It’s never easy for Brockport. The SUNYAC schedule is hard enough, but
so is the out of conference schedule when you consider they play the likes of
Hobart and Saturday’s road foe – Elmira.
Elmira is 2-2-0 on the young season and fresh off their fifth straight
appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Even so, they are in a state of flux this year. They lost their top 3 scorers from last season (and 9 seniors overall) and their defense has been unusually porous by their standards, including games in which they gave up 9 to Oswego and 5 to Neumann.
The team has had a rough go at lighting the lamp (as has Brockport). Not one fellow has more than 1 goal on the Elmira stat sheet. So, this may be a nailbiting, low-scoring game.
The goalies may be one of the coaches’ frustration this year, as made evident by the goaltending by committee. Last year’s #1, Darren McDonald, posted a solid .887 and 3.12 line in 2011-2012, but he has one period under his belt this year, while the other 2 (Milne and deMelo) have 2 games each. The latter may see the start tonight as his numbers are the more solid of the 3 (.892, 3.97).
But, realize, even with the early woes, this is a team with a great history and a tradition of winning. They are well-coached and historically dominating on special teams. They may be frustrated enough with their start that, like an injured animal, they’ll take it out on Brockport.
It should be noted that the newest addition to their coaching staff is Brockport product Tim Crowley. He graduated in ’09 and ended his Golden Eagle career with two solid seasons (19 and 20 points respectively).
Even so, they are in a state of flux this year. They lost their top 3 scorers from last season (and 9 seniors overall) and their defense has been unusually porous by their standards, including games in which they gave up 9 to Oswego and 5 to Neumann.
The team has had a rough go at lighting the lamp (as has Brockport). Not one fellow has more than 1 goal on the Elmira stat sheet. So, this may be a nailbiting, low-scoring game.
The goalies may be one of the coaches’ frustration this year, as made evident by the goaltending by committee. Last year’s #1, Darren McDonald, posted a solid .887 and 3.12 line in 2011-2012, but he has one period under his belt this year, while the other 2 (Milne and deMelo) have 2 games each. The latter may see the start tonight as his numbers are the more solid of the 3 (.892, 3.97).
But, realize, even with the early woes, this is a team with a great history and a tradition of winning. They are well-coached and historically dominating on special teams. They may be frustrated enough with their start that, like an injured animal, they’ll take it out on Brockport.
It should be noted that the newest addition to their coaching staff is Brockport product Tim Crowley. He graduated in ’09 and ended his Golden Eagle career with two solid seasons (19 and 20 points respectively).
It should be a rousing affair. Likely a little physical. Brockport
knows what it’s like to beat Elmira (after stunning the fifth-ranked
team last December). Likewise, Elmira knows what it’s like to beat SUNYAC
teams, having bested Geneseo by a score of 4-3 last night.
You can watch tonight’s game on Elmira’s website:
http://athletics.elmira.edu/index.aspx?path=mhockey&&tab=0
http://athletics.elmira.edu/index.aspx?path=mhockey&&tab=0
