Here's the most recent edition of Big Kahuna's NAHL Power Rankings.
1. Topeka Roadrunners (0)
2. Mahoning Valley Phantoms (+1)
3. St. Louis Bandits (+2)
4. Traverse City North Stars (+2)
5. USNTDP (-1)
6. Wichita Falls (-4)
7. Alexandria Blizzard (+3)
8. North Iowa (+3)
9. Alaska Avalanche (-1)
10. Springfield Jr Blues (-1)
11. Bismarck Bobcats (-4)
12. Marquette Rangers (0)
13. Owatonna Express (+1)
14. Fairbanks Ice Dogs (+1)
15. Motor City Machine (-2)
16. Kenai River Brown Bears (+1)
17. Alpena Ice Diggers (-1)
18. Wenatchee Wild (0)
19. Albert Lea Thunder (0)
With the roster moves last week, and what I saw the first two periods of Friday's game, I feel comfortable moving the Express up one notch this week. Wichita Falls and Bismarck each fell down 4 spots after getting swept last weekend, while Motor City fell a couple of spots after getting swept at home for the second straight weekend. The St. Louis Bandits continue to climb the ladder after taking 2 games from Wichita Falls.
- Former Express goalie Nick Graves was picked up by the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) after getting cut last week by the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL). This is his second stint with the Gamblers as he played with there in 2006/07.
From the Express Coaches show tonight:
- Cullen talked about the roster moves last week. Sargis was a guy they had an eye on for awhile. Darnell was roommates with Express forward Alex Niestrom at Culver Academy last year.
- Dmitry Lugin came to the Express from the Fargo Force (USHL) because they had too many import players on their roster. Cullen knows Fargo coach Dean Blais, as they are from the same hometown, and Force assistant coach Chad Johnson was the coach of the Fargo-Moorhead Jets before they folded.
- Cullen said there will probably be small roster changes still coming, and if a player becomes available that can help the Express they will get a look. He also said that "On a daily basis we hear from kids from all over the country that want to play here." That bodes well for the future of Express hockey.
- Player interview #1 was Nick Carson. He talked about his struggles with injuries last year as he bounced around from Waterloo and Des Moines in the USHL, and Alexandria in the NAHL. He said the Express are "one of the fastest teams in the league", and the fastest player would be either Tony McDonald or Chris Bournazos. Nick will have one year of junior eligibility left after this season.
- Player interview #2 was Tim Smith. He talked about playing high school hockey in Wisconsin, and about helping build a Habitat For Humanity house last weekend.
- Cullen wrapped up the show by talking about how he wants Owatonna to be a difficult place for opposing teams to play and he wants the Express crowd to be more boisterous and loud. He also previewed this coming weekends matchups with North Iowa and Bismarck.
See you at the rink.
--BK
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9 comments:
Have to agree with Pat about us having the quietest fans of all.
Lets get cowbells!
The Express has some very talented players but can they play together? Also, they might have a fairly fast team but they are far from being a physical team. Being physical creates space in the offensive zone and not being physical allows their opponents to maintain offensive position near the Express goal which improves scoring chances. Good luck to the Express.
"The Express has some very talented players but can they play together?"
- Good point, and that is where our ace in the hole comes into play in Coach Cullen. There is no doubt in my mind that Cullen will eventually turn this talented bunch of individual players into a very dangerous team. It's just a matter of how long it will take.
A team that plays well together can be good even if there is a talent deficit, but a talented team that plays well together (as the Express will eventually), can be fantastic. Just give them some time.
--BK
BK, you really like the Coach. But to me he is arrogant, cold and unfriendly.
Why the show of strong support when we dislike him and part of his style?
The new team is ok, I dont think we will be a final contender in the Central Division playoffs. Nice that some fans really do support the team.
Good luck.
"BK, you really like the Coach. But to me he is arrogant, cold and unfriendly.
Why the show of strong support when we dislike him and part of his style?"
- Your opinion of Coach Cullen doesn't matter any more than my opinion of him. He has a vision of how this team should operate, and a proven track record of success. He is the captain of the ship, and knows want he wants.
--BK
--BK
Wasn't sure of the coach myself, but each of the boys interviewed on Koenig's Monday show state that they came because of him. My grandson plays on the etam and he said that Cullen is the best coach he has played for. Playing for a respected coach is important to the team makeup. Ran into a parent who's son plays for another NAHL team that is so far undefeated. Players are VERY unhappy, though, with the coach and front office. Several have jumped ship already and more are to come. Maybe we should be happy with who we have.
Pappy
"BK, you really like the Coach. But to me he is arrogant, cold and unfriendly.
Why the show of strong support when we dislike him and part of his style?"
Probably the former owner checking things out here. How much time have you spent with him???
Like Cullen's style or not, he knows how to have a team peak at the right time. Look at his prior years before and after Christmas. I think you will like what you see!
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