Michigan Wolverines Hockey

[Jamie H]

Yeah Linesman, the rule in hockey is, apparently, that if the ref loses sight of the puck, they are SUPPOSED to blow their whistle. I really don't get it. It seems like if you lose sight of the puck you should TRY TO FIND IT AGAIN, not kill the play.

Last year's screwjob was way worse because the ref blew dead a play where the puck was sitting uncovered in the crease. At least this year the puck was somewhat out of view. I still hate the rule.

[lineygoblue]

Still, looking at the statistic that Michigan was whistled for 10 penalties, .. that's got to be considered a big advantage for UMD. Each penalty is 2 minutes in length, meaning that Michigan spent an entire period killing penalties. You can't mount very much offense when you are trying to kill penalties for 1/3 of the game.

From what I read over at Rivals, most of the penalty calls against Michigan were good calls, but still. To have a disparity like that, had to have an effect on the outcome of the game.

[Jamie H]

Yes, Michigan took a ton of dumb penalties. The last 2 calls were bad, but at least one on UMD was bad too.

[Optimus Prime]

The officiating was terrible, cost Michigan an NCAA Championship, pure and simple.

[Hannibal]

This weekend reminded me of why I basically never watch college hockey. The sport is nigh unwatchable. It's like pre-lockout NHL but with vastly inferior talent. I loved seeing games in person as a student but I have never been able to watch it on TV.

[Jeff Buchanan]

It was a worthy telecast .... if only to underscore the utter incompetence of the offciating in yet again another NCAA sport.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I don't follow hockey that closely but I know about this guy. This is huge. (I think this is a rivals story that you can access):

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1223504

[Mike]

That's a huge get. Looks like he'll be able to contribute right away.

[geo weidl]

That's a huge get. Looks like he'll be able to contribute right away.

And he's Canadian too!

[Mike]

Just in time to replace our star Swede!

[Dr. Strangelove]

On Big Ten Hockey and its implications for the sport as a whole

http://host.madison.com/sports/columnists/tom_oates/article_b2653ea6-9fb8-11e0-9a25-001cc4c002e0.html

[Jamie H]

I have a hard time feeling sorry for other teams thinking the Big Ten is "stepping on toes". The Big Ten works as a conference in almost every other sport--why should it be different in hockey? I wish MORE Big Ten teams would field hockey programs.

[WM Wolverine]

Its a step up for the B10 teams in a lot of ways (potential revenue, exposure, prestige, etc.); right now they are pretty equal 'competitively' with the present WCHA and Hockey East but the exposure the B10 receives from this potentially pushes them a step or two above them and leaving the 'lesser' conferences like the present CCHA (and most everyone else) in the dust...

Likely result is a two tiered system (haves and have nots) in college hockey much like there is in college football (BCS conferences and non-BCS conferences) which didn't exist previously.

[Jamie H]

Well I can see why the have nots are going to be mad about that, but if the end result is more attention paid to college hockey (through things like the Big Ten network), I think it will be a good thing. When I moved out of Michigan, all following of college hockey disappeared for me, because I could never find a game on TV.

[WM Wolverine]

The issue is the 'lesser' conferences are going to fall even further behind the WCHA, Hockey East and B10. Long-term, they likely will have trouble being competitive, likely will see dwindling attendance and if fan interest goes too low, those programs potentially will shut down their programs.