Post by David Foley on Feb 16, 2008 0:07:10 GMT -5
Now that the Tournament is done, here's my take on who was the best of the best in the conference...
1.) Oregon
They won the conference for a reason, but I'd be shocked if they made it out of the first round at regionals.
2.) USC
Followed up one of their best games of the year (9-2 win over ASU) with one of their worst (5-1 loss to Oregon). Perfectly summarizes an up and down, injury-filled season. The future looks bright, however. Alex Lofthus and Ryder Fyrwald, two of the better players in the Pac-8, are just freshmen.
3.) ASU
I'm still baffled by their performance against USC in the Tournament, but you have to give them credit for taking 3 of 4 from Oregon in the regular season.
4.) UW
Unfortunately didn't get a shot at Oregon in Pac-8's...might of given them a run for their money. Keep in mind they split their late season two game series with the Ducks, losing the first game 5-3, but winning the second 4-1.
5.) UCLA
They clearly missed Marty Galysten (sorry if it's misspelled, I can never get his name right), Adam Kubalski, and Scott Freschet (again, sorry for the spelling). Still though, they showed a lot of improvement over the course of the season and finished strong with a 4-2 win over USC...their only win over the Trojans this season.
6.) WSU
Had a miserable regular season, and got creamed by Oregon in the Semis, but I was impressed by their strong showing against ASU in the consolation game. Another team that got better as the season went on.
7.) Cal
There's always next year, and they will be getting talented forward and team leader Steve Pulchinski back from injury too.
8.) Stanford
There's always next year, but not necessarily a light at the end of the tunnel.
I would just like to add that it is ridiculous that Lofthus and Fyrwald did not make it on any of the All-Pac 8 teams. Actually I take it back; it's not ridiculous, it's INSANE!
1.) Oregon
They won the conference for a reason, but I'd be shocked if they made it out of the first round at regionals.
2.) USC
Followed up one of their best games of the year (9-2 win over ASU) with one of their worst (5-1 loss to Oregon). Perfectly summarizes an up and down, injury-filled season. The future looks bright, however. Alex Lofthus and Ryder Fyrwald, two of the better players in the Pac-8, are just freshmen.
3.) ASU
I'm still baffled by their performance against USC in the Tournament, but you have to give them credit for taking 3 of 4 from Oregon in the regular season.
4.) UW
Unfortunately didn't get a shot at Oregon in Pac-8's...might of given them a run for their money. Keep in mind they split their late season two game series with the Ducks, losing the first game 5-3, but winning the second 4-1.
5.) UCLA
They clearly missed Marty Galysten (sorry if it's misspelled, I can never get his name right), Adam Kubalski, and Scott Freschet (again, sorry for the spelling). Still though, they showed a lot of improvement over the course of the season and finished strong with a 4-2 win over USC...their only win over the Trojans this season.
6.) WSU
Had a miserable regular season, and got creamed by Oregon in the Semis, but I was impressed by their strong showing against ASU in the consolation game. Another team that got better as the season went on.
7.) Cal
There's always next year, and they will be getting talented forward and team leader Steve Pulchinski back from injury too.
8.) Stanford
There's always next year, but not necessarily a light at the end of the tunnel.
I would just like to add that it is ridiculous that Lofthus and Fyrwald did not make it on any of the All-Pac 8 teams. Actually I take it back; it's not ridiculous, it's INSANE!