Episode 217 "Six" is now online! Lots of hard work put in this week!

Episode 217 "Six" is now online! Lots of hard work put in this week! youtube.com/watch?v=ZQh2kt… #ThroughTheseDoors
— Eric Classen (@eric_classen) March 1, 2013

Another great job by the boys... #TTD

Good stuff from the @undmhockey seniors coming up on #ThroughTheseDoors. These guys get it. And they love their fans. #bestgetatissueready
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) March 1, 2013

Did Jared Spurgeon dive on this play?

I am going to preface this post with, I am Minnesota Wild fan, but, I think there was some embellishment on this penalty. Steve Sullivan was given a two minute minor for tripping but it looks like Jared Spurgeon was a little light on his skates.

I am a Wild fan but that looked like a great Robbie Earl impersonation there.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) March 1, 2013

Boston Bruins game winning goal scored by Patrice Bergeron.

NESN announcer Jack Edwards with the call on Boston Bruins game winning goal, scored by Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. That's the fourth goal of the year for Bergeron. There was no doubt that it was a goal... Boston Bruins Haters the world over are probably happy it wasn't the Little Ball of Hate that scored the game winning goal for the Bruins.

EDIT... This weekend’s NCAA Division one television schedule (3/01 -3/03)

English: Logo for DirecTV (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is this weekend’s National College Hockey television schedule. There is a full slate of college hockey on television

again this weekend. Check your television guide for times in your local area. As with any schedules, channels will change and have in the past.

Even with the NHL ending it’s lockout and making it back to our television dials, there has is still been a lot of watchable college hockey on television.  Last Sunday alone, there were two games.  Boston College beat Merrimack College in overtime, to wrestle first in place in Hockey East away from the Warriors.

In the night cap, the Wisconsin Badgers beat  the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center 5-0 as the Badgers continued their torrid pace going 13-4-5 since they started the season 1-7-3.   So you’re kind of getting college hockey version of March Madness.

This weekend, there will also be three college hockey games that will be available in Canada, so, for college hockey fans north of the border, you should check your local television guides as well.

Fri.	Mar. 1		Wisconsin at Nebraska-Omaha	NBC Sports Net.	6:30 p.m.	220 / 159
Fri.	Mar. 1		Ferris State at Michigan	CBS Sports Net.	6:30 p.m.	613 / 158 (C)
Fri.	Mar. 1		Bemidji State at UND	FCS/Midco	7:37pm	626
Fri.	Mar. 1		Denver at Minnesota	BTN	7:00 p.m.	610 / 439 (C)
Sat.	Mar. 2		Providence at Boston College	NESN	3:00 p.m.	628 / 434
Sat.	Mar. 2		Mass. at New Hampshire	FCS	6:00 p.m.	TBD
Sat.	Mar. 2		Ferris State at Michigan	FS Detroit	7:30 p.m.	663 / 430
Sat.	Mar. 2		Denver at Minnesota	FS North	7:00 p.m.	668 / 436
Sun.	Mar. 3		UMass Lowell at Merrimack	CBS Sports Net.	3:00 p.m.	613 / 158 (C)

*NESN = New England Sports Network, FCS = Fox College Sports, FSN+ = Fox Sports North-Plus, NBCSN = NBC Sports Network, DirecTV requires the “Sports Pack” to view the Regional sports Networks, (C) Denotes games available in Canada. All times are Central Standard Time.

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine. 

Friday's game will be on DirecTV channel 626. No DirecTV Saturday. Both games on FOX College Sports Central.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) February 28, 2013

Related articles

• UND vs. Denver; College Hockey's Hatfield-McCoy feud (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Jeff Dubay of 1500ESPN answers a few questons (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Corban Knight for Hobey Baker? (insidehockey.com)
• Breaking down the Minnesota vs. North Dakota Rivalry (thehockeywriters.com)

Amber Schaak named Girls Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year

I would like to recognize Jamestown senior Defenseman Amber Schaak, Amber was named the Senior Athlete of the Year for North Dakota. Amber played for the Jamestown Bluejays for four years and scored (132g-43a—175pts) in 97 games. So Goon’s World would like to Congratulate Amber Schaak. Next season, Amber is headed to Concordia to play for the Cobbers.

Press Release from North Dakota High School Hockey

Girls Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year (ND Miss Hockey)

Amber has been the leading scorer on the team every year since she joined the team as a freshman.  Schaack leads by example both on and off the ice.  Amber has been All-State each year since her freshman season and has been named All-State a number of times. 

Amber logs a tremendous amount of ice time for the Bluejays and one stat that does not get a lot of attention is the few penalties she takes for the amount of minutes she plays each game. 
Amber has a 3.95 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.  She is currently Senior Class Publicity Director for the Student Council at Jamestown High School. 

The Bluejay Girls have teamed up in Rely for Life the last three years and Amber has acted as the Team Leader.  The Girls have raised over $18,000 over the last three years.  Schaack also was a student teacher assistant at Roosevelt Elementary School for a semester.  She also plays on the High School Softball Team in Jamestown. 

Coach Brad Schaack said of Amber, "Amber has been a pleasure to coach the last four years."  "She has been a Forward her entire career but was asked to play defense this year because of lack of players."  "She didn't hesitate to do it as long as it helped the team." 

Amber will attend Concordia College in Moorhead to continue her education as well as play College Hockey for the Cobbers. 

"Amber is going to be missed dearly on the team next season and our team would not be where it is today without her efforts over the last four years, " said Coach Schaack.

2012-13:     Senior          24-GP        40-G     11-A        51-Points
2011-12:     Junior           26-GP        35-G     13-A        48-Points
2010-11:     Sophomore  24-GP        37-G       9-A        46-Points
2009-10:     Freshman    21-GP        19-G     10-A        29-Points

Capitals coach fine with Zolnierczyk hit on Mathieu Perreault

In the waning moments of last night’s game, Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczy was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for a hit that he put on Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault. Apparently, Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates is fine with the hit and didn’t think it was a dirty hit. After reviewing the hit again, I guess, I am fine, with the hit too then.

monumentalnetwork.com --- In the game’s final minute, Perreault was coming through the neutral zone when Philadelphia winger Harry Zolnierczyk checked the Washington center hard. Zolnierczyk was assessed a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct, but Oates didn’t see anything wrong with the hit.

“I don’t think it’s dirty at all,” says Oates. “It’s the product of our whole game, quite honestly. There’s 30 seconds left, the game’s over and Matty [Perreault] thought that he could stickhandle through the team. That’s not what we do, all of us tonight. Guys are sitting there waiting for you and you get hit.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The end is near, we have this weekend and next and then the WCHA regular season comes to an end.  This friday starts a new month, March, or for some teams the playoff run month. 

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. St. Cloud St……………16-7-1.……….33
2. Minnesota……………...13-6-2……..…31
3. North Dakota.………….12-6-6………..30
3. Nebraska-Omaha…......14-8-2…....…..30
5. Minnesota State……….14-9-1.…...….29
6. Denver…………..……..11-8-5..….......27
6. Wisconsin…....………..10-7-7………...27
8. Colorado College ……..9-11-4..…..….22
9. Minnesota-Duluth….…..8-13-5……….21
10. Michigan Tech………..6-14-4…..……16
11. Bemidji State……..…..5-13-6......……16
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....2-18-6.....……10

The # numbers below are now the PAIRWISE rankings.
(I was using the USCHO poll previously)

WCHA Games

#7 Minnesota State @ #30 Colorado College

Last weekend the Mavericks were resting up for the playoffs coming up and the Tigers split with the SCSU Huskies (4-3W, 5-2L) in Colorado Springs.

The Mavericks could almost lock up home ice with a pair of wins this weekend against the Tigers.  But, the Tigers still have a chance, however slim, of getting into the top half and host the first round.  Realistically the Tigers are going to end up in eighth place.  The Tigers will need to pounce on the Mavericks early and capitalize on MSUM’s rust, from a week off, if there is any rust.  The big number that sticks out to me in these teams stats is goals for and against.  CC has scored 78 goals in WCHA action this year and MSUM has scored 77, but their againsts are much different, MSUM has allowed 57 and CC has allowed 85.  I’m going to give each team the nod in offense department, but defense goes to the Mavericks.  MAVERICKS 3-pts

Michigan Tech @ #10 St. Could St. 

Last weekend the MTU Huskies were resting up for the playoffs coming up and the SCSU Huskies split with the Tigers (4-3L, 5-2W) in Colorado Springs.

It’s the battle of the Huskies this weekend in Saint Cloud.  SCSU can put a strangle hold on the McNaughton Cup with a sweep of their doppelgänger’s from Houghton.  MTU is relegated to the bottom half and now are in a familiar role, spoiler.  If a little rust doesn’t affect SCSU or the pressure of winning the WCHA title doesn’t weigh them down, they should get a couple of wins this weekend.  But don’t count MTU out just yet, they are 3-4-0 in their last seven games.  So, the Houghton Huskies are starting to play better as of late.  In the end, I see the SCSU getting the points this weekend.  SCSU SWEEP

#12 Denver @ #2 Minnesota

Last weekend the Pioneers split with NoDak (5-4W, 6-1L) in Denver and the Gophers took 3-pts from the UMD Bulldogs (5-3, 2-2ot) in Minneapolis.

Both teams are fighting for position late in the season, DU for securing home ice in the first round, UM hopes for the top spot.  These teams haven’t played each other since February 10-11, 2012 in Denver, with Pioneers getting the sweep (5-3, 4-3ot).  The Gophers are 3-2-1 in their last six games and the Pioneers are also 3-2-1.  The numbers point to the Gophers winning the series, but DU seems to have had the Gophers number that last few years.  Couple that with DU fighting for the home ice and I don’t see DU getting swept.  SPLIT

Bemidji St. @ #6 North Dakota
Last weekend the Beavers were resting up for the playoffs coming up and NoDak with the Pioneers in Denver.

The last time the Beavers visited Grand Forks was March 8-9, 2012 for the first round of the WCHA playoffs, in which they were swept 4-1, 4-3.  BSU has only one win in 2013 and it might be their only one until next fall, the Beavers host the Gophers next weekend.  I think NoDak will be looking at this series as a must have sweep, and to lock up home ice for the first round.  The Beavers are tied for last place with UAA for the fewest goals scored in WCHA play, at 50.  Needless to say, if BSU wants any chance at getting a point or two this weekend they will need to limit UND to two or less goals per game.  NoDak appears to have heated up during the month of February and will look to keep heating up in March at the expensive of BSU.  NODAK SWEEP

#28 Wisconsin @ #21 Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Badgers split with the PSU Lions (5-0W, 3-2otL) in Madison and the Mavericks beat the US U-18 team in Omaha.

These teams are in a very similar boat, both need points to try and secure home ice in the first round of the playoffs.  And they both need wins to try and move up the rankings and have a shot at the NCAA tournament.  Of course, either could win the WCHA playoffs and receive an auto-bid.  These games will come down to how well the Badgers play their defensive game against the high scoring Mavericks.  If UW can control the tempo and avoid falling behind, they could get a win or two.  However, if UNO scores first and dictates the pace, UW could return home pointless.  SPLIT

NON-Conference Games

#17 Alaska (14-14-4) vs Alaska-Anchorage (4-19-7)

Last weekend the Seawolves were resting up and the Nanooks split with the Michigan State Spartans (1-0L, 4-2W) in Fairbanks.

Last season the teams split the Governor’s Cup series, with each home team winning.  The Seawolves have been playing better hockey of late, but I don’t know if that will translate into a win or two this weekend.  Being the big rivalry in the last frontier state, you can throw the records and any other numbers out the window. SPLIT

Alabama-Huntsville (3-19-1) @ Minnesota-Duluth (10-17-5)

Last weekend the Bulldogs got a point from the Gophers (5-3L, 2-2ot) in Minneapolis and the Chargers where off last weekend. 
(These are UAH's last games of the year.)

The Bulldogs slide continued last weekend, bringing their winless stretch to nine games, their last win came on Jan-18 versus CC.  The Chargers are a woeful 1-15-0 in away games this year, which is most of their schedule, they are 2-2-1 at home, and are 0-2-0 at neutral locales.  The Bulldogs need some wins this weekend to up their confidence and boost moral heading into the home stretch of the season.  BULLDOGS SWEEP

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Tiebreaker Scenarios - February 25 (thehockeywriters.com)

Mike Milbury calls out Ovie

Alex Ovechkin makes $9,538,462 a year to play hockey for the Washington Capitals and I think Mike Milbury is right to call him out on National television, he played like a bag of ass tonight. If I was the owner of the Washington Capitals I would be upset. If I was a team mate of Ovechkin I would be upset.

Harry Zolnierczyk knee on Mathieu Perreault

From the replay, it does look like the Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczyk catches Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault with a "dirty" knee check, just like Taylor Hall hit Cal Clutterbuck. It's a bit of a different angle so it's not as cut an dry in my opinion. If I was a betting man, and I am, I think a suspension is coming for Zolnierczyk

I would imagine that The NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a look at this hit. It's an unnecessary hit at the end of the game.

Canucks Diver Kessler out with fracture foot?

AV: Kesler had a CT scan this morning. He has a fractured foot.
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 27, 2013

The Vancouver Canucks look as if they will be missing their all-American diver/fraud Ryan Kesler who has a fractured foot.

#canucks Kesler has a fractured foot. He'll likely be out for a little while according to AV. Maybe 4-6 weeks.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 27, 2013

Related articles

• Canucks star Ryan Kesler out indefinitely with broken foot (vancouversun.com)
• Canucks' centre Ryan Kesler out with a broken right foot (theglobeandmail.com)
• Canucks' Kesler out with broken foot (upi.com)

Wild's Charlie Coyle not suspended

I didn't watch the play live, I was watching the game between the Islanders and the Bruins, however, I do agree with the call and the NHL is making the right call by not suspending Charlie Coyle. I also think that it's  about time that the Minnesota Wild finally end up on the right side of a call from the NHL Department of Players Safety.

BLOG: Wild rookie Charlie Coyle off the hook for major penalty bit.ly/Xjlczb
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) February 27, 2013

If Charlie Coyle is not suspended for his headshot to Matt Stajan, the NHL's department of player safety should cease operations.
— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) February 27, 2013

UND’s Kristo Red Baron WCHA Co-Offensive Players of the Week

MADISON, Wis. – University of North Dakota forward Danny Kristo and Colorado College forward Rylan Schwartz, a pair of assistant team captains who both produced impressive numbers in league competition last weekend, have been named Red Baron® WCHA Men’s co-Offensive Players of the Week for February 27.

Kristo, a 5-11, 185-pound senior right winger from Eden Prairie, Minn., had a goal and an assist for two points in each of North Dakota’s two games at Denver on February 22-23, led his team with nine shots on goal and earned a +2 plus/minus rating. In a one-goal 5-4 loss to DU last Friday, Kristo factored in on goals that twice brought his team to within one with an assist in the second period and a shorthanded goal in the third. Then last Saturday he was named the No. 1 Star of the Game after scoring another goal and assist to help propel UND to a 6-1 victory over the host Pioneers, extending his point streak to seven games.

With 43 points (20g, 23a) on the season, Kristo has also surpassed the 150 career point plateau with his 152 leading all active NCAA Div. 1 men’s players. He is a NHL draftee of Montreal.

Schwartz, a 5-10, 196-pound senior from Wilcox, Sask., led the Tigers with a five-point series against league-leading St. Cloud State last weekend. He had a goal and two assists last Friday, including one on the game-winner, and was the No. 2 Star of the Game as Colorado College defeated the Huskies 4-3. He then scored two more goals last Saturday and was the No. 3 Star of the Game in the Tigers’ 5-2 setback. In addition to his five points, Schwartz also had four shots on goal in the series and was a +4 on the plus/minus.

Over his 146-game collegiate career, Schwartz has averaged a point per game with 53 goals, 93 assists and 146 points. He is fifth in scoring overall among WCHA players this season with 40 points (14g, 26a).

Also nominated: Sam Warning, F, UM; Jonny Brodzinski, F, SCSU; Tyler Barnes, F, UW.

The Weekend Ahead: (3/1-3/2)

This weekend, the University of North Dakota entertains the Bemidji State Beavers in an important two game WCHA series at Ralph Engelstad Arena March 1-2, 2013. This is the last home game of the regular season.

Matchup: North Dakota (17-9-6, 12-6-6 WCHA) #6 versus unranked Bemidji State Beavers (6-17-7, 5-13-6 WCHA).

Dates: March 1-2, 2013

Times: March1: 7:37 p.m. (CT); March 2: 7:07 p.m. (CT)

Radio:  UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast: UNDSports.com

TV: Midco Sports Network, FOX College Sports Central. DirecTV (Channels TBD)

SERIES HISTORY: All-Time, UND leads the series 24-2-1 (.907). Against the Beavers in Grand Forks, UND leads the series 16-1-1 (.917). Against the Beavers in Bemidji, UND leads the series 8-1-0 (.889). Last 10 games against the Beavers, UND leads 9-1-0.  

Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Corbin Knight (14g-29a—43pts), Danny Kristo (20g-23a—43pts), Rocco Grimaldi (12g-15a—27pts), Mark MacMillan (10g-11a—21pts), Carter Rowney (8g-13a—21pts), Drake Caggiula (6g-8a—14pts).  Defense:  Dillon Simpson (3g-17a—20pts), Derek Forbort (4g-9a—13pts), Joe Gleason (4g-10a—14pts) Jordan Schmaltz (2g-8a—10pts) Andrew MacWilliam (1g-7a—8pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 11-6-4, 2.31 GAA, .916 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 6-3-2, 2.60 GAA, .916 save percentage.

Bemidji State Beavers: Brance Orban (8g-12a—20pts), Jordan George (8g-9a—17pts), Aaron McLeod (11g-5a—16pts), Danny Mattson (3g-13—16pts), Defense: Matt Prapavessis (0g-9a—9pts) Brady Wacker (3g-5a—8pts), Sam Windle (2g-4a—6pts). Goalies: Adam Walsh 5-10-5, 2.60 GAA, .917 save percentage, Mathieu Dugas 1-7-2, 3.04 GAA, .902 save percentage.

UND Officials Web Page

Bemidji State Beavers Official Web Page

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 20

Each week, I participate in a WCHA Web Media Poll that is put on by the Tech Hockey Guide with 11 other people that represent both the print media as well as the hockey blogosphere.

This week, there is a new number one team, in the WCHA Web Media Poll. The Minnesota Gophers received eight first place votes and vaulted to first place. Coming in second was the Saint Cloud State Huskies with four first place votes. Only two teams, traded places in this weeks WCHA Web Media Poll. The rest of the poll remained the same from last week.

Here’s a look at the results the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 20:

Place	Team	pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1	Minnesota (8)	140	2	21-6-5	1	2
2	St. Cloud State (4)	135	1	19-12-1	1	3
3	North Dakota	119	3	17-9-6	3	4
4	Nebraska Omaha	101	4	18-12-2	4	6
5	Minnesota State	97	5	20-9-3	2	7
6	Denver	88	6	16-10-5	5	7
7	Wisconsin	74	7	14-11-7	5	9
8	Colorado College	60	8	12-15-5	7	9
9	Minnesota Duluth	45	9	10-17-5	8	11
10	Michigan Tech	38	10	10-16-4	8	11
11	Bemidji State	26	11	6-17-7	10	12
12	Alaska Anchorage	13	12	4-19-7	11	12

Representing Name Publication Twitter

Alaska-Anchorage, Taylor Hall College Hockey News @thall907
Bemidji State, Troy Mills The Beaver Pond
Colorado College, Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey @Paisleyhockey
Denver, Mike Chambers, Denver Post @MChambersDP
Michigan Tech, Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide @TBraunTHG
Minnesota, Dan Myers, Minnesota Hockey Magazine @1DanMyers
Minnesota Duluth, Bruce Ciskie, The Ciskie Blog @BruceCiskie
Minnesota State, Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey @ChrisDilks
Nebraska-Omaha, Matt Semisch, Radio Free Omaha @matthewsemisch
North Dakota, Eric Burton The Hockey Writers Combine and Goon’s World @goon48
St. Cloud State, Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time @jclarson02
Wisconsin, Andy Johnson, Bucky’s 5th Quarter @andyjohnsonB5Q

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine. 

Related articles

• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 19 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 18 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 17 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 16 (thehockeywriters.com)

Wisconsin Badgers falling on tough times at the gate

English: Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey pregame huddle in a game against Boston University on October 8, 2010 at the 2010 Warrior Ice Breaker Tournament. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In years past, the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team have been the pace setter for attendance numbers in division I college hockey and in the WCHA.

They have the biggest building and they’ve packed it to the roof with rabid screaming fans. The Kohl Center used to be one of the most intimidating places to play in all of college hockey.

Now the Kohl center has become friendlier for the opposition teams.

This season, the Kohl season has been known more for the dwindling crowds and unimpressive showings by the home team. Currently, the Badgers have a 7-7-3 record on home ice.

The Badgers didn’t win a game at home until the December 13, 2012, when they beat lowly Huntsville 5-0.

On the road the Badgers have an impressive 6-2-4 record.

That reign as the national attendance leaders will come to an end this season, North Dakota leads the nation in attendance with 187,397 through 16 dates for an average of 11,712 per game.

If you have noticed, the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team is experiencing a decline in attendance numbers for couple of years now.  Andy Johnson from Bucky’s Fifth Quarter wrote an article about this recently.

If you watched the Badgers last two games on television, you would have noticed a lot of fans posing as empty red seats.  The Badgers aren’t packing them in like they used to.

Each year, since the 2009-10 season, the Wisconsin Badgers have been the leaders in attendance for Division I college hockey.  Since the 2010-11 season, those numbers have been in decline. There are some in the Wisconsin fan base that are already starting to point the finger. Some of the blame is landing on the shoulders of head coach Mike Eaves.

There could be some factors that are playing into this? You have to wonder, if the Badgers last series being on Sunday-Monday also figured into the poor showing, at least for this past week.  There was also a series against Huntsville earlier this season that only drew 17,011 for two games when the arena seats 15,209 for a hockey game according to the Kohl Center web site.

According to Andy Baggot of the Madison.com, there are going to be more of these odd ball non-traditional series on Sunday-Monday, but they’re certainly not going to be the norm.

Who is to blame for not the Badgers not filling the Kohl Center?

I suppose you “could” blame the economy, let’s face facts we are in an economic decline as a nation. People don’t have as much disposable income as they used to.

Barring a heroic late season run through the WCHA playoffs, culminating with a Broadmoor Trophy, the Wisconsin Badgers are probably going to miss the NCAA playoffs for the third season in a row and the fifth time in the last seven seasons. The Badgers put themselves in a tough spot starting the season off going 1-7-3 before going on an amazing run of 13-4-4.

Then there is the elephant sitting it the room. Maybe it’s the fact that no one really wants to watch the product on the ice. Not with that style of play.

But let’s be frank, who really wants to watch the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team play hockey? The casual hockey fan might not.

While I am not a fan of the team per-see, I am hardly a casual hockey fan, I tried to watch the Badgers play the other night and I found the product on the ice to be unwatchable. Honestly, I couldn’t watch them play; it was an absolutely brutal hockey game. I literally turned the game off and rented the movie Skyfall on DirecTV instead of watching college hockey. I have to admit, that doesn’t happen very often at my house. Hockey is on from the first week in October to the last face off of the Stanley Cup Finals.

I know some in Badger nation are going to be mad at me, but I am going to call it like it is.

If you want to watch a hockey team that is sound defensively, that is bookended by two great goaltenders the Wisconsin Badgers are your team.

Don’t count on the Badgers to score a lot of goals. This isn’t the 2005-06 team that won the National Championship that had two forwards with 50 or more points and two players that scored 20 or more goals. This is a team that is starved for offense, that’s going to try to slow things down and clog up the neutral zone.

The Badgers are ranked 50 out of 59 teams for offense nationally. In their 11 loses they have scored 17 goals that’s an average of 1.54 goals per game. In my opinion, the best way to beat the Badgers is to get an early lead because they’re offensively challenged.

Mike Eaves has been the Badgers head coach since the 2000-03 season and he has compiled a respectable record of 223-167-51 (.563) in eleven seasons at Wisconsin. But after eleven seasons, there are some in the Wisconsin fan base that would like to see Eaves shown the door.

During Eave’s tenure, Wisconsin hasn’t won a Broadmoor Trophy (1997- 1998) or a McNaughton Cup (1999-2000).  However, Eaves’ teams have done well in the national tourney, when they have gotten there, as the Badgers won an NCAA title in 2005-06 and were the Runner up in 2009-10.

If the Badgers don’t win some game next year, make the NCAA tourney and start playing a more exciting brand of hockey they’re going to risk alienating their fan base. That being said, I am thankful that I am not their audience, because If I had to watch their on ice product on a regular basis I would be frustrated and bored with it. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future.

Here are the Badgers Attendance numbers for the last six seasons, incase you wanted to see the numbers.

17 games — 2012-13   171,966—10,116

20 games — 2011-12   235,458—11,773

22 games — 2010-11   290,970—13,226

21 games — 2009-10   316,014—15,048

22 games — 2008-09   303,261—13,785

18 games — 2007-08    242,184—13,455

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine. 

Related articles

• This weekend's NCAA Division one television schedule (3/01 -3/02) (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20 (thehockeywriters.com)

EDIT... WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20

Here is the week 20 WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I have been doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel, who is a contributor for The Hockey Writers Combine.

 1.  Saint Cloud State – (19-12-1, WCHA 16-7-1) – This past weekend, the Huskies split (3-4 L – 5-2 W) their weekend series with the Colorado College Tigers in Colorado Springs. This weekend, the Huskies entertain the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Huskies have split the last two series they have played in. Pairwise Ranking 10.

 2. Minnesota – (21-6-5, WCHA 13-6-5) – This past weekend, the Minnesota Gophers took (5-3 W – 2-2 T) three points in their weekend series with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, who have won “one” game, in their last ten games (1-7-2). This weekend, the Gophers play the Denver Pioneers at Mariucci Arena. Fun fact, the Gophers have swept one “conference” series this season, Alaska Anchorage 01/11-01/12. The Gophers went an impressive 8-0-0 in their non-conference play. Pairwise Ranking 2.

 3. University of North Dakota – (17-9-6, WCHA 12-6-6) – This past weekend, UND split (4-5 L – 6-1 L) their weekend series with the Denver Pioneers, at Magness Arena. This weekend, UND entertains the Bemidji State Beavers at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Pairwise Ranking 6.

4. Minnesota State Mankato – (20-9-3, WCHA 14-9-1) – This past weekend, the Mavericks were off. This weekend, the Purple Mavericks travel to Colorado Springs to play the Tigers. Pairwise Ranking 7.
5.  Nebraska Omaha – (18-12-2, WCHA 14-8-2) – This past weekend, the Mavericks lost their exhibition game against the U-18 team 2-3. This weekend, the Red Mavericks entertain the Wisconsin Badgers. Friday’s game between the Mavericks and the Badgers will be on NBCSN. Pairwise Ranking 20t.

6. Denver University – (16-10-5, WCHA 11-8-5) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers split (5-4 W – 1-6 L) their weekend series with the University of North Dakota at Magness Arena. This weekend, the Pioneers travel to Minnesota to play the Gophers at Mariucci Arena. The Pioneers in essence, are competing with the Badgers for the last home playoff spot.  Pairwise Ranking 13t.

7.  Wisconsin – (14-11-7, WCHA 10-7-7) – The Wisconsin Badgers  split (5-0 w – 2-3 L O.T.) their non-conference series with future conference foe Penn State at the Kohl Center during a Sunday, Monday series. After starting the season 1-7-3, the Badgers have gone an amazing 13-4-4. This weekend, the Badgers travel to Nebraska-Omaha to play the Mavericks in an important two game series. The Badgers in essence, are competing with the Pioneers for the last home playoff spot.  Friday’s game between the Mavericks and the Badgers will be on NBCSN. Pairwise Ranking 28.

8.  Colorado College – (12-15-5, WCHA 9-11-4) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers split (4-3 W – 2-5 L) their weekend series with the Saint Cloud State Huskies at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This weekend, the Tigers entertain the Minnesota State Mavericks. Pairwise Ranking 30.

9. Minnesota Duluth – (10-17-4, WCHA 8-13-5) – This past weekend, the Bulldogs took a single point (2-4 L – 1-1 T) in their weekend series with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Bulldogs have had a tough go recently, taking only a single point in each of their last two series and have one win in their last 10 games 1-7-2. This weekend that should change, as the Bulldogs entertain the Alabama Huntsville Chargers (1-18-1) at Amsoil Arena.

10. Michigan Tech – (10-16-4, WCHA 6-14-4) – This past week, the Huskies were off. The Michigan Tech Huskies travel to Saint Cloud Minnesota to play the Saint Cloud State Huskies at the National Hockey Center in the battle of the Dogs.

11. Bemidji State – (6-17-7, WCHA 5-13-6) – This past weekend, the Beavers were off. Thiks weekend, the Beavers travel down Highway 2 to play the University of North Dakota in a two game series at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (4-19-7, WCHA 2-18-6) – This past weekend, the Seawolves were off. This weekend, the Seawolves play their cross state rivals the Nanooks in the Governor’s Cup. The Seawolves travel to Fairbanks on Friday and then entertain the Nanooks on Saturday night. The Seawolves have won one game since December 1, 2012, going 1-14-3.

Taylor Seibel’s WCHA Power Rankings

1.  St. Cloud State – (19-12-1, 16-7-1 WCHA) – The Huskies managed only a split against the Tigers this weekend, but still have a strong hold to the top spot in the WCHA thanks in part to slip-ups from Minnesota and North Dakota.  St. Cloud State has an excellent chance at gaining four points next weekend as the SCSU Huskies host the Michigan Tech Huskies, a team that SCSU has not lost to at home in over a decade.

2. Minnesota – (21-6-5, 13-6-5 WCHA) – The Gophers managed three points on the weekend against Minnesota Duluth, and struggled at times against the visiting Bulldogs.  While Minnesota still has a chance at winning the MacNaughton, the point they dropped on Saturday could prove decisive.  It also gave North Dakota a little bit of room to sneak the #2 spot away from the Gophers.  Next weekend, Denver travels up to Mariucci for WCHA play.

3. North Dakota – (17-9-6, 12-6-6 WCHA) – North Dakota struggled mightily against Denver’s powerplay on Friday, but found a way to largely control Denver’s man advantage on Saturday.  The result was a weekend split between these two rivals.  North Dakota says three points back of St. Cloud and one point back of Minnesota in the race for the MacNaughton.  North Dakota hosts Bemidji State next weekend, and four points will be crucial for UND’s hopes of winning the Cup.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (18-12-2, 14-8-2 WCHA) – The Mavericks were essentially off this past weekend, or at least some of the players thought so, as Omaha was defeated by the USA Under-18 squad.  To be fair, that same Under-18 squad has registered draws against Minnesota and Notre Dame on the season.  While the Mavericks are in good position for home ice, a strong showing next weekend at home against Wisconsin could cement their spot in the top half.

5. Minnesota State – (20-9-3, 14-9-1 WCHA) – The Mavericks of Mankato were also off this weekend.  In a similar position to Omaha, Mankato has a chance to solidify their spot as a top half team next weekend if they can take four points from Colorado College down in Colorado Springs.  Anything less, and it will be a shakier proposition as North Dakota comes down to Mankato to close out the regular season.

6. Denver – (16-10-5, 11-8-5 WCHA) – Denver played quite well in their victory over North Dakota on Friday, but failed to respond effectively on Saturday, and the Pioneers were trounced by the Visiting squad from Grand Forks.  The split drew the Pioneers even with Wisconsin heading into the final two weekends of the season.  Given that Denver loses the tiebreaker with Wisconsin, it makes any points that they can gather next weekend at Minnesota that much more important to their chances for home ice.

7. Wisconsin – (14-10-7, 10-7-7 WCHA) – The Badgers defeated Penn State last night in the first game of an odd Sunday-Monday series.  The victory shot Wisconsin up to an NCAA bubble squad.  The Badgers are also on the bubble when it comes to gaining home ice in the WCHA Tournament.  Currently, Wisconsin is tied with Denver for the 6^th and final spot.  Next weekend, the Badgers travel to Omaha to take on the Mavericks in a key series for both squads.

8. Colorado College – (12-15-5, 9-11-4 WCHA) – The Tigers surprised many in the WCHA with their victory over St. Cloud on Friday, but were unable to complete the sweep, losing on Saturday.  Barring surprising results elsewhere in the conference, it is likely that CC will remain in the #8 slot in the conference.  Any chance at home ice would start next weekend, when Minnesota State comes into town.

9. Minnesota Duluth – (10-17-5, 8-13-5 WCHA) – Minnesota Duluth was able to steal a point from Minnesota this weekend, but it was not enough to prevent the Bulldogs from being eliminated from home ice contention.  With only two WCHA games remaining, the Bulldogs will definitely be a team nobody in the top half will want to square off against in the first round of the WCHA Tournament.  Next weekend, the Bulldogs host Alabama Huntsville.

10. Bemidji State – (6-17-7, 5-13-6 WCHA) – The Beavers were off last weekend, but perhaps no team can play as much of a spoiler role over the next two weekends as Bemidji State.  Next weekend, Bemidji travels to North Dakota.  The following weekend, the Beavers host Minnesota.  Both UND and Minnesota will be looking for sweeps, while Bemidji State will look to dash both teams’ dreams of the MacNaughton Cup.

11. Michigan Tech – (10-16-4, 6-14-4 WCHA) – The Huskies of Michigan Tech were off this weekend.  Hopefully they used the time to come up with a strategy to knock off St. Cloud State in St. Cloud, who they play next weekend. The season has been a disappointment for most Tech fans who were hoping to challenge for home ice, but a strong end to the season, coupled with the program’s first GLI Championship in three decades, would be a good consolation prize.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (4-19-7, 2-18-6 WCHA) – The Seawolves were off this past weekend.  While UAA has been assured the cellar, and a First Round matchup against the MacNaughton Cup Champions, the Seawolves are still playing for pride.  Next weekend, the Seawolves square off against in-state (and future WCHA) rival Alaska before concluding the WCHA and regular season at Denver.

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 20 (thehockeywriters.com)