NHL.com to offer live WJC coverage

The wonderful time of the year, the WJC is one of the best hockey tourney's on hockey. As the No Hockey League owners continue their squabble with the NHLPA; at least there is going to be hockey on the NHL Network this winter.

It's also nice to see that there will  be rebroadcasts of the games in the evening at reasonable times so we can see the games an not have to get up at the oh dark thirty in the morning to watch the games.

Holzer Lays A Huge Hit McNabb

Since there isn't any NHL hockey, I thought I would put up this hit by the Toronto Marlies defenseman Korbinian Holzer lays the wood to Rochester American's defenseman Brayden McNabb during the third period of Saturday's game.

Ogilthorpe the movie...

Another hockey movie, Ogilthorpe, the guy from the movie Slap Shot, I can't wait to see it. I also read that there will be an sequel to the movie Goon as well.

Though I do feel the need to clarify something from the last article I posted, GOON 2 will be written by @jessechabot and myself.1/2
— Jay Baruchel(@BaruchelNDG) September 24, 2012

Tale of two worlds

Last night, after the game, UND women’s head hockey coach head Brian Idalski looked less than pleased and even a bit agitated – his team won on the right side of a 3-2 victory against Division I newcomer RIT.

Words like lethargic and sloppy were uttered by the UND coach during the postgame press conference.

I made the comment to the women’s SID after the media scrum that it would be fun to see today’s pregame skate. I am sure it wasn’t all fun and games and there probably wasn’t any of coaching staffs vehicles parked at center ice today at the REA before the pre-game skate.

But I digress.

Idalski’s hockey team in also on an impressive six game winning streak including sweeps against conference foe’s UMD and BSU.

Yet there are grounds for concern. There are still minor things that need to be fixed going forward. I have seen some of the mistakes that the team was making earlier in the season not happen as much on the ice the past two games.

Sitting in the press box I was entertained by an exciting game of hockey that went down to the wire – with the home team coming out with the win. In the closing seconds of the game the Tigers came very close to tying the game as a shot hit flush off of the right post of the UND goal with the goaltenders moving to her left.

Listening to UND men’s head coach Dave last night during the postgame with Radio personality Tim Hennessey, I didn’t’ have to watch a video or be there in person to know that he was less than pleased with the results of last night’s game. Hakstol’s team did everything they had to do to win; except score enough goals to win.That’s not going to comfort anyone including the head coach – but it’s not time to call for the head coaches head either.

Personally, based on this team’s history, I am not all that concerned about their results so far to date. Especially with the teams that they’ve played to date – UND has played four out five series against teams that are nationally ranked and that have winning records. So far in 13 games, UND has only played against two teams that don’t have a winning record UAA and UMD and both of those teams aren’t easy draws as well.

These guys are winners and take their job very seriously – both coaches’ teams are very close to turning the corner and putting an 8-1 or 9-2 whooping on someone.

There are some things to remember going forward. No team has ever won a national title in November, December, January and February. Seasons are a body of work and national rankings and the pairwise rankings mean nothing right now. The season is a body of work and the head coach will have this team ready to play.

Holding out hope for an NHL season.

So, to review, NHLPA is prepared to go to 50-50 immediately, but wants $393M over four years as part of so-called "Make Whole."
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 21, 2012

I think many NHL fans are holding out hope that this could finally be the beginning of an agreement. It will be interesting to see how the NHL Owners respond.

Michelle Karvinen makes her return against the Beavers...

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The UND women’s hockey fans got some much needed good news today, Michelle Karvinen their injured all-world forward will be making her season debut as she returns to the lineup this weekend when UND travels to Bemidji to take on the Bemidji State University Beavers in a Saturday and Sunday series at the Sanford Center.

Karvinen (24g-37a—61pts) has missed all 10 games that UND has played in this season because of an injury.

The UND Women’s Hockey team is ranked 10^th nationally and is currently sitting in 4^th place of the WCHA standings; has had trouble scoring goals this season, so Karvinen’s return to the lineup is a much needed boost for their lethargic offense; to date the UND Women have been outscored by their opponents 22-24.

Getting Karvinen back in the UND lineup is like getting a coveted player at the NHL trade deadline, her being in the lineup could be the spark that UND needs to make run in the second half of the season.

UND Women's head coach Brian Idalski had this to say, when asked about the status of his all-world junior forward Michelle Karvinen.

“Karvinen was cleared this morning,” Idalski said. “She practiced – she looks good – she will play this week.”

On getting Michelle Karvinen back in the lineup this weekend…

“Huge… I mean, she is definitely a threat not only with her skill but with her foot speed,” Idalski said. She’s kind of a kid who can slash in from the exterior and really get in the middle of the ice and push defensemen back. I think we have been lacking a little with that where people on their heels – keep them long and wide and she should open up the ice for more team mates here this weekend I believe.” 

BU Defenseman sophomore Alexx Privitera to sit versus Merimack

LINEUP UPDATE: On defense, sophomore Alexx Privitera will sit Friday vs. Merrimack for breaking an unspecified team rule.
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) November 8, 2012

BU defenseman Alexx Privitera made mention to the fact during the post game scrum after Saturday night's game that there had been an incident between Privitera and a UND fan by the penalty box area during Friday's game and now Privitera will sit for their game against Merrimack on Friday night.

Apparently, BU Head coach Jack Parker is big on respect and doesn't hesitate to suspend a player for this type of thing. Last Friday, BU defenseman Ben Rosen sat out after the now famous tweet, where he tweeted upon arriving in Grand Forks, "Just landed in North Dakota...nothing out here but 4 points."

Related articles

• Game notes for UND vs. BU (11/2-11/3) (thehockeywriters.com)
• Terriers bite North Dakota back 4-2 (thehockeywriters.com)

BU to fly to Grand Forks on Thursday

@goon48 We have a flight out of Boston at 9 a.m. on Thursday
— Brian Kelley (@BKelleyBU) October 31, 2012

There is some good news, there was some speculation on whether BU would be able to make it out of Boston because of the Hurricane Sandy. Luckily this will not be the case and BU will be flying out of Boston on Thursday as scheduled. This is good news.

Also, Terriers head coach Jack Parker sat out last weekend's series against UMass because of back injury/pain. Parker will be behind the Terriers bench this weekend.

A welcome sight at practice as Coach Parker is back on the ice! All rested and ready to make the big trip to NoDak. twitter.com/TerrierHockey/…
— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) October 30, 2012

This weekend's games against BU will be on Midco Sports Network, FOX College Sports Central (DirecTV 623) and NESN (DirecTV 628).
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 31, 2012

Goon's Sunday Morning Hockey Chat...

10:00 AM Goon's hockey chat.

Related articles

• Where are they now - Justin Moody (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Former PSU Recruit Thomas Welsh makes Team Canada East Selection Camp (thehockeywriters.com)
• My take on the Don Adam hiring by the NCHC (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Results of the WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 2 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Tweets that give me hope that the season could be saved

NHL offer today at 50-50...Biggest issue is to honour existing contracts...players will get full value of contract in deferred dollars.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) October 17, 2012

I think after today developments there is some hope that a settlement could be reached or at least it's possible that both sides could agree to a new CBA. What is even more exciting is there is a chance that we could have a full 82 game NHL season. Or at least from my vantage point -- it would appear that the two sides are "finally" making some progress after the NHL owners put forward what appears to be a serious proposal now.

Per player source,clarification is needed on HRR definition in league proposal,appears in new offer player share is lowered.Also 'salary
— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) October 17, 2012

guarantee/protection',to allow to go from 57% to 50%,means players would likely be paid back by themselves,out of their share in the
— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) October 17, 2012

Being told there's plenty of good traction tonight over CBA. Still a lot of work to be done, but this could move relatively quickly.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 17, 2012

New PHT -Next CBA meetings will indeed take place Thursday dlvr.it/2KpBm3
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdonPHT) October 17, 2012

Players cautiously optimistic after NHL offer es.pn/R8WJJL
— ESPN NHL coverage (@ESPN_NHL) October 17, 2012

Saturday night thoughts

I was checking out the box scores from the American Hockey League - this box score caught my attention. What jumps out at you here? There are a couple things that piqued my attention - see if you can find them?

Related articles

• WCHA Unveils All-New Mobile Website (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Albany Edged By Manchester In Home Opener (thehockeywriters.com)
• A Fan's Survival Guide to the NHL Lockout (insidehockey.com)

A few things related to TV broadcasts

DirecTV (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know a few people pinged me both on twitter and on my cell phone last night and said that they couldn't watch the game on DirecTV.

I didn't see the tweet by @UNDSID until I got to the Ralph and when I left my home to go to the game last night the game between UND and USNDT U-18 team the game was still actually listed on my DirecTV channel line up as well (FCS channel 626).

Below is the tweet that Jayson Hajdu put up on twitter last night.

Here is the schedule again if want to peruse it - it looks like every game in January will be on TV this season. [click to view]

@goon48 @john_innes Tonight's game is televised on Midco Sports Network. Every game BUT this one will be on FOX College Sports as well.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) October 13, 2012

This should be the only "home" UND Men's Hockey game that is not picked up by Fox College Sports this season and all of the other games should be on TV.

@fergy2004 Understandable. Fortunately it's the only game NOT picked up by FCS this season.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) October 13, 2012

I have not seen an actual broadcast of UND hockey as of yet so I can't comment on the quality of the broadcasts... I did watch most of the UND vs UNA football game on MidcoNet both at work and on my father-in-laws television and I thought it was a high quality broadcast.

Related articles

• UND squeaks by USNDT U-18 team 6-4 (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey TV options. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Football and Hockey on the Web - the future of broadcasts? (realclearsports.com)

Game time UND vs USDT U-18

This is what caught my attention from the video... “None of the conditioning that we do – do we do it at 80 or 90 percent speed, coach Hakstol said. We do what we can do at 100 percent 100 percent speed.” As it says in the basement at the Ralph - "Speed Kills" and this years UND Hockey team is built for speed.

Rowney and Parks out, MacWilliam in; Grimaldi to play off wing on top line bit.ly/R46Tv9
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 12, 2012

Looks like the injury bug is starting to hit UND a bit already.

Injury bug keeps biting: Carter Rowney out tonight. Status for next week up in air.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 12, 2012

Minnesota State slips past North Dakota 3-2

Grand Forks, ND – “I thought we were a little sloppy and I thought we were way too cute and down the stretch we made some poor decision defensively that ending up costing us pretty big,” UND head coach Brian Idalski on tonight’s game.

Coming into this season, there is a lot of positive energy surrounding the UND women’s hockey team based on the personnel they have coming back and some of the new recruits they have coming in.on’s post season run that included their first ever bid to the NCAA tourney. UND would go on to lose their quarterfinal game to Minnesota Gophers who would end up being the national champion.

UND has aspirations of hanging a banner of their own this season – “the ultimate goal is to put a national championship banner up in our rink,” Monique Lamoureux said during an interview on UND hockey media day.

While it’s probably too early to be about thinking about hanging banners and there is a lot of hockey to be played – the future for UND looks bright – UND will have to play more disciplined hockey if they’re going to be successful this season.

Tonight, UND came out of the gates with a lot of energy and definitely had the upper hand in play against the Mavericks during the first period taking a 1-0 lead in to the locker room after one period with a highlight reel goal by Jocelyn Lamoureux.

UND also led in the shots after one period of hockey outshooting the Mavericks 8-3 and could have had more goals but Mavericks Junior goalie Danielle Butters shut UND down.

UND took a 2-0 lead during the second period with a goal by Andrea Dalen at the 2:48 mark – that was all of the scoring that UND would get as Butters shut the door the rest of the way.

“Butters played well,” Idalski said. I thought for most of the night especially that second [period] we made her job real easy and she saw a lot of things and if she can see it she can save.”

One thing UND wanted to limit this season is the amount of penalties that they take as a team – unfortunately they started a parade to the penalty box during the second period when they took four minor for eight minutes in penalties.

That march to the penalty box continued during the third period as UND continued to take more undisciplined penalties and ended up squandering a 2 goal lead giving up three unanswered goals in about a 10 minute time period.  Minnesota State senior Lauren Smith paced the Mavericks with two goals during the third period scoring on the power play and even strength.

While Butters paced the Mavericks with 16 saves – on the other end of the ice a rookie goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie was making her first career start UND but wasn’t able to get the win for despite making 20 saves, many  of them difficult and during the latter half of the game when the Mavericks were pressing.

When asked about his rookie goalie's effort the head coach had this to say, “quite honestly I thought Shelby was going to get the shutout,” Idalski said.

"She was playing really well and she kind of held us in there through the second, unfortunately I thought she deserved a little fate than what we gave her down the stretch.”

UND captain Jocelyne Lamoureux agreed with the head coaches’ comments, “she played good and she made some big saves when it was 1-0.”

Mankato would score three unanswered goals in the third period to ice the game, spoiling UND’s home opener.

The same two teams play tomorrow at 2:07 PM

Related articles

• UND women's hockey; ready to make an impact nationally (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

College Hockey takes center stage

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine

Obviously, the NHL Lockout has been a major buzz kill for NHL hockey fans so far this fall and there doesn’t seem to be a solution coming anytime soon – nor does either side seem like they have any incentive to reach a deal.

For most, the NHL has become the no hockey league where both sides don’t appear to be doing what any of us would consider serious negotiating.

This afternoon, I read a tweet on twitter from a ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun that the NHL owners are strongly suggesting that the NHLPA put forth some kind of a counter proposal to the NHL Owners –  not to be outdone of course  – the NHLPA asked the owners to come up with sometime as well. I just don’t think we’re going to get any kind of an agreement in the near future.

Pierre LeBrun

• ✔

@Real_ESPNLeBrun

Told that NHL strongly urged NHLPA in meeting today to come up with new offer. In turn, NHLPA also asked league to come up with new offer...

5 Oct 12

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While the NHL owners and the NHLPA continue with their childish shenanigans  – the NCAA Division I college hockey season is upon us and starting this weekend there will be quite a few NCAA teams that will be playing their exhibition games against Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

While none of these games count in the standings, it’s a good way for  head coachs to evaluate their teams. Also, these game can serve as a measuring stick for the CIS teams that want to see how their teams compare against the NCAA Division I teams. The CIS teams also have many ex-CHL’s on their rosters that play in the CIS after they are done with their junior hockey eligibility.

Bonus Hockey

Starting tomorrow night, there is also going to be three official Division I hockey games. All three games are out east,  the Maine Black Bears of Hockey East take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats of Atlantic Hockey Association at Alfond Arena, Orno Maine.

Moving down the coast and west, the Falcons of  Bowling Green plays the Niagara Purple Eagles of the Atlantic Hockey Association in Dwyer Arena in Niagara New York and finally, Merrimack College of Hockey East plays against last season’s Frozen Four team Union College of the ECAC at the Achilles Center in Schenectady, N.Y. unfortunately, none of these games are on TV this weekend.

The only game that will be on this weekend is the University of North Dakota takes on the Manitoba Bison of CIS at the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota – that game is on FCS you can check your local listings for the channel,  the game is also on DirecTV 626  at  7:07  PM Central Standard Time – unfortunately Fox College Sports isn’t on Dish Network.

Related articles

• Sunday Evening Humor and CBA discussions. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NHL, union meet Friday, plan for more talks (espn.go.com)

UND women's hockey; ready to make an impact nationally

United States forward Jocelyne Lamoureux in a game against the ECAC All-Stars on January 3, 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, I attended the UND Hockey media luncheon and press event that followed and I was able to interview a few of the UND Women’s hockey players today.  

Here is what the Lamoureux twins Monique and Jocelyne had to say about the upcoming season.

I did learn a valuable lesson today, if you don’t turn your recorder on you end up interviewing the same player twice. I am also grateful, that Monique Lamoureux is a patient person.  

I asked UND Senior forward/defenseman Monique Lamoureux about her expectations for the upcoming season. 

“The ultimate goal is to put a national championship banner up in our rink,” Monique said. 

“Jocelyne [Lamoureux] and I were looking it up earlier and I think today is the first official day of practice… the tradition here goes really deep with our family and I think that our brothers and our dad have been a part of 10 championships, whether it’s a McNaughton cup, a WCHA Final Five, or a national championship. For us it’s something that we really want to add to our family. We want to start a tradition on the woman’s side.”

On being the last of the Lamoureux’s to go through the UND hockey program.

“It’s bitter sweet being the last ones not having a brother here after having one playing on the team for the last eight years,” Monique said.  “It’s little weird not seeing your brothers around the rink as much but we’re excited for this year and we’re hoping to accomplish some great things.”

I asked UND Senior forward Jocelyne Lamoureux about her expectations for the upcoming season.

“Just want to make history for this program and the ultimate goal is obviously to win a national championship as is with every other team in the NCAA but that’s the goal this year more than any other year since I’ve been here,” Jocelyne said. 

“I think we have the potential to do it; it’s just a matter of putting the pieces of the puzzle together.”

Jocelyne was asked about being the last two of Lamoureux’s to go through the UND Hockey program. 

“Yeah it’s bitter sweet and we have some emotional moments,” Jocelyne said. 

“Our brother took off last week for the east coast just knowing we’re the last ones here we’re the last ones to try and add to the tradition for our program and for our family and to have the opportunity this year again and we’re excited and we want to make the most of it. Just keep adding and staring a new tradition with the woman’s program.”

Friday Links and College Hockey to take center stage.

Seawolf (Photo credit: Travis S.)

The dog days of summer are finally over and for UND Hockey fans the season couldn't come fast enough - especially with all of the news that has happened off of the ice, during the preseason.

Once UND gets past the team imposed suspensions and the self created adversity - UND should end up having a pretty good season based on the personnel that UND has coming back and the new recruits coming in.

With a sigh of relief, the exhibition season will finally begin a week from this Saturday as the UND Fighting Sioux Hockey team will take on the Manitoba Bison at 7:05 pm on the 6th of October at Ralph Englestad Arena.

Ironically, the UND Hockey team was suppose to see former UND forward Taylor Dicken who was reported to have transferred to the home town Manitoba Bison - looking at the Manitoba roster I was unable to find Dicken's name.

UAA Seawolves might need a temporary home away from home

If there ever was a case for UAA Seawolves to get a their own arena on their campus - that time is right now - the Seawolves have some arena issues right now that might not get solved before the Seawolves play their first home game.

I also think that it's time that UAA athletic department look into the possibility that they might need to get a new on campus arena for the Seawolves. The Seawolves share an arena with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL... UAA is going to get a new 109 million dollar basketball arena on their campus, but the new building will not have an ice surface for hockey. This also doesn't sit well with Seawolves fans either.

Its the opinion of some UAA fans that I have chatted with, that the UAA Athletic Department isn't as committed to UAA hockey as the University should be and UAA Seawolves fans aren't real happy with the UAA Athletic Director Steve Cobb.

According to Doyle Woody of the Anchorage Daily News the Seawolves might not have their arena to play in when the season begins. Chris Dilks of the new revamped SBN, does a pretty good job of breaking down the options that the Seawolves have if their arena isn't fixed in time for their first home game.

Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey --- Anchorage athletic director Steve Cobb has begun making preparations in case the repairs can't be made in time, or in case the repairs don't hold through the season. The Seawolves' practice facility, the 750-person capacity Wells Fargo Sports Complex, is being given a press box, and being set-up to accommodate television broadcasts and video review.

With it being Alaska, there aren't many other viable options if ice can't be made at Sullivan Arena. The Menard Center in Wasilla, roughly 45 minutes from campus, can seat 1500 people. The Kenai River Brown Bears' home in Soldotna can seat 2000, but at nearly three hours drive away, it's likely not much of an option. There aren't any other arenas in the area with a capacity over 1000 people.

A new on-campus arena has been discussed for Alaska-Anchorage for a few years now. Perhaps these issues at Sullivan Arena could help add some momentum to the project.

President Barack Obama and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney are kicking the Denver Pioneers out of their own hockey arena so the two candidates can have their first presidential debate.

"Homeless" DU hockey team picked third in its final season in the WCHA; Air Force top pick in AHA | The Denver Post blogs.denverpost.com/colleges/2012/…
— Mike Chambers (@MChambersDP) September 26, 2012

Yesterday, Brad Elliot Schlossman beat writer for the Grand Forks Herald released his preseason UND hockey preview - that preview is now available for all to read on line. Good stuff there. [Click to view]

Former Central Knight's and Future UND defenseman Paul LaDue was named the assistant captain for the Lincoln Stars.

RT @rehockeyacademy: Congrats to @pdue54 on being named an Assistant Captain for this year's @lincolnstars squad
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) September 26, 2012

UND's now infamous hockey part actually made The Hockey News as well - you can read the story by clicking on this link to a story that Ryan Kennedy wrote.

Why the latest college hockey drinking incident drives me nuts: bit.ly/PG7SBh
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) September 26, 2012