Looks Like a NCAA Hockey Regional

Because of the Baltimore riots, there no fans allowed into Orioles Park in Camden Yards today as the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox played in an empty stadium. Reminded me of an NCAA Hockey Regional in Grand Rapids, Michigan or Toledo, Ohio.

Actually, it's sad that no one was allowed to attend the game today.

Former Sioux Toews: 'Naive' to think PEDs aren't in NHL

English: Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews during warm up prior to a National Hockey League playoff game against the Calgary Flames, in Calgary. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I found this article in the Chicago Tribune and I think it brings up an interesting point. I have often wondered if NHL players are using PEDS as well. With the trouble that Major League Baseball is currently happening, it’s only a matter of time before the finger will be pointed at the National Hockey League. Thoughts?

Sports Xchange --- Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews told Toronto radio station Sportsnet 590 The Fan this week that it is "naive" to think that performance-enhancing drugs are not being used by NHL players.

"I think it would be naive to say that there's no one in the NHL that is trying to get the edge in that fashion," he said. "But at the end of the day, whether you get caught now or not, down the road at some point those sort of things come out as we've seen in Major League Baseball and cycling. v

"Eventually ... someone is going to save their own butt and throw you under the bus. And that's your legacy. That's what people remember: that you're a cheater and you took performance-enhancing drugs.

Friday Links --- Hockey dreaming.

More and more it's looking like there is going to be revenue sharing in the new CBA.

Every article you see has the words revenue sharing and haves and have nots included in it.

I can't imagine the haves of the NHL are going to be that crazy about the prospects of having to share the wealth with the lesser fortunate teams.

Tim Panaccio, CSNPHILLY.COM --- The two sides will meet again on Wednesday.

NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr would not take a stance on whether the union agreed entirely with the league on revenue sharing. Still, it’s widely known the players feel the expansion of such is not only necessary, but also the only way to resolve the vast revenue gaps between the “have” and “have nots,” while limiting the salary hit the players are expected to swallow in the next CBA.

What has not been discussed yet -- but figures to be -- is whether the owners will accept a luxury tax, similar to what Fehr negotiated with Major League Baseball.

There are no less than 10 teams in the NHL that annually spend to the salary cap limit or beyond. Those are the teams that support the underlings that can’t manage a profit.

There is some news from the UND Hockey front... Fighting Sioux senior forward Danny Kristo, is ranked 7th for the Montreal Canadiens.

7. Danny Kristo, RW: Kristo will be returning for his senior season with the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota in 2012-13. The second-round pick in 2008 (No. 56) is coming off a junior season when he finished second on the team in scoring with 42 points in 45 games

Apparently Donald Fehr isn't all that worried about September 15th which is the day that the current CBA expires.

I also think the last thing the NHL owners want to do is have another lockout, especially if the there are teams that are suffering as bad as some claim. 

David Schoalts, The Globe and Mail ---- Bettman said he still thinks there is time to get a new agreement before the season starts in early October. Fehr once again pointed out the players are willing to work even after the current agreement expires.

"All I've said is Sept. 15 is not a magic date unless someone wants to make it so," Fehr said. "There's nothing that happens on Sept. 15 if we don't have an agreement, provided nobody says we're going to go on strike or says we're going to lock the doors."

I guess I am not expecting a counter proposal from the NHLPA anytime soon – the NHLPA just had 76,000 pages of financial information dumped in their laps from the NHL owners… No telling how long they will study the information to make their decision.

Jeff Z. Klein, Slap Shots --- Commissioner Gary Bettman emerged from a negotiating session with the N.H.L. Players’ Association on Tuesday and announced that the league had supplied 76,000 pages of audited financial documents that the union had requested.

 Its official former UNO Mavericks forward Jayson Megna has signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. [Official Press Release] Just like others I am perplexed by the move as well.

In case anyone is still wondering Matt Slovin nor the newspaper has not pulled the Jacob Trouba story from the Michigan Daily web page.

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.

The types of hits that need to be eliminated from hockey

Tom Serratore of Minnesota hit UND defenseman Andrew MacWilliam up high in the head area with with the shoulder, this is the types of hits that the NHL is cracking down on, this is also a play needs to be more than a 2 minute minor penalty.This is hit is a text book example of what should be a five minute major and a game misconduct.

With Jenna Privette of Burnsville and Jack Jablonski of Benilde-St. Margaret’s both being paralized with dangerous hits this has got to stop, the players need to show some respect for their fellow competitors.This is a dangerous hit and here is the still shot of the hit as well.

Related articles

• Mark Alt's CFB on Michael Parks (mvn.com)
• Benilde-St. Margaret's Jack Jablonski hurt by dangerous check (mvn.com)
• Hockey Community Rallies Behind Jablonski (sportsfeelgoodstories.com)
• Hockey check hospitalizes another teen (startribune.com)