Monday, December 15, 2008

School Wrap Up

There wasn't a ton of action south of the 49th this weekend as college hockey makes it's way to Christmas time and holiday tournaments.

You have to wonder how different last year's national championship game would have been had (1) Notre Dame not been without the services of Erik Condra (Ottawa, 7th round, 2006) The Fighting Irish leading scorer in each of his first 3 seasons, suffered a season ending knee injury last year in the CCHA playoffs against Ferris State. This year Condra is healthy and starting to heat up with 7 points in his last 7 games, including 3 this weekend as the Irish fought hard to sweep Bowling Green. Notre Dame ran it's win streak to 14 games and secured another spot atop the rankings.

(2) Minnesota had little trouble with (9) Colorado College Saturday night. Led by 2009 top prospect Jordan Schroeder, Ryan Stoa (Colorado, 2nd round, 2005) Mike Hoeffel (New Jersey, 2nd round, 2007) Cade Fairchild (St. Louis, 4th round, 2007) who all had 2 point nights, the Golden Gophers skated past the Tigers 4-1. Stoa is the only one who won't play for the United States at the upcoming World Junior Championship, and that's only because he's to old. However, Sunday was a different story. Richard Bachman (Dallas, 4th round, 2006) didn't have to be spectacular but he did kick out 21 to earn the shut out, while Addison DeBoe scored short handed as the Tigers blanked Minnesota 1-0. It was the first CC bagel over Minnesota since 1995.

North Dakota seems to be waking from it's early season slumber, as the Fighting Sioux swept (17) St. Cloud State, smoking the Huskies Saturday night 7-4. UND has now won 5 of 6 and averaged more than 5 goals per game over that stretch. It's no stretch that Dave Hakstol's crew will make it's way back into the top 20. Watch out for the Sioux in the second half.

Elswhere (4) Boston University played only once, but beat Mass-Lowell, and Denver swept (14) Minnesota State, thanks to a hatty from Matt Glasser (Edmonton, 7th round, 2005) on Saturday night.

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