Okie dokie...here's the short version of what I saw this weekend...
The first game - UVM @ BC - was a snoozefest until the third period. Not that it was bad hockey...it was just boring. They were playing a tight, physical game the first two periods that stiffled BC's speed which is how they generate most of their offensive opportunities...until the third period. At that point BC had just worn them down physically (if you can't beat them join them...that's why BC is nasty...they can kill you either way!) and guys got caught out of position and it opened up more space on the ice and BC got to work. Memo to the rest of the league...don't give BC time and space to operate...they will destroy you when given the opportunity to do so!
The second game - Michigan @ BU - was AMAZING! Totally should have been on national television!! The world missed out on this one. BU is just playing rediculously well...5/8 on the PP to boot. Watching them play is enormously entertaining. They move the puck well, they play the body, they crash the net, they create plays and most importantly...they get the job done and do it in a complete team effort. Bravo BU!!
In other news...emotions got the best of Michigan as the game was coming to a close and with seconds remaining on the clock a legit fight broke out. Fighting is not allowed in college hockey. You are given a game misconduct and disqualified to play in your next game. So, it's not something guys do for the hell of it which makes it all more intriguing when they actually drop the gloves. Here are the highlights of that game...minus the fight.
Now...let's chat about UNH - This team is LOADED with talent, but unfortunately it doesn't seem like they are willing to match that talent with effort and that is severely disappointing. A 1-1 tie with UMass and a 4-1 loss to St. Lawrence is underperforming on all levels for this team. They need to get it together PDQ or this season won't be a highlight in the storied tradition of the New Hampshire hockey program.
I'd also like to thank a wonderful reader who has graciously offered to send me copies of this past weekends games between Colorado College and Clarkson. It is much appreciated and I can't wait to get them! I will reserve judgement on both teams as well as Denver until next week after I'm able to watch some of thier games.
Here's a review of what happened to the Top 15 this past weekend:
1 - CC - tied NR Clarkson twice - (1-1 and 2-2)
2 - Denver - beat NR OSU 3-1 and then lost 4-3 the next night
3 - UNH - tied NR UMass (1-1) and lost to NR St. Lawrence (4-1)
4 - BC - beat No. 12 Vermont 3-2
5 - Michigan - beat NR Niagra 4-1 and lost to No. 7 BU 7-2
6 - Minnesota - tied NR Wisconsin at 2 and then beat them 5-2
7 - BU - spanked No. 5 Michigan 7-2 in convincing fashion
8 - Notre Dame - lost to No. 10 Miami twice..3-0 3-2
9 - Princeton - still hasn't played a regular season game
10 - Miami - beat No. 8 Notre Dame twice...3-0 3-2
11 - Northeastern - beat NR Maine twice...5-0 and 2-1
12 - Vermont - lost to No. 4 BC 3-2
13 - Minnesota State - didn't play this weekend
14 - Michigan State - beat NR Northern Mich in a SO 3-2 and then in regulation 2-0
15 - NoDak - didn't play this weekend
And here's how Chris (my new College Hockey friend from UNH) and I see things shaking out..
1 - BC
2 - CC
3 - BU
4 - Denver
5 - Minnesota
6 - Miami
7 - Michigan
8 - UNH
9 - Northeastern
10 - Princeton
11 - Notre Dame
12 - Michigan State
13 - Minn. State
14 - Vermont
15 - UMass
With an Honorable Mention going to Clarkson - I wanted to put them in and Chris sort of agreed but said "Welcome to the Top 15, don't unpack your bags...you won't be here long." Now, I think that's a tad harsh, but we couldn't figure out who to take out...I even felt bad giving NoDak the boot just because they didn't play.
I'll let you know when the real ranking are released...
In the meantime, I've gotten some emails asking about specific players or teams or prospects and have done my best to answer your questions. So don't be shy :) ask away!!
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