Alex Burrows Gets Lucky

First, Alex Burrows hit on Johnny Gaudreau was dirty bush-league hit, but what do you expect from a clown like Burrows? Second, Burrows is lucky he wasn't given an instigator penalty. If I was the on-ice official, Burrows would be sitting tomorrow night.

Third, Calgary's Kris Russell had the opportunity of a lifetime. Burrows challenged him to a fight. Russell should have lit Burrows up like a pinball machine.

(1) Upon standard review mandated by Rule 46. 22, NHL has determined that VAN's Alex Burrows shall not be suspended for Game 4 vs. Calgary.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 20, 2015

(2) Incident deemed "not related to the score, previous incidents in the game or prior games, retaliatory in nature, "message sending."
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 20, 2015

I keep hearing how some fans are offended about what transpired last night. This is why I like the playoffs, there's so much drama and energy in the games. You have villains and you have the scrums and dustups.

NHL Rules: Stricter Penalties for Diving/Embellishment

One of the best things that I have seen all day. The NHL has decided to penalize players who dive to draw a penalty on the ice. Anyone think that the Montreal Canadiens are going see a few of their players receiving extra scrutiny. Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand might be lighter in the wallet. 

Rule 64 – Diving / Embellishment

The supplementary discipline penalties associated with Rule 64.3 (Diving/Embellishment) will be revised to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players (and teams) who repeatedly dive and embellish in an attempt to draw penalties. Fines will be assessed to players and head coaches on a graduated scale outlined below.

Incident #	Player Fine(s)			Head Coach Fine(s)
1	Warning			N/A
2	$2,000			N/A
3	$3,000			N/A
4	$4,000			$2,000
5	$5,000			$3,000
6	$5,000			$4,000
7	$5,000			$5,000
8	$5,000			$5,000

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• NCAA Hockey: Penalize Player Embellishment

NCAA Hockey: Expanded video replay criteria approved for men's, women's hockey

An ice hockey referee signals a penalty for high sticking. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are some of the changes to come down from the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved several changes to the criteria for allowing video replay in men’s and women’s ice hockey, effective for the 2014-15 season.

The replay changes were recommended by the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee during its meeting in June as part of a number  of recommendations intended to improve the game and were circulated to coaches and conferences for comment prior to PROP’s approval.

The added scenarios are:

• Goals may be reviewed to determine if they are scored before a penalty occurred.

• If an offsides or too many men on the ice penalty is missed and a goal is scored, the play may be reviewed if the puck remains in the offensive zone after the missed infraction. If the puck leaves the attacking zone, the offsides or too many men on the ice penalty is no longer reviewable.This replaces the previous wording that only allowed a review if the missed play directly led to a goal.

• It was clarified that the video used for replays may come from any source that is available to the game officials. Previously, the video used was required to come from a television broadcast.

New AHL Rules for 2014-15

The alternate logo of the AHL. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

s/t to Paul of Kukla's Korner. Some interesting rule changes are coming to the American Hockey League for the 2014-15 season. Frankly, I wish they would leave the overtime the way it is. I do like rule 20.4. I think two fights in one game is enough.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors has concluded its 2014 Annual Meeting, held this week at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Chaired by AHL President and CEO David Andrews, the four days of meetings, which concluded Thursday, saw the approval of the following rules changes to be implemented beginning in 2014-15:

Rule 85 (“Overtime”) During the regular season, the sudden-death overtime period will be seven minutes (7:00) in length, preceded by a “dry scrape” of the entire ice surface.

Teams will change ends at the start of overtime.

Full playing strength will be 4-on-4 until the first whistle following three minutes of play (4:00 remaining), at which time full strength will be reduced to 3-on-3 for the duration of the overtime period.

If the game is still tied following overtime, a winner will be determined by a three-player shootout.

Rule 20.4 (“Major Penalties”) An automatic game misconduct will be applied to any player who has been assessed two major penalties for fighting or three major penalties for any infraction in the same game.

Rule 9.6 (“Helmets”) A player on the ice whose helmet comes off during play will be assessed a minor penalty unless he immediately (a) exits the playing surface or (b) puts the helmet back on with the chin strap properly fastened.

“With the full support of the league’s Competition Committee and Player Development Committee, the Board has approved these changes with the betterment of our game and the safety of our players in mind,” said Andrews.

(Video) Ryan Callahan No Goal Call vs Montreal Canadiens

I don't see any reason why this goal doesn't count, but I guess we need to take a look at NHL Rule 69.3.

69.1 Interference on the Goalkeeper - This rule is based on the premise that an attacking player’s position, whether inside or outside the crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a goal should be allowed or disallowed. In other words, goals scored while attacking players are standing in the crease may, in appropriate circumstances be allowed. Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-ice judgment of the Referee(s), and not by means of video replay or review.

Watch That's Hockey 2Nite on TSN 2 this evening with Steve Kouleas and you you will get the straight, correct answer on Tampa disallowed.
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 21, 2014

Player who is in the goal crease & this results with impairment of goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal, the goal will be disallowed.
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 21, 2014

Correct call on disallowed goal! 69.3if goalkeeper in act of establishing his position within crease, initiates contact with an attacking
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 21, 2014

Brendan Shanahan sets a bad precedence for not suspending Tom Wilson

Brendan Shanahan explained why the NHL's Department of Player Safety will not suspend Tom Wilson for his hit to injure on Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn. I totally disagree with this, but oh well. None of us should be shocked by this decision, Shanny gets them wrong about half of the time.

Related articles

• Tom Wilson avoids suspension for hit on Brayden Schenn (cbc.ca)
• Tom Wilson's hit on Brayden Schenn, Ouch! Injury Ninja held at Bay (thehockeywriters.com)

Anti-fighting Cabal to Ban Fighting in US Junior Hockey

Shirt badge/Association crest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The anti-fighting cabal is pretty strong in hockey across the USA. I am concerned. This is going to bring the level of violence up in amateur hockey. People always talk about fighting in hockey but they never address the dangerous hits like hits from behind, head shots, boarding’s and the blatant charges. These are the hits were the concussions are coming from. These are the hits that I am concerned about more than a hockey fight.

Jeff Z. Klein, New York Times -- Junior A hockey, for 16- to 20-year-olds, is the last remaining level of the game under USA Hockey’s jurisdiction that still tolerates fighting. The push to outlaw fighting is being spurred by a recent spate of serious injuries resulting from fights and concern over the prospect of lawsuits.

“We need to take a firm stand to preserve our sport, prevent catastrophic injury and avoid financial repercussions,” said Dr. Michael J. Stuart, the chief medical officer for USA Hockey, who has been a leader in the effort to ban fighting.

The new rule would punish all fighters with automatic ejection from the game, and instigators with an automatic two-game suspension. It would also give referees more latitude in making decisions to eject players.

The measure will be presented at the organization’s winter meetings Jan. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla. It could be voted on then or at USA Hockey’s annual congress in June. The rule could take effect as early as next season.

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(Video) Washington's Tom Wilson pounds Brayden Schenn into the boards

This is a blatant charging, and it's also a checking from behind penalty. If the NHL's Department of Player Safety doesn't suspend Tom Wilson for this dangerous hit on Brayden Schenn, they're derelict in their duties. There's no sense to these types of hits.

Someone is going to get killed on the ice and it's not going to be from a fight, it's going to be from a dangerous hit like this. Personally, I am more offended by these types of hockey plays than to goons dropping the gloves in a staged fight.

Tom Wilson sent a text to Brayden Schenn apologizing for last nights hit. Schenn accepted his apology, and said... http://t.co/J81RpNrk9F
— Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) December 18, 2013

(Video) Brendan O'Donnell Slashing Penalty

At the 16:57 mark of the third period, Brendan O'Donnell was incorrectly assessed a two-minute minor penalty for slashing. You can see by the video that O'Donnell never should have been given a penalty. That was a blown call by Kevin Shea. Thank God it didn't cost UND the game. 

My six-year old child could tell you that this was a bad penalty. This was a blown call by the Hockey East officiating crew. In my opinion, I thought that Scott Hansen, Kevin Shea made some ticky-tacky calls all night long. Hate to say it, but I would rather have some of the officials that we have had in the WCHA. There's no excuse for this call. 

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BCHL Linesman Knocked Out in Hockey Fight

They say that being a linesman in hockey is a dangerous job. Yikes! Here's the explanation from Neate Sager of Buzzing the Net. Also, the rules for fighting in junior hockey in Canada will be getting tougher. Starting in 2014-15, players that get into a fight, will receive a game misconduct and be removed from the game.

Buzzing the Net -- With 5½ minutes left in the third period, an all-out skirmish broke out along a half-wall between the Vipers and the Prince George Spruce Kings. Dumonceaux paired off with Prince George's Christian Weidauer. Linesman Ryan Dawson moved in between them to separate the players. Dumonceaux, who had his head down, tried to punch Weidauer, but instead decked Dawson, bloodying the official.

It was a mistake, but it's a very bad one that should lead to the 19-year-old Dumonceaux being suspended. Striking an official is a cardinal sin. It's an occupational hazard, but this seemed exceptionally bad.

(Video) Miami University: Blake Coleman 5-Minute Checking from Behind Penalty

For the most part, I thought the officiating in this weekends series between Miami and North Dakota was pretty good. However, this is a bad call, there's no way around it. Okay, I know what the league is trying to do, they're trying to protect the players on the ice, but I don't think that this is worthy of a five-minute major penalty. Thoughts?

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Maxim Lapierre Suspended For Five Games

In my opinion, this suspension isn't long enough. I would have liked to have seen Maxim Lapierre get a longer suspension. When are the players going to learn, you can't make these hits? Someone is going to get killed on the ice.

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Sharks' Stuart suspended three games

Brad Stuart has been suspended by the NHL for three games for this hit on Rick Nash. I think it's the right call in this situation. Thoughts on this hit? Do you think the suspension is excessive?

NEW YORK – San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers forward Rick Nash during NHL Game No. 44 in San Jose on Tuesday, October 8, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Stuart will forfeit $55,384.62. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 2:32 of the first period. Stuart was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing.

For a full explanation of the Department of Player Safety's decision, complete with video, please click on the following link. 

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UND Hockey: Slugs out win against Tech

Grand Forks, ND –What a difference a year makes, a year ago it was near 65 degrees sunny and devoid of snow.

Fast forward to March 15, 2013, 10,571 fans braved  near white out conditions to attend  tonight’s game and outside it looked more like a January 15 game; than a game being played in the middle of March.

UND is 14-1-2 when scoring four or more goals this season. Make that 15-1-2 with the 5-3 win tonight.  What is even more impressive, UND has also won 14 straight WCHA playoff game with the win tonight.

That being said, it wasn’t UND best effort tonight.  The win didn’t come easy.

“It was a tough hockey game to find any flow,” UND head coach Dave Hakstol said. “We need to play better and return our focus to doing that tomorrow night.”

UND was outshot 43-24 by the upstart Huskies and they gave the UND forwards fits by getting in the shooting lanes and taking away UND’s time and space.

At the 12:30 mark of the first period UND defenseman Andrew MacWilliam was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for contact to the head of Michigan Tech forward David Johnstone.  After further review of the play, it was apparent that the on ice official Marco Hunt had made the wrong call.  Johnston suffered a broken collar bone on the hit.

The five minute major to MacWilliam threw UND off of their rhythm and it took a while for the Green and White to regain the upper hand. UND coach Dave Hakstol expounded on it a little more after the game.

Michael Parks
Eric Classen, UND Sports

“The five minute major knocked us back,” Hakstol said. “We survived it and recovered. I guess it was the story of the night. We hit a few bumps in the road, but we found a way to win.”

The Tech Huskies took the game to UND until the 15:45 mark of the middle frame when fourth line forward junior forward Derek Rodwell scored his second goal of the year unassisted.

“The Rodwell goal was a big one for us,” Hakstol said.  When the head coach was asked where that goal came from? Hakstol continued, “Derek does that really well. He took the puck wide, drove wide little bit. Pulled it to the middle and snapped it hard at the net. It was well out from, 40-feet out – he put it bar down – it was good timing to get his second (goal) of the year.

Junior forward Derek Rodwell had this to say about his goal. “It was a just kind of a broke play down the center-ice,” Rodwell said. “I saw a little bit room and tried to shoot through the screen, just happened to get a good bounce that happened to go in.”

Senior forward Danny Kristo had a monstrous night on the ice for UND tonight recording (2g-1a—3pts) pushing his season point total to (23g-25a—48pts) three points off of the national leaders Ryan Walters and Greg Carey.

Dillon Simpson
Eric Classen, UND Sports

Danny Kristo was there to answer bell every time the Tech Huskies would score to tighten the game up.  The Senior forward didn’t seemed all that pleased with his team’s effort tonight.

“Friday night is the biggest game of the series,” Kristo said. “I think that we played very average tonight, we didn’t do the things we need to do to keep playing this time of year, but we’re going to move on, and forget this one. We’ll take the win and get ready for tomorrow, it’s going to be tough to end a team’s season, because Tech is playing good hockey – proud of the win – but we got to be better tomorrow.”

Kristo is right, UND is going to have to be better if UND wants to end Tech’s season tomorrow night. Game 2 is set for tomorrow night at the Ralph Engelstad Arena at 7:07 p.m. central.

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine. 

(Video) Andrew MacWilliam hit on David Johnstone

s/t to @cjzero UND defenseman Andrew MacWilliam was incorrectly given a five minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on MTU forward David Johnstone. Hopefully the MTU forward Johnstone makes a quick recovery, but word is that he has a separated shoulder.

Ducks' Perry suspended four games for interference

Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks during a pre-game warm-up. Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I applaud the NHL for making this ruling, this was unnecessary, unneeded and I don't care if Corey Perry said he was sorry after the game. Don't want to get suspended, don't make the hit. I think this suspension should be five games.

I keep hearing the argument, but it's not a dirty hit. What do you mean, it's not a dirty hit, the puck is gone for more than two,  if not three seconds, in this situation, Perry is trying to blow up Jason Zucker.

Think about it this way, Perry took out a good player on a team that is in competition with them for a playoff spot in their division.

Objectionable hits should have consequences and in this case it does. Corey Perry will sit for four games.

NEW YORK -- Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry has been suspended for four games, without pay, for a late, illegal check to Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker during NHL Game No. 384 in Minnesota on Tuesday, March 12, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Perry will forfeit $115,135.12. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 4:21 of the second period. Perry was assessed a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct.

Again there is no defending this hit. Although, I have seen a few try today.

Patrick Kaleta gets five games for this cheap shot on Brad Richards

I could have predicted that Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety was going to throw the book at Patrick Kaleta for this dirty hit on the Rangers forward Brad Richards. If I am not mistaken, this is the longest suspension in the NHL so far this year. Kaleta has now been suspended three times for a total of 11 games by the NHL, he's starting to develop quite a name for himself. Personally, I think he's a puke, a Matt Cooke or Raffi Torres type player.

NEW YORK -- Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has been suspended for five games, without pay, for boarding New York Rangers forward Brad Richards during NHL Game No. 317 in New York on Sunday, March 3, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Kaleta is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Based on his average annual salary, he will forfeit $76,219.25. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 3:28 of the third period. Kaleta was assessed a major penalty for checking from behind and game misconduct.

DU game 1: Time for RW77 to Ruffle Some Feathers

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's time for me to ruffle some more feathers.  So, here's MY take on the game last night:

The Game Itself

I hate to say it, but the game was entertaining.  I hate to say it because my team lost.  Dave Hakstol said that the team's effort wasn't good and that it was sloppy.  I agree...for the most part.  For the first part of the first period, the first part of the second period, and the last part of the third period, however, I thought they played very very well.

The trouble with hockey games is that momentum RARELY stays pegged to one side for the entire game.  When the momentum shifted to DU's side, UND got really sloppy and some downright baffling things started to occur.

For example, Larazza's goal.  It deflected SOMEWHERE right?  It had to!  It changed direction.  Did it go off of a UND player?  Off of Ostrow's stick?  Who knows, but that hurt.

Zane Gothberg.... Oy.  I think I may have cursed him back after the UNO series.  He starts the game giving up 2 goals that weren't his fault and then suddenly he quits playing hockey.  It was seriously a Jekyl/Hyde moment.  How can someone who had been so solid positionally the last 4 games and so many minutes suddenly forget how to play the game?  I STILL believe Gothberg is a stellar talent, but his mindset still may not be there yet.

Another Jekyl/Hyde example?  Our Defense.  In the offensive zone, they were STELLAR last night.  In the defensive zone?  At times so unbelievably sloppy it's not funny.  DU's Powerplay looked like it should have been hitting at closer to 60% thanks to our inability to close off the center of the ice sheet.  They were cross ice passing at will.  They did a much better job for much of the game to force us to the outside.  We struggled at it at times.  On the 5th goal, Corbin Knight seemed to lose track of Nick Shore for a split second which allowed Shore to get a step on Knight so as to beat Knight to the rebound.  Costly.

O'Donnell's waved off goal:  McMillan was off sides by a good foot.  There is even question as to whether or not O'Donnell himself may have put himself off sides as well.  Imagine what would have happened though had O'Donnell had taken one more stride before winding up and shooting....

In the end, though, any team that gives up more than 3 goals in a victory can hardly be called dominant.  I would not put Okinuora as a player of the game.  

The officiating and stupid penalties

Yeah, I had to put this in here because it is expected.  However, in all things considered, I don't think the officiating was that bad.  It certainly didn't bring question to results of the game like some of our previous games.  And the officials kept control of the game, which is VITAL in a heated rivalry series such as this.

Goon didn't like my text about this last night but I have to say it:  Parks' penalty was one of the stupidest penalties in hockey.  The other would be too many men on the ice.  Why?  Because it's downright avoidable.  Sure, the goalie stick posed a tripping hazard and could clog up a small portion of the passing lane but that's how it is.  Okinuora would have been stickless on the penalty kill.  How advantageous for UND, right?  It ends up being turned into DU's fourth goal. That's frustrating to the Nth degree.  DU's powerplay is FAR FAR too good to say "No worries, our PK will take care of it."  They are the highest penalized team in the WCHA.  We should have allowed them to continue the
trend on their own.

The Media Coverage

I've already covered this but... could the NBC Sports commentators have been less prepared?  So many of our names were wrong, but that's besides the point.  It was 1 to 1 and they said there were 3 goals scored.  WHAT?  UND went up 2 to 1 and finally they were correct, but it didn't stop them in the first period.  UND was out penalized at one point 4 to 3 but it was evened up according to the NBC Sports casters.

Look, we get it.  UND and even DU is small fish compared to the horrible news coming out of the NHL:  Evgeni Malkin left with an injury!  To hell with college hockey!  We got to set up our cameras outside the Penguin's training room!

Tonight, the local network (Root?) has the game and so at least they'll care about the game even if it is biased to DU.


Doom and Gloom?

This marked the fourth loss in the last 18 games for UND.  There is now only 4 points separating first place and seventh place in the WCHA.  UND remains at #6 in the Pairwise.  So is it doom and gloom?

Losing to a rival is always doom-bringing, but it isn't as bad as it looks.  Tonight's important for only, really, two reasons:  1.  Home ice.  We could drop as low as 6th place if we get swept.  2.  Head to Head comparisons.  DU would win the head to head comparison with a victory tonight.  As it stands right now it is tied 1-1-1. 

If we get swept tonight we'll still be in line for the NCAAs.  We are STILL a dangerous team to play against.  And the last time we snuck into the NCAAs we did quite well. 

I hope we do get the Split tonight.  I think we are capable of doing it.

Related articles

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Oilers' Hall suspended two games for kneeing

Personally, I would have like to have seen Hall suspended for three or four games. Oh well. Justice has been served. I also don't believe the logic that you can't hit someone in the open ice, going forward. Just don't lead with your knee. In my opinion, this was a deliberate attempt by Hall to hurt Cal Clutterbuck. Clutterbuck didn't even touch the puck, go back and watch the video, he was in a vulnerable position.

#Oilers GM Steve Tambellini: "We respect their decision and will make the appropriate lineup changes for tomorrow's game against Phoenix."
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 23, 2013

Brad May was awesome on the Hall hit last night and playing against Clutterbuck. "I hated Cal Clutterbuck's guts..." 630ched.com/insidesports/e…
— Dan Tencer (@dantencer) February 23, 2013

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(Video) Marvelous North Dakota Hockey

This is a nice video that was taken by Marv Leier, during last weekend's game between Wisconsin and North Dakota. Leier films the game footage for Midco from his perch between the players benches. I bet he could tell us a story or two about some of the things that he has seen and heard.