Quote from: VIEWfromK on March 31, 2026, 10:27:44 AM....Quote from: VIEWfromK on March 31, 2026, 10:27:44 AMShucks. That was a disappointing finish to a very fun season. I would so much rather endure the agony of a close NCAA game that is a toss up than to lose a lopsided game like that. I waited a full calendar year to hopefully get back the feeling I had during that magical run from last spring. I can't say that I truly expected to feel like that this spring after the way they sputtered down the stretch but I was hoping for a competitive game and maybe a first round surprise.I'm hopeful that the forward group of Hiscock, Long, Pirtle, Murray and Arsenault can figure out how to grind down the other team along the likes of a Jeff Malott. I'm not necessarily expecting that to be how it plays out with some of their skill sets and Casey's coaching style vs Schafer's but it's a way to potentially create more offensive opportunities that start in the opponent's zone beyond winning a faceoff.
In the end this young team just proved to not be tough enough to play against. It was a second half of the season issue and not just evident in the Denver game. I'm hopeful that the forward group of Hiscock, Long, Pirtle, Murray and Arsenault can figure out how to grind down the other team along the likes of a Jeff Malott. I'm not necessarily expecting that to be how it plays out with some of their skill sets and Casey's coaching style vs Schafer's but it's a way to potentially create more offensive opportunities that start in the opponent's zone beyond winning a faceoff.
It will take time for the yearning for them to play a heavier game to leave my body after thirty years of that style. I worry though that trying to play the same type of game as the usual Frozen Four teams is asking too much of our talent pool. I'm willing to wait and see if they can make it happen though. They certainly have a ton of balance from this year's freshman group. I'm excited to see how the newcomers will fit in. It's going to be interesting to see how Casey's role players differ from the ones Schafer used to target.
That's one pretty successful transition year in the books. Can't wait to add to it.
It will take time for the yearning for them to play a heavier game to leave my body after thirty years of that style. I worry though that trying to play the same type of game as the usual Frozen Four teams is asking too much of our talent pool. I'm willing to wait and see if they can make it happen though. They certainly have a ton of balance from this year's freshman group. I'm excited to see how the newcomers will fit in. It's going to be interesting to see how Casey's role players differ from the ones Schafer used to target.
That's one pretty successful transition year in the books. Can't wait to add to it.
The trouble is that these days the better teams have players that are too fast and too skilled to get ground down.
The good news is that maybe we will find one such player. Eric Pohlkamp was a 5th round draft pick and is expected to go straight into the NHL as soon as DU finishes their run. He was able to side step our D-men.
