WTFO

And CC goes down in flames. How can the big ice and altitude have no impact on MSU? CC could not play their game, it was pretty bad. Bachman played as well as could be expected but their offense could not put up the points to help him. I'll give credit to MSUs defense. They blocked a lot of shots and passes last night. Not the most interesting game to watch, but it worked.

On to today's predictions. I've already provided my first round picks, so I won't repeat those.

Michigan vs. Clarkson
It has to be Michigan. They looked really solid yesterday. While Clarkson's goalie played well yesterday, I think Michingan's speed will eat them alive.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
I was surprised by NDs offense, but the way MSU played yesterday should slow them down. Lerg can handle the easy shots from the outside. The only way for ND to win this one is to crash the net and hope for rebounds. They have to make short passes and carry the puck into the zone with speed. You can beat the 3 back system by getting around the corner. I'm still going to have to go with MSU on this one, even though I don't want to see 2 CCHA teams in the Frozen Four.

So much for my brackets

I think I'm learning that I have no business predicting games. With 3 of the 8 games complete, I have just 1 right. I'm guessing I should have expected some upsets, but wow. I'm still a bit in awe that UNH went down so easily. The game was a lot closer than the score shows since there were a couple empty-netters at the end. The coach knew it was all or nothing, go big or go home. I'm hoping the WCHA fairs a bit better tonight and tomorrow. I really don't want to see them go down like SCSU, except maybe Minnesota. :D I think they are just one of those teams that people love to hate.

Another irritant....how is it that the east teams get the ESPNU coverage? It's really frustrating that if they aren't going to cover all the games, that they can't share it with someone else. What's the point of watching UND on tape delay at 3:30 on Sunday, when the regional final is at 7 that night? I just don't get it. I guess it's really hard to compete with all the college basketball at this time of year, but still. If you don't want to cover it, then give it up to FSN or some other broadcaster.

On another note....I still haven't gotten a chance to go through the hundreds of pictures from the WCHA Final Five, but hopefully that will happen Sunday.

Way to snatch a loss from the jaws of victory

Damnit St. Cloud. Way to take a page from the book of the Sioux. Learn to shoot the f'in puck. 3 shots on net in the 3rd with 5 minutes left. Are you kidding me? Quit looking for the pretty play and just shoot. They didn't play like they wanted it until those last few minutes. Too many lazy passes, too many missed opportunities to shoot. They just didn't deserve to win that game, but it just upsets me. They should be ashamed of the way they represented their school and the WCHA.

My bracket

Albany (East)
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Niagara
This is a gimme. Michigan should have an easy time with Niagara.

No. 2 St. Cloud State vs. No. 3 Clarkson
I'm betting on SCSU. They've been in a bit of a slump lately, but should turn it around at tournament time. Solid goaltending and good scoring should overpower Clarkson.

Colorado Springs (West)
No. 1 New Hampshire vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
UNH hands down. ND hasn't played well lately and haven't been consistent enough to hang with UNH.

No. 2 Colorado College vs. No. 3 Michigan State
CC is the winner here. With hot goaltending and solid scoring going up against a midget goaltender and a mediocre team of late, CC should win easily.

Madison (Midwest)
No. 1 North Dakota vs. No. 4 Princeton
The Fighting Sioux win in big fashion. Does Princeton even have a hockey team? How'd they do this year?

No. 2 Denver vs. No. 3 Wisconsin
This should be a good game....too bad it's on tape delay so east teams can be on. DU will win out over the home team as WI barely made the tourney.

Worcester (Northeast)
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 4 Air Force
Miami will win this one. Even though they've had the cupcake schedule, they're still better than AF.

No. 2 Boston College vs. No. 3 Minnesota
BC should manhandle Minnesota. UM has been hit or miss every game of the year. Goaltending is shaky and gives up too many rebounds to a good offense.