Mike Chambers; Landon Smith: BCHL scoring leader, NHL free agent, former Denver and North Dakota recruit, makes character move

Salmon Arm Silverbacks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First off, for the person that made the quip about Brad not reporting on this story, Hakstol can't comment about any recruit that hasn't signed a letter of intent. So, that's that...

Lastly, historically, said beat writer likes to stir the pot when it comes to UND fans.

Mike Chambers, Denver Post --- According to Smith’s father and several friends of the Smith family, Landon Smith was asked to replace North Dakota freshman Adam Tambellini, who left school this month to play major-junior for the Calgary Hitmen. Tambellini was a third-round draft pick last June and Smith could make a small fortune as an NHL free agent — judging from his 37 goals in 45 games for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

ooo … is Smith going to play AGAINST Denver this weekend? No, his father said, because Landon plans on keeping his commitment to Quinnipiac and refuses to run out on his Salmon Arm teammates.

Character folks! Landon Smith had an unbelievable opportunity to invisibly point his middle finger at DU by playing against the Pioneers this weekend, but he’s not taking it and going with his natural instinct of honoring his word.

Make no mistake, I’m not bashing Montgomery. Gwozdecky’s successor has every right to bring in his “own” guys and Smith never signed a letter of intent (because Gwozdecky’s word, at the time when he was the coach, was golden), and Montgomery’s “own” guys coming in next fall must be exactly what he wants because he currently has just two seniors, thus scholarship money is extremely tight.

Clinton Bourbonais goal for Yale against Quinnipiac

Finally a goal, in the championship game of the 2013 Frozen Four as Yale's Clinton Bourbonais scores a goal for Yale against Quinnipiac. I am sure that Quinnipiac Bobcat goalie Eric Hartzell would like to have that one back.

NCAA FROZEN FOUR: Championship game (Saturday 4/13)

Yale 21-12-3 ECAC vs. Quinnipiac 30-7-5 ECAC Final 6:00 p.m. (CT) ESPN (206 DirecTV / Dish 140)
Yale’s offense is ranked #26 nationally and #26 defense.
Quinnipiac’s offense ranked #15 nationally and #1 defense

For the first time in 24 years, the NCAA Champion will hail from the ECAC of Division I hockey.

The last team from the ECAC to win the NCAA title was Harvard in 1989, when they beat the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers 4-3 in overtime.

Yeah, that’s not a misprint; the NCAA Champion for the 2012-13 season will hail from the ECAC.

Bobcats snarl

All season long, the Quinnipiac Bulldogs have had to listen to naysayers talk about their number one rankings and their strength of schedule. Last night, the Bobcats did their talking on the ice.

All of those doubts were removed, as the Bobcats enjoyed a three-goal first period against the high flying Saint Cloud State Huskies and skated to a 4-1 win against the Saint Cloud State Huskies.

Saint Cloud State got behind the eight ball quickly, when the Bobcats scored three-goals in less than 15 minutes. Scoring for the Bobcats; were forwards, Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Ben Arnt and Jeremy Langlois. Incidentally, that was all of the offense the Bobcats would need.  

Saint Cloud would finally get on the board, at the 06:25 mark of the second period; with a nifty goal from freshman forward Joey Benik. Unfortunately, that was all the closer that the Huskies would get, as Kellen Jones would score the Bobcats fourth-goal at the 14:31 mark of the second period.

The Huskies would make a surge in every period, but the Bobcats got strong goaltending from their Hobey Baker Finalist goaltender Eric Hartzell who stopped 33 of 34 shots to preserve the win.  When the Huskies were able to get through the Bobcats stifling defense, Hartzell was there to take away the Huskies grade “A” scoring chances.

While the Huskies outshot the Bobcats 34-28, the only statistic that mattered was the final score 4-1, in favor of the Bobcats.

With the win, the Bobcats advance to the title game of the NCAA Frozen Four Championship game on Saturday April 13, 2012, at 6:00pm (CT) on ESPN.

Bulldog bite

Dominating, physical and relentless, is how I would describe the Yale Bulldogs. Also, did I mention that the Bulldogs are a miserable team to play against?

Last night, the Bulldogs frustrated the UMass Lowell River Hawks, getting in the shooting lanes and taking away the River Hawks little time and space.  

During the first period, the Bulldogs’ pressure kept the River Hawks hemmed up in their own end, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Every time the River Hawks tried the move the puck, there was a Bulldog forward on them.

Yale took a two-goal lead with goals from Mitch Witek and Antoine Laganiere. Yale definitely had the momentum in the first period and would outshoot UMass Lowell 11-5.

UMass Lowell would tie the game in the second period, scoring two-goals, 14 seconds apart, from Riley Wetmore and Joseph Pendenza, but that was all the closer the River Hawks would get. Yale would regain the momentum in the third period, outshooting the River Hawks 16-3.  

Yale once again, needed an extra frame to beat the UMass Lowell River Hawks 3-2. Senior forward Andrew Miller scored at the 06:59 mark of the first overtime to send the

With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the title game of the NCAA Frozen Four Championship game on Saturday April 13, 2012, at 6:00pm (CT) on ESPN.

How they got here

Yale beat Minnesota (3-2, O.T.), North Dakota (4-1) and UMass Lowell (3-2, O.T.), to advance to the NCAA Frozen Four Championship game.

Quinnipiac beat Canisius (4-3), Union (5-1) and Saint Cloud State (4-1), to advance to the NCAA Frozen Four Championship game.

Players to watch

Quinnipiac Bobcats forwards:  Jeremy Langlois (13g-18a—31pts), Mathew Peca (15g-15a—30), , Jordan Samuels-Thomas (17g-12a—29pts), Kellen Jones (13g-14a—27pts), Connor Jones (12g-14a—26pts). Defense: Mike Dalhuisen (8g-8a—16pts), Loren Barron (3g-13a—16pts), Zach Davies (2g-15a—17pts). Goaltender: Eric Hartzell 30-6-5, 1.53 GAA, .934 save percentage.

Bulldogs Forwards: Kenny Agostino (17g-23a—40pts), Andrew Miller (17g-22a—39pts), Antoine Laganiere (15g-13a—28pts). Defense: Tommy Fallen (7g-16a—23pts), Ryan Obuchowski (3g-9a-12pts), Gus Young (2g-6a—8pts). Goalies Jeff Malcolm 19-6-2, 2.33 GAA, .915 save percentage.

Yale Bulldogs Official Athletics page

Quinnipiac Official Athletics page

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine.

NCAA Frozen Four: Open line Thursday

Semifinal 1

UMass Lowell 28-10-2 vs. Yale 20-12-3

Semifinal 3:30 p.m. (CT) ESPN2 (209 DirecTV/144 Dish).

Semifinal 2

Quinnipiac 29-7-5 vs. St. Cloud State 25-15-1

Semifinal 7:00 p.m. (CT) ESPN2 (209 DirecTV/144 Dish).

The NCAA’s Frozen Four takes center stage at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Looking at the weather outside, you would think that it’s the middle of February and we should be gearing up for another weekend of college hockey and not the final two games of the season.

Like I have said numerous times, I don’t really know what to make of this season; it’s been hard to put a finger on it. There has really been no one team that was really dominate this year, except maybe for UMass Lowell after December 8^th and there has been a lot of parity among the leagues.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say, that the other smaller schools in college hockey are catching up with the big name schools; it’s also getting harder to win a NCAA title.  

Looking at the Frozen Four field this season, there will be no traditional power house teams in Pittsburgh this year. In other words, there will be no teams named Boston College, Boston University, Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Dakota or Wisconsin.

None of the current teams in the Frozen Four this year are what I would consider really big schools. In this year’s Frozen Four, you have a mix of two state schools and two private schools, Quinnipiac (private) 6,262 students, Saint Cloud State (state) 15,536 students, UMass Lowell (state) 11,729 Students, Yale (private) students 5,349.  

Yale and Quinnipiac’s campuses are separated by a distance of 10.7 miles.

There will be a new NCAA champion in 2013.

Who’s your pick for 2013? I am going with the UMass Lowell River Hawks. Back in the late 1980’s, when I lived in Massachusetts, I used to attend University of Lowell Chiefs games in the old Joe Tully Forum. Yes, UMass Lowell, then the University of Lowell, used to be called the Chiefs before they changed their name to the River Hawks in the early 1990’s.  

Good luck to all of the teams in this year’s Frozen Four.

NCAA FROZEN FOUR: Semifinals preview (Thursday 4/11)

The NCAA’s Frozen Four takes center stage at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Semifinal 1

UMass Lowell 28-10-2 vs. Yale 20-12-3
Semifinal 3:30 p.m. (CT) ESPN2 (209 DirecTV/144 Dish)

UMass-Lowell’s offense is ranked #21 nationally and #3 defense.
Yale’s offense is ranked #26 nationally and #27 defense.

UMass River Hawks Fun Facts: On December 1, 2012, the UMass Lowell River Hawks were swept by the UNH Wildcats and the River Hawks looked like a team that was going nowhere with a 4-7-1 record. On December 8, 2012, the River Hawks started an incredible run, going unbeaten in 11 games (10-0-1). UMass Lowell went 24-3-1 then rest of the way, winning the Hockey East regular-season and tournament championship. Since December, UMass Lowell has been one of the best teams in the country.

Yale Bulldogs Fun Facts: The Yale Bulldogs was the last team to make the NCAA tourney. If the Michigan Wolverines had beaten Notre Dame and made the NCAA tourney, Yale would have stayed home. WCHA Dominance, Yale was 4-0 against the WCHA this season beating Colorado College Denver University and North Dakota.  Three of those games went to overtime.

Players to watch

River Hawks Forwards: Scott Wilson (16g-21a—37pts), Joseph Pendenza (14g-23a—37pts), Derek Arnold (13g-16a—29pts), Riley Wetmore (15g-11a—26pts), Josh Holmstrom (12g-12a—24pts). Defense: Chad Ruhwedel (7g-16a—23pts), Christian Folin (6g-15a—21pts), Joe Houk (0g-11a—11pts). Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck, 20-2-0, 1.31 GAA, .953 save percentage.

Bulldogs Forwards: Kenny Agostino (17g-23a—40pts), Andrew Miller (16g-21a—37pts), Antoine Laganiere (14g-13a—27pts). Defense: Tommy Fallen (7g-16a—23pts), Ryan Obuchowski (3g-9a-12pts), Gus Young (2g-6a—8pts). Goalies Jeff Malcolm 18-6-2, 2.35 GAA, .916 save percentage.

UMass Lowell River Hawks Official athletics page

Yale Bulldogs Official athletics page

Semifinal 2

Quinnipiac 29-7-5 vs. St. Cloud State 25-15-1
Semifinal 7:00 p.m. (CT) ESPN2 (209 DirecTV/144 Dish)
St. Cloud’s offense is ranked #2 nationally and #15 defense.
Quinnipiac’s offense ranked #18 nationally and #1 defense.

Saint Cloud State Huskies Fun stats: Saint Cloud State’s Drew LeBlanc (13g-37a—50pts) is the highest scoring players left in the NCAA tourney.  Saint Cloud State freshman Jonny Brodzinski’s 22 goals lead the nation for rookies.

Quinnipiac Bobcats Fun Facts: This season the Quinnipiac Bobcats never lost more than two games in a row and they only did this one time. Also, the Bobcats never lost more than three games during a month (March).

Players to watch

Quinnipiac Bobcats forwards:  Mathew Peca (15g-15a—30), Jeremy Langlois (12g-18a—30pts), Jordan Samuels-Thomas (16g-11a—27pts), Kellen Jones (12g-14a—26pts), Connor Jones (12g-14a—26pts). Defense: Mike Dalhuisen (8g-8a—16pts), Loren Barron (3g-13a—16pts), Zach Davies (2g-13a—15pts). Goaltender: Eric Hartzell 29-6-5, 1.55 GAA, .933 save percentage.

Huskies Forwards: Drew LeBlanc (13g-37a—50pts), Nic Dowd(14g-25a—39pts), Jonny Brodzinski (22g-11a—33pts), Kalle Kossila (15g-18a—33pts), Ben Hanowski (17g-14a—31pts). Defense:  Nick Jensen 4g-27a—31pts), Andrew Prochno (5g-23a—28tps), Ethan Prow (3g-12a—15pts). Goalie: Ryan Faragher 24-13-1, 2.22 GAA, .916 save percentage.

Quinnipiac Bobcats Official athletics page

Saint Cloud Official athletics page

Cross-posted at The Hockey Writers - Combine.

Related articles

• NCAA FROZEN FOUR: Semifinals preview (Thursday 4/11) (thehockeywriters.com)
• FROZEN FOUR Semifinals preview (Thursday 4/11) (getrealhockey.com)

Union's Shayne Gostisbehere gets a five minute major for a shoulder-to-shoulder hit

First off, the hit was a little late as the ref was blowing the whistle, however, this doesn't appear to be a hit to the head. Barry Melrose opens his mouth and proves he knows little about hockey. The puck is at the forwards feet.

To me it looks like Union's Shayne Gostisbehere got a five minute major for a shoulder-to-shoulder hit. Guess who, WCHA on-ice officials Marco Hunt and Derek Shepherd officiating again. This officaiting crew is absolutely brutal, these two guys get the calls wrong, more times than they get it right, if I had to bet, it was Marco Hunt that made the call on this play as well, notice Derek Shepherd has already made the call on the Quinnipiac's Connor Jones, who was called for tripping.

I do agree, maybe it's time for the NCAA to review contact to the head calls. Seems like some of the officials are having one heck of a time getting the call right.

Maybe NCAA needs to video review contact to head calls. #UnionHockey 1, #QUHockey 5. #ECACHockey #NCAAHockey
— Ken Schott (@slapschotts) April 1, 2013

The Brackets are set, UND going to Grand Rapids

UND's West Region semifinal vs. Niagara on Friday will air live on ESPNU at 4:30 pm Central.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 25, 2013

UND is 4-0-0 all-time vs. Niagara, most recently a 3-1 win on Jan. 2, 2010 at the Notre Dame Shillelagh Tournament in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 25, 2013

Nice to know that the NCAA went straight by the math and put UND in the East region with Quinnipiac. Uh, wait a minute. Oh course, the NCAA doesn't want to have another all WCHA Frozen Four like they did in 2005, so they doubled up a bunch of WCHA teams in three regionals. Again, giving B.C. an easy shot to the NCAA Frozen Four. B.C. again will travel a grand total of 57 miles.

The only previous NCAA postseason meeting between UND and Niagara was UND's 4-1 win in the 2000 West Region final in Minneapolis.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 25, 2013

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• Stoykewych shocks UND in OT (insidehockey.com)