Now that the Tigers, Badgers, Seawolves, both Mavericks and Bemidji have been eliminated from the national championship hunt I thought it would be fitting to see which one if any of these teams present a possible run towards the National Championship in 2013.
Colorado College: Cold fact: Jaden is gone. I believe that most of the tiger fans have already put this behind them and are ready to support the Tigers no matter what. CC, as I wrote in earlier blog, looks to have a solid defensive unit next season. The offense may struggle but will ultimately pull together as a team. As long as Josh stay's healthy, he'll be the starter for the season in net. Looking at what I see now, this team has a good probability to make the tourney next year based on the sole idea of stability. Many underclassmen got substantial time this year and that will boost the tigers all around.
Prediction: 1st round NCAA tourney losers
Wisconsin: The Badgers were a surprise exit team. They came on strong at the end of the year and gave Denver a run for their money. Ultimately, the lack of experience was too much to overcome. Most of this stems from last season's mass exodus of players to the NHL. After losing in Colorado Springs during the 1st round of the WCHA playoffs, many Badgers took a walk. One prominent player stayed: Justin Shultz. Currently he's ranked as the 10th best defensive prospect on this team. Justin is also the big question mark in next season's game. Will he or won't he stay? If he does, this team is going to be chalk full of great players at the defensive position. If not, they will still be looking good.
The problem that the Badgers will have is in goal. Joel Rumpel is a solid puck reader, but didn't play at his top level this year. Much of that has to do with Wisconsin not having a solid net minder for Rumpel to learn from. He had to go on the ropes and learn the hard way. It didn't turn out so well. Hopefully some off season adjustments can make his game turn for the better.
I have watched a couple of Wisky games and from what I have seen, nothing provokes me to say that this team will rebound any better next season.
I would watch for the Badgers in the Final Five, but wouldn't bet any higher than that.
Alaska-Anchorage: Recruiting has been a problem in recent years. Alaska is not a well rounded team and that number was on display this year. They won just over 5 games in total. They will be spending the off season finding the bottom feeders from high school and the ushl. If they plan on rebuilding, nothing will show in their best interest this coming season.
UNO: I just don't see this team as a stable one. They are on and off. The Mavs need to get their team in order before they start playing rather than trying to put a hodge podge game together.
Mankato- Minnesota State is the forgotten team in Minnesota. They lack talent and depth and rarely put on a good show. Austin Lee is their best player and he's the goalie. Since he will be gone next year, the mavs will likely be looking for someone to fill his shoes and fast. I don't expect Mankato to do anything in next year. Their best bet will be in the new look WCHA.
Bemidji- Dan Bakala will be gone. Although the new freshman goalie looks good, Tom Serratore will have his hands full. I believe a good USHL recruiting class will have this team ready for the new look WCHA as well. Nothing prominent will get this team any further than they performed this season.
Current Contenders:
Minnesota: This is the team that I predict will bomb. It's one thing to play a goalie for MOST of the season. It's another thing to play the goalie in EVERY game during the season. Kent Patterson will be gone and the job will rest on the shoulders of Mike Shibrowski. Not a good combo considering his last college start was two years ago while a CC tiger. I really don't know how to sugar coat this situation. If Lucia doesn't win it all this year, I'd be pissed if I was a gopher fan. Nothing good will come next season.
North Dakota: T.A.L.E.N.T. That's the other way to spell UND. Grimaldi will be back and this team should rock the WCHA for the final year. I expect UND to lead next year's charge.
Minnesota-Duluth: Jack Connolly will be gone but this team will still be explosive. I really doubt much will change in Northern Minnesota.
St. Cloud State: These guys will likely sink with the loss of Mike Lee. It's unfortunate, but true.
Mich Tech: This is the team to watch out for. Mel Pearson knows what he is doing. Expect this husky team to kick some major ass next season.
Denver: Some players will stay, some will go. With two excellent goalies returning, this team is stacked like the empire state building. Don't expect Denver to back down....AT ALL.
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