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The NCAA Hockey Tournament is set and the regional #1 seeds are Denver in the East Regional, Wisconsin in the West Regional, Boston College in the Northeast Regional and the University of Miami (Ohio) in the Midwest. There is a great story developing in that Midwest bracket regarding the lowest seed in the tournament… The University of Alabama – Huntsville Chargers. Coached former Winnipeg Jet, Danton Cole, the Chargers shocked the college hockey world by winning the last CHA tournament ever and captured the conference’s automatic bid to the big dance.
The UAH hockey program has been going for over 30 years, began in 1979, the program went varsity in 1985, joining the NCAA at the Division II level. The program was forced to make the jump to Division I in 1987 when the NCAA dropped Division II in college hockey. Limited success followed as the Chargers dropped down again when the NCAA reinstated Division II hockey in 1992, beginning the most successful time in the program's history with multiple appearance in the championship series including National Championships in 1994 and 1998.
The NCAA dropped D2 again after UAH’s second championship and again the Chargers moved up to Division I, playing an independent schedule for their first season back in Division I until the formation of College Hockey America, with UAH as a founding member. College Hockey America is no more as teams have fled to other conferences, this year’s championship is the second for UAH and also their second NCAA berth.
Most of the players on this team have Canadian locations listed after their names with the exception of junior Neil Ruffini from the Atlanta area, Tom Train from Hurst, Texas, Chris Fairbanks from Milford, Michigan, Justin Cseter from Menomonie, Wisconsin, John Griigs from Baarrington, Illinois and a name familiar to hockey fans all over the world… Sebastian Geoffrion from Brentwood, TN. That’s Boom-Boom’s grandson, Preds prospect and University of Wisconsin tri-captain Blake Geoffrion’s little brother. Two Geoffrion's in this year's NCAA's.
What a lot of people don’t realize, is that Huntsville, Alabama is a hockey hotbed, to the point where the youth hockey scores are reported in the local newspaper, Silver Stick highlights are shown on TV. Where the Southeast Silver Stick is held… where most of the southeast championships for youth hockey are held. The Huntsville Havoc draws solid crowds. It is a shining example of how successful hockey can be in the so-called “non-traditional” areas.
The challenge for Charger hockey comes next year, as they attempt to cobble together an independent schedule after being rejected for membership in the CCHA. More inspiration perhaps as the Chargers will go up against the CCHA’s Miami Redhawks in the first round. UAH has already pulled one CCHA upset this season in beating Notre Dame, could they have another up their sleeve?
We’ll find out on Saturday. The puck drops at 3pm Central in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Coverage on ESPNU.
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Wednesday Notes
- Fire’s Out… The six game win streak is done. Now the test of resiliency comes. Two big games this weekend against the teams on either side of their playoff positioning. Phoenix tomorrow, Detroit on Saturday.
- Resting the Captain - Keeping Jason Arnott out of the game last night was a calculated risk. A little extra rest to ensure a little more durability is a good thing, even though Pred Nation gets nervous when the words Head and Injury is used together referring to the captain.
- Streak Enders - The last time the Predators lost was to the San Jose Sharks… up until last night they were 6-0. Weird stat, the Sharks went 0-6 after that same game until they snapped their losing streak last night as well.
- The NHL’s Board of Governors approved a rule change involving head shots. Controversy has ensued as the NHLPA is claiming the competition committee has the right to review before putting new rules in place. Not a good sign with an expiring CBA on the horizon.
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Can the Tennessean’s editors report anything about the Predators without the inevitable “but…”? John Glennon is doing a great job, but his editors just don’t get it.
I’m just sayin’…
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Where We Stand… A daily look at where the Predator’s stand in the playoff race…
Coming into today’s play, the Predators stand 2nd in the Central division and 6th in the Western Conference with eight games to play. Nashville is…
- tied in points with 5th place Los Angeles, the Kings have three games in hand.
- 8 points behind 4th place Phoenix.
- 10 points behind 1st place Chicago, the Blackhawks have two games in hand.
In the chase group… Nashville leads…
- 7th place Colorado by 2 points, the Av’s have two games in hand.
- 8th place Detroit by 4 points, the Red Wings two games in hand.
- 9th place Calgary by 6 points, the Flames have a game in hand.
The Preds have…
1 game left against – Kings (home), Florida (road)
2 games left against – Coyotes (1r, 1h - Thursday), Red Wings (1r,1h - Saturday), Blues (both @ home)
Tonight’s Impact Games
According to SportsClubStats.com, results of last night’s play has the Predators with an 95.6% chance of making the playoffs.
Los Angeles / Colorado – A Kings win in regulation improves the Preds playoff chances, please God, don’t let this one get beyond regulation.
Detroit / St. Louis – A Blues win in regulation improves the Preds playoff chances.
Chase Group Odds of Making the Playoffs (according to SportsClubStats.com)
Detroit – 87% -
Calgary – 19.4% -
TONIGHT! – We’re live at Dave and Busters talking to Bill Clement about the Eastern Conference playoff race and talking to Bob Heethuis of the Phoenix Coyotes broadcast team about their stunning season, we will also chat with Norman Page from USA Hockey about Team USA’s gold medal in Sled Hockey at the Paralympics. 6pm tonight, live from Dave and Buster’s at Opry Mills on SportsRadio 560 WNSR.
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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating during Pred home games in season with information and explanations from the PA box.
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