WCHA 2017-18 Season

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Final Score From Saturday, December 2nd
Ohio State 0
St. Cloud State 0
(Ohio State Wins Shootout 1-0)

Leftover Meatloaf; Accompanied By Le Shootout Du Jour

The Meatloaf reference is retiring after this write-up, no matter what the second half of the season brings. But what to do when the same recipe produces the same result? Just like Friday, our scenario is that 2 out of 3 points ain't bad.

Another day, another serving. Whether this variety of meatloaf is comfort food I'll leave for the reader to decide. But I certainly haven't forgotten that for many on this board, watching a shootout is about as appealing as having a Spinal Tap.

I do agree with the opinion expressed by others that Saturday's game was actually better than Friday's, despite the lack of scoring in the re-match. Good compete level and good pace for both clubs. On the other hand, those who think good defense is dull fare were undoubtedly left with a major case of indigestion.

The 3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun

#3 Star: (tie) Dani Sadek, Ohio State; and Emma Turbyville, St. Cloud State
We'll let #8 and #10 represent their respective defensive corps. Turbyville had an especially noteworthy night, blocking 4 Buckeye shots.

#2 Star: (tie) Kassidy Sauve, Ohio State; and Emma Polusny, St. Cloud State
Both goalies faced a number of difficult shots. Both were more than up to the task. Both recorded 65 Minute Shutouts. A double shutout. Now there's something you don't see every day. Or, for that matter, in most seasons.

#1 Star: Liv Halvorson, Ohio State
Hate me if you must, but the #1 Star goes to the Shootout Goal Scorer. Despite the contempt that so many fans feel toward shootouts, today's players seem to genuinely embrace them. It was an authentically electric moment when Liv scored. Then, a few seconds later, she found herself at the bottom of an all-team hug pile.

As for the goal itself, Halvorson calmly skated down the middle of slot, slowed, then blew a slapshot by the SCSU Keeper. Liv's shot found the inside of the left post. A fine blast indeed.

One redeeming quality of shootouts is that they give unsung heroes a chance to shine. Which was certainly the case for this #1 Star.


Up Next: Final Exams; Followed By A Trip To Mercyhurst on December 15th & 16th.

[pokechecker]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Another day, another serving. Whether this variety of meatloaf is comfort food I'll leave for the reader to decide. But I certainly haven't forgotten that for many on this board, watching a shootout is about as appealing as having a Spinal Tap.

so which is worse, a shootout or 3 on 3? neither is hockey
at least in the WCHA they play 5 minutes of hockey if tied after 3, going straight to 3 on 3, that's just bizarre

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

so which is worse, a shootout or 3 on 3? neither is hockey
at least in the WCHA they play 5 minutes of hockey if tied after 3, going straight to 3 on 3, that's just bizarre

The extended argument on this board regarding shootouts (a few years back) was enough to last to last a lifetime. Don't remember for sure, but I think you missed the "fun" that time.

I will say a few words about 3 on 3. Back in the '70s, before the Gretzky Rule, 3 on 3 play was fairly common. It was certainly part of the sport back then. Teams with a superstar would instigate enough penalties to create the 3 on 3, then put the star on the ice with a greatly improved opportunity to score. The Oilers & Gretzky had a lot of success with the tactic. The same strategy was occasioinally used at the D-1 Level as well. You're probably too young to have first hand memories of North Dakota's James Patrick. But he was a highly skilled defenseman who went on to play for the NY Rangers for many years. The Sioux weren't shy about creating the same situation for Patrick.

The Coincidental Penalty Rule greatly reduced the frequency of 3 on 3. But it is hockey, and it can still happen.

That said, should 3 on 3 be used as a tiebreaker in college hockey? Personally I'd say no. But then again, my ideal OT rule for the regular season would be a 10 minute, sudden death period with standard rules. If still tied after 10 minutes, the game ends in a tie. IIRC, this was actually used in the Late '70s and Early '80s. Good rule, IMHO. Regrettably the rule is long gone, and almost certainly isn't coming back.

[Puckdrop14]

The extended argument on this board regarding shootouts (a few years back) was enough to last to last a lifetime. Don't remember for sure, but I think you missed the "fun" that time.

I will say a few words about 3 on 3. Back in the '70s, before the Gretzky Rule, 3 on 3 play was fairly common. It was certainly part of the sport back then. Teams with a superstar would instigate enough penalties to create the 3 on 3, then put the star on the ice with a greatly improved opportunity to score. The Oilers & Gretzky had a lot of success with the tactic. The same strategy was occasioinally used at the D-1 Level as well. You're probably too young to have first hand memories of North Dakota's James Patrick. But he was a highly skilled defenseman who went on to play for the NY Rangers for many years. The Sioux weren't shy about creating the same situation for Patrick.

The Coincidental Penalty Rule greatly reduced the frequency of 3 on 3. But it is hockey, and it can still happen.

That said, should 3 on 3 be used as a tiebreaker in college hockey? Personally I'd say no. But then again, my ideal OT rule for the regular season would be a 10 minute, sudden death period with standard rules. If still tied after 10 minutes, the game ends in a tie. IIRC, this was actually used in the Late '70s and Early '80s. Good rule, IMHO. Regrettably the rule is long gone, and almost certainly isn't coming back.

Definitely agree on the 10 minute OT and having the game end in a tie if there is no goal. Having said that, I have to admit that I really do find myself enjoying the 3 on 3 OT period in the NHL. It is extremely exciting to watch. I am not sure what the statistics look like but it seems like quite a few games are settled before going to the shootout but I could be completely off on that.

[pokechecker]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

The NHL is a different animal, they want a result, and they want it now so everyone can go home. I suppose the same can be said of the Canada-US game, in the end it was a meaningless game so end it as quickly as possible, which a 3 on 3 will do, and send everyone on their way.

But it isn’t hockey. 3 on 3 is rare, as an alternative, how about playing with 5 skaters but only four of them have sticks?
Ridiculous you say? That situation comes up far more often than 3 on 3 or a penalty shot, which is what a shootout is. In the Canada-US game there were at least 2 instances of players playing without sticks, there was no penalty shot and no 3 on 3.

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

... I have to admit that I really do find myself enjoying the 3 on 3 OT period in the NHL. It is extremely exciting to watch. I am not sure what the statistics look like but it seems like quite a few games are settled before going to the shootout but I could be completely off on that.

The NHL is a different animal, they want a result, and they want it now so everyone can go home.

You're both correct on the NHL version. And I believe that a check of the stats would confirm Puckdrop14's impression that the number of shootouts is reduced.

Why is the NHL different? The length of the NHL season is largely driven by economic considerations. From a competitive standpoint, it's simply too long. And at least in the West, the travel burden is too great. No team can bring its 'A' game every night. Avoiding protracted overtimes in the regular season keeps the situation from getting even worse. For that reason, a bit of gimmickry is a little more palatable at the NHL level.

With that said, I will be bitterly disappointed if the NHL ever uses one of the tiebreaker gimmicks in playoff competition.

Circling back to college hockey, the number of games is much more reasonable, much closer to the sweet spot. Now I would be against unlimited OT in the regular season. But I think our athletes would handle a single 10 minute session just fine.

In short, the gimmicks are unnecessary at the college level. We already have the world's greatest sport to work with; using the normal rules should be the preferred option.

[Eeyore]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Mostly, Americans just need to accept that a tie is a perfectly valid result. Imagine them trying to process cricket, where not only is a draw a perfectly acceptable outcome, but where a draw and a tie are not the same thing.

[D2D]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Mostly, Americans just need to accept that a tie is a perfectly valid result. Imagine them trying to process cricket, where not only is a draw a perfectly acceptable outcome, but where a draw and a tie are not the same thing.

Gotta love those 8 hour baseball games that go 20+ innings to determine a winner. Perhaps after about 12 they should just settle it with a Home Run Derby contest?

[joecct]

Mostly, Americans just need to accept that a tie is a perfectly valid result. Imagine them trying to process cricket, where not only is a draw a perfectly acceptable outcome, but where a draw and a tie are not the same thing.

Raises hand!!

[Eeyore]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Gotta love those 8 hour baseball games that go 20+ innings to determine a winner. Perhaps after about 12 they should just settle it with a Home Run Derby contest?

8 hours? A proper cricket match takes 5 days.* They only have two innings, though.

*Test cricket is the only true form of the game. ODIs are tolerable if nothing better is at hand, but Twenty20 is an abomination that must be scourged from the earth.

[D2D]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Midseason Check In with the WCHA
https://www.hockeywilderness.com/201...omen-di-hockey

[Timothy A]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

Regular Season Champ gets a bye to the semis, 2 plays 7, 3 plays 6, 4 plays 5.

Why not park #7, have 6 @ 1, 5 @ 2 & 4 @ 3. Winners and the loser with the best goal differential from the week before make the final faceoff. This has a number of advantages, the biggest one is making how "good" you lose matter and would add a lot of drama to the games. Depriving UM or UW from 2 home games is not good for business.

[shelfit]

Why not park #7, have 6 @ 1, 5 @ 2 & 4 @ 3. Winners and the loser with the best goal differential from the week before make the final faceoff. This has a number of advantages, the biggest one is making how "good" you lose matter and would add a lot of drama to the games. Depriving UM or UW from 2 home games is not good for business.

Totally agree that #7 (and any last place team in general) has no business being included in any playoffs ever, and that it's better for the top seeds to be playing instead of sitting idle. Top teams like to keep their flow going (and I'm not talking about their hair). The rest of your post makes my brain hurt.

[Lindsay]

Why not park #7, have 6 @ 1, 5 @ 2 & 4 @ 3. .

Coaches must have felt otherwise; I have to think they participated in the decision. No fun for the home fans of the #1 team though, assuming there was to be no upset, injuries, or fatigue with any kind of an impact on the next weekend. Since there is no guarantee of that, I guess the coaches went the safe route.

A question - how does the final faceoff location get chosen every year? Is it a set rotation, or do teams apply to host and a winner gets picked?

[ARM]

Re: WCHA 2017-18 Season

A question - how does the final faceoff location get chosen every year? Is it a set rotation, or do teams apply to host and a winner gets picked?

There must be some sort of bid process. In the early years, it was held at community rinks in Bloomington, Rochester, and Blaine. UND hosted once before joining the league and once after. UMD has hosted twice in years when it also hosted the NCAA FF. Bemidji also hosted once. The most common host has been Ridder, in part because of location, and in part because the facility is about the right size and the U of M gets a lot of practice at hosting tournaments in a variety of sports.