If Wild Fan didn't hate the Ducks before, they have even more reason now...

If Wild fans didn't have enough reason to hate the Ducks before they just signed bad boy goon and resident thugh Todd Bertuzzi, so much for the new NHL eh? I wonder if the Wild GM will add two more goons to counter the move. Boogey man is going to have lots of dancing partners when they play the Ducks.

U Mass Lowell Coach Suspened for DUI arrest

Found this story on-line today, interesting to say the least. I would hope that the University doesn't fire McDonald for a DUI. Hopefully UMass Lowell will give him an opportunity to make things right. This isn't good either for a program that is barely hanging on and we shouldn't down play the seriousness of this incident.

Click Me

LOWELL -- UMass Lowell head hockey coach Blaise MacDonald was suspended indefinitely yesterday as the result of his Friday arrest on drunken-driving charges.

MacDonald's blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit of .08 percent when he was found sleeping in the driver's seat of his Toyota Land Cruiser at 8:58 p.m. in Chelmsford, according to police. The vehicle was blocking the entrance to the Woodland Square Condominiums at 262 Littleton Road.

The 43-year-old coach's suspension interrupts a high point for the nationally known Division I hockey program. After staving off the threat of losing its hockey team this year, the university recently sold out 350 premium club season tickets in a campaign to boost enthusiasm for the team.

Although his suspension is effective immediately, MacDonald, who lives in Westford, will still receive an internal university disciplinary hearing.

responsibility to encourage lawful and healthy behavior among all members of the campus community," UMass Lowell spokeswoman Patti McCafferty said in a written statement. "As role models, coaches must behave responsibly and set the appropriate example for our students."

Chelmsford police spotted MacDonald's vehicle after another driver reported it crossing over the oncoming lane of traffic several times on Littleton Road. The motorist also reported seeing MacDonald turning around near the trailer park at 270 Littleton Road.

According to police, MacDonald's speech was slurred and he had difficulty standing up. His eyes were red and glassy and his breath smelled of alcohol.

There was also fresh damage to the front bumper of his vehicle, which police said looked like it had been struck by a small tree or shrub. Police also found four beers and a 750 milliliter bottle of Absolut vodka inside the vehicle.

At the Chelmsford police station, MacDonald was given two Breathalyzer tests. He blew .23 percent on the first and .25 percent on the second, according to police. The legal limit is .08.

MacDonald was held overnight and released early Saturday evening on personal recognizance, said Chelmsford Police Chief Kevin Murphy. He was arraigned yesterday morning in Lowell District Court.

A native of Billerica, MacDonald was named the fifth coach of the UMass Lowell hockey team on April 6, 2001. He came to Lowell from Niagara University in New York, where he was a head hockey coach for five years. MacDonald earned $167,209 from UMass Lowell in 2006.

Messages left on MacDonald's cell phone, at his home and office were not returned yesterday.

Marty Meehan, who was on campus yesterday visiting with faculty and students in his first official day on the job as UMass Lowell chancellor, declined comment beyond the university's statement.

But MacDonald's suspension makes it likely UMass Lowell will need to find a new head hockey coach, at least in the interim, before the start of next season.

This is the second time this year a prominent Lowell coach has been suspended due to a drunken-driving arrest.

Lowell High School baseball coach Dan Graham, 31, was arrested on March 17 and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol on the Lowell Connector, just two days after replacing longtime coach George Cunha.

After his arrest, Superintendent of Schools Karla Brooks Baehr suspended Graham without pay for the remainder of the season. He is expected to return to coaching next year.

Life is about choices and mistakes, this is not a good choice for a role model to make. It's obvious that McDonald has screwed up in this case. I would hope that the University give McDonald one more chance.

It's Official Canucks sign Cory Schneider

The early signing continue and this one I don't feel so bad about: Sioux fans will not have to watch Cory Schneider give up 4+ goals again the Fighting Sioux and still beat the Fighting Sioux. Hopefully there will be a some good carma when the Sioux play the Eagles in the future.

Cool Clip that I found on Waiting for Stanley: Johnson (aka JMFJ) nearly decapitates the BC goalie

The list is growing for early signings:

Here are the significant departures so far this offseason
MSU Jim McKenzie Jr. Signed with Senators (NHL)
Boston College Cory Schneider Jr. Signed with Vancover (NHL)
Northern Michigan Mike Santorelli Jr. Signed with Nashville (NHL)
Dartmouth David Jones Jr. Signed with Colorado (NHL)
Michigan Andrew Cogliano So. Signed with Edmonton (NHL)
Maine Teddy Purcell Fr. Signed with Los Angeles (NHL)
Minnesota Erik Johnson Fr. Signed with St. Louis (NHL)
New Hampshire Trevor Smith So. Signed with Islanders (NHL)
Alaska Fairbanks Darcy Campbell Jr. Signed with Columbus (NHL)
Massachusetts Jonathan Quick So. Signed with Los Angeles (NHL)
Clarkson Shawn Weller Jr. Signed with Ottawa (NHL)
SCSU Andrew Gordan Jr. Signed with the Washington (NHL)
Michigan Jack Johnson So. Signed with Los Angeles (NHL)
Alaska-Anchorage Jay Beagle So. Signed with Idaho (ECHL)
Denver Ryan Dingle Jr. Signed with Anaheim (NHL)
Wisconsin Joe Piskula Jr. Signed with Los Angeles (NHL)
Minnesota St. Steve Wagner So. Signed with St. Louis (NHL)
Wisconsin Jack Skille So. Signed with Chicago (NHL)
Vermont Torrey Mitchell So. Signed with San Jose (NHL)
Western Mich. Mark Letestu Signed with Pittsburgh (NHL)
Alaska Fairbanks Kyle Greentree So. Signed with Philadelphia (NHL)
Minn.-Duluth Matt Niskanen So. Signed with Dallas (NHL)
Minn.-Duluth Mason Raymond So. Signed with Vancouver (NHL)
BGSU Jonathan Matsumoto So. Signed with Philadelphia (NHL)
Union T.J. Fox So. Signed with San Jose (NHL)
UND Jonathan Toews So. Signed with Chicago (NHL)
UND Brian Lee So. Signed with the Senators (NHL)

It's Official Brian Lee has signed with the Senators

Lee Gone

BRIEFLY: The Senators will announce today the signing of D Brian Lee, their No. 1 pick (ninth overall) in the 2005 draft, along with 2004 fifth-round pick RW Jim McKenzie. Lee went to North Dakota last season, while McKenzie attended Michigan State.

While originally it was up in the air what Lee was going to do, the final nail in the coffin was the Sen's losing Tom Preissing as he signed a nice free agent deal with the LA King's.

2007 - 2008 Hockey Schedule (by Sioux 7)

Oct 7 Manitoba (exhibition)
Oct 13 Michigan St. (US Hall of Fame Game)
Oct 19 @ Boston College
Oct 20 @ Northeastern
Oct 26-27 @ MICHIGAN TECH

Nov 2-3 COLORADO COLLEGE
Nov 9-10 @ WISCONSIN
Nov 23-24 MINNESOTA-DULUTH
Nov 30 -1 @DENVER

Dec 7-8 MINNESOTA
Dec 28-29 New Hampshire

Jan 4-5 @ ST. CLOUD ST.
Jan 11-12 MICHIGAN TECH
Jan 18-19 @ MANKATO ST.
Jan 25-26 ALASKA-ANCHORAGE

Feb 1-2 @ MINNESOTA
Feb 15-16 DENVER
Feb 23-24 Bemidji St.

Mar 1-2 @ MINNESOTA-DULUTH
Mar 7-8 ST. CLOUD ST.

Mar 14-16 WCHA PLAYOFFS - First Round
Mar 20-22 WCHA FINAL FIVE (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Mar 28-30 NCAA Regionals
Apr 10-12 NCAA FROZEN FOUR (Denver, Colorado)

As you may notice the team has 3 breaks in the schedule. The first break is in mid-November. The second break in mid-December, with back-to-back weekends with no games just before Christmas. And the final third break in early February.

I think they have good schedule and terms of having time off, it is spread around in the middle of the season. We also have a good schedule in terms of home/away games, there are no big road stretches or no big home stands either. However, I think we have a tough schedule, playing UM, SCSU, DU and MTU four games each.

We only play the following WCHA teams in one series this upcoming season: Wisconsin, Colorado College, Alaska, and Mankato St.

Charges against Fighting Sioux player Dropped...

Bina's Charges Dismissed

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A judge has dismissed misdemeanor charges against North Dakota's Robbie Bina. Bina was accused of "aiding the escape" of two teammates who were being held in a police car.

The judge ruled that the players — Jonathan Toews and T.J. Oshie — were not attempting to escape, but just talking to Bina, 24.

The incident took place at a bar in Grand Forks on Jan. 28. Oshie and Toews were cited for being minors in a bar, a charge to which they later pleaded guilty.

Bina pleaded not guilty of trying to escape custody. He could have faced up to 30 days in jail and a one-thousand-dollar fine.

Oshie and Toews were placed on probation and ordered to perform community service.

Rush To Judgement?

Just to refresh everyone's memory one Fargo Forum sports writer posted the following article below lambasting David Hakstol and UND in its dealing with the Judy's Bar incident earlier this year. To so called media pundets and certain hand wringing fans around the league were demanding that Hakstol punish the three players involved in the incident. I does appear in this case that UND Fighting Sioux head coach David Hakstol made the right decision. Funny how things work out eh? That darn Hakstol always seems to come out looking smarter all of the time doesn't he? While some were over reacting, Coach Hakstol showed calm and restraint. But of course this is all water under the bridge now. We really can't fault the media for doing their job and reporting an incident involving a Fighting Sioux hockey player. Agian just to refresh everyone's memory. For your viewing pleasure read away:

Discipline U

As per my column in Friday's Forum, what do you all think of University of North Dakota hockey coach Dave Hakstol's fumbling of the Taverngate situation?

To refresh: Three Sioux players -- T.J. Oshie, Jonathan Toews and Robbie Bina -- were cited Jan. 28 by Grand Forks police. Oshie and Toews were charged with being minors in a bar. Bina was hit with a more serious charge of escaping custody for opening the door of a cop car.

They are minor charges. Nobody is saying Oshie and Toews murdered anybody. Bina's charge seems to stem from youthful stupidity (and perhaps a sense of entitlement from being a Sioux hockey player in Grand Forks). Hey, if you were ever a college student, you've probably been there.
But unless something changes before tonight's WCHA game against Minnesota State Mankato, it appears Hakstol is not going to discipline the players in any meaningful way. Maybe he'll surprise everybody with a suspension or two, but it sure doesn't look that way.

How does Hakstol get away with it? He's had three players who were publicly cited for breaking the law and there is no penalty, other than the lame-o "internal handling" of the situation?

The answer, I guess, is simple enough: This is UND hockey and this is Grand Forks, where UND hockey rules.

Whaddya think, folks? Do you agree with me that a one-game suspension for Toews and Oshie and a two-game suspension for Bina is warranted? There has to be some price to pay, doesn't there?

Fire away.

I wonder if any kind of a retraction. I would probably bet that there will not be one coming anytime soon from Forum sports writer Mike McFeely? Also, don't expect to see one on his blog. McFeely isn't the only one that had a good time with this incident, there were other.

Back from Europe (by Sioux 7)

I was on vacation for a couple of weeks, during that time I was in England, France, and Italy.

I did see most of the famous places in the big cities of London, Paris, and Rome. If you ever get the chance to travel overseas, I highly recommend it is a excellent experience (this was my 3rd trip to Europe). Here are a couple of pictures of some of the famous places I saw.













Stonehenge



Big Ben w/ the London Eye in the back ground



The Eiffel Tower in Paris



The Colesium in Rome

Random thoughts

I would like to expand on this topic that I posted on at USCHO.COM...

Originally Posted by jk on USCHO.Com
Couple things about Lee.
However, I had pretty much the same thoughts on Okposo, and I think his recent decision (rather, the decision made for him by the NYI) might be a sign that teams are starting to see the value in leaving players in college. So now I think there is a chance that he might return.

My Post:
I am glad that not all the GM's in the NHL are anti College and in a hurry to yank these kids out of college. As we can see the WCHA has done a pretty good job preparing kids for the NHL. Insert example: Matt Carle, Zach Parise, Phil Kessel etc...

I was re-listening to the interview that Puffy did with tDon on KFAN after the Gopher's season was ended by the Sioux in March (Yeah I know). Basically Universityh of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said something that really hit home. Maybe it was pointed at some of his players as well. His message was: your time in school for the most part is fun and a very short, don't make any rash decision. Once you sign your contract your an employee and its not always as fun as it's perceived to be. It's not all glamour and its a business.
You have to love the i-Pod option.

the Player only gets 4 years to play and then your career is over. Don went on to say that he has never heard a player regret leaving college too late, but has heard a few say they left way too early. he mentioned Jake Taylor and how he would have like to re-thought his decision. Then tDon made reference to former all-American Jordan Leopold and how he came back his fourth year and hit the jack pot... NCAA, Hobey Baker...

I guess it's up to the player and we will move on eventually no matter what Lee's decision is... The fact it's taken so long makes it more and more nerve racking. Sioux fans want to know who is going to be there when the puck drops on October 7th...

The Break Down

There are few top players (Schneider, B.C.; Goligoski, Minnesota; Lee, UND) in college hockey are deciding if they want to make the next step and sign a professional contract and start getting paid to play hockey, a child home dream of many of these players. Each of the players has a little different situation.

Brian Lee probably has no chance to make the Senators opening day roster and has basically shown an interest to sign a professional contract even though the senators have been on record and hinted he should go back to school and work on his development.

The Canucks want to sign Cory Schneider, he is probably destined to the back up role or more than likely is off to tend goal for the Manitoba Moose due to Canucks having a top flight goalie Roberto Luongo as their starter for the next three years. The mind set of many hockey pundents is that Cory could develop more in the AHL than in the NCAA. Also some have suggested that the Canucks could trade Cory for a top UFA that can make an immediate impact on the Canucks team.

Goligoski seems to have the best chance to make the pens if his off season injury/surgery heals in time to play in the fall. Of course Gophers fans are holding their breath and basically coming up with all the reason why Goli should come back tot the Gophers. Pittsburg is not going to risk losing Goligoski to another team and will make a serious push to get him locked up to a entry level contract...

The move on to the next level means they will forgo the rest of their college eligibility. One would believe this is a tough decision due to the fact these players have taken so long to make the decision.

A BU hockey fan's hockey picture.

I found this great picture over on USCHO. As a college hockey fan you got to love the BU and B.C. rivalry. Its pretty much a given that B.C. fans are almost just as hated as our rivals to the South in Minnesoda. The BU and BC rivalry seems like its more heated than the Fighting Sioux and Gophers, at least we can sit in the bar after the game and drink a beer without killing each other Fuck'em up, Fuck'em up, BC SUCKS . It's a picture that was posted from a Boston University fan. Ah yes; enjoying your rivals misfortune.

A couple of rumors.

The New England Sports Network reported during the Boston Red Sox pre-game show last night that Boston College Eagles goalie and Sioux Nemesis Corey Schneider is going to sign with the Vancover Canucks. I guess the Fighting Sioux won't have Corey Schneider around to score on anymore.

Ecklund from HockeyBuzz.com is reporting that Willie Mitchell is headed back to Minnesota. Although a lot of what Ecklund reports doesn't come true this is a free agent pick up that I would really applaud and hope happens.

Here is an interesting story on Toby Peterson

I found this story on line about former C.C. Tiger's player Toby Peterson and current Edmonton Oiler. Toby talks about his day to day life and dealing with type 1 diabetes. While living with diabetes can't be easy, imagine living with the diabetes and while playing hockey in the NHL. That would have to be even be more challenging. Toby actually plays the game wearing an insulin pump. Toby Peterson played at C.C. from 1996-2000 scoring 128 point in 138 games.

Ben Blood Video

I found this video of Sioux recruit Ben Blood on line. To say that I am excited about him being a Fighting Sioux is an understatement. The Senator's fans are rightfully excited as well...

Ben Blood Video

The Universal Cynic: Ben Blood: Potential marketing bonanza

Here is an interesting perspective on UND recruit Ben Blood who was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round, 120 overall. It appears that the Senators are looking for a big tough rugged defenseman to counter big tough teams like the Ducks:

The Universal Cynic: Ben Blood: Potential marketing bonanza

Brian Murray wants the Sens to be tougher, so how can you go wrong with a kid with a moniker straight out of a B-movie slasher flick?

In the fourth round of the '07 Entry Draft, newly minted GM Bryan Murray and his think tank took Ben Blood -- a 6'3", 212 lb. left-handed defenseman originally from Shattuck St. Mary's, however, Blood was recruited by the University of North Dakota late last year. The blueliner could join the Fighting Sioux as early as September, which means he would be playing alongside '05 first round pick Brian Lee (assuming Lee stays in school).

Brian Lee has been knocked in the past for his soft play, but it doesn't look like that will be an issue for Blood -- he comes with a physical game and an offensive presence. Ben played in 63 games in 2006-07 for Shattuck St. Mary's, finishing with 36 points (11 G, 23 A) and 144 PIM (he had only 32 in 2005-'06).

The Best hits from the Stanley Cup Finals

I will have to say that this years finals was full of hard hits and physical play, I hope that continues. Also, its nice to see Chris Neil actually making a legal hit as well... I didn't know that guy knew how to make a hit that wasn't a elbow to the head of the oppostion player.

Ex-NHL Official to head the ECAC Officials

This is a big time story

Former NHL official Paul Stewart is going to head the ECAC officials. I think this is a great move for the ECAC and I almost wish the WCHA would follow suit, I am sure fellow siouxsports.com reader/contributer Redwing_77 does as well, both of us are not fans of the current WCHA head of officials. One could say that I am jealous with envy. It should be no mystery that if I could change one thing in college hockey it would be the accoutability of the on ice officials.

For those that have watched NHL hockey know that Paul Stewart is a class act and a great hockey mind and is one of them most beloved officials ever in the NHL. It is the opinion of this blogger that NCAA Division 1 College hockey is a high profile sport and should have the very best personnel officiating the games. We should not accept any less as college hockey fans.

ALBANY, N.Y. — ECAC Hockey has again changed its Supervisor of Officials, but this time may have landed someone with staying power.

Paul Stewart, a one-time National Hockey League referee and former player at Penn, was named by the league.

"We are thrilled that Paul will join our League staff," said ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell. "His reputation and standing within the hockey community is incomparable, and his wealth of experience as a player and on-ice official at the highest levels of the sport provide tremendous leadership, knowledge and expertise that surely will enhance the League."
---------snip---------
Stewart competed in the ECAC for Penn from 1973-75 and then enjoyed a professional career that included the NHL and World Hockey Association (WHA). Stewart assumes the leadership role of an officiating staff that comprised more than 40 officials in 2006-07.

"The vitality and school spirit that hockey brings to our college campuses is electric. ECAC Hockey has long been known for its combination of athletic and academic excellence," Stewart said. "My role is to assist our staff, coaches, players, and administration in elevating the standards of officiating to even more consistent and higher levels of quality. It is a responsibility that I have prepared my entire life for. In being give this opportunity I add another spoke to a life in hockey for which I am honored to be a part."

WCHA Departures: Who is Next?

So Who is Next?

So are the Gophers the next WCHA team to lose another star player? The Pens want to meet with Minnesota defenseman Alex Goligoski this week. It's no mystery that Goli is an awesome defensive prospect with a great upside on the offensive side of the ice. It is my opinion that Alex is one of the best in the WCHA if not the NCAA. Goligoski would also fit nicely into the Pens up tempo style of play.

Penguins to meet with prospect Goligoski
By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Penguins could have a firm grasp on the immediate future of prospect Alex Goligoski after the prized University of Minnesota defenseman meets Tuesday with team officials in the Twin Cities. Goligoski, the club's second-round pick (61st overall) in the 2004 entry draft, will meet general manager Ray Shero for the first time this morning. Assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher also will attend the face-to-face meeting -- perhaps an indication that the team expects to learn from Goligoski, 21, his intentions for the upcoming season.

Goligoski, a left-handed offensive-minded defenseman, scored 25 goals and recorded 98 points in 118 games over the past three seasons with Minnesota. However, he has informed college coaches and teammates that he wishes to decide soon whether to return for his final year of eligibility or turn pro.

Considered one of the top defensemen in collegiate hockey, Goligoski, a second-team All-American, would seem a long shot to play in the NHL next season. But he would rate a serious contender to play for the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Nothing on Brian Lee

The Goon is predicting that Brian Lee will be announcing this week that he is returning for another season of hockey at the University of North Dakota.

The Senators have a deep prospect group on defense led by 2005 ninth overall pick Brian Lee, who will likely play another season with University of North Dakota before turning pro...

The Following Sioux Players are UFA's

The List of Fighting Sioux UFA's

Matt Jones Phoenix Coyotes
Jason Blake NY Islanders
Made 1,558,000 during the 2006-2007 season
Ecklund from hockey buzz has Jason going back to the Islanders
Matt Greene Edmonton Oilers
Zach Parise New Jersey Devils
Zach made 703,000 in 2006-2007 expect a big pay day.
David Hale Calgary Flames
Brandon Bochenski Boston Bruins
Brandon is locked up in Boston has he has signed a one year deal with the Bruins.

The month of Firings?

Let the Firings Begin

The Boston Bruins gave Dave Lewis his walking papers this week after only one season of coaching the Bruins and also according to the Toronto Sun, the Ottawa Senators have fired general manager John Muckler. I guess Muckler will no longer be trying to sign Brian Lee eh?

My first question to the Bruins is why did they wait so long to fire Lewis, especially with the draft coming up? Now in an contrast of the two situations: John Muckler takes his team to the Stanley Cup finals and still gets fired while Dave Lewis for the most part was inaffective the whole season as the coach of the Boston Bruins going 1-10-1 down the stretch, that is only three points out of a possible 24 points.

Muckler Gone
Muckler wouldn't discuss the issue with the paper, directing all inquiries to Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

"I haven't been told anything," Muckler told the Sun when asked about potential changes.

But two senior NHL executives told Sun Media they believe Melnyk gave Muckler his walking papers on Friday.

Related Info
Something is imminent in Ottawa
Senators president Roy Mlakar told the newspaper that Muckler's future will be decided by ''the end of the weekend

Former Gopher Phil Kessel wins the Masterton

Former Golden Gophers and Bruins Rookie Phil "the Thrill" Kessel picked up the Masterton throphy at the National Hockey League awards show. It was the first time that a rookie has been awarded the award.

A Posstive from a season of Negatives

In a season where not too many things went right for the Boston Bruins, it's good to see a Bruins player get reconized for something other than being on a losing team and missing the playoffs yet again.


The Story Link

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game of hockey” by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The Trophy was first presented by the PHWA in 1968 to commemorate the late William Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars, who died on January 15, 1968 after sustaining an injury on the ice.

“I am honored to be named this year's recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy,” said Kessel. "The list of players who have received this award in the past is incredible, and I am a little shocked to be included in such a prestigious group.

"I am fortunate to be surrounded by many great people who all helped me through last season, especially my family, my friends and my teammates, as well as the entire Boston Bruins medical staff.

"To Bruins fans everywhere, I would like to say 'thanks' for all of your kind words and support. You were in my corner from game one, and I am very excited about being a member of the Bruins organization for years to come.”

Kessel, who was selected fifth overall by the Bruins in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, played one season of college hockey at the University of Minnesota before joining Boston last fall.

The highly regarded 19-year old forward from Madison, Wisconsin was off to a productive start to his rookie campaign when he was diagnosed with embryonal testicular carcinoma, or testicular cancer, on December 9, 2006. On December 11, Kessel underwent surgery to remove the cancer, and on December 16, 2006 was announced cancer-free by Bruins team physician, Dr. David Judge.

Three weeks after surgery Kessel was back to practicing with the team, and returned to Bruins line-up on January 9, 2007 in Ottawa versus the Senators.

So is Lee Moving on?

Still no official news on the Brian Lee front other than this:Article that was Posted on Sioux Sports

* In addition, Muckler said team officials are "attempting to sign" defenseman Brian Lee, the ninth overall pick in 2005, and right wing Jim McKenzie, a fifth-round pick in 2004.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Lee just wrapped up his sophomore season with the University of North Dakota, and Muckler said there's a "possibility" he could come out early. McKenzie had 12 goals and 18 assists as a junior with Michigan State last season.

Maybe this is why we haven't heard too much on Brian Lee lately. Like I have said in many instances I would like to see him come back to the Fighting Sioux and make a run at a national championship, I believe that UND will be that good this season with what they have retained in the off season, however, thats is up to Brian Lee to decide and if he leaves, so be it. I believe that most Sioux fans (including Sioux_7) would welcome Brian back with open arms but if he wants to go pro hey good luck to you Brian and get the money while you can. Life is about decisions and I can't fault a kid for wanting to take the money, heck if someone told me hey you could make 200,000.00 if you sign on the dotted line I would do it in a nano second.

Also, with Derrick Lapoint coming in this fall and the emergence of Chay Genoway frankly the Sioux won't miss a beat without Brian.

Alright lets make a decision: Waiting on Brian Lee

You would probably know if you read siouxsports.com that much maligned Sioux sophomore defenseman Brian Lee is supposed to let Sioux fans know if he is going to sign a professional contract or not soon, however, there is still has been no official decision announced as of yet. OK, many of us would like to know what your decision is going to be. So whats it going to be? Inquiring minds want to know.

Should I stay or should I go now?

There have been quite a few people discussion the Brian Lee situation and if he is going to sign a professional contract or not. Frankly, there is nothing else to talk about, on the flip side of that equation, last season Fighting Sioux fans were discussion how many players that home town team was going to lose. This season we are talking about how players aren't leaving and where are we going to put everyone. I have heard through the rumor mill that the Senators have told Lee that he needs to stay in school.

The Sioux will be fine

The Fighting Sioux will be fine this season regardless if they lose Brian Lee or not, especially with Derrick Lapoint coming in fall. While most of us will welcome Brian Lee back with open arms. In his two season with the Fighting Sioux Brian Lee drafted in the first round (9th overall) by the Senators in 2005 Per Wikipedia has show both glimpses of greatness but also a propensity to be a little bit of a soft defensive player and at times has proven to be a defensive liability. Oh course based on Lee's age these problems could be attributed to this age.

Introducing a New Blog: Drun Roll Please

Dirty's Diatribe

There is a new blog in the making the it's appearance on the Hockey Blogsphere and this blog is written by the one and only cape wearing Dirty. Also, since Amy from Lets Go Mav's said I was slighting Dirty, that wasn't the case (Truth is last night it was really late and I didn't have a chance to read his article and get it on line)

Dirty, Dirty, Dirty

Dirty, who's famous (or should I say infamous?!?) on USCHO has started his own BLOG and also took time out of his busy schedule of posting on USCHO to answer my questions.

Below are his answers...in typical Dirty fashion. Enjoy!

TEAM NAME: University of North Dakota

HOW DID YOU GET THE NICKNAME DIRTY: Don’t you read RWD’s blog? You ask her to contribute to your blog when you don’t even read hers? Seems kind of selfish of you. (I read it all the time but I can't be expected to remember every little detail!!)

BEST FORWARD: Keeway Gaboo. Yes he plays for UND. Look it up if you really want to know. (This is some stupid name for TJ Oshie..."stupid little asshead" works better for me though!)

BEST DEFENSEMAN: Taylor Chorney

YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE PLAYER & WHY: The Oshie. He is The Oshie, no further explanation is necessary.

YOUR PREDICTION FOR YOUR TEAM CAPTAINS IN 2008: Robbie Bina – A Kyle Radke – A Taylor Chorney – C

WHY ARE YOU A FAN OF YOUR TEAM: Beause the Hrkac Circus is the greatest line in the history of college hockey. I grew up in East Grand Forks and went to school at UND. Also Justin Dubermann, as said by Scott Hennan, is the greatest name in the history of college hockey.

BEST ARENA SONG: Fight on Sioux

BEST TRADITION YOUR TEAM HAS: Being almost as big of goons as the Mankato Normal School. I mean the Mankato State Teachers College. I mean Mankato State College. I mean Mankato State University. I mean Minnesota State University-Mankato. (If Dirty thinks our players are Goons, he should get his butt to Kato and see the fight I can put up. I may be a girl but I'm scrappy and could kick his ass. Oh, and for the record it was only "Mankato State University AND Minnesota State University, Mankato" when I went to school there! Sorry...I'll try to find some rich old bigot to donate money to our school to FORCE us to keep a name!)

YOUR PREDICTION FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON: The Maloney Pony makes a fool out of CPZ. (This is some weird bet between Dirty and MeanEgirl)

THE TEAM IN THE WCHA YOU DESPISE THE MOST: Denver Pioneers

YOUR SECOND FAVORITE TEAM IN THE WCHA: Once again, don’t you read RWD’s blog? Michigan Tech. Duh.

YOUR FAVORITE WCHA ARENA (BESIDES YOUR OWN!): tDECCWCHA

COACH YOU HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR: Troy Jutting. Any man who can overcome starring in a movie with Cher, deserves my respect (Ok, this almost made me pee my pants! Awesome answer!!)

OPPOSING WCHA PLAYER YOU DESPISE THE MOST: Geoff Paukovich. Take note Goon, I can properly spell Paukovich’s first name. (Be nice, Goon sometimes has grammar and spelling issues. He works nights and is republican, so his brain doesn't work right!)

BEST JERSEYS: Grand Rapids High School. You didn’t say anything about it having to be a WCHA team. (I guess I need to be more specific for the slow kids...)

WORST JERSEYS: Mankato. They have improved though since that wretched NY Rangers style jersey a few years ago. (Smart talk coming from a guy who wants Hollywood's jersey SO bad!)

SHOULD THE WCHA HAVE ALLOWED BEMIDJI TO JOIN: Sure. Another whipping boy from Minnesota is always welcome. Plus the Glas Fieldhouse is awesome. I love going to places that are fire hazard death traps.

WHICH TEAMS WILL FINISH IN THE TOP 3 IN THE WCHA: Gophers, Sioux, Pioneers

PREDICTIONS ON THE 5 TEAMS TO MAKE THE 2008 FINAL 5: Gophers, Sioux, Pioneers, Tech and Tigers

MOST ANNOYING WCHA FORWARD EVER & WHY: Dan Kronick. When he’s on the ice, I can’t see past his chin.

MOST ANNOYING WCHA DEFENSEMAN EVER & WHY: Nate Metcalf. No reason, I just wanted to mention the guy I graduated with who played for the Mavs.

HOTTEST MALE WCHA PLAYER: Robby Nolan. (What?!?! I thought Hollywood was his mancrush....)

BEST BLOGGER: dggoddard. I mean Let’sGoMavs. Whew that was close. (Damn right I'm better than dggoddard!! Ok...so kidding. Many bloggers put me to shame!)

BEST POSTER ON USCHO: [cf]authentic. Oops, I misread. I thought you said biggest a-hole.

JUSTIFY WHY UND DOESN'T SUCK AND WHY I SHOULD ACTUALLY LIKE THEIR FANS: I can’t justify either, especially the fans part. A lot of UND fans, like [cf]authentic, are a bunch of jerkoffs.

AND, JUST FOR ME….

THE MAVERICK PLAYER YOU LIKE THE MOST & WHY: This question is completely unnecessary for me to answer. Much like Highlander, there can be only one. (yes, we all know Dirty has a mancrush on Hollywood....it kinda freaks me out actually!)

THE MAVERICK PLAYER YOU LIKE THE LEAST & WHY: Kurtis Kisio. He wouldn’t tell me how Hollywood got his hair so awesome. Plus he spells his name with a K and that’s just dumb. Kelly should be stripped of his NHL stats for that. (Ouch! and I thought that I was rough on Kisio!)

WHAT IS YOUR JUSTIFICATION FOR BEING SO OFF THE WALL THAT YOU THINK CHRIS CLARK LIKES YOU BETTER THAN ME: Among the many reasons is that I am willing to go with the Hollywood hairstyle. That’s devotion right there and I know Chris appreciates it. (and how would Dirty know if I had the mohawk or not? Maybe I do!! Maybe Hollywood frosted it for me...hmm....)

WILL YOU BE VISITING THE MWCC THIS COMING SEASON? (AND IF NOT START EXPLAINING WHY): Maybe. Depends if I can get work off. And if I can get free tickets. And if I can get a free place to stay. If all these things happen, I’ll be there with bells on. Provided I can find suitable bells. (Well, please have SOMETHING on. We don't need a naked Dirty at the MWCC. Oh, and be sure to let us know if you're coming so Hollywood has time to get the restraining order!)

Sioux _7 Makes an appearance on Lets Go Mav's

Check it out

Answers from Sioux_7
(Note Sioux_& is the guy hidding in the back)
Goon's buddy, Sioux_7 wanted to get in on the action with my questions....so with no further delay, here are his answers!! (Can you believe I'm letting this many Sioux fans write on my blog? I must be getting nicer in the off season!!)


TEAM NAME: FIGHTING SIOUX

BEST FORWARD: T.J. OSHIE (Oshie is a tool...that kid drives me nuts!)

BEST DEFENSEMAN: TAYLOR CHORNEY (JOE FINLEY GETS MY MOST IMPROVED D-MAN AWARD.)

YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE PLAYER & WHY: T.J. OSHIE, HE PLAYS A COMPLETE GAME ALL THE WAY AROUND. GOOD PUCK HANDLING SKILLS, GOOD DEFENSE IN HIS OWN END, AND HE GIVES 100% EVERY TIME HE IS ON THE ICE.

YOUR PREDICTION FOR YOUR TEAM CAPTAINS IN 2008: C-ROBBIE BINA, A-T.J. OSHIE, A-TAYLOR CHORNEY

WHY ARE YOU A FAN OF YOUR TEAM: I’M A PROUD UND ALUMNI, I ATTEND COLLEGE THERE FOR 6+ YEARS AND EARNED A B.S. IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, AND MINORS IN MATH AND CHEMISTRY. (holy crap he must be smart....but it did take six years....)

BEST ARENA SONG: AT THE OLD RALPH I LIKED THE OLD SONG, “SNAP YOUR FINGERS, SNAP YOUR NECK” BY PRONG. AT THE NEW ENGELSTAD, IT WOULD BE “SEVEN NATION ARMY” BY THE WHITE STRIPES.

BEST TRADITION YOUR TEAM HAS: THE WINNING NCAA/WCHA TITLES IS NICE, AND I ENJOY SING THE “IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER” SONG. (Why is "winning" the standard Sioux answer? It's annoying and makes me taste a little throw up when I read it. Hello! Traditions are songs, actions...things like that. Not just winning....ugg, Sioux fan arrogance! There's my rant, sorry had to get it out because Goon said the same thing and it's just arrogant!)

YOUR PREDICTION FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON: A TOP 3 FINISH IN THE LEAGUE, WITH ANOTHER TRIP TO THE NCAA TOURNEY IN MARCH/APRIL.

THE TEAM IN THE WCHA YOU DESPISE THE MOST: GOPHERS, THOSE LITTLE DIRTY RODENTS.

YOUR SECOND FAVORITE TEAM IN THE WCHA: DULUTH , I DON’T KNOW IF IT IS THE TOWN (QUITE SCENIC IT IS) OR MY FRIENDS THERE, OR SANDELIN IS AN OLD UND GUY OR SOMETHING, BUT I LIKE DULUTH .

YOUR FAVORITE WCHA ARENA (BESIDES YOUR OWN!): I’VE ONLY BEEN TO UMD’S AND SCSU’S FOR GAMES… I WILL CALL IT A TIE

WCHA COACH YOU HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY GEORGE GWOZDECKY. SINCE PAUKOVICH WAS SUSPENDED ONE GAME BY THE LEAUGE, FOR THE HIT ON BINA THAT BROKE HIS NECK, HE GAME HIM ONE EXTRA GAME SUSPENSION. CLASSY MOVE J

OPPOSING WCHA PLAYER YOU DESPISE THE MOST: “IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, DON’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.”

BEST JERSEYS : THE NEW BLACK SIOUX SWEATERS, OF COURSE. THE ONE THAT’S NOT A UND SWEATER WOULD HAVE TO GO TO… COLORADO COLLEGE , I LIKE THE TIGER HEAD. (WHAT IS UP WITH DENVER ’S LOGO? THEY HAVE SOME HAWK HEAD? WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH BEING A PIONEER?)

WORST JERSEYS: OH, I’M GOING TO HAVE TO SAY IT’S BETWEEN, ALASKA AND MANKATO . I DON’T CARE FOR THOSE PARTICULAR SHADES. ( WISCONSIN ’S ISN’T UGLY, BUT IT IS TOO PLAIN, CALL IN VANILLA. SCSU JUST COPIED MONTREAL , AND MINNESOTA ’S IS SORTA PLAIN TOO.) (Hello! Mankato's jerseys are one hundred times better than UAA's!!)

SHOULD THE WCHA HAVE ALLOWED BEMIDJI TO JOIN: I HAVE TOUCHED ON THIS SUBJECT BEFORE ON “GOON’S WORLD”. I WOULDN’T MIND SEEING THEM IN THE LEAGUE, IT MAKES SENSE FOR A GEOGRAPHICAL REASON. BUT I WANT TO SAVE THE OTHER TEAMS IN THE CHA AS WELL. WITH THAT MIND, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RESTRUCTURING IN A COUPLE OF THE COLLEGE HOCKEY LEAGUES, TO EVEN OUT THE CONFERENCES WITH ABOUT EQUAL AMOUNTS OF TEAMS IN EACH, THE WCHA, CCHA, AND CHA.

WHICH TEAMS WILL FINISH IN THE TOP 3 IN THE WCHA: UND, UM, SCSU

PREDICTIONS ON THE 5 TEAMS TO MAKE THE 2008 FINAL 5: UND, DU, MTU, SCSU, UMD (NO GOPHERS)

AND, JUST FOR ME….

THE MAVERICK PLAYER YOU LIKE THE MOST & WHY: BROWNLEE, I REMEMBER HIM, HE WAS A SOLID D-MAN

THE MAVERICK PLAYER YOU LIKE THE LEAST & WHY: “DON’T HATE THE PLAYER, HATE THE JUTTING” (Brilliant saying!! Told you he was smart!)

WILL YOU BE VISITING THE MWCC THIS COMING SEASON? (AND IF NOT START EXPLAINING WHY): I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO A GAME THERE, AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER ARENA’S IN THE LEAGUE. I WILL HAVE CHECK WITH THE GOON AND MAYBE MAKE A TRIP IF IT WORKS OUT. (See, Goon needs to get his ass to Kato and bring Sioux_7 with him. Maybe they'll be able to change my opinion of Sioux fans!!)

Even the Experts were wrong: Kyle Okposo to stay at Minnesota

It would be an understatement if I said that I along with many others were shocked that Kyle Okposo decided to come back to the Minnesota Gophers for his Sophmore season. Everywhere you read on the internet or everyone you talked to said they thought he was leaving and signing with the NY Islanders. Heck, even hockey guru Lou Nannie said in his interview with Dan Barrerio last Tuesday that he was shocked that Kyle was coming back, in fact the week before Lou said he was 95% sure that Kyle was going to sign with the Islanders. I guess we can say that it has been a summer of surprises.

Everyone thought he was gone

Kyle Okposo had been considered as good as gone. Instead, the Gophers' chances of contending for a national championship next season got a lot better Wednesday when Okposo announced he would return for his sophomore season.

"I could have signed and gone to camp to try to make the team," Okposo said, "but in talking to them I felt it was better to develop for another year at the University of Minnesota. I'm still a kid, and [the NHL] is always going to be there."

Check out this Blog Article on Ducks Win.

Conn Smythe Trophy winner
santa-claus-leads-water-fowl-to-first Stanley Cup

This is a blog that I found today. Here is an interesting article about the Ducks and how they won the Stanley Cup, doing it the clean way. Yeah ok, the article does have a little bit of a sarcastic tone to it but it the author does hit a lot of the points many of us are talking/thinking about.

So in building hockey teams for the future in the new NHL: here is the 64,000.00 questions. Do you build a team like the Buffalo Sabres who were a small, skilled, fast team whom, I might add, was dismantled by the Senators during the eastern conference championship? Or… Do you built a team like the Ducks who ran the opposition out of the building by having a team of big strong bruising forwards that hit everything in sight and take the puck hard to the net?

Literally, the Ducks ran over many a goaltender to accomplish their goal of winning a Stanley Cup this season. The Ducks also played a rough and tumble brand of hockey that focused on strong goaltending and a trap style defense. The Ducks are a mean and nasty group that lead the league in fighting Majors; oh by the way the Ducks were proud of that fact. I am not saying I don’t admire that style of play, because I do; if that team in question had played a cleaner style of rough and tumble hockey.

I like a good fight like most hockey fans, however, a team can play rough tumble without making questionable plays like hitting to the head and going around trying to take out skilled players by sucker punching them or going after opposing players knees. Frankly, the Ducks were a bunch of thugs, lead by head Thug Brad May. Exhibit (A) was the sucker punch to the head of Kim Johnsson a skilled player for the Wild that never fights and happened to be their best defenseman. Now on the other side of the ice during the playoff Chris Neil is also a dirty hockey player that makes a lot of questionable hits on opposing players and it is only a matter of time before the league clamps down on him as well.

The new NHL done?

After watching how the games were refereed during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I think there are GM’s that are going to rethink their strategies after watching the Ducks hook, hold and obstruct their way to the Stanley Cup Championship. The Refs in the playoffs were inconsistent and didn’t call the games the way they were during the regular season. This is a fact, the Wild and Ducks series was a testament to that. The Ducks proved that in the new NHL big strong teams could still beat and negate faster skilled skating teams like the Wild. That’s not to say that he Ducks were skilled up front they were, but they weren’t the best. It will be interesting to see how the league drafts the next couple of seasons.

Linkorama: Goon's makes an appearnace on Lets Go Mavs

Recently the Lets Go Mav's blogger asked her fellow WCHA bloggers a few questions here are my answer that I gave.


TEAM NAME:

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux

BEST FORWARD(s)
T.J. Oshie and Ryan Duncan

BEST DEFENSEMAN:
Taylor Chorney, Taylor could really be on his way to Edmonton to play for the Oiler’s if he wanted to.

YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE PLAYER & WHY:
I like T.J. Oshie because I think he is the complete player, score and play defense. Oshie doesn’t skate around the opposition he skates through the opposition, he is tough, T.J. played half the season with a broken thumb, ouch! Oshie reminds me of my favorite ex-professional hockey player Cam “Bam” Neely

YOUR PREDICTION FOR YOUR TEAM CAPTAINS IN 2008:
Robbie Bina (a), Taylor Chorney (C) (a)____________someone.

WHY ARE YOU A FAN OF YOUR TEAM:
I graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BA and an MA in Sociology; I am probably the only Republican with a Masters in Sociology. I bleed Green and White and the sight of maroon and gold make me want to throw up.

BEST ARENA SONG:
Saturday night is all right for fighting.

BEST TRADITION YOUR TEAM HAS:
A tradition of winning (7 Titles NCAA titles and 13 WCHA titles) and competing for the NCAA/WCHA title every season.
Recently Lets Go Mav's asked her fellow blogers some questions. Here are my answers to the questions Amy asked us.

YOUR PREDICTION FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON:
Finish high in the WCHA standings. Sweep the Mav’s, beat them in the first round of the playoff and go to the Frozen Four. He, He, He… That one is for the Blog author.

THE TEAM IN THE WCHA YOU DESPISE THE MOST:
No Doubt the Minnesota Golden Gophers, I also despise the DU pioneers also, I think based on the rivalry between the two programs the last 4-5 years. Despise the teams don’t hate their fans.

YOUR SECOND FAVORITE TEAM IN THE WCHA:
I am a closet Mavericks fan. I guess the reason I am is that they never give up and they keep coming at what ever team they play.

YOUR FAVORITE WCHA ARENA (BESIDES YOUR OWN!):
Actually I have only been to SCSU (that place sucks there is a reason they call it the concrete center), Duluth and Minnesota, Minnesota was like a morgue when I went there. UMD was a fun place to see a game but the arena needs to be moth balled.


WCHA COACH YOU HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR:
Bob Motzko the coach of the Huskies and Scott Sandelin from Duluth, I also started to appreciate Troy Jutting more recently just because I think he has really done a decent job at MSU-M, I believe the man can coach and I think he will take that program to the next level if the fans in Mankato give him a chance.


OPPOSING WCHA PLAYER YOU DESPISE THE MOST:
Jeff Paukovich, no explanation needed.

BEST JERSEYS:
Fighting Sioux

WORST JERSEYS:
Wisconsin Badgers, come on you’re a big ten school at least come up with a better uniform than that.

SHOULD THE WCHA HAVE ALLOWED BEMIDJI TO JOIN:
Yes, I went to school at BSU for two years and I think that if they can get a new arena why shouldn’t they be allowed to compete in the WCHA. The Beaver hockey Program is a storied program and basically I would say that BSU is the Michigan Tech of Division II and III.

WHICH TEAMS WILL FINISH IN THE TOP 3 IN THE WCHA:
It’s really too early to tell we haven’t even gotten into the dog days of summer as of yet. A lot can happen over the summer.

Gare Joyce on Ryan Duncan

Check this out:
Here is an interesting perspective from a great hockey mind, I think it is possible that Ducan might get a look at the next level after his days in college are over. Thank God he is coming back for this year at least though.

Gare Joyce On Duncan

It's a heckuva pedigree. One story listed him at 5'6" and another at 5'8". Betting the former is closer. That's what they list on the team website. UND got off to a rocky start but got rolling later on in the season. In the old NHL I doubt he'd get a look--he didn't, in fact. An '85 birthday, he was eligible for the 2003 draft, when he would have been about 130 pounds soaking wet. Nowadays? Would seem like a worthwhile gamble. Look at that pic -- he's hardly bigger than the player on the trophy.

Ducks on the Verge of being California's 1st Stanley Cup Winner.

Here is something to think about if you live in Canada or even in a Northern Tier State like Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota or New York. The 2007-2008 winner of the Stanley Cup is going to be in the State of California. Lets look at this further, the past three winners of the Stanley cup have resided in North Carolina, Tampa Florida and now Anaheim California. With the game on Wednesday night, the Ducks are going to win the Stanley Cup for the first time.

Daniel Alfredson is a classless hack

There is no doubt in my mind that Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson deliberately shoot the puck at Rob Niedermayer in the last seconds of the second period of last nights game, Alfredson almost single handidly caused a brawl to end the second period. That has to be one of the most classless acts that I have witnessed in hockey for quite sometime. The thing that really burns my ass is that Alfredsson got nothing, no penalty or suspension. The refs also should have let Niedermayer clean his clock and Daniel is lucky the refs stepped in when they did.

Here is another interesting perspective. This Chick Nailed it too.

This woman has a really good point, plus she isn't too hard on the eyes if you know what I mean. Seriously this woman is right on, the NHL is trying to get more viewers in the USA and NBC pre-empted a overtime playoff game for a stupid horse race. I do think that the NHL also has to look into getting the NHL on more than two nights a week in the USA. Versus, another good points. The NHL needs to be back on ESPN now, tomorrow is too late.

Cherry Nails it. Don on NBC

I had to watch this video again, this was some good stuff. I hope that NBC keeps this up because this was awesome. I think Cherry and Hull hit on a lot of things that many NHL fans feel about the NHL and the state of professional hockey in the USA. Basically hockey is an after thought and Bettman is doing us a disservice by trying not clean up or lets say tone down the game of hockey. Honestly, hockey needs to play to it's strengths and that is fighting, bone crushing body checks and the speed of the NHL.

Hockey is a regional game?

While not everyone is going to like hockey that's fine with me. Personally I can't watch the NBA is nothing more than a bunch of over paid punks, and it is boring. So why in the name of all that is sane did the NHL hire Gary Bettman to be the league commissioner? I think the NHL needs to realize that Bettman needs to go for the good of the game.

Personally, its time for change and I think that Hull and Cherry are right when they say that hockey should play to its strengths. Sure there will be people that will say that Cherry and Hull are a couple of blow hards, ok fine. Let's do the research and ask the fans what they want. Give me two reason's whey Don Cherry isn't right? They show NASCAR on T.V. there is nothing more violent than a crash or a skirmish after a crash between two drivers. Bristol Raceway has more fights than Madison Square Garden.

Take a look at Professional Wrestling and Ultimate Fighting, their whole existence is based on violence and scrapping and the fans eat it up. The USA is a culture of warriors and gladiators. Why not promote more fighting in NHL hockey? I am not talking about bench clearing brawls of the 1970's. I am talking about dropping the instigator rule in the NHL. The one that came up with that rule is a knuckle head. All that rule did was cause the stick work to increase in the NHL.

Fans for the most part love fighting in hockey, Hull was right go around and poll the fans on how they feel about fighting I would be willing to be that 80-85 or even more like to watch a good fight in hockey. For the fans that say that there is no room in hockey for fighting don't understand the reason behind fighting. Even in college I have seen the fans go nuts after a good scrap or fight. There is a reason they are called the Fighting Sioux.

For the people that think that people that favor fighting in hockey that this is questionable or fringe view it's not. Check out this article by B.D Gallof.


B.D. Gallof on Fighting in Hockey

Back a few weeks ago, when you all were assaulted with my little satire about how the new NHL under Gary Bettman has drained much of what audiences in America really want. Hockey fighting. Battles. Blood. Guts. Glory. That when the audiences of America are all tuning into Ultimate Fighting and other violence like 24 and The View, that a diluted hockey product is NOT whats going to fly or bring back US hockey fans.

Now, this wasn't anything mindblowing, mind you. I am certainly not tooting my own horn...well, much. But it was very refreshing when none other than Don Cherry say the exact same thing on NBC last night, only a couple of weeks later. Obviously I am not alone...and obvious some better hockey minds than yours truly are also on this very bead.

While Gary Bettman has press conferences with doublespeak and spins on why hockey is losing the battle in the US of A...I have been scratching my head to why hasn't the NHL at least marketed itself more strongly in the meaty demographic of 18-35 males. As I watch the UFC brand itself with deals with ESPN, VS, Spike TV and other places, I simply look at Gary's dull eyes and realize that the man in charge is just not fit for the job.

More College Connections in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Here is an interesting story that I found over on the UNH hockey blog. Actually I am surprised it hasn't come up until now; but hey! you have to give credit where credit is due. So in the leadership of the two teams we have a BADger, Spartan, Fryer and a Saint (I am not sure the name saint works with either of these two teams) P.S. since there is no way to post a link to this blog post I quoted him.

Cup Coaching and Staff - Did They Go To College?

UNH Hockey Blogger said:

Since I brought it up and no one else has done it, here it goes... still no 'Cats, oh well... great, now I'll have to do a feature on coaching 'Cats!

ANAHEIM

GM - Brian Burke - Providence (hometown boy backstory with Providence)

Asst. GM - David McNab - Wisconsin (championship goaltender)

Asst. Coach - Newell Brown - Mich. State (became Asst. at Mich. State after just three years out from playing - story for the Mich. State blogger?)


OTTAWA

Asst. Coach - Greg Carvel - St. Lawrence (No joke - was and Asst. at Anaheim in 03-04!hmm... his backstory, like Burke's is a hometown boy, would probably make for a good post for the St. Lawrence blogger if there is one...)

Duck Defenseman Chris Pronger suspended for one game for this hit

Chris Pronger was suspended by the NHL for this hit on Dean McAmmond. It's the second time that Pronger was suspended by the league during the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs. After the game on CBC Ron McClain asked Don Cherry if Pronger would be suspended for his hit by the league. Don Cherry's response was no, I don't think he will. I guess ole Grapes was wrong.

When I first saw this hit I didn't think it was that bad but after watching it a few times, there no reason to elbow a guy in the head like that. That being said I think Chris Neil had a questionable hit earlier in the game on McDonald seemed to be your typical questionable Chris Neil hit.

Seems that Brian Burke the GM of the Ducks agrees with my assessment of the Chris Neil hit.

BRIAN BURKE: I'll go first. Colin Campbell just informed me Chris Pronger had been suspended for a game. From my perspective, we have to accept the league's decision. I think Chris, if you look at the hit, Chris' footwork wasn't right. He was trying to stop a guy, finish his check. But at the end, he stuck his arm out and got him in the head and the player's injured and we're sorry about that.

So we have to accept the fact that the league has imposed a one-game suspension here. The troubling part for me is that I think there should be, should have been another hearing today.

This was a reaction hit on a tough play. Chris Neil's hit on Andy McDonald was reprehensible. You guys go back and break down the tape, he took six strides in from the blueline, he's going full speed, full extension, elbow right to the head. Our player skates away. He gets a free pass. Their player gets hurt. Chris Pronger gets a game.

There is no fighting during the Stanley Cup

I believe that this series has been boiling and its about to boil over. If you play a team enough times in the playoffs your going to develop a rivalry. I expect more of the physical stuff in the next game. Chris Neil has done nothing but run his mouth since this series began. I do have to give Fischer credit for not hitting the ducks forward while he was down.

Cool Stanley Cup Promo

This is a really cool Stanley Cup hockey promo that I found on line. In my opinion spring and early summer is the best time of the year. While some would say that Baseball is America's sport to me it is still second fiddle to NHL hockey and I usually don't even watch baseball until hockey is over. I mean it's not like there aren't enough games say about 162 of them. This time of year is awesome because of the Stanley Cup playoffs are winding down but also the fact that my golf game hasn't gone in the crapper yet. This video does bring back some great hockey memories of; Mark Messier, Raymond Bourque and Rod Brind'Amour. It won't be long until an another team will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup.

NBC Sucks

Speaking of network television. The Stanley Cup playoffs were supposed to be on NBC but KVLY out of Fargo had a telethon on instead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Thank God for good ole CBC. It's no wonder that the NHL is a second rate sport in the states no one can watch it.

Ducks take Game two.

I would have to say that this game could have been 6-0 if it wasn't for the stellar play of Ray Emery. Seriously the Ducks were all over the Senators in this game. While it pains me to see the Ducks winning the Stanley Cup, I do think the Ducks are the less of two evils.

Brian Murray has done nothing but complain about the officials during this series and it seems that when the Senators were getting all of the favorable calls in their previous series especially against the Sabres, Murray was happy. However, when the table was turned against the Senators all of sudden the refs weren't making the right calls. You can't have it both way coach.

I do think Murray has a point I do feel that the Ducks have gotten all the breaks on the obstruction penalties, or should we say the lack of call on the obstruction. For the most part the refs have let the Duck play their game. I thought the Ducks were hooking and holding the Wild in their series and they were not being called for it. I even asked the Commish one of my buddies that was a great hockey mind and he agreed with me.

Prediction: Duck in 5 games.

Crappy or Crappie

Sioux_7 sent me this picture. This Picture was taken by Sioux_7 during the during the first round of the WCHA playoffs between the MSU_M Mavericks and the Fighting Sioux.

NHL to Winnipeg?

Winnipeg return intrigues commish

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave his strongest indication yet Monday that having a team return to Winnipeg could happen one day.

Bettman, in his state-of-the union address to the media before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, referred to an editorial in a Canadian newspaper he read this week which suggested that if the NHL did add another Canadian team it should go back to Winnipeg first because they have a new building and the NHL owes it to them.

"I'm not opining on whether or not that's an opinion that I agree with, but it is an interesting and intriguing thought," Bettman said in a comment that raised eyebrows.

While he stressed that there really hadn't been that much thought put into it at this point and that he had no plans for any current NHL teams to re-locate or for the league to expand, he does see the chance for Winnipeg to get a team back one day.

"When we had the chance to go back to Minnesota, we did. Because it made sense, the right ownership, the right building situation," said Bettman. "The market was strong and vibrant. We haven't studied Quebec City or Winnipeg or anywhere else in Canada, but the notion that if it could work to put a franchise back in a place where one was lost, feels good -- provided we don't wind up in a situation where we've created a prescription for another failing franchise.

"So am I intrigued? It's obviously something I've thought about in terms of trying to make right something that one point in our history went wrong."

The Jets left Winnipeg for Phoenix after the 1995-96 season. Bettman believes the salary cap and revenue sharing facets of the current collective bargaining agreement provides a chance for a market like Winnipeg to make a go of it.

But another team in Toronto? Bettman is not a fan of that idea, despite the fact there are three clubs in the New York/New Jersey area and two teams here in Southern California.

This would be one of those stories that are just too good to be true. But hey; who doesn’t like a good story. This would especially be good news for hockey fans in North Dakota that can still fondly remember the Jets of the 1990's. I am already hoping this story comes true some day. It would defiantly good news.

I know Sioux_7 and I would definitely go to a few of the games. We went to about four o them together back in the 1990’s during college. I can also remember when my father and taking to me to a few games on Boxing day, in fact I can remember seeing the North Stars play the Jets one December 26th back in the 1990's. I know its only speculation and there is a reason that the Winnipeg Jets left for the frozen prairie for the desert in Phoenix (not that they are doing that well in Phoenix either).

That being said that one of the reasons the Jets couldn't remain viable/competitive in Winnipeg was that they played in the old run down dumpy Winnipeg arena. That problem has been addressed and the new Winnipeg franchise would have a brand new MTS Center to play in

Ducks take Game one.

Watching the game on Monday night I actually thought the Senators were the better team for about 40 minutes and then the Ducks took the game over and basically beat the Senators at their own game. The duck hit everyone in sight and out hustled the Senators to the puck. The Duck's strategy seems to be, take as many stupid penalties as possible and then turn around kill the majority of them. One can only pontificate that the Ducks wanted the Senators to get tired of shooting the puck and having Giguere stop it. If the Ducks want to be a Stanley Cup Champion, however, they must stay out of the box and not take stupid selfish penalties. Playing with fire will eventually cause your team to get burned.

For the game the Senators were 2-7 on the power play but the most impressive part was the Ducks killing a long five on three power play. In the end Ducks won the game by shutting down the powerful Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson line. Statisically, the top line in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs had two measly points during the game.

Paros not Dressed?

The biggest disappointment of the game was the fact that there was no Chris Neil and George Paros fight. In fact the pundits had predicted a fight between the two during game one, hard to get into a fight if one of the combatants is sitting in the stands. I have to admit that I had been waiting patiently all week to see a good tussle between the two heavy weights. The league office will be pleased as the game turned out to be pretty tame as far as nastiness goes. All in all it was a great game with some good hitting, with a lot of up and down the ice play.

The reason I don't even remember Paros playing during the game was the ducks didn't dress him for the game; I confirmed this by looking at the starting line-ups on line. Resident thug and tough guy Brad May played a good game and didn't even suck punch anyone during the game. Also not dressed were Bemidji's own Joe Motzko and Lets Go Mav's Ryan Carter both were healthy scratches.

The College Hockey Players in the Stanley Cup

I looking at the rosters it appears that we missed quite a few of the college hockey players that are playing in the finals. Actually there are a few that I didn't know about. George Paros an Ivy League player, yikes. UNH Hockey Blog names a couple that we forgot.

ANAHEIM

Andy McDonald - Colgate

Chris Kunitz - Ferris State (hurt)

Dustin Penner - Maine

Todd Marchant - Clarkson

Kent Huskins - Clarkson

Mark Hartigan - St. Cloud

Drew Miller - Mich. St.

Bemidji Minnesota's Joe Motzko - St. Cloud

Ryan Carter - Mankato

George Parros - Princeton

*Brian Salcido - Colorado College

Ryan Shannon - BC

Joe DiPenta - BU

Mike Hoffman - Univ. of Connecticut

OTTAWA SENATORS

Dany Heatley - Wisconsin BADgers

Joe Corvo - Western Mich.

Tom Preissing - Colorado College

Mike Comrie - Michigan

Patrick Eaves - BC

You can't get away from them even on the Golf Course.

This a picture of my buddies Wife's driver cover. You can't get away from them even on the golf course.

GOT BEAVER? (Sioux 7)

The WCHA doesn't.

They rejected the idea of expanding the league to 11 teams. Now the Bemidji State mens team is in need of some help. According to Dr. Goeb, the BSU athletic director, they are now trying to raise $2.5 Million by May 2008 to make sure they can operate the team for another 5 years. This 5 year window would then make it for BSU to try and get into a new league, or save the CHA.

The Bemidji State's men hockey team is in jeopardy, since the CHA is down to 5 teams in the league. Having 5 teams in the league, their automatic bid for the NCAA tournemant is most likely to get pulled. That means it will be highly unlikely that any team in the CHA will make the big show. The CHA has made a couple of good showing at the NCAA tourney. BSU took Denver there limit a couple of years ago, before Denver eventually won the NCAA title.

BSU getting into the WCHA makes sense, especially from a travel/distance approach. They are only 2-3 hours away from 5 WCHA teams. This would be nice for these 5 WCHA schools, they wouldn't take much to adjust there travel budgets.

The other thing would be if the WCHA, CCHA, CHA, would go into a new alignment. I have mentioned this before, the CCHA has 12 teams, the CHA has 5, and the WCHA has 10.

If 2 teams left the CCHA and the WCHA had 1 team move to the CHA, that would make for more even conferences, CCHA=10, WCHA=9, CHA=8. That would mean, there could be either more conference games or more non-conference games. I think every league would be improved by a realignment. This would also leave the WCHA and the CHA room for expansion in the future as well, by having less than 10 teams.

It has worked in the NFL, I remembered when they did it, at first I didn't like it, but give it time and before you know it, its hard to remember what it was like before the change. If college hockey doesn't change it will get passed by, and will suffer a loss, no sport wants to lose teams and go backwards.

I would be displeased to see a hockey team, such as BSU out in the cold due to snobbish politics among the universities. I don't know about others, by I like the Beavers, even being a extremely biased UND fan. They have had a good hockey progam for years and I hope they are able to continue their proud tradition and stay at the Division 1 level.

Memorial Day

As we celebrate the memorial day weekend, lets not forget the Men and Women fighting overseas in harms way to defend this great nation. This weekend is about honoring sacrifices, as you know freedom is not free. Many people gave their lives protecting our nations freedoms we enjoy today, like the freedom of speech. As a veteran I would like to thank those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and those standing watch at our nations military bases around the world. Thank you for your service, you are not forgotten.

Check out this video video kicks ass

Hot Stove: Hextal and Chelios

Here is a blast from the Past and Chelios and Ron Hextal get after it during the 1989 Wales Conference Finals. Old time hockey. Incidental Ron's kid Brett Hextal will be playing at UND in the fall, I hope he plays with the same fire and determination.

Goon's Prediction Ducks in 6

Wrong Again:
First off I believe that this years Stanley Cup Playoffs have been kind of uneventfull, they are no where near as exciting as the last two Stanley Cup Finals. I also didn't do very well picking the games up to this point. First I jinxed the Buffalo Sabres by predicting they would win the Cup, as we all know that prediction came crashing down last week as the Sabres were closed out by the Senators. I also thought that the Devils were going to beat the Senators. In fact none of the teams that I wanted to win in this seasons Stanley Cup playoffs have made it as far as I thought. If I picked a team to win they lost. I picked Dallas over Vancover, the Wild over the Ducks and I predicted Buffalo over the Senators. I also predicted that there would be another UND fighting Sioux hockey player to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, wrong gong.

Ducks in 6 games

I believe the Ducks are going to win the series in 6 games. The Ducks have better goaltending Giguere is a much better goalie than Ray Emery. and I don't believe the Sens defensive pairs are as dynamic duo of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. Also look for game one to be a slug feast as I expect Chris Neil and George Paros to face off at center ice.

College Flavor to this Series

As Sioux 7 had mentioned in another post, this series will feature many players that played in the WCHA and or college hockey. This really does prove how the NCAA has come a long way in producing top players in the NHL.

Danny Heatley (Ott)- Wisconsin
Ryan Getzlaf (Ana)- St. Cloud St.
Mark Hartigan (Ana)- St. Cloud St.
Tom Preissing (Ott)-Colorado Coll.
Ryan Carter (Ana)- Mankato State
Ben Eaves (Ott) - Dirty B.C. Eagles
Mike Comrie (Ott) - Michigan
Dustin Penner (Ana)- Maine and also played hockey at Bottineau, ND.

Chelios a Classless hack?

Apparently Chris Chelios failed to shake the ducks players hands after his team lost the game and the series to the Ducks.

Doug Stolhand Weighs in on the issueChris Chelios. He plays the game rough and is a warrior on the ice, no doubt about it. I've never liked him but then again he's never played for the Ducks so why would I? He's one of those guys that you love if he's on your team but can't stand if he's not.

In 2003 the Ducks swept the Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs and much was made around Orange County about Chris Chelios not going through the handshake line after the series was over. Well, I kept an eye on the man that has been playing in the NHL for longer than Corey Perry or Ryan Getzlaf have been alive and sure enough he did not go through the handshake line this year, either. I am not sure if this is something he always does regardless of opponent but it shows a lack of class. I asked some fellow media members if Chelios shakes hands after the Red Wings win a series and they said yes. That being the case I can officially say that Chris Chelios is like school in the summertime - no class.

Here is what Teemu Selanne had to say about it:

"It shows what kind of guy he is. When you have success it's easy to be the good guy but when (bad) things happen and you do that kind of stuff, like the Minnesota guys, that's...you can make your own opinion. I don't really care but I would like to say 'Have a good summer.'"

Looks like the Ducks players are still playing their first round match up against the Wild. Hey Teemu shut the hell up about the Wild Series.

LORD STANLEY'S CUP (Sioux 7)

There are only two teams remaining out of 16 that entered the playoffs, and only one can skate the cup home. Anaheim and Ottawa, are the last teams standing, and neither has ever won the stanley cup. Anaheim made it to the Finals in 2003, only to be defeated by the Devils in game 7.







The Ducks have looked great at times this playoff season, but they have also shown a few weaknesses. The goalie, Giguere will have to be play much better, if they are to claim the cup. There defense is excellent, with the speedy offensive minded Niedermeyer and the stay at home, "crush 'em if they cross the blue-line" man Pronger. Also O'Donnell and Beauchemin have also been playing solid defense. Anaheims offensive will have to put up more goals in this series if they want to win. Selanne will need to step up his game, as well have solid contributions from McDonald, Getzlaf, and Penner just to name a few.

The Ducks can ill afford to get into a slug fest with Ottawa, it would be fun to watch, but could be disasterous for the Ducks. Anaheim needs to play there game, solid defense and take there chances on offense and the power play.



They suprised me with how the disposed of Buffalo in 5-games. The Senators have to be the hottest team in playoffs and they keep getting hotter, just like the weather. Ottawa seems to be scoring almost at will, which isn't good for anybody but Ottawa. They have fire power upfront, but what has been more impressive is the play of the defense and netminder. The question is can they keep up the good work in there own end? If they can they have a good shot at the cup.

The speedy forwards of Ottawa, will have to try and avoid being crushed by Chris Pronger. If Pronger can slow down, or intimidate, the Senators forwards, it could be a long battle for time and space on the ice.

THE PREDICTION

Both teams have a number of young players on there rooster, so nerves and inexperience could become a factor in the first couple of games. However, Anaheim does have an edge with a few of there veterans, like Scott Neidermeyer, who has a few cups under his breezers with the NJ Devils.

With the way hockey ratings are going, this could be a spectacular 7 game series that only a few fans watch. (I can't believe ESPN covers poker over hockey, considering you never see them scroll poker scores across the bottom, like MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, hmmm, makes me wonder.)

NBC will be covering the Stanley Cup Finals, the only bright spot I can see from this is they are going to have Don Cherry as a guest on the show. I hope they have some of his intermission show on TV and not just a snip-it of him occassionally.

This series is going to be interesting, and should go 7 games with Lord Stanley's Cup going to Ottawa. The Senators will take the Cup back to Canada, for the first time since 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the LA Kings. Call it karma, deja vu, but it gives me a feeling, Canadian team versus a team from California, different year, different teams, but same result.

Linkorama: Western College Hockey is reporting Gregoire to The Fighting Sioux

Western College Hockey: Gregoire to UND

Essentially this started out as a rumor from an unidentified anonymous poster on Damian Goddard's Lets Go DU blog
that highly regarded recruit Jason Gregoire has pulled his verbal commitment to DU and then committed to UND. Finally to this story is probably actually be true.

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Anonymous said...
Here's a bombshell that you can take to the bank as fact. Jason Gregoire re nigged on his verbal and instead because of a pushy father has signed with North Dakota since it is closer to home. This from a reliable source is true as you will see in the coming days...

Friday, May 18, 2007 4:53:00 PM CDT
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There are going to be some people pontificating and blaming Hakstol for recruiting a kid after he committed to another college program. From everything I have heard and seen I don't think Hakstol would actively recruit a player after he had verballed.