List Challenge: Top 5 Overrated NHL Goaltenders

Ok, I'm bored, but I'm issuing a challenge to the writers and commentors on this blog. Top 5 lists to flavor up the blog. Yeah, it's all nice to talk about the cheap hits, but I think it's time to spark some other kinds of debate.

So, I'm going to pose my top five most overrated goaltenders currently playing in the NHL. My rules? They cannot be a rookie or a goaltender that has not at any point in the previous two seasons been called the "#1 goaltender" for their respective club. They cannot already be considered a poor goaltender (Sorry, Vesa Toskala is out). They must have at least SOME hype to them.

Here they are:

5. Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins) - Ok, I'm going to get flak for this, but he's really not all that good. He just has a team in front of him that can cover for his mistakes. He tends to be too aggressive if you want some real goaltender analysis. And yeah, he won the Cup last year, whoopdedoo.

4. Marty Turco (Dallas Stars) - He was so bad last year the 5 hole was briefly named after him ("He got Turco'd."). He was better this year, but he's really not much more than a middle of the road goaltender. He's the king of inconsistent. One minute he's brilliant, the next minute, he's worse than putting goalie pads on a quadriplegic.

3. Jose Theodore (Washington Capitols) - Sometimes called Jose "Threeorfour" by sarcastic fans, this selection actually pains me. You see, I saw him when he played for the Habs and he was REALLY good on a REALLY mediocre if not bad team. I'm not sure why he's not found success, but then again... being on Colorado and Florida can do that to any goaltender... sometimes (I still can't believe Khabibulin has a Stanley Cup ring. Not because he's a bad goaltender, but because... seriously.. TAMPA FREAKING BAY?) can drive home the suck in anyone. And yeah, I know about Colorado and Roy but look at the team in front of him. What? Oh yeah, thought so. I rest my case. And no, I'm not saying Patrick Roy was overrated. I can't stand the guy, but he was VERY legit.

2. Cristobal Huet (Chicago Blackhawks) - #2 and #1 are pretty interchangeable as both I can't see as to why they ever were named #1s for their respective clubs. Huet has a 5 hole the size of Illinois and plays as consistent as the ground in and about a rock slide. He makes me nervous any time someone shoots from the point. UG-GLY.

1. Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) - How sad they have brought in Jaroslav Halak to foster and push Price along and had a GM in Gainey who said Price was the #1 all along and yet... Halak is the real deal and Price is barely NHL quality. I'm not so sure that this is Price's fault though. Gainey was a bad GM and surely rushed Price along. He shows signs of brilliance but often those are just the gleam of the lights off his facemask. I also give him the award for the goaltender who has most often tore the hearts out of Habs fans, stepped on the heart, and then flushed it down the toilet since Patrick Roy left. And he's still young. Oh, and the fact that he's gotten so much hype and has done Z-E-R-O to the millionth power to deserve the hype may also have swayed me to this.

Honorable Mentions: Nikolai Khabibulin*, Peter Budaj, Ray Emery, Any Lightning Goaltender, Vesa Toskala (Hey, can someone suck so bad they become overrated by simply saying he sucks?), Manny Legace (Ouch!), Rick DiPietro. I should give one to Boston's Tim Thomas too, but man, that guy's come a long way to get where he is.

* - He, like Theodore, is among those I have a softspot for.

Henrik Lundqvist could be on this list but the jury's still out. He's not won it all yet, nor has he gone especially deep into the playoffs. However, such factors as how suck the team in front of him is, has to be considered. Put Lundqvist on the Wings and I'm sure he'd be hoisting the Cup.

So my question to the bloggers on this site and the commentors is: What's your top 5?

GMs to recommend banning blindside shoulder hits to the head

I believe this is the first step in the right direction, for the NHL. The OHL already bans head shot already, why not the NHL? In International Ice Hockey Federation play their opinion is that; “there is no such thing as a clean hit to the head." The NCAA bans hits to the head, there is at least a two minute penalty for shots to the head.

The NHL's general managers will recommend the adoption of a new rule to ban blindside hits to the head by a player's shoulder.

So far, this recommendation was made by an eight-man committee of GMs at their annual meetings and it will be placed in front of the entire 30 general managers on Wednesday morning. The proposal will be subject to further review and tweaking but it appears a formal recommendation for a new rule will be made when the meetings end Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re going to fine-tune it,” said San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson, who is a member of the eight-person committee. “It’s going to go back to the bigger group for our thoughts.”

The new rule will also subject offenders to supplementary discipline in the form of suspensions. Repeat offenders will probably face lengthy suspensions.

However, since the details remain subject to further changes by the GMs, who could conceivably even shelve the proposal, no one wanted to say exactly what the proposed rule is other than it will address blindside hits to the head by a player’s shoulder.

The formal recommendation will go to the NHL's competition commitee and the governors for approval this summer. The new rule will probably take effect next season [Globe and Mail]

More Steve Downie antics.

Stick salute to Puck Daddy. Check this video this is wild stuff, classic Donny brook, while Downie does hit the Atlanta defender high and leaves his feet, the MacAurther crosscheck on St Louis was uncalled for, bush league and late, he doesn’t even get a penalty on the play. The two buffoons announcing the game can't see past the homer glasses. I thought it was interesting so I included it.

Poll Monday

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[March 8, 2010]

Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Denver (26) 25- 7-4 976 1
2 Miami (24) 24- 5-7 972 2
3 Wisconsin 22- 9-4 881 3
4 Boston College 21-10-3 827 5
5 North Dakota 20-11-5 779 7
6 Yale 19- 7-3 732 6
7 St. Cloud State 20-11-5 703 4
8 Bemidji State 23- 8-3 644 8
9 Cornell 17- 8-4 587 9
10 Michigan State 19-11-6 528 11
11 New Hampshire 16-11-7 497 10
12 Alaska 18- 9-9 437 14
13 Ferris State 19-11-6 406 13
14 Minnesota-Duluth 20-15-1 367 12
15 Colorado College 18-15-3 261 15
16 Northern Michigan 17-11-8 205 19
17 Union 18-10-6 178 18
18 Nebraska-Omaha 20-14-6 170 20
19 Vermont 15-12-7 114 16
20 Mass.-Lowell 18-14-4 79 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Maine 47, RIT 36, Boston University 24,
Michigan 22, Massachusetts 17, Minnesota 9, Colgate 2

----------------------------
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
[March 8, 2010]

1. Miami (21)
2. Denver (13)
3. Wisconsin
4. Boston College
5. North Dakota
6. Yale
7. St. Cloud State
8. Bemidji State
9. Cornell
10. New Hampshire
11. Michigan State
12. Alaska
13. Ferris State
14. Minnesota-Duluth
15. Colorado College
Others receiving votes: University of Nebraska Omaha, 16; Northern Michigan University, 13; Union College, 13; Rochester Institute of Technology, 10; University of Massachusetts Lowell, 4; University of Vermont, 2; University of Maine, 1; University of Massachusetts, 1.

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings for conversation.

1. Miami
2. Denver
3. Wisconsin
4. North Dakota 2 Could the Fighting Sioux's upcoming playoff series with Minnesota be any more even? Not only do both teams have identical 1-1-2 marks against one another this season, but both the goals for and against (11-11) are also mirror images. 20-11-5 (15-10-3 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Michigan Tech, 5-1; W vs. Michigan Tech, 3-2. THIS WEEK: vs. Minnesota (WCHA First Round Series)
5. Yale
6. Boston College
7. St. Cloud State
8. Cornell
9. Michigan State
10. Bemidji State
11. Alaska
12. Union
13. New Hampshire
14. Ferris State
15. Minnesota Duluth
16. Colorado College
17. RIT
18. Northern Michigan
19. Nebraska-Omaha 1
20. UMass Lowell )

Dropped out: Maine
Bubble-licious: Colgate, Michigan

Matt Cooke knocks out Marc Savard

I think Matt Cooke is a disgusting piece of dog shit and I honestly can't till the day that he is on the receiving end of one of these hits. Cooked is what is wrong with the NHL, the lack of respect for you opponents. It was a deliberate attempt by Cooke to injure Savard, look at the video. Savard suffered a concussion on the play. Another day and another head shot in the NHL.

Dirty, vicious elbow by Matt Cooke on Marc Savard to his blind side after he shot a puck at the Pittsburgh net. Just no regard for the health and well-being of another player right there. Replays showed Cooke lowered an elbow that smashed directly into Savard's head when he had his head turned away from the Penguins forward. The elbow knocked Savard right down to the ice. Savard was down for 10 minutes and trainers had to take the playmaking center off on a stretcher. Somehow there wasn't a penalty called on the play, but there's [no] way Cooke gets off without a lengthy suspension. That is the kind of play that the NHL is trying to rid their sport of, and it's yet another injury that the B's can't afford.
[CSNNE.COM]

Links to the Story:

Puck daddy; Savard stretchered off after Matt Cooke head-shot

KuklasKorner; Matt Cooke Hit On Marc Savard Today

Bruins.com; Bruins Update on Marc Savard

Bruins blog; Cooke delivers concussion to Savard

"A guy like that has to be suspended," the Bruins coach said. "That's the way I see it, because it's an elbow to the head from the blind side. That's exactly the examples they show of what we've got to get out of this game. We have a guy who's got a concussion. Our best player. He's going to be out for a while. He was [unconscious] on the ice for a bit. That's unacceptable."

Hub of Hockey; Is Matt Cooke's Dirty Hit On Marc Savard Suspension Worthy?

Bleacher Report; Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Cooke's Hit on Savard Deserves Big Suspension

Winnipeg Sun; Issue coming to a head

TSN; Bruins' Savard carried off the ice following blindside hit

From the Rink; Marc Savard Taken Off On Stretcher

Stanley Cup of Chowder; Marc Savard diagnosed with concussion

NESN.COM; James Murphy Dishes on Marc Savard Hit, Lack of Retaliation Against Matt Cooke (Video)

How did I do?

I posted my WCHA preseason poll at the now defunct Illegal Curve.

1.) Denver
2.) Wisconsin
3.) UND
4.) Minnesota
5.) UMD
6.) SCSU
7.) C.C.
8.) MSU-M
9.) UAA
10.) MTU

Here is the way the WCHA finished with the final games today.

1.) Denver 42 19-5-4 25-7-4
2.) Wisconsin 37 17-8-3 22-9-4
3.) St. Cloud State 34 15-9-4 20-11-5
4.) North Dakota 33 15-10-3 20-11-5
5.) Minnesota Duluth 33 16-11-1 20-15-1
6.) Colorado College 27 12-13-3 18-15-3
7.) Minnesota 26 12-14-2 17-17-2
8.) Minnesota State 20 9-17-2 15-18-3
8.) Alaska Anchorage 20 9-17-2 11-21-2
10.) Michigan Tech 8 4-24-0 5-28-1

How to improve the NHL

Tom Jones from the St Peterburg Times had a nice article on how to improve the NHL. A couple of these ideas are really good ideas. The NHL should have a lot of momentum coming out of the Olympics and the game of hockey should be looking to expand on that momentum going forward to the Stanley Cup playoffs, of course there will be a whole segment of our population that won't be able to see the games because they are on Versus.

Get back on ESPN

The NHL's cable deal in the United States is with Versus, which does an excellent job covering the games. But it's not about that. It's about being part of the sports fans' consciousness, and that's what ESPN provides (and Versus doesn't). Sports fans instinctively turn their TVs to ESPN, often not even knowing what will be on. It's habit. ESPN carries every major sport — the NFL, NBA, major-league baseball, golf, NASCAR, tennis, soccer, college basketball and football. It even shows poker, for crying out loud. But not the NHL, not since 2004. ESPN sets the nation's sports agenda. If ESPN covers something, the event becomes important to sports fans. Many believe that if ESPN carried the NHL again, the network would dedicate more time to it on SportsCenter and maybe even again have a specialized show for it like it did when it carried the games; its NHL 2Night was a hockey version of Baseball Tonight and NFL Live.

How many times have you stayed at a motel/hotel or went to a friend’s house who doesn't have Versus on their television dial? That is unacceptable in my opinion, this should not happen. During the day of ESPN you didn’t see this happening. The squabble between Direct TV and Versus is also mind numbing, because if it dispute doesn’t get solved soon a lot of people aren’t going to get to see the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This idea is one that I really find acceptable and I am sure I am not the only NHL fan hoping for this change. It's time to tell Gary Bettman thanks for a job well done but don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. The things that are going to stick out the most with me is the lock out in 2004-2005 NHL season and how we lost a whole season of the NHL under the leadership of Gary Bettman.

Find a new commissioner

This isn't meant to slam Gary Bettman, because he's not as bad as many fans and media members think he is. But he has been on the job 17 years now, and it's time for new blood, someone with fresh ideas and a different approach. Don't hire an old-school hockey guy or someone in the NHL office. Owners need to think outside the box by going outside the "company.'' Look to an up-and-coming whiz kid from another sport. Look at a top-level executive from a company outside sports. Find someone who isn't going to keep doing it the way it has always been done. After all, the way it has always been done isn't working.

Trenten Metcalf hit on Matt Walters

This was a hit from the North Dakota High school hockey game between Grand Forks Central High and Bottineau High School on the first day of the North Dakota High School hockey game. There was no penalty on the play. Matt Walters did not play again during the tourney. All right all you referees at home would you call a penalty on the play?

WCHA Playoffs; breaking down the teams. (final numbers)

1. Denver University - Record 25-7-4 WCHA 19-5-4. Second half record 18 games played 14-2-2. The Pioneers went 8-0-0 in February. Open the WCHA playoff against MTU. This match up on paper has route written all over it. [DU player stats] [Beat writer blog]

2. University of Wisconsin - Record 22-9-4 WCHA 17-8-3. Second half record 16 games played 11-3-2. The Badgers went 7-1 in February. Open the WCHA playoffs against UAA who the Badgers have owned and they are an impressive 1-10-1 in their last 12 games against the Seawolves. [UW player stats] [Beat writer blog]

3. Saint Cloud State University - Record 20-11-5 WCHA 15-9-4. Second half record 18 games played 12-4-2. The Huskies went 3-2-1 in February. Open the WCHA playoffs against the MSU-M Mavericks, the Mavericks are 7-1-1 in its last nine visits to St. Cloud. [SCSU player stats] [Beat writer blog]

4. University of North Dakota - Record 20-11-5 WCHA 15-10-3. Second half record 18 games played 11-5-2. The Fighting Sioux went 5-1-0 in February. UND is 6-0 all time against Minnesota in the WCHA playoffs in Grand Forks, ND. [UND player stats] [Beat writer blog]

4. University of Minnesota Duluth - Record 20-15-1 WCHA 16-11-1. Second half record 18 games played 9-9. The Bulldogs went 2-4-0 in February. UMD swept the Tiger in the Springs during the WCHA playoffs last season to advance to the Final Five. Now C.C. gets a chance to return the favor. UMD is 3-1-0 against the Tigers this season so the chances of that happening aren't very good. [UMD players stats] [Beat writer blog]

6. Colorado College - Record 18-15-3 WCHA 12-13-3. Second half record 16 games played 6-10-0. The Tiger went 2-4-0 in February. Has a tall order to make the Final Five, beat the UMD Bulldogs at the DECC. The Bulldogs have not been swept at home this season. [C.C. player stats] [Beat writer blog]

7. University of Minnesota - Record 17-17-2 WCHA 12-14-2. Second half record 18 games played 9-8-1. The Gophers went 3-3-0 in February. [UMN player stats] [Beat writer blog]

8. Alaska Anchorage - Record 11-21-2 WCHA 9-17-2. Second half record 16 games played 5-9-2. The Seawolves went 0-5-1 in February. They have a tall order ahead of them. The Seawolves are 1-10-1 in their last 12 games against the Badgers. [UAA player stats] [Beat writer blog]

8. Minnesota State - Record 15-18-3 WCHA 9-17-2. Second half record 16 games played 6-9-1. The Mavericks went 2-4-0 in February. Mankato is 7-1-1 in its last nine visits to St. Cloud, however, I don't see how they get past the Huskies. [MSU-M player stats] [Beat writer blog]

10. Michigan Tech University - Record 5-28-1 WCHA 4-24-0 Second half record 15 games played 2-12-1. The Huskies went 1-5-0 in February. The MTU Huskie had four wins during the WCHA season. The Huskies beat the UMD Bulldogs twice and the SCSU Huskies and MSU-M Mavericks once each. They play at DU for the WCHA playoffs. [MTU player stats] [Beat writer blog]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

Sioux 3 Huskies 2

Check out this great tireless effort by Mario Lamoureux, Mario took three shots at the net and finally burried the third shot that he put on net. That is a great effort in my opinion. Talk about not giving up on a shot.

Clearing up a few loose ends

First off; some house keeping details to end the regular season, for the SCSU fans that were beating/thumping their chest about UND being behind SCSU in every poll, blah, blah, blah, the Fighting Sioux have the same record as the Huskies and are ahead of the Huskies more important Pair Wise Rankings.

5 North Dakota 19 0.5540 20-11-5 0.6250 Mar 6 MTech
6 St Cloud St 18 0.5511 20-11-5 0.6250 Mar 6 Mankato

Sioux come out flat

The Fighting Sioux hockey team are riding a seven game winning streak but tonight the looked as if they were trying to hand the game to the MTU Huskies early and were very lucky to get a win against the 5-28-1 MTU Huskies. You would have thought it was the Fighting Sioux that had the 5-28-1 record. It's imperative that the Sioux not play like this next weekend if they want to advance to the Final Five, anything less than a 100 percent effort would be unadvisable and unacceptable.

A few things that I saw tonight were the Sioux didn’t move their feet to start the game and looked a little sluggish. You have to wonder if they took the Huskies lightly or they just didn’t have their “A” game tonight. Also, there were a few times where the Sioux didn’t get the puck deep and that could come back to haunt them in the playoffs if they don’t right that ship in a quick hurry. Also, you cannot let the offensive player go untested in the slot, which is what happened on the second MTU Husky goal.

Stay out of the penalty box

The MTU Huskies came into the game with a national ranking of 46th over all on the power play and they ended up going 2-5 while the Fighting Sioux went 0-7. Tonight I thought the Fighting Sioux lacked discipline and took some really stupid unnecessary penalties. Taking three straight penalties is no way to start a hockey game and likened to playing with an open flame in a meth lab.

Up next for the Fighting Sioux is the not so Golden Gophers 16-17-2, UND is 6-0 all time against the Gophers in the WCHA playoffs in Grand Forks, ND. In the last 14 games against the Gophers, the UND Fighting Sioux are 8-3-3, six of these games have gone to over time.

[Box Score]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

The NHL Trade Deadline and the Red Wings (Redwing77)

Just like the Wild, the Red Wings didn't do much. They made two trades, a bubble player/prospect for another and a veteran washout for a younger winger. Neither look to be an impact player for this year and probably next year as well.

It was very disappointing that we couldn't make a move on a goaltender. I would have LOVED to see Halak in Red Wing red... or better yet, make true the rumors around Tomas Vokoun and bring him to Motown.

I think Howard is going to be a good goaltender, but I'm not sold on him as a #1.

I am sold on the fact that "WasGood" is done. At least he's done as a #1 goaltender in Detroit. Not a bad career for him.

Detroit, though, is with Chicago and New Jersey in that they're not exactly swimming in cap space. Only making it worse is the fact that there is a HUGE question in depth after the current NHL goaltending duo. McCallum might be a good one, but he's a ways out and facing an upward battle after looking dismal in the 2008-9 World Juniors. Daniel Larsson has seen sparing time in the NHL and looks to be the only one even remotely close to NHL ready. Other than McCallom, the Wings have two former NCAA goaltenders in Notre Dame's Jordan Pearce and Yale's Alec Richards in their ECHL affiliate. Neither are NHL material yet...if at all.

Overall, there are teams that are hit by the injury bug and play ok despite it... Detroit isn't one of them. What makes it worse is that they SHOULD have been able to. Osgood SHOULD have been a good #1 goaltender...but he wasn't. Datsyuk and Zetterberg SHOULD have been as dynamic as they've been the past two years... they're still good but they're not.

Oh well. Hopefully Chicago can get Huet and Niemi to play out of their minds so I can see Toews do well at least.

Derek Boogaard suspended for hit on Ryan Jones

This was the hit that had the Internet buzzing last night before I went to bed. Being a Wild fan I have to admit it's really an unnecessary hit that Boogaard didn't need to make. According to Mike Russo the Boogieman has already had a conference call with league executive Mike Murphy this morning meaning we will probably be seeing a spin of the Colin Campbell wheel of justice. Since Boogaard is a one dimensional goon and a repeat offender the league will probably throw the book at him and they should. Edit: I want to go on record that I am a Boogaard fan but you have to play within the rules of the game. The NHL has stepped up and issued a two game suspension for the hit.

The Beat writer David Staples for the Edmonton Oilers isn't all that impressed with Derek Boogaard as well. Check out his thoughts about Boogaard in last night's blog post.

So it happened again, just as it's happened so many times with Derek Boogaard and an Edmonton Oiler, Boogaard -- the very definition of a goon hockey player -- making an illegal hit and almost crippling Edmonton winger Ryan Jones.

This wasn't a hockey play, this was a crime on ice, the kind Boogaard is known for, and the kind he will continue to commit in NHL rinks until some player gets badly injured and decides to sue Boogaard, his coach, his franchise and the NHL.

All of them are complicit in Boogaard's ongoing, illegal on-ice violence. Why do I say that?

Because each time Boogaard maims someone, or comes close to maiming them, he is not handed the kind of sentence that might stop him from maiming again. Last year he got five games for an atrocious elbow to the head of Brandon Prust. He should have been suspended for the season for that vicious late hit, another evident intent to injure
[Edmonton Journal]

Here is an reoccurring argument that I have seen before about players like Derek Boogaard they don’t play very good hockey and they are basically one dimensional players, one could call them fighters on skates, albeit not very good skaters either. I find these comments interesting since the Oiler have their own verision of Boogaard in Zack Stortini who is a little more talented and has 118 minutes in penalties and has been in 13 fights this season.

There should be no place in hockey for the likes of Boogaard. In 243 career NHL games, he has two goals, 14 points and 527 penalty minutes. He is not a player who can fight, he's a fighter who can't play. He's so lame on the ice that in three years of major junior play he only scored two goals.

His only job is to intimidate, threaten, beat and maim.

Will the NHL review this kneeing of Jones and give Boogaard a good, long suspension? The rest of the season is certainly in order for such a blatant attempt to injure.

I'm certainly not holding my breath. If there's one thing that the NHL is, it's soft on crime.

P.S. Boogaard's explanation after the game to Joanne Ireland of the Journal: "I was just trying to make a hit and he slipped out of the way."

Hab's hack Maxim Lapierre Suspended 4 Games

Props to KuklasKorner. Habs player Maxim Lapierre was given a four game suspension for this hit. I can't believe that there wasn't a penalty called on the play and the ref was right there.

TORONTO (March 5, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre has been suspended for four games, without pay, for a late hit on San Jose Sharks forward Scott Nichol during NHL game #949, last night, the National Hockey league announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Lapierre will forfeit $14,248.72. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

At 1:50 of the third period, Lapierre knocked Nichols into the end boards with a late, careless hit. Nichol was injured on the play and did not return to the game. No penalty was assessed on the play.

UND 5 MTU 1

As I type this blog post the Seawolves just scored against the UMD Bulldogs to take a 3-2 win. UAA Senior forward Kevin Clark scored the game winning goal for the Seawolves. So there is a good chance that the Sioux can finish in 4th place in the WCHA standings, the Sioux hold the tie breakers against the Bulldogs. For the UAA fans that are down on their coach, I believe Dave Shyiak is a good head coach and has the UAA program going in the right direction. Shyiak's team this seaosn has only been swept once at home all season long, incidentally the Seawolves got more points against DU than the Gophers and Sioux combined.

Sioux start slow against the Huskies

I think it would be an understatement if I said the Fighting Sioux came out flat tonight to start the game against the MTU Huskies. The Sioux were behind and didn't score a goal until the 10:22 mark of the second period, it was then that the Sioux started getting things going and scored three goals in about a minute and twenty seconds.

MTU penalty kill dead last

You would have thought that Sioux would be licking their lips with the prospects of facing a team that is ranked dead last on the penalty kill. MTU is ranked 58th out 58 team nationally on the penalty kill and the Fighting Sioux went a lethargic and a pathetic 1/7 on the power play. That can not happen in the WCHA tourney and NCAA tourney if they want to be sucessful. Just for the Record UND is the 10th ranked team on the power play in the nation as well. I do have to give credit to the MTU goalie Kevin Genoe who was impressive and stopped 43/48 shots. Genoe is only a freshman and stopped 50 shots on goal last weekend against the Wisconsin Badgers and I like what I have seen of him this season. Genoe also stopped Brad Malone on a break away in the first period.

Zajac leads the way for the Sioux

The Sioux almost never lose when Dary Zajac scores a goal for the Fighting Sioxu. Tonight Zajac had a big night leading with a three point night (2g-1a-3pts). Zajac was a victim of the famous, "I intended to blow the whistle and that prevented Zajac from having a hat trick and a four point night.

[Box Score]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

Erik Johnson vs Jamie Benn

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher Erik Johnson is not known for being a fighter, he has been in two fights his whole NHL career, ironically both fights havve been in the second half of this season. I am also sure that Erik Johnson will probably never try to throw off his elbow pad while his opponent is knocking the snot out of him. Ouch! Benn feed Johnson about three hard punches to the head.

Mix-up sent Gophers men's hockey team scrambling for arena

Someone post the picture of the Target Center Ice on Gopher Puck Live. The Gophers and Badger will be playing in the Target Center this weekend. A screw up of epic proportions has moved the game to downtown Minneapolis, while there have been a few reports of bad ice, that could play into the Gophers favor against the speedy Badgers, I don’t think all is lost nor is this a complete buzz kill. In the past when attending the Final Five when it was at the Target Center I still have very fond memories of the Target Center. The Sioux winning the Final Five against the Badgers in 2000 was a blast.

While it’s defiantly not the Xcel Energy Center, there were a lot off good bars and restaurants with in walking distance of the Target Center. My favorite was Gluek’s restaurant and bar, Gluek’s also has one of the best beers, the Gluek’s Dark was my favorite.

If you don't mind spending an arm and a leg the Hard Rock Café right across the street from the Target Center and is a good place to eat and enjoy a beer. I ate there two years ago during the Final Five and it cost me about 25.00 for a beer and supper.

Forgive the Minnesota Gophers for feeling like guests in their hometown this weekend against interstate hockey rival Wisconsin.

The esoteric sport of synchronized skating is staging its national championships at Mariucci Arena, forcing the Gophers to prepare for the Badgers in a season-ending series that will determine Minnesota's first-round playoff opponent.

Communication became muddled in the bureaucratic swamp between the athletics department and arena officials, who booked the U.S. Figure Skating event for March 3-6 believing this weekend's Badgers-Gophers series was in Madison, Wis.

A mad scramble to rebook garnered stern opposition from U.S. Figure Skating and brought lawyers into the picture, producing a buyout price deemed too expensive to swallow, according to Mariucci manager Craig Flor.

With Ridder Arena hosting the Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's final and the Xcel Energy Center booked for high school wrestling, the Gophers were caught in the headlights until Target Center officials stepped into the breach.

The Timberwolves are on the road this week, which allowed the downtown Minneapolis arena to host its first hockey games in 10 years.

Tonight's match is the first collegiate game there since March 18, 2000, when North Dakota beat Wisconsin in the WCHA Final Five title game.
[Pioneer Press]

Brad Miller Time - The Senior Class

Couple of things that I noticed. Nice to see Chay Genoway back in work out gear. Ben Blood has cut his hair again, I think he looks meaner with a shaved head.

I think this week's episode was one of more funnier ones. While this is a small class of seniors all of them have played a big role their four season at UND. Zajac is an awesome defensive player. Chay Genoway is one of the most dynamic players on defense in the WCHA and Chris VandeVelde has been a solid offensive player his last three seasons at UND.

Friday Morning pontification

There has been some speculation on where the Fighting Sioux are going to finish in the final WCHA standings. A few weeks ago home ice looked bleak but the Fighting Sioux made up 10 points in 15 days and switched places in the standings with the C.C. Tigers to secured home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs for the 8th season in a row.

The Sioux can finish as high as 3rd place, however, 4th or 5th place probably seems more realistic for the Fighting Sioux. It's a long shot and not very probably, but the Fighting Sioux could finish 3rd, first the Fighting Sioux have to sweep the MTU Huskies and the SCCC Huskies would have to lose to games to the MSU-M Mavericks. While I would love to see that, I don’t see that happening, in fact the chances of that happening are slim and none, but also there isn't a snowballs chance in hell. In fact if that happens I will donate a $100.00 to LGM's favorite charity and wear a purple cow jersey to the Final Five (a game of LGM's choosing).

Sioux will be UAA fans this weekend

I think it’s safe to assume that the Fighting Sioux will be Seawolves fans this weekend. If UAA can get a split with the UMD Bulldogs and the Fighting Sioux can get a sweep of the MTU Huskies, the Sioux would end up in 4th place. UND holds the tie breaker over UMD and SCSU. UAA has only been swept one time at home this season so a split isn’t out of the question this weekend, either is a sweep. UMD has cooled off the second half of the season going 8-8-0 and 2-6 in February. Last year UAA swept the Bulldogs at the DECC before the Dogs went on a run to the NCAA tourney. Breaking it down further; UAA has been tought to beat at the Sully and has split with UND, DU, MSU-M, C.C., and UMN. While UAA might only be sitting in 8th place, UAA has more points against DU than the Gophers and the Sioux combined (1-2-1, 3 pts).

Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

Well, here we are, we’re at the end of the regular season in the WCHA. We have a full slate of games, 5 WCHA series to play this weekend. Congratulations to the Denver Pioneers, they are the 2009-2010 MacNaughton Cup champions. To go with that, we now know the home teams for the playoffs, DU, UW, SCSU, UMD, and UND, but the order can still change. Since this is the end of the regular season, let’s look back to the past and see how close the WCHA coaches were in their preseason voting.

Pre-Season
Grand Forks Herald WCHA Coaches
1. Denver
2. North Dakota
3. Wisconsin
4. Minnesota
5. St. Cloud State
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. Minnesota State
8. Colorado College
9. Alaska Anchorage
10. Michigan Tech


CURRENT WCHA STANGINGS
(Everyone has played 26 league games now)

TEAM………………....W-L-T….PTS
1 Denver…………….......18-4-4….40
2 Wisconsin………….....16-7-3….35
3 St. Cloud State……..15-8-3….33
4 Minnesota-Duluth…..15-10-1…31
5 North Dakota………....13-10-3…29
6 Colorado College…....11-12-3…25
7 Minnesota…………......11-13-2…24
8 Alaska-Anchorage.....8-16-2….18
9 Minnesota State……..8-17-1….17
10 Michigan Tech……...4-22-0…..8


WCHA

#12 Minnesota-Duluth at Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Bulldogs split a series with the Gophers in Duluth, and the Seawolves got swept by their in-state rival UA-Fairbanks.

With a win on Saturday night the Bulldogs stopped a three game losing streak, but are still struggling going 3-7-0 in their last ten games. I watched both UMD-UM games last weekend, and the announcers pointed out that UMD has gotten 43% of their goals on the power play. That tells me one, they do have a great power play, and two if you can keep it 5-on-5 you have a good chance of beating the Bulldogs. UMD goalie Hjelle got his first WCHA shut-out on Saturday, so congrats to him. The Seawolves continue to put together some wins, they now have an overall record of 10-20-2 and a home record of 6-9-0. UMD is 6-7-1 away from the DECC this season. UAA seems to have developed a pattern in WCHA home series, they tend to lose on Friday and then bounce back in win on Saturday. I think this is due to coaching adjustments made by UAA bench boss Shyiak. I don’t think people give Shyiak enough credit for his coaching abilities. With that, it is never an easy task for anyone making the trip to Alaska. SPLIT


#3 Wisconsin at Minnesota
Last weekend the Badgers swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton, and the Gophers gained a split on the road with UM-Duluth.

Back in the first week in November these teams split their series in Madison. The Badgers locked up home ice last weekend are now looking to finish in 2nd place. The Gophers gave themselves hope on Friday with a win, but lost on Saturday, which coupled with UND’s win puts them on the road next weekend. These games are on Friday night and then Sunday afternoon, which is a weird time for a game, in my opinion. The Badgers only need one win to hold on to 2nd place in the league (I believe they have the tie breaker on SCSU) so it is possible if they win on Friday, they might rest up some on Sunday’s game. The Gophers now in 7th place might look to move up to 6th place and pass CC. The Gophers can somewhat control who they might want to face in the playoffs. Even the FSN guys said UM would have a better chance of pulling off an upset in the first round if they avoid UW or UND. UW is one of the hottest teams in the WHCA and country now, and well, UM is not so hot. It will be interesting to see if the Gophers can elevate their game to match the Badgers in this Border Battle. If the Gophers can score first and get the crowd into it, they have a chance. If the Badgers score first, and silence the crowd, the Gophers might phone it in. BADGERS SWEEP


#1 Denver vs #15 Colorado College
Last weekend the Pioneers got a road swept at the expense of MSU-Mankato, and the Tiger got swept at World Arena by the visiting Sioux.

Earlier this season the DU won at CC, and then they tied in Denver. DU is on a 10 game winning streak and CC is on a 4 game losing streak. Since the calendar flipped to 2010, the Tigers are 3-9-0 in WCHA play, while the Pioneers are 9-1-1. Obviously these teams are on two different paths in the second half of the season. However, this is the battle for the Gold Pan. I can see DU taking a game off in this series, since they really have nothing to play for, they have got the MacNaughton Cup, and pretty much sown up a number one seed in the NCAA tourney. The Tigers are still alive to make a NCAA berth, but need to start winning games to get back in the mix. Of course, I’m sure DU knows this as well and would like to have CC watching the NCAA tourney from their dorm rooms. All this makes a tough series to predict, but the crystal ball has been extraordinary that last couple of weeks, so I will consult it again. SPLIT


Michigan Tech at #7 North Dakota
Last weekend the Huskies got swept in Houghton by the UW Badgers, and the Sioux swept the CC Tigers in Colorado Springs.

Earlier this season the Sioux swept the Huskies in Houghton. The Huskies will be on the road this weekend, and next weekend too, when they will travel to Denver to take on the Pioneers in the first round of the playoffs. The Sioux will be hosting a 1st round playoff series next weekend, most likely against CC or UM. The Sioux have now surged into the top ten in the PWR (which mimics NCAA selection) and look to get locked into a number two seed in the NCAA tourney. The Sioux are now on a season best 5-game win streak, and will most likely add two more wins to that streak this weekend. The hapless Huskies own a 1-12-0 road record and have had another rough season. MTU has scored the fewest goals in the league, and UND has given up the fewest. Those stats don’t bode well for the Huskies this weekend. All of MTU’s 4 WCHA wins have been against teams from the state of Minnesota; they have beat MSUM, SCSU, and UMD twice. I don’t see UND letting their foot of the gas pedal this weekend. SIOUX SWEEP


#4 St. Cloud State vs Minnesota State Mankato
Last weekend the Huskies enjoyed a weekend of rest, and the Mavericks were swept by the Pioneers in Mankato.

This is a home and home series for these teams, Friday in Mankato and Saturday in St. Cloud, since this is the only games these teams play against each other this year. However, it is possible that these teams my tangle again next weekend in the first round of the playoffs. The Huskies have been surprisingly good this season and will likely finish 3rd in the league. The Mavericks gave DU a scare last weekend and had a chance to upset them in the OT, but lost with 13 seconds left. MSUM only has one win over the top 5 teams in the conference; they beat UW back in October. In WCHA play the Mavericks are 3-9-0 in 2010, while SCSU is 8-3-1. I don’t see the Mavericks sweeping this weekend, or for that matter getting any points. SCSU SWEEP.

Jan Brady State University :)

Remember folks it's just a game. :) The count down begins; 3-2-1...

Booth and Richards settle things on the ice

Mike Richards hit David Booth with this questionable high hit to the face on October 24th, 2009. The hit by Richards cost the Florida Panthers forward 45 games and a shot at making the USA Olympic team. There was no additional disciple from the NHL on the hit by Richards and the Florida Panthers organization was too happy about that. Last night David Booth got some sweet revenge by fighting Mike Richards and having a great game on the score sheet. This is why I like the NHL they settle things on the ice like men.

David Booth wore the smile of satisfaction as he sat at his locker after tonight’s game. Not only did he have a goal and three assists, giving him six points the past two games, but he had them against the Flyers.
And he fought Mike Richards, the guy who dealt him a concussion with a controversial hit Oct. 24. The concussion kept Booth out 45 games and cost him the silver medal he would have gotten with a spot on the USA Olympic roster. His apology from Richards: a text message.

Booth did what I would have done.

It’s one thing to have your teammates stick up for you, which they did when the teams last played Dec. 21 in Philly. It’s another to not only do it yourself, but pay back Richards and the Flyers with a great offensive night.

That’s how you show you’re back.

Here’s what Booth said after the game about what went down with Richards 2:45 into the first period:

“That was kind of expected. I don’t really know what I’m doing when I fight,” Booth said. “But it was just a lot of…I don’t know what’s built up, but what could have been this year if you were playing, you think about that. But that’s behind me now. I don’t have to worry about that. I can just go out there and play and be free of this. I’m back to 100 percent.”

Booth added: “I just wanted to get it off my chest. It wasn’t cheap or anything. I just asked him if he wanted to and he was good enough to give me my shot. [Sun Sentinel]

Thursday Links

Check out Julie from Hockey Buzz as she shoots her interview from the Fighting Sioux's locker room.

According to Brad Chay Genoway is finally working out again but has yet to re-join the Sioux in practice.

The weekly Chay Genoway update is that he is working out on his own, but has not re-joined team workouts or practice or anything like that. He still has a way to go. As said previously here, his return may depend on how far UND can go this season. But Genoway's intention is to play again this season.

Exile on Dayton Street explains his love for the Golden Gopher hocke fans.

You will be surrounded by people who believe that gopher hockey is the pinnacle of existence. You know how whenever you see the gophers announcers on FSN, they're constantly talking about how great the gophers are, how the other team can't skate with the gophers, how the gophers have halos around their heads and everyone else should just be grateful to be basking in the glow of gopher hockey? That doesn't just come from nowhere. They're not just trying to leave a stinky taste in your mouth, Gopher fans actually seem to think this way.

The understatement of the week or possibly the year. Duh!

In my 15 years of covering DU hockey and working with coach George Gwozdecky, I witnessed a first today. With two regular-season games remaining, Gwoz freely admitted the top-ranked Pioneers (24-6-4) are safe and sound when it comes to the 16-team NCAA Tournament. [Denver Post hockey blog]

Eidsness, Kristo nab weekly WCHA awards

Nice to see Kristo and Eidsness get some recognition this week. The Sioux are starting to rack up weekly honors after elevating their play the last 6 games.

GRAND FORKS, N.D.-University of North -Dakota sophomore goalie Brad Eidsness has been named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, while freshman forward Danny Kristo has been named the WCHA Co-Rookie of the week, announced today by the league office.

Eidsness, a native of Chestermere, Alberta, backstopped the Fighting Sioux to their first sweep at Colorado College since 1998-99 by stopping 53 of 57 shots in the series for a .930 save percentage. Eidsness made 26 saves in Friday's 3-2 overtime win, then followed with 27 saves in Saturday's 3-2 victory.

During UND's current five-game winning streak, Eidsness has posted a 1.59 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. In 32 games this season, Eidsness is 17-8-4 with a 2.21 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. He leads all WCHA goalies in minutes played and ranks second in wins and goals against average.

Kristo, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., scored a key goal in each game at CC, including his first career game-winning goal in Saturday's victory that clinched home ice in the first round of the playoffs for the Fighting Sioux. On Friday, Kristo scored his team-leading eighth power-play goal of the season, which also leads all NCAA Division I freshmen.

In 32 games this season, Kristo leads all WCHA rookies in points (27), points per game (0.84), goals (12), power-play goals (eight) and power-play points (18).

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

NHL trade deadline deals

Here is what happened today on the NHL trade deadline. Not a lot going on this season. It would appear that Phoenix is the big winner in today final day of NHL trading.

I don't know if I like the Minnesota trading Eric Belanger to the Capitals or not, sure the Wild got a second round draft choice but now who fills in for Belanger in the lineup? Oh goody; my guess is Wild fans get more James Sheppard. I would rather see Robbie Earl get more playing time with Sheppard sitting in the press box.

Anaheim - Acquired goaltender Curtis McElhinney from the Calgary Flames for goaltender Vesa Toskala; acquired goaltender Joey MacDonald from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2010 seventh-round draft pick.

Boston - Acquired defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and the rights to defenseman Matt Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller and a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Carolina - Acquired goaltender Justin Pogge and a conditional fourth-round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Aaron Ward.

Detroit - Acquired forward Jordan Owens from the New York Rangers for forward Kris Newbury.

Edmonton - Claimed forward Ryan Jones off waivers from the Nashville Predators.

Los Angeles - Acquired center Jeff Halpern from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Teddy Purcell and a third-round draft pick.

New Jersey - Acquired defenseman Martin Skoula from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

Phoenix - Acquired left wing Wojtek Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter; acquired defenseman Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins for a conditional choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft; acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Sean Zimmerman and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Pittsburgh - Acquired a 2010 sixth-round draft pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Chris Peluso.

St. Louis - Acquired forward Matt D'Agostini from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Aaron Palushaj.

San Jose - Reassigned forward Dwight Helminen and defenseman Jason Demers to the Worcester (AHL).

Vancouver - Acquired center Yan Stastny from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for left wing Pierre-Cedric Labrie; assigned defenseman Brad Lukowich to Manitoba (AHL).

Washington - Acquired center Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; acquired forward Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes for a seventh-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

Tim Thomas: I have a no-trade clause

For the fans that keep wanting to throw goalie Tim Thomas under the bus say that he is going to get traded, Tim Thomas isn't going anywhere he has a no trade clause in his contract.

WILMINGTON -- As trades are made, and more rumors continue to swirl, Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas realizes that his name has been mentioned in potential deals prior to today's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

But unlike many of the rumors, Thomas also pointed out, Wednesday after practice, that any potential trade would have to be OK'd by him.

"I have a no-trade clause, that nobody seems to want to mention," said Thomas. "Despite the best efforts of some of the media, I don't think that anything's going to happen."

One rumor has had Thomas and a draft pick going to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Tomas Fleischmann and Jose Theodore. When asked if he had been approached by Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli regarding a trade, Thomas declined to give that information away.

"I wouldn't discuss that with you if I were," he said. "That's private. Even a contract should be private. That wouldn't be something that I'd discuss with the media, anyhow."

WCHA tie breakers.

A few people were asking about tie breakers and where the standings could end after this weekend. UND is going to need a little help and this weekend Fighting Sioux fans are going to be cheering for the Seawolves and the Maverick this weekend.

Minnesota Duluth:
THIS WEEKEND: At Alaska Anchorage.
ON THEIR OWN: Would guarantee fourth by getting three points.
BEST CASE: Finishes second with a sweep if Wisconsin loses twice and
St. Cloud State gets no more than one point.
WORST CASE: If they lose twice and North Dakota gets at least two
points, the Bulldogs will drop to fifth.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Wisconsin; loses to St. Cloud State and North
Dakota.

Wisconsin:
THIS WEEKEND: At Minnesota.
ON THEIR OWN: Three points would clinch second place.
BEST CASE: Second.
WORST CASE: Falls to fourth with two losses if Minnesota Duluth sweeps
and St. Cloud State gets at least two points.
TIEBREAKERS: Loses to Minnesota Duluth; could win or lose against St.
Cloud State.

St. Cloud State:
THIS WEEKEND: vs. Minnesota State Mankato home and home.
ON THEIR OWN: Wraps up third place with two points.
BEST CASE: Climbs to second with a sweep if Wisconsin gets no more than
two points.
WORST CASE: Would finish fifth if they get swept, North Dakota wins
twice, and Minnesota Duluth gets at least three points.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Minnesota Duluth; loses to North Dakota; could win
or lose against Wisconsin.

North Dakota:
THIS WEEKEND: Michigan Tech.
ON THEIR OWN: Has already clinched fifth and can do no better without
help.
BEST CASE: Gets third place with a sweep if St. Cloud State loses twice
and Minnesota Duluth gets no more than two points.
WORST CASE: Fifth.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats St. Cloud, Minnesota Duluth, and Colorado College.

Colorado College:
THIS WEEKEND: At Denver.
ON THEIR OWN: Finishes sixth with a pair of wins.
BEST CASE: Sixth.
WORST CASE: Falls to seventh if Minnesota gets at least one more point
than they do.
TIEBREAKERS: Loses to North Dakota and Minnesota.

Minnesota:
THIS WEEKEND: Wisconsin.
ON THEIR OWN: Can do no better than seventh without help.
BEST CASE: Would climb to sixth if they win twice and Colorado College
does not.
WORST CASE: Seventh.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Colorado College.

Alaska Anchorage:
THIS WEEKEND: Minnesota Duluth.
ON THEIR OWN: Clinches eighth with a sweep.
BEST CASE: Eighth.
WORST CASE: Finishes ninth if Minnesota State gets at least one more
point than they do.
TIEBREAKERS: Loses to Minnesota State.

Minnesota State-Mankato:

THIS WEEKEND: vs. St. Cloud State home and home.
ON THEIR OWN: Has clinched ninth and can do no better without help.
BEST CASE: Gets the No. 8 seed with a sweep if Alaska-Anchorage does not
win twice.
WORST CASE: Ninth.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Alaska Anchorage
[Rink and Run]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

Bruins make a few head scratchers...

The Boston Bruins appear initially that they were buyers at the trade dead line but a few of their moves are quite unpredictable and unexpected and downright silly. The Boston Bruins pick up a few defensive prospects and move a few defensemen around; most of the moves appear to be a wash. The Bruins biggest need is in the forward position.

This trade is one that shocked me the most, I thought Derek Morris was a high end offensive defenseman and this trade doesn't make any sense unless the Bruins are trying to clear cap space to get a high end forward. I am sure we will know what the Bruins intentions were at the end of the day or at least by the 3:00 pm eastern dead line.

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired a conditional draft pick in 2011 from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Derek Morris.

The 31-year-old Morris has skated in 58 games with the Bruins this season, registering 3-22=25 totals and 26 PIM. Morris has played 851 games in the NHL, recording 79-286=365 totals and 820 PIM. The 6’0” 221-pound native of Edmonton, Alberta was selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed by Boston as a free agent on July 24, 2009.

This move here is also a head scratchers, it doesn't really make any sense to me at all. The Bruins are in need of offense in a very bad way and the Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli seems to be uninterested in improving this season squad. It almost appears that they are standing pat and going to bank on the two first round draft choices in this summers entry draft.

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller and a second round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The second round pick in 2010 will be Tampa Bay’s, which Boston acquired at last year’s trade deadline along with Mark Recchi, in exchange for Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums.

The 28-year-old Seidenberg has skated in 62 games with the Panthers this season, registering 2-21=23 totals and 33 PIM. He currently leads the NHL in blocked shots with 179. Seidenberg has played 376 games in the NHL earning 17-96=113 totals and 162 PIM. The 6’1” 210-pound native of Schwenningen, Germany was selected in the sixth round (172nd overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He recently competed on Team Germany with Bruins forward Marco Sturm at the 2010 Olympic Games, and has been a teammate of Sturm's in four international tournaments (2001 Worlds, 2002 Olympics, 2008 Worlds, 2010 Olympics). Boston will be the fifth NHL team Seidenberg has suited up for, along with Philadelphia, Phoenix, Carolina and Florida. He set career highs in all offensive categories with Carolina in 2008-09 with 5-25=30 totals in 70 games played.

The 21-year-old Bartkowski has skated in 34 games for Ohio State University this year, registering 4-12=16 totals and 16 PIM. Over two seasons with the Buckeyes, Bartkowski has played in 75 games recording 9-27=36 totals and 133 PIM. The 6’1” 196-pound native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (190th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The Boston Bruins picked up another defenseman from Michigan Wolverines Steve Kampfer.

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired the rights to defenseman Steve Kampfer from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional fourth round draft pick.

The 21-year old Kampfer has skated in 37 games for the University of Michigan this season, recording two goals, 15 assists and 48 PIM. Over four seasons with the Wolverines, Kampfer has played in 139 games, registering 6-51=57 totals and 132 PIM.

The 5’11, 188-pound native of Ann Arbor, MI was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (93rd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Jovanovski gets run over by the Oshie

Couldn't have happen to a nicer guy, T.J. Oshie should be given a medal for this hit. Jovanovski is the same goon that was suspended twice in 2009, one of his suspensions was for knocking out Wild forward Andrew Ebbett with this brutal hit.

NHL's Bettman defends TV deal with Versus

Does anyone see anything wrong with this statement by Gary Bettman? I think until the NHL gets back on ESPN or a more visible television network, the NHL is going to be handcuffed for being on Versus, the biggest problem is that Versus it's not available to all markets and cable providers. This is sad because the NHL has all kinds of momentum coming out of the Olympics and this guy is such a buzzkill to the great sport of hockey.

"We think Versus is doing a terrific job for us," Bettman said. "They're giving us the most promotion and attention that we could ask for from a cable and TV partner and, quite frankly, we are the most important property that they have."

Bettman said he is hopeful the cable network will resolve the issues that have kept Versus off DirecTV. [chicagobreakingsports.com]

Standing Rock Supporters: Enough Signatures on Petition

It would appear that supporters of the Fighting Sioux nickname might have gotten some good news. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

WDAZ - A group of Sioux nickname supporters on the Standing Rock Reservation say they have enough signatures to ask for a reservation-wide vote on the issue.

They have collected more than 800 signatures. They only needed 600 for the tribal council to consider the issue.

The tribal council has already voted against putting support for the nickname to a public vote.

Supporters are hoping to present the petition to the council tomorrow to see what the next step is.

One problem: the Standing Rock constitution doesn't outline a procedure to dealing with a petition asking for a referendum vote.

It's up to the council and tribal attorney to outline a plan and that could take a while.

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is waiting until the North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled on an appeal to a decision that previously blocked them from changing the nickname.

That ruling is expected by early April.

Marvin got lucky

For those that haven't seen Bruce Ciskie's blog today, the WCHA really wanted to throw the book at Aaron Marvin. The WCHA wanted to give Marvin a 5 to 8 game suspension. Wow! Personally I actually think 5 games would have been an appropriate suspension lenght for the Genoway hit. SCSU won an appeal to knock it down to only three games.

The WCHA is taking plenty of heat for its decision to suspend St. Cloud State forward Aaron Marvin for three games. The league has been late to the party on hits to the head, and it was assumed they were going to let Marvin off easy, or maybe suspend him for one game heading into their home-and-home with Minnesota State, Mankato, this weekend.

Instead, the WCHA dropped the hammer, giving Marvin a three-game ban that will sit him for the entire MSU series, as well as Game 1 of St. Cloud's home WCHA playoff series (opponent TBA).

While it could be argued that this punishment is a bit excessive, it's in line with what the league should have been doing from the start. Not only that, but it's apparently not nearly as bad as what the initial decision called for.

A source with knowledge of the talks has told me that the WCHA's original punishment would have banished Marvin for the entire first round of the WCHA playoffs, and possibly the WCHA Final Five -- should St. Cloud make it there. That ban -- which could have been as high as five games if the Huskies played a three-game first-round series and eight games if it included the Final Five -- was then reduced to its current state on appeal. The source was unclear if the league wanted to keep Marvin out for the entire league tournament, or just the first round. Either way, the suspension was reduced after the school appealed.

Bracketology

Someone had mentioned Bracketology and Chuck Schwartz has his latest version of that posted over on 60 Minutes, No Alibies, No Regrets, I know it's still early but I think UND might get to see the Miami RedHawks again and that could be an epic game. I don't SCSU getting out of a regional that looks like the one listed below, I would say it looks like another one and done for the Huskies.

Northeast Regional (Worchester, MA):

1 Denver vs 16 Atlantic Hockey Champ
8 Yale vs 10 New Hampshire

Midwest Regional (Fort Wayne, IN):

2 Miami vs 14 Minnesota-Duluth
7 North Dakota vs 9 Alaska

East Regional (Albany, NY):

3 Wisconsin vs 15 Ferris State
6 Boston College vs 11 Cornell

West Regional (St. Paul, MN):

4 St. Cloud State vs 13 Vermont
5 Bemidji vs 12 Michigan State

Men's hockey WCHA first round playoff tickets on sale March 2

If you don't have your tickets for the firt round of the the WCHA playoffs time it's time to start thinking about buying them.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota men's hockey team has clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Tickets for the best-of-3 series will go on sale March 2 at 10 a.m.

Ticket prices for the series, held March 12, 13 and 14 (if necessary):

Adult - $20 single, $40 series
Student - $7 single, $14 series
Youth - $10 single, $20 series
Season ticket holders were sent tickets for series with initial ticket mailings.

Series ticket packages for the general public in non-student areas will be available on March 2 at 10 a.m. Single-game tickets for the pubilc will be available March 8 at 10 a.m.

Student ticket packages can be purchased at the UND Box Office and online at Ticketmaster.com. Student season ticket holders will receive an email with password to purchase tickets. Lower bowl sections and select upper bowl sections will be held for series packages. Students may purchase up to 4 reserved seats with UND student ID, however, seperate UND student IDs must be validated per student ticket for entry into venue on game date.

Student series package sale ends Monday, March 8. All unsold student series tickets will be available as single game tickets for students and general public at 10 a.m. on March 8.

All tickets may be purchased via the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena, Ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location.

MacNaughton Cup History (by Sioux 7)

I found this article a few weeks ago on the St. Cloud Times Newspaper website, and thought this would be a good time to share a little history.


The MacNaughton Cup is a trophy awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The trophy is named after James MacNaughton of Calumet, Michigan, who was an avid supporter of amateur ice hockey. The Cup is hand crafted of pure silver and stands almost three feet high and weighs nearly 40 pounds.

In 1913, MacNaughton purchased a cup trophy for approximately $2,000 and donated it to the President of the American Hockey Association, which was to be awarded to the league’s champion at the end of the season. The MacNaughton Cup remained with the American Hockey Association until 1932. From 1933 to 1950, the Cup was given to semi-pro and intermediate hockey teams in Michigan’s Copper Country.

In 1951, the MacNaughton family arranged to have the Cup awarded to the newly founded Midwest Collegiate Hockey League (MCHL), a precursor to the WCHA. The MCHL was composed of Michigan Tech, Colorado College, Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Michigan Tech became the trustee for the MacNaughton Cup. In the original spirit of the trophy, the league decided to award the trophy to its regular season champion. In 1953, the MCHL became the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL).

The Cup remained a part of the WIHL until the league was disbanded in March of 1958. There was no league play for the 1958-59 season and for the 1959-60 season, the seven teams resumed competition under the new name of the WCHA.

From the 1961-62 through the 1964-65 seasons, the MacNaughton Cup was awarded to the WCHA’s playoff tournament champion instead of the regular season champion, but the WCHA resumed awarding the Cup to the regular season champion again for the start of the 1965-66 season through the 1981-82 season.

Michigan Tech left the WCHA to join the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) for the 1981-82 season. Since Michigan Tech is the trustee of the Cup, the Cup went to the CCHA.

The Broadmoor Trophy was created as a replacement and awarded to the regular season champion until Michigan Tech returned to the WCHA for the start of the 1984-85 season. The McNaughton Cup also returned and continues to be awarded to the regular season champion today. With the return of the MacNaughton Cup, the Broadmoor Trophy is awarded to the WCHA tournament champion.

Poll Monday (Sioux 7th in both polls)

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[March 1, 2010]
1 Denver (48) 24- 6-4 998 1
2 Miami ( 2) 24- 5-7 940 2
3 Wisconsin 21- 8-4 907 3
4 St. Cloud State 20-10-4 833 4
5 Boston College 20-10-2 738 7
6 Yale 19- 7-3 723 5
7 North Dakota 18-11-5 714 8
8 Bemidji State 22- 8-2 671 6
9 Cornell 17- 8-4 601 9
10 New Hampshire 16-10-6 544 11
11 Michigan State 19-11-6 489 12
12 Minnesota-Duluth 19-14-1 457 10
13 Ferris State 19-11-6 339 14
14 Alaska 16- 9-9 332 17
15 Colorado College 17-14-3 252 13
16 Vermont 15-11-6 221 18
17 Maine 16-13-3 212 16
18 Union 18-10-6 183 15
19 Northern Michigan 17-11-8 146 NR
20 Nebraska-Omaha 18-14-6 110 19
Others Receiving Votes: RIT 36, Mass.-Lowell 35, Boston University 7, Colgate 6, Michigan 5, Northeastern 1

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USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
[Mar. 1, 2010]
1 Denver (32) 24-6-4 508 1
2 Miami (Ohio) (2) 24-5-7 476 2
3 Wisconsin 21-8-4 443 3
4 St. Cloud State 20-10-4 397 4
5 Boston College 20-10-2 345 7
6 Yale 19-7-3 323 5
7 North Dakota 18-11-5 318 8
8 Bemidji State 22-8-2 279 6
9 Cornell 17-8-4 231 9
10 New Hampshire 16-10-6 217 10
11 Michigan State 19-11-6 146 13
12 Minnesota Duluth 19-14-1 138 11
13 Alaska - Fairbanks 16-9-9 100 NR
14 Ferris State 19-11-6 54 14
15 Colorado College 17-14-3 30 12
Others receiving votes: University of Maine, 26; University of Vermont, 19; University of Nebraska Omaha, 9; Rochester Institute of Technology, 8; Union College, 8; Northern Michigan University, 4; University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1.

St Cloud Player, Aaron Marvin Suspended 3 Games

Good.

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (March 1) announced it has suspended St. Cloud State University junior hockey player Aaron Marvin for the next three games as a result of his actions in a recent game played at the University of Wisconsin on February 20.

The supplemental disciplinary action was taken after discussions between officials at St. Cloud State University and the WCHA Executive Committee and Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod.

“Player safety is of paramount concern to all of us in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and players are responsible for conducting themselves in a proper manner,” said Nancy Sampson, Faculty Representative from the University of Denver and Chair of the Association and Commissioner McLeod in a joint statement. “Our student-athletes need to make every possible effort to play within the spirit of the rules and know that they will be held accountable for their actions.

“The Association, through its administrators and officials and member team administrators, coaches and student-athletes, will continue to work together to address concerns in a responsible and constructive way.”

This is certainly well deserved. It's nice that the WCHA is finally taking dirty hits seriously.

One has to wonder if the league had taken the Aaron Marvin hit on Chay Gennoway seriously if Blake Geoffrion would have been injured the way he was.

Edit: Links to the story

Goal Gophers; WCHA suspends St. Cloud State's co-captain

Puck and Bats; WCHA suspends Marvin 3 games (updated)

60 Minutes, No alibis, No Regrets; Erin Marvin Suspended three games

North Dakota Hockey Blog; Marvin suspended three games

Rink and Run; WCHA suspends Marvin

College Hockey News; WCHA Suspends Marvin 3 Games

Western College Hockey; Marvin Suspended Three Games

Grand Forks Herald; HOCKEY: WCHA suspends SCSU's Aaron Marvin for three games

Saint Cloud Times; WCHA suspends SCSU forward Marvin 3 games

Madison.com; Geoffrion returns to practice; St. Cloud's Marvin suspended

The Ciskie Blog; Aaron Marvin First Victim of WCHA Late-Season Crackdown

Dave Shyiak does his George Gwozdecky impersonation

I would like to see the tape on this one, I am sure it was entertaining for the fans at the arena. I want to go on the record and say that I think Dave Shyiak is a good coach and has done a pretty good job coaching the Seawolves, all things considered. Look at the teams the Seawolves have beaten this season.

This past weekend it sounds like UAA coach Dave Shyiak did his impersonation of the dasher dance after the Seawolves were the victim of a bad call by the on ice officials. I have also read a few comments from fans that said that UAA coach Dave Shyiak should be suspended by the WCHA after he threw a water bottle onto the ice and was ejected from Saturday night's 3-2 Governor's Cup loss at UAF. Why? I believe that Shyiak has been punished enough and I don’t expect the WCHA to do anything additionally. Why should they? The WCHA did nothing to the DU coach George Gwozdecky until it was discovered that he had communicated with the DU bench after his ejection.

Unofficially, DU and their fans cheered the performance by George Gwozdecky and the University of Denver issued a flimsy meaningless reprimand. So if the WCHA does anything to Shyiak I am calling foul, because the WCHA would be showing a double standard giving punishment for one act but doing nothing for the same thing. If anything it’s about time the coaches show a little more emotion and help bring to light the shoddy officiating in division one hockey. Below is the statement from the UAA Athletic Director Steve Cobb.

Statement from Dr. Steve Cobb, UAA Director of Athletics - Feb. 28, 2010 ---- "On behalf of the University of Alaska Anchorage athletic department, I sincerely apologize to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, game officials and to UAA supporters for Coach Dave Shyiak's behavior on Saturday night that resulted in a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct and 10-minute game misconduct penalty.

Coach Shyiak's actions were out of character and regrettable. At UAA we have high behavioral standards, not just for student-athletes, but for all department employees. He has received a formal reprimand for his actions and understands that his behavior was unacceptable.

Respect for our opponents and officials is a core value of UAA's athletic program and will remain so in the future. We expect our coaches to model the highest degree of sportsmanship." [goseawolves.com]

INCH Power Rankings

As always I post the INCH Power Rankings for discussion purposes.

1. Denver
2. Miami
3. Wisconsin
4. St. Cloud State
5. Yale
6. North Dakota — Forward Matt Frattin, who didn't score a goal in his first 11 games after returning from a first-half suspension, has five in the Sioux's last five outings including the game-winner in overtime Friday at Colorado College. 18-11-5 (13-10-3 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Colorado College, 3-2 ot; W at Colorado College, 3-2. THIS WEEK: vs. Michigan Tech, vs. Michigan Tech
7. Cornell
8. Boston College
9. Michigan State
10. Bemidji State
12. Union
13. Minnesota Duluth
14. Ferris State
15. Alaska
16. RIT
17. Colorado College
18. Maine
19. Northern Michigan

Dropped out: Boston University
Bubble-licious: Vermont, Colgate