Union begins its quest for a fourth straight Whitelaw Cup this weekend when it opens the ECAC Hockey tournament on the road against Cornell at Lynah Rink.
The best-of-three series opens Friday before continuing on Saturday and, if necessary, on Sunday. All the games start at 7 p.m.
Ahead of the series, I chatted with Jason Weinstein, who will call the action for the Big Red on Ithaca's WHCU-AM (870). Weinstein looks back on the two previous meetings between the teams this season, breaks down the Big Red, offers some players to watch and more.
Ryan Fay (RF): Union lost both meetings against Cornell this season, 5-1 at Messa Rink on Jan. 16 and 2-1 at Lynah Rink on Feb. 21. What did you takeaway from those games?Jason Weinstein (JW): The biggest takeaway from the season series is probably just the result of Cornell beating the defending national champs twice by a combined score of 7-2. The first game featured a three-point night by Cole Bardreau and was the game that started the strong second half of the season he has put together.
The second game at Lynah Rink saw Cornell catch Union in the midst of a brutal scoreless stretch. It was a more typical Cornell win. I'd say the best takeaway for Cornell in the two games was that it held Daniel Ciampini and Mike Vecchione off the board even strength, though Ciampini scored a power-play goal in Union's 2-1 loss to Cornell.
RF: What are the strengths of this season's Cornell team?
JW: The strengths of this Cornell team are the ones that are usually associated with the Big Red: defense and goaltending. Cornell's been one of the best defensive teams in the country all season, led by goaltender Mitch Gillam.
It's counterintuitive but maybe one of the biggest breaks the defense caught this season was losing Joakim Ryan at the start of the year. His absence force fed minutes to guys like Jacob MacDonald, Ryan Bliss, and Dan Wedman. MacDonald has played all year with a great deal of confidence while Bliss and Wedman have provided strong play as freshmen. Of course, Ryan's return made the unit that much stronger.
The strong defensive play is also a factor in Cornell having the country's best penalty kill (91.1%). That's an area where Ryan, who is one of the best puck-moving defenseman in the country, really shines.
RF: What about Cornell's weaknesses?
JW: The biggest weakness for Cornell has been consistent scoring. The numbers don't lie. Cornell is averaging under two goals per game (1.90).
The loss of Joel Lowry (back surgery) has hurt. One encouraging sign has been the second half of the season put together by Bardreau. Also, John McCarron has found the back of the net the last couple of weeks. Ideally, Cornell would love to have the Hilbrich-Bardreau-McCarron line provide consistent offense and lead the way for the others.
Unfortunately, we've seen that line split up in part because of inconsistency and in part in an attempt to spread the offense to other lines. If Cornell can consistently put up 2-3 goals per game it could have a nice run in the postseason.
RF: As someone who follows the league, are you surprised that the Dutchmen finished the ECACH regular season in 10th place and are on the road for the playoffs?
JW: I'm like many who are surprised Union finished 10th this season. Rick Bennett has noted his team has faced the opposition's best game consistently this season; that's part of life being the defending national champs.
I'm probably most surprised to see so much of the scoring load fall on Ciampini and Vecchione. There have been some signs of that changing such as Ryan Scarfo's strong finish to his freshman season and Max Novak picking up five points in his last three games. But Union will need more than one line or one pair of players scoring to have success in the postseason. The talent is there to have that happen.
RF: What do you see as the keys this weekend?
JW: How much scoring will Union get from its secondary options? Cornell, being the home team, will have the last line change and will match up with Vecchione and Ciampini as necessary. Will those two players skate on the same line? Separately? A combination thereof? Cornell has been good this season in focusing on a team's top line or top players. The kind of weekend guys like Novak, Wilkins, Scarfo, and Foo have could be the difference.
I think the status of a pair of injured defensemen will also play a role. Does Jeff Taylor play for Union? Does Reese Wilcox play for Cornell? On Cornell's end, I think the formula is pretty simple: goaltending, defense, and enough offense from the likes of Bardreau, Hilbrich, and McCarron.
RF: Any predictions for how the series turns out?
JW: I'm not really into giving predictions, mostly because I'm terrible at it. I do see the series going three games. At that point, home ice will be a great advantage for Cornell. Union will be able to draw on its experience from the championship last season in a do-or-die situation.
Cornell players to watch
Cole Bardreau, Sr. F
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| Bardreau |
Ht/Wt: 5'10", 192
2014-15 stats: 28 GP, 5 A, 16 A
JW: Bardreau is Cornell's leading scorer and most dynamic offensive player. He's as healthy as he's been in his Cornell career and he'll tell you that's been the key to his production. He's the one Cornell player who is a threat to make a play each time he has the puck.
JW: Bardreau is Cornell's leading scorer and most dynamic offensive player. He's as healthy as he's been in his Cornell career and he'll tell you that's been the key to his production. He's the one Cornell player who is a threat to make a play each time he has the puck.
He's also been a key penalty killer for Cornell. A Bardreau faceoff win followed by a Joakim Ryan clear has been Cornell's best penalty killing play.
Jake Weidner, So. F
Ht/Wt: 6'2", 204
2014-15 stats: 28 GP, 3 G, 11 A
JW: Speaking of faceoffs, Weidner has become a force in the circle. He has the size and skill to break out offensively, but has been able to help in other areas before that happens.
Christian Hilbrich, Jr. F
JW: Speaking of faceoffs, Weidner has become a force in the circle. He has the size and skill to break out offensively, but has been able to help in other areas before that happens.
Christian Hilbrich, Jr. F
Ht/Wt: 6'7", 216
2014-15 stats: 29 GP, 9 G, 4 A
JW: Hilbrich is Cornell's leading goal scorer. He'll need to continue to put the puck into the back of the net for Cornell to have success this postseason. He's really used his considerable size well this season, particularly on the forecheck. He can be disruptive on the forecheck and defensively closing passing lanes with his length.
JW: Hilbrich is Cornell's leading goal scorer. He'll need to continue to put the puck into the back of the net for Cornell to have success this postseason. He's really used his considerable size well this season, particularly on the forecheck. He can be disruptive on the forecheck and defensively closing passing lanes with his length.
Joakim Ryan, Sr. D
Ht/Wt: 5'10", 183
2014-15 stats: 21 GP, 1 G, 12 A
JW: Ryan has been an impact player since his freshman year but is maybe making his biggest impact now. He logs the largest number of minutes of any Cornell skater. He also quarterbacks the power play, is essential on the penalty kill, is one of the best puck movers in the country, and has increased his offensive production in the second half of the season.
JW: Ryan has been an impact player since his freshman year but is maybe making his biggest impact now. He logs the largest number of minutes of any Cornell skater. He also quarterbacks the power play, is essential on the penalty kill, is one of the best puck movers in the country, and has increased his offensive production in the second half of the season.
Mitch Gillam, So. G
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| Gillam |
Ht/Wt: 6'0", 178
2014-15 stats: 25 GP, 9-8-5, 1.77 GAA, .935 save percentage
JW: Gillam has been one of the top goalies in college hockey all season. This is the first season he's been able to see regular playing time. He's really done everything well. He's obviously stopped the puck consistently but he plays the puck well and controls rebounds well. He's a fundamentally sound goalie who's given his teammates confidence when he's been in net.
JW: Gillam has been one of the top goalies in college hockey all season. This is the first season he's been able to see regular playing time. He's really done everything well. He's obviously stopped the puck consistently but he plays the puck well and controls rebounds well. He's a fundamentally sound goalie who's given his teammates confidence when he's been in net.
Matt Buckles, So. F
Ht/Wt: 6'2", 218
2014-15 stats: 27 GP, 7 G, 3 A
JW: Buckles has all the tools of a power forward. He's got good size and good awareness in the offensive zone. He's tied with Bardreau for the team lead in power play goals with four. If he produces some offense 5-on-5 this weekend it will be a big boost for Cornell.
JW: Buckles has all the tools of a power forward. He's got good size and good awareness in the offensive zone. He's tied with Bardreau for the team lead in power play goals with four. If he produces some offense 5-on-5 this weekend it will be a big boost for Cornell.
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