NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

[aparch]

That's the past two years. Where were they the rest of the time? The WMU crowds were very good the past two seasons for sure, and it was great that they were rewarded with a win. NMU has also put some nice crowds there as well at times. but over the course of the tourney at the Joe, which schools have put the most butts in the seats for the event?

Well there was a stretch around 03 to 06 or so where NMU ended WMU's postseason.

 

[noremorse1]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Another outstanding weekend. That makes 3 in a row. I mentioned a few weeks earlier how NMU has had a monster second half of the season after a disapointing first before. Well now they are tied for 15th in PWR. Thank you guys! Now its time to face Alaska on the road!

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Things seem to be coming together of late. The forward lines are working together much better and the defense has begun to play as we expected they would. Obviously, with Alaska on a hot streak as well, it will be a tough series up in Fairbanks. Surprisingly, we are in a much better position in the CCHA then as far back as...Friday!!! Keep the momentum going!

Records after the tOSU series*:

New WCHA: 2-2-1, 1 SOW
B1G: 5-2-1, 1 SOL
NCHC: 4-4-2, 2 SOL
HE: 0-2-0

Remaining:

2 vs. B1G
9 vs. nWCHA

*credit: aparch

 

[davyd83]

Things seem to be coming together of late. The forward lines are working together much better and the defense has begun to play as we expected they would. Obviously, with Alaska on a hot streak as well, it will be a tough series up in Fairbanks. Surprisingly, we are in a much better position in the CCHA then as far back as...Friday!!! Keep the momentum going!

Records after the tOSU series*:

New WCHA: 2-2-1, 1 SOW
B1G: 5-2-1, 1 SOL
NCHC: 4-4-2, 2 SOL
HE: 0-2-0

Remaining:

2 vs. B1G
9 vs. nWCHA

*credit: aparch

The biggest factor in things coming together has been a full, healthy lineup. Seckel, Thurber, Nowick and Rose all missed significant time and others were playing at well less than 100% due to injury.

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

The biggest factor in things coming together has been a full, healthy lineup. Seckel, Thurber, Nowick and Rose all missed significant time and others were playing at well less than 100% due to injury.

Right, I agree.

davyd, Last night you were commenting on how the OSU rivalry used to more contentious and heated. I think I told this story when I first started posting, but I used to work at the Ramada Inn in downtown Marquette back in the late 70s, early 80s. I remember one year, it was either '79 or '80, I cannot remember, after a crazy, hard fought series between the 'Cats and the buckeyes, that the buckeye players, who had been staying at the Ramada Inn that weekend, absolutely trashed the indoor pool area. Trash, chairs, bottles, stuff in the pool; detergent or shampoo or some kind of bubble producing substance in the hot-tub; it was quite a project to clean the area up. I think management at the time then banned the OSU hockey team from staying at the Ramada. As a late teen or early twenty year old, I think I thought the OSU players were simply emulating the rockstars of the day. The games I used to see at Lakeview Arena in the late '70s early '80s seem to have been much more physical then the college hockey I see today. The buckeye team I watched this weekend did not seem to be playing with much passion like OSU teams of days gone by.

 

[davyd83]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Right, I agree.

davyd, Last night you were commenting on how the OSU rivalry used to more contentious and heated. I think I told this story when I first started posting, but I used to work at the Ramada Inn in downtown Marquette back in the late 70s, early 80s. I remember one year, it was either '79 or '80, I cannot remember, after a crazy, hard fought series between the 'Cats and the buckeyes, that the buckeye players, who had been staying at the Ramada Inn that weekend, absolutely trashed the indoor pool area. Trash, chairs, bottles, stuff in the pool; detergent or shampoo or some kind of bubble producing substance in the hot-tub; it was quite a project to clean the area up. I think management at the time then banned the OSU hockey team form staying at the Ramada. As a late teen or early twenty year old, I think I thought the OSU players were simply emulating the rockstars of the day. The games I used to see at Lakeview Arena in the late '70s early '80s seem to have been much more physical then the college hockey I see today. The buckeye team I watched this weekend did not seem to be playing with much passion like OSU teams of days gone by.

Hockey itself used to be a far more physical game. It's not the players, it's the attempt to protect the players that have all but eliminated the big hit.

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Taken from the New Conference Idea thread:

Their producers aren't worth a darn either. At last year's Michigan-Northern Michigan game at Yost, the fonted NMU as "UNM." I didn't know the university of New Mexico had a college hockey team. Their college hockey production fell far short of what FSN put out the following night! Morons!

They're not the only ones who screw up Northern Michigan University. If you look at USA Hockey's Week 15 poll (click on Week 15) and the USCHO's posting of the USA Today/USA Hockey January 21 poll, you'll see University of Northern Michigan. And these are folks who are in the business of hockey. Whatever...

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Taken from the New Conference Idea thread:



They're not the only ones who screw up Northern Michigan University. If you look at USA Hockey's Week 15 poll and the USCHO's posting of the USA Today/USA Hockey January 21 poll, you'll see University of Northern Michigan. And these are folks who are in the business of hockey. Whatever...

Poles don't matter

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Poles don't matter

Poles do matter. Polls may not.

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

On the bright side of things in this bye weekend: Thurber named CCHA player of the month

Also, I was wondering what the snow conditions are like in the UP right now after the melt-down earlier this week. Looks like NMU is hosting the CCSA Championships and that there was new snow over the depleted base. How much snow do you all have up there right now?

 

[oldtyme25]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Congrats Matt Thurber on being named CCHA player of the month!

Hope you have a great February as well!

 

[NMUFAN]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

On the bright side of things in this bye weekend: Thurber named CCHA player of the month

Also, I was wondering what the snow conditions are like in the UP right now after the melt-down earlier this week. Looks like NMU is hosting the CCSA Championships and that there was new snow over the depleted base. How much snow do you all have up there right now?

We received anywhere from 10 to18 inches the last couple of days depending on which part of Marquette County you live in. There is plenty of snow cover now for this weekend's competition.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

I miss snow

Here's to gaining some momentum back against Ferris this weekend...

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

So, what do you all think? What are our chances of making something of this roller-coaster season? Although we've been somewhat streaky in our wins and losses, we've been stuck in 10th place in the CCHA for the last couple of weeks, and we've held at around 18 or so in the PWR because of our relatively strong TUC.

Our remaining regular season games are all against teams currently below the TUC line. Tech is this Tuesday, but the Huskies still have to play Mankato (A), SCSU (A), & CC (H) all of which are current TUC teams. We play MSU this coming weekend in East Lansing; and MSU still has to play TUC teams UA_ (A) and WMU (H). Then we play at BGSU who still plays Ferris (A) and ND (A), both TUC. And finally, LSSU which has Alaska and Miami (TUC) in the Soo over the next two weekends.

Should be an interesting few weeks to close out the regular season and see where we sit come the 1st round of playoffs. I'm hoping for the best and I think the 'Cats can get it done and finish strong.

 

[potternmu]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

So, what do you all think? What are our chances of making something of this roller-coaster season? Although we've been somewhat streaky in our wins and losses, we've been stuck in 10th place in the CCHA for the last couple of weeks, and we've held at around 18 or so in the PWR because of our relatively strong TUC.

Our remaining regular season games are all against teams currently below the TUC line. Tech is this Tuesday, but the Huskies still have to play Mankato (A), SCSU (A), & CC (H) all of which are current TUC teams. We play MSU this coming weekend in East Lansing; and MSU still has to play TUC teams UA_ (A) and WMU (H). Then we play at BGSU who still plays Ferris (A) and ND (A), both TUC. And finally, LSSU which has Alaska and Miami (TUC) in the Soo over the next two weekends.

Should be an interesting few weeks to close out the regular season and see where we sit come the 1st round of playoffs. I'm hoping for the best and I think the 'Cats can get it done and finish strong.

As of Sunday, NMU is the only team in the top 30 PWR (along with UMASS - t-30th) with a sub-.500 record. I'm hoping for 6-1 down the stretch. It's plausible, but it'll be difficult. The road series at BG in particular worries me. BG is playing pretty good hockey right now, and it has been tough the last couple of years to win in their barn.

I will be rooting on the Cats from Munn on Saturday and from the BG Ice arena both nights in two weeks. Hopefully something like a 5-2 record or 6-1 record to finish out the year gets them 1st round home ice, and 13-15 in the PWR. From there, they might have a shot at some tournament hockey the last week of March, provided the Cats can take care of business in the first round of the playoffs, and at least extend the second round games to a third game.

 

[NMUFAN]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

The problem is the Cats can't score more than two goals a game on the road. They did score six on the Friday at SCSU but that was against a backup goalie who Davyd admitted had a poor game. Coreau will have to stand on his head on the road for the Cats to have a chance.

Speaking of goaltending, a few weeks ago Walt mentioned Doan had earned a start at some point. Going forward the only chance I see for him would be this Tuesday at Tech although even that game has importance in the PWR now. He might just have to wait til next year.

 

[davyd83]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

The problem is the Cats can't score more than two goals a game on the road. They did score six on the Friday at SCSU but that was against a backup goalie who Davyd admitted had a poor game. Coreau will have to stand on his head on the road for the Cats to have a chance.

Speaking of goaltending, a few weeks ago Walt mentioned Doan had earned a start at some point. Going forward the only chance I see for him would be this Tuesday at Tech although even that game has importance in the PWR now. He might just have to wait til next year.

Doan was slated to get a start at St Cloud, but, according to an interview with Walt, was late for the team bus, Coreau got the start and stood on his head. I expect Jared to get all the starts.

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Here are the NMU records against current TUC teams:

Miami: 1-1-2
WMU: 0-2-0
SCSU: 2-0-0
ND: 0-2-0
UA_: 1-2-1
UNO: 1-1-0
UW: 2-0-0
FSU: 1-1-0
OSU: 2-2-0
Total: 10-11-3

While we are close to or on the bubble, sitting at #18 in the PWR at the moment, and will be facing teams currently outside of the TUC for the rest of the regular season, who do we want to win from here on out from the nine teams above? All of them, or select teams? Just curious, who I should be pulling for? Still lots of hockey to play and we need to win as much as we can during the remaining six regular season games and then fare well in the CCHA playoffs.

 

[davyd83]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

Here are the NMU records against current TUC teams:

Miami: 1-1-2
WMU: 0-2-0
SCSU: 2-0-0
ND: 0-2-0
UA_: 1-2-1
UNO: 1-1-0
UW: 2-0-0
FSU: 1-1-0
OSU: 2-2-0
Total: 10-11-3

While we are close to or on the bubble, sitting at #18 in the PWR at the moment, and will be facing teams currently outside of the TUC for the rest of the regular season, who do we want to win from here on out from the nine teams above? All of them, or select teams? Just curious, who I should be pulling for? Still lots of hockey to play and we need to win as much as we can during the remaining six regular season games and then fare well in the CCHA playoffs.

Root for everyone NMU has played to win every game not played against NMU.

 

[aygwm2]

Re: NMU Hockey 2012-2013 Season Thread

For those of you keeping track, I know it's still early with a possible six more weeks of hockey to play, but here is a quote from the Pairwise and Bracketology thread that may be of interest in regard to NMU's current prospects going forward:

NMU is 24th in RPI so they're going to lose a ton of comparisons. The only remedy to that is to win games and boost the RPI. The good news is all seven games left on the regular season slate are all very much winnable games. A loss or two will cripple them in RPI. Another loss to Lake State could be catastrophic as they are only three, maybe four, wins away from becoming a TUC. The only teams you might lose from the current TUC list are Ferris and Ohio State - both .500 records. The rest should be safe. The other thing that could improve NMU's TUC record is if they sweep Bowling Green and then BGSU somehow becomes a TUC. Not likely, but possible. Other than that, there isn't much that can be done on the TUC front. You're basically left hoping NMU wins out and Lowell, Dartmouth, Nebraska-Omaha and either Notre Dame or Fairbanks lose as much as possible. Miami and Western can be a big help there with two games each against ND.

We need to win games and get help from others. I'm hoping that will be the case. Go 'Cats!