Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:31 PM)

It's time to talk college hockey again on The Show with the writers from Inside College Hockey.

UND in SLP, St. Louis Park, MN

How important is it for Joe Finley to get back into the Sioux lineup? Barring any assumptions about a second half revival, what will it take for UND to begin pressing the upstart gophers for the top spot in the WCHA?

Jess Myers

  (2:33 PM)

Since the biggest question mark for the Sioux in the preseason was goaltending, and because goaltending has proven to be a real problem in some of the games where they've struggled thus far, I see the return of a shut-down defenseman like Finley as vitally important for the Sioux defense. For them to press the Gophers for the top spot, or to even press for a top-five spot, North Dakota is going to need a more consistent every-game effort, unlike their recent play, when they look like completely different teams (some good, some bad) from night to night.

Joe (Chestnut Hill, MA)

Why isn't UMass-Lowell in the Top 20? They are playing some very good hockey this season. I don't understand why UMass-Amherst is in the top 20 ahead of them.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:35 PM)

Aha ... that's what you get for looking at the national polls instead of the INCH Power Rankings, where UMass Lowell is 19th, one spot ahead of the club from Amherst. We think the River Hawks are deserving of a spot and continued good play will be recognized by the pollsters. Look for more on the team's talented junior class in this week's Hockey East Notebook at INCH.

Allen, Westfield, NJ

What players do you believe have staked claims, through their play so far, to spots on the U.S WJC team?

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:37 PM)

Current collegians from last year's team eligible to come back -- Ian Cole, Cade Fairchild, Jordan Schroeder, James vanRiemsdyk, Colin Wilson -- have all played well thus far and deserve spots. Newbies who warrant a spot? Michigan forward Aaron Palushaj, the nation's leading scorer, for sure, and defenseman Ryan McDonagh is off to a strong start for Wisconsin. BU d-man Kevin Shattenkirk will probably get a spot, too.

Ed (Boston, MA)

BU has a tremendous amount of very talented players (and the goaltending situation is far better than last year), but it takes more to be successful. What do you think the keys to BU's success this year will be?

Jeff Howe

  (2:38 PM)

In the past couple years, a few BU players, along with Jack Parker, have said the reason for their struggles was not showing up every night. The talent level is on par with anyone in Hockey East. It's just a matter of putting it all on the line every night, and BU has done that this season.

Gus, (Old Tappan, NJ)

Which is the real Clarkson team? The one that played at a high level against Collorado College or the one that imploded against Harvard and Dartmouth.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:40 PM)

Unfortunately we probably won't know which is the real Clarkson team for a few weeks when they finally get healthy. They've been without many top players early this season, most recently joined by Julien Cayer and Matt Beca on the injured list. One spot of concern for Golden Knight followers wasn't the one-goal offensive output in each of last week's games - it was allowing five each night.

Joe (Chestnut Hill, MA)

Is Brock Bradford the Hobey leader right now?

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:42 PM)

He's the leader according to our first installment of the Hobey Tracker. His consistency after losing virtually all of last season to injuries has been impressive, and Boston College has barely skipped a beat thanks to his offensive efforts.

Jimmy (Mountain)

Do you think lameroux will keep on his pace or fizzle out?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:44 PM)

Referring to Jacques Lamoureux of Air Force, of course, and I think he's going to have a huge offensive season. The sophomore is on one of the best teams in the country and they're scoring a lot of goals even on the road in Atlantic Hockey. Will it be enough to win the Hobey? Probably not, but his stats will be outstanding.

William (Atlanta, GA)

The Sioux always seem to start slow (.500 in the winter the last few seasons), then seem to turn on the jets to finnish strong enough for four straight frozen fours. Do you guys forsee the same second half turn around and if not what do they need to do to turn it around this season?

Jess Myers

  (2:45 PM)

Interesting that the sioux and Alaska Anchorage split last weekend, as those two teams seem to always be around .500 at the holidays, and then go in polar opposite directions. I don't foresee as big a second-half push by North Dakota this season for some reason. Something just doesn't feel right. I'm reminded of the 2001-02 NoDak team that had no good reason to struggle, but did anyway. These Sioux have some talent, are struggling for some reason.

Matt (Boston, MA)

The Northeastern Huskies have looked strong this year and still are in first place in Hockey East. It is still early, but having said that, how would your views of NU change depending on the outcome of this weekend's games (Home vs UNH and @ UML). What do you think of the balanced production this year and what it has meant for the success of the team?

Jeff Howe

  (2:47 PM)

My views wouldn't change regardless of what happens this weekend. Northeastern could go 2-0 or 0-2, and I'd still believe they're a contender for home ice when the season winds down. The balanced production just shows how deep the team is. Every player who contributed last season is still on the roster, and that will help when the games start meaning a little more.

red (syracuse, ny)

Sadly the Cornell v. Colgate games were dirty between the 5 min major hitting from behind (colgate's Prochow), the stick to the head by cornell's Mugford, and finally the WWF take down by Schrivens. My question is whether or not the NCAA or ECAC have a review process? Do any of player have the possibility of a suspension, or is it a over and done with?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:49 PM)

The league office can review penalties and assess suspensions if it is deemed necessary. I saw both of the games you mention, and while they certainly weren't auditioning for any sportsmanship awards, these were mostly just hockey plays. Dangerous, sure, but not worthy of a suspension.

Scott ( cincinnati, Ohio)

Hey guys, with the big CCHA matchup between Miami and Michigan this weekend. Do you see the winner as the clear cut favorite in the CCHA and can Miami be that team to win the league and Contend Nationally?

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:50 PM)

I'd peg Notre Dame as the CCHA favorite even though the Irish lost two to Miami last month. But if one team can take 3-4 points this weekend, it'll be a big boost. Miami comes off a nice sweep at Michigan State last weekend -- I think the RedHawks have the edge.

Robby East Lansing, MI

If his team can get going and jeff lerg keeps playin like he is, how do you like his shot at the hobey? hes a talented goaltender as well as a great leader. Thanks Ron

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:52 PM)

He's got a shot, but I don't think it's a very good one. Only two goaltenders have ever won the Hobey and those were absolutely special campaigns that were necessary for that to happen. Gaudy numbers, tons of wins, high national ranking ... I don't think Lerg's Spartans will win enough games, but it won't be his fault. They've gotta score some goals.

Dave from Maine

How far can the Black Bears go?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:55 PM)

Some might say they've already gone further than most expected during a current five-game winning streak. If they can keep momentum and maintain consistency (a difficult task for such a young team) they'll return to the Hockey East playoffs. Winning a series on the road isn't likely to happen however.

Shad (Alexandria, MN)

I know it's early but just for fun who do you have in the frozen four this year?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:56 PM)

Oh good ... this question already. Let's throw it around the horn ...

Jess Myers

  (2:57 PM)

Making predictions like these before Thanksgiving are guaranteed to make you look and feel foolish somewhere down the line. But if the Frozen Four were being held this weekend, I think the four teams vying to get an audience with President Obama would be Boston University, Denver, Notre Dame and New Hampshire, with Air Force as my favorite dark horse.

Jeff Howe

  (2:57 PM)

I'll go with BU, BC, Air Force and Colorado College.

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:58 PM)

Put me down for Boston College, Boston University, Minnesota, and Notre Dame ... for now.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:59 PM)

... and I'll start with Minnesota and Denver, gimme Notre Dame, and sure -- Princeton.

chris ( Oxford, OH)

Is Miami a national Contender despite their young defensive core? They have played well at times this year and I think are starting to come around.

Mike Eidelbes

  (3:00 PM)

Well, they have the offense to play with anyone. The defense doesn't concern me that much; it's the goaltending, with two freshmen (Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard) sharing time. A national title contender? Miami's probably a year away, but they'll be in the hunt for a NCAA berth for sure.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (3:01 PM)

Thanks for the great questions and thanks for stopping by to talk college hockey with us. We'll be preparing to sit at the dinner table at this time next week, so we won't speak with you again until Dec. 4. Enjoy the college hockey, and especially some tasty non-conference action Thanksgiving weekend.