Goon goes Five Hole... NCAA round up

Here is a blog post that I submitted to Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.

Wisconsin @ University of North Dakota

The Wisconsin Badgers (0-5-1) have given up an unimpressive 5 goals or more in five of six games this season. Wisconsin usually known for it airtight defense is looking more like Swiss cheese, full of holes. It will be interesting to see what Badgers team comes to Grand Forks, ND this weekend.

Up front the Wisconsin Badgers by freshman Jordy Murray (1-3-4) and junior Michael Davies (2-2-4). Incidentally the top point getters for the Wisconsin Badgers are a couple of defenseman Sophomore Ryan McDonagh (2-3-5) and much heralded freshman Jake Gardiner (0-5-5).

North Dakota on the other hand has one win to its credit in four games and has given up an unimpressive 16 goals in 4 games. In the goals-against column those numbers will need to improve if the Sioux are going to make another run to the Frozen Four this season. In goal for the Sioux much heralded freshman Brad Eidsness has been the better of the two goalies (1-1-0) goals against average 4.00 and a 0869 save percentage. While his numbers are unimpressive he did play better in his second start against Minnesota State.

Upfront for the Sioux are lead by 2007 Hobey Baker winner senior Ryan Duncan (1-2-3) and Senior Ryan Martens (2-1-3)
Prediction: Sioux 3 points

Minnesota State @ Minnesota

On paper this should prove to be a good series. This series is the rematch of last season’s first round WCHA playoff series between the Mavericks and Gophers. The Gopher hooked, slashed and held their way to win the series when all three games went to over time. Both teams are lead by stellar goaltenders so expect two low scoring games.

MSU-M is lead by rock-solid senior goaltender Mike Zacharias (3-1-0) goals against average 2.25 save percentage of .928, who has been a solid reliable goaltender in 3+ seasons at MSU-M (34-25-10). Zacharias was undefeated until the Mavericks lost a 4-3 game to the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota two Saturdays ago.

Minnesota is lead by sophomore goalie Alex Kangas (3-0-1) goals against average 1.72 and a save percentage of .936 who has been pretty sharp so far this season stopping 103/110 shots.

The Mavericks are an older team and the Gophers have 13 freshmen on this season’s roster.
Prediction: Split

Goon’s Top Ten
1.)BU
2.)C.C.
3.)B.C.
4.)Northeastern
5.)Minnesota
6.)New Hampshire
7.)Denver University
8.)Michigan
9.)Michigan State
10.) Miami