Who said Gopher hockey players can't read: Kessel reads to the kids.

I couldn't help my self on this one. LoL, who said that Gopher hockey player can't read? I might get a bunch of flack for this. But I couldn't resist after the University of Minnesota got into trouble with their basketball team not doing their own home work. I know. wrong sport. Honestly, this is one of those nice feel good stories. All joking aside it is nice to see these professional athlete giving something back to the community.

Charlestown, MA -- Boston Bruins leading goal scorer Phil Kessel launched ReadBoston's Reading Trail Program on Monday, November 5 at the John F. Kennedy Family Service Center in Charlestown.

"I enjoyed it," said Kessel after meeting the children. "I had a lot of fun."

The Reading Trail Program is an early literacy program designed to increase reading at home and in childcare settings. Kessel read to preschool students and passed out a free book (I Stink, the story of the garbage truck) to each child in attendance.

"It was a good time. (The children) behaved themselves well and they listened," said Kessel, who although nervous beforehand, was very, very pleased with the event, afterward.

This year, the Boston Bruins are partnering with ReadBoston and will participate in a number of events throughout the coming months. In addition to Kessel's appearance on Monday, the Bruins will provide Reading Trail Programs with customized "trail guides" to track the number of books each child reads; those children who complete their trail guides will receive a Bruins bookmark.

Asked if he would be volunteering to read again, Phil gave an emphatic shake of the head and a loud "Yes." The children and their teachers appreciated the gesture and he was given the latest (if not the most important) standing "O" of his career and the kids waved their new book and said "Thank you, Phil."

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and other city leaders founded ReadBoston in 1995 with a simple, ambitious mission: to ensure that every child in Boston can read at grade level by the third grade. ReadBoston is making great strides to achieve its goal by forming partnerships with city organizations committed to children's literacy, and by funneling resources, innovative programs, books and best practices into Boston neighborhoods.

Kessel and the 7-5-1 Bruins are in the midst of a nine-game stretch where the Bruins face only their Northeast Division rivals - with three scheduled against the Sabres and two games each against the Maple Leafs, Senators and Canadiens - over the next three weeks.

Here is some Perspective

GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
T. Thomas 5 3 1 .949 1.65
M. Fernandez 2 2 0 .832 3.93
Manny Fernandez was supposed to be the big name starter that was going to give the Bruins some stability in net, instead it has been Tim Thomas so far. While things will probably come around a bit for Manny Fernandez by the second half of the season. The Boston goaltender is currently on he disable list and nursing an knee injury. Actually if you look at Manny's numbers on the season so far they look very AHL like.

This is the definition of cheap

I was watching this game last week and I thought Andre Roy definitely does not respect the code, this my friends is the definition of cheap and is nothing more than a bush league hack move. Andre Roy checks the guy which is fine and then before Clarkson can get his bearings starts firing hay makers at a defenseless player.

I have watched a few of the New Jersey games this year and I think David Clarkson brings more to the table than Cam Janssen because Clarkson actually have 1 goal and 3 assists for four points on the season.

Linkorama: Twelve to Four the Difference#links

UAA Hockey Fan Blog: Twelve to Four the Difference#links

I found this post over on Donald's UAA fan Blog. I found the exchange on the comments to be rather amusing. I wondering how long before the Gopher fans will be calling Donald a Halo?

For some perspective

I was wondering if there was any differential in how the power plays are broken down with a couple of teams. So I decided to take a look: Minnesota has received 40 power plays while their opposition has received 35 power plays. Donald's team UAA has had 32 power plays while the opposition has had 44 power plays. Finally UND has had 35 power plays will their oppostion has had 34. Granted UND has only played two WCHA theories but so far it seems as if the Seawolves are getting the shaft if you will...

The Polls are out: UND 3 or 4

USCHO.COM

1. Miami (49)
2. Michigan
3. UND
4. Michigan State (1)
5. Denver
6. New Hampshire
7. Boston College
8. Clarkson
9. Colorado College
10. Wisconsin
11. Maine
12. Notre Dame
13. Michigan Tech
14. Minnesota
15. Minnesota-Duluth
16. RPI
17. St. Cloud State
18. Princeton
19. Niagara
20. UMass

USA Today

1. Miami
2. Michigan
3. Michigan State
4. UND
5. Denver
6. Boston College
7. New Hampshire
8. Clarkson
9. Colorado College
10. Wisconsin
11. Maine
12. Notre Dame
13. Michigan Tech
14. Minnesota
15. Minnesota-Duluth


First off this polls are about as meaningless as a Rosie O'Donnell and her 9/11 truth theory, these polls make very interesting reads but it's just way too early in the season to infer anything from them. I almost think hockey should wait till after the Christmas break before they release the rankings. The BCS in college football waits until they have a certain number of games before they make any inferences. Championships are won in March and April and you win nothing except points and pride for wins in November, December and January.

While these polls make good water cooler discussion material but honestly, does any one think that if Clarkson was in the WCHA or Hockey East would be above Maine, Michigan Tech, Minnesota or Minnesota Duluth for that matter. They could be but I doubt it. How did that first round bid work out for them last season? That doesn't mean I don't like Clarkson University beause they are year in and year out a top team in the ECAC but they are not a hockey powerhouse in the East.

Also, I guess the USA today forgot that UND pasted MSU pretty good in the hockey hall a fame game. Anyone that doesn't think Denver is playing great hockey right now is delusional and they are are my pick for number #1 right now. I would like to see how they are doing later in the season with the younger players. Denver is looking really good to get back on top in the future if they can keep their top players.

Anthony Grieco leaves school.

What has been speculated all morning over on Sioux Sports and on Ryan Cardinal's WCHA blog is now official as Grand Forks Herald hockey writer
Brad Schlossman is reporting that Tony Grieco is leaving school and heading to the OHL.

Grieco headed to OHL By Brad Schlossman

Anthony Grieco, UND's backup goaltender, has left school and returned to Ontario, where he will play in the Ontario Hockey League, his father said Monday.

Grieco, an 18-year-old sophomore from Brampton, Ont., had not played this season for the Sioux. He saw action in eight games as a rookie, posting a 3-2-1 mark with a 3.49 goals-against average and .884 save percentage.

Grieco's father, Charlie, said it was essential for his son to get playing time as he recovered from a knee injury that he suffered at the end of last season.

"He needed some playing time or his skill level would be deteriorating," Charlie said.

Anthony will play for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, a team that drafted him in the 10th round in the 2004 OHL draft.

Anthony will play for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, a team that drafted him in the 10th round in the 2004 OHL draft.

Grieco drove through the night Sunday to return to Ontario, where he began practicing with the Majors this afternoon.

"He's built some really great relationships (at UND), so it was pretty emotional," Charlie said.

The departure leaves UND with two goaltenders starter Jean-Philippe Lamoureux and backup Aaron Walski. Lamoureux has started 32 consecutive games for the Sioux dating back to last season and was named the national player of the month in October by the Hockey Commissioners' Association.

"The team is playing solid and Phil has been playing well," Charlie said. "Being there a year and a half, (Anthony) needed playing time."

Grieco was a late addition to the roster last summer. He signed a letter of intent in June, just weeks before goaltender Jordan Parise freed up a roster spot by signing with the New Jersey Devils.

Grieco had been courted by the Majors throughout his tenure at UND, Charlie said.

Goon's World Perspective on the matter

While Grieco's numbers were not eye popping nor were they all-American like, I really did like what I saw with this kid. During the short tenure Grieco was here I thought he showed glimpses of greatness and promise, however, his juicy rebounds and a big five hole were also a big problem. I think Grieco's play against SCSU Huskies last season was huge as Grieco got 2 big wins against the Huskies while Phil was out, I also believe that it sort of saved UND's bacon. I can also see his side of this, the kid is young he wanted to play and decided to go to the OHL who wants his services. I also think he was rushed into the Fighting Sioux line up before we was ready or mature enough to handle the WCHA grind. It also seems that his mental prep wasn't very good. I believe that UND (who I liken to the FSU of college hockey) needs to employ a full time goalie coach, I believe that it would be very beneficial for the younger less seasoned goalies in the future. I wonder if UND could pry Howard away from the Badgers?

Funny thing Grieco is the first Fighting Sioux goalie over 6 feet in some time. Now the Sioux have an interesting dilemma, do they recruit a goalie and bring him in during the Christmas break Ala Josh Siembieda. What happens if Phil gets hurt? If I am not mistaken your supposed to have two goalies on the bench. Is Walski going to be able to carry the load if Phil gets hurt?

NHL "U"

UND in the NHL posed a question over on Siouxsports (or whine about everything as some gopher fans call it) and UND in the NHL is looking at adding a new sig line to his posts on Siouxsports. I think this is a no brainer, but the picture sums up UND hockey accurately. NHL "U" My other suggestion is if you want to work on the farm you go to NDSU if you want to play in the NHL you go to UND.

One could make the argument that UND is the gateway to the NHL, or NHL U because of all the great NHL players that UND has produced over the years. The current crop of NHL playing in the NHL is pretty impressive. To a take a plug from an NCAA ad on CSTV 314 Sioux hockey players get jobs in a hockey while others are going pro in something else.

David Hale CAL
Brandon Bochenski BOS
Travis Zajac NJ
Zach Parise NJ
Ryan Johnson STL
Jason Blake TOR
Matt Smayby TAM
Matt Greene EMD
Jonathon Toews CHI
Mike Commodore CAR
Drew Stafford BUF

Monday morning Ramblings

Sioux_7 can thank Marty for emailing me this very funny picture. So what the hell, I thought I would post it on the blog. For those of us that live in Fargo and Grand Forks, area have seen the goofy commercial on local television; chips are free dinner is extra. You also gotta love Paradiso because you get your meal free on your birthday, and they let you wear that silly hat as well.

Friday

St. Cloud State @ Michigan Tech - SCSU
Minnesota @ Minnesota State-Mankato - MSU-M
Minnesota-Duluth @ Colorado College - Tigers
North Dakota @ Wisconsin - Sioux

Saturday

St. Cloud State @ Michigan Tech - Tie
Minnesota State-Mankato @ Minnesota - Gophers
Minnesota-Duluth @ Colorado College - tie
North Dakota @ Wisconsin - Badgers

Last week in my Picks I went 8-2
25-9 for the year.

What did he say?

In watching the end of the Gophers and Pioneers hockey game when Doug Woog started pontificating about how Tyler Bozak was the difference in the game with this hat trick, the score was 3-1 at the time. I thought, well yeah duh. I mean really you can't make this stuff up, it's classic Wooger... I suppose when your team is 0-4 in the WCHA and your favorite team is not playing well it probably can be a little painful to announce a game. Your right Doug Tyler Bozak had a great game, but how abou the Goaltending, Mannino was awesome or mention the lack of a game plan by the Gophers.

Over on Win Twins the SCSU and Twins Blogger gave her angle on the Gophers misfortunes.

HAH! Tweedle Dee (Frank Mazzocco) had the gall to say "Looking at the standings from the WCHA this morning, most people are probably wondering if they were printed upside down!" Umm, no, the rest of us in the WCHA are well aware that Minnesota is at the bottom with the big old goose egg, and frankly, we're laughing our ASSES off about it! :)

I have to admit that I enjoy a Gophers loss like the rest of us, in fact I think its funny to listen Frank and Doug spin each miserable painful loss. While it's fun watching the Gophers take it on the chin, I do have a hard time believing that the Gophers are as bad as their record. That being said, I do also see the Gophers losing a game to the Mavericks this weekend. Look for the refs to get the Gophers the split on Saturday night.

Anonymous

You have to love these anonymous trolls that go around on the Internet posting meaningless, hateful and spiteful drivel on other people's blogs. Of course these anonymous cowards never will put a name or a face to the bravo sierra that they post. In essence they are posting graffiti and vandalizing people's blog, simple mind give people simple thrills. Thanks to this kind of mindless juvenile behavior is the reason media blogger(s) like Mike McFeely have decided to shut the comments section of their blogs down instead of wading through meaningless moron-athons. Maybe this is the reason Gopher Blogger Hammy has never actually allowed comments on his blog.

The TJ Oshie hit Prosser

Thanks for RedFrog of ND for posting this video, I was at work and only caught a glimpse of this hit, I would refer to this has as a bone crushing hit game changing hit and it's plays like this that has the NHL drueling. Wow, is all I can say...

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux of North Dakota Named National College Hockey Player of the Month

Finally Lammy gets some love in the form of an award. I think this is well deserved award for a killer month of hockey, who would have thought it was possible after watching him play last season.

I actually thought Phil was going to get the defensive player of the week, but the Minnesota State Mankato goalie Mike Zacharias the Mankato State goalie Mike Zacharias was just as deserving of the award as well.

MADISON, Wis.-- University of North Dakota senior netminder Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was named the National College Hockey Player of the Month on Friday afternoon, as announced by the Hockey Commissioner's Association. Lamoureux has been a huge reason for the early season success of the third-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux. He has posted four shutouts in the team's first five games in October, becoming the first WCHA player in history to accomplish that feat.

Lamoureux, a Grand Forks, N.D. native, posted a 3-1-1 record last month with a miniscule 0.43 GAA and a .983 save percentage, both of which rank second in the nation. He is a major reason that the UND team ranks first in the nation in team defense allowing only 0.60 goals per game. He currently has started 30 consecutive games dating back to last season, during that time he owns a 20-5-5 record with a 1.93 GAA and a .931 save percentage. He began the season shutting out his opponents for 185:17 in three games against Boston College, Michigan Tech and Northeastern.

Some of the highlights of Lamoureux's month include a 23-save shutout of defending national champion Michigan State in the season opener on Oct. 13 in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. Lamoureux also recorded a season-high 31 saves in the 3-0 victory at Northeastern on Oct. 20. in Boston.

A clip of the Green injury.

This video is not for the faint of heart. I hurt after watching this video. I must add that when I saw it the first time it didn't look as bad as it does in slow motion. I wish Matt Greene a speedy recovery.

Matt Greene out for Three months with a broken Ankle.

This is not good news for Matt Greene

Rash of injuries to defence corps testing Oilers early in the season
Canadian Press Oct 31, 2007, 7:33 PM EDT

EDMONTON - The talk when training camp began was that depth on the blue line might be the Edmonton Oilers' ace-in-the-hole this season.

That's a card the Oilers are going to have to play now as they've lost third-year rearguard Matt Greene to a broken left ankle that will keep him out of the line-up as long as three months.

Greene, injured in the second period of a 2-1 loss to Detroit Tuesday, will need surgery. He joins Sheldon Souray, out since Oct. 10 with a sprained left shoulder, and Joni Pitkanen, out another month after surgery to repair damaged knee cartilage, on the shelf.

With all of that, coach Craig MacTavish summoned his best poker face Wednesday.

"These (comments) could come back to haunt me and I don't normally throw these out there, but I'm not all that worried about the injuries on the back end," MacTavish said.

"From what I've seen, with (who) we have healthy, we're going to be able to overcome it."

Canucks Re-Assign Mason Raymond

I saw this article over on Waiting for Stanley It looks as if Mason Raymond will be playing a few games with the Manitoba Moose. Sounds as if Raymond has made an impression on Vancover fans.

Former Bull Dog Mason Raymond sent down.

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that left wing Mason Raymond has been re-assigned to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.

Raymond, 22, has played in nine games for the Canucks in 2007-08, recording his first NHL point (0-1-1) on October 5, 2007 versus San Jose. He has played in one game for the Moose and recorded two assists.

The Calgary, Alberta native spent the 2006-07 season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the Manitoba Moose. He registered 46 points (14-32-46) in 39 games with Minnesota and four points (2-2-4) in 11 games with Manitoba. In the post-season, Raymond recorded one assist in 13 AHL playoff games.

The 6’0”, 182-pound forward was originally drafted by the Canucks in the 2005 Entry Draft, 51st overall.

Linkorama: UND and C.C.

There are some really good Blogs to read for the up coming hockey series.

I really like this blog Support Colorado College Hockey You can definately get some good music when you there as well.

I am not so sure if this person (RWD tells me the author is a he) is still posting or not because there hasn't been any action so far this season. This blog has had some good posts in the past. C.C. hockey Blog

The Gazette appears to have two hockey blog sites Tiger Den
I believe that this is the official one Mucking in the corner

Happy Halloween: Musings

I came home from walking the dog and my wife was putting this thing on our daughter. Yikes, I said you have to be kidding me? I aks her, what do you want her to look like the great punkin? Actually after looking at the picture I decided that I would share it with the four people that read this blog... It is amazing what ten dollars can buy. I suppose we can use it during the Thanksgiving season.

I found this new blog that had me linked up. Czech hockey on and it was pretty interesting.

I found a couple of interesting points of note.

(1.) Former Gopher Thomas Vanek has been named the Austrian Sportsman of they Year.

Vanek sorgt für eine Premiere
Nicole Hosp und Thomas Vanek sind Österreichs Sportlerin und Sportler des Jahres. Der NHL-Star sorgte damit für eine Premiere: Noch nie in der Geschichte der 1949 eingeführten Ehrung konnte ein Eishockey-Spieler die Wahl für sich entscheiden. Hosp dagegen landete bei der von Sports Media Austria, der Vereinigung der österreichischen Sportjournalisten, durchgeführten Wahl einen Favoritensieg. Den Titel der Mannschaft des Jahres sicherte sich das ÖFB-U20-Team, das ebenfalls für ein Novum sorgte.

(2.) Check out this Hockey Chick apparently according to the article is supposed to be a girl friend of Jaromir Jagr. ---edit---This woman is also a CZECH model not a slut.

Flawed argument

There are a few points in Doreen Little Bird's aritcle that I must take issue with this article


Grand Forks Herald columnist Doreen says:

Several people asked why Ron His Horse Is Thunder, tribal chairman for the Standing Rock Nation, was speaking for the Lakota people. The answer is that he, like North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, is the elected leader of the Lakota and their spokesman.

Collectively, Standing Rock does not seem to like what happens to their children who attend UND and the disrespect aimed at them. The tribe has said no.

Some of the Internet comments were repetitious. Some were excellent and well-thought-out, talking about the negotiations and even scolding the writers who made awful comments.

But it was those “awful” comments that astounded me. Some were full of bile, bigotry and racism. The NCAA was correct when it said that the nickname and logo created an abusive and hostile environment, I thought as I read those comments.

In some cases, the comments were even threatening. Some of them made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It made me afraid for the young people at UND.

First off; this is a tactic the pro name change crowd is famous for: true to forum, Doreen has leveled some serious allegations and basciallt have given nothing in the way of evidence, where are the police reports. What do we have, other than Internet posts by nameless people which can not prove what their identity is we may or may not even know if theey are Sioux fans. For all we know they could be fans of other teams like the Gophers, Bison or_________ team. These post could be from trouble makers that don't even follow sports.

I keep hearing who UND is a hostile and abusive place but no one can ever given an credible evidence. If there are incidents lets see the specific incidents laid out for us, you must have a police report or something other than an implied or infered action? We can discuss acedotal evidence till we are blue in the face but it does not count when you are leveling serious charges like this.


Katherine Kersten also had a blog article on this subject on November 13th 2006 that addressed these same issues Yellowbird has brought up. So who are we to believe? I would think that Kersten's article is more credible that Yellowbirds, just my hmo.

Fool Bear himself voted for such a resolution in 2005. “They told us just negative things — that UND was a racist place,” he explains. Now, he says, he believes that he and others were fed a bill of goods.

“When I went around to my constituents on the reservation,” says Fool Bear, “a majority of people said, ‘Why can’t we vote on it?’ “Most tribal members would support the name if they got the chance,” adds Joe White Mountain, another committee member.

More from this article on the issue:

Members of the Standing Rock judicial committee visited UND early in 2006 to assess the situation for themselves. “We spoke to everyone, from students on the street to people at the gas station,” says Fool Bear. “Not one gave us any evidence of racism. We went to a hockey game, and they talked about the courage and integrity of the Sioux people. We looked at each other like, ‘Wow, we don’t even honor our Sioux warriors or veterans like this on the reservation.’ ”

White Mountain recalls the committee’s meeting with a UND group that opposes the name. “I asked them, ‘What tribe do you belong to?’ ” he says. “Not one was a Sioux Indian.”This group insisted that the name promotes racism on campus,” adds Fool Bear. “I told them, ‘Put any instances of abuse in writing.’ Today, I’m still waiting — I haven’t gotten one complaint.”

Who wins between UND and Miami

A Hypothetical

I saw tis over on Brad Schlossman's Hockey blog. It does prove to be a great discussion that was posted over on CSTV.COM. This is really the issue with teams that start out fast out of the gates and the polls eat it up. Don't get me wrong, this article does bring up a very interesting discussion who wins between Miami and UND? It does matter what time of year it is played as well. Feasting on horrible teams to pad your record really doesn't do you any justice when you have to play the tough teams to win titles in March and April. Let me help you out. Polls schmolls.

tim (cleveland): Miami vs North Dakota at a neutral site. Who do you think comes out the winner and by how much? Thanks.

Ken Schott: What month? Now or April?

Dave Starman: I'd take NoDak - 1.5.

Elliot Olshansky: With or without Nathan Davis? Is this the real Jean-Philippe Lamoureux? So many questions I'd have.

Ken Schott: I think I would take ND right now, but if Davis can regain his scoring touch when he comes back, I may change my mind.

Antoine Pitts: I'd have to take North Dakota. It's still hard to believe that with all of that talent up there, North Dakota hasn't won the national title recently.

Ken Schott: I can't wait to see Miami when they come to RPI for two games in December.

Dave Starman: Lamoureux is pretty darn good.

Ken Schott: He can stop pucks in fog just as well on clear ice.

Dave Starman: They have a first unit that rivals Minnesota's two years ago, every one on the unit can score, they can all one-time it, and they are as mobile as an air battalion.

Antoine Pitts: I'm saying 5-2 North Dakota.

Elliot Olshansky: I'm saying one-goal instant classic. I like both of these teams. A lot. Hard-working, skilled, well-coached, great individual players like Davis, Jones, Oshie and Duncan, guys who play both ways...I really hope we get this game in March or April.

Ken Schott: 3-2 ND in four overtimes.

Dave Starman: Bina is a general out there, Miami doesn't have a 1-2 on defense that rivals Chorney and Bina, no disrespect to their players. Oshie is a game breaker, Duncan is great. They have grit, and they'll beat the hell out of you in the process because no one finishes hits like these guys....they remind me of the Calgary Flames in the late 80's early 90's...they just beat people up.

Elliot Olshansky: I don't know Dave, I think Ryan Jones, just for starters, can give some of the Sioux a run for their money in the finishing hits department.

Dave Starman: Yes, but how about the other 17 skaters? No one hits 1-18 like the Sioux do except maybe Wisconsin, and that's not really Wisco's identity yet this season.

Elliot Olshansky: Haven't seen the RedHawks. I'll see them when Ken does. I want to see this big kid, Vaive.

Ken Schott: If we're talking finishing hits, RPI could be a team no one once to play. They have some defensemen that can pound you. Peter Merth crushes people.

Dave Starman: I totally agree with Ken...RPI can bang. I like the way they play. Give them a full season to find their identity and they'll be a tough out in March. Real good goaltending!

It is obvious that Dave Starman is a bigger fan of the Sioux than Elliot Olshansky is and he does bring up some legitimate quesions about Phil Lamoureux who has 4 shout outs in 5 games. Horrible goalies don't put up numbers like that.

Next; sure Miami is 6-0 and ranked first but who the hell have they played that strikes fear in you... They beat UNO, Vermont and Ohio State, not much of a schedule if you ask me. In fact Miami schedule is stacked with patsy teams and they only play 2 game with MSU, 2 games with Michigan and 2 with Notre Dame, I wouldn't be surprised to see Miami highly ranked through most of the season only to get bounced again in the first round.

Fri 10/12/2007 W 2 Vermont (nc) 1
Sat 10/13/2007 W 4 Vermont (nc) 1
Fri 10/19/2007 W 5 @ Ohio State 1
Sun 10/21/2007 W 5 Ohio State 1
Fri 10/26/2007 W 7 Nebraska-Omaha 2
Sat 10/27/2007 W 5 Nebraska-Omaha 2

The Latest Poll

The Sioux drop to third in the INCH college hockey poll... First off let Miami have the rankings, we will see where they end up at in the end, championships are won in March and April.

October 29, 2007

No. Team (First-place votes) Points Last Poll
1. Miami (30) 506 2
2. Michigan 446 3
3. North Dakota (2) 433 1
4. New Hampshire (1) 430 6
5. Boston College 385 5
6. Michigan State 323 9
7. Denver 250 7
8. Minnesota 247 10
9. Wisconsin 235 11
10. Colorado College 219 4
11. Clarkson 174 8
12. Maine 143 13
13. Notre Dame 99 12
14. Michigan Tech 97 15
15. Minnesota Duluth 47 NR

Goon's Picks for the Week

This Weekend's Game

Conference

Denver @ Minnesota Split
Alaska-Anchorage @ St. Cloud State SCSU Sweep
Michigan Tech @ Wisconsin Split
Colorado College @ North Dakota Split

Non-Conference:

Minnesota State-Mankato @ Alabama-Huntsville Mav's Sweep

Last Week's Picks 8-2
Record for the years 17-7

The last ugly incident in the NHL.

The first thing that comes to mind are the Philadelphia Flyers a bunch of goons?
This is the third player from their team to perform a questionable play.

I would be willing to bet that Randy Jones will get suspended for at least 5 games for this act of agression, just a hunch. My neck hurts just from watching this bush league move.

Here is the statement reguarding Bruins Statement Regarding Patrice Bergeron

Boston Bruins

Statement Regarding Patrice Bergeron from Dr. Bertram Zarins:
“After initially losing consciousness on the ice, Patrice has regained consciousness and has been taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where he is undergoing a series of tests.

Patrice has sustained a concussion and a broken nose. The initial x-rays and CT scan have not shown any other serious injury to his head or neck, and he has full feeling and motion in all of his extremities.

We will continue to monitor Patrice and await the final results of his medical studies.”

I am not the only one that hates the logo Settlement.

I believe this is the kind of reaction you get when your elected political leaders jam something down your throats. Here are the results of an informal poll over Jim Dahl's Siouxsports.com

8% Yes
84% No - UND gave up too much
1% No - The NCAA gave up too much
5% I'm not sure - yet
Total votes: 967

I think the results from this poll are very telling, 8% approve of settlement, thats down from 9 percent earlier today, it probably will drop lower. who answered the question hate the North Dakota attorney generals settlement with the NCAA. While the results are not very scientific they are telling.

Is Lammy a Sieve?

There has been a lot of talk on various fan web pages around the internet about Phil Lamoureux being a sieve: Some fans have even posted a tribute to the UND goalie

Lets break down Lammy's season so far. Honestly, these aren't the numbers of a Sieve

Dave Berger does a good job of breaking down Lamoureux's performance so far: Oh, and by the way, in his first five games, senior goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has posted four shutouts to go along with a .983 save percentage and a goals-against average of 0.43. Lamoureux had four career shutouts in his first three seasons at UND.

Friends this is my definition of a Sieve or this is a good illustation of a less than stellar goalie performance can we say sieve

Just for the record, as many of you know. I am not a big carry the flag Phil Lamoureux guy, nor is he one of the more beloved players in the WCHA, however, you have to give credit where credit is due. If Phil isn't given the WCHA Defensive player of the week that in my opinion will be a travesty.

Linkorama: UND and MTU

MeG and the boys over on the MTU hockey blog is really loving life and are quite happy with their teams win over the Sioux last night in Houghton, Michigan. Hey; why shouldn't Tech fans be happy with a win over the Fighting Sioux. In fact, the Huskies have won three in a row over UND after going like 12 in a row without a win against the Sioux. They had to win sometime right?

All in good fun; I find their web page fun to read. The Michigan Tech Hockey blog also brought up a rought spot from last season's horrible run where UND lost 6/7 right before the Christmas break. If I remember right, after getting swept by Tech UND got red hot and made another run to the NCAA Frozen Four. Hey congrats to at least a split.

I am happy that the MTU is having a good season and has started out strong. Also, remember championships are won in March and April and wins in October mean nothing if you don't. That doesn't excuse a poor effort tonight nor does it give UND an excuse/permission to lose. UND needs to prove they aren't a bunch of pretty boys that don't like the get their jersey's dirty.

Kessel and Toews light the lamp.

Boston and Chicago game was one of those must watch games and what a game it was. Both Kessel and Toews were on fire for this game and provided most of their teams offense. I am blessed to have NHL center ice and glad that I had the chance to watch this game because it turned out to be one of the best of the year. I think it would be safe to say that It appears Phil Kessel and John Toews are going score a lot of goals this season, Kessel already has 5 goals and 2 assists and 7 points (which is good for 2nd on the Bruins in total points). Kessels point total isn't bad because Boston is a team that is still searching to find offense. On the other side of the ice Jonathan Toews is fourth in scoring for the Black Hawks with 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points and averaging a point per game.

Kessel's two goals were of the spectacular variety and it appears that Phil is making great strives in stepping up his game during his second season, I would probably expect Kessel to score 50+ points this season.

Also during the game Toews 4th goal of the season was a thing of beauty as well, while it wasn't quite as good as his highlite real against the av's it did leave Boston's Bruins goalie looking for answers...

Catching up, down again...

I am having way too much trouble with my home computer, First it I had some USB ports and my DVD/Disk drive replace. Then I had yet another computer malfunction, my mother board on my computer went down so down to the geek squad. Got my computer home after two visits to the geek squad and my computer stop working it wouldn't even turn on. So I took my computer back to the Geek Squad for a third visit. This time I decided to go and buy a new lap top, so I won't have to do without a computer when my main one is down. I am hoping that I eventually will be able to get my old one warrantied out and replace with a new lap top.

Don't fret, I have been killing he time by hunting and killing ducks. This year has been yet another banner season of ducks hunting, and yet another visit to the vet as well. I swear I spend a lot of money there as well.

Settlement with the NCAA

In case you haven't heard UND settled it's law suit out of court with the NCAA, I think the settlement is unacceptable. My first question is this is what you get for $900,000.00? This settlement is a damn travesty, a fricken joke. Basically what is going to happen is that UND is going to change it's Fighting Sioux name sometime between the year 2009 and 2011, they will never get the approval from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, never.

I never thought I would see this day but this is a sad day in UND history. Whey did UND take the cae to court if you were going to setttle for this horrible settlement. Ralph Englestad is probably rolling over in his grave as we speak. I am sick to my stomach. Basically UND caved to the vocal minority of liberal political hack/punks that are jamming political correctness down our troats. I think this settlement is a piece of shit and I will never ever vote for the Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem ever again he has lost my vote for ever, and I hope other republicans will follow suit. I will leave that section blank because I will not vote for a democrat under any circumstances.

Here are the highlights: from Jim Dahl's blog.

*UND has until November 30, 2010, to obtain namesake approval for its nickname and imagery Approval is only of the form of affirmative support from both the Standing Rock Tribe and Spirit Lake Tribe.

*The NCAA pledges not to contact any Sioux tribes with any attempts to influence them to provide or not to provide support for UND The Spirit Lake Tribe’s 2000 resolution is recognized and will count, but only if an individual authorized to speak on behalf of the tribe affirmatively supports UND’s current use of the nickname and imagery.

*The Standing Rock Tribe’s support must come in the form of a written resolution of approval adopted by any means authorized by Standing Rock’s Constitution
Absent namesake approval, UND will announce a a transition to a new nickname within 30 days Such a transition must be accomplished by Aug. 15, 2011.

*If the name is changed, imagery must be removed from any venue used to host an NCAA championship except: historical images, images embedded in architecture, items which will ultimately be replaced because of wear and tear.

*The NCAA will issue a statement to its members that application of its nickname policy to UND has been suspended, and that no institution should use it as a factor in regular season scheduling against UND.

*If UND is removed from the list of institutions subject to the policy, it will be allowed to play regular season contests at venues it does not own that have not complied with the policy (venues it owns must comply with the policy, and championships will not be hosted at non-owned venues which do not comply)

*The NCAA will issue a statement that it recognizes UND is a leading institution in educating Native Americans and that it did not make any specific findings about a hostile or abusive environment on UND’s campus.

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux wins Player of the week.

What does a guy have to do to get the player of the week award? I while I doubt that Phil Lamoureux is worried about silly things like awards, he can leave that to the fans like me, let’s take a look at the 2007-2008 addition of the goalie named Phil Lamoureux; Phil starts the season 2-0-1 stops 78/78 shots and gets snubbed for player of the week by the WCHA. How? I don’t have a clue. Maybe it’s a vast conspiracy against the Fighting Sioux?

In case anyone is keeping score, that’s the Fighting Sioux playing two top tens teams and not giving up a goal in 5 periods of hockey. Phil can’t help it that B.C.’s arena sucks and they had to cancel the game after two periods of hockey. Phil stopped many quality chances and it appeared that he couldn’t see the puck very well in holding B.C. off the board in two periods of hockey.

Let’s break this down further against B.C. and Northeastern Phil stopped may top quality chances brings home three points for the Sioux and doesn't get even a sniff.

This weeks Goon's World player of the Week: Is Jean Philippe Lamoureux from the University of North Dakota.

Goon’s Worlds picks:
UMD and DU Split
MSUM – UAA Split
UND and MTU UND 3 points
BSU and SCSU SCSU Sweep
OSU and Minnesota Minnesota Sweep.

Last week I went 9-5 in my picks.

UND plays MTU next

This week the UND Fighting Sioux play the upstart Michigan Tech Huskies and I think that anything less than 2 points for this weekend’s series is unacceptable. I would hope The Fighting Sioux goes into Houghton Michigan and plays hard, it’s time to lay down some smack on the MTU Huskies, especially after they embarrassed the Sioux last season in the REA. There is no excuse for the Sioux not coming out on fire and hitting and hustling and out working the Huskies. I am one of those people that realize that MTU is improved but I also don't believe all the hype. To take a phrase from the Fighting Sioux coach it is what it is. Sure the Huskies are a 4-7 place team in the WCHA, but UND should win against the Huskies, there is no excuse for losing. Getting swept by this team last season was unacceptable and the Sioux should have a bad taste in their mouth and should play with an edge this weekend.

PCM from Sioux sports on the Matchup this weekend.

I know MTU is better than they've been in recent years, but what have they done this season? They lost to Northern Michigan, a CCHA team picked to finish near the bottom of its conference, and had difficulty beating Lake Superior State, another CCHA team expected to finish near the bottom of the league. They swept MS-Mankato at home, a team the WCHA coaches picked to finish 9th in the league. So while I don't think the Sioux should take the Huskies for granted, I don't think we should be in great fear of them, either.

I would have to say that I agree with PCM on this one. Sure no one doubts that MTU isn't a good team, but they aren't world beaters either and they did lose to a NMU, team that is not very good this season.

For the Four people that haven't seen this goal.

Wow, I actually just watched that goal again for like the second time. Seems like the more you watch the play the more you think: Wow, that is one hell of an awesome move. When Toews first announced that he was going to the NHL I thought ok, he will probably be on the third line and play 10-15 minutes a game. After after watching a few of the Black Hawks games, I believe that JT and Pat Kane are the face and future of the Chicago Black Hawk's. That being said I don't think the Hawks make the playoff this season, the west is too loaded, but the future looks bright.

Tale of the Tape for the Young Rookies

Pat Kane 8gp 1g - 8a for 9 points leads the team.
Jon Toews 6gp 2g -4a for 6 points fourth on the team.

Grand Forks Life: The Fargo Farce

There is a pretty good debate starting at the Grand Forks Life Blog on the fighting Sioux name.

Grand Forks Life: The Fargo Farce

In case anyone is wondering the Force is UND's marketing campaign, it started first with the football team and then it was used with all of the Sports teams at UND. For the people that are experiencing a case of wishful thinking UND isn't going to change the Fighting Sioux name to the Force; I mean lets get real people, why would UND spend millions of alumni dollars if the school was just going to turn around and change the Fighting Sioux name. Honestly, for one it makes no sense economically what so ever. I would basically violate anything that is practical.

Lastly, If UND decides to change the Fighting Sioux name it will be because the Board of Higher Education in North Dakota deems its the move UND will make. Realistically speaking the next UND president will have little if any imput on the matter. If UND is going to change the name I am sure the Board of Higher Ed, the Students and the Alumni will decide what the next name will be. Don't count on that happening any time soon.

Sioux play 2/3 of a game and get the tie.

Gong Show in Boston

If I was part of the administration at Boston College I would be very embarrassed today. What happened last night on national television was a debacle, a gong show and there is no excuse for it, this is utterly unacceptable.

If you had to describe how I feel today the word disappointed would be the first thing to come to mind. I waited all week for the watch up of the fall in college hockey. The Boston College Eagles and the UND Fighting Sioux were renewing the rivalry and the match up was supposed to be a must see game of the week.

In the end the game was a non-starter and ended up being a fog bowl and had to be called after two periods due to the safety reasons of the athletes involved. Before this game I thought of Boston College as being one of the bench mark teams in Hockey East, on further review they have some major issues with their hockey facility that should be fixed before UND makes the trip out east. One could describe this as being unacceptable.

If I was Hakstol I would tell Jerry York thanks for the invite but we aren’t coming back until you get your arena in order, or suggest playing the game at an alternative site like the TD Bank Garden. Hell I bet this doesn’t happen at the University of Mass Lowell and it should happen at a bench mark school like Boston College.

In the face of a debacle there is something possitive, our goaltending has been great so far as Lammy has faced 47 shots and not let a goal in as of yet, in fact many of these saves have been of the high quality type.

BOSTON- For the second time in two seasons, a game at Boston College was called because of poor ice conditions, and once again it came in front of a national TV audience.

The game between Boston College and North Dakota on Friday was halted after two periods with the game tied, 0-0. It will go down as an official game, a tie for both teams.

Last season, a game between BC and Boston University was halted in the first period because humid conditions caused fog and poor ice. That game was resumed from where it left off and finished at a later date.

In this case, the game was official, and was declared complete. A power outage caused a delay to the start of the game. Reports indicate that de-humidifying machines, brought in to Conte Forum in anticipation of the humid conditions, contributed to the power failure. Later there was another brief outage.

Power was eventually restored, but the foggy conditions forced the game to be halted. The final decision came during the second intermission, during a meeting with the two game referees and Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna.

Bertagna indicated that the "safety of the athletes was the most important concern." He said that consideration was given to starting the period, and then seeing how things went. But he said there was concern a team would score a quick goal, and then officials would be put in position of having to call a game without giving the trailing team an opportunity to respond.

Temperatures were unseasonably warm throughout the Northeast on Friday, and it was raining most of the day.

North Dakota (1-0-1) heads down the road to Northeastern on Saturday. BC (1-1-1) is off until Sunday, when it plays at Vermont.

This Post is the 500th post of Goon's World

More on Bochenski

Found this in the: Boston Globe Newspaper

Staying prepared

Neither Brandon Bochenski nor Jeremy Reich have suited up yet for a regular-season game. ‘’I’ve talked to those guys,’’ said head coach Claude Julien. ‘’I’ve told them to stay ready.’’ During today’s workout, Bochenski and Reich both work as extras on a line that is comprised of P.J. Axelssson, Thornton and Metropolit.

In everything that I have read this season makes me believe that Bruins Coach Claude Julien has penciled Bochenski in as being a fourth line player. Which is puzzling in my opinion? I am also going to go on record as saying that I am not a fan of Julien one bit, there is a reason he has been fired from all of these places he has coached. First off; what the heck is he doing Phil Kessel; Phil is not a third line player. I also don’t get the reasoning of having Bochenski and his $600,000.00 sitting out for every game. If Bochenski is a extra piece trade him away for a player to be name later and give this kid a chance to play on someone else’s team.

WILMINGTON — The Black & Gold returned to full-squad workouts here today after wrapping up their 3-2 road trip over the weekend.

The lines looked familiar, picking up from where they left off in San Jose:
Marco Sturm-Patrice Bergeron-Glen Murray
Peter Schaefer-Marc Savard-Chuck Kobasew
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Phil Kessel
P.J. Axelsson-Glen Metropolot-Shawn Thornton
Extras, also in uniform: Jeremy Reich and Brandon Bochenski

The D’ pairings:

Andrew Alberts-Andrew Ference (the Two Drews)
Mark Stuart-Dennis Wideman
Zdeno Chara-Aaron Ward
Extra man: Bobby Allen
Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez were the goalies

Also it is puzzling that the Bruins wouldn’t play Manny Fernandez more? While Manny had a couple of games that were very Manny like he is still a top line goalie in my opinion. While I believe that Tim Thomas is a decent back up goalie he has proved the last two seasons he is nothing more than a mediocre starting goalie. Manny needs to play on a regular basis or he isn’t going to be very happy and could end up being a distraction to the Bruins

Linkorama: Check out this B.C. blog

I like reading other people's blogs to see how they think. If you are interested in reading a different perspective from the other side of the ice check out this blogFor Here Men are Men. This Hockey East blog talks about the B.C. Eagles. In this particular post he talks about the Eagles and their up coming season and how tough the Eagles schedule is to start the off season. They played Michigan, followed by RPI and now they play the Sioux. Its no mystery that mnch like the Sioux the Eagles always have a target on their back. Everyone wants to beat them and those teams brings their "A" game when they play the Boston College Eagles.

Finally, we get to the schedule. It ain't easy. We jump right into the fray with Michigan followed by RPI or Minnesota, then come back to Chestnut Hill for a home tilt against North Dakota in what has become college hockey's best intersectional rivalry.

I have to agree with him the Sioux and Eagles is one of those rivalries that you mark off on your calender. It think this weekend this will be the spot light game of the week. Playoff hockey in October.

Boring hockey

I found this over on article over on
Chris Dilk's blog:

Notre Dame hosted Denver tonight, in the first game of a two-game series. The game was moved to Thursday because Notre Dame's football team(and I use the term football team extremely loosely) has a football game to lose on Saturday.

Denver jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead off a Kyle Ostrow goal, and led 2-1 after the first period, but Notre Dame dominated the second period, outshooting Denver 9-3, and scoring twice to take the lead. Notre Dame extended their lead by a goal in the third period when freshman Ben Ryan scored on the powerplay. Denver answered back 32 seconds later, but could not get any closer.

Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce made 17 saves, while Denver's Peter Mannino made 14.

My first comment is is that the first period of hockey? That can not be for the whole game. My first though on that game was I thank God that I didn't have to watch that defense feast. Honestly, who likes to watch that type of hockey? I guess no one unless you are fan of the Wisconsin Badgers or the Cornell Big Red. Recently on Sioux Sports Redwing77 said that the Wild play a boring style of hockey. While appreciate Redwings's post I don't think he could be further from the truth. Check out the link below and then tell me how anyone can call the Wild hockey games boring hockey?




Ovechkin now has 100 goals for his short NHL career

Alexander Ovechkin got 100 goals in 167 games. For the people that aren't math wiz's, that is 100 goals in 2 season plus 7 games this year.

Cool Hockey Picture(s)

I found this picture over on the
Win Twins blog I don't know if Heather took the picture herself or she found it on the Internet but it is a really cool picture, I mean I can appreciate it even if it is a picture of SCSU hockey players. The two players Nodal and Lasch are two of the more exciting players in the WCHA. Check out Win Twins blog she focuses on the now out of the playoffs and golfing Minnesota Twins, however, the blog isn't just about baseball it also a WCHA/SCSU hockey.


I have to say that this picture is really funny, its of the famous Michigan Tech Fan MeanGirl. This picture was part of a blog that I found this over on Amy's Lets Go Mav's, I have to say hey MeG nice shoes. While I am a big fan of Adidas, I wonder if she bought the last pair of gold and black Adidas. Should we say that they are not my color. This is the same Mean Girl that was given a rough time by a bunch of drunk rude Gopher Fans.

Where are they Now: Winchester mixing it up in the NHL

I found this clip on YouTube, seems as if Brad Winchester has found a calling in the NHL. I am sure that Sioux fans will remember the former Badger player that got into trouble in February 2003 for allegedly punched Madison Police Officer Caleb Bedford several times in the nose at 2:20 a.m., leaving Bedford with a bloody nose, after Bedford physically restrained Winchester. Officers arrived at 2:20 a.m. to 529 N. Lake St. to break up a fight involving between eight and 10 people outside the Kollege Klub, in Madison Wisconsin. Now Winchester is getting paid handsomely to hit people and seems as if he is pretty good at it as well.

I remember when Winchester was playing with the Badgers and saying this guy is nothing more than a goon or a heathen; yep these clips prove it; Brad Winchester is a goon, and a pretty good one at that. Here is a good fight against Bruins new comer and punching bag Milan Lucic seems this is one of reasons that keeping Brandon Bochenski in the stands wearing a suit and out of the line up for the Boston Bruins. Maybe Bochenski should go out and beat someone up as soon as he cracks the Boston Line up.

Here is a classy move by Winchester, this a fight from game on March 12th 2007 when Winchester was with the Edmonton Oilers in this fight Winchester he jumps LA Kings tough guy Raitis Ivanans.
This is from the same March 12th 2007 game, another great short fight from the same game from last season Thornton and Winchester I have to give it to Winchester he is sure stacking up the fights on YouTube.

Goon's WCHA picks for the 19-20 October

Goon's Picks for the Weekend

MSU-Mankato and Michigan Tech Tech Sweeps Sorry Amy.
UND and B.C. Fighting Sioux win
UND and North Eastern Fighting Sioux win
C.C. and Minnesota Split
SCSU and UMD Split
Wisconsin and RMU Wisconsin Sweep
Denver and Notre Dame DU Sweep
UAA and Alaska Fairbanks Split We are wondering if Donald sobers up by Monday Morning?

Sweet Goal


I have read where there are people wondering where the Fighting Sioux's goals are going to come from this season, I belive that this is only the beginning of many more from number 29.

Bochenski not cracking the line up in Boston

As a Bruins fan I can not understand why recycled coach Claude Julian isn't playing Former Sioux Brandon Bochenski. Boston Bruins Blogger Gerry Bourdeau weighs in on the matter as well.

As a side note, I am upset that Dennis Wideman and Brandon Bochenski were not in the line-up. I understand there isn’t room for everyone on the roster but I would’ve sat Allen and Kobasew in favour of Bochenski and Wideman. We’re talking potential and offense here. I’m sure coach Julien has his reasons for his decisions and I am anxious to see what the next game’s line-up will look like.

I have to say that I am anxious as well to see if Brandon Bochenski cracks the line up soon or what if anything are the Bruins going to do with the young Bochenski, Brandon is due to make 600,000.00 and that is a lot of cash to be sitting in the press box. The Bruins have played 5 games and he has been a healthy scratch in each game. This is Bochenski's third NHL team and it appears that he has already worn out his welcome in Boston.

Boogaard gets even with May

I was watching the replay of the Wild and Ducks on my DVR this afternoon when I was very happy to see this fight happen. Some will say, “that fighting has no place in hockey”. Well Folks these people are dead wrong. The May vs. Boogaard fight is a direct result of the Brad May’s cheap gutless sucker punch of Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson.

In this instance the code worked well both men dropped the gloves and settled this thing on the ice. Brad May while he might be a classless hack knew eventually that he was going to have to pay for this egregious act against a defenseless unsuspecting competitor/player and fought instead of turtling.

The reason the Miller goal was waved off.

Kudos to the ND redfrog from Sioux Sports for posting this video. When this goal was first waved off I thought it was a brutal call (I was sober by the way not clouded by alcohol) but after reviewing this video I would say that video evidence proves that the refs made the right call. Far be it from me to want to compliment the refs.

Video replay shows that Kyle Radke definitely interfered with the MSU player in front of the net. I also wouldn't have been shocked if it had been ruled a good goal.

Two Ref System (EDIT)

This season the WCHA will be experimenting with the 2-and-2 officiating system during the 2007-08 season in about 60 games, in both the men's league and the women's league. (Thanks PCM for the correction) I personally think the two ref system is going to slow the flow of the game down and in essence your going to have a parade to the penalty box. Stay tuned as the season unfolds. I guess if the two ref system can work in the NHL, there is no reason this transition can't be successful in the WCHA/NCAA.

Speaking of horse bleep calls: here is the video of Oshie check from behind penalty while that should have been a penalty, it didn't warrent a 5 and a game in my opinion'.

Ode to the Bruins and Kessel with a hat trick

Former Gophers star/player Phil Kessel scoring a hat trick against the LA Kings. One could say that Kessel's hat trick is very good news since the Boston Bruins haven't really been scoring a lot of goals to start the season. However, there is hope in Boston as the Bruins recently went 3-2 in a western road trip. Incidently the Bruins will not leave the eastern time zone the rest of the season.

A weak attempt at Humor

Lastly, some fans think they are so funny (especially New Jersey Devils Fans), first off even though two former Sioux hockey players play on the Devils I am not a fan of their team; not to mention I think the Devils are going to be a punching bag in the east and have a down season. Sioux7 sent me this poem about the Boston Bruins.

Ode to the Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins,
Their Stanley Cup dreams are in ruins.
One cup in thirty-five years,
Has caused many tears,
Fans drown their sorrows in beers
As the players get jeers,
And the cup still avoids them.

Their players are all washed-up jocks,
They're even worse than the sox!
In the playoffs they choke,
And all their fans' hearts are broke.
Half the team is on coke,
The franchise is a joke.
So the cup still avoids them.

Each year the results are the same,
And Peter Chiarelli is the person to blame.
There are thirty-five more
Years of failure in store.
They can't even score,
From the cup they won't pour.
'Cause the cup still avoids them.

Hockey East on the Decline?

I found this post in my email from the hockey list last night: I wonder if this has anyone concerned on the east coast? Actually I had to take a double take to make sure it wasn't a miss print.

Hockey East did NOT fare very well last night. In eight games, Hockey East went 1-7 with the lone victory coming from Merrimack (4-2 over Niagara). There were some very surprising results too, such as New Hampshire losing an exhibition to New Brunswick and BU falling to Robert Morris. -Deron

Friday, October 12, 2007
Non-Conference
Vermont 1 at Miami 2 (L)
Providence 1 at St. Lawrence 4 (L)
Niagara 2 at Merrimack 4 (W)
Maine 0 at Denver 2
Massachusetts 1 at Clarkson 2 ot (L)

IceBreakerBoston College 3 vs. Michigan 4 ot (L)

Nye Frontier Classic

Robert Morris 3 vs. Boston University 2 (L)

Exhibition

New Brunswick 4 at New Hampshire 3 (L)

I believe the most stunning loses are New Hampshire losing to a Canadian University and Hockey East power house Boston University losing to Robert Morris.

Toews Score his first NHL Goal

I just watched this goal for the first time, man what a move. One could say that this is probably the first of many goals to come during his NHL career. Now I see what everyone was ranting and raving about.

Ballard and Backes Part 2.

These two guys are probably not going to be sending each other Christmas Cards or be going out to dinner any time soon. Incidently that was their second fight in two seasons of hockey. Last April Ballard and Backes got into a good tussel stay tuned to see how this match up shakes out.

Steve Downie is a hack

This was a significant incident that happened while my computer was in the Geek Squad shop. This incident is probably the first of many with this guy; its just the type of player Steve Downie is, a 20 game suspension although probably steep won't stop thugs like guy from striking again. This is the same guy that attacked a fellow teammate. I still believe that Jack Johnson should have been cheered in Vancouver instead of booed for his elbow on Downie.

This is the latest black mark for the National Hockey League Boulerice crosschecks Kesler, Flyers vs Canucks Oct 10, 2007
I can see another 10-20 game suspension.

Goon Back up and Running.

The Computer has landed

Finally I get my lap top computer back from the Best Buy Geek Squad tonight. This was after not having a computer for one day short of a month. I sent my computer in on the 14th of September 2007. I should be back up and running in the next couple of days. I have like 1500 emails to clean out of my inbox and my outlook express locked up on me. I don't know what it is with computers and me.

Sioux win exhibition game (by Sioux 7)

On Sunday night UND started the season, un-officially, with win over the U. of Manitoba. The Sioux trailed after the first period, 2-1, since Phil Lame-a-reaux failed to stop the first two shots that the Bisons took. Hopefully he gets that bad karma off of him that first period. In the second period the Sioux took control and would eventually run away with the game in the third period, winning 9 to 3. Rylan Kaip the new captian had a hat-trick in this game, to bad it doesn't officially count in the statistics columns since it is an exhibition game.

Next Saturday the #1 Sioux host the #2 Spartans of Michigan State. This should be a good game, not to often do #1 and #2 play each othere in the offical season opener. I have not gotten a new magic 8-ball since I broke my last one, but I'll take a stab at the final out come of this weekends game, Sioux win, 4-2.

USCHO preseson poll (by Sioux 7)

I know that poll was released a few days ago, but the Goon and I have been out duck hunting for the past 5-days.

The preseason poll from USCHO features 6 teams from the WCHA, they are:

1. North Dakota
5. Minnesota
11. Colorado College
13. Denver
15. Wisconsin
17. St. Cloud State

UND got 13 first place votes and Minnesota got 1 first place vote. This poll really shows the strenght of the conference as a whole. Six out of ten teams ranked in the top 20, not to bad. They only other conference with that many ranked teams is the CCHA with:

3. Michigan State
4. Miami (Ohio)
8. Notre Dame
10. Michigan
16. St. Lawrence
19. Ohio State

Hockey East has five teams in the poll.

2. Boston College
6. New Hampshire
9. Boston University
12. Maine
20. Vermont

The ECAC has three teams in the poll.

7. Clarkson
14. Quinnipiac
18. Cornell

The CHA and Atlantic Hockey do not have any teams ranked in this preseason poll.
(Remember this most likely be the last year of the CHA, since Wayne State will be dropping their mens hockey program.)

The breakdown of how many from each conference is not to shocking. Consider that the CHA and AH have gotten very little love from any pollsters in past years and that they haven't faired to well in non-conference games.

I wonder how close this ratio will be to the teams that make the NCAA tourney come March...5-WCHA, 5-CCHA, 4-HE, 2-ECAC...

WCHA to add teams, maybe? (by Sioux 7)

Wayne State University in Detroit announced today that they will be dropping their mens ice hockey team. This disaster will affect the remaining 4 teams in the CHA immeasurably, there will be no auto-bid to the ncaa tourney, and won't really be a league with only four teams, Niagara, Robert Morris, Huntsville-Alabama, and Bemidji State. Without a conference these fledgling D-I programs need to find a home or they might suffer the fate of WSU.

Bemidji State already plays a fair number of games against WCHA schools, for the 2007-2008 season they play: St. Cloud (2), Mankato (2), Duluth (2), CC (1), Denver (1), and UND (2). Looking at there schedule they could almost be considered an honorary member. It would make sense for them to join the WCHA for many reasons: location, they are literaly surrounded by the WCHA schools; track record, they have beaten WCHA teams, and they were outstanding at the D-3 level previously; college hockey, everyone needs teams to keep playing at the D-1 level, if teams fail that reflects on hockey as a whole, not just one team.

I hope the WCHA can look past itself and see the big picture and let BSU join our league. Some will complain that strains the recruiting and scheduling, but that can be overcome. Scheduling can be made to have more home-and-home series, with teams that are geographical close, so everyone can see these team every year. Recruiting, hey, the coaches should do what they have always done, that shouldn't be a factor.

As for Robert Morris and Niagara, since they are in Pennsylvania and New York respectively some of the east coast leagues should add these programs to their leagues. Huntsville-Alabama, uff-da, what to do with them... they are all by themselves down south. Is Omaha the closest D-1 team to them? I'm not sure, but maybe the WCHA could coherse UNO from the CCHA and the CCHA take on Huntsville... just a thought. Then would have 12 teams in the W and we could have a North-South subdivision or West-East one, still play everyone but change the playoff format.

College hockey needs these teams to keep playing, nobody, should be happy to see a team dissappear of the landscape.

Coaches Poll (by Sioux 7)

Today the Grand Forks Herald newspaper released its 37th annual WCHA pre-season poll.

Rank School Points

1 UND (7) 79
2 Minnesota (3) 74
3 Colorado Coll. 55
4 Denver 53
5 Wisconsin 52
6 St. Cloud St. 43
7 Michigan Tech 41
8 Minn.-Duluth 23
9 MSU-Mankato 19
10 Anchorage 11

The numbers in the ( ) represent first place votes and the other is the total points.

The poll also includes voting for pre-season rookie of the year and player of the year.

Pre-season Rookie of the Year

Kyle Turris, UW, 9
Evan Trupp, UND, 1

Pre-season Player of the Year

Ryan Duncan, UND, 5
T.J. Oshie, UND, 3
Taylor Chorney, UND, 1
Kyle Okposo, Minn., 1


This early pre-season poll does show some similarities to my earlier preseason predictions. Of course, it is not very often that a team predicted to finish first does win the league. The season doesn't get underway for a little over a week yet, but it is getting closer, we are almost into the month of October.

On a side note:

The Goon and Sioux 7 will be enjoying bird hunting this upcoming weekend along with UND's homecoming festivities. We'll be shooting ducks and other various fowl that are in season. And I be able to comfirm that "actual condition" of said "downed computer".

Going Down? by Sioux 7

Just a little FYI for all the dedicated GOON'S WORLD readers. The Goon's computer has gone down, I'm not sure if it was a standing 8-count or a TKO, but the Goon's computer is out of commission for a little while. I will keep everyone updated when I get more info from the Goon.

WCHA - Preseason Predictions - (by Sioux 7)

With the season bearing down on us, UND's first "game" which is an exhibition match is October 7th, just over 3 weeks away. But before that skates are sharpened, the sweaters doned, and the puck drops let me enlighten (or guessing as the case maybe) what the final standings will be in the WCHA this season.


Coming in at the bottom this year will be...Alaska. I believe there motto is "The Last Frontier" unfornately I think in hockey it is "The Last Place Frontier".

10 - Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves

Just avoiding the doubious distinction of finish last will be...Duluth. The license plates in Minnesota reads "Land of 10,000 Lakes" for the Bulldogs of Duluth it could be "Rink of 10,000 Loses" this year. They suffered a big blow when Matt Niskanen and Raymond Mason left early :(

9 - Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs

Moving up the preseason poll the "middle of the pack" is a little harder to estimate. Coming in at the 8-spot will be...Colorado. So much for the high peaks of the mountains, I think the Tigers are headed for the low lying valleys this season. The scoring by committee only goes so far, sooner or later you need a figure-head to lead the masses. The Tigers this year will be more roar than bite.

8 - Colorado College Tigers

Going to Vegas you want to get 7's but in a preaseason poll, but who knows it might be lucky in the end. Blowing on the dice and comin' up 7 is...Minnesota State. Maybe the bad luck Vikings purple has rubbed off somehow on the Mavericks. They have moments of being a contender, and then suddenly, BAM, down goes MSU. The Mavericks might go into a flat spin this year and goose (Jutting) will suffer a head injury, it will be sad, but they will find a new wingman.

7 - Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks (hey, I just notice but these guys could be 3-M)

Completing the bottom half of this years preaseason bracket and having to go on the road for the first round of the playoff will be...Wisconsin. The badgers did get a nice recruit in Turris, but the wall is gone (Elliott). Without him the badgers ship will leak water like a rusty bucket and they will not be able to fill that void completely, thus they won't win the close ones like they us too. TheBadger might suffer from the cold season leading the furry critter to "hibernate" a few times this winter season.

6 - Wisconsin Badgers

The "middle" teams in the WCHA will be the... Huskies. This will create a little more animosity between the 2 teams when they end up in a tie for 4-5 spot. SCSU lost there cork stopper too, with Geophart leaving, they do how ever have some fire power up front with Nodl and Dey. The MTU have it the other way, they have two exceptional goalies in Teslak and Nolan. These great work/sled dogs will do just work hard and be rewarded in the end with a juicy bone, home ice advantage.

4-tie - Huskies of Michigan Tech and St. Cloud State

The trey spot will belong to a team from the Rocky Mountain state...Denver. I'm not sure what has really led me to this finishing spot for this team. But, I do know that the Gwaz-man always seems to find a way to win games in the regular season. On a side note, what does a bird symbol have to do with being a pioneer, how about a covered wagon or something more Pioneer-ish?

3 - Denver Pioneers

The team coming in on the duece will be the "first loser" in the division, "the other big ten (11)" school...Minnesota Twin Cities. The gphers will have their usual high powered offense this year, but the back half of the ice will be their downfall. They have lost a group of defensemen that will be near impossible to replace in a season, and the goalie, Frazee, will have to stand on his head and make timely saves for the gophers to make a run in the playoffs. If the gophers collapse in the late season again look for the head-gopher to go down his gopher-hole and dissappear.

2 - Minnesota Twin Cities Golden Gophers

That leaves that top spot in the league for the remaining team (remember you are reading this on Goon's World) THE ONE THEE ONLY... FIGHTING SIOUX. Not that I'm biased, which I am, but the Sioux return a large portion of the team from last year. The most notable loss was Toews leaving early for the NHL. The offense will still be potent with Oshie and Duncan (Hobey Baker) and the starting goalie is back as well as most of the d-men.

1 - North Dakota Fighting Sioux

Interesting Read: Make or Break Season for the NHL

Ted Starky has some interesting points on the NHL and and some of the issues that could plague it's future success...

Sports Commentary

The National Hockey League is set to kick off its 90th season with a new look, a new defending champion, and some new stars in new locations.

This year will be a make-or-break season for the league, as after two seasons of trying to repair the damage from the 2004 lockout, the NHL now needs to make positive inroads into raising the sport's profile again. Record-low ratings have left the league with one year to convince NBC to extend its no-fee rights deal at the end of the season to remain on network television. After three years of mostly negative national press, the NHL urgently needs to cast itself in a more positive light to try and regain the sport's standing that was mostly lost in the work stoppage.

Of course, the league also has been plagued with some bad luck, as for three straight seasons, the league’s marquis showcase event has featured a small-market Canadian team against one from a sunbelt U.S. city, not exactly the formula for big U.S. television ratings. Big-market clubs like the Rangers and Flyers haven’t always performed up to expectations, and of the league’s marquis franchises, only Detroit has appeared in a conference final since the lockout ended. The league's partnership with Versus also took a hit when the network failed to land either an NFL or MLB package that would make it must-carry basic cable, and has left the league on a network that few of heard of and fewer will chase down to watch the league's top games.

Some of that could be changing this season, as New York and Philadelphia loaded up in the free-agent market, with stars such as Chris Drury, Scott Gomez and Daniel Briere, respectively, heading to those two teams, which should help boost those sagging TV numbers. Another NHL ratings stronghold in Pittsburgh likely will keep improving as the Penguins should be even better after an improbable run into the playoffs, meaning more chances for the league to showcase Sidney Crosby deeper in the spring.

League-wide, every team is changing this year to the form-fitting Reebok Edge jerseys, which have garnered some decidedly mixed reviews from fans and critics, but likely will bring a windfall in merchandising money as fans looking to update their collection will need to purchase a pricer version of an NHL sweater, which include several new designs that should sell well.

The NHL is also in a rare position of not having to face the most daunting problems in pro sports, as the other major sports are facing serious questions about the very integrity of the game. A renegade referee put the NBA in the spotlight this summer, as the legitimacy of some of its contests were put in serious doubt thanks to one official's tie with the mafia. The NFL has one of its stars set to be sentenced in December for running a dogfighting ring, and other players also face serious legal implications in the upcoming months. And baseball has its most hallowed record in the possession of a player largely regarded as a cheat, and the appearance of rampant steroid use for both sluggers and pitchers.

In the end I think the NHL success relies on its television package and marketing scheme. Face it; Versus is a decent television channel however, it is not a top tier television channel like TSN, Rogers Sport Net, FSN, ESPN or even CBC for that matter. The NHL has to get back on the ESPN network where it will be more visible. Also, maybe the NHL needs to stop trying to sell hockey to people that will never be interested in hockey. Hockey is a regional game that is played in the north country.

The Media Experts Predictions on Bochenski and Kessel

I found this on Hockey Buzz a few weeks back and apparently the Ultimate Pool Guide making some predictions about former Fighting Sioux forward Brandon Bochenski might have a off year.



The Hockey News Ultimate Pool Guide 2007-08:

The increase in points for Phil Kessel is the second highest increase projected by the magazine (the first being Scott Gomez). The magazine lists Brandon Bochenski as a candidate to crash and burn this year (the piece is warning poolies about this).

Player projections: (for Kessel and Bochenski)
Kessel, 54 pts, 20 goals (+ 25 pts from last year)
Bochenski, 40 pts, 18 goals (+16 pts from last year)

I think that Bochenski is going to turn some heads with his play for the Bruins this season. I believe All It's going to take is Brandon getting a decent amount of playing time on a line with talented line mates. Last year on the right line Bochenski proved that he could score timely goals.

Jeremy Reich whoops Adam Mair

I found this video over on the Ghosts of the Garden This is what I would classify as a pretty good hockey fight, two guys come together and decide to square off.

The combantants in this incident and settle their difference like men, there is no turtling or hiding behind the refs, one of the players doesn’t whack the other with his stick or stick out his knee like a gutless puke named Ulfie Samuelson, these two players drop their gloves and have at it. When the fight is over the incident is settled and the players move on. This is why I like NHL hockey, the game of hockey polices itself, end of story.

This should get you in the mood for NHL hockey

Although Rick Jeanneret would probably be considered a homer by many fans, I really love listening to him, except the May Day May call, that one really sucked for me as a Bruins fan. My favorite Rick Jeanneret moment is the one where he says; tis the season fla La, La, La Fontaine.

Classic Commodore fights

This afternoon I was on line and I came across a bunch of Mike Commodore fights that are posted on You Tube. This first video is a pretty good fight between Brendan Witt and Commie. As I think to the days of Mike Commodore I will never forget the fight that Commie had with Alex Brooks, now that was a pretty one sided fight. Commie ended up re-arranging Brooks nose.

Commodore and Eager

Commie works Hollweg

I can't stand Janssen

Thorburn vs Commodore (great fight)

Commie Smokes Cheecho train

Commie can score too

Rick Jeanerette describes Commie's goal against Buffalo

Commie smacks Ovechkin