Message board fallout from last weekend's series

This is in my opinion the save of the year so far; it would be very hard to top it. Lammy’s save last season in the NCAA playoffs was close to this. When I first saw the shot I said, "That’s a goal." However, after looking at the replay a few times it was obvious that it was an incredible save. One could make the argument that it was no small feat keeping that puck out of the open net. The Badger announcer was right it could have been a game changing save. I have to say that Bill Howard is a genius and he always has the Badger goalies ready to play game in and game out.

This is some funny stuff

I found this over on the BADger's fan message board known as Buckyville.COM, while I find this kind of stuff amusing, lets remember the Badgers are the same hockey team that had a player named Brad Winchester that decked a cop in a bar in Madison, Wisconsin, this is also the same Brad Winchester that is now known for his fighting skills in the NHL. Yep; Wisconsin has never had any goons on its teams in the past.

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan. Those are where the goons come from. It should be no surprise that North Dakota has more players from these three provinces ( than any other team in college hockey. Hell, even North Dakota's goon coach is from Alberta.

The game they teach up there is not consistent with the rules and principles of college hockey and college athletics in general. Books, you mean I have to read books in order to play hockey? Wait, you mean I can't butt-end their best player in the jaw? Wait, you mean I can't slash their mascot on the unprotected shin? That's not how they teach hockey up in Saskatoon.

Rick Zaparniuk, Brad Cox, Howard Walker, Kevin Maxwell, Doug Smail, Dean Dachyshyn, Jim Archibald, Dave Donnelly, Ed Belfour, Lee Davidson, Garry Valk, Jason Herter, Russ Romaniuk, Dixon Ward, Teeder Wynne, Curtis Murphy, and Jason Ulmer are all past examples of players who had a lot of skill, but who also couldn't escape their goon tendencies. Over the past decade, UND has moved to more American-based players which has resulted in a lot of national success. This year, however, their roster is again chocked full of the kind of thugs that would make Gino Gasparini blush.

I wouldn't call Ed Belfour, Lee Davidson, Garry Valk, Jason Herter, Russ Romaniuk, Dixon Ward, Teeder Wynne, Curtis Murphy, and Jason Ulmer a bunch of jack booted thugs or goons.

Is Lammy a Sieve?

There has been a lot of talk on various fan web pages around the internet about Phil Lamoureux being a sieve: Some fans have even posted a tribute to the UND goalie

Lets break down Lammy's season so far. Honestly, these aren't the numbers of a Sieve

Dave Berger does a good job of breaking down Lamoureux's performance so far: Oh, and by the way, in his first five games, senior goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has posted four shutouts to go along with a .983 save percentage and a goals-against average of 0.43. Lamoureux had four career shutouts in his first three seasons at UND.

Friends this is my definition of a Sieve or this is a good illustation of a less than stellar goalie performance can we say sieve

Just for the record, as many of you know. I am not a big carry the flag Phil Lamoureux guy, nor is he one of the more beloved players in the WCHA, however, you have to give credit where credit is due. If Phil isn't given the WCHA Defensive player of the week that in my opinion will be a travesty.

Minnesota in the CCHA?

NHL.COM

Here is a funny clip that I found in the article: Funny stuff, I didn't know the Gophers moved over to the CCHA, must have happened during the middle of the night. Well you can't fault the NHL writers since they really don't know much about college hockey. All silliness aside this wasn't a bad news article about Blake Wheeler.

Wheeler grows into 6-foot-3 frame

But then Wheeler’s body caught up with his skills. This past season, Wheeler had 18 goals and 38 points for the Golden Gophers, who claimed the CCHA regular-season title and the Final Five postseason crown before falling short of a national championship.

It appears that Wheelers development is coming alone nicely, it takes a while longer for big guys. So I wonder if he is next WCHA player to forgo his eligibility and sign a professional contract. While he is probably going no where, I can't see him staying past next season if he has a good junior campaign.