Ole, Ole, Ole... Mavericks shut out Gophers 1-0.

Media Credit:Raymond Starin
I had the opportunity to watch the 2nd overtime of the game between the Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota State University Makato Mavericks. It was your typical overtime game, one team seemed to be getting the better of the chances than the other team, then the goalie makes a huge save for the team that is on the ropes. Then the oppostion skates down the ice and scores the winning goal, however, most times you don't see the oppostion score short handed. I have to admit that I cracked a huge smile after I saw that goal, let just say that it couldn't have happen to a nicer team. Now all we need is for Coach Jutting to say how do you like me now?

This is a message that I recieved from the Hockey_L and it sums up the game pretty well from what I have been told.

In an exciting but poorly officiated game, Minn State (Mankato) defeated U. Minn with a short-handed goal by Trevor Bress (Bruess?) at 17:53 of the second OT.

Both goalies played outstanding, both teams skated hard and all officials swallowed whistles. There were 4 penalties called against the Mavericks in the first period, two against the Gophers in the second period, and then no others until the one the game ended with. Many penalties were committed, of course, by both teams. It was brutal on the ice. I don't think they would have called a minor for a boarding that killed somebody. It has always been and remains my pet peeve that you have to call penalties even if it is OT. In this case, it was too many men on the ice, and it was picky as hell. There is no way the extra player, scrambling to get to the bench, affected play in any way, yet they chose to call that. Then justice struck! The Mavs got a 2 on 1 break, made a nice pass for an easy shot right at the crease and won.

Tom Rowe
Go Badgers!

Chris Simon's first fight as a Wild player.

Last night Wild tough guy Chris Simon had his first fight wearing a Wild jersey and he worked New Jersey tough guy David Clarkson like a clown. Look for Simon to do more fighting and playing the physical game.

Team wants Simon to be his true self
MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
After missing two games because of the flu and one as a healthy scratch, Chris Simon was back in the Wild lineup in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to New Jersey.

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire asked for a much more physical Simon, which is interesting because physicality has never been an issue during Simon's 15-year NHL career.

But Lemaire sensed tentativeness from Simon, perhaps because he was worried "the eyes are on him" because of the infamy he's gained from slashing the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg in the face and stepping on the leg of Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu.

"All the press -- TV's on him, league's on him, referee's on him," said Lemaire, referring to the fact that Simon is coming off recent 25- and 30-game suspensions. "It's not an easy situation for him."

Simon was acquired to be a physical presence, but he's trying to find a balance.

"He tries to be a good man, but he's got to do his job. See what I mean?" Lemaire said. "He's got to do his job, playing hard, playing tough, but the eyes are on him."

Simon, 36, tried to respond Thursday. He had one big hit on Sheldon Brookbank and fought David Clarkson, although he played only 5 1/2 minutes. "In the beginning, you feel like you have to be careful," he said. "But I feel more comfortable out there with the system and how I'm supposed to play. I just have to play my game and just trust that I'll get a fair shake.

(Read the rest of the story here)

Open letter to the WCHA coaches (By HeidiSioux62)

Open letter to WCHA Coaches

This is an open letter to the WCHA coaches regarding what I feel is a growing problem in the WCHA – a lack of quality officiating. I have sent this letter to all of the WCHA coaches. I have no illusions that my little letter will change anything, but it will be interesting to see if I get any responses and if so, what those responses are.

Dear WCHA Coaches,
I am writing to you as a life long fan of college hockey and in particular WCHA hockey. Tom Kurvers, the player personnel director for the Phoenix Coyotes was quoted in the (Minneapolis Star Tribune) as saying "The best league in this country is the NHL, obviously, but do you know what's the second-best league?" Kurvers said. "It's the WCHA. In the same article he is quote as saying “The WCHA is the second-greatest place to play hockey in the United States."

I truly believe this, however, I am becoming concerned with the direction that officiating in the league is going. There have been several games this season that have been decided by the officials and not the players, most notably the 2 incorrect calls regarding goals that resulted in apologies being issued by the league. There have also been games decided by numerous “not-calls”. I have watched as extremely skilled layers form all teams (Ryan Lasch, Chad Rau, Andreas Nodl, T.J. Oshie, Garrett Roe, Ryan Duncan, Tyler Bozak, Blake Wheeler, Peter Rouleau and Kyle Turris to name just a few) have egregious penalties committed against them with officials directly watching and often commenting and no call is made. This is extremely unfair to these kids who work so very hard and play their hearts out every game.

The WCHA has consistently been able to recruit the best talent that chooses to attend college and play hockey. Academics of course should be the first priority, but realistically many of these young men have aspirations to be professional players and choose a program based on how it may be able to facilitate them in reaching their goal. I believe that as a whole the coaches in this league work very hard to assist their players in achieving whatever goal a player may have. I also believe that this hard work is being undermined by the lack of high quality officiating.

I would respectfully encourage each of you to speak with your former skill players now playing professional hockey and ask them their impressions of the officiating in their professional league as compared to the WCHA. I would then encourage you to bring this feedback to the attention of Commissioner McLeod and director of officials, Greg Shepherd at your summer league meetings.
The WCHA is, in my opinion, the best hockey in the world. The coaches, fans and most importantly, the young men who give everything they have game in and game out, deserve to be able to play to the best of their ability by having the rules set out in the (NCAA rule book) enforced.

Comments on the INCH/ESPN chat

Back for a second week, this weeks installment of the what silly things did the boys from INCH say.

Donovan (Fargo): Jess, Could you talk a bit about the state of officiating in the WCHA. When will the coaches and the league discuss calling the interference, hooking, and holding similar to the NHL? It is happening so much now it blatantly looks like the league wants this to continue in order to create a parity solely to improve everyone's SOS and national standing. Thoughts?

Jess Myers: Those topics will certainly be discussed in late April when the coaches and league officials meet in Florida for their annual postseason gathering. A month ago, WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod told me there's growing concern about the officials in terms of the way they're being treated by fans, players, and coaches in the league. Now, yelling at the refs and bad calls have been a part of the game for as long as it has been played on ice, so apparently league officials see something new and disturbing that's worth looking into. As for the way the game is being called, they're still searching for that happy medium between letting everything go and having someone in the penalty box at all times. Still, compare the college game to the ugliness on ice that the NHL (especially in the Western Conference) is so often and I like what I'm seeing in the WCHA.

Sorry if the league officials and the commish aren't feeling the love, they shouldnt because they flat out suck, frankly the refs brought this firestorm on yourselves. Incompetence in the name of the status quo is no longer acceptable and shouldn't have to tolerated by the fans. Think about this; we are paying way too much money for hockey tickets to put up with this crap on a week to week basis. Seems as if the other leagues aren't having these many problems. Look at it from Mike Eaves' point of view; shoddy officating in two game probably cost the Badgers home ice and an NCAA tourney bid.

If the WCHA officials called the game the way it is supposed to be called there wouldn't be this be this much disdain for the officials in this league. I do not feel sorry for them or do I feel any empathy for them. The WCHA needs to drain the swamp and start over, the league office needs an over hall. The criticism directed towards the officials is warranted and should be expected.

More whining about the PairWise:

Chris (Detroit, MI): The pairwise system confuses many of us. Dumb down the scenarios for us a bit...what are a couple of teams that must have excellent conference tournaments to sneak into the tournament?

Mike Eidelbes: The system is confusing to many of us. I think it's the whole strength-of-schedule thing, because it seems odd that a 22-win Notre Dame team is below a 13-win UMD club. The Irish, obviously, needs to play well and get some help -- and even getting to the CCHA championship game, plus flameouts by Wisconsin and Boston University, still might not be enough. I think Harvard is a team to keep an eye on, too, if they can sweep Quinnipiac this weekend and end up playing (and beating) Princeton in the ECAC Hockey semis.

If Notre Dame doesn't win this weekend they don't deserve to be in the NCAA playoffs and their is a good chance they lose to Ferris State. Frankly; based on who Notre Dame has lost to in the second half of the season (Massachusetts Northern Michigan, Ohio State, Ferris State) the Irish are going to be hard pressed to make the tourney.

Finally Jess Meyers will get a little love from Goon's World after this comment. I suppose now he just gave us the kiss of death. Sioux hockey players take note we do not want you to have to play on Sunday night so lets get the job done on Saturday night. So we can be kicking back on Sunday watching the Mavericks putting the finishing touches on the Gophers.

Ryan (Minneapolis): Who makes it to St. Paul next weekend and who comes out of St. Paul with the WCHA tourney title?

Jess Myers: Ah, the annual "make the so-called experts look like fools" exercise. OK, here goes: I'll pick four of the five home teams to win this weekend -- CC, NoDak, Minnesota State, and SCSU. I see the NoDak and Minnesota State series wins taking three games. I'll pick a UMD upset of Denver in three games for the reasons I detailed earlier -- namely the Bulldogs' solid defense and goaltending versus the Pioneers undermanned offense. Don't forget UMD taking SCSU to three games (and multiple overtimes in game three) last year. The Bulldogs are a tough out come playoff time, but with two great goalies facing each other (Stalock versus Mannino) don't expect to see many goals. As for the Final Five, if North Dakota is healthy I see the Fighting Sioux erasing the demons of last season, and beating CC for the playoff title. And to secure a NCAA tourney invite, SCSU will beat Minnesota State in the third place game, before an audience of hundreds.

Linkorama

Check out RWD's letter that she wrote to Chris Simon on Wild Puck Banter. I think this is how a lot of Wild Fans feel.

Here is Chris Simon's letter to Wild Fans I am all about forgiveness and giving people a second chance but the next time this guy does something stupid it could be the end of his career. This guys has over the course of a career spent 30 hours in the penalty box.

By Chris Simon
As Told to Chris Snow

I want to leave the game as a respected player. I think I am that, to coaches who coached me, and managers who managed me, and players who played with me. But I know that's going to take time to build back with the fans. And I know now, this is it. Anything else happens, I’m done. I know that.

I have played almost 800 games in 16 seasons. I have played in three Stanley Cup Finals, winning one, in Colorado. I have scored goals, 144 of them. One year I scored 29. And I've piled up a lot of penalty minutes, more than 1,800. I have been suspended eight times. The last two were long; 25 games for putting a stick to the face of a Rangers player, Ryan Hollweg. And 30 games this year for stepping on the skate of a Penguins player, Jarkko Ruutu. I am 36, with a wife and four children (ages 13, 6, 5 and 3).

And I keep playing. I want to keep playing, not only for the rest of this season but beyond. Someone asked me yesterday: Why keep playing?

I think it's because I love hockey. I love the friendships. I love the idea of having teammates. I love going to the rink. I love the competitive nature, and how hockey is about the team. Even if a guy plays 5-6 minutes, you need him. You're important no matter how much you play. And you need to give your best for the team to be successful.

That's why I was really happy to be traded to the Wild. It put a big smile on my face to hear that somebody that’s looking to challenge for the Stanley Cup would want me. I had always heard great things about the organization. I follow all of the teams and their style of play. I saw this team and its approach: skill players, but also, big physical players.

And, when I met with Jacques, it was a great thing, the way he explained my role. We had a meeting, and he said: "You're a hockey player first. You've scored goals in the past. I want you to play smart, physical. None of the other bull that has nothing to do with the game. If someone wants you to fight, you fight. You stand up for your teammates. No yapping."

That’s what in the past got me into trouble, the antagonizing, the verbalizing.

Once, during a game, I called Mike Grier a word I should never have used. I crossed the line. As soon as I said it, I knew I made a big mistake. Of anything I've ever done, that's the one that will stay with me always, the one that bothers me. It still does.

I apologized. He accepted my apology. And later, we were teammates in Washington. But, it's something that doesn't leave me.

I have heard those kinds of words in my own life. My Dad is Native Canadian, 100% Ojibwe. My Mom is Anglo Canadian.

Teams I have played for have wanted to give publicity to the good things I do. But I didn't want to. I know I've done good things in my lifetime. That helps me get through the adversity. If I was a bad person and didn't respect myself, I would have retired and run away.

The one thing I will talk about is the Native hockey schools. I do a lot of them. I go to places a lot of people won't go, remote reservations in northern Ontario and Quebec where there are only two ways in: fly, or take a winter road. You have to drive on the ice. In the summertime, you can't get in.

When I was suspended this year I went to visit children at a young offenders prison in Winnipeg. I think 80 percent of the kids in there are Native. I spoke to two groups, boys and girls. I told them my life story. I told them, sometimes you need to get help. I told them how Ted Nolan, my coach in junior, helped me when I had trouble with alcohol in junior hockey.

It was hard to leave those kids. When I was leaving, I got interviewed, and it was a funny thing. The writer wanted to know how much we talked about hockey. I don’t think we spent two minutes on hockey. It was about life. The kids were really good. I was really impressed with how interested they were and the questions they asked.

Some questions people ask me, it's hard to explain. Like: Why did I do what I did to get those suspensions?

Before I hit Hollweg with that stick he ran me into the glass. In that instant I didn't even know who hit me. I knew I'd gotten hit hard, and, instinctually, I knew if I got hit hard again, I was going to get knocked out. I just knew I couldn't get hit again. And I used my stick. That was my mistake. And it was a big mistake.

The day I stepped on Ruutu's skate, I knew exactly what I was doing. Since I was young, I never liked to see anybody picked on. I never liked to see that. I wanted to protect people I cared for. I have to stand up for my teammates against players like him. But I did it the wrong way. Next time, I will do it differently. Or, there won't be another next time for me.

I just hope for a fair chance to prove to you that I can play hard within the rules and stand up for my teammates and myself. I do know I have to play a physical game, but within the rules.

I would like to keep going in this game. I want a last chance. To prove I can play within the rules of the game. To prove that I’ve done a lot of good things in my life, opposed to a few bad things. I want to be respected. But I have to earn respect. That’s what I’m prepared to do.

Here is another article that I thought was pretty good, it is actually how I feel about the WCHA and the current state of the game, I am not sure if it could get any lower. The officials will not call the hooking, holding, slashing and obstruction, it is almost like thuggery is being rewarded. It has become unwatchable. While I don't believe that the NHL is quite as bad, hockey at a higher level is going to have to make some changes to the game or they risk losing a lot of fans.

By JIM SOUHAN, Star Tribune


Item: Even in a down year for the Gophers, the WCHA frequently offers high-scoring games in which both teams create constant chances.

Item: Wild prospect Benoit Pouliot gets his teeth knocked to the back of his throat by a minor league thug, who picks him up by the neck and smashes his face in the ice while an official does nothing.

Item: The Wild trades for Chris Simon, giving the team three tough guys -- Simon, Todd Fedoruk and Derek Boogaard -- who contribute little to the scoring column (or any column) even when healthy.

Item: The Wild, despite spending much of its payroll on skilled players, can't score more than your average soccer team.

The conclusion: The higher the level of hockey, the worse the quality of play, and the more thuggery and defensive systems are rewarded.
(Red the whole article here)

Sean Avery is all class.

Here is the latest antics by Sean Avery, talking about throwing a temper tantrum, literally.

One of the flying water bottles that was tossed by Avery ended up hitting a wall and splashing a young fan. Apparently the kids father was less than please with Sean. I guess we can't have Avery as a role model for young children.

Lou Nanne suggesting that verbals mean nothing.

Tonight (3-12-2008)on Dan Barreiro’s radio show (KFAN 1130) Lou Nanne was a guest on Barreiro's show and Nanne recieved a call from a Gophers fan that asked Lou if Don Lucia's job was safe at Minnesota? Lou told the fan that Lucia was safe and then went off on a tanget about how Lucia shouldn't have to honor verbal commitments:

LOU NANNE-- I don’t feel that the university should have to cater to other Universities in football and basketball and in every other sport they will try to steal your players up to the last minute. Look how many players we had taken from us (Minnesota) right up to the dead line. A couple years ago three football players went to Wisconsin on the say of signing that were supposed to come here because that an assistant coach left. Well we have this situation in Minnesota where these kids are making their commitments early in the 10th grade and after a while some of them have a change of heart and if I was Lucia I would go over and recruit them. There is nothing that stops him from doing it except you know that these coaches not just Don but all the coaches in college hockey they sort of say well ok he is committed there I am not going to step on their toes, this is your livelihood this your job.

Fast forward to tonight; Fighting Sioux coaches show on 1440 am. Naturally Tim Hennesey had heard the broad cast on KFAN and asked Dave Hakstol about Lou Nanne's inflammatory comments. As usual Hakstol basically brushed it off and said that the coaches don't want to take the gloves off and he likes the way their is a gentleman’s agreement going on right now in college hockey. Hakstol also said that the Sioux have had players change their mind and decide to go to UND after making a verbal agreement to another team but they did not actively recruit these kids and these players did it on their own.

Personally I am not shocked by Nanne's comments as he is a blatant Gopher homer but honestly someone needs to remind Lou Nanne that the Gophers hockey doesn't want to get into that game. It is silly to assume that the Gophers are just going to start stealing top recruits from other teams because I am pretty sure that UND could get a few of the Gophers players to change their mind as well as some of the other programs around the league.

The early exits have started already. Ben Bishop of Maine gone.

Ben Bishop aka Big Ben from Maine is the first early exit to sign a professional contract that played out entire season with his college team. This is the toughest time of the year for college hockey fans. As their favorite teams season end; college hockey fan now shift their focus to their top players as they contemplate signing a professional contract. The silly season has now begun.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today that the team has signed goaltender Ben Bishop. Bishop will join the Peoria Rivermen for the remainder of the season.

The 6-7, 210-pound netminder just completed his junior season at The University of Maine, recording a 13-18-3 record along with a 2.43 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He was named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week three times this season, while being named Hockey East Goalie of the Month for the month of October.

He led the Black Bears to the Frozen Four last season, compiling a 21-9-2 record along with a 2.14 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.

Bishop registered a 55-34-7 career record at Maine ranking third all-time in games played (99), second in saves (2,399), fifth in wins (55) and fourth with a 2.29 goals against average.

He was originally St. Louis’ third round selection, 85th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Bishop spent three years at Chaminade High School in St. Louis before joining the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League following his junior year.

You have to love Anonymous comments.

I found something that I have to make a comment on from over on Western College Hockey that I think needs to be addressed. It is nothing that Chris said himself but from an anonymous skippy. Got to love people that hide behind anonymous tags. I think to call Brad a blatant homer is a disservice. Seriously, all you have to do is look at the stats below to see what I am talking about. UND was the 2nd ranked team in the WCHA in goals and 1st nationally overall. Also the Fighting Sioux are ranked 6th nationally on the penatly kill. That sounds like a pretty good team defensively.

Anonymous said:
Brad, word of advice: take of the f*#kin Sioux glasses. Your teams are a jokes. Interesting that 4 out of the 6 defenseman slots are from the Sioux. At least run a credible blog.

Points per game by defenseman Nationally:

1 Jack Hillen Colorado College SR D 36 6-27-33 0.92
8 Chay Genoway North Dakota SO D 30 6-16-22 0.73
17 Robbie Bina North Dakota SR D 35 2-21-23 0.66
19 Jamie McBain (CAR) Wisconsin SO D 31 3-17-20 0.65

Defenseman Scoring Conference:
1 Jack Hillen Colorado College SR D 28 0.82 4-19-23
2 Chay Genoway North Dakota SO D 23 0.78 5-13-18
3 Robbie Bina North Dakota SR D 28 0.61 1-16-17
4 Jamie McBain Wisconsin SO D 25 0.64 2-14-16
Taylor Chorney North Dakota JR D 28 0.57 2-14-16
6 Joe Finley North Dakota JR D 28 0.50 4-10-14

This Week in the WCHA Play-off Series (Sioux 7)

This past weekend wrapped up the regular season of play in the W. In reguards the the two ties between UND and SCSU, all I can say is "UW is wishing they would have counted that goal at DU, so they would have home ice, what a difference ONE point makes." UMD and UM both found some offense this past weekend as they split a pair in Minneapolis. CC looked to be helping DU with their, now almost standard, second half collapse. MSUM might have let up off the gas pedal and coasting on Saturday as they split with Jeckle & Hyde MTU Huskies.

Now lets look at this weekends WCHA 1st Round Playoff games.

#10. University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves at #1. Colorado College Tigers

The Seawolves find themselves in a common situation, playing the top seed on the road to start the playoffs. UAA has last week off to rest and no doubt were preparing for this series against CC. The group from "up north" should not be taken to lightly, as remember last year they took a game from the Gophers in the first round in Minneapolis. CC has been rolling along pretty good, they swept their arch-rival DU last weekend. In the process, the Tigers retained their Gold Pan, and add the MacNaughton Cup to boot. The question will be "Are they ready for UAA or have they been looking at their reflections on those shiny trophies?"
THEE CALL - UAA wins Friday, which scares the $#@& out of CC, but they bounce back to win Saturday and Sunday. CC punches their ticket to the Final Five.


#9. Michigan Technological University Huskies at #2. University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux

Both teams are coming off 2 point weekends. MTU has been going the wrong direction this second half, and other than the CC series, have not been all the impressive. UND had avoided the injury bug for most of the season, now it has hit them. Chay Genoway (Soph. Def), Evan Trupp (Fres. Fwd), and TJ Oshie (Jr. Fwd), I don't know if they will all be back this weekend or a couple of them... The Sioux do have some depth at forward, so they should be able to put up some goals this weekend. MTU's goalies have been playing good this second half, but where playing better in the first half of the season. The Huskies will do some barking and growling this weekend, since they have a slim, slim chance of making the NCAA tourney.
THEE CALL - SIOUX SWEEP, and the Huskies go back to Houghton with their tails between their legs.


#8. University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at #3. University of Denver Pioneers

Have the Bulldogs found their offense? If they can score 3 goals they can win, if they don't they don't seem to win. Can the Pioneers stop their slide? DU has a 6-9-1 record since January 1, and have not beat anyone in the top half of the WCHA. Could this be a repeat of their 2005 playoff series? UMD is also one of the bubble NCAA teams and DU is still in the NCAA, but if they keep losing, they might be watching the F4 from the stands.
THEE CALL - Dog Days of Summer, UMD wins in 3.


#7. University of Minnesota Golden Gophers at #4. Minnesota State Univeristy Mankato Maveriks

The Mavericks have been one of the stronger teams the second half of the season, having a 9-4-0 record in the last 13 games. The Gophers have a 6-5-7 record since January 1, with 2 of those wins against Wayne State (CHA). The Mavericks have been getting scoring from a variety of players as of late, and the Gophers are just looking to get any sort of score. With the anemic offense of the Gophers, they will not go very far into the playoffs. The goaltending and defense will have to continue to play well, if the Mavericks wish to make a run in the playoffs.
THEE CALL - MSUM sweeps


#6. University of Wisconsin Badgers at #5. Saint Cloud State University Huskies


These teams just meet two weeks ago, which ended in a split between them. The Badgers need to win this series to keep their hopes alive of playing in Madison in the NCAA tourney. SCSU needs to win, to helps secure their spot in the NCAA tourney, and to keep the Badgers out. There was a little pushing and shoving in the last series between these two teams, and who knows, we might see some of that this weekend as well. These teams are both sporting very similiar records SCSU is 17-14-5(12-12-4 WCHA) and UW is 15-14-7 (11-12-5 WCHA).
THEE CALL - SCSU in 3

Why Not T.J. Oshie for POY?

Brad Elliott Schlossman is taking a little heat for his selection of T.J. Oshie for player of the year in the WCHA. To call Brad biased or a homer is silly, Brad is paid to cover hockey for the Grand Forks Herald which is stationed in Grand Forks, ND. For the people that are geographically challenged that is also home to the Fighting Sioux.

This is Brad's answer: I went with Oshie because I believe he's the best player in the league. He's physical, he's a menace forechecking, he's extremely skilled and he does a ton for the team. He's also got good numbers to go with it.

And explain which Sioux players you don't believe to be deserving on the first or second team.

Posted by: Schlossman on Monday, March 10 1:16 PM

I like what Brad says here. it is a good question; why not pick T.J. Oshie for player of the year in the WCHA? T.J. Oshie brings it every night. I have watched him play for three seasons and T.J. Oshie is a special player that I have never seen take a shit off. First down the ice with the puck, first back in the defensive zone to back check. While Oshie is a a great offensive player, what makes him special is his ability to play in both ends of the rink, because of that fact I would take Oshie over Ryan Lasch any day.

In my humble opinion T.J. is a complete player that happens to be the hammer more than he is the nail. T.J. Oshies doesn't skate around the opposition he tries to go through the opposing players.

Sioux fans enjoy him while we can because he will be playing in the NHL very soon. I can't wait to see him in the NHL where there isn't as much hooking and holding.

All the more reason for a shoot out.

Ankur Dholakia--APChris from Western College Hockey had this posted up and it is worth a read Lots of Free Hockey

Make that lots of free hockey without a winner. Here is a perfect story backing up my theory on why hockey should add the shootout on all levels, if after numerous overtimes move on to a shootout. If the shootout is good enough for the NHL it is good enough for the amateur ranks as well. Championship are made to determine who is the champion of that league, conference or state.

8 OTs fail to decide hockey final

Co-champs declared in Michigan's longest prep hockey game

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


PLYMOUTH -- When Tim Hooker scored the tying goal late in the third period of the Division I state high school championship game, little did the Orchard Lake St. Mary's forward realize he was setting the stage for the longest prep hockey game in Michigan history.

Hooker's goal with 1:32 left in regulation Saturday night at Compuware Sports Arena tied the score 1-1 in the title game against Marquette. After three 15-minute periods, the game remained tied, sending it into sudden death overtime.

Each overtime period was eight minutes long. But after eight overtime periods and still a 1-1 tie, Michigan High School Athletic Association officials opted to call the game and declare St. Mary's and Marquette co-state champions. The game ended 4 hours, 15 minutes after it started.

"We were so tired that we were feeling like ordering out some pizzas or something like that," Hooker joked. "We knew how the other team felt. Whoever wanted it more would win. I guess we both wanted it so much."

It was only the fifth overtime state finals game since the MHSAA started hockey state playoffs in 1975. Three of the previous games were in single overtime and only one went into double overtime.

When the game ended after 45 minutes of regulation and eight 8-minute overtimes for 1:49, MHSAA officials reported that it was the longest hockey contest in state history surpassing a recent Sault Ste. Marie-Petoskey game in regional action that lasted 1:32:34, with Sault Ste. Marie winning 2-1.

The MHSAA also said available records indicate that it could be considered the second longest game in national high school hockey history, trailing only an 11-overtime game in 1955 that Minneapolis South won over Thief River Falls, Minn., 3-2.

"I thought it was the best high school hockey game I've seen in my entire life," said Marquette coach Joe Papin, who said he had "mixed feelings" about the MHSAA's decision to stop the game. "But I understand the state's decision in not wanting to see anyone get hurt."

Orchard Lake St. Mary's had defeated Marquette 4-2 in last season's title game. St. Mary's ended the game with a 15-12-3 record while Marquette was 20-5-4. Those records, as posted by MHSAA, included Saturday's game as a tie, although Papin said he considers his team to have had a 21-win season.

"My first instinct would have been to play it out," said St. Mary's coach Brian Klanow. "But the decision was made and it wasn't up for debate. I look at it as a moment in hockey history that my kids and Marquette's kids were a part of."

Marquette, whose lone goal came in the second period from Mike Peterson had a 59-34 shots advantage. Ryan Morley-Stockton had 58 saves for St. Mary's while Jon Nezich had 33 for Marquette.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's was also a part of the longest football game in Michigan state finals history last November losing 46-39 in five overtimes to East Grand Rapids in the Division 3 title game at Ford Field.

Forward Shane Halass was on the football team.

"I rather it go into a shoot-out, but in the end, it's all good," Halaas told the Detroit Free Press. "It's better than if we lost. Everyone goes out a winner. It was different, but we're champions and we get rings."

Marquette had knocked Traverse City West out of the tournament with a 6-2 win in the regional finals at Sault Ste. Marie.

Traverse City Central lost to Division 2 runner-up Midland in the regional finals at Alpena 5-4. That game went four overtimes.

WCHA Tourney Time

Herald photo by John Stennes
The match-ups have been finalized and all we have left to do is play the games. I am also happy that we won't have to listen to the other leagues fans complaining about how many WCHA teams are in the mix for a NCAA tourney bid. The Fratricide begins this weekend. I predict when it is all said and done there will be 5 WCHA teams in the NCAA tourney.

#1 CC sweeps #10 UAA

This series will be over on Saturday night.
Tigers roll winning two games 6-0 and 5-2.

#2 UND vs #9 MTU

It will be interesting to see which Huskies come to Grand Forks to play the Sioux this weekend. At the beginning of the season the Huskies were picked by some to finish third in the league, so I would have to say that the Huskies play this season has been a disappointment. Prediction: Sioux in two games.

#3 DU vs #8 DU and

UMD and DU have a history, UMD ended DU's season in the 2006 WCHA playoffs. I could see the Bull Dogs ending the Pioneers WCHA playoffs once again this year. Prediction: Dog in three.

#4 MSUM vs #7 UM

The Gopher fans are already licking their lips about the prospects of playing the Mavericks; but they shouldn't be. This is not the same Mavericks team that the Golden Goofs beat earlier in the season. Prediction: Mavericks win series in three games. Gophers coach Don Lucia appeals to the league office to get the Friday night game at the WCHA Final Five anyways, saying it isn't fair that they can't play in the Final Five. Lets Go Mavs blogger faints in the arena in Makato and has to be rushed to the hospital.

#5 SCSU vs #6 UW

SCSU will end the BADgers season in three games. SCSU is playing pretty good right now and the BADgers don't have an answer for the Huskies offense. Prediction: Garrett Roe has a conniption but the Huskies still win the series in three games.

You heard it here first folks the final five is held this season without the BADgers or the Gophers; and they will still hold the game(s) regardless of whether the two big ten teams are there or not.

Are you kidding me? Parise and Boyle

Here is a video of Zach Parise's first fight ever in the NHL. I think that Parise did a pretty good job in his first NHL fight but I a sure most of us would probably tell Zach to stick to his day job of scoring goals and being a play-maker. Leave the fighting to the David Clarkson's of the world.

According to Hockeyfights.com this was Zach's first professional fight. In fact Parise had not been in a fight since his days at SSM.

The Poll Results: Where the Gopher will finish?

Position the Gopher's finish in the WCHA standings?

A.) 4th 10 (2%)
B.) 5th 23 (5%)
C.) 6th 71 (17%)
D.) 7th 176 (44%)
E.) 8th 60 (15%)
F.) 9th 56 (14%)

Gophers finish the regular season in 7th place.
Final Standings

1.) C.C. 43
2.) UND 39
3.) DU 33
4.) MSU-M 28
5.) SCSU 28
6.) Wisconsin 27
7.) Minnesota 25
8.) UMD 23
9.) MTU 22
10.) UAA 12

Wisconsin and Minnesota on the road for their WCHA first round series.

Another sister kissing: UND 2 SCSU 2

The Sioux are going to have to play better than this if they are going to win an NCAA title. UND keeps the streak alive as they have gone 17 games without a loss. Referee Todd Anderson had another horrible night as he let a lot of stuff go on both sides of the ice. Time for the league to look into the state of officals in the off season.

Goals Scoring/Penalties Time

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1st Period (20:00)
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NDK-1 Matt Frattin (2-Tripping) STC 0x1 4:30
STC-1 Tony Mosey (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 1x1 8:05
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Brad Miller (4) (Ryan Martens, Joe Finley) 8:23
NDK: 14,2,8,25,10,G1 STC: 26,13,24,4,G33
STC-2 Aaron Marvin (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 1x2 8:50

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2nd Period (20:00)
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STC 1 - 1 6x6 Brent Borgen (3) (Aaron Brocklehurst, Ryan Peckskamp) 4:23
NDK (-): 4,28,29,17,20,G1
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Matt Watkins (8) (Derrick LaPoint, Joe Finley) 18:52
NDK (+): 20,3,2,29,17,G1 STC (-): 19,27,4,7,13,G33

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3rd Period (20:00)
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NDK-2 Andrew Kozek (2-Hooking) STC 1x2 16:11
STC 2 - 2 6x5 PP GT Ryan Lasch (23) (Aaron Brocklehurst, Andreas Nodl) 17:21
STC: 19,21,12,26,13,G33 NDK: 2,4,29,20,G1

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Overtime (5:00)
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Another sister kissing: UND 1 SCSU 1

When the season is over I hope the league coaches let the officials in this league have it because the league officials are doing a piss poor job and they are going to receive a grade of "F" for their effort from the fans in this league. If I hear or read one more comment by Bruce McCloud that the league officials are doing a good job I am going to snap. I just want to come through my television and flick him in the head. I've have had it with this crap.

The product on the ice that the WCHA has become so horrible, substandard and God awful to watch, this is not hockey. Garrett Roe and T.J. Oshie can not show case their talent in this league if they are being held up and down the ice. Honestly, you wouldn't ref this poorly the Bemidji men's league and get away with it. You would never be allowed to ref another hockey game.

I will take the NHL any day over this crap any day. Fans don't pay good money to watch a bunch of clutching, grabbing, hacking, tackling, slashing. Top this off with unbelievable defensive efforts and you have a recipe for boredom. Tackling a guy that takes away a scoring opportunity is a penalty in any league's rule book; whether it takes place in the first period in over-time. Tackling is not allowed in any league in hockey, however, it is encouraged in football.

Note to Todd Anderson; get off your knees put the whistle to your lips, put your arm in the air and blow your whistle, then skate to the penalty circle and make the call.

The days of race horse hockey in this league is no more. The product on the ice has become unwatchable and horrid. Please call the penalties on both sides on the ice as they happen. Power plays and Penalty killing are part of the game. If the hand comes off the stick to hold up the player it is a penatly. Call the game the way it is supposed to call and let the league show case the offensive stars that it has.

Redwing77 sums it up pretty well:

Anderson did a poor job of officiating, but it is NOT because of the missed call in OT. Everyone knows that anything but CFBs go non-called in OT. He let a TON of stuff go. The Sioux got away with a lot and so did the Huskies.

Box Score

1st Period (20:00)
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
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NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Slashing) STC 1x1 16:02
STC 1 - 0 6x5 PP John Swanson (6) (Ryan Lasch, Garrett Roe) 16:43
STC: 26,19,9,7,12,G33 NDK: 2,28,16,7,G1
STC-1 Chris Anderson (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 19:21

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

NDK 1 - 1 6x6 GT Rylan Kaip (7) (Matt Watkins, Chris VandeVelde) 1:55
NDK (+): 17,11,20,2,3,G1 STC (-): 10,9,12,7,24,G33
NDK-2 Joe Finley (2-Interference) STC 1x2 6:52

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Overtime (5:00)
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Voros hits Staal from behind.

Minnesota Wild forward Aaron Voros hits Hurricanes star Eric Staal in what is obvious a questionable hit from behind. There is no doubt about this hit its definately a checking from behind hit. I am sure that Voros knows it was a bush league check as well.

The thing that puzzled me the most was after Staal was through drawing the five minute major; which was the proper call in this situatioin was back out on the ice for the power play.

Linkorama SCSU series.

Check out what SCSU Huskie beat writer Kevin Allenspach had to say about this weekend's series between the Fighting Sioux and the SCSU Huskies.

North Dakota has strung together five consecutive post-Christmas hot streaks, the last four of those coming under Dave Hakstol -- who doesn't know any other way to finish than to ramp up for the playoffs. The Sioux went 19-6-3 after the holiday in 2003-04, 12-8-3 in 2004-05, 17-9-0 in 2005-06, and 17-4-4 last season - each run ending at the Frozen Four. Since they're 15-2-1 since Christmas this season, what's the deal? I talked to Hakstol, who said he expects a "playoff-type intensity," and junior defenseman Taylor Chorney to find out.

"There's not a lot different now that we've been winning," downplayed Hakstol, whose team is 14-0-1 since its last meeting with St. Cloud State and has a chance to win at least a share of the MacNaughton Cup if first-place Colorado College drops one of its last two games against Denver this weekend. "We've had a consistent mentality all along where we've focused on the near future. The (winning) streak and a lot of that other stuff, that's all in the past. Offensively, we've been consistently in that 2-, 3-, 4-goal range all along. The real key is that we've been getting some different players to chip in at the right times."

A couple of those are likely out of action this weekend against the Huskies at Engelstad Arena. Freshman forward Evan Trupp, who has eight goals and 13 points, suffered a broken leg Saturday at Duluth. Sophomore defenseman Chay Genoway left the DECC with his arm in a sling, courtesy of a hit from behind by Michael Gergen on Sunday, and is doubtful. Genoway entered last weekend as the top WCHA defenseman in points per game.

But sophomore forward Chris VandeVelde always seems to light up SCSU (he's got 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in six career games against the Huskies). And junior forward Andrew Kozek leads the Sioux with 15 goals -- many of them (Surprise!) coming since he was put on the top line with T.J. Oshie and Ryan Duncan. And J-P Lamoureux, one of four seniors who will be honored by the Sioux on Saturday, leads the WCHA in overall goals-against average (1.68).

The more things change the more they stay the same. I was wondering when this subject was going to come up? I think this article is just a nicer way of saying; UND is a bunch of Goons, UND is the most penalized team in the league. Everytime there is an incident UND is right in the middle of it. Check it out Taylor Chorney is interviewed about UND's Style of play.

Allenspach column: Us vs. them mentality serves the Sioux well

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — You can argue how much the controversy is warranted, but there's no question the North Dakota men's hockey team has thrived — despite or because of it.

The top-ranked Sioux enter the last series of the regular season 14-0-1 — best in the nation — since their last defeat. That came 3-2 on Jan. 4 at St. Cloud State, and also was the last time they played without leading scorer T.J. Oshie, arrested the weekend before for disorderly conduct.

After his one-game suspension, the Sioux stormed back to win the rematch 6-2 and Oshie contributed a goal and an assist.

Following a home sweep against Michigan Tech, UND captain Rylan Kaip fought Minnesota State-Mankato's Trevor Bruess in a 2-1 road win Jan. 18.

After a home sweep of Alaska Anchorage, Darcy Zajac fought Minnesota's Tony Lucia during a 1-1 tie Feb. 2 at Minnesota. That night, TV cameras captured Sioux coach Dave Hakstol making an obscene gesture at referee Don Adam. Hakstol apologized but was suspended two games, so he wasn't behind the bench Feb. 16 when Kyle Radke fought Denver's Brandon Vossberg in a 4-1 win.

"It's been a learning process," said Taylor Chorney, chuckling at the recollection of fellow junior defenseman Joe Finley slashing the Wisconsin mascot during a series last November at Madison. "Maybe we did some dumb things, but some of the times I don't think it was all our fault, either. We were in situations where we had to have our teammates' backs. We've learned to walk a fine line."

The Sioux have taken more penalty minutes than their opponent once in the last eight games, indicating they're ready to play whatever style necessary this weekend against the Huskies, who rank 56th of 59 Division I teams in PIM and fourth on the power play.

"St. Cloud's a team that looks for those opportunities, so we've got to be smart," said Chorney, a second-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, who is from Hastings and played at Shattuck-St. Mary's. "We'll kill aggressive penalties — like a charge or boarding — but we don't want to take any hooking or tripping (calls)."

It's unlikely the Sioux will throw down with the playoffs next week. But they will try to, as they like to say, run the Huskies through the Zamboni doors.

"I think we've put it in the backs of teams' minds that we're going to be physical," Chorney said. "Hockey's a tough sport. We've made a couple of bad decisions, but we're at our best when we're pushing the line.

"Maybe it's easier for us because we're up here in Grand Forks and you're not going to do a whole lot but go to the rink every day and focus on hockey. There's that sort of feeling where the only thing that matters is the other guys."

Sometimes it's calmest in the eye of the storm.

This week's stupid comment from INCH.

Here is is folks your stupid comment of the week courtesy of INCH. It would be interesting to know what he is basing this comment on?

matt: In your opinion, are the bubble teams like Notre dame better then those lower tear WCHA teams that have a really strong RPI. or do you think those bubble teams would be worse in the WCHA??

Mike Eidelbes: I don't pretend to be an expert on the permutations of the computer rankings, but I think the books get cooked a tad in the favor of the WCHA teams because of the strength of schedule stuff. Despite their recent struggles, Notre Dame is a darn good team. If the Fighting Irish were in the WCHA, I think they'd finish fourth or fifth -- certainly ahead of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Duluth and possibly ahead of Minnesota State and/or St. Cloud State.

Since 01/04/2008 the Irish have had an impressive run. So impressive the Irish are 5-7-4 losing to an impressive collection of CupCake Hockey association teams. The loses are against, Ferris State University, tOSU and Western Michigan University. That is not the path one takes in making the NCAA tourney.

KRACH and PairWise

The Rat takes a look at what the Brackets would look like for the Fighting Sioux like KRACH vs the PairWise Rankings. Keep in mind that there will not be 7-8 WCHA teams in the NCAA tourney when it is all said and done.

PairWise-Based Bracket(s)

Worcester
No. 1 North Dakota vs. No. 15 Bemidji State
No. 6 Denver vs. No. 9 Boston

CollegeColorado Springs
No. 4 Colorado College vs. No. 14 Minnesota Duluth
No. 5 Miami vs. No. 12 Minnesota

Madison
No. 3 New Hampshire vs. No. 13 Wisconsin
No. 8 Michigan State vs. No. 11 Minnesota State

Albany
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 16 Army
No. 7 Clarkson vs. No. 10 St. Cloud

KRACH-Based Bracket

Madison
No. 1 North Dakota vs. No. 16 Army
No. 8 St. Cloud vs. No. 10 Wisconsin

Worcester
No. 4 Miami vs. No. 13 Minnesota Duluth
No. 5 New Hampshire vs. No. 11 Minnesota

Colorado Springs
No. 3 Colorado College vs. No. 14 Clarkson
No. 5 Denver vs. No. 12 Boston College

Albany
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 15 Bemidji State
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 9 Minnesota State

Elliot on Clarkson, the No. 7 seed in the actual projected bracket, is No. 15 in the KRACH system, and only gets into the "bracket" based on being the ECAC Hockey frontrunner (cue "EZAC" comments from the peanut gallery out west).

You said it so we don't have to.

Goon's World's Interviews Win-Twins

Here was the Question I posed for Heather from Win-Twins the Blogger for SCSU. I also answered some question from Win-Twins as well.

1.) Why does everyone think the Sioux are a bunch of Goons?
There are probably many answers to this questions, but here are a few. They are a “team to beat” nearly every year and there are quite a few UND fans who are as arrogant as the Gopher fans tend to be. For these reasons, people hate the Sioux. Add to that, the Sioux are always a team who has size and strength and hit hard in every game. They get in fights, they take penalties (settle down, I know they haven’t lately) and people love to have a team to hate. Plus, there’s surely some jealousy there. Would I love to have a couple big “bruisers” on my team? Heck yeah!

2.) Why does every team and their fans get up for the Sioux?
See above :)

3.) Who do you think will make the NCAA playoffs from the WCHA?
UND, CC, Denver for sure. SCSU, MSU are likely. Minnesota has an off-chance. Wisconsin, UMD – probably not.

4.) Is this the year that the Swoonskies I mean Huskies finally win an NCAA playoff game?
HAHA! You crack me up Goon! Yes. For the first time in a long time, we’re not entering the playoffs already swooning. We had our slow time in the middle of the season while the guys were all trying to figure out how to play together and the freshman were still getting used to WCHA play. These are some fun guys to watch! This group is the one that will bring home a NCAA win for the Huskies.

5.) Who are your least favorite Sioux players? (can’t say whole team) I need to see something more than because that player is a hack.
o Joe Finley – because he’s Goon’s favorite. No, because he’s a GIGANTOR and I just know he’s going to manhandle MY guys this weekend
o TJ Oshie – because he disrespects his team and the fans time and again by being an idiot
o Lammy – because he’s a drama queen, and because he’s so damn good when he’s on. UGH! :(

Just for the Record Two of my favorite players are T.J. Oshie and Big Joe Finley.

6.) Who’s your favorite Sioux player?
I like Robbie Bina because of his whole “story”. He’s come back despite remarkable odds against him and you have to appreciate that!

7.) Who would you like to see from the Sioux on the Huskies?
Joe Finley, or someone of that stature… If he played for the Huskies, I’d like him! :)

8.)Who is a better coach Motzko or Dahl?
Ummm….let’s see, that’s tough. :) Motz hands DOWN!!

9.) Are the Huskies on the right path? How long before the SCSU fans get impatient with Motzko?
Yes, they are on the right path. Motzko does not deserve the fans’ impatience. He came into his job with the best goalie in the league already in place. It’s hard to look bad when Bobby Goepfert is your starting goalie. Now, we get to really see what he can do. They have some amazing players, top three scorers in the WCHA, a couple good goalies, and their “D” is figuring it out. If the SCSU “fans” get impatient with Motzko (and some already probably have), they’re ridiculous. I think he’s doing a good job.

9.) In your opinion who is the best coach in the WCHA and why?
I think this year, it’s Scott Owens. He’s done a really good job with the Tigers and while he did get a big boost with his freshman goalie phenom, I still think he deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done there – and for having the balls to wear his hair and moustache like an 80’s porn star! I believe she is talking about Ron Jeremy?

10.) Is LGM’s aka Amy too rough on Troy Jutting?
No, she’s been there through the years of sucking it up. The reason the Mavs are doing this well this year is because Jutting is on his best behavior with his probationary contract. IF he gets another contract (non-probationary) and can continue to coach this team to the level of play they’ve achieved this year without that hanging over his head and affecting his behavior, then we can talk about whether she’s too tough on him. Until then, I agree with her 100%.

11.) Who is your coach of the year in the WCHA this season?
Oh, I kind of answered this one above…

12.) Which WCHA coach is called the Dasher Troll?
I have NO IDEA!!

I guess the SCSU fans don't refer to Gwoz as the Dasher Troll. Because after Prpich checked Pauko's cup, Gwoz stood on the dasher, hence the name Dasher Troll.

13.) Should a hockey player be suspended for a legal check that hurts an opposing player?
No. I know people will be shocked that I’ve said this because I get so pissed when it happens, but I don’t think they should be suspended for a LEGAL check. If it’s just that they didn’t get called for it, that’s a whole other issue. Legal checks to cause injuries too and players shouldn’t be penalized for that. I’ve said this time and again, even with illegal checking, I just doubt a college kid would intentionally try to hurt someone. I just don’t think they take the time to think “Ha, I’m going to try to seriously injure this kid by checking him in the back.” Maybe I’m naïve, but it seems really out there.

14.) I read on a NHL web page that Andreas Nodl is gone as soon as the season is over for the SCSU Huskies. Do you think that is an accurate assessment?
Well, I’ve heard varying thoughts on this. The Flyers gave him some stuff to work on this season and I guess it’ll depend on whether they think he can accomplish more in their system or in the WCHA. When the season started, I would have said “Yep, he’s gone after this season.” Now, I’m just not so sure. Time will tell, I guess, but I wouldn’t be shocked either way. It’ll be a tremendous loss if he does go, I know that.

15.) Garrett Roe is a Legit Hobey Baker candidate? Why/ Why Not?
A legit candidate? Yes. Does he deserve the Hobey Baker? No. What freshman deserves the Hobey Baker? After last weekend, I’m even thinking he’s second in the league for Rookie of the Year (after Richard Bachman). However, I could definitely see him developing into the kind of player who wins a Hobey at some point in his career.

Seems as if the new rule never existed.

EDIT: Yesterday College Hockey news was tipped off by their reporters Brett Gobe and Ron Ayers, about the handbook containing the following new line: "To be considered during the at-large selection process, a team must have an overall won-lost record of .500 or better a team with a sub .500 record would not qualify for the NCAA tourney unless they won their conference tourney." Seems that was untrue and happened to be a miss-print. Hum, that does seem odd that this new wording would appear in the hand book and then be deemed a misprint.

Seems the complaining about which teams are going to get into the NCAA tourney is starting even before the selection committee meets. If I am not mistaken the selection committee will on or about the 23rd of March after all of the conference tournaments have been decided.

There are a number of college hockey fans that are upset with the high number of WCHA teams with less than stellar records sitting above the likes of Notre Dame, Princeton, Harvard in the PairWise Rankings. Also, there is a good chance that there will be teams with winning records that will not make the NCAA tourney. There is also a slight possibility that teams with a losing record might qualify for the NCAA tourney despite having a sub 500 record, this is based on their strong strength of schedule. While highly unlikely that is the reality of the NCAA tourney selection based on the PairWise Rankings.

The likelihood of that happening really isn't as good as it appears. Currently 8 teams in the WCHA are in the running for an NCAA bid with three weeks left in the season. The key word is currently, a lot will change between now and March 23rd. UND, C.C., DU, SCSU and Minnesota State University are looking like they have a good chance of dancing when the NCAA selection committee makes it's selections for the NCAA tourney. Minnesota, Wisconsin, UMD are going to need some serious help. That is why I believe some are getting way too excited about nothing. I do think eventually you will see a rule that states that a team needs to have a record above .500 to be considered for an at large bid, unless you qualify by winning your conference tourney.

Not so fast folks the rule never existed.

If you look at the PairWise Rankings you will see that there are 4 WCHA teams sitting in the 11-13 spots that could get into the NCAA tourney if the selection committee met today. In reality this is not going to happen because there is going to be a massive fratacide that is going to take place during the WCHA playoffs. In reality there are only going to be 5-6 teams that make the NCAA tourney. More than likely their will be 5 WCHA teams that make the NCAA tourney. These five teams will be participants from the Final Five.

11 Minnesota State 17-13-4 .5588 (10th)
12 Minnesota 14-13-9 .5139 (8th)
13 Wisconsin 15-14-7 .5139 (3rd)
13 Minnesota-Duluth 12-14-6 (2nd)
15 Providence 14-13-5 4688 (17th)
16t Notre Dame 22-12-4 .6316 (27th)
16t Princeton 17-12-0 .5862 (34th)
18 Boston University 15-15-4 .5000 (12th)
19 Harvard 14-11-4 .5517 (33rd)

Strenght of Schedule (ranking)

Sioux Success by the Numbers

By Heidi Sioux62
Sioux Success by the Numbers

With all the talk about what goons the Sioux are, I thought I would talk a little about the positives and how the Sioux have gotten to where they are – 14 game unbeaten streak (13-0-1), tied for 1st in the pairwise, 1st in both national polls, 2nd in the WCHA - looking for 1st in the WCHA with a little help from Denver (although they are keen to take one or two from CC they may not be overjoyed that their winning will also help UND).

While I know that what happens on the ice can be very different from what is on paper, I like numbers and so will tell the story with stats. My numbers are vs WCHA teams (which I found on the WCHA website and on the UND FightinSioux.com website) as I was unable to find team stats vs country (gotta admit they are there if I want to do the digging and comparing, but I really didn’t have the time to do that).

Let’s start with the offence:

UND is 2nd in goals per game at 3.15. The scoring per period is: 1st period, 38 goals (tied for 1st with St. Cloud), 2nd period, 28 (7th in league – hope the boys can up that number in the remaining games), 3rd period, 36 (3rd in league) and overall is 2nd in league with 105 total goals. The power play is 3rd in the league in overall games played at 18.3%.

Individually the point totals at the top are not surprising. TJ with 35, Ryan with 33and Vandy with 28 (which are 5, 6 and tied for 13th respectively overall in the WCHA and 4,5 and tied for 7th respectively in WCHA league play only). The fun surprise is the next 3 top scorers – Robbie (23), Chay (22) and Taylor (20) – way to go defense, chipping in on offense, gotta love the two way play of these guys. The top scorers are then complimented with 5 guys with 13 or more points (including Joe Finley who most people would not think of as an offensive threat).
Shooting percentage is also an interesting stat, with some players having top numbers that most people wouldn’t suspect:
Vandy - 21. 5% on 65 shots (SHOOT, SHOOT and SHOOT some more Chris)
Kozek – 18.8% on 80 shots
TJ – 17.9% on 78 shots

Then there are several players that shoot between 10% and 12% (including Big Joe at 10.3% and Kyle Radke at 10% - who would have “thunk” it from those two). UND holds a shots per game advantage with 985 shots to 821 shots for an average of 29.85 shots per game. And then there are the faceoffs (this is a very underrated stat as it can be critical for scoring chances or preventing scoring chances for opponents). The Sioux have a team percentage in faceoffs won of 52.6% and you will never guess who leads the team – Zach Jones with a perfect record of 100% faceoffs won (granted he’s only taken one faceoff, but he won it). There are 8 players (including Zach) who have won 50% or more of their faceoffs, led by Kozek (after Jones of course) with 63.9% of faceoffs won.

The +/- is a stat that indicates both offen se and defense, but is primarily used as a stat to assist in evaluating defensive play. The team is awesome in this stat, having 16 players with a plus rating. Joe Finley leads the team with a +24 followed by Chay (+20), Ryan (+19) and TJ (+13).

Let’s move on to the defense.

While offense gets most of the “press”, the defensive play of this team is the real “meat and potatoes” of this team’s success.

The defense of course “starts between the pipes” with Phil. He has a nation leading GAA of 1.6776 and is tied for 1st in save % at .934. He is also tied for 2nd nationally in shutouts with 5. At the beginning of the year all the “experts” said that goaltending was going to be the week link for the Sioux. Guess Phil put that “rumor” to rest.

As spectacular as Phil has been, the defensive success of the team has been a real TEAM effort. This team has only allowed 59 total goals (10 in the 1st period, 23 in the 2nd period and 26 in the 3rd period). The next closest team in the WCHA is CC with 73 goals against. The Sioux have allowed 3 or more goals in only 8 games.

I wish I could find the shot attempts and shots blocked for opponents because from watching the games this year I think the stats would be impressive. Since I don’t have those stats I’ll just go with the shots on goal against. The Sioux have limited opponents to under 20 shots in 10 games and have limited opponents to 20-25 shots in 9 games. That’s 19 games where they’ve allowed 25 or fewer shots by the opponent. The average shots per game by an opponent is 24.88.

I guess I can’t really do a full review of the season by the numbers without including penalties. It will surprise many that it is not as lopsided as everyone seems to think. I’ll start with the penalty kill that is 89.3% and is on track to be the best penalty kill percentage in UND history.

Regarding individual penalties/penalty minutes it might surprise a lot of people that Big Joe does NOT lead the team in either category. The winner here is Rylan Kaip with 27 penalties for 73 minutes. Joe comes in 2nd with 23/65 and here’s one probably no one would expect – TJ comes in 4th on the team with 16/51.

Now lets move on to game comparisons of UND vs Opponents:

UND 268 penalties – Opponents 270 penalties
UND 685 penalty minutes – Opponents 694 penalty minutes
UND 8.1 average penalties per game – Opponents 8.2 average penalties per game
UND 20.8 average penalty minutes per game – Opponents 21 average penalty minutes per game
UND 7 major penalties – Opponents 6 major penalties
UND 9 10 minute penalties – Opponent 10 10 minute penalties
UND 7 game misconducts – Opponent 7 game misconducts

The numbers clearly don’t indicate that the Sioux are the “thugs” of college hockey that everyone seems to enjoy accusing them of. In actuality, the Sioux trail (if only by a small margin) in all categories except Major penalties where they lead by 1.I will end this story by the numbers with a salute to the fans. I wish I knew the numbers of Sioux fans at out of town games (both those who travel and those who live in the areas) because there always appears to be an amazing amount of Sioux fans at all those games. The numbers I do have is for home games and they are impressive. The home attendance for the 17 games played averages 11,725 people per game which is basically 100% capacity of the Ralph. I know the players are extremely grateful for the support both home and away and truly consider the fans the “extra man” on the ice

OUCH, Toews hurt in a game against the Canucks.

Here is a vicious hit by former Denver Pioneer Matt Pettinger on Former Sioux forward Jonathan Toews in the March 2nd game between the Chicago Black Hawks and the Vancover Canucks. The result of the questionable hit on Toews? Oh about 45-50 stitches to his upper lip. Matt Pettinger was then challenged by Cam Barker to a fight.

Here is what Toews had to say about his injury.

This weeks picks: Misc Ramblings/Rants

Friday:

St. Cloud State at North Dakota
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota
Colorado College at Denver
Michigan Tech at Minnesota State

Saturday:
St. Cloud State at North Dakota
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota
Denver at Colorado College
Michigan Tech at Minnesota State

Here is Jason Moy's latest Bracketology. I'll take it. If I remember right last time UND went to Worcester, Mass the Fighting Sioux played well in winning 2005 East Regional aka the Bean Pot against BU and then BC.

Northeast Regional: Worchester Mass

Bemidji State vs. North Dakota
Boston College vs. Denver

This Week in the WCHA (Sioux 7)

We are now heading into the last weekend of regular season games, and their is still a lot to be decided. Here is what we know, CC, UND, and DU have locked up home ice, and UMD, MTU, and UAA, will be on the road. UW, MSU-M, SCSU, and UM are battling for the last two home ice playoff spots, well not UW, they are off this week (and so is UAA). This is the updated standing as of Tuesday March 4.

1 Colorado College......19-6-1...39
2 North Dakota..........18-7-1...37
3 Denver....................16-9-1...33
4 Wisconsin..............11-12-5...27
5 St. Cloud State.......12-12-2...26
5 Minnesota State.......11-11-4...26
7 Minnesota................8-11-7...23
8 Minnesota-Duluth.....8-13-5...21
9 Michigan Tech..........8-14-4...20
10 Alaska-Anchorage.....3-19-6...12

(UW and UAA have finished their 28-game WCHA schedules, and they can NOT move up in the standings)


Lets take a look at this weekends match-ups, we'll start out west with CC vs. DU in a home-and-home series. CC needs just 2-pts to secure a share of the league title, DU is locked into 3rd place, they can't go up (they lose the tie breaker with UND for 2nd place) or down (no-one below them can catch them). What they are both playing for is national seeding, and of course, to beat their arch-rival. Both teams have definetly shown signs of weakness down the home stretch here, so it makes it hard to predict a sweep for either team.
THEE CALL -- SPLIT


Working our way west to east, the next match-up is SCSU at UND. The Huskies need to get 2pts to secure home ice, and UND needs some help (aka DU taking a game, or two, from CC) and some wins to get the MacNaughton Cup. I was thinking about UND's streak, and the big picture. If they lose a game, I think this is the week to do it, before the playoff start. And it would most likely cost UW home ice in the first round, which could also cost them a shot at the national tournament (if they lose in the first round of playoffs). That would help out somebody, if UW wasn't in the NCAA tourney, since they would be at home in for that...hmm...Would Mike Eaves blow a gasket and blame UND if they lost to SCSU and cost the Badgers home ice...hmm... With that in mind I'm in a dilemna for my series prediction.
THEE CALL -- SPLIT (If CC wins on Friday) SWEEP (If CC loses on Friday)


Moving on to the east we come to MTU at MSU-M.
If the Mavericks get a win this weekend they will be at home for the first round. So the Mavs are playing to win and MTU is playing for pride and also to win, to avoid playing red-hot UND in the first round. The Huskies started off the season with some good wins, but then something went wrong. And this wrong has not been righted yet. The Mavs on the other side started off slow and have built up some steam the second half of the season. It is pretty clear these teams are headed in opposite directions. This series is going to be a good game on Friday, but I don't think the rematch will have much punch to it.
THEE CALL - MAVS SWEEP


The last, but not even close to the least, games this weekend are UMD at UM. OOOH DOGGY. This should be one dandy of a series, both teams are fighting for their NCAA playoff lives. UM still has a chance for home ice, but it is a very thin chance. Both these teams have had trouble scoring goals this season. Both these teams have gotten excellent goaltending, which has keep them in their games this year. They are almost mirror images of each other. With the "even-ness" of these two combatants I only have one choice to make, who wins on what night.
THEE CALL - SPLIT


UW and UAA will be watch games and listening to the radio at their homes to see what happens and who they will be facing next week in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.


Speaking of playoffs, the Goon and Sioux 7 will be at the Final Five this year. St. Paul, consider this your fair warning :)

Cam Bam Neely, one cool tribute

Cam Neely in my opinion was one of the best right wings to ever play the game of hockey, when he retired he left a void in a lot of Boston Bruins fan's heart. Cam Neely's career was cut short by a dirty leg check by the Dirty Swede and turtle Ulfie Samuelsson.

I still remember the day Cam retired from the NHL. It feels like it was yesterday and it still makes me sad today to think what Cam Neely could have become if his hockey career not have been cut short by a bush-league knee on knee leg check. Who knows; maybe the Bruins would have traded him away like all the other stars.

But I digress; fast forward to this season. I hear people say, “oh that player over reacted, it was only a leg check.” Only a leg check, watch the video and see what a knee on knee leg check can do to a hockey player. Play the game straight up or don’t play at all.

Sioux out two key underclassmen.

This is the bad news that Sioux fans kind expected was going to be coming this week. UND lost two key underclassmen players; Chay Genoway was hurt in Sunday game during the first period on a checking from behind penalty and super frosh Evan Trupp was hurt on a freak accident that after watching the tape I still can't figure out what happened.

Genoway, Trupp Out Indefinitely for North Dakota
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A two-game sweep of Minnesota-Duluth over the weekend propelled North Dakota to the top spot in the current Pairwise, but the Fighting Sioux may have paid a significant price the victories.

Freshman forward Evan Trupp, the team's top-scoring rookie, and sophomore defenseman Chay Genoway, the WCHA's top-scoring defenseman in points-per game, will both be out of the North Dakota lineup indefinitely after suffering major injuries over the weekend.

No timetable has been set for their returns, and whether or not they will return to the lineup at all this season remains questionable.

Genoway, who has amassed 22 points in 30 games this season, was injured in the first period of Sunday's game after being checked from behind into the boards by Minnesota-Duluth junior forward Michael Gergen, a former teammate of Genoway's. Gergen was ejected from the game for the hit.

The loss of Genoway, who is second on the team with a +19 on-ice rating, leaves the Fighting Sioux with six active defensemen.

Trupp, meanwhile, was injured in the second period on Saturday, fracturing a bone in his leg according to the Grand Forks Herald. Trupp (eight goals, five assists) had played in every game for North Dakota this season until his injury.

The injuries to Genoway and Trupp come a week before the end of the WCHA regular season. North Dakota is in the midst of a nation-best 15-game unbeaten streak and will host St. Cloud in a pair of games this weekend. The Fighting Sioux sit only two points behind first-place Colorado College in the WCHA standings.

Rivalry week; SCSU and UND

A person could burn up a ton of clichés describing the importance of this week’s matchup between the SCSU Huskies and the UND Fighting Sioux. The Huskies and Sioux are natural rivals as determined by the league a few years back. What does this mean? It means the Sioux and the Huskies are going to play 4 times a year every year. I have not heard a lot of people grumble about this and I am fine with it.

The UND Fighting Sioux and SCSU Huskies usually play exciting games and this year has been no different. Under Coach Bob Motzko the Huskies have gotten away from the ever boring trap and now play a more exciting brand of up tempo hockey. Back to the Clichés; did I mention that this weekend is crunch time? With the final week of the season there is a lot at stake. A WCHA regular season title (possible if DU co-operates and UND sweeps) and seeding for the WCHA tourney. This weekend’s series also has national implications as well, because the Sioux want to keep winning so they can secure a number one seed. If the Huskies get swept this weekend they probably go on the road for the First round of the WCHA playoffs and run the risk of not making the NCAA tourney.





SCSU Huskies 17-14-3 -- 12-12-2 5th place in the WCHA
Leading scorers
R. Lasch 22-24-46
G. Roe 18-22-40
A. Nodl 17-23-40
N. Dey 10-10-20
M. Hartman 7-12-19
Goaltenders
J. Weslosky 14-11-0 2.20
D. Dunn 3-2-2 2.63
B. O'Brien 0-1-1 3.54







Fighting Sioux 23-8-2 -- 18-7-1 2nd place in the WCHA
Leading scorers
T. Oshie 14-21-35
R. Duncan 13-20-33
C. VandeVelde 14-14-28
R. Bina 2-21-23
C. Genoway 6-16-22
Goaltenders
A. Walski 1-0-0 0.00
J. Lamoureux 22-8-2 1.68

UND is 14-5-4 the last 24 games against SCSU.

This post isn't going to make Husky fans very happy.

Jim Connelly said; We’ve reached the first full week of March with only one regular season league championship still up for grabs. The WCHA will come down to the final weekend of play, with North Dakota sitting just two points behind league-leader Colorado College.

The Tigers may have the tougher opponent this weekend then they’ll face in-state rival Denver, while North Dakota squares off against St. Cloud State. SCSU did prove a problem for Wisconsin over the weekend, earning a split, but they’ll be traveling to Grand Forks for this final weekend which gives the edge to the Sioux.

Here is another interesting perspective from this blog post.

WCHA Dominance in the PairWise

If the NCAA Tournament Selection Show were taking place today, the WCHA would have a 50/50 chance of winning this year’s national championship based on the field itself (WCHA fans, I’m sure, will argue that the league’s “superiority” would give them better than a 50/50 shot, but to that I digress).

Currently, eight of the ten WCHA teams rank in the top 14 of the PairWise rankings. That was made possibly when Minnesota crept from the 15th spot to the 12th position over the weekend, while a skidding Minnesota-Duluth club held on for dear life to the 14th and final PWR rank.

I don’t have the math brain to say what the chances are the through the playoffs that eight WCHA teams will maintain their PWR. Obviously, the lower the seeds that advance to the Final Five the better the chance that we’ll see seven or eight WCHA teams.

The Jack Johnson hit on Ryan Smyth

This is the Jack Johnson hit that everyone is talking about on the intenet. While none of use want to see a hockey player get hurt and carried off the ice on a stretcher Johnson hit Smyth was a legal hit.

This is what people are saying about the legal hit and Jack Johnson.

From the MiamiHawk Talk.

redhawkforlife said; People will say it was a clean hit. I agree. But Jack knew exactly what he was doing at that exact area of the ice. We've seen it over and over from him from jr's on up.

Bonk said; Who would've guessed? Hack checks someone cleanly for the first time in his adult life, and the guy loses consciousness. I'll bet he won't try that again.

Josh D who put the video said;jack johnson nearly kills ryan smyth

Joe Sakic added: "It wasn't a dirty hit. (Johnson) hit him hard and (Smyth) hit the corner of the glass. It was just unfortunate as to where it happened."

Johnson said, "that he felt bad about the check that sent Smyth sprawling to the ice."

However, he knew what was coming next. Clean hit or not, a fight had to happen. It's part of hockey's code.

But there's honor among fighters, and Laperriere extended Johnson the courtesy of deciding when the brawl would occur.

"He came up to me and said, 'Do you want to get it over with?"' Johnson said. "I said, 'Sure."'

The fight never took place as Rob Blake stepped in and played the role of peacemaker, quickly breaking up the fracas. He didn't want to see his young defenseman get hurt by the fists of Laperriere. Not for what he thought was a clean hit.

UMicers said; JJ is a disgrace to himself, Michigan and LA. He's always done that crap. Us Michigan fans don't count him as a Wolverine. He stayed here 2 years then went pro. I hate the Avs, but I like Ryan Smith - He's an Oiler to me.
It looks like Smyth got his head run into the column that connects each glass pane. Almost as if it was protruded out from the glass. Or was that the angle and it was really just JJ's elbow he threw?

I've seen a LOT dirtier hits. Still, JJ is an IDIOT of the highest order.

Are the black helicopters are circling in Madison?

Just for the record, I did study conspiracey theory in college so I can see where some WCHA fans might think the league has something against certain teams; say the Wisconsin Badgers. The Husky fans might have argument was well.

This past weekend there was another game with another blown call. This time the botched call was made by the WCHA head of official's son Derrick Sheppard, the team on the receiving end of that bad call; the Wisconsin Badgers. The game in question was also at the National Hockey Center the site of another blow call that went against the Huskies.

So does Greg give his son Derrick a weekend off? Is there another letter of apology for coming?

A look back at the preseason predictions.

Here is what I predicted the
Standing would look like.
1.) Fighting Sioux
2.) Minnesota
3.) SCSU
4.) DU
5.) UW
6.) C.C.
7.) Tech
8.) MSU-M
9.) UMD
10.) UAA

Here is what they look like with one week to go. Both Wisconsin and the UAA have no more games this weekend. So UAA can not improve their standing and Wisconsin has to depend on other teams and could be traveling for the first round.

1 Colorado College 19-6-1 39
2 North Dakota 18-7-1 37
3 Denver 16-9-1 33
4 Wisconsin 11-12-5 27
5 MSU-Mankato 11-11-4 26
6 St Cloud St 12-12-2 26
7 Minnesota 8-11-7 23
8 Minnesota-Duluth 8-13-5 21
9 Michigan Tech 8-14-4 20
10 Alaska Anchorage 3-19-6 12

Here is my updated My What if predictions for the season.

UND 28 41
CC 28 41
Denver 28 35
Mankato 28 28
UW 28 27
SCSU 28 26
UMN 28 25
UMD 28 23
MTech 28 22
AA 28 12

Sioux 7 sent this in an email today. Interesting look by all the so call experts. looks like there were a lot of people that were wrong.

Sioux 7 GF Herald USCHO INCH

North Dakota 1, 1, 1, 1
Minnesota 2, 2, 2, 4
Denver 3, 4, 3, 2
Colorado Coll.8, 3, 5, 3
Michigan Tech 4t, 7, 4, 6
Wisconsin 6, 5, 6, 7
St. Cloud St. 4t,6, 7, 5
MSU-Mankato 7, 9, 8, 9
Minn.-Duluth 9, 8, 9, 8
Anchorage 10, 10, 10, 10