The case for Cody Reichard

I know, I know - Cam Pike is a BC boy through and through (and always will be). But in lieu of there being any viable BC candidate (Brian Gibbons could play himself into the dark horse picture if he continues to light it up over the next 8 games - but I digress) I present to you my candidate for Hobey Baker 2010. Cody Reichard.

For those of you looking for the flashy name (Rhett Rakhshani of Denver - seriously, is there a better name in college hockey today), the pedigree (Wisconsin boys Blake Geoffrion & Brendan Smith), or the veteran (Marc Cheverie of Denver or Ben Scrivens or Cornell) need to go somewhere else. Cody Reichard is your man.

Before you ask, no Mrs. Pike did not put me up to this and no this is not a sympathy vote because he was in net for one of the most heartbreaking hockey losses I have ever seen in person. Yes, Reichard plays for Miami University (the school many outside of hockey refer to as Miami of Ohio) and yes since I met Mrs. Pike they have found a little spot in this Boston sports heart of mine but that is not why I am lobbying for Reichard. He has been the best player for the best team in college hockey this year. Period.

Reichard leads the nation in goals against (nearly 0.6 better than second place Cheverie), save percentage, winning percentage, and is one win behind Cheverie and Bemidji's Dan Bakala (tied for second) having played 3 less games. He has 5 shut-outs on the season to go along with his goals against that has bailed his team out in several games this season as Miami has surprisingly struggled to find the back of the net consistently. Not to mention the fact that he has done this after suffering that catastrophic ending to last season (I think this is a mental accomplishment that should not be ignored in this case).

The detractors will say that Miami has one of the top defensive corps in the country so his workload isn't as high. The other thing that may hurt his candidacy is the fact that he splits much of his time in net with fellow super-soph Connor Knapp. But Knapp's numbers, while impressive, are not as jaw-dropping as Reichard's are. Much like last year, I expect Enrico Blasi to ride Reichard for the post-season as he is the #1 goaltender for the Redhawks. And one cannot ignore the results on the ice for the #1 team in the nation.

But he won't win. Insidecollegehockey.com doesn't even have him on their Hobey Tracker page. What will do him in is the fact that Miami has completely rolled the CCHA. They have lost one game to a CCHA opponent all year. When measured against the level of play that Marc Cheverie sees night after night in the WCHA, the comparison just does not match up. Add in the splitting time with Knapp and Reichard simply will not have the juice to win. In a season where no one has truly made themselves a candidate above and beyond the crowd as in years past (the Kevin Porter -Nathan Gerbe debate may still rage on but the fact is no one thought someone other than those two would win the award that year). This season the Hobey is truly up for grabs. I don't have an official vote but my support is still behind Reichard.