Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey: Off Season 2010
I'll say it again...tough call with as many capable of having a big impact among the members of this group. Miss Kessel would be a very logical pick. From what I hear Terry and Davis are capable of serious impact. Heck...Turgeon or Brausen on the right line...
Oh alright...I'll go with Davis here. However, I think there will be three / four strong contenders.
Very tough to predict, especially without knowing the skills of several incoming recruits. Obviously I hope all of them make an impact in their freshman year, but having seen Kessel play a number of times, I'll go with her.
Another tie...UM and UMD. I know many think UMD is the considerable favorite, but
Noora rules!
Or it could come down to how many games UMD has to forfeit.
In hockey, consistent goaltending is always so important in winning your conference championship, and the U of M definitely has the advantage here. Assuming Noora regains the form that she displayed in her pre-Olympic experience, I agree that the Gophers will come out on top in regular season play.
Emily West. Big campaign for Westy...stay healthy.
No question...as the team's leading scorer she is the key on whoever ends up playing with her on the first line. She and her linemates need to produce big time offensively while also playing solid D.
Yes I do believe. Probably not...yet if that's the unlikely season outcome, they may share some of that responsibility.
I don't like putting all of the responsibility on the coaches' shoulders. They can put all of the pieces together but in the end it's up to the players to win the games on the ice. That said, all of the pieces seem to be in place for a very successful season. On paper at least, this team appears to have more raw talent than last year's squad.
#11...#19 will continue to impress even more.
Sure hope you're right on #11, she definitely has the talent to play more of a key role in the team's success...also hope Bozek continues to improve on her very successful freshman season.
There's a bunch of 'em. UMD & UW in the WCHA...Clarkson, Cornell, Mercyhurst...and others still.
The WCHA will be a major challenge to be sure...the key will be to focus on each opponent and continue to improve in all facets of the game. If they do this they'll be ready for the post-season when the time comes.
Mark Johnson and Shannon Miller...co-best coaches in division I.
Past tense and reputation only...Brad Frost will surprise and be named Coach of the Year!
The series' with UMD will probably be the toughest. Wisconsin will be nearly equally difficult in the WCHA I'd guess. When it comes to the NCAA tournament...the level of play in the 2009-2010 tournament was completely amazing IMO...if you're there, all those games are extremely tough. No matter how good you play, the competition is such that it most often takes a lucky break to win it. The conference schedule is a very difficult grind.
Agreed on all counts. The regular WCHA season will pose an even greater challenge than in year's past, and they can't look past anybody. If they continue to improve as a team throughout the season, they will be well-positioned to make a good run at winning the NCAA championship.
Noora rules and could win it. Probably, Agosta gets hers.
Way to early to make the call! I'm hoping for West or Noora.
Finally, an easy one. Gophers and Gophers.
I know you're being a little facetious here, but if I know anything at all, it won't be easy!