LSSU hockey 2013-14

[Bill]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

What are some of everyone's the ceiling/floor projections for the Lakers this season??

Floor: The Lakers have good, not great goaltending from the Lakers senior netminding duo of Murdock/Kapalka, the defense is decent, but not overpowering and the team allows on average 3.5ish goals a game, the offense struggles to find its legs, Campbell, Ciotti, Radke, and Perfetto hold their own but the rest of a young team struggles to supplement them with offensive input, inconsistently plagues the team yet again and a second half swoon finds the Lakers in 6th place at the end of the season, and we are left in a familiar place complaining about Coach Roque's shortcomings and the state of Laker Hockey

Ceiling: The Goaltending duo of KK and KM start rolling and play up to the level that both have shown in stretches in the past, the defense led by a strong senior presence of Perrault, Bruneteau, and Sternberg puts up a staunch back line, that again, like the goaltending, they have shown they are capable of in the past. Offensively Campbell has a fantastic senior season, capitalizing on the promise he showed as a premium recruit, Ciotti builds on a prolific sophomore scoring campaign, Perfetto and Radke find the consistency they have lacked, and the freshman, many of whom are from successful junior programs coalesce and realize that as one of the biggest freshman classes in a long time they have a chance to turn around the fortunes of this program with individual and thus, team success and supplement significantly on both the offensive and defensive ends, the Lakers find a formula to put in competitive effort every weekend, home or road, league or non-league opponent, and avoid a second half dip and the team finishes in second place, with the capability of winning the post-season WCHA tournament and getting an NCAA bid. I don't think in this scenario that we would be able to beat out Minnesota State in a season long standings battle, but in a winner take all championship tournament game, anything could happen.

I don't have any high expectations. I think they'll be picked somewhere around 8th in the pre-season WCHA polls and that's probably about right. For them to finish much higher, the goaltending has got to be a bit better and more consistent, the overall team D has to be better, and they need to get good point production from the guys you mentioned plus get some decent points from one or more of the incoming freshmen. A lot of ifs.

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I don't have any high expectations. I think they'll be picked somewhere around 8th in the pre-season WCHA polls and that's probably about right. For them to finish much higher, the goaltending has got to be a bit better and more consistent, the overall team D has to be better, and they need to get good point production from the guys you mentioned plus get some decent points from one or more of the incoming freshmen. A lot of ifs.

Even with all of the "ifs" (and I agree there are a lot of them) I think 8th is a little low barring something extremely catastrophic. Our roster doesn't quite as many big names returning as it has the past couple of years however talent alone I think will let us finish ahead of UAA, UAH, and BSU. NMU is about even with us talent wise as it sits right now but that may change between now and the start of the season.

 

[Bill]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Even with all of the "ifs" (and I agree there are a lot of them) I think 8th is a little low barring something extremely catastrophic. Our roster doesn't quite as many big names returning as it has the past couple of years however talent alone I think will let us finish ahead of UAA, UAH, and BSU. NMU is about even with us talent wise as it sits right now but that may change between now and the start of the season.

NMU seems to get more respect than the Lakers in the polls. BSU may or may not be above us in the pre-season polls. They may get the edge just for being an existing WCHA team. I'm not saying I think the Lakers will finish 8th (or worse), but that's about where I think we'll be picked to finish (or maybe 7th). I'd love to see us finish much higher, but the guys have to show me they can do that on the ice. But I also have to admit that based upon the results of recent seasons, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if we did finish 7th-8th. A lot might also depend upon whether Roque is back as coach. Although it's still looking that way, the Buffalo assistant coaching situation still hasn't been settled.

 

[davyd83]

NMU seems to get more respect than the Lakers in the polls. BSU may or may not be above us in the pre-season polls. They may get the edge just for being an existing WCHA team. I'm not saying I think the Lakers will finish 8th (or worse), but that's about where I think we'll be picked to finish (or maybe 7th). I'd love to see us finish much higher, but the guys have to show me they can do that on the ice. But I also have to admit that based upon the results of recent seasons, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if we did finish 7th-8th. A lot might also depend upon whether Roque is back as coach. Although it's still looking that way, the Buffalo assistant coaching situation still hasn't been settled.

I would probably put LSSU at 7. I think Mankato is the clear favorite, Huntsville is the bottom and UAA #9, with Bemidji at #8. Beyond that, it's anybody's guess who finishes 2 thru 7. I could see Ferris & Tech at 2&3. But you can throw NMU, BG, LSSU & UAF in a hat and they all could finish anywhere in the polls.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

NMU seems to get more respect than the Lakers in the polls. BSU may or may not be above us in the pre-season polls. They may get the edge just for being an existing WCHA team. I'm not saying I think the Lakers will finish 8th (or worse), but that's about where I think we'll be picked to finish (or maybe 7th). I'd love to see us finish much higher, but the guys have to show me they can do that on the ice. But I also have to admit that based upon the results of recent seasons, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if we did finish 7th-8th. A lot might also depend upon whether Roque is back as coach. Although it's still looking that way, the Buffalo assistant coaching situation still hasn't been settled.

It seems like it is getting pretty far along in summer, almost being July, to do much of a coaching search. I am guessing if Jim does go to Buffalo, the options will be Tim Christian taking over, or Joe Scawhan coming back for the job.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Roque isn't going anywhere and neither are the Lakers this coming season .

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Roque isn't going anywhere and neither are the Lakers this coming season .

It is going to be another year of lower half of the standings finishes, second half collapses, inconsistent play from night to night, dwindling attendance, playoff crowds in the hundreds, and more excuses for the coach. All you people up there have to do is look at the last eight years to know how this season will go. Second place and NCAA birth??? You apologists up there never fail to amuse me. Get real!!!

The Truth Is Out There...
TBA
TBA

 

[Truth Serum]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Year 9 under Jim Roque will be different and the best one yet. You just wait and see!!!!

 

[RapidsCity]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

It is going to be another year of lower half of the standings finishes, second half collapses, inconsistent play from night to night, dwindling attendance, playoff crowds in the hundreds, and more excuses for the coach. All you people up there have to do is look at the last eight years to know how this season will go. Second place and NCAA birth??? You apologists up there never fail to amuse me. Get real!!!

The Truth Is Out There...
TBA
TBA

Nice seeing you talk to yourself online. Now all we need is Pink Pony, the bastard son of you and Serum.

 

[RapidsCity]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I'd vote LSSU 6th. NMU, Bemidji, UAA and Huntsville behind them. THey could move up as high as 4 if they find some scoring.

 

[FRICKER]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

LakerBlue.............I dislike the term "incompetent" as it pertains to Scott Borek. Yes, thick headed, yes, stubborn, yes, a definite mismatch, but calling him "incompetent" is ignorant and misleading. Scott
tried to be somebody he wasn't out of the yultimate respect for his mentor, Jeff Jackson. He wasn't smart enoghto abandon a system that wasn't working. I agree with you that he didn't inherit an empty
cabinet. Oh contrair, there were numerous players who came to the Soo with impressive offensive backgrounds and the "system" ate them up. My son, Matt, for example had a very solid year offensively at
Kimball Union prep in New Hampshire and was relegated to banging the puck of the glass. He was petrified to join the rush, something he excelled at at KUA. Eventually the offense degenerated into dump & dig, then
three fowards cycling down low, many times with all three below the goal line and two D-men standing at the blue line. No offense? No surprise.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

While the Lakers only played BSU in the WCHA last year; if you look at the nWCHA overall records from last year they were tied with BGSU at #3. Without a game played yet, I would predict a guarded 5th place finish with the hope of a top 4 finish.

Like it was said earlier there are an awful lot of ifs. I am looking forward to seeing what the team can do. I am also curious if Roque learned anything in the beating by BGSU in the playoffs. I kind of doubt it - a leopard doesn't change it's spots.

 

[DM2SM]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

.....Scott tried to be somebody he wasn't out of the yultimate respect for his mentor, Jeff Jackson. ......... My son, Matt, for example had a very solid year offensively at
Kimball Union prep in New Hampshire and was relegated to banging the puck of the glass. He was petrified to join the rush, something he excelled at at KUA. Eventually the offense degenerated into dump & dig, then
three fowards cycling down low, many times with all three below the goal line and two D-men standing at the blue line. No offense? No surprise.

I respectfully disagree with the belief that Coach Jackson was Coach Borek's mentor for this reason. Prior to being named head coach of the Lakers Coach Borek was only with the program for a single season. The other Assistant Coach was a first year coach by the name of John LaFontaine who only lasted a couple years at LSSU. Coach Borek was the recruiter for the '95-96 season thus on the road all the time. I think he brought in his own style that he was comfortable with and that possibly didn't fit the Lakers grinding system. That's what I remember seeing anyways.
I have a question regarding your son. With your relationship with Coach Rolston,and your relationship with Coach Roque, as well as the fact that you played at Clarkson where both of these men were coaching - Why didn't your son go to Clarkson instead of LSSU. It seems like it would have been a better fit.

 

[FRICKER]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

DM2SM......valid question about Matt's choice of college. Inititally he was planning on going to UNH, but when he reneged on his commitment to go to the Omaha Lancers of the USHL and return to Kimball Union Prep
for his Senior year, UNH concerned that he might do the same thing to tem, and with only 4 scholarships available, pulled back on the Letter of Intenet when we were in the coaches ofice on July 1. Matt went
throughthe summer of his Junior year holding a firm offer from Bowling Green, with others, like Michigan, still in the picture. Matt & I made a formal visit to Clarkson, but Lake State was a much better fit as Matt was
attracted to Lake States Criminal Justice major.Yes, as hard as it was to fathom, his decision was driven by academic choice. Knowing and actually working for Scott Borek at the Exeter Hockey School in NH didn't
hurt.

BTW, I know Ron Rolston from my days with the Compuware Junior A program, and have only shaken Jim Roque's hand once in the Soo. Neither was with Clarkson the couple of years Matt was being recruited. Mark
Morris was the HC, Casey Jone one of the Assistants, and I don't remember he second asistant.

BTW, both Matt & Ryan Knox, who ended up being Matt's D-partner at Lake State told BGSU they had committed to the Lakers on the same day. Buddy Powers got a double-barrelled rejection the same day, but true
to the gentleman he is, he wished both young men the best.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Alaska Anchorage could be a good team and we may find that out when the new coach gets them into practice and going.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Alaska Anchorage could be a good team and we may find that out when the new coach gets them into practice and going.

Will be real interesting to see won't it because according to some, schools like Alaska and LSSU do not have the budget to hire good coaches. If Alaska does turn it around then those opinions will be proven wrong.

 

[davyd83]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Will be real interesting to see won't it because according to some, schools like Alaska and LSSU do not have the budget to hire good coaches. If Alaska does turn it around then those opinions will be proven wrong.

The salary and bonuses Matt Thomas gets in Anchorage will be roughly double what the LSSU gets. Thomas gets a $150,000 base and up to 50,000 more in incentives.

 

[Pink Pony]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

The salary and bonuses Matt Thomas gets in Anchorage will be roughly double what the LSSU gets. Thomas gets a $150,000 base and up to 50,000 more in incentives.

How does Matt Thomas compare to the other WCHA coaches salaries?

 

[Pink Pony]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I would probably put LSSU at 7. I think Mankato is the clear favorite, Huntsville is the bottom and UAA #9, with Bemidji at #8. Beyond that, it's anybody's guess who finishes 2 thru 7. I could see Ferris & Tech at 2&3. But you can throw NMU, BG, LSSU & UAF in a hat and they all could finish anywhere in the polls.

Mankato is going to be clear favorite.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

How does Matt Thomas compare to the other WCHA coaches salaries?

www.google.com