Looking for the silver lining

I did focus on the negative points in the previous blog post and now it’s time to focus on the good things that happened as well. I am not by nature a negative person and it’s easy to pile on when the going gets tough, I can say that the Sioux will come out tonight and compete and put up a good effort.

Last night during the Fighting Sioux hockey chat there were a few people that posted some interesting things. Seriously folks, like Jayson from the UND SID office said, 'there are no championship banners hung in October', and let's get real the Fighting Sioux aren't going to win every game they play this season and Maine is a "quality opponent." Lets give the University of Maine hockey team some respect, they are a good veteran team as well that’s lead by a very good head hockey coach. One could say that they are a program that mirrors ours.

I tend to try to find the silver lining in every game and there were a few last night. Last night Fighting Sioux freshman forward Derek Rodwell’s goal was awesome, it was a bright spot in an other wise bad night. Derek has scored two goals in the last two games. I really like this kids game, he is strong on his skates and plays a strong game.

Matt Frattin's second-period power-play goal was also a thing of beauty, Matt now has 16 goals in his last 18 games. That is an impressive streak. I am sure that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke had to be impressed with that.

While I don’t think officiating was the deciding factor in the game, I do think the officiating was poor and I might have to rethink my criticism of the WCHA buffoons officials. Brad Schlossman sums this up really well. There were a lot of hits that were called a penatly that shouldn't have been.

The reffing didn’t determine the outcome in this one, but it is apparent that they don’t allow much contact out East. Legit body checks — on both sides — were being called. Some very ticky-tack calls. I wonder if that’s the norm for Hockey East or if Friday night was just one of those games. We’ll find out tonight. If it’s called extra tight again, I think it plays into Maine’s advantage. Midway through the third period Friday, the Black Bears had a 10-2 advantage on power plays.

Tonight game will not be on television and you will have to purchase the University of Maine Broadcast for $7.95 here is the link to the broadcast. According to the UND SID office, the University of North Dakota tried to get the broadcast put on MidcoNet but they couldn't come to an agreement.

As I tweeted on Twitter yesterday, former All State Grand Forks Central goalie Seth Lang has reported to the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL. Seth dressed for his first game last night and was the back up goalie to Ryan Faragher.