Men's Hockey Notebook: 11-24-09

Rankings Roundup

Cornell fell to No. 7 in the USCHO poll [8] and No. 8 in the USA Today poll [9] after being ranked No. 5 last week in both.

Quinnipiac, proud owner of the best record in college hockey, is ranked at No. 9/10. Colgate, the Red’s Tuesday night opponent, moved into the No. 20 slot in the USHCO poll. Boston University is not ranked in either.

The Lynah Effect

Though the options are narrowing after the Athletics Department banned cheers directed at individuals, one “sieve,” senior goalie and preseason All-American Zane Kalemba of Princeton, told the Daily Princetonian [10] that when the Red has a lead at home, it’s a tough team to beat:

"I think Friday night against Cornell, we came out a little flat, and they jumped on us right away. At Lynah [Rink], it’s pretty hard to battle back, especially when you come out a little flat."

About That Penalty

If the game misconduct handed to senior Colin Greening (when he was whistled for hitting from behind in the first period) in the team’s loss to Quinnipiac seemed a little harsh, it’s because, according to Bobcats head coach Rand Pecknold,

"This year, a point of emphasis … you will call hits from behind automatically. They’ve been calling them all year."

Sophomore forward Sean Collins noted it might have been partially a result of the size difference between Greening (listed at 211 pounds) and Reese Rolheiser (170).

"A big guy like him, 215 pounds, against a little guy, they’re always going to make that call."