Martin Lewison writes:
 
>      I was shocked and disturbed when I saw that Minnesota had fallen
> from the Top Ten according to WMPL's poll.  Of course, they're still in it
> according to the Albany Times Union poll.  But still, I was just struck
> by the WMPL poll because in the few short years I've been following college
> hockey, I've never seen Minnesota off the list.
 
You're right that it is unusual for the Gophers not to appear in the "Top 10"
lists, but I believe it has happened more than once in the last few seasons.
 
>      First, I'm wondering if the college hockey media or the Twin Cities
> press are making any bones about this.  Second, when was the last time
> the Gophers were "dogs", i.e., non-contenders for much of the season?
 
No, the Twin Cities media generally ignore Gopher hockey until the end
of the season when they notice whether the Gophers have won any championships
or not.  :-)  Seriously, it's not quite that bad, but it is unusual for Gopher
hockey to attract much attention.  Nobody's hollering for Woog's job yet.
In regard to your second question, the Gophers got off to a very slow start
two seasons ago, getting swept at home by Duluth the first weekend of the
season, and losing something like 3 out of their first six.  They finished
the WCHA season in second place, only a couple of points behind Wisconsin.
 
>      I know the season is yet young and the Gophers are not out of it yet,
> but I think it's valid to examine the current stumbling of America's
> perrenially great college hockey team.
 
I think it's too early to push the panic button.  The Gophers have so far
played one (1) game in Mariucci Arena, though they have played eight games
plus the exhibition game in Eveleth.  They are 4-2-0 in the WCHA and face a
critical "home-and-neutral-ice" :-) series this weekend against Wisconsin.
We'll know soon enough whether to worry or not.
 
-- Erik