Bird cage liner: INCH'S WCHA Predicted Finish

Here is something you can line your bird cage with or put in your cat’s litter box; seriously folks it is no mystery that the writers at INCH are trying to get a rise out of their readership or they just plain didn’t do their homework.

First off: I am not all that shocked because this article was posted on INCH. Let’s just say INCH has a history of trying to incite the masses, by writing silly things. Most objective WCHA fans know that INCH has a love feast for Hockey East, EZAC and the CCHA and cant see past border of Michigan.

Also, INCH has a history of being wrong and writing stupid things about WCHA, that is why I take more credence in what the College Hockey News has to say they are more objective and balanced. All you have to do is listen to one of their podcasts and you will see what I mean. That is how I stay motivated during my winter workouts, I listen to INCH podscasts and it drives me nuts. That being said I do actually expect more out Jess Myers who is supposed to be a WCHA guy and usually doesn't write this type of objectionable garbage. I don't see a 7th place finish for the Sioux and if they do it isn't going to be pretty in Grand Forks, ND.

October 2, 2008
2008-09 WCHA Preview --- By Jess Myers
Predicted Finish

1. Colorado College: Yes, Jack Hillen is gone. But so many formidable elements return as the Tigers seek their fourth MacNaughton Cup in the past seven seasons.
2. Denver: Rakhshani and Ruegsegger (with a hefty helping of Bozak) make the Pioneers as hard to stop as they are to spell. The lone question is in goal.
3. St. Cloud State: Good goaltending and great offense return to the fold, as Husky fans swear this is the year they'll be playing in April, in Roe's backyard.
4. Wisconsin: With Gardiner joining McBain, Smith, Goloubef and McDonagh on the back side, the Badgers have arguably the most defensive talent in the nation.
5. Minnesota State: The political world isn't the only place where you'll find hard-working Mavericks who talk about the importance of veteran experience.
6. Minnesota: Thirteen members of the Gopher roster didn't play college hockey last year. A dozen of them are freshmen, and one, thankfully, is Ryan Stoa.
7. North Dakota: A lack of proven talent in goal is the big question for the Sioux. Of course, we had similar thoughts about CC last year, and that turned out fine.
8. Minnesota Duluth: The offensive depth and the goaltending are the bright spots at the DECC. But defensive questions need answers for the Bulldogs to move up.
9. Michigan Tech: The duo of Nolan in goal and Kinrade on the blue line is a good place to start. But the Huskies need goal-scorers to stay in the home ice race.
10. Alaska Anchorage: The trio of Lunden, Crowder and Clark combined for 73 points last season. Beyond them, well, did we mention that you can see Russia?

Here is what Ryan Duncan had to say on the Fighting Sioux chances, first thing that comes to mind is nice job of sand bagging Ryan. I have to admit that Duncan is class act and of course he isn't going to tip his hat on how good UND is going to be this year.

PRIMED FOR A FALL

North Dakota doesn't have any superstars, unless you count a former Hobey Baker winner.
The words sound like a sports cliché, until you remember that the guy uttering them has a Hobey on his resume.

"There are no superstars on our team this year," said North Dakota senior forward Ryan Duncan, who took home the game's top individual award as a sophomore. "There's a different team aspect here than in previous years."

The list of would-be Fighting Sioux who have elected to take a paycheck instead of a fourth (or in some cases, a third) year of college hockey is impressive. What remains in Grand Forks is a close-knit group of seven seniors determined to lead North Dakota on a fifth straight Frozen Four trip, and to win two more games than they have in previous years. Still, there are myriad questions to be answered about defense, goaltending (returning senior Aaron Walski has less than two full games worth of playing time in his college career) and who will lead the offense. Duncan welcomes the challenge, and invites opponents to make him the center of attention at their peril.

"If you're going to concentrate on me, you're going to have a whole heap of trouble from other guys," said Duncan, who is the team's top returning scorer with 40 points last season. "I'm just one piece of the puzzle, so if they want to focus on me, that's fine."