Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

The NCAA tourney would be a great goal, that I think is attainable. But I'm not ready to predict it. I need to see how this conference performs overall to decide how many teams we should really be expected to get into the tourney, if its 1, I'd pick Mankato, if it is 2 or more, I think Tech has a good chance.

 

[oldish husky]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

The number of teams is the big wild card. One the one hand, the teams now in the WCHA haven't regular tournament appearances, which might suggest a one or maybe two bid league, however, the teams which formerly constituted the top of the WCHA and CCHA now have to fight amongst each other for the top half of those conferences. And some of the teams in the WCHA have seen some recent improvement (Mankato, Tech, Alaska, Ferris)

Maybe a good discussion question might be: What's a reasonable out of conference win percentage for the new WCHA? .400?

The NCAA tourney would be a great goal, that I think is attainable. But I'm not ready to predict it. I need to see how this conference performs overall to decide how many teams we should really be expected to get into the tourney, if its 1, I'd pick Mankato, if it is 2 or more, I think Tech has a good chance.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

If the WCHA takes care of their collective OOC schedules, they should have two teams in. One autobid and one at-large.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

If the WCHA takes care of their collective OOC schedules, they should have two teams in. One autobid and one at-large.

The opportunities are there with our schedules. Each of us have marquee games against the "Big" conferences. Mavs, for instance, have 3 teams (MN, Providence, UConn) who should finish at or near the top of their conferences. If we hold our own in those games, and some other WCHA teams do the same (Winning the GLI again would help), the nWCHA will be all right.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

The opportunities are there with our schedules. Each of us have marquee games against the "Big" conferences. Mavs, for instance, have 3 teams (MN, Providence, UConn) who should finish at or near the top of their conferences. If we hold our own in those games, and some other WCHA teams do the same (Winning the GLI again would help), the nWCHA will be all right.

Road splits with UMD, ND, and Michigan, sweep State at home, win GLI. Tall order, but 7-3 OOC, and Tech will pretty much have done their part to help the WCHA's prospects (and their own).

 

[oldish husky]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Of course if UMD, ND, and Michigan are having this same conversation on their threads, they are expecting home sweeps and State is talking about a split at Tech. I'd be quite happy with a .500 non-conference record given the strength of the opposition. I'm assuming that UM and MSU (the michigan versions) will have to be better this year than last.

Road splits with UMD, ND, and Michigan, sweep State at home, win GLI. Tall order, but 7-3 OOC, and Tech will pretty much have done their part to help the WCHA's prospects (and their own).

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Road splits with UMD, ND, and Michigan, sweep State at home, win GLI. Tall order, but 7-3 OOC, and Tech will pretty much have done their part to help the WCHA's prospects (and their own).

If Tech does that in non-conference, they better make the NCAAs.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

If Tech does that in non-conference, they better make the NCAAs.

Truth

 

[UpNorthHockey]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

uh, yeah. I'm dead serious. Tech will make the NCAA tournament.

Tech is closer to making the tourney this year than any time since the 80s. That in itself is reason for excitement.
Tech needs to be #1 or a strong #2 in the WCHA to go to the tourney and I think that outcome is very possible.
However, most of the other WCHA teams also think they're headed for the tourney now that the big boys are gone.
Tech will probably have high offensive output this year, but the team needs to be more consistent than last year with better D and goal.
Just remembering that loss to UAA at Winter Carnival is enough to bring my expectations back down to earth.
As we saw last year, not every player is going to live up to expectations, and injuries/issues always occur.
Still, I think we have more reasons to be optimistic than not.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Road splits with UMD, ND, and Michigan, sweep State at home, win GLI. Tall order, but 7-3 OOC, and Tech will pretty much have done their part to help the WCHA's prospects (and their own).

Please do that! We'll need help with the TUCs.

GFM

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Tech is closer to making the tourney this year than any time since the 80s. That in itself is reason for excitement.
Tech needs to be #1 or a strong #2 in the WCHA to go to the tourney and I think that outcome is very possible.
However, most of the other WCHA teams also think they're headed for the tourney now that the big boys are gone.
Tech will probably have high offensive output this year, but the team needs to be more consistent than last year with better D and goal.
Just remembering that loss to UAA at Winter Carnival is enough to bring my expectations back down to earth.
As we saw last year, not every player is going to live up to expectations, and injuries/issues always occur.
Still, I think we have more reasons to be optimistic than not.

I think you forget how close MTU was to making the tournament in 2006-07. Not to say that you're still not correct but that team was a couple games away from making the tournament and it was alot more obvious what was required to make the tournament then. There are way too many unknowns to say with certainty that MTU is that close to making the tournament. It certainly needs to be a goal and an obtainable one but '06-'07 was pretty darn close. They finished 17th in the final PWR. IF they had beaten Wisconin Thursday at the F5, and either won Friday or Saturday (still had 3rd place game), they would have finished top 14 and made it. THats far closer than we can say MTU is today.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Road splits with UMD, ND, and Michigan, sweep State at home, win GLI. Tall order, but 7-3 OOC, and Tech will pretty much have done their part to help the WCHA's prospects (and their own).

Wouldn't hurt if a few of the big boys all have a series they screw up against WCHA opponents, especially Nacho programs. Wouldn't it be a hoot if they only get one team into the NCAA next year??

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Wouldn't hurt if a few of the big boys all have a series they screw up against WCHA opponents, especially Nacho programs. Wouldn't it be a hoot if they only get one team into the NCAA next year??

Hoot all you want, but the likelihood of that is slim. With three 'western' conferences now, the BIG Mistake and the mid-major league will probably have 5-7 of the sixteen bids between them in any given year, while Hocky Rast and the ECAC will take up another 5-7. That will leave 2-6 bids for the WCHA and AHA to fill, probably an average of just under 4 per year (inevitable down years in the ECAC and/or HEA will offer up an extra bid out west).

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Well Mankato is obviously competitive with anyone in hockey and I don't expect anyone in the nchc to be better. Plus they will have a good non con schedule.

Second, Tech's team is the best in terms of total talent I've seen in quite a while, and will also be competitive with anyone. But they have to learn how to be a winner and I think that's a work in progress.

Third I expect some of the nchc teams will lose, who have traditionally been winning team. I think most of the fans have no idea how easy is is to fall off the top, and end up with no attendance, no players to speak of, and no bid. Same for the big ten.

So I'm thinking that non con games have never been more important, and coach Wilson's points about all the home games at Big schools is very well made..Winning vs a Big team on the road deserves extra credit if they will not come to you. I think Tech has to have an above 500 non con record to have a chance, and this is going to be a challenge. After all Getting a sweep at Yost, or in South Bend is a tough order.It makes the GLI especially important.

Forth, Atlantic hockey is getting more competitive on a daily basis and will start winning games no one expected them to win and getting recruits no expected them to get. Wait till Canisius sweeps PSU at home for instance.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Third I expect some of the nchc teams will lose, who have traditionally been winning team. I think most of the fans have no idea how easy is is to fall off the top, and end up with no attendance, no players to speak of, and no bid. Same for the big ten.

So I'm thinking that non con games have never been more important, and coach Wilson's points about all the home games at Big schools is very well made..Winning vs a Big team on the road deserves extra credit if they will not come to you. I think Tech has to have an above 500 non con record to have a chance, and this is going to be a challenge. After all Getting a sweep at Yost, or in South Bend is a tough order.It makes the GLI especially important.

I don't think the Big Ten has an issue with the loss of players, fans, bids, etc like other conferences might. Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State are going to be who they are and always have been. They have the money, resources, name power, etc. to overcome a stretch of bad seasons. Although I doubt any of them would be long term losers, even with all the head-to-head. It's also reasonable that the Big Ten will have 2 tournament teams each year, and the occasional season with 3.

Ohio State and Penn State from a hockey standpoint are not at the same recruiting, and name power level, but they still are bolstered by the Big Ten name and tradition.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Hoot all you want, but the likelihood of that is slim. With three 'western' conferences now, the BIG Mistake and the mid-major league will probably have 5-7 of the sixteen bids between them in any given year, while Hocky Rast and the ECAC will take up another 5-7. That will leave 2-6 bids for the WCHA and AHA to fill, probably an average of just under 4 per year (inevitable down years in the ECAC and/or HEA will offer up an extra bid out west).

Yeah, I know, never likely to happen, but it would be funny if they all about fell on their faces and then have a lot of back biting and petty politics amongst themselves until finally the whole thing blows up on them when somebody elects to take their puck and go home to the WCHA.

 

[Huskiefan906]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Does Tech have tickets available for the Michigan series at Yost?
If anyone has any information, it would be appreciated.

 

[ColoToot]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Does Tech have tickets available for the Michigan series at Yost?
If anyone has any information, it would be appreciated.

I would call theTech ticket office they were really helpful to me on the DU and CC tickets. But I do know that the WCHA required the home team to holdout about 100 tickets for the visiting team.t Tech closed out the away ticket sales on Monday or Tuesday and sent a second list with the team.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Marcus Ericsson will not be attending Michigan Tech, could not clear the NCAA Clearinghouse as a Swede. THG (me) is reporting that defenseman, Cliff Watson, will replace Ericsson on the 2013-14 roster. Watson was formerly committed to Ohio State and was drafted by San Jose in the 2012 NHL Draft. He's from Appleton, WI and should make a big impact on the d-corp for the upcoming season.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Marcus Ericsson will not be attending Michigan Tech, could not clear the NCAA Clearinghouse as a Swede. THG (me) is reporting that defenseman, Cliff Watson, will replace Ericsson on the 2013-14 roster. Watson was formerly committed to Ohio State and was drafted by San Jose in the 2012 NHL Draft. He's from Appleton, WI and should make a big impact on the d-corp for the upcoming season.

Wait, so we just fell into an NHL draft pick, 2 months before the season starts? How the eff does that happen?