BroncoHeard

1) I'd like to see a point of emphasis discussion in the off season regarding those hits in which of offensive player is turning away at the last minute in order to avoid a hit and a offensive player "jumping" out of the way to avoid a hit. In both scenarios, these players are putting themselves at risk for a serious injury caused from a checking from behind or kneeing. Many times, the defending player does not have enough time to "hold up". Current rules require the officials to protect those offensive players and penalize the offending defender, often ending with a major or game misconduct. If a player is turning his back at the last second to avoid a hit and gets hit from behind, why can't this also be considered embellishment? If the offensive player created a dangerous situation, why can't they also be called for a major or game misconduct? If a player tries to jump out of the way and gets kneed, why cant that player be called for "leaving his feet" or "embellishment"? 2) During the regular season, "after" an official has called a major penalty or game misconduct, it should be the coaches option to request they review the video and "appeal" the call. The refs often get the call wrong and a 5 minute major can be a game changer, along with game misconducts.

If you walk into the bar on Friday, it might be hard to tell if it's a Sioux fan, or just some drunken Irish wanna-be dressed in green and white.

Should be a good series. I think it may come done to WMU and Sioux for the final two home ice spots and this series is key for both teams. My dream is for a ALL NCHC frozen for, but the only way this will happen is for the NCHC to lock up 1-4 pairwise. WMU also recently got back a key forward from a injury earlier in the year, Adain Muir. He is a difference make and changes the line combinations on all four lines. The line of Muir, Rebry and Tiffels is a handful for any d-core to match up with and frees up WMU two scoring lines for Murray to get the right match ups with the last line change I assume Blacker will be in net for both games this weekend series this time, he has also been a real difference maker since returning to the line up.

Spilt on the road, just as good as a win < Western Michigan See you in Kalmazoo for the rubber series

we could debate on the fine players all night, which isn't why I post some information regarding some of the "impact" WMU players. Was just trying to illustrate that along with some of the personal changes, Western is very much a different team. They still play a very structured game, but with a lot more speed and skill. And re Iacopleeli & Chic, it's not your opinion or my opinion that matters, there's only one that does. As they say, "straight from the horse mouth". But in this case, you would say heard it "straight from the Hawks mouth". Considering the source, you can bank on it. Let's just agree to visit this topic end of season....

McKee has been a healthy scratch for the majority of the year, until recently. Part of this is due to the influx of talent this year and a decision to field more speed/puck passion orientated team and with the way they are calling games this year, the college hockey game does not fit big Mike. He needs to playing a "bigger game", where he can play physical and not get called for crushing a guy along the boards as they turn their back to try and avoid getting hit by McKee. At 6'5" 255#, not a lot of 5'9-10" defensemen are willing to do this. Mike is also still trying to make that adjustment from playing defense to forward, which is what Detroit wants. For a big guy, he is really fast North/South and pretty good hands. He figured out how to really protect the puck down low and along the boards, good luck trying to knock him off the puck. But to his credit, he got an opportunity to get back into the line up recently, played very well. Played fast, displined hockey and avoid those pitfalls that seem to attract him. Had a nice assist and goal in Saturday game vs SCSU, so who knows, maybe we will see him in Grand Forks And your right about his fighting ability, which is the number 1 reason Detroit drafted him, which is strange considering Detroits history. One thing is for sure, I don't think he will lose many fights when he does turn pro.

Molino is a free agent, could of signed last year, declined. His game has improved tremendously since last year and trust me when I say, he's the real deal. Toyed with UMD and SCSU. NHL scouts lineup in the hall way after every game to get to this kid. I'm sure he's gone next year. Iacopelli (Chic) was told earlier this year if he scores 15, they sign him. He's at 13 now, so 15 is in his back pocket. He's got a bomb of a shot and unlike last year, playing a 200' game, going to get the puck and making things happen. Allison (Philly) is the only one who depending how the season goes might come back for another season, but I think there is a better chance he won't return. Very complete power forward.

Some players to watch: Sr. Rebry & JR. Tiffels (Pitt) are two of the fastest players on the ice. Expect a few breakaways from one or both. Not sure who else will be skating on thier line as Muir (Edmt) is most likely out for the year with a freak/scary injury when a UMD player went head over feet kicking his blade up in the air and slicing Muir's forearm. Pretty serious injury. When Muir was in the line up, this was WMU best line, a handful. So. Molino, one of the best forwards in college hockey right now. He's fast, skilled, great shot and poised. Controls the game when he is on the ice. One of the most sought after college NHL free agents right now, will be gone after this year. So. Iacopelli (Chic), big strong power LH forward who this year is now playing a 200' game and reaping the benefits. He's got a NHL bomb of a shot, which is one of the reasons he's got 13 goals this year in only 14 games. He's gone after this year also. Fr. Allison (Phil), another big strong RH power forward who is surprisenly fast for his size. I see why Philly took him early in the second round, another player whom I see leaving after this year. Fr. McGing, a small, crafty speedy forwarded who can create. 18 year old baby face (looks like a high school sophomore) just now making that adjustment to college hockey and starting to make a real impact Fr. Courtnall (NHL Russ Courtnall kid). Prolly the fastest player on the team, really hard working forward, excellent on the PK, has had several breakaways. For this kid to be on a fourth line really says something about the other three lines, but make no mistake when he is on the ice, he makes an impact Fr. Lee, smooth skating/puck moving power play defensemen. There are several others who are also very fast/skilled skating players like Sr. D-Fleming (second on team in points) JR. D-Stoykewych, So. D-Schuenaman and So. F-Conrad, along with some sand paper in several other players. In all, just a deeper and much quicker/skilled team.

Looking forward to this weekend, should be a very good series. Broncos are very different team than what the Sioux have seen in the past, as they are quicker/faster and more skilled. Last weekend vs SCSU, it was "ALL Broncos" as the puck was in the SCSU d-zone for the most part of 6 periods. Friday night the SCSU goalie stood on his head, played an incredible game and stole one for his team. Saturday he was back to reality giving up 5 goals. Western should of swept SCSU, but could only manage to pick up 2 points. WMU goal tending is still a question mark, which has been there biggest issue over the last 3 1/2 years prior to this year. Early on, freshman Blacker got the starts, played well enough to get the Broncos some wins, but was sidelined with illness. Then Sophomore Gorsuch stepped in, played very well up until the Air Force Series were he struggled. Then entered Carlolina prospect Olson who played his first game of the year after "double" hip surgery last year and picked up his first win vs Air Force. But last weekend, both Gorsuch and Olson played vs SCSU and gave up several bad angle shots.

Make no mistake, Zane is what made the difference this weekend

They made some improvement since last year when North Dakota, not much though UNO is the worse, followed closly by Miami and WMU. Then UMD. DU is pretty good, then North Dakota and SCSU Often there is audio issues. They use the radio feed and it lags the video. I listen to the radio, pausing the video long enough for the video to catch up. Unfortunatly, youll have to do this before the start of each period

Broncos match up very well vs. the No Names. Not sure if LaPort will be in the line up. He is gritty, two player who also has a knack for getting under players skin. Couldn't think of a better team for "his game" to excell, so lets hope he is health and ready to go. McKee is out for sure for the first game. Another tough guy who can give defensemen fits, but also gets his share of PIM. I'm a big Hafner fan and hope he gets the start tonight. Look for low shot counts and a low scoring afair, with a spilt of points in some capacity.

Looking forward to this match-up this weekend Could be a prelude to the conference tournament best of three series

jk is very wise...