Predictions for the NCHC

Usually when I predict the NCHC (or WCHA) standings, I go with my gut, and base it mostly on rumblings I've heard or read. This year I went a step further, and actually did some research (I know. How bold of me?) Anyhow, I've reached some conclusions, and hopefully what I will say will hold some water when the dust settles. Here are my rankings of the NCHC teams this year:

1. University of Minnesota-Duluth: Duluth lost very little from a good team that lost in the quarterfinals of the NCAA's a year ago. All the Bulldogs did lose is a few of their middle of the pack scorers and a little defensive depth. Otherwise they return almost all of their scoring and both goalies that had playing time a year ago. The Bulldogs were 21-16-3 overall and 12-9-3 a year ago, and I could see those wins jumping up to 25 and 15 this year, despite a very tough NCHC.

2. St. Cloud State: This could be me being a homer, but even despite losing Johnny Brodzinski and Ethan Prow from a year ago, I think that the Huskies will be much better this year. They return big Chuck Lindgren in goal, and their other four top scorers. They have a strong crop of freshman to pair with  a great senior class. If the Huskies want to make another Frozen Four run, this would be the year to do it.

T-3rd: Denver and University of North Dakota: I couldn't make up my mind which team is better, so I'm just going to say these two teams will tie. The Pioneers lost Joey Laleggia and some secondary scoring, but return Danton Heinen and second scorer Trevor Moore, both goaltenders and most of the rest of their defense. Denver made it to the NCAA with a 24-14 overall record and 13 wins in the NCHC. A similar record would not be out of the question. UND on the other hand lost a lot. The North Dakota squad will be without star goaltender Zane McIntyre as well as a lot of scoring and players in general. The biggest loss of all though might be long-time head coach Dave Hakstol. With Drake Caggiula and Paul LaDue back and a strong defensive lineup, I'd still expect the nameless hockey team to be very good.

5. University of Nebraska-Omaha: It is no secret that Ryan Massa was the big reason that UNO made a Frozen Four run last year. He graduated. The Mavericks do return almost every other player on their lineup, and they will still be a very good team, but a goaltender remains in question. In a loaded NCHC a great goaltender or goaltending duo is a must, and I just don't see them making up for it with everything else to be in conference title contention. That said, an NCAA bid is likely in their future.
 
6. Miami (Ohio): The Redhawks lose their top three scorers including Austin Czarnik and Blake Coleman, who carried them late last year. Miami lost to the eventual champion in the NCAA, and do return strong goalie Jay Williams, but I foresee scoring to be a big issue for the Redhawks this year. They will play in a lost of close games, and will still likely be looking at a chance at an NCAA berth when all is said and done, especially if they find some scoring.

7. Western Michigan: This is where the NCHC drops off. WMU was 14-18-5 overall last year and had just six wins in conference play. They lost their second and third-leading scorers. They return most of the rest, including most of their defense and their goalie, but it won't be enough to crack into the top six.

8. Colorado College: CC was not very good last year and they lose almost all of their defensive crew and their second leading scorer. They return Cody Bradley at goalie, but I don't foresee them being very good or even getting 10 wins.

I can't wait for the season to begin this weekend. I will hopefully be posting some more updates about the NCHC as the season goes along. #GOHUSKIESWOOOOO

Take a Picture of This

Don Henley, the Eagles drummer and vocalist (Eagles are my favorite band of all time, FYI), recently released Cass County a "back to his roots"-type album that is very country music driven. Though I'm a bigger fan of the Eagles' more rocking songs (Life in the Fast Lane, Get Over it, etc.), this album is very enjoyable. Henley has proven that he can be successful without the Eagles, and this album is no different. I really like the song "Take a Picture of This." It is pure Henley. A very Eagles-esque country/crossover song is "No, Thank You." A litany of guest stars appear on the album as well including: Merle Haggard, Mick Jagger, Miranda Lambert and even Dolly Parton.

Fantasy football continues to get worse for me, as my team continues to get injured. If that was not bad enough, daily did not go well this week, and I'm on the last few dollars of my initial investment. Without a few wins this week, I'll have to either stop daily or pump more money into it. Wish me some better luck!

As always I have some photos to share. There is quite a big batch this week. The photos are from events that I covered between Sept. 17 and Sept. 22.

Pierz senior wideout Kolton Eischens hauls in a touchdown catch, Sept. 18 against Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.

Gabby Lyter, a Flyers senior diver, jumps up dive against Albany, Sept. 17. She broke the school record the next week.

Little Falls junior Tyler Moore runs with Perham's

Hunter Kjelshus early on in the Lucky Lindy, hosted at Little Falls Country Club, Sept. 17.

I believe this is Royalton's Kayley Kolbo at the Pierz Stampede, Sept. 22.

Emma Hoheisel (left) and Madi Rudolph of Royalton at the stampede.

Jordan Malikowski leads Royalton teammate Ben Borash in the Pierz Stampede.

Jake Andres runs in the home race for Pierz.

Borash takes off down the hill.

Michael Meyer returns an interception for a 100-yard touchdown in a 70-20 win over HLWW.

Eischens blocks Lakers gunner Gavin Kritzeck  on a punt.

Meyer eyes a pass that is going his way.

Pierz senior quarterback Aaron Weber launches a pass deep.

Lyter twists for one of her most difficult dives.

Yes, divers (or at least Lyter) sometimes close their eyes.

Little Falls senior Makyla Klever prepares for a race.

The Flyers' girls team begins the Lucky Lindy run.

A little shaky, but this is Moore trying to outsprint Bemidji's Caleb Appleton for the win. Moore finished second.

Little Falls' Tyler Schlattman runs in the Lucky Lindy.

Upsala's Samantha Thieschafer sets a ball Sept. 22 against West Central Area.

Sophomore Ashley Biniek also puts up a set.

Little Falls senior Sarah Gold fights with Melrose's Brenda Barragan, Sept. 22.

Cardinals hitter Stefani Pohlmann goes up for a hit.

Junior Katlin Welinski whacks home a kill.

Welinski goes up for a block.

Flyers mid-fielder Chelsea Moran runs to stop Barragan.

Ellie Riitters dribbles the ball in the middle of the field.

Junior Jillian Cox defends a Melrose Area player.

Gold takes a shot at the Melrose goaltender.

Kia Friel kicks it by Barragan.

Sophomore Nicole Schilling heads up field.

Gold and Barragan watch as the ball heads toward the corner.

Shake It Off

No, this is not a review of Taylor Swift's hit album "1989." It's a review of the hipster dumpster fire that is Ryan Adams, and his cover of the entire album. There is so much douche-laden irony within this non-original idea of a cover album that I need to puke. Ryan Adams is a talentless, mumbling, unintelligible ass hat, and nobody should listen to this piece of hipster garbage.

Now that we are past that. Fantasy is not going well in season-long formats for me. However, daily has proved to be pretty successful. It is still early of course.

Here are some photos from Sept. 10-15. As always, they are available for purchase at https://ecmpublishers.smugmug.com/MorrisonCountyRecord/Sports/Sports-Sept-10-15/

Olivia Mokhtary of Holdingford runs in the girls varsity race in Holdingford, Sept. 10.

Swanville celebrates after a point in a 3-2 victory over Upsala, Sept. 10.

Ellie Koetter (No. 9) and Haleigh Sales (No. 7), both seniors, get excited after another point.

Sales sends a tip over Upsala junior Katlin Welinski.

Huskers runner Luke Ryan (right) out paces teammate Vincent Kahlhammor.

Pierz senior Matt Janson cruises to an 18:54 finish.

Royalton junior Jordan Malikowski on his way to a seventh place finish.

Pierz' Sam Winscher on her way to a finish in Holdingford.

Sunni Ebnet, a Holdingford senior.

Royalton senior Lexi Witucki runs, Sept. 10.

Josh Beack returns a kick in a game against Albany, Sept. 11.

Albany blocks a Dan Marod punt.

Little Falls tennis coach, Joel Youngberg speaks to his team on a windy day, and the win blows the girls' hair.

Pierz sophomore Kelsi Stuckmayer digs out a Pequot Lakes shot, Sept. 15.

Kyle Porter, also a Pierz sophomore, takes a whack at a shot.

Little Falls senior Ashley Witucki about to hit a forehand return.

Flyers senior Kerny Hanson backhands a shot to Foley's side, Sept. 15.

A frame before, as Hanson prepares her backhand.

Junior Hannah Kahl punches a ball over the Patriots' Laura Squires (No. 12) and Corina Ruud.