The Gophers didn't score many goals last year. 106 goals is the lowest total in modern Gopher history. Coach Lucia seems to have decided enough is enough. At media day he talked about getting back to what Gopher hockey is about and creating competition in practice. With 16 forwards on the roster he certainly has the numbers. Whether that translates to more pucks in the net we shall see. There's no question the talent is there with 12 of those forwards being NHL draft picks. Lucia touched on something when he talked about getting back to Gopher hockey. What does that mean? It means counting on 3 goals a game and expecting more. Gopher Hockey means a power play percentage in the low 20's or higher. It means forechecking hard, pressuring opposing defensemen and creating turnovers in the neutral zone. It means hitting the third guy in the zone for a one-timer, and making goalies lives miserable. Like I said the talent is there now it comes down to execution and heart.
The top two lines will most likely be anchored by freshman-Erik Haula and Nick Bjugstad. It's a lot to ask 2 freshman to come into college hockey and produce right away. Lucia is confident in their ability and certainly isn't afraid to throw them in the meat grinder.
It certainly helps that they should be flanked by 3 seniors. Long story short this team needs Jay Barriball, Mike Hoeffel and Jacob Cepis to have big years.
Barriball has proven capable in the past and comes back for a fifth year as the teams captain with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Hoeffel has the size, speed and heavy wrist shot to score more than his career high of 14 goals. As nearly a point per game player last year Jacob Cepis will be leaned on to score big goals and aggitate the opposing team.
Zach Budish will be leaned for offense as well this year. Able to play center or wing the strapping winger looks to double his 7 goal output of his freshman season.
Yes there are plenty of question marks that would explain the preseason picks of 5th and 6th in the WCHA (coaches and media), but this group has plenty of size and speed to compete with anyone.
Depth throughout the lineup is a stated goal by Coach Lucia. Getting scoring from your 3rd and 4th line, usually means you win. Lucia has plenty of guys to choose from but 2 forwards really hold the key to this team-Patrick White and Jake Hansen.
White came to the U with plenty of well deserved hype and just hasn't able to put it together at the college level. He has the shot and skating ability to play in the top six, but Lucia says he needs to work harder to get to goal scoring areas.
It's hard to believe that Jake Hansen scored 31 goals his last year in the USHL. His high with the Gophers is 7. He's gotta be a secondary scorer for this team.
Lack of depth at the center position in past years caused Nico Sacchetti to be miscast as a scorer, 4 goals each of his first 2 years shows he's not. Nico does give the Gophers a reliable third line center that can hold his own against other teams top lines. He's not gonna score a lot but that shouldn't be his roll. Winning faceoffs and killing penalties is.
If not for bad luck Taylor Matson wouldn't have any. Because of injuries he's only played 32 games in 2 seasons with the Gophers. A defensively responsible forward, Taylor always gives an honest effort and will be counted on to kill penalties and provide energy.
A slew of players will compete for playing time every weekend and finally Coach Lucia has choices. These guys need to be the glue and are critical elements to the penalty kill that struggled last year.
Upperclassmen Nick Larson and Joey Miller will fight for ice time. Lucia really likes the grit and determination that Tom Serratore brings to the table. Nate Condon has played 2 years at Fargo in the USHL and can play center or wing. Max Gardiner was a late addition and may struggle to find ice time early in the year but once he gets acclimated could be another guy to look to for secondary scoring. Jared Larson has the size and speed to be a quality defensive forward.
Overall, this group has excellent size and skating ability. Most of these guys can play center or wing which gives Lucia options. Now the onus is on him to find a mix that makes it happen. Six games at home to start the season should help the freshman get acclimated to their rolls. Relying on freshman night in and night out in the WCHA can be disastrous, so this team really needs the upperclassman to step up early and get the Gophers rolling. Jay Barriball said that being picked so low in the WCHA made him upset and it should. The guys that wear letters, talk about bringing this program back where it needs to be. Since the Frozen Four is at the X this year the pressure will get even higher. Is it realistic to think the Gophers should be there? I think it is, this team has as much talent as anyone in the country, but do they have the chemistry and heart? The young guys have to grow up quick and be integral pieces to a lineup that needs to improve as a whole. Lot's of question marks usually doesn't bode well, but hey optimism abounds when you haven't played a game yet.
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