Big A HG

SCSU brought it back to 7-6 for those who wrote off the huskies. 1:11 left in the 3rd. It's exciting.

For those listening to the radio at home, Ottawa is playing on CBC right now with Brian Lee playing and Brian Elliot (former WI goalie) in net. Elliot just made a big save on a breakaway and looks pretty good.

Both have played 2 more than us.

It just baffles me that they are 0-1-1 against Tech right now...a team with 5 total wins.

It just disappoints me that this team needs another wake up call. The whole team has to show up for every second, of every shift, of every game here on out. Anything less could potentially kill us. Eidsness seems like he plays great for most of every game...especially as a freshman....but why does he fall asleep for a short stretch and always give up a softie or two. I know it's not always completely his fault (defensive break downs), but to win a championship, you'll need a goalie that can steal some. Eidsness hasn't done that yet. I don't want anyone else in our net right now, but he definitely has room to improve, whether it's mentally or technically. Also, he's juicy rebounds will be key if he can't get better at controlling the puck.

Jonny Toews added an assist on the night in an OT loss. Kane with another no point performance...Jonny is slowly catching him. Travis finished with the lone goal. Jason Blaked had nothing going tonight after yesterdays huge 5 point performance.

This years Sioux team is identical to how the Packers played. Packers were 6-10 this season. However, in 8 of the ten losses, they were winning or tied in the fourth quarter. If you 5 of those 8 games, instead of losing all of them, you are 11-5, and beat the Vikings in the tie breaker. How disappointing....

Gregoire baby!

I understand that, but you gotta crush 'em when you can. It won't be this way the whole game.....now it's a 5 on 3 for Tech. I bet they'll score.

Let's put one in already...I hate leaving a team like this in it.

Blake, Stafford, and Oshie combined for 4 goals, and 6 assists on the night. Nice work guys.

You have to keep 'em separated because a lot of smaller teams who would have to travel to Alaska twice might not be able to afford it. To have to travel there twice is spendy. Being that it's college, it's hard to take a full week off if you did a back-to-back weekend thing. The only way it would work where they are in the same conference is if you can guarantee only one visit to Alaska per year, which might be doable if they were added as a 12th team. However, do we want another Alaska team in our conference?

Like I was saying....

We aren't solving much then. BSU is in, but now UAA is left looking for a home. I know you were likely kidding, but for those that take you seriously, it's not a good option.

Roger that....thanks Jim. I like the idea of another sweep. I wouldn't rule out a split in Houghton though. It's a tough place to come away with two wins.

Jim, so your chart is saying, if we sweep, we can finish anywhere from 11th to 20th in the PWR, with the most likely finishing spot being about 16th? If I'm way off, please elaborate. Thanks for all your help on the subject.

Well, in the case of Notre Dame, they already have their program in place, it's just a matter of switching conferences...which would be a much shorter process than if a current team without a hockey program tried implementing one. I think PSU or Purdue would be the front runners to join D1 hockey, if it were to happen. This wouldn't be a short process, it's still years off, but if the WCHA gets too crowded, and attendance starts to suffer slightly at programs that could sell out more games against bigger, more well-known rivals, I don't see how that process couldn't go through.

What I said was half a joke. However, I think if they can get to 6 or 7 teams, I think it's doable. If PSU, Illinois, or Purdue were to start hockey, and then the Big Ten as a whole could convince Notre Dame to join for all sports, then there would be some serious potential. Right now there are 5 Big10 teams that play D1 hockey, but like I said, if they can get to 6 or 7, that'd be pretty convincing.

If that's the case, then I want to be the first to contrulage and welcome the soon to be formed Big Ten Hockey Conference!

If we sweep everyone that is currently behind is in the rankings, and split with everyone that's currently ahead of us, we'll end up with 39 conference points. I find it hard to believe that a second half performance like that would keep us out of the playoffs. With 39 points, I think that would be good enough for 2nd place in conference...then throw in a couple losses for Denver, and heck, we can still win the regular season conference. We haven't shot ourselves in the foot too much when it comes to regular season play, just OOC. Let's do it!

That bag is taking us to the promised land 'mama!

What's so bad about it? Do you actually think the Sioux should be in yet?

Anyone know what kind of stats Gregoire put up at VMC when he was there...just for comparison sake?

Also, Waterloo and Fink will be heading up on the 16th and 17th I believe. That's this weekend, so for those that won't be at the games in Houghton, or watching 'em on the internet, this might be a good option. I would like to make it down...maybe Friday.

Being that Tech is going to clog things up, we have to take advantage of our power play oppurtunities. MTU averages the least amount of penalty minutes per game in the WCHA, so converting on our chances is going to be important.