NCAA Round up.

Here is the latest blog article that I wrote for Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.

Top Match ups

Michigan versus Miami

In a key CCHA matchup, the Miami RedHawks 12-5-3 travels to Ann Arbor to play the Michigan Wolverines 13-7-0. Michigan is coming off the GLI championship while Miami limps into Ann Arbor after going 0-2 losing to two of the worst teams in division one hockey Clarkson and Army at the Ohio Hockey Classic.

Prediction: Miami swept the Wolverines earlier in Oxford Ohio 2-0, 2-1 but I don’t expect the same results this time. Michigan is playing better hockey and Miami is going to be reeling from losing two games to two horrible teams. Michigan wins 4-1 and 5-2 behind as strong goaltending performance of starting goaltender Bryan Hogan 11-1-0 1.95 GAA and sv% .917.

Minnesota Golden Gophers versus the North Dakota Fighting Sioux

The Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-3-5 travel to Ralph Engelstad Arena to play a two game series against their heated rival the Fighting Sioux 11-10-1. For the Sioux they must get at least two-three points to stay in the race for an NCAA playoff bid.

It may only be January but this game already will have a playoff feel to it, every game, every series is going to be a must win if they the Fighting Sioux want to be successful in the second half of the season and make another run to the NCAA playoffs.

These games are extra important to the Sioux because they are fighting to get home ice for the WCHA playoffs as well. Both teams are also playing for pride and don’t want to be on the losing end of the score board. Records mean nothing going into this series; in fact you can throw them out the window. For the Gophers they are eyeing the top spot in the WCHA standings as well as solidifying an NCAA playoff berth.

Goaltending is going to be key for this series for the Gophers they have a solid goaltender in sophomore Alex Kangas who has a record of (10-3-5), with a 2.19 goals against average and a save percentage of .921. For the Fighting Sioux rookie goalie Brad Eidsness has a record of (11-7-1), with a goals against average of 2.68 with a save percentage of .907. The success of both teams depends on these two goaltenders.

Top scorers for the Sioux are: Brad Miller 4-17-21, Chay Genoway 2-19-21, Chris VandeVelde 7-9-16, Ryan Martens 8-7-15.

Top Scorers for the Golden Gophers are; Ryan Stoa 11-12-23, Jordan Schroeder 7-14-21, Jay Barriball 6-10-16


Prediction: The Sioux have a 9-6-1 record the last 16 games against the Gophers. The Fighting Sioux win on Friday 3-2 and the Gophers and Sioux tie on Saturday night 3-3.

Goon’s Top Ten

1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Northeastern
5. Denver
6. Miami
7. Boston College
8. Colorado College
9. Michigan
10. Vermont