siouxforce19 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 you might be on to something. this is hak's 5th year and the finishes so far- 04-05-5th 05-06-4th 06-07-3rd 07-08-2nd 08-09-?? will the improvement continue. I think so ... i have a good feeling. p.s-- i also still maintain my theory the gophers will not finish ahead of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux7 Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I think so ... i have a good feeling. p.s-- i also still maintain my theory the gophers will not finish ahead of us. I love the talent coming in and with the returning players it could be a very good year. Especially if Eidsness turns out to be the goalie we are hoping he can be. I remember in 97' when Blais said he thought he was a year away from winning it all. Thats how this years team has to approach the season. Guns a blazin and no worries. I think they will have the right combination of youth, talent and leadership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxweet Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I love the talent coming in and with the returning players it could be a very good year. Especially if Eidsness turns out to be the goalie we are hoping he can be. I remember in 97' when Blais said he thought he was a year away from winning it all. Thats how this years team has to approach the season. Guns a blazin and no worries. I think they will have the right combination of youth, talent and leadership. maybe, just maybe we could get off to a better start this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gopherguy33 Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I'll revise this as I have gotten off my pitty potty and barring a big surprise all the teams rosters should be pretty well set: 1. CC 2. Denver 3. UND-if the freshman goalie comes through maybe we can move up to 1 or 2. 4. Wisconsin 5. Minny-I still say a trip to DC isn't out of the question. 6. SCSU 7. mankato 8. tech 9. duluth 10. aa. I will bet by late September you will have them at 1 or 2 Nothing wrong with gaining confidence in your squad as the season gets closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Curious Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 While I have no problems with early predictions, I think one of the important things to remember is that CC and U of M will not necessarily have solid goaltending next year. While they both had great performances as freshmen, there are many examples of sophomore slumps. I am not saying it will happen, but its happened in the past and there are still many questions to answer. Also, remember DU loses Mannino, so they will have 2 relatively untested sophomore goalies to backstop them. So, that gives us some questions in net in what most people predict will be the top 4 teams in the WCHA next year. I think things will be close all around and should make for an exciting year. It would be nice to see less dichotomy in the conference and more epic battles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Personally, I'm not too optimistic that Kangas will slump. I guess you never know but he doesn't strike me as a "lucky" goalie, the guy making magical saves. He just seems to be in the right place at the right time and doesn't have to look special to get the job done. I think the sophomore slumpitis is less likely to strike a goalie like that. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamStrait Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 maybe, just maybe we could get off to a better start this year.Since the boys ended up with a number one seed in the tournament, how they started the year was not an issue. How they ended it, however... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 While I have no problems with early predictions, I think one of the important things to remember is that CC and U of M will not necessarily have solid goaltending next year. While they both had great performances as freshmen, there are many examples of sophomore slumps. I am not saying it will happen, but its happened in the past and there are still many questions to answer. Also, remember DU loses Mannino, so they will have 2 relatively untested sophomore goalies to backstop them. So, that gives us some questions in net in what most people predict will be the top 4 teams in the WCHA next year. I think things will be close all around and should make for an exciting year. It would be nice to see less dichotomy in the conference and more epic battles! Bachman was pretty good his first go round but teams watch film and study the goalies tendencies. I am sure the Sioux and other teams will do that and become more successful. I expect the same to happen with Brad E his first trip through the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxweet Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Bachman was pretty good his first go round but teams watch film and study the goalies tendencies. I am sure the Sioux and other teams will do that and become more successful. I expect the same to happen with Brad E his first trip through the league. If we could get a kangas like performance out of Brad E. we will be sitting pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slap Shot Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Personally, I'm not too optimistic that Kangas will slump. I guess you never know but he doesn't strike me as a "lucky" goalie, the guy making magical saves. He just seems to be in the right place at the right time and doesn't have to look special to get the job done. I think the sophomore slumpitis is less likely to strike a goalie like that. Just my opinion. You just complimented a Gopher - isn't that ban worthy or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 You just complimented a Gopher - isn't that ban worthy or something? Probably a permanent ban for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 You just complimented a Gopher - isn't that ban worthy or something? Nobody can touch me, DaveK's on my side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Nobody can touch me, DaveK's on my side. LOL, I am not sure that is ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Personally, I'm not too optimistic that Kangas will slump. I guess you never know but he doesn't strike me as a "lucky" goalie, the guy making magical saves. He just seems to be in the right place at the right time and doesn't have to look special to get the job done. I think the sophomore slumpitis is less likely to strike a goalie like that. Just my opinion. I agree with this. How will UMN's offense and special teams fare this year? Will the defense continue to improve? Kangas won't slump, but if he is relied upon as much as he was last season, I can't see Minnesota going too deep in the playoffs. You can't be all goaltender and nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I agree with this. How will UMN's offense and special teams fare this year? Will the defense continue to improve? Kangas won't slump, but if he is relied upon as much as he was last season, I can't see Minnesota going too deep in the playoffs. You can't be all goaltender and nothing else. ON PAPER the Gophers have a top 5 recruiting class. We all know that recruits don't alway pan out. I guess we will have to wait and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Very true. One need not look to far where we were the overwhelming preseason favorite to take the championship. We know how that panned out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxweet Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 ON PAPER the Gophers have a top 5 recruiting class. We all know that recruits don't alway pan out. I guess we will have to wait and see. teams that are loaded with underclassmen usually don't win the cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 teams that are loaded with underclassmen usually don't win the cup. I am fine with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianvf Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 No more Dean. That's too bad. I'm sure he'll be back with another user name soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 teams that are loaded with underclassmen usually don't win the cup. But sometimes they do. When the Sioux won in 1997 it had the potential for a phenomenal run. It was during the regular seasons, but the next 2 post-seasons were huge disappointement, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 No more Dean. That's too bad. I'm sure he'll be back with another user name soon enough. I don't know Jim is pretty good at tracking people that try to register under a different name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxguyinstpaul Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 ON PAPER the Gophers have a top 5 recruiting class. We all know that recruits don't alway pan out. I guess we will have to wait and see. they always do - at least as far as the the national scene is concerned - even when they don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sioux-cia Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 No more Dean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 they always do - at least as far as the the national scene is concerned - even when they don't Have you ever noticed that Minnesota, BU, B.C., Michigan, Michigan State, (now add) Notre Dame are always give the 1-10 spots it seems when it comes to in coming freshman rankings. Of course these rankings mean nothing when it comes to titles won. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardinal Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Have you ever noticed that Minnesota, BU, B.C., Michigan, Michigan State, (now add) Notre Dame are always give the 1-10 spots it seems when it comes to in coming freshman rankings. Of course these rankings mean nothing when it comes to titles won. Considering those teams have accounted for five of the last eight NCAA titles, I'd say the rankings mean a little something, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.