The Weekly Slapshot

So, BC won the Beanpot. That's the big news. The not so big news is BU beat Northeastern which is bad 1) because I just hate BU and 2) because it hurts NU's NCAA Tournament hopes which is more just for the greater glory of Hockey East than anything else. That fact that we played BU 4 times as opposed to NU only twice is better for our RPI that BU won, so that's a plus at least.

From local hockey news (and local being Boston), let's take a quick look at how Hockey East has been shaping up.

Who's Hot: UNH, Providence, and BC

Who's Not: UMass, Maine, Merrimack

Basically, as it stands, Maine would miss the Hockey East Tournament, probably for the first time ever. So I'm not saying I'm rooting for BU against Maine this weekend, but it sure as hell would be funny if Maine continued to be miserable. Merrimack is consistently dead last in Hockey East, UNH is on top, and I'm a big fan of the Minutemen as long as they can stay 4 points ahead of Maine.

Now nationally.....

In a battle of #1 vs #2 in the country this past weekend, Michigan swept Miami. So Michigan has cemented themselves as the #1 team in the land. UNH is ranked 3rd, and Colorado College (also leading WCHA) is 4th. Who's missing from the national scene? Minnesota, who would currently be on the outside looking in at the NCAA tournament. Yeah, very weird year if Maine AND Minnesota miss the post-season.

So, without further adu, here is the NCAA field as it were to stand now. Oh, and since the Pairwise Rankings are out, I can do this VERY accurately now instead of educated guessing like early in the season.

Midwest (Madison)	East (Albany)	West (Colorado Springs)	Northeast (Worcester)
Michigan	Miami-Ohio	New Hampshire	Colorado College
Boston College	Michigan State	North Dakota	Denver
Minnesota State	Minnesota-Duluth	Notre Dame	Wisconsin
Sacred Heart	Bemidji State	Quinnipiac	Clarkson
Last 4 In	First 4 Out	Next 4 Out
Quinnipiac	Providence	Minnesota
Wisconsin	Princeton	UMass-Lowell
Notre Dame	Northeastern	UMass
Minnesota-Duluth	St. Cloud State	Michigan Tech

Now, because I know this is what you all are really clammoring for.....

The Bottom 10! (according to me)

1. Alabama-Huntsville (4-17-3) - I know they are in Alabama, and that's not exactly hockey central but they can only get 4 wins in the CHA?? Come on guys!

2. Brown (3-16-4) - Da Bears lead the nation....in fewest wins. But with 1 less game played than AL, we're giving them the benefit of the doubt that they win it. Yeah, we don't have much faith they would either.

3. Bentley (6-16-6) - To give them some credit, they are cutting their program after this year. Probably not a season to soon either.

4. Western Michigan (7-20-3) - Of the 3 20 loss teams in Division 1, they have the fewest wins. Maybe they should stick to football.....oh, nevermind.

5. Michigan State (18-8-5) - The #5 spot goes to the goat of the week, and when you're #6 in the country, you're supposed to beat sub-.500 teams, not give them 3 of 4 points in a weekend series. Obviosuly, this was not Sparta.

6. Wayne State (8-20-2) - Somehow avoiding the CHA basement for once. Oh wait, AL is there....

7. Ohio State (9-20-3) - How far the mighty have fallen. And to think this team was a #1 seed 2 years ago. Well, they have most wins of the 20 loss teams, so #7 is a good fit for the Buckeyes.

8. Connecticut (8-17-3) - Why am I arguing for them to join Hockey East again? Oh that's right. Merrimack needs someone to pick on so they don't drop their program.

9. American International (8-16-4) - The Yellow Jackets are having their best season ever I think. Or least they aren't the worst team in college hockey for once.

10. Holy Cross (8-13-7) - I guess when you're this bad you can boast that at least you have lost less than half the games you've played right?

Others Considered: Canisius, Mercyhurst, Beanpot referees, John Muse's glove saves