UND Women's Hockey: Annie Chipman's Goalie Mask

UNDs Annie Chipmans mask. @SchlossmanGF @UNDWHockey @UNDsports done by @Eyecandyair looks great! #UND #Winnipeg pic.twitter.com/6aJCQ1xHLs
— JRoads ™ (@JRoadsreal) September 7, 2014

Hockey season is almost here, goalie are showing off their new paint schemes for their goalie masks. Here's UND goalie Annie Chipman's new mask. Eye Candy Air did the paint job. That's the same company that did Jonathan Quick and Tim Thomas' mask.

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• Grand Forks Herald, UND may play NDSU in football in Fargo, without return game

New York Rangers post mortem

My wife was asking me when the Stanley Cup Finals are going to be over. I told her, the Stanley Cup Finals will be over this week, probably on Wednesday night. There’s no way the series makes it past Friday. If this was a title fight, they would have thrown in the white towel already. The Rangers are done, stick a fork in them.

This GIF by Pete Blackburn illustrates how the series has gone for the New York Rangers. Nothing has gone their way. They can’t buy a break.

L.A. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick has been a brick wall during the Stanley Cup Finals and last night the All-World goalie stopped all 32 shots that he faced.

Schedule for the Stanley Cup Final

#494777873 / gettyimages.com

The Schedule for the Stanley Cup Final is set. The good new is, there will be no midnight hockey during the finals. Unless there's a multi overtime game(s). All the games during the Stanley Cup Final are on at 7:00 pm central, there is also one game that is on at 6:00 pm central.

Game 1: 6/4 7pm L.A. NBC
Game 2: 6/7 6pm L.A. NBC
Game 3: 6/9 7pm N.Y. NBCSN
Game 4: 6/11 7pm N.Y. NBCSN
Game 5: 6/13 7pm L.A. NBC
Game 6: 6/16 7pm N.Y. NBC
Game 7: 6/18 7pm L.A. NBC

(Video) Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez score 2:06 apart to take the lead - game 6

The Kings would take the lead back from the Chicago Blackhawks as Kings Defensemen Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez score 2:06 apart. That lead would evaporate quickly as the Blackhawks would get two goals in just under five minutes to take the lead.

05:32 LAK Drew Doughty (4) Wrist shot - ASST: Dustin Brown (6), Mike Richards (6) 2 - 2 Tie
07:38 LAK PPG - Alec Martinez (3) Wrist shot - ASST: Drew Doughty (12) 3 - 2 LAK

(Video) Andrew Shaw and Jonathan Quick mix it up, Crawford and Quick butt heads

Exciting end of the second period of game six. First, it looks like Andrew Shaw is helped into L.A. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. It was obvious that Quick was still fuming from that incident, butts heads with Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford on the way off of the ice. Checking the box score, there were no penalty assessed.

(Video) Chicago Blackhawks score two goals in 1:37 - game 6

The Chicago Blackhawks scored two quick goals 1:37 minutes apart in the opening minutes of the second period to take a 2-1 lead in game six.

Kane is smoking hot, and in the last two games has scored (1g-4a-5pts).

01:12CHI PPG - Patrick Kane (7) Wrist shot - ASST: Jonathan Toews (8), Brent Seabrook (10) 1 - 1 Tie
02:49 CHI Ben Smith (4) Wrist shot - ASST: Patrick Sharp (5), Brent Seabrook (11) 2 - 1 CHI

Stick a fork in the Chicago Blackhawks they're done, finished

#493969403 / gettyimages.com

University of North Dakota hockey fans are watching this series with much interest. I know that some aren’t going to like what I have to say, but stick a fork in the Blackhawks, because they’re done. The L.A. Kings have taken control of this series, and will be shaking hands with the Hawks at the end of game five in Chicago. The Kings are starting to resemble the ones that won the Stanley Cup in 2012, mean, relentless and solid defensively.

The Kings have been relentless in this series and haven’t let the Blackhawks get many any “Grade-A” scoring chances from the slot or in close. The Kings have owned the blue paint and when the Hawks have gotten the puck through to Jonathan Quick. The former UMASS goaltender has been a brick wall and has frustrated the Hawks.

This Kings have done a good job shutting down the Chicago Blackhawks best players, while Jonathan Toews has been able to score (3g-1a—4pts). His sidekicks have been almost invisible. Patrick Kane has scored (0g-1a—1pts) and Bryan Bickell has scored (0g-1a—1pts) against the Kings, that’s two points between the both of them. Marian Hossa has been okay, scoring (0g-3a—3pts). The Hawks best players need to be better if they want to extend this series.

#493678487 / gettyimages.com

I have to wonder if it’s a coincidence, but in this series against the Blackhawks the Kings are 3-0 when former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Greene is in the line-up. Breaking it down further, the Kings are statistically a better team (8-4, .667) with Greene in the line-up. When Greene is sitting in the stands, the L.A. Kings own a (3-3, .500). You have to wonder if the Kings want to have Greene sitting in the stands, anymore.

(Video) Jonathan Toews scores a nice goal against Jonathan Quick

Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews knows how to get to the blue paint, this is a perfect example of this. Toews scored two goals in the first period of game three of the Western Conference Finals, but this one was a thing of beauty.

Toews pic.twitter.com/6dNEfKzfgy
— Tumblr Hockey (@TumblrHockey_) May 25, 2014

(Video) Chicago Blackhawks goal that was disallowed (Goalie Interference)

Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews thought he had scored Chicago's second goal of the game. The play was ruled goalie interference. Was this the right call or not? Should the goal have counted?  Rule 69.1 states that you can't review goalie interference with the aid of video replay.

So, here's my question, how do we know when the refs didn't didn't use video replay when they called up stairs to make the decision? We don't. This might be one of those plays where the  refs "should" be able to review video to help them make a decision.

Ducks Kings Series 20 Years in the Making

Well they are separated by 30 miles and have been division rivals for the last 20 years, but this would be the first time that the Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings would ever meet in the playoffs. 

LA, who came into the series rattling off four straight wins to eliminate the San Jose Sharks, came into the series on a mission to keep on rolling. A big part of that success was goaltender Jonathan Quick. Quick struggled in the first game of the first round, but would improve his numbers in every single game of the series against San Jose. In the Kings five game winning streak they are currently on, Quick has looked like the Quick of the 2012 Stanley Cup team. If this trend continues, I'd expect the Kings to sneak their way into the Cup finals. 

As for the quack attack, they came into game one off of a very hard fought six game series against the Dallas Stars. However, they are starting to turn into the Vancouver Canucks in these playoffs with all of their goalie drama that is occurring as of late. With Fredrick Anderson getting pretty much all the game play in the first round, usual number one, Jonas Hiller, is left on the sidelines leaving the fans scratching their heads. One would assume that Hiller would be the guy for the Ducks in the playoffs, especially since he has the most experience. That was not the case in round one, but he would get the call for game one in round two. Hiller would play decent in this game stopping 33 out of 36 shots faced, but the Ducks would lose on home ice and look for revenge tonight in game two. 

Both of these teams have  big bodies who like to be physical, a good amount of skillful players, and excellent puck moving defensemen, but the key difference in this freeway series is the goalies. Quick is on a different level than both Anaheim tenders and will be the deciding factor in LA taking this series. 

I expect the rest of this series to be very fast, very physical, and no love lost between these longtime rivals. It is still very hard to believe that this is still the two franchises first ever playoff match-up in the 20 year existence of the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks. It's playoff series like this that make already existing rivalries that much greater, the hate between players much stronger and the same can be said between these two very passionate fan bases as well. 

(Video) Justin Williams controversial goal in game six

At the 11:56 mark of the third period, L.A. Kings forward Justin Williams scored the go-ahead goal. It was one of those calls where it looked like the ref was going to blow his whistle and then decided that he let the play stand. Per the NHL rules, you can't review this play. Most times, you would have had a whistle and a face-off. But the Whistle didn't come.

Olympic Hockey: And then there were four teams

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Going to be an awesome day of hockey on Friday.Game time for the USA vs. Canada is 11:00 A.M. on Friday.

U.S.-Canada at 11 a.m. Friday. Toews vs. Oshie in the shootout, anyone?
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 19, 2014

U.S.-Canada at 11 a.m. Friday. Toews vs. Oshie in the shootout, anyone?
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 19, 2014

Angry Russians level their guns at USA referee

Good stuff here. Russian star Alex Ovechkin accused American goaltender Jonathan Quick of dislodging the net.

Greg Heakes, Sochi — Russia blasted American referee Brad Meier Saturday for disallowing a goal that would have given them a lead late in their Olympic Games hockey clash they eventually lost to the USA in a shootout.

"The referee made a mistake," said Russian coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov following the Russians 3-2 loss to the Americans in a preliminary round contest.

"Of course, it would have been more effective to have a different judge."

T.J. Oshie scored four times in the shootout after a roller-coaster contest in front of a raucous crowd of 11,678 at the Bolshoi Ice Dome.

Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin insisted the goal should have counted and said that USA goaltender Jonathan Quick deserved a penalty for intentionally dislodging it.

"It was definitely a goal. The goalie touched the net so that the net moved," Ovechkin said. "The referee had to see it. He should have given him two minutes."

With the score tied 2-2, the Russians appeared to have scored the go-ahead goal with just under five minutes left in the third on a shot from the point by Fyodor Tyutin.

Looking ahead to the Olympics

Post by Shane Jenkins

Even though every single nation feels as though they have a chance to win the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics in hockey, most experts believe it will come down to the top three. Russia, Canada and The United States all have the depth and star power to make a deep run in the beginning of February. Most of their players will be taking a break from their fantasy hockey production in the NHL to represent their country. So how do the top three squads stack up against each other?

Host Russia had a disappointing 2010 Olympics in Canada. They will be hoping to reverse their fortunes now that they are getting the play on their home soil. They have perhaps the best individual talent in the world in Alex Ovechkin, but they also have some key players at other positions as well. If they can put up quite a few goals to give their defense a cushion, the home team could pull off the victory.

Defending champion Canada figures to be a very formidable opponent for any team that goes up against them. Not only do they have some of the best fantasy hockey players in the NHL, but they have plenty of depth as well. When you have all starts coming off your bench, you know that your team is deep overall. Just like Russia, they are also stacked with forwards who should be able to score quite often. Their defense is a little stronger, as Roberto Luongo will be asked to man the net in most of the important games.

Finally, the United States put up a valiant effort in 2010 only to come up short against Canada. They are considered to be the 3rd best team coming into the Olympics, but when playing well they can compete with anyone. Their goalie situation is a little bit up in air right now, but it appears as though Ryan Miller and Jonathan Quick will share the duties. They will also need some big play from their best goal scorer Patrick Kane.

The most wonderful time of the year.......

Team USA: pic.twitter.com/lGkjGgFMHM
— Hockey Locker Rooms (@NHLLockerRooms) December 25, 2013

So it begins... Team USA 2014 WJC defends the gold.

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LA Kings Matt Frattin fights Tyler Myers after a legal hit

This is one element that I don't like about the NHL. Whenever someone is hit with a nice crisp, hard, legal bone jarring check, there has to be a fight. This doesn’t even appear to be that hard of a check. Whatever happened to taking a number and hitting them later in the game? It’s called taking the license plate of the truck that hit you.  I think this is one instance where the instigator penalty needs to be given out more. Don't get me wrong I like a good fight. My nickname is goon.

Watch this hit,  Los Angeles Kings forward Matt Frattin is making a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on  Buffalo Sabres center Cody McCorrmick. If you watch the video, it doesn't appear that Frattin hits McCormick in the head, he comes close, but there doesn't appear to be any contact with the Buffalo center’s head. We can debate this point if you want, but take a look at the video. 

Mind you McCormick is no small guy at 6'2 224 pounds and Frattin is the smallest of the three guys at 5'11 and 187 pound and he holds his own against Tyler Myers who is 6'6" 194. Maybe Myers is just mad because his team is 3-14? I don’t know.

Here's what I said over on Sioux Sports and I stand by it. "Myers comes over and challenges him to a fight and Frattin pounds him. Myers gets an extra two for holding. The Sabres are becoming a laughing stock."

Jonathan Quick scores on himself

I thought this was funny, one of my buddies put it on my Facebook page. It's a third-period shorthanded goal from former Wisconsin Badger Ryan McDonagh. That was McDonagh's first goal of the year. The New York Rangers ended up winning the game 3-1.

Blackhawks vs Kings; Blackhawks lead series 3-1

The L.A. Kings lose for the first time at home during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Chicago Blackhawks make L.A. Kings all-world goalie Jonathan Quick look human, the goal by Hossa was an absolute blast, in fact, Quick is probably still looking for the puck.

Scoring for the Blackhawks: Bryan Bickell (8), Marian Hossa (7) and Patrick Kane (3) find the twine and score big goals for the Blackhawks. Scoring For the L.A. Kings: Slava Voynov(6) and Dustin Penner (3).

Bryan Bickell is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and has had a big 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs scoring (8g-3—11pts), you would think that he’s going to be getting a big raise in the offseason. According to capgeek.com Bickell is  making $541,667.00

Chicago Blackhawks twitter pictures

I have a feeling a lot of people will be framing this one twitter.com/HawksTalkCSN/s…
— Blackhawks Talk (@HawksTalkCSN) June 3, 2013

Here are some interesting pictures that were posted on twitter right after the game. This has been an interesting and intense series so far, very rough and very hard hitting. Tonight, there were 82 hits in this game, with L.A. dishing out 46 hits.

You know your favorite hockey team is screwed when Jon Toews is smiling. twitter.com/theroyalhalf/s…
— The Royal Half (@theroyalhalf) June 3, 2013

Quick stops Toews; UMASS vs. UND

Jonathan Quick got a piece of Jonathan Toews' shot to keep the #LAKings within 1 in the 3rd: bit.ly/11wfMj2 #CHIvsLAK #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2013