UND and DU face off this weekend in a crucial weekend series in Denver. Denver has proved to be a good place for UND to play as of late. The Pioneers are just 1-8-1 against North Dakota in their last 10 games in Denver. The losing team has been held to two goals or less in the last 15 games between the teams.
Most Sioux fans are anxiously awaiting this weekend series because many of us are wondering if there will be any lingering affects of the Jeff Paukovich’s dirty checking from behind play on popular Fighting Sioux defenseman Robbie Bina during last season’s semifinal game at the Final Five in St. Paul Minnesota. WCHA referee Don Adam blew the ensuing call giving Paukovich only a two-minute penalty, a horrible response to one of the dirtiest plays I have ever witnessed in college hockey. In fact as I said on siouxsports.com The Punkovich hit on Bina last season was one of the cheapest, dirtiest hits I have ever seen period, I was right across from it and it was bad.
Many Sioux fans including myself were furious over the non-call by referee Don Adam. Rightfully so, Paukovich was later given an additional game suspension by the WCHA, making up for Adam’s horrible interpretation of the checking from behind rule. In addition to the WCHA suspension Denver Coach George Gwozdecky later suspended Paukovich an additional game during the NCAA playoffs.
While I hold Paukovich (referred to as Punkovich by many Fighting Sioux fans) I am not so sure the Fighting Sioux hockey team will be looking for retribution this weekend, there are more pressing concerns mainly securing home ice for the WCHA playoffs as well as moving up the power rankings so they can play in the NCAA West Regional they are hosting.
While I would love to see this issue settled on the ice with Paukovich dropping the gloves and getting his ass handed to him, finally seeing Paukovich repaid for his horrible act against Robbie Bina, I would rather see UND playing in the post season. While these things in hockey usually seem to work them selves out eventually. My advice to the Fighting Sioux player’s this weekend is pick the time at your choosing, do it without hurting the team and your final goal, no selfish knuckleheaded penalties. If the opportunity presents itself by all means take your shot make it count. My last word of advice is; take action the first game and not at the end of the final game on Saturday night, UND needs all their players for the final series in the REA against the MTU Huskies.
Lastly, I do think Paukovich will chose to do his talking in the media instead of on the ice like he did when he was here in Grand Forks, he will not take his medicine he will turtle and hid behind the referees.
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