Jim Evans writes:
>If the North Dakota Souix sweep the Gophers this weekend (highly unlikely,
>but still probable), the Gophers will find themselves firmly in 5th place
 
"highly unlikely, but still probable"????  I think you mean possible.
Maybe not even highly unlikely.  NoDak's no slouch team this year, and the
Gophers seem to have a tendency of off games right after final exams.
 
>in the WCHA.  This would raise a couple of interesting questions:
>
>1. How can a team with "three Hobey Baker candidates" (Brian Bonin, Dan
>Trebil, Mike Crowely), "four all Americans" (add Ryan Kraft)- so says coach
>Doug Woog, find itself firmly in the middle of the WCHA?
>
>2. What does a middle team in the WCHA defeating Michigan in the hockey
>showcase mean in terms of division strength?  The Troy, NY Poll has
>Michigan ahead of the Gophers,(or did I dream this?) posing the question
>why games are played in the first place.
 
1.  Doug Woog's talking up his players a little bit.  I'd say Bonin's the
team's only Hobey candidate.  (Maybe Crowley, but I'd call him a candidate
next year if he doesn't turn pro.)  That's perfectly normal and expected.
 
2.  Polls don't mean much EVER, but especially this early. Heck,
*standings* don't mean much this early.
 
Pam Sweeney
Go Gophers!
 
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