Ever wondered what USHL types hope to find under the tree Christmas morning? Thanks to some investigation, including a visit to the North Pole (or is that really polar weather right here in the Midwest?), now you can find out!
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the league, Not a creature was stirring, not even Peter Sejna. Okay, so it didn't rhyme, but it made a point. For most USHL fans, players, coaches, officials, and employees, Christmas not only brings a week and a half break from hockey action, but it also marks the time when the man in the red suit determines whether you've been naughty or nice during the first half of the season. No, we don't mean league president Gino Gasparini. For that matter, not even USHL referee-in-chief Scott Brand. This man wearing the red suit comes from a place even colder than Grand Forks, N.D. (yes Virginia, there is a place colder than Grand Forks).
To bring you up to date on what USHL types are asking for this Christmas, Grimm's Tales traveled to the North Pole (well, maybe not, but the weather outside makes us feel like we are at the North Pole) to bring you the following portion of Santa's gift list.
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: A true home game. Not to mention a finished arena. Construction delays have postponed the RoughRiders first two home games, which means Cedar Rapids will christen their new arena on Jan. 8 against Rochester, barring any further delays. The RoughRiders are surely the first USHL team to have their home opener after New Year's.
Peter Sejna: The league's MVP award. With 49 points (19-30-49), Sejna is 15 points ahead of his closest competitor in the league's point race. Most years, it would seem like that would be enough to make the award a one-player race, but it could be different this year thanks to the presence of the next name on Santa's list.
Dan Ellis: A second half like the first half. The Omaha goaltender has broken the franchise record for shutouts in a season, and we're only at the Christmas break. Some nights, a 1-0 deficit against the Lancers seems insurmountable, as Ellis as stonewalled his opponents six times in 21 games. But despite the impressive numbers, Ellis faces competition for the league's top goaltender award from the next man on the list.
Adam Coole: A playoff berth for Coole and his Rochester Mustangs. The Mustangs sit in eighth in the playoff standings with 27 points (12-11-3) at the break, and the biggest reason stands between the pipes. Coole has posted a 2.27 goals against average and a league-best 93.1 percent save percentage in 21 games. When Coole gets the decision, the Mustangs are 11-6-3. In the other six games, Rochester is 1-5. The numbers indicate that the MVP award is a three-way race at Christmas.
Thunder Bay Flyers: A playoff berth. With the departure of the United League's ThunderCats before the 1999-2000 season, the Flyers are the only game in town in Thunder Bay. However, this has not resulted in a significant increase at the turnstiles, as the Flyers are averaging just 1,107 despite strong marketing efforts. Many Thunder Bay fans feel a playoff run might be the answer to filling the seats at Fort William Gardens.
Dave Hakstol: The next Ruslan Fedotenko. Without the Ukranian sniper, the Muskies' offensive production has fallen flat. Sioux City's 72 goals places them ahead of only Dubuque (68) and Rochester (71) in offensive prowess. Despite those numbers, the Muskies sit at 11-12-4 and just one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
Dubuque Fighting Saints: More fans. The Saints are averaging just 703 fans so far this season, a continuation of their falling attendance in recent seasons. With the majority of their home games still remaining, Dubuque will have a chance to increase those numbers in the second half.
Sioux Falls Stampede: An ending to their inaugural year reminiscent of Lincoln's inaugural year. In their first year of competition, the Lincoln Stars won the Clark Cup. The Stampede could be come the second consecutive expansion team to do so, as they post a 16-7-3 record at the Christmas break. Ironically, Sioux Falls is tied for third overall in the playoff standings with Lincoln, as both teams have 35 points in 26 games.
Des Moines Buccaneers fans: An instant replay of this column, courtesy of the Metro Ice Sports Arena's replay boards.
All USHL fans: Second half success for your team, and a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
By Trevor Grimm
Send your comments to Trevor Grimm at ushlfan@aol.com.
