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St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

We would like to welcome Steve And Jinelle to the husky family. Coaches are set, teams roster has been released, hockey is in the air. Maybe line combinations is next..
 
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Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

Loosing their top scoring forwards from last year will be a hole to fill, but my bigger concern is our defence man , can the sophomores improve on last years performance. Moving the puck out of their zone was a challenge at times, that's why we hope Audrey Hamnner stays defence, she's their best option to gain the zone, she just needs to learn to make a play, not a weak shot from the point (she led the team in shots by a large margin, almost all had no chance on going in). Adding Lexi (transfer) should help, hopefully the new freshman can hold their own in the d zone.
I have a lot of optimism that our sophomore forwards will continue their growth and strong play, we thought that line (freshman) down the stretch was their better line in a lot of games. Lauren showed tremendous two way game, fast , strong on the forecheck, plays bigger than her listed 5'2 statue, Saelens, showed some decent hands, skates pretty well, just needs some confidence to finish, Pena has great hands, explosive skater , fearless at going to the net, I'm looking forward to that line again. Mollies transfer should help, Abby might be a good linemate for her, and throw in a wild card like Ericsson (had good numbers playing in the Jwhl) on a line land you might have decent top 6. Just some thoughts, full lines to come later.
We are pumped. Couple of older farts like us don't mind fall season, that means hockey is in the air..
 
Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

Its only 2 weeks until the drop of the puck, lets see if we can get some banter going in this thread, its a bit lame on here right now.
Lines combinations. There doesnt seem to be a for sure top line coming into the season, lots of questions still.
Line 1- Erickson- Illkanen- Ness- long shot for a freshman to impact a top line, but she does have some credentials, maybe unfair to expect much from her. Ness showed that she can contribute offensively and Illkanen has proven she can score at the Div 1 level.
Line 2- Saelens- Hespenhide- Pena- this line was very good last year when they played together, they will need to continue their growth for the huskies to get better. Maybe flip Erickson to this line and put Pena or Saelens to line 1. Pena & Erickson were team mates at OHA, maybe some chemistry together?
Line 3- Spataro-Funk-Johnson- They need a checking line, this might be the best combo for that. Spataro can skate, shes physical and hard on puck. Hearing Johnsons introduction video, she describes herself as physical, not sure about her offensive hands, SCWH need a checking line, they did not have that last year..
Line 4 Redford-Brodt-Arboghast- Hopefully our 4th line gives us some even+- minutes, they probably wont score many, just hope they can keep it out of their own net as well.
D pairings
Lexxi -hamnner- We really hope Hamnner stays in defence. Listening to Lexxi introduction video, sounds like she likes to join the play in the offensive zone.
Moody -Turbyville or Anderson- dont know much about the new freshman D, Im hoping she can add some skating and offense..
Makaric- Markstrom- Sophmore pairing that spent a little time chasing the play in their zone, hope the new coaches can help them adjust this year.
Anderson- dont know much about her either..
Really hoping the change in coaching staff brings a new ideas too the ice. Rumor is, the players are impressed with the "different knowledge" the coaches are bringing to the very brief 30 minute sessions/practices they have had.
 
Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

This team is going to struggle this year. Especially at home on the big surface. Maybe 2-3 by New Years.
 
Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

Really hoping the change in coaching staff brings a new ideas too the ice. Rumor is, the players are impressed with the "different knowledge" the coaches are bringing to the very brief 30 minute sessions/practices they have had.

Hockey Banter it is!! Boy, I have all sorts of snappy comebacks regarding this quote from BigSandy, but will keep eyes forward, feet on the floor, and decline evil thoughts . . .

On the SCSU plus side--Julie Friend and Katie Fitzgerald in net. No team will win much without good, solid goaltending. The Huskies have two good ones.

It looks good to get the two transfers from Providence--hopefully both will step into important roles and be part of a much needed improvement.

Eric Rud was an excellent assistant coach for the men's program a few years ago. He seems like a very likable guy with great hockey knowledge. Lets all hope this transfers to the Women's side of hockey . . . both new assistants--Mcdonald from UMD and Ms. Zaugg (she sure was a presence on the ice for the dreaded Badgers when they visited the Concrete Center) are new and will bring in some of the "different knowlege" that BSandy speaks of.

From last year: Yes, for goodness sakes keep Ms. Hamner at defense! She was much more dangerous offensively from the defender's position. --IMO Markstrom is just a little bit away from being a very good defender. Makaric also showed potential on the blue line.

Spataro was injured most of last year, came back too early, etc. If she is healthy and given a chance, she will go through walls for this team. Also plays with a bit of an edge. Another frosh turned Soph that looked promising is Pena.

And a comment for 123kidd--I see you didn't exactly go out on a limb here! Not sure if you meant they might win 2-3 games by New Year's or be in 2nd or 3rd place. My conservative guess is the wins by 2015 . . .

IF everything goes well--returnees get "refreshed", a couple of the incoming freshmen surprise, and the transfers find new life and success at Sunny St. Cloud, this team will win some games. More than 2-3.
 
Hockey Banter it is!! Boy, I have all sorts of snappy comebacks regarding this quote from BigSandy, but will keep eyes forward, feet on the floor, and decline evil .
Boomer, please don't be kind to me. Let's see your evil side ;)
Agree with all your points, clearly you have been paying attention. As long as the new freshman can contribute like last year class, this team will win more games than last years team for sure, the schedule might help that as we'll. they need to start putting fans in the stands, give the tickets away, make money from the concessions, get some life in the building.
 
Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

It was ok start for the SCWH team last Friday, I wont comment much about the game. what I will say, there seemed to be a ton of communication behind the bench, all 3 coaches were in constant chatter with the players, thats refreshing and new.
 
Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

When a team wins only 18 games in three years--and the entire coaching staff is replaced--it was to be expected that the SCSU women would be excited and pumped up to show the new coaches what they have. Yes, it seemed that the communication from behind the bench was more positive and refreshing.

The two new transfers both looked good. Molly Illikainen is a tall, smooth-skating forward that knows what to do with the puck. It seemed that early on in the game she deferred to the veterans and was kind of feeling her way out on the ice. As the game progressed, so did her involvement in the play. The other transfer, defender Lexi Slattery is very quick and is all over the puck. Seems like she makes good decisions, plays well defensively and can join the rush when needed. Soph Lauren Hespenheide played well with added confidence and the same grit she showed last season.

But this was an exhibition against the Toronto Aeros, a junior team ages ranging from 15-18. UND clobbered them the next night.

It seemed to me that the Huskies had much more of an offensive mindset--good passing, players going to the net, etc. The 3-0 score may not sound like an offensive juggernaut to most, but for the Huskies of recent years, it was a blowout! All three goalies each got a period to play, and the red shirt Jacqueline Audet (California) made the most saves playing the third period.

BIG test at Ridder on Friday against top ten rated Boston U. Then Penn State at Ridder on Saturday.
 
Re: St. Cloud State University HUSKIES!!

Can't make it to either game--Terriers win today, 5-2, out-shooting the Huskies 39-17. Didn't see the game, but 5 goals on 39 shots doesn't sound like one of Julie Friend's best efforts. Good to see my new hero Molly Illikainen with a goal. Good to see SCSU getting 2 goals--it's baby steps, but in the right direction. For those that saw the game, is Boston U. a top 5 team in the country? If so, Huskies were at least competitive. Last 3 goals were in the 3rd period--all scored by BU. It was a close contest right up to the last 5-10 minutes.

Hoping for better fortunes against Penn State tomorrow.
 
Didn't see the game, but 5 goals on 39 shots doesn't sound like one of Julie Friend's best efforts.
Friend wasn't the problem. She held SCSU in there when they were being dominated, and she did a nice job to hold BU to one goal through 2 periods. The 3rd goal was a semi breakaway where your D wasn't fast enough. On goal four, Poulin was left all alone on the doorstep. The fifth goal was right under the crossbar on a PP. Of your top 5 problems, none are spelled "F-R-I-E-N-D."

For those that saw the game, is Boston U. a top 5 team in the country? If so, Huskies were at least competitive.
BU is a top 5 team, at least for the purpose of this discussion. The question is how many WCHA teams are top 5. If it is 3, then that doesn't leave room for all of the Eastern teams that are top 5. BU is for sure a top 8 team, because there is more talent out there this year. They do have two of the best players in the country. The Huskies were competitive for much of the 3rd period. Prior to that, their PP was awful -- BU dominated shorthanded. SCSU actually put a puck off the pipe when the game was tied at 2-2 halfway through the third, so St. Cloud wasn't far from stealing one, but no, they weren't really competitive for much of the game.
 
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