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Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

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Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

Over the last 9 years, here's the average finish position of the wcha teams, not counting UNO and BJ ST.

2.89 DU/UND
3.78 UM
4.00 CC
4.67 UW
5.67 St. Cl
5.89 UMD
7.22 MSU
8.78 UAA
9.00 MT

Here's the highest/lowest finishing spot:
UND 1/5
DU 1/7
UM 1/7
CC 1/7
UW 2/8 (Eaves 1st yr, toss that out, then it's a 7)
St. Cl 2/8
UMD 2/9
MSU 3/9
UAA 7/10
MT 6/10

My take is since 2002 UW's never been a consistant top 5 finisher, no one has execpt UND and DU (who had 1 below 5 finish). Would I like UW never to finish below 5th (in the wcha), of course not. Historically, that just hasn't happened. UW, under Eaves, has been a roller-coaster. This year, it will be a 7th, next year it will be a 3rd, the following a 2nd or a 1st, though they leave the wcha. Just imagine if C & B Smith, Murray, Gardiner, Stepan were all still here, holy crap :)...when you lose talent like that early, there's no way to sustain high league finishes, except to maybe hire Gwoz or Hak. They have it figured out. No one else does. Eaves has acknowledged he has altered his recruiting to try and get away from so many departures at once, maybe he's on to something, time will tell. I refuse to get frustrated about this year, knowing what's gone and knowing what's coming.

(Last year was insanely frustrating because there was enough talent left over from the ncaa run to at least get home ice in the wcha playoffs. What happened last year was probably the worst yr of UW hockey under Eaves.)

The 2012/2013 yrs must be ncaa qualifying years period, looking at the current roster and what is coming in.

Wisconsin Hockey 2011: Growth through experience
Wisconsin Hockey 2012 & 2013: Fear the Killer Zee's
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

I know I should probably be more less of a pessimist these days, but I came across this comment while looking for mor info on the UWM situation and I thought I'd see what your reaction was (how true you think it might be, what it could mean, etc)

I personally spoke with one of Madison's biggest hockey donors over the weekend, and there is major interest from a lot of their donors who would prefer to support a Milwaukee Panthers program than the Mike Eaves-led Badgers program. Perhaps he was only speaking for himself, but he puts a LOT of money into Badger hockey and would flip the switch to Milwaukee if we fielded a program.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind: random anonymous comment post.

http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/blo...f-the-basketball-arena-is-built-to-also-.html
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
I know I should probably be more less of a pessimist these days, but I came across this comment while looking for mor info on the UWM situation and I thought I'd see what your reaction was (how true you think it might be, what it could mean, etc)



Keep in mind: random anonymous comment post.

http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/blo...f-the-basketball-arena-is-built-to-also-.html
Click to expand...

My reaction? Don't let the door hit you on the way out. 1 or 2 snob boosters packing up shop and supporting another program in he state because Eaves won't hob knob with them or whatever their irrelevant gripe is won't affect the health of the Badger program.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

Chuck Schwartz said:
My reaction? Don't let the door hit you on the way out. 1 or 2 snob boosters packing up shop and supporting another program in he state because Eaves won't hob knob with them or whatever their irrelevant gripe is won't affect the health of the Badger program.
Click to expand...

I can't say anything about this situation and how many there are or aren't that are unhappy but I'd never underestimate the power of boosters to alter a program's future. If it wasn't for the heat from boosters/alums, John Hill is probably still coaching at Minnesota.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

JDUBBS1280 said:
Look at North Dakota's records from 1990-96. Every program goes through down periods longer than a few years. The difference is, those periods are fewer and farther between for the best programs. Wisconsin will be fine. I'm not about to predict championship like Chuck, but they will bounce back.
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yes, however those were Geno's last 3 years and I believe Blaiser's 1st 2-3 re-building years so that's sort of expected. Geno left his team much the same as Jeff Sauer left UW, with not much in the cupboard.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
I know I should probably be more less of a pessimist these days, but I came across this comment while looking for mor info on the UWM situation and I thought I'd see what your reaction was (how true you think it might be, what it could mean, etc)



Keep in mind: random anonymous comment post.

http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/blo...f-the-basketball-arena-is-built-to-also-.html
Click to expand...

wow that takes a lot of cahones for a UW booster to say that. As much as I'm frustrated with the way last season went and the ups and downs this year I'd have to say I haven't lost sight of the fact 2012-2013 2013-2014 *could* be VERY good.

I hope this particular booster is one of those MJ/JS holdover guys that's ****ed Eaves got the job rather than someone who's ****ed about 07 forward. If it's the former I disagree but they're entitled to their opinion, if it's the latter uh oh...

regardless, if this UWM hockey thing is getting serious with potential donors talking about it I'd be very happily surprised. It would be a boon to WI HS hockey for sure as I'd have to guess they'd get most of their kids in-state to start with (if it ever happens).
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

PenaltyBoxBeast said:
All I have to say is, WOW!! Those are some sharp third sweaters the Badgers have. Very classy and eye catching. To all the diehard fans out there in Madison, you guys NEED to buy those jerseys.
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Agree, awesome looking jerseys!
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
Not a particularly proud era since the 06 title. The other title game was great, but beyond that there hasn't been a whole lot to be proud of beyond our NHL alums.

It'd be nice to see them at least contend for WHCA hardware for a change. As proud as we rightfully are for our 6 NCs, I'd love to see that cupboard a little less bare.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this. It would be nice to challenge for a league crown once in a while. I think what I've been trying to describe is the feeling we all had from like 85-93 where UW could skate AND intimidate. most opposing teams coming to madison at that point were daunted by the competition AND the atmosphere. not to say the atmosphere lacks at the KC but it certainly is different. and I'm not certain teams come in with any fear or feeling of intimidation by what UW can do like it used to be

I mean, in 1988 (I think it was 88, possibly 84) the UW defeated the U.S. olympic team (with Chelios) when the USA came through town on their warm-up tours. that's how good those kids were
 
solovsfett said:
yes, however those were Geno's last 3 years and I believe Blaiser's 1st 2-3 re-building years so that's sort of expected. Geno left his team much the same as Jeff Sauer left UW, with not much in the cupboard.
Click to expand...

No disagreement there. Just saying that all programs do have downturns.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

Obviously Eaves is not universally loved due to the Eaves vs Johnson Sauer replacement situation. It's just unfortunate it came down to that. To me winning in 2006 and getting to the finals in 2010 erase most of the disappointments, other than last year. It looks like 2014 (top 6 natioanlly all yr) will be the big year for them, and possibly 2013 (top 12 nationally all year) as well. Is contending 2 out of every 4 years good enough?

On a personal note, my eldest son, a So. in HS, recieved the most hideous and heinous mailing ever to come to a Weisensel household, a letter from the U of Rodentsota, asking him to go to their website, register, claim a free gift and check out the school. My eyes just about exploded, my youngest grabs the letter and runs around the house taunting me in a loving yet mean sprited way. I chased him all over the house screaming "now I've got to lop your hand off, you've touched something from that disgusting school!!!!!!!!!!" I grabbed a towel, eventually caught him, grabbed the letter with the towel, and am saving it for the campfire this summer. I did not lop his hand off, but he said, "I better take a shower now", realizing the error of his ways.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

Winning cures many ills when it comes to sports. I suspect Wisconsin under Eaves will win plenty over the next two seasons after taking a fair amount of lumps this season that come with a real young roster. Things seem to be setting up for the next two seasons to make a real run at a tittle again which if things fall into place would be Eaves 3rd foray down that road in a decade. Yes the uneven "other" seasons are reason to pause, but I'm hopeful those valleys are minimized a bit going forward. IF Eaves has another couple strong years next year and the following, then I suspect you will see more of a reloading then the ups and downs you've seen. Having a HUGE upgrade in facilities under way, a tremendous track record of NHL player development, perhaps another title run, and maybe the added benefit of the perennial whispers of Eaves won't be arround/he's going pro will stick less with recruits as his longevity increases will all help in recruiting. Having a group of (for the most part unheralded and more or less looking like 3 & 4 year players) underclassmen cutting their teeth this year and adding a couple of elite forwards in Kredies and Zullnick has visions of Pavelski and Earl being the ribbon on top of a strong nucleus of guys that had been through the battles a couple years earlier.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

Havn't followed the thread in awhile and I don't feel like looking back so I'll just ask. Are the Badgers wearing the alternate jerseys this weekend vs Mercyhurst?
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

I think Tim's point about departures is valid. Think of how good the team could have been the last couple seasons if the NHL wasn't poaching players. And a couple of these kids were late departures which made matters that much worse. I'm not saying Eaves is the best coach in college hockey (although the pros seem to like his player development), but you gotta cut him at least some slack for that. Hopefully he gets more guys to follow Geoffrion's example and stick around for 4 years - or at least 3.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

Another couple of reasons for the recent struggles are Lee (the 3rd best forward) and McCabe (top d pair) have missed the last 3 series at least. You can't replace that kind of experience/talent. Now Little is out 3-6 weeks, so amazingly, every forward playing for UW is a Fr or So. Has that ever happened in the history of college hockey with a non-start up program?

Line-up observations....Woods on the top line, LaBate @ center on the 2nd line with Mersch & Paape. That 2nd line looks interesting. Maybe LaBate can flourish as a creator, and Paape has a nose to be in the right place at the right time, Mersch can bang and score.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving fellow UW hockey fans.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

I agree in that the injuries to McCabe, Lee and now Little aren't being fully appreciated in the team's struggles. With the NHL defections and the goalie situation, this team didn't have a lot of margain of error when fully healthy. They are now going real deep in the roster and with the exception of Shultz (and perhaps Zengerle), where is the elite talent to make them much better than a average team? I guess one positive aspect with the current situation is that a lot of different guys are getting ice time.

While I'm frustrated with how the season has gone so far (with the notable exceptions of a No Dak sweep and an impressive Friday night win over MN), I understand why and I see the solutions on the horizon.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

My weekends predictions.

Friday: UW 4 Mercy 1
Saturday: UW 6 Mercy 2
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XX - Growth Through Experience

UWisco said:
My weekends predictions.

Friday: UW 4 Mercy 1
Saturday: UW 6 Mercy 2
Click to expand...

Your enthusiasm appreciated, but maybe a tad over-zealous? If UW played to your scores, they'd have maybe 2 losses? Mercyhurst's tender has some insane numbers, I think 2 low scoring games are on the way.
 
Timothy A said:
Your enthusiasm appreciated, but maybe a tad over-zealous? If UW played to your scores, they'd have maybe 2 losses? Mercyhurst's tender has some insane numbers, I think 2 low scoring games are on the way.
Click to expand...

Badgers win 7-2, pretty big offensive breakout.
 
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