Re: 2015-2016 USCHO Posters Poll
1. Minnesota -- until proven otherwise. If I was a bookie I wouldn't take bets on a perfect season.
2. Wisconsin -- mastered the mighty Midj, and handily too
3. Boston College -- I have a lengthy theory about how last year's terrible PP prefigured the disappointing postseason: basically, a fear of losing possession made the Eagles too nervous to take chances even though losing possession and playing an end-to-end game favors them. This year, the PP is aggressive, creative and effective. Therefore.
4. Clarkson -- no-one else goes here, but really, being run close by New Hampshire? Twice? Admittedly, the second time with not-Tiley in goal, but still.
5. Harvard -- looked terrible v Dartmouth but, as I and other BC fans were noticing, they looked terrible right up to the day after Thanksgiving last year. This isn't a grade for achievement, it's a prediction for end of year.
6. Quinnipiac -- same recipe as last year, wins v cupcakes; as time goes by the tie v Mercyhurst looks less excusable for a top-tier team. Samoskevich is a force to be reckoned with.
7. Bemidji State -- No answer for the Badgers, but would probably have an answer for anyone below them.
8. Northeastern -- The fact that none of the seven goals v BU were scored by Coyne makes them much more of a serious contender.
9. North Dakota -- Pressed hard by St Cloud? Really? But who else do you put here?
10. Boston University -- Again, a prediction rather than marks for results to date. In fact, I would predict them higher; Durocher is a great coach after the first six weeks of the season and when his teams gel they really gel. On results to date I would give this to oh, let's say, Princeton.
Stick taps to Dartmouth, Penn State, U Conn and Maine. And in fairness, stick tap to Merrimack for overperforming and seeming to have got a good one in net. I think UMD will give people problems this year without winning much. Cornell have a depth problem. UNH have showed flashes of life. If you took out the top 3, who are in a league of their own, you would have a catchable Clarkson and a ton of parity below them. Interesting year coming.