View Full Version : Sleeper Teams?
umsl_player_38
03-31-2008, 06:54 PM
Who do you think could be a sleeper team this year going into nationals?
If I had to pick one I would say University of Missouri Columbia, when they come out to play they are a very tough team to beat and im pretty sure they will upset some teams during nationals.
Umsl Hockey PJ Tallo
missionhockey33
03-31-2008, 07:44 PM
another sleeper team that maybe able to contend is rutgers. Even though they're in LU's brackets doesn't mean that they can't beat them, perfect example from the person that posted above me. Rutgers basically were a wild-card team that got in after the division winners Towson,Buffalo,StonyBrook,URI. they prove to be a contender that can player with all four teams and can take on other great teams. Even though this is their first appearance, don't count them out. Not saying they will win but they are definitely a team to keep an eye out for!
InlineMBA
03-31-2008, 08:50 PM
Since someone has already picked Rutgers, which would have been my first pick - Coming out of their own division with the 4th seed, and a regular season record of 12-6-2 for a total of 26 points, Eastern Michigan is as close to a sleeper as I can find.
I know there's been a lot of talk on the board about these guys, so I may not be to original with my pick - but I'm going with them.
One thing I will go out on a limb and say is, I don't think Lindenwood is quite the "lock" so many people are making them out to be. No disrespect to Lindenwood intended here, I just think a lot of teams out there are catching up.
Should be a lot of fun to watch.
Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8
dan sangiorgio
03-31-2008, 09:08 PM
One thing I will go out on a limb and say is, I don't think Lindenwood is quite the "lock" so many people are making them out to be. No disrespect to Lindenwood intended here, I just think a lot of teams out there are catching up.
Should be a lot of fun to watch.
Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8
teams might be getting closer in talent, but u also have to remember that they also have world class coaching and play a very displined game. I think someone from umsl after there victory said it best when they said it takes a perfect game to beat lindenwood. there are very few teams with the talent and even fewer with the coaching that can give them a real shot
betteronice
03-31-2008, 10:30 PM
I dont know if Id consider UCI a sleeper, but they certainly have shown that they can compete . .
who would you say some D2 sleepers were?
RustyPipes27
03-31-2008, 11:21 PM
World-class coaching?
str8iq
04-01-2008, 12:26 AM
hahahahhahaha world class coaching...thats great
Ben Lambert
04-01-2008, 01:01 AM
I think that there are probably a few teams good enough to at least compete with LU, Dan got it right when he said it takes a prefect game.
I'm excited to be able to play all the D1 teams this year--we start off with some of the best right off the bat. Should be fun.
smiller
04-01-2008, 11:16 AM
When I think of world class coaching I think of Herb Brooks, Scotty Bowman, Viktor Tikhonov, and so on. Not who ever it is that coaches Lindenwood. No offense to them, but they arent on a pro or olympic level. What they have done is impressive, just not world class in my opinion.
When I think of world class coaching I think of Herb Brooks, Scotty Bowman, Viktor Tikhonov, and so on. Not who ever it is that coaches Lindenwood. No offense to them, but they arent on a pro or olympic level. What they have done is impressive, just not world class in my opinion.
"They" or the guys who stand behind the bench of Lindenwood havn't nor do they do anything. They stand behind some of the best kids in roller hockey and just watch the game.
Honeslty how hard is it to coach when you have some of the top kids from all over the country??
Definitly World-Class
Jesus christ...bitterness towards Lindenwood at all?
Jesus christ...bitterness towards Lindenwood at all?
Nope. Not at all.
hockeydude92
04-02-2008, 11:33 AM
I have two teams in mind UNLV and Stony Brook:
UNLV: even though this team is in the shadow of Irvine and Long Beach, they are a still a good team that can contend. 4 out of their 5 losses where to the top two in their league Irvine and Long Beach. They are capable of putting the puck in the net and at the same time not letting to many goals in. There stats are well spread out and you can see that it nots one individuals doing all the scoring. Everyone is contributing. Don't count this team out for pulling some upsets. They are a team of determination and will fight through to pull off a victory do not count this team out.
Stony Brook: This team as well as UMSL were probably the only two teams that actually made a statement for their inaugural season jumping from Division 2. Only one word describe their first half of the season "HOT". Holding down the #2 rank in the nation for a good amount of time they were unbeatable.. As many can see their two losses were from other divisional leaders University of Rhode Island and Towson. Boxscores prove that penalties killed them in these games. At Regionals they made even a worst showing, coming in as a #1 seed and not earning a victory including the elimination round. They have had the same ample time as every other team in the country which was five weeks to prepare for nationals. I would not take this team lightly. This team is very talented and if they keep there composure can do well.
Even though these two teams had success in their divisions, and it seems unusual to see them as sleeper teams, I think they will be making some heads turn next week.
hockeydude92
04-02-2008, 01:43 PM
consider your conference. UC Irvine and UNLV and you guys, that speaks for it self. Three teams that are smoking other teams is not considered competitive at all. I'll give you that, you moved up and played well and got a bid to nationals. But look at UMSL which plays lindenwood three times and then beats them in the finals. Just playing Lindenwood makes the league competitive because everyone has a shot a taking the best down. The East is probably the most competitive when you look at all of the regions. Stony Brook has to take on Towson, URI, Buffalo, Rutgers, Penn State, Army. All good teams, as well as all of them receiving bids for Division 1 this season. So you have to look at it from that stand point. I'm not saying you guys didn't make a statement, but you have to see between the lines.
So, a division in which one team (Lindenwood) generally dominates everyone, with the expection of one team (UMSL) who has the ability to beat them every now and then, while all other teams play for third place, that's more competitive than a division where three teams all had a great shot at winning regionals?
JBeck10
04-03-2008, 12:31 PM
The Great Plains had 3 teams with a chance as well. Mizzou had a great team in DI, they played UMSL 2-0 to the end of the third period and ended up losing 3-0. And as we all know UMSL went on to beat LU.
betteronice
04-03-2008, 12:51 PM
Another possible sleeper could be UCF . . they were very impressive as the year went on, beating UF and then FIU for the SE title.
And since I watch alot of SE games, in D2 I could see Elon making a splash after adding Adams to their roster halfway through the season.
The Great Plains had 3 teams with a chance as well. Mizzou had a great team in DI, they played UMSL 2-0 to the end of the third period and ended up losing 3-0. And as we all know UMSL went on to beat LU.
Personally, I just don't see Mizzou as having had a realistic chance to win the division as they lost their 2 games against LU by a combined score of 16-1. Yeah they played UMSL close but honestly UMSL beating LU was a huge upset. They lost what like 11-2 earlier in the regional tournament to Lindenwood? I'm not going to go so far as to say it was a fluke, because hell I was excited when I heard someone beat Lindenwood...but still haven't heard explanation as to how a team loses 11-2 to Lindenwood then upsets them in the championship game. Screams "fluke" to me. I hope not as I want to see the end of Lindenwood's reign of dominance as much as anyone else, just being realistic...
CaneDogg
04-03-2008, 04:57 PM
Don't count UCF out! They really got good towards the end of the season especially at regionals, they blew out every team they played at regionals.
csdahlberg
04-03-2008, 05:34 PM
Personally, I just don't see Mizzou as having had a realistic chance to win the division...
This is my last season, and I've never been more pumped for a hockey event in my life. This is the best team Mizzou has had in at least the past 4 years. I hope we prove you wrong in Colorado.
This is my last season, and I've never been more pumped for a hockey event in my life. This is the best team Mizzou has had in at least the past 4 years. I hope we prove you wrong in Colorado.
That's awesome. I hope you prove me wrong too. Not hating on you guys, just gave my opinion. Best of luck to you guys in Colorado.
boring
04-04-2008, 02:47 AM
Personally, I just don't see Mizzou as having had a realistic chance to win the division as they lost their 2 games against LU by a combined score of 16-1. Yeah they played UMSL close but honestly UMSL beating LU was a huge upset. They lost what like 11-2 earlier in the regional tournament to Lindenwood? I'm not going to go so far as to say it was a fluke, because hell I was excited when I heard someone beat Lindenwood...but still haven't heard explanation as to how a team loses 11-2 to Lindenwood then upsets them in the championship game. Screams "fluke" to me. I hope not as I want to see the end of Lindenwood's reign of dominance as much as anyone else, just being realistic...
do you think your team could beat lindenwood?
jsp047
04-04-2008, 05:11 AM
do you think your team could beat lindenwood?
boring, do you think your team can? I'm pretty sure "alex" doesnt even play in the NCRHA, he was just stating his opinion.
do you think your team could beat lindenwood?
Haha. Very relevant question, hit the nail right on the head. I forgot discussion and opinion giving is limited only to those on a team who can beat Lindenwood.
And no I don't think we could. I think my Men's B league team might struggle with all that passing and skating. That's not our strong point.
Hockey_Freak
04-09-2008, 10:48 AM
Well said and I agree. Stony Brook going 12-0 in the first half was a huge distraction for them. They let their guard down going into the 2nd half and it cost them. Never really getting on track again. Regionals weren't a good showing either, but if you saw the last game against RI (2-1 loss), which was on of the best games that weekend, you saw the team that won DII last year. Anyone who takes SBU lightly will find out quick what a mistake that is. I know they have trained HARD & often going into nationals, they are ready. Anything can happen of course but I think you will see the "real" SBU team in Colorado. Good Luck to all, enjoy the experience, your all lucky to be a part of it !
lacemupkid78
04-09-2008, 12:48 PM
Well said and I agree. Stony Brook going 12-0 in the first half was a huge distraction for them. They let their guard down going into the 2nd half and it cost them. Never really getting on track again. Regionals weren't a good showing either, but if you saw the last game against RI (2-1 loss), which was on of the best games that weekend, you saw the team that won DII last year. Anyone who takes SBU lightly will find out quick what a mistake that is. I know they have trained HARD & often going into nationals, they are ready. Anything can happen of course but I think you will see the "real" SBU team in Colorado. Good Luck to all, enjoy the experience, your all lucky to be a part of it !
are you like on the team or something?
Hockey_Freak
04-09-2008, 11:21 PM
are you like on the team or something?
No I'm not like on the team, but I am close with quite a few who are and also both Tambo's. I've seen every game the past 2 seasons.
nottanitta
04-10-2008, 10:31 AM
Stonybrook can not be considered be a sleeper team, they won the ecrha regular season in d-1, and are the defending d-2 national champs. Enough said.
Hockey_Freak
04-10-2008, 11:34 AM
Stonybrook can not be considered be a sleeper team, they won the ecrha regular season in d-1, and are the defending d-2 national champs. Enough said.
I agree, I was responding to an earlier post which mentioned them as a sleeper team. That post was based on SBU's second half, which wasn't what most were used to seeing from them ( 5-2-1 ). Although that's not so bad, a lot of teams were starting to write them off. I think my point was based on not under estimating them or writing them off rather than them being a sleeper.
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