On to the Huskies.

Well! We have beaten the DU series after math to death and now it’s time to move on to another series against another WCHA school that hates the Fighting Sioux. I actually think it is a badge of honor. Let's take a trip down memory lane. Going back to the year 2006; this is what St Cloud Times beat writer Kevin Allenspach said about the Sioux after a home series druing the 2005-2006 season between the Huskies and the Fighting Sioux at the REA. Just for the record UND was swept by the Huskies in the series.

Despite a dozen rookies, North Dakota has lived up to its long reputation as a rough-and-tumble bunch. The Sioux have been sentenced to more penalty minutes than any team in college hockey this season, and lead the WCHA with an average of more than 28 PIM per game. The Huskies, by comparison, are downright angels on skates. They've never exceeded 29, and average approximately 14. Their self-restraint will be tested this weekend at Engelstad Arena, where they know it will be paramount to maintaining a hot streak that has St. Cloud State surprisingly in sixth place.

"It's just a normal game against North Dakota if there's a lot of stuff going on," said Huskies junior Justin Fletcher, who has a team-best six-game point streak. "You know they're going to take some penalties. Your power play has to be on top of its game and you can't lose your composure. You have to be ready to play them 5-on-5 or 4-on-4."

Seems after that same series in 2006 the SCSU coach wasn't thrilled with the style of play of the Fighting Sioux either.

"We talk about it — I tell (the players) every week that we can't take foolish, selfish penalties," said Motzko, 12-9-3 overall in his first season as head coach. "North Dakota, they're notorious for roughing it up. If you see a fight in our league, chances are they're involved. It's a source of pride for them. They try to get nasty and get in your face. That's the way they like to play, aggressive. We've got to be ready for that."

I actually wrote Kevin Allenspach a letter after that series taking issue with what he said. This is the response that Mr Allenspach sent me. As you can see from the letter, Kevin is pretty solid stand up guy.

Goon:

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. My response time is generally a lot quicker than one week, however I was out of the office for a few days and the rest has been busy getting stories done in advance of this weekend's series with Anchorage.

I appreciate your feedback on last week's preview story. I'll be the first to admit that the disparity in penalty minutes before last weekend's series with North Dakota had pretty much zero impact on the 2-1 SCSU wins. That's a risk you take in choosing a topic for a preview. I could easily have written about UND's offense (at the time, best in WCHA games) and that also would've proved way off base.

I'm glad you still thought it was more impartial than the FSN telecasts. That would've been too much if you didn't. Believe it or not, I consider myself very impartial in my coverage. I could care less whether SCSU wins or loses. I'm just after what makes the best story and serves the readers the most.

You have a good point that I did not see the Mankato infractions. However, I have been covering the WCHA for nearly a decade. And if you think anyone around the league is going to say another team is tougher to play against, from a standpoint of getting hit hard, beat on and intimidated than North Dakota, you're wrong. I've also seen Dean Blais send guys over the boards to take revenge for what he thought was a bad hit. I saw Brian Canady spear Jon Cullen in the groin toward the end of an SCSU victory. Dave Hakstol doesn't shirk the image of a tough team because it serves the Sioux. They are intimidating to play against.

As for the Sioux nickname controversy, I'm only glad I don't have to chronicle that soap opera. The Times won't let me use the word "Fighting," which I disagree with. I don't have a problem with the nickname, but I'm not a Native American, either. The one thing I can say is that I don't see the controversy ever going away unless the name changes. At some point, no matter how much school pride I felt, I'd get tired of fighting that same old battle. And you are correct, though, that SCSU should stay out of it and let the matter rest between UND and the NCAA.

I don't know if you regularly read the Times or just did so because the Huskies were UND's opponent. I appreciate your feedback and am always willing to hear more. You're also welcome to write a letter to the editor (To Sports Mailbag at: sports@stcloudtimes.com).

Hope to hear from you again,

Kevin Allenspach
St. Cloud Times

DU does not approve of coaches actions.

Apparently Denver University was not impressed or amused with the George "the Dasher Troll" Gwozdecky's antics this past weekend in Grand Forks, ND.

DENVER – The University of Denver does not condone the actions of head hockey coach George Gwozdecky at the 9:30 mark of the second period during the Pioneers’ 2-2 overtime tie against North Dakota on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Gwozdecky received a two-minute unsportsmanlike misconduct and 10-minute game misconduct penalty because of his actions.

“We have discussed the incident with George, and he understands that his behavior was unacceptable,” DU Senior Associate Director of Athletics Ron Grahame said. “George’s action were very much out of character. We respect the integrity of not only the University of Denver, but the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as well.”

Here is what we were missing. (Joe Finley Montage)

Big Joe Finley has missed 16 games for the Fighting Sioux. In case anyone has forgotten what Big Joe brings to the team or you haven't seen him play very much or for what ever reason have just plain forgotten. This montage will remind Fighting Sioux fans is what we have been missing.

I have to admit that I am just giddy with the return of big Joe Finley, this couldn't come a day too quick. The fact remains that the Fighting Sioux need to have him back in the line up doing what he does best. Of course Bucky Badgers is probably shaking in his shoes at the prospects of Joe Finley's return.

Joe Finley lays out a Badgers player Jack Skille.

It is no mystery the Fighting Sioux really miss big Joe's slap shot from the point. Call of the goal by the Wooger and the Rug

Ah, those were the days. Finley with his favorite dance partner Blake Wheeler.
(All the action called again by the Rug and Wooger)