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The program made some strides this year...what do you think the baseline for 2012-2013 should be? What's the minimum that would make you think the year was sucessful?

For example...I'm a football guy. In that sport, I think anything less than 8-4 would be a failed season.

I think everyone would be happy if we got to .500 if you're taking everything into account.

Just keep on improving and hopefully keep players on the team this off season.

FWIW - I only saw three games this year...but the improvement from 12/2 at MSU to 3/10 at Ferris (and 3/16 verse scUM) was astronomical.

Whatever it takes to get NMU in the first round of the playoffs...

NMU in the first round, played at BG

Top 6 finish, host a playoff series and get into the NCAA Tournament where we'll get to play in Toledo.

3 main things I'm looking for:

1) Consistency: Program needs to start winning weekends instead of splitting. 2nd half of the season started to improve on this and it needs to carry over to next year.

2) A Good Start: Have a winning record/.500 overall and in the CCHA before Christmas break. This serves as the midpoint of the season and I think its important for the psyche of the players to be in this position.

3) 1st Round Home Playoff Games: No more going on the road in Round 1. Aim for a Top 6 finish and give the home fans another weekend to come out.

With Hammy coming back and the experience the Freshmen gained this year, I think the program is sitting in probably its best position in 10 years. I'm sure the expectations of the coaching staff and the players will be equally as high.

CCHA is a balanced conference. Any team that wins more IC games than loses should get home ice. BG's improved performance in the latter half of this past season justifies my expectation of home ice next season, and getting a couple sweeps of CCHA and OOC opponents. I'd like to see >3 goals for and <2 goals against for team averages.
Hope springs eternal; we're starting to see players and coaches here who can make it happen.

Falcon Hockey
Will be up next year.
Finishing 2011-2012 with 1.81 goals for a game. I see with the fire power coming in and retained that number to rise dramatically to around 2.5 or even 2.7
Goals against this year was at 3.19 I predict a further improvement here to around 2.8
The BG Pk was good I see no change in that and should remain around 80%. As for the power play, I see that rising sharply from its single digit last place standing to about 12% -15% still last place area, but much improved.
I see the Falcons taking as many penalties as this year and I see based upon PK talent BG in the top 4 in shorthanded goals this season.
BG had 85 goals for this last season. I see that reaching the 105-109 mark

BG may finish as high as 7th in Reg season next year.

What fans need to watch for are the improvements in GAA, GF and PP
BG needs to get below 3goals against next year, preferably near that 2.8 mark
BG needs to get the PP to 12-15% effective
BG needs to score over 95 goals next season
BG needs to maintain or improve the PK

The end of this last season really is the view of what is to come. It will not be consistent all season, but far more so. As this staff enters this third season at BG we should look for them to make good on their desire to bring in some of the top Ohio is home talent that has matriculated on to play Jr hockey. As well as I predict one to two jaw droppers, one being the next amazing goalie, to follow Z.

My crystal ball says a surprisingly good season this year followed by a down year as we start the post-Hammond era.

BGDrew wrote:My crystal ball says a surprisingly good season this year followed by a down year as we start the post-Hammond era.

Are you assuming that we won't have a quality recruit coming in to replace him? I've heard otherwise. Granted, there will be a learning curve for any new goalie, but hopefully, we won't have a "down" year and that curve is a small one!!!

(**firmly planted on my ORANGE soapbox, looking through my ORANGE colored glasses...as always**)

GO FALCONS!!

I know we probably have a recruit lined up but there's still a learning curve for goalies at the D1 level. Hopefully I'm proved wrong and we get the next Ryan Miller.

BGDrew wrote:I know we probably have a recruit lined up but there's still a learning curve for goalies at the D1 level. Hopefully I'm proved wrong and we get the next Ryan Miller.

AGREE!!!

Sorry, but I would rather have the next Gary Kruzich

BGDrew wrote:My crystal ball says a surprisingly good season this year followed by a down year as we start the post-Hammond era.

I guess i am a little surprised with the no support of Zacharias. With the exception of the playoff goal allowed, he has played well when he has played. Hammond did not get into his grove until Xmas this year. So he had a learning curve and by all accounts from the players Zacharias is a fierce competitor, at least in practice.
BG Drew i believe someone also noted when they first watched him at practices that he is a good goaltender. Remember he came as the starting goaltender for one of Canadas top Jr franchises so he cant be that far off, and all Goalies need to start for their confidence.
While Hammond has been great the 2nd half this year, he to learned how to play at this level through experiemce, what makes anyone believe that Zacharias or Galley can do or cannot do the job without facing the competition.
What happens if Hammond gets hurt for a 4 month window, do we quit the season, do we say oh well these guys wont contribute.
You may surprised to know how the players feel about Zacharias. The coach has an obligation to his team, the school and alumni to put the best out there every night, no matter the position. If he didnt feel Zacharias was ready thats one thing, but to discount that the post Hammond era is, no one else is good enough, is simply not a fact. Look at many of the posts for the years of Eno/Hammond and everyone was on Eno's side, yet given the opportunity last year Hammond took over the roll.
Anyway, i know its just a blog and a comment but lets at least acknowledge these other two guys aren't dead.