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I got a chance to see North Dakota against Boston College last Saturday. I didn't see any of Friday's game against Air Force but from what I saw against the Eagles, the Sioux are in for a grind-it-out kind of season.
At the blue line, the Sioux are quite young with five underclassmen. They struggled to push the puck up the ice and never really ever got Boston College on its heels. The Sioux came out of the gates with big hits but that seemed to fizzle as the game went on.
Boston College made it difficult for the Sioux to get a good look at the net. North Dakota would get the puck to the point and the Eagles would jump all over the defenseman, which would force a short pass to the wingers. Eventually, Boston College would deflect one of those passes to the winger and get the puck out of its zone.
The Eagles are a quality team and they deserve the No. 1 ranking in both polls. The Sioux are young and inexperienced and the underclassmen will need to find their role quickly, while the upperclassmen need to step up and lead the team.
Weekend Wars
The most interesting series this weekend is, without a doubt, Minnesota at Minnesota Duluth. The Gophers feasted on cupcakes to start the season, outscoring Sacred Heart 15-0 last weekend. Duluth's big split with Notre Dame last weekend was a big confidence boost for them I'm sure. Both teams were picked to finish in the top half of the WCHA this season. It will be a battle this weekend so don't be surprised one or both games come down to overtime.
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
Oct. 10, 2011
1. Boston College (36)
2. Notre Dame (7)
3. Denver (2)
4. Michigan
5. Miami (OH) (1)
6. North Dakota
7. Colorado College
8. Boston University (3)
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Yale (1)
11. Union
12. Western Michigan
13. Merrimack
14. Minnesota
15. New Hampshire
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. Maine
18. Wisconsin
19. Cornell
20. Rensselaer
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Oct. 10, 2011
1. Boston College (27)
2. Notre Dame (3)
3. Denver (2)
4. Miami (OH)
5. Michigan
6. North Dakota
7. Boston University (1)
8. Colorado College
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Yale (1)
11. Union
12. Western Michigan
13. Merrimack
14. Minnesota
15. Nebraska-Omaha
Minnesota Duluth over Minnesota, Friday
Boston College over Denver, Friday
Colorado College over Bemidji State, Friday
Minnesota over Minnesota Duluth, Saturday
Maine over North Dakota, Saturday
Wisconsin over Michigan Tech, Saturday
My prediction record this season: 4-2
My career prediction record: 63-50
Friday, October 14
Nebraska Omaha vs Alaska Anchorage, 3:05 pm AT *
Wisconsin @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Denver @ Boston College, 7:30 pm ET
St. Cloud State @ Northern Michigan, 7:35 pm ET
Minnesota @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
UMass Lowell @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Maine @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Colorado College, 7:37 pm MT
* - Brice Alaska Goal Rush (Fairbanks, AK)
Saturday, October 15
Denver @ Boston University, 7:00 pm ET
Wisconsin @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
St. Cloud State @ Northern Michigan, 7:35 pm ET
Mercyhurst vs Alaska Anchorage, 4:05 pm AT *
Minnesota @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Maine @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
UMass Lowell @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
Nebraska Omaha @ Alaska, 7:05 pm AT *
* - Brice Alaska Goal Rush (Fairbanks, AK)
Derek Martin was born in Crookston, graduated from Crookston High School in 2003 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College before joining the Times. He now lives in Crookston with his wife and children.
