Three Things I Think: Big Ten, Dec. 31
Posted by: Jashvina ShahThis is the New Year’s Eve edition of Three Things I Think, which means it’s been a year since I started covering Big Ten hockey.
A full year, an inaugural tournament and a bunch of stories later, I can say I’ve really enjoyed covering this conference.
But back to hockey. A very depleted Michigan team missing Dylan Larkin, Tyler Motte, Zach Werenski and J.T. Compher stunned Michigan Tech and took down Michigan State to win the 50th Great Lakes Invitational. Wolverine coach Red Berenson told me before the tournament that all they needed was a No. 1 goalkeeper – and Steve Racine was exactly that.
Penn State saw Zach Saar and Taylor Holstrom return to the lineup, but might have some holiday sleepiness to shake off. The Nittany Lions fell to Robert Morris and Western Michigan at the Three Rivers Classic, as Colgate took the tournament.
The New Year will most likely bring us just one Big Ten team in the NCAA tournament, and a much less exciting Big Ten tournament.
Yes, just one Big Ten team. The conference has failed in out-of-conference play, and playing well in the second half might not be enough to earn Michigan an at-large bid. It might not even be enough for Penn State. Unless one of those two teams wins the Big Ten tournament (my money’s on Penn State).
Now that it’s been a year of coverage and stories like Hudson Fasching’s, I wanted to thank you all for following along. It’s hard to believe 2014 is already over.
(After the jump: Big Ten New Year’s Resolutions, Zach Hyman is good, and it’s the best time of the year.)
New Year’s Resolutions
Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for each team, and the conference as a whole:
Big Ten: Care about college hockey. After attending the Big Ten-MSG presser in New York City a few weeks ago, it’s evident hockey was an afterthought. In fact, hockey might never have been a part of the deal if Penn State hadn’t volunteered to host in the first year.
Minnesota: Try and be better at puck possession. Simply possessing the puck won’t make you win, but the Gophers had some brutal possession problems in the first half.
Michigan: Keep the consistency. Winning the GLI was impressive, especially considering the depleted roster. Defeating Michigan Tech was very impressive, but the Wolverines need to prove they can continue winning.
Ohio State: I guess scoring could be applicable here. Or defense. The Buckeyes did allow six goals to Western Michigan and then eight to Michigan.
Michigan State: Score.
Wisconsin: Just don’t have another bad thing happen. From Keegan Ford to decommits and continual losing, this has been a terrible season for the Badgers. At this point, all they can do is hope nothing worse happens. But they’re already one of the worst teams in the league.
Zach Hyman is really impressive
Entering this season, the focus was on Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher, along with freshmen Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski. But Zach Hyman, on a line with Larkin and Kyle, has been having a career season for the Maize and Blue.
Hyman has 20 points through 17 games this season, surpassing his previous career high of 17 points. Through three seasons, Hyman had 35 points – a total he might beat in this season alone.
And he scored an incredible goal against Michigan State in the GLI.
Speaking of the GLI and Michigan State, Jake Hildebrand – who’s struggled a little this season – played very well at the GLI, especially in the championship game. It wasn’t enough for the Spartans, though, who seemingly used all their scoring in a 6-4 win over Clarkson before the break.
The most wonderful time of the year – Canada vs. USA WJC
Or as I like to call it, Major Junior vs. College Hockey. I’m not saying one path is better than the other, they’re both very different and have different positives any negatives. (Although college hockey is at least on par with Major Junior at this point).
But facts are facts, and it features one team comprised of Major Junior players, and another comprised mostly of college hockey players.
Six of those players are Big Ten skaters, and some of them have been having a good tournament so far. Hudson Fasching has a goal, but Dylan Larkin has been incredible on the big stage.
