{"id":32797,"date":"2010-11-03T22:41:08","date_gmt":"2010-11-04T03:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/?p=32797"},"modified":"2010-11-08T16:14:25","modified_gmt":"2010-11-08T22:14:25","slug":"expect-st-norbert-to-reign-once-more-in-the-ncha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2010\/11\/03\/expect-st-norbert-to-reign-once-more-in-the-ncha\/","title":{"rendered":"Expect St. Norbert to reign once more in the NCHA"},"content":{"rendered":"
Such is St. Norbert College’s successful history and perennial depth that the loss of three of its top scorers merely brings a shrug of the shoulders and a reflex check of the pencil at the Green Knights name to repeat as Northern Collegiate Hockey Association champs.<\/p>\n
They are that good: 11 NCHA titles in 14 years, eight Peters Cups in 13 seasons, 11 NCAA tournament appearances in 13 years, six of those in the Frozen Four…you get the picture.<\/p>\n
The looming question is how the sting of last season’s 4-3 double overtime loss to Norwich in the NCAA Division III championship game carries over.<\/p>\n
The psychic fallout can be crippling. Just ask the NHL Detroit Red Wings, who lost the 1966 Stanley Cup to the Montreal Canadiens on a disputed goal (Henri Richard slid into the net with the puck on his nose, according to legend) in overtime of Game 6.<\/p>\n
The then-moribund Wings didn’t see another finals for 29 years.<\/p>\n
Five-time NCHA Coach of the Year Tim Coghlin (.365-104-39 in 17 years) possesses the acumen to prevent a similar fate.<\/p>\n
Another storyline this season will be the battle for second, as Dairy State rivals UW-River Falls and UW-Stevens Point have respective strong suits.<\/p>\n
The Falcons feature the dynamic junior scoring duo of Josh Calleja (eight goals, 29 assists for 37 points) and Justin Brossman, (2009-10 All-Conference, 10 goals, 24 assists for 34 points). Meanwhile, the Pointers pose a more balanced attack with all five of its top scorers returning, Luke Nesper (9-13-22), Garrett Suter (6-16-22), Jon Madden, (13-8-21), Johnny Meo (8-13-21), and Harrison Niemanm (9-9-18).<\/p>\n
The rest of the pack will be a contest to see which team best copes with substantial losses due to graduation.<\/p>\n
UW-Superior leads the welcome wagon, bringing 15 freshmen into the fold, while UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout each welcome 10 underclassmen. Within those crops, a cloud burst of talent is likely to emerge .<\/p>\n
Click the team name for a detailed preview.<\/p>\n
St. Norbert College<\/strong><\/a> Wisconsin-River Falls<\/strong><\/a> Wisconsin-Stevens Point <\/strong><\/a> St. Scholastica <\/strong><\/a> Wisconsin-Eau Claire<\/strong><\/a>
\nHead coach:<\/strong> Tim Coghlin
\n2009-10 record:<\/strong> 24-4-3, 14-2-2 First place with 30 points
\nKey returners:<\/strong> F Johan Ryd, D Nick Tabisz, G B.J. O’Brien
\nKey losses:<\/strong> F Tyler Allen, F Shane Wheeler, F Matt Boyd
\n2010-11 predicted finish:<\/strong> First
\nBottom line:<\/strong> Despite losing a chunk of offense — namely Tyler Allen (15-16-31), Shane Wheeler (13-18-31) and Matt Boyd (9-20-29) — the Green Knights have the might and veteran savvy to repeat as NCHA champs and delve deep into the NCAA Division III playoffs.<\/p>\n
\nHead coach:<\/strong> Steve Freeman
\n2009-10 record:<\/strong> 18-9-2, 9-7-2, Third place with 20 points
\nKey returners:<\/strong> F Josh Calleja, F Justin Brossman, G Bo Storozuk
\nKey losses:<\/strong> F Tyler Czuba, D Bill Pinel, G Bo Storozuk
\n2010-11 predicted finish:<\/strong> Second
\nBottom line:<\/strong> Juniors Josh Calleja (8-29-37) and Justin Brossman (10-24-34) provide a one-two offensive punch, but the loss of five defensemen and goaltender Bo Storozuk (career 16-13-2, 3.22 GAA, .902 save-percentage) will make a second-place finish a laudable goal.<\/p>\n
\nHead coach:<\/strong> Wil Nichol
\n2009-10 record:<\/strong> 12-15-1, 6-12-0, Fifth place with 16 points
\nKey returners:<\/strong> F Luke Nesper, D Garrett Suter, F Jon Madden,
\nKey losses:<\/strong> F Reed Lally, D Tom Upton, F Kyle Greco
\n2010-11 predicted finish:<\/strong> Third
\nBottom line:<\/strong> With all top-five scorers returning and a seasoned blue line corps, the Pointers are poised to vault into the NCHA’s upper tier this term. The goalie rotation with incumbent sophomore Nick Graves (9-7-1, 2.93 GAA, .906 save-percentage) and freshman Randy Wolcott will be interesting.<\/p>\n
\nHead coach:<\/strong> Mark Wick
\n2009-10 record:<\/strong> 17-4-4, 11-3-4, Second place with 26 points
\nKey returners:<\/strong> F Jeremy Dawes, D Austin Brown, F Tyler Miller
\nKey losses:<\/strong> F Jordan Chong, D Jordan Baird, F Aaron Spotts, G Zach Kleiman
\n2010-11 predicted finish:<\/strong> Fourth
\nBottom line:<\/strong> Substantial losses offensively — Jordan Chong (17-20-37), Jordan Baird (8-16-24) and Aaron Spotts (10-13-23) — and on the blue line sees the Saints’ stock slip this season. Junior goalie Brennan Poderzay (6-3-1, 2.37 GAA, .909 save-percentage) moves from capable deputy to trusted starter.<\/p>\n
\nHead coach:<\/strong> Matt Loen
\n2009-10 record:<\/strong> 8-13-4, 4-10-4, Sixth place with 12 points
\nKey returners:<\/strong> F Isaiah Bennis, F Jordan Singer, G Brandon Stephenson
\nKey losses:<\/strong> F Joe Bluhm, F Brant Marple, D Nicholas Kuqali
\n2010-11 predicted finish:<\/strong> Fifth
\nBottom line:<\/strong> Despite the loss of top two scorers, the Blugolds should get a jolt from an infusion of 10 freshmen. The team is solid on defense and in net with sophomore Brandon Stephenson.<\/p>\n