CHA TOURNAMENT: Our odds to the big event

Niagara U.

March 11, 2010

Anonymous The Niagara Gazette Thu Mar 11, 2010, 11:51 PM EST

Bemidji State

SEED: 1

Odds: 3-2

The reasoning: They’re ranked eighth in the country, an incredible accomplishment considering College Hockey America’s perceived if misguided status as a kid sister to college hockey’s four power conferences. Even the non-conference schedule was packed with big wins — the Beavers pummeled Minnesota 6-2 at Mariucci Arena, beat No. 2 Miami and topped Nebraska-Omaha. Also, Bemidji beat Niagara the last three times the teams played and have the league’s best goalie in Dan Bakala, the latest in a string of outstanding BSU netminders.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG: The Beavers split their last four with Robert Morris, a team that isn’t afraid to play the role of spoiler. Also, the Beavers can’t overlook a pesky Niagara team that’s riding its whole season on tonight’s semifinal.

Robert Morris

SEED: 2

Odds: 8-1

The reasoning: The Colonials have proven they can play with the best of the best, upsetting then-No. 1 Miami in consecutive starts in one of the most peculiar stories of the college hockey season. Goalie Brooks Ostergard was outstanding that weekend, but hasn’t been the same throughout the season, posting a save percentage just over 90 percent.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG: Nathan Longpre, the team’s leading scorer and a first-team all-CHA pick, wasn’t great in conference play and struggled down the stretch, failing to notch a point in the team’s last three games. If he doesn’t snap out of his funk, the Colonials can stop worrying about the final — they’ll be knocked out tonight.

Alabama-Huntsville

SEED: 3

Odds: 12-1

The reasoning: You could make a case that Danton Cole’s bunch deserves more credit, considering the team’s last three starts included a win over Niagara and a tie against nationally ranker Bemidji State. But aside from a four-game winning streak in late January/early February, the Chargers only won consecutive games twice, and it came on the season’s second weekend. Also, there’s not a lot of offensive firepower — no player cracked double-digits in scoring over the 30 game season.

WHAT COULD GO RIGHT: The Chargers have kept it close the entire second semester, not allowing more than four goals in any game in 2010. Cameron Talbot was picked as a preseason first-teamer, but dropped to the second team after Bakala’s incredible season at Bemidji. If he gets hot, Talbot could carry the Chargers to an upset.

Niagara

SEED: 4

Odds: 6-1

The reasoning: Sure, we sound like homers with those odds, but let’s face it — nobody thought Niagara would enter the final CHA Tournament with the lowest seed. The Purple Eagles won four of five to close the regular season, their best stretch of the year. Chris Moran is playing well and Egor Mironov, who’s had a disappointing senior year, has six points in his last five games. Maybe both are really ready to take center stage.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG: This one’s simple — can Niagara find a goalie? Adam Avramenko had won two straight but got the hook after an overtime loss to UAH and he’s let in nearly as many soft goals as he has good ones. Chris Noonan has been capable, but hasn’t wrestled the starting job away. If goaltending is an issue, the Purple Eagles will be in trouble against a speedy and dangerous Bemidji squad.

— Tim Schmitt

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Niagara U.

Niagara shuts out Canisius
Paul Zanette had a goal and assist while goaltender Chris Noonan made 29 saves to propel the Niagara University men’s hockey team to a critical 3-0 victory over Canisius at the Buffalo State College Sports Complex.

February 17, 2011
Situation getting worse for Niagara basketball team
Niagara sank into last place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 51-49 loss at Manhattan, which came into the game on a 15-game losing streak Monday. And that was hardly the most ominous news to come out of the lost weekend, which also included Saturday’s setback at Saint Peter’s.

January 17, 2011
Niagara falls hard in big game
With Calvin Murphy being honored at halftime and ESPNU showing the game nationwide, the Purple Eagles missed more than twice as many shots as they made and lost 82-65 to visiting Metro Atlantic Athletic foe Rider before a crowd of 1,275.

January 8, 2011 1 Photo
A legend holds court at NU
Calvin Murphy adds to his legend in return

January 7, 2011 3 Photos
Calvin Murphy excited to come back to Niagara
Murphy is passionate about showing his loyalty to Niagara because the university has done the same for him over the years.

January 6, 2011
Niagara loses by 45 at Drexel
The Niagara men’s basketball team suffered through its most lopsided loss in over a decade on its worst offensive night in almost a century.

December 28, 2010
Niagara making impression in Atlantic Hockey
As second semester approaches, Purple Eagles have rebounded after down year

December 27, 2010 1 Photo
Purple Eagles encouraged to follow the leader
Having lost seven of eight games for just the second time in his 12 years at Niagara, coach Joe Mihalich is concerned that his roster of mostly freshmen and sophomores is not responding to the leadership being provided by his lone senior.

December 27, 2010
Dobrich pursues his passion coaching the Purple Eagles
Luke Dobrich, 32, is in his eighth season as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Niagara, and his first as the senior member of head coach Joe Mihalich’s staff.

December 22, 2010
Nelson’s basket lifts NU past Bowling Green
Anthony Nelson’s basket with just a second left on the shot clock proved the game’s winning play as the Purple Eagles evened their record at 2-2 with a 65-61 victory over Bowling Green on Friday.

November 26, 2010
More Niagara U. Headlines

Niagara U.

Search Results

CHA TOURNAMENT: Our odds to the big event

Site Map

Contact Us