It's two days before the season starts. We probably should have one of these.
I've got a few thoughts, but they're all over the place. CJ Motte returns for his senior season, and 5 of the top 6 defensemen return. Scott Czarnowczan has graduated, and that is a big loss, but for the most part, the rest of the defensive corps returns. The annual problems we have scoring goals reared its head in a big way last season in the NCAA tournament, but this is how we've done things for quite some time: defense and goaltending. It's probably going to be how we roll again this year.
I'm fine with things, from a program perspective. I thought about this a few times this summer. These truly are the best times the program has had in its history. 2 conference championships in 3 years, 2 NCAA tournament appearances, a run to the national championship game. There's 59 (I think) D-1 programs in NCAA. Roughly 50 or so of those programs would happily take what we've accomplished over the last 3-5 years. Don't believe me? Care to refute that? Check the standings and the NCAA tournament brackets the last few years. If we compete to the end for the conference championship, get in the NCAA's and get to the quarters again, I'd be very pleased, again. I can defend this program without tearing someone else's program apart quite easily.
I used to be a VERY, VERY fierce critic of Bob Daniels, due to the lack of success and the way his teams carried themselves on the ice. He has done an absolutely remarkable job in turning both of those aspects around. He warrants no criticism whatsoever on those fronts. The same can be said for the university at this point, at least from my vantage point. The foolish 5 PM starts are a thing of the past, the attendance is up, and the student section appears to be bigger than ever.
Those of us that support this program, both here and around the arena, have every reason to be proud of this program. These are some good times. Let's enjoy this.
One more thing I'm going to address. While I am going to be in Big Rapids on Saturday night, I do not watch this team play all that much anymore. That's why I didn't write much of a preview. It's hard to comment on things you don't see with your own two eyes. If there is going to be much life to this thread, it's going to have to come from other Ferris supporters around here. I'll be around, but it's on you guys, now.
See you Saturday night.
I've got a few thoughts, but they're all over the place. CJ Motte returns for his senior season, and 5 of the top 6 defensemen return. Scott Czarnowczan has graduated, and that is a big loss, but for the most part, the rest of the defensive corps returns. The annual problems we have scoring goals reared its head in a big way last season in the NCAA tournament, but this is how we've done things for quite some time: defense and goaltending. It's probably going to be how we roll again this year.
I'm fine with things, from a program perspective. I thought about this a few times this summer. These truly are the best times the program has had in its history. 2 conference championships in 3 years, 2 NCAA tournament appearances, a run to the national championship game. There's 59 (I think) D-1 programs in NCAA. Roughly 50 or so of those programs would happily take what we've accomplished over the last 3-5 years. Don't believe me? Care to refute that? Check the standings and the NCAA tournament brackets the last few years. If we compete to the end for the conference championship, get in the NCAA's and get to the quarters again, I'd be very pleased, again. I can defend this program without tearing someone else's program apart quite easily.
I used to be a VERY, VERY fierce critic of Bob Daniels, due to the lack of success and the way his teams carried themselves on the ice. He has done an absolutely remarkable job in turning both of those aspects around. He warrants no criticism whatsoever on those fronts. The same can be said for the university at this point, at least from my vantage point. The foolish 5 PM starts are a thing of the past, the attendance is up, and the student section appears to be bigger than ever.
Those of us that support this program, both here and around the arena, have every reason to be proud of this program. These are some good times. Let's enjoy this.
One more thing I'm going to address. While I am going to be in Big Rapids on Saturday night, I do not watch this team play all that much anymore. That's why I didn't write much of a preview. It's hard to comment on things you don't see with your own two eyes. If there is going to be much life to this thread, it's going to have to come from other Ferris supporters around here. I'll be around, but it's on you guys, now.
See you Saturday night.
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