College Hockey:

NCHA Season Preview

For the past nine seasons, the NCHA has been a modicum of stability. It has been a highly competitive eight team league with a balanced 14 game league schedule and a nice symmetrical playoff bracket.

Though there is no question the league will remain as competitive as ever this season, its time to throw everything else out the window as Lake Forests move from the MCHA this offseason has forced some necessary alterations regarding how the league conducts some its operational activities. Both changes have been met with across-the-board approval by the NCHA brass.

Welcome Back

Long time NCHA aficionados no doubt recall the days when teams played two game weekend series against the same opponents. Well, after 10 years of the old travel partner system, those days are back.

Now with only seven teams in the league, the NCHA considered two options as far as scheduling was concerned: A 12 game conference schedule consisting of seven home-and-home series, or an 18 game schedule in which teams would meet three times each season. The NCHA chose the latter, and with it comes the return of two-game weekend sets.

The logistics of it are quite simple. This (almost) goes for any two teams, but using Superior and River Falls as examples, this season the Falcons will play a two game set in Superior while the Yellowjackets will play a single contest in River Falls. Next year it will be the opposite as the Falcons will host the series.

The one exception to this is Stout and Eau Claire who will play a home-and-home series in lieu of a two-game set hosted at a single institution.

This nod to the old days has been met with widespread approval across the league as it is expected to ramp up the intensity level a bit while also offering coaches the ability to game plan for only a single opponent in some weekends.

I think it really stokes the fire for the rivalries again, said River Falls head coach Steve Freeman. We had it many years ago and it was very interesting. I think it might make it better for the coaches as far as preparation as well.

Its been awhile since weve had this and maybe I have a little bit of mixed feelings about it, added Superiors Dan Stauber. But I do believe that in a conference you need more conference games. Its going to be different in that I think it offers a little more strategy for the coaches for a weekend. Also, it offers us the ability to get in a little more preparation per the team we are playing that week. Its going to be interesting for the league and to see how it shakes out in terms of the standings and rankings.

Looking to mark your calendar for when your favorite team will be hosting a series? Here they all are:

Eau Claire hosts: River Falls (11/13, 11/14); St. Norbert (1/15, 1/16); St. Scholastica (1/22, 1/23).
River Falls hosts: St. Norbert (11/20, 11/21); Stout (12/11, 12/12); Stevens Point (1/22, 1/23).
St. Norbert hosts: Stevens Point (11/13, 11/14); St. Scholastica (12/4, 12/5); Superior (1/22, 1/23).
St. Scholastica hosts: Stout (11/13, 11/14); Superior (12/11, 12/12); River Falls (1/15, 1/16).
Stevens Point hosts: St. Scholastica (10/30, 10/31); Superior (12/4, 12/5); Eau Claire (12/11, 12/12).
Stout hosts: St. Norbert (10/30, 10/31); Stevens Point (11/20, 11/21).
Superior hosts: River Falls (10/30, 10/31); Eau Claire (11/20, 11/21); Stout (1/15, 1/16).

To the Winner Go the Spoils

With only seven teams in the league, its obvious that the old eight team playoff format is no longer a possibility. All teams will still make the playoffs, but the stakes have been raised, as the regular season league champion will now receive a bye into the conference semifinals.

The remaining six teams will still play quarterfinal series with the higher seeded teams continuing to host first-to-three-point series.

It seems like a rather large perk to have one team bypass what as of late have been brutal opening round series, but its one that has no doubt been earned — especially considering the more grueling conference schedule facing teams this season.

It certainly makes that top spot a lot more attractive, said Freeman. Not only do you avoid the first series which would be tough no matter whom you play, now you only have to play two games to get to the national tournament and both are at home so its a huge advantage.

NCHA coaches acknowledged this setup was the only way to ensure that all seven teams still qualified for the postseason — something they viewed as being essential considering the overall balance of the league as well as the slew of opening round upsets that have occurred over the past few seasons.

I think every team in our conference needs to be in the playoffs, said Eau Claire head coach Matt Loen. There is no better way to do it than to give the regular season champs the bye. The unfortunate part is that maybe they have to take a week off and play that semifinal game, but at the same time if you win the NCHA I think your chances of getting a NCAA bid are pretty good.

If you look at the upsets of the last three years, I think the main focus behind this decision is that every team needs to be in the playoffs.

These predictions (in reverse order of finish) are for entertainment purposes only and are likely in no means an accurate reflection of the reality that will unfold. After all, twice in the past three seasons my sixth place selection has won 20-plus games . . .

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds

Head Coach: Matt Loen, 3rd year overall and at Eau Claire (24-29-2).
2008-09 Overall Record: 13-13-1.
2008-09 NCHA Record: 3-10-1 (7th) .
Key Returnees: G Tyler Brigl, sr., (11-12-1, 2.40, .902); F Joe Bluhm, sr., (14-6-20); F Brant Marple, sr., (4-14-18); F Nic Weight, so., (5-4-9); D D.J. Clark, sr., (7-9-16); D Tyler Trudell, sr., (3-6-9); D Bryan Plaszcz, sr., (3-4-7).
Key Losses: F Sean Garrity (12-14-26); F Jesse Vesel (7-15-22); F Andrew Johnson (4-8-12); D Greg Petersen (5-13-18).
2009-10 Projected Finish: Seventh.

Like most everyone else in the NCHA, Eau Claire has improved every season for the better part of the last five years. Like some others, however, that improvement has not been enough to leapfrog some of the more traditional powers in the standings. The Blugolds are hoping that a blend of youth and experience will be enough to make the difference this time around.

Were going to be a young team, said Blugolds head coach Matt Loen. Half of our team are freshmen so they will be expected to contribute. Well see though, as its easy to say that now in practice, but when we are playing ranked teams every week thats when well know for sure if they are the ones.

Where the Blugolds will be experienced this year is in net. Tyler Brigl is back for his senior campaign and has seen action in 51 games over the past few seasons, with a save percentage over 90 in both years.

Its Tylers job to lose, said Loen. He had a great season two years ago and had a good season last year, but hes experienced and has played 90 percent of our games the last two years so we are looking for a big season from him.

With that said, we brought in Scott Pederson (who is a transfer from St. Marys) and I expect him to compete for the job, too.

The Blugolds have been one of the better defensive teams in the league over the past few seasons, having conceded only 2.59 goals per game last season despite finishing seventh in the league.

Seniors D.J. Clark, Brian Plaszcz, and Tyler Trudell, along with junior Jon Kearns, all return to lead the defensive corps.

From there, its a point of emphasis for us — getting more goals and creating m