Both the Broncos and RedHawks start the NCAA Tournament today. Miami is playing New Hampshire on ESPNU and WMU plays Denver on ESPN3.com.

I'll take Miami in a close one over UNH, but I see WMU falling to a very good WCHA team 4-2.

http://themacdaily.com/index.php?news&nid=646

Western Michigan and Denver are currently in overtime tied 2-2.

Miami was upset by New Hampshire earlier.

WMU outplays Denver, but loses 3-2 in 2ot. WMU was up 2-0 near the end of regulation, but couldn't match DU's intensity in the last five minutes. Broncos couldn't seal the deal with several scoring chances in both OTs. Denver knocks in a rebound to advance.

Miami almost looked disinterested in their game. Perhaps New Hampshire simply played so well to make them appear that way.

(03-26-2011 08:09 PM)Okie Chippewa Wrote:  WMU outplays Denver, but loses 3-2 in 2ot. WMU was up 2-0 near the end of regulation, but couldn't match DU's intensity in the last five minutes. Broncos couldn't seal the deal with several scoring chances in both OTs. Denver knocks in a rebound to advance.

Miami almost looked disinterested in their game. Perhaps New Hampshire simply played so well to make them appear that way.

Miami did not look good. As you said not sure if it was UNH playing well or Miami playing poorly. Miami would not have even been in the game if it wasn't for Reichard between the pipes.

(03-26-2011 11:05 PM)Rocket A Wrote:  

(03-26-2011 08:09 PM)Okie Chippewa Wrote:  WMU outplays Denver, but loses 3-2 in 2ot. WMU was up 2-0 near the end of regulation, but couldn't match DU's intensity in the last five minutes. Broncos couldn't seal the deal with several scoring chances in both OTs. Denver knocks in a rebound to advance.

Miami almost looked disinterested in their game. Perhaps New Hampshire simply played so well to make them appear that way.

Miami did not look good. As you said not sure if it was UNH playing well or Miami playing poorly. Miami would not have even been in the game if it wasn't for Reichard between the pipes.

It also doesn't help when its basically a home game for UNH as well.

Damn, looks like they peaked a week early.

#1 seeds are now 11-9 in the first round of the NCAA tournament in the last 5 years. In hockey, you're basically trying to make the tournament and then get some lucky bounces over two weekends.

(03-27-2011 09:10 AM)bronconick Wrote:  #1 seeds are now 11-9 in the first round of the NCAA tournament in the last 5 years. In hockey, you're basically trying to make the tournament and then get some lucky bounces over two weekends.

Interesting stat. Although I guess in hockey, the gap between #1 and #4 is generally narrow anyhow (as opposed to March Madness hoops where it's a light-year between #1 and #16).

Bronco Hockey had one of the best turnarounds in collegiate sports this season. Although learning to put teams away when you have them down comes with winning experience, which we don't have quite yet. We've shown an inability to hold on to late leads this season.

I watched the Miami game and about half of the WM game. Western could have easily won. Just a bounce here or there. Miami was clearly outplayed, only the fact that our goalie made some terrific saves kept us in it until the empty netter in the last minute. We had gone 13 games without losing, in college hockey that is unheard of, so maybe we were do for a clunker. Also, for whatever reason, in recent years winning the CCHA tournament has not been an indicator of success in the NCAA tournament, almost always some other CCHA team has the tournament run.

I hate that it's Michigan.