In a season that looked like we were going to be where Miami ended up this season, this group of guys showed the NCAA you don't need an explosive goal scorer to have success.
Even though the season ended in a heartbreaking fashion, this UND team has a solid base for the future ahead.
Now for my team awards. I will be giving out awards for my team MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and this years Unsung Hero.
So here we go. For my team MVP, I give it to a kid who has battled in every single game he has played this season. I consider him the backbone of this very hard working team. My MVP is goaltender Zane Gothberg. Gothberg ended his season with a 1.99 goals against average after going on one of the most impressive runs a UND goaltender has put on in quite some time. He always seemed to be there to answer the bell whenever he was called upon to do so. I have a feeling many people will be agreeing with me on this one that Zane Gothberg is the most deserving for team MVP this season.
My Offensive Player of the Year isn't going to be quite as easy to pick out. There are a couple of deserving players on this team to earn this title. However, I am giving this award to Michael Parks. Parks has proven himself in every single game and has very few flaws to his game. He always goes hard on the forecheck and battles hard in the corners. It is also very hard to knock Parks off of the puck and especially inside the offensive zone. The master of the wrap around tallied up 30 points this season, and looks to be a team leader next season. Michael Parks is my Offensive Player of the Year.
For my Defensive Player of the Year I go with the obvious choice in Dillon Simpson. He was the Ryan Suter comparison for UND this year playing the big minutes and in important situations for this team. Along with his ability to block shots better than almost anyone in the NCAA, Simpson is also one of the best puck movers on the blue line as well, which is why coach Hakstol had him running things there on the power play. Dillon Simpson is the easy choice, for me, for Defensive Player of the Year.
For my ROY I go to another defenseman, and Grand Forks native, Paul LaDue. LaDue's highlight game of the season probably came in their 9-2 victory over Miami when he was an outstanding +6 on the game. LaDue also would be one of the top freshman in +/- this season, and his opponents would find it hard to score whenever he was on the ice. LaDue is looking to be a leader on the blue line for UND for the years to come making it easy for me to pick him as ROY.
Finally for my Unsung Hero. I'm sure you all can guess where this one is going. This walk-on laid it out on the line for every shift he was able to play giving it 110%. He would always make a play that seemed to get the guys fired up at key times, and either set up, or score, goals at key times in games. I give this to Edina, Minnesota's Connor Gaarder. The junior was on fire down the stretch run and into the playoffs. Gaarder would score the game winner against Western Michigan in the NCHC third place game, which ultimately sent them to the NCAA tournament. Gaarder would also score the 2OT winner against Ferris State to send UND to their 20th Frozen Four and 6th in their last 10 seasons. Gaarder could have been the poster child for this team because his play is North Dakota Hockey to a tee.
Well another season gone and another season of a lot of success, but still no big one for coach Hakstol. I see nothing but bright things in the future for this program and next season should be a fun one that's for sure.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Justin Johnson drops John Scott (Video)
Watch this punch, that's a sledgehammer. Couldn't have happen to a nicer guy. Talk about karma finally coming around to bite you in the butt.
Two former college guys beating each other up. Justin Johnson played with the University of Anchorage Alaska Seawolves. John Scott played at Michigan Tech University.
02:22 BUF John Scott Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Justin Johnson
02:22 NYI Justin Johnson Fighting (maj) - 5 min against John Scott
Union takes home the title
Wow! What a game last night. IMHO, this was one of the better Frozen Four championship games that I have seen. Some might say that the improbable happened last night. Union College with one NHL draft choice, and no scholarships, beat the mighty Golden Gophers 7-4. Just for the record, the Gophers have 14 NHL draft choices on their roster.
Junior defenseman Shane Gostisbehere is the only player
on the Dutchmen’s roster that is drafted by an NHL team (Philadelphia 2012). After
his play this past weekend, there’s also a good chance that the Flyers will
want Gostisbehere to sign a professional contract, soon.
If you’re a regular college hockey fan, you will know that
this wasn’t a fluke. Union came into last night’s game on a 16-0-1 run, and the
Dutchmen hadn’t lost since January 31, 2014. Union has a knack for beating the big-time,
high-profile teams. Over the last two seasons, the Dutchmen have ended the
Boston College Eagles season. This year only reinforces that the ECAC is
becoming the premiere, power-house conference in college hockey. That's two titles, in
two seasons, not too shabby.
Union has a very veteran lineup with five seniors on
their roster. The average age of their senior class is 23 years old. I have
seen some making an issue of the Dutchmen’s age, but I don’t see a problem with
it.
Just for the record, the average age of the Union is 21years
and 11 months old. The average of the Minnesota Gophers is 21 years and two
months old. There’s not too much difference in age.
Union will lose five seniors, Daniel Carr (22g-28a—50pts),
Mat Bodie (8g-31a—39pts), Kevin Sullivan (9g-29a—38pts), Matt Hatch (13g-9a—22pts),
Cole Ikkala (2g-2a—4pts).
Congrats to the Gophers and the Dutchmen on a great season.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
An Early, Basic, Brief, and Very Amateur look at the incoming Freshmen for next year (Redwing77)
Ok, one thing I have been able to do even with grad school, is to keep up with the local USHL scene in Omaha, Nebraska. I've gotten to see a few of UND's future recruits in action, but I'm going to limit this article to ONLY those I've seen AND those who are listed per Heisenberg and Schlossman's blog as being 2014 recruits. I want to be VERY VERY clear: I'm only speaking of these players from a fan/viewer point of view. If you want a coach's perspective or one more like a scout, then read no further. This report is VERY amateur.
Right now, per Heisenberg, the following players are incoming:
Goaltenders:
Cam Johnson - Fargo/Waterloo (USHL)
Defensemen:
Hayden Shaw - Waterloo (USHL)
Tucker Poolman - Omaha (USHL)
Forwards:
Nick Schmaltz - Green Bay (USHL)
Trevor Olson - Sioux City (USHL)
John Simonson - Lincoln (USHL)
First, those I've only seen in limited capacity:
Hayden Shaw and Nick Schmaltz. I'm no scout. I've seen Waterloo play, but Shaw did not stand out. That's fine, as he's a defenseman. From what little I've seen of him thus far, he looks to be a shut down defenseman. What he actually turns out to be is unknown. Truthfully, he's a 1996 birthday. With only four slots opening, and assuming no one bolts, I'm curious to know if Hakstol asks Shaw to wait a year. Then again, I do not know how Coach Hakstol will work it.
Nick Schmaltz is the most limited of viewership of the list. I've only seen him play once and it was on a lousy webcast game between Green Bay and Omaha. He seemed fast but he didn't stand out much. The commentators certainly raved a lot about him, though.
Trevor Olson - He's done alright this year for Sioux City. He wears the 'C' for Sioux City. Likes to hang out in front of the net. However, at least tonight, he did quite a bit of whining to the refs (though I can't really blame them. We had two of the worst officials I've ever witnessed). He's a pretty tall dude at 6'1" tall. I think at the NCAA level he'll be another Rodwell or perhaps a Gaarder type.
Most Viewership:
John Simonson - He was Lincoln's leading scorer and scholarship winner. He wore the 'A' for Lincoln this year (future Alaska Nanook hack Zach Frye wore the C). He played for a rather poor team racked with disappointing defensive performances, suspensions, injuries, and tragedy this year. He has a lot of pep to his game and loves to rush the net. I think he reminds me of a Mark McMillan type player.... Maybe O'Donnell even.
Cam Johnson - Ok, most of my viewership came before he was traded to Waterloo. He started the year as Fargo's starting goaltender and was traded while still in that capacity. In my opinion, he really was the ONLY veteran player on Fargo that was playing well consistently, but it was never enough. Fargo has the worst team D in the USHL and their record shows it. That being said, Johnson had his fair share of consistency issues. I'm not too concerned about Johnson at UND unless he's expected to jump right in and start right off the bat (say, if Gothberg bolts). He can steal games, but he's not as talented as Gothberg yet. He does have tremendous potential though.
Tucker Poolman - This is the fellow I have the MOST exposure to. I'm not sure if it is the coach's strategy or not, but he's the most aggressive defenseman in the offensive zone I've ever seen. He's OFTEN deep in the zone and many of his USHL leading goals (among defensemen) came from below the faceoff circles. He's on the ice in every situation and logs a ton of minutes. He's NOT physical at all. Don't look for him to make any really big hits. He has fought at least once this year in the USHL but even the fans were wondering what the heck was going on to force him to fight. If I were to describe Poolman, he'd be a combination between Mattson and perhaps LaDue. I do NOT project him to continue this style of play at UND and I likewise do not expect him to be a world beater offensively at the NCAA level. However, what he COULD be is the next Dillon Simpson in terms of on and off ice leadership. He is far and away the best defenseman on Omaha and, imo, one of the top 3 defenseman in the USHL this year.
Who knows how it is going to turn out. Who knows if who I compared these players to (if I did at all) is even close. Maybe I'll be wrong and Olson will light it up. Maybe there's another Trevor Hammer or Wes Dorey in this mix. I don't know. All I do know is that there's a LOT of good coming our way in the next few years (Christian Evers is going to grow into a stud, imo).
Right now, per Heisenberg, the following players are incoming:
Goaltenders:
Cam Johnson - Fargo/Waterloo (USHL)
Defensemen:
Hayden Shaw - Waterloo (USHL)
Tucker Poolman - Omaha (USHL)
Forwards:
Nick Schmaltz - Green Bay (USHL)
Trevor Olson - Sioux City (USHL)
John Simonson - Lincoln (USHL)
First, those I've only seen in limited capacity:
Hayden Shaw and Nick Schmaltz. I'm no scout. I've seen Waterloo play, but Shaw did not stand out. That's fine, as he's a defenseman. From what little I've seen of him thus far, he looks to be a shut down defenseman. What he actually turns out to be is unknown. Truthfully, he's a 1996 birthday. With only four slots opening, and assuming no one bolts, I'm curious to know if Hakstol asks Shaw to wait a year. Then again, I do not know how Coach Hakstol will work it.
Nick Schmaltz is the most limited of viewership of the list. I've only seen him play once and it was on a lousy webcast game between Green Bay and Omaha. He seemed fast but he didn't stand out much. The commentators certainly raved a lot about him, though.
Trevor Olson - He's done alright this year for Sioux City. He wears the 'C' for Sioux City. Likes to hang out in front of the net. However, at least tonight, he did quite a bit of whining to the refs (though I can't really blame them. We had two of the worst officials I've ever witnessed). He's a pretty tall dude at 6'1" tall. I think at the NCAA level he'll be another Rodwell or perhaps a Gaarder type.
Most Viewership:
John Simonson - He was Lincoln's leading scorer and scholarship winner. He wore the 'A' for Lincoln this year (future Alaska Nanook hack Zach Frye wore the C). He played for a rather poor team racked with disappointing defensive performances, suspensions, injuries, and tragedy this year. He has a lot of pep to his game and loves to rush the net. I think he reminds me of a Mark McMillan type player.... Maybe O'Donnell even.
Cam Johnson - Ok, most of my viewership came before he was traded to Waterloo. He started the year as Fargo's starting goaltender and was traded while still in that capacity. In my opinion, he really was the ONLY veteran player on Fargo that was playing well consistently, but it was never enough. Fargo has the worst team D in the USHL and their record shows it. That being said, Johnson had his fair share of consistency issues. I'm not too concerned about Johnson at UND unless he's expected to jump right in and start right off the bat (say, if Gothberg bolts). He can steal games, but he's not as talented as Gothberg yet. He does have tremendous potential though.
Tucker Poolman - This is the fellow I have the MOST exposure to. I'm not sure if it is the coach's strategy or not, but he's the most aggressive defenseman in the offensive zone I've ever seen. He's OFTEN deep in the zone and many of his USHL leading goals (among defensemen) came from below the faceoff circles. He's on the ice in every situation and logs a ton of minutes. He's NOT physical at all. Don't look for him to make any really big hits. He has fought at least once this year in the USHL but even the fans were wondering what the heck was going on to force him to fight. If I were to describe Poolman, he'd be a combination between Mattson and perhaps LaDue. I do NOT project him to continue this style of play at UND and I likewise do not expect him to be a world beater offensively at the NCAA level. However, what he COULD be is the next Dillon Simpson in terms of on and off ice leadership. He is far and away the best defenseman on Omaha and, imo, one of the top 3 defenseman in the USHL this year.
Who knows how it is going to turn out. Who knows if who I compared these players to (if I did at all) is even close. Maybe I'll be wrong and Olson will light it up. Maybe there's another Trevor Hammer or Wes Dorey in this mix. I don't know. All I do know is that there's a LOT of good coming our way in the next few years (Christian Evers is going to grow into a stud, imo).
Gophers lose, are the fans set to riot in streets of Dinkytown?
RT @JanelKlein: A MN State Patrol helicopter just hovered over the crowd at the U of MN pic.twitter.com/fsN0Tdv1kM
— KARE 11 (@kare11) April 13, 2014
Crowds getting more rowdy in Dinkytown. @karlahult on the scene covering it live now on @kare11 news
— Rena Sarigianopoulos (@RenaKARE11) April 13, 2014
What do we have here?
Minneapolis PD @ChiefHarteau in riot gear live on @kare11. Trying to keep order as crowd grows at 14th & 4th. pic.twitter.com/8PgEl5uJub
— Blake McCoy (@BlakeKARE11) April 13, 2014
RT @JanelKlein: More than 300 officers are watching the crowds on the U of MN campus. pic.twitter.com/mnMc9E6c5M
— KARE 11 (@kare11) April 13, 2014
Gopher fans gather in Dinkytown after U of M loses NCAA Championship 7-4. Live video here: http://t.co/3X9w8rnDM7 pic.twitter.com/AAmUXuw7Pb
— KARE 11 (@kare11) April 13, 2014
MT @JanelKlein: Crowds pack the streets at U of MN after the Gopher hockey team loses NCAA championship game pic.twitter.com/THGOhZHkTX
— KARE 11 (@kare11) April 13, 2014
NHL Officials not allowed on Social Media
Interesting piece. I can't imagine a world without any of these things. I suppose there's a life outside of the Internet.
Social media is off-limits for all the officials! They are not allowed to have a Facebook or Twitter account as information could easily be misconstrued or deemed to be inappropriate. It is just another undesirable location that the officials could become accessible. After NBA referee Tim Donaghy was convicted on criminal charges and served time in federal prison for betting on games he officiated, NHL officials are "strongly discouraged" from entering casinos while travelling on NHL business. You can forget about reading a book written by any NHL officials until after they retire; unless perhaps it is a children's coloring book! Other than the number on the back of their sweater (no names since '94) the league is most content when their officials are seen and not heard from.
Ryan Malone arrested on DUI, cocaine charges
This is not good... I would have to think he's going to be suspened by the NHL. Here's the link to the Hillsoboro Country Sheriff's Office webpage which contains his booking photo and his information.
Tampa Bay Times --- Lightning left wing Ryan Malone was arrested Saturday morning on charges of driving under the influence and cocaine possession.
"We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning," general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time."
Malone, 34, was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Suburban at 3:19 a.m. when he made a left turn on to W Platt Street from the center lane of S Armenia Avenue, Tampa Police said.
Malone then struck a curb at S Howard Avenue and W Platt Street, police said.
A patrol officer conducted a traffic stop and noted an odor of alcoholic beverages on Malone's breath, police said. Malone refused to take a field sobriety test and was arrested for driving under the influence.
Hum, lets keep it classy - LOL!
UND hockey makes Dead Spin ... Someone posted this article on Sioux Sports. When I was reading it, I found this comment from a Gopher fan that I thought was hilarious, if not classic. Let's just call it comedy gold. I am actually proud of him, his comment hit all of the clichés and stereotypes. None of which are correct.
I have a sense of humor and I chuckled when I read it. According to this guy, North Dakota must be a horrible place to visit and live. I guess this guy must not be a fan of the assistant coach of the Golden Gophers. You know the guy that helped the Golden Gophers win a national title. That same guy just happens to be from Grand Forks, ND. If North Dakota is such a horrible place, why are there so many blue license plates in the state during ducks season? Thanks for the laugh...
I have a sense of humor and I chuckled when I read it. According to this guy, North Dakota must be a horrible place to visit and live. I guess this guy must not be a fan of the assistant coach of the Golden Gophers. You know the guy that helped the Golden Gophers win a national title. That same guy just happens to be from Grand Forks, ND. If North Dakota is such a horrible place, why are there so many blue license plates in the state during ducks season? Thanks for the laugh...
zstradamusU said... Duke/North Carolina, Ohio State/Michigan, Auburn/Alabama- Everyone take a big step back....For the 98% of Americans that do not pay attention to college hockey, let me tell you that this is possibly the best rivalry all of college sports over the last 10 years. Dead serious. There was once a league called the WCHA and these two teams spilled a lot of blood.
Let me tell you one more thing: there is nothing worse than the North Dakota fan. Nothing rivals their inbrededness and complete lack of class. Nothing anywhere. The most intolerable fans on the planet. Thank God there are only about 10,000 of them.
Imagine if a Kentucky basketballl fan high on Oxy and Robotussin conceived a child with an Ohio State fan that was drunk off Natty Light with a blood-alcohol level of 0.38. Now imagine the Ohio State fan maintains that blood-alcohol level during her entire pregnancy. That baby would grow up to be a North Dakota hockey fan.
You know the fan that will yell obscenities all game, depsite the fact that there are a group of 3rd graders right in front of them? That's the North Dakota fan.
Or the fans that will defend a Nazi sympathizer and all-out bigot because he funds their arena? Those are North Dakota fans.
And how great is it when they win titles with a bunch of 22 year-old "freshman" from Canada and a roster filled with Minnesota kids, yet they deride and piss on Minnesota at every opportunity. Way to go, North Dakota.
Fracking....North Dakota
Jesus Camp: The Documentary (and real thing) .....North Dakota.
Nothing Good Ever Came Out Of......North Dakota.
A Successful Season Spoiled (Redwing77)
The title got ya, I hope.
This marks the second season UND has played well and real life robbed me of the ride. Graduate School and full time employment means you get what you can get and you don't throw a fit, so to speak. Well, I accepted it... until Thursday night.
I watched the game and I thought bad for doing it. Why? Because, to me, I felt I've already done a grave disservice to UND and UND Fandom by being unable to watch the entire season for the second straight year. It felt, to me, like I was watching a blockbuster movie but instead of watching all 2.5 hours or so, I skip right to the last fight scene or final 20 minutes or so of the movie.
What I saw, however, was amazing. Brad Schlossman's comment section has a fan commenting that the arena was very silent, seeming uninspired or uninvolved. I argue the opposite. I think the entire arena was hyperinvolved. The problem is, there was no scoring. Both teams played emotionally stoic gameplans. The refs looked almost bored (despite they missed one crosscheck on Minnesota and something like 2 Too Many Men penalties on UND).
Dillon Simpson was playing his final game, it turns out, for UND. And he played like it was the final game of his life. He was outstanding. He failed to make the All American team (most likely the D-man from Alaska Fairbanks beat him out). That's the only "downside" for Simpson as an individual hockey player you could say of him. I already believe he goes down as one of the best players to wear a letter in UND history. I do think he inspired his assistants as well (to the point where I believe next year's Captain will be Stephane Pattyn and Grimaldi will take an 'A' on his sweater).
The Game? Minnesota needed to play run and gun, fast, possession style hockey. North Dakota couldn't afford it to become that kind of game. So North Dakota employed what I believe is the most boring style of game imaginable: The Badger Gameplan... The trap. Only, I guess my homer is showing when I thought it wasn't as boring as it could've been. It certainly wasn't good for my heart or my stress levels.
I've never seen UND employ that gameplan so perfectly in the past. NEVER. Minnesota was the more talented team top to bottom. They were the more complete team talent wise. I knew it. Brad Schlossman knew it. Brad predicted a 4-1 Minnesota win, no less. I thought it might've been a bit worse. But it wasn't. In fact, it very nearly was a nightmare for Minnesota.
In the end, Minnesota got Gothberg down on the first goal and did what ANY hockey player would have done in the closing second for the other: get the puck on net. Our goal, let's face it, was a great follow through by Gaarder but really was a fluke. Wilcox had a slight lapse in concentration and loosened up at the post and Gaarder slipped it in. 99.9% of the time Wilcox (nor Gothberg) wouldn't've let that puck by him.
So what of the season? As I sit here on Saturday, April 12th, I'm amazed at the lack of Gopher trolling going on both here and on Brad's blog. I've long ago abandoned USCHO and formerly known as Siouxsports message boards so I have no idea what is going on there. I expected Gopher fans to gloat and call us losers while I expected UND "fans" aka haters to dance about excitedly and start calling for Hakstol's head (somehow delusionally thinking that perhaps Blais would come back if we fired Hakstol and because of that, suddenly UND would go undefeated for the season...or whatever delusional garbage the UND haters who call themselves fans latch their parasitic mandibles to). I guess the Hakstol bashing was relegated to Twitter. That's ok, I've used Twitter in the past and I find that 90% of it is just people who are bored off their rockers telling the world how they feel they're important despite it not being true. When I was little, I called that playing pretend or makebelieve. Thank you Twitter for allowing people to visit their own Mr. Rogers' neighborhood.
Anyways, I can't say I was surprised or anything about the results of the season. I missed most of it (outside of reading Brad's blog or Goon's World). I resent Graduate School (but I won't resent the substantial pay raise I get when I graduate in one month) for losing track of my alma mater.
But we acquitted ourselves VERY well in Philly and I will NEVER belittle what these boys accomplished this year. I just wish I could've called myself a bigger part of the fandom picture than reality dictated.
Go UND. This fan has PRIDE for your accomplishments this year. Next year cannot come soon enough.
This marks the second season UND has played well and real life robbed me of the ride. Graduate School and full time employment means you get what you can get and you don't throw a fit, so to speak. Well, I accepted it... until Thursday night.
I watched the game and I thought bad for doing it. Why? Because, to me, I felt I've already done a grave disservice to UND and UND Fandom by being unable to watch the entire season for the second straight year. It felt, to me, like I was watching a blockbuster movie but instead of watching all 2.5 hours or so, I skip right to the last fight scene or final 20 minutes or so of the movie.
What I saw, however, was amazing. Brad Schlossman's comment section has a fan commenting that the arena was very silent, seeming uninspired or uninvolved. I argue the opposite. I think the entire arena was hyperinvolved. The problem is, there was no scoring. Both teams played emotionally stoic gameplans. The refs looked almost bored (despite they missed one crosscheck on Minnesota and something like 2 Too Many Men penalties on UND).
Dillon Simpson was playing his final game, it turns out, for UND. And he played like it was the final game of his life. He was outstanding. He failed to make the All American team (most likely the D-man from Alaska Fairbanks beat him out). That's the only "downside" for Simpson as an individual hockey player you could say of him. I already believe he goes down as one of the best players to wear a letter in UND history. I do think he inspired his assistants as well (to the point where I believe next year's Captain will be Stephane Pattyn and Grimaldi will take an 'A' on his sweater).
The Game? Minnesota needed to play run and gun, fast, possession style hockey. North Dakota couldn't afford it to become that kind of game. So North Dakota employed what I believe is the most boring style of game imaginable: The Badger Gameplan... The trap. Only, I guess my homer is showing when I thought it wasn't as boring as it could've been. It certainly wasn't good for my heart or my stress levels.
I've never seen UND employ that gameplan so perfectly in the past. NEVER. Minnesota was the more talented team top to bottom. They were the more complete team talent wise. I knew it. Brad Schlossman knew it. Brad predicted a 4-1 Minnesota win, no less. I thought it might've been a bit worse. But it wasn't. In fact, it very nearly was a nightmare for Minnesota.
In the end, Minnesota got Gothberg down on the first goal and did what ANY hockey player would have done in the closing second for the other: get the puck on net. Our goal, let's face it, was a great follow through by Gaarder but really was a fluke. Wilcox had a slight lapse in concentration and loosened up at the post and Gaarder slipped it in. 99.9% of the time Wilcox (nor Gothberg) wouldn't've let that puck by him.
So what of the season? As I sit here on Saturday, April 12th, I'm amazed at the lack of Gopher trolling going on both here and on Brad's blog. I've long ago abandoned USCHO and formerly known as Siouxsports message boards so I have no idea what is going on there. I expected Gopher fans to gloat and call us losers while I expected UND "fans" aka haters to dance about excitedly and start calling for Hakstol's head (somehow delusionally thinking that perhaps Blais would come back if we fired Hakstol and because of that, suddenly UND would go undefeated for the season...or whatever delusional garbage the UND haters who call themselves fans latch their parasitic mandibles to). I guess the Hakstol bashing was relegated to Twitter. That's ok, I've used Twitter in the past and I find that 90% of it is just people who are bored off their rockers telling the world how they feel they're important despite it not being true. When I was little, I called that playing pretend or makebelieve. Thank you Twitter for allowing people to visit their own Mr. Rogers' neighborhood.
Anyways, I can't say I was surprised or anything about the results of the season. I missed most of it (outside of reading Brad's blog or Goon's World). I resent Graduate School (but I won't resent the substantial pay raise I get when I graduate in one month) for losing track of my alma mater.
But we acquitted ourselves VERY well in Philly and I will NEVER belittle what these boys accomplished this year. I just wish I could've called myself a bigger part of the fandom picture than reality dictated.
Go UND. This fan has PRIDE for your accomplishments this year. Next year cannot come soon enough.
Friday, April 11, 2014
UND Hockey: The 2013-14 Season is Over.
We knew that Thursday or Saturday would be the last game of the season. Nonetheless, the last game always seems to sting, unless you finish with a title. This one doesn't hurt as bad as others. It took me a week to get over the 2011 Frozen Four.
I don’t think anyone expected UND’s season to end the way it did. UND finishes the season with a (25-14-3, .630) record. They had a 14-7-1 record at home and a 8-5-2 record on the road. They were 3-2-0 on neutral ice.
I don’t know if you could’ve drawn it up this way. Less than a second left in regulation, on a shorthanded goal, by a player that hadn’t scored a goal all season long. But that’s hockey. Sometimes you have to tip your hat and congratulate the other team. It pains me to say that.
Think about this, there was six-tenths of a second remaining in regulation. It was interesting to wake up this morning and see fans calling for Hakstol’s head on twitter. Bulldog radio play-by-play man Bruce Ciskie was re-tweeting some of them. It was even more interesting to see fans and writers telling these fans to get a grip. I actually found it interesting that fans of other teams were defending the UND head coach.
Those who read here on a regular basis know that I think Dave Hakstol is a good hockey coach. I think an extension would be in order, especially after this season. I think this is one of Dave Hakstol’s best coaching jobs so far. Hakstol took a team that wasn’t as talented as the previous ones and went to the Frozen Four. That’s not an easy task. That’s also not an accident. His team was six-tenths of a second from going to overtime with the number one ranked team in the nation. I think this team deserved a better fate. Tough way to lose.
Hak’s teams are 14-4 in regional play. On the flip side, his teams are 1-6 in the Frozen Four. Okay, one area that Hakstol needs to improve on, I am sure that he would agree. Last night, Hakstol’s team played the game to perfection. I thought the coaching staff had a great team game plan. They kept the Gophers bottled in their own zone and were the better team for most of the game. I don't know what else you can say about that. The boys in green were well prepared and they played very disciplined hockey. It was the best game that I witnessed all season long.
Sometimes you have to tip your hats to both teams for putting on a good show.
Let’s also give credit where credit is due. When you’re in the Frozen Four, you’re playing the best teams in the nation. Minnesota is a pretty good hockey team, there’s no shame in losing to them. Again, it pains me to see them win the game, but they earned it. It's not a fluke that the Gophers are in the championship game of the Frozen Four. Congrats to the Gophers.
I have to tip my hat to Gothberg who played out of his mind during the NCAA playoffs. UND has a big-time stopper in net. For the season, Gothberg finishes with a 20-10-3 record, a NCHC-leading 1.99 goals against average and a .926 save percentage. It’s not how you start, but how you finish, right? After starting the season 2-5-2, from November 30, 2013, his record was 18-5-1 and he had a 1.75 goals against average.
There are better days ahead for this team… I am not giving up.
I don’t think anyone expected UND’s season to end the way it did. UND finishes the season with a (25-14-3, .630) record. They had a 14-7-1 record at home and a 8-5-2 record on the road. They were 3-2-0 on neutral ice.
I don’t know if you could’ve drawn it up this way. Less than a second left in regulation, on a shorthanded goal, by a player that hadn’t scored a goal all season long. But that’s hockey. Sometimes you have to tip your hat and congratulate the other team. It pains me to say that.
Think about this, there was six-tenths of a second remaining in regulation. It was interesting to wake up this morning and see fans calling for Hakstol’s head on twitter. Bulldog radio play-by-play man Bruce Ciskie was re-tweeting some of them. It was even more interesting to see fans and writers telling these fans to get a grip. I actually found it interesting that fans of other teams were defending the UND head coach.
Those who read here on a regular basis know that I think Dave Hakstol is a good hockey coach. I think an extension would be in order, especially after this season. I think this is one of Dave Hakstol’s best coaching jobs so far. Hakstol took a team that wasn’t as talented as the previous ones and went to the Frozen Four. That’s not an easy task. That’s also not an accident. His team was six-tenths of a second from going to overtime with the number one ranked team in the nation. I think this team deserved a better fate. Tough way to lose.
Hak’s teams are 14-4 in regional play. On the flip side, his teams are 1-6 in the Frozen Four. Okay, one area that Hakstol needs to improve on, I am sure that he would agree. Last night, Hakstol’s team played the game to perfection. I thought the coaching staff had a great team game plan. They kept the Gophers bottled in their own zone and were the better team for most of the game. I don't know what else you can say about that. The boys in green were well prepared and they played very disciplined hockey. It was the best game that I witnessed all season long.
Sometimes you have to tip your hats to both teams for putting on a good show.
Let’s also give credit where credit is due. When you’re in the Frozen Four, you’re playing the best teams in the nation. Minnesota is a pretty good hockey team, there’s no shame in losing to them. Again, it pains me to see them win the game, but they earned it. It's not a fluke that the Gophers are in the championship game of the Frozen Four. Congrats to the Gophers.
I have to tip my hat to Gothberg who played out of his mind during the NCAA playoffs. UND has a big-time stopper in net. For the season, Gothberg finishes with a 20-10-3 record, a NCHC-leading 1.99 goals against average and a .926 save percentage. It’s not how you start, but how you finish, right? After starting the season 2-5-2, from November 30, 2013, his record was 18-5-1 and he had a 1.75 goals against average.
There are better days ahead for this team… I am not giving up.
Mike Rupp Hit on T.J. Oshie
Wild forward Mike Rupp was given a match penalty for this hit on St Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie. According to the Blues, Oshie is listed as day-to-day. I think Rupp might get a few games for this hit, he's has a phone hearing with the Department of Player Safety.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
UND Season over.... Much to be thankful for
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| Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
All in all, it was a good season, and I don't think we should hang our heads about this. #rolltribe and go UNION...One of my friend on facebook posted this... I think this sums it up best.I'm so proud of University of North Dakota Men's Hockey. For how the season was going by Christmas break, did **ANY** UND fan think they'd even make the big tourney? Or even the 2nd round of the NCHCs? No way. Nobody saw this coming. I'll forever be as big of a fan as I've ever been. To the four Seniors, thank you so much. Clarke Saunders, Mitch Mac, Derek Rodwell, and Dillon Simpson... Thank you so, so much, and I wish you the best of luck in your future careers off and on ice careers. To the coaches and the rest of the team, thank you for being such great student athletes. I wish I could shake every single one of your hands.Man... it's going to be a long 5 months and 3 weeks without Tim Hennessy and Steve Olsen echoing through my house. SIOUX FOREVER.
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.
Frozen Four: Thursday Morning Links
Good morning, today's game day. Here's a few links of interest on game day
I have mine. Pre-order the Herald's collector's edition for exclusive Frozen Four coverage
MEN'S HOCKEY: Starman breaks down UND, Frozen Four field.
College Hockey News: The 'Scary' Night Everything Changed . Forward Rocco Grimaldi talks about the players only meeting.
I answered a few question for The Daily Gopher: Frozen Four Q&A: from Goon's World & @hockeywildernes talks UND's chances plus changes in team style.
I have mine. Pre-order the Herald's collector's edition for exclusive Frozen Four coverage
MEN'S HOCKEY: Starman breaks down UND, Frozen Four field.
College Hockey News: The 'Scary' Night Everything Changed . Forward Rocco Grimaldi talks about the players only meeting.
I answered a few question for The Daily Gopher: Frozen Four Q&A: from Goon's World & @hockeywildernes talks UND's chances plus changes in team style.
NCAA Hockey: Getting to Know the Gophers Opponent, North Dakota http://t.co/RykJAkeRwO
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) April 8, 2014
A @UNDMHockey fan in Las Vegas just emailed this to me. #FrozenFour pic.twitter.com/3EAxiCflHC
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) April 10, 2014
So excited for the Fighting Sioux boys tonight! Time to go to work and leave it all out there. Start to finish. Create your legacy!
— Andy Kollar (@Kiels_35) April 10, 2014
NCAA hockey Frozen Four odds today via Bovada: Minnesota (-210) vs. North Dakota (+160). Boston College (-155) vs. Union (+120).
— Andy Johnson (@AndyJohnsonB5Q) April 10, 2014
Frozen Four: Talking Minnesota with The Daily Gopher http://t.co/s7gqUgyMn6
— BC Interruption (@bcinterruption) April 9, 2014
Frozen Four: Talking North Dakota with "Goon's World" http://t.co/iU5aITKE2o
— BC Interruption (@bcinterruption) April 8, 2014
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Pittsburgh Pengiuns: Jussi Jokinen shootout goal
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen was given a gift when Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson tries to stick check him and knocks the puck in his own net in the shootout.
Frozen Four: A few tweets from Philly
UND is on the ice. Practice underway at the Wells Fargo Center for the #FrozenFour. pic.twitter.com/XMChVIsY5w
— NorthDakotaAthletics (@UNDsports) April 9, 2014
CBC lead analyst Craig Simpson's son, Dillon. Like dad, he has hair that I'd like to hit an 8 iron off. #cleanLie pic.twitter.com/mKqDTOgkJN
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) April 9, 2014
Forum Communications team off to Philly on Air Izzo. #frozenfour pic.twitter.com/TxEGlMtVuC
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 9, 2014
A video report from Philadelphia as UND travels to the Frozen... http://t.co/7bEoKErvUP
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) April 9, 2014
Two Edmontonians in action at the Frozen Four Thursday. One is an #Oilers prospect (@Simmer18) the other SHOULD be (@DanCarr9). @DuckMillard
— Guy Flaming (@TPS_Guy) April 9, 2014
Junior forward Michael Parks, a Philadelphia Flyers draft pick, wins the end-of-practice shoutout today at Wells Fargo Center. #scouts?
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) April 9, 2014
UND Men's hockey on the ice for practice - #FrozenFour pic.twitter.com/SjMY1sDfRz
— Beth Hoole (@bethhooleVNL) April 9, 2014
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