UND Hate Week in Omaha :)

Ah yes... It's "Hate UND Week" on ESPN 590 AM Omaha. So, if you haven't heard this, you might want to listen to it at the 31:00 mark of the embedded broadcast.

For some interesting hockey analysis from a UNO fan's perspective  you can check out MAV PUCK.

This should be a good series of hockey, both teams hate each other and it should be a rough series. Both games will be on TV and for those with DirecTV, you will be able to watch Friday's game on CBSSN and Saturday's game on Fox College Sports.

If you haven't seen it, Ryan Lambert of Puck Daddy has been taking hacks at UNO all season long.

Meanwhile, the poor-but-they-keep-winning-anyway Omaha Mavericks swept Denver.

Omaha will fall off, but might have enough points banked that it doesn't make a difference. North Dakota is better but still not great.

UND Hockey: 2014-15 schedule

Oct. 5 — Canadian exhibition TBA
Oct. 10 — BEMIDJI STATE
Oct. 11 — at Bemidji State
Oct. 17 — at Colorado College
Oct. 18 — at Colorado College
Oct. 24 — PROVIDENCE
Oct. 25 — PROVIDENCE

Nov. 1 — AIR FORCE (Hall of Fame Game)
Nov. 7 — at Wisconsin
Nov. 8 — at Wisconsin
Nov. 14 — MIAMI
Nov. 15 — MIAMI
Nov. 21 — at St. Cloud State
Nov. 22 — at St. Cloud State
Nov. 28 — Nebraska-Omaha
Nov. 29 — Nebraska-Omaha

Dec. 5 — LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
Dec. 6 — LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
Dec. 12 — at Denver
Dec. 13 — at Denver

Jan. 3 — U.S. UNDER-18 (exhibition)
Jan. 9 — DULUTH
Jan. 10 — DULUTH
Jan. 16 — NIAGARA
Jan. 17 — NIAGARA
Jan. 23 — COLORADO COLLEGE
Jan. 24 — COLORADO COLLEGE
Jan. 30 — at Omaha
Jan. 31 — at Omaha

Feb. 13 — DENVER
Feb. 14 — DENVER
Feb. 21 — at Western Michigan
Feb. 22 — at Western Michigan
Feb. 27 — ST. CLOUD STATE
Feb. 28 — ST. CLOUD STATE

March 6 — at Miami
March 7 — at Miami
March 13-15 — NCHC first round
March 20-21 — NCHC tournament (Target Center, Minneapolis)
March 27-29 — NCAA tournament (Scheels Arena, Fargo)
April 9-11 — NCAA Frozen Four (T.D. Garden, Boston)

The NCHC Conference Composite Schedule can be found here.
s/t To Brad Schlosman...
21 home games this season and 15 away games this season.

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: There Has to Be a Better Way
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers at the Half Way Point
• UND Pounds Miami

Traditional Circle of Sticks X5

I guess @UNDMHockey decided to mess stuff up and leave… #5brooms pic.twitter.com/DxUKsCGR6Q
— Jackie (@JDeMolee) February 23, 2014

That's five series sweep for the season, two series sweeps in a row. UND only had three series sweeps last season (Holy Cross, Michigan Tech and Nebraska-Omaha). Four regular season games left.

Evidence of Questionable Officiating Feb. 15 - UNO/DU Game (Redwing77)

An ice hockey referee signals a penalty for high sticking. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, this isn't UND related but...  I saw a play that had everyone, including the commentators on NET baffled.  Unfortunately, I do not have the capability to record off of my DVR to my computer so... I hope it shows up somewhere.

Here's the situation:  UNO's Tanner Lane (#7) is chasing DU's David Makowski (#10) into the DU zone after a puck.  Right after Makowski takes possession of the puck and heads deeper into the zone, Tanner Lane swings his stick at the back of Makowski's helmet.  Here's the thing:  The Ref is looking DIRECTLY at the play.  No Call.  Here's where it gets dicey.  Replay is inconclusive as to whether or not Lane's stick even touches Makowski.  If it did, it would have hit right on the crown of the back of Makowski's helmet.  Ok, seems cut and dry right?  NO CALL????

Let's say contact WAS made.  Isn't that Slashing?  Contact to the head?  It is DEFINITELY a penalty, right?

Ok, so no contact was made.  Makowski skates 3-4 full slides before ducking, then ducking more, then crumpling to the ice just in time to slide across the back red line (the incident occurred just at the top of the faceoff circles in the DU zone along the boards).  Uh....  I'm no expert, per se, but if you got chopped in the BACK OF THE HEAD by a STICK, wouldn't the pain or impulse to go down be, say, INSTANT?  HE NEVER LOST POSSESSION OF THE PUCK UNTIL HE TURTLED!!!!!!

So, here's what I see:  The Ref HAS to make a penalty one way or another.  EITHER WAY it is a penalty!  If contact was made, the NCAA MANDATES contact to the head is a penalty!!!!  If contact was NOT made then the RULEBOOK requires that a penalty gets called because Makowski DOVE.  And, lets face it, faking a head injury is well.... to put it bluntly:  it's the opposite of sportsmanship.

IF Don Adam does INDEED review officiating performances, then these two buffoons in Omaha tonight will be getting a rather tense phone call.  Either the integrity of the game was pissed upon, or the refs just gave the middle finger to player safety.  Either way, that's BAD officiating.

UND vs. UNO game two lines

UND Forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell

29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair– 22 Andrew Panzarella

UND Defense Pairings

18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue

4 Keaton Thompson –  2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

30 Matt Hrynkiw

Scratches: 20 Gage Ausmus, 7 Wade Murphy, 25 – Mitch MacMillan, 26 - Coltyn Sanderson, 31 Zane Gothberg (injury).

Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks Forward Lines

20 Jake Guentzel – 14 Dominic Zombo (A) – 15 Josh Archibald

17 Ryan Walters – 12 Brock Montpetit – 16 Austin Ortega

23 Johnnie Searfoss (A) – 19 Tanner Lane – 13 Zahn Raubenheimer

6 Matt Youso – 9 James Polk – 10 Alex Simonson

UNO Defense Pairing

8 Jaycob Megna – 11 Nick Seeler

7 Michael Young ©– 28 Brian O’Rourke

2 Brian Cooper – 24 Ian Brady

UNO Goalies

29 Kirk Thompson

1 Reed Peters

On our way to Grand Forks and Ralph Engelstad Arena to grab 6. Home of the Mavsssssssssss
— Ryan Walters (@ryan_wally17) February 6, 2014

UND Hockey: Clarke Saunders Holds Off Mavericks - http://t.co/T15uNUpoyq #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/hrK5f51vaW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) February 8, 2014

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota set to Battle (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: The Weekend in Review (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: Great Northwest Showcase Nets Mixed Results (thehockeywriters.com)

UND vs. UNO game one lines

UND Forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell

29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair– 7 Wade Murphy

UND Defense Pairings

18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue

20 Gage Ausmus –  2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

30 Matt Hrynkiw

Scratches: 4 Keaton Thompson, 22 Andrew Panzarella, 25 – Mitch MacMillan, 26 - Coltyn Sanderson, 31 Zane Gothberg (injury).

Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks Forward Lines

20 Jake Guentzel – 14 Dominic Zombo (A) – 15 Josh Archibald

17 Ryan Walters – 12 Brock Montpetit – 16 Austin Ortega

23 Johnnie Searfoss (A) – 19 Tanner Lane – 13 Zahn Raubenheimer

9 James Polk – 25 Justin Parizek – 10 Alex Simonson

UNO Defense Pairing

8 Jaycob Megna – 11 Nick Seeler

7 Michael Young ©– 28 Brian O’Rourke

2 Brian Cooper – 24 Ian Brady

UNO Goalies

1 Reed Peters

29 Kirk Thompson

On our way to Grand Forks and Ralph Engelstad Arena to grab 6. Home of the Mavsssssssssss
— Ryan Walters (@ryan_wally17) February 6, 2014

Related articles

• UND Hockey: The Weekend in Review (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota set to Battle (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (By Donn)

The rest of the season is nothing but NCHC games, so the race is on for the first ever NCHC regular season championship.  And mathematically everyone still has a shot at the title. 

Last weekend in the Saturday SCSU-UNO game both teams had a player score a hat trick, Kossila for the Huskies and Zombo for the Mavericks, you don’t see that very often!

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

St. Cloud St……………….8-4-2-0…………...26
North Dakota………………8-6-0-0……….….24
Denver…………………..…7-5-2-1…………..24
Nebraska-Omaha…………7-5-2-1…………..24
Minnesota-Duluth…………7-6-1-1……….….23
Western Michigan………..6-7-1-1…………...20
Miami………………………4-9-1-1….…….….14
Colorado College……….. 3-8-3-1…….….….13

NCHC Games

Western Michigan @ Miami

Last weekend the Broncos were swept by the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1) in Kalamazoo and the RedHawks had a bye weekend.

The Broncos suffered their first losses of 2014 last weekend, and head to Oxford this weekend.  These teams just played a series last month, to kick off 2014, which resulted in a Broncos sweep.  But this time around it’s at the RedHawks home rink. Miami started off the season as one of the pre-season favorites to win the league.  Now the RedHawks are looking at a bottom half finish.  If the Broncos sweep the RedHawks this weekend, it would be a monumental task for the Oxford guys to get into the top half.  SPLIT

#15 Denver @ #6 SCSU

Last weekend the Pioneers were on a bye and the Huskies split with the Mavericks (5-3W, 8-6L) in Omaha.

With three points separating the top five teams, it goes without saying that these series are big games for both these teams.  The Pioneer’s hosted the Huskies back a month ago and the teams split that series, SCSU won the opener 6-3 and DU evened it up 5-2 that following night.  I think a repeat is on tap this weekend with each team getting a win.  SPLIT

Colorado College @ #17 Minnesota-Duluth 

Last weekend the Tigers were enjoying an off weekend and the Bulldogs swept the Broncos (5-2, 3-1) in Kalamazoo. 

The Bulldogs are on a good streak, having not lost in their last 5 games (3-0-2).  Meanwhile the Tigers managed only one win in December and one win in January. I don’t think a Bulldog sweep would surprise anyone this weekend, not even the Tigers.  BULLDOGS SWEEP

Nebraska-Omaha @ #16 North Dakota

Last weekend the Mavericks split (5-3L, 8-6W) with the Huskies in Omaha and NoDak was resting up on a bye weekend. 

The Mavericks went winless in December, and managed one win and January and have one win already in February.  NoDak was on a 10 game unbeaten streak until they dropped their last game at Denver.  That last game in DU featured a stellar performance by their goaltender that stopped all 43-shots he faced.  I think NoDak is in the midst of their traditional second half run, and will get back on track this weekend at the expense of Omaha.  NODAK SWEEPS.

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers at the Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

We have now hit the home stretch of the schedule; it is pretty much all NCHC games that rest of the way.

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

St. Cloud St……………….7-3-2-0…………...23
North Dakota………………7-5-0-0……….….21
Denver…………………..…6-4-2-1…………..21
Nebraska-Omaha…………6-4-2-1…………..21
Western Michigan………..6-5-1-1…………...20
Minnesota-Duluth…………5-6-1-1……….….17
Miami………………………3-8-1-1….…….….11
Colorado College……….. 2-7-3-1…….….….10

NCHC Games

Miami @ Colorado College

Last weekend the RedHawks split with the Mavericks (2-2sow, 5-1L) in Oxford and the Tigers tied and lost to the Providence Friars (2-2ot, 7-2) in Colorado Springs.

Who would have thought that Miami would be one point ahead of the last place team in January?  The RedHawks need a sweep this weekend if they want to try and salvage this season.  The Tigers are in the same boat as the RedHawks, they need points, and fast.  This is a chance to get back into a race for home ice in the first round, get swept and uh-oh, you’re all by yourself in the basement.  RedHawks Sweep.

#18 North Dakota @ #16 Denver

Last weekend NoDak tied (in Bemidji) and beat (in Grand Forks) the Beavers (1-1, 4-2) and the Pioneers split with the Bulldogs (3-2Wot, 2-2sol) in Duluth.

These longtime rivals get to renew their acquaintances this weekend in Denver.  But now DU has a new head coach in this series, the first time since Hakstol took over at UND nine years ago.  I don’t predict any “fighting” in this series since they are tied in the standings and no one wants to be suspended for a game.  NoDak is playing well as of late and so is Denver.  SPLIT

Minnesota Cup Tournament

MSU-Mankato (14-10-0) vs UMD (9-9-2)

Last weekend the Mavericks swept the Ferris State Bulldogs (6-2, 4-3) in Mankato and the Bulldogs split with the Pioneers (3-2Lot, 2-2sow) in Duluth.

With this being a tournament and in-state bragging rights it’s safe to say all the teams will be playing to win this thing.  I’m going with the Mavericks, just because they have some momentum in their corner.  MAVERICKS WIN

#5 SCSU (12-4-4) vs #1 Minnesota (17-2-3)

Last weekend the Huskies were swept by the Broncos (5-5sol, 2-1) in St. Cloud and the Gophers swept the Buckeyes (1-0, 4-2) in Minneapolis.

The Huskies will be looking to bounce back this weekend and prove they are one of the elite teams in the country.  And if they knock of the Gophers that will prove they belong in the top five.  HUSKIES WIN

The winners play each other and the losers play each other on Saturday.  So if my Friday night predictions are correct, that would end up with SCSU versus MSU-M for the championship and UMD vs UM for third place.  MSUM wins the title and UM takes third.

Bye Week

Nebraska-Omaha

#19 Western Michigan

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

I forgot to post my predictions last weekend, but believe me, I got them all correct. J  Here are this weekend match-ups and they are up for your viewing pleasure.

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

St. Cloud St……………….7-2-1-0…………...22
North Dakota………………7-5-0-0……….….21
Denver…………………..…5-4-1-1…………..17
Nebraska-Omaha…………5-4-1-1…………..17
Minnesota-Duluth…………5-5-0-0……….….15
Western Michigan………..5-5-0-0…………...15
Colorado College……….. 2-7-3-1…….….….10
Miami………………………3-7-0-0….…….….9

NCHC Games

Western Michigan @ #3 St. Cloud St. 

Last weekend the Broncos swept the RedHawks (5-4, 3-2) in Kalamazoo and the Huskies split with the Pioneers (6-3W, 5-2L) in Denver.

With a sweep last weekend the Broncos can now see the top of the standings.  If they could pull off another pair of wins with weekend they would be could be looking down the standings…  However, that is a tall task; the Huskies will be looking to cement their top spot in the standings.  The Broncos have won four in a row and 5 of the last 6 games.  So they do have some momentum going into SC, but there’s a reason they are ranked number three.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#16 Denver @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Pioneers split with the Huskies (6-3L, 5-2W) in Denver and the Bulldogs swept the Mavericks (3-2, 3-1) in Omaha.

The Bulldogs have won three in a row entering the weekend.  The Pioneers have won, lost, and tied their last three games.  DU is 3-2-3 on the road and UMD is 3-4-1 at home.  I’m going with the UMD on Friday and DU on Saturday.  SPLIT

Nebraska-Omaha @ Miami

Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Bulldogs (3-2, 3-1) in Omaha and the RedHawks were swept by the Broncos (5-4, 3-2) in Kalamazoo.

The Mavericks have lost four in a row and haven’t won a in their past six games.  The RedHawks are losers of their last three and lost four of the last five.  Someone could end their slump this weekend at the expense of the other, could.  SPLIT

Non-Conference Games

Bemidji State vs #20 North Dakota (Fri. Bemidji, Sat. Grand Forks)

Last weekend NoDak swept the Tigers (5-3, 3-2) in Grand Forks and the Beavers swept the Lake Superior (5-2, 3-1) in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.

The Beavers are 3-8-3 on the road and 4-3-3 at home, and NoDak is 7-4-1 at home and 4-3-1 on the road.  UND leads the all-time series 25-2-2.  It appears that UND is heating up with winning seven games in a row, here’s to the streak continuing this weekend.  NORTH DAKOTA SWEEP

#7 Providence (13-5-4) @ Colorado College (2-15-3)

Last weekend the Friars lost to Boston College (5-2) on the road and the Tigers were swept by NoDak (5-3, 3-2) in Grand Forks.

The Tigers have been struggling all season long and it doesn’t get any easier this weekend with the Friars from the Hockey East coming for a visit.  FRIARS SWEEP

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Here we are the first weekend of play in 2014.  The first half of the season seems to have flown by.

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

St. Cloud St……………….6-1-1…………...19
Nebraska-Omaha…………5-2-1…………..17
North Dakota………………5-5-0……….….15
Denver…………………..…4-3-1…………..14
Colorado College……….. 2-5-3…….….….10
Miami………………………3-5-0….…….….9
Minnesota-Duluth…………2-2-0……….….6
Western Michigan………..2-2-0…………...6 

Non-Conference Games

Brown (5-6-1) @ #17 Denver (10-6-2)

The Bears are 1-5-0 away from home, which is Providence, R.I., if you’re wondering. The Pioneers are 7-3-0 at home in Magness Arena this season.  I think the Pioneers will catch the Bears hibernating this weekend.  Pioneers Win.

Brown (5-6-1) @ Colorado College (2-12-3)

With the Pioneers waking the sleeping Bears, I say the Tigers will feel their rude awaking anger.  Bears Win.

#19 Nebraska-Omaha (8-7-1) @ New Hampshire (10-10-1)

The Mavericks are 3-2-1 on the road this season and the Wildcats are 3-4-1 at home at the Whittemore Center in Durham.  SPLIT

Exhibition Games

North Dakota vs British Columbia (Fri.) vs Simon Fraser (Sat.)

Last action for NoDak was the sweep of the NMU Wildcats in Grand Forks. It has been two years since NoDak has played in great country of Canada.

UND is riding a 5 game winning streak and, well, this won’t officially effect it, since these are exhibition games.  But here to starting the New Year off right, NoDak wins both games.

US U-18 TEAM @ Minnesota-Duluth

Since it is an exhibition game, it is hard to say who wins… I’m sure UMD will use the game to get everyone back on the ice and playing at game speed.  TIE.

US U-18 TEAM @ #4 St. Cloud St.

Same as above, except SCSU wins.

BYE

#12  Miami

Western Michigan

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

Nebraska-Omaha……...…3-1-0…………..9
St. Could St……………….3-1-0…………...9
Miami……………………...2-2-0……….…..6
Western Michigan………..2-0-0…………...6 
North Dakota……………..2-4-0……….…..6
Denver………………….....1-2-1…………...5
Colorado College………...1-4-1…….….….4
Minnesota-Duluth…………1-1-0……….….3

NCHC Games

#20 Minnesota-Duluth @ #13 North Dakota

Last weekend the Bulldogs were on a bye and NoDak split with the Mavericks in Omaha, 4-2L and 3-2W.

These teams last meet in Duluth (Nov. 16/17 2012) with both games going into overtime, the opener ended in a 4-4 tie and the closer ended in a 4-3 win for NoDak.

But that was last year and this is this year, new year, new players, new chances.  NoDak has had some trouble finding the back of the net, and they need to find ways to generate more offensive if they want some points.  SPLIT

Western Michigan @ Denver

Last weekend the Broncos salvaged a point against Northern Michigan (5-4L, 2-2ot) in Kalamazoo, and the Pioneers got a tie and win over arch-rival CC (1-1ot, 2-1W).

The “Omelet Series” as I will call it - all it needs are some pancakes, bacon, and OJ to be a complete breakfast - takes place in the mile high city of Denver this weekend. Now we just have to find out which chef/coach has the best recipe for victory.  I see each teams gets a piece of the pie.  SPLIT

Non-Conference Games

#12 Wisconsin @ #8 Miami

Last weekend the Badgers tied and beat the Lakers (LSSU) in Madison (3-3, 8-1) and the RedHawks split (2-0W, 2-1L) with the SCSU Huskies in St. Could.

The Badgers are 0-2-0 on the road this season, losing to BC 9-2 and BU 7-3, ouch.  Knowing that Miami is just as good, or better, than those teams, it’s hard to give the Badgers much of a chance this weekend in Oxford.  RedHawks SWEEP

#2 Michigan @ Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Wolverines swept Michigan Tech (3-2ot, 2-1) in Ann Arbor and the Mavericks split (4-2W, 3-2L) with NoDak in Omaha.

These old CCHA members get to rekindle their relationship this weekend in Omaha.

Last time these teams met was in the NCAA West Regional in March of 2011, with Michigan winning 3-2 in overtime on a controversial goal call. The met earlier that season in October of 2010 in Ann Arbor, where they split a pair of games.  However, Michigan is number two (he he, number two) and the Mavericks are not ranked. I’m thinking the Mavericks got a few tricks up their sleeves for this weekend.  SPLIT

#3 St. Could St. @ Alabama-Huntsville

Last weekend the Huskies split (2-0L, 2-1W) with the RedHawks at home and the Chargers got swept by the Seawolves (3-2, 6-1) in Anchorage.

I will modify a quote a few of my friends will understand, “Alabama-Huntsville is NOT a good team.”  I’ve never been to Huntsville, but if they have a wood shed, the Chargers are going to be out behind it this weekend.  This should be a whoopin’…  HUSKIES SWEEP

Air Force @ Colorado College (Tues 11/19)

Last weekend 11/1- 11/2 the Falcons beat RIT 2-0 and lost to Mercyhurst 8-2 on the road on and they host Robert Morris on Saturday and the Tigers managed a tie and a loss to the Pioneers.

The Falcons are 4-0-0 at home and are 1-2-0 on the road. Since this is basically a cross town game, are they really on the road?  The Tigers have been off to a sluggish start going 1-6-1 so far.  I’m going with the visitors here.  FALCONS WIN

UND Hockey: Sunday's Second Period Goals Against Nebraska-Omaha

s/t to Cory Morlock... Here's the second period goals for UND from Sunday's game against the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. Notice the webcast quality is pretty good.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Here we are the Halloween weekend, and we almost have a full NCHC schedule, three out of four isn’t bad.  Next thing you know Thanksgiving will be upon us.

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

Colorado College………...1-1-0…….….….3
Miami……………………….1-1-0……….….3
Minnesota-Duluth…………1-1-0……….….3
North Dakota………………1-1-0……….….3
Denver…………………..…0-0-0…………..0
Nebraska-Omaha…………0-0-0…………..0
St. Could St……………….0-0-0…………...0
Western Michigan………..0-0-0…………...0 

NCHC Games

Nebraska-Omaha @ Denver

Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by Cornell (5-3, 4-3) in Omaha.  The Pioneers beat Niagara 5-1 and lost to Canisius 4-1 last weekend in Denver.

Last season in the WCHA the Pioneers took three points from the Mavericks in there only series in Denver.  I know past performance does predicted future performance, but I like Denver at home.  PIONEERS 3-PTS

#9 St. Could St. @ #5 North Dakota

Last weekend the Huskies swept Colgate (4-2, 4-3) in St. Cloud.  NoDak “unofficially” beat the US U-18 team (4-1) in Grand Forks.

Last season these teams split a series in St. Cloud and SCSU took three points in the series in Grand Forks.  NoDak has typically had “average” first halves of the season and then done much better after Christmas.  With that and the fact that we have a series between top 10 teams, I’m going the easy way.  SPLIT

Colorado College @ Western Michigan 

Last weekend the Tigers were swept by Clarkson (1-2L, 0-1) in Potsdam, NY.  The Broncos were not playing last weekend.

The Tigers head east this weekend to Kalamazoo (it’s fun to say Kalamazoo, isn’t it!) and hit the ice at Lawson Arena, which NHL sized.  Being early in the season, it makes it difficult to make an educated prediction.  But hey, let’s make a prediction anyway.  I’m picking the Tigers to win on Friday and the Broncos to win on Saturday.  SPLIT

Non-Conference Games

Canisius @ #6 Miami

Last weekend Canisius lost to Air Force 3-2 and beat Denver 4-1 in Colorado.  The RedHawks lost and tied the Providence Friars (2-3ot, 4-4ot) in Rhode Island.

The Golden Griffins surprised us last weekend, I would have picked them to beat AFA and lose to DU, not the other way around.  But Canisius has a much stiffer test this weekend when they travel to Oxford, Ohio.  It’s hard to pick against Miami in this series.  RedHawks SWEEP.

#20 Minnesota-Duluth @ Ohio State

Last weekend the Bulldogs split with Notre Dame (3-2L, 4-1W) in Duluth.  The Buckeyes swept Robert Morris (5-3, 4-3) in a home-home series last weekend and beat Bowling Green (5-3) on Tuesday night in Columbus.

This isn’t hockey related, but the OSU marching band did an amazing performance the other weekend at the football stadium.  Now on to hockey, the Buckeyes hockey program is not the football program, but they are both now in the big ten conference.  OSU and there new conference will need to pick up wins against quality teams, if they want the big ten to succeed.  I don’t think that will happen this weekend.  BULLDOGS SWEEP.

UNO Hockey: Three Maverick Hockey Players in Trouble

English: UNO Hockey vs. Michigan at the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kevin Cole of the Omaha World Herald is reporting that three Nebraska-Omaha hockey players are in trouble for incident that took place at a downtown bar in Omaha, Nebraska on August 3, 2013. One of the players involved is former Red River and Central hockey player Alex Simonson. It will be interesting to see how this plays out with Maverick head coach Dean Blais. Story Developing.

Kevin Cole, World-Herald -- Three UNO hockey players face disorderly conduct allegations after they allegedly spouted racial slurs and got into a fight in the Old Market.

Matt White, 25, Alex Simonson, 23, and Preston Hodge, 21, all members of the University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey team, were each ticketed Aug. 3 on suspicion of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

Lamar Triplett, 26, of Omaha, who got into a confrontation with the players, was ticketed on suspicion of misdemeanor assault.

“I don't know why I got a citation because I was just trying to defend myself that night,” Triplett said in an interview. “It was a crazy situation. It was the most random situation I have ever been in.”

City Prosecutor David Smallheiser said the men have not been formally charged and have court appearances scheduled in September.

Omaha police were called to a parking lot at 10th and Harney Streets about 2 a.m. to investigate a disturbance.

Witnesses told police that the hockey players had been harassing a small group of African-Americans with racial slurs and epithets.

UNO's Andrej Sustr to leave UNO

No surprise, but Andrej Sustr, 6-foot-8 Univ of Nebraska-Omaha junior dman (UFA), has officially decided to leave school/field NHL offers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 18, 2013

This probably really isn't really a shock to anyone, Andrej Sustr is a free agent that will probably get a lot of offers from teams looking to add a defenseman.

Sustr kind of reminds me of a raw version of Zdeno Chara and from what I saw, he isn't too bad with the puck and didn't make a lot of mistakes.

Apparently, the Flyers are after him.

This is a toughest part of the college hockey season, the end of the year. Fans have to worry if their favorite players are a fight risks to leave early. Obviously, there will be other players that will begin to start weighing their options as their seasons end.

UNO's college season ended on the weekend. Sustr will weigh his options, and he has many, this week. No rush or timetable on a decision.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 18, 2013

Results of the 2012-13 Blogger/Website All-WCHA Awards

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

s/t to A Tradition of Excellence for putting on the Second Annual Blogger/Website All-WCHA Awards. This is how the vote shook out.

* Asterik denotes a unanimous selection

All-WCHA First Team:
F - Ryan Walters, Nebraska-Omaha
F - Erik Haula, Minnesota
F - Danny Kristo, North Dakota
D - Nate Schmidt, Minnesota
D - Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State
G - Stephon Williams, Minnesota State

All-WCHA Second Team:
F - Drew LeBlanc, St. Cloud State
F - Corban Knight, North Dakota
F - Rylan Schwartz, Colorado College
D - Mike Boivin, Colorado College
D - Joey LaLeggia, Denver
G - Adam Wilcox, Minnesota

All-WCHA Third Team:
F - Matt Leitner, Minnesota State
F - Josh Archibald, Nebraska-Omaha
F - Eriah Hayes, Minnesota State
D - Andrew Prochno, St. Cloud State
D - Andrej Sustr, Nebraska-Omaha
G - Juho Olkinuora, Denver

WCHA All-Rookie Team:
F - Alex Petan, Michigan Tech
F - Tony Cameranesi, Minnesota-Duluth
F - Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State
D - Nolan Zajac, Denver *
D - Andy Welinski, Minnesota-Duluth
G - Stephon Williams, Minnesota State

WCHA Player of the Year: Ryan Walters, Nebraska-Omaha

WCHA Defenseman of the Year: Nate Schmidt, Minnesota

WCHA Rookie of the Year: Stephon Williams, Minnesota State

WCHA Coach of the Year: Mike Hastings, Minnesota State


Here's the rundown of the voters.

Ryan, Gopher Puck Live
Matt, Bulldog Country
Joe, Colorado Springs Gazette
Travis, @nodakhockey/Fighting Sioux Hockey Facebook Fan Page
Emily, Beyond the Pond
Taylor, The Hockey Writers Combine
Eric, Goon's World/The Hockey Writers Combine
Tim, Tech Hockey Guide
Matthew, USCHO
Nate, College Hockey News/SB Nation Team Minnesota
Donn, Goon's World
Andy, Bucky's 5th Quarter
Andrew, College Hockey High Horse
Jeff, Mav Mania
Dave, Sioux Sports
Chad, A Tradition of Excellence

Related articles

• My 2012-2013 All-WCHA Ballot (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 22 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 22 (insidehockey.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Another 2012-2013 All-WCHA Ballot (thehockeywriters.com)