Re: WCHA 2010 Predictions Thread
Here are my predictions from the first WCHA predictions thread from may
1. North Dakota - They have the fewest question marks of any team in the league, and they return nearly everyone from a squad that once again was playing its best hockey at the end of the season.
2. St. Cloud State - Very similar to North Dakota, and I could honestly see either team (or both) skate the MacNaughton around at the end of the season. They have a lot of talent all over the ice, and they'll be a scary team next season.
3. Denver - They graduated a lot of talent, and also lost key pieces to their regular season title run via early departure. Given that, the Pioneers always seem to reload as opposed to rebuild. I could see them finishing anywhere between about 3rd and 6th, but for now, I'll place them here.
4. Minnesota-Duluth - They are returning a lot of talent to the ice as well for the upcoming season. One thing that does concern me is how they faded during the stretch run last season.
5. Minnesota - I could honestly see them finishing anywhere from about 3rd-8th. They have a ton of talent coming in, but as we've seen the past few seaons that doesn't necessarily translate to W's. Saying that, the Gophers have to start playing inspired hockey at somepoint right? I think this is the year.
6. Wisconsin - Along with Denver, they lost a lot of talent from their run to the National Title game. They have a good recruiting class coming in, and they still have a lot of talent on the blueline. If they can put up the goal numbers that they did last season, they'll be much higher than this spot.
7. Nebraska-Omaha - Blais led the Mavericks to their third highest win total in the program's 13 year history in his very first season. If his track record at North Dakota applies here, we won't be seeing UNO in the bottom half for very long.
8. Bemidji State - The Beavers are an enigma to me. Will they be the team that was a thorn in many WCHA team's sides while a member of the CHA? Will they be the team that showed it's talent on its way to the Frozen Four in 2009? Or will they be the team that faded to the stretch in 2010? I think Bemidji State has enough talent to be a top-half team, but I think it's first season in the grind that is the WCHA will wear on them. Don't be surprised if they start off strong early, and fade down the stretch.
9. Colorado College - I could see CC finish anywhere between 4th and 9th. I placed them here because I really do believe that the 8 teams I listed above them have more talent. Saying that, Scotty Owens always gets the most out of his teams. If other teams falter above them, and the Tigers get the most out of their squad, they'll be a top half team. If not, they'll be on the road for the first round of the WCHA Playoffs.
10. Minnesota-State - The Mavericks lost a lot of their scoring, and also had some issues in the nets. Given that, and the overall talent level that will be in the WCHA next season, I don't see Mankato climbing much higher than this spot. I think they are better than Tech and Anchorage, hence this ranking.
11. Michigan Tech - They aren't in the cellar moreso for the fact that UAA lost much of its scoring power and won't be very good next year. I would love to see Tech ranking consistently in the top half, but for now, they just don't have the talent up and down the roster that the big dogs do.
12. Anchorage - Perhaps I'll be way off on this, but I don't see UAA being very good at all. Shyiak is a good coach, so I don't think they'll be as bad as say the '02-'03 team. I don't think they'll be that much better though.
