A Big Catch-Up

I'm back from my week away. Unfortunately I have another long week away coming up next week too so there will be another big gap in blog posts around here.

UAH:

~ I don't care what anyone thinks of the level of competition. The Broncos getting a weekend sweep on the road, against anyone, is a real accomplishment. That the Broncos did it with a pair of defensive games is something to talk about.

And Then Reality Hits:

~ After starting the season 4-0-0, and getting votes in the national polls (I'll have some of that Kool-Aid too please), WMU comes back to earth with a pair of losses at the hands of the surprisingly good MSU Spartans.

~ First up the Broncos play another solid defensive game, shutting down Corey Tropp in the process, and come within a split second (and video review) of tying things up at the end of regulation. With time winding down, and Riley Gill pulled for a sixth skater, Max Campbell put the puck in the net as time expired and the ref ruled it a goal. However, after video review, the goal was overturned and MSU skated away with a 2-1 win. Those who watched the game from home, including a majority of MSU fans on the message boards, have since claimed that the video review was blown and the goal should have in fact counted. I was out of town, I didn't see it, that's just what I've been told.

~ The next night at home, in front of a horridly small crowd (2,613) as compared to a typical crowd for a MSU game, the Broncos don't fair much better. In fact the defense falls to pieces and the offense is too little too late all night long. Just like the night before the Broncos pull Gill for the extra skater, but instead of a goal (or no-goal) WMU gives up the empty-netter with just 6 seconds left.

A One-Line Team:

I was critical after the Mercyhurst wins of WMU being a one-line team, and apparently opposing coaches figured that out too. Since those wins the first line of Max Campbell, Greg Squires, and J.J. Crew has been completely shut down and unheard from. That has limited WMU to just 2 goals per game since... mostly from one line. While Trevor Elias and Jared Katz have played very well, you are not going to win a lot of games with just one scoring line. Jim Culhane is going to have to find a way to get more then one scoring line per game because 2 goals per game just won't cut it in the CCHA.

Letestu Gets a Cup of Coffee:

~ It happened sooner then I thought it would, but former Bronco Mark Letestu is getting his first cup of coffee in the NHL. Unfortunately he isn't getting much more then that as two games in he has been a healthy scratch both nights. In fact he has already been sent back to the AHL.

~ Rumor is that Letestu could be the 13th forward for the Pens during their California road trip which begins Tuesday. We'll see if that rumor becomes reality or not.

Recruits:

~ Defenseman Dennis Brown (Omaha, USHL) has started to put up some points for the Lancers. He now has 2 goals, 5 assists, for 7 points in 9 games and leads the team in scoring among defensemen. Those totals include a 2 goal, 2 assist effort against Waterloo recently.

~ Goalie Nick Pisellini continues to get the majority of time between the pipes for Chicago. He now holds a 6-2-0 record.

~ Jordan Gidaro has only played a 2 games while I was away. And he still is not scoring for Alexandria.

~ Lucas Isley, not technically a recruit, continues to score at a solid pace for Bonnyville in the AJHL. He now holds a 13-8-21 line in 17 games this season.