ryan@fremen.DEC (01/22/85)
This past weekend RPI extended their winning streak to 14 games with two wins over Michigan (5-2, 5-1). I didn't get too many scores, but I do know Clarkson won at least one, BC won two (following the mid-week loss to UNH), UNH won two more (more on that coming up), and Minnesota-Duluth won at least one from Minnesota. BC coach Len Ceglarski got his 500th win. Harvard is idle until the 28th for exams. The latest poll (hot off the presses this morning) - RPI finally gets a little more respect (but they should certainly be #2 at least): 1. Michigan St. (7) 2. Minnesota-Duluth (3) 3. RPI 4. BC 5. Minnesota 6. Harvard 7. Clarkson 8. North Dakota 9. Lake Superior 10. University of New Hampshire !!!!!!!! Yes, that's right, UNH (fifth place in Hockey East out of seven teams) has broken into the top 10 with an 11-18 record. No, that's not a typo or transmission glitch - they have eleven wins and eighteen losses. Amazing!!! I have to wonder how many people who have not been following UNH's fortunes this year are now calling their local newspapers about the obvious typographical error. As far as I'm concerned, their turnaround is impressive, but this is pushing it a bit. Well, we'll see how they do come playoff time.
ryan@fremen.DEC (01/30/85)
Well, I finally had the chance to see #1 Michigan State this weekend (what the New England Sports Network was doing broadcasting a CCHA game when they won't cover the ECAC I still don't know). I only saw part of it (some of the end of the first period, and all of the second. By early in the second period they had a 5-0 lead and the puck barely left Michigan's end. However, after the fifth goal there was a let-up, and Michigan controlled the puck for a good amount of the second period. Towards the end, however, Mich St. reawakened and got 2 more goals, and ended up winning 11-2. My overall impression was that Michigan St. has a great defense (I can't really judge the goalie - he didn't get many opportunities to show his stuff). The offense didn't strike me as being quite as strong in general - the things they did best were to keep the puck in Michigan's end and to make the most of their opportunities (the last two goals I saw both were taken off the second or third consecutive save by the Michigan goalie). I'm looking forward to seeing them play RPI in the national finals! So, on to the results for the top 10 teams. RPI clobbered Vermont twice (hardly surprising). UNH's big comeback came to a halt, with three straight losses. Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, Clarkson, and Lake Superior all lost games. So, you figure (at least I did) that with their winning streak extended to 16 games and Minnesota-Duluth losing at least two games in recent weeks (and needing OT to beat the less-than-imposing N. Michigan team), RPI should have moved up to #2 in the poll. Well, guess again. Here's the latest poll: Michigan St. (9) Minn-Duluth RPI (1) BC Minnesota Harvard North Dakota Clarkson Lake Superior BU Well, at least someone out there gave them a #1 vote! I found out a little more about the playoffs. Each league will send two teams to the NCAA (I still don't know where it's being held). Hockey East's playoffs (all seven teams make the playoffs - #1 gets a quarter-final bye) will be in Providence. Hopefully, this means the ECAC playoffs will be in Boston. Coming up: RPI at Clarkson Friday night (if RPI beats Clarkson, there's no excuse left for them to be behind Minnesota-Duluth, if not Michigan State). Go BIG RED!! Mike Ryan