Seawolves vs. Michigan: A Preview Two

It'd be pretty easy to sit down and rattle off all the vicissitudes of the Michigan Wolverine hockey program. There's a legendary coach, a constant replenishment of elite talent and a history replete with national glory. They were in the NCAA's last year for a record 19th straight time. In other words, every year since the last time UAA made the NCAA's ... Michigan has been there. None of that means that this year's edition is guaranteed a 20th straight appearance but betting against that would just be stupid.

Their loaded again with 19 returning players. They have leadership and experience; perhaps more importantly they have elite talent all throught the lineup. It's like playing Minnesota, Wisconsin, DU or UND. You know ... UAA's first 4 WCHA opponents this season? So even with all that drool about Michigan's greatness above ... they can be taken down. The Seawolves under Dave Shyiak have been generally exceptional in their early season records.

Over the past three season the Seawolves have gone 13-10-7 collectively for the first 10 games. Combine the records for the first 5 games the last two years and you get 7-1-2. The Seawolves have been beaten only once in the first 5 games over the last two years. For whatever its worth ... Northeastern was the only loss ... Maine, UMD, UConn, Mercyhurst, UAF, Wayne State were the wins. The ties were versus BU and Mankato.

The Seawolves play well in the early season because they get out of the gates a bit earlier than everyone else. They typically play most of those games at home. Early season is a time for energy and self-confidence. Players believe (as they also should for the full season) that they can play with anybody and win. The mental state is excitement and anticipation versus a completely different attitude late in February on a long trip to a craphole like Mankato; after you've been as Puck Swami on USCHO says ... through "the meat grinder" of the WCHA schedule. That's a trip that requires a player to find resolve -- it calls on his character. This weekend such resolve won't be as necessary. Enthusiasm overrides it.

I'd peg good odds on this matchup between UAA and Michigan at damn close to even. The ugly helmets have two exhibition games on their belts. They played their farm team USNDT U-18s last Saturday winning 4-2 and then beat Windsor 6-2. They face UA_ on Friday so by Saturday the Wolverine team should be coming up to speed. They'll be a dangerous and difficult opponent for UAA whether they beat the 'nooks or lose to them.

UAA will need to have a strong possession game that creates scoring chances. The big bodies up front must get into scoring positions. Puck control players will need to find them. The blueliners will need to support the offensive effort effectively. The Seawolves will have to put together a quality effort in all phases. Guys are going to have to give it up in their own zone and block shots. Defensemen are going to have to play smart. And whoever is in net will probably have to come up with a big save or two.

All of those things are doable for this Seawolf team. There is some good talent amongst the youngsters. More than a couple of veterans are poised to have their best seasons. This game against a top quality opponent will be their first chance to see what they can be collectively. It won't be the last chance either. Remember, Minnesota, DU, Wisconsin and UND aren't far down the schedule.

Oh yeah ... I like the ugly helmeted crew about as much as I like UND. The non-Michigan-living alumni are pretty much second only in obnoxious terms to the non-North Dakota- living alumni of the hostiles and abusives. I've no doubt that the folks that show up to Michigans home games are no different from the folks that show up to watch the Seawolves at the Sully. Salt of the earth, Joe-Six pack, regular folks ... ya know? It's the Michiganders that don't live there anymore and prowl the Internet in one form or another that are generally the sickening loudmouthed rubes. Exactly like UND fans.

Prediction: UAA 4 - DumbHelmets 2