Zine
Registered User
VOB said:Zine, I had a big debate on the age issue with Goph not that long ago, I am sure you can still find it in the NCAA section...
You are giving age too much credit. Look at the Petes..average age 18.8, compare them to the Gophs..average age 21...just a shade over two years difference. It is not like there is a four or five year gap. Furthermore look at the height and weight of each team. The Gophs measure 6.0 ft and 181lbs....the Petes top out at 6.1 and 196lbs.
For the average prospect, 2 years of development is HUGE...absolutely HUGE. It's insane to think otherwise.
Plus, how do you think other NCAA teams can compete with the Minnesotas, North Dakotas, Michigans, Boston Colleges, etc. (who have most of the top prospects).....that's right, they're generally OLDER - by around 1-2 years.
VOB said:I have seen the Petes play and not only are they big, fast and talented...they are strong and physical. They would have trouble in the NCAA not because they are "younger" but because of the way the game is called in the U.S. college ranks. I have not seen Minny play this year yet but I have seen Wisconsin, Michigan and Miami (all top ranked teams) and I can tell you flat out that if the Petes were to play them using NHL referees....they would beat Michigan and Miami and give Wisconsin all they could handle.
No way.
Like I was alluding to earlier......talent wise, compare the Petes to North Dakota; it's not even close.
Apart from Staal and Downie, who else on that team is a legitimate upper tier NHL prospect?
UND has the likes of Stafford, Toews, Oshie, Lee, Zajac, Chorney, Finley. Despite all this talent, UND is struggling because they are so young. You think a much younger Petes team with much less 'top tier' NHL prospects would be doing better?
Earlier this year, Wisconsin easily beat North Dakota because the Sioux were just to young and inexperienced to keep up with UW. You're telling me that Peterborough would give the Badgers all they could handle when UND couldn't even do it? It doesn't matter if the game is called by NHL or college rules..I just don't see it happening.