This is what we are going to be missing if there is Lockout...

Just to remind you what you will be missing if the NHL owners lock out the players on September 15, 2012. The past two Stanley Cup Finals were some of the best hockey that I have watched in a very long time - the game of hockey has never been more popular and I think that a work stoppage might cut into those gains that have been made.  The NHL owners made a record 3.3 billion dollars in profit last season.

That being said that most of us understand not all is equal and not all teams enjoy these same profits - but it's the owners that have signed these players to these exuberant salaries and I hold them culpable for the mess that we are in. I hope everyone has a great and safe Labor Day holiday.

Got my annual must read "The Hockey News Yearbook".202 awesome pages. Top 50 players in the NHL list and not one owner made the cut.
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) September 2, 2012

Edina's Anthony Walsh interested in UND

I just got word, from a pretty reliable source, that Edina forward Anthony Walsh is "very" interested in playing his collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota. According to my source, Anthony "has long-time affection for UND."

Take a look at these videos and you will see that Walsh is a big strong forward, he's 6'0" 214 and 5% body fat. Walsh is a strong skater that has very good hands and dishes the puck well…As you can see from the videos; Walsh is not afraid to play the body and got into the corners to retrieve the puck, Walsh even got into his first hockey fight during the Fargo Force tryout back in June. Walsh is a senior this season.

I have included a few videos so you can take a look for yourself - Fargo Force try out video and 2011-12 Season Highlights

Walsh got hot during the playoffs scoring (1g-8a—9 pts) Section 2AA Playoffs.

I got a bad feeling

After reading some of the stories and various news items and other things around the blogsphere I get a sense that the Bully Boy and NHL Commissioner  Gary Bettman is bound and determined to lock the NHL players out so they can get their 24% Roll back. Seems to be the owners/Bettman's way or the highway - seems counter productive. I do believe both sides are going to have to give some. I don't it's realistic to expect the players to give that much back especially after some of the contracts that were signed this offseason. 

I also saw that the NHL owners lock the players out and there is no hockey this season the NHL owners will still get a 200 million dollar payment from NBC.So the NHL owners will recoup some of their loses if they do lock the players out.

Former Boston Bruins Defenseman and TSN Hockey Analyst Aaron Ward says that we are no where - there is no substance to the negotiations and he all but guarantees that there will be a lockout. I also agree, I don't see how the players and the owners get anything done when they don't know where to start. 

The reoccuring theme that is starting to emerge the labor talks is that there appears to be a frustration surrounding the CBA negoations from both sides.

As a rabid fan of the NHL I can't see how a lockout does anyone any good - if there is a work stoppage there will be a fair number of fans that will feel alienated and might not come back when the CBA have been signed. Much like they did in 2004-05 fans will find something else to do. Thank God that college hockey doesn't lock the players out.

Why should we care if the NCHC doesn't have a web page yet?

First off, it's true if you click on the link for the NCHC there will "not" be a web page for the NCHC. Second, can someone give me the link to the B1G hockey page.... [Crickets Chirping] So it’s one year plus before the NCHC kicks off – someone who hates everything that is the NCHC hockey – seems to think it’s important that the NCHC has a webpage/home page. Really! Are you kidding me? First off webpages don’t make a hockey conference that hasn’t even begun play yet.

Also, don't believe the hype by some of the self appointed experts that say that the NCHC doesn't have any name recognition and or appeal... The NCHC is going to be a power conference whether some want to acknowledge it or not.  

It's Hammer time for UND hockey

In what could be considered as a interesting - if not shocking development - UND hockey as well as other UND sports will have a new face on the television screen this up coming season. Apparently, Dan Hammer will be the voice of UND Hockey instead of Pat Sweeney.

First off, I am actually shocked that we will no longer see Pat Sweeney calling UND hockey games. Sweeney has been calling UND hockey games for a very long time. Having had the opportunity to meet Pat Sweeney during the Wednesday press conferences, I can say that Pat Sweeney is a very nice person and a fun person to interact with.

Hakstol, 'Joe Gleason the epitome of a great teammate'

I don't know how any of us can think about hockey right now, when it's been this hot. I saw this video over on Brad Schlossman's blog and it got me thinking about Joe Gleason and his style of play - I call him the utility player because he does whatever is asked of him and has played every position but goal for the Fighting Sioux.

Recently, Gleason was at the Chicago Blackhawks prospects camp.

This is what UND head coach Dave Hakstol had to say when he was asked about Joe Gleason last season when asked about the junior forward's selfless play.

“Joe Gleason the epitome of a great teammate.”

“Joe is a proud guy and he obviously wants to play, he was recruited here as a defenseman, and both night this weekend he played defense, he played center and he played right wing. I guess I would describe it as invaluable in a team setting. He is doing whatever the teams needs, he not just going out and doing it, but going out and doing it well.”

Hockey Day 2013 picture

s/t to @pucknut9 who texted me this picture today, thanks Shacker... This picture was too good to not share with you. While it's meant to be humours it's still true of the Minnesota Gophers and the UND Fighting Sioux hockey teams, penalty boxes filled to the max.

You Get What You Pay For

Guest post by Rebeca Wilcox.

Hockey goalie equipment tends to be expensive for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that it utilizes a lot more material than the standard set of shoulder pads. The other reason that goalie equipment is expensive involves the technology that goes into creating it. When you are a goalie out to buy hockey equipment, you need to make sure that you purchase only the top name brands. It is a decision that will help to extend your career and protect your health. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

- Armor 

Goalie body armor is constantly changing and evolving. One of the reasons why armor keeps changing is because of the vulnerable spots that the manufacturers keep finding. The top equipment manufacturers use technology that identifies those spots and then puts protection there that does not hinder the goalie's movement. If you spend less on your armor to buy an off brand, you may wind up paying for it with persistent and painful injuries.

- Masks 

Goalie masks and players' helmets have come a long way in a short period of time. Goalie masks absorb a tremendous amount of punishment and require a sophisticated padding system to protect a goalie from long-term injury. If you buy a cheap goalie mask, then you are not giving yourself the full benefit of scientifically placed padding. The top manufacturers spend the time and money to determine the best ways to protect a goalie's head. That is the kind of technology that you want working for you.

- Skates 

Goalie skates have always had toes capable of deflecting even the hardest slapshots, but the arch of the foot and the ankle have always been left exposed. A goalie that turns in such a way that he takes a slapshot off the ankle is probably looking at a painful injury if he does not have the latest technology from the best manufacturers.

- Blockers 

The trapper gloves used by goalies have not changed much over the years, but the blockers have. The top manufacturers are constantly developing new ways to protect a goalie's fingers and wrist from shots and skate blades.

- Pants 

Goalie pants are becoming much different than standard player pants. The top manufacturers appreciate the fact that goalies take shots from a variety of angles and they are working to develop pants that protect and move with the goalie. The off brands, in most cases, do not even offer pants that are specific to the needs of a goalie.

Goalies need all of the protection they can get. When you are shopping for your goalie equipment, be sure to buy name brand products to get the best in protective gear.

Zach Parise game five goal

Here is New Jersey Devils and former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise's goal in game five against the Los Angeles Kings. That was the first goal of the Stanley Cup Finals for Parise who had been held scoreless in five games for Parise how had been (0g-0a-0pts) and a minus 4 in the last five games going back to the Division Finals against the New York Rangers.

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Berry to UND? Kind of looks that way

 Looking at these tweets from one of the beat writers of the Columbus Blue Jackets Aaron Portzline, it would appear that former assistant coach Brad Berry is on his way back to the UND Fighting Sioux Hockey team to be one of Coach Hakstol's assistant coaches.

Edit - State of shock - Eades out at UND

I would be willing to bet that most of us that are fans of Fighting Sioux hockey probably are in a state of shock right now. Personally, I don't know what to make of this, Carey Eades is the epitome of Fighting Sioux hockey.

Most of us know that coaches leave programs and move on, but I don't if any of us could predict this happening, at least not now, not in the middle of the off-season.

Edit: According to Brad Schlossman

Eades, who was part of the 1980 and 1982 national championship teams as a player and the 1987 title team as an assistant coach, said he was caught off guard by the decision. Eades was told about it prior to the American Hockey Coaches Association convention in Florida, which took place during the last week in April.

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Visa Hockey Love Hurts

A person sent me this in an email today and I found this commercial to be very funny. Watching your favorite team either not make the playoffs or lose in the playoffs is tough to handle and sometimes it takes a few days to get over the sting of losing.

As a fan of the NHL's Boston Bruins, I had this same feeling for a very long time until they won it all last season.  Enjoy the video.

Maxime Talbot vs Johnny Boychuk

This is the proper way to deal with the "Rats" and the punks in the NHL. Some people like to refer to them as agitators. Personally, I think they are for a most part irritants and these types of players tend to get called out for their actions.

This is the reason that I think the NHL needs to not ban fighting, it keeps these types of players honest. This is also your classic beat down of a players that crosses the line on a regular basis. Hat tip to Johnny Boychuck for stepping up and making Talbot answer the bell.

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A season of Parity. WCHA Hockey

In looking at the standings, I must say that there is a lot of parity in the WCHA this season. From the top of the league, to the bottom of  the WCHA standings, this has been a pretty good season... Four points separated 6-10th place.

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• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 3/04/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Dell backstops Sioux to a 4-2 win over Mavericks (insidehockey.com)
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Kyle Rau's hit on Joseph LaBate

First off as most of you know, I am not a Gopher fan or an apologist by any stretch of the imagination. I also have a lot of respect for MIke Eaves coach of the Badgers... That being said, check out this hit by Gopher forward Kyle Rau check (38 second mark) on the Badgers Joseph LaBate. This is a textbook clean shoulder to shoulder body check. Apparently, Badgers coach Mike Eaves was less than pleased with the hit. 

Things got testy late in the second when freshman Kyle Rau leveled UW freshman left winger Joseph LaBate at center ice. No penalty was called even though the sequence looked almost identical to an episode Feb. 4 at the Kohl Center when UW junior defenseman and captain John Ramage was assessed a 5-minute major for contact to the head.

“The young boy’s woozy on his feet and there’s no contact to the head?” Eaves asked rhetorically, referring to LaBate. “That doesn’t add up does it?” [Madison.com]

Feel free to chime in your thoughts on the hit. Editing Note: Chuck Schwartz of Bucky's Fifth Quarter tells me that Eaves made those comments right after the game and there is a very good chance that the Wisconsin head coach had probably "not" seen the hit in question on video, before he made those comments in the post game press conference.

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Zombo Disallowed Goal UNO vs. CC

This is from last night's game [Friday Night] between UNO and C.C., the Tigers won the game 4-3. I don't know, it looks like the on ice officials blew the call on this one. There is no distinct kicking motion on the play. Of course the on ice officials for this series were Don Adam, Timm Walsh, two of the worst officials in the WCHA.

I was surprised that Dean Blais didn't protest this goal more but he seemed to be fine with the call after the explanation from the refs.

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More on the NCHC TV package

Image via WikipediaAs we know from yesterday's press release, CBS College Sports announced that the NCHC will have a new TV package. That's definitely a  positive. However, that also means that UND will no longer have their games on FCS after next season. So people with DirecTV "might not" be able to see UND hockey games after 2012-13.

Official Press Release

CBS Sports Network has agreed to a multi-year agreement with the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, beginning in the 2013-2014 season. CBS Sports Network will be the exclusive national television partner for the conference, which will feature eight of the nation’s top college hockey programs. The announcement was made today by Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports Network, and Jim Scherr, Commissioner of the National.

The agreement calls for a minimum of 18 conference games, including the National’s semifinal and championship contests. Currently six teams that will be in the new conference are ranked in the USCHO.com Top 20 poll.

Personally, I am not going to worry about it right now, because a lot can happen between now the the start of the 2013-14 season. I also believe that the University of North Dakota will come up with some kind of a solution before the start of NCHC play. Also, all home games are available on  UNDSPORTS.COM  

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(Video) Matt Cooke is at it again.

It will be interesting to see how long Matt Cooke gets for his latest act of of stupidity. For the most part Cooke had played it straight up this season, only drawing only 16 penalty minutes in 49 games and had for the most part stayed clear of the dirty play until his recent slew foot on Brad Richards on 1/19/2012.

If you need to have your memory refreshed on the type of hockey player that Matt Cooke is, take a look at this blog post Matt Cooke: A History of Violence; you will see that Matt Cooke's has a resume of being a dangerous, despicable hockey player, that has for the most part been one of the dirtiest players in the league during his NHL career.

Time for the NHL to throw the book at P.K. Subban for his dirty elbow

First I want to preface this blog post with P.K. Subban is a great defensive talent, but he is a bit of a punk and this video just proves that point quite nicely. Subban is famous for skating around the ice and running his mouth and doing things like this and when he is challenged he turtles in a fashion that would make Claude the Fraud Lemieux blush.

From my vantage point, it appears that Subban leaves his feet to hit David Krecji in the head with a forearm shiver. That is a violation of rule 48 because the head is the principle point of contact.

This is a big test for Brendan Shanahan the NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety, he needs to suspend P.K. Subban for this bush league hit, these are the types of hits that the NHL is trying to eliminate from the game of hockey

That fact that Subban plays for the Montreal Canadians means more than likely Subban will get off with nothing in the way of a suspension. Subban needs to sit 2-5 games minimum.

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UND loses another recruit to the CHL - QMJHL

This is what a lot of us feared. Stefan Matteau will not be coming to UND next year and will play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for Armada. It's been a tough year for NCAA hockey.

Here is a story that you can read on this subject as well, I had to used google translate to be able to read the article because I do not speak French.

TVA Sports --- In recent months, Matteau had mentioned that it could evolve with the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota next year. This possibility is now excluded.

The rumored for quite a few weeks about the possibility of the young Matteau join his father in the Armada. The latter acts as an assistant to head coach Jean-Francois Houle.