First congrats to CBC, DeSmet, FHC and SLUH for making the final four.
CBC is still unchallenged #1, but...ready to be put in their place.
Just a little too overconfident and not as hungry as FHC or SLUH who made it to the final four again. Finals is a game, not a series and upsets are most likely in this situation. If it comes down to goaltending, I like Humes at FHC over all others in the final four. FHC has a good balanced offense, yet weakness at defense leaves them very suspect. Captain likes to run around throwing meaningless hits and this could be the downfall if Humes doesn't save his rearend. SLUH is very one dimentional offensively, but very solid overall. The SLUH-FHC winner will be ready for whatever CBC brings. I still favor the Cadets, but remember what Oakville did a few years ago. Confidence is OK, but cocky sometimes get beat.
DeSmet (you guessed it) I am giving you up for dead, you did not score against CBC all season. I do not see you scoring at all in the final four. Come on, when was the last time CBC lost a SERIES! Be proud of the MAJOR improvement post Miller this year, very good choice with the new coach. Your future looks bright, but this week not so bright.
It is next to impossible to beat CBC in the Semi's at Chesterfield on the Olympic ice. If it is going to happen it will be at Scottrade in a one game winner take all.
Last years series between CBC and FHC was the closest any team has played CBC in a semi final series in a long time. I would like to see these two teams meet this year at Scott Trade and see what happens in a one game situation.
I think that SLUH will win over FHC. I do not agree with the one demensional offense. The last two games two different players have scored hat tricks and neither has the last name Berger. SLUH can roll three good defensive lines and two very strong forward lines and a 3rd line probably better than every team other than CBC's third line. Can FHC go that deep? FHC has a big advantage in goal.
Game 1
SLUH 5
FHC 3
Yes so I was right goaltending by Humes beats SLUH. SLUH's goalie is JV quality stopping only 13 of 15 FHC shots, while Humes (the best goalie in the league) stops all 34 shots from SLUH.
The most surprising thing about this gamme was that neither team effectively used the olympic surface to establish solid zone possession. Only Ditch for FHC did and he set up their second goal. Too much selfish play form the number one line on Central.
HUMES was dynomite, but must repeat Saturday for FHC to make the finals.
SLUH you must make adjustments take what Central gives you and take better shots. Sorry but non screened wristers on Humes from 50 and 60 feet are not going to beat him. Also stretch the ice with speed and you will exploit FHC's true weakness - it's weak team defense. Take advantage of breakaways and you can beat FHC.
As for the CBC-DeSmet game. I saw CBC get rattled by physical DeSmet and then run around trying to make their own hits while giving up 3 goals to a weak offense.
CBC you must turn the other cheek in the finals or prepare to lose. Everyone will play you physical and if you get distracted, bad things willoccur. Hey Jost do you remember the Oakville finals game, I thought so!
One must not look back too far to see the wisdom DaMouth has. I safely predicted CBC and SLUH advance to finals. And that CBC would win 7-2. I was at the game tonight and SLUH did better than I thought but the result was still another CBC win but only 4-2 if you count late empty netter from 200 feet.
Way to go out on dalimb there damouth. Picking the top 2 seeds to advance to the championship and picking the top seed and two time defending champion to win again. You could not have been more wrong with a 7 - 2 score. I think SLUH was in the game all the way. Everyone wanted a close game and no one predicted it. The game was the best Challenge Cup game in a few years and you want to take credit for predicting??