So SCSU is now in a five game slide where they have lost every game by one goal and have coughed up 3rd period leads in three of those 5 games. Everyone who watches this team knows the talent is there so what exactly is the cause of this? Are they just a young team that needs to learn that you've got to bring 60 minutes of effort every night or is it something more.
Personally I think it's the former. The main cogs of this team are all underclassmen, our top 3 scorers, all the goalies and half the regularly playing defenseman are all underclassmen that need to learn this is a 60 minute game.
Prime example was last Saturday. They looked great for 54 minutes against Denver and were well on their way to a win. What happens? They forget to play the final 6 minutes and fall 3-2.
It's getting frustrating for Husky fans but look at it this way, they don't have a losing record overall even with this slide and they are only 6 points out of 3rd in the conference and that's with the 3rd place team playing 4 more games to this point. Not to mention that only two teams in the league have winning records in WCHA play.
They also have one of the best offenses in the nation, they are number one overall in the WCHA and are 3rd in offense in conference play. Yes the D needs to tighten and Weslosky probably needs to start making more saves that he shouldn't, but this team is going through some growing pains right now as is much of the league.
Should make for one exciting stretch run. :)
There is a lot of time left, but urgency does need to set in as the schedule I mentioned a few posts below doesn't get any easier this week with CC then the tourney then Minnesota and UND.
They need to right the ship and do it now, and I do wonder, if they were mad last week after being swept at Wisconsin while playing well, exactly what are they this week?
Oh, and one recruiting note, add Roseau goalie Mike Lee to the list of Northland boys choosing SCSU. Lee is expected to come in 2010.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
New Guy
SCSU added Green Bay (USHL) Defenseman Taylor Johnson this week as he committed for either the '08 or '09 season.
Johnson is a bit on the small side at only 5'9" 175 and was supposed to be a senior at White Bear Lake this year.
So that leaves SCSU's recruits as follows
Tyler Kieffer-D-Lincoln (USHL) 08 possibly 09
Jared Festler-F-Lincoln (USHL) 08
Travis Novak-F-Omaha (USHL) 08
Chris Hepp-D-Omaha (USHL) 08
Sam Zabkowicz-D-Sioux Falls (USHL) 08
Drew LeBlanc-F-Chicago (USHL) 08
Jordy Christian-F-Prince George (BCHL) 08
Nic Rioux-D-Practicing with SCSU 08
Luca Cunti-F-Practicing with SCSU (could be this year if his clearinghouse issued are resolved)
Taylor Johnson-D-Green Bay (USHL) 08 or 09
Bryce Ravndalen-F-Warroad (MN HS) 09
Nick Oliver-F-Roseau (MN HS) 09
Ben Hanowski-F-Little Falls (MN HS) 09
Johnson is a bit on the small side at only 5'9" 175 and was supposed to be a senior at White Bear Lake this year.
So that leaves SCSU's recruits as follows
Tyler Kieffer-D-Lincoln (USHL) 08 possibly 09
Jared Festler-F-Lincoln (USHL) 08
Travis Novak-F-Omaha (USHL) 08
Chris Hepp-D-Omaha (USHL) 08
Sam Zabkowicz-D-Sioux Falls (USHL) 08
Drew LeBlanc-F-Chicago (USHL) 08
Jordy Christian-F-Prince George (BCHL) 08
Nic Rioux-D-Practicing with SCSU 08
Luca Cunti-F-Practicing with SCSU (could be this year if his clearinghouse issued are resolved)
Taylor Johnson-D-Green Bay (USHL) 08 or 09
Bryce Ravndalen-F-Warroad (MN HS) 09
Nick Oliver-F-Roseau (MN HS) 09
Ben Hanowski-F-Little Falls (MN HS) 09
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Start of a rough stretch
So this weekend begins a tough stretch for the Huskies.
First up is Clarkson who is currently the #1 team in the ECAC. Now Clarkson will likely be looking for some payback after getting thumped by SCSU last year. I expect a good series, especially since Clarkson hasn't lost at home in over a year. I think that ends this weekend.
Next they go to UW a place they haven't won at since 2001. I think they can get a win there but I'm always fearful of this series as good Husky teams have gone down and out in Madison.
Next up are two home series with the current #1 and #2 teams in the WCHA, oddly enough, both from Colorado. Both teams always play hard and can give the Huskies fits. But these series are at the NHC and SCSU hasn't lost at home. While I think they will lose at least one of the four, 3 wins isn't out of the question and less than 2 is completely unacceptable.
Then comes the Christmas tourney. Now typically SCSU does well in the mid-season tourneys as it has been the only trophy (besides the DQ cup) we can win lately. That said, the first game is against the current #1 team in the nation, the Miami Redhawks. Miami has benefited from a favorable schedule but just swept the defending champs, Michigan State in East Lansing. Time will tell if they are for real and that game could prove whether the Huskies are real too.
If that isn't bad enough, the 2nd half opens with UND and Minnesota. Now 3 out of the 4 are at home and right now Minnesota is playing horribly but they will be tough games none the less.
Huskies, it's time to man up, cause the road gets rough from here.
First up, Clarkson tomorrow night, can the leading scorers in the WCHA continue the pace they have been on and has Motzko found the line combos that will work. A sweep in Potsdam would go a long way to answering those questions.
First up is Clarkson who is currently the #1 team in the ECAC. Now Clarkson will likely be looking for some payback after getting thumped by SCSU last year. I expect a good series, especially since Clarkson hasn't lost at home in over a year. I think that ends this weekend.
Next they go to UW a place they haven't won at since 2001. I think they can get a win there but I'm always fearful of this series as good Husky teams have gone down and out in Madison.
Next up are two home series with the current #1 and #2 teams in the WCHA, oddly enough, both from Colorado. Both teams always play hard and can give the Huskies fits. But these series are at the NHC and SCSU hasn't lost at home. While I think they will lose at least one of the four, 3 wins isn't out of the question and less than 2 is completely unacceptable.
Then comes the Christmas tourney. Now typically SCSU does well in the mid-season tourneys as it has been the only trophy (besides the DQ cup) we can win lately. That said, the first game is against the current #1 team in the nation, the Miami Redhawks. Miami has benefited from a favorable schedule but just swept the defending champs, Michigan State in East Lansing. Time will tell if they are for real and that game could prove whether the Huskies are real too.
If that isn't bad enough, the 2nd half opens with UND and Minnesota. Now 3 out of the 4 are at home and right now Minnesota is playing horribly but they will be tough games none the less.
Huskies, it's time to man up, cause the road gets rough from here.
First up, Clarkson tomorrow night, can the leading scorers in the WCHA continue the pace they have been on and has Motzko found the line combos that will work. A sweep in Potsdam would go a long way to answering those questions.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Two Sputtering offenses
According to BSU fans, their offense has been anemic so far this year as they are waiting for their team to gel but they have been getting decent goaltending.
Sound Familiar? It should as this is exactly what we Husky fans have been saying about our squad.
The line shuffling continues tonight as Nodl and Lasch will skate on an announced line together for the first time.
They have been used on the power play and at Motzko's discretion so far this year but have never been a pairing till tonight. Is this Motzko putting all of his eggs in one basket? Time will tell.
Right now I think he's trying to pull start an offense that has sputtered (6 goals) since the opening game against Cansius.
Also this weekend, the return of Matt Francis to the NHC and the return of Travis Winter to his home town.
Both guys seem jacked to play in this series but so do former teammates of Francis and guys Winter grew up playing with in Hartman and Swanson.
Will Francis get Kronick syndrome and light his former team up?
Well Kronick had never scored a goal in college before coming to SCSU but he'd only played in 15 games.
Francis played in over 40 games with SCSU and has played in 2 with Bemidji. He has a total of 8 assists for his career.
Now logic says he will light us up this weekend because that's just how it works. I for one hope he gets at least one and the crowd gives him no grief over it. He played hard when he was here and deserves some respect.
That said, SCSU needs a sweep, not only for the mental aspects (confidence) that it would bring, but to show the talent that we know is there, it just needs to show up for a full 60 minutes.
Sound Familiar? It should as this is exactly what we Husky fans have been saying about our squad.
The line shuffling continues tonight as Nodl and Lasch will skate on an announced line together for the first time.
They have been used on the power play and at Motzko's discretion so far this year but have never been a pairing till tonight. Is this Motzko putting all of his eggs in one basket? Time will tell.
Right now I think he's trying to pull start an offense that has sputtered (6 goals) since the opening game against Cansius.
Also this weekend, the return of Matt Francis to the NHC and the return of Travis Winter to his home town.
Both guys seem jacked to play in this series but so do former teammates of Francis and guys Winter grew up playing with in Hartman and Swanson.
Will Francis get Kronick syndrome and light his former team up?
Well Kronick had never scored a goal in college before coming to SCSU but he'd only played in 15 games.
Francis played in over 40 games with SCSU and has played in 2 with Bemidji. He has a total of 8 assists for his career.
Now logic says he will light us up this weekend because that's just how it works. I for one hope he gets at least one and the crowd gives him no grief over it. He played hard when he was here and deserves some respect.
That said, SCSU needs a sweep, not only for the mental aspects (confidence) that it would bring, but to show the talent that we know is there, it just needs to show up for a full 60 minutes.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Long Time No Post
Well a new season is almost upon us, and I think its time to make my predictions on the new season.
1. UND
2. UMN
3. SCSU
4. MTU
5. UW
6. CC
7. DU
8. UMD
9. UAA
10. MSUM
This is highly "scientific"
I was way wrong last year, hopefully I'll do better in the new season
1. UND
2. UMN
3. SCSU
4. MTU
5. UW
6. CC
7. DU
8. UMD
9. UAA
10. MSUM
This is highly "scientific"
I was way wrong last year, hopefully I'll do better in the new season
Friday, February 09, 2007
So it comes down to this...
Tonight begins the most important eight game stretch of the season and likely in the history of St. Cloud State hockey. IF SCSU wants to prove it is among the elite in the nation, it must start tonight. Starting tonight SCSU has two games with CC, two @ UW, two with MN and two with UND. The Huskies have not played CC or UW this year and are 0-1-3 against UND and MN.
Judging from the articles this week, the guys are ready for this challenge and they want to prove they are among the elite. Only time will tell.
There has been a quiet confidence among the team and the fans all season long that is just waiting to bust out. The time has come, the chance is here. LETS GO HUSKIES!
Judging from the articles this week, the guys are ready for this challenge and they want to prove they are among the elite. Only time will tell.
There has been a quiet confidence among the team and the fans all season long that is just waiting to bust out. The time has come, the chance is here. LETS GO HUSKIES!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Splitsville
So the Huskies first weekend ends in a split with DU. The odd thing is, the strength of the Huskies from last year is what let them down, or this likely would have been an SCSU sweep.
Friday the defense as a whole was just flat out horrible. Goepfert wasn't much better as the first goal trickled over the line off his glove, the second squirted underneath him while the third bounced off his leg from a sharp angle. None of these are goals he gave up last year and even he admitted afterwards that he blew the game. The Huskies gave up way too many odd man rushes on the weekend and that lead to every goal DU got. Friday they were down 3-0 before they decided to come play and play they did. 50 shots on Friday generated only three goals while DU took 23 and 4 resulted in goals. Yes SOG are not a viable stat but its still sad on both accounts.
Saturday the roles were reversed as SCSU was badly outshot by DU (33-20) but won easily 5-2.
Goepfert played much better on Saturday after another shaky start.
The big thing from this weekend is the 8 goals scored by the Huskies. Including the exhibition, the Huskies have put up 16 goals in three games. Compare that with 4 through the same period last year and things are looking promising.
The Huskies Freshman class is looking up to snuff so far, at least in terms of Nodl and Lasch. Nodl ended the weekend with 2 goals and 2 assists, while Lasch scored one goal on Saturday to go with his assist on Friday.
All tolled, the Huskies had goals from 5 players (Gordon 2, Nodl 2, Swanson 2, Lasch, Raduns) who played essentially on two line but the firepower is there as DU is not a slouch on defense.
Things are looking very promising for SCSU in the young season, and if Goepfert can return to the form he showed last season and flashes of on Saturday, this could be a long year for the rest of the WCHA.
Next up is a home and home with Mankato and revenge for a sweep in Kato last year will be on the Huskies minds before homecoming on Saturday.
In other Husky news, SCSU received a verbal commitment from Little Falls junior forward Jared Festler over the weekend. This is a huge get for SCSU as Festler was the 2nd leading scorer in the state last year with 82 points as a Sophomore. He has so far proven that was no fluke by leading the Midwest Elite League in scoring with 23 points in 11 games. The Elite League features the best High School talent from across the midwest and has players from MN, ND and WI in it.
The hope for Husky fans is this commit leads to his linemate and close friend Ben Hanowski joining him at SCSU. Hanowski is reported to be a strong Gopher fan so if MN shows any interest, the point might be moot as the major reason Festler is a Husky is because it was his dream to play there.
Festler will join SCSU no earlier than '08 after his senior season with the Flyers. It is possible he skips his senior season and plays '07 in the USHL. But it is also possible he plays his senior year in Little Falls then goes to the USHL in '08 meaning he'd join the Huskies in '09.
Either way, if he continues to progress the way he has, he should add a lot of firepower to the Husky offense.
As it stands now, these are SCSU's recruits for '07 and beyond, as taken from Chris Heisenberg's Class of 2007 site which is linked to the right.
Jared Festler-F-Little Falls (Minnesota High School) 5'9 165
Sam Zabkowicz-D-Sioux Falls (USHL) 5'10 170
Tyler Kieffer-D-Stillwater (Minnesota High School) 5'11 188
Aaron Marvin-F-Warroad (Minnesota High School) 6'3 180 2006 NHL Draft #89 overall
Nick Oslund-F-Tri-City (USHL) 6'2 205 2006 NHL Draft #191 overall
Brian Volpei-F- Salmon Arm (BCHL) 5'9 165
Travis Novak-F-Omaha (USHL) 5'11 165
Jordy Christian-F-Sioux Falls (USHL) 5'9 155
Garret Roe-F-Indiana (USHL) 5'9 160
Friday the defense as a whole was just flat out horrible. Goepfert wasn't much better as the first goal trickled over the line off his glove, the second squirted underneath him while the third bounced off his leg from a sharp angle. None of these are goals he gave up last year and even he admitted afterwards that he blew the game. The Huskies gave up way too many odd man rushes on the weekend and that lead to every goal DU got. Friday they were down 3-0 before they decided to come play and play they did. 50 shots on Friday generated only three goals while DU took 23 and 4 resulted in goals. Yes SOG are not a viable stat but its still sad on both accounts.
Saturday the roles were reversed as SCSU was badly outshot by DU (33-20) but won easily 5-2.
Goepfert played much better on Saturday after another shaky start.
The big thing from this weekend is the 8 goals scored by the Huskies. Including the exhibition, the Huskies have put up 16 goals in three games. Compare that with 4 through the same period last year and things are looking promising.
The Huskies Freshman class is looking up to snuff so far, at least in terms of Nodl and Lasch. Nodl ended the weekend with 2 goals and 2 assists, while Lasch scored one goal on Saturday to go with his assist on Friday.
All tolled, the Huskies had goals from 5 players (Gordon 2, Nodl 2, Swanson 2, Lasch, Raduns) who played essentially on two line but the firepower is there as DU is not a slouch on defense.
Things are looking very promising for SCSU in the young season, and if Goepfert can return to the form he showed last season and flashes of on Saturday, this could be a long year for the rest of the WCHA.
Next up is a home and home with Mankato and revenge for a sweep in Kato last year will be on the Huskies minds before homecoming on Saturday.
In other Husky news, SCSU received a verbal commitment from Little Falls junior forward Jared Festler over the weekend. This is a huge get for SCSU as Festler was the 2nd leading scorer in the state last year with 82 points as a Sophomore. He has so far proven that was no fluke by leading the Midwest Elite League in scoring with 23 points in 11 games. The Elite League features the best High School talent from across the midwest and has players from MN, ND and WI in it.
The hope for Husky fans is this commit leads to his linemate and close friend Ben Hanowski joining him at SCSU. Hanowski is reported to be a strong Gopher fan so if MN shows any interest, the point might be moot as the major reason Festler is a Husky is because it was his dream to play there.
Festler will join SCSU no earlier than '08 after his senior season with the Flyers. It is possible he skips his senior season and plays '07 in the USHL. But it is also possible he plays his senior year in Little Falls then goes to the USHL in '08 meaning he'd join the Huskies in '09.
Either way, if he continues to progress the way he has, he should add a lot of firepower to the Husky offense.
As it stands now, these are SCSU's recruits for '07 and beyond, as taken from Chris Heisenberg's Class of 2007 site which is linked to the right.
Jared Festler-F-Little Falls (Minnesota High School) 5'9 165
Sam Zabkowicz-D-Sioux Falls (USHL) 5'10 170
Tyler Kieffer-D-Stillwater (Minnesota High School) 5'11 188
Aaron Marvin-F-Warroad (Minnesota High School) 6'3 180 2006 NHL Draft #89 overall
Nick Oslund-F-Tri-City (USHL) 6'2 205 2006 NHL Draft #191 overall
Brian Volpei-F- Salmon Arm (BCHL) 5'9 165
Travis Novak-F-Omaha (USHL) 5'11 165
Jordy Christian-F-Sioux Falls (USHL) 5'9 155
Garret Roe-F-Indiana (USHL) 5'9 160
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