Redwing77's F5 Final Impressions

It's been a very long time but I have finally visited the XCel. My first Final 5 game. I still consider myself not having been to the Final 5 because I didn't get to see every game. However, here are my impressions:

The Fans

I sat around a wide variety of fans. Mostly were Sioux fans, but I sat next to two Gopher fans, in front of two SCSU fans, and talked to a few others. Oddly enough, the people who were the coldest were the two Sioux fans in front of me from Lincoln, NE. Stupid of me to consider we had something to talk about since I live in Omaha, NE. Oh well. Oddly enough, I spent most of my time talking to the Gopher fan and the Sioux fans behind me and to my right. I had fun even though I didn't get to put any faces to any of the names I see on USCHO, SS.com, or Schlossman's blog and here. As for Goon, he'll just owe me a drink for blowing me off this summer.

Talking to the Gopher fan, he was a fun guy despite him yelling Hobey Baker whenever Brittain made a save. However, it was all in fun anyways. I talked to him about the Gophers and he agreed with me about Hill. I didn't expect him to disagree with me though. Oh well.

The Seats

My seats, fans excluded, sucked. I had absolutely NO sightline to the far end of the rink. That meant that I only saw ONE goal, Frattin's game winner, live. The rest I saw on the jumbotron. In the end, with the up and down hockey we witnessed in the Broadmoor game (as I call it), I had a lot of trouble following the puck.

The Venue

XCel is nice. Unfortunately, I got screwed by the woman in front of me for the TShirts but oh well. She ordered one TShirt so, thinking she was done, I placed my order for 1. There were only three left. She turned to me and said "Hey, wait a minute, I'm not done!" And she took all 3 TShirts remaining. What a... Oh well. Not XCel's fault but certainly turned my mood slightly bitter postgame.

The Game

Denver came ready to play and they took it to us. Yes, we had one good period (2nd period), one half-good period (3rd period) and put it in the net in the end, but they had an OT that, by my opinion, was just Aaron Dell away from putting us away something like 3 or 4 times over.

Davidson's goal to put us ahead was SUPER soft. Brittain will have nightmares on that goal. Sam Brittain was DU's POTG for sure (and was awarded as such). Like I said, UND dominated in certain stretches but not for any too impressive stretch of time. Brittain stood on his head. If he stays hot into the NCAAs this could be trouble. Oh, and Zucker is fast. His play on Kristo would have been the Play of the Game, imo, if Brittain hadn't made that save on Knight.

UND didn't play poorly by any stretches, but they did get a bit careless at times. Failure to clear when they could have resulted in the first goal and chasing the puck caused the second. Aaron Dell isn't unbeatable but we should do better to protect him.

The Refs

Meh. I think they called a pretty decent game until the 3rd period when they were starting to let some overt penalties go. The first OT had some incredible noncalls in it. Oh well. It happens.

The Keys to Come

RPI is next. They aren't in the tourney because someone from the ECACHLMAO had to go besides Yale. They are good. VERY good. They have a Hobey finalist on the team. I believe it is his second time as a finalist. Unfortunately, that's as much as I know about RPI. Oh, they're no Holy Cross. They've been to the NCAAs before and have a pretty solid result at least once. We respect them and worry about DU after that.

DU will have no problem, in my opinion, with WMU. It could even turn into a laugher.

The #4 with the best chance to go all the way this year is UNH. CC is good, but won't be able to beat BC. I wish Air Force would beat Yale, especially since Air Force has already beaten them once this season... but I don't anticipate it happening. If Air Force doesn't beat Yale, I predict UMD will.

Notre Dame is also a #3 that has a great chance to make the Frozen Four. DU is the best #2, imo. Merrimack and Union... no offense, but... Thanks for playing.

I want Blais and Co. to beat Michigan badly but I think they'll be focused and ready to go after laying a steaming turd vs. WMU. Nevertheless, go Mavs.

There aren't any "easy" brackets this year. I guess the closest would be Yale's bracket. The hardest bracket is either Green Bay or St. Louis. It really depends upon how well Michigan and UNO play.

Nelson's Checking From Behind

Here's the video of Brock Nelson's checking from behind penalty last night.

So what do you think? Did Guentzel embellish?


My opinion is that Nelson gave him a little tap, Guentzel felt it coming and dropped to his knees and took the hit. You don't go down like that when you know there's a guy right there.

That being said I don't blame Don Adam (the devil incarnate)a bit for making the call. I don't know what else he was supposed to do. From Nelson's shoulders you can see that he gave Guentzel s shot and with contact like that to the boards the call had to be made.

Sioux 4 Pioneers 3 - No Dasher Dancing tonight

Ho Hum, that is how I would describe this evening game between two teams that are supposed to be bitter rivals that hate each other. This is one of those series that traditionally is supposed to look like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. Unfortunately; this game was really clean, almost boring and there were only four penalties in the entire game.

The part that is even more unbelievable was that the UND Fighting Sioux ended up getting three power play and Denver only got one power play through sixty minutes of hockey. I suppose the Denver head coach George Gwozdecky will call his coffee drinking buddy WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod and lobby for a few more power plays tomorrow night; of course I am kidding but it does seem odd that this game wasn't a parade to the penalty box with at least three scrums. There wasn't any international choking signs, dances on the dasher or walks across the ice. In fact the DU coach never left the bench to enter the playing surface. There wasn't even a conference between the Refs and the DU coach at the DU bench.

I actually expect tomorrows game to be more spirited, more contested. Just not your typical grudge match between the two teams that are supposed to hate each other. What next a hug at center ice after the game showing solidarity? God I hope not.

Defensive Juggernaut?

While the Sioux won the game I am still concerned with the goaltending and the team defense, tonight I saw a few things that concerned me. I know it’s early but the goaltending numbers so far this season are brutal and what I would consider unacceptable and subpar, None the less, seven games into the hockey season and the Fighting Sioux don’t have a goalie with a save percentages over 90 percent. You’re not going to win a lot of hard fought close hockey games with that poor of defensive numbers like that, things have to tighten up if the Fighting Sioux are going to win some hockey games.

Now I know that Matt Donovan is an elite player but on his goal in the second period, he skated around the entire Sioux hockey team before slipping the puck through the goaltenders pads, I mean seriously! That was embarrassing that no one challenged him. That can’t happen. I just hope the Sioux are better tomorrow night.

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[Box Score]
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1st Period (20:00)
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DEN 1 - 0 6x6 Jason Zucker (3) (Shawn Ostrow, John Ryder)6:19
DEN (+): 17,26,24,10,15,G1 NDK (-): 7,5,29,2,27,G32
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Dillon Simpson (1) (Jason Gregoire, Corban Knight)11:51
NDK (+): 18,7,17,26,24,G32 DEN (-): 17,18,24,14,21,G1
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2nd Period (20:00)
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DEN 2 - 1 6x6 Matt Donovan (3) (unassisted) 1:53
DEN (+): 4,11,10,26,16,G1 NDK (-): 7,27,29,18,24,G32
DEN-1 Drew Shore (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 3:32
DEN-2 Matt Donovan (2-Holding) NDK 0x2 6:00
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Michael Cichy (1) (Mario Lamoureux, Derrick LaPoint)9:04
NDK (+): 8,9,3,11,25,G32 DEN (-): 24,14,19,6,18,G1
NDK 3 - 2 6x6 LL Corban Knight (3) (Brett Hextall, Jason Gregoire)16:43
NDK (+): 10,26,17,2,5,G32 DEN (-): 16,18,4,14,21,G1
DEN-3 Beau Bennett (2-Elbowing) NDK 1x3 19:57
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3rd Period (20:00)
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NDK 4 - 2 6x5 PP GW Corban Knight (4) (Danny Kristo, Brock Nelson)1:13
NDK: 17,10,7,5,29,G32 DEN: 17,6,15,24,G1
NDK-1 Danny Kristo (2-Hooking) DEN 0x1 5:05
DEN 3 - 4 6x6 Jason Zucker (4) (Beau Bennett, Drew Shore)10:37
DEN (+): 17,9,15,24,10,G1 NDK (-): 10,11,24,18,8,G32
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End of Game
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Goon's Three Stars of the game

1. Corbin Knight (2g-1a-3pts)
2. Jason Gregoire (0g-2-a-2pts)
3. Brett Hextall (0g-1a-1pts)

Links to the game

DU loses at North Dakota 4-3 [Denver Post]

Sioux erase bad memories with win over Denver [Grand Forks Herald]

DU Pioneers bit by the injury bug

While the Denver Pioneers have suffered some injuries problems and appear to have broken a mirror in the team locker room, hence the bad luck, the Fighting Sioux hockey team can’t overlook the Denver Pioneers. Let's give credit where credit is due; any team that is lead by Denver head coach George Gwozdecky is a good hockey team, there also appears to be some sandbagging going on in Denver as well. One thing we learned from last season first series with DU is that while the media reports someone as being out and or questionable they seem to show up dressed and ready to play on game day as well, that same scenario happened last season with Chevy their goaltender.

Denver Pioneer --- DU’s maximum 22-player traveling party will feature the 22 players capable of playing at North Dakota this weekend. Weird injuries and illness continue to plague the Pios, who depart for Grand Forks on Thursday and face the Fighting Sioux on Friday and Saturday at Engelstad Arena.

I was at practice today and learned that sophomore goalie Adam Murray and classmate Paul Phillips, a defenseman, will remain in Denver over the weekend. Murray, who missed last weekend’s series against Wisconsin with a groin injury, skated with his gear before practice but then sought treatment during it.

“It’s just slow,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said of Murray’s recovery. “It’s the groin area; that major muscle goaltenders need. It’s improving but very, very slow in improving. He’s going to stay home and continue to rehab and hopefully start skating and practicing next week.”

Phillips, who has played in all six games this season, is out after suffering complications from a dry, bloody nose. True story. He required nasal surgery.

“He had sinus congestion that turned into an infection, and as a result, his nose was running and he was blowing it,” Gwozdecky said of Phillips. “The combination of the infection, blowing the nose, the high altitude and dry air, he developed a pretty severe nose bleed on Monday.

“It would start, and stop, and start again (over and over). We thought it had it stopped, but Tuesday morning about 3 a.m. he couldn’t get it to stop and he was admitted to the hospital. They did some exploratory surgery (Tuesday) night . . . and found he had blown out a blood vessel. They cauterized it and he is about to be released. He’s probably 10 days to two weeks away (from returning).”

Meanwhile, junior forward Dustin Jackson (mononucleosis) and freshman center Nick Shore (broken wrist) will remain out. Jackson has yet to play this season and Shore hasn’t played since the season opener at Vermont. Freshman forward Justin Jones still has not been academically cleared by the NCAA, thus he cannot practice with the team. Senior defensemen Jon Cook and Joey Brehm are DU’s only extra players, so both will travel to North Dakota.

The faces of George Gwozdecky

I couldn't resist, I had to share this picture with those that haven't seen it yet, this is definitely a keeper and a great illustration of the animated character that is George Gwozdecky. This picture is from Fargo Sioux's signature over on Sioux Sports. All we need now is one of him standing on the dasher and walking across the ice.

DU’s John Lee and Sam Brittain honored by WCHA

The Fighting Sioux hockey team’s favorite punching bag the Denver Pioneers, have a couple of players that won weekly awards from the WCHA this past week. One of the least popular Denver Pioneers amongst Sioux fans is University of Denver junior defenseman John Lee.

The Denver Post ---- The WCHA on Tuesday tabbed University of Denver junior John Lee and freshman goaltender Sam Brittain with weekly awards, after the Pioneers got through the weekend with a victory and a tie against Wisconsin.

Lee was named defensive player of the week after posting a plus-2 rating over the two games. He also had four blocked shots and an assist on the game-winning goal Friday.

Brittain was named rookied of the week after stopping 51 of 55 shots over the two games. His compiled a .927 saves percentage over the weekend in relief of starter Adam Murray.

UND and DU week – A trip down memory lane.

Since it’s UND and DU hockey week I thought I would post a few reminders about the DU and UND rivalry to get your juices flowing. One could make the argument that the Pioneers have replaced the Gophers as our top rival. Both teams hate each other and there is no love lost between the fan bases as well. I also think most of us enjoy the games between the two programs.

I think that this is going to be a hard fought series this weekend and I think the DU fans and their media is kind of sand bagging and down playing how good their team is. While DU has a few good players nicked up I do think they are better than they are leading on.

The Fighting Sioux can not over look this DU team and they need to play smart and take some of their pride back after last weekends spanking at the hands of the Maine Black Bears. The Sioux will also have to play smartly because DU is the darling of the WCHA and will get all of the breaks from the WCHA officials this weekend. You have to wonder if another WCHA will get suspended or if UND will get 6 straight penalties in a row.

I am sure Sioux fans are wondering what the over and under of the chances of there being a dancer dance or not. I am also wondering if Todd Anderson is going to be one of the officials for this weekend’s series.

Here are some of the videos from previous games. Fighting Sioux and the Denver Pioneers from February 2008. [click to view video]

Last season was no different as the game got heated between the Pioneers and Sioux. [Click to view video]

Denver University Pioneers coach Gwozdecky takes a stroll across the ice. [Click to watch the video]

Here is the infamous cup check on one of the most hated Pioneer’s player of all time. Mike Prpich of the Fighting Sioux "Pops" Geoff Paukovitch with his stick. George goes nuts and dances on the dasher [Click to view viedo]

Lastly, how can we forget that Alanna Rizzo doesn't like the Fighting Sioux fans.

Denver Post - FSN Rocky Mountain reporter Alanna Rizzo covered last weekend’s DU series at North Dakota, returning to Denver on Sunday with mostly bad memories from her first trip to Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks.

“Honestly, if I’m not covering Denver the next time they go there, I would never have any reason in the world to ever go to a North Dakota hockey game,” she told me Tuesday. “(Sioux fans) need to realize they leave a bad taste in an opponent’s mouth, or anyone that’s going to see the arena for the first time.”

Rizzo’s angst stems from obnoxious and seemingly uncontrollable Fighting Sioux fans — particularly adults.

“It was a little too much for too long,” Rizzo said. “It wasn’t the student section as much as the older crowd, right on top of the DU bench, and I stood in the hallway going into their locker room.

“There were a lot of derogatory comments . . . from men and women, young and old, asking me about Coach Gwozdecky’s behavior, calling him a ‘Little Man,’ asking me ‘Why are you really here?’ and ‘I vote for last night’s outfit.’ It’s one thing to cheer for your own team, I’m all for that, but to constantly berate college athletes that are not being paid to play a sport for the constant length of the game was a little much.”

Rizzo, who also covers the Colorado Rockies, is in her second season working DU hockey for FSN. Previously, she covered the University of Wisconsin’s men and women’s hockey teams in Madison for WISC, a CBS affiliate. She worked Badgers games in 2006, the year both UW teams won NCAA championships.