More on the UNO situation.

Here is the latest on UNO's possible membership in the WCHA. It also looks like UNO could/will have some possible competition for the 12th and final spot because McLeod mentioned that other teams had contacted him about possible membership in the WCHA. It would be interesting to know which other teams have contacted the WCHA about membership.

Alberts is also investigating a possible move from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association to the WCHA. The WCHA is seeking a program to pair with Bemidji State as candidates to create a 12-team league. It was rumored that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod was in Omaha last week to speak with school officials.

When contacted Satur?day in Denver, McLeod would only say that the WCHA has had contact with Omaha and is in the preliminary stages of talking about possible membership in the league. He also noted that the WCHA has been contacted by other schools about admission.

During WCHA meetings in April in Marco Island, Fla., Bemidji State made a presentation to the league, but no vote on admission was taken, although a straw poll vote was reportedly 5-5. Schools making application need eight of 10 votes to gain admission.

The 10-team WCHA gave McLeod the OK to negotiate with potential members if needed, and it’s believed that there will be some bargaining with Bemidji State and Omaha. The league has indicated that new teams would not begin league play until 2011-12, however it’s likely neither school would want to wait that long. Also, in the WCHA criteria for consideration of admission, it’s noted that new schools do not share in WCHA postseason revenue during the first three years of membership, which wouldn’t appeal to any financially strapped athletic program.

The per-school share from the 2009 WCHA Final Five, which isn’t officially totaled, is estimated to be $91,000 or more, McLeod said.
(read the whole story here)

Interesting perspective.

Interesting letter to the editor in today's Grand Forks Herald. I think Mr. Fool Bear is right if there was a vote on the Fighting Sioux name Ron His Horse is Thunder wouldn't like the results. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming months. I say let the tribal members have their vote. What are we afraid of?

FORT YATES, N.D. — It’s disturbing to watch what is happening on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and in North Dakota.

In both places, leaders are ignoring those whom they’re entrusted with representing.

Standing Rock is a failed democracy. Likewise, some state government entities are backing (and imposing the views of) a radical few over the common sense of the progressive many. All in the name of political correctness, or maybe it’s fear of being called racist — who knows?

Standing Rock voted overwhelmingly to keep using our nation’s “Sioux” name a year ago. That issue was part of the anti-nickname activists’ continuing effort to deny tribal members a chance to vote in a UND nickname referendum.

The tribal council imposed a moratorium on such a referendum for one reason: to silence and deny the inevitable truth.

Standing Rock will vote in favor of UND and its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, the same as Spirit Lake did. Otherwise, why would nickname opponents make such unethical political efforts to deny tribal members a chance to vote?

It completely contradicts democracy.

Instead, the nickname opponents spread racist propaganda throughout the reservation, using UND as reference in their efforts to change our nation’s proud Sioux name to Oyate. But they failed miserably, much like the anti-logo movement at Spirit Lake did.

Spirit Lake members forced the UND issue to a ballot — and the results were not surprising in Sioux country. We’ve known this all along: The “Silent Majority” is 2-1 ratio in favor of the UND nickname, the same ratio that emerged in the Oyate-vs.-Sioux vote.

The collective Sioux voice has been heard consistently but still is ignored: Is this not enough evidence?

But even so, North Dakota along with the rest of country continues to submit to this vocal few.

The facts are these: We are proud to be Sioux, and we are proud of the UND Fighting Sioux.

Democracy has proven this time and time again. However, this issue has proven that democratic leaders are not obligated to represent the majority.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has its reasons for their deciding as it did, but one would assume that North Dakota traditions, democratic evidence, progress and common sense would hold much more weight than would baseless rumors and the availability of an athletic conference.

The board is failing North Dakota’s heritage, much like the leadership at Standing Rock has failed us.

At the moment, the politicians are winning, but there is still time. Where are our leaders?

Long live the Sioux, and long live the UND Fighting Sioux.

Steve Fool Bear

It doesn't get old hearing this.

This is music to my ears. As a Minnesota Wild fan this is what I like to hear, I don't want to hear about defensive systems I want to see the puck getting pushed up ice and goals being scored.

Leipold's guy made clear his philosophy.

"I want an up-tempo, aggressive, fast style of hockey," Fletcher said. "We want to dictate the pace of play to our opponent."

That should be welcome news to Minnesota fans who had grown weary of Lemaire's counterpunching style, which relied on a strong neutral zone trap to force turnovers and create rare scoring chances. (Read the rest of the story here)

The Cabbies journey to the cup. (Toews focused)

I found this over on Elsie's blog 18,568 Reasons Why and they are talking about the Jonathan Toews beard or lack of one and other funny stuff. The thing I like about the Blackhawks is they seem like they are having so much fun and get a long as a team. Their opponents the Redwings on the other hand seem so vanilla and boring and they seem to lack emotion.

Lest we not forget.

Goon's World would like to thank all of our Veterans serving our great nation. Some people seem to forget what Memorial Day stands for, it's not just a day off from work. Memorial day is for reflection and to remember our soldiers that have served this great nation, some have given their life serving.

Changes are coming for the Wild.

These words couldn't be more welcome, at least to me. I know like other Wild fans we are sick of watching mind numbingly boring 2-1 and 3-1 games we would like to see the Wild open the games up a bit. I don't know may people that want to watch a trap feast or a defensive game. They want to see scoring and exciting goals.

Appearing at his introductory news conference in the main lobby of Xcel Energy Center, Fletcher promised to bring "an up-tempo, aggressive, fast style of hockey" to an organization that has been known for its neutral-zone trap and close-to-the-vest approach throughout its nine-year existence.

Fletcher stressed that he's not instilling "run-and-gun" hockey, but changes are coming. "We want to dictate the pace of play," he said.
(read the whole story here)

Bayda not suspended.

Former Fighting Sioux forward and Carolina Hurricane Ryan Bayda will not be suspended for this cross check on Kris Letang. I think it is the right call, if a players isn't suspended for a blatant sucker punch of their opponent while their hands are at their sides you shouldn't be suspended for cross checking someone.

TSN --- The NHL has handed Carolina Hurricanes forward Ryan Bayda a $2,500 fine as a result of the match penalty he was assessed in the third period of Game 2 Thursday night.

Bayda was given a match penalty at 18:41 of the third period after cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang in the chin. It was considered a deliberate attempt to injure, but Bayda will not be suspended for his actions.

Bayda was assessed the match penalty after exchanging high sticks with Letang behind Pittsburgh's net toward the end of the Penguins' 7-4 win. The incident led to two fights and Letang also received a game misconduct.

Kronwall hit on Havlat.

We had a saying when I was a football player get off the track or get run over by the train. They ruled it was a five minute interference call on Kronwall but I don't know that I agree with the call.

Wyshynski on Bayda cross check.

Here is what Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy had to say on the match penalty former Fighting Sioux player Ryan Bayda took at the end of last night's game. I really think no matter what Colin Campbell does on this matter he is going to be a loser. First we determine cross checks are bad and worthy of a one game suspension but then sucker punches at the end of the game are OK and worthy of no suspension.

• Let's see: Ryan Bayda(notes) took Kris Letang(notes) hard to the boards on an icing call with 1:19 left in the game and then cross-checked him to the face. Intent? Check. Stick work? Check. Blow to the head? Check. "Message sending" at the end of the game? Check. Match penalty? Check. It doesn't get more cut-and-dry for supplementary discipline by the standards the NHL has established this postseason. Which of course means Colin Campbell will instead nominate Bayda for the Nobel Peace Prize ...

Evgeni Malkin's awesome goal.

This in my opinion is the goal of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Malkin is a world class player with world class hands. While Pens are blessed with Crosby and Malkin, If I had to build a team around one of the two players I would take Malkin over Crosby.

Bayda facing possible suspension

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player and current Carolina Hurricane Ryan Bayda could be suspended for the next game after he received a 5 minute major and a match penalty for crossing checking Kris Letang of the Pens. You can see a better view of the cross check that lead to the brawl at the end of the video.

Bayda facing possible suspension
newsobserver.com blogs --- Ryan Bayda faces a potential suspension after he was assessed a match penalty for an incident late in Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the Penguins.

Bayda exchanged high-sticks with Kris Letang during a scrum with 1:19 to play, sparking a pair of fights — one between Tim Gleason and Letang, the other between Patrick Eaves and Miroslav Satan.

Letang was assessed a game misconduct and Bayda a match penalty, which denotes an attempt to injure and carries with it an automatic review suspension pending a review by the league office. Bayda was unavailable for comment after the game.

“I didn’t get an explanation as to what happened,” Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. “Two players came together and it was a high-sticking match, but I didn’t get any more than that.”

An NHL spokesman said the match penalty was assessed for a cross-check with intent to injure.

Two more express interest in UNO hockey job.

Two more college hockey coaches added their name to the list of potential candidates for the UNO head hockey coach. You would have to think that the Omaha coaching position would be a very attractive job. Add to the mix the possibility of relocating to one of the most prolific conferences in college hockey. Then if you added a high profile head coach like a Dean Blais that raises the bar even higher.

Omaha --- Earlier this week, Minnesota assistant Mike Hastings, a former Lancer head coach, said he hadn't decided whether he would apply.

Guentzel, 46, who coached the Lancers from 1992 through 1994, was one of four finalists when Kemp became the program's only head coach. He withdrew after interviewing when he was promoted to associate head coach at Minnesota, his alma mater. He stayed with the Golden Gophers until last season, when he moved to Colorado College.

"I've been an assistant for 15 years, and the people who have worked with me understand that it's been my dream to be a head coach at the Division I level," Guentzel said. "Every year I sit back and see if there's anything out there to pursue, but there's not a lot of turnover in our sport, and after 14 or 15 years you start to wonder if it's ever going to happen."

Quinn, 42, was Kemp's top assistant from 1996 through 2004 before returning to his alma mater. He helped guide the Terriers to the national championship last month.

"I'm in a situation where it's difficult to leave for any reason," Quinn said. "But my goal is to be a head coach and I'm not getting any younger. For me there are two jobs that separate themselves, and that's UNO and BU."

Besides Kemp and Guentzel, the other finalists for the job 13 years ago were former Lancers coach Frank Serratore, now head coach at Air Force, and Greg Drechsel, now associate head coach at Clarkson. Neither has returned phone calls to The World-Herald.

Other prospects include former North Dakota coach Dean Blais, now coaching Fargo of the USHL; Miami (Ohio) assistant Chris Bergeron; New Hampshire assistant David Lassonde, and former UNO assistant Steve Rohlik, now an assistant at Minnesota-Duluth. None has returned phone calls.

Blais to UNO?

Kevin Pates from Rink and Run is reporting this gem. What do Sioux fans think? Also, it would appear that UNO to the WCHA is gaining some legs. If Dean Blais was the coach of UNO they would probably become a top ten team nationally in 2 - 3 seasons.

ALSO there is talk that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod will be in Omaha this week to talk with Nebraska-Omaha officials about joining the league. At the same time, Omaha's new athletic director, Trev Alberts, is in the midst of a search for a hockey coach, to replace Mike Kemp. The most recent rumor is that Dean Blais is the coaching front-runner, while UMD assistant Steve Rohlik is a former Omaha assistant.

The Alumni and Students should decide.

This article is in today's Bismarck Tribune. First off lets not start kicking dirt on the Fighting Sioux logo just yet. Let the people that are doing the outreach to the two Sioux tribes finish with their work. Second, this isn't some stupid contest. This should be a process that needs to be taken seriously and should be respectful. Some times I swear my head is going to explode from reading all of the misinformation and false facts I have read the past week since the decision.

I get it, the name is probably going to be changed it should be up to the students and Alumni of the University of North Dakota. Not up to some newspaper in Bismarck, ND. In my opinion if you didn't attend UND, you're not part of the facualty and or staff or not currently attending the University of North Dakota you shouldn't have any input in the next nick name and logo for the University of North Dakota.

Give us your ideas for a new UND nickname
What is the perfect nickname for the University of North Dakota? Alumni,
fans and regular readers have been passionate about the nickname issue.
Now that the Fighting Sioux name is likely on its way out, it's your
turn to suggest a new nickname. Post your ideas below as a comment.
Our normal commenting guidelines apply - nothing offensive.

Nah he isn't bitter.

Mike Chambers the Denver Post beat writer for the Denver Pioneers hockey never misses a chance to take a shot/hack at UND, here is his latest subtle shot across bow at UND. While it's true that Wiercioch is a talented and up and coming hockey player that will never see four seasons at DU, Brian Lee did play in 53 games with the Senators last season in the NHL so it's not like he is some talentless hack.

– Had a nice conversation with freshman defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, the gifted NHL-bound Canadian, about his looming decision to stay at DU or sign with the Ottawa Senators. Wiercioch previously said he intends to stay, but he probably hasn’t heard Ottawa’s best pitch yet. One thing that could help keep him around is the chance to play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship. If he stays at DU, he almost certainly will have the opportunity to play in the WJC, but if he signs and is a regular for Ottawa, he almost certainly wont. Patrick noted that there were eight NHL rookies last December _ TB’s Stamkos and LA’s Doughty, to name two _ that could have played for Team Canada, but none were released from their NHL teams. In my humble opinion, Wiercioch is better than Ottawa’s Brian Lee, who would have been a senior at North Dakota last season, so signing with the Sens could quickly end Wiercioch’s dream of playing in the WJC. Of course, DU would love to let him go in December, and possibly be a WJC teammate with Pioneers classmate Joe Colborne. The publicity of having two Team Canada guys in the WJC would be enormous.

So you say there is a chance? Winnipeg Jets?

Every since the Jets left Winnipeg for the Desert I have wondered if Winnipeg would ever get another NHL franchise? I have kind of held out hope for the day I could watch an NHL game on Boxing day in Winnipeg. Also, that would make the NHL 150 miles from my front door. Stay tuned.

On Friday, as news spread out of the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy hearing that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman indicated that if the team had to be relocated in Canada, the league would favour Winnipeg over Hamilton -- the reaction, as always, was cautionary.

First, we stressed that Bettman's "alleged" comments came in the form of an affidavit quoting a third party, Coyotes' lawyer Earl Scudder.

Second, we stressed that Bettman qualified the statement, that "if the Coyotes had to be relocated to Canada," the NHL would prefer Winnipeg over Hamilton.

Well, turns out there's no need to stress anymore. According to documents filed in court, the Globe and Mail reported Monday that Bettman e-mailed deputy commissioner Bill Daly on April 4, after talking to Scudder, and wrote: "I told (Scudder) that at some point, if we don't have an alternative, I will have to start looking at the moving (of the Coyotes) option."

When Scudder asked about Southern Ontario and Hamilton, Bettman said, "I responded that it's a league opportunity, the building (Copps Coliseum) is too old etc. and, frankly, if this team had to move it should first be offered to Winnipeg."

Note that Bettman did not qualify the latter statement with a "if we have to move to Canada." He said if the Coyotes had to be relocated, they should be offered to Winnipeg. Period.

It really makes you wonder what the folks at True North Sports and Entertainment aren't telling us. Do you think the NHL -- which has several (probably more than we know) financially troubled franchises other than Phoenix -- hasn't lined up a list of potential locations in a worst-case scenario?

Do you think Bettman or Daly haven't called Chipman or a True North representative, or even met with them, to say, "Hey, remember when you guys (Chipman and TNSE president and CEO Jim Ludlow) flew to New York 18 months ago to pitch Winnipeg as an NHL city to our board of governors? Just wondering, are you still interested? Do you have the financial wherewithal to afford an NHL team?"
(Read the rest of the article here)

Cooke will not be suspended.

Matt Cooke will not be suspended for his knee to knee hit on Eric Cole during game one of the Eastern Conference final. I have to admit that I am not a fan of Matt Cooke and his antics and this hit is a lot worse than the Ovechkin hit on Gonchar. In my opinion it looks more malicious. If we have learned anything during the Stanley Cup playoffs is that the league office is very inconsistent.

NHL decides not to suspend Penguins winger Cooke
Pittsburgh--- Penguins left winger Matt Cooke will not be suspended for a knee-on-knee hit on Carolina forward Erik Cole during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final Monday at Mellon Arena.

It was not immediately known if Cooke will be fined by the National Hockey League office.

Cole was injured on the hit, which occurred during the third period, and played sparingly after that.

Neither he nor teammate Tuomo Ruutu, who also was injured Monday, participated in Carolina's practice today. Hurricanes Coach Paul Maurice said their status for Game 2tomorrow night has not been determined.

Toews two times.

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Jonathan Toews score two really nice goals in last night's game for the Chicago Blackhawks, unforunately it wasn't enough as the boring Detroit Redwings won the game. the first goal was a thing of beauty. The second Toews goal was a perfect example of a player getting in the blue paint and scoring a dirty goal.

Here are a few words that I would use to explain Detroit Redwings: tedious, dull, monotonous, repetitive, unrelieved, unvaried, unimaginative, uneventful; characterless, featureless, colorless, lifeless, insipid, uninteresting, unexciting, uninspiring, unstimulating; unreadable, unwatchable; jejune, flat, bland, dry, stale, tired, banal, lackluster, stodgy, vapid, monochrome, dreary, humdrum, mundane; mind-numbing, wearisome, tiring, tiresome, irksome, trying, frustrating; informal deadly, ho-hum, dullsville, dull as dishwater, plain-vanilla.

This sums it up.

Dave from the illegal curve had this posted up. I must say that I am bored with watching the Redwings play hockey. It's like I am watching a team from the Finnish or Swedish elite league play. I am holding out hope that the Chicago Blackhawks will rebound and win two games in Chicago and turn this series around.

Hockey news on the Fighting Sioux name.

Ryan Kennedy from the Hockey News weighs in on the Fighting Sioux nick name. This article has a few things that should be addressed. First, I don't believe the NCAA is going to accept the nick name Warriors not with the current logo anyways. There is already a NSIC team named the Warriors, the Sioux used to whoop up on them in football.

I have seen people write what is going to be be removed from the arena if the name is changed; I think people are miss stating the facts. The fact laid out by the settlement is that the championship banners hanging from the rafters, the photos, trophies and statues and the Sitting Bull statue in front of the Englestad arena and logos in the granite floor are not going anywhere. (NCAA Settlement agreement)

The Fighting Sioux name in North Dakota will soon be no more. The university’s controversial moniker is getting an update, thus appeasing the NCAA as well as actual Sioux nation members from two of the state’s three tribes, who would both need to change stances and endorse the name in order to keep it (the third is already on board).

Over the years there has been much debate over the topic; fans insist their love of the name and logo stems from pride and respect. Charges of racism are often quite wounding to UND supporters, though the hockey team’s greatest benefactor never really helped matters.

Ralph Engelstad, whose name graces the Fighting Sioux’s sparkling arena (which hosted the world juniors in 2005), was criticized for throwing parties in a Nazi-themed secret room at his Imperial Casino in Las Vegas on Hitler’s birthday in the 1980s. His $100 million donation to UND for the arena was contingent on the university keeping the Fighting Sioux name. Engelstad died of cancer in 2002.

But the name is likely a moot point now. The fans can regard themselves as Sioux Nation as long as they want, but the sweaters and pennants will have to be changed. The school that gave us Ed Belfour, Zach Parise and T.J. Oshie will still churn out excellent players, so what should the team be named?

Coming up with a new tag for a school so identified with the old one is tricky. And since the most obvious name for a team from North Dakota – the Bison – is already being used by North Dakota State, UND will have to get creative.

One way to keep the theme of the Fighting Sioux without the inflammatory bits, would be to call the team the Warriors. It’s a little plain, but it’s also vague enough to not be offensive. After all, a warrior can be anyone from a Sioux combatant to Peter Forsberg. Animal names are also very good. Unfortunately, North Dakota doesn’t have a very intimidating menagerie.

The state bird is the western meadowlark and North Dakota is sometimes known as the ‘Flickertail State’ because of a local squirrel. Taking to the ice as the North Dakota Flickertails would provide a little too much ammo for the Badgers and Bulldogs of the WCHA.

The state horse is the nakota, which is a cool-sounding name if you don’t mind the tongue-twister of saying “North Dakota Nakotas.” The Utah Utes have survived, after all.

Kessel and David Krejci will need surgury.

Word is coming out of Boston is that the Bruins young gun’s Phil Kessel and David Krejci were part of the walking wounded and will need surgery in the off season. There is a chance that neither of them could be ready when the regular season begins. Krejci played the whole season with a a torn labrum in his hip, an injury similar to the one that Marian Gaborik had this past season. Funny, Gabby couldn’t play on it but Krejci could, speaks to the character of David Krejci.I guess Czech's are tougher than Slovak's.

Both Krejci and Kessel will be restricted free agents on July 1 and are a big part of the Bruins success this past season. I would hope that the Bruin’s management will try very hard to get both players signed. The Bruins are going to be close to the cap so they will have to make some decisions during the off season.

David Krejci and Phil Kessel, two of the Bruins' best young forwards, are slated to undergo surgery this offseason. Both are questionable to be ready for the start of the regular season according to general manager Peter Chiarelli.

Defenseman Andrew Ference will undergo groin surgery next month, and forward Chuck Kobasew confirmed he played against the Canes with two broken ribs.

"There's a variety of injuries we had throughout the course of the playoffs," said Chiarelli this afternoon. "Every team has injuries. But we seemed to have a few more than other teams. I have to hand it to the players for playing through those injuries."

Krejci, 23, will have hip surgery next month. He is not expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Kessel, 21, will have shoulder surgery on Thursday to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. Kessel is also not expected to be ready for camp.
(Links to the story) (Link to David Krejci Injury)

Check out the rest of the Bruins injuries this is a long list. .

Other Bruins who played through injuries included Mark Recchi (kidney stone), Marc Savard (knee), Milan Lucic (toe), and Zdeno Chara (shoulder, knee, and groin). Chara will not require surgery on any of his injuries. Savard noted that his knee problem probably would have kept him out for two weeks during the regular season.

UMN Assistant coach says he is staying

Maybe the Gophers won't be losing their assistant coach Mike Hastings after all. Early rumor were that Hastings would be the odds on favorite to take Mike Kemp's place at UNO. I guess only time will tell.

Hockey assistant staying :
Gophers assistant hockey coach Mike Hastings said he is flattered to be mentioned as a candidate to be head coach at Nebraska-Omaha, but he is not pursuing the job. 'I am focused right now on doing everything I can for the University of Minnesota,' said Hastings, who coached the Omaha Lancers of the USHL for 14 years before joining the U staff in 2008-09. Mike Kemp resigned as UNO coach Thursday to become the school's associate athletic director."

Aaron Ward smokes Tuomo Ruutu

Former Michigan Wolverine Aaron Ward absolutely smokes Tuomo Ruutu. This is one of the best hits that I have seen so far in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Unfortunately, it was about all there was to cheer about in game "7".

How about this one?

Big A HG had this uniform idea/concept posted over on Siouxsports.com and if UND decides to go with the no-logo/nick name in the interim while they pick a new one I think this is also a really good option. Contrary to the people that think you can just change the nick name, it may take a while to find an acceptable replacement nick name and logo that will even come close to the Fighting Sioux name and in my opinion that could be debatable as well. On my personal short list of name is no name, Wild Nokotas, Norse and Areos (flight School), Predators (UAV's), SOO and Flyers.

Simply North Dakota

This was linked to by Brad Schlossman and it's posted over on the Lets Go Sioux woman's hockey blog and frankly I could conceive a hockey Jersey with no logo like the jersey on the and just simply be the University of North Dakota. I would rather have no logo and mascot at all than something stupid. My biggest fear is the University would change the name witout consulting with the Students and Alumni. I really like the We ARE 1 WE ARE North Dakota slogan.

Logos what can stay and what can go.

I have seen the question posed on what can stay and what would have to go to be compliant with the NCAA settlement. I have also seen a lot of stuff that is incorrect, this should clear things up.

If UND had to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the privately-owned Ralph Engelstad Arena wanted to host NCAA post-season games, it would have to remove many of the 2,400 logos it now contains.

What would stay and what would have to go?

The legal settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames, says “images commonly associated with Native American culture” are not allowed, except these:

- Images of historical significance: These include championship banners, photos, trophies and statues, such as the Sitting Bull statue in front.

- Images that would be cost prohibitive to remove, namely the logos in the granite floor.

- Images the arena may replace over time: These include carpeting, turf, wood flooring, medallions on the seats and railings, lighted logos outside and etched glass door. Each item has a timetable for replacement from the end of 2011 to the end of 2015. (read the article here)

Also, if there logos were going to be changed don't expect Ralph Engelstad Arena or the Engelstad family to play for the changes it isn't going to happen. Nor should they be expected to pay for it. Maybe the people that wanted the Fighting Sioux name changed should poney up the money. Maybe team North Dakota can get a grant from the Federal government to pay for the changes.

On Friday we asked for a reaction from Jody Hodgson, the arena’s general manager and a representative of the Engelstad Family Foundation.

He said, among other things, that the arena’s preference, no matter the outcome, is to avoid any changes, such as removal of the logos. If changes were needed, he said, the arena won’t pay the more than $1 million cost.

The legal settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames and imagery, requires the removal of many Sioux logos in the arena before UND can host a post-season game there. The settlement origi-nally set a Nov. 30, 2010 deadline to get tribal approval to use the name.
(read the article here)

Lastly, I have heard people say that the arena is going to blow up or be destroyed if the Fighting Sioux name is changed. Let's get serious, that's is not going to happen, folks. It is an urban legend that was started after the construction of the REA was almost stopped back in 2000 because of political correctness run amok. No one can find any documentation that says this because it is not true.

Engelstad family 'deeply disappointed' by 'lack of conviction'

The Englestad family is upset with UND president President Kelley and his lack of conviction. This is why I have said all along that I think UND needs to have a person with strong ties to UND serving as our university president, not some transient. The name means nothing to a bureaucrat like Kelly. So basically the university and the State Board of Higher Education pissed off one of their major donors there could be more to follow. Then try funding the university.

Statement from the Engelstad Family Foundation – May 15, 2009

In response to the resolution passed by the State Board of Higher Education the following statement is being released by the Engelstad Family Foundation.

"My father was immensely proud as a student-athlete to be identified with the Fighting Sioux and its proud and honored heritage," commented Kris Engelstad McGarry, daughter of Ralph Engelstad. "We stand with the 67% of tribal members at Spirit Lake who believe the identification with a fine university is a relationship which would have continued to bring benefit and opportunities to the Sioux citizens.

"I am deeply disappointed that the State Board and President Kelly are not committed to retaining the Fighting Sioux name and logo, however I can't say that I'm surprised by their lack of conviction. This is a sad day for North Dakota.

"We remain steadfast in our dedication to the students, the alumni, and the traditions established at UND.

"I feel it necessary to once again answer the question of why this issue is so important to us. As my father has stated, "Tradition is that gentle fabric woven through time and experience which generates meaning, character and identity to one and all. The Fighting Sioux logo, the Fighting Sioux tradition and the spirit of being a Fighting Sioux are of lasting value and immeasurable significance to our past, present and future."

Fighting Sioux nickname resolution.

In case you haven't read it here is the text of the from yesterday's nick name resolution.

Fighting Sioux nickname resolution adopted by North Dakota State Board of Higher Education on May 14, 2009
Consistent with the terms and conditions of the October 26, 2007, Settlement Agreement entered into with the NCAA, the Board directs UND officials to retire the “Sioux” nickname and logo, effective October 1, 2009. Full retirement of the nickname and logo shall be completed no later than August 1, 2010. In the event a new nickname and logo are adopted by UND, they shall not violate the NCAA policy regarding Native American nicknames, mascots and imagery.

UND is further directed to undertake actions consistent with the Settlement Agreement to protect its intellectual property rights in the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and mark.

UND is further directed to address the imagery at Ralph Engelstad Arena and other venues pursuant to the terms, conditions and timelines set forth in the Settlement Agreement.

This directive shall be suspended, if, prior to October 1, 2009, the following should happen:

1. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe give namesake approval consistent with the terms of the Settlement Agreement; and

2. The namesake approval be binding upon the tribes for a period not less than thirty (30) years.

Interesting day in College Hockey.

Yesterday turned out to be an interesting day in college hockey. First, Mike Kemp stepped down as hockey coach and is now the assistant athletic director of UNO. According to UNO Athletic Director Trev Alberts , Mike Kemp as not pushed out.

Former Red River star and Minnesota Gopher Grant Potulny will return to the Minnesota as an assistant coach.

Gopher assistant coach Mike Hastings is probably going to be a favorite for replacing Kemp at UNO. It would be interesting to see if Blais would consider coaching at UNO.

Neither Quinn nor Hastings returned phone calls Thursday night.

Kemp will serve on the committee to find the new coach, along with Alberts, Assistant Athletic Director Don Leahy, women's basketball coach Patty Patton Shearer, faculty athletic representative Bill Wakefield, hockey captain Mark Bernier and a member of the community.

Other names generating a buzz in coaching circles are former Lancers coach Mike Guentzel, an assistant at Colorado College who was a finalist at UNO when Kemp was hired; former North Dakota coach Dean Blais, who won two national championships with the Fighting Sioux and is now coaching Fargo of the USHL; New Hampshire assistant David Lassonde; and Miami (Ohio) assistant Chris Bergeron, who helped put together a Frozen Four team. (read the whole story here)

Interesting tid bits from Fiona Quick's twitter.

I was reading/perusing the Fiona Quick's twitter and there is some really good stuff there today. Looks like some are getting antsy in Gopher land, I hope Blaiser doesn't coach at the UofMN. I think the biggest development is that the UNO coach Mike Kemp was pushed out as the head coach. I think if Mike Hastings becomes the head coach it could bode well for the Mavericks and the WCHA expansion.

*Word on the street is there are several people pushing for Dean Blais as the next head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

*Former Gopher assistant coach Mike Guentzel will compete with current assistant Mike Hastings but Hastings is favorite for job at UNO.

*QuickFacts expects Golden Gopher freshman phenom Jordan Schroeder to sign an NHL professional contract following NHL Entry Draft in June.

*UNO Hockey called press conference for "Major announcement" at 4pm. Mike Hastings is favorite to take over as head coach of Mavericks.

Taps for the Fighting Sioux name?!?

I urge the University of North Dakota do not just pick a replacement name without having a discussion with the Students and alumni. If you do this hastily you will do more damage than good. As many fans have suggested in the past, if anything UND shoiuld not pick a new name and or logo immediately but in the interim just simply be the University of North Dakota.

Dickenson, ND --- The North Dakota State Higher Board of Education voted unanimously to retire the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname effective Oct. 1, 2009. The decision was made at its regular meeting held Thursday at Dickinson State University.

The retirement takes effect except in the event that stipulations in the original agreement with the NCAA to retain the nickname are met by both the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux tribes to approve the nickname.

The NCAA previously required approval of the nickname by both tribes for the university to retain use the nickname.

This kind of sums it up.

Props to the Stanley Cup of Chowder. George Paros didn't waste that Ivy League education. Also, it's a very profound and true statement, this years Stanley Cup playoffs have been nothing short of amazing to me. The regular season is just a prelude of what is to come.

"The playoffs are to the regular season what cream filling is to the Twinkie. It's a smaller portion of the whole, but it's the tastiest part."

Anaheim Ducks Enforcer and Princeton graduate George Parros on the NHL playoffs in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated

Fighting Sioux > Summit League

I was wondering when this was going to happen? You had to know that this was coming: earlier this year the athletic director of UND was whining about not having this issue solved and needing to find a conference. They should have thought about that before they went Division One, or UND should have moved when SDSU and NDSU did. Next, let the Sioux tribe at Standing Rock weigh in on the issue, especially after the Spirit Lake Reservation voted overwhelmingly to support the Fighting Sioux name. There is no reason at all to rush this issue, the Summit league will still be there.

My next question is why does the state have to tackle this issue right now? They still have till 2010. What is the hurry? Funny how they decide now just as the summer is starting and all of the students are going home at the end of the semester. Does this remind you of the summer when president Baker took old logo off the UND hockey uniforms? I can only imagine the stupid name the university would come up with to replace the Fighting Sioux name with. You cannot just change the name to make the Summit League happy. There has to be a process. You can't change the name in the dark or during the summer. The students and alumni need to give input in the selection process.

There is no reason to hurry. The Summit isn't going anywhere and UND can't play for anything for three more years. The Summit League is a second rate conference filled with a bunch of unimpressive teams outside of NDSU, SDSU and South Dakota. Does the university really want to give up it's storied name just for a chance to be in a mediocre mid major? There is no guarantee that they will accept UND even if they drop the Fighting Sioux name. If you think I am wrong, take a look at the impressive schools in this conference; I bet Oakland, Oral Roberts, Southern Utah, Western Illinois, Centenary, IPFW, is really going to fill up the Betty. Sign me up for season tickets right now.

Summit League 'intervening issue'
Tu-Uyen Tran and Wayne Nelson ------- Grand Forks, ND
UND’s chances of entering the Summit League athletic conference may require the state to resolve the controversy over the university’s Fighting Sioux nickname sooner than expected, according to the chairman of a state committee working on the issue.

“I look at the Summit League as an intervening issue,” said Grant Shaft, who will report to the State Board of Higher Education today. “It might lead the board to move our timeline up.”

Under a timeline established earlier this year, the committee has until the end of the year to gather information about the nickname and how it affects the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux reservations and the UND community.

The state board will need the approval of both the state’s Sioux tribes for UND to keep the nickname under an agreement with the NCAA. The board has until the end of November 2010 to get that approval, although to make time for a transition period, approval has to be in place by February.

After speaking with Summit League and UND officials, Shaft said the board may not have the luxury of time.

Last month, Spirit Lake tribal members voted 764-371 to keep the nickname, although formal approval by the Tribal Council is needed to satisfy the NCAA agreement.

Some Standing Rock tribal members are gathering signatures to put the nickname on the ballot there either in July or September. The Standing Rock Tribal Council also has to give formal approval.

However, the time frame of the tribal approval process may conflict with the Summit League’s plans for expansion, according to Shaft. He said he’ll ask the state board to weigh both in its decision, which he does not expect today.

Rather, Shaft said, he’ll ask board members to mull it over until possibly the next monthly board meeting June 18.

Why is timing important for entry into the Summit League or any conference for that matter?

UND views the Summit as an attractive home for the majority of its Division I athletic programs.

The 10-team league is viewed as a good fit geographically for UND. In addition, a number of Summit schools — including North Dakota State and South Dakota State — have similar academic missions.

The Summit recently accepted South Dakota as a new member. Like UND, South Dakota also completed its first season as a Division I athletic program.

UPDATE: I will stand by my earlier statement; 'If you think I am wrong, take a look at the impressive schools in this conference; I bet Oakland, Oral Roberts, Southern Utah, Western Illinois, Centenary, IPFW, is really going to fill up the Betty. Sign me up for season tickets right now.'

I ask Sioux fans; out side of NDSU, SDSU and South Dakota what team on that list above really makes you want to say, hey I want to attend a basketball or baseball game featuring one of those teams? Not that many of us are drooling at the prospects. Is this really all we are left with? It's almost like were are bickering over scraps. That being said I do think the Missouri Valley Football Conference is a nice football conference and has some attractive teams in it.

Over at Bisonville they are discussing this issue, good for them, it will just end up being another food fight between Sioux and Bison fans.

Ducks and Redwings line brawl.

Wow, what an ending to a boring game, a good ole fashion donnybrook at the buzzer. I guess it wouldn't be an understatement to say that the Redwings and Ducks don't like each other. I also would expect the former Badger Brian Rafalski to do a better job defending himself.

Lastly, I have to give props to Pavel Datsyuk for not hiding behind the ref and turtling. You can bet the Scott Niedermayer elbow on Pavel Datsyuk will be under review by the NHL but don't expect anything from Colin Campbell. You have to wonder if it is going to be considered sending a mess or not?

Bruins force game 7.

The Bruins were never behind and they countered everything the Canes threw at them. They did get a scare when "Marc Savard was kneed by Chad LaRose but I wouldn't classify it as a dirty hit. Coach Julian said Savard will play in game 7. Patrice Bergeron (0-2-2) Mark Recci (1-1-2)and Chuck Kobasew (1-1-2) had a big game for the Bruins.

Ward's side of the Walker sucker punch.

Very interesting look at the other side of the ugly game five incident from the person that was on the receiving end of the sucker punch by Scott Walker. So you have to wonder if Walker is lying, if Walker thought he was getting into a fight with Ward; why isn't his opponent ready to fight? If you watch the video you will see that Walker just grabbed Ward and punched him. You would think Ward would have thrown off his gloves and been ready to fight. If I am going to get into a fight I am sure as heck aren’t just going to stand there and get punched in the head.

Oh by the way; I like how Keith Jones from Versus didn't mention this last night when he was defending the non-league suspension for Walker's thuggery. If you’re a player that has had concussion issues in the past maybe he should think twice about hacking away at someone one else, what does he expect Ward to do? Kiss him? If I have learned one thing the Carolina fans and their media has done a lot of whining about the Boston Bruins that they didn't do during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoff run.

Ward: 'It's a joke' --- Aaron Ward, who is sporting a purple bruise under his left eye, spoke this morning for the first time since taking a punch from Scott Walker in the third period of Game 5.

"It's a joke. It's honestly a joke," Ward said of the situation.

Ward, who will play tonight, said he was tussling with Matt Cullen prior to Walker's punch. According to Ward, Cullen had slashed him across the legs. Ward was telling Cullen he didn't like the slash when Walker came in with a punch. Ward said he didn't see Walker and never exchanged any words with him.

"I don't remember a single word being said," Ward said of the exchange between he and Walker. "I was looking at Matt Cullen. The moment I saw his right hand was when it was about a foot away from my face."

Ward said a team doctor saw "something" on an X-ray and advised him to wear a shield.

"I haven't worn one in 16 years," Ward said. "I'm not going to start now."

Ward said he never spoke with Colin Campbell about the incident.

Aaron Ward to play in game 6.

According to a few Boston Bruins hockey blogs and news sources Boston Bruin's defenseman Aaron Ward will play in game six against the Carolina Hurricanes. Colin Campbell must have went to the same school as Greg Shepherd and Bruce McLeod because they never seem to rule with an consistency in any of their rulings. If this had been Milan Lucic and he had sucker punched Eric Staal or Cindy Crosby there would have been a long suspension.

Report: Ward will play in Game 6
James Murphy --- May 11, 2009

Thankfully for the Boston Bruins, defenseman Aaron Ward is OK and will play in game 6.

TSN and NBC analyst Pierre McGuire reported on “Melnick In the Afternoon” on the Team 990 in Montreal on Monday that Ward’s injury is not “as serious as they thought” and that he will be ready to go for Game 6.
It is unknown if the Bruins will still call up another defenseman from Providence as insurance.

The NHL rescinded the automatic suspension that Scott Walker received as a result of the instigator penalty assessed to him with 2:47 remaining in the third period of Sunday’s game.

“We respectfully disagree with the NHL’s ruling to rescind the automatic suspension to Scott Walker, but we will abide by the league’s ruling,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said in a statement.

While the Bruins took the high road in regard to the NHL’s decision, they surely aren’t happy about what transpired.

“I don’t care what people say [that] Ward should’ve protected himself,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “He had no intention of getting involved. We asked our guys to stay composed and not fall into that trap, and he just did that. A guy with Walker’s experience should know better than to sucker punch a guy, and again, this is an area that I don’t deal with. I deal with my team and let other people deal with the situation.”

NHL head disciplinarian Colin Campbell deemed Walker’s actions did not warrant the mandatory one-game suspension, and Walker and the Hurricanes agreed with Campbell.

Anyone confused with the leagues ruling?

Let me get this right; saying sloppy seconds gets you suspended for 6 games, ok. So which is worse a crude statement or punching an un-expecting opponent? You would think the sucker punch right? Apparently it is ok to sucker punch your opponent possibly breaking his face and causing him to miss a game and possibly the rest of the series. Mind you this thug hit his opponent while his hands were down, a violation of the code. That gets you nothing from the league office, Nada.

So are you confused yet? Let’s go further; you can sucker punch your opponent but don’t you dare cross check an opposing player that will get you a one game suspension. The NHL league office has no credibility and it is time for the NHL to replace Colin Campbell with someone that is going to make consistent and fair decision there are two or three sets of rules in the NHL if you’re a goon or fourth line player you get suspended but if you‘re a star player you can get away with murder. Just ask Ovechkin and Crosby.

Lastly, Scott Walker is a knuckle head of course he accepts his fine, it is a drop in the bucket for him. What is he going to say? I don't my light punishment. What a joke! I listened to the Hurricanes homer announcers the first two games and all they did was whine about the Boston Bruins. Well they are really going to be unhappy now because they Canes woke up the slumbering bears. Do you think Lucic is going to let Walker get away with his gutless act? NOPE...

BOSTON --- Scott Walker has been fined $2,500 for his incident with Aaron Ward at 17:13 of last night's third period. Walker will not be suspended for Game 6.

"We are satisfied with the league's ruling," said president and GM Jim Rutherford in a statement. "After our team received several punches throughout the series leading up to Game 5, it was a matter of time before one was going to be thrown back."

According to Claude Julien, the Bruins are awaiting results on Ward's left eye.

"I accept the league's decision," Walker said in a statement. "Based on what was said on the ice as I was dropping my gloves, it was my understanding that I was engaged in an altercation."

Scott probably has sore knuckles.

I think I have lost all respect for Canes coach Paul Maurice (not that I had that much before this game) when the coach was asked by the media what are the ramifications of the Scott Walker situation/sucker punch. The smart assed Maurice replied, "Scott probably has sore knuckles," he said. Asked if the NHL might fine his winger, Maurice quipped: "I may have to sell my truck." Wow! That is all class right there. Your goon sucker punched an un-expecting defenseless player and all you can do is make jokes about it. The league has to suspend Scott Walker and fine Maurice the 10,000 bucks for having a major inside of five minutes left in the game.

Tim Conboy vs Mark Stuart

Former C.C. Tiger Mark Stuart is one tough hockey player and Former SCSU Husky Tim Conboy proves he isn't a very good fighter nor is he a very good hockey player either. It was kind of ronic, former Fighting Sioux Ryan Bayda was out with the flu so he was replaced by Tim Conboy who looked like a punching bag tonight. In case anyone is keeping track Conboy got worked twice in the same night. Conboy's first fight was against Bruins tough guy Sean Thornton who laid a smack down on Conboy as well. So the Hurricanes basically woke up the sleeping bear from their slumber and now the Bruins got their game back and should be angry and on the prowl in Raleigh Tuesday night.

Aaron Ward may have a broken Orbital bone.

According to the Boston Bruin's Beat writer Ward might have a broken orbitial bone.

According to Claude Julien, Aaron Ward might have suffered a broken orbital bone when he was sucker-punched by Scott Walker at 17:13 of the third period.

Ward will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

Scott Walker cheaps Aaron Ward.

Props to Paul from KuklasKorner for getting the video up this quickly. The league has to review this play, this is suspension worthy. I would say about 4-5 games at least. I don’t care what some homer writer from Carolina has to say, this was a cheap sucker punch. Back in 1995 when Rangers goon Tie Domi sucker punched the gutless puke Ulf Samuelsson and he got 8 games.

In my opinion Scott Walker broke the code by punching a guy that wasn't ready to fight, watch the tape Ward had no intention of fighting he still had his gloves on. That is a sucker punch. There is no sense to Scott Walker's act of thuggery and Walker is very lucky that Bruins tough guy Lucic wasn't able to get a hold of him.

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux sets ECHL record.

While looking through Twitter I came upon this nugget, seems that that former Fighting Sioux goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is having a all-star season. Now you have to wonder if he will get a look in the AHL next season based on his number this season.

Former UND goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has tied the ECHL record with 12 shutouts including record 8 in the regular season for Alaska Aces

That is a pretty impressive season in the ECHL 12 shutouts, eight during the regular season and 4 in the ECHL playoffs. Phil Lamoureux is one shutout short of the setting the all-time ECHL playoff shutout record.

Wheeler wants to contribute before it's too late.

Blake Wheeler has exceeded expectations with his play this past season. Based on his play in college not many expected Wheeler to make the NHL right out of training camp. I don’t think many people in their wildest dreams expected that Blake Wheeler would play in 81 games and record (21-24-45) add to the fact that he was a plus 36. Scoring 20 goals as a rookie in the NHL is nothing to sneeze at and I think some expected that play to carry over to the Stanley Cup playoffs, that has not happened to date and the Bruins are on the verge of being usurped from the playoffs. I think as a rookie Wheeler has hit the wall but that happens to rookies in the NHL.

In defense of Wheeler he isn’t the only one that isn’t producing; some key players for the Bruins have also failed to show up as well, Mark Recci (1-2-3), Patrice Bergeron (0-2-2), if the Bruins are to come back in this series they are going to need more balanced scoring and I haven’t seen any evidence of that happening so far.

There have been better times during his rookie NHL season for Boston Bruins winger Blake Wheeler.

Among the league’s top rookie scorers and overall leaders in plus/minus all season while skating for one of the top teams in the overall standings during the 2008-09 regular season, Wheeler suddenly finds himself with a goose egg on the stats sheet for a team on the verge of getting eliminated in the second round.

But he continues to flaunt maturity beyond his years even with the Bruins down 3-1 heading into tomorrow night’s Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series with Carolina.

“There’s two sides of any sport. Any time adversity comes, you have to react in a positive way and let it make you a better player and a better person,” he told TheBruinsBlog.net today after what might have been the Bruins’ last practice of the season in Wilmington, Mass. “You can’t feel sorry for yourself, you can’t walk around with your tail between your legs, you have to kind of embrace it, learn from it and just try to get better from it. And when you come out of it, you feel a lot better about yourself.
(read the rest of the article here)

Canucks not happy with the officiating.

I have watched a lot of this series and the Canucks are finally paying for their mistakes in all three zones on the ice. I think the Blackhawk’s are the better team. During the last series Blues didn't cash in on the Canucks mistakes like the Blackhawk’s have. I don't think the Canucks can blame any of their loses on bad officiating or weak penalties. I do think that Detroit could make the case because they were screwed on a quick whistle that should have been a game tying goal.

Chicago has given us a glimpse of their very bright future, if they can get past the Canucks I think they have a very good chance of defeating who ever they play in the next round. The refs have been consistently bad during this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. It doesn’t matter what series you are watching. The Hurricanes homer announcers were complaining about the Bruins and how they felt they were getting away with a lot of stick work and checking from behind calls.

Questionable officiating

The Canucks probably had reason to complain about the officiating in Game 5 Saturday night. There were a few questionable calls, including an extra two minutes called on Shane O’Brien after a scrap with Matt Walker.

The Blackhawks scored on that man advantage as Dustin Byfuglien converted his second goal of the game, squeezing in a Brian Campbell rebound between the legs of Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo.

After the game, O’Brien expressed some frustration with the call. He was originally tied up with Byfuglien, who skated away before an altercation. O’Brien says Walker then challenged him and they dropped the gloves, but the officials called the Canucks defenceman for an extra two minutes for roughing.

Vancouver also took two penalties late in the game. Defenceman Kevin Bieksa hit Patrick Sharp along the boards and high-sticked him in the process. That led to the winning goal by Dave Bolland, his fourth of the post-season.

“That’s happened to us three times in this series…what are you going to do.” said Luongo after the game.

The game was pretty much decided with Ryan Kesler’s final penalty of the game at 16:07. Kesler was called for holding Chicago defenceman Brian Campbell, who seemed to embellish. But Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said the “two penalties at the end of the game were deserved. We got in penalty trouble and they made us pay.”

Game Five on Versus.

For the hockey fans that want to watch the Bruins that don't have the NHL Center Ice hockey package or live in Carolina and Boston will be able to see the game on Versus again on Sunday night. Lets just hope the Bruins that won the Eastern Conference top spot will show up and play hockey so they can be around for game 6.

No local TV for either team

Versus will carry Game 5, meaning NESN (Bruins) and FSCarolinas (Hurricanes) will not have the broadcasts at the Garden Monday. Carolina play-by-play announcer John Forslund and Boston analyst Andy Brickley will be the Versus broadcast team for Game 5.

Goligoski called up.

Because Alexander Ovechkin's kneeing of Sergi Gonchar and the fact that Gonchar is questionable for tonight's game the Penguins have called up former Gopher Alex Goligoski as an insurance policy in case Gonchar can't go tonight.

Pens' Gonchar possibly out for tonight's game, Goligoski called up
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The Penguins have recalled defenseman Alex Goligoski from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre, and he is expected to be in the lineup for Game 5 of their second-round playoff series against Washington tonight at 7:08 at the Verizon Center.

He would replace defenseman Sergei Gonchar, whose right knee was injured on a hit by Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin during the first period of the Penguins' 5-3 victory in Game 4 at Mellon Arena last night.

Coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon that Gonchar has not been ruled out of tonight's game, and that Goligoski was recalled as "insurance."

Ovechkin was assessed only a two-minute tripping minor for the hit on Gonchar, and Washington officials said that as of late this morning he had not had a hearing with league officials.

The extent of Gonchar's injury has not been announced, but he accompanied the team here last night. He was wearing a large black support on his right knee at the team hotel today.

Gonchar has not spoken with reporters since he was injured.

Ovechkin awaits his fate.

Interesting quote by Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins but he is right if he had kneed Alex Ovechkin or one of the Capitals skilled players Cooke would be looking at a 1-3 game suspension from the league office. I think there is a double standard when it comes to league discipline of its players. I predict nothing will be done to Ovechkin because he is a star player and he is held to a different standard than a goon or third line role player. Ovechkin is also a big fan draw for the NHL and Versus.

PITTSBURGH -- Matt Cooke knows what the verdict would be if it were him on the stand today facing what passes for NHL justice.

"If I did what he did, I wouldn't be on the ice," the Penguins forward said last night in the bittersweet aftermath of a critical 5-3 win over the Washington Capitals.

Matt Cooke is not Alex Ovechkin, however, which is the challenge NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell faces in making a ruling prior to tonight's Game 5 of the riveting best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal that is now tied at 2-2.

Ovechkin's knee-on-knee hit on Sergei Gonchar in the first period had the star defenceman writhing on the Mellon Arena ice and potentially gone for the remainder of the Penguins' playoff run.

And it had the Pens seething and fiercely seeking justice despite having just put the series back on equal terms.

"He goes out there to hurt players," Pens defenceman Brooks Orpik said of the flamboyant Russian star. "That's three games in a row against us. Just watch the way the guy hits. He leaves his feet and takes countless strides at guys. There's a line you can't cross and he does it.

"We're not in charge of suspending guys, but it looks pretty obvious to us."

In what was an all-around wasted night for Ovechkin, who was held to just two shots on net and one assist, what the league decides today may carry as much weight on how the remainder of the series plays out.

Tonight's contest, as with all Game 5s, has massive implications for the series, so too then does the manner in which the NHL handles it.

Campbell must decide if, as the Caps claim, Ovechkin led with his shoulder and then couldn't move quick enough to avoid contact. And depending on the level of guilt, there is a matter of weighing on a team's superstar being taken down by another.