Putdowns by numbers/The Red Line
By Brandon Veale - DMG Sports EditorEveryone's a critic these days, and it appears the only job most members of the general public seem to think they can do better than that of a sportswriter is that of a referee. Back when I was a little brat, I had the occasional choice word for the officials of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, I admit it.
Then again, watching Jay Leno show messed-up headlines for comedy purposes was funny back then too.
Now, I know that for every botched headline, there's one (or more) mortified editors, and for every hockey game, there are human beings with names and day jobs under those referee's stripes. But when I screw up, you've got a phone number and an e-mail to send your creatively worded hate. The officials of the WCHA have been getting it a lot easier this year.
You see, the league has pulled the last names off officials' jerseys this year, which has turned that time-honored tradition of giving the referee grief into a sort of taunt-by-numbers. Our job is to serve the fans, and so I've got to give this idea a thumbs-down.
After all, if the Huskies Pep Band were interested in giving positive encouragement to this weekend's officials for Tech vs. North Dakota, how would they be able to play, cheer, and thumb through their notes to determine if the No. 15 they're "applauding" is Marco Hunt or Derek Shepherd? Don't they do enough studying?
And what if the fans would like to congratulate the officials, such as Michigan Tech hockey alum Matt Ulwelling, who was picked to be a linesman for the national championship game earlier this year? Talking to officials can be a learning experience. Next time Max Battimo (No. 18) is in town, he may be able to give tips on getting your child into the acting business, seeing as he himself was a child actor on a pre-cursor to that infamous 90's teen show "Saved by the Bell."
There may be some kinks to work out. North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol may think Don Adam is No. 1 (as he indicated with a hand gesture in Feb. 2008), but he is in fact, No. 7.
Heck, there's evidence to indicate the referees don't even like their new-found anonymity. My special informant (let's call him "Frere") said removing names makes it more difficult for officials and players to establish a rapport with each other.
So, let's put those names back on those backs. "Hey 14, are you blind?" just doesn't roll off the tongue the same way.
On to this week's picks:
Things went darned well last week, with one tie and one wrong (the Saturday game between Wisconsin and New Hampshire). The good news is that there are none of those tricky non-conference games to worry about this weekend, just four good WCHA series (Minnesota State and St. Cloud State are off).
North Dakota at Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech started the turnaround process nicely last week with a win against St. Cloud State, but it remains to be seen if these reversal of fortune works both ways. Though Tech had almost no success against the other Huskies going into last weekend, Tech has beaten North Dakota at least once in each of the last three seasons (the only other WCHA school Tech has done this to is, oddly enough, Minnesota).
The third-ranked Fight and Sue have had two long weeks to think about their last game , a 2-1 loss at Alaska Anchorage. Just what the Huskies didn't need on Hall of Fame Weekend.
UND sweeps 5-2, 4-2
Denver at Alaska Anchorage
Denver may be No. 2 in the nation, but they're dealing with adversity, and not just the plane ride to Alaska. Goaltender Marc Cheverie was injured last Friday night against Minnesota State. As DU's Patrick Wiercoch hooked MSU's Justin Jokinen, Jokinen fell and cut Cheverie on the left leg with his skate.
The Pioneers will be without Cheverie for a few weeks. Though UAA was dangerous enough to split with North Dakota two weeks ago, they're not good enough for points this weekend.
DU sweeps 4-3, 5-3
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Minnesota remembered how to turn the goal light on again in a pair of easy wins over UAA at Mariucci Arena. They may be back on the winning track for now, but that track is headed in a scary direction: the Kohl Center, where the Gophers will face a Badgers team that dismantled Eastern powerhouse New Hampshire 4-1 and 6-1 last weekend.
Considering neither side yet has a winning record in league play, this is an important early series to avoid getting into an even deeper hole and a tough one to call. So, I'll take the easy way out and pick a split.
UW 3-2 Friday, UMn 4-1 Saturday
Minnesota Duluth at Colorado College
Two top teams meet in the league standings this weekend. CC had a week off, and UMD swept Clarkson non-conference, but the teams remain at first and third in the league standings, respectively.
Another pair of tough calls, to be sure, but I'll bet on the rested outfit as the Tigers get some revenge for UMD's WCHA playoff sweep at World Arena last season.
CC sweep, 3-2, 3-1
Last week: 8-1-1!
For the season: 18-9-5 (64 percent)
Brandon Veale can be reached at bveale@mininggazette.com.
