I Ranger

See #33. Don't forget at one-time he was part of next years talented recruiting class.

I've heard the first line is Caggiula-Mark Mac-Grimaldi. Not sure on the other lines though. Wonder if that makes Tambellini the second line center with possibly Parks and maybe Murphy or Johnson.

Parks

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=432219 Nice write up on Mac.

Eades will not be the guy even if he continues to have great success in the USHL. His departure didn't have much to do with his coaching ability. I think this is a moot point for a while though. I don't see Hak leaving any time soon.

I was thinking the same. When he committed late winter/early spring, I assumed he was a shoe in to come in this fall and all signs I've heard/read were that he would be able to step right in.

He is only 5 months younger than Ausmus and going to be anywhere from a 1st to 3rd round NHL draft pick so he is coming in. Not to mention Ausmus says that is who he will be living with. Looks like the big question is whether or not Stecher comes in.

I hope this doesn't happen. Minnesota did this almost the entire year and I think it held them back. Yeah they won a lot of games but I think they would have been even better if they rolled 6 D and 12 forwards a night rather than dressing 8 D and having them shuffle in at forward. I've just never liked the idea of forcing a D to play forward just to get him on the ice.

I agree with you here. I wonder how this will affect a guy like Stecher who is a top notch recruit who seems ready for college hockey this year. I wonder how he would feel about playing another year of juniors. I'm sure the coaches have been up front with him and he is aware of the situation. I also think we may never see Crisfield on campus.

I have no doubt the small crowds played into Yale and Niagra's favor in the regionals. Those two schools are used to playing in front of 1000-3000 people whereas Minnesota and UND play in front of 10,000 people on blizzardy nights in January and February and had just played there last games in front of 17,000-18,000 at the X. I do believe the small regional crowds favor the lesser teams but with that said the more talented team should win the majority of time no matter where the game is played. You should be able to get up for a regional final if it was played in front of zero fans when your season is on the line.

I certainly agree with this. A few days after the Yale debacle I started thinking what it was this team was missing and I came to the conclusion that this team missed Brock Nelson more than anyone realized.

I was thinking those two may not make it to campus as well. Especially Rowe since Olson seems to be a similiar style of player.

It's looking like our 2014 class could be interesting considering we have quite a few who could come in but very few seniors on the roster. I don't see a whole lot of early departure potential either. As I see it, we only lose one forward (Rodwell) and I would imagine Olson, Schmaltz and Wilkie are locks to come then you still have Poganski, Rowe and Voltin that could as well. Could make for some interesting decisions.

Murphy will be an everyday player. He is probably our best incoming forward although the other two will probably get drafted higher.

The Wild only lose Haula's rights if he withdraws from school and waits until July 1 to become a free agent. If he stays in school, the Wild retain his rights just like Montreal with Kristo this year.

I agree. He is easily the most talented player in the country when he wants to be but I saw two maybe three shifts the whole game where he looked interested. If he played with Rau's intensity, he would be scary good. Just hate player's that waste their talent. If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that Bjugstad wouldn't even make the top 10 Hobey candidates I would have said you were crazy.

I think your first two are correct but the third will be Caggulia-Pattyn-St. Clair. I'd like to see Mitch Mac-Gaarder-Rodwell fourth line and spot them a shift or two per period. Let's not wait until we are down to roll these lines.

I hope the boys are careful around the boards today. After watching this first game, you better not hit anyone too close to the boards or you will be sitting in the box. Go Sioux!

Jim, based on your calculations it looks like Niagra is basically a lock. Looks like there will be a ton of interest in the Atlantic hockey tourney this weekend and a whole lot of Niagra fans except for Quinnipiac as they would most likely get the autobid if Niagra doesn't win.

I think you hit the nail on the head here. Bemidji shut down that line and Hak realized he needed to get more scoring throughout the lineup which is why Rocco was switched. I've said all year this team goes as far as the Rowney line can take them. That line, whoever is on it, needs to provide secondary if not primary scoring throughout the playoffs and I think it starts with Rowney elevating his game (Parks as well). Moving Rocco there obviously increases the chances.

I'm thinking getting forced to game 3 may have been a blessing for this team. I haven't seen an all-around performance like last night maybe all year. Hopefully it was a wakeup call and they can carry this play forward for the remainder of the year.

I'm guessing he is dinged up a bit. I don't think they would make a change like that without it being an injury. Panzarella hasn't played in a while.

Rocco from Parks and Rowney

I think it's safe to say that they want to spread out the scoring. I think that is the sole reason they were so hesitant to try Rocco on the top line in the first place.

After being in Omaha, I don't think there is any chance Nebraska would or should start a program. Most of the people I ran into had no idea there was hockey going on that weekend and everyone of them said we only care about Nebraska football here. Just don't think there would be enough fan support. They need to have only one program in that state in which they currently have.