Don't Look Now!!!
Something is rotten in the state of Div 1 college hockey, but in a very good way. Michigan's hockey team is 22-2. 22-2! Best start to a season in team history. Within those 2 wins and 2 losses is a 4-0 record against the RPI top 15 (the top 25% of college hockey). Although RoopDogg would look at that record and yell "Play Somebody" with just cause, Michigan plays 6 more games against top teams over the next 5 weeks.
This Michigan team regularly starts 10 freshmen, which represents 1/2 their lineup. Their goalie is the ever-reliable Billy Sauer, who somehow has racked up a 93.5% save percentage after two seasons under the 90% 'Mendoza' line.
This hot start is a far cry from what I predicted after last season's NCAA meltdown and loss of several star players to the NHL. Who would have thought that losing so many talented players would be addition by subtraction. Now, Michigan plays as a team with a lot of hustle and strong defense instead of as a bunch of individuals trying to showcase their own talents. However, after reading my post from last March, I am reminded that I still don't trust Billy Sauer, despite his stellar play so far this year.
When Michigan had a long list of future NHLers including Brendan Morrison, John Madden, and Marty Turco in 1996-97, they didn't start the season 22-2, though they did finish 35-4-4 and without an NCAA title. It's sad that this team is considered far better and remembered as fondly as the 1995-96 and 1997-98 teams that won NCAA titles.
I still can't fathom how Michigan is dominating the college hockey landscape. Maybe they are just a reflection of their weak schedule, but "they are what their record says they are". It kind of reminds me of that one season in the TV show Coach where Hayden and Luther cannot figure out how their team with so many perceived holes is blowing everyone out until they eventually
win the national championship.
The sad thing is that for selfish reasons, I kind of want them to lose a few games and fall below Miami in the rankings that set the NCAA field. If they lose a few games down the stretch, they'll probably be a low #1 or high #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Given the other teams at the top of the polls, Michigan would likely be sent to Albany or Worcester for the NCAA Regionals, which would mean I could see them play in person! According to USCHO's Bracketology (yes, there really is a bracketology article for the NCAA hockey tournament), Michigan would be sent to Madison, WI if the NCAA tournament began today.
Don't worry though, I won't start hoping for a few Michigan losses until after the series against defending NCAA champ Michigan State this weekend. Go Blue!
This Michigan team regularly starts 10 freshmen, which represents 1/2 their lineup. Their goalie is the ever-reliable Billy Sauer, who somehow has racked up a 93.5% save percentage after two seasons under the 90% 'Mendoza' line.
This hot start is a far cry from what I predicted after last season's NCAA meltdown and loss of several star players to the NHL. Who would have thought that losing so many talented players would be addition by subtraction. Now, Michigan plays as a team with a lot of hustle and strong defense instead of as a bunch of individuals trying to showcase their own talents. However, after reading my post from last March, I am reminded that I still don't trust Billy Sauer, despite his stellar play so far this year.
When Michigan had a long list of future NHLers including Brendan Morrison, John Madden, and Marty Turco in 1996-97, they didn't start the season 22-2, though they did finish 35-4-4 and without an NCAA title. It's sad that this team is considered far better and remembered as fondly as the 1995-96 and 1997-98 teams that won NCAA titles.
I still can't fathom how Michigan is dominating the college hockey landscape. Maybe they are just a reflection of their weak schedule, but "they are what their record says they are". It kind of reminds me of that one season in the TV show Coach where Hayden and Luther cannot figure out how their team with so many perceived holes is blowing everyone out until they eventually
win the national championship.
The sad thing is that for selfish reasons, I kind of want them to lose a few games and fall below Miami in the rankings that set the NCAA field. If they lose a few games down the stretch, they'll probably be a low #1 or high #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Given the other teams at the top of the polls, Michigan would likely be sent to Albany or Worcester for the NCAA Regionals, which would mean I could see them play in person! According to USCHO's Bracketology (yes, there really is a bracketology article for the NCAA hockey tournament), Michigan would be sent to Madison, WI if the NCAA tournament began today.
Don't worry though, I won't start hoping for a few Michigan losses until after the series against defending NCAA champ Michigan State this weekend. Go Blue!
posted by GaryGinew at 8:37 PM
2 Comments:
then you can come visit MEEEEEEE and come watch a game out heeeeeerrrrreeeee!!!!
Worcester? Where's that? Never heard of it.
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