West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

[Riz]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

Where did I say that? I just think it's stupid to say that MTU isn't battle tested because Games against Michigan And BGSU don't meet some cutoff. Those two are just as good as Providence or Nebraska Omaha in the grand scheme...

I thought you kind of hinted at it but I misunderstood you, sorry. The WCHA has plenty of above average teams below Tech that nobody ever talks about also like Fairbanks, Bemidji, and Ferris that aren't exactly cakewalks either.

[Pure Mel]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

I thought you kind of hinted at it but I misunderstood you, sorry. The WCHA has plenty of above average teams below Tech that nobody ever talks about also like Fairbanks, Bemidji, and Ferris that aren't exactly cakewalks either.

All I can say is I can't wait to see MTU match up against a couple NaCHo teams next weekend. Although the way ND did in their playoffs, they will be out for blood I think...And St. Cloud is no slouch that is for sure.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

I thought you kind of hinted at it but I misunderstood you, sorry. The WCHA has plenty of above average teams below Tech that nobody ever talks about also like Fairbanks, Bemidji, and Ferris that aren't exactly cakewalks either.

i do think the NCHC is overinflated but that is the way the current system is setup. I haven't had time to analyze the data the way I want to yet but I did start tonight and will hopefully have what I think is a more equitable way to incorporate QWB. We'll see how much it would have changed things once I get done. I did the work a couple weeks ago but it takes too much time to do it often. I'll be posting it in the pwr thread. I do think that BGSU and UML are very worthy teams.

[Pure Mel]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

Ralph Baer. He is far and beyond me.

RB has been posting 4 more years than you though...

[BigAl]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

SCSU played 26 out of their 38 games this year against teams that made the NCAA tourney. UND played 22, Michigan Tech played 4 games and Quinnipiac played 6 games against tourney teams. Obviously SCSU and UND are battle tested.

Quinnipiac played 7. Harvard 3 times, Yale 2, St Cloud 2

[Dr. Robert Katz]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

This isn't a great version of the Bobcats. Offensively, they lack size and don't make up for it with elite speed or puck skills. Sam Anas has played very well his first two years in Hamden and has been an offensive weapon, he would make a difference if able to play and he's healthy. Our hope up front is that Matthew Peca turns in a performance circa 2013 after consistent yet unspectacular Jr and Sr years. I would be shocked if we saw more than 2-3 scoring chances generated outside of the top 2 lines.

The top 4 on the back end are solid. Agosta can create offense yet is prone to the head scratchers. Federico is Mr. Steady. Toews is our best defensemen, he can move the puck, shoot the puck, and skate. And the X factor, Connor Clifton. Where his offense has gone, I have no clue, but the ability to create is there. He will also cross the line and take runs at guys and even play dirty. He is effective when on his game and a minus machine when he isn't.

The goalie was terrific against Union, clearly the best hockey of his college career. Can he have a day? Yes, anyone can, and it is promising that his best hockey came a week ago; however, I've never viewed him as a game stealer or a goalie who gets in opponents heads.

That's it. I'm down on the team this year, but hell, all it takes is two win to survive an extra two weeks and play in Boston. Go Q.

[Tipsy McStagger]

That is some great math skills... 5 vs Minnesota State, 2 vs UMD equals 4...gotcha. And if you don't think Michigan or Bowling Green are good teams that would qualify as battle tested, you're nuts just because the NCHC has this superior appearance doesn't mean there weren't good teams left out...

Michigan is not a good team.

[SCSU Euro]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

Where did I say that? I just think it's stupid to say that MTU isn't battle tested because Games against Michigan And BGSU don't meet some cutoff. Those two are just as good as Providence or Nebraska Omaha in the grand scheme...

Maybe Providence, but UNO is a stretch. And Michigan isn't anything to brag about… basically 20th out of 60 teams in every poll is not blowing up anyone's skirt.

I don't think its unfair to say MTU isn't battle tested; doesn't mean they can't win one or even two games this weekend, but in comparison to SCSU and UND's schedule, it doesn't hold up. Basically WMU, BSU and Union are in a tier that's just above the halfway point of the rankings… and these were the worst teams we played all year other than CC. We played one bottom half team, on the road, and thumped them 13-2 in two games. We played top-10 teams over half of our games, whereas MTU played over half of the games against bottom half teams. Maybe tb didn't mean they're not at all battle tested, just not in comparison.

[stuckinwi]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

Maybe Providence, but UNO is a stretch. And Michigan isn't anything to brag about… basically 20th out of 60 teams in every poll is not blowing up anyone's skirt.

I don't think its unfair to say MTU isn't battle tested; doesn't mean they can't win one or even two games this weekend, but in comparison to SCSU and UND's schedule, it doesn't hold up. Basically WMU, BSU and Union are in a tier that's just above the halfway point of the rankings… and these were the worst teams we played all year other than CC. We played one bottom half team, on the road, and thumped them 13-2 in two games. We played top-10 teams over half of our games, whereas MTU played over half of the games against bottom half teams. Maybe tb didn't mean they're not at all battle tested, just not in comparison.

The only test that matters is Friday Can't wait to be there!

[bigblue_dl]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

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[scsutommyboy]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

That is some great math skills... 5 vs Minnesota State, 2 vs UMD equals 4...gotcha. And if you don't think Michigan or Bowling Green are good teams that would qualify as battle tested, you're nuts just because the NCHC has this superior appearance doesn't mean there weren't good teams left out...

You make me laugh. You have such a little conference Syndrome it is not even funny. I have never said the WCHA is a bad conference or their teams are bad. I do think being battle tested means something and outside of Mankato Tech's Schedule was very soft. Maybe that makes Tech more fresh? I know a few Gopher fans who claim that is going to help them.....

[scsutommyboy]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

Maybe Providence, but UNO is a stretch. And Michigan isn't anything to brag about… basically 20th out of 60 teams in every poll is not blowing up anyone's skirt.

I don't think its unfair to say MTU isn't battle tested; doesn't mean they can't win one or even two games this weekend, but in comparison to SCSU and UND's schedule, it doesn't hold up. Basically WMU, BSU and Union are in a tier that's just above the halfway point of the rankings… and these were the worst teams we played all year other than CC. We played one bottom half team, on the road, and thumped them 13-2 in two games. We played top-10 teams over half of our games, whereas MTU played over half of the games against bottom half teams. Maybe tb didn't mean they're not at all battle tested, just not in comparison.

I think Tech has had a great year and is a good team. THe WCHA was a good league and Tech did play plenty of good teams, but as you said its not the same as what SCSU played this year. I would not be shocked if Tech beat us and I would not be shock if any of these teams won the regional and went to the frozen four.

[bigblue_dl]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

I imagine we'll be seeing Hockey East refs. In which case, we'll all be treated to many unnecessary ticky-tack penalties being called, which will slow the games down and frustrate fans from all teams involved.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

You make me laugh. You have such a little conference Syndrome it is not even funny. I have never said the WCHA is a bad conference or their teams are bad. I do think being battle tested means something and outside of Mankato Tech's Schedule was very soft. Maybe that makes Tech more fresh? I know a few Gopher fans who claim that is going to help them.....

There is little doubt that MTU's schedule was easier than SCSU's. I have to accept that games against LSSU, UAH, UAA, Wisconsin compare only to their games with CC but I find it funny that you keep forgetting that they played UMD, not to mention BGSU and Michigan which were both 1 win at some point of the season away from making the tournament. Again, others can call Michigan crap all they want but the fact is if they win one more game (and not just the championship game against Minnesota) they're in this tournament. MTU can only play the games on their schedule and they tried to schedule a difficult NC slate...its not their fault Wisconsin was horrible this year.

[scsutommyboy]

Re: West Regional: North Dakota, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State, Quinnipiac

I imagine we'll be seeing Hockey East refs. In which case, we'll all be treated to many unnecessary ticky-tack penalties being called, which will slow the games down and frustrate fans from all teams involved.

That usually benefits SCSU because they want a fast non physical game and if they are calling ticky-tack stuff that usually means lots of power plays for SCSU. They don't take a lot of penalties. Ou power play is top 10 as long as Kossilla is back and plays well. They missed him a lot saturday night and the power play suffered.