pal@crystal.ARPA (02/29/84)
Yes, Duluth have run away with the WCHA this year. In fourth place early, they won (I think) 13 of their last 14 games. The keys to their success? 1. They have the top three scorers in the WCHA, and are the top scoring team. 2. They take the fewest penalties. Their top three scorers have something like 10 penalties TOTAL for the season. The result is that they get the most power-play opportunities, and their opponents the least. 3. Freshman goalie Kosti has played well (.902 save %). 4. They work their butts off. I really admire that. The defense are always diving to smother shots, wingers get back quickly to help out on defense. 5. They have guts. The first time they played Wisconsin (they were in fourth, the Badgers in third), they came out working hard and dominated the play, but Wisconsin got lucky and went up 3-0 and then 5-1 midway through the second period. Duluth came back to win it 6-5 in OT. Again, Wisconsin made up a 0-3 deficit (in a game later in the season) to lead 4-3 in the third period. Final score? Duluth 6-4. These guys don't give up. 6. To take nothing away, but this has to be said: The other WCHA powers are not as strong as they have been in the past. The Olympics have taken many of the top underclassmen, and not all could be replaced by recruiting. In some ways this is nice, since it leads to more parity among the teams, but none of this year's teams is a patch on the 1981-2 Wisconsin or North Dakota teams. The draw as it is certainly points to Duluth. The only team they have had real trouble with is North Dakota, who in turn will probably not get past Minnesota. Wisconsin have not beaten Duluth in six tries this year, but come playoffs the Badgers always seem to play a little better (they won the playoffs last year after finishing third in the standings). Don't count them out yet! Let's go Red! Anil