2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

[bigblue_dl]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

1: Cc
2: Und
3: Uno
4: Du
5: Umd
6: Uaa
7: Um
8: Uw
9: Scsu
10: Bsu
11: Mtu
12: Msu-m

 

[gopher wes]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

That's actually not true.

In Hak's first six seasons, beginning in 2004-05, his teams actually finished in 5th, or tied for 4th and 5th, (right above the home ice cut off in a 10 team league) 3 times.

This season could be very comparable to Hak's first team. They came in with a lot of questions on offense, having lost most of their goal scoring from the year before. Ended up by having a freshman lead them in goals.

It will be a grind for the Sioux this year, but by the end I expect them to be very competitive.

In recent years, fans have just come to expect that late season push from the sue though. Hack just seems to get them amped up for the second half of the season.

 

[gopher wes]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

1) Colorado College
2) UND
3)UNO
4) DU
5) UMD
6) Wisconsin
7) UMTC
7) UAA
8) MSU
9) St. Cloud
10) BSU
11) Tech

Ladies and gents, this is the Tigers year. I won't even touch on our offense, it's going to be powerful. Our D-Core got significantly better in the offseason. 2 NHL draft picks will join Gabe Guentzel and standout freshman Eamon McDermmot on the blue line. With the return of Eric Rud as our assistant coach, he specializes in defense and special teams, our back line is sure to bring down the GAA from last season. Goal tending will be a strength. Howe had a rough year last year and alone cost us maybe 5-6 games. At the end of the season, he took over and got hot. Just look at the BC and Michigan games in St. Louis. Josh Throrinbert, the back, will be a star. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he takes the reigns from Howe at some point.

Looking at the rest of the league, I'm expecting Omaha and UND to be powers making it a three horse race to the finish with CC. DU, goalie issues are going to be the reason why the Pi's will fail. It's Okay, even with Britian, I think they would still suck. Anchorage is my big surprise pick. If they quit playing like goons, they'll have a shot. Another team to watch is Tech. New coaching staff my yield a few more wins this season.

Once again, I feel the WCHA is be extremely competitive and the points separating #1 from #6 will not be substantial.

Nothing like betting against your rival for no rhyme or reason aside from the fact that you hate them.

 

[CC BlackBears]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

CC is definitely going to be solid next year, but I'm not ready to annoint them WCHA champs quite yet.

The offensive firepower will definitely be there, but I'm reminded of our team from 2005-2006 that returned Hobey winner Marty Sertich, finalist Brett Sterling, Joey Crabb, and others. That team ended up with a respectable 24-16-2 season, but was ultimately a disappointment with a first round NCAA exit. Conversely, the previous year's team was not nearly as highly touted, but got phenomenal goaltending from Curtis McElhinney and had some offensive surprises (see above), and made it to the Frozen Four.

Defense and goaltending will be key, IMO. In addition, CC has had issues over the last few years with finishing seasons strong, and I'm wondering how much of that has to do with simple conditioning. Last year's team really seemed to come on strong towards the end (UND and BC games stand out, even though UND was a loss), so hopefully that issue may be behind us.

 

[Andrew J Carter]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

I got that the Beavers are the small and new rodent in the nationally elite WCHA. But an emerging finish (13-9-4 the last 26 outings), owning a strangle-hold (5-0-1) on highly-regarded UNO, being the last team to beat the national champions (UMD), a first-year Final 5 appearance (not bad for an undersized newcomer), and the returning of Bakala & Hunt should make BSU a middle of the pack contender.

 

[SanTropez]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

I got that the Beavers are the small and new rodent in the nationally elite WCHA. But an emerging finish (13-9-4 the last 26 outings), owning a strangle-hold (5-0-1) on highly-regarded UNO, being the last team to beat the national champions (UMD), a first-year Final 5 appearance (not bad for an undersized newcomer), and the returning of Bakala & Hunt should make BSU a middle of the pack contender.

Past results do not guarantee future earnings...

 

[Andrew J Carter]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Past results do not guarantee future earnings...

That's true, but since this is a summer prediction, the Beaver program seems to have enough emergence to contend for a 5-7 spot, while predictably more likely to finish 8 or 9. Obviously, will they take that next step is another question. Even the lower end of this league seems capable.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Regardless of recent years, MN won't finish below 5th this year.

 

[SCSU Euro]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

That's true, but since this is a summer prediction, the Beaver program seems to have enough emergence to contend for a 5-7 spot,

But they also have enough question marks, aren't on the top end recruiting-wise, and the league is deep enough where they could easily finish 10-12. Welcome to the WCHA, but don't get too comfortable, we're moving the furniture around quite a bit.

 

[Andrew J Carter]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

But they also have enough question marks, aren't on the top end recruiting-wise, and the league is deep enough where they could easily finish 10-12. Welcome to the WCHA, but don't get too comfortable, we're moving the furniture around quite a bit.

SCSU Euro:
1. Yes they have enough question marks.
2. BSU has never been nor probably never will be on the top end recruiting-wise. BSU won't ever get players away from MN, WI, Denver, CC, etc. BSU has to find those players those for mentioned schools don't want or have never seen (that's getting more difficult). They didn't get to the Frozen Four a couple years back nor to the WCHA Final 5 last season with any players the premier WCHA teams wanted.
3. Based on their emergence, they are not likely to finish 10-12, but certainly could. To Easily finish 10-12 is as likely as they contending for middle of the pack (5-7). Both are possibilities.
4. "Welcome to the WCHA" Yes, day in and day out, the nations premier hockey league. I suspect BSU's first year represented the MN DIIs well.
5. Hard and unlikely to get comfortable when you're the underdog.
6. Moving the furniture around indeed. This will open some opportunities for the MN schools to have more legitimate shots at a WCHA crown.

 

[SCSU Euro]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

SCSU Euro:
1. Yes they have enough question marks.
2. BSU has never been nor probably never will be on the top end recruiting-wise. BSU won't ever get players away from MN, WI, Denver, CC, etc. BSU has to find those players those for mentioned schools don't want or have never seen (that's getting more difficult). They didn't get to the Frozen Four a couple years back nor to the WCHA Final 5 last season with any players the premier WCHA teams wanted.
3. Based on their emergence, they are not likely to finish 10-12, but certainly could. To Easily finish 10-12 is as likely as they contending for middle of the pack (5-7). Both are possibilities.
4. "Welcome to the WCHA" Yes, day in and day out, the nations premier hockey league. I suspect BSU's first year represented the MN DIIs well.
5. Hard and unlikely to get comfortable when you're the underdog.
6. Moving the furniture around indeed. This will open some opportunities for the MN schools to have more legitimate shots at a WCHA crown.

I'd take a 5-7 v 10-12 bet EASILY, meaning they finish 7 or better, I lose, they finish 10-12 I win, and 8 or 9 I push.

 

[Andrew J Carter]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

I'd take a 5-7 v 10-12 bet EASILY, meaning they finish 7 or better, I lose, they finish 10-12 I win, and 8 or 9 I push.

Perhaps. Would you bet 10-12 over 8-9?

 

[SCSU Euro]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Perhaps. Would you bet 10-12 over 8-9?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRGDcux4GEw

 

[7&7]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

I got that the Beavers are the small and new rodent in the nationally elite WCHA. But an emerging finish (13-9-4 the last 26 outings), owning a strangle-hold (5-0-1) on highly-regarded UNO, being the last team to beat the national champions (UMD), a first-year Final 5 appearance (not bad for an undersized newcomer), and the returning of Bakala & Hunt should make BSU a middle of the pack contender.

Bemidji's entire offense revolved around Matt Read. Unless they have a new standout, the beavs are headed for the basement.
However if they continue to dominate UNO this seasons schedule could put them in the middle of the lower half.


My Picks
1. DU
2. MN
3. UND
4. CC
5. UMD
6. Cloud
7. Wisc
8. UNO
9. BSU
10. UAA
11. Tech
12. Kato

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Regardless of recent years, MN won't finish below 5th this year.

It will depend on chemistry and how well the freshmen class does. I think the 3-5 range is the Gopher's high point, while 8-9 is the low point. The WCHA is a better conference this year as opposed to last year IMO, which will make wins very difficult to come by. There are, IMO, 9 teams (DU, CC, UMD, UNO, UMN, UND, UAA, SCSU and UW) that will compete for home ice. Considering that Minnesota's pod consists of UW, UND and SCSU, and that their only series against Denver, UNO, Duluth and Anchorage are on the road, it will be a tough challenge for an unproven Gopher squad. I placed them 5th in my rankings, but I wouldn't be surprised with a finish anywhere from 3-9 from Minnesota.

 

[Pump It Up]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

1. North Dakota
1. Denver
1. Duluth
1. CC
1. Nebraska-Omaha

 

[Bronzebacks]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Here is my dart:

1. CC Scary good offensively and solid D. Just a matter if they have the depth. The CC-DU series will be great this year.
2. DU Goal tending will make or break them this year. (Brittain injury)
3. UND They always find a way to be in the mix.
4. UM Mike G. is back!
5. UNO Dean Blais
6. SCSU Tend's to over and under achieve.
7. UW
8. UMD Will have some major adjustments. Last year when the C-C-F line was broken up, there was a huge drop off in production. With Faulk gone this year there will be some holes to fill. I'm glad glad the dogs won it all. I thought they had a scary team in 09-10 as well. JT Brown will be the wildcard. Hope he gets his troubles cleaned up.
9. TECH Pearson! Change is exciting. Could lead to something big. No more playing at the Ralph 1st round.
10. BSU Great goalie returns.
11. MSU I am hoping for better.
12. UAA Some one has to finish last.

UMD will have some major adjustments. Last year when the C-C-F line was broken up, there was a huge drop off in production. With Faulk gone this year there will be some holes to fill. I'm glad glad the dogs won it all. I thought they had a scary team in 09-10 as well.

 

[MavsFan]

11. MSU I am hoping for better.

And I'm expecting worse.

 

[Huskie]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Take it to the bank,
1) DU
2) SCSU
3) UND
4) CC
5) UM
6) UMD
7) UNO
8) BU
9) UW
10) Mankato
11) AA
12 MTU
After a terrible start last year SCSU recovered to be a top team in the second half and almost upset the eventual NCAA champion. I may be wrong about UW and UMD, they might switch places.

 

[AHABulldog]

Re: 2011-2012: WCHA Predictions - Summer Edition

Take it to the bank,
1) DU
2) SCSU
3) UND
4) CC
5) UM
6) UMD
7) UNO
8) BU
9) UW
10) Mankato
11) AA
12 MTU
After a terrible start last year SCSU recovered to be a top team in the second half and almost upset the eventual NCAA champion. I may be wrong about UW and UMD, they might switch places.

Nice to know Cloud fans think getting swept in a playoff series counts as almost upsetting a team.