INCH chat

Here is yet another interesting chat from the boys at INCH. Not anything that I would consider red meat or controversial. I don't think Toews left to early and I agree that Finley would have made some kind of an impact whether he played in the AHL or in the NHL. Same old crap about Air Force everyone thinks they are impressive. blah, blah, blah...

Tom (Dollar Bay, Mich.): With four mediocre teams headed to the Joe, this will be the least-interesting GLI ever!

Joe Gladziszewski: I'll disagree with this opinion. The lack of a proven national power might make it more interesting. Any of the four teams could win, despite the struggles of Michigan State and Michigan Tech, and less than stellar starts from North Dakota and Michigan. The Wolverines will be without forwards Matt Rust and Aaron Palushaj due to World Juniors. Hard to pick a favorite right now for the Great Lakes Invitational.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim (Starkweather, ND): Some people argue that Toews left Grand Forks a year too early. Did Finley and Duncan stay a year too late?

Jess Myers: I would never argue that a player should leave college early. Selfishly, college hockey people like watching them play for four years, and it's fun to see what an upperclassmen-dominated team with skill can do. With that said, his nagging injury notwithstanding, Finley probably could have made an impact in the AHL or even the NHL this season, with his blessings of size and skill. Duncan is a dynamic player and the success of people like Brian Gionta, Martin St. Louis and Nathan Gerbe has shown that smaller college guys can make a living in this game. But not having Toews and Oshie around him may be hurting the perception of Duncan's offensive potential.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William (Atlanta): Two part question, first off I was able to catch the CC AF game last weekend along with the AF DU game. Were you guys as impressed with the academy as I was and do you see them making a slash in the tourny this year? Part two: The Sioux travel to Harvard this week, do you guys see a strong weekend out of them b/c to me they seem like the Gophers of last year, good overall talent, poor results...

Joe Gladziszewski: Personally, I am impressed with what Air Force has done. They've taken care of business in Atlantic Hockey and got a good win over Colorado College and played Denver tough. It used to be considered a "bye" to the second round when you drew the Atlantic Hockey rep in the NCAA bracket, but I don't think there's a single team in the nation that'll want to match up against the Falcons and that high-scoring offense in this year's NCAAs.

Joe Gladziszewski: ... second part of the question - North Dakota does have some talent. Not so sure about their goaltending, and seemed to get a spark from its offense with seven goals last weekend against Cornell. But then, just one goal the next night. For North Dakota to have success in the standings, they've got to be more consistent.