Re: NMU @ UAA: It's Probably Colder In Marquette....
Thomas needs to show his worth? How about the players? Are they not responsible for the poor play? Sounds like you put zero thought into this statement, just sayin...
The things that are plaguing us this year are things we have seen before, regardless who has been the coach since we joined the original WCHA. Too many penalties (too many penalty minutes, too many major penalties), not enough goals for, spurts of good play intermixed with long stretches of bad hockey, we flat out play just like we used to in the original WCHA. We right now appear overmatched, forgot the beginning season "tournaments" we have consistently been strong in them, then we start WCHA play......
All of this happened to Brush, Tally, Hill, and Shyiak. They all had similar winning percentages (since joining the WCHA as a full-time member), similar postseason success (Brush and Tally, Hill and Shyiak). Thomas had a good (great for us) first season, new ideas, a new outlook, and a new attitude did strides for the team last season.
But, can Thomas sustain this? I hope he can, and if he does he is showing his worth.
We've had basically the same level of recruiting, except: Brush, Tally, and Hill all had more than one NHL draft pick on their teams (just recalling from memory, I don't have the time to research to find it that is true), and they all had guys go the NHL. Shyiak I believe did not have one of his recruits go to the show. I believe. Bailey has a real chance though.
Once you skim off the top of the cream (USHL, undrafted junior players), you are left with the same level of players recruited. Guys from the AJHL, BCHL, NAHL, SJHL, etc. Even the role guys have similar backgrounds.
Last season we had 18 wins, and 16 loses. Yes, we lost our seniors, and our top two goalies. Yes, we lost Bailey due to graduation. Even though he did play a major role in our success he was not the only person on the ice. Yes, he probably played the most minutes shy of the goalies. But, he was not the only player on the ice. Most of the time he had 4 other skaters, sometimes 3, rarely 5 other skaters. Other players will take up his mantle. Just like others took up the mantle of Glencross, Lawson, Clark, etc. Bailey rose to his height, somebody will now rise to his height.
My conclusion, same mistakes in our game, nearly same players (skills wise), so what gives? The coaching position. Our previous head coaches did not leave and do better at another program. Our program is going through what has plagued them for 20 years now, the coach can change that. We did change that last season. While you could turn the blame on the guys, the guys play like this because.....and it hasn't changed in 20 years because.....
