Tweets of interest - WCHA Hockey

I'm sure Bruce McLeod is thrilled at the possibility of doing 3 MacNaughton Cup celebrations at schools who won't be in the league next year
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 9, 2013

Zane Gothberg has lost just one of his 11 WCHA starts this season, going 7-1-3. His .773 conference winning percentage leads the WCHA.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 9, 2013

Make me proud again!!! @jocelamoureux17 @moniquelam7 @ashleyfuria91 @megangilbert15 #kickass #gosioux #rolltribe
— Margot Miller (@MargotMiller19) March 9, 2013

Good luck to the UND Women's team @und_wih as they Face the undefeated Gophers 37-0-0 #rolltribe Last team to beat them.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) March 9, 2013

Less than 24 hours remain in Vote For Hobey fan voting. Be sure to cast your vote for Corban Knight: bit.ly/eNsAOH
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 9, 2013

Breaking down Minnesota State's tiebreakers. Mavs can finish 4th to 7th in the WCHA: bit.ly/1UiGmx
— Shane Frederick (@puckato) March 9, 2013

Final Score: Gophers pick up a 4-3 win over Bemidji State behind a two-goal night from Nick Bjugstad.
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 9, 2013

Big night tonight. First-time champs could win 4 of college hockey's 5 conference titles (reg-season, Miami could be the lone exception).
— College Hockey, Inc. (@collegehockey) March 9, 2013

(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.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20 (insidehockey.com)
• Things aren't all that bad... Sky not falling yet. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND Recruit Jack Rowe Strikes First

University of North Dakota recruit Jack Rowe (19) struck first against the Waterloo Black Hawks in USHL Friday night action on March 8, 2013.  The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders would go on to beat the Black Hawks 2-1 at Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa.

Gophers get past Beavers

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bemidji, Minnesota – This weekend, is the last time the Gophers will ever play the Bemidji State Beavers as members of the WCHA, ever.

Two summers ago, the college hockey landscape changed forever. That discussion, however, is for another day.

Next season, the Gophers will come back to play the Beavers at the Sanford Center as members of Big Ten Hockey Conference. The Beavers will remain in the new version of the WCHA.

Last weekend, the Beavers defensive style of play kept UND bottled up and gave them fits.

Fast forward to this weekend, the Beavers again were giving another team fits, this time that same tenacious fore-check was on display at the Sanford Center in Bemidji and the Beavers were getting in the Gophers shooting lanes and taking away their time and space. It was a beaut to watch as the Beavers were giving the highly touted Gophers forwards little room to roam.

Through one period of hockey, the Gophers and Beavers exchanged goals and played an evenly matched game of hockey. The Beavers outshot the Gophers 13-10 in the first period

The second period would prove to be rough sledding in the early going for the Beavers, as they had to a kill a five-on-three power play. Unfortunately, the Beavers luck would run out at the 02:21 mark of the second period as Nick Bjudstad would score his first of two goals on the power play.

The Beavers would continue to work hard and beat the Gophers to the puck and that hard work would finally pay off as the Beavers would eventually tie the score at the 18:17 mark of the second period with a goal from Beaver freshman Cory Ward. Ward’s goal was an example of what happens when you go hard to the net.

The Gophers would out shoot the Beavers in the second period 9-8.

The opportunistic Cory Ward, would score his second of the game at the 2:30 mark of the second period, to give the Beavers a momentary 3-2 lead.

Freshman Cory Ward (Las Vegas, Nevada) has been hot as of late and has points in four of his last five games (3g-3a—6pts).

“The last couple of weeks we’ve played like that, we’ve played really well,” Ward said.  “I feel like everything is coming together. Playing against teams like that we’ve stepped our game up and that’s really important going into the playoffs in our position.”

The Beavers would miss a golden opportunity go up 4-2, on a breakaway by senior forward Jordan George.  That was a key play that would come back to haunt the Beavers.

The Gophers would tie the game four minutes later with a goal by Justin Holl.

The game wouldn’t stay tied for long as the Golden Gophers would go on the power play at the 14:54 mark of the third period with untimely and bad penalty from sophomore defenseman Sam Rendle.

The Gophers would make the Beavers pay 0:31 seconds later when Nick Bjudstad would get his second power play goal of the night.

The Gophers (23-7-4, 15-7-5 WCHA) would score two third-period goals in about seven minutes and 27 seconds to lead the Gophers to a heart breaking 4-3 loss.

The Beavers (6-19-8, 5-15-7 WCHA) gave the Gophers everything they could handle and at times they were the better of the two teams, but untimely penalties by the Beavers did them in. You cannot give the Beavers power play too many chances.

Bemidji State Beavers head coach Tom Serratore on his team’s play.

“I thought we played a pretty good 60 minute game,” Serratore said. “I thought we had good possession time. I thought we went to the net well. I thought we had good scoring chances. Guys made plays. Obviously, again the thing that tough to swallow is that third period lead and you give it up.  We’ve done that too much this year.”

[Box Score]

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine... 

Last weekend in the WCHA; All is jacked-up...

This has to be one of the most messed up standings we have seen in some time. By that I mean, no one really knows where anyone is going yet. We do know that UAA is going to finish last place, but we have known that for some time. But after that, it's a crap shoot at best. Five teams have a chance at winning the MacNaughton Cup.

This Week in the WCHA. 

College Hockey Tonight. 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 21 (thehockeywriters.com)

The First Loser of the Year Nominee is....

Brett Cook now formerly of the Nipissing University Lakers hockey team (CIS) was a former OHL goon.  His OHL resume is stacked with 19 goals 47 assists and a mere 344 penalty minutes (oh yeah, and an amazing -26 Plus/Minus between Erie and London his final year of OHL) to go with 2g 5a 62 PIM performance at the North Bay, Ontario University.

Why should I care about this guy?  Well, he managed to achieve the ULTIMATE Penalty:  A LIFETIME ban.  Why?  He sucker punched a linesman.  Watch the video below.  I mean, the linesman wasn't even in the middle of a scrum.  It's just the linesman and Cook!  I'd be a bit more sympathetic if the linesman jumped into the middle of a fight and blocked a fist with his face but oh my GOD!  It was a straight up Uppercut right to the mouth/nose.  I'm surprised he didn't lose any teeth and it appears as though he's not bleeding (but there's no way to tell either). 

I felt compelled to bring this up because I'm one of the most outspoken critics of officials out there and I want to say the following:  I'd love to say that I'd love to do the same thing but that's not right.  Refs may at times be awful, inconsistent, and seemingly biased, but they are NOT punching bags.  You want to punch a ref?  Punch him in the pocket book by registering a complaint with the league and get him suspended without pay or worse.

What Cook did was WRONG and he knew it.  Here is the news article.

Here's the Video (it happens near the bench.  The scrum nearest the camera is the wrap up of a different scrum):



With fighting on the ropes being pushed out of the game, I think instances like this will only make things worse.  I hope he's done with hockey in any league anywhere (the ban is only for CIS hockey for which he apparently voided himself 4 years of eligibility). The last time a guy couldn't skate, couldn't defend, and couldn't do anything other than fight, he made the NHL.  His name?  John Scott (there was another but I do not speak ill of the dead).

In the end, Brett Cook will be remembered.  And his reputation will be sullied for it.  I hope he's proud. 

NHL Hockey; Leave Fighting alone for the sake of the game

They say that those that cover hockey, in most cases never actually played the game of hockey. Before you jump on me, hear me out… I mean seriously, every time I see one of these articles that question fighting’s role in the NHL and or in professional hockey, it sends up a big flag.

I ask you to think about it this way. I am sure you can picture a player from around the NHL from your least favorite team that has no honor, these are the Ulf Samuelssons, Matt Cookes, Raffi Tores and Patrick Kaleta’s or whoever, I am sure that you have one in mind, but you know the type of players that I am talking about, they're the type of players that I would like to see taken out of the game of hockey long before fighting was ever banned.

These are the players that when they get hit with a big check you feel no empathy for them what-so-ever as they lay on the ice writhing in pain. When Evander Kane knocked out Matt Cooke I stood in my living room cheering, actually chugged a beer in celebration, ex-post facto.

Imagine these clowns, skating around the ice unchecked to wreaking havoc on NHL players and star players without the fear of ever having to answer the bell for a dirty hit. They would be able to do their trade without the fear of retribution. That sets a bad precedence.

Chris Johnston, Sportsnet --- The message was clear: Let the debate happen elsewhere.

“I think you really have to understand the game and kind of understand the (dressing) room to know what it’s like to be on a bench when a guy fights,” Bruins forward Brad Marchand said before the 4-2 victory over Toronto. “For fans that think that fighting has no part of the game, they don’t really know what they’re talking about.”

And that was that.

Marchand’s comments were consistent with the general line of thinking that can be found among both of these teams. They also highlight a pretty glaring paradox that exists within the sport.

Even though the fighting debate is always just one incident away from flaring up for fans and members of the media, the majority of players seem reluctant to even chew on the topic for a minute or two. They simply accept it — the good, the bad and (occasionally) the ugly.

I have seen all of the arguments for banning fighting from hockey and you can’t count on the refs and the department of player’s safety catch all of the offenders and in many cases they let the offenders go with little if any punishment.

2012-13 WCHA WOMEN’S AWARD WINNERS

The University of North Dakota landed a five players on the All-WCHA teams. Congratulations to Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux, Michelle Karvinen, Josefine Jakobsen and Meghan Dufault. All five players are very deserving.  Goon's World would like to congratulate these five athletes.

 WCHA Player of the Year: Amanda Kessel, Jr., F, Minnesota (Madison, WI)

 *WCHA Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year: Jocelyne Lamoureux, Sr., F, North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND)

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year: Megan Bozek, Sr., D, Minnesota (Buffalo Grove, IL)

WCHA Rookie of the Year: Hannah Brandt, Fr., F, Minnesota (Vadnais Heights, MN)

WCHA Scoring Champion: Amanda Kessel, Jr., F, Minnesota (Madison, WI)

WCHA Goaltending Champion: Noora Räty, Sr., Minnesota (Espoo, Finland)

WCHA Coach of the Year: Brad Frost, Minnesota

All-WCHA First Team

Forward - Amanda Kessel, Jr., Minnesota (Madison, WI); (25 gp, 34-41=75); Forward - Brianna Decker, Sr., Wisconsin (Dousman, WI) (28 gp, 20-18=38); Forward - Hannah Brandt, Fr., Minnesota (28 gp, 18-38=56); Defense - Megan Bozek, Sr., Minnesota (Buffalo Grove, IL) (28 gp, 14-23=37); Defense - *Monique Lamoureux, Sr., *North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) (28 gp, 17-27=44); Goaltender- Noora Räty, Sr., Minnesota (Espoo, Finland) (27 gp, 27-0-0, 1.05 GAA, .950 Sv%).

All-WCHA Second Team

Forward - Jocelyne Lamoureux, Sr., North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) (28 gp, 22-32=54); Forward - *Michelle Karvinen, Jr., North Dakota (Rodovre, Denmark) (20 gp, 14-21=35); Forward - Jenna McParland, So., Minnesota Duluth (Schreiber, ON) (27 gp, 10-15=25); Defense - Brigette Lacquette, So., Minnesota Duluth (Mallard, MB) (28 gp, 5-14=19); Defense - Jessica Wong, Sr., Minnesota Duluth (Baddeck, NS) (27 gp, 7-15=22); Goaltender - Alex Rigsby, Jr., Wisconsin (Delafield, WI) (28 gp, 17-9-2, 1.60 GAA, .940 Sv%).

All-WCHA Third Team

Forward - Lauren Smith, Sr., Minnesota State (Burnsville, MN) (28 gp, 17-9=26); Forward - Josefine *Jakobsen, So., North Dakota (Aalborg, Denmark) (26 gp, 11-15=26); Forward - Kelly Terry, Jr., Minnesota (Whitby, ON) (28 gp, 5-19=24); Defense - Mira Jalosuo, Sr., Minnesota (Lieksa, Finland) (28 gp, 6-13=19); Defense - Rachel Ramsey, So., Minnesota (Chanhassen, MN) (28 gp, 8-15=23); Goaltender - Kayla Black, Fr., Minnesota Duluth (Blyth, ON) (26 gp, 12-12-2, 2.37 GAA, .916 Sv%).

All-WCHA Rookie Team

Forward - Hannah Brandt, Fr., Minnesota (Vadnais Heights, MN) (28 gp, 18-38=56); Forward - Maryanne Menefee, Fr., Minnesota (Lansing, MI) (24 gp, 11-14=25); Forward - *Meghan Dufault, Fr., North Dakota (Winnipeg, MB) (27 gp, 12-12=24); Defense - Milica McMillen, Fr., Minnesota (St. Paul, MN) (22 gp, 8-6=14); Defense - Courtney Burke, Fr., Wisconsin (Albany, NY) (28 gp, 3-14=17); Goaltender - Kayla Black, Fr., Minnesota Duluth (Blyth, ON) (26 gp, 12-12-2, 2.37 GAA, .916 Sv%).

Through These Doors - 218 - Dealing with Uncertainty

Latest episode of #ThroughTheseDoors.Dealing with Uncertainty and reflection. youtube.com/watch?v=jkY_8H…
— Eric Classen (@eric_classen) March 8, 2013

Another great job by the Through These Door Boys.

B1G Hockey Conference Trophy

A peak at the new Big 10 hockey conference trophy twitter.com/GopherPuckStat…
— Gopher Hockey Stats (@GopherPuckStats) March 7, 2013

There it is, the new Big 10 hockey conference trophy, what do you think? I think it looks like something you put on the end of an arrow...

Related articles

• Lamoureux Sisters Lasso Mavericks (insidehockey.com)

Knight and Kristo Highlight videos

UND head coach Hakstol on senior forward Corban Knight, "he's a tremendous young man."
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) March 7, 2013

Special thanks to @hamsbrew of @midcosportsnet for producing the @corbanknight and @dkristo7 highlight videos for us.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) March 7, 2013

Charges dropped against UND’s Corban Knight

What do we have here? Looks like the charges were dropped against Hobey Baker Memorial Award Candidate Corban Knight. I always hear how these charges will hurt Knight, well, that argument is now gone.

Grand Forks Herald. --- A misdemeanor charge against UND men’s hockey player Corban Knight was dropped this week in Grand Forks.

Knight was charged with “unlawful deliver to certain persons,” stemming from a team party in September. The charge was for supplying alcohol to the party where there were people under the age of 21.

anny Kristo, Carter Rowney, Joe Gleason and Andrew MacWilliam changed their plea to guilty for the charge.

Let's not forget, that you’re also innocent until proven guilty in this country.

I am sure we'll see some black helicopter stuff written on the internet from fans of other teams in the WCHA and around college hockey. I am sure some of the things we will see written, is how the judge must be a UND fan or how the judge stepped in for Knight because he was a candidate for the Hobey Baker or something along those lines. Yes, I am saying this tongue in cheek, you've got to have a sense of humor. But, it's good news for Knight. From everything that I have heard, Knight is a good, straight laced kid that rarely, if ever swears.

Three Finalists Named for 2013 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award

 I suppose all you are shocked that all three finalists came from the University of Minnesota. This appears to be more political than the Hobey Baker Memorial Award voting.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Senior defenseman Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), junior forward Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.) and senior goaltender Noora Räty (Espoo, Finland), all of the University of Minnesota, have been named the Top-3 Finalists for the 2013 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. It is the first time ever that the Top-3 Finalists all represent the same university.

The three players have helped the University of Minnesota women's ice hockey team to a perfect 36-0-0 record this season. The Gophers are in the midst of an NCAA-record 44-game winning streak, dating back to last season.

2013 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Finalists Megan Bozek • Univ. of Minnesota Senior • Defenseman • 36GP, 18-34--52 Amanda Kessel • Univ. of Minnesota Junior • Forward • 32GP, 43-51--94 Noora Räty • Univ. of Minnesota Senior • Goaltender • 33-0-0; 0.93; .956

The 2013 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be awarded at a brunch ceremony on Sat., March 23, at the McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis, in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four. The award, which is in its 16th year, is given out annually by The USA Hockey Foundation to the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey.

The selection process began in late February, when NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches were asked to nominate players for the award. Players who were nominated by two or more coaches were then placed on an official ballot, which was sent back to the coaches to vote for the Top-10 finalists.

The three finalists were then chosen by a 13-member selection committee comprised of NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches, representatives of print and broadcast media, an at-large member and a representative of USA Hockey, the national governing body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. The independent accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, tabulated the ballots.

 

NCHC logo (by Donn)

I found the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference Logo at www.targetcenter.com/nchc which also has infromation on the 2014 playoff tournament.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

This is it!  The last weekend of the regular season, buckle up sports fan, ‘cause we got a full slate of games.  The standings are still jam packed, with the top seven teams separated by 5 points.  It is possible to have a four-way tie for the McNaughton Cup, if things work out that way, not likely, but possible.  What we do know is that CC, UMD, MTU, BSU, and UAA will be on the road next weekend, we just don’t know who’s rink they will be at, and SCSU and UND have wrapped up home ice.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. St. Cloud St……………17-8-1.…….….35
2. Minnesota……………...14-7-2……..…33
2. North Dakota.………….13-6-7………..33
4. Minnesota State………15-10-1....…....31
4. Wisconsin…....………..12-7-7………...31
6. Nebraska-Omaha…......14-10-2…...…30
7. Denver…………..……..12-9-5..…........29
8. Colorado College …….10-12-4...…….24
9. Minnesota-Duluth….…..8-13-5……….21
10. Michigan Tech………..7-15-4.…..…..18
11. Bemidji State……..…..6-13-7.......…..17
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...2-18-6.......…..10


The # numbers below are now the PAIRWISE rankings.

WCHA Games

#2 Minnesota @ Bemidji St.

Last weekend the Gophers split (2-0L, 5-1W) with the Pioneers in Minneapolis and the Beavers got a point from NoDak (4-2, 2-2) in Grand Forks.

The Gopher faithfully will be hoping for some help, from Wisconsin, this weekend to keep their hopes alive for the last WCHA title.  The Beavers still have a chance to move up the standings, they could finish as high as ninth place, with a sweep.  BSU plays sound defense and clogs up the passing and shooting lanes.  The Beavers style can frustrate teams, but if their opponents can get a lead, they can force BSU to change their style.  The Gophers will need to draw some penalties to get the power play some chances to score.  All the numbers point to the Gophers, but when teams like have BSU nothing to lose, you need to watch out for the kitchen sink.  GOPHERS 3-PTS

Alaska-Anchorage @ #8 Denver (Fri/Sun)

Last weekend the Seawolves were swept by the Nanooks (2-1ot, 3-1) in the home/home series and the Pioneers split (2-0W, 5-1L) with the Gophers in Minneapolis.

The Pioneers still have some control over their own fate, but they need to sweep the Seawolves, and have UNO drop below them.  I’m sure the Seawolves would like to welcome DU to the bottom half of the bracket and keep them there, by winning a game or two.  DU played well last weekend in Minneapolis, I watched the replays. And if they play like that again this weekend, they should secure four points.  UAA has nothing to lose; they have been locked into last place for a couple of weeks now.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Shyiak pulled a few tricks out of his sleeve this weekend.  PIONEERS SWEEP

#7 North Dakota @ #8 Minnesota State
Last weekend NoDak got three points (4-2, 2-2ot) from the Beavers in Grand Forks and the Mavericks split (4-1L, 7-2W) with the Tigers in Colorado Springs.

This is a big series for both teams.  UND still has an outside chance at the title and MSUM for that matter too.  The Mavericks are 10-5-1 at home this year and UND is 8-6-1 away from Grand Forks.  NoDak has scored three more goals and given up three more than MSUM has in the WCHA this season, so those are pretty even numbers.  The big difference is that NoDak has 7 ties in the league and the Mavericks have just one.  With so much on the line for both teams, this should be a very entertaining series to watch.  SPLIT

Colorado College @ Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Tigers split (4-1W, 7-2L) with the MSUM Mavericks in Colorado Springs and the Huskies split (5-3L, 5-1W) with the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

The Huskies gave themselves a boost with a win over SCSU on Saturday, and gave the rest of the league hope at title with that win.  MTU has been better over the last month, going 4-4-0 in their last eight games, and CC has gone 3-2-3 over their last eight contests.  The Tigers can’t move up the standings, they are stuck at 8^th place and could slip to 9^th if they lose twice this weekend.  CC hasn’t been too good on the road this season going 4-8-3 away from home and the Huskies are 5-7-2 at home in MacInnis Student Ice Arena.  I’m going say both black and gold teams win.  SPLIT

#10 St. Could St.  @ #20 Wisconsin

Last weekend the Huskies split (5-3W, 5-1L) with the MTU Huskies in St. Cloud and the Badgers swept (4-3, 6-2) the UNO Mavericks in Omaha.

The other top teams will be watching the scoreboard for these games.  If the Huskies win on Friday, they will secure at least a share of the McNaughton Cup.  The Badgers have plans of their own; a win on Friday (coupled with a UNO loss or DU tie/loss) would secure them home ice.  The Badgers are 7-7-3 home this year, but they aren’t playing in the Kohl center this weekend, they are at coliseum, for a throwback weekend, and the Huskies are 7-6-1 on the road.  I’m not sure if the pressure got to SCSU last Saturday, because if they would have won, they would have already secured a share of the title.  This series should have the feel of a playoff series with the stakes high for both teams.  The Badgers need some quality wins to move up the rankings, and improve their odds of getting into the NCAA tournament.  SPLIT

#25 Nebraska-Omaha @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Badgers (4-3, 6-2) in Omaha and the Bulldogs swept the UAH Chargers (4-2, 4-0) in Duluth.

The Mavericks saw their chance at the McNaughton Cup slip away last weekend.  UNO also saw their home ice spot put in jeopardy, with suffering a pair of losses in Omaha.  They need to put last weekend in the past and move on to this series and get back on track.  UMD is looking to continue to build momentum for the playoffs and what better way to do that by dragging UNO to the bottom half with a sweep in Duluth.  However, that is a tall order given Omaha’s scoring ability and the Bulldogs porous defensive play this year.  SPLIT

(Video) Embellishment City

What's laughable is a Canucks fans would come up with this spoof video on another team in the NHL diving. The Vancouver Canucks are the poster boys for diving and embellishment, if needed we can do a review of the offenders. This remotely amusing video, calls out the Brad Marchand for what a play during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Whatever. You would probably circle the earth twice with video tape, of all of the instances of the Canucks diving and embellishing calls.

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

Does anyone remember when @andyjohnsonb5q asked for our preseason breakout D of the year? @runwiththedogs @goon48 mine was Sustr!
— Matt Christians (@Matt_Christians) March 7, 2013

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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