Ness and Schroeder not leaving UMN.

The internet has been abuzz today with a few rumors about Aaron Ness and Jordan Schroeder leaving the Gophers, these rumors have since been debunked. The rumors first started appearing on Gopher Puck Live, Siouxsports and then I also saw it over on rubechat.kfan.com. This Rumor picked up so much steam that the University had to issue a statement that Jordan Schroeder was committed to staying in school and will not be leaving. As a bystander and fan of college hockey there does seems to be a lot of drama surrounding the UMN hockey program and you have to wonder what the heck is going on down there?

On the Ness rumor, I found that one to be pretty entertaining but very improbable. I mean seriously; why Ness would leave UMN and transfer to UND? It wouldn’t make a lot of sense, first Ness would have to sit out a whole year then transfer to UND. In the interim Ness would have to probably play junior hockey in the USHL. Also, I don’t think there is any room for him at UND because the Sioux have recruited some great defensive players.

The University of Minnesota, in a highly unusual move, issued a news release denying rumors that sophomore center Jordan Schroeder is leaving. Here is the release sent at 6:27 p.m.

If I was a conspiracy buff, I might suspect that somone was trying to sabotage the U's recruiting efforts with this gossip.

Here is the U of M statement:

With rumors surrounding the future of Jordan Schroeder, the Gophers’ sophomore forward has stated he has no intention to leave the University of Minnesota men’s hockey program.

“I am fully committed to this team and university,” said Schroeder, who serves an assistant captain this season for the Gophers. “I have no intention of leaving college early to play pro hockey.”

“It is unfortunate that these rumors continue to come out and I have no idea where they begin. I think it’s important for me to publicly state that I am going nowhere. I am dedicated to this team and plan to help us reach our goals for the remainder of this season and future years.”

Schroeder was a first-round draft choice last summer by the Vancouver Canucks and has been the center of several internet rumors over recent months regarding his future in college and professional hockey.

NESS BUZZ

Then there was the Aaron Ness rumor. I got several e-mails on it. Ness is looking into transferring to North Dakota, where his father went to school.

I had talked to Ness, a sophomore defenseman, for a few minutes earlier in the day. Obviously, I didn't ask him if he was thinking of leaving. I had not heard the rumor yet. He seemed his normal self.

To check out the rumor, I called his father Jay in Roseau.

"He loves it there," Jay Ness said, referring to the U of M. "Obviously he wants to win, but it's early in the season."

No hint of family discontent with the U program.

But the hockey situation at the U has been a little chaotic lately. First defenseman Nick Leddy suffers a broken jaw. Then four days later, forward Jay Barriball suffers a season ending knee injury and has surgery last Friday.

And, Monday, sophomore defenseman Sam Lofquist tells coach Don Lucia he is leaving the team.
[Star and Tribune]

Finger to Kessel

As a Boston Bruins fan the trade of Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a couple of first round draft choices in 2010 and 2011 makes my blood boil. Face it you never know what you're going to get with a draft choice you could end up with a James Sheppard or Benoit Pouliot who are first round busts.

As the Bruins continue to struggle to score goals this season and as I watch the speedster Phil Kessel make one of the best goalies in the NHL look sick it makes me even more upset. How about the pass from former SCSU Husky Jeff Finger? That was an awesome pass to get Kessel going through the neutral zone. In the old days that would have been whistled dead for a two line pass.

Red Berenson: Michigan hockey team played like 'spoiled brats'

I saw this over on Todd D. Milewski's weekly blog post. Interesting stuff and I wish that more coaches would say these types of things. It seems like today's coaches coddle their players too much.

If there's a drill that helps hockey players gain composure, you can bet University of Michigan coach Red Berenson will implement it in practice Monday.

Berenson described his players' behavior as amateurish after Michigan's 5-1 loss to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. The Wolverines racked up 65 penalty minutes, including 51 minutes in the third period as the RedHawks pulled away.

Tristin Llewellyn, Kevin Lynch and Chad Langlais each received 10-minute misconduct penalties.

"I'm embarrassed," Berenson said. "We played like a bunch of spoiled brats, and we've gotta suck it up. When you're getting beat, you just keep working hard for the team. You don't take it out on the other team and take stupid penalties that are going to hurt your team even further. That's not the way we play hockey, and this team will learn that."

The education begins Monday, said senior defenseman Chris Summers.

"We need to be a better-composed team, and I think it starts with the upper-classmen and seniors," Summers said. "It starts at practice. It will be addressed on Monday." [Annarbor.com]

Linkorama

Here are a few stories of interest from the college hockey world. It's nice to see Evan Trupp scoring at a more consistent pace, for his offensive creativity he was rewarded with the Offensive Player of the Week in the WCHA. I believe that Evan Trupp has finally arrived and will be having a huge impact on the WCHA this season.

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Players of the Week

Evan Trupp, Jr., F, North Dakota

Sean Wiles, Jr., F, Alaska Anchorage

A pair of third-year forwards who played key roles for their respective teams last weekend - Evan Trupp of the University of North Dakota and Sean Wiles of the University of Alaska Anchorage - are Red Baron® WCHA co-Offensive Players of the Week for Nov. 10-16, 2009.

Trupp, a 5-8, 164-pound junior from Anchorage, Alaska, scored three goals - including a game-winner - to help visiting North Dakota to a two-game conference road sweep at Michigan Tech on Nov. 6-7. He tallied once in a 4-2 win last Friday and then came back with a two more goals on Saturday, including the game-winner, as the Sioux completed the sweep with a 4-1 victory.[WCHA]

Moose from KBUN Radio and the Hockey Show has posted the latest pictures to the Bemidji Regional Events Center. Ironically The Beavers will open the BREC in October of 2010 by playing against the Fighting Sioux, this will also be the Beavers first WCHA series. [Click to see pictures]

What the heck is going on down in Minneapolis? In the old days when you didn't get enough playing time you worked harder in practice and try to earn more playing time. Now days the players call their family advisor and transfer to a junior team or sign with their professional team. I think that when you make a commitment to play for a hockey team you should at least play your year out before you move on. To me this is a character issue.

Minnesota sophomore defenseman Sam Lofquist has decided to leave the university’s men’s hockey team and withdraw from school.

Lofquist, a Somerset, Wis. native, has played in three of the Gophers’ eight games this season and did not register any points. He appeared in 35 of the team’s 37 games as a freshman, totaling one goal and three assists.
The Gophers have only 22 active players on their roster now, with forward Jay Barriball (knee surgery) out for the season and defenseman Nick Leddy (broken jaw) out until mid-December.

The good news is Leddy will be back and come January the team will get another forward, Jacob Cepis.
[Star Tribune]

Apparently Pioneer junior goalie Marc Cheverie who was hurt in game against the Mankato a few weeks ago, is hopeful he can play in next weekend's series against the UND Fighting Sioux. With Cheverie the Pioneers have been really good, without Cheverie in net the Pioneers have been, well not so good.

Chevy wants to start.

Cheverie, who leads the NCAA in save percentage (.959) and shutouts (three), remains on crutches to keep weight off his calf, which required 30 stitches from a skate-blade accident.

Doctors originally said he would miss two to four weeks. The North Dakota series begins three weeks from the injury.

"He's bound and determined to be back before doctors say he is, so we'll see," Gwozdecky said. "It's probably good that he's feeling like he's going to be back, but that's a typical competitive athlete talking."
[Denver Post Hockey Blog]

The Lets Go DU Hockey Blog is reporting that the Magness Arena is almost sold our for the UND and DU hockey series on the 20th and 21st of November. I would recommend that if you want to go to the DU and UND series you will need to order your ticket now or look for a scalper outside the Magness Arena.

The 10 biggest hockey upsets of the last decade...

I found this blog post on Puck Daddy, I am shocked that the Holy Cross upset win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers didn't make the list of the 10 biggest hockey upset of the last decade, I actually thought that the Holy Cross win was more significant because they were the first college hockey team ranked 16th in the NCAA hockey tourney to win a NCAA hockey game. The Boston Bruins loss to the hated Montreal Canadian in the 2002 Eastern Conference quarterfinals still stick in my craw and still give me a bad taste in my mouth till this day.

9. Bemidji State upsets Notre Dame, 2009 NCAA men's hockey tournament

In 2009, we finally were given the answer to an annual scholastic hockey mystery: The hell's a Bemidji State anyway?

Turns out it's a small liberal arts college in Minnesota that was ready to shock the NCAA.

The Beavers were technically a No. 4 seed in the Div. I tournament, but were actually the lowest seed in the 16-team field. Which made their emphatic 5-1 stunner against No. 2 Notre Dame all the more unbelievably -- along with the facts that it was Bemidji State's first D-I tournament win in school history and just the second tourney victory in CHA conference history.

Because of the university's size and budget, the Wall Street Journal ranked the upset as the third most-shocking in recent NCAA sports history.

The Beavers would qualify for the Frozen Four, losing to Miami (Ohio) in the semifinals. But the win over the Irish sparked a Cinderella run that, for a moment, captivated the hockey world.[Puck Daddy]

Krejci back and Lucic skating.

This some of the best news that I have gotten all week. Krejci back from his bout with H1N1 and Milan Lucic is back skating with the team and that should mean he will be playing in Bruins uniform very soon. With Lucic recovering from a broken finger I don't expect he will be getting into many fights though.

WILMINGTON - Bruins' center David Krejci returned to practice this morning at Ristuccia Arena for the first time since being diagnosed with the H1N1 virus last Wednesday. Krejci, who worked out on his own yesterday because the Bruins had a day off, missed Thursday and Saturday's games but could be back in the lineup tomorrow night when the Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Garden.

Michael Ryder did not skate. Coach Claude Julien said he was under the weather but was not suffering from H1N1.

Milan Lucic (broken right index finger) skated before practice in full gear with a puck and was out on the ice for about 40 minutes. Julien said he couldn't give a timetable for his return.

How good is BSU?

Apparently some don't think BSU is worthy of the 7th place ranking in the USCHO Poll/USA Today Poll; first off it’s early and a lot of traditional teams have fallen flat on their faces early in the season. Some have asked me why I am silent this season when BSU is ranked so high in the early season polls and power rankings. Don't get mad at me or blame me for the polls.

I didn’t vote for any of these teams but I don’t disagree with BSU’s ranking so far. Seriously, after BSU dispatched Notre Dame and Cornell in convincing in the NCAA playoffs to make the Frozen Four and then fast forward to this season where the Beavers get off to a fast start, I wouldn't think they would needed to defend their high ranking. Just saying.

I don't understand why should BSU be punished they have beaten everyone on their schedule so far, the pollsters didn't seem to mind last season when it was AFA. Does anyone forget how last season the media was in love and fawning all over the Air Force Falcons when they went 13-1-0 to start the season most of their 13 wins were unimpressive and against the weak sisters of the poor. Look at the schedule they had, there were four wins against one of the worst teams in the AHA and college hockey Sacred Heart, two more of their wins were against cupcakes American International and Bentley those teams don’t exactly make me say “wow I am impressed”.

AFA 2008-2009 Schedule
Win Sacred Heart
Win Sacred Heart
Win Bemidji State
Win Bemidji State
Win American Int'l
Win American Int'l
Win Bentley
Win Bentley
Win Holy Cross
Win Holy Cross
Win Sacred Heart
Win Sacred Heart
Win Colorado College
Loss Denver Univcersity

Fast forward to this season the Beavers have started the season going 7-0-1. The Beavers only blemish on their record was a tie against NMU; before you knock NMU this was the same team that also beat the UMD Bulldogs earlier this season.

Let’s review the BSU schedule to date; the Beavers took Air Force Academy to the wood shed 3-1 and 7-3 revenging last season’s loss to the Falcons. The Falcons are the same team that lost to Alabama Huntsville the next weekend by identical 4-2 scores. The next weekend the Beavers played at Northern Michigan and beat and tied the Wildcats. Then the Beavers traveled to UAH and swept the Charges and played RMU at home and swept the Colonials. The Beavers have beat everyone that is one their schedule except for the tie against NMU. It is what it is.

I personally think the PWR and the Polls mean nothing until after the first of the year. The polls and power rankings make nice reading material but no team has won a championship in October, November or the December. The Beavers also have a tough non-conference schedule coming up in the next three weeks they will play Minnesota, Alabama Huntsville and a game each against Miami and Ohio State. If the Beavers can go 3-3 or 4-2 during that time frame I think they would be worthy of a top fifteen rankings. Let’s see how things play out. Also so far to date the soon to be defunct CHA has proven to be to better than the AHA.

EDIT:My buddy Gary tells me that since Jan 24th 2009 the Beavers record is 19-3-2. That is a pretty darn good record.

Judge orders state board to delay UND nickname decision

I would say this is good news and it's about time someone stepped up. I don't see what the rush is all about? Let's take some time and work this thing out. The Summit League isn't going any where and the other UND teams can't play for anything till 2012. Also, the 30 year agreement was never part of the lawsuit and isn't needed to keep using the Fighting Sioux name.

By: Tu-Uyen Tran ---- Grand Forks Herald The State Board of Higher Education is being told by a district judge that it may not retire UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname until a hearing Dec. 9.

The temporary restraining order, dated Monday, came from Judge Michael G. Sturdevant of Bottineau, N.D., as part of a lawsuit against the board brought forward by the Committee For Understanding and Respect, a group of Spirit Lake nation nickname supporters.

The group’s spokeswoman, Eunice Davidson, said 67 percent of the voters on her reservation agreed to keep the name in a vote earlier this year and felt the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe should be given an opportunity to do the same.

The complaint that sets off the lawsuit argues that the tribes are the owners of the nickname and the state board is merely a trustee, and, therefore, can’t decide to end use of the nickname on its own.

Word of the lawsuit reached the Herald late Monday night and there wasn’t an opportunity to show any state board members the relevant documents.

Tribes in charge

The complaint that sets off the lawsuit takes issue with the way the state board unilaterally changed the deadline, contrary to a settlement between the state and the NCAA.

The NCAA considers American Indian nicknames offensive and the settlement gives UND until Nov. 30, 2010, to win the support of both the state’s Sioux tribes.

But the state board moved the deadline forward to Oct. 31 of this year. If the Standing Rock chairman doesn’t state his intent to move forward with a referendum at the reservation, it appeared the board could enforce that deadline and direct UND to retire the nickname at its Nov. 19 meeting.

But in doing so, the board would be ignoring the rights of the Sioux people, as stated in the NCAA settlement, according to the complaint.

The NCAA settlement says the Sioux tribes “have important contributions in determining whether, to what extent and in what manner the ‘Sioux’ name and the ‘Fighting Sioux’ nickname or logo should continue to be used.”

The complaint interprets that to mean that “the SBHE has become the ‘trustee’ of the nickname and logo for the Sioux People of North Dakota.” In other words, the tribes own the nickname and the state board is only holding on to it until the tribes can decide what to do with the nickname.

Nickname supporters said in the complaint that “the plaintiffs are bringing this action because they strongly believe to lose… this identification with North Dakota’s oldest institution of higher education will cause isolation and diminishing of public interest, knowledge and respect for Sioux history and culture and will be detrimental and not in the best interest of their people.”

The complaint says the supporters are not seeking monetary damages.

Nickname supporters also said the 30-year agreement for use of the nickname the state board wants from each tribe is not in the NCAA settlement. They’re asking the court to order the board to back off that requirement.

Savard and Bruins in contract talks.

The Boston Bruins better think long and hard, without Marc Savard in their line up they are having a tough time scoring goals, frankly they are not very good and are very boring to watch. This past season the Bruins let Phil Kessel go to Toronto and this ill advised move will probably turn out to be a horrible transaction, because the Bruins can't score goals. Players with Marc Savard's talent and skill don't come around very often.

Time running out for Savard-Bruins pact

The agent for star center Marc Savard says contract talks continue with the Boston Bruins, but time is also becoming of the essence.

"We continue to discuss regularly," agent Larry Kelly told ESPN.com Monday night at the Hockey Hall of Fame. "Both sides are interested in getting something done. But obviously there are issues we are working through."

The longer it takes, the closer Savard gets to July 1, when he would become an unrestricted free agent. It's clear from what Kelly said that the clock is ticking. [ESPN]

Toews scores in first game back

Former Fighting Sioux and current Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews missed 6 games with a concussion after being hit by Willie Mitchell came back with a bang as he scored a goal against the LA Kings. During his absence the Hawks went 3-3.

Jason Blake on playing with Phil Kessel.

Interesting interview with former Sioux Jason Blake, nice to see the Maple Leafs putting the two offensively gifted players on the same line (a Sioux and a Gopher on the same line). I also wonder why the person conducting the interview would compare Kessel to Hull, their two different types of players in my opinion.

Fill in the caption.

Bob from Wisconsin took picture in Houghton Michigan this past weekend and posted it on Sioux Sports and I was wondering if anyone sees the hilarity in tis picture or has a good caption to put on this picture.

Curtis Glencross suspended for hit on Chris Drury.

Former UAA Seawolve Curtis Glencross has been suspended by the NHL for three games for this hit on Former BU Terrier and New York Ranger Chris Drury. It seems like every day another person is taken out with a questionable hit to the head, it seems that the players have lost respect for their opponents. In this case it looks like Glencross was looking to hit Drury as he was skating across the blue line.
Andrew Gross of Ranger rants believes that maybe the penalty should have been 5 games.

The NHL has suspended Calgary Flames forward Curtis Glencross for three games, without pay, for delivering a high hit to an unsuspecting Chris Drury of the New York Rangers on Saturday night during the Flames' 3-1 win.

Glencross hit Drury 48 seconds into the game. Drury was helped off the ice and did not return to the game. New York coach John Tortorella said Drury suffered a concussion. No penalty was called on the play.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Glencross will forfeit $18,652.86. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Glencross will miss games at Montreal (Nov. 10), Buffalo (Nov. 13) and Toronto (Nov. 14). He will be eligible to return Nov. 17 against Colorado.
[NHL.COM]

Poll Monday

Here are this week's poll. Yale is finally not getting a vote for first anymore. I still want to know who that joker is. Also, the ECAC teams except for Cornell have fallen a bit.

USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
[November 9, 2009]
1 Miami (49) 8-1-1 999 1
2 North Dakota ( 1) 6-1-1 948 3
3 Cornell 3-0-0 855 5
4 Denver 6-3-1 830 2
5 Mass.-Lowell 5-2-1 778 8
6 Michigan 4-4-0 653 4
7 Bemidji State 7-0-1 599 11
8 Notre Dame 5-4-1 549 9
9 Alaska 6-1-1 521 13
10 Colorado College 5-2-1 478 12
11 Nebraska-Omaha 4-1-3 456 10
12 Yale 1-1-1 435 6
13 Michigan State 7-2-1 425 17
14 Massachusetts 6-1-0 357 19
15 Vermont 3-3-1 329 15
16 Boston College 3-2-1 316 16
17 Boston University 2-5-0 235 7
18 Minnesota-Duluth 6-3-1 178 20
19 Princeton 2-2-0 175 14
20 Quinnipiac 6-1-0 139 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin 137, St. Cloud State 20, Rensselaer 18, Northeastern 16, Minnesota 13, Providence 9, Ferris State 8, Merrimack 8, Western Michigan 8, New Hampshire 5, St. Lawrence

USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
[Nov. 9, 2009]
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week's rank
1 Miami University (Ohio) (33) 8-1-1 510 1
2 North Dakota 6-1-1 471 2
3 Denver 6-3-1 407 3
4 Cornell 3-0-0 397 6
5 Massachusetts Lowell 5-2-1 357 8
6 Michigan 4-4-0 272 4
7 Bemidji State 7-0-1 226 12
8 Notre Dame 5-4-1 214 9
9 University of Alaska (Fairbanks) 6-1-1 174 14
10 Massachusetts 6-1-0 155 NR
11 Yale 1-1-1 148 7
12 Nebraska Omaha 4-1-3 142 10
13 Colorado College 5-2-1 140 11
14 Michigan State 7-2-1 119 NR
15 Vermont 3-3-1 95 15
Others receiving votes: Boston College, 80; Boston University, 74; Princeton University, 39; Quinnipiac University, 27; University of Minnesota Duluth, 21; University of Wisconsin, 9; Ferris State University, 3.

INCH Power Rankings

For your weekly entertainment the INCH Power Rankings as ussual they are fawning over Cornell who has played a grand total of three games.

1. Miami
2. North Dakota — The Fighting Sioux have scored three or more goals seven times in eight games this season, the lone exception being a 2-1 loss at Alaska Anchorage on Oct. 24. 6-1-1 (4-1-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Michigan Tech, 4-2; W at Michigan Tech, 4-1. THIS WEEK: vs. St. Cloud State, vs. St. Cloud State
3. Cornell
4. Denver
5. UMass Lowell
6. Michigan
7. Nebraska-Omaha
8. Notre Dame
9. Alaska
10. Bemidji State
11. Vermont
12. Yale
13. Michigan State
14. Massachusetts
15. Colorado College
16. Minnesota Duluth
17. Princeton
18. Boston College
19. Quinnipiac
20. Wisconsin
Dropped out: Boston University
Bubble-licious: Merrimack, St. Cloud State, Ferris State, Rensselaer

Monday going forward

I wasn't able to watch either game but I did listen to the games on the radio this past weekend and I am pleased with the Fighting Sioux's sweep of the Michigan Tech Huskies. UND won the first game 4-2 [box score] and the second game 4-1 [box score]

Scores could have been worse

It would also appear that the Michigan Tech Huskies have found a good solid goalie in Kevin Genoe (1-4-0-, 2.93 GAA, 0.911 SV %) the Sioux peppered him with 68 shots on the weekend and the young goaltender stood tall.

I believe that there are a lot of positives to take from this weekend.
1.) Evan Trupp (4g-4a-8pts) had (3g-0a-3-pts)on the weekend.
2.) David Toews (2g-5a-7pts) had a (1g-1a-2pts)in Saturday night's game.
3.) Sophomore goalie Brad Eidsness only game up 3 goals in 43 shots.
4.) Rookie forward Danny Kristo (1g-6a-7pts) scored his first goal of the season/career on Friday night and was (1g-2a-3pts)

NCAA Round Up: Stuff your schedule with cupcakes.

Here is this weeks NCAA Round up that was posted at the Illegal Curve

I touched on this subject a bit last week on my blog but it does stimulate an interesting debate. I referenced an article by the Wisconsin Badgers hockey beat writer Andy Baggot; apparently in the future the Wisconsin Badgers are going to load up on unimpressive opponents in hopes of making the NCAA tourney. One might call these said team cupcakes.

Personally, I think the NCAA screwed up when they decreased the power rating equation from 50 percent to 21, now there will be no need for scheduling quality opponents and teams might just decide to load up on bottom feeders in the CCHA, AHA and ECAC teams to pad their stats and rack up wins and stats. The down side of that equation is that if your teams loses to these unimpressive cupcakes they will hurt your teams strength of schedule and the out of conference record.

Question: does a team compromise their principles or good name by racking up wins against poor competition? Or anything to make the NCAA tourney, you can't win if your team is not in?

NCAA tourney formula drives changes

Eaves said recent adjustments in how strength of schedule factors into an NCAA tournament resume is driving the changes. In the past three years, the value of an opponent's winning percentage has decreased significantly in the power rating equation (from 50 percent to 21) and a school with a record under .500 can no longer qualify for an at-large berth regardless of its schedule strength or where it stands in the Pairwise Rankings.
Alabama-Huntsville, projected to be an NCAA Division I independent in 2010-11, and Massachusetts, a consistent second-division club in Hockey East, will play series here next season.

Mike Cerniglia, the UW director of hockey operations, said another non-conference home series will likely be added for 2010-11 because the Icebreaker is exempt from the normal 34-game regular season and UW prefers to have 20 home dates per season.
[Madison.Com]

Goon's Predictions.

I am going to be out of pocket this weekend in pursuit of the great white tail deer. By the time this post hits the blog I could have my deer already tied to a tree. I am proud to confess that I won last week's bet with Sioux7. Last week I bet Sioux7 a beer that UAA would get no points against the Minnesota Gophers, of course I was right Minnesota made UAA look like a big, slow, lumbering team. Now lets see how I do this week.

Minnesota at #18 Wisconsin

In this series I am going to agree with Sioux7 and say the Wisconsin Badgers SWEEP the Gophers this weekend. The loss of important cogs Bariball and Leddy will start to add up. I expect the Badgers to come out and hit the Gophers from the drop of the puck to the last whistle. Gophers see red. The Badges are loaded on defense; Brendan Smith, Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner, Cody Goloubef, Justin Schultz are a pretty good group of defensemen.

#20 Minnesota-Duluth at #12 Colorado College

I am going to predict a SPLIT in this series: C.C. will be looking for some sweet revenge against the Bulldogs this weekend. Last season UMD knocked C.C. out of the WCHA tourney as well as the NCAA tourney. Up front UMD has some really nice players in Jack Connolly and Justin Fontaine, also the other Connolly Mike is a pretty nice player as well.

#3 North Dakota at Michigan Tech

On paper I would say that nothing less than a sweep is acceptable, however, hockey is played on the ice and not on paper. Last season the Huskies were brutal and they lost a lot of games they were last in the WCHA with a record of (6-25-7), the Huskies also lost a lot of players to injury. Back for a 6th season is the Huskies star player Malcolm Gwilliam who suffered a season-ending stroke last season and was granted a medical redshirt, Gwillian has been impressive early scoring (5g-3a-8pt). The realist in me says the series is before the first of the year so I am going to say Sioux 3 points.

#2 Denver at Alaska-Anchorage

The Pioneers have been pretty good when DU goalie, Mark Chevrie is in net, when Chevy is not in net the Pioneers have been average. Unfortunately for the Pioneers Chevrie suffer a injury to his leg last weekend, and the Pioneers are going to go with their rookie goalie Adam Murray has been brutal early on with a (1-2-1, GAA 4.27, .856 SV %). That being said I expect the Pioneers to take 3 points this weekend against the UAA Seawolves. Rhett Rakhshani (4g-5a-9pts) Tyler Ruegsegger (4g-4a-8pts) will lead the way for the Pioneers.

BYE - Off Week

Minnesota State University - Mankato
St. Cloud State University

This will get you a one game suspension.

Sean "sloppy seconds" Avery got so far under Shane O’Brien's skin during a recent game between the Rangers and the Canucks that O'Brien jabbed Avery with his stick while standing on the Vancouver players bench. For his efforts O'Brien got a one game suspension. While I think Sean Avery is a punk the man does add a lot of drama to the NHL. Just for the record the Canucks beat the Rangers 4-1.

Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

This week we only have WCHA contests, four series to be specific, and no non-conference games. UM and MSUM have played 6 WCHA games this year and everyone else has played 4. After this weekend, UM will be leading the WCHA in one catagory, games played, with 8. (Everyone else will be at 6, except SCSU at 4.) We should get a much better idea where each team is at, as far as progress, and where they might end the year, top or bottom half of the league.


WCHA standings

TEAM.................GP...W-L-T..PTS
1 Colorado College.....4...3-0-1...7
1 Denver................4...3-0-1...7
3 Minnesota-Duluth....4...2-1-1...5
3 North Dakota.........4...2-1-1...5
3 St. Cloud State.......4...2-1-1...5
3 Minnesota.............6...2-3-1...5
7 Wisconsin.............4...1-2-1...3
7 Minnesota State......6...1-4-1...3
9 Alaska-Anchorage....4...1-3-0...2
9 Michigan Tech........4...1-3-0...2


Minnesota at #18 Wisconsin
The Gophers got their first win last weekend, and earned a sweep over visiting UAA. Wisconsin flexed their muscles in a sweep over Hockey East perennial power New Hampshire

It is safe to say UW has played against some tough teams and won, UM hasn't. The Gophers failed to win a game against UND and DU. Gopherville has to be happy that they put some goals up on the scoreboard last weekend, but beating UAA doesn't tend to help one out in the rankings. We here at GOONS WORLD wish Nick Leddy a speedy recover to the broken jaw he suffered last weekend. The Badger's moved up one spot in the poll from last week. UW only allowed 1 goal each night, against a good UNH team. The Gopher might find themselves back in the land of 10,000 zeros this weekend in Madison. UW has arguably the best set of d-men in hockey, and see the UM's track record this season against good teams... UM might get a new nickname the O-phers. I'm going to back Bucky in these tilts, WISCONSIN SWEEPS.


#20 Minnesota-Duluth at #12 Colorado College
The Tigers were resting last weekend with a bye, and the Bulldogs swept Clarkson U.

The Tigers are the early surprise this season in the WCHA, leading the league, when most of us picked them to finish in the bottom half of the league in the preseason. The Bulldogs are right on the Tigers tail, in 3rd place only two points behind. In 4 WCHA games this season CC has scored 16 goals and UMD has scored 13 goals. These teams should light the lamp this weekend too, making it an exciting series to watch. If either team gets a sweep it will help them to get a good grip on the WCHA top half of the league. I say both teams come up winners, SPLIT.


#3 North Dakota at Michigan Tech
UND was off last weekend, while MTU split a pair of home games with scores of 1-3 and 3-1 against SCSU.

UND should be well rested and recovered from their bye-week, meanwhile the Huskies are trying to get their offense going. MTU has only scored 10 goals (5 were in one game) through 4 WCHA games and given up 16. The Huskies have to be more consistent on offensive if they want to avoid being in the dog-house. The Sioux are looking to rebound after suffering their first lose of the season two weeks ago in Anchorage.
Again this time out for the Sioux the opposing teams fans don't look to be an issue, with MTU getting about 1,500 people in the seat for a game (much like UAA's attendance). I have to pick my alma mater, SIOUX SWEEP.


#2 Denver at Alaska-Anchorage
The Pioneers took 3 points from visiting MSU-Mankato, and the Seawolves were swept at the hands of the Gophers. DU's star goalie, Mark Chevrie also suffered a cut to his leg by a skate and is expected to miss a few weeks, we all wish him quick recovery.

UAA has been "better" at home (2-2-0) than on the road (0-2-0), DU has 3-0-1 road record and is 2-1-1 at home for the season. The Seawolves have scored a total of 4 goals in their past 4 games, the Pioneers have scored 14 goals in their last 4 games. DU may have lost their starting goalie, but their offense is still intact. I always say UAA is a tough road trip, but the Seawolves are a beat-able team. I'm going to say #2 wins, PIONEERS SWEEP.


BYE - Off Week
Minnesota State University - Mankato
St. Cloud State University

Krejci has H1N1.

If the Boston Bruins are going to win tonight they are going to have to do it without one of their young guns David Krejci. So now Bruins are down Savard, Lucic, and Krejci that is a lot of fire power out of the Bruins line up.

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club’s medical staff has confirmed a diagnosis of H1N1 for David Krejci. Based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, Krejci will be isolated from the rest of the team until he is symptom and fever free for 24 hours.

“Like most people, we are taking many precautions to try to prevent our players and staff from contracting the H1N1 virus,” said Chiarelli. “Our medical staff is working with David to get him healthy as soon as possible, and our players and staff will continue to take precautions with hopes of preventing the spread of the virus to others in the organization.”

Gophers lose senior forward Barriball

You never want to see an opposition player go down to injury this is a big loss for Barriball that has been a pretty solid three year player for the Gophers. We want to wish him a speedy recovery. I looks like he will apply for the medical redshirt which the NCAA will more than likey grant.

Jay Barriball, the right winger on the first line of the Gophers men's hockey team, is expected to have season-ending knee surgery on Friday.

Preliminary results from a magnetic resonance imaging exam taken Wednesday indicated that Barriball will require surgery, but a final decision likely will be made today. The senior was injured in a routine drill during Tuesday's practice.

"It is not a [torn] ACL," coach Don Lucia said, referring to a common knee injury in contact sports, "but it is serious enough that if you have surgery, it is a four-, five-month deal."

Barriball scored a goal and had two assists last weekend vs. Alaska Anchorage to reach the 100-point milestone. He has 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points in 125 career games.

"[His loss] leaves a big void," Lucia said. "The good thing for Jay is he did not get past the threshold" to apply for medical redshirt year this season. The threshold is one-third of the season. If the NCAA gives Barriball a redshirt year, he would have another year of eligibility in 2010-11. [Star Tribune]

Michael Liambas suspended for the year.

The wheels of justice have hit Michael Liambas hard as he has been suspended for the rest of the season for his hit on Ben Fanelli. I have to say that I applaud the ruling and other leagues should take notice. It also shows that you have to show respect for your opponents.

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of its review of an incident which occurred in the game played in Kitchener on Friday, October 30th, 2009 between the Kitchener Rangers and the visiting Erie Otters.

The incident in question involved player Michael Liambas of the Erie Otters who was assessed a match penalty for boarding as the result of his hit on Kitchener Rangers player Ben Fanelli who sustained an injury to the head on the play.

In making the announcement as the result of the review, Commissioner David Branch stated that…”players must understand they shall be held accountable for their actions. We must all work towards improving the level of respect players have towards opposing players and the game in general”.

“It is the position of the Ontario Hockey League that player Michael Liambas of the Erie Otters Hockey Club be suspended for the balance of the 2009-10 playing season including playoffs”. [ontariohockeyleague.com]

Shall we review?

Let me preface this: I know this happened two years ago but it paints a picture. Just maybe tDon should check out YouTube and not throw stones at other fan bases and maybe they should worry about their own fan base first. Ah the beauty of the Internet. [Example Number 2] and [example number 3] I would say that this guy and his buddies are probably in violation of the fan code of conduct at the University of Minnesota.

Kessel's first game back.

Welcome back to the NHL. Check out this monster hit by Mattias Ohlund on Phil Kessel. All I can say is "OUCH." You have to keep your head up when you come across the Blue line. The part I don't like is someone lays out a player with a legal hit and then someone comes after Ohlund and wants to fight. That's ridiculous.

More on the goal drought in Boston.

This is more that I was talking about. The void that Kessel left when he went to Toronto has not been filled. Also, Marco Sturm has never scored more than 28 goals in a season and I don't see him coming close to scoring 30 goals in this line up. The aging Mark Recchi isn't going to score 20 goals at his current pace, he will be lucky to break 10 or 15 goals this season. Of course there is alway the bright side, the Bruins got a slew of draft choices they can use.

Nobody in Boston wants to hear this, but these Bruins sure could use Kessel. Somebody in the Bruins dressing room mentioned Kessel's stats from the Toronto game and it was met with an ugly look from one of the Boston players. The look was clear. Kessel is gone; nobody here wants to know how he's helping another team.

Julien said as much on Monday, even before his team turned in another zero.

"We made a deal and we've moved on," Julien said. "We've got guys who have moved in and done a pretty good job with (replacing Kessel). It is what it is. Phil Kessel has moved on and we've moved on."

If only the part about replacing Kessel were true. It's not easy to replace 36 goals. The hope was that a healthy Marco Sturm would help.

"We replaced one (30-goal scorer) with another," Mark Recchi said.

Sturm has two goals. Another potential 30-goal scorer, Michael Ryder, has three. David Krejci has one. Recchi has two.

Not the goal totals of players jumping in to pick up scoring production that left with Kessel.

"When you replace people, it takes a little time," Recchi said. "We've got guys who can do what he was doing. Right now, it's just not happening. Eventually it will." [Sporting News]

A Question for the Boston Bruins: Where Has All the Offense Gone?

Yeah I can't believe someone would ask this question, you sent 36 goals to Toronto in the form of Phil Kessel, you have two others on the IR in Marc Savard and Milan Lucic. During the offseason the Boston Bruins general manager thought that Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron which was wrong. The fact remains that this is going to be a very rough year for the Bruins if they don't address their offensive needs.

This year, the Bruins have done a complete 180. Through their first 13 games, they have scored a total of just 31 goals, good enough for 27th in the league and have the worst pp scoring 11.5 percent of the time. In the eight games the Bruins have lost, they have scored one goal or less in six of them. This year, their leading goal scorers are Patrice Bergeron and Blake Wheeler, with four goals each.

There can be many different excuses for why this has happened. The first is the fact that the B's traded their No. 1 goal scorer last year Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kessel scored 36 goals to lead the Bruins. While he put up some great numbers a big reason was because of the playmaking abilities of Marc Savard. So this is not the reason why the Bruins are slumping as much as they are.

A second reason would be the losses of Marc Savard and Milan Lucic. Both were lost earlier in the year to injuries and won't be back for at least another 10-15 games. Savard is the Bruins best playmaker finishing with 63 assists last year. Losing him really hurt the Bruins because he could make the pass that no one else could on the team. [Bleacher report]

Injuries are piling up.

This was from Hammy's Twitter page.

Bad news out of today's Gopher practice... Barriball reportedly injured. Doesn't sound good... season ending?

If true the guys at Goon's world hope that Jay Barriball isn't hurt too bad and will make a speedy return to the line soon for the Gophers. Also, add to the Gophers injuries Nick Leddy.

That being said, there does appear to be an inordinate amount of injuries this season. DU goalie Marc Cheverie's injured leg seems to be more serious than originally thought and could miss the UND and DU series. I also hope Marc makes a speedy recovery. Also, Big Joe Colborne the Bruins number one draft choice just returned to the line up after suffering a broken finger. You have to wonder if someone put a hex on the DU hockey team as well.