My Best Pictures from JRN 310

Big Ten Recap! Nov. 6-7

It was a big-ish weekend for the Big Ten as the conference went 4-2-1 last weekend. Here is your quick recap of Big Ten teams last weekend.


Penn State vs. Niagara (1-1) Tie   
Quite honestly, Penn State was lucky it didn't loose last Friday. After surrendering a poweprlay goal late in the second period, Penn State managed to tie things up on a powerplay strike of their own. Dylan Richard was the saving grace for the Nittany Lions as they avoid an embarrassing loss from a winless Atlantic Hockey team. Penn State is 0-1-2 in their last three games.

NEXT UP: 

New Hampshire vs. Michigan State (5-0) & (7-4) MSU Sweep
Boy did MSU need this one. If you would have told me that the Spartans would sweep UNH and  put up 12 goals while doing it, I would have looked at you and laughed. But sure enough, Michigan State put up a statement sweep on a team with legitimate Hockey East aspirations (not to mention a 4.5 GPG average). Four Spartans had multi-goal weekends and three freshmen scored their first collegiate goals.
After loosing three in a row, MSU has rebounded to win three straight. The next several weeks will determine if there is something more to this resolute group of Spartans.

NEXT GAME: at 2 Boston College

Minnesota vs. 18 Notre Dame (4-3)ND & (4-1)MIN Split
The Gophers traveled to South Bend for another battle of the Lucia's. The Fighting Irish took game one after the Gophers tied the game 3-3 thanks to two powerplay goals.  Jordan Gross saved the day for Notre Dame with his game winning goal in the final two minutes of regulation.
Minnesota got their revenge on Saturday. After the first 40 minutes saw only two goals scored, the combatants entered the third period tied 1-1. Minnesota cut loose with 16 shots on goal and three unanswered tallies, the last of which was an empty netter.
It looks like Minnesota is finally starting to find their groove. They are still a ways away though from being back to their old selves.

NEXT SERIES: Minnesota State

Wisconsin vs. 1 North Dakota  (3-1)WIS & (3-1)UND Split
 This was perhaps the craziest win of the non-conferance scheduled. No one in their right mind would expect 2-3-3 Wisconsin to march into Grand Forks and walk out with a win. The recent controversy surrounding Badger freshman Luke Kunin and the rumors he may, or may not, be leaving for the OHL didn't help maters for UW. But still the Badgers defied the odds and knocked off the mighty NoDak with Kunin himself getting the game winner.
Of course UND exacted vengeance the following night, but the damage was done, number one had fallen. This leaves Wisconsin in an unusual position. The fans in Madison are still restless, but the Badgers have the best win in college hockey. Keep an eye on these Badgers, they may not be as toothless as you think.

NEXT: Off Week

12 Michigan OFF

NEXT GAME: Niagara

Ohio State OFF

NEXT SERIES: Canisius

Should Big Ten Hockey Explore Affiliate Members?

In the Big Ten's third year in existence it it becoming clear that conference expansion is on the minds of many. At only six teams the Big Ten is the smallest conference in division one hockey. Furthermore, the Big Ten has never had more than two teams in the NCAA tournament.

Because it will take time before multiple Big Ten institutions elevate to D1 hockey, the conference may be exploring potential affiliate members. Having a school as a single sport member is not groundbreaking step for the conference, just see John Hopkins in lacrosse. If the Big Ten were to pursue this option, who would get the call? Who makes the most sense in terms of geography and academics?

Here is my list for NCAA hockey schools I would like to see become an affiliate members of the Big Ten conference for hockey.

Miami University

The Redhawks were a staple of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association for years. Today, they are a constant contender in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Still, they are the located in an awkward position in a predominantly western conference. Located in Oxford, Ohio the university has the identity of a Midwestern school. On top of that, Miami is considered a "Public Ivy" institution. This fact is also key as all other schools in the Big Ten share a slimier distinction.

Adding Miami as an affiliate member makes the the most sense. In terms of geography Miami is right in the Big Ten footprint and already has a natural rivalry with Ohio State. If the Big Ten were to send an invitation to the Miami, the conference could potentially add a strong hockey team which would add to the depth of the conference.

University of Notre Dame

This is the school that makes the most sense, but is also the least likely to happen. Notre Dame has a long history of hockey as well as a fierce rivalry with Michigan State and Michigan. Unfortunately, those great rivalry have fallen to the wayside as Notre Dame shifted to the Hockey East conference after the dissolution of the CCHA.

Like Miami University, Notre Dame is well within the Big Ten's footprint and has a standing rivalry with several Big Ten teams. In addition Notre Dame has a prestigious academic reputation. Unfortunately there has been bad blood between the Big Ten and the Fighting Irish ever since expansion talks broke down in the early 2010's.

It would be nice to imagine a scenario where the Big Ten held out an olive branch to Notre Dame and the Irish accepted. It would rectify a serious wrong that occurred as a result of the Big Ten's conception as a hockey conference and the old rivalries would be alive once again. Perhaps one day, that might happen.

Arizona State University

The newcomer to division 1 college hockey, Arizona State may be a choice for the Big Ten if they are looking for an affiliate member. As of this article, Arizona State isn't part of a conference yet. While some people expect them to join the western-concentric NCHC, it isn't a stretch to consider them for membership in the Big Ten.

This makes sense because, like the Big Ten, Arizona State is a power five school. This means that they are part of one of the Power Five conferences (Pac-12 in ASU's case). It is entirely possible for ASU to join the Big Ten at east until a possible Pac-12 hockey conference is established.  Considering the rising popularity of hockey out west, this too isn't as outlandish as it sounds.

Of course there are a few issues to address, primarily travel. A team like Penn State would have to travel two time-zones to play a the Sun Devils. Such travel is not only time consuming but also expensive. Still, who wouldn't want to go to Arizona in December or January?