March 29, 2004
INCH Power Rankings

The NCAA Tournament always leads to some upsets, and this year was no exception. Minnesota Duluth and Denver jump into the top four on the strength of their victories, and there are some shake-ups down the line as well.

Here's how the Inside College Hockey editors and staff rank the rest of the nation's top teams (along with movement since last week and a note). You can let us know what you think, including your name and hometown, and we'll share your thoughts below (some feedback may be edited).

No.	Team		Of Note
1.	Maine	–	Cardiac kids have won seven straight games by one goal, including three in OT (nine straight wins total).
32-7-3 (17-5-2 Hockey East). LAST WEEK: W vs. Harvard, 5-4; W vs. Wisconsin, 2-1 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. Boston College.
2.	Boston College	2	Eagles fans will be happy to welcome out-of-towners to Boston – especially if they have an extra ticket.
29-8-4 (17-4-3 Hockey East). LAST WEEK: W vs. Niagara, 5-2; W vs. Michigan, 3-2 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. Maine.
3.	Minnesota Duluth	2	Willis Reed. Kirk Gibson. Junior Lessard. Maybe the senior's return to the lineup wasn't quite as dramatic but, like the other two, he's got a chance to win a title.
28-12-4 (19-7-2 WCHA). LAST WEEK: W vs. Michigan State, 5-0; W vs. Minnesota, 3-1. THIS WEEK: vs. Denver.
4.	Denver	3	Memo to the NCAA: With Adam Berkhoel and Isaac Reichmuth squaring off in the first Frozen Four semifinal, you might want to push the start time of the second semi back. To Friday.
25-12-5 (13-10-5 WCHA). LAST WEEK: W vs. Miami, 3-2; W vs. North Dakota, 1-0. THIS WEEK: vs. Minnesota Duluth.
5.	North Dakota	3	Well, at least one member of this year's Fighting Sioux team is still playing hockey.
30-8-3 (20-5-3 WCHA). LAST WEEK: W vs. Holy Cross, 3-0; L vs. Denver, 1-0.
6.	Minnesota	3	If you're going to have your quest for a third straight national title ended, it may as well come at the hands of a school that's part of your own university system.
27-14-3 (15-12-1 WCHA). LAST WEEK: W vs. Notre Dame, 5-2; L vs. Minnesota Duluth, 3-1.
7.	Michigan	1	If Jeff Tambellini comes back and returns to his freshman year form, the Wolverines’ Frozen Four absence will stop at one year.
27-14-2 (18-8-2 CCHA). LAST WEEK: W vs. New Hampshire, 4-1; L vs. Boston College, 3-2.
8.	Wisconsin	2	We know the Badgers will be back at this level. Given that, is it too much to ask that they play a little more entertaining style?
22-13-8 (14-7-7 WCHA). LAST WEEK: W vs. Ohio State, 1-0 ot; L vs. Maine, 2-1 ot.
9.	Miami	–	Of the teams that were eliminated last weekend, the RedHawks come out looking the best – they returned to Oxford the next day.
23-14-4 (17-8-3 CCHA). LAST WEEK: L vs. Denver, 3-2.
10.	Ohio State	2	Yes, Columbus is a good soccer town, but the Buckeyes probably aren’t going to attract fans by losing 1-0 in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.
26-16-0 (16-12-0 CCHA). LAST WEEK: L vs. Wisconsin, 1-0 ot.
11.	New Hampshire	–	It can’t be coincidence that players like Steve Saviano, Lanny Gare, Jason Krog, et al, improve by leaps and bounds under Dick Umile. The Wildcats will be back.
20-15-6 (10-8-6 Hockey East). LAST WEEK: L vs. Michigan, 4-1.
12.	Massachusetts	1	Good news: the number of Minutemen to play in the NHL just tripled. Bad news: one of them, Greg Mauldin, was supposed to be their top player next year.
19-12-6 (12-9-3 Hockey East).
13.	Colgate	1	Raiders must’ve watched Harvard and thought, “Hey, we could have done that. And we’d have brought more fans, too.”
22-12-5 (14-6-2 ECAC).
14.	Notre Dame	1	Congratulations, Domers. Irish fans showed up en masse in Grand Rapids Saturday. We now officially christen you as a hockey school.
20-15-4 (14-11-3 CCHA). LAST WEEK: L vs. Minnesota, 5-2.
15.	Harvard	1	The third period collapse gets the attention, but the real trouble began when the Crimson didn’t even make Maine work for its first goal.
16-10-9 (10-5-7 ECAC). LAST WEEK: L vs. Maine, 5-4.
16.	Colorado College	1	Given the success of the WCHA and the struggles of the CCHA, it’s hard not to think that the Tigers belonged somewhere in the field.
20-16-3 (11-15-2 WCHA).
17.	Michigan State	5	The last player to score an NCAA Tournament goal for the Spartans wasn’t actually Mike Donnelly in 1986, it just feels that way.
24-16-2 (17-9-2 CCHA). LAST WEEK: L vs. Minnesota Duluth, 5-0.
18.	Niagara	–	The Purple Eagles looked good in Manchester. Well, except for the N on the front of their jerseys, which looks like it was run over on a railroad track.
21-15-3 (14-6-0 CHA). LAST WEEK: L vs. Boston College, 5-2.
19.	Holy Cross	–	Tony Quesada’s sparkling effort gave North Dakota a glimpse of what it would see from Adam Berkhoel in the regional final. Minus the throwing up part.
22-10-4 (17-4-3). LAST WEEK: L vs. North Dakota, 3-0.
20.	Northern Michigan	–	The Wildcats were idle last weekend. Come to think of it, so was Michigan State.
21-16-4 (13-13-2 CCHA).

Dropped out: None

Bubble-licious: Clarkson, Dartmouth, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State, Alaska Anchorage

Feedback

You need to specify if these rankings are intended to be based on the whole season or just recent performance. I am not a NoDak fan, but they are no worse than #3 based on season-long performance.

Two other comments apropos of nothing:

1. Something needs to be fixed with the selection system if a team is as good as Colgate all year long, wins its conference regular season championship but can't get into the tournament.

2. Is there some guy in New Jersy who supplies ugly uniforms for all the CHA and Atlantic Hockey teams? He certainly has the concession on ugly blue or purple (or whatever color that was) fabric for both Niagara and Holy Cross.

Owen, Wilmette IL

"Cardiac Kids" I love it. It's true too, if I was any older that 21, I think I might have a heart attack watching all this stuff.

Thanks to UMD and Minnesota for six great games of intense hockey this season. You guys put on a great show for all college hockey fans out there. That's what in-state rivalry is all about.

Kudos also to Denver who put a stop to the North Dakota machine. It's a tough spot to be in when you are on top, and North Dakota, like B.C., finally got caught off guard. Denver was underrated all season, but their solid goaltending, and consistency down the stretch shows that they are definately deserving of the spot.

B.C.-Maine is gonna be one hell of a game. B.C. is looking for revenge, and I think the ol Cardiac Kids will put on great show. I can easily see overtime here. My pick: who the heck knows, this season has been so crazy I can't make these kind of predictions. I'm gonna say maine though, just because they are my team, and defense wins championships in all sports. It doesnt matter how you win, it only matters that you win.

Good luck to everyone! We still have three great games left!

Eric, Orono, Maine

The BC-Michigan tilt is the reason why I prefer college hockey to the NHL. Up and down, edge-of-your-seat action. Physical play without the clutch-and-grab. Great goaltending (Michigan), shaky goaltending (BC and Matti "It's not just a save, it's an adventure" Kaltiainen), suffocating team defense (BC) followed by intense offense (Michigan). Were it shown nationally, it would qualify as an ESPN Instant Classic. I can only hope that the Frozen Four can reach that level of intensity and competition to give college hockey the national platform it deserves.

My biggest tourney surprise was that Holy Cross stayed with North Dakota through much of their game. I expected UND to hang a 8-0, 9-1 type pasting on the Crusaders. Props to the little school from Worcester (or Wistah, as the natives say) for giving mighty UND a good game. Al Montoya is a heck of a goalie. Michigan will certainly be back as a power next year. Wisconsin showed a lot as well. If that talented underclass stays around in Madison, the Badgers will be a force as well. Maine had a hellacious third period to come off the mat and edge Harvard. They might have the destiny thing on their side, much as I hate to admit it.

Previewing the FF, what should a Hockey East guy watch in the opener of UMD-Denver? Give me some keys to the game. As for BC-Maine, I expect the same kind of action as BC/Michigan. In other words, college hockey at its
finest.

Light a candle for Matti that he has the games of his life and make these two weeks go fast. Ever to Excel.

John, BC '88, Northboro, MA

Yes, the fans were right. If the Badgers scored one more goal, for a total of 3 in 2 games, the WCHA would have 3 teams in the Frozen Four. Now, if the selection committee had had the guts to put Minnesota (play off champion) or North Dakota (regular season champion) in the east bracket, you'd have to move the whole show to St Paul so the West could see their own teams.

Sorry to warn the NoDak fans last week about Denver's goalie.....but now you lose Zach Parise to the NJ Devils...its been a bad week for the Sioux!!!

One last tribute to the two time defending national champion Minnesota Golden Gophers.....remove their record this year versus the Frozen Four teams and it becomes 25-5-3. I guess the teams that are going to Boston deserve to be there.

Good Luck, Bulldogs !!!

Jerry J, Shoreview, MN (the State of Hockey, home of Miracles and the late great Herb Brooks)

Denver is ranked 4th after beating the #1 seed? That's okay. They'll never see us coming.

Ray, Denver, Colorado

I too would have liked to see another ECAC team, (Colgate) in the tournament, but did any team get the shaft worse then U Mass from Hockey East.

How did Maine escape Harvard, that was amazing!

Rich Newport, NH

First, I have to say congratulations to all of the teams that made the Frozen Four. Everyone played a tough game against a tough opponent, UMD, Denver, BC, and Maine all deserve to be there. And to Owen, in IL, yes NoDak had a great season, but the 4 teams that are above them are still playing. So, for now the power rankings are pretty much correct.

Next, WOW, what exciting hockey last weekend. Every game was exciting and close in both rounds (except the 5-0 beating UMD gave to Michigan State). Just a little memo to the NHL: you should be watching and taking notes because college hockey is 10 times more exciting to watch than the NHL. You have up and down action, scoring, hitting, no clutching and grabbing. You want a product that the fans will watch, change it to a more college-like game.

My predictions for the Frozen Four: UMD-Denver, this one will be close. Two outstanding (and very hot at the moment) goaltenders, great team play and team defense. UMD does have the edge on offense, but not as big of an edge if Connor James returns to the DU line-up. As in the ND-DU game one goal either way could win this one, but it could just as easily turn into a shoot-out (not as likely). UMD 2-1. John, in Northboro, MA, I hope this helps you out for an idea of what the game is going to be like.

BC-Maine, another very similar match-up (this based on watching the regionals, never got to see either team play during the regular season). Similar in the fact that BC has the Offensive edge and Maine has the defensive edge. I don't think that the goaltending match-up will be as good (nothing against Howard or Kaltiainen both are great goaltenders). I know defense wins championships, but I think that BC will come out on top in a very exciting and wild game. BC 5-4 OT.

If this holds true, then I will have to go with the UMD (a little biased for the hometown team). But, it will be probably the most exciting game of the tournament. I see a lot of scoring in the beginning, a very fast pace game and possibly numerous OTs and if these teams play, it will be one of the best Championship games.

Good Luck to all. GO DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I think I just might becoming ill on Thursday (or at least what the boss is going to think) LOL.

Mike - Duluth, MN

Well I have to say this last weekend was HOCKEY (any level) at its finest. The regional finals games were all GREAT!! I knew Denver had a good goaltender, but to shut out NoDak at this stage was VERY impressive. Hopefully my Bulldogs can find a way to net a few. Minnesota fans I feel for you. Getting set up in the same bracket as UMD after losing 4 of 5 to them this year is tough. Another great season though with many more to come. Hopefully you can set aside the rivalry for now and cheer on the in-state Bulldogs as we did for you the last two seasons. Now that the WCHA's two "power-houses" are out of the tourney we will see just how deep the WCHA is after the title game. My prediction...UMD beats BC in front of there home crowd to disappoint hockey east fans everywhere. Good luck to all four teams left and GO BULLDOGS!!!!

Ryan in Duluth

First of all I would like to congrats to DENVER on making it to the Frozen Four. The game between UND and Denver was an instant classic, it was one of those games you hate to see a team lose. It was a goalie battle right from the start and no matter what team you were cheering for you just hate to see either goalie let in a goal.

Jerry in shoreview, GET OFF THE SUBJECT OF THE GOPHERS. Who cares about there record, they didnt make it to the frozen four so quit talking about "HOW GREAT THEY ARE". If they are so great how come they couldn't win it all?

John in Northboro, Holy Cross was one of the biggest underrated team in the tourney. I don't know why everyone was expecting the SIOUX to score tons of goals against them. When you have a goalie like they did its going to be hard to score that many goals.

Ryan, Grand Forks, ND

Well, as the man say's, "all good things must come to an end". I hated to see UND go down to Denver, but at least it was a game worth watching and not an affair where one team just didn't show up. The kick while still down of Zach Parise leaving to go pro when UND is only losing 2 seniors with consistent playing time really stings, but we all know that money talks and the cash in the NHL will be very different after the looming lockout. One has also known that it was just a matter of time before Zach left as he obviously has the tools for the next level, so on that note I'll wish him well and thank him for the outstanding games he played at/for UND. He truly was a marvel to watch in person.

Not to have those who read this think I'm just giving sour grapes, but I'm going with UMD as the WCHA team in the FF. Should Denver win, then I will give them my full support in the Championship game as all other WCHA fans will I'm sure. I just think this is UMD's year to shine and they work harder game in/game out and they have a little more offensive power than Denver. Watching Wisconsin put the fear of God in their bracket leaves me to believe that the WCHA contenders are more than prepared for Hockey East....but they should all be great games (unless a goalie or two doesn't show up to play).

Here's to college hockey, cheers!!

Mike, Grand Forks,ND

Congrats to the UMD Bulldogs for beating my Gophers (again). If there was a difference between the two teams it was goaltending, Briggs played decent but Reichmuth was awesome at times. We now lose alot of key seniors and next year should be something of a rebuilding effort. Now I must also say my condolences to my friends in North Dakota, you also ran into a tough goalie on Saturday night! Not to say I told you so, but I said about 3 weeks ago that Denver is a hot team that could play spoiler and Shazaam! down go the Sioux. Good luck to MINNESOTA Duluth and Denver.. I guess I have to route for the "other" Minnesota team now. ) :

Mike (Lakeville, MN)

Great weekend of hockey, except for my Gophs losing!

Congrats to UMD for a great game. Isaac simply shut the door on us. The Gophs had a number of great chances stopped, against a mere mortal goalie we would have had 5-6 goals.

Also congrats to Denver, one fabulously entertaining game.

I am still sorry Denver had to play UND, and UMD play the Gophs. I truly believe these are the best 4 teams right now, regardless of those other 2 Hockey East teams in the final four.

Maine was very lucky to beat Harvard, and the lowest WCHA seed Wisconsin took them to overtime.

BC got lucky playing Michigan. The CCHA true colors came out so far in the tourney.

If Denver and UMD were sent east, then I think both Maine and BC would be at home right now. This is just my opinion.

I am starting to think the NCAA intentionally sets up a guaranteed east vs west final game. Maybe they think this is more politically correct.

I am a hardcore Gophs fan and I will *gladly* cheer on UMD and Denver. We need to keep the hardware in the WCHA!!

You all should check out the UMD / Denver game. This is probably the true championship. The last game should be a mere formality. :)

Of course I've been wrong before......

Mike, Maple Grove, MN

To the two Mike's (MN & NoDak) Thanks for taking all the ribbing from the DU fans. With all due respect I did not expect to see your teams go down. Sometimes it is a huge advantage to be the underdog. While I rooted for them the whole way I did not expect the mighty Pioneers to beat the Sioux (notice I did not say SUE). I fully expected to see the Gophers and Sioux in a battle for the ages on the 8th. Is this UMD squad as good as the team that Corey Millen captained to the finals in the late 80's? As I mentioned weeks ago, Adam B has a way of heating up at the right time. (don't include the meltdown in Michigan a couple of years ago) DU has a great shot now, and not in a year that anyone expected them to be a factor. Adam has the shoulders and Connor James will change any opponents plan if he can dress. Don't be surprised to see DU hang a 6th banner.

Ron, Aptos, CA

To Mike from MN, there's a reason Maine is ranked No. 1, and I'm sure you'll see why in about a week.

Eric, Westbrook, ME

Who cares about the MacNaughton and Broadmoor?!? Let's talk about 'Coach of the Year' Scott Sandelin, soon to be 'Hobey Baker Winner' Junior Lessard, and the inevitable 'NCAA Champs' UMD Bulldogs!!!

I think the song should be changed to: Du-luth, Du-luth, Du-luth is on FIRE!!!

Stokes, '94 UMD Grad

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