Live thoughts from Omaha (RW77)

Hello everyone from the land of Corn.

Goon asked me to give my thoughts on the weekend since I went to both games and live in the great city of Omaha, NE.  What I saw was a mixed bag, but I assure you (since the haters are out in force) that what I'm about to relate is PURELY my opinion and my opinion alone.

The Venue and Atmosphere

If you live in Omaha, you get to see two venues for hockey:  CenturyLink for Mavs hockey and the Ralston Arena for Lancers (USHL) hockey.  CenturyLink is older than Ralston Arena.  CenturyLink is a better environment to watch hockey.  Sure, Ralston is newer and gets you closer to the ice.  One can argue that there really is no bad seat in the Ralston Arena.  But go to a Lancers game and you have an arena full of cow bells and vuvuzelas and NO ONE who has them knows when to silence them!  Not so at the CenturyLink.  I enjoy my time at the CenturyLink Center.  Great atmosphere and fun to watch hockey when you don't have endless noise flowing into your ear.

It seemed more crowded Saturday than Sunday.  Unfortunately, those who didn't come on Sunday missed a far better game (even if I say that knowing UND won).

The Goaltending

I have honestly NO IDEA what got into Gothberg Saturday.  No idea at all.  He was BRUTAL.  He reminded me of his first game as a freshman.  BIG rebound cost him the first goal and the other two was so fundamentally poor hockey play that I was honestly stunned Hakstol didn't pull him.  The second goal itself was one that I think even I could have stopped (and let me tell you, if I can make even ONE save facing DI players, that'd be a miracle!)!  The second one was simply a loss of focus.

Saunders tonight was far better and he had to be.  Why?  Because, in my opinion, UND played far more careless hockey Sunday than they did Saturday.  In the end, Saunders played VERY well and will certainly garner more playing time going forward.  I just wish I knew what the Sam Houston State was going on with Gothberg (and I know what the haters will say.  Too bad I don't care).

Massa for UNO was VERY solid and I'm surprised he didn't play on Sunday.  It turns out it was bad karma because UNO's starter, Thompson, caught the Gothberg bug and gave up two horrific goals (though to be fair the second goal he gave up was simply his defense abandoning him).

Game Play

On Saturday, we looked flat, imo.  We looked especially bad in the first period.  I thought we looked slow, behind the play.  Goon disagrees with me when I say that UNO was clearly the better team and was very solid at even strength.  I truly don't believe Massa was challenged that much.  To my recollection, Massa had to make two great saves and the rest of the night was largely unchallenged.

Let's face it:  I noticed a LOT more defensemen leading the rush on Saturday than on Sunday and ANY time you have a Dman leading the rush into the offensive zone that, to me, speaks VOLUMES about where we are at with our attack.

As for our power play, it still sucks.  IIRC, we only scored 1 goal on the powerplay all weekend.

Our Penalty Kill?  Both of UNO's goals on Sunday came on the Power Play.  Neither goals were weak as far as Saunders is concerned.  The first was where we gave them the center of the ice below the faceoff circles and the second was where we forgot about a man (Archibald) and gave him the center ice below the faceoff circles.  Imagine that.  They scored on both times.

Sunday was a FAR more entertaining game.  UND had to kill off 1:45 of a 5 on 3 PowerPlay after Grimaldi took a stupid penalty... I'd argue that Panzarella's penalty was also stupid.  It also had what had to be the most tense final 2 minutes of the game I've witnessed in quite some time.

The Officiating

I always get a different opinion of the officiating when I view it live at the arena rather than on TV or webcast.  I didn't think the officials were that bad.  I'm a bit baffled as to why UNO came away with a powerplay with 1:10 left in Sunday's game.  Pattyn and UNO #13 clearly deserved penalties.  So did UND's second of the altercation.  But I thought the other UNO participant should've gone as well.

Players that stood out or I thought would stand out:

Archibald (UNO):  I think he was one of the best players for UNO on Sunday.  I'm still a bit confused as to why he wasn't ejected on Saturday though.  He had a ton of energy and he reminded me at times of Mike Prpich.

Grimaldi (UND):  Boy, UNO fans don't like him.  UNO was trying to run him all game long on Sunday and Brady (UNO) nearly took himself off the ice with an injury because of it.  In the end, Grimaldi ended up being a sort of agitator... a role I didn't know Grimaldi was supposed to serve with UND.

Walters (UNO):  Ok, he factored in on one of the goals on Sunday but I didn't notice him much at all this weekend. 

The MacMillans (UND):  Neither stood out to me.... at all.

Caggiula (UND):  I liked the way he played.  Drake and Rodwell impressed me with their aptness to crash the net.

Ladue (UND):  I'll always be a fan of Dmen that aren't afraid to shoot the puck, especially on the PowerPlay.  It started with Nick Fuher and it continues with Paul LaDue.  I LOVE IT when he shoots the puck.

Overall impressions of the Sioux:

We have a ways to go.  With the NCHC being like it is, though, I'm not sure how it is going to work out.  I'm not sure what to expect going forward.  I always hope for the best.  The tools are there.  How fast they mature and get into their stride is unknown.  It's going to be one helluva ride.  The fun times and the haters will make the season an interesting one for sure.

My player of the weekend is Drake Caggiula.  He was noticeable on both games.

Final WCHA standings

 NEXT WEEK IN THE WCHA

WCHA PLAYOFFS • FIRST ROUND, BEST-OF-THREE

Games for Friday, March 15: #12 Alaska Anchorage at #1 St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT; #11 Bemidji State at #2 Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT; #10 Michigan Tech at #3 North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT; #9 Minnesota Duluth at #4 Wisconsin; #8 Colorado College at #5 Denver; #7 Nebraska Omaha at #6 Minnesota State.

Games for Saturday, March 16: #12 Alaska Anchorage at #1 St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT; #11 Bemidji State at #2 Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT; #10 Michigan Tech at #3 North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT; #9 Minnesota Duluth at #4 Wisconsin; #8 Colorado College at #5 Denver #7 Nebraska Omaha at #6 Minnesota State.

Games for Sunday, March 17 (if necessary): #12 Alaska Anchorage at #1 St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT; #11 Bemidji State at #2 Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT; #10 Michigan Tech at #3 North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT; #9 Minnesota Duluth at #4 Wisconsin; #8 Colorado College at #5 Denver; #7 Nebraska Omaha at #6 Minnesota State.

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 20

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, there is a new number one team, in the WCHA Web Media Poll. The Minnesota Gophers received eight first place votes and vaulted to first place. Coming in second was the Saint Cloud State Huskies with four first place votes. Only two teams, traded places in this weeks WCHA Web Media Poll. The rest of the poll remained the same from last week.

Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 20:

Place	Team	pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1	Minnesota (8)	140	2	21-6-5	1	2
2	St. Cloud State (4)	135	1	19-12-1	1	3
3	North Dakota	119	3	17-9-6	3	4
4	Nebraska Omaha	101	4	18-12-2	4	6
5	Minnesota State	97	5	20-9-3	2	7
6	Denver	88	6	16-10-5	5	7
7	Wisconsin	74	7	14-11-7	5	9
8	Colorado College	60	8	12-15-5	7	9
9	Minnesota Duluth	45	9	10-17-5	8	11
10	Michigan Tech	38	10	10-16-4	8	11
11	Bemidji State	26	11	6-17-7	10	12
12	Alaska Anchorage	13	12	4-19-7	11	12

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 Writers Combine. 

Related articles

• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 19 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 18 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 17 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 16 (thehockeywriters.com)

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 19

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.

There is a new number one team, in this week’s WCHA Web Media Poll. The Saint Cloud State Huskies move from Second place to first as they garner seven of 12 first place votes. The Minnesota Golden Gophers drop one spot to second place. North Dakota remains in third place and Nebraska-Omahamoves up one spot from fifth to fourth place.

Minnesota State moves up one spot from Sixth to fifth place. The Denver Pioneers are this week’s biggest loser as the Pioneers drops from fourth place to sixth place. The rest of the poll is the same as it was last week.

Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 19:

		Pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1)	St. Cloud State (7)	137	2	18-11-1	1	3
2)	Minnesota (4)	136	1	20-6-4	1	2
3)	North Dakota	115	3	16-8-6	3	5
4)	Nebraska Omaha	102	5	18-12-2	3	6
5)	Minnesota State (1)	101	6	20-9-3	1	7
6)	Denver	87	4	15-9-5	5	7
7)	Wisconsin	78	7	13-10-7	5	7
8)	Colorado College	60	8	11-14-5	8	8
9)	Minnesota Duluth	44	9	10-16-4	9	10
10)	Michigan Tech	36	10	10-16-4	9	11
11)	Bemidji State	28	11	6-17-7	9	11
12)	Alaska Anchorage	12	12	4-19-7	12	12

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 Writers Combine... 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 19 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 18 (insidehockey.com)

Joe Gleason gets hit from behind by Brian O'Rourke

props to @ajf727... I know the WCHA doesn't like to ref the game after it's over, but Omaha's Brian O'Rourke got away with a dirty, free, bush league hit on Joe Gleason. There is no way you can defend this hit, it was totally unnecessary.

In my opinion O'Rourke should be sitting out the next game that he's playing in. This is the type of hit that college hockey is trying to eliminate from the game of hockey. Some will say, but he got a five minute major and a game misconduct. Yep, he did, at the 20:00 mark of the third period.

UND vs. UNO game one lines

North Dakota Forward Lines

19 Rocco Grimaldi–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)
9 Drake Caggiula–27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
25 Mitch MacMillan–16 Mark MacMillan–17 Colten St. Clair
8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn–11 Derek Rodwell

North Dakota Defense Pairings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–20 Joe Gleason

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Nebraska-Omaha Forward Lines

11 Nick Seeler–14 Dominic Zombo–21 Matt White (A)
23 Johnnie Searfoss–25 Brent Gwidt (C) –28 Brian O’Rourke
17 Ryan Walters–15 Josh Archibald–13 Zahn Raubenheimer
19 Tanner Lane–27 Aaron Pearce–22 Andrew Schmit

Nebraska-Omaha Defense Pairings

8 Jaycob Megna–3 Andrej Sustr
2 Brian Cooper–24 Bryce Aneloski
4 Tony Turgeon–7 Michael Young

Nebraska-Omaha Goalies

29 Dayn Belfour
30 John Faulkner (A)

Refs: Don Adam, Todd Anderson
Linesmen: Chad Evers, Scott Fitzpatrick 

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 17

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.

The Minnesota Gophers are the #1 team in this week’s WCHA Web Media Poll, garnering seven of 12 votes. Second in this week’s poll, are the Saint Cloud State Huskies, as they picked up five of 12 first place votes.  Coming in third is the University of North Dakota.

The only teams that actually moved in this week’s poll were Denver and Nebraska Omaha, those two teams switched places. The remaining six through 12 spots remained the same as last week.

Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 17:

		Pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1.	Minnesota (7)	139	1	18-4-4	1	2
2	St. Cloud State (5)	137	2	15-10-1	1	2
3.	North Dakota	116	3	13-8-5	3	5
4.	Denver	104	5	13-8-4	3	5
5.	Nebraska Omaha	102	4	15-9-2	3	6
6.	Wisconsin	80	6	11-8-5	5	7
7.	Minnesota State	78	7	16-9-3	5	7
8.	Minnesota Duluth	54	8	10-11-3	8	10
9.	Colorado College	46	9	10-14-2	8	10
10.	Michigan Tech	43	10	7-12-4	8	11
11.	Bemidji State	25	11	5-14-5	10	11
12.	Alaska Anchorage	12	12	3-16-5	12	12

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 Writers - Combine...

Related articles

• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 16 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 16 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 15 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 14 (thehockeywriters.com)

WCHA Power Rankings: Week 17

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is the week 17 WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I have been doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel, who is a contributor for College Hockey Weekly.

1. Minnesota  – (18-4-4, WCHA 10-4-4) – This past week, the Minnesota Gophers were off. This weekend, the Gophers travel to Saint Cloud to play the Huskies at the National Hockey Center. This series could decide who wins the WCHA regular season title.

2. Saint Cloud State – (17-10-1, WCHA 14-5-1) – This past weekend, the Huskies swept (4-0 W – 4-1 W) the Bemidji State Beavers at the Sanford Center. This weekend, the Huskies entertain the Minnesota Gophers at the National Hockey Center.

3. University of North Dakota – (14-8-6, WCHA 9-5-6) – This past weekend, UND took (1-1 T – 4-1 W) three points against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The weekend, UND travels to Omaha to play the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks in a two game series at the CenturyLink Center on Friday night. Saturday’s game will move outdoors to the TD Ameritrade Park. UND and UNO have played six times in their history and they have a 3-3-0 record against each other.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (16-10-2, WCHA 12-6-2) – This past weekend, the Mavericks split (4-3 W – 1-2 L) their weekend series with the Michigan Tech Huskies as the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. This weekend, the Mavericks entertain North Dakota at the CenturyLink Center on Friday night. Saturday’s game will move outdoors to the TD Ameritrade Park. UNO and UND have played six times in their history and they have a 3-3-0 record against each other.

5.  Denver University – (15-8-4, WCHA 10-6-4) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers swept (3-0 W – 4-3 W) the Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena. This weekend, the Pioneers play the Colorado College Tigers in a home and home series.

6.  Minnesota State Mankato – (16-9-3, WCHA 10-9-1) – This past weekend, the Mavericks were off. This weekend, the Mavericks travel to Duluth to play the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena.

7.  Wisconsin – (11-9-6, WCHA 8-6-6) – This past weekend, the Wisconsin Badgers took (1-1 T – 1-4 L) one point against North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena. This weekend, the Badgers entertain the 11^th place Bemidji State Beavers at the Kohl Center. The Badgers have a 6-0-0 record all-time against the Beavers.

8.  Colorado College – (10-14-4, WCHA 7-10-4) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers took (3-3 T – 2-2 T) two points against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves at Sullivan Arena. This weekend the Tigers play the Denver Pioneers in a home and home series.

9. Minnesota Duluth – (10-13-3, WCHA 8-9-3) – This past weekend, the Bulldogs were swept (0-3 L – 3-4 L) by the Denver Pioneers at Amsoil Arena. This weekend, the Bulldogs entertain the Minnesota State Mavericks at Amsoil Arena. Saturday night, the Bulldogs had a 3-1 lead going into the third period before giving up three goals in 91 seconds to lose 4-3.  

10. Michigan Tech – (8-13-4, WCHA 5-11-4) – This past weekend, the Huskies split (3-4 L – 2-1 W) their weekend series with Nebraska-Omaha at the CentryLink Center. This weekend, the Huskies entertain the last place Alaska Anchorage Seawovles during the Winter Carnival.

11. Bemidji State – (5-16-5, WCHA 4-12-4) – This past weekend, the Beavers were swept (0-4 L 1-4 L) by the Saint Cloud State Huskies at the Sanford Center. This weekend, the Beavers travel to the Kohl Center to play the Wisconsin Badgers. The Beavers are winless in 10 games (0-8-2), and they have not won since December, 15, 2012. The Beavers are 0-6-0 all-time against the Badgers. 

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-16-7, WCHA 1-15-4) – This past weekend, Seawolves took (2-2 T – 3-3 T) two points from the Colorado College Tigers at Sullivan Arena. This weekend, the Seawolves travel to Houghton Michigan to play the Huskies at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena during the Winter Carnival. The Seawolves are mired in horrible streak and have won one game in the last 20 games (1-15-6), breaking it down further the Seawolves have not won since December 1, 2012.

Taylor Seibel’s WCHA Power Rankings

1. St. Cloud State – (17-10-1, 14-5-1 WCHA) – The Huskies are on a roll following a weekend sweep over Bemidji State.  In conference play, SCSU is 8-0-1 in their last 9 WCHA games.  St. Cloud hosts Minnesota in a pivotal series next weekend that could very well determine who will win Big Jim’s Cup.

2. Minnesota – (18-4-4, 10-4-4 WCHA) – The Gophers were off this past weekend.  Minnesota is second in the league in winning percentage, and still has a tremendous chance of winning the WCHA for the second consecutive season.  Next weekend, a trip to St. Cloud is in store for the Gophers.

3. North Dakota – (14-8-6, 9-5-6 WCHA) – North Dakota finally ended their 5 game winless streak, the longest during Coach Hakstol’s tenure, with a 4-1 victory on Saturday over Wisconsin.  The 3 points vaulted North Dakota into a three-way tie for third in conference.  Next weekend, North Dakota takes on former coach Dean Blais and his UNO Mavericks.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (16-10-2, 12-6-2 WCHA) – The Mavericks struggled with the visiting Michigan Tech Huskies this weekend, scoring only a split.  Next weekend, North Dakota comes to Omaha in a key WCHA series for both sides, and the series will include an outdoor game on Saturday.

5. Denver – (15-8-4, 10-6-4 WCHA) – Denver used a furious rally late in the third period on Saturday to complete a sweep over Duluth in Duluth.  Next weekend, the Gold Pan will be on the line, as Denver squares off against in-state rival Colorado College.

6. Wisconsin – (11-9-6, 8-6-6 WCHA) – The Badgers were only able to take one point in Grand Forks this weekend, largely due to an ineffective special teams unit.  On the weekend, the Badgers were 0-8 on the powerplay, while North Dakota scored 3 of their 5 goals with the man advantage.  Next weekend, the Badgers host Bemidji State in WCHA play.

7. Minnesota State – (16-9-3, 10-9-1 WCHA) – The Mavericks were off this past weekend.  Mankato has an excellent shot at home ice this season, but they will need to continue to play solid hockey.  Next weekend, the Mavericks travel to Minnesota Duluth to take on the Bulldogs in WCHA action.

8. Colorado College – (10-14-4, 7-10-3 WCHA) – The Tigers missed a golden opportunity to tally up points in the conference by managing only 2 draws against Alaska Anchorage this weekend.  The Tigers road to home ice doesn’t get any easier next weekend, as arch-rival Denver is on the schedule in a crucial home and home series to decide the Gold Pan.

9. Minnesota Duluth – (10-13-3, 8-9-3 WCHA) – The Bulldogs were minutes away from a convincing victory on Saturday over Denver, but collapsed and watched their weekend end with 0 points.  Next weekend, the Bulldogs look to get back on their feet as they host Minnesota State in WCHA play.

10. Michigan Tech – (8-13-4, 5-11-4 WCHA) – The Huskies surprised many with an overtime victory on Saturday in their series with Omaha to take 2 points.  Of Michigan Tech’s 5 WCHA wins this season, 3 of them have come in OT, giving the Huskies an impressive 3-0-4 record in the extra session in conference play.  Tech hosts Alaska Anchorage next weekend.

11. Bemidji State – (5-15-5, 4-12-4 WCHA) – Taking on St. Cloud State is no easy task, and that proved true this weekend for the Beavers as the Huskies swept Bemidji in Bemidji.  Next weekend, the Beavers travel to Madison to take on the Badgers, and they hope to end their winless streak that dates back to December 15^th. 

12.  Alaska Anchorage – (3-16-7, 1-15-6 WCHA) – The Seawolves managed two draws against the visiting Tigers from Colorado College this weekend.  UAA’s six draws in conference play ties them with North Dakota and Wisconsin for the most sister-kissers this season.  Next weekend, UAA travels to Houghton to take on Michigan Tech in WCHA play.