>
>         Congrats to Minnesota-Duluth on winning the McNaughton Cup.
>         The Bulldogs have certainly surprised a lot of people this
>         year.  Where did the "experts" predict them to finish at the
>         start of the season?  Were they even predicted to finish in
>         the top four of the WCHA?
>
        Actually, since the Bulldogs had 20 returning letterman this
year, The WCHA coaches predicted them to finish 3rd.  Interestingly,
they picked the Gophers first and the Badgers second.  So they got
the top three right, just in the wrong order.  Personaly, I thought
it was ridiculous to pick the Gophers first this year considering all
the losses in personel they had suffered.
        Another comment:   I suspect that if Minnesota or Wisconsin were
having the year the Bulldogs are, they would be ranked in the top 4
in the nation.  However, since the Bulldogs don't have a naitonal "rep"
for being a great team every year, they have gotten less respect from
the pollsters than perhaps they deserve. Thats my opinion anyway.
 
                                Gary Hatfield
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        LOOK OUT WCHA!!  THE GOPHERS ARE BACK!!