Count me crazy, but I think the Sioux will be better in the second half.
That's because we haven't "really" played up to full potential yet. For example:
1) Andy Schneider is scoreless in 9 WCHA games, after being point-a-game last season.
2) James Massen hasn't produced yet, and I think he'll step up. (But I expect him to be sitting this weekend.)
3) The powerplay has been ... well, let's just say "often discussed". With the talent on this team, the PP should be around 20% (where other good PP's are). That's a goal a game from what we've gotten to date.
4) Instead of playing most games against the PWR top 10, there's a few games against the middle of the collegiate pack (UAA first). I don't mean to say they will be easy, but they are no BC.
5) Even Zach, as good as he has been, has not put as many points on the board as his potential shows.
6) Depth is better this year... meaning that as the grind of 10 straight weeks of WCHA play wears on, coaches have the option of not dressing some guys, or deciding to play the stars less, so they have legs come March.
7) The team is as young a Sioux team as I've seen in a long time ... these young men are still growing.
8) Conditioning, by all signs, is outstanding.
I think we'll get better.
The open question is still will we win. Soft goaltending, bad bounces, more-than-one injury, could all work to undo the magic.
Swoon? No. Hardware? Too soon to tell.