ESPN

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:31 PM)

Inside College Hockey is back on 'The Show', and today we're pleased to be joined by Colorado College junior forward Marty Sertich. He's the nation's leading scorer with 61 points and is virtually assured of being named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award later today.

Marty Sertich

  (1:31 PM)

I'm here and ready for your questions!

Christopher (The Springs)

Marty, how much has the disappointment of last season motivated you guys this year?

Marty Sertich

  (1:33 PM)

It definitely motivated us. Last year was not the season we were looking for. We had an up-and-down year, and the loss to Alaska Anchorage in the Final Five really motivated the guys to be ready for this year.

Jason (Barrington, Ill.)

As a freshman, you played on a line with Noah Clarke and Peter Sejna. What did you learn from those two terrific players?

Marty Sertich

  (1:34 PM)

I learned what it takes to be a good player at the college level. Those guys were both great players and you learn how to play the game at a fast pace and move the puck right away when you've got guys like that on your line.

Darrin (Atlanta)

Marty, what's unique about Brett Sterling? How would you describe him as a player?

Marty Sertich

  (1:35 PM)

He's a natural goal scorer. He has a knack for being around the net and he loves to score goals. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Howie (St. Paul, MN)

Marty, congrats on a great year so far. The Hobey finalists get announced this afternoon -- are you nervous at all?

Marty Sertich

  (1:36 PM)

I'm not nervous. It's not one of the biggest things in my mind right now. I'm more concerned about playing Minnesota tomorrow. Whatever happens with the Hobey, it'll be fine.

Steven (Minneapolis)

You've got quite a family history in the game. Who in your family has had the biggest influence on your success?

Marty Sertich

  (1:37 PM)

My dad was my high school coach growing up and he helped me at every level along the way. I would definitely say it's him.

Nemo (Chicago)

Marty, say you and Brett are two of the first-team All-WCHA forwards (I assume you will be). Who would you pick -- without naming a teammate -- for the third spot? Who would you like to play with on a line?

Marty Sertich

  (1:38 PM)

I don't know. Maybe Colin Murphy at Michigan Tech. He's had a great year and a great career up there. He's the first name that comes to mind.

Bill (LA, CA)

What's it like playing hockey with all the SoCal kids at CC?

Marty Sertich

  (1:40 PM)

It's kind of surprising that guys from California can turn into good hockey players, but CC has had a history of getting good players from California. It's a good time.

Joe (Castle Rock CO)

Marty, two years ago the Tigers were the top seed in the West Region and ended up playing Michigan at Yost to go to the Frozen Four and lost. Are you worried about a similar scenario with Minnesota hosting a regional this year?

Marty Sertich

  (1:41 PM)

Not really. Right now, we have no idea where we're going to go. We're fine with wherever they send us, because it'll be tough at any of the sites. We're not really worried about it right now.

Al (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

If you HAD to pick a regional that you guys were going to play at, without knowing your opponent, where would you want to go?

Marty Sertich

  (1:42 PM)

I don't know if I can pick one. All four sites will be exciting places to play and I'm sure the atmosphere will be great at each of them. I honestly can't pick one.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:43 PM)

We've got time for one more question from Marty before he heads to practice...

Grant (Buffalo)

Who do you have going all the way in your hoops bracket, Marty?

Marty Sertich

  (1:44 PM)

I haven't filled one out, but if I had to I'd probably pick Arizona just because their coach (Lute Olson) is a Minnesotan like me.

Marty Sertich

  (1:45 PM)

Thanks for all of the great questions. Sorry I've got to run.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:46 PM)

Thanks, Marty. The 10 Hobey finalists will be announced at 5 pm ET today, by the way. We'll take some general questions for the remaining 15 minutes or so...

Harold (C Springs)

Mike, what's your take on CC? Can they win it all?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:49 PM)

Absolutely. Much of the focus regarding the Tigers centers on Sertich and Sterling -- for good reason -- but they've got solid scoring depth with guys like Frischmon and Slattengren, a solid defensive corps led by Mark Stuart and two terrific goalies in McElhinney and Zaba. They can outscore you or shut you down.

Ray (Falmouth, Mass.)

Does Patrick Eaves' injury, if it's serious, take BC out of national title contention?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:51 PM)

It certainly doesn't help, but the Eagles are used to playing without Eaves in the lineup. A bigger concern to me would be in goal -- does Jerry York continue rotating Matti Kaltiainen and Cory Schneider, or choose one over the other?

Jack (Palisade, Minn.)

Mike, with scenarios like Wisconsin hurting their computer ranking by winning last Sunday, it is time to have actual human beings picking the NCAA field again?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:55 PM)

I think the computer rankings serve a purpose, but they shouldn't be relied on as the sole determining factor on who gets in and who doesn't. Is Ohio State, a team with 26 wins, better than a 20-13-5 North Dakota team? I'd say so, but the computer says they're not even close. No disrespect to the Sioux, but that's asinine.

Paul (Denver)

Mike, who's your pick as the nation's best defenseman this season?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:56 PM)

Boy, I guess I'll be in deep trouble if I don't pick Matt Carle or Brett Skinner, eh? I'd give the edge to Carle with Miami's Andy Greene second on that list.

Carlton (Worcester, MA)

Any idea who we'll see here in the Worcester regional?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:58 PM)

You'll see Boston U. for sure. They're the host team. In our most recent 4x4 prediction of this year's field, we had CC, Harvard and Quinnipiac there as well.

Karen (Orono, ME)

Are the officiating standards still being called like they were at the end of the year? Do you think they will impact the national tourney?

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:00 PM)

I think the referees have been fairly consistent. But there's always an adjustment period during the NCAA Tournament because teams will be dealing with officials from other leagues. Really, it's no different from any other year in that respect.

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:00 PM)

Time for one more...

Van (Fair Haven, VT)

Who should Northeastern hire to replace Bruce Crowder?

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:02 PM)

BU associate head coach David Quinn should be a top candidate. Anyone, really, other than Jon Barkan would be a good choice.

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:03 PM)

Thanks for your time...gotta run. Have fun at the rinks this weekend!