DU Series Preview: Sociopathy, Clothes and Hockey

I was going to pass on writing today (even though I'd committed to it) due to a rhinovirus raging through my system.  I haven't had an actual cold for quite some time.  It's funny that when you're well you can't really imagine the misery of being ill and conversely, when you're ill it's difficult to remember what it felt like to be well.  On Monday I felt fine.  Yesterday, I had an early indicator when my right sinus seemed a bit off from nominal.  Note here that the nominal state of my sinuses is relatively not good.  But about 5am this morning I awoke to the full blown nastiness.

Feeling like I do, doesn't make it easy to compose my already somewhat manic ideas with regard to writing about this weekend's series.  So it's either stream of conciousness or nothing I'm afraid.  I'll try to stay away from booger talk.

Doesn't George Gwozdecky come off as really smug on the bench?  He stands there with his arms crossed 90 percent of the time.  I'm pretty sure his body language is an attempt to tell the world that they can't figure him out.  In general, the arm crossing is considered a defensive gesture.  So does that mean he's a passive/aggressive type personality?  Some of his occassional antics would support that.  The whole walking across the ice shenanigans versus UND last year would definitely fit in that category.  No wonder Brett Hextall tried to get into his head by saying whatever he said to George when skating past the bench.  His smirking, smug, defensive posture invites it.  I'm not quite sure that I would be able to refrain from some directed smartassery if I were an opposition player.

(MTU Super Fan MeanEgirl Mocks George)

Another thing that always surprises me is when folks actually compliment George on his attire.  Last week during the Denver Cup he had on a dark grey pinstripe suit with a shirt that had broad vertical blue stripes and a darker blue tie that appeared to have some sort of criss-crossed stripes.  It was "not right".  I hear his wife dresses him.  Sorry, to say that in my less than humble opinion Mrs. G fails more often than she hits the mark.  The pink shirts and pink ties are just a bit flamboyant for a hockey coach.  Don Cherry coached in Denver many many years ago ... perhaps she's trying to fill that void?

George seems to be big on psychology.  There isn't much that comes out of his mouth that comes across as anything but very measured and/or manipulative.  Whether it's about injuries, refereeing or performance he always seems to be trying to send some indirect message to someone.  That aligns pretty nicely with the whole arm-crossing "I'm an enigma" vibe he's trying to cultivate.  I have little doubt that he'd say just about anything that suited his purpose.  In the real world don't we call those sorts of people sociopaths?  If he visits your house I'd recommend a before and after inventory of your silverware.

So what about hockey?  Do I have any brilliant insights?  I generally like when the Seawolves go to play on a smaller rink.  So this weekend, I think the ice size should suit their style well.  Looking back at both of the DU games up here earlier in the season tells me that the Seawolves shouldn't have too many problems overall in terms of skating with the Pios.

All the usual other things apply this weekend.  The team that has more success on the power play is likely the team to come out on top of the scoreboard.  Denver's power play isn't a big mystery.  Like seemingly every team in the WCHA they run the NHL umbrella and look for the big first timer from up top.  Countering it requires good positioning and committment to shot blocking.  Weircioch is their go to guy in that situation.  Remember last year when he broke like three sticks in a row on one of their late power plays?  That dysfunction pretty much secured the win for UAA.

UAA has used a couple of different configurations on the power play going both with the umbrella style at times and a more classic spread.  Neither has been particularly successful but they really need to find the right mix of personnel and style this weekend.  I like seeing three guys down low with two up on the points but often that means fewer chances from up high.  Let's not forget that a bunch of our defenseman are left handed.  So making that work requires consideration.

There is come containment to be accomplished when the teams are 5 on 5.  Rakhshani and Ruegsegger in particular are dynamic enough to turn not much into a scoring chance.  Awareness of those two guys is going to be important.  It's always difficult for a visiting coach to get the matchups he wants on the ice but this weekend Dave Shyiak needs to concentrate on that.  This isn't to say that DU isn't dangerous throughout their lineup.  They mostly are, however ... if you keep Rakhshani and Ruegsegger off the board then your giving yourself more of a chance to come out on top. 

Goaltending is obviously going to be an important factor this weekend.  There is every reason to expect Cheverie to continue to play well since he's really shown excellent consistency.  He's never been a showy goaltender and always gets excellent rebound support.  He doesn't seem to be particularly vulnerable but I would classify him as being supremely talented either.  The Seawolves will need to match that sort of support for either Jonny O or Bryce.  No matter how good a goaltender is they can't often win a tightly played game on their own.  UAA must limit DU's shot numbers.  Keep DU under 25 shots for the game and I'd expect the Seawolves will set themselves up for an upset.

I imagine we'll see Brad Gorham in his first action this weekend.  Whether that will be as a forward or on defense I'm not sure.  If he plays D then Curtis Leinweber could focus on forward.  If he gets his chance at forward then who sits?  Will Ken Selby make the trip?  I sure hope so.  I really want to see him get lots of action here in the last half of his senior year.  Last I heard Josh Lunden and Luka Vidmar won't be ready for this weekend.  Josh is out with a shoulder and Luka has a dinged knee.

I'm guessing that on Friday night the Seawolves will have to get their feet wet in the first period before coming up to speed after the long break.  If that's the case, then it could be a matter of just surviving that first period.  Hopefully, whatever rust there is disappears relatively quickly.  This weekend is the beginning of the end for our seniors.  I hope they treasure it and make the most of it.