Things were "looking California" for both Kyle and UM just one month ago. A top-10 preseason national ranking, a potent top line, and a program filled with top prospects. Well, fast forward to now, and things are definitely "feeling Minnesota."
The Golden Gophers dropped both games this weekend to the University of Denver. Kyle had no points in either contest. The losses leave UM at 4-4 on the season, and 0-4 in the WCHA for the first time league history. To give you an idea of how badly things are going right now, Denver's Tyler Bozak scored more goals during Gophers power plays Sunday than Gophers players have scored on the power play in their past seven games (via twincities.com). Junior forward Blake Wheeler sounded a worrisome tone after the series, calling the team "mentally weak right now."
Coach Don Lucia was a bit more upbeat, saying that the team is "close but yet so far" (whatever that means) and was sure that his squad would soon rebound with spunk.
The troubling thing for Okposo fans is that he is still stuck on 1 goal for the season. On a somewhat related note, it seems that Okposo was completely outshined by Denver's Rhett Rakhshani. On the weekend Rakhshani netted 2 goals and 2 assists while, as mentioned, Kyle did zilch. Rakhshani was named first star of the Friday night game. Needless to say, Okposo was not a star in either.
Those of you who are keen Islanders prospect watchers will note that, like Okposo, Rakhshani was also drafted by the Isles in 2006. Kyle went 7th overall while Rakhshani was selected in the 4th round, at pick #100.
Might we have to rename this blog 'Rakhshani Net?'
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