Its better to be the hammer than the nail (2nd addition)

Dustin Strand has a saying on the back of his DTRA Midwest Modified, "If It Doesn't Make you Whine It Aint Mine." I think that saying goes a long way in explaining how the Fighting Sioux's season is going. The Sioux are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games and have caused a wake of destruction on their way to the top of the WCHA standings.

With each weekend comes new complaints about UND's rough and tumble style of play. It almost makes you think we should change the UND Fighting Sioux team name to Murder INC. Funny thing was no one was really complaining about the Fighting Sioux until the Sioux got hot and went on a 11 game unbeaten streak. Also, I have not heard a lot of complaining about UND from its non-conference opponents.

The one complain that I find the to be the most humorous is big Joe Finley legal check on DU player Marcuzzi.

dggoddard "Clean hits" that result in concussions are not acceptable IMO. The hit needs to be looked at by the league office.

Yeah! Right, now fans want the WCHA to suspend people for legal hits, they don't even suspend people for illegal hits. I don't think that is going to happen, and it shouldn't. No one seemed that concerned Brady Murray or Jason Blake were hurt by legal hits. Injuries are a part of the game.

This should be taken as a badge of honor. I am actually glad that UND has finally gotten the moxie back, when the Ralph first opened teams seemed too giddy or comfortable coming in to play the Sioux. Teams should not want to come play the Sioux whether it is in the REA or in the other team's rink. I think Hakstol and company have the Sioux going in the right direction. Seems the better they get the more complaints they get.

Puck Swami said; think it's even a bit more than just 'not backing down' or 'sticking together'. Many teams have that. With UND, there are escalating levels of a more proactive violent edge to the Sioux game that all is about violence as intimidation.

Here's how..What makes the Sioux so effective over the years is that they have three more advanced levels of pro-active violence that they can draw upon to intimidate and win. It starts at Level 1 "check-them-cleanly-but-violently-all-the-way-through-the-boards philosophy (Kris Porter/Matt Smaby/Mike Commodore)" that tries to establish the Sioux as masters of the physical domain. Nobody checks harder than UND, and this is often enough to keep opponents in check.

If that's not enough to win, the Sioux will then often go to Level II, which is a more irritating, psychological/physical escalation. This of this level as a "stick-em-in the-nuts" or "bump em in their face after the whistle" - a kind of old school, brute force intimidation. This is the kind of play we see from guys like Mike Prprich or a Joe Finley. The message here is "don't mess with us or we'll hurt you, badly. ." Level II pushes the line from legal to illegal, but it's highly effective.

If that doesn't do the job, the Sioux have no problems going to Level III, which is good, old-fashioned, beat-down punch you in the face until you bleed. This is the domain of a Jim Archibald or Kyle Radke.

The Sioux can, and do, recruit players that can fit all three levels, and escalate this up the chain as needed to win. And they do it better than anyone else.

Chris from Western College Hockey has created a flame feast with his post; color me surprised.

The Gophers fans didn't want to be left out so they got into the act as well.

This weeks picks

FRIDAY:

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


SATURDAY:

Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State
Alaska-Anchorage at Denver
Wisconsin at Minnesota-Tie
Colorado College at Minnesota-Duluth

Non-Conference:
Bemidji State at North Dakota


SUNDAY (Non-Conference):

Bemidji State at North Dakota

Last Week 7-1
For the Year 97-65

WCHA Playoff Picture (Sioux 7)

Another weekend is in the record books, and Sioux have caught the Tigers. Albeit, they have caught them by the tail, CC has two games in hand on the Sioux. This will create some pressure on CC, they now need to keep winning, if, they want to win the WCHA title. CC has a tough schedule left, at UMD, MSU-M, and DU (home/away). The Bulldogs and Mavericks are looking to get home ice advantage, so they need points too. UND has BSU (non-confernce), then at UMD, and wrap up at home against SCSU. Both CC and UND have wrapped up home ice advantage for the first round, and will not have to play in the Final Five play-in game, the worst either can finish is in a tie for 3rd place (that only happens if they lose all their remaining games, and UMD sweeps them all). Who the Sioux and Tigers will play is yet to be decided, since the 4th through 9th place is only separated by 7 points. Lets take a look at the current standings, shall we.

Team..............games..points..record
1 Colorado College....22..33..16-5-1
1 North Dakota........24..33..16-7-1
3 Denver.................22..27..13-8-1
4 Minnesota State....24..24..10-10-4
4 Wisconsin............24..24..10-10-4
6 Minnesota-Duluth...22..21..8-9-5
7 St. Cloud State......22..20..9-11-2
8 Michigan Tech.......22..18..7-11-4
9 Minnesota.............22..17..6-11-5
10 Alaska-Anchorage...24..11..3-16-5

Lets look at the numbers and what we know. UAA can't finish higher than 8th place, and UND and CC can't drop lower than a 3rd place tie with UMD which is as high as they can get. UW and MSUM can both move up a spot in 3rd place. The Gophers can be anywhere between 10th and 3rd place, same goes for MTU, SCSU 9th up to 3rd.

I think that SCSU, MTU, and UM are going to finish in the bottom five. If DU keeps stumbling (they could drop as low as 7th place) it would make an interest race for the final 3 home ice spots.

It looks like homce ice race will come down to the final week of the season.

Mite Hockey brawl.

A friend of mine sent me this story in an email with the quip that they must be future UND fighting Sioux players. Typical Gopher fan.

From Geulph Ontario Canada. Kids as young as eight years old, along with their coaches, duke it out on ice after a hockey game between the two teams. Global National's Lauren McNabb reports...

Miami in need of the Heimlich

All season long we have been hearing from the CCHA-loving media experts how Miami is such a great hockey program. One Skippy even used the term dynasty. Fast forward to Sunday and Miami's bubble is starting to burst. The schedule stuffed with cupcakes is finally coming back to bite the RedHawks in the butt. One could say that the cupcakes are getting lodged in their throats.

As college hockey fans will tell you, championships are won in March and April, not November, December and January. There isn't a Virg Foss or a Sid Hartman media award for winning first half of the season. To be successful and make a run deep into the post season, your hockey team needs to winning at the an end of the season, not limping into the playoffs. The key to being successful is having your team winning in February and March. Miami seems to be in full meltdown mode and is falling faster than a prom dress at a senior prom.


Adam Wodon sums it up best:

Ferris State 3, Miami 1
CHN: Uh-oh. Ferris State did it to Miami again, and, soon you won't have to worry whether Miami is overrated, because they won't be rated very highly anyway. This two-game sweep at the hands of the Bulldogs has to sting Miami, which needs to get out of this funk in a hurry. First place is lost, now with Michigan five points ahead. And Michigan State tied the RedHawks for second with its two-game sweep. The losses have dropped Miami to fourth in KRACH and tied for fourth in the Pairwise.

Brian Rolston vs Alexandre Burrows

My advice for former LSSU star and Current Minnesota Wild player Brian Rolston is keep your day job as a top 5 forward with the Minnesota Wild. I have to give Rolston credit for taking matters into his hands by answering Burrows. I would not call Rolston a goon because that was only his second fight of his NHL career www.hockeyfights.com

From www.hockeyfights.com

There were two scraps in last night’s game against the Wild. Nathan McIver had a good bout with Aaron Voros early in the first period. In the second, Alex Burrows took exception to a hit Brian Rolston put on Willie Mitchell. Rolston got Mitchell hard from behind, no call was made, and Burrows wasn’t giving Rolston any option. It was Rolston’s first major since 1994-95 when he had a fight with Ken Klee. Klee picked up the instigator in that one, something the Star Tribune also noted.

UND 4 DU 1

DeJevu; Saturday night at the fights as the Sioux and Pioneers slug it out in a good ole fashion grudge match. As a fan I think this was a great series to watch. As a fan this is what I expect from a UND and DU game, both teams got after it all game long.

The Fight(s)

I do think the ref Marko Hunt made a grave mistake by letting Radke and Testwuide continue in the game, both players should have been given game disqualifications for fighting, both players were definitely throwing punches. It was also unanimous as the guys sitting around us agreed as well. That is the first time I have ever seen a college hockey player get into two fights in ONE game. I think if you look back at the fights UND has been involved in they were a direct result in the way the games were called. Call me a halo but if the refs start giving penalties for all unnecessary stuff (face washes, cross checks, punches etc)eventually the message will make its way down to the players involved in the game. Again call the games like the NHL and the game will clean itself up in about three weeks. The UND Fighting Sioux has now had three players receive game disqualifications for fighting this season.

~UND is 15-8-2 against nationally ranked teams.

~Oshie and Duncan are tied with Lasch for the league lead in points.

~In the last 10 games UND has given up more than one goal only twice.

~The last time UND swept DU in Grand Forks was 1999

Box Score
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time

1st Period (20:00)

DEN-1 J.P. Testwuide (2-Holding) 11:15
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 11:15
NDK 1 - 0 5x5 LL Joe Finley (4) (Chay Genoway, Evan Trupp) 13:04
NDK (+): 2,5,21,19,G1 DEN (-): 22,17,4,5,G29
DEN-2 J.P. Testwuide (2-Interference) NDK 1x1 13:38
NDK 2 - 0 6x5 PP GW Evan Trupp (8) (Chay Genoway, Andrew Kozek) 15:01
NDK: 5,25,19,21,10,G1 DEN: 16,14,25,4,G29
DEN-3 Matt Glasser (2-Roughing) 16:08
DEN-4 Matt Glasser (2-Roughing) 16:08
DEN-5 Dustin Jackson (2-Roughing) 16:08
NDK-2 Matt Frattin (2-Roughing) 16:08
NDK-3 Matt Frattin (2-Roughing) 16:08
NDK-4 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 16:08
NDK-5 Brad Malone (2-Hooking) DEN 0x1 16:08

2nd Period (20:00)

DEN-6 Chris Butler (2-Holding) NDK 1x2 0:30
NDK-6 Robbie Bina (2-Hooking) DEN 0x2 3:33
DEN-7 J.P. Testwuide (2-Slashing) 6:38
DEN-8 J.P. Testwuide (2-Roughing) 6:38
DEN-9 J.P. Testwuide (10-Misconduct) 6:38
NDK-7 Kyle Radke (2-Slashing) 6:38
NDK-8 Kyle Radke (2-Roughing) 6:38
NDK-9 Kyle Radke (10-Misconduct) 6:38
NDK-10 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Ryan Martens) DEN 0x3 8:10
NDK 3 - 0 6x6 Andrew Kozek (13) (T.J. Oshie) 11:46
NDK (+): 10,7,16,28,4,G1 DEN (-): 12,25,7,19,16,G29
DEN 1 - 3 6x6 Brian Gifford (2) (Tom May, Zach Blom) 13:14
DEN (+): 22,14,17,7,4,G29 NDK (-): 6,25,17,11,20,G1
DEN-10 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Brandon Vossberg) NDK 1x3 18:26
DEN-11 Tom May (2-Roughing) 20:00
DEN-12 Stephen Cunningham (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 20:00
DEN-13 Stephen Cunningham (10-Misconduct) 20:00
DEN-14 Brandon Vossberg (5-Fighting) 20:00
DEN-15 Brandon Vossberg (10-Game Disqualification) (Served by Zach Blom) 20:00
DEN-16 Peter Mannino (2-Roughing) (Served by J.P. Testwuide) NDK 1x4 20:00
NDK-11 Joe Finley (2-Roughing) 20:00
NDK-12 Evan Trupp (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 20:00
NDK-13 Evan Trupp (10-Misconduct) 20:00
NDK-14 Kyle Radke (5-Fighting) 20:00
NDK-15 Kyle Radke (10-Game Disqualification) 20:00

3rd Period (20:00)

DEN-17 Andrew Thomas (2-Roughing) 9:41
NDK-16 T.J. Oshie (2-Roughing) 9:41
NDK-17 Rylan Kaip (2-Interference) DEN 0x4 17:47
Timeout - Denver 17:47
NDK 4 - 1 5x6 SH EN T.J. Oshie (13) (unassisted) 18:50
NDK (+): 7,5,2,29,G1 DEN (-): 21,19,4,7,9,14


Check out this post from USCHO.COM

Gordwiser said: w t f? What a bunch of pansies complaining about bumping, gooning, and physical play... has no one played organized sports? That is why there are rules and penalties. If the Sioux (or any team) continue to muck it up, it's going to cost them with penalties, DQ's, etc. and eventually it will catch up with them. Even with all the physical play, I haven't seen any play with an intent to injure... that's a different story and do not condone that at all. I'm sick of all the BS about it all being on the Sioux and never the other team. If you have ever played any team sport of any kind, it's going both ways to some extent. We aren't on the ice to hear what is actually going on.

Kozy's sweet goal.

For those of you that don't read Siouxsports.com or surf youtube.com here is Andrew Kozek's third goal in last nights game. Look like the new top like is the DOK line (Duncan, Oshie Kozek).

Miami chokes on a cup cake.

All season long we have been discussing Miami's less that challenging schedule. A schedule lined with cream puffs and cup cakes. All the while the media pundants have lectured and have become defensive in telling the know nothing fans/hockey bloggers how great of a team the Miami RedHawks are. Okay, the Miami RedHawks are a good team not great and they are better than than about 9-10 teams in the CCHA. We have been told that we can't fault them for the played a very weak schedule because they have beaten the teams they had to play well except Michigan and three softies. Well that weak schedule came back to bite the paper champion Miami RedHawks again. So now the Miami squad has lot to CCHA powerhouses Alaska, Bowling Green and Ferris State.

Big Rapids, MI - Miami extended its winless streak to three games Friday night, dropping its opening contest with Ferris State, 6-5.

Senior captain Ryan Jones netted his third hat trick of the season, scoring goals number 25, 26, and 27 on the year, pushing Jones in front of Michigan's Kevin Porter for the nation's lead in goals scored.

Junior forward Justin Mercier scored twice and added an assist for the RedHawks, extending his point streak to five games. Mercier has four goals and four assists during that span.

Ferris State came out with plenty of pressure, out shooting the RedHawks, 9-0, through the first seven minutes of the game. FSU forward Cody Chupp opened the scoring early in the first period, when he picked up a rebound off of the leg pad of senior netminder Charlie Effinger and put the loose puck into the RedHawks' net. The score was Chupp's sixth of the season.

Ferris State extended its lead to 2-0, when forward Aaron Lewicki picked off an errant Miami pass while the RedHawks were on the power play, and wristed a shot past the stick of Effinger.

Just 44 seconds later, as the Bulldogs returned to full strength, sophomore Blair Riley skated in alone on Effinger, putting his shot through the Miami goaltender's legs. Junior goalkeeper Jeff Zatkoff came into the game after the third goal, his first action in relief this season.

(Read the Rest of the Story)

UND 5 and DU 4

UND dug themselves a hole before the Fighting Sioux scored 4 unanswered goals to win the game 5-4. Andrew Kozek had a career game as he scored a hat trick as the Sioux came from behind to win the game.


First Period

Denver-1 Anthony Maiani (Brian Gifford, Dustin Jackson) PPG 13:29
North Dakota-1 Andrew Kozek (Chay Genoway) PPG 16:00

Second Period

Denver-2 Jesse Martin (Kyle Ostrow) 0:56
Denver-3 Tom May (Tyler Bozak, Patrick Mullen) 2:27
Denver-4 Matt Glasser (Brian Gifford) 8:09
North Dakota-2 Chay Genoway (Ryan Duncan, Ryan Martens) 19:00
North Dakota-3 Ryan Duncan (Andrew Kozek) 19:33

Third Period

North Dakota-4 Andrew Kozek (Ryan Duncan) 10:58
North Dakota-5 Andrew Kozek (T.J. Oshie, Ryan Duncan) GWG 15:15
Goaltender Saves
Denver-1 Peter Mannino (59:42 L) 7 9 5 21 (5 GA)
North Dakota-1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (60:00 W) 3 5 6 14 (4 GA)

Referee(s): Marco Hunt
Asst. Referee(s): Nathan Freeman, Kile Bergren

Goon's World meets Greg Sheppard.

Greg Sheppard, the head of officials for the WCHA, was at the Green Mill tonight in Grand Forks and we had the opportunity to talk with him. I must say that Greg Sheppard was a lot of fun to talk to and a real trooper.

Game time

The results from the latest poll are in:
Question: Number of points the Sioux take from DU?
4 Points (144) 51%
3 Points (68) 24%
2 Points (44) 15%
1 Point (5) 1%
0 Points (19) 6%

You have got to love Patrick Reusse

You have got to read this PATRICK REUSSE article Mavericks no longer are a WCHA pushover From yesterday's Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Lets Go Mav's had it linked on her blog and this article is your classic Patrick Reusse article. You can bet that the Gopher fans will take issue with it and probably flood his email box with nasty grams.

The Gophers are off this weekend, giving Lucia, his players and their smug followers extra time to contemplate how the college hockey program with the most money, the widest-ranging television exposure and its choice of elite recruits can find itself in seventh place and with six victories in 22 WCHA games (6-11-5).

Here is another interesting statement.

The WCHA schedule has taken a different turn in Mankato, where the Mavericks don't have a sparkling and fabulously equipped arena in which they play and practice, but rather a modest rink called All Seasons in which they practice before moving down the hill to play games in the 5,000-seat Alltel Center.

Commodore glad to be a Senator.

Mike Commodore talks about the trade to the Ottawa Senators. I guess I am going to have to watch the Senators more often this spring with this trade the Sens got a lot tougher and Stillman will add experience and scoring touch.

(Read the rest of the story)

After getting over the initial shock of being traded Monday, newly acquired Ottawa Senators defenseman Mike Commodore began to rationalize.

”I remember playing against this team (Ottawa) in Carolina the last three seasons and how tough it was to slow them down,’’ Commodore told NHL.com. “It’s an offense capable of moving the puck and creating opportunities very quickly. As a defenseman, I never had any fun trying to keep up with this group. So I began to think how exciting it would be to become a part of it all. It’s always fun playing with a team that is this dynamic. I understand my role, which is to get the puck to our forwards as quickly as possible and allow them the freedom to do the rest. I’m looking forward to helping this team get on a little run moving forward into the playoffs.’’

Of course, Commodore is referring to Ottawa’s triple threat of Daniel Alfredsson (34 goals, 39 assists), Jason Spezza (23, 49) and Dany Heatley (28, 35), who sit snugly among the League’s scoring leaders.

Commodore and Cory Stillman were acquired by Ottawa in exchange for defenseman Joe Corvo and forward Patrick Eaves. Stillman, 34, who is only the sixth player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup in two consecutive seasons with two different teams (Tampa Bay and Carolina) and Commodore, 28, each bring a wealth of playoff experience to Ottawa.

”The two guys we lost were big parts of our team, so it’s always kind of a different mix-up when you have a trade at this time in the season,’’ Ottawa goalie Ray Emery said. “But we’re pretty familiar with the guys (Commodore and Stillman) we were getting and realize that in a playoff run and, short term, they have experience and are more than likely going to be a big part of any success we have down the stretch.’

This one was close.

Wideman on Malkin in last nights game between the Pens and the Bruins. These kind of hits make you hold your breath every time you see a hit like this. Looks like it wasn't a deliberate knee on knee hit. What do you think?

Classic Bruins and Habs

Ah yes the good old days. I love watching videos from the old days in the NHL, where players settled their differences on the ice. There wasn't the stupid instigator rule. This video is a blast from the past, Habs and Bruins.

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux 4 the Hobey Baker.

Here are some of links for Phil Lamoureux's Hobey Baker Campaign. If you take a serious look at the numbers there is no reason Jean-Philippe Lamoureux isn't a legitmate Hobey Baker candidate. Jean-PhilippeLamoureux has not stacked his stats playing a mediocre schedule, he has done this playing the toughest strenght of schedule in college hockey this season to date.

Here are some of Phils accomplishments (per Grand Forks Herald)

-- Posted four shutouts in the first five games, becoming the first Western Collegiate Hockey Association player to achieve the feat.

-- Allowed just one goal in seven of the last eight games.

-- A save percentage that would rank as the best single-season mark in Sioux history, breaking Jordan Parise's .929 from two seasons ago.

-- A goals-against average that would be second-best in school history, trailing only Bob Peters' mark from the 1950s.

And don't forget, he's accomplished all of this against the most difficult schedule in college hockey according to both the KRACH and PairWise ratings.

Links

Grand Forks Herald

AZ Sioux's Phil 4 Hobey

MEN'S HOCKEY: Tops in stops

Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde

This weekend the Fighting Sioux 17-8-2 play the Denver Pioneers 19-8-1 in an important WCHA series. This series will help decide where the two teams end up in the league standings as well as the all important PWR rankings. Here is a look at the Pioneers past 8 games and it would appear that DU has been a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team. The Pioneers have a record of 3-4-1 during the new year. In the four loses the Pioneers have given up 20 goals and score 7 goals. In the 3 wins the Pioneers have scored 11 goals and gave up 5 goals. I don't know what DU Pioneers team to expect this weekend, however, this weekends series will not be a cake walk that some Sioux fans have suggested it will be. Anytime UND and DU strap it on it is ussually a hard fought and highly contested series and more than likely a split is probable result. I just don't see either team running away and hiding this weekend.

January (2-2, 2-2)
11 #17 Wisconsin * W, 3-2
12 #17 Wisconsin * L, 7-2
18 @ Air Force L, 5-2
19 Bemidji State W, 4-2
February (1-2-1, 1-2-1)
1 @ Minnesota State * L, 5-1
2 @ Minnesota State * L, 3-2
8 #20 Minnesota * T, 1-1 OT
9 #20 Minnesota * W, 4-1

Peter Mannino Pictured aboveis a four-time Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16, Nov. 6, Nov. 20, Feb. 12) honoree and candidate for Lowes Senior CLASS Award
for accomplishments on and off the ice. Mannino is tied for first all-time at Denver in shutouts (13), second in saves percentage (.918), third in goals against average (2.32) and tied for sixth in wins (56). He is 1-4-1 with a 3.61 GAA and .875 Sv% in his last six starts.

Pioneers must deal with fast line change.

Here is an interesting article from the Denver Post on players like Trotter leaving their college team early. While it hurts to lose players during the season I don't see a need to have any unnecessary rules on saying how long a player has to stay or when they can leave. From Lucia's comments in this article it would appear that Lucia would like to get rid of the one and done players like Phil Kessel and Erik Johnson.

Say for a moment if there was a rule like this then in UND's case the Sioux probably don't get players like Jonathon Toews, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac or David Toews. I would rather have these players come play in the WCHA for one and two season instead of not having them play in the WCHA at all. Whats good for Minnesota is not alway good for the rest of the league. If that was the case the Gophers don't get players like Erik Johnson or Phil Kessel because they end up going to Major Juniors in Canada instead.

(Read the whole article right here)

NCAA hockey is one of three major development entities for the NHL, but the only one that is unprotected from absorbing in-season player departures to NHL contracts.

If Trotter or Okposo played in the Canadian Hockey League, otherwise known as major junior, or a European elite league, they would have been prohibited or deterred from signing NHL deals.

"There is no deterrent with us at all," Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bruce McLeod said. "We have to come up with a deterrent, whether you can't sign after the season starts, or even like July 15, because it's hard to replace a guy after that.

"But, of course, we can't deal with money. We can't impose fines like the (International Ice Hockey Federation). It has to be a rule like major junior."

In major junior, an NHL prospect learns his full-season status after the first 10 NHL regular- season games. He sticks with the NHL club or is sent back to major junior for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.

If an NHL club signs an IIHF player and that player does not play in the NHL, the team that signs him compensates the IIHF team up to $150,000.

"We have to inject some rules to protect college hockey," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. " (DU's) situation is a little different than ours (with Okposo), but we have to find a common ground. Other leagues are protected and ours isn't. . . . We don't hold any cards, and therein lies the problem. We don't have any leverage."

This is an interesting article and it is something to think about. I am not so sure that we need to have another rule detailing how long a player needs to agree on staying in college. I guess coaches might have to make sure they are communicating with their players through the season.

Want to know why goals are down in the WCHA?

I have read where a lot of people are concerned about the numbers of goals that are being scored in the WCHA this season. I think I might have a reason why. Look at the National statistics for goalies. That is impressive in my opinion.

Goals Against Average: Minutes GA GAA
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 1594:53 46 1.73
4 Michael-Lee Teslak Michigan Tech JR 783:16 24 1.84
5 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 1498:24 46 1.84
12 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State JR 1542:51 54 2.10
15 Alex Stalock (SJS) Minnesota Duluth SO 1576:03 56 2.13
16 Alex Kangas (ATL) Minnesota FR 1094:54 39 2.14
17 Peter Mannino Denver SR 1565:09 56 2.15
24 Shane Connelly Wisconsin JR 1614:35 62 2.30

Save Percentage: Saves GA Save%
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 652 46 .934
2 Michael-Lee Teslak Michigan Tech JR 319 24 .930
4 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 601 46 .929
12 Alex Kangas (ATL) Minnesota FR 468 39 .923
14 Alex Stalock (SJS) Minnesota Duluth SO 661 56 .922
16 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State JR 630 54 .921
17 Peter Mannino Denver SR 652 56 .921

Troy Jutting makes an appearance on CSTV's at the Rinks

I think Troy Jutting is a good coach and is doing one hell of a job coaching the Minnesota State Univeristy Mavericks. While I am sure there are some Mankato Mavericks fans that will disagree with me I think Jutting has done a good job recruiting and coaching in the shadow of the University of Minnesota. It wasn't that long ago Mankato was transitioning from a Division II powerhouse to a legitimate division one team.

I can remember watching MSU-M and BSU play in the John S. Glas Field House for the first time as a Division one team. Now Jutting has the team on the cusp of a NCAA tourney bid. Troy Juttings team play a hard nosed style of play that I admire. I just hope my Sioux don't have to play them until the Final Five.

Here is a question that was posed to Coach Jutting from a North Dakota Mavericks fan. Hum, I wonder who he is? I wonder if I know him.

Mav's fan, ND: Coach, Would you say that your team play this year will get some of the nay sayers off your back?
Troy Jutting: I don't know. To be honest, I don't worry about that. I put far greater pressure on myself than anybody else can. I try to do the job best that I can. Everybody wants to be an expert, and there are a lot of people who have great ideas. I just want to do the best job that I can.

Where has this kid been all season?

Seth Lang's play Monday night should make his case in solidifying his hold on the starting goaltending position for Central High School. Seth Lang a sophomore until recently had been wafting in the wings for his opportunity to show what he can do. That opportunity finally presented itself on Monday night as Lang and the Central Knights put up blue collar effort to beat the Fargo South Bruins 2-1 in overtime. It would appear that the questions to the goaltending situation at Central High School have been answered!

Central grabs third seed
By Brad Schlossman, Herald Staff Writer

After a 5-19 finish last season, Tony Bina set the lofty goal of a third-place finish for his Grand Forks Central boys hockey team.

It took until the final second of the regular season, but the Knights fulfilled their coach's wish.

Joel Riopelle scored an overtime goal to lift Central to a 2-1 win over Fargo South on Monday in a game that decided the East Region's third seed.

“It's so big for us to get the win, especially going into the playoffs,” said Bina, whose team finished the regular season 12-8-1 overall and 8-5-1 in region play. “We thought that we could finish in the top three in the (East Region), and we did it through hard work.”

The Knights used strong goaltending from sophomore Seth Lang and timely goals by Riopelle and Klockmann to beat the Bruins in overtime for the second time this season.

Lang stopped 24 shots to lead a strong defensive effort by the Knights, who had allowed 17 goals in the last two games.

“We had to bounce back from those games,” said Lang, who made 11 saves in the third period. “It's good to leave the regular season on a good note.”

Central plays sixth-seeded Fargo North on Thursday in the first round of the region tournament, while Fargo South plays fifth-seeded Devils Lake.

The Bruins appeared to be in position to take the third seed on Monday night after Ian Powers tied the game when his wrist shot from the boards went off a Central defenseman's stick and into the net with 4:50 left.

South outshot the Knights 12-3 in the third period and only needed to muster a tie.

But in overtime, Central needed just one scoring chance.

Riopelle carried the puck in the zone on his forehand along the right wing. He fought off a check from a Bruin defenseman and took it to the net hard. At the last second, he moved the puck to his backhand and flipped it past goalie Scott Buchholz on the short side at 1:22.

“On a play like that, you just try to drive to the net and hope to get a rebound or draw a penalty,” Riopelle said. “Once I saw it go in, I just laid there on the ice. I knew that the game was over. That's probably the best feeling I've ever had as a Central hockey player.”

South coach Dean Wilson said he felt his team had chances to win but didn't finish. As for not getting the third seed, he's not overly concerned.

“In order to get to state, we'll need to beat Red River, Grafton(-Park River) and Central anyway,” Wilson said. “And Devils Lake, too, for that matter. We play them first.

“We're looking forward to the challenge.”

This weeks picks: Misc Ramblings/Rants

Friday:
St. Cloud State at Alaska-Anchorage
Minnesota-State at Wisconsin
Denver at North Dakota
Minnesota-Duluth at Michigan Tech

Saturday:
St. Cloud State at Alaska-Anchorage
Minnesota-State at Wisconsin
Denver at North Dakota
Minnesota-Duluth at Michigan Tech

Some people think I have the ability to jinx or put a hex people's hockey teams. That theory was proven wrong this past weekend when the Mav's swept the hapless UAA Sea-wolves in Mankato just as I predicted. I am also back to level par and even Steven with Sioux7 as Donn dared push his luck and make a bet with me again. HA!

This week I will prove that in fact this theory wrong again as I have picked the UMD Bull Dogs and SCSU to sweep. Drum roll please.

The Commodore trade.

Here are a couple of interesting articles that I found about the Mike commodore trade. I am kind of torn because I really liked the Hurricanes and I enjoyed their exciting run through to the Stanley Cup finals Also as a Fighting Sioux fan I loved watching Commodore winning the Stanley Cup. Also, one of the major reasons that I liked the Hurricanes was the fact that former WCHA stars Mike Commodore, Brent Heican and Matt Cullen played for canes. I can't cheer for the Ottawa Senators, it is like selling your soul to the devil. I know it is a business and the Canes are floundering so I am sure it had to be done.

As we found the out the Carolina GM wasn't messing around.

As Eric McErlain reported last month, Carolina GM Jim Rutherford expressed regret in a radio interview that he had kept so many players from the Hurricanes' Cup team together, and threatened to shake the Canes out of their season-long "underachieving" by dealing away "popular players." Well, today Carolina has traded defenseman Mike Commodore -- arguably the fans' most cherished player, maybe even more than Eric Staal -- and forward Cory Stillman to Ottawa in exchange for defenseman Joe Corvo and forward Patrick Eaves.

The Cason Blog looks at the Mike Commodore trade

Thank you Mike Commodore. You really grew up as a Cane. The Flames showed you no love, but you found it in droves as a Hurricane. You are truly a bigger-than-life guy. The Ottawa clubhouse just got a lot more fun. I wish you were heading to the Russian Super Secluded Siberian League. I sense pain on the horizon for many a Cane forward.

This Week in the WCHA (Sioux 7)

The results are in from last weekend, and there is still a pile of teams in the race for home ice. Both UW and MSUM are on hot streaks, UND was on a bye week, and UM continued its down ward spiral. Here are the current WCHA standings.

1 CC....22..16-5-1..33
2 ND....22..14-7-1..29
3 DU....20..13-6-1..27
4 MSU..22..9-9-4...22
4 UW....22..9-9-4...22
6 UMD..20..7-8-5...19
7 UM....22..6-11-5..17
8 SCS...20..7-11-2..16
8 MTU..20..6-10-4..16
10UAA..22..3-14-5..11

As you can see still only 5-pts separate the 4th place teams from the 9th place team, so home ice is still up for grabs. Which brings us to this weekends match ups.

This week Colorado College and Minnesota are on bye weeks. CC could be caught by UND this weekend if they sweep DU, but CC would have 2 games in hand. If the Huskies, either of them, pick up a point or two this weekend, could send the Gophers down into 9th place.

Mavericks at Badgers

This series can go along ways to determine who will get home ice. IF, one team can get a sweep they will have the inside track to home ice and on 4th place. These teams come into this weekend on good streaks, the Mavs, winners of 6 in a row, and Bucky 5-1-3 in their last 8 contests. The thing I see here is the Mavs have won 5 games at home, and 1 on the road. Now they take to the road, and the Kohl center is tough place to play. I STILL see UW sitting in a tie for 4th place come Sunday, by getting a win, but I also see the Mavs taking a game too, so heres to the 4 place tie and a split.

Pioneers at Fighting Sioux

The Sioux come in from their last bye week of the season and on a 9-game unbeaten streak 8-0-1. Denver is trying to get back their early season form, they took 3 points from the struggling Gophers last weekend. Normally if you beat UM like that I'd say you are doing good, but since the UM is "off" this year, it is ho-hum. Denver really needs to get some points to hold on to a top 3 finish, especially when 5 of their last 8 games are on the road. I'm thinking the Sioux might show a little rust on Friday night, but will take care of business and put DU further in the mirror, Sioux Sweep.

Bulldogs at Huskies (MTU)

Tech is at home again this weekend, they need to get more than one point in this series against the Bulldogs. The Huskies are 1-4-3 in their last 8 league games, not the record you want, when you are trying get into the top 5 for home ice. Meanwhile back in Duluth the Bulldogs have compiled a 2-3-3 record in their last 8 WCHA games. This too is a big series, if Tech doesn't get at least a split, they will be on the road for the first round of playoffs, sorry MeG :( But with all the ties these teams have collected as of late, I say, the series will tie, splitsville, a game a piece.

Huskies (SCSU) at Seawolves

Here lies what could be called "The Battle for the Bottom" series. SCSU is sitting tied for 8th and UAA is in the basement. SCSU did just beat the Tigers in CC, giving them their first home loss this season. So, have these Dogs finally been kicked enough and are finally starting to bite back? I think the Dogs will be a little tired after all this traveling, but will take a game from the Seawolves. Another split. A split will pretty much lock Alaska into the basement, being 5pts out of 9th place and having only 4-games left on the schedule. They can probably start looking for a good airfare deal to Colorado Springs for the first round of the playoffs.

RIT and Canisius Hockey Brawl

Edit the first viedo was removed. This video isn't as good as the first one. Finally there is a tape posted of the much talked about hockey brawl that took place on February 9th 2008. This is what I would call an old fashion get after it hockey brawl taht we really haven't seen since the 1980's.

Folks this is a text book definition of a hockey brawl, they are very rare. This video of the RIT and Canisius brawl. For those people that say that fighting has no place in hockey take note that you will not hear any one person booing, as ussual the fans go nuts. The RIT, RIT, RIT cheer is a nice touch. I think number two from Canisius Carl Hudson is going to get himself a long suspension from the AHA because he skated across the ice from the penalty box to re-join the fray. In the NHL if you leave the penalty box you probably get at minimum a 10 game suspension.

Check out this third period box score. By hockey definition this is impressive if you were measuring it by NHL standards but this is a college hockey game. This looks like a Philadelphia Flyer's game during the broad street bully days.

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

CNS-5 Peter MacDougall (2-Boarding) 3:55
RIT-5 Mike Janda (2-Roughing) 3:55
RIT-6 Mike Janda (2-Roughing) CNS 1x4 3:55
CNS-6 Jason Weeks (2-High-Sticking) RIT 1x4 10:01
CNS-7 Taylor Anderson (2-Leaving the Crease) 12:33
CNS-8 Taylor Anderson (5-Fighting) 12:33
CNS-9 Taylor Anderson (10-Game Disqualification) 12:33
CNS-10 Josh Heidinger (5-Fighting) 12:33
CNS-11 Josh Heidinger (10-Game Disqualification) 12:33
CNS-12 David Kasch (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-13 David Kasch (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-14 David Kasch (10-Misconduct) 12:33
CNS-15 Phil Rauch (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-16 Phil Rauch (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-17 Cory Conacher (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-18 Cory Conacher (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-19 Cory Conacher (10-Misconduct) 12:33
CNS-20 Jason Weeks (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-21 Jason Weeks (2-Roughing) 12:33
CNS-22 Jason Weeks (10-Misconduct) 12:33
CNS-23 Carl Hudson (5-Fighting) 12:33
CNS-24 Carl Hudson (10-Misconduct) 12:33
CNS-25 Carl Hudson (10-Game Disqualification) 12:33
CNS-26 Carl Hudson (10-Game Disqualification) 12:33
CNS-27 Phil Rauch (10-Misconduct) 12:33
CNS-28 Josh Heidinger (2-Roughing) (Served by Greg Brown) RIT 1x5 12:33
CNS-29 Josh Heidinger (2-Roughing) (Served by Greg Brown) RIT 2x6 12:33
RIT-7 Louis Menard (2-Leaving the Crease) 12:33
RIT-8 Louis Menard (5-Fighting) 12:33
RIT-9 Louis Menard (10-Game Disqualification) 12:33
RIT-10 Ricky Walton (5-Fighting) 12:33
RIT-11 Ricky Walton (10-Game Disqualification) 12:33
RIT-12 Tyler Mazzei (10-Misconduct) 12:33
RIT-13 Stephen Burns (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-14 Stephen Burns (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-15 Stephen Burns (10-Misconduct) 12:33
RIT-16 Anton Kharin (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-17 Anton Kharin (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-18 Justin Hofstetter (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-19 Justin Hofstetter (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-20 Justin Hofstetter (10-Misconduct) 12:33
RIT-21 Brent Patry (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-22 Brent Patry (2-Roughing) 12:33
RIT-23 Brent Patry (10-Misconduct) 12:33
RIT-24 Anton Kharin (10-Misconduct) 12:33
RIT 4 - 1 6x5 PP Dan Ringwald (2) (Simon Lambert, Bobby Raymond) 14:47
RIT: 6,18,21,17,27,G33 CNS: 5,8,10,23,G33
RIT-25 Matt Crowell (2-Holding) CNS 1x5

Sioux third in the Rink Rat Rankings...

Wow, UND is sitting third in the The Rink Rat Rankings: Season 2, Edition No. 14 I have to admit that this is funny.

3. North Dakota - Nothing new from the Sioux this week, so that means I get to use my other joke about Dave Hakstol's "salute" to Don Adam a couple of weeks ago. Ready? OK...here goes...

I guess the logo and nickname aren't the only things that are "hostile and abusive" at UND!

Thank you, I'll be here all week. Tip your bartenders. OK, here's one thing that's not a joke: Jean-Philippe Lamoureux now leads the nation in both goals-against average and save percentage. It's quite the roller coaster for Lamoureux, from "Maybe he's not the weak link after all," to "OK, maybe he is the weak link after all" back to the former. Keep your eye on this team, and expect to see a lot of them in Colorado this spring.

My only question to Elliot is; how do we get Phil into the Hobey Baker tracker? One of your goalies on the Hobey Baker Tracker got lit up for 9 goals this weekend and look poor on national television on Friday night.

Two seconds in...

Two seconds into the game Former Badger's forward Adam Burish takes on Canucks tough guy Byron Ritchie. That was a great fight and an exciting way to open a game. Check out Burish's other fight this week. I would have to admit that I like the way Burish plays the game.

Steve Downie vs Jarkko Ruutu

So Downie is known for not taking his shield off. This is how you get Downie to take his helmet off. Ruutu just reached over and pulled off his helmet. This was also a pretty good game as well as Pittsburgh has found a way to win even without Sid the kid playing.

Why not Jean-Philippe Lamoureux for the Hobey Baker

Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has started every game for the Fighting Sioux this season and has amassed a 17-8-2 record; most people don't even know who the Fighting Sioux have as their back up. In fact someone asked me who the back up was during the Gophers series. I said, “Does it matter?” Just for the record the UND back up goalie’s name is Aaron Walski Junior from Fargo, ND. Lamoureux is sitting atop of the national rankings and is hardly getting a look for the Hobey Baker Memorial award.

It is puzzling to me that Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is getting no love on the CSTV Hobey Baker Watch or at the INCH Hobey Tracker. I can imagine that Sioux fans probably are scratching their head as well and wondering why Phil isn't on the list? Statistically Lamoureux is one of the best in the country per the NCAA Stats. Here is how Jean-Philippe Lamoureux compares to the other goalies listed on the Hobey Baker watch.

Save Percentage:
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 652 46 .934
3 Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 677 51 .930
4 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 601 46 .929
5 Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 559 43 .929
18 Peter Mannino Denver SR 652 56 .921

Goals Against Average:
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 1594:53 46 1.73
2 Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 1481:59 43 1.74
5 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 1498:24 46 1.84
6 Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 1656:18 51 1.85
17 Peter Mannino Denver SR 1565:09 56 2.15

This is my definition of a brawl

This past week there was a lot of discussion of what actually constitues a brawl during a hockey game. This would be my text book definition of an old fashion hockey brawl.

So I am watching this video and wouldn't you know it; Steve Downie is right in the middle of it. Alright, the next thing I want to know; does Steve Downie still with his face shield on? Yep he does.

Here is the second period box score for this game.


02:43 Cote, R. : Interference - 2 min
12:33 Orr, C. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
12:33 Cote, R. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
12:33 Tyutin, F. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
12:33 Downie, S. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
12:33 Hollweg, R. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
12:33 Dowd, J. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
12:59 Prucha, P. : Roughing - 2 min
12:59 Richards, M. : Roughing - 2 min
12:59 Avery, S. : Misconduct (10 min) - 0 min
15:15 Jagr, J. : Interference - 2 min
17:48 Dubinsky, B. : Hi-sticking - 2 min
20:00 Dubinsky, B. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
20:00 Richards, M. : Fighting (maj) - 5 min

Hale vs Adams

Craig Adams and former Fighting Sioux David Hale go toe to toe.

USCHO sums it up pretty well...

Check this piece out, Finally someone in the Media has the balls to say it. I also think USCHO really hit the nail on the head with this article. Hello, USCHO just said what a lot of us in the blog-sphere have been saying all season long. Finally! I would imagine this guy better expect to take some heat for saying it as well, however, it is what it is... The numbers speak for themselves. My advice to the CCHA is get out and start playing some other teams in the other major conferences.

Mauled in Miami
Ray Bartnikowski
For many around the country, Friday's marquee match-up ended up exactly the way they expected. To them, second ranked Michigan's victory was more than just a win over a highly-touted conference foe. It was a referendum on what many see as an overrated team who has benefited from an extremely easy road. Though their strength of schedule is 24th nationally — Michigan’s is 17, not much better (at least on paper) —before Friday their only quality competition had been conference foes Michigan State and Notre Dame.

They played them each two times, sweeping the defending champs in East Lansing and splitting at home with the Fighting Irish. And whereas Michigan's non-conference schedule included games against Wisconsin, Minnnesota (twice), Boston University (twice), and resurgent squads from Providence and Michigan Tech, Miami went 8-0 against teams — Vermont, Canisius, Rensselaer, St. Cloud, and Ohio State (in a tournament) — who sport a combined record of 36-56-18 (.327).

By comparison, the top 10 teams in strength of schedule all hail from the WCHA. No disrespect to the RedHawks’ — they can only play who is lacing them up in the other locker room — but after Friday’s 4-2 defeat on home ice (and subsequent fall from the top of the CCHA standings, the PairWise, and likely the national rankings), Saturday’s tilt becomes a must-win. Oxford, though, was not the only location where drama unfolded in the CCHA

Jutting has the Mavericks on a roll...

Last year I read where a lot of Maverick fans were upset with Troy Jutting and wished the univeristy would cut ties with the Maverick coach. Personally I think Mr Jutting is doing a good job and has the Mavericks looking like a NCAA playoff team.

After all the calls for Jutings head, the Maferick coach Troy Jutting has the Maverick fans thinking twice for calling for his head. I can imagine hearing Troy Jutting say, "how do you like me now?" Currently the Mavericks are riding a 5 game winning streak and have gone 9-4-1 in the last 14 games. The Mavericks are tied for fourth in the WCHA with the Wisconsin Badges and are sitting 11th in the PairWise. I am sure there are not a lot of teams out there wanting to face the Mavericks now.

WANTED: REF who can officiate in the WCHA...

----------------WANTED----------------
On ice officials to ref games in the WCHA.
Qualifications: Must be able to ref games per rule book.
Must not make s#!t up as you go.
Experience with video reviews a must.
Please call Bruce McCloud at league office in Denver.

Last night I was able to watch the CCHA match up between Michigan and Miami. During that game I was also able to see what good officiating actually looks like. While I am not usually a fan of the officials, I must give the CCHA credit. I do believe fans in the WCHA are being short changed by the on ice officials, we have a top rate league with third world officials. The fans in the WCHA deserve MUCH better.

While I am sure there are a few CCHA fans and coaches that will disagree with me, I must give credit where credit is due. I also want to know if the WCHA can borrow Mr. Shegos to ref in the WCHA? The NHL got the message after the lock out and started calling the games very tight, which led to a much more attractive product. If a players hand comes off their stick it is a penalty. If a player obstructs another player it is a penalty. If a player cross checks a player anywhere on the ice at any time it is a penalty.

After watching last nights game the CCHA looks as if they have followed suit and are now calling the game the way the NHL does. Maybe not 100% but close enough. Fast forward to the WCHA, where league play has become almost unwatchable. The play on the ice in the WCHA looks like some back water bush league. Is the WCHA going to call the games like the NHL or the CCHA; not a chance. Our league officials have their heads in the sand and still believe the status quo is just fine. Muggings, clutching and grabbing is just fine with Greg Sheppard and Bruce McCloud.

Updated -- what if.

This is how I predict things will shake out in the WCHA...

1.) CC 28 42
2.) UND 28 38
3.) Denver 28 36
4.) UMD 28 30
5.) Mankato 28 27
5.) UW 28 27
7.) UMN 28 23
7.) MTech 28 23
9.) SCSU 28 20
10.) AA 28 14

This is what I get with UND taking three with the DU Pioneers, 2 points with surging UMD Bull dogs and sweeping the SCSU Huskies.

WCHA > CCHA

If the playoffs started today this is what the WCHA and the CCHA representatives would look like per the PWR at Siouxsports.com. Looks like the WCHA is regaining some strength as a league.

CCHA
1. Michigan
2. Miami
7. MSU
14 Notre Dame

WCHA
3. C.C.
5. UND
6. DU
10. UMD
11. MSU-M
13. Wisconsin

Scores of Relevance
CCHA
Ferris State 5 at Notre Dame 3 CC
Michigan State 1 at Northern Michigan 3 CC
Michigan 4 at Miami 2 CC

WCHA
Wisconsin 1 at Michigan Tech 1 WC OT
Alaska Anchorage 1 at Minnesota State 3 WC
St. Cloud State 3 at Colorado College 5 WC
Minnesota 1 at Denver 1 WC OT

Miami vs Michigan

Tonight I was able to watch the much talked about match up between the Miami RedHawks and the Michigan Wolverines on CCHA television network, I mean CSTV. While I do say that tongue in check I do think CSTV spends way too much time patting that CCHA on the back and has kind of slighted the WCHA and Hockey East.

Speaking of the CCHA television network; tomorrow night if you have that channel in your cable package you will be able to watch the UNO Mavericks and the tOhio State Buckeyes. Clear your calender folks, this is a must watch game. Talk about a meaningless game between two middle of the road teams in a top heavy mediocre league. Come on folks, at least give us game two of the Miami and Michigan match up which is an more interesting match up. It could save you a lot of money in travel cost to just stay in Oxford, Ohio one more night.

Back to the game; while the score was close, the game was not in my opinion. The RedHawks were basically knocked out of the game after the 1st period. I thought Michigan was obviously the better team, as they put the RedHawks away in the first period by burying lose pucks in front of the net. Hum, looks a lot like the team that the Fighting Sioux played last season in Denver, fast skilled and opportunistic. I was, however, not impressed with Miami or with Jeff Frazee's WJC backup. On the flip side I was impressed with Ryan Jones strength and defensive skills, I would have to say that the man is a brute.

The Wolverines then went on the vapor lock mode and got into penalty trouble in the later stage of the game. The Wolverines masterfully killed the penalties and were able to hold the RedHawks off. It will be interesting to see who wins tomorrow nights game. If Michigan sweeps I will go a long way in the Wolverines sewing up the CCHA title and a number one seed.

NMU on the rise?

If I was a top team in the CCHA I would be hoping I don't have to play the NMU Wild Cats who are now all of a sudden they have tied Michigan for two games and beaten MSU.

WCHA the no scoring league

Someone mentioned how the WCHA is becoming the no goal league, five of eight teams only scored one goal. Here is the reason why seven out of the top twenty goalies in the NCAA are from the WCHA. NCAA goalie leaders.
Save Percentage: Saves GA Save%
1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota SR 652 46 .934
2 Billy Sauer (COA) Michigan JR 647 46 .934
3 Jeff Zatkoff (LAK) Miami JR 522 38 .932
4 Ben Scrivens Cornell SO 521 38 .932
5 Richard Bachman (DAL) Colorado College FR 575 43 .930
6 Michael-Lee Teslak Michigan Tech JR 319 24 .930
7 Mitch O'Keefe Ferris State JR 391 31 .927
8 Mark Dekanich (NSH) Colgate SR 660 53 .926
9 Alex Kangas (ATL) Minnesota FR 444 36 .925
10 Matt Lundin Mercyhurst JR 603 49 .925
11 Juliano Pagliero Niagara JR 562 46 .924
12 Matt Climie Bemidji State SR 427 35 .924
13 Kevin Regan (BOS) New Hampshire SR 563 47 .923
14 Alex Stalock (SJS) Minnesota Duluth SO 661 56 .922
15 Jeff Lerg Michigan State JR 785 67 .921
16 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State JR 608 52 .921
17 Kyle Richter Harvard SO 559 48 .921
18 David Leggio Clarkson SR 652 57 .920
19 Billy Blase Yale SO 432 38 .919
20 Peter Mannino Denver SR 622 55 .919

Check out these two interesting chats:

Here are a couple of very interesting discussions

Thursday's INCH chat

Two good points from this. This one is interesting

jon (oxford) : If miami sweeps the weekend will everybody else besides the pollsters around the country especially the WCHA give Miami some respect and stop saying they have played a weak schedule. even if the schedule is "weak" 27-3-0 and going 5-1 against Notre Dame, MSU, and Michigan with a 13-1-0 road record is pretty good I think.

Mike Eidelbes: The same thing happened with Notre Dame last year Maybe the WCHA folks can't fathom a team from outside their league topping the national rankings. We've said all along, you can only play the teams on your schedule -- Miami doesn't have control over the strength of its
opponents. Here's the test we use at INCH: If Team A and Team B played a seven-game series at a neutral site, which would win? In Miami's case, I don't think there's anyone in the country that wins under those criteria. In fact, I don't think anyone takes the RedHawks to seven games.

Billy (Atlanta):WHY is J.P. Lamoureux not getting more consideration for the hobey baker... I never hear his name mentioned in hobey baker discussions and he has outstanding numbers .934 SV%, 1.72 GAA, 4 SO...all while facing the stiffest competition of any team as UND has only played 2 games out of its total 27 against non-ranked opponents

Joe Gladziszewski: I think Lamoureux is getting plenty of consideration. He was prominently featured in our Hobey Tracker several times this season. The fact is that BC's Nathan Gerbe and Michigan's Kevin Porter have stood out among the pack. The next eight spots among the finalists are still wide open, and it's a strong goalie group in that pack when you consider Lamoureux, Mannino, Lerg, Zatkoff, Regan, etc. If JP continues to play well and North Dakota keeps winning over the next five weeks, the individual recognition will definitely come.

That is a really good question; why isn't Jean-Philippe Lamoureux getting more love for the Hobey Baker?
Phil is 4th nationally in save percentage and goals against average and 8th in winning percentage. That is pretty good.

I found this question to be very interesting: It is a good point.

Jacob (Detroit): Why has the CCHA gotten so top-heavy? Lake Superior State and Western Michigan used to at least put up a fight.

Mike Eidelbes: That's a tough one. There's certainly a dividing line in the CCHA between the haves and the have-nots. I'd speculate that finances may have something to do with it -- schools like Michigan, Michigan State, Miami, Nebraska-Omaha, and Notre Dame have very healthy budgets, whereas Lake Superior and Western aren't at that level. And let's be honest -- the teams at the top have done a better job of attracting talent and developing those kids once they get there.

Check out this flame feast on the in-forum. This discussion is getting to be really silly, I think McFeely was right when he said that every discussion about UND or NDSU turns into a pissing match between NDSU and UND fans.

To prove this point all you have to do is look at this discussion about a UND coach getting suspended and again it turned into the classic UND and NDSU brawl. God I really do miss playing the other school. At UND all we can really do is hope some day we can renew the rivalry. I only wish NDSU had hockey, wow, would that be fun.

This one is really funny, I would be willing to bet he doesn't watch a lot of hockey, but it is really funny. I have to admit that I love a train just as much as the next guy but it also does seem that we have lost our civility as a nation.

Bobjo 2/6 09:41 a.m. German Shep said "This is typical of the horrible conduct coming out of und now days. The place is a disgrace. Really, Hak should have been fired, and the players involved in the fights should be suspended a minimum of 4 games. Time to stop this." 11JBN11 "What you see is what you get. Its not only a personal character issue it is an institutional character issue. The gesture is symbolic of the institutions relationships: contempt and disrespect." Amazing how NDSU folks became judge and jury. I'm sure they are not biased one bit right? LOL These statements are hillarious. Again, it seems that those pesky rules that are in place by the NCAA and WCHA should be trumped by an NDSU football fan's opinion. Shep, did you watch the game? I'm guessing not. Do you ever watch college hockey? I'm guessing not.

Mr. G. 2/6 06:42 a.m. Soooo....all one needs to do is apologize and all is well? Don't think so. What Hak did is an embarrassment to the hockey program, the school, the city, and the State of North Dakota. His actions support the reason non "hockeyites" think the sport is for testosterone filled barbarians!

Rick O. 2/6 06:16 a.m. Hakstol broke the sportsmanship code by making that rude gesture. He broke the rule and the WCHA punished him accordingly. Without favortism. The WCHA in my opinion treated Hakstol no differently than they would have any other coach in the same situation. I think the suspension is appropriate.

David 9 2/6 04:55 a.m. I haven’t kept up with NCAA rule changes in recent years, but when I ref’d an act like that would have resulted in a “gross misconduct penalty” which was assessed for extreme unsportsmanlike conduct and/or abuse of an official. The suspension is appropriate, but any fines and/or further disciplinary action should be left up to UND. I think the only "unfair" thing here was that he was left behind the bench.

yelo 2/5 2:10 p.m. WOW, I mean WOW is all I have to say to Anna F’s comments, I mean really do you live in a little bubble shielded from the rest of the world. UND’s historic and proud nickname has absolutely nothing to do with Hakstol’s suspension. Have you ever been to a Sioux hockey game every game they play a tribute to the Sioux nation (even after loosing their support). This is a sport at a school that is rich with tradition and excellence. Now that being said the reason this happened: “The Gophers” Yes this whole incident squarely rests on the Gopher/Sioux rivalry. It has been so prolific in the last few years that it has gained national attention from INCH and ESPN. One cannot argue that it is one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports. With heated rivalries come heated arguments and exchanges. This is just one instance in a long long list of instances with in this clashing of teams. Was the punishment fair yes, should it have happened no of course not, but any person adult or child that plays hard and plays with passion knows over the course of a battle things happen, it doesn’t make them right but they do happen.

Bumstead 2/4 6:00 p.m. I don`t suppose it will ever happen, but would it not be interesting to do a poll of the coaches of the rest of the WCHA schools, as to their opinion of what happens to them and their teams, when they come and play in the hallowed hall in the cities called the home of Gopher hockey? Watch some of those games on FSN, that super unbiased station that is not satified to just broadast the games, but along with it, use the cameras and personal comments, to re-ride down, every team that plays there? Maybe the Gophers, could have a better record, if they learned to have to play all games, like they do on the road, and not be able to coast when they are home, because there is a real understanding between the Refs, you know, those unbiased ones in the striped shirts, and the rest of the teams and coaches? Bumstead

Early Exits

This is an interesting conundrum that the NCAA and the NHL are going to have to work out eventually before it comes to a head. I personally think that some NHL GM's don't respect the college game. Every off season there is a stream of players leaving their college teams early for the professional and or the major junior ranks. Fans of the WCHA have come to expect players leaving during the offseason; none of us expect them to start leaving early during the season to sign professional contracts. To me it is a character issue when a player quits/leaves his team during the season to sign a professional contract or leave for Major Juniors.

The Kyle Okposo situation was down right silly; we ended up having an artillery dual in the media between a college coach and a general manager over why a kid was signed during the middle of the season. I agree with the Denver Post writer, he makes some great points. There should be a rule once a player plays a game with his college team, the professional team that owns his rights should have to wait till after his college season is over before he can be signed to a professional contract. It should be the same with free agent players as well…

NHL must discourage early exits
By Terry Frei
The Denver Post

Imagine that a star Colorado tailback has a falling-out with the coaching staff at midseason, mysteriously is left home from a trip to Iowa State (causing some to speculate that he actually is being rewarded), leaves campus, explores his options and ultimately signs a contract with the Green Bay Packers the next week.

The apocalypse would be upon us.

Something similar is happening in college hockey.

The NHL should implement a rule that once an NCAA player appears in one game in a season, he can't be signed until his team's season is over.

It would remove the temptation for college players to bail the first time they have a grievance with their coach or a fight with their campus girlfriend, or for NHL teams to be the equivalent of obnoxious rink parents who pry their kids out of a program if they're not getting enough ice time or star treatment.

The need for such a rule will be evident tonight, when the Minnesota Gophers and University of Denver Pioneers open a two-game series at Magness Arena.

The Gophers lost winger Kyle Okposo at midseason, when he signed with the New York Islanders. The Isles tried to rationalize it with general manager Garth Snow's sophomoric whining that respected UM coach Don Lucia was impeding Okposo's development.

DU sophomore forward Brock Trotter, the Pioneers' leading scorer, signed Thursday with the Montreal Canadiens (ironically, owned by Vail resident George Gillett Jr.), and was assigned to the Habs' minor-league affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The Trotter Saga isn't a Dick Francis-written equine mystery, but still is a mystery nonetheless.

The difference between hockey and football is that the NHL's draft age is roughly 18 — and teams retain players' rights. NHL organizations generally wait as all but the absolute elite prospects play major junior in the Canadian Hockey League, college hockey in the U.S., or in Europe. But the NHL's patience is diminishing.

Okposo was the seventh choice in the 2006 NHL draft. Trotter, 21, hasn't been drafted. This almost certainly wasn't a case of the Canadiens coaxing Trotter off campus. He seemed to advertise his availability to NHL organizations and junior teams after he didn't make the trip with the team to a series at Minnesota State last weekend, and Montreal stepped up with a free- agent offer.

DU coach George Gwozdecky has refused to say why Trotter was left behind last weekend, and Thursday night, he still wouldn't say whether Trotter had been kicked off the team. It seems safe to assume he was at least suspended.

Yet even if Trotter had no opportunity to return to the DU roster this season, the NHL must avoid being allowed to even further popularize the perception among college players — drafted or undrafted — that one of their options if they run into or cause trouble during an NCAA season is to sign a pro contract immediately.

Coaches accept collegians leaving early, usually only grousing when they feel that NHL teams encourage drafted players to leave programs to play major junior instead, or sign them when they're physically not ready for pro hockey.

But the NHL's post-lockout collective bargaining agreement lowered the threshold age for free agency and in other ways added to the pressures for NHL teams to sign their draft choices sooner — even if it means sending them to the minors.

"It's certainly a concern that one or more of the elements of the CBA may be working to facilitate the earlier signing of college players, and to the extent that's happening, it's obviously not consistent with the intent of the parties," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told me recently. "We are committed to working with the colleges and with the Players' Association to monitor signings and trends, and to try to address these issues in a positive way, if at all possible."

For the good of all, the NHL can't allow itself to even subtly encourage players, whether drafted or undrafted, to leave college programs in the middle of a season — or to make them think they could end up rewarded for being suspended or kicked off teams. The NHL can't help plant the thought that you don't have to run home to Mommy and Daddy in the middle of a college season . . . because one of the options is to see if an NHL team will hand you a lollipop and immediately sign you.

Players to leave/dismissed from their college team (recent list)
1.) Brock Trotter DU
2.) Kevin Quick Michigan
3.) Brett Motherwell B.C.
4.) Kyle Okposo UMN
5.) Chris Wilson UNO
6.) Tony Grieco UND

The Section 8 Hockey Blog looks back at the George Pelawa Tragedy

I found this story as I was checking out the Section 8 hockey blog. I do recommend checking it out, it is a very good hockey site. It has everything you want to know about Section 8 hockey.

I also found this moving story on George Pelawa and how his life was cut short. George was a team mate of mine at Bemidji High School (football team) and the guy was amazing athlete but also an amazing person. It would not be unaccurate to say that everyone like Big George.

The George Pelawa Tragedy; A Personal Look Back

By: Timothy Oshie
Publisher

When I think back to my collegiate days and my journey back to Minnesota in 1986, I'm reminded each day how precious life is.

I was a Bemidji State University basketball junior college recruit coming via Everett Community College in Washington. It was in late August of '86, that I had the distinct opportunity to meet a gentleman by the name of George Pelawa.

We played golf together in an Native American Tournament near Bemidji. I can vividly remember his massive frame yet a very soft spoken young man. We had a chance to catch up on life and he told me he was excited to attend and play hockey for the University of North Dakota in a couple weeks.

That vision and opportunity never happened. George Pelawa was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Labor Day Weekend of 1986.

I can remember the Cass Lake / Bemidji communities mourning this special young man. I remember how the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and it's members were so devastated by the loss of this incredible young man. It was a very sad day for Native America as one its fine young members with lofty dreams and such a great heart was taken from Mother Earth.

Here are some of the google searches I found on George Pelawa this morning:

Almost 21 years ago (Labor Day Weekend), the Flames lost 1st rounder George Pelawa in a car accident. He was a day or two away from starting his freshman year at UND. He was 6'3" 240 lbs, 3 sport athlete; was named Mr. Hockey among all MN high school players his draft year.

The Flames still have a scholarship in his name at Bemidji High School.

A Song Dedicated To George Pelawa written by his father:

Tom Cochrane and Red Rider: This one still gives me chills. In 1986, the Calgary Flames drafted George Pelawa 16th overall. He was a prospect that had size to go with a scoring prowess. He was playing in the U.S. collegiate circles and was killed in a highway collision. The story is told from the fathers point of view. No hockey Dad can distance themselves from the lyric "My boy's gonna play in the big league/ my boy's gonna knock 'em dead" without feeling it's sting. It is a true Canadian tale that ends when "Ice meets metal/In the wrong lane to the big league".

Cochrane's broken hearted "Aaaah aha" wail makes one's neck hair stand on end. The truest of Canadian classics.

From SiouxSports.com Archives:

Big George Pelawa was a team mate of mine at Bemidji High School in football, he was a 3 sport athletic star. George played linebacker in football and could affect a game by himself.

George could have been a Division 1 athlete in Football, Baseball and Hockey. He was that gifted. I would have loved to seen him in a Fighting Sioux uniform. Unforunately returning from a gathering in his hometown late one night before his freshman season, he was killed in a car crash. What an awesome guy. It still makes me sad to this day to think about it...

George Pelawa was a NHL 1st Round Draft Choice of the Calgary Flames (16th overall) in the summer of 1986 and was entering his Freshman season at the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

STATE OF THE WCHA (By HeidiSioux)

Goon's world would like to welcome Guest Writer HeidiSioux.

I am becoming more concerned with the state of the WCHA with each passing weekend. Virg Foss (love him or hate him) from the Grand Forks Herald has had what I thought were two interesting articles in the last month. The first one was the following:
UPON FURTHER REVIEW, WCHA MUST GET REPLAY FIGURED OUT
Published on January 20, 2008, Grand Forks Herald (ND)
which basically says the league needs to get their act together (unfortunately it is an archived article and costs $2.95 to read it – however if you go to the front page, type in Virg Foss in the search it will allow you to read the first few paragraphs) and the one that was printed on Sunday, (Virg Foss Article), and again tells the WCHA to get their act together and adds additional items that the league should address.

Let’s start with the officiating situation. It is atrocious!!! The following is a list of refs off the top of my head who I think should have restrictions on the teams that they can ref (if they should be allowed to ref in the WCHA at all).

Randy Schmidt – He has been suspended for this year, but if he is reinstated next year he should never again be allowed to ref a Denver, St. Cloud or Wisconsin game as his perceived bias toward Denver (or maybe it is just his basic incompetence) has tainted any call that he might make in a game concerning these teams.
Todd Anderson should not be allowed to ref a Duluth game (grabbing a player by the jersey) or possibly Alaska-Anchorage game (some say controversial disallowed goal vs UND)

Don Adam - should not be allowed to ref a UND game EVER. This goes all the way back to the Mike Commodore days when he had an absolute hatred for the kid, continued through the “I just make this shit up as I go along”, to the horrendous non-call on Paukovich when he broke Robbie Bina’s neck and finally topping it off with the brutally bad game he called on Sat night in the Sioux vs the Gophers game, where, by allowing “junk” to continually happen and build up, it almost resulted in a melee during handshakes.

Jon Campion -should not be allowed to ref a Minnesota game. His stats continually give conspiracy theorists an amazing amount of ammo to say that he is on the Gopher payroll.

With just these 4, the league is severely limited as to who can ref which game and it would become an incredible juggling act. I am sure there are other people that could add additional refs to the list.

After the officiating (which I could go on about for days), my next gripe is about Bruce McLeod and Greg Shepherd personally. They have in my opinion, gotten to the point where they care more about maintaining the status quo and just coasting along, not paying attention to what is happening in this league, rather than in moving the league forward and improving it. Their actions sometime seem to indicate that they don’t have any integrity personally and appear not to care about the integrity of what I and many others feel is the best college hockey league in the country When the Randy Schmidt debacles (yes that is plural) were going down they were nowhere to be found. There wasn’t a single reporter or interested party that could get a hold of either one of them. Seems strange to me in this era of instant communication via cell phone and internet. Their response when they finally did respond was “OOOPS, SORRRRRY”. Completely unacceptable. They were however “available” and more than willing to make comments and issue statements when a coach has behaved inappropriately. I get very frustrated and have a hard time with this double standard.

There is absolutely no accountability for anyone (McLeod, Sheppard and the refs), and because of that, the situation has gotten to the point where there is such a lack of respect for any official or any call that’s made that the first reaction by pretty much all fan bases to any call that is unpopular is “the official is out to get us”. I realize that in the scheme of things, whining about hockey individuals is pretty minute, but they are paid to do a job and if they are not doing that job, they should be held responsible just like any other person.

As much as the situation with McLeod and Sheppard frustrates me, it frustrates me just as much that nothing seems to get done about it. I have a hard time believing that the coaches in this league are OK with the status quo. If they are OK with it, shame on them, if they are not, where is the uproar? I certainly hope that the meetings this summer will bring some fireworks and some well deserved pink slips starting at the top.