September
27, 2005
CCHA
Coaches, Media Buck History, Pick OSU
By
James Jahnke
DETROIT
– In the minds of CCHA media and coaches, Michigan
is a notch below where it has been, Ohio State is ready
to break through, Northern Michigan is a top-tier team,
and Michigan State still hasn’t gotten back to where
it wants to be.
The
Buckeyes, Wolverines, Wildcats and Spartans were the top
four teams – in that order – in both the coaches
and media polls released at CCHA Media Day on Tuesday at
Joe Louis Arena.
|
JRJ
on the CCHA |
| INCH's
James Jahnke reveals his thoughts on the CCHA pecking
order along with his choices for the pre-season all-league
team. |
Pre-Season
Poll
1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. Michigan State
4. Northern Michigan
5. Miami
6. Nebraska-Omaha
7. Bowling Green
8. Alaska-Fairbanks
9. Notre Dame
10. Lake Superior State
11. Western Michigan
12. Ferris State
|
|
All-League Team
F-Tom Fritsche, Ohio State
F-T.J. Hensick, Michigan
F-Scott Parse, Nebraska-Omaha
D-Andy Greene, Miami
D-Nathan Oystrick, No. Michigan
G-David Caruso, Ohio State |
Ohio
State, which finished second to Michigan in the regular
season and playoffs last season, returns almost every key
component of its roster, including forwards Rod Pelley and
Tom Fritsche, defenseman Nate Guenin and goalie David Caruso,
all of whom appeared on a Preseason All-CCHA team Tuesday.
Michigan
lost 13 players from last year, including goalie Al Montoya
and forwards Jeff Tambellini and Mike Brown, underclassmen
who left early for professional contracts. The turnover
will be tough for the Wolverines to overcome, even with
a talented freshman class featuring 2005 first-round NHL
draft picks Jack Johnson (defenseman) and Andrew Cogliano
(forward).
Northern
Michigan has star power in defenseman Nathan Oystrick and
forward Darin Olver, but must replace starter Tuomas Tarkki
in net.
Michigan
State lost star center Jim Slater to graduation, but returns
a significant number of key contributors. Junior goalie
Dominic Vicari made the preseason all-conference second
team, and senior forward Colton Fretter earned honorable
mention Tuesday.
The
polls also agreed that Nebraska-Omaha is fifth, Bowling
Green is eighth, Notre Dame is ninth and Lake Superior State
is 11th. The coaches had Miami sixth, Alaska Fairbanks seventh,
Ferris State 10th and Western Michigan 12th, while the media
flipped the RedHawks and Nanooks and the Bulldogs and Broncos.
Lake
Superior will be one of two CCHA teams with a new coach
this year, as Jim Roque takes over from fired Frank Anzalone.
Jeff Jackson, who led LSSU to national titles in 1992 and
1994, takes the reins at Notre Dame.
The
CCHA also will have a different playoff format this season,
with the top four teams in the regular-season standings
receiving first-round byes in the tournament while teams
Nos. 5-8 host teams Nos. 9-12 in a best-of-three series.
Those winners will face teams Nos. 1-4 in another best-of-three
series with the four victors comprising the championship
field March 17-18 at Joe Louis Arena.
Finally,
instant replay will be utilized on goals scored at Michigan,
Michigan State and Western Michigan this season. The other
nine CCHA members are expected to add the technology next
season.
| CCHA
Preseason Polls
|
Coaches
Poll
1. Ohio State (11) 121
2. Michigan (1) 108
3. Northern Michigan 96
4. Michigan State 93
5. Nebraska-Omaha 78
6. Miami 69
7. Alaska-Fairbanks 65
8. Bowling Green 50
9. Notre Dame 36
10. Ferris State 28
11. Lake Superior State 23
12. Western Michigan 22
|
Media
Poll
1.
Ohio State (45) 622
2. Michigan (7) 581
3. No. Michigan (1) 494
4. Michigan State (1) 432
5. Nebraska-Omaha 380
6. Alaska-Fairbanks 372
7. Miami 368
8. Bowling Green 300
9. Notre Dame 196
10. Western Michigan 179
11. Lake Superior 159
12. Ferris State 112
|
First
place votes in parentheses, followed by total points. |