The last wcha champ!!!!!!

[scsutommyboy]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

It they could finish 6-8, then name 4-6 teams they will/should finish ahead of?

I have a feeling 6-9 will be within 4-6 points. There is no reason why they can finish ahead of UAA, Tech, BSU, UNO and maybe even UMD. saying they could finish as high as 6th isn't exactly going out on a huge limb especially when it always seems like one or two teams get hit with massive injuries and their season gets ruined.

 

[dogs2012]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I have a feeling 6-9 will be within 4-6 points. There is no reason why they can finish ahead of UAA, Tech, BSU, UNO and maybe even UMD. saying they could finish as high as 6th isn't exactly going out on a huge limb especially when it always seems like one or two teams get hit with massive injuries and their season gets ruined.

They'll finish ahead of SCSU before they finish ahead of UMD.

 

[PhatKroger10]

They'll finish ahead of SCSU before they finish ahead of UMD.

If SCSU keeps Hanowski they'll finish above UMD. It's hard to be optimistic toward UMD when they're not returning 4 of their top 5 scorers or goalie. They'll really need someone to explode onto the scene to be competitive. Like I originally posted, maybe a guy like DeLisle. Also, goalie will be integral to their success, can Crandall produce? Their program has a lot of momentum though, it's tough to count them out.

 

[dogs2012]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

If SCSU keeps Hanowski they'll finish above UMD. It's hard to be optimistic toward UMD when they're not returning 4 of their top 5 scorers or goalie. They'll really need someone to explode onto the scene to be competitive. Like I originally posted, maybe a guy like DeLisle. Also, goalie will be integral to their success, can Crandall produce? Their program has a lot of momentum though, it's tough to count them out.

Even with Hanowski, they still finish behind UMD. We're returning almost our entire defense, minus Brady Lamb, which was incredibly successful last season. Crandall and Fons will be a formidable goaltending duo, and we've got recruits coming in that will make an immediate impact. Are we going to be top 3? Probably not, but home ice is definitely expected again this season in Duluth.

 

[PhatKroger10]

Even with Hanowski, they still finish behind UMD. We're returning almost our entire defense, minus Brady Lamb, which was incredibly successful last season. Crandall and Fons will be a formidable goaltending duo, and we've got recruits coming in that will make an immediate impact. Are we going to be top 3? Probably not, but home ice is definitely expected again this season in Duluth.

Lamb was a pretty big part of that defense corp, though. Duluth hasn't really been known to have an awesome defense either, their success was from having a group of high end offensive talent. I agree with you that home ice definitely isn't out of the question, but they certainly have much more going against them than the other teams (as of right now) that will compete for home ice. As a UND fan, I'm definitely pulling for UMD though. It'd be great to see the NCHC and WCHA pull momentum from the B10.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

Even with Hanowski, they still finish behind UMD. We're returning almost our entire defense, minus Brady Lamb, which was incredibly successful last season. Crandall and Fons will be a formidable goaltending duo, and we've got recruits coming in that will make an immediate impact. Are we going to be top 3? Probably not, but home ice is definitely expected again this season in Duluth.

I will give you 5 to 1 odds that SCSU finishes ahead of UMD. Up to $1k.

SCSU is returning everyone that matters except for Mike Lee, Travis Novak and Jared Festler. We are getting back a 40 point guy from 2010 in Drew LeBlanc. We have Joey Benik coming in who finished 2nd in the BCHL in scoring. We finished in 6th last year basically because we had so many injuries we didn't even have warm bodies to put in at forward, in addition to playing the toughest schedule in the WCHA. We are going to finish top 3 next year.

UMD gave up 1 fewer goal than SCSU last season. So even if they are returning nearly everyone, I wouldn't point to that as an advantage because they are in almost the same boat.

 

[Biddco]

I will give you 5 to 1 odds that SCSU finishes ahead of UMD. Up to $1k.

SCSU is returning everyone that matters except for Mike Lee, Travis Novak and Jared Festler. We are getting back a 40 point guy from 2010 in Drew LeBlanc. We have Joey Benik coming in who finished 2nd in the BCHL in scoring. We finished in 6th last year basically because we had so many injuries we didn't even have warm bodies to put in at forward, in addition to playing the toughest schedule in the WCHA. We are going to finish top 3 next year.

UMD gave up 1 fewer goal than SCSU last season. So even if they are returning nearly everyone, I wouldn't point to that as an advantage because they are in almost the same boat.

I'd would bet on SCSU being above UMD. UMD has so many more question marks than SCSU (offense and goaltending). UMD can get a home ice spot but will have their work cut out for them.

 

[SCSU Euro]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I have a feeling 6-9 will be within 4-6 points. There is no reason why they can finish ahead of UAA, Tech, BSU, UNO and maybe even UMD. saying they could finish as high as 6th isn't exactly going out on a huge limb especially when it always seems like one or two teams get hit with massive injuries and their season gets ruined.

I cannot see them finishing ahead of Tech or UNO, and as much as I'd love to see it, even Duluth will finish ahead of them.

They'll finish ahead of SCSU before they finish ahead of UMD.

There's only one more year and they won't finish ahead of either, so it doesn't matter.

Even with Hanowski, they still finish behind UMD. We're returning almost our entire defense, minus Brady Lamb, which was incredibly successful last season. Crandall and Fons will be a formidable goaltending duo, and we've got recruits coming in that will make an immediate impact. Are we going to be top 3? Probably not, but home ice is definitely expected again this season in Duluth.

Great if Duluth EXPECTS home ice, it certainly won't be a guarantee.

 

[Stauber1]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I'll play.
I like to put teams in bands rather than pick a particular spot. Some might call it taking the easy way out. They're probably right.

12. Anchorage. OK, I'll put one team in a particular spot
10 -11. Bemidji, Mankato. Mankato picked up a quality coach, and it's not like they were horrible last year, but the WCHA is a deep conference. Then again I think I picked Tech 11th or 12th heading into last season.
6-9. Tech, Nebraska, CC, Duluth.
4-5. Wisco, St. Cloud. I wouldn't be surprised to see either of these teams win the MacNaughton, or at least contend for it.
1-3. Minnesota, UND, Denver. Just like old times, eh? I'd have to give MN the very early nod based on what they could potentially have coming back along with what looks to be the easiest conference schedule in the WCHA. Of course, the team that is expected to win it almost never does.

 

[SCSU Euro]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I like Denver, but losing Shore, Bennett and Zucker early plus seniors? And I am not convinced Makowski doesn't see everyone jumping ship and decide maybe he wants to try the seas instead of going down with the ship. I think they get home ice, but may be one of the last two teams to do so.

 

[The Rube]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I like Denver, but losing Shore, Bennett and Zucker early plus seniors? And I am not convinced Makowski doesn't see everyone jumping ship and decide maybe he wants to try the seas instead of going down with the ship. I think they get home ice, but may be one of the last two teams to do so.

I've said it every year since I started really following college hockey in 2003. Denver always finds a way. I dunno how. I dunno the reason. They find a way. They will get home ice.

 

[PhatKroger10]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I've said it every year since I started really following college hockey in 2003. Denver always finds a way. I dunno how. I dunno the reason. They find a way. They will get home ice.

I agree with you, but I believe SCSU Euro was referring to Stauber's post, where he categorized DU as a top tier team for next year. I think they'll have some rebuilding and will have a slow start, but you're definitely right, they always find a way.

Additionally, why is everyone selling out on UNO? I know they had a rough year down the stretch, but they were right towards the top of the WCHA at the half way point. Other than maybe losing 1-3 guys early, they only lost their 3rd pair of defense, and are coached by Coach Blais. They are the team facing the least adversity this offseason and I think they could really surprise. Anyone agree with that?

 

[Stauber1]

Re: The last wcha champ!!!!!!

I agree with you, but I believe SCSU Euro was referring to Stauber's post, where he categorized DU as a top tier team for next year. I think they'll have some rebuilding and will have a slow start, but you're definitely right, they always find a way.

Additionally, why is everyone selling out on UNO? I know they had a rough year down the stretch, but they were right towards the top of the WCHA at the half way point. Other than maybe losing 1-3 guys early, they only lost their 3rd pair of defense, and are coached by Coach Blais. They are the team facing the least adversity this offseason and I think they could really surprise. Anyone agree with that?

Correct, I think that's what Euro was referring to.
There are a lot of reasons I put DU so high. Part of it is definitely what Hoven said.
But part of it is also their goaltending situation. The best in the WCHA, and maybe the country (in terms of quality and depth should it be needed).
Part of it is coaching. I think Gwozdecky is pretty **** good.
Part of it is the caliber of recruits. Gwozdecky always manages to find guys who perform at the top of the freshman class nationally.
And they have a pretty solid core of returning players, as well as a couple big-time guys returning.

As far as UNO, I think that's a legitimate question. For me...
Yes, they have Blais. But they also have lost 2 quality assistants in 2 years. That makes a difference. Even if they find good replacements, their is still an issue there (imo) with consistency.
I think their goaltending has been spotty, at least to the point where it could be a bit of a problem area. And Blais isn't really well known for helping that kind of situation.
I also see them lose a couple important pieces. I'll admit I am a bit ignorant as to what is coming in for them.
I could be wrong, I just see more of the same for them in terms of this season to next season.