2020-21 Season Kickoff

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Now that we have an actual schedule, let's see how we feel about this year's team. The link below will take you to a page to pick the teams' record against each opponent, the second page will let you pick the standings for the final WCHA season. I'll wait a few days before posting the results. Entries are anonymous so even Drew can play along. I am under the impression the two games with Adrian are not exhibitions. If that's not the case I'm sure someone will let me know.

2020-21 Preseason Picks

My take: though we lost our best player, we return a lot of firepower. I like our goaltending and defense; very interested to see how Malmstrom fits in. Scoring goals should not be a problem, especially with Gould now being eligible. This has to be the year for us to finally win some hardware.

I think Tech is strongest opponent followed by Mankato. We get Tech at home and Mankato on the road over back-to-back weekends. Dryden McKay will no longer be able to pad his stats by standing around for 45-50 minutes a night watching the play at the other end. Tech has a good sophomore and junior class and will be even tougher to beat next year. I have Huntsville sucking worse than Anchorage but can be convinced to swap them.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Results are in from our quick poll. The group has our Falcons in the top spot followed closely by Mankato. Tech and Bemidji fight for 3/4 while the rest of the field pretty much stands alone. I put the WCHA Media Poll results at the bottom (we were picked 3rd).

As for the season games, we're looking at a 22 win season on average with the games breaking down thusly:

Code: Select all

Adrian:        2.0 wins (2 games)
Mercyhurst:    1.8 wins (2 games) 
Robert Morris: 2.0 wins (2 games)
Ferris:        3.1 wins (4 games)
Quinnipiac:    1.1 wins (2 games)
Bemidji:       1.1 wins (2 games)
Alaska:        2.0 wins (2 games)
Anchorage:     1.9 wins (2 games)
Tech:          1.3 wins (2 games)
Mankato:       1.0 win (2 games) Note:  everyone picked the split
Lake Superior: 1.7 wins (2 games)
Northern:      1.1 wins (2 games)
Huntsville:    2.0 wins (2 games)

[jpfalcon09]

BG, Bemidji, and Mankato will battle it out for the top spot. I just hope this entire season gets played...if I were a betting man though, I'd say the odds are against it.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Everyone continues to swoon over Mankato. I know they're good, but WOW did they lose a lot last year. How can they possibly reload enough to cover the loss of nearly 40% of their scoring (only one player returns who scored more than 10 goals last year). And no way McKay's numbers are as good this year as the previous 2 years. FFS, he spent nearly 2 periods standing around in his crease watching play at the other end (I ran the numbers, it was about 36 minutes a game on average). I think Driscoll has a better year.

I've changed my mind. I think it's us and Bemidji with Tech and Mankato fighting it out for 3/4.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

From College Hockey Inc:

Most Returning Goals, 2020-21 Roster
96 – Bowling Green
96 – North Dakota
93 – Minnesota
90 – Minnesota Duluth
86 – Michigan Tech
84 – Denver
84 – Providence
83 – Arizona State

[jpfalcon09]

UAA announced no hockey this year.