Humble Pie a la Mode

by Redwing77

The season is over and the outcome wasn't what we wanted, but that's not what is humbling to me.  I remember back in 2005 when all four Frozen Four teams were from the same conference.  WCHA fans crowed about how awesome the WCHA was and, well, the WCHA won the NC that year.  But was that truly great?

In college football the only people who were overjoyed by the Alabama vs. LSU National Championship game was the teams who were playing and their fans... and ESPN.  It might have been the lowest rated championship football contest in terms of TV ratings in the TV era.

All season long, NCHC fans crowed about how amazing the conference is.  And I put up with it.  After all, my team is in the NCHC and the NCHC did dominate over the season.  Certainly they deserved respect.

But then on USCHO I read an altogether astonishing statement:  "The NCHC is the SEC of college hockey."

Wait... What?

The NCHC is NOT the SEC of college hockey.  The SEC of college hockey doesn't exist anymore.  I'd argue the last time the SEC of college hockey existed was back when North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan were in the same conference along with Notre Dame and Michigan State.  Yeah.  The SEC of college hockey broke up in 1981.

This year the NCHC had 6 teams make the NCAA Playoffs.  Two made the Frozen Four.  It is certainly a great accomplishment.  In the end, however, Hockey East prevailed.  Hockey East has been around longer than the NCHC, even if the teams in the NCHC have storied histories.

I think we need to take a step back a little bit.  We are a strong conference with great teams and super competition.  However, we are 0-2 in National Championships as a conference.  In fact, as a conference, we've yet to get a team to the National Championship game.

Calling the NCHC the "SEC of college hockey" makes me chafe.  We do not want to be the SEC of college hockey.  I want the NCHC to be a dominant force, sure, but a respected one by all.  The SEC does not seem to hold much respect by those outside of ESPN and the fanbases of SEC teams.

Speaking of Bad Nickname Ideas; Las Vegas Flamingos?

The University of North Dakota is going through the process of picking a new nickname, and many of us are worried that the university is going to pick a really bad nickname.

Looking at this suggestion by Craig Custance, Flamingos would take the cake for a horrible nickname. I can't imagine that anyone would allow this to happen.

That being said, I do like the Outlaws nickname that Tim Kavanaugh included in the linked article.

What would a team in Las Vegas be called? We've got suggestions. @CraigCustance http://t.co/LWjD0gQbuJ pic.twitter.com/q1Eu6q1loy
— ESPN NHL coverage (@ESPN_NHL) April 8, 2015

Wall Street Journal: North Dakota Needs a Nickname

 like many UND fans know that the nickname is gone and never coming back. I also didn't know that UND could become the first Division I team to win a title without a nickname.

Matthew Futterman, Wall Street Journal -- In 2012, North Dakota dropped its old nickname, the Fighting Sioux, after a long legislative and legal battle. The NCAA had threatened to not allow North Dakota to host postseason games if it continued to use the name and display its Native American head logo. In a statewide referendum, 67% of voters supported getting rid of them.

But in the process, a cooling-off period was imposed until 2015 before the school could pick a new name. So as North Dakota begins play Friday in the 16-team hockey tournament—it is hosting the West regional in Fargo, about 80 miles from its Grand Forks campus—there is another crucial piece of business at hand: replacing the beloved Fighting Sioux name.

“It is a very emotional issue,” said Lowell Schweigert, a North Dakota alumnus and booster who was a quarterback and a pitcher for the Fighting Sioux in the 1970s.

n January, Schweigert began serving on a committee charged with facilitating the selection of a new nickname this year. The committee only came into being as the end of the cooling-off period loomed. “Our charge now is to have something done by May,” said Schweigert, a financial consultant in Grand Forks. “That is a pretty ambitious goal.”

Relief is on the way. On Wednesday, the committee on the new nickname announced it will accept suggestions from the public through April. Suggestions must be 25 characters or less. The committee will choose three finalists for a public vote as soon as May.

The NCAA Bracket Projections

This is the bracket projection from College Hockey News.

Midwest Region, South Bend, Ind.
1. Minnesota State vs. 16. RIT
8. UNO vs. 10. Minnesota

West Region, Fargo, N.D.
2. North Dakota vs. 15. Providence
7. Michigan Tech vs. 12. St. Cloud State

Northeast Region, Manchester, N.H.
3. Boston University vs. 14. Quinnipiac
6. Duluth vs. 11. Boston College

East Region, Providence, R.I.
4. Miami vs. 13. Yale
5. Denver vs. 9. Harvard

Here's what SBN College Hockey is projecting.

Northeast Regional
Verizon Center
Manchester, NH
1. Miami
2. Denver
3. St. Cloud State
4. Yale

West Regional
Scheels Arena
Fargo, ND
1. North Dakota
2. Michigan Tech
3. Minnesota
4. Providence

Midwest Regional
Compton Arena
South Bend, Ind.
1. Minnesota State
2. Nebraska-Omaha
3. Harvard
4. RIT

East Regional
Dunkin Donuts Center
Providence, RI
1. Boston University
2. Minnesota Duluth
3. Boston College
4. Quinnipiac

C.C. vs. UND game 1; Links

Game one, Tigers vs. UND. A few changes on the lines for UND.

FRIDAY vs COLORADO COLLEGE TV: @MidcoSN Web: http://t.co/GFCx4X8ugT Radio: 96.1 FM (flagship), UND Sports Radio Network
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) March 13, 2015

North Dakota Looks to End Tigers Season - http://t.co/IKE2mEcH4K #NHL pic.twitter.com/3eQt7HQqep
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) March 12, 2015

All QF games this weekend are on NCHCtv. 1st 2 games: @WMUHockey at @MiamiOH_Hockey, 7:35pm ET @SCSUHUSKIES_MH at @UNO_Hockey, 7:37pm CT
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 13, 2015

Watch today's episode of "NCHC: Between the Boards" by @MidcoSN to get ready for #NCHCHockey Tournament action: http://t.co/P26dKpSKtE
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 13, 2015

As was feared, UND's leading goal scorer and NCHC defensive fwd of year finalist Mark MacMillan out for the season http://t.co/Us8zI91dti
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 13, 2015

Yep, Zane McIntyre Is a Good Goal Tender

That's a lot of words to say that Zane McIntyre is a good goaltender. Seriously. I guess Lambert is done predicting a UNO meltdown?

Ryan Lambert, Puck Daddy -- Where North Dakota differs, and which comes as no surprise, is that they have both the highest shooting percentage and save percentage in the league. Looking at the roster, you'd have to say that maybe shooting 8.8 percent at evens is a little bit high even for a team that talented — and with Mark MacMillan potentially done for the year, even more so — but Zane McIntyre was always going to be stopping about .940 at evens. He's just that good, and given the fact that his team concedes an inordinate number of shot attempts (42.3 per game, third-most in the conference) he's utterly crucial to their ongoing success. If he was even a little worse, let's say he allowed an extra five goals in 32 games this season, we're not having a discussion about North Dakota being the top team in the country; their shot generation is decidedly middle of the pack on a national level, so the fact that they have 73 even-strength goals goes a long way.

Of course, only about 25 or 30 percent of most games is played at 5-on-5, so you have to consider special teams quality as well. Here too, North Dakota doesn't exactly impress in comparison with its conference rivals; its 20.9 percent conversion rate on power plays is fourth in the conference behind St. Cloud, Denver, and Colorado College (somehow). Its PK is, not surprisingly, the best by a decent margin, because McIntyre has an .872 save percentage when down a man. The NCHC average is .863. But North Dakota takes a lot of penalties (second-most in the conference) and draws the the third-most. Their power play opportunity differential for the season is plus-1.

All season long, I keep hearing how UND isn't as good as their record. Their record is inflated by their out of conference record. So, what about the other 22 games they have played so far? I guess UND winning the Penrose Cup is a mirage, didn't happen, right

Also, we heard from the SBN College Hockey experts that once UND got into the meat of their schedule they would come back down to earth a bit. That hasn't happened yet, either.

Let's not forget that UND has only lost twice in 2015. Breaking it down further, UND has won four games in a row and five-of-six games. They have a 3-1-0 record against SCSU, 2-0 record against WMU, 2-1-1 record against UNO and DU. They currently have a 1-1 record against UMD and MU.

Let's review, UND went tot he NCAA tourney last year. Of course, they were the last team in NCAA tournament, and  then promptly went to the Frozen Four. That was a fluke I guess. UND returns most of the team from last year and some of the pundits are shocked.

I think the NCHC is a tough conference and UND has proven they deserve the recognition they have gotten this year. I also don't think the UND hockey team is afraid to play anyone in the country. Not this team.

UND Clinches at Least a Share of the Penrose Cup! (Circle of Sticks)

How sweep it is. Traditional circle of sticks.

A photo posted by Eric J. Burton (@eric.burton.94801) on Feb 28, 2015 at 7:33pm PST

UND is the 2015 Penrose Champs. They have clinched at least a tie for the title. With one point next weekend, UND will win it outright.

Warriors for life. #UNDPROUD

A photo posted by Eric J. Burton (@eric.burton.94801) on Feb 28, 2015 at 7:44pm PST

Tonight's win, along with Miami's loss at DU, means UND has clinched at least a share of the Penrose Cup! #UNDproud pic.twitter.com/RggJL0EoOq
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) March 1, 2015

UND Leads Nation in Attendance

Enough said...

At home or on the road, it’s "Always a Home Game!" UND leads @NCAAIceHockey in attendance (as of Feb. 20): pic.twitter.com/3XUhAKzKmc
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) February 25, 2015

UND vs. WMU - Game Two Lines

No changes from last night's lineup. From today's NCHC press release: With a 3-1 win at Western Michigan Friday night, top-ranked North Dakota moved into sole possession of first place in the NCHC after No. 6/6 Miami and No. 5/5 Omaha both fell as the three entered the weekend tied for first. UND also extended its unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1) and improved to 9-3-0 on the road this season with its .750 road win percentage fourth nationally and first in the NCHC. UND is now 8-6-1 on Fridays this year but an NCAA-best 13-0-2 on Saturdays (.933).

UND vs. DU Game One Lines - Links

Pretty much the same lines as last time out.

UND and DU Set to Faceoff http://t.co/DABryDmbwz pic.twitter.com/nWno12njb4
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) February 12, 2015

North Dakota vs. Denver, A Series Preview - http://t.co/VOr88BmWoT #NHL pic.twitter.com/45th78CNZF
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) February 13, 2015

Fans can vote for UND's Mark MacMillan and Nick Mattson for the Senior CLASS Award: http://t.co/I7EkM1C16R #UNDproud pic.twitter.com/sWqcdUhBZb
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) February 13, 2015

http://t.co/e4GQr5zK1P has a piece on Brock Boeser's commitment to UND http://t.co/RGWU1DVma5
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 13, 2015

During Jim's absence, we have the utmost confidence in Dave Carle's ability to lead our student-athletes this weekend as they face UND (2/2)
— Ryan Peck (@Ryan_Peck) February 13, 2015

UND set to Take on Pioneers

Gwozdecky is gone, rivalry is not

While you’re checking out some of those YouTube videos, you’ll probably find a video of head coach George Gwozdecky walking across the ice after getting kicked out of a game.

While coach Gwozdecky is no longer at Denver, he wasn’t re-signed after the 2012-13 season. The rivalry hasn’t cooled off in his absence.

If you look over the record books, you will see that there’s a lot of history between the two teams. In their last 15 games against the Pioneers, UND has a 9-5-1 record. Four of those games have been in the playoffs. UND won all four games.

Historically, the games have been entertaining and full of drama. The players from both teams love playing in the series. It’s one of those series that the UND players look forward to playing in.

“I think it’s such a great rivalry between two programs,” sophomore defenseman Troy Stecher said. “It’s an up paced game. Their D-Core is pretty offensive. We like to think that our D-Core can jump up in the play as well. I think it’s going to be a weekend of chances going back and forth.”

“It’s a tradition I think or a history thing,” senior caption Steph Pattyn said. “It’s definitely a rivalry. Something that has always been. A lot of it has to do with the history of the two programs. Denver is a good program. The coaches definitely instill in us to go hard this weekend.”

(Read the rest of the story)

UND vs. DU, College Hockey's Hatfields and McCoys - http://t.co/ys06MZTB4D #NHL pic.twitter.com/R1pqBlI13p
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) February 12, 2015

The Pios are practicing at Joy Burns Arena this morning prior to making the trek to North Dakota later today #DUvsUND pic.twitter.com/QaSgcrrEko
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 12, 2015

Shelby Amsley-Benzie, WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Congrats to UND junior goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie for being named the WCHA defensive player of the week.

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Shelby Amsley-Benzie, Jr., G, North Dakota (Warroad, Minn.)

Amsley-Benzie continued her run of stellar play, backstopping North Dakota to a five-point weekend at No. 6 Minnesota Duluth. The junior from Warroad, Minn. recorded her fourth shutout of the season – third against a nationally-ranked opponent – when she stopped all 30 shots faced Friday in a 1-0 victory. She then followed up her shutout performance with a 25-save effort Saturday, helping UND to a 2-2 tie and shootout victory. North Dakota’s netminder helped her team’s penalty kill go a perfect 6-for-6 on the weekend, stopping 10 shots while short-handed. Amsley-Benzie currently leads the nation with a .949 save percentage. Since Jan. 1, she tops the country with both a .971 save percentage and 0.71 goals against average.

Also nominated: Ann-Renée Desbiens, So., G, Wisconsin

Friday Links UNO vs. UND

Epic series this weekend in Omaha, Nebraska. UND takes on the Red Mavs in an important two-game conference series. Should be an exciting series. #hateundweek

After 3 days in Sisseton and a disgusting, vomit-filled bus ride home, UND is changing up the Omaha trip this year http://t.co/3eM2P3c63F
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) January 29, 2015

NCHC Hockey: UND and UNO Take Center Ice - http://t.co/ypqgshLKhW #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/lF6QNhpHmH
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) January 29, 2015

#1 North Dakota travels to #5 UNO in college hockey's biggest series this weekend http://t.co/EijRlHboFX pic.twitter.com/y47lJKvitA
— SBN College Hockey (@SBNCollegePuck) January 30, 2015

UND Women Push Win Streak to Four - http://t.co/3XiGTdVVuf #NHL pic.twitter.com/y9WmNqVsJS
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) January 29, 2015

UND Hockey: Shorthanded, No Problem - http://t.co/lmeOAl3YBJ #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/UN9PcPat39
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) January 29, 2015

UND and UNO Set to Clash in Omaha http://t.co/Ip3XM8pOcW pic.twitter.com/YfHU8WKmAL
— Goon's ND Redneck (@NDRedneck) January 29, 2015

ICYMI, watch the newest episode of #ThroughTheseDoors https://t.co/VddunC7iBr #UNDproud #NCHCHockey
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) January 30, 2015

UND Hate Week in Omaha :)

Ah yes... It's "Hate UND Week" on ESPN 590 AM Omaha. So, if you haven't heard this, you might want to listen to it at the 31:00 mark of the embedded broadcast.

For some interesting hockey analysis from a UNO fan's perspective  you can check out MAV PUCK.

This should be a good series of hockey, both teams hate each other and it should be a rough series. Both games will be on TV and for those with DirecTV, you will be able to watch Friday's game on CBSSN and Saturday's game on Fox College Sports.

If you haven't seen it, Ryan Lambert of Puck Daddy has been taking hacks at UNO all season long.

Meanwhile, the poor-but-they-keep-winning-anyway Omaha Mavericks swept Denver.

Omaha will fall off, but might have enough points banked that it doesn't make a difference. North Dakota is better but still not great.

Good News for UND Hockey Fans: MidcoSN Adds Saturday's Game at Omaha

This is very good news for UND hockey fans. Friday's game in on CBSSN and Saturday's game is on FCS and MidcoSN.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Midco Sports Network (MidcoSN) announced today that it will add North Dakota’s men’s hockey game at Omaha on Saturday, Jan. 31, to its live television broadcast schedule.

MidcoSN has reached an agreement with NET Nebraska in Lincoln and will air its production of the game on Midco Sports Network channel 622 (HD) and 26 (SD). Dave Ahlers and former UNO hockey player David Brisson will call the action beginning at 7 p.m.

Friday’s game can be seen live nationally on CBS Sports Network, which is also available to DirecTV and DISH Network subscribers. Ben Holden handles the play-by-play and is joined by analyst Dave Starman and rinkside reporter Shireen Saski.

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, top-ranked North Dakota trails fifth-ranked Omaha by one point for first place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings.

Related articles

• NCHC Power Rankings(insidehockey.com)

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WHKY: North Dakota splits with Syracuse

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- North Dakota came out of winter break in non-convference action against Syracuse University. By the final buzzer on Sunday afternoon UND earned a split on the weekend.

It took the first 20 minutes of Saturdays's game for North Dakota to work out the rust from break. With tired 'Cuse players on the ice, Gracen Hirshy scored the first goal of the game.

During the second period UND was able to hold the Orange to four shots on goal. North Dakota maintained the lead and dictate the majority of play for the remainder of the game.

Former Warroad Warriors teammates Layla Marvin and Kayla Gardner both found the scoresheet. This included a two-goal game for Marvin who potted an empty net goal with under a minute remaining in the game.

North Dakota got off to a strong start on Sunday, but ended the first period with a one-goal deficit when The Orange scored on the power play at the 6:42 mark. There were no shortage of chances in the form of odd-player rushes and open nets, but UND was never able to capitalize.

The lone goal for North Dakota came after they were able to tire Syracuse after a power play in the second. As time dwindled on the clock during the third period the pressure mounted. "Kids started gripping their sticks and it was brutal," head coach Brian Idalski said.

North Dakota will resume WCHA conference play when they meet with the WCHA third-ranked, Ohio State Buckeyes this coming weekend. OSU left the weekend with a sweep over the St. Cloud State Huskies.

(Video) Highlights of UND vs. UMD

As promised, the video highlights of game two between UND vs. UMD game. I think the boys in stripes has a rough weekend, all weekend long. Also, I included the first penalty of the game. Mark MacMillan was hit with a shoulder/elbow in the head by UMD defensmen Andy Welinskito, this should have been a five-minute major.

Some had made the argument that Steph Pattyn should have been tossed from the game. The Duluth player definitely embellished the call. It was a good weekend of hockey. Feel free to chime in with your opinion.

NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Brendan O'Donnell (6) (Keaton Thompson/4, Andrew Panzarella/2) 13:25
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 LL Mark MacMillan (9) (Paul LaDue/7, Zane McIntyre/1) 6:11
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 GW Brendan O'Donnell (7) (Connor Gaarder/5) 10:19
NDK 4 - 1 6x6 Drake Caggiula (9) (Nick Schmaltz/13, Jordan Schmaltz/13) 12:47
NDK 5 - 2 6x6 HT Brendan O'Donnell (8) (Luke Johnson/6) 9:16

Simply Being UND One of the Nickname Options

I must say that I was very happy to read this. I still think this is the best option moving forward. Instead of picking a silly, new nickname that none of us will be able to behind. This to me makes the most sense. 

I am dead serious here, would you rather have the sports teams referred to as simply "UND" or would you rather have North Dakota's sports teams named after some silly, moronic, boring nickname like Sun Dogs? 

Anna Burleson , Grand Forks Herald -- At a meeting Wednesday, Jeno and the rest of the UND New Nickname and Logo Process Recommendation Task Force voted to continue to move forward in selecting a new nickname for the institution, with the provision the current name "UND" be included as a possible option. The group developed the skeleton of a plan that involves appointing another committee as soon as possible that will ultimately decide on the next nickname.

The plan, which the group is still working on, will be presented to President Robert Kelley later this month.

The school's former logo, the Fighting Sioux, was retired in late 2012 and at the meeting, the task force decided bringing that name back isn't an option due to a 2007 settlement reached by UND and the NCAA, which had threatened sanctions for using a name they deemed offensive.

"There are people who still think we can go back, but we can't," task force co-chair and UND alumna Sheri Kleinsasser Stockmoe said.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald: Nickname task force further develops open forums(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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President Kelly Praised for His Stand on Retiring Logo in Performance Rating

s/t to Rob Port of sayanythingblog.com -- Here's UND President, Rob Kelly's most recent performance evaluation . Check out the comments by his evaluator, North Dakota Chancellor, Larry Skogen. These comments will definitely rub some UND fans the wrong way. 

You can find the whole evaluation at this link.

Doesn't look like the leadership is looking at the no nickname option.

Again, most of us realize that the Fighting Sioux nickname is gone and that it's not coming back. But a lot of people in high places of higher education are out of touch with reality and these comments smack of elitism.  Feel free to argue if you want.

LSSU vs. UND Game Two Lines

Drake Caggiula is back in the lineup tonight. Scratches for UND: 5- Nick Mattson, 17- Colton St. Clair (injury), 22 - Andrew Panzarella, 29- Bryn Chyzyk (Injury).

McIntyre starts in goal. Caggiula remains in the lineup. Simonson back in the lineup. Chyzyk still out. St. Clair out indef. (upper body).
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) December 6, 2014