Wisconsin Hockey Landon Peterson Great Save

Check out this save by Wisconsin Badgers goalie Landon Peterson on the Bulldogs Caleb Herbert ... Awesome save. The Bulldogs went on to win the game 4-2. s/t to the person that corrected my error.

WCHA Power Rankings – November 20

Image via WikipediaHere are my weekly WCHA Power Rankings. Each Week Zach Friedli and I post the ranking at INSIDE HOCKEY.


1.  Minnesota – (8-2-0 WCHA, 11-3-0) Split a home and home series with Saint Cloud State, This weekend the Gophers travel to East Lansing to play the Michigan State Spartans. The Gophers have split their last two WCHA series. 

2.  UMD – (7-2-1 WCHA, 9-3-2) The Bulldogs swept the hapless Minnesota State Mavericks in Duluth this past weekend. This weekend the Bulldogs are idle. The Bulldogs have played 10 of their first 14 games at home. 

3.  Denver – (4-2-3 WCHA, 5-3-3) Took three points from Nebraska Omaha this past weekend, This week home against Princeton and Miami. 

4.  Colorado College – (5-2-0 WCHA, 7-2-0) The Tigers Swept the Wisconsin Badgers and travel to Grand Forks, ND to play the Fighting Sioux.
 
5.  St. Cloud State – (4-3-1 WCHA, 6-6-2) The Huskies split with the Minnesota Gophers this past weekend. This weekend the Huskies travel to Omaha Nebraska to play the Mavericks. 

6.  Nebraska-Omaha – (5-3-2 WCHA, 6-6-2) The Mavericks took one point from the Pioneers in Denver this past weekend. This weekend the Mavericks are at home to play the SCSU Huskies.
 
7.  Michigan Tech – (5-4-1 WCHA, 7-4-1) The Tech Huskies split with the UAA Seawolves in Anchorage this past weekend. This weekend the Huskies travel to Canton, NY to play St. Lawrence in a non-conference tilt. From the interesting statistics department, the Huskies are 6-1-1 in Houghton, Michigan but 1-3-0 on the road. 

8.  Wisconsin – (4-7-1 WCHA, 5-8-1) The Badgers were swept by the Tigers this past weekend in Colorado Springs. This weekend the Badgers entertain the Mercyhurst Lakers in a non-conference tilt. From the interesting statistics department, the Badgers are 5-3-0 at home and a dismal 0-5-1 on the road. 

9.  Bemidji State – (3-6-1 WCHA, 5-8-1) The Beavers split with the UND Fighting Sioux this past weekend. The win on Sunday night ended a 40 year drought against the Fighting Sioux. The Beavers are off this weekend. 

10.  North Dakota – (2-6-0, 4-7-1) The Fighting Sioux split with the BSU Beavers in Bemidji this past weekend. This weekend the Sioux entertain the Colorado College Tigers. The Fighting Sioux are 3-2-1 at home and have dismal 1-5-0 record on the road. From the interesting statistics department, the Fighting Sioux have given up 9 goals in five games and have a 2-3 record.  The Fighting Sioux are fifth in the WCHA in defense but 10th in the WCHA in scoring.
 
11.  Minnesota State – (2-6-0 WCHA, 3-9-0) The Mavericks were swept in the Amsoil arena this past weekend by the UMD Bulldogs. This weekend the Mavericks travel to Anchorage to play the UAA Seawolves. 

12.  Alaska-Anchorage – (1-7-0 WCHA, 4-7-1) The Seawolves split with the Tech Huskies this past weekend in Anchorage, Alasaka, this weekend the Seawolves entertain the Minnesota State Mavericks. The Seawolves ended a six game winless streak with their victory over the Huskies on Friday night.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux-Beavers Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: November 1st (insidehockey.com)
• UMD-Minnesota State Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Tip Huskies at Engelstad (insidehockey.com)
• Beavers End Streak, Beat Sioux 1-0 (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Extend Streak Against Beavers (insidehockey.com)

Michael Mersch penalty.

At the .50 second mark on [this video] above you will see the check that the Wisconsin Badgers forward Michael Mersch put on Minnesota Gophers forward Kyle Rau.

This check in question would end the night for the Badgers Mersch as he was given a five minute major for contact to the head and a game misconduct. In watching the video, I honestly don't understand how that hit could be a five and a game. To me it looked like a legal check. Here is what Jess Meyers had to say on the hit.

The score was tied 1-1 in the second when the Badgers missed a golden opportunity to take the lead, misfiring with two white jerseys alone in front of Patterson. Just seconds later, Wisconsin's Michael Mersch leveled Kyle Rau along the boards and drew an iffy call for contact to the head. Mersch was tossed from the game, and the Gophers got a five-minute power play. While they did not score on the extended man-advantage, the Gophers captured momentum that they would not relinquish.

The Gophers were unable to score on the five minute power play. The Badgers head coach Mike Eaves looked highly agitated with the Todd Anderson call and gave Anderson an earful at the Wisconsin Badgers players bench. 

Goon's WCHA Power Rankings for 11/13/2011

Image via Wikipedia

After a week hiatus the WCHA Power Rankings are back and are posted at Inside Hockey.  Here is the link to Zach Friedli's power rankings.

1. Minnesota – (10-2-0, 7-1-0 WCHA) Split with the Wisconsin Badgers this past weekend in Madison. Up next for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a home and home series with the pesky Saint Cloud State University Huskies. Due to the two schools proximity to each other, this in state series should prove to be an exciting weekend of hockey.  With the Gopher’s win on Saturday night, Don Lucia hit the 300 win mark for his coaching career. 

2. Minnesota Duluth – (7-3-2, 5-2-1 WCHA) Swept the lowly University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in Duluth this past weekend.  Up next for the Bulldogs, a home series with the Minnesota State University Mankato. UMD Bulldog goalie Kenny Reiter has been on fire as of late, in the last seven games that Reiter has played in he has 5-0-2 record with a 1.26 goals against average and a .952 saves percentage. With the shutout on Friday night, Reiter tied the UMD record with 9 career shutouts. The Bulldogs are playing great team defense as well as they are ranked 2^nd in the WCHA.  Just to illustrate how well the Bulldogs are playing defensively they have only given up four goals in last five games.

3. Nebraska Omaha –  (6-5-1, 5-2-1 WCHA) The University of Omaha Nebraska Mavericks took three of four points from the Bemidji State University Beavers in Bemidji, Saturday’s victory against the Beavers was the first in eight games for the Mavericks 1-5-2. Up next for the Mavericks, a trip to Denver to play the Pioneers.  

4.  Denver – (4-3-2, 3-2-2 WCHA), The Pioneer beat their in state rival the Colorado College Tigers 5-4 at home this past weekend, the return game of that series is in Colorado Springs on December 2^nd, that game will be on CBS College Sports at 7:07 MT. Up next for the Pioneers, a home series with the UNO Mavericks.  

5.  Colorado College – (5-2-0, 3-2-0 WCHA) The Colorado College Tigers lost 5-4 in a single game this past weekend against their in state rivals, the Denver Pioneers in Denver. The return game of that series is in Colorado Springs on December 2^nd, that game will be on CBS College Sports at 7:07 MT. Up next for the Tigers, a home date with the Wisconsin Badgers.

 6. Wisconsin – (5-6-1, 4-5-1 WCHA), The Wisconsin Badgers split their series with the high flying Minnesota Gophers. The Badgers took the Gophers to the woodshed on Friday night and looked a step slow against the Gophers in the second game of the series. In my opinion Badgers Defenseman  Justin Schultz (4g-12a—16pts) is  one of the best defensemen in the WCHA. Up next for the Badgers, a trip to the Springs to play the high octane Colorado College Tigers.  

 7.  North Dakota – (3-6-1, 1-5-0 WCHA) The University of North Dakota was idle this past weekend, Up next for the Fighting Sioux, a trip down highway 2 to Bemidji, Minnesota to play the BSU Beavers.  The Sioux are off to their worst start since the 1974-75 season when the Fighting Sioux started the season 1-9-0. The Fighting Sioux hope to regroup against the Bemidji State Beavers, a team the Fighting Sioux have never lost to in the modern era. 

7.  Michigan Tech – (6-3-1, 4-3-1 WCHA), The Huskies was idle this past weekend, Up next for the Michigan Tech Huskies, a trip to Anchorage, Alaska to play the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. People from the Michigan Tech fan base are going to ask me why I don't have the Huskies ranked higher. You can include me in the I am not convinced crowd when it comes to the MTU Huskies. While the Huskies have played better hockey this season, they have also been swept by BSU and beaten badly by MSU-M. 

9.   St. Cloud State – (5-5-2, 3-2-1 WCHA), the Huskies split with the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks in Mankato this past weekend. The Huskies have been bitten by the injury bug and are missing two major cogs in their lineup; senior forward Drew LeBlanc broken leg and junior goalie Mike Lee undisclosed lower body injury. Up next for the Huskies, a home and home series with their in state rival the Minnesota Golden Gophers. 

10. Bemidji State – (4-7-1, 2-5-1 WCHA),  The Bemidji State University Beavers are another team which is hard to figure out, they swept the upstart Michigan Tech Huskies in Bemidji and split with Miami University to start the season but have had trouble getting consistent goaltending and have used all three of their goaltenders so far this season.  Leading scorer junior forward Jordan George (6g-2a-8—pts) has been held scoreless in 7 out of 12 games so far this season.  Up next for the Beavers is the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux who were idle this past weekend.  

11.  Minnesota State – (3-7-0, 2-4-0 WCHA), The Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks have had a tough time with injuries and recently lost six games in a row before winning two of the last three games. The Mavericks split with the SCSU Huskies this past weekend in Mankato. Up next for the Minnesota State Mavericks, a trip to Duluth to play the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The Mavericks who are last in goal scoring in the WCHA are going to have their work cut out for them next weekend against the Bulldogs who have been a defensive juggernaut the last five games.  

 12.  Alaska Anchorage – (3-6-1, 0-6-0 WCHA), The University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves have an impressive 3-0-1 record in non-conference play but a dismal 0-6-0 record in conference play, the Seawolves scored an paltry one goal last weekend and were outscored 8-1 as the Bulldogs swept the Seawolves in Duluth.  Up next for the Seawolves, a home series with the MTU Huskies.

Finding the "Silver Lining" After Being Swept by the Badgers.

Image via WikipediaThe Grand Forks Police department rushed to shut down the bridges that connect East Grand Forks and Grand Forks shortly after the Sioux were swept by the Badgers in Madison, Wisconsin. There were fears that Fighting Sioux hockey fans en mass would jump off of the bridges after watching their team get swept at the hand of the Wisconsin Badgers.

I couldn’t resist that one it's probably more funny on twitter and of course I am kidding… For a second time this season, the Fighting Sioux chat also blew up as a result of the Sioux being on the losing end of a game. It's a long season and there will be more loses. My offer to be a ticket broker for the Sioux fans that want to sell their season tickets is still on the table.

While I am not happy with the Fighting Sioux being swept this past weekend, let’s not forget that the Sioux did lose a “very big chunk” of their scoring prowess from last season's squad. Jason Gregoire 25g-18a—43 pts, Matt Frattin 36g-24a—60 pts, Chay Genoway 6g-31a—37 pts, Brad Malone 16g-24a—40 pts, Evan Trupp 17g-24a—41 pst, Brett Hextall 13g-16a—29pts. If my math is correct that is 270 points from last year’s squad that went 30-7-2.

Rant of the night – Why is it that the bigger schools like the Wisconsin Badgers; that are going to be going to the almighty Big Ten; so they can maximize their schools exposure and bank all kinds of money from their share of the BTN revenue, can’t have "all" of their home games on television so fans of other programs can watch their games when our team plays theirs? Seriously, I think it's a legitimate question. Also, this helps make the case for college hockey having a hockey television package like the NHL’s Center Ice.

On the flip side of that argument, why is it that a relatively small school like UND has all of its home games and a few of their away games on Fox College Sports, so anyone that has the sports packages on Direct TV can watch their games.

While I realized that college hockey is a niche sport, I am sure that there are many fans like me that would spend an extra $10.00-20.00 dollars a month to watch their favorite teams when they're away from home. After watching Friday's game on FSN Wisconsin, I had to spend $9.95 to purchase Saturday’s game from the University of Wisconsin so I could watch the Badgers and Sioux debacle part II. Let me say that I would rather watch a hockey game on my Toshiba flat screen, as opposed to watching it on my lap top that's four and a half to five years old. 

Rare Sweep?

The Fighting Sioux do not get swept very often had not been swept to start a WCHA season opener since the 1994-95 season, when the Fighting Sioux went 18-18-3, incidentally that was also the first year under head coach Dean Blais.

The Good

The Fighting Sioux outshot the Badgers 42-15…

Aaron Dell stopped the Badgers forward Joseph LaBate on a penalty shot to keep the game at 5-3. Dell then stopped the Badgers forward Jefferson Dahl on a break away a short time later during the waning moments of the third period to keep the Sioux in the game.

It would be an understatement to say that junior forward Danny Kristo is on fire, this past weekend Kristo had a 4-point weekend (2-2-4). According to Jayson Hajdu of the UND Sports Information Department, Kristo has scored 20 points in his last 23 games. That’s an impressive clip for the junior forward; I would imagine the Montreal Canadians are also impressed with Kristo’s play so far

Freshman Defenseman Nick Mattson had a two point game and a three point weekend for the Fighting Sioux. After starting off the season without any points, Mattson has 5 points in three games (2-3-5).

Sophomore defenseman Derek Forbort had a better night defensively for the Fighting Sioux on Saturday night as he was only on the ice for one of the five goals that the Badgers scored on the Fighting Sioux.

The Bad

Despite outshooting the Badgers the Fighting Sioux were swept and out scored by the Badgers 10-7.

The Fighting Sioux lost for the first time 2007 when they donned the black jerseys against the Boston College Eagles during the Frozen Four.

Aaron Dell last year All-WCHA and All American goalie ahs a save percentage of .813 and a goals against average of 4.05.

This was probably the last time the Fighting Sioux will play a WCHA conference game in Madison, Wisconsin. The Sioux and the Badgers will be in separate leagues to begin the 2013-14 season and the Badgers only come to Grand Forks, ND next year.

Sophomore Defenseman Derek Forbort had another rough night on Friday as he was on the ice for three of the five goals the Badgers scored.

Badgers Skate Past Sioux 5-3

Image via Wikipedia

Cross posted at Inside Hockey.

Coming into this series, the Fighting Sioux had won five of the last six games against the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, Wisconsin.  The Badgers fortunes changed for them tonight as five different Badgers scored goals.  They got two points each from Justin Schultz (1-1-2) and Tyler Barnes (0-2-2) to lead the Badgers past the Fighting Sioux 5-3.   

The Wisconsin Badgers got off to a fast start as they opened the scoring at the 08:45 mark of the first period with a goal from Badger forward Mark Zengerle, who took a nice drop-pass from Tyler Barnes and blasted the puck past Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness, who was screened on the play by Fighting Sioux defenseman Ben Blood. 

The Sioux rang the bell 27 seconds later at the 09:12 mark of the first period with a beautiful goal by Fighting Sioux freshman forward Mark MacMillan.  The Fighting Sioux forward blew past the Wisconsin defense and shot the puck over Badger goalie Landon Peterson’s left shoulder.  That was the first career goal for Fighting Sioux forward Mark MacMillan.  

The Fighting Sioux got into penalty trouble at the 18:06 mark of the first period when Mark MacMillan took a two minute penalty for roughing.  Corban Knight followed suit and joined MacMillan in the penalty box nine seconds later for tripping.  The Badgers wasted little time on the power play and scored twenty seconds later at the 18:45 mark on a beautiful goal by Badger defenseman Justin Schultz. 

The Fighting Sioux weren’t done taking unnecessary penalties in this period, as Sioux defenseman Ben Blood continued the Fighting Sioux march to the penalty box when he took an unnecessary penalty for slashing at the 19:25 mark, to put the Fighting Sioux down two men once again, for the second time during the first period.

The Second period didn’t start well for the Fighting Sioux, as Wisconsin Badger Michael Mersch scored on the ensuing power play at the 01:16 mark of the second period.

The Badgers increased their lead when they scored again less than five minutes later, when Badger forward Matt Paape picked up a Ben Blood turnover at the top of the circle and smartly passed the puck to Derek Lee, who shot the puck past an oblivious Brad Eidsness who was caught napping on the play.  That goal ended the night for Eidsness who was relieved by Aaron Dell. 

The Fighting Sioux responded to the Badger goal 23 seconds later with an unassisted goal by Fighting Sioux defenseman Nick Mattson. The Sioux defenseman took a shot from the point that bounced off of  Badger defenseman John Ramage and into the net past Wisconsin goalie Landon Peterson. 

The Fighting Sioux got another goal on the power play at the 9:33 mark of the second period.  With Badger forward Brendan Woods off the ice for a high sticking penalty, Carter Rowney took a feed from Danny Kristo and shot the puck past the Badger goalie Peterson. 

Badgers forward Brendan Woods made up for this mistake when he put the Badgers up by two goals by blowing by Ben Blood and Derek Forbort for the goal. 

The Badgers outshot the Fighting Sioux 11-10 during the second period. 

There was no scoring by either team in the third period and Fighting Sioux coach Dave Hakstol ended up pulling his goalie with two minutes left in third period. Sioux were unable to muster any more real threats as the Badgers collapsed about their net and made it impossible for the Sioux to get any more grade “A” scoring chances. 

Box Score

TV for this weekend's games.

Image via WikipediaHere is the information on this weekend's series between the Fighting Sioux and the Wisconsin Badgers. Only Friday's game against the Badgers will be on TV.

MEDIA COVERAGE: All Fighting Sioux men's hockey games, home and away, can be heard on 96.1 FM (The Fox) and on stations across the Fighting Sioux Hockey Network. Veteran broadcaster Tim Hennessy is in his 31st season as the voice of the Fighting Sioux. He is joined during home games by color analyst Steve Olson.

Friday night's game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports North Wisconsin and Fox College Sports Atlantic. (Fox Sports Wisconsin Direct TV 669) Saturday's game will not be available outside of Wisconsin.

Video webcasts for each game can be purchased at www.uwbadgers.com. Free (delayed) video streaming of both games will also be available at 10 p.m. each night at Wisconsin Public TV.

Badgers in overtime Since 2002-03

Image via WikipediaOne thing that has become very apparent is that the Badgers under head coach Mike Eaves has had a dismal record in overtime, the Badgers have lost three games this season already in overtime. This is the Badgers record in overime since the 2002-03 season. s/t Madison.com If my math is right the Badgers own a record of 12-21-45

2011-12 -- 0-3-0 overall, 0-2-0 WCHA
2010-11 -- 1-3-4 overall, 0-3-3 WCHA
2009-10 -- 0-0-4 overall, 0-0-3 WCHA
2008-09 -- 0-3-4 overall, 0-2-3 WCHA
2007-08 -- 0-3-7 overall, 0-2-5 WCHA
2006-07 -- 2-3-4 overall, 2-3-3 WCHA
2005-06 -- 2-1-3 overall, 0-0-3 WCHA
2004-05 -- 0-1-4 overall, 0-1-3 WCHA
2003-04 -- 5-1-8 overall, 1-0-7 WCHA
2002-03 -- 2-3-4 overall, 2-2-4 WCHA

Wisconsin loses to Tech on questionable goal

First off props to Michigan Tech Guide for the video. What a horrible way to lose a hockey game and you have to feel for the Wisconsin Badgers. In looking at this video, I don't know how this goal counted for the Huskies. There looks like there is definite contact behind the Wisconsin goal. I am not sure what the WCHA officials saw there?

This is a perfect example of why fans in the WCHA hold the on ice officials in contempt, this was a horrible call and this goal should have never counted and the blown call could end up causing Wisconsin home ice or a a spot in the NCAA tourney.

Apparently the Badgers were unamused by the call as well. Andy Baggot had to say about the incident.

Replays showed Pietila skated into Ramage and drove the UW captain into Peterson, who was trying to play the puck behind the net. The cage was empty when center Brett Olson fed Baker alone in the slot for the controversial winner.

It seemed that a penalty was warranted on the sequence, but referees C.J. Beaurline and Pat Britt had a different view.

"If nothing else, interference," UW coach Mike Eaves said after jawing angrily with the two officials before leaving the bench. "Judging by the sheepishness of the two young referees, they had no command of the play."

This is why the WCHA officials are looked at as a bunch of bumbling buffoons and have no respect. This also one of the reason that you will see fans of the teams that are going to the NCHC not wanting the WCHA officials reffing their games in the future. I am just hoping that the NCHC leadership will not allow WCHA officials to ref games in the new league. I would be willing to bet that the B1G isn't going to want these refs in their league as well.  

Predictions for October 7-8 2011

Image via WikipediaThis season I will be doing weekly predictions along with Sioux7 and Alex. I must admit that I am not good at making predictions and I have been blamed for jinxing other fan’s teams in the past. My selections will be bolded.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Non-Conference
Notre Dame at Minnesota-Duluth 7:07 CT
Bemidji State at Miami 7:35 ET
Sacred Heart at Minnesota 4:07 CT
Northern Michigan at Wisconsin 7:07 CT
American Int'l at Michigan Tech 7:07 ET
Minnesota State at Rensselaer 7:00 ET

Ice Breaker
Air Force vs. North Dakota 7:00 CT
Michigan State vs. Boston College 4:07 CT

Maverick Stampede
Mercyhurst vs. Nebraska-Omaha 7:37 CT
Robert Morris vs. Colgate 7:07 CT

Kendall Hockey Classic
Alaska vs. St. Cloud State 5:07 AT
Clarkson at Alaska-Anchorage 7:07 AT

Exhibition
U.S. Under-18 Team at Denver 7:07 MT

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Non-Conference
Sacred Heart at Minnesota 7:07 CT
Bemidji State at Miami 7:05 ET
Northern Michigan at Wisconsin 7:07 CT
American Int'l at Michigan Tech 7:07 ET
Minnesota State at Rensselaer 1:00 ET
Notre Dame at Minnesota-Duluth 7:07 CT

Ice Breaker
Boston College vs. North Dakota 7:07 CT
MSU vs. Air Force 7:37 CT

Maverick Stampede
Colgate vs. Nebraska-Omaha 7:00 CT
Mercyhurst vs. RMU 7:37 CT

Kendall Hockey Classic
St. Cloud State at Alaska-Anchorage 7:07 AT
Alaska vs. Clarkson 4:07 AT

Exhibition
U.S. Under-18 Team at Colorado College 7:37 MT

Analysis - Sacred Heart at Minnesota – When I look at this series on paper, I wonder if the Gophers are trying to rack up wins against the weak sisters of the poor. That being said, the Golden Gophers should win both games but the Gophers can’t look past Sacred Heart. Sweep Minnesota.

Notre Dame at Minnesota-Duluth – this should prove to be an interesting match-up because it's a rematch of their Frozen Four game from last spring. The Irish will probably be looking for some revenge. The Bulldogs have played six games since 2002 and have gone 2-2-2. Prediction split.

Bemidji State at Miami – The BSU Beavers and the MU RedHawks have played twice in recent history with the Beavers winning the last game 3-2 at the Subway Classic in Grand Forks, ND during the 2009 season. This season's match-up at least on paper doesn’t look very good and the Beavers probably wont surprise the RedHawks again this time around. Miami Sweeps.

Northern Michigan at Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Badgers have had some success against the Wildcats as of late and own a 4-2-1 record the last seven games against the Wildcats but this isn’t your daddy’s Wisconsin Badgers hockey team. The Badgers enter the season with three goalies with no college hockey experience. what-so-ever.  That being said, I am going with a sweep for the Wisconsin because the Badgers while minus some good players from last season’s team still has a strong nucleus of  returning player that will turn some heads this season.  Also, Badgers coach Mikes Eaves seems to get the most out of his players.  Sweep Wisconsin.

American Int'l at Michigan Tech – Mel Pearson makes his head coaching debut against the AIC Yellow Jackets (8-24-1 2010-11) another team that had a tough season last year.  The Michigan Tech Huskies started last season on five game unbeaten streak before they went on a horrible streak where they didn’t win a game from October 29^th till February 18^th.  A WCHA cellar dweller is better than a AHA cellar dweller. I am going to with a Huskies sweep.

Air Force vs. North Dakota – The UND Fighting Sioux start the season against the AFA Falcons, the Fighting Sioux are a shell of their former self the Fighting Sioux lost 294 points from last year's 471 point offensive point total. The good news is that the Fighting Sioux still have quite a few offensive weapons in the arsenal led by Danny Kristo, Brock Nelson and Corbin Knight. Sioux win.

Boston College vs. North Dakota – The Sioux haven’t had a lot of luck against the Boston College Eagles as of late and they have lost the last four games they have played against the Eagles, however, one could say that the Sioux are due against the Eagles (6-1 Eagles April 2008, 6-4 Eagles April 2007, 6-5 Eagles 2006). Sioux break through with a win in the Ice Breaker. Sioux win.

Minnesota State at Rensselaer – This could be an interesting series both teams like to play a physical brand of hockey.  The Engineers lost in the first round of the NCAA playoffs to the UND Fighting Sioux and are going to want to start the season on a high note.  The Mavericks had what some would have classified as a rough season, as they went 14-18-6; missed the NCAA tourney and the Final Five. Also, the  Mavericks lost some notable players on defense, Kurt Davis, Ben Youds and Channing Boe and the Mavericks could take their lumps early on. I going with a split.   

Wild Trade Martin Havlat for Ex-Badger Dany Heatley

Image via WikipediaWe don't need no stinking Badgers... I have to say that I am still in a state of shock, the Minnesota Wild pull off their second major block buster trade of the offseason in less than two weeks. Just 9 days ago the Minnesota Wild traded defenseman Brent Burns to the Sharks for forward Devin Setoguchi.

The Minnesota Wild have traded for ex-Wisconsin Badgers star and San Jose Shark Dany Heatley in exchange the Sharks get much injured and soft Martin Havlat. This could be a great trade because the Wild get their much need offensive threat after losing Marian Gaborik to the New York Rangers.

Carly Peters - Digital Media Coordinator “We are excited to add Dany Heatley, one of the top goal scorers in the NHL, to our team,” said Fletcher. “He is a quality player who has averaged more than a point a game in his nine-year career.”

Heatley recorded 64 points (26-38=64) in 80 games last season with the Sharks. The 30-year-old native of Freiburg, Germany ranked tied for 12th in the NHL with 11 power-play goals and added five game-winning goals. Heatley added nine points (3-6=9) in 18 playoff games. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound winger ranks first in the NHL in power-play goals (128) and game-winning goals (58), third in goals and fifth in points since he entered the league in 2001. He has has collected 689 points (325-364=689) in 669 career contests in nine seasons with Atlanta, Ottawa and San Jose. He was the winner of the 2002 Calder Memorial Trophy, named to the 2006 NHL Second All-Star Team, the 2007 First All-Star Team and has been named to the NHL All-Star Game four times.

Heatley is familiar with the midwest, having played two seasons (1999-2001) at the University of Wisconsin, where he notched 113 points (52-61=113) in 77 games and was named the 2000 WCHA Rookie of the Year and to the 2001 NCAA West First All-American Team. He was originally selected by the Thrashers with the second overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Havlat tallied 116 points (40-76=116) in 151 games in two seasons with Minnesota. The 30-year-old has recorded 512 points (209-303=512) in 621 career NHL games with Ottawa, Chicago and the Wild.

You have to wonder if the Wild are done making moves? This could turn out being a very exciting summer. The Wild have some exciting young talent waiting in the wings as well in Zucker, Larsson, and Granlund.

A couple of things from the Badgers presser...

There are a few items of interest for Sioux fans from the University of Wisconsin media day press conference. Coach Eaves touches on a Craig Smith snap and also the type of hockey team that UND is.

QUESTION #3: To what extent did the frustrations of the whole weekend kind of boil over in the third period of Saturday's game?

EAVES: Well, you know, it's a 1-0 game and we tie it up in the third period, even though we hadn't played that well. And I think the frustration kind of rose itself through Mr. Smith's actions there. And, you know, that costs us. We had to kill the penalty. And they scored on that power play. And that hurt. And that was a lesson for not only the team but Craig. His virtue sometimes is vice. His great competitiveness is what makes him an excellent hockey player, but when he crosses the line, it hurts him and it hurts our team.

We've seen it in other players we've had here. Ryan McMurchy was that same type of player, Brendan Smith is that same type of player. They've got to learn to handle that and harness that energy, and use it for a positive and not let it run into the negative side. But that's part of our jobs as coaches here is to help these young men understand that.

QUESTION #5: Minnesota-Duluth seemingly has the same type of veteran presence that North Dakota has. What are the different challenges that Duluth will present that perhaps North Dakota did not?

EAVES: Well, I think one of the strengths of North Dakota is their size and physicalness. They play hard like no other in our league. I think Duluth is a little bit different. I think they have better presence and poise with the puck. And so they'll bring that challenge to us. That will be the two differences.

Some one jumped the gun? Ryan McDonagh still a Badger...

There has been some chatter on the Internet about the Badgers star defenseman Ryan McDonagh signing a professional contract with the New York Rangers but it appears that Corey Pronman might have jumped the gun a bit. Chuck Swartz has since called Corey Pronman out for this mistake.

Last night Corey Pronman from Puck Prospectus tweeted that Ryan McDonagh had joined Derek Stepan in signing entry level contracts with the New York Rangers. Finally got a hold of Pronman this morning and he regrettably admitted that he had made a mistake and that McDonagh had NOT yet signed with the Rangers.

"I apologize for the tweet about McDonagh, it was a false alarm from someone I knew in Wisconsin. Sincere apologies. I do feel incredibly bad for that."

So McDonagh is safe at least for now. I wouldn't expect to hear any more updates until after Rangers prospects camp this summer. We'll keep you updated if there is any news of course.

10:10 AM-Update from New York Post Rangers Beat Writer Larry Brooks:

"An fyi in case it has been reported otherwise: No progress at all in talks between Rangers and Badgers' senior D Ryan McDonagh."

What a crazy summer it has been for the Wisconsin Badgers, you have to wonder if they will lose Ryan McDonagh which would be a big loss but the Badgers also have many able bodied recruits waiting in the wings.

Any more WCHA defections?

Here is a blurb that is going to make Wisconsin Badgers fans a little nervous. Since this is coming from Larry Brooks one might question this story's validity a bit. The Prospect Park kind of picks apart the Larry Brooks article.

Sather said that he would like to sign Wisconsin senior defenseman Ryan McDonagh and junior center Derek Stepan. The GM told The Post both players would attend the Blueshirts’ prospects camp the first week of July.

“We’d like to get them in and have them earn jobs,” Sather said of the two young Americans. “We’re excited to see whether [Evgeny] Grachev and [Dale] Weise and some of our other kids can earn jobs. [New York Post]