Senior Tyler Ludwig and sophomore Derek Roehl won CCHA Defensive and Offensive Player of the Week awards respectively. Riley Gill, who single handedly won the game for the Broncos on Saturday... a pat on the back.
Ludwig got the game winner on Saturday and anchored the penalty kill unit that held Notre Dame scoreless on 19 opportunities. Roehl notched his first hat trick Saturday (along with assisting on Ludwig's goal), and got a goal and an assist Friday.
Gill stopped 54 of 55 shots he faced on Saturday, and stuffed the Irish in a 7-2 thumping Friday. For his efforts the CCHA gave the Goaltender of the Week award to Brian Stewart of Northern Michigan. Granted, Stewart was just as deserving of the award as Gill was (stopped 94 of 97 shots last weekend in a win and tie of Ferris St.), but it is extremely frustrating to see such a goaltending clinic on display at Lawson and not get recognized by the league.
Too be fair I am sure Gill is perfectly happy with a pair of wins.
WMU had it's best weekend outing in years. It's nice to see at least a couple of the players involved being recognized for it.
February 8, 2010
BHB Top 15 Ranking
I decided to change how I present my top 15 rankings now that I have restarted the blog. New name and I'll no longer be giving a bunch of comments about the rankings. I'll also no longer post where WMU would land if the rankings were extended out that far. The computer formula for the rankings has stayed the same.
1 - Miami
2 - Denver
3 - Wisconsin
4 - St. Cloud St.
5 - Bemidji St.
6 - Colorado College
7 - Boston College
8 - Minnesota-Duluth
9 - Maine
10 - Ferris St.
11 - North Dakota
12 - Vermont
13 - Michigan St.
14 - New Hampshire
15 - Cornell
I will also not do a who dropped out/new this week section this week since it has been 2 months since the last time I posted my rankings. I will be doing it next time though.
1 - Miami
2 - Denver
3 - Wisconsin
4 - St. Cloud St.
5 - Bemidji St.
6 - Colorado College
7 - Boston College
8 - Minnesota-Duluth
9 - Maine
10 - Ferris St.
11 - North Dakota
12 - Vermont
13 - Michigan St.
14 - New Hampshire
15 - Cornell
I will also not do a who dropped out/new this week section this week since it has been 2 months since the last time I posted my rankings. I will be doing it next time though.
All Hail Riley Gill, Again
The Broncos were out shot 55-16, took 15 penalties for 38 minutes, were shorthanded 12 times, only had 3 power plays of their own... and won. Why? Riley Gill made 54 saves in quite possibly his best game of his college career, Derek Roehl scored a hat trick (and assisted on the game winner), the Broncos were a perfect 3 for 3 on the power play and a perfect 0 for 12 on the penalty kill, and for the second night in a row chased the Irish's top netminder off the ice after their first 3 goals.
What does it all mean? Well, it will take more then their first series sweep of a CCHA opponent to save this season. The Broncos are only a single point out of the basement (BGSU has a game in hand too), WMU still has the second worst offense and second worst defense in the CCHA, it is mathematically impossible to finish with a .500 record in the regular season, Saturday's season-high attendance would have been merely average as little as 5 seasons ago.
I don't mean to be so much of a downer. By all means, celebrate this weekend's sweep. These were a great pair of games. It was some of the best Bronco hockey I have seen in years. But in the perspective of the whole season this was nothing more then one good weekend in the midst of an atrocious season.
What does it all mean? Well, it will take more then their first series sweep of a CCHA opponent to save this season. The Broncos are only a single point out of the basement (BGSU has a game in hand too), WMU still has the second worst offense and second worst defense in the CCHA, it is mathematically impossible to finish with a .500 record in the regular season, Saturday's season-high attendance would have been merely average as little as 5 seasons ago.
I don't mean to be so much of a downer. By all means, celebrate this weekend's sweep. These were a great pair of games. It was some of the best Bronco hockey I have seen in years. But in the perspective of the whole season this was nothing more then one good weekend in the midst of an atrocious season.
February 6, 2010
I Like This Version Of The Broncos
The Broncos won for the first time in 2 months, and they beat a quality opponent, and the game was never close. 7-2 to be exact. An amazing display of offense from a team that has had none almost all season.
Things I Noticed:
~ Crisp tape to tape passing that I am not used to seeing from the Broncos.
~ Jared Katz looked a bit like Darren Helm (Detroit Red Wings) at times.
~ Solid fore checking that featured skaters in the passing lanes and forced Notre Dame to make mistakes.
~ A penalty kill that reminded me of early in the season when they were among the nation's best, instead of more recently as one of the nation's worst.
~ I counted 3 hit posts in the game by the Broncos. That final score could easily have been much uglier then it was.
~ While the skill players were better about not trying to be a one man show carrying the puck into the zone, they still were reluctant to get the puck deep and when they did they were reluctant to aggressively go after it.
~ The players need to do a better job of keeping control during emotional and frustrating parts of the game. Luke Witkowski getting tossed for a vicious check from behind was completely deserved and completely unnecessary.
To Be Fair To Notre Dame:
The Irish played about as good a first period as the Broncos did, but missed the net wide on a pair of "Grade A" scoring chances. Goaltending was mysteriously sub par as well, plus ND had a half dozen key players out with injuries.
And I doubt Notre Dame will let that happen to them again, no matter how well the Broncos play tonight. I'm sure the Irish are pissed off and ready to come out firing tonight after getting caught looking past what they thought was going to be a bad opponent.
Final Thoughts:
The real question here is; can they repeat last night's effort? The guys were loose, relaxed, focused, and aggressive... heck they even looked well coached. The key will be figuring out what it was that led to such an exciting brand of hockey and doing it again... and again, and again, and again...
Things I Noticed:
~ Crisp tape to tape passing that I am not used to seeing from the Broncos.
~ Jared Katz looked a bit like Darren Helm (Detroit Red Wings) at times.
~ Solid fore checking that featured skaters in the passing lanes and forced Notre Dame to make mistakes.
~ A penalty kill that reminded me of early in the season when they were among the nation's best, instead of more recently as one of the nation's worst.
~ I counted 3 hit posts in the game by the Broncos. That final score could easily have been much uglier then it was.
~ While the skill players were better about not trying to be a one man show carrying the puck into the zone, they still were reluctant to get the puck deep and when they did they were reluctant to aggressively go after it.
~ The players need to do a better job of keeping control during emotional and frustrating parts of the game. Luke Witkowski getting tossed for a vicious check from behind was completely deserved and completely unnecessary.
To Be Fair To Notre Dame:
The Irish played about as good a first period as the Broncos did, but missed the net wide on a pair of "Grade A" scoring chances. Goaltending was mysteriously sub par as well, plus ND had a half dozen key players out with injuries.
And I doubt Notre Dame will let that happen to them again, no matter how well the Broncos play tonight. I'm sure the Irish are pissed off and ready to come out firing tonight after getting caught looking past what they thought was going to be a bad opponent.
Final Thoughts:
The real question here is; can they repeat last night's effort? The guys were loose, relaxed, focused, and aggressive... heck they even looked well coached. The key will be figuring out what it was that led to such an exciting brand of hockey and doing it again... and again, and again, and again...
February 5, 2010
Coaching News of Local Interest
Former Kalamazoo K-Wings head coach Ken Hitchcock was fired Wednesday as head coach of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. He was replaced by former Kalamazoo K-Wings head coach Claude Noel.
The Irish Invade Lawson
Nothing turns around a team's season quite like playing the Broncos. That's a line seen on this blog more then once this season, and there is no doubt that Notre Dame wants it to be true for them this weekend. Notre Dame is a program that has done a complete turnaround under head coach Jeff Jackson, but this season has been a hiccup with the team playing consistently average (unlike the Broncos who have been consistently bad, but I digress).
Part of the problem in South Bend is a team that has been ravaged with injuries and illnesses. One game (a 2-0 win over Michigan) was so bad that a roster with 9 defensemen only had 3 healthy enough to play, forcing the team to adopt the European Torpedo System temporarily.
Things To Know About ND:
~ Notre Dame doesn't have a single weekend sweep this season... at least not without the help of the gimmicky shootout.
~ Notre Dame has only been the victim of two weekend sweeps this season, against Ferris State and Miami.
~ The #1 goaltender for the Irish is heralded freshman Mike Johnson, who has played more then double the games of Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Brad Phillips.
~ The Irish have 10 players with more then 10 points, but none higher then 23 points. Calle Ridderwall leads the team with 17 goals (10 on the power play) while defenseman Kyle Lawson leads with 17 assists.
~ ND is almost as good on the road as at home. The Irish are a half game above .500 overall, at .500 in CCHA play, a half game above .500 at home, and a half game below .500 on the road.
~ Notre Dame is 5-1-1 in their last 7 meetings with the Broncos.
Part of the problem in South Bend is a team that has been ravaged with injuries and illnesses. One game (a 2-0 win over Michigan) was so bad that a roster with 9 defensemen only had 3 healthy enough to play, forcing the team to adopt the European Torpedo System temporarily.
Things To Know About ND:
~ Notre Dame doesn't have a single weekend sweep this season... at least not without the help of the gimmicky shootout.
~ Notre Dame has only been the victim of two weekend sweeps this season, against Ferris State and Miami.
~ The #1 goaltender for the Irish is heralded freshman Mike Johnson, who has played more then double the games of Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Brad Phillips.
~ The Irish have 10 players with more then 10 points, but none higher then 23 points. Calle Ridderwall leads the team with 17 goals (10 on the power play) while defenseman Kyle Lawson leads with 17 assists.
~ ND is almost as good on the road as at home. The Irish are a half game above .500 overall, at .500 in CCHA play, a half game above .500 at home, and a half game below .500 on the road.
~ Notre Dame is 5-1-1 in their last 7 meetings with the Broncos.
February 2, 2010
Western Michigan Owns Ryan Miller
Remember when Ryan Miller owned the college hockey goaltending world while at Michigan State? Who doesn't? He won the Hobey Baker award after all, an award that almost never goes to the guy in net.
Do you also remember Western Michigan's success against Miller? With the current state of the Bronco program not many do remember the highlights of recent history. But it did happen, and WMU was one of only a few teams somehow able to do it. And it happened again last night.
Mark Letestu, former Bronco, playing in just his fifth NHL game, beat Ryan Miller just 47 seconds into the Pittsburgh Penguins' game against the Buffalo Sabres. It was a 2 on 1 break early in the game and Tyler Kennedy moved the puck up the ice and found Letestu in front of the net for the easy tap in. The Pens would go on to win the game 5-4 on the back of Sidney Crosby's second period hat trick.
Who knows how long this call-up will be, his third that included playing time this season, or if he'll ever have a full-time NHL job. But in the last couple games he has shown that at the very least his development is headed in the right direction.
And keep your eye on the Kalamazoo Gazette this week as Rick Shanley has been assigned to do a feature on Letestu.
Correction:
In my last post I incorrectly assumed that Letestu was on the fourth line when in fact he has been centering the third line the past couple games.
Update:
A link to a clip of the goal.
Update 2:
Letestu was reassigned to the AHL this morning.
Do you also remember Western Michigan's success against Miller? With the current state of the Bronco program not many do remember the highlights of recent history. But it did happen, and WMU was one of only a few teams somehow able to do it. And it happened again last night.
Mark Letestu, former Bronco, playing in just his fifth NHL game, beat Ryan Miller just 47 seconds into the Pittsburgh Penguins' game against the Buffalo Sabres. It was a 2 on 1 break early in the game and Tyler Kennedy moved the puck up the ice and found Letestu in front of the net for the easy tap in. The Pens would go on to win the game 5-4 on the back of Sidney Crosby's second period hat trick.
Who knows how long this call-up will be, his third that included playing time this season, or if he'll ever have a full-time NHL job. But in the last couple games he has shown that at the very least his development is headed in the right direction.
And keep your eye on the Kalamazoo Gazette this week as Rick Shanley has been assigned to do a feature on Letestu.
Correction:
In my last post I incorrectly assumed that Letestu was on the fourth line when in fact he has been centering the third line the past couple games.
Update:
A link to a clip of the goal.
Update 2:
Letestu was reassigned to the AHL this morning.
February 1, 2010
Saw Letestu Play, And Other Weekend Observations
I got to watch the Red Wings vs. Penguins game on NBC yesterday afternoon, and was overjoyed to see Mark Letestu on the ice for the Pens.
Letestu is an injury call-up for the third time this season, and this time he was much more ready for the level of play in the NHL. Letestu skated hard to the net, took a few aggressive shots (only 1 counted as "on goal"), made a great leading pass to a streaking Tyler Kennedy who couldn't quite put it in the net, and simply worked hard every chance he got.
The former Bronco didn't get a whole lot of shifts on the fourth line, and even had players like Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal take his place on the line so they could double shift. But with what little time Letestu did get he took full advantage of and played a very solid game.
Some Bad News:
Paul Szczechura, who had spent most of this season with Tampa Bay in the NHL, was sent back down to the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) yesterday.
Speaking of Bad News:
Just how bad is the Bronco hockey team right now? Not only do they sit last in the CCHA standings, they are last in conference goals scored, third to last in goals against average, have only one player in the top 40 in conference scoring (Greg Squires with 14 points in CCHA games), and now have one of the worst penalty kills in the nation (after having one of the top 3 in November).
Jamal Mayers News:
The Toronto Maple Leafs were involved in two trades this weekend involving 10 players. One of those players is former Bronco Jamal Mayers who was sent to Calgary. Mayers had made it known earlier last week, via his agent, that he wanted out of Toronto (his childhood hometown ironically).
Some Good News:
Alum Pat Dwyer has now played in 30 NHL games this season. His offensive production is hardly impressive (who's is from the fourth line?), but he is now out producing veteran center Stephan Yelle.
Other good news out of Carolina is that Joe Corvo could be back in the line-up any game now after recovering from his ankle injury. This puts him at the early end of his recovery time line that predicted 8-12 weeks (it's been 8 weeks now).
Red Wings Healing:
I was very pleased to see more of the injured Red Wings coming back into the line-up. Jason Williams is the latest and more are expected back this week.
The down side is that means some young players have to be reassigned to Grand Rapids (AHL), and the first to go was Justin Abdelkader. Unfortunately for Abdelkader the #1 reason he was sent down had nothing to do with his play, but rather that he was the only Red Wing that wouldn't have had to clear waivers to be reassigned.
Letestu is an injury call-up for the third time this season, and this time he was much more ready for the level of play in the NHL. Letestu skated hard to the net, took a few aggressive shots (only 1 counted as "on goal"), made a great leading pass to a streaking Tyler Kennedy who couldn't quite put it in the net, and simply worked hard every chance he got.
The former Bronco didn't get a whole lot of shifts on the fourth line, and even had players like Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal take his place on the line so they could double shift. But with what little time Letestu did get he took full advantage of and played a very solid game.
Some Bad News:
Paul Szczechura, who had spent most of this season with Tampa Bay in the NHL, was sent back down to the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) yesterday.
Speaking of Bad News:
Just how bad is the Bronco hockey team right now? Not only do they sit last in the CCHA standings, they are last in conference goals scored, third to last in goals against average, have only one player in the top 40 in conference scoring (Greg Squires with 14 points in CCHA games), and now have one of the worst penalty kills in the nation (after having one of the top 3 in November).
Jamal Mayers News:
The Toronto Maple Leafs were involved in two trades this weekend involving 10 players. One of those players is former Bronco Jamal Mayers who was sent to Calgary. Mayers had made it known earlier last week, via his agent, that he wanted out of Toronto (his childhood hometown ironically).
Some Good News:
Alum Pat Dwyer has now played in 30 NHL games this season. His offensive production is hardly impressive (who's is from the fourth line?), but he is now out producing veteran center Stephan Yelle.
Other good news out of Carolina is that Joe Corvo could be back in the line-up any game now after recovering from his ankle injury. This puts him at the early end of his recovery time line that predicted 8-12 weeks (it's been 8 weeks now).
Red Wings Healing:
I was very pleased to see more of the injured Red Wings coming back into the line-up. Jason Williams is the latest and more are expected back this week.
The down side is that means some young players have to be reassigned to Grand Rapids (AHL), and the first to go was Justin Abdelkader. Unfortunately for Abdelkader the #1 reason he was sent down had nothing to do with his play, but rather that he was the only Red Wing that wouldn't have had to clear waivers to be reassigned.
January 30, 2010
All Hail Riley Gill
Goaltender Riley Gill took what should have been a blow out and turned it into a respectably close game... a 2-1 loss to the #1 team in the nation. Unfortunately he faced 49 shots on goal along the way and his team only supported him with 16 shots the other way. Embarrassing.
Efforts like that, and I don't care who they're playing, make me wonder if this team has completely quit on their coach (not that I blame them). Gill was a stud this afternoon, the rest of the team should feel shame for hanging their goaltender out to dry like that.
Efforts like that, and I don't care who they're playing, make me wonder if this team has completely quit on their coach (not that I blame them). Gill was a stud this afternoon, the rest of the team should feel shame for hanging their goaltender out to dry like that.
January 29, 2010
First Real Post In Almost Two Months
It almost seems like a shame to make my first post back on the heels of a Bronco loss (4-1 to Miami), but here I am. Here are a few observations from the game with 2 caveats: I only followed the game on GameTracker and stats never tell the whole story, and the Broncos played the #1 team in the nation.
1 - The Broncos were out shot by a WIDE margin, 43-19. This seems to be a recent and disturbing trend.
2 - The wheels have come off the penalty kill over the past couple months. What was one of the best penalty kills in the nation is now one of the worst.
3 - The first two periods had very few penalties. In the third the flood gates opened, especially for the Broncos who committed 5 of their 8 penalties in the final frame. Miami only had 3 penalties all game, but 2 were in the third period.
4 - The Broncos last win was Dec. 4. Ouch!!!
Those who got to see the game on TV, or Miami fans who got to see the game in person please feel free to add perspective in the comments section.
1 - The Broncos were out shot by a WIDE margin, 43-19. This seems to be a recent and disturbing trend.
2 - The wheels have come off the penalty kill over the past couple months. What was one of the best penalty kills in the nation is now one of the worst.
3 - The first two periods had very few penalties. In the third the flood gates opened, especially for the Broncos who committed 5 of their 8 penalties in the final frame. Miami only had 3 penalties all game, but 2 were in the third period.
4 - The Broncos last win was Dec. 4. Ouch!!!
Those who got to see the game on TV, or Miami fans who got to see the game in person please feel free to add perspective in the comments section.
January 28, 2010
Thinking of Restoring The Blog
I miss writing about the Broncos, even though it'd be all bad news these days. If I do come back I know there will be some changes to my posting habits; most notably I will post less often then I had been and I will put far less pressure on myself to get the latest news first.
Should I come back? I'm not 100% sure yet. Let me know.
Should I come back? I'm not 100% sure yet. Let me know.
December 8, 2009
Thinking of Signing Off
I am seriously thinking of giving up on this blog. I still love Bronco hockey, despite the dismal state of the program and the terrible coaching in the driver's seat, but I have lost interesting in writing about it. I love writing, though I'm obviously not a professional, but what started out as something fun to do for a sport I love now feels like an obligation to me.
I'm going to take some time off from writing this blog. I may find I miss it too much and come back, but there is a good chance that this will be my last post ever on this blog.
Thanks to all who have regularly read my posts and put up with my opinions. Thanks to those who motivated me to start this blog. And most of all I thank God for the greatest sport ever created... hockey.
Go Broncos!!!
I'm going to take some time off from writing this blog. I may find I miss it too much and come back, but there is a good chance that this will be my last post ever on this blog.
Thanks to all who have regularly read my posts and put up with my opinions. Thanks to those who motivated me to start this blog. And most of all I thank God for the greatest sport ever created... hockey.
Go Broncos!!!
December 4, 2009
I Should Have Picked The Upset
Earlier today I scoffed at the idea of picking the Broncos for the upset win tonight against Alaska-Fairbanks. Oops. 3-1 Broncos. And after a season almost completely lacking scoring from the blue line the Broncos get all 3 goals from defensemen. Jordan Collins (2) and Tyler Ludwig do all the damage tonight for the Broncos as they get just their second CCHA win this season. They also pull to just one game below .500 on the season.
And no, I will not be picking the Broncos to repeat the upset tomorrow night. Yes, I am that cynical.
And no, I will not be picking the Broncos to repeat the upset tomorrow night. Yes, I am that cynical.
Other Tidbits...
~ Former Bronco Pat Dwyer was sent back down to Albany (AHL) by the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
~ Paul Szczechura remains with the Tampa Bay Lightning in his recent call-up. He now has a pair of goals in 10 games with the big club this season.
~ Joe Corvo was placed on injured reserve by the Hurricanes after suffering a "right leg injury". He is officially listed as "out indefinitely". According to NewsObserver.com Corvo's Achilles tendon was cut, a near miss of the neurovascular bundle which would have ended his career. Rumor is Corvo will miss 8 to 12 weeks.
~ Recruit Jordan Gidaro, after scoring 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 games with Orangeville (CCHL), has again switched teams. This time the move is to Aurora (OJHL) where he has yet to play a game.
~ Lucas Isley, as reported in the comments of a previous post and finally independently confirmed, has a broken arm. The break was suffered on a dirty hit which earned the offending player a 4 game suspension. Isley is now on the reserve roster for Bonnyville (AJHL).
~ Paul Szczechura remains with the Tampa Bay Lightning in his recent call-up. He now has a pair of goals in 10 games with the big club this season.
~ Joe Corvo was placed on injured reserve by the Hurricanes after suffering a "right leg injury". He is officially listed as "out indefinitely". According to NewsObserver.com Corvo's Achilles tendon was cut, a near miss of the neurovascular bundle which would have ended his career. Rumor is Corvo will miss 8 to 12 weeks.
~ Recruit Jordan Gidaro, after scoring 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 games with Orangeville (CCHL), has again switched teams. This time the move is to Aurora (OJHL) where he has yet to play a game.
~ Lucas Isley, as reported in the comments of a previous post and finally independently confirmed, has a broken arm. The break was suffered on a dirty hit which earned the offending player a 4 game suspension. Isley is now on the reserve roster for Bonnyville (AJHL).
Things to Know About Alaska-Fairbanks
~ For another season the Nanooks are playing some very good hockey and winning a majority of their games. They are currently 8-3-3 (5-3-2 CCHA).
~ Just like last season they are winning on the play of their defense and solid goaltending (2.14 gaa). But new this season is some added offense (3.00 gpg) led by freshman forward Andy Taranto with a 7-11-18 line in 14 games.
~ In the past few weeks Alaska-Fairbanks has had the tenancy to play mediocre on Friday but then play very well on Saturday. Also, the Nanooks are 2-2-0 in road games, but 4-1-3 at home. It almost tempts me to pick the upset tonight... almost.
~ The #1 goaltender for the Nanooks is Scott Greenham, a sophomore. Last season he got his feet wet in 5 games in a back-up role (for senior Chad Johnson who'll make his NHL debut any day now), but this season Greenham has played in every game leaving his back-ups with "door duty" on the bench.
~ Head coach Dallas Ferguson is in his second season as the bench boss and holds a 25-19-9 record. Ferguson took the reigns after some turmoil in the coach's office as he was the third head coach in three years, and some turmoil on the roster with a ginormous recruiting class, much of which never showed up. Yet he pulled the rabbit out of his hat and had a winning first season.
~ Read the weekend preview from the Alaska Nanooks Hockey Blog here.
~ Just like last season they are winning on the play of their defense and solid goaltending (2.14 gaa). But new this season is some added offense (3.00 gpg) led by freshman forward Andy Taranto with a 7-11-18 line in 14 games.
~ In the past few weeks Alaska-Fairbanks has had the tenancy to play mediocre on Friday but then play very well on Saturday. Also, the Nanooks are 2-2-0 in road games, but 4-1-3 at home. It almost tempts me to pick the upset tonight... almost.
~ The #1 goaltender for the Nanooks is Scott Greenham, a sophomore. Last season he got his feet wet in 5 games in a back-up role (for senior Chad Johnson who'll make his NHL debut any day now), but this season Greenham has played in every game leaving his back-ups with "door duty" on the bench.
~ Head coach Dallas Ferguson is in his second season as the bench boss and holds a 25-19-9 record. Ferguson took the reigns after some turmoil in the coach's office as he was the third head coach in three years, and some turmoil on the roster with a ginormous recruiting class, much of which never showed up. Yet he pulled the rabbit out of his hat and had a winning first season.
~ Read the weekend preview from the Alaska Nanooks Hockey Blog here.
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