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Pickin’ the Big Ten, Oct. 11-12, 2013

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Hey! It’s a big new world! It’s a B1G new world!

Okay. I’ll stop now.

This season, Drew Claussen and I are sharing Big Ten Hockey duties and every Friday, one or the other of us will post our picks. Drew is new to this game, so he doesn’t have a record from last year.

You know I do. You also know it isn’t very good.

Last season

Drew: NA
Paula: 130-100-29 (.557)

So far this season

Drew: 0-1-0 (.000)
Paula: 0-1-0 (.000)

I think you can see where this is going.

This weekend

There are eight games involving Big Ten teams this weekend. We’ll deal with the Tuesday Ohio State-Bowling Green tilt next week. The IceBreaker, the Ohio State-Miami and Northern Michigan-Wisconsin series are Friday-Saturday. Army plays Penn State in a single game Friday; Michigan plays RIT in a single game Saturday.

The IceBreaker Tournament

Drew: There’s nothing like predicting a tournament to start the season. Minnesota is hosting and appearing in the Ice Breaker Tournament for the third time; the Gophers won the tournament when it was played at the Xcel Energy Center in 2007. The Gophers have a combined 17-2-0 all-time record against the three other teams in this year’s Ice Breaker field (Mercyhurst, New Hampshire and Clarkson).

Paula: I like this field — and I like it for Minnesota’s chances. The Gophers and the Wildcats each won in exhibition last week while the Lakers lost in exhibition; these will be the first games for Clarkson. For more information on each team, check out Drew’s Minnesota preview, Chris Lerch’s take on Mercyhurst, Nate Owen’s Clarkson preview, and Dave Hendrickson’s New Hampshire season preview.

Drew’s picks: Minnesota defeats Mercyhurst, New Hampshire defeats Clarkson. Gophers over Wildcats in the championship game. (Shameless plug: I’ll be at Saturday’s championship game. Follow @drewclaussen on Twitter for live updates.)
Paula’s picks: Minnesota over Mercyhurst, 4-2; Minnesota over either Clarkson or New Hampshire, 4-2.

Miami vs. Ohio State

Drew: New head coach Steve Rohlik and his team will be tested right away during their home-and-home series with the Redhawks. Miami will return 20 players from last year’s team, including CCHA Player of the Year Austin Czarnik who had 40 points last season. The Redhawks also had the CCHA’s Rookie of the Year last season, Riley Barber. The series will be the first time the Buckeyes and Redhawks play each other as members of different conferences since 1979. The two played five times last season, Miami went 3-1-1 in those matchups.

Paula: While I love my new home state of Michigan, a series between the RedHawks and Buckeyes makes me wish that I could bend the space-time continuum, suspend my life as I know it, and live only for these two games this weekend. People outside of the former CCHA have no idea of the intensity of this rivalry. Ah, the sweet, sweet smell of good, old-fashioned hockey hatred! As Drew noted, the RedHawks are still loaded. As I said in my preview, the Buckeyes may get a bounce from their new head coach. Matthew Semisch has the skinny on the RedHawks.

Drew’s picks: Miami sweep.
Paula’s picks: There’s no way I’m picking a Miami sweep. No way. Of course, these two teams have been known to split by winning in each other’s barns, but I’m calling home wins. Miami 4-2, Ohio State 3-2

Northern Michigan at Wisconsin

Drew: A matchup between an old WCHA team and a new one. I’m interested to see how the Badgers start off this year. In the recent past they’ve been a team that has tended to get off to slow starts, but with the amount of experience in this year’s team there is really no excuse for that this season.

Paula: It’ll be interesting to see how both of these teams fare with very unfamiliar schedules this season, as they are both prone to starting slowly. The Wildcats have two exhibition wins already this season with five players accounting for six goals and two goalies splitting the games. The Badgers are playing their first games this weekend. Matt Wellens previews the Wildcats here, and Drew looks at Wisconsin, the team picked by the coaches to finish first in the Big Ten.

Drew’s picks: Wisconsin sweep.
Paula’s picks: It’s the third straight year in which Wisconsin opens its season against NMU, and the Wildcats are 3-1-0 in those games, having swept the Badgers in that series last season. Wisconsin 3-2, NMU 3-2.

Army at Penn State

Drew: With the government shutdown problem solved, in terms of college sports teams at least, Penn State will get to open up its new arena as planned. Army is a perfect first opponent for Penn State to open up a new building on national television too; the Black Knights have 12 wins over the last two seasons. In the battle of less-than-stellar team against less-than-stellar team, I see Penn State using the excitement level of playing in front of a large home crowd for the first time to its advantage.

Paula: When this game was threatened with cancellation, I knew that the idiots we have in Washington had gone too far. (Did you know that Asteroid Watch, NASA’s Twitter feed to alert us for objects coming too close to earth, is closed until the government decides to go back to work? We are doomed! Doomed! But I digress.)

The Nittany Lions are a wildcard in nearly every way this season. Mostly freshmen and sophomores, semi-tested last season, no one can predict what will happen in Happy Valley this year … with the exception, perhaps, of this game. I’m with Drew on this one. I think the excitement of opening Pegula Ice Arena will carry PSU past Army. Here’s my Penn State preview, and to read about Army, here’s what Dan Rubin says about Army.

Drew’s pick: Penn State 3-2
Paula’s pick: Penn State 3-2

Michigan vs. RIT

Drew: I doubted Michigan on Thursday, and it responded with an impressive 3-1 victory at home. RIT fell 4-1 to Colgate on Thursday. Michigan looked good in its early-season statement game; Luke Moffatt had two power-play goals on Thursday night. The Wolverines’ defense also played really well against a strong Boston College squad. Steve Racine only faced 21 shots in the game.

Paula: I, too, underestimated the Wolverines Thursday … and I feel great shame. It was a fantastic hockey game, with freshmen shining for both teams and a Michigan squad that outplayed BC. (Who knew?) My concerns in preseason were Michigan’s young defense and inconsistent goaltending; last night, the defense did not look young and the goaltending from Steve Racine was stellar. I was impressed — very impressed. And J.T. Compher? Look out.

Drew’s pick: Michigan 4-0
Paula’s pick: Check out Chris Lerch’s RIT preview for the good on the Tigers. This game has been sold out forever and the rabid RIT fans will make this a rockin’ good time. Michigan 3-2.

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Hockey East picks: Oct. 11-12

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Welcome back to another season of great hockey.

Other than Boston College, which snuck in a Thursday night game , everyone is 0-0-0.  Even Jimmy. For at least this week, he’s dead even with me. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Dave’s record-to-date: 0-0-0
Jim’s record-to-date: 0-0-0

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Oct. 11

Massachusetts at Boston University
Dave’s pick: For at least one game, David Quinn tops Jack Parker’s career winning percentage.
BU 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: I always feel like UMass is one of those teams that can surprise early on. But I can’t pick against BU at home in this one.
BU 3, UMass 2

Clarkson vs. New Hampshire (Icebreaker)
Dave’s pick: UNH gets off on the right foot to set up a likely title game with host Minnesota.
UNH 4, Clarkson 2
Jim’s pick: Clarkson is a team that Hockey East fans will become familiar with as the Golden Knights will play seven non-league games against Hockey East teams.
UNH 5, Clarkson 2

Alabama Huntsville at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: I expect a tough season for the Huskies, but not so tough that at home they can’t easily handle a team that went 3-21-1 last year.
NU 5, UAH 1
Jim’s pick: I agree NU will win, but I don’t think it will be such a blow away.
NU 3, UAH 1

Minnesota State at Providence
Dave’s pick: Can the Friars take the next step up this season? This will be a tough, early test, fortunately one taken at home.
PC 3, MSU 2
Jim’s pick: Minnesota State was a major part of the undoing for the Friars bid for the NCAA tournament a season ago.
PC 4, MSU 2

Maine at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: I’d feel better about Maine’s chances in this one if it were at the Alfond.
SLU 3, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: I can flip a coin here as not sure what to expect from either of these teams.
SLU 4, Maine 2

Sacred Heart at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: This one should be like taking candy from babies. A Frozen Four team last year vs. one that went 2-30-4. If the River Hawks lose this one, Lowell should fire Norm Bazin.  (Folks, that’s a joke. Okay, okay. My humor isn’t yet in mid-season form.)
UML 6, SH 1
Jim’s pick: Sacred Heart did struggle a year ago but were a strong team the last month of the season. Even if that carries over, I think Lowell should win this one.
UML 4, SH 2

Western Michigan at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: The two old CCHA rivals meet again with home ice proving decisive.
ND 3, WMU 2
Jim’s pick: Should be a good contest between these two teams that have been strong in the CCHA in recent years.
ND 2, WMU 1

Vermont at North Dakota
Dave’s pick: Much as I like to pick against the Sioux and rile up the easily-riled-up lunatic fringe component of their fan base (most of whom are great fans), I prefer to win the picks race.
UND 4, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: Vermont has a lot of prove this year but I don’t know that Grand Forks is the best place to prove it.
UND 4, UVM 2

Merrimack at Denver
Dave’s pick: I’m optimistic about the Warriors’ chances and they should get off to a strong start with all their returning players. But taking on Denver in Denver is a daunting task.
DU 3, MC 2
Jim’s pick: I feel like Merrimack can win one of these games. The questions is which one. I’ll go against Dave here and pick the Warriors in the series opener.
MC 4, DU 3

Saturday, Oct. 12

Mercyhurst/Minnesota vs New Hampshire (Icebreaker)
Dave’s pick: I like the Wildcats over Mercyhurst, but not over last year’s WCHA regular season champion on its own ice.
UNH 3, MU 2; UM 4, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: Agree with Dave. If Minnesota makes the final, they win.
UNH 5, MU 2; UM 3, UNH 1

Holy Cross at Boston University
Dave’s pick: The biggest tests for David Quinn and the Terriers lie further ahead.
BU 4, HC 2
Jim’s pick: Holy Cross always plays well in non-league games and will be a decent test for BU. I still think the Terriers prevail.
BU 3, HC 2

Alabama Huntsville at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: The Huskies polish off an easy sweep.
NU 5, UAH  2
Jim’s pick: Again, don’t think it will be easy but do believe this weekend will be a sweep.
NU 4, UAH 3

Minnesota State at Providence
Dave’s pick: The Friars might use home ice to pull off the sweep, but historically Minnesota State plays well on the road.  I’m going with a split, and praying I don’t pick it the wrong way.
MSU 2, PC 1
Jim’s pick: Unlike Dave, I think Providence will be focused and earn the sweep.
PC 4, MSU 2

Maine at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: Here’s a two-game series that would be a split on neutral ice, but I’m going with the Saints sweeping at home. A rocky start for new Maine coach Red Gendron.
SLU 3, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: I want to pick a split here but worry that the Saints are too good at home.
SLU 3, Maine 2

Massachusetts at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: A tough opening weekend for the Minutemen.
UML 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: Lowell takes the first game of the Alumni Cup series this year.
UML 5, UMass 2

Notre Dame at Western Michigan
Dave’s pick: The Broncos salvage a split back at home.
WMU 3, ND 2
Jim’s pick: I think this is actually a series Notre Dame will sweep.
ND 4, WMU 2

Vermont at North Dakota
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts will return home licking their wounds.
ND 4, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: This will be another close game but I like NoDak to sweep.
ND 3, UVM 2

Merrimack at Denver
Dave’s pick: I’d like to predict that the Warriors will eek out at least a point, but Denver’s too tough at home .
DU 4, MC 3
Jim’s pick: Denver bounces back to earn a split.
DU 3, MC 2

Sunday, Oct. 13

Rensselaer at Boston College
Dave’s pick: The Eagles may have lost to Michigan on Thursday, but they’re not going to open 0-2.
BC 4, RPI 2
Jim’s pick: RPI is a good team but this is an important game that the Eagles won’t take lightly.
BC 5, RPI 2

10/11/13 WCHA picks: Alaska-Anchorage hosts Kendall Hockey Classic

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Ferris State kicked off the WCHA’s 2013-14 regular season a week ago by splitting with the ECAC’s Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y. — a 7-4 win Friday and 1-0 loss Saturday — and will take the weekend off before playing another nonconference game on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the other nine conference members are all in action on Friday and Saturday, with Bowling Green State playing again on Tuesday as well.

Here are the picks.

 

Kendall Hockey Classic at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage

Friday

Air Force vs. Alaska

Matt: Thanks to the government shutdown, the Falcons have found themselves in a constant state of limbo. They’ll be in Anchorage this weekend, but in what kind of shape? The trip to Alaska is tough as it is, it has to be even tougher not knowing until the last minute whether you are going or not. Alaska 2-1.

Shane: I’m with you on the shutdown. That can’t be easy, twisting in the wind like that, wondering if you’re going to play. The Nanooks have a pretty solid group back from the only team, other than Minnesota State, to have a winning record among the teams that make up the new WCHA. Alaska 3-1.

No. 10 Quinnipiac at Alaska-Anchorage

Matt: The Seawolves start their rebuilding against a very tough challenge in Quinnipiac, one that’s probably too much to overcome this early in the season. Quinnipiac 4-1

Shane: Quinnipiac isn’t the same team as last year’s Frozen Four squad, but it’s still an uphill battle for Anchorage. Quinnipiac 4-2.

Saturday

No. 10 Quinnipiac vs. Alaska

Matt: I tend to think more highly of Alaska than others in the league, but not enough to take them over the 2012-13 national runners up. The Bobcats really impressed me last year in the tournament. Quinnipiac 3-1

Shane: I’m going the other way here. No Eric Hartzell for Qunnipiac. Alaska’s John Keeney will be the better goalie. Alaska 2-1.

Air force vs. Alaska-Anchorage

Matt: If it wasn’t for the chaos surrounding the shutdown, I would have taken Air Force over Alaska. I think the Falcons rebound Saturday. Air Force 2-0

Shane: In what is basically the third-place game, I like Air Force as well. Air Force 3-1

 

Friday-Saturday

Robert Morris at Lake Superior State

Matt: The Lakers and Colonials were once rumored as possible league-mates when the CCHA was eyeing former College Hockey American teams in the East to save itself. I’m not sure those rivalries would have played out very well. LSSU 2-1, RMU 3-1

Shane: I’m still getting to know the former CCHA teams but was surprised to see Lake Superior drop its exhibition game to the U.S. Under-18 team. The Lakers are honoring their 1988 National Championship team this weekend. That might fire them up for one win. I’m with Matt here with a series split. LSSU 2-1, RMU 4-2

 

Alabama-Huntsville at Northeastern

Matt: This is the Chargers only series before opening WCHA play on Oct. 25-26 against Bemidji State. They’ll have to use the trip to Boston almost as a preseason series to fine tune things. Northeastern 4-1, 3-1

Shane: I’m curious to see what a stable Huntsville team can do, one with a coaching staff in place and recruits who knew they were coming to a program that’s sticking around for a while. It will take coach Mike Corbett some time to get things going, and I also see a Northeastern sweep. Northeastern 5-1, 2-1

 

No. 11 Minnesota State at No. 14 Providence

Matt: Picked to win the WCHA by the coaches and media, other NCAA tourney hopefuls in the league, like Ferris State, would welcome a Mavericks sweep. That’s tough to do opening weekend on the road. Providence 3-1, MSU 4-3

Shane: The Mavericks swept the Friars in Mankato last season, but Providence was without All-American goalie Jon Gillies. It will be Gillies vs. Stephon Williams, the best goalie from Hockey East vs. the best from the WCHA. They’ll split, with MSU taking the opener and the Friars coming back. MSU 3-1, Providence 2-1

 

Bemidji State at No. 9 St. Cloud State

Matt: It’s the first series at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center since it’s grand re-opening this fall. That will be a tough environment for the Beavers to win in. SCSU 4-1, 3-1

Shane: Bemidji’s tough schedule opens in a really tough spot. The Huskies will be raising banners, and the crowd will be into it. The Beavers are going to have trouble scoring goals this season. St. Cloud sweeps. SCSU 3-1, 5-1

 

Michigan Tech at Minnesota Duluth

Matt: Another matchup between former WCHA rivals, which was dominated by the Bulldogs last season. All the Huskies could manage was a tie. Both of Tech’s losses in Duluth were by a goal, however. UMD 3-2, Tech 4-3

Shane: I think Michigan Tech is a top-three team in the WCHA. The Huskies will stun the Bulldogs in the first game, but Duluth will bounce back for the series split. Tech 5-2, UMD 3-2

 

Bowling Green State at Union

Matt: With Ryan Carpenter reportedly having surgery on a broken hand today, the Falcons are really going to have to rely on Dan DeSalvo offensively. Union 2-0, BGSU 2-1

Shane: That’s a big blow for Bowling Green off the bat, and Union was an NCAA team last season. Union sweeps a pair of close games. Union 2-1, 2-1

 

Northern Michigan at No. 3 Wisconsin

Matt: The Badgers have struggled in season-opening series against NMU the last two seasons, losing three of the last four all in Wisconsin (NMU swept UW in Green Bay last year). NMU has won three of its last four games in the Kohl Center dating back to January of 2009. NMU 3-2, UW 5-2

Shane: My first thought was to pick a sweep by the Badgers, the nation’s third-ranked team, but Matt’s pulled up some impressive stats. I’ll flip-flop the split, with Wisconsin winning the series opener and Northern pulling off an upset on Saturday. UW 4-2, NMU 2-1

 

Tuesday

Ohio State at Bowling Green State

Matt: The only win the Falcons could steal from the Buckeyes last year in their final season together in the CCHA was in a shootout, which doesn’t really count. Both teams meet again Oct. 29 in Columbus. OSU 2-1

Shane: I’ll take a Bowling Green bounce-back here. There will be a hangover for Ohio State’s tumultuous offseason. BGSU 3-1

 

Ferris State at Mercyhurst

Matt: The Bulldogs and Lakers were once league rivals in everything but hockey in Division II’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Lakers are participating in the IceBreaker in Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday while the Bulldogs are off. For once, a Bulldogs team will be the well rested ones after a seven hour trip from Big Rapids, Mich. to Erie, Pa. FSU 4-2

Shane: I’ll go with Matt on this one. FSU 4-2

Atlantic Hockey Picks Oct. 11-17

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Last Week:
Dan: 1-2
Chris: 2-1

On the season:
Dan 1-2 (.333)
Chris 2-1 (.667)

This Week’s Picks

Friday, October 11th:
Army at Penn State
Dan:For all the confusion this week as to if Army would even get to play in this game, Penn State’s been marching to this day for three years.  Penn State 3, Army 1.
Chris: There would have a been a lot of hype leading up to the opening on Penn State’s $80 million Pegula Arena anyway, but the Government Shutdown kept Army’s participation up in the air until just a few days ago. I think Penn State comes out flying. Penn State 4, Army 1.

Air Force vs. Alaska
Dan:Air Force tied the Nanooks last year after not playing Jason Torf for the first period.  Had Torf played the whole game, I’m pretty sure the Falcons would’ve won.  Alaska returns enough to compete, but I’m going Air Force.  Air Force 2, Alaska 1.
Chris: The Falcons have been dealing with the same uncertainty as Army, so I think they’ll be happy to just play. I like the Nonooks in a close one.  Alaska 2, Air Force 1.

Sacred Heart at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dan: Massachusetts-Lowell is a preseason favorite to win the national championship.  Sacred Heart, while starting to improve, is not.  Lowell 6, Sacred Heart 0.
Chris: The Pioneers are thrown into the fire right away, opening against the No. 1 team in the nation. I doubt they’ll win, but a good showing will set the tone for a better season. Lowell 5, Sacred Heart 1.

Mercyhurst at Minnesota
Dan: If Mercyhurst wants to be a championship contender, it starts with a win opening the Big Ten era for the Gophers.  But I just think Minnesota is too big, too strong, and too talented.  Minnesota 4, Mercyhurst 1.
Chris: The numbers are not on Mercyhurst’s side. The Lakers are winless in 14 previous season openers as a Division I program. Their last and only meeting against Minnesota was in the 2003 NCAA tournament, a 9-2 Gopher win. Laker coach Rick Gotkin has often joked that his team was so mismatched, he asked for his time out in warmups. I think this one will be closer, but not close enough.Minnesota 4, Mercyhrust 2.

 

Saturday, October 12th:
Canisius at Niagara
Dan: The storylines running through this game are thick and bold.  Niagara’s the resident big dog, knocked off by the team that would eventually win the league title.  Canisius wants us to believe they are a big dog in their own right.  Goaltending wins it.  Canisius 3, Niagara 2.
Chris: The first AHA conference game of the season is a blockbuster. These rivals pick up where they left off, with Canisius upsetting the top-seeded Purple Eagles in the playoff semifinals last season. I think Canisius wins the rematch. Canisius 4, Niagara 3.

Holy Cross at Boston University
Dan: Holy Cross sells everyone on not rebuilding so much as reloading.  But this David Quinn’s first game, and I’ve seen first hand how hungry the Terriers are becoming.  BU 3, Holy Cross 1.
Chris: I think this will be a down year for the Crusaders compared to their last two seasons, but a strong showing here could prove me wrong. BU 3, Holy Cross 1.

Michigan at Rochester Institute of  Technology
Dan: RIT beat Michigan last year, and Michigan hosts Boston College on Thursday.  That adds up to an 0-1 Michigan team coming in steaming mad and hungry for a win.  Michigan 4, RIT 1.
Chris: The Tigers sold out their homecoming game (10,466) for the fourth consecutive year, but so far they’re 1-1-1 in those contests, and haven’t faced an opponent this strong. Michigan 5, RIT 1.

Rensselaer at Sacred Heart
Dan: RPI is the preseason favorite to win ECAC, a league that sent two teams to the national title game last year.  That’s enough for me. RPI 4, Sacred Heart 1.
Chris: This one’s at Bridgeport, which should help RPI. The Milford Ice Pavillion’s a tougher place to play for visiting teams, especially if they haven’t been there before. RPI 5, Sacred Heart 1.

Air Force at Alaska-Anchorage
Dan: UAA is going to surprise a few people this year in the new WCHA.  I’m not sure if this is an upset or not, but I’m taking the Seawolves  UAA 3, Air Force 2.
Chris: I think Air Force is the better team, and can overcome the home-ice advantage by the Seawolves. Air Force 3, UAA 2.

Clarkson/New Hampshire vs. Mercyhurst
Dan: Mercyhurst’s first win is going to ride on who they’re playing.  I don’t think they can beat UNH, but if it’s Clarkson?  The Lakers can’t lose if they want to supplant Niagara atop the league.  UNH 3, Mercyhurst 1; Mercyhurst 3, Clarkson 1.
Chris: I was going to take Mercyurst if it plays Clarkson, but that was before the Golden Knights swept Niagara last weekend. I’m picking either UNH or CU to win this one. UNH 4, Mercyhurst 2 or Clarkson 3, Mercyhurst 1.

 

Friday, October 11th and Saturday October 12th:
Bentley at Nebraska-Omaha
Dan: Bentley always puts a scare into teams when they go on the road; they led Michigan two years ago and did it again last year.  But UNO will come back and take both games.  UNO 4, Bentley 1; UNO 4, Bentley 2.
Chris: UNO and Bentley are both picked to finish around the same place in their respective league standings, but the new NCHC is obviously stronger top to bottom. UNO 3, Bentley 1; UNO 4, Bentley 2.

Robert Morris at Lake Superior
Dan:Lake Superior comes across like a sneaky good team in the WCHA.  Robert Morris is a sneaky good team in the AHA.  It’ll come down to goaltending, where LSSU returns a two-player tandem, but I still think Robert Morris steals one.  LSSU 3, RMU 1; RMU 2, LSSU 1.
Chris: Robert Morris was an excellent 5-1-1 in non-conference games last season, and I think should earn a split here despite breaking in some new goaltending. LSSU 3, RMU2; RMU 3, LSSU 2.

 

Tuesday, October 15th:
Ferris State at Mercyhurst:
Dan: I feel like Mercyhurst is getting a raw deal on an aggressive out-of-conference schedule.  I keep picking against them, but I know they’re a good team.  Ferris State 4, Mercyhurst 2.
Chris: The Lakers don’t play many non-conference games at home, so that will be a plus. But Mercyhurst has never been especially strong at home, and Ferris looks to be very tough this season. FSU 3, Mercyhurst 2.

 

Wednesday, October 16th:
Bentley at Sacred Heart
Dan: This is the first true test for Bentley after a disastrous end to last year.  Bentley 4, Sacred Heart 1.
Chris: Bentley needs to get off on the right foot in league play, and Sacred Heart needs this even more. I think this will be closer than expected. Bentley 2, Sacred Heart 1.

NCHC picks: Oct. 11

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8 DEC 2012: Austin Czarnik (Miami - 7), Matt Bruneteau (LSSU - 27) The Lake Superior State Lakers shut out the Miami RedHawks 1-0 at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford, OH. (USCHO - Rachel Lewis) (Tim Brule)

Welcome, to the inaugural season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. I and Matthew Semisch will be co-columnists this year for the conference. In addition to a Monday morning wrap blog and our weekly column, Matthew and I will be picking the games every Friday. To add a little spice, much like I do with women’s D-I columnist Arlan Marttila, Matthew and I have decided to have a little contest. The winner of the season picks race gets a six pack of beer from the loser. Each week, we’ll keep you updated on the race. Shootout wins will be worth a win, while a shootout loss will count as a tie. We will pick all NCHC games each week. Also, the win has to be picked on the correct date. Friday pick will be listed first, Saturday second if one of us is picking a split.

Here are our first week prognostications.

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12

Merrimack at Denver
Candace: I’ve been covering Denver since 2006, and it’s very strange to contemplate the bench without George Gwozdecky on it. DU looked a little rough in its exhibition loss last weekend to New Brunswick. I think goals are going to be hard to come by for the Pioneers, especially early. Merrimack 4-2, 4-3
Matthew: To me, this is our toughest series of the weekend to call. Merrimack was leading Hockey East as late as February last season, but couldn’t find the net often enough to really keep the ball rolling. Very little is gone from last season’s core Warriors group, and they’re on the road this week at a Denver team that lost its exhibition game last weekend to New Brunswick and has a new head coach in Jim Montgomery and 10 freshmen. I can see Merrimack pulling out a win from this series — Friday seems more likely to me — but Denver should win at least one of these games. Merrimack 2-1, Denver 3-1

Western Michigan vs. Notre Dame (home-and-home; at ND Fri.; at WMU Sat.)
Candace: I got some grief from Broncos fans for picking them last in the conference, but to me, until the freshmen prove themselves, offense looks iffy for Western Michigan. A tie in at least one of these games wouldn’t surprise me. I’ll pick home ice for each. Notre Dame 3-1, Western Michigan 2-1
Matthew: The Broncos and Fighting Irish are no strangers to each other, having been CCHA league rivals before the teams moved to the NCHC and Hockey East, respectively. Both clubs are looking to start life in their new eras brightly, and I have a feeling they’ll cancel each other out in this home-and-home series. These could be a very entertaining series in which I think they’ll have to settle for a win apiece. Notre Dame 3-1, Western Michigan 3-2

Miami vs. Ohio State (home-and-home; at OSU Fri., at Miami Sat.)
Candace: Miami is one of the favorites for the conference title this year. Ohio State has moved on to the Big Ten, but I don’t expect their fortunes to improve very quickly, especially since they have a new coach. Look for the RedHawks to roll both nights. Miami 4-1, 4-0
Matthew: Ohio State had a rough off season in which it fired head coach Mark Osiecki, who seemed to have the Buckeyes going in the right direction. They looked great last Saturday in their 9-1 preseason win over Toronto, but now they face a Miami team that won the CCHA last season despite having a dozen freshmen. I’d give OSU a better chance here if they hadn’t lost superb goaltender Brady Hjelle to graduation, but I think the RedHawks find a way to win in Columbus and then roll at home in Oxford in the rematch. Miami 2-1, 4-0

Bemidji State at St. Cloud State
Candace: I picked St. Cloud to win the conference this year. St. Cloud did lose three big players in LeBlanc, Hanowski, and Jensen, but they return a ton of talent, especially Nic Dowd and Jonny Brodzinski. Plus, opening the season in their newly christened arena should give them extra incentive. Look for the Huskies to prevail in both. St. Cloud 4-1, 4-2
Matthew: St. Cloud’s only exhibition game this season isn’t until after New Year’s, so Friday’s tilt against former WCHA foe Bemidji State will be the Huskies’ first game at the renovated and renamed Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. Whether SCSU can replicate last season’s Frozen Four run and fully make up for the departures of Drew LeBlanc, Ben Hanowski and Nick Jensen, we’ll see, but the Huskies return plenty of impact players at every position and should do well this weekend if they solve Andrew Walsh, BSU’s very underrated goaltender. St. Cloud 3-1, 4-1

Michigan Tech at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: Minnesota-Duluth was young last year, and is even younger this season. However, the Bulldogs could be underrated a bit this year, and I could see them finishing anywhere from fourth to sixth in the NCHC. Last season, Duluth took three wins and a tie with the Huskies. I think the Bulldogs should sweep at home. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 3-2
Matthew: The 2012-13 season gave a young UMD team a bumpy ride, but I saw enough from Bulldog pups like forwards Austin Farley and Tony Cameranesi and defenseman Andy Welinski to think that things can be brighter for Duluth in the new campaign. As for this week, though, we’ve got two teams who have a lot of question marks on the defensive end, and I think we’ll be in for a pair of high-scoring games in this series. Michigan Tech 3-2, Minnesota-Duluth 4-2.

Vermont at North Dakota
Candace: Historically, Dave Hakstol teams start slow, and North Dakota lost top scorers Danny Kristo and Corban Knight to graduation. Nevertheless, Vermont doesn’t have enough to take advantage of what could be a feeling-out period for North Dakota. North Dakota 4-1, 4-1
Matthew: This season’s UND team is one of the youngest coach Dave Hakstol has ever had in Grand Forks, N.D., but his group looked comfortable in last Sunday’s 3-0 win over Manitoba. This week, they welcome a Vermont team that finished last in Hockey East last season in both power play and penalty kill, and the Catamounts gave up an average of 3.03 goals per game in the 2012-13 campaign. Weird things can and often do happen in the first week of the season, but I’m taking UND to win both of these games. North Dakota 3-2, 3-1

Bentley at Nebraska-Omaha
Candace: Nebraska-Omaha was very up and down last season, but for the most part, Atlantic Hockey squads haven’t done well against other conferences outside ECAC. However, Bentley is much more experienced than last year, and brings back two AHA rookies of the year. I expect the Falcons to give the Mavericks a run for their money, but come up just short. Nebraska-Omaha 2-1, 3-1
Matthew: Although questions surround UNO’s defense and goaltending, the Mavericks looked good at every position Monday in a 6-1 exhibition win over the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Bentley should be a better team this season than the group of Falcons that had the personnel to contend for the Atlantic Hockey title in 2012-13 but finished 10th in the league. Most of last year’s Bentley team is back, including senior forward Brett Gensler who is coming off of back-to-back 40-point campaigns, but UNO has enough offensive firepower that it should overpower its visitors this weekend. Nebraska-Omaha 4-1, 4-2

Women’s D-I picks: Oct. 11

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Well, after one week, I am already in the hole to Arlan in the our annual picks race. Last year, I had to make a strong second half comeback to win; hopefully, with some picks this week, I can catch up. Last week, I went 9-5-1 (.633), while Arlan went 10-4-1 (.700). We’ve got some intriguing matchups, so on to the picks.

Friday, Oct. 11

Northeastern at Union
Candace: I was really surprised that the Huskies fell to Syracuse last week. If they go down to Union, it could shape up to be a long campaign for Northeastern. Northeastern 3-1
Arlan: Union has already demonstrated a big variance from game to game; the Huskies vary from period to period. Northeastern 3-1

Boston University at Rensselaer
Candace: RPI looked good last week, and is at home, but I can’t pick against the Terriers just yet. Boston University 3-1
Arlan: RPI has shown improvement already; BU is a complete mystery, so Sperry may need to win this one. Boston University 2-1

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12

St. Lawrence at Boston College
Candace: St. Lawrence going down to Clarkson is a big reason Arlan has a lead on me already. BC is at home, and even with Alex Carpenter off at the Olympics, I expect the Eagles have enough for a sweep. Boston College 4-3, 4-2
Arlan: SLU started with a rugged schedule last season as well, making a mess of its early win-loss record. Boston College 4-2, 3-1

Clarkson vs. Syracuse
Candace: Syracuse surprised me last week in knocking off Northeastern, but Clarkson is looking like one of the best teams in the country right now. Clarkson 5-1, 4-2
Arlan: The Orange look legitimate, but the Golden Knights are the safest bet playing right now. Clarkson 5-3, 2-0

St. Cloud State at Ohio State
Candace: Ohio State was another surprise in beating Mercyhurst on the road last week. Could it be a harbinger of better things in Ohio? Ohio State 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: I expect both the Huskies and Buckeyes to be in a lot of close games this season. Ohio State 2-1, 3-2

Wisconsin at Minnesota
Candace: Wisconsin looked good last week, especially with Brittany Ammerman back, and has the better goalie. Someone is bound to end Minnesota’s streak this year. If this series was in Madison, I’d probably pick differently. Minnesota 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: I’d answer, “Yes,” if the question was, “Will Wisconsin end the winning streak?” Minnesota 2-1, 3-2

Robert Morris at Bemidji State
Candace: Robert Morris didn’t look particularly inspiring last week at home. Now they are on the road. Which Colonials team shows up? Bemidji State 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: An attempt at predicting an RMU split last week resulted in an 0-for; grudgingly, I’ll try again. Bemidji State 2-1, Robert Morris 3-0

Saturday, Oct. 12

Boston University at Union
Candace: Look for Boston University to start the year 2-0. Boston University 5-1
Arlan: If Union wins here, then we know it will be a different season for the Dutchwomen. Boston University 4-0

Northeastern at Rensselaer
Candace: It might say something that a player who didn’t have a point in 12 games last year, and only had one point in 30 games entering this season, leads Northeastern in scoring. I’ll go with home ice. Rensselaer 4-2
Arlan: I had no idea, so I asked Siri and was told, “Sorry, Arlan, I don’t know the answer to that one,” but she did find me a link to an RPI game from 2009. That was helpful. Rensselaer 3-2

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13

Mercyhurst at Providence
Candace: The Friars looked iffy last week, and the Lakers have been playing better teams to date. The Lakers swept last year and I got burned picking a split in that series, so I’ll go with them, even if they are on the road. Mercyhurst 4-2, 4-3
Arlan: The Lakers are usually good in must-win games, and after two losses where they were the favorite, they must win at Providence. Mercyhurst 2-1, 5-4

Minnesota-Duluth at North Dakota
Candace: I thought I’d be able to pick against North Dakota more this year since they are without the Lamoureux sisters, but I think they have offense, and while Minnesota-Duluth looked good last weekend, it was against Connecticut, and I can’t bring myself to see that as an indication the Bulldogs are back in the upper echelon. North Dakota 4-2, 5-2
Arlan: Blowouts or sweeps either way, splits, ties — nothing would be a surprise in this series. North Dakota 6-5, 1-0

WCHA teams have a new arrangement, but they’re not new

By Shane Frederick and Matt Wellens
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Minnesota State is the favorite to win the MacNaughton Cup in the first season of the new-look WCHA (photo: Jim Rosvold).

The big-name schools may have bolted for new conferences, but the teams that now make up the WCHA have pushed aside any hard feelings built up over the last 2½ years and finally embraced their identity.

Defined by who it is and not by who it is not, the WCHA may have a new look, but it’s anything but new.

Some programs have storied pasts, others have veteran coaches and almost all, the coaches agree, are located in places where the sport remains important.

“Hockey is in the fabric of the universities as well as the communities,” Ferris State coach Bob Daniels said. “It brings the campus and the community together. It’s a league where hockey is valued in the community as well as on campus.”

Minnesota State, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and Alaska-Anchorage are the WCHA holdovers. They’ve been joined by Ferris State, Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, Bowling Green and Alaska from the CCHA and former independent Alabama-Huntsville.

Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore ran down the WCHA’s new resume during a league conference call, citing the small-college national titles won by his team, Minnesota State and Huntsville in their previous incarnations; the eight Division I championships won by Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State, Northern Michigan and Bowling Green; Ferris State’s appearance in the Frozen Four and national-title game in 2012; as well as NCAA tournament appearances by MSU, NMU and Alaska in the last four years.

“It’s a league with great programs, the coaching staffs are unbelievable and the programs are part of the culture and fabric of their communities,” Serratore said, echoing Daniels. “It’s a heck of a league. “It’s going to be very competitive.”

Minnesota State, an NCAA tournament team last spring, was the overwhelming choice to win the league by coaches and media, but second-year coach Mike Hastings isn’t expecting any walkovers, especially when his team hits the road for some unfamiliar territory for the first time.

“I had an opportunity to go into [the CCHA] buildings [as a Nebraska-Omaha assistant],” he said. “They’re going to have an education when we go into Ferris State, Lake State, Northern Michigan, Bowling Green — places a lot of them haven’t been before. … They’re going to be difficult places to play.”

With the absence of some of college hockey’s power schools (nine former WCHA and CCHA members are in the preseason USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll), several teams believe they have a shot at the MacNaughton Cup.

“It’s exceptionally close,” Northern Michigan coach Walt Kyle said. “That’s the beauty of the league. There are so many like programs competing against each other, and that’s going to be healthy for this league. … Any team can win a championship, and that was not necessarily the case in the past.”

Even the rookie coaches agree.

“The parity in this league is really strong,” Alaska-Anchorage’s Matt Thomas said. “There’s an opportunity for whoever comes out of our tournament. They’re going to be tough to handle in the NCAA tournament.”

Smooth transition

After nearly 2½ years of work and worries, WCHA officials and teams are glad they’re finally ready to drop the puck on a new era.

“It’s been a long haul to get here,” commissioner Bruce McLeod said. “But now that it’s here I feel like a young kid with a new toy.”

During their preseason conference call with the media, several coaches, especially those from the former CCHA, had high praise for how the league put itself back together again after the big conference shakeup.

Daniels called the transition “seamless,” for Ferris State, while Lake Superior State coach Jim Roque said his program “never felt like a stepchild,” but rather “a good partner” throughout the process.

Rivalries renewed

College hockey conference realignment resulted in a college hockey reunion for the NCAA’s programs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the 49th state.

Besides the three seasons Michigan Tech was a part of the CCHA in the early 1980s, the Huskies, Wildcats and Lakers have never been in the same league.

The Wildcats and Huskies, who have always maintained a rivalry, were league foes from 1981 to 1984 in the CCHA and during the ‘Cats 13 seasons in the WCHA from 1984 to 1997.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are playing their first WCHA season ever after 46 years in the CCHA.

“It’s awesome that us, Tech and Northern are finally in the same league and going to compete with each other,” Roque said. “It’s only a natural thing.”

The last time Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage were league rivals was in the Great West Hockey Conference from 1985 to 1988 when the Nanooks were still called Alaska-Fairbanks.

Both were independents from 1979 to 1985 and 1988 to 1993.

“It’s as good as it is in college hockey,” Alaska coach Dallas Ferguson said about the rivalry between the Nanooks and Seawolves. “It goes beyond just the hockey team. It’s the entire university. It’s both communities.”

This season also brings together Bemidji State and Alabama-Huntsville, who played together in now-defunct College Hockey America from 1999 to 2010.

The Beavers and Minnesota State are also the lone Minnesota schools remaining in the league after all five of the state’s schools played in the WCHA the last three seasons.

WCHA TV is born

While the new NCHC and Big Ten chased down traditional media deals with established television networks, the WCHA pursued a different course online, partnering with America One Sports to create WCHA TV.

The service allows fans to watch all 140 league games live online at WCHA.com through their Mac or PC by paying for a daily ($8), monthly ($45) or season pass ($150). The prices do not include mobile access for Android and iOS tablets and smartphones; that’s an extra $1 per day.

In comparison, the NHL Gamecenter Live online streaming package is $125 for a season and includes mobile access.

America One Sports director of programming Bruce LeVine said 90 percent of the broadcasts will be in high definition.

LeVine said WCHA TV is the first time America One Sports has rolled out a league-wide platform that spans so many time zones, from UAH and BGSU in the east to the Nanooks and Seawolves in Alaska.

“We’re excited to be a part of it and the ability on a Friday night to hook it up to your big screen in HD and watch five games simultaneously or one after the other,” LeVine said. “I think this is going to be a great benefit not only for the fans but for the branding of the new launch of the WCHA.”

Final Five moves to Grand Rapids

After 13 consecutive seasons at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., and 15 years in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, the WCHA Final Five relocates to Grand Rapids, Mich., for 2014 and 2016, while the Xcel hosts again in 2015 and 2017.

The 10,834-seat Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids is home of the reigning AHL champion Grand Rapids Griffins, an affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. It has also hosted NCAA regional tournaments, most recently last season.

McLeod said every time he visits Grand Rapids, he likes it more and more. He boasted it even has more restaurants in the arena district than St. Paul.

“I keep telling those people, this part of Michigan and Western Michigan is kind of like a secret a little bit. It’s really a nice, nice place,” McLeod said.

Ferris State’s campus is within 50 miles of Grand Rapids — BGSU is the next closest member at approximately 200 miles — and Daniels said the league is going to enjoy the new venue.

“For those who have never been there, it is unbelievable,” Daniels said. “It is an extremely welcoming community, a very safe community. It’s one of those big, small towns. I was down last year watching the Calder Cup Finals and stayed downtown. I had a great experience.”

Predicted order of finish

Click on a team’s name to see its full preview.

1. Minnesota State

The Mavericks have never had this kind of preseason hype before. Read more

2. Ferris State

Goalie CJ Motte looks to backstop the Bulldogs to their second conference title in three years. Read more

3. Michigan Tech

WCHA coaches are expecting the Huskies to make a huge jump in the third year of the Mel Pearson era. Read more

4. Bowling Green

The Falcons need more than just Ryan Carpenter to score if they want something other than postseason success. Read more

5. Alaska

The only team besides MSU that had a winning record last season. Read more

6. Northern Michigan

The Wildcats’ underachieving defensemen no longer have Jared Coreau in goal to bail them out. Read more

7. Bemidji State

The Beavers have one of the nation’s toughest early season schedules. Read more

8. Lake Superior State

Early signings are preventing the Lakers from moving up. Read more

9. Alaska-Anchorage

New coach Matt Thomas is trying to change the Seawolves’ culture. Read more

10. Alabama-Huntsville

Finally, there’s some stability with the Chargers’ program. Read more

Northern Michigan shakes up the lineup after rough final season in CCHA

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Reed Seckel scored 13 goals last season for Northern Michigan (photo: Northern Michigan Athletics).

After finishing 16th in the PairWise Rankings and just missing out on the NCAA tournament in 2011-12, Northern Michigan took a step backward last season, finishing 10th in the final season of the CCHA.

The result is a shakeup of the Wildcats’ lineup as they return to the WCHA — though a much different WCHA — after a 16-year absence.

From the goal line to the blue line to forward, the ‘Cats are going to look as different as the league they’re rejoining.

“We had some kids who did not compete and we made a decision a year ago we were going to have to change some faces and bring in a lot of new people,” said coach Walt Kyle, who was an assistant with the Wildcats during their last season in the WCHA in 1997.

“At some point this year, we think we’ll have eight or nine new faces in our lineup. Some of them won’t necessarily be freshmen.”

The Wildcats’ makeover begins in goal following the early departure of Jared Coreau to the Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins.

Mathias Dahlstrom, a 22-year-old redshirt freshman out of Sweden, was on campus all of last year but sat out the season due to eligibility issues. He’s the front-runner to replace Coreau but will be challenged by 2012-13 backup Michael Doan and true freshman Derek Dun.

“We knew there was a good chance we were going to lose Jared, so a year ago we brought in a Swede from the USHL named Mathias Dahlstrom,” Kyle said. “We had a chance to watch Mathias and work with Mathias all last year. We think he is a very good young goaltender and we think he will do a great job for us.”

Northern’s biggest shake-up will come on the blue line, where Kyle said his core defensemen failed to live up to expectations.

The exception to that is senior captain CJ Ludwig, who finished plus-1 with four goals and 15 assists.

He’ll get some help from a pair of Hockey East transfers in junior Luke Eibler out of Northeastern and Barrett Kaib of Providence. Eibler was on campus all of last year, while Kaib spent his year out of NCAA hockey playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.

“We thought that was going to be a real strong group for us a year ago, but we would up with some guys that had subpar seasons,” Kyle said. “We wound up with some injuries there, injuries up front. We had to move people around.”

Up front, NMU loses its leading scorer from 2012-13 in Matt Thurber (six goals, 26 assists) but gets back its next four leading scorers in junior Reed Seckel (13-12–25), senior Erik Higby (9-12–21), senior Stephan Vigier (7-14–21) and junior Ryan Daugherty (10-8–18).

In addition, true freshman Sami Salminen will join the lineup after sitting five games, while freshmen Gerard Hanson and John Siemer will join the team after Christmas.

“I think we’re going to be young, but I like our energy,” Kyle said. “I like where we are going. I think the group of people that we brought in gives us a good chance to be solid not only this year, but moving forward.”

About the Wildcats

2012-13 overall record: 15-19-4

2012-13 CCHA record: 9-15-4 (10th)

2013-14 predicted finish: Sixth

Key losses: G Jared Coreau, F Matt Thurber, D Scott Macaulay

Players to watch: D CJ Ludwig, F Reed Seckel, D Luke Eibler

Impact rookies: F Shane Sooth, F Dominik Shine, G Mathias Dahlstrom

Why the Wildcats will finish higher than predicted: The additions of transfer defensemen Eibler out of Northeastern and Barrett Kaib out of Providence should not only push, but vastly improve a position group that failed to live up to expectations last year, even with Coreau in goal. Freshmen forwards Sooth and Shine should bolster the offense and fill the void left by Thurber.

Why the Wildcats will finish lower than predicted: Northern is relying on a lot of youth this year to help improve the team and two of those players — Sami Salminen and Gerard Hanson — won’t be eligible at the start of the season. NMU is also relying on a rookie goaltender in Mathias Dahlstrom to replace its top player from a year ago in Coreau.

Experience, last season’s success have Minnesota State starting as the WCHA favorite

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Minnesota State captain Johnny McInnis scored 22 points last season (photo: Jim Rosvold).

Mike Hastings is taking nothing for granted.

His Minnesota State team is the overwhelming favorite to win the new-look WCHA, based on a strong collection of players returning from the only team in the current league to make the NCAA tournament last year.

“History doesn’t guarantee anything, except give you some information,” said Hastings, who is beginning his second season with the Mavericks.

History is there, however. Junior center Matt Leitner ranks fourth among the country’s top returning scorers, having racked up 47 points, including a national-best 22 on the power play.

Veterans Jean-Paul LaFontaine (35 points), captain Johnny McInnis (22) and Chase Grant (19), along with three second-year forwards — Dylan Margonari, Teddy Blueger and Bryce Gervais — had double-digit point totals last season.

Add to that the conference’s preseason favorite for rookie of the year, Zach Stepan, and the Mavericks have considerable depth on offense.

“We hope up front, at the forward position, is going to be a place of strength for us,” Hastings said. “We’re going to need those guys to set the pace for us.”

But Hastings clearly believes a statistical repeat of last year won’t be good enough to win the WCHA or get back to the national tournament. For one thing, the Mavericks need to replace the leadership and goal-scoring touch of Eriah Hayes.

Also, just before the season started, Minnesota State lost its fourth-leading scorer, senior Zach Lehrke, to a medical condition.

“We need some of our guys who had good years last year to continue that and maybe one-up that this year,” Hastings said. “Leitner had a good summer, and he’s going to need to have a good start.”

While opposing coaches may look at the Mavericks’ roster and see a loaded lineup, Hastings clearly expects progress from his players. That includes the conference’s best goaltender from a year ago, Stephon Williams, who was drafted by the New York Islanders over the summer.

“He has two people behind him in [freshman] Cole Huggins and [senior] Evan Karambelas, and for us to be successful, he needs to be pushed,” Hastings said. “So we’re hoping those two guys can put a little gas on Stephon and Stephon can take a step.”

Leitner, Williams and junior defenseman Zach Palmquist were preseason all-conference picks by the league coaches. Palmquist is coming off a 25-point season.

“He really came into his own, especially over the second half of the year,” Hastings said. “He’s a guy who can play both ends of the rink and help our power-play numbers.”

Senior Josh Nelson became a top-four defenseman last season. He was named an alternate captain this season, along with junior blueliner Brett Stern, who played in 37 games last season. Sophomore Jon Jutzi played in every game as a freshman.

About the Mavericks

2012-13 overall record: 24-14-3

2012-13 WCHA record: 16-11-1 (tie-fourth)

2013-14 predicted finish: First

Key losses: F Eriah Hayes, D Tyler Elbrecht, F Zach Lehrke

Players to watch: F Matt Leitner, F Jean-Paul LaFontaine, G Stephon Williams, D Zach Palmquist

Impact rookies: F Zach Stepan, F Mike Huntebrinker

Why the Mavericks will match their predicted finish: Their depth up front is as advertised and last year’s young defensemen take big steps.

Why the Mavericks will finish lower than predicted: They won’t be able to replace the leadership lost by the graduation of Hayes and Elbrecht.

Forgotten at times, Pietila appears ready for breakout year at Michigan Tech

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Blake Pietila’s 14 goals last season for Michigan Tech didn’t get him noticed enough to earn any votes for preseason recognition in the WCHA (photo: Tim Brule).

Michigan Tech coach Mel Pearson wasn’t kidding around when he said junior forward Blake Pietila was flying under the radar this preseason in the WCHA.

The 2011 New Jersey Devils fifth-round draft pick and 2013 World Junior Championship gold medalist from Brighton, Mich., received no votes from the media or coaches in the WCHA preseason awards, with Bowling Green coach Chris Bergeron — formerly of the CCHA — admitting he “totally forgot” Pietila was at Tech.

Even inside John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, Pietila was overlooked a year ago, Pearson said.

“Even on our team last year, a lot of people talk about [David] Johnstone or Alex Petan or [Jujhar] Khaira,” Pearson said.

“I know Blake Pietila has not got much credit so far this year, but he won a gold medal with the U.S. World Junior team last year. He’ll be one of our leaders up front, as well as Alex Petan.”

Pietila and Petan are set to lead a group of forwards Pearson said he was “really excited” about in 2013-14 despite Khaira — who was third in scoring for Tech with six goals and 19 assists as a freshman — signing over the summer with the Edmonton Oilers.

That’s because along four of the Huskies’ five leading scorers are back from 2012-13.

Petan, an All-WCHA preseason selection by the coaches and media as a sophomore, led Tech in scoring with 15 goals and 19 assists last season. Johnstone, a junior, was second with 10 goals and 19 assists.

Pietila finished fourth in scoring for Tech and second behind Petan in goals with 14 goals and 10 assists. Tanner Kero, another junior, was the fifth Huskies player to post double-digit goals with 11 and 13 assists.

Pearson said Kero is coming into his own as a junior and Johnstone is a good player as well. Pietila, however, is ready for a breakout year.

“Alex is an excellent player,” Pearson said. “I think he’s gotten a little more of the credit, but Blake does a lot of the little things. I think coming off that World Junior Championship last year, I think he’s anxious. Obviously, a New Jersey draft pick, he’s anxious and excited to get going this year.”

While Pearson is excited about his forwards, he admitted to being concerned about his defensemen.

Steven Seigo and Carl Nielsen are gone after playing all 37 games as seniors on the Tech blue line last year, as is Tommy Brown, who played in 11 games as a senior.

Junior Riley Sweeney is Tech’s top returning defenseman after scoring two goals and 11 assists in 37 games as a sophomore. Joining him will be senior Brad Stebner, who appeared in 35 games, and sophomore Walker Hyland, who played 23 games as a freshman, finishing with a plus-3 rating.

Backing them up in net will be sophomore goalie Pheonix Copley, who finished with a .900 save percentage and 3.22 GAA in 24 games last season.

“We’ll be young on defense,” Pearson said. “If we have one real question mark, it will be our defensemen. We lost three good players back there so we’ll have a nice blend of some seniors, some juniors and three freshmen.”

About the Huskies

2012-13 overall record: 13-20-4

2012-13 WCHA record: 8-16-4 (10th)

2013-14 predicted finish: Third

Key losses: F Jujhar Khaira, D Steven Seigo, D Carl Nielsen, G Kevin Genoe

Players to watch: F Alex Petan, F Blake Pietila, F David Johnstone, G Phoenix Copley, D Riley Sweeney

Impact rookies: F Brent Baltus, D Shane Hanna, F Mike Neville, D Cliff Watson

Why the Huskies will finish higher than predicted: All-WCHA preseason forward Petan and New Jersey Devils draft pick Pietila give the Huskies two of the better forwards in the WCHA, and they have a strong supporting cast with Johnstone and Tanner Kero, giving Tech one of the stronger groups of forwards in the league.

Why the Huskies will finish lower than predicted: Tech is young on defense after losing three senior defensemen from 2012-13, including two who appeared in all 37 games. In the preseason WCHA conference call, coach Mel Pearson said the Huskies could feature three freshmen on the blue line, putting extra pressure on sophomore goalie Pheonix Copley.

Lake Superior State trying to overcome players leaving early for pro ranks

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Kevin Kapalka is one half of the Lake Superior State senior goaltending tandem that includes Kevin Murdock (photo: Rachel Lewis).

The Lake Superior State Lakers have been hit hard the past two seasons by players leaving school early to sign professional contracts.

Kyle Jean and Zach Trotman left for the AHL after the 2011-12 season, and at the end of last year, junior forward Kellan Lain and sophomore forward Buddy Robinson both bolted for the AHL.

One player the Lakers thought would be turning pro, goaltender Kevin Kapalka, has remained in Sault Ste. Marie, however.

Kapalka’s commitment to the program has left coach Jim Roque in a position most coaches could only dream of.

With former Minnesota State goalie Kevin Murdock also back this year in royal blue and gold, the Lakers have two veteran senior goaltenders to turn to in the new WCHA.

“We brought [Murdock] in only because we thought Kapalka was going to sign,” Roque said. “[Kapalka] had such a good freshman year and there was all kinds of talk that summer that if he had another good year, he was going to turn pro. We felt like we needed to have a capable goalie, so we didn’t care that they were in the same class. That’s how we ended up with two senior goalies.”

Murdock (10-12) was the better goalie for the Lakers in 2012-13, posting a .930 save percentage that ranked third in the CCHA and a 2.51 GAA over 23 games, including 20 starts.

Battling a shoulder injury early in the year, Kapalka (7-9-1) played 21 games — started 19 — and finished with a .916 save percentage and 2.86 GAA. Like Murdock, Kapalka posted three shutouts.

“[Murdock] saved our season last year because we were kind of in a bit of trouble,” Roque said.

“It’s become a very healthy rivalry between [Murdock] and Kapalka. I couldn’t tell you who the goalie is today. They’re going to have to figure that out. Maybe it’s both of them. I played them both last year.

“I’d love to see one goalie emerge, but I couldn’t tell you if that’s going to happen today.”

While goaltending is the Lakers’ strength, Roque said forward will be the program’s biggest issue with five or six freshman up front this season. In addition to Lain turning pro, Lake Superior State also must replace its leading scorers from 2012-13 — seniors Domenic Monardo and Nick McParland.

Senior forward Dan Radke is the leading returning scorer, having posted five goals and 16 assists as a junior. Junior Chris Ciotti is the leading returning goal scorer, having tallied 11 goals a year ago.

Roque said he is most excited for the return of senior Colin Campbell, who has 13 goals and 22 assists in three seasons at LSSU after playing only nine games last year due to a shoulder injury.

“[Campbell] had a great first two years here,” Roque said. “He’s probably the best player of all the guys that could have signed pro, but got hurt last year.”

About the Lakers

2012-13 overall record: 17-21-1

2012-13 CCHA record: 11-16-1 (eighth)

2013-14 predicted finish: Eighth

Key losses: F Domenic Monardo, F Nick McParland, F Kellan Lain, F Buddy Robinson

Players to watch: F Dan Radke, F Chris Ciotti, D Zach Sternberg, G Kevin Murdock, G Kevin Kapalka

Impact rookies: F Gus Correale, F Alex Globke

Why the Lakers will finish higher than predicted: LSSU truly has two No. 1 senior goaltenders in Kapalka and Murdock, meaning the team won’t miss a beat if one is slumping or if one gets injured. Murdock, who began his career at Minnesota State, was the better goalie last year with a 2.51 GAA and a .930 save percentage that ranked third in the CCHA. Kapalka sported a .916 save percentage and 2.86 GAA.

Why the Lakers will finish lower than predicted: Early signings have hurt the Lakers over the past few seasons with junior forward Lain and sophomore forward Robinson being the latest to leave LSSU early. The year before, LSSU lost Kyle Jean and Zach Trotman. Those kind of losses can catch up with a program.

Motte, returning defensemen must carry offensively challenged Ferris State

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Goaltender CJ Motte and a strong group of defensemen have Ferris State in position to be tough to score against this season (photo: Melissa Wade).

Scoring may be a challenge for the Ferris State Bulldogs early in 2013-14 after the departure of their two leading scorers from a year ago.

However, scoring on the Bulldogs may be the even bigger challenge for the members of the new-look WCHA with all eight defensemen plus junior starting goaltender CJ Motte back in crimson and gold.

Junior all-WCHA preseason pick Jason Binkley, junior Simon Denis, sophomore Brandon Anselmini and senior captain Scott Czarnowczan are the core of the Bulldogs’ defensemen, and coach Bob Daniels wouldn’t trade the group for any in college hockey.

“That’s a group of four defensemen right there that I think will be as good as what anyone in college hockey would have as top four defensemen,” Daniels said heading into his 22nd season in Big Rapids.

“The strength of our team is going to be our defensemen.”

Daniels isn’t just asking for his defensive group to clog up opposing offenses. The Bulldogs’ all-time winningest coach is turning to his defensemen to jump start the offense after the graduation of Kyle Bonis, Travis Ouellette and the 30 goals they combined to score last season.

With senior Garrett Thompson being the only returning Bulldogs player to have scored double-digit goals last season — 11 — double-digit assist players such as Binkley (18) and Denis (14) will have to help Ferris create offense, at least early on, Daniels said.

“We’ve always seemed to be blessed with having a defensemen or two that are able to put points on the board,” Daniels said, pointing to current Winnipeg Jets player Zach Redmond (2007-11) and Calgary Flames prospect Chad Billins (2008-12)

“This year it looks like we may not have quite to the extent a Redmond or Billins, but it looks like we have a deeper group of defenseman that can create offense.

“We have a lot of creativity in that position, a lot of guys who have put up some points as defensemen, so we can generate some offense from our blue line.”

The Bulldogs, whose scoring offense ranked third in the CCHA last year at 2.59 goals per game, may not need to score at will with Motte in goal.

After posting a 1.98 GAA and .925 save percentage in 12 games as a freshman, Motte played 35 of 37 games last year, finishing with a 2.19 GAA and .923 save percentage.

“Really, if it wasn’t for CJ last year, we wouldn’t have had as good of a team as we had,” Daniels said.

“Quite often we played four freshman defensemen a year ago and CJ really stood tall and allowed us to get our legs underneath us and have an OK season.”

About the Bulldogs

2012-13 overall record: 16-16-5

2012-13 CCHA record: 13-12-3 (fifth)

2013-14 predicted finish: Second

Key losses: F Kyle Bonis, F Travis Ouellette

Players to watch: G CJ Motte, D Jason Binkley, D Simon Denis

Impact rookies: F Gerald Mayhew, F Jared VanWormer

Why the Bulldogs will finish higher than predicted: Junior goaltender Motte, who finished with a 2.19 GAA and .927 save percentage in the CCHA, and an experienced group of blueliners will frustrate the WCHA this season by keeping games tight. Junior defensemen Binkley and Denis may be the two best defensemen in the WCHA.

Why the Bulldogs will finish lower than predicted: FSU’s top two returning scorers from last year — Bonis and Ouellette — are gone, leaving senior Garrett Thompson as the team’s only returning double-digit goal scorer. Motte and the defense will keep games tight, but in whose favor?

Bowling Green ready to make impact in WCHA with Carpenter, DeSalvo

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Dan Desalvo (11) and Ryan Carpenter (22) were Bowling Green’s top two scorers a year ago (photo: Rachel Lewis).

The Bowling Green State Falcons did their best to leave the CCHA — the only league the program’s ever known in NCAA Division I until now — with a bang by reaching the league semifinals in 2011-12 as the bottom seed with upsets of Northern Michigan and Ferris State, followed by an upset of Lake Superior State last year in the first round.

Now the Falcons look to take the next step in rebuilding their program under fourth-year coach Chris Bergeron in the WCHA.

The question for Bergeron is, how big of a step can the program take?

“We feel like we’re ready to make in impact in this league,” said Bergeron, who is 39-73-14 in three seasons at BGSU. “I don’t know what that means. We’ll have to find out on a nightly basis, but we feel like we’re a team that has been through a bunch. We’ve played a bunch of hockey on the road in the playoffs. We go to hard places and we’ve done OK.

“So we’ve found a way to — I don’t want to say overachieve — but fight through some things that maybe other people didn’t think we could.”

After finishing ninth in the CCHA last year and being eliminated in the league quarterfinals by the final Mason Cup champions — Notre Dame — coaches and media alike have the Falcons rising to fourth in the WCHA behind preseason all-conference forward Ryan Carpenter.

The junior led the Falcons in scoring with 18 goals and 15 assists while Bryce Williamson was second in goals scored at 12 to go along with his seven assists.

Junior Dan DeSalvo finished second in scoring as a sophomore with five goals and 20 assists. The five goals was a disappointing number for BGSU considering DeSalvo scored 14 goals as a freshman, with 10 of those goals coming in CCHA playoffs series against Northern Michigan and Ferris State.

“Last year, he did not have the year he wanted to in terms of goals,” Bergeron said. “He had a decent playoffs again last year, but nowhere near what it was as a freshman.

“We’re looking for him to really make that jump from sophomore year to junior year. The jump we’re looking for is consistency. We think he’s a guy that can be a top player every day, practice included. That’s what his challenge is going to be.”

Sophomore defenseman Ralfs Freibergs of Latvia will anchor the Falcons blue line. He played only eight games a year ago after being ineligible for the first 30 because he played against professional teams in Europe.

BGSU is young in goal after losing veteran Andrew Hammond. Sophomore Tommy Burke played in 16 games with 13 starts as a freshman. He finished 5-6-2 with a 2.57 GAA and .889 save percentage.

Bergeron said Burke will be pushed by freshman Tomas Sholl, who played last year for the Fresno Monsters of the NAHL.

“We think with those two guys in kind of a one-one situation, that we should be in good hands,” Bergeron said.

About the Falcons

2012-13 overall record: 15-21-5

2012-13 CCHA record: 10-15-3 (ninth)

2013-14 predicted finish: Fourth

Key losses: G Andrew Hammond, F Robert Shea

Players to watch: F Ryan Carpenter, F Dajon Mingo, F Camden Wojtala, D Connor Kucera, D Mike Sullivan, G Tommy Burke

Impact rookies: F Pierre-Luc Mercier, F Kevin Dufour

Why the Falcons will finish higher than predicted: As the lone university in the WCHA that plays all its sports at the NCAA Division I level, the Falcons are in the best position to emerge as the dominant program year after year, if one is to emerge in the new-look WCHA. In 2013-14, BGSU will have sophomore Ralfs Freibergs on defense for a whole season this time around as opposed to eight games last year. Double-digit goal scorers Carpenter and Bryce Williamson are both back as well, and if Dan DeSalvo can conjure up his postseason magic during the regular season, the Falcons will be tough to stop on offense.

Why the Falcons will finish lower than predicted: Coach Chris Bergeron said it himself during the preseason conference call that the Falcons’ inconsistencies have kept the program from taking the next step despite success in the CCHA playoffs each of the last two years. The loss of veteran goalie Hammond also could hinder the Falcons as sophomore Burke and freshman Tomas Sholl split time in net.

Challenging start awaits a Bemidji State team looking for scorers

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Goaltender Andrew Walsh and the defense are the strength of Bemidji State’s roster going into the season (photo: Michelle Bishop).

Road games at St. Cloud State, Alabama-Huntsville and Ferris State. Home games against Minnesota and Minnesota State.

The first five weeks of the season will be no picnic for Bemidji State.

“I don’t know what the general manager was thinking,” Beavers coach Tom Serratore joked. “I think the general manager should take scheduling lessons.”

Getting through that stretch in good shape would be huge for the Beavers as they try to rebound from a season in which they won just six games, including one in the second half of the season.

“It was the toughest year we’ve had in a long time at Bemidji State,” Serratore said. “We struggled at home. Typically we’ve been a team that’s hard to play against at home, and we weren’t last year. We have to find that again, but our schedule is not easy.”

To win games, Bemidji State is going to need to keep games low-scoring. The Beavers return just 35 goals from a year ago and have 11 new players on the roster.

“We’re probably a little offensively challenged,” Serratore said. “We lost nine players and have 11 new players. It’s the youngest team I’ve ever had.

“You wonder who’s going to score some goals and how these new kids are going to emerge. … But there’s nothing like youthful energy and youthful enthusiasm. We have a ways to go, but it’s also an exciting time as well.”

Danny Mattson is the top returning scorer, with 19 points a year ago. Cory Ward had a strong second half of his freshman year and is next with 15 points, including nine goals.

Serratore is hoping veterans Radoslav Illo and Jeff Jubinville can take big steps up front.

There’s some excitement about freshman forward Brendan Harms, too.

But the strength of the team is at the back end, starting with goaltender Andrew Walsh.

Despite his 5-14-6 record a season ago, the junior had a .916 save percentage and a 2.65 GAA.

Veteran defensemen Matt Prapavessis and Sam Rendle return after playing in every game last season, and the Beavers have three other returning blueliners with experience, including Sam Windle, who played in 32 games.

“We’re going to rely on our [defensive] corps, and we’re going to rely on Walshy,” Serratore said. “And then we’re going to have to find a way to manufacture offense.

“We have to have a net presence. We have to be hard to play against. We have to compete. We have to win battles to loose pucks. We have to get shots on net. We’re going to have to get our nose dirty to manufacture some offense.”

About the Beavers

2012-13 overall record: 6-22-8

2012-13 WCHA record: 5-16-7 (11th)

2013-14 predicted finish: Seventh

Key losses: F Brance Orban, F Jordan George

Players to watch: F Danny Mattson, F Cory Ward, D Matt Prapavessis, G Andrew Walsh

Impact rookies: F Brendan Harms, D Ruslan Pedan

Why the Beavers will finish higher than predicted: Walsh proves to be of the best goaltenders in the conference.

Why the Beavers will finish lower than predicted: They’re unable to score enough goals to help out their fine goaltender.

Clean slate awaits Alaska-Anchorage after tumultuous offseason

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Matt Bailey scored 19 points for Alaska-Anchorage last season and is one of the Seawolves’ captains in coach Matt Thomas’ first year (photo: Jim Rosvold).

Matt Thomas’ first order of business as the new coach at Alaska-Anchorage is to change the culture there.

After two consecutive last-place finishes in the WCHA and just 13 wins overall in those two years, there’s work to do.

“Going through a season as tough as the Seawolves had last year [four wins, two in WCHA play], it would be easy to sit there and really question what kind of talent and what kind of character was in the room,” Thomas said. “But it was kind of a tale of two seasons.

“In the first half, they were competitive; there were some games they deserved to win. The second half, I think any of us in the game understands how hard losing is. Mentally, it’s more of a battle than anything physically.”

Anchorage won just one game after Dec. 1 last season, and coach Dave Shyiak was fired in late March. Thomas, a successful minor-pro coach over the last nine years, was hired after a rather tumultuous search process, one that was suspended and restarted and led to the firing of athletic director Steve Cobb.

“For the players, I think there’s a breath of fresh air for them,” Thomas said of the season starting. “I think there’s a renewed enthusiasm. For me and the new staff, we really looked to change the mind-set immediately, and I think we’ve done a good job of that early.”

The Seawolves return some quality forwards from last season, starting with the top four scorers from last season. The group includes Blake Tatchell (25 points), Jordan Kwas (20 points), Scott Allen (12 goals, 19 points) and Matt Bailey (19 points). Brett Cameron, who is a captain along with Bailey, should add to the depth up front after missing most of last season with an injury.

“Blake Tatchell is a special player,” Thomas said. “He’s not only a player who has vision and skill, but he’s got a real leadership quality about him. He’s a focused individual who had a good year last year in a tough season.”

Defensively, the Seawolves have two senior goaltenders in Rob Gunderson and Chris Kamal who have split time for three seasons, a situation Thomas calls “one of the most interesting … in the conference.”

“We’re looking to really change the culture of the program and the face of the program in terms of winning, but I think it’s nice to have two seniors,” Thomas said. “A dark horse there is Michael Matyas, a sophomore who didn’t get any minutes last year.”

Returning defensemen include Blake Leask, Quinn Sproule, Derek Docken and Austin Coldwell.

“We’re concentrating on knowing how we need to play in order to win,” Thomas said. “It truly is a clean slate here.”

About the Seawolves

2012-13 overall record: 4-25-7

2012-13 WCHA record: 2-20-6 (12th)

2013-14 predicted finish: Ninth

Key losses: F Daniel Naslund, F Alex Gellert

Players to watch: F Blake Tatchell, F Jordan Kwas, F Scott Allen, F Matt Bailey

Impact rookies: D Chase Van Allen, F Tanner Dusyk

Why the Seawolves will finish higher than predicted: Their veteran lineup, including senior goalies Chris Kamal and Rob Gunderson, leads the way.

Why the Seawolves will finish lower than predicted: One season isn’t long enough to clean up after a tumultuous offseason.

Established players give Alaska firm footing, chance to contend

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Alaska’s Michael Quinn is part of a solid returning corps of defensemen (photo: Rachel Lewis).

Other than league-favorite Minnesota State, only one team in the new WCHA finished last season with a winning record, and that was Alaska.

The Nanooks were in the mix for a possible NCAA tournament berth until they were bumped down in the PairWise Rankings at the very end of the season.

Alaska lost its top scorer, Andy Taranto, and four other regular forwards from last season’s team, but it returns a strong group of veterans who should again keep the team in contention until, if not through, the last days of the season.

“I like our character; I like our enthusiasm,” coach Dallas Ferguson said. “I like our attitude at the rink.”

The Nanooks bring back three of their top four scorers from a season ago, including seniors Cody Kunyk (11 goals, 28 points) and Colton Beck (11 goals, 21 points) and sophomore Tyler Morley (10 goals, 21 points).

“[Kunyk and Beck] are established Division I players that produce consistently for us,” Ferguson said. “They’re two guys, but we’re going to need it from everywhere. …

“We’ll have three to five freshmen in the lineup who will be in some key situations. We have some areas where we lost some guys and need guys to step up.”

Defense will be a strength, Ferguson said, despite the loss of last season’s captain, Kaare Odegard, a player the coach called one of the greatest leaders in program history.

Still, sophomore defenseman Colton Parayko, a third-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2012, and three others — senior Michael Quinn, junior Trevor Campbell and sophomore Josh Atkinson — are back on the blue line.

“We’re excited to have that core back,” Ferguson said. “That will be the strength of our team at the start because we have so many returning guys.”

One area that Ferguson expects will be more stable at the start of the season is in goal, where sophomore John Keeney resumes his role after a solid rookie season. Keeney had 13 wins a season ago with a .909 save percentage and a 2.31 GAA.

“Last year was a unique situation,” Ferguson said. “We didn’t have an established starter last year, and after Christmas, John went on a little run with six in a row. He was solid.

“He put us in a pretty good position heading into the home stretch. John learned a lot about what it takes to be successful at the level. …

“But we need John to elevate his game, and we need [the others] to push John.”

The Nanooks’ freshman class includes Brandon Morley, Tyler’s brother, and Fairbanks-area natives Jared Linnell and Justin Woods.

About the Nanooks

2012-13 overall record: 17-16-4

2012-13 CCHA record: 12-13-3 (sixth)

2013-14 predicted finish: Fifth

Key losses: F Andy Taranto, F Jarret Granberg, D Kaare Odegard

Players to watch: F Cody Kunyk, F Colton Beck, D Colton Parayko, G John Keeney

Impact rookies: F Brandon Morley, D Justin Woods

Why the Nanooks will finish higher than predicted: Kunyk, Beck and Keeney take their games to the next level.

Why the Nanooks will finish lower than predicted: They’re unable to replace Odegard’s and Taranto’s leadership and the offensive production of five graduated forwards.

Finally part of a conference again, Alabama-Huntsville builds on excitement

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Jeff Vanderlugt (left) is Alabama-Huntsville’s top returning forward after an 11-point sophomore season (photo: Jim Rosvold).

Do we dare say that there’s finally some stability at Alabama Huntsville? Can we say that without knocking on wood?

The Chargers have been through a lot over the last 2½ years.

They had their program taken away and then were given a reprieve. They saw two head coaches come and go and are now on their third in as many years. They struggled through a three-win season, one in which they played just a single home series against a Division I opponent. They barely survived as an independent program and then found a home in the revamped WCHA.

“This group has seen a lot of things over the last few years, especially our seniors,” first-year coach Mike Corbett said. “Different coaches and a lot of different schedules. A lot of adversity.”

The senior class includes Brice Geoffrion, Alex Allen, Mat Hagen and CJ Groh.

“Brice is the player I lean on a lot,” Corbett said. “He’s been through a lot of that adversity. Brice has seen it all. His brother [Sebastian] was here. … He’s been great. I’ll be honest, I lean on him. We talk twice a week, and he gives me a lot of insight as to how things have been run.”

The Chargers are in a conference for the first time since College Hockey America fizzled after the 2009-10 season, and Corbett said there’s plenty of excitement in Huntsville, with season tickets at an all-time high.

“The first home weekend [Oct. 25-26 against former CHA rival Bemidji State] is going to be fun, really fun,” Corbett said. “They’re really pushing it around here.”

Corbett expects to have a competitive team with a strong work ethic, but the Chargers also will be young with 12 freshmen on the roster. Many of those rookies, especially the forwards, will be in the lineup.

“They’re going to get a great opportunity,” Corbett said.

The top returning forward is junior Jeff Vanderlugt, who led UAH with seven goals and 11 points last season.

“He’s a big, strong kid; he’s probably our leader up front,” Corbett said. “But we’re one of those teams that’s going to need to manufacture goals.”

Corbett said his team’s defense will be the strength. Physical, 6-foot-4 sophomore defenseman Anderson White returns as does junior Graeme Strukoff and sophomores Steven Koshey and Frank Misuraca.

Groh played in just three games in goal last season and 12 for his career. He’ll be pushed by a pair of freshmen, Matt Larose and Carmine Guerriero.

“I’ve been learning about my team, and it’s been very fun,” Corbett said.

About the Chargers

2012-13 overall record: 3-21-1

2012-13 conference record: N/A

2013-14 predicted finish: 10th

Key losses: F Sebastian Geoffrion

Players to watch: F Jeff Vanderlugt, F Brice Geoffrion, D Anderson White, G C.J. Groh

Impact rookies: F Brandon Clowes, F Regan Soquila

Why the Chargers will finish higher than predicted: They take advantage of the excitement in Huntsville and make their rink a tough place for opponents.

Why the Chargers will match their predicted finish: They’re still transitioning from several years of upheaval.

ECAC Hockey picks: October 10-13

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Time for my first picks of the year; all times Eastern. Wish me luck.

Thursday, October 10

Colgate at RIT
Ok, I’m cheating: It’s 1-1 in the first period as I type this. Sorry. It’s tough picking such early-season games, as there is practically no basis for comparison yet… that said, it’s a big opening weekend for the Tigers, and RIT has been a feisty competitor in recent years. 3-2 Tigers.

Nate: This is the one game I got right in my initial picks. Gotta start somewhere, right?

Friday, October 11

New Hampshire vs. Clarkson 5pm Ice Breaker Tournament; Minneapolis, Minn.
New Hampshire is a perennial NCAA contender. Clarkson is… well, aspiring to be. From what little we know so far, I’m leaning toward UNH, 4-2.

Nate: The Golden Knights are looking to start 3-0 for the first time since the 2006-07 season. It’s the season opener for UNH, who lost two of their leading scorers to graduation but returns Casey DeSmith in net. Clarkson has played excellent defense in their two games, but they’ll need to generate some offense to keep pace with the Wildcats.  This is the first meeting between the teams since 2004. New Hampshire wins

Maine at St. Lawrence 7pm
Time for SLU to reassert its dominance at home over a Maine program that has struggled significantly in the past few years. 3-1 Saints in Game 1.

Nate: St. Lawrence opened some eyes last season with a dominating sweep at Maine in the early going, the beginning of what was a rough season for the Black Bears, and the removal of Tim Whitehead as head coach. Whitehead was replaced by former Yale associate coach Red Gendron, who will make his college head coaching debut against a familiar opponent. Saints’ forward Greg Carey led the nation with 28 goals last year – or almost 60 percent of the returning goals on Maine’s roster. St. Lawrence wins

Bowling Green at Union 7:30pm
Union swept BGSU on the road early last season; I can’t think of any reason why the Dutchmen shouldn’t replicate that feat at home this year. 5-2 U.

Nate: I’m with Brian here. Union is breaking in a lot of new players in key spots in the lineup, but I think they have enough to get the win on opening night. Union wins

Quinnipiac at Alaska-Anchorage 12:07am Kendall Hockey Classic
This game technically starts Saturday morning for us East Coasters, what with Alaskan time zones and whatnot. What may not be much of a test for a more seasoned team, this looooong-distance road game is a significant challenge for this undefined Bobcats club. A win will mean a lot to QU, and I think they’re good enough to get it, 4-3.

Nate: Like Union, Quinnipiac is starting the year with a new faces in net and on defense. The Bobcats will have already been in Alaska for several days come game time, so that should help compensate for any jet lag. Quinnipiac wins

Saturday, October 12

Rensselaer at Sacred Heart 1pm
Really? RPI, 7-2. See last year, and you’ll know why.

Nate: The Engineers return nine of their top 10 scorers and goalie Jason Kasdorf from last year’s second-place team. That should be more than enough against a Sacred Heart team that ranked near the bottom of the country in both offense and defense. RPI wins

Clarkson vs. Mercyhurst 7pm Ice Breaker Tournament; Minneapolis, Minn.
If the Knights play Minnesota, furgedaboudit… Minny takes it. But should ‘Tech tangle with the Lakers, this may be a more manageable opponent for the ECAC representative. I confess, I don’t know much about Mercyhurst this year, but Clarkson should be a step better than last year’s edition. 3-2 Knights.

Nate: A win for Clarkson would push them to 3-1; not bad for a team that only won nine games last year and struggled mightily out of conference. I think they’ll do that against Mercyhurst. Clarkson wins

Maine at St. Lawrence 7pm
Anything fewer than three points should be considered disappointing for the Saints… from where we stand now, at least. Maine does not look like a national contender on paper. 3-2 Saints.

Nate: I’ll disagree with Brian here, as I think the Black Bears will come away with one on the road. Maine wins

Bowling Green at Union 7:30pm
Dutchmen, hoping to open 2-0? Why not? 4-3 Union.

Nate: Like Brian said earlier, it’s tough to gauge early season games, especially out of conference. But Union has made Messa a tough place to play the last few years, and I think they’ll continue that this season. Union wins

Quinnipiac vs. Alaska 8:07pm Kendall Hockey Classic
More than three points this weekend should be considered a success for the Bob-kittens, though coach Rand Pecknold would never admit to such modest ambitions of course. Calling for the split, with the loss coming against well-regarded Alaska on Saturday, 4-2.

Nate: Sweeps are never easy in college hockey, never mind on the longest road trip of the year. But I think that’s what the Bobcats will do in Alaska. Quinnipiac wins

Sunday, October 13

Rensselaer at Boston College 3pm
Big early-season test for what are expected to be two top teams in the East this year. BC at home? Hard to pick against that, though this BU grad is anything but neutral. What the heck? 4-3 Engineers in an upset. (Hopefully by February, it will look like an expected result in retrospect.)

Nate: I think the difference in this game will be in net. RPI has Jason Kasdorf, while the Eagles are relying on a pair of inexperienced players in Brian Billett andThatcher Demko, although Demko is highly regarded entering his freshman season at the heights.  League-rival Union surprised the Eagles with their mobile defensemen in last year’s NCAA tournament. I’m not sure if the Engineers have the same offensive talent on the back end that Union did last season, but if they can jump into the play and support RPI’s deep group of forwards, it should bode well for the Engineers. RPI wins

Another pick for the Boston College-Michigan game

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I basically dropped the ball on getting my picks to Paula before she posted her own. It won’t become a trend…hopefully.

Here goes!

I will not claim to be an expert on the Eagles. I’ve seen their highs in winning a national title a couple years ago. I’ve also personally seen their lows when Minnesota scored a touchdown and converted the two-point conversion on them last season at Mariucci Arena (8-1 final, sorry for the lame football reference).

I think the most interesting aspect for Boston College this season will be how they go about replacing Parker Milner. Both Brian Billett and Thatcher Demko are said to be competing for the Eagles’ No. 1 spot. I personally see Demko prevailing. It will be interesting to see who gets the call tonight.

My pick 

My heart say Michigan because of home-ice advantage, but my head says Boston College 3-1. I guess I’ll go with my head this time.

As always, you can follow Paula and myself on Twitter. She’ll be at the game tonight and will provide some live updates: @drewclaussen and @paulacweston

A pick for tonight’s Boston College-Michigan game, plus our own preseason predictions

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Is it wrong for me to be so excited about tonight’s Boston College-Michigan game that I can barely sit still?

The Wolverines are 4-0-0 versus the Eagles in Yost Ice Arena and 11-6-0 all-time against Boston College. Michigan beat BC in their last meeting, 4-2, a semifinal game at the 2011 Great Lakes Invitational at JLA.

Michigan’s 2012-13 season ended with a 3-1 loss to Notre Dame in the last-ever CCHA playoff championship game. Boston College bowed out last season in the NCAA East Regional, with a 5-1 loss to Union.

For more on the Wolverines, check out my season preview. Jimmy Connelly previews BC here.

My pick

I know history says otherwise, but I say Eagles 4-2 over Wolverines.

Season picks

This year, Drew Claussen and I are splitting the Big Ten duties and we differ a little on how we see 2013-14 finishing.

Drew’s preseason picks

1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
4. Ohio State
5. Michigan State
6. Penn State

Paula’s preseason picks

1. Minnesota
2. Wisconsin
3. Michigan
4. Michigan State
5. Ohio State
6. Penn State

Follow us both on Twitter: @drewclaussen and @paulacweston.

I’ll be in A2 for tonight’s game to recap and shake off my own offseason rust. Say hello if you’re there. You can always comment, email or tweet, too.

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