Lets be REAL. 2012-2013 Season Preview

[RealTalk19]

Here is the early slate of October weekends for the start of the season:

6th Columbus Day Event Feasterville, PA
12th RMCRHA Regular Season Event #1 Lakewood, CO
13th Regular Season Event Broomall, PA
13th SECRHL Kickoff Weekend Snellville, GA
19th GPCIHL event Ballwin, MO
20th Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League (GPCIHL) Wright City, mo
20th Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League (GPCIHL) St. Peters, MO
20th Regular Season Event Glastonbury, CT
27th Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League (GPCIHL) Ballwin, MO
27th MCRHL Regular Season Event #1 Shelby Township, MI

Early thoughts start with the defending CHAMPS, Bethel University. They seemed like they took care of business this weekend at the SECRHL Kickoff, besides that first bout with FGCU. The GulF Coast looks solid with their addition of Ex-Lindenwood University lion Vinny Cafone, (who is also my early season favorite for the 2012-13 MVP.) He posted solid numbers this weekend already banking 8 goals in his first 4 games, including a hat trick to polish off the victory against the defending champs.

The Great Plains kicks off this weekend with a good early season challenge For the fighting Illini. They had a good showing in Chi town, beating Bethel, but are sure to face a much tougher test against Lindenwood. LU hasn't seen the finals in the last 2 nationals now, and are sure to be loaded with talent as in years past.

Out in the west I really like the roster down there at Arizona State. They sound like they might be able to make another great appearance at Nationals. (They stand as my prediction to be the runner-up to LU in the finals this year). It remains in question who will really come out strong from the WCRHL though, new roster additions in Long Beach could have them back on top again, and I'm sure UNLV will be another strong team with Barendt in net.

The East coast is the division i know least about and always seems like a toss up, but West Chester with Grossman and Lucente leading the charge, are most likely going to handle the division.

Let's get the predictions and thoughts going around here though, good luck to all the teams across the nation, College Roller has officially began.

[Ducks9758]

Most of my knowledge is with the Ecrha. Unforuntately i heard Grossman will not be playing this 1st semester, Lucente will have to take charge. But Neumann is a very solid team this year for the East

[hockeykid12]

Two weeks of ECRHA down, you would have to say Neumann is the top team in the east, granted they tied WCU in a very tight game. WCU seems to be getting by by the skin of their teeth close games for them. That kind of grit thou could take them places. Rowan seems like a good team that will beat teams they should but might not stack up against the better east teams. Towson could be a dark horse in the east the way Stoneybrook was last year. But from a national view of the east, it seems like the skill is very down once u move past the top 3 teams out there. Pittsburgh is a solid team but 2 players can only take you so far in D1. Army always has a strong team luckily they are still in the league.
Neumann-Towson-WCU-Hofstra is how i predict the east to turn out with only those 4 teams getting national bids.

This could all change if second semester brings
I.E. Grossman to WCU and Youmans to Neumann.

[Ducks9758]

We can all agree on that anything related to the ECRHA just like every year hockeykid12 will direct how good HIS neumann knights are and how they are left without Youmans. If you review everyone of his post it talks how highly of HIS neumann knights. So other than his "Real Talk", I'd like to hear from others on what they think about the ECRHA other than HIS neumann knights.

[hockeykid12]

Yet from the past two weeks of play is my assessment wrong about the teams i mention if u look at games that have been played?

[Hockey71]

Any thoughts on DII/B in the ECRHA? The scores seem inconsistent in places in both divisions. Is the talent level the same as last year or less strong?