INCH Power Rankings

INCH Power Rankings
[November 7, 2010]
1. Boston University
2. Minnesota Duluth
3. Maine
4. Yale
5. Miami
6. Michigan
7. Union
8. North Dakota - The Fighting Sioux are in the middle of a six-week stretch of games against teams currently in the INCH Power Rankings — they've already faced Maine, DU, and UMD and have Wisconsin, UNO, and Notre Dame up next.
5-4-1 (4-2-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota Duluth, 4-2; L vs. Minnesota Duluth, 3-2 ot. THIS WEEK: at Wisconsin, at Wisconsin
9. New Hampshire
10. Boston College
11. Nebraska-Omaha
12. Wisconsin
13. Notre Dame
14. Alaska
15. Michigan State
16. Denver
17. Western Michigan
18. Rensselaer
19. Robert Morris
20. Ferris State

Analysis - I think these rankings are a little off, UMD stays in second place after being dominated by the Fighting Sioux on Friday night and then the Sioux lose a close one on Saturday night. This is the same game that Sioux just miss winning in the waning seconds of regulation.

Two other things that don't pass the smell test are Boston College in 10th, Boston College is a better team than 10th. Also, you can't tell me that Union is the 7th ranked team in the nation.

Sunrise addition; Bulldogs 3 - Sioux 2 O.T.

So here we are; the sun came up today regardless of what happened on the ice last night, no need to jump off any bridges or start the fire Hakstol discussion. Putting in perspective UMD is now 3-12-2 in the REA, that means in 17 games UMD has won three times, you have to figure the Bulldogs would win a game eventually in the REA. Now the UND Fighting Sioux need to go to the “Oil Can” on December 30th and slap that Bulldog ass in front of the UMD fans at the grand opening of their new hockey arena.

Rankings smankings

Here is the $64,000.00 question; if the UMD Bulldogs are the number two ranked team in the country, what does that make UND? Seriously! The UND Fighting Sioux were ranked 9th in both polls by the flat bellied experts going into this weeks play and the UMD Bulldogs were ranked 2nd over all. So are we to believe that UMD is the second best team in the nation? Then one could easily make the argument that UND can’t be far behind them in the rankings. Especially when it looked like the lower ranked team was the better of the two teams for large chunks of the weekend.

Moving forward, I don’t see any reason why Sioux fans can’t feel up beat and optimistic about the future of the Fighting Sioux hockey program for the 2010-2011 season? Defensively UND has great talent on paper and has yet to live up to their expectations, UND also played without one of the second line forwards for the first game and the Sioux were minus two defensemen for the whole weekend that have proven to be two of the best this season on the ice. UMD was missing Mike Montgomery on Friday night as well due to an illness. So the argument is that UND has a lot of dept and it showed this weekend.

On Friday night the Fighting Sioux owned the Bulldogs, the game wasn’t as close as the score board indicated. It was a little different on Saturday night, the game was a more even and the Bulldogs carried the play at times. The Sioux got took a few penalties that ended up burying them. Moving forward UND has to stop taking penalties or learn how to kill them. You can not continue to give talented teams with great forwards and awesome power plays seven minutes or more during a period in penalties and expect to win the game. It’s like playing with fire in a meth lab. You're going to get burned.

Defensively - turnovers kill

This season turn over’s in all three zones of the ice have killed the Fighting Sioux. While I did see improvement this weekend the Sioux still need to limit the opposition being able to cash in on defensive turnovers from the neutral zone in. Also, I hate to say this but I would like to see the Sioux trap a little more (not a lot more) and tighten the reigns defensively a bit more, especially against teams with high skill like Maine. In addition I think the Sioux need to keep counter attacking instead of sitting on a lead when they have a team on the ropes. While I find teams that play defense first and offense second boring, I do think that our team could focus on defense a little more. I don’t know how many times I have seen our defensemen that focus on offense get caught up ice pinching, leaving the goaltender exposed. Even the best goaltenders don't like to face a lot of odd man rushes, eventually you get burned.


Goon's Three Stars of the Game

1.) Mike Connolly, UMD Forward, (1g-1a-2pts)
2.) Kenny Reiter, UMD goalie
3.) Aaron Dell, UND goalie

[Box score]
1st Period (20:00)

NDK-1 Ben Blood (2-Hooking) MND 0x1 4:03
MND-1 Keegan Flaherty (2-Holding) NDK 0x1 6:15
NDK-2 Corban Knight (2-Hooking) MND 0x2 14:59
MND-2 Kyle Schmidt (2-High-Sticking) NDK 1x2 18:07
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Brock Nelson (1) (Chay Genoway, Corban Knight) 18:39
NDK: 29,5,10,17,7,G32 MND: 22,11,4,25,G35

2nd Period (20:00)

NDK-3 Corban Knight (2-Slashing) MND 0x3 0:48
MND 1 - 1 6x6 Mike Connolly (7) (Wade Bergman, Justin Faulk) 2:48
MND (+): 22,28,25,12,17,G35
NDK-4 Mario Lamoureux (5-Checking from Behind) MND 0x4 3:32
NDK-5 Mario Lamoureux (10-Game Misconduct) 3:32
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Evan Trupp (3) (unassisted) 8:53
NDK (+): 19,29,20,18,11,G32 MND (-): 10,14,24,2,17,G35
MND 2 - 2 6x6 J.T. Brown (5) (Kyle Schmidt, Travis Oleksuk) 13:41
MND (+): 23,7,11,4,25,G35 NDK (-): 11,19,25,29,3,G32
MND-3 Max Tardy (2-Interference) NDK 1x3 15:21
MND-4 Max Tardy (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 15:21
NDK-6 Brad Malone (2-Hooking) MND 0x5 17:30
NDK-7 Ben Blood (2-Interference) MND 0x6 19:32

3rd Period (20:00)

MND-5 Kyle Schmidt (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 15:12

Overtime (0:58)

MND 3 - 2 6x6 GW LL Justin Fontaine (6) (Mike Connolly, Justin Faulk) 0:58
MND (+): 37,22,25,12,4,G35 NDK (-): 7,5,24,26,10,G32

End of Game

Sioux 4 Bulldogs 2

The Fighting Sioux keep beating/whopping that Bulldog ass. The game really wasn't as close as the score board indicated as the Fighting Sioux dominated play for most of the game and spent long periods of time in the UMD end attacking the UMD net, if it wasn't for Aaron Crandell it could have been a 6-2 game in favor of the Fighting Sioux.

Lets not beat around the bush, seriously, the Bulldog goalie Aaron Crandall was very pretty good tonight and he did a good job keeping the Dogs in the game. In addition to the goaltending exhibition in the UMD net, the Sioux would have run away with the game it it wasn't form some selfish untimely, knuckle-headed penalties. The Ralph Englestad Arena continues to be a house of horrors for the UMD Bulldogs as they are now 2-12-2 against the Fighting Sioux since they moved into the Ralph.

Defense is key?

I am starting to notice a pattern with this year Fighting Sioux team, the defense is preventing/limiting a lot of shots, but they are giving up goals off of untimely turnovers at key times in games. Also, Derrick LaPoint has been a turn over factory and at times has looked slow. I think when the Andrew MacWilliam and Derek Forbort come back, Derrick LaPoint he should be the one sitting in the stands. I would like to see more of Joe Gleason as he looked good tonight and I hope that they Fighting Sioux coaching staff can get him into the line up more frequently. Since it's late I will post more tomorrow.

Goon's three stars of the game

1. Evan Trupp, UND 1g-1a-2pts
2. Matt Frattin, UND 1g-0-1pts
3. Aaron Crandall goalie, UMD

[Official Box Score]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ND-1 Keegan Flaherty (2-SLASHING THE GOALIE) NDK 0x1 5:05
MND-2 Travis Oleksuk (2-Tripping) NDK 0x2 8:12
NDK-1 Brett Hextall (2-Cross-Checking) MND 0x1 9:25
MND-3 Mike Seidel (2-Roughing) 11:46
NDK-2 Mario Lamoureux (2-Holding) 11:46
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Derek Rodwell (3) (Evan Trupp, Brock Nelson) 2:22
NDK (+): 11,19,29,24,18,G32 MND (-): 5,17,8,14,10,G31
NDK-3 Matt Frattin (2-Hooking) MND 0x2 14:50
MND-4 Brady Lamb (2-Roughing) NDK 1x3 16:03
MND 1 - 1 5x5 Travis Oleksuk (6) (Kyle Schmidt, Dylan Olsen) 16:25
MND (+): 11,7,4,28,G31 NDK (-): 8,26,18,24,G32
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP LL Evan Trupp (2) (Chay Genoway) 17:57
NDK: 19,5,17,7,10,G32 MND: 37,5,25,27,G31
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 GW Matt Frattin (8) (unassisted) 5:05
NDK (+): 21,7,8,25,5,G32 MND (-): 23,7,2,28,11,G31
NDK-4 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) MND 0x3 5:39
MND-5 Jake Hendrickson (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 8:41
NDK-5 Jason Gregoire (2-Interference) MND 1x4 14:39
MND 2 - 3 6x5 PP Justin Fontaine (5) (Jack Connolly, Mike Connolly) 15:49
MND: 37,12,22,25,2,G31 NDK: 26,10,3,25,G32
MND-6 Justin Fontaine (2-Shooting after the Whistle) NDK 2x5 18:23
MND-7 Justin Fontaine (10-Misconduct) 18:23
Timeout - Minnesota Duluth 18:23
NDK 4 - 2 6x5 PP EN Corban Knight (5) (Chay Genoway) 19:49
NDK: 10,5,7,21,24,G32 MND: 23,25,11,22,12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday morning pontifications

Here are a few things that are worth looking at this morning.

Apparently Brandon from Sioux Yeah Yeah is either sandbagging or doesn't think our team has a chance of winning the hockey games this weekend. Not mention, that the UND Fighting Sioux are a pretty good hockey team it's self, even with the rash of illnesses and the impending suspension. Add to the fact that the Fighting Sioux have also played a tougher schedule to date to start the season. That's not saying that UMD isn't a good hockey team because they are, but lets not forget that UND is pretty good as well.

Against my advice; Brandon was also participated and was taken to task in this week's gauntlet by Runnin' With the Dogs. I would tell people to enter at your own peril when agreeing to run the gauntlet.

Also apparent, is that Brandon forgot to read the Bruce Ciskie blog, where Bruce said this, "Since it opened in October of 2001, UMD is 2-11-2 in games played at Ralph Engelstad Arena." [Ciskie Blog] Let not your heart be troubled Brandon.

Sioux fans will be able to send DU forward Jesse Martin their best wishes this weekend. This from Jayson Hajdu' Twitter page, the UND Sports Information Director.

@UNDSID --- Sioux fans can send their best wishes to DU's Jesse Martin by signing a giant card at REA guest services during this weekend's men's games.

So go and sign this card if you are in the building this weekend. The Fighting Sioux fan base is pulling for the Denver University Pioneer forward.

A few predictions and thoughts from the Pundits

From the Star and Tribune; N Dakota's Malone suspended 1 game for check that left Denver player with neck fractures [Star Tribune] It seems like every post that involves the Sioux in the Star and Tribune turns into a name calling fest between the Gophers and Sioux fans.

According to Brad Schlossman Carter Rowney is out this weekend with an apparent upper body injury as the result of an elbow.

UND will likely be without Carter Rowney up front, too. Rowney was injured at the end of the second period Friday when Beau Bennett’s elbow caught him up high. There is no timetable on Rowney’s return yet. He did not practice today.

I am wondering why this hit wasn't reviewed by the WCHA officials as well? [Crickets chirping ]

Roman from Goal Gophers of the Red Star and Sickle thinks the Sioux will slap that Bulldog ass this weekend. I just hope he hasn't jinxed the Sioux this weekend.

Roman: Wish I could be in two places at once, at the Ralph and Mariucci. UMD (6-0-2) has the nation's longest unbeaten streak after escaping Bemidji with three points. Beavers slowed down 'Dogs top line, so will Sioux. North Dakota won four of five meetings last season. ... Sioux sweep.

This is what Tyler Buckentine WCHA Columnist from USCHO had to say about the match up between the Sioux and the Bulldogs this weekend. The combined record of UMD opponents is 9-20-7.

USCHO --- UMD’s opponents have a combined record of 9–20–7, and Sandelin said he believes the Bulldogs will see the toughest competition they’ve seen all season when they step into Ralph Engelstad Arena on Friday.

“They’re obviously the best team we’ve faced to this point,” Sandelin said. “They’re deeper and a little more skilled than the other teams we’ve faced, plus we’re at [UND’s] rink. We need to take care of the puck and play smart hockey because teams with their ability will take it and put it in your net.”

The Sioux are known for having one of the deepest lineups in Division I and have the ability to roll four solid lines each week.

Paul Stastny talks about the Malone hit on Martin

Here is what a former DU player and current Av's player Paul Stastny had to say about the Malone hit on Martin.

The Denver Post --- Stastny, who played two seasons at DU and skates with Martin and other Pioneers during the summer, was rattled because he knows what happened to Martin can happen to anyone.

And Stastny also knows North Dakota's Brad Malone, who delivered the hit on Martin. Malone, a 6-foot-2, 212-pound senior forward, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Avalanche in 2007.

While Martin's hockey career is probably over, Malone will likely continue his career with the Avs organization next season.

"I only saw the replay from one angle and it wasn't the best view, but I don't think there was any intention to hurt him," Stastny said. "Honestly, I've been thinking about it for the last two days. Jesse had his head down, but you don't want to blame anyone."

Martin was skating the puck up ice, out of the defensive zone, and wanted to pass it ahead. But he lost control of the puck and looked down to find it just before Malone crushed him on a forecheck.

Where do we go from here?

This what perpetual Fighting Sioux hater Western College Hockey blogger Chris Dilks had this to say about the Malone hit.

All in all, I'm not going to declare Malone the worst person ever because I think he was honestly trying to throw a legal check, but the bottom line is that he definitely threw an illegal check which seriously injured another player. What type of suspension should that be worth? For those willing to search through internet archives, you could probably find all sorts of creative solutions from North Dakota fans, demanding pounds of flesh from Aaron Marvin last year, not the least of which was former Grand Forks Herald writer Virg Foss, who penned an editorial last year saying players that injure a player with an illegal check should be suspended until the injured player returns to the ice. I doubt the Herald will be reprinting that this week. There's no need to be excessive, but the suspension should definitely be significant.

Personally, I don’t mind the WCH blog, I read it all the time almost every day, I think there are a lot of good points brought up in this blog but let’s be frank and realistic and call it like it is, Chris Dilks hates everything UND, you can’t tell me otherwise. It is what it is. I get it; I don’t have a problem with that. I have my own teams and players that I have don’t like, cough, cough.

Also, I think in retrospect; unfortunately we all had to know this day was going to happen, when a Fighting Sioux hockey player injured another player on the ice. You could predict that opposition fans would say that, “hey what about Malone, you guys were calling for Aaron Marvin’s head last season as well.” I am not sure we are comparing apples to apples in this situation. It was pretty evident from the video of the Marvin that he followed Genoway all the way up the ice and went around another one of his teammates to put a devastating and a illegal hit on Chay Genoway.

I don't think the Marvin hit on Genoway compares to the hit that Malone put on Martin. Marvin's hit on Genoway was a CFB/boarding penalty. Malone on the other hand it would appear was attempting to put a “legal hit but violent hit" on Martin and unfortunately ended up injuring another player.

Malone has shown remorse for his hit and has had a tough time dealing with this. I hope as fans we don't forget what happened and continue to put both players in our thoughts and prayers. I think all of us have a sick feeling in our stomach about what happened on the ice, none of us want to see another player injured, if they do they aren’t wired right, and need to seek professional help. During last Saturday’s game, if Martin skates away I don’t even know if we are looking at a penalty because hockey happens so fast.

Both players were suspended for their hit(s). I think we could have seen both players get longer suspensions for their hits/checks and the league would have been justified. In talking to a lot of people this week there are a lot of people that said, don't be surprised if there is a lengthy suspension attached to this hit. Malone was given a one game suspension but will now be a repeat offender and the scope will be on him just like it's on Aaron Marvin and it was on on former MSU Maverick Trevor Buress. If both players put a questionable hit on another players they will be subject to heavy disciplinary action. The fans and teams in the WCHA will demand that this happen.

Edmonton product suffers broken neck

Here is a story from the Edmonton Journal that I found on line about Denver forward Jesse Martin, lets not forget this young man as he makes his recovery.

EDMONTON — The father of a city-born hockey player whose neck was broken in a hockey game in North Dakota on Saturday says the prognosis looks good, but it's way too early to know if his son can continue to pursue his dream to play in the NHL.

Terry Martin says his 22-year-old son Jesse has feeling in his extremities, but will likely require surgery within the next couple of days to align the multiple fractures in his second cervical vertebrae.

"The good news is he has got a good range of motion in his arms and legs," Terry Martin said Monday from bedside at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn.

"It is traumatic, but there has been progress, and that's been positive.

"We have guarded optimism, knowing that it is really serious, but he is in very good hands."

His son suffered multiple fractures to his C2 vertebrae after he was hit with a crushing bodycheck midway through a contest between his University of Denver Pioneers and the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

The six-foot, 180-pound forward was skating with the puck out of his team's end of the ice when he was hit with a thundering check from Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone. He appeared to be planning to make a pass, but was glancing down when the six-foot-two, 212-pound Malone caught him with his shoulder.

College hockey coaches to meet with NHL officials over player raids

It will be interesting to see how this story shakes out. I think this is a work in progress. Division I college hockey took a pounding this summer as a lot of great players fled for the CHL and or NHL.

Twincities.com --- Don Lucia didn't garner a ton of sympathy when he started losing his best players to the NHL. The Gophers men's hockey coach already had won two NCAA titles, and seemed to have his pick of talent, anyway.

But now it's not just the Gophers' cupboard being raided of underclassmen, and college hockey hopes to do something about it.

Lucia and a handful of other Division I coaches, including Wisconsin's Mike Eaves, Boston University's Jack Parker and Harvard's Ted Donato, will meet with NHL representatives next month in Toronto to exchange ideas on the subject.

Among the NHL representatives will be Commissioner Gary Bettman.

"There are things we want to talk about that hopefully we can do with a new (collective bargaining agreement) that can help college hockey," said Lucia, who lost Nick Leddy (to Chicago) and Jordan Schroeder (Vancouver) last spring before either had turned 20.

Before that it was Kyle Okposo, who left in the middle of his sophomore season to join the New York Islanders, and Phil Kessel (Boston) and Erik Johnson (St. Louis), each of whom played one season for the Gophers.

"College hockey has been under assault," said Paul Kelly, executive director of College Hockey Inc., a newly created organization charged with promoting college hockey. "It used to be hard to keep your highly skilled players for three years; now it's two years, and sometimes one. You're constantly recruiting; you have to re-create your team."

When I read this article; my first question is; when is reality is also going to set in. What are the division one hockey coaches going to use as bargaining chips to convince the NHL to stop talking their top players after being college hockey for only a year or two? Seriously! While this is an interesting story, these coaches don't anything to bargain with. I am not sure what they think they can do to stop GM’s and NHL hockey teams from raiding division one hockey teams. That is one of the negatives about recruiting blue chip hockey players to play for their teams, if they are successful their NHL teams are going to want them to play for them. Phil Kessel and Erik Johnson were ready to play in the NHL after only one season in college.

Zach Budish injured; out for the season?

Goal Gophers is reporting that Sophmore winger Zach Budish could be out for the season because of a knee injury. This is bad news for the Gophers if true. According to the Star Tribune Budish was injuried in a moped accident.

Goal Gophers --- Zach Budish, a sophomore right winger for the Gophers, was injured Monday in a moped accident, a team spokesman said. The severity of Budish’s injuries are being determined.

According to at least one report, Budish appears to have a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees and could be out for the rest of the season. That’s what Kevin Gorg, FSN’s analyst for the Gophers-Colorado College series this past weekend, said on KFAN radio on Tuesday morning.

Gophers coach Don Lucia will provide an update on Budish on Wednesday, the day regularly scheduled for media interviews, said Paul Rovnak, the assistant director in athletic communications for men’s hockey.

DU’s Brittain is better than 1-1-2 record

The Media and fan bloggers from Denver have been pretty tame this week and haven’t been their usual belligerent selves. Actually, I am a little disappointed so far. I also believe there has been a lot of sand bagging going on as well.

Denver Post --- DU and true freshman goalie Sam Brittain departed for North Dakota this morning and will begin a two-game WCHA series against the Fighting Sioux Friday night in Grand Forks.

Please look for our series advance in Friday’s paper and catch our blogs and game stories throughout the weekend (I’m traveling Friday). Here are some leftover Brittain items and quotes.

In four games against three quality teams — Vermont, Boston College and Wisconsin (two) –Brittain has allowed just seven combined goals. His 1.70 goals-against average and .940 save percentage ranks sixth and seventh nationally among 62 eligible goalies. (By the way, UND’s Brad Eidsness is 62nd in save percentage, at .762.)
Brittain is 1-1-2, and DU has scored just seven goals in those four games.

“Still looking for those wins,” he said. “The ties are alright but the individual numbers don’t really matter. The only numbers that matter are the W’s for the team.”

Two years ago, Brittain says he remembers thinking about the DU-North Dakota rivalry while playing midget triple-A hockey in Calgary.

In looking at the numbers the better goalie for Denver is going to be playing for the Pioneers this weekend, sophomore goalie Adam Murray who is hurt this weekend has also struggled since he got to Denver, and his numbers aren’t all that impressive 1-1-0. 4.50 GAA and Save Percentage of .859, which is still better than Brad Eidsness’ numbers as noted above. If the Fighting Sioux are going to be successful this weekend they have to get back to basics this weekend, the Fighting Sioux need to concentrate on playing solid defense, moving the puck out of the defensive zone and cutting down on turn over’s down low in the defensive zone but also in teh neutral zone as well.

The Sioux also need to get a good cycle going and set up in the offensive zone and put some heavy sustained pressure on the young Denver Pioneer goalie(s). Lastly, the Fighting Sioux that is usually know for its stellar defense needs to limit shots on their goaltending that has been unimpressive and at times shoddy this season.

EDIT: I misspoke seems as if the smack talk has started and you can go here to get into the act.

NHL Network = UND Network?

This is good news for people that can't watch Fighting Sioux Sports Network. Also, for those that want to watch the Sioux on the NHL network, its on Midco channel 307 in Grand Forks. You have to have the extened sports package to get it.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of North Dakota has reached an agreement with the NHL Network to re-broadcast eight Fighting Sioux men's home hockey telecasts beginning with Friday night's home opener against the University of Denver.

The NHL Network is seen on numerous cable systems in the United States and is available on channel 403 on Dish Network and channel 215 on DirecTV.

This Friday's broadcast will be seen on the NHL Network Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Central.

UND Hockey On NHL Network
Friday, Oct. 29, 2010 (Denver at North Dakota)
Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 (Minnesota Duluth at North Dakota)
Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 (Notre Dame at North Dakota)
Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 (St. Cloud at North Dakota)
Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 (Robert Morris at North Dakota)
Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 (Minnesota at North Dakota)
Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 (Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota)
Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 (Alaska Anchorage at North Dakota)

Buffoon of the week.

You really can't make this stuff up, check out what Canucks player Manny Malhotra had to say on Rypien attacking a Minnesota Wild fan in the stands at the Xcel Energy Center. For this ridiculous statement, you’re the Goon’s World Buffoon of the week. There is no reason a professional hockey player should go into the stands and assault a fan, especially for saying, 'Way to be professional.' That's unacceptable.

Fan House ---"There's boundaries that should never be crossed. We're in our area of work. We're all for the hooting and hollering and supporting your team and saying whatever is tasteful. But as soon as you cross that line and want to become physical with a player then we have to make sure we take care of ourselves. ... We have no idea of what their intentions are."

The only problem, of course, is there's no evidence that the fan became physical, or did anything to provoke Rypien's actions.