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2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Fighting Sioux 23

Fighting Sioux 23

New member
I've seen a lot of different predictions in a lot of different threads, so I thought I'd create a thread specifically for this purpose.

Here are my predictions, subject to change...

1. North Dakota - They have the fewest question marks of any team in the league, and they return nearly everyone from a squad that once again was playing its best hockey at the end of the season.

2. St. Cloud State - Very similar to North Dakota, and I could honestly see either team (or both) skate the MacNaughton around at the end of the season. They have a lot of talent all over the ice, and they'll be a scary team next season.

3. Denver - They graduated a lot of talent, and also lost key pieces to their regular season title run via early departure. Given that, the Pioneers always seem to reload as opposed to rebuild. I could see them finishing anywhere between about 3rd and 6th, but for now, I'll place them here.

4. Minnesota-Duluth - They are returning a lot of talent to the ice as well for the upcoming season. One thing that does concern me is how they faded during the stretch run last season.

5. Minnesota - I could honestly see them finishing anywhere from about 3rd-8th. They have a ton of talent coming in, but as we've seen the past few seaons that doesn't necessarily translate to W's. Saying that, the Gophers have to start playing inspired hockey at somepoint right? I think this is the year.

6. Wisconsin - Along with Denver, they lost a lot of talent from their run to the National Title game. They have a good recruiting class coming in, and they still have a lot of talent on the blueline. If they can put up the goal numbers that they did last season, they'll be much higher than this spot.

7. Nebraska-Omaha - Blais led the Mavericks to their third highest win total in the program's 13 year history in his very first season. If his track record at North Dakota applies here, we won't be seeing UNO in the bottom half for very long.

8. Bemidji State - The Beavers are an enigma to me. Will they be the team that was a thorn in many WCHA team's sides while a member of the CHA? Will they be the team that showed it's talent on its way to the Frozen Four in 2009? Or will they be the team that faded to the stretch in 2010? I think Bemidji State has enough talent to be a top-half team, but I think it's first season in the grind that is the WCHA will wear on them. Don't be surprised if they start off strong early, and fade down the stretch.

9. Colorado College - I could see CC finish anywhere between 4th and 9th. I placed them here because I really do believe that the 8 teams I listed above them have more talent. Saying that, Scotty Owens always gets the most out of his teams. If other teams falter above them, and the Tigers get the most out of their squad, they'll be a top half team. If not, they'll be on the road for the first round of the WCHA Playoffs.

10. Minnesota-State - The Mavericks lost a lot of their scoring, and also had some issues in the nets. Given that, and the overall talent level that will be in the WCHA next season, I don't see Mankato climbing much higher than this spot. I think they are better than Tech and Anchorage, hence this ranking.

11. Michigan Tech - They aren't in the cellar moreso for the fact that UAA lost much of its scoring power and won't be very good next year. I would love to see Tech ranking consistently in the top half, but for now, they just don't have the talent up and down the roster that the big dogs do.

12. Anchorage - Perhaps I'll be way off on this, but I don't see UAA being very good at all. Shyiak is a good coach, so I don't think they'll be as bad as say the '02-'03 team. I don't think they'll be that much better though.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

01. North Dakota
02. Denver
03. Duluth
04. St. Cloud
05. Wisconsin
06. Nebraska
07. Minnesota
08. Bemidji
09. Colorado College
10. Minnesota State
11. Michigan Tech
12. Anchorage

I think 5-9 could be flipped around in any way.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

I think the cupcake parade will be over for BSU, and they will finish in the bottom three.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Happy said:
I think the cupcake parade will be over for BSU, and they will finish in the bottom three.
Click to expand...

15456_1171111479529_1280250135_30518458_4962270_n.jpg
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

1. UND
2. SCSU
3. Wisconsin
4. UMD
5. UNO
6. Denver
7. Minnesota
8. Colorado College
9. Bemidji St.
10. Minnesota St.
11. Alaska Anchorage
12. Michigan tech


I think the talent level from the top 3 and the field will be dramatic. Wisconsin will be hurt somewhat but not nearly as much as Denver will be with all they lost. North Dakota is the team to beat in the conference and maybe nationally. Huskies will be very good as well with solid goaltending. Should be interesting and fun to see how UNO and Bemidji will do.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

For largely the same reasons as FS23:

1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. St. Cloud
4. Wisconsin
5. Minnesota-Duluth
6. Colorado College
7. Bemidji (and a win over CC to reach the F5, the only upset this upcoming postseason)
8. Nebraska-Omaha
9. Minnesota
10. Michigan Tech
11. Mankato
12. Alaska-Anchorage
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

1. UND
1a. SCSU
3. Denver
4. Wisconsin, if Smith stays, drop them to 6th if he doesn't.
5. UMD
6. Minnesota
7. UNO
8. Colorado College
9. Bemidji St.
10. Minnesota St.
11. Alaska Anchorage
12. Michigan tech
 
Beer Pong Horn said:
For largely the same reasons as FS23:

1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. St. Cloud
4. Wisconsin
5. Minnesota-Duluth
6. Colorado College
7. Bemidji (and a win over CC to reach the F5, the only upset this upcoming postseason)
8. Nebraska-Omaha
9. Minnesota
10. Michigan Tech
11. Mankato
12. Alaska-Anchorage
Click to expand...

If the Gophers finish lower than 8th I'll leave the board. If they don't, you leave the board.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

1. UND
2. WI
3. SCSU
4. CC
5. DU
6. UM
7. UMD
8. MSUM
9. UNO
10. UAA
11. BSU
12. Tech
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Happy said:
You seemed to have forgot the 7 losses. a .125 winning record will get you nicely to the bottom of the wcha.
Click to expand...

The BSU team song for this upcoming year:

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Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Wow, not even June yet and the prediction talk has begun. I like it.

I find placing teams in groups makes more sense than slotting them into exact spots, given how little margin for error there is in the WCHA. So...

1-2: UND and SCSU. Both these clubs are returning a hell of a lot from top tier teams. I give the edge to UND just because they are a stronger defensive side. But, saying that, almost never is the preseason favorite the team at the top of the tables come the end of the season.

3-7: CC, DU, UMD, UMN, UW: A big group, but often times 3-4 goals over the course of the season can be the difference between finishing 3-5, or 4-6, etc.

- CC: They lack a lot of the pure finesse that they had in the early part of the decade and the last part of the 90's. I would expect them in the 5-7 range.

- DU: They lost so much from last year's team, but Gwozdecky is one of the best in the business and they have a knack for bringing in top-caliber players. The question will be how many of those players will step up and become dominant in the WCHA this season. I would guess they will finish 3-6.

- UMD: They will have a number of offensive weapons back from last year. Their biggest concern will be goaltending, and maintaining a team GAA of around 3 or better. I wouldn't be surprised to seem them anywhere from 1-7.

- UMN: They *should* be much better than last season, but I said the same thing a year ago. Yet when it comes down to it, I think Lucia will right the ship and they will be a more cohesive team with an improved sense of identity; but not one of the elites in the league. I think they will finish somewhere from 3-6.

- UW: Another team that lost a ton in the off-season. If they get better goaltending, they could be among the better teams. But if pressed, I would put them in the 5-7 range along with CC.

8-10: BSU, Mankato, UNO
- BSU: They will have a hard time dealing with playing some of the best teams in the country week in and week out. Focus and discipline mean a lot, but at the end of the day aren't enough alone to carry you into the top half of this league. I could see them doing better than 8th, but put the ceiling at 6.

- Mankato: They have a leg up on UNO and BSU simply because they know what to expect; not just in the competition but also officiating. But I really don't see them finishing outside of this 8-10 range.

- UNO: We'll see just how great Blais is.

11-12: Tech, UAA: It's always a crap shoot which of these teams will finish at the bottom and which will just barely escape it.

- Tech: This program is really in shambles. Russel made a valiant effort when he first came in, but the obstacles just proved too great. I think at this point he has lost the ability to get the players to "buy-in" the way that is needed for a team like this to make any kind of noise.

- UAA: They lost a couple of their go-to guys, and for a team with little depth that hurts even more.

It will be fun to see how far off I am as the season plays out :D
 
Last edited:
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

- Tech: This program is really in shambles. Russel made a valiant effort when he first came in, but the obstacles just proved too great. I think at this point he has lost the ability to get the players to "buy-in" the way that is needed for a team like this to make any kind of noise.


All that is needed is some consistent goal scorers and a renewed emphasis on Defense First.

Even last year Tech lost many 4-2 type games. Hopefully, Rix, Baker, and Gordic can help Olson with the goal production and Tech can win some of these close games.

I was amazed how badly last year spiraled out of control. I don't think the coaches can afford to let that happen again this year, plus improved recruits should push to make the team stronger.

I hope Tech brings back the pride with a solid season and 60 minutes every game next season. The injury bug was beyond horrific the last two years. I hope they have adjusted accordingly.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Huskiefan906 said:
All that is needed is some consistent goal scorers and a renewed emphasis on Defense First.

Even last year Tech lost many 4-2 type games. Hopefully, Rix, Baker, and Gordic can help Olson with the goal production and Tech can win some of these close games.

I was amazed how badly last year spiraled out of control. I don't think the coaches can afford to let that happen again this year, plus improved recruits should push to make the team stronger.

I hope Tech brings back the pride with a solid season and 60 minutes every game next season. The injury bug was beyond horrific the last two years. I hope they have adjusted accordingly.
Click to expand...

Sadly, our best case scenario next year is 10-15 wins. We've got some interesting recruits coming our way, but they're either still in the pipeline or too green to expect them to make a massive and immediate impact.

That said, if they can stay healthy (!), play with a chip on their shoulders, and keep most of the losses respectable, it would go a long way towards restoring my somewhat shaken faith in this coaching staff.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Huskiefan906 said:
All that is needed is some consistent goal scorers and a renewed emphasis on Defense First.

Even last year Tech lost many 4-2 type games. Hopefully, Rix, Baker, and Gordic can help Olson with the goal production and Tech can win some of these close games.
Click to expand...
You need to be out of your own zone to get chances for the goal scorers to do their thing. Genoe was a huge reason those games were only of the 4-2 type variety.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Oh this is too good. People trying to predict the WCHA. I'm staying waaaaay the hell away from any predictions this year.
 
Re: 2010-2011 WCHA Predictions Thread

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
5. Minnesota - I could honestly see them finishing anywhere from about 3rd-8th. They have a ton of talent coming in, but as we've seen the past few seaons that doesn't necessarily translate to W's. Saying that, the Gophers have to start playing inspired hockey at somepoint right? I think this is the year.
Click to expand...

5th place is inspired hockey?

:rolleyes:

Gophers don't finish 1-3 and Lucia should be done.
 
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