Dusting off an old post going into the last week of the season

Does anyone remember when @andyjohnsonb5q asked for our preseason breakout D of the year? @runwiththedogs @goon48 mine was Sustr!
— Matt Christians (@Matt_Christians) March 7, 2013

This tweet, caused me to look at this blog pre-season poll... How wrong does it appear might have been, at least as far as standings?

I participated in the 3rd Annual WCHA Blogger & Website Preseason Poll put on by A Tradition of Excellence and this how the pollsters think the WCHA will shake out this season. 

Team (1st Place Votes) Points

1. Minnesota (15)199

2. North Dakota (2)187

3. Denver (1)162

4. Wisconsin142

5. Minnesota-Duluth126

6. St. Cloud State119

7. Nebraska-Omaha97

8. Colorado College94.5

9. Michigan Tech78.5

10. Minnesota State-Mankato58

11. Bemidji State44

12. Alaska-Anchorage19

Player of the Year (17 Voters)

Nick Bjugstad, Minnesota (9)

Others receiving multiple votes:

Mark Zengerle, Wisconsin (4)

Erik Haula, Minnesota (2)

Rookie of the Year (17 Voters)

Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota (6)

Others receiving multiple votes:

Nic Kerdiles, Wisconsin (4)

Andy Welinski, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Austin Farley, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Defenseman of the Year (17 Voters)

Joey LaLeggia, Denver (9)

Others receiving multiple votes:

Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State (3)

Nate Schmidt, Minnesota (2)

Breakout Player of the Year (17 Voters)

Caleb Herbert, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Andrej Sustr, Nebraska-Omaha (2)

13 others received a single vote.

The following bloggers  took part in this poll:

Timothy Boger, Kelly Green & White (North Dakota)

Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time (St. Cloud State)

Nathan Wells/@gopherstate, SB Nation MN/College Hockey News/SBNation (Minnesota/WCHA)

Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide (Michigan Tech)

Andrew Craig, College Hockey High Horse (Minnesota-Duluth)

Matt Christians/@Bulldog_Country, Bulldog Country (Minnesota-Duluth)

South Tex Gopher, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)

Steve Fetch/@fetch9, The Checking Line

Zack Friedli, Hockey State of Mind/College Hockey News (Minnesota-Duluth)

Eric Burton (Goon), Goon's World/The Hockey Writers (North Dakota)

GopherGuy33, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)

Andy Johnson, Bucky's 5th Quarter (Wisconsin)

Jeff Baker/@UNOMavMania, Mav Mania (Nebraska-Omaha)

Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey (Colorado College)

gmf1a, CC Tiger Hockey Forum (Colorado College)

Donn Schuschke (Sioux 7), Goon's World (North Dakota)

Matthew Semisch, USCHO

Chad, A Tradition of Excellence (North Dakota)

This was how I think the WCHA will shake out this season.

1. University of Minnesota

2. University of North Dakota

3. University of Wisconsin

4. Denver University

5. University of Minnesota Duluth

6. Colorado College

6. Michigan Tech University

8. University of Nebraska Omaha

9. Saint Cloud State University

10. Bemidji State University

11. Minnesota State University Mankato

12. University of Anchorage Alaska 

So look who's sitting in third place... Now my vote doesn't look too bad, at least there. 

Related articles

• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Tiebreaker Scenarios - February 25 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)

How some of us voted

Mattew Semisch, Radio Free Omaha

1. Minnesota

2. Saint Cloud

3. Nebraska-Omaha

4, North Dakota

5. Denver

6. Wisconsin

7. Minnesota State

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Colorado College

10. Michigan Tech

11. Bemidji State

12 Alaska Anchorage

Tim Braun, Michigan Tech Hockey Guide

1. Minnesota
2. Saint Cloud 

3. North Dakota

4. Nebraksa-Omaha

5. Minnesota State 

6. Denver 

7. Wisconsin

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Michigan Tech

10. Colorado College 

11. Bemdiji State

12. Alaska Anchorage

Troy Mills, The Beaver Pond

1. St. Cloud State

2. Minnesota

3. North Dakota

4. Nebraska-Omaha

5. MSU-Mankato

6. Wisconsin

7. Denver

8. Minnesota-Duluth

9. Colorado College

10. Michigan Tech

11. Bemidji State

12. Alaska-Anchorage

Andy Johnson, Bucky’s Fifth Quarter

1. Minnesota

2. Saint Cloud

3. North Dakota

4. Nebraska-Omaha

5. Denver

6. Wisconsin

7. Minnesota State

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Colorado College

10. Michigan Tech

11. Bemidji

12. Alaska Anchorage

Eric J. Burton, Goon's World

1. Minnesota

2. Saint Cloud

3. Nebraska-Omaha

4. North Dakota

5. Denver

6. Wisconsin

7. Minnesota State

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Colorado College

10. Michigan Tech

11. Bemidji State

12. Alaska Anchorage

Team USA defenseman Jacob Trouba's game tying goal against Russia

Here is the game tying goal by Michigan and team USA defenseman Jacob Trouba with the game tying at the 13:20 mark of the second period. Trouba has been one of the USA's best players so far during the WJC.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

December 17, 2012

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	Boston College	(44)	11- 2-1	993	1
2	New Hampshire	( 4)	11- 2-2	938	2
3	Notre Dame	( 2)	14- 4-0	911	3
4	Minnesota		11- 3-3	816	4
5	Miami		11- 3-4	768	5
6	Boston University		10- 5-0	737	6
7	North Dakota		10- 5-3	675	8
8	Western Michigan		11- 4-1	648	7
9	Quinnipiac		12- 3-2	603	9
10	Dartmouth		7- 2-2	525	10
11	Cornell		6- 3-2	441	12
12	Nebraska-Omaha		11- 6-1	395	13
13	Union		8- 3-4	391	14
14	Denver		9- 6-3	343	11
15	Yale		7- 3-2	321	15
16	St. Cloud State		11- 7-0	296	17
17	Niagara		10- 2-4	248	16
18	Minnesota State		10- 6-2	204	20
19	Ferris State		7- 7-3	50	19
20	Colgate		9- 7-2	47	NR
20	Harvard		4- 4-1	47	18
Others receiving votes: Providence 43, Holy Cross 16, Robert Morris 15, Ohio State 14, Colorado College 7, Lake Superior 4, Massachusetts-Lowell 2, Michigan 2.

Read more:

Edit: How some of us voted. (6/12)

I like transparency and I have no problem showing how I voted. Every week 12 of us contribute to the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll. Here's how six of us voted.

Andy Johnson, Bucky’s Fifth Quarter

1. UMTC

2. UND

3. SCSU

4. UNO

5 Mankato

6. Denver

7. CC

8. UW

9. UMD

10. Bemidji

11. Michigan Tech

12. Anchorage

Troy Mills of the Beaver Pond

1. UND

2. Minnesota

3. St. Cloud

4. Nebraska-Omaha

5. Mankato

6. Colorado College

7. Denver

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Bemidji State

10. Wisconsin

11. Michigan Tech

12. Alaska Anchorage

Chris Dilks of Western College Hockey

1. Minnesota

2. North Dakota

3. Saint Cloud State

4. Nebraska Omaha

5. Minnesota State

6. Denver

7. Minnesota Duluth

8. Colorado College

9. Bemidji State

10. Wisconsin

11. Michigan Tech

12. Alaska Anchorage

Eric Burton Goon’s World

1. North Dakota

2. Minnesota Gophers

3. Saint Cloud State

4. Nebraska Omaha

5. Minnesota State

6. Denver

7. Colorado College

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Bemidji State

10. Wisconsin

11. Michigan Tech

12. Alaska Anchorage

Tim Braun of the Tech Hockey Guide

1. North Dakota

2. Saint Cloud

3. Minnesota

4. Nebraska-Omaha

5. Minnesota State

6. Denver

7. Colorado College

8.  Minnesota Duluth

9. Michigan Tech

10. Bemidji State

11. Wisconsin

12. Alaska Anchorage

Matthew Semisch from Radio Free Omaha

1. North Dakota

2. Saint Cloud

3. Nebraska Omaha

4. Minnesota

5. Minnesota State

6. Denver

7. Colorado College

8. Minnesota Duluth

9. Wisconsin

10. Bemidji State

11. Michigan Tech

12. Alaska Anchorage

 

UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/14-12/15)

Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The University of North Dakota travels to Houghton, Michigan to play the Michigan Tech Huskies in an important two game WCHA series at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on December 14-15.

North Dakota (8-5-3, 5-2-3 WCHA) #8 USCHO and #8 USA Today Polls versus unranked Michigan Tech (4-8-3, 3-6-3 WCHA).

Game times: 7:07 pm ET December 14-15.

Radio:  UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

TV: None
 Webcast: MichiganTechHuskies.com

Series History: All-Time:  UND leads the series 145-93-10 (.605). UND’s record against MTU in Grand Forks, ND UND leads 82-33-5 (.704). UND’s record against MTU in Houghton, Michigan 61-55-5 (.525).  UND record against MTU at Neutral sites, UND trails 2-5-0 (.286). Last 10 games; UND leads 9-0-1 (.950)

 Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Danny Kristo (6g-9a—15pts), Rocco Grimaldi (6g-9a—15pts), Mark MacMillan (6g-6a—12pts), Corbin Knight (5g-12a—14pts), Drake Caggiula (5g-6a—11pts). Defense:  Dillon Simpson (2g-5a—7pts), Andrew MacWilliam (1g-4a—5pts), Derek Forbort (4g-5a—9pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 6-3-3, 2.39 GAA, .916 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 2-2-0, 2.97 GAA, .902 save percentage.

Michigan Tech Huskies: Alex Petan (4g-9a—13pts), Blake Pietila (9g-2a—11pts), David Johnston (3g-8a—11pts), Jujhar Khaira (3g-8a—11pts).  Defense: Steven Seigo  (4g-4a—8pts), Brad Stebner (1g-4a—5pts), Goaltenders: Jamie Phillips  0-1-0, 2.34 GAA, .906 save percentage. Kevin Genoe  3-1-3, 2.83 GAA, .909 save percentage, Pheonix Copley 1-6-0, 4.36 GAA, .851 save percentage.

UND Official Web Page

Michigan Tech Officials Web Page

Originally Posted at The Hockey Writers – Combine

Former Gophers Andy Brink’s thought’s on college hockey and the WCHA

English: Logo for the University of Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Which the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference and the formation of the NCHC, the WCHA is going to have a very different look to it starting for the 2013-14 season. I had the opportunity to interview Former Golden Gopher forward Andy Brink and you’re going to find that he has some interesting things to say.

You played with the Minnesota Gophers from 1992-1996. What team in the WCHA did you consider to be your biggest rival? Why?

 My freshman and sophomore years Wisconsin was our biggest rival. They were more talented than us but we had their number. One of our coaches, Bill Butters, made it clear that we never lose to Wisconsin. My junior and senior years, CC was our biggest rival. They were really good and played with confidence. We had great games with them.

What is your feeling about this being the last season in the present form of the WCHA? Who do you hate more Michigan or Michigan State?

 The WCHA was the best league in college hockey. Anyone could win on any given night. Every weekend you had to play well to win regardless of the opponent. I,  personally, disliked Michigan the most. But that’s because they were difficult to beat. They had a lot of talent and played hard.

What is your favorite memory playing in the WCHA?

 What I reflect on most fondly was winning on the road. There was no better feeling than winning in Engelstad, The DECC, Dane County Coliseum and the other arenas that we played in. When you win on the road in the WCHA you really feel like you have accomplished something. Every building was fun to play in and each team had loyal fans that were very vocal.

Favorite NCAA Hockey Memory?

 My favorite memory NCAA Memory is from before I played. I grew up in Bemidji and grew up a Sioux fan. I remember going to Sioux games as a kid and still have a Sioux #20 Bob Joyce jersey. UND’s 1987 NCAA Championship is my fondest memory because I followed that team really close. There were also 2 players from my hometown on their roster and George Pelawa (from Bemidji) would have been a big part of that team had he not died in a car accident in the fall of ’86.

What do you think of Minnesota not playing UND in hockey for the next four seasons? Do you think it’s a bad decision to not continue the rivalry?

 It’s hard to imagine UND and the Gophers not playing. It’s been such a good rivalry and very even. Being only 5 hours away from each other and both programs always being so good, obviously, it’s not good that they are not playing a series every year.

Thoughts on the College Hockey re-alignment and the Gophers going to the Big Ten Hockey Conference? Good or bad for College Hockey?

 I don’t know. Things change. There are so many good young players now and so many opportunities for kids to get better that I think College Hockey will be really good no matter what. Kids today are faster and stronger and learning the game at a earlier age. For those kids that are late bloomers, there are many opportunities to develop at an older age in different junior leagues. College Hockey will benefit from this and I think we will see more parity throughout college hockey.

Favorite Opposition player during your time with the Gophers? Favorite arena to play in?

 Even though I only played against him for 1 year, Greg Johnson, from UND was my favorite player to play against. He was good at everything and relentless. I think he had 5 assists against us in one game at Engelstad my freshman year. Chris Marinucci from UMD was also really good and similar to Greg Johnson. Old Engelstad and Old Mariucci were the 2 best rinks to play in. They both had character and a lot of history and were really loud.

You have are a co-owners of Breakaway Hockey with former Golden Gophers and Buffalo Sabres great Dave Snuggerud and you see a lot of great players come through the ranks. One of your former students at Breakaway Hockey is Nick Mattson who plays for the University of North Dakota. What’s your thought’s on his first year and a half in the WCHA playing for UND? Also, what are his strengths on the ice.

 Nick is a great kid. Very motivated and loves hockey. Was always at the outdoor rink improving his skills and having fun. Was always trying to improve. I know Nick is capable of being a very good offensive and two way defenseman in college hockey. It takes confidence to perform well consistently and I think Nick has been very good through his first year and a half in the league. I know he will get better and better because he is smart and motivated. Also, I have always respected how nice he is off the rink to others, he comes from great parents! Besides his skating and puck skills, Nick’s biggest asset is his vision and his ability to be “calm” with the puck.

*Disclosure; Andy Brink is my brother-in-law and while played for the Maroon and Gold, I am very proud to have him as a member of my family. Brink has been a good ambassador to the game of hockey and he is making differences in the lives of youngsters on and off the ice.

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers Combine... 

How some of us voted

Andy Johnson of Bucky’s Fifth Quarter 

1. UMTC
2. UND
3. DU
4. UNO
5. SCSU
6. Kato
7. CC
 8. UW
 9. UMD
10. Tech
11. Bemidji
12. UAA

Chris Dilks of Western College Hockey 

1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. Nebraska Omaha
4. Denver
5. Saint Cloud State
6. Minnesota State
7. Colorado College
8. Wisconsin
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Michigan Tech
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska Anchorage

My Picks that were posted on INSIDE HOCKEY

1. UND
2. Minnesota
3. Omaha
4. Denver
5. Saint Cloud
6. Colorado College
7. Minnesota State
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Michigan Tech
10. Wisconsin
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska Anchorage

I have had people ask me why I have put Mankato higher in my power rankings. First, Mankato has played a very weak schedule and has yet to beat more than one opponent with a winning record except Minnesota. DU swept Mankato that also played into the equation as well.  When they finally win a couple of games against higher opponents I will adjust my rankings accordingly. Also, Mankato has played the 43^rd hardest schedule. Dare I make the cupcake argument? 

Matthew Semisch Radio Free Omaha

1. Minnesota
2. Nebraska Omaha
3. Denver
4. North Dakota
5. Saint Cloud
6. Minnesota State
7. Colorado College
8. Michigan Tech
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Wisconsin
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska Anchorage

Troy Mills of the Beaver Pond

1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. Minnesota
4. Nebraska-Omaha
5. St. Cloud State
6. Mankato
7. Colorado College
8. Michigan Tech
9. Wisconsin
10. Duluth
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska-Anchorage

Tim Braun of Tech Hockey Guide

1. Minnesota
2. DU
3. UND
4. UNO
5. SCSU
6. C.C.
7. MSUM
8. MTU
9. UMD
10. UW
11. BSU
12. UAA

Tech goal that was waved off.

[1:10 mark of video] With about 4 seconds remaining in the second period of Tuesday's game between MTU and NMU, it appeared that Michigan Tech forward Tanner Kero had scored a legitimate goal for the Michigan Tech Huskies... After further review by the CCHA officials, the goal by was waved off.

The ruling on the ice, the officials decided that Kero had interfered with the Northern Michigan goalie Jared Coreau. In looking at this video, I disagree, I this is a bad call. In my opinion, there is no reason this goal wasn't counted, albeit the video wasn't very good, I see no reason this was a goal on the score sheet.

In watching this video a dozen times, I don't see the goalie interference and if anything the goalie took a blatant dive. There is no reason that goalie should be flopping on the ice, in my opinion.  If the MTU forward touched the goaltender Coreau it was very minimal and not worthy of goalie interference, that's going hard to the net. I think that Mel Pearson has every right to be upset with this call.

Dash Cam Video: Hockey Player DUI dressed as Teletubby

Check out this video of Grand Rapids Griffin and Detroit Red Wing Riley Sheahan's drunk driving arrest from the dashcame of a Grand Rapids Michigan Police Crusier. I was surprised that the female cop patted Sheahan down when there was a male officer standing right there.

Related articles

• Wings pick gets DUI charge in Teletubby garb (espn.go.com)
• Red Wings Prospect Caught Drunk In Teletubbies Costume (detroit.cbslocal.com)

GWG by Mark MacMilian

Danny Kristo described what he saw on the game winning goal.

“Just a chip in,” Kristo said. “Just kind of read the play to the Duluth “D” – rimmed it – beat the guy to the puck and luckily beat the guy off of the wall. Originally, looked shot then I saw Mark [MacMilan] out of the corner of my eye and he was opened up for a one-timer so just tried to make a good pass and it went through and he buried it.

From the new INCH blog, Gladdy says...

• Of course, one of the games we dialed up was the Friday night contest between North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth. I encourage the readers to take advantage of your opportunities to watch Danny Kristo play hockey. He’s one of the best offensive talents I’ve seen in my years of closely following college hockey. I consider some of Kristo’s attributes as a combination of the players involved in the great Hobey debate of 2008. His anticipation to make plays and to be in the right places on the ice matches Michigan’s Kevin Porter. Kristo’s skill, excitement, and big-game contributions compare favorably to Boston College’s Nathan Gerbe. Even Jess Myers would buy a ticket to watch Kristo play.

Related articles

• UND beats UMD in Overtime 4-3 (thehockeywriters.com)
• UMD and UND gut out hard fought 4-4 tie (thehockeywriters.com)

Jacob Trouba destroys NMU's Reed Secke

[click to view video] Ouch!!! Check out this hit by Michigan Defenseman Jacob Trouba as he absolutely destroyed Northern Michigan’s sophomore Reed Secke with a monster hit. Trouba was given a five minute major and a game misconduct and the CCHA gave Trouba an extra game suspension. Secke was cleared by the NMU medical staff but you can tell by the picture that Secke was absolutely lit up.
Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine.

Winter Classic to be cancelled

Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version of the logo features it in the shape of a hockey puck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Michael Russo, beat writer for the Star Tribune also said on tweeter today the Winter Classic is dead. Russo is one of the most in tuned beat writers for an NHL team and if he says that the Winter Classic is going to get cancelled, I will believe that it’s true as well.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP)--- A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the NHL has cancelled the 2013 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the league had not yet announced the cancellation of its signature event. The person also the NHL will schedule its next Winter Classic at the iconic stadium that seats more than 100,000 people.

Last week, the NHL wiped out all of its previously scheduled games through the end of November.

Detroit and Toronto, two of the league's Original Six teams, were going to play outdoors on Jan. 1 at the stadium known as the Big House. The league was hoping the matchup would break the world record for hockey attendance. Michigan and Michigan State's hockey teams drew a record 104,173 fans in 2010.

 Nice to see that the NHL is finally becoming the No Hockey League... One has to wonder if and when will the two sides finally put their differences aside and come to an agreement so we can have an NHL season. It's obvious that the NHL Owners are trying to get the NHLPA to crack and I don't see it happening this time around.

Results of the WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 2

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine. 

Each week, I participate in a WCHA Web Media Poll that is run by the Tech Hockey Guide with 11 other hockey bloggers and writers and Week two of theWCHA Web Media Poll is out.

Michigan Tech jumped from eighth place to fifth and the University of North Dakota dropped one place from second to third place.

	Team	Pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1)	Minnesota (9)	141	1	3-1-0	1	2
2)	Denver (3)	131	3	2-0-0	1	3
3)	North Dakota	123	2	1-1-0	2	4
4)	Minnesota Duluth	96	4	2-2-0	4	8
5)	Michigan Tech	87	8	2-2-0	3	9
6)	Colorado College	80	5	3-1-0	4	10
7)	St. Cloud State	72	7	2-2-0	4	9
8)	Nebraska Omaha	67	6	2-2-0	4	10
9)	Minnesota State	52	10	2-0-2	5	11
10)	Wisconsin	46	9	0-2-0	6	12
11)	Bemidji State	24	11	1-1-0	9	12
12)	Alaska Anchorage	17	12	2-1-1	10	12

Representing Name Publication Twitter

Alaska-Anchorage, Taylor Hall College Hockey News @thall907
Bemidji State, Troy Mills The Beaver Pond
Colorado College, Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey @Paisleyhockey
Denver, Mike Chambers, Denver Post @MChambersDP
Michigan Tech, Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide @TBraunTHG
Minnesota, Dan Myers, Minnesota Hockey Magazine @1DanMyers
Minnesota Duluth, Bruce Ciskie, The Ciskie Blog @BruceCiskie
Minnesota State, Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey @ChrisDilks
Nebraska-Omaha, Matt Semisch, Radio Free Omaha @matthewsemisch
North Dakota, Eric Burton The Hockey Writers Combine and Goon’s World @goon48
St. Cloud State, Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time @jclarson02
Wisconsin, Andy Johnson, Bucky’s 5th Quarter @andyjohnsonB5Q