C.C. Tigers and UND Fighting Hawks - Game 2

Tonight scratch Freshman Joel Janatuinen (illness), Freshman forward Mike Gornall will take  Janatuinen's in the lineup. Expect UND to make adjustments and play better in game two tonight. The Fighting Hawks will try and right the ship and get the win in game two. After struggling mightily last night, head coach Brad Berry comes back with Cam Johnson in game two.

He Said What?

The University of Minnesota-Duluth was picked to finish first in the NCHC preseason poll. So far this season, they've been up and down. After 22 games the Bulldogs have an 8-9-5 (.477) record. Looking at the Bulldogs roster, they should be much better than their record.

The Bulldogs are third in the NCHC in shots on goal per game with 36.9. Here's the problem, they're only scoring 2.64 goals per game. After losing to the Denver Pioneers head coach Scott Sandelin had this to say.

“We had a chance to make it 3-0 and we didn’t score. That’s how it’s been going,” coach Sandelin said. “The only way you’re going to get out of it is if you stick with it, you keep fighting, keep doing the things we’re doing and hopefully it breaks.

“We weren’t shitty, I can tell you that. We played pretty well. We didn’t give them a whole lot, but when they had opportunities, they made the most of them.” (Matt Wellens Duluth News Tribune)

Each week, I expect the Bulldogs to break out of their scoring funk. I keep thinking that eventually, the Bulldogs are going to start filling the net with pucks.

But it hasn't happened.

Thing is, time is running out on the season. Counting their non-conference game against BSU, the dogs have 12 games to right the ship before the NCHC playoffs.

Tiger vs. Hawks Game 1 (CBS Line Temporarily Grounded)

Tonight, UND will play the game without 2/3 of the CBS line. Drake Caggiula and Nick Schmaltz are both out with injuries. Their status is still unknown, but it's not believed that both will be out long term. There will be updates as the series plays out.

Shorthanded or not, UND "should" still sweep this series. There is a reason the Tigers have won five games this season. UND will not overlook the Tigers.

Looking at the lineup sheets, the Tigers have three NHL draft choices in their lineup. On the other side of the ice, UND has 9 NHL draft choices, there are actually 10 if you count goalie Matej Tomek who is listed as UND's third string on tonight's lineup sheet.

There’s more than enough talent up and down the UND roster to beat the Tigers. The Tigers are near the bottom of all the important NCAA division I categories. Injuries or not, The Hawks should still prevail with a series sweep.

UND is Going to the Birds

As most of you know, UND is going to be picking a new logo in the near future. I know, I know, not everyone is thrilled with the process.

Cue the boos. Right?

Without relitigating the nickname selection process all over again, What happens next is very crucial if UND fans are going to get behind the Fighting Hawks nickname. If they blow the new logo design, they're going to turn off a bunch of people. You don't want a bunch of unhappy donors and alumni.

The ball is in the University's court and they really need to step up and do the right thing. No half measures here. Let's be bold.

While there are half a million universities and colleges using some variation of the Hawks nickname. That being said, the Hawks nickname has possibilities. Hawks are a bird of prey and they are a majestic bird. They also like to hunt rodents. In my opinion, Hawks are bad ass.

Let's not forget, the Fighting Hawks tend to kick the Miami RedHawks ass.

But I digress, Hawks fly together.

Of course, I am cynical. I am very afraid that UND will end up with a silly, stupid variation of a Hawk that will offend no one or intimidate anyone. I am not saying I want the next logo to be offensive, but I am sick and tired of political correctness. It's making us a bunch of sniveling cry babies. What next? Some group will find the nickname Huskies or Bison offensive.

I think that the new logo has to be mean and intimidating. Not some stupid cartoonish character. UND has already made the NCAA happy by retiring the Fighting Sioux nickname. If UND was smart, Ben Brien would be designing the next logo for the University of North Dakota.

I also like the Angry Birds theme. No, not this one. Although my eight-year-old daughter would probably like that one.

Finally, I am an  Alumnus of the University of North Dakota. I will always support the University. But I have to admit that I am very nervous right now. I imagine there're others that feel the same way I do. This whole process has been a drawn out mess. This process needs to end well, so we can heal as a fan base and move on. Blow this and it will fester for years. 

One last point, if you look at the picture you will see that Hawks do in fact have feathers. This is a true statement. 

Minnesota Wild Goal: Was Charlie Coyle Offsides?

Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle scored his 11th goal of the season. The L.A. Kings coaching staff thought the Coyle was offsides and challenged the play. The Kings lost the coach's challenge.

Looking at the play a few times. I think this was a good call at the blue line. What do you think? Was Coyle offsides? Or did the linesmen make the right call?

Coyle broke a five-game pointless streak with his goal tonight.

UND Hockey: What Will the Lines Look Like?

Here's the lineup card from last Saturday Night. It looks like UND will be missing two or three major cogs in their lineup this weekend.

The three player that could be missing this weekend: Chris Wilkie, Drake Caggiula and possibly Nick Schmaltz who suffered a lower-body injury this weekend. Who knows what the lines will look like this weekend? Some guys will be expected to step up and score this weekend.

Coach Berry liked the play of Bryn Chyzyk - Rhett Gardner - Luke Johnson line, but the coaching staff might have to break up some players.

I would also imagine that Mike Gornall - Coltyn Sanderson - Trevor Olson will make up the fourth line.

Insert D/F Christian Wolanin, and Colten St. Clair somewhere in the lineup.

The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead: Old UND nickname fans get clear message from Schafer

I was surprised when some thought that Interim UND President Ed Schafer would revisit the nickname issue. That's not what Schafer was brought here to do. Schafer is here to help transition to a new university president. Maybe clean up a mess or two. In my opinion, there are a few messes at UND that need to be cleaned up.

The message is clear, the voting over and we move forward. Of course, the Forum never lets an opportunity to chastise the UND fan base go to waste. This time, is no different?

The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead Editorial Board -- A loyal UND alumnus, Schafer might have seen the matter differently during the lengthy debate about retiring the nickname. But to his credit, he hasn’t talked about the history. Rather, he was clear as a cloudless January sky about the nickname situation now. “That issue has been settled,” he said.

“... and in my opinion, whether you like the name or not, whether you supported the Fighting Sioux or not, the reality is we’re beyond that.”

It is unlikely the die-hard supporters of the old nickname (who have taken to booing when the new Fighting Hawks nickname is announced at ice hockey games) will be satisfied with Schafer’s definitive statement. It is likely they will continue their losing crusade and boorish behavior, which embarrasses the school they say they love. It is certain they will react badly (it’s what they do) because some of them really believed Schafer would reopen the debate.

Again, I think the key is selecting an acceptable logo that fans can get behind. Most of us are very cynical that the University can do this effectively. I am not so sure.

Finally,  If UND was to win a title in hockey or some other sport with the new nickname in the near future, that could help the transition to a new nickname.

Are Hockey Fights Going the Way of the Dodo Bird?

Check out this article. Some good points.

Windsor Star -- As one of the few Wings who does fight – Abdelkader and Brendan Smith are the only current Detroit players with a fighting major this season – he views the frightening video as another potential nail in the coffin for the future of hockey fights.

“I think there could be a place for fighting as far as just policing the guys,” Abdelkader said. “It’s the after the whistle stuff, the different things that can go on.

“At the same time, no one really needs to fight anymore. I just think you’re seeing less and less of it. Players are more skilled and focused on playing (well) on the ice than going out and fighting. You’re not seeing a fourth line that’s full of guys that are going to go out and fight.”

In Detroit’s most recent game, no Red Wing challenged Philadelphia’s Ryan White after he was assessed a match penalty for a head shot on Detroit’s Tomas Jurco and Wings’ coach Jeff Blashill accepted that development as a reality of the way the game is played today.

The other night, San Diego Gulls forward Brian McGrattan was knocked out in a fight with Daniel Maggio of the San Antonio Rampage. For now, fighting is allowed in the National Hockey league and in the American Hockey League game.

But for how long?

Most Junior hockey league have done everything they can to limit the number of fights a player can be involved in during the course of a season. The OHL has a 10-fight limit. After a player reaches 10 in a season, he's subject to stiffer disciplinary action. In other words, fight 11-15 are rewarded with a two-game suspension.

College hockey banned fighting many years ago.

If you watched the fight in question, you know it was an ugly incident. None of us ever want to see player get hurt on the ice. The McGrattan incident will give anti-fighting cabal the necessary ammo it needs to push for a fighting ban in all levels of hockey. Actually, these incidents will give credence to their argument.



In today’s salary cap NHL, teams can’t afford to carry one-dimensional players on their roster. They don’t have that luxury. Teams can’t afford to have a player that plays four shifts a game and sits on the end of the bench huffing and puffing at people. They need players that can score goals, kill penalties and chew up minutes.

Players that can fight and play hockey have greater value and still have a role in the NHL. See L.A. Kings forward Milan Lucic.

Time to Eliminate the Push Check: Tomas Jurko Hit on Scottie Upshall

Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Jurko was given a two-minute minor penalty for this cross-check on St. Louis forward Scottie Upshall. This is a hit that happens 100's of times a month. It's a dangerous hit that needs to be eliminated from all level of hockey. Although not usually a malicious hit, there have been quite a few players hurt on this type of hit.

Gormley: Chorney one of Caps' best 'under the radar' signings

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney has found a niche' in Washington. Chorney is playing former Fighting Sioux All-American T.J. Oshie in the nation's capital.

Chuck Gormley, CSN Atlantic--- Quietly effective: Through 36 games Caps defenseman Taylor Chorney has five assists and ranks tied for third on the team with a plus-14 rating while averaging 13:17 of ice time.

“He’s one of those real good signings for us this year,” Caps coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s under the radar. (His free-agent signing) was a footnote for a lot of people in this area.

“He’s come in and filled a really good role, can play both sides on the back end and he’s been solid. Todd (Reirden) has done a good job with all our defensemen and I’m real happy with Taylor. There are certain guys everybody sort of cheers for and he’s one of them.”

Currently, the Capitals are the best team in the NHL with a 38-8-3 record and 73 points. The closest team to the Capitals are the Western Division leading Chicago Blackhawks who have 68 points.

Grand Forks Herald: Schafer says UND nickname 'solved'

Former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer is now the University of North Dakota's interim president. Schafer will be the interim president for about six months. Of course, with a different person at the top, some have questioned whether Schafer would allow another nickname vote.

There will not be another nickname vote. Not going to happen. I think this is the right move. UND spent a bunch of money to get us this nickname.

John Hageman and Anna Burleson , Grand Forks Herald -- But Schafer didn't leave any openings for the university to revisit the nickname issue Tuesday.

"That issue has been settled," he said. "The process went through, and in my opinion, whether you like the name or not, whether you supported the Fighting Sioux or not, the reality is we're beyond that. It hindered the university for many years, and the reality is we have a stake in the ground, we have a new nickname, we're moving forward, we have a chosen nickname and we're going to make value to that name."

UND is now moving forward with the selection of a new logo and moniker. I think this is key. If UND fans are to accept the new nickname, there needs to be a logo that fans can get behind and support. I keep hearing what UND can't have. Blow the selection and design of the logo and you will do a lot of damage.

Of course, there's going to be fans that don't like the new nickname. There were so many other better options not considered for the nickname.

I don't think many of us wanted to lose the Fighting Sioux nickname, but it's gone and it's not coming back. Booing the new nickname is counter productive in my humble opinion.

If UND had remained the Fighting Sioux, there would have been no chance UND would have ever hosted a regional. UND will again host a regional next spring in the Scheels Arena.

Is Fighting Hawks the best nickname? Nope. There are like 40 other schools that are some version of Hawks in their nickname. That being said, I think that Fighting Hawks was the best of the five horrible choices.

Brian McGrattan Knocked out by Daniel Maggio

Tonight, San Diego Gulls forward Brian McGrattan was knocked out cold in a fight by Daniel Maggio of the San Antonio Rampage in an American Hockey League game.

It's an ugly incident, you never want to see anyone get hurt on the ice. Yet, you have fans still cheering while McGrattan is laying on the ice. The anti-fighting cabal will use this as evidence that fighting has no room in any level of hockey.

It's incidents like this that will give credence to their argument. Thankfully, McGrattan is conscious and appears to be okay. I would imagine that he will not be playing anytime soon.

INJURY UPDATE: Brian McGrattan is conscious, alert and has full movement.

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) January 20, 2016

Hoping you are ok @bigern10 thoughts are with you and the family

— George Parros (@GeorgeParros) January 20, 2016

UND Ranked Second in Both Polls

Last weekend, there was some grumbling from some in the hockey blogsphere about UND being number one in the USCHO Poll. This week, we won't have to hear the grumbling. With the split this past weekend, the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks are ranked second in both polls.


In the ranking that actually matters, UND is currently third in the pairwise rankings. Finally, you can check out this site. With each win, UND is moving closer to securing a NCAA bid.


 

USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll
Rk.	School (First-place votes)	Record	Pts.	PR
1.	Quinnipiac (41)	19-1-3	990	2
2.	North Dakota (8)	19-3-2	941	1
3.	Providence (1)	15-3-4	889	3
4.	Boston College	15-4-3	820	4
5.	St. Cloud State	18-5-1	785	5
6.	Michigan	14-3-4	748	6
7.	Omaha	15-6-1	671	9
8.	Massachusetts-Lowell	14-4-4	611	11
9.	Harvard	9-4-3	603	7
10.	Cornell	11-3-3	528	8
11.	Boston University	11-7-4	496	10
12.	Yale	10-4-3	471	12
13.	Notre Dame	12-4-7	448	13
14.	Penn State	15-4-3	352	15
15.	Denver	10-7-5	335	14
16.	Rensselaer	12-7-5	180	20
17.	Michigan Tech	13-7-4	141	NR
18.	Bowling Green	13-7-5	140	16
19.	Minnesota Duluth	8-8-5	110	17
20.	Minnesota State	11-8-5	84	19
Others receiving votes: Robert Morris 58, Minnesota 46, Holy Cross 18, St. Lawrence 17, Dartmouth 4, Union 4, RIT 1.
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Rk.	School (1st-place votes)	Record	Pts.	PR
1.	Quinnipiac (30)	19-1-3	503	1
2.	North Dakota (3)	19-3-2	468	2
3.	Providence (1)	15-3-4	424	3
4.	St. Cloud State	18-5-1	388	5
5.	Boston College	15-4-3	375	4
6.	Michigan	14-3-4	357	6
7.	Omaha	15-6-1	279	9
8.	Harvard	9-4-3	251	8
9.	Massachusetts-Lowell	14-4-4	234	11
10.	Cornell	11-3-3	204	7
11.	Boston University	11-7-4	158	10
12.	Yale	10-4-3	154	12
13.	Notre Dame	12-4-7	149	13
14.	Penn State	15-4-3	71	15
15.	Denver	10-7-5	55	14
Others receiving votes: St. Lawrence 4, Michigan Tech 3, Minnesota 2,

Flyers Hosed on Niklas Kronwall Goal

I agree with former NHL on-ice official Kerry Fraser, I was surprised that this goal wasn't overturned by the war room. The goalie needs to be able to make a save. In this instance, Michal Neuvirth was interfered with and unable to make a save. Below, is the NHL goalie interference rule.

Rule 69 – Interference on the Goalkeeper

Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-ice judgement of the Referee(s), and not by means of video replay or review.

So, if you read the NHL's rule 69, was this the correct call? I don't believe it was.

I'm not surprised challenge did not reverse Det goal. Neuvirth's glove positioned outside paint. Helm's back to net engaged w/Gudas.

— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) January 18, 2016

OSU and UMich, Game-Ending Donnybrook

Nothing like an old fashion donnybrook to end the game. Who says there isn't any action in Big Ten Hockey.

If I had to guess, I think there's a suspension coming for Michigan sophomore defenseman Martin Cutler. He's already missing the next game due to a game disqualification. I have to think that he's going to get another game for the punching his opponent as he lays on the ice.

While fighting isn't allowed in college hockey. Hitting an opponent that's laying on the ice while the ref has him tied up breaks the hockey code. This is a bush league move, it's unacceptable. You can see that the game-ending line brawl racked up the penalty minutes.

Michigan Cooper Marody 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Michigan Cutler Martin 10 Disqualification 20:00
Michigan Cutler Martin 5 FACEMASKING 20:00
Michigan Dexter Dancs 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Michigan Nicholas Boka 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Michigan Tony Calderone 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Ohio State Craig Dalrymple 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Ohio State Dakota Joshua 10 Disqualification 20:00
Ohio State Dakota Joshua 5 FACEMASKING 20:00
Ohio State Josh Healey 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Ohio State Kevin Miller 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Ohio State Miguel Fidler 2 ROUGHING ATW 20:00
Michigan Alex Kile 10 Game Misconduct 20:00

UND 5, UNO 1 (Video Highlights)

The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks beat the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks 5-1 to gain the series split. With the win, UND improves to 19-3-2, 10-2-0 in the NCHC.

This season, UND has given up four or more goals three times and has a 0-2-1 record. In the last 12 games, UND is 10-2-0.

In 10 games at home against UNO, UND has a 5-4-1 record.

Bill Belichick Unplugged

I can't resist. I would say that the Camera person isn't a Patriots fan. I guess someone needs to be careful what they do when the camera is rolling. By the way, I am a fan of the Patriots.

VIDEO: Bill Belichick digs deep into his 'playbook' during Pats-Chiefs. https://t.co/iM8gYRI82q pic.twitter.com/ofsphCcQS6

— theScore (@theScore) January 16, 2016

Red Cows vs. Angry Birds, Game Two

The NCHC has suspended one-game Mavericks forward Justin Parizek for his dirty hit on Drake Caggiula. I thought at the time, that this hit was going to get another look by the league. Originally, coach Brad Berry wanted five minutes for the hit, but the on-ice officials only gave him a two-minute minor penalty. The question is, why didn't the on-ice officials make the call on the ice. I do not have video.

I applaud the NCHC for their consistency in dealing with supplemental discipline. They seem to be cleaning up messes for the on-ice officials. The NCHC officials aren't the only ones having trouble.

Currently, the NHL is having to go back and officiate the game via video ex-post facto. College hockey isn't the only ones.  That being said, the NHL could learn a lot from the NCHC.

NCHC has officially suspended Parizek for tonight's game for his cross-check to Caggiula's head.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) January 16, 2016

Angry Birds vs. Red Cows - Game 1

As most of you know by now, the Mavericks starting freshman goalie,  Evan Weninger is out this weekend with an ankle injury. Weininger didn’t make the trip to Grand Forks this weekend.

Here's the first curveball of the weekend by Mavericks head coach Dean Blais. Almost everyone assumed junior goalie Kirk Thompson would make the start for the Mavericks. Nope. Not a chance. As most of us know, coach Blais never does anything the easy way. Going against the grain, Blais will start freshman goalie, Alex Blankenburg in net for the Mavericks tonight. Blankenburg is a rookie goalie that’s never played a game in college. Why not throw him into the first? Right?

Tonight, UND fans will also get their first look at Derek Shepherd this weekend.

Trip Down Memory Lane: UND vs. UNO

It's been a quiet week, not much has been going on. I would call it the calm before the storm. Not a lot of news leading up to the game between UND and UNO. The Mavericks starting goalie is banged up and it appears that he won't make the trip this weekend.

Dean Blais says @evanweninger will not travel to UND this weekend, but will miss only "a couple of weeks" w/ ankle sprain suffered vs. DU.

— Thor Tripp (@ThorTripp) January 12, 2016