A Look Ahead: An Early Top 10 for 2009-10
The following article appeared May 13 on the College Hockey News (CHN) Web site.
With the 2009 Frozen Four now farther in the rear-view mirror, we can start taking a peek at 2009-10. Will Miami and Boston University be back in the hunt? What about perennials like Michigan and North Dakota? And who are the potential surprises?
An early look at a projected Top 10 for next year.
4. Cornell -- The key, clearly, is making sure junior-to-be Riley Nash and senior-to-be Colin Greening return. Cornell already missed an even bigger season last year because of lack of key scoring punch, and losing them could drop Cornell to also-ran status quick. And it's possible either or both could depart (Nash is a first rounder, and Greening is highly regarded by his draft team, Ottawa). If that all comes into place, this could be another one of those seasons like 2005 and 2006, where the Big Red get a couple key non-league wins, roll through the ECAC, and get a very high seed in the NCAAs. Even last year, when Cornell was a No. 3 seed coming in, it managed to get past the first round again, and was tied in the third period with Bemidji State with a Frozen Four bid on the line. Cornell has won six straight NCAA first round games, but only won the Regional Final once. Last year, was the only time they were "favored" among those five losses, which made it that much more disappointing. But they could easily get another crack next season.
7. Princeton -- First, the Tigers have to get over the devastating loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAAs -- allowing two goals in the last 35 seconds and losing in OT. Perhaps, they can take some solace in Miami's championship game loss, which was even more devastating just because of the circumstances. Misery loves company. Losing two solid forwards in Lee Jubinville and Brett Wilson is a blow. And if the Tigers also lose Cam McIntyre -- being heavily scouted by the pros, but who missed a lot of time last season -- then it will be tougher to absorb. But Princeton does have a lot coming back, including goalie Zane Kalemba, a Hobey finalist, and its coach, Guy Gadowsky, which has led Princeton to school records in wins the last two seasons. Last year, Princeton had its first-ever at-large bid to the NCAAs. The only step left to achieve is some NCAA wins.
Complete article can be accessed via the CHN Web site by clicking here.
