March 7, 2008

Bye No Issue for Healthy Big Red

The following article appeared in the March 7 issue of the Ithaca Journal. 

By Brandon Thomas
Journal Staff

ITHACA -- It's a strange proposition, this business of playing a first-round playoff series. It's certainly not one the Cornell men's hockey team hopes to get used to in coming years.

But all things considered, there isn't a whole lot of concern surrounding the fact that Cornell was forced into action this weekend when it fell to fifth place in the ECAC Hockey regular season standings, thus earning a date with 12th-seeded Dartmouth this weekend at Lynah.

"Of all the years we've had the bye, we really, really needed it physically," said Cornell coach Mike Schafer, whose team has never played a first-round series since the league changed its playoff format in 2002 to include all 12 teams. "For us this year, it hasn't had that big of an impact, because we are healthy. Everybody is able to go. That makes a huge difference."

Complete article can be accessed via the Journal Web site by clicking here.