Looking Ahead, NCHC Pre-Conference Predictions

Unconventional, But Here is How We Predict the NCHC

Most conference predictions come before the season starts, but we thought we would try something new and see how the non-conference stacks up and then make some predictions. Here is how the staff at College Hockey HH sees the NCHC regular season going:

1. Saint Cloud State. Strong team looking to continues its winning ways and making a stake to the Penrose for the second straight year. Returning players are plentiful including goaltenders. What is up next for goals is moving through the NCAAs.
2. Minnesota Duluth. Last year was a pleasant surprise for UMD ending where all the Division I teams want to be, the National Champions. For as good as they became as a team, they come back pretty much still intact and looking for the same success. But it just seems that UMD teams can't sustain success historically to win a regular season championship. Two national championships (2011 and 2018) and the last conference regular season championship was 1992-93.
3. Denver. New coach, lots of new players but look for more of the same as past years. Denver is reloading and likely not rebuilding.
4. Colorado College. Our first "out on a limb" prediction. The Tigers made strides last year with young players and this year return a strong goaltender in Leclerc.
5. North Dakota. A team can only lose talent for so long before reloading cannot continue and rebuilding must occur. This is that year.
6. Miami. The Redhawks at 6 and Broncos at 7 could really go either way. both have limited senior experience on their rosters so this is really just a gut feeling. Also we predict that the future looks brighter for Miami than WMU, but not by much.
7. Western Michigan. See Miami capsule above. The 5-7 picks could really be a toss up.
8. Omaha. The Mavericks have looked outmatched all non-conference. They have some talent, but it looks to be a year of struggles in Omaha.

Well, there it is. The predicted finish tot he 2018-19 NCHC regular season. If it holds, it would be the first time North Dakota did not secure home ice and CC hosted in the first round. But for now, it is all just speculation.

See you at the Penrose Cup, NCHC!

Another Trip to Michigan Tech

UMD and MTU Renew Rivalry

Not that this is as big of games as UMD and other Minnesota teams or MTU vs North Michigan, but these games this weekend are the 231st and 232nd of the series between these teams.

Some of the games have been heated, some laughers, while others head scratchers as both the Bulldogs and Huskies have had their ups, downs, and National Championships over the years.

Last meeting went to the Huskies in Duluth last season 4-3, but the Bulldogs are currently 7-1-1 in the last nine games at McInnes Ice Arena.

It will be a good weekend to see if UMD can rebound from a 0-1-1 weekend with the Gophers and this is a good time to go on the road to build the team bonds for the Bulldogs.

StatPack.

Coming soon as the stats stack up!

Could It Be More Sweet?

Same Formula Brings Championship to Duluth

Now who would have thunk that? Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs getting into the NCAA Tournament by the narrowest of margins, sweeps their way from #3 seed in the West to the champion of NCAA Division I National Champions.

leveraging three straight 2-1 wins, preceded by a 3-2 OT win, makes UMD the first team to win all their NCAA Tournament games by one goal. That is is the key to the championship run for the Bulldogs, defense and just enough scoring to get the win.

In UMD's three straight 2-1 wins the equation seemed to stay the same: jump out to a fast start scoring two goals in the first period, play strong defense all game, and keep the offensive pressure on. This equals wins and a championship.

This UMD Bulldogs team, thankful just to get into the NCAA Tournament, now can look back and relax with the new label, Champion.

All the Way to the Frozen Four

Unlikely Return for UMD Makes This Frozen Four Sweet

Last year's Frozen Four was almost expected, though it didn't come easy. This year's Frozen Four is an unexpected surprise.

The story line is well known: seven seniors graduated and three underclassmen left for pro deals after the National Championship loss to Denver. 10 major players out of the lineup including five starting defensemen and the goaltender that played just shy of 90% of the games by minutes played.

Rebuild was on the minds of many fans. Maybe even those close tot he program, but this Bulldog coaching staff has proven that they are up to the task in a big way. They have taken an inexperienced team and built them up all year.

Evidence is plentiful, but just he improvement in the NCHC conference play says it all. At the Holiday Break, UMD was in seventh place just ahead of Omaha whom they had just split a series with. After the break in the NCHC UMD peeled off a 10-4-0 record to bolt into third place, host a first round series, and make it to the Frozen Faceoff for the third straight year.

Only nine current Bulldogs played in the 2017 Frozen Four.

All this leads us to say: not rebuild, but RELOAD.

UMD is in rarefied air making their program record fourth straight NCAA appearance and they look to make the most of it by crashing the B1G Ten party in St. Paul.

There is only one thing left for this group of upstarts to do but to win it all.

StatPack:

Setting up for the West Regional!

0.0001

Back to the West Regional

After a disappointing Frozen Faceoff weekend, UMD squeaked in to the NCAA Tournament by 0.0001 points on the PWR. Yes, that number is correct, 0.0001. And for the last at-large bid.

This season UMD has come from so far behind last year's team in experience, that it is a victory for the program and the coaching staff, and most of all the players for this chance to return to the NCAA Tournament.

The West Regional:

4 Air Force
1 St. Cloud State

3 UMD
4 MSUM

NCHC Frozen Faceoff

The NCHC Frozen Faceoff is here and at the Xcel Energy Center for the first time.  I am excited to attend the games at a true hockey rink.  This change of venues should also be better for fans as the slight lines at Xcel are better then the Target Center's.  As we have discussed at CH3, we will miss being able to take photos and watch the games from the corners of the rink like you could at Target Center.

It should be at least three really good hockey games.  The third place game could anywhere from a snoozer to a play-in game to the NCAAs all depending on the matchups.  I personally hope UMD wins the first game and seals a trip to the NCAAs with that win. 

Picks:
North Dakota vs. St. Cloud State:  The NCAA playoffs have essentially started for the Fighting Hawks a loss could doom their hopes.  The Huskies are a much better team and I think they will use their defense and goaltending to get the win.

UMD vs Denver:  These are two evenly matched teams even though the Pioneers have had UMDs number this season.  I like the all around play the Bulldogs have shown recently and I am picking them to win in a close one.

Championship:  My pick for the Champion is the Huskies.  They seem to be the best all-around team and likely to be the one holding the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Champions Trophy. 

Third Place game:  If it is UND and DU there will be two very different levels of effort given on the rink.  The Fighting Hawks need the win and Denver needs to stay healthy.  The Pioneers are good enough to have this end in a tie.