NCAA Hockey 2020-2021 Season

[thinkbui]

I can't speak for frozen4champs, but I personally was more surprised that they are expecting to play 34 games. Certainly they're being helped by the Alaska Rule so teams who visit Fairbanks can offset the travel costs with extra home games, but even if only a third of the schedule is at home, that would be more teams than I would have thought.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

If you feel like watching a fun hockey game Michigan v Wisconsin is on BTN. Good end to end game. Michigan is up 4-1 after 2.

[frozen4champs]

The Whioux vs Denver game tonight should be interesting. The Whioux ran the Denver goalie twice, and at the end of the game the Denver captain ran into the Whioux goalie. He got a 1 game suspension. Those teams have never liked each other, and tonights game will be chippy.

[gopheritall]

UMD lost again today. Gave up 4 goals on 21 shots. 1980s goaltending.

[bearpaw28]

UMD lost again today. Gave up 4 goals on 21 shots. 1980s goaltending.

They’d won 6 straight & they got swept on the road, it happens. Losses in Feb are cheap...

[SiouxFanatic]

They’d won 6 straight & they got swept on the road, it happens. Losses in Feb are cheap...

Playing Miami 4 times in a row prior to WMU didn’t do any favors for UMD. Similar to playing CC or Arizona State.

[Slap Shot]

Hate to say it but the Ugly Helmets are looking every bit as good as I thought they might when they have their full compliment of players.

[Laxref]

Hate to say it but the Ugly Helmets are looking every bit as good as I thought they might when they have their full compliment of players.

BADgers up 3-1 in third right now, I agree, Wolverines looked good yesterday, but seems like Bucky is returning the favor a little bit today.

[thinkbui]

I've had that series circled on my calendar ever since the series back in December. We may have swept that series, but those wins felt kind of hollow with so many players gone for the WJC including 3 of Michigan's natural centers, so hopefully both teams are at full strength when we get to March.

[gopher6]

4 of top 10 teams in college hockey from MN
https://www.uscho.com/rankings/

[gopherfun83]

Denver is really having a down year, compared to usual.

[frozen4champs]

Lets end his season ASAP then

[frozen4champs]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

[J22]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

From watching the video, both guys could use a game off.

[Orion]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

From watching the video, both guys could use a game off.

I hope the guy from MSU is ok. That looked like it could have snapped his neck based off his reaction.

This isn't soccer.

[frozen4champs]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

From watching the video, both guys could use a game off.

I hope the guy from MSU is ok. That looked like it could have snapped his neck based off his reaction.

This isn't soccer.

This stuff happened in the 3rd period after a Sparty player got a 5 and a 10 for elbowing a Devil player late in the 2nd. Could be a spirited game today.

[MATT]

[thinkbui]

Granted it was an unnecessary non-hockey move, but unless Neinhuis somehow actually got injured, I'm at a loss as to why they would suspend Grando for being a butthead while they let go more serious crap ASU has done.

[Bertogliat]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

Pretty weenie.

[Steve MN]

I'm trying to figure out if the MSU player needed to sit for embellishment, or if that delay was some weird artifact from making a GIF. It looks like everyone else is moving, so I'm leaning toward the "oh wait, he just head butted me, I need to collapse to make sure it's called" thought taking a moment to process.

Either way, very cheap play by ASU.

[Composer]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

Pretty weenie.

Apparently the MSU guy thought it was a soccer game. His second reaction was quite late.

[skiier32]

The Sun Devils doing Sun Devil things...

Pretty weenie.

Apparently the MSU guy thought it was a soccer game. His second reaction was quite late.

Give the MSU player 2 for embellishment! Yes the head butting is a penalty, but he also deserves something as well.

[Steve MN]

That was my thought. Head-butt is one of those incredibly dangerous things, and needs to get the penalty regardless of if the other player even noticed or not. But, that collapsing like you've been shot, not as part of the hit, but after thinking for a second, deserves time in the box, too.

[Norm]

That was my thought. Head-butt is one of those incredibly dangerous things, and needs to get the penalty regardless of if the other player even noticed or not. But, that collapsing like you've been shot, not as part of the hit, but after thinking for a second, deserves time in the box, too.

His head snaps back like JFK in the Zapruder film.

[g-manpuck]

MSU Mankato is going to start allowing 250 fans in the building starting next week vs. Bemidji State. This will be the first time that fans outside of family members will be able to see the game in person. I have NO idea how they are going to prioritize which fans will get in. It will be the first call to action for my group of volunteer workers to scan tickets and usher.

They are hoping to get their plan of having four pods of 250 people approved for the start of the WCHA playoffs. They had it approved last fall before the bottom fell out, here's hoping things go their way.

[frozen4champs]

Huntsville forgot to pack their jerseys, so they are wearing a local car dealerships jerseys today. The winter storm has delayed them from being shipped up to Northern Michigan..

[skiier32]

Huntsville forgot to pack their jerseys, so they are wearing a local car dealerships jerseys today. The winter storm has delayed them from being shipped up to Northern Michigan..

What is the over under the equipment guy is on the return trip home?

[Laxref]

They won 3-1 too, beating Grant Potulnys club

[frozen4champs]

[Snowcool08]

So they’re going to use a ranking that compares teams to each other based a lot on non-conference games and meaningless strength of schedule if everyone within a conference only plays each other? They better rely heavily on the subjectivity.

[Iceburg]

Wow, two Zapruder film references in one week. Impressive.

[Composer]

Only one NACHO team in the top 16 right now. And three Atlantic Hockey teams?

[Cowgirl]

How about just take the top 16 teams from the last poll before regionals?!

[frozen4champs]

More info here. Frozen Four will be played in Pittsburgh (as scheduled) with a goal of 25% capacity or about 5 thousand fans.
https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/memo-n ... ittsburgh/

[Steve MN]

How about just take the top 16 teams from the last poll before regionals?!

Mix in the auto-bids, and that's actually a much better idea than relying on PairWise this year. Normally, I'd hate it, but, the problem with PairWise is that it REQUIRES a large number of inter-conference games across all teams/conferences, otherwise the math just doesn't work out.

Back when CHA and MAAC (precursor to AHA) formed, they even had a rule in the selection guide that PairWise would be used, but if a teams/conference's schedule was too insular, their place in PWR could be ignored.. This year, ALL The schedules are too insular for any objective system to work properly.

[JWG]

Can't wait for the AHA conference tournament in April in Pitt!

[Maize]

More info here. Frozen Four will be played in Pittsburgh (as scheduled) with a goal of 25% capacity or about 5 thousand fans.
https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/memo-n ... ittsburgh/

That was the goal for the 2019 Frozen Four too, but I'm not sure they got there.

[The Rube]

How about just take the top 16 teams from the last poll before regionals?!

Mix in the auto-bids, and that's actually a much better idea than relying on PairWise this year. Normally, I'd hate it, but, the problem with PairWise is that it REQUIRES a large number of inter-conference games across all teams/conferences, otherwise the math just doesn't work out.

Back when CHA and MAAC (precursor to AHA) formed, they even had a rule in the selection guide that PairWise would be used, but if a teams/conference's schedule was too insular, their place in PWR could be ignored.. This year, ALL The schedules are too insular for any objective system to work properly.

Conference champs, and then the polls. Seed according to SOS (even though it's intra-conference).

[Slap Shot]

More info here. Frozen Four will be played in Pittsburgh (as scheduled) with a goal of 25% capacity or about 5 thousand fans.
https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/memo-n ... ittsburgh/

The arena holds 20,000?

[frozen4champs]

More info here. Frozen Four will be played in Pittsburgh (as scheduled) with a goal of 25% capacity or about 5 thousand fans.
https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/memo-n ... ittsburgh/

The arena holds 20,000?

My math would put the attendance around 4600. Not sure if they can use the concert number, then it would be around 4900.

According to NCAA Men’s Division I committee chair Mike Kemp, the intention is to allow 25 percent attendance capacity at both regional and Frozen Four sites. That, though, is still dependent on local regulations for maximum capacities and social distancing requirements. If PPG Paints arena in Pittsburgh would be allowed a full 25 percent capacity, that would be just short of 5,000 fans allowed in the building each gam

Capacity Ice hockey: 18,387
Basketball: 19,000
Arena football: 16,280
End stage: 14,536
Center stage: 19,758

[gopher6]

How about just take the top 16 teams from the last poll before regionals?!

Mix in the auto-bids, and that's actually a much better idea than relying on PairWise this year. Normally, I'd hate it, but, the problem with PairWise is that it REQUIRES a large number of inter-conference games across all teams/conferences, otherwise the math just doesn't work out.

Back when CHA and MAAC (precursor to AHA) formed, they even had a rule in the selection guide that PairWise would be used, but if a teams/conference's schedule was too insular, their place in PWR could be ignored.. This year, ALL The schedules are too insular for any objective system to work properly.

Conference champs, and then the polls. Seed according to SOS (even though it's intra-conference).

I was hearing Nanne yesterday on KFAN saying Regions most likely to have MN,Duluth,Mankato,the Whioux all in Fargo

[Steve MN]

That seems unlikely, unless they decide to just completely ignore seeding. You'd have the distinct possibility that 3 of the 4 would be lined up to be #1 seeds.

I don't know how closely tied Lou is to the college selection committee anymore, so, I'd take that with a VERY large chunk of salt.

[gopher6]

That seems unlikely, unless they decide to just completely ignore seeding. You'd have the distinct possibility that 3 of the 4 would be lined up to be #1 seeds.

I don't know how closely tied Lou is to the college selection committee anymore, so, I'd take that with a VERY large chunk of salt.

They want to have the travel to locations drive able for the teams

[Steve MN]

That seems unlikely, unless they decide to just completely ignore seeding. You'd have the distinct possibility that 3 of the 4 would be lined up to be #1 seeds.

I don't know how closely tied Lou is to the college selection committee anymore, so, I'd take that with a VERY large chunk of salt.

They want to have the travel to locations drive able for the teams

I understand that they want to minimize travel. We can certainly expect the normal avoidance of intra-conference first round matchups to not be a consideration this year, or at best be a secondary concern, but I still don't see them putting 3 of the top 5 or 6 teams all in one region. (Unless Fargo ends up being a double-region of 8 teams, then this might be possible, depending on the exact seedings)

[Vegoe]

More info here. Frozen Four will be played in Pittsburgh (as scheduled) with a goal of 25% capacity or about 5 thousand fans.
https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/memo-n ... ittsburgh/

When I listened to Mike Kemp on here, the PWR is just a way to get some sort of RPI/SOS equal opponent ranking for each team. I'm guessing it is to evaluate who from each conference to pull, not like a true 6 AQ and 10 at-large based on PWR finish.

https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/ncaa-t ... pisode-12/

I think in conferences where teams have played relatively comparable schedules, the standings kind of work.

Conf Rnk By Pts - Big Ten - PWR
1-Minnesota 53
2-Wisconsin 47
4-Michigan 43
3-Notre Dame 34
5-Penn State 33
7-Michigan State 26
6-Ohio State 18

But for a league where their best team has only played 10 games like BU, maybe it helps?

Conf Rnk By Pts - Hockey East - PWR
6-Boston University 59
1-Boston College 58
2-Massachusetts 48
3-Providence 39
4-Connecticut 37
5-Northeastern 37
8-UMass Lowell 24
7-New Hampshire 22
10-Maine 20
11-Merrimack 20

[Steve MN]

If they use PWR to rank teams within each conference, and then figure out how many teams from each conference to pull to the NCAA tournament, then the PWR can definitely work.

[Laxref]

Forgive me if someone mentioned it but is there a timeline or any dates that have been finalized for ncaa play?

[Steve MN]

My understanding is that the schedule is unchanged, so March 26-28 for the Regionals, April 8/10 for the Frozen 4

[Steve MN]

More info here. Frozen Four will be played in Pittsburgh (as scheduled) with a goal of 25% capacity or about 5 thousand fans.
https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/memo-n ... ittsburgh/

When I listened to Mike Kemp on here, the PWR is just a way to get some sort of RPI/SOS equal opponent ranking for each team. I'm guessing it is to evaluate who from each conference to pull, not like a true 6 AQ and 10 at-large based on PWR finish.

https://www.uscho.com/2021/02/16/ncaa-t ... pisode-12/

Jim Connelly is saying the same thing, so, this makes a lot more sense.

[Vegoe]

Here is my take on the NCAA tournament right now.

https://gopherpucklive.com/ncaa-tournam ... l-sort-of/

TLDR I think
Atlantic (1) gets their AQ bid.
ECAC (1) gets an AQ and maybe Quinnipiac.
WCHA (2 or 3) gets Minnesota State and either their No. 2 PWR team or AQ.
Hockey East (3 or 4) gets Boston College, Boston University and Massachusetts or AQ bid.
NCHC (4 or 5) gets North Dakota, Omaha, St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth or AQ bid and bottom team misses out.
Big Ten (3) gets Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

[Steve MN]

Agreed, Vegoe. Talking it through last night in chat, I came up with:
AHA 1
ECAC 1, maybe 2
WCHA Mankato plus 1
HE 3
NCHC 4
B1G 3
That leaves 1 remaining slot somewhere, best bet being NCHC

For the B1G, technically, one of those three could get bounced for an AQ, but I really don't see anyone else winning that tourney. ND would be the best bet, but they'd almost certainly have to beat 2 of the top 3 to do it, and I just don't think that's going to happen.

[Cowgirl]

Whoever mentioned all the MN teams going to Fargo....

From the article on the home page:
“Except they’re gonna try their best not to put teams on planes. That was the only thing I got out of it… I mean everything else that was said you pretty much would know.”

[MNGophers29]

It really wouldn't be that big of a deal to bus some of these kids out to Colorado. They will need teams in the west regional so that right there will be some planes anyway.

[frozen4champs]

CC 2 Duluth 1

[Goldy77]

CC 2 Duluth 1

Quite the slide

[D2D]

Not shedding too many tears, at this point.

[Bonin21]

AHA 1
ECAC 1, maybe 2
WCHA Mankato plus 1
HE 3
NCHC 4
B1G 3
That leaves 1 remaining slot somewhere, best bet being NCHC

AHA 1
ECAC Qpac or 2 if Qpac doesn't win
WCHA 2 or 3
HE 3 or 4
NCHC 4
BIG 3

Not sure why "best bet" would be NCHC for a 5th spot. They have 4 teams above .500.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

AHA 1
ECAC 1, maybe 2
WCHA Mankato plus 1
HE 3
NCHC 4
B1G 3
That leaves 1 remaining slot somewhere, best bet being NCHC

AHA 1
ECAC Qpac or 2 if Qpac doesn't win
WCHA 2 or 3
HE 3 or 4
NCHC 4
BIG 3

Not sure why "best bet" would be NCHC for a 5th spot. They have 4 teams above .500.

But, but, but....it's the best college hockey conference! Hands down! All of the teams are so good and they just beat up on each other the whole season. It's not fair! You wouldn't understand, the Big Ten sucks.

[Bonin21]

But, but, but....it's the best college hockey conference! Hands down! All of the teams are so good and they just beat up on each other the whole season. It's not fair! You wouldn't understand, the Big Ten sucks.

The NCHC is the best college hockey conference.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

But, but, but....it's the best college hockey conference! Hands down! All of the teams are so good and they just beat up on each other the whole season. It's not fair! You wouldn't understand, the Big Ten sucks.

The NCHC is the best college hockey conference.

It's a good conference with some good teams and some decent rivalries. But listening to NCHC fans you'd think it was the be all and end all of sporting conferences. I'll say again, it's a good conference. But I'm sorry, I don't think it's quite as amazing as some fans what people to believe

[SiouxFanatic]

But, but, but....it's the best college hockey conference! Hands down! All of the teams are so good and they just beat up on each other the whole season. It's not fair! You wouldn't understand, the Big Ten sucks.

Preach!
------------------------------

My guess for tournament bids...

AHA - 2
B1G - 3
ECAC - 1
HEA - 5
NCHC - 3
WCHA - 2

I would've said 4 for NCHC but that is uncertain now as Duluth is playing itself out of an at-large bid and might need the auto bid.

[Bonin21]

But, but, but....it's the best college hockey conference! Hands down! All of the teams are so good and they just beat up on each other the whole season. It's not fair! You wouldn't understand, the Big Ten sucks.

The NCHC is the best college hockey conference.

It's a good conference with some good teams and some decent rivalries. But listening to NCHC fans you'd think it was the be all and end all of sporting conferences. I'll say again, it's a good conference. But I'm sorry, I don't think it's quite as amazing as some fans what people to believe

The gap is small between the big three conferences, and the gap behind them isn't that big, either. But as of now it's #1 until further notice if you had to rank.

I give any of the top 10 or so teams a 5% or better chance to win the title. There is parity.

[Bonin21]

Michigan lost to OSU. :|

Maybe it'll be two Big Ten teams in depending on what we do against them.

[frozen4champs]

The Buckeyes beat Michigan 3-2 tonight. Mich out shot tOSU 34-19. Gophers better focus on Sparty tonight.

[Cowgirl]

And the shiny helmets are currently beating Becky.

[Composer]

I think they will make sure to pick 8 eastern and 8 western teams.

[frozen4champs]

And the shiny helmets are currently beating Becky.

If I believed in Jinxes...

[Cowgirl]

And the shiny helmets are currently beating Becky.

If I believed in Jinxes...

I retract my statement.

[Bonin21]

uw wins the first of their two remaining challenging games, with the Gophers having two even more challenging games remaining.

This Gopher team may need to prove how badly they want that banner with a sweep of Michigan to end the regular season.

[Bale]

MSU Mankato is going to start allowing 250 fans in the building starting next week vs. Bemidji State. This will be the first time that fans outside of family members will be able to see the game in person. I have NO idea how they are going to prioritize which fans will get in. It will be the first call to action for my group of volunteer workers to scan tickets and usher.

They are hoping to get their plan of having four pods of 250 people approved for the start of the WCHA playoffs. They had it approved last fall before the bottom fell out, here's hoping things go their way.

Friends of Maverick Hockey to choose tickets for 1 game. After that they are doing a lottery for each of the games. I believe the only ones eligible are the Blue Line Club, but I"m not positive.

[frozen4champs]

Kato beat 1 win Ferris St 5-4 in OT

[Slap Shot]

Maybe it'll be two Big Ten teams in depending on what we do against them.

Good Lord.

[frozen4champs]

The BADgers announcers said during the game that the dates of the B1G tourney could change...

[The Rube]

ND-WI game has gone ludicrous. Currently 5-4 ND.

[Cowgirl]

Dang it they are going to OT.