WBL/Cretin 1/9/2010

[formerlybackofnet]

What do you think? WBL in an upset?, or would it even be an upset?

[starmvp]

Wouldn't be an upset. WBL 3-1

[Goldfishdude]

I think for now, until WBL shows it can win another big game against a quality opponent, it would be a MILD upset. WBL's wins have come at the expense of Century, Hastings, Cloquet, Stillwater, Holy Angels, East Ridge and Park. Nice wins versus AHA and Stillwater, but need to do/show more.

WBL will have to play better defensively, period. Too many shots allowed the past two games versus East Ridge and Park, teams combined for a record of 5-15-1.. A win versus CDH should make people breath easier.

CDH solely relies on the line of Barbato (18 pts), Perron (19) and Kinne (18) The last stats available are thru 10 games, these 3 have scored 24 goals, and the rest of the team has 9 goals combined, next leading scorer has 5 pts. . U of M recruit Mark Alt is still finding his groove after the football season.

WBL's top two lines have produced fantastically against the inferior opponents, and atleast made some positive steps in being able to score against better teams such as Holy Angels and the H-M rematch. The offense needs to lace those skates tight.

Wahlin has exploded as of late and now leads the team with 23 points in 12 games, and Birkinbine, coming off the hat trick, has 11 goals in 11 games and 15 pts. Hauswirth 11 pts, Wolter 10 and Jansen 8 pts.

For a WBL win, balanced scoring is a requirement, because a matchup of the first two lines will balance out, as the Birki, Wahlin and Hauswirth(Wolter) line has tug-o-war matchups against big lines like CDH has with the Perron-Kinne-Barbato line will present. WBL has struggled vs H-M, STA, East's etc.. top lines.

CDH on the other hand, absolutely has to either get more scoring from lines 2 and 3 or be superior in acting as checking lines.

Joe Schneider has been solid in goal for CDH with a 2.4+ GAA and .900 save perct.

If WBL's second line of Pasma, Jansen and Wolter (Hauswirth) can exploit a softer CDH line 2, WBL should steal this game.

My heart says WBL 5-4.. My gut says -

[youngblood08]

Where's it at?

At CDH I'll go with CDH by 3, due to line matching by CDH use the home ice advantage very well.

At WBL I will go WBL by 1, they get away with anything at Aldrich!

[Goldfishdude]

Where's it at?

At CDH I'll go with CDH by 3, due to line matching by CDH use the home ice advantage very well.

At WBL I will go WBL by 1, they get away with anything at Aldrich!

Aldrich..... home ice advantage... for the ice fishermen.....

[BearsSensGophs]

Is Mark Alt really D1 good? Mind you I've never actually seen him skate but he doesnt even have a point this year, yes hes a defenseman but still. If anyone could let me know that has seen him skate a few times.

With White Bears goaltending ill go with...
WBL- 3
CDH- 4

But my fanhood says...
WBL-5
CDH-3

[got some]

Where's it at?

At CDH I'll go with CDH by 3, due to line matching by CDH use the home ice advantage very well.

At WBL I will go WBL by 1, they get away with anything at Aldrich!

Last year WBL lost to CDH at home, something along the lines of 5-2, I believe. And won at Cretin (4-3??)

[wblhockeyfan8]

Where's it at?

At CDH I'll go with CDH by 3, due to line matching by CDH use the home ice advantage very well.

At WBL I will go WBL by 1, they get away with anything at Aldrich!

Last year WBL lost to CDH at home, something along the lines of 5-2, I believe. And won at Cretin (4-3??)

5-3 Home and The same score away but with a win?

[BodyShots]

Where's it at?

At CDH I'll go with CDH by 3, due to line matching by CDH use the home ice advantage very well.

At WBL I will go WBL by 1, they get away with anything at Aldrich!

Wow, that's the first time I have ever heard that WBL gets preferential treatement with the refs. You should see some of the WBL/HM games at Aldrich. If the penalties aren't 3 to 1 in favor of HM, I would be surprised. The refs hate Sager and give him no breaks in Maplewood, no matter who the opponent.

[wbmd]

Is Mark Alt really D1 good? Mind you I've never actually seen him skate but he doesnt even have a point this year, yes hes a defenseman but still. If anyone could let me know that has seen him skate a few times.

With White Bears goaltending ill go with...
WBL- 3
CDH- 4

But my fanhood says...
WBL-5
CDH-3

Is he even back after he re-injured his collar bone in the championship football game?

[BodyShots]

Is Mark Alt really D1 good? Mind you I've never actually seen him skate but he doesnt even have a point this year, yes hes a defenseman but still. If anyone could let me know that has seen him skate a few times.

I've seen him the last two years and he's definately D1 material in football. As for hockey, I haven't been that impressed.

[youngblood08]

Supposed to be his season debut. He is pretty good but it will be weather his heart is into hockey any more. He had 0 points at Model Camp over the summer, he did nothing in Elite before he was hurt (but that could have been more to do with concentrating on Football) He will definately add to CDH's first line.

[playerplayer1]

Is Mark Alt really D1 good? Mind you I've never actually seen him skate but he doesnt even have a point this year, yes hes a defenseman but still. If anyone could let me know that has seen him skate a few times.

With White Bears goaltending ill go with...
WBL- 3
CDH- 4

But my fanhood says...
WBL-5
CDH-3

Is he even back after he re-injured his collar bone in the championship football game?

Mark Alt did re-injure his collarbone in the football state championship game. His first game back was last night. Heard he had a few big hits and looked good. A lot of NHL scouts there to see his first game and some gopher coaches as well. CDH is definitely a different team with him on the ice. They really need his presence out there and after the two losses in the Schwans cup the timing for his return couldn't be better. Just hope he stays healthy as that shoulder has been an issue for him. Should be a good game. I'm sure he'll be out there against the Bears #1 line quite a bit.

[wblhockeyfan8]

Supposed to be his season debut. He is pretty good but it will be weather his heart is into hockey any more. He had 0 points at Model Camp over the summer, he did nothing in Elite before he was hurt (but that could have been more to do with concentrating on Football) He will definately add to CDH's first line.

I've heard the same, first game back.

I really was never impressed either.

[youngblood08]

Supposed to be his season debut. He is pretty good but it will be weather his heart is into hockey any more. He had 0 points at Model Camp over the summer, he did nothing in Elite before he was hurt (but that could have been more to do with concentrating on Football) He will definately add to CDH's first line.

I've heard the same, first game back.

I really was never impressed either.

Let me put it a little different.

He is not the "Flashy" defensemen people love to talk about. He is "Efficent" makes smart plays, covers the zone well. The biggest thing he does is makes the guys around him better. Better by making thier job easier. Where as some defensemen are an asset on offense but a liability on defense, he is the opposite. I think Alt brings and equal amount to both sides of the game, that makes it boring to watch.

Biggest thing he is what the other teams in the SEC did not need for the second half of the season...............CDH with thier top player back in the lineup.

[playerplayer1]

Well put Youngblood. He does make everyone around him better. I doubt he would have a full ride to the U had that not been the case. I am also told he is now solely focusing on hockey so that should be good for the Raiders. There had been talk that he may try to change to football but I have heard different lately.

[besthockeyfan]

Well put Youngblood. He does make everyone around him better. I doubt he would have a full ride to the U had that not been the case. I am also told he is now solely focusing on hockey so that should be good for the Raiders. There had been talk that he may try to change to football but I have heard different lately.

I don't know that many people knew he was out that long. Now we'll get to see what CDH has with him in the line-up. Should be a lot more formidable going forward!!It will be interesting to see how they handle the Bears.
Prediction:
CDH 5
WBL 4

[formerlybackofnet]

WB's forwards can skate with most other teams, but their defense if the problem. Let's face it, when your best defnesemen is a 9th grader and the next best is "5 foot nothing" your in trouble.

[PowerForward25]

Supposed to be his season debut. He is pretty good but it will be weather his heart is into hockey any more. He had 0 points at Model Camp over the summer, he did nothing in Elite before he was hurt (but that could have been more to do with concentrating on Football) He will definately add to CDH's first line.

I've heard the same, first game back.

I really was never impressed either.

Let me put it a little different.

He is not the "Flashy" defensemen people love to talk about. He is "Efficent" makes smart plays, covers the zone well. The biggest thing he does is makes the guys around him better. Better by making thier job easier. Where as some defensemen are an asset on offense but a liability on defense, he is the opposite. I think Alt brings and equal amount to both sides of the game, that makes it boring to watch.

Biggest thing he is what the other teams in the SEC did not need for the second half of the season...............CDH with thier top player back in the lineup.

He is a good, smart player. I find it interesting that he is going to the U when lucia always seems to recruit the flashy, point getting defenseman.

WBL-3
CDH-2

[Goldfishdude]

WB's forwards can skate with most other teams, but their defense if the problem. Let's face it, when your best defnesemen is a 9th grader and the next best is "5 foot nothing" your in trouble.

This is not entirely accurate. The problem is usage of pretty much just 4 D-men (too much ice time) and not enough help from the forwards, whether forechecking, neutral zone play, or backchecking/breakout in defensive zone.. There are 5 guys on the ice (well... supposed to be ).. I mean this, because what happens, it appears that the D-men start taking bad penalties, such as hooking, slashing, tripping - because they're out of position, and I think that's due to fatigue, not because they're crappy.

So, if Gjerde or Loesch go in the box, the PK is left with the other big man, and two undersized Def.. That puts a whole lot of pressure on the goalies to be the last line of defense. You're not helping the goalies out.

I have preached and harped about the usage of ALL the D to bring the youngsters along slower. Look what happened vs Park!! Dehnert, who has been jerked around with 4 other D-men all year, gets a goal! Hmm..

My suggestion is pair 1) Loesch and Carney 2) Gjerde and Dehnert/Glasgow/Baker 3) RJ and Clark....

and rotate them all the same.. Yeah, make adjustments on PP or PK, but regular shifts for all lines. And oh yeah... it might help if you give each guy a responsibility/role of what is expected of him, versus lack of communication, and putting the guys in position to succeed, which means COACH THEM.. TEACH them... We all know there have been some issues, soooooooooooooo why aren't these issues being corrected?? That's why we hold fundraisers... so the coaches can get paid!!

My rationale is such that there is one bigger D-man paired with a smaller one, but more importantly, if Sager does NOT get the other 4 or 5 d-men more ice time, the 2010-11 season will have a Carney (10th grader) and RJ (11th grader) and no other experienced D-men.

Unless there is a huge growth spurt with Carney and RJ, the Bears will be relying on two undersized D-men, and these guys, with all due respect, are not Ben Marhsall and Aaron Ness, and 4 or 5 D-men without any or very little experience.

If people are disatisfied with the defensive play this year, then how things are being played out should send shivers up spines for 2010-11, unless the changes are made. From all indications and feedback I get, guys like Baker, Clark, Dehnert, Glasgow and Morrisette (alphabetical) are NOT on the ice when these goals are scored against... maybe one, but never two goals a game.

I, like any other columnist, offer suggestions and opinions.. As someone close to the team, I will use a couple guys as examples, and it's not to take away from the ones I don't mention, because I think all the guys in the mix have something to offer... It's about getting the RIGHT mix..

Matt Glasgow - before injuring his collarbone in football, he was among the scoring leaders as a RB for varsity in the SEC... A running back!!! he also played a little varsity hockey last year, and finished in the top 15 NATIONALLY in his track event, which I believe was the 4 x 200. Not only is Matt able to take physical play, but as a RB, he can dish it out.. he has strong legs and is fast on dry land and the ice, and has a harder shot than the two youngsters. And.. Matt is also in advanced academic classes, so, I think he is capable of the mental side. Matt is a 3-sport letterman. An athlete.

Ben Clark . up until a couple years ago, he was a QB in a passing offense. A QB!!! Can take a hit... can dish out a lick... and therefore, as a QB, he is able to read plays and make quick decisions - when he's taught the system. He played varsity hockey last year. He was a starting pitcher as a soph on the varsity baseball team. A two-sport letterman. And oh yeah... Ben is also in advanced classes.

I used Clark and Glasgow, because they are guys that are big and on the stronger side physically. Last time I checked, HS hockey has alot of of 6'1-6'3 strong players, and that causes problems around the net. We need guys that have the potential to knock guys on butts.

If these guys (Baker, Clark, Dehnert, Glasgow and Morrisette) are put in positions to succeed, to maximize their physical skills and attributes, are allowed to play with confidence, I guarantee the overall results will be better.

It's pretty obvious when the revolving door occurs the guys have the fear of making ONE mistake - as little as not holding the puck in the offensive zone - and the results, of course, they will play tentatively. Each of these guys have somerthing DIFFERENT to offer.. They are not cookie cutter cutouts, and cannot just fit into a "system"... the "system" needs to be tweaked based on their physical skills.

[Goldfishdude]

I've heard the same, first game back.

I really was never impressed either.

Let me put it a little different.

He is not the "Flashy" defensemen people love to talk about. He is "Efficent" makes smart plays, covers the zone well. The biggest thing he does is makes the guys around him better. Better by making thier job easier. Where as some defensemen are an asset on offense but a liability on defense, he is the opposite. I think Alt brings and equal amount to both sides of the game, that makes it boring to watch.

Biggest thing he is what the other teams in the SEC did not need for the second half of the season...............CDH with thier top player back in the lineup.

He is a good, smart player. I find it interesting that he is going to the U when lucia always seems to recruit the flashy, point getting defenseman.

WBL-3
CDH-2

When RJ Anderson committed to the U from Centennial, RJ was a solid defenseman, but absolutely had a bomb for a shot, and had offensive skills. In time, I never understood why Anderson didn't develop into more of an offensive threat in college, and I started to recognize his importance of his play in the d-zone.

I think a guy like Alt fits that role, as to why I also think Justin Holl was recruited for the U..

[mnhcky65]

Goldy............

I heard that after this week's performance that Matt Glasgow was told he will no longer be playing Varsity.

I was not at any of the games so I don't know how accurate this is. Just what I heard.

[Goldfishdude]

Goldy............

I heard that after this week's performance that Matt Glasgow was told he will no longer be playing Varsity.

I was not at any of the games so I don't know how accurate this is. Just what I heard.

As of this point, he is not. I talked to Matt this week. If it is accurate as what YOU have heard - as to the statement, "after THIS WEEK'S performance, you will not play varsity??" then:

My goodness, he was just medically cleared this week for game action, after trying to come back too soon from his football injury. You think that can be judged after two games??

Wow!! After giving up 26 shots versus East Ridge and 30 shots and 5 goals vs Park at varsity, after those performances, they should be telling him to "hurry up!"

However, rather than to outright just inform a kid he is not going to play varsity, tell a kid why, what he needs to do to get back in the mix, otherwise, a kid has his morale broken, doesn't know what he is doing wrong, doesn't improve, because he has no direction, and when he can see with his own eyes, as most of us on this forum report, the other guys aren't exactly playing like Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Borje Salming, Denis Potvin... he sees that he can help relieve pressure off those guys.

I guarandamntee you, other than Gjerde, Glasgow is physically the strongest kid at the blue line, he's INTENSE, and he may very well be the strongest kid on the team, other than Nasvik, Gjerde, and maybe JV player Dan Houghton, too. Put him on 1-1 drills in front of the net both offensively and defensively versus the other D, and Glasgow will give Gjerde a battle and would handle his own, and he will beat Loesch 50% of the time and will manhandle every other guy. Then you TEACH, TEACH, TEACH and allow him to make mistakes without punishment. It sure seems RJ and Lance have that luxury. The coaches better find two more to help.

It's about taking the guys that will help you win today, and also develop the youngsters for tomorrow.

I don't think my philosophy about how to handle the mental aspect of development, and how it translates to the physical development is off base here, is it? All I have to do is look across my living room floor to see a shining example of how a kid was destroyed mentally long BEFORE tryouts ever took place.

My point is... rather than waiting for a kid to fail, and then punishing him by sending him to JV, put him in position to succeed, build confidence and play hockey.

[wblhockeyfan8]

Goldy............

I heard that after this week's performance that Matt Glasgow was told he will no longer be playing Varsity.

I was not at any of the games so I don't know how accurate this is. Just what I heard.

They've really been cycling between a few guys, Dehnert Glasgow and Baker have been Playing JV/Varsity. But Baker gets a little more varsity ice time, he's been on the PK. I don't really see why they don't keep him full time varsity, he's a solid defender.

[mnhockey1010]

if white bears second line shows up to play and if jansen gets his scoring touch back considering he had 4 goals in the first two games and wolter and pasma could not set him up and better than they are and if the first line gets it going against cretins first line bears take this one away.

wbl-4
cdh-2