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Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

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Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

sfo19 said:
But the WCHA coaches poll has them down in 4th.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/135211/
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UND is too high. It even surprised Hakstol. And rightly so IMO, UND has a lot of question marks. They lost 9 seniors, have the largest freshman class and the smallest senior class. I'd put Wisconsin and the Gophers dead even on defense and special teams with a slight edge for the Gophers on offense and goal tending.

The predictive validity for the WCHA poll has been quite low and unreliable in recent years (25%/8 yrs). The norms on the USA Today Poll are larger and it makes more sense to me as to where teams are right now. The Poles don't matter much anyway.;)

39th annual Grand Forks Herald WCHA Coaches Poll:

1. Denver (8) 80
2. UND (2) 70
3. Wisconsin 61
4. Minnesota 58
5. St. Cloud State 55
6. Minn.-Duluth 37
7. MSU-Mankato 34
8. Colorado College 26
9. Alaska-Anchorage 20
10. Michigan Tech 9

Player of the year: Ryan Lasch, SCSU (3); Jordan Schroeder, Minnesota (3); Chay Genoway, UND (2); Rhett Rakhshani, Denver (1); Patrick Wiercioch, Denver (1)
Rookie of the year: Mike Lee, SCSU (5); Nick Leddy, Minnesota (2); Dylan Olsen, Minnesota-Duluth (2); Matt Donovan, Denver (1)
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

johnnypohlfan said:
Forgot all about that one. Now I'll have to go find that thread for some entertainment while I eat my breakfast. Possibly the funniest thread ever. :D
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According to recent poles only a pole would like a pole thread.
 
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Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

HarleyMC said:
2009-2010 BIG TEN NETWORK MEN'S ICE HOCKEY SCHEDULE - Minnesota Gopher Games

Friday, January 15 North Dakota at Minnesota 8 PM ET LIVE
Friday, February 19 Colorado College at Minnesota 8 PM ET LIVE
Friday, March 5 Wisconsin at Minnesota 8 PM ET Delay at 11 PM ET
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I just noticed this! Don't they realize CC and UND are NOT Big Ten teams? I don't get BTN and don't want them to show any games. Does this mean, at least, that Mich and Mich St are on FSN?
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

Koho said:
I just noticed this! Don't they realize CC and UND are NOT Big Ten teams? I don't get BTN and don't want them to show any games. Does this mean, at least, that Mich and Mich St are on FSN?
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Mich St. isn't even on TV. At all.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

HarleyMC said:
UND is too high. It even surprised Hakstol. And rightly so IMO, UND has a lot of question marks. They lost 9 seniors, have the largest freshman class and the smallest senior class. I'd put Wisconsin and the Gophers dead even on defense and special teams with a slight edge for the Gophers on offense and goal tending.

The predictive validity for the WCHA poll has been quite low and unreliable in recent years (25%/8 yrs). The norms on the USA Today Poll are larger and it makes more sense to me as to where teams are right now. The Poles don't matter much anyway.;)

39th annual Grand Forks Herald WCHA Coaches Poll:

1. Denver (8) 80
2. UND (2) 70
3. Wisconsin 61
4. Minnesota 58
5. St. Cloud State 55
6. Minn.-Duluth 37
7. MSU-Mankato 34
8. Colorado College 26
9. Alaska-Anchorage 20
10. Michigan Tech 9

Player of the year: Ryan Lasch, SCSU (3); Jordan Schroeder, Minnesota (3); Chay Genoway, UND (2); Rhett Rakhshani, Denver (1); Patrick Wiercioch, Denver (1)
Rookie of the year: Mike Lee, SCSU (5); Nick Leddy, Minnesota (2); Dylan Olsen, Minnesota-Duluth (2); Matt Donovan, Denver (1)
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You gave me a chuckle! Minny and Wisco dead even on defense? HA! I'm sorry but Minny's defense was terrible last season and until proven otherwise this season, Wisco is far superior on defense. Offense you may have an edge...

As for UND... they lost a lot of senior leadership, but they also return key players in all the key positions which is probably why they are located where they are, along with the fact that they won the league last year probably gave them an edge. I think Minny has a lot more question marks considering their mid-season collapse last year and how they will respond to that this year. Just my thoughts...
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

sfo19 said:
You gave me a chuckle! Minny and Wisco dead even on defense? HA! I'm sorry but Minny's defense was terrible last season and until proven otherwise this season, Wisco is far superior on defense. Offense you may have an edge...
Click to expand...

This is hilarity at its finest. Keep it coming.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

ScoobyDoo said:
This is hilarity at its finest. Keep it coming.
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I'm not of the group that believes that the UMN defense is horrible, but his statement is true IMO. UW has a proven defense, and one that is probably one of the best in the nation. The UMN defense still has to prove themselves this year after suffering a bit last season.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

sfo19 said:
You gave me a chuckle! Minny and Wisco dead even on defense? HA! I'm sorry but Minny's defense was terrible last season and until proven otherwise this season, Wisco is far superior on defense. Offense you may have an edge...
Click to expand...

willythekid said:
The goofers defense is a joke but why would you find that funny?
Click to expand...

It’s well known that the Gopher defense will need to make adjustments from last year. The leadership, talent and maturity is stronger this season. Along with Helgeson and Leddy, the quality and composition of the defense is significantly different from last year. There’s no question it will be improved.

Wisconsin in losing McBain will need to make a huge adjustment. Losing McBain’s on-ice leadership and 34% of his scoring on defense is significant and ominous. He played a major role in Wisconsin being ranked third in scoring in the WCHA last season. Smith and Gardiner are very good defenseman but have a significant task ahead to fill that void.

There’s often a disparity between what’s on paper and future reality, but since you kept referring to last year let’s look at it. Based on last year’s numbers alone, the Gophers actually have more defensive scoring returning than Wisconsin.

Aaron Ness’s freshman season was better than the freshman season’s of 75% of Wisconsin’s top returning defensivemen and he will most likely improve on that. Cade Fairchild doubled his offensive output from the previous season, led the defense last year in scoring and is regarded by many as a possible Hobey candidate. He actually had a better sophomore season than Jordan Leopold or Jamie McBain did. No returning defenseman on Wisconsin has those numbers and widely recognized talent.

Add to that, Nick Leddy, Mr. Hockey, highest drafted college player in the 2009 NHL draft whom coaches and the media believe is a possible candidate for WCHA rookie of the year, and Helgeson's grit and the Gopher defense on paper looks even stronger than Bucky. It’s still early so I’m calling it “dead even” just to be nice.;)

brianvf said:
:D
Agreed, although this is ironic coming from a Gopher fan. ;)
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An ironically rare agreeable moment. Getting more agreeable with age, huh?;)
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

sfo19 said:
I think Minny has a lot more question marks considering their mid-season collapse last year and how they will respond to that this year. Just my thoughts...
Click to expand...

Minnesota could return every player from a FF team and you'd still question their upcoming season. I didn't think it was possible, but you are actually worse than Goon when it comes to rating them. But thanks. :D

Given what the Gophers lost vs return and what they add, I don't think it's a stretch to believe the defense will be improved. If the offense doesn't regress, these improvements added to a more veteran team should provide higher expectations for the team.
 
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Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

HarleyMC said:
Cade Fairchild doubled his offensive output from the previous season, led the defense last year in scoring and is regarded by many as a possible Hobey candidate. He actually had a better sophomore season than Jordan Leopold or Jamie McBain did.
Click to expand...

I'll assume you are just talking about offensive numbers. Because defensively last season, Fairchild left a lot to be desired, IMO. If we see another good increase in point production, and a marked improvement in his defensive play, then yes, a possible Hobey consideration could be discussed. As of now, any discussion along those lines is quite a stretch.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA

johnnypohlfan said:
I'll assume you are just talking about offensive numbers. Because defensively last season, Fairchild left a lot to be desired, IMO. If we see another good increase in point production, and a marked improvement in his defensive play, then yes, a possible Hobey consideration could be discussed. As of now, any discussion along those lines is quite a stretch.
Click to expand...

I was referring to offensive performance. There were obviously some definite defensive lapses last season not just with Fairchild but with the whole crew. It should be interesting to see how they readjust and with Helgeson's style, how he adds to the mix. I'm feeling a lot more confident with this group than last year. I think you're right, if Fairchild can put up very good numbers and play better defense, he could be under consideration as a Hobey candidate.

INCH's 2010 Hobey Picks
 
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