Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins
No bitterness at all. Actually, I'm one of those who thinks it will be better for the "mid-majors" of college hockey and improve their chances of making the Sweet 16. The misfits are the big money, big name programs that can't win.
No, I think you are bitter, like your half brothers from UNO were. Bitter at the CCHA for "allowing" MSU and Michigan to dictate league matters. Bitter about how the CCHA markets and promotes only the "big money schools". Bitter about how television hardly seems to make its way to the "mid major" campuses. Bitter how the USCHO writer (who was first accused of being an OSU poser, now a suck up to MSU and Michigan) only details stories about the anchor schools. I have seen it, read it and have been on this site for over 15 years to laugh at it. There isn't one thing that you can disprove about this opinion.
Aside from your blind hatred, you should check your facts about the B1G Ten teams record in the past 15 or so years (Aside from Michigan's NCAA tourney streak).
Minnesota has won multiple titles and has been a consistent WCHA conference champion. Wisconsin had a good stretch a few years back and won a title. MSU has won a title in the past five seasons, and, for most of the 15 year period I speak to, has been competitive nationally . Ohio State can't claim a national title, but has won the CCHA tournament title and went to the Frozen Four, albeit in 1998. Michigan... well two titles since 1996 and a recent NC runner up. Multiple Frozen Four appearances, CCHA titles. Frankly, you don't know what you are talking about- trying to use one season as a benchmark against years of consistent national competitiveness.
Your 'big money" argument is the seed for your discontent, because your program and others like your program scream about the unfair advantages that large schools possess. Funny, that doesn't seem to bother programs like BU, North Dakota, Denver, Cornell and other prominent D1 hockey programs that are at the same fiscal disadvantage.
Frankly, I'd be careful about playing that card. NMU has been a solid contributor to the CCHA and the WCHA, but hasn't had any program success NOT because of the disparity between they and the "big" programs, but because of their own execution. They have had similar talent to other teams that found a way to be successful and were not- something that the MSU's and Michigans of college hockey will never be sympathetic about.
