WCHA no comment on Michigan Tech's Jujhar Khaira penalty

This past week, Ryan Little was given an extra game suspension for his hit on Michigan Tech's Jujhar Khaira, the video of that hit can be seen here. I don’t think many of us have a problem with the extra game suspension, unless maybe you’re a Wisconsin Badger fan.

Player safety should be paramount. Yeah, I am rolling my eyes right now.

What I do have a problem with is the take down move that Khaira put on UW sophomore defenseman Jake McCabe, you can see by the pictures included that this was an egregious and dangerous move and should have warranted at least a five minute major and a game misconduct.  If look at the picture you will notice that the on ice official is looking right at the play.

I do believe that Little’s hit is grounds for a one game suspension, you have a player head hunting an unexpecting player in a vulnerable position that doesn't even appear to be looking at the player that’s bearing down on him. When I first saw this hit, I immediately thought of the Raffi Torres hit on Marian Hossa. The Little hit warrants a suspension in the NHL as well. I don’t think that many of us have a problem with that call.

What I do have a problem with is Khaira’s attempting to remove McCade’s head from the rest of his body and only receiving a two minute minor for holding.  Kind of makes one scratch their head. I have seen on line where some have likened the move to a WWE take-down. 

One question that I have is, did the refs inept response to the Khaira bush league move on Jake McCabe cause Little to take matters into his own hands? 

I asked sent an email to the WCHA’s Doug Spencer and this is the response that I got.

Eric,

We have no comment at this time. But I passed your note on to the Commissioner & Supervisor and if there is we will let you know asap.

Doug

s/t to @CJZERO

Related articles

• Former Gophers Andy Brink's thought's on college hockey and the WCHA (thehockeywriters.com)
• MTU's game winning goal against BSU. (thehockeywriters.com)

UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/14-12/15)

Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The University of North Dakota travels to Houghton, Michigan to play the Michigan Tech Huskies in an important two game WCHA series at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on December 14-15.

North Dakota (8-5-3, 5-2-3 WCHA) #8 USCHO and #8 USA Today Polls versus unranked Michigan Tech (4-8-3, 3-6-3 WCHA).

Game times: 7:07 pm ET December 14-15.

Radio:  UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

TV: None
 Webcast: MichiganTechHuskies.com

Series History: All-Time:  UND leads the series 145-93-10 (.605). UND’s record against MTU in Grand Forks, ND UND leads 82-33-5 (.704). UND’s record against MTU in Houghton, Michigan 61-55-5 (.525).  UND record against MTU at Neutral sites, UND trails 2-5-0 (.286). Last 10 games; UND leads 9-0-1 (.950)

 Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Danny Kristo (6g-9a—15pts), Rocco Grimaldi (6g-9a—15pts), Mark MacMillan (6g-6a—12pts), Corbin Knight (5g-12a—14pts), Drake Caggiula (5g-6a—11pts). Defense:  Dillon Simpson (2g-5a—7pts), Andrew MacWilliam (1g-4a—5pts), Derek Forbort (4g-5a—9pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 6-3-3, 2.39 GAA, .916 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 2-2-0, 2.97 GAA, .902 save percentage.

Michigan Tech Huskies: Alex Petan (4g-9a—13pts), Blake Pietila (9g-2a—11pts), David Johnston (3g-8a—11pts), Jujhar Khaira (3g-8a—11pts).  Defense: Steven Seigo  (4g-4a—8pts), Brad Stebner (1g-4a—5pts), Goaltenders: Jamie Phillips  0-1-0, 2.34 GAA, .906 save percentage. Kevin Genoe  3-1-3, 2.83 GAA, .909 save percentage, Pheonix Copley 1-6-0, 4.36 GAA, .851 save percentage.

UND Official Web Page

Michigan Tech Officials Web Page

Originally Posted at The Hockey Writers – Combine

UND forward Corban Knight's attitude; infectious on and off the ice

If you have watched the University of North Dakota hockey senior forward Corban Knight play over the last three and a half seasons you’ll have noticed the senior from High River, Alberta never stop smiling.

If you think I am kidding, just watch him.

As part of the credentialed blogosphere, I would have to say that Corban Knight is one of the nicest athletes that I have ever met; he’s polite, engaging and well spoken.

During his three and a half seasons at UND; Knight a center, has been a clutch in the faceoff circle. This season, Knight is (237/409 .584).

On the score sheet, Knight is leading the team in p-points (5g-12—17pts). This season Knight surpassed the 100 point mark (41g-73a—114pts) for his career. Knight has been a stalwart in the UND lineup since he arrived at UND.

Last season, Knight played most of the second half of the season with a broken hand as well.

Knight’s infectious personality rubs off on his teammates as well. Carter Rowney had this this to say about his fellow assistant caption Knight.

“He’s a good guy,” Rowney said.  “He lives in the same building as me and everything. Great team player, everyone gets along with him – easy to get along with. Always positive, no matter what’s going on. He’s never down on himself, never down on anyone else, just a positive guy.”

According to Rowney; where ever he’s at, Knight never stops smiling.

“He always has a little grin on his face,” Rowney said. “Which is always a good thing to see in the locker room – no matter what it is – he’s always going to brighten your day. Just to talk to him or be around him and stuff. He’s just a positive guy.”

Since coming to UND, Knight has had a reputation of being a hard worker and this has not gone unnoticed by his teammates or his head coach.

“I like his consistency, day in, day out,” Rowney said. “Whether it’s him coming to the rink in the morning and getting better – in the gym and the weight room. Just coming every day, he’s coming to work. I think that consistently he’s just professional just willing to get better every day. Consistently he does it day in, day out.”

UND head coach Dave Hakstol agreed and was also very complimentary of his senior forward.

“He’s a mature young man in every way,” Haksol said. “That’s one of the benefits of being a junior and a senior and taking the extra time to develop at this level before you step to the pro level; is being able to have that year where physically you’re maybe a little bit ahead of the opponents that you’re playing against. Certainly, mentally he’s as toughest there is. Very quiet in the way he goes about it – but mentally as tough as anybody.”

The head coach went on to say, “Corban is just a complete hockey player. “He’s good in all three zones. There’s a lot of element to his game that bring a lot of value to a team. I think one that he gets a lot of credit for is his ability in the faceoff dot. But there are a lot of areas of his game that are quietly similar to what he does in the faceoff dot. He’s a very solid, reliable two way player that consistently puts out real good solid offensive numbers – we’re seeing that again this year. He’s flown under the radar with it – he’s got a nice point scoring streak going. More importantly, I think his play is probably indicative of our team’s play. He’s very consistent player.”

The upside for this UND hockey team this season is pretty big and I expect that senior forward Corban Knight will have a big impact both on the ice and off before this season is over at UND.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Well this is it, the last weekend of hockey before Christmas.  It seems to me that the first half of the season has just flown by, way too quickly.  The biggest surprise last weekend had to be MTU and UW tying both of their games in Madison.

This will be my last post before the holiday break. So, I wish a Merry Christmas to all the Goon's World readers.  I will have my predictions up after Christmas for all the holiday tournaments.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. Denver…………..………7-3-2………....16
2. Minnesota………………6-3-3………….15
3. Minnesota State……….7-5-0.…...…….14
3. St. Cloud St………….…7-5-0………….14
5. Nebraska-Omaha………6-3-1……........13
5. North Dakota.………..…5-2-3…..……...13
7. Colorado College ……..5-4-1..….……..11
8. Michigan Tech………….3-6-3……….….9
8. Minnesota-Duluth….…..3-6-3…………..9
8. Wisconsin…....…………2-5-5………......9
11. Bemidji State……..…..3-7-2.…….........8
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....1-6-3…...….…..5

WCHA Games

#11 Denver @ Bemidji St.

Last weekend the Pioneers got a point (2-2ot, 6-3) from NoDak in Grand Forks and the Beavers split (2-4, 2-1) with the Bulldogs in Duluth.

The Pioneers have been sliding down the hill since their series with CC; they are winless in their last six games, going 0-4-2.  DU has been having a hard time finding the back of the goal, only netting 12 goals in those 6 games.  The Beavers return home to the Sanford Center, after spending the last two weekends on the road (Mankato and Duluth).  BSU ended their three game losing streak by getting a win on Saturday night in Duluth.  The Pioneers did not look that good last weekend in Grand Forks, so they might be looking for a little mental pick-me-up this week.  BSU will need to play strong defensively, to give themselves a chance to get some points.  SPLIT

#8 North Dakota @ Michigan Tech

Last weekend NoDak took three points (2-2ot, 6-3) from the Pioneers in Grand Forks and the Huskies split (1-1ot, 3-3ot) with the Badgers in Madison.

NoDak has been doing well this first half of the season, both defensively and offensively.  This will likely be the last time these two teams meet for some time, with the conferences splitting next year.  Last year the teams only played in Grand Forks with the Sioux taking three points that weekend.  The last time they played in Houghton was March of 2011, with the Huskies taking a pair of beatings, 6-1 and 11-2, that weekend.  But this is a different year, with different players, different coaches, and like the saying goes past performance doesn’t predict future outcomes.  NoDak 3-pts

Colorado College @ #17 St. Could St. 

Last weekend the Tigers got a point (2-4, 4-4ot) from the Gophers in Colorado Springs and the Huskies split (5-6, 2-1) with the UNO Mavericks in St. Cloud.

The Tigers currently trail the Huskies by three points in the standings, but have played two fewer games.  CC would like to get into the top half of the ledger before the Christmas break, but that means they need at least one win and some help.  SCSU will be looking to distance themselves from CC and lock into the top half before the break.  The Tigers are 3-3-0 on the road this year and the Huskies are tough at home in the National Hockey Center this year, going 6-2-0.  I’m going with each team get a win this weekend.  SPLIT

Minnesota-Duluth @ Alaska-Anchorage

Last weekend the Bulldogs split (4-2, 1-2) with the Beavers in Duluth and the Seawolves were swept (1-3, 0-3) by the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato.

The Bulldogs are struggling this year as are the Seawolves, both teams have six losses and three ties on their records.  UMD has played two more games that UAA and those two more games are in the win column.  The long flight could give the Bulldogs the time they need to contemplate their situation or it might be just away to kill time.  This will be the Seawolves last games before Christmas, their next games are Jan. 4-5 at home against UW.  The Seawolves are averaging just less than two goals/game and the Bulldogs are just under three goals/game.  I expect a couple of low scoring games with favors UAA a bit more than UMD.  SPLIT

#20 Minnesota State @ #13 Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the MSUM Mavericks swept the Seawolves (3-1, 3-0) in Mankato and the UNO Mavericks split with the SCSU Huskies (6-5, 1-2) in St. Cloud.

Both Mavericks are exceeding their preseason expectations, which is obviously good for both herds.  MSUM is only two points from the top and UNO is only three points from the top.  The difference is that UNO has two games in hand on MSUM.  Omaha is 5-2-1 at home this year and MSUM is 3-3-1 away from Mankato.  Both teams are averaging over three goals per game, so there should be plenty of offense to go around this weekend.  MSUM comes into this series as the hottest team in the conference winning their last six games, all WCHA games mind you.  The caveat is those wins were over the bottom three teams, UW, BSU, and UAA.  MSUM has a much tougher opponent this weekend, but they should be confident given their winning streak.  They just can’t afford to be over confident.  SPLIT

Non Conference Games

Alabama-Huntsville (3-12-1 overall) @ Wisconsin (2-7-5 overall) (Thu / Fri)

Last weekend the Chargers swept (5-2, 4-1) the Finlandia Lions (D-3 school in the MCHA) in Huntsville and the Badgers split with the MTU Huskies (1-1ot, 3-3ot) in Madison.

The Badgers are still winless at home this season and this is their last home series until 2013 (they host Miami Jan. 18-19).  I think this is the weekend they have been waiting for in Madison, their first home win or wins of the season.  I’m going to go with Cardinal and White to go into the Christmas break on a high note.  BADGERS SWEEP

BYE WEEK

#4 Minnesota

Related articles

• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

WCHA Issues One-Game Suspension to Wisconsin’s Little

The WCHA has suspended Ryan Little for this hit. In looking at the video, this is the type of hit that the NCAA is trying to eliminate and I have no issue with this suspension. I also can see why some from Badger Nation might be a little ornery as well.

In fact, Wisconsin has been on the wrong end of some really bad calls this season and I am going to let Andy Johnson of Bucky's Fifth Quarter explain the latest bad call against the Badgers.

While Khaira was certainly deserving of a penalty, the refs should have penalized him for a five minute major and ejected him from the contest. Video reviews clearly showed Khaira grabbing UW sophomore defenseman Jake McCabe from behind by the facemask and dropping him to the ice like it was a WWE wrestling match.

Jujhar Khaira was whistled for holding with 4:09 left to play in the third period. Wisconsin's Tyler Barnes would go on to score on the man advantage to tie things up at one.

While I applaud the WCHA for getting it right in this instance, there have been many instances where the league’s officials have been wrong as well.

If I have to use one word to explain the officiating on the ice in the WCHA this season I would use the term “brutal.”

Inconsistency has been plagued WCHA officials in recent times, causing many fans in attendance to scoff when the WCHA on ice officials skate on to the ice. We never know what they’re going to call or what they’re not going to call.

MADISON, Wis. – The men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association today announced a one-game suspension to University of Wisconsin hockey player Ryan Little as a result of his actions in the December 8 game against Michigan Tech University.

Little’s suspension was determined after a review by the league office of an illegal check with 1:24 remaining in the overtime session and comes under the WCHA’s Supplementary Discipline Policy and Procedures.

Little will be required to serve the one-game suspension in Wisconsin’s next regularly scheduled contest on Thursday, December 13 vs Alabama-Huntsville.

Related articles

• Former Gophers Andy Brink's thought's on college hockey and the WCHA (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 12/09/12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 9 (thehockeywriters.com)

Former Gophers Andy Brink’s thought’s on college hockey and the WCHA

English: Logo for the University of Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Which the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference and the formation of the NCHC, the WCHA is going to have a very different look to it starting for the 2013-14 season. I had the opportunity to interview Former Golden Gopher forward Andy Brink and you’re going to find that he has some interesting things to say.

You played with the Minnesota Gophers from 1992-1996. What team in the WCHA did you consider to be your biggest rival? Why?

 My freshman and sophomore years Wisconsin was our biggest rival. They were more talented than us but we had their number. One of our coaches, Bill Butters, made it clear that we never lose to Wisconsin. My junior and senior years, CC was our biggest rival. They were really good and played with confidence. We had great games with them.

What is your feeling about this being the last season in the present form of the WCHA? Who do you hate more Michigan or Michigan State?

 The WCHA was the best league in college hockey. Anyone could win on any given night. Every weekend you had to play well to win regardless of the opponent. I,  personally, disliked Michigan the most. But that’s because they were difficult to beat. They had a lot of talent and played hard.

What is your favorite memory playing in the WCHA?

 What I reflect on most fondly was winning on the road. There was no better feeling than winning in Engelstad, The DECC, Dane County Coliseum and the other arenas that we played in. When you win on the road in the WCHA you really feel like you have accomplished something. Every building was fun to play in and each team had loyal fans that were very vocal.

Favorite NCAA Hockey Memory?

 My favorite memory NCAA Memory is from before I played. I grew up in Bemidji and grew up a Sioux fan. I remember going to Sioux games as a kid and still have a Sioux #20 Bob Joyce jersey. UND’s 1987 NCAA Championship is my fondest memory because I followed that team really close. There were also 2 players from my hometown on their roster and George Pelawa (from Bemidji) would have been a big part of that team had he not died in a car accident in the fall of ’86.

What do you think of Minnesota not playing UND in hockey for the next four seasons? Do you think it’s a bad decision to not continue the rivalry?

 It’s hard to imagine UND and the Gophers not playing. It’s been such a good rivalry and very even. Being only 5 hours away from each other and both programs always being so good, obviously, it’s not good that they are not playing a series every year.

Thoughts on the College Hockey re-alignment and the Gophers going to the Big Ten Hockey Conference? Good or bad for College Hockey?

 I don’t know. Things change. There are so many good young players now and so many opportunities for kids to get better that I think College Hockey will be really good no matter what. Kids today are faster and stronger and learning the game at a earlier age. For those kids that are late bloomers, there are many opportunities to develop at an older age in different junior leagues. College Hockey will benefit from this and I think we will see more parity throughout college hockey.

Favorite Opposition player during your time with the Gophers? Favorite arena to play in?

 Even though I only played against him for 1 year, Greg Johnson, from UND was my favorite player to play against. He was good at everything and relentless. I think he had 5 assists against us in one game at Engelstad my freshman year. Chris Marinucci from UMD was also really good and similar to Greg Johnson. Old Engelstad and Old Mariucci were the 2 best rinks to play in. They both had character and a lot of history and were really loud.

You have are a co-owners of Breakaway Hockey with former Golden Gophers and Buffalo Sabres great Dave Snuggerud and you see a lot of great players come through the ranks. One of your former students at Breakaway Hockey is Nick Mattson who plays for the University of North Dakota. What’s your thought’s on his first year and a half in the WCHA playing for UND? Also, what are his strengths on the ice.

 Nick is a great kid. Very motivated and loves hockey. Was always at the outdoor rink improving his skills and having fun. Was always trying to improve. I know Nick is capable of being a very good offensive and two way defenseman in college hockey. It takes confidence to perform well consistently and I think Nick has been very good through his first year and a half in the league. I know he will get better and better because he is smart and motivated. Also, I have always respected how nice he is off the rink to others, he comes from great parents! Besides his skating and puck skills, Nick’s biggest asset is his vision and his ability to be “calm” with the puck.

*Disclosure; Andy Brink is my brother-in-law and while played for the Maroon and Gold, I am very proud to have him as a member of my family. Brink has been a good ambassador to the game of hockey and he is making differences in the lives of youngsters on and off the ice.

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers Combine... 

Brianna Decker Goal vs North Dakota

This was a beautiful goal by Wisconsin Badgers's Brianna Decker, unfortunately it was scored against UND.  Decker is one of the top women's players in the WCHA and I have to give credit where credit is due.

Red Baron WCHA co-Rookie of the Week Rocco Grimaldi • Freshman, Forward, University of North Dakota

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MADISON, Wis. – Two first-year forwards who played key roles for their respective teams last weekend –Rocco Grimaldi of the University of North Dakota and David Morley of St. Cloud State University – have been named Red Baron® WCHA co-Rookies of the Week for Dec. 11.

A 5-6, 170-pound right wing from Rossmoor, California, Grimaldi put together a pair of dynamic performances as UND took three points from first place and No. 6 Denver. He had a goal and three assists in last Saturday’s 6-3 win, the first four-point game by a UND freshman since the 2003-04 season. He figured in on four straight goals as UND turned a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead, scoring a first-period goal to tie the game and assisting on three second-period tallies, including the game-winner. He also led all players with a career-high eight shots on goal, was a +2 and was named the game’s first star. In last Friday’s 2-2 (ot) tie, Grimaldi was named the game’s No. 3 star without even reaching the scoresheet, tying for a game-high with five shots on goal and earning a +1. In 16 games played, Grimaldi is second in scoring among first-year WCHA players with 15 points (6g, 9a).

Morley, a 5-7, 170-pound right wing from Richmond Hills, Ontario, helped the host Huskies to a weekend split against No. 14 Nebraska Omaha on Dec. 7-8 in St. Cloud. He opened the weekend with a career performance, charting his first collegiate three-goal hat trick, contributing four points and putting six shots on goal in a 6-5 loss after SCSU trailed 6-3 in the third period. It was the first hat trick by a St. Cloud State freshman since Drew LeBlanc against Colorado College in 2008-09. Last Saturday, Morley had three more shots on goal and was a perfect 6-0 on face-offs in the Huskies’ 2-1 win over UNO, giving him nine shots on goal for the series. Morley now has

Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Carter Rowney • Senior, Forward, University of North Dakota

MADISON, Wis. – Veteran University of North Dakota forward Carter Rowney, who contributed five scoring points and had a game-winning goal as his team took three of four points from league-leading and visiting Denver last weekend, is the Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Dec. 11.

A 6-2 208-pound senior center from Sexsmith, Alberta, Rowney scored three goals and set up two others, had four shots on goal and earned a +3 plus/minus rating as North Dakota stretched its unbeaten streak to three and improved to 8-5-3 overall. He had career-high four points (2g, 2a) in last Saturday’s (Dec. 8) 6-3 victory over the Pioneers, including the game-winning goal and his first career shorthanded goal to earn Second Star of the Game honors. Three of his four points came in the second period, enabling UND to erase a 1-0 deficit, as he set up Derek Forbort’s go-ahead power-play goal early in the second period, then scored his two goals eight minutes apart to build a 4-1 lead. In the 2-2 (ot) tie in the series opener last Friday (Dec. 7), Rowney scored a goal to snap a seven-game drought, won 11 of 18 face-offs (61.1%), and was a +1. In 15 games this season, Rowney has 11 points (5g, 6a).

Also nominated: Rylan Schwartz, F, CC; Chris Knowlton, F, DU; Tom Serratore, F, UM; Eriah Hayes, F, MSU; Matt White, F, UNO.

Updated National College Hockey Television Schedule

This season, with the NHL lockout, the NHL has become the “No Hockey League.” Thankfully, college hockey has been able to pick up some of the slack. If you’re not real familiar with NCAA Division I hockey, the holidays is a good time to watch nonconference action.

This season I have been maintaining a list of nationally televised college hockey games.  For instance, if you have the DirecTV with the sports package, you can watch college hockey on the various regional Fox Sports channels as well as on NBC Sports Net and CBS Sports Net.

Thur.	Dec. 13		UAH at Wisconsin	FS Wisconsin	7:07 p.m.	669
Fri.	Dec. 14		UAH at Wisconsin	FS Wisconsin	7:07 p.m.	669
Fri.	Dec. 14		Miami at Ohio State	BTN	7 p.m.	610 / 439 (C)
Fri.	Dec. 14		Western Michigan at Michigan	CBS Sports Net.	7:30 p.m.	613 / 158 (C)
Thu.	Dec. 27		Michigan State vs. Western Michigan	FS Detroit	3:30 p.m.	663 / 430
Thu.	Dec. 27		Michigan vs. Michigan Tech	FS Detroit	7:30 p.m.	663 / 430
Fri.	Dec. 28		GLI Third-Place Game	FS Detroit	3:30 p.m.	663 / 430
Fri.	Dec. 28		GLI Championship Game	FS Detroit	7:30 p.m.	663 / 430
Sat.	Dec. 29		Air Force at Minnesota	FS North +	7:05 p.m.	657/444
Sat.	Dec. 29		Boston University at Denver	ROOT Sports	9 p.m.	683 / 414
Sat.	Dec. 30		Boston College at Minnesota	FS North +	7:05 p.m.	657/444

Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine...

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 9

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, Denver drops two places from the top spot after getting a single point in Grand Forks last weekend. The Minnesota Gophers are again the top team according to the voters.

The University of North Dakota moved from third to second place while garnering three first place votes. Minnesota State moved from seventh place to sixth place after seeping the hapless University of Anchorage Seawolves.

Here are the results of this week’s Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 9

	Team	Pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1)	Minnesota (9)	140	2	10-3-2	1	3
2)	North Dakota (3)	123	3	7-5-2	1	6
3)	Denver	122	1	9-4-1	2	5
4)	Nebraska Omaha	109	4	9-4-1	2	6
5)	St. Cloud State	96	5	8-6-0	4	6
6)	Minnesota State	91	7	7-5-2	2	7
7)	Colorado College	75	6	8-7-1	6	7
8)	Minnesota Duluth	53	8	4-7-3	8	10
9)	Michigan Tech	50	9	4-7-1	8	10
10)	Wisconsin	40	10	2-7-3	8	11
11)	Bemidji State	25	11	3-7-2	10	11
12)	Alaska Anchorage	12	12	3-5-4	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

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine...

Jimmers hit from behind

Qwirkle game

Dan "Jim" Senkbeil was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for this hit. I have had a few requests for me to put this video up on YouTube.

I just got my new television today, the other one was a victim of a Qwirkle block that went crashing into the screen of my old television set and ruined my tv. I have expressed my displeasure with the offending person...

I do think that the refs made the right call in this situation, that being said, I have seen calls this past weekend that should have resulted in a Denver Pioneer player being thrown out of the game as well and they weren't called. I remember at least two different checks by a DU player that should have resulted in a DU player being given a five minute major and no call was made.

So how good are MSU Mavericks?

The most wonderful time of the year

This is the most wonderful time of the year. With the holiday bowl season coming up and the NFL playoffs, you might want to try this on-line betting web page sportsbetting.ag for your sports betting needs.

Who good are the Purple Cows? 

I like transparency, who doesn't? The how they voted posts have been really popular this year on the blog and it’s interesting to see how the other voters in the WCHA Web Media Poll. 

It’s nice of Tim Braun to put his hard earned time off to put this thing together. It will be interesting to see how the WCHA ends up finishing at the end of the season. 

The hot team for discussion right now is the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks. 

First off, the Mavericks are a nice story there is no denying it and you can’t overlook that the Mavericks  are sitting pretty right now going into the halfway point of the WCHA Schedule, the Mavericks have 14 points and last season they had 18 points for the whole season (8-18-2 WCHA, 12-24-2). But let’s not beat around the bush.   I think their success is really a bi-product of who they have played on their schedule to date. 

If you look at the Minnesota State University Mavericks schedule, they have had a rather easy schedule. I know I am going to take some heat for this but the Mavericks have not played a schedule like DU or UND have. I know the Mavericks can’t be blamed for who they have played and you can only play who is on your schedule. I know, I know, the make college hockey schedules about two season in advance, however, that being said, it’s still a fact. 

Let look at UND’s schedule which is ranked 4^th over-all for Strength of Schedule, they have played Fairbanks (loss), UAA (2-0-1), BU (1-1-0), SCSU (1-1-0), UMD (1-0-1), Notre Dame (1-1-0), Colorado College (1-1-0), DU (1-0-1). 

If you look at the Denver Pioneers schedule, the Pioneers they have played the 16^th toughest schedule to date and they are currently hanging on for the top spot in the WCHA. UMASS Lowell (1-0-0), AFA (1-0-0), MTU (2-0-0), SCSU (1-1-0), MSU (2-0-0), Colorado College (2-0-0), Yale (0-1-0), UNH (0-1-0), UW (0-1-1), UND (0-1-1). 

Minnesota State is an up and coming team and they have some very nice players on their team and you can tell that they have a whole new philosophy. That being said, you can’t change the fact that the Mavericks have played the 43^rd hardest schedule in college hockey through 16 games and have only beaten one team with a winning record they were swept in their two series against SCSU and DU.

The Saint Cloud State Huskies beat the Mavericks pretty handedly (5-1 W - 5-1 W). 

Here is the Mavericks schedule; UAH (2-0-0), RPI (1-0-1), SCSU (0-2-0), UMN (1-1-0), DU (0-2-0), UW (0-2-0), BSU (2-0-0), UAA (2-0-0). The Mavericks have won 6 games against the three worst teams in the WCHA. In my opinion, that’s hardly a challenging schedule. Let’s let the season play out, and as far as I am concerned the Mavericks will not go higher in my power rankings until they beat a team with a winning record, but also a team that’s in the upper part of the WCHA standings. 

This weekend, the Purple Mavericks travel to Nebraska Omaha to play an important two game series with the Red Mavericks. This week, is an awesome opportunity for the MSU Mavericks to prove that they’re a contender and not an average team that has played a very weak schedule.   

My question today is this, do you think the Minnesota State University Mavericks are legit or do you think they're just a product of their easy schedule to date? again, for the fans that want to come on here and beat their chest how good their teams is, please remember that the Mavericks have played the 43rd hardest schedule in college hockey going 6-0 against the bottom three teams who have won a grand total of 13 games combined.