Hockey East
Mass Lowell 4 at Vermont 4 OT
Boston University 3 at Northeastern 2
Maine 4 at Massachusetts 3
Providence 1 at Merrimack 6
New Hampshire 0 at Boston College 4
CCHA
Michigan State 2 at Alaska 3 OT
Ohio State 0 at Lake Superior 4
Bowling Green 3 at Northern Michigan 6
ECAC
Brown 0 at Quinnipiac 4
Harvard 2 at Clarkson 1
St. Lawrence 1 at Princeton 4
Colgate 2 at Rensselaer 4
WCHA
Alaska Anchorage 4 at Minnesota State 0 [Box Score]
Minnesota 3 at Bemidji State 3 OT [Box Score]
St. Cloud State 3 at Denver 2 [Box Score]
Nebraska-Omaha 1 at Minnesota Duluth 4 [Box Score]
North Dakota 6 at Michigan Tech 1 [Box Score]
Colorado College 3 at Wisconsin 2 [Box Score]
Analysis – Friday night was a semi interesting night of college hockey and by the end of tonight we will have the final standings and know where everyone is going for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. The playoff scenarios are a bit fuzzy right now. First things first, UND clinched their 15th McNaughton Cup outright last night with their win in Houghton, Michigan against the MTU Huskies, and the same two teams will play again next weekend.
We also know that UND, UMD, UNO, DU, UMN and C.C. have home ice, where these teams end up is still up for discussion; both UMN and C.C. have clinched the final two home-ice spots on Friday night. The Wisconsin Badgers continued their free fall/slide and they will be on the road for the WCHA playoffs, the Badgers have not won a game since January 29, 2011. The Badgers will probably have to win the WCHA tourney to make it to the NCAA tourney.
Alaska Anchorage 4 vs Minnesota State 0 – In the battle for 7-8-9 spots the UAA Huskies shutout the Minnesota State Mavericks. UAA Senior Nick Haddad had two goals for the Seawolves and Freshman goalie Chris Kamal stopped 35 shots to get the shutout for the Seawolves... [Puckato], [Delusions of Grandeur],[ADN.COM]
Minnesota 3 vs Bemidji State 3 OT – The Beavers tied the game on a goal from Brad Hunt with 19 seconds left in regulation after receiving a power play on a controversial hooking call against Nick Bjugstad. [Up North Sports Report], [Goal Gophers]
St. Cloud State 3 vs Denver 2 – The SCSU Huskies Senior forward Aaron Marvin scored with 1:36 remaining in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and give the Huskies a 3-2 win. Sophomore Goalie Mike Lee stopped 32 shots for the Huskies. Before the game Pioneers head coach George Gwozdecky suspended DU senior forward Anthony Maiani one game for a violation of an undisclosed team rule. If the Pioneers win tonight they will be the second seed overall for the WCHA playoffs. I think it’s safe to say that no one really wants to play the SCSU Huskies in the WCHA playoffs, especially if they are sitting on the bubble of an NCAA tourney bid. [Mike Chambers], [Mick Hatten]
Nebraska-Omaha 1 vs Minnesota Duluth 4 – The Bulldogs got two goals from Junior forward Travis Oleksuk to lead the Bulldogs to a 4-1 victory against the UNO Mavericks. Senior Goalie Kenny Reiter made 29 saves for the Bulldogs who with the win are tied for second place in the WCHA standings. The UNO Mavericks defense held Duluth’s all world forwards Mike Connolly, Jack Connolly and Justin Fontaine to one assist between the three of them. [Rink and Run], [Omaha.com]
North Dakota 6 at Michigan Tech 1 – The UND Fighting Sioux wrapped sole possession of the McNaughton Cup defeating the hapless Huskies 6-1. Matt Frattin paced the Sioux with a goal and three assists. According to Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman ‘Sophomore defenseman Andrew MacWilliam, left last night’s game during the first period with an undisclosed injury and MacWilliam’s status for today’s series finale is unknown.’ As far as watching the game last night, I don’t remember anything out of the ordinary in regards to Andrew MacWilliam and how he could have gotten injured. Cross your fingers folks that its nothing too serious.[UND Hockey Blog],[Fighting Sioux], [Daily Mining Gazette]
Colorado College 3 vs Wisconsin 2 – The Wisconsin Badgers extended their losing streak to seven games (0-6-1) and with the loss will be on the road for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. C.C. Tigers Junior David Civitarese’s scored with 2:55 left in the third to lift the Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. [Eye of the Tigers], [Madison.com]
Controversial Call on Gophers?
Mike jm posted this on Sioux sports this morning, as I thought last night, the refs were right in calling a penalty; they made the wrong call, it’s a matter of semantics. This straight from the NCAA rule book… If you don't believe me you can peruse rule book...
Interference
SECTION 29. a. A player shall not interfere with or impede the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, deliberately knock a stick out of an opponent’s hand, prevent a player who has dropped the stick, or any other piece of equipment, from regaining possession of it or knock or shoot any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or other debris toward an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could cause the player to be distracted. Waving of arms in front of a goalkeeper by an opponent is interference.
