ManBehindTheCurtain
Great and powerful wizard
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Off Season 2011
Here's a fan's look at why optimism is justified.
Defense wins championships.
The defense will be backstopped by a second team All-America, already an Olympic bronze medalist.
Regular shifts on D will be taken by three who are almost certain 2014 Olympians. Additional strength is added by another outstanding senior. The team has a 5th D a player with a year of WCHA experience with steadily increasing responsibilities. 6th D is the only open position and all the Gophers have to offer is a national U-18 team stalwart. But even that spot will be contested by two returning rostered players with WCHA D experience.
Defense wins championships, the defense will be solid.
But you have to score some goals.
Well, how about returning intact the top two lines and 7 of the top 9 forwards from a team that competed for the conference championship and made the NCAA tournament? How about adding to those 7 a returning two time captain returning from an injury redshirt as an 8th forward? How about three highly touted freshmen hoping to capture that 9th forward position in the face of competition from the same two returning rostered players who have WCHA D experience, both of whom also have WCHA F experience?
It is early.
The Gophers are very clearly going to be able to put on the ice 9 forwards, 6 defenders and a goaltender who all clearly look able to play at the level required to compete for the top prize.
There is a reason why they actually play the games. Nothing is final until it is final, but why shouldn't we be optimistic?
Buckle up and get ready for the ride. It really, really should be fun. Shame on anyone in the Twin Cities calling themselves a hockey fan who misses this.
Here's a fan's look at why optimism is justified.
Defense wins championships.
The defense will be backstopped by a second team All-America, already an Olympic bronze medalist.
Regular shifts on D will be taken by three who are almost certain 2014 Olympians. Additional strength is added by another outstanding senior. The team has a 5th D a player with a year of WCHA experience with steadily increasing responsibilities. 6th D is the only open position and all the Gophers have to offer is a national U-18 team stalwart. But even that spot will be contested by two returning rostered players with WCHA D experience.
Defense wins championships, the defense will be solid.
But you have to score some goals.
Well, how about returning intact the top two lines and 7 of the top 9 forwards from a team that competed for the conference championship and made the NCAA tournament? How about adding to those 7 a returning two time captain returning from an injury redshirt as an 8th forward? How about three highly touted freshmen hoping to capture that 9th forward position in the face of competition from the same two returning rostered players who have WCHA D experience, both of whom also have WCHA F experience?
It is early.
The Gophers are very clearly going to be able to put on the ice 9 forwards, 6 defenders and a goaltender who all clearly look able to play at the level required to compete for the top prize.
There is a reason why they actually play the games. Nothing is final until it is final, but why shouldn't we be optimistic?
Buckle up and get ready for the ride. It really, really should be fun. Shame on anyone in the Twin Cities calling themselves a hockey fan who misses this.
