To follow in the footsteps of others who have posted previews of teams, I
will preview the two teams with which I am most familiar: Minnesota and
Colorado College.
 
Minnesota (29-9-2)
 
With the strong returning class full of experience and leadership, the
Golden Gophers have to be expected to play well in the NCAA tournament.
 
This team has 10 seniors returning to a team which has been to the NCAA
Final Four the last two years, and have won the WCHA Tournament three of
the last four years. These boys know how to win.
 
Much is said about Minnesota's offense, and rightfully so. But more
fundamental to this team is the defense. All of last year's blueliners
return, and this year has seen a number of skaters switch from defense to
offense in order to see more playing time.
 
The Gophers were among the creme-de-la-creme of hockey teams up through
the end of January, but in February the team met with a 2-6 streak that
had the players, and the fans, reeling.
 
Since that nadir, Minnesota has won four in a row, including capturing
the Broadmoor Trophy, given to the WCHA Tournament winners. But in that
time, the team did not face a team over .500.
 
Have the Gophers recovered from their late-season thaw? A convincing 7-1
victory over Alaska Anchorage, an exciting win over Wisconsin (including
the first time the Gophers have come from behind entering the 2nd
period), and dominating play in a 7-2 win over a Michigan Tech team who
had, just the night before, ousted regular season champs Colorado
College, would seem to suggest so.
 
But questions remain. February was plagued with defensive lapses,
especially in the Minnesota defensive zone, and consistently poor
goaltending. If these problems have been fixed, Minnesota will be a very
difficult team for anyone in the country to knock off.
 
Key players:
 
#21 Brian Bonin
 
Bonin is co-captain and heart and soul of this Gopher team. He is a
returning All-American, Hobey Baker finalist two years running, and has
captured the WCHA scoring title twice. He is 33-47--80 on the season, and
is 99-116--215 putting him sixth on Minnesota's all time scoring list.
 
Bonin is a constant threat to score whenever he is on the ice, and is a
top-notch playmaker gifted with some wonderful skating ability. He
continues to skate right around any player on any team.
 
#5 Dan Trebil
 
Trebil is the senior returning defenseman and captain of the squad. He has a
tremendous shot from the point, but his numbers have suffered a bit this
year as he has concentrated on his defense. It seems to have paid off,
however, as his defense is greatly improved over previous years.
 
While Trebil is 6-3, 225 pounds, he doesn't play like it. He tends not to
be very physical in the hitting sense. If you are an opposing player with
the puck near Trebil, count on him poke checking it away.
 
#20 Mike Crowley
 
This sophomore defenseman has been raising eyebrows all over the WCHA
since he started playing last year (on the first line, no less). This guy
can do just about everything: skate, shoot, hit, poke check -- the whole
package. His key attribute seems to be his patience, as he often waits
for a teeling moment -- defensemen to go down, a goalie to committ, an
opposing rusher to attempt a pass.
 
Just in his sophomore year, he has already broken the Minnesota single
season scoring record, going 17-45--62 in 40 games this season. Much of
opponent's strategy is to stop Crowley and Bonin, a tall order.
 
#13 Jay Moser
 
This converted defenseman is now playing winger on the first line with
Bonin, and couldn't be happier.  He is 9-8--17 despite playing only the
second half of the season (19 games).
 
#27 Erik Rasmussen
 
This freshman is quickly adapting to the college level, and rounds out
the first line with Moser and Bonin. He has size, stick-handling, and
speed. He is used to being a one man team in high school, so his team
work, in particular passing, has needed some work over the season.
 
#33 Nick Checco
 
Despite having pathetic numbers during the regular season, he is a man
to watch, being a "tournament player". He has scored nearly half his
collegiate points in tournament play (WCHA and NCAA).
 
#2 Greg Zwakman and #6 Charlie Wasley
 
Two senior defensemen not known for their scoring touch, but rather for
their hours logged on ice as part of the defensive corps. They are at
their best when nobody notices them.
 
#30 Jeff Moen and #34 Steve Debus
 
The goaltending could be questionable, but Woog has stated that he is
going back to the rotating system of the senior Moen and sophomore Debus,
a potent pair throughout the season (if they play more than one game).
Debus has been the outstanding goaltender, but Moen has been the
better goalie of late.
 
 
Colorado College (31-4-4)
 
CC has to be considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. They
have played well all season, and have won the MacNaughton Cup, the regular
season title in the WCHA, three years in a row, with successive teams
winning it by greater and greater margins.
 
The Tigers rely on a run and gun offense, putting up some incredible
numbers during the conference season, scoring 178 goals in 32 games. But
what is even more impressive is that they allowed only 78 goals, the
fewest in the WCHA. The very potent offense has been bolstered by a very
good batch of freshmen who have been able to step in and play immediately.
 
Colorado College is most adept on scoring in bunches. After scoring a
goal, they are able to take advantage of any weakness on the opposing
team's part, which can lead to two, three or even four goals in a five to
ten minute span. Just after scoring is when they are most dangerous.
 
Also key to the Tiger's offense is the power play, which operated at a
.336 clip throughout the regular season. The power play is a clinic on
how to move the puck, as they are usually two passes ahead of defenders.
 
The penalty kill is also strong, allowing opponents to score just 16.2%
of the time. Specialty teams are key to this team. Opponents want to keep
play five on five, if possible.
 
There is some question surrounding Colorado, however, and that is their
postseason play. They are 5-5 in postseason play in the last three years,
including WCHA and NCAA play. In this stretch, they have been upset 4
times.
 
This team is not known for their play in "big games". This alone makes
them a question mark for the NCAA championship. This team does not
have very much tournament experience, as the current players have played in
only *one* NCAA Tournament game, a 5-2 drubbing last year at the hands of
Minnesota.
 
Sheer talent will carry this team quite a ways, however, as they have one
of the deepest teams in all of college hockey. They have only four losses
this year, fewer than any team in the country. All four have been one
goal games, which is something that no team can come close to matching.
 
If the past failings in the tournament have made the players hungry for
some respect, watch out, as this IS the team to beat. If the winning has
made the team complacent, look for an upset.
 
Key players:
 
#24 Peter Geronazzo
 
A Hobey Baker candidate, he brings speed and scoring ability to the team,
especially on the power play, with 18 power play tallies on the season.
He is a feisty player, one who will do anything to get his team fired up.
 
#27 Brian Swanson
 
This freshman forward has contributed to the team from the beginning of
the season. He went 25-32--57 in his first year, and was named rookie of
the year in the WCHA. Four of his 25 goals have been shorthanded, which
makes him dangerous when the Tigers are down a man. He is an excellent
skater, and plays as well as any upperclassman.
 
#1 Ryan Bach and #34 Judd Lambert
 
These two alternated duties in net for the Tigers. Lambert finished as
the best goalie in the WCHA, with Bach not far behind. It is not clear
who is starting in their Western Regional game, but you can't go wrong
with either of these two.
 
#15 Eric Rud
 
Named the Defensive Defenseman in the WCHA, this junior is a big part of
the low GA throughout the season. Logs plenty of ice time, and can be
trusted covering any opponent, no matter how talented.
 
#6 Scott Swanson
 
A freshman defensman who, like Brian Swanson (no relation) was able to
contribute from the beginning. He and Eric Rud make a terrible twosome
for the blueline. Swanson was named to the WCHA all-tournament team.
 
#26 Jay McNeill
 
He is a big reason why the power play works as well as it does. He is able
to move the puck to the open guy, but he is also able to score. He has 18
goals, 13 of them coming with the man-advantage.
 
#9 Colin Schmidt
 
One of the more dangerous five-on-five players. He is the only one of the
big guns who had more than half his goals at even strength.
 
Coach Don Lucia
 
His arrival has heralded a great turn around in Tiger hockey. He is able
to get the most out of players game in and game out. He is a presence
behind the bench, and is one of the great success stories in recent years.
Look for him to get his players fired up for the weekend.
 
                                -Lee-nerd
                                [log in to unmask]
 
 
"It is not written in the stars that I will always understand what is
going on - a truism that I often find damnably annoying."
                                -Robert Heinlein
 
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