River Cities Speedway.

Natalie Sathers Sprint Car
Natalie Sather: Not just a pretty Face.
Since Red River Valley Speedway dumped its sprints program this season, River Cities Speedway fans have been given a bigger field of sprint cars for their nightly Friday night show. One of the drivers making the trip from Fargo, ND has been Fargo’s up and coming female sprint car driver Natalie Sather. Natalie Sather is teamed up with
Hall of Fame Crew Chief and Car Owner Kenny Woodruff. Althought Natalie is an
Natalie attractive young lady the woman can flat out drive and has added another good sprint car driver to the River Cities line up. Natalie's strongest finish at River Cities Speedway was on May 30th when she finished 3rd in the feature, where 18 other guys can say hey I got beat by a woman. Natalie has also raced on the ASCS.
ASCS

The Jordan Parise Watch is On.

Jordan Parise
The Parise Watch is on
It has been reported that Fighting Sioux goalie Jordan Parise will be signing a Professional contract at the free agent signing date that is on July 1st. This is a huge loss for the Fighting Sioux hockey team. Parise has been stellar leading UND to two consecutive frozen fours. Jordan will be missed if he does in fact forgo his final year.

Parise Career Stats: A Hard Act to Follow.
Jordan Parise posted some pretty impressive numbers over his three season.
Parise this past season elevated himself to one of UND's best all-time goaltenders.

GP Save% GAA Record Win%
1 Jordan Parise JR 83 .921 2.14 55-20- 7 .713

1st - Career save percentage (.921)
1st - Career goals against average (2.14)
2nd - Career wins (55)
2nd - Career shutouts (10)
3rd - Career winning percentage (.713)
6th - Career games played (83)
(as posted on Fighting Sioux Sports)

Jordan's Leaving, hurts UND's Chances
If Jordan leaves the Fighting Sioux hockey team it is a huge loss to UND's Chances of Making it to the Frozen Four for a third year in a row. That being said I still have confidence in the Fighting Sioux defense and the players they have returning.

Elliot Watch officially on.
Badger fans are hoping that their star shut down goalie is not leaving to go pro. Personally I think Elliot has nothing to gain and should go pro. So offically Goon's world has put Elliot on the list. THE ELLIOT WATCH is Officially on.

For Old Time Sake
Goon's World would like to take this oportunity to say one more time for old time sake that Jordan Parise is by far a better goaltender than Kellin Briggs, in fact Philippe Lamoureux is a better goaltender that Kellin Briggs.

Mike Commodore on Wikipedia.

Mike in a Calgary Uniform
Commodore on Wikipedia
I found this will surfing the web tonight. It actually very interesting.
Mike's Link

Sprint Car Racing at its best. The NST comes to Grand Forks.

The Dude Lasoski's Car
NST Tour Hits Grand Forks July 7th and 8th.
Next weekend the National Sprint tour makes its inaugural trip to River Cities Speedway. The NST was created this past winter after a few drivers from the World of Outlaws broke away from dirt motorsports to form a separate sprint car tour. The race will feature some of the countries top sprint car drivers known to dirt track nationally. Recently during June the The River Cities Speedway had a non-sanctioned sprint car race. Tyler Walker, Danny Lasoski and Greg Wilson (All Stars Circuit of Champions Points leader)Greg Wilson's Car and crew Chief
At the end of the Night former NASCAR BUSCH Series driver Tyler Walker won the race and ended up taking home $5000.00 for the victory. Tyler has been driving the Guy Forbrook car (Mark Kinser old car) and said he plans to be back for the National Sprint Tour event in July. People might ask me where I got this information? I heard this when a fan asked him in the pits after the race at River Cities Speedway if he was going to be back in July? Tyler said, that he would be back.
Tyler Walker's Sprint Car

Bruins Dump Mike Sullivan as coach of Bruins.

Bruins relieve Mike Sullivan of coaching duties

The Boston Bruins announced today that Mike Sullivan has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach of the team. The announcement was made by Bruins Interim General Manager Jeff Gorton.

"Peter had not met Mike prior to coming to Boston and he felt that it was incumbent upon him to get to know Mike before making a decision on the coaching situation," said Gorton. "Mike went to Ottawa a couple of weeks ago and they had a good discussion about the game and how it needed to be played in order to have success. Peter advised Mike that he would be talking to other candidates. He went through that process and his decision was that at this time we are better served to have a clean slate."

"Peter communicated to us that he has talked to candidates and expects to give us his decision on a new head coach in the near future," continued Gorton.

Goon's World Opinion on the matter.
As a Bruins fan it was frustrating watching the Bruins play this past season. They were competitive but made some bone headed moves during the season. Trading Joe Thornton broke my heart and had me rethinking my allegiance to the Bruins franchise. I think dumping Sullivan was the right call, the Bruins a once proud franchise can not afford to be finishing in the cellar every season, losing is unacceptable. The Bruin's have not won a Stanley Cup since the 1970's and need to make some big changes if they are to once again make a run at Lord Stanley Cup.

Roli give Peca a Break.

Link to Roli's great play
Wether you like Roli or Pecca or not, this is a good play.
Check out this play this is an awesome play by Roli the goalie. When asked if Roli was going to resign with the Oilers in the off season Dwayne Roloson was non-comital. I will wait and see what free agency brings me. Add to this that Chris Pronger has asked to be traded. I suppose he wants to go back to St Louis and play with Erik Johnson.

Goon's Rambling 6-26-2006

Toews is a Black Hawk
Toews is Highest UND pick in entry draft
Jonathon Toews became the highest pick ever in UND Fighting Sioux History history the previous high pick was former Fighting Sioux Player Jason Herter. So the Fighting Sioux have another 1st round draft choice.

Red Line Report on Toews
The most complete all around forward in this draft. Supremely skilled and creative center with great hands and touch around the net. A real sniper who has tremendous patience with puck around the crease. Has a wicked wrsit shot that he can pinpoint to any corner he wants--buries his chances. Excellent anticipation and the puck always seems to find him; has the knack for being in the right place at right time. Gets the puck to his wingers in great position. Was the youngest player in U.S. collegiate hockey, yet was a key member of top 10 club. Can play any style. Will muscle defenders off the puck down low, then drive out of the corners and make plays on net. Superb hockey intelligence in all three zones and is extremely aware and responsible defensively. Comes back deep to help out "D" and is good on faceoffs.
Projection: Complete two-way centre who scores.
Style compares to: Rod Brind'Amour

Is Toews the nexts to leave UND?
There is a good to decent chance that Toews could be the next Fighting Sioux hockey player to become a former Sioux Hockey Player. Goon's world is holding his breath and hoping he stays just one more season. Toews has been on record of saying that he doesn't want to bounce around from the Minors to the NHL and wouldn't mind playing at UND a little long. The Towes watch is officially on. Goon's plea to Toews: Please Jonathon Toews stay one more year in Grand Forks. We really would love to see you stay at UND.
Bruins Draft Kessel
Kessel A Bruin ugh
Goon's World is disappointed to announced that the Boston Bruins, a once storied original 6 team and former Stanley Cup Champion decided to draft Gopher cry baby and Prima Donna Phil Kessel in the 2006 entry draft. The Bruins used to 5th pick to take Phil. I can't say that I have ever been more disapointed in the Bruins Franchise. Well, except maybe the day that they traded Ray Bourque to Colorado.
Goon's Take on Bruins Signing Kessel
I know Gopher fans are going to be upset with me but I just can't stand Kessel. I mean really, every since his stupid press conference on where he was going to attend college WCHA fans had had to stomach all Kessel all the time.

In the Goon's opinion TJ Oshie was the better freshman in the WCHA and should have been the Rookie of the Year. Of course they ended up giving the award to Phil Kessel because the league had backed itself into a corner and had to give the award to Phil. The word out of Madison was that Jack Skille and Kessel don't get along and despise each other so Phil decided to go to Minnesota instead of the home town BADgers.

Realistically speaking, I know Phil Kessel is a good hockey player, its evident by the numbers he put up in the WCHA last season. However, I just think the wonder kid is an ass in my opinion, I don't know him personally but I just don't like how he carries himself.

Also, Mr Kessel need to learn that contrary to public belief the world doesn't revolve around Phil Kessel, and I am sure the Bruins will teach him soon enough that he is not above the organization he is playing for. Rumor is that Phil is going to sign and play pro hockey. Personally I hope he likes Providence Rhode Island (that is where the B's farm team is). Phil was quoted as saying I didn't dream about playing hockey in college I dreamed of playing hockey in the NHL. I am sure T-Don is happy with comment. Notice Mr Toews is a little more elegant in his speaking to the media. Ok to think that but you might want to word your responses a little better.

Goon's Ramblins 6-21-2006

Commie and The Canes Win the Stanley Cup
Commodore and the Canes win the Cup
The 2006 NHL season came to a thunderous end when the Canes KO'ed the Edmonton Oilers, what a series of hockey. This Stanley Cup in my opinion was one of the best Stanley Cups ever, and I saw everyone of the Oilers and Islanders cup wins during the 1980's and this series took the cake. This Stanley Cup series blew all of the rest of them away its not even close. In these series; there were up and down the ice action and not one bit of hooking and holding to be seen.

Some of the so called experts are going to say that this wasn't a good game for Hockey. I could also care less if the big time media in the big time markets like Toronto, New York and L.A. like it or not. As far as I am concerned CBC and OLN/NBC did a good job on the Television coverage.

Please Big Mike bring the Cup back to Grand Forks.

Hey Mike What do you say?
Goon's World is hoping Mike Commodore will bring the cup back to Grand Forks, ND like Eddie "the Eagle" Belfour did in 1999. Mike Commodore is going to be the 8th UND hockey player to have his name put on the Stanley Cup the great throphy in all of professional sports.

Not over yet
I suppose some could say that I am rushing it a bit because the series is not over. The Oilers are toast, stick a fork into them. Their title hopes when down the drain when Roli went down to a season ending injury in game one. The Oiler fans are going to wait for the cup to return to Edmonton because Canes are a team of destiny carried on the backs of Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour, Staal got going last night by assisting on two goals. The game is over on Wednesday night you can bet on it. The Canes do not want to go back to Edmonton, finish it on Wednesday night. Please I am going to lake on Friday night and I can't handle not being able to see the game if there is one.

Goon's Ramblings 6-11-2006

Check out this cool web site
Cane's Blog

If you go half way down the page you will see there is awesome clip on goalie Cam Ward and the way he has played, the Kid (he is only 22 years old) has been a stone wall in the playoffs after playing ok during the regular season. I am sure many of the Cane's fans are going Martin who? What a nice issue to have as a hockey club, you have two (2) top notch goalies that can play. I wonder if Carolina will be able to afford them both. Talk about a two headed monster

You heard it here first
Rob Brind'Amour is going to win the Conn Smyth, Brind’Amour is playing like a man that is possessed, he is on fire scoring big goals and winning key draws. Apparently Brind'Amour is also one of the physically fittest athletes in the NHL. When he used to be a Philadelphia Flyer I couldn't stand him but I have come to appreciate his effort and heart. Brind Amour is the prototypical leader/captain he is gritty and relentless.

Local Flavor of the North Country
These Stanley Cup playoffs have really been awesome, but the finals are even better. The Carolina Hurricanes sports three players with roots to the WCHA, Saint Cloud State Universities and Moorhead high school’s (Moorhead Minnesota) own Matt Cullen and St Paul’s Bret Hedican, who is also a Saint Cloud State University Husky Alum. The one most Sioux fans are most proud of is Mike Commodore, the man is a folk hero wherever he goes has gained star status in Carolina

Goon's Ramblings

From Charley Walters
Wild assistant general manager/player personnel Tommy Thompson on Friday in Toronto interviewed Erik Johnson of Bloomington, Phil Kessel of the Gophers, Kyle Okposo of St. Paul and Peter Mueller of Bloomington. All are expected to be among the top 12 players chosen in the June 24 NHL draft.

Johnson is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, Kessel among the top five. The Wild have the Nos. 9 and 17 picks, and Mueller or Okposo could end up being the Wild's first pick. If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, the Wild's No. 17 pick would become the No. 30 pick.

In his interview with the Wild, Kessel said he enjoyed his freshman season with the Gophers except for the disappointing season-ending upset playoff loss to Holy Cross and said playing for Team USA in the recent world championships improved his confidence.

Kessel said whether he returns for his sophomore season at Minnesota will depend on which team drafts him and that team's needs. The same for Johnson, who has committed to the Gophers.

Goon's Perspective on this
The quickest way to make a Gopher fan mad at you is to tell them that Erik Johnson will never wear an "M". You might even get a punch thrown at you. If Johnson doesn't make it to the University of Minnesota next season I think it could be devastating to the Gophers chances. The Gopher defense is not very good as it stands right now and they need a big man that plays a shut down game. Most of the Gophers defensemen are great wings disguised as D-Man, great on offense but have no idea where the blue line is.

I would not be surprised to see Kessel gone from the Gophers roster next season.
The NHL is changing to a skating game and Kessel's style suits the NHL game as it stands right now. The NHL is show casing skating teams that can get up and down the ice, not a bunch of poor skating Goon's the size of middle linebackers like Georges Laraque who add nothing to the game but to get into numerous fights and play three shifts a game adding nothing to the score sheets but PIMS.

Speaking of Georges Laraque
At the end of Wednesday's game, and the results all but in the books with the Canes leading 5-0, Edmonton Goon Georges Laraque laid one of the Carolina Players out with a dirty checking from behind hit (I believe it was one of the Adams boys). This hit was one of the cheapest hits I have seen during this season's Stanley Cup playoffs. There is no room for these types of hits in Hockey on any level. Checking from behind is a gutless, cheap, dangerous play. Erik Cole was taken out by the same kind of play by Pens defenseman Former B.C. Eagle Brooks Orpik. It was no mystery why big George was out on the ice for. Laraque was out there to start a fight and rally his team.

While I like fighting and think its part of hockey, act of violence like checking from behind, spearing, blatant high sticking have no room or place in hockey. I hope Commie gives Laraque his due and smacks him around a bit.

Update on the Commodore Side Show
Just to keep everyone updated on the Commodore Side Show (ala former third liner Nate Miller from KFAN). Mike made a big play that probably saved a goal and turned the game around in Carolina’s Favor. With Edmonton leading the game 3-0 Mike Commodore had a huge shot block, in the ensuing play the puck was brought back up ice and resulted in the puck being deposited in the net by Rod Brind’Amour.

Rumors confirmed that Jordan Parise is going pro.

Chris Heisenberg is reporting that Parise will not coming back in the fall for his senior season as it has been rumored for some time now. The link to Heisenberg's site
Heisenberg states, "today brings confirmation (long rumored by the North Dakota fans) that Wellington Dukes goalie Anthony Grieco will be enrolling this August to back up Phil Lamoureux."

Parise is the fifth Fighting Sioux players to opt out for the pros.

Here is a look at Grieco's Numbers for the Wellington Dukes this past year:
Grieco played in 26 games posting a 17-4-3 record with GAA of 2.28 and impressive Save Percentage of .906 in an offensive minded league. Goon's World would like to welcome the latest addition to the Fighting Sioux Roster. As it stands today there should still be a good nucleous on defense to protect the Fighting Sioux Goal.

Random Thoughts: 6-2-06

Parise is better than Briggs
Here is an interesting post that I found on Rube Chat Post and it its a gem.

Here are Parise's and Briggs' numbers last year. If Praise is a suckhole the give me an honest opinion on Briggs. He was not in the top 20 goalies in the nation I know that. Remember that goal against HC where he stood there looking up while the puck was at his feet? That is your goaltender for next year. If he can't get it together it could be the same happy ending again.

Goaltending Leaders
Name, Yr GP W L T GA MIN GAA SH SV SV%
Jordan Parise, Jr 34 24 9 1 74 2017 2.20 6 968 .929


Goaltending Leaders
Name, Yr GP W L T GA MIN GAA SH SV SV%
Kellen Briggs, Jr 32 21 6 3 78 1832 2.55 3 737 .904

Commodore a Side Show
Yesterday on PA and Dubay, Former Golden Gopher 3rd Liner and Miracle Star Nate Miller reffered to Former Sioux Mike Commodore as a Side show. It was also added by Jeff Dubay that he was a clown's nose away from being Bozo.

Rumor Central: Jordan Parise is gone.

Parise Going Pro?
I have heard this rumor a few times in my travels around town that Jordan Parise is going to sign a pro contract on the first of July, which to me is mind blowing if you saw the way he played during the frozen four. So apparently there are 4 teams have interviewed Jordan and the word around rumor central is that Jordan is as good as gone, he is not coming back. I have been told it time to except the fact that Jordan is gone and he is not coming back to the fighting sioux in the fall.

New Goalie Coming in
To replace Jordan there is going to be a 6'2" Canadian coming in to replace Jordy. I am being told this kid is going to be a ringer, a shut down goalie that is a stud.
I sure hope this kid can play because I believe without Jordy or a good goalie UND will flounder with Phil in the nets. No offense to Sioux fans but over the past two seasons Phil has give us no indication that he is starter material. However, No matter how many short comings Phil has, he is still beter goaltender than Gopher resident sieve Kellen Briggs from the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.