Friday, January 9, 2009

Game-day reading (updated)

The roads weren't too bad, and I made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. So I'm adding to the hockey reading list. Check for the additions below.
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Getting ready to leave Mankato for the MSP airport but needed to get a couple of things on the blog before departure.

One thing to keep in mind: PucKato will be updated regularly tonight -- call it almost-live blogging, maybe -- during this weekend's games. Look for the first posts about an hour before gametime (provided I get into Colorado Springs on time), and I'll plan on doing more than just the usual between-period posts.

Now, on to this morning's papers ...

First, the Mavericks are hoping the same kind of second-half surge they've been known for over the last few years. Meanwhile, Colorado College is still mixing and matching its lines as it tries to improve its offense, and Gazette columnist David Ramsey ponders whether the Tigers hit bottom during December.

Updated: Minnesota is at North Dakota without coach Don Lucia, although fab freshman Jordan Schroder is back. As for the Sioux, their well-decorated captain Ryan Duncan has always been surrounded by good hockey people, including Sidney Crosby.

Minnesota Duluth is at St. Cloud State. In Duluth, Kevin Pates writes about the WCHA's recent struggles, while St. Cloud scribe Kevin Allenspach says the Huskies need a sweep this weekend.

Alaska-Anchorage hosts Wisconsin, and the Seawolves haven't played a game in 34 -- that's right, thirty-four -- days. As for the Badgers, they -- especially goalie Shane Connelly -- are trying to overcome last Saturday's meltdown against Northern Michigan.

Finally, Denver, perhaps the best team in the WCHA will host 10th-place Michigan Tech. While the Huskies having just one conference win they have won three of their last six games. Meanwhile, folks around the Pioneers want their old mascot back.

Here are league previews and notebooks from USCHO, INCH and This is the WCHA.

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