This post will be in 2 parts. First, I will make my predictions for all the NAHL games tonight, including the Express vs. Outlaws. Secondly, I will make my season-long predictions for finishing order within all 4 Divisions, playoff qualifiers, Robertson Cup particpants, and the eventual champion.
Tonight's Predictions:
Owatonna 5 - North Iowa 3
I look for the Express to build off the victory over Kenai River last weekend, and beat the Outlaws on their home ice tonight. The line changes that Coach Cullen made going into the Kenai River game seemed to spark the offense, and now those guys have had a full week of practice together playing with each other. Goalie Adam Buegler has been solid, and that should continue tonight, although he will need the Express defense to play like they did against Kenai River, and not the way they played against Marquette & Team USA. Look for a couple of goals from the Carew/McDonald/Kruse line, and a couple of assists from Troy Puente. Go get 'em guys!!
Predictions for the other NAHL games tonight:
St. Louis over Motor City
Traverse City over Marquette
Topeka over Springfield
Alexandria over Bismarck
Season Long Predictions:
North Division -
1. Mahoning Valley - Veteran team will be the class of the division
2. USNTDP - Bit of an unknown, but plenty of talent
3. Traverse City - An up and coming team
4. Marquette - Coach Kenny Miller is too good to miss the playoffs
5. Motor City - I'm waiting for the inevitable implosion
6. Alpena - Don't know much about them
South Division -
1. Topeka - Veteran team with a great goaltender
2. Wichita Falls - Should give Topeka a run for their money
3. St. Louis - New coach and revamped roster
4. Springfield - Not a bad team, but still 4th in the division
West Division -
1. Alaska - Boitz is a good coach, and their #1 line is impressive
2. Fairbanks - Will definitely challenge Alaska for the title
3. Kenai River - Just good enough to stay out of the cellar
4. Wenatchee - Horrible travel schedule will take its toll on the Wild
Central Division -
1. Alexandria - Veteran presence will lead them to the title
2. Owatonna - Will overcome slow start and be a force by the end of the season
3. North Iowa - Will be nipping at the Express's heals
4. Bismarck - In the mix with the Express and Outlaws
5. Albert Lea - Too many question marks
The Express will follow a similar path to the Express teams of years 1 & 2. Start slowly, but through hard work, and some strategic player acquisitions, be a dangerous team come playoff time. I think the Express will finish in the top 5 in team scoring, and Buegler will be a top 7 or 8 goalie.
If the Express can split with Alexandria & North Iowa, win 2 out of every 3 from Bismarck, and dominate the Thunder, they can finish 2nd, and secure home-ice for the first round of the playoffs.
Playoffs Predictions:
Round 1 - Mahoning Valley over Marquette, Traverse City over USNTDP, Topeka over Springfield, Wichita Falls over St. Louis, Alaska over Wenatchee, Fairbanks over Kenai River, Alexandria over Bismarck, Owatonna over North Iowa
Round 2 - Mahoning Valley over Traverse City, Topeka over Wichita Falls, Fairbanks over Alaska, Owatonna over Alexandria
Robertson Cup Finish-
1. Topeka
2. Mahoning Valley
3. Owatonna
4. North Iowa
5. Fairbanks
Okay, some of you are probably calling me a homer right now, but how could I look at myself in the mirror if I didn't pick the Express to make it back to the Robertson Cup. All kidding aside, I truly believe that Coaches Cullen and Fink will have the Express playing their best hockey when it matters most, in the playoffs.
Just remember that these predictions are just my opinions. Players get hurt, players move up/down to the USHL, coaches get fired, and any other number of things will happen that will blow my predictions out of the water. It's actually kind of foolish to even attempt this kind of prognostication with what little we know at this point..........but I did it anyway.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
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9 comments:
Okay, the Outlaws have their 3, time for the Express to get their 5.
--BK
Pointstreak really has the stats messed up from last night's game. They have 5 players listed on the starting roster that were scratches: Randall, Percy, Daley, Orange and Fahnhorst. Poor Percy picked up a -2 and Daley and Orange -1. They also have Starr listed as the goal scorer, unassisted. In actuality Bournazos scored assisted by Thorson and Lugen (who didn't appear on the starting roster. Maybe the official scorer made too many trips to the beer stand!!
Pappy
I hope they get the score sheet fixed. right now all the goals were scored at the same time and the shots on goal are 1-4. Not helping the goalies stats out. Also frustrating that the game was not shown on B2, could not be listened to on the either radio broadcast, and the NAHL site didn't post the score during the game. Anyone know what the problem was?
Listened to the game on the internet last night. Announcer said that he had a hard time getting a phone line to do the broadcast. Maybe that had something to do with it.
Pappy
The score sheet problem is absolutely unacceptable. This is North Iowa's 4th year in the league, and there is no excuse for their officials to screw-up this bad. Even if there was a problem with Pointstreak (doubtful in that every other game last night was ok), you always keep a paper log of goals, penalties etc..., which can they be entered into Pointstreak at the end of the game. They need to get this fixed ASAP. It is not fair to the players on both sides, and undermines the integrity of the entire league scoring statistics.
The radio broadcast was available on the KRFO website. Although from what Roy explained, the Outlaws had to scramble to get a phone line available for the KRFO feed. Friday night Express games will probably not be available over the air until high school football season is done.
I don't know what happened with the B2 feed. It could have been a problem with B2 itself, or a problem at the rink (no camera guy, no internet, etc...)
Unacceptable!!!
--BK
Wonder if we can get a Win tonight?
Surprised with the loss @ Iowa. Thought we could win that game.
BK,
I felt compelled to write after seeing the "unacceptable" note you had earlier. I could not agree more with what you said.
First of all, we went to the game last night and besides the listed problems from before, the toilets were not working and the zamboni quit for a few minutes during the second intermission. I am sure the zamboni quitting brought back memories for most to the game in Faribault a few years ago.
Finally, I cannot believe Mason City gets to host the Robertson Cup. That to me is unacceptable! I saw a beer bong going on in the parking lot. This further illustrates the point that their fans have a goal and mindset of wanting to go in there and get drunk. The fans down there are bunch of jerks and all they want is a fight. They yelled at our team and players the whole time and then they kept celebrating right by us to get us irritated.
You go in the rink and after a few periods, you are slightly irritated. Then after that, you need more than patience pills. These fans break the USA hockey rules listed on the rink(s). They do not deserve to host the Robertson Cup at all. The NAHL needs to threaten to take this right to host away from them. We have been up to Alex and their fans treat us with respect and vice versa. I feel sorry for the teams that will be playing down in Mason City in the future. I have said enough and I hope others will agree.
I am worried about AL. They did play better than the Express last week.
I love Iowa home games. They are fun.
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