MSU-M Mavericks 3 C.C. Tigers 2 in O.T.

So you say there is still a chance, UND can still tie for the WCHA title. There is still a slim chance of that happening thanks to the MSU-M Mavericks. The MSU-M Mavericks win the game in dramatic fashion as Kael Mouillierat scored 16 seconds into overtime. This is only the second time the C.C. Tiges have lost on home ice. I listened to the third period of this game and over time. See, I am not a jinx. Wow, sounded like an exciting game. I wonder how much drink spilling there was tonight?

To the Troy Jutting doubters/haters, how do you like Coach Jutting now? Talk about flying under the radar this season. Folks; there is your WCHA coach of the year. No one expected the Mavericks to be where they are but they are right there in the mix with a winning record.

Next weekend UND plays SCSU, DU plays C.C. and Mankato gets the Tech Huskies. Wow, it is going to be a photo finish in the WCHA this last week.

UND 2 UMD 0

Duluth Minnesota -- North Dakota scored twice in the final minute of play in each of the first two periods to extend its unbeaten streak to a nation-leading 14 games (13-0-1) and hand the Bulldogs their third straight loss (the first time that has happened all season). The Sioux (22-8-2; 17-7-1), who were 1-for-6 on the power play, got goals from T.J. Oshie and Chris VandeVelde.

If you like to watch a goaltenders battle this game was one for the classics. The goaltenders in this game were nothing short of being absolutely amazing. UMD goalie and Alex Stalock and Fighting Sioux Jean-Philippe Lamoureux were a pair of brick walls. Personally I like to see a little more scoring with my hockey but a win is a win.

Lamoureux's play this weekend helps make his case why he should be given strong consideration for the HOBEY BAKER With today's game Lamoureux is tied for 1st over all nationally in goals against average 1.70 and and third in save percentage of 933.

The game was not without a high cost as super freshman Evan Trupp suffered a lower leg injury looking at the tape I can not see what caused the injury but it didn't look good. I wouldn't be surprised if he is gone for the season. I hope I am wrong on that.

~According to UMD blogger Running with the Dogs UMD has gone 181 minutes with out a goal.

~With the shutout today by Lamoureux and the Sioux have held the opposition to zero goals 6 times on the season.

~During the 14 game unbeaten streak the Sioux have keep the opposition to 1 or fewer goals 11 times, that is pretty good defense in anybody book.

~UND known around the league as being a tough team has not taken a major penalty in 180 minutes.

~ Word for the week is - Donnybrook: A fight. Hockey announcers seem to be the only people who still use this term. In college hockey, fighting is strictly prohibited, and a player can earn a multi-game suspension for participating. But that doesn't stop announcers from dubbing just about any instance of pushing and shoving on the ice a donnybrook.

Box Score

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-1 Derrick LaPoint (2-Roughing) 4:05
MND-1 Jordan Fulton (2-Goaltender Interference) 4:05
MND-2 Justin Fontaine (2-Roughing) NDK 0x1 4:05
MND-3 Travis Gawryletz (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x2 6:04
NDK-2 Evan Trupp (2-Tripping) MND 0x1 9:42
MND-4 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Evan Oberg) NDK 0x3 12:13
MND-5 Michael Gergen (2-Roughing) NDK 0x4 14:30
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 GW LL T.J. Oshie (14) (Chay Genoway) 19:15
NDK (+): 5,7,2,16,10,G1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-Tripping) MND 0x2 5:21
MND-6 Jordan Fulton (2-Hooking) NDK 0x5 9:02
NDK-4 Chris VandeVelde (2-Goaltender Interference) MND 0x3 12:51
MND-7 Jay Cascalenda (2-Delay of Game) NDK 1x6 18:21
NDK 2 - 0 6x5 PP Chris VandeVelde (13) (T.J. Oshie, Ryan Duncan) 19:37 NDK: 29,7,16,4,28,G1 MND: 22,17,20,13,G32

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-5 T.J. Oshie (2-Slashing) MND 0x4 11:46
Timeout - Minnesota Duluth 19:00.3
NDK-6 Rylan Kaip (2-Roughing) 19:18
MND-8 Josh Meyers (5-Kneeing) (Served by Justin Fontaine) 19:18
MND-9 Josh Meyers (10-Game Misconduct) (Served by Justin Fontaine) 19:18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Minnesota State Senate approves funding for Minnesota Schools.

This is good news for BSU

Just in. This is a good news for BSU, UMD and SCSU. Now Governor Tim Pawlenty needs to sign it into law. I would suggest BSU fans start flooding the office of Tim Pawlenty with phone calls.

Bemidji State, Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State Would Get Renovations or New Buildings
A Minnesota State Senate committee has approved a $1 billion public works bonding bill Tuesday which included funding for three Division I hockey arenas.


Most notably, $22 million in funding was approved for the Bemidji Regional Events Center, which would include a new hockey arena for the BSU Beavers. It was widely considered, including by the school itself, that a new arena was needed in order to maintain the viability of the men's hockey program.

Also approved was $40 million in funding for the renovation and expansion of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, home of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Built in 1966, the DECC currently holds approximately 5,300 for hockey. The renovations would expand that to 6,500.

St. Cloud State's National Hockey Center will get $10 million to remodel and expand. Also, $10 million was granted to fund a new arena for the Minnesota-Crookston Division III team.

The measure still requires final approval of the legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Here is another link to the story: $1B bonding bill OK'd by Minnesota Senate panel

Hockey players and fans would get four new arenas. They are:

-- A $40 million renovation and expansion of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, with a 6,500-seat hockey facility.

-- $22 million for the Bemidji Regional Event Center, including a college hockey arena.

-- $10 million to remodel and expand the National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State University.

-- $10 million for the proposed Crookston Ice Arena.

Fighting Sioux 1 Beavers 0

The Fighting Sioux and the BSU Beavers played to a 1-0 ho hum game. One could say that the game lacked emotion. In the third period I felt that the team that scored first would win the game.

The BSU Beaver goalie Orlando Alamano was the difference in this game as he had a great effort and held the Fighting Sioux at bay all afternoon as he stopped many shot point blank. BSU had trouble burying shots in close.

Aaron Walski started the game for the fighting Sioux and got the shut out. Aaron Walksi was the first goalie in 55 to starts for UND that wasn't named Jean-Philippe Lamoureux. Aaron Walski looked good in stopping 13 shots in route to a 1-0 shut out.

Box Score
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 GW LL Andrew Kozek (14) (T.J. Oshie, Derrick LaPoint)

FSN North To Televise 2008 Red Baron WCHA Final Five

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Xcel Energy Center and Fox Sports Net (FSN) North, in conjunction with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), announced today the 2008 Red BaronTM WCHA Final Five will once again be telecast on FSN North and produced by Minnesota Wild Broadcasting. The entities have televised the tournament since 2000.

The 2008 Red BaronTM WCHA Final Five will be held Thursday - Saturday, Mar. 20 - 22, at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul for the eighth straight year.

"Once again, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is extremely fortunate to be able to partner with Fox Sports Net North and Minnesota Wild Broadcasting to bring one of the premier events in all of collegiate athletics, the Red BaronTM WCHA Final Five into living rooms across the country," said WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod. "The telecasts of the Red BaronTM WCHA Final Five on FSN North continue to generate tremendous ratings year after year, and after our record-setting event a year ago, we all look forward to another sensational championship at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul."

Oh goody, I wonder if that means that hockey fans in the upper midwest will have the privilege to listen to the Rug and Wooger's UNBIASED break down each and ever game for us. I would love to actually have the Wild's announcers just as long as we don't have to listen to Kevin Gorg.

Sioux 5 Beavers 1

Ironically UND won today and didn't beat anyone up as Fighting Sioux beat the BSU Beavers 5-1 in an afternoon matinee at the REA. The Fighting Sioux went 4 for 10 on the power play and also more power plays that the oppostion. Not something you would expect from the NCAA most penalized team.

Offensively for the Fighting Sioux forwards Chris VandeVelde and T.J. Oshie both had three point games and Brad Miller also chipped in with two points in a solid work man like effort. I once had a friend of mine tell me that he shot a ho hum 67 in golf. Today the game was one of those ho hum games.

Box Score
NDK 1 - 0 6x4 PP LL Chris VandeVelde (12) (Taylor Chorney, T.J. Oshie)
NDK 2 - 0 6x5 PP GW Ryan Duncan (12) (Chris VandeVelde, T.J. Oshie)
NDK 3 - 0 6x5 PP Matt Watkins (7) (Brad Miller, Rylan Kaip)
BMJ 1 - 3 6x5 PP Riley Weselowski (2) (Ian Lowe, Travis Winter)
NDK 4 - 1 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (13) (T.J. Oshie, Chris VandeVelde)
NDK 5 - 1 6x6 EN Brad Miller (3) (Robbie Bina)
PP UND 4 / 10
PP BSU 1 / 5

WCHA standings

1 Colorado College 24 18-5-1 37 80-44 (32 23-8-1 110-68)
2 North Dakota 24 16-7-1 33 78-49 (30 20-8-2 99-58)
3 Denver 24 15-8-1 31 70-57 (32 21-10-1 97-73)
4 Wisconsin 26 10-11-5 25 64-64 (34 14-13-7 99-86)
5 St. Cloud State 24 11-11-2 24 72-67 (32 16-13-3 101-79)
Minnesota State 24 10-10-4 24 59-63 (31 16-11-4 88-76)
7 Minnesota-Duluth 24 8-11-5 21 50-66 (30 12-12-6 66-74)
8 Minnesota 24 7-11-6 20 52-63 (34 13-13-8 84-88)
9 Michigan Tech 24 7-13-4 18 48-68 (32 11-16-5 67-82)
10 Alaska-Anchorage 26 3-18-5 11 51-83 (32 7-18-7 75-99)

Pairwise
3 Colorado College 22 23-8-1 .7344 3 .5911 2
4 North Dakota 21 20-8-2 .7000 5 .5874 3
6 Denver 19 21-10-1 .6719 6 .5724 6
7t Minnesota State 16 16-11-4 .5806 14 .5417 9
10 St. Cloud State 15 16-13-3 .5469 18 .5392 11
13 Minnesota-Duluth 11 12-12-6 .5000 28t .5291 15
14t Wisconsin 10 14-13-7 .5147 27 .5336 14
14t Minnesota 10 13-13-8 .5000 28t .5290 16
Interesting that there are 8 teams right now in the hunt for the NCAA tourney. Oh boy, I bet the NCAA is probably dreading the possibility of an all WCHA frozen four. It could happen if 6 WCHA teams get in. Minnesota and Wisconsin would be the first couple of teams out and MSU-M is looking more and more like they are going to get a ticket to the big dance. Troy Jutting has Mankato looking really good right now. So, UND needs to sweep the Dogs and LGM's boys need to take two in the Springs. The Huskies are also peaking at the right time.

Check out this blog post.

Check out this really good blog article by RWD as she puts Elliot Olshansky, formerly of CSTV/The Rink Rat through the Gauntlet. It is really worth your time to take a look at this article. For those fans that have wondered where Elliot Olshanksy has been as of late (this is covered in the article) Elliot has re-surfaced here.


You have to give Elliot credit for being a true fan.

EO: I was at the one the next year, at the Gutt up in Burlington. It was homecoming at Dartmouth, and there were two WCHA teams playing within driving distance of Hanover that weekend. The Bulldogs were at Vermont, and North Dakota was at UNH. I went to UVM on Friday and UNH on Saturday. That's something that UMD and NoDak both deserve credit for: traveling east regularly. North Dakota especially.

This is my favorite exchange right here.

EO: I think the thing that's bothered me the most lately has been the way people have looked down their nose at CCHA teams, Miami in particular, because of a soft schedule.

RWD: Hah, well, you can be sure at least one regular critic of the CCHA is a reader of RWD.

EO: This may not be the most convenient time to say this, given what happened against Ferris State, but Miami is a legit team.

RWD: I can remember other teams that may have lost to Ferris State at crucial times.

One last thing while Elliot is a great mind I don't see the RedHawks making the Frozen Four sorry bud.

BSU Beavers up next for the Sioux.

This weekend the Fighting Sioux 19-8-2, 16-7-1 WCHA play the BSU Beavers Bemidji State 14-13-3, 11-4-3 CHA at the Ralph Engelstad Arena on Saturday at 3:37 pm and at 3:07 pm.

~UND is 13-3-1 in its last 17 games.

~UND is 10-0-1 in its last 11 games.

~Senior goalie Matt Climie has played in 22 of 30 BSU games, starting 21. He has a 12-6-3 record, and ranks eighth nationally with a 1.95 goals against average. Climie also has an outstanding .921 save percentage.


~Lamoureux extended his school-record streak of consecutive starts in goal to 54 consecutive games.


~ The Hockey ShowScott Williams and Moose Richards discuss the upcoming series between the Beavers and the Sioux.

~Check outTroy Mills Beaver Pond For all the latest on BSU hockey. Too bad Millsy isn't going to be there for the game, something about having to work.

WCHA gives out additional penalties...

You knew it was coming and I don't have a problem with the decision that should have been made after the first fight. IF the referee Marco Hunt had given Radke and Testwuide a DQ for the first fight then there is a good chance that there is not another fight in that game.

North Dakota, Denver Receive Additional Penalties
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor

Watch the Video

After the second period, as the teams were leaving the ice, a full-scale fight broke out between North Dakota's Kyle Radke and Denver's Brandon Vossberg. That followed a fight earlier in the game between Radke and Denver's J.P. Testwuide, which was broken up quickly and only resulted in 10-minute misconducts.

The between-periods fight caused a lengthy melee on the ice between numerous players, though Vossberg bore the brunt of up to a dozen punches by Radke.

Radke and Testwuide have each received a one-game suspension. WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said that the referee, Marco Hunt, should have given a game disqualification for the earlier fight, which was the rationale for these suspensions. Radke already received an automatic suspension for the game disqualification penalty he received for the fight against Vossberg. That means Radke will sit out this entire weekend against Bemidji State, while Testwuide and Vossberg will each sit Friday against Alaska-Anchorage.

North Dakota swept the two-game series against the Pioneers, rallying from 4-1 down to win 5-4 on Saturday.

It's not the first time this year North Dakota has been involved in such an incident. Just three weeks ago, the Sioux got into a number of altercations with Minnesota, including a near-fight in the post-game handshake line. North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol was suspended for two games for an obscene gesture towards referees that was caught by television cameras during the game.

North Dakota leads the nation in penalty minutes at 22.2 per game.

"The same culprits that have been involved with previous issues from North Dakota were perhaps the catalyst to get this started," said Denver coach George Gwozdecky to the Denver Post.

"In a game like that, and to have that break out, was disturbing. I thought the officials that were very prompt earlier when Testwuide and Radke got into it, were very prompt in jumping in and breaking that up.

"And yet, in this instance with Radke and Vossberg, they did the exact opposite. I was very worried about Brandon. He was certainly on the wrong end of receiving those punches."

Sioux Traveler mentioned over on Siouxsports.com So if they can have make up calls on fights why not make up calls on the missed goals from earlier on?? They have opened up a large can of worms.

Yes they have; I think Sioux Traveler is right what stops the league from looking at every game after the fact because one of the head coaches is unhappy. I wonder if Gwoz is happy now that he got one of his players suspended for the next game that wasn't originally suspended. I think the Pioneers are getting a little thin, I read on line that the Pioneers are down to something like 17 skaters.

What next? I am all for this if after reviewing the films, however, if it is determined that the league officials made the wrong call the league office needs to hold the on ice officials publicly responsible. I am sick and tired of this shroud of secrecy in the WCHA. Like Running with the Dog's said this is nothing new for reviewing the tape but lets not be silly the officials need to make the right calls. I am all for making the game better but it starts with Refs also and not just the players.

UND 5 and DU 4

UND dug themselves a hole before the Fighting Sioux scored 4 unanswered goals to win the game 5-4. Andrew Kozek had a career game as he scored a hat trick as the Sioux came from behind to win the game.


First Period

Denver-1 Anthony Maiani (Brian Gifford, Dustin Jackson) PPG 13:29
North Dakota-1 Andrew Kozek (Chay Genoway) PPG 16:00

Second Period

Denver-2 Jesse Martin (Kyle Ostrow) 0:56
Denver-3 Tom May (Tyler Bozak, Patrick Mullen) 2:27
Denver-4 Matt Glasser (Brian Gifford) 8:09
North Dakota-2 Chay Genoway (Ryan Duncan, Ryan Martens) 19:00
North Dakota-3 Ryan Duncan (Andrew Kozek) 19:33

Third Period

North Dakota-4 Andrew Kozek (Ryan Duncan) 10:58
North Dakota-5 Andrew Kozek (T.J. Oshie, Ryan Duncan) GWG 15:15
Goaltender Saves
Denver-1 Peter Mannino (59:42 L) 7 9 5 21 (5 GA)
North Dakota-1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (60:00 W) 3 5 6 14 (4 GA)

Referee(s): Marco Hunt
Asst. Referee(s): Nathan Freeman, Kile Bergren

Troy Jutting makes an appearance on CSTV's at the Rinks

I think Troy Jutting is a good coach and is doing one hell of a job coaching the Minnesota State Univeristy Mavericks. While I am sure there are some Mankato Mavericks fans that will disagree with me I think Jutting has done a good job recruiting and coaching in the shadow of the University of Minnesota. It wasn't that long ago Mankato was transitioning from a Division II powerhouse to a legitimate division one team.

I can remember watching MSU-M and BSU play in the John S. Glas Field House for the first time as a Division one team. Now Jutting has the team on the cusp of a NCAA tourney bid. Troy Juttings team play a hard nosed style of play that I admire. I just hope my Sioux don't have to play them until the Final Five.

Here is a question that was posed to Coach Jutting from a North Dakota Mavericks fan. Hum, I wonder who he is? I wonder if I know him.

Mav's fan, ND: Coach, Would you say that your team play this year will get some of the nay sayers off your back?
Troy Jutting: I don't know. To be honest, I don't worry about that. I put far greater pressure on myself than anybody else can. I try to do the job best that I can. Everybody wants to be an expert, and there are a lot of people who have great ideas. I just want to do the best job that I can.

This Week in the WCHA (Sioux 7)

The results are in from last weekend, and there is still a pile of teams in the race for home ice. Both UW and MSUM are on hot streaks, UND was on a bye week, and UM continued its down ward spiral. Here are the current WCHA standings.

1 CC....22..16-5-1..33
2 ND....22..14-7-1..29
3 DU....20..13-6-1..27
4 MSU..22..9-9-4...22
4 UW....22..9-9-4...22
6 UMD..20..7-8-5...19
7 UM....22..6-11-5..17
8 SCS...20..7-11-2..16
8 MTU..20..6-10-4..16
10UAA..22..3-14-5..11

As you can see still only 5-pts separate the 4th place teams from the 9th place team, so home ice is still up for grabs. Which brings us to this weekends match ups.

This week Colorado College and Minnesota are on bye weeks. CC could be caught by UND this weekend if they sweep DU, but CC would have 2 games in hand. If the Huskies, either of them, pick up a point or two this weekend, could send the Gophers down into 9th place.

Mavericks at Badgers

This series can go along ways to determine who will get home ice. IF, one team can get a sweep they will have the inside track to home ice and on 4th place. These teams come into this weekend on good streaks, the Mavs, winners of 6 in a row, and Bucky 5-1-3 in their last 8 contests. The thing I see here is the Mavs have won 5 games at home, and 1 on the road. Now they take to the road, and the Kohl center is tough place to play. I STILL see UW sitting in a tie for 4th place come Sunday, by getting a win, but I also see the Mavs taking a game too, so heres to the 4 place tie and a split.

Pioneers at Fighting Sioux

The Sioux come in from their last bye week of the season and on a 9-game unbeaten streak 8-0-1. Denver is trying to get back their early season form, they took 3 points from the struggling Gophers last weekend. Normally if you beat UM like that I'd say you are doing good, but since the UM is "off" this year, it is ho-hum. Denver really needs to get some points to hold on to a top 3 finish, especially when 5 of their last 8 games are on the road. I'm thinking the Sioux might show a little rust on Friday night, but will take care of business and put DU further in the mirror, Sioux Sweep.

Bulldogs at Huskies (MTU)

Tech is at home again this weekend, they need to get more than one point in this series against the Bulldogs. The Huskies are 1-4-3 in their last 8 league games, not the record you want, when you are trying get into the top 5 for home ice. Meanwhile back in Duluth the Bulldogs have compiled a 2-3-3 record in their last 8 WCHA games. This too is a big series, if Tech doesn't get at least a split, they will be on the road for the first round of playoffs, sorry MeG :( But with all the ties these teams have collected as of late, I say, the series will tie, splitsville, a game a piece.

Huskies (SCSU) at Seawolves

Here lies what could be called "The Battle for the Bottom" series. SCSU is sitting tied for 8th and UAA is in the basement. SCSU did just beat the Tigers in CC, giving them their first home loss this season. So, have these Dogs finally been kicked enough and are finally starting to bite back? I think the Dogs will be a little tired after all this traveling, but will take a game from the Seawolves. Another split. A split will pretty much lock Alaska into the basement, being 5pts out of 9th place and having only 4-games left on the schedule. They can probably start looking for a good airfare deal to Colorado Springs for the first round of the playoffs.

Why not Jean-Philippe Lamoureux for the Hobey Baker

Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has started every game for the Fighting Sioux this season and has amassed a 17-8-2 record; most people don't even know who the Fighting Sioux have as their back up. In fact someone asked me who the back up was during the Gophers series. I said, “Does it matter?” Just for the record the UND back up goalie’s name is Aaron Walski Junior from Fargo, ND. Lamoureux is sitting atop of the national rankings and is hardly getting a look for the Hobey Baker Memorial award.

It is puzzling to me that Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is getting no love on the CSTV Hobey Baker Watch or at the INCH Hobey Tracker. I can imagine that Sioux fans probably are scratching their head as well and wondering why Phil isn't on the list? Statistically Lamoureux is one of the best in the country per the NCAA Stats. Here is how Jean-Philippe Lamoureux compares to the other goalies listed on the Hobey Baker watch.

Save Percentage:
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 652 46 .934
3 Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 677 51 .930
4 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 601 46 .929
5 Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 559 43 .929
18 Peter Mannino Denver SR 652 56 .921

Goals Against Average:
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 1594:53 46 1.73
2 Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 1481:59 43 1.74
5 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 1498:24 46 1.84
6 Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 1656:18 51 1.85
17 Peter Mannino Denver SR 1565:09 56 2.15

USCHO sums it up pretty well...

Check this piece out, Finally someone in the Media has the balls to say it. I also think USCHO really hit the nail on the head with this article. Hello, USCHO just said what a lot of us in the blog-sphere have been saying all season long. Finally! I would imagine this guy better expect to take some heat for saying it as well, however, it is what it is... The numbers speak for themselves. My advice to the CCHA is get out and start playing some other teams in the other major conferences.

Mauled in Miami
Ray Bartnikowski
For many around the country, Friday's marquee match-up ended up exactly the way they expected. To them, second ranked Michigan's victory was more than just a win over a highly-touted conference foe. It was a referendum on what many see as an overrated team who has benefited from an extremely easy road. Though their strength of schedule is 24th nationally — Michigan’s is 17, not much better (at least on paper) —before Friday their only quality competition had been conference foes Michigan State and Notre Dame.

They played them each two times, sweeping the defending champs in East Lansing and splitting at home with the Fighting Irish. And whereas Michigan's non-conference schedule included games against Wisconsin, Minnnesota (twice), Boston University (twice), and resurgent squads from Providence and Michigan Tech, Miami went 8-0 against teams — Vermont, Canisius, Rensselaer, St. Cloud, and Ohio State (in a tournament) — who sport a combined record of 36-56-18 (.327).

By comparison, the top 10 teams in strength of schedule all hail from the WCHA. No disrespect to the RedHawks’ — they can only play who is lacing them up in the other locker room — but after Friday’s 4-2 defeat on home ice (and subsequent fall from the top of the CCHA standings, the PairWise, and likely the national rankings), Saturday’s tilt becomes a must-win. Oxford, though, was not the only location where drama unfolded in the CCHA

Jutting has the Mavericks on a roll...

Last year I read where a lot of Maverick fans were upset with Troy Jutting and wished the univeristy would cut ties with the Maverick coach. Personally I think Mr Jutting is doing a good job and has the Mavericks looking like a NCAA playoff team.

After all the calls for Jutings head, the Maferick coach Troy Jutting has the Maverick fans thinking twice for calling for his head. I can imagine hearing Troy Jutting say, "how do you like me now?" Currently the Mavericks are riding a 5 game winning streak and have gone 9-4-1 in the last 14 games. The Mavericks are tied for fourth in the WCHA with the Wisconsin Badges and are sitting 11th in the PairWise. I am sure there are not a lot of teams out there wanting to face the Mavericks now.

WANTED: REF who can officiate in the WCHA...

----------------WANTED----------------
On ice officials to ref games in the WCHA.
Qualifications: Must be able to ref games per rule book.
Must not make s#!t up as you go.
Experience with video reviews a must.
Please call Bruce McCloud at league office in Denver.

Last night I was able to watch the CCHA match up between Michigan and Miami. During that game I was also able to see what good officiating actually looks like. While I am not usually a fan of the officials, I must give the CCHA credit. I do believe fans in the WCHA are being short changed by the on ice officials, we have a top rate league with third world officials. The fans in the WCHA deserve MUCH better.

While I am sure there are a few CCHA fans and coaches that will disagree with me, I must give credit where credit is due. I also want to know if the WCHA can borrow Mr. Shegos to ref in the WCHA? The NHL got the message after the lock out and started calling the games very tight, which led to a much more attractive product. If a players hand comes off their stick it is a penalty. If a player obstructs another player it is a penalty. If a player cross checks a player anywhere on the ice at any time it is a penalty.

After watching last nights game the CCHA looks as if they have followed suit and are now calling the game the way the NHL does. Maybe not 100% but close enough. Fast forward to the WCHA, where league play has become almost unwatchable. The play on the ice in the WCHA looks like some back water bush league. Is the WCHA going to call the games like the NHL or the CCHA; not a chance. Our league officials have their heads in the sand and still believe the status quo is just fine. Muggings, clutching and grabbing is just fine with Greg Sheppard and Bruce McCloud.

Early Exits

This is an interesting conundrum that the NCAA and the NHL are going to have to work out eventually before it comes to a head. I personally think that some NHL GM's don't respect the college game. Every off season there is a stream of players leaving their college teams early for the professional and or the major junior ranks. Fans of the WCHA have come to expect players leaving during the offseason; none of us expect them to start leaving early during the season to sign professional contracts. To me it is a character issue when a player quits/leaves his team during the season to sign a professional contract or leave for Major Juniors.

The Kyle Okposo situation was down right silly; we ended up having an artillery dual in the media between a college coach and a general manager over why a kid was signed during the middle of the season. I agree with the Denver Post writer, he makes some great points. There should be a rule once a player plays a game with his college team, the professional team that owns his rights should have to wait till after his college season is over before he can be signed to a professional contract. It should be the same with free agent players as well…

NHL must discourage early exits
By Terry Frei
The Denver Post

Imagine that a star Colorado tailback has a falling-out with the coaching staff at midseason, mysteriously is left home from a trip to Iowa State (causing some to speculate that he actually is being rewarded), leaves campus, explores his options and ultimately signs a contract with the Green Bay Packers the next week.

The apocalypse would be upon us.

Something similar is happening in college hockey.

The NHL should implement a rule that once an NCAA player appears in one game in a season, he can't be signed until his team's season is over.

It would remove the temptation for college players to bail the first time they have a grievance with their coach or a fight with their campus girlfriend, or for NHL teams to be the equivalent of obnoxious rink parents who pry their kids out of a program if they're not getting enough ice time or star treatment.

The need for such a rule will be evident tonight, when the Minnesota Gophers and University of Denver Pioneers open a two-game series at Magness Arena.

The Gophers lost winger Kyle Okposo at midseason, when he signed with the New York Islanders. The Isles tried to rationalize it with general manager Garth Snow's sophomoric whining that respected UM coach Don Lucia was impeding Okposo's development.

DU sophomore forward Brock Trotter, the Pioneers' leading scorer, signed Thursday with the Montreal Canadiens (ironically, owned by Vail resident George Gillett Jr.), and was assigned to the Habs' minor-league affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The Trotter Saga isn't a Dick Francis-written equine mystery, but still is a mystery nonetheless.

The difference between hockey and football is that the NHL's draft age is roughly 18 — and teams retain players' rights. NHL organizations generally wait as all but the absolute elite prospects play major junior in the Canadian Hockey League, college hockey in the U.S., or in Europe. But the NHL's patience is diminishing.

Okposo was the seventh choice in the 2006 NHL draft. Trotter, 21, hasn't been drafted. This almost certainly wasn't a case of the Canadiens coaxing Trotter off campus. He seemed to advertise his availability to NHL organizations and junior teams after he didn't make the trip with the team to a series at Minnesota State last weekend, and Montreal stepped up with a free- agent offer.

DU coach George Gwozdecky has refused to say why Trotter was left behind last weekend, and Thursday night, he still wouldn't say whether Trotter had been kicked off the team. It seems safe to assume he was at least suspended.

Yet even if Trotter had no opportunity to return to the DU roster this season, the NHL must avoid being allowed to even further popularize the perception among college players — drafted or undrafted — that one of their options if they run into or cause trouble during an NCAA season is to sign a pro contract immediately.

Coaches accept collegians leaving early, usually only grousing when they feel that NHL teams encourage drafted players to leave programs to play major junior instead, or sign them when they're physically not ready for pro hockey.

But the NHL's post-lockout collective bargaining agreement lowered the threshold age for free agency and in other ways added to the pressures for NHL teams to sign their draft choices sooner — even if it means sending them to the minors.

"It's certainly a concern that one or more of the elements of the CBA may be working to facilitate the earlier signing of college players, and to the extent that's happening, it's obviously not consistent with the intent of the parties," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told me recently. "We are committed to working with the colleges and with the Players' Association to monitor signings and trends, and to try to address these issues in a positive way, if at all possible."

For the good of all, the NHL can't allow itself to even subtly encourage players, whether drafted or undrafted, to leave college programs in the middle of a season — or to make them think they could end up rewarded for being suspended or kicked off teams. The NHL can't help plant the thought that you don't have to run home to Mommy and Daddy in the middle of a college season . . . because one of the options is to see if an NHL team will hand you a lollipop and immediately sign you.

Players to leave/dismissed from their college team (recent list)
1.) Brock Trotter DU
2.) Kevin Quick Michigan
3.) Brett Motherwell B.C.
4.) Kyle Okposo UMN
5.) Chris Wilson UNO
6.) Tony Grieco UND

The Section 8 Hockey Blog looks back at the George Pelawa Tragedy

I found this story as I was checking out the Section 8 hockey blog. I do recommend checking it out, it is a very good hockey site. It has everything you want to know about Section 8 hockey.

I also found this moving story on George Pelawa and how his life was cut short. George was a team mate of mine at Bemidji High School (football team) and the guy was amazing athlete but also an amazing person. It would not be unaccurate to say that everyone like Big George.

The George Pelawa Tragedy; A Personal Look Back

By: Timothy Oshie
Publisher

When I think back to my collegiate days and my journey back to Minnesota in 1986, I'm reminded each day how precious life is.

I was a Bemidji State University basketball junior college recruit coming via Everett Community College in Washington. It was in late August of '86, that I had the distinct opportunity to meet a gentleman by the name of George Pelawa.

We played golf together in an Native American Tournament near Bemidji. I can vividly remember his massive frame yet a very soft spoken young man. We had a chance to catch up on life and he told me he was excited to attend and play hockey for the University of North Dakota in a couple weeks.

That vision and opportunity never happened. George Pelawa was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Labor Day Weekend of 1986.

I can remember the Cass Lake / Bemidji communities mourning this special young man. I remember how the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and it's members were so devastated by the loss of this incredible young man. It was a very sad day for Native America as one its fine young members with lofty dreams and such a great heart was taken from Mother Earth.

Here are some of the google searches I found on George Pelawa this morning:

Almost 21 years ago (Labor Day Weekend), the Flames lost 1st rounder George Pelawa in a car accident. He was a day or two away from starting his freshman year at UND. He was 6'3" 240 lbs, 3 sport athlete; was named Mr. Hockey among all MN high school players his draft year.

The Flames still have a scholarship in his name at Bemidji High School.

A Song Dedicated To George Pelawa written by his father:

Tom Cochrane and Red Rider: This one still gives me chills. In 1986, the Calgary Flames drafted George Pelawa 16th overall. He was a prospect that had size to go with a scoring prowess. He was playing in the U.S. collegiate circles and was killed in a highway collision. The story is told from the fathers point of view. No hockey Dad can distance themselves from the lyric "My boy's gonna play in the big league/ my boy's gonna knock 'em dead" without feeling it's sting. It is a true Canadian tale that ends when "Ice meets metal/In the wrong lane to the big league".

Cochrane's broken hearted "Aaaah aha" wail makes one's neck hair stand on end. The truest of Canadian classics.

From SiouxSports.com Archives:

Big George Pelawa was a team mate of mine at Bemidji High School in football, he was a 3 sport athletic star. George played linebacker in football and could affect a game by himself.

George could have been a Division 1 athlete in Football, Baseball and Hockey. He was that gifted. I would have loved to seen him in a Fighting Sioux uniform. Unforunately returning from a gathering in his hometown late one night before his freshman season, he was killed in a car crash. What an awesome guy. It still makes me sad to this day to think about it...

George Pelawa was a NHL 1st Round Draft Choice of the Calgary Flames (16th overall) in the summer of 1986 and was entering his Freshman season at the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

STATE OF THE WCHA (By HeidiSioux)

Goon's world would like to welcome Guest Writer HeidiSioux.

I am becoming more concerned with the state of the WCHA with each passing weekend. Virg Foss (love him or hate him) from the Grand Forks Herald has had what I thought were two interesting articles in the last month. The first one was the following:
UPON FURTHER REVIEW, WCHA MUST GET REPLAY FIGURED OUT
Published on January 20, 2008, Grand Forks Herald (ND)
which basically says the league needs to get their act together (unfortunately it is an archived article and costs $2.95 to read it – however if you go to the front page, type in Virg Foss in the search it will allow you to read the first few paragraphs) and the one that was printed on Sunday, (Virg Foss Article), and again tells the WCHA to get their act together and adds additional items that the league should address.

Let’s start with the officiating situation. It is atrocious!!! The following is a list of refs off the top of my head who I think should have restrictions on the teams that they can ref (if they should be allowed to ref in the WCHA at all).

Randy Schmidt – He has been suspended for this year, but if he is reinstated next year he should never again be allowed to ref a Denver, St. Cloud or Wisconsin game as his perceived bias toward Denver (or maybe it is just his basic incompetence) has tainted any call that he might make in a game concerning these teams.
Todd Anderson should not be allowed to ref a Duluth game (grabbing a player by the jersey) or possibly Alaska-Anchorage game (some say controversial disallowed goal vs UND)

Don Adam - should not be allowed to ref a UND game EVER. This goes all the way back to the Mike Commodore days when he had an absolute hatred for the kid, continued through the “I just make this shit up as I go along”, to the horrendous non-call on Paukovich when he broke Robbie Bina’s neck and finally topping it off with the brutally bad game he called on Sat night in the Sioux vs the Gophers game, where, by allowing “junk” to continually happen and build up, it almost resulted in a melee during handshakes.

Jon Campion -should not be allowed to ref a Minnesota game. His stats continually give conspiracy theorists an amazing amount of ammo to say that he is on the Gopher payroll.

With just these 4, the league is severely limited as to who can ref which game and it would become an incredible juggling act. I am sure there are other people that could add additional refs to the list.

After the officiating (which I could go on about for days), my next gripe is about Bruce McLeod and Greg Shepherd personally. They have in my opinion, gotten to the point where they care more about maintaining the status quo and just coasting along, not paying attention to what is happening in this league, rather than in moving the league forward and improving it. Their actions sometime seem to indicate that they don’t have any integrity personally and appear not to care about the integrity of what I and many others feel is the best college hockey league in the country When the Randy Schmidt debacles (yes that is plural) were going down they were nowhere to be found. There wasn’t a single reporter or interested party that could get a hold of either one of them. Seems strange to me in this era of instant communication via cell phone and internet. Their response when they finally did respond was “OOOPS, SORRRRRY”. Completely unacceptable. They were however “available” and more than willing to make comments and issue statements when a coach has behaved inappropriately. I get very frustrated and have a hard time with this double standard.

There is absolutely no accountability for anyone (McLeod, Sheppard and the refs), and because of that, the situation has gotten to the point where there is such a lack of respect for any official or any call that’s made that the first reaction by pretty much all fan bases to any call that is unpopular is “the official is out to get us”. I realize that in the scheme of things, whining about hockey individuals is pretty minute, but they are paid to do a job and if they are not doing that job, they should be held responsible just like any other person.

As much as the situation with McLeod and Sheppard frustrates me, it frustrates me just as much that nothing seems to get done about it. I have a hard time believing that the coaches in this league are OK with the status quo. If they are OK with it, shame on them, if they are not, where is the uproar? I certainly hope that the meetings this summer will bring some fireworks and some well deserved pink slips starting at the top.

Brock Trotter to the Habs.

Denver Post Hockey Blogger Mike Chambers is reporting that Trotter is going to sign with the Montreal Candians and it will be announced tomorrow... Ouch big loss for the Denver Pioneers.

The Montreal Canadiens on Friday are expected to announce the signing of forward Brock Trotter, who was leading DU in goals (13) assists (18) and points (31) before leaving the team last week, a Canadiens spoksman confirmed Thursday.

Trotter, a third-year sophomore, is scheduled to join Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Pioneers still haven’t revealed if Trotter was dismissed or left on his own.

“Brock is a good kid,” DU senior defenseman and team captain Andrew Thomas said. “We always bring in character kids. We’ll bring in a character kid over a skilled kid any day of the week. That’s what our coaching staff always emphasizes, that’s why we’re here. It was never a case of his personality or any of that.”