Hiteminthemouth Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 How do you think the Sioux forwards will stack up against the Gophers next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jk Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 If Taffe and Vanek are at MN next year, they are the instant favorites. Even when he was an inconsistent frosh, Taffe always had his best games against the Sioux. He has dynamite skills. I understand Vanek is likewise blessed with stunning talent. With neither Taffe nor Vanek, I think MN slides a bit. Koalska, Riddle and Tallackson are all maturing nicely into impact players, so they won't stink, but it would be hard to adjust to the absence of Taffe in addition to Pohl and Leo. With either Taffe or Vanek, I think MN contends. (I've never seen Vanek, so I'm going strictly on reputation). Guyer is supposed to be roughly of the same quality as Parise, and I think Gopher fans like Erickson and expect him to be a fixture in the lineup. How the Sioux compare will depend on whether Bayda returns and how this year's frosh grow. I think the youngsters should progress well enough to make the Sioux forwards basically a push with MN's, and give the Sioux the edge if MN is without Taffe and Vanek. (Gopher fans, of course you have to expect me to like our forwards here.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 jk I like what you say but I think the Sioux team is one year behind the gophers. I think the goofs have enough returning talent that with Taffe and Vanek they will be downright scary and without them they might still be one of the top contenders. Of course, we need to see how they finish the postseason play, but right now they look as good as anyone could. I still think the Sioux will be competitive with the gophers next year, but I'm not sure about equal. I know I have been wrong many times before and hope I am again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux_hockey Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 If the Gophers lose Taffe, then they will lose their top 3 players. Even though Hauser has had problems in the past, he is still their best goalie by a long shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux_hockey Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Who do they have coming as far as goalies next year? I don't think Johnson or Weber would lead them very far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Yo 'Hit...' Doesn't Minnesota have an upcoming game or two or three? Do you know something about the outcomes that you are thinking about "next year" already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiteminthemouth Posted March 13, 2002 Author Share Posted March 13, 2002 Yo Sic... I live in GF and don't have any local games to attend or talk about so I thought this is as good a time as any to start this discussion. I love college hockey and have season tickets for the Sioux but I am a UM grad and will always be a Gopher. It's all about focus... When I leave for the Final Five tomorrow this thread will be the last thing on my mind. I'm looking forward to 5 more wins yet this year!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyeagle Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 To this Gopher fan, the biggest difference between the Sioux and Gophers this weekend was at the point. It was especially noticable on the PP. Oviously Leo cannot be replaced at MN, but we still have two very good puckhandling d-men coming back. Do the Sioux have anyone to match Ballard and Martin coming in? That would be my concern if I wore green. But as mentioned - long way to yet this year for the Gophs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLW4GOPHERS Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 With Taffe and Vaneck, edge to Mn. With one of them, slight edge to Mn. with both gone a toss up. Defense will be in Mn. favor because of Ballard and Martin. Goalies, this could be a thread on its own. We do not have a third goalie at this point for next year. Neither Johnson or Weber has proven anything. You have two coming back next year that not shown they can do the job night in night out. Your new goalie is just that. A new goalie, who knows. This is not a slam, but I will miss the green at the X this week-end. Your fans are normally fun to be around during the tournement. Unlike SCCC, or Wisky fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 About the point on the power play: I'd expect to see Andy Schneider get more comfortable .... and run the SECOND unit. I suspect a healthy Chris Fournier will be running the point on the first. He was put up there a couple of times this season. Who knows, you could even see a freshman running the UND power play next year. About goaltending: I'd put UM's Weber and Johnson and UND's Siembida, Brandt, and Sedevie ALL in the "Great Big Question Mark" category right now. None were awe-inspiring over more than a weekend. None showed that they are the next "long haul" goaltender. Forget forwards, results next year for both teams will be most easily linked to results from the guy standing in the light blue paint. Personally, I'm hoping that Siembida not having to fillout "change of address cards" every three months (to Waterloo from NOJHL and to UND from Waterloo) will help him focus on his game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux_hockey Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Personally, I'm hoping that Siembida not having to fillout "change of address cards" every three months (to Waterloo from NOJHL and to UND from Waterloo) will help him focus on his game. Once the Sioux get a strong defense, then that will keep the goals way down. Siembida just needs to work on fundamentals, positon and not giving up huge rebounds. I think Siembida is the goalie that the Sioux will go to next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 DLW4, understanding your point but I think you are more accurate to say that MN's "offense" will be better with Ballard and Martin. Awesome offensive players but I think our ability to play defense is probably as good, if not a bit better due to not having our D men pinching up so much. From the D corp, we are behind in the area of getting the puck into transition. I agree in that respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux_hockey Posted March 15, 2002 Share Posted March 15, 2002 From the D corp, we are behind in the area of getting the puck into transition. I agree in that respect. I agree with you, but who is going to be that man next year? Schneider? Jones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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