"There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who follow college hockey, and the uninteresting ones" - The Mayor
Yikes. Had to take a couple of days to collect myself, even I have limits to the abuse I can take, and things keep getting worse.
Let's not even talk about the state of the football teams, let's just do what we do best, and turn the page.
No word on 0-4, no mention of 58-0, just pretend it didn't happen and start rooting for blackouts so there will actually be good games on TV.
As far as I'm concerned, it's officially hockey season.
While it's true we're 50% of the way through the best two months on the calendar, the good news is that the second half is the better one. The fall season is like a poorly-poured glass of beer, the first part can be a little frothy, but after a few sips you're past it, enjoying nothing but pure refreshment. That's where things stand at the moment, with the tastiest bit on tap.
The next few weeks is sports nirvana, two kinds of football in full swing, baseball playoffs ongoing, and pucks dropping from coast to coast. Be still my heart.
For a lot of people, hockey is just a strange game played on ice, but for those of us who live in it's mecca, it's tough not to be biased in favor of the game. It's one of only three reasons, along with "The air smells really clean" and "I don't feel guilty for not leaving the house on a Sunday" that make it tolerable to live here in the winter. You can watch guys who are going to get drafted in the NHL at high school games for $5, that's pretty cool. Lots of places have the pro game, but we have it all, and it's pretty damn sweet.
With that in mind, we're going further down the rabbit hole of the inconsequential today, to the only sport I love more than the NFL, that wonderful game called college hockey.
This is a niche of a niche we're talking about here. Take a poll of random strangers in all but about 3 states and maybe only 1 in 1,000 has spent a moment watching college hockey in their life. But if everything that was popular was good, and vice versa, I'd still be listening to the radio, watching network TV and eating at Hardees. Alas, none of those is the case.
This game is everything you used to love about sports. Affordable tickets, passionate fans, roadtrips, rivalries; things that the big-time games co-opted in favor of profits long ago. As I noted in discussing favorite roadtrips last year, the buildings are iconic, names that stir memories and passion among every fan: Stub & Herb's, Grandma's, State St. Brats, Blue Bricks, Eagle St, The Red Carpet, Parrot's Cay, The Bank, Tav on the Ave, Sally's, MC's, The 209, Whitey's.
And those are just the bars, the arenas are even better.
The puck dropped in exhibition games last weekend, with regular season games commencing Friday. It's time for the fall routine to hit it's stride: Hockey, rake leaves, football, hockey, football. Repeat. There are only two seasons left in the history of the greatest hockey league on the planet, so let's make them count.
Without further ado, one man's thoughts on the 2011 Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
1. Denver Pioneers
2010-2011: 25-12-5 Overall, 17-8-3 WCHA (2nd place), lost in Final Five Championship, lost in NCAA 2nd Rd
Key Losses: F Anthony Maiani, F Kyle Ostrow, D Matt Donovan
Key Returners: G Sam Brittain, F Jason Zucker, F Drew Shore
The only thing preventing this team from being a runaway favorite is the fact that their returning goaltender tore his ACL in the offseason, and will be out through at least Christmas. Makes no difference in my mind, they're loaded, and goalies are notoriously unpredictable. Lately it seems like every team who thinks they have the position set coming into the season has been proven wrong, and another guy ends up getting the majority of the duty.
Alex Kangas was the answer in Minnesota two seasons ago, then he lost his edge and was replaced by Kent Patterson, who's been even better. Brad Eidsness was a fixture in net for two seasons at North Dakota before giving way to Aaron Dell last year; all Dell was able to do was win Goaltender of the Year. So while the past performance of presumed starter Adam Murray is spotty, and the defensive depth may not be great, I'll trust the league's best set of forwards to carry the load until things solidify in net.
2. Colorado College Tigers
2010-2011: 23-19-3 Overall, 13-13-2 WCHA (6th place), lost in NCAA 2nd Rd
Key Losses: F Stephen Schultz
Key Returners: G Joe Howe, F Jaden Schwartz, F Rylan Schwartz, D Gabe Guentzel
As Exhibit A of the theory just stated, consider junior goalie Joe Howe.
Howe did a solid job last season (2.94 GAA, .903 Save %), but had a tendency to get shelled against tougher opponents (5+ goals against in 6 games). Given the depth and experience CC brings into the season, including likely Player of the Year Jaden Schwartz, Howe trending closer to his freshman season could put them over the top.
As it is though, these guys choke a lot. We're not talking on the levels of St. Cloud, but expecting a CC team to win big games is like hoping for an open bar at a Mormon wedding. Get ready to be disappointed.
3. North Dakota Fighting Sioux
2010-2011: 32-9-3 Overall, 21-6-1 WCHA (1st place), Final Five Champions, lost in NCAA Semifinal
Key Losses: F Matt Frattin, F Brad Malone, F Evan Trupp, F Jason Gregoire, D Chay Genoway, F Brett Hextall
Key Returners: F Danny Kristo, F Corban Knight, D Ben Blood, G Aaron Dell, G Brad Eidsness
My favorite college hockey team had a season to remember a year ago; unfortunately the ending was quite forgettable. The #1 team in the country for most of the season, the Sioux once again game up short in the Frozen Four, leaving a black mark on an otherwise excellent campaign. I blame myself, frankly, at this point in life I should know better than to go within 10 miles of any big game one of my teams is playing in. Thought the X was safe after the last couple Final Fives, unfortunately I was wrong.
So now, after losing 6 of their top 7 scorers to graduation, a reloaded North Dakota team comes into this season with questions about who will provide the scoring punch. The national polls have them ranked in the Top 5, which I hope is the case once the calendar turns. As it is right now, can't see how the freshmen are going to produce quickly enough to justify a ranking that high so early in the season.
Instead of last year's wire-to-wire dominance, this year's squad will be more typical of Sioux teams, with a mediocre first half giving way to a red-hot run after Christmas. The freshman class may be talented, but most freshmen struggle out of the gate. No doubt the slow start will cost them a few points at Mariucci in early November, sending Gopher fans into a frenzy. All I ask is that you folks keep it in check until we see what happens in January, we've all seen this movie before and know how it ends.
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers
2010-2011: 16-14-6 Overall, 13-10-5 WCHA (5th place), lost to UAA in WCHA 1st round
Key Losses: F Mike Hoeffel, F Jacob Cepis, F Jay Barriball, D Cade Fairchild, D Aaron Ness, G Alex Kangas
Key Returners: G Kent Patterson, F Nick Bjugstad, F Zach Budish
Not sure if it's general fear and loathing, all the news picked up about the team or a past history of being conditioned to expect solid play, but I always seem to overrate the Gophers these days. Most of it has to do with the assumption that all the talent has gotta translate into wins at some point. Right? Been wrong twice now, but they did play the tough teams well last year, just need some consistency.
The Gophers were .500 or better against Denver, Duluth, North Dakota and Wisconsin last year, throwing in a 3-1 non-conference win over Michigan to boot. That's 3 of 4 Frozen Four participants that they either bested or fought to a draw. A few of those wins were even of the dominant variety. Unfortunately for Minnesota fans, the other side of the coin was downright scary. Swept by Mankato(!), winless in the Christmas Cupcake tourney, swept at home by Anchorage in the playoffs.
So which team will show up this year? I think it has a chance to be the good version. Inconsistency in a trademark of inexperience, which the Gophers had a lot of last year. Now with a more experienced squad, key players coming back from injury and everyone's favorite scapegoat assistant coach gone, this could be the year they restore the program to it's prior high standard.
But as I've said, been wrong about that before...
5. Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
2010-2011: 26-10-6 Overall, 15-8-5 WCHA (4th place), NCAA Champions
Key Losses: F Justin Fontaine, F Mike Connolly, D Justin Faulk
Key Returners: F Jack Connolly, F Travis Oleksuk, F J.T. Brown
Welcome to the big time Duluth! Congrats on your first NCAA title, now say goodbye to half of your roster.
There are certainly no Bulldog fans out there who would change a thing about last season's run to the championship, but there might be a few who are feeling slapped upside the head by the realities of getting top-tier players. Last season's team saw 4 of it's best 5 players depart, with only one being due to graduation. The cupboard's hardly bare, but the nation's best line and most electric power play will likely be distant memories. The team will have to adjust accordingly.
Throw some early departures on the blue line, and it's tough to see Duluth challenging for the league title. But then again, if goaltending falters, plenty of teams could be in the mix from 3rd-7th.
6. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks
2010-2011: 21-16-2 Overall, 17-9-2 WCHA (3rd place), lost in NCAA 1st rd
Key Losses: F Joey Martin, F Matt Ambroz, F Rich Purslow, D Eric Olimb
Key Returners: G John Faulkner, F Alex Hudson, F Terry Broadhurst, F Matt White, F Ryan Walters, F Brock Montpetit
This team was much better than I expected them to be during their first WCHA season. Having watched Dean Blais get the maximum possible from every team I've seen him coach should've been a giveaway.
So am I falling into the same trap by putting them in 6th? Maybe, but I just couldn't justify anything higher. It certainly feels like a season of parity, and a small miss on points could lead to a big whiff on finish. But sometimes you've gotta try to be a hero, and this is one of those times.
Any finish that doesn't involve a playoff matchup with Bemidji is a good finish.
7. St. Cloud State Huskies
2010-2011: 15-18-5 Overall, 11-13-4 WCHA (9th place), lost to UMD in WCHA 1st round
Key Losses: F Garrett Roe, F Aaron Marvin
Key Returners: G Mike Lee, F Ben Hanowski, F Drew LeBlanc
There were times last season when you couldn't tell these Huskies from the league's other version, and that's not good for St. Cloud. A team that had high expectations finished with a losing record, then lost it's highest profile scorer to graduation. Not a great run.
But to paraphrase the great John McKay, bringing back a bunch of guys from a losing team is overrated. If they were really that great, the team would've won more. St. Cloud has some good players, but most have yet to put it together, so they're at the low end of the high side.
I also have no idea if Mike Lee is good, have watched him play 30 games now and can't tell. Among the enigma that is goaltenders, he is a riddle wrapped inside that enigma, and encased in one of those injection-molded plastic deals they seal headphones in.
8.Bemidji State Beavers
2010-2011: 15-18-5 Overall, 8-15-5 WCHA (10th place), beat UNO in first round of WCHA playoffs, lost to DEN in second round of Final Five
Key Losses: F Matt Read, F Ian Lowe
Key Returners: F Jordan George, D Brad Hunt, G Dan Bakala
All hail the mighty Beav. Aside from my own team, there's none I'd have an easier time throwing my support behind than the noble Beav. I can picture it now, throngs of people walking down West 7th, wearing "You Can't Lick Our Beavers!" t-shirts. It would be magical.
But alas, no name on the list of losses looms larger than Matt Read. While it's debatable that he was the best player in the group, there's no debate he meant the most to his team. Here's hoping Dan Bakala gives me cause to misspell his name a few times this season. It's visually deceiving, like Sparano.
9. Wisconsin Badgers
2010-2011 WCHA Finish: 21-16-4 Overall, 12-13-3 WCHA (7th place), lost to CC in WCHA 1st round
Key Losses: D Jake Gardiner, F Craig Smith, G Scott Gudmandson, G Brett Bennett, F Jordy Murray
Key Returners: D Justin Schultz
Cupboard = Bare. Good thing all they care about come March is the hoops team.
But knowing how things work in this universe, the Badgers will miraculously pull an amazing season out of thin air. Just by being from Wisconsin.
Let's move on.
10.Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves
2010-2011: 16-18-3 Overall, 12-14-2 WCHA (8th place), beat UMN in WCHA first round, lost to CC in first round of Final Five
Key Losses: F Tommy Grant, F Craig Parkinson
Key Returners: G Chris Kamal
Tommy Grant, we hardly knew ye.
Another perennial bottom-feeder, Anchorage looked to have some things moving in the right direction last season. Unfortunately, they enter this one without their best (only?) offensive threat in Grant, only two players who tallied double-digit goals (both at 10) and no 30-point scorers. Unless goaltender Kamal can turn into an unholy combination of Dominek Hasek, Patrick Roy and a brick wall, this could be a long season.
11. Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks
2010-2011: 14-18-6 Overall, 8-16-4 (11th place), lost to DEN in WCHA first round
Key Losses: D Kurt Davis, D Ben Youds
Key Returners: F Michael Dorr
Sentimental favorite, if only teams got points for the drinking scene around their arena.
Problem #1: Their best offensive player last season was a defenseman.
Problem #2: Said defenseman is no longer on the team.
Problem #3: They're not that good in any other phase of the game either.
And that about covers it.
12.Michigan Tech Huskies
2010-2011 WCHA Finish: 4-30-4 Overall, 2-24-2 WCHA (12th place), lost to UND in WCHA first round
Key Losses: D Deron Cousens
Key Returners: F Milos Gordic, F Ryan Furne
I'm not so sure the word "key" should be used in connection with anyone on this team, there's a better chance Hank Williams Jr. gets invited to a White House dinner than there is the Huskies finish .500.
But they've got a new coach, so they've got that going for them, which is nice...
Drop the puck!!!
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