The Minnesota Wind Chill couldn’t quite find their groove in Golden, Colorado on Saturday night as they faced the Colorado Summit for the first time ever. They left what to the Summit is sure to be considered a great first impression, dropping the game and many, many discs along the way.
Lost in the Elevation
Early on, it was clear the team was off. While the Chill’s depth has been a strength of theirs this season throughout injuries and missing players, it appeared to have hurt them in Colorado. The lines the Wind Chill put out were strange and unfamiliar, likely adding to disconnected chemistry and missed opportunities. Dylan DeClerck and Tanner Barcus — Minnesota’s top two blockers — saw nearly half of their points playing offense. Abe Coffin was notably back in the lineup after coming back from an injury, though he seemed to do more harm than good, with a -4 plus/minus (including six throwaways).
The team was also missing PK, Colin Berry and Sam Berglund, three players who have really made an impact with the team when they’re on the field. The roster felt like it was really close to full strength, but they still felt like a few pieces were missing.
Just as every win is a team effort, so too was this loss.
Up and down the field, the Wind Chill never felt like they could execute, with a season-high 25 turnovers and a season-low 23% offensive conversion percentage (not to mention recording just two break points, both coming in the fourth quarter). To their credit, they came in with a really strong and strategic approach against a Colorado defense that is punishing to mistakes. The Summit seemed to breathe down the necks of reset handlers and continuation cutters. So the Chill took advantage, looking deep early and often, with 19 huck attempts (their second most of the season).
Unfortunately, of those 19, just eight found receivers’ hands.
Minnesota was shut down deep and when this realization was found, it was too late, and the Summit had already begun to strike on defense and convert on every opportunity given to them.
A Post-Season Preview?
Playing against the Summit was incredibly meaningful for the Wind Chill, regardless of the outcome. In 2022, the Summit were the West Division Champions, losing in the semifinals of Championship Weekend to none other than the Chicago Union. This very well could be a matchup fans get to see again in Eagan come August, depending on how the playoffs shake out.
Interdivisional games are always fun; of course, fans and players get to see new names and faces that they almost never get to see regularly. But they also provide valuable experience and recon of sorts for teams looking to take a place at the Championship table. This game in particular was a potential preview, and the Wind Chill know more of the play style they can expect to see if they meet the Summit in the playoffs in August.
Even if they don’t see the Summit specifically, the West Division representative may still approach their game with similar strategies and play styles, giving Minnesota a not-insignificant advantage — especially at home.
Despite the loss, the Chill have received net benefits from this trip, and they are going to be more prepared than ever for some tough opponents late into their season.
Cause for Concern?
The Wind Chill rarely get blown out like they did on Saturday. It isn't even that they simply got outplayed; the game wasn't all that pretty. Chemistry lacked, throws were errant, and the defense couldn't convert. So, how concerning is this?
In short, not very.
The Wind Chill have struggled with roster consistency throughout the season, and their depth has been outstanding. We have seen every player step up in their own ways and push the team through. On Saturday, everyone slotted into their roles really well. We saw Josh Klane letting discs fly the entire length of the field (I truly regret not being able to see that in person). Quinn Snider picked up another five goals. Will Brandt stepped up with a few blocks of his own, and a fair amount of throwing yards. Those are not concerns in my book.
I think rather than them being outplayed or just downright bad, it seemed to be more of an elements thing.
The wind and elevation truly are factors that cannot be planned for. They're playing in an environment that they aren't familiar in, against a team they've never seen, and in roles they weren't totally familiar with (see: Dylan DeClerck and Tanner Barcus playing a lot of offense). This wasn't the Wind Chill team we know and love.
Of course, they can't write off every loss like this and simply move on. But the performance on Saturday is forgivable and will lead to some valuable experience and season lessons. Especially halfway through the season now, the team is able to see some true contenders who will push them to be a better version of themselves. The coaching staff is learning who can play where and how to maximize strengths. The record says one thing, but the rebound and final outcome of the season will say another.
That said, each game in the Central Division truly will become increasingly important. Dropping a game to Madison at this point will be concerning. Even against the AlleyCats, who are an incredibly good team, it will be a tougher loss to swallow than this one in Colorado. Those games are more important. The Summit game was a blip that will turn out to be an advantage in the long-term.
Back to Whence They Came: The Wild (Mid)West
Now, it’s back to work. Luckily for the Wind Chill, this loss against Colorado didn’t drastically affect their standings in the Central Division. Sure, a win would have further solidified the team in first place, but they didn’t lose at the expense of a Divisional foe winning and advancing in standings that directly compete with their own.
But now, the team will have to bear down and make every single game going forward count.
With just one more road trip on the season, the Wind Chill are set for some tough matchups ahead. They are finishing a 3-game road trip on July 7 against the Radicals before returning to Sea Foam on July 9 for an ever-important game against the Indianapolis AlleyCats. This game feels like it will be a make-or-break for first place in the Division, which will give them great seeding going into the playoffs.
The Minnesota Wind Chill need to clean up their game and be able to adjust a bit more on the fly to prevent future situations as they saw in Colorado, though as they prepare to face more familiar opponents, hopefully they can more effectively execute their strategies.
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