Thursday, February 07, 2008

Brock Trotter to the Habs.

Denver Post Hockey Blogger Mike Chambers is reporting that Trotter is going to sign with the Montreal Candians and it will be announced tomorrow... Ouch big loss for the Denver Pioneers.

The Montreal Canadiens on Friday are expected to announce the signing of forward Brock Trotter, who was leading DU in goals (13) assists (18) and points (31) before leaving the team last week, a Canadiens spoksman confirmed Thursday.

Trotter, a third-year sophomore, is scheduled to join Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Pioneers still haven’t revealed if Trotter was dismissed or left on his own.

“Brock is a good kid,” DU senior defenseman and team captain Andrew Thomas said. “We always bring in character kids. We’ll bring in a character kid over a skilled kid any day of the week. That’s what our coaching staff always emphasizes, that’s why we’re here. It was never a case of his personality or any of that.”

Wisconsin Badger Kyle Turris on Sportcenter

Badger super frosh Kyle Turris scores a nice goal with a Gopher player drapped all over him like a prom date. The league office oblivious to the current state of the officiating in this once great league can't figure out why scoring is down this season, if there was a little less obstruction you would see more great plays like this. Lucky for the Turris he is a million dollar talent and could stick handle in a phone booth.

Come on Peltier show us your "halo"...


Here is a perfect example of Classic Gopher Homerism


On Monday, coach Don Lucia talked to his players about Saturday’s penalty- and fight-filled game. He called the time he spent on the subject “good learning and teaching moments.”

At the end of overtime, Darcy Zajac of the Fighting Sioux cross-checked R.J. Anderson in the back. That prompted Tony Lucia, the coach’s son, to go after Zajac and he eventually wrestled him to the ice. As expected, the crowd cheered.

Both Tony Lucia and Zajac were given game disqualifications, meaning they will miss their team’s next game. For Tony Lucia, that means Friday’s game at Denver.

“I don’t condone fighting,” Don Lucia said when asked about the incident. “But at the same time sometimes you have to come to your teammates’ defense. I don’t ever want to be part of a a program or team that starts anything but sometimes you have to stand up for your teammates on the rink.”

Is that what your son did? “Yes, I think so,” dad replied.

“There was a situation earlier in the game where Derek [Peltier] was involved that we had a bunch of teammates standing and watching two, three guys on [Peltier]. You just can’t — you have to come to a teammate’s aid.”

Peltier said he and his teammates did not start Saturday’s trouble. “We were not really trying to get involved,” he said. “We got dragged into the situation a little bit. But you’ve got to stick up for your players. You don’t want to get pushed around, especialy in your own barn. So I think we were just sticking up for ourselves and sticking up for our teammates.”

Peltier said he would like to see North Dakota again in the playoffs. “That would be awesome,” he said. “We owe them a little bit.”


First off this is the biggest piece of bravo sierra I have read in a long time. Talk about wearing maroon and gold goggles. Let’s break it down again; Peltier hits Trupp with what I would call a questionable hit, then the little halo falls on top of Trupp and starts cross checking him/punching him, of course Trupp is going to defend himself. Notice that the Sioux players come to the aid of the own while the Gophers stand around. That says a lot about the character of their team.
As far as the Sioux meeting the Goofs again, bring it on. I am sure most of us would love to see a Bickel vs. Finley dance at center ice.

Finley's Hockey's Future player profile


Big Joe's Hockey's Future
Joe Finley
Prospect Grade: 6.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: DJ Powers


History

The Edina, MN native wrapped up the 2004-05 season with 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) in 55 appearances. Two of his three goals came on the power play. Finley also led the Stampede in penalty minutes with 181. He was a member of Team World in the 2005 USHL Prospects/All-Star game back in February.

2005-06: As a freshman with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux he quickly established himself as one of the team’s most reliable defenders. Finley appeared in 43 games for UND, but registered just three assists. He did, however, finish the season at +18 defensively and racked up 96 penalty minutes along the way. In the month of December, Finley fractured his arm during a game and even played a few more shifts before finally coming out of the contest. He then went on to miss only two games after the injury.

2006-07: Finley is not going to be a defenseman who puts up points. With one goal and six assists in 38 games, his job is to control the game defensively. His incredible size and aggressiveness have given him the ability to take control of a game from a defensive standpoint.

Talent Analysis

In addition to his enormous frame, Finley has tremendous focus and work ethic. He has steadily improved his overall game (in particular his puck handling and skating) leading into college. Finley is a surprisingly good skater for a 6’7 player. He is very agile, and has a heavy shot, although he rarely gets to use it.

Future

Right now in his development, Finley is still pretty raw and the Caps are likely to allow him to play out his collegiate eligibility before bringing him into the system. He could eventually become one of the most fearsome defenders in the league one day. But for now, Finley is still several years from being an NHL player, and will likely develop in Hershey for a season or two once he does turn pro.

Goon's World Perspective

I can only hope that the "Future" comes true. I would love to see big Joe Finley in a Fighting Sioux jersey for one more year. For the Finley haters it would have another year of listening to them complain about how big a goon Finley is. I only wish he was a Bruin or a Wild Player. League mascot's beware. He, he, he...

Trotter update



Mike Chambers The Denver Post blogger updates the Trotter situation. This thing is really getting weird. One can only wonder what is going on, I just hope it works out for this kid.

Following up on a rumor, I spoke with USHL president Gino Gasparini tonight, and he denied recently seeing DU sophomore Brock Trotter in Lincoln, Neb. Trotter played junior-A for the Lincoln Stars, and the rumor is he’s returning to the Stars and steering his career from there.

Gasparini, however, did say he “heard” Trotter was in Lincoln from “a third or fourth party.”

Going back to junior-A has some merit, but only if the Stars or another team has room to handle one of four “over-age” players, which Trotter is. He turned 21 on Jan. 16. I learned that the Stars have four over-age guys, and the team is doing well and not likely to cut a kid to make room for Trotter.

However, DU’s delay in announcing what is going on with Trotter might have something to do with negociating his release. Gasparini and I aren’t sure about this, but releasing him from his scholarship might allow him to transfer to a Division I school and become eligible one year (next January) from his scholarship “termination.” Trotter last played for DU on Jan. 19 against Bemidji State, then the Pioneers had a week off. I didn’t attend practices during their off week, so maybe Trotter actually left the team as early as Jan. 21 or so.

But what if DU doesn’t grant Trotter his release? Then … a) the kid might be coming back to DU; b) he transfers but sits out next season, burning his junior year (he took a redshirt/hardship in 2005-06 because of injury five games into the season, but depending on how the NCAA views his hardship year, he might get another year); c) He moves on to a professional career.

Anyway, much of the above is speculation by Gasparini and me, so be kind with your comments if we’re off the mark on some things.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

What's going on in Denver?

According to Denver Post blogger Mike Chambers Brock Trotter is still part of the DU Pioneers. So it would appear at least for the moment that the reports of Trotter being gone were premature.

DU’s leading scorer Brock Trotter is not at practice today and coach George Gwozdecky still has no announcement on his status.

“He won’t be at practice today, hasn’t been at practice all week,” Gwozdecky said Wednesday. “I really thought we would have something by Tuesday, but I’m more positive that we’ll have something by tomorrow or Friday.”

Trotter, who has 13 goals and 31 points, missed last weekend’s series at Minnesota State for undisclosed reasons. He also led the Pios in scoring last season as a redshirt freshman.

Asked if Trotter is still on the team, Gwozdecky said: “He’s still listed on our roster, so yeah, he’s still part of the team.”

He added: “I can’t give you any more than that. It’s confidential. It’s very . . . that’s all I got.”

Asked if there is a scenerio that he could play this weekend, Gwozdecky said: “Can’t tell you that. I don’t know.”

DU captain Andrew Thomas is (or was) living with Trotter. Asked if Trotter still lives at the place in Denver, Thomas deferred me to speak to the SID. In other words, he couldn’t answer the question.

Gwozdecky said DU fans should just be “patient, because we all have to be patient. It’s a day-to-day situation . . . One of the things I told you back (sic) last Friday was there’s privacy issues involved, and to respect that privacy. And that’s the best way that I can state it right now.”


--------------UPDATE--------------
Per the UND coaches show tonight the Voice of the Sioux Tim Hennessy says that Trotter is in Lincoln trying to get on with the Stars. Tim said on the Broadcast that USHL commissioner Gino Gasparini is his source.

The Latest 4X4 from INCH

This is interesting

INCH in their weekly 4X4 has UND in the WORCESTER Northeast Regional as a number one seed.

1.) North Dakota: After last weekend's firestorm in Minneapolis, a week off to regroup would probably do the Sioux some good.

2.) Michigan State: We gave MSU's chances at a 1 the short sell last time. If they play like they did against UNO Friday, it won't happen.

3.) Providence: The Friars still have series with UNH and BC on the docket, so a low 2 seed certainly isn't out of the question.

4.) Quinnipiac: Our rationale: We think the Q is the least flawed of all the candidates for our last at-large spot.

First off if the NCAA gives UND a regional that looks like this you can punch the Fighting Sioux's ticket to Denver, however, it won't happen. The NCAA is not going to place B.C. in Albany when there is a regional 50 Miles away in Worchester MA.

Joe Finley Fight card @ Hockey Fights

When I was searching the Hockeyfights.com data base I came across Joe Finley's card and during the 2004-2005 season Finley was in 11 fights, that is impressive in my opinion. Sweet.

The results are in...

The results from the latest poll question are in.

Question: Gopher defenseman Stu Bickle is a?

A.)Hard nosed player (61-14%)
B.)Hack (174-42%)
C.)A player you want on your team (73-17%)
D.) Goon (80-19%)
E.) The next Matt Demarchi (45-11%)

What kind of game do they think hockey is?


Check out this comment I found over on CHN

UND are a bunch of thugs this season led by Hastol, Finley, Genoway and others. They have repeatedly behaved as thugs in mutliple games this season. Did you see what UND did in the first minute of the game vs St. Cloud this year. Duncan should have been thrown out of that game as well. Then they go ahead and recruit more thugs like Hextall and others. Too bad...they used to be a great program to watch. Hastol should be out.______, Waterloo, Iowa


This one is just too good to not comment on. This is hockey which is a contact sport and it is not for the faint of heart. I would use the analogy that it is better to be the hammer than the nail and the Fighting Sioux for most part this season have been the Hammer. I am beginning to think UND should wear this new found reputation as a badge of honor, one thing people can’t accuse them of being is soft hockey team.

Let’s rewind to last spring; didn't the Duck win the Stanley Cup by basically beating their opposition into submission? That style of play works for me and many other Sioux fans. The Ducks won the Stanley Cup by being one of the most physical, penalized team in hockey. The Fighting Sioux are beginning to play the same way.

In looking at this ridiculous comment; where do I start? My first response is; you’ve got to be kidding me? You’re not serious right? Where do they dig up these people? What rock did he crawl out from under? My next question would be; what type of players does this fan and others in the league want UND to Recruit? As a rule the Fighting Sioux does not recruit a bunch of pretty boys that are afraid to hit because it might crease their jerseys. Wait till the opposition sees Ben Blood next season, I am sure we will hear a bunch of crying about him as well, he might make Finley look like a choir boy. Also, I am pretty sure that Joe Finley was recruited by the Gophers and other WCHA teams. These are the same fans that say that Finley is a hack/goon and then try to tell you that Stu Bickel is not. I like many Sioux fans would take Finley over Stu Bickel any day. Also, players like Brett Hextall keep opposition players honest and their head on a swivel. I think Hextall will be a nice replacement for Rylan Kaip. I can hear the crying now.

Fire Hakstol! Yep; UND should immediately fire Dave Hakstol as coach of the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. It is obvious that Hakstol has no idea what he is doing. Everyone knows that Dave Hakstol can’t coach a lick. How many trips to the Frozen Four has Dave Hakstol led? I believe the Fighting Sioux are up to (3) three. Of course all three were an utter fluke. I would be willing to be that Hakstol’s firing is not going to happen. Let’s look at the Fighting Sioux a little closer: UND 17-8-2 good for 2nd place in the WCHA with a conference record of 14-7-2, 5th in the PWR rankings.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

This weeks series breakdowns (Sioux 7)

After last weekends action here are the current WCHA standings:

****Team***********Games*win-loss-tie
1 Colorado College****20**15-4-1---31pts
2 North Dakota********22**14-7-1---29pts
3 Denver************18**12-6-0---24pts
4 Wisconsin**********20**8-9-3----19pts
4 Minnesota-Duluth****20**7-8-5----19pts
6 Minnesota State*****20**7-9-4----18pts
7 Minnesota*********20**6-10-4---16pts
8 Michigan Tech*******18**6-9-3----15pts
9 St. Cloud State******18**6-10-2---14pts
10 Alaska-Anchorage***20**3-12-5---11pts

As you can see there is a log jam in the middle of the pack with only 5-points separating 4th place from 9th place. Most teams are down to their last 4 regular season series (28-league games), so there are not that many points left out there on the table.

It looks as if CC and UND will be at home for the first round of the playoffs, and DU, if they can get a few wins in there last couple of series. It looks like the only team that will be on the road for the first round in UAA, they cannot leapfrog all those teams, if they run the schedule they will max out at 19pts, which both 4th place teams have currently.

The two BIG match-ups this week are, UM @ DU, and UW @ MTU.

Both UM and DU are on the slippery slope. DU's last conference win (which in questionable) was Jan 11 against UW, before that it was UAA on Dec 15. UM's last conference win was Jan 19 against UMD, before that it was UND on Dec 8. I, however, I'm sticking with my crystal ball, that has been saying teams that get beat by UND this year (2008 only) have done really well the next weekend series. So with that I'm saying that the Gophers will beat the Pioneers this weekend and tie them, UM 3-pts.

Wisconsin and Michigan Tech...hmmm...

WU has a 2-5-3 record on the road overall, not to impressive as a road team, and MTU has a home record of 5-5-1, okay but not the greatest. Earlier this season these two teams split a pair of games in Madison. But there is more riding on this series, MTU needs to get points to move up the standings, and UW wants to hold onto a top 5 spot. I think MTU with two game in hand will want it more, so here's to the Huskies this week, sweeping the Badgers.

CC is hosting SCSU this weekend.

Earlier this season, these two split in St. Cloud. MTU found the chinks in CC armor and I say these Huskies will find the holes too. CC is perfect at home this season, but like all streaks, they come to an end, just ask the New England Patriots. It will be a split at the springs this weekend. I can hear all the doggies howling already, listen.....goooooooooal.

Last but not least is UAA traveling to MSU-M for a pair of tilts this weekend.

The purple pasture people have been on a stampede since getting swept by UND 3-weeks ago, the Mavs have won 4 games in a row, scoring 4.5 goals/game, and only allowing a mere 2.25 goals/game. Alaska finally may have started to right their ship by getting 3 points last weekend. Unfortunately they are running into the red hot purple bovine barn, I see the wolves getting trampled this weekend, but limp home with one point, while the Mavs get 3-pts.

Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota are on bye weeks, and will be back in action next weekend.

This weeks picks: Misc Ramblings/Rants

FRIDAY:
Wisconsin at Michigan Tech
Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota State
St. Cloud State at Colorado College
Minnesota at Denver

SATURDAY:
Wisconsin at Michigan Tech
Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota State
St. Cloud State at Colorado College
Minnesota at Denver

Last week 5-5
For the Season 90-64

This week's analysis

This week MTU Huskies and Wisconsin Badgers will split. I just don’t see either team getting very far ahead of the other team. Both teams are very defensive minded.
Thanks to MTU getting only 1 point last weekend I now owe Sioux_7 two beers, it was another weekend where I predicted a sweep and the prediction ended up being very wrong. Kind a like Paula Weston’s rants every week. Ha, I suppose I can always jinx someone else’s team this weekend.

Minnesota will not beat DU this weekend as the Gophers go 0-4 on the season against the DU Pioneers, mark it down that you heard it here first. :) I predict during the post series hand shake a purse fight will break out between Don Lucia and George Gwozdecky.

C.C. is hot right now after running EZAC patsy Clarkson out of the building; I bet we don't see Clarkson as a first round bid this season. I predict that C.C. sweeps this weekend, no disrespect to the Huskies who are my second favorite team in the WCHA, but this is the year of the Tiger. I am sure Win-Twins will be happy with my prediction. I am sure that Heather is still smarting from the Santana trade as well as I am. I don't think the Twins got enough for Santana.

MSU-M and UAA, no way the Seawolves get any points this weekend in Mankato, the Mavericks are smoking hot right now. :)

Here is UND Fighting Sioux Hater Kevin McFeely aka McFooley's latest rant.


Here is the part I think is comical:

The University of North Dakota has exerted copious amounts of energy issuing written apologies for its hockey team in the past year. So much so that “Fight On Sioux,” the school’s fight song, was in danger of being replaced by the twangy Brenda Lee classic, “I’m Sorry.”

Robbie Bina, T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews apologized via press release for their roles in last February’s Judy’s Tavern affair. Joe Finley – all 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds of him – had to write an apology after hacking Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger across the shins with a stick last November. And just this weekend, Sioux coach Dave Hakstol circulated a written apology after being caught on television flipping the middle digit of his right hand at official Don Adams during UND’s heated contest at Minnesota on Saturday.

Contrary to popular legend, the toughest job at UND is not athletic director. It is media relations director. Typing all that contrition can leave a guy with a nasty case of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hakstol’s YouTube moment elicited the expected frightening responses from cyberspace. A popular Sioux fan Web site and a chat room set up on The Forum’s site had numerous responses trumpeting two testosterone-fueled defenses: 1) Adams deserved to be the recipient of the obscene gesture and 2) this was a hockey game, not some supposedly less macho activity like figure skating or golf, so a one-fingered salute was a proper way for Hakstol to vent his frustration.

UND’s administration clearly did not prescribe to this juvenile way of thinking. Hakstol was suspended for two games Monday by co-acting athletic directors Betty Ralston and Steve Brekke. Hakstol will miss UND’s series against Denver Feb. 15-16 in Grand Forks.

Gee I wonder which fan web site Mike McFooley is refering to? It can't be the ever popular siouxsports.com. As we know from last season Mike McFooley has been know to lurk from time to time on that fan webpage. You would think a big city sports writer like Mike McFooley would look to more credible site for information, than a fan web page for your information (of course I say this tongue in cheek). Why don't you stick to covering your own teams down in Fargo, ND? I am sure that Mid Major Summit league that NDSU plays in is way more exciting than the little old WCHA. I am sure if I dig hard enough I will find Bison athletes in the bars and the police blotter as well.

This is over the top

When I watched this the fist time I thought it was a little over the top. I watch FSN a lot with the Wild and they do all kinds of stuff like this. This clip is a real head scratcher, I wonder how they came up with this one. I kind of actually wonder if the guy in the Sioux jersey woke up with any bruises the next day?

Monday, February 04, 2008

WCHA official Randy Schmidt done for the Year.

INCH is reporting that Randy Schmidt has been suspended for the rest of the season. This is really good news for the league, now I wonder if we can get the league to suspend Adam as well?

WCHA Suspends Referee Indefinitely
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod confirmed to INCH that referee Randy Schmidt has been suspended by the league. McLeod said no formal announcement would be made and the terms of the suspension were indefinite, but Schmidt is not expected to work any more games during the 2007-08 season.

McLeod added that whether or not Schmidt will work as a WCHA referee next season or ever again has not been decided. The decision was made by McLeod in consult with WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd after the league twice issued apologies for errors made by Schmidt this season.

Most recently, the WCHA issued a statement saying an apparent goal by Wisconsin in the final second of the Badgers’ game at Denver Jan. 11 should have counted. The play, which would have tied the game at 3-3 and forced overtime, was initially ruled a goal by Schmidt, then after a review he incorrectly ruled that time had expired before the puck crossed the goal line, giving Denver a 3-2 win.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported that Schmidt met privately with Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves to apologize for the error the next day. Schmidt, who works as a police officer in North Dakota full-time, has been a WCHA official for 14 years.

Coach Hakstol suspended for two games.

First none of us should be surprised, not a big shock here. Second the Unversity of North Dakota had to take the high road in this case, they had no choice. All of us knew the punishment was coming. Now I think we can all move on Hakstol admitted me made a mistake, Dave wrote a letter addressing this, the coach regrets his mistake, human beings make mistakes.

UND hockey coach Hakstol suspended for two games
Herald Staff Report
Published Monday, February 04, 2008
UND co-acting athletic directors Betty Ralston and Steve Brekke announced today that UND head men’s hockey coach Dave Hakstol has been suspended for its next two games for his actions during a men’s hockey game Saturday at the University of Minnesota.


Ralston said the disciplinary action was determined by the University of North Dakota and was made independent of any decision or action by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

“We hold all University of North Dakota coaches and student-athletes to the highest standards of sportsmanship, conduct and ethical behavior,” Ralston said. “We expect our coaches to keep themselves and their teams in control at all times. Profane language and poor behavior on the part of our coaches and student-athletes is unacceptable.”

UND is 5th on the INCH power rankings.

Sioux fans hold onto your hats the boys at INCH had ranked the Sioux 5th in this weeks INCH power rankings. If you look at the rankings and compare them to the PWR rankings you will see that the INCH Boys true to form are a little off. In my opinion Princeton and Union have no business being in the top 20. Also, if the playoffs started today the UMD Bull Dogs would be a 2 seed.


1.) Miami (1)
2.) Colorado College (3)
3.) Michigan State (7)
4.) Michigan (2)
5.) North Dakota (5)
6.) New Hampshire (3)
7.) Denver (6)
8.) Notre Dame (14)
9.) Providence (10)
10.) Clarkson (10)
11.) Boston College (9)
12.) Quinnipiac (17)
13.) Wisconsin (15)
14.) Princeton (23)
15.) Minnesota (19)
16.) UMass Lowell (16)
17.) Union (24)
18.) Minnesota Duluth (8)
19.) Minnesota State (10)
20.) Northeastern (10)

Sunday, February 03, 2008

UND Coach apologizes for Giving Don Adam the Bird

This story was just released by the Grand Forks Herald. I think it is a good move on Hakstol's part. He admits he made a mistake and I am cool with that. Let the Gophers fans whine about this all week. It was a heated game and Sioux fans know that Don Adam has a long and storied history with UND. The fact that the Sioux played with an edge Saturday night give me hope that the Sioux still have the fire to go out and compete. ----Photo shop picture included---

I think USCHO Area Reporter PCM sums it up the best: I think it's very disrespectful to UND and Robbie Bina that Adam is still reffing in the WCHA. I think it was a slap in Hak's face that the WCHA assigned this series to Adam. I think the fact that Hakstol showed more emotion on the bench than any time I've seen during his coaching career at UND is an indicator as to how he felt about it.


Hakstol apologizes for actions
Grand Forks Herald
February 03, 2008

UND men’s hockey head coach Dave Hakstol said today he is apologizing for his actions in a discussion with referee Don Adam during Saturday’s game at the University of Minnesota.

A Fox Sports North camera caught Hakstol flipping off Adam during the second period of the game.

“I would like to sincerely apologize to our fans, players and entire program, as well as all college hockey fans, the WCHA and Don Adam, for my actions during the second period of last night’s game versus the University of Minnesota,” Hakstol said. “I’m disappointed in myself for allowing my emotions and frustrations to get the better of me. I pride myself in not allowing this type of thing to occur.

“Most importantly, I am a parent before I am a coach, and I understand the responsibility that we carry as coaches within the WCHA to young hockey fans and families everywhere.

“I have evaluated and feel terrible about my actions and can assure everyone that such a thing will never happen again.”

The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Power outage in the WCHA

WCHA Scores for 2-2-2008
Minnesota-Duluth 2 at Wisconsin 1 ot
Michigan Tech 2 at Alaska-Anchorage 2 ot
North Dakota 1 at Minnesota 1 ot
Denver 2 at Minnesota State 3

Check out last night scores the most goals scored tonight were 3 by the Mavericks.
The mean number of goals scored tonight is 1.4

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Kissing your sister has never been this fun: Sioux 1 and Gophers 1

Wow! what a game. Intensity is what the game last night was lacking, tonight's game was oozing with intensity. Tonight's game could be described as old time hockey. All it was missing was Eddie Shore. No doubt tonight's game will probably boost UND up the national rankings for penalty minutes. I also think UND should wear it as a badge of honor. Get out of line with the Sioux and they will make you pay. It will be interesting to see if any more comes out of tonight's game as far as suspensions go. I just hope that Hakstol doesn't get suspended for flipping off the ref. I would have done the same thing.

Here is an interesting stat: Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has played in 51 consecutive games and has a 34-12-5 record with a 1.98 GAA and a .928 Save%. That is a pretty impressive line. After the season I would like to be a fly on the wall at the league meetings. I am not so sure a lot of the league coaches are going to want to sit next to Hakstol after the way this season has transpired.

I lost a lot of respect for FSN's Kevin Gorg this weekend. His quip about Finley being from Edina and 6'7" and yapping on the bench at the Minnesota players. So fricken what, so were a lot of other players on both sides of the ice. Seriously! There was no point in crying about UND, get over it. There were two teams on the ice and the Gophers are not innocent in this affair. Every week UND fans has to listen to people whine about how "UND is a bunch of goons...uses a bunch of cheap tactics..." UND is a physical team and plays like a cornered animal.

On the incident if you look you will see that R.J. Anderson tried to leg check T.J. Oshie and Darcy Zajac came to his aid, that is what probably set Zajac off.

Also I can't believe that "the Rug" Frank Mazzaco is the best that FSN can come up with. The man should should just wear pom-poms when he is in the booth. Woog is 100% class act and a straight up guy.

Scoring/Penalties Time
Penalties/Minutes S
North Dakota 17 / 91
Minnesota 17 / 69


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-1 Ryan Duncan (5-Checking from Behind) MIN 0x1 0:07
NDK-2 Ryan Duncan (10-Game Misconduct) (Served by Ryan Martens) 0:07
NDK-3 T.J. Oshie (2-Slashing) 9:22
MIN-1 Jay Barriball (2-Slashing) 9:22
NDK-4 Joe Finley (2-Cross-Checking) MIN 0x2 10:32
MIN-2 Justin Bostrom (2-Interference) NDK 0x1 17:56

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIN-3 Patrick White (2-Holding) NDK 0x2 3:28
NDK-5 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 7:37
NDK-6 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) MIN 0x3 7:37
NDK-7 Brad Malone (10-Misconduct) (Served by Kyle Radke) 7:37
MIN-4 Derek Peltier (2-Roughing) 7:37
MIN-5 Blake Wheeler (2-Slashing) NDK 0x3 8:32
MIN-6 Blake Wheeler (10-Misconduct) (Served by Tom Pohl) 8:32
NDK-8 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (2-Diving) (Served by Andrew Kozek) 12:15
MIN-7 Jay Barriball (2-CONTACT WITH GOALIE) 12:15
MIN-8 Mike Carman (2-Roughing) NDK 0x4 16:04
MIN-9 Kevin Wehrs (2-Holding) NDK 0x5 19:42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIN-10 Stu Bickel (2-Holding) NDK 0x6 3:42
MIN 1 - 0 6x6 Ben Gordon (10) (Blake Wheeler) 7:17
MIN (+): 13,17,28,26,4,G33 NDK (-): 4,10,7,17,28,G1
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 GT Chris VandeVelde (11) (Ryan Martens, Robbie Bina) 11:15
NDK (+): 29,8,4,28,20,G1 MIN (-): 28,13,4,17,26,G33


Overtime (5:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-9 Rylan Kaip (2-Hooking) 2:58
MIN-11 Blake Wheeler (2-Roughing) 2:58
NDK-10 Joe Finley (10-Misconduct) 5:00
NDK-11 Joe Finley (10-Game Misconduct) 5:00
NDK-12 T.J. Oshie (2-Roughing) 5:00
NDK-13 T.J. Oshie (2-Roughing) 5:00
NDK-14 T.J. Oshie (10-Misconduct) 5:00
NDK-15 Darcy Zajac (5-Cross-Checking) 5:00
NDK-16 Darcy Zajac (5-Fighting) 5:00
NDK-17 Darcy Zajac (10-Game Disqualification) 5:00
MIN-12 Ryan Flynn (2-Roughing) 5:00
MIN-13 Ryan Flynn (2-Roughing) 5:00
MIN-14 Ryan Flynn (10-Misconduct) 5:00
MIN-15 Tony Lucia (5-Fighting) 5:00
MIN-16 Tony Lucia (10-Game Disqualification) 5:00
MIN-17 Blake Wheeler (10-Misconduct) 5:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Friday, February 01, 2008

Sioux 2 Gophers 1


The Sioux won a game that wasn't as fun to watch as some Sioux vs Gophers game in the past. One could make the argument that this game was boring or uneventful to watch. However, after reviewing the goal this morning all I can say is wow; what a goal... Also, I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth as a win is a win and that was win number 8 in a row.

The thing that really bugged me was halfway through the game, the feed from FSN flickered and went to another program. Then FSN flickered again and went to the Badger vs UMD game before finally returning back to the Sioux and Gophers. With the win, the Sioux now sit 5th in the PWR ranking at 17-8-1 and with the DU loss UND is looking like it could end up in second place.

In other games the ever-dominant Michigan tied CCHA cupcake Northern Michigan University 3-3 and MSU lost to an average UNO team 5-4.

Scoring Summary

First Period

Minnesota-1 Evan Kaufmann (Tony Lucia, David Fischer) SHG 3:16
North Dakota-1 Joe Finley (Chay Genoway) 4x4 7:49

Overtime

North Dakota-2 Evan Trupp (Ryan Martens) GWG 2:23
Goaltender Saves
North Dakota-1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (62:23 W) 7 6 8 0 21 (1 GA)
Minnesota-1 Alex Kangas (62:19 L) 1 11 17 3 32 (2 GA

Paula Weston's Latest Rant.


Incase you haven't seen it; here is Cup Cake Hockey Association columnist's Paula Weston's and her latest rant on the the CCHA not gettin any love. Kind of like the John McCain campaign and conservative republicans. My, my, my are they getting touchy. We are going to keep hammering the pundants till they get it right, it is what it is. No doubt the fans in the WCHA get it; alert the presses Michigan, MSU and Miami are good teams that have feasted on and kicked the snot out a schedule filled with weak teams, bravo for them. Yep their records are inflated. I want to see a something more interesting than CCHA team __________ kicked the snot out of LSSU this weekend or ___________CCHA team beat the WMU Broncos this past weekend. WOW, I am impressed! Mind you that win is the equivalent of beating a middle of the pack AHA or CHA team. Hell the ECAC seems more balanced this season than your league.

The CCHA is still battling the notion that it’s a weak league and therefore its top teams’ records and rankings are somehow inflated. The Wolverines, while ranked No. 1 last weekend, were aware that they’re considered either lucky (they’re young, as we hear often) or benefiting from beating up on the lower teams in the league.

After the 2-2 tie, Berenson indirectly reminded people that the Spartans were last year’s national champion for real reasons, and that they’re playing like champs now.

“Look at their team,” said Berenson. “They had only given up three goals in the past five games, and four of those games had been on the road. So goals are tough to come by against Michigan State.”

And the No. 5, third-place, defending-national-champion Spartans — the team with the fourth-best win percentage in the country (.722) — had to feel as though the college hockey community didn’t even know they existed going into the weekend. This year, the Wolverines and the RedHawks are all anyone can talk about, and if the talking is done outside of the CCHA, it’s never flattering.
Just for the record; right now I think UNH is probably one of the best teams in the country as it stands right now.

By the numbers per the KRACH
WCHA SOS
1.) C.C. 3
2.) UND 1
3.) DU 4
4.) MTU 6
5.) Wisconsin 2
6.) Minnesota 8
7.) MSU-M 11
8.) UMD 5
9.) SCSU 7
10) UAA 9
Average SOS is 9.6

CCHA SOS
1.)Michigan 22
2.)Miami 29
3.) MSU 15
4.) Notre Dame 14
5.) UNO 27
6.) BGSU 25
7.) Ferris 44
8.) NMU 26
9.) Alaska 24
10) OSU 45
11.) WMU 41
12.) LSSU 46
Average SOS is 29.83

NCAA to get rid of ties?

NHL.COM weighed in on college hockey and how the NCAA is looking to get rid of ties. Three of the six NCAA league commissioners weighed in with their personal opinions as they await the NCAA rules committee meeting in June. Notice that the WCHA commissioner Bruce McCloud is no where to be found. Bruce McCloud probably still thinks the status quo in college hockey is fine and the fans don't want the NHL rules in any shape or form, but I digress.

It is time for college hockey to change; the status quo is no longer good enough. Good enough is not good enough; NCAA hockey should constantly be seeking excellence. I also don't by the flawed argument that college hockey is fine the way it is and there is nothing wrong with a tie. I am calling shenanigans. In my opinion, ties are like kissing your sister, yuck.

I would like to see college hockey adopt the new NHL rules in some shape or form. I would like to see the NCAA (WCHA included) call the games the same way the NHL does, if your hand comes off the stick to grab another players a penalty is called, if a players stick obstructs another player any where on the ice a penalty is called. If you cross check another player right in front of the ref a penalty is called. Enough is enough, fans are paying too much money to watch a second rate brand of hockey. I would also like to see the NCAA (WCHA included) adopt the NHL's overtime rules in some form, preferably consisting of a 4 on 4 for 5-10 minutes followed by a 3 round shootout and after the shootout the winner is given 2 points and the loser is given one point. Ties in the NCAA playoffs and conference championships would still be solved by over time until someone wins.

Former Sioux Mike Commodore weighed in on the issue: "Problem with the shootout," said Commodore, "is that it's a great way to win, but a bad way to lose."

Check out Rolston's goal against Giguere

I think this is one of best shots of the season, noticed I didn't say great move of the year because you can't top this. Former LSSU star and current Wild Forward Brian Rolston tees up one hell of a laser and Giggy get out of the way. Nice. Rolston is getting hot at the right time.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

This should get you in the Mood; Sioux vs Goofs...

I never get sick of watching this replay, it has to be one of my favorite moments in Sioux hockey history. What makes this even sweeter, it was a week after this goal in the Final Five as Blake Wheeler scored a lucky goal.

I just can't believe that going into the Gophers and Sioux series there just isn't any energy oozing from this series at all, I know the Gophers suck this year and the Sioux might not be as good as years past, so Jeff Dubay tells us (Puffy), but this is the series most of us look forward to each year. In most series between the Goofs and Sioux you can spend all day sparing on the internet with Gophers fans but this year is different, most of them are hiding waiting to see how the first game goes. I thought I would include a few clips to get people in the mood.

Lets Review recent History:

This is the game that UND took off 40 minutes only to race back in the third period and beat the Gophers.

During the last series Sioux fans discovered what a hack Stu Bickel is as he butt ended a Sioux hockey player.

Who could forget Robbie Bina's 180 foot goal.

Last year during Saturday night's game at the John it wasn't even close as the Sioux ran the Gophers out of the building.

This never gets old either Marriucci West, I think not...

Sioux vs Gophers Week.

It's been way to tame around here it's time to take it up a notch. GPL and Sioux Sports have been like retirement communties, boring. Come on folks the Sioux are playing the brown and yellow vermin this weekend and there just isn't any energy in this series as of yet So lets dust off the attitudes.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

HeidiSioux62 responds to the INCH podcast.

Here is an email that I got from HeidiSioux62 this morning. HeidiSioux said I could post it. I think she brings up good points/stats. I also listened to the INCH podcast in question; lets just say that they do make for some interesting points that will spark some interesting conversations, I also think they are highly biased towards the CCHA; go figure. I think that what they intended to do, spark conversation.

One of the guys (I didn't catch his name) goes so far to suggest that Miami will be the next National Champion. Why wouldn't they? Miami is destroying some really lousy teams that they were supposed to beat and have been doing it in semi impressive fashion. The coolest part of the show was the fan emails most of which were upset readers. I also think I heard MeaneGirl's email to the INCH guys taking them to task for not including the MTU Huskies in the INCH poll. Thanks to Heidi Sioux for submitting this post.
---------------------------------------------
Hey Goon,
I originally put this together because I was irritated with the INCH podcast and after reading your blog this morning I got irritated with the CCHA, so I added Miami, Michigan and Michigan State. According to these stats, the only teams that look even halfway credible vs the WCHA are New Hampshire (they've pretty much owned us) and [i]MAYBE[/i] Michigan (however I sure don't get the feeling that they are any better than the WCHA)
I am way too lazy to try to make this info coherent, but if you would like to use it in your blog or to leave comments on the CCHA bloggers' sites - GO FOR IT.
I hope you find this interesting.
HeidiSioux

Overall
WCHA vs outside conferences
23 wins - 17 losses (3 were OT losses) – 8 ties
WCHA vs Inch ranked teams 8-7-3
WCHA vs Miami – 0-1
St. Coud State looses in OT
WCHA vs Michigan State 2-0-2
Wisconsin 4-4 tied
Minnesota 3-3 tied
North Dakota wins 6-0
Michigan Tech wins 4-1

WCHA vs Michigan 1-2
Minnesota wins 4-3
Minnesota looses 5-1
Michigan Tech looses in OT

WCHA vs New Hampshire 1-3
CC looses 5-3
CC looses 4-2
North Dakota Wins 3-1
North Dakota looses 7-3

WCHA vs Notre Dame 1-1
Wisconsin Wins 4-1
Denver looses 4-3

WCHA vs Clarkson 1-1
S. Cloud State Wins 4-1
St. Cloud State looses 3-2

WCHA vs Boston College 0-0-1
North Dakota ties in fog out

WCHA vs Providence – did not play

WCHA vs Quinnipiac – did not play

UMass Lowell 2-0
Duluth Wins 1-0
Duluth Wins 4-1

WCHA vs Union – did not play

WCHA vs Niagara – did not play

WCHA vs Northeastern 1-0
North Dakota wins 3-0

WCHA individual team out of conference records
CC – 18-7-1 (15-4-1) 6 out of conference games played. 3 out of conference losses (one loss OT)
UND - 16-8-1 (13-7-0) 5 out of conference games played. 1 out of conference loss, 1 out of conference tie (fogout) (only 1 loss to unranked team on inch – Michigan Tech)
Denver - 18-6-0 (12-4-0) 8 out of conference games played. 2 out of conference losses
Minnesota Duluth - 10-8-6 (6-7-5) 6 out of conference games played. 1 out of conference loss, 1 out of conference tie
Wisconsin - 11-10-5 (7-8-3) 8 out of conference games played. 1 out of conference loss, 1 out of conference tie
Minnesota - 12-11-5 (6-9-3) 10 out of conference games played. 2 out of conference losses and 2 ties
Michigan Tech - 10-11-3 (6-8-2) 8 out of conference games played. 2 out of conference losses
Minnesota State Mankato - 11-10-4 (5-9-4) 7 out of conference games played. 2 out of conference losses (one OT loss)
St. Cloud - 11-12-3 (6-10-2) 8 out of conference games played. 2 out of conference losses, 1 out of conference tie (one OT loss)
Alaska Anchorage - 6-12-6 (2-12-4) 6 out of conference games played. 0 out of conference losses, 2 out of conference tie
Miami, Michigan, Michigan State out of conference records
(ranked teams according to USCHO)
Miami out of conference - 8- 0- 0
Miami vs ranked teams 1-0 (1 overtime win)

Vermont – not ranked
CANISIUS – not ranked
Rensselaer – not ranked
St. Cloud State (20) – Miami won in overtime

Michigan out of conference - 7- 1- 0
Michigan vs ranked teams 4-1 (one of the wins was an overtime)
Boston College (9)– Michigan won in overtime
Minnesota – (18) – Michigan lost
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – Not ranked
WISCONSIN (11) Michigan won
Minnesota (18) Michigan won
Providence (14) Michigan won
Michigan Tech Not ranked Michigan won in 2 OT

Michigan State out of conference - 4- 3- 2
Michigan State vs ranked teams 0-2-2
North Dakota (3) Michigan State lost 6-0
COLGATE – not ranked
MERCYHURST – not ranked
MINNESOTA (18) Tied
WISCONSIN (11) Tied
Michigan Tech – not ranked Michigan State lost
Providence (14) Michigan state lost

Wow; Scott Nichol vs Andrew Ference.

I was watching the Bruins game last night and this was a great fight. Check it out, both guys swinging down to the ice. This is the kind of fights that I appreciate the most ones that aren't scripted that just happen.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

It gets a little old.


Did anyone notice that the CCHA apologists are getting a little defensive about people questioning the strength of their league? While no one is questioning the fact that there are three to four decent teams in the CCHA, the jury is still out on Notre Dame. It has become very apparent that the media pundants can't seem to see past the eastern time zone.

Paula Weston has this rant last week during her weekly picks. Classic.
How to Announce Your Presence with Authority in One Easy Step So, you’re playing in a league that some people call fluffy because the conference name doesn’t begin with a “W” and you rarely play regular-season games in New England.

Even though your fourth-place team from a year ago took the national championship. Even though your two first-place teams are Nos. 1 and 2 in the nation. Even though four of your top teams grace the top 10 nationally.

What’s a top team in such a conference to do?

Beat who you’re supposed to beat. Crush ‘em if you can.

The CCHA’s top three teams swept their competition last week in most convincing ways. Collectively, Michigan, Miami and Michigan State outscored Notre Dame, Lake Superior State and Ohio State 27-5.

Except for Michigan beating Notre Dame (8th RPI), I can admit that was remotely impressive, I am not impressed with them beating the likes of LSSU (45) and OSU (46). Infact the bottom feeders of the CCHA are sitting just below the likes of hockey powerhouses, RIT, RMU and Air Force. If you break this down even further the 10th place team in the WCHA is still ranked ahead of the 5th place team in the CCHA. How can that be if the CCHA is such a powerful league. Talk about stuffing your scheudle with a bunch of cup cakes. One could actually make the argument for the EZAC being more balanced than the CCHA.

Elliot Olshansky goes off on the WCHA fans for even thinking about questioning the strenght of the paper tiger the CCHA.

A few thoughts before I start with the Rankings for this week: I'm getting sick and tired of certain people - and by "certain people" I mean fans of certain WCHA teams - using strength of schedule as a reason why a CCHA team shouldn't be No. 1 in the country. They say it as if poll voters merely look at results, records, and statistics when filling out their ballots, so that the argument for Miami or Michigan is easier to assault. "Well, sure Miami has the top offense in the country. Look whom they've been scoring on!" "Of course Michigan has only lost three times this season. They haven't played anyone!" I'll you this, folks: I drove past a lot of farms during my travels in Ohio earlier this month, and those farms would have a fine use for thinking like that: fertilizer.

It's not just whether a team wins or loses, but how and why they win or lose. Records are nice, but it's the talents, abilities, and discipline that produced those records that determine what kind of a team it is and just how good it is. That's what I look at when I watch teams to determine the Rink Rat Rankings, and I'd imagine it's what a number of the poll voters look at, too. And based on my evaluations of the teams - NOT THEIR RECORDS - this is how I see the Rink Rat Rankings.

I could fertilized most of the farm land in North Dakota and half of South Dakota with some of the stuff I have read from self appointed hockey experts. It is a two way street.

Jim Dahl from Siouxsports points out an interesting fact about Miami's strenght of schedule and how it affects their RPI.

Combined with the extension of the negative win exemption to the regular season, the easiest path to the top of the RPI seems to be schedule creampuffs and beat them. Miami currently has a comical 8 games thrown out of their RPI calculation for being negative wins, and 6 of the remaining 8 would currently be thrown out if won.

This weeks picks: Misc Ramblings/Rants

Last week one could say that I had trouble with my picks, in fact I had a reverse crystal ball. If I picked your team to win you lost and vice versa. The only pick I was right on was the Sioux and UAA, not that was all that difficult of a pick, the Seawolves had only won two games in WCHA action.

I am not sure if my picking the SCSU to beat the MSU-M Mavericks jinxed the SCSU Huskies or not. I just want to let Heather from WinTwins blog know that it wasn't done on purpose, or with malice. I am sure that she is also in mourning today as the Minnesota Twinkies traded away all-star pitcher Johan Santana. Another botched pick was MTU and C.C.; honestly, I didn't see MTU beating beating the C.C. Tigers but hey I am not going to complain either. Big win for the Huskies, I am thinking they might come back to the pack a little in the second half. Fast forward to this weekend; I also don't see the Huskies losing to the UAA Seawolves, Why? I have a beer riding on that game with Sioux7. Logic tells me that UND should beat the Gophers but I won't be shocked with a couple of sister kissing or a split.

Friday:
Michigan Tech at Alaska-Anchorage - MTU
Denver at Minnesota State - DU
North Dakota at Minnesota - Sioux
Minnesota-Duluth at Wisconsin - Badgers
Clarkson at Colorado College - Tigers

Saturday:
Michigan Tech at Alaska-Anchorage - TIE
Denver at Minnesota State - DU
North Dakota at Minnesota - Sioux
Minnesota-Duluth at Wisconsin - Bulldogs
Clarkson at Colorado College - Tigers

Last week 3-7
For the Season 85-59

Nate Hagemo update...


This was on today's Star Trib web site. I would also caution people that everyone in this country is innocent until proven guilty.

By PAUL WALSH and DAVID CHANEN---Star Tribune A once rising young hockey star who had his career derailed by injury during his freshman season with the University of Minnesota sat in the Hennepin County jail for three days suspected of felony drug possession.

Nate Hagemo, 21, was jailed without bail from midday Saturday until early this afternoon on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance while in a south Minneapolis neighborhood.

Police have yet to forward the case to prosecutors for charges.

This Weeks Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

This week's BIG series is Duluth vs. Wisconsin.

These teams are currently tied for 4th place with 17-pts. UW is coming off a 3pt weekend against the struggling Gophers, and Duluth is coming off a 4pt weekend against UMass-Lowell. Judging by the pollsters, UML was/is a better team than UM. So with that in mind, also remember these games are in Mad-town. I think UW is going to have a little hangover from besting the Gophers last weekend, and drop Fridays game to Duluth, but will rebound and win on Saturday. I know not to ballsy calling a split, but that is what I think will happen, and come Sunday the will still be tied for 4th place.


The BIG rivals game this week is the Sioux vs. Gophers.

These teams split earlier in the season in Grand Forks. Since then these two teams have been going in different directions, UND up and UM down. Last season UND went into Minneapolis and got 4-points. The Gophers are reeling right now and the Sioux are on a 7 game win streak. I see the Sioux continuing the HOT streak and handing the Gophers another slice of humble pie this weekend. If the Gophers fail to get any points this weekend it will put them behind the 8-ball for trying to get home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs.



The OMG did you see those games this week, Denver vs. Mankato.

Over the past couple of years these teams have done some of the impossible against each other. (Earlier this season DU bested MSU-M twice in Denver)

Lets take a look back at history in some high scoring affairs with these two teams.

Dec. 20, 2003 Mankato 8 --- Denver 7 (Mankato trailed 6-1 after the first period)
Feb. 14, 2004 Mankato 7 --- Denver 9
Feb. 25, 2005 Mankato 8 --- Denver 5
Feb. 10, 2006 Mankato 4 --- Denver 7

I would love to see another wild game like the one in 2003, but that was a December game, this weekends game will be in February. But as you can see Feb. has been a wild month for these to teams, wink wink, nudge nudge ;) With numbers like these I say this could be the most entertaining games of the weekend, so I'm playing it safe with predicting a split, these two are just to wild when they get together in February.


The next series it MTU Huskies vs the UAA Seawolves.

UAA got swept by UND last weekend, and MTU got swept by UND 3 weeks ago. The trend I noticed is that teams that have been swept by UND as of late have gone on to get 3 or 4 points in there next series, hmm, will that hold true this weekend. UAA played well enough to beat UND on Saturday night, but were robbed by a white guy in a goalie mask. MTU beat up on CC last weekend, the number one team, point wise, in our league. UAA will be wanting to take out some vengance after last Saturday, so the will on Friday by beating the Huskies, and on Saturday, the Dogs will have there day of revenge. Splitsville here we come.

St. Cloud is on a bye week.

#6 CC is hosting #10 Clarkson (Potsdam, NY) Golden Knigts from the ECAC, in Colorado Spring for a pair of games.

Monday, January 28, 2008

The UAA goal that was waved off.

I actually don't know why that isn't a goal? According to Lammy the UAA player batted it in with his hand/fist. I don't know.

Former Gophers Nate Hagemo arrested in MPLS.

WCCO Picture
I found this story on line this past weekend, this folks is a sad story. Goon's World hopes Nate Can get his act together.
Fmr. Gopher Hockey Player Arrested In Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
A former Gopher hockey player was arrested in Minneapolis Saturday afternoon when neighbors called to report a car parked in an area known for vehicle to vehicle drug transactions.

Officers went to the scene and identified Nathan Hagemo, 21, along with one other person in the car, and received consent to search the vehicle.

Inside the vehicle, officers found paraphernalia of a drug user.

Hagemo is a former University of Minnesota Gopher hockey player and was later drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005 but had to retire before playing due to a shoulder injury.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Goon's What if?

I played around with the numbers and this is what I came up with.
I now owe Sioux7 a beer after totally picking the C.C. and MTU series wrong.
MTU basically bitch slapped the Tigers this weekend.

1 CC 28 42
2 UND 28 38
2 Denver 28 38
4 MTech 28 30
5 UW 28 27
6 UMN 28 26
7 UMD 28 23
8 Mankato 28 23
9 SCSU 28 22
10 AA 28 11

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Taylor Chorney on this Tuesday's @ the Rink” chats on CSTV.com

This week Fighting Sioux Junior defenseman Taylor Chorney will appearing on “Tuesday's @ the Rink” chats on CSTV.com. Sioux fans are encouraged to log on at 1pm central standard time to ask Taylor a question http://www.cstv.com/chat/012608aaa.html actually if your impatient you can submit questions in advance because the chat rooms that are open right now.

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux steals the show

Whew, one could imagine that the Fighting Sioux should be well rested going into next weekend's series with the Minnesota Gophers. Maybe they were already thinking about next weekend's series as they look uninterested in playing hockey.

The Sioux scored two quick goals chased the UAA starter Bryce Christianson from the net and then basically took the rest of the game off and barely escaped with a 3-1 win. The Sioux were out shot 36-12 by the Seawolves. Tonight win was all UND's goal tender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux as he made numerous saves stole a game that the Sioux had no business winning. The Sioux also benefited from a goal that was waved off after a lengthy review. I am actually surprised that it was waved off. I wonder if we will be seeing another apology letter from the WCHA home office. UND has now won 7 WCHA games in a row.

It would be an understatement to say that they were they were out worked for 2/3 of the game by the pesky UAA Seawolves.

Scoring Summary

First Period

North Dakota-1 T.J. Oshie (Ryan Duncan, Robbie Bina) 3:45
North Dakota-2 Matt Watkins (Chris VandeVelde) GWG 8:23

Second Period

Alaska-Anchorage-1 Merit Waldrop (unassisted) 4x4 12:41

Third Period

North Dakota-3 Chris VandeVelde (T.J. Oshie, Ryan Duncan)

Goaltender(s)
Alaska-Anchorage-1 Jon Olthuis (50:51 N) 2 3 4 9 (1 GA)
Alaska-Anchorage-2 Bryce Christianson (08:23 L) 1 1 (2 GA)
North Dakota-1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (60:00 W) 9 15 11 35 (1 GA)

A look at the numbers: Why the doom and gloom?


I was looking at the National stats for the Fighting Sioux hockey team and UND is really doing pretty well. I hear a lot of people saying UND isn't very good this season or they haven't played that well. I have hear some say that the goaltending has not been as good or that the fighting Sioux haven't been very consistent. What kind of measuring stick are we measuring the Sioux by? What are we using for a gauge. I think UND is getting better at the right time and has played the toughest schedule per the strength of schedule. Remember the Sioux are not playing a bunch of cup cakes they are playing a first rate schedule week in and week out. As a team you will see that UND is pretty balanced.


Points Per Game:
37.) T.J. Oshie (STL) North Dakota JR F 23 11-13-24 1.04
45.) Ryan Duncan North Dakota JR F 24 10-14-24 1.00

Assists Per Game:
16.)Robbie Bina North Dakota SR D 24 18 0.75

Power Play Goals:
14.)T.J. Oshie (STL) North Dakota JR F 23 0.26 6

Short-Handed Goals:
9.) Ryan Duncan North Dakota JR F 24 0.08 2

Points Per Game (Defensemen):
5 Robbie Bina North Dakota SR D 24 2-18-20 0.83
7 Taylor Chorney (EDM) North Dakota JR D 24 2-17-19 0.79
10 Chay Genoway North Dakota SO D 21 5-11-16 0.76

Goals Against Average:
1.) Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 1298:20 32 1.48
2.) Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 1204:39 32 1.59
3.) Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 1401:56 39 1.67
4.) Michael-Lee Teslak Michigan Tech JR 693:44 20 1.73
5.) Matt Climie Bemidji State SR 972:39 29 1.79
6 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 1407:30 43 1.83

Save Percentage:
1.) Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 507 32 .941
2.) Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 482 32 .938
3.) Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 576 39 .937
4.) Michael-Lee Teslak Michigan Tech JR 282 20 .934
5.) Carter Hutton UMass Lowell SO 230 17 .931
6.) Ben Scrivens Cornell SO 419 31 .931
7.) Billy Blase Yale SO 387 29 .930
8.) Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 567 43 .930

Scoring Offense: Games Goals G/GM
1.) Miami 27 116 4.30
2.) Michigan 25 99 3.96
3.) Boston College 23 85 3.70
4.) Robert Morris 21 75 3.57
5.) New Hampshire 22 76 3.45
6.) Boston University 23 78 3.39
7.) Michigan State 26 88 3.38
8.) Colorado College 25 83 3.32
9.) North Dakota 24 79 3.29

Scoring Defense: Games Goals G/GM
1.) Miami 27 41 1.52
2.) Michigan 25 43 1.72
3.) Notre Dame 29 59 2.03
4.) North Dakota 24 49 2.04

Scoring Margin: Games GF GF/G GA GA/G Margin
1.) Miami 27 116 4.30 41 1.52 2.78
2.) Michigan 25 99 3.96 43 1.72 2.24
3.) Boston College 23 85 3.70 53 2.30 1.39
4.) North Dakota 24 79 3.29 49 2.04 1.25

Friday, January 25, 2008

Sioux beat UAA 3-1

Tonight UND won a game in which the opposition scored first. UND spotted the Seawolves a 1-0 lead then scored the next 3 goals and cruised to a 3-1 win. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was steady in another win and has now only given up 12 goals in 7 games. Actually in the last 4 out of 5 games has only given up 1 goal.
Box Score
First Period

Alaska-Anchorage-1 Shane Lovdahl (Jared Tuton, Tommy Grant) 14:17
North Dakota-1 T.J. Oshie (Andrew Kozek, Ryan Duncan) 18:27

Second Period

North Dakota-2 Evan Trupp (Chay Genoway, Joe Finley) GWG PPG 16:22

Third Period

North Dakota-3 Andrew Kozek (T.J. Oshie, Taylor Chorney) 7:21

Classic Implosion.

Sioux fans you have to check out this blog post over at UAA Hockey Fan Blog while I get what Donald was trying to say and he is entitled to this under the 1st ammendment, the comments that come after are down right funny.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

All Star Weekend.

Hockey fans don't forget to watch the NHL's All-Star Game on Sunday, January 27th at 5pm CT on Versus. Watch the following former NCAA College hockey players take on the world's best.

Eastern Conference
Timothy Jr. Thomas Vermont
Martin St. Louis Vermont
Rick DiPietro BU

Western Conference
Shawn Horcoff Michigan State

Is there a bigger hack than Steve Downie?

In the latest Downine caper; hack Steve Downie claws/scratches David Clarkson in a fight the other night. The first gutless move by Downie was that he left his face shield on during the fight, that should an automatic 2 minute minor, second Clarkson but you also gougne Clarkson with your finger nails. It would be an understatement to say that Downie is a piece of work. Good to see Clarkson get in a couple of good shots.

Random thoughts.

UND recruit David Toews is ranked 27th in the latest ISS Top 30 2008 prospects for January. I know I am very excited to see another Toews playing for the Sioux.

Top WCHA freshman Scorers

Garrett Roe Freshman 15 games 8g-11a-19 pts
Tyler Bozak Freshman 16 games 8g-8a-16 pts
Kyle Turis Freshman 14 games 4g-8a-12 pts
Matt Frattin Freshman 18 games 2g-7a-9 pts

Schmidt suspended.

Adam Wodon The college hockey news is reporting that Randy Schmidt has been Suspened for at least a week This is a good start folks, unfortunately Schmidt still has a job he should be fired.

WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod has acknowledged that league referee Randy Schmidt has been removed from his assignment for this weekend's game, and is currently on official suspension.

Speculation began because Schmidt did not officiate any games last weekend, following a pair of incidents for which the WCHA sent out letters of apology for mistakes made by the officials during games Schmidt was involved in.

"He wasn't scheduled to work last week, but he was scheduled to work this week," McLeod said. "He's under a suspension right now, and now we deal with it and make a final decision on the long term. ... He was taken off this weekend's series."


Also WCHA Todd Anderson Also got himself in trouble this past weekend.

McLeod had another officiating incident this past weekend, when referee Todd Anderson grabbed Minnesota-Duluth forward Michael Gergen by the jersey in order to discuss something with him. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, McLeod was at the game and told Anderson that it was unacceptable for him to have grabbed a player. But Anderson was not further reprimanded.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Vegas Lines are up.

Here are the latest odds on College Hockey, as of 12/26/07. The order is
Team Name, @ = 12/26 odds, was = opening odds (10/13)
Boston College @ 15/1 was 3/1
North Dakota @ 5/1 was 7/2
Michigan State @ 6/1 was 4/1
Miami, Ohio @ 5/2 was 5/1
Clarkson @ 9/1 was 7/1
New Hampshire @ 10/1 was 8/1
Minnesota @ 12/1 was 10/1
Notre Dame @ 18/1 was 12/1
Michigan @ 7/2 was 15/1
Boston University @ 25/1 was 18/1
Maine @ 25/1 was 25/1
Quinnipiac @ 30/1 was 25/1
Colorado College @ 6/1 was 30/1
Wisconsin @ 18/1 was 30/1
Denver @ 5/1 was 30/1
Michigan Tech @ 25/1 was 40/1
St. Cloud State @ 40/1 was 40/1
Massachusetts @ 25.1 was 40/1
St. Lawrence @ 50/1 was 40/1
Dartmouth @ 60/1 was 50/1
Cornell @ 80/1 was 60/1
Ohio State @ 100/1 was 60/1
Vermont @ 100/1 was 75/1
Northeastern @ 40/1 was 75/1
Air Force @ 80/1 was 75/1
Lake Superior State @ 75/1 was 75/1
Harvard @ 100/1 was 85/1
Providence @ 75/1 was 100/1
R.P.I. @ 125/1 was 100/1
Mass-Lowell @ 125/1 was 100/1
Connecticut @ 125/1 was 100/1
Mankato State @ 125/1 was 100/1
FIELD (all others) @ 50/1 was 75/1

Miami 5/2 right as if they actually played anyone.
Michigan is a good bet as well as UND and BC.

What is a Seawolf?

This week in WCHA hockey the Fighting Sioux are playing the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. When I ask people I know what a Seawolf is; no one has any clue what a Seawolf is? I can't for the life of me find the definition on the internet of what a SeaWolf actually is. I did fine one place on the internet where a Killer Whale is also known a Seawolf.

-------Edit----------
Per Mr. Burns post: A Seawolf is UAA’s athletics teams were originally known as the Sourdoughs, but the university adopted the Seawolf moniker in 1977 when it elevated its program to the NCAA Division II level.

The name Seawolf represents a mythical sea creature that, according to Tlingit Indian legend, brings good luck to anyone fortunate enough to view it. The exact nature or shape of the Seawolf, however, is left to the imagination, thus the creature has been depicted in many forms throughout the years.

The Seawolf logo of today was designed and introduced in 1985 by Clark Mishler & Associates in cooperation with a university committee. It represents an adaptation of a more traditional Alaska totemic-like characterization of the mythical Seawolf.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Tim Gleason vs Tim Jackman

Former MSU Mankato Maverick and current New York Islander Tim Jackman fights with Carolina Hurricane Tim Gleason. Jackman left Makato after the 2001-2002 season forgoing his final two years of college eligibility. Lets score it as a draw. Tim Jackman's NHL numbers are as follows: 59 games 2 goals 5 assist 7 points and 93 minutes in penalties. Seems Tim has a high penalties minutes for 59 NHL games.

This weeks match-ups (Sioux 7)

This week in the WCHA, in my opinion, is the start of the race for home ice in the first round. Lets take a look at the match-ups that have the most riding on them.

1. The "Border Battle" or The "Battle to get to .500" - Minnesota at Wisconsin

It is different this year, both teams have identical records in the WCHA, 6-8-2, and are tied for 5th place with each other and St. Cloud. Obviously getting a sweep in this series will go a long way for trying to grab that last home ice playoff spot. The trick is trying to predict the outcome, UW should have gotten 3-out-of-4 points from DU, and well UM just took 3pts from UMD... since DU has been the better team for most of the season, so I'm going with UW taking 3pts this weekend.

Odd question of the series, do Badgers hybernate over the winter? (just wondering)


2. St. Cloud vs MSU-Mankato

This too is a big series, SCSU is in that menage a trois with UM and UW. Mankato is also in the hunt, only 4pts back of the 5th place tie. If the Huskies can coral the cows for two games, it would help to keep the pack on pace for a home ice playoff spot. However, if the Mavericks can stampede the dogs, they would be tied with them for either 6th or 7th place depending on what MTU does. Since it is a what I like to call a ho-ho series (home and home), I will say each ho team will win, thus a split.


3. Colorado College at Michigan Tech

CC has a big point lead, where they are not likely to fall from the top 3 or from the top spot, but you never know... MTU has the luxury of being at home and having two games in hand on the teams right ahead of them, UM, UW, SCSU. It the Dogs can beat up the Cats for two games and get 4pts, they would have the inside track for home ice (having 2-games in hand). CC has been still playing very well, but they only beat Bemidji and Air Force by one goal each. Hmm, they could be do to be swept, plus, if I'm not mistaken, it is the Winter Carnival at MTU. Also, MTU had last week off to prepare for this series, so this is my "upset special" the Huskies will need to put down the snow shovels and pick up their brooms as they mush all over the kitty kats.


4. Ache-orage at North Dakota -- do you like the spelling :)

AA has not won a WCHA game since 12/8/07 at UMD. They did play UW tough last weekend, a 2-1 L, and a 4-4 T, not to bad. Unfortunately, it seems as if UND has gotten on its hot streak in the second half, just like the past couple of years. As the Goon stated the Sioux have won 5-games, all WCHA games, in a row now. The Seawolves are trying to dodge harpoons this year and the Sioux are hot right now, Sioux Sweep Seawolves.


Duluth is playing a pair of games at U-Mass-Lowell this weekend, and Denver has a bye week.


If there are 4 sets of sweeps this weekend it will help to clear up the play off picture. If it is splitsville, it just makes next weeks game that much more important.

Commodore and Malone

I just found this fight on line tonight when I was looking for a replay of Mike Commodore's goal. If your a Sioux fan you have to love this fight. Two WCHA boys duking it out, great conference representation; Mike Commodore UND v Ryan Malone SCSU and of course I score the fight in Commies favor.

This weeks picks: Misc Ramblings/Rants

FRIDAY
Colorado College at Michigan Tech
Minnesota at Wisconsin
St. Cloud State at Minnesota State
Alaska-Anchorage at North Dakota

Non-Conference:
Minnesota-Duluth at Mass.- Lowell

SATURDAY
Colorado College at Michigan Tech
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Minnesota State at St. Cloud State
Alaska-Anchorage at North Dakota

Non-Conference:
Minnesota-Duluth at Mass.- Lowell

Picks last week 8-2
For the Year 82-52

~A fan from Mankato last week made the comment, "that Kaip is nothing more than a goon", however, in looking at the numbers that said goon has one more goal that Mankato's top scoring forward. That same forward had the misfortune of deciding to fight Kaip on Friday night's game.

~UND has won 5 WCHA games in a row for the first time since 2004.

~LGM's favorite UND goalie has given up 8 goals in the past 5 games.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Interesting Perspective: Canada and the NCAA

Here is an interesting perspective on the CIS schools joining the NCAA. Sounds like not all involved think it will be a great idea nor will their schools see or make a lot of the big dollars that some of the big schools in the major college sports are enjoying. DUH! I also don't think it is going to be all doom and gloom like some are suggesting. Sure there will be more competition for the top Canadian athletes but I also think top hockey schools like Michigan, Minnesota, UND, Wisconsin, Michigan State are still going to get the pick of the top recruits. So what if they have to work a little harder. Somethings in life are worth the extra effort.

Newbould said a school such as the University of British Columbia, which has spearheaded the push to join the NCAA, would dwarf every Division II college in terms of enrolment, but that wouldn't necessarily guarantee success. “The competition is really good,” he said. “Any Canadian school coming to the States is going to have to work hard.”

The biggest difference, he said, would come in how scholarships are awarded. While NCAA scholarships allow for compensation for room and board in addition to tuition and fees, they are limited in number by sport-specific caps. And aside from marquee Division I sports such as football and basketball, teams are under tight financial constraints.

In Division II, for instance, scholarships are limited to the equivalent of 36 a team in football and 13.5 in men's ice hockey. In some sports, such as men's volleyball, where only 4.5 scholarships are available for each team, many CIS programs would have more athletes receiving scholarships than Division I NCAA programs.

UBC athletic director Bob Philip has said a big motivation for joining the NCAA would be to keep more athletes in Canada. An estimated 1,500 Canadians are competing at U.S. colleges.
But competing in Division II would not necessarily help ease that drain, Newbould said.

“The kids are not getting a free ride coming down from Canada in Division II, and very few in Division I do,” he said. “It sounds more glorious than it is in that sense.

“A baseball player's only going to get one-third of a scholarship. Basketball and football in Division I, sure, that's the big time. TV, full rides, everything – but even the other Division I sports, it's not that way. A lot of students that are going to school on an athletic scholarship, they're still paying a portion of their education.”

Even if UBC opts to join Division I after a few years, as the pilot program would allow, Newbould said there's no guarantee a Canadian school could woo a top athlete away from the U.S. juggernauts. UBC's current athletic budget is small, even by the standards of top-spending Canadian universities, and would be minuscule compared with the big machines fielding top Division I teams.

Former SCSU Husky Tim Conboy on his first NHL game

This is a funny story about Tim Conboy's first NHL game. This story is like it was straight out of the movie Slap shot. SCSU hockey writer Kevin Allenspach interviews Tim Conboy on his first NHL game.

On his first time on NHL ice: "It was during a TV timeout that they first sent me out there," Conboy said. "There was a faceoff in our zone and so I skate down and take my position. (Colorado enforcer) Scott Parker looks over at me and he says 'Conboy, we're gonna go.' I'm like, 'No, I'm not going to fight you. This is my first NHL game.' He's like 'It doesn't matter, we're gonna go.' He even moved over to where he was lined up next to me and said 'We're gonna go, whether you like it or not.' We were winning 1-0 but they were out shooting us pretty bad at that point. It actually helped (having the fight) because I got five minutes in the box to settle down my nerves. I re-cooped a bit and was fine after that."

On the fight: "I didn't do too bad, but he clearly won," Conboy said. "I got a few licks in, but all I can say is I'm alive to talk about it and I don't have any broken bones. The rest of the game went pretty well, but it was bittersweet. I'd have given up anything I did for a win."

On where he goes from here: "It's out of my hands whether they'll bring me back soon or ever, but I'm going to use this experience as something to strive for," Conboy said.

Ole

While most Sioux fans that I know hate that song, Sioux fan's whoop it up after the sweep in Mankato Saturday night. OLE!

Western Michigan and Bowling Green Brawl

This past Friday night Western Michigan and Bowling Green had an all out brawl after Bowling Green's scored a 2nd empty-net goal. Now there will be those that say, "oh there is no room in hockey for fighting". Yep notice you don't hear on person booing. All 10 combantants were suspened for the next game.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Kessel in the shoot out

Wow, Phil Kessel in the open one on one with the goalie, my money is on Phil Kessel. Check out Chara's impersonation of Brian Rolston.

Burish vs Laperriere

Here is a pretty decent fight between Former Badger Adam Burish vs Av's goon Ian Laperriere. This fight took place in the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche on Jan 18, 2008.

Over on Hockeyfights.com I scored the fight as a slight edge to Laperriere. On could say that the former Wisconsin Badger Adam Burish has been racking up the penalty minutes, Burish has been in an impressive 8 fights and is leading his team in penalty minutes with 120.