Re: Ferris State Hockey '10-11-Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the penalty box
Some thoughts/predictions on the upcoming season:
*yes, the offense could struggle. However, I'm expecting a healthy amount of transition offense. We have defensemen with the skills to make some really good break out passes and I think that we will have the forwards with the speed and skill to finish (really hoping the sophmores step up here). Our struggle will be with puck possession in the offensive zone. If the team gets pinned in their own end for long periods of time it will cost them - no matter how good the defense and goal tending is.
*The PK - it was great last year, and much of that can be attributed to our defensemen - many of whom are returning. However, I also think alot of that success can be attributed to the great two way play of Chupp, Riley, and Haines (something that didn't show up much on the scoresheet). Riley especially, was a puck clearing beast at times last year. This year Menke is the only forward who jumps to mind as being a really solid penalty killer.
*The freshmen - You can't really know what you've got until the first game or so, but they seem to have extremely good size for forwards, and track records that suggest they can use it. Like Hammer alluded to - mobility is everything. I'm nervous and a bit skeptical on this count, but still very hopeful about the group.
*Penalties - Losing Riley and Chupp might not hurt as much as people think, due to all the penalties they racked up (what I refer to as the Conolly/Lewindowski Effect ). Discipline is always an issue with ferris teams. Not much else to say about that.
*Nice video Dom - keep um coming
Final Prediction: 5th place CCHA finish, with some time in the national rankings. The potential for another top three finish is there, albeit unlikely.
Some thoughts/predictions on the upcoming season:
*yes, the offense could struggle. However, I'm expecting a healthy amount of transition offense. We have defensemen with the skills to make some really good break out passes and I think that we will have the forwards with the speed and skill to finish (really hoping the sophmores step up here). Our struggle will be with puck possession in the offensive zone. If the team gets pinned in their own end for long periods of time it will cost them - no matter how good the defense and goal tending is.
*The PK - it was great last year, and much of that can be attributed to our defensemen - many of whom are returning. However, I also think alot of that success can be attributed to the great two way play of Chupp, Riley, and Haines (something that didn't show up much on the scoresheet). Riley especially, was a puck clearing beast at times last year. This year Menke is the only forward who jumps to mind as being a really solid penalty killer.
*The freshmen - You can't really know what you've got until the first game or so, but they seem to have extremely good size for forwards, and track records that suggest they can use it. Like Hammer alluded to - mobility is everything. I'm nervous and a bit skeptical on this count, but still very hopeful about the group.
*Penalties - Losing Riley and Chupp might not hurt as much as people think, due to all the penalties they racked up (what I refer to as the Conolly/Lewindowski Effect ). Discipline is always an issue with ferris teams. Not much else to say about that.
*Nice video Dom - keep um coming
Final Prediction: 5th place CCHA finish, with some time in the national rankings. The potential for another top three finish is there, albeit unlikely.
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