So is the Fighting Sioux nickname on the way back

Looks like the Fighting Sioux nickname issue isn't over just yet. I actually think this is going to be a huge mess and who know who this is going to play out.

Effective January 1st, 2012, the University is in the process of transitioning away from the nickname.

I guess UND will get to find out if the Big Sky Conference is bluffing or not? I have been told by people in the know that say that the Big Sky is not blowing hot air and that they are serious.

I predict that we will see a constitutional challenge in the future.

Grant Shaft, president of North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education, is on record of saying, "that if an effort to refer a bill repealing the state’s “Fighting Sioux” law is successful his board may have to assert its constitutional authority."

Valley News Live --- It appears UND's Fighting Sioux nickname will be restored tomorrow, reversing legislative action to drop it last fall.

Nickname supporter, Frank Black Cloud tells Valley News Live they have over 15,000 signatures on petitions in support of restoring the Fighting Sioux Nickname. They needed at least 13,500 signatures to overturn existing legislation.

North Dakota Secretary of State, Al Jaeger says if nickname supporters file the required 13,500 signatures, it will instantly restore the original legislation that requires North Dakota and UND to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname. Then, Jaeger says their office will verify the signatures within 35 days. If they wind up with fewer than 13,500 "good" signatures, the law will return to drop the nickname.

Al Jaeger, ND Sec. Of State: "We will randomly select at least 2,000 names that we will be contacting with post cards or other means to verify certain information. We go through a very thorough process."

In the meantime the Fighting Sioux nickname will once again become law, unless voters throw it out during a statewide election in June.

UND officials aren't commenting about this latest development. They're in the process of retiring the nickname.

Like I have said in the past; I love the Fighting Sioux nickname and I am not happy that the University of North Dakota has to kowtow to political correctness.

As I have said in the past, I am proud supporter of UND athletics, I think the Fighting Sioux nickname is a honor. My question is; how long do we continue to fight the NCAA? They aren't fooling around either... The only chance we have of winning is the Spirit Lake Law Suit. If anything I suggest donating money to their cause so they can fight the NCAA.

UND lost the Fighting Sioux nickname the minute the North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem signed the surrender agreement with the NCAA. Because of Stenehjem signing that surrender agreement I will no longer vote for him as long as he runs for public office, he is useless to me and far as I am concerned not worthy of receiving my vote anymore.

Related articles

• Petitions to retain Fighting Sioux nickname for UND begin circulating (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Fighing Sioux 1930-2012 R.I.P. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Opinion: Big Sky Should Admit North Dakota Mistake, Let Fighting Sioux Go (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Tim Mathern has bill to repeal UND Fighting Sioux nickname law (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

The gloves are off part II - UND and UW week

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite match ups, if not my favorite rivalry games and according to Andy Baggot of Madison.com it looks like there will be a continuance of the Sioux vs. Badgers rivalry after next season when both teams join their new leagues.

UW coach Mike Eaves said non-conference scheduling parameters are still being drawn up for the new Big Ten, so any non-conference discussions are on hold.

But there have already been discussions between the schools about committing to a series every year when the new leagues debut. That's how much the rivalry means to those involved. [Madison.com]

I know the Fighting Sioux nickname is gone, but for now, at least for this weekend, I will call it the Sioux Badgers on this blog. I mean what the heck.  I think we could get away with it, because the Fighting Sioux name is still on the front of the jerseys, for at least a little bit longer. I am already compliant the articles have submitted for Inside Hockey. 

I am excited that UND and UW are looking into continue this historic rivalry after the B1G and NCHC come to fruition. There have been some great battles over the years between the two teams. Also, Wisconsin fans are some of the greatest college hockey fans and they get it, they're awesome. When both teams go their separate ways, I am definitely going to miss seeing the Badgers at the Final Five and discussing hockey with the fans from Wisconsin.



Of course the hockey on the ice hasn't been like the UND vs. UW match ups of the 1980's for obvious reasons, the progressive DQ rule for fighting has probably played a role in that.

None the less,  there have been some heated and highly contested battles over the years between the two teams. Who can forget the Steve Reinprecht, David Hukalo and Dany Heatly line, that was "one of" the most prolific lines that I had ever witnessed in college hockey.

Of course there was the Jeff Panzer, Bryon Lundbohm  and Ryan Bayda line which was also pretty darn good themselves. You can check out the Wisconsin Badger's side of the discussion with Chuck Schwartz at Bucky' Fifth Quarter.

Friday afternoon Links.

There are two days left in 2011 (or about 1 1/2 days) and there is one more series to close out the year before we ring in 2012.

Roman Augustoviz from the Red Star Sickle and gives his spin on the Fighting Sioux Nickname debate. [Roman Empire]

According to Kevin Pates of the Duluth News Tribune, the much maligned University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi has turned down a request to be interviewed for the commissioner of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. [Rink and Run]

This week in the WCHA by Jim Rich is here. [Click to listen]

Inside Hockey has the series preview; North Dakota vs. Harvard Series Preview

According to Brad Schlossman, Mario Lamoureux tried to talk coaches into letting him play tonight, but he was unsuccessful. Mario's out tonight.

Here is the link to the Harvard Crimson site that has the ins and outs of Harvard hockey. [click to view]

Joe Pasiley has his Friday reading: Previews and recaps [click to view]

According to North Dakota MHockey - Junior forward Corban Knight will return to the lineup tonight against Harvard.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney has been suspended by the AHL for three games for an illegal check. [The AHL]

BReynolds from the Wilderness has this final blog post on the Cody McLeod hit on Jared Spurgeon. This article may make your blood boil or not. [SBNATION]

Michael Russo had Brendan Shanahan explain his troublesome decision to not suspend Av's hack forward Cody McLeod.

Colorado's Cody McLeod faced no discipline for his five-minute boarding major and game misconduct in Monday's Wild loss.

In an interview with the Star Tribune on Wednesday, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan explained his decision. He said the NHL's hockey operations and player safety departments looked at the check extensively.

"McLeod actually sort of reaches out with his hand almost in what appears to us to be an effort to gauge the distance and almost to let him know, 'I'm here,'" Shanahan said. "Spurgeon digs in, applies the brakes and gets run into."

Opinion: Big Sky Should Admit North Dakota Mistake, Let Fighting Sioux Go

Image via WikipediaIf you haven't seen this, it's worth a read.

Bill Bradley, SacStateSports.com ---- The problem is UND’s entry to the Big Sky hasn’t gone as planned – at all. From its botched entry in the league to its continued controversy over the Fighting Sioux nickname, UND has transitioned into the Big Sky like a child going kicking and screaming.

Which is why the Big Sky Conference needs to say, “No thanks. We made a mistake. Thanks for playing. Go find another conference.” The premier league in the Football Championship Subdivision and a competitive mid-major group in basketball doesn’t need the long road trips and headaches UND will bring.North Dakota was supposed to join with South Dakota as a package deal. It was all set to make the Big Sky a 14-team league, Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton said this fall. However, at the last minute South Dakota got a better offer from a more geographic-friendly league, the Missouri Valley Conference.

That made sense, but the Big Sky, which also wanted UND because of its reputation as a research institute, didn’t withdraw the invite to the Fighting Sioux, which were making the transition from Division II to Division I FCS. The UND regents accepted, making UND the only member of the Big Sky in the Central time zone.

I posted his on Sioux Sports. I love the Fighting Sioux nickname, and there is no way that the school will ever be able to replace the Fighting Sioux nickname with anything that I consider to be acceptable, but I don't see any way UND can keep the name "unless" the Spirit Lake Tribe wins it's law suit against the NCAA. I also would love nothing more than to see the NCAA lose their law suit, I think they deserved to have that happen to them because I think they are a bunch of hypocrites. I am not holding my breath but I hope the Tribe wins. That being said I think it's time to move on before we end up on the outside looking in. Do we really want to call the Big Sky's bluff?

Related articles

• Petitions to retain Fighting Sioux nickname for UND begin circulating (mvn.com)
• Time; NCAA Blunder: Changing North Dakota's Tribal Nickname (mvn.com)
• Merry Christmas from Goon's World (mvn.com)
• Fate of Fighting Sioux Still Unclear (indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com)

Poll Monday - UND 18th in USCHO Poll

The Fighting Sioux stay at 18th place in the USCHO.COM on line poll.

Petitions to retain Fighting Sioux nickname for UND begin circulating

Image via WikipediaIs the North Dakota State board of Higher Education on a collision course with the Fighting Sioux nickname supporters? The big question pending is; if the nickname law goes back into effect, what would the ND Board of Higher Education do?

Board could act

If the repeal bill is suspended and the earlier nickname law goes back into effect, “the question then is, ‘What would the State Board of Higher Education do?’ ” Stenehjem said.

Several people argued during the legislative debates that the nickname mandate authored by House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, violated the state Constitution, which grants governing authority over the state’s colleges to the board.

If the requirement that UND keep the nickname goes into effect again, “the board will have to decide what if anything it wants to do,” Stenehjem said.

UND is in the midst of retiring the nickname and logo with a transition that is to be substantially completed by Dec. 31, by state board directive. Board members and UND officials have expressed concern that a continuing fight over the nickname could jeopardize the university’s transition to Division I athletics and its planned affiliation next year with the Big Sky Conference.

Grant Shaft, president of the state board, said on Tuesday that the board has not discussed what it might do in the event referral petitions are filed and the keep-the-nickname law is temporarily reinstated. [Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald]

Poll Monday - Sioux move up

The Fighting Sioux move up to 18th in this weeks USCHO Poll and recieved votes in the USA Today poll.

 

Related articles

• Sioux Slip Past Mavericks (insidehockey.com)

Shot charts from UNO vs UND 12/10/2012

Looking at the shot charts from game two between UNO and UND; while the second game of the series might not have been a very exciting game, and there wasn't a lot of write about, last night’s game did have the feel of a playoff game. It was hard fought, highly contested hockey game, between two teams that didn't like other...

During last night’s game, I had the opportunity to watch Aaron Dell from behind the end line and the second period of last night’s game and Dell was unbelievable, he made a lot of difficult stops and was seeing the puck all weekend long. I also believe that this was the same Dell that we saw last season, when he was an All-American.

In the WCHA the Sioux are ranked.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 3rd in scoring defense.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 5th on the power play20/90 22.2.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 4th on the penalty kill 65/79 82.3.
Nationally the Fighting Sioux are ranked:
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 33rd nationally in scoring 51 / 2.83
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 26th nationally in defense 50/2.78
*The Fighting Sioux are ranked 49/58 teams in penalty Minutes per game at 11.5.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 12th nationally on the Power Play 20/ 90 22.2.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 33rd nationally on the Penalty Kill 65/79 82.3.
*Contrary to public believe the Fighting Sioux are not a bunch of undisciplined knuckle dragging Nethanderal goons.

Related articles

• Sioux Slip Past Mavericks (insidehockey.com)
• Mavericks tip Sioux 2-1 in Overtime (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux hold on to Sweep Tigers (insidehockey.com)
• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Outlast Tigers in Barnburner (insidehockey.com)

Through These Doors, episode 8

s/t To Matt Schill of the UND SID office. The guy is really a rock star and I don’t know if he gets enough credit for his work on this project. Watching these videos is a good way to give fans another look into the Fighting Sioux hockey program.

FightingSioux.com --- This week on Through These Doors, it's a focus on sophomore Brock Nelson, who had another great weekend. Nelson and his linemates of Danny Kristo and Corban Knight make up a potent combination. The Sioux are also seeing increases in scoring from it's all freshmen line as Brendan O'Donnell nears 100 percent.

Related articles

• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Tip Huskies at Engelstad (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux hold on to Sweep Tigers (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Outlast Tigers in Barnburner (insidehockey.com)
• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)

Goon's Weekly Picks 12/09 - 12/10

Friday 12/09/2011

Fri 12/09/11 Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin 7:05 p.m. CT (TV-BTN)
Fri 12/09/11 Michigan Tech at Minnesota 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSn)
Fri 12/09/11 Denver at Bemidji State 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
Fri 12/09/11 Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-FSSN,FCSc)
Fri 12/09/11 Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College 7:37 p.m. MT
Fri 12/09/11 Alab-Huntsville at Minnesota State 7:37 p.m. CT

Saturday 12/10/2011

Sat 12/10/11 Denver at Bemidji State 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
Sat 12/10/11 Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSSN,FCSc)
Sat 12/10/11 Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College 7:07 p.m. MT
Sat 12/10/11 Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin 8:07 p.m. CT (TV-TVW,Charter,Wisc,My9)
Sat 12/10/11 Michigan Tech at Minnesota 8:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSn)
Sat 12/10/11 Alab-Huntsville at Minnesota State 7:07 p.m. CT


Denver at Bemidji State – Split
Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota – Split
Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College –Split
Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin – Split
Michigan Tech at Minnesota – Sweep Gophers
Alabama Huntsville at Minnesota State – Sweep Mavericks

7-4 Record for the season 51-45

Television: TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV (Ch. 617 Friday, Ch. 623 Saturday).

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: FightingSioux.com

Links for the weekend

Series Preview INSIDE HOCKEY

Brad Schlossman; Friday morning reading.

Rob White Omaha Hearld; Sioux trip no distraction to Blais.

Rob White Omaha Hearld; Top Sioux line will test UNO defenders

A Tradition of Excellence; Fighting Sioux versus Nebraska Omaha 

Related articles

• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

UND and UNO Series Preview

Image via Wikipedia

Cross Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY.

The University of North Dakota entertains the University of Nebraska Omaha at the Ralph Engelstad Arena this weekend.

Game Times: 7:37 pm Friday and 7:07 pm Saturday.

Television: TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV (Ch. 617 Friday, Ch. 623 Saturday).

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: FightingSioux.com 

Records and Rankings: UND – 8-7-1 overall, 6-6-0 WCHA; Ranked 19^th in the USCHO polls. North Dakota swept unranked Alaska Anchorage in Anchorage, Alaska last weekend (5-2 win, 4-1 win).

Nebraska Omaha – 8-7-3, 6-3-3 WCHA; unranked in both National polls. The Mavericks split a non-conference series with University of Alabama Huntsville in Nashville, Tennessee last weekend (3-1 loss and 6-2 win).

Series History: UND and UNO have split the all time series 2-2. Both teams are 1-1 in their own buildings. 

Players to Watch:

For the Fighting Sioux: Forwards Danny Kristo (8g-11a—19pts), Corbin Knight (6g-15a—21pts) and Brock Nelson (14g-8a—22pts) are the top line for the Fighting Sioux. Goaltender Aaron Dell currently holds a .881 save percentage and a 3.09 goals against average.

For the Mavericks: Forwards Terry Broadhurst (14g-9a—23pts), Matt White (8g-15a—23), Jayson Megna (6g-11a—17pts), Josh Archibald (7g-4a—11pts). Defense Andrej Sustr (3g-8a—11pts), Michael Young (3g-6a—9pts). Goalies Dayn Belfour currently holds a .899 save percentage and a 2.30 goals against average.

Key Numbers:

1 – Numbers of wins UNO got against the UAH Chargers last weekend.

3 – UNO is in third place in the WCHA standings.

4 – Wins in a row for the Fighting Sioux.

6 – Both UND and UNO have 6 conference wins so far this season. 
9 – Brock Nelson has 9 power play goals for the Fighting Sioux to lead the nation.

12 – UND has 12 conference points so far this season.

14 – Brock Nelson has 14 goals on the season.

15 – UNO has 15 conference points so far this season.

18 – UND is ranked 18^th in the Pairwise Rankings.

23 – UNO forward Terry Broadhurst has 23 points so far this season.

27 – UNO is ranked 27^th in the Pairwise Rankings.

Other games in the WCHA: Alabama Huntsville at Minnesota State, Michigan Tech at Minnesota, Denver at Bemidji State, Alaska Anchorage at, Colorado College, Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin. Saint Cloud State is Idle this weekend.

Related articles

• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux-Beavers Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Series Preview: Sioux vs. Tigers (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)

Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 12/04/2011

Each week Zach Friedli and I do the WCHA Power Rankings for INSIDE HOCKEY.

1.  Minnesota Duluth – (9-2-1 WCHA, 11-3-2) The Bulldogs swept the Michigan Tech Huskies (5-3, 5-3).  The Bulldogs sit one point out of first in the WCHA standings. The Bulldogs have played 10 games (7-3-0) at home and are undefeated in six road games (4-0-2) on the road. The Bulldogs are 10-0-2 in the last twelve games and have not lost a game since they were swept by the Gophers 10-15-2011. The Bulldogs travel to Madison, Wisconsin to play the Badgers who were idle this past weekend.

2. Minnesota – (10-2-0 WCHA, 13-4-1) The Gophers swept the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks in two hard fought wins (3-2, 4-2). Up next for the Golden Gophers a home series against the upstart Michigan Tech Huskies who were swept by the UMD Bulldogs (5-3, 5-3).  

3.  Colorado College – (6-4-0 WCHA, 8-4-0) The Tigers beat the Denver Pioneers 4-3 O.T. in a single game on Friday night.  Friday’s game was an entertaining affair and with the game tied 3-3, the Tigers got the break that they needed. At the 3:46 mark of overtime Tiger forward Alexander Krushelnyski was hauled down by the Pioneers David Makowski; the on ice official awarded a penalty shot to Krushelnyski and the sophomore forward made the Pioneers pay by scoring the game winning/ending goal on the ensuing penalty shot.  This week Tigers entertain the struggling UAA Seawovles.

4.  Denver – (4-3-3 WCHA, 6-5-3) The Denver Pioneers lost a single game to Colorado College Tigers in Colorado Springs, CO on Friday night 4-3 in overtime. With the game tied 3-3 Pioneer Defenseman David Makowski pulled down Alexander Krushelnyski; the on ice officials awarded Krushelnyski a penalty shot which he scored on to win the game 4-3 for the Tigers. The Pioneers travel to Bemidji, MN to play the BSU Beavers.


5. North Dakota – (6-6-0, 8-7-1) The Fighting Sioux swept the UAA Seawolves (5-2, 4-1) in Anchorage, Alaska this past weekend.  With the sweep, the Fighting Sioux improved their all-time record of 17-14-1 against the Seawolves in Anchorage. Sweeps of the Seawolves in Anchorage have been hard to come by for the Fighting Sioux and that was the first sweep of the Seawolves in Anchorage since the 2008-09 season. The Fighting Sioux will entertain the UNO Mavericks this weekend.  The Fighting Sioux appear to have righted the ship as they have won four out of the last five games and five of the last six games.  In two short weeks the Sioux have gone from 11^th place to tied for fourth place in the WCHA standings. The Tigers have two games in hand on the Sioux.

6.  Nebraska-Omaha – (6-3-3 WCHA, 8-7-2) The Mavericks split with the University of Alabama Huntsville (1-3 L, 6-2 W) this past weekend in Nashville, TN. Following the Mavericks 3-1 loss to the Chargers, UNO head coach Dean Blais said, “I am embarrassed.” The Mavericks have had a tough time against the former CHA teams; the Mavericks own a 1-5-2 record against the BSU Beavers; and also have a 2-2 record against the UAH Chargers. The Red Mavericks travel to Grand Forks, ND to play the Fighting Sioux.

7. Wisconsin – (4-7-1 WCHA, 7-8-1) The Badgers were idle this past weekend. The Badgers are the WCHA’s version of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde this season; the Badgers are (7-3-0) at the Kohl Center and (0-5-1) on the road this season.  This weekend the Badgers will entertain the high flying UMD Bulldogs who are 10-0-2 in the last twelve games and have not lost a game since they were swept by the Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-15-2011.

8.  Michigan Tech – (5-6-1 WCHA, 8-7-1) The Tech Huskies were swept by the UMD Bulldogs this past weekend (5-3, 5-3). Up next, the Huskies travel to Minnesota to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  The Huskies are (6-3-1) at home and (2-4-0) away from the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena

9. St. Cloud State – (4-5-3 WCHA, 6-8-4) The Huskies took one point (6-6 T, 3-1 L) from the BSU Beavers this past weekend in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.  The Huskies are idle this weekend. The Huskies were 1-for-8 on the power play in the series against the Beavers. The Huskies since beating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first game of a home and home series are on a five game winless streak (0-3-2).

10. Bemidji State – (4-6-2 WCHA, 6-8-2) The Beavers took 3-of-4 points from the SCSU Huskies in Saint Cloud this past weekend. The Beavers penalty kill was 7–for-8 during the series against the Huskies.  Beaver senior defenseman Brad Hunt recorded his 100^th point of his career with a goal against the Huskies.

11. Alaska-Anchorage – (2-9-1 WCHA, 5-9-2) The UAA Seawolves were swept by UND Fighting Sioux in Anchorage, Alaska (5-2, 4-1). The Seawolves travel to Colorado Springs to play the C.C. Tigers.  

12.  Minnesota State – (2-9-1 WCHA, 3-12-0) The Minnesota State Mavericks played the Minnesota Gophers tough all weekend yet came up emply (2-3 L, 4-2 L). This weekend the Mavericks entertain the UAH Chargers in a non-conference match-up. 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: November 1st (insidehockey.com)

Kristo goal against UAA

This was the third goal by the Fighting Sioux forward Danny Kristo against UAA tonight. Drawing the assist on the Kirsto goal was Brock Nelson. s/t BadgerSioux.

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• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux hold on to Sweep Tigers (insidehockey.com)
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• Series Preview: Sioux vs. Tigers (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Outlast Tigers in Barnburner (insidehockey.com)

We are North Dakota...

Well it’s official the University of North Dakota, UND athletic teams will no longer be called the Fighting Sioux. For the next three + years the University of North Dakota sports teams will simply be referred to as the University of North Dakota.

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- “As of that date, please only refer to our athletic teams as the University of North Dakota and please use the interlocking ND logo as the official logo of the UND Athletics Department,” Sean Johnson, senior associate athletics director, wrote in the email, which was circulated early this morning.

“If you could pass this along to all conference membership, it would be greatly appreciated,” he wrote.

The email went to Bruce McLeod, commissioner of the WCHA, as well as leaders of the Great West, Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences, in which one or more UNDS teams compete.

Johnson was not immediately available for comment on the email or the decision to make Jan. 1 the effective date for asking other schools to stop referring to UND teams as the Fighting Sioux

Here is the official release that UND is sending out to the different conferences. The UND hockey team will continue to wear the uniform with the Fighting Sioux warrior logo on it till sometime in February until new uniforms arrive. s/t to Kevin Pates of Rink and Run.

FROM: Sean M. Johnson
Senior Associate Athletics Director
University of North Dakota

I would like to give you an update on University of North Dakota athletics and the continued use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

As of January 1, 2012, UND will no longer use either the Fighting Sioux nickname or logo.

As of that date, please only refer to our athletic teams as the University of North Dakota and please use the interlocking ND logo as the official logo of the UND Athletics Department.

Related articles

• University of North Dakota Plans to Retire Fighting Sioux Nickname (indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com)
• University of North Dakota Faces Sanctions (indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com)
• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Spirit Lake Tribe Sues NCAA (indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com)
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Garrett Clarke released from QMJHL team.

Image via Wikipedias/t to the Wold of Junior Hockey. Seems like this worked out the best for the Fighting Sioux and in retrospect it appears that it was a good thing that Clarke didn't come to the Fighting Sioux.

Press release --- The Acadie-Bathurst Titan announces they have released 19 yr old defenseman Garrett Clarke for disciplinary reasons.

Clarke had been acquired last season from the Shawinigan Cataractes for a 1st round pick, that pick had then been traded back to the Titan during the off season for Vincent Arseneau.

He had played in 24 games this season, collecting 2 goals and 14 assists.

Related articles

• QMJHL Weekly: October 26th, 2011 (insidehockey.com)
• QMJHL Weekly, November 28th, 2011 (insidehockey.com)
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Goon's WCHA Power Rankings for 11/26

Image via Wikipedia

Each week Zach Friedli and I do the WCHA Power Rankings for INSIDE HOCKEY.

1.  Minnesota Duluth – (7-2-1 WCHA, 9-3-2) The Bulldogs were idle this past weekend, Travel Houghton, MI to play the Michigan Tech Huskies.  The Bulldogs sit one point out of first in the WCHA standings. The Bulldogs have played 10 games 7-3-0 at home and four games 2-0-2 on the road.

2. Minnesota – (8-2-0 WCHA, 11-4-1) The Gophers experienced some rough sledding this past weekend, (3-4 L, 4-4 T) and only came away with a tie in their non-conference series with the Michigan State Spartans, in East Lansing, Michigan. The Mighty Golden Gophers entertain the Minnesota State Mavericks this weekend. The Gophers have split their last two WCHA series and have 2-3-1 record in their last six games.

3.  Denver – (4-2-3 WCHA, 6-4-3) The Pioneers beat Princeton 3-0 and lost to Miami University 4-2 in the Denver Cup this past weekend. The Pioneers play a single game in Colorado Springs, CO, on Friday night against their cross-state rivals the Colorado College Tigers. The game will be on CBS College Sports @09:07 p.m. central standard time.

4.  Colorado College – (5-4-0 WCHA, 7-4-0) The Tigers were swept the Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks, ND. Entertain their cross-state rivals the Denver Pioneers in a single game on Saturday night.  The game will be on CBS College Sports @09:07 p.m. central standard time.  Rylan Schwartz had 6g-0a—6 points on the weekend, yet his team was swept by the Fighting Sioux. According to Joe Paisley of the Colorado Spring Gazette, Tiger forward Jaden Schwartz now has a career-best 17-game point streak 9g-22a—31pts during that streak.

5.  Nebraska-Omaha – (6-3-3 WCHA, 7-6-2) The Mavericks won 4-3 and tied 2-2, in their series against the SCSU Huskies 4-3. The Red Mavericks travel to Nashville, TN to play University of Alabama Huntsville. The Mavericks hold a 3-1 all-time record against the Chargers and split their season series last season in Omaha.

6.  North Dakota – (4-6-0, 6-7-1) The Fighting Sioux swept the 4th ranked Colorado College Tigers 7-6 and 4-3 at home this past weekend.  This weekend, the Fighting Sioux head to the last frontier to play the UAA Seawolves, who took three of four points from Minnesota State in Mankato this past weekend. The Sioux have a 9-4-2 record the last 15 games against the Seawolves. With the sweep of the Tigers, the Fighting Sioux now have a 10-4-3 record against C.C. in the last 17 games at home against the Tigers. The Fighting Sioux also have an all-time record of 82-19-6 against the Tigers in Grand Forks, ND.  

7.  St. Cloud State – (4-4-2 WCHA, 6-7-3) The Huskies took one point 4-3 L, 2-2 T, from the UNO Mavericks this past weekend against the Red Mavericks in Omaha, Nebraska this weekend.  This weekend the Huskies entertain the Bemidji State Beavers at the National Hockey Center. The Huskies have an 8-2-0 record against the Beavers in the last 10 games between the two teams.

8.  Wisconsin – (4-7-1 WCHA, 7-8-1) The Badgers swept the Mercyhurst Lakers 7-2, 5-2 in Madison, this past weekend. The Badgers are the WCHA’s version of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Badgers are 7-3-0 at home and 0-5-1 on the road this season. After scoring three goals last weekend the Badgers scored 12 against their AHA opponent. The Badgers are idle this weekend.

9.  Michigan Tech – (5-4-1 WCHA, 8-5-1) The Tech Huskies split a non-conference series 3-2, 1-3 with the St. Lawrence University this past weekend in Canton, New York. The Huskies entertain the defending NCAA Champion the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at MacInnes Student Ice Arena this weekend. The Huskies are 6-1-1 at home and 2-4-0 away from the

10. Bemidji State – (3-6-1 WCHA, 5-8-1) The Beavers were idle this past weekend. The Beavers travel to Saint Cloud State to play the Huskies. Since 2002-03 the Beavers have won two games in the last 10 games against the Huskies 2-8-0.

11. Alaska-Anchorage – (2-7-1 WCHA, 5-7-1) The UAA Seawolves who took three points from Minnesota State in Mankato this past weekend. The Seawolves entertain the Fighting Sioux this weekend in Anchorage, Alaska. The Seawolves have a 4-9-2 record the last 15 games against the Fighting Sioux. The Seawovles have had better luck against the Fighting Sioux at home where they are 3-3-1 in the last seven games at home against the Sioux. The Seawolves are 2-3-1 at home and 1-4-1 on the road this season.

12.  Minnesota State – (2-7-1 WCHA, 3-10-0) The Minnesota State Mavericks took one point this past weekend against the UAA Seawolves. The Mavericks goaltenders Phil Cook and Evan Karambelas, gave up five goals on 13 shots, that an unimpressive .615 save percentage. The Mavericks travel to Minnesota to play the Minnesota Gophers in Mariucci Arena. In the last eight game against the Gophers the Mavericks have a 5-2-1 record.

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Shot Charts from 11/26 Tigers and Sioux game

From time to time I have read and heard fan comments about Aaron Dell being an over rated goalie or not worthy of the hype. If you look at the shot charts from Saturday night’s game you will see the Aaron Dell made some big saves and kept the Fighting Sioux in the game.

You will see that both goalies stopped some grade “A” opportunities down low from the slot. The Fighting Sioux defense also blocked 15 shots during Saturday night’s game.

The Fighting Sioux had to kill a 5 on 3 power play in the third period and Aaron Dell said that, “it [penalty kill] was huge, we have had a hard time with five on threes this year, and that was the biggest kill of the game, it was a huge momentum swing there.”

s/t @StatsOnCrack

11/26 CC vs. UND Lines

Image via WikipediaUND goes again with Dell in net. CC goes with Howe. A lot of line changes for UND. The only other note is that CC Defenseman Eamon McDermitt is out tonight. Ian Young, a freshman, is in.
(per Brad Schlossman's blog located here)

UND’s lines
29 Brock Nelson–10 Corban Knight–7 Danny Kristo
11 Derek Rodwell–9 Mario Lamoureux–27 Carter Rowney
21 Brendan O’Donnell–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–13 Connor Gaarder–20 Joe Gleason

Fighting Sioux Defensive Paring

4 Derek Forbort–24 Ben Blood
2 Andrew MacWilliam–5 Nick Mattson
18 Dillon Simpson–22 Andrew Panzarella

Fighting Sioux Goalies 

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
35 Tate Maris

UND Player Stats 

Colorado College’s lines
8 Jaden Schwartz–13 Rylan Schwartz–27 William Rapuzzi
16 Alex Krushelnyski–22 Nick Dineen–25 Scott Winkler
9 Dakota Eveland–11 David Civitarese–21 Jeff Collett
12 Archie Skalbeck–23 Tim Hall–15 Andrew Hamburg

Tiger  Defense Pairings 

10 Gabe Guentzel–4 Joe Marciano
20 Ian Young–6 Peter Stoykewych
5 Aaron Harstad–28 Mike Boivin

Tiger Goalies

31 Joe Howe
39 Josh Thorimbert

Tiger Player stats 

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Shot charts from 11/25

If you look at the shot chart from the first period you will see that Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell was under attack and had to make many saves from shot taken down low  in the slots.

s/t to stats on crack for the shot charts. After losing Sunday’s game to the Bemidji State Beavers, Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol talked about his team not getting to the dirty area to score goals. Fast forward to Friday night, the Fighting Sioux scored five of six goals from the slot.

Sioux goals versus Colorado College

Stick tap to BadgerSioux for recording the videos from tonight's game between the Colorado College Tigers and the Fighting Sioux.

Here is the video of Sioux forward Carter Rowney's goal. It was the second goal of the game for the Fighting Sioux on the power play [Click to view]

Here is the second goal of the season for Fighting Sioux forward Michael Parks [click to view]

Here is the video of Fighting Sioux forward Danny Kristo and his second goal of the game, but also his post game press conference. [Click to view]

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