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The only tolerable thing about the end of college hockey season is playoff time in the NHL. While this past season was a pleasant surprise, I wish ND could have played just one more game. I guess that's what next season is for...
So...looking ahead to next season, ND should be in a pod with BG, FSU, OSU and UAF. They could conceivably play 37 games, as 3 of their games are exempt (2 at UA[F] and the HOF game against Minnesota). We will see WMU, Miami and Michigan here, but travel to E. Lansing, the Soo and Marquette. Coach Jackson alluded to a New Year's Eve game here against BU and possibly a series here with Northeastern that could see the return of Dr. Craig. There is also that game against BC in the works. Rumor is that's the game that opens the Compton Family Center.
ND starts the season at defending national champs UMD October 7-8. Then RPI visits South Bend for a single game on October 21st. The new arena is scheduled to open a few days prior to this, but (no offense towards RPI), I can't see this being the "grand opening" game. I would think (hope) that honor would be reserved for a hated opponent (Miami, Michigan, BC spring to mind). If the rink is a go in October, the last weekend is a possibility, but the football team is at home, so a single game against BC that Friday (10/28) or a Thursday-Friday series with Michigan or Miami (or whoever) could accommodate the almighty.
ND travels to the UP to play NMU the first weekend in November, then returns home to face UA(F) the following weekend. ND plays Minnesota in the Hall of Fame game. This game should be January 7 and will likely be outdoors. ND travels to Alaska the last weekend in January. Since I will be climbing my first mountain next summer, I could use either of those weekends to get used to the cold (granted flying to Minnesota is cheaper and quicker than travel to the 49th state).
Looking back, I wanted to try a little Campbellnomics with ND's returning major players. For those of you not familiar with Campbellnomics, Ken Campbell is a writer for The Hockey News. He looks at all the goals scored in the NHL and rates them relative to the jump they give a team (1st goal, tying goal, go ahead goal, etc.). As for Notre Dame's returnees, Anders Lee ranks #1 with 35 points for the importance of his goals. T.J. Tynan is 2nd with 26 points. Jeff Costello comes next with 20, followed by Nick Larson with 13, Billy Maday with 10, Riley Sheahan with 9, David Gerths-8, Sean Lorenz-6, Bryan Rust-5, Sam Calabrese-4 and Stephen Johns-2.
It's a mere 24 weeks til ND begins their next season. In the coming months we can speculate on who will be the captains (I've already got my letter-wearers picked), who will be the next Ryan Guentzel, and who will be the next dynamic freshman...or freshmen. Can't wait.
So...looking ahead to next season, ND should be in a pod with BG, FSU, OSU and UAF. They could conceivably play 37 games, as 3 of their games are exempt (2 at UA[F] and the HOF game against Minnesota). We will see WMU, Miami and Michigan here, but travel to E. Lansing, the Soo and Marquette. Coach Jackson alluded to a New Year's Eve game here against BU and possibly a series here with Northeastern that could see the return of Dr. Craig. There is also that game against BC in the works. Rumor is that's the game that opens the Compton Family Center.
ND starts the season at defending national champs UMD October 7-8. Then RPI visits South Bend for a single game on October 21st. The new arena is scheduled to open a few days prior to this, but (no offense towards RPI), I can't see this being the "grand opening" game. I would think (hope) that honor would be reserved for a hated opponent (Miami, Michigan, BC spring to mind). If the rink is a go in October, the last weekend is a possibility, but the football team is at home, so a single game against BC that Friday (10/28) or a Thursday-Friday series with Michigan or Miami (or whoever) could accommodate the almighty.
ND travels to the UP to play NMU the first weekend in November, then returns home to face UA(F) the following weekend. ND plays Minnesota in the Hall of Fame game. This game should be January 7 and will likely be outdoors. ND travels to Alaska the last weekend in January. Since I will be climbing my first mountain next summer, I could use either of those weekends to get used to the cold (granted flying to Minnesota is cheaper and quicker than travel to the 49th state).
Looking back, I wanted to try a little Campbellnomics with ND's returning major players. For those of you not familiar with Campbellnomics, Ken Campbell is a writer for The Hockey News. He looks at all the goals scored in the NHL and rates them relative to the jump they give a team (1st goal, tying goal, go ahead goal, etc.). As for Notre Dame's returnees, Anders Lee ranks #1 with 35 points for the importance of his goals. T.J. Tynan is 2nd with 26 points. Jeff Costello comes next with 20, followed by Nick Larson with 13, Billy Maday with 10, Riley Sheahan with 9, David Gerths-8, Sean Lorenz-6, Bryan Rust-5, Sam Calabrese-4 and Stephen Johns-2.
It's a mere 24 weeks til ND begins their next season. In the coming months we can speculate on who will be the captains (I've already got my letter-wearers picked), who will be the next Ryan Guentzel, and who will be the next dynamic freshman...or freshmen. Can't wait.
-- Knute Rockne: All American
(That said, beating BC would be a great way to open a new arena.)
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