INCH 4 X 4

The latest INCH 4 X 4 is up. Interesting! From looking at these bracket predictions it would appear that Denver University would have the easiest chance of any WCHA team to make the Frozen Four. I am not so sure I would be that giddy at another change for the Fighting Sioux to play Michigan even if it's in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS West Regional
1. Michigan
2. North Dakota
3. Princeton
4. UMD

GRAND RAPIDS Midwest Regional
1. Notre Dame
2. Vermont
3. Miami
4. Air Force Academy

BRIDGEPORT East Regional
1. Northeastern
2. Denver
3. Yale
4. St. Lawrence

MANCHESTER Northeast Regional
1. Boston University
2. New Hampshire
3. Cornell
4. Bemidji State University

A few things.

There is the latest 4 X 4 by INCH and where INCH has predicted UND will end up in the post season. That would be one tough regional. I can't wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.

GRAND RAPIDS Midwest Regional 1. Notre Dame --- For a team that didn't lose a game for three months, the Irish's list of marquee wins — Boston College, Minnesota Duluth, Michigan — is surprisingly short.
2.Miami --- The home-and-home series against Ohio State to close the regular season could have some extra heft, don't you think? The RedHawks appear to have shaken their January swoon.

3. North Dakota --- To steal a phrase from ESPN's Chris Berman, nobody circles the wagons like the Sioux. Still, this team isn't that far removed from consecutive losses to Michigan State and Michigan Tech.

4. RIT --- There was a time not that long ago where it was unfathomable to put anyone other than Air Force in as the Atlantic Hockey auto-bid.

This is very good news for college hockey. The NCAA has decided to put reginoalization on hold for now. Lets hope cooler heads will prevail and this thing will get killed and die a slow painful death.

"Regionalization," or the NCAA's cost-cutting restrictions on placement of teams in the NCAA tournament bracket, has been put on hold for one year, according to Steve Cady, chair of the Men's Division I Ice Hockey Committee and associate athletic director at Miami.

Regionalization threatened to cause havoc with the bracket this year, as CHN previously examined in this article here.

The Championships/Sports Management Cabinet is voting this week on whether to make regionalization of brackets something that is mandated across most NCAA sports. If they do, Cady said it wouldn't take hold until next year.

But even then, because of the cooperation the committee received on delaying it until next year, Cady is optimistic that the more drastic regionalization proposals will not be passed, and instead hockey will be allowed its compromise proposal

Are the wheels coming off the bus in Minneapolis?

This article was in the Grand Forks Herald today. I thought of a scenario where UND makes the NCAA playoffs and UMN doesn't. While it might a slight stretch since UMN schedule is relatively easy (according to Doug Woog) I could see the NCAA sending the Sioux to the West Regional in Minneapolis to pick up the slack left by Minnesota not being there. I know UND fans would travel well for this regional. Lastly, wouldn't it be nice to see the Fighting Sioux exercise the demons from losing to Ferris State in the 2003 regionals. Everything could be made all right by having the Fighting Sioux skating around the Mariucci Arena with the 2009 West Regional Hockey Championship Trophy.

Gophers defensemen need to clear the crease and the surrounding area. Kangas had guys bumping him all night. A couple of times, he was found beneath a big pile. The Gophers need to face the incoming traffic and steer it away.

“We have to box out,” Lucia agreed. “We need to play better, coach better. It’s so frustrating our last three games have been by one goal, one goal, one goal.”

On offense, they have to shoot the dang puck. Never mind trying to make the perfect pass. Shoot it and make sure it’s on net. Slam it and jam it. Several times Saturday the Gophers had plenty of traffic in front of Badgers goaltender Shane Connelly. They waited too long. They missed the net. They didn’t get good wood on it.

I’m not telling Lucia anything he doesn’t know. No doubt he will address these things with his players. Perhaps his main task is to convey a sense of urgency. It is possible the Gophers could miss the NCAA playoffs for the first time in nine years. I’m not saying it’s likely, but it is possible.

Once ranked No. 1 in the country, they have slid into the bottom half of the WCHA standings. Surely they will fall out of the national top 10 when the next poll is released.

There should be a whole lot of motivation wrapped up in all of that.
(Read the whole article here)

Gee I wonder who Lucia is talking about?

It would appear that Gophers hack Brian Schack has gotten away with his act of thuggery and will only receive the one game disqualification that he was awarded last Friday night. I have yet been able to find any press release or announcement that states any additional punishment or sanction by the league office. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, Gophers coach Don Lucia has been pleading his case all week in the media about how the refs aren't protecting the players, yada, yada, yada.

For those that don't read the Star and Tribune check out the latest nugget from Roman Augustoviz now we are going to blame the ugliness towards the Gophers on the arenas that serve alcohol in their arenas? Huh? WTF is that? Let me guess; tDon is talking about Mankato and North Dakota? Lets try this on for size; it is the attitude your program displays towards the rest of the league. Its the in your face attitude of FSN announcers and the various off handed shots your assistant coach makes in his pre-game comments.

This is why the various fan bases around the league hate your team. It's the pompous holier than though, elitist attitude that your bring with you when you travel on the road. The Gophers hockey program oozes arogance and it showing more this year than others when the Gophers prima Donna's are getting it handed to them on a nightly basis. Who are you going to blame this week when the Badgers slap your butt around Marriucci? Word of advice to the Badgers players you better look out for Flynn and Schack they like to jump the oppostion from behind.

RIVALRY GOOD WITH BADGERS

Lucia said the Gophers have a healthy rivalry with Wisconsin. “Some of the others ones, and I won’t mention names or anything like that, are a little bit more ugly as far as fan treatment and everything else,” Lucia said. “I never felt that way with Wisconsin. Our games have been much more disciplined over the years than maybe years ago.

“I never felt when I go to Kohl Center – I think the fans react in a real positive manner. Ya, once in a while, when you come off the ice, you get a little [grief] from a student. But that’s OK. That’s all fun. But I never felt when I go there, it is over the top and that’s me as a college coach. I have no issue with fans cheering their team and getting involved. I don’t particularly like the vulgarity. ‘F the Gopher’ chant that we hear.

“And I think, to be honest, and I spoke [Monday] about it [to WCHA officials]. I’m probably being more candid, maybe it is the steroids I took this morning than normal. I think as a league – my own personal opinion is, I am not sure if alcohol is served at some of the venues is a real positive in our league.

(Lucia is taking weekly IV steriod treatments for a nerve problem which causes numbness on the left side of his face.)

“I am a purist,” Lucia said. “I don’ have an issue if it is served in club rooms or in suites or in a beer garden. But I have an issue and, I think it lends to problems, when you got guys sitting with beer after beer sitting right behind the visitors’ bench. Nothing good can happen.

“And we have venues that you can literally sit and have cocktails all game long whether it’s hard booze, wine or beer. I think that is where some of the ugliness gets. As a league, I think we have to take a look at that.”

More victimology from the DU press

Brad Elliott Schlossman had this gem linked on his blog this morning. You have to wonder if Mike Chambers is being serious? Again we see another theme here, the big bad Sioux with their arena full of rowdy blood thirsty fans. Those awful fans on the internet as well. I guess I am guilty eh?

I think it is kind of funny to see the Denver Pioneers play the victim card. I also think it's funny that the Denver hockey team is refering to taking a point out of last weekend's series as a moral victory. This is the same series where they were destroyed 8-3 the first night. DU is a better team that than that.

North Dakota nightmare lingering for Pioneers
By Mike Chambers
After all, the DU players could be concentrating more on their bizarre one-point series last weekend at North Dakota than on what might unfold tonight and Saturday.

The Pioneers, however, say the baggage they brought home from Grand Forks — the bumps and bruises, the Internet ridicule and ensuing suspension of coach George Gwozdecky, plus the mental exhaustion — will be keepsake items the rest of the season.

If DU's old mascot, Boone, were around, he wouldn't need any help circling the wagons. Thanks to North Dakota and the nasty environment it promotes, the Pioneers seem to be in a good place to begin their final 10-game, regular-season stretch run.

"Absolutely, there is no doubt we're a better team because of all the crazy stuff last weekend," DU junior center Tyler Ruegsegger said.

Said senior captain J.P. Testwuide: "We dealt with a lot of challenges that will help us down the stretch. The crowd and the testiness of those games was a good experience, and absolutely, we feel great about how we came out of it."

University of Alabama-Huntsville looking for a league

The Dominos keep falling in realignment. It will be interesting to see where UAH ends up.

UAH hockey seeks new league
By BUDD McLAUGHLIN
The UAH hockey program is aiming to join the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, a move that would bring Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Notre Dame to the Von Braun Center by the 2010-11 season.

The Chargers today will formally apply to join the CCHA, a jump made necessary by the imminent demise of UAH's current league, College Hockey America. We have the official application letter and fee ready to be sent to the CCHA," University of Alabama-Huntsville athletic director Jim Harris said Wednesday.
--------------(snip)--------------
We have the official application letter and fee ready to be sent to the CCHA," University of Alabama-Huntsville athletic director Jim Harris said Wednesday.

The four-team CHA appears certain to fold after this season, with Niagara and Robert Morris gaining admittance Tuesday into the Atlantic Hockey conference.

That follows Bemidji State's announcement last week that it was seeking to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The WCHA is expected to vote on Bemidji State and other expansion candidates in April.

Harris said UAH also will send a "letter of intent" seeking application to the WCHA, though "economically, the CCHA makes sense (regarding) travel costs."

Scores from 12-20-2008 (Linkorama)

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Atlantic Hockey
Mercyhurst 2 at Canisius 2 ot

Analysis
This must have been an exciting game to watch. Yawn.

CCHA
Western Michigan 3 at Alaska 2 ot

Analysis
Nice to see the Broncos pick up the win. Also, a big win for the Broncos because Alaska is a pretty decent team this season.

Non-Conference
Michigan Tech 1 at Northern Michigan 0
Sacred Heart 0 at Colorado College 7
Clarkson 1 at Bowling Green 3

Analysis
The MTU Huskies (the real Huskies) are 2-0-1 in their last three games. Sounds like MTU also found a new starting goalie as well Josh Robinson 3-4-1 2.33 GAA and SV% .902 picked up both the wins in net for the MTU Huskies. You wonder if Rob Nolan has seen his last action in net for the Huskies? Probably not.

I remember someone resembling me say that: I would predict tonight you will probably see a 7-1 win by the Tigers. On paper this is a team that C.C. should run out of the building. True to form the C.C. Tigers paste AHA patsy Sacred Heart. Drew O'Connell picked up the win in net for the Tigers. Having big nights for the Tigers; Andreas Vlassopoulos 1-1-2, Bill Sweatt 1-1-2, Chad Rau 1-1-2, Kris Fredheim 1-2-3, Nick Dineen 0-2-2.

Linkorama

It appears that Lets Go DU Hockey blog was right on and had a good source when DG said that Tyler Bozak would be out for 3-4 months. That my friends is a big time loss for for the Pioneers, however, if any team can absorb the loss of its second leading scorer it is the Pioneer's because they are one of the deeper teams offensively in the WCHA. The DU press release says the Pioneers are going to shoot for getting Tyler rehabed and back for the playoffs.

DU sophomore forward Tyler Bozak (Regina, Saskatchewan) underwent successful knee surgery this morning at Boulder Surgical Center. Bozak had his meniscus repaired in his left knee in a 90-minute procedure performed by DU physician Eric McCarty.

According to DU head coach George Gwozdecky, Bozak will undergo a lengthy rehab and aim for a return in the postseason. Bozak tore his meniscus in a knee-on-knee collision with Andrew Sackrison during the second period of DU's 3-2 win over Minnesota State on Dec. 12. Bozak left the game and didn't return, and was not in the lineup for DU's 5-2 win on Dec. 13.

Props to Sprig on siouxsports.com it appears that there is a good chance that we might be able to watch the Fighting Sioux on FCS if the can beat Michigan State make the championship game.

MSU-M Kurt Davis for Hobey?

Every one's favorite MSU-M defenseman is actually getting notice nationally for his play on the ice. Now from what I have been told we can thank him for the Sioux win against MSU-M.

From INCH --- Kurt Davis spent the first half leading the nation in scoring by defensemen, recording a point in 16 of his team's 18 games, and putting together a school-record 14-game point streak.

Here is another blurb from every one's favorite hockey site INCH

On at least one occasion last season, we bemoaned in this space the dearth of viable Hobey candidates from the nation's defensive corps. In the end, no blue liners were among the 10 finalists for the honor. This year, however, there appears to be a few defensemen worth keeping an eye on, especially in Western locales. Among them: Minnesota's Cade Fairchild; Kurt Davis of Minnesota State, who shares the NCAA lead in points by a defenseman with 22; Nebraska-Omaha's Eddie Del Grosso, who leads the Mavs with 18 points in 17 games; and Wisconsin's Jamie McBain, the Badgers' leading scorer with 19 points in 18 games. We'll throw the Terriers' Matt Gilroy into the mix, too.

Even Elliot Olshansky from the Hobey Watch has gotten into the act. Only time will tell if he is indeed a legitimate candidate for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Also on the blueline, Minnesota State’s Kurt Davis is on pace for 47 points, which isn’t too far away from Carle’s Hobey numbers, and certainly notable among defensemen. Of course, it can be hard to win the Hobey when your team doesn’t make the playoffs, and while that didn’t stop Carle, he’d already been part of two NCAA championship teams, which was a point in his favor. I think Minnesota State will have to at least make the NCAA tournament this year for Davis to get any serious Hobey consideration, but it may be a possibility.

Sioux 1 Cornell 2.

I went to Fargo right after the game and Sioux7 hasn't joined the 21st century yet by getting the Internet at his house, so this is the first time I have been on line today. Maybe that is good because I don't need to have a stroke fussing about this hockey team.

What I have a hard time stomaching is this underachieving hockey team that is just short of disgracing the Fighting Sioux uniform. There is no sugar coating it folks, this team sucks and I blame the coaching staff for not having them ready to play the games. The Fighting Sioux look lost, disinterested and unprepared. We have upperclassmen players making fundamental mistakes 12 games into the season. That is from lack of concentration and focus.

Losing to a team from the ECAC is unacceptable. There is no one out there that can score on a consistent pace. The defense hasn't been bad and the goal tending is good enough to win, but the offense can't do anything but play dump and chase. The Sioux had a four goal lead on Friday night and they started trapping, what the hell is that? You're winning the game. Keep moving forward, keep trying to bury the puck, and gain some confidence.

The disallowed goal was a horse shit bleep call, but that isn't the reason the Sioux failed to win the game. They failed to put forth a good enough effort to win the game and let the Big Red set the tone and dictate what type of game the Sioux played. This is also unacceptable in our house.

Goals Scoring/Penalties Time

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1st Period (20:00)
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NDK-1 Andrew Kozek (2-Boarding) COR 0x1 5:44
COR-1 Joe Devin (2-Holding) NDK 0x1 5:57
NDK-2 Evan Trupp (2-Tripping) COR 0x2 12:54
COR-2 Blake Gallagher (2-Tripping) NDK 0x2 16:11
COR-3 Taylor Davenport (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x3 17:45

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2nd Period (20:00)
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COR-4 Dan Nicholls (2-Charging) NDK 0x4 8:47
NDK-3 Darcy Zajac (2-Interference) COR 0x3 12:34
COR-5 Joe Devin (2-Elbowing) NDK 0x5 14:18
COR 1 - 0 5x6 SH Michael Kennedy (3) (Jared Seminoff) 15:07
COR (+): 18,5,28,24,G30 NDK (-): 18,19,17,21,5,G31

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3rd Period (20:00)
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COR-6 Justin Krueger (2-Interference) NDK 0x6 3:19
COR-7 Joe Devin (2-Slashing) NDK 0x7 11:12
COR-8 Patrick Kennedy (2-Hooking) NDK 1x8 12:40
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Brett Hextall (5) (Brad Miller, Chay Genoway) 14:37
NDK: 26,14,5,16,29,G31 COR: 2,27,9,5,G30
NDK-4 Zach Jones (2-Interference) COR 1x4 15:05
COR 2 - 1 6x5 PP GW LL Colin Greening (4) (Evan Barlow, Brendon Nash) 16:37
COR: 20,24,27,15,14,G30 NDK: 16,5,25,22,G31

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End of Game

Huskies beat Sioux in boring game.

The Fighting Sioux lost a boring uneventful game to SCUS (JBSU) last night at the REA dropping UND home record to 7-7 at home. I have one word for last night loss- UNACCEPTABLE in my opinion. Losing to a second rate team like SCSU is not an option late in the season when your in the playoff hunt for a top 5 finish in the WCHA standings. Hakstal needs to take control of his team and start sending messages to players that put up second rate efforts. Have them sit in the stands or on the bench next to the coaches.

Drew Stafford is a million dollar talent that fails to show up in big games. Missing three (3)goalmouth shots with a wide-open net waiting for him. All three shots went wide of the goal. Rastislav Spirko has no points in three games. Time for Sparky to grow a pair and skate through the hooking and holdings.

Fighting Sioux Goalie Phil Lamoureux is has proved to be untrustworthy goaltender giving up a weak goals at the end of the game being a goalie that the team can’t count on. Jordan Parise needs to play the rest of the way with Phil sitting on the bench.

If I have to watch another effort like last night to night I am going to scream. Let go Sioux, stop F#(king around and play hockey. Your more talented than most teams in the NCAA, start acting like it.