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! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.