More interesting question would've been who's the cellar dwellar?
I honestly think it's Tech again. They'll be improved from last season for sure (I figure 7 wins and 5 ties is doable,) but everyone else in the cellar has improved so much as well, particularly UAA (finished 9th with an impressive 23 points and returned almost everybody of note.)
I honestly think it's Tech again. They'll be improved from last season for sure (I figure 7 wins and 5 ties is doable,) but everyone else in the cellar has improved so much as well, particularly UAA (finished 9th with an impressive 23 points and returned almost everybody of note.)
Who will take home the McNaughton?
I understand Denver and North Dakota are early favorites, but I'm casting my homer vote for St. Cloud.
Goodbye Jase Welostky; Hello Michael General Lee.
I'm going with UND. In Hakstol's five years the Sioux have finished 5th-4th-3rd-2nd-1st. The cycle has to start over so UND will finish 10th this year.
I put Denver on top (not my team). I'd put Tech on the bottom, and MN at number 2. STCS, that would be about 5, a ways away from #1. Although given the trend pointed out by Dirty, maybe UND will slip down into #5. So maybe STCS would slip to 6th. If this scenario doesn't happen, I'll go with co-champions of AA and Tech. (At least no one's picked the Favreless Cheesers yet.)
I would pencil UAA into the 9th place spot, just a hunch, they aren't going to be as good as some think.
I think MTU, unless they get hit with as many injuries as they did last year, finishes ahead of UAA.
not a chance in hell. UAA is finishing 8th or better this year.
not a chance in hell. UAA is finishing 8th or better this year.
The more I think about UAA, the more holes I see. They are questionable in goal, are subject to second-half slumps, and need a penalty kill (TECH of all teams hung 4 PPG on them in a weekend.) Still, that got them to 23 points last year, and pretty much everyone's returning and they're loaded with seniors.
The WCHA is a stacked conference, and one bad weekend can cost you 2 or 3 positions in the end easily. They certainly won't be last, however.
If they fix the above problems, 6th, maybe home ice. If not, 8th.
How about UAA is a big slow team that if they refs call the obstruction they are going to be in the box a lot.