Due to an NHL website security meltdown, the league is at the centre of a cyberspace battle that rages between fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens.
The league’s All Star voting process has been tainted by fans and blog sites alike, to stuff the ballot box by any means necessary.
In a Nov. 11 home game against the Ottawa Senators, it was reported that the Canadiens heavily promoted all star voting during the game. One day ahead of the official start of voting.
When early results were tabulated, it was unusual to see all six Eastern Conference starters from the Canadiens
After these results, rumours surfaced that there was ballet box stuffing going on in Montreal.
Various news agencies investigated why the totals were so disparagingly high for Canadiens’ players while other notable stars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin were far off in the distance.
So, why were the votes so highly in favour of Les Glorieux?
Along with legitimate votes, a user on a Canadiens fans site urged people to vote using an automated program called Greasemonkey (a Firefox extension that allows the user to take control of a specific website browser). The program allows users to vote over and over again and this would explain why all six starters, at one point, were all Habs.
According to NHL voting rules, fans are allowed to vote, via internet and text messaging, as many times as they like but are prohibited from using automated voting machines.
“Use of automatic voting methods is prohibited,” says the NHL website. “The NHL will have in place monitoring procedures designed to prevent individuals from unfairly influencing the outcome of the voting by generating significant blocks of votes using technical enhancements.”
The NHL moved quickly on this and eliminated thousands of votes from Canadiens’ players, including 20,000 from Alexei Kovalev alone. The NHL took preventative measures and now the league claims that every real time vote you see has been cast by a real person.
Against the overwhelming number of votes, illegal or otherwise, going Montreal’s way, a popular Penguins blog site decided to do something about it.
On Dec. 10 fans were encouraged to vote and get Crosby and Malkin ahead of Kovalev and Canadiens captain Saku Koivu.
Whether this message had any effect on the vote standings is impossible to say but as of Dec. 25, Crosby and Malkin lead the Eastern Conference in voting, ahead of Kovalev and Koivu.
So far no rumuors of automated programs have surfaced from Pittsburgh.
Currently, Kovalev is third in voting; approximately 480,000 votes ahead of sixth-place Ovechkin, which brings another interesting facet to this debate.
The Penguins have entered into a relationship with the Washington Capitals to further drive this voting war.
The collective effort is called the “Unholy Alliance” and they have made it clear what their intentions are.
“This one time only would bring Pens/Caps fans together to try and stun the world and get A.O. (Alexander Ovechkin) into the top three of the All Star voting,” said the Pens blog site.
“Yes, A.O. is a jackoff, but a Sid-Malkin-A.O. line in the All Star game would be a lot of fun on almost every level. Not to mention it would completely humiliate Habs fans.”
This isn’t the first time that ballot stuffing and agenda driven results have been effective.
Two years ago, 22-year-old Steve Schmid thought it would be a great idea to vote a hard-working, journeyman into the all star game. He chose Vancouver Canucks’ defenceman Rory Fitzpatrick. The “Vote for Rory” phenomenon was born.
Media outlets picked up on this and a few weeks later Canucks’ players were wearing “Vote for Rory” T-shirts. Rory’s supporters started promoting him with video montages on You Tube and soon after he was written about in publications like Sports Illustrated and the New York Times.
At that time, Fitzpatrick had nine NHL goals in his career. He had spent a month on the sidelines with a broken ankle and his name was nowhere to be found on any official NHL ballots.
On the strength of Schmid’s campaign, Fitzpatrick rose through the ranks to third in the Western Conference. He finished behind Nicklas Lidstrom and Scott Neidermayer.
To his credit Fitzpatrick backed out and never played in the 2007 All Star game in Dallas, Texas.
Any way you look at it the NHL has created a fair amount of publicity for itself. Although it’s hard to say if they wanted it through illegal voting. Judging by the desperate straits the league is in, they may take publicity any way they can get it.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Michigan State Rivals GLI Preview.
Check out the GLI preview from Michigan State Rivals right here. (Click here) Go WCHA (MTU and UND) It would be nice to see the real Huskies beat the Michigan Wolverines but I don't think it is in the cards, not this year's Husky squad (please make a liar out of me if you would like). MTU has had a rough 1st half of the season, injuries galore. In fact every thing that could go wrong and every bad that could happen to the Huskies has. It is almost like someone put a curse on them.
It’s the holiday season and that can only mean one thing for the city of Detroit…. It’s time for the 44th annual Great Lakes Invitational. In years past, this tournament hosts the top teams in the country, and this season is no exception with the name recognition. Co-hosts Michigan and Michigan Tech and pseudo host MSU welcome North Dakota as the 4th team to this year’s tournament.
The only thing that is different about this tournament is that every single team is looking for a much better second half of the season. Spartan fans know this tournament has always been a springboard to a strong second half under Coach Comley. This season MSU fans know the hockey team is looking for something, anything, ANYTHING to grasp their hands on to what has been a disastrous first half.
The Schedule:
Saturday, December 27th:
3:05 pm Michigan vs. Michigan Tech
6:35 pm Michigan State vs. North Dakota
Sunday, December 28th:
3:05 pm 3rd place game
6:35 pm Championship Game
All games can be seen on FSN Detroit.
730 AM will have the radio coverage on Saturday
1240 AM will have the radio coverage on Sunday
The Records:
Michigan 11-7-0 (7-5-0-0 CCHA, T-5th place)
MSU 4-11-3 (2-8-2-2 CCHA, 12th place)
North Dakota 9-8-1 (6-5-1 WCHA, 5th place)
Michigan Tech 4-14-2 (1-11-2 WCHA, 10th place)
North Dakota:
Speaking of improvement, the Fighting Sioux have been coming on strong over the last 3 weekends. After a rough 4-7-1 start, the Fighting Sioux have won 4 straight and 5 of their last 6 game. If anything, it shows things can be turned around in a hurry.
The Fighting Sioux are led on the offensive end by Seniors Brad Miller (4-14-18), Ryan Duncan (7-8-15), and Ryan Martens (7-7-14). Junior defenseman Chay Genoway (2-16-18) has been a stable force on the blue line all season long.
In goal freshman Brad Eidsness (9-5-1, .909 %, 2.72) has been somewhat of a surprise with his solid play in his first year of college hockey.
However, the biggest reason why North Dakota has been winning has been their offense. In their last 4 games the Fighting Sioux have tallied 24 goals, including a 10 goal effort at Harvard on December 5th. By comparison, MSU has scored only 29 goals all season.
ND is currently 3rd in scoring in the WCHA at 3.33 goals/game. On defense, ND ranks 10th in the WCHA at 3.06 goals allowed/game. The Sioux power play ranks 3rd in the WCHA at 19.7%. The PK ranks 5th in the WCHA at 82.5%.
Michigan:
The University of Michigan has been looking for some consistency from night to night, and they think they might have found something in their sweep over MSU. The team has been playing much better in front of Bryan Hogan, and while they would say their effort at Munn Ice Arena wasn’t the greatest, they did enough at the end of the game to pull out the victory.
Michigan will be without the services of forwards Matt Rust (2-6-8) and Aaron Palushaj (8-17-25). They will be at the World Jr. Tournament.
Michigan is paced by Caporusso (14-7-21), Carl Hagelin (5-10-15), Travis Turnbull (4-9-13), and David Wohlberg (8-4-12).
In goal senior Bill Sauer (2-6-0, .903 %, 2.64) and sophomore Bryan Hogan (9-1-0, .909 %, 2.24) have been splitting time, but Hogan finally got both starts against MSU. The team has given Hogan more offensive support than Sauer.
Michigan’s offense is ranked 4th in the CCHA at 3.22 goals/game. Their defense is ranked 6th in the CCHA at 2.56 goals allowed/game. Their power play ranks 6th in the CCHA at 15.0%, and their PK is ranked 9th at 83.3%.
Predictions:
North Dakota 5 Michigan State 1
Michigan 4 Michigan Tech 1
Michigan State 3 Michigan Tech 2
Michigan 4 North Dakota 3
UND GLI game on Webcast.
According to the FightingSioux.com the game between MSU and UND will be on Webcast. If the Sioux beat MSU the championship game will be on FCS Atlantic. For 9.99 a month you can subscribe to the premium version and get the games on video. I watched the Harvard and SCSU series and the video was pretty good. I recommend spending the 9.99 a month because there are all kinds of great Fighting Sioux events you can watch via you computer.
Press release from FightingSioux.com
Media Information: All Fighting Sioux men’s hockey games - home and away - can be heard on 96.1 FM (The Fox) and on stations across the Fighting Sioux hockey network, with veteran broadcaster Tim Hennessy calling the action.
A video webcast of this weekend’s games will be available at FightingSioux.com. FREE
audio is also available at FightingSioux.com.
Sunday’s GLI championship game will be broadcast live on FSN Detroit.
Press release from FightingSioux.com
Media Information: All Fighting Sioux men’s hockey games - home and away - can be heard on 96.1 FM (The Fox) and on stations across the Fighting Sioux hockey network, with veteran broadcaster Tim Hennessy calling the action.
A video webcast of this weekend’s games will be available at FightingSioux.com. FREE
audio is also available at FightingSioux.com.
Sunday’s GLI championship game will be broadcast live on FSN Detroit.
GLI preview: UND vs MSU
The Fighting Sioux take to the ice Saturday to play the Michigan State Spartans in the Great Lakes Invitational. The Spartans are having a rough go this season are 0-9-2 (the game on November 1st was a shoot out win for the Spartans) since November 1st. The Spartans also lost against the U-18 USDT 4-2 as well, a team that UND beat 5-2.
Here is a look at the Sioux first opponent. While the Spartans do not have a good record the Sioux can not take the Spartans lightly as they almost beat the Gophers during the College Hockey Show case and the Gophes had to score a goal in the third period to avoid getting beat by the Spartans.
Here is a nice little clip on Fighting Sioux senior Ryan Duncan who has taken a few jabs from the WCHA fans the past few seasons. While the Sioux do not have Oshie or Toews on the team anymore, Duncan has played pretty good this season and the Sioux will need his contributions if they want to get into the NCAA title hunt.
Here is a look at the Sioux first opponent. While the Spartans do not have a good record the Sioux can not take the Spartans lightly as they almost beat the Gophers during the College Hockey Show case and the Gophes had to score a goal in the third period to avoid getting beat by the Spartans.
About michigan state: The Spartans went 4-11-3 overall and 2-8-2 in the CCHA during the first half of the season ... Michigan State averages just 1.61 goals per game, which ranks second-last in the nationl behind only Michigan Tech (1.35 gpg) ... The Spartans’ leading scorers - senior forwards Tim Crowder and Matt Schepke - have 10 points in 18 games, and are tied for 53rd in the CCHA scoring race ... Senior G Jeff Lerg is 3-10-1 with a 2.88 goals against average and a .912 save percentage ... The Spartans wrapped up the first half of the season with a 4-2 loss to the U.S. Under-18 team.
Here is a nice little clip on Fighting Sioux senior Ryan Duncan who has taken a few jabs from the WCHA fans the past few seasons. While the Sioux do not have Oshie or Toews on the team anymore, Duncan has played pretty good this season and the Sioux will need his contributions if they want to get into the NCAA title hunt.
draft dunc: Senior captain Ryan Duncan (Calgary, Alberta), the leading scorer among all active NCAA DI players, scored his 72nd career goal Dec. 13 against St. Cloud State, giving him 148 career points and moving him into a tie for 23rd place on UND’s all-time scoring list.
Duncan scored his 32nd career power-play goal at Harvard (Dec. 6), tying him with Bob
Joyce (1984-87) for fifth all-time at UND (see left). In 18 games this season, Duncan has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points and is tied for the team lead with four-power play goals. Duncan has notched at least one point in 10 of his last 13 games
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
AHA is not a good league.
Here is a post that I must respond to that was on USCHO.COM
OK lets look at the AHA's record against the big four conferences. Wow, the AHA has won 8 games out of 45 against the big four conferences. That is NOT very impressive folks, I wouldn't want to hang my hat on that one. What are we measuring here?
While we are on the subject the EZAC they are not doing that well against the big four conferences either as they have won an impressive 9 games out of 34 games. Yet we have Princeton and Cornell ranked in the top ten of all the major college hockey polls. Please! Give me a break.
Conference vs. 'Big 4'
AHA 8-34-3 (.211)
CCHA 14-18-5 (.446)
CHA 8-21-2 (.290)
ECACHL 9-24-2 (.286)
HEA 24-14-3 (.622)
WCHA 18-9-6 (.636)
Here is the KRAH for the AHA there isn't a team with a strenght of schedule over 47 and their numerial order is 47, 48, 49, 51, 52 53, 54, 55, 56, 58. Playing these teams and beating them doesn't nothing for your teams RPI numbers imagine what losing does as well.
11 Air Force 350.4 .7273 1 14-2-0 .8750 7.000 47 50.1
44 Bentley 32.8 .3005 37 6-8-1 .4333 .765 48 42.9
46 RIT 29.5 .2835 35 8-9-1 .4722 .895 52 33.0
47 Mercyhurst 27.4 .2718 39 7-10-2 .4211 .727 51 37.7
48 Canisius 26.3 .2656 28 7-6-4 .5294 1.125 56 23.4
52 Sacred Heart 18.1 .2110 44T 4-10-3 .3235 .478 49 37.8
54 Holy Cross 15.6 .1919 44T 5-11-1 .3235 .478 53 32.7
55 Connecticut 11.1 .1510 49T 4-11-0 .2667 .364 54 30.6
56 Army 10.0 .1391 46 4-9-1 .3214 .474 58 21.0
57 American Int'l 9.3 .1320 54 4-13-0 .2353 .308 55 30.2
All you people are making the writers point that there is bias against the Atlantic Hockey. Last two years Atlantic Hockey teams have been playing with every other league and coming out with a lot more wins then they were in years past. Air Force took Miami to the third period with a lead in the NCAAs last year.
OK lets look at the AHA's record against the big four conferences. Wow, the AHA has won 8 games out of 45 against the big four conferences. That is NOT very impressive folks, I wouldn't want to hang my hat on that one. What are we measuring here?
While we are on the subject the EZAC they are not doing that well against the big four conferences either as they have won an impressive 9 games out of 34 games. Yet we have Princeton and Cornell ranked in the top ten of all the major college hockey polls. Please! Give me a break.
Conference vs. 'Big 4'
AHA 8-34-3 (.211)
CCHA 14-18-5 (.446)
CHA 8-21-2 (.290)
ECACHL 9-24-2 (.286)
HEA 24-14-3 (.622)
WCHA 18-9-6 (.636)
Here is the KRAH for the AHA there isn't a team with a strenght of schedule over 47 and their numerial order is 47, 48, 49, 51, 52 53, 54, 55, 56, 58. Playing these teams and beating them doesn't nothing for your teams RPI numbers imagine what losing does as well.
11 Air Force 350.4 .7273 1 14-2-0 .8750 7.000 47 50.1
44 Bentley 32.8 .3005 37 6-8-1 .4333 .765 48 42.9
46 RIT 29.5 .2835 35 8-9-1 .4722 .895 52 33.0
47 Mercyhurst 27.4 .2718 39 7-10-2 .4211 .727 51 37.7
48 Canisius 26.3 .2656 28 7-6-4 .5294 1.125 56 23.4
52 Sacred Heart 18.1 .2110 44T 4-10-3 .3235 .478 49 37.8
54 Holy Cross 15.6 .1919 44T 5-11-1 .3235 .478 53 32.7
55 Connecticut 11.1 .1510 49T 4-11-0 .2667 .364 54 30.6
56 Army 10.0 .1391 46 4-9-1 .3214 .474 58 21.0
57 American Int'l 9.3 .1320 54 4-13-0 .2353 .308 55 30.2
What's The Deal With Cujo?
When former Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher signed back-up goalie Curtis Joseph to a one-year deal on Canada Day, visions of Cujo’s former brilliance danced in fans’ heads.
The Keswick, Ont. native was brilliant in his first stint with Toronto. He was a nightly highlight reel who posted three consecutive 30+ win seasons and finished second in Vezina voting in 1999 and 2000.
Many have said he was the best goalie in these parts since Johnny Bower backstopped their last Stanley Cup in 1967.
Joseph was so popular the city fathers should have given him the key to the city, or, at least, named a holiday after him.
However, Joseph is six-years removed from his last stay in Toronto and it looks painfully obvious that he is not close to what he once was.
Nor should he be, but at 41 years of age, the ravages of time have finally caught up with him.
While the starter gets the glory, the position of back-up goaltender is often looked on as a mere afterthought. Unless you have a Martin Brodeur type, who plays 70+ games a year, it’s crucial the back-up be more than a warm body to fill the 4X6.
A perfect example of that is Ty Conklin. When Penguins starter Marc-Andre Fleury went down with a high ankle sprain last year, Conklin came in a won his first seven starts and went an impressive 17-6-5.
While nobody expects Joseph to match those lofty numbers, it seems he won’t be getting much of an opportunity to fulfill his contractual obligations.
Judging by Cujo’s season results (0-4, 4.12 GAA) head coach Ron Wilson let his actions do the talking.
In an 8-5 loss to the Bruins on Dec 18., Joseph replaced Toskala early in the first but surrendered four goals in ten shots during the second period. When the Leafs pulled the game back to 6-5, Wilson sent Toskala back into the net to start the third period.
During his post-game autopsy, Wilson bristled at the idea that Joseph was near the end. Though he wasn’t exactly clear why he put Toskala back in for the third period he offered no rationale for the decision.
Two nights later the Leafs were in Atlanta and Toskala was sidelined with a groin strain. The Leafs called up Toronto Marlies (Leafs AHL affiliate) goalie Justin Pogge to start the game while Joseph languished on the bench.
A humiliating 8-2 home loss to the Dallas Stars on Dec 23., crystallized the point.
Toskala was the victim of a porous defensive effort. He gave up seven goals in 31 minutes of work and then was replaced by Joseph.
That begs the question as to why Wilson kept Toskala in net for seven goals.
Even the most optimistic Leaf fan wasn’t convinced of a Boston style rally.
So, there was no tangible reason for Toskala to hear a barrage of cat calls and jeers from the surly 19,000 in attendance.
Wilson has simply lost confidence in Joseph and, in Pogge, the Leafs have an escape clause.
The Leafs are in re-building mode and it seems obvious that Pogge is going to get a chance to play more often. Although he was returned to the minors when Toskala proclaimed he was fit to play against Dallas.
Pogge is a middle-of-the-road AHL goalie but Leafs GM Brian Burke lacks a soft spot for Joseph like Fletcher did.
Many believe that Pogge’s one-game audition may turn into a series of games.. If he performs well it may force the Leafs to make a decision on Josephs’ future with the club.
One potential outcome would be to buy-out Joseph and promote him within the organization, likely at a coaching level (a similar move happened last month when Luke Richardson retired with the Ottawa Senators).
Joseph has 449 wins, fourth all-time, and he wears Teflon in this city. However, there is no room for the hazy memories of the past. His recent performance has been sub-par and sentimentality won’t cut it for Burke and that, for Joseph, may be the deepest cut of all.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.
The Keswick, Ont. native was brilliant in his first stint with Toronto. He was a nightly highlight reel who posted three consecutive 30+ win seasons and finished second in Vezina voting in 1999 and 2000.
Many have said he was the best goalie in these parts since Johnny Bower backstopped their last Stanley Cup in 1967.
Joseph was so popular the city fathers should have given him the key to the city, or, at least, named a holiday after him.
However, Joseph is six-years removed from his last stay in Toronto and it looks painfully obvious that he is not close to what he once was.
Nor should he be, but at 41 years of age, the ravages of time have finally caught up with him.
While the starter gets the glory, the position of back-up goaltender is often looked on as a mere afterthought. Unless you have a Martin Brodeur type, who plays 70+ games a year, it’s crucial the back-up be more than a warm body to fill the 4X6.
A perfect example of that is Ty Conklin. When Penguins starter Marc-Andre Fleury went down with a high ankle sprain last year, Conklin came in a won his first seven starts and went an impressive 17-6-5.
While nobody expects Joseph to match those lofty numbers, it seems he won’t be getting much of an opportunity to fulfill his contractual obligations.
Judging by Cujo’s season results (0-4, 4.12 GAA) head coach Ron Wilson let his actions do the talking.
In an 8-5 loss to the Bruins on Dec 18., Joseph replaced Toskala early in the first but surrendered four goals in ten shots during the second period. When the Leafs pulled the game back to 6-5, Wilson sent Toskala back into the net to start the third period.
During his post-game autopsy, Wilson bristled at the idea that Joseph was near the end. Though he wasn’t exactly clear why he put Toskala back in for the third period he offered no rationale for the decision.
Two nights later the Leafs were in Atlanta and Toskala was sidelined with a groin strain. The Leafs called up Toronto Marlies (Leafs AHL affiliate) goalie Justin Pogge to start the game while Joseph languished on the bench.
A humiliating 8-2 home loss to the Dallas Stars on Dec 23., crystallized the point.
Toskala was the victim of a porous defensive effort. He gave up seven goals in 31 minutes of work and then was replaced by Joseph.
That begs the question as to why Wilson kept Toskala in net for seven goals.
Even the most optimistic Leaf fan wasn’t convinced of a Boston style rally.
So, there was no tangible reason for Toskala to hear a barrage of cat calls and jeers from the surly 19,000 in attendance.
Wilson has simply lost confidence in Joseph and, in Pogge, the Leafs have an escape clause.
The Leafs are in re-building mode and it seems obvious that Pogge is going to get a chance to play more often. Although he was returned to the minors when Toskala proclaimed he was fit to play against Dallas.
Pogge is a middle-of-the-road AHL goalie but Leafs GM Brian Burke lacks a soft spot for Joseph like Fletcher did.
Many believe that Pogge’s one-game audition may turn into a series of games.. If he performs well it may force the Leafs to make a decision on Josephs’ future with the club.
One potential outcome would be to buy-out Joseph and promote him within the organization, likely at a coaching level (a similar move happened last month when Luke Richardson retired with the Ottawa Senators).
Joseph has 449 wins, fourth all-time, and he wears Teflon in this city. However, there is no room for the hazy memories of the past. His recent performance has been sub-par and sentimentality won’t cut it for Burke and that, for Joseph, may be the deepest cut of all.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.
Christmas Eve Linkorama
*Looks like former Sioux T.J. Oshie is skating again.
*Julie Robenhymer from HockeyBuzz.com said that some are calling Wheeler the best free agent pick up of the season. While Wheeler looks like he was a good pickup. Lets give it a few more months before we declare him a huge success in Boston, however, what Wheeler has done so far surprises me. After watching Blake Wheeler play in College I would have to say that I am actually shocked at Wheeler's performance. During his college days with the Gophers I thought he was a soft player that was just going through the motions but with the Bruins he has really fit in.
After being out most of last season Patrice Bergeron suffered another concussion.
Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Landon Wilson has three points in this last two games and recorded two assists against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto's fan's favorite whipping boy Jason Blake also scored in the same game.
The Wild are holding Marian Gaborik out of practice and games but the Wild GM says it isn't because they are trying to trade him. Yeah! Uh, ok. Personally I am tired of this spoiled brat and the Wild can't dump him fast enough, don't let the door hit you in the ass Gabby.
*Julie Robenhymer from HockeyBuzz.com said that some are calling Wheeler the best free agent pick up of the season. While Wheeler looks like he was a good pickup. Lets give it a few more months before we declare him a huge success in Boston, however, what Wheeler has done so far surprises me. After watching Blake Wheeler play in College I would have to say that I am actually shocked at Wheeler's performance. During his college days with the Gophers I thought he was a soft player that was just going through the motions but with the Bruins he has really fit in.
After being out most of last season Patrice Bergeron suffered another concussion.
Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Landon Wilson has three points in this last two games and recorded two assists against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto's fan's favorite whipping boy Jason Blake also scored in the same game.
The Wild are holding Marian Gaborik out of practice and games but the Wild GM says it isn't because they are trying to trade him. Yeah! Uh, ok. Personally I am tired of this spoiled brat and the Wild can't dump him fast enough, don't let the door hit you in the ass Gabby.
Are you ready for some outdoor hockey?
The outdoor classic is coming January 1st. I will watch the game but I am not all that excited for it. I think it is a gimmick. I would imagine the NHL is hoping for some good weather and not a repeat of last season were it snowed almost 2 1/2 inches during the game and they had to stop the game numerous time to clear the snow.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Under Review. (Former WCHA Player)
I was watching this game and it was one of the most exciting games I watched all season. On the Crosby goal I had the benifit of watching Crosby's goal numerous times and the people in the booth made the right call. While it appears the stick IS close to the cross bar I think the goal should have counted. What do you guys think?
During the same game last night former Golden Gopher Alex Goligoski's scored two goals in last night's game. (Goal 1) and (Goal2) Goligoski is 6th on the Penguins in scoring and 6g-12a-18 points in 32 games this season.
Danny Kristo makes the hot list.
Getty ImagesFighting Sioux recruit and WJC player Danny Kristo makes the The Hockey News hot list this week. I have to admit that I am really excited about seeing this kid play for team USA as well as seeing him in a Fighting Sioux next season.
5. Danny Kristo, RW – Omaha Lancers (USHL): Team USA is boasting Kristo could be the fastest player in the whole tournament this year and you know what that means; now he’ll have to go out and prove it. The University of North Dakota commit is a point-per-game player with the Lancers to date. Drafted 56th overall by Montreal in 2008.
Here is the schedule for the USA WJC games.
NHL Network Coverage of 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship
Date Match-Up Time (EST)
Fri., Dec. 26 Germany-United States 3:30 p.m.
Canada-Czech Republic 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 28 Kazakhstan-Canada 3:30 p.m.
United States-Czech Republic 7:30 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 29 Germany-Canada 7:30 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 30 United States-Kazakhstan 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 31 Canada-United States 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 2 Quarterfinals 3:30/7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 3 Semifinals 3:30/7:30 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 5 Bronze/Gold Medal Games 3:30/7:30 p.m.
Sioux coaches show 12-17-2008.
Check it out by (clicking right here). If you have itunes you can listen to the coaches show on your iPod (by clicking here).
I know it is from it is a little late and this is the coaches show from last week but I finally just listened to this pod cast yesterday. There are some interesting points of interest. It was interesting to hear Dane Jackson's point of view on a few issues.
*18:00 minutes into the podcast Dane address a callers question about the reffing in the WCHA and that legal hits are being called. Dane said that the coaches will tell the guys to back it off during a game if they coaches a certain ref is going to make calls. The UND coaches staff tries to recruit a more balanced line up, skilled players, hard nosed. They tried to look ahead to the future.
*26:30 Dane couldn't believe that when he got back to the WCHA how much obstruction was let go. Tim Hennesy said that the WCHA was the last league to catch on and call the games more tighter.
*30:54 TH asks Dane about Notre Dame getting a new arena are they concerned? Dane says that we don't go head to head with recruits with Notre Dame. Early Recruiting has changed the way things are done now. They talk about recruiting kids at such a young age.
*33:30 You can't take em all (recruits) Tim and Dane discuss the subject of over recruitment. Now programs are projecting as opposed to evaluating talent.
I know it is from it is a little late and this is the coaches show from last week but I finally just listened to this pod cast yesterday. There are some interesting points of interest. It was interesting to hear Dane Jackson's point of view on a few issues.
*18:00 minutes into the podcast Dane address a callers question about the reffing in the WCHA and that legal hits are being called. Dane said that the coaches will tell the guys to back it off during a game if they coaches a certain ref is going to make calls. The UND coaches staff tries to recruit a more balanced line up, skilled players, hard nosed. They tried to look ahead to the future.
*26:30 Dane couldn't believe that when he got back to the WCHA how much obstruction was let go. Tim Hennesy said that the WCHA was the last league to catch on and call the games more tighter.
*30:54 TH asks Dane about Notre Dame getting a new arena are they concerned? Dane says that we don't go head to head with recruits with Notre Dame. Early Recruiting has changed the way things are done now. They talk about recruiting kids at such a young age.
*33:30 You can't take em all (recruits) Tim and Dane discuss the subject of over recruitment. Now programs are projecting as opposed to evaluating talent.
GLI Press release.
Here is the press release for the GLI from CCHA.COM. Noticed the television schedule.
GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL
Michigan vs. Michigan Tech (Saturday, 3:05 p.m.)
Michigan State vs. North Dakota (Saturday, 6:35 p.m.)
Third-Place Game (Sunday, 3:05 p.m.)
Championship Game (Sunday, 6:35 p.m. FSN)
*The Wolverines, playing without forward Aaron Palushaj and Matt Rust who are with the U.S. at the World Junior Championships, head to Detroit as the defending Great Lakes Invitational champions after defeating Providence and Michigan Tech a year ago.
*Michigan Senior goaltender Billy Sauer earned the GLI’s John MacInnes Trophy as the Most Valuable Player last year. Sauer did not allow a goal in over 144 minutes of action.
*Michigan’s dozen GLI titles are the most by any team, however, before winning the 2007 GLI the Wolverines had not won the tournament since 1996. Michigan’s overall record at the GLI is 45-30-1.
*The Wolverines are 25-13-0 in semifinal contests and 12-13 in championship games.
*Against Michigan Tech, U-M is 19-10-0 all-time, including a 11-4-0 mark in semifinal games.
*U-M is 1-1-0 at the GLI against North Dakota.
*Michigan and Michigan State are an even 7-7-1 in the GLI, including a 5-5-0 ledger in championship games.
*Wolverine junior defenseman Steve Kampfer is expected to return to the Michigan lineup for the first time since Oct. 11 – the second game of the regular season.
*Michigan State and North Dakota’s Saturday meeting at the 44th annual GLI will
serve as the 100th meeting between the teams. UND holds a 61-36-2 advantage in the series.
*The Sioux hold a 6-3-0 record against MSU in neutral-site contests. The squads also met in the title game of the 2005-06 Lefty McFadden Invitational, with MSU prevailing, 3-0, for its first shutout of the Sioux in 47 years. Prior to that win, MSU had dropped 11 straight contests with North Dakota. The teams have met five times in the NCAA Tournament - including twice in the national title game, with North Dakota prevailing in both 1959 and 1987.
GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL
Michigan vs. Michigan Tech (Saturday, 3:05 p.m.)
Michigan State vs. North Dakota (Saturday, 6:35 p.m.)
Third-Place Game (Sunday, 3:05 p.m.)
Championship Game (Sunday, 6:35 p.m. FSN)
*The Wolverines, playing without forward Aaron Palushaj and Matt Rust who are with the U.S. at the World Junior Championships, head to Detroit as the defending Great Lakes Invitational champions after defeating Providence and Michigan Tech a year ago.
*Michigan Senior goaltender Billy Sauer earned the GLI’s John MacInnes Trophy as the Most Valuable Player last year. Sauer did not allow a goal in over 144 minutes of action.
*Michigan’s dozen GLI titles are the most by any team, however, before winning the 2007 GLI the Wolverines had not won the tournament since 1996. Michigan’s overall record at the GLI is 45-30-1.
*The Wolverines are 25-13-0 in semifinal contests and 12-13 in championship games.
*Against Michigan Tech, U-M is 19-10-0 all-time, including a 11-4-0 mark in semifinal games.
*U-M is 1-1-0 at the GLI against North Dakota.
*Michigan and Michigan State are an even 7-7-1 in the GLI, including a 5-5-0 ledger in championship games.
*Wolverine junior defenseman Steve Kampfer is expected to return to the Michigan lineup for the first time since Oct. 11 – the second game of the regular season.
*Michigan State and North Dakota’s Saturday meeting at the 44th annual GLI will
serve as the 100th meeting between the teams. UND holds a 61-36-2 advantage in the series.
*The Sioux hold a 6-3-0 record against MSU in neutral-site contests. The squads also met in the title game of the 2005-06 Lefty McFadden Invitational, with MSU prevailing, 3-0, for its first shutout of the Sioux in 47 years. Prior to that win, MSU had dropped 11 straight contests with North Dakota. The teams have met five times in the NCAA Tournament - including twice in the national title game, with North Dakota prevailing in both 1959 and 1987.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Check out Sidney Crosby the goon.
If I was the guy being wailed in the nut sack I am not going to be happy one bit I would have turned around and popped him one.
Yikes! Lets have some class Sid. I think that Crosby deserves some kind of punishment from the league office on this uncalled for cheap shot. Of course Gary BUTT-HEAD will never punish the league pretty boy and will look the other way folks nothing to see here. If I was Boris Valabik I get some pay back next time the two teams play.
Two former Sioux make the Sun Poll. (Former Sioux)
Props to Kyle from the illegal curve. In perusing the poll results I found that there are two former Fighting Sioux hockey players on the lists.
The 8th Annual Sun Media Hockey Poll
#6 MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER ...
1. Marc Savard, Boston ... 6
2. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota ... 5
3. Tim Thomas, Boston ... 4
4. Patrick Sharp, Chicago ... 3
4. Zach Parise, New Jersey ... 3
Others receiving votes ... David Bolland, Brett Clark, Ales Hemsky, Jiri Hudler, Alex Steen, Kris Draper, Teemu Selanne, Shane Doan, Mike Richards, Johan Franzen, Daymond Langkow, Mike Fisher, Alexander Semin, Anton Volchenkov, Mikhail Grabovski, Dustin Brown, Olli Jokinen, Robyn Regehr, Mark Giordano, Brad Boyes, Andrei Markov, Chris Phillips, Pavel Datsyuk, Jay Bouwmeester, Willie Mitchell, Brenden Morrow, Marco Sturm, Niklas Hagman, Mike Green, Brent Burns
#10 BEST HOCKEY HAIR (i.e. mullet) ...
1. Mike Commodore, Columbus ... 10
2. George Parros, Anaheim ... 8
3. Ryan Smyth, Colorado ... 7
4. Barry Melrose, ex-coach ... 3
4. Sheldon Souray, Edmonton ... 3
Others receiving votes ... Scott Hartnell, Daniel Carcillo, Tom Gilbert, Scott Hannan, Zack Stortini, Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Modano, Marc Crawford, Dustin Boyd, Jeremy Roenick, Georges Laraque, David Booth, Olli Jokinen, Mikhail Grabovski, Roberto Luongo, Kerry Fraser, Mikael Tellqvist, Nik Antropov
#5 MOST OVERRATED PLAYER ...
1. Sean Avery, in limbo ... 9
2. Dion Phaneuf, Calgary ... 8
3. Wade Redden, New York Rangers ... 4
4. Jeff Finger, Toronto ... 3
4. Dustin Penner, Edmonton ... 3
4. Jason Spezza, Ottawa ... 3
Others receiving votes ... Joe Thornton, Mats Sundin, Marian Gaborik, Marty Turco, Brian Campbell, Bryan McCabe, Luke Schenn, Saku Koivu, Alexei Kovalev, Martin St. Louis, Olli Jokinen, Marc Savard, Ron Hainsey, Brad Richards, Chris Pronger, Matt Stajan, Jay Bouwmeester, Bobby Holik, Mike Commodore
The 8th Annual Sun Media Hockey Poll
#6 MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER ...
1. Marc Savard, Boston ... 6
2. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota ... 5
3. Tim Thomas, Boston ... 4
4. Patrick Sharp, Chicago ... 3
4. Zach Parise, New Jersey ... 3
Others receiving votes ... David Bolland, Brett Clark, Ales Hemsky, Jiri Hudler, Alex Steen, Kris Draper, Teemu Selanne, Shane Doan, Mike Richards, Johan Franzen, Daymond Langkow, Mike Fisher, Alexander Semin, Anton Volchenkov, Mikhail Grabovski, Dustin Brown, Olli Jokinen, Robyn Regehr, Mark Giordano, Brad Boyes, Andrei Markov, Chris Phillips, Pavel Datsyuk, Jay Bouwmeester, Willie Mitchell, Brenden Morrow, Marco Sturm, Niklas Hagman, Mike Green, Brent Burns
#10 BEST HOCKEY HAIR (i.e. mullet) ...
1. Mike Commodore, Columbus ... 10
2. George Parros, Anaheim ... 8
3. Ryan Smyth, Colorado ... 7
4. Barry Melrose, ex-coach ... 3
4. Sheldon Souray, Edmonton ... 3
Others receiving votes ... Scott Hartnell, Daniel Carcillo, Tom Gilbert, Scott Hannan, Zack Stortini, Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Modano, Marc Crawford, Dustin Boyd, Jeremy Roenick, Georges Laraque, David Booth, Olli Jokinen, Mikhail Grabovski, Roberto Luongo, Kerry Fraser, Mikael Tellqvist, Nik Antropov
#5 MOST OVERRATED PLAYER ...
1. Sean Avery, in limbo ... 9
2. Dion Phaneuf, Calgary ... 8
3. Wade Redden, New York Rangers ... 4
4. Jeff Finger, Toronto ... 3
4. Dustin Penner, Edmonton ... 3
4. Jason Spezza, Ottawa ... 3
Others receiving votes ... Joe Thornton, Mats Sundin, Marian Gaborik, Marty Turco, Brian Campbell, Bryan McCabe, Luke Schenn, Saku Koivu, Alexei Kovalev, Martin St. Louis, Olli Jokinen, Marc Savard, Ron Hainsey, Brad Richards, Chris Pronger, Matt Stajan, Jay Bouwmeester, Bobby Holik, Mike Commodore
A look at the numbers nationally (Sioux Hockey)
I was checking out the numbers and how UND measures up against the other 57 teams in division one hockey. Most of the numbers don't look too bad for the Sioux other than two of our defensemen are leading scorers for this team.
->Here is the web page with the NCAA stats.
Points Per Game: (over all)
32 Brad Miller North Dakota SR D/F 16 4-14-18 1.12
42 Chay Genoway North Dakota JR D 17 2-16-18 1.06
71 Ryan Martens North Dakota SR F 15 7- 7-14 0.93
Points Per Game (Defensemen):
3 Brad Miller North Dakota SR D/F 16 4-14-18 1.12
4 Chay Genoway North Dakota JR D 17 2-16-18 1.06
GAA
49 Brad Eidsness (BUF) North Dakota FR 926:05 42 2.72
56 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State SR 1081:56 53 2.94
59 Jon Olthuis Alaska Anchorage JR 519:24 27 3.12
-----------------
Save Percentage:
43 Brad Eidsness (BUF) North Dakota FR 420 42 .909
44 Alec Richards Yale SR 127 13 .907
45 John Muse Boston College SO 409 42 .907
49 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State SR 511 53 .906
Scoring offense:
2 Denver 19 74 3.89
4 St. Cloud State 18 65 3.61
10 North Dakota 18 60 3.33
10 Wisconsin 18 60 3.33
17 Minnesota State 18 57 3.17
18 Minnesota 16 50 3.12
23 Minnesota Duluth 18 55 3.06
30 Alaska Anchorage 16 46 2.88
33 Colorado College 22 59 2.68
58 Michigan Tech 20 27 1.35
Scoring Defense
12 Denver 19 41 2.16
16 Minnesota Duluth 18 40 2.22
18 Minnesota 16 37 2.31
19 Colorado College 22 51 2.32
29 St. Cloud State 18 48 2.67
33 Wisconsin 18 52 2.89
36 Alaska Anchorage 16 48 3.00
36 Michigan Tech 20 60 3.00
36 Minnesota State 18 54 3.00
41 North Dakota 18 55 3.06
Penalty Minutes:
2 Wisconsin 18 409 22.7
6 Alaska Anchorage 16 328 20.5
7 Minnesota State 18 359 19.9
12 Minnesota Duluth 18 343 19.1
18 Minnesota 16 281 17.6
19 North Dakota 18 316 17.6
24 St. Cloud State 18 310 17.2
26 Denver 19 322 16.9
37 Colorado College 22 341 15.5
48 Michigan Tech 20 278 13.9
Power Play:
4 Minnesota 21/ 92 2 22.8
5 Minnesota Duluth 27/123 2 22.0
10 North Dakota 26/132 5 19.7
13 Wisconsin 23/122 5 18.9
16 St. Cloud State 21/117 2 17.9
17 Minnesota State 20/112 2 17.9
27 Denver 21/134 1 15.7
31 Alaska Anchorage 14/ 91 1 15.4
38 Colorado College 21/150 5 14.0
56 Michigan Tech 11/126 3 8.7
Penalty Kill:
2 Minnesota 90/ 96 3 93.8
12 Wisconsin 118/131 3 90.1
14 Colorado College 118/132 2 89.4
16 Denver 98/111 4 88.3
37 North Dakota 85/103 3 82.5
39 Minnesota State 110/134 3 82.1
45 Minnesota Duluth 87/108 3 80.6
46 St. Cloud State 78/ 97 2 80.4
49 Alaska Anchorage 95/120 2 79.2
53 Michigan Tech 83/107 2 77.6
->Here is the web page with the NCAA stats.
Points Per Game: (over all)
32 Brad Miller North Dakota SR D/F 16 4-14-18 1.12
42 Chay Genoway North Dakota JR D 17 2-16-18 1.06
71 Ryan Martens North Dakota SR F 15 7- 7-14 0.93
Points Per Game (Defensemen):
3 Brad Miller North Dakota SR D/F 16 4-14-18 1.12
4 Chay Genoway North Dakota JR D 17 2-16-18 1.06
GAA
49 Brad Eidsness (BUF) North Dakota FR 926:05 42 2.72
56 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State SR 1081:56 53 2.94
59 Jon Olthuis Alaska Anchorage JR 519:24 27 3.12
-----------------
Save Percentage:
43 Brad Eidsness (BUF) North Dakota FR 420 42 .909
44 Alec Richards Yale SR 127 13 .907
45 John Muse Boston College SO 409 42 .907
49 Mike Zacharias Minnesota State SR 511 53 .906
Scoring offense:
2 Denver 19 74 3.89
4 St. Cloud State 18 65 3.61
10 North Dakota 18 60 3.33
10 Wisconsin 18 60 3.33
17 Minnesota State 18 57 3.17
18 Minnesota 16 50 3.12
23 Minnesota Duluth 18 55 3.06
30 Alaska Anchorage 16 46 2.88
33 Colorado College 22 59 2.68
58 Michigan Tech 20 27 1.35
Scoring Defense
12 Denver 19 41 2.16
16 Minnesota Duluth 18 40 2.22
18 Minnesota 16 37 2.31
19 Colorado College 22 51 2.32
29 St. Cloud State 18 48 2.67
33 Wisconsin 18 52 2.89
36 Alaska Anchorage 16 48 3.00
36 Michigan Tech 20 60 3.00
36 Minnesota State 18 54 3.00
41 North Dakota 18 55 3.06
Penalty Minutes:
2 Wisconsin 18 409 22.7
6 Alaska Anchorage 16 328 20.5
7 Minnesota State 18 359 19.9
12 Minnesota Duluth 18 343 19.1
18 Minnesota 16 281 17.6
19 North Dakota 18 316 17.6
24 St. Cloud State 18 310 17.2
26 Denver 19 322 16.9
37 Colorado College 22 341 15.5
48 Michigan Tech 20 278 13.9
Power Play:
4 Minnesota 21/ 92 2 22.8
5 Minnesota Duluth 27/123 2 22.0
10 North Dakota 26/132 5 19.7
13 Wisconsin 23/122 5 18.9
16 St. Cloud State 21/117 2 17.9
17 Minnesota State 20/112 2 17.9
27 Denver 21/134 1 15.7
31 Alaska Anchorage 14/ 91 1 15.4
38 Colorado College 21/150 5 14.0
56 Michigan Tech 11/126 3 8.7
Penalty Kill:
2 Minnesota 90/ 96 3 93.8
12 Wisconsin 118/131 3 90.1
14 Colorado College 118/132 2 89.4
16 Denver 98/111 4 88.3
37 North Dakota 85/103 3 82.5
39 Minnesota State 110/134 3 82.1
45 Minnesota Duluth 87/108 3 80.6
46 St. Cloud State 78/ 97 2 80.4
49 Alaska Anchorage 95/120 2 79.2
53 Michigan Tech 83/107 2 77.6
According to the rumors GLI not on TV except championship game.
According to a rumor/post on USCHO the Great Lakes Invitational isn't going to be on Fox Detroit except for the Championship game. Some where between the two is the truth. According to Hockey live all four games are supposed to be on. The championship game is supposed to be on FCS Atlantic.
Word is that Fox Sports Detroit has canceled the Saturday coverage of the games, not even covered on FSN plus. As a result, the only TV game will be the Sunday championship on FSN Detroit (663).
Trouble In The Nation's Capital
Following a listless 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers on Dec. 16, a chorus of boos could be heard throughout Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
It seems the fans of the Senators have finally come to the realization that their beloved team are in a world of hurt and they let their voices do the talking.
It should not surprise them.
Following a five game loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2007 Stanley Cup finals, the Sens opened the following season like a bullet from a gun.
Riding the anger of their Cup loss they opened the season 15-2, an NHL record.
From that point on something went horribly wrong.
Following a 3-0 loss to Toronto on Nov. 17 the Senators’ engine coughed and sputtered to the finish line. With the various ways to gather points in a hockey game, they still were an abysmal nine games below .500 when the season ended in mid-April.
They limped into the play-offs with four wins in their last ten and finished tied with Boston for eighth, two points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The play-offs are supposed to be a new season where the slate is washed clean and wins and losses don’t mean anything.
Prior to their opening round match-up against Pittsburgh, the talk emanating from the Senators dressing room was a study in the persuasive art of the cliché.
You know the kind of thought provoking stuff hockey players come up with.
“It’s a new season. Everybody is tied and we’ve just got to come together.”
So on and so forth.
Apparently they were not listening. A four-game sweep at the hands of the Stanley Cup finalists sent the Senators to the driving range before the snow left the ground.
This season things aren’t any better. The Sens are 12th in the East with a 12-14-5 record and they are the sports focal point in a town where government and politics rule the landscape.
Phone lines are jammed on the local sports radio station.
Irate callers play Gil Grissom by examining the cadaver that is the Ottawa Senators.
Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza have scored exactly 50 per cent of the Sens 72 goals.
They have no secondary scoring whatsoever.
Support players paid to score haven’t fulfilled that role. Chris Kelly (three goals), Antoine Vermette (three goals), Nick Foligno (four goals), Chris Neil (two goals) and Mike Fisher (three goals) are simply not doing their jobs.
Head coach Craig Hartsburg has tried many times to split the big three up and spread the offensive wealth around. More often than not Hartsburg ends up re-uniting them.
Last week Hartsburg said he was going to split them up permanently. This time for sure.
There seems to be a “why us?” type of resignation and a general malaise hanging around this team, like flies on a hot day.
Question: what needs to be done to shake this up?
Answer: there are more questions than answers.
There have been four head coaches since 2007 so firing the coach is not that easy. Murray fired John Paddock last Feb. and went behind the bench for the rest of the year. During the summer he signed Hartsburg to a three-year deal. With only seven months spent on his deal, Harstburg isn’t going any where.
To get something you must give something up. So, that leaves the big three as the only movable assets.
Rumour has Spezza on the trade block. Spezza is a dynamic offensive player but an $8 million (all figures U.S.) ticket and a no-trade clause that kicks in next season, the Toronto native is tough to move.
On the flipside, do the Senators take the chance he may blossom on another team?
Heatley is the highest paid player in the league at $10 million a year. He is on a sub par 30 plus goal pace but trading him gives the impression that the Senators are packing it in for the year.
Alfredsson has spent his entire career in Ottawa and just signed a four-year contract extension. He is on the wrong side of thirty and no team would take on that deal.
The most likely scenario would be to exercise a little patience.
Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk thinks it takes time for the players to adjust to a new situation.
“I truly believe we will wind up in the top four in the conference,” Melnyk told Chris Stevenson of Sun Media. “Watch this team. You are going to be very, very surprised. We have nine new players. We have a new coach. We have a new system.”
Melnyk is an upbeat kind of guy but this reeks of owners speak. After all, you can’t give the impression that you have thrown up the white flag before the calendar turns. That would be suicide on and off the ice.
Maybe the Sens need some time to get away.
They will get that chance starting Dec.23.
With the World Junior Hockey Championship invading Scotiabank Place over the Christmas season, the Senators begin an eight-game, 17 day road trip through the North East division and western Canada.
The Sens are 3-8-2 on the road and this road trip through eight cities may test the resolve of a patient owner.
It seems the fans of the Senators have finally come to the realization that their beloved team are in a world of hurt and they let their voices do the talking.
It should not surprise them.
Following a five game loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2007 Stanley Cup finals, the Sens opened the following season like a bullet from a gun.
Riding the anger of their Cup loss they opened the season 15-2, an NHL record.
From that point on something went horribly wrong.
Following a 3-0 loss to Toronto on Nov. 17 the Senators’ engine coughed and sputtered to the finish line. With the various ways to gather points in a hockey game, they still were an abysmal nine games below .500 when the season ended in mid-April.
They limped into the play-offs with four wins in their last ten and finished tied with Boston for eighth, two points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The play-offs are supposed to be a new season where the slate is washed clean and wins and losses don’t mean anything.
Prior to their opening round match-up against Pittsburgh, the talk emanating from the Senators dressing room was a study in the persuasive art of the cliché.
You know the kind of thought provoking stuff hockey players come up with.
“It’s a new season. Everybody is tied and we’ve just got to come together.”
So on and so forth.
Apparently they were not listening. A four-game sweep at the hands of the Stanley Cup finalists sent the Senators to the driving range before the snow left the ground.
This season things aren’t any better. The Sens are 12th in the East with a 12-14-5 record and they are the sports focal point in a town where government and politics rule the landscape.
Phone lines are jammed on the local sports radio station.
Irate callers play Gil Grissom by examining the cadaver that is the Ottawa Senators.
Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza have scored exactly 50 per cent of the Sens 72 goals.
They have no secondary scoring whatsoever.
Support players paid to score haven’t fulfilled that role. Chris Kelly (three goals), Antoine Vermette (three goals), Nick Foligno (four goals), Chris Neil (two goals) and Mike Fisher (three goals) are simply not doing their jobs.
Head coach Craig Hartsburg has tried many times to split the big three up and spread the offensive wealth around. More often than not Hartsburg ends up re-uniting them.
Last week Hartsburg said he was going to split them up permanently. This time for sure.
There seems to be a “why us?” type of resignation and a general malaise hanging around this team, like flies on a hot day.
Question: what needs to be done to shake this up?
Answer: there are more questions than answers.
There have been four head coaches since 2007 so firing the coach is not that easy. Murray fired John Paddock last Feb. and went behind the bench for the rest of the year. During the summer he signed Hartsburg to a three-year deal. With only seven months spent on his deal, Harstburg isn’t going any where.
To get something you must give something up. So, that leaves the big three as the only movable assets.
Rumour has Spezza on the trade block. Spezza is a dynamic offensive player but an $8 million (all figures U.S.) ticket and a no-trade clause that kicks in next season, the Toronto native is tough to move.
On the flipside, do the Senators take the chance he may blossom on another team?
Heatley is the highest paid player in the league at $10 million a year. He is on a sub par 30 plus goal pace but trading him gives the impression that the Senators are packing it in for the year.
Alfredsson has spent his entire career in Ottawa and just signed a four-year contract extension. He is on the wrong side of thirty and no team would take on that deal.
The most likely scenario would be to exercise a little patience.
Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk thinks it takes time for the players to adjust to a new situation.
“I truly believe we will wind up in the top four in the conference,” Melnyk told Chris Stevenson of Sun Media. “Watch this team. You are going to be very, very surprised. We have nine new players. We have a new coach. We have a new system.”
Melnyk is an upbeat kind of guy but this reeks of owners speak. After all, you can’t give the impression that you have thrown up the white flag before the calendar turns. That would be suicide on and off the ice.
Maybe the Sens need some time to get away.
They will get that chance starting Dec.23.
With the World Junior Hockey Championship invading Scotiabank Place over the Christmas season, the Senators begin an eight-game, 17 day road trip through the North East division and western Canada.
The Sens are 3-8-2 on the road and this road trip through eight cities may test the resolve of a patient owner.
Is there a rift emerging between high school hockey and the junior ranks?
Check out this article written by Derek Felska about a high school hockey coach having issues with their high school players leaving school early to play in the junior ranks. Personally I don't have a problem with this because they play such a limited number of games in the high school ranks. I can see how some coaches might get upset if they are counting on a kid to play for their team and decide they would like to play in the NAHL or the USHL.
Seems that Gopher hockey coach Don Lucia is getting getting a lot of press (not all of it positive) as of late. Apparently Luica is trying to pull the scholarship offer of a player that was hurt while playing for his junior team. Recently, he had another player get hurt while playing football and wasn't all that happy about it but has since kind of back off of his initial comments.
High School hockey coach challenges the practices of NCAA Hockey Coaches
(read the whole story here)
Gorg asked Tony Sarsland what he thought of High School players leaving early to go play junior hockey instead of finishing out their high school career before they went onto play Division 1 college hockey. Sarsland said he questioned whether it was necessary, noting that in his 25+ years of coaching that only one player, Nate Prosser (currently playing for Colorado College) made it to the Division 1 ranks after opting out of high school hockey early. He also made mention of a hockey conference he went to where University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Head Coach Don Lucia who spoke about how frustrating it is to have players leave his team early to go to the pro's and felt the National Hockey League should perhaps do something to limit this. Sarsland mentioned how he raised his hand and thought it was very hypocritical of Lucia to complain in this situation considering how Division 1 college coaches encourage players to leave their high school programs to go play Jr. A hockey in the NAHL or USHL. While Sarsland said he had nothing but respect for Jr. A hockey, he feels that Minnesota High School hockey has plenty of opportunities for athletes to compete at a high level of competition, in addition to the Elite / Select teams high schoolers can participate in for additional games beyond their normal high school schedule
Seems that Gopher hockey coach Don Lucia is getting getting a lot of press (not all of it positive) as of late. Apparently Luica is trying to pull the scholarship offer of a player that was hurt while playing for his junior team. Recently, he had another player get hurt while playing football and wasn't all that happy about it but has since kind of back off of his initial comments.
Tony Sarsland, was also asked about another of his former players, standout defenseman Brandon Martell. Martell suffered a severe shoulder injury while playing Jr.A hockey after an excellent high school career at Elk River. Since the injury, Sarsland said Lucia had tried to get Martell to relinquish his scholarship which the Elk River coach says goes against what the Golden Gopher coach told his parents when he recruited him. Sarsland stated that Lucia said he would have a scholarship as long as he was able to cut it academically, and the High School coached noted that Martell had a GPA of 3.8 and felt it was a disservice to want to force a kid off of scholarship if he had done everything that had been asked of him. While this issue may be unrelated, but Martell did not play other sports. He did not take any unnecessary risks so why should he be criticized by Lucia the same way Budish was for his choice to play football. Sorry, you can't have it both ways Coach Lucia.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Carlo Colaiacovo is guttless hack.
Props to elise of 18568 Reasons Why for not having to looking for this video over on YouTube.
When I was watching this game last night, I became infuriated after watching that Punk Colaiacovo hitting a guy in head while he laid on top of him after he has laid you out with a clean check. That folks is a gutless move, total class. The Wild bench should have sent the Boogeyman out the challenge Colaiacovo. I have agree with the Wild announcers that should have been more than a 2 minute penalty. I actually think it should have been a "match penalty".
I am sick and tired of the gutless agitators skating around the ice taking liberties on opposition players. None of these guys want to fight they just want to lay people out the questionable hits and cheap shot.
Scores from 12-20-2008 (Linkorama)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
Mercyhurst 2 at Canisius 2 ot
Analysis
This must have been an exciting game to watch. Yawn.
CCHA
Western Michigan 3 at Alaska 2 ot
Analysis
Nice to see the Broncos pick up the win. Also, a big win for the Broncos because Alaska is a pretty decent team this season.
Non-Conference
Michigan Tech 1 at Northern Michigan 0
Sacred Heart 0 at Colorado College 7
Clarkson 1 at Bowling Green 3
Analysis
The MTU Huskies (the real Huskies) are 2-0-1 in their last three games. Sounds like MTU also found a new starting goalie as well Josh Robinson 3-4-1 2.33 GAA and SV% .902 picked up both the wins in net for the MTU Huskies. You wonder if Rob Nolan has seen his last action in net for the Huskies? Probably not.
I remember someone resembling me say that: I would predict tonight you will probably see a 7-1 win by the Tigers. On paper this is a team that C.C. should run out of the building. True to form the C.C. Tigers paste AHA patsy Sacred Heart. Drew O'Connell picked up the win in net for the Tigers. Having big nights for the Tigers; Andreas Vlassopoulos 1-1-2, Bill Sweatt 1-1-2, Chad Rau 1-1-2, Kris Fredheim 1-2-3, Nick Dineen 0-2-2.
Linkorama
It appears that Lets Go DU Hockey blog was right on and had a good source when DG said that Tyler Bozak would be out for 3-4 months. That my friends is a big time loss for for the Pioneers, however, if any team can absorb the loss of its second leading scorer it is the Pioneer's because they are one of the deeper teams offensively in the WCHA. The DU press release says the Pioneers are going to shoot for getting Tyler rehabed and back for the playoffs.
Props to Sprig on siouxsports.com it appears that there is a good chance that we might be able to watch the Fighting Sioux on FCS if the can beat Michigan State make the championship game.
MSU-M Kurt Davis for Hobey?
Every one's favorite MSU-M defenseman is actually getting notice nationally for his play on the ice. Now from what I have been told we can thank him for the Sioux win against MSU-M.
Here is another blurb from every one's favorite hockey site INCH
Even Elliot Olshansky from the Hobey Watch has gotten into the act. Only time will tell if he is indeed a legitimate candidate for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
Atlantic Hockey
Mercyhurst 2 at Canisius 2 ot
Analysis
This must have been an exciting game to watch. Yawn.
CCHA
Western Michigan 3 at Alaska 2 ot
Analysis
Nice to see the Broncos pick up the win. Also, a big win for the Broncos because Alaska is a pretty decent team this season.
Non-Conference
Michigan Tech 1 at Northern Michigan 0
Sacred Heart 0 at Colorado College 7
Clarkson 1 at Bowling Green 3
Analysis
The MTU Huskies (the real Huskies) are 2-0-1 in their last three games. Sounds like MTU also found a new starting goalie as well Josh Robinson 3-4-1 2.33 GAA and SV% .902 picked up both the wins in net for the MTU Huskies. You wonder if Rob Nolan has seen his last action in net for the Huskies? Probably not.
I remember someone resembling me say that: I would predict tonight you will probably see a 7-1 win by the Tigers. On paper this is a team that C.C. should run out of the building. True to form the C.C. Tigers paste AHA patsy Sacred Heart. Drew O'Connell picked up the win in net for the Tigers. Having big nights for the Tigers; Andreas Vlassopoulos 1-1-2, Bill Sweatt 1-1-2, Chad Rau 1-1-2, Kris Fredheim 1-2-3, Nick Dineen 0-2-2.
Linkorama
It appears that Lets Go DU Hockey blog was right on and had a good source when DG said that Tyler Bozak would be out for 3-4 months. That my friends is a big time loss for for the Pioneers, however, if any team can absorb the loss of its second leading scorer it is the Pioneer's because they are one of the deeper teams offensively in the WCHA. The DU press release says the Pioneers are going to shoot for getting Tyler rehabed and back for the playoffs.
DU sophomore forward Tyler Bozak (Regina, Saskatchewan) underwent successful knee surgery this morning at Boulder Surgical Center. Bozak had his meniscus repaired in his left knee in a 90-minute procedure performed by DU physician Eric McCarty.
According to DU head coach George Gwozdecky, Bozak will undergo a lengthy rehab and aim for a return in the postseason. Bozak tore his meniscus in a knee-on-knee collision with Andrew Sackrison during the second period of DU's 3-2 win over Minnesota State on Dec. 12. Bozak left the game and didn't return, and was not in the lineup for DU's 5-2 win on Dec. 13.
Props to Sprig on siouxsports.com it appears that there is a good chance that we might be able to watch the Fighting Sioux on FCS if the can beat Michigan State make the championship game.
MSU-M Kurt Davis for Hobey?
Every one's favorite MSU-M defenseman is actually getting notice nationally for his play on the ice. Now from what I have been told we can thank him for the Sioux win against MSU-M.
From INCH --- Kurt Davis spent the first half leading the nation in scoring by defensemen, recording a point in 16 of his team's 18 games, and putting together a school-record 14-game point streak.
Here is another blurb from every one's favorite hockey site INCH
On at least one occasion last season, we bemoaned in this space the dearth of viable Hobey candidates from the nation's defensive corps. In the end, no blue liners were among the 10 finalists for the honor. This year, however, there appears to be a few defensemen worth keeping an eye on, especially in Western locales. Among them: Minnesota's Cade Fairchild; Kurt Davis of Minnesota State, who shares the NCAA lead in points by a defenseman with 22; Nebraska-Omaha's Eddie Del Grosso, who leads the Mavs with 18 points in 17 games; and Wisconsin's Jamie McBain, the Badgers' leading scorer with 19 points in 18 games. We'll throw the Terriers' Matt Gilroy into the mix, too.
Even Elliot Olshansky from the Hobey Watch has gotten into the act. Only time will tell if he is indeed a legitimate candidate for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
Also on the blueline, Minnesota State’s Kurt Davis is on pace for 47 points, which isn’t too far away from Carle’s Hobey numbers, and certainly notable among defensemen. Of course, it can be hard to win the Hobey when your team doesn’t make the playoffs, and while that didn’t stop Carle, he’d already been part of two NCAA championship teams, which was a point in his favor. I think Minnesota State will have to at least make the NCAA tournament this year for Davis to get any serious Hobey consideration, but it may be a possibility.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
In case we have forgotten.
This picture was taken by Garlynn. I have to admit that this is alway a nice site to see the salute to the fans at center ice. Go Sioux beat Michigan State.
Bozak out 3-4 months?
LetsGoDU Hockey is reporting that that Tyler Bozak might be out for 3-4 months following his knee surgury. This is based on an unconfirmed internet report. Ouch, if true that would be a big time loss for the Pioneers.
The Tyler Bozak Line: (18Games played 7 Goals - 14 assist = 21 Points)
The Tyler Bozak Line: (18Games played 7 Goals - 14 assist = 21 Points)
Sioux 5 USA 2
While the game doesn't count in the standings, the Sioux didn't want to come out flat and lay an egg. The Sioux came out strong and played a complete game from the start to finish and won going away 5-2.
When you look at the schedule to begin the year most of us would say that this game should be an easy win, however, this was not a team to be taken lightly. This year's Under-18 team has beaten a couple of division one hockey teams of note; in September the under 18 team beat AA 4-3 and on the 16th of December the also beat MSU 4-2, who happens to be UND’s next opponent. If I slighted the Under 18 team by missing any of their wins I apologize. Also, by winning this game and not being embarrassed I think the Sioux can say mission accomplished. Now the Fighting Sioux can go into their short Christmas break on a winning note and set the tone for the second half of the season.
Big Joe's Return
Last night's game marked the return of Sioux defenseman Big Joe Finley. Finley had been out of the line up for 16 games with post concussion syndrome. Although Finley looked a little rusty at first his presence was felt almost immediately as he step out of the ice.
Jeremy Morin one of the players from the U-18 team got into Finley's face after an altercation in front of the net. After Morin had done this you could tell he realized that he want nothing to do with Big Joe. All Joe really had to do was just stand there. It was like Morin looked up saw this tree trunk of a defenseman standing there and said, "I don't want nothing to do with this." Later on in the game when Morin was following the puck he back off when he saw Finley had the puck. This is what Finley brings to the table. I am just happy to see Joe Finley back on the ice.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Evan Trupp (Ryan Martens, Jake Marto) 6:10
NDK (+): 19,8,25,14,11,G31 U18 (-): 27,5,21,8,17,G33
NDK-1 Joe Finley (2-Hooking) U18 0x1 6:52
U18-1 Jerry D'Amigo (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 7:24
U18 1 - 1 6x6 Kevin Lynch (unassisted) 9:59
U18 (+): 14,22,5,11,19,G33 NDK (-): 20,2,11,8,4,G31
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Brad Malone (Evan Trupp, Brett Hextall) 11:03
NDK (+): 22,19,26,3,5,G31 U18 (-): 22,17,23,4,3,G33
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Tripping) U18 0x2 12:57
U18 2 - 2 6x6 A.J. Treais (Ryan Bourque, Chris McCarthy) 16:19
U18 (+): 17,23,22,27,3,G33 NDK (-): 25,6,16,10,29,G31
U18-2 Ryan Bourque (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 19:28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-3 Chris VandeVelde (2-Hooking) U18 0x3 3:38
U18-3 Brendan Rempel (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 7:25
U18-4 John Henrion (2-Boarding) 11:05
U18-5 John Henrion (2-Roughing) (Served by Sam Calabrese) 11:05
U18-6 John Ramage (2-Roughing) NDK 0x4 11:05
NDK-4 Zach Jones (2-Roughing) 11:05
NDK-5 Brad Miller (2-Roughing) 11:05
NDK-6 Joe Finley (2-Cross-Checking) U18 0x4 14:16
NDK 3 - 2 5x6 SH GW LL Matt Watkins (Evan Trupp, Chay Genoway) 14:38
NDK (+): 20,19,5,3,G31 U18 (-): 12,23,27,19,22,G33
U18-7 Richie Crowley (2-Interference) NDK 0x5 19:59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U18-8 Ryan Bourque (2-Slashing) NDK 0x6 1:13
NDK-7 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) U18 0x5 2:26
NDK 4 - 2 6x6 Jason Gregoire (Matt Frattin, Darcy Zajac) 5:57
NDK (+): 17,21,11,2,5,G30 U18 (-): 23,11,17,27,2,G33
U18-9 Ryan Bourque (2-Roughing) 6:28
NDK-8 Joe Finley (2-Holding) 6:28
NDK-9 Corey Fienhage (2-Roughing) U18 0x6 6:28
NDK-10 Evan Trupp (2-Interference) U18 0x7 12:02
NDK 5 - 2 6x6 EN Andrew Kozek (Ryan Duncan) 19:10
NDK (+): 10,16,29,5,3,G30 U18 (-): 4,11,23,17,9,15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you look at the schedule to begin the year most of us would say that this game should be an easy win, however, this was not a team to be taken lightly. This year's Under-18 team has beaten a couple of division one hockey teams of note; in September the under 18 team beat AA 4-3 and on the 16th of December the also beat MSU 4-2, who happens to be UND’s next opponent. If I slighted the Under 18 team by missing any of their wins I apologize. Also, by winning this game and not being embarrassed I think the Sioux can say mission accomplished. Now the Fighting Sioux can go into their short Christmas break on a winning note and set the tone for the second half of the season.
Big Joe's Return
Last night's game marked the return of Sioux defenseman Big Joe Finley. Finley had been out of the line up for 16 games with post concussion syndrome. Although Finley looked a little rusty at first his presence was felt almost immediately as he step out of the ice.
Jeremy Morin one of the players from the U-18 team got into Finley's face after an altercation in front of the net. After Morin had done this you could tell he realized that he want nothing to do with Big Joe. All Joe really had to do was just stand there. It was like Morin looked up saw this tree trunk of a defenseman standing there and said, "I don't want nothing to do with this." Later on in the game when Morin was following the puck he back off when he saw Finley had the puck. This is what Finley brings to the table. I am just happy to see Joe Finley back on the ice.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Evan Trupp (Ryan Martens, Jake Marto) 6:10
NDK (+): 19,8,25,14,11,G31 U18 (-): 27,5,21,8,17,G33
NDK-1 Joe Finley (2-Hooking) U18 0x1 6:52
U18-1 Jerry D'Amigo (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 7:24
U18 1 - 1 6x6 Kevin Lynch (unassisted) 9:59
U18 (+): 14,22,5,11,19,G33 NDK (-): 20,2,11,8,4,G31
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Brad Malone (Evan Trupp, Brett Hextall) 11:03
NDK (+): 22,19,26,3,5,G31 U18 (-): 22,17,23,4,3,G33
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Tripping) U18 0x2 12:57
U18 2 - 2 6x6 A.J. Treais (Ryan Bourque, Chris McCarthy) 16:19
U18 (+): 17,23,22,27,3,G33 NDK (-): 25,6,16,10,29,G31
U18-2 Ryan Bourque (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 19:28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-3 Chris VandeVelde (2-Hooking) U18 0x3 3:38
U18-3 Brendan Rempel (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 7:25
U18-4 John Henrion (2-Boarding) 11:05
U18-5 John Henrion (2-Roughing) (Served by Sam Calabrese) 11:05
U18-6 John Ramage (2-Roughing) NDK 0x4 11:05
NDK-4 Zach Jones (2-Roughing) 11:05
NDK-5 Brad Miller (2-Roughing) 11:05
NDK-6 Joe Finley (2-Cross-Checking) U18 0x4 14:16
NDK 3 - 2 5x6 SH GW LL Matt Watkins (Evan Trupp, Chay Genoway) 14:38
NDK (+): 20,19,5,3,G31 U18 (-): 12,23,27,19,22,G33
U18-7 Richie Crowley (2-Interference) NDK 0x5 19:59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U18-8 Ryan Bourque (2-Slashing) NDK 0x6 1:13
NDK-7 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) U18 0x5 2:26
NDK 4 - 2 6x6 Jason Gregoire (Matt Frattin, Darcy Zajac) 5:57
NDK (+): 17,21,11,2,5,G30 U18 (-): 23,11,17,27,2,G33
U18-9 Ryan Bourque (2-Roughing) 6:28
NDK-8 Joe Finley (2-Holding) 6:28
NDK-9 Corey Fienhage (2-Roughing) U18 0x6 6:28
NDK-10 Evan Trupp (2-Interference) U18 0x7 12:02
NDK 5 - 2 6x6 EN Andrew Kozek (Ryan Duncan) 19:10
NDK (+): 10,16,29,5,3,G30 U18 (-): 4,11,23,17,9,15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scores from last night 12-19-2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
Canisius at Mercyhurst Postponed
CCHA
Western Michigan 3 at Alaska 6
Non-Conference
Northern Michigan 1 at Michigan Tech 2
Clarkson 1 at Bowling Green 4
Sacred Heart 2 at Colorado College 2 ot
Exhibition
US Under-18 Team 2 at North Dakota 5
Dartmouth 6 at AIK 1
Analysis
Very night light of hockey as we prepare for the Christmas Holiday. Nice to see the MTU Huskies (aka the real Huskies) get a win against their heated UP rival. I have to wonder if the C.C. Tigers are a paper Tiger, they are not very good on Friday nights they sport a record of 2(w)-3(l)-4(t). I would predict tonight you will probably see a 7-1 win by the Tigers. On paper this is a team that C.C. should run out of the building. Sacred Heart is not a good team. I want to hear how the AHA is catching up because they are not.
Atlantic Hockey
Canisius at Mercyhurst Postponed
CCHA
Western Michigan 3 at Alaska 6
Non-Conference
Northern Michigan 1 at Michigan Tech 2
Clarkson 1 at Bowling Green 4
Sacred Heart 2 at Colorado College 2 ot
Exhibition
US Under-18 Team 2 at North Dakota 5
Dartmouth 6 at AIK 1
Analysis
Very night light of hockey as we prepare for the Christmas Holiday. Nice to see the MTU Huskies (aka the real Huskies) get a win against their heated UP rival. I have to wonder if the C.C. Tigers are a paper Tiger, they are not very good on Friday nights they sport a record of 2(w)-3(l)-4(t). I would predict tonight you will probably see a 7-1 win by the Tigers. On paper this is a team that C.C. should run out of the building. Sacred Heart is not a good team. I want to hear how the AHA is catching up because they are not.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Here is what we were missing. (Joe Finley Montage)
Big Joe Finley has missed 16 games for the Fighting Sioux. In case anyone has forgotten what Big Joe brings to the team or you haven't seen him play very much or for what ever reason have just plain forgotten. This montage will remind Fighting Sioux fans is what we have been missing.
I have to admit that I am just giddy with the return of big Joe Finley, this couldn't come a day too quick. The fact remains that the Fighting Sioux need to have him back in the line up doing what he does best. Of course Bucky Badgers is probably shaking in his shoes at the prospects of Joe Finley's return.
Joe Finley lays out a Badgers player Jack Skille.
It is no mystery the Fighting Sioux really miss big Joe's slap shot from the point. Call of the goal by the Wooger and the Rug
Ah, those were the days. Finley with his favorite dance partner Blake Wheeler.
(All the action called again by the Rug and Wooger)
Mike Commodore vs Krys Barch
This is the Mike Commodore that have come to appreciate. At the end of this fight watch the hay maker that former Sioux great Commodore lands on Barch. On the Dallas Stars Even with Avery gone there still are enough villains on the Dallas team to dislike.
Western College Hockey on UND.
Check out what Chris Dilks from Western College Hockey has to say about the WCHA and UND. I agree with what is said here. I think UND is becoming a decent team that rack up the goals.
6. North Dakota, 12 games played, 13 points
I think a lot of people wrote off North Dakota earlier this year because they weren't as strong as they were the past couple years, but they are potentially one of the scariest teams in the league for the second half of the season. They're a team known for their slow starts, and they're strong finishes, and I think they could do the same this year. A big sweep over St. Cloud last weekend puts them in excellent position for the second half of the year.
One reason they're so dangerous is that they've finally got things figured out in goal. I have no idea why Aaron Walski got three starts in goal, but North Dakota lost all three, while they've been pretty good with Brad Eidsness in goal. Eidsness struggled in his first start, but since then, has been at least serviceable in net.
The Sioux don't have any real stars on offense--BTW, I've yet to receive any apologies for all the things said about me for not putting Ryan Duncan on my preseason all-conference team--but they've got a lot of very good players that give them a really balanced scoring attack.
Back in hockey country. (catching up)
My work/training in south eastern Georgia is over. Back to reality. I was lucky enough I fly back to God's country last night. The reality was when I got off the plane in Grand Forks and felt that burst of cold air. It was at that moment that I realized that the temp was about 80 degrees different. Wouldn't you know it, I am getting back just in time for a Blizzard this weekend.
Hockey is not spoken in the south
First off while I was in Georgia I watched 4 hockey games total; (2x) Sioux hockey on Sioux extra and the (2x) Bruins and Thrasher. For me that isn't a lot of hockey most times I would have watched a game a night at least. So lets just say I am about 7 games short this past two weeks. Luckily, all four games were wins for my teams. While I was there I had like 2 conversations about hockey. No that I was around this past week likes hockey. It is like a foreign language that no one understands. So tonight I am going to get my hockey fix. Go Fighting Sioux.
Links for tonight's exhibition game
The team we are playing tonight beat MSU 4-2 (Box Score).
Article in the Grand Forks Herald about future Sioux hockey player Danny Mattson. I look forward to watching this kid play tonight.
They are talking about NCAA Regionalization again and I think it is a horrible idea. Lets just hope for some reason this idea gets killed. One nice thing about the current NCAA tourney is that your team gets to play other teams from other parts of the country.
Big Joe Finley is making his appearance after being off for 16 games. This makes me very happy and like someone said a standing ovation would be in order. I have been waiting to see big Joe patrol the blue line for most of the season. Question: who sits every week?
Hockey is not spoken in the south
First off while I was in Georgia I watched 4 hockey games total; (2x) Sioux hockey on Sioux extra and the (2x) Bruins and Thrasher. For me that isn't a lot of hockey most times I would have watched a game a night at least. So lets just say I am about 7 games short this past two weeks. Luckily, all four games were wins for my teams. While I was there I had like 2 conversations about hockey. No that I was around this past week likes hockey. It is like a foreign language that no one understands. So tonight I am going to get my hockey fix. Go Fighting Sioux.
Links for tonight's exhibition game
The team we are playing tonight beat MSU 4-2 (Box Score).
Article in the Grand Forks Herald about future Sioux hockey player Danny Mattson. I look forward to watching this kid play tonight.
They are talking about NCAA Regionalization again and I think it is a horrible idea. Lets just hope for some reason this idea gets killed. One nice thing about the current NCAA tourney is that your team gets to play other teams from other parts of the country.
The NCAA's Championships/Sports Management Cabinet will be looking, at its next meeting in February, to put its final stamp of approval on travel restrictions for its tournaments. The push for this came as the NCAA hierarchy pondered its financial issues, and the financial climate the country is in.
If approved as is, this means that, for the NCAA tournament, the committee would only be allowed to seed the top four teams in the bracket (i.e. the four No. 1 seeds). It would be able to do so regardless of geography (although current practice for hockey is to place them "closest to home" anyway). Meanwhile, the remaining 12 teams would have to be placed in the closest geographical region possible, regardless of where it falls in the 5-16 Pairwise pecking order.
Big Joe Finley is making his appearance after being off for 16 games. This makes me very happy and like someone said a standing ovation would be in order. I have been waiting to see big Joe patrol the blue line for most of the season. Question: who sits every week?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Poor Sister In The Desert
When the NHL moved the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix after the 1996 season, questions were raised about whether the decision was the right one or not.
The answer may come sooner than later. After 12 seasons in the desert, the hot sun may be finally setting on the Coyotes.
Initially, the Coyotes re-located to America West Arena in the affluent city of Scottsdale, Ariz. Because the NBA’s Phoenix Suns were the primary tenant in the arena, the Coyotes were, essentially, cut out of any revenue the building earned.
They approached Scottsdale City Council in 2001 for a loan to construct a new building.
When Scottsdale City Council rejected their financing proposal, the club turned its eyes to courting the working class west-end city of Glendale, Ariz.
Glendale City Council voted in favour of a $180 million loan (all figures in U.S.) to help build a facility for the Coyotes. The hockey club found another $40 million and settled into the Jobing.com Arena, in Dec. of 2003 and began to lay the groundwork for the franchise.
Hockey in Phoenix is a marginalized venture at best. The Coyotes may have counted on northern ex-pats to support the team but when your limited fan base lives in one city you can’t assume they will follow you to another town 45 kilometres (26 miles) away.
Another fatal error was the Coyotes’ belief that corporate dollars would follow them across town.
“The big-money guys, the corporate guys don’t live in Glendale,” NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly told David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail. “If you live in Scottsdale, Glendale is not an easy place to get to. That hurts them in the area of club seats and boxes.”
Coyotes’ governor and CEO Jeff Shumway told the Arizona Republic that the team lost $30 million (all figures US) in 2006-2007.
The Globe and Mail also reported that the Coyotes may be on the verge of losing between $25 million to $35 million this season.
It hasn’t helped that owner Jerry Moyes’ has serious financial troubles of his own. Moyes, 63, owns Phoenix based Swift Transportation and according to Eiad Asbahi, managing partner of Prescience Investment Group in New York, his liabilities are reported to be worth $1 to $1.5 billion more than his company’s assets.
This seriously jeopardizes Moyes’ ability to swallow any more of the hockey club’s losses.
Inside the arena the Coyotes are averaging 14, 657 through 15 home games this season. However, the club suffers from the upper bowl phenomenon where the cheap seats in the upper bowl are full while the suites and expensive seats sit unused. It is even rumoured that the club discounts the expensive seats, driving revenues further down
The average ticket price is about $39, which ranks 29th in the league.
Whoever said that numbers don’t lie was speaking the truth.
So, what’s next?
There are three choices in play:
1) File for Bankruptcy.
2) Put the onus on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to find a new buyer for the team.
3) Re-negotiate their arena lease forcing the city of Glendale to cover some of their losses.
Given the financial situation of Moyes, he may have no choice but to put the team in the hands of the NHL.
Shumway doesn’t buy that.
“I am confident not only that hockey will be here in five years but that we will be doing well in five years,” Shumway told the Globe and Mail. “We run a great franchise in a great sport, a sport we love.”
With files from the Globe and Mail
The answer may come sooner than later. After 12 seasons in the desert, the hot sun may be finally setting on the Coyotes.
Initially, the Coyotes re-located to America West Arena in the affluent city of Scottsdale, Ariz. Because the NBA’s Phoenix Suns were the primary tenant in the arena, the Coyotes were, essentially, cut out of any revenue the building earned.
They approached Scottsdale City Council in 2001 for a loan to construct a new building.
When Scottsdale City Council rejected their financing proposal, the club turned its eyes to courting the working class west-end city of Glendale, Ariz.
Glendale City Council voted in favour of a $180 million loan (all figures in U.S.) to help build a facility for the Coyotes. The hockey club found another $40 million and settled into the Jobing.com Arena, in Dec. of 2003 and began to lay the groundwork for the franchise.
Hockey in Phoenix is a marginalized venture at best. The Coyotes may have counted on northern ex-pats to support the team but when your limited fan base lives in one city you can’t assume they will follow you to another town 45 kilometres (26 miles) away.
Another fatal error was the Coyotes’ belief that corporate dollars would follow them across town.
“The big-money guys, the corporate guys don’t live in Glendale,” NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly told David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail. “If you live in Scottsdale, Glendale is not an easy place to get to. That hurts them in the area of club seats and boxes.”
Coyotes’ governor and CEO Jeff Shumway told the Arizona Republic that the team lost $30 million (all figures US) in 2006-2007.
The Globe and Mail also reported that the Coyotes may be on the verge of losing between $25 million to $35 million this season.
It hasn’t helped that owner Jerry Moyes’ has serious financial troubles of his own. Moyes, 63, owns Phoenix based Swift Transportation and according to Eiad Asbahi, managing partner of Prescience Investment Group in New York, his liabilities are reported to be worth $1 to $1.5 billion more than his company’s assets.
This seriously jeopardizes Moyes’ ability to swallow any more of the hockey club’s losses.
Inside the arena the Coyotes are averaging 14, 657 through 15 home games this season. However, the club suffers from the upper bowl phenomenon where the cheap seats in the upper bowl are full while the suites and expensive seats sit unused. It is even rumoured that the club discounts the expensive seats, driving revenues further down
The average ticket price is about $39, which ranks 29th in the league.
Whoever said that numbers don’t lie was speaking the truth.
So, what’s next?
There are three choices in play:
1) File for Bankruptcy.
2) Put the onus on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to find a new buyer for the team.
3) Re-negotiate their arena lease forcing the city of Glendale to cover some of their losses.
Given the financial situation of Moyes, he may have no choice but to put the team in the hands of the NHL.
Shumway doesn’t buy that.
“I am confident not only that hockey will be here in five years but that we will be doing well in five years,” Shumway told the Globe and Mail. “We run a great franchise in a great sport, a sport we love.”
With files from the Globe and Mail
INCH Chat.
While I have nothing but time on my hands I am checking out the INCH Chat live in time. Still sitting at the airport waiting for my plane back to the arctic circle known as Grand Forks, ND. It is hard to believe that people actually live in an environment that doesn't include snow.
1.) I am beginning to like Joe Gladziszewski more and more. Joe is one of the east coast writers that seems to know more than the writer that is assigned to the WCHA. Of course UND should be on the radar they eat Cornell's lunch when they played them.
2.) Nice save by Jess Meyers and now he seems to have changed his tune a bit. I don't know they seem to be all over the place.
3.) Understatement of the chat; less-challenging Atlantic Hockey schedule. They should change the name of the AHA to the Atlantic Cupcake Hockey Association.
4.)I do think the GLI is going to be a big gauge of how some of these team are going to do in the second half of the season. I would love to see the Sioux and the Wolverines playing for the GLI throphy.
1.) I am beginning to like Joe Gladziszewski more and more. Joe is one of the east coast writers that seems to know more than the writer that is assigned to the WCHA. Of course UND should be on the radar they eat Cornell's lunch when they played them.
2.) Nice save by Jess Meyers and now he seems to have changed his tune a bit. I don't know they seem to be all over the place.
3.) Understatement of the chat; less-challenging Atlantic Hockey schedule. They should change the name of the AHA to the Atlantic Cupcake Hockey Association.
4.)I do think the GLI is going to be a big gauge of how some of these team are going to do in the second half of the season. I would love to see the Sioux and the Wolverines playing for the GLI throphy.
Jeb from Grand Forks, ND: Now that UND has gotten back above .500 and beaten some pretty good teams will they now be in the INCH Power Rankings? I mean you have Cornell in the top ten and UND beat them handidly the Friday night and put a whopping on SCSU as well. I would think they have earned a right to be ranked at least in the top 20.
Joe Gladziszewski: (2:35 PM ET ) Right now we've got North Dakota just outside of our top-20. They've been much better in the last 3-4 weeks than they were during a very slow start. Finally, North Dakota is scoring goals at the rate that most people expected. We just couldn't rank/consider a team that was several games below .500. Now that North Dakota has reached that level we definitely have our eyes on them.
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Matt, East Main Street, NJ: Air Force has plenty of wins on their schedule but, as I see it, their only significant win comes against Colorado College (4-1) and is then followed by a loss against Denver (4-1). I would love to see them finish inside the top ten this year and maybe even make a run in the post season but with such a weak schedule, do you see this as being a reality?
Joe Gladziszewski: (2:47 PM ET ) Well, considering the less-challenging Atlantic Hockey schedule, Air Force should be able to rack up some wins and earn a spot in the top-10 by season's end. It's tough to judge teams that might not play a lot of other very good teams. Canisius is dangerous in Atlantic Hockey as well as RIT.
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Billy (New Jersey): Has the second half hot streak starting early for the Fighting Sioux? How do you guys see them doing in the Great Lakes Invitational against MSU and UM and should we expect a continued push for the tournament in 2009?
Jess Myers: (2:50 PM ET ) North Dakota has played very well in its last four games -- clearly a result of more experience in some key places where they are young, and of getting Joe Finley and Evan Trupp back healthy. They are more
dangerous than either Michigan State or Michigan Tech right now, so I'd say that the GLI is between the Sioux and the Wolverines. As for how they'll do in March, I see them being a factor in the race for home ice in the WCHA which, by definition, makes them a legitimate NCAA tournament candidate.
Are the Coyotes going to be the Jets?
I have been running across this story on the internet more frequently as of late. With the Coyotes failing miserably in the Southwestern Desert of the USA, one has to ask themselves if maybe it is time to move the failing club out of Phoenix and back to where it belongs; north of the border in Winnipeg Manitoba.
With the current financial situation of the Coyotes it does kind of make you have to wonder if the Coyotes ownership would move the team back to Winnipeg.
I still remember the day the Jets left Winnipeg in 1996 for the Phoenix area. I had been to one of their last games before they moved and I can remember the bitter sweet feeling I had after another team of mine was taken from me. I too was sad that day the Jets left Winnipeg for bigger and better things. Personally I welcome the move back and I would definitely start going to games if they came back. I should go order my passport now.
Here are some links to the story.
Seems Puck Daddy was on to something back in September.
Heck it has even been mentioned in the New York Times.
Lets get the MTS centre ready? I guess I can only dream right?
Financial Roughing. It seems that the Coyotes are not the only team that is in big trouble.
Why is the Canadian media obsessed with the Phoenix's failure?
With the current financial situation of the Coyotes it does kind of make you have to wonder if the Coyotes ownership would move the team back to Winnipeg.
I still remember the day the Jets left Winnipeg in 1996 for the Phoenix area. I had been to one of their last games before they moved and I can remember the bitter sweet feeling I had after another team of mine was taken from me. I too was sad that day the Jets left Winnipeg for bigger and better things. Personally I welcome the move back and I would definitely start going to games if they came back. I should go order my passport now.
Yes, I can't accept that my Winnipeg Jets died. But wait! Maybe my prolonged denial stage wasn't all for naught! First Gary Bettman said the NHL returning to Winnipeg was a possibility. Now, none other than Forbes magazine has put out a list of the 10 sports franchises that are most likely to move. Surprise, surprise - guess who is on the list? The Phoenix Coyotes, of course:
Here are some links to the story.
Seems Puck Daddy was on to something back in September.
Heck it has even been mentioned in the New York Times.
Lets get the MTS centre ready? I guess I can only dream right?
Financial Roughing. It seems that the Coyotes are not the only team that is in big trouble.
Why is the Canadian media obsessed with the Phoenix's failure?
Three former Sioux hockey players all score a goal in the same game.
I am not sure if this happens all that often. Three former Sioux hockey players all happened to be on the ice to play a hockey game (Parise and Zajac for the Devils and Stafford for the Sabres)at the same time. During the course of the game each one of them scored a least one goal. Seems impressive.
(Click here for the Video)
Actually if you check the box score you will see quite a few ex-college hockey players.
Box Score
1 1 1:36 EV N.J 19 T.ZAJAC(8) 27 M.MOTTAU(6) 15 J.LANGENBRUNNER(14)
2 1 6:58 EV BUF 21 D.STAFFORD(7) 41 C.MACARTHUR(7) 9 D.ROY(17)
3 1 11:44 PP N.J 9 Z.PARISE(18) 15 J.LANGENBRUNNER(15) 26 P.ELIAS(18)
4 2 10:52 EV N.J 24 B.SALVADOR(2) 26 P.ELIAS(19) 14 B.GIONTA(19)
5 2 11:10 EV BUF 36 P.KALETA(2) 20 D.PAILLE(7) 6 J.SPACEK(15)
6 3 6:04 EV N.J 23 D.CLARKSON(6) unassisted
7 3 9:31 EV N.J 12 B.ROLSTON(2) 23 D.CLARKSON(5)
8 3 9:43 EV BUF 28 P.GAUSTAD(3) 29 J.POMINVILLE(15) 55 J.HECHT(8)
Formber B.C. Eagle and Fighting Sioux Killer Nate Gerbe is hurt and will be out for at least ten days, lets just say it's the dreaded upper body injury.
(Click here for the Video)
Actually if you check the box score you will see quite a few ex-college hockey players.
Box Score
1 1 1:36 EV N.J 19 T.ZAJAC(8) 27 M.MOTTAU(6) 15 J.LANGENBRUNNER(14)
2 1 6:58 EV BUF 21 D.STAFFORD(7) 41 C.MACARTHUR(7) 9 D.ROY(17)
3 1 11:44 PP N.J 9 Z.PARISE(18) 15 J.LANGENBRUNNER(15) 26 P.ELIAS(18)
4 2 10:52 EV N.J 24 B.SALVADOR(2) 26 P.ELIAS(19) 14 B.GIONTA(19)
5 2 11:10 EV BUF 36 P.KALETA(2) 20 D.PAILLE(7) 6 J.SPACEK(15)
6 3 6:04 EV N.J 23 D.CLARKSON(6) unassisted
7 3 9:31 EV N.J 12 B.ROLSTON(2) 23 D.CLARKSON(5)
8 3 9:43 EV BUF 28 P.GAUSTAD(3) 29 J.POMINVILLE(15) 55 J.HECHT(8)
Formber B.C. Eagle and Fighting Sioux Killer Nate Gerbe is hurt and will be out for at least ten days, lets just say it's the dreaded upper body injury.
Nathan Gerbe will miss at least 10 days due to an upper body injury.
The rookie was hurt during Buffalo’s 4-2 win against the Devils on Saturday night after taking a hit late in the game.
We have a Marian Gaborik sighting.
Check it out folks, Gabby played his first game in 27 games and had a two point night 1 goal and 1 assist.
Now, I wonder if the Wild can keep Marian Gaborik on the ice for more than a few games. I would like to see the Wild put together a winning streak and get back in the race.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Ex-Sioux hockey players updates...
Catching up on a few of the guys.
Buffalo Sabres player Drew Stafford has 6 points in his last 6 games. Stafford has 6-8-14 in 27 games.
St Louis Blue T.J. Oshie is still out with an injury. The Blues have had a lot of injury issues this year. Oshie, Paul Karyia, Andy McDonald are all out with injuries.
Brian Lee has split time with the Senators and their AHL team Binghamton and has one goal, five assists and 20 penalty minutes in 20 games. Lee also has played in 8 games with the Senators and has three points 0-3-3 in 8 games.
Hurricanes forward Ryan Bayda has been kind of cold as of late scoring one assist in his last five games. Bayda has 3-6-9 points in 31 games.
Maple Leafs player Jason Blake has 6 points in his last 5 games but is scoreless in his last two. Blake has 5-11-16 points in 26 games for the Leafs. Its no secret that Jason Blake has had a tough go of it in Toronto. I would have to say that the past two season have probably been kind of trying for Mr. Blake. Seriously, if you read the comments the fans can be down right brutal.
Personally, I hate how Toronto's fans try to heap the blame on Blake for the Leafs trouble. Seriously folks this is getting kind of tiresome. I would love to see the Wild pick Blake up, with his numbers he could be a great addition to the scoring challenged Wild. (Blake's Shootout goal is included on the top of the post)
Check out this guys post he says he is not a fan Blake and then writes this. Who the hell does he think the Leafs are going to get in exchange for Blake? This guys mentality is also the problem the Leafs suck and they have no one that is really very good to play with him. Teams aren't just going to hand over one of their super stars to another team.
Blakes attributes
I am not a fan of Jason Blake but his attributes are serious speed and quickness and he plays a pretty feisty, fearless game. Hopefully the Leafs will be able to trade him for some valuable assets which will enable them to make room for one more of their younger players, the question is what team believes itself able to tame the undisciplined even selfish side of this guy. Ian White is a player the Leafs should not give up on, he has a lot to offer, a great team attitude, great shot, the smarts and he's versatile, not to mention he is quite a capable physical player and he's young and durable. Move the veterans for as much as you can, when you can get the most for them which I wish was right now.
Matt Greene goes yard. (goal)
Tip of the hat to the Boosh factor for posting this goal by former Sioux Matt Greene. That is the second ever career goal for the former Sioux defenseman.
UND almost full strenght.
RWD's favorite hockey blogger Brad Elliott Schlossman is reporting that big Joe Finley may play this weekend against the under 18 team and Evan Trupp will probably be playing this weekend. I think this is a very nice Christmas present.
Getting big Joe Finley back in the line up would be a huge lift for the Fighting Sioux. My next question would be who sits on defense?
Gabby to play tonight.
It's too bad that I have one more day in Georgia. Lets just say that you would be hard pressed to find a hockey game on Television other than the Thrashers. So I will only be able to read about Gabby's first game back, I probably won't be able to see any visual evidence of it happening.
Being in hockey starved Georgia I was actually was able to see the Bruins and Thrasher play twice on Comcast in my hotel room but that's it. Nothing, nix, nine, nay, nada as far as hockey goes. If I lived down here on a regular basis I would have to get the hockey package. I think this is why Hockey is a regional sport that isn't doing as well in the south as it does in the northern tier areas.
Being in hockey starved Georgia I was actually was able to see the Bruins and Thrasher play twice on Comcast in my hotel room but that's it. Nothing, nix, nine, nay, nada as far as hockey goes. If I lived down here on a regular basis I would have to get the hockey package. I think this is why Hockey is a regional sport that isn't doing as well in the south as it does in the northern tier areas.
It's official Gaborik to return ---The good news for the Wild, which as I predicted in my Monday game story would be out of the playoff top-eight by the time it next played, is Marian Gaborik is officially back. The Wild activated him this morning. And he’ll even get to dictate his ice time tonight. Took him eight years, but Jacques Lemaire told him before today’s skate that he needs to be communicative tonight. In other words, tell Jacques how he’s feeling, and if he’s feeling good, he’ll get more and more ice time.
I asked Gaborik if he gets to pick his linemates, too. Nope. He’ll start with Sheppard and Veilleux tonight. Incidentally, I’m pretty positive that was Gaborik’s line against Atlanta and Boston in his only two previous games this season.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Gaborik to play tonight.
This is what the Minnesota Wild are missing from their line up. If you read the news it appears that Marian Gaborik is going to play on Wednesday night. Hey Gabby it is about time you showed up for the party the Wild have had trouble scoring and need your help.
Gaborik plans to play for Wild on Wednesday
AP - Dec 16, 5:38 pm EST NHL Gallery ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)—Wild fans have grown so frustrated with Marian Gaborik’s contract status and 27-game absence that mentions of his name over the Xcel Energy Center speakers have brought boos a couple of times this season.
Minnesota’s star right wing should find out how the customers feel on Wednesday night. Gaborik declared himself “good to go” to face the Calgary Flames and, pending final consultation with coach Jacques Lemaire, will appear in a game for the first time since Oct. 14.
The next day, he hurt part of his lower body—presumably that long-problematic groin muscle, though the team won’t specify injuries anymore— which made his future with the Wild even more uncertain. Gaborik’s contract expires this summer, and negotiations on an extension broke off before he was hurt. Attempts by the team to trade him have predictably hit a wall.
With the Wild struggling to score, their 76 goals being the fewest in the Western Conference, Gaborik and his All-Star offensive skills have been missed.
Their losing streak is at five games, and they’ve scored five goals during that span
NCAA Round Up (going five hole article)
Here is the latest article I wrote for Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.
First off I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. This is the season to watch college hockey and Christmas tourneys. Then get ready for the second half push. This is where teams cement their place in the NCAA field or tumble out of the RPI/PWR. I must say that this is a very exciting time of the year. May all your Christmas wishes comes true.
All I want for Christmas is…
1.)Refs that can call the college game like the NHL officials. A penalty in the first period should also be a penalty in the third or overtime.
2.)The shootout to be standard in all regular season, conference and non-conference games in Division one college hockey. Ties are like kissing your sister.
3.)My Fighting Sioux to finally win a WCHA regular season title again.
4.)The WCHA to fire league commissioner Bruce M. McLeod, head of officials Greg Shepherd. While we are at it how about on ice officials Don Adam and Derrick Shepherd.
5.)The NCAA to use more than one angle when reviewing goals on replay.
6.)The Wisconsin Badgers, Minnesota Gophers and the Michigan Wolverines to go 0 for the season.
7.)For the NCAA Ice Hockey selection committee to adopt the KRACH when selecting the NCAA Field.
8.)The MTU Huskies make the Final Five as long as it isn’t at the expense of the Sioux.
9.) Public announcements when a NCAA on ice official is a disciplined or suspended.
10.) More NCAA hockey games to be on television like the NHL.
Goon’s Top Ten
1.) Notre Dame
2.) Denver
3.)Minnesota
4.)Northeastern
5.)Boston University
6.)Miami
7.)Boston College
8.)Colorado College
9.)Michigan
10.)Vermont
Monday, December 15, 2008
Great Kessel blog post.
Here is an interesting article written by Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy on former Gopher Phil Kessel. (tip of the hat to Sean)
It seems that Phil Kessel has grown up and become a budding star in the NHL and is one of the reasons that Bruins are on fire right now in Boston. I also believe that Kessel is one of the pieces to the puzzel in winning a Stanley Cup.
More good news for Phil Kessel as he is given an award by the NHL.
He arrived in the National Hockey League described as brash, a prima donna and self-focused. He was an early contender to be selected first overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but questions about his character and work ethic dropped him to fifth overall, where the Boston Bruins were happy to take the former Minnesota Golden Gopher.
Two months into his rookie season, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Less than a month later he returned to the Bruins and promptly went on to record a hat trick in the 2007 Young Stars Game in Dallas. His perseverance in fighting cancer and return to the NHL made Kessel a feel-good choice as that season's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner.
It seems that Phil Kessel has grown up and become a budding star in the NHL and is one of the reasons that Bruins are on fire right now in Boston. I also believe that Kessel is one of the pieces to the puzzel in winning a Stanley Cup.
This is the same Phil Kessel that was touted as having explosive speed, great vision, and hockey sense before he entered the NHL in 2006. After a few speed bumps, we're finally seeing the hype come to fruition, despite being benched in last year's playoffs for being a liability on defense.
"There were growing pains for me my rookie year," Kessel said recently. "This year, it's clicking a little more. I think part of it has to do with my line mates, setting me up in good spots."
Kessel and fellow line mate Milan Lucic are both having career seasons thanks to being setup by assist-specialist Marc Savard.
The kid is 21-years old and obviously matured after a wake up call from testicular cancer.
More good news for Phil Kessel as he is given an award by the NHL.
Phil Kessel Named NHL's First Star of the Week
December 15, 2008
BOSTON, MA - The NHL announced today that Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel was named NHL's First Star of the Week for the week ending December 14.
Kessel tallied eight points with three goals and five assists in four games last week and extended his point streak to 15 games. Kessel helped lead the Black and Gold to a 3-1-0 record, which improved their Eastern Conference-leading mark to 21-5-4. Kessel notched one goal and one assist in a 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay December 8, registered an assist in a 3-1 loss at Washington Dec. 10, tallied a goal and two assists in a 7-3 win at Atlanta Dec. 12 and closed the week with a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Thrashers Dec. 13
Wild news...
star tribune pictureThis is the reason I am sick of Wild GM Doug Doug Risebrough and his lack of focus on keeping the Wild's star players. First we lose Brian Rolston because he screwed around and low balled Brian. Next the Wild are probably going to lose Marian Gaborik and if Risebrough tries hard enough he can probably fail to sign Niklas Backstrom.
Risbrough is such a genius he hasn't even approached Niklas Backstrom about seeing if the all-pro goalie wants to sign another contract with the Minnesota Wild. Seriously, this is the Wild's All-Star goalie and the Wild haven't asked him if he is interested in staying in Minnesota. Why? What are they going to do if they can't resign Backstom? Josh Harding is no where near the goalie Backstrom is.
Super Star Marian Gaborik is about ready to play after missing all but two games of the season.
I would love to see the Wild get Gabby into the line up and see if he can get it going again. Then I would try to resolve the Gaborik situation.
Poll Monday. (Sioux back in the Poll).
USCHO Poll
1 Notre Dame (41) 14-3-2 981 1
2 Miami ( 6) 12-3-3 921 3
3 Boston University 11-4-1 867 4
4 Minnesota ( 1) 8-3-5 854 2
5 Denver 13-5-1 804 6
6 Northeastern 11-3-2 755 5
7 Boston College 9-5-2 675 7
8 Princeton ( 2) 10-2-0 666 8
9 Colorado College 10-6-4 585 9
10 Cornell 7-1-2 559 10
11 Air Force 14-2-0 479 12
12 Michigan 11-7-0 439 13
13 Vermont 9-4-2 426 11
14 Wisconsin 9-7-2 263 16
15 New Hampshire 8-6-3 257 15
16 Nebraska-Omaha 11-4-3 175 19
17 Minnesota State 8-7-3 168 14
18 Alaska 8-4-4 104 20
18 North Dakota 9-8-1 104 NR
20 Dartmouth 6-4-0 103 18
Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota-Duluth 87, Maine 62, Ohio State 61, St. Cloud State 59, Bemidji State 11, Massachusetts 11, Alaska-Anchorage 10, Yale 7, Mass.-Lowell 4, Niagara 2, Quinnipiac 1.
Analysis
While it is nice to be in the top 20 again, it is way too early to really make much in the way of inferences about team rankings. It will be interesting to see how the teams end up after the holiday tourneys. I personally think DU is the best team in the country right now.
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Dec. 15, 2008
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Notre Dame (30) 14-3-2 506 1
2 Miami (Ohio) (4) 12-3-3 470 3
3 Boston University 11-4-1 422 4
4 Minnesota 8-3-5 409 2
5 Denver 13-5-1 383 5
6 Northeastern 11-3-2 337 6
7 Boston College 9-5-2 298 8
8 Princeton 10-2-0 274 7
9 Cornell 7-1-2 226 9
10 Colorado College 10-6-4 214 10
11 Michigan 11-7-0 148 12
12 Air Force 14-2-0 126 13
13 Vermont 9-4-2 116 11
14 New Hampshire 8-6-3 55 15
15 Nebraska Omaha 11-4-3 33 NR
Others receiving votes: University of Wisconsin, 25; University of Maine, 9; University of Alaska, 6; Minnesota State University, 6; The Ohio State University, 6; University of North Dakota, 5; St. Cloud State University, 5; Dartmouth College, 1.
INCH Power Ranking
1. Notre Dame
2. Denver 1
3. Boston University
4. Miami
5. Minnesota
6. Princeton
7. Northeastern
8. Boston College
9. Cornell
10. Vermont
11. Air Force
12. Colorado College
13. Michigan
14. Wisconsin
15. Ohio State
16. Dartmouth
17. Minnesota State
18. Nebraska-Omaha
19. Alaska
20. Minnesota Duluth
Dropped out: None
Bubble-licious: New Hampshire, North Dakota, Maine
Analysis
These guys power ranking is a joke. I mean Gladdy has gotten better on the podcasts and on the ESPN chat but but come on. Seriously all of these polls. We are to believe that Princeton is the 6th ranked team in the nation? Cornell at 9th this is the same team that UND shredded on on Friday night a few weeks back. What are they going to do when both of these teams are bounced in the first round again?
1 Notre Dame (41) 14-3-2 981 1
2 Miami ( 6) 12-3-3 921 3
3 Boston University 11-4-1 867 4
4 Minnesota ( 1) 8-3-5 854 2
5 Denver 13-5-1 804 6
6 Northeastern 11-3-2 755 5
7 Boston College 9-5-2 675 7
8 Princeton ( 2) 10-2-0 666 8
9 Colorado College 10-6-4 585 9
10 Cornell 7-1-2 559 10
11 Air Force 14-2-0 479 12
12 Michigan 11-7-0 439 13
13 Vermont 9-4-2 426 11
14 Wisconsin 9-7-2 263 16
15 New Hampshire 8-6-3 257 15
16 Nebraska-Omaha 11-4-3 175 19
17 Minnesota State 8-7-3 168 14
18 Alaska 8-4-4 104 20
18 North Dakota 9-8-1 104 NR
20 Dartmouth 6-4-0 103 18
Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota-Duluth 87, Maine 62, Ohio State 61, St. Cloud State 59, Bemidji State 11, Massachusetts 11, Alaska-Anchorage 10, Yale 7, Mass.-Lowell 4, Niagara 2, Quinnipiac 1.
Analysis
While it is nice to be in the top 20 again, it is way too early to really make much in the way of inferences about team rankings. It will be interesting to see how the teams end up after the holiday tourneys. I personally think DU is the best team in the country right now.
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Dec. 15, 2008
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Notre Dame (30) 14-3-2 506 1
2 Miami (Ohio) (4) 12-3-3 470 3
3 Boston University 11-4-1 422 4
4 Minnesota 8-3-5 409 2
5 Denver 13-5-1 383 5
6 Northeastern 11-3-2 337 6
7 Boston College 9-5-2 298 8
8 Princeton 10-2-0 274 7
9 Cornell 7-1-2 226 9
10 Colorado College 10-6-4 214 10
11 Michigan 11-7-0 148 12
12 Air Force 14-2-0 126 13
13 Vermont 9-4-2 116 11
14 New Hampshire 8-6-3 55 15
15 Nebraska Omaha 11-4-3 33 NR
Others receiving votes: University of Wisconsin, 25; University of Maine, 9; University of Alaska, 6; Minnesota State University, 6; The Ohio State University, 6; University of North Dakota, 5; St. Cloud State University, 5; Dartmouth College, 1.
INCH Power Ranking
1. Notre Dame
2. Denver 1
3. Boston University
4. Miami
5. Minnesota
6. Princeton
7. Northeastern
8. Boston College
9. Cornell
10. Vermont
11. Air Force
12. Colorado College
13. Michigan
14. Wisconsin
15. Ohio State
16. Dartmouth
17. Minnesota State
18. Nebraska-Omaha
19. Alaska
20. Minnesota Duluth
Dropped out: None
Bubble-licious: New Hampshire, North Dakota, Maine
Analysis
These guys power ranking is a joke. I mean Gladdy has gotten better on the podcasts and on the ESPN chat but but come on. Seriously all of these polls. We are to believe that Princeton is the 6th ranked team in the nation? Cornell at 9th this is the same team that UND shredded on on Friday night a few weeks back. What are they going to do when both of these teams are bounced in the first round again?
Yep, CHA is the better league.
This post is in relation to a blog I will not link. Just for record if you look at both leagues inter conference records you will see that the CHA has a better over-all record. Click here to see the inter-conference records Of course there are othters that can't see the bvious, that fact remains the numbers do not lie. Of course there are others that can't see this point and want to write stupid blog post about it because they don't have the ability to come up with their own material.
CHA 2-2-0 (AHA) 2-7-2 (CCHA) 2-4-0 (ECAC) 1-3-0 (HEA) 3-7-0 (WCHA) Over-all 10-23-2 (.314)
AHA 2-11-0 (CCHA) 2-2-0 (CHA) 5-9-1 (ECAC)0-8-1 (HEA) 1-5-0 (WCHA) Over-all 10-35-2 (.234)
.314 > .234
CHA 2-2-0 (AHA) 2-7-2 (CCHA) 2-4-0 (ECAC) 1-3-0 (HEA) 3-7-0 (WCHA) Over-all 10-23-2 (.314)
AHA 2-11-0 (CCHA) 2-2-0 (CHA) 5-9-1 (ECAC)0-8-1 (HEA) 1-5-0 (WCHA) Over-all 10-35-2 (.234)
.314 > .234
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