Reviewing the UND and UW series.

This past weekend the Fighting Sioux showed us a glimpse of what we thought was possible when the season started. The veteran Fighting Sioux took it to the younger Wisconsin Badgers on their ice and if it wasn’t for the Badgers senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson these games wouldn’t have been as close score wise.

While I was out hunting this weekend, I was able to listen to the games on the radio on the porch of my hunting shack. When I finally got home last night I was able to watch Friday’s game on my DVR. After listening to both games and having the game described beautifully to me by the voice of the Sioux Tim Hennesy, it was very apparent that these games weren’t as close as the score board would indicate. I might add that when you watch the games in the stands or at home you on your television you might not get to hear Hennesy’s analysis of the game, unless you bring your head set to the game. It is this writers opinion that Tim Hennesy is one of the best hockey radio announcers in college hockey.

Hits in question

On Friday night Hennesy was definitely agitated with the referees Derek Shepherd and Marco Hunt. During the Friday game between the Badgers and the Fighting Sioux the Sioux were whistled for two five minute major penalties that resulted in game misconducts for Gleason and Hextall.

In reviewing the hits in question on the ice it would appear that checking from behind was not a correct call in the Gleason hit. At first glance the hit looked like a nice shoulder to shoulder check, but after watching the hit about five times, if this hit is penalty, I think a boarding penalty might have been the more appropriate penalty call. I am not convinced that play was a penalty. I also thought it was a little much that the player from Wisconsin flailed around on the ice like he had been shot but then by some miracle after the five minute major had been doled out by the officials the Wisconsin able to recover to take the ice during the power play.

The Brett Hextal hit on Jordy Murray "could" pose a problem for Brett Hextall, I suppose there is a possibility the WCHA could review that hit and hand out some additional discipline based on the fact that from the video it appears that Jordy Murray was hit in the head by Hextall and did suffer an injury from the check in question. Like I told a friend of mine that with this point of emphasis on hits to the head there could be hit(s) reviewed each week by the WCHA. What was legal even last year is no longer legal today.

Madison hard place to win

Traditionally, winning in Madison has been a hard task for the Fighting Sioux and the Sioux hadn’t swept in Madison since the 2002-2003 season when the Fighting Sioux won by scores of 5-0 and 5-2. The Fighting Sioux are also tough to beat when they wear black, with the win this past weekend the Fighting Sioux are 21-1-2 all time in the black uniforms. UND is now 6-5-1 in the last 12 games against UW.

Sioux and BADgers week.

This week the Fighting Sioux face off against their heated rival the Wisconsin BADgers. Last week there was a discussion on Sioux Sports about past records and if they mattered. Personally, I do believe that historical records do matter and they might play into a equation on how a team plays another team, even if it’s just a small fraction of the whole equation.

One could say by looking at the numbers/results that the Fighting Sioux have had a tough go against the BADgers as of late. The UND Fighting Sioux went 0-1-1 against the Wisconsin BADgers last season at the REA, the Sioux did not travel to Madison last season.

During the 2008-2009 season; the Fighting Sioux went 2-3 against the BADgers losing the deciding rubber match against the BADgers in the third place game of the Final Five.

In the 2007-2008 Season the Sioux went 2-1 against the BADgers beating them in the regional at the Kohl Center. The BADgers had made the NCAA tourney as a at large bid and there were a few people that were upset the BADgers missed the Final Five but qualified as an at large bid with a losing record. The BADgers beat the Pioneers 5-2 before falling to the Sioux in over time. The next summer the NCAA made a rule that said if you don't win your conference tourney and you have a losing record you can not qualify for the NCAA tourney, no matter where you are sitting int the RPI/PWR rankings.

So in the last ten games the BADgers hold the edge 5-4-1 the Fighting Sioux. This could also be the last time the Sioux play the BADgers as the Fighting Sioux.This weekend I think the Sioux are due to change their fortunes against the BADgers - Sioux Sweep.

2/12/2009 Wisconsin 4 North Dakota 3 Wisconsin
12/11/2009 Wisconsin 3 North Dakota 3 (ot) Tie
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03/21/2009 Wisconsin 4 North Dakota 1 Wisconsin
03/07/2009 North Dakota 1 Wisconsin 4 Wisconsin
03/06/2009 North Dakota 2 Wisconsin 1 North Dakota
11/01/2008 Wisconsin 5 North Dakota 2 Wisconsin
10/31/2008 Wisconsin 2 North Dakota 3 North Dakota
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03/30/2008 Wisconsin 2 North Dakota 3 (ot) North Dakota
11/10/2007 North Dakota 3 Wisconsin 1 North Dakota
11/09/2007 North Dakota 0 Wisconsin 4 Wisconsin
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