Brock Nelson named Inside College Hockey All-American

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athletic logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Official Press Release

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota sophomore forward Brock Nelson has been named to Inside College Hockey’s 2011-12 All-America Third Team. Nelson enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2011-12, leading the Fighting Sioux in points (47) and goals (28) in 42 games and becoming the program’s youngest 20-goal scorer since Jonathan Toews scored 22 in 2005-06.

A native of Warroad, Minn., Nelson led the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in goals and was the WCHA’s only player to score 20 goals during league play. He ranked third nationally in goals, tied for third in game-winning goals (6) and tied for sixth in power-play goals (10). His six GWG tied him for the 10th-best single-season total in school history.

Earlier this month, Nelson was also named to the All-College Hockey News Second Team, as well as the Red Baron WCHA Final Five and NCAA West Region All-Tournament teams. He helped guide the Sioux to their league-record third straight Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA Final Five champions, as well as the No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Regional. Following the season, Nelson signed with the New York Islanders and is currently playing for their American Hockey League affiliate in Bridgeport, Conn.

The 6-foot-4, 192-pound Nelson was a first-round draft pick of the Islanders in 2010, when he was selected 30th overall. Nelson finished his collegiate career with 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points in 84 games.

INCH Power Rankings

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Ohio State
3. Minnesota
4. Notre Dame
5. Boston College
6. Colgate
7. Merrimack
8. Colorado College
9. Western Michigan
10. Denver 11. Union
12. UMass Lowell
13. Boston University
14. Cornell
15. Michigan
16. Michigan State
17. Nebraska-Omaha
18. Northeastern
19. North Dakota — The team that shall not be named is 6-1-1 in their last eight games; they’ve scored 35 goals and given up 21 during that span. 10-8-2 (7-7-0 WCHA) RECENT SCORES: W vs. Russian Red Stars, 5-1 (Ex.); T vs. Harvard, 4-4 ot; W vs. Harvard, 7-3. THIS WEEK: vs. Clarkson (Winnipeg, MB)
20. Lake Superior State 3

Dropped out: Ferris State
Bubble-licious: Air Force, Ferris State, RIT, Yale

For your entertainment the INCH Power Rankings, one thing I do find interesting is that everyone brings up the fact that UND is 6-1-1 in their last 8 games. Since November 19^th UND is 7-2-1 in the last ten games. UND is also 9-4-1 in their last 14 games. Since November 19^th UND has out scored the opposition 38-24. In seven out of those 10 games, UND has scored seven or more goals.

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings for discussion purposes. As expected the UND Fighting Sioux drop a place with their loss on Friday night. There are no real surprises this week.

1. Yale
2. Boston College
3. North Dakota - The eight goals scored by Nebraska Omaha in Grand Forks Friday are the most scored by a visitor in the 10-year history of the new Ralph Engelstad Arena and the most allowed by the Fighting Sioux at home since Minnesota hung a 10 spot on NoDak back in 1992. 18-7-2 (13-5-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: L vs. Nebraska-Omaha, 8-4; W vs. Nebraska-Omaha, 4-2. THIS WEEK: at Colorado College, at Colorado College
4. Minnesota Duluth
5. Denver
6. Michigan
7. New Hampshire
8. Rensselaer
9. Union
10. Merrimack
11. Wisconsin
12. Notre Dame
13. Miami
14. Maine
15. Nebraska-Omaha
16. Western Michigan
17. Boston University
18. Dartmouth
19. Ohio State
20. Princeton
Dropped out: Alaska
Bubble-licious: Colorado College, Minnesota, Niagara, RIT

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Ranking for a good laugh.

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Yale
3. Nebraska-Omaha
4. Boston University
5. Maine
6. North Dakota - After a win and tie against Notre Dame at Engelstad Arena, the Sioux are still looking for their first home sweep of the season. With 10 of their next 15 at home, they’ll have plenty of opportunities. 9-5-2 (7-3-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Notre Dame, 6-3; T vs. Notre Dame, 2-2 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. St. Cloud State, vs. St. Cloud State
7. New Hampshire
8. Union
9. Miami
10. Michigan
11. Denver
12. Notre Dame
13. Boston College
14. Alaska
15. Wisconsin
16. Rensselaer
17. Merrimack
18. Ferris State
19. Minnesota
20. Western Michigan

Dropped out: None
Bubble-licious: Brown, Dartmouth, Robert Morris

INCH Power Rankings - Sioux 8th

INCH Power Rankings

1 Miami of Ohio
2 Minn. Duluth
3 Boston University
4 Boston College
5 Michigan
6 Maine
7 Yale
8 North Dakota - The Fighting Sioux outshot Denver by a 63-34 margin last weekend, but the Pioneers outscored NoDak by a 6-4 margin. Feel free to jump to your own conclusion here. 4-3-1 (3-1-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Denver, 4-3; L vs. Denver, 3-0. THIS WEEK: vs. Minnesota Duluth, vs. Minnesota Duluth.
9 Union
10 Michigan State
11 New Hampshire
12 Notre Dame
13 Denver
14 Nebraska-Omaha
15 Alaska Fairbanks
16 Wisconsin
17 Rensselaer
18 Merrimack
19 Robert Morris
20 Quinnipiac

I must say that I am surprised that UND is still in 8th I was expecting to be dropped to 10th in the power rankings.

INCH Chat.

Here is the latest from the boy from INCH in this weeks Chat with Inside College Hockey. I found it the INCH chat to be interesting as usual, and there was some really good questions, it is just too bad that the chat is only a half hour long. I was also kind of shocked by Mike Eidelbe's answer to the fan from Fargo, ND. Lots of calls from Fargo, ND today.

Steiny (NYC): What are the chances Minnesota-Duluth upsets Colorado College?

Jess Myers: The Bulldogs won and tied in Colorado Springs earlier this season, so it's not like there's no chance, but Minnesota Duluth heads into the playoffs with zero momentum, having gone 0-3-2 in their last five games, and letting leads slip away in all of them. With CC playing much better in the past few weeks, I'm not expecting an upset.
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Drew (Lakewood CO): What do you think is going to happen with the first round with the WCHA. Do you think all the tops seeds will make it to St. Paul or not, which ones and why? And what are the chances or the Gophers making the NCAA tournament?

Jess Myers: If the Gophers get to the Final Five, their chances are pretty good. But that's still a big if, with a dangerous St. Cloud State team visiting this weekend. As for round one, I'm picking two upsets -- Minnesota State over Wisconsin (the Badgers haven't played well for a month, and the Mavs are the hotter team) and Alaska Anchorage over Denver (the Seawolves are the hottest team in the league heading into the postseason). Still, look for Denver to make the NCAA tournament and even make some noise there (2004, anyone?).
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Eric (Fargo, ND): What are the chances that Lucia gets fired as the coach of Minnesota if his team don't produce next season? Seems like the people in Mpls are getting antsy.

Jess Myers: There was a piece in the Minneapolis paper speculating about that very idea today. Men's hockey is generally the one island of stability in the Minnesota athletic department, so I think it would take more than mediocre play to force Lucia onto the unemployment line. But if his health continues to be an issue, all bets are off.
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Derrick, Fargo, ND: What kind of blueprint is needed to take down both Boston U and Notre Dame? Obviously no team possesses what takes to beat them now, or both respective clubs would have more losses, but what clubs possess the necessary ingredients to cause an upset? Thanks

Mike Eidelbes: The easiest way is to have your goaltender steal a game. A team like Michigan is dangerous because they can score in bunches and are solid defensively, and I think North Dakota matches up well with both because they're tough, experienced, play well as a team, and always find a way to win.

INCH Power Rankings.

INCH Power Rankings
March 8, 2009
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Michigan
4. Northeastern
5. North Dakota - On Dec. 28, the Fighting Sioux dropped a 2-1 decision to Michigan Tech in the GLI consolation game. This weekend, the WCHA champs host the Huskies in a first-round playoff series. Would this be categorized as coming half circle? 22-12-4 (17-7-4 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Wisconsin, 2-1; L at Wisconsin, 4-1. THIS WEEK: vs. Michigan Tech (WCHA First Round Series)
6. Denver
7. Vermont
8. Miami
9. Yale
10. Princeton
11. New Hampshire
12. Cornell
13. St. Lawrence
14. Ohio State
15. Colorado College
16. Minnesota
17. Boston College
18. Wisconsin
19. St. Cloud State
20. Air Force

Dropped out: Minnesota Duluth

Bubble-licious: RIT, UMass Lowell

I am actually surprised that INCH put us infront of Denver University.

INCH CHAT...

Here is the latest from the boys at INCH. First; call me a homer but I think UND is a little stronger than Denver right now, when the Pioneers get Tyler Bozak back then I think they are probably a little better than the Fighting Sioux.

Second; I don't see Walski playing this weekend, UND doesn't have the luxury of giving him another start, he played himself out of a starting job at the beginning of the season. I don't see how it would benefit UND in playing Walski. Based on the PWR numbers the Fighting Sioux can't afford to just throw games away. This is Brad Eidsnes's team and he has earned the Starting position on the merits of his play. Brad Eidsness give the Fighting Sioux the best chance to win this weekend. Again over the last twenty three games the Badgers and Sioux have spilt the series 11-11-1, In Madison the Sioux have gone 3-2 the last 5 games in Madison. Last season the Sioux were 2-1.

Third I could see the MTU Huskies winning a game against the Gophers this weekend. The Gophers have gone 2-4-2 in February and 6-8-2 since the turn of the year. It's the Huskies last weekend of hockey in Houghton, Michigan before they travel to Denver or Grand Forks, ND. Look for the Huskies to clog up the neutral zone and give the Gophers fits. I also expect the Huskies to hit the Gophers every chance they get.

Eric Fargo, ND: The Sioux have made another fabulous second half run. They have four lines contributing to the scoring. So what do the INCH guys think about UND chances to make the Frozen Four this year?

Jess Myers: If I were a betting man, I would not pick them to get to DC. Of the past five Sioux teams, this one is probably the deepest because the lack of a superstar (like Toews or Oshie) makes them harder to play, and kudos to them on a widely-expected MacNaughton Cup this weekend. But if I had to pick a WCHA team to get to the Frozen, I would pick Denver right now.
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KS (Minneapolis-for now): Since I'll be watching the next batch of stars tonight at Mariucci, I'll miss the UM/Tech game. Unless I ignore work-and watch the live scoring-I can only imagine what happens. Put me, and the rest of Gopher Nation at ease and tell me they get 4 this weekend and make some noise at the Final Five.

Jess Myers: I'm picking a split. The Huskies have not won a WCHA game since Halloween night, but they've been pesky at home lately, earning some nice ties with teams clearly more talented than them. Combine the emotion of senior night with the fact that not many of us are sold on this Gopher team lately and I see Minnesota bringing two points home on the long bus ride from the U.P.
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Dustin (Grand Forks): If North Dakota clinches the cup with their game Friday, does Dave Hakstol give senior goalie Aaron Walski a start for Saturday?

Jess Myers: Yes. It makes sense to give Brad Eidsness a physical and mental break heading into what could be a tougher-than-expected playoff series with Michigan Tech.
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Ryan (Grand Forks, ND): Do you think Ryan Duncan is an underrated player this year? He wasn't on the ballet for WCHA player of the year, but he is near the top in most statistics. That doesn't even take into account his leadership and all the hard work he brings to every shift on the ice that helped him win a Hobey a few years back. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Jess Myers: Duncan has been a pure joy to watch on the ice and, as a member of the media, to cover. I agree with you that for a guy with a Hobey on his resume, he's surprisingly overlooked a great deal. Part of that is his size, and part of it is by his own design, as Ryan is always quick to proclaim there are no superstars on the Sioux roster
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INCH Power Rankings

March 1st 2009
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Northeastern
4. Michigan
5. North Dakota — The Fighting Sioux, one point from winning the WCHA regular-season title, are 12-1-3 since Jan. 1. With their penchant for second-half success, maybe Dave Hakstol should schedule all 36 games after Christmas from here on out. 21-11-4 (16-6-4 WCHA) LAST WEEK: T vs. Colorado College, 4-4 ot; W vs. Colorado College, 4-3 ot. THIS WEEK: at Wisconsin, at Wisconsin
6. Denver
7. Vermont
8. Miami
9. Yale
10. Princeton
11. New Hampshire
12. Cornell
13. St. Lawrence
14. Ohio State
15. Colorado College
16. Minnesota
17. Minnesota Duluth
18. St. Cloud State
19. Boston College
20. Wisconsin

Dropped out: UMass Lowell

Bubble-licious: Air Force, RIT

I never thought I would see UND ranked so high in an INCH power rankings.

INCH chat

This is one of the most uneventful INCH chats that I have seen for some time. I don't know what to make out of that? No Red meat.

Mark: Fargo, ND: Alright Jess! Are you ready to jump on the Sioux bandwagon - this is a very balanced team, runnning Four strong lines. Do you now see the Sioux winning the WCHA?

Jess Myers: Absolutely! I just got my green and white boxers back from the dry cleaners and I'm ready for the stretch run! But seriously, I didn't
see the Sioux making this kind of second half rally, which is a failing on my part, because they do so every year. The rapid growth and adjustment to the college game by their talented freshmen has made the biggest difference in the past month. My head says I should pick the Sioux to win the league title based on the way they're playing right now, but something tells me they'll finish just a bit behind Denver. That of course sets up the inevitable rematch in St. Paul in
March.
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Alex (Fargo): What are the chances North Dakota makes the NCAA tourney?

Jess Myers: Right now they look pretty solid for a top four finish in the WCHA, which would make them a near-lock for the field of 16.
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Avan (Boston): Can you remember a more talented group of defensemen than the one BU has had the luxury of throwing out there every game this season?

Mike Eidelbes: I can remember, if I go all the way back to ... this season. BU has a nice defensive corps, but the Notre Dame group (Kyle Lawson, Ian Cole, Teddy Ruth, Brett Blatchford) is right there with them as is Wisconsin (Jamie McBain, Brendan Smith, Cody Goloubef, Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner). North Dakota's group from last year (Taylor Chorney, Chay Genoway, Rob Bina, Joe Finley, etc.) was a good crew, too.

Some more INCH stuff.

Jess Meyers who covers the WCHA for INCH has a really nice article with Jean-Philippe Lamoureux:

During last year's NCAA West Regional in Denver, an Inside College Hockey staffer in attendance at North Dakota's wins against Michigan and Minnesota noted that Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was a battler. Listed as 5-foot-8, the Grand Forks native never cedes control of the blue paint and never, ever gives up on a puck.

Sure, he's a scrapper, but Lamoureux is also one of the nation's elite goaltenders. He leads Division I backstops in goals against average (1.64), save percentage (.936), is tied for first in the country with six shutouts, and ranks tied for second in the land in wins (27).

The guy who puts the fight in the Fighting Sioux and one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award is a major reason North Dakota is making its fourth consecutive Frozen Four appearance. In order to win the school's first national title since 2000, Lamoureux and Co. will have to conquer Boston College, the team that has knocked the Sioux in the semifinal round in both 2006 and 2007. (Read the whole interview) here.

Here are a couple of pointed questions that I like from the ESPN/INCH Chat

Good to see that INCH is still in Miami's court after they were bounced from the NCAA torney, Miami is now 2-5 in the NCAA tourney.

Ben (Grand Forks, ND): What was your favorite Regional moments?

Jeff Howe INCH: Watching the battle between Ryan Jones and Nathan Gerbe. While they weren't necessarily going one on one with each other, it was a real treat to watch them each create countless scoring chances for their teams.

Ryan (Grand Forks, ND): Did J.P.L. get snubbed by not being included in the Hobey Hat Trick? I thought last weekend locked up a solid second place behind Porter.

Joe Gladziszewski INCH/Hockey East/EZAC/CCHA appologist: I don't think it was a snub, more just a reflection on how strong the other three candidates were. The question that I had all along about Lamoureux's worthiness was that he wasn't even the First Team goalie in the WCHA. He became much more popular, it seems, when Bachman wasn't among the Hobey finalists.

stjerno (GF): Ryan Jones. Why? JPL 1.64 GAA .936 SP 6 SO SOS=first Ryan Jones plays on yet another overrated team in an overrated league.

Joe Gladziszewski INCH/Hockey East/EZAC/CCHA apologist: Ryan Jones was one of the best players on the best teams in the nation. That "overrated" league won six games last weekend in the NCAA Regional, including two head-to-head match ups against WCHA schools. Jones is the nation's leading goal scorer, a fantastic leader, and was consistent all year long.

Goon's perspective

Just for the record; C.C. hasn't won an NCAA title since 1957 and like SCSU is known for the NCAA tourney chokes. Since winning the the WCHA regular season championship and their first round WCHA series against the 10th place WCHA team the Tigers were 0-3 the rest of the way in the playoffs (Mcnaughton Curse). SCSU has never won an NCAA playoff games and throughly disappointed me by losing to the EZAC champs the Clarkson Knights. In defense of the WCHA 3 of the 6 WCHA teams from the WCHA were stuck in the same regional, hum, while the CCHA teams were spread out in the field.