Here is an round table article that I contributed to on the illegal curve.
This season the Minnesota Wild have played all but two games without super
star Marian Gaborik, yet even without the super star the Minnesota
Wild have an impressive record of 11-4-1 and sit in third place in the
Western Conference standings.
It looks as if the Wild are going to be unable to sign Marian Gaborik and
are in the process of looking for a team to make a trade with according to
the rumors from TSN.
I am sure that Gaborik's big price tag; the fact that he is often injured,
and his current injury status will make Gaborik hard to move to another
team. These factors are going to make it difficult for Wild to get as much
for Gaborik as they would like. As I write this it appears that the Wild GM
Doug Risebrough might be trying to trade Gaborik to the Rangers.
Personally, I am getting tired of the Gaborik saga and I would like to see
the Wild get some closure on the Gaborik situation as soon a possible. If
Gaborik doesn't want to remain a member of the Wild, then so be it, then it
is time for Doug Risebrough to ship him off to a team that wants him. Let's
face the fact even if Gaborik can get healthy again, after June he is worth
nothing to the Minnesota Wild if they can?t get him signed to a deal.
The fan base in Minnesota seems to becoming tired of Gaboriks antics as well. Many of them are saying don?t let the door hit in the butt on the way out.
In Gaboriks absence the Wild have still got some solid play from these
three forwards; Mikko Koivo (3-13-16), Antii Miettinen (6-6-12) and Andrew
Brunette (6-5-11) have played well offensively and have kind of gotten the
fans to forget about their super star Marian Gaborik. To soften the blow of
losing Gabby, rookie forward Beniot Pouliot has also started to make a
contribution to the wild offensively and is second on the team in goals5-2-7
in 16 games this season.
The Wild are rock solid especially in net and need to get All-World goalie
Niklas Backstrom signed for the long term deal as soon as possible. It would
be an understatement to say that Niklas Backstrom is the bedrock of the
defensive minded Wild hockey team. Backstrom has been that good and it makes
it possible for the Wild to win 1-0 and 2-1 games.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Blake on his days at UND.
Props to the UNH Hockey blogger for giving me a heads up on this story. "Ah yes our college days."
Here is an argument for staying in school and not rushing to the professional ranks.
You will never get those days back. You're a piece of meat once you leave school.
Blake recalls fond days at North Dakota Thursday...
On Campus By James Murphy - NHL.com Correspondent
"You'll never get those years back, that time when it's just you, your teammates and the game. It's all business when you leave." -- Jason Blake
Bring up North Dakota hockey to Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake and watch his face light up. He'll drop whatever he's doing at that moment to talk. Forget the fact that his game has been struggling of late and on more than one occasion this season he's found himself in the press box as a healthy scratch. If you want to chat about his time in Grand Forks (1996-99), Blake is more than willing to travel to a period of his life he still cherishes dearly.
"Oh man, I haven't really sat and thought about that in too long," Blake said recently when asked to reminisce about his college career. "You're bringing tears of joy to my eyes here, yeah, let's talk about that. Man, that was a great time in my life."
As the Toronto equipment manager cleans the Leafs dressing room after a recent practice and screams "bus leaves in 20 minutes," Blake starts to take his equipment off as he utters: "He can wait. I love talking about my days with the Fighting Sioux."
Here is an argument for staying in school and not rushing to the professional ranks.
You will never get those days back. You're a piece of meat once you leave school.
"You'll never get those years back. That time when it's just you, your teammates and the game. It's all business when you leave. Obviously Parise has done great at this level and I'm happy for him. But for others I always let them know that. Nothing can ever take that time away from me."
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Bruins 7 Sabres 4
The Bruins played the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Boston and and the College hockey was represented pretty heavily on the score sheet. The Bruins chased former Michigan State University goalie Ryan Miller from the game after putting six pucks behind him.
Former Gopher Thomas Vanek score two goals for the Buffalo Sabres (1st goal) (2nd goal) Vanek also had an assist to give him three points for the evening.
Former Boston College Eagle Chuck Kobasew and Fighting Sioux killer Boston's first goal tonight and the Bruins fifth goal.
Former Michgan player Matt Hunwick had two assists for the Boston Bruins to goal along with a goal he scored the other night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Former Gopher and current Bruin Phil Kessel has two points a goals and an assist on the evening.
Former Sioux and current Sabre Drew Stafford had a an assist on Buffalo's second goal.
Joe Finley favorite dance partner Blake Wheeler had an assist on Chuck Kobasew's first goal of the evening.
Former Gopher Thomas Vanek score two goals for the Buffalo Sabres (1st goal) (2nd goal) Vanek also had an assist to give him three points for the evening.
Former Boston College Eagle Chuck Kobasew and Fighting Sioux killer Boston's first goal tonight and the Bruins fifth goal.
Former Michgan player Matt Hunwick had two assists for the Boston Bruins to goal along with a goal he scored the other night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Former Gopher and current Bruin Phil Kessel has two points a goals and an assist on the evening.
Former Sioux and current Sabre Drew Stafford had a an assist on Buffalo's second goal.
Joe Finley favorite dance partner Blake Wheeler had an assist on Chuck Kobasew's first goal of the evening.
Hobey Baker Talk (Lamoureux focused)
Our friend Elliot Olshansky has a nice article about a possible Hobey Baker candidate, Air Force hockey player and former Grand Forks Central Knight Jacques Lamoureux. Being from North Dakota It would be a nice story to see a kid from Grand Forks, ND win the Hobey Baker. It would even be more interesting to see back to back brothers be in the running for the Hobey, however it is still early.
So, the last time I blogged, I got a very good question from the crowd - and feel free to leave more of those, by the way…love the comments - asking about Air Force forward Jacques Lamoureux.
After a month and a half of play this season, Lamoureux certainly has an impressive case. He’s leading the undefeated Falcons in scoring, and sharing the national points-per-game lead with teammate Brent Olson and Boston College’s Brock Bradford. Of course, there’s no guarantee he can keep it up - Lamoureux was held off the scoresheet this past weekend at Holy Cross - but watching the way Lamoureux has started the season reminds me of two former Hobey finalists.
One, of course, is his older brother, former North Dakota goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux -more for name reasons than anything else - but we’ll get to him in just a second. The other, more fitting name that comes to mind is Eric Ehn.
What the heck is going on with the Badgers?
I found this article over at the Badger Beat and the Wisconsin Badgers have lost another recruit. I suppose you will see charges of over recruitment by college hockey fans. It will be interesting to see where this kid ends up.
That makes four recruits that have de-commited from Wisconsin. Travis Erstad, Nick Prior, Patrick Wiercioch, and Brock Montpetit...
Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey: State recruit decommits
By Andy Baggot --- 11/19/2008
Brock Montpetit, an 18-year-old winger from Somerset, was expected to join the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team during the NCAA early signing period that ends Wednesday.
Instead, Montpetit decided not to sign a national letter of intent that was sent to him last week, informing UW coach Mike Eaves that would not play for the Badgers.
That makes four recruits that have de-commited from Wisconsin. Travis Erstad, Nick Prior, Patrick Wiercioch, and Brock Montpetit...
INCH on Sioux recruit Danny Kristo
Kyle from the illegal curve had this to say on Sioux recruit Danny Kristo. Looks like Sioux have selected a good player in Kristo.
Montreal Canadiens 2nd-Rounder and current Omaha Lancer Danny Kristo plays a game that highlights his speed and creativity with the puck. Standing 6′0 and weighing 175, the University of North Dakota recruit has had a slow adjustment to the United States Hockey League, putting up only 8 points in 10 games thus far. He has been playing on a line with Louis Leblanc, but is plagued by the inconsistency that has affected the entire Lancers team. He was recently selected to play for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, AB and scored 3-4-7 in 5 games en route to helpin the US win gold.
INCH on a few former Sioux players.
I found this over on INCH. Nice to see the former Fighting Sioux players doing well in the professional ranks.
• Say this about North Dakota forwards, they sure can snipe. Drew Stafford (Buffalo Sabres) and Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) each have three shootout goals this season, tied for the best in the NHL. Ex-Sioux star Zach Parise, now with New Jersey, is one of 10 players with two tiebreaker goals.
• There's no doubt that Roberto Luongo is the number one man in the nets for the Vancouver Canucks, and that means good news for Vancouver's affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, where former first-round pick Cory Schneider (Boston College) leads the AHL with a 1.30 goals-against average. The Moose have the second best winning percentage in the league, and Schneider has a 9-1-0 record while Karl Goehring (North Dakota) is 3-2-0.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Goon goes five hole (NCAA round up)
Here is an article that I wrote for Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.
Match up of the week --- Michigan 8-4-0 vs 6-3-3
The Michigan Wolverines by their standards are having an OK season so far this year. The Wolverines record the past four games is 2-2. During those four games the Michigan Wolverines have lost two games to Western Michigan University and University of Alaska (Fairbanks). Some of these struggles could be the key personnel that Michigan is missing from last year’s squad that went an impressive 33-6-4 before bowing out in the semifinal game of the Frozen Four.
It has been well documented that Michigan has also suffered some pretty significant injuries on the blue line this season. The Wolverines are missing senior Mark Mitera (knee) and junior Steve Kampfer (neck) and these two players are going to be gone for significant amount of time. Mitera may or may not make it back this season.
Offensively, Michigan has some big holes to fill losing a trio of key forwards Kevin Porter (graduation), Chad Kolarik (graduation), Max Pacioretty (NHL). That dynamic trio of forwards scored 158 points in offense last season and is now missing from the Michigan line up. Also, if you add the 40 points from the two injured blue liners you‘re missing a grand total of about 200 points from the line up. That is a big hole to fill. The fact that the Wolverines are 8-4-0 after 12 games is impressive. Most teams would have a tough time recovering from those losses.
Miami also has suffered some key personnel losses but not quite as significant as Michigan. Miami lost all-American forward Ryan Jones (graduation) and junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (NHL). The Miami Redhawks are leading the CCHA with 5-3-0 record and are 6-2-2 overall. Michigan is 5-3-0 and sitting in second place.
Series record: Michigan is 10-4-1 the last 15 games against the Redhawks.
Goon’ s Top Ten
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Colorado College
4. Boston College
5. Northeastern
6. Miami
7. Notre Dame
8. Michigan
9. Denver
10. Minnesota State
Match up of the week --- Michigan 8-4-0 vs 6-3-3
The Michigan Wolverines by their standards are having an OK season so far this year. The Wolverines record the past four games is 2-2. During those four games the Michigan Wolverines have lost two games to Western Michigan University and University of Alaska (Fairbanks). Some of these struggles could be the key personnel that Michigan is missing from last year’s squad that went an impressive 33-6-4 before bowing out in the semifinal game of the Frozen Four.
It has been well documented that Michigan has also suffered some pretty significant injuries on the blue line this season. The Wolverines are missing senior Mark Mitera (knee) and junior Steve Kampfer (neck) and these two players are going to be gone for significant amount of time. Mitera may or may not make it back this season.
Offensively, Michigan has some big holes to fill losing a trio of key forwards Kevin Porter (graduation), Chad Kolarik (graduation), Max Pacioretty (NHL). That dynamic trio of forwards scored 158 points in offense last season and is now missing from the Michigan line up. Also, if you add the 40 points from the two injured blue liners you‘re missing a grand total of about 200 points from the line up. That is a big hole to fill. The fact that the Wolverines are 8-4-0 after 12 games is impressive. Most teams would have a tough time recovering from those losses.
Miami also has suffered some key personnel losses but not quite as significant as Michigan. Miami lost all-American forward Ryan Jones (graduation) and junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (NHL). The Miami Redhawks are leading the CCHA with 5-3-0 record and are 6-2-2 overall. Michigan is 5-3-0 and sitting in second place.
Series record: Michigan is 10-4-1 the last 15 games against the Redhawks.
Goon’ s Top Ten
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Colorado College
4. Boston College
5. Northeastern
6. Miami
7. Notre Dame
8. Michigan
9. Denver
10. Minnesota State
Brad Eidsness awarded WCHA co-Rookie of the week.
Goon's world would like to congratulate Brad Eidsness on his award for his play last weekend.
Official Release
WCHA co-Rookies of the Week Brad Eidsness, Fr., G, North Dakota and Tyler Thompson, Fr., F, Minnesota State
University of North Dakota goaltender Brad Eidsness, who stopped 29 of 30 shots on goal in a weekend conference series against Alaska Anchorage, and Minnesota State University forward Tyler Thompson, who played a key role in his team's split with No. 3-ranked league opponent Colorado College, are the Red Baron® WCHA co-Rookies of the Week for Nov. 18-24. A 6-0, 173-pound freshman from Chestermere, Alberta and a draftee of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, Eidsness kicked aside 23 of 24 shots on goal last Saturday (Nov. 15) and blanked his opponents on all seven of their power-play chances as North Dakota recorded a 3-1 victory over the visiting Seawolves. One night earlier (Friday), Eidsness came off the bench in the second period with his team trailing 3-0 and stopped all six shots as the Sioux fell short...
See it isn't just the WCHA officials.
I found the link to this article over on USCHO.COM. I find it interesting because it shows that the WCHA officials aren't the only ones making mistakes and controversial calls. In this case Paul Stewart is a respected former NHL official and has a lot of credibility.
Ted Donato was livid.
The Harvard coach thought his team had scored a short-handed goal with 39.3 seconds left in the third period against Union last Saturday at Messa Rink. The goal would have cut Union’s lead to 3-2.
But the goal went to video review because Crimson forward Doug Rogers bumped Dutchmen goalie Corey Milan just as the puck was arriving at the net. The officials —referees Andy O’Brien and Eric Ernst and linesmen Richard Patry and Robert St. Lawrence — had a conference at center ice before going to the video. After reviewing the video, the officials determined that Rogers interfered with Milan before the puck went into the net. The goal was taken away, Rogers was penalized for goalie interference and Donato was ejected from the game for vociferously protesting the call.
Paul Stewart, director of officiating for ECAC Hockey, praised his officials on how they handled the play.
More on expansion.
This was in today's Red Star and Sickle (Star and Tribune.) I have always said that if Minnesota coach Don Luica wants something to happen in the WCHA, there is a good chance the league office will lean/go his way. I think letting BSU join the WCHA is the right decision and it will be interesting to see how this shakes out now that tDon is on board.
Will the WCHA expand?
The University of Minnesota has made a request to the WCHA to lift the present moratorium on expansion. The 10-team conference's executive committee will decide today whether to make that request an action item at its January meeting at the NCAA convention.
Bemidji State is building a new arena and appears eager to apply to the WCHA if the ban on expansion is lifted. The Beavers are now part of College Hockey America, a crumbling league down to four teams. The Bemdiji State women's hockey team is a WCHA member.
Another hot conference topic is the WCHA Minnesota Hockey Showcase. All four WCHA teams located in Minnesota played in the first showcase on Nov. 1. It drew more than 10,000 at Xcel Energy Center.
Athletic directors from those four will participate in a teleconference call Wednesday to decide its fate.
"It will kind of be a postmortem, where we want to go from here," said Bruce McLeod, the WCHA commissioner.
Schedule changes will have to be made to hold it again next season.
Bemidji State is building a new arena and appears eager to apply to the WCHA if the ban on expansion is lifted. The Beavers are now part of College Hockey America, a crumbling league down to four teams. The Bemdiji State women's hockey team is a WCHA member.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Blake scores for the Leafs.
It has been pretty well documented that former Fighting Sioux Hockey player Jason Blake has had a tough go of it as of late in Toronto. Some have suggested that Blake should be sent out of Toronto to the first suitor that will take him but his fat contract is keeping him from being moved anytime soon.
On a positive not Jason Blake scored a sweet goal against my Boston Bruins tonight.
On a positive not Jason Blake scored a sweet goal against my Boston Bruins tonight.
UND 20th in the latest poll.
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
November 17, 2008
1 Minnesota (42) 6-0-4 990 2
2 Boston University ( 4) 7-2-0 943 1
3 Colorado College ( 2) 7-2-3 863 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 824 5
5 Notre Dame 7-3-1 715 9
6 Northeastern 7-2-2 701 7
7 Miami 6-3-3 666 10
8 Princeton ( 1) 5-1-0 616 12
9 Michigan 8-4-0 581 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 566 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 480 11
12 Air Force ( 1) 10-0-0 469 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 447 6
14 Cornell 2-0-2 385 14
15 Vermont 5-3-2 239 15
16 Massachusetts 5-3-1 166 20
17 St. Cloud State 7-4-0 125 NR
18 Harvard 4-2-0 124 NR
19 Nebraska-Omaha 7-2-1 114 NR
20 North Dakota 4-6-0 91 18
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 79, Mass.-Lowell 66, Alaska-Anchorage 37, Ferris State 37, Clarkson 35, Yale 34, Maine 33, Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 16, Minnesota-Duluth 7, Lake Superior 6, Bemidji State 5, Colgate 5, Ohio State 5, St. Lawrence 5
Actually I am surprised that UND is still ranked in this poll. Not that it matters in November and there is no national award for having the best record in October, November or December.
INCH Poll
1. Minnesota
2. B.U.
3. C.C.
4. Notre Dame
5. Northeastern
6. Boston College
7. Princeton
8. D.U.
9. Mankato
10. UNH
11. Air Force
12. Cornell
13. Miami
14. Michigan
15. Vermont
16. Dartmouth
17. UNO
18. SCSU
19. U Mass Lowell
20. U Mass
Nov. 17, 2008
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Minnesota (34) 6-0-4 510 2
2 Boston University 7-2-0 463 1
3 Colorado College 7-2-3 430 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 394 6
5 Northeastern 7-2-2 318 7
6 Notre Dame 7-3-1 309 9
7 Miami (Ohio) 6-3-3 276 10
8 Princeton 5-1-0 250 11
9 Michigan 8-4-0 241 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 222 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 147 12
12 Air Force 10-0-0 139 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 138 5
14 Cornell 2-0-2 118 14
15 North Dakota 4-6-0 19 NR
Wow, 15th in the USA Today Poll, I am not sure even as a Fighting Sioux homer the Sioux deserve that ranking at this time. That not to say that the Fighting Sioux won't get it going. I believe the boys are very close to making a run and will turn it around but give the ranking to someone else right now.
November 17, 2008
1 Minnesota (42) 6-0-4 990 2
2 Boston University ( 4) 7-2-0 943 1
3 Colorado College ( 2) 7-2-3 863 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 824 5
5 Notre Dame 7-3-1 715 9
6 Northeastern 7-2-2 701 7
7 Miami 6-3-3 666 10
8 Princeton ( 1) 5-1-0 616 12
9 Michigan 8-4-0 581 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 566 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 480 11
12 Air Force ( 1) 10-0-0 469 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 447 6
14 Cornell 2-0-2 385 14
15 Vermont 5-3-2 239 15
16 Massachusetts 5-3-1 166 20
17 St. Cloud State 7-4-0 125 NR
18 Harvard 4-2-0 124 NR
19 Nebraska-Omaha 7-2-1 114 NR
20 North Dakota 4-6-0 91 18
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 79, Mass.-Lowell 66, Alaska-Anchorage 37, Ferris State 37, Clarkson 35, Yale 34, Maine 33, Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 16, Minnesota-Duluth 7, Lake Superior 6, Bemidji State 5, Colgate 5, Ohio State 5, St. Lawrence 5
Actually I am surprised that UND is still ranked in this poll. Not that it matters in November and there is no national award for having the best record in October, November or December.
INCH Poll
1. Minnesota
2. B.U.
3. C.C.
4. Notre Dame
5. Northeastern
6. Boston College
7. Princeton
8. D.U.
9. Mankato
10. UNH
11. Air Force
12. Cornell
13. Miami
14. Michigan
15. Vermont
16. Dartmouth
17. UNO
18. SCSU
19. U Mass Lowell
20. U Mass
Nov. 17, 2008
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Minnesota (34) 6-0-4 510 2
2 Boston University 7-2-0 463 1
3 Colorado College 7-2-3 430 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 394 6
5 Northeastern 7-2-2 318 7
6 Notre Dame 7-3-1 309 9
7 Miami (Ohio) 6-3-3 276 10
8 Princeton 5-1-0 250 11
9 Michigan 8-4-0 241 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 222 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 147 12
12 Air Force 10-0-0 139 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 138 5
14 Cornell 2-0-2 118 14
15 North Dakota 4-6-0 19 NR
Wow, 15th in the USA Today Poll, I am not sure even as a Fighting Sioux homer the Sioux deserve that ranking at this time. That not to say that the Fighting Sioux won't get it going. I believe the boys are very close to making a run and will turn it around but give the ranking to someone else right now.
Please tell me why Air Force is ranked so high?
I was giving this some thought today. Air Force is getting all of these great rankings for beating the weak sisters of the poor. I would love to see what their strength of schedule is. To bad the PWR rankings aren't out yet.
Analysis:
Here is there schedule that Air Force has played to date (it is not impressive at all): Sacred Heart 2-6-2 (x2), Bemidji State Unveristy 2-6-0, American International 2-8-0 (x2), Bentley 3-4-1 (x2), Holy Cross 2-6-1 (x2), the strongest team on that list is Bemidji State University and they are having a down season as well, the rest on the Schedule are cup cakes.
Analysis:
Here is there schedule that Air Force has played to date (it is not impressive at all): Sacred Heart 2-6-2 (x2), Bemidji State Unveristy 2-6-0, American International 2-8-0 (x2), Bentley 3-4-1 (x2), Holy Cross 2-6-1 (x2), the strongest team on that list is Bemidji State University and they are having a down season as well, the rest on the Schedule are cup cakes.
Check out this post.
So for the Sioux fans that are making the trip to Duluth this weekend Running with the Dogs does a pretty good job breaking down the places to eat and drink while attending Bulldog hockey games in Duluth, Minnesota. Talking about running the Gauntlet. Yikes! Just for the record, Little Angie's and Grandmas Saloon are great choices for eating and the Comfort Inn and Suites is a great place to stay.
Also, it sounds like some of the Duluth fans have gotten antsy with the way things are going in Duluth. A few of the fans/posts have gotten impatient with former Sioux player and Assistant coach Scott Sandelin's.
Also, it sounds like some of the Duluth fans have gotten antsy with the way things are going in Duluth. A few of the fans/posts have gotten impatient with former Sioux player and Assistant coach Scott Sandelin's.
Melrose Place done in Tampa.
I spent most of Friday hunting and losing my wallet and Sioux hockey tickets so I missed this story. I actually just found out about it today. Wow, this didn't take long, 16 games before you fire an NHL coach? Maybe Barry should have thought twice before he quite his day job. I am kind of bummed by this news, Melrose is an interesting personality but I guess the straight talk express doesn't work behind the behind the bench in the NHL.
Links to the Story
Was Barry Melrose firing caused by Clashing Personalities?
Calling out star players isn't career enhancing.
Barry Melrose Shoots Straight on his Firing
Links to the Story
Was Barry Melrose firing caused by Clashing Personalities?
Only four points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and 66 games to go, the Lightning are clearly still in the playoff hunt. That leads me to believe -- and this is pure speculation -- that there may be more to this situation than poor play on the ice. There may have been gears grinding in the front office and in the dressing room that we don't know about and may never hear about.
Calling out star players isn't career enhancing.
Barry Melrose Shoots Straight on his Firing
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A few Pictures from this weekend.
Our friends sat down in the low bowl seats on Saturday night and got some nice pictures. Life in the fast lane.
Scores from 11-15-2008 and 11-16-2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
Army 3 at RIT 6
Bentley 1 at Mercyhurst 1 ot
Connecticut 0 at Canisius 6
American Int'l 0 at Sacred Heart 4
Air Force 5 at Holy Cross 1
Analysis
Air Force rolls along knocking off another cup cake. It will be interesting to see where Air Force ends up in the polls this week. Their schedule is not impressive.
CCHA
Lake Superior 2 at Notre Dame 5
Michigan 5 at Western Michigan 0
Ferris State 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
Miami 3 at Michigan State 1
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2
Analysis
Miami is leading the CCHA. Michigan state has lost 4 games in a row. Notre Dame is unbeaten in 5 games. UNO off to a good start 7-2-1.
ECAC
Colgate 2 at Cornell 2 ot
Clarkson 1 at Dartmouth 5
Quinnipiac 5 at Rensselaer 1
Brown 0 at Yale 3
St. Lawrence 0 at Harvard 1
Princeton 4 at Union 1
Analysis
another night and not many goals scored. Cornell is coming to Grand Forks, ND in two weeks. Get ready for some low scoring boring hockey.
Hockey East
Maine 3 at Providence 0
New Hampshire 6 at Boston College 8
Mass.-Lowell 2 at Massachusetts 0
Analysis
Boston College goalie John Muse has been unimpressive in net for the Eagles so far this season; his stats 6-3-1 3.27 gaa and save percentage of .882.
WCHA
Michigan Tech 2 at Minnesota 2 ot
Colorado College 4 at Minnesota State 3
Wisconsin 4 at Minnesota-Duluth 1
Denver 1 at St. Cloud State 2
Alaska-Anchorage 1 at North Dakota 3
Sunday 11-16-2008
Atlantic Hockey
Connecticut 2 at Canisius 3 ot
Hockey East
Merrimack 1 at Vermont 2
Northeastern 0 at Boston University 3
WCHA
Michigan Tech 0 at Minnesota 3
Analysis
Michigan Tech University played the Gophers tough on Sunday but were shut out by Alex Kangas 3-0. Seems that Kangas has a lucky rabits foot in his breezers because Michigan Tech out shot Minnesota 38-27. Giving up high shot totals will eventually come back to haunt the Gophers.
Bostoin University comes back and wins the battle of Boston after losing on Friday night. Hello Minnesota, you're the new number one team in the meaningless polls.
Atlantic Hockey
Army 3 at RIT 6
Bentley 1 at Mercyhurst 1 ot
Connecticut 0 at Canisius 6
American Int'l 0 at Sacred Heart 4
Air Force 5 at Holy Cross 1
Analysis
Air Force rolls along knocking off another cup cake. It will be interesting to see where Air Force ends up in the polls this week. Their schedule is not impressive.
CCHA
Lake Superior 2 at Notre Dame 5
Michigan 5 at Western Michigan 0
Ferris State 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
Miami 3 at Michigan State 1
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2
Analysis
Miami is leading the CCHA. Michigan state has lost 4 games in a row. Notre Dame is unbeaten in 5 games. UNO off to a good start 7-2-1.
ECAC
Colgate 2 at Cornell 2 ot
Clarkson 1 at Dartmouth 5
Quinnipiac 5 at Rensselaer 1
Brown 0 at Yale 3
St. Lawrence 0 at Harvard 1
Princeton 4 at Union 1
Analysis
another night and not many goals scored. Cornell is coming to Grand Forks, ND in two weeks. Get ready for some low scoring boring hockey.
Hockey East
Maine 3 at Providence 0
New Hampshire 6 at Boston College 8
Mass.-Lowell 2 at Massachusetts 0
Analysis
Boston College goalie John Muse has been unimpressive in net for the Eagles so far this season; his stats 6-3-1 3.27 gaa and save percentage of .882.
WCHA
Michigan Tech 2 at Minnesota 2 ot
Colorado College 4 at Minnesota State 3
Wisconsin 4 at Minnesota-Duluth 1
Denver 1 at St. Cloud State 2
Alaska-Anchorage 1 at North Dakota 3
Sunday 11-16-2008
Atlantic Hockey
Connecticut 2 at Canisius 3 ot
Hockey East
Merrimack 1 at Vermont 2
Northeastern 0 at Boston University 3
WCHA
Michigan Tech 0 at Minnesota 3
Analysis
Michigan Tech University played the Gophers tough on Sunday but were shut out by Alex Kangas 3-0. Seems that Kangas has a lucky rabits foot in his breezers because Michigan Tech out shot Minnesota 38-27. Giving up high shot totals will eventually come back to haunt the Gophers.
Bostoin University comes back and wins the battle of Boston after losing on Friday night. Hello Minnesota, you're the new number one team in the meaningless polls.
Sioux 3 Seawolves 1
I would have wrote something sooner but I was in pursuit of Bambi's brother. I was not successful but I did witness a young kid shooting his first deer. Hopefully some day my Abby will want to go hunting with her daddy. The other positive was I found my digital camera again, it has been missing for most of November. Unfortunately I didn't get any picture of said deer or youth.
Keeping with a positive theme, (I can't stand a lot of negativity and people that complain excessively, constructive criticism is ok); the Sioux beat the Seawolves to gain the split for the series. Negative, Friday's loss was only the third all time to the Seawolves in Grand Forks, ND. I like most Sioux fans hate watching the Sioux losing, especially to a team like the UAA Seawolves, so a win on Saturday was positive. The Sioux have played .500 hockey so far in conference play keeping up with the pack and home ice in site. Eerily similar to last season's first half of the season, split all the way till the new year. The Sioux are tied for 5th place with UAA and MSU-M.
Positives for the weekend.
1.) The play of Brad Eidsness, one goal in 29 shots on net. I don't care what the Eidsness haters say that is nothing to sneeze at. Although Hakstol has not said it yet, I believe the starting job belongs to Brad Eidsness. If I was the coach I would ride him the rest of the way. Just for comparison sake, Brad Eidsness has better statistics than goalie John Muse of the defending national champs Boston College Eagles.
2.) Brett Hextall I just love his style of play, the guys is a agitator and a hard nosed player that gets under the opponents skin. Every Sioux team has had a player that plays this role. Sioux7 and I decided that he is Prpich light. (That is a compliment in our opinion).
3.) Sioux defense only gives up 4 goals on the weekend. (see 5)
4.) Sioux remain in 5th place even with giving up the second highest number of goals against.
5.) The Sioux are very close to getting it going.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Slashing) AKA 0x1 1:51
AKA-1 Tommy Grant (2-Holding the Stick) 2:35
AKA-2 Josh Lunden (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) NDK 0x1 2:35
NDK-2 Matt Watkins (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2:35
AKA-3 Nick Haddad (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-4 Luka Vidmar (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-5 Shane Lovdahl (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-6 Kevin Clark (2-High-Sticking) NDK 0x2 5:43
NDK-3 Brad Miller (2-Roughing) 5:43
NDK-4 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 5:43
NDK-5 Matt Frattin (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-7 Brian Bales (2-Tripping) NDK 0x3 8:12
NDK-6 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) AKA 0x2 9:29
AKA-8 Tommy Grant (2-Holding) NDK 1x4 12:38
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Matt Frattin (1) (Jason Gregoire, David Toews) 12:47
NDK: 21,17,18,25,8,G31 AKA: 22,40,23,10,G49
NDK-7 Matt Frattin (2-Tripping) AKA 0x3 14:28
NDK-8 Chris VandeVelde (2-High-Sticking) AKA 0x4 19:01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-9 Nils Backstrom (2-Holding) NDK 1x5 4:00
AKA-10 Tommy Grant (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 1x6 6:33
NDK-9 David Toews (2-Tripping) AKA 0x5 9:02
AKA 1 - 1 6x6 Kane Lafranchise (1) (Kevin Clark, Luka Vidmar) 11:06
AKA (+): 4,9,23,36,20,G49 NDK (-): 18,11,3,5,17,G31
AKA-11 Sean Wiles (2-Slashing) NDK 1x7 12:53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-12 Josh Lunden (2-Roughing) 3:59
NDK-10 Jake Marto (2-Roughing) 3:59
AKA-13 Kevin Clark (2-Tripping) NDK 2x8 10:11
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP GW LL Brett Hextall (4) (Brad Miller, Ryan Duncan) 10:29
NDK: 26,14,16,29,25,G31 AKA: 12,13,14,24,G49
NDK-11 Derrick LaPoint (2-Tripping) AKA 0x6 10:49
NDK 3 - 1 5x6 SH Brad Malone (1) (unassisted) 12:31
NDK (+): 22,16,6,25,G31 AKA (-): 18,20,23,9,4,G49
NDK-12 Mario Lamoureux (2-Hooking) AKA 0x7 14:45
AKA-14 Craig Parkinson (2-Diving) 19:26
NDK-13 Chay Genoway (2-Cross-Checking) 19:26
AKA-15 Tommy Grant (2-Hooking) NDK 2x9 19:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Perspective.
I was reading Brandon's post calm the F$%K Down and Dirty's humors post (Yeah the Sioux played like dog crap) That post was fricken hilarious by the way.
Blowing Sunshine
1.) Championships are won in March and April, there isn't a banner for having the best record in the first half of the season. If there was the would be banners hanging in Saint Cloud and Minneapolis. The PWR ranking doesn't even start mattering until February and March. I have seen team drop out of the top 14 teams faster than a prom dress at a after prom party.
2.) Sioux7 and I put our deposit down for the Holiday INN right across from the Xcel Center and believe the boys are going to turn it around and get there come March, I believe the boys are getting closer to being that team to finish in the top 3 or 4. If not we will still be there and so will Jake.
3.) The University of North Dakota is not going to fire Dave Hakstol for his teams fumbling and playing poorly in the first half of the last 4 1/2 seasons. For a joke I started the Fire Hastol thread over on Siouxsports.com There have been some really good posts on the subject. Come folks on its early, if they are playing like this at the end of December and January I will be concerned. I am not there yet.
I like anyone else are frustrated by the Sioux's play so far but I believe that the Sioux will get it together. Again the Sioux haven't played that poorly, when the first half champions starting to play poorly because their teams have peaked and now can't fight their way out of a paper you will see a whole different make up in the standings of the conference.
Perspective your team wants to be playing good at the end of the season. If your favorite team peaks too fast before the regular season is over. I have seen a lot of teams win the WCHA regular season title only to tank in the it playoffs, see C.C. team from last season. The does have to be some happy medium and I would like to see the Sioux win earlier in the season so they can be in contention for an WCHA regular season title. The room for error wouldn't be so small if they could win 3-4 more games during the first half of the regular season.
4.) For the experts that think this years UND team is going to be like the 2001-2002 season get a grip there is way more talent on this team than that one. Also, some of our friends would love UND to have a down season this year. Right Amy?
Blowing Sunshine
1.) Championships are won in March and April, there isn't a banner for having the best record in the first half of the season. If there was the would be banners hanging in Saint Cloud and Minneapolis. The PWR ranking doesn't even start mattering until February and March. I have seen team drop out of the top 14 teams faster than a prom dress at a after prom party.
2.) Sioux7 and I put our deposit down for the Holiday INN right across from the Xcel Center and believe the boys are going to turn it around and get there come March, I believe the boys are getting closer to being that team to finish in the top 3 or 4. If not we will still be there and so will Jake.
3.) The University of North Dakota is not going to fire Dave Hakstol for his teams fumbling and playing poorly in the first half of the last 4 1/2 seasons. For a joke I started the Fire Hastol thread over on Siouxsports.com There have been some really good posts on the subject. Come folks on its early, if they are playing like this at the end of December and January I will be concerned. I am not there yet.
I like anyone else are frustrated by the Sioux's play so far but I believe that the Sioux will get it together. Again the Sioux haven't played that poorly, when the first half champions starting to play poorly because their teams have peaked and now can't fight their way out of a paper you will see a whole different make up in the standings of the conference.
Perspective your team wants to be playing good at the end of the season. If your favorite team peaks too fast before the regular season is over. I have seen a lot of teams win the WCHA regular season title only to tank in the it playoffs, see C.C. team from last season. The does have to be some happy medium and I would like to see the Sioux win earlier in the season so they can be in contention for an WCHA regular season title. The room for error wouldn't be so small if they could win 3-4 more games during the first half of the regular season.
4.) For the experts that think this years UND team is going to be like the 2001-2002 season get a grip there is way more talent on this team than that one. Also, some of our friends would love UND to have a down season this year. Right Amy?
Scores from 11-14-2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
Sacred Heart 4 at American Int'l 5 ot
Army 5 at RIT 3
Bentley 5 at Mercyhurst 2
Air Force 1 at Holy Cross 0 ot
Analysis
Air Force wins again, yippie! Air Force has yet to play and beat anyone from the Big four conferences and they will find out where they stand on 11/28 and 11/29 when they play DU and C.C..
CCHA
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2 ot
Western Michigan 2 at Michigan 1
Ferris State 3 at Nebraska-Omaha 2
Lake Superior 3 at Notre Dame 3 ot: Notre Dame wins shootout
Miami 5 at Michigan State 1
Analysis
Michigan State University is not having a strong season so far and have lost three games in a row. Michigan is having a tough go at it as well after missing a couple of top defenders.
ECAC
Clarkson 1 at Harvard 5
Princeton 4 at Rensselaer 1
St. Lawrence 3 at Dartmouth 4 ot
Quinnipiac 6 at Union 3
Analysis
The ECAC is finally in full swing.
Hockey East
Boston College 5 at Merrimack 5 ot
New Hampshire 3 at Mass.-Lowell 8
Boston University 1 at Massachusetts 5
Northeastern 5 at Vermont 3
Maine 3 at Providence 2
Analysis
Maine is over .500 after a tough season last year. Boston University is beaten, we will see another number one next week. Northeastern stays hot.
WCHA
Wisconsin 3 at Minnesota-Duluth 3 ot
Colorado College 1 at Minnesota State 2
Denver 2 at St. Cloud State 4
Alaska-Anchorage 3 at North Dakota 2
Analysis
C.C. has lot 2 out of 3 games. Like LGM says while everyone talks about Richard Backman being the class of the WCHA but Mike Zacharias is pretty damn good. SCSU is now 1-3-0 in the WCHA as they win their first league game. There is some serious parity in the WCHA this season.
Non-Conference
Ohio State 4 vs. Robert Morris 0
Analysis
tOSU wins another game.
Atlantic Hockey
Sacred Heart 4 at American Int'l 5 ot
Army 5 at RIT 3
Bentley 5 at Mercyhurst 2
Air Force 1 at Holy Cross 0 ot
Analysis
Air Force wins again, yippie! Air Force has yet to play and beat anyone from the Big four conferences and they will find out where they stand on 11/28 and 11/29 when they play DU and C.C..
CCHA
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2 ot
Western Michigan 2 at Michigan 1
Ferris State 3 at Nebraska-Omaha 2
Lake Superior 3 at Notre Dame 3 ot: Notre Dame wins shootout
Miami 5 at Michigan State 1
Analysis
Michigan State University is not having a strong season so far and have lost three games in a row. Michigan is having a tough go at it as well after missing a couple of top defenders.
ECAC
Clarkson 1 at Harvard 5
Princeton 4 at Rensselaer 1
St. Lawrence 3 at Dartmouth 4 ot
Quinnipiac 6 at Union 3
Analysis
The ECAC is finally in full swing.
Hockey East
Boston College 5 at Merrimack 5 ot
New Hampshire 3 at Mass.-Lowell 8
Boston University 1 at Massachusetts 5
Northeastern 5 at Vermont 3
Maine 3 at Providence 2
Analysis
Maine is over .500 after a tough season last year. Boston University is beaten, we will see another number one next week. Northeastern stays hot.
WCHA
Wisconsin 3 at Minnesota-Duluth 3 ot
Colorado College 1 at Minnesota State 2
Denver 2 at St. Cloud State 4
Alaska-Anchorage 3 at North Dakota 2
Analysis
C.C. has lot 2 out of 3 games. Like LGM says while everyone talks about Richard Backman being the class of the WCHA but Mike Zacharias is pretty damn good. SCSU is now 1-3-0 in the WCHA as they win their first league game. There is some serious parity in the WCHA this season.
Non-Conference
Ohio State 4 vs. Robert Morris 0
Analysis
tOSU wins another game.
Blues 1-4-1 since Sarah Palin dropped the puck.
Thank God she didn't drop the puck for the Boston Bruins or the Minnesota Wild. Check out Elliot Olshansky's latest article. Who said you can't mix sports and politics? How does this article fit with the current theme? This article fits because the Fighting Sioux are playing UAA and Palin is the Governor of the Great state of Alaska and I am fan of Elliot's work, if he sends it to me its going to get posted.
Elliot is right, Sarah has gotten people talking about hockey but also she has people excited about her and she isn't going to go away any time soon, Palin is going to be player on the political scene. I don't have a problem with her promoting hockey. Love her or hate her she is an exciting and refreshing person.
Lastly, Goon is a huge Sarah Palin fan and she has my vote in 2012 if she decides to run for president of the United States of America. Also, she can go hunting with me any time.
Elliot is right, Sarah has gotten people talking about hockey but also she has people excited about her and she isn't going to go away any time soon, Palin is going to be player on the political scene. I don't have a problem with her promoting hockey. Love her or hate her she is an exciting and refreshing person.
Lastly, Goon is a huge Sarah Palin fan and she has my vote in 2012 if she decides to run for president of the United States of America. Also, she can go hunting with me any time.
One thing's certain: Palin didn't do much for the teams who hosted her. The Philadelphia Flyer's lost their first six games after hosting Palin at their season opener. When they finally won, on October 24, Palin was dropping the puck at a St. Louis Blues game, and Blues goaltender Manny Legace injured himself tripping on the Alaska governor's red carpet. With Legace out of the lineup, the Blues have gone 1-4-1.
------snip-------
Given that Palin's values-based conservatism resonates loudest in many of the areas where hockey has traditionally struggled to gain traction, her ability to bring national news media attention to hockey during her run on the GOP ticket was a plus for the sport.
"I think where we're at as a sport, any time we can get any mention in things nationally, I think it's a positive," said Danton Cole, in his second year as head coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. "I thought when that first came out at the convention, and she mentioned it in her speech, that was outstanding. We look at that as a definite positive thing for the sport of hockey."
Cole knows a thing or two about high-profile hockey moms - Chargers goaltender Wyatt Russell is the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn - and as the head coach at the only NCAA Division I hockey program in the South, he could recognize the impact Palin made in communities where the sport takes a backseat.
"We are a bit of a cult sport," Cole said. "We're off the beaten path. Around here, it definitely came up in the arenas, and certainly a few people in the neighborhood brought up the 'hockey mom' thing. It was something that people in hockey and out of hockey definitely commented on."
Friday, November 14, 2008
UAA 3 Sioux 2.
First off I am sick and tired of this Walksi experiment. Coach Hakstol can tell us all he wants that Walski is a potential starter, but I am not buying it, the results don't lie, Walksi is a mediocre goalie at BEST. We can keep coming back with him but Walski is not going to be the man in the Fighting Sioux goal. The Sioux have the best chance of winning when Brad Eidsness. If the coaching staff is compelled to start someone other than Brad Eidsness in net, why not give Grahme Harrington a chance? This kid can't be any worse than Walksi, if he is why is he here? Lets see what he can do. Walski has had 3 1/2 years to prove himself. It's time for a new generation.
Let's be frank, Aaron Walski is a nice story, The kid is from Fargo, ND playing for the home town Fighting Sioux, but he isn't half the goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was/is. Right now I am checking to see if we can have a mulligan on this game. This is disgustiong. Walski is a third string practice goalie and there is a reason he is a walk on.
Lacking in effort.
The Sioux put up a sub par effort for 58 minutes then decided to put up a fight and make it interesting in the final two minutes of the game, that is unacceptable. Losing to the UAA Seawolves is troublesome and UACCEPTABLE. The leadership on this team can not allow the Sioux to lose games like this.
I am sure I am not the only fan that is sick and tired of watching the Fighting Sioux stumble through the first half of the last 4 seasons, only to kick it in and drive towards the playoffs. True to form the Sioux are sucking air again early.
It is pretty obvious that UND has a lot of talent and is quick talented team up front. Talent can't win you games if they aren't giving 100 percent. Can someone please step up and play 60 minutes of hockey?
In conclusion: I know my analysis of the game might seem harsh to some but I hate it when people don't give 100%, losing sucks ass. Playing hockey for the Fighting Sioux is a privilege not a birth right, wearing the Fighting Sioux uniform is honor. Personaly, I hate losing a pick up game of goal, let alone watching my favorite team game like this. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
Cheap shots on top players should be responded to, Hunts charge on Gregoire at the end of the game was cheap and a bush league move. I would like to see one of our guys collect on that bush league hit tomorrow. Make it know if you hit one our skilled players you're going to pay for it.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA 1 - 0 6x6 LL Nils Backstrom (1) (Trevor Hunt, Nick Haddad) 1:07
AKA (+): 13,24,18,9,40,G30 NDK (-): 16,25,26,3,29,G30
AKA-1 Nils Backstrom (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 7:35
AKA-2 Nils Backstrom (2-Slashing) NDK 0x2 13:56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-1 Ryan Martens (2-Tripping) AKA 0x1 3:09
AKA 2 - 0 6x6 Curtis Leinweber (1) (Luka Vidmar, Jared Tuton) 6:58
AKA (+): 11,23,9,20,16,G30 NDK (-): 21,6,17,19,25,G30
NDK-2 Brad Miller (2-Hooking) AKA 0x2 8:23
AKA 3 - 0 6x6 GW Sean Wiles (1) (Paul Crowder, Tommy Grant) 13:01
AKA (+): 27,20,23,11,16,G30 NDK (-): 17,3,21,5,19,G30
AKA-3 Kane Lafranchise (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 0x3 14:33
AKA-4 Kevin Clark (2-Slashing) NDK 0x4 17:01
AKA-5 Craig Parkinson (2-DELAY OF GAME) NDK 0x5 18:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-6 Jade Portwood (10-Game Misconduct) 3:17
AKA-7 Jade Portwood (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Tyler Moir) NDK 0x6 3:17
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-Holding) AKA 0x3 8:49
NDK-4 Ben Blood (2-Boarding) AKA 0x4 15:17
AKA-8 Trevor Hunt (2-Charging) NDK 1x7 17:48
NDK 1 - 3 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (4) (Chay Genoway, Chris VandeVelde) 17:56
NDK: 16,5,29,26,14,G31 AKA: 20,27,10,13,G30
NDK 2 - 3 6x6 EA Brett Hextall (3) (Chay Genoway, Brad Miller) 19:17
NDK (+): 26,5,14,16,29,17 AKA (-): 14,33,27,4,21,G30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Let's be frank, Aaron Walski is a nice story, The kid is from Fargo, ND playing for the home town Fighting Sioux, but he isn't half the goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was/is. Right now I am checking to see if we can have a mulligan on this game. This is disgustiong. Walski is a third string practice goalie and there is a reason he is a walk on.
Lacking in effort.
The Sioux put up a sub par effort for 58 minutes then decided to put up a fight and make it interesting in the final two minutes of the game, that is unacceptable. Losing to the UAA Seawolves is troublesome and UACCEPTABLE. The leadership on this team can not allow the Sioux to lose games like this.
I am sure I am not the only fan that is sick and tired of watching the Fighting Sioux stumble through the first half of the last 4 seasons, only to kick it in and drive towards the playoffs. True to form the Sioux are sucking air again early.
It is pretty obvious that UND has a lot of talent and is quick talented team up front. Talent can't win you games if they aren't giving 100 percent. Can someone please step up and play 60 minutes of hockey?
In conclusion: I know my analysis of the game might seem harsh to some but I hate it when people don't give 100%, losing sucks ass. Playing hockey for the Fighting Sioux is a privilege not a birth right, wearing the Fighting Sioux uniform is honor. Personaly, I hate losing a pick up game of goal, let alone watching my favorite team game like this. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
Cheap shots on top players should be responded to, Hunts charge on Gregoire at the end of the game was cheap and a bush league move. I would like to see one of our guys collect on that bush league hit tomorrow. Make it know if you hit one our skilled players you're going to pay for it.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA 1 - 0 6x6 LL Nils Backstrom (1) (Trevor Hunt, Nick Haddad) 1:07
AKA (+): 13,24,18,9,40,G30 NDK (-): 16,25,26,3,29,G30
AKA-1 Nils Backstrom (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 7:35
AKA-2 Nils Backstrom (2-Slashing) NDK 0x2 13:56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-1 Ryan Martens (2-Tripping) AKA 0x1 3:09
AKA 2 - 0 6x6 Curtis Leinweber (1) (Luka Vidmar, Jared Tuton) 6:58
AKA (+): 11,23,9,20,16,G30 NDK (-): 21,6,17,19,25,G30
NDK-2 Brad Miller (2-Hooking) AKA 0x2 8:23
AKA 3 - 0 6x6 GW Sean Wiles (1) (Paul Crowder, Tommy Grant) 13:01
AKA (+): 27,20,23,11,16,G30 NDK (-): 17,3,21,5,19,G30
AKA-3 Kane Lafranchise (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 0x3 14:33
AKA-4 Kevin Clark (2-Slashing) NDK 0x4 17:01
AKA-5 Craig Parkinson (2-DELAY OF GAME) NDK 0x5 18:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-6 Jade Portwood (10-Game Misconduct) 3:17
AKA-7 Jade Portwood (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Tyler Moir) NDK 0x6 3:17
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-Holding) AKA 0x3 8:49
NDK-4 Ben Blood (2-Boarding) AKA 0x4 15:17
AKA-8 Trevor Hunt (2-Charging) NDK 1x7 17:48
NDK 1 - 3 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (4) (Chay Genoway, Chris VandeVelde) 17:56
NDK: 16,5,29,26,14,G31 AKA: 20,27,10,13,G30
NDK 2 - 3 6x6 EA Brett Hextall (3) (Chay Genoway, Brad Miller) 19:17
NDK (+): 26,5,14,16,29,17 AKA (-): 14,33,27,4,21,G30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Thursday, November 13, 2008
More on the Jason Blake saga.
Here is a little more on the former Fighting Sioux Jason Blake's on going troubles in Toronto. Jason Blake signed a big contract and has not met expectations of the Toronto Maple Leaf's management or their fans. You have to wonder if Jason's days in Toronto are numbered, and one has to wonder how long before he is traded to another team.
Holy cow check out some of the comments to this article they are harsh.
CALGARY–Having been scratched for two games this season, an upset Jason Blake publicly mused about leaving the Maple Leafs.
"Maybe it's not meant for me to be here," Blake said yesterday after a Leaf practice here before the team headed to Edmonton. "It obviously hasn't worked out in the year and 16 games we played here.
"If it's not going to work out ... I know I can play, and I love to play. I'm not going to quit. If it's not here, I don't know."
The 35-year-old Blake is stuck on two goals this season, his second with the Leafs after signing a five-year, $20 million U.S. contract in the summer of 2007. He was the team's key signing that free-agent period, a 40-goal scorer the year before with the New York Islanders.
"I'm glad he's upset," said coach Ron Wilson, who has coached Blake on Team USA. "You don't want a guy to roll over and die. I want him to step on the ice, and play with piss and vinegar, which he hasn't done consistently.
"That's the Jason Blake I've watched, and coached, and haven't seen enough of this year, or last year in reviewing the tape
Holy cow check out some of the comments to this article they are harsh.
INCH CHAT...
I wonder if there is anyway to replace Jess Meyers with Mike Eidelbes. From reading today's chat text it does appear that Mike knows the WCHA a little better than his counter part. Heck lets start the movement now Mike Eidelbes for WCHA writer. I sure that Sioux fans true to form will flood his box with Kudos.
(SARCASM ALERT) This is sarcasm, it isn't meant to be taken seriously and it isn't meant to be offensive. Its called humor. Some (they know who they are) have trouble determining what is humor and what is not humor.
james: crow reservation, mt: to what do you attribute north Dakota's slow start? what is your prognosis for the fighting Sioux?
Mike Eidelbes: A lot like Miami, North Dakota lost a bunch of players who are unreplaceable -- is that a word? Guys like J-P Lamoureux, T.J. Oshie, Taylor Chorney ... they're exceptional talents.
Mike Eidelbes: The Sioux are unproven in goal, don't have a lot of scoring depth behind Ryan Duncan, and are banged up on the blue line. I know INCH picked them to finish 7th in the WCHA in the preseason, and I think the ceiling is probably around 4th in the conference.
(SARCASM ALERT) This is sarcasm, it isn't meant to be taken seriously and it isn't meant to be offensive. Its called humor. Some (they know who they are) have trouble determining what is humor and what is not humor.
More on re-alignment.
Here is an interesting article that was over on Goon's favorite hockey site. Seems there has been some discussions about the possibility of re-alignment but nothing is set in stone of course. Kind of like we thought. This stuff takes time and will be an on going discussion.
There have been quite a few rumors spreading on various sites over the past few weeks about the future of the CHA and its teams. Now here are a few facts.
Atlantic Hockey voted to suspend its moratorium on expansion. Robert Morris and Niagara expressed interest in joining and AHA Commissioner Bob DeGregorio has visited both sites with the Niagara visit happening this past Friday when RIT was at Dwyer Arena.
“It would be disingenuous of me to say that we have not had any discussions,” said College Hockey America interim Commissioner and Niagara Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin. “I hate clichés, but it seems that there is a thawing in hockey and it’s a major step that at least someone is looking at expansion.”
Weekend Showdowns (Sioux 7)
Lets start by recapping last weeks WCHA games: CC/UND split, DU swept UMD, UW swept MTU, and MSUM took 3pts from UAA. Now with that out of the way, on to this week.
Wisconsin(3-4-1) at Minnesota-Duluth(1-3-1)
From what I gather UW didn't impress too many people last weekend, and "lucked" their way to 4-pts. UMD didn't fair to well on their trip the rocky mountain state. The Bulldogs need to sweep this series to keep themselves and their coach out of the DOG house. It seems early to say this but, if the Bulldogs want to finish in the top half of the league they need to dispose of the Badgers this weekend. Which leds me to my prediction, I'm throwing these dogs a bone, Bulldogs Beat Badgers Both games.
Anchorage(2-2-2) at #18 North Dakota(3-3-0)
My beloved Sioux are most likely going to be without their top pair of defensemen, Chay Genoway (the little D-man) and Joe Finley (the BIG D-man), ouch. But UAA has fallen back to form, they have only one win in the last five games. In that stretch the Seawolves have only averaged 2 goals/game. I say the woes continue in Alaska, UND sweeps. Hey, at least they have the best looking Governor.
#4 Denver(4-1-1) at St. Cloud State(0-3-0)
Will the WCHA have to issue an apology this year for a blown goal like last year in this series... only time will tell. DU is off to good start again this year, and look to be a top contender for the league title. Huskies on the other hand look like they need to be whipped into shape. Motzko will probably cracking the whip more if his dog sled team doesn't get some points this weekend. A DU sweep here give SCSU an inside track on 10th place. The Pioneers will take advantage of the sleeping dogs and take 3pts.
Michigan Tech(1-5-0) at #2 Minnesota(4-0-2)
It might be possible that the bottom four teams in the league are canines? A pair of Huskies, a Bulldog, and a Seawolf? Well, it doesn't look good for these Huskies either, on the road for the second week in a row. They now face a much better team in the Gophers. I'm thinking this series might look like a show I watched on TV, where a ground squirrel was running around, because it was being chased by a dog... I'm guessing this is what's going to happen in this series, the Gophers will stake around the Huskies and have fun doing it. Gophers sweep. (This is a Sat/Sun series)
#3 Colorado College(4-1-1) at #11 Minnesota State(2-2-2)
This should be the best series of the weekend, both teams are playing good hockey, both are ranked, and both want more points. The Tiger, though not native to Colorado, much less North America, seems to thrive their, but does have problems outside of Colorado. The Mavericks want to establish themselves this year an upper echelon team, well, now is their chance. If the purple people want some pollster pouting, they need to take at least 3pts this weekend from the Tigers. Which is my call the Mavericks stampede the Tiger and get 3pts.
I know this is a couple of days late, but I would like to say THANK YOU to ALL our VETERANS. Thanks for serving this great country.
Thanks Goon, you old Veteran you :)
Wisconsin(3-4-1) at Minnesota-Duluth(1-3-1)
From what I gather UW didn't impress too many people last weekend, and "lucked" their way to 4-pts. UMD didn't fair to well on their trip the rocky mountain state. The Bulldogs need to sweep this series to keep themselves and their coach out of the DOG house. It seems early to say this but, if the Bulldogs want to finish in the top half of the league they need to dispose of the Badgers this weekend. Which leds me to my prediction, I'm throwing these dogs a bone, Bulldogs Beat Badgers Both games.
Anchorage(2-2-2) at #18 North Dakota(3-3-0)
My beloved Sioux are most likely going to be without their top pair of defensemen, Chay Genoway (the little D-man) and Joe Finley (the BIG D-man), ouch. But UAA has fallen back to form, they have only one win in the last five games. In that stretch the Seawolves have only averaged 2 goals/game. I say the woes continue in Alaska, UND sweeps. Hey, at least they have the best looking Governor.
#4 Denver(4-1-1) at St. Cloud State(0-3-0)
Will the WCHA have to issue an apology this year for a blown goal like last year in this series... only time will tell. DU is off to good start again this year, and look to be a top contender for the league title. Huskies on the other hand look like they need to be whipped into shape. Motzko will probably cracking the whip more if his dog sled team doesn't get some points this weekend. A DU sweep here give SCSU an inside track on 10th place. The Pioneers will take advantage of the sleeping dogs and take 3pts.
Michigan Tech(1-5-0) at #2 Minnesota(4-0-2)
It might be possible that the bottom four teams in the league are canines? A pair of Huskies, a Bulldog, and a Seawolf? Well, it doesn't look good for these Huskies either, on the road for the second week in a row. They now face a much better team in the Gophers. I'm thinking this series might look like a show I watched on TV, where a ground squirrel was running around, because it was being chased by a dog... I'm guessing this is what's going to happen in this series, the Gophers will stake around the Huskies and have fun doing it. Gophers sweep. (This is a Sat/Sun series)
#3 Colorado College(4-1-1) at #11 Minnesota State(2-2-2)
This should be the best series of the weekend, both teams are playing good hockey, both are ranked, and both want more points. The Tiger, though not native to Colorado, much less North America, seems to thrive their, but does have problems outside of Colorado. The Mavericks want to establish themselves this year an upper echelon team, well, now is their chance. If the purple people want some pollster pouting, they need to take at least 3pts this weekend from the Tigers. Which is my call the Mavericks stampede the Tiger and get 3pts.
I know this is a couple of days late, but I would like to say THANK YOU to ALL our VETERANS. Thanks for serving this great country.
Thanks Goon, you old Veteran you :)
Lamoureux article on NHL.COM
Here is a really nice article on former Fighting Sioux Goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux Lamoureux has made a smooth transition to professional hockey from the colege ranks and is doing quite well with the Alaska of the ECHL.
Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is puzzled, and it's not difficult to understand why.
Despite a stellar four-year collegiate career at the University of North Dakota, he was never drafted by an NHL club and never received any contract offers after putting up big numbers in his senior season, numbers that were so good he was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Lamoureux, 24, though, has taken everything in stride. After signing a deal with the Alaska Aces in early September, he has won seven of his first 10 games as a professional while posting a 2.26 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. His efforts are a major reason why Alaska currently sits atop the West Division standings at 7-2-1.
The Code works.
This is a perfect example of the code working in professional hockey. L.A. King Dustin Brown lays a dirty hit on Dallas Star's forward Mike Ribeiro. Brenden Morrow exception to this dirty hit and comes to the aid of his teammate. The response to the hit is Brenden Morrow fights Dustin Brown. The incident is over and Brown pays for his objectionable act.
The league could have suspended Brendan Morrow for one game for getting an instigator penalty and into a fight with under five minutes to play in a game. The league made the right decision and decided that it would not suspend Morrow because of Brown's dirty hit on Ribeiro.
Here is the rule as defined by the Dallas News
Rules state that instigating a fight in the final five minutes carries an automatic one-game suspension and a $10,000 fine to the coach. The rule was implemented to deter coaches from sending out goons to administer frontier justice. The league rescinds such penalties if it is determined they were within the "spirit of the game."
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What's a Seawolf?
This weekend the Fighting Sioux 3-5-0 take on the Seawolves 5-3-2 from Alaska Anchorage. Every year there is an on going discussion on what the heck is a Seawolf? Personally, I am not sure we have ever been given a definative concrete explanation on this subject. So does anyone know what the hell a Seawolf actually is?
Siouxman gives this definition of What a Seawolf is.
Well, he is a mythical creature. But what is more exciting is that the legend of the Sea-Wolf could be told from the perspective of many different Indian tribes from British Columbia to the Nazca Plain in Peru.
According to the original legend, the Sea-Wolf was the head of totem poles for many different tribes -- the only other honor given to the thunderbird.
What makes it seem likely that the Sea-Wolf was far more than just a myth was that every tribe that has seen the creature from North America down to the south has described it in the same way. The Sea-Wolf could be described as having dog-like limbs with a crocodile-like snout and large eyes. Legend also says that when you see the Sea-Wolf he will bring good luck
I checked on Wikipedia and there is also a fish that is named a Seawolf.
The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus), also known as the Seawolf, Atlantic catfish, wolf eel (the common name for its Pacific relative), or sea cat, is a marine fish, the largest of the wolffish family Anarhichadidae. The numbers of the Atlantic wolffish are rapidly depleting due to overfishing and by-catch, and is currently a Species of Concern according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)[1].
The Match up
The Sioux have a record of 4-3-1 against the Seawolves over the course of the last three season. The Sioux have beaten UAA three straight games in a row. This is not going to be an easy win the last four games have been close hard fought games.
Genoway and Finley doubtfull...
To quote Jim Carey, "so you say there is a chance." It also doesn't look good.
The Sioux desparately need big Joe back in the line up soon.
The Sioux desparately need big Joe back in the line up soon.
Per Brad Elliott Schlossman: As posted on the Herald site, coach Dave Hakstol said today that Joe Finley and Chay Genoway are doubtful this weekend.
Brad Miller will play on defense again.
Jess Meyers of INCH on KFAN.
Here is an interesting conversation that took place on Paul Allen's show this morning
with Jess Meyers from Inside College Hockey (about 11 minutes in). Pretty much the same stuff when Jeff Dubay "aka Puffy" was on the show, the usual Gophers love feast and the obligatory shot at UND. True to form Jess defends his 7th place finish prediction and then Jess didn't even know the name of the goalie from UND Brad Eidsness.
with Jess Meyers from Inside College Hockey (about 11 minutes in). Pretty much the same stuff when Jeff Dubay "aka Puffy" was on the show, the usual Gophers love feast and the obligatory shot at UND. True to form Jess defends his 7th place finish prediction and then Jess didn't even know the name of the goalie from UND Brad Eidsness.
Blake on his way out of Toronto?
Puck Daddy had this story on his blog today. It appears that Former Sioux Jason Blake's miserable stay in Toronto is coming to an end. Blake is having another rough season and was benched last night.
Blake approaching end in Toronto?
TheFourthPeriod.com
Moments after hearing the news that he was to be benched for the second-time this season, Jason Blake erupted into a sequence of profanities, reports the National Post.
Blake sat out of last night's game, a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.
"I don't know what's going on ... we'll try to figure it out sometime today," Blake told the paper.
"It's just extremely frustrating. To be honest, I was very, very upset in Boston [first benching], but I didn't really know what to say because I was caught off guard. It was the first time in nine years that I was a healthy scratch.
Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson hasn't been afraid to bench his players. Along with Blake, those who were scratched for a game or more include Matt Stajan, Mike Van Ryn, Jonas Frogren, Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo.
With a surplus of defensemen, the Leafs have been trying to make a move to free up a spot on the roster.
Blake, whose contract doesn't expire until after the 2011-12 season, could be someone the team tries to trade this season.
"This is twice, now, after never being scratched in nine years," Blake said. "I just don't get it."
More on re-alignment.
This story by Mike Chambers started a avalanche of speculation and more is starting to come out on this story. It will be interesting to see how this story plays out. First, everyone must know there are two kinds of conversations, there is the front stage and the back stage. The front stage takes place in the newspapers and during the radio interviews, this is the information that can be released. Then there is the back stages, this is the discussion that takes place behind the scenes, the fans aren't privy to this discussion.
I believe some where between these two stories is "the TRUTH" or should we say reality. Like I said before I can see realignment coming eventually, much like the shootout.
First off, the league members have to go to Marco Island, Florida to make a decision. What can't they do it in Denver or Minneapolis? Looks like Money isn't much of a problem when you living in the WCHA eh?
I believe some where between these two stories is "the TRUTH" or should we say reality. Like I said before I can see realignment coming eventually, much like the shootout.
DULUTH, Minn. – If an expansion moratorium is lifted in the men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association in January, it could be Bemidji State’s first step toward joining the league.
League commissioner Bruce McLeod confirmed Tuesday that the WCHA executive committee will decide next week if a vote to repeal the existing moratorium should be taken during the NCAA Convention on Jan. 14-17 in Washington, D.C. A simple favorable majority of the 10 league schools would rescind the ban on expansion, which has been in effect for 10 years. That would allow prospective members to make presentations at the WCHA’s annual meeting in May in Marco Island, Fla.
First off, the league members have to go to Marco Island, Florida to make a decision. What can't they do it in Denver or Minneapolis? Looks like Money isn't much of a problem when you living in the WCHA eh?
“We’d like to give Bemidji State a definitive answer, yes or no, about the possibility of joining our league,” McLeod said from his Denver office. “It would be in their best interest to know our intentions so they can make plans for their future.”
The Bemidji State women’s team is already a member of the women’s WCHA.
Bemidji State has never made a formal men’s application to the WCHA because of the moratorium, although the league reached a scheduling agreement with the school in January. The agreement guarantees Bemidji State 12 games with WCHA schools beginning in 2010-11, but the Beavers may be a team without a conference by then.
“Our ultimate goal is to be in the WCHA,” Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said. “With our present league down to four teams, going to the WCHA would be a logical step for us. It would be good timing. [College Hockey America] might only have one more season as a league after this year.”
If the WCHA lifts its moratorium, the opportunity to join the league may be invitation only, said McLeod, and it’s possible Bemidji State would be the only school on the invitation list. Bemidji State has done relatively well against the WCHA, going 11-24-1, including losses to Wisconsin and Denver in the first round of the Division I playoffs.
College Hockey America lost Air Force to the 10-team Atlantic Hockey conference in 2006-07, while league member Wayne (Mich.) State dropped its program in March.
Tom Kostopoulos pounds Mike Van Ryn into the boards.
This hit by Tom Kostopoulos is the latest dirty check to cause injury to another player in the NHL. There is no reason for Kostopoulos to hit Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Van Ryn like that. The three game suspension is too light in my opinion.
Hab draws three-game ban, but some Leafs say tougher action needed
Nov 11, 2008 04:30 AM --- Mark Zwolinski
When Montreal's Tom Kostopoulos was suspended three games yesterday for his hit on Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn, the reaction from the Toronto camp suggested the time has come for the NHL to crack down on dangerous hits to the head.
"If a guy is vulnerable going into the boards, you have to be aware of that," said Leafs forward Ryan Hollweg, who has been suspended twice this season for hits from behind. "I know what it's like from the other side. It's punishable."
Van Ryn remained in Toronto yesterday while the Leafs left for a three-game western Canadian road trip, still in considerable pain from the devastating hit from behind he took during Saturday's 6-3 win over the Canadiens.
Van Ryn suffered a concussion of as-yet unknown grade, a broken nose, a broken bone in his hand, a gash to the forehead and damage to his teeth and gums.
The NHL, already under pressure to get tough with players who deliver shots from behind, appeared to weigh Van Ryn's injuries heavily when deciding on Kostopoulos's punishment.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Messier wants face masks to be manditory.
Former NHL great Mark Messier is making the case for the NHL players to wear the full cage. First off, I don' think the players union is going to go for this idea. I also think it is a matter of personal rights, if a player chooses to not wear the face shield and or face mask it is their decision and theirs only, do they really need the league telling them what they have to wear. So you’re getting into a personal rights issue. Also, some have made the case that the face masks causes concussions as well... Here is one the helmet that article was talking about.
Messier builds case for mandatory face masks
Veteran's message is 'it's cool to be protected'
Garth Woolsey --- Nov 10, 2008 04:30 AM
Mark Messier broke into the National Hockey League in 1979-80, the same season that the league finally made the wearing of helmets mandatory. Now 47, Messier says it is only a matter of time – finally – until the NHL takes the next logical step and makes facial protection compulsory, too.
"I see the exact same thing happening with face masks," he said yesterday before stepping on to the ice at the Air Canada Centre for the Hall of Fame Legends game wearing a new, possibly safer, line of helmets that he is endorsing. "I would recommend any player that grows up playing with a face mask not to take it off when he turns pro."
Never mind leaving the decision to individuals, he adds. Make facial protection, whether full cages or visors, mandatory.
When Messier speaks on such matters, hockey people tend to listen. He played 25 hard-knock years in the NHL, one of the toughest ever, taking part in more games than anyone but Gordie Howe, plenty long enough to bear witness to everything the sport has to offer, good and bad, the latter including countless head injuries.
Goon goes five hole.
This is my weekly blog post that I wrote for Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole
UND VS UAA
I will also be sitting in the stands this weekend to watch the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux play the University of Alaska Anchorage on Friday and Saturday night in beautiful Ralph Englestad Arena. College hockey fans can watch the game nationally on the NHL network this Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m. central standard time, that is 4:30 Alaska time.
So far this season the Fighting Sioux have been inconsistent and have struggled on defense and between the pipes. After leading the Fighting Sioux in goal Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has since graduated and moved on and is now playing in Anchorage of the ECHL. Now starting in goal for the Fighting Sioux, is rookie Brad Eidsness, who has a 3-3-0 record. His goals against average is 3.52, with a save percent of .883. The much heralded Eidsness has been inconsistent so far this season; at times Eidsness has looked great, at other times has also let in some soft goals. Contrary to some of the naysayers I think there are many reasons why UND Fighting Sioux fans should be excited about their young goaltender.
On the other side of the ice the UAA Seawolves are kind of an enigma. The Seawolves finished the past three seasons dead last in the WCHA and were seen by some WCHA fans as an easy win. This season the Seawolves who were picked to finish 10th again in the preseason poll have played better this year and have a conference record of 2-2-2 is tied with the Fighting Sioux and MSU-M for fifth in the WCHA standings. The UAA Seawolves have 5 forwards with ten or more points in ten games; Paul Crowder (6-7-13), Brian Bales (1-11-12), Tommy Grant (7-4-11), Josh Lunden (6-4-10) In goal the Seawolves have had to goalies split time Jon Olthuis and Bryce Christianson. Bryce Christianson has the better of the record and stats 3-0-2 record of the two goaltenders, his goals against average 1.94 and save percentage of .903.
Goon’s Weekly top 10
1.) Boston University
2.) University of Minnesota
3.) Colorado College
4.) Denver
5.) Boston College
6.) New Hampshire
7.) Notre Dame
8.) North Eastern
9.) Minnesota State Mankato
10.) Michigan
UND VS UAA
I will also be sitting in the stands this weekend to watch the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux play the University of Alaska Anchorage on Friday and Saturday night in beautiful Ralph Englestad Arena. College hockey fans can watch the game nationally on the NHL network this Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m. central standard time, that is 4:30 Alaska time.
So far this season the Fighting Sioux have been inconsistent and have struggled on defense and between the pipes. After leading the Fighting Sioux in goal Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has since graduated and moved on and is now playing in Anchorage of the ECHL. Now starting in goal for the Fighting Sioux, is rookie Brad Eidsness, who has a 3-3-0 record. His goals against average is 3.52, with a save percent of .883. The much heralded Eidsness has been inconsistent so far this season; at times Eidsness has looked great, at other times has also let in some soft goals. Contrary to some of the naysayers I think there are many reasons why UND Fighting Sioux fans should be excited about their young goaltender.
On the other side of the ice the UAA Seawolves are kind of an enigma. The Seawolves finished the past three seasons dead last in the WCHA and were seen by some WCHA fans as an easy win. This season the Seawolves who were picked to finish 10th again in the preseason poll have played better this year and have a conference record of 2-2-2 is tied with the Fighting Sioux and MSU-M for fifth in the WCHA standings. The UAA Seawolves have 5 forwards with ten or more points in ten games; Paul Crowder (6-7-13), Brian Bales (1-11-12), Tommy Grant (7-4-11), Josh Lunden (6-4-10) In goal the Seawolves have had to goalies split time Jon Olthuis and Bryce Christianson. Bryce Christianson has the better of the record and stats 3-0-2 record of the two goaltenders, his goals against average 1.94 and save percentage of .903.
Goon’s Weekly top 10
1.) Boston University
2.) University of Minnesota
3.) Colorado College
4.) Denver
5.) Boston College
6.) New Hampshire
7.) Notre Dame
8.) North Eastern
9.) Minnesota State Mankato
10.) Michigan
Updates on a former WCHA players.
*Former SCSU player Tyler Arnason was a healthy scratch and his head coach Tony Granato isn't all that happy with his play so far. I have always thought that Arnason was a player that lacked a consistent work ethic to be a great player in the NHL. I am surprised that Arnason has made it this long in the NHL.
*From the same article former Gophers and Hobey Baker winner Jordan Leopold is enjoying success on the ice again after being hurt for a big part of the last two seasons.
*Former Golden Gopher Nate Hagemo is back and playing in the ECHL. While it is not the NHL it is a first step in the right direction.
*Former C.C. Tiger Curtis McElhinney is getting slivers sitting on the bench in Calgary and has yet to play this season.
*Former Warroad Warrior and Fighting Sioux star T.J. Oshie could be out till December.
The injuries continue to pile up in New Jersey as former Gophers Paul Martin was placed on the Injured reserve.
*Former Sioux Zach Parise and current New Jersey Devil is on fire scoring 13 points in 10 games. Zach Parise is also tied for second over all in the NHL with Alexander Semin for goals scored. Former Gopher Thomas Vanek is number one.
Avalanche report: Arnason called out
By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News
Granato said center Tyler Arnason, who was a healthy scratch Saturday, has to play better to return to the lineup.
"The bottom line is we have to dress the 12 forwards that give us the best chance to win, and I didn't think 'Arnie' was one of those 12 forwards for that game," Granato said. "It's pretty simple; there's other guys that deserve to be playing in front of him.
"He has to get into the game and do what he does best, and that is play hard. If he doesn't play hard and doesn't do the little things that we're asking him to do consistently and others guys will, then other guys will play."
Arnason has two goals on 17 shots and a minus-2 rating in 13 games. He had 10 goals and 21 assists in 70 games last season in the first year of a two-year, $3.35 million contract he signed after posting 16 goals and 33 assists in 82 games in 2006-07.
*From the same article former Gophers and Hobey Baker winner Jordan Leopold is enjoying success on the ice again after being hurt for a big part of the last two seasons.
Leopold shining
After missing 106 games during his first two seasons with the Avalanche because of injuries, Jordan Leopold finally is healthy and has been one of the team's top defensemen.
"I feel good. I haven't had any hiccups or anything," said Leopold, who has played in all 14 games and has three goals and three assists. "This is probably the healthiest I've felt probably in four years, since before the lockout. I kind of feel like a kid again.
"It's nice. I can come out and practice and not have aches and pains and stay on the ice the whole time. It's a little bit different, but that's what I used to do when I was younger and I felt better."
*Former Golden Gopher Nate Hagemo is back and playing in the ECHL. While it is not the NHL it is a first step in the right direction.
No points and a minus-2 rating usually isn’t something to write home about, but for Elmira Jackals defenseman Nate Hagemo, there’s another stat that’s much sweeter: four games played.
Hagemo, a second round pick (58th overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005, has been to hell and back – and he’s only been back for a short time. The highly touted blueliner skipped his final year of high school in order to suit up for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, but shoulder problems derailed his career before he was even old enough to buy a beer.
After sustaining a “stinger” in his freshman year, Hagemo was hit in the same place at the 2005 World Junior Championship while playing with Team USA and the injury became too much to bear. He played just three games as a sophomore and despite a comeback attempt in 2006, would never play college hockey again.
“It was the most difficult thing I’ve experienced,” said Hagemo, currently in the ECHL. “Especially then. My mind was set on me being a hockey player; that’s what I was.”
Without game action, or even practice to look forward to, Hagemo’s life began to unravel.
“You feel so isolated,” he said. “When you’re hurt, you’re not part of the team – you’re not in the locker room, so you’re not hanging out with the guys; you feel disconnected.”
*Former C.C. Tiger Curtis McElhinney is getting slivers sitting on the bench in Calgary and has yet to play this season.
The Calgary Flames season is now 13 games old and Keenan has yet to call upon backup Curtis McElhinney for a start or even mop-up duty. Doesn’t the coach realize the 82-game NHL season is a marathon and not a dash?
Doesn’t the coach realize wearing down Kiprusoff by the middle of November probably isn’t a good idea? Doesn’t the coach realize letting McElhinney freeze on the bench for more than a month doesn’t do a whole lot for his psyche and well-being?
*Former Warroad Warrior and Fighting Sioux star T.J. Oshie could be out till December.
The Blues really miss energetic rookie T.J. Oshie, whose high ankle sprain could disable him well into December. Veteran winger Paul Kariya departed Wednesday night’s game with a unspecified “lower body” injury.
The injuries continue to pile up in New Jersey as former Gophers Paul Martin was placed on the Injured reserve.
*Former Sioux Zach Parise and current New Jersey Devil is on fire scoring 13 points in 10 games. Zach Parise is also tied for second over all in the NHL with Alexander Semin for goals scored. Former Gopher Thomas Vanek is number one.
Forget Gaborik: Minnesota should focus on Backstrom
Here is a good story by Sean Leahy on how the Minnesota Wild should forget about Marian Gaborik and focus on getting Niklas Backstrom signed up to a contract. That is a good idea because Wild back up Josh Harding has less than impressive since he became a member of the Minnesota Wild.
I have to agree on Sean on this Marin Gaborik had played a grand total of two games scoring an eye popping 1 goal, the Wild have managed to win with out Gabby and need to start their life without him. While Gaborik has been on the shelf since October 16th the Wild have gone 7-3-1.
Whatever happens to both Gaborik and Backstrom, this is a very important season for the Wild franchise. They have their superstar player and superstar goaltender both on the verge of big raises. Minnesota has $37 million committed for next season, but with eight soon-to-be unrestricted free agents and four restricted free agents, how will Doug Risebrough approach the future of the team? Backstrom's future won't be determined until Gaborik is either signed or dealt.
An alternate thought: With the Wild's hot start, does Risebrough roll the dice and keep Gaborik all season and sign Backstrom instead for a run at the Stanley Cup?
It'll be an interesting season in Minnesota, both on and off the ice.
I have to agree on Sean on this Marin Gaborik had played a grand total of two games scoring an eye popping 1 goal, the Wild have managed to win with out Gabby and need to start their life without him. While Gaborik has been on the shelf since October 16th the Wild have gone 7-3-1.
Gary Bettman on head shots.
I saw this story over on Puck Daddy this morning and I was wondering if anyone else thought Bettman sounded like politician? That being said, I do kind of agree with Bettman that this would be a very slippery slope if the NHL goes down this road. If you eliminate legal hits that may or may not lead to a head shot might make the game less physical.
You can watch the interviews in question right here and here. I have never been a fan of Gary Bettman I think he is the wrong guy to lead the NHL an if you watch the video you will see that Bettman really is an abrasive pompous guy. You could put me in the Fire Bettman now camp.
You can watch the interviews in question right here and here. I have never been a fan of Gary Bettman I think he is the wrong guy to lead the NHL an if you watch the video you will see that Bettman really is an abrasive pompous guy. You could put me in the Fire Bettman now camp.
When asked about trying to eliminate head shots from the game, Bettman again urged caution.
"You know, it's interesting to me that when we came back from the work stoppage a lot of our fans complained that we had taken the physicality out of the game by opening up the speed and skill," Bettman noted. "We didn't do that - hitting is actually up. There are more body checks in the game than we had before the work stoppage. But if you say you can't have contact with the head, you are going to reduce the amount of checking in the game and you are going to change the way the game is played."
"We don't like any concussions," Bettman said. "We don't like any hits to the head, but before we run down this road, think about what the consequences to the game are going to be."
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sioux make the USCHO poll.
USCHO.com
1. Boston University (29)
2. Minnesota (12)
3. Colorado College (8)
4. Denver
5. Boston College
6. New Hampshire
7. Northeastern
8. Michigan
9. Notre Dame
10. Miami
11. MSU-Mankato
12. Princeton
13. Air Force
14. Cornell
15. Vermont
16. Clarkson
17. Michigan State
18. North Dakota
19. St. Lawrence
20. Massachusetts
USA Today
1. Boston University (19)
2. Minnesota (10)
3. Colorado College (5)
4. Denver
5. New Hampshire
6. Boston College
7. Northeastern
8. Michigan
9. Notre Dame
10. Miami
11. Princeton
12. MSU-Mankato
13. Air Force
14. Cornell
15. Vermont
INCH
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Colorado College
4. Denver
5. Northeastern
6. New Hampshire
7. Notre Dame
8. Boston College
9. Princeton
10. MSU-Mankato
11. Michigan
12. Air Force
13. Cornell
14. Vermont
15. Miami
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. Minnesota-Duluth
18. Michigan State
19. St. Lawrence
20. Massachusetts
Analysis
Just as I predicted the Boston University Terriers are the new team with the bulls eye on their back. While there are no awards for finishing with a great record in October and November they have been the best team in college so far. These polls are all over the place like the CBS/New York Times presidential poll. UMD is ranked in one poll and not in the other ones.
The polls have Air Force ranked 12, 13 and 12, this is based the Falcons beating no one from the big 4 conferences.
Notre Dame Beats Boston College 4-1 on Friday night and moves up only three places in the polls.
Media Darling Princeton is still ranked 12, 11 and 9 after losing to Cornell this weekend.
1. Boston University (29)
2. Minnesota (12)
3. Colorado College (8)
4. Denver
5. Boston College
6. New Hampshire
7. Northeastern
8. Michigan
9. Notre Dame
10. Miami
11. MSU-Mankato
12. Princeton
13. Air Force
14. Cornell
15. Vermont
16. Clarkson
17. Michigan State
18. North Dakota
19. St. Lawrence
20. Massachusetts
USA Today
1. Boston University (19)
2. Minnesota (10)
3. Colorado College (5)
4. Denver
5. New Hampshire
6. Boston College
7. Northeastern
8. Michigan
9. Notre Dame
10. Miami
11. Princeton
12. MSU-Mankato
13. Air Force
14. Cornell
15. Vermont
INCH
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Colorado College
4. Denver
5. Northeastern
6. New Hampshire
7. Notre Dame
8. Boston College
9. Princeton
10. MSU-Mankato
11. Michigan
12. Air Force
13. Cornell
14. Vermont
15. Miami
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. Minnesota-Duluth
18. Michigan State
19. St. Lawrence
20. Massachusetts
Analysis
Just as I predicted the Boston University Terriers are the new team with the bulls eye on their back. While there are no awards for finishing with a great record in October and November they have been the best team in college so far. These polls are all over the place like the CBS/New York Times presidential poll. UMD is ranked in one poll and not in the other ones.
The polls have Air Force ranked 12, 13 and 12, this is based the Falcons beating no one from the big 4 conferences.
Notre Dame Beats Boston College 4-1 on Friday night and moves up only three places in the polls.
Media Darling Princeton is still ranked 12, 11 and 9 after losing to Cornell this weekend.
More on League Realignment
Here are a few perspectives on league realignment. My opinion is that it is coming much like he shootout and there is really nothing so called hockey purist can do about it. The status quo is no longer good enough and there will be changes. Like or not realignment will be coming soon.
Here is what Chris had to say on Western College hockey Seems that Chris kind of predicted this back in February of 2007.
Here is what the Blog that Yost Built had to say on the matter, one of his suggestions is adding Alaska Fairbanks to the WCHA. Yikes get those frequent flyer miles going.
The Sun Star Sports isn't all that crazy about the idea. Geographically speaking Huntsville Alabama is a long way from Fairbanks, Alaska. According to Google Maps if you drove an automobile from Fairbanks to Huntsville it would be 4096 miles. Yep, I agree that would be a brutal trip even by airplane. So playing in the WCHA might be a better fit for the Nanooks.
Bronco Hockey Blog thinks that Wayne State was short sited in dropping their hockey program. In a way I agree but I also don't blame them because a lot of promises were made but they never came to fruition.
According to by Adam Wodon the Managing Editor of the College Hockey News said that realignment isn't imminent. Well we will just have to see.
Here is what Chris had to say on Western College hockey Seems that Chris kind of predicted this back in February of 2007.
Here is what the Blog that Yost Built had to say on the matter, one of his suggestions is adding Alaska Fairbanks to the WCHA. Yikes get those frequent flyer miles going.
Alternate ideas:
WCHA adds Bemidji, Huntsville, and UNO
CCHA adds Alaska Anchorage
or
WCHA adds Bemidji and Alaska Fairbanks
CCHA adds Huntsville
The Sun Star Sports isn't all that crazy about the idea. Geographically speaking Huntsville Alabama is a long way from Fairbanks, Alaska. According to Google Maps if you drove an automobile from Fairbanks to Huntsville it would be 4096 miles. Yep, I agree that would be a brutal trip even by airplane. So playing in the WCHA might be a better fit for the Nanooks.
Bronco Hockey Blog thinks that Wayne State was short sited in dropping their hockey program. In a way I agree but I also don't blame them because a lot of promises were made but they never came to fruition.
According to by Adam Wodon the Managing Editor of the College Hockey News said that realignment isn't imminent. Well we will just have to see.
Scores from 11-08-2008.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
American Int'l 1 at Army 3
Mercyhurst 3 at Holy Cross 4 ot
Analysis
Yawn!
CCHA
Ferris State 2 at Miami 1
Michigan 3 at Alaska 2
Michigan State 1 at Ohio State 3
Nebraska-Omaha 5 at Western Michigan 2
Bowling Green 4 at Lake Superior 4 ot: Lake Superior wins
Analysis
Michigan splits with Alaska. Miami splits with Ferris State. This is not your normal Ferris State, they are a much better hockey team this season. Michigan State gets swept by tOhio State University. That is not a miss print folks. UNO takes 4 points from the WMU Broncos this weekend. WMU gets one point for a shootout. Check out the standings at the CCHA home page.
CHA
Bemidji State 2 at Alabama-Huntsville 1 ot
Analysis
Who hates Huntsville, we do. Beavers get their second win of the season against CHA rival Huntsville. Beavers get the split on the weekend.
ECAC
Colgate 1 at Princeton 2 ot
Brown 2 at St. Lawrence 2 ot
Harvard 1 at Union 3
Cornell 0 at Quinnipiac 0 ot
Yale 3 at Clarkson 2
Dartmouth 5 at Rensselaer 2
Analysis
Does anyone in the EZAC score more than three goals? Cornell back to back shut out this weekend. Cornell makes the trip to Grand Forks, ND on November 28-29.
Hockey East
Vermont 3 at Mass.-Lowell 1
Massachusetts 1 at Merrimack 3
WCHA
Michigan Tech 0 at Wisconsin 6
North Dakota 4 at Colorado College 7
Minnesota-Duluth 1 at Denver 2
Minnesota State 2 at Alaska-Anchorage 2 ot
Analysis
Wisconsin sweeps the MTU Huskies, "ouch". UND splits with C.C. mission accomplished. UMD loses two to Denver University in the Mile High City. Mankato takes 3 points from UAA.
Non-Conference
Notre Dame 4 at Providence 1
Bentley 1 at Northeastern 4
New Hampshire 2 at Minnesota 6
Robert Morris 1 at St. Cloud State 7
Notre Dame wins two non conference games on the weekend. Minnesota stops the Hockey East Tidal Wave. SCSU pound Robert Morris in two games this weekend. Robert Morris scores one goal on the weekend.
Atlantic Hockey
American Int'l 1 at Army 3
Mercyhurst 3 at Holy Cross 4 ot
Analysis
Yawn!
CCHA
Ferris State 2 at Miami 1
Michigan 3 at Alaska 2
Michigan State 1 at Ohio State 3
Nebraska-Omaha 5 at Western Michigan 2
Bowling Green 4 at Lake Superior 4 ot: Lake Superior wins
Analysis
Michigan splits with Alaska. Miami splits with Ferris State. This is not your normal Ferris State, they are a much better hockey team this season. Michigan State gets swept by tOhio State University. That is not a miss print folks. UNO takes 4 points from the WMU Broncos this weekend. WMU gets one point for a shootout. Check out the standings at the CCHA home page.
CHA
Bemidji State 2 at Alabama-Huntsville 1 ot
Analysis
Who hates Huntsville, we do. Beavers get their second win of the season against CHA rival Huntsville. Beavers get the split on the weekend.
ECAC
Colgate 1 at Princeton 2 ot
Brown 2 at St. Lawrence 2 ot
Harvard 1 at Union 3
Cornell 0 at Quinnipiac 0 ot
Yale 3 at Clarkson 2
Dartmouth 5 at Rensselaer 2
Analysis
Does anyone in the EZAC score more than three goals? Cornell back to back shut out this weekend. Cornell makes the trip to Grand Forks, ND on November 28-29.
Hockey East
Vermont 3 at Mass.-Lowell 1
Massachusetts 1 at Merrimack 3
WCHA
Michigan Tech 0 at Wisconsin 6
North Dakota 4 at Colorado College 7
Minnesota-Duluth 1 at Denver 2
Minnesota State 2 at Alaska-Anchorage 2 ot
Analysis
Wisconsin sweeps the MTU Huskies, "ouch". UND splits with C.C. mission accomplished. UMD loses two to Denver University in the Mile High City. Mankato takes 3 points from UAA.
Non-Conference
Notre Dame 4 at Providence 1
Bentley 1 at Northeastern 4
New Hampshire 2 at Minnesota 6
Robert Morris 1 at St. Cloud State 7
Notre Dame wins two non conference games on the weekend. Minnesota stops the Hockey East Tidal Wave. SCSU pound Robert Morris in two games this weekend. Robert Morris scores one goal on the weekend.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
One positive of the OBAMA victory.
Washington Compost pictureThe last time the Fighting Sioux won an NCAA titles there was a Democratic president in the White House. In fact when the Sioux won their 6th and 7th NCAA title while William Jefferson Clinton was president of the United States of America.
The Republican party has been less kind to the Fighting Sioux, who went 0-5 with George W. Bush in the White House; 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Duncan goal and Hextall penatly.
Watch this sweet goal by Duncan, at the end of the play you will see the check by Hextall that landed in the stands for the rest of the night. Typical call WCHA official Don "I make shit up as I go" Adam. Folks, there is no way in hell that was worthy of a five minute major. Especially, after all of the Checking From Behind calls that went uncalled by Don "I make shit up as I go" Adam on the Sioux players.
Props to BaderSioux for the video.
Hextall goal, check out the check that he finishes.
Jason Gregoire Goal wow, is that a sweet goal.
Tigers 7 Sioux 4
I have seen the naysayers pontificating about UND being a below average team that will be lucky to above .500 at the end of the season. Apparently these people forget that UND hasn't played well the last 4 seasons before December, but the Fighting Sioux have kicked it in during the second half of each of the last four hockey seasons and went to the Frozen Four. I am not saying this is going to happen this season, but it could. Championships are won in March in April and your team doesn’t get an award for finishing above .500 before January.
In the next week or two I expect to see yet another ridiculous "Fire Hakstol" or "UND is going down the tubes" thread to reemerge over on Sioux Sports or UCSHO. I will not participate in this silliness.
Positives from this weekend.
1.) UND is the first team to beat the C.C. Tigers. Take that INCH.
2.) UND score more goals and gained more points from the Tigers this weekend than
3.) the DU Pioneers did last weekend.
4.) Brad Eidsness is getting better with each game.
5.) Jason Gregoire scored his third goal of the season.
6.) David Toews got his first point as a Fighting Sioux player (assist)
7.) Brett Hextall had two goals and an assist on the weekend.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CC-1 Andreas Vlassopoulos (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 4:41
NDK-1 Chris VandeVelde (2-Hooking) CC 1x1 8:03
CC 1 - 0 6x5 PP Nate Prosser (2) (Bill Sweatt, Brian Connelly) 9:34
CC: 15,21,22,19,11,G30 NDK: 19,6,3,17,G31
CC-2 Nate Prosser (2-Holding the Stick) NDK 1x2 11:00
NDK-2 Jason Gregoire (2-Roughing) 12:14
CC-3 Brian Connelly (2-Roughing) 12:14
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Brett Hextall (2) (Brad Miller) 12:36
NDK: 26,14,16,25,29,G31 CC: 26,4,14,10,G30
CC-4 Nick Dineen (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 1x3 14:27
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Ryan Duncan (3) (Chris VandeVelde, Brett Hextall) 17:49
NDK (+): 16,29,26,3,6,G31 CC (-): 11,25,5,26,15,G30
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Brent Davidson) CC 3x4 17:49
NDK-4 Brett Hextall (10-Game Misconduct) 17:49
CC 2 - 2 6x5 PP Eric Walsky (4) (Bill Sweatt, Chad Rau) 19:00
CC: 22,14,21,10,24,G30 NDK: 29,6,25,16,G31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CC 3 - 2 6x5 PP Scott McCulloch (3) (Brian Connelly, Andreas Vlassopoulos) 1:36
CC: 11,28,26,15,19,G30 NDK: 19,17,6,3,G31
NDK 3 - 3 6x6 Chris VandeVelde (3) (Ryan Duncan, Matt Frattin) 3:23
NDK (+): 29,16,21,14,24,G31 CC (-): 4,10,21,14,22,G30
CC-5 Bill Sweatt (2-Holding) NDK 1x4 6:54
CC-6 Andreas Vlassopoulos (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 7:22
CC-7 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Ryan Lowery) NDK 2x6 9:20
CC-8 Bill Sweatt (2-Tripping) NDK 2x7 9:20
NDK 4 - 3 6x4 PP Jason Gregoire (3) (David Toews, Brad Miller) 10:46
NDK: 17,18,14,3,16,G31 CC: 14,11,4,G30
CC 4 - 4 6x6 Eric Walsky (5) (Scott McCulloch, Nick Dineen) 13:36
CC (+): 26,22,20,15,11,G30 NDK (-): 29,6,16,21,25,G31
CC 5 - 4 6x6 HT GW LL Eric Walsky (6) (unassisted) 14:04
CC (+): 22,21,4,14,10,G30 NDK (-): 16,4,3,29,21,G31
CC-9 Arthur Bidwill (2-High-Sticking) NDK 2x8 16:33
NDK-5 Chris VandeVelde (2-Hooking) CC 3x5 18:13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CC-10 Brian Connelly (2-Hooking) NDK 2x9 0:32
NDK-6 Matt Frattin (2-Holding) CC 3x6 3:25
CC 6 - 4 6x6 Eric Walsky (7) (Chad Rau) 8:51
CC (+): 22,14,21,4,10,G30 NDK (-): 10,8,4,15,3,G31
CC 7 - 4 6x6 Stephen Schultz (3) (unassisted) 14:57
CC (+): 10,15,28,23,19,G30 NDK (-): 11,29,16,25,18,G31
CC-11 Gabe Guentzel (2-Tripping) NDK 2x10 14:57
NDK-7 David Toews (2-Tripping) CC 3x7 19:18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
In the next week or two I expect to see yet another ridiculous "Fire Hakstol" or "UND is going down the tubes" thread to reemerge over on Sioux Sports or UCSHO. I will not participate in this silliness.
Positives from this weekend.
1.) UND is the first team to beat the C.C. Tigers. Take that INCH.
2.) UND score more goals and gained more points from the Tigers this weekend than
3.) the DU Pioneers did last weekend.
4.) Brad Eidsness is getting better with each game.
5.) Jason Gregoire scored his third goal of the season.
6.) David Toews got his first point as a Fighting Sioux player (assist)
7.) Brett Hextall had two goals and an assist on the weekend.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CC-1 Andreas Vlassopoulos (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 4:41
NDK-1 Chris VandeVelde (2-Hooking) CC 1x1 8:03
CC 1 - 0 6x5 PP Nate Prosser (2) (Bill Sweatt, Brian Connelly) 9:34
CC: 15,21,22,19,11,G30 NDK: 19,6,3,17,G31
CC-2 Nate Prosser (2-Holding the Stick) NDK 1x2 11:00
NDK-2 Jason Gregoire (2-Roughing) 12:14
CC-3 Brian Connelly (2-Roughing) 12:14
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Brett Hextall (2) (Brad Miller) 12:36
NDK: 26,14,16,25,29,G31 CC: 26,4,14,10,G30
CC-4 Nick Dineen (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 1x3 14:27
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Ryan Duncan (3) (Chris VandeVelde, Brett Hextall) 17:49
NDK (+): 16,29,26,3,6,G31 CC (-): 11,25,5,26,15,G30
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Brent Davidson) CC 3x4 17:49
NDK-4 Brett Hextall (10-Game Misconduct) 17:49
CC 2 - 2 6x5 PP Eric Walsky (4) (Bill Sweatt, Chad Rau) 19:00
CC: 22,14,21,10,24,G30 NDK: 29,6,25,16,G31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CC 3 - 2 6x5 PP Scott McCulloch (3) (Brian Connelly, Andreas Vlassopoulos) 1:36
CC: 11,28,26,15,19,G30 NDK: 19,17,6,3,G31
NDK 3 - 3 6x6 Chris VandeVelde (3) (Ryan Duncan, Matt Frattin) 3:23
NDK (+): 29,16,21,14,24,G31 CC (-): 4,10,21,14,22,G30
CC-5 Bill Sweatt (2-Holding) NDK 1x4 6:54
CC-6 Andreas Vlassopoulos (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 7:22
CC-7 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Ryan Lowery) NDK 2x6 9:20
CC-8 Bill Sweatt (2-Tripping) NDK 2x7 9:20
NDK 4 - 3 6x4 PP Jason Gregoire (3) (David Toews, Brad Miller) 10:46
NDK: 17,18,14,3,16,G31 CC: 14,11,4,G30
CC 4 - 4 6x6 Eric Walsky (5) (Scott McCulloch, Nick Dineen) 13:36
CC (+): 26,22,20,15,11,G30 NDK (-): 29,6,16,21,25,G31
CC 5 - 4 6x6 HT GW LL Eric Walsky (6) (unassisted) 14:04
CC (+): 22,21,4,14,10,G30 NDK (-): 16,4,3,29,21,G31
CC-9 Arthur Bidwill (2-High-Sticking) NDK 2x8 16:33
NDK-5 Chris VandeVelde (2-Hooking) CC 3x5 18:13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CC-10 Brian Connelly (2-Hooking) NDK 2x9 0:32
NDK-6 Matt Frattin (2-Holding) CC 3x6 3:25
CC 6 - 4 6x6 Eric Walsky (7) (Chad Rau) 8:51
CC (+): 22,14,21,4,10,G30 NDK (-): 10,8,4,15,3,G31
CC 7 - 4 6x6 Stephen Schultz (3) (unassisted) 14:57
CC (+): 10,15,28,23,19,G30 NDK (-): 11,29,16,25,18,G31
CC-11 Gabe Guentzel (2-Tripping) NDK 2x10 14:57
NDK-7 David Toews (2-Tripping) CC 3x7 19:18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
League realignment?
It looks like realignment is coming to Division one hockey according to DU hockey blogger Mike Chambers. I don't doubt Mike Chambers because of his reputation and Mike has been pretty accurate in the past. Seriously, you have to be accurate if you are going to be employed very long as a journalist. It doesn’t do Chambers any good to release information that is inaccurate and false. Think about it, Chambers is from Denver, Colorado, the league office at Denver University.
In the past I have said that realignment will come to the WCHA, there is a lot of people that said it wouldn’t’ happen. I have also said that the NCAA could come down at any time and tell the established leagues (CCHA, WCHA, Hockey East, ECAC AHA) that if they don't absorb these CHA teams that the NCAA could start pulling at large bids.
Personally if this realignment does happen it’s good for me because that means I can spend two more weekends a winter drinking beer with my buddies from Bemidji. Also, now we can go from a final five to final six. It works in the CCHA so it can work in the WCHA as well.
Bemidji Election Update:
You will be happy to know that Richard Lehmann defeated challenger Nancy Erickson, the current Ward 5 representative, by roughly 900 votes as he gathered 3,512 votes to her 2,625 (57 percent to 43 percent). So now we know the Bemidji events center will go a head as planned. Now lets get the damn thing built, enough with the stalling and grand standing by politicians with personal agendas. Thank God the pro-event center people won.
In the past I have said that realignment will come to the WCHA, there is a lot of people that said it wouldn’t’ happen. I have also said that the NCAA could come down at any time and tell the established leagues (CCHA, WCHA, Hockey East, ECAC AHA) that if they don't absorb these CHA teams that the NCAA could start pulling at large bids.
Personally if this realignment does happen it’s good for me because that means I can spend two more weekends a winter drinking beer with my buddies from Bemidji. Also, now we can go from a final five to final six. It works in the CCHA so it can work in the WCHA as well.
College hockey conference realignment
by Mike Chambers on November 8, 2008
Conference expansion is on its way, folks. Because of the looming demise of College Hockey America, don’t be surprised if the WCHA and the AHA go from 10 to 12 teams, with Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha joining the WCHA and Robert Morris and Niagara going to the AHA.
This isn’t just opinon. I can’t divulge my sources, but this is what is being discussed by conference commissioners. And it makes sense.
The CHA currently has Robert Morris, Alabama-Huntsville, Niagara and Bemidji State. It’s a joke, because the four-team conference gets an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. That’s going to change. Robert Morris and Niagara have applied for entrance to the AHA. If they are accepted, the AHA will go from 10 to 12 teams.
What we need next is for Nebraska-Omaha to apply to the WCHA, and get accepted along with Bemidji State, which previously has applied. UNO, which currently plays in the CCHA, will be replaced by Alabama-Huntsville.
UNO is a natural fit for the WCHA, with strong state rivalries with Colorado and Minnesota. Alabama-Huntsville isn’t a fit for anyone, but … if UAH goes to the CCHA, we would have five conferences with a near equal amount of teams.
The WCHA, CCHA, AHA and ECAC would have 12 teams, and Hockey East 10. Under this plan, there would be five automatic bids to the 16-team national tournament for winning conference titles.
Bemidji Election Update:
You will be happy to know that Richard Lehmann defeated challenger Nancy Erickson, the current Ward 5 representative, by roughly 900 votes as he gathered 3,512 votes to her 2,625 (57 percent to 43 percent). So now we know the Bemidji events center will go a head as planned. Now lets get the damn thing built, enough with the stalling and grand standing by politicians with personal agendas. Thank God the pro-event center people won.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Line ups for tonight's game.
Here is the line up for tonights game from Brad Elliott Schlossman's Fighting Sioux hockey blog. There are a few changes from last nights game winning line up; Davidson is now playing on the fourth line and Mario Lamoureux is out of the line up, Matt Frattin is in. Chay Genoway is out of the line up tonight due to a questionable checking from behind play last night and Corey Fienhage has been flown in to play tonight game in Chay's place. Zach Jones has not score a goal in 130 straight games, the longest streak in the WCHA.
UND's lines
16 Ryan Duncan--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
10 Andrew Kozek--11 Darcy Zajac--20 Matt Watkins
17 Jason Gregoire--19 Evan Trupp--21 Matt Frattin
15 Brent Davidson--8 Ryan Martens--18 David Toews
6 Zach Jones--25 Jake Marto
3 Derrick LaPoint--4 Corey Fienhage
24 Ben Blood--14 Brad Miller
31 Brad Eidsness
30 Aaron Walski
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--20 Nick Dineen--25 Mike Testwuide
5 Addison DeBoer--9 Brian McMillin--16 David Civitarese
11 Brian Connelly--15 Nate Prosser
10 Gabe Guentzel--4 Jake Gannon
24 Ryan Lowery--27 Arthur Bidwill
30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien
UND's lines
16 Ryan Duncan--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
10 Andrew Kozek--11 Darcy Zajac--20 Matt Watkins
17 Jason Gregoire--19 Evan Trupp--21 Matt Frattin
15 Brent Davidson--8 Ryan Martens--18 David Toews
6 Zach Jones--25 Jake Marto
3 Derrick LaPoint--4 Corey Fienhage
24 Ben Blood--14 Brad Miller
31 Brad Eidsness
30 Aaron Walski
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--20 Nick Dineen--25 Mike Testwuide
5 Addison DeBoer--9 Brian McMillin--16 David Civitarese
11 Brian Connelly--15 Nate Prosser
10 Gabe Guentzel--4 Jake Gannon
24 Ryan Lowery--27 Arthur Bidwill
30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien
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