All sweeps. The only one that really surprised me was Youngstown. In the end CR just didn't have the "IT" factor to overcome an 11 hour drive and pressure hockey.
2nd Round Predictions:
Lincoln in 3 over Fargo. I expect Lincoln to throw puck after puck at Gothberg and Fargo puck after puck at Williams. This could come down to blocked shots which both teams do quite well. This could be an absolutely brutal series - especially if any of the games get out of hand. I actually expect close 2-1, 3-2 games.
Dubuque in 3 over Indiana and believe it or not I believe that goaltending will be the difference. I like Morris in games with a bit of pressure in them and he's been here before. Gilles is untested under pressure and, frankly, I've noticed that he can be easily rattled. If DBQ sends players to the net and overwhelms a weak Ice D, this could be over quickly.
Green Bay in 2 over Youngstown. If not bigger then stronger, faster and more skilled for sure. Enough said.
Omaha in 3 over Waterloo. Offensively, Omaha plays a pretty one dimensional game that is highly dependent on exploiting the weak side but, when it's as successful as it has been for them this season, so what if it's one dimensional? Waterloo has a stable of fleet ponies if no wild Broncos running free up front but they do have some size on the blueline. So, it comes down to Williams and Lyon? MN money goalie versus an Alaskan? Edge to Lyon.
Lincoln in 5 over Fargo. Lincoln appears to have put the Scheels Curse behind it and Fargo has no issue playing in the Icebox. So, it comes down to Fargo containing Roy and his bag of tricks versus Lincoln being able to contain Farley on the outside and The goalies are a push. The D is a push - Fargo gets a physical edge to Lincoln's offensive edge. I like Lincoln shutting down Farley for 3 games more than I do Fargo shutting down Roy for 3 and make no bones here - as Roy goes so goes Lincoln. I take back my previous comment about low scoring tilts. I believe that we are in for some very wide open hockey in this series.
My issue with this matchup comes down to the coaches. Okay, so we've heard the complaint that Fargo is rolling three lines. Chad Johnson has established himself as a coach who will ride 6 or 7 guys into whatever sunset awaits him. He absolutely killed his game two chances last season when he drove McCarron. Dzingal and Perterson into the ground in Game 1. All three had to be 30+ minutes in game 1. By period 2 of game 2, they were out of gas which still didn't stop him from throwing them out there every other shift. If Fargo finds itself with a second period lead in any of these games it could get dicey for Lincoln. The talent that was distributed over 3-4 players up front last season is only in 2 or 3 this season and if Roy, who carries the other 1-2, c**ps the bed, this could be over quickly for Lincoln. Johnson needs to be patient with his team. If you're down a goal with 38 minutes left in the game, you don't need to panic.
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My gut says that Dubuque wins in 4 over Indiana and believe it or not I STILL believe that goaltending will be the difference. I like Morris in games with a bit of pressure in them and he's been here before - even though this is a much different team from last years'. Gilles is untested under pressure and, frankly, I've noticed that he can be easily rattled. If DBQ sends players to the net and overwhelms a weak Ice D, this could be over quickly. Dubuque probably steals a game in Indiana and then sweeps at home. Disclaimer: IF DBQ somehow gets swept on the road in low scoring games and thus Gilles has come through, Indiana could sweep or win in 4.
How's that for having it/wanting both ways? I look at it this way, in predicting the outcome in a series that features top end USHL talent in Girgensons, Matheson, Caito, Morris versus Baillargeon, Tarisov, Nieves and Gilles, Gilles is more the key than Morris. There is going to be a ton of offensive talent on the ice for Indiana as there was last year. They and Gilles have to perform but none more so than Gilles.
Coaching could be big a factor in this game as well. Last year's Clark winner versus The Fortunate Son. The advantage there is pretty obvious.
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Green Bay in 3 over Youngstown. If not bigger then stronger, faster and more skilled for sure. Enough said. NO travel advantage here, either. Both teams going same distance for same game.
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Omaha in 5 over Waterloo. Waterloo won the series by sweeping the Lancers on the road but Omaha had a fairly decisive win @ Young for their only win in the series.
Offensively, Omaha plays a pretty one dimensional game that is highly dependent on exploiting the weak side but, when it's as successful as it has been for them this season, so what if it's one dimensional? Waterloo has a stable of fleet ponies if no wild Broncos running free up front but they do have some size on the blueline. So, it comes down to Williams and Lyon? MN money goalie versus an Alaskan? Edge to Lyon and this could go only 4 based upon that fact.
My main issue with Omaha in this series, which could end up costing them in 5 games, is depth. They really don't have an established third line - Waterloo does - and they've shuffled several players in an out of the lineup to fill 3rd and 4th line spots. In the playoffs, depth is as important as goaltending as you're looking for the player who had only 10pts to step up and get you 3 possibly 4 pts in a 5 game series. Another point about Omaha this season is that, comparatively, this is one of their softer teams in recent memory which is a plus for an unphysical yet fleet team like Waterloo. That factors in to the 5 game scenario. Lyon will steal this series in the end.
Lincoln in 5 over Fargo. Lincoln appears to have put the Scheels Curse behind it and Fargo has no issue playing in the Icebox. So, it comes down to Fargo containing Roy and his bag of tricks versus Lincoln being able to contain Farley on the outside and The goalies are a push. The D is a push - Fargo gets a physical edge to Lincoln's offensive edge. I like Lincoln shutting down Farley for 3 games more than I do Fargo shutting down Roy for 3 and make no bones here - as Roy goes so goes Lincoln. I take back my previous comment about low scoring tilts. I believe that we are in for some very wide open hockey in this series.
My issue with this matchup comes down to the coaches. Okay, so we've heard the complaint that Fargo is rolling three lines. Chad Johnson has established himself as a coach who will ride 6 or 7 guys into whatever sunset awaits him. He absolutely killed his game two chances last season when he drove McCarron. Dzingal and Perterson into the ground in Game 1. All three had to be 30+ minutes in game 1. By period 2 of game 2, they were out of gas which still didn't stop him from throwing them out there every other shift. If Fargo finds itself with a second period lead in any of these games it could get dicey for Lincoln. The talent that was distributed over 3-4 players up front last season is only in 2 or 3 this season and if Roy, who carries the other 1-2, c**ps the bed, this could be over quickly for Lincoln. Johnson needs to be patient with his team. If you're down a goal with 38 minutes left in the game, you don't need to panic.
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My gut says that Dubuque wins in 4 over Indiana and believe it or not I STILL believe that goaltending will be the difference. I like Morris in games with a bit of pressure in them and he's been here before - even though this is a much different team from last years'. Gilles is untested under pressure and, frankly, I've noticed that he can be easily rattled. If DBQ sends players to the net and overwhelms a weak Ice D, this could be over quickly. Dubuque probably steals a game in Indiana and then sweeps at home. Disclaimer: IF DBQ somehow gets swept on the road in low scoring games and thus Gilles has come through, Indiana could sweep or win in 4.
How's that for having it/wanting both ways? I look at it this way, in predicting the outcome in a series that features top end USHL talent in Girgensons, Matheson, Caito, Morris versus Baillargeon, Tarisov, Nieves and Gilles, Gilles is more the key than Morris. There is going to be a ton of offensive talent on the ice for Indiana as there was last year. They and Gilles have to perform but none more so than Gilles.
Coaching could be big a factor in this game as well. Last year's Clark winner versus The Fortunate Son. The advantage there is pretty obvious.
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Green Bay in 3 over Youngstown. If not bigger then stronger, faster and more skilled for sure. Enough said. NO travel advantage here, either. Both teams going same distance for same game.
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Omaha in 5 over Waterloo. Waterloo won the series by sweeping the Lancers on the road but Omaha had a fairly decisive win @ Young for their only win in the series.
Offensively, Omaha plays a pretty one dimensional game that is highly dependent on exploiting the weak side but, when it's as successful as it has been for them this season, so what if it's one dimensional? Waterloo has a stable of fleet ponies if no wild Broncos running free up front but they do have some size on the blueline. So, it comes down to Williams and Lyon? MN money goalie versus an Alaskan? Edge to Lyon and this could go only 4 based upon that fact.
My main issue with Omaha in this series, which could end up costing them in 5 games, is depth. They really don't have an established third line - Waterloo does - and they've shuffled several players in an out of the lineup to fill 3rd and 4th line spots. In the playoffs, depth is as important as goaltending as you're looking for the player who had only 10pts to step up and get you 3 possibly 4 pts in a 5 game series. Another point about Omaha this season is that, comparatively, this is one of their softer teams in recent memory which is a plus for an unphysical yet fleet team like Waterloo. That factors in to the 5 game scenario. Lyon will steal this series in the end.
Fargo has the physical edge on defense? Disagreed. McKee and Carlson are mean, tough dudes. Wade and Rocobaldo play physical, but I'd rather have the Lincoln two. I think it's a lot closer when it comes to offense with Freisberg/Ladue and Cooper/Reichart.
Up front, Lincoln is a WAYYYYYYYYY better team. Roy >>>>>> Farley. Hanson >>>>>>>> Chyzyk. Luke Johnson >>>> Whoever the Force can deem is their third best player(they couldn't even decide last night as they rolled Stopskopf, Hargrove and Dzahkov with Farley and Cheez).
The X-Factor is going to be goalie play as I think Gothberg is head and shoulders above Williams.
Overall, I say Lincoln in 4 because the Force are a soft, powder puff team that can't keep up with the Shines, Schutts, McKees, Tates, Carlsons in the playoffs. ZAR seems to be a perfect player for the playoffs too.
As much as it pains me to say this, Indiana in 5. I think Indy's offense is just way too much for Morris who hasn't been rock solid this season. I don't know how the shakeup in coaching will affect Indy, but that offense is just scary. I also think Gillies is the best goalie in the league.
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Green Bay in 4. I think Youngstown has the ability to steal one, but that will just make the dragon made. I see 3 GB blowouts and 1 Youngstown Squeeker.
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Give me Waterloo in 5. I think they've got the firepower going on all gears right now and I like McCoshen on the back end. Not sold much on Williams in net, but Lyon has has shaky games as well.
Looking at the Box Score from the CR vs Youngstown game, Cedar Rapids skated with 16 skaters. I knew the 4 would be out because of Injuries, but I have no idea why Tommy Forgione did not play last night. He is the best forechecker and PK guy the Riders have. Pretty tough to maintain stamina with 16 skaters.
Lincoln over Fargo in 4. Zano the Insano will steal a game somewhere in this series.
Omaha in 5 over Waterloo, The Blackhawks have been skating well but I don't think Williams can win this series for them.
Green Bay sweeps Youngstown. GB might be the best USHL team I have ever seen.
Indiana in 4 over Dubuque.. Indiana plain and simple has too much fire power to get beat. I truly believe they have the best "Top 6" forwards in the league. From someone that has seen Morris 5 times this year, I do not think he is the same player he was last year. Gillies outshines him in the series.
Fargo has the physical edge on defense? Disagreed. McKee and Carlson are mean, tough dudes. Wade and Rocobaldo play physical, but I'd rather have the Lincoln two. I think it's a lot closer when it comes to offense with Freisberg/Ladue and Cooper/Reichart.
Of the starting pairs, Justin Wade will be the best physical and, importantly, most discplined d-man on the ice, which in playoff hockey is what you need. I'm not a fan of McKee but I heard he stepped up his play over the last part of his season. He was horrible at Prospects and from what other little I've seen of him, he's very undiscplined. Carlson, if he's even in the lineup, may play with a chip on his shoulder against his old team.
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Up front, Lincoln is a WAYYYYYYYYY better team. Roy >>>>>> Farley. Hanson >>>>>>>> Chyzyk. Luke Johnson >>>> Whoever the Force can deem is their third best player(they couldn't even decide last night as they rolled Stopskopf, Hargrove and Dzahkov with Farley and Cheez).
First off, I agree that Lincoln is much better up front. I was just drawing a comparison between the studs. But, I am surprised that you left out Alex Iafallo. Lincoln has had a real problem with consistent scoring out of whomever is not playing with Roy.
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The X-Factor is going to be goalie play as I think Gothberg is head and shoulders above Williams.
As the season played out, he was a better goalie than Williams, a totally inarguable observation.
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Overall, I say Lincoln in 4 because the Force are a soft, powder puff team that can't keep up with the Shines, Schutts, McKees, Tates, Carlsons in the playoffs. ZAR seems to be a perfect player for the playoffs too.
Well, I believe that Lincoln prevails but I also believe that these are two teams with many possible intangibles that could emerge.
ZAR, seemed to be somewhat of an enigma this year, good showing at the pre-season Showcase, high on Central Scouting midterms, great showing at Prospects as he was probably the most physical forward there. He ends up being a healthy scratch over several games in the home stretch. What does Johnson know that no one else does? I'm not as close to this team as I was 2 seasons ago and if you've read between some lines here you know why but I'd be curious as to what that story was.
The other Zac - Frye - was another who appeared to play well when he was in the lineup but who was often overlooked by Johnson as well. He was at Festivals last year and was a beast. USA could have used him at Hlinka. They had no grit whatsoever.
Anyway, I heard nothing about off-ice discipline being an issue for either - that's something that would have gotten back to me quickly. I'm speculating that there may have been practice issues which, if a coach is doing his job, isn't going to be an issue. I'd ask Yeti but he seems to be pretty protective of any inside info he has there.
Maybe Johnson just doesn't like younger players whose last name doesn't srart with a "J".
On Fargo's side, I don't believe that you can undersell the importance of an emerging Alex Iafallo.
As much as it pains me to say this, Indiana in 5. I think Indy's offense is just way too much for Morris who hasn't been rock solid this season. I don't know how the shakeup in coaching will affect Indy, but that offense is just scary. I also think Gillies is the best goalie in the league.
Last year, close to that same scary offense couldn't get 4 pucks past McKay/Wilcox while getting totally steamrolled by Green Bay who was busy launching 45 pucks at DeSmith and Gilles. I saw Game 1 of that series and it was ugly. I agree about Gilles but DBQ can throw some offense up against a team not known for defense.
On the other side, Morris was facing 40+ shots a game from Green Bay and performed quite well. Matt Morris is the most underrated goalie in North America, bar none.
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Green Bay in 4. I think Youngstown has the ability to steal one, but that will just make the dragon made. I see 3 GB blowouts and 1 Youngstown Squeeker.
It would be an upset of epic proportions should Youngstown prevail in this series. I'll give them a game but only if Green Bay gives it to them. One thing that I have leanred around the USHL, the predictable is the rule in 10 times out of 9.
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Give me Waterloo in 5. I think they've got the firepower going on all gears right now and I like McCoshen on the back end. Not sold much on Williams in net, but Lyon has has shaky games as well.
I just don't see this Waterloo team as one suited to grind it out playoff hockey and even though I did obsrve that this Omaha team is softer compared to past years, they can still be down right grass fed Nebraska prime beef nasty.
On Fargo's side, I don't believe that you can undersell the importance of an emerging Alex Iafallo..
Iafallo has to fight for pucks on his line with Gabe "Million Dollar Skills - Two-Cent Brain" Guertler and Dave "Shoot first, pass pucks later" Gust. He has become a bit of a player down the stretch, but his linemates just don't give him the biscuit.
Indiana in 4 over Dubuque.. Indiana plain and simple has too much fire power to get beat. I truly believe they have the best "Top 6" forwards in the league. From someone that has seen Morris 5 times this year, I do not think he is the same player he was last year. Gillies outshines him in the series.
Indiana had, arguably, the best 6 last year as well.
It's the "showing up" in the playoffs part that really cost them.
There was something off about that Dubuque team all year. Very cliquey and, for lack of a better term, moody, team. Still, a very talented team and Gilles will be the key for Indiana.
Lincoln in 5 games
-Should be an all out war. I think the Stars are better built than Fargo for a five game series. I think they'll be able to wear the smaller Fargo forwards down over time. Getting two wins in Lincoln this weekend would be huge. I'd give Lincoln the edge to offense (better depth) and defense (bigger, physical), and the goaltending nod to Fargo. McKee (when he's not in the box) is one of Lincoln's best d-men. He has really progressed the past few months. Carlson always plays his best against his former team.
Omaha in 5 games
-This is a tough one to predict. Waterloo won three of four against the Lancers in the regular season. I agree with edges that Waterloo doesn't seem to have the horses to battle it out for five games, but I also don't think Omaha is that physical. If Waterloo can win one of the first two games in Omaha, they have a shot. I like Stephon Williams a lot, and he showed last season he can steal a playoff series. Omaha has the best special teams in the USHL, and I think they'll use that to win the series.
GB in 3 games
-Gamblers are too strong, too deep for Youngstown. The Phantoms might be able to steal a game, but that's it.
Dubuque in 4 games
-I'd guess this is my upset pick. I only saw Dubuque once this season live, but they looked solid. I have to wonder if the coaching change will rattle the Ice. I think the Saints will win one of the first two games in Indy, then win two in a row at home.
Dubuque in 4 games
-I'd guess this is my upset pick. I only saw Dubuque once this season live, but they looked solid. I have to wonder if the coaching change will rattle the Ice. I think the Saints will win one of the first two games in Indy, then win two in a row at home.
The last two times that these two teams faced each other Gilles was pulled and Indiana was held to ~20 shots while launching 40+.
Iafallo has to fight for pucks on his line with Gabe "Million Dollar Skills - Two-Cent Brain" Guertler and Dave "Shoot first, pass pucks later" Gust. He has become a bit of a player down the stretch, but his linemates just don't give him the biscuit.
I haven't seen Fargo since they played Chicago around New Years - in fact, the last time I was supposed to be in Fargo was for their playoff series with Lincoln last year but a late April snowstorm waylaid that plan. Reminded me of my NAHL days with Marquette.
Anyway, they seemed to stablize a bit after that Chicago game from uneven play. I like that they play their "youngsters" which is what this league needs to do.
Some rumors going around that team right now. Front office stuff.
I haven't seen Fargo since they played Chicago around New Years - in fact, the last time I was supposed to be in Fargo was for their playoff series with Lincoln last year but a late April snowstorm waylaid that plan. Reminded me of my NAHL days with Marquette.
Anyway, they seemed to stablize a bit after that Chicago game from uneven play. I like that they play their "youngsters" which is what this league needs to do.
Some rumors going around that team right now. Front office stuff.
Going around Fargo? Hopefully it's Byron Pool getting a HC job somewhere. Dude is too good for the runaround he gets.
Going around Fargo? Hopefully it's Byron Pool getting a HC job somewhere. Dude is too good for the runaround he gets.
This is why I love the internet. If you can't use it to spread rumors what good is it?
Wholesale from what I've heard.
Anyone not wearing a jersey but it's asterisked for now. Someone who matters was supposedly LOUDLY questioning how Fargo could have 1/3 of their roster ranked on NHLCSS and yet performed only moderately over the season.
This is why I love the internet. If you can't use it to spread rumors what good is it?
Wholesale from what I've heard.
Anyone not wearing a jersey but it's asterisked for now. Someone who matters was supposedly LOUDLY questioning how Fargo could have 1/3 of their roster ranked on NHLCSS and yet performed only moderately over the season.
Your riddles have me perplexed. I demand details via private message!
I've called Marks a crappy coach from day 1, but people seemed to disagree with me because he won some eight team, low level minor league trophies with some team called the Mud Bugz or Pizza Eaterz or something. He's misused nearly every single one of his players for a large stretch of the season and his tactics are really terrible. Detractors will point to his playoff victory of Sioux City...who is god awful...and without their best player Cirscuolo in the second game and say he's great. I can't wait for the Lincoln series.
Some of these players should be even lucky to be ranked by CSS as Iafallo has played third fiddle to inferior players all season long and he's somehow managed to make Cooper look like a below average player.
Iafallo gets it done in overtime for the Force and Gothberg shuts down the Stars the rest of the way after they scored 50 seconds into the game. Huge win on the road.
Iafallo gets it done in overtime for the Force and Gothberg shuts down the Stars the rest of the way after they scored 50 seconds into the game. Huge win on the road.
I heard that Mike McKee got suspended for his part in an end of game scrum for which he had left the bench. That's a rough call. Lincoln wins a tight game...buzzer sounds...players leave the bench. If something was going on at the end of the game, who was in charge of keeping the players on the bench? Lincoln should appeal.
Looks like I backed the wrong horse in DBQ/Ice and Gilles is the difference. Game 2 second period, DBQ could have scored 10 goals. He went lights out including a lateral save on Cody Bradley, I believe, that was simply inbelieveable.
Youngstown steals one from Green Bay. That probably just made Green Bay mad.
Omaha lets CR hang around in game 2 and it costs them.
What happened at the end of the Stars/Force game Saturday?
No idea. It's my "off-season" right now, so I'll be cherry picking what games I want to go to from here on out. Not really going to be following much outside of boxscores.
