The reason we are seeing players leave this year is because the CBA is up after this year and the rookie pay will be hurt big time. So agents want players to leave now and get the big money.
Isn't there going to be some type of retroactive action against all salaries after this year? It seems like if they just changed all future salaries/benefits it would be a long time before any of the changes started to have a financial effect.
Denver beat UMD 5-3. I didn't see it, but judging from some comments on the USCHO boards, the ref didn't exactly cover himself with glory. Guess I'll be pulling for Denver in the final. Yes, Maine and BC are in Hockey East, but their fans are insufferable and beyond insufferable, respectively.
My condolences to the BC fans whose team couldn't get the job done while playing in their own backyard. NOT! Now if Denver can knock off the Black Bears (doubtful), that would make for a perfect end to a crappy season. Boston University Terriers: 2005 Beanpot, Hockey East, and National Champs!
And it happened again. Congrats to the Denver Pioneers for beating UMD and Maine en route to their first NCAA title since 1969!
I'd say that the two week rest Denver got missing out on the WCHA Final Five was the biggest factor in them winning it all.
You may be right CRays. It seemed to help them heal lots of nagging injuries, especially to Caldwell, who's about to have surgeries on both knees. As well as DU was playing late season, they were picking up lots of those nagging things that are a complete PITA. Add that while it would have been another great experience in a great atmosphere, not going through the intensity of the final five may have allowed them to refocus and rest. Fish, the city of Denver thanks you. In a pro sports town, DU gets forgotten, heck I wonder myself why they're playing in the Sun Belt for D-1 hoops when their nearest rival is 600+ miles away in Las Cruces, NM. But large parts of Denver really got captivated by DU's run. Great to see, a class program in all respects. Looking ahead: Though I still consider myself somewhat neutral, no ties to either school, want both to do well since that helps college hockey out here, I want to see Denver-CC at the Pepsi Center next year, especially if there is a lockout. That would really keep the momentum for college hockey in this state going.