Hittin the Links

When the Northern Michigan Wildcats left Marquette, they had not won in the city of Columbus in 26 years...

...and there was only like a foot of snow.

When they finally returned to the U.P. last night, they had shook the Curse of Columbus and ran into a blizzard in Munising.

That's what you get for avoiding the four feet of snow that the rest of us were blasted with.

The Cats were stranded in Munising last night but are returning to Marquette today. Paula Weston of USCHO.com has a review of the decisive Game 3 victory for NMU. In the article, NMU head coach Walt Kyle gave his key to the series - freshman netminder Brian Stewart.

"I think the biggest single thing ... is we changed goaltenders," Kyle said. "And that's no slight on Billy [Zaniboni]. We changed goalies and the kid was unbelievable. I mean, he was unbelievable. The save he made in the goalmouth down here in the third, that's pure athlete, right there."

There is also a review from the game up at the Columbus Dispatch. I have hesitated to post anything from there because whoever is writing the stories now for OSU hockey resembles a young college newspaper reporter from some big school like the Michigan. Sorry kid.

Also out on the web, CCHA.com has a short feature written by NMU senior defenseman Matt Maunu, who has really stepped up his game this season and in the playoffs. Maunu writes about being an athlete, student, husband and dog owner.

Finally, here is something to keep you occupied at work that is quiet interesting. Forbes.com recently ranked all the general managers in the big four professional sports (NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB) with at least three years of experience.

Former Northern Michigan hockey player Don Waddell, now the general manager of the Atlanta Thrashers, ranked sixth overall out of 98 GMs. Jay Feaster of Tampa Bay (No. 2) and Lou Lamoriello of New Jersey (No. 5) were the two NHL GMs ranked ahead of him.

The rankings are quiet interesting and I'm not sure how much one can value the results. Other notables on the list include the Chicago Bulls' John Paxon coming in 10th, Pierre LaCroix of the Colorado Avalanche is 14th, the Pistons' Joe Dumars is 15th, John Schuerholz of the Atlanta Braves is 42nd, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is 48th and the Red Wings' Ken Holland came in at No. 90.