First the good news:
Despite the ugliest series of the entire year for UND discipline wise (probably the same goes for DU as well), the Sioux leave Denver with 2 points. I think Eidsness played very well on Friday and, unless the score doesn't tell the story, ok but not great on Saturday. I now firmly believe that Dell will take at least one of the games next weekend. In any case, despite this there is good news:
Home ice is ours for the WCHA playoffs. Brad Schlossman and I think Jason Hejdu calculated that it is impossible for CC and MTU to move past us so as to have us drop out of the top 6. That's great news.
However, there is a very good possibility that we will be down to 17 skaters for the rest of the year. Sure, Dickin's not the most prolific scorer and he may not normally be missed if everyone else was healthy but... they're not. And going into the playoffs, consistent and timely play as well as depth (which means fresher legs late in the game) are key. The Sioux do not have depth at all... but our IR list would be a great line or two on most teams in the nation. So we go short bench from here on out.
Good thing Gleason is playing great right now. He looks more and more like Genoway every single game.
----------------------------
A note on Officiating:
Yeah, yeah, UND fan talking about officiating again, but I'm not going to rag on Todd Anderson, Brad Shepherd or Don Adam. I'm simply going to state my conspiracy theory and watch closely as I expect it will become more and more true as we get closer to the BTHC and NCHC becoming a reality.
I believe that the officials, led by Greg Shepherd, will follow the rule book as required but will not do their professional best nor be held accountable for mistakes when it comes to any game involving NCHC or BTHC teams. They will care less if it is NCHC vs. NCHC, NCHC vs. BTHC, or BTHC vs. BTHC and care more as the permutations get closer to WCHA vs WCHA.
The reason is simple: They only are biding time with the NCHC and BTHC teams but are still trying to pander support among the WCHA teams (and future WCHA teams). So there is more incentive and intention to perform better administratively (which includes officiating) towards WCHA teams than there is to be towards future NCHC and/or BTHC teams.
So, in other words, expect really poor officiating if your NCHC or BTHC team is involved. If you are a WCHA team, there will still be brutal games but that will be because the WCHA officials are idiots and know very little about consistency.
It's like my tinfoil hat saying: Every weekend we have to beat our opponents and the officials.
Showing posts with label Analysis - College hockey. UND Fighting Sioux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Analysis - College hockey. UND Fighting Sioux. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Random Stuff (RW77)
I haven't posted in a while and I know how you all miss me.... Ok, maybe not but here's a few things that have piqued my interest lately...
In the area of WTF.... Ferris State University.
True, this the third straight good year they've had, but last year they barely finished above .500 and suddenly they're at a .700 win percentage? #1 in the Nation? They could be paper tigers but I'm less inclined to think of them like a Union based on the following criteria:
1. They won their division and their division isn't a cupcake conference like AHA.
2. They play a full schedule rather than a wonky won likle the ECACHLMAO
3. It's late in the season. No one cares who is number one (except the stat hounds) early in the season. We have something like 3 regular season games left now. To be #1 at this time in a major conference means something.
I'm not saying that Ferris State is going to win the Frozen Four or even win 1 round of the NCAAs. I'm saying it's quite an accomplishment for a team who has never been #1 ever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In sadder news, Concordia University (Wisconsin) announced that Tony Hrkac will not return. In his defense.... well, there isn't much. In the 129 games CUW has played since they started the program in 2007, all of which under Head Coach Hrkac, they've amassed.... 10 wins. TOTAL.
They were 10-109-10. I don't care who you are. It's awfully tough to keep a job with a record like that. Here is the link. [USCHO.COM]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In a more cynical twist:
The Minnesota Wild completed a trade yesterday with the New Jersey Devils. The Wild trade away Zidlicky and get Kurtis Foster (D), Nick Palmieri (F), Stephane "Pe-U" Veillieux, and a 2nd round draft pick (in actuality, Washington's 2nd round pick).
So, Minnesota trades one of its only major trade bait players for two former Wild players, a 2nd round pick, and a mediocre young forward in Palmieri.
It makes no sense to me to go out and get a grinder D, grinder Forward, and a young winger. If you wanted grinding forwards, just call down to Houston. You have a minor league system FULL of them. Why get Veillieux? He's worthless offensively. And last I checked, Minnesota needed scorers. Well, at least Veilleux is fresh. According to NJDevils.com, he's only played 1 game this year. Kindof dovetails into my claims that even in Stephane's prime (he's 30 now), he wouldn't crack most of the NHL rosters on a nightly basis. Oh well.
This was a BAD trade, regardless of 1 for 1 value. It reminds me so much of Risebrough it is scary. Zidlicky was the only player outside of the blockbuster players (Koivu, Harding, Backstrom, maybe Heatley) that the Wild could trade to get scoring forwards and they didn't get one. Palmieri is young, but he's a lot like a Latendresse or Brunette in terms of offense. Seeing how Brunette is a Blackhawk and Latendresse is injured, maybe that's why they got Palmieri? I just feel like the Wild could have gotten Palmieri for less than Zidlicky and then traded Zidlicky for a scorer.
Then again, I wouldn't be afraid at this point to go overkill and trade a player like Zidlicky for a scorer even if Zidlicky, value wise, was superior to that of the scorer in question. The Wild need to score goals and well, they're not going to get that with this trade. They're not even building towards it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Last thing.
Though I expect Dell will start tonight, I take great pride in pointing out that Eidsness seems to be returning to form. He did fantastic last night, even with the last 3 minutes being scary. 2 of the 3 goals they scored were no doubter nothing you can do types (Shore's and Zucker's). The third was just sniping. I think Eids could have been in better position for that one but it was a good shot.
In any case, I am sure the Eidsness haters are having a field day with the last 3 minutes of the game, but I don't care. Eidsness has shown this season that he's come to play. And though I don't think we can truly say "Bench Dell for Eidsness" I can't truly say "Thanks Eids, now back to Dell" either.
I'd love to see the JPL/JPar arrangement come into place. Eidsness takes Fridays and Dell takes Saturdays. It's really late in the season to implement such a thing, but I think it should be done.
In any case, however longer the ride goes with this team, I'm all in. They have enough injuries to make it believable that winning is too hard to come by. There's no shame in having a down season due to injury. However, this team plays with a different attitude from other teams: They just go out and have fun with the system Hakstol has put in place. They're not the most talented UND team. Heck, I'd be hard to put them in the top 10 even. But they play with cohesion and support each other much better than in previous years. And from what I hear, the locker room is a different place than in previous years.
In the area of WTF.... Ferris State University.
True, this the third straight good year they've had, but last year they barely finished above .500 and suddenly they're at a .700 win percentage? #1 in the Nation? They could be paper tigers but I'm less inclined to think of them like a Union based on the following criteria:
1. They won their division and their division isn't a cupcake conference like AHA.
2. They play a full schedule rather than a wonky won likle the ECACHLMAO
3. It's late in the season. No one cares who is number one (except the stat hounds) early in the season. We have something like 3 regular season games left now. To be #1 at this time in a major conference means something.
I'm not saying that Ferris State is going to win the Frozen Four or even win 1 round of the NCAAs. I'm saying it's quite an accomplishment for a team who has never been #1 ever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In sadder news, Concordia University (Wisconsin) announced that Tony Hrkac will not return. In his defense.... well, there isn't much. In the 129 games CUW has played since they started the program in 2007, all of which under Head Coach Hrkac, they've amassed.... 10 wins. TOTAL.
They were 10-109-10. I don't care who you are. It's awfully tough to keep a job with a record like that. Here is the link. [USCHO.COM]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In a more cynical twist:
The Minnesota Wild completed a trade yesterday with the New Jersey Devils. The Wild trade away Zidlicky and get Kurtis Foster (D), Nick Palmieri (F), Stephane "Pe-U" Veillieux, and a 2nd round draft pick (in actuality, Washington's 2nd round pick).
So, Minnesota trades one of its only major trade bait players for two former Wild players, a 2nd round pick, and a mediocre young forward in Palmieri.
It makes no sense to me to go out and get a grinder D, grinder Forward, and a young winger. If you wanted grinding forwards, just call down to Houston. You have a minor league system FULL of them. Why get Veillieux? He's worthless offensively. And last I checked, Minnesota needed scorers. Well, at least Veilleux is fresh. According to NJDevils.com, he's only played 1 game this year. Kindof dovetails into my claims that even in Stephane's prime (he's 30 now), he wouldn't crack most of the NHL rosters on a nightly basis. Oh well.
This was a BAD trade, regardless of 1 for 1 value. It reminds me so much of Risebrough it is scary. Zidlicky was the only player outside of the blockbuster players (Koivu, Harding, Backstrom, maybe Heatley) that the Wild could trade to get scoring forwards and they didn't get one. Palmieri is young, but he's a lot like a Latendresse or Brunette in terms of offense. Seeing how Brunette is a Blackhawk and Latendresse is injured, maybe that's why they got Palmieri? I just feel like the Wild could have gotten Palmieri for less than Zidlicky and then traded Zidlicky for a scorer.
Then again, I wouldn't be afraid at this point to go overkill and trade a player like Zidlicky for a scorer even if Zidlicky, value wise, was superior to that of the scorer in question. The Wild need to score goals and well, they're not going to get that with this trade. They're not even building towards it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Last thing.
Though I expect Dell will start tonight, I take great pride in pointing out that Eidsness seems to be returning to form. He did fantastic last night, even with the last 3 minutes being scary. 2 of the 3 goals they scored were no doubter nothing you can do types (Shore's and Zucker's). The third was just sniping. I think Eids could have been in better position for that one but it was a good shot.
In any case, I am sure the Eidsness haters are having a field day with the last 3 minutes of the game, but I don't care. Eidsness has shown this season that he's come to play. And though I don't think we can truly say "Bench Dell for Eidsness" I can't truly say "Thanks Eids, now back to Dell" either.
I'd love to see the JPL/JPar arrangement come into place. Eidsness takes Fridays and Dell takes Saturdays. It's really late in the season to implement such a thing, but I think it should be done.
In any case, however longer the ride goes with this team, I'm all in. They have enough injuries to make it believable that winning is too hard to come by. There's no shame in having a down season due to injury. However, this team plays with a different attitude from other teams: They just go out and have fun with the system Hakstol has put in place. They're not the most talented UND team. Heck, I'd be hard to put them in the top 10 even. But they play with cohesion and support each other much better than in previous years. And from what I hear, the locker room is a different place than in previous years.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Fighting Sioux 1930-2012 R.I.P.
As I left the press box of last night’s game and made my way down the to the basement for the press conference I felt a feeling of sadness. I feel like I have lost an old friend.
I don’t like the fact that UND has to surrender to political correctness, it’s not right that a few out of control bureaucrats can decide what a university calls itself.
I consider my self a bit of a constitutionalist and I believe the NCAA's policy is a violation of a states rights. That being said, there is nothing you and I can do about it. We can not jeopardize our sports teams in their transition to Division I. The Big Sky Conference is not amused and will drop us like a bad prom date, if they Fighting Sioux nickname debacle lingers on.
I think that there are many of us that are pleased that the Fighting Sioux won on the last day that UND will be ever be referred to as the Fighting Sioux. It's a fitting way to end 81 years of history in one of the most storied logos in all of college sports. The Fighting Sioux nickname that will live on in the hearts of Fighting Sioux fans around the globe. Fighting Sioux forever… R.I.P. Fighting Sioux…
Going forward what can we do?
What I do think is that UND fans and University of North Dakota Alumni should immediately set forth in motion is a movement to just be called UND, or simply North Dakota. We all know that they can never stop us from saying the home of the Sioux. Like The Sicatoka said on Sioux Sports, "control what's yours to control… If not we will end up with a really bad nickname replacement that none of us will be able to embrace or get behind. Lastly, during the past month we have watched with our vary eyes as the nickname has simply vanished into thin air. Sioux, Yeah, Yeah!!!
Friday, November 18, 2011
What's Going on in Sioux Town (RW77)
We are off to an ugly start and are looking heavily to Bemidji to "right the ship." Goon cited some statistics and you can take them any way you want, but I think it comes down to three factors: Special Teams, Depth, and Youth.
Special Teams
Green Glasses are off on this one. The Sioux are just terrible on the Power Play. Just... Just Terrible. It's amazing to see BSU be actually worse than the Sioux because the best way to describe the Sioux Powerplay is: Point shot and Time Killer Together Forever. We are back to the endless cycle to point shot routine.
Goon cited another interesting quote that I agree with, but I'm drawing a blank as to whether this quote is in reference to the Power Play but I think it is 150% accurate when used in the Power Play context. The quote was: "It seems like the entire team stands around watching Kristo make plays." I'd love to say that Kristo is too shot prone but take him off the ice and it seems like it takes pulling teeth to get a shot off and when the shot does come, it comes from the point in one of two areas that are usually Kristo shot locations anyways. When the Power Play becomes that predictable it almost seems like the PK team has 8 skaters and a goaltender on the ice and the PP team is basically 1 player.
To beat a dead horse: I wouldn't be too scared of going down a man vs. UND right now.
PK is better and I'm not all too concerned about this. It mostly comes down to bad timing and bad penalties being more a concern than bad PK.
Depth
Brad Schlossman pines for more 3rd and 4th line scoring. But... When you are dressing Senkbeil as a forward, a man (again according to Schlossman) who readily admits that he's never played forward at a high level before, you know you have no depth at forward.
Add into the mix that O'Donnell has been missing time and Grimaldi has what... 4 games or so under his belt and now he's out for at best 12 games (assuming no more bye weeks) and St. Clair can't qualify academically or screwed up somewhere in that path... Well. The Sioux are in trouble.
Yes, the top line is dynamic and great but this isn't the DOT line. They cannot carry the team. In fact, the DOT line couldn't even carry the team.
Youth
They look young and nervous on the ice. They seem to also have deer in the headlights looks to them when they face experienced high end teams. They're desperate early and fall apart late. It's also like the falling apart comes because they put too much into the first period and seem to fade halfway through the second due to fatigue.
Where does Coaching fall into this?
Ok, I'm going to continue to stand up for Hakstol. You can't judge the youth on this team's future by the first half of their freshman year, but it can tell you what is being set up and what to prepare for down the stretch. I think Hakstol is being firm, but realistic with the troops. He's not pressing... yet. Like him or not, he may be due for an off year. Throw out the NC aspect and Hak has led some dynamite teams as of late but even the best of teams have occasional down years. I hope this isn't one of them.
However, I have said this over and over again: In Hak I trust. I will trust him even when we do lose. Even if we lose to teams like UAA or BSU or MSUM.
I also think that these players will improve and they will be good. I'm not sure if there are any great players on the team (even Grimaldi gets a question mark due to health) outside of the first line. But I will forever be optimistic. I will forever bleed Kelly Green. And I will forever yell GO SIOUX!
Special Teams
Green Glasses are off on this one. The Sioux are just terrible on the Power Play. Just... Just Terrible. It's amazing to see BSU be actually worse than the Sioux because the best way to describe the Sioux Powerplay is: Point shot and Time Killer Together Forever. We are back to the endless cycle to point shot routine.
Goon cited another interesting quote that I agree with, but I'm drawing a blank as to whether this quote is in reference to the Power Play but I think it is 150% accurate when used in the Power Play context. The quote was: "It seems like the entire team stands around watching Kristo make plays." I'd love to say that Kristo is too shot prone but take him off the ice and it seems like it takes pulling teeth to get a shot off and when the shot does come, it comes from the point in one of two areas that are usually Kristo shot locations anyways. When the Power Play becomes that predictable it almost seems like the PK team has 8 skaters and a goaltender on the ice and the PP team is basically 1 player.
To beat a dead horse: I wouldn't be too scared of going down a man vs. UND right now.
PK is better and I'm not all too concerned about this. It mostly comes down to bad timing and bad penalties being more a concern than bad PK.
Depth
Brad Schlossman pines for more 3rd and 4th line scoring. But... When you are dressing Senkbeil as a forward, a man (again according to Schlossman) who readily admits that he's never played forward at a high level before, you know you have no depth at forward.
Add into the mix that O'Donnell has been missing time and Grimaldi has what... 4 games or so under his belt and now he's out for at best 12 games (assuming no more bye weeks) and St. Clair can't qualify academically or screwed up somewhere in that path... Well. The Sioux are in trouble.
Yes, the top line is dynamic and great but this isn't the DOT line. They cannot carry the team. In fact, the DOT line couldn't even carry the team.
Youth
They look young and nervous on the ice. They seem to also have deer in the headlights looks to them when they face experienced high end teams. They're desperate early and fall apart late. It's also like the falling apart comes because they put too much into the first period and seem to fade halfway through the second due to fatigue.
Where does Coaching fall into this?
Ok, I'm going to continue to stand up for Hakstol. You can't judge the youth on this team's future by the first half of their freshman year, but it can tell you what is being set up and what to prepare for down the stretch. I think Hakstol is being firm, but realistic with the troops. He's not pressing... yet. Like him or not, he may be due for an off year. Throw out the NC aspect and Hak has led some dynamite teams as of late but even the best of teams have occasional down years. I hope this isn't one of them.
However, I have said this over and over again: In Hak I trust. I will trust him even when we do lose. Even if we lose to teams like UAA or BSU or MSUM.
I also think that these players will improve and they will be good. I'm not sure if there are any great players on the team (even Grimaldi gets a question mark due to health) outside of the first line. But I will forever be optimistic. I will forever bleed Kelly Green. And I will forever yell GO SIOUX!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
UND Head Coach Dave Hakstol a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award
2011 AHCA Men’s Ice Hockey Spencer Penrose Award Candidates
Red Berenson, Michigan— NCAA Semifinalist*
Dean Blais, Nebraska Omaha—WCHA Coach of the Year*
Dave Hakstol, North Dakota— NCAA Semifinalist
Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame—CCHA Coach of the Year and NCAA Semifinalist*
Nate Leaman, Union—ECAC Coach of the Year
Paul Pearl, Holy Cross—AHA Coach of the Year
Scott Sandelin, Minnesota Duluth— NCAA Semifinalist*
Jerry York, Boston College—HE Coach of the Year*
* Past Spencer Penrose Award Winner
Red Berenson, Michigan— NCAA Semifinalist*
Dean Blais, Nebraska Omaha—WCHA Coach of the Year*
Dave Hakstol, North Dakota— NCAA Semifinalist
Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame—CCHA Coach of the Year and NCAA Semifinalist*
Nate Leaman, Union—ECAC Coach of the Year
Paul Pearl, Holy Cross—AHA Coach of the Year
Scott Sandelin, Minnesota Duluth— NCAA Semifinalist*
Jerry York, Boston College—HE Coach of the Year*
* Past Spencer Penrose Award Winner
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Huskies Put Down by Sioux 11-2
Ok, Ok, a harsh title, but the Sioux absolutely destroyed MTU today 11-2.
The Sioux scored on all but one, maybe two powerplays and even scored a shortie. Jason Gregoire had a hat trick while Frattin, Nelson, and Hextall each had 2 goals each. It got brutal RIGHT AWAY. The Sioux scored 2 within the first minute. It was 2-1 UND only 1 minute and 25 seconds into the first period!
MTU Starting Goaltender Josh Robinson's glove must have been weighted down because he looked ridiculously awful when UND shot glove side. No matter as he was gone with about 4.5 minutes left to go in the first period. Genoe relieved him and lasted until the 3rd period only giving up a paltry 5 goals. Third Stringer Corson Cramer, MTU announcers proclaimed him the first Colorado-born player on MTU to play, actually looked decent... by MTU standards only giving up 2 goals. After looking at one of the two goals, there was nothing Cramer could do about it. Both goals were redirected shots.
How Embarrassing and Shameful!
You'd think with the horrid officiating that took place today, I'd be lighting up the officials with this header but no. I'm talking about whoever the idiots were who ran the cameras and production area for MTU. They missed 2 goals entirely and for about a minute, perhaps more, did nothing more than focus on the goaltenders and forgot completely about the puck and the hockey going on. Hextall's second goal was missed entirely because of their idiotic idea to blow up and show the jumbotron time stamp!
Who are these guys? I will never throw stones at grainy pictures or poor graphic quality because sometimes such things just aren't able to be afforded, but the minimum qualification for running cameras at a sporting event is to record what the EFFING H-BOMB is going on!
Ok, I get the fact that no one likes to watch their team get utterly destroyed and I recognize how hard it must have been for MTU faithful watching this game but... wait a minute... I guess nobody but those present got to watch at certain points in time.
MTU's Radio Commentators
Believe it or not, I'm going to give props to them. They didn't come close to the homerisms I thought I'd experience and they definitely gave props to both sides when deserving. They did correctly call a few times when UND forwards (Hextall or Malone... I can't remember) did a bit of diving. Unfortunately, MTU's first penalty came off of a dive as well. They called it good play by Johnstone. Oh well.
Regardless, they are my MTU second stars of the game. It wasn't bad to listen to at all.
The Officiating
I have often wondered what it would be like if the officials completely ignored UND and called the other guys like they often called UND... well, tonight we saw it. UND did play the majority of the game clean, but there were several instances where we SHOULD have been called and weren't. I'm not talking about gray areas either. A UND point man prevented a short handed break away by taking down an MTU player in what can only be described as "ILLEGAL." Only it wasn't. Hextall shot the puck after the whistle at an MTU player too. Those were only two.
The CFB on Dorriott was borderline major. There was no head contact and the force in which Marto was hit was not out of control. Now, I know those two factors aren't considered by officials when making the call... even when it takes them a few seconds to suddenly decide that it was an illegal check. They could have given Dorriott a minor for boarding and it probably would have been ok.
Sportsmanship
MTU announcers lauded both teams over sportsmanship entirely forgetting the fact that Ryan Furne (commentators made it seem like his name was Burn) was absolutely beyond retarded. I expect that everyone expects the chirping like I'm sure Hextall and Lamoreaux were doing all game long, but Furne, a first line winger no less, mouthed off to the officials on the way into the box for his second penalty (a tripping call) and then left the box mouthing off to the officials, who apparently called a 10 minute misconduct and then Furne apparently mouthed off AGAIN and recieved the rest of the night off. Looks like he has a learning disability. Hey.... next time you get a warning for conduct to the officials, LISTEN THE EFF UP! They gave him the misconduct after the SECOND time he mouthed off in that whole scenario (he may have mouthed off after his first penalty but it wasn't apparent from the webcast or the commentators)!
That being said, it was very nicely played. The coaches were cordial and even the intermission entertainment wasn't too rough to watch... though I'd be pissed if I were the guy who got the RC truck with the bad batteries or controller.
What's Next?
We see if the rest of the MTU team learns anything from this weekend: Go to the Box, get out of the box before 2 minutes is up. Pretty easy. UND's powerplay is ok, but not great.... and MTU made it look like we're unstoppable up a man.
UND cannot party it up even though we play the next series against MTU as well in Grand Forks. MTU did play us very well in Period 1 on Friday and they could do so again if we play like we're playing a cupcake like MTU and not a team that has nothing to lose.
The Three Stars:
1st Star: Jason Gregoire (3g 1a 4pt)
2nd Star: Matt Frattin (2g 2a 4pt)
3rd Star*: Brett Hextall (2g 1a 3pt)
* - I could give it to Brock Nelson or Corbin Knight as well. All three had 3 point nights.
The Sioux scored on all but one, maybe two powerplays and even scored a shortie. Jason Gregoire had a hat trick while Frattin, Nelson, and Hextall each had 2 goals each. It got brutal RIGHT AWAY. The Sioux scored 2 within the first minute. It was 2-1 UND only 1 minute and 25 seconds into the first period!
MTU Starting Goaltender Josh Robinson's glove must have been weighted down because he looked ridiculously awful when UND shot glove side. No matter as he was gone with about 4.5 minutes left to go in the first period. Genoe relieved him and lasted until the 3rd period only giving up a paltry 5 goals. Third Stringer Corson Cramer, MTU announcers proclaimed him the first Colorado-born player on MTU to play, actually looked decent... by MTU standards only giving up 2 goals. After looking at one of the two goals, there was nothing Cramer could do about it. Both goals were redirected shots.
How Embarrassing and Shameful!
You'd think with the horrid officiating that took place today, I'd be lighting up the officials with this header but no. I'm talking about whoever the idiots were who ran the cameras and production area for MTU. They missed 2 goals entirely and for about a minute, perhaps more, did nothing more than focus on the goaltenders and forgot completely about the puck and the hockey going on. Hextall's second goal was missed entirely because of their idiotic idea to blow up and show the jumbotron time stamp!
Who are these guys? I will never throw stones at grainy pictures or poor graphic quality because sometimes such things just aren't able to be afforded, but the minimum qualification for running cameras at a sporting event is to record what the EFFING H-BOMB is going on!
Ok, I get the fact that no one likes to watch their team get utterly destroyed and I recognize how hard it must have been for MTU faithful watching this game but... wait a minute... I guess nobody but those present got to watch at certain points in time.
MTU's Radio Commentators
Believe it or not, I'm going to give props to them. They didn't come close to the homerisms I thought I'd experience and they definitely gave props to both sides when deserving. They did correctly call a few times when UND forwards (Hextall or Malone... I can't remember) did a bit of diving. Unfortunately, MTU's first penalty came off of a dive as well. They called it good play by Johnstone. Oh well.
Regardless, they are my MTU second stars of the game. It wasn't bad to listen to at all.
The Officiating
I have often wondered what it would be like if the officials completely ignored UND and called the other guys like they often called UND... well, tonight we saw it. UND did play the majority of the game clean, but there were several instances where we SHOULD have been called and weren't. I'm not talking about gray areas either. A UND point man prevented a short handed break away by taking down an MTU player in what can only be described as "ILLEGAL." Only it wasn't. Hextall shot the puck after the whistle at an MTU player too. Those were only two.
The CFB on Dorriott was borderline major. There was no head contact and the force in which Marto was hit was not out of control. Now, I know those two factors aren't considered by officials when making the call... even when it takes them a few seconds to suddenly decide that it was an illegal check. They could have given Dorriott a minor for boarding and it probably would have been ok.
Sportsmanship
MTU announcers lauded both teams over sportsmanship entirely forgetting the fact that Ryan Furne (commentators made it seem like his name was Burn) was absolutely beyond retarded. I expect that everyone expects the chirping like I'm sure Hextall and Lamoreaux were doing all game long, but Furne, a first line winger no less, mouthed off to the officials on the way into the box for his second penalty (a tripping call) and then left the box mouthing off to the officials, who apparently called a 10 minute misconduct and then Furne apparently mouthed off AGAIN and recieved the rest of the night off. Looks like he has a learning disability. Hey.... next time you get a warning for conduct to the officials, LISTEN THE EFF UP! They gave him the misconduct after the SECOND time he mouthed off in that whole scenario (he may have mouthed off after his first penalty but it wasn't apparent from the webcast or the commentators)!
That being said, it was very nicely played. The coaches were cordial and even the intermission entertainment wasn't too rough to watch... though I'd be pissed if I were the guy who got the RC truck with the bad batteries or controller.
What's Next?
We see if the rest of the MTU team learns anything from this weekend: Go to the Box, get out of the box before 2 minutes is up. Pretty easy. UND's powerplay is ok, but not great.... and MTU made it look like we're unstoppable up a man.
UND cannot party it up even though we play the next series against MTU as well in Grand Forks. MTU did play us very well in Period 1 on Friday and they could do so again if we play like we're playing a cupcake like MTU and not a team that has nothing to lose.
The Three Stars:
1st Star: Jason Gregoire (3g 1a 4pt)
2nd Star: Matt Frattin (2g 2a 4pt)
3rd Star*: Brett Hextall (2g 1a 3pt)
* - I could give it to Brock Nelson or Corbin Knight as well. All three had 3 point nights.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday's Game Recap... sorta. (RW77)
Ok, I only got to listen to part of the game on the radio and I did get to see the replay (Thanks to RedFrogND and Brad Schlossman) of the penalties and the goal.
First off, I feel sort of vindicated. Why? I predicted that, with the outflow of all that talent UW had, Eaves would revert back to the boring style of hockey UW was famous for in recent memory. I was right. It was a very boring game.
Second, I was very impressed with the penalty kill. I don't believe UW got any shots off in the 10 minutes of gift PP time thanks to the buffoons in black and white. I'll get on the penalties in a moment. Regardless, I'm happy Gleason was getting time at Forward because I can't see him cracking the lineup on a regular basis without that ability. On a completely different note: I feel that UND has a lot of players (at least more than I can recall) that can play both Forward and Defenseman on its roster. I know that Gleason, Genoway, and Davidson have played for UND both at forward and as Defenseman, but I also think that Marto is capable of doing it. I thought he has played at least one game or part of a game as a forward before with UND, but I can't rightfully confirm it.
Third, the major penalties. The WCHA is a reactionary league so I shouldn't be so upset about the majors. What I'm upset about is that they're letting the way the player falls or what the player looks like after he's hit dictate the severity of the penalty. Gleason and Hextall's hits were penalties. Gleason's hit was a boarding minor, or perhaps a double minor at worst. It was not worthy of a Game misconduct. He did not impact the player in the head or cross check him into the boards. He hit shoulder to shoulder with the player and the player was knocked off balance and hit head first into the boards. A bad position for the UW defender for sure, but not a major penalty. Jordy Murray's major was a thing of beauty. Jordy did something stupid. He skated around the net with his head down and forgot that there were players on the ice that were also going to go after the puck. He didn't recognize that he'd get hit and he got "rocked." He somehow ends up bleeding, and to the best of my abilities, the only way I see that happening is if he somehow cut his chin on his cage when his cage and his chin impacted the ice. He lays on the ice for a little bit and even pulls the "I'm out cold" immobility stuff. The whistle blows and up he jumps and off he skates to the bench to participate in the up coming power play. I can't remember if Brady was that soft, but whatever.
Dell played great tonight. Gudmanson did great too. In truth, I'm more impressed with Gudmanson than Dell. Why? Because Gudmanson played above his potential. Stats are irrelevent in this scenario because he's shown time and time again that he's mediocre to slightly above average goaltender. Gudmanson REALLY benefited from the defense in front of him last year because, when that defense had a bad game, vs. BC, Gudmanson got lit up. Dell has benefited from the same thing thus far, so I'm still waiting to see what happens when Dell faces a team without Team D backing him up. We all know Eidsness has faced that scenario this year already.
Nevertheless, it is still amusing to read fans asking if Eidsness will be worthy of playing again this year. I agree we should ride the hot hand, but I also agree that those who think Eidsness will be relegated to backup duty needs to check in to Narcotics Anonymous. Last time Eids played he did not play poorly. For now, I hope Hakstol goes with Dell on Fridays and Eidsness on Saturdays. If Hakstol does go with Dell, then I'll be ok with it too.
Gregoire's goal was a thing of beauty. UND's Centers were dominant. I did find it interesting, though not surprising, that Gleason played over Bruneteau or Davidson, but I don't mind it at all.
Overall, a good game.
Here's the replays.
First off, I feel sort of vindicated. Why? I predicted that, with the outflow of all that talent UW had, Eaves would revert back to the boring style of hockey UW was famous for in recent memory. I was right. It was a very boring game.
Second, I was very impressed with the penalty kill. I don't believe UW got any shots off in the 10 minutes of gift PP time thanks to the buffoons in black and white. I'll get on the penalties in a moment. Regardless, I'm happy Gleason was getting time at Forward because I can't see him cracking the lineup on a regular basis without that ability. On a completely different note: I feel that UND has a lot of players (at least more than I can recall) that can play both Forward and Defenseman on its roster. I know that Gleason, Genoway, and Davidson have played for UND both at forward and as Defenseman, but I also think that Marto is capable of doing it. I thought he has played at least one game or part of a game as a forward before with UND, but I can't rightfully confirm it.
Third, the major penalties. The WCHA is a reactionary league so I shouldn't be so upset about the majors. What I'm upset about is that they're letting the way the player falls or what the player looks like after he's hit dictate the severity of the penalty. Gleason and Hextall's hits were penalties. Gleason's hit was a boarding minor, or perhaps a double minor at worst. It was not worthy of a Game misconduct. He did not impact the player in the head or cross check him into the boards. He hit shoulder to shoulder with the player and the player was knocked off balance and hit head first into the boards. A bad position for the UW defender for sure, but not a major penalty. Jordy Murray's major was a thing of beauty. Jordy did something stupid. He skated around the net with his head down and forgot that there were players on the ice that were also going to go after the puck. He didn't recognize that he'd get hit and he got "rocked." He somehow ends up bleeding, and to the best of my abilities, the only way I see that happening is if he somehow cut his chin on his cage when his cage and his chin impacted the ice. He lays on the ice for a little bit and even pulls the "I'm out cold" immobility stuff. The whistle blows and up he jumps and off he skates to the bench to participate in the up coming power play. I can't remember if Brady was that soft, but whatever.
Dell played great tonight. Gudmanson did great too. In truth, I'm more impressed with Gudmanson than Dell. Why? Because Gudmanson played above his potential. Stats are irrelevent in this scenario because he's shown time and time again that he's mediocre to slightly above average goaltender. Gudmanson REALLY benefited from the defense in front of him last year because, when that defense had a bad game, vs. BC, Gudmanson got lit up. Dell has benefited from the same thing thus far, so I'm still waiting to see what happens when Dell faces a team without Team D backing him up. We all know Eidsness has faced that scenario this year already.
Nevertheless, it is still amusing to read fans asking if Eidsness will be worthy of playing again this year. I agree we should ride the hot hand, but I also agree that those who think Eidsness will be relegated to backup duty needs to check in to Narcotics Anonymous. Last time Eids played he did not play poorly. For now, I hope Hakstol goes with Dell on Fridays and Eidsness on Saturdays. If Hakstol does go with Dell, then I'll be ok with it too.
Gregoire's goal was a thing of beauty. UND's Centers were dominant. I did find it interesting, though not surprising, that Gleason played over Bruneteau or Davidson, but I don't mind it at all.
Overall, a good game.
Here's the replays.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Looking for the silver lining
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
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
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.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Maine, North Dakota hockey programs are similar
I have always liked the University of Maine Black Bears and UND Fighting Sioux hockey rivalry. I also have a lot of respect for the University of Maine Black Bears hockey program. This is a good test that will help the Sioux in the post season. Last time the Black Bears and Sioux met UND was swept at the REA by scores of 6-2 and 3-1.
RECENT SCORES
10/21/2006 Maine 3 North Dakota 1 Maine
10/20/2006 Maine 6 North Dakota 2 Maine
2005-2006
2004-2005
10/09/2004 North Dakota 3 Maine 1 North Dakota
10/08/2004 North Dakota 4 Maine 3 (ot) North Dakota
Tweet cast for the game [click for link].
Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff --- With Black Bear coach Shawn Walsh away in California getting treatment for kidney cancer, which would claim his life less than a year later, UND coach Dean Blais had the names on the backs of his team's jerseys replaced by the name "Walsh" to show his and his team's support for the Maine coach.
It was a classy gesture that will never be forgotten by the Black Bear faithful.
So it was only appropriate that the Fighting Sioux would be on hand at the Alfond Arena four years later under first-year coach Dave Hakstol when Walsh's shamrock was retired and hoisted to the rafters where it sits today.
The two programs resume their rivalry this weekend when North Dakota comes to Orono for a Friday-Saturday night series.
It will be their first meeting since Maine swept the Sioux 6-2 and 3-1 in Grand Forks on Oct. 20-21, 2006. Those wins enabled Maine to overcome a late-season collapse and make the NCAA Tournament and they went on to reach the Frozen Four.
It was the last time Maine participated in the NCAA Tournament.
The programs have a lot in common.
Both have been able to overcome geographic disadvantages to build nationally prominent programs.
They are both in remote locations.
Both have benefited from wealthy donors.
The late Harold Alfond and his family not only made Alfond Arena a reality in 1976, they have continued to donate to the program, including a $3.5 million gift announced last week to renovate the arena.
The late Ralph Engelstad provided the Fighting Sioux with a magnificent, state-of-the-art $110 million arena in his name that opened in 2001.
Both teams are the flagship programs for their respective universities and have rabid followings. The Fighting Sioux have won seven national championships and Maine has won two.
RECENT SCORES
10/21/2006 Maine 3 North Dakota 1 Maine
10/20/2006 Maine 6 North Dakota 2 Maine
2005-2006
2004-2005
10/09/2004 North Dakota 3 Maine 1 North Dakota
10/08/2004 North Dakota 4 Maine 3 (ot) North Dakota
Tweet cast for the game [click for link].
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
A couple of things (Sioux Hockey)
As the summer winds down and the days gets shorter and the weather gets colder, on can only notice that college hockey is back on the “radar”. This weekend the Fighting Sioux travel to the last frontier to play in the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska. There is good news for Sioux hockey fans that have Midco as their cable carrier.
Fighting Sioux --- This weekend's games will be broadcast live on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network on cable systems in North Dakota and Minnesota. FSSN is picking up the GCI production of both games.Since the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team plays the big slow, lumbering team from UAA I thought I would direct your attention to something Delusions of Grandeur had to say about UND. Let's hope Aaron Dell shuts out UAA again this season. Also, Sioux7 is making the trip this week so hopefully we will get a full report from Alaska when he gets back.
A video webcast of Friday's game against UAA can be purchased at www.GoSeawolves.com, where FREE live stats are also available. There will not be a video webcast for Saturday's UND-UAF game, but FREE live stats will be available. Live audio of both games can be heard at FightingSioux.com.
All UND home games are broadcast live on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Midco Sports Network and Fox College Sports Central. Sunday's game will also be carried live on DirecTV 617.
North DakotaThis is what Dean Blais had to say on media day. Looks like UNO might get a new hockey arena on campus.
It is finally the last year that this team is allowed to continue using it's offensive nickname in the NCAA. Thank christ for that. UND returns eleven skaters as upperclassmen this season. That 11 may very well equal SCSU's 15 in terms of overall talent.
But their 8 sophomore skaters could likely drive this team. There is definitely a lot of scoring potential in their sophomore class. UND will be tough across all four lines. And all four lines will be potential scoring lines.
Sure, they could be the WCHA team to get to the Frozen Four and kill kittens. But I think that just like every other year when UND puts Minnesota in their rear mirror they'll lose the motivation that keeps them so ultra competitive in the WCHA. So they'll finish 2nd in the league. They'll finish 3rd or 4th at the Final Five. Then lose to lower seeded B.C. in the first round.
Don't think for a second that I don't see this talent-laden roster. There's a bunch of real goal scorers on it; Cichy, Knight, Rowney, Gregoire, Kristo. But the mantle of "dealing with personalties" has shifted a bit from it's ever-presence at Minnesota to UND. Those fucking guys all know they're studs.
Okay? So yah ... you manage that. They also better hope Eidsness is good to go all year. Because they're going to ride that boy like they rode Lammy.
12:32 p.m.: UNO's Dean Blais spoke Tuesday afternoon on the WCHA coaches teleconference. Here's some of the highlights of what the legendary coach -- who led North Dakota to NCAA titles in 1997 and 2000 -- had to say:
>>“We're glad to be in WCHA. It's a great bunch of guys, as far as coaches … and even the referees -- we kind of enjoyed (seeing them) last week when we played British Columbia. We had a good crowd here, we had 5,700 fans, and won 6-1. We had five different players scoring, and it was a really exciting game.”
>>“A new building, like Duluth and Bemidji, is hopefully going to be announced here. We've got three more years at the Qwest Center, then we want to break ground in the spring, and it will take about two years to build. They're thinking 7,500 to around 8,000 (seats). Details should be out hopefully within a month or two.”
Friday, August 06, 2010
Sioux Hockey is king in ND... Can we all just get along?
I was bored so I thought I would add a few observations of my own. Being a UND fan in Football and Hockey, I do miss the old days of bantering back and forth with Bison fans before the Sioux football team slaughters the Bison in college football and then hoists another Nickel Trophy. The sad news is that rivalry hasn’t happened since 2004 the last year the Bison were a member of the now defunct NCC. The Bison AD wanted to play the Sioux but then AD Roger Thomas decided against it, I guess Thomas thought it was better to slaughter UM Crookston instead of playing a competitive and entertaining game against the Bison. In retrospect it was a bad move for UND not to schedule the Bison when they first started their transition to Division I. By not scheduling the Bison in football during their transition period the Sioux shot themselves in the foot.
UND follows NDSU
Now that the Sioux have started their own transition to Division I in all sports the two schools are looking into possibly playing every other season in football and are in the process of scheduling games in other sports. Eventually UND and NDSU will play in football possibly as conference foes. Contrary to what the Bison fans say on Bisonville aka Belligerent-ville, there is a slim - decent chance that the Missouri Valley Football Conference could accept the Fighting Sioux some day in the future. None the less the; the rivalry “with the other school” could resume on a bi-yearly or semi regular basis in the near future…
NDSU decided to transition to division I in all sports in 2004-2005 and left the Sioux in division II. Today; NDSU is a full fledged member of division I in all sports and are entering their third season in the Summit league and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Late to the dance; UND has since decided to move up to Division I as well and are beginning year three of a five year process to transfer over to division I. UND is in the process of applying for membership in the Summit League in 2012 or 2013. UND’s application was slowed down because of the Fighting Sioux nickname battle.
Hockey is King
As the hockey season approaches UND hockey is getting ready to embark on another run towards the NCAA tourney and has a good shot at taking a run at winning another MacNaughton Cup, based on the roster that they have returning. From reading the drivel over at Belligerentville; Bison fans are hoping that their mediocre FCS team can finish .500 and in the middle of the Missouri Valley Football Conference; last season the NDSU Bison were an unimpressive 2-6 in conference play and 3-8 over all last season. In Basketball, the Bison men and women will embark on a chance to win an auto bid in the Summit League.
Being bored during the summer I decided to do some light reading of the posting and pontifications from Bison fans on their favorite message board Bisonville aka “Belligerentville.” After some thought, I have come to the realization that Bison fans are kind of like the fans of an unnamed WCHASCSU hockey team; they have little bit of a Napoleon complex.
Whether Bison fans will admit it or not a fair number of their fan base does have program envy of the Fighting Sioux hockey. Every message board post that mentions UND hockey ends up being a moronathon about how Bison fans don’t like hockey or care about it and then they go on to mention about how awesome the Bison are in football and basketball. Just for the record the Summit League Conference is a mid major that is stuff full of unimpressive teams most of have never heard of or would recognize until recently. This is league is not to be confused with the Big Ten, ACC, WAC, PAC Ten, et. el.. When people talk about the WCHA people recognize the league and don't have much trouble with identifying the schools. Sure some of the schools are division II but who cares?
I always laugh when I read that fallacious comment about how Bison fans are not interested in hockey. If they are not interested about it why do they keep bringing it up? Someone forgot to tell that to the thousands of cars that are coming up from Fargo to watch Fighting Sioux hockey every weekend during the fall and winter when there is a home hockey game during the WCHA hockey season.
This past week some fan was commenting about how no one watches hockey and that it’s a niche sport. The comment is about as clueless as you can get and isn’t even close to being true. It sounds like some of the Bison fans need to get out of their mother’s basement; UND is ranked second nationally in attendance for division I hockey. If hockey is a niche sport, what do you call the attendance numbers for the Summit League Championship Men’s Division One Basketball. Here are the Summit League Conference basketball tourney - 6,285, 3122, 2033, 2854 attendance numbers. In comparison here are the attendance numbers for the WCHA Red Baron Final Five, 12544, 13113, 15292, 14170, 16414. I rest my case.
In conclusion; while I write this blog post with a hint of sarcasm and maybe with my tongue in cheek just a little, I do think there is some validity to the argument that the Fighting Sioux hockey team is king in North Dakota, and no other college sport marvels is Fighting Sioux hockey in the Flickertail state. I would probably stand by this comment that can be found on Bisionville.
UND follows NDSU
Now that the Sioux have started their own transition to Division I in all sports the two schools are looking into possibly playing every other season in football and are in the process of scheduling games in other sports. Eventually UND and NDSU will play in football possibly as conference foes. Contrary to what the Bison fans say on Bisonville aka Belligerent-ville, there is a slim - decent chance that the Missouri Valley Football Conference could accept the Fighting Sioux some day in the future. None the less the; the rivalry “with the other school” could resume on a bi-yearly or semi regular basis in the near future…
NDSU decided to transition to division I in all sports in 2004-2005 and left the Sioux in division II. Today; NDSU is a full fledged member of division I in all sports and are entering their third season in the Summit league and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Late to the dance; UND has since decided to move up to Division I as well and are beginning year three of a five year process to transfer over to division I. UND is in the process of applying for membership in the Summit League in 2012 or 2013. UND’s application was slowed down because of the Fighting Sioux nickname battle.
Hockey is King
As the hockey season approaches UND hockey is getting ready to embark on another run towards the NCAA tourney and has a good shot at taking a run at winning another MacNaughton Cup, based on the roster that they have returning. From reading the drivel over at Belligerentville; Bison fans are hoping that their mediocre FCS team can finish .500 and in the middle of the Missouri Valley Football Conference; last season the NDSU Bison were an unimpressive 2-6 in conference play and 3-8 over all last season. In Basketball, the Bison men and women will embark on a chance to win an auto bid in the Summit League.
Being bored during the summer I decided to do some light reading of the posting and pontifications from Bison fans on their favorite message board Bisonville aka “Belligerentville.” After some thought, I have come to the realization that Bison fans are kind of like the fans of an unnamed WCHA
Whether Bison fans will admit it or not a fair number of their fan base does have program envy of the Fighting Sioux hockey. Every message board post that mentions UND hockey ends up being a moronathon about how Bison fans don’t like hockey or care about it and then they go on to mention about how awesome the Bison are in football and basketball. Just for the record the Summit League Conference is a mid major that is stuff full of unimpressive teams most of have never heard of or would recognize until recently. This is league is not to be confused with the Big Ten, ACC, WAC, PAC Ten, et. el.. When people talk about the WCHA people recognize the league and don't have much trouble with identifying the schools. Sure some of the schools are division II but who cares?
I always laugh when I read that fallacious comment about how Bison fans are not interested in hockey. If they are not interested about it why do they keep bringing it up? Someone forgot to tell that to the thousands of cars that are coming up from Fargo to watch Fighting Sioux hockey every weekend during the fall and winter when there is a home hockey game during the WCHA hockey season.
This past week some fan was commenting about how no one watches hockey and that it’s a niche sport. The comment is about as clueless as you can get and isn’t even close to being true. It sounds like some of the Bison fans need to get out of their mother’s basement; UND is ranked second nationally in attendance for division I hockey. If hockey is a niche sport, what do you call the attendance numbers for the Summit League Championship Men’s Division One Basketball. Here are the Summit League Conference basketball tourney - 6,285, 3122, 2033, 2854 attendance numbers. In comparison here are the attendance numbers for the WCHA Red Baron Final Five, 12544, 13113, 15292, 14170, 16414. I rest my case.
In conclusion; while I write this blog post with a hint of sarcasm and maybe with my tongue in cheek just a little, I do think there is some validity to the argument that the Fighting Sioux hockey team is king in North Dakota, and no other college sport marvels is Fighting Sioux hockey in the Flickertail state. I would probably stand by this comment that can be found on Bisionville.
Not necessarily, but I would expect them to be just a little bit more informed before they post something stupid about Sioux hockey. While it seems fashionable to make fun of UND Hockey, no sport that NDSU has will ever marvel Sioux hockey.I also think it's funny that an message board thread that is in a forum dedicated to smack talk, actually got closed/locked down, it would be interesting to see why they closed it? Must have been too much talking smack. That takes the cake. You can have sucks without NDSU...
Making some stupid blanket ridiculous statement that no one watches UND hockey when it doesn’t take a genius/AG student to realize that more people attend Sioux hockey than any other sport in North Dakota.
So yeah college hockey is a big deal, one could make the comparison that Hockey is to UND like football is to say, Florida State University maybe. The WCHA would probably compare in significance to the SEC of football.
Let’s compare Bison football and Basketball, well, we know where they stand. The WCHA > the Summit. Look I can't wait till UND can start kicking NDSUck's ass in sports again, I miss watching the Bison get run over in football. Like the one guy said, 'have you seen the nickel trophy lately?'
Saturday, June 26, 2010
2010 NHL Draft Results and Review (RW77)
Ok, a lot happened today (and yesterday) in Los Angeles at the NHL Draft, but before I go on I must say: NHL.com's live draft tracker: Awful.
Yup. They were spot on and super vigilant...until about the end of the 4th round. Then, it seemed like they either hit technical difficulties or they stopped caring. Then, at the end of the 5th round, they waited until ESPN had basically posted half of the 6th round to continue updating. In the end, I just sat and watched ESPN's website and hit reload a bunch of times. Nice work by ESPN.com covering a sport they care little about. Awful work by a website whose sole business is the NHL.
In any case, here are the results for all UND incoming recruits eligible for this year's draft:
1st Round, 15th Overall - Derek Forbort - to the LA Kings
1st Round, 30th Overall - Brock Nelson - to the NY Islanders
4th Round, 113th Overall - Mark MacMillan - to the Montreal Canadiens
5th Round, 149th Overall - Michael Parks - to the Philadelphia Flyers
6th Round, 156th Overall - Brendan O'Donnell - to the TB Lightning
6th Round, 165th Overall - Zane Gothberg - to the Boston Bruins
6th Round, 180th Overall - Nick Mattson - to the Chicago Blackhawks
Undrafted (eligible players): Danny Mattson
Ineligible Players: Dylan Simpson and Colton St. Clair (2011 Draft eligible)
Reaction:
First off, WOW hath Cam Fowler fallen. He and Gormley fell like stones.
Second, I'm amazed at where UND's recruits ended up. Forbort and Nelson were the only two that went right about where I thought they would. Gothberg and Mattson fell like rocks off a cliff.
However, I must say this regarding Zane's draft placement: I saw it coming. When I noticed all those European and MJ goaltenders going (some of them out of left field before Calvin Pickard even got drafted) I know Gothberg's stock was falling. I didn't know when he'd get drafted but I still had hopes he'd get picked in the 5th round. I'm not all that concerned really about Gothberg's draft position overall. I think this will take the heat off of him to be "better than Eidsness" (which has already been batted about at certain message boards) and I think it is rather risky to draft goaltenders before the 4th round anyways. I mean... Jeff Frazee, anyone?
In unrelated news: Sam Brittain is a big kid. 6'3 215. WOW. Minnesota will have to watch out when they inevitably "crash the net" (aka run the goaltender).
Mark MacMillan went a LOT higher than I thought. His stats and videos aside, I thought, if he got drafted at all, he'd be taken in the 6th or 7th round. Same with O'Donnell (which I was right). In my mind, however, I didn't have Parks getting drafted at all. And he goes higher than Mattson and Gothberg.
All in all, only Mattson, St. Clair, and Simpson are listed as UND recruits that have not been drafted. Simpson and St. Clair aren't eligible yet. Both St. Clair and Simpson have big years ahead of them regarding drafting.
Here's the WCHA breakdown of players drafted:
UND: 7 (highest: 1st rd. 15th overall)
UMN: 6 (highest: 1st rd. 19th overall)
UMD: 3 (highest: 2nd rd. 37th overall)
SCSU: 1 (5th rd. 148th overall)
UNO: 1 (7th rd. 196th overall)
MSUM: 1* (3rd rd. 88th overall)
UW: 2 (highest: 3rd rd. 82nd overall)
CC: 2 (highest: 1st rd. 14th overall**)
DU: 3 (highest: 1st rd. 20th overall)
UAA, BSU, MTU each had no recruits selected
* - Didn't count Pitlick. The guy is MJ property now so he's an MJ pick.
** - Jaden Schwartz was the top college-bound player picked
UND leads the way with 7 recruits. Minnesota on their heels (Lucia's totally lost all interest in the Gopher program based on his ineptitude, right? Please).
I remember when UMD didn't get that many draft picks. Don't you? Oh, and former UMD recruit Mac Carruth got drafted too.
How's them apples?
Yup. They were spot on and super vigilant...until about the end of the 4th round. Then, it seemed like they either hit technical difficulties or they stopped caring. Then, at the end of the 5th round, they waited until ESPN had basically posted half of the 6th round to continue updating. In the end, I just sat and watched ESPN's website and hit reload a bunch of times. Nice work by ESPN.com covering a sport they care little about. Awful work by a website whose sole business is the NHL.
In any case, here are the results for all UND incoming recruits eligible for this year's draft:
1st Round, 15th Overall - Derek Forbort - to the LA Kings
1st Round, 30th Overall - Brock Nelson - to the NY Islanders
4th Round, 113th Overall - Mark MacMillan - to the Montreal Canadiens
5th Round, 149th Overall - Michael Parks - to the Philadelphia Flyers
6th Round, 156th Overall - Brendan O'Donnell - to the TB Lightning
6th Round, 165th Overall - Zane Gothberg - to the Boston Bruins
6th Round, 180th Overall - Nick Mattson - to the Chicago Blackhawks
Undrafted (eligible players): Danny Mattson
Ineligible Players: Dylan Simpson and Colton St. Clair (2011 Draft eligible)
Reaction:
First off, WOW hath Cam Fowler fallen. He and Gormley fell like stones.
Second, I'm amazed at where UND's recruits ended up. Forbort and Nelson were the only two that went right about where I thought they would. Gothberg and Mattson fell like rocks off a cliff.
However, I must say this regarding Zane's draft placement: I saw it coming. When I noticed all those European and MJ goaltenders going (some of them out of left field before Calvin Pickard even got drafted) I know Gothberg's stock was falling. I didn't know when he'd get drafted but I still had hopes he'd get picked in the 5th round. I'm not all that concerned really about Gothberg's draft position overall. I think this will take the heat off of him to be "better than Eidsness" (which has already been batted about at certain message boards) and I think it is rather risky to draft goaltenders before the 4th round anyways. I mean... Jeff Frazee, anyone?
In unrelated news: Sam Brittain is a big kid. 6'3 215. WOW. Minnesota will have to watch out when they inevitably "crash the net" (aka run the goaltender).
Mark MacMillan went a LOT higher than I thought. His stats and videos aside, I thought, if he got drafted at all, he'd be taken in the 6th or 7th round. Same with O'Donnell (which I was right). In my mind, however, I didn't have Parks getting drafted at all. And he goes higher than Mattson and Gothberg.
All in all, only Mattson, St. Clair, and Simpson are listed as UND recruits that have not been drafted. Simpson and St. Clair aren't eligible yet. Both St. Clair and Simpson have big years ahead of them regarding drafting.
Here's the WCHA breakdown of players drafted:
UND: 7 (highest: 1st rd. 15th overall)
UMN: 6 (highest: 1st rd. 19th overall)
UMD: 3 (highest: 2nd rd. 37th overall)
SCSU: 1 (5th rd. 148th overall)
UNO: 1 (7th rd. 196th overall)
MSUM: 1* (3rd rd. 88th overall)
UW: 2 (highest: 3rd rd. 82nd overall)
CC: 2 (highest: 1st rd. 14th overall**)
DU: 3 (highest: 1st rd. 20th overall)
UAA, BSU, MTU each had no recruits selected
* - Didn't count Pitlick. The guy is MJ property now so he's an MJ pick.
** - Jaden Schwartz was the top college-bound player picked
UND leads the way with 7 recruits. Minnesota on their heels (Lucia's totally lost all interest in the Gopher program based on his ineptitude, right? Please).
I remember when UMD didn't get that many draft picks. Don't you? Oh, and former UMD recruit Mac Carruth got drafted too.
How's them apples?
Monday, May 24, 2010
USHL Players at 2010 NHL Scouting Combine
USHL Players at 2010 NHL Scouting Combine
Bill Arnold (F), Team USA
Connor Brickley (F), Des Moines Buccaneers
Jack Campbell (G), Team USA
Jacob Fallon (F), Indiana Ice
Justin Faulk (D), Team USA
Derek Forbort (D), (Team USA/UND Recruit)
Kevin Gravel (D), Sioux City Musketeers
Justin Holl (D), Omaha Lancers
Stephen Johns (D), Team USA
Jon Merrill (D), Team USA
Jaden Schwartz (F), Tri-City Storm
Jarred Tinordi (D), Team USA
Jason Zucker (F), Team USA
Patrick McNally, (D), (Indiana Ice)
Brock Nelson (F), (Green Bay Gamblers/UND recruit)
Max Gardiner (F), (Des Moines Buccaneers)
Kevin Hayes (Indiana Ice)
Zane Gothberg (Fargo Force/UND recruit).
Bill Arnold (F), Team USA
Connor Brickley (F), Des Moines Buccaneers
Jack Campbell (G), Team USA
Jacob Fallon (F), Indiana Ice
Justin Faulk (D), Team USA
Derek Forbort (D), (Team USA/UND Recruit)
Kevin Gravel (D), Sioux City Musketeers
Justin Holl (D), Omaha Lancers
Stephen Johns (D), Team USA
Jon Merrill (D), Team USA
Jaden Schwartz (F), Tri-City Storm
Jarred Tinordi (D), Team USA
Jason Zucker (F), Team USA
Patrick McNally, (D), (Indiana Ice)
Brock Nelson (F), (Green Bay Gamblers/UND recruit)
Max Gardiner (F), (Des Moines Buccaneers)
Kevin Hayes (Indiana Ice)
Zane Gothberg (Fargo Force/UND recruit).
As NHL teams make their final preparations for the NHL Entry Draft in June, they will get an up-close look at the top prospects this week during the NHL Scouting Combine. Among the 100 players invited to the Combine are 13 who spent the 2009-10 season in the USHL.
The NHL Scouting Combine, which will run May 24-29 in Toronto and is conducted by NHL Central Scouting, is an opportunity for NHL teams to meet and interview prospects, as well as see them tested in an off-ice setting, which includes vigorous physical, medical, and psychological tests. [USHL.COM]
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Chay Genoway press conference
Here is the video and audio of the Chay Genoway's press conference that took place at 1:00 pm today. I have to say that I am very happy with his decision to come back and play another year at UND. UND Fighting Sioux hockey coach Dave Hakstol also had a press conference as well.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Saturday's game between the Sioux and Huskies to be televised
UND hockey beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman had this up on this blog. Good news for Sioux fans.
UND announced this afternoon that Saturday's game against St. Cloud State also will be televised by Midcontinent. It will be on Channel 6 in GF. More to come.... [UND Hockey Blog]
Thursday, February 04, 2010
INCH Chat.
Bert (Titletown, ND)
Gladdy you seem to have more confidence in UND than most of the UND faithful. Why?
Joe Gladziszewski (2:39 PM)
Must be because I'm from a different part of the country and not saddled with the lifelong stigma that North Dakota is always under-appreciated when good, and absolutely terrible when not in first place. I like the team's grit and scoring depth primarily. They're a tough team to play against, and even in several losses I think they've outplayed their opponents. The worm's gotta turn. [INCH Chat]
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday Links.
Here is the link to this week's Wednesday press conference [click to listen]
Here is the link to the Wednesday Coaches show. [Click to listen]
UND is going to celebrate the 2000 NCAA Championship team the weekend of the UND and UMD series, it's been 10 years since the Fighting Sioux won a NCAA title.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of North Dakota athletics department and men's hockey program invites Fighting Sioux fans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UND's 2000 NCAA championship season during the Feb. 19-20 series against Minnesota Duluth.
Members of the 2000 Fighting Sioux will be on hand for a pre-game autograph session prior to the Saturday, Feb. 20 game. The autograph session will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the northeast concourse of Ralph Engelstad Arena and FREE autograph cards will be provided.*
The 2000 Sioux will be introduced on the ice during the second intermission of the Saturday game.
The weekend will also include a series of video board messages from players and staff from that championship team. A commemorative game program will also be available, featuring a team photo of the 2000 national championship team on the insert poster and special 10th anniversary images. [Fighting Sioux]
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
It's still possible
I was playing around with the numbers and realistically speaking the Fighting Sioux "COULD" finish in first still. I don't know the Sioux are 4-2-2 during the second half. Try the "what-if" calculator. Go ahead and post your finds if you like. I don't know if I would like to see UND play the Seawolves.
WCHA Final
UMD 28 36
UND 28 36
Denver 28 36
UW 28 35
SCSU 28 35
CC 28 29
UMN 28 26
AA 28 21
Mankato 28 21
MTech 28 5
WCHA Final
UMD 28 36
UND 28 36
Denver 28 36
UW 28 35
SCSU 28 35
CC 28 29
UMN 28 26
AA 28 21
Mankato 28 21
MTech 28 5
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tenative 2010-2011 UND hockey schedule
Brad has the tenative Fighting Sioux hockey schedule for next season. The first three series of the year will be on the road. Looks like no holiday tourney but a series against the ND Fighting Irish on Thanksgiving weekend. Next season we will have 4 games against UNO, BSU, SCSU. 20 games at home next season counting the game against Manitoba and the U-18 team.
Oct. 3 -- MANITOBA (exh)
Oct. 8-9 -- Nye Classic in Anchorage (vs. UAA and UAF)
Oct. 15-16 -- at Bemidji State
Oct. 22-23 -- at Maine
Oct. 29-30 -- DENVER
Nov. 5-6 -- DULUTH
Nov. 12-13 -- at Wisconsin
Nov. 19-20 -- at Omaha
Nov. 26-27 -- NOTRE DAME
Dec. 3-4 -- ST. CLOUD STATE
Dec. 10-11 -- at Mankato
Dec. 18 -- U.S. UNDER 18
Dec. 30 -- at Duluth (Hall of Fame Game)
Jan. 7-8 -- ROBERT MORRIS
Jan. 14-15 -- MINNESOTA
Jan. 21-22 -- OMAHA
Jan. 28-29 -- at Colorado College
Feb. 11-12 -- ANCHORAGE
Feb. 18-19 -- at St. Cloud State
Feb. 25-26 -- BEMIDJI STATE
March 4-5 -- at Michigan Tech
Oct. 3 -- MANITOBA (exh)
Oct. 8-9 -- Nye Classic in Anchorage (vs. UAA and UAF)
Oct. 15-16 -- at Bemidji State
Oct. 22-23 -- at Maine
Oct. 29-30 -- DENVER
Nov. 5-6 -- DULUTH
Nov. 12-13 -- at Wisconsin
Nov. 19-20 -- at Omaha
Nov. 26-27 -- NOTRE DAME
Dec. 3-4 -- ST. CLOUD STATE
Dec. 10-11 -- at Mankato
Dec. 18 -- U.S. UNDER 18
Dec. 30 -- at Duluth (Hall of Fame Game)
Jan. 7-8 -- ROBERT MORRIS
Jan. 14-15 -- MINNESOTA
Jan. 21-22 -- OMAHA
Jan. 28-29 -- at Colorado College
Feb. 11-12 -- ANCHORAGE
Feb. 18-19 -- at St. Cloud State
Feb. 25-26 -- BEMIDJI STATE
March 4-5 -- at Michigan Tech
UND and Cornell
Check out what Coach Hakstol had to say about this weekend's game against the Big Red from Cornell.
Here is what I took from the interview; Coach Hakstol is basically challenging his team that now is the time to put the lessons learned to heart and start putting it all together. I also detect a little urgency in Coach Hakstol’s voice that wasn’t there earlier in the season.
#5 North Dakota vs #9 Cornell
•RADIO: 96.1 The Fox (KQHT-FM)
•TV: Time Warner Sports (N.Y. only)
•WEBCAST & LIVE STATS: CornellBigRed.com/Showcase •AUDIO: FightingSioux.com
•MEDIA INFORMATION: All Fighting Sioux men's hockey games, home and away, can be heard on 96.1 FM (The Fox) and on stations across the Fighting Sioux Hockey Network. Veteran broadcaster Tim Hennessy is in his 30th season as the voice of the Fighting Sioux.
Friday night's game will be televised live locally on Time Warner Cable Sports in New York. No further TV coverage has been announced as of Tuesday morning.
A video webcast of this weekend's games can be purchased at CornellBigRed.com. FREE live audio is available at FightingSioux.com and FREE live stats are available at CornellBigRed.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)