Wockey Pool 2019 - The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Defeat

Holy Mother of Barry Melrose!  That was a hell of a day of hockey!!

 

If you didn’t watch either of the Frozen Four games yesterday -- what is WRONG with you?  The first game featured the unflinching suffocation of the UMD defense bending, but not breaking against Providence as they ground their way to a third straight national championship game care of a 4-1 win that only resulted in such a lopsided score because of two empty net goals.  That’s an unnecessary runon sentence, boiiiieeeee!!

 

The second game featured three game disqualifications for hits to the head, one of which resulted in three UMass goals in five minutes during back-to-back 5-on-3 penalty kills.  And just as surely as the Minutemen had been dominating the game, they suddenly sat back as Denver took advantage scoring two goals in the third to send the game to overtime.  After the teams had clearly started to drag late in the OT frame, Marc Del Gaizo shockingly finished off a perfect pass to the circle with a rocket that ricocheted off the goaltender’s glove into the upper right corner of the net to end the game -- in elation for Massachusetts and heartbreak for the Pioneers.

 

 

It all sets up what should be a fantastic championship game between the dynamic offense of Massachusetts versus the stifling defense of UMD.  Seriously -- block off your Saturday night.  Buy a case of your favorite beer.  Invite all your friends over.  And plan to watch what promises to be an absolutely fantastic hockey game between two of the top three teams in the country all year long.

 

As for Wockey, it seems our last year will indeed end up being our very best yet.  In my last Wockey blog post laying out all the scenarios, I wrote the following:

 

“If UMD beats Massachusetts:

If this scenario plays out, it would be the craziest scenario in Wockey history.  We would have our first ever three-way tie for Wockey Champion between Andrew Blaeser, Corey Morin, and Jacques LePage.  If five goals or fewer were scored in the final three games of the tournament, Blaeser would be your Wockey Champ.  If 9 or more are scored, it would be LePage.  And if between 6-8 goals are scored, Corey Morin would be named the Wockey Champ.  Can you imagine how exciting that final game would be?!  In addition, Joel Sipper and Peter Markham would tie for fourth.  Michael Norby would finish sixth and Nick Walker seventh.  And then comes the second crazy part of this scenario.  A tie for the final three paid payouts would come down to eight people -- Bryan Otremba, former Wockey Champ Aaron Soroka, Ben Swendra, Michael J Forshee, Cassandra Walters, Christopher Dahlin, Ben Cahill, and the First Lady of Wockey, Sarah Walker.  I for one want to see this scenario play out -- and not because my wife and brother could win money, but because it would make for a fabulous finale for Wockey!”

 

Well it looks like I may end up having my wish!  Which would almost make up for the St. Cloud State repeat choke job!

 

Almost!

 

If there weren’t seven goals scored in the Denver UMass game, it would’ve made Saturday’s finale that much more interesting.  Basically, it comes down to this:  If UMD wins, Jacques LePage is your Wockey Champion.  If Massachusetts prevails, Jack Nazy wins.

 

As for that eight way tie for the final three spots, the only two tiebreak contestants who have no chance of finishing in the top three are Bryan Otremba and former Wockey Champ Aaron Soroka.  The tiebreaker scenarios for those final three spots are as follows:

 

If between 1 or 2 goals are scored in the title game, the order of finish for the 8th, 9th, and 10th spots will be as follows:  Forshee, Walters, Swendra

3:  Cahill, Forshee, Dahlin

4:  Cahill, Dahlin, Walker

5:  Cahill, Walker, Dahlin

6 or more:  Walker, Cahill, Dahlin  

 

It should be a thrilling finish tomorrow night to as this game could honestly feels like it could end up with anywhere from 1-8 goals!

 

As for the race to the bottom for the Puckhead, it’s still not officially ready to be called despite CNN, NPR, and Fox News already doing so.  Jon Tousignant had to love the relatively high scoring of the first day of the Frozen Four.  If you recall, Jon accidentally switched his “Total Goals Scored in the Frozen Four” tiebreaker with his “Total Goals Scored in the Tournament” tiebreaker.  That means that with 62 goals predicted to be scored in the Frozen Four, Jon only needs 29 goals to be scored in the championship game tomorrow to avoid the dreaded title of Puckhead.  Here’s to many more 5-on-3’s and empty netters!

 

On a personal note, today is my birthday.  I plan to spend it visiting Niagara Falls, eating fantastic Buffalo wings, and preparing for my last Wockey blog post ever.  I’m hoping for some special livestreamed or recorded video messages to post to the Wockey Facebook page Saturday capping off the best Wockey Pool ever.  And despite my hopeless desire to see my favorite squad play tomorrow night, I’m thrilled by the matchup and can’t wait for the game to begin.  I hope you’re all looking forward to it as much as I am!

 

Good luck to Jack and Jacques as we count down to the tournament finale!  Enjoy the culmination of the greatest weekend of the year!!

 

Your Ecstatic, Exalted, Exhibitionist Wockey Commish,

 

Alex

 

P.S.  This (Shake it).