More on re-alignment.

Here is an interesting article that was over on Goon's favorite hockey site. Seems there has been some discussions about the possibility of re-alignment but nothing is set in stone of course. Kind of like we thought. This stuff takes time and will be an on going discussion.

There have been quite a few rumors spreading on various sites over the past few weeks about the future of the CHA and its teams. Now here are a few facts.

Atlantic Hockey voted to suspend its moratorium on expansion. Robert Morris and Niagara expressed interest in joining and AHA Commissioner Bob DeGregorio has visited both sites with the Niagara visit happening this past Friday when RIT was at Dwyer Arena.

“It would be disingenuous of me to say that we have not had any discussions,” said College Hockey America interim Commissioner and Niagara Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin. “I hate clichés, but it seems that there is a thawing in hockey and it’s a major step that at least someone is looking at expansion.”

The lines for tonights game.

According to Brad here are the lines for tonight's game. Looks like there are some messages being sent already. Finley traveled with the team but isn't playing tonight. Here are the guys that didn't travel, Corey Fienhage, Brad Malone and Graeme Harrington. You kind of wonder if Fienhage, Frattin and Malone are the ones that are being sent a message. I would also like to see what Harrington can do in a game.

UND's lines

16 Ryan Duncan--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
10 Andrew Kozek--11 Darcy Zajac--20 Matt Watkins
15 Brent Davidson--9 Mario Lamoureux--8 Ryan Martens
17 Jason Gregoire--19 Evan Trupp--18 David Toews

3 Derrick LaPoint--5 Chay Genoway
6 Zach Jones--25 Jake Marto
24 Ben Blood--14 Brad Miller

31 Brad Eidsness
30 Aaron Walski

SCRATCHES - Matt Frattin, Big Joe Finley, (Brad Malone and Corey Fienhage didnt make trip)

Colorado College's lines

21 Bill Sweatt--14 Chad Rau--22 Eric Walsky
23 Tim Hall--19 Andreas Vlassopoulos--28 Stephen Schultz
26 Scott McCulloch--17 Tyler Johnson--5 Addison DeBoer
18 Matt Overman--9 Brian McMillin--20 Nick Dineen

11 Brian Connelly--15 Nate Prosser
7 Kris Fredheim--4 Jake Gannon
10 Gabe Guentzel--24 Ryan Lowery

30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien

2008-2009 Inter-Conference Records

Here are the inter conference records so far this season. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out as the season goes along.

Conference vs. 'Big 4'
AHA 3-21-1 (.140)
CCHA 7-13-3 (.370)
CHA 4-13-2 (.263)
ECAC 2-7-2 (.273)
HEA 16-5-2 (.739)
WCHA 7-7-3 (.500)

BADgers 5 Fighting Sioux 2.

If there is a weak link right now I would say it is the defense, the blue liners have got to be better if UND is going to be successful this season. There is nothing like leaving your goalie out high and dry, it is a recipe for disaster. The game started out pretty good UND, the Fighting Sioux were able to gain a 2-0 lead before giving up 5 unanswered goals. I think that is unacceptable, and can not happen again. A couple of these goals were of the soft varitey. Just for the Record Chay Genoway was on the ice for 4 of the 5 goals scored against the Sioux in the third period. One Thing I know is that the Sioux need to get Big Joe Finley back in the line up soon.

If I fault Hakstol for anything I wish he would have brought in Brad Eidsness in early last year like DU did with Marc Cheverie. It just seems that Brad is a few weeks behind and it is going to be a few more weeks before he is up to speed. That being said I hope that Hakstol doesn't think he has to come back with Walksi, Eidness is the future of the Fighting Sioux and I think Hakstol just need to go with him until he figures it out. It makes no sense playing a goalie that hasn't proven in three seasons that he is capable of playing at the division one level.

The Fighting Sioux will be fine it is just going to take a few more weeks to get everyone on the same sheet of music, that is what happens when you have a high number of players coming and going each season. I thought UND played pretty well on the weekend and just had a few bad moments in the third period of Saturday's game that kept them from getting the sweep.

While a sweep would have been the best result a split is not that bad, coming into this series Wisconsin had won the last four games against the Sioux in the Ralph Englestad Arena so in the grand scheme of things a split isn't all that bad.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WIS-1 Podge Turnbull (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 5:59
WIS-2 Brendan Smith (2-Roughing) 11:49
WIS-3 Brendan Smith (2-High-Sticking) (Served by Craig Johnson) NDK 0x2 11:49
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 11:49
WIS-4 Tom Gorowsky (2-Roughing) 18:20
NDK-2 Corey Fienhage (2-Roughing) 18:20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-3 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) WIS 0x1 3:49
WIS-5 Blake Geoffrion (2-Tripping) NDK 0x3 4:34
NDK-4 Jake Marto (2-Interference) WIS 0x2 13:40
NDK 1 - 0 5x6 SH Ryan Duncan (2) (Chris VandeVelde) 14:23
NDK (+): 16,29,6,5,G31 WIS (-): 2,21,24,9,19,G35
WIS-6 Andy Bohmbach (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 15:53
NDK 2 - 0 6x6 Jason Gregoire (2) (Evan Trupp, Matt Frattin) 17:59
NDK (+): 17,19,21,25,3,G31 WIS (-): 17,16,27,12,11,G35
NDK-5 Zach Jones (2-Slashing) WIS 0x3 18:23
NDK-6 Chay Genoway (2-Holding) WIS 1x4 19:45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WIS 1 - 2 6x5 PP Derek Stepan (2) (Jamie McBain, John Mitchell) 0:56
WIS: 21,2,24,7,9,G35 NDK: 20,25,6,11,G31
NDK-7 Corey Fienhage (2-Interference) WIS 2x5 1:34
WIS 2 - 2 6x5 PP Blake Geoffrion (2) (Jake Gardiner, Derek Stepan) 1:48
WIS: 5,19,21,2,9,G35 NDK: 29,16,6,5,G31
WIS 3 - 2 6x6 GW LL Tom Gorowsky (1) (Jamie McBain, Sean Dolan) 2:17
WIS (+): 15,2,16,24,7,G35 NDK (-): 5,10,11,20,25,G31
WIS 4 - 2 6x6 Tom Gorowsky (2) (unassisted) 13:42
WIS (+): 15,24,2,16,7,G35 NDK (-): 18,29,16,24,5,G31
WIS-7 Ryan McDonagh (2-Interference) NDK 0x5 16:22
WIS 5 - 2 5x6 SH EN Blake Geoffrion (3) (unassisted) 17:41
WIS (+): 5,20,10,27,G35 NDK (-): 14,5,10,26,29,16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Eaves not happy with the officating.

This was posted over on Siouxsports.com and this is interesting, because I told someone last weekend that it was almost like the refs were almost over calling penalties to the point of being silly, you know to make a point. It was almost like the league office is saying ok you S.O.B we will show you. You want penalties and the games called tighter we will call them tighter. I think while Eaves is sounding kind of whinny here I do think Mike has a point, there were a few call last week that were down right brutal. I remember watching the play and saying, you have got to be kidding me.

I also think Eaves is trying to get the advantage in this weeks series with the Fighting Sioux with a little gamesmanship.

I guess the fans are also not happy with the officiating this season so far.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- It was no secret that there were going to be more penalties called in college hockey this season, what with the emphasis on punishing crimes that previously went without a whistle.

Wisconsin Badgers coach Mike Eaves was one of those who said the game would be better if players didn't have to fight through holding and interference -- a change the NHL had already successfully made, albeit with growing pains.

Eaves didn't know the pains at his level would be quite like this.

As the Badgers open a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at North Dakota Friday, they are no different than any other college hockey team -- trying to adjust to the new way that things are being done.

But Eaves is concerned that referees, in an effort to push the NCAA rules emphasis, have gone a little overboard.

He sent WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd a series of video clips from last weekend's series against Minnesota to illustrate his concerns about the officiating.

College hockey scores from 10-25-2008.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Atlantic Hockey
Air Force 3 at American Int'l 1
Army 3 at Connecticut 6
RIT 2 at Sacred Heart 4

CCHA
Western Michigan 2 at Ferris State 5
Bowling Green 0 at Alaska 3
Miami 3 at Notre Dame 2
Northern Michigan 0 at Michigan State 2

Analysis

I think the biggest shock of the weekend might be the series between Miami Redhawks and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Miami Redhawks sweep the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend. The Miami Redhawks lost all American forward Ryan Jones F (graduation), Alec Martinez F and Jeff Zatkoff G (to the NHL) and the Redhawks have not missed a beat.

So the big question is; what are we to make of Notre Dame? Are the Irish over rated or is Miami that good? I am thinking Notre Dame is a bit over rated and Miami is a decent hockey team.


Hockey East
Northeastern 2 at Maine 1

Analysis

Northeastern is a pretty good hockey team and have started the season 5-0-1 with a win against defending national championship Boston College.

Right now Hockey East seems to be the league to beat right now. Hockey East is 15-4-2 (.762) against the big four conferences, breaking it down further; Hockey East is a 7-2-2 against the CCHA and 5-1-0 against the WCHA.

WCHA
Minnesota 5 at Wisconsin 2
Minnesota-Duluth 1 at Alaska-Anchorage 1 ot

Analysis

A rather light conference schedule in the WCHA last night as Minnesota took 3 out of 4 points from the hapless Badgers, the game wasn't as close as the score and the Badgers gave 5 or more goals for the fifth time in six games. That is unprecedented for Wisconsin, Badgers, a team that prides itself for its self for its air tight defense. The big question is what team is coming to Grand Forks, ND next weekend.

Duluth recorded a tie against UAA in Anchorage. The Seawolves take 3 of 4 points on the weekend.


Non-Conference
Mercyhurst 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 5
Providence 6 at Holy Cross 4
Michigan 2 at Boston University 7
St. Cloud State 5 at Bemidji State 3
Merrimack 0 at Niagara 1
Ohio State 4 at Denver 3
Colorado College 2 at Clarkson 2 ot

Governor's Cup
Robert Morris 1 vs. Rensselaer 2
Colgate 2 vs. Union 4

Analysis

Boston University might be one of the best teams in College hockey right now, while NCAA championships are not won in October the Terriers have been impressive so far. Last night the BU Terriers pounded the Michigan Wolverines 7-2, Billy Sauer gave up 4goals on 19 shots. The Boston University Terriers went an impressive 5/9 on the power play. Up front for the Terriers Super sophomore Colin Wilson had three assists for the game.

The most shocking event of the weekend is that the Clarkson Knights and the Colorado College Tigers played in a weekend series that ended up in two sister kissings in Potsdam, N.Y. I don't know what the hell to make out of that, however, I predict that the Tigers will not be sitting in number one position when the polls come out this week. The Tigers are supposed to be a team that is loaded with offensive talent but have managed to score only 9 goals in 4 games.

Ohio State University shocked the Denver Pioneers in Denver last night 4-3. Super frosh Zac Dalpe scored his third goal of the season. I think the biggest question mark for the Denver Pioneers is in goal. Of the few games that I have seen Marc Cheverie play I have to say that I am not impressed and it probably the WEAK link on the other wise loaded Denver Pioneers.

Is it better to say nothing at all... Its my drug dealers.

Lets look at this incident more closely: first off, I want to be clear that I do not promote drug use nor will I condone using drugs. I am also not giving anyone a free pass nor am I a Puffy apologist. That being said, this is a perfect situation where you might not want to say anything and get your lawyer to the police station as soon as possible.

Remember do not waive your Miranda rights without first conferring with your attorney.

According to the criminal complaint:

Before the officer could turn on emergency lights, he noticed something that looked like a yellow napkin being thrown out the passenger-side window.

Dubay denied throwing anything out the window. He also said the incident would "ruin his life."

When police retrieved the item about 30 yards behind the vehicle, they found a yellow napkin as well as a plastic baggie with a substance that tested positive for cocaine. It weighed 0.45 grams. Interviewed later by police, Dubay said he was in Maplewood to pay a drug debt of $200. He said he started using crack cocaine last year but had sought treatment. He said he lent his truck to a crack dealer over the weekend and that the dealer left the rock of crack behind. Dubay admitted he threw it out the window when he realized he was getting pulled over. Dubay also admitted a pipe found in the truck was his.

Sioux 4 Mavs 3

Finally the Sioux get rolling in the third period of the 4th game of the 2008-2009 season and I believe this win is something to build on.

Rookie goalie Brad Eidsness gets the first win of his college hockey career with the Fighting Sioux. For time being; Sioux fans that were ready to jump off the ledge, you can step back off the ledge and put away anything that is shinny and sharp.

There are some positives to this win. UND finally scored a power play goal as they went 2-11 on the power play. UND also scored a short handed goal as well...

Box Score
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MNS 1 - 0 6x6 Jason Wiley (2) (Andrew Sackrison) 1:31
MNS (+): 20,7,17,19,3,G1 NDK (-): 22,26,19,24,5,G31
NDK-1 Chay Genoway (2-Boarding) MNS 0x1 4:23
NDK-2 Brad Malone (2-Interference) MNS 0x2 4:23
MNS-1 Mike Louwerse (2-CHECKING) NDK 0x1 6:34
MNS-2 Kurt Davis (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 7:36
MNS-3 Kael Mouillierat (2-Interference) NDK 0x3 12:44
NDK-3 Jason Gregoire (2-Checking from Behind) MNS 0x3 13:35
NDK-4 Zach Jones (2-Interference) MNS 0x4 14:43
NDK-5 Chay Genoway (2-Roughing) 15:27
MNS-4 Trevor Bruess (2-Roughing) 15:27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-6 Corey Fienhage (2-CHECKING) MNS 0x5 2:59
MNS-5 Andrew Sackrison (2-Tripping) NDK 0x4 3:37
MNS-6 Blake Friesen (2-Interference) NDK 0x5 5:42
NDK-7 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) MNS 1x6 8:08
MNS 2 - 0 6x5 PP Trevor Bruess (2) (Kael Mouillierat, Mick Berge) 9:31
MNS: 23,9,21,22,7,G1 NDK: 6,19,24,16,G31
MNS-7 Blake Friesen (2-Holding) NDK 0x6 10:03
MNS-8 Geoff Irwin (2-Hooking) NDK 0x7 14:49
MNS-9 Blake Friesen (2-CHECKING) NDK 0x8 17:50

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-8 Mario Lamoureux (2-Tripping) MNS 1x7 4:32
MNS-10 Mike Louwerse (2-Hooking) NDK 1x9 7:12
NDK 1 - 2 6x5 PP Andrew Kozek (1) (Jason Gregoire) 9:11
NDK: 10,17,26,3,25,G31 MNS: 19,15,7,28,G1
MNS-11 Trevor Bruess (2-Goaltender Interference) NDK 2x10 9:36
NDK 2 - 2 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (1) (Brad Miller, Ryan Martens) 10:20
NDK: 16,29,5,8,14,G31 MNS: 19,5,17,12,G1
NDK-9 Brett Hextall (2-Hooking) MNS 1x8 11:38
MNS-12 Ben Youds (2-Roughing) NDK 3x11 13:53
NDK 3 - 2 6x5 PP Ryan Martens (2) (Ryan Duncan) 14:42
NDK: 8,16,14,29,5,G31 MNS: 12,28,19,5,G1
MNS 3 - 3 6x6 Trevor Bruess (3) (Kael Mouillierat, Kurt Davis) 15:18
MNS (+): 23,9,22,21,4,G1 NDK (-): 19,9,11,3,4,G31
NDK-10 Ryan Duncan (2-Hooking) MNS 1x9 18:34
NDK 4 - 3 5x6 SH GW LL Chris VandeVelde (2) (unassisted) 19:51
NDK (+): 29,3,11,5,G31 MNS (-): 7,19,22,4,20,G1
NDK-11 Chris VandeVelde (2-Holding the Stick) 20:00
NDK-12 Chris VandeVelde (2-Roughing) 20:00
NDK-13 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 20:00
MNS-13 Kael Mouillierat (2-Goaltender Interference) 20:00
MNS-14 Kael Mouillierat (2-Roughing) 20:00
MNS-15 Geoff Irwin (2-CHECKING) 20:00
MNS-16 Geoff Irwin (2-Roughing) 20:00
MNS-17 Zach Harrison (2-Roughing) 20:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The CHA soldiers on...

The CHA has announced that they will play their conference tourney in Bemdiji this season. I think it is the right decision for the NCAA to allow the CHA to keep playing for a NCAA bid even though they only have four teams in the league. Why shouldn't they? None of the other leagues have stepped up to absorb these teams. I am still waiting for the day when the NCAA announces that these teams will be taken into a league or face the possibility of losing a few at large bids.

CHA Announces Tournament Locale; Wil Still Play for NCAA Bid
CHN Staff Report

College Hockey America will hold its conference tournament in Bemidji, Minn., this season -- and, more importantly, the tournament still has relevance in the sport as a whole.

The conference, which has often been on the brink of extinction -- and never moreso than following the folding of Wayne State's program after last season -- has received approval from the NCAA Championships and Competition Cabinet for an automatic bid to this year's NCAA tournament.

Typically, a conference must have six member schools in order to qualify for an automatic bid, according to NCAA by-laws. A rule was passed recently that allowed the CHA to qualify with only five -- but the departure of Wayne State dropped the CHA's membership to four.

Nonetheless, a waiver has been granted to the league, and will be reviewed on a year-to-year basis.
----snip----
The College Hockey America men's league is comprised of Alabama-Huntsville, Bemidji State, Niagara and Robert Morris. All but Robert Morris have on automatic NCAA bids in the past

Eric Staal's contract and what it means to Marian Gaborik

Check out the numbers and it would appear that Gaborik is going to be worth a minimum of 8 million a year in my opinion. If you think Gabby isn't worth 8 million a year look at the numbers; Gabby is comparable to Staal in stats.

Staal's deal lends context to Gaborik negotiations ...
Eric Staal became the fourth member of the $8 million club today when the Carolina center signed a seven-year contract extension worth $57.75 million for a yearly average of $8.25 million.

This is of particular interest to Wild fans because the team is trying to sign Marian Gaborik to an extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next July, and the track records of Gaborik and Staal are similar.

Gaborik is set to make $7.5 million this season, and it’s believed the Wild have offered him a deal that averages roughly $1 million more.

Other players making that much are Pittsburgh’s Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ($8.7 million a season) and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin ($9.5 million). Two of the players have won the Hart Trophy, and Malkin finished second in balloting last season.

Wild assistant general manager Tom Lynn met with Gaborik’s agent, Ron Salcer, face to face for the first time in Los Angeles this week but no deal has been reached. Lynn declined to comment on the meeting Thursday, and Salcer could not be reached for comment.

But back to Staal, 23, who led the Hurricanes with 100 points when Carolina won the 2006 Stanley Cup. Here is a look at the numbers of Staal and Gaborik, 26, over the past four seasons:

Player GP*-G-A Pts.
Staal 327-124-159 = 283
Gaborik 255-128-108 = 246

*328 possible

NHL looking to expand to Europe?

I am not so sure this is a very good idea. Wow, I can't imagine how tough the travel would be? I also think they are right are the Euros going to be able to support the NHL like they do in the USA and Canada?

European expansion on the horizon, Daly says
WILLIAM HOUSTON|From Friday's Globe and Mail

The NHL is aiming to have teams based in Europe within the next 10 years, the league's deputy commissioner said yesterday.

“As time goes on, you'll see us making increasing movement into Europe,” Bill Daly said in an interview. “Certainly, it's a possibility that within 10 years time we will be playing games there.”

Asked whether he viewed European expansion within 10 years as a good possibility, he said: “I hope so. But again, I think it's a long way between here and there. And I think all the pieces have to continue to line up in order for that to happen.

“So, certainly, we would hope that would be the case. But I can't say with any degree of certainty at this point.”

A move to Europe by the NHL has been talked about for years. Toronto-based hockey agent Anton Thun and others have been proponents. But at the NHL level, Daly's statements are by far the strongest made by an executive in favour of European expansion.

“It's a priority for us,” he said. “It is focused on as one of our primary growth opportunities.”

Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford is not against expansion to Europe as long as the cities in question can support teams financially. But first, though, he would like to see the NHL put a couple of more teams in Canada – in Winnipeg and Southern Ontario.

“[European] cities do a good job for international hockey tournaments, but can those cities afford NHL prices for 42 regular-season games plus playoffs?” Rutherford said. “I don't know the answer, but if they can, then at some point there will be expansion in Europe.
(read the rest of the story here)

Bill Howard was not pushed out...

In August posed the question on whether Bill Howard was forced out in Madison. It appears that 60 minutes was right, Howard left the University of Wisconsin on his own volition.

UW hockey: Howard's decision to resign his alone
By ANDY BAGGOT

Bill Howard was sitting on the terrace of a Far West Side eatery, nursing a cup of strong coffee, trying to bring some closure to his departure from the University of Wisconsin men's hockey program.

He made it seem easy, belying the fact Howard spent the last 36 years tutoring UW goaltenders to the tune of six NCAA titles and widespread acclaim.

UW announced late last month that Howard was resigning as assistant coach, a role he's had since 1973 when he was hired out of Madison Memorial High School by the late Bob Johnson.

Howard acknowledged having less personal enjoyment and more frustration in recent years working for Mike Eaves, his third head coach, who took over the program in 2002.

Howard said he "could have parted maybe on better terms" with Eaves.

But Howard also made it clear he wasn't pushed out the door, that the decision to resign was his alone, and, more than anything, emphasized the time seemed right for a change.

"Some people said I should have done it when we won (the NCAA title in 2006) with (Brian) Elliott," Howard said, referring to his eighth All-American. "I was still enjoying coaching.

"After a while, you just reach a point where it's not as enjoyable; it's more frustrating than you want it to be. You look at other things you can do.

"I don't have any hard feelings or anything like that. I'm fine with the way it went."

Eaves said this week that Howard, a volunteer since the early 1990s when the NCAA limited the number of paid assistants to two, had talked multiple times in recent years about stepping down and that the process involved a lot of give and take.

"In our conversations, he wasn't angry, he wasn't upset," Eaves said. "It was just a resolution that now's the time."

Eaves said the situation was dictated in part by a recent mandate from UW Athletic Department administrators that the summer hockey schools be moved on campus.

Howard has overseen the camps since the Johnson Era — they were staged most recently at the Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton — and that would change under the plan to move them to the Kohl Center.

"Nobody told Bill that he had to resign," Eaves said. "He came to that realization because of the fact we were looking at (Howard stepping down) anyway, and with this step to take the camps back on campus, it seemed like the right time."

Eaves confirmed that a violation of NCAA rules took place during the latest round of camps, which he said accelerated the decision by UW Athletic Department officials to move the camps and place them under greater scrutiny.

"A secondary violation happened," he said. "We reported it. Because of that, the administration said, 'You know what? We have to be intelligent here and we need to do something.' They need to show the NCAA that they're taking steps to fix the problem that existed."

Eaves said responsibility for the rules infraction falls to himself and his staff.

Steve Waterfield, the UW assistant athletic director for compliance, said two incoming freshmen work

More on the Hockey Mom Sarah Palin

I found this story on line today and I have to admit that I am excited about this Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential candidate. I know there are other people that are also fired up about this candidate. I have had to watch the MSM fawn all over Barack Obama all summer long and finally there is something to be excited about on my side of the isle. This is also an interesting article so I thought I would post it so you can look at it.

Sarah Palin: Defining 'hockey mom'
Andrea Gordon Family issues reporter --- Sarah Palin should take a cue from Linda Staal next time she's tempted to compare hockey moms with ferocious dogs.

Staal is Canada's reigning queen of hockey moms. Sons Eric, Marc and Jordan are NHL stars. A fourth, 18-year-old Jared, is on his way.

But Staal is no pit bull, thank you very much. She's always preferred to observe her sons quietly, apart from the pack. And she doesn't wear lipstick.

Palin – mother of five and U.S. vice-president hopeful, has taken "hockey mom" as her brand.

"What's the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?" Palin, Alaska's governor, asked in her speech to the Republican convention.

"Lipstick."

For the real story, we turned to the experts: Canadian mothers of kids in hockey. Droves of them are now headed back to local arenas for early-bird tournaments and another season of bad coffee and cold feet.

Here's what we asked, and what they said:

1. Is Palin right about the pit bull?
2. Your definition of a "hockey mom"
3. Your favoured shade of lipstick
4. A memorable pit bull moment?
5. What hockey mom traits would benefit a politician?

Linda Staal, Thunder Bay

With three sons in the NHL and a fourth soon headed to the big leagues, few hockey moms could match her credentials.

Staal’s brood: Eric, 23, is a centre with the Carolina Hurricanes and on Wednesday is set to help the team unveil its new, alternate home-game jerseys; Marc, 21, plays defence for the New York Rangers, Jordan, 19, is a centre for the Pittsburg Penguins; and her youngest, 18-year-old Jared, plays with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves.

1. Yes, there are some moms that you could definitely put into that category. I, for one, enjoyed watching them (her sons) play and never got too worked up about the things I couldn’t control.

2. Being supportive, but not giving them too much information because they get enough from the coaches.

3. To tell the truth, I don’t wear any yet. If I did, it would be a light pink.

4. Don’t have one. I would be content to sit with a few moms away from the crowd.

5. To get along and work hard with a lot of different people that you come across over the years

Lyle Richardson on Gabby

Does anyone like or see where this story is going? I don't like it and I blame the GM of the Minnesota Wild. If Gabby is allowed to walk it is time for Tom Lynn and Doug Risebrough both should be shown the door because they have had a rough and horrible off season.

• Right winger Marian Gaborik recently said he intends to focus on his game and leave his current contract talks with the Minnesota Wild to his agent.

Wild management hopes to re-sign Gaborik, but assistant GM Tom Lynn has suggested the club will consider trade options if talks reach an impasse.

It’s been speculated the Wild won’t let the Gaborik talks drag on throughout the year and become a distraction, which, of course, has led to Internet rumors of him being dealt by the start of the season if unsigned by then.

Don’t count on it. The Wild may not want to face the same distraction the Atlanta Thrashers did last season with Marian Hossa’s contract status, but they certainly won’t jump the gun that soon.

Best bet is the Wild starts shopping Gaborik by December at the earliest if talks are still stalled at that point.

Zach Parise's car for sale at Rydell's

Here is an interesting story that I haven't seen posted any where but on Puck Daddy. I am going to have to go to Rydell's and check it out... I wonder how long it will be before it is sold? I wounder if there will be any discussion on whether Thomas Vanek has a better car or not?

You could be the proud owner of New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
By Greg Wyshynski
OK, so it doesn't have the gravitas of Jon Voight's '89 LeBaron, but New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe is being auctioned off on eBay until Sept. 12 -- or you can buy it now for $36,000.

Rydell Automotive Center in Grand Forks, ND (also serving Fargo!) is selling what it calls an "NHL Star Zach Parise Ed. Tahoe"; which is just your typical suburban assault vehicle that keeps the U.S. suckling on the foreign oil teat, only with several Zach Parise autographs on the leather interior. From Rydell, via eBay:
(read the rst of the story)

Linkorama:

Chris Dilks from Western College Hockey is reporting that Mike Guentzel has been hired as the assistant coach at Colorado College it will be interesting to see how Mike fits in at C.C.

Guentzel To Join CC Coaching Staff
September 2nd, 2008 -- posted by kcrandall

Mike Guentzel, who resigned from Minnesota coach Don Lucia’s staff in April, will be named an assistant coach Wednesday, a source close to the program said Tuesday.

Guentzel spent the last 14 seasons coaching Gopher defensemen, but will be on the bench as his son, Gabe, starts his career as a Tiger defenseman this fall.

Guentzel replaces Norm Bazin, who left in August to become head coach at Division III Hamilton College and was responsible for recruiting some of CC’s top talent. Though his particular duties have yet to be spelled out, Guentzel adds his knowledge of Minnesota talent to CC’s staff.

His hiring is marks the first major change to coach Scott Owens‘ staff since Owens hired Bazin and Joe Bonnett after his first season at CC.

Over at the Blog that Yost Built Packer487 covers the subject of No Yost Regional in 2010 or 2011 and there are some really good points in the comments section of this blog post. I don't think people are buying the reasons Minnesota is getting two regionals in their own back yard two years in a row. You want to talk about an unfair home field advantage, I give you the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota. The NCAA has probably just given Minnesota a ticket to the Frozen Four. It will be interesting to see the teams the NCAA stuffs in the two regionals in Minnesota. You will probably have some farce like last years Madison regional.

I believe this is a conflict of interest because the athletic director for the University of Minnesota Joel Maturi is the chairman Ice Hockey Committee and he is looking out for his schools own best interests first. On top of that Maturi is trying to sell is notion that the Xcel Energy Center is neutral site. I say bullshit I mean bravo sierra. The Xcel Energy Center is not a neutral site it is 7 miles from the University of Minnesota campus.

Packer487 said...
It wouldn't shock me a bit if the "We can't host a regional because of the cya chant" thing was slightly embellished to try to get the students to cut it out.

Even the NCAA official being quoted indicated it wasn't a major factor and simply pointed to Michigan having a competitive advantage at Yost.

Plenty of other schools have hosted, but it seems Michigan is being penalized for actually taking advantage of our opportunity when we did host.

I have no sympathy for DU missing the tournament when they hosted in Denver, or when CC missed it a year or two back when they hosted. It ain't our fault that Wisconsin didn't come out of their regional this year, they still got the home crowd.

If you're getting away from campus sites, so be it. But don't shove a line of bull like "We're going for neutral sites" and then throw a regional in St. Paul.

If you're not allowing teams to have a "competitive advantage" then go to all neutral sites or take out the rule that automatically lets the host play in that regional.

If you're ok with teams having a competitive advantage (with Minnesota at XCel) then let's have some campus sites instead of the horrible selections of St. Louis and Ft. Wayne.

I don't have a problem with it either way, but let's be consistent.

I do like the idea of only playing on NHL sized rinks though.

Lucia is against the Shoot-out...

I suppose now that Don Lucia doesn't want or like the shootout, the WCHA won't adopt the shootout. God forbid, we would want pretty boy Lucia upset. Don what else do you want while we are at it? The Gophers have the next two regionals in his own back yard. I can't wait till the Sioux can bounce the Gophers in their own back yard to go to the Frozen Four.

I think with the WCHA women going with the shoot out I think one could infer that the WCHA is a experiments with how the shootout is going to work.

College Hockey Report / Shootout separates WCHA women, men
By Bruce Brothers

Don Lucia detests the idea.

Brad Frost likes it.

So go the opinions of the hockey coaches at the University of Minnesota concerning a shootout to decide ties in their sport, a practice Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's teams will begin using this season.

"Good for them," said Lucia, the men's coach. "I am adamantly opposed. And I think if you talk to the coaches in our league, they are uniformly opposed to the shootout."

True, WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod said.

"Right now, it's not on the radar screen," McLeod said, noting that the men's coaches simply "don't want to do it."

Frost, who coaches the Gophers women, believes the addition of a shootout to decide ties in WCHA women's games, which the league announced Friday, might be a predictor of the future in the sport.

As arguably the premier women's college hockey league in the country, the WCHA wants "to be leaders on the women's side of game, to do some things that will make it exciting for our fans," Frost said. "We don't know if shootouts are going to be the wave of future or not, but we thought at least we'd give it a try."

The WCHA women announced the league would install a shootout for league games only, joining Central Collegiate Hockey Association men's teams in a practice similar to that used by the NHL.

Sara Martin, commissioner of the WCHA women, said the league's coaches were unanimous in adopting the tiebreaking procedure, adding it "will add an extra element

of drama to our games."
The women will try it for one season, and then decide whether to continue it.

As in the NHL, teams tied after a five-minute overtime will alternate sending three skaters against the opposing goalie to sever the tie. They'll use additional skaters on a sudden-death basis if the score is still tied after three. The winner of the shootout will receive two points and the loser will still get one point for the overtime tie.

Shootout results will count only in league standings, however, according to a ruling by the NCAA Ice Hockey Committee. In national statistics and national won-lost records, the games will continue to be registered as ties.

"Let it count in the NCAA, if it's so great," Lucia said, adding he has "never been a fan" of shootouts. "It's not how the game is played," he explained, "and we only play 28 (league) games. If we played 80

games, maybe we'd look at it."

Two or three points could prove decisive in the conference standings, Lucia noted.

"I don't think a team should go on the road based on a gimmick; I don't think a team should win a championship based on a gimmick," he said. "To me, there's nothing wrong with a tie."

McLeod pointed out that the shootout, tried unsuccessfully by Hockey East men's teams in the mid-1990s, is more attractive to fans than coaches, adding, "The real value is entertainment."

Unlike the men's teams, the WCHA women almost never sell out their games, so making the games more fan-friendly is a goal.

"I've gone to a few NHL games myself," Frost said. "You're almost hoping no one scores in regulation so you can watch that shootout."

Lucia, whose team sold out every home game at the 10,000-seat Mariucci Arena last season, disagrees. "I don't think a fan is going to go to a game based on a shootout," he said.

QMJHL to get tough on brawling.

Check out this video, this is the reason the QMJHL decided to punished players that get into brawls and and acts of gratuitous violence. While the QMJHL didn't ban fighting out right they will punish player more severly who participate in brawls like the one that Patrick Roy's son was involved in. I honestly think Fighting has a place in hockey and to think other wise is silly, however, there is no reason for the goalies to be fighting. If you watch the video you will see that Patrick gave his son the green light to go fight the other goalie. Notice the other goalie doesn't fight back. That folks is a busch league move and that goes against the code. My hat goes out to the player that challenged Roy to a fight.

Tougher penalties, but no outright fighting ban in Quebec junior league
Bill Beacon, THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL - There will be tougher sanctions on brawling, but no outright ban on fighting in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season.

A committee examining hockey violence following a melee during the playoffs in the spring did not include an automatic ejection for fighting among the 31 recommendations in a report submitted to the league’s board of governors on Saturday in Victoriaville, Que.

Instead, it calls for stiffer penalties for brawling and other acts of “gratuitous violence,”’ for files to be kept on repeat offenders, better support for players, coaches and officials and an anti-violence campaign.

The governors are to decide whether to adopt the recommendations at a meeting in Montreal on Sept. 8, a day before the regular season begins.

“There was a consensus not to punish through ejection players who voluntarily get into a fight,” said Jacques Letellier, co-president of the committee along with former national women’s team coach Daniele Sauvageau. “There were those for and against it.

“We opted to strengthen the penalties without adopting an automatic ejection.”

League commissioner Gilles Courteau did not rule out a ban on fighting when the committee was announced in May on the urging of Quebec sports minister Michelle Courchesne, following a savage attack by Quebec Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy on Chicoutimi Sagueneens goalie Bobby Nadeau.

Video of Roy beating on Nadeau, who did not fight back, were shown repeatedly on television newscasts, raising debate about violence in junior and minor hockey.

Quebec justice officials did not wait for the league to police itself, but brought a charge of one count of assault against Roy, 19. He is set to appear in court Sept. 16 and may be fined up to $2,000 with six months in prison.

Courteau did not comment on the recommendations, other than to say the committee did exactly what it was asked.

“The league’s hockey operations committee will now take the time it needs to analyze the recommendations,” Courteau said. “I assure you the league will make the appropriate decisions.”

The recommendations include:

- A plan to communicate clearly the rules and sanctions for brawling and other acts of violence to all players, coaches and teams, as well as an anti-violence awareness campaign.

-Hiring resource people or counsellors that players, coaches and officials can turn too confidentially on questions of violence, harassment, intimidation or other issues.

- A charter of values and a code of ethics for the league.

-That two referees be used in all games, that a supervisor of officials attend all games and better training be provided for officials.

-Penalties for abusive talk on the ice, particularly during stoppages in play, and a ban on anyone other than a team captain or coach from talking to officials.

-Files to be kept on players’ and coaches’ histories of major penalties, misconducts and ejections, plus automatic one-game suspensions for players after four misconducts or match penalties.

-Automatic fines for coaches whose players commit acts of gratuitous violence.

-Stiffer suspensions or other sanctions for acts of violence. They include automatic one-game suspensions for major and gross misconduct penalties for everything from high-sticking and boarding to spitting at an opponent, and a five-game suspension and $1,000 fine to the player and a two-game suspension for his coach for leaving the bench to fight.

Courteau said Courchesne would be informed of the board of governors decisions as soon as they are voted upon.

He said the goal in forming the committee was to assure players and their parents that the league was taking measures to control violence in hockey. He said some of the measures were planned even before the Roy-Nadeau incident.

It remains to be seen if what the league adopts will be enough for Courchesne.

This week, she voiced approval for a report by Hockey Quebec outlining much stiffer penalties for violence in minor hockey.

In that report, players who fight, instigate, or jump into an on-ice brawl as a third combatant will be suspended for two games on a first offence. A second offence puts the player out for four games and means a trip before a disciplinary committee.

A third offence brings an indefinite suspension.

Former Badger Chelios wants to play till he is 50.

I had to take a second look at what was said here; Chris Chelios is no spring chicken he is 46 years old, that is the oldest player to get his name on Lord Stanley's Cup, that is no small feat folks.

Agent: Chelios will re-sign with Red Wings
Posted by George James Malik August 23, 2008 16:53PM
The Sporting News's Craig Custance spoke to Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios's agent, Tom Reich, and Reich confirms that Chelios will re-sign with the Red Wings shortly: August 23, Sporting News Today: The delay in the Chris Chelios signing? Don't read anything into it, agent Tom Reich said. The Red Wings want a deal, Chelios wants to keep playing in Detroit. It's just a matter of Detroit GM Ken Holland and Chelios making it official.

"These last couple years, they've just been working it out together," Reich told Sporting News Today. "Chelly wants to be there, should be there, his family is there and his boys are hockey players in the area. He is committed to that and he's on a very special team."

According to Reich, money is rarely an issue with Chelios. Instead, playing on a winning team in an area where his family is comfortable outweighs maximizing every last penny.

"Right now, his mind is on a fifth Stanley Cup," Reich said.

And don't talk about retirement, either. He's the oldest player in the league, and oldest to ever win the Stanley Cup. But at 46, Chelios is in as good of shape as anyone in the league.

"He works like nobody I've ever seen," Reich said. "He really does want to play until he's 50."

Akim Aliu signs with Chicago

Steve Downie's former Junior team mate Akim Aliu was signed by the Blackhawks.

Blackhawks sign Aliu to 3-year
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks signed 19-year-old right wing Akim Aliu, the 56th overall pick in the 2007 draft, to a three-year contract on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The native of Nigeria played for the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights last year, scoring 28 goals with 33 assists and 133 penalty minutes in 60 games.

After being signed to an amateur tryout contract on April 4, Aliu made his professional debut with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. Aliu posted two penalty minutes in two contests.