WCHA Power Rankings 11/11/2012

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s this week’s WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I will be doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel who is a contributor of College Hockey Weekly.

1. Denver University – (7-1-0, WCHA 5-1-0) – This weekend, the Denver Pioneers swept (4-3 W – 3-2 W) the Minnesota State University Mavericks in Mankato. This weekend, the Pioneers have a home and home series with their cross-state rival the Colorado College Tigers.

2. Saint Cloud State – (6-4-0, WCHA 4-2-0) – This past weekend, the Huskies split their series (0-3 L – 5-2 W) with the University of North Dakota at the National Hockey Center. This weekend, the Huskies are idle.

3. University of North Dakota – (4-3-1, WCHA 2-1-1) – This past weekend, UND split their series (3-0 W – 2-5 L) with the with the Saint Cloud State Huskies at the National Hockey Center.  This weekend, UND entertains the last place University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

4. Minnesota Gophers – (6-2-1, WCHA 3-2-1) – This past weekend, the Minnesota Gophers took three points (4-0 W – 2-2 T) from UAA Seawolves in Anchorage, Alaska.  This weekend, the Minnesota Gophers entertain the Wisconsin Badgers.

5. Colorado College – (7-3-0, WCHA 4-0-0) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers swept the Bemidji State Beavers (3-2 W – 6-3 W) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This weekend, the Tigers have a home and home series with their cross-state rivals the Denver Pioneers.

6. Nebraska Omaha – (6-3-1, WCHA 4-1-1) – This past weekend, the Red Mavericks swept (2-1 W – 5-3 W) the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in Omaha, Nebraska. This weekend, the Mavericks are off.

7. Bemidji State – (2-3-1, WCHA 1-2-1) – This past weekend, the Bemidji State Beavers were swept (2-3 L – 3-6 W) by the Colorado College Tigers in Colorado Springs. This weekend, the Beavers entertain the Michigan Tech Huskies at the Sanford Center.

8. Wisconsin – (1-4-1, WCHA 1-2-1) – This past weekend, the Badgers were idle. This weekend the Badgers travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota to play the Minnesota Gophers in the Border Battle.

9. Michigan Tech – (2-6-0, WCHA 1-5-0) – This past weekend, the Huskies were idle.  This weekend, the Huskies travel to Bemidji to play the Beavers.

10. Alaska Anchorage – (2-3-3, WCHA 0-2-2) – This past weekend, the Seawolves were able to salvage a point (0-4 L – 2-2 T) against the Minnesota Gophers at Sullivan Arena. This weekend the Seawolves are again idle. 

11. Minnesota State Mankato – (3-5-2, WCHA 1-5-0) – This past weekend, the Purple Mavericks were swept (2-3 L – 3-4 L) by the Denver Pioneers. This weekend,  the Mavericks are off.

12.   Minnesota Duluth – (2-5-1, WCHA 0-3-1) – This past weekend, the UMD Bulldogs were swept (2-3 L – 3-6 L) by the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks. This weekend the Bulldogs travel down highway 2, to play the University of North Dakota. 

Taylor Seibel's WCHA Power Rankings

1. Denver – (7-1-0, 5-1-0 WCHA) – The Pioneers took care of business in Mankato this past weekend, and they stay atop my WCHA Power Rankings.  While the games were close (both were 1-goal games), the Pioneers did what they needed to do in order to get the sweep.  Next weekend, the Pioneers play a home and home with arch-rival Colorado College.

2. North Dakota – (4-3-1, 2-1-1 WCHA) – UND can thank Clarke Saunders for their split this past weekend in St. Cloud.  The Junior netminder shutout the Huskies on Friday en route to a 3-0 victory.  North Dakota continues to have its struggles, but a road split against St. Cloud is a solid result.  Next weekend North Dakota hosts Minnesota Duluth in WCHA play.

3. St. Cloud State – (6-4-0, 4-2-0 WCHA) – The Huskies played very well against North Dakota, especially in a 5-2 victory on Saturday.  While many SCSU fans will look at this weekend as a missed opportunity to get more points, a split against North Dakota is nothing to be upset about.  SCSU is off next weekend.

4. Colorado College – (7-3-0, 4-0-0 WCHA) – Another weekend, sweep, and the Tigers are off to a great start in WCHA play.  CC has averaged 4.25 goals/game in WCHA play through 4 games, and they will need to keep up that pace if they want to continue their way up the rankings.  CC plays a home and home with arch-rival Denver next weekend.

5. Minnesota – (6-2-1, 3-2-1 WCHA) – The Gophers have arguably the best powerplay in the country, and that showed this weekend as Minnesota scored 5 goals with the man advantage on the weekend.  Unfortunately for Minnesota, they have struggled to find goals even strength.  They will get another chance next weekend as they host arch-rival Wisconsin.

6. Nebraska Omaha – (6-3-1, 4-1-1 WCHA) – The Mavericks continued their strong play, sweeping Minnesota Duluth at home this weekend.  UNO is a dangerous team, and they are capable of wreaking havoc on the rest of the league.  Omaha looks to rest up next weekend, as the Mavericks get a weekend off.

7. Bemidji State – (2-3-1, 1-2-1 WCHA) – The Beavers stay in the #7 spot for at least one more weekend, thanks in large part to most of the bottom-half teams either getting swept (Duluth and Mankato) or having the weekend off (Wisconsin and Tech).  That being said, getting swept in CC is not a great way to move up in the rankings.  The Beavers host Michigan Tech next weekend.

8. Wisconsin – (1-4-1, 1-2-1 WCHA) – Wisconsin had the weekend off, and the Badger faithful hope that they were able to regroup from a disappointing start to the season.  Surely the issues surrounding Nic Kerdiles’ suspension played a role in that, but if Wisconsin wants to make a serious run at home ice this year, they will need better performances.  That starts next weekend when Wisconsin travels to arch-rival Minnesota for a WCHA series.

9. Alaska Anchorage – (2-3-3, 0-2-2 WCHA) – The Seawolves surprised many when they were able to get a road point at North Dakota.  They backed that up with another strong weekend against Minnesota, getting another point against a strong opponent.  UAA will have to improve their penalty kill if they want to maintain this position (or move up).  The Seawolves have next weekend off.

10. Michigan Tech – (2-6-0, 1-5-0 WCHA) – The Huskies benefit from a weekend off, and they move up 1 spot in my rankings.  Tech had big expectations coming into the season, and they were only inflated with a WCHA opening victory over Minnesota.  Since then, Tech is 0-5 in WCHA play.  The Huskies look to get back on track next weekend with a trip to Bemidji State.

11. Minnesota State – (3-5-2, 1-5-0 WCHA) – The Mavericks could have easily split with Denver this weekend, but were unable to take a point in either of their two close games with the Pioneers.  That will have to change if Mankato plans on making a push for home ice this season.  The Mavericks have a weekend off to regroup before traveling to Madison for a series against Wisconsin.

12. Minnesota Duluth – (2-5-1, 0-3-1 WCHA) – The Bulldogs have the offensive talent to compete for home ice, but Duluth will need to get a better showing from their defense and goaltending to do so.  This past weekend the Bulldogs were swept by Omaha, and the schedule is not getting any kinder next weekend, as Minnesota Duluth will have to travel to Grand Forks to take on North Dakota in WCHA play.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings (11/04/2012) (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings (10/14/12) (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 10/21/12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA 2012-13 Season Preview (insidehockey.com)

College Hockey to fill the void left by the NHL

s/t Fargo Sioux from Sioux Sports. 

The NHLPA and the NHL owners have not scheduled any more negotiations and there appears to have been little progress made during the recent CBA talks this past week.

As each week goes by, I get the feeling that NHL hockey fans are in for a long winter with no hockey. 

No NHL Hockey – no worries – hockey fans have some great options tonight. 

So what would have been the opening week of hockey in the NHL – hockey fans can turn their attention to a pretty nice schedule of Division I college hockey on the television screen tonight.  

Here are the channels these games are all times are Central Standard Time and the games are on Directv. 

603 (6:00 pm) - Maine @ Notre Dame – NBC Sports Net

603 (9:00 pm) - Army @ Nebraska-Omaha– NBC Sports Net

623 (6:30 pm) - St. Cloud @ New Hampshire – Fox College Sports

626 (7:30 pm) - USA U18 @ North Dakota– Fox College Sports

668 (6:00 pm) - Michigan State @ Minnesota – Fox Sports North

Related articles

• Updated College Hockey Television Schedule (thehockeywriters.com)
• NHL prospects represented by many current and former College Hockey players (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NHL Fans Do Have Other Options (insidehockey.com)

Results of the 3rd Annual WCHA Blogger & Website Preseason Poll

I participated in the 3rd Annual WCHA Blogger & Website Preseason Poll put on by A Tradition of Excellence and this how the pollsters think the WCHA will shake out this season. 

Team (1st Place Votes)Points

1. Minnesota (15)199

2. North Dakota (2)187

3. Denver (1)162

4. Wisconsin142

5. Minnesota-Duluth126

6. St. Cloud State119

7. Nebraska-Omaha97

8. Colorado College94.5

9. Michigan Tech78.5

10. Minnesota State-Mankato58

11. Bemidji State44

12. Alaska-Anchorage19

The following bloggers  took part in this poll:

Timothy Boger, Kelly Green & White (North Dakota)

Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time (St. Cloud State)

Nathan Wells/@gopherstate, SB Nation MN/College Hockey News/SBNation (Minnesota/WCHA)

Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide (Michigan Tech)

Andrew Craig, College Hockey High Horse (Minnesota-Duluth)

Matt Christians/@Bulldog_Country, Bulldog Country (Minnesota-Duluth)

South Tex Gopher, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)

Steve Fetch/@fetch9, The Checking Line

Zack Friedli, Hockey State of Mind/College Hockey News (Minnesota-Duluth)

Eric Burton (Goon), Goon's World/The Hockey Writers (North Dakota)

GopherGuy33, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)

Andy Johnson, Bucky's 5th Quarter (Wisconsin)

Jeff Baker/@UNOMavMania, Mav Mania (Nebraska-Omaha)

Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey (Colorado College)

gmf1a, CC Tiger Hockey Forum (Colorado College)

Donn Schuschke (Sioux 7), Goon's World (North Dakota)

Matthew Semisch, USCHO

Chad, A Tradition of Excellence (North Dakota)

This was how I think the WCHA will shake out this season.
1. University of Minnesota
2. University of North Dakota
3. University of Wisconsin
4. Denver University
5. University of Minnesota Duluth
6. Colorado College
6. Michigan Tech University
8. University of Nebraska Omaha
9. Saint Cloud State University
10. Bemidji State University
11. Minnesota State University Mankato
12. University of Anchorage Alaska

Related articles

• WCHA 2012-13 season preview (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA 2012-13 Season Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Pre-Season Predictions (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

NCHC to hire Jim Scherr

Kevin Pates posted this in his twitter feed today. Kevin Pates and Brad Schlossman have been on the fore front of getting us the information on the formation of the NCHC.

Related articles

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Goon's WCHA Power Rankings for 11/13/2011

Image via Wikipedia

After a week hiatus the WCHA Power Rankings are back and are posted at Inside Hockey.  Here is the link to Zach Friedli's power rankings.

1. Minnesota – (10-2-0, 7-1-0 WCHA) Split with the Wisconsin Badgers this past weekend in Madison. Up next for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a home and home series with the pesky Saint Cloud State University Huskies. Due to the two schools proximity to each other, this in state series should prove to be an exciting weekend of hockey.  With the Gopher’s win on Saturday night, Don Lucia hit the 300 win mark for his coaching career. 

2. Minnesota Duluth – (7-3-2, 5-2-1 WCHA) Swept the lowly University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in Duluth this past weekend.  Up next for the Bulldogs, a home series with the Minnesota State University Mankato. UMD Bulldog goalie Kenny Reiter has been on fire as of late, in the last seven games that Reiter has played in he has 5-0-2 record with a 1.26 goals against average and a .952 saves percentage. With the shutout on Friday night, Reiter tied the UMD record with 9 career shutouts. The Bulldogs are playing great team defense as well as they are ranked 2^nd in the WCHA.  Just to illustrate how well the Bulldogs are playing defensively they have only given up four goals in last five games.

3. Nebraska Omaha –  (6-5-1, 5-2-1 WCHA) The University of Omaha Nebraska Mavericks took three of four points from the Bemidji State University Beavers in Bemidji, Saturday’s victory against the Beavers was the first in eight games for the Mavericks 1-5-2. Up next for the Mavericks, a trip to Denver to play the Pioneers.  

4.  Denver – (4-3-2, 3-2-2 WCHA), The Pioneer beat their in state rival the Colorado College Tigers 5-4 at home this past weekend, the return game of that series is in Colorado Springs on December 2^nd, that game will be on CBS College Sports at 7:07 MT. Up next for the Pioneers, a home series with the UNO Mavericks.  

5.  Colorado College – (5-2-0, 3-2-0 WCHA) The Colorado College Tigers lost 5-4 in a single game this past weekend against their in state rivals, the Denver Pioneers in Denver. The return game of that series is in Colorado Springs on December 2^nd, that game will be on CBS College Sports at 7:07 MT. Up next for the Tigers, a home date with the Wisconsin Badgers.

 6. Wisconsin – (5-6-1, 4-5-1 WCHA), The Wisconsin Badgers split their series with the high flying Minnesota Gophers. The Badgers took the Gophers to the woodshed on Friday night and looked a step slow against the Gophers in the second game of the series. In my opinion Badgers Defenseman  Justin Schultz (4g-12a—16pts) is  one of the best defensemen in the WCHA. Up next for the Badgers, a trip to the Springs to play the high octane Colorado College Tigers.  

 7.  North Dakota – (3-6-1, 1-5-0 WCHA) The University of North Dakota was idle this past weekend, Up next for the Fighting Sioux, a trip down highway 2 to Bemidji, Minnesota to play the BSU Beavers.  The Sioux are off to their worst start since the 1974-75 season when the Fighting Sioux started the season 1-9-0. The Fighting Sioux hope to regroup against the Bemidji State Beavers, a team the Fighting Sioux have never lost to in the modern era. 

7.  Michigan Tech – (6-3-1, 4-3-1 WCHA), The Huskies was idle this past weekend, Up next for the Michigan Tech Huskies, a trip to Anchorage, Alaska to play the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. People from the Michigan Tech fan base are going to ask me why I don't have the Huskies ranked higher. You can include me in the I am not convinced crowd when it comes to the MTU Huskies. While the Huskies have played better hockey this season, they have also been swept by BSU and beaten badly by MSU-M. 

9.   St. Cloud State – (5-5-2, 3-2-1 WCHA), the Huskies split with the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks in Mankato this past weekend. The Huskies have been bitten by the injury bug and are missing two major cogs in their lineup; senior forward Drew LeBlanc broken leg and junior goalie Mike Lee undisclosed lower body injury. Up next for the Huskies, a home and home series with their in state rival the Minnesota Golden Gophers. 

10. Bemidji State – (4-7-1, 2-5-1 WCHA),  The Bemidji State University Beavers are another team which is hard to figure out, they swept the upstart Michigan Tech Huskies in Bemidji and split with Miami University to start the season but have had trouble getting consistent goaltending and have used all three of their goaltenders so far this season.  Leading scorer junior forward Jordan George (6g-2a-8—pts) has been held scoreless in 7 out of 12 games so far this season.  Up next for the Beavers is the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux who were idle this past weekend.  

11.  Minnesota State – (3-7-0, 2-4-0 WCHA), The Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks have had a tough time with injuries and recently lost six games in a row before winning two of the last three games. The Mavericks split with the SCSU Huskies this past weekend in Mankato. Up next for the Minnesota State Mavericks, a trip to Duluth to play the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The Mavericks who are last in goal scoring in the WCHA are going to have their work cut out for them next weekend against the Bulldogs who have been a defensive juggernaut the last five games.  

 12.  Alaska Anchorage – (3-6-1, 0-6-0 WCHA), The University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves have an impressive 3-0-1 record in non-conference play but a dismal 0-6-0 record in conference play, the Seawolves scored an paltry one goal last weekend and were outscored 8-1 as the Bulldogs swept the Seawolves in Duluth.  Up next for the Seawolves, a home series with the MTU Huskies.

Goon's Weekly Predictions 10-28-10-29

There are eleven teams playing this week in the WCHA, the walking wounded of Minnesota State University Mankato have a bye and they are off this weekend. There are five league game and one non-conference match-up between C.C. and RPI. Following last week record of (7-5) + (7-9) the week before I am now 14-14 for the season in my picks.

Denver vs MTU - DU Sweep
Bemidji vs UMD - Split
St. Cloud State vs UND - Sweep UND
UNO vs Wisconsin - Sweep Wisconsin
Minnesota and Alaska Anchorage - Split
C.C. vs RPI - Sweep Tigers

My new gig

This season I will be writing for Inside Hockey as one of the WCHA writers. You can find my articles at this link [Inside Hockey]. I look forward to the challenge.

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• WCHA to expand... (mvn.com)
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• LSSU, FSU and UAF join the WCHA for the 2013-2014 season. (mvn.com)

2nd Annual WCHA Blogger & Website Preseason Poll

Image via WikipediaOnce again the bloggers of the WCHA had a preseason blogger poll and this is what we came up with, this was the second time that we have conducted this preseason blogger poll. Here are the results as they shook out. There were 17 bloggers/website owners that participated in this poll. s/t Chad from A Tradition of Excellence.

	Team (1st Place Votes)	Points
1.	Denver (10)	196
2.	Colorado College (4)	179
3.	North Dakota (2)	175
4.	Nebraska-Omaha	141
5.	Minnesota-Duluth (1)	140
6.	Minnesota	124.5
7.	Wisconsin	100
8.	St. Cloud State	92
9.	Alaska-Anchorage	68.5
10.	Bemidji State	52
11.	Michigan Tech	30
12.	Minnesota State-Mankato	28

All-Conference Team (15 Voters):

F -	Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College
F -	Jason Zucker, Denver
F -	Jack Connolly, Minnesota-Duluth
D -	Justin Schultz, Wisconsin
D -	Ben Blood, North Dakota
G -	Aaron Dell, North Dakota

Player of the Year:
Jason Zucker, Denver (9)
Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College (8)

Rookie of the Year:
Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota (14)
Jayson Megna, Nebraska-Omaha (1)
Joey LaLeggia, Denver (1)
Josh Archibald, Nebraska-Omaha (1)

Defenseman of the Year (16 Voters):
Justin Schultz, Wisconsin (11)
Ben Blood, North Dakota (4)
Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State (1)

Breakout Player of the Year (16 Voters):
Beau Bennett, Denver (2)
JT Brown, Minnesota-Duluth (2)
Zach Budish, Minnesota (2)
10 Other Players Received 1 Vote

Here is the list of everyone that took part in the blogger poll:
Timothy Boger, (North Dakota)
Donna, Runnin' With the Dogs (Minnesota-Duluth)
Summerzzzoff, CC Tiger Hockey (Colorado College)
Dirty, Dirty's Diatribe (North Dakota)
Nate, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)
Eric, Goon's World (North Dakota)
gmf1a, CC Tiger Hockey Forum (Colorado College)
Nicole, Cute Sports (Wisconsin)
Chuck, Bucky's 5th Quarter (Wisconsin)
Matt, USCHO
Jeremy, Husky Hockey Time (St. Cloud State) 
Tim, Tech Hockey Guide (Michigan Tech)
Jon/Bridget, MavPuck.com (Nebraska-Omaha)
Hammy, Gopher Hockey Blog (Minnesota)
Nate, SB Nation Minnesota/First Round Bust (Minnesota)
Ryan, Gopher Puck Live (Minnesota)
Chad, A Tradition of Excellence (North Dakota)

More Movement in the college hockey world

Image via WikipediaThis is the article I submitted to Inside Hockey.

Today the National Collegiate Hockey Conference added two more teams bringing the number of league teams to eight, Western Michigan University and Saint Cloud State University officially accepted invitations to join the NCHC. Here are some of the comments and themes that emerged from today’s press conference that was held at Saint Cloud. With the subtraction of SCSU the WCHA now has eight teams; Bemidji State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Northern Michigan University, Michigan Tech University, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks. The WCHA is waiting to see if Bowling Green State University will accept an open invitation to join the WCHA.

Not originally in the Mix:

When the NCHC was first announced this past summer the SCSU Huskies were originally left out of the mix and were not one of the founding charter members of the NCHC. After being originally snubbed by the NCHC, there were a lot of things that were said by the SCSU President Dr. Earl Potter; frankly some of his comments were puzzling and bordered on stupidity. Ironically today, SCSU accepted an invitation to join the NCHC. I have always been told that you don’t want to burn bridges that you might have to cross again as you retreat. Today the SCSU athletic department was in full retrograde mode as they gladly accepted a bid to join the NCHC without reservation. I think that’s what rubs some fans from other teams in the NCHC the wrong way. Their administration said a lot of things when the National was first announced and today it was like they had never made those comments.

Here is what Saint Cloud State University President Dr. Earl Potter had to say today about the selection process. During this past summer we had heard from Potter how SCSU was not interested in joining the NCHC and how the teams in the NCHC were only concerned about themselves. This is what he had to say today.

“They [National] needed room to come together to think to create a process, which they did, in the middle of the summer, a rational fact based process that would be based on the core principles of the new conference and then gather information from potential members that they could use; hold up against their core principles and determine whether or not there was a good fit. “

UND athletic director Brian Faison was asked the following question; “now that the conference is at eight members do you see that as being an optimum number or do you see it growing beyond that.” I think in reading these comments, I think most of us know which team Faison is talking about when he talks about the prospects of future teams being added to the mix.

Yes and no. I don’t think there is a set number in our mind, eight works very well in the sense that it’s a a perfect round robin schedule right now because everyone is in everyone rink. From a conference post season perspective, eight works well, in terms in how you structure that, but at the same time that doesn’t preclude us from looking at nine and if it’s the right team is out there for number nine, we would definitely look at that.

Where do we go from here:

If I were a betting man I would say that there are a few more dominoes yet to fall yet this year. Bowling Green State University has one day left in their 30 day period where they need to tell the WCHA commissioner if the Falcons intend to join the league or not, some seem to think that they’re not on a hard dead line and might still be looking for an invitation to join the NCHC. The other team that has yet to pick a conference is Notre Dame and the Irish seem to be waiting to find out where the rest of their sports teams are going to up when Division I football and Basketball are done blowing their conferences up. This isn’t done yet folks.

Related articles

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