Scores from 11-07-2008.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Atlantic Hockey
Army 3 at American Int'l 4
Mercyhurst 4 at Holy Cross 3 ot
Connecticut 0 at Bentley 1

Analysis
Yawn... Holy Cross has fallen since their win against Minnesota.

CCHA
Nebraska-Omaha 2 at Western Michigan 2 ot: UNO wins shootout
Bowling Green 0 at Lake Superior 2
Ferris State 2 at Miami 2 ot: Miami wins shootout
Michigan 1 at Alaska 4
Michigan State 0 at Ohio State 3

Analysis
Last night I watched the Ferris State and Miami game and I happened to notice that the fans were really into the shootout. Or should we say, I didn't see a ground swell of fans leaving their seat. Ohio State another big win over a ranked team. That is not a misprint, Michigan lost to the Alaska 4-1. Ouch!

CHA
Bemidji State 2 at Alabama-Huntsville 4

Analysis
Ouch, the Beavers have one win on the season against SCSU.

ECAC
Yale 2 at St. Lawrence 3 ot
Dartmouth 5 at Union 2
Cornell 1 at Princeton 0
Brown 1 at Clarkson 3
Harvard 2 at Rensselaer 3
Colgate 1 at Quinnipiac 0

Analysis
Media darling Princeton loses to Cornell in a 1-0 game. Sioux fans will get to see Cornell on November 28th and 29. Clarkson remains hot.

Hockey East
Vermont 2 at Providence 2 ot
Boston University 6 at Mass.-Lowell 4

Analysis
Boston University remains on a roll and will be the number one team in the country on Monday.

WCHA
North Dakota 3 at Colorado College 1
Minnesota-Duluth 1 at Denver 5
Minnesota State 5 at Alaska-Anchorage 3
Michigan Tech 2 at Wisconsin 3

Analysis
Sioux7 really blew his MTU and Wisconsin pick. I do wonder if he bought a lottery ticket or not? Denver brings the Bull Dogs back to earth beating them 5-1. Yikes! This score does shock me a bit. What heck happened to all WCHA goalie Alex Stalock? According to the box score Stalock was pulled after giving up 5 goals on 29 shots. Sounds like the UMD back up Hjelle (what nationality is that name?) did a pretty good job. Minnesota State beats UAA, I am sure LGM's will give us her analysis of the game soon, if she was able to stay up that late.

Non-Conference
RIT 2 at Niagara 6
Robert Morris 0 at St. Cloud State 4
Notre Dame 4 at Boston College 1
New Hampshire 2 at Minnesota 2 ot

Analysis
I watched some of the Notre Dame and B.C. game, the third period of the Minnesota and UNH game and I was surprised by Notre Dame and impressed with UNH.

Linkorama from the UND and C.C. game

Here are a few things from last nights game. First off, the Sioux win is a result of a good hockey team that started slow and is finally finding its identity, not because of a C.C. let down from the DU series. That has to be one of the most condescending things I read today.

UNDER REVIEW talks about the good and the bad from last nights game.

Sioux Yeah Yeah! Calls the win Huge. I agree that it was a big time win.

According to Brad Elliott Schlossman the Sioux are really beat up on the blue line.

This is the WCHA on the win last night.

North Dakota 3, Colorado College 1
The Fighting Sioux got three goals from three different players as they defeated Colorado College 3-1 in Colorado Springs. Darcy Zajac scored the game's first goal 10minutes in and UND led 1-0 after one. The Sioux extended their lead to 3-0 after two on goals by Brent Davidson and Brett Hextall. Bill Sweatt broke up the shutout with CC's only goal with under two minutes to play. Brad Eidsness made 29 saves in the win for North Dakota. Richard Bachman stopped 26 shots for CC.

Orwick's Huge Win in the Mountains.

Uncaged on their first loss of the season. The Tigers are having trouble scoring goals this season. With the players they have returned and with the new rules you think the Tigers would thrive under that system.

Eye of the Tigers described UND's goals as "dirty". Dirty Goals win games in my opinion. Nice to see the Sioux with some grit.

Here is what Adam Wodon from College Hockey News has to say on the UND win last night.

Here is what SabresProspects.com had to say on two of UND's players.

In NCAA play, Brad Eidsness made 29 saves as visiting North Dakota defeated #1 Colorado College, 3-1. Eidsness, who moved to 3-2 on the year, made many great saves to earn the W and should be back between the pipes when the two clubs play it back on Saturday. Freshman defenseman Corey Fienhage did not travel with the club for the weekend set.

Sioux 3 Tigers 1.

The Fighting Sioux played their most complete game of the season and scored two goals in a 14 second span to beat the formerly top ranked Colorado College Tigers. Well, that is assuming that the pollsters knock them out of top spot. I think BU will be the number one team in the country come Monday afternoon.

The Sioux out played the Tigers all night long and made timely smart defensive plays when they were needed. Both teams combined were an awful 0-12 on the power play.

Leading the Fighting Sioux were Brent Davidson and Brett Hextall who scored their first goals of the their college careers. Rookie goalie Brad Eidsness improved to 3-2-0 on the season. Eidness also lowered his goals against average to 3.0033 and raised his save percentage .896 percent.

Some Positive

Brad Eidsness keeps improving with every game and has a 3-1 record in his last 4 games.

The Sioux defense only game up one goal against the top ranked team in the country while scoring three goals on the all American goalie Richard Bachman.

Goals Scoring/Penalties Time

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1st Period (20:00)
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CC-1 Nate Prosser (2-Slashing) NDK 0x1 5:05
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 LL Darcy Zajac (1) (Matt Watkins, Andrew Kozek) 9:53
NDK (+): 11,20,10,14,24,G31 CC (-): 26,10,17,5,24,G30
CC-2 Matt Overman (2-Tripping) NDK 0x2 12:56
NDK-1 Andrew Kozek (2-Hooking) CC 0x1 16:52

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

CC-3 Kris Fredheim (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 1:19
NDK-2 Chris VandeVelde (2-Holding the Stick) CC 0x2 3:32
NDK 2 - 0 6x6 GW Brent Davidson (1) (Ryan Martens) 8:14
NDK (+): 15,8,29,24,14,G31 CC (-): 11,26,15,9,5,G30
NDK 3 - 0 6x6 Brett Hextall (1) (Ryan Duncan, Chris VandeVelde) 8:28
NDK (+): 26,16,29,25,6,G31 CC (-): 7,19,26,23,4,G30
NDK-3 Ryan Duncan (2-Interference) CC 0x3 11:12
NDK-4 Ryan Duncan (2-Tripping) CC 0x4 16:01
CC-4 Stephen Schultz (2-Charging) NDK 0x4 16:26

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

NDK-5 Andrew Kozek (2-Interference) CC 0x5 1:14
NDK-6 Jake Marto (2-Tripping) CC 0x6 3:10
NDK-7 Brett Hextall (2-Hooking) CC 0x7 5:43
NDK-8 Darcy Zajac (2-Tripping) CC 0x8 6:19
NDK-9 Darcy Zajac (2-Holding) 17:18
CC-5 Brian McMillin (2-Interference) 17:18
Timeout - Colorado College 17:18
CC 1 - 3 5x5 Bill Sweatt (3) (Tyler Johnson, Brian Connelly) 18:33
CC (+): 17,11,10,21,G30 NDK (-): 20,10,19,3,G31

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

The lines for tonights game.

According to Brad here are the lines for tonight's game. Looks like there are some messages being sent already. Finley traveled with the team but isn't playing tonight. Here are the guys that didn't travel, Corey Fienhage, Brad Malone and Graeme Harrington. You kind of wonder if Fienhage, Frattin and Malone are the ones that are being sent a message. I would also like to see what Harrington can do in a game.

UND's lines

16 Ryan Duncan--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
10 Andrew Kozek--11 Darcy Zajac--20 Matt Watkins
15 Brent Davidson--9 Mario Lamoureux--8 Ryan Martens
17 Jason Gregoire--19 Evan Trupp--18 David Toews

3 Derrick LaPoint--5 Chay Genoway
6 Zach Jones--25 Jake Marto
24 Ben Blood--14 Brad Miller

31 Brad Eidsness
30 Aaron Walski

SCRATCHES - Matt Frattin, Big Joe Finley, (Brad Malone and Corey Fienhage didnt make trip)

Colorado College's lines

21 Bill Sweatt--14 Chad Rau--22 Eric Walsky
23 Tim Hall--19 Andreas Vlassopoulos--28 Stephen Schultz
26 Scott McCulloch--17 Tyler Johnson--5 Addison DeBoer
18 Matt Overman--9 Brian McMillin--20 Nick Dineen

11 Brian Connelly--15 Nate Prosser
7 Kris Fredheim--4 Jake Gannon
10 Gabe Guentzel--24 Ryan Lowery

30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien

Sioux and Tigers, Lets stop the Tiger roar.

The Sioux travel to Colorado Springs to play the top ranked Colorado College Tigers. The Sioux have had a tough start and are 2-4-0, (2-2-0 WCHA) and face the top ranked team in the country 5-0-3, (4-0-1 WCHA).

The Tigers are 5-0-0 at home so far this season and were almost unbeatable at the world Arena last season the Tigers went 18-3-0. On the road the Tigers have yet to win and are 0-0-3.

Since the 2005-2006 season the Sioux are 5-4 against the Tigers.

I don't want to make any grand predictions for this weekend's series. Personally, I don't want to spread any of my bad karma around this weekend. I personally believe this series could go two ways; 1.) The series could get really ugly and the Sioux could be on the receiving end of two lopsided games. 2.) The Sioux could step it up, bottom down the hatch and gain a split. It this happen the Sioux will gain some needed confidence. I don't see the Sioux sweeping the Tigers this weekend.

Defensively, the Fighting Sioux need to play better on defense if they want to gain a split. The Fighting Sioux defense can not get caught up ice if they want to win. Last weekend Chay Genoway was a minus 4 in the third period. That can not happen if they want to be successful this weekend.

For the Season the Tigers aren't going to go 40-0-3 on the season so the Tigers better not get over confident or the opportunistic Sioux could sting the. Also, I have been a major jinx as of late.


Check out this week's Match up.

Linkorama

Brad Elliott Schlossman Grand Forks Herald --- The task is tall this weekend for the Sioux (2-4 overall, 2-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association).

They have to go to World Arena, where Colorado College was 18-3 last season and 5-0 so far this year. And they have to play a Tigers team that boasts the WCHA’s No. 2 goal scorer in Rau, the league’s top defense (1.5 goals allowed per game), top penalty kill (96.8 percent), top special teams units (plus-six) and top goaltender in Richard Bachman (1.24 goals-against average, .960 save percentage).

Uncaged Colorad College Hockey.

The Tigers' opponent this week is the once mighty North Dakota Fighting Sioux. The Sioux are currently 2-4 (2-2WCHA) and are coming off a 5-2 loss to Wisconsin. Judging from the lack of posts on Goon's Sioux site, it's been a bad year already. I can't remember the last time the Sioux weren't in the top 10, let alone unranked! Doesn't mean it won't be a tough series, but the Tigers need to sweep North Dakota for points and because, at least in terms of current records, the Sioux are apparently a "should win" series. The biggest key is to get some points and avoid injuries...oh yea and score!

Wheeler with the hat as the Bruins roll...

I listened to this game on my XM radio on my trip back from Duluth yesterday and I have to say that I am shocked on Blake Wheeler's play so far, because he wasn't all that dominating of a player in the WCHA. As a Bruins fan I was skeptical of his signing by the Bruins. That being said he is like second on the Bruins in goals.

Are rankings based on last year's play?

I have seen a few comments where some college fans think that last years play doesn't have a hand in this season's early rankings. Respectfully, I believe that train of thought is flawed.

The argument: I do believe that last season's NCAA regional’s game between the Princeton Tigers and the Fighting Sioux is having an affect on Princeton’s ranking so far this season. During the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal game the Tigers out shot the Fighting Sioux 39-18, yet still lost the game 5-1. Also, the Princeton Tigers did not lose that many impact players during the off season. Combining these two known facts in my opinion is affecting the early season rankings. If this isn't the case why is Princeton ranked as the #8 team in the country? The Tigers haven't played and beat anyone of significance. To say the Tigers are one of the best teams in the country is ridiculous. The Tigers might not even be the best team in their league. One could make the argument for the Clarkson based on actual play against a top opponent.

To further my argument I will use UAA as an example. UAA has been picked to finish 10th in most early season WCHA polls/rankings and now is sitting at 5-2-1 (2-1-1 WCHA) and not one hockey pundit picked them to finish higher than 9th. To say that this ranking isn't based on last years play is silly. We sure as hell didn't roll the dice or spine the wheel to predict their finish in the WCHA standings.

Princeton

How they finished: Princeton had a strong run to the finish, capped by its second ECAC tournament championship. That meant, obviously, its second NCAA tournament appearance as well. The Tigers ran into some bad luck early, hung with North Dakota for a while, but ultimately fell. That did nothing, however, to take away from Princeton's accomplishment, finally coming back from the depths and returning to the type of competitive level it enjoyed in the latter half of Don Cahoon's run as coach in the late '90s.

Changes: The Tigers only lost 25 points from the forwards that graduated, 13 of those from Rhodes Scholar winner Landis Stankievech.

Strengths: The Tigers return most everyone, including the entire top line intact, of Hobey finalist Lee Jubinville, Brett Wilson and Cam MacIntyre. The latter made the big leap last year from 13 to 31 points. The defense is experienced with Tyler Fedun, Cam Ritchie and Jody Pederson. And goalie Zane Kalemba, who emerged last season as a true No. 1, is back and is only a junior.

Fan's upset with the officating in the WCHA.

Badgers beat writer Todd D. Milewski has an interesting article on the state of officiating in the WCHA so far this season. The fans are the ones that are complaining about the officiating in the WCHA. Personally, you can mark me down as one of the fans that are happy about the way the games are being called. No, seriously, I think the officials have done an decent job officiating so far this season. I think the officiating is better than it has been and the players are starting to make the adjustments to the tightened enforcement. I watch about 100-150 NHL games every season and the WCHA games are close to being reffed in the same manner.

It sounds like fans aren’t real happy with the way games are being called in the WCHA so far this season under the rules emphasis designed to crack down on obstruction of the puck carrier.

At least, that’s the way it has come into commissioner Bruce McLeod’s office. He told Kevin Pates of the Duluth News Tribune that for every e-mail saluting the changes, there are 10 condemning them. Last week, he told Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald that complaints are coming from fans far more than they’re coming from coaches.

It’s understandable. The game wasn’t meant to be a series of 5-on-3s and 4-on-3s, taking away from the natural flow of full-strength play.

But college hockey had to do this, and it had to do it now. Here are two reasons:

** The NHL wants it. Like it or not, the college game is connected to the pro game. That’s the only way a lot of elite players are ever going to come to college in the first place — if it gives them an opportunity to get closer to being a pro-level player.

Check out this statement by Bruce McCleod. Hum...

The things we’ve heard most have been, ‘You’re making hockey a special teams game’ and ‘It’s still a physical game and you’re trying to take that away,’ ” said McLeod this week. “The NCAA is adamant about enforcing the rules and we don’t think it will be a big issue after a period of adjustment.”

Air Force Team of the Week.

Hum, I saw this article on College Hockey News While an 8-0-0 start is nothing to sneeze at, look who they have beat. Not a schedule that strikes fear in anyone. The only team on that schedule that is considered a decent team is Bemidji State, and they are having a down season.

What do you think?

Weekend Matchs (Sioux 7)

Lets recap last weeks games before we move on to this weekends games. UND and UW split in Grand Forks, UAA and MTU split in Houghton, CC took 3pts from DU, UM took 3pts from MSUM, and UMD beat SCSU once.

Now on to this weeks match ups (league records in parentheses)

#13 MSUM (1-2-1) at UAA (2-1-1)
Both of these teams have been playing well in this young season. UAA got a road win last weekend (UAA won 2 WCHA road games last year) so they are showing signs of avoiding the basement this year. Mankato has been also showing signs of a team on the rise, unfortunately for them their record doesn't reflect it, yet. It is a long trip to Anchorage which seems to affect teams. I'm going the safe route here splitsville here we come. (I'm sure LGM won't get to upset with this prediction)


MTU (1-3-0) at UW (1-4-1)
OH BOY, this a very important series for both these teams, especially if their is a sweep. A 1-5 or a 1-6-1 record is large pit to try and dig out of before March. After watching UW play last weekend, I was impressed with the Connelly's play in net, but that was their bright spot. I haven't seen MTU play yet this year but from what I've read they still have their goalie as well. This series is most likely going to be low scoring affairs. I'm betting the farm, okay maybe just my snowbank, on the MTU sweep of UW. (MeanEGirl, this ones for you)


#20 UMD (1-1-1) at #6 DU (2-1-1)
Wow, how bout them Dawgs! They crushed SCSU, boy did I overlook UMD. However, DU is obviously a much better team than SCSU to this point in the season. DU has been scoring lots of goals this season as well as UMD. This has the makings of a great series to watch, these games could be some shout outs, yea haw! Last year they split at Denver and then DU swept them in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Years to a repeat of last years regular season, 2-pts each, sharing is fun :)



UND (2-2-0) at #1 CC (3-0-1)
It has been awhile since UND has not been ranked, but they are now. CC has lived up their billing so far this season, and is UND using their last few years MO? So-so the first half and then turn it on after the New Year? I see this being a good skating series with a few less penalties then this seasons norm. I'm going to call it a split.


NON-Conference


#5 New Hampshire at #4 Minnesota
According the poll rankings this should be a heckuva series, #4 and #5 going head to head. This series should also give the pollsters an idea of how the WCHA and HE match up this year. I'm thinking a split in this series is appropriate.


Robert Morris at St. Cloud St.
These games might just be what the doctor ordered for SCSU. "Take a cupcake once a day for two days and call me on Sunday," said the good doctor. I think the cupcakes will help out the Huskies, as we all know, dogs like cake. I'm going to say these dogs devour the cupcakes in a couple of big gulps. SCSU sweeps.

USA WJC games to be on NHL Network.

Sean Leahy from Going Five Hole has confirmed that all USA WJC team games will be on the NHL Network. This is really good news for WJC fans, usually we don't get to see very many of the WJC games. In the past there has been a void of television coverage in the USA of the WJC. Canada unlike the USA usually gets all of their games on TSN. The 2006 WJC games from Vancouver were on FSN here in North Dakota and Minnesota.

I (Sean Leahy) confirmed with with Dave Fischel, Director of Media and Public Relations with USA Hockey that this December, NHL Network will broadcast every Team USA game from the World Junior Championships in Ottawa.

Injuries pile up in New Jersey

If you have a fantasy hockey team full of New Jersey Devils players you might want to consider the free agent pool.
Check out this list of players that are hurt for the Devils.
Current players on the shelf are; Martin Brodeur (elbow) Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (orbital bone crack), Brian Rolston (high ankle sprain), Bobby Holik (broken right pinkie) and Andy Greene (broken right hand).

Scott Clemmenson called up to back up Steven Weeks in New Jersey.

Going Five Hole: NCAA round up

Here is the latest NCAA round up.

Goon’s Match up of the weekend:

Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the Hockey East Power University of New Hampshire Wildcats. The Wild Cats from New Hampshire travel west to face another WCHA team for a second year in a row. Last year, the Wildcats made the trip to North Dakota for a two game series. The Gophers are led up front by junior forward Ryan Stoa 6-4-10 and super freshman Jordan Schroeder 2-6-8. Both players have been nothing short of phenomenal early on. The Wildcats are led by sophomore James van Riemsdyk who is 4-3-7 in seven games so far this season.

In goal, the Gophers are led by sophomore Alex Kangas who has 4-0-2 record and goals against average 2.11, with a save percentage of .922. The Wildcats are led by junior goaltender Brian Foster who has a 4-1-1 record. His, goals against average 1.49 with a gaudy save percentage of .951. Goals could be hard to come by this weekend, proving to be a low scoring weekend for hockey. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Net.
Prediction: Tie Friday and UNH wins 3-2 on Saturday.

Goon’s top 10 College hockey teams

1.)Boston College
2.)Colorado College
3.)Boston University
4.)Minnesota
5.)New Hampshire
6.)Denver
7.)Northeastern
8.)Michigan
9.)Michigan State
10.)Miami

Devils Goalie out for 3-4 months.

I just saw this over on the illegal curve. Yikes, this is bad news for the New Jersey Devils. It is no mystery that Martin Brodeur is the face and bedrock of the New Jersey Devil's franchise. It will be interesting to see how Steven Weeks does over the next 3-4 months.

TSN-- Martin Brodeur's assault on the record book will be put on hold as the Devils' goalkeeper will undergo surgery to repair torn bicep tendons and will be out of the lineup for up to four months.

''This Thursday morning, Martin Brodeur will undergo surgery to repair the distal bicep in the left elbow," Devils president, CEO and general manager Lou Lamriello said in a statement.

''We will not have any further comment or update until after the surgery is complete.''

College Hockey on the NHL Network

Last Friday night kicked off college hockey being on the NHL network. The Fighting Sioux will be on two more times.

NHL Network's 2008-09 U.S. College Hockey broadcast schedule is as follows:


November

Friday, Nov. 7 Ferris State @ Miami (Ohio) 7:30 PM ET (US only)
Friday, Nov. 14 Alaska Anchorage @ North Dakota 8:30 PM ET (US only)
Friday, Nov. 21 Michigan @ Miami (Ohio) 7:30 PM ET
Friday, Nov. 28 Cornell @ North Dakota 8:30 PM ET (US only)

December

Friday, Dec. 5 St. Lawrence @ Colgate 7:00 PM ET
Friday, Dec. 12 Notre Dame @ Bowling Green 7:00 PM ET
Friday, Dec. 19 Clarkson @ Bowling Green 7:00 PM ET

January

Friday, Jan. 9 Minnesota Duluth @ St. Cloud State 8:00 PM ET
Friday, Jan. 16 Cornell @ Union 7:30 PM ET (US only)
Friday, Jan. 23 Brown @ Colgate 7:30 PM ET
Friday, Jan. 30 Bowling Green @ Miami (Ohio) 7:30 PM ET (US only)

February

Friday, Feb. 6 Denver @ Minnesota Duluth 8:00 PM ET (US only)
Friday, Feb. 13 Yale @ Union 7:30 PM ET
Friday, Feb. 20 Denver @ Wisconsin 8:00 PM ET
Friday, Feb. 27 Ohio State @ Miami (Ohio) 7:30 PM ET

March

Friday, Mar. 20 ECAC Hockey Semifinal #1 4:00 PM ET
Friday, Mar. 20 ECAC Hockey Semifinal #2 7:30 PM ET
Saturday, Mar. 21 ECAC Hockey Final 7:00 PM ET**

Parrish signs with the Stars.

Former SCSU star and Minnesota Wild Player Mark Parrish has agreed to a 1 year deal with the Dallas Stars. Its nice to see Parrish catch on with another club after being waived by the Minnesota Wild.

The Stars have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent winger Mark Parrish and will have him in tomorrow for a physical. If he passes the physical, the Stars will sign him and have him on the practice ice Wednesday, according to Stars co-GM Les Jackson.

The deal makes a lot of sense on a lot of different levels.

The contract is for $500,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor league level.

The Stars, even in their tight cap space situation, can afford that.

Parrish is a right-handed right wing, which the team needs, and a natural shooter, which the team needs. He would fit on a line with either Brad Richards or Mike Modano.

A few things from Blues blogger Andy Strickland

Here is an interesting thing that I found from Blues Blogger Andy Strickland. While interesting that would be an expensive duo, your probably talking in the 15-20 million dollar range. I guess maybe the Wild need to make some space on their roster and clear some cap space.

Rink Rats!!!
Sources close to Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik tell me the two plan to make themselves a package deal come July first. The two are the best of friends and are hopeful they'll be playing together after this season.

A major reason Hossa elected to turn down millions of dollars from Pittsburgh and take the one year offer from Detroit is to not only put himself in position to win a Cup, but to become a UFA at the same time Gaborik enters the open market.

Stay tuned on this one.....

T.J. Oshie gets an MRI. This disturbs me, I finally get to watch T.J. Oshie play the other night and gets hurt. Ugh...

Blues rookie T.J. Oshie was scheduled to have an MRI today on his injured ankle. The results will obviously give the Blues a clearer indication of how long they expect to be without him.

Gandalf on Big Joe Finely.

Gandalf The Red from Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets. has an interesting take on my favorite Fighting Sioux defenseman, big Joe Finley. Just for the record big Joe is out with a concussion, which I hope he gets over soon. You do have to love Gandalf's attempt at humor. I still want to see the letter that Joe drafted last season for the Wisconsin mascot.

Last week's poll winner Joe Finley, top goon in the WCHA, didn't play this past weekend for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux due to injury, or at least that is what they want you to believe.

I think its more than a coincidence that Joe Finley had a week off and couldn't return to the lineup w/ an "undisclosed injury" when the opponent just happened to be the Wisconsin Badgers. I would venture that Joe Finley didn't play last weekend because of Patrick Johnson.

Its well documented that Joe Finley was owned by Patrick Johnson last season, likely on several occasions. Patrick said so himself at one point that he told the top goon that he was going to own him. What reason would I have not to believe Patrick? He's the son of legends in Wisconsin Hockey history and reminds us before each home game that "It's a great day for hockey!"

Poll Monday

I can't remember the last time I have seen so many polls, hockey and political over the course of one month. Thank God the election is over tomorrow, or should we say that voting is over tomorrow, we could be counting votes (dimpled chads, hanging chads) till January.

USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
1 Colorado College (41) 5-0-3 986 1
2 Boston College ( 5) 5-1-0 932 2
3 Boston University ( 4) 5-1-0 908 3
4 Minnesota 4-0-2 829 5
5 New Hampshire 4-1-2 772 6
6 Denver 4-2-1 755 4
7 Michigan 6-2-0 676 8
8 Miami 4-2-2 599 7
9 Princeton 1-0-0 548 10
10 Northeastern 5-1-2 529 9
11 Michigan State 4-2-2 468 11
12 Notre Dame 4-3-0 457 13
13 Minnesota State 3-2-1 316 12
14 Air Force 8-0-0 291 17
15 Clarkson 1-1-2 249 15
16 Vermont 3-2-1 216 14
17 Cornell 0-0-0 187 16
18 Harvard 1-0-0 156 20
19 Massachusetts 4-1-1 146 NR
20 Minnesota-Duluth 4-1-2 104 NR

Interesting! I think there are way too many EZAC teams in the top 20, Cornell hasn't played a game yet and are ranked 17th. Give me a break. Also, UMD cracks the top 20. So if we look at this poll we to believe that Vermont is better than UMD. Yeah ok.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll

1 Colorado College 501 (28) 1 5-0-3
2 Boston College 469 (5) 2 5-1-0
3 Boston University 442 (1) 3 5-1-0
4 University of Minnesota 394 5 4-0-2
5 University of New Hampshire 361 7 4-1-2
6 University of Denver 354 4 4-2-1
7 University of Michigan 304 8 6-2-0
8 Miami (Ohio) University 242 6 4-2-2
9 Princeton University 205 10 1-0-0
10 Northeastern University 193 9 5-1-2
11 Michigan State University 162 12 4-2-2
12 University of Notre Dame 141 13 4-3-0
13 Minnesota State University 73 11 3-2-1
14 U.S. Air Force Academy 72 NR 8-0-0
15 Clarkson University 50 14 1-1-2

Inside College Hockey

1. Colorado College
2. Minnesota
3. Boston College
4. Boston University
5. New Hampshire
6. Denver
7. Princeton
8. Northeastern
9. Michigan
10. Michigan State
11. Miami
12. Notre Dame
13. Minnesota State
14. Air Force
15. Cornell
16. Minnesota Duluth
17. Vermont
18. Massachusetts
19. Clarkson
20. Alaska Anchorage

Monday morning hockey tid bits.

Brian Costello from the Hockey News has an interesting opinion on the recent Doug Weight hit on Brandon Sutter. It was clean, and I agree. You know what is funny you never heard people complain when Scott Stevens was laying people out, I don't remember a lot of people having an issue with his monster hits. While I am sure the league will look at these hits, they are part of the game.

Hitting and head shots two different things
There’s only one thing sadder in hockey than seeing a player such as Brandon Sutter lose consciousness and sustain a concussion after an on-ice hit. The change-the-game backlash and pleas to ban head shots are more harmful to the game.

It was a clean hit, plain and simple. There was no head-hunting involved, there was no penalty on the play and there’s no reason for revenge or game-altering rule changes demanded by some hockey critics.

Doug Weight of the New York Islanders was the last man back on the play Oct. 25. He and Carolina’s Sutter were rushing to the loose puck and a collision was inevitable. If Weight pulls up, he risks giving Sutter a breakaway and is certainly criticized by Islanders fans.

Former Gopher Ben Clymer's has a Blog post on playing hockey in Russia and the tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov.

After dinner I settled back into my room and turned on the TV to double check if I'd missed any channels that may have been on commercial the first time. I came across a news show on Cherepanov and the tragedy that had just happened.

It was in Russian, but still rather easy to follow as they interviewed his mother. I felt so bad for her; you could see how much pain she was in and how difficult it must have been for her to lose her son at such a young age.

After the show, I walked down to Igor Ulanov's room to hangout for a bit and found out he had watched the same show. He told me how Alexei's favorite player was Jaromir Jagr and that when he heard Jagr was coming to Omsk, Cherepanov told the Rangers he was going to stay another year in Russia to play with his idol.

According to Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski it sounds like the wheels are starting to come off in Dallas, as a Wild fan I can only say, "Oh darn".

But the Stars are a different situation, because neither of those other teams publicly aired their frustration like the Stars are during their struggles (3-5-1 in their last nine games).

It's one thing to hear a grumble here or there; it's another thing for a conference finalist to have a veteran star like Mike Modano call out his teammates for "one of the most embarrassing things I've seen." Or for goaltender Marty Turco to both blame his teammates for his struggles while questioning their faith in him. Or for the team's two-headed general managers' office to threaten emphatic changes if the situation doesn't resolve itself on the ice and in the locker room.

Sunday night Linkorama

*Last night I got home from the Sioux and Badgers game and wanted to catch the end of the Minnesota Wild and the Phoenix Coyotes When I realized that the game was on NHL Center Ice the game and a few others were not on. Please tell me what the hell I am paying for?

*Former Gophers goalie Jeff "long island tea" Frazee was called up by the New Jersey Devils after all world goalie Martin Brodeur hurt his elbow. Frazee's call up was a matter of convenience as Frazee was the closest to NJ.

Goaltender Jeff Frazee has been recalled from Trenton of the ECHL on an emergency basis and is practicing with the Devils today. "He was the closest," Lamoriello said.

*Wild Defenseman Brent Burns was hurt during pre game warm ups during the Wild and Coyotes game. The Wild are getting thin as Nolen, Gaborik and Burns are hurt. According to Mike Russo Burns should be ready to go on Tuesday night.

*Former Gopher Thomas Vanek is on fire and scoring a lot of goals.

The Sabres' $50 million man has been on the money from the first drop of the puck. He's scoring even-strength goals (five). He's scoring short-handed (two). He's scoring on the power play (four). He's scoring game-winners (two), including Saturday's just 1:12 into the game.

*Former Fighting Sioux Star Drew Stafford is 12th on the Sabres in scoring through 11 games.

Things get crazy in Boston.

Check out this hit by Andrew Ference on Dallas tough guy Steve Ott that led to the fight between Ference and super punk Sean Avery. I really wish I would have DVRed this game so I could re-watch this game more closely. That fact is that it slipped my mind because I was preoccupied with the Sioux and Badges game Saturday night.

It would be an understatement to say that there was a lot of stuff going on during this game. It is good to see the Bruins take exception with Ott and Avery's antics.

Here is a link to all of the action from last night's game.

Even former UMD Bulldog Matt Niskanen and Shane Hnidy got after it.

My question to the Stars fans is when did the Dallas Stars become such a band of cheap shot artists?

Here is why I am excited...

Thanks to badgersioux for adding this video, Tim Hennessy the voice of the Fighting Sioux radio on the call of the goal. There were some positives from last night's game this was one of them. Jason Gregoire has one hell of a shot and scored two pretty goals during this weekend's series.

My Prediction is that the Trupp, Gregoire (add one forward) line is going to turn some heads this season.

2008-2009 Inter-Conference Records

Here are the inter conference records so far this season. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out as the season goes along.

Conference vs. 'Big 4'
AHA 3-21-1 (.140)
CCHA 7-13-3 (.370)
CHA 4-13-2 (.263)
ECAC 2-7-2 (.273)
HEA 16-5-2 (.739)
WCHA 7-7-3 (.500)

Scores from Saturday night.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Atlantic Hockey
Holy Cross 2 at RIT 5
Canisius 4 at American Int'l 1
Army 3 at Sacred Heart 3 ot
Bentley 2 at Air Force 8

CCHA
Ohio State 1 at Michigan 6
Notre Dame 4 at Northern Michigan 2
Alaska 0 at Miami 5
Michigan State 2 at Western Michigan 2 ot: MSU wins shootout
Lake Superior 3 at Ferris State 4
Nebraska-Omaha 5 at Bowling Green 3

Analysis: Another shootout in the CCHA, I wounder if Walt Kyle is warming up the idea yet? Michigan regains winning form after being pounded by BU.

CHA
Alabama-Huntsville 2 at Robert Morris 3

Who hates Huntsville we hate Huntsville.

Hockey East
New Hampshire 2 at Northeastern 2 ot
Boston University 7 at Vermont 2
Massachusetts 5 at Providence 1

Analysis: Boston University scores 7 goals two games in a row. Leading the Terriers up front Chris Higgins had a goal and three assists and Colin Wilson had two goals as well as the Terriers roll big against Vermont. Hockey East leading Northeastern gets one point on the weekend with a loss and a tie against UNH. UNH keeps playing strong hockey as well.

WCHA
Wisconsin 5 at North Dakota 2
St. Cloud State 1 vs. Minnesota-Duluth 5
Minnesota 6 vs. Minnesota State 3
Alaska-Anchorage 2 at Michigan Tech 1

Analysis: UAA splits with the MTU Huskies. Wisconsin and UND split their weekend series, like Boosh said, "you can't expect the Badgers to lose forever". Minnesota takes three points against the MSU-M Mavericks. Mike Zacharias was awesome in net on Friday night, but gives up three goals in the third period of Saturday's game. Here is a hint don't play anymore games against the rodents in the Xcel Engery Center.
<----Edit---->
My fellow partner in crime Donn aka Sioux7 incorrectly picked the Bulldogs to beat the SCSU Huskies after first totally snubbing them, hence, causing Donna from RWD to be upset with us. The reason I haven't commented on the game is FSN failed to cover the Bulldogs and the Huskies which would have allowed us to see the UMD bulldogs play.

Non-Conference
Niagara 1 at Maine 4
Connecticut 1 at Quinnipiac 4

Analysis: Maine takes two games from CHA foe Niagara as the Black Bears get to .500 on the season.

Showcase
Yale 6 at Brown 3

Analysis: The EZAC finally gets into action after starting 2 weeks behind the other big three conferences.

BADgers 5 Fighting Sioux 2.

If there is a weak link right now I would say it is the defense, the blue liners have got to be better if UND is going to be successful this season. There is nothing like leaving your goalie out high and dry, it is a recipe for disaster. The game started out pretty good UND, the Fighting Sioux were able to gain a 2-0 lead before giving up 5 unanswered goals. I think that is unacceptable, and can not happen again. A couple of these goals were of the soft varitey. Just for the Record Chay Genoway was on the ice for 4 of the 5 goals scored against the Sioux in the third period. One Thing I know is that the Sioux need to get Big Joe Finley back in the line up soon.

If I fault Hakstol for anything I wish he would have brought in Brad Eidsness in early last year like DU did with Marc Cheverie. It just seems that Brad is a few weeks behind and it is going to be a few more weeks before he is up to speed. That being said I hope that Hakstol doesn't think he has to come back with Walksi, Eidness is the future of the Fighting Sioux and I think Hakstol just need to go with him until he figures it out. It makes no sense playing a goalie that hasn't proven in three seasons that he is capable of playing at the division one level.

The Fighting Sioux will be fine it is just going to take a few more weeks to get everyone on the same sheet of music, that is what happens when you have a high number of players coming and going each season. I thought UND played pretty well on the weekend and just had a few bad moments in the third period of Saturday's game that kept them from getting the sweep.

While a sweep would have been the best result a split is not that bad, coming into this series Wisconsin had won the last four games against the Sioux in the Ralph Englestad Arena so in the grand scheme of things a split isn't all that bad.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WIS-1 Podge Turnbull (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 5:59
WIS-2 Brendan Smith (2-Roughing) 11:49
WIS-3 Brendan Smith (2-High-Sticking) (Served by Craig Johnson) NDK 0x2 11:49
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 11:49
WIS-4 Tom Gorowsky (2-Roughing) 18:20
NDK-2 Corey Fienhage (2-Roughing) 18:20

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

NDK-3 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) WIS 0x1 3:49
WIS-5 Blake Geoffrion (2-Tripping) NDK 0x3 4:34
NDK-4 Jake Marto (2-Interference) WIS 0x2 13:40
NDK 1 - 0 5x6 SH Ryan Duncan (2) (Chris VandeVelde) 14:23
NDK (+): 16,29,6,5,G31 WIS (-): 2,21,24,9,19,G35
WIS-6 Andy Bohmbach (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 15:53
NDK 2 - 0 6x6 Jason Gregoire (2) (Evan Trupp, Matt Frattin) 17:59
NDK (+): 17,19,21,25,3,G31 WIS (-): 17,16,27,12,11,G35
NDK-5 Zach Jones (2-Slashing) WIS 0x3 18:23
NDK-6 Chay Genoway (2-Holding) WIS 1x4 19:45

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

WIS 1 - 2 6x5 PP Derek Stepan (2) (Jamie McBain, John Mitchell) 0:56
WIS: 21,2,24,7,9,G35 NDK: 20,25,6,11,G31
NDK-7 Corey Fienhage (2-Interference) WIS 2x5 1:34
WIS 2 - 2 6x5 PP Blake Geoffrion (2) (Jake Gardiner, Derek Stepan) 1:48
WIS: 5,19,21,2,9,G35 NDK: 29,16,6,5,G31
WIS 3 - 2 6x6 GW LL Tom Gorowsky (1) (Jamie McBain, Sean Dolan) 2:17
WIS (+): 15,2,16,24,7,G35 NDK (-): 5,10,11,20,25,G31
WIS 4 - 2 6x6 Tom Gorowsky (2) (unassisted) 13:42
WIS (+): 15,24,2,16,7,G35 NDK (-): 18,29,16,24,5,G31
WIS-7 Ryan McDonagh (2-Interference) NDK 0x5 16:22
WIS 5 - 2 5x6 SH EN Blake Geoffrion (3) (unassisted) 17:41
WIS (+): 5,20,10,27,G35 NDK (-): 14,5,10,26,29,16

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

Bickel vs Lessard

Holy cow, former Gopher hack Stu Bickel has really found his niche in the AHL, racking up penalty minutes. I think Bickel is in the right organization for that role being a member of the Ducks. They play a brand of hockey that would make the Broad Street Bullies proud and it is very entertaining to watch.

In this case I think Stu Bickel reacted the way he should have, Bickel responded appropriately to a very questionable hit by Francis Lessard, who was also suspended by the AHL for his elbow on Bickel.

The Bickel Line

Bickel through 9 games with the Iowa Chops has played in 9 games scoring 0-0-0 -1 (+/-) with 32 minutes in penalties.

Check out this podcast.

I think this is one of these podcasts from Paul Allen's show that is a must listen for KFAN rubes. During the first hour of this past Monday's show Paul Allen talks about the transition for KFAN during the 0900-1200 time slot. Seems, Paul Allen is looking for a hockey rube to talk college hockey. Interested people should inquire about the position.

(Listen to the Transition Montage here)

A couple of things from last night's game.

According to BADgers beat writer Todd D. Milewski Joe Finley is out again for tonight's game. That is going to be bad news for the Corey Fienhage haters. I heard a lot of fans complaining in the stands about Corey Fienhage last night. I think people need to get some perspective; lets not forget that the kid is straight out of high school. Honesty, we should be happy to have him here, he could have been a dirty Gopher or Badger. Cory will get it right, give him a break.

North Dakota defenseman Joe Finley, who missed last weekend's series with an injury, is out of the lineup again tonight

Seems that the Badger coaches are doing a lot of complaining about the officiating so far this season. Come on Mike we all know the officials in this league suck and all WCHA teams have to deal with the same officials. Hum, I thought the Sioux fans, players and coaches were a bunch of halos. (from the same article)

DID YOU NOTICE?
The Badgers complained to the officials after the game that North Dakota had six skaters and a goalie on the ice for about 15 seconds of the final minute.

According to Brad this is the BADgers worst start since 1975-1976, damn that breaks my heart.

In looking at the stats there was only 13 penalties called during last nights game. That seems to be an improvement after one non conference game with WCHA officals had 22 penalties called.

Penalties-minutes — UND 5-10, UW 8-16

Power plays — UND 1-7, UW 1-4

Better dead than red: UND 3 BADgers 2

Sioux kept the Wisconsin BADgers winless and they improved to 2-3-0 and 2-1-0 in the WCHA standing for the season. First off; I will be the first to admit that this has been a rough start to begin the season; 1-3 is not an impressive record by any shape of the imagination. That being said, “I think there are a lot of things to smile about after watching this game”.

While the Sioux are not very big up front the Fighting Sioux are quick, skilled, and a very fast team that was all over the Wisconsin BADgers tonight. The Badger players should hug their goalie Shane Connelly because he saved their ass tonight, this game could have been 6-2. I thought it was appropriate for Shane Connelly to be named the number one star of the game by the Fighting Sioux radio broadcast team.

Too early to jump ship just yet…

I have got to say this: for the Sioux fans that were ready to jump off the bandwagon after two weeks or commit hairy-kairy with a very sharp object, please step back from the ledge and put down the sharp object, the Fighting Sioux are going to be fine. I don’t’ care what Jess Meyers has to say I do not see this team finishing in 7th place in the WCHA.

On the Goal tending front, Brad Eidsness played very well and earned himself another start for tomorrow’s game, if I hear Aaron Walski name announced as the starting goaltender tomorrow night I am booing. Brad Eidness improved to 2-1 with a 3.33 goals against average and a .880 save percentage and is getting better with every game.

One question I do have is why is David Toews not playing tonight? I have a tough time believing he isn't one of the top 12 forwards on the Fighting Sioux.

Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-1 Corey Fienhage (2-Roughing) WIS 0x1 6:39
WIS-1 Eric Springer (2-Interference) NDK 0x1 10:47
WIS-2 Sean Dolan (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 13:42

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

WIS 1 - 0 6x6 Derek Stepan (1) (Patrick Johnson) 1:54
WIS (+): 21,10,12,4,19,G35 NDK (-): 21,20,4,22,3,G31
WIS-3 Brendan Smith (2-Holding) NDK 0x3 3:12
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Brad Miller (2) (Chay Genoway) 6:53
NDK (+): 14,5,17,24,8,G31 WIS (-): 7,8,15,2,24,G35
WIS-4 Podge Turnbull (2-Roughing) NDK 0x4 13:47
NDK-2 Ben Blood (2-Holding) WIS 0x2 16:41
WIS-5 Blake Geoffrion (2-Roughing) 20:00
NDK-3 Darcy Zajac (2-Roughing) 20:00

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

NDK-4 Derrick LaPoint (2-High-Sticking) WIS 1x3 1:05
WIS 2 - 1 6x5 PP Brendan Smith (3) (Michael Davies, Jamie McBain) 2:00
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Andrew Kozek (2) (Darcy Zajac) 3:54 NDK (+): 10,11,6,25,20,G31 WIS (-): 5,17,21,15,11,G35
WIS-6 Brendan Smith (2-Interference) NDK 0x5 8:03
NDK-5 Ryan Martens (2-Hooking) WIS 1x4 10:59
WIS-7 Patrick Johnson (2-Tripping) NDK 1x6 13:49
NDK 3 - 2 6x5 PP GW LL Jason Gregoire (1) (Evan Trupp) 14:45 NDK: 17,19,26,14,25,G31 WIS: 17,16,27,12,G35
WIS-8 Blake Geoffrion (2-Slashing) NDK 1x7 16:16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin Goaltending 1st 2nd 3rd Total Minutes GA
Shane Connelly 17 11 8 36 50:57 2
EMPTY NET 0 0:02 0
Shane Connelly (L, 0-4-1) 0 0 6 6 8:45 1
EMPTY NET 0 0:16 0

North Dakota Goaltending 1st 2nd 3rd Total Minutes GA
Brad Eidsness (W, 2-1-0) 11 4 5 20 60:00 2

Bulletin board Material...

Hey Fighting Sioux defensemen Michael Davis thinks you guys are a bunch of softies. Please someone hit this guy in the mouth this weekend...

From the Badger Beat: We've got to keep it simple," Davies said. "Get (the puck) in. Throw pucks at the net. Get pucks behind their (defensemen), especially North Dakota. Their (defensemen) don't like to be hit. Their (defensemen) don't like to turn."

Former Sioux star Zach Parise on streak...

Here is a really nice story on former Sioux star Zach Parise and the success he is having with the Devils this season.

NY Post--- It remains the highest pick the Devils owned since 1996, and unlike 10th pick Lance Ward that year, they hit paydirt with this one, selecting Parise.

Parise led the Devils with 32 and 31 goals the past two seasons, and he's threatening to make those figures look like preludes. Parise is among the league-leaders with seven goals in the Devils' nine games, and the five-game goal streak he'll bring into tomorrow's game against Atlanta in Newark is the longest in the league this year.

Now 24, Parise kept that streak running by forcing overtime for New Jersey's charity point in Wednesday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Leafs. It was clutch in more ways than one. It probably averted a punishment practice of stops-and-starts yesterday, after the Devils pedaled stationary bikes following that loss.

Parise is an example of Devils' development. They could have tried him during their 2004 playoff loss to the Flyers, but kept him idle as a 19-year-old. He played for their farm team during the lockout and broke in slowly as a rookie in 2005-06, going only 14-16-30.

It was nothing like Mike Bossy, before his first IslandersNew York Islanders camp, walking into Gallagher's Steakhouse in Manhattan, proclaiming that he could score 50 as a rookie, before doing it.

Eaves not happy with the officating.

This was posted over on Siouxsports.com and this is interesting, because I told someone last weekend that it was almost like the refs were almost over calling penalties to the point of being silly, you know to make a point. It was almost like the league office is saying ok you S.O.B we will show you. You want penalties and the games called tighter we will call them tighter. I think while Eaves is sounding kind of whinny here I do think Mike has a point, there were a few call last week that were down right brutal. I remember watching the play and saying, you have got to be kidding me.

I also think Eaves is trying to get the advantage in this weeks series with the Fighting Sioux with a little gamesmanship.

I guess the fans are also not happy with the officiating this season so far.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- It was no secret that there were going to be more penalties called in college hockey this season, what with the emphasis on punishing crimes that previously went without a whistle.

Wisconsin Badgers coach Mike Eaves was one of those who said the game would be better if players didn't have to fight through holding and interference -- a change the NHL had already successfully made, albeit with growing pains.

Eaves didn't know the pains at his level would be quite like this.

As the Badgers open a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at North Dakota Friday, they are no different than any other college hockey team -- trying to adjust to the new way that things are being done.

But Eaves is concerned that referees, in an effort to push the NCAA rules emphasis, have gone a little overboard.

He sent WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd a series of video clips from last weekend's series against Minnesota to illustrate his concerns about the officiating.

A few things.

USCHO writer Theresa Spisak/WCHA Correspondent predicts a split in this weekends series between the Sioux and the BADgers.

Wisconsin @ No. 18 North Dakota
The hat says: UW sweep.
I say: This series is tricky. The Badgers have won four straight at the Engelstad, but they're also missing a few players due to injury including Ben Street. The Sioux may have finally figured out how to win (something UW hasn't done yet). Gotta say split. UW Friday and UND Saturday.

From the same article: After playing one game last year and sitting out because of a knee injury Ryan Stoa is turning some heads. I am sure it won't be long before Sioux fans will see Ryan Stoa standing in front of the Sioux goal.

You had to be impressed by the way Ryan Stoa made his presence felt in last weekend’s series at Wisconsin. The junior captain started the Gophers’ rally from a 2-0 deficit on Friday with a second-period goal, then made a critical defensive play to keep the deficit at one in the third, setting up the late tying goal by freshman defenseman Sam Lofquist.

On Saturday, he scored twice, the first just six seconds after the opening face off.

Sioux caption Ryan Duncan says that there is nothing wrong with putting the puck on net. I guess I have to agree with that philosophy because you are going to miss 100% of the shots you never take.

Ryan Duncan apparently subscribes to the theory that a shot on goal is never a bad play. In North Dakota’s split at Minnesota State earlier this month, Duncan fired 10 shots on goal on Friday and didn’t score in the 5-1 Fighting Sioux loss. One night later he sent 15 shots at Mavericks goaltender Mike Zacharias and got one of them to go in (his first of the season) in North Dakota’s 4-3 come-from-behind win. In their 1-3-0 start, the Sioux have played 240 minutes of hockey and have held the lead for 2:25.

INCH on the shootout.

I recommend listening to the podcast from INCH this week they discuss the much maligned shootout. I had the pleasure of listening to this pod cast last night while I was out walking my dog and I have to admit that the discussion was interesting and hit a lot of the issues that have been discussed in the last year.

Personally I like the shootout and I think "the shootout" is eventually going to be the way to settle hockey games, just my humble opinion.

Badgers and Sioux the match up.

This weekend's action between the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux 1-3-0 and the Wisconsin Badgers 0-5-1 in the grand scheme of things might actually prove to be a pivotal game for both teams. You want your team to win now so you don't have to worry about every win and loss later on in the season. Even though it is early in the season the Fighting Sioux do not want to go 1-5-0. It would be a big hole for them to dig themselves out of.

Anything less than 2 points for either team this weekend could end up being very devastating in the grand scheme of things, however, if you go on past history it would appear that the Sioux don't really get interested in winning before the first of the year. I would like to see this trend change.


Links to this weekend's series

Sioux Yeah Yeah! breaks down this weekend's series...

Dirty insults the whole state of Wisconsin.

CHN's Tale of the tape

Know your enemy: Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets.

BADger Beat: Former Badgers Sieve Mike Valley is working with the Wisconsin goalies.

Simply Put... Sioux focused.

RWD's favorite media blogger Brad Elliott Schlossman informs us that Matt Watkins is healthy and Finely is day to day...



According to Todd D. Milewski -- the Badgers line up will look like this.
Murray-Geoffrion-Davies
P. Johnson-Thurber-Stepan
Mitchell-Turnbull-Dolan
Gorowsky-Bohmbach

Smith-McBain
McDonagh-Little
Springer-Gardiner
Goloubef

Connelly
Gudmandson

Bruins new third jersey.

This was over on HubHockey.com I might have to get one of the new jerseys because they are sweet.

Sioux players support the shootout.

I would have seen this article a little earlier today if my paper boy from the Grand Forks Herald had delivered my paper on time; I got the last three days papers today. Naturally I am not a happy camper. I actually had to call the Herald office today and ask them why they hadn’t delivered it in the last three days. I wanted to ask the lady to remind me why it is beneficial to pay for a newspaper I can’t read because it didn’t show up at my door.

The only reason that I get the Grand Forks Herald because I like their sports page the rest of it is basically AP stories and garbage. The Herald is a good way to follow Fighting Sioux sports, especially hockey. Incidentally, Brad has a really neat article on the shootout and how the Sioux players are for it.

Sioux would support shootout
Brad Elliott Schlossman --- Grand Forks Herald
Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches largely have been against the shootout. Minnesota coach Don Lucia and Denver coach George Gwozdecky used the WCHA’s annual media conference call as a platform to voice their opposition to the shootout.

But not everyone feels that way.

UND coach Dave Hakstol said he thinks shootouts would be good for the league. His players agree.

“It’s unfortunate we’re not using the shootout in the WCHA this year,” Hakstol said. “I think it’s going to be a real source of excitement in the other leagues. It is in the NHL. You can debate up and down the subject as to whether it is legitimate or good for the standings. One thing that can’t be debated is that it’s exciting for the fans.”

Hey Lucia we get it, you don't like the shoot out.

Halloween Weekend Games (Sioux 7)

Since Halloween is this weekend it is nice that all the college hockey fans will be treated, not tricked, with some old WCHA rivalries and some new rivalries too. So lets take a look at the game candy we will be eating up, yum yum yum.


Lets start out with the CC-DU series this weekend. CC and DU enter this Friday Sunday series with 2-0 league records and 4-0-2 and 4-1-0 overall records respectively. CC is currently ranked #1 and DU is #4 in the latest USCHO poll. This also is their battle for the GOLD PAN, well 2 of the 4 games, with the winner at the end of the season receiving the GP for the series winner. Both teams are playing well early this season, and not seeing either of them play yet, I will call this one a split, the home team wins game.


The next big rivaly that will be renewed this season is UW at UND for pair of contests. Both the Badgers and Sioux are off to "slow" starts, but UND showed some signs of life against MSUM with a third period rally with four goals. The Badgers are giving up a slug of goals (30 goals in 6 games) this season, which in not their M.O. I think the woes for the faithful in Madison will get down right scary after the halloween weekend. UND will not be giving the Badgers any candy this weekend, they will play trick on them and take four points. You can almost hear the screams coming from Wisconsin already.


#12 MSUM vs #5 UM - I think it is safe to say that the Mavericks will want some revenge, to put it mildly, after last years play-off series with the Gophers. This is a goofy set up, one game at Mariucci arena (UM's home game) and one at the Xcel center (MSUM's home game). I wonder why the decided to have their home game away from the friendly confines of the Alltel center? Money? I think this should be one hellava series, MSUM owns a 3-1-0 record and UM has a 3-0-1 record. I like the way MSUM is playing right now and UM is doing well too, but I'm taking MSUM to take 3 points this weekend.


UAA at MTU - UFF-DA, thats my norweign side coming out. This series could go along way for either one of these teams is they can get a sweep, the four points are critical. I know it is early in the season, but if one, or both, of these teams wants to avoid a bottom half finish they need points. I'm hoping Alaska can prove me wrong with picking them to finish tenth. The Seawolves are actually putting some goals up on the board, and thats what the doctor ordered for them, so the medicine is working so far. So, here is my "upset" special of the week, the Huskies in Houghton accidentally give all their candy to the Seawolves (sorry MeanEGirl).


SCSU and UMD have the weekend off

Wild aren't good against Stars in Dallas...

I had to take a second look when I read this clip in the Star and Tribune... I wonder if there is any way we can blame Norm Green for that? LOL...

The Wild (6-1-1) dropped its ninth consecutive game (0-7-2) in Dallas since a 3-2 overtime vicory on March 21, 2003. That ties the franchise record for longest winless streak in an opposing arena.

Brent Sutter on the Brandon Sutter hit.

Here is what New Jersey Devils coach and former NHL player Brent Sutter had to say about Doug Weight's legal hit on Carolina Hurricanes Brandon Sutter (his son). Interesting, you have to wonder if anything will come out of this next time the two teams play?

Sutter said that when he played, such a hit would lead to repercussions. "I'm not talking about suspensions or penalties, either," Brent Sutter said. "If a player got hit in the head, whether it was clean or dirty, you knew what was going to happen. It was going to be a long night for the guy who did the hitting. And the next time, it would be a long night.

"People may say I'm old-school," Brent Sutter said. "The game today is better in a lot of areas. But in some areas, it's not and it's troublesome. There is a lack of respect for opponents' players. It's the way the game is played today, and there are significant injuries. It is what it is."

WCHA on Shootouts.

This was over on INCH. I agree with the article that eventually the NCAA is going to settle ties via the shootout just like they do in the NHL. I agree with Joe Bertagna its coming eventually. Of course it will be fun, yet predictable to see the anti-shoot out people come out of the wood work to complain about the shootout being a gimmick.

INCH on the shootout: I would’ve hated to travel 13 hours one way and 14 hours home to lose in a shootout,” said Owens, who has plenty of shootout experience from years of coaching in the USHL. “The only value it adds is entertainment for the fans. You can play a great road game, earn a 2-2 tie, lose in a shootout and feel like you lost the game. We went to Clarkson, a tough road trip, and came away with a split. And I’m fine with that.”

The CCHA, along with the women’s leagues in Hockey East and the WCHA, are using shootouts to settle tie games this year. And some college hockey higher-ups - most notably Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna - have predicted to INCH that shootouts are going to be the normal tiebreaker in all of college hockey within a few years. But for now, many are watching closely to see how they affect the CCHA standings.

Even after his team won a shootout with Air Force in a holiday tournament last season, Minnesota coach Don Lucia is a vocal opponent of the procedure. He notes that the CCHA is only using them for standings purposes, and that games tied after five minutes of overtime still count as a tie for NCAA purposes. Lucia told INCH that if shootouts are such a great idea, he feels the CCHA should have the courage to let the results (win or lose) count for NCAA purposes.

The entertainment value of the shootout is noted by Denver coach George Gwozdecky, He thinks they’re fine in the NHL, where you play 84 games that count, but feels that in a 28-game WCHA schedule, too much emphasis could be placed on the results of shootout. Gwozdecky said he also hates the idea of playing a team game for 65 minutes, then deciding who wins or loses with a contest that pits two individuals against one another.

Tim Conboy vs Steve Downie; ouch he bit me...

The Rink Rat gave me a heads up on this fight video. First of all, I can't believe that I had missed this story and not heard about this one until this evening.

Check out the fight video, typical Downie stuff hacking someone with his stick. That guy will get his someday. Honestly, I have to say that Steve Downie is a disgrace to the game of hockey and one of the biggest hacks to ever play the game and I love watching him get pounded on.

That being said apparently we are going to have to send Tim Conboy to get his rabies shots because it is alleged that Conboy bit Steve Downie on the hand actually drawing blood and leaving teeth marks. Yeah; that's right, Tim Conboy bit super hack Steve Downie on the hand. Since when did hockey players start acting like a bunch of 5 year old girls? I would be willing to bet this isn't the last time we hear about this.

Have a bite?

The AHL should be looking into a suspension for Albany River Rats captain Tim Conboy, who was assessed a fighting major, instigation and unsportsmanlike minors, a game misconduct for instigating and a game misconduct for "persisting in a fight," following a high-sticking incident and fight with Steve Downie during the Phantoms' 3-0 win Saturday afternoon.
"I've never heard of [persisting] in a fight before," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "The report I got was that [Conboy] bit Downie on the hand. He had blood and teeth marks on his hand."

Dubay readers comment.

I found this article in the Pioneer Press newspaper site and I thought some of the posts were interesting, and thought provoking. I listened just brifely to KFAN the other day and there has definately become a huge void that was the PA and Dubay show. Actually the show has sucked since Jeff left/has been fired. I only PRAY that KFAN can find a suitable replacement that doesn't bore the hell out of me.

(read the whole blog post here)Pioneer Press Select comments from readers about Jeff Dubay's departure from KFAN and his longtime partnership with Paul Allen, the Vikings play-by-play announcer.

WHY THE DOUBLE STANDARD FOR CELEBRITIES?
So Dubay clearly has a problem and maybe this is the thing that gets him turned around.

But why are we as a society so quick to throw people to the wayside once they make mistakes? We'll allow actors and athletes and public figures to go to rehab countless times, be charged with everything under the sun, go through every imaginable scandal possible, but we will not allow a guy like Dubay to get a hold of his problem, see if he can recover and allow him back on the air? Why?

Why are common people not allowed the same rope that we give public figures? I speak from personal knowledge. I worked my tail off for 15 years, provided a great life for my family, never got into trouble, not even a traffic ticket. Then, I get into a bit of trouble...similar to Dubay and all the sudden I am an outcast...not to be trusted. Even though I have been through two years of rehab, counseling, programs...You name it.

Jeff Dubay deserves a chance to get his life back on track and be welcomed with compassionate arms back to KFAN.
Gatty 790, Grand Forks

A PRAYER FOR DUBAY
Life, often with our own assistance, can leave us between very unpleasant and harsh alternatives. The only remedy is to keep our faces toward the shovel and grind it out. I am praying that the outcome for Jeff will be the best it can. Paul's forthrightness, tempered with obvious compassion, will aid in the cause. Best wishes to all at The Fan
Guy Green, Brainerd

Check out this top 15...

I found this blog post by Julie Robenhymer over on the HockeyBuzz.com even though UND is 1-3-0 she still has the Fighting Sioux ranked 15th...

Here's a review of what happened to the Top 15 this past weekend:

1 - CC - tied NR Clarkson twice - (1-1 and 2-2)
2 - Denver - beat NR OSU 3-1 and then lost 4-3 the next night
3 - UNH - tied NR UMass (1-1) and lost to NR St. Lawrence (4-1)
4 - BC - beat No. 12 Vermont 3-2
5 - Michigan - beat NR Niagra 4-1 and lost to No. 7 BU 7-2
6 - Minnesota - tied NR Wisconsin at 2 and then beat them 5-2
7 - BU - spanked No. 5 Michigan 7-2 in convincing fashion
8 - Notre Dame - lost to No. 10 Miami twice..3-0 3-2
9 - Princeton - still hasn't played a regular season game
10 - Miami - beat No. 8 Notre Dame twice...3-0 3-2
11 - Northeastern - beat NR Maine twice...5-0 and 2-1
12 - Vermont - lost to No. 4 BC 3-2
13 - Minnesota State - didn't play this weekend
14 - Michigan State - beat NR Northern Mich in a SO 3-2 and then in regulation 2-0
15 - NoDak - didn't play this weekend

Goon goes Five Hole... NCAA round up

Here is a blog post that I submitted to Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.

Wisconsin @ University of North Dakota

The Wisconsin Badgers (0-5-1) have given up an unimpressive 5 goals or more in five of six games this season. Wisconsin usually known for it airtight defense is looking more like Swiss cheese, full of holes. It will be interesting to see what Badgers team comes to Grand Forks, ND this weekend.

Up front the Wisconsin Badgers by freshman Jordy Murray (1-3-4) and junior Michael Davies (2-2-4). Incidentally the top point getters for the Wisconsin Badgers are a couple of defenseman Sophomore Ryan McDonagh (2-3-5) and much heralded freshman Jake Gardiner (0-5-5).

North Dakota on the other hand has one win to its credit in four games and has given up an unimpressive 16 goals in 4 games. In the goals-against column those numbers will need to improve if the Sioux are going to make another run to the Frozen Four this season. In goal for the Sioux much heralded freshman Brad Eidsness has been the better of the two goalies (1-1-0) goals against average 4.00 and a 0869 save percentage. While his numbers are unimpressive he did play better in his second start against Minnesota State.

Upfront for the Sioux are lead by 2007 Hobey Baker winner senior Ryan Duncan (1-2-3) and Senior Ryan Martens (2-1-3)
Prediction: Sioux 3 points

Minnesota State @ Minnesota

On paper this should prove to be a good series. This series is the rematch of last season’s first round WCHA playoff series between the Mavericks and Gophers. The Gopher hooked, slashed and held their way to win the series when all three games went to over time. Both teams are lead by stellar goaltenders so expect two low scoring games.

MSU-M is lead by rock-solid senior goaltender Mike Zacharias (3-1-0) goals against average 2.25 save percentage of .928, who has been a solid reliable goaltender in 3+ seasons at MSU-M (34-25-10). Zacharias was undefeated until the Mavericks lost a 4-3 game to the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota two Saturdays ago.

Minnesota is lead by sophomore goalie Alex Kangas (3-0-1) goals against average 1.72 and a save percentage of .936 who has been pretty sharp so far this season stopping 103/110 shots.

The Mavericks are an older team and the Gophers have 13 freshmen on this season’s roster.
Prediction: Split

Goon’s Top Ten
1.)BU
2.)C.C.
3.)B.C.
4.)Northeastern
5.)Minnesota
6.)New Hampshire
7.)Denver University
8.)Michigan
9.)Michigan State
10.) Miami

FSSN to air both Sioux and BADgers games this weekend...

There has been some concern that Saturday's game between the Fighting Sioux and Wisconsin Badgers isn't going to be on FSSN I called the WDAZ office and the woman I talked to said all home games are supposed to be on FSSN. I told her that it wasn't on the WDAZ web site and that there was some fans that are concerned that game wasn't going to be on this Saturday night. WDAZ is looking into the matter. The number to WDAZ is 701-775-2511.

----UPDATE---
The game will be on FSSN this weekend.
Friday 10/31/08
Hockey – Wisconsin 7:30pm

Saturday 11/1/08
Hockey - Wisconsin 7:00pm

USCHO Poll...

Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Colorado College (37) 4-0-2 976 1
2 Boston College ( 7) 3-1-0 914 3
3 Boston University ( 1) 4-1-0 872 6
4 Denver ( 3) 4-1-0 860 2
5 Minnesota ( 2) 3-0-1 808 7
6 New Hampshire 3-1-1 694 4
7 Miami 3-1-2 693 10
8 Michigan 4-2-0 634 5
9 Northeastern 5-0-1 550 14
10 Princeton 0-0-0 510 9
11 Michigan State 3-2-1 432 12
12 Minnesota State 3-1-0 391 13
13 Notre Dame 2-3-0 385 8
14 Vermont 2-1-1 330 11
15 Clarkson 1-1-2 283 19
16 Cornell 0-0-0 161 17
17 Air Force 6-0-0 154 NR
18 North Dakota 1-3-0 143 16
19 St. Cloud State 3-3-0 138 15
20 Harvard 0-0-0 109 20

Interesting UND drops two spots and they didn't play and Cornell goes up one spot and they didn't play this weekend either. Media darling Princeton dropped in the poll as well... I am surprised that C.C. remained at number one and they didn't win a game this weekend. I think this season there is a lot of parity.

Travis Roche bis 2012 beim SC Bern

Some one had this posted on Siouxsports.com Travis Roche has signed a contract to play in Bern Switzerland.

Travis Roche bis 2012 beim SC Bern

Der SCB hat den Vertrag mit dem kanadischen Verteidiger Travis Roche um drei Jahre bis und mit Saison 2011/12 verlängert.

Travis Roche hat in seinen bisher 16 Meisterschaftsspielen für den SCB 16 Punkte geholt (7 Tore, 9 Assists). Roche ist damit hinter Peteri Nummelin zurzeit der zweitbeste Offensiv-Verteidiger der National League A.

For the people that don't speak deutch I included the translation below. You have to love the google you can decipher that Travis Roche has signed a three year deal with SC Bern without ever taking a class in the German language.

Travis Roche until 2012 when SC Bern

SCB has the contract with the Canadian defenders Travis Roche for three years until the 2011/12 season and extended. Travis Roche has in his past 16 games for the championship 16 points SCB fetched (7 goals, 9 assists). Roche is so behind Peteri Nummelin currently the second best offensive defender of the National League A.

Manny Legace gets hurt on Palin's rug.

Here is the video of how Manny Legace injured his leg on the Rug that Sara Palin used to walk out on to the ice to drop the puck before the Blues and Kings game. I think the arena staff really dropped the ball on this one, this is was an unfortunate and avoidable incident.

Manny Legace injured his hip flexor by slipping on the red carpet put out for Palin as she walked out on the ice for the ceremonial opening faceoff. Legace sat out the second and third periods of the Blues 4-0 loss to the Kings.

So one person loss is another person's gain, so due to the lower body injury to Manny Legace, former Univesity of Maine goalie Ben Bishop was called up to play for the Blues, he had a shut out going until he suffered a lower body injury. You can't make this stuff up folks.

St. Louisan Ben Bishop, 21, making his first NHL start in front his hometown fans, was on the verge of a personal shutout before leaving early in the third period with a lower-body injury. Marek Schwarz closed out the win, which was a bonus for a team already dealing with injuries to Manny Legace (hip) and Chris Mason (appendectomy).

"(Bishop) did really well," said Blues center Andy McDonald, who had three assists. "It's not easy ... first NHL game ... he got some time (Friday) night, but to have the start, he played real solid for us. He made some key saves and you need that. However long Manny is out, we don't know that, but obviously we've got a lot of depth, and they played extremely well tonight."

Doug Weight's hit on Brandon Sutter

Watch this hit by Dough Weight on Brandon Sutter. First off this is a legal hit. In football we called it being ear holed. Ouch, it is one of the patented hits you used to see by Kevin Stevens.

Media sat on the Dubay story.

I found this while surfing the net and it appears the the media held off on reporting this story. I am actually shocked at this revelation. I expected them to be all over this with a feeding frenzy. I have never heard of the Minnesota Post until today.

David Brauer
How the Strib got scooped on KFAN host Dubay's arrest
A little after lunchtime Friday, a source sent me a tip: KFAN radio host Jeff Dubay had been arrested for felony narcotics possession.

I groaned, and not just because I was trying to wrap up a week’s work. In the '90s, I was a KFAN host, and Jeff was effectively my sidekick. He was a good guy and almost hysterically into sports, a trait he and other KFAN hosts have successfully played off of ever since.

I checked the Ramsey County Jail bookings and Dubay’s arrest popped up. No one had broken the story, but I did a gut check and decided I didn’t have the stomach to “out” Jeff’s troubles — the scoop just didn’t seem worth it given the world of hurt he must be in.

Friendship is a media reporter’s biggest conflict, but I rationalized my judgment this way: surely the daily press was already hot on the trail and I’d get beat anyway. (After all, I found the booking record on the PPress website!)

A KFAN source confirmed that mine was not the first call he’d received on the matter. Having wimped out, I sat back and watched to see how the news would emerge.

That evening, PiPress broke the story (I think); the bust led WCCO-TV’s Friday 10 p.m. newscast. From the Strib: nothing about Dubay on the website — and nothing in Saturday’s paper.
(read the rest of the story)

TSN.ca NHL Player Rankings

The TSN NHL fantasy players rankings are out and there are a few former WCHA players in the rankings.

Wings
1.) Thomas Vanek, Buffalo (UMN)
7.) Phil Kessel, Boston (UMN)
13.) Zach Parise, New Jersey (UND)
14.) Danny Heatley, Ottawa (Wisc)

Centers

4.) Paul Stastny, Colorado (DU)

Defense
10.) Keith Ballard, Florida (UMN)

Rookies
6.) Alex Goligoski, Pittsburgh (UMN)
15.) Kyle Okposo, New York (UMN)
20.) Brian Lee, Ottawa (UND)

Linkorama...

Former Gopher Phil Kessel is on fire right now for the Bruins and has been playing on the top line with Marc Savard. Since being benched in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Kessel has come up huge.

Phil Kessel is all grown up, and the Bruins need to re-sign this budding star
Mike McMahon --- BOSTON
Phil Kessel is turning into the sniper that the Bruins need him to be. In last night's 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kessel was both the Bruins' only goal scorer in regulation as well as the shootout (which saw the B's fall 2-1 in six rounds).

It all started last spring, when Kessel was benched by head coach Claude Julien after Game 1 of a playoff series against the top-seeded Montreal Canadiens. Kessel was labeled as soft. But after being reinserted into the lineup in Game 5, he was the most dominant player on the ice, period.

The move undoubtedly lit a spark under the 21-year-old forward, and the momentum has carried over.

Joe Finley's favorite dance partner Blake Wheeler has seen his role diminish with the Bruins. I kind of figured it would be a slow learning curve for a guy that has been slow to develop in college after being selected 5th over all in the first round of the NHL draft.

It's become grind for Wheeler
By Fluto Shinzawa --- BUFFALO
Blake Wheeler is learning how challenging life as an NHL rookie can be. As his ice time diminishes, rookie plays a different role The 22-year-old forward had a lights-out training camp. In his first regular-season appearance, his first shot found the back of the net.

More recently, Wheeler has been put into the role of a grinding energy guy, with less ice time to do his work.

"It's just a different role," he said. "Obviously, when you're out there more often, you have a bigger impact and it's easier to find a groove out there.

"Whichever role you're put in, you've got to find the best way to excel in it. It's just a different role, so you have to find a new way to try and contribute every night."