PNCLL Week #8 (3/27 - 4/2) -- Predict/Scores/Discuss

[Linfield]

WWU vs UVSC

This is a game UVSC would love to have back. WWU was a different team in this one, with Symington coming up huge. But the difference in this one. I think, was that WWU adopted that Rocky Mountain attitude of we are just gonna play our hearts out till the last whistle, and not even look at the scoreboard till the end to see what happened. Having the opportunity to scout the day before helped WWU more than UVSC, as WWU did not play there usual game on Sat, but did on Sun. I would definitly believe that fatigue was a factor for UVSC as they played a hard game the day before, and this one played at 11:00.

Interesting Stats: UVSC dominated face-offs in the second half 10-0
WWU converted 4 of 6 EMO's in the second half while UVSC went, an uncharacteristic 0 for 4.

MT vs MSU
MSU never had the lead in this one till they scored the overtime winner. This weekend was my first opportunity to see MSU, and they lived up to every scouting report. They don't wow and amaze you, but they never quit. They will hang around till you slip and then they pounce. They tied the game with 10 seconds left in regulation, then bagged the OT winner with 2 seconds left in the first OT. MT controlled the majority of the game, and despite Connery turning away 19 MSU shots, you could just feel this slow undercurrent shifting the momentum. Montana won or equalled every stat category in this game except for one:

Interesting Stat: EMO - MT 0 for 4, MSU 3 for 10. You can't expect a defense to stop 10 EMO's

I would wager one final thought on these four games. I don't think you can really knock UVSC or Montana for any game they dropped this weekend. I think it will be a difference between Poll and performance. Both UVSC and MT have as much talent as anyone in the country, but they struggle with consistency, an issue every coach faces. I strongly beleive that these two teams are definitely top ten teams, and with consistency top 5. However, I strongly feel that WWU and MSU are more underrated than the other two are overrated. I am confiedent that I saw four teams who all deserve a chance in Dallas, but it just depends on wheter they are able to get there. A lot of people feel it is not fair that a weak team from a weak conference getting an AQ over the second best team in a strong conference is not fair, hence the at-large bids. Yet at days end, talent is needed, but consistency and desire what allow a team to dominate.

Its not the travel, its how bad do you want it when you get there and can you keep the bar High enough to prevent someone from taking it from you.

Interesting Stat:
Record in these games:
MSU 2-0
WWU 1-1
UVSC 1-1
MT 0-2

Completely opposite of what I was expecting, but good luck to all of you the rest of the way.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Interesting stats: Faceoffs in the second half 5-0 in favor of MSU, WWU did not control a single face-off in the second half, except for 1 or 2 that were awarded due to infraction.

It looks like WWU is really missing Tyler Lee, who was a beast on faceoffs for the Vikings in 2006. Where is Tyler, anyway? He must be playing somewhere. . .

[The Hammer]

Interesting stats: Faceoffs in the second half 5-0 in favor of MSU, WWU did not control a single face-off in the second half, except for 1 or 2 that were awarded due to infraction.

It looks like WWU is really missing Tyler Lee, who was a beast on faceoffs for the Vikings in 2006. Where is Tyler, anyway? He must be playing somewhere. . .

Tyler transferred to Messiah, A DIII school back east.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Tyler transferred to Messiah, A DIII school back east.

Thanks for the info. I hope Tyler is doing well. . .