Steve Klein ([log in to unmask]) wrote: ---------- I think this is highly unfair, and I trust that Badger fans with a memory will come to Jeff Sauer's defense. In fact, that's the problem: defensemen who can get the puck out of the defensive zone and move the forwards on the attack. Was Terry at the UW-MSU NCAA game last year when Rafalski almost singlehandedly won that game with his breakout passes for goals? That's what beat the Spartans and contributed to a successful UW season. That's what's missing this year. It's a recruiting thing, and Sauer will have to address it. But MSU has been suffering from the same problem for a few years now, and Ron Mason has worked hard to correct it. But it will be at least one more season before he has a defense that can make the offense work. It's not a particularly sophisticated concept, but it's one that knowledgeable college hockey fans are aware of. Jeff Sauer has won two NCAA titles at Wisconsin, and I know that the Dean of WCHA coaches will have that program back in position for his third title and a sixth overall within a couple years. ---------- Sorry, but I disagree. I won't come to Sauer's defense (though he needs defense). I'm 100% with you that Rafalski was a god that day, and that defense also triggers offense (including point play when up a man). I take exception to Sauer winning two NCAA titles and to the implication being "the Dean of WCHA coaches". Sauer's "first title" came with a team who's Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors were recruited, drilled, taught, trained, and led by Bob Johnson. Heck *I* could've coached that team to a title. Also, with a team that has a reputation of a Wisconsin (or Minnesota, or Michigan, or LSSU, or BU) just about any coach can recruit talent. And that Sauer does; recruit talented players. Talent alone will get you off to a great start towards your annual 20-win seasons. Throw in (arguably) the best goalie coach, Bill Howard, in Div 1 (Richter, Behrend, Joseph, Derksen, Carey, more that escape my memory) and you have a better record yet. The trick is to get those great athletes to play as a team (does it suddenly smell like Jason Zent in here?) to achieve team goals. I don't think Sauer is in the top 50% of D-1 coaches at doing that. In fact, if he were so good, why was his record at CC so abysmal? I still maintain that Sauer focuses on recruiting talent over need. Getting defensemen now is closing the barn door after the horse is gone - he should've gone after the talented defensemen two years ago and maybe bypassed the 1 or 2 good Sophomore wingers he got. End of tirade. Steve G HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.