Speed

[MNetravali]

How much more speed are the new recruits going to bring?  That to me is the main thing that has prevented us from reaching the Frozen Four.  Not that we have been very far off.

[RatushnyFan]

I thought we looked better than did versus MN last year..........and that CC game was a really hard working victory.  To play that hard two games in a row and skate that well was great to see.  How lucky are we?

[KeithK]

There were a few stretches of each game this weekend where we were outskated.  But mostly we kept up with CC and Wisconsin.  I'm not concerned about our team speed anymore - anyone who thinks we're a slow lumbering team hasn't been watching.  A little more offensive skill up front to finish the chances is what I'm hoping for.

[Townie]

[quote KeithK]There were a few stretches of each game this weekend where we were outskated.  But mostly we kept up with CC and Wisconsin.  I'm not concerned about our team speed anymore - anyone who thinks we're a slow lumbering team hasn't been watching.  A little more offensive skill up front to finish the chances is what I'm hoping for.[/quote]

Agreed.  Our play also requires more consistency (esp. goaltending) and discipline, which I feel sum up the basic differences between the 03 and 06 squads.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

[quote KeithK] I'm not concerned about our team speed anymore - anyone who thinks we're a slow lumbering team hasn't been watching.  A little more offensive skill up front to finish the chances is what I'm hoping for.[/quote]

I'll echo that.  I was very impressed how our defensemen got back to break up any Wisconsin attempts to come down the wing.  No problems with speed AFAIC.  Nobody was able to turn the corner and put any real threats on goal.

My concerns are finishing and zone breakout.  We're far too unskilled at getting into the rush from our own zone.  A team with decent forechecking just kills us.