Wasn't really sure where to post this, but Hakstol spoke to the Fargo Sioux Boosters today and essentially took a "where are we at" attitude. Some sound bites from the meeting, and from a conversation afterwards:
5-3-1 record isn't bad. Before the season they're wildest dreams would've been to have a 6-2-1 record. Have played toughest schedule in the country so far. Felt only one game didn't display the kind of effort coaching staff hopes for every night.
Can't not have both Lapoint and Marto in the lineup. Extremely happy with the solid play both freshman d-men have displayed. Part of the reason in moving Chay Genoway up to forward is because staff is very comfortable with the remaining d-corps. He said Lapoint's frame can easily carry 200-210 pounds and his skills at that weight will make him a very effective professional hockey player.
Liked the grittiness the team displayed in Madison. Hak said every team tries to neurtalize the other team's top 1 or 2 players, but cleanly. Not chippy, dirty. He said the team had had enough after the second period when TJ was punched in the head for the third time after he scored near the end of the period. The team decided not to take anything more from the Badgers from that moment on.
Very pleased with the entire freshman class. He said they were unheralded and maybe overlooked nationally, but he said in a couple of years this class will have among its members the best player in college hockey. (I'll let you guess who. )
Andrew Kozek has spent a lot of extra time working on speeding up his release. While Hak said they want to see more consistency out of Kozek, they're happy to see him scoring the way they knew he would when he was recruited. He said Andrew has been working every morning with Coach Jackson on releasing his shot immediately. Last year, Hak said, Kozek had more shots deflected up over the glass than anyone else on the team, a sign that he was taking too long to control the puck and shooting. That is changing in a positive direction.
Very happy to see Joe Finley make such big strides in his play, especially in the physical end.
VandeVelde is maybe not used to having to be perfect every game. Centering TJ and Duncan, Hak said, Chris has to be. The coaches are confident he can be; just want to see more consistency out of him as well.
They'll have the third goalie "situation" resolved by next Monday. Hak said they really only need the third for practice and in case either JPL or Walski goes down with an injury. He said Walski had earned the No. 2 job before AG left.
Said this team has been making some so-so goalies look world-class. Too many shots right to the goalies chest protector.
Said he is generally pleased with the two-ref, two linesman experiment, although he said UND has played thier complement of six games under the system. If it is adopted permanently he said the WCHA is going to have to go out and recruit new, quality, "career-track" officials from somewhere.
Statistically, coaches want to see about 1/2 goal more per game. Like to see 22% success on power play (only at 18 now). Penalty kill has been extremely effective (91%). Hak said Jackson's system is obviously very effective. Team is generating plenty of scoring opportunities, just need to convert. Shots and chances allowed are acceptable.
I asked him about Eaves conduct after the game Saturday. Hakstol wouldn't take the bait, but he asked me why Wisconsin didn't pull their goalie after scoring to make it 3-1 in the third. I believe he was hinting that his counterpart had lost his focus.
