splayerc12 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2011 I have a question about d3 college hockey, that is how would a team such as SUNY Canton whos in the process of moving into d3 match up against say a team like Norwich? Do you think they would match up fairly well or would it be complete blowout? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hampshirepuck 2 Report post Posted October 15, 2011 Norwich is one of the top teams in division 2 it could be a slaughterhouse... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shooter27 116 Report post Posted October 16, 2011 Having played d3 in the ECAC East (same conference as Norwich) I can tell you that there is a large gap between the top d3 teams and the bottom. In general, top teams have players that were either vey close to being d1 players or chose to be a first/second line player at d3 instead of a third/fourth line/ healthy scratch guy at the d1 level. Teams at the bottom of d3 may have one or two guys like that, but top teams have many of them. I can't speak about SUNY Canton specifically, but if they are just trying to make the transition to d3 from club, or something similar, they most likely would not be competitive with Norwich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lampliter87 8 Report post Posted October 19, 2011 Missed this topic as I haven't been on in awhile. Canton in in the process of transitioning from DI ACHA club to Division III within the next 2 years (next season being a probationary year and the year after they are eligible to join a league). They've been a nationally ranked ACHA team the past few years, winning their league easily and going to the national championship the past 2 years. They have played and beat some weaker DIII teams in those years as well.However, Canton is definitely at a lower level then a top DIII program like Norwich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shooter27 116 Report post Posted October 20, 2011 Missed this topic as I haven't been on in awhile. Canton in in the process of transitioning from DI ACHA club to Division III within the next 2 years (next season being a probationary year and the year after they are eligible to join a league). They've been a nationally ranked ACHA team the past few years, winning their league easily and going to the national championship the past 2 years. They have played and beat some weaker DIII teams in those years as well.However, Canton is definitely at a lower level then a top DIII program like Norwich.That reminds me, a couple years back Norwich invited URI to its holiday tournament after URI won the club National Championship. The rest of the tournament was filled out by Amherst and (I believe) Utica - both middle of the pack d3 teams. I know URI got smoked pretty good by Amherst in the semi-finals and I fairly certain (though not 100%) they also lost to Utica in the consolation, but I don't remember what the score of that one was. So that should give you some idea of the talent gap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
