Saint Paul | Minnesota :
Saturday morning at Herb Brooks Olympia was a much more subdued atmosphere than just a mere 48 hours earlier when the Minnesota Norsemen were high off a huge 5-3 win over the Millers and taking it back to Georgetown for a Game 7. Unfortunately, the normally disciplined hockey club was anything but in this all-or-nothing contest and took 8 minors to the Millers 1, and were punished for it on two occasions in what would end up being a 3-1 loss in Kenucky.
"We didn't play our game," acknowledged Norsemen captain, Johnny Boychuk from his stall. "In all faucets of that game, we didn't play ours. We were undisciplined when we need to be at our best in not giving them an advantage. Spending as much time as we did on the penalty kill quite simply took us out of ever setting a tone. Credit Georgetown for taking advantage of the gift we were giving them. Our group was better than this, or our fans deserved much more."
The Captain's words were echoed numerous times throughout the morning as players cleaned out their stalls for an agonizingly long offseason.
"I wish we could get right back out there and right the ship if you will," said defenseman Justin Faulk. "It stings. Still stings. We had so many chances throughout the season to run away with this Conference, and position ourselves better in the postseason. We would have played anyone at any time. But we definitely took it on the chin from the Millers."
What the young rearguard was eluding at was the Norsemen playing within the top two seeds in the Canosa Conference literally all season, and giving up the chance at a first round bye in the last couple of games in the regular season. The Reykjavik Puffin were red hot... scratch that, the Puffin were white hot going into the playoffs. They quickly kicked the back-to-back Kehler Cup champion, Crusaders out of the 1 seat in the end, and with the Norsemen's regular season record vs the Millers, Georgetown quietly assumed their spot at #2. Leaving Minnesota in the 3 spot to take on the Long Island Express in Round 1. A series that ended fast for the Express in a sweep.
"I'd be lying if I said we were oozing with confidence in seeing the Millers in the playoffs," said General Manager Blake Wendt. "They had our number all season (2-4 record), and we knew when they were across from us it was going to be a battle. As a huge proponent of this current conference alignment, this is great for building legitimate rivalries. I'd say we've always considered Copenhagen a rival. When I came into this league in 2007, both our clubs were at very similar transitions in our development. Building through the draft and adding pieces as we continued to get better. Obviously Bruce (Niblett, COP GM) absolutely took it to the next level in winning three Cups in five years. But those early years we were fighting tooth and nail for blue chip prospects. This year we started building another true rivalry with Georgetown. Chris (Kash, GEO GM) had consistently paired up well with us. His group got the upper hand on us in the regular season... and now the postseason. They ended our season. So naturally we want to kick their ass next season."
For some players departing today, a handful have played their last in a Norsemen sweater. Pending UFA Boychuk's status with the team was solidified when Zach Parise was traded at the deadline. The Captain isn't going anywhere. He has been assured by management that his contract will be renewed this offseason.
UFA's on their way out are Matt Cullen, Jay McClement, Maxim Lapierre and Dustin Brown. RFA's not expected to be re-signed are Jordan Schroeder and Robert Bortuzzo. It is also expected that Clarke MacArthur will be released at some point.
"We like the group we have here overall," said Wendt. "Obviously things are fluid right and really anyone is movable. But I don't expect a lot of movement from our lineup. We have some young guys like Jyrki Jokipakka and Mike Reilly that will force competition with our top-6 on defense. So that will be fun when we get to camp."
Minnesota's next major agenda will be the Draft. Currently holding a mere five picks, and highest being late in the first round, expect Wendt to do something about getting more and higher picks.
"I'd say we would like more draft options for sure," said Wendt. "We have a few guys earmarked and where they are slotted to go in the mock drafts out there and our own. Positioning for us in the draft is always the biggest thing for us. We know who we want and do an incredible amount of homework. If we have a high pick and want a couple guys high on our list later and we feel comfortable they will be there, we try our damnedest to move around to get them."
The GM was no comment on plans for the 2016-17 season in terms of the direction of the Norsemen. One would be inclined to believe though that Minnesota likes the taste of the postseason, and isn't going to pass the plate any time soon.
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