CRHL-MAR Craziness

[PatriotsHockey]

I'm sure someone will post results from the first CRHL-MAR event this past weekend at some point, but it's been confirmed that perennial #1 powerhouse Penn State went 1-3 in their first weekend of play, losing to Pittsburgh, Penn State-Altoona and SUNY Binghamton before regrouping and crushing whom many people thought was the best team in the Mid-Atlantic Region this year, R.I.T. 9-3. Could this be the first year where Penn State is NOT #1???? Stay tuned for some more madness!

~Minh
VP of GMURHC
http://www.gmu.edu/org/rhc/
[email protected]

[John_S_Osborne]

Ouch. That's some news.

Has Binghampton turned it around this year, or was it just a bad performance for Penn State? Also, I saw Virginia Tech hung in there with RIT. Looks like we may have some good competition in the MAR this season.



---
John S. Osborne
Drexel University Roller Hockey Club

[MBurke]

Hey all,

I sat in the scorer's box faithfully watching every game, and I have to say the new divisional breakup is going to do wonders for competition in the MAR. Most games were within 1-3 goals, and all were exciting. As always, there were a couple blowouts, but I think nearly every team in the league has improved dramatically.

Now, for the PSU question. PSU played two tough games against Altoona (who is now my favorite to win the division) and University of Pittsburgh. They seemed out of sync on offense and weren't picking up men or hustling as much as they normally do on defense. To put it simply, they seemed disorganized. This may have been a product of lack of practice, or other factors, but the reason they lost those games is because they gave up more quality scoring chances than they created.

In the Binghamton game, Bing goaltender Eric Popken played the best game I have seen from a goaltender in the league in a long time, turning aside 49 shots in a 5-4 victory. PSU got plenty of chances, but the few that got by Popken always seemed to hit the post. In my opinion, Popken may be the most underrated goalie in the league. Watch out for him if you have to face him. Binghamton has improved a lot. They moved the puck very well, especially on the power plays. They simply hung back and waited for their chances, and they converted on some clutch goals. Binghamton played their best, while PSU played a lackluster game. I think it says a lot about the competition in the league when a team many regard as "bottom of the pack" can come out and beat one of the big boys with a good game. Goes to show that there's no guarantees.

Aside from Penn State, Pittsburgh and Altoona look to be the early favorites. Both finished at 3-0-1 for the weekend. Altoona (is it possible?) has added even more offensive firepower, and for the first time in two years they actually look as if they've learned to play defense as well. Look out, because with the scoring of Matt Brunk, Dave McKay and Evan Winstead up front, as well as help from Matt Hahey and a host of others on defense, they are really turning some heads. Pittsburgh still has Mike Abbott and standout goalie Colin McGrath, as well as some new faces. Jeff Stevens actually seemed to be the go-to guy for Pitt's scoring this past weekend. It will be interesting to see how the race for first place turns out. As always, you can't count out RIT or U Delaware (who we haven't seen yet).

More to come in the ECRHA Official Season Preview. . check out the website. . it should be up soon.

~Mike Burke
ECRHA Webmaster / Chief Information Officer
www.ecrha.net

[John_S_Osborne]

I think we all should scold Mike for switching his picks for first in the division. What sort of analyst changes his predictions? ;)

At any rate, I saw the threads ranking the teams over on the ECRHA messageboard, and I think this tournament weekend will show you that, at this point, it's pretty much up in the air. You've got some serious instability at the top now, and like you said, Delaware hasn't even been seen yet.
And, who knows who else will be able to show the same improvements as it looks Binghampton has made.

If there's one thing for sure, I think we're in for a great, great season. The competition is looking pretty tight, and I think you'll find alot more teams and people hanging around to watch the closer games.

---
John S. Osborne
Drexel University Roller Hockey Club