Re: Bemidji @ Minnesota - Rodents, Rodents, Everywhere
If I had to guess, I'd say a mid-level finish would be likely be average for Bemidji. I don't think they have the individual talent to match up against the top teams in the conference on a week to week basis, but they are an older, and well coached team that plays fairly disciplined hockey and takes advantage of opportunities, which means they would probably end the year a little higher than a couple teams that are as talented or slightly more talented. They'll steal their share of games. Then again, as you said, it will be a grind to play them regularly and harder to get up for every game. AA and MTU will likely be looking up at them most years. I would guess, Bemidji, UMD, SCSU, UNO and MSU will have their years near the top, but will on average be in the middle (I'm hoping MN isn't going to stay at a mid-level forever) with the remaining teams averaging in the middle to top as they have in recent history. However, with the ever changing state of college hockey with more and more early departures, I also wouldn't be surprised to see other top WCHA programs start to see more upheaval in the programs (on par with MN) so that there is even more parity.
It will be interesting to see how their recruiting strategy changes, if at all. With inclusion in the WCHA, they might get a little more interest from a few more high school players. Then does Serratore take the kid with more potential (but could leave early) who wasn't interested before, or pass and continue to take experience over raw talent?
The good thing is, no one will remember this post, so it doesn't matter what I predict.
If I had to guess, I'd say a mid-level finish would be likely be average for Bemidji. I don't think they have the individual talent to match up against the top teams in the conference on a week to week basis, but they are an older, and well coached team that plays fairly disciplined hockey and takes advantage of opportunities, which means they would probably end the year a little higher than a couple teams that are as talented or slightly more talented. They'll steal their share of games. Then again, as you said, it will be a grind to play them regularly and harder to get up for every game. AA and MTU will likely be looking up at them most years. I would guess, Bemidji, UMD, SCSU, UNO and MSU will have their years near the top, but will on average be in the middle (I'm hoping MN isn't going to stay at a mid-level forever) with the remaining teams averaging in the middle to top as they have in recent history. However, with the ever changing state of college hockey with more and more early departures, I also wouldn't be surprised to see other top WCHA programs start to see more upheaval in the programs (on par with MN) so that there is even more parity.
It will be interesting to see how their recruiting strategy changes, if at all. With inclusion in the WCHA, they might get a little more interest from a few more high school players. Then does Serratore take the kid with more potential (but could leave early) who wasn't interested before, or pass and continue to take experience over raw talent?
The good thing is, no one will remember this post, so it doesn't matter what I predict.
I don't see any! Guess i'd rather have "a bunch of older Canadians that do OK in the CHA!"