The Sicatoka

A Schloss's article earlier today strongly hinted at going 16F this year. It said "one more" even with Johannes. A couple-three D depending on Strathmann staying in the USHL.

Chrona finally moving the wife, kids, and grandkids out of Denver.

Ah, now I understand ... yet the old upperclassmen won.

I knew there was something fundamentally wrong with it.

The Q roster has 11 Sr or Gr. Those are upperclassmen. They've played games and gathered experience. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/roster/Quinnipiac/47

If he does that with all the other options, well ...

Defense is like the old LawnBoy mower my parents had: Guaranteed one-pull starting every time on that. Offense is like a 1970's era Briggs and Stratton four-stroke motor: It may start right away, or you may need to visit a chiropractor to work on your shoulder and elbow. I say if the offense is running you leave it running until you're absolutely sure (like up 3 with 5 to play sure).

This game showed college hockey is still an upperclassman's game. See also: Schlossman's tweet about only one first round pick in the last six years has won a title. Most of Q's team picked up a Championship hat and their first Social Security check on the same walk.

If this wasn't just a drop-in replacement for Caulfield (but with some edge) I'd be concerned.

Minus Kleven plus Johannes. Net better. And we needed a guy to "wear the badge" to protect our smaller forwards.

They did, but with an accent: The 1-1-3 or The 1-3-1. The late 90's NJD could've learned from the Q's execution of it.

Minnesota shots in first period: 8 Minnesota shots remainder of game: 7 Yes, 15 shots. Did Motzko have a "Berry moment" and think his team could nurse a one-goal lead home* or were they shut down by Q. If it's the latter good on Pecknold; if it's the former that's on Motzko. *To my eye "nurse" is not a good plan for that Gopher team; they are possession. They should be possessing and attacking not defending. That's their best defense.

The "Schloss Drop" that they're looking for a 16th F has me intrigued ... that said ... We still need 2 (or 3) solutions at D: - portal - portal - Strathmann? Jubenvill? portal? (Assumed D right now: Pyke, Wiebe, Benoit, Livanavage, Komzak)

Someone reach out to Alex Heinert and Midco and have them replay the Lindenwood games to we can scout what we're getting. Same for the Omaha games (Berg).

Watch the game again looking for shots of Motz. His expression and demeanor down the stretch were not confidence-inspiring. Pecknold had the same "Pucker Factor: DIAMOND" look the whole game ... until he needed a hug.

Drop in replacement for Caulfield. Let's see what Kunz can learn from him. And Schloss drops this nugget: He rattles off 11 returnees, Perron, Emerson, Berg, and now Johannes, for 15 total ... and says one more. He's saying we're running 16F again. They must be unsure about Montgomery's health or there's another question we don't know about.

Just give me guys who move it and not stop, stand, dust it off, telegraph the decision, then get picked off.

Q: How do you keep the forum in suspense? A:

Club hockey follows as club hockey unless they elevate the status of the program to NCAA competition standards.

That's what I thought. The only time I recall Strand's name as one to watch was during a B1G hockey broadcast. He was brought up as a long-shot for the Wisconsin job.

Was he on the speculation lists at Mankato or is this a surprise? Taking SC from out of the playoffs to a Clark Cup in five seasons is good resume, especially when you realize "Covid" is in there.

Even this is obsolete already. With whispers of Strathmann considering another USHL year do we need two D, or three? From where, meaning Jubenvill from the pipeline or three portals? Bringing back Bast (UMD) or Moore (QU) is off the table. My go-to source tells me Hedquist is coming.

They got nice West Regional Champs hats in Fargo.

When Jubenvill (no e at end) was first announced as a recruit there was speculation about him as a '23 or '24 freshman. Is he ready is the prime question. There are so many factors in play right now: Strathmann, Jubenvill, what's in the portal, how many freshmen do you want (can you get something other than one-years from porta).