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Mcha 2010-11

Re: Mcha 2010-11

Can anybody give us an update on the health of Marian's goaltender Alex Bjerk ?
Last report I read in the game thread was that he was taken from the ice Friday night with what appeared to be a serious injury.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

He was diagnosed with a concussion. He rode home on the bus and was at the game on Sunday (not dressed), but don't have any other details (any other comments would be speculation).
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

He was diagnosed with a concussion. He rode home on the bus and was at the game on Sunday (not dressed), but don't have any other details (any other comments would be speculation).

Hopefully he'll be back on top soon.
From what I witnessed at Adrian the freshman back-up Josh Baker seems very capable, but Marian can't afford to lose the depth they have at that position.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

Two ranked teams and two more receiving votes in the poll? Wow, now THAT is progress.

From someone who has been there from the beginning, this is great to see.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

Two ranked teams and two more receiving votes in the poll? Wow, now THAT is progress.

From someone who has been there from the beginning, this is great to see.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

Does anyone else feel like the MCHA playoffs could be the most interesting in years! Adrian is probably still the favorite, but MSOE, Marian and Lawrence all appear to be capable of winning (especially in a single game playoff during the semi-finals and finals). Should be exciting run into the NCAA playoffs!
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

I agree. As someone who follows the MCHA I am really excited to see so many teams getting some love in this week's poll!
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

Does anyone else feel like the MCHA playoffs could be the most interesting in years! Adrian is probably still the favorite, but MSOE, Marian and Lawrence all appear to be capable of winning (especially in a single game playoff during the semi-finals and finals). Should be exciting run into the NCAA playoffs!

I disagree.....

It's actually the regular season games that should be "the most interesting in years"! No longer are games involving the top MCHA teams so predictable. The word "improved" seems to echo every week.

Recent MCHA playoffs have been extremely exiting, and closely contested games. Adrian needed OT in 2008 against Finlandia, and a late rally again in 2010 to beat Marian. 2011 should be every bit as exciting.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

While we're at it, did anyone else expect MSOE to have the hot start they're off to?

Their Marian victories were very nice, but their other four wins were very much expected. Clearly they are improved, but it is probably a bit early to say by how much. Their four games against Adrian and their tilt with Hamline will be most telling.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

While we're at it, did anyone else expect MSOE to have the hot start they're off to?

MSOE's first 4 wins were very predictable. What is surprising, is that 5 forwards are scoring over a point a game with Keizer a soph leading the way 1.83.
I expected them to lose at least one to Marian, who were on a bigger roll with victories at Adrian, followed up with a win over Wisc-Superior......their second win over an NCHA opponent.

I had MSOE at #3 before the season started......and while they have moved ahead I still think that's where they'll finish. A really great start ...but a long way to go.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

Yeah, the first 4 were pretty predictable but I did NOT see that sweep of Marian coming at all...
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

After a slow weekend, the MCHA gets a really nice, solid week of non-conference games. Lawrence, Lake and Marian get a shot at a very stout SNC squad. Adrian looks to have a great turkey day tournament scheduled with four different conferences represented. Lastly, Lake plays two against what should be a pretty good St. Olaf team.

I think a great weekend for the MCHA would be five + non-conference wins. I think Lake could take one or two off of the Olies and that Marian and Lawrence are both capable of taking games from CSS. SNC is a different story. Adrian is good enough to win two this weekend, but Hamline could be tricky. One way or another, you can't really knock the NC schedules of LU, Adrian, Marian and Lake.

It should be a good week of hockey.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

Good call ...

Would have liked to have seen MSOE sweep!!

I wish I could have watched this series. Even without the sweep, the MCHA non-conference record is looking pretty good (or improved) this season. Lawrence went 2-2-1, Marian 3-2, MSOE is currently 3-1, Adrian 1-1... Looks like progress to me. Oh, and congrats to the Lumberjacks on the win over Bethel.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

So Adrian's victory over Nichols this past weekend brings the total number of MCHA non-conference victories this season to 11. Adrian could bump this number to 12 against Buff State. If they get the W, four MCHA school will be at or above .500 in NC play.
Add to this two overtime losses and Lawrence's tie against Superior and you have what is clearly the best non-conference performance by the MCHA as a conference. The AQ and Adrian have really accelerated the conference's advancement.
I think the next step for the conference is to reduce the number of conference games by four. This can only happen if schools from the NCHA and MIAC are willing to schedule the schools at the bottom of the MCHA standings and if the members are willing to make quick trips to some geographic outliers. Anyways, I just thought the conference's non-conference progress deserved some attention.
 
Re: Mcha 2010-11

So Adrian's victory over Nichols this past weekend brings the total number of MCHA non-conference victories this season to 11. Adrian could bump this number to 12 against Buff State. If they get the W, four MCHA school will be at or above .500 in NC play.
Add to this two overtime losses and Lawrence's tie against Superior and you have what is clearly the best non-conference performance by the MCHA as a conference. The AQ and Adrian have really accelerated the conference's advancement.
I think the next step for the conference is to reduce the number of conference games by four. This can only happen if schools from the NCHA and MIAC are willing to schedule the schools at the bottom of the MCHA standings and if the members are willing to make quick trips to some geographic outliers. Anyways, I just thought the conference's non-conference progress deserved some attention.

Great post.

I doubt anyone would argue that the MCHA hasn't improved, and mixing more N/C games into the schedule would help a great deal. I think travel costs are the biggest deterrent, and would be surprised if we see any dramatic change on the short term.


"Big game experience" during the regular season is a huge advantage for teams to prepare,improve, and succeed at the highest level. There are great rivalries developing within the MCHA, but the 20 game conference schedule will restrict the rate of improvement to the highest level.
 
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