The MCHA Thread

[NorthernLite]

Re: The MCHA Thread

My point was that NCHA teams have very few choices (1-3) as to who to schedule non-conference. It's not being defensive but it's fact. .........

Now there you go.....you've got your nubs in a knot again......first a cupcake reference ....now wheelchairs ?? You are really putting on a clinic !!!!

I can see that I need to keep this real simple for you Nubbsy.......

We all understand the fact that NCHA teams are limited to 3 non-conference games.
Your point that they have few choices is lame. They have the full DIII field to chose from. Some choose a softer N/C schedule for good reasons (SNC) ....others choose a tougher schedule for good reasons (UWSP)


Now you can move along and flex those powerful NCHA muscles of yours somewhere else.

 

[pete99race]

Re: The MCHA Thread

Now there you go.....you've got your nubs in a knot again......first a cupcake reference ....now wheelchairs ?? You are really putting on a clinic !!!!

I can see that I need to keep this real simple for you Nubbsy.......

We all understand the fact that NCHA teams are limited to 3 non-conference games.

SNC is actually playing seven non conference games this coming season.
The Thanksgiving weekend tourney, in its fourth year, is starting to build some tradition.
All four games are generally very competitive. This is the first year that Marian is hosting on their big ice sheet.

 

[AVFC]

Re: The MCHA Thread

A closer look at Finlandia's roster. It looks like they have an interesting (perhaps eclectic) group of freshmen coming in. I think a couple should contribute from the get go. The roster has a very international feel to it.

http://www.mchahockey.com/rosters/finlandia-university

 

[NorthernLite]

Re: The MCHA Thread

SNC is actually playing seven non conference games this coming season.
The Thanksgiving weekend tourney, in its fourth year, is starting to build some tradition.
All four games are generally very competitive. This is the first year that Marian is hosting on their big ice sheet.

Pete,
When I suggested earlier in the thread that SNC had 7 non-conference games, Sir Nubs* (short for Numbnuts) was quick to point out that the 4 games vs. MIAC teams are a required element to their schedule. So in his little world only 1 game on the schedule offers the flexibility to choose opponents because the Turkey Tournament participants don't seem to change. If you see him, don't get into a discussion on the subject because he gets all defensive....

I know your Turkey Tournament is competitive and has produced some surprises in its short history, not unlike the Thanksgiving Invitational at Adrian. As these tournaments become established we should see more and more interest from teams outside the region. I wasn't aware that Marian was hosting this years’ event . Nice touch.

 

[NorthernLite]

Re: The MCHA Thread

A closer look at Finlandia's roster. It looks like they have an interesting (perhaps eclectic) group of freshmen coming in. I think a couple should contribute from the get go. The roster has a very international feel to it.

http://www.mchahockey.com/rosters/finlandia-university

The roster has got a couple of obvious recruits that will be a long way from home. I don't know how heavily the NOJHL is scouted by the rest of the DIII world. I'll bet there are some diamonds in the rough.

 

[pete99race]

Re: The MCHA Thread

Pete,
When I suggested earlier in the thread that SNC had 7 non-conference games, Sir Nubs* (short for Numbnuts) was quick to point out that the 4 games vs. MIAC teams are a required element to their schedule. So in his little world only 1 game on the schedule offers the flexibility to choose opponents because the Turkey Tournament participants don't seem to change. If you see him, don't get into a discussion on the subject because he gets all defensive....

I know your Turkey Tournament is competitive and has produced some surprises in its short history, not unlike the Thanksgiving Invitational at Adrian. As these tournaments become established we should see more and more interest from teams outside the region. I wasn't aware that Marian was hosting this years’ event . Nice touch.

I'm a big fan of these mid season tournaments.
This is the second year that Marian is involved.
In the first two years, Oswego and Salem St. were invited to round out the four team field with Lawrence, CSS and SNC.

 

[AVFC]

Re: The MCHA Thread

The roster has got a couple of obvious recruits that will be a long way from home. I don't know how heavily the NOJHL is scouted by the rest of the DIII world. I'll bet there are some diamonds in the rough.

I have been told it is similar to the SIJHL. You see NOJHL kids on a fair amount of DIII rosters and a couple on CHL rosters, but I don't think the league produces a ton of D1 players. Maybe someone else can correct me. I can see why Finlandia would recruit from there.

 

[hockeyrocks55]

Re: The MCHA Thread

i expect lake forest to finish much higher than lawrence and finlandia. i remember reading an article that the old coach wanted prep school kids. i do not necessarily know if those are the new coaches recruits. also, though i am not a huge fan of the prep route, many eastern schools do it and succeed. (Middlebury, Williams, etc). they should be somehwat strong this yearr with a new coach.

 

[AVFC]

Re: The MCHA Thread

i expect lake forest to finish much higher than lawrence and finlandia. i remember reading an article that the old coach wanted prep school kids. i do not necessarily know if those are the new coaches recruits. also, though i am not a huge fan of the prep route, many eastern schools do it and succeed. (Middlebury, Williams, etc). they should be somehwat strong this yearr with a new coach.

That is a very bullish opinion of Lake. I can't see them catching Lawrence this season. Finlandia, maybe, Lawrence, no.

 

[gopherguy05]

Re: The MCHA Thread

That is a very bullish opinion of Lake. I can't see them catching Lawrence this season. Finlandia, maybe, Lawrence, no.

Considering LU now had LF's leading scorer from a year ago on their roster, I also find it very unlikely that Lake Forest finishes ahead of LU this season.

 

[MW49]

Re: The MCHA Thread

i expect lake forest to finish much higher than lawrence and finlandia. i remember reading an article that the old coach wanted prep school kids. i do not necessarily know if those are the new coaches recruits. also, though i am not a huge fan of the prep route, many eastern schools do it and succeed. (Middlebury, Williams, etc). they should be somehwat strong this yearr with a new coach.

I think LU will be more focused on passing up Marian, while staying ahead of Northland. LF should concern itself with trying to stay ahead of CUW.
Its very cold down in the cellar of the MCHA.

 

[altazo]

Re: The MCHA Thread

I'm surprised there is talk of LU catching the top three teams in this conference. To me, it seems LU has kinda leveled out the last couple of seasons. They have a good coach, but they also lost probably their best player in goaltender Evan Johnson. Their listed recruits seem to be mostly kids who played in the NAHL3, or saw limited time in slightly better junior leagues. The NAHL3 is basically a developmental league for better junior leagues, not NCAA hockey.

LU looks again to be a mid pack MCHA team. What am I missing here?

 

[MW49]

Re: The MCHA Thread

I'm surprised there is talk of LU catching the top three teams in this conference. To me, it seems LU has kinda leveled out the last couple of seasons. They have a good coach, but they also lost probably their best player in goaltender Evan Johnson. Their listed recruits seem to be mostly kids who played in the NAHL3, or saw limited time in slightly better junior leagues. The NAHL3 is basically a developmental league for better junior leagues, not NCAA hockey.

LU looks again to be a mid pack MCHA team. What am I missing here?

Well for starters they have 8 of the top 33 returning scorers in the MCHA from last year. They also return 5 d-men. They're solid.

 

[altazo]

Re: The MCHA Thread

Well for starters they have 8 of the top 33 returning scorers in the MCHA from last year. They also return 5 d-men. They're solid.

Meh. I believe the #8 scorer you speak of had 11 points last season. I smell status quo...

 

[MW49]

Re: The MCHA Thread

I'm surprised there is talk of LU catching the top three teams in this conference. To me, it seems LU has kinda leveled out the last couple of seasons. They have a good coach, but they also lost probably their best player in goaltender Evan Johnson. Their listed recruits seem to be mostly kids who played in the NAHL3, or saw limited time in slightly better junior leagues. The NAHL3 is basically a developmental league for better junior leagues, not NCAA hockey.

LU looks again to be a mid pack MCHA team. What am I missing here?

Let me clarify my initial comment. LU's goal would be to try and pass the team infront of them, which is Marian, and be mindful of the team immediately chasing them, which is Northland. LF is in a different division, and LU doesn't play LF until late February. So, I would think LU isn't concerned about LF at this time. I never said that it would be a definate that LU cracks the top 3.
LF lost alot more than just the top d, top scorer, and top goalie. Graduation, and guys alledgedly not skating this year leaves them with only one guy returning that scored more than 11 points last season. Actually, they have only 3 players that scored over 8 points last year. Thats Meh x 2.
In addition, with the league improving over the past few years the incoming recruits are not going to have an immediate impact on teams jumping up the standings. LF will need time to develop their recruits, and their returners have significantly dwindled in the past 2 years. McKelvie will bring LF back, but it will take time. Hence, the reason a few posters feel it too ambitious that LF pass up LU, Northland, or Findlandia, while in all likelyhood CUW is breathing down LF's back.

 

[altazo]

Re: The MCHA Thread

Just to be clear, I think LU is a stronger program than LF and will have more success this season.

 

[NUProf]

Re: The MCHA Thread

Frankly, it looks like Lake Forest has regressed a lot since they left the NCHA. I don't see them moving anywhere but down unless there is a change in administrative philosophy.

 

[AVFC]

Re: The MCHA Thread

I'm surprised there is talk of LU catching the top three teams in this conference. To me, it seems LU has kinda leveled out the last couple of seasons. They have a good coach, but they also lost probably their best player in goaltender Evan Johnson. Their listed recruits seem to be mostly kids who played in the NAHL3, or saw limited time in slightly better junior leagues. The NAHL3 is basically a developmental league for better junior leagues, not NCAA hockey.

LU looks again to be a mid pack MCHA team. What am I missing here?

IMHO, the gap between LU and what is ahead of them is smaller than the gap between LU and what is behind them. I do not think they are as skilled as the top three, nor will they be favorites when they play them, but I wouldn't be shocked to see them take a few games from these schools either. This is also a school that played .500 hockey in an all NCHA non-conference schedule last season.

The recruiting class certainly has some kids from the NA3HL but it has kids from some other leagues as well. Bushbacher should help them. I think by past standards, this is actually a pretty good class for them. Unlike the top three, it looks like they have a difficult time landing canucks. I also think they don't match up very well with Marian (especially in Fond du lac) and could have issues in goal.

It will be interesting to see how they do.

 

[hockeyrocks55]

Re: The MCHA Thread

Frankly, it looks like Lake Forest has regressed a lot since they left the NCHA. I don't see them moving anywhere but down unless there is a change in administrative philosophy.

what LF policies are you talking about? I think ever since they have left the NCHA they have struggled ebcause of there coach. He was not taking them in he right direction. They now have a new D1 caliber coach, who will lead them in the right direction. I imagine that will have a decent year, hopefully getting 10 wins. They should be able to toake care of Amherst and the NEscacs when they go out east, but do not stand much of a chance vs Adrian, who's recruiting class is all d1 caliber.

 

[hockeyrocks55]

Re: The MCHA Thread

a few years back, LF would beat LU 5-1. Overall, LU has improved much more than LF has over the past 2 years. LF needs some stability to build off of. Many players go there, and dont play ll 4 years. that needs to change. Bark #15 from LF will help them tremendously this year. Erney and Stuart are also 2 very good goalies.