ryan@fremen.DEC (01/25/85)
There has been some discussion about the relative quality of hockey between the eastern and western colleges. Here I offer some hard facts, which may support either point of view (based on the standings published in the Boston Globe on Tuesday). The combined records of all Hockey East teams in conference games comes out to 69-93-4 and the combined records of all WCHA teams in conference games comes to 103-78-10, so the WCHA has about a 12-game advantage over Hockey East in inter-conference games (don't ask why the figures don't match - I'm just reporting what was published). This shows that the WCHA as a WHOLE is better than Hockey East (I'm still not convinced that the best of the WCHA are really better than the best of Hockey East - we'll see come playoff time). The combined records of Hockey East teams in non-conference games is 12-7-2. The combined records of ECAC teams (not counting Army) in non-conference games is 43-19-6 (only one team has a losing record against non-ECAC teams). The Globe only gave the conference records for the CCHA and WCHA, so I couldn't make this comparison for them; however, I doubt either league (certainly not the CCHA, which doesn't appear to have any outstanding teams besides Michigan St.) can match the ECAC's record. Again, does anyone have information on the playoffs? Recent articles have implied that the ECAC and Hockey East will have separate playoffs and will each send teams to the NCAA playoffs, and I presume the Hockey East playoffs will be at Boston Garden. So, where will the ECAC playoffs be? Mike Ryan
pal@crystal.UUCP (01/28/85)
Prior to this weekend's games (Jan. 25), EVERY WCHA team had a winning record against Hockey East opponents. At one point in the season, EVERY WCHA team was at least .500, and only one HEA team was above .500 (I think now two are). This weekend was the last week of inter-league play this season. Coaches from both leagues seem pleased with the arrangement, and expect it to continue. One problem has been officiating, with both leagues complaining that the other league's referees are bad. Michigan Tech walked out of a game (at New Hampshire, I think), and Wisconsin also complained about Friday's game, which the Badgers won 8-6. There was a fight in the second period, for which the Wisconsin player (Dave Maley) was penalised 9 minutes (including a 5-minute major for fighting) and received a game disqualification. The New Hampshire player received a two-minute minor for roughing. New Hampshire scored three goals on the resulting power-play. There was also some confusion over resetting the penalty time when a goal was scored (before the major took effect -- a goal scored does not erase a major penalty). The HEA uses different sets of officials for the two games of a series, while the WCHA uses just one set. It seems HEA will adopt this policy next season. Current WCHA standings: (after 26 games)(8 games to go) Duluth Minnesota North Dakota Wisconsin 28 pts. (14-12) Denver 26 pts. CC, NMich, MichTech all 25 pts. Comments: NODak and Wisc seem settled in 3-4 place, Duluth is only 1 point ahead of Minnesota, but the Gophers are fading, expect Duluth to wrap it up. Wisconsin has series remaining against CC, Duluth, and Northern in Madison, then travel to Tech for the finale.