College Hockey Thread

[st.cronin]

Any college hockey fans here? The postseason is now under way. I'll be attending at least one of the Badger's games this weekend - they're hosting U Alaska-Anchorage in a best two of three series.

[KevinNU7]

A good amount of posters from USCHO.com post here in FOFC (mainly in the hattrick forum) so there are a decent amount of College Hockey fans.

I'm a Northeastern University alumn, I'll be up in NEw Hampshire for game 3 of their series with UNH if they make it that far.

[DeToxRox]

Michigan vs Notre Dame in a 3 game series this weekend.

Not too concerned, being Notre Dame won 5 or 6 games all year.

Michigan should run through the CCHA tourney, with the only possible speed bump being MSU or OSU.

Can't wait for the Frozen Four.

[sovereignstar]

Maybe you know where Kessell decided to go?

*ducks*

[KevinNU7]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Maybe you know where Kessell decided to go?

*ducks*

lol

[st.cronin]

The general feeling in Madison is that the Gophers needed him more.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

The general feeling in Madison is that the Gophers needed him more.

Correct, if by "Gophers needed him more" you mean that they need him more to make a mega-line of Potoulny-Kessell-Wheeler.

[DeToxRox]

Jack Johnson is going to Michigan.

Forget about Kessel, Double J is the best defensive prospect in North America.

[RPI-Fan]

This is a sad, sad day for RPI hockey.

In a thread that says "the postseason is about to get underway", RPI's post-season is over.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

But an exciting win for Bruno. A surprising season considering we lost Danis to graduation...

Just curious... did you go to the games?

Painful to watch just how horrendously bad our goaltending was.

[Klinglerware]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

This is a sad, sad day for RPI hockey.

In a thread that says "the postseason is about to get underway", RPI's post-season is over.

But an exciting win for Bruno. A surprising season considering we lost Danis to graduation...

[Klinglerware]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Just curious... did you go to the games?

Painful to watch just how horrendously bad our goaltending was.

I didn't go to any games this season (I'm not in Providence as often as when I was a student), but I do pay attention. That first game did look pretty horrifying from a defensive standpoint. In the typical year, this is where Brown chokes in OT after 3 periods of tight defense.

Again, this is bonus time in my mind--I expected a rebuilding year this season...

[Cap Ologist]

So why did you want to play college hockey?

[Sublime 2]

I'll be going to atleast the first BU vs Providence game.

[BishopMVP]

I might go to one of the UMass-BC games, see if Winer can steal a game like he almost did in November, making over 50 saves and tying BC 2-2. Losing Pock, Kuiper and Mauldin everyone knew it would be a bit of a rebuilding year, but once Anderson and Summerfield went down, among others, it just got kind of ugly. Some bright spots in the way the freshman have played, and the next two classes coming in are touted as easily the best in UMass' short history, so within the next two years we should be competing for the top 3-4 spots in Hockey East and the NCAA bid we nearly got last year.

[Cards4ever]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

The general feeling in Madison is that the Gophers needed him more.

Funny stuff! Kohl Center trips should be interesting for the Gophers the next couple of years. With the landing of Kessel, the Gophers have without a doubt the No 1 recruiting class.

Now back to this season, the WCHA has the best teams in the country and the Final 5 here in St Paul should be pretty good hockey. Wouldn't it be something for Michigan to get dumped out of the NCAA's by Minnesota at Mariucci this year?!

[Cards4ever]

Dola, College Hockey seeds it's tournament with something called Pairwise, all teams know in the beginning what the formula is and how they need to perform to get into the tourney(unlike other NCAA sports ).

Here are the current standings:

http://www.uscho.com/rankings/pwr.php

1t Colorado College 28 2t 26-7-3 .7639 1 .5971
1t Denver 28 6 24-9-2 .7143 2 .5871
1t Boston College 28 5 21-6-7 .7206 3 .5815
4 Michigan 26 2t 26-7-3 .7639 6 .5758
5t Minnesota 24 10 24-12-1 .6622 7 .5733
5t Cornell 24 1 22-4-3 .8103 4 .5809
7 Harvard 22 9 18-8-3 .6724 9 .5592
8t Ohio State 19 4 24-8-4 .7222 12 .5541
8t Wisconsin 19 13t 21-11-4 .6389 10 .5584
8t Boston University 19 13t 21-11-4 .6389 5 .5781
8t North Dakota 19 21 18-13-5 .5694 13 .5535
12 Dartmouth 18 17 19-11-2 .6250 19 .5324*
13 New Hampshire 17 8 22-9-5 .6806 8 .5666
14t Northern Michigan 16 11 20-9-7 .6528 20 .5310
14t Maine 16 20 18-11-7 .5972 11 .5552
16t Mass.-Lowell 15 12 20-10-4 .6471 14 .5488
16t Colgate 15 7 22-9-3 .6912 15 .5394
18t Vermont 12 18 19-11-4 .6176 16 .5358
18t Michigan State 12 26t 17-15-4 .5278 17 .5351
18t Minnesota-Duluth 12 28t 15-15-6 .5000 22 .5174
21t Minnesota State 9 35 13-17-6 .4444 21 .5248
21t Northeastern 9 31t 15-16-5 .4861 18 .5350
23 St. Lawrence 7 28t 17-17-2 .5000 24 .5093
24t Bowling Green 5 23t 16-14-4 .5294 25 .5068
24t St. Cloud State 5 40 14-21-3 .4079 27 .5048
26 Brown 4 22 16-12-3 .5645 26 .5066
27 Nebraska-Omaha 3 26t 17-15-4 .5278 29 .5009
28 Alabama-Huntsville 2 15 17-9-4 .6333 28 .5043
29t Miami 1 31t 15-16-5 .4861 30 .5004
29t Bemidji State 1 16 21-12-1 .6324 23 .5107

[st.cronin]

I think Denver is by far the best team I've seen this year, with CC second. I don't know much about the teams out east.

[st.cronin]

"dola"

Badger season ticket holder here... I've seen most of the WCHA teams, plus Michigan, Mich. State, Mercyhurst, Yale, and Ferris State.

[Cards4ever]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I think Denver is by far the best team I've seen this year, with CC second. I don't know much about the teams out east.

And of course you aren't counting the Gophers who took 3 out of 4 from the BADgers right?

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Cards4ever

And of course you aren't counting the Gophers who took 3 out of 4 from the BADgers right?

You don't seriously think Minnesota has done enough to warrant talk of best in the country, do you?

Now, don't get me wrong, you guys have a hell of a team, but you have to beat the man to be the man, and Denver is the man, right now.



Also, if there's one positive thing for RPI this year, it's that we got a Russian kid (Andrei Uradov) coming in next year - 6'1/205 lb. forward, who was recruited by Denver! -- Gwozskicki (however it's spelled) doesn't recruit chumps, so I'm hoping he might be able to play some hockey.

[DeToxRox]

I still stand by Jack Johnson.

Kessell might be the best of the lot, but J² is top three.

Our problem next year is goaltending, because I can't see Al staying around one more.

The time is now for the Wolvs.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

I still stand by Jack Johnson.

So you're saying your opinion hasn't changed on said prospect in two days? Shocking. I wonder if he had a chance to get a bite to eat in between your last posts.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

Michigan vs Notre Dame in a 3 game series this weekend.

Not too concerned, being Notre Dame won 5 or 6 games all year.

More to the point, the Irish haven't won since the new year and have given only intermittent effort of late. I'd be surprised if they don't lay down for UM to bring the season to a merciful end.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wednesday

More to the point, the Irish haven't won since the new year ...

It is embarassing to say, but this is wrong.

[Cards4ever]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

You don't seriously think Minnesota has done enough to warrant talk of best in the country, do you?

Now, don't get me wrong, you guys have a hell of a team, but you have to beat the man to be the man, and Denver is the man, right now.



Also, if there's one positive thing for RPI this year, it's that we got a Russian kid (Andrei Uradov) coming in next year - 6'1/205 lb. forward, who was recruited by Denver! -- Gwozskicki (however it's spelled) doesn't recruit chumps, so I'm hoping he might be able to play some hockey.

Last year Denver won the title, but what does that have to do with this season?

If Minnesota beats Denver at the WCHA Final Five, They will be ahead of them in Pairwise and that is what determines who the best teams are this season. Go look at the comparisons and see what they say.


And what Jack Johnson has to do with Phil Kessel I have no idea, they are both fine prospects, but overall Kessel is the one every coach would take if they had to choose to between the two.

[st.cronin]

No knock on Minny - Irmen/Potulny is one of the better forward combos IMO. Denver's just deeper, especially on the blueline, and I think their goaltending is a lot better. CC's McHeliny is just awesome as well. I wasn't overly impressed with Briggs, and then isn't he hurt? I thought I heard he was out for the year. It's no knock on the Gophers to say that Denver and CC are the class of the WCHA this year.

[Cards4ever]

I think the Gophers are better then Denver, even if they finished ahead of Minnesota. If Briggs didn't impress you during the first half of the season, I don't know what you were watching. He is hurt now, he should be back in time for the Frozen Four and with a Regional at Mariucci, they have a good chance to get there.

CC has one advantage over in Minnesota in that they have a Senior Goaltender, but, they are pretty much a one line team, if you can stabilize that top line, you can beat them.

[st.cronin]

Well, I guess we'll find out... I don't expect the Badgers to go far, either, but that's why they play the games.

[Cards4ever]

We will know a lot more after the Final Five, if Minnesota gets the #3 overall seed, they are going to be tough, a creampuff in the first game and then home ice in the regional final will be tough to overcome.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

It is embarassing to say, but this is wrong.

Doh! You're right.

They haven't won since beating RPI in the first series of the year.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Dola, in fairness to RPI, the Irish hadn't started mailing it in on a regular basis at that point, they were still trying.

[DeToxRox]

I think the funniest story is at Michigan State ..

A.J. Thelen (having a HORRID year) was kicked off of the team by Comley because players came to Comley to tell him Thelen had been drinking.

Thelen comes out and says it's happened before but when the other guys did it, nothing happened to those guys.

Bad news in East Lansing.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

A.J. Thelen (having a HORRID year) was kicked off of the team by Comley because players came to Comley to tell him Thelen had been drinking.

Thelen comes out and says it's happened before but when the other guys did it, nothing happened to those guys.

Bad news in East Lansing.

College athletes drinking !!!!

There's gotta be something more to this (like Smoker a few years ago) or else his teammates are jackasses.

[st.cronin]

The story I read makes Thelen look like a problem child - it sounds like the entire team and his coach just basically hated him.

[Cards4ever]

The MSU program is a mess, I wonder if Comley will survive. AJ is underage which is part of the issue and since he got drafted has been way too cocky. He even got left off the WJC roster. Hopefully he gets back to earth and starts playing like he can.

st. cronin, Briggs has been cleared to play this weekend also, his hand has healed and stated in the paper today that his knee was more of the issue.

[st.cronin]

I don't even know who Minny's playing this weekend... but this year it seems like every team in the WCHA is dangerous. Only thing that would shock me is *both* CC and Denver losing this weekend.

And now a real argument... Who's the best goalie in the WCHA?

[Cards4ever]

Minnesota is playing Mankato this weekend, look for JJ in nets this weekend, Briggs at the Final 5.

Best goalie? I like a few, Briggs, Bruckler, and McElhinney. I'm sure you'll discount Briggs, but, remember the system that Minnesota plays, is a lot more wide open then most and leaves him to fend for himself quite often.

[Cards4ever]

Gophers with a 7-2 win tonight, and I see Wisco beat Anchorage 5-4, with CC and Denver just underway.

On another note, Bloomington Girls Mites 5 Minnetonka Stingers 5

[st.cronin]

Well that was hairy. Brian Elliot to the rescue!

[st.cronin]

Bernd Bruckler apparently pulled himself from net tonight ... it's been an up and down year for him, quite frankly.

[Cards4ever]

Gophers sweep!

[Cards4ever]

I see the BADgers got through Anchorage tonight, should be a interesting game on Thursday night.

[st.cronin]

Fantastic performance for Bruckler tonight! For those who don't follow, Bernd Bruckler, senior, is one of the greatest goalies in the history of Wisconsin hockey. Wisconsin is known as 'Goalie U' for it's tendency to produce great goaltenders... Mike Richter is probably the most famous. As a junior, Bruckler had maybe the greatest single season by a Wisconsin goaltender ever, taking a quite poor team to within one game of the Frozen Four. Bruckler is beloved by all hockey fans in Madison (and not just for his play on the ice); he has the same immunity from criticism that, say, Derek Jeter has.

This season, he didn't play quite at the same level. He was brilliant at times, but was rather ordinary over the last few weeks... and then on Friday, he just basically melted down, pulling himself from the game after giving up four goals. The team rallied without him, and won the game... Saturday night, Brian Elliot, sophomore and presumed #1 goaltender next year, started in goal and played well, but the team lost, 2-1, setting up a 3rd game tonight - Bruckler's last game in front of the Badger faithful, with a trip to the WCHA Final Five on the line.

We fell behind 1-0 after a period, but Bruckler played brilliant for the last forty minutes, and Pavelski and Burish scored goals ... a huge, emotional win for Madison!

[Cards4ever]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Fantastic performance for Bruckler tonight! For those who don't follow, Bernd Bruckler, senior, is one of the greatest goalies in the history of Wisconsin hockey. Wisconsin is known as 'Goalie U' for it's tendency to produce great goaltenders... Mike Richter is probably the most famous. As a junior, Bruckler had maybe the greatest single season by a Wisconsin goaltender ever, taking a quite poor team to within one game of the Frozen Four. Bruckler is beloved by all hockey fans in Madison (and not just for his play on the ice); he has the same immunity from criticism that, say, Derek Jeter has.

This season, he didn't play quite at the same level. He was brilliant at times, but was rather ordinary over the last few weeks... and then on Friday, he just basically melted down, pulling himself from the game after giving up four goals. The team rallied without him, and won the game... Saturday night, Brian Elliot, sophomore and presumed #1 goaltender next year, started in goal and played well, but the team lost, 2-1, setting up a 3rd game tonight - Bruckler's last game in front of the Badger faithful, with a trip to the WCHA Final Five on the line.

We fell behind 1-0 after a period, but Bruckler played brilliant for the last forty minutes, and Pavelski and Burish scored goals ... a huge, emotional win for Madison!

Now if the Kessel Rejects can just beat UND.

[Cards4ever]

Well, Wisco is in trouble, have to see how the PWR shake out, but they may be on the outside looking in after tonights fiasco.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Cards4ever

The MSU program is a mess, I wonder if Comley will survive.

I heard a rumor that some of the more 'influential' boosters have threatened to withold donations to the program unless he leaves, but I have doubts about that. The way MSU is playing now, though, he might be finally turning things around.

I'll be going to the CCHA finals on Saturday, I'm looking forward to that. I haven't made it there in about five years.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Cards4ever

Well, Wisco is in trouble, have to see how the PWR shake out, but they may be on the outside looking in after tonights fiasco.

Fiasco? That's not fair - they lost a close game to a good team. If only Likens could have stayed out of the box...

It seems unlikely they'll make the tourney now. Which is ok, the way they've played down the stretch, they definitely don't deserve it.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I think their fate depends a lot on what happens in other tournaments. I ran a whole lot of scenarios trying to nail the USCHO contest (and failed when I couldn't knock either Harvard or Maine out of the tournament). I think even in some of the cases where I had North Dakota win, Wisconsin was still in the field as an at-large, and this was in scenarios where I was trying to stress the bubble as much as possible.

[Sublime 2]

Heading to the Hockey East semis tonight at the new Gahden. I expect BC to beat Maine unless Howard shuts them down, which he is fully capable of doing. Now the game I really care about is the BU vs UNH game. I'm bringing my biotch to the game too and she goes to UNH so i sure would love to see BU stomp the University of No Hardware; however the chances of that happening seem slim. They've split the season series 1-1-1, so it should be a great game. UNH is fully capable of lighting the lamp numerous times, hopefully the BU defense and Curry can keep them at bay.

Predictions:
BC over Maine 3-1
Heart says BU over UNH 4-3
Head says UNH over BU 5-4