AIC barely squeaked out wins against LIU, who lost to a club team, and Air Force, who are objectively the worst team in college hockey this season. Only one AHA team should get in, whoever wins the tournament.
There's no doubt they are benefitting from riding our coattails, and that gives them a reason to skate harder and finish checks against UND. Their ascent is good for the college game, too, showing how prime their locale is for recruiting in the USHL to the other big state schools in the area. When they sweep us in the Ralph or win a natty I'll pay them more attention.
The rivalry is partially manufactured by the league as an assigned travel partner. Personally, they are 4th/5th of 7 on my list in the conference now that Blais is gone, and probably 7th/8th overall with Bemidji. Just don't have the history of stinging losses/epic wins/fisticuffs/dirty hits like other rivals. They'll probably pass CC on my list if they (CC) don't turn things around with the new arena on campus.
I enjoyed this shade towards St. Cloud in Brad's story:
"Obviously, we need to limit the after-the-whistle stuff and the penalties, but it will be just like we play Duluth or Mankato," Mismash said
Was there ever an explanation for why they announced a cross checking penalty but it didn't get served? That was odd, Starman and <not Holden> were perplexed and said they'd get an explanation but they never did.
They also lost two D in Pashchinuk (sp) and Mansicalco that tilted the ice in their favor. Harder for Walker to score off cherry picking when they don't possess the puck as much.