Paula’s picks, Frozen Four semifinals: April 5, 2012

It’s a great day for hockey. It’s a little overcast and the palm trees are too still — just a little breeze — but it’s lovely. Yes, it’s a little freaky that college hockey’s grand finale is being played out this weekend in a subtropical climate, but the greater hockey community seems to have adjusted … Read more

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Ferris State ponders: To shave or not to shave?

TAMPA, Fla. — It’s fairly common practice for hockey players to quit shaving once they get to the playoffs. Ferris State players began growing theirs when they clinched the regular season CCHA title. They had nearly two weeks to let their whiskers bloom before playing Bowling Green in the second round of the league playoffs … Read more

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Can defense win games? Maybe, say Bulldogs

TAMPA, Fla. — All four teams in this year’s Frozen Four have top-10 defenses. Union and Boston College are Nos. 1 and 2, Ferris State is tied for fifth and Minnesota is ninth. Three of the Frozen Four teams also have offenses among the top 10: No. 1 Minnesota (3.67 goals per game), No. 4 … Read more

Size isn’t relative, but perception certainly is — just ask the Bulldogs

TAMPA, Fla. — Some folks in the press are playing up the David-and-Goliath angle of the Ferris State-Union semifinal versus the Boston College-Minnesota game, even referring to the former as “junior varsity” as opposed to the alleged varsity game — the real game — between the Eagles and Golden Gophers. “I think that’s silly,” said … Read more

Size isn’t relative, but perception certainly is — just ask the Bulldogs

TAMPA, Fla. — Some folks in the press are playing up the David-and-Goliath angle of the Ferris State-Union semifinal versus the Boston College-Minnesota game, even referring to the former as “junior varsity” as opposed to the alleged varsity game — the real game — between the Eagles and Golden Gophers. “I think that’s silly,” said … Read more

Paula’s picks, NCAA tournament: March 23, 2012

There won’t be any analysis or explanation with these picks. I just figured that if I don’t post something, tens of hockey fans will have one fewer thing to complain about on a Friday. Why would I want to deprive anyone of that pleasure? First, my numbers. They aren’t good. Last week: 1-3 Season to … Read more

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Weekend work-up, March 19, 2012: Congratulations, Broncos!

The 2012 CCHA championship tournament is in the books — and it was fantastic. Congratulations to the Western Michigan Broncos, the 2011-12 CCHA Mason Cup winners! Seriously, this field of teams was amazing and every game was entertaining in its own right. The first two periods of the title game between WMU and Michigan were … Read more

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Western Michigan edges Michigan, wins CCHA title

With a 3-0 lead nearly midway through the third period of the 2012 CCHA championship game, Western Michigan watched Michigan score a shorthanded goal. Then WMU captain Ian Slater was sent off the ice for a five-minute major penalty and the Broncos saw the Wolverines score another. A third Michigan goal, though, wasn’t on the … Read more

Michigan rallies to defeat Bowling Green on Moffatt’s overtime winner

It’s safe to say that nearly everybody who wasn’t rooting for Michigan in these CCHA playoffs was pulling for Bowling Green, the last-place team that played its way through two best-of-three road series to face the Wolverines in tonight’s second semifinal game, and when Bowling Green led 2-0 late into the second period, it looked … Read more

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Paula’s picks, CCHA championship tournament: March 16, 2012

When I think about my second-round CCHA playoff picks, I hear Patsy Cline singing, “So Wrong,” over and over and over again. Obviously, you can’t take my picks to the bank. Last week: 5-6 Season to date: 131-88-25 (.588) If I’m above .500 after the first weekend in April, I’ll be happy. The bigger picture … Read more

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