stoneySIOUX

Fair points. I'm sticking to my guns with my belief that this incoming forward group is the start that gets us to where we need to be. Subsequent classes only increase it. I'm just having trouble, in my mind, pegging two wins (or losses, in this case) against a bad team as to why we are talking about Bubbs' job. That's all.

I hope so, too. I hope most don't think that's the road we're headed on, because that's a gross road.

That's fair. They have had this MO this year. I totally buy that. Not sure I feel that's on Bubbs though, because then he deserves all the credit when we beat St. Cloud, UMD, WMU, Denver and Mankato.

They WOULD be doing very well outside of those two games, sitting at No. 8 in the PWR. That's why it's tough, for me. It's two frickin' games and that's so frustrating.

Culture may be lacking? Tell me what you mean by this. I honestly think the only thing we're really lacking is forward scoring. That was in full affect in Buffalo and that's why we are talking about where we are this year. Had we swept, I'm having a tough time equating two wins against a poor team as having fans no longer question your job security.

Again, I get that. But, it's one weekend. I'm just having trouble equating two wins against a terrible team to us not talking about firing him.

I get it. I just feel like one weekend should not define a coach. Feels like that puts a lot in to perspective, for me.

Had they swept Canisius, would the "fire Bubbs" argument be around?

Sure would. I really feel like we've earned a break. We'll find out.

This team absolutely has the defense and goaltending to win in the tournament. Just gotta get there.

I just messed around with the PWR predictor and with a sweep, we get to 16 if all favorites win. If BGSU and Harvard get swept and we sweep, up to 14. Did one where WMU lost two, Hahvahd split and BGSU split and we're up to 13. So, in short, we have plenty of chances. Get two wins and we got a shot.

Agreed 100%. I was absolutely not saying nor implying that bad bounces are the reason our season has been a struggle.

Goodness. Can't it be both? I didn't insinuate in any shape or manner that this was a sole reasoning for a bad season.

Our forwards aren't producing because they aren't the type of forwards that can take over games. Hence why we run through the D men. We don't win a lot of puck battles? I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. We are a dominant possession team and that reflects statistically. You don't hold possession more often than your opponent if you lose most battles.

Yes, we dump into the corner, grind out board battles and feed the points. We absolutely have the players for this kind of scheme because that is, to a T, how we've won games. We have the exact kind of players to run this kind of system -- hard working, grind it out forwards and dynamic defensemen. They have talent, but the type of forwards we have now, with the exception becoming Kawaguchi, aren't ones that can create their own space and make a play. So, we have a system that relies on hard work and puck control. An influx of playmaking and scoring can absolutely get this team to move forward because we have great D and goaltending and a group of hard workers.

I still absolutely think this team has had a lot of bad luck. Look at game tying goal last night. You make your own breaks and all that, but man, how many own goals do we have this season?

All of these things come down to forward talent, IMO. The system is geared towards our most talented players. We have a gaping hole of talent in the forward group, overall, with the upperclassmen. I 100% believe a guy like Adams needs players to set him up. Shane Gersich is the perfect example. We just don't have the forward talent to get the younger guys involved consistently.

Lolz wut?

"Most likely scenario"... He just said that he expects the team to improve next year and didn't mention the next steps, whatsoever. So, it's you taking it to the next step of saying we'll never be good with Bubbs. What makes you believe we can't be a powerhouse?

This. Two wins against a Top 8 PWR team is what we have to have.

The strides he's made from last year to this one are massive. He's helped Yon look like a player the past two weekends. Can't wait to see Gooch in year 3.

JBD

Johnson, Yon and Bowen are definitely going to be in a battle for a spot on a nightly basis. Right now, they play because we don't have enough healthy forwards.

I'm onboard with that, to a point. We don't have a lot of health right now though.

Your point is that Donovan will have a bigger inpact than our extra dman? Lol. You're comparing roleplayers to top 6 type players. And adding defensemen, to boot. Peski 100% deserves a spot on this team, so I'm not sure why he's included on your list.