Update: UND Confused with NDSU Yet Again

Again, UND is mistaken for the AG School to our south. Apparently, this sign was in one of the bars in Minneapolis. What a great way to end up with no UND fans in your bar. I am not 100% sure what bar this was in. Tom Miller from the Herald posted that it was Sneaky Peats. I trust Millers word on that. 

Update: Seen the tweet from Tom Miller bellow. I would have posted this earlier, but I was in transit and not able to make sure the record was corrected. 

Minneapolis is still getting used to hosting the NCHC tournament. pic.twitter.com/3y5rSDDvdS
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) March 19, 2015

@dereckmattson was told sneaky petes. I'm still en route.
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) March 19, 2015

So, drink on at Sneaky Pete's, UND fans "@20gdawg: @tommillergf I emailed them and asked about the banner. ... pic.twitter.com/xKR23cpVGL”
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) March 19, 2015

Miami blanks UND 3-0

Miami University (Ohio) logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Minneapolis, MN – Coming into the National Collegiate Hockey Conferences Frozen Faceoff, three of the four teams needed to win the tourney to continue their season. 

The University of North Dakota came into Friday’s game as an NCAA bubble team. At a minimum, they need to win at least one game this weekend.

After being shutout 3-0 by Miami University, UND has one more chance to extend their season. They must get a win tomorrow against Western Michigan if they’re going to have a chance. They also will be scoreboard watching.

Again, for those asking, it appears if UND, UW & Lowell win, UND is in. If not, UND is out.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 22, 2014

The game was closer than the score, UND outshot Miami 32 to 28, but they weren’t able to get anything past Miami sophomore goalie Ryan McKay, who was very solid and stopped 32-of-32 shots. UND goalie Zane Gothberg stopped 25-of-28 shots, but struggled with the puck at times.

One of the big concerns coming into the tourney was the condition of the Target Center ice. The ice appeared to be a little soft, but it didn’t look like the ice was a factor in the game.

“It improved from yesterday,” UND senior defenseman Dillon Simpson said. “It’s tough place for the game of hockey, where it isn’t usually played. I think they did a good job trying to make it as good especially after practicing on it yesterday. All in all, it was okay. It was a little soft, but at the end of the day it was fine.”

Over the last four games, UND has made a habit of falling behind. In three of the last four games, UND has given up a two goal lead twice and a three goal once (against Miami).  UND is 1-2-0 in those three games. Miami would get goals from Blake Coleman, Austin Czarnik and Anthony Louis. Coleman would lead Miami with (1g-1a—2pts).

After the game, UND head coach Dave Hakstol was very complimentary to the RedHawks.

“Hats off to Miami University, they played a great game tonight,” head coach Dave Hakstol said. “They played hard, as did our team. Both teams battled hard. They scored the first goal of the game – got a critical one in the second period and we couldn’t fight our way back into it. This one is over, it’s in the past. Our focus is now moves to tomorrow at three thirty in the afternoon.”

On February 15, 2014, UND ran over the Miami RedHawks 9-2, at Ralph Engelstad Arena. At the time, Miami didn’t have the services of Coleman, who was injured. This time around, Miami was a much different team with the junior from Plano, Texas.

“They’re a lot better team than we played a month ago, junior forward Mark MacMillan said. “Obviously they got (Blake) Coleman back from injury and I think that he put a spark in their team. They went in and swept Saint Cloud last weekend and came in and played a great game against us tonight. Much different team than we faced last time.”

With the loss to the RedHawks, UND (22-13-3) is currently sitting at 15th in the Pairwise. They need to win the third place game to extend their season, but they also need help. The UND captain was asked what his team needed to do, to get the win tomorrow.

“I think first and foremost, it starts with myself, handling things the right way,” Simpson said. We got a young team and we have good group of guys. We all know the task at hand, they now what needs to be done.”

The Miami University head coach Enrico Blasi seem relieved that his RedHawk team (15-19-3) was one game away from going to the NCAA playoffs after finishing eight in the NCHC standings.

“Obviously, a real good game for us,” Enrico Blasi said. I thought Ryan (McKay) made some really huge saves when we needed them. Timely goals, and timely bounces.  I thought we did a good job keeping them on the outside for the most part.”

Blasi continued, “I was thinking on the bench that sometimes you have to have a little bit of faith in your team. About a month ago I don’t think any of you guys would have picked us to be here in this position. I always say everything happens for a reason. Guys stayed with each other. They played hard. They practiced hard. They stayed positive. We’re going to the championship game tomorrow night.”

UND faces off against the Western Michigan Broncos in the third place game at 3:38 p.m. Central, tomorrow at the Target Center.

The NCHC announced that 9,113 fans attended today’s games at the Target Center.

(Box Score)

Frozen Faceoff Match-Ups (by Donn)

We have arrived at the final weekend of the inaugural NCHC games.  SCSU was the first winner of the first ever Penrose Cup, and then became the first ever 1^st seed to lose to the 8^th seed in the first round of the playoffs.  This could be a blessing for the Huskies; it will give them a week off to rest up for the NCAA tournament, and refocus their efforts.

NCHC Frozen Faceoff

Miami vs North Dakota

How they got here -

The RedHawks swept the Huskies a dramatic two game set.  Friday the Huskies scored with 1 second left to force overtime, and then Miami wins in OT.  Saturday night the RedHawks untied the score with 3 seconds left to punch their ticket to Minneapolis.

NoDak won the opener, forced OT in the second only to fall short, and the rebounded for the game three winner.

Season series – NoDak wins 3-1-0 – split in Oxford and swept in Grand Forks

These teams met about a month ago in GF, with UND beating MU 3-2 on Valentine’s Day and then crushing them 9-2 the next evening.  I don’t UND will hang another 9-spot on MU, but I don’t see UND losing on Friday either.  UND hasn’t lost on a Friday since November 29.  NODAK WINS

Denver vs Western Michigan

How they got here -

The Pioneers dropped the opener to Omaha and then won the next two games (4-3L, 5-1W, 2-0W) to advance to Minneapolis.

The Broncos swept the playoff series in Duluth (3-2, 4-3) to advance to the Frozen Faceoff.

Season series – Denver wins 3-1-0 – sweep in Denver and split in Kalamazoo

These teams played just three weeks ago in Kalamazoo, with Denver winning the opener 4-2 and the Broncos taking the next game 3-1.  WMU has now won three of their last four games and five of seven.  The Pioneers have won three of their last five and four of the last seven.  I think this game comes down to defense and goal tending and who’s on their A-game.  I’m giving this match up to the “away” team.  PIONEERS WIN

So if my predictions are right, UND v DU, will be the championship game and MU v WMU for third place.  Thus, I will pick UND to win the championship and WMU to take third.

NCHC Frozen Faceoff tickets on sale today to Champions Club, general public

(Official UND Release)

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – A select number of Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff tournament ticket packages will go on sale to members of the North Dakota Champions Club and the general public today.

Champions Club members have until 5 p.m. CT  today to make their requests by e-mail. If there are any ticket packages still remaining after fulfilling the Champions Club requests, general public requests will then be granted.

Requests should be e-mailed to tickets@theralph.com.

E-mail requests should have the words “NCHC Tickets” in the subject line, and Champions Club members should include the number of tickets requested in the body of the e-mail. Priority for ticket purchasing is based on Champions Club Priority Points as of March 1, 2014. General public requests need only to include the number of tickets requested and a phone contact. All e-mails will receive a confirmation.

Inaugural NCHC Tournament ticket packages cost $130 and are good for all four games in the tournament. The UND Box Office does not sell single-game tickets. For more tournament ticket info, visit NCHCHockey.com.

NCHC Tournament Official UND Pre-Game Celebrations

UND Fans attending the NCHC Tournament are invited to join the UND Alumni Association & Foundation and UND Athletics for pregame festivities beginning three hours prior to any game that UND is playing. The pregame events will be held at the Pourhouse (10 South 5^th Street, Minneapolis, MN), within walking distance of the Target Center and area hotels. 

All UND alumni, family and friends are invited to this free event with cash bars, a full restaurant, DJs and more! The Pourhouse invites all UND fans back to the venue after each hockey game. The usual cover charge will be FREE to UND fans or anyone with a game ticket. On-site and nearby parking are available.

We hope to see you this weekend as we flood the streets of Minneapolis in UND Kelly green!

Minnesota Hockey: Freshma Tommy Vannelli decides to leave hockey program

Release: Vannelli Leaves Hockey Program http://t.co/qviZGIXnh7
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) September 17, 2013

Lucia on Vannelli "After a few weeks of trying to balance academics & athletics, Tommy made deicision...college hockey was not best route.."
— Jason Gonzalez (@JGonStrib) September 17, 2013

Here's the latest out of Minneapolis. Apparently, Tommy Vanelli has already decided to leave the Minnesota Gophers hockey team before the season even begins. Sounds like the WHL could be a landing spot for Mr. Vanelli. The Minnetonka, Minnesota product was drafted 47th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2013 NHL Entry Level Draft.

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota freshman Tommy Vannelli of Minnetonka has decided to leave the Golden Gophers' hockey program.

Hockey coach Don Lucia made the announcement Tuesday.

Lucia says after a few weeks of trying to balance academics and athletics, Vannelli decided that college hockey "was not the best route for him at this time."

Lucia says the team accepts his decision.

Vannelli split last season between Minnetonka High School and the U.S. Under-18 team. The St. Louis Blues selected Vannelli in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft with the 47th overall pick.

Related articles

• Gopher Freshman Vannelli Leaves Hockey Program (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
• College Hockey: Tallying up the College Hockey Outdoor Games (thehockeywriters.com)
• Saturday Afternoon Dreaming: How about Paul Martin? (hockeywilderness.com)
• UND Hockey: Remembering the 'Old Ralph' Engelstad Arena (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: Dog Days of Summer (thehockeywriters.com)

Hockey Buzz: Is Thomas Vanek Minnesota Bound?

Minnesota Wild (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I found this article over on Hockey Buzz. I wonder if this unconfirmed rumor is an e3 or an e5? Look, I like many Wild fans would like to see this happen, but you have to consider the source. If the news pertains to the Wild and it doesn’t come from Michael Russo, I am going to be skeptical.

Josh Rimer, Hockey Buzz -- Last night a solid source informed me that If Thomas Vanek is moved prior to the Trade Deadline, his destination of choice would be Minnesota Wild. Fitting since he played for the Gophers in 2004, Vanek has had his off-season home in Minneapolis and trains in Edina, Minnesota. His wife is from Minnesota and he has always wanted to play in Minny, especially having good friend Jason Pominville there increases his desire to be there.

Related articles

• Reiterating the Case for Thomas Vanek to the Wild (hockeywilderness.com)
• Feeling Minnesota: Why not Phil Kessel? (hockeywilderness.com)
• Vanek Keeping Options Open Entering Camp (wkbw.com)
• Rumors: Vanek hasn't asked Sabres for a trade (cbssports.com)

UND Women’s Hockey; Lamoureux twins leave UND program in good hands

Eric Classen / UND Athletics

On February 27, 2011, with about just over four minutes left in the first overtime,  taking the puck from goaltender Fighting Sioux goalie Stephanie Ney,  sophomore forward Monique Lamouruex calmly starts the rush up ice, literally skating through the Beaver defenders like they were standing still. It was like a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. There was a faked shot at the blue line; then the patented toe drag around two Bemidji State defenders, before Monique deposited the puck behind the Beaver’s all-world goalieZuzana Tomcikova.

Game over!!! The UND womens hockey team flew off of the bench and mobbed Monique.
With the 3-2 win in overtime, the UND women were heading to the Final Face-Off for the first time in their program’s short history.

Even though their season would end the next weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Ridder Arena with a 3-0 loss to Wisconsin Badgers, the UND women had made great progress that season.

Actually, the Women set seasons records in wins in each of the last three seasons; winning 20, 22 and 23 respectively.

Eric Classen / UND Athletics

It’s no mystery that during the last three seasons, Jocelyn and Monique Lamoureux have been the corner stones of the UND women’s hockey team, and this year’s senior class.

Both players have also been the face of UND head coach Brian Idahlski’s (91-102-21 UND, 198-122-32 career) team and where they’re trying to move the UND’s woman’s program.

The Lamoureux twins are world class players and 2010 Olympians Jocelyne Lamoureux (123g-154a—277pts) and Monique Lamoureux (108g-152a—260pts). Both players rank one and two and UND’s all-time scoring list. With each game, Jocelyne extends the all-time record at UND.

For the second year in a row, Jocelyne Lamoureux was named a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kaz award.

After a game earlier this season, UND woman’s head coach Brian Idalski said, “We talked about what our vision is here and being the pinnacle of woman’s hockey and making this our woman’s NHL.”

I do think coach Idalski is onto something. College hockey for women is basically their NHL outside of playing in international competition; there aren’t a lot of options for them. Women’s college hockey is stacked with world class athletes and Olympians.

Eric Classen / UND Athletics

That’s what’s been happening at UND, the Lamoureux twins have set a very high bar for future UND woman’s players that are starting to emerge at UND. Michelle Karvinen is an example of the type of player you will probably see in the future, world class talent that plays for their country during the winter Olympics and international competitions.

Freshman forward Meghan Dufault is one of the new up and coming stars for UND and this is what she had to say about playing for with the Lamouruex twins.

“It’s definitely an honor to play with them,” Dufault said. “You learn so much from them every day, just their mentality and their skills you can take everything from what they do in practice and try make yourself more like them and learn of them. It’s a really good experience playing with them.”

So as the Lamoureux twins’ time at UND comes to an end, a few of the younger players will take on bigger roles for UND in the future. One them is all-world junior forward Michelle Karvinen, who helped team Finland win the bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. This is what Megan Dufauflt has this to say on playing with the crafty junior forward.

“I think Karvinen is awesome to play with,” Dufauflt said. “She’s such a dynamic player and obviously she was in the Olympics too, so she highly skilled and you learn so much from her as well, she’s just like playing with the twins [Lamoureux’s]. I think they’re all great players that bring so much to the team that everyone can build off.

North Dakota isn’t ready to send this year’s senior class off just yet. There is still work to be done. With the win against the Minnesota State Mavericks (24-11-0, 18-10-0 WCHA), UND will try for the sweep tomorrow night at 2:07 pm against the Mavericks at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

I don’t really know if people will fully appreciate what Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux have brought to the UND woman’s team until after they’re gone, they have set the bar very high and have given young women role models that they can be proud of.

Players of this caliber don’t come along every day and it’s hard to quantify or put into words what they did for the UND women’s team. Maybe we can just appreciate the memories they left us with and be thankful that we had an opportunity to watch them play.

- See more at: http://insidehockey.com 

Jeff Dubay of 1500ESPN answers a few questions

Jeff Dubay was a very popular sports radio talk show host on KFAN 1130 am out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. for 10 years until he was let go by KFAN on n October 24, 2008.

When Dubay left KFAN, there was a serious college hockey void in the Minneapolis listening area.  As most of you know, Dubay went through a tough stretch, but his life has now come full circle. 

Dubay has been sober since 2011.   

Recently, Dubay was hired by 1500ESPN in Minneapolis to work the nine-noon slot with former Star and Tribune Viking beat writer Judd Zulgad.   

In case you’re wondering, you can listen to the Judd and Dubay radio show from 9 to noon weekdays on you smartphones or by logging on to the 1500ESPN website. Lastly, you can also download the podcasts from iTunes if you are unable to listen on-line or on your smart phone.

Eric Burton: You had a tough 3-4 years, and I think it’s safe to say that you have come full circle and now are back where you should be, on the Sports Talk Show talking sports, and how fitting is it that your first week back you’re talking UND vs. UMN?

Jeff Dubay: It was really fun coming back in time for the weekend series but I have to admit I may have gone a little overboard with the good natured jabs at UND on Friday's show. That's what happens when you save it all up for four years I guess.

EB: If you can briefly explain your feelings about your new job and the struggles that you went through to make it back?

JD: I'm really excited about the opportunity at 1500espn. I met with Dan Seeman over a year ago and even though I was sober I still wasn't ready for the job and he could see it. The first year of sobriety is tough on a person and a radio show would have been too much for me at the time so Dan told me to keep doing the right thing and my time would come.

I spent the next year staying clean and getting out to tell my story at treatment centers and schools as well as meeting one on one with any struggling addicts that reached out for help. Then the job came open on Judd's show and I knew my time was now. My head was clear and self-esteem restored due to the way I had been living and when I met with Dan Seeman last month he could see a pronounced difference in me and almost immediately I was offered the chance to audition on air for a week by program director Brad Lane.

The week went well enough that I was offered the job on Thursday the tenth but I was not allowed to tell anyone for 24 hours because I hadn't signed the contract yet. That was not easy for me. I'm lousy at keeping secrets and I was pretty damn excited. The next day was a blast because once I signed and they released the info officially I became the recipient of a lot of well-wishing from friends and listeners. It was a great day for me personally.

EB: Is a cooling off period good for this rivalry [between UND vs. UMN]?

JB: I wish it was only a cooling off period but personally I think it's the end of the rivalry. It will still be fun to see each other in the postseason and down the road in nonconference play but it will never be the same. The intensity will only decrease over time.

EB: Feelings on the UMN and UND series taking a hiatus?

JD: It's too bad they couldn't schedule each other right away but the schedules are made in advance and U of M policy wouldn't allow the scheduling of an opponent with the nickname controversy. Plus Lucia's immediate loyalty had to be to the other four in-state schools with d-1 programs. We should all hope for a meeting at the final five this year. The intensity in that one would be all time high.

EB: Your feelings on the B1G hockey conference?

JD: I'm not a fan of the Big Ten hockey conference but I suppose like any change in life it will eventually become routine. My fear is we will leave the format of the weekend series for random weeknight games and be at the mercy of the Big Ten network for TV coverage rather than relying on FSN for great coverage. I also hate losing all our natural rivals except Wisconsin. I would have preferred things stay the same but once Penn State started up a d-1 program no one had any choice.

EB: Impressions of this past week’s games between UND and UMN?

JD: It was a fun and competitive weekend. Even the Friday game was a one goal contest in the third when Wilcox got tested a couple times and had to come up big to keep it from getting tied up. Saturday was a bit more dramatic. I was surprised to see all the quality chances for both teams in the third period.

Usually with one team leading you would expect a slightly more defensive approach but the defense was leaking for both teams so the scoring chances were there going both ways. Wilcox wasn't sharp and got lucky on a couple pipes. Grimaldi was the best player on the ice Saturday but this North Dakota team doesn't seem as rugged as some in recent memory but they are a tirelessly working lunch pale crew with a dangerous top line that no one will want to play in the NCAA tourney.

EB: Are we going to hear more College Hockey talk now that you’re on 1500 ESPN?

JD: I don't know if you'll hear more college hockey talk because I don't know how much there was before. Judd is an avid college hockey fan and he and I actually attended a UND-Wisconsin game at the Kohl Center together back in the Oshie-Toews years. We were in town for a Gopher-Badger football game the same weekend. There will be plenty of hockey talk. You don't have to twist Judd's arm.

EB: Do you and P.A. still keep in contact? Do you ever listen to his show?

JD: I just talked to P.A. last week and we tweet to each other from time to time as well. I stopped listening to the fan the day I was fired. Nothing personal, it was just too hard for me.

EB: During the week of your audition, I was listening to you and the co-host Judd Zulgad talk about a Vikings game, and you said that during the one game in question, that you were incarcerated during that event. What was that like? How did you make it through?  How did you keep your sanity?

JD: There's nothing worse than having your freedom taken away. It makes you feel sub-human. Having a door lock behind you is something I wouldn't wish on even my least favorite Sioux fans. ;)

I was lucky enough to meet former Viking receiver Buster Rhymes in my team at the workhouse. He's a good man and a great influence on me.

EB: Secret to staying sober?

JD: The key to my sobriety lies in how miserable my life became while using. When you get right down to it how hard is it really to stop doing something that you no longer enjoy at all and in many ways have grown to hate? The bottom line is I want to be sober and I don't want to use. I know that sounds simple but it has been for me and for that I'm very grateful.

Related articles

• Ex-KFAN personality Dubay back on air four years after crack cocaine arrest (bizjournals.com)
• 1500 ESPN/Twin Cities Adds Jeff Dubay, Shuffles Lineup (allaccess.com)

Byfuglien skates on Impaired-boating charge

The Jets Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has reached a plea agreement and will not be charged with the impaired-boating charge. I think it's a win for the Byfuglien camp. The Winnipeg Jets said that they're happy to have this incident behind them because now Byfuglien can concentrate on just playing hockey.

Mike McIntyre, Winnipeg Free Press -- Dustin Byfuglien has resolved his criminal trial in much the same way he's becoming known for playing hockey -- leaving a trail of mystery, debate and controversy in his wake.

The talented but sometimes frustrating Winnipeg Jets defenceman walked into a downtown Minneapolis courthouse Monday morning expecting to begin a week-long jury trial. But he skated out of danger less than an hour later, courtesy of a last-minute plea bargain that leaves many questions unanswered, including what prompted authorities to believe he was boating while impaired last summer.

Byfuglien pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of careless boating, which pertains only to the fact he didn't have proper lighting on his boat when stopped by police last summer. He was given a $1,000 fine and 30-day jail sentence, of which 28 days were suspended and two days converted to community service work. In exchange, prosecutors dropped more serious charges of impaired boating and refusing a blood or urine test.

The suspended time would only be revisited if Byfuglien re-offends during that period.

Jeff Dubay resurfaces - talks about his addiction

s/t @Bruce Ciskie... The P.A. and Dubay show from nine to noon, Monday through Friday was a very popular radio show on KFAN for 10 years; then in the fall of 2008, co-host Jeff Dubay’s world fell apart on him. For college hockey fans Dubay filled the college hockey void that Minneapolis, St. Paul and the upper Midwest had.

Since his dismissal from KFAN – the station has lacked a daily college hockey presence – until recently. While Ryan Cardinal of Gopher Puck Live has done a good job filling in on Thursdays, the station has never been the same since Dubay left KFAN 100.3, there has been a void that has yet to be filled.

That being said, I do have to give credit where credit is due, Paul Allen has incorporated some good hockey minds like Michael Russo of the Star Tribune and Allen has also improved in his knowledge of the game of hockey.

Chad Hartman, MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) —“When somebody brought this out and set it on the table, I’d never seen this before,” Dubay said. “It’s these chunky, little white things. I thought, ‘What the heck is it?’ The guy said, ‘It’s rock.’ I still didn’t know what it was. I still didn’t know it was crack cocaine.”

The drug was a break from the depression, but it quickly became a habit.

“You took the drug and then the drug took you,” he said. “And that’s all it took. I was done for the next two years.”

In October 2008, while driving home after buying crack, an officer started pulling Dubay over for a broken taillight.

Dubay panicked and threw the drugs out the window. But officers found them.

“I was crying, saying, ‘My life is over.’ Please don’t. Just please give me a break,’” he recalled.

You can listen to the whole interview right here. I ran into Jeff Dubay three years ago during the WCHA Final Five and have often wondered what had happened to him. Hartman's interview on WCCO kind of catches us up. Thankfully Dubay has been clean since May of 2011. I hope that Jeff can finally get his act together and go on to live a healthy life.

UND Women's Hockey - 2012-13

The UND Women's 2012-13 schedule was released today.

Fri, Oct 05   Minnesota State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Oct 06   Minnesota State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    2:07 p.m. 

Fri, Oct 12   Ohio State *  at Columbus, Ohio    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Oct 13   Ohio State *  at Columbus, Ohio    4:07 p.m. 

Fri, Oct 19   St. Cloud State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Oct 20   St. Cloud State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Oct 27   Minnesota *  Grand Forks, N.D.    2:07 p.m. 

Sun, Oct 28   Minnesota *  Grand Forks, N.D.    2:07 p.m. 

Fri, Nov 02   Clarkson  Grand Forks, N.D.    2:07 p.m. 

Sat, Nov 03   Clarkson  Grand Forks, N.D.    2:07 p.m. 

Sat, Nov 17   Bemidji State *  at Bemidji, Minn.    2:07 p.m. 

Sun, Nov 18   Bemidji State *  at Bemidji, Minn.    2:07 p.m. 

Fri, Nov 23   Minnesota Duluth *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Nov 24   Minnesota Duluth *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Fri, Nov 30   RIT  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Dec 01   RIT  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Dec 08   Wisconsin *  at Madison, Wis.    2:07 p.m. 

Sun, Dec 09   Wisconsin *  at Madison, Wis.    2:07 p.m. 

Fri, Jan 04   Lindenwood  at St. Charles, Mo.    7:00 p.m. 

Sat, Jan 05   Lindenwood  at St. Charles, Mo.    2:00 p.m. 

Fri, Jan 11   Minnesota *  at Minneapolis, Minn.    6:07 p.m. 

Sat, Jan 12   Minnesota *  at Minneapolis, Minn.    4:07 p.m. 

Fri, Jan 18   Wisconsin *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Jan 19   Wisconsin *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m.  

Fri, Jan 25   St. Cloud State *  at St. Cloud, Minn.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Jan 26   St. Cloud State *  at St. Cloud, Minn.    2:07 p.m. 

Fri, Feb 01   Minnesota State *  at Mankato, Minn.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Feb 02   Minnesota State *  at Mankato, Minn.    3:07 p.m. 

Fri, Feb 08   Bemidji State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Feb 09   Bemidji State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Fri, Feb 15   Ohio State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Feb 16   Ohio State *  Grand Forks, N.D.    7:07 p.m. 

Fri, Feb 22   Minnesota Duluth *  at Duluth, Minn.    7:07 p.m. 

Sat, Feb 23   Minnesota Duluth *  at Duluth, Minn.    4:07 p.m. 

Fri, Mar 01   WCHA First Round  TBA    TBA 

Sat, Mar 02   WCHA First Round  TBA    TBA 

Sun, Mar 03   WCHA First Round (if nec.)  TBA    TBA 

Fri, Mar 08   WCHA Final Face-Off Semifinals  at Minneapolis, Minn.    TBA 

Sat, Mar 09   WCHA Final Face-Off Championship  at Minneapolis, Minn.    7:07 p.m. 

Fri, Mar 15   NCAA Regionals  TBA    TBA 

Fri, Mar 22   NCAA Frozen Four Semifinals  at Minneapolis, Minn.    TBA 

Sun, Mar 24   NCAA Frozen Four Championship  at Minneapolis, Minn.    TBA 

National Collegiate Hockey Conference - To hold conference tourney at Target Center

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE

                                                                       

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, June 11, 2012 -- The National Collegiate Hockey Conference will conduct its NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey championship tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis beginning in 2014 to conclude its inaugural season.

NCHC Commissioner Jim Scherr and Target Center Vice President and General Manager Steve Mattson were joined by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak in making the announcement today of a five-year agreement at a news conference at the arena.

The winners of the conference quarterfinals, which will be played on the home ice of the top four regular-season finishers in the eight-team league, will qualify to come to Minneapolis for the NCHC Championship at Target Center.  CBS Sports Network, the Conference’s national television partner, will televise the tournament’s two semifinal games and the championship game.  A third-place game also will be played at Target Center.  The dates and times for the games of the NCHC Championship at Target Center will be announced at a later date.

“We welcome the opportunity to host the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship tournament for five years beginning in 2014.  This is very significant for our city,” said Mayor Rybak.  “We also will be proud to showcase a revitalized Target Center, which competes with any arena in America for top sports attractions.  The tournament’s games over a March weekend will be a significant economic benefit to the hospitality community in Minneapolis, from hotels to restaurants and other businesses.”

The agreement between the NCHC and Target Center is the second major announcement in the last month for Minnesota’s preeminent sports and entertainment arena, following news that the home of the NBA’s Timberwolves and WNBA’s 2011 World Champion Lynx will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation over the next several years.

“The athletic directors and coaches of our member institutions are pleased that we will present our men’s ice hockey championship at a first-class venue in one of the nation’s best markets for college ice hockey,” said Scherr.  “It is our goal to become an outstanding college ice hockey conference in every way, and this announcement is in keeping with that goal.”

“We are thrilled to have such an exciting event come to our building and our city,” said Mattson.  “Those in attendance each year and the millions watching on CBS Sports Network will surely be impressed not only with the exceptional talent on the ice representing a great college hockey conference, but with what Target Center offers as a first-class sports and entertainment facility.”

During its 21-year history, Target Center has hosted an array of outstanding ice hockey events, including National Hockey League regular-season and pre-season games, International Hockey League games, four University of Minnesota “Border Battle” showdowns against Wisconsin, WCHA Final Five tournaments, Minnesota State High School tournaments, and United States Olympic Team exhibition games.

“Target Center and Minneapolis have a solid reputation for making teams and fans feel welcome,” said Scott Sandelin, head coach of the 2011 NCAA national champion University of Minnesota Duluth.  “Our conference’s players, coaches and loyal fans will have a great home for our tournament in a city with a great history of supporting college ice hockey.”

About Target Center:

Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis’ vibrant Warehouse District and adjacent to Target Field, Target Center opened its doors in 1990 and is best known as the home of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.  The arena, owned by the City of Minneapolis and operated by AEG, attracts more than 1 million visitors a year thanks to its professional basketball teams, sporting events such as college and high school hockey and high school basketball and entertainment events including major concerts, family shows and other attractions.

About the National Collegiate Hockey Conference:

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference is the eight-school, Division I men’s hockey conference that will start play in the 2013-14 season.  The NCHC’s member institutions are: Colorado College, University of Denver, Miami University, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University.  Since 2000, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference has produced four NCAA Champions, 14 NCAA Frozen Four appearances, 12 conference regular-season championships and 12 conference tournament championships.  All eight members have been participants in the NCAA Ice Hockey Championship tournament at least once since 2010, including five teams in 2012. 

About CBS Sports Network:     

                                                                

CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) is the 24-hour cable destination of CBS Sports.  The Network covers more than 340 live games annually, showcasing 30 men’s and women’s sports, in addition to a variety of studio shows, documentaries and original programs.  CBSSN’s live programming is highlighted by college sports including teams from the Mountain West, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, Patriot League, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy, as well as Major League Lacrosse, National Lacrosse League and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing series.  CBSSN’s daily programming includes ROME hosted by veteran sports personality Jim Rome and the Tim Brando Show. The Network also is the home of Professional Bull Riders (PBR).  CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers including Verizon FiOS Channel 94 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 643 (1643 in HD) and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

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Target Center Contact:      

Robb Leer (612) 701-0608

National Collegiate Hockey Conference Contact:

Larry Rubin, The Goldwater Group/Stafford Sports (215) 850-7012