Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2
A split this weekend would be fine -- but I have to wonder if WMU has peaked a bit. After a scorching hot first half, they are 1-2-2 (2-1-2 is you count the dreadfully boring horrible MSU shootout "win" -- which required a miracle last second goal) in their last five -- against not-exactly powerful MSU, Bemidji and Tech. (I know, LSSU split against MSU, BSU and Tech . . . ). They have also played one of the lighter schedules in the CCHA.
So perhaps I should be talking myself into more. The Lakers have looked very solid. The defense and goaltending has been outstanding, and now they are getting solid play from three good lines. The PP has come to life a little more. And the injury bug appears to be slowly passing away.
Getting any points this weekend is big -- but there is no reason the Lakers can't play smart, defense-first hockey and swipe all six points from Western.
I don't think we've peaked, at all.
This 1-2-2 stretch has been away from the friendly confines of Lawson, and we've run into some pretty hot goalies. Over this 5 game stretch, with the exception of the Saturday UM game, WMU has outshot each opponent by a pretty significant margin.
In addition to running into some hot goalies, WMU has been missing key pieces along the blue line. We have 7 defensemen on the roster. 3 of them haven't played at some point over the 5 game stretch.
Garrett Haar missed 4 of the 5 games (MSU - Tech - [2] Bemidji). Haar's replacement, Matt Stewart (7th man, normally doesn't dress), was suspended for the 2 Bemidji games for a hit against a Tech player. Dennis Brown missed the GLI Championship versus Tech.
In summary, WMU ran into some hot goalies, struggled to light the lamp and was playing a few men down along the blue line.
I wouldn't be shocked with a split this weekend, given the recent struggles. However, I still think WMU sweeps at home. Where we are 8-1 on the year, outshooting our opponents by a 37-18 clip and have sold out all 5 CCHA home games.
Safe travels for anyone coming down!