November 16, 2023
Tigers Still Crawling Out From the COVID Setbacks
by Joshua Seguin/Staff Writer (@JoshSeguin24)
Princeton, like the other Ivy League schools, had to bide its time in the post-COVID world to become competitive again, and return to its natural place in the ECAC pecking order.
The schools are still at a disadvantage and the future remains largely uncertain, but the improvements Princeton has made are noticeable and commendable.
If the beginning of 2023-24 is any indication, the Tigers have taken a big step towards reclaiming the good times.
“From the first four games, we have been in a lot of different situations,” Princeton coach Ron Fogarty said. “Despite the small sample size, it has already produced us a season of reference points to help our experiences down the road. The league is a grind because of the schedule setup, so you have to find ways to just win. You have to have multiple identities and be able to adapt. We have done a season’s worth in just four games.”
Princeton, like the other Ivies, does not participate in the transfer portal, nor are the schools allowed to take full advantage of the NCAA’s fifth-year allowance. While Quinnipiac or Clarkson, just to name conference rivals, can add talented veterans or keep someone for an extra season, the Ivies are not able to do this. For the coaches, this means the old-fashioned way — coaching up players and four-year development — is ever more important.
“I can only speak for ourselves, but of course COVID hurt us, obviously, from a development standpoint,” Fogarty said. “So our development is big and we have to do an exceptional job of recruiting exceptional student athletes and get them through admissions. We have a large group of sophomores, so the next two and a half years, it will be a big core.”
The evidence in the first quadrant of the season is there. The Tigers have been possession dominant, which often hasn’t been the case. Princeton has a 54.5 Corsi For percentage at even strength. A good case study was the Tigers’ opening game, against Harvard, where it outshot the Crimson, 43-21, and out-attempted them 71-38 at even strength. That game could be a sign of things to come going forward.
The offense is also leading the way — 10 players are averaging more than 0.75 points per game. The 27 goals is about 30 perecent of its total from last year, when it scored a measly 89….
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at College Hockey News from CHN…