Re: UNO 2015-16 Season Thread: Frozen Four, New Barn, What Next?
I don't disagree that it's where we're heading. But I don't think you'll see that until at least closer to Thanksgiving, maybe even after Christmas. A couple years ago Massa wasn't anything special either, but he kept improving. I haven't physically watched him this year, but the description of his play is much more promising then it has been in the past. From play-by-play call it seems Thompson is moving quicker and bigger, and not giving up the big rebounds. And his stats through three games are the best start in his career.
The other thing I think needs to be done, is make Weninger prove he can do this over 7-8 or more games to make sure its not some mirage, which I don't think it is. Also, if you sit Thompson now, and Weniger implodes after Christmas to the point we need a change, you'll see them rolling out goalies who haven't played in two months.
I think Thompson plays until Christmas unless he gives up a couple straight 4-5 goal nights. I project he'll have one 5 goal night, go 2-2 in NCHC and 4-2 down the stretch to the break.
Well, I've said in some other posts that I believe that Weninger will be the full time goalie by New Years, at the latest. I think there is also something of a political side to this for Coach Blais. That said, take a look at Thompson's juniors numbers (or Blankenberg's, for that matter) as opposed to Thompson's. Thompson's numbers almost make you wonder why we'd have offered him, even. Weninger's juniors numbers are a highlight reel.
Both guys have played
3 complete games. Aside for the numbers I have already cited above (besides my own eye test--I've attended 4 of UNO's 6 games and seen the other two) you can look it at like this. Thompson, in the same number of minutes played, has allowed 3 1/2 times the number of goals that Weninger has.
Three and one half! Yes, it is sort of small sample size but it sure isn't insignificant. More importantly, 3 of the goals that have gone in against Thompson were ones that I am sure he wishes back (the first goal Air Force got on him on Friday night was just plain awful). Untrue of
either goal against Weninger. One of which was gotten in a 5 on 3 situation and the one Air Force got on Saturday night no goalie, anywhere, was stopping that shot.
We are already pretty clearly a title threat. I thought so before the season, based on what was coming back and I am even more sure of that, now, even just 6 games in. Accomplishing that feat is going to rest mostly on goaltending on this team, making the decision of who that is a huge one. Every other piece of the puzzle seems to be in place. We beat Air Force on Saturday night, mostly on the backs of our 4th line! Most schools don't even have 4
real lines. We have the most depth and firepower in the history of the program. The best goaltender we have needs to play and he needs to play all the time. IMHO, that is Weninger, both on paper and based on performance so far as well.
By the way, speaking of Massa, even
before his best-season-in-goal-in-program-history season last year, he was already 5th, career all time, in GAA in program history and was 2nd in save percentage.
He hadn't exactly been chopped liver even before his off-the-charts performance last year.
I think Coach Blais is going to give Blankenberg a start somewhere in here, too, to see what he has there, as well. My guess would be a game against Ohio State, Arizona State, or the exhibition against Trinity Western. No way would I risk a league game with an unknown commodity, now.
Coach Blais did say today that it is going to be Thompson Friday and Weninger Saturday for awhile, though.
I don't like musical goalies and I don't think teams win titles with musical goalies, either.
