Impressive hockey notables

[redwing77]

I find 1-8 very impressive this year.

It's been a LONG time since I made a poll, so why not have it on this?

[sioux fan in phoenix]

How about goalie Brian Boucher going 5+ games without allowing a goal?

[CoteauRinkRat]

I'm really not sure how the Wild landed two players on the all-star team. They are my favorite team, but not deserving of two players.

[ScottM]

I'd have to say Paul Martin having such a nice rookie season is a pleasant surprise. As well, David Hale seems to be doing pretty well since Scott Stevens has been out. But the "Young Guns" obviously don't have an "Enforcer" category.

[SiouxTupa]

I'd have to say that, without a doubt, going from an "0'fer" in league play, and winning only 1 measley game to near .500, and consistently gaining points is a ridiculously great improvement.

Now granted, it's not hard to improve on a season where your only win came NC against an in-state rival and CHA powerhouse , but they're really turning heads in Alaska (hard to do given how cold it is).

Cudos to the team and coaches for their season, they've done a great job. BUT, I've got one four letter word for our couch potato friend Chris!

[UND95]

How about goalie Brian Boucher going 5+ games without allowing a goal?

I went none of the above because I think this was an amazing accomplishment. Even in this era of lower goal scoring in the NHL, 5 straight shutouts is not easy to accomplish and with many of them coming on the road no less.

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

I agree with Boucher's accomplishment. Extrememly impressive. Also, the WJC team winning gold would be towards the top of hte list.

[Goon]

I wonder if anyone has seen any preliminary rosters for the World Cup of Hockey, which is going to be in St Paul and I believe Toronto. I would have to say that Boucher must be high on the list for American goalies.

[farce poobah]

I gotta say UAA going from winless 0-22-6 last year, to #13 in the Pairwise with a realistic shot at the NCAA's, is the most impressive.

[redwing77]

I didn't put the WJC in the poll because then everyone would vote for that and no one would consider the others. Kinda pointless to have a poll when the answer is that blatently obvious

Boucher's accomplishment was awesome. Forgot about that entirely.

As for the Wild, I understand Roloson's selection. I mean, only the Sabres with Hasek was a team that more obviously was all about the goaltending because take Roloson and Fernandez out and they'll be rivaling Pittsburgh for bleak this year. That's why I was impressed. More sarcastic impressed than anything. The Wild could really use opening the coin purse a little bit and bringing in at least one big name to bolster a young offense.

[sioux fan in phoenix]

I gotta say UAA going from winless 0-22-6 last year, to #13 in the Pairwise with a realistic shot at the NCAA's, is the most impressive.

And to imagine that billboards aren't falling on their players' feet at center ice this year, either. I couldn't imagine them going through another pitiful year & they were bound to win at least a couple & show some "improvement".

[Fedorov]

And to imagine that billboards aren't falling on their players' feet at center ice this year, either. I couldn't imagine them going through another pitiful year & they were bound to win at least a couple & show some "improvement".

Did somebody say McDonalds?

[sioux fan in phoenix]

Did somebody say McDonalds?

So that player fell victim to Ronald McDonald? Imagine him calling his mom that night, "Yeah, Mom, I was going hard into the boards & just leveled one of their guys, but I also twisted my foot & will be out of the line-up for a few weeks." Yeah, uh huh...you got your ass whupped by a billboard

[UMDDogz]

I voted for Hull because I'm a UMD guy, but Boucher's accomplishment was really impressive as well!

As for the Wild's All-Star selections, I think they got a bit of a "home team" advantage.

[Hrkac_Circus]

What about 19 year old Rick Nash leading the NHL in goal scoring.