Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

It’s funny that the season is just underway and it is only two until thanksgiving.  Where does the time go?  Looking at the standings there are teams that appear to be top half teams and other that will be bottom half teams.   There are teams that have played 4 more games than others, so that has to be factored into account.  MTU started with a split with UM and has gotten swept the last four games, ouch, they need to get back on track in Houghton.  UAA and UMD are hoping to avoid the same early season fate of MTU, by getting some points this weekend.


WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Denver…………..………3-1-0………...6
1. St. Cloud St………….…3-1-0…………6
3. Nebraska-Omaha………2-1-1……......5
4. Colorado College ……..2-0-0..….…….4
4. Minnesota………………2-2-0…………4
6. Bemidji State……..…….1-0-1.……......3
6. North Dakota.………..…1-0-1….……..3
6. Wisconsin…....…………1-2-1...……....3
6. Michigan Tech………….1-5-0…………2
10. Minnesota State………1-3-0….……..2
11. Alaska-Anchorage…....0-1-1……..….1
11. Minnesota-Duluth….….0-1-1…..…….1


WCHA Games

Bemidji St. @ #19 Colorado College
Last weekend the Beavers enjoyed a weekend off and the Tigers swept the Badgers in Madison.

We two of the three teams who haven’t lost a WCHA game in this series.  Looking at the overall numbers this season give us a little insight, CC scored 27 and given up 22 goals over 8 games, and the Beavers scored 11 and given up 7 over 4 games.  The Tigers play on their oversized sheet of ice, at World Arena, and we all know that with all that extra ice it is harder to check players.  The Tigers will have the home ice advantage in this series, but the Beavers know how to play defense and frustrate teams.  Tigers 3-pts


#3 Denver @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Pioneers spilt with the SCSU Huskies in Denver and the Mavericks split with the Gophers.

The Pioneers got blanked last Friday, but rebounded nicely on Saturday for a split.  The Mavericks are undefeated at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato this year, 2-0-1.  The Pioneers play on a standard ice sheet, and MSUM plays on the oversized Olympic sheet, so DU might have some adjustments to deal with.  Also the Pioneers play their arch-rivals next week, the CC Tigers, so they cannot afford to look past this weekend.  Also this will be DU’s first games away from home this season.  The Mavericks have to build up their confidence after last weekend’s play against a top team in Gophers.  I’m going with the Mavericks Friday and the Pioneers Saturday.  SPLIT

#6 North Dakota @ #15 St. Could St. 
Last weekend NoDak split with the BU Terriers in Grand Forks and the Huskies split with the Pioneers in Denver.

The Huskies are a perfect 4-0-0 at the National Hockey Center this young season, and NoDak is 0-1 on the road this year.  SCSU has given up 20 goals in 8 games, or 2.5/game, UND has given up 12 goals in 6 games, or 2.0/game.  Which leads to the old quote, defense wins games, offense sells tickets.  Last year these teams split both series, each going 2-2-0, with splits at both rinks, with SCSU winning on Friday’s and UND winning on the Saturday’s.  At the moment, I don’t see why the trend should change this weekend.  SPLIT

#2 Minnesota @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Gophers split with the SCSU Huskies in Minneapolis and the Seawolves had a free weekend in Anchorage.

The Gophers make the long flight to Anchorage this weekend to play the Seawolves.  Last year, in October, when the UM went to UAA the Gophers swept them. This year the Gophers are 1-2-0 away from Minneapolis and the Seawolves are 1-0-1 in Anchorage this season.  I’m going with a little upset in this series, UAA is due one.  SPLIT


#20 Minnesota-Duluth @ Nebraska-Omaha (Sat/Sun)

Last weekend the Bulldogs were on a bye week and the Mavericks swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

The Bulldogs find themselves in a tough spot early in the season, tied with UAA for the bottom spot.  UMD can ill afford a winless weekend in Omaha, starting of the conference schedule with no wins in four games would be a deep hole.  UNO is off to a good start in the league sitting alone in 3^rd place and only losing once in four WCHA contests.  I’m not sure why this is a Saturday night, Sunday afternoon series, but it is what it is.  The Mavericks have scored 25 goals in 8 games, 3.1/game, and the Bulldogs have scored 14 times in 6 games, 2.3/game.   Since both coach’s are ex-UND coach’s they are very familiar with one another.  SPLIT

BYE WEEK
Michigan Tech
Wisconsin

Monday Links...

UND's NCHC rival the SCSU Huskies are making improvements to the National Hockey Center. Here is the link to the construction camera... [Click to Link] You can go back and see what they have changed.

Michigan Defenseman John Merrill is not going to go the professional route and will return to Michigan for his junior season. [The Michigan Daily]

Wisconsin Badgers defenseman John Ramage was at the Calgary Flames Development Camp this summer and this video was on the Flames official web page. John is the son of Former NHL great Rob Ramage that also played for the Calgary Flames..

Here is the video of former SCSU Huskies David Eddy who was also at the Calgary Flames development Camp as well.



Kim from Runs on Duncan had this observations of Joe Gleason...

Observations - Joe Gleason really showed off his wheels today. He led some rushes into the offensive zone and got back to backcheck quickly. He was pretty impressive today in his overall game.

Friday morning hangover…

This weekend has turned out to be rather interesting, not so much in the good way either, the positive, UND split with the Gophers last weekend.

The negative, UND found out that it had lost yet another player to a season ending injury.

Here is the current injury list, Season ending injuries: Rocco Grimaldi (knee surgery), Derek Rodwell (shoulder), Out Brendan O'Donnell (upper body), defenseman Derek Forbort (undisclosed), Michael Parks (questionable) walking wounded, Corban Knight and Mario Lamoureux. As you can see the @injuryninja has not been kind to the UND hockey team this season.

The positive, UND is 10-4-1 in their last 15 games against SCSU.

Jayson Hajdu, from the UND Athletic Media Relations aka @UNDSID has the travel blog up.

My favorite opposition radio personality has this post on his blog today. North Dakota, Gophers Misbehave Again; Announcer Off the Rails, Coach Angry

Dan Myers of College Hockey News has UND third in this weeks, WCHA Week 12 Power Rankings

Here is this week’s version of the Cardinal Country Clomp Feast, congrats to Ryan Cardinal as he and his wife added a new addition to their family… [click to listen]

Dave Burger has his Weekend Preview: UND at St. Cloud State

Here is the break down of Roco Grimaldi injured knee [Grand Forks Herald]

Run with the Dog’s favorite beat writer, Brad Schlossman has his, Friday morning reading

Here is Through These Doors Episode 11 [click to watch]

There is a new SCSU fan message board and you can find it by clicking here on the [SCSU hockey message board]

Mick Hatten has this story; North Dakota to sport logo vs. Huskies

Mick Hatten; SCSU's riding a win streak

A Tradition of Excellence has this week’s series links [click to view]

Mick Hatten; A look at this weekend's WCHA men's series between North Dakota and St. Cloud State

Western College Hockey has his spin on the Minnesota/North Dakota Videos

While the WCHA tends to let the various schools deal with issues, the ECAC recently issued a reprimand for Yale coach Keith Allain. Courtesy of Ken Schott Parting Schotts blog; ECAC Hockey reprimands Yale coach Allain.

WCHA alums dot NHL All-Star rosters, and it means a change of plans for Faulk [USCHO.COM]

Tyler Buckentine and Brian Halverson have this week’s WCHA conference picks. [USCHO.COM]

No. 17 North Dakota (12-9-2, 8-8-0 WCHA) at St. Cloud State (9-11-4, 6-7-3 WCHA)

Tyler: The Huskies need to build off the National Hockey Center crowd sure to be loud, build a good-sized lead going into the third period because North Dakota has scored the third-fewest amount of goals in the WCHA after 40 minutes. UND has scored clutch third-period goals, but has yet to come back from a two-goal deficit in the third period. Both teams are banged up this weekend and though UND is suffering more from injuries, it has the edge in talent. Split

Brian: North Dakota has won six of the past eight meetings (6-1-1) after the teams split a pair in Grand Forks earlier this season and is 8-2-1 overall in its past 11 games leading into the series. UND has won three of eight conference road games but two of those came in their only road seep of the season at Alaska-Anchorage. SCSU meanwhile has lost just twice at home in WCHA play and has yet to sweep or be swept in a conference series this season. Split is written all over this one.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - January 15 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - January 8 (insidehockey.com)
• Minnesota pastes North Dakota (insidehockey.com)
• Ben Blood will "not" be suspened by the WCHA... (mvn.com)
• A battle between two states; Minnesota vs. North Dakota? (mvn.com)

UND versus SCSU Series Notes

The University of North Dakota travels to Saint Cloud State University to play the Huskies at the National Hockey Center, January 20-21, 2012.

Game Time: 7:37 pm Friday, 7:07 pm Saturday.

Television: Charter (Channel 87 in St. Cloud viewing area), Comcast St. Paul (Channel 13), Comcast Minneapolis (Channel 23). No local TV in Grand Forks, ND.

Radio: he games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox and on KNSI FM 103.3/AM 1450 

Internet:  http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=28

Records and Rankings: UND (12-9-2 overall, 8-8-0 WCHA); UND is ranked 17^th in the USCHO poll. North Dakota split with the Gophers last weekend (2-1 W, 2-6 L). University of North Dakota Official Release.

Saint Cloud State University (9-11-4, 6-7-3 WCHA);  unranked in the latest USCHO poll. Saint Cloud State University split with Colorado College last weekend in Colorado Springs, Colorado (1-3 L, 5-4 W). Saint Cloud State University Official release.

Series History:  The University of North Dakota is 57-30-11 (.638) against the SCSU Huskies in the all-time series.

Players to Watch: 

For UND: Forwards: Danny Kristo (12-13a—24pts), Corbin Knight (6g-15a—21pts) and Brock Nelson (16g-9a—25pts). Defense: Nick Mattson (5g-8a—13pts), Dillion Simpson, (0g-11a—11pts), Ben Blood (2g-9a—11pts).  Goaltenders: Aaron Dell .892 save percentage and a 2.84 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .915 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average.

UND Injuries: Forward Rocco Grimaldi is out, Brendan O’Donnell out, defenseman Derek Forbort out, Michael Parks is questionable, Derek Rodwell is out (season shoulder).

For the Huskies: Forwards: Ben Hanowski (12g-13—25pts), Jared Festler (10g-8a—18pts), Travis Novak (7g-10a—17pts). Defense: Nick Jensen (5g-14a—19pts). Goalie: Ryan Faragher .909 save percentage and a 2.82 goals against average.

SCSU  Injuries and departures: Mike Lee is out, Drew LeBlanc is out, Mitch MacMillian transfer to UND, Cam Reid left school for the Western Hockey League.

Other games in the WCHA: Alaska Anchorage at Wisconsin, Minnesota State at Nebraska Omaha, Colorado at Minnesota, Alabama Huntsville at Minnesota Duluth,  Northern Michigan at Michigan Tech (Friday).

Cost Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - January 15 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - January 8 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Gino Gaspirini gets extension from SCSU

Image via WikipediaCheck out this gig that former Fighting Sioux hockey coach John "Gino" Gaspirini has, Gino is being paid 15,000.00 a month to advise the Saint Cloud State University athletic department.

I guess I didn't know that the SCSU athletic department was that well off financially, this was the same athletic department that considered dropping their football program, now it appears that they have deep pockets that are bulging with money.

Mick Hatten; Saint Cloud Times --- The continued uncertainty of NCAA Division I men’s hockey conferences has helped John “Gino” Gaspirini receive an extension as a special adviser for athletics to St. Cloud State University President Earl H. Potter III. That extension begins today.

Gasparini’s six-month contract with the university’s foundation has been $15,000 a month plus expenses. He was hired initially to review the athletic department’s organization and advise on the hiring of a new athletic director and to be involved in fundraising for and operations of the National Hockey Center. Morris Kurtz announced in February that he was retiring as St. Cloud State’s athletic director in July.

Related articles

• What's up SCSU? (mvn.com)
• Hump Day Links... (mvn.com)
• Will the Gophers want to duck the Sioux? (mvn.com)
• WCHA to expand... (mvn.com)

Sunday tornadoes bring college hockey links...

Image via WikipediaThere is a lot of news going on right now in the world of college hockey… I will try to keep up to date as much as I can.

If you haven’t listened to this interview;  [Click this link] to listen to athletic director Forrest Karr talk about the changes in college hockey...

In case you haven't seen it, Dave DeLand; the sports editor of the Saint Cloud Times wrote this column that was in yesterdays newspaper -> Huskies are left with only questions. Talk about doom and gloom article that has a theme of poor me. If you don’t believe me take a look for yourself, below is the crux of the article. The schools involved in the new conference have said that they are going to need to play the teams left in the WCHA. So I wouldn't cancel any renovations yet.

»SCSU is getting ready to start a $28.8 million renovation project at the National Hockey Center. Is that even needed now that the building’s primary tenant is headed for a significant league downgrade — and, in all likelihood, an attendance downsizing?

» How does the WCHA implosion affect fundraising for the NHC renovation? Funds for the initial $14 million stage are in hand, but part of the funds for the $14.8 million second stage are supposed to come from future revenue — and that will almost certainly be diminished by the conference’s breakup.

» How do you sell naming rights for the arena of a team in a third-tier conference? In 2013-14, that’s exactly what the WCHA will be.

» How do you sell tickets for conference games against Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and MSU-Mankato instead of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth?

» How much will recruiting suffer? St. Cloud State has always been able to sell its elite WCHA schedule to recruits, but that advantage disappears when you’re playing conference games against Michigan Tech instead of Minnesota and North Dakota.

» The remaining WCHA schools keep pointing out that they’ll still play nonconference games against the Gophers and Sioux and Bulldogs, but will they play them at home? Or, will St. Cloud State just play road games at NCHC schools — sort of like the lower-rung cupcakes that the Gophers import during the nonleague portion of their football schedule?

Another aritcle from the same newspaper -> College hockey: 'It's a tough day for the WCHA'

There was sentiment from multiple schools that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod needed to step down.

When the discussion turned to schools possibly pulling out of the WCHA, one of the small-school athletic directors made a motion that called for a six-figure fine to be imposed on all defectors, a point confirmed Wednesday by Faison. The sanction idea was supported by another small-school AD but subsequently withdrawn.

I keep seeing this same topic pop up over and over again in the various blogs and newspapers, and after thinking about it for a while I must ask; are the five schools leaving the WCHA the "only" schools that were in favor of getting rid of WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod?

The next question that I must ask is, are the other schools not in the mix of joining the new conferene; are you happy with the status quo in the WCHA under the leadership of Commissioner Bruce McLeod? I think these are legitimate questions that need to be asked, it would be interesting to see how they would answer that question if they could. Obviously they are still in the league and don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.

I have also read where some SCSU fans think that the reason the Huskies weren’t asked to join the NCHC because of their former president Roy H. Saigo and his stance on the Fighting Sioux logo… I highly doubt that was a reason for SCSU not being invited to join the NCHC... If that was a reason that SCSU was not asked to be in the NCHC, that would be very petty reason in my opinion... Also, the schools involved in this new league are very professional organizations and I can’t see this being a factor because UND AD Brian Faison UND President Robert O. Kelley are both on record as wanting to move forward away from the Fighting Sioux logo and the controversy that surrounds the historic nickname.

Moving forward does the WCHA (those schools that are left) really want Bruce McLeod as the face of their league if he is such a polarizing figure? If in fact one of the reasons these five power schools left the WCHA was because of Brue McLeod (it does appear to be one of the reasons) then maybe the league might want to consider getting rid of him even if it means spending some money to buy his contract out.

Another topic that keeps coming out is some of the AD’s in the WCHA said that they didn’t see this move coming. Yet the head hockey coach for BSU knew this conference was in the works for some time.

Eric Stromgren; Bemidji Pioneer --- When the National Collegiate Hockey Conference became a reality Wednesday, it was an announcement Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore saw coming.

“We knew this was probably going to happen,” Serratore said. “It has been in the fold for a few months and we’ve had time to digest this. Basically what we just need to do now is move on. We’re still in the WCHA.”

So I have to ask, if BSU knew about the new conference forming, how did the UAA AD Steve Cobb not know that this new college hockey conference was coming down the pike? Does he not have the Internet, email and a telephone/cell phone. Cobb said earlier this past week; "I blame everybody for being less than honest with their own league members. It's a really sneaky back-door deal." Again, I must ask where is the communication between member schools in college hockey. Do they not talk to each other? It would appear that they do not. I am going to call shenanigans on this one because I am just not buying it.

If this is the case, it’s time for the WCHA teams/schools that are not in the NCHC to start having more frequent communications with their fellow conference members. I mean; come on!!! Everyone and his brother knew that there was a very "big possibility" that the new “NCHC” was going to form. When I say "big ossibility” I mean there was a lot of unofficial talk that was out there and someone at UAA must have actually seen some of it, it’s not like it was a really big secret.

Where are the Irish going?

With the CCHA disintegrating before our very eyes and with NMU announcing that they are going to the WCHA pending final approval because of a legal issue, which should be resolved this up coming week.

WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod told ESPN 970-AM's Casey Ford Friday morning that 75 percent of the league would have to accept NMU, but the bylaws are unclear whether that applies only to the current 12-team WCHA or the 2013-14 five-team WCHA, as well.

League lawyers are expected to resolve the issue soon and "formal approval of Northern Michigan's application for membership in the WCHA will occur next week," according to Friday's WCHA statement.

Holding all of the cards at a poker game, the $64,000.00 question remains where are the ND Fighting Irish going. Mike McMahon from the Eagle Tribune seems to think that ND is going to Hockey East...

Word around the league is that Notre Dame, one of the leftovers in the wake of the Big 10 formation, is currently deciding whether to join the new NCHC or Hockey East, which it has connections to with other Catholic colleges (Merrimack, Providence and Boston College) as well as the fact that all of the Irish sports besides football compete in the Big East.

According to what I've been told by multiple sources within the league, if Notre Dame wants to join Hockey East, they would be welcomed with open arms.

Related articles

• WCHA: Shake up in college hockey (robertforto.wordpress.com)
• College Hockey: Reshuffling Blurs Picture, Jeopardizing Conferences (nytimes.com)
• Is The New National Collegiate Hockey Conference Good For College Hockey? (stupidhockey.typepad.com)
• New hockey conference for DU, CC named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (denverpost.com)