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All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
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du78
Gunning For 10
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
DU has their work cut out for them this week. Going to Bemidji is a must sweep weekend. They need to end this slump right now and take all 4 points. Only 5 points separate 1st from 7th in the WCHA with only 3 points separating 1st from 6th. 1st thru 4th are held by DU, MN, MSUM and SCSU who have all played 12 games. 5th thru 7th are held by UNO, UND and CC who have played 10 games. UNO and UND could conceivably be in 1st if they were to win their 2 games in hand. Coming up to the midpoint of the WCHA schedule (14 games), the leagues is being hotly contested and at this rate won't be decided until the last weekend of the season. DU needs every point they can get and need to go on another run.
DU has their work cut out for them this week. Going to Bemidji is a must sweep weekend. They need to end this slump right now and take all 4 points. Only 5 points separate 1st from 7th in the WCHA with only 3 points separating 1st from 6th. 1st thru 4th are held by DU, MN, MSUM and SCSU who have all played 12 games. 5th thru 7th are held by UNO, UND and CC who have played 10 games. UNO and UND could conceivably be in 1st if they were to win their 2 games in hand. Coming up to the midpoint of the WCHA schedule (14 games), the leagues is being hotly contested and at this rate won't be decided until the last weekend of the season. DU needs every point they can get and need to go on another run.
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
This upcoming series is more important than it looked in October and November. Pios need to heal their collective psyche and winning record . Bemidji plays a frustrating style, similar to Wisconsin. Hope we learned some lessons and the coaches have a strategy to break thru the Beaver dam.
This upcoming series is more important than it looked in October and November. Pios need to heal their collective psyche and winning record . Bemidji plays a frustrating style, similar to Wisconsin. Hope we learned some lessons and the coaches have a strategy to break thru the Beaver dam.
BooneLives
New member
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
This weekend was a tough one.
Juho's play Friday night was spectacular, the rest of the team owe him an apology for not giving him a win.
Having a short bench this weekend probably killed us. That combined with the very physical play of UND (read - players getting injured during the game) & by the 2nd period Saturday night the tank was empty. Still, flashes of brilliance were there. The boys battled back to within one with that amazing two goal power play. Showed they still had the heart to overcome the adversity.
As has been previously stated, a must win weekend coming up. If we don't come out on top at Bemidji, I fear a complete season meltdown coming on.
This weekend was a tough one.
Juho's play Friday night was spectacular, the rest of the team owe him an apology for not giving him a win.
Having a short bench this weekend probably killed us. That combined with the very physical play of UND (read - players getting injured during the game) & by the 2nd period Saturday night the tank was empty. Still, flashes of brilliance were there. The boys battled back to within one with that amazing two goal power play. Showed they still had the heart to overcome the adversity.
As has been previously stated, a must win weekend coming up. If we don't come out on top at Bemidji, I fear a complete season meltdown coming on.
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
In fairness, hawk, we complained all the time. But we are still perfect in almost every other respect!
Sioux played the entire second half of the year last season with a short bench and never complained about. Of course they were winning so there was no need to.
In fairness, hawk, we complained all the time. But we are still perfect in almost every other respect!
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
I agree they need to snap out of this funk pretty soon. But remember that it's early December. The problems that caused them to go winless in 6(?) games aren't going to disappear just because they set their minds to a sweep. It will take some time to recover from this swoon. 2 or 3 points and improved play would be enough for me.
By saying that it's a "must sweep," are you saying the season is effectively over if they don't sweep Bemidji?
I agree they need to snap out of this funk pretty soon. But remember that it's early December. The problems that caused them to go winless in 6(?) games aren't going to disappear just because they set their minds to a sweep. It will take some time to recover from this swoon. 2 or 3 points and improved play would be enough for me.
du78
Gunning For 10
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
Season would not be over but with the way this group is bunched up chances of being top 2 or 3 in the league would rapidly dissipate. To keep themselves in the driver's seat a sweep is really needed. There is no reason that they can't turn things right back around. It is primarily a confidence thing.
Season would not be over but with the way this group is bunched up chances of being top 2 or 3 in the league would rapidly dissipate. To keep themselves in the driver's seat a sweep is really needed. There is no reason that they can't turn things right back around. It is primarily a confidence thing.
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
I honestly don't expect more than a split this weekend. The team is pretty lucky not to be 0-6 in the last 6 games. One of our goalies is a little shaky, the defense is too porous, and none of our forwards has stepped up to be the go-to guy (with the possible exception of Knowlton.) I don't see any quick fixes here, and I just hope to get steady progress and win half of our games until mid-January. At that point, maybe it will be more realistic to expect a road sweep. Until that time, I'd put the games in the category of "must-improve, and must win enough to stay in the top 4 of the league and the top 12 of the PWR." I'm just really thankful that the torrid start to the season gave us enough leeway to be able to afford this swoon.
I hear you about the dire need for confidence. I just only break out the "must win" phrase when it truly is a must win.
I honestly don't expect more than a split this weekend. The team is pretty lucky not to be 0-6 in the last 6 games. One of our goalies is a little shaky, the defense is too porous, and none of our forwards has stepped up to be the go-to guy (with the possible exception of Knowlton.) I don't see any quick fixes here, and I just hope to get steady progress and win half of our games until mid-January. At that point, maybe it will be more realistic to expect a road sweep. Until that time, I'd put the games in the category of "must-improve, and must win enough to stay in the top 4 of the league and the top 12 of the PWR." I'm just really thankful that the torrid start to the season gave us enough leeway to be able to afford this swoon.
duper
Well-known member
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
I really REALLY wanto to see DU sweep, but also recognize that, if you're Bemidji, this is a perfect weekend for a shocker (home series against a team that is reeling despite being in 1st place). What I will say is that if they look as slow and lethargic this weekend as they have for part or all of each of the past 8 to 10 games (and yes, I'm including some wins in that) then I will effectively lose hope for the season.
Edit: This reads more pessimistic than what I feel. I would lose hope for doing anything of note on a national scale this season. I could still imagine a season where we make it to the NCAAs but lose in round one. I'm just wearying of those seasons. But I haven't forgotten the years when I was a student at DU, where the one year that they made a trip to the NCAAs was a great season.
Good points on both sides. To me, I feel like it's must win in the sense that not sweeping a weak team after an 0-4-2 run would show a lack of heart. Of course, they COULD still come back and do something, but if they don't make a strong statement this weekend, I won't think that they WILL.
I really REALLY wanto to see DU sweep, but also recognize that, if you're Bemidji, this is a perfect weekend for a shocker (home series against a team that is reeling despite being in 1st place). What I will say is that if they look as slow and lethargic this weekend as they have for part or all of each of the past 8 to 10 games (and yes, I'm including some wins in that) then I will effectively lose hope for the season.
Edit: This reads more pessimistic than what I feel. I would lose hope for doing anything of note on a national scale this season. I could still imagine a season where we make it to the NCAAs but lose in round one. I'm just wearying of those seasons. But I haven't forgotten the years when I was a student at DU, where the one year that they made a trip to the NCAAs was a great season.
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dggoddard
New member
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
Teams that win the MacNaughton always have depth and scoring from multiple lines. DU isn't quite there at this point.
That being said, there is a massive difference between the talent on North Dakota and a program like Bemidji or most of the other non D-1 schools in the WCHA. "Heart" has nothing to do with DU's issues and won't be a factor in this series. Some early goals this weekend will get the mojo rolling again and and they can go into the Break with a little momentum.
Teams that win the MacNaughton always have depth and scoring from multiple lines. DU isn't quite there at this point.
That being said, there is a massive difference between the talent on North Dakota and a program like Bemidji or most of the other non D-1 schools in the WCHA. "Heart" has nothing to do with DU's issues and won't be a factor in this series. Some early goals this weekend will get the mojo rolling again and and they can go into the Break with a little momentum.
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du78
Gunning For 10
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
Just listened to Gwoz's Tuesday press conference. Look for changes in the lines and defensive pairings this weekend. Didn't mention who would play goal but did say Jussi has been DU's best player of late. Knows the problems that Bemidji gives to DU in terms of their style of play. They have been working on recognition of what Bemidji is giving them and taking away from them. They have changed some things up to counter their style. Has DU working on their offensive game after their recent struggles both 5 on 5 and on the PP. With the lack of depth in the roster, he and the coaches are trying to manage the players ice time during the game so they won't be as tired late in the games as was evident last weekend. Didn't mention anything about injuries except that some guys are banged up. Players will be released after Saturday's game and will return to DU the day after Christmas to get ready for the Hockey Hall of Fame Game against BU in Magness. Those staying in Denver for the holidays will have full use of the DU facilities to remain in shape. Those not in the Denver area have strength programs to follow and ice time already set up in their home towns.
I assume Viva Larraza will be back after having the flu last weekend and that Larkin Jacobson is still suspended indefinitely. I also assume that Josiah Didier is still out injured. Jarrod Mermis was a coach's decision last weekend, will be interesting to see if he makes the trip. Hopefully, DU will be able to dress more than 10 forwards this weekend.
Just listened to Gwoz's Tuesday press conference. Look for changes in the lines and defensive pairings this weekend. Didn't mention who would play goal but did say Jussi has been DU's best player of late. Knows the problems that Bemidji gives to DU in terms of their style of play. They have been working on recognition of what Bemidji is giving them and taking away from them. They have changed some things up to counter their style. Has DU working on their offensive game after their recent struggles both 5 on 5 and on the PP. With the lack of depth in the roster, he and the coaches are trying to manage the players ice time during the game so they won't be as tired late in the games as was evident last weekend. Didn't mention anything about injuries except that some guys are banged up. Players will be released after Saturday's game and will return to DU the day after Christmas to get ready for the Hockey Hall of Fame Game against BU in Magness. Those staying in Denver for the holidays will have full use of the DU facilities to remain in shape. Those not in the Denver area have strength programs to follow and ice time already set up in their home towns.
I assume Viva Larraza will be back after having the flu last weekend and that Larkin Jacobson is still suspended indefinitely. I also assume that Josiah Didier is still out injured. Jarrod Mermis was a coach's decision last weekend, will be interesting to see if he makes the trip. Hopefully, DU will be able to dress more than 10 forwards this weekend.
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
You forgot to mention the most important item. A split should lock up the final Virg Foss trophy for DU.
dggoddard
New member
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
I'm sure Gwozdecky is busy writing his Virg Foss Trophy acceptance speech at this moment. Should be a special night at the WCHA Mid-Season Awards Ceremony.
du78
Gunning For 10
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
Senior Alex Carle (youngest brother of Matt and David) of Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire still sifting through his D-1 choices. Plays for one of the top prep schools in New England.
http://www.vnews.com/news/townbytown/plainfield/3051040-95/hockey-kua-wildcats-kimball
Senior Alex Carle (youngest brother of Matt and David) of Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire still sifting through his D-1 choices. Plays for one of the top prep schools in New England.
http://www.vnews.com/news/townbytown/plainfield/3051040-95/hockey-kua-wildcats-kimball
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
With Will Butcher and Gage Ausmus scheduled for next year, hard to see Alex in 2013-14 at DU. Of course anything can happen between now and then and wasn't Butcher getting pressed to go the WHL route? (Guess a lot could depend on the NHL draft. Wonder if they will have the CBA settled by then?)
With Will Butcher and Gage Ausmus scheduled for next year, hard to see Alex in 2013-14 at DU. Of course anything can happen between now and then and wasn't Butcher getting pressed to go the WHL route? (Guess a lot could depend on the NHL draft. Wonder if they will have the CBA settled by then?)
dggoddard
New member
Re: All Things Denver-The Real XXXIV
Guessing that Makowski & LaLeggia could be candidates to leave.
Alex Carle would seem to me to need a year in the USHL, but really who knows?
Phillips is graduating. Mayfield is almost certainly gone early.
Guessing that Makowski & LaLeggia could be candidates to leave.
Alex Carle would seem to me to need a year in the USHL, but really who knows?
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