The Red Wings have been in the race for an NHL wild-card playoff spot for several weeks. The Penguins are also in that race and beat the Wings 6-5 in overtime on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Also on Thursday, in men's college hockey, the Boston College Eagles defeated Michigan 4-0 in an NCAA Frozen Four semifinal matchup in Minnesota. The loss ended the Wolverines' season.
Michigan public sports commentator John U. Bacon got included in morning edition Host Doug Tribou to talk about the world of hockey and more.
DT: Let's start with Michigan. This was the Wolverines' third consecutive trip to the Frozen Four and their fourth trip to the last five. They have now failed to reach the title match in each of these appearances. What's stopping them from making that final leap into the championship?
Jub: I would have to say maturity. This is still a young team in some ways. On Thursday night he took a stupid penalty at a stupid time. They had a power play. They have the best power play (offense) in the country. A power play is when the other team gets a penalty and now you have five skaters versus their four – a great opportunity to score.
And then they took a dumb penalty on their power play. Then, of course, Boston College goes down and scores. So they've got all the pieces. His goaltending isn't quite on par with his teammates yet, but everything else he's willing to put up with.
DT: And the Boston College offense is one of the best offenses in the country. Even if it is difficult to match him. In the other semifinal game, Denver defeated Boston University in overtime. BC and Denver will play for the national title on Saturday night.
John, staying involved with college hockey, watched the Ohio State women's team win the national championship a few weeks ago. You rarely hear about the Women's Frozen Four here in Michigan, as there is no Division I women's hockey team in the state. When I moved here from New England I found it shocking.
In Boston, there is an in-season tournament known as the Beanpot. Harvard, Northeastern, BC, and BU play in it every year. Well, women have had their own beanpot there since 1979. The NCAA has had a Frozen Four for women for more than 20 years.
Now, U of M has recently announced that it is considering adding a women's hockey team. Why haven't state universities added one yet?
Jub: Great question. The short answer is money, time and effort, and hockey is the most expensive sport out there. Having said that, Doug, there are (seven) universities in the state of Michigan that have Division I men's hockey and zero women's hockey.
“There's a lot of women's hockey talent in the state of Michigan that goes to … Ohio State and Minnesota and Wisconsin … where there are programs.”
John U. Bacon on the news that U of M is exploring the possibility of adding a women's hockey team. There is no Division I women's hockey team in the state of Michigan.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, they have great women's teams that win national titles. Ohio State does this now, and Ohio State is well behind Michigan in men's hockey. So, there is no doubt that Michigan State has been behind the times.
It is not simple and it is not easy. And it won't happen quickly because you'll either have to rebuild your facility, which is expensive, or you'll have to build another facility to accommodate what Title IX requires.
He said, so what? If you want to be the best leader and you are, this would be a great opportunity to do so. And whatever the price of women's hockey, it's very little compared to the great marketing you get saying, “Look, we finally did it, and we're the first to do it in the state of Michigan.'
And Michigan State has a ton of women's hockey talent that goes to – guess what – Ohio State and Minnesota and Wisconsin…where there are programs. So, if they get a start, Michigan will become a powerhouse almost immediately.
DT: OK, let's turn to the Red Wings, whose playoff hopes aren't dead, but aren't exactly looking good. This week, Detroit lost two key games against teams that are trying to earn a wild card spot – Washington and Pittsburgh. The Red Wings have three games left in the regular season. What do they need to focus on to kick things off?
“You've got to block every shot. You've got to play it like it's the playoffs.”
John Yu on what mindset the Red Wings need in their final few regular season games to win a playoff spot. Bacon
Jub: Look, these are playoff games for them. Even if it's not the playoffs. They basically have to win all three. They are looking for four teams to vie for a spot, so there is no need to look back. You have to block every shot. You have to play it like a playoff. And the last few games they've played, but it's been a little late.
As you and I have discussed, they lost seven in a row in March. So it's the hare and the tortoise. Well, the rabbit was sleeping in March, and then they lost him. They're not dead yet, and they're playing with some patience. And Lucas Raymond scored a fine hat-trick on Thursday night.
All that being said, I can't remember the last time Detroit was in the hunt for a playoff berth. So this is interesting at least.
DT: Next up, the Red Wings face the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday night.
Editor's note: Quotes in this article have been edited for length and clarity.
John U. Bacon is the author of several national bestsellers. He is also featured in a new ESPN short documentary film about the most famous shot in University of Michigan hockey history and how the gravity-defying move has impacted NHL players for more than 20 years. The documentary is called “The Michigan” and will premiere Sunday at 8:00 a.m. ET on ESPN.
