Finally...a judge that makes sense

I got this joke from a friend of mine.

Unprecedented, finally

Minneapolis, MN(AP) - A seven-year-old Bloomington, Minnesota boy was at the center of a Hennipen County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare re officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Minnesota Golden Gopher Mens Hockey Team, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

Interesting Perspective:

Here is an interesting perspctive that I found on Collegehockey News.

WCHA Evening Out After Years of Player Exodus
by Brad Salmen/CHN Reporter

The 2005 collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the players' union that ended the 2004 lockout might have an unintended consequence — leveling the playing field in the WCHA.

For a period of 10 years or so, beginning in the mid-1990s, the WCHA seemed to be split into three tiers — call them the "haves", the "have-somes," and the "have-nots." Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, which indisputably have the biggest and most lavish facilities, were invariably in the top five of the league, while Colorado College, Denver and St. Cloud St. battled for the last two home-ice first-round WCHA playoff spots. Lesser-funded Minnesota St., Alaska-Anchorage, Michigan Tech and Minnesota-Duluth, meanwhile, occasionally crept into that top tier, but a simple season-by-season analysis shows that more often than not, they finished in the bottom half of the league.

Then came the 2004 NHL lockout, and the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union.

The agreement, which established a salary cap and capped the rookie maximum salary, also contained an important provision linking players' salaries to overall league revenues. As a result, the focus for both sides became increasing those revenues, which in turn put more pressure than ever on franchises to field competitive teams.

The result of this pressure trickled down to the American Hockey League (AHL), the premier minor league for the NHL. Instead of suiting some older, former NHL players as they had in the past, most of the AHL teams began courting more younger players to groom for the NHL.

There was another effect: Instead of the reduced rookie maximum making it less enticing for players to leave, it actually made it less risky for NHL teams to pursue them, so they went after college players more aggressively, and college players have not shown any reluctance to go.

Therein lies the rub, especially for the WCHA. While all six NCAA Division I hockey leagues saw an increase in underclassmen leaving before their senior year, a record 12 WCHA underclassmen signed pro contracts after last season, more than the rest of Division I combined.

It's no coincidence that the majority of those players — nine of the 12 — were from the aforementioned "haves" and "have somes." And the result of that mass exodus has led to a 2007-08 season that just might be the most competitive WCHA season in years.

"It used to be, there were two divisions, or three tiers (in the WCHA)," said St. Cloud St. coach Bob Motzko. "But in the last few years, it keeps melting more and more. There are no 'surprises' in the league anymore."

Consider: Colorado College (8-2-0 in the WCHA) was not one of the teams to lose an underclassman to early signing, and has raced to the top of the division after being picked seventh in the preseason Grand Forks Herald WCHA Coaches' poll. Ditto Michigan Tech (currently fourth place in the WCHA) and Alaska-Anchorage, who in a rare occurrence split at Minnesota two weekends ago. But Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota, those three top-tier teams, all lost two players pre-graduation, and this season all three have struggled.

It's not pandemic; as always in hockey, there are X-factors. Denver, back-to-back NCAA champions in 2004-05, has not missed a beat without Geoff Paukovich and Ryan Dingle, and currently reside in second place. And Minnesota-Duluth lost two underclassmen as well (Mason Raymond and Matt Niskanen), but behind the surprising goaltending of Alex Stalock is in third.

Nevertheless, the increased loss of underclassmen prompted WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod and three other NCAA Division I League commissioners to write a letter to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman regarding the matter earlier this year.

Their concern, said McLeod, was not the impact on the league standings; on the contrary, he said, having more parity only helps the league overall. Instead, he said, the concern stems from having more players leave without graduating, which is not only bad for the athletes who may or may not have a career in the NHL, but also might affect graduation rates, a factor in NCAA scholarship administration.

"Since the bargaining agreement, (the WCHA) has had an influx of high-end players, which is great for the league — we enjoy having them when they do come here," said McLeod. However, he said, "it's a good news-bad new situation. Teams that recruit these top-end players find themselves struggling to fill their positions when they leave early, and teams that don't are able to get leadership from their senior players."

Ultimately, he said, the league's interests lie with the players. While McLeod said the dialogue with Bettman did not result in any concrete solutions, just starting that conversation is a good step forward.

"The goal is to graduate as many players as we can," said McLeod. "We have to be careful. I'm not sure we want to institute rules like they have in football (where a player cannot leave until after his junior year). But a number of coaches have expressed their concerns, and we're sympathetic to that."

The Departed

Twelve WCHA players signed NHL contracts last spring and summer rather than return for their final seasons of college hockey. Here's the list:

Denver: F-Geoff Paukovich (Edmonton Oilers), F-Ryan Dingle* (Anaheim Ducks).

Minnesota: D-Alex Goligoski (Pittsburgh Penguins), D-Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues).

Minnesota Duluth: D-Matt Niskanen (Dallas Stars), F-Mason Raymond (Vancouver Canucks).

Minnesota State: D-Steve Wagner* (St. Louis Blues).

North Dakota: F-Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks), D-Brian Lee (Ottawa Senators).

St. Cloud State: F-Andrew Gordon (Washington Capitals).

Wisconsin: D-Joe Piskula* (Los Angeles Kings), F-Jack Skille (Chicago Blackhawks).

I am not so sure I would call DU, C.C. and SCSU the have some because all three team play in relatively nice new top of the line hockey arenas and all three teams pick up just as many of the high profile recruits as the so called top tier teams. If anything I would call them the Have more light. Look at the players that Denver University has right now, Denver's sophomore class is as good if not better than any one class in the country. Same with SCSU the Huskies always have players that rank up near if not the top of the league in points. I do agree with the have-nots part of this article.

Here is something you wont' see this weekend againt DU.

Here is something you won't see against DU, or at least I don't see it happening. Both combatants are now gone from their respective teams and I believe that we have finally moved on. Time for Sioux fans to focus on the rivalry; Paukovich is no longer there to kick around. While in the past this series always had the makings of being a blood bath the last couple of years, I don't think this will happen anymore. Both teams are skilled and can get up and down the ice. I am predicting that both teams will probably concentrate on the game. There is no longer any need for retribution, there is also no longer any need to even scores. Time to play some WCHA hockey.

Series against Denver: UND leads the all-time series with Denver 125-108-7. The Sioux have earned splits against the Pioneers in their last two series in the mile high city, winning 6-2 and losing 7-3 on Feb. 24-25, 2006, and losing 4-3 in overtime and winning 3-0 on Feb. 23-24, 2007. In its last 14 games against the Pioneers in Denver, UND is 10-3-1. Overall, UND and Denver are 3-3-0 in their last six meetings.

~Last Year in Denver T.J. Oshie and Ryan Duncan both had great weekends recording 5 points each for the weekend against DU. No small feat since DU is a defensive juggernaut. Look for the Pioneers to check these two guys pretty hard. Oshie is probably going to think there is Denver Pioneer in his jersey by the end of the weekend.

~To the people that said that Oshie and Duncan are having horrible seasons. How? Both players have average a point a game against top competition. They aren't feasting on second tier bottom dwelling teams.

~Offensive defenseman, Robbie Bina 11 points and Taylor Chorney 9 both have made a huge impact in the offensive zone this season.

Danny Heatley Makes the Hockey Dirt Hall of Shame

I was kind of shocked by this selection. Former Badger Danny Heatly makes the Hockey Dirt Hall of Shame. This is the response that I posted on this subject at the Hockey Dirt web page:

I am not so sure I would put Danny Heatly on the list.

Sure he was the driver in an accident that killed team mate Dan Snyder, the Snyder family forgave Heatly and to include him in the same list as a bunch of criminals is a disservice.

*I am not for putting Former WCHA hockey player Danny Heatley on this list that includes criminals and thugs. If people disagree with this they should go to this web-page and sound off at the Hockey Dirt site.

Building the NHL Hall of Shame

While the NHL badly trails the NFL, NBA and MLB when it comes to producing and harboring disreputable characters, the passing of Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz is a reminder that the NHL has had and its share of crooks. Anyone unfamiliar with the Wirtz story might want to get their hands on Mark Weinberg's biography: Career Misconduct.

Wirtz, like fellow felon Harold Ballard, is among the (dis-)Honoured Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Another of hockey's most disreputable figures, Alan Eagleson, has thankfully been expelled from the Hall.

Hockeydirt proposes that Wirtz, Ballard and Eagleson be nominated as the founding members of the NHL Hall of Shame.

Who else "deserves" to be recognized as hockey's most infamous characters? We're looking for idea. Here are a few possibilities:

Todd Bertuzzi

Dino Ciccarelli

Mike Danton

Dany Heatley

Wayne Maki

Marty McSorley

Dan Quinn

Who else deserves consideration?

I can see Danton, Bertuzzi, McSorley all three are thugs, but some of the other ones, well its up for discussion...

Wayne Maki, In a preseason game on September 21, 1969, Maki and Boston Bruins defensemen "Terrible" Ted Green engaged in a bloody, violent stick-swinging fight; Green was hit in the head and suffered a fractured skull and a brain injury. Maki was eventually sent down to the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL. Later commentators have rated Maki's attack as one of the most vicious attacks in league history.

Mike Danton, In spring 2004, two days after the Blues were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, Danton was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. On July 16, 2004, he pled guilty to attempting to hire a hitman, who was actually a police dispatcher, to murder David Frost, his agent. To this day, however, Frost denies that he was the target.

Dino Ciccarelli's, career featured several controversial moments, both on and off the ice. In 1987 he pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and received probation. Then on January 6, 1988, in a game played at Maple Leaf Gardens, Ciccarelli attacked Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Richardson with his stick. As a result of this incident, Ciccarelli was convicted of assault, fined $1000, and sentenced to one day in jail.

After retiring, Ciccarelli allegedly had several physical altercations with members of the media. Some have criticized the Hockey Hall of Fame for focusing on issues other than hockey for his exclusion, but others point out that the induction committee has maintained such integrity in order to avoid tarnishing such an honour.

Dan Quinn, was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1990, and that started a period where Quinn played for 7 teams in 5 years. In the middle of it, in 1992, Quinn was alleged to have raped a woman at a party. He was released by the Minnesota North Stars, the team he was playing for at the time. The police did not decide to press charges, and Quinn was back in the NHL the next season.

Aaron Voros pounds Jiri Novotny

This is a sweet bone crushing hit and I am not sure why the Blue Jackets playes were getting upset about it, because it is not a dirty hit. I could see this reaction if the hit was dirty. This just proves why you need to keep your head up and on a swivel at all times when your on the ice. Novotny gets planted as Voros keeps his elbows down. From the video it is very apparent that Voros doesn't take more than three steps, he just came from the penalty box so it is definately not charging. If anything Novotny is guilty of skating with his head down; a Cardinal sin. As a player you have to be aware of where you are at all times on the ice.

This weeks picks

Friday

North Dakota @ DU - UND
St. Cloud State @ Wisconsin - SCSU
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota - MTU
Colorado College @ Alaska-Anchorage -CC
Minnesota-Duluth @ Minnesota State-Mankato -TIE

Saturday

North Dakota @ Denver - DU
St. Cloud State @ Wisconsin - SCSU
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota - TIE
Colorado College @ Alaska-Anchorage - C.C.
Minnesota-Duluth @ Minnesota State-Mankato - Duluth

Last week 5-5
Year 38-22

Scott Hartnell hits Andrew Alberts from behind

The Philadelphia Flyer's are at the heart of another questionable hit. This time another Bruin is on the recieving end a cheap hit.

-----UPDATE-----

TORONTO -- Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Hartnell has been suspended for two games, without pay, as a result of being assessed a game misconduct during NHL game #342 against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 26, the National Hockey League announced today.

"It appears that Mr. Hartnell was attempting to let up on delivering a check to an opponent that was in a vulnerable position," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "However, at the point of contact, he did deliver a blow to the head of Mr. Alberts that resulted in an injury."

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Hartnell will forfeit $44,919.78. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Hartnell was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct for a hit on Boston defenseman Andrew Alberts at 14:22 of the second period.

Hartnell will miss Wednesday's game at Carolina and Dec. 1 against Dallas. He will be eligible to return Dec. 5 at Minnesota.

2 games, you have got to be kidding me. All this thug gets is two games for a dirty questionable hit on a player in a vulnerable position. I think the reason that Hartnell only gets 2 games for this cheap hit is the fact that he isn't a so called goon or tough guy with a shady reputation. The fact that the Bruins were playing the Flyer's for the first time after Randy Jones' questionable hit hit on Patrice Bergeron October 27th now witness this silly act. The league needs to take a pound of flesh from the Philadelphia Flyer's management, now a team that has had a player suspended: 25, 20, 6 and 2 game respectively. The Flyer's organization needs to be held accountable for the acts of its players.

Former Badger Adam Burish vs Byron Ritchie

This is a great fight that I first saw this morning over on the NHL network. I didn't realize that Burish was that great of a fighter, but he can hold his own...

What?

I am not sure what prompted this post: but here is Donna's post after Friday's game on Running with the Dogs I guess she is saying that Sioux fans are a bunch of halo's who complain about the refs. That's ok, I am fine with that. I actually thought it was funny. Also, Goon's world is a huge fan of Donna's work and would never let an article stand in the way.

UMD 3, Ref Complainers 8

What kind of a fanbase whines about officiating when their team wins by 5 goals? UND Blogger Goon should be ashamed of himself. Evidently, Sioux fans are only satisfied when zero penalties are called on the Sioux and their opponent is down 2 men for the entire game. Plus, since the UND PP was pretty much crap last night, I would think they wouldn't want to showcase that too much. Not that they'd ever give our PK any credit.

Yeah, I know, I sound like a sore loser right now. It's not that. I just hate playing this series. I resent the implication by many of the UND fans that we don't even deserve to play their team, that we should just roll over and die because our team is worthless and the only team worth their time is UMTC, with whom they are obsessed. I really wish that tDogs could have shown that we were better than that, and for moments during the game, they did. I felt like I developed acute bipolar disorder during the course of the game.

I went to the game on Friday and this is what I had to say on Sioux sports about the Refs:

I am thinking tomorrow night we are going to see a tight checking trap feast/game. Anything can happen with that buffoon reffing the games. The 3-0 lead then came the reffing by the score board calls

First off I don't nor do I claim to speak for Sioux fans. I speak for the Goon and the Goon only. First off, I am never going to give props to the officials because I believe the officials in this league suck, period, I will not sugar coat my feelings towards the refs, nor will I ever hide my disdain for them.

On the post. OK I admit; that is my work and I spelled Buffoon wrong originally in my post on Sioux sports, however, I don't think what I posted was that far off the mark, in my perspective it was true. There is no doubt that UND came out pretty strong and took the game to UMD. The Sioux got a 2 quick goals and it looked as if the Sioux were going to be off to the races. It would be an accurate assessment to say that they were clicking on all eight cylinders. Realistically speaking I also know that the last Sioux goal was a fluke. Call it what you want it was a weak goal or a bag goal. The funny part is that it was scored by a player that was sitting on the bench by the time it puck crossed the goal line. So what? It is better to be lucky than good.

That being said, it also doesn't take a rocket scientist to say that the calls made after that third goal by referee Todd Anderson were based on the scoreboard. I dare anyone to tell me differently. In fact I turned to my buddy that I was sitting next and said just that. I will stand by my comments that Todd Anderson is a clown or buffoon and that he is one of the worst refs in Division one hockey, almost as bad as Don "I make shit up as I go" Adam.

Lastly, I don't think Sioux fans believe that no-one is worthy of playing the Sioux except the Golden Chokers. First off; I believe that most of the Sioux fans that I know appreciate most if not all of the WCHA teams and love watching whoever they are playing. This is the WCHA not the EZAC. Teams must bring it every night and there are no nights off...

This isn't much of a Fight: Shelley and the Boogey man

It is shame this is considered a fight. It's also a shame that the refs stepped in that quickly.

Here is a nice fight compulation.

In the WCHA there are no nights off.

1 Miami 12
2 Colorado College 1
3 Michigan 21
4 Denver 5
5 New Hampshire 6
6 North Dakota 3
7 Notre Dame 10
8 Minnesota-Duluth 2
9 Michigan State 17
10 Minnesota 7
11 St. Cloud State 18
12 Wisconsin 4
13 Northeastern 11
14 Michigan Tech 8
15 Niagara 37
16 Harvard 35
17 Bowling Green 20
18 Robert Morris 29
19 Clarkson 34
20 Boston College 13
21 Merrimack 25
22 Massachusetts 31
23 Alaska-Anchorage 27
24 Northern Michigan 9
25 Vermont 15

Just to illustrate just how tough the WCHA conference is right now, the WCHA has spots 1-5 locked up in strenght of schedule. Not surprising; UNH is ranked 6th, then Minnesota is 7th and Michigan Tech is ranked 8th. That is a statement on how teams have to come ready to play in night in, night out.

On the flip side of that CCHA conference teams strenght of schedule is not as hard as the WCHA; Miami of Ohio's scheudle is ranked 12th, Michigan state's schedule is ranked 17th and the University of Michigan is 21st.

Clarkson Unviersity's schedule is ranked a cup cake like 34th.

A few things

First off; why are the Minnesota State University Mavericks always the recipient of a high light goal from the leagues opposing teams? This is the goal that everyone is talking about from this past weekend.

It's too bad that college hockey games are not more available in your cable packages like NHL Center ice is, I really believe that there needs to be a nationwide NCAA Hockey Center ice. Last season there were a few of Denver University and Univesity of Wisconsin games on FCS but I have yet to see one because of all the College football games that are on fox sports net on Saturday nights.


Kessel=Money

Former Gopher and current Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel has scored 7 goals all were scored during Bruins wins.

Zdeno Chara works over Guillaume Latendresse

Ouch, I am not so sure that Latendresse should have challenged Chara, in retrospect it seemed stupid. I would love to see Chara fight more but I would rather not see him hitting players up high like that as well.

Goon's picks for the week

Friday

DU at C.C.
UMD at UND
SCSU at Clarkson
Minnesota at Michigan State
Wisconsin at Michigan

Saturday

C.C. at DU
UMD at UND
SCSU at Clarkson
Wisconsin at Michigan State
Minnesota at Michigan

I hope I have not given SCSU any bad mojo for this weekend. I want SCSU to go out to Clarkson and spank the Knights and show the college hockey pollsters that the WCHA is for real and stacked top to bottom. I think that Clarkson's ranking is a little high.

Picks last week: 5-3
Year 33-17

A little perspective: Early Season Rankings.

USCHO.com poll

1. Miami (48) 11-1-0
2. Michigan (2) 11-1-0
3. Denver 8-2-0
4. Colorado College 7-3-0
5. Michigan State 8-3-0
6. UND 5-3-1
7. Clarkson 9-3-0
8. New Hampshire 6-2-1
9. Notre Dame 9-4-0
10. (tie) Massachusetts 5-2-4
10. (tie) St. Cloud State 6-2-2
12. Wisconsin 5-5-0
13. Minnesota 7-5-0
14. Boston College 3-3-5
15. Minnesota-Duluth 5-3-2
16. RPI 6-3-2
17. Niagara 8-3-0
18. Harvard 4-2-0
19. Michigan Tech 5-6-1
20. Northeastern 5-4-1

USA Today poll

1. Miami (26) 11-1-0
2. Michigan (8) 11-1-0
3. Denver 8-2-0
4. Colorado College 7-3-0
5. UND 5-3-1
6. Michigan State 8-3-0
7. Clarkson 9-3-0
8. New Hampshire 6-2-1
9. Notre Dame 9-4-0
10. Massachusetts 5-2-4
11. St. Cloud State 6-2-2
12. Minnesota-Duluth 5-3-2
13. Boston College 3-3-5
14. Wisconsin 5-5-0
15. Minnesota 7-5-0

Power Rankings From College Hockey News

1 Miami 24 11-1-0 .9167 1t .6487* 1
2 Michigan 23 11-1-0 .9167 1t .6428* 2
3t Colorado College 21 7-3-0 .7000 8t .6346 3
3t Denver 21 8-2-0 .8000 3 .6301* 4
3t New Hampshire 21 6-2-1 .7222 7 .6109 5
6 Minnesota-Duluth 19 5-3-2 .6000 17t .5947 6
7 North Dakota 18 5-3-1 .6111 16 .5845 7
8 Notre Dame 17 9-4-0 .6923 10 .5800* 8
9 Michigan State 16 8-3-0 .7273 5t .5796* 9
10 Clarkson 15 9-3-0 .7500 4 .5753 10
11 Harvard 14 4-2-0 .6667 11t .5549 11
12 Wisconsin 13 5-5-0 .5000 26t .5437 12
13 Minnesota 12 7-5-0 .5833 20 .5436 13
14t Niagara 10 8-3-0 .7273 5t .5434 14
14t Northeastern 10 5-4-1 .5500 24t .5433 15
16 Bowling Green 9 6-3-0 .6667 11t .5428 16
17t Massachusetts 8 5-2-4 .6364 14t .5424 17
17t Merrimack 8 6-4-1 .5909 19 .5398 18
19 St. Cloud State 6 6-2-2 .7000 8t .5369* 19
20 Rensselaer 5 6-3-2 .6364 14t .5358 20
21 Michigan Tech 4 5-6-1 .4583 32t .5289 21
22 Boston College 3 3-3-5 .5000 26t .5271 22
23 Robert Morris 2 6-3-1 .6500 13 .5245 23
24 Cornell 1 4-3-0 .5714 21 .5208 24
25 Princeton 0 3-3-0 .5000 26t .5135 25

These ranking (whether they be the RPI, USCHO and USA Today polls) are really nothing to get excited about this early in the season. They make for nice reading and give the bloggers something to talk about. My team the UND Fighting Sioux beat MSU Spartans and then they were swept last weekend by Miami of Ohio and the Spartans still stay above UND in the USCHO poll, no bias there. All I can say is whatever. Per Brad Schlossman the Fighting Sioux have played a hardier schedule so far this season and do not play an unranked team until the Sioux go to Mankato to play the Minnesota State University Mavericks.

Michigan State (5)
Boston College (14)
Northeastern (20)
Michigan Tech (19)
Colorado College (4)
Wisconsin (12)

On the flip side of that #1 Miami of Ohio has played a much easier schedule, one could say that their schedule doesn't look all that intimidating:

Vermont
Ohio State
Nebraska-Omaha
Northern Michigan
Notre Dame (8)
Michigan State (9)

Ohlund gets 4 games for vicious slash

During tonight's Minnesota Wild XM radio broadcast Wild color commentator Tom Reid asked Minnesota Wild enforcer and resident tough guy Derrick Boogaard if there was going to be any carryover from the Ohlund's vicious slash on Koivu. Boogaard's answer was, "no". While I believe that Boogey wasn't being forth coming, I also believe he can't say, "sure we are going to take a pound of flesh from the Canucks". I can only predict how this game is going to play out, I have this game circled on my calender. I am expecting a bloodbath on November 21st when the Wild play the Canucks.

Looking at the suspension 4 games seems very light for a vicious slash that broke a bone in Koivu's leg. I think that fact that Ohlund isn't a goon probably played the reason for the rather light suspension. If this had been one of the league thugs performing this act it would have been a 20 game suspension. That being said, there is no excuse for a player getting away with a slash like that and Ohlund should have gotten at least a 10-15 game suspension.

TORONTO(November 18, 2007)– Vancouver Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund has been suspended for four games, without pay, as a result of a slashing incident during NHL game #277 against the Minnesota Wild, Nov. 16.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Ohlund will forfeit $74,866.32. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 16:06 of the third period when Ohlund struck Minnesota player Mikko Koivu with a slash. He was assessed a slashing major and game misconduct. Koivu suffered a broken bone in his left leg on the play.

Ohlund will miss tonight’s game against Calgary, Nov. 20 in Edmonton, Nov. 21 in Minnesota and Nov. 23 in St. Louis. He will be eligible to return Nov. 25 at home against Chicago.

Zajac and Parise score for the Devils

I thought we would move on from the Wisconsin series, while there was lots to talk about, there is also nothing like beating a dead horse. That dog won't hunt anymore.

The other night I was watching the game between the Pens and the Devils and the NCAA/WCHA was well represented in this game. Zajac had the first New Jersey goal a beauty and Zach Parise chipped in with a goal and an assist. Parise is leading the Devils through 17 games with 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points.

How dare someone be upset after being cross checked

This is the play that everyone has been talking about on the Internet, it is the Fighting Sioux goal by T.J. Oshie at the end of the first period; a momentum killer in my opinion. T.J. Oshie scores a nice goal then gets a vicious cross check by the Wisconsin Badgers resident thug/hack Davis Drewiske. The funny part is the announcers view of the game through their cardinal and white goggles.

This is how silly the Wisconsin television people sound: much to their amazement they can't see how a Sioux player can get upset after getting cross checked in the back of the head after scoring a goal. It's unheard of and bush league. The even funnier part is the guy explaining how the Sioux should be getting a another penalty as well (notice all the while that there are 3 Badger players and only 2 Sioux hockey players in the penalty box)

Jasper's Rink Looks at Joe Finley

I had this email sent to me by the Washinton Capital's Blogger Jaspers Rink it's a blog article about Big Joe Finley, sweet.

I can't believe the amount of press this series has gotten? Max Watkins, LOL, funny how the new paper writers in Madison, Wisconsin can't even get Matt Watkin's name right. Come on folks; all you have to do is look at the North Dakota team roster if you want to know how to spell his name. And they said that I have a spelling problem, I am also not writing for a media outlet. Maybe we should refer to Wisconin's super frosh Kyle Turris as Krissy Turris. Kind of has a nice ring to it.

----Here is the Article----

Thanks to the indispensable Inside College Hockey for pointing us to a bit of news regarding University of North Dakota blue liner and 2005 Caps first-rounder Joe Finley.

It seems that Finley's Fighting Sioux and the University of Wisconsin (the numbers one and five teams in the nation, respectively) had a fairly rough-and-tumble series in Madison this past weekend, with much of the attention focused on Badger super-frosh Kyle Turris (the third overall pick in this past summer's Entry Draft). As the Wisconsin State Journal describes it:

"In the first period of the series opener Friday, won 4-0 by UW, Turris was walloped at the offensive blue line by Fighting Sioux junior defenseman Joe Finley, a fellow NHL first-rounder (Washington) who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds.

"Things escalated in the second game, which saw North Dakota gain a split with a 3-1 victory. Winger Max Watkins thumped Turris in the neutral zone, Finley literally tackled Turris along the right boards, senior defenseman Robbie Bina put a headlock on Turris in the corner and junior center Rylan Kaip made a point of trying to drive Turris to the ice during every faceoff."But while Big Joe may have been done, um, badgering Turris, his weekend wasn't quite complete. After the second game, Finley apparently went Jeff Gillooly on UW's mascot:"

UW official confirmed that Finley allegedly used his stick to smack Bucky Badger in the leg when the two passed one another on the runway to the dressing rooms Saturday night."Beating up on a future NHL superstar is one thing, but Finley had better be careful or he might just find himself with the last thing anyone needs-Pissed off Sandra O on his tail

This Weeks Predictions

Friday

Minnesota State-Mankato @ Denver
Alaska-Anchorage @ Minnesota
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota-Duluth
Wisconsin @ Colorado College

Saturday

Minnesota State-Mankato @ Denver
Alaska-Anchorage @ Minnesota
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota-Duluth
Wisconsin @ Colorado College


3-5 last week
28-14 on the year

Message board fallout from last weekend's series

This is in my opinion the save of the year so far; it would be very hard to top it. Lammy’s save last season in the NCAA playoffs was close to this. When I first saw the shot I said, "That’s a goal." However, after looking at the replay a few times it was obvious that it was an incredible save. One could make the argument that it was no small feat keeping that puck out of the open net. The Badger announcer was right it could have been a game changing save. I have to say that Bill Howard is a genius and he always has the Badger goalies ready to play game in and game out.

This is some funny stuff

I found this over on the BADger's fan message board known as Buckyville.COM, while I find this kind of stuff amusing, lets remember the Badgers are the same hockey team that had a player named Brad Winchester that decked a cop in a bar in Madison, Wisconsin, this is also the same Brad Winchester that is now known for his fighting skills in the NHL. Yep; Wisconsin has never had any goons on its teams in the past.

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan. Those are where the goons come from. It should be no surprise that North Dakota has more players from these three provinces ( than any other team in college hockey. Hell, even North Dakota's goon coach is from Alberta.

The game they teach up there is not consistent with the rules and principles of college hockey and college athletics in general. Books, you mean I have to read books in order to play hockey? Wait, you mean I can't butt-end their best player in the jaw? Wait, you mean I can't slash their mascot on the unprotected shin? That's not how they teach hockey up in Saskatoon.

Rick Zaparniuk, Brad Cox, Howard Walker, Kevin Maxwell, Doug Smail, Dean Dachyshyn, Jim Archibald, Dave Donnelly, Ed Belfour, Lee Davidson, Garry Valk, Jason Herter, Russ Romaniuk, Dixon Ward, Teeder Wynne, Curtis Murphy, and Jason Ulmer are all past examples of players who had a lot of skill, but who also couldn't escape their goon tendencies. Over the past decade, UND has moved to more American-based players which has resulted in a lot of national success. This year, however, their roster is again chocked full of the kind of thugs that would make Gino Gasparini blush.

I wouldn't call Ed Belfour, Lee Davidson, Garry Valk, Jason Herter, Russ Romaniuk, Dixon Ward, Teeder Wynne, Curtis Murphy, and Jason Ulmer a bunch of jack booted thugs or goons.

Pollsters Show Love for the Dub. (Sioux 7)

In this weeks, Nov. 12, 2007 USCHO poll, the WCHA has 8 teams in the top 20.
The W has 80% of their teams ranked, I wonder if any other conference has had that distinction? (Little help from the C and HE) The only teams not ranked are MSU-Mankato and Alaska-Anchorage (AA is listed under "others receiving votes").

#4 - Denver
#5 - North Dakota
#7 - Colorado College
#9 - Wisconsin
#12 - Minnesota
#13 - St. Cloud State
#17 - UM-Duluth
#18 - Michigan Tech

I would like to believe that would give claim, at this time, to call the W the best league, top to bottom, in the country. The WCHA's non-conference record as a whole is 22-5-4 (.774) the break down by conference is:

vs AHA 1-0-1
vs CCHA 10-3-1
vs CHA 7-0-0
vs ECAC 1-0-0
vs HE 3-2-2

I know it is still early in the season, but we are over a month into it, so it isn't like a pre-season poll. Which by the way me pre-season poll looks a little topsy-turvy right now, but give me/them time...

This is my definition of a brawl

I have seen some refer to what happened at the end of Fridays game as being a brawl. Not even close. The water bottle incident is my text book definition of a brawl, funny how Sioux assistant coach Carey Eades was right in the middle of it. Listen to the Wisconsin announcers, "Eades has done it again".

I just found this on line.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal Joe Finley smacked the Bucky Badger mascot, I wonder if anything will come out of this incident or not...

Meanwhile, a UW official confirmed that Finley allegedly used his stick to smack Bucky Badger in the leg when the two passed one another on the runway to the dressing rooms Saturday night.

UW senior associate athletic director Vince Sweeney said Sunday he had not spoken with the student, who he identified as David Blanchard, but it was Sweeney's understanding that the alleged incident was unprovoked.

"We'll talk about it (today),'' Sweeney said. "We may pass it along to the (WCHA).''

Adam Wodon's take on the Sioux and Badgers

CHN/Wodon: North Dakota responded to getting shut out the night before. T.J. Oshie scored his sixth of the season in the win. But the story of the game was the full out line brawl in the third period. Every skater on the ice got a roughing and a misconduct -- that's 120 penalty minutes right there -- and North Dakota's Rylan Kaip got the extra roughing. Wisconsin's only goal came on the ensuing power play.

The Sioux and Badgers Rough it up.

Wow, what a way to end a very intense hockey game, almost playoff type hockey this weekend. I thought the coaches were going to start swinging at each other during the hand shake, thank God for DVR because I almost missed it. I would put my money on Hakstol to clean Mike Eave's clock but that is looking through kelly green colored glasses. While I can see how one could make the argument that there was no need for Kaip to charge Smith the way he did, so what? It's not like you couldn't see this thing whole incident coming, in the end it was nothing more than a harmless scrum, that's hockey and I like the fact that Kaip played with the game with an edge, the Sioux need that from their leaders. The Badger player Smith is lucky Kaip didn't pummel him, talk about a miss match.

There is no questing that Kyle Turris is a good player but he has lost some of my respect, Turris might want to think twice before he hacks another player with his stick. Turris is lucky that Jones who is known to be a little bit of a lose cannon, didn't go postal on him. Star player or not you can not slash an opposing player in that matter and not expect to be challenged for it.

By definition: Charging is
taking more than three strides before hitting an opponent. That is exactly what Kaip did. Kaip didn't blind side the Wisconsin player like some in the blogsphere have suggested. This hit although a penalty is not worthy of additional sanctions or punishment from the league or from the coaching staff. I will make a prediction that Hakstol will not discipline Rylan Kaip, nor does he need too.

Some perspective

Super Rookie Kyle Turris has 5 goals 9 assist for 14 points, however, he only has 2 assists in 4 WCHA games. In the WCHA teams are going to focus on Turris because the Badgers do not have a lot of offensive stars up front. Teams are going to be on Turris every night.

Linkorama: UND and UofW

There are a few links to the Weekend Hockey series with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Todd Milewski the Beat Writer for the Capital Times.

The Badger backers blog is also a place to read some good Badger intelligence but he hasn't updated his blog as of late but there is still a lot of time yet...

Another great source is the Hockey In Wisconsin Blog this site has a lot of great information on hockey happenings in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin series is going to be a tough series as the Badger never play very well in the Kohl Center. For all those people that say the Badgers don't play a TRAP are delusional. Good news for Sioux fans Elliot is no longer with the Badgers and Shane Connelly isn't going to be confused with the second coming of Brian Elliot. Connelly is 5-3-2 with a GAA of 2.60 and a save percentage of .897. I am excited to see how Kyle Turris looks for the Badgers. Below are the Badgers lines according to Todd Milewski

Street-Turris-P. Johnson
Engel-Geoffrion-Grotting
Mitchell-Dolan-Ford
Davies-Bendickson-Turnbull
Gorowsky-Bohmbach-Bearson

Drewiske-Goloubef
Smith-Klubertanz
McDonagh-McBain
C. Johnson-Bardis

Are the wheels Coming off in Minneapolis

I found this post over on the Ciske Blog and Bruce brings up a very interesting points, the Gophers have been pretty consistent over the years and being in the bottom of the WCHA is an enigma. That being said, Ciske is right is also right, no one is going to give the Gophers a lot of empathy as well and we might tell their fans to enjoy the view from the other end.

I also predict that if the Gophers loose at least a game this weekend the wheels are going to come off in Minneapolis. I have say that I have enjoyed reading Gopher Puck Live this past week as they Gopher fans have tried to keep things calm and not panic. For the people that think the Gophers are just going to steam roll the Mavericks they dead wrong. The Mavericks are a hard nosed team that played like a wounded animal that has been cornered and are not going to be intimated by a team still trying to get the puck out of their own end. Also this is the first home game for the Mavs so they are going to be keyed up.

Speaking of hockey...the Gophers are 0-4 in the WCHA. This has not happened since, well, ever. And I doubt that anyone around the league will be singing songs of sympathy for UMTC. Minnesota hasn't finished outside the top five in the league since 1997-1998, when Doug Woog was still the coach. That was also the last time they missed the Final Five. They're due.

Fighting in Hockey

First off that is a great fight. I stumbled across this clip on Chris Dilk's Western College Hockey 2. Chris is questioning whether fighting has a place in Hockey.

Personally I think that If a players knows he has to fight if he committed an egregious act, actually polices the game of hockey and keeps that players honest. If I whack player "A" or commit an act of thuggery I know that I am going to have to look over my shoulder. I know sooner or later that a goon/though guy is going to be there to re-arrange my face, while it sounds like frontier justice it's worked in the NHL for year. If actions have consequences I am going to mind my P's and Q's. It's called the code and is used to police the game and keep players honest. I believe that because of the lack of fighting in college hockey the game is actually more dirty.

If the NCAA wanted to clean up the college game i.e. the stick work, running the goalie and the acts of thuggery in college hockey; I would suggest getting rid of the full face shield and game disqualification penalty. I think that if a player only received a game misconduct for fighting college hockey, the players could police the game and get rid of the face washes and stick work. If a player has consequences for egregious acts and he knows what he does on the ice has consequences he is going to be less apt to be a hack...

Who said Gopher hockey players can't read: Kessel reads to the kids.

I couldn't help my self on this one. LoL, who said that Gopher hockey player can't read? I might get a bunch of flack for this. But I couldn't resist after the University of Minnesota got into trouble with their basketball team not doing their own home work. I know. wrong sport. Honestly, this is one of those nice feel good stories. All joking aside it is nice to see these professional athlete giving something back to the community.

Charlestown, MA -- Boston Bruins leading goal scorer Phil Kessel launched ReadBoston's Reading Trail Program on Monday, November 5 at the John F. Kennedy Family Service Center in Charlestown.

"I enjoyed it," said Kessel after meeting the children. "I had a lot of fun."

The Reading Trail Program is an early literacy program designed to increase reading at home and in childcare settings. Kessel read to preschool students and passed out a free book (I Stink, the story of the garbage truck) to each child in attendance.

"It was a good time. (The children) behaved themselves well and they listened," said Kessel, who although nervous beforehand, was very, very pleased with the event, afterward.

This year, the Boston Bruins are partnering with ReadBoston and will participate in a number of events throughout the coming months. In addition to Kessel's appearance on Monday, the Bruins will provide Reading Trail Programs with customized "trail guides" to track the number of books each child reads; those children who complete their trail guides will receive a Bruins bookmark.

Asked if he would be volunteering to read again, Phil gave an emphatic shake of the head and a loud "Yes." The children and their teachers appreciated the gesture and he was given the latest (if not the most important) standing "O" of his career and the kids waved their new book and said "Thank you, Phil."

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and other city leaders founded ReadBoston in 1995 with a simple, ambitious mission: to ensure that every child in Boston can read at grade level by the third grade. ReadBoston is making great strides to achieve its goal by forming partnerships with city organizations committed to children's literacy, and by funneling resources, innovative programs, books and best practices into Boston neighborhoods.

Kessel and the 7-5-1 Bruins are in the midst of a nine-game stretch where the Bruins face only their Northeast Division rivals - with three scheduled against the Sabres and two games each against the Maple Leafs, Senators and Canadiens - over the next three weeks.

Here is some Perspective

GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
T. Thomas 5 3 1 .949 1.65
M. Fernandez 2 2 0 .832 3.93
Manny Fernandez was supposed to be the big name starter that was going to give the Bruins some stability in net, instead it has been Tim Thomas so far. While things will probably come around a bit for Manny Fernandez by the second half of the season. The Boston goaltender is currently on he disable list and nursing an knee injury. Actually if you look at Manny's numbers on the season so far they look very AHL like.

This is the definition of cheap

I was watching this game last week and I thought Andre Roy definitely does not respect the code, this my friends is the definition of cheap and is nothing more than a bush league hack move. Andre Roy checks the guy which is fine and then before Clarkson can get his bearings starts firing hay makers at a defenseless player.

I have watched a few of the New Jersey games this year and I think David Clarkson brings more to the table than Cam Janssen because Clarkson actually have 1 goal and 3 assists for four points on the season.

Linkorama: Twelve to Four the Difference#links

UAA Hockey Fan Blog: Twelve to Four the Difference#links

I found this post over on Donald's UAA fan Blog. I found the exchange on the comments to be rather amusing. I wondering how long before the Gopher fans will be calling Donald a Halo?

For some perspective

I was wondering if there was any differential in how the power plays are broken down with a couple of teams. So I decided to take a look: Minnesota has received 40 power plays while their opposition has received 35 power plays. Donald's team UAA has had 32 power plays while the opposition has had 44 power plays. Finally UND has had 35 power plays will their oppostion has had 34. Granted UND has only played two WCHA theories but so far it seems as if the Seawolves are getting the shaft if you will...

The Polls are out: UND 3 or 4

USCHO.COM

1. Miami (49)
2. Michigan
3. UND
4. Michigan State (1)
5. Denver
6. New Hampshire
7. Boston College
8. Clarkson
9. Colorado College
10. Wisconsin
11. Maine
12. Notre Dame
13. Michigan Tech
14. Minnesota
15. Minnesota-Duluth
16. RPI
17. St. Cloud State
18. Princeton
19. Niagara
20. UMass

USA Today

1. Miami
2. Michigan
3. Michigan State
4. UND
5. Denver
6. Boston College
7. New Hampshire
8. Clarkson
9. Colorado College
10. Wisconsin
11. Maine
12. Notre Dame
13. Michigan Tech
14. Minnesota
15. Minnesota-Duluth


First off this polls are about as meaningless as a Rosie O'Donnell and her 9/11 truth theory, these polls make very interesting reads but it's just way too early in the season to infer anything from them. I almost think hockey should wait till after the Christmas break before they release the rankings. The BCS in college football waits until they have a certain number of games before they make any inferences. Championships are won in March and April and you win nothing except points and pride for wins in November, December and January.

While these polls make good water cooler discussion material but honestly, does any one think that if Clarkson was in the WCHA or Hockey East would be above Maine, Michigan Tech, Minnesota or Minnesota Duluth for that matter. They could be but I doubt it. How did that first round bid work out for them last season? That doesn't mean I don't like Clarkson University beause they are year in and year out a top team in the ECAC but they are not a hockey powerhouse in the East.

Also, I guess the USA today forgot that UND pasted MSU pretty good in the hockey hall a fame game. Anyone that doesn't think Denver is playing great hockey right now is delusional and they are are my pick for number #1 right now. I would like to see how they are doing later in the season with the younger players. Denver is looking really good to get back on top in the future if they can keep their top players.

Anthony Grieco leaves school.

What has been speculated all morning over on Sioux Sports and on Ryan Cardinal's WCHA blog is now official as Grand Forks Herald hockey writer
Brad Schlossman is reporting that Tony Grieco is leaving school and heading to the OHL.

Grieco headed to OHL By Brad Schlossman

Anthony Grieco, UND's backup goaltender, has left school and returned to Ontario, where he will play in the Ontario Hockey League, his father said Monday.

Grieco, an 18-year-old sophomore from Brampton, Ont., had not played this season for the Sioux. He saw action in eight games as a rookie, posting a 3-2-1 mark with a 3.49 goals-against average and .884 save percentage.

Grieco's father, Charlie, said it was essential for his son to get playing time as he recovered from a knee injury that he suffered at the end of last season.

"He needed some playing time or his skill level would be deteriorating," Charlie said.

Anthony will play for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, a team that drafted him in the 10th round in the 2004 OHL draft.

Anthony will play for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, a team that drafted him in the 10th round in the 2004 OHL draft.

Grieco drove through the night Sunday to return to Ontario, where he began practicing with the Majors this afternoon.

"He's built some really great relationships (at UND), so it was pretty emotional," Charlie said.

The departure leaves UND with two goaltenders starter Jean-Philippe Lamoureux and backup Aaron Walski. Lamoureux has started 32 consecutive games for the Sioux dating back to last season and was named the national player of the month in October by the Hockey Commissioners' Association.

"The team is playing solid and Phil has been playing well," Charlie said. "Being there a year and a half, (Anthony) needed playing time."

Grieco was a late addition to the roster last summer. He signed a letter of intent in June, just weeks before goaltender Jordan Parise freed up a roster spot by signing with the New Jersey Devils.

Grieco had been courted by the Majors throughout his tenure at UND, Charlie said.

Goon's World Perspective on the matter

While Grieco's numbers were not eye popping nor were they all-American like, I really did like what I saw with this kid. During the short tenure Grieco was here I thought he showed glimpses of greatness and promise, however, his juicy rebounds and a big five hole were also a big problem. I think Grieco's play against SCSU Huskies last season was huge as Grieco got 2 big wins against the Huskies while Phil was out, I also believe that it sort of saved UND's bacon. I can also see his side of this, the kid is young he wanted to play and decided to go to the OHL who wants his services. I also think he was rushed into the Fighting Sioux line up before we was ready or mature enough to handle the WCHA grind. It also seems that his mental prep wasn't very good. I believe that UND (who I liken to the FSU of college hockey) needs to employ a full time goalie coach, I believe that it would be very beneficial for the younger less seasoned goalies in the future. I wonder if UND could pry Howard away from the Badgers?

Funny thing Grieco is the first Fighting Sioux goalie over 6 feet in some time. Now the Sioux have an interesting dilemma, do they recruit a goalie and bring him in during the Christmas break Ala Josh Siembieda. What happens if Phil gets hurt? If I am not mistaken your supposed to have two goalies on the bench. Is Walski going to be able to carry the load if Phil gets hurt?

NHL "U"

UND in the NHL posed a question over on Siouxsports (or whine about everything as some gopher fans call it) and UND in the NHL is looking at adding a new sig line to his posts on Siouxsports. I think this is a no brainer, but the picture sums up UND hockey accurately. NHL "U" My other suggestion is if you want to work on the farm you go to NDSU if you want to play in the NHL you go to UND.

One could make the argument that UND is the gateway to the NHL, or NHL U because of all the great NHL players that UND has produced over the years. The current crop of NHL playing in the NHL is pretty impressive. To a take a plug from an NCAA ad on CSTV 314 Sioux hockey players get jobs in a hockey while others are going pro in something else.

David Hale CAL
Brandon Bochenski BOS
Travis Zajac NJ
Zach Parise NJ
Ryan Johnson STL
Jason Blake TOR
Matt Smayby TAM
Matt Greene EMD
Jonathon Toews CHI
Mike Commodore CAR
Drew Stafford BUF

Monday morning Ramblings

Sioux_7 can thank Marty for emailing me this very funny picture. So what the hell, I thought I would post it on the blog. For those of us that live in Fargo and Grand Forks, area have seen the goofy commercial on local television; chips are free dinner is extra. You also gotta love Paradiso because you get your meal free on your birthday, and they let you wear that silly hat as well.

Friday

St. Cloud State @ Michigan Tech - SCSU
Minnesota @ Minnesota State-Mankato - MSU-M
Minnesota-Duluth @ Colorado College - Tigers
North Dakota @ Wisconsin - Sioux

Saturday

St. Cloud State @ Michigan Tech - Tie
Minnesota State-Mankato @ Minnesota - Gophers
Minnesota-Duluth @ Colorado College - tie
North Dakota @ Wisconsin - Badgers

Last week in my Picks I went 8-2
25-9 for the year.

What did he say?

In watching the end of the Gophers and Pioneers hockey game when Doug Woog started pontificating about how Tyler Bozak was the difference in the game with this hat trick, the score was 3-1 at the time. I thought, well yeah duh. I mean really you can't make this stuff up, it's classic Wooger... I suppose when your team is 0-4 in the WCHA and your favorite team is not playing well it probably can be a little painful to announce a game. Your right Doug Tyler Bozak had a great game, but how abou the Goaltending, Mannino was awesome or mention the lack of a game plan by the Gophers.

Over on Win Twins the SCSU and Twins Blogger gave her angle on the Gophers misfortunes.

HAH! Tweedle Dee (Frank Mazzocco) had the gall to say "Looking at the standings from the WCHA this morning, most people are probably wondering if they were printed upside down!" Umm, no, the rest of us in the WCHA are well aware that Minnesota is at the bottom with the big old goose egg, and frankly, we're laughing our ASSES off about it! :)

I have to admit that I enjoy a Gophers loss like the rest of us, in fact I think its funny to listen Frank and Doug spin each miserable painful loss. While it's fun watching the Gophers take it on the chin, I do have a hard time believing that the Gophers are as bad as their record. That being said, I do also see the Gophers losing a game to the Mavericks this weekend. Look for the refs to get the Gophers the split on Saturday night.

Anonymous

You have to love these anonymous trolls that go around on the Internet posting meaningless, hateful and spiteful drivel on other people's blogs. Of course these anonymous cowards never will put a name or a face to the bravo sierra that they post. In essence they are posting graffiti and vandalizing people's blog, simple mind give people simple thrills. Thanks to this kind of mindless juvenile behavior is the reason media blogger(s) like Mike McFeely have decided to shut the comments section of their blogs down instead of wading through meaningless moron-athons. Maybe this is the reason Gopher Blogger Hammy has never actually allowed comments on his blog.

The TJ Oshie hit Prosser

Thanks for RedFrog of ND for posting this video, I was at work and only caught a glimpse of this hit, I would refer to this has as a bone crushing hit game changing hit and it's plays like this that has the NHL drueling. Wow, is all I can say...

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux of North Dakota Named National College Hockey Player of the Month

Finally Lammy gets some love in the form of an award. I think this is well deserved award for a killer month of hockey, who would have thought it was possible after watching him play last season.

I actually thought Phil was going to get the defensive player of the week, but the Minnesota State Mankato goalie Mike Zacharias the Mankato State goalie Mike Zacharias was just as deserving of the award as well.

MADISON, Wis.-- University of North Dakota senior netminder Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was named the National College Hockey Player of the Month on Friday afternoon, as announced by the Hockey Commissioner's Association. Lamoureux has been a huge reason for the early season success of the third-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux. He has posted four shutouts in the team's first five games in October, becoming the first WCHA player in history to accomplish that feat.

Lamoureux, a Grand Forks, N.D. native, posted a 3-1-1 record last month with a miniscule 0.43 GAA and a .983 save percentage, both of which rank second in the nation. He is a major reason that the UND team ranks first in the nation in team defense allowing only 0.60 goals per game. He currently has started 30 consecutive games dating back to last season, during that time he owns a 20-5-5 record with a 1.93 GAA and a .931 save percentage. He began the season shutting out his opponents for 185:17 in three games against Boston College, Michigan Tech and Northeastern.

Some of the highlights of Lamoureux's month include a 23-save shutout of defending national champion Michigan State in the season opener on Oct. 13 in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. Lamoureux also recorded a season-high 31 saves in the 3-0 victory at Northeastern on Oct. 20. in Boston.

A clip of the Green injury.

This video is not for the faint of heart. I hurt after watching this video. I must add that when I saw it the first time it didn't look as bad as it does in slow motion. I wish Matt Greene a speedy recovery.