Two Former UND Hockey players among 2014 Playoffs Points Leaders

You can check out all of the stats at the hockey-reference. It's a wonderful site.

Wild F Zach Parise (Bloomington, MN/@UNDMHockey) is second in points (13) and in assists (9) in the NHL Playoffs.
— Let's Play Hockey (@LetsPlay_Hockey) May 7, 2014

Ryan Suter Injuiry (GIF)

Hopefully, it's only a stinger and not a separated shoulder. But Wild defenseman Ryan Suter seemed to land awkwardly on his shoulder. Suter went to the locker room after the play.

Toews goal against the Wild

#488188615 / gettyimages.com

Exhibit A: This is what they mean by going hard to the net. Getting to the blue pain. I thought this goal was a back breaker. The much maligned, and rightfully so, Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov makes a beautiful initial save on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. That play would have been great, but the poor defensive effort by the Wild defenders allowed Jonathan Toews to crash the net and cash in on the rebound at the side of the net.

Minnesota Wild: Nino Niederreiter game winning goal.

(Ignore the last 22 seconds of the video.)The Minnesota Wild move on to the second round for the first time in 11 years. The Wild now travel to the the Madhouse on Madison to play the Chicago Blackhawks. The first game is Friday at 7:30 pm. Central. No more midnight hockey. It's Jonathan Toews versus Zach Parise. During his career against the Blackhawks, Parise has played in 15 games and scored (3g-2a-5pts). For those that are wondering, during his career, Toews has scored (6g-13a-19pts) in 22 games against the Minnesota Wild.

During the regular season, the Wild went 3-2 against the Blackhawks. One of Chicago's two wins was a shootout.

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Where the Wild a victim of interference on game winning goal?

Catching up on my reading, I have been following this story at work, today. I think you could make the argument that there should have been an interference called on the game winning goal. Thoughts?

Michael Russo also says that the head coach of the Wild Mike Yeo was going to talk to the supervisor of officials about the interference on the game winning goal.

Yeo said the Wild also plans to talk to the series supervisor of officials (Don van Massenhoven) Saturday to try to get a ruling on a few things they were upset about, like Brodziak and Cooke being bowled over by Barrie before Stastny’s winner, why Koivu’s net off the moorings wasn’t a penalty vs. Johnson knocking the net off, why that faceoff was outside the zone as opposed to inside when Johnson started the whole thing and the scrum, in the Wild’s eyes, was at the top of the circle.

Here's Stastny's OT winner;Was Tyson Barrie who took out Cooke/Brodziak before goal. Described wrong on #mnwild blog http://t.co/bycs9xtEIL
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 18, 2014

Frozen Four: Zach Parise predicts UND win

Former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise predicts a 4-2 , Fighting Sioux victory over the Gophers. With an empty net goal, no doubt.

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Minnesota Wild: Brandon Bollig Hits Zach Parise in the back of the head

Another night, another NHL player hit in the head by an elbow/forearm, there's no excusing this hit. The NHL needs to start protecting its players from predatory type hits, or we're going to have all of the star players on the shelf. This is unacceptable; please tell me why Brandon Bollig needs to hit Zach Parise in this instance, for one it’s from behind. That’s a penalty in itself.

Yeo on Bollig hit on Parise: "Didn't like it. Saw it coming." Said he "targeted" guys his previous shift with late hits #mnwild #blackhawks
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 4, 2014

Parise says he has a headache from Bollig: hasn't seen replay, but "all I know is I got hit in the head pretty good." #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 4, 2014

Who's to Blame for Home Loss?

Not much can be said about tonight's game for the Wild, except, well I can't think of anything to say. This game left me with no words and scratching my head wondering what they need to do to find the net.

The Minnesota Wild would control much of the play in tonight's home game against Vancouver, but would find themselves surrendering the first goal to David Booth. However, just over a minute later, Charlie Coyle would find the twine when he would flat out snipe Eddie Lack. The teams would go into the locker room tied at one, but Minnesota probably should have been up by two goals for how much they controlled play. They just were not getting the bounces they needed.

As the game went on, things were still being controlled by the Wild, but the flood gates would open up in the third for the Canucks. A couple of power plays and bad turnovers later, the game was quickly 5-1 in favor of the bad guys. Nino Niederreiter would put one late goal in for the Wild, but that's exactly what it would be, too little too late.

Outshooting the Canucks 31-19 tonight, the Minnesota Wild and fans like me are left scratching their heads wondering what they could have done different tonight. More often then not, they did not get any second or third quality chances in the offensive zone, even though they were controlling most of the play.

Another thing that would cost them is too many costly turnovers. The Canucks are a team you can't make these kind of mistakes against or they will find the back of the net and tonight was a good example of this.

Goalie Darcy Kuemper also looked a bit off tonight, however, each and every Vancouver goal was scored from a high percentage scoring area, or off of a deflection. Kuemper can't be completely to blame for this loss. That being said, five goals against on 19 shots isn't that good at any level of play, and improvement is needed.

The gist of it all is that our key guys need to contribute more consistently in key games like tonight, and on the upcoming road trip. With guys like Parise, Pominville, and Moulson not finding the net as much as they should, it leaves playmakers like Koivu and Granlund sitting in the dust getting ridiculed because they aren't producing points either.

It's time for the veteran leaders to take charge and lead this team into the playoffs. They can't keep missing out on key points coming down the stretch, otherwise they could be sitting on the outside, much like the Toronto Maple Leafs are right now in the east.

Drew Stafford to the Wild?

One of the rumors to be surfacing today is the that Minnesota Wild might be interested in former UND Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford. Apparently, some of the Sioux hating Gopher fans don't like the idea. One person that might benifit from a change of scenery might be Stafford.

Michael Russo, Russo's Rants --- As I reported in today’s newspaper and on last night’s blog, multiple sources tell me the Wild is very interested in Drew Stafford, who has been playing at a consistently high level for some time for the Sabres. There have been lots of conversations between Fletcher and Sabres GM Tim Murray lately and the big question is whether Murray is indeed willing to trade Stafford, 28, and what the price would be.

He wouldn’t be a rental. He has another year left on his contract at a pretty attractive $4 million (remember, the cap is going up), so this would be more of a “hockey trade” (one of my favorite terms; I’d love to know who coined it).

So it could cost a second-tier prospect, salaried player (Wild would need to trade some cash unless it just puts Backstrom or Harding on LTIR, which allows you to top the cap ceiling by their cap hit if you need the space) and/or a pick.

Stafford is very good friends with Zach Parise from their days at Shattuck and North Dakota, he’s a former teammate of Jason Pominville. (By the way, even though I'm mentioning Stafford on here, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I'm sure Fletcher has many balls in the air and this is just one I've heard about).

BLOG: #mnwild talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Drew Stafford http://t.co/uU1fHguls4
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 5, 2014

Stafford has heard same MIN rumors: "There's chatter about everything. .. It happens. We're in here watching the same thing all of you are."
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 5, 2014

Tuesday Links: Hockey Focused, It's the Stretch Run...

With the Injury to New York Islanders forward John Tavares, other players on the Islanders are going to have an opportunity to play more. One of them is former UND forward Brock Nelson. (TSN.CA)

The Islanders, 12 points out of a playoff spot, weren't going to contend for the postseason this year and are already preparing to move LW Thomas Vanek prior to the March 5th trade deadline. Under those circumtances, there will be some opportunities available for other Islanders, rookies Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson among them, to play more prominent offensive roles.

Former UND forward Evan Trupp is playing with the Corban Knight on the Abbotsford Heat. Trupp has scored (1g-4a—5pts) in 10 games this season.

Apparently Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kessler returned from the Sochi game with an injury.

Former UND and current Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise stood up and defended Olympic coach Dan Bylsma. Mike Russo has the details on his blog.

The Stanley Cup of Chowder profiles Zane Gothberg this week. No mention of the him getting the NCHC goalie of the week.

Zach Parise goal GIF

This was Zach Parise's first point of the 2014 Sochi games. If you're not following @PETEBLACKBURN on twitter, I recommend doing so.

Team USA Lines and Defense Pairings?

These are correct. For today at least. RT @SI_sarahkwak: D pairs are:
Fowler-Suter; mcdonagh-Carlson; shattenkirk-Martin; orpik-Faulk (https://twitter.com/SI_sarahkwak/status/432939873473794048)

This appears to be the forward lines and defense pairings in practice so far for the American Team. Love the All-WCHA line of Zach Parise, David Backes and T.J. Oshie.

Sarah Kwak (@SI_sarahkwak) tweeted at 11:21am - 10 Feb 14: USA lines: jvr-pavekski-Kessel; Parise-Backes-oshie; brown-Kesler-Kane; Callahan-stastny-pacioretty ( https://twitter.com/SI_sarahkwak/status/432927352956657664)

Possible Wild Jersey?

What does everyone think about this possible @mnwild jersey? #mnwild pic.twitter.com/8hXJqQydZS
— Wild About Minny (@WildAboutMinny) January 15, 2014

God I hope not, this would be one ugly Minnesota Wild jersey.

Minnesota Wild: The Hits Keep Coming

This is not good news for the Minnesota Wild. Mikko Koiuv and Josh Harding were placed on the injured reserve list. With forward Zach Parise out, the Wild are even more offensively challenged. If my math is right, that's tree players out with foot injuries as well (Koiuv, Spurgeon and Parise). The loss of Harding is huge as well. He is 18-7-3 with a 1.65 goals-against average, a .933 save percentage

Chad Graff, Pioneer Press -- The Wild placed captain Mikko Koivu and goalie Josh Harding on injured reserve Monday.

That means each will sit out at least seven days.

Koivu was injured Saturday night when he apparently blocked a shot with his ankle. The Wild did not announce a time frame for Koivu's return, but an update is expected Monday afternoon after the team practices in Los Angeles.

Harding was termed "ill" in the days leading to Monday. He had been placed on IR last month to adjust to treatment changes for multiple sclerosis. The changes were termed "minor" by Harding and the team, but he only appeared in two games after being activated in late December.

With a offensively challenged line-up and with the current injuries, the Wild are going to have to have someone step up and chip in offensively.

Yeah in Review 2013

Personally, I think that 2013 was a crummy year, however, it was a very good year for sports. There's been some really nice stories. When it looked like the Boston Bruins were going back to Chicago for game seven, but it wasn't meant to be, as the Blackhawks scored two goals in 17-seconds to win the Stanley Cup over the Boston Bruins.



The last team in the NCAA tourney, wins the NCAA tourney by going through a bunch of one and two seeded teams. Also, Yale becomes the first Ivy League school as well as the first ECAC team since 1989 to win the NCAA title. With the NCAA title win, the ECAC sheds the EZAC label.

The Minnesota Wild sign the big-time free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise in the summer of 2012 and the Minnesota make the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 2006-07 season. However, the Wild playoff drive is short lived as they are quickly dispatched in five games (4-1) by the eventual Stanley Cup champion the Chicago Blackhawks.



After much discussion, hand wringing and teeth gnashing, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference begins play in Oxford, Ohio as North Dakota and Miami play in the first ever game. North Dakota would go on to win game one by a score of 4-2.



The Toronto Maple Leafs looked like they were headed to the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Leafs had what looked like a comfortable 4-1 lead. Then the roof fell in on the Maple Leafs during the third period. The Bruins would move on to face the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs.



Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, aka the Little Ball of Hate, would get things rolling in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Boston Bruins would win in overtime.

Like I mentioned earlier, personally, for me, 2013 has been one of those years that I will soon hopefully forget, but there's been some great sports stories. Happy New Year and see you next year.

Minnesota Wild: Parise might have to miss some time

The hits keep coming for the Minnesota Wild. Wild. Forward Zach Parise is injured and will need to rest his injured foot. Going into the break, the Wild were 4-6-0 in their last 10 games. The Wild are also starving for offense and secondary scoring and have scored  a measly  22 goals in the last 15 games. That's not going to win a lot of hockey games in any league.

Michael Russo, Rsso's Rants -- For a team that lacks confidence and has 22 goals in the past 15 games and must dig deep and figure out a way to stop the bleeding and climb back into the top-8, Parise's absence comes out a bad time.

Parise blocked a shot by Alex Steen on Nov. 25. Coincidentally - or maybe not, the Wild is 5-9-1 since and 1-7-1, including that game in St. Louis, on the road since.

Parise was supposed to miss two to three weeks because of the bum foot but instead missed one game because he felt he could play through the injury and because of how difficult a stretch of games the Wild had coming up.

Commendable, but Parise was clearly playing through pain and the last week to 10 days, his off-ice limp was getting more and more pronounced. You could see it on the ice, too.

My educated guess is Parise will now need to stay off the foot for a little while so it doesn't linger any longer. How long? No clue, but this time doctors may have more say than Parise.

Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise tell the Injury Ninja to kiss off

#MNwild lines in warm ups: Parise-Koivu-Coyle Niederreiter-Haula-Pominville Heatley-Brodziak-Zucker Cooke-Konopka-Mitchell
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 29, 2013

Apparently, former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise has a very high tolerance to pain and will be playing in tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche. Originally, Parise was slated to be out 2-3 weeks. This is good news for the Minnesota Wild.

Parise on line rushes w first line. Haula centering line 2. Fontaine indeed the scratch if Parise feels he can go, which he does :) #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 29, 2013

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Injured Wild forward Zach Parise skating in practice today

Unbelievable. Zach Parise is skating in line rushes with the Wild. pic.twitter.com/oREXBG4wnc
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 27, 2013

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise is supposed to be out 2-3 weeks with a lower body injury and he's taking part in practice today. Unreal! Those former North Dakota Hockey Players are tough.

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Minnesota Wild: Parise Leads the Wild past the Flames with two goals

Former Fighting Sioux Forward Zach Parise is having a good season with the Minnesota Wild. Tonight he was on fire as he led the Minnesota Wild past the Calgary Flames when he scored (2g-1a—3pts). On the season, Parise has (8g-6a—14pts) in 16 games. His line mate Mikko Koivu also had (1g-2a—3pts) as well.

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The Rivalry Returns, Game on in 2016-17 at the John

This is good news.

"GAME ON!" -- Wayne Campbell, Garth Algar in 1992. Also, Zach Parise and Keith Ballard, today: http://t.co/r5j74GVtl0
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 31, 2013

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