Tuesday Night Recap: NHL draft lottery and more

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Tonight marked the return of the Prospect Guru Guy Flaming who as on the road last week at the Frozen Four, and it also meant he started another run, as missing last Tuesday's show broke his 268 consecutive show streak. The NCAA national championship was on the docket as well as the NHL draft lottery, Central Scouting's final list and the CHL Playoffs.

Duluth Wins 2011 NCAA National Championship

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It was a historic night in St. Paul on Saturday as the University of Duluth Bulldogs captured their first ever national title with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Michigan Wolverines.

The game featured lead changes, a disallowed goal, a score of penalties and a boisterous crowd, all inside a fantastic venue.

It was an extremely memorable night of hockey.

Sioux Stunned in St.Paul

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"The best team doesn't always win."

That was Michigan head coach Red Berenson's succinct explanation of his team's 2-0 upset win over heavily favored North Dakota last night in Minnesota. The Wolverines got a first period goal from senior Ben Winnett (TOR), withstood 40 shots from UND and then added an empty net goal from another senior, Scooter Vaughan, to advance to Saturday's National Championship game.

Frozen Four Coaches Show and Inside the CHL

Tonight we previewed the NCAA Hockey Championship taking place in Minnesota this weekend. That's where Guy is now, and we also went inside the CHL with our Insider Sam Cosentino.

Game Day Edition: It's Playoff Time

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This morning Guy and I recapped every CHL and NCAA playoff game, went in depth with 3 different CHL series and a bracket of the NCAA tournament and discussed concussions and why one NHL rookie has the most impressive stats in the Calder trophy race. Click here to go inside the world of prospects hockey.

The Bulldogs stop the upset insanity in NCAA tournament action

Wow, what a first day of the NCCA tournament. Minnesota-Duluth became the only favorite to win their opening game, needing overtime to sneak past Princeton 5-4. Brett Wilson scored a pair as the Tigers took a 4-2 lead into the 3rd. Only a Camrose Kodiak connection saved the season for the UMD Bulldogs. With one second left, Evan Oberg scored a goal set up by MacGregor Sharp and Mike Connolly to force overtime. The AJHL came through for the Bulldogs in overtime as Connolly finished off a set up from Oberg and former Bonnyville Pontiac Justin Fontaine.


Meanwhile, after Air Force got things going (see Guy's post below) then Miami took out the 3rd ranked Denver Pioneers 4-2. The Redhawks who lost out in the their conference playoffs and needed an at large bid to the big dance, advances to the regional final for the 3rd straight year, but for the first time in 4 straight years won't have to worry about losing to Boston College. Miami jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period where they outshot Denver 12-3. Former Camrose Kodiak and TPS blogger Joe Colborne got the Pioneers on the board in the middle frame but Andy Miele regained the 3 goal lead for Miami before the intermission. Denver's Tyler Bozak, a former TPS guest scored in the 3rd to get Denver within 2 again, but that was as close as they would come. Bozak was playing his first game since December 12th due to a knee injury. Miami will now take on Minnesota-Duluth tomorrow in the regional final.

In the other tilt today, yes another underdog comes up large. After it seemed like they called in sick for their conference playoffs, while they partied in Tijuana, Vermont used their wild card bid to oust Yale 4-1. 4 different Catamounts scored for Vermont, while noone had more than a point. Yale's only goal came with just 1:45 to go. So Saturday it will be Vermont taking on Air Force in their Regional Final.

Also on the sked for Saturday:

Bemijdi State Vs. Notre Dame
Ohio State Vs. Boston University
Cornell Vs. Northeastern
New Hampshire Vs. North Dakota

TPS Adds Another Guest Blogger

The Pipeline Show is pleased to welcome yet another guest blogger as we ramp up our draft countdown and coverage. Penning his thoughts will be Camrose Kodiak Defenceman Dylan Olsen who is ranked 34th by ISS for the upcoming draft. Look for his first entry in the next week.

The Calgary kid put up 10 goals and 29 points in 53 games this year for Camrose, his second season with the Kodiaks. 5 of his goals came on the power play and the 6.02, 205 pound rearguard picked up more than 120 penalty minutes. He also notched 7 points in 10 playoff games before Camrose was eliminated. Olsen has committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Olsen represented Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in November, a tournament held in Camrose, and TPS has learned, Olsen will be picked to wear the Maple Leaf once again this Spring at the Under 18's in Fargo. Team Canada is meeting April 2nd in Minnesota to get ready for the tournament that starts April 9th.
Canada is the defending champions after blowing out Russia 8-0 in last year's final.

I'm not sure when Canada's roster will be officially released, but I'm wondering if Oil Kings blueliner Mark Pysyk will be on it. Sure he's only 16 but he was terrific this year for the Kings playing more than 20 minutes a night, steadying the back end and running the power play. He might not have the points of a Jordan Weal in Regina, but he was just as effective when it comes to first year players.