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With the Bears sliding as of late, it's time for change. This is the last group of seniors that has a chance of making State and beating HM. With that being said, something has to be done. 14 straight losses to their biggest rival, the lack of defensive grasp (for the past few years), and now the lack of scoring with skill players (1 goal in the last 3 games).
Either Sager has to switch up his staff or he has to go. Ive seen majority of the WBL varisty team's games the last ten years or so, and I HAVE NEVER seen, especially the Defensive unit( which is generally WBL's strength) look so lost and out of place. This cant be all on the talent level. Time for Sager to move along, or get some credible defensive coaches........The current former player he has doing the job, simply put, isnt doing the job.

The Bears are just in a little "funk" right now. No need to make any changes or get rid of Sager. I think he is doing a great job at WBL. In fact, I may spearhead a petition to get him a lon-term contract!

I bet you are.....haha
I spoke with Lechner not long ago, and I told him whenever he gets tired of out-coaching and rolling over WBL every year, Da-Bears would be glad to have him switch to the Orange and Black side of things....Lotta respect for the way he runs that program...and to think the year before he won the state title, HM alums wanted him gone.

Sager 0-14 in the last 14 against HM...Way to keep the rivalry alive Sager.........No excuse. He should worry a bit more about the games and execution, and less of being "such a stand up guy."

Do you feel better? You will feel even better if you tell this to the right audience at a certain WBL school!!

They lost to Hill 3 times last year, twice in 08-09, 3 times in 07-08, 3 times in 06-07, twice in 05-06, then made it to state in 2005 without playing Hill in sections.

But of the 14 losses in the last 6 years, 7 were 1 goal losses. It definitely sucks to not have much competition going on in a rivalry.

Matching up poorly with one team isn't a reason to get rid of a coach though.

uhhh, What?

I agree with hswatcher. HM has a huge advantage in the structure of his program, if you know what I mean. I watched WBL and STA today and thought it was a good game. STA has a lot of talent and skill but they aren't very smart (to a certain degree). I thought WBL has speed and some grinders, they had more hockey sense and that is the key. Hockey sense is a good indication of coaching. WBL is a good team. No reason to bash the coach. I am totally neutral when it comes to the program and am just giving you my opinion.

If you really want Lechnar for your coach you should think again. He has the cream of the crop to choose from and the WBL coach has to choose from what is given/taken away from him.

mnpuckster wrote:uhhh, What?

I mis-read your post as saying they hadn't won in 14 years. I changed mine, but now understanding that, it makes the disparity much less of an issue. They've had a few off years and half of their losses have been by 1 goal. They are clearly a solid team and should have another crack at Hill this year. I hope as much as you they are victorious.

Im not bashing the coach strictly on this few game stretch, this years team alone, or their record against HM.. What has he done? Since '05, with an absolutely loaded team, the best team at the state tourney that year, hes had ZERO success, and continues to walk around like a coaching god. Hes got nothing for a resume, and the team continually is getting worse

I dont care what you say or who you have coaching at WBL, they are thier own worst enemy!! Ever sit in the stands on the WBL side and listen to those parents?? Everyone of them is an expert at coaching and reffing!! I know a couple of recent WBL grads that wont even attend a game as they cant stand listening to it. There isnt a contract big enough to put up with that. You have some great talent, you have the best A Bantam coach in the State the wheels come off when the parents turn the kids against the high school coach. Relax!

Just to clarify this post... I DO NOT POSE AS A SECOND USERNAME UNDER MNPUCKSTER!!

I have my personal reasons for my disatisfaction with Sager - and he knows what they are, and the other coaches know why - and that is not my point.

I posted last spring the W-L record vs Stillwater, Woodbury and CDH the past 3 or 4 years, his winning percentage was about 35% - throw in games vs H-M, (Duluth) East, Centennial, Tonka, STA, etc, his winning % is less than 30%. He gets one signature win, MAYBE, a year, but beating CDH isn't considered one, in my books. This year, CDH and Woodbury are down in talent.

They whip up on the pansies, because of the talent and speed they have, and this same group of kids has won a state tourney at the youth level. Talk to ANY of the youth coaches, and they will say the same thing. Something happens when they get to high school, and it's not good.

I won't contribute a single dime to the WBL program until he is gone.. There are community businesses that feel the same way, and have stopped advertising. If I go to any games, it will be on the road, where the opposing team gets my money, and I can still support the players.

Because I am entitled to my opinion, anyone who disputes me, can blow it out their A$$... rather than personally attack me, give me reasons why he should stay.

Thank you for not smoking.

youngblood08 wrote:I dont care what you say or who you have coaching at WBL, they are thier own worst enemy!! Ever sit in the stands on the WBL side and listen to those parents?? Everyone of them is an expert at coaching and reffing!! I know a couple of recent WBL grads that wont even attend a game as they cant stand listening to it. There isnt a contract big enough to put up with that. You have some great talent, you have the best A Bantam coach in the State the wheels come off when the parents turn the kids against the high school coach. Relax!

Yes, it's those pesky parents. Always causing trouble on the ice, in the locker room, on the bench, at practice. It's all their fault. Lucky for some schools they don't have to worry about the parent problem. They grow their players in test tubes, like in Stillwater.


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