WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

[Squarebanks]

Matty Thomas alluded to this during our Blue Line Club luncheon last week (thought not naming specific programs). It comes down to getting a player to realize that they can make a bigger impact at a UAA (or UAH) than the bigger program that may end up not having a regular spot for him after they've over recruited. And that's not easy.

I remember Andy Taranto alluding to that many years ago with UAF. Supposedly North Dakota and others went after him and he stayed with the Nanooks anyway because he knew he would play right away and not get stashed on a fourth line. He wound up with a 40 point season and CCHA ROY honors as a Freshman.

 

[Suze]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Matty Thomas alluded to this during our Blue Line Club luncheon last week (thought not naming specific programs). It comes down to getting a player to realize that they can make a bigger impact at a UAA (or UAH) than the bigger program that may end up not having a regular spot for him after they've over recruited. And that's not easy.

Hmmm. Interesting. It should not be this way, but there will always be those coaches who are a bit unscrupulous and are more interested about winning "at all cost".

 

[GoNanooks]

<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/p2fNy6nGEh">pic.twitter.com/p2fNy6nGEh</a></p>— GOHUSKIESWOOOOO (@GOHUSKIESWOOOOO) <a href="https://twitter.com/GOHUSKIESWOOOOO/status/929570540116959232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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This isn’t the first time Tavis MacMillan has been apart of one of these post game handshake scuffles. He had a heated argument with Rick Comley of Michigan State after a game when he was head coach of UAF.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Hmmm. Interesting. It should not be this way, but there will always be those coaches who are a bit unscrupulous and are more interested about winning "at all cost".

Most of them want to continue to be employed, so...

I wasted about an hour and went thru the remaining schedule for all the teams to see what I found and here it is.

Msu-- 69 points.
BGSU--63 points
MTu- 46 points
NMU- 46 points
Bsu- 41 points
Alaska 41 points
UAA- 36 points
FSU-- 31 points
LSSU- 29 points
UAH 28 points

just an exercise in futility but the schedule going forward is pretty interesting. 1 win either way has big impacts, just like the last few years.

 

[AKSWF]

This isn’t the first time Tavis MacMillan has been apart of one of these post game handshake scuffles. He had a heated argument with Rick Comley of Michigan State after a game when he was head coach of UAF.

I've seen better arguments from old married couples.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

WCHA Non-Conference Results

25 NCHC Games (3-9-3)
15-17 Big10 Games (3-10-0)
3-5 Hockey East Games (2-0-0)
7 Atlantic Hockey Games (2-3-1)
5 ECAC Games (1-2-0)
5-7 Independent Games (1-1-0)
4-6 Interleague Games (Not counted in league total)
7 Exhibitions (Not counted in league or team total)
TOTAL: 12-25-4

ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE (1-5-0)
-2 at Notre Dame L 3-5, L 0-4
-2 at Cornell L 1-5, L 0-3
-2 at Arizona State L 2-3, W 3-1

ALASKA (2-3-1)
-Simon Fraser (EXH) W 6-0
-2 with Air Force L 2-3, T 1-1
-2 at St. Cloud L 3-6, L 4-5 (OT)
-at Alaska-Anchorage W 6-2
-Alaska-Anchorage W 3-2

ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (0-5-1)
-Simon Fraser (EXH) W 6-1
-2 with North Dakota T 1-1, L 2-3 (OT)
-2 at Colorado College L 1-6, L 2-3
-Alaska L 2-6
-at Alaska L 2-3

BEMIDJI STATE (2-1-1)
-Minnesota-Duluth W 5-2
-at Minnesota-Duluth T 0-0
-2 with Air Force W 4-1, L 1-5
-2 @ Princeton
-North Dakota
-at North Dakota

BOWLING GREEN (1-2-0)
-Wilfrid Laurier (EXH) W 3-1
-US Under 18 Team (EXH) W 4-1
-at Western Michigan L 1-3
-Michigan State W 3-1
-at Michigan State L 2-3
-2 with Miami
-Western Michigan
-vs. Michigan (Detroit)
-vs. Michigan State/Michigan Tech (Detroit)

FERRIS STATE (3-5-0)
-at Western Michigan L 1-6
-Western Michigan W 3-2
-2 at Mercyhurst W 3-2, L 1-4
-2 at Michigan L 2-7, W 3-2 OT
-at Michigan State L 2-3 OT
-Michigan State L 1-3

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE (1-4-1)
-Laurentian (EXH) W 3-2
-Northern Michigan W 5-2
-at Northern Michigan L 1-4
-2 at Denver T 3-3, L 1-5
-2 at Michigan State L 3-4, L 0-6
-vs. Robert Morris (Pittsburgh)
-vs. Arizona State/Providence (Pittsburgh)

MICHIGAN TECH (2-1-0)
-at Wisconsin L 2-3
-vs. Union (Duluth) W 6-3
-vs. Minnesota-Duluth (Duluth) W 4-3
-vs. Michigan State (Detroit)
-vs. Michigan/Bowling Green (Detroit)
-vs. Boston College (Las Vegas)
-vs. Arizona State/Northern Michigan (Las Vegas)
-2 with Arizona State

MINNESOTA STATE (2-1-0)
-Regina (EXH) W 8-0
-St. Cloud State L 0-4
-2 at Boston University W 6-3, W 3-0
-at Minnesota-Duluth
-at St. Cloud State
-Minnesota-Duluth
-US Under 18 Team (EXH)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN (2-2-0)
-at Lake Superior State L 3-5
-Lake Superior State W 4-1
-2 vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay) W 5-4 (OT), L 0-4
-2 at Nebraska-Omaha
-vs. Arizona State (Las Vegas)
-vs. Boston College/Michigan Tech (Las Vegas)

 

[Squarebanks]

This isn’t the first time Tavis MacMillan has been apart of one of these post game handshake scuffles. He had a heated argument with Rick Comley of Michigan State after a game when he was head coach of UAF.

Comley hated going to Fairbanks. We had some fans return the love over the years, too.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Nice road win, Beavs! Not many ECAC matchups, so each win is a biggie.

 

[Wi.Huskies Fan]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Wonder why our weekly columnist are so late with their weekly predictions and comments. I saw nothing for the Bemidji- Princeton game for Wednesday.

 

[Hockey John]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Wonder why our weekly columnist are so late with their weekly predictions and comments. I saw nothing for the Bemidji- Princeton game for Wednesday.

They are so late posting the column that I only get to read it when I get home from our Friday game. I only live a half hour from the arena so they should have it up in time. They need to get it together and be much more timely.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Well not the greatest showing. Our best two teams lost to two mid level or lower NCHC teams and Miami, even in the tie, looked like the better team.... And NMU couldn't get any points either. Sigh. I would have thought we could have at least got a few points out of it and I was pretty surprised by Mankato losing.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

Boy, this isn't helping the WCHA cause...... Will the WCHA have any team with a better than .500 out of conference record (Bowling Green, Bemidji, Mankato, Tech)?

2017-18 WCHA Non-Conference Schedule

25 NCHC Games (3-13-4)
15-17 Big10 Games (3-10-0)
3-5 Hockey East Games (2-0-0)
7 Atlantic Hockey Games (2-3-1)
5 ECAC Games (2-3-0)
5-7 Independent Games (1-1-0)
4-6 Interleague Games (Not counted in league total)
7 Exhibitions (Not counted in league or team total)
TOTAL: 13-30-5

ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE (1-5-0)
-2 at Notre Dame L 3-5, L 0-4
-2 at Cornell L 1-5, L 0-3
-2 at Arizona State L 2-3, W 3-1
ALASKA (2-3-1)
-Simon Fraser (EXH) W 6-0
-2 with Air Force L 2-3, T 1-1
-2 at St. Cloud L 3-6, L 4-5 (OT)
-at Alaska-Anchorage W 6-2
-Alaska-Anchorage W 3-2

ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (0-5-1)
-Simon Fraser (EXH) W 6-1
-2 with North Dakota T 1-1, L 2-3 (OT)
-2 at Colorado College L 1-6, L 2-3
-Alaska L 2-6
-at Alaska L 2-3

BEMIDJI STATE (3-2-1)
-Minnesota-Duluth W 5-2
-at Minnesota-Duluth T 0-0
-2 with Air Force W 4-1, L 1-5
-2 @ Princeton W 5-3, L 1-4
-North Dakota
-at North Dakota

BOWLING GREEN (1-3-1)
-Wilfrid Laurier (EXH) W 3-1
-US Under 18 Team (EXH) W 4-1
-at Western Michigan L 1-3
-Michigan State W 3-1
-at Michigan State L 2-3
-2 with Miami L 3-6, T 2-2
-Western Michigan
-vs. Michigan (Detroit)
-vs. Michigan State/Michigan Tech (Detroit)

FERRIS STATE (3-5-0)
-at Western Michigan L 1-6
-Western Michigan W 3-2
-2 at Mercyhurst W 3-2, L 1-4
-2 at Michigan L 2-7, W 3-2 OT
-at Michigan State L 2-3 OT
-Michigan State L 1-3

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE (1-4-1)
-Laurentian (EXH) W 3-2
-Northern Michigan W 5-2
-at Northern Michigan L 1-4
-2 at Denver T 3-3, L 1-5
-2 at Michigan State L 3-4, L 0-6
-vs. Robert Morris (Pittsburgh)
-vs. Arizona State/Providence (Pittsburgh)

MICHIGAN TECH (2-1-0)
-at Wisconsin L 2-3
-vs. Union (Duluth) W 6-3
-vs. Minnesota-Duluth (Duluth) W 4-3
-vs. Michigan State (Detroit)
-vs. Michigan/Bowling Green (Detroit)
-vs. Boston College (Las Vegas)
-vs. Arizona State/Northern Michigan (Las Vegas)
-2 with Arizona State

MINNESOTA STATE (2-2-0)
-Regina (EXH) W 8-0
-St. Cloud State L 0-4
-2 at Boston University W 6-3, W 3-0
-at Minnesota-Duluth L 1-3
-at St. Cloud State
-Minnesota-Duluth
-US Under 18 Team (EXH)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN (2-4-0)
-at Lake Superior State L 3-5
-Lake Superior State W 4-1
-2 vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay) W 5-4 (OT), L 0-4
-2 at Nebraska-Omaha L 3-4, L 1-4
-vs. Arizona State (Las Vegas)
-vs. Boston College/Michigan Tech (Las Vegas)

 

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

lets just assume for a second that mankato does not get the Auto-bid. How likely is it, that given the conferences struggles and the few games remaining that they will get an at large bid anyway? I can see them beating Duluth at home, but I doubt they beat St Cloud. I think that's basically the leagues only chance of getting two in.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

lets just assume for a second that mankato does not get the Auto-bid. How likely is it, that given the conferences struggles and the few games remaining that they will get an at large bid anyway? I can see them beating Duluth at home, but I doubt they beat St Cloud. I think that's basically the leagues only chance of getting two in.

Well it is early but they are currently 8th in the PWR. Need to circle back in early January after the Vegas tournament to see how the conference looks at that point.

 

[bravohankins]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

They are so late posting the column that I only get to read it when I get home from our Friday game. I only live a half hour from the arena so they should have it up in time. They need to get it together and be much more timely.

I have noticed that the WCHA coverage has been lacking when compared to past seasons. Not only late being put up, but most of the blog entries seem short and pretty superficial compared to previous years more in depth coverage. Maybe the guys who do it now have less time for such things then they did in years past......I doubt people are knocking down doors to write these columns.

 

[jsmithe]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

I have noticed that the WCHA coverage has been lacking when compared to past seasons. Not only late being put up, but most of the blog entries seem short and pretty superficial compared to previous years more in depth coverage. Maybe the guys who do it now have less time for such things then they did in years past......I doubt people are knocking down doors to write these columns.

No picks last week, no weekend recap this week, very few game recaps. Michigan Tech and Bowling Green (and occasionally Ferris State) seem to be the only league teams that have game recaps posted on USCHO. A quick look around and most of the other leagues have no problem with those.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

The issue with MSU being in the run for an at-large bid regardless of the playoff results is that the loss could indeed affect them. I've got $20 on "one-bid league".

GFM

 

[MavsFan19]

Well not the greatest showing. Our best two teams lost to two mid level or lower NCHC teams and Miami, even in the tie, looked like the better team.... And NMU couldn't get any points either. Sigh. I would have thought we could have at least got a few points out of it and I was pretty surprised by Mankato losing.

I was at the game and felt that MSU dictated the play for majority of the game but failed to really get any pressure on UMD. It was definitely a team they should have beat.

The wcha struggles are why we are a joke conference to other leagues. At the end of the year there are usually at least 10 to 15 games where a good wcha team lost to a lower tier team from another league. Each year it doesn't get any better and til it does we should be a 1 bid league.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

No picks last week, no weekend recap this week, very few game recaps. Michigan Tech and Bowling Green (and occasionally Ferris State) seem to be the only league teams that have game recaps posted on USCHO. A quick look around and most of the other leagues have no problem with those.

I do know that Jack Hittinger left the Bemidji Pioneer before the start of the season and started a new job with the Twin Cities office for Forum Communications, a growing news conglomerate in Minnesota and the Dakotas (they may have some newspapers in Iowa and Wisconsin, I am not sure). I am sure that is cutting into his time that he can devote to writing WCHA columns.

I guess I am from the mindset that if you don't like the product that is being put out, then quit complaining and step up and put out a better product. Obviously, some people feel it can't be that hard to do or find the time to do it. It seems like at the beginning of every year, USCHO does put out an "all call" message looking for arena reporters, so the chance is there.

 

[MTUHuskies]

Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids

I do know that Jack Hittinger left the Bemidji Pioneer before the start of the season and started a new job with the Twin Cities office for Forum Communications, a growing news conglomerate in Minnesota and the Dakotas (they may have some newspapers in Iowa and Wisconsin, I am not sure). I am sure that is cutting into his time that he can devote to writing WCHA columns.

I guess I am from the mindset that if you don't like the product that is being put out, then quit complaining and step up and put out a better product. Obviously, some people feel it can't be that hard to do or find the time to do it.

Just because someone comments on the lack of WCHA coverage from national outlets doesn't mean they have the ability and time to do it themselves.

I don't think anyone thinks it isn't hard or time consuming, but as a fan of the WCHA it is disappointing that the coverage is lacking.

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