All Things Denver XXX

[Carle Jersey]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Any RPI experts out there? My main concern is that we qualify for the NCAA tournament, obviously. What do we need to do to lock up a spot? I'm hoping the response is "we are already there," but somehow I doubt it...

 

[breed]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Play like you did Saturday and you can do some damage in the NCAA tournament

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Any RPI experts out there? My main concern is that we qualify for the NCAA tournament, obviously. What do we need to do to lock up a spot? I'm hoping the response is "we are already there," but somehow I doubt it...

DU is pretty much a lock to make the tournament. Right now they are in the 5th spot in PWR which would make them the top #2 seed in the tourney. With a sweep of SCSU this weekend and a strong run through the WCHA playoffs DU could possibly get a #1 seed. Very doubtful that they would pass Yale, UND or BC for a #1 seed but they could possibly flip comparisons with Michigan to get the fourth #1 seed. Michigans' RPI is .5576 and DU's is .5561, fairly close. This would be the most likely comparison they could flip. The teams under consideration (TUC) comparison is in DU's favor .6481 to .6250 and the common opponent's comparison is in favor of Michigan .7500 to .6000. They did not play head to head so that comparison has no effect and is counted as 0. Michigan currently wins the comparison against DU 2-1.

On another subject, how does this year's DU team compare statistically to last year's. This year's team has played 34 games to date and last year's played 38 regular season games plus 3 playoff games.

In the WCHA last year DU went 19-5-4 and won the MacNaughton with 42 points. They scored 92 goals and gave up 65, a goal differential of +27. This year so far DU is 16-7-3 with 2 games to go and sits alone in 2nd place with a very remote chance of sharing the MacNaughton with UND. It would take a sweep of UND by MTU and a sweep of SCSU by DU for this unlikely scenario to happen. The DU sweep of SCSU is significantly more likely than an MTU sweep of UND. DU could end up with a league record of 18-7-3 for 39 points, only 3 less than last year. This year's DU team has scored 88 goals in the WCHA and given up 70, a goal differential of +18. Without Chevy, DU has only given up 5 more goals than last season with 2 games to go and could exceed last year's total of 92 goals scored by scoring more than 4 goals this coming weekend. Considering the loss of early pro signees including Chevy and seniors after last season, this year's DU team has exceeded expectations so far in the WCHA.

Overall DU was 27-10-4 in 2009/10 with the last 3 losses coming in the Final Five and first round of the NCAAs. Going into the Final Five last year, DU was 25-7-4. This year the team has an overall record of 20-9-5 and could be 24-9-5 going into the Final Five, only one less win than last year's team. Last year's team scored 133 goals and gave up 99, a goal differential of +34. This year's team has scored 112 goals and given up 91, a goal differential of +21 with a number of games still to be played. DU could still have 10 to 11 games left to play if they make it to the Frozen Four Final. They definitely have at least 5 maybe 6 depending on if the 1st round of the WCHA playoffs at home goes 2 or 3 games and they play at least one regional NCAA tournament game. Hopefully DU gets to St. Paul for the Final 5 and wins at least a game and then wins 2 at a regional to make the Frozen Four.

 

[Garibaldi83]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

I have to ask you guys what your honest and realistic expectations were for DU this year. You lost your top line, a great goaltender, etc. I know this late season play has been frustrating, but the team is young, and I think has performed admirably this season. To lose the players you did, and to have a shot at the MacNaughton, is pretty impressive, IMO. DU is a shoo-in for the tourney, and could do some damage if they are on their game. Even after losing a ton of talent, this is a better TEAM than last year, and still has a lot of potential.

As much as I hate to admit it I agree with a Tigers fan We should be happy this team is pretty good! Yes, friday stunk but hey every team has off games. Let's keep supporting our team.....BE LOUD THIS WEEKEND! GO PIOS!

 

[Dmann]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

DU goes up in the polls!!

http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

DU goes up in the polls!!

http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/

Up from 6 to 5 but tied with Michigan for #5. Merrimack dropped 2 games last weekend to fall down from 4 to 9 and Michigan moved up from 10th, both quite large jumps for this late in the season. Union went from 5 to 4 when Merrimack dropped.

Surprisingly, The INCH Power Rankings had DU drop one spot from 8th to 9th

 

[dggoddard]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Any RPI experts out there? My main concern is that we qualify for the NCAA tournament, obviously. What do we need to do to lock up a spot? I'm hoping the response is "we are already there," but somehow I doubt it...

There are certain teams, primarily out of Hockey East that are below DU in the Pairwise that I wouldn't want to face in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. UND, Maine, BU & Miami.

Better to keep winning and hope for a managable 1st round opponent.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

I deeply regret this dustup and apologize for my role in it. DU hockey has meant a great deal to me, both personally and professionally. We talk about Maggie, Jim Shires, Jim Wiste, Cliff Koroll, Craig Patrick, Frank Daly and others. To me, they aren't just names from our glorious past, they were friends. We've got some hockey left and we should be focusing on that.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

I still think it's healthy for fans to voice displeasure, and it doesn't make you less of a fan for doing so. If Gwoz and Erich are worried about 5 blowhards on the Internet, the problem is with them, not us. DU has the easiest fan base of all major programs. Almost no pressure at all outside of a few cranks here.

Go out and win, and all this goes away....

 

[dggoddard]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

I still think it's healthy for fans to voice displeasure, and it doesn't make you less of a fan for doing so. If Gwoz and Erich are worried about 5 blowhards on the Internet, the problem is with them, not us. DU has the easiest fan base of all major programs. Almost no pressure at all outside of a few cranks here.

Go out and win, and all this goes away....

Those five blowhards are some of the best posters on USCHO. What they say matters.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Think Michigan Tech was struggling. The USHL Chicago Steel have lost 24 games in a row, including 6 overtime/shootout losses. DU recruit Garrett Allen is witnessing the carnage first hand. It can't be any fun and his stats have trailed off accordingly.

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/playerpage.html?playerid=3212876&seasonid=5967&numgames=all

 

[cross cheque]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

I disagree, Chris. It's not crap. It's genuine frustration. Being occasionally critical of our team does not make anyone less of a "real fan" than someone who never expresses negativity. I would argue that 'real' fans have a responsibility to point out their frustrations when the team isn't performing well, and those frustrations should help to motivate the team.

As fans, we provide the financial and emotional support that makes the whole D-I hockey enterprise possible, and as key stakeholders in Pioneer hockey, our voices should matter. As Division I athletes, 80% of DU's team will play some level of pro hockey after this, and they (and the parents/coaches) need to develop thicker skins if they can't take some fan criticism every now and then. For six years now, DU fans have watched a similar movie - a good regular season with a bad flameout ending. The actors in the DU jerseys may change but the result seems to be the same, and if six years of the similar ending sounds frustratiing to fans, that's because it is.

Let's say you go to a good restaurant 15 times a year that you really like. You usually love the food and the service, but every March, they serve you a turd for dessert instead of the usual good dessert. You still love the restaurant, but after 5-6 years of spring turd desserts, wouldn't you tell the manager that you'd like to see some improvement? Or do you just keep paying full pop, eating the turds and saying "great meal?"

That depends, most of us would complain but since goofer fans use ***** for toothpaste they probably would want to know why they are being served their favorite brand of toothpaste instead of chocolate or ice cream......just sayin.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

That depends, most of us would complain but since goofer fans use ***** for toothpaste they probably would want to know why they are being served their favorite brand of toothpaste instead of chocolate or ice cream......just sayin.

Real classy.

 

[dubbie31]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

I deeply regret this dustup and apologize for my role in it. DU hockey has meant a great deal to me, both personally and professionally. We talk about Maggie, Jim Shires, Jim Wiste, Cliff Koroll, Craig Patrick, Frank Daly and others. To me, they aren't just names from our glorious past, they were friends. We've got some hockey left and we should be focusing on that.

We all said what was on our minds. It's been a frustrating few weeks and we just have to relax. I know how much this program means to all of us. It's part of who we are. We are all passionate and committed. My frustration stemmed from what I saw on Friday night in Omaha. You guys all saw it. Thankfully we got the win Saturday night.

 

[Carle Jersey]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

DU is pretty much a lock to make the tournament. Right now they are in the 5th spot in PWR which would make them the top #2 seed in the tourney. With a sweep of SCSU this weekend and a strong run through the WCHA playoffs DU could possibly get a #1 seed. Very doubtful that they would pass Yale, UND or BC for a #1 seed but they could possibly flip comparisons with Michigan to get the fourth #1 seed. Michigans' RPI is .5576 and DU's is .5561, fairly close. This would be the most likely comparison they could flip. The teams under consideration (TUC) comparison is in DU's favor .6481 to .6250 and the common opponent's comparison is in favor of Michigan .7500 to .6000. They did not play head to head so that comparison has no effect and is counted as 0. Michigan currently wins the comparison against DU 2-1.

Pumped to hear that. As much as I like the McNaughton trophy, I want a deep run in the NCAA's.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

North Dakota is guaranteed to earn the top seed, but technically if Denver sweeps, North Dakota gets swept by Michigan Tech, and the universe doesn't collapse upon itself, Denver would still be considered the "Co-Champion" in the eyes of the WCHA.

Denver has a little bit of an advantage in that the two teams chasing them are playing each other.(Update) There is a scenario where Denver can finish in 4th, but it involves Nebraska-Omaha taking only one point from Minnesota-Duluth, and UNO maintaining their advantage in WCHA goal differential.

from westerncollegehockeyblog.com

And depending on the weekend results there is a potential of 6 teams being our first round opponent.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

All this talk about Jason Zucker possibly being the first frosh to win the WCHA scoring title can be put to bed. DU's own Vic Venasky won the WCHA scoring title as a frosh in 1970/71. This has been confirmed with a player on that team as well as the WCHA yearbook. The 1970-71 stats and winners from the yearbook are below. Vic averaged 1.77 points per game. If Jay Z wins the scoring title he will be joining a very elite group. Funny that Vic won the scoring title but not WCHA Freshman of the Year. He made the All WCHA 2nd Team and was an All American as a frosh. Great player for DU as I got to see him play in '71/72 before he turned pro..

1970-71 wcha standings
Rk Team (Overall/Pct.) GP W L T Pct GF GA
1 Michigan Tech (25-6-2/.788) 22 18 4 0 .818 112 62
2 Denver (25-10-1/.708) 22 15 7 0 .682 114 92
3 Wisconsin (20-13-1/.603) 22 13 9 0 .591 102 77
4 Michigan State (19-12-0/.613) 22 12 10 0 .545 101 97
5 Minnesota (14-17-2/.455) 22 9 12 1 .432 77 88
6 Minnesota Duluth (16-17-1/.485) 24 10 14 0 .417 98 106
7 North Dakota (14-17-2/.455) 26 10 15 1 .404 92 116
8 Colorado College (11-17-1/.397) 18 7 11 0 .389 81 100
9 Michigan (9-21-0/.300) 22 5 17 0 .227 77 116
WCHA Champion: Michigan Tech. WCHA Playoff Champions: Minnesota, Denver. NCAA 2nd Place: Minnesota.
WCHA Scoring Champion: Vic Venasky, F, DU (22 gp, 14-25–39). WCHA Goaltending Champion: Morris
Trewin, MTU (11 gp, 2.55 gaa). WCHA Most Valuable Player: Rob Murray, D, MTU. WCHA Freshman of the
Year: Mike Usitalo, F, MTU. WCHA Coach of the Year: John MacInnes, MTU. Denver Post All-WCHA First Team:
G - Morris Trewin, MTU; D - Rob Murray, MTU; D - Mike Christie, DU; F - Bob Collyard, CC; F - Don Thompson,
Michigan State; F - Walt Ledingham, UMD. Denver Post All-WCHA Second Team: G - Glenn ‘Chico’ Resch,
UMD; D - Wally Olds, UM; D - John Jagger, UW; F - Mike Usitalo, MTU; F - Vic Venasky, DU; F - Murray Heatley,
UW. All-Americans: G - Morris Trewin, MTU; D - Mike Christie, DU; D - Rob Murray, MTU; F - Walt Ledingham,
UMD; F - Don Thompson, Michigan State; F - Vic Venasky, DU.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

All this talk about Jason Zucker possibly being the first frosh to win the WCHA scoring title can be put to bed. DU's own Vic Venasky won the WCHA scoring title as a frosh in 1970/71. This has been confirmed with a player on that team as well as the WCHA yearbook. The 1970-71 stats and winners from the yearbook are below. Vic averaged 1.77 points per game. If Jay Z wins the scoring title he will be joining a very elite group. Funny that Vic won the scoring title but not WCHA Freshman of the Year. He made the All WCHA 2nd Team and was an All American as a frosh. Great player for DU as I got to see him play in '71/72 before he turned pro..

While it may have been Vic's first year of eligibility to play college hockey, it is my understanding that Freshmen weren't allowed to play in the NCAA prior to 1972. That would mean that, again his first year of playing, Vic was actually a Sophomore.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

While it may have been Vic's first year of eligibility to play college hockey, it is my understanding that Freshmen weren't allowed to play in the NCAA prior to 1972. That would mean that, again his first year of playing, Vic was actually a Sophomore.

My understanding is that freshmen were allowed to play starting in 1969/70. I'll check that but I was there when Vic played and he was a soph in 1971/72 when I saw him play. BTW it has been confirmed with the WCHA office that he was a frosh when he won the title in 1970/71.

Edit: The first WCHA Freshman of the Year was in 1969/70. Prior to that there was a Sophomore of the Year Award. In 1969/70 they actually awarded both a Freshman and Sophomore of the Year and from 1970/71 on there was only a Freshman of the Year Award. WCHA Freshman of the Year in 1970/71: Mike Usitalo, F, MTU. It was basketball that didn't allow frosh to play until after 1972.

 

[thedunker]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Swami: You follow DU hoops closely. It appears from afar that the kids have tuned Scott out. I told Peg I didn't like the hire, but she assured me they had done their homework on his behavior. She may have erred on this one. Not enough atleticism and the style is monotonous. (Princeton basketball is a pleasure to watch. You need a tall center who can shoot from outside) No players after next year. A new coach now will let him settle in with experienced players and give him 2 years to recruit. Our defensive field goal percentage is almost the worst in the country. Your thoughts please.