College Hockey:
Three Things: Atlantic Hockey – Monday, March 11

By Chris Lerch • Atlantic Hockey Columnist • March 10, 2013

Three things from Atlantic Hockey play this weekend:

Onward

A first-round sweep by the four home teams sets up quarterfinal series match ups that line up per the top eight seeds:

No. 8 Rochester Institute of Technology at No. 1 Niagara
No. 7 Canisius at No. 2 Air Force
No. 6 Mercyhurst at No. 3 Holy Cross
No. 5 Robert Morris at No. 4 Connecticut

There have now been 29 best-of-three series in the ten years of Atlantic Hockey tournament play, and the home team has won an amazing 28 of them. The only exception was in 2010 when No. 5 Canisius swept No. 4 Mercyhurst in the quarterfinals.

No drama

This past weekend’s first round held little excitement with only two of the eight playoff games decided by a goal. The average score of the games was 4-1. Mercyhurst outscored Army 8-3, Robert Morris defeated Sacred Heart by a combined score of 10-2, Canisius topped Bentley by a 6-1 margin, and RIT outscored AIC 9-2.

Attendance was less than stellar as well. Combined attendance for the series were:
• RIT: 2,234 (53% capacity)
• Mercyhurst: 1,927 (74%)
• Robert Morris: 1,235 (56%)
• Canisius: 700 (19%)

All except Mercyhurst were below the average regular season attendance for each team.

Exiting the stage

AIC goaltender Ben Meisner left Saturday’s game at RIT with 5:54 to play and his team trailing 7-1, but few at Ritter Arena knew what a significant curtain call it was. The senior ended his career with 3,684 saves, good for 12th all-time in NCAA Division I play and best in Atlantic Hockey History.

That included 1,106 in his senior campaign, a career high. He also posted career bests in wins (11), GAA (2.98) and save percentage (.923).

I’ll be going through all 12 senior classes in this week’s Atlantic Hockey column.

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http://twitter.com/crb1 crb1
I think we can agree to disagree. Frattin is a manchild and a beas† and in my opinion is the hands down winner. He was able to rack up the mos† goals in the coun†ry with one of if not the bes† SOS . Also if you do some research you will find that Frattin has more goals against TUC then any other player. Something to think about. In regards to Frattins past issues, well lets just say he isn’t the only college hockey player who has had a beer lets be honest with ourselves. Judge it for what its worth.
- Anonymous
  crb1 TUC teams is a good measurement, but let’s get down to the nitty gritty and go for the big kahuna. The NCAA field of 16. How did your little criminal do then?
  Take a peek:
  Frattin has 9-6 for 15pts. in 17 games against teams in the NCAA Tourny.
  20% of his points are against Michigan Tech
  15% of his points are against Bemidji State
  ManChild huh! picking on the little guys, just like his first arrest outside the bar.
  If you throw out the furniture (2nd arrest) his stats are no better then Connolly, who’s stats and character should have had him in the Top 3.
  Atkinson has 12-6 for 18pts in 11 games against teams in the NCAA Tourny.
  Very Consistent, but his overall numbers do get him over the top.
  Meile has 8-17 for 25pts. in 15 games against teams in the NCAA Tourny.
  Highest point total since 2002-03.
  Summary:
  Frattin has paid his dues, but let’s not make the mistake of saying he deserves it because he got his life back on track. That takes away from a kid like Meile, who has better stats, and has been a model of the ideal “Hobey Baker” candidate all through his College Experience.
  No candidate should be in the top 10 if they have an arrest record. Period! This isn’t the Heisman Trophy, this is the Hobey Baker!
  Meile, Atkinson, Frattin
  Read more: http://www.uscho.com/hobeywatch/2011/03/30/should-have-seen-it-coming/#ixzz1ICImuIOa
sjf
Why do you bring up Frattin’s past but neglect to say anything about Atkinson’s? It’s completely biased. Sounds like a bunch of east coast snobs choosing to look down on a past mistake on one guy but neglecting to look at the past mistakes of others. But that’s fine. Miele can have the award, but you won’t convince me he’s the better player.
- Anonymous
  crb1 TUC teams is a good measurement, but let’s get down to the nitty gritty and go for the big kahuna. The NCAA field of 16. How did your little criminal do then?
  Take a peek:
  Frattin has 9-6 for 15pts. in 17 games against teams in the NCAA Tourny.
  20% of his points are against Michigan Tech
  15% of his points are against Bemidji State
  ManChild huh! picking on the little guys, just like his first arrest outside the bar.
  If you throw out the furniture (2nd arrest) his stats are no better then Connolly, who’s stats and character should have had him in the Top 3.
  Atkinson has 12-6 for 18pts in 11 games against teams in the NCAA Tourny.
  Very Consistent, but his overall numbers do get him over the top.
  Meile has 8-17 for 25pts. in 15 games against teams in the NCAA Tourny.
  Highest point total since 2002-03.
  Summary:
  Frattin has paid his dues, but let’s not make the mistake of saying he deserves it because he got his life back on track. That takes away from a kid like Meile, who has better stats, and has been a model of the ideal “Hobey Baker” candidate all through his College Experience.
  What are we saying to our little hockey players who dream of playing college hockey. It is OK to get arrested once, even twice, as long as you come back and get 36 g-notes, and 24 apples. All is forgiven. If Frattin has character that all of you people say he does, then he should show it by removing himself from the Hobey Hatrick. That is Character!
  No candidate should be in the top 10 if they have an arrest record. Period! This isn’t the Heisman Trophy, this is the Hobey Baker!
  Meile, Atkinson, Frattin
  - Nyqi
    Then Atkinson needs to step aside also right? He has an arrest on his record. I am a HUGE Sioux fan and I don’t totally disagree that Frattin probably shouldn’t win the award. I think it says a lot about his character that he was able to make better choices and come back and do what he has done. I believe that Frattin is the best player in the nation. If you look at the Sioux he could easily be playing on another line of younger guys that has more talent than his current line and in theory increase his scoring but the Sioux have done it with balance all season long. So in the long run I think that Matt deserved to be part of the hatrick but probably doesn’t deserve to win it even though I dont think there is any question who the better overall player is. The other thing to look at is how they play in the defensive zone and Frattin is a beast in all phases of the game, it isn’t all about points.
    - Anonymous
      I agree 100% with what you are saying. I merely stated Atkinson’s stats because he is in the Top 3. Neither him or Frattin should be in the Top 10 if they have a record.
      Matt Frattin is a hell of a hockey player. Why do you think Hakstol left the door open to a possible return? Hakstol did it right, and should be applauded for making that tough decision to ask him to leave. Most coaches would not have made that decision. They would have made excuses ala Jim Tresel
      Frattin should be applauded his actions to come back and try to make it right with his Team, Coaches, Boosters, Alumni, and Institution. But not rewarded with this accolade for doing something that is a minimum expectation of all college hockey players, regardless of how good their stats are.
      Let’s put this into perspective and call it what it is. It is a good story about a young man who battled adversity and grew up to be someone better.
      If that were the criteria for the Hobey Baker Award, then by all means, hand it over to Frats and Sioux Nation, and erect another bronze statue outside Englestad.
      This unfortunately, is the Hobey Baker Award, and criteria shows Mr. Frattin is left wanting.
      Good Luck in the Frozen 4!
  - Suture1
    Grow up Lordy…..wow….you sound so immature and of narrow mind. Frattin DID make some mistakes…none of which are of a horrific nature. OMG…I had to shut down the audio in this piece of crap for commentary. OMG, this is unbelievable pathetic…I cannot believe this!! “Surprised” Frattin is in the final three”???? Wow, USCHO cannot get any lower as an online hockey site. I mean, this is the most ludicrous piece of crap I have EVER heard out of USCHO. Come on, lucky to be in the final 3 for the Hobey? What pipe have you been smoking from….lol…this is so pathetic and east-coast biased that I do not think I can take this sophomoric website any longer…..man, what a piece of crap for commentary. I am actually embarrassed for USCHO….certainly the salaries these guys are pulling down cannot draw much talent…so sad. You make this tool Lordy seem tame by comparison. Frattin does not have anyone who even comes close to his abilities…..not even close!! You take a mistake (or whatever you want to call it…whatever makes for the best propaganda…) and then he makes a about face, fights his way back onto the team and is now a perfect example of how anyone can make up for past mistakes and be successful…you want to take this GREAT story and use it AGAINST Frattin? How pathetic and righteous is that? I cannot believe all the people on here saying how Frattin “got drunk” and “did this” and “did that”….like it was some kind of major crime. Tell me one single person who has not committed a mistake in their lives? Does this mean you should not be allowed to prove yourself again? I take the opposite viewpoint, I think Frattin’s travails in life ending up with a great success story should work in his favor….not against him. How great of a story is this to tell your kids about….what a great teaching tool. When I hear you people scream about Frattin’s exploits 2 years ago it makes me sick to my stomach…..who is going to throw the first stone seems to come to mind in this case….:) Lastly, these phony USCHO dudes have to find some way to get a jab in about Frattin and the WCHA. Their pathetic teams did not get past the quarter finals….did they win a single game in the tourney…..so this eastern-based web site uses some low-life commentator to jab Frattin in the back…how pathetic is this….really, how absolutely pathetic is this? I think USCHO should be renamed…..ECHO…lol…lol. Ok, time to go throw up.
    - Ed Trefzger
      @Suture1: Did you also hear my comments during the podcast that other committee members might look at Frattin’s turnaround and see it as a positive? Or did you turn off before that?
      Also, USCHO is headquartered in MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. The owner lives in Minnesota, the editor lives in Wisconsin and writers for USCHO are spread ALL OVER the country — otherwise they couldn’t cover every league. I know Minneapolis is east of Grand Forks, but it’s hardly east coast.
      - Suture1
        Ed, I may have come across a bit harsh, I apologize. I was tiring of the extreme negativity and grossly unfair treatment of Matt Frattin. People seem to view Frattin’s past as though this poor kid had literally killed someone. It really does upset me that there is so much weight put on the “off ice” business….I really do not understand how anyone can see his fall from grace…..and eventual rise to success (done in a very mature, honest and gracious manner). Again, how can this NOT be looked upon in a positive light. I was pushed over the edge when I heard that one line….”I thought Frattin was lucky to be in the final 3″..!! I think what bothered me Ed is that there are some great posters on here and then there are some young and/or immature ones that are pretty easy to ferret out after a sentence or two. But, Ed, when I heard the USCHO staff insinuate similar commentary on Frattin’s off ice issues I was forced to comment. Here is the deal Ed, I could be from any school or area of the country. I could actually argue against Frattin being the Hobey winner strictly due to his inferior skills to another candidate. However, I can assure you I would never vote against Frattin or any other player based on his misdeeds 2 years ago. This argument is not about hockey Ed, it’s all about our ability to give everyone a second chance. Again, if the “crime” committed was egregious then I think many of us might have a different take on this matter. But, this was a young kid who basically partied too much and got into trouble. How many times, in college, could this have happened to any of the readers on here? I think we all know the answer for many of us……many of us who have gone on to be successful in various arenas of life. I am very grateful I was given a second chance in my life……I took my chance and ran with it. I am sure there are many other readers who could say the same thing. So, Ed, I would feel a lot better if the staff at USCHO and the readers would be a little less righteous and a little more “real” about what actually happened with Frattin 2 years ago and what he has done to redeem himself.
        Ed, one last comment. I here you regarding the home office for USCHO. But, do you think I would expect any support for a Sioux player from a magazine/website based in Minnesota….lol….:) As far as the eastern bias goes I still believe there is a little extra love given to the eastern boys. Either this Midwestern-based magazine is trying to be overly careful to NOT be WCHA biased…..or the paychecks are being mailed from Boston…..lol (OK, just kidding) See you at the FF Ed…:)
      - Suture1
        Sorry for the typos…it is late…my bad…:)
    - Anonymous
      I am failing to see where my post was immature. I stated some on ice stats about the 3 top that favored Atkinson and Miele over Frattin.
      I then gave an opinion about expectations of College Athletes and how I do not think that anyone should be honored for this award that clearly states and requires acceptable behavior off the ice.
      How does this translate into the real world? If you get in trouble with the law and get fired from your job, once you get your life in order, do you deserve to get your job back?
      And No! This is not a teaching tool for children. What is it teaching? It is OK to screw up once, even twice, as long as you finally figure it out. and oh by the way, here is an award for finally understanding and meeting a simple expectation that 95% of the population already meets.
      Worst part is, you are probably a teacher! Thank God it is not in Minnesota!
- CRAMMY
  ok just remember that Frattin is NOT on a schlorship like all the other panzies in the hobey running….he is doing it without a schlorship and paying his own way for his senior year of college….and is still one, if not the best, college player in the country lb. 4 lb. chew on that suckas
Sioux
Though statistics weren’t kept of his time at Princeton, Hobey Baker is estimated to have scored over 120 goals and 100 assists in three years, an average of three goals and three assists per game.
Baker was known for his sportsmanship in the sport. In a game against Harvard on January 22, 1913 Baker took the only penalty of his collegiate career, for slashing; Princeton would lose the game 5–4 in overtime. He also visited opponents dressing room after every game to shake hands with each player.
His popularity was so great that when he joined the war, so many Princeton athletes followed his lead that the school had to cancel their hockey team for the 1917–18 season, as all five starting players for the team enlisted in the armed forces. Of the eleven players on the team the previous season, nine enlisted shortly after Baker.
It seems Hobey Baker was the Mother Teresa and Wayne Gretzky of college hockey. Who can measure up?
- Sioux Fan
  To be honest… Nobody! He was and is a true hero and this award remembers him accordinly
Sioux Fan
If you judge a player by his character in 2010-2011 then Frattin should win. No contest. North Dakota sets the bar high for performance on the ice and off the ice. And he is at the top of the class in arguably the best college hockey program in the nation.
The Sioux are seen as the favorite to win the national championship this season team leadership is a big part of their success. Among the Sioux players none have set the bar higher, have worked harder, or have pushed teammates to succeed more than Matt Frattin.
When he returned at the start of the season he was in the best physical condition of all the Sioux players. He leads the team in Goals and in Points but also is second in Shooting % at 19.9%. His offensive skills have been touted by many his main strength.
Most impressive aspect of his game is his defensive skills. More than anything he is a defensive forward. As a Sioux senior he has developed defensive skills that set him apart from other Hobey candidates. Sioux lead the WCHA in fewest goals against. He is a force in the defensive zone. It is difficult to knock him off his feet and he is capable of delivering devistating checks. He is 2nd in +/- for the Sioux with a +28 and serves on the penalty kill unit.
Check out his personal stats for yourself.
http://www.fightingsioux.com/fls/13500/stats/mhockey/2010-11/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND
- Anonymous
  Is the bar set at UND any higher then say Miami? Not sure how you prove that.
  Thank you for the personal stats. They are not quite as good as Meile’s, except for Goals.
  However, they forgot to include:
  Time in Jail
  Time on Probation
  Embarrassment to Program
  Character Discussions with Coaches
  As much as you want to sweep these under the rug and forget them. This is who Matt Frattin is.
  You are selling out your own character by having this character debate.
Racefnz
frattin deserves the award end of story he’s far and away the best college player period.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KBVOP7JEIJTGTBGPEMTI67KVLU J
all of the bickering is an insult to Mr. Baker…im sure frattin could care less about winning the award cuz hes playin for the title. Miele needs this cuz hes a free agent so good luck to him and well atkinson has a bad history before college so everyone can shutup yeah including sioux fans! miele and atkinson are one way players frattin will own the nhl like every sioux before him
Poney
The Hobey Baker is an award for the Best College Hockey Player of the Year. Not the Best Example of a Saint for a College Career. Vote accordingly!