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WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

altazo said:
I think a lot of you may be underestimating Nebraska-Omaha. I've always felt the WCHA has been the toughest conference top to bottom, but you could make an argument that the top half of the CCHA is on par with the top half of the W. Over the last 10 years, UNO has generally been in that top half. Plus, the only coach I can think of off the top of my head that I would take over Dean Blais if I could have anyone and I was starting a D1 program would be Jerry York (and mayyybe Red Berenson, just 'cause he's so old school and because of his ties to the USDT program.) It'll be inetersting...

It means nothing, but what the heck:

1- SCSU
2- UND
3- UMD
4- UNO
5- UM
6- UW
7- CC
8- DU
9- BSU
10- AA
11- MSU
12- MTU
Click to expand...

I think that UNO will be good next year, and probably will be one of the top half teams in the league. However, they are in an absolutely killer cluster with SCSU, UND, and BSU. Even if they're the 4th or 5th best team in the league next season, they could still go 3-5, 2-6, 1-7, or even 0-8 against UND and SCSU. However they do, their schedule will certainly knock them down in the final league standings. Whoever put together the schedule sure gave both BSU and UNO one heck of a welcome to the league! :eek:
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

I agree. I'm not saying UNO is gonna come in and take a title, but I see them as a middle of the pack team. They'll be fired up to show they can compete in a new league, they've got a good fan base who should be fired up as well, they have strong USHL ties and are located in the hub of that conference, and they have a very good coach with lots of WCHA experience.

As for traveling to Anchorage, you're right, should be no big deal after years of doing the haul up to Fairbanks.
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

altazo said:
I agree. I'm not saying UNO is gonna come in and take a title, but I see them as a middle of the pack team. They'll be fired up to show they can compete in a new league, they've got a good fan base who should be fired up as well, they have strong USHL ties and are located in the hub of that conference, and they have a very good coach with lots of WCHA experience.

As for traveling to Anchorage, you're right, should be no big deal after years of doing the haul up to Fairbanks.
Click to expand...
I think they will be a good addition to the WCHA :)
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

The UNO and BSU players have played plenty of WCHA teams, but they haven't faced the intense top-to-bottom level of competition like this on a weekly basis, and they haven't faced these WCHA teams with league points on the line, either.

The "meatgrinder" element of the schedule takes its toll on most WCHA teams, and while BSU and UNO have talented players and coaches, most of us are surmising that year one in the league will be a difficult adjustment.
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

altazo said:
Yeah, that's what I said. No need to bold font it.

And while a couple of the very best programs in the land live in HE, I've always thought that conference is a little too top heavy...

75,000 posts? Really?
Click to expand...

I wasn't disagreeing with you. The bolding was for the other yahoos out there. And Hovey, kiss my grits. :p

Yep.

Don't mention USCHO's version of Godwin's Law. ;)
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

altazo said:
I guess your right, I don't have past statistics in front of me.

But, finishing in the top half of arguably one of the top two leagues in the country more than half of the years that the program has been in existence is a pretty impressive feat if you ask me. No?
Click to expand...

Not in the WCHA. If you don't win national championships you get no respect.
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

Flashy Man said:
This about the same story heading into 2006-2007 where Tech finished 7-25-6 the previous season and then jumped to 18-17-5. And I would venture to say Olson and Baker are much stronger scorers than Helminen and Shelast were. The the rest of the returning players only managed 20 goals in 38 games in 2005-2006. I feel the story this season, especially with a jump start of an extra 5 games on everyone could lead to a finish in the 6-8 area. The team has removed a distraction (Soley) and upgraded production with the entrance of Furne and Holmberg and Gordic's return after a medical redshirt season.
Click to expand...

I agree it's possible, but the past two seasons have even left me pessimistic this summer. The recruits look solid, but the injury plague has got to be solved, and with Bangen still in charge of team conditioning... :-/

If they stay healthy, we'll see.
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

Flashy Man said:
This about the same story heading into 2006-2007 where Tech finished 7-25-6 the previous season and then jumped to 18-17-5. And I would venture to say Olson and Baker are much stronger scorers than Helminen and Shelast were. The the rest of the returning players only managed 20 goals in 38 games in 2005-2006. I feel the story this season, especially with a jump start of an extra 5 games on everyone could lead to a finish in the 6-8 area. The team has removed a distraction (Soley) and upgraded production with the entrance of Furne and Holmberg and Gordic's return after a medical redshirt season.
Click to expand...

For every example of a team that was awful one year and finished in the top half the next, you can find 10 years where the team went from awful to awful. I think it's most likely that MTU is going to finish in the bottom 4. It's certainly possible that they could do better than that, but I think it's unlikely. Only having 2 games each against MSU-M and UAA hurts as well.

Rich said:
However, things always happen that make all of these pre-season rankings - thoroughly considered or not - look pretty stupid when the season's over.
Click to expand...
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

pelt slammer said:
you honestly don't know what the heck you are talking about..... how could you even justify SCSU not being in the top 5 and Minnesota being there. Minnesota doesn't have a team this year, and SCSU didn't really lose anyone but the surfer dude. do some more research so you don't look like a tard.

GO SCSU!!! :)
Click to expand...


Not sure which gives you less credibility... ignoring the fact that SCSU lost their captain and own-zone leader, or your screenname. Tough call...

altazo said:
I agree. I'm not saying UNO is gonna come in and take a title, but I see them as a middle of the pack team. They'll be fired up to show they can compete in a new league
Click to expand...

You think we're not fired up to show them they were playing in the CupCake Hockey Association? :D
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

The Correct Prediction: ;)

1. Minnesota-Duluth
2. North Dakota
3. St. Cloud State
4. Denver
5. Minnesota
6. Bemidji State
7. Colorado College
8. Wisconsin
9. Nebraska-Omaha
10. Minnesota State-Mankato
11. Michigan Tech (tie)
11. Alaska-Anchorage (tie)
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

Rich said:
For every example of a team that was awful one year and finished in the top half the next, you can find 10 years where the team went from awful to awful. I think it's most likely that MTU is going to finish in the bottom 4. It's certainly possible that they could do better than that, but I think it's unlikely. Only having 2 games each against MSU-M and UAA hurts as well.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree, but I'm also not sure what to think of our cluster. Duluth should be a good team, but they often seem to struggle against us (going 2-2 against last year's Tech team is a pretty laughable stat). Wisconsin lost half their team, but with the talent they bring in every fall I don't expect them to be too bad. Minnesota is overdue for a rebound, but at this point who knows?

It's all moot if they can't stay out of the hospital though.
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

SCSU Euro said:
You think we're not fired up to show them they were playing in the CupCake Hockey Association? :D
Click to expand...

That's funny. When I was in Ann Arbor last spring after the brackets were announced and the WCHA only had four teams in (rather than their usual 7 or 8), they were referring to the W as the "Whiners Collegiate Hockey Association." I stuck up for the conference and said it should have been at least 5 teams in with the addition of UMD. Then NoDak and Denver promptly went out and sh*t the bed with losses to Yale and RIT respectively. Remember that?

That was also the first RIT game I've watched since they lost to D3 St. Norbert to open the season about 5 years ago...
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

pelt slammer said:
you honestly don't know what the heck you are talking about..... how could you even justify SCSU not being in the top 5 and Minnesota being there. Minnesota doesn't have a team this year, and SCSU didn't really lose anyone but the surfer dude. do some more research so you don't look like a tard.

GO SCSU!!! :)
Click to expand...

How can you justify them being in the top 5?
 
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

1. UND
2. SCSU
3. BSU
4. UMD
5. WISCO
6. UNO
7. CC
8. DU
9. UM
10. MSU
11. AA
12. MTU


I place BSU and UNO in #3 and #6 because I think these teams will be ready to hit the ground running in the WCHA and prove themselves and all the other teams will not know what to expect the first few times they play them. Antoher point to touch on is the U of M, I place them at #9 due to last years play at the end of the year and a few players leaving early to the NHL. I took a peek at UND's roster and saw many returing players and they will most likely have Chay Genoway back this season. I do think that CC and DU's domination of the WCHA has come to an end for a few years as I predict them to fall to the middle of the pack.

I am a new member to the Fan Fourm so I would appreciate any feedback
 
Last edited:
Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread

altazo said:
That's funny. When I was in Ann Arbor last spring after the brackets were announced and the WCHA only had four teams in (rather than their usual 7 or 8), they were referring to the W as the "Whiners Collegiate Hockey Association." I stuck up for the conference and said it should have been at least 5 teams in with the addition of UMD. Then NoDak and Denver promptly went out and sh*t the bed with losses to Yale and RIT respectively. Remember that?

That was also the first RIT game I've watched since they lost to D3 St. Norbert to open the season about 5 years ago...
Click to expand...

Nowhere did we say we didn't whine, that's fine. We do whine, we're still better quality hockey than the CCHA.

As for the tournament, yes, the WCHA had a horrible tournament. Merely 4 teams in, a national runner-up and the four teams went a collective 4-4, for a pathetic .500. I think we're going to disband and become 12 independants pretty soon if that keeps up.

thebrain said:
How can you justify them being in the top 5?
Click to expand...

Ooh! Pick me teacher! Pick me! I know this one!
 
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