Heartless performance. This team reminds me of 2002-2003 Pioneers, who had the talent (and were predicted to win). but never really gelled and ended up 7th.
Yes, sometimes you are plainly and simply outplayed. It happens especially when a team is a bit desperate such as St Cloud was. Generally, a split on the road is an acceptable outcome (split on the road, sweep at home...).
I know that fighting it out for 3rd in the WCHA isn't where we would prefer our Pios to be, however that is the reality at this point. Winning the MacNaughton isn't really a huge deal, anyhow, as the majority of recent WCHA national champions haven't taken the regular season title. It's all about playing your best hockey of the year as the season comes to a close...
Just a reminder for the numb-nuts who think the season is over:
The '04 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM was, at one point, in 7th place in the WCHA with a 6-10-4 league record. People wanted to string Gwoz up and flog him at that point...
As they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. This team has faced some significant adversity this season in regards to injuries and those injured players will all return eventually.
Prior to the season, I would have said that DU had 5 players who would lead us:
Brittain Zucker/Drew/Beau Makowski
Losing 2 of them is HUGE and losing Big Bad Sam could have been quite a bit more devastating than it actually has. But they will be back and I think the team will be quite dangerous come playoff time. Anything can happen if you play well at the right time...a la DU '04 and UMD '11.
After Drew's performance in the 1st half of this season, it looks like he'll be back at DU next year. No grit, no guts and no chance to play in the AHL.
Ooglee, no question about it. No way to put lipstick on this pig. Confidence is shaken. Optimism is fading. The inexplicable under performing continues. Anonymous little trolls are wetting themselves. That'll take the glow off Santa's cheeks.
It's getting late, but it's not too late. They can still right the ship and get into the tournament. Let's shake off this funk. And hope the boys can, too. (anybody keeping track of how many cliches I've crammed into this post?)
Rough 1st half for DU--only 8 victories in 18 games. Injuries, subpar special teams, inconsistency in terms of effort and execution, and a lack of scoring depth have all played a role. And the harsh reality is the 2nd half schedule looms tough. With the possible exception of the series against UAH, there won't be any easy weekends. AFA will be tough, as always, and DU has the long trip to Anchorage, plus series vs UND, Minny, Wisco, CC, and UNO. Having said all that, there is a lot of hockey yet to play, and there is too much talent and the coaches are too good not to get the most out of this team.
For me, the big questions for the 2nd half are:
1. Will DU figure out a way to be better on the PP? 2. Besides Zucker and Drew Shore, who else can step up and start scoring goals? 3. Laleggia has had a very nice freshman year thus far, but we need some other freshmen to step forward. Who might that be? 4. Does Brittain reclaim his job? 5. Can this team stay healthy? The rash of injuries in recent history is really alarming. I know all teams face injuries, but it seems DU has been hit especially hard.
Long season folks. All you really need is to be rolling at the end and win the WCHA tourney, and then stay on the winning streak for 4 more games in the NCAAs.
However, right now, this DU team is not getting significant freshmen contributions, and even the best players are inconsistent from game to game, and with all the injures, a .500 team is what we've got.
Let's hope the break allows some healing, both physically and mentally, And then, get some accountability and increased effort level in the second half, where a lot of tough opponents await.
C+ is slightly above average which is exactly what they have been. However, if you factor in "expectations", they are easily a "D".
And a comment to 1:03. It's still a bit premature to say that they can't get into the top #14. They need to go on a serious tear (and performance to date doesn't support that as a possibility) but it is possible. With that said, you are probably correct.
Anyone who is writing off a team at this point in the season hasn't been following college hockey for very long. Yes, a .500 record and a 24 PWR ranking for a team that started the season with high expectations sucks. But a lot can happen over the next three months, and probably will.
19 comments:
The Shore brothers must have taken off for Christmas break early. Never heard their name in the second or third periods.
again, season over
No one showed up last night.
Outplayed is about the best you can say.
Heartless performance. This team reminds me of 2002-2003 Pioneers, who had the talent (and were predicted to win). but never really gelled and ended up 7th.
Injuries have robbed this team of its confidence.
Sad, really.
Yes, sometimes you are plainly and simply outplayed. It happens especially when a team is a bit desperate such as St Cloud was. Generally, a split on the road is an acceptable outcome (split on the road, sweep at home...).
I know that fighting it out for 3rd in the WCHA isn't where we would prefer our Pios to be, however that is the reality at this point. Winning the MacNaughton isn't really a huge deal, anyhow, as the majority of recent WCHA national champions haven't taken the regular season title. It's all about playing your best hockey of the year as the season comes to a close...
Just a reminder for the numb-nuts who think the season is over:
The '04 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM was, at one point, in 7th place in the WCHA with a 6-10-4 league record. People wanted to string Gwoz up and flog him at that point...
Anon 10:28 I was thinking the same thing. This team needs to get healthy and playing with confidence down the stretch and anything could happen.
@ 59
As they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. This team has faced some significant adversity this season in regards to injuries and those injured players will all return eventually.
Prior to the season, I would have said that DU had 5 players who would lead us:
Brittain
Zucker/Drew/Beau
Makowski
Losing 2 of them is HUGE and losing Big Bad Sam could have been quite a bit more devastating than it actually has. But they will be back and I think the team will be quite dangerous come playoff time. Anything can happen if you play well at the right time...a la DU '04 and UMD '11.
DU is #23 in the Pairwise. The only way to the playoffs is to win the WCHA tournament.
After Drew's performance in the 1st half of this season, it looks like he'll be back at DU next year. No grit, no guts and no chance to play in the AHL.
You guys kill me !!!!
Ooglee, no question about it. No way to put lipstick on this pig. Confidence is shaken. Optimism is fading. The inexplicable under performing continues. Anonymous little trolls are wetting themselves. That'll take the glow off Santa's cheeks.
It's getting late, but it's not too late. They can still right the ship and get into the tournament. Let's shake off this funk. And hope the boys can, too.
(anybody keeping track of how many cliches I've crammed into this post?)
Rough 1st half for DU--only 8 victories in 18 games. Injuries, subpar special teams, inconsistency in terms of effort and execution, and a lack of scoring depth have all played a role. And the harsh reality is the 2nd half schedule looms tough. With the possible exception of the series against UAH, there won't be any easy weekends. AFA will be tough, as always, and DU has the long trip to Anchorage, plus series vs UND, Minny, Wisco, CC, and UNO. Having said all that, there is a lot of hockey yet to play, and there is too much talent and the coaches are too good not to get the most out of this team.
For me, the big questions for the 2nd half are:
1. Will DU figure out a way to be better on the PP?
2. Besides Zucker and Drew Shore, who else can step up and start scoring goals?
3. Laleggia has had a very nice freshman year thus far, but we need some other freshmen to step forward. Who might that be?
4. Does Brittain reclaim his job?
5. Can this team stay healthy? The rash of injuries in recent history is really alarming. I know all teams face injuries, but it seems DU has been hit especially hard.
Long season folks. All you really need is to be rolling at the end and win the WCHA tourney, and then stay on the winning streak for 4 more games in the NCAAs.
However, right now, this DU team is not getting significant freshmen contributions, and even the best players are inconsistent from game to game, and with all the injures, a .500 team is what we've got.
Let's hope the break allows some healing, both physically and mentally, And then, get some accountability and increased effort level in the second half, where a lot of tough opponents await.
DU's First Half Grade: C+
8 for 18 is a less than average team.
C+ is slightly above average which is exactly what they have been. However, if you factor in "expectations", they are easily a "D".
And a comment to 1:03. It's still a bit premature to say that they can't get into the top #14. They need to go on a serious tear (and performance to date doesn't support that as a possibility) but it is possible. With that said, you are probably correct.
They have 3 ties, so it's really 9.5 for 18...if you take the theory that out of 36 possible points they have earned 19 (8 wins * 2 + 3 ties * 0.5).
Not that it matters...
Anyone who is writing off a team at this point in the season hasn't been following college hockey for very long. Yes, a .500 record and a 24 PWR ranking for a team that started the season with high expectations sucks. But a lot can happen over the next three months, and probably will.
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