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Wisconsin Hockey 25-26 Hastings Year 3 - Turning the Corner?

WiscTJK

WiscTJK

Well-known member
Practice has started. Year 3 begins in 1 month. Can Hastings begin to turn the ship around this year? I’m optimistically looking forward to this year.
 
Two big factors (I think) on the chance of having a successful season:
1) Simon Tassy and Christian Fitzgerald having bounce back seasons. Those two combined for 52 points in 23-24, yet only 28 points last year.

2) Defensive health, I particularly have Zach Schulz and Joe Palodichuk in mind. Having reliable older guys is so crucial, especially in a young b10 this year.
 
UW student and hockey fan said:
Two big factors (I think) on the chance of having a successful season:
1) Simon Tassy and Christian Fitzgerald having bounce back seasons. Those two combined for 52 points in 23-24, yet only 28 points last year.

2) Defensive health, I particularly have Zach Schulz and Joe Palodichuk in mind. Having reliable older guys is so crucial, especially in a young b10 this year.
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3). Goalie play is critical. Basically no ncaa experience so someone needs to step up.
 
Y’all nailed the main points. Bounce back seasons from Fitzy and Tassy, health for Palodichuk and Schulz, and a goaltender that can make stops and not feel like a detriment to the team. I’ll toss in second year growth from Hensler as well and better passing/team work.

On another note, have you guys seen the jersey numbers for Montgomery, Tulk, Idžan and Zelenov? That will take some getting used to.
 
Still trying to figure out my 1-2 games this year.
Trying to balance getting good seats to enjoy the game with the 5 yr old and getting to a game with a good environment.
 
I am extremely excited to see how Gavin Morrisey and Quinn Finley play this year. Morrisey had some of the smoothest passing I have seen. I'm having visions of Steve Reinprecht and Dany Heatley (ok, maybe not quite that good, but still).

Finley didn't look the same after the injury (assualt & battery?) vs. Michigan. He came into that series neck and neck with Isaac Howard for goals and didn't really do much the rest of the way. I'm hoping he is fully recovered and can come into the season strong. It would also be a huge boost for him if some of the defensive focus can be taken away by the combination of a bounce back for Tassy & Fitzgerald, step forward for a few others like Kukkonen and Dyk, and decent showing from the freshmen.
 
digitalbooya said:
Y’all nailed the main points. Bounce back seasons from Fitzy and Tassy, health for Palodichuk and Schulz, and a goaltender that can make stops and not feel like a detriment to the team. I’ll toss in second year growth from Hensler as well and better passing/team work.

On another note, have you guys seen the jersey numbers for Montgomery, Tulk, Idžan and Zelenov? That will take some getting used to.
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I guess Hastings is getting liberal with the numbers. Potentially clears up confusion on player recognition except for 91 vs 94. I believe they are predicting how many points each will have this season. Good times ahead.
 
BlindBucky said:
I am extremely excited to see how Gavin Morrisey and Quinn Finley play this year. Morrisey had some of the smoothest passing I have seen. I'm having visions of Steve Reinprecht and Dany Heatley (ok, maybe not quite that good, but still).

Finley didn't look the same after the injury (assualt & battery?) vs. Michigan. He came into that series neck and neck with Isaac Howard for goals and didn't really do much the rest of the way. I'm hoping he is fully recovered and can come into the season strong. It would also be a huge boost for him if some of the defensive focus can be taken away by the combination of a bounce back for Tassy & Fitzgerald, step forward for a few others like Kukkonen and Dyk, and decent showing from the freshmen.
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A few related notes:
A) I think Finley is completely healthy now, he was a full participant at the Islanders dev camp, and I think word would have trickled out by now if he was dealing with any sort of serious injury.
B) I have a theory that Finley was playing extremely relaxed defense last year on purpose to allow him to get more rush and breakaway scoring chances. That first line with Morrissey and Moseley (2 good defenders) didn't need him too much on that side of the ice. Depending on who is playing first line RW, I think Finley could step up the defense a bit this year if needed.
 
I think you guys nailed it with the main points. Better goaltending and stay healthy (especially on defense). I'll add that we need more than just one line that can score. We will need to have good 2nd and third lines. That goes towards needing Fitzgerald and Tassy to step up again. Kukkonen will hopefully improve as well.

I think a big thing will be just how good our freshman class will be. If Montgomery and Tulk have great years, Osburn is the real deal and Hauser is a true number 1, I could see the team having great success.

One big reason we were successful in year 1 under Hastings was because we had good depth. I do think this years team could match that depth. Hopefully the depth of this years Freshmen (Idzan, Brink, Deering, Velenoz) can add to that
 
I cannot wait for hockey season to start. Watching Wisconsin try to play football is rage inducing. Should’ve hired Leonard instead of the current loser head coach.
 
digitalbooya said:
I cannot wait for hockey season to start. Watching Wisconsin try to play football is rage inducing. Should’ve hired Leonard instead of the current loser head coach.
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Does the AD fire the coach during the bye week before somebody fires him first?
 
JL was also part of the problem. As much as I like him, I think he would really struggle in today's college football. Recruiting is a disaster now days with the transfer portal and NIL. You basically have to recruit your entire team every year. I don't think that is something he would excel at. I despise the state of college football. Now back to hockey which is why we are here. The BIG is gonna be a gauntlet. Hopefully, they can sure things up on the back end, be strong in net and score enough to win alot of 1 goal games.
 
Doogity said:
JL was also part of the problem. As much as I like him, I think he would really struggle in today's college football. Recruiting is a disaster now days with the transfer portal and NIL. You basically have to recruit your entire team every year. I don't think that is something he would excel at. I despise the state of college football. Now back to hockey which is why we are here. The BIG is gonna be a gauntlet. Hopefully, they can sure things up on the back end, be strong in net and score enough to win alot of 1 goal games.
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Gauntlet is right. I have optimism, but this year will be the telltale sign things are going the right direction.
 
Doogity said:
Now back to hockey which is why we are here. The BIG is gonna be a gauntlet. Hopefully, they can sure things up on the back end, be strong in net and score enough to win alot of 1 goal games.
Click to expand...
It's going to be important to get a good start as well. The October schedule is Lindenwood, Mankato, Alaska, then the gophers. They should be heading into the Minnesota series 5-1 or better.
 
First rankings are out for USCHO. Big7 is a gauntlet: 3rd MSU, 5th Ped State, 8th Goofers, 12th Michigan, 16th OSU, 20th Wisconsin, RV (30th) Notre Dame
 
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