I bet that a lot of people were wondering where I was at. Well, I didn't
drop off the face of the planet (although I'm sure that some Spartan fans
may have hoped otherwise). I was just waiting for my bags at the Detroit
Metro Airport baggage claim. Actually, I've been really busy with school,
work, etc, and I just haven't had time to write this column.
But, I decided to make the time. Sadly, it's too late to do a CCHA season
preview. Maybe I'll preview the CCHA postseason. Maybe I'll just bash the
CCHA Refs (actually, I think I'll leave that for a later episode). So what
do I talk about?
How many CCHA teams are within 5 points of first place right now? 6.
That's a whole lot of teams bunched up at the top. After that it spreads
out a bit. Looking at the list, I see Lake Superior in last place. That's
kind of surprising. Maybe this is just an old memory, but I seem to
remember the Lakers being a perennial top 4 team just a few years ago. Did
Jeff Jackson's moving to Ann Arbor really have that much effect.
Looking at the CCHA goaltending stats, I don't see the long remembered
list-toppers, Turco and Alban. Oops, I forgot they graduated. Instead,
the top 2 goalies are a pair of guys with the first initial J and the last
name Blackburn. Josh Blackburn from Michigan has a 1.44 GAA and a .934
save %. Joe Blackburn from Michigan State has a 1.48 GAA, and a .914 save
%. Both Blackburns have given up 15 goals. I'm just wondering who will be
the first one to score a goal. On a nationwide scale, Joe Blackburn is #2
and Josh is #4. I'm expecting to keep seeing these Freshmen mentioned as
the year goes on.
Scoring leaders. No surprise that the first Wolverine on the list is Mike
Comrie, at #9 with 13 points. Tied with him for #9 are two Notre Dame
Fighting Irish, Dan Carlson, and Aniket Daffodil. This information really
has no significance, but I'm trying to fill up space.
Well, I guess I'll stop writing for the night. I've filled your heads with
enough useless trivia.
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