Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

Well, I appreciate that this is fiction, and it is entertaining, but it's still fairly important to make sure that the rosters are accurate. Kevin O'Sullivan graduated in 1993. He wasn't a member of the 1993-94 Terrier squad.

According to hockeydb he played 32 games, scored 5 goals with 18 assists to go along with 25 Penalty minutes in 1993-1994. Perhaps they mistook him for someone else?

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

#52 – 1979-1980 Northern Michigan Wildcats vs. #77 – 2001-2002 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Midwest Regional – First Round
U.S. Bank Arena – Cincinnati, OH
February 6, 2014

The Top 100 Tournament continued play in the Midwest Regional this morning as the ’79-80 NMU Wildcats squared off against the ’01-02 Minnesota Gophers in First Round action. The first period began with Minnesota dominating play in the Wildcat zone, but the Gophers were unable to solve Wildcat netminder Steve Weeks, who made save after save, including a breakaway opportunity by Johnny Pohl just over 3 minutes into the game. However, the Gopher onslaught would prove too much midway through the period when Grant Potulny found a loose puck at the side of the crease and jammed it home to put Minnesota up 1-0. The Gophers struck again just under 2 minutes later when Troy Riddle’s blast from the slot beat Weeks high to the glove side, and Minnesota edged ahead 2-0. With just under a minute remaining and Minnesota on a 5 on 3 man advantage, Weeks kept the Wildcats in the game with a tremendous kick save on a Jordan Leopold bomb from the point. The Wildcats would kill the rest of the powerplay, but trailed 2-0 after the first period.

The second period started similar to the first, as Minnesota relentlessly attacked the Wildcats. However the tide turned just under eight minutes into the second frame when Erik Wendell was called for a 5 minute major for checking from behind. The Gopher faithful were irate, and Minnesota coach Don Lucia talked with the ECAC officials for quite some time seeking a satisfactory explanation that he was never able to receive. The Wildcats pounced on the opportunity and at the halfway point of the second period, NMU’s Jeff Pyle launched a wrister from the point that beat a screened Adam Hauser to put Northern within a goal. As the major penalty wound down, the Wildcats scored again to knot the game, as Hauser was unable to fully secure Tom Laidlaw’s slapshot. The puck trickled down Hauser’s pads, landing just inches inside the goal line to send the Wildcat faithful into an uproar, and the game was tied at 2. Northern dominated the rest of the second period, but were unable to get the go ahead goal. After two periods, the score was all square at 2.

Both teams played nervous entering the third period, but it would be the Wildcats that would strike first. With just under 13 minutes to play in the third, Mike Mielke found a wide open Bill Joyce streaking through the neutral zone. Joyce came in all alone on Hauser, and beat the Gopher goalie five hole to put NMU up 3-2. NMU then locked down defensively, and Minnesota struggled to gain possession inside the Wildcat zone. Northern appeared to have taken a 2 goal lead with just under five minutes to play when Walt Kyle took a circle to circle feed from Steve Bozek and roofed the puck over Hauser. The puck hit the crossbar and bounced down and out. After a review, it was clear that the entire puck never crossed the goal line, and the Gophers remained with a chance. With 90 ticks left on the clock, Lucia pulled Hauser for the extra attacker, and it would pay off. Unlikely hero Jon Waibel won a battle behind the Wildcat goal, and threw the puck in front of the net. The puck glanced off Weeks’ goal stick, off his back and into the net to tie the game at 3 with just 57 ticks left on the clock. The game would be headed to overtime.

The extra stanza began with neither side willing to give an inch. Finally, the play opened up midway through the period, and each side had golden opportunities to end the game. Judd Stevens nearly ended the game for Minnesota when he launched an innocent wrist shot from the point. Weeks, apparently screened, reacted late, but was just able to get the toe of the skate on the puck to keep the Wildcats’ hopes alive. Seconds later, Craig Winter found himself all alone under the near circle with the puck and a sprawled Hauser, but Winter’s shot clipped the top of the crossbar and went out of play. With just over 3 minutes left to play in overtime, Jeff Taffe sent the Gophers into the Round of 64 with a beautiful wristshot. Taffe got a feed from Leopold at the far circle, and absolutely lasered a wrist shot to the top shelf that Weeks had no chance of stopping. The 4-3 win sent the ’01-02 Gophers on to the Round of 64 where they will face off against the 2004-2005 Denver Pioneers.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

#45 – 1983-1984 Bowling Green Falcons vs. #84 – 1999-2000 Wisconsin Badgers
Midwest Regional – First Round
United Center – Chicago, IL
February 6, 2014

Bowling Green coach Jerry York met with Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer before warmups, showcasing two of the legends that would be involved in this classic Top 100 matchup in the Midwest Regional. The exchange was cordial, but the play on the ice would not be. The first period began with both teams playing a physical, yet up-tempo style of hockey that pleased the United Center crowd. The Falcons were the first to score when Dan Kane ripped a wrister over the outstretched glove of Graham Melanson to put BGSU up 1-0. The Badgers would come right back though, as Dany Heatley found Steve Reinprecht in the slot, and Reinprecht launched the puck past Bowling Green goalie Gary Kruzich. The rollercoaster ride continued though, as Bowling Green found their way back up front with just under 5 minutes left in the first period when Gino Cavallini raced into the Badger zone on a 2 on 1 with George Roll. Roll wouldn’t see the puck, as Cavallini ripped a wrister past Melanson to put the Falcons on top 2-1. Bowling Green dominated the final minutes of play in the first, and were rewarded with just 17 ticks left on the clock when Garry Galley’s bomb from the point took a deflection off Dave Randerson who was screening Melanson. The puck bounced past the Badger netminder, and Bowling Green took a 3-1 lead into the second period.

The Badgers would come out strong in the second, and just 2 minutes into the middle frame, Kevin Granato scored a beautiful wraparound goal following sustained Badger pressure to put Wisconsin back within 1. It would be shortlived however, as Dan Kane would score on a breakaway just 30 seconds later as the Badgers were pressuring to tie the game. Jeff Dessner got caught pinching in, and Kane chipped the puck out to the neutral zone and raced in all alone. Kane completed a beautiful forehand to backhand deke that sent Melanson out of position, and Kane went back to the forehand for the easy goal to put the Falcons up 4-2. Both teams would have excellent chances to get on the board throughout the rest of the second period, but both goalies were up to the task, and after forty minutes, Bowling Green led 4-2.

Once again, Wisconsin came out strong in the third period, but Kruzich was up to task, stopping the Badgers each and every time they had opportunities…until just past midway through the third period when David Hukalo won a battle in the corner, skated behind the Falcon net, and zipped a pass up the slot to Dan Bjornlie who ripped a one-timer past Kruzich to put Wisconsin back on the board, and back within a goal at 4-3. Bowling Green continued to pressure though, and with just over two minutes left in the game, the Falcons buried the Badgers when Tim Hack found Wayne Wilson at the point. Wilson launched a howitzer that beat Melanson to the blocker side, and Bowling Green went up 5-3. Coach Sauer would pull the goalie to try to get the Badgers back in it, but it would prove futile. Bowling Green managed to run out the clock for the 5-3 win, sending the Falcons into the Round of 64 where they will square off against 2000-2001 Boston College Eagles.

[buoldtimer]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

According to hockeydb he played 32 games, scored 5 goals with 18 assists to go along with 25 Penalty minutes in 1993-1994. Perhaps they mistook him for someone else?

Hockeydb is wrong. Chris O'Sullivan played 32 games for BU during the 1993/4 season. Hockeydb has Kevin O'Sullivan playing 62 games for Fredericton and 32 games for BU during that season, which would be impossible.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

Hockeydb is wrong. Chris O'Sullivan played 32 games for BU during the 1993/4 season. Hockeydb has Kevin O'Sullivan playing 62 games for Fredericton and 32 games for BU during that season, which would be impossible.

Gotcha. Thanks for the correction.

The simulator doesn't produce results based on names. However, it does produce results based on stats. So, if the 5-18-23 scoring line belonged to someone else (Chris)...no big whoop...just change the name. However, if it was made out of thin air, then the simulation wasn't 100% accurate. In this case, you can just switch "Kevin" for "Chris." I've edited that recap to reflect the correct player.

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

Gotcha. Thanks for the correction.

The simulator doesn't produce results based on names. However, it does produce results based on stats. So, if the 5-18-23 scoring line belonged to someone else (Chris)...no big whoop...just change the name. However, if it was made out of thin air, then the simulation wasn't 100% accurate. In this case, you can just switch "Kevin" for "Chris." I've edited that recap to reflect the correct player.

Did someone notify HockeydB of the error?

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

#53 – 1981-1982 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #76 – 1964-1965 Michigan Tech Huskies
Midwest Regional – First Round
Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul, MN
February 6, 2014

Legendary coaches Badger Bob Johnson and John MacInnes led their respective teams in this first round matchup in the Midwest Regional at the Xcel Energy Center. The Badgers got off to a hot start in this one, scoring just 31 seconds into the first as John Newberry slammed home a loose puck in the crease to give Wisconsin a 1-0 advantage. Tech goalie Tony Esposito continued to have issues with rebound control, and just three minutes into the first stanza, Wisconsin had a two goal lead after Chris Chelios’ blast from the point couldn’t be controlled by Esposito, and Brian Mullen scored. The Huskies settled down following the early scoring burst by Wisconsin, but were unable to solve Marc Behrend in the opening twenty minutes, despite putting 12 shots on goal. After the first period, the Badgers led 2-0.

The second period started in a similar fashion as the first, as Wisconsin scored less than two minutes into the middle frame to take a 3-0 advantage when Patrick Flatley rang a wrister off the post and in. However, this period, the Huskies would come storming back. Just 19 seconds after the Flatley goal, Tech solved Behrend, when Rick Yeo scored on a bullet from the near circle. Michigan Tech continued their barrage on Wisconsin, but Behrend made save after save. However, the Tech surge would pay off with just over four minutes left in the second period when Al Holm was tripped up and Tech went on the powerplay. Gary Milroy won a draw in the offensive zone, and the puck went right to Wayne Weller’s stick, who skated out to the slot and let fly a wrist shot that snuck between Behrend’s armpit to put Michigan Tech within a goal. The score remained 3-2 the rest of the second, as both sides began to play a more defensive game.

The third period continued where the second period left off, with neither team wanting to make a mistake. Finally, with just under 10 minutes left in the frame, Michigan Tech began to take over the game and assert their dominance. Despite Behrend’s best efforts, the Huskies knotted the score with just over 7 minutes to go when Colin Patterson’s shot from the point was tipped in by Bob Toohill. The Huskies continued their momentum and took the lead three minutes later when Fred Dart found Milroy in between line changes, and sprung Milroy in on a clean break. Milroy wasted little time, launching a wrist shot from 15 feet out that beat Behrend glove side to put Tech ahead 4-3. Badger Bob took his timeout, but it would be of no use, as Tech continued to hound the Badger net. Wisconsin was unable to pull their goalie until the 30 second mark of the period, but it was to no avail. The Huskies threw their sticks up in the air as the final buzzer sounded, joyfully celebrating their historic comeback. Tech will advance to the Round of 64 where they will square off against the 1968-1969 Cornell Big Red.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

I'll be doing very brief summaries today to finish up the first round in order to start the Round of 64 on Tuesday. Hopefully people are more interested by then.

[FreshFish]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

I'll be doing very brief summaries today to finish up the first round in order to start the Round of 64 on Tuesday. Hopefully people are more interested by then.

A lack of comments does not necessarily correlate to a lack of interest. It should pick up somewhat once the bye teams get into action.

[Aerman]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

I must admit that I don't recall exactly how many dogs I have in this fight, but I continue to read along and have been pleased to see a modest uptick in "upsets."

Go 'Cats!

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

#32 – 1948-1949 Boston College Eagles vs. #97 – 1953-1954 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Northeast Regional – First Round
Boston Garden – Boston, MA
February 7, 2014

The ’48-49 Boston College Eagles led by Snooks Kelly took on the ’53-54 Minnesota Golden Gophers squad coached by John Mariucci in the First Round here in the Northeast Regional. Maroon and gold filled the seats at the Boston Garden, and the crowd was treated to an excellent display of hockey. The Eagles dominated play in the first period, getting goals by Jack Mulhern and Fran Harrington en route to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of play. The Gophers would strike back in the second with an early goal by John Mayasich to pull within one, but BC answered with a goal from John Gallagher and a second from Mulhern to take a commanding 4-1 lead into the third period. Eagle goalie Bernie Burke shined in the third, stopping Mayasich twice on point blank opportunities to keep BC up by 3, and with just under 5 minutes left in the game, Len Ceglarski scored for BC to put the Eagles up 5-1. That would be the final score here in Boston, as the ’48-49 Eagles advance to the Round of 64 where they will square off against the 1967-1968 Cornell Big Red.

#49 – 1987-1988 LSSU Lakers vs. #80 – 2001-2002 Denver Pioneers
Northeast Regional – First Round
XL Center – Hartford, CT
February 7, 2014

It was an instant classic in Hartford as the ’87-88 LSSU Lakers and the ’01-02 DU Pioneers squared off in the Northeast Regional First Round contest. DU came out on fire, as coach George Gwozdecky masterfully motivated his squad. Aaron MacKenzie put the Pios on the board first with a laser from the blue line, and Kevin Ulanski made it 2-0 DU moments later with a beautiful powerplay goal from the slot. However, the Lakers, under the watchful eye of coach Frank Anzalone stormed back with goals from Jim Dowd, Mark Vermette, and an unlikely source in Karl Johnston to take a 3-2 lead into the first intermission. The Lakers continued where they left off to start the second when Vermette scored his second goal of the game to put LSSU up 4-2. DU would respond though, and midway through the second frame, the Pioneers’ Connor James scored to put DU back within one. James nearly scored again towards the end of the period, but his wrister from the slot rang off the crossbar. Through two periods it was 4-3 LSSU. The Pioneers came out strong in the third, but Bruce Hoffort held strong in net for the Lakers. With the clock ticking down, Hoffort made a tremendous kick save on James, but the puck went right to Ulanski’s stick who put the biscuit in the basket to knot the score at 4. When the buzzer sounded to end the third, the score remained tied, and the game headed to overtime. An intense, yet defensive period of extra time ensued, and neither team was willing to push for the winner, and a second extra period was needed. Finally, with just 1:31 left in the second overtime, Mike DeCarle scored for the Lakers to send LSSU to the Round of 64 with a 5-4 2OT victory. LSSU will take on the undefeated ’55-56 Clarkson squad in the Round of 64.

#48 – 1991-1992 LSSU Lakers vs. #81 – 1985-1986 Michigan State Spartans
Northeast Regional – First Round
DCU Center – Worcester, MA
February 7, 2014

The ’91-92 LSSU Lakers took on the ’85-86 Michigan State Spartans in another top 100 matchup today in Worcester. Jeff Jackson’s Lakers took control of the game early on goals by Steve Barnes, Mark Astley, and Tim Hanley to take a 3-0 lead. Goalie Darrin Madeley held the Spartans off the board in the first despite 14 shots on goal from Michigan State. His stellar play would continue early in the second, but finally the Spartans, behind Kevin Miller finally solved Madeley, and turned the momentum in favor of Michigan State. Miller’s goal was followed by a checking from behind major by Kurt Miller, and it lead to back to back powerplay goals by Michigan State, as Jeff Parker and Mike Donnelly lit the lamp to tie the game at 3. The game seemed to be an offensive slugfest, but both goalies settled down, and Bob Essensa and Madeley put on a goaltending exhibition the remainder of the second and beginning of the third period. The score remained 3-3 as the clock wound down at the DCU Center, when Danton Cole broke loose for a breakaway goal with just 4:03 on the clock. The Spartans neutralized the Laker attack in the final minutes, and when the final horn sounded, the Spartans had pulled the upset with a 4-3 victory. With the win, MSU will square off against the ’03-04 North Dakota squad in the Round of 64.

#41 – 1956-1957 Colorado College Tigers vs. #88 – 1968-1969 Denver Pioneers
Northeast Regional – First Round
Alfond Arena – Orono, ME
February 7, 2014

An anticipated First Round matchup between heated rivals took place this morning in Maine at Alfond Arena, as the ’56-67 CC Tigers took on the ’68-69 DU Pioneers. The Tigers pounced early on Denver, with goals by Bob McCusker and Bill Hay to take a 2-0 lead just 4 minutes into play. However, Denver came back, and thanks to a goal from George Morrison, only trailed by one after twenty minutes of play. Gerry Powers kept the Pioneers within a goal early in the second despite a strong barrage of chances from CC, and midway through the second period, Tom Miller scored to knot the game up at 2. The momentum turned late in the period though when Keith Magnuson went down with an injury, and the Denver blue line struggled to replace their star, as CC scored twice in a span of 27 seconds with goals by McCusker and Don Wishart, and through forty minutes of play, the Tigers led 4-2. Magnuson would make a gutsy effort by coming out for the third period, but it would be to no avail. CC goalie Bob Southwood stopped everything he saw in the final stanza, and when Jerry Art potted an empty netter with seconds left on the clock, the Tigers sealed the victory. CC advanced with the 5-2 win to take on the 2011-2012 BC Eagles in the Round of 64.

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

I'll be doing very brief summaries today to finish up the first round in order to start the Round of 64 on Tuesday. Hopefully people are more interested by then.

Why not wait until 2/21? Then it will be a year since the first match.

I do enjoy reading these.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

Why not wait until 2/21? Then it will be a year since the first match.

I do enjoy reading these.

I didn't even realize that. My goal will still be to have the First Round finished in time to start the Round of 64 next Thursday. Perhaps I'll have to do something special though on the 21st.

Also, I'm working with the guys at CHW to have "game report" pages, and keep statistics once the Round of 64 starts. I had been in discussions with another site to essentially take over this tournament, but I haven't heard anything from them in quite some time...probably due to my inability to keep the reports coming in a timely fashion. Either way, I'm hoping for increased discussion here once the Round of 64 starts and the tournament really heats up.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

BTW, here is the link to the bracket for those who don't want to go back to the first page to get it...

http://www.collegehockeyweekly.com/T...ment-2013.html

7 matchups remain in the First Round. The Northeast and Midwest Regionals are set for the Round of 64. 4 matchups left in the West Regional, and 3 matchups left in the East Regional.

[Red Cows]

Re: Top 100 Greatest Teams of the NCAA era Tournament

I'll be doing very brief summaries today to finish up the first round in order to start the Round of 64 on Tuesday. Hopefully people are more interested by then.

Trust me, your efforts are appreciated.