Look what my wife had my Daughter dressed up in; a purple cows outfit.
Abby got that shirt from one of our friends who went to MSU-M UND game last winter.
I am going to have to get my house in order. :)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
What is this?
Look what my wife had my Daughter dressed up in; a purple cows outfit.
Abby got that shirt from one of our friends who went to MSU-M UND game last winter.
I am going to have to get my house in order. :)
Which one of these coaches is not like the other?
Lets compare and contrast the two coaches. Here is Denver University coach George Gwozdecky response after one of his player viciously slashed UMD Bulldog Mike Connelly. I think I have a lot more respect for this coach.
Here is Don Lucia's response after Brian Schack's Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe. Does Lucia suspend Brian "the Hack" Schack? Nope!
GG: If you look at the WCHA and the philosophy on that, most of the time, the WCHA will look to the schools to make the decision first. If they agree with the school, it goes along. If they don't, they'll add or change (the suspension).
It was a pretty hard swing with the stick. The action and the intent are two things you have to look at. If you look at what Patrick did immediately after contact was made -- if he was looking at injuring (UMD's Mike Connelly) he would've stood there or went after him. But immediately he sprinted down the ice, knowing only a second or two was left in the game. ... No question his intent, as he said, was to deny Connelly from getting the puck. He went about it the wrong way, but the one thing that was probably in my mind, (the intent was) not worth any further suspension.
CHN: Is it a good idea for the league to leave it up to teams to impose their own discipline?
Here is Don Lucia's response after Brian Schack's Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe. Does Lucia suspend Brian "the Hack" Schack? Nope!
“That’s not the way we like to play,” Lucia said, “but in some of our kids’ defense, Brian Schack included — and I’ve said it, at some point, we got to protect our own players, too. Brian did that and that’s to his credit.
“Now I am going to sit down with Brian about what happened on Friday night because I did think he did cross the line a little bit on Friday night. I am going to talk to him about that and show him the video of the play because you don’t want to be in a situation where somebody is vulnerable and they can get hurt.
Mullen suspended.
It is official that Denvers Patrick Mullen has been suspended by the league office for his slash on Mike Connolly.
Here is what Denver coach George Gwozdecky had to say about the incident. Interesting selection of words.
DENVER – The University of Denver has suspended senior defenseman Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) one game for his slashing incident that occurred at the end of the Pioneers’ 4-2 loss at Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 7.
Mullen was assessed a five-minute major penalty for slashing and a 10-minute game misconduct penalty at the 20:00 mark of the third period at Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 7.
In addition to the suspension, Mullen has met with DU Senior Associate Director of Athletics Ron Grahame and head coach George Gwozdecky to explain his actions and discuss the seriousness of the circumstances.
“A hockey player is responsible for his stick,” Gwozdecky said. “Patrick’s reckless action with his stick at the end of the Duluth game warrants a one-game suspension.”
Mullen, who will serve his one-game suspension at Colorado College on Friday, Feb. 13, will also be required to meet with WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod to discuss the incident.
Here is what Denver coach George Gwozdecky had to say about the incident. Interesting selection of words.
"It was a pretty hard swing with the stick," Gwozdecky said. "The action and the intent are two things you have to look at. If you look at what Patrick did immediately after contact was made -- if he was looking at injuring (Connelly) he would've stood there or went after him. But immediately he sprinted down the ice, knowing only a second or two was left in the game. ... No question his intent, as he said, was to deny Connellyl from getting the puck. He went about it the wrong way, but the one thing that was probably in my mind, (the intent was) not worth any further suspsension."
Mav's and Sioux
Here is a look at the records. While its true that the Mavericks are tough (like playing against a corned, wounded animal) UND has been pretty successful against the Mavericks.
UND vs. Minnesota State
All-Time Series
All-Time: UND leads 29-10-7 (.707)
In Grand Forks: UND leads 17-6-3 (.712)
In Mankato: UND leads 12-4-4 (.700)
Neutral: None
Last 10: UND leads 8-1-1 (.850) - See Below
Date Location Result Note
10-27-06 Mankato W, 5-4
10-28-06 Mankato W, 8-5
02-09-07 Grand Forks W, 8-4
02-10-07 Grand Forks T, 4-4 Overtime
03-09-07 Grand Forks W, 5-2 WCHA 1st round
03-10-07 Grand Forks W, 2-1 WCHA 1st round
01-18-08 Mankato W, 2-1
01-19-08 Mankato W, 5-3
10-17-08 Mankato L, 1-5
10-18-08 Mankato W, 4-3
UND vs. Minnesota State
All-Time Series
All-Time: UND leads 29-10-7 (.707)
In Grand Forks: UND leads 17-6-3 (.712)
In Mankato: UND leads 12-4-4 (.700)
Neutral: None
Last 10: UND leads 8-1-1 (.850) - See Below
Date Location Result Note
10-27-06 Mankato W, 5-4
10-28-06 Mankato W, 8-5
02-09-07 Grand Forks W, 8-4
02-10-07 Grand Forks T, 4-4 Overtime
03-09-07 Grand Forks W, 5-2 WCHA 1st round
03-10-07 Grand Forks W, 2-1 WCHA 1st round
01-18-08 Mankato W, 2-1
01-19-08 Mankato W, 5-3
10-17-08 Mankato L, 1-5
10-18-08 Mankato W, 4-3
Valentine's Weekend Games (Sioux 7)
WCHA Standings
1 Denver.....................13-7-2...28
1 Wisconsin.................13-7-2...28
3 North Dakota.............11-6-3...25
4 Colorado College........10-8-4...24
5 Minnesota-Duluth........9-8-5...23
6 St. Cloud State..........10-11-1...21
6 Minnesota..................9-8-3...21
8 Minnesota State........9-11-2...20
9 Alaska-Anchorage......7-11-4...18
10 Michigan Tech.........1-15-6....8
Everyone in the league has played 22-games, except UND and UM 20-games, out of the regular season 28-games. That means most teams only have 12 more points available. Michigan Tech is first to know they will be on the road for the first round of WCHA playoffs.
Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State
It's the Huskies versus the Huskies! (I wonder if Michael Vick will be watching) In this dog fight the SCSU Huskies are looking to make a push into the top half of the WCHA, and get their record to over .500 in conference play. The MTU Huskies are just trying to finish the year strong. They are in the doghouse, 10th place, and it's very unlikely they will get out of it. For MTU to get out they would need to win their last six games and have UAA loss their last six games, not good odds. SCSU is 3-2-1 in their last six games while MTU 0-2-4 in their last six games. MTU has been shut-out 7 times this year and for them to get some wins they need their big dogs to do some scoring. SCSU has been "okay" as of late, but with a pair of wins against their doggie counterparts, they can say they are on their way up. I'm going to take the red and white Huskies of SCSU over the black and yellow Huskies. SCSU 3pts.
Alaska-Anchorage at #14 Minnesota
The Gophers look to be hemorrhaging going 2-6-0 in their last eight games, and the Seawolves are doing okay going 2-2-2 in their last six games. Both teams are still in the hunt for home ice, more so for Minnesota being only 2pts out of 5th place, while Alaska is 5pts out. The Seawolves can put the league on notice if they get some points this weekend at the expense of the Gophers. UAA would also seal MTU's 10th place finish by getting 2pts. The Gopher have CC, UMD, and MTU series left after this weekend, not a bunch of "easy" games as some announcers have said. That could add some fuel to the Gophers opponents, as if some of them don't smell blood in the water already. I'm going to take a split in this series.
Minnesota State at #11 North Dakota
Both teams are looking for points, MSUM needs them to try and get to the top half of the league and the Sioux want them to keep pace for the WCHA title and secure home ice. Both teams were off last weekend, so that keeps them even as far as a little rust might go. The Sioux have only lost one game(SCSU) in 2009, and only lost one home game(Cornell) since late November giving them a home season record of 9-3-1. MSUM has a 6-6-3 road record this season. The Mavericks and Sioux split their WCHA season opening series in Mankato, back in October. If the Sioux sweep the Mavericks this weekend, it would put UND in the drivers seat for the WCHA title while dealing the Mavericks a big blow and putting them in a tough spot to try and reach a top half finish. Sioux get a sweet sweep for Valentine's day :)
#8 Denver at #18 Colorado College (1-game)
This game has WCHA, NCAA, and Gold Pan implications riding on it. DU looks to hold on to the top spot in the WCHA with a win and CC wants to keep in the top half. The earlier meetings this season resulted in a Tigers win and a tie. A tie would mean CC retains the GP for another year, a DU win, well its a tie series 1-1-1, and we have to wait until the last weekend to see the out come. Since 2009 the Pioneers are 4-4-2 and the Tigers are 3-3-2, unless they tie someone will be over .500 and someone under it. Neither team has an easy schedule to finish out the year, so this game could be the turning point for one team. I'm go on a limb and going to call this game a tie.
#17 UMD and #13 UW are off this weekend.
1 Denver.....................13-7-2...28
1 Wisconsin.................13-7-2...28
3 North Dakota.............11-6-3...25
4 Colorado College........10-8-4...24
5 Minnesota-Duluth........9-8-5...23
6 St. Cloud State..........10-11-1...21
6 Minnesota..................9-8-3...21
8 Minnesota State........9-11-2...20
9 Alaska-Anchorage......7-11-4...18
10 Michigan Tech.........1-15-6....8
Everyone in the league has played 22-games, except UND and UM 20-games, out of the regular season 28-games. That means most teams only have 12 more points available. Michigan Tech is first to know they will be on the road for the first round of WCHA playoffs.
Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State
It's the Huskies versus the Huskies! (I wonder if Michael Vick will be watching) In this dog fight the SCSU Huskies are looking to make a push into the top half of the WCHA, and get their record to over .500 in conference play. The MTU Huskies are just trying to finish the year strong. They are in the doghouse, 10th place, and it's very unlikely they will get out of it. For MTU to get out they would need to win their last six games and have UAA loss their last six games, not good odds. SCSU is 3-2-1 in their last six games while MTU 0-2-4 in their last six games. MTU has been shut-out 7 times this year and for them to get some wins they need their big dogs to do some scoring. SCSU has been "okay" as of late, but with a pair of wins against their doggie counterparts, they can say they are on their way up. I'm going to take the red and white Huskies of SCSU over the black and yellow Huskies. SCSU 3pts.
Alaska-Anchorage at #14 Minnesota
The Gophers look to be hemorrhaging going 2-6-0 in their last eight games, and the Seawolves are doing okay going 2-2-2 in their last six games. Both teams are still in the hunt for home ice, more so for Minnesota being only 2pts out of 5th place, while Alaska is 5pts out. The Seawolves can put the league on notice if they get some points this weekend at the expense of the Gophers. UAA would also seal MTU's 10th place finish by getting 2pts. The Gopher have CC, UMD, and MTU series left after this weekend, not a bunch of "easy" games as some announcers have said. That could add some fuel to the Gophers opponents, as if some of them don't smell blood in the water already. I'm going to take a split in this series.
Minnesota State at #11 North Dakota
Both teams are looking for points, MSUM needs them to try and get to the top half of the league and the Sioux want them to keep pace for the WCHA title and secure home ice. Both teams were off last weekend, so that keeps them even as far as a little rust might go. The Sioux have only lost one game(SCSU) in 2009, and only lost one home game(Cornell) since late November giving them a home season record of 9-3-1. MSUM has a 6-6-3 road record this season. The Mavericks and Sioux split their WCHA season opening series in Mankato, back in October. If the Sioux sweep the Mavericks this weekend, it would put UND in the drivers seat for the WCHA title while dealing the Mavericks a big blow and putting them in a tough spot to try and reach a top half finish. Sioux get a sweet sweep for Valentine's day :)
#8 Denver at #18 Colorado College (1-game)
This game has WCHA, NCAA, and Gold Pan implications riding on it. DU looks to hold on to the top spot in the WCHA with a win and CC wants to keep in the top half. The earlier meetings this season resulted in a Tigers win and a tie. A tie would mean CC retains the GP for another year, a DU win, well its a tie series 1-1-1, and we have to wait until the last weekend to see the out come. Since 2009 the Pioneers are 4-4-2 and the Tigers are 3-3-2, unless they tie someone will be over .500 and someone under it. Neither team has an easy schedule to finish out the year, so this game could be the turning point for one team. I'm go on a limb and going to call this game a tie.
#17 UMD and #13 UW are off this weekend.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Update on Mullen Incident
Here is the latest on the incident. What is there to be dicussed either give him a game(s) suspension or not. Like I had mentioned earlier, I was shocked that the WCHA failed to discipline Schack the hack who committed an egregious act, this is not to say that I condone this act of thuggery either, because I don't. What is to keep Denver from saying, "you have got to be kidding me?" You don't suspend Schack but you're going to sanction my player? In my opinion while slashing someone is not acceptable and should be punished, it is also not acceptable to jump someone from behind and beat them while they lay on the ice without their helmet. Both are classless acts and need to be punished.
According to the Sioux fan's favorite Denver Post beat writer Mike Chambers it appears that Mullen will likely be suspended. So if my team is the Sioux Fighters is Denver the slashing hacks? Seems to be a pattern developing here.
(read the whole article here) Game officials Brad Shepherd and C.J. Beaurline gave Mullen a five-minute slashing major penalty and a 10-minute game misconduct at the conclusion of the game. They then asked Greg Shepherd and league commissioner Bruce McLeod to view a video replay of the incident to see if additional penalties were required.
The league and the University of Denver have discussed the situation since Monday, and the matter was being resolved Wednesday, said Nielson. An official statement from the WCHA is expected Thursday, said Greg Shepherd.
According to the Sioux fan's favorite Denver Post beat writer Mike Chambers it appears that Mullen will likely be suspended. So if my team is the Sioux Fighters is Denver the slashing hacks? Seems to be a pattern developing here.
DU senior defenseman Patrick Mullen is likely to join sophomore blue-liner Chris Nutini (upper-body injury) in the press box Friday night when the Pioneers visit Colorado College in a key WCHA game at the World Arena.
Mullen took a slashing major and game misconduct in the waning seconds of Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Minnesota-Duluth. Apparently that wasn’t enough, given that the game ended before his punishment began.
“It has not yet been established. There is a good chance he will be suspended (but) we haven’t determined yet how long the suspension will be,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said before practice Wednesday.
I don't think so.
I found this over blog post over on the McFeely State of Mind. I think it is a remotely interesting question but I have to say definitely not. My next response is; so what? The NDSU Bison make the NCAA tourney IF they win their league. Most people didn't even know where the Summit league was until NDSU joined. In my opinion the Summit League is about as storied as the MAC in football. Yawn! Boring!
If the NDSU Bison win a couple of games in the NCAA tourney (very big IF) then maybe its a semi interesting story state wide, however, until then worry about qualifying for the NCAA tourney. Outside of Fargo, ND NDSU Basketball is really a non-story. I could care less what the Bison are doing. Most hockey fans that I know or associate with aren't interested in your college basketball team.
I don't think NDSU basketball is EVER going to be as big as UND Fighting Sioux hockey. Face it NDSU fans; Fighting Sioux hockey has a following that not many teams in College Hockey enjoy let alone NDSU basketball. Making the NCAA tourney once isn't equal in state history in terms of biggest achievments. Are you going to compare that to any of the 7 NCAA Division one hockey titles, or one of the 13 WCHA regular season championships? What other teams fans travel like Sioux fans. Maybe Gopher fans?
Does everything have to be a contest between UND and NDSU? NDSU had a chance to go the hockey route and decided not to.
If the NDSU Bison win a couple of games in the NCAA tourney (very big IF) then maybe its a semi interesting story state wide, however, until then worry about qualifying for the NCAA tourney. Outside of Fargo, ND NDSU Basketball is really a non-story. I could care less what the Bison are doing. Most hockey fans that I know or associate with aren't interested in your college basketball team.
I don't think NDSU basketball is EVER going to be as big as UND Fighting Sioux hockey. Face it NDSU fans; Fighting Sioux hockey has a following that not many teams in College Hockey enjoy let alone NDSU basketball. Making the NCAA tourney once isn't equal in state history in terms of biggest achievments. Are you going to compare that to any of the 7 NCAA Division one hockey titles, or one of the 13 WCHA regular season championships? What other teams fans travel like Sioux fans. Maybe Gopher fans?
Does everything have to be a contest between UND and NDSU? NDSU had a chance to go the hockey route and decided not to.
(Check it out): Bison in NCAAs biggest sports story ever in N.D.?
Steve Hallstrom of WDAY-TV and I hashed this over yesterday on the radio: If (and I emphasize IF) the North Dakota State men's basketball team qualifies for the NCAA basketball tournament by winning the Summit League tournament in a few weeks, where does it rank in state history in terms of biggest achievments?
I think it becomes the biggest sports story ever in the state. The NCAA tourney is the second largest sporting event in this nation (behind the Super Bowl) and the Bison making the Dance would be a national story (first-time eligible team making it to the big time out of frozen North Dakota, etc.). The magnitude of the NCAA tourney trumps everything else.
University of North Dakota hockey fans will likely take issue.
WCHA is not consistent in their rulings.
Chris Dilks over at Western College Hockey reports that Denver University’s Joe Mullen faces a suspension for his slash on Bulldog forward Mike Connolly.
Kevin Pates from Rink and Run reports that Mullen may recieve a one game suspension for his stick work on Mike Connolly.
Seems that the WCHA is a little inconsistent in their rulings, first for not giving Brian Schack an additional suspension for his Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe and then they MAY give Mullen an game suspension for his slash on Mike Connolly. This doesn't pass the smell test. I guess your better off attacking someone from behind than hitting them with your stick?
Kevin Pates from Rink and Run reports that Mullen may recieve a one game suspension for his stick work on Mike Connolly.
University of Denver defenseman Patrick Mullen may be suspended for a game or more for using his stick to hit the arm of Minnesota Duluth freshman winger Mike Connolly in the final seconds of last Saturday’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association men’s game at the DECC.
Mullen's fate was being decided by WCHA and Denver officials Tuesday, said supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd from St. Paul. The Denver senior, the son of NHL Hall of Famer, Joe Mullen, is expected to receive the ruling today.
Connolly, from Calgary, Alberta, had pushed the puck toward an empty Denver net with two seconds to play in a 4-2 UMD victory. He then fell to the ice and Mullen wound up and hit Connolly's arm with his stick, which earned Mullen a five-minute slashing major penalty and a 10-minute game misconduct from referees Brad Shepherd and C.J. Beaurline at the game’s conclusion.
On Sunday, the referees asked Greg Shepherd (Brad's father) and WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod to look at the incident on video tape. The league has since recommended a sanction to Denver, regarding Mullen, and is waiting to hear if the school has accepted the punishment, said Greg Shepherd.
Seems that the WCHA is a little inconsistent in their rulings, first for not giving Brian Schack an additional suspension for his Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe and then they MAY give Mullen an game suspension for his slash on Mike Connolly. This doesn't pass the smell test. I guess your better off attacking someone from behind than hitting them with your stick?
Linkorama. (Jeff Dubay sighting)
On this snowy day in Grand Forks there is really not very much happening today in the hockey world.
Sean Avery reported to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Former Boston Bruin Joe Thornton returned to Boston to play his old team. Incidentally, the Boston Bruins got spanked by the Sharks 5-2. Bruins forward Chuck Kobasew was also injured during last night's game.
A group of Spirit Lake tribal members plans to ask the tribal council to hold a reservation wide referendum on UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname.
The Central Knights Hockey team blew a 4 goals lead to lose 6-5 to Warroad.
Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire was taken out in practice by Antti Miettinen, I wonder how long it it will be before they call for coaches to wear helmets and full equipment?
We have a Jeff Dubay sighting! According to Roman Augustoviz: Ex-KFAN radio personality Jeff Dubay is now a columnist for GopherIllustrated.com. Here is Jeff Dubay's column is on the Gophers hockey team’s struggles. Clink on the link for Puffy's column latest article. Goon's World hopes Jeff continues make progress in his recovery.
Sean Avery reported to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Former Boston Bruin Joe Thornton returned to Boston to play his old team. Incidentally, the Boston Bruins got spanked by the Sharks 5-2. Bruins forward Chuck Kobasew was also injured during last night's game.
A group of Spirit Lake tribal members plans to ask the tribal council to hold a reservation wide referendum on UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname.
The Central Knights Hockey team blew a 4 goals lead to lose 6-5 to Warroad.
Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire was taken out in practice by Antti Miettinen, I wonder how long it it will be before they call for coaches to wear helmets and full equipment?
We have a Jeff Dubay sighting! According to Roman Augustoviz: Ex-KFAN radio personality Jeff Dubay is now a columnist for GopherIllustrated.com. Here is Jeff Dubay's column is on the Gophers hockey team’s struggles. Clink on the link for Puffy's column latest article. Goon's World hopes Jeff continues make progress in his recovery.
While I have pointed out that a bad February doesn't always mean gloom and doom, the Gophers do have two legitimate concerns that are a result of their recent slide. They are now in a somewhat precarious position in the WCHA standings and home ice for the first round is far from a lock. The other concern is their PairWise ranking has put them on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. These are major concerns but not reason for panic. There are still plenty of games left to remedy both situations. While anything is possible at this point, I expect the Gophers to finish in the top five of the WCHA and top 13 of the Pairwise. That should be enough to get to the Final Five in St. Paul and the West Regional of the NCAA tournament on their home ice. Am I sure? No way. But they will show us soon enough.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Avery to the Rangers?
I have to admit that I am intrigued by this move. While it is no mystery a lot of hockey fans believe that Sean Avery is a punk and at times a classless hack. Sean Avery does bring some excitement and drama to the NHL, last season the NHL made a rule specifically for him after his antics against the New Jersey Devils during the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Avery know for his fighting skills is also a decent hockey player.
Avery 'Packs for return to Broadway
BY Michael Obernauer --- DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Sean Avery passed through waivers like an invisible man Monday, and Tuesday, he could show up in the Rangers' backyard, if not quite in their organization.
Avery is expected to join the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford on Tuesday, the next step on a comeback road that seems bound to merge with Broadway. Avery still would be under the Dallas Stars' umbrella once he's placed with the Wolfpack, however. The next and final step in Avery's return to the NHL would be Dallas recalling him and exposing him to reentry waivers, where in all likelihood he would be available for the Rangers to claim at half-price, with the Stars sharing the tab.
How to spot a photo shop.
Our friend Amy over at Lets Go Mav's has been having a hell of a time today at Sioux7's and my expense. LOL... I guess I better be careful what I do this winter at the Final Five.
Here is another example of the latest episode on how to spot a photo shop. Obviously it is not me.
I wonder what the odds are that Amy gets into a sparring match with a Sioux fan(s) this weekend? Remember according to the last few coaches to come to REA, the place is a mad house.
Ouch that is going to leave a mark.
I saw this over on Puck Daddy and the call of this play by the announcers is pretty funny. If your a goalie and you have gotten to this point where you checking cups of your opponet you have lost focus. Maybe that is why the Redwings won the game 8-3.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Bad News for Blake Wheeler and David Krejci's line mate.
The Boston Bruins forward Michael Ryder had surgery today. Lets hope he isn't out of the line up very long. Ryder has been playing on a line with David Krejci and Blake Wheeler.
BOSTON—- Boston Bruins center Michael Ryder, signed as a free agent during the offseason to add scoring punch, underwent surgery for a broken facial bone.
The team said the 28-year-old Ryder had surgery Monday for the injury suffered in a game at Ottawa on Feb. 5.
Ryder, who played for the Canadiens the previous four seasons, missed Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, when coach Claude Julien said he would be out "indefinitely" and that further tests would be conducted Monday.
Ryder has 19 goals and 17 assists this season.
Are the wheels coming off the bus in Minneapolis?
This article was in the Grand Forks Herald today. I thought of a scenario where UND makes the NCAA playoffs and UMN doesn't. While it might a slight stretch since UMN schedule is relatively easy (according to Doug Woog) I could see the NCAA sending the Sioux to the West Regional in Minneapolis to pick up the slack left by Minnesota not being there. I know UND fans would travel well for this regional. Lastly, wouldn't it be nice to see the Fighting Sioux exercise the demons from losing to Ferris State in the 2003 regionals. Everything could be made all right by having the Fighting Sioux skating around the Mariucci Arena with the 2009 West Regional Hockey Championship Trophy.
Gophers defensemen need to clear the crease and the surrounding area. Kangas had guys bumping him all night. A couple of times, he was found beneath a big pile. The Gophers need to face the incoming traffic and steer it away.
“We have to box out,” Lucia agreed. “We need to play better, coach better. It’s so frustrating our last three games have been by one goal, one goal, one goal.”
On offense, they have to shoot the dang puck. Never mind trying to make the perfect pass. Shoot it and make sure it’s on net. Slam it and jam it. Several times Saturday the Gophers had plenty of traffic in front of Badgers goaltender Shane Connelly. They waited too long. They missed the net. They didn’t get good wood on it.
I’m not telling Lucia anything he doesn’t know. No doubt he will address these things with his players. Perhaps his main task is to convey a sense of urgency. It is possible the Gophers could miss the NCAA playoffs for the first time in nine years. I’m not saying it’s likely, but it is possible.
Once ranked No. 1 in the country, they have slid into the bottom half of the WCHA standings. Surely they will fall out of the national top 10 when the next poll is released.
There should be a whole lot of motivation wrapped up in all of that.
(Read the whole article here)
Rangers might be getting the Star's sloppy seconds...
Looks like Mr. Avery is going to back to Broadway. Personally I think while Avery is a punk, however, Avery is a good hockey player that needs to focus more on hockey and less on the antics that come with Sean Avery. I think Sean Avery will do well in New York where he can fit in better than he did in Dallas. If I was the Rangers management I would put a very tight leash on him.
The last week of February, that's when you should expect to see Sean Avery in a Rangers uniform, assuming all goes well in the rehabilitation and waiver processes designed to bring the winger back home to the only NHL city in which he can play.
It can't come soon enough for a team that is in need of shock treatment to avert a complete breakdown in the wake of Friday's colossally humiliating 10-2 defeat in Dallas that extended the losing streak to a season-high four games (0-3-1).
Just like that, the Rangers are somehow just six points up on the ninth-place Hurricanes and 10th-place Penguins, with one game in hand on Pittsburgh. Just like that, the Rangers are no sure thing.
Just like that, the Rangers need Avery as much as he needs them, even if they all don't know it.
Make no mistake, Rangers management neither waved Avery's name around the room like a red flag to threaten and motivate the team (this isn't high school) nor asked for the players' permission to proceed with the plan (this isn't high school), by which No. 16 would be re-acquired on re-entry waivers after first clearing regular waivers then being assigned as Stars' property to the AHL Wolf Pack for a couple of weeks of conditioning.
Poll Monday. (another candidate for moron of the week)
USCHO Poll --- February 9, 2009
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Boston University (49) 21-5-1 999 1
2 Notre Dame ( 1) 21-5-3 912 2
3 Northeastern 19-6-2 897 3
4 Michigan 21-9-0 847 4
5 Vermont 16-6-4 791 7
6 Cornell 15-4-4 688 5
7 Miami 16-8-4 668 8
8 Denver 17-9-3 650 6
9 Princeton 17-6-0 622 10
10 Yale 17-5-1 507 14
11 North Dakota 16-11-3 405 13
12 New Hampshire 13-9-4 402 11
13 Wisconsin 16-11-3 389 16
14 Minnesota 12-9-5 360 9
15 Boston College 12-9-4 346 12
16 Ohio State 18-9-3 335 15
17 Minnesota-Duluth 15-9-6 235 17
18 Colorado College 14-9-7 211 18
19 Dartmouth 12-8-3 89 19
20 Air Force 19-7-2 47 NR
Others Receiving Votes: St. Cloud State 34, Minnesota State 19,
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Boston University (49) 21-5-1 999 1
2 Notre Dame ( 1) 21-5-3 912 2
3 Northeastern 19-6-2 897 3
4 Michigan 21-9-0 847 4
5 Vermont 16-6-4 791 7
6 Cornell 15-4-4 688 5
7 Miami 16-8-4 668 8
8 Denver 17-9-3 650 6
9 Princeton 17-6-0 622 10
10 Yale 17-5-1 507 14
11 North Dakota 16-11-3 405 13
12 New Hampshire 13-9-4 402 11
13 Wisconsin 16-11-3 389 16
14 Minnesota 12-9-5 360 9
15 Boston College 12-9-4 346 12
16 Ohio State 18-9-3 335 15
17 Minnesota-Duluth 15-9-6 235 17
18 Colorado College 14-9-7 211 18
19 Dartmouth 12-8-3 89 19
20 Air Force 19-7-2 47 NR
Others Receiving Votes: St. Cloud State 34, Minnesota State 19,
St. Lawrence 17, Alaska 8, Niagara 8, RIT 5, Mass.-Lowell 4,
Massachusetts 2, Union 2, Clarkson 1
-------------------
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Feb. 9, 2009
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Boston University (34) 21-5-1 510 1
2 Northeastern 19-6-2 451 3
3 Notre Dame 21-5-3 450 2
4 Michigan 21-9-0 402 4
5 Vermont 16-6-4 380 7
6 Miami (Ohio) 16-8-4 310 6
7 Cornell 15-4-4 294 5
8 Denver 17-9-3 268 8
9 Princeton 17-6-0 263 10
10 Yale 17-5-1 191 14
11 North Dakota 16-11-3 130 13
12 New Hampshire 13-9-4 122 11
13 Wisconsin 16-11-3 92 NR
14 Minnesota 12-9-5 72 9
15 Boston College 12-9-4 67 12
Others receiving votes: The Ohio State University, 51; Colorado College, 13;
-------------------
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Feb. 9, 2009
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Boston University (34) 21-5-1 510 1
2 Northeastern 19-6-2 451 3
3 Notre Dame 21-5-3 450 2
4 Michigan 21-9-0 402 4
5 Vermont 16-6-4 380 7
6 Miami (Ohio) 16-8-4 310 6
7 Cornell 15-4-4 294 5
8 Denver 17-9-3 268 8
9 Princeton 17-6-0 263 10
10 Yale 17-5-1 191 14
11 North Dakota 16-11-3 130 13
12 New Hampshire 13-9-4 122 11
13 Wisconsin 16-11-3 92 NR
14 Minnesota 12-9-5 72 9
15 Boston College 12-9-4 67 12
Others receiving votes: The Ohio State University, 51; Colorado College, 13;
University of Minnesota Duluth, 13; U.S. Air Force Academy, 1.
-------------------
INCH Power Rankings
1. Boston University
2. Notre Dame
3. Michigan
4. Northeastern
5. Vermont
6. Miami
7. Princeton
8. Denver
9. Cornell
10. North Dakota
11. Wisconsin
12. Yale
13. Ohio State
14. New Hampshire
15. Minnesota
16. Boston College
17. Colorado College
18. Minnesota Duluth
19. Air Force
20. Niagara
Dropped out: St. Lawrence, RIT
Bubble-licious: RIT, Alaska, Dartmouth
Analysis: Big Tumble by Minnesota Golden Gophers. I thought it was funny that UMD didn't go up further in the rankings after beating DU at the DECC this weekend.
Another Moron of the Week candidate
I want to know what kind of people write this type of garbage? I dare anonymous Skippys to be brave enough to say this to "Big Joe's face." Check out this latest from the Finley haters.
-------------------
INCH Power Rankings
1. Boston University
2. Notre Dame
3. Michigan
4. Northeastern
5. Vermont
6. Miami
7. Princeton
8. Denver
9. Cornell
10. North Dakota
11. Wisconsin
12. Yale
13. Ohio State
14. New Hampshire
15. Minnesota
16. Boston College
17. Colorado College
18. Minnesota Duluth
19. Air Force
20. Niagara
Dropped out: St. Lawrence, RIT
Bubble-licious: RIT, Alaska, Dartmouth
Analysis: Big Tumble by Minnesota Golden Gophers. I thought it was funny that UMD didn't go up further in the rankings after beating DU at the DECC this weekend.
Another Moron of the Week candidate
I want to know what kind of people write this type of garbage? I dare anonymous Skippys to be brave enough to say this to "Big Joe's face." Check out this latest from the Finley haters.
Finley is a huge DB! He acts likes he's so tough. He, in my opinion, is one of THE worst d-men to ever play at UND? I hope whoever drafted him in the 1st round is already fired.
Posted by: AO on Monday, February 09 12:03 PM
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Reporting of local hockey?
Grand Forks Central went to Devils Lake, ND on Saturday night and this is all that appeared in today's Grand Forks Herald. By the way Central won the game 7-1 but hardly a mention of the game. When I used to live Bemidji and International Falls, Minnesota, High School hockey got a lot more coverage than it does in Grand Forks, ND. This is supposed to be a hockey town and this is the best coverage we can get. A lot of people are interested in high school but there is hardly any coverage in the local news paper. Lets hear about some of the Central and Red River hockey players.
Boys hockey: John Simonson scored two goals to lead Grand Forks Central to a 7-1 East Region victory against homestanding Devils Lake on Friday. Justin Moody, Jake Plutowski, Brenden Gust, Jared Sorlien and David Sayler also scored for the Knights. “We got off to a great start with three goals in the first five minutes,” Central coach Tony Bina said. “We set the tone early.” Tanner Spicer had three assists for Central. Tyler Roed scored for the Firebirds. The Knights had a 42-18 edge in shots on goal. “It was a good team effort,” Bina said. “We’re rolling three lines. We’re pretty deep.”
Bits and pieces: MSU-M Mavericks come to town.
It is fitting that the Fighting Sioux and the Mavericks go head to head on Valentines day weekend, pick your dance partner. Expect this weekend's series to be a hard fought and a very contested series. Since there is some history with the two teams there is a good chance that there might be a few scraps... (example one) (example two) I also predict you will not see any bush league incidents likes the ones that happen down in Mankato and Minneapolis. Both teams will man up and go head to head.
The Wheels are coming off in Mpls
I have to admit that I am enjoying another implosion down in the Twin Cites. Below is a great illustration on how the Gophers last 8 games have gone. Wow, the Gophers are giving up a lot of goals right now and the fan base in Minneapolis is starting to get restless. The Problem is not Alex Kangas it is the road cones on the Gophers defense that is having problems.
Check out some of the comments here and here. So this season we have had the Jersey excuse, the WJC excuse and the coach excuse and I am now seeing the goalie excuse emerge. What I have failed to see mentioned is maybe the opposition is better than the Gophers.
Moron of the Week
This poster right here qualifies as the moron of the week. Check out the same tired logic Sioux fans have suffered through over the years. Just for the record the Minnesota squad he refers to is 3rd nationally in penalty minutes while the Sioux are 12th over all.
The Wheels are coming off in Mpls
I have to admit that I am enjoying another implosion down in the Twin Cites. Below is a great illustration on how the Gophers last 8 games have gone. Wow, the Gophers are giving up a lot of goals right now and the fan base in Minneapolis is starting to get restless. The Problem is not Alex Kangas it is the road cones on the Gophers defense that is having problems.
Check out some of the comments here and here. So this season we have had the Jersey excuse, the WJC excuse and the coach excuse and I am now seeing the goalie excuse emerge. What I have failed to see mentioned is maybe the opposition is better than the Gophers.
Here's the deal: Since coach Don Lucia skipped his team's trip to North Dakota to get his medical condition checked, the Gophers have given up 36 goals in eight games, lost six times and dropped like a stone from second place in the conference into a tie with St. Cloud for sixth. Worse: That would become seventh if the Huskies won their late game Saturday night at Alaska Anchorage.
Lucia's health is OK. The Gophers' health? Hard to say.
"We've got to make the game fun again," Stoa said. "When you get frustrated, it turns into a grind."
Stoa shook his head when asked if Lucia's illness caused this team to veer off course after starting with a 7-0-4 record and climbing to No. 1 in the national polls on Nov. 21, then holding fairly steady.
"It's an excuse you can throw out there," he said, "but it comes down to going out there and getting your work done. Put pucks in the net. There are always distractions: School, the coach getting sick and all that stuff is just excuses.
Moron of the Week
This poster right here qualifies as the moron of the week. Check out the same tired logic Sioux fans have suffered through over the years. Just for the record the Minnesota squad he refers to is 3rd nationally in penalty minutes while the Sioux are 12th over all.
sooperthanksfora sking said: The obvious point is that the Gophers, as usual are not physical enough. It's time to offer scholarships to more than just the top three or four offensive defenseman from every graduating class. There are guys out there that can skate, and knock guys on their butts. I am a huge fan of coach Lucia, but it's time for him to adapt a little bit to what the rest of the league is doing to his team. I'm not talking obout turning the Gophers into a bunch of classless clowns like fighting siouxage, but rather finding a balance between the skilled players that they can get at will, and some guys that will come in here and stick up for those guys, and keep the goons from other teams off of their goalie.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Nothing to do but go to hockey in Grand Forks.
Here is the latest jab at UND from Goal Gophers. Yawn! Hey Roman maybe some of us live up here because we don't like the urban sprawl of the metro area and we don't have to put up with wall to wall skippy's in traffic every day. I live two miles from work. I can watch all the hockey I want from my living room. Funny I managed to catch your squad get run over by the Badgers this weekend. Lets see that is 2-4 in your last six games. Lastly, if North Dakota is such a horrible place how come there are so many blue license plates up here in October?
The students on both ends of Mariucci on Friday night wore gold. They got the message. The other fans? Not so much. That was a poor Gold Out. I’m not exactly sure where the blame lies?
Partly, I think, the U did not seem to do a very good job of getting the word out. True, they handed out some gold T-shirts last weekend. But I did not hear the Gold weekend promoted on TV or radio or at Mariucci much? Maybe I live in a cave/
There was a gold pom pom in all 10,000-some seats when fans arrived Friday night. That looked kind of cool. But once the game began, there were only splashes of gold in the public seats.
Contrast that to Grand Forks, N.D., a couple of weeks back. Those fans really responded to the White Out there. Maybe 90 percent wore white. Of course, there is little else to focus on in NoDak. No pro sports — Wild, Wolves — or major college basketball like Tubby’s tubs. The Fighting Sioux are the big sports story in town, I get that.
Lucia says there's not enough respect between players
Props to 60 minutes for this great article from Todd D. Milewski. Hum, I wonder which team Don Lucia is referring to in this article? I will give you a couple of clues. This will some how come back to being UND fault. Mark my words. Funny when an NHL scout is disgusted with the play in the WCHA our league has degraded to an unacceptable level. Funny that one of the teams that tries to pride its self in being above the fray and having a clean image is part of the problem.
I am going to cut Todd some slack because he forgot to mention that Even Trupp was butt ended by a Gopher’s player Tony Luica in front of the Gophers bench. This was the same event that Gopher Coach John Hill said Trupp was acting on. So, Lucia and Jones agreed to fight per the code face to face before Tony Lucia decided he wanted nothing to do with Jones and decided to turtle. Funny how that fact Lucia agreed to fight Jones keeps getting left out of the discussion when Zach Jones actions are mentioned.
Here is the deal I have no problem with Lucia whining about the officiating in the WCHA, the fans, the players and the coaches know the officiating in this leagues sucks but all ten teams have to put up with the same officiating. Last night the game between the Badgers and the Gophers was called tight, when I switched over to the DU and UMD game I saw more of the same, holding, obstruction and slashing. It is about consistency in the officiating and the WCHA is not calling their games in consistent manner, other than in a consistently horrible manner.
On the respect issue your teams seems to have been the most deficient this season. Attacking a player Todd Bertuzzi style because he hit one of your players from behind has nothing to do with respect. At least have enough respect to let the player you’re fighting defend himself. Antithesis of lack of respect is what Shack did to Boe. If your players come in with their sticks high and face wash the opposition how do you expect the other players in the league to respond to your players act? Your offending player is going to get a bow tie cross check or popped back. Don’t stand there amazed that some one dared respond to a bush league tactic. If I am a player and you cross check me in the face I am going to hit you back. That is hockey.
No matter how Lucia or Gwozdecky spin this it isn’t about the big bad Sioux. It’s about players that don’t have respect for the opposition players and haven’t played in a league where if you cheap shot someone during the play or after the whistle you’re going to pay for it. Lucia can recruit all the junior hockey players the USA and Canada that he wants his players are going to have to learn what is acceptable and not acceptable. Butt ending a player in front of a players bench, attacking an opposition player from behind, cross checks and face washes after the whistle are not acceptable and teams are going to respond to your players.
When Bruce M. McLeod's contract comes up for renewal it is time for the WCHA schools to go in a different directions. Shepherd and McLeod need to be gone, the league needs to have a house cleaning starting at the top. There is no way this will change until the people at the top are gone and the member schools decide that the status quo is no longer acceptable. To take a phrase from an old platoon sergeant of mine; "good enough isn't good enough." We are constantly seeking excellence.
MINNEAPOLIS -- How ugly did things get last Friday night at the Alltel Center in Mankato, Minn? Minnesota coach Don Lucia, whose team got thumped 6-2 by Minnesota State in a game featuring 94 penalty minutes, four major penalties and two disqualifications, said a member of his coaching staff heard afterward from an NHL scout who told of being disgusted watching the game.
"That's not a good indictment," Lucia said.
Nor was this assessment of the state of the college game by Lucia: "I don't think we're protecting the players," he said. "I don't think there's enough respect between players in how they play the game. And I think that has to be looked at."
-----------(snip)-----------
"What we have to do is look at, as a league, do we have repeat offenders? Are there certain guys that have multiple major penalties on certain teams? And if they do, it should be addressed from a league standpoint with multiple-game suspensions."
In each of the last four weekends, there has been some form of multiple-player scuffle in a WCHA game.
On Jan. 23, with host North Dakota pulling away from Denver in the third period, a scrap resulted in 42 penalty minutes.
At the end of the first period at the Kohl Center on Jan. 17, Wisconsin's John Mitchell was penalized for igniting a brawl that resulted in 38 penalty minutes.
And on Jan. 10, with host North Dakota on the verge of a sweep of the Gophers, Sioux defenseman Zach Jones, with his helmet and gloves off, appeared ready to throw punches before being restrained by linesman -- and former Michigan Tech captain -- Matt Ulwelling. That resulted in 48 penalty minutes.
I am going to cut Todd some slack because he forgot to mention that Even Trupp was butt ended by a Gopher’s player Tony Luica in front of the Gophers bench. This was the same event that Gopher Coach John Hill said Trupp was acting on. So, Lucia and Jones agreed to fight per the code face to face before Tony Lucia decided he wanted nothing to do with Jones and decided to turtle. Funny how that fact Lucia agreed to fight Jones keeps getting left out of the discussion when Zach Jones actions are mentioned.
Here is the deal I have no problem with Lucia whining about the officiating in the WCHA, the fans, the players and the coaches know the officiating in this leagues sucks but all ten teams have to put up with the same officiating. Last night the game between the Badgers and the Gophers was called tight, when I switched over to the DU and UMD game I saw more of the same, holding, obstruction and slashing. It is about consistency in the officiating and the WCHA is not calling their games in consistent manner, other than in a consistently horrible manner.
On the respect issue your teams seems to have been the most deficient this season. Attacking a player Todd Bertuzzi style because he hit one of your players from behind has nothing to do with respect. At least have enough respect to let the player you’re fighting defend himself. Antithesis of lack of respect is what Shack did to Boe. If your players come in with their sticks high and face wash the opposition how do you expect the other players in the league to respond to your players act? Your offending player is going to get a bow tie cross check or popped back. Don’t stand there amazed that some one dared respond to a bush league tactic. If I am a player and you cross check me in the face I am going to hit you back. That is hockey.
No matter how Lucia or Gwozdecky spin this it isn’t about the big bad Sioux. It’s about players that don’t have respect for the opposition players and haven’t played in a league where if you cheap shot someone during the play or after the whistle you’re going to pay for it. Lucia can recruit all the junior hockey players the USA and Canada that he wants his players are going to have to learn what is acceptable and not acceptable. Butt ending a player in front of a players bench, attacking an opposition player from behind, cross checks and face washes after the whistle are not acceptable and teams are going to respond to your players.
When Bruce M. McLeod's contract comes up for renewal it is time for the WCHA schools to go in a different directions. Shepherd and McLeod need to be gone, the league needs to have a house cleaning starting at the top. There is no way this will change until the people at the top are gone and the member schools decide that the status quo is no longer acceptable. To take a phrase from an old platoon sergeant of mine; "good enough isn't good enough." We are constantly seeking excellence.
Spirit Lake member want vote on Fighting Sioux.
Well this is an interesting turn of events that isn't going to go over well with the pro-name change crowd. The Spirit Lake members want to vote on ‘Fighting Sioux’ nickname, why not? I would hope that the members of the tribe at Standing rock would pressure Ron His Horse Thunder and call for a vote as well. Stay tuned folks, it will be interesting to see how this turns out.
While in the end I think the Fighting Sioux name is all but gone, one should exhaust all attempts before the University decides its next move. What is the hurry? Why not have a vote on the issue at the tribal level? I have always said that I would like to see the two Sioux tribes that UND needs approval from to keep the Fighting Sioux vote on whether they want UND to change the name or not. What harm does it do to have a vote? I also think that Ron "His Horse" Thunder is not letting the issue go to a vote because he knows he would lose if the vote was actually conducted. I think the reason Ron His Horse Thunder doesn't want a vote because it takes the power out of his hands and puts it in the hands of the people.
Spirit Lake members want vote on ‘Fighting Sioux’ nickname
By Sue Kraft Fischer - Lifestyles Editor
UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname continues to draw criticism, but some members of the Spirit Lake Tribe are in favor of the name — and they would like to see a vote of the people before any final decisions are made.
------------(snip)-----------
Those in attendance agreed the name was given to the tribe as an insult, but insist their ancestors turned it into something to be proud of.
“We’re trying to save the Fighting Sioux nickname,” said supporter Eunice Davidson. “It was placed upon us and our ancestors made it a good thing.”
Fellow supporter Oliver Gourd agreed, “Our veterans went to war and fought for our country under the Sioux name.”
“They took that name and turned it into something respectful,” Davidson added.
“Before we officially sign off and approve the name, we want to make sure our kids are protected,” he said.
“It’s a win-win situation,” added Gourd. “They use the name, we get the scholarships — I don’t know why other tribes are against it.”
Friday, February 06, 2009
Avery to the Rangers.
Here is an interesting story: it would appear that bad boy Sean Avery might be on his way back to the Rangers. The Rangers must be lacking in the toughness department if they are willing to take Avery back. The Rangers have Colton Orr but he is about as one dimensional as they come, Avery is tough, he can fight and has good offensive skills. Avery has also proved to be a pretty good agitator, but isn't dirty like some of the other leagues agitators, ala Matt Cooke.
Lastly, I do believe Sean Avery is a talented hockey player and there is probably a place in the NHL for Sean Avery if he would just stop all of the extra antics both on the ice and off. So if he goes to the Rangers does that mean the Rangers are getting the Dallas Stars sloppy seconds?
Lastly, I do believe Sean Avery is a talented hockey player and there is probably a place in the NHL for Sean Avery if he would just stop all of the extra antics both on the ice and off. So if he goes to the Rangers does that mean the Rangers are getting the Dallas Stars sloppy seconds?
GM Glen Sather, who accompanied the Rangers to Dallas for tonight's game, is expected to speak to Stars' co-GM Les Jackson today about a timetable under which Dallas would put Avery on waivers and then, presuming that he clears, assign him to the Wolf Pack.
Before accepting Avery in Hartford on waivers, Sather will need to reach an agreement with Jackson about the Stars then placing the winger on re-entry waivers at the Rangers' request. That would be the final stage of the three-step process under which the Blueshirts would re-acquire Avery for one-half of the remainder of the four-year, $15.5 million contract he signed with Dallas in July.
That means the Rangers would be responsible for $1,937,500 in salary and cap charges for the next three seasons, and the pro-rated percentage this year from the date Avery would join the team.
Did Lucia Suspend Schack?
The line up is posted over on Gopher-luv-feast.com and public enemy number one Brian the Hack Schack was not on today's Gopher line card. So did Lucia do the right thing and suspend Brian Schack or with Fischer back from an injury is Schack a victim of the numbers game since is the least talented of the Gophers defensemen. If Brian the Hack Shack was supspended I applaud coach Lucia's decision.
Calling the game more closely
Notice after last weekend melt down in Minneapolis and Mankato the WCHA refs Marco Hunt and Derek Shepherd are calling the game in Minneapolis more closer to the vest. It would appear that Lucia's discussion with the refs this weekend might have gotten the leagues attention that they need to do a better job officiating.
Stoa - Schroeder - Barriball
Hoeffel - Carman - Hansen
Bostrom - White - Flynn
Fisher - Sacchetti - Miller
Ness - Fischer
Fairchild - Anderson
Wehrs - Lofquist
Kangas
Patterson
Kremer
Calling the game more closely
Notice after last weekend melt down in Minneapolis and Mankato the WCHA refs Marco Hunt and Derek Shepherd are calling the game in Minneapolis more closer to the vest. It would appear that Lucia's discussion with the refs this weekend might have gotten the leagues attention that they need to do a better job officiating.
Stoa - Schroeder - Barriball
Hoeffel - Carman - Hansen
Bostrom - White - Flynn
Fisher - Sacchetti - Miller
Ness - Fischer
Fairchild - Anderson
Wehrs - Lofquist
Kangas
Patterson
Kremer
The Hockey show.
Listen to the latest from the Hockey Show. Moose and Scott talk about the possibility of Colorado State getting college hockey team. Here is the link to the web page for that story. Also Moose and Scott talk about the Channing Boe and Brian Schack incident at about 1725 into the broadcast. Moose said, "After seeing the replay I can see how Don Lucia can defense what Brian Schack did."
To listen to the show (click here)if you have an iPod you can click here to listen to the broadcast (on iTunes)
Fighting Sioux to play Miami RedHawks. (edited)
According to post from a fan on MiamiHawk talk.com the Miami RedHawks are coming to UND to play a in Thanksgiving Weekend Showcase. This means that the RedHawks will play one game against the Fighting Sioux Hockey team next thanksgiving weekend. I am excited that I will finally get to see the Fighting Sioux beat the RedHawks in REA. Maybe the swoonskies from SCSU can finally beat the RedHawks.
Bringing this thread back to hockey scheduling....
At the Red & White Club luncheon yesterday, Coach Blasi again explained the out of conference plans. He mentioned the Thanksgiving trip to North Dakota, hosting St. Cloud, going to New Hampshire, and playing home and home with Robert Morris, with the game in the Burgh to be the one game RMU annually plays at Mellon Arena. It would be after Christmas some time. He made it sound like all of that will take place next season. He's mentioned all of this before, including the return trips with those schools, except the only 'news' to me was the mention of RMU. I'm not sure how it works with the number of O-O-C games available.
Sioux coaches show.
Here is the latest Fighting Sioux Coaches show.
Notes from the Fighting Sioux coaches show
Coach Hakstol called in from his Hyundai Sonata in Alberta Canada. Swig asked coach Hakstol how they keep track of all the UND recruits. Coach Hakstol said when he worked for Dean Blais and they didn’t work on future recruits at all. Now, basically the majority of the recruiting is done on future recruits. Coach Hakstol keeps a depth chart and keeps track where they are from year to year.
Coach Hakstol talked about the ins and outs of recruiting players. Brandon Bochenski’s name came up and Hakstol talked about the knock on Bochenski was his skating but he put the puck in the net every time he touched the puck.
Coach Hakstol likes his d-corps. They have been pretty darn good. The team needs to raise the level of play. Up front it has been someone different every night, everyone is playing well. Zajac lines needs to continue to except the grinding /energy line role. Duncan’s line has been really good both ways.
Notes from the Fighting Sioux coaches show
Coach Hakstol called in from his Hyundai Sonata in Alberta Canada. Swig asked coach Hakstol how they keep track of all the UND recruits. Coach Hakstol said when he worked for Dean Blais and they didn’t work on future recruits at all. Now, basically the majority of the recruiting is done on future recruits. Coach Hakstol keeps a depth chart and keeps track where they are from year to year.
Coach Hakstol talked about the ins and outs of recruiting players. Brandon Bochenski’s name came up and Hakstol talked about the knock on Bochenski was his skating but he put the puck in the net every time he touched the puck.
Coach Hakstol likes his d-corps. They have been pretty darn good. The team needs to raise the level of play. Up front it has been someone different every night, everyone is playing well. Zajac lines needs to continue to except the grinding /energy line role. Duncan’s line has been really good both ways.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Chay Genoway third in online fan Hobey voting.
Sioux fans don't forget to go online and vote for Chay Genoway for Hobey Baker.Chay has slipped to third place in the voting.
15158: Mark Magnowski - Princeton - Jr - F
14081: Juliano Pagliero - Niagara - Sr - G
12509: Chay Genoway - North Dakota - Jr - D
9788: Ted Cook - Niagara - Sr - F
9063: Brock McBride - St. Lawrence - Sr - F
8573: Everett Sheen - Holy Cross - So. - F
7802: Jacques Lamoureux - Air Force - So - F
6305: Brad Thiessen - Northeastern - Jr - G
6301: James van Riemsdyk - New Hampshire - So - F
6098: Dan Ringwald - RIT - Jr - D
5825: Cory Conacher - Canisius - So - F
5818: James Marcou - Massachusetts - So - F
4705: Ryan Lasch - St. Cloud State - Jr - F
4329: Jordan Pearce - Notre Dame - Sr - G
4010: Ben Scrivens - Cornell - Jr - G
3335: Vince Rocco - Niagara - Sr - F
1936: Brett Wilson - Princeton - Sr - F
15158: Mark Magnowski - Princeton - Jr - F
14081: Juliano Pagliero - Niagara - Sr - G
12509: Chay Genoway - North Dakota - Jr - D
9788: Ted Cook - Niagara - Sr - F
9063: Brock McBride - St. Lawrence - Sr - F
8573: Everett Sheen - Holy Cross - So. - F
7802: Jacques Lamoureux - Air Force - So - F
6305: Brad Thiessen - Northeastern - Jr - G
6301: James van Riemsdyk - New Hampshire - So - F
6098: Dan Ringwald - RIT - Jr - D
5825: Cory Conacher - Canisius - So - F
5818: James Marcou - Massachusetts - So - F
4705: Ryan Lasch - St. Cloud State - Jr - F
4329: Jordan Pearce - Notre Dame - Sr - G
4010: Ben Scrivens - Cornell - Jr - G
3335: Vince Rocco - Niagara - Sr - F
1936: Brett Wilson - Princeton - Sr - F
February's First Games (Sioux 7)
Here are the current standings.
1 Denver...................12-6-2...26
2 North Dakota...........11-6-3...25
3 Wisconsin...............11-7-2...24
4 Minnesota................9-6-3...21
4 Colorado College........9-8-3...21
4 Minnesota-Duluth.......8-7-5...21
7 Minnesota State........9-11-2...20
8 St. Cloud State.........9-10-1...19
9 Alaska-Anchorage........6-10-4..16
10 Michigan Tech.......1-14-5....7
* Games played MSUM 22, UM 18, and everyone else 20.
#16 Wisconsin at #9 Minnesota
The Badgers invade Mariucci arena this weekend in round two of the border battle. The first round in Madison this year saw the Gophers take 3-pts. But, the Gophers are a different team now, and so are the Badgers. Currently UW hold a 3-pt edge over UM in the standings, except UM has two games in hand UW. That means the Badgers need at least a split this weekend to try and stay "comfortably" ahead of the Gophers. UM is 2-4-0 in their last six games and 5-5-0 in their last ten, UW is 4-2-0 in their last six games and 5-4-1 and their last ten. With a sweep UW could be a top the WCHA come Saturday night, get swept and they could slip as far as 6th place. I'm going to go with UW on Friday, and UM on Saturday night.
#6 Denver at #17 Minnesota-Duluth
This is a very important series for both teams, DU trying to stay a top the WCHA, and UMD is trying to knock them off the top. The first meetings this season in Denver resulted in a Pioneers sweep. The Bulldogs really want to return the favor this weekend to the Pioneers. If UMD sweeps DU they would be only 1-pt behind DU in the standings and really help their chances of locking up a home ice playoff spot. Duluth goalie Alex Stalock has gotten 2 shut-outs in the past 4-games. DU suffered a loss to UAA last Saturday, giving up a short-handed goal late in the 3rd to tie it, and then lost in OT. The Bulldogs are tough at home, garnering a 9-1-3 record at the DECC, and DU is a respectable 4-4-1 away from Magness Arena. The Bulldogs are the hotter team right now and DU is struggling a bit (3-3-2 in the last 8-games). If Duluth wins on Friday, will DU official hit the panic button. Can UMD score more than 1 goal per game, than they did last week at UW. I'm thinking this could turn into a goalie duel one evening, and a shoot out the next. SPLIT.
#18 Colorado College at Michigan Tech
The Tigers are trying sink their claws into a top five finish and the Huskies are tying to save some face and get their second league win. The Huskies of MTU are usually tough to beat in Houghton, especially during the Winter Carnival, which is this weekend. CC is 1-3-1 in their last 5-games, not good going into the stretch run. The early season match-up, back in October led to a Tiger sweep in Colorado Springs. MTU is 0-2-3 in their last 5-games, and have only scored 31 goals in 20 league games this season, that is 1.55 gpg, which is why they haven't won to many games. The last few Winter Carnivals MTU has gotten at least 1-pt, and here is too that streak continuing. Tigers on Friday, Huskies on Saturday.
St. Cloud State at Alaska-Anchorage
Normally you think a late season match-up between the 8th and 9th place teams would not mean much, but this year both teams still have a chance to get home ice in the playoffs. SCSU has the better chance being only 2-pts behind the three 4th place teams. A Huskies sweep would throw them into the dog fight (couldn't help myself) for home ice and put the Seawolves further behind the pack :) Both teams got splits last weekend against the number two and one place teams in the conference. That shows how strong the WCHA is from top to bottom. It is the standard long trip to Alaska, or is it, there are rumbling in them mountains, as there might be a volcanic eruption... The Seawolves are hoping for an eruption in goals this weekend, as they are 2-2-2 in their last 6-games, and SCSU is 2-3-1. I don't see either team sweeping, so here is to a SPLIT.
#13 North Dakota and MSU-Mankato are on a bye week.
1 Denver...................12-6-2...26
2 North Dakota...........11-6-3...25
3 Wisconsin...............11-7-2...24
4 Minnesota................9-6-3...21
4 Colorado College........9-8-3...21
4 Minnesota-Duluth.......8-7-5...21
7 Minnesota State........9-11-2...20
8 St. Cloud State.........9-10-1...19
9 Alaska-Anchorage........6-10-4..16
10 Michigan Tech.......1-14-5....7
* Games played MSUM 22, UM 18, and everyone else 20.
#16 Wisconsin at #9 Minnesota
The Badgers invade Mariucci arena this weekend in round two of the border battle. The first round in Madison this year saw the Gophers take 3-pts. But, the Gophers are a different team now, and so are the Badgers. Currently UW hold a 3-pt edge over UM in the standings, except UM has two games in hand UW. That means the Badgers need at least a split this weekend to try and stay "comfortably" ahead of the Gophers. UM is 2-4-0 in their last six games and 5-5-0 in their last ten, UW is 4-2-0 in their last six games and 5-4-1 and their last ten. With a sweep UW could be a top the WCHA come Saturday night, get swept and they could slip as far as 6th place. I'm going to go with UW on Friday, and UM on Saturday night.
#6 Denver at #17 Minnesota-Duluth
This is a very important series for both teams, DU trying to stay a top the WCHA, and UMD is trying to knock them off the top. The first meetings this season in Denver resulted in a Pioneers sweep. The Bulldogs really want to return the favor this weekend to the Pioneers. If UMD sweeps DU they would be only 1-pt behind DU in the standings and really help their chances of locking up a home ice playoff spot. Duluth goalie Alex Stalock has gotten 2 shut-outs in the past 4-games. DU suffered a loss to UAA last Saturday, giving up a short-handed goal late in the 3rd to tie it, and then lost in OT. The Bulldogs are tough at home, garnering a 9-1-3 record at the DECC, and DU is a respectable 4-4-1 away from Magness Arena. The Bulldogs are the hotter team right now and DU is struggling a bit (3-3-2 in the last 8-games). If Duluth wins on Friday, will DU official hit the panic button. Can UMD score more than 1 goal per game, than they did last week at UW. I'm thinking this could turn into a goalie duel one evening, and a shoot out the next. SPLIT.
#18 Colorado College at Michigan Tech
The Tigers are trying sink their claws into a top five finish and the Huskies are tying to save some face and get their second league win. The Huskies of MTU are usually tough to beat in Houghton, especially during the Winter Carnival, which is this weekend. CC is 1-3-1 in their last 5-games, not good going into the stretch run. The early season match-up, back in October led to a Tiger sweep in Colorado Springs. MTU is 0-2-3 in their last 5-games, and have only scored 31 goals in 20 league games this season, that is 1.55 gpg, which is why they haven't won to many games. The last few Winter Carnivals MTU has gotten at least 1-pt, and here is too that streak continuing. Tigers on Friday, Huskies on Saturday.
St. Cloud State at Alaska-Anchorage
Normally you think a late season match-up between the 8th and 9th place teams would not mean much, but this year both teams still have a chance to get home ice in the playoffs. SCSU has the better chance being only 2-pts behind the three 4th place teams. A Huskies sweep would throw them into the dog fight (couldn't help myself) for home ice and put the Seawolves further behind the pack :) Both teams got splits last weekend against the number two and one place teams in the conference. That shows how strong the WCHA is from top to bottom. It is the standard long trip to Alaska, or is it, there are rumbling in them mountains, as there might be a volcanic eruption... The Seawolves are hoping for an eruption in goals this weekend, as they are 2-2-2 in their last 6-games, and SCSU is 2-3-1. I don't see either team sweeping, so here is to a SPLIT.
#13 North Dakota and MSU-Mankato are on a bye week.
You have got to be kidding me.
Dan Meyer from this is the WCHA has a great blog post this week taking issue with what Don Luica has said in a Goal Gophers blog. Meyer is basically saying you can't excuse the unexcusable, yet there is fans that are still trying to.
Here is a comment that has to be one of the silliest things I have read in a long time. You can't make this stuff up folks, this is hilarious.
First; there was a penalty called on the play so you would take five minute power play, there is no need to start a melee at that moment. If you play by the code you learn to pick the right time in a game to right a wrong. There is no reason per the code to immediately exact your revenge for the checking from behind play.
Second; if Schack the hack had gone by the code he could have skated up to Boe and challenged him to a fight face to face not perform some chicken shit move by jumping him from behind and pounding Boe’s helmetless head on the ice while you’re still wearing your helmet and gloves, that is 5x worse than the checking from behind call that you’re responding to.
Third; Or Schack the hack could have told Boe you and I are going in the next game so better be ready, ala Buress and Kaip. The problem we have seen this season is the Gopher hockey players need to become familiar with the code. So yeah face to face is how you settle things like me, not from behind like a bunch of pansies. So the answers to the the Anonymous skippy's question (5) a, b, c, d, would be yes.
If Lucia had the power to change the way games are called in the WCHA Don Luica wouldn’t be making these asinine statements in the media and on television. We all know the Refs in the WCHA are lacking in the quality department, but all teams have to play with the same refs. Maybe some of the Gopher hockey players should make themselves familiar with "the Code".
Star Tribune Minnesota beat writer Roman Augustoviz made note on his blog the other day of Don Lucia's opinion on the melee Friday night in Mankato between Gophers defenseman Brian Schack and Minnesota State defenseman Channing Boe.
“That’s not the way we like to play,” Lucia said. “But in some of our kids’ defense, Brian Schack included — and I’ve said it, at some point, we got to protect our own players, too. Brian did that and that’s to his credit."
With all due respect coach, give me a break.
Lets review the situation here. It's about midway through the third period and the Mavericks are leading by four goals. They're playing at home. Whether Jay Barriball turns his back into Boe is questionable. I happen to think he did. So does former Minnesota head coach Doug Woog, who said so while watching a replay during the FSN broadcast.
Here is a comment that has to be one of the silliest things I have read in a long time. You can't make this stuff up folks, this is hilarious.
Anonymous Skippy said; This face to face crap is that, crap. here are facts.
1. Boe hit Barriball by the near end bench in relation where the melee took place.
2.Schack is a defenseman.
3. Boe was skating into the zone towards the puck.
4. The combination of 2 and 3 leads to the fact that Schack would be behind Boe, much as Boe was beind Barribal when he drove him into the boards.
5. In your world Schack should have:
a. skated around Boe until he looked at him.
b. asked him to go
c. dropped the gloves
d. waited for Boe to agree
e. then beat the ever loving shit out of Boe with his helmet off and if he gets knocked out and hits his head and god knows what..its ok. It was done within the "code"
BS. UND fans and all fans see everything from different colored glasses. To say if you punch a guy out when he is looking at you and has his helmet off is appropriate vs what Schack did? your an idiot. I think Schacks actions are suspension worthy. I don't hide behind some BS code or face to face crap. It doesn't matter, it doesn't belong in hockey period. But, a gopher did it and we all love to hate the gophers. So we jump on this as if our teams have never done this. Guys attack guys from behind all the time. Its not right, its not more wrong when a guy from a team we root against or not for does it.
Grow up people. This isn't a Minnesota issue, its a WCHA issue and yes, Minnesota has been involved in 2 series with this crap, with 2 teams MSUM and UND who when they play each other pull the same crap. Its a league issue, let's attack the real issue, the officiating and the league. Lucia has the pull to make changes. Lets get behind the changes for the betterment of the league. Mr. Lucia...no comment might be a wise choice until your steroid treatment program is completed.
First; there was a penalty called on the play so you would take five minute power play, there is no need to start a melee at that moment. If you play by the code you learn to pick the right time in a game to right a wrong. There is no reason per the code to immediately exact your revenge for the checking from behind play.
Second; if Schack the hack had gone by the code he could have skated up to Boe and challenged him to a fight face to face not perform some chicken shit move by jumping him from behind and pounding Boe’s helmetless head on the ice while you’re still wearing your helmet and gloves, that is 5x worse than the checking from behind call that you’re responding to.
Third; Or Schack the hack could have told Boe you and I are going in the next game so better be ready, ala Buress and Kaip. The problem we have seen this season is the Gopher hockey players need to become familiar with the code. So yeah face to face is how you settle things like me, not from behind like a bunch of pansies. So the answers to the the Anonymous skippy's question (5) a, b, c, d, would be yes.
If Lucia had the power to change the way games are called in the WCHA Don Luica wouldn’t be making these asinine statements in the media and on television. We all know the Refs in the WCHA are lacking in the quality department, but all teams have to play with the same refs. Maybe some of the Gopher hockey players should make themselves familiar with "the Code".
INCH Chat.
Here is the latest from the INCH Chat: Not much to report.
Victor Crowell, Green Bridge, NJ: Denver split last weekend against the lower division opponent Alaska/Anchorage team. How do you see the Pioneers finishing this season and in the playoffs ? Do you think Patrick Mullen can follow in the footprints of the great Joe and Bryan Mullen ? Way to go for the Seawolf walk-ons !
Jess Myers: Following a legendary relative is always tough, so let's not put undue pressure on the latest in the Mullen hockey line. As for the Pioneers, their coach says that they're about where he expected them to be, meaning they may have overachieved early in the year and the recent near-.500 play is about what should be expected. With that said, Denver and Wisconsin are the only two teams in the league that can win the MacNaughton Cup without help, which is not a bad place to be on the first weekend of February.
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Ryan (Grand Forks, ND): What do you think about the Schack incident last weekend? I felt it was right up there with the Michigan/Michigan State incident and deserved more consequences. Thanks!
Jess Myers: It was ugly all around, and we need to see a stop not only to what Schack did, but to what led up to it as well. Minnesota State's Channing Boe is lost for the season as a result, prompting many to call for further disciplinary action, but at this point I don't see any forthcoming.
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Tim Thomas with the save of the year.
Ok, so I am biased I am a Boston Bruins fan but this is my nomination for the save of the year in the NHL. Check out this sick save by former Vermont Catamount Tim Thomas.
NHLPA head wants to kill staged fights in the NHL.
Thanks to Mike a reader of this blog who sent me this article from ESPN. The other night I was watching a NHL hockey game with my wife when two random goons/tough guys dropped the gloves and broke into a boxing routine. Why wife told me, “This is stupid because these two guys don't even look mad at each other, how can they just fight each other”. I tried to explain the code and the role that fighting has in professional hockey, but I am not sure the random staged fights fall under the code. My also said she likes the fights that happen as a result of a heated emotional play and not some staged bought.
I have to admit that I love watching Derek Boogaard who has played in 187 games scored 2 goals 10 assists and has an eye popping 423 penalty minutes pummel some random thug from the Ducks or the Av’s but I can see Kelly’s point. I also believe it is a slippery slope that the NHL doesn’t want to go down. If you take fighting out of hockey they you run the risk of increasing stick fouls and no way to police the agitators that skate around taking liberties with the games elite players.
TORONTO -- The head of the NHL Players' Association believes it is time to consider a rule mandating helmet use during fights and to examine the role of one-dimensional enforcers in the game.
While a "clear majority" of players want fighting to remain a part of hockey, Paul Kelly feels his constituency is open to restrictions on the process.
"A couple that we've talked about that ought to be looked at anyway is, do you consider a rule whereby players need to keep a helmet on during the course of a fight, and perhaps require officials to step in if a helmet comes off during a fight," Kelly said Wednesday before the Conn Smythe Celebrities Dinner and Auction.
"If it's true that when guys get hurled to the ice or tripped to the ice and bang their skull on the ice is where the real danger comes from, then maybe we can protect against that. It's certainly something worth looking at," the union chief added.
Kelly acknowledged the role fighting has in policing the tenor of play but added that so-called "staged fights" between two players with skill sets limited to throwing punches may no longer have a place in the game. The potential damage that strong men who stand well over 6 feet on skates and weigh more than 250 pounds can inflict might now make such bouts too dangerous.
"If it's a staged fight between two superheavyweights that perhaps arranged it a day before the game, I'm not so sure those are the fights that we need to continue to have in the sport," Kelly said. "And if they're the most dangerous fights, we ought to take a good, hard look at those.
-------------(snip)--------------
Instead, Kelly argued that fights arising "out of the spontaneity of the game, the adrenaline of the game, the emotion and the need to protect a teammate or yourself from an unclean hit" were a natural part of hockey and were a required element of the sport.
He went on to say that Wayne Gretzky would have played "several hundred" fewer games in his career if he didn't have Dave Semenko and Marty McSorley as teammates
Don't look for the NHL to ban fighting anytime soon even the commissioner of the NHL isn't for it.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman likened the fighting study to how the league approached the successful revamping of officiating standards coming out of the lockout in terms of its scope.
He warned, however, that banning fighting from the game altogether is a non-starter.
"I don't think there's any appetite to abolish fighting from the game," Bettman said.
Check out Drew Stafford's goal.
I was watching this game last night on the NHL network and this nice goal by Drew Stafford. Not quite the Johnny Toews goal but pretty goal none the less.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Merrimack Warriors coming to the REA.
Mike McMahon from the Warriorrinkrat.com and of the Bruins Hockey Blog has given me a heads up about a rumor that the Merrimack Warriors of the Hockey East are going to be opening the 2009-2010 season at the REA.
A look at the numbers.
Here are the national stats for penalty minutes, take a look at the WCHA teams. Well, well, well, look who is number two over all nationally. It isn't the big bad Sioux.
Penalty Minutes:-----------Games---PIM----PIM/G
2 Minnesota------------------24-----518------21.6
4 Minnesota State------------29-----597-----20.6
6 Alaska Anchorage----------24-----478------19.9
7 Wisconsin------------------28-----557------19.9
13 North Dakota-------------30-----571------19.0
17 Minnesota Duluth---------28-----507-----18.1
18 Denver--------------------27-----486------18.0
31 Colorado College----------28-----453-----16.2
32 St. Cloud State------------28-----442-----15.8
45 Michigan Tech------------28-----394-----14.1
Penalty Minutes:-----------Games---PIM----PIM/G
2 Minnesota------------------24-----518------21.6
4 Minnesota State------------29-----597-----20.6
6 Alaska Anchorage----------24-----478------19.9
7 Wisconsin------------------28-----557------19.9
13 North Dakota-------------30-----571------19.0
17 Minnesota Duluth---------28-----507-----18.1
18 Denver--------------------27-----486------18.0
31 Colorado College----------28-----453-----16.2
32 St. Cloud State------------28-----442-----15.8
45 Michigan Tech------------28-----394-----14.1
This post is in response to a point that Archie brought up with week. It would appear that Doug and the Rug need to check their stats. UND was right the top spot for PIMS nationally last season is down around the middle of the pack for the WCHA this season.
Another example of the brainwash was last weekend druing FSN broadcast. They put up a graphic showing the Top 3 penalized teams in the WCHA and MN and Mankato were just behind Wisconsin for the top 3. Woog then says,"Whoa, wait a minute, i can't believe North Dakota isn't in there, we might have to check those stats again."
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Gee I wonder who Lucia is talking about?
It would appear that Gophers hack Brian Schack has gotten away with his act of thuggery and will only receive the one game disqualification that he was awarded last Friday night. I have yet been able to find any press release or announcement that states any additional punishment or sanction by the league office. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, Gophers coach Don Lucia has been pleading his case all week in the media about how the refs aren't protecting the players, yada, yada, yada.
For those that don't read the Star and Tribune check out the latest nugget from Roman Augustoviz now we are going to blame the ugliness towards the Gophers on the arenas that serve alcohol in their arenas? Huh? WTF is that? Let me guess; tDon is talking about Mankato and North Dakota? Lets try this on for size; it is the attitude your program displays towards the rest of the league. Its the in your face attitude of FSN announcers and the various off handed shots your assistant coach makes in his pre-game comments.
This is why the various fan bases around the league hate your team. It's the pompous holier than though, elitist attitude that your bring with you when you travel on the road. The Gophers hockey program oozes arogance and it showing more this year than others when the Gophers prima Donna's are getting it handed to them on a nightly basis. Who are you going to blame this week when the Badgers slap your butt around Marriucci? Word of advice to the Badgers players you better look out for Flynn and Schack they like to jump the oppostion from behind.
For those that don't read the Star and Tribune check out the latest nugget from Roman Augustoviz now we are going to blame the ugliness towards the Gophers on the arenas that serve alcohol in their arenas? Huh? WTF is that? Let me guess; tDon is talking about Mankato and North Dakota? Lets try this on for size; it is the attitude your program displays towards the rest of the league. Its the in your face attitude of FSN announcers and the various off handed shots your assistant coach makes in his pre-game comments.
This is why the various fan bases around the league hate your team. It's the pompous holier than though, elitist attitude that your bring with you when you travel on the road. The Gophers hockey program oozes arogance and it showing more this year than others when the Gophers prima Donna's are getting it handed to them on a nightly basis. Who are you going to blame this week when the Badgers slap your butt around Marriucci? Word of advice to the Badgers players you better look out for Flynn and Schack they like to jump the oppostion from behind.
RIVALRY GOOD WITH BADGERS
Lucia said the Gophers have a healthy rivalry with Wisconsin. “Some of the others ones, and I won’t mention names or anything like that, are a little bit more ugly as far as fan treatment and everything else,” Lucia said. “I never felt that way with Wisconsin. Our games have been much more disciplined over the years than maybe years ago.
“I never felt when I go to Kohl Center – I think the fans react in a real positive manner. Ya, once in a while, when you come off the ice, you get a little [grief] from a student. But that’s OK. That’s all fun. But I never felt when I go there, it is over the top and that’s me as a college coach. I have no issue with fans cheering their team and getting involved. I don’t particularly like the vulgarity. ‘F the Gopher’ chant that we hear.
“And I think, to be honest, and I spoke [Monday] about it [to WCHA officials]. I’m probably being more candid, maybe it is the steroids I took this morning than normal. I think as a league – my own personal opinion is, I am not sure if alcohol is served at some of the venues is a real positive in our league.
(Lucia is taking weekly IV steriod treatments for a nerve problem which causes numbness on the left side of his face.)
“I am a purist,” Lucia said. “I don’ have an issue if it is served in club rooms or in suites or in a beer garden. But I have an issue and, I think it lends to problems, when you got guys sitting with beer after beer sitting right behind the visitors’ bench. Nothing good can happen.
“And we have venues that you can literally sit and have cocktails all game long whether it’s hard booze, wine or beer. I think that is where some of the ugliness gets. As a league, I think we have to take a look at that.”
Oshie's goal. (get the puck on net)
Former Sioux and current St Louis Blue T.J. Oshie proved that there is no such thing as a bad shot on goal as he scored a greasy goal against the Red Wings. If you standing in front of the goal with the puck and there is no other move, shoot the puck.
Conboy signs with Hamilton
Former MSU Spartans player Andrew Conboy has signed a contract to play professional hockey with the Hamilton Bulldogs, who is Montreals top farm team. Conboy will be remembered for this act of thuggery on Michigan player Steve Kampfer. I would be willing to bet that we will see no more acts of thuggery like this in the AHL.
HAMILTON, ON - Hamilton Bulldogs General Manager Julien BriseBois announced today that the club has signed left wing Andrew Conboy to an American Hockey League contract for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Conboy, 20, played for the Michigan State Spartans for 21 games this season accumulating five points (three goals, two assists) while leading the team in penalty minutes with 76. In 2007-2008, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound left winger won the Clark Cup with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. The native of Rosemount, Minnesota ranked fifth on the team in points with 38 (17 goals, 21 assists) and second on the team in penalty minutes with 188. Conboy was drafted by Montreal in the 5th round, 142nd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Conboy will be ineligble to play for the Bulldogs until Wednesday, February 11th when the 'Dogs travel to Hershey to battle the Bears.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Lucia says Schack crossed the line.
Check out the latest article from the UMN hockey blogger. Wow, no kidding! Those are some really profound words, by the Minnesota Coach, “Schack crossed the line, but.” But what? Schack crossed the line and violated the hockey code and should pay for it, like you do when you play in the NHL. I want to see more than an extra game from the league office. Also, if college hockey is a non-fighting league (except for rare occasions) then Schack is not an enforcer, he is a thug. You can't tell me Schack has half the honor Derek Boogaard has. You would never see Boogaard would never perform a heinous act like this.
Seriously, I have to agree with Coach Lucia, because he is right, the league officials are not protecting the players in the WCHA. A lot of us have been saying this for years and all we heard is the refs are doing a good job. I am going to say bravo sierra, and see I told you so. Yeah, you can’t tell me this after all of the incidents I have witnessed this season and last season that the refs are doing a good job. They can’t even call he games per the NCAA mandate. I think it is indicative of the leadership of the WCHA and the buck stops with the two guys at the top. The status quo is no longer good enough, heck the status quo doesn't even meet the standards for a house league in Canada.
Why is it that every other league in the country can get it right? Thanks to the FCS, NHL network and CBS College Sports I watch NCAA division one hockey game from the other leagues (ECAC, Hockey East, AHA, CCHA) and rarely do you see happen what goes on in the WCHA. I can’t think of the last time I have seen an incident like this in the ECAC. Do you think Paul Stewart would let this crap go on if he was the head of officials in the WCHA? Todd Anderson would be out job after the UND and DU series. The two officials I think should be removed from officating are Todd Anderson and Don Adam both of these guys should have been fired by the WCHA years ago. Don Adam should have been fired after the Final Five game between DU and UND when he watched Sioux player get carried off the ice on a stretcher and only call a two minute penalty.
Seriously, I have to agree with Coach Lucia, because he is right, the league officials are not protecting the players in the WCHA. A lot of us have been saying this for years and all we heard is the refs are doing a good job. I am going to say bravo sierra, and see I told you so. Yeah, you can’t tell me this after all of the incidents I have witnessed this season and last season that the refs are doing a good job. They can’t even call he games per the NCAA mandate. I think it is indicative of the leadership of the WCHA and the buck stops with the two guys at the top. The status quo is no longer good enough, heck the status quo doesn't even meet the standards for a house league in Canada.
Why is it that every other league in the country can get it right? Thanks to the FCS, NHL network and CBS College Sports I watch NCAA division one hockey game from the other leagues (ECAC, Hockey East, AHA, CCHA) and rarely do you see happen what goes on in the WCHA. I can’t think of the last time I have seen an incident like this in the ECAC. Do you think Paul Stewart would let this crap go on if he was the head of officials in the WCHA? Todd Anderson would be out job after the UND and DU series. The two officials I think should be removed from officating are Todd Anderson and Don Adam both of these guys should have been fired by the WCHA years ago. Don Adam should have been fired after the Final Five game between DU and UND when he watched Sioux player get carried off the ice on a stretcher and only call a two minute penalty.
One of majors — and the game misconduct — was on sophomore defenseman Channing Boe of MSU for checking from behind on the Gophers’ Jay Barriball in the eighth minute of the third period.
Seconds later the Gophers’ enforcer, Brian Schack, was jumping on Boe’s back and wrestling him to the ice. A scrum ensued, Boe’s helmet came off, and Schack kept slugging Boe, who was on all fours, pretty much defenseless on the ice, until the officials finally got Schack off.
Somehow during the scrum, one of Boe’s ankles was broken. He is out for the rest of the season.
“That’s not the way we like to play,” Lucia said, “but in some of our kids’ defense, Brian Schack included — and I’ve said it, at some point, we got to protect our own players, too. Brian did that and that’s to his credit.
----------(snip)----------
Doug Spencer, the WCHA’s associate commissioner for public relations, said the league usually spends Mondays reviewing any controversial incidents that happen over the weekend and typically announces added punishment, if any, on Tuesdays.
Asked whether Boe’s season-ending injury makes it more likely Schack will receive an additonal penalty, Spencer implied no. “From what I heard,” Spencer said, “there was a big pileup. Somebody’s knee [or ankle in Boe’s case] can get bent in those.”
I expect Schack to get an added penalty from this incident. He started a fight, tried to beat a player who couldn’t defend himself and who wasn’t wearing a helmet.
I know there is code in hockey: Defend your teammates. But the Schack-Boe fight wasn’t a fair fight. Boe had no chance.
----------(snip)----------
What do you think the WCHA will do in this situation? Several hockey blog sites are going crazy, comparing Schack to Todd Bertuzzi, who in 2004 assaulted Steve Moore in an NHL game, calling Schack every name possible.
Don Cherry is not a fan of Clutterbuck.
For the most part I love Don Cherry, he is kind of the Rush Limbaugh of the NHL. I am not sure that I agree with Cherry in this instance. The big story to come out of Saturday night was that Don Cherry isn't a fan of Wild player Cal Clutterbuck (Cherry on Cal 4:00 in) because he fights with his visor on. You will see in the fight video that Clutterbuck asks Yandel to remove his helmet off but Keith Yandle refuses. Just for the record Wild tough guy Derek Boogaard said he doesn't take his helmet off during a fight. In defense of Cherry's argument there is supposed to be a two minute penalty for fighting with a shield on.
Here is the story from Mike Russo.
"If you look at the incidents, first time I asked [Yandle] to take our helmets off, and he said, 'No,'" said Clutterbuck, his assertion backed by replays. "I'm not going to be the only guy to fight and take my helmet off. The second time against White, he jumped me from behind. So what does he want from me? I mean, what do you want me to do? Really."
Clutterbuck noted that, on Friday, he fought Edmonton's Steve Staios. "He had a visor on, too. We both did. [Cherry] didn't show that. I don't know why. ... It upsets you. He's a part of the Canadian media. He's based out of Toronto and he's in Leafs Nation, so with the whole thing with White, he's biased. I think what he does for the game in Canada, he's an icon, but I'm going to have to disagree with him on what he says."
Leahy not impressed with Bruins announcers.
Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy isn't impressed with the announcers from NESN during the call of this fight. Personally, being a Bruins fan I think it is funny. I also like how Jack Edwards makes fun of the God awful hideous jerseys that Montreal is wearing.
I suppose if you're not a Bruins fans I could see how maybe the former Bruins player and UNH star Andy Brickley and Jack Edwards might be grating on your nerves. I think this broadcast team is better than Fred Cusack and Derek Sanderson aka "the Turk" from days past. I find the guys from the Anaheim Ducks to be the worse. In college Hockey a lot of Fighting Sioux fans feel the same way about the Wooger and the Rug from the Gophers broadcast crew on FSN.
Puck Daddy's favorite homer announcer, Jack Edwards of New England's NESN, was at it again yesterday during the Boston-Montreal matinee when Shawn Thornton and Alex Henry squared off just over a minute into the game.
While the Canadiens were wearing throwback jersey's that Edwards called "your grandfathers pajamas," he added another memorable call to his illustrious homer-announcing career:
More on the Schack hit.
Check out what Bruce Ciskie from the Fan House had to say on the Brian Schack incident. I have to say that I agree with this assessment. A six to eight game suspension would be about right in this incident. Todd Bertuzzi missed the rest of the 2004 season and the playoffs for his gutless act. However, I doubt the league will have the balls to make this kind of a decsion.
Check out Shane Frederick's take on the incident.
Schack received a fighting major and game disqualification, meaning
he won't play when the two teams meet at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis tonight.
What happens to him beyond that will be up to Lucia and/or McLeod, and we should
know that sometime next week.I'm not as upset about this as I was the attack on
Steve Kampfer last week.Schack didn't attack Boe from behind, and Boe knew he had it coming after throwing an illegal hit on a smaller Minnesota player. However, Schack has to be in for at least a six to eight game suspension.
As I said last week, I am reluctant to blame these kinds of attacks on the lack of fighting in college hockey. I don't think allowing players to drop the gloves without risking a game disqualification would necessarily solve much of anything. Players have to figure out, though, that violent, uncontrolled rage is not justified by any kind of hit, whether it be a legal or illegal hit.
Check out Shane Frederick's take on the incident.
Monday Ranking
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
February 2, 2009
1 Boston University (33) 19-5-1 983 2
2 Notre Dame (17) 20-4-3 967 1
3 Northeastern 17-6-2 826 3
4 Michigan 19-9-0 781 8
5 Cornell 14-3-4 751 4
6 Denver 16-8-3 741 7
7 Vermont 14-6-4 724 6
8 Miami 16-8-4 664 10
9 Minnesota 12-7-5 608 5
10 Princeton 15-6-0 548 9
11 New Hampshire 12-8-4 466 13
12 Boston College 11-8-4 410 11
13 North Dakota 16-11-3 399 12
14 Yale 15-5-1 360 18
15 Ohio State 17-8-3 319 14
16 Wisconsin 14-11-3 237 15
17 Minnesota-Duluth 14-8-6 229 16
18 Colorado College 13-9-6 194 17
19 Dartmouth 11-7-3 77 20
20 St. Lawrence 14-10-2 56 NR
Others Receiving Votes: St. Cloud State 53, Minnesota State 47,
RIT 21, Alaska 15, Air Force 11, Nebraska-Omaha 7, Massachusetts 4, Mass.-Lowell 1, Niagara 1.
February 2, 2009
1 Boston University (33) 19-5-1 983 2
2 Notre Dame (17) 20-4-3 967 1
3 Northeastern 17-6-2 826 3
4 Michigan 19-9-0 781 8
5 Cornell 14-3-4 751 4
6 Denver 16-8-3 741 7
7 Vermont 14-6-4 724 6
8 Miami 16-8-4 664 10
9 Minnesota 12-7-5 608 5
10 Princeton 15-6-0 548 9
11 New Hampshire 12-8-4 466 13
12 Boston College 11-8-4 410 11
13 North Dakota 16-11-3 399 12
14 Yale 15-5-1 360 18
15 Ohio State 17-8-3 319 14
16 Wisconsin 14-11-3 237 15
17 Minnesota-Duluth 14-8-6 229 16
18 Colorado College 13-9-6 194 17
19 Dartmouth 11-7-3 77 20
20 St. Lawrence 14-10-2 56 NR
Others Receiving Votes: St. Cloud State 53, Minnesota State 47,
RIT 21, Alaska 15, Air Force 11, Nebraska-Omaha 7, Massachusetts 4, Mass.-Lowell 1, Niagara 1.
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Feb. 2, 2009
Rank School (first-place votes)
1. Boston University (27) 19-5-1
2. Notre Dame (7) 20-4-3
3. Northeastern 17-6-2
4. Michigan 19-9-0
5. Cornell 14-3-4
6. Miami (Ohio) 16-8-4
7. Vermont 14-6-4
8. Denver 16-8-3
9. Minnesota 12-7-5
10. Princeton 15-6-0
11. New Hampshire 12-8-4
12. Boston College 11-8-4
13. North Dakota 16-11-3
14. Yale 15-5-2
15. Ohio State 17-8-3
Others receiving votes: Colorado College, 21; University of Wisconsin, 17; University of Minnesota Duluth, 11; St. Lawrence University, 6; Rochester Institute of Technology, 3; Minnesota State University, 2.
INCH Power Rankings
1. Boston University
2. Notre Dame
4. Northeastern
5. Vermont
6. Denver
7. Cornell
8. Miami
9. Princeton
10. North Dakota
11. Minnesota
12. New Hampshire
13. Ohio State
14. Boston College
15. Wisconsin
16. Yale
17. Colorado College
18. Minnesota Duluth
19. St. Lawrence
20. RIT
Dropped out: Air Force
Bubble-licious: St. Cloud State, Alaska, Dartmouth
I am actually surprised that UND moved up one from last week after being shut out on Friday night. I am remotely shocked that Minnesota stayed at 9th in the polls after being swept by the Mavericks this weekend.
Feb. 2, 2009
Rank School (first-place votes)
1. Boston University (27) 19-5-1
2. Notre Dame (7) 20-4-3
3. Northeastern 17-6-2
4. Michigan 19-9-0
5. Cornell 14-3-4
6. Miami (Ohio) 16-8-4
7. Vermont 14-6-4
8. Denver 16-8-3
9. Minnesota 12-7-5
10. Princeton 15-6-0
11. New Hampshire 12-8-4
12. Boston College 11-8-4
13. North Dakota 16-11-3
14. Yale 15-5-2
15. Ohio State 17-8-3
Others receiving votes: Colorado College, 21; University of Wisconsin, 17; University of Minnesota Duluth, 11; St. Lawrence University, 6; Rochester Institute of Technology, 3; Minnesota State University, 2.
INCH Power Rankings
1. Boston University
2. Notre Dame
4. Northeastern
5. Vermont
6. Denver
7. Cornell
8. Miami
9. Princeton
10. North Dakota
11. Minnesota
12. New Hampshire
13. Ohio State
14. Boston College
15. Wisconsin
16. Yale
17. Colorado College
18. Minnesota Duluth
19. St. Lawrence
20. RIT
Dropped out: Air Force
Bubble-licious: St. Cloud State, Alaska, Dartmouth
I am actually surprised that UND moved up one from last week after being shut out on Friday night. I am remotely shocked that Minnesota stayed at 9th in the polls after being swept by the Mavericks this weekend.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Check out this ugly jersey.
I was watching the Bruins beat the Habs 3-1 today and I couldn't get over how ugly the Montreal Canadians Jerseys were. I never seen anything like this before, these are God awful.
Apparently these eye sores are the "barber pole" retro jerseys and socks featuring the distinctive look of narrow red, white and blue horizontal bands used by the team in 1912-13.
Weekend Round-up (Sioux 7)
Well, it was splitsville for everyone playing this weekend except MSUM which sweep the Gophers for the first time, EVER! Congratulations Mavericks!
Are the Gophers now the BAD BOYS of the WCHA? 2 players were give 5-minute majors and ejected from Saturdays game only minutes apart, and another 5-minute major the night before. They got 14 penalties and 42-minutes on Fri, and 10 for 42-minutes on Saturday. And Lucia's comments that they may need to get some players to protect their top talents since the league isn't, whoo hoo, what will happen with that...
I'm got a couple of the series right this weekend, splits. Of course, all that really does is leave us with a pile of teams in the hunt for home ice, with a 3-way tie for 5th place, and the 6th and 7th place teams only 1 and 2 pts behind, yikes!
Maybe this upcoming weekend the title race and home ice pictures might get cleared up a little, maybe...
Are the Gophers now the BAD BOYS of the WCHA? 2 players were give 5-minute majors and ejected from Saturdays game only minutes apart, and another 5-minute major the night before. They got 14 penalties and 42-minutes on Fri, and 10 for 42-minutes on Saturday. And Lucia's comments that they may need to get some players to protect their top talents since the league isn't, whoo hoo, what will happen with that...
I'm got a couple of the series right this weekend, splits. Of course, all that really does is leave us with a pile of teams in the hunt for home ice, with a 3-way tie for 5th place, and the 6th and 7th place teams only 1 and 2 pts behind, yikes!
Maybe this upcoming weekend the title race and home ice pictures might get cleared up a little, maybe...
Scores from 1-31-2009,
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Atlantic Hockey
Bentley 4 at Army 1
Air Force 2 at Mercyhurst 3 ot
Holy Cross 4 at Connecticut 1
Sacred Heart 1 at Canisius 5
CCHA
Michigan State 2 at Lake Superior 4
Nebraska-Omaha 1 at Ferris State 1 ot: Ferris State Wins
Shootout
Bowling Green 2 at Miami 3
Notre Dame 3 at Michigan 2
Northern Michigan 4 at Western Michigan 3
Ohio State 6 at Alaska 2
CHA
Bemidji State 5 at Robert Morris 1
Niagara 5 at Alabama-Huntsville 5 ot
Analysis
BSU sweeps Bob Morris. Niagara takes 3 of 4 points from Huntsville.
ECAC
Princeton 5 at Brown 1
Colgate 2 at St. Lawrence 4
Union 2 at Dartmouth 2 ot
Quinnipiac 0 at Yale 3
Cornell 0 at Clarkson 0 ot
Hockey East
Merrimack 3 at Providence 5
WCHA
Minnesota-Duluth 1 at Wisconsin 0
Alaska-Anchorage 3 at Denver 2 ot
North Dakota 4 at St. Cloud State 2
Minnesota State 3 at Minnesota 1
Analysis
Except for the Gophers split city in the WCHA this weekend. Props to the UAA Seawolves for knocking off the DU Pioneers.
Atlantic Hockey
Bentley 4 at Army 1
Air Force 2 at Mercyhurst 3 ot
Holy Cross 4 at Connecticut 1
Sacred Heart 1 at Canisius 5
CCHA
Michigan State 2 at Lake Superior 4
Nebraska-Omaha 1 at Ferris State 1 ot: Ferris State Wins
Shootout
Bowling Green 2 at Miami 3
Notre Dame 3 at Michigan 2
Northern Michigan 4 at Western Michigan 3
Ohio State 6 at Alaska 2
CHA
Bemidji State 5 at Robert Morris 1
Niagara 5 at Alabama-Huntsville 5 ot
Analysis
BSU sweeps Bob Morris. Niagara takes 3 of 4 points from Huntsville.
ECAC
Princeton 5 at Brown 1
Colgate 2 at St. Lawrence 4
Union 2 at Dartmouth 2 ot
Quinnipiac 0 at Yale 3
Cornell 0 at Clarkson 0 ot
Hockey East
Merrimack 3 at Providence 5
WCHA
Minnesota-Duluth 1 at Wisconsin 0
Alaska-Anchorage 3 at Denver 2 ot
North Dakota 4 at St. Cloud State 2
Minnesota State 3 at Minnesota 1
Analysis
Except for the Gophers split city in the WCHA this weekend. Props to the UAA Seawolves for knocking off the DU Pioneers.
Gauthier’s hit on Gorges.
Props to Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy for the video. You can bet the league office will review the video of this hit and hand down some type of sanction. Reviewing the video there is no mystery that Denis Gauthier left his feet to check Gorges and led with his elbow and the league will not tolerate these types of cheap shots.
Check out Lucia's comments.
Props to Amy for the Video. So did Don Lucia condone Brian Schack's Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe? I wonder if tDon will be getting a call from the league office this week? Seems to be a common thread developing here Don, it is not just the other teams in the WCHA but your team as well. Go ahead recruit a bunch of tough guys. Seriously! How many more hacks do you need on your team? You have ready have Ryan Flynn and Brian Schack.
Here are just a few examples of the Gophers getting involved with the extra after the whistle stuff, maybe it's not just the big bad Sioux. (example one) (example 2)
Gwoz Picture.
Props to Sioux7 for this picture. When you look at this picture you have to wonder what the heck is going through George Gwozdecky's mind? This is end of the now famous walk.
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