brianvf

He won how many NCHC goalie of the week awards at the beginning of the season? Then I don't think he won another one the rest of the year (that I recall). Add in his injuries/illnesses, and it was a rough 2nd half for him for sure. Of course, he could come back for another year if he wanted, but it sounds like that won't happen.

My Projection based on current info: Forward (15): GR - Jamernik SR - Berg, Kunz, Schmaltz, Montgomery JR - Blake, McLaughlin, James, Strinden SO - Perron FR - Swanson, Boisvert, Croal, Littler X - Portal Defense (8): JR - Zmolek SO - Livanavage, Wiebe, Benoit, Komzak FR - Jubenvill, Strathmann, Emery Goalie (3): JR - Johnson SO - Hedquist X - Portal I think (similar to when we did this last year) that next year has the potential to be a better team than this year. Both offensively and defensively. You lose a dependable scorer in Gaber and a hustle/grit guy in Johannes, but I would expect big years from all the forwards in that JR class and then also for Perron to have a similar improvement like what OMac had from his FR to SO year. Kunz really stepped up his game 2nd half...a VandeVelde type SR year from him would be great. Two elite forward frosh that should impact immediately. Find a diamond in the rough portal grab like Johannes again that can contribute and that is a skilled forward group. Defensively, Zmolek/Livanagage/Wiebe are the steady core and then add in three very skilled frosh. Strathmann played an extra year of juniors, so I'd expect him to be able to be a reliable/steady dman from the opening puck drop. Emery is a beast. Add in an experienced portal grab for injury insurance or if Benoit/Komzak hit the portal. Goalie is the only real unknown. Hedquist showed that he can play at this level, but you still need someone to push him for playing time. Portal grab for a year until Heil is ready to come in the following year would be ideal.

Similar to how people like to say that anybody could have coached the 2016 team to the final...the 2011 team was the same way. Wilbur and I could have been behind the bench and made it just as far with the 2011 team.

They're UMD fans, they know all about failure already.

Truly a disappointing end to a season that showed so much promise at times. You could see things coming off the rails in the second half against CC and UNO. Berry and Co are gonna need to take a hard look at how things have been progressing as a program lately and make some changes. The tourney results since the last title don’t lie.

Maybe Zellers coming in next year as well? That was mentioned in the Recruits thread. He put up a pile of points, but def a big jump from Shattuck to NCAA.

Swanson looks to be the playmaker and Boisvert the finisher. Depending on how quickly they can adapt to the college game. Hopefully Perron finds another level next season and OMac continues his progression. Despite Gaber disappearing at the end, we’ll still need to replace his goals and Johannes hustle/grit.

Right? Something was off with Gaber for a bit. Def wasn't playing like himself.

Pyke being out def didn't help. He usually plays more minutes than anybody on the team. Then they shortened the bench more with Benoit, so they were essentially running 4 D.

I'd like to think he'd be smart enough to stick around another year, but who knows with kids these days. He sure got knocked off the puck easy at times (this game and all year). Another year of strength conditioning could do wonders.

What a meltdown of a 3rd period.

2-1 after 2 Keep it rolling boys!!!

You'd think they would if that was the case. Our best dman is out from injury, so it's not like they won't do it.

Damn that was a good chance.

Atta boy Blake!!

I love Johannes!

There is a pretty big drop in points after Blake, but we have a good mix of guys in that 8-11 goal range. Funny enough, we have 3 guys with 18+ goals on the roster...which is the exact same number as Michigan.

My thoughts as well. Also against a B10 team.

That's a shame.

Spartans win.

Man, not a single WMU player thought to cover front of net?

Umm, ok. Injuries happen...and stuff. Hopefully he can play Sunday if the boys make it past UM.

Injured, naturally.

Replacing Pyke will be a big task. He plays over 20min/game.

That's the Moore that we know and love.