yzerman19

Honestly, a fourth line of LJ between JJ and Wilkie might be lethal! 1. CBS 2. Chyz with Gersich and Pogo 3. Gardner, St Claire and Simo 4. LJ with Wilkie and JJ

Congrats to Brock Nelson for his first career NHL hat-trick! 4 point game!

Interesting to rank goal scoring by non-powerplay, non-empty netters on the forwards: 1. Jewels 13 2. Boesser 9 3. Gersich 5 4. Chyz 4 5. Schmaltz, Pogo, Gardner 3 8. LJ, JJ. Simo 2 11. Wilkie 1 12. Sanderson, Olson 0 Now factor in the fact that Gersich and JJ have only played in 15 and 16 games respectively...

elephant in room = LJ...at this point I'd rather see what JJ and Gersich can do vs continuing to give LJ ice time. The kid just hasn't delivered.

I thought Eansor played quite well- he was noticeable on some shifts

I don't know enough about all the players, but I have to think that the coaches have the gold medal in mind ahead of any perceived politics...remember Hockey Canada threatened Toews with no WJC if he went NCAA over CHL, then they realized what a complete stud he was, and figured gold over politics.

Just playing out some probabilities of likely finishes... If SCSU and UND split against top half NCHC and sweep bottom half NCHC, we will tie.

NCHC Race- So, if we sweep Western and CC (should) and split with DU, UMD, and Omaha (that's 4 losses) ending conference play with 5 total losses. If SCSU sweeps Miami, CC, and Western and splits with UMD and Omaha (that's 3 losses) ending conference play with 5 total losses. And Omaha splits with SCSU, UND, DU (5 losses) that's 8 losses And UMD splits with SCSU, DU, and UND (4 losses) that's 9 losses And DU splits with UNO, UMD, UND (4 losses) that's 8 losses In this case, UND and SCSU would share the cup, but SCSU would be the #1 seed in the NCHC tournament based upon goal differential head to head...

With 9 one-thousandths separating 3rd and 5th, all of the top 9 adjusted for beating weaker opponents, and it being December... In other words, its too early, too close, and too adjusted to be a good number at this point.

The other factoid missing from a ppg analysis is even strength scoring vs power play. This year's CBS line is doing their damage mostly even strength

you are absolutely correct- there is also an emphasis on two-way play out of your forwards, especially the center, that wasn't always there. Additionally, dmen have become outstanding at the active stick- keeping them in the play- and making a quick first pass up into transition. on my first point- Toews and Bergeron are two examples of guys following my moniker's later style of center ice play- go from 50 goals and 70 helpers and a minus 15, to 20 goals and 40 helpers with a plus 15.

Like I said, I've interacted with both bloggers and many hardcore UMD fans. I have never taken anything personally, as I don't play on the team. I'm not inviting people to my wedding, nor have any of them been disrespectful to my children or wife. As such, it is just fandom. That said, I look forward to the CBS line hanging about 8 on them this weekend.

He only knows words like...good...and ball...and...HAND BANANA!

ha! love the sarcasm

Is there a reason he signed a two-year deal?

Who the hell is Schloss??

Wow...inviting trolling are we? Drunk Hockey Guy is a decent guy to talk to at the bar- not a fan of his posts. But, he is a huge hockey fan and a homer for his team- sound like some people you know? Runs With the Dogs- I sat by her once at a game and she was very nice. I have no negative comments- she's a hockey fan who loves her some Bulldogs...can't fault that.

Remember, its the right players, not the best players. I see quite a few Seattle T-Birds games. Eansor is a very nice player- playing against a bunch of Team Canada's likely players on a 3x/week basis. He isn't razzle dazzle, but he is very solid two-way with some nice upside. He was hurt for part of the season. The Canadian team will be stacked- we need to think about how we beat a team with more talent- its about the right character and guys buying into the right roles.

conspiracy...the NCAA is anti- Alabama Huntsville

Is Gersich dinged up or did he get benched tonight? I like what that kid brings...stupid if he's benched.

C'mon TCOS

One more thing- the freshman are all still adjusting to the college game's speed. I think Wilkie, JJ, Rhett, and SG will all start putting more points up in the second half. Boesser for that matter too- although he is clearly worthy of his #1 pick status based on how he's adapted and produced already. Simo is also a freshman for all intents and purposes. He didn't get much ice time last year. Pogo is in a typical sophomore slump- he'll work out of it. I think this team only gets deeper as the season wears on.

Honestly at this point I'd roll: CBS RG with JJ and SG Simo with Chyz and Poggo LJ with Olsen and Wilkie

Clearly there has been a lack of production from LJ. He has disappointed. Poganski is on a drought as is Chyzyk- but I believe both will start to get some bounces. Simo, JJ, SG, and RG are all producing as I would expect. I might try and shuffle things up a bit...maybe tryout RG with JJ and SG and see if that line can generate.

Was at a Seattle Thunderbirds game over the weekend. Mathew Barzal, #1 pick of Islanders and slick skill player got ran along the end boards- he was vulnerable, and the hit was vicious- certainly charging or boarding with contact up high. Without an instant of hesitation, his linemate Keegan Kolesar had lost his gloves and was feeding the Moose Jaw player responsible. You stick up for your teammates...especially when they are skill guys... I seem to recall Dino ordering the code red and sending Matt Greene out to protect Zach Parise in a similar situation...