Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Updated: Goon's 2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo
Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A Tradition of Excellence Blog, a hockey blog dedicated to UND hockey, distributed a ballot for the Second Annual 2012-13 Blogger/Website All-WCHA Awards Poll to the various fan bloggers and fan message boards from around the WCHA.
The voters were asked to pick the first, second, third and rookie teams just like the WCHA voters from the media. We also picked the player of the year, rookie of the year, defensive player of the year and coach of the year.
The ballots had to be back by today (3/14/2013).  
This is the ballot that I submitted, I stand by this ballot. Your critique is appreciated and welcome; however, if your sole purpose is to attack me, you might want to think twice before posting.
You’re also welcome to include your ballot as well if you want.
Everyone sees the game of hockey a little differently and through a different scope/lens.
First off, this was a tough year, there are so many good players that could have been selected to be on this year’s ballot and I know from posting this ballot on my blog; in some fans’ opinion, I have slighted their favorite player(s).
To those people, I apologize.
For the most part, I have been able to watch most if not all of the players in the WCHA this season. This past weekend, I was able to get a closer look at the Minnesota Gophers live in Bemidji, Minnesota.
In my opinion, Nate Schmidt (8g-22a—30tps) is the best defenseman in the WCHA, if I was a Gophers fan I would be worried, the free agent is going to get offers from professional hockey teams in the offseason. Schmidt is the real deal.
I also think that Ryan Walters (21g-29a—50tps) is the hands down favorite for Players of the Year in the WCHA. Ryan Walters is also the real deal and will garner free agent offers from professional hockey teams in the offseason as well.
My pick for Rookie of the year is Jonny Brodzinski (19g-11a—30pts), this is the same kid that only scored (10g-12a—22pts) in 58 games with the Fargo Force of the USHL the year before. Brodzinski, the undrafted 6’1’ 200 pound forward from Ham Lake Minnesota is becoming an unstoppable force on the ice and the Huskies are 17-6-1 when he scores at least a point.  
Bob Moztko had this to say about his rookie forward after a series earlier this season, when he [Brodzinski] shoots the puck people are going to start see that it’s a big league shot, and it’s just deadly – he’s a big strong kid – he gets open, he reminds me of a kid [Matt Frattin] they had here a couple of years ago – a kid that shot every time he had the puck.”
Coach of the year, I thought Mike Hastings earned the award with his team’s finish, especially after finishing 11th, the year before. I can see an argument for Bob Motzko from Saint Cloud State as well, but they had a lot of returning players, so the Huskies winning the league title this season wasn’t really a shock to anyone.

All-WCHA First Team
F – Corban Knight, UND
F – Ryan Walters, UNO
F – Erik Haula, UMN  
D – Nate Schmidt, UMN
D – Joey LaLeggia, DU
G – Stephon Williams, MSU

All-WCHA Second Team
F – Drew LeBlanc, SCSU
F – Danny Kristo, UND
F – Rylan Schwartz, C.C.
D – Mike Bovin C.C.
D – Nick Jensen, SCSU
G – Adam Wilcox, UMN

All-WCHA Third Team
F – Matt Leitner, MSU
F – Alexander Krushelnyski, C.C.
F – Nic Dowd, SCSU
D – Andrew Prochno, SCSU
D – Dillon Simpson, UND
G – Joel Rumpel, UW

All-WCHA Rookie Team
F – Rocco Grimaldi, UND
F – Alex Petan, MTU
F – Jonny Brodzinski, SCSU
D – Nolan Zajac, DU
D – Jordan Schmaltz, UND
G – Zane Gothberg, UND

WCHA Player of the Year – Ryan Walters, UNO

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year – Nate Schmidt, UMN

WCHA Rookie of the Year – Jonny Brodzinski, SCSU

WCHA Coach of the Year – Mike Hastings, MSU

*WCHA Goaltender of the Year will be the First Team Goaltender

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

UND’s Zane Gothberg name Red Baron Co-Defensive player of the week

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo
Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Third time is a charm for UND's Freshman goalie Zane Gothberg

MADISON, Wis. – A pair of goaltenders who both totalled more than 70 saves in league competition last weekend, Colorado College’s Joe Howe and University of North Dakota’s Zane Gothberg, have been named Red Baron® WCHA Men’s co-Defensive Players of the Week for March 12.

Howe, a 6-0, 195-pound senior from Plymouth, Minn., turned aside 31 shots on goal last Friday (March 8) in a 2-0 setback at Michigan Tech before coming back with 46 stops to lead the visiting Tigers to a 4-3 road victory over the Huskies last Saturday (March 9). He posted 77 total saves in the series, with double-digit stop totals in all six periods and 20 in the second stanza of game two, and helped his team kill off seven of eight MTU power-plays.

Gothberg, a 6-2, 198-pound freshman from Thief River Falls, Minn., had a hot hand throughout visiting North Dakota’s WCHA series split at Minnesota State, stopping 72 shots – the most in a two-game series by a UND goalie this season. In last Friday’s 4-3 UND win, Gothberg made a career-high 37 saves, including 14 in the third period. The following night, he added another 35 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss in the regular season finale, which ended his personal six-game unbeaten streak. 

Gothberg, who is 4-1-2 with a .937 save percentage since Feb. 1, led the WCHA in winning percentage during league play (.708) and finished fourth in save percentage.

Also nominated: Matt Prapavessis, D, BSU; Joey LaLeggia, D, DU; Steven Seigo, D, MTU; Andrew Prochno, D, SCSU.


UND's WCHA Players of the Week
Nov. 20: Danny Kristo (Offensive)
Dec. 11:   Carter Rowney (Offensive)
Dec. 11:   Rocco Grimaldi (co-Rookie)
Dec. 18:   Corban Knight (Offensive)
Jan. 8:     Corban Knight (co-Offensive)
Feb. 5:     Zane Gothberg (Rookie)
Feb. 12:   Zane Gothberg (Defensive)
Feb. 27:   Danny Kristo (co-Offensive)
Mar. 12:  Zane Gothberg (co-Defensive)


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Monday, March 11, 2013

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 22


Each week, I participate in a WCHA Web Media Poll that is put on by the Tech Hockey Guide with 11 other people that represent both the print media as well as the hockey blogosphere. This is the final WCHA Web Media Poll.
This week, again, positions 1 – 3 remain the same, as well as 7 – 12; the middle of the poll is again, all mixed up. Minnesota State after splitting with North Dakota dropped from fourth-to-sixth place. Wisconsin stayed at fifth place and Denver moved up to fourth place from sixth place.
Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 22:
PlaceTeamptsPreviousRecordHighLow
1.Minnesota (6)138124-7-512
2.St. Cloud State (6)136221-14-114
3.North Dakota120319-10-733
4.Denver99619-11-546
5.Wisconsin98517-12-746
6.Minnesota State93422-11-326
7.Nebraska Omaha60718-16-2710
8.Colorado College59814-17-5710
9.Minnesota Duluth57914-17-579
10.Michigan Tech391012-18-4811
11.Bemidji State25116-20-81011
12.Alaska Anchorage12124-23-71212
Representing Name Publication Twitter
Alaska-Anchorage, Taylor Hall College Hockey News @thall907
Bemidji State, Troy Mills The Beaver Pond
Colorado College, Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey @Paisleyhockey
Denver, Mike Chambers, Denver Post @MChambersDP
Michigan Tech, Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide @TBraunTHG
Minnesota, Dan Myers, Minnesota Hockey Magazine @1DanMyers
Minnesota Duluth, Bruce Ciskie, The Ciskie Blog @BruceCiskie
Minnesota State, Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey @ChrisDilks
Nebraska-Omaha, Matt Semisch, Radio Free Omaha @matthewsemisch
North Dakota, Eric Burton The Hockey Writers Combine and Goon’s World @goon48
St. Cloud State, Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time @jclarson02
Wisconsin, Andy Johnson, Bucky’s 5th Quarter @andyjohnsonB5Q
Cross-posted at the Hockey Writes Combine.
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Saturday, March 09, 2013

Tweets of interest - WCHA Hockey
















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(Scenarios) Crazy for just another day; WCHA race going down to the wire



This Week in the WCHA

Results of Friday, March 8: Colorado College 0 at Michigan Tech 2 (WCHA); St. Cloud State 4 at Wisconsin 2 (WCHA); Nebraska Omaha 4 at Minnesota Duluth 5 (WCHA); Minnesota 4 at Bemidji State 3 (WCHA); North Dakota 4 at Minnesota State 3 (WCHA); Alaska Anchorage 1 at Denver 7 (WCHA).

Games for Saturday, March 9: Colorado College at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET; Minnesota at Bemidji State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; North Dakota at Minnesota State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; St. Cloud State at Wisconsin (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Nebraska Omaha at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT.

Games for Sunday, March 10: Alaska Anchorage at Denver (WCHA), 11:07 am MT.

It looks like North Dakota is either going to play the Bemidji State Beavers or the Michigan Tech Huskies in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. 

North Dakota (35 points, at Minnesota State):
- Seeded 2nd with a win and a Minnesota tie or loss.
- Seeded 2nd with a tie and a Minnesota loss.
- Seeded 3rd with a win and a Minnesota win.
- Seeded 3rd with a tie and a Minnesota win or tie.
- Seeded 3rd with a loss.

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Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Dusting off an old post going into the last week of the season


This tweet, caused me to look at this blog pre-season poll... How wrong does it appear might have been, at least as far as standings?

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

Player of the Year (17 Voters)
Nick Bjugstad, Minnesota (9)

Others receiving multiple votes:
Mark Zengerle, Wisconsin (4)
Erik Haula, Minnesota (2)

Rookie of the Year (17 Voters)
Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota (6)
Others receiving multiple votes:

Nic Kerdiles, Wisconsin (4)
Andy Welinski, Minnesota-Duluth (2)
Austin Farley, Minnesota-Duluth (2)

Defenseman of the Year (17 Voters)
Joey LaLeggia, Denver (9)

Others receiving multiple votes:
Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State (3)
Nate Schmidt, Minnesota (2)

Breakout Player of the Year (17 Voters)
Caleb Herbert, Minnesota-Duluth (2)
Andrej Sustr, Nebraska-Omaha (2)

13 others received a single vote.

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 

So look who's sitting in third place... Now my vote doesn't look too bad, at least there. 


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Monday, March 04, 2013

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 21


Each week, I participate in a WCHA Web Media Poll that is put on by the Tech Hockey Guide with 11 other people that represent both the print media as well as the hockey blogosphere.
This week, the top and the bottom of the WCHA Web Media Poll remained the same. The Minnesota Gophers remained the number one team; as they received seven first place votes. Also, remaining in second place, was the Saint Cloud State Huskies who received four first place votes. North Dakota remained  in the third spot and also garnered one first place vote. Minnesota State moved up one place from five-to-four. Wisconsin did a two place move, vaulting from seventh-to-fifth place. Denver remained glued to the sixth place position. Lastly, the Red Mavericks from Nebraska-Omaha tumbled from fourth-to-seventh.
Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 21:
PlaceTeamptsPreviousRecordHighLow
1)Minnesota (7)138122-7-513
2)St. Cloud State (4)129220-13-114
3)North Dakota (1)126318-9-713
4)Minnesota State103521-10-327
5)Wisconsin93716-11-746
6)Denver88617-11-547
7)Nebraska Omaha79418-14-257
8)Colorado College60813-16-588
9)Minnesota Duluth47912-17-5910
10)Michigan Tech341011-17-4911
11)Bemidji State27116-18-81011
12)Alaska Anchorage12124-21-71212
Representing Name Publication Twitter
Alaska-Anchorage, Taylor Hall College Hockey News @thall907
Bemidji State, Troy Mills The Beaver Pond
Colorado College, Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey @Paisleyhockey
Denver, Mike Chambers, Denver Post @MChambersDP
Michigan Tech, Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide @TBraunTHG
Minnesota, Dan Myers, Minnesota Hockey Magazine @1DanMyers
Minnesota Duluth, Bruce Ciskie, The Ciskie Blog @BruceCiskie
Minnesota State, Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey @ChrisDilks
Nebraska-Omaha, Matt Semisch, Radio Free Omaha @matthewsemisch
North Dakota, Eric Burton The Hockey Writers Combine and Goon’s World @goon48
St. Cloud State, Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time @jclarson02
Wisconsin, Andy Johnson, Bucky’s 5th Quarter @andyjohnsonB5Q

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