Just droping in to say GO FERRIS STATE!
Since the season started this week, I’ll point out that Minnesota opened with 9-0 and 6-0 wins against Sacred Heart (who?)!
MSU is weighing the costs of replacing the ice system at Munn vs a new arena. It’s my understanding that the current system isn’t kosher with new environmental rules or something. Munn is a great place to watch a game and an absolute palace compared with the previous facility, Demonstration Hall. Still, it was built too small. Michigan’s Yost Arena is another dinosaur that needs to be replaced at some point.
I always wondered why Illinois didn’t have a team but UIC did. Ditto for Nebraska, why UN-Omaha has a team but not Lincoln is beyond me.
The CCHA was a decent fit for the B1G Michigan schools while it lasted. I feel bad for Western, Ferris, Lake Superior, and Northern losing their big draws but on the other hand I want to see Wisconsin and Minnesota again.
Sacred Heart is supposed to be a bottom-dwelling team in a bad conference, but I’ll take 15-0 for the weekend any day. Perhaps the biggest question mark for this Gophers team is scoring and there was a hope that the underclassmen would step forward. With 6 goals from freshmen and 7 from sophomores this weekend, I’d say they did so. There’s also an issue with inexperience on defense. This weekend will go a long way toward answering these questions, with a trip to defending national champion Duluth. (It pains me nearly as much to write that as to write “Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.” At least I can laugh at the Badgers for losing to Northern Michigan.)
In other action, a weekend of surprises. While #1 Notre Dame splitting with UMD isn’t a shock, there were plenty of series that were. #2 Miami splits with Bemidji, and came close to being swept. #3 North Dakota nearly loses at home to Air Force, then gets beat by 4 goals by BC. BC looks like the team to beat so far, with that convincing win over the Flickertails and a nice neutral ice 3 goal win over Michigan State. Other surprises: UNO losing at home to Colgate and Maine losing at home to Merrimack, who seem intent on showing last year was not a fluke.
Just because this is a rare college hockey thread I’ll throw out this anecdote because it might get some appreciation.
MSU used to play in Dem Hall. There wasn’t a good seat in the house, even on the benches. All views were obstructed, if not by poles, by the cyclone fence (there was no glass). Dem Hall didn’t even have showers. The teams would dress in Jenison Field House walk across the street to Dem Hall and that is where they would put on their skates and tape their sticks.
Dem Hall also was where the ROTC had their space. During the Vietnam War demonstrations there was a protest rally outside Dem Hall. The hockey fans showed up hoping that the demonstrators would burn the place down so that the Athletic Dept. would have to build a new arena.
The AD finally built Munn Arena but it was too small, about 6500, although it is a nice facility. Around the same time Wisconsin was building an arena that would seat 15,000. One big problem with a small facility is that it discourages the NCAA from holding tournaments there. Those can be a money maker and a good recruiting tool.
Why UofM hasn’t done something about Yost is just proof that everything in Ann Arbor is all about football. The hockey program is quite successful but gets little respect. I don’t know how they continue to get recruits.
Timely discussion too, since although the Wolverines have just this past week been awarded a 2013 regional tournament, it’ll be hosted in Grand Rapids. Nothing like hosting a regional where 4 other potential participants are located closer. (I’ve got Ferris, Western, Notre Dame, and MSU. Am I missing anyone?)
Michigan’s recruiting has to be helped by the fact that the US National Development Program is based in Ann Arbor. I just found a roster of the under-18 national team from two years back. Of the 17 listed college commitments (out of 22 players), 5 had chosen to stay in Ann Arbor.
Gophers barely pull out a 5-4 OT victory over Duluth. UMD breaks a 3-3 tie with 2 minutes to play, then Minnesota ties it up with under a minute. Of the two major concerns for this team, it’s looking like scoring won’t be a problem. The younger players are stepping up, as needed. All 5 goals tonight and 17 of 20 goals in three games were scored by freshmen and sophomores. Defense, on the other hand, needs help. Inexperience burned them several times tonight. 50 shots allowed, and only great goaltending kept them in the game. I can only hope they learn quickly from their mistakes.
In other action tonight, the strangeness of last weekend continues. Michigan Tech remains undefeated by shocking the Badgers in OT. And so much for BC being the team to beat. They fall to #3 Denver at home. Northern Michigan obliterates St. Cloud and Anchorage destroys UNO in two relative shockers.
I’m becoming intrigued by Ferris State. They improve to 3-0-0 with a convincing shutout win over RPI. I’m not impressed with their schedule thus far, although RPI did make the tournament last year. The next two weeks bring Miami to Big Rapids, followed by a trip to Ann Arbor, so we’ll know a lot more about the Bulldogs then.
I have to admit I haven’t even looked for a Michigan game to watch this year.
Usually I need something between Red Wings disappointing early games to keep from getting bored, and I try in vain to watch them but can’t find them. But with the Tigers still playing, Lions undefeated, Wolverines(football) undefeated, and the Wings undefeated( only three games but still 
) I simply don’t have enough time in the week to devote to the Michigan Hockey being undefeated.
Undefeated is a fun word to keep saying when it’s about your teams.
Undefeated.
Just looking around though I have to say this parts sucks
Man that free Pizza was nice back in the days when I was in school. After the 10 goal games, Grab tickets from the floor before leaving Yost, and Just head to every location and get a pizza for the fridge. Saved a lot of money my freshman year.
A 4 point weekend against the defending champions, so I’m pleased. Another 5-4 win, but the Gophers nearly coughed up a three goal 3rd period lead. Only had 16 shots, but made the most of them. 3 of 3 on the power play, as well. Defense, on the other hand, needs a bit of help. UVM travels to Mariucci next week.
It’s been almost a month. I’ll see if we can keep this going. This season has been absolutely strange so far. Over a month into the season, we’ve seen the following.
Huntsville announcing the death of their program at the end of this season. However, reports have UAH collecting enough money to keep the program going for at least three additional seasons. The announcement of demoting the team to club status was one of the last acts of the interim president of the campus, so perhaps the new president will feel otherwise.
In news of interest to me, the top-ranked Gophers definitely appear to be for real. They followed up the sweep of Duluth with a bad home split against Vermont, a dominating road sweep against Anchorage, and a solid home sweep against North Dakota. They’re already three points up in the WCHA with two games in hand against the second place Michigan Tech. Before this season, goalie Kent Patterson had no shutouts in 45 career games. This year, in 10 starts, he’s already tied the school season record with 5 shutouts. Couple that with a 1.60 GAA, and he’s definitely making an early case for the Hobey.
Michigan Tech are themselves a huge story. It’s tough to figure them out, though. Sweep Wisconsin, get swept at Bemidji, take 3 of 4 points from Denver (the conference preseason pick) and a split against Mankato. Right now, they’re sitting in second, but it’s hard to see them stay there.
North Dakota has drastically underachieved. 2 points in 6 conference games isn’t going to get them anywhere at the end of the season. As people have pointed out, they’ve been perennial slow starters under Hakstol, so the book is still open on them.
Further east, it’s notable that the top 3 in the CCHA right now are Lake Superior, Western, and Ferris. Of this group, only WMU was expected to be front of the pack. I mentioned Ferris earlier in the thread. Since then, they swept Miami, and were swept badly at Ann Arbor.
Notre Dame and Miami were the preseason numbers 1 and 2, respectively. Notre Dame has been underperforming, but Miami is currently under .500 and in a dangerous place.
Finally, further east, Merrimack was another strong start, so last year may not have been an anomaly from them.
Border Battle for the Gophers this weekend. Hockey team goes to Madison, football in Minneapolis. Looking forward to it all.
Not to mention Vickings at Packers on monday!
Big weekend for the Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry.
Spartans swept WMU this weekend 3-2, 4-2.
Go GREEN!
I’d be upset, but we lost our damn coach to the Wings! I knew this wouldn’t be a great year…
The Gophers split the series in Madison. I can live with that.
Well Playoff season has started. good games so far, especially Michigan v Bowling Green yesterday. I kept having to remind myself that it was only the CCHA playoffs not the NCAAs to keep myself from a heart attack. CCHA finals should be fun tonight, I only hope Michigan isn’t too tired after the double overtimer last night, but they are college kids, they should be okay.
Cornell’s been having a great season but they got embarrassed last night by Harvard. Which is embarrassing. They have to win the ECAC consolation game to have a shot at an at-large bid.
I hope they’re exhausted and lay an egg tonight! 
GO BRONCOS!
Final 8:
East region: UMass-Lowell vs Union College
Northeast region: BC vs Minnesota-Duluth/Maine winner
Midwest region: Ferris St vs Cornell
West region: Minnesota/BU winner vs UND
Minnesota vs UND! Go Gophers!