The splits continued last week, without a single sweep in the bunch. Somehow, I managed to look pretty good at the end of it. Last week: 7-2-1 (.750) Season to date: 36-18-10 (.641) Once again, my gratitude to the three series that split the way I said they would. I fear that the hockey pick … Read more
If the first two weekends of CCHA play are any indication, this last season of the CCHA isn’t going to be over until it’s over. No sweeps, five teams with six points each, three shutouts. 1. A.J. Treais, dream crusher. The reason that Northern Michigan didn’t sweep Michigan at home came down to one play, … Read more
Last week was splitsville for the CCHA. Will this week bring more of the same? Last week: 6-3-1 (.650) Season to date: 29-16-9 (.620) I would like to thank Alaska, Ferris State, Miami and Michigan for making me look good last week. I love the right-way splits. This week There are five league series this … Read more
After the first full weekend of CCHA play — minus Western Michigan — there are indications that it may be a long season. That’s a good thing, given that it’s the last. 1. Six teams in third place after one weekend? Okay. That seems completely normal, given how many teams crowd a single spot in … Read more
I’m grateful that league play has begun. Too many games to pick these past two weeks — and too little sleep. Last week: 11-6-4 Season to date: 23-13-8 (.614) This is the first full weekend CCHA-on-CCHA action. Every series is Friday-Saturday, every series is single-site and games start at 7:05 p.m. local time, unless otherwise … Read more
The final weekend of nonconference play before launching into a league schedule was very informative. 1. The CCHA showed very well against the other conferences. The league went 12-5-4 on the weekend, with high-scoring wins from Michigan and Ferris State and outright impressive wins from Ohio State and Alaska. Perhaps everyone’s insistence that the league … Read more
It isn’t good … but it isn’t wretched. Yet. Last week: 12-7-3 Season to date: 12-7-4 (.609) This does not include Thursday night’s Notre Dame loss. I’ll include the whole ND series in next week’s picks percentage. We have another full schedule this week, with every CCHA team playing in nonconference action. I picked the … Read more
Hey! There’s a game tonight! This is a quick pick for the series between Minnesota-Duluth and Notre Dame, played tonight and tomorrow at the Compton Center in South Bend. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. each night. I’ll have picks for the rest of the weekend — and my record for last weekend (hint: it … Read more
It was an uneven weekend for the CCHA and goaltending in the early going leaves a lot to speculation. 1. Notre Dame junior Steven Summerhays posted a .962 save percentage in his two wins in the Ice Breaker Tournament. ND coach Jeff Jackson has said that Summerhays saw significant improvement in the second half of … Read more
There was one D-I game played last week, the one in which Bowling Green’s senior goaltender, Andrew Hammond, stopped 28-of-30 shots in a 2-2 road tie against Niagara. Nice work, Falcons. I called the Falcons to win that one. Last week: 0-0-1 Season to date: .500 I will take that, absolutely. This week It is … Read more
Well, looky here. It’s October … and it’s hockey season. There is one Division I game involving a CCHA team this weekend; there are eight exhibition games between CCHA teams and visiting Canadian college hockey teams, and Notre Dame plays the Under-18 team in exhibition. I don’t pick exhibition games, although I do believe that … Read more
It’s hard to believe that the college hockey season will be over in a matter of hours. The Frozen Four this year has been a fantastic event. Tampa has been an excellent host city — they really know what they’re doing here — and even though the Alabama-Huntsville presence hasn’t been very noticeable this week, … Read more
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
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
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
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
Here’s the field for the CCHA Championship Tournament at Joe Louis Arena: No. 4 Bowling Green vs. No. 1 Michigan No. 3 Miami vs. No. 2 Western Michigan The Broncos and RedHawks will play the early game before Bowling Green upsets Michigan. I’m just stating the obvious, at this point (and anticipating commentary and email … Read more
I have a feeling about a specific upset this weekend — but I thought Northern Michigan would sweep and Alaska would win a game last weekend. You know by now never to take my picks to the bank. Last week: 4-4 Season to date: 126-82-25 (.594) Because it’s the playoffs and I call individual games … Read more
Here are next week’s playoff matches: No. 8 Bowling Green at No. 1 Ferris State No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 2 Michigan No. 6 Lake Superior State at No. 3 Western Michigan No. 5 Michigan State at No. 4 Miami I think we’ve learned quite a bit from the first round of the CCHA … Read more
After rebounding two weeks ago with a really strong performance, this past week was a bit disappointing. Of course, I’m talking about my picks. Last week: 7-4-1 Season to date: 122-78-25 (.598) Clearly, my math was way off last week. I’m still happy with anything over .500. This week We have three best-of-three, first-round, single-site … Read more