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Sats81 wrote:Bottom line is I just think Blais is a better hockey coach than tDon.

By your ultimate measure (number of NCAA titles), he's not. I gave you other areas where Lucia has outperformed him as well. And I'm counting what he did at CC too so you can't say it was simply Lucia taking advantage of what the U has to offer a coach.

Regular season titles mean little to nothing when you get bounced first round of NCAA's. Only thing that matters is the natty.

And they are equal in the only thing that matters...

As was pointed out above, you have to make the dance to win a natty. Where was Blais? Working on his tan in Florida? He certainly wasn't coaching in the NCAA tourney. His team (once again) faded down the stretch.

I know one thing... Lucia has his club two wins away from another "natty" after a pretty impressive weekend at the X.

Maybe the Gophers will win it all in Philly, maybe they won't (I suspect you'll be pulling against them). But considering the man had to replace early departures like Bjugstad, Haula, Schmidt (all three were in the NHL this year) as well as good college players like Budish and Alt, I'd say he's done a very good job this season. You can hate all you want. Won't change it.

Gopher Blog wrote:

Sats81 wrote:Bottom line is I just think Blais is a better hockey coach than tDon.

By your ultimate measure (number of NCAA titles), he's not. I gave you other areas where Lucia has outperformed him as well. And I'm counting what he did at CC too so you can't say it was simply Lucia taking advantage of what the U has to offer a coach.

Regular season titles mean little to nothing when you get bounced first round of NCAA's. Only thing that matters is the natty.

And they are equal in the only thing that matters...

As was pointed out above, you have to make the dance to win a natty. Where was Blais? Working on his tan in Florida? He certainly wasn't coaching in the NCAA tourney. His team (once again) faded down the stretch.

I know one thing... Lucia has his club two wins away from another "natty" after a pretty impressive weekend at the X.

Maybe the Gophers will win it all in Philly, maybe they won't (I suspect you'll be pulling against them). But considering the man had to replace early departures like Bjugstad, Haula, Schmidt (all three were in the NHL this year) as well as good college players like Budish and Alt, I'd say he's done a very good job this season. You can hate all you want. Won't change it.

Hammy-

Nothing would make me happier than the gophers winning it all. I truly mean that. This past weekend was great and showed what their true potential is when they fire on all cylinders. I have friends with sons on the team. I have always pulled for them. I just don't think Lucia is as good of a coach as you want to give him credit for. Guentzel is the X factor. Look at their record the 3 years (08-11) he was absent. They fell apart. I really don't think its any coincidence the resurgence the program has seen since MG came back either. 3 regular season titles, 2 frozen four apperances, a great shot at a natty...I realize its not all MG but the teams commitment to defense and high end offensive players doing the gritty things to get it done for the team is something we have seen the last few years that was not present in those dark seasons.

How about we just agree to disagree? I think Blais is a better head coach than Lucia and you think differently. Period.

I don't disagree that things are better with Guentzel back. As I said earlier in this thread, I am more of an MG guy than a Lucia guy. But I think Lucia deserves credit. Heck, if anything Lucia showed he was a smart coach to recognize the error in his ways when MG departed and Hill stayed. Acknowledging that blunder and rectifying it was smart.

As for the departures, I guess my point is that most places would be pretty devastated by that amount of talent loss for the pro ranks. To be able to get back to the Frozen Four despite those losses is a pretty impressive feat for the head coach (and his assistants)

i hate to hijack this kids thread...as if it isnt already

i asked a buddy of mine for his thoughts on this paragraph and wanted to get another opinion or 2 on it..

"I don't think hockey coaches lose games. In fact, I think they are relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of the "importance of coaching during athletic contests." Hockey is very fluid, based far more on mistakes than good decisions, and changes second to second; the decisions players make are infinitely more important than anything a coach could tell those players. I've certainly never seen a coach score a goal, make a big save, or make a bad decision on the ice. Hockey coaches make personnel decisions, motivate players, and encourage players to make certain decisions in certain situations. Its up to the players to make plays"

sterfry9 wrote:i hate to hijack this kids thread...as if it isnt already

i asked a buddy of mine for his thoughts on this paragraph and wanted to get another opinion or 2 on it..

"I don't think hockey coaches lose games. In fact, I think they are relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of the "importance of coaching during athletic contests." Hockey is very fluid, based far more on mistakes than good decisions, and changes second to second; the decisions players make are infinitely more important than anything a coach could tell those players. I've certainly never seen a coach score a goal, make a big save, or make a bad decision on the ice. Hockey coaches make personnel decisions, motivate players, and encourage players to make certain decisions in certain situations. Its up to the players to make plays"

At the early ages, skill development by continually challenging your team through innovative practices plus motivating your players to achieve are key. As players develop, coaches' influence shifts more to game preparation (maximizing your team's strengths and style of play vs. your opponent's weaknesses/style of play).

So I tend to disagree with your buddy's premise. Superior coaching can often spell the difference between winning and losing, especially at the higher levels where total mismatches in talent are less common.