Tuesday, October 30, 2012

2012-13 Preview: Missouri Comets

2012-13 Missouri Comets Season Preview
Coach: Kim Roentved
2011-12 Record: 15-9
2012 Playoffs: Milwaukee, L 0-2
The Lowdown: Back-to-back playoff appearances in the first two seasons of the club’s return to action have been impressive, as have the pair of MVP awards earned by Comets players, but now Missouri is looking for success in the postseason. While a good portion of the club’s roster has remained intact, some fresh blood could be what Kim Roentved’s side is looking for to take the club to the next level.
Key Departures: The Comets suffered arguably the biggest loss of the offseason when 2011-12 regular season MVP Geison departed for the rival Wichita Wings. The striker led the league with 90 points and 37 goals a season ago, and was the main gap in their roster the Comets had to try and fill when making their offseason moves.
Key Returnees: Goalkeeper Danny Waltman returns behind a stalwart defensive lineup that sees Leo Gibson, Brian Harris and Ryan Junge all return. Captain Byron Alvarez (78 points) will be expected to continue leading the attack and power play, his 11 power play goals a season ago led the league, with Vahid Assadpour and Lucas Rodriguez offering support.
Key Additions: Kim Roentved returned to his homeland of Denmark to add a pair of players to the roster, and has been impressed by the quality displayed so far by Mads Falck as he looks to bolster the club’s attack. As the team looks to build a tighter defense in front of Waltman, the addition of former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Craig Rocastle should also offer veteran leadership to the squad.
Coach’s View: “I never go into a season without thinking we’re going to win a championship, so to be honest with you, realistically there are times where we have had a better chance than other times, but certainly with the team I’m looking at right now, our expectation is to go all the way.” – Kim Roentved

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