Next season, the WCHA will be adding two teams in the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Bemidji State University. These are the first teams to join the league since Minnesota State University, Mankato did so in 1999. Mankato came into the league after Northern Michigan departed to rejoin the CCHA where it thought it would have a better chance at larger crowds and winning records. This is the first expansion of the league that I can recall.
As they will be joining our league next season, I thought it would be right to give you all an update on how their seasons went.
Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks:
During the offseason, UNO hired long-time UND head coach Dean Blais to right the ship. The 2008-09 season saw UNO finish with a 15-17-8 overall record and an 8-13-7 conference record. In his first season as head coach, Dean Blais guided the team to a 20-16-6 overall record and a 13-12-3-2 conference record (the CCHA went to a shootout to decide ties, that's why that funny number is at the end...). Their season was markedly improved over the previous seasons' record, but not yet where head coach Dean Blais would like them to be.
In the CCHA playoffs, the Mavericks swept Bowling Green in the first round and got swept by Ferris State for the right to move onto the conference tournament held in Detroit. Notable wins for the Mavericks this season were against Mankato, #12 Northern Michigan, #17 Michigan, #10 Bemidji State, and #2 Miami. They finished 6th in the CCHA standings and are currently in a tie for 22nd in the Pairwise. With no remaining games left to play, the Mavericks season is, most likely, over.
Bemidji State Beavers:
The Beavers have continued their success from their Frozen Four appearance last year with a 23-9-4 overall record and a 14-3-1 conference record. The Beavers were a funny team this year in that they did very well against teams in the top 25 of the Pairwise (6-2-1), but laid many eggs against teams who were markedly worse than they were.
As there are only four teams in the CHA, all teams made the conference tourney. Bemidji was the hands-down favorite to win the tourney, and automatic bid, but lost their opening game to lowly Niagra. They then proceeded to tie with Robert-Morris in the third place game. Notable wins this year came against the Gophers, #12 Northern Michigan, #11 Duluth, and #2 Miami. They finished first in their conference this season and are currently ranked #7 in the Pairwise. By all accounts, their season will continue next weekend in NCAA Tournament...which could be their last for awhile.
As they will be joining our league next season, I thought it would be right to give you all an update on how their seasons went.
Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks:
During the offseason, UNO hired long-time UND head coach Dean Blais to right the ship. The 2008-09 season saw UNO finish with a 15-17-8 overall record and an 8-13-7 conference record. In his first season as head coach, Dean Blais guided the team to a 20-16-6 overall record and a 13-12-3-2 conference record (the CCHA went to a shootout to decide ties, that's why that funny number is at the end...). Their season was markedly improved over the previous seasons' record, but not yet where head coach Dean Blais would like them to be.
In the CCHA playoffs, the Mavericks swept Bowling Green in the first round and got swept by Ferris State for the right to move onto the conference tournament held in Detroit. Notable wins for the Mavericks this season were against Mankato, #12 Northern Michigan, #17 Michigan, #10 Bemidji State, and #2 Miami. They finished 6th in the CCHA standings and are currently in a tie for 22nd in the Pairwise. With no remaining games left to play, the Mavericks season is, most likely, over.
Bemidji State Beavers:
The Beavers have continued their success from their Frozen Four appearance last year with a 23-9-4 overall record and a 14-3-1 conference record. The Beavers were a funny team this year in that they did very well against teams in the top 25 of the Pairwise (6-2-1), but laid many eggs against teams who were markedly worse than they were.
As there are only four teams in the CHA, all teams made the conference tourney. Bemidji was the hands-down favorite to win the tourney, and automatic bid, but lost their opening game to lowly Niagra. They then proceeded to tie with Robert-Morris in the third place game. Notable wins this year came against the Gophers, #12 Northern Michigan, #11 Duluth, and #2 Miami. They finished first in their conference this season and are currently ranked #7 in the Pairwise. By all accounts, their season will continue next weekend in NCAA Tournament...which could be their last for awhile.
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