WCHA Thread V

[ARM]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Flip-flop UMD and BSu. Can't argue the rest.

Bemidji graduated a lot less than UMD did last year. Even if you think the 'Dogs get a boost from having some resolution to the coaching cloud that was over them last year, I give BSU the edge in goal and in terms of team defense. UMD's staff is going to have to learn the WCHA, so there will be some growing pains next year. I like the Beavers ahead of UMD, and maybe even the nameless ones.

 

[charlieconway]

Bemidji graduated a lot less than UMD did last year. Even if you think the 'Dogs get a boost from having some resolution to the coaching cloud that was over them last year, I give BSU the edge in goal and in terms of team defense. UMD's staff is going to have to learn the WCHA, so there will be some growing pains next year. I like the Beavers ahead of UMD, and maybe even the nameless ones.

Solid take.

My main argument for UMD over BSu would be that I think it's safe to say Bemidji lacks premium talent along the lines of a Stalder or Brykaliuk. I've always felt like teams can get away with insanely brittle roster depth when high-end gamers like that are in the mix.

 

[96IllinoisDad]

Re: WCHA Thread V

I'm going with:
1) MN
2) WI
3) UND
4) Bemidji
5) UMD
6) OSU
7) SCSU
8) Mankato

Yep. Solid preseason ranks.

 

[D2D]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Yep. Solid preseason ranks.

That's how I would rank them as well.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: WCHA Thread V

My main argument for UMD over BSu would be that I think it's safe to say Bemidji lacks premium talent along the lines of a Stalder or Brykaliuk. I've always felt like teams can get away with insanely brittle roster depth when high-end gamers like that are in the mix.

The folks in charge of Team USA seem to like Stephanie Anderson a lot.

 

[charlieconway]

The folks in charge of Team USA seem to like Stephanie Anderson a lot.

I won't pretend to know a lot about Anderson. Bemidji will likely be predicted to finish above UMD by the media and coaches, and that would be plenty fair. I just see UMD doing well heads up against Bemidji with that possibly being the difference in the standings by year's end.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: WCHA Thread V

I'm going with:
1) MN
2) WI
3) UND
4) Bemidji
5) UMD
6) OSU
7) SCSU
8) Mankato

Maybe flip UW and the sue.

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Wisconsin roster for 2015-2016:

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/w-hockey/mtt/wis-w-hockey-mtt.html

Shaver from Wayzata, big forward...didn't realize she was that big. Small freshman class. Strong sophomore class...experienced roster overall.

Have to agree with those ranking UW in front of UND

Yup...looks like a 2nd place WCHA roster to me...

 

[Timothy A]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Wisconsin roster for 2015-2016:

Yup...looks like a 2nd place WCHA roster to me...

You're being generous, looks like a 3rd to me. The sue have brought in 3 European Olympians (plus others). Talent-wise are those 3 better than UW's 3 freshmen?

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Re: WCHA Thread V

You're being generous, looks like a 3rd to me. The sue have brought in 3 European Olympians (plus others). Talent-wise are those 3 better than UW's 3 freshmen?

We're missing the descriptive "towering" and "clearly the best freshmen forward" hyperbole that is reserved for a certain other school's fan base. In all seriousness I would take Wisconsin's 3 recruits over what the Roughriders/Flickertails have coming in. Plus, the NoDaks lost Shelby Amsley-Benzie to graduation so Wisconsin should be stronger in goal as well. 2nd with a decent chance to compete for 1st should be where Wisco finishes.

 

[KTDC]

Re: WCHA Thread V

We're missing the descriptive "towering" and "clearly the best freshmen forward" hyperbole that is reserved for a certain other school's fan base. In all seriousness I would take Wisconsin's 3 recruits over what the Roughriders/Flickertails have coming in. Plus, the NoDaks lost Shelby Amsley-Benzie to graduation so Wisconsin should be stronger in goal as well. 2nd with a decent chance to compete for 1st should be where Wisco finishes.

Also, if Sarah Nurse can start to convert her chances I think that could be big for the Badgers. She always seems to spring herself for good scoring chance multiple times a game. If she converts those better I think she could be scary.

No way I predict UW lower than 2nd at this point.

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Thread V

You're being generous, looks like a 3rd to me. The sue have brought in 3 European Olympians (plus others). Talent-wise are those 3 better than UW's 3 freshmen?

We're missing the descriptive "towering" and "clearly the best freshmen forward" hyperbole that is reserved for a certain other school's fan base. In all seriousness I would take Wisconsin's 3 recruits over what the Roughriders/Flickertails have coming in. Plus, the NoDaks lost Shelby Amsley-Benzie to graduation so Wisconsin should be stronger in goal as well. 2nd with a decent chance to compete for 1st should be where Wisco finishes.

Also, if Sarah Nurse can start to convert her chances I think that could be big for the Badgers. She always seems to spring herself for good scoring chance multiple times a game. If she converts those better I think she could be scary.

No way I predict UW lower than 2nd at this point.

Correct in my opinion. My estimation is based on more than just a head to head comparison of the two rookie classes.

 

[pokechecker]

Re: WCHA Thread V

We're missing the descriptive "towering" and "clearly the best freshmen forward" hyperbole that is reserved for a certain other school's fan base. In all seriousness I would take Wisconsin's 3 recruits over what the Roughriders/Flickertails have coming in. Plus, the NoDaks lost Shelby Amsley-Benzie to graduation so Wisconsin should be stronger in goal as well. 2nd with a decent chance to compete for 1st should be where Wisco finishes.

sure about that?

coulda swore she was a junior last year, and I believe she red shirted her freshman year

hopefully you aren't one of those USCHO 3 dollar bills with deep seated anger issues arising from childhood and blow a cork from my asking and pointing this out

 

[ARM]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Yes, S. A-B should be back for one more year at UND.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: WCHA Thread V

In all seriousness I would take Wisconsin's 3 recruits over what the Roughriders/Flickertails have coming in.

If you are correct I feel better about UW's chances. On the goalie front, I'll take ARD over SAB any day.

Nurse could have a huge year or she could not. She may indeed be UW's scoring linchpin. UW has a lot of what if's on the scoring front overall.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Re: WCHA Thread V

sure about that?

coulda swore she was a junior last year, and I believe she red shirted her freshman year

hopefully you aren't one of those USCHO 3 dollar bills with deep seated anger issues arising from childhood and blow a cork from my asking and pointing this out

I suppose I should resort to calling you names asscociated with a certain part of the male body but in this case you ask a fair question and although the information that is presented on the USCHO 2014/2015 UND roster shows SAB as a senior, further fact checking at the official UND athletics website shows you (and ARM) are correct. I stand corrected.

 

[pokechecker]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Well, now that we have that settled …

Bemidji graduated a lot less than UMD did last year. Even if you think the 'Dogs get a boost from having some resolution to the coaching cloud that was over them last year, I give BSU the edge in goal and in terms of team defense. UMD's staff is going to have to learn the WCHA, so there will be some growing pains next year. I like the Beavers ahead of UMD, and maybe even the nameless ones.

While I agree with the first part of ARM’s assessment, I don’t agree with the last part. I don’t see a substantive difference between the way women's hockey is played on the east coast and the WCHA other than the fact the overall level of play is higher in the WCHA. Sure, there are similarities between Bemidji and UND, and UW and UM, and UMD & OSU, but there are differences as well. Between team differences is as great as between conferences. I don’t know how much Meg Cogswell, or whatever her name is, was responsible for Harvard’s defense but if she had anything at all to do with it, she’ll fit right in. UMD lists Stalder as an F, it will be interesting to see where Cowsill plays her. But I do agree that UMD will likely end up below Bemidji rather than catching UND.
Speaking of Bemidji, they proved last year they can play with, and beat, the big girls, the national contenders, but what they will have to do this year if they hope to end up in the NCAA’s is beat the teams below them, especially OSU. IMO, it will be another year of UND facing UW in the WCHA tourney semifinal, and it should be a lot closer between those two this year.

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Thread V

http://www.twincities.com/prep/ci_28494249/hockey-day-minnesota-likely-headed-duluth


Be nice if another women's WCHA contest could be arranged for the great outdoors.

 

[charlieconway]

Well, now that we have that settled …


While I agree with the first part of ARM’s assessment, I don’t agree with the last part. I don’t see a substantive difference between the way women's hockey is played on the east coast and the WCHA other than the fact the overall level of play is higher in the WCHA. Sure, there are similarities between Bemidji and UND, and UW and UM, and UMD & OSU, but there are differences as well. Between team differences is as great as between conferences. I don’t know how much Meg Cogswell, or whatever her name is, was responsible for Harvard’s defense but if she had anything at all to do with it, she’ll fit right in. UMD lists Stalder as an F, it will be interesting to see where Cowsill plays her. But I do agree that UMD will likely end up below Bemidji rather than catching UND.
Speaking of Bemidji, they proved last year they can play with, and beat, the big girls, the national contenders, but what they will have to do this year if they hope to end up in the NCAA’s is beat the teams below them, especially OSU. IMO, it will be another year of UND facing UW in the WCHA tourney semifinal, and it should be a lot closer between those two this year.

Decent post, but the name thing is so incredibly distracting. What's with that?

 

[KTDC]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Mankato has one senior on their team this year. I think Coach Harrington has a big job ahead of him developing a positive attitude on his team. I hope he does it.