Puck Daddy picks Holy Cross goal as #6 most significant goal of decade...

You have to wonder if Gopher fans realized that their loss to Holy Cross would end up be such a significant part of hockey history? Their team was the first number one seed to lose to a sixteen seed. You can bet that Sean Leahy is probably recieving some hate mail from angry Gopher fans.

6. Tyler McGregor ends the 2006 NCAA West Regional Semis in shocking fashion

The 2006 West Regional Finals was supposed to feature the mighty Minnesota Golden Gophers against either college hockey powerhouses Michigan or North Dakota. A funny thing happened on the way to the final in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Little Holy Cross crashed the party and upset the Golden Gophers after Tyler McGregor's overtime goal. This truly was a ‘Miracle on Ice' moment for college hockey. Heading into the game, the Crusaders had never won a NCAA tournament game and Minnesota's roster featured 14 NHL draft picks compared to 0 for Holy Cross.
[Puck Daddy]

The 10 biggest hockey upsets of the last decade...

I found this blog post on Puck Daddy, I am shocked that the Holy Cross upset win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers didn't make the list of the 10 biggest hockey upset of the last decade, I actually thought that the Holy Cross win was more significant because they were the first college hockey team ranked 16th in the NCAA hockey tourney to win a NCAA hockey game. The Boston Bruins loss to the hated Montreal Canadian in the 2002 Eastern Conference quarterfinals still stick in my craw and still give me a bad taste in my mouth till this day.

9. Bemidji State upsets Notre Dame, 2009 NCAA men's hockey tournament

In 2009, we finally were given the answer to an annual scholastic hockey mystery: The hell's a Bemidji State anyway?

Turns out it's a small liberal arts college in Minnesota that was ready to shock the NCAA.

The Beavers were technically a No. 4 seed in the Div. I tournament, but were actually the lowest seed in the 16-team field. Which made their emphatic 5-1 stunner against No. 2 Notre Dame all the more unbelievably -- along with the facts that it was Bemidji State's first D-I tournament win in school history and just the second tourney victory in CHA conference history.

Because of the university's size and budget, the Wall Street Journal ranked the upset as the third most-shocking in recent NCAA sports history.

The Beavers would qualify for the Frozen Four, losing to Miami (Ohio) in the semifinals. But the win over the Irish sparked a Cinderella run that, for a moment, captivated the hockey world.[Puck Daddy]

Fill in the caption.

Bob from Wisconsin took picture in Houghton Michigan this past weekend and posted it on Sioux Sports and I was wondering if anyone sees the hilarity in tis picture or has a good caption to put on this picture.

More on Sioux and Warriors.

Here are a couple of the goals from last night's game.

Looks like David Toews has found his scoring touch early.

Here is Corbin Knight's first collegiate hockey goal.

Hextall should've scored two or three goals last night. This goal was a thing of beauty.

Here is what Mike McMahon the hockey beat writer from Merrimack College had to say on last night's game. In my opinion Mike does a pretty good job reporting the news and I enjoy reading his blog.

The score was 5-2, but this game was not out of reach for the Warriors until the very end.

North Dakota scored two early goals but Merrimack battled back with tallies from Chris Barton and Justin Bonitatibus to close the first tied at 2-2.

Getting back in the game the way they did was a promising sign for this team. In years past, down 2-0 early meant that the Warriors would fold and you’d see a 5-1 or 6-0 game. That wasn’t the case on Friday night and shouldn’t be going forward.

Trailing 4-2 entering the third the Warriors needed a big period and came out flat. Merrimack was outshot 17-5 in the third period (40-17 overall); obviously a gap that isn’t going to be a recipe for success.

Three of ND’s five goals came off of rushes or other plays in which Merrimack attacked and was caught coming back the other way. Joe Cannata played a solid game (35 of 40 on shots) and was tested more often than I’d like to see. But, he held his own and, as he did last season, kept his poise and made his saves. [Warrior Rink Rat]

Here are the heaviest teams in division one hockey. The Fighting Sioux are the 11th heaviest team in the WCHA.
1. Vermont 194.61
2. Alaska-Fairbanks 191.96
3. Notre Dame 191.78
4. Boston University 191.54
5. Ohio State 191.50
6. Alaska-Anchorage 191.42
7. Rensselaer 190.97
8. Minnesota State 190.67
9. Miami 190.35
10. Michigan Tech 190.27
11. North Dakota 190.16
15. New Hampshire 189.92
16. Nebraska-Omaha 189.81
17. Minnesota-Duluth 189.80
18. Clarkson 189.71
19. Northern Michigan 189.45
20. Providence 189.35
21. Minnesota 189.23

Who has egg on their face now?

The big upset win of the night was in South Bend as the UAH Chargers stung the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 3-2. This win by the Chargers had me smiling from ear to ear. The CCHA might want to go ahead and reconsider UAH's application for admission since the Chargers just took down one of the top teams in the CCHA. I read a lot of post during the off season where fans were saying UAH doesn’t belong in the CCHA or they can’t compete. Yeah! How do you like the Chargers now?

SOUTH BEND — Alabama-Huntsville coach Danton Cole downplayed the significance, but his Chargers hockey team came to town with something to prove.

Denied admission this summer into the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, UAH exacted some revenge Friday night against the league's defending champions.

Cody Campbell scored a power play goal with five seconds left to give the Chargers a stunning 3-2 upset win over No. 5 Notre Dame in front of a sold-out Joyce Center crowd.

Alabama-Huntsville, looking to join a new league since its current home, the CHA, will disband after this season, found motivation from the summer snub. UAH Goaltender Cameron Talbot told the Huntsville Times earlier in the week, "We want to show we can play with the big dogs of the CCHA."

Hump days news.

Former BU defenseman Matt Gilroy is looking good in the practice as well as on the ice for the New York Rangers.

The 25-year-old rookie took his first turn in a Blueshirt Tuesday night as the Rangers opened their preseason schedule against the Bruins at the Garden. The Rangers got a glimpse of where their blue-line future lies, what with 19-year-old Michael Del Zotto also in the lineup, along with the returning Marc Staal. Of all of them, Gilroy has created the most buzz.

"I definitely got chills," Gilroy said of his first Blueshirt experience, a 2-1 loss to the Bruins. "And to hear that first goal song go off, even though I'm on the bench, it was pretty cool, too."

The Fargo Force have an all-UND flavor to them. Head coach Steve Johnson and assistants Chad Johnson and Mark Pivetz. Maybe they will send UND a few recruits. [UND hockey blog]

dggoddard from Lets Go DU has some all stirred up again with a recent blog post. Remember before you get too personal it's supposed to be humor, I guess I could see the humor. If you don't like don't like what he has to say about UND don't read it. DU is one of our rivals and little smack talk doesn't hurt. [Lets Go DU]

Gandalf The Red has predicted the Golden Gophers to finish 5th in the WCHA this season. I think the ranking is about right. Maybe this year the Gophers can make the NCAA tourney. Baby steps. [60 Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets]

Gandalf The Red the red also has Gopher fans all worked up with a debate over their two teams recruiting policies. Can we all just get along? [60 Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets]

Bentley Picked Seventh in AHA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Yawn! I am surprised they are picked to finish that high. [Bentley Falcons]

Former SCSU defenseman Brett Hedican will hang up the skates and retire. Hedican played in the NHL for 17 seasons. Hedican played with Mike Commodore in 2006 when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. [Star Tribune]

UNO just got a major donation from the Sokol family.

OMAHA, Neb. – The UNO athletic department announced today the receipt of a major financial gift from the family of David and Peggy Sokol.

“As an institution and as a department, we are humbled by the generosity of the Sokol family,” said Trev Alberts, UNO’s Director of Athletics. “David and Peggy Sokol have such a distinguished history of giving to the greater Omaha community, and we are grateful that they have seen fit to support our mission of making UNO athletics one of the premiere programs in the country.

“The Sokols’ gift will be applied to the improvement of training and competition facilities for UNO student-athletes. Those students continue to give their best on the playing field, and it is up to our department to provide them with the means to succeed. This gift will go a long way toward fulfilling that goal.”

The Sokols’ donation is begin given in honor of their late son, D.J. Mr. Sokol is a graduate of UNO and a former student-athlete himself as a member of the UNO football team.

Colten St. Clair changes mind; now going to UND.

Brad Schlossman and Kerry Collins are reporting a major recruiting win. Colten St. Clair had deiced he would rather be a Fighting Sioux than a C.C. Tiger.

Force forward Colten St. Clair has decommitted from Colorado College. His new choice for college hockey? The University of North Dakota.

St. Clair told me about his change of heart on Saturday, and said that he felt UND would be a better fit for both the advancement of his hockey career and his academics.

St. Clair is a top-notch student, and is a year ahead in school. He has a 1992 birthdate, but is going through his senior year. He is committed to play with the Sioux next season. He will be with the Force again this winter. He is not eligible for the NHL draft until 2011.

Blais on 1620 the Zone.

Dean Blais was on a recent radio show in Omaha on 1620 AM the zone ESPN Radio. The show is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Blais talks about settling in down at UNO. coach Blais is also still up on the Fighting Sioux name and talks about conditioning and his recent knee replacement. Blais also talks about the conditioning that the Mavericks are going to do. [click to listen]

This seems to be a bit late.

This article seems to make no sense at all what so ever. I am not sure what the point of it is at this time. It's like an article that has turrets syndrome. A delayed reaction. It's like no duh! This was addressed last spring during the NCAA tourney.

The Northern Michigan University Wildcats will remain members of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association for the foreseeable future. Although there was talk about the possibility of moving the team to the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association), the decision was ultimately made to keep the Wildcats where they are.

"We were approached by that league, about whether we'd consider rejoining or not," said Wildcat hockey coach Walt Kyle. "Any time that happens, you're foolish to just throw away options."

Northern Michigan University was once a member of the WCHA from 1984-1997, a period during which the Wildcats made four NCAA tournament appearances, winning the title in 1991.

The WCHA would pit the 'Cats against perennial powerhouses like University of Minnesota, Wisconsin-Madison, and University of North Dakota, but the staff at NMU decided it wasn't worth the switch.

"We think we're in arguably one of the best conferences in the country right now," Kyle said. "When you compare [the two leagues], our league has certainly been more successful at putting teams in the national tournament."

Keeping games available to alumni was also motivation.

"The bulk of our alumni base is downstate," said Kyle. "That's the reason we made the move back to the CCHA."

One school that is leaving the CCHA is University of Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks will play their final season as CCHA members this year and compete as a WCHA team in 2010. Also going to the WCHA are the Bemidji State University Beavers. The Beavers' current home, College Hockey America, is disbanding in 2010, forcing its teams to move elsewhere.

Two of the four CHA members, Niagara University and Robert Morris are going to the Atlantic Hockey conference, leaving the University of Alabama-Huntsville as the only school without a place to go. The Chargers of UA-Huntsville applied for admission to the CCHA, but were denied. [North Wind on line]

UND ranked 2nd in the Hockey News WCHA Jersey Rankings

UND was ranked second in the Hockey News WCHA jersey rankings, I was shocked that the Minnesota Golden Gophers ugly Hockey jersey was ranked first over all for the WCHA. I guess the fans think the hated “M” is better college hockey jersey than the storied Fighting Sioux sweater.

On a less humorless note, some of the fans in the WCHA are apparently unimpressed with the Hockey News. I don’t blame them because if they are going to have a fan generated voting poll at least be a little more informed on the teams in the WCHA or risk pissing off their fans who would be your potential customers.

Here are a few of the things that I noticed; as of this season BSU is in the CHA for one more season before they become a member of the WCHA. The next head scrather is that while they included BSU with the WCHA they also forgot to add the UNO Mavericks. Duh! Also, the Hockey News down right dissed UAA and DU. DU has seven NCAA titles and deserves some respect. UAA has been a member of the WCHA since the 1990's and they do deserve respect and is a member in good standing in the WCHA.

While I have never personally been to Anchorage Alaska or to Fairbanks at least I know they are two different schools 358 miles apart, breaking it down further, not only are the two Universities are in two different towns but are also in two different conferences (UAA WCHA, UAF, CCHA).

If I was personally ranking the WCHA jersey’s I would say:

1.) UND
2.) MTU
3.) UAA
4.) UMN
5.) UMD
6.) C.C.
7.) Wisconsin
8.) D.U.
9.) SCSU
10.) MSU-M

CCHA turns down UAH.

So the CCHA is going to turn up it's nose at UAH. This is elitist. Let's be clear, this is not good for college hockey and it's basically the CCHA thumbing it's nose at UAH and saying you're not good enough to be a member of our league but bottom feeder teams like BGSU, LSSU, are?

Like one of my friends said it's the league taking it toys and going home like a spoiled kid. So folks; when the NCAA starts pulling at large bids because division one hockey teams are dropping hockey, the blame can be laid at the feet of the CCHA.

The CCHA announced today that the CCHA Council, comprised of athletic administrators and faculty athletic representatives, has voted by acclamation to deny Alabama-Huntsville's application to become a member of the conference.

“The league completed its due diligence of the application for membership submitted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville with careful consideration and discussion of various issues,” CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos said. “At this time we have chosen to maintain our membership at its current level.”

“The CCHA will remain focused on maintaining and strengthening our existing members to ensure the conference’s continued success and long-term viability.”
[CHN Staff Report]

Single-game tickets on sale Sept. 12 for hockey

I have had a bunch of people ask me about when single game tickets go on sale for Fighting Sioux hockey. It's official Single game tickets go for Fighting Sioux Sports go on sale September 12, 2009. Per a tweet from UNDathletics, "the Single-game tix on sale Sept. 12 for FB, M/W hockey, M/W basketball and volleyball."

Here is the official press release for the ticket sales linked below. Funny, this also shoots some holes in a certain bloggers theory on what a college hockey team makes for a hockey game as far as ticket prices go. The only tickets that are 15.00 are youths ages 2-12. We rounded the figure off to 25.00 dollars a ticket x 8,500 per game(8,500 X 25.00 x 20 = 4,250,000). You can see that UND and REA makes a lot of money from Fighting Sioux hockey and this isn't even counting concessions and other stuff that is sold in the Sioux shop. I wouldn't be surprised if it's another million or so based on suite sales.

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison announced today that single-game tickets for Fighting Sioux football, men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball will go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m.
Men’s hockey
Manitoba, Merrimack, USA World Juniors, Mankato & Michigan Tech Adult $25.
Youth (2-12)$15.
Student $7 – increases to $9 after the one month threshold
Minnesota $45.
Wisconsin and Denver $40.
St. Cloud State, Minnesota-Duluth $30.
Subway Holiday Classic
4 game ticket packages
Adult - $69
Youth - $49
Students - $20

Single Session (2 games on same day)
Adult - $40
Youth - $20
Students - $10

Tickets for all UND home events can be purchased at the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena, the Alerus Center, all Ticketmaster outlets and at www.TicketMaster.com.

Blais has out in his contract.

I found this to be interesting, but it makes sense. That being said I don't think Gophers or Mavericks fans need to worry just yet.

Dean Blais, who was recently named the new head hockey coach at Nebraska-Omaha, has an out in his contract that allows him to apply for the Gophers job if it becomes available. [Bayside Puck Chatter] [Husker Mike]

Sheryl Crow in a Beaver jersey...

My buddy Scott went to the Moon Dance in Walker, Minnesota last Thursday and during the oncore rocker Sherly Crow wore a Bemidji State University Beaver jersey. Sign me up for a new jersey. Holy Cow!

props to [Sherly Crow] and [Brian Schultz]

Pictures from the Galen Nagle.

I played in yesterday's Galen Nagle Memorial golf tourney and it was a lot of fun. My golf game was another thing, let’s just say that it was not very good, the way my driver worked yesterday I should have deposited into Lake Bemidji. Spoke briefly with the BSU coach Tom Serratore and told him that I was excited that the Beavers have been accepted to play in the WCHA.

WCHA Moves a Wash for College Hockey

This almost sounds like sour grapes by the CCHA. The WCHA stepped up to the plate and helped save BSU, now someone can step to the plate and take some leadership. This is what happens when your last to the party. The CCHA knew this was coming and sat by an let it happen.

It's almost seems like the CCHA is looking down their nose at UAH. The NCAA division one hockey CAN NOT allow any more teams to fall by the way side or division one hockey risks losing at large bids for the NCAA Hockey tourney, that is a lose, lose situation for everyone concerned. My question is; did you want to just sit by the way side and let two programs disband? No one else has come up with a suggestion or a solution. The fact remains that Danton Cole is a good coach with a solid hockey back ground that will do a good job getting UAH competitive in the CCHA. Seriously, he couldn't do any worse than some of the teams that were in the bottom half of that CCHA league standings last season. Plese tell me these teams aren't looking are looking down their noses at UAH. Now is not the time to be petty, it's the time for solutions and what is best for college hockey.

The WCHA has talked a lot about doing what is best for college hockey. But while adding Bemidji State -- after BSU had run out of options to keep its program viable -- was certainly a gracious and strong move by the WCHA to benefit Bemidji State, its effect on college hockey as a whole is more neutral if it negatively impacts the CCHA.

McLeod tried to sell it, saying that UNO's move can be an overall benefit to college hockey as a whole, because the chain reaction effect could result in saving Alabama-Huntsville as well.

"I have a long relationshp with Tom, and we openly discussed this, including three weeks ago in San Antonio at meetings of the (NCAA) championships committee," McLeod said. "Tom is first class all the way. As an individual, I have nothing but good things to say.

"Having said that, we went into this process above board, to do it the right way best we could. Part of that was keeping Tom informed. I hope he would say we followed through on that. It's clear he didn't want to lose Omaha. It speaks to their caliber. And actually, he made some other suggestions to me -- why not think about these things.

"I've proven in the past with involvement getting the WCHA going -- I work for the WCHA -- but I need to step back and look at what's best for college hockey in general. Hopefully if it (WCHA expansion) worked out with Omaha or someone else, that would open a slot (for Alabama-Huntsville). That may not have be the same caliber or attractiveness (as UNO), but that we could save another program. ... I hope that happens."

Still, there is no question that the CCHA takes a hit -- at least in the short term -- from this switch. No offense to Albama-Huntsville, but its program, and the commitment to the program, do not currently approach what Nebraska-Omaha is. [college hockey news]

Update: To quote the article: But CCHA people have been understandably irked by the WCHA's insistence that this is "best for college hockey." I still stand by my comments, “No one else has come up with a suggestion or a solution.” Tell me who else has taken the leadership? While everyone involved might not be happy with UNO moving to the WCHA it solve a problem no one else wanted to tackle.

New UNO Hockey Coach Selects Successor

[props] I had read where some Gopher fans were questioning why Mike Hastings would want to leave the University of Minnesota to go coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha. I this is probably the reason why. There are only 58 teams in Division one hockey and Hastings might have seen this as his best shot to be a head coach at the Division one level. When Blais left UND he strongly suggested Dave Hakstol be picked head coach, the rest is history. It is nice to see Blais back coaching in College hockey again.

OMAHA, Neb. -- The new University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey coach, on the job less than a week, has already picked his successor, thus ensuring the long-term future of the program's leadership.

Coach Dean Blais hired former Lancers coach Mike Hastings to be his associate head coach. Blais himself was just hired last month to succeed the program's first coach, Mike Kemp.

Blais said Hastings will be a good "go-between" for Blais and the players.

"He knows the guys better than I do," Blais said, acknowledging that he did not know if that was a good or bad thing. He does know that his successor will come from his staff.

"When I'm gone, he'll take over and we won't miss a beat," Blais said.

That is when the time comes, though. Blais is so new to the city that he said he still learning his way around.

"Only been lost a couple of times," Blais said.

His potential successor is not thinking about anything but the present.

"It's a thought that's down the road, but … we need to work on making sure we're as good as we can be when we play that first exhibition game in the season," Hastings said.

Gopher fans are you worried?

From everything I have read this week; I think if Jordan Schroeder was offered the entry level max, I think there is a good chance Schroeder might sign it. Seriously, I mean read the things Schroeder is saying. Schroeder isn't ruling out signing, he isn't ruling out returning either. Interesting statements from him, if I was a Gopher's fan I would be a little nervous about Schroeder until he is in the line opening night.

Schroeder's father John is paying the shot for him to attend the Canucks camp to protect his NCAA eligibility. Schroeder, 19 on Sept. 29, is determined to get his (dad's) money's worth.

"I wanted to come here and show the organization that I'm very interested [in them] and to pay my dues even though it cost our family," he said. "Paying our way up here was worth it. Seeing the city and getting to know all the prospects was definitely worth it."

Schroeder will almost certainly return to the Golden Gophers for another season and, if so, he won't be attending full rookie and main camp in September. After that, who knows? The Canucks could come calling with a contract offer at any time.
[ The Vancouver Sun]

Canucks prospect Patrick White told no more 'Mr. Nice Guy'

Here is another interesting article on a Cancucks prospect and current Minnesota Golden Gopher Patrick White. It's articles like this that are going to make people question a certain coach down in Minneapolis, MN. Personally, like I said before I think Lucia is doing a great job as the coach of the Minnesota Gophers.

Patrick White has gone from the Vancouver Canucks' No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft to No. 1 whipping boy when it comes to scrutinizing the club's draft history this decade.

Canucks fans see red every time David Perron's name is mentioned, as the St. Louis winger who's scored 28 NHL goals already and made the Blues right out of junior two seasons ago was selected one spot after White (26th overall) in 2007. Comparisons won't get any easier, as the Canucks' top pick last month, Jordan Schroeder at 22nd overall, is one of White's teammates at University of Minnesota. Schroeder, a dynamic centre, was one of the top scorers in points per game (1.29) in U.S. college hockey last season as a first-year player, finishing with a dazzling 13-27-40 in 32 games.

White, also a centre, had 7-8-15 in his second season with the Gophers on the heels of a 6-4-10 rookie season.

But is it fair to rag on White, who's here this week as part of the Canucks' five-day summer prospects camp?

He was projected by NHL Central Scouting as a second-rounder and surprised some onlookers when the Canucks, under then-GM Dave Nonis, picked the former Minnesota high school star so high.

Is he another blown first-rounder? Or is there still a chance he could one day wear the Orca on his chest?

The Canucks certainly haven't given up on White, particularly because he's still just 20 years old.

"He's still a young player," said Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman. "Different players develop at different rates."

Don Lucia, White's coach at University of Minnesota, also thinks the jury is still out on the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder.

"The biggest issue is he's got to learn to compete harder one on one," said Lucia. "He's a really nice kid, great student, comes from a wonderful family, but ‘Mr. Nice Guy' has got to go away when he steps on the ice. When he learns to battle consistently he'll take a step as a player. That's been his struggle over two years. We've talked to him about it. He understands it."

Corey Fienhage at the Sabres development camp.

Here is what Kris Baker had to say about Fighting Sioux defenseman Corey Fienhage at the Sabres development camp. I think Sioux fans are going to see some impressive play by Fienhage on the blue line for UND this season. I think he is going to blossom into a monster.

Corey Fienhage is built for the rugged NHL. He's very fluid and uses his excellent size in 1-1s to lean and rub players out. Elements of Derian Hatcher with better feet. Very no-nonsense. Even looks mean in drills. Aside from enjoying the physical contact (I compared him to a safety's patrolling mentality in the back field when he was drafted), he's good at getting in front of shots. For his efforts, he was stung inside a shin guard on both days. From the point, he's shown his hard rising right-handed shot on a couple of occasions. He's set to blossom in Grand Forks. [Sabres Prospects]

Early Signing?

Looks like Jordan Schroeder is non-committal on his future. I would be willing to bet we will see him for one more year in the WCHA.

Although he's clearly got a top-end future, Schroeder's probable path is to return to Minnesota, where he can mature physically for another year while likely contending for the Hobey Baker Award for college hockey's best player.

But Schroeder wouldn't commit to returning to college, only acknowledging it's likely. "I'll have some decisions to make when I go back home," he said. "[But] a year back in college wouldn't hurt at all." [Faceoff.com]