ns-hockey/" target="_blank

[mbenecke]

Is this game an exhibition? Everything I've seen indicates it's a non-conference regular season game. I admit I'm confused.

https://www.uscho.com/scoreboard/bowlin ... ns-hockey/" target="_blank

Hmm. That very well could be, too. I'll also admit I'm not certain - I had just assumed it was an exhibition.

But I'm almost betting I'm wrong now - the athletic department site listed the USNTDP U-18 match-up as an exhibition, but this doesn't have that designation... so I suppose this is officially GAME 1!

[pdt1081]

Is this game an exhibition? Everything I've seen indicates it's a non-conference regular season game. I admit I'm confused.

https://www.uscho.com/scoreboard/bowlin ... ns-hockey/" target="_blank

I know you're allowed 2 exhibition games, which would be why at least one of the games against Adrian is a "non-conference" that counts against the total number of games allowed. I haven't looked it up, but I seem to remember exhibition exemptions cannot be used against NCAA opponents, regardless of division level.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I was thinking playing Adrian was akin to the first season for PSU or ASU where their schedules were a mix of DI and DIII opponents.

[AZIce]

Pretty sure any games against another NCAA school are games. Similar to playing an FCS school in football.

Exhibitions would be against non-NCAA opponents such as CIS, USHL (USNDTP) or ACHA DI(Club)

[pdt1081]

I was thinking playing Adrian was akin to the first season for PSU or ASU where their schedules were a mix of DI and DIII opponents.

Those games counted against their 34 game total.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I was thinking playing Adrian was akin to the first season for PSU or ASU where their schedules were a mix of DI and DIII opponents.

Those games counted against their 34 game total.

That's what I thought. Thanks.

[mbenecke]

It's nice to have a little bit of hockey discourse around these parts. Most normal things have felt in a while.

We should win tonight, right? I know it's a quality opponent, but I have to think we're the better team (being D1) and even though it's our first time out with another team and we could be rusty (something they won't have to deal with), we should be fine tonight... right?

[rood]

Adrian has 12 freshman on their roster. Hopefully this will lead to a culture change and they won't come out head hunting if we put up a big lead on them.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Adrian has a quite a few guys from the lower junior leagues, however, they also have some guys from the BCHL - one was teammates with Ethan Scardina. One would expect us to win, but you're well aware that on any given Sunday the '72 Dolphins could have lost. And be sure to keep your head on a swivel.

[TommyG]

If it isn’t an exhibition then the individual and team stats count, but it doesn’t count for RPI or NCAA tourney consideration. Win, lose or draw it will have no impact on our resume for the postseason.

[mbenecke]

This doesn't have to do with tonight's games, but I thought it was important news:

Anchorage has decided to cancel their indoor sports seasons for the winter, meaning they won't be playing hockey this year. So the WCHA has lost a team and we're down to 9 in the league for the season. We also now have free dates on 1/22 and 1/23.

[mbenecke]

The lines are out. Interestingly, no freshmen in the lineup - mostly experienced upperclassmen with a few guys who were here last year that just didn’t play much.

Kruse-Johnson-Wright
Gould-Ford-Barber
Craggs-Schneider-Dougherty
Danol-Pitters-St. Jean

Wright-Cullen
Musser-Lloyd
Theocharidis-Daly
Babiak

Dop
Rose
Rich

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Not much of a drop off between lines 1 and 2. Interesting to see how the size works out.