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