Wild and Bruins make deal.

Former Boston College Eagle Chuck Kobasew is leaving Boston for the State of Hockey. I have to wonder what the Boston GM is thinking? Is it possible that the Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is clearing out some cap space to make room for a bigger trade? The Bruins have banked a bunch of draft choices from the Leafs in the Kessel trade and now another second round draft choice from this one. The Bruins have some bargaining chips.

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired a second round draft choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the rights to unsigned draft choice Alexander Fallstrom and forward Craig Weller from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Chuck Kobasew.

Fallstrom, selected in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, began his freshman year at Harvard University in September, 2009. A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, he played for Brinken, Lindigo and Djurgarden in Sweden before moving to Minnesota where he attended Shattuck St. Mary’s School from 2007-2009. A senior captain at Shattuck St. Mary’s in 2008-09, Fallstrom led his team with 40 goals and 87 points (40-47=87) in 52 games. In his first season with Shattuck he had 67 points (20-47=67) in 62 games.

Weller, a fifth round selection of the St. Louis Blues in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (167th overall), has played in 95 NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes and Minnesota Wild and has 4-10=14 totals with 127 penalty minutes. This season, Weller has played five games for the Houston Aeros (AHL) and has one assist and seven penalty minutes. Last season, Weller played in 36 games for the Wild and earned 1-2=3 totals and 47 PIM's.

Kobasew was acquired by the Bruins along with Andrew Ference from Calgary in exchange for Brad Stuart, Wayne Primeau and a fourth round draft pick in 2008 on February 10, 2007. This season he has appeared in all seven of the Bruins contests, tallying 0-1=1 totals and 2 penalty minutes. In total, he appeared in 158 games for the Bruins, with 44-40=84 totals. His career NHL totals are 368 games, 78-77=155.

So now we are a bunch of rubes?

This is the kind of crap that I get tired of hearing/reading when the Golden Boys from Minneapolis come to town look at what the Gophers beat writer referred to one of the fans as a "rube". This is supposed to be journalism? Why not refer to the person as a fan?

A 60-some lady named Grace gave me and 40 others a tour of Ralph Engelstad Arena. Cheap entrainment for me, only $3. One rube actually said, "It's only three dollars."

Grace offered a little history of the Ralph. She said that in Dec. of 1998, Engelstad, a former UND alum who made millions in real estate and a Las Vegas casino, the Imperial Palace, pledged $100 million for a new arena. It took 21 months to build and he watched the progress.
[Red Star and Sickle]

Scores Saturday, October 17, 2009

WCHA

Minnesota State 2 at Minnesota-Duluth 3
Minnesota 3 at North Dakota 3 ot
Colorado College 1 at Wisconsin 1 ot

Analysis: UMD sweeps the MSU-M Mavericks. UND takes 3 points from Minnesota, kudos to the Fighting Sioux defense kept Jordan Schroeder off the score board all weekend. The Badgers get one point on the weekend and it will be interesting to see how C.C and Wisconsin respond after this weekend's play.

Non-Conference

Union 1 at St. Cloud State 3
Army 3 at Merrimack 6
Michigan State 3 at Maine 5
Miami 5 at New Hampshire 5 ot
RIT 3 at Clarkson 5
Connecticut 1 at Ferris State 6
Bentley 2 at Quinnipiac 3 ot
Mercyhurst 3 at Western Michigan 4
Nebraska-Omaha 4 at Colgate 1
Canisius 0 at Lake Superior 3
Niagara 3 at St. Lawrence 4
Alabama-Huntsville 4 at Air Force 2

Analysis: SCSU finally gets a win against a non-conference opponent and their nonconference record stands at 1-2-1 after two weekends of play. UAH beats AFA twice and now the Falcons are 0-4 on the season after being swept by BSU last weekened. Merrimack College evens their record to 2-2 after getting a sweep against Holy Cross. Dean Blais’ UNO Mavericks gets a win and a tie against ECAC opponent Colgate. Miami University another good weekend as they get a win and a tie against UNH.

Alaska Goal Rush

Rensselaer 1 at Alaska 1 ot [Alaska wins in shootout 1-0]
Robert Morris 5 vs. Alaska-Anchorage 3

Analysis: Good win by Robert Morris as they beat the UAA Seawolves. Here is my question; so did UAA take RMU for granted by thinking they were a cupcake or RMU is a pretty good hockey team. I am thinking maybe a little bit of both. The other Alaska school wins another tourney in Alaska.

Sioux 3 Gophers 3.

They say that getting a tie against your heated rival feels like kissing your sister. Actually, I think the Sioux got away with some sloppy play in their own end and lost a lot of battles to the puck. I don’t like to be negative when the Sioux got three out of four points against a decent opponent in their building before January 1st and three points is three points. On the goaltending blunders that I saw tonight, someone has go to work with Brad Eidsness about covering the post correctly, Eidsness over played the puck when he didn’t need to. Stay in your net and let the puck come to you. If Eids doesn't’t play that puck there is a chance the Sioux win. Also, Jake Marto made a huge save at the end of the game to keep UND in the game.

The Fighting Sioux defensemen were a step slow tonight and they need to win the races to the puck if the Fighting Sioux are going to be successful. The forwards have got to pick up their man in the defensive zone as well. I thought in the third period and the overtime that the Fighting Sioux defenseman and forwards did a better job getting in the passing lanes than the first half of the game.

Hobey Chay

I thought that senior defenseman Chay Genoway who had three points on the weekend (3g-0a-3pts ) was awesome with the puck in his own end and made all of the right decisions, and if I could have a vote he would be my choice for defensive player of the week in the WCHA. I think this season that Genoway will have a legitimate shot at being a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist at the end of the season, if Chay  keeps his level of play at a high level consistently. If he keeps playing like this he should be in consideration. I noticed that I am not the only one with this opinion.

Solid performers for the Weekend.

Mario Lamoureux (1g-1a-2pts)
Danny Kristo (0g-2a-2pts)
David Toews (0g-2a-2pts)
Chay Genoway (3g-0a-3pts)
Brad Eidsness (1-0-1) 1.44 GAA SV % .927
Sioux defense kept Jordan Schroeder off the score board all weekend.

From the Minnesota hockey beat writer/homer.

 North Dakota defenseman Chay Genoway fell on the ice to try to block Barriball's shot as he neared the Sioux net. Barriball went high and beat Eidsness on the glove side.

With 3 minutes to go, those two got tangled up behind the Sioux net and both received penalties. Barriball for diving, Genoway for unsportsmanlike conduct, presumably for mocking how easily Barriball fell to the ice. In the penalty box, Genoway kept chirping and several times demonstrated the form on a front dive.

I don't know if anyone else feels this way but in my opinion Ryan Flynn is one of the biggest hacks in the WCHA, there is only one bigger hack and he was sitting in the stands this weekend, Brian Schack. Flynn and Lucia were begging for a beat down and deserved one.
[Box Score]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIN 1 - 0 6x6 Jay Barriball (1) (unassisted) 6:20
MIN (+): 26,19,16,4,20,G35 NDK (-): 7,29,5,24,17,G31
NDK-1 Chris VandeVelde (2-Boarding) MIN 0x1 10:13
MIN-1 Zach Budish (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 13:40
NDK-2 David Toews (2-Slashing) MIN 0x2 16:00
MIN-2 Aaron Ness (2-Holding) NDK 0x2 16:27
MIN-3 Jay Barriball (2-Diving) 17:03
NDK-3 Chay Genoway (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 17:03

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

MIN-4 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Patrick White) NDK 1x3 1:17
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Chay Genoway (2) (Danny Kristo, Chris VandeVelde) 2:46
NDK: 5,7,29,17,27,G31 MIN: 22,28,13,10,G35
MIN-5 Nico Sacchetti (2-Roughing) 4:53
MIN-6 Nico Sacchetti (2-Roughing) 4:53
MIN-7 Cade Fairchild (2-Roughing) 4:53
MIN-8 Tony Lucia (2-Roughing) 4:53
MIN-9 Jake Hansen (2-Roughing) 4:53
MIN-10 Aaron Ness (2-Roughing) 4:53
NDK-4 Joe Gleason (2-Roughing) 4:53
NDK-5 Joe Gleason (2-Roughing) 4:53
NDK-6 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 4:53
NDK-7 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 4:53
NDK-8 Evan Trupp (2-Roughing) 4:53
NDK-9 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Roughing) 4:53
MIN-11 David Fischer (2-Tripping) NDK 2x4 5:45
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP Chay Genoway (3) (Danny Kristo, David Toews) 6:55
NDK: 5,8,7,10,18,G31 MIN: 2,16,22,4,G35
MIN-12 Jake Hansen (2-Tripping) NDK 2x5 10:27
MIN 2 - 2 5x6 SH Mike Hoeffel (1) (Taylor Matson) 11:23
MIN (+): 11,9,28,4,G35 NDK (-): 5,17,29,27,7,G31
MIN-13 Jake Hansen (2-Interference) NDK 2x6 13:44

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

NDK-10 Jake Marto (2-Slashing) MIN 0x3 3:06
NDK-11 Mario Lamoureux (2-Cross-Checking) MIN 0x4 6:23
MIN 3 - 2 6x6 Mike Hoeffel (2) (Patrick White, Ryan Flynn) 11:52
MIN (+): 11,7,22,20,5,G35 NDK (-): 9,24,27,5,11,G31
NDK 3 - 3 6x6 GT Jake Marto (2) (Darcy Zajac, Mario Lamoureux) 13:10
NDK (+): 25,11,9,3,27,G31 MIN (-): 19,26,28,20,16,G35
MIN-14 Ryan Flynn (2-High-Sticking) 13:45
MIN-15 Ryan Flynn (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 13:45
NDK-12 Brett Hextall (2-Slashing) 13:45
NDK-13 Brett Hextall (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 13:45
Timeout - Minnesota 17:30

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overtime (5:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game --- Sister kissing

CHA Argument.

Here is my latest column at the Illegal Curve.

I was thinking about the CHA and its 11 years of existence. Unfortunately the CHA will disband after 11 seasons of play. With the CHA disbanding, BSU will head to the WCHA, Niagara University and Robert Morris University will head to the AHA, and the University of Alabama Huntsville will head to the independent ranks after being snubbed by the CCHA with what appears to be some flimsy reasoning.

To show the CCHA they made a horrible mistake, the Chargers went out and beat the Fighting Irish to open the season. You know, the same Notre Dame that has been sitting at the top of the CCHA with Miami and Michigan. Question: is Notre Dame overrated or is UAH that good? I want to believe that UAH is that good. Notre Dame got a little pride back the next night as they beat the Chargers 3-1. UAH followed that loss with a victory against Air Force Academy last night 4-2. So hockey fans are you paying attention? UAH is not just going to go away.

I know it’s early, but UAH is 2-1 after beating Notre Dame and Air Force Academy. Maybe getting snubbed by the CCHA has lit a fire under their collective butts. The Air Force Academy Falcons, who were the favorite to win the AHA league title in the AHA preseason, are an unimpressive 0-3 so far thi season. All of Air Force Academy’s losses have come against CHA teams. Do I dare start the CHA is better than the AHA argument again? Maybe we should ask Notre Dame, they are 1-2 in their last three games against CHA teams going back to last season. That loss to UAH is going to leave a mark on Notre Dames PWR numbers, which is used to help select teams for the NCAA tourney in the middle of March.

Also my UAA vs Michigan prediction was spot on. [Illegal Curve] I said 7-2 but the score was 6-2. So I was off by one goal.

Scores from 10-16-2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Non-Conference

Providence 3 at Notre Dame 2
Denver 2 at Ohio State 0
Analysis: Marc Cheverie gets the shutout for the Pioneers in goal. Notre Dame loses for a second weekend in a row this time against Hockey East’s Providence College.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hockey East

Boston University 2 at Massachusetts 3
Analysis: Probably not the start that BU wanted to have in losing to their cross state rival.

WCHA

Minnesota State 2 at Minnesota-Duluth 5
Colorado College 3 at Wisconsin 2
Minnesota 0 at North Dakota 4

Analysis: The Sioux put the boot to the Golden Gophers in the opener of the WCHA play for the Fighting Sioux. I went back and watched the game again and this game wasn’t even close. If Kangas hadn’t played as well as he did it would have been an 8-0 game. Alex Kangas is 1-4-1 against the Sioux for his career. You have to wonder if Lucia will consider starting Kent Patterson against the Sioux tonight. Wisconsin starts sophomore goalie Brett Bennett but the Badgers lose to the Tigers in Madison.

Non-Conference

Nebraska-Omaha 1 at Colgate 1 ot
Holy Cross 1 at Merrimack 3
Canisius 4 at Lake Superior 5
Alabama-Huntsville 4 at Air Force 2
RIT 1 at St. Lawrence 3
Mercyhurst 1 at Western Michigan 5
Providence 0 at Notre Dame 2
Denver 0 at Ohio State 4
Miami 6 at New Hampshire 3
Bentley 2 at Northeastern 3
Connecticut 1 at Ferris State 2
Niagara 3 at Clarkson 4 ot
Union 3 at St. Cloud State 3 ot
Michigan State 5 at Maine 3

Alaska Goal Rush

Rensselaer 0 vs. Alaska-Anchorage 3
Robert Morris 2 at Alaska 4

Analysis: The odds on favorite to win the WCHA title by the league coaches this fall is now a Mediocre 2-2 after four nonconference games and Split with the OSU Buckeyes. Adam Murray started for the Pioneers in net and is 0-2-0 on the season has a GAA of 4.72 and a save percentage of .836.

UAH is 2-1 on the young season, maybe getting snubbed by the CCHA has lit a fire under their ass. Air Force Academy Falcons the favorite to win the AHA league title is 0-3 so far on the season and has lost all three of their games to the soon to be defunct CHA teams.

The SCSU Huskies have yet to win a game this season and are 0-2-1, let’s hope the Huskies win tonight and regain some pride. The Miami RedHawks paste UNH 6-3; the RedHawks will probably remain number one this week unless they fall apart tonight.

Exhibition

US Under-18 Team 7 at Bowling Green 2
That is unimpressive for Bowling Green.

Sioux 4 Gophers 0

The Fighting Sioux were dominating in all zones of the ice last night as they outshot the Gophers 43-22 and shutout the Gophers 4-0. Brad Eidsness got his second shutout of his college hockey career. The Sioux defense beat the Gophers to the puck all night they were able to limit quality shots on net, and the Gophers did get a shot on net Eidsness was sharp in goal for the Fighting Sioux. After struggling on the power play the weekend before the Sioux scored two power play goals and a shorthanded goal.

The Fighting Sioux played a stifling defense all game and when Joe Gleason received a five minute major for checking from behind with about four minutes to go in the game the Sioux held the Gophers to no shots on net while the Sioux managed to put two shot on net.

The Sioux have put together a pretty impressive run against the Gophers as of late as they are now 9-2-1 in the last 12 games against the Golden Gophers. According to the Grand Forks Herald UND is 27-4-4 at home since 2008. The Sioux are also unbeaten in 15 games at the Ralph that is a 13-0-2 record.

Props to Golden Gopher goalie Alex Kangas: as Charles mentioned in the comments section, you can't blame junior Goalie Alex Kangas for the Gophers loss, the goalie doesn’t check or cycle the puck out of the defensive zone. In this game the Gopher defenders need to take ownership for their non support in the game, they also looked like a bunch of pylons. Incidentally, Alex Kangas is 1-4-1 for his career against the Fighting Sioux and the Score could have been 6-0 or 7-0 is Kangas hadn't have held the fort down for the Gophers.

Some profounds words from Golden Gopher Coach Don Luica.

"You've got to score some goals to get some momentum," Lucia said.

And to score goals a team needs the puck: North Dakota usually had it. The Sioux won the faceoff battle, 42-26.

"If you don't start with the puck, it seems like you are chasing it all night," Lucia said. [Red Star and Sickle]

[Box Score]
--------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------
MIN-1 Seth Helgeson (2-Hooking) NDK 1x1 1:30
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP GW LL Jason Gregoire (2) (Chris VandeVelde, David Toews) 2:17
NDK: 17,29,18,7,5,G31 MIN: 9,3,12,10,G33
NDK-1 Brett Bruneteau (2-Interference) MIN 0x1 4:24
MIN-2 Jake Hansen (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 1x2 10:31
--------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------
NDK-2 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Tripping) MIN 0x2 3:20
NDK 2 - 0 5x6 SH Derrick LaPoint (1) (Evan Trupp, Brad Malone) 4:21
NDK (+): 3,19,22,25,G31 MIN (-): 12,13,3,10,16,G33
NDK-3 David Toews (2-Tripping) MIN 0x3 9:03
MIN-3 David Fischer (2-Hooking) NDK 1x3 11:15
MIN-4 Sam Lofquist (2-Roughing) 12:49
NDK-4 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 12:49
MIN-5 Ryan Flynn (2-Roughing) 15:09
NDK-5 Ben Blood (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 15:09
MIN-6 David Fischer (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 1x4 17:19
NDK-6 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) MIN 0x4 18:44
--------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------
MIN-7 Zach Budish (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 1x5 3:47
MIN-8 Ryan Flynn (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 4:26
NDK-7 Brett Hextall (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 4:26
MIN-9 Tony Lucia (2-Tripping) NDK 2x6 5:30
NDK 3 - 0 6x5 PP Chay Genoway (1) (Evan Trupp, Joe Gleason) 5:56
NDK: 5,19,20,22,18,G31 MIN: 11,19,28,24,G33
NDK 4 - 0 6x6 Mario Lamoureux (1) (Darcy Zajac, Carter Rowney) 8:18
NDK (+): 9,11,27,24,5,G31 MIN (-): 28,19,26,11,4,G33
NDK-8 Joe Gleason (5-Checking from Behind) MIN 0x5 15:57
NDK-9 Joe Gleason (10-Game Misconduct) (Served by Michael Cichy) 15:57
--------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------

A couple more links.

Brandon from Sioux Yeah has an interesting blog post on the rivalry, I am sure he isn't going to endear himself to the Badgers fans. :)

My prediction last week on a certain big team came true. [Illegal Curve]

Dan Myers of tis is the WCHA predicts a split for the Gophers and Sioux this weekend. [This is the WCHA]

TCHB ask if the BSU Beavers are for real. My answer is that of course the Beavers are for real, or AFA is overrated because the Beavers hung ten goals on AFA and swept the Falcons last weekend. Note to various hockey bloggers, the teams in the CHA are not bad hockey teams that are competitive and the CHA is 3-1 against playoff teams from last season. Taking it further Notre Dame is 1-2 in its last three games against CHA teams. I would imagine that Notre Dame wouldn't think they are overrated.

CHL is king in ISS list.

ISS just released their top thirty for the upcoming draft
in 2010, not a lot of College Hockey Players in the list.

1. TAYLOR HALL LW 6'1 185 L Nov 14/91 Windsor OHL
2. CAM FOWLER LD 6'2 190 L Dec 5/91 Windsor OHL
3. TAYLER SEGUIN C 6'1 186 R Jan 31/92 Plymouth OHL
4. KIRILL KABANOV LW 6'3 176 R Jul 16/92 Moncton QMJHL
5. BRANDON GORMLEY LD 6'1 175 L Feb 18/92 Moncton QMJHL
6. JOHN MCFARLAND LW 6'1 195 R Apr 2/92 Sudbury OHL
7. BRETT CONNOLLY LW 6'2 181 R May 2/92 Prince George WHL
8. MIKAEL GRANLUND LW 5'10 176 L Feb 26/92 HIFK FinE
9. VLADIMIR TARASENKO F 5'10 167 L Dec 13/91 Sibir KHL
10. ERIK GUDBRANSON RD 6'3 199 R Jan 7/92 Kingston OHL
11. JONATHAN MERRILL LD 6'3 198 L Mar 3/92 U18 USHL (Michigan)
12. MARK PYSYK RD 6'1 175 R Jan 11/92 Edmonton WHL
13. JOEY HISHON C 5'10 190 L Oct 20/91 Owen Sound OHL
14. QUINTON HOWDEN LW 6'3 183 L Jan 12/92 Moose Jaw WHL
15. DEREK FORBORT LD 6'4 198 L Mar 4/92 U18 USHL (UND Recruit)
16. RILEY SHEAHAN C 6'2 195 L Dec 7/91 NDU CCHA
17. ALEX BURMISTROV C 6'0 170 R Oct 21/91 Barrie OHL
18. AUSTIN WATSON RW 6'3 177 R Jan 13/92 Windsor OHL
19. STANISLAV GALIEV C 6'1 182 R Jan 17/92 Saint John QMJHL
20. JEFFERY SKINNER C 5'10 182 L May 16/92 Kitchener OHL
21. EVGENY KUZNETSOV F 6'0 174 L May 19/92 Meche RUSU-
22. TEEMU PULKKINEN C 5'11 176 R Jan 2/92 Joker FinE
23. JARRED TINORDI LD 6'5 205 L Feb 20/92 U18 USHL
24. NICK BJUGSTAD W 6'3 188 R Jul 17/92 Blain MN-HS(MN Recruit)
25. RYAN SPOONER C 5'10 175 L Jan 30/92 Peterborough OHL
26. JASON ZUCKER LW 5'10 174 L Jan 16/92 U18 USHL
27. MAXIM KITSYN C 6'3 194 R Dec 24/91 Metal KHL
28. PETR STRAKA C 6'1 180 L Jun 15/92 Rimouski QMJHL
29. EMERSON ETEM C 6'0 194 R Jun 6/92 Medicine Hat WHL
30. TOM KUHNHACKL F 6'1 180 L Jan 21/92 Lands GerJr
[TSN]

Friday Sioux and Gophers links.

The Daily Gophers is expecting three points for the Rodents this weekend against the Sioux. [Daily Gopher]

Here is what College Hockey News had to say about UND:

NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol
2008-09 record: 24-15-4 (17-7-4 WCHA); WCHA Regular Season champions
NCAA: Lost First Round
Key Returnees: Brad Eidsness G SO., Chay Genoway D SR., Jason Gregoire F SO, Evan Trupp F JR., Chris VandeVelde F SR., Darcy Zajac F SR.
Key Losses: Ryan Duncan, Joe Finley, Matt Frattin (underclassman), Andrew Kozek, Matt Watkins

Before last season, North Dakota had never missed the Frozen Four under the guidance of Hakstol. Through 40 minutes of a first-round contest against New Hampshire, it appeared UND was on track for a return trip. Leading 5-3 halfway through the third period, it all fell apart. The Wildcats scored at the 11 minute mark to make it 5-4 before tying the score with an improbable goal with under a second to play in regulation. UNH capped the comeback with the game-winner just 45 seconds into overtime to knock North Dakota from the NCAA tournament.

That type of finish to their season – unprecedented under Hakstol – has left the Sioux with a chip on their shoulders heading into 2009-10.

“For our veteran returning players, I hope there is a lesson to be learned there,” Hakstol said. “Most importantly for those guys, hopefully there was a motivation for them in their training over the summer.”

Included among those veterans is senior defenseman Chay Genoway – arguably the league’s best defenseman – and a number of quality forwards, including fellow seniors Chris VandeVelde and Darcy Zajac, as well as junior Evan Trupp and sophomore Jason Gregoire, whose 29 points last season was sixth among league freshmen. VandeVelde, who has increased his scoring totals in each of his three seasons, set a career high in goals (18) and points (35) a year ago, and seems primed to break out as one of the conference’s best forwards.

Also back is sophomore goaltender Brad Eidsness. Only now-departed UMD goalie Alex Stalock played more minutes than Eidsness did as a freshman a year ago, and Eidsness responded, finishing with a .906 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average.

“We have some players returning who we know will do a good job for us,” Hakstol said. “But we also have a lot of questions marks we need to answer.”

Those questions surround the team’s youth. While the Sioux return a number of quality players with experience, UND’s fortunes will likely come down to how well its freshmen can adapt to the college game. Among those coming to Grand Forks who could see immediate playing time are Corban Knight and Danny Kristo, a nifty forward from Eden Prairie, Minn.

“We have a lot of guys who look like have come to campus ready to compete for jobs,” Hakstol said. “Now it’s a matter of us sorting out what roles those players are capable of playing at.

The biggest weekend of the season for the Gophers, and their beat writer hasn't written an article since the 5th of October. Not sure what is going on there. You would think he would have some piffy stories on the UND and UMN matchup. [Goal Gophers] The Gopher defenders might score more this season, but I wonder if Fairchild will be able to find the blue line.

Here is how Gopher beat writer/homer Roman Ausustoviz predicts the WCHA season will end. Naturally he picks the Gophers to finish second in the WCHA standings. [Red Star and Sickle]

1 DENVER (23-12-5 IN 2008-09)
2 GOPHERS (17-13-7)
3 NORTH DAKOTA (24-15-4)
The Sioux won a record 14th MacNaughton Cup last season, finishing two points ahead of Denver in the WCHA standings. "We have a lot of work to do, but we have a lot of tools to work with," coach Dave Hakstol said. Senior defenseman Chay Genoway was the conference's defensive player of the year. Senior Chris VandeVelde (18 goals) is the top returning scorer.
4 WISCONSIN (20-16-4)
5 MINNESOTA DULUTH (22-13-8)
6 ST. CLOUD STATE (18-17-3)
7. COLORADO COLLEGE (16-12-10)
8 ALASKA ANCHORAGE (14-17-5)
9 MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO (15-17-6)
10 MICHIGAN TECH (6-25-7)

Gophers sieve Alex Kangas wants to put last season behind him. I don't know, it was fun for me to watch. [Pioneer Press]

Watch this weekend's games on the internet if you don't get Fox Sports or FSSN. [Click here for video]

The Media Guide is up for the Fighting Sioux hockey teams. [Fighting Sioux]

Couple of quick facts about Sioux/Gophers series:

• The Sioux outhit the Gophers. There were 53 penalties called and six 10-minute misconducts. North Dakota had 24 penalties, including 11 for roughing and two for hitting after the whistle. The Gophers had 29 penalties: 15 for roughing, one for instigating. R.J. Anderson, a Gophers senior defenseman, summed up it best: "They came to a war with guns, and we came with butter knives." [Star Tribune]

UND is 8-2-1 in the last 11 games against the Gophers.

SERIES HISTORY: UND is 124-130-12 all-time against the Gophers but is unbeaten in the last four meetings (3-0-1) and is 8-2-1 over the last 11.

The Sioux swept the lone series between the two teams last year, skating to 6-3 and 6-1 victories in Grand Forks (Jan. 9-10).

Gopher Puck Live writer Ryan Cardinal talks about the match up. Goaltending will be key in this series.

Despite that fact they were hit around last time out against UND, tmatch uphe main issue in that series was the goaltending, or lack thereof for the Gophers. The duo of Alex Kangas and Kent Patterson had a combined save percentage of just .836 in that series, and though they were hung out to dry a few times, there were several savable goals that made their way into the back of the net. Kangas started both games and was pulled on each night, and at media day, Lucia admitted he should have used Patterson more often last season. Look for Kangas to get the start on Friday night, and if he plays well he could also get the nod on Saturday as he does have the edge in experience, but Patterson will play more games this season, that much is for sure. [Gopher Puck Live]

The best beat writer in college hockey, Brad Elliott Schlossman, has all your required Friday Reading for the upcoming series. [UND Hockey]

Martin Havlat Hurt.

It's official the Wild suck and now they have injury problems as one of their only star players Martin Havlat is now on the shelf with an injury also Cal Clutterbuck, Peter Sykora, Pierre-Marc Bouchard are all out with various ailments. If anyone cares resident tough guy Derek Boogaard is hurt as well as he is still recovering from a concussion, while I find his fight entertaining I don't see him scoring many goals. You have to wonder if the former Wild Coach Jacque Lemaire is smiling yet?

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Wild suffered another painful loss Wednesday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Anaheim Ducks and losing top-line forward Martin Havlat in the process.

Wild coach Todd Richards dropped the dreaded words that seem to be replayed over and over again when he announced Havlat's injury after the game.

"Pulled groin," he said. "Day to day."

For much of their game at the Honda Center, the Wild looked like the equal of the sometimes still-mighty Ducks. But too often, lapses and breakdowns left the Wild's defense and even their power play resembling recess time at an elementary school.

"What really killed us was our power play," Richards said. "Every time we got on the power play, we couldn't do a thing. It was tough for us to get it in their zone, and it seemed like they had it on their stick more than we had it on ours."

There were no moral victories on this evening, as the Wild dropped to 1-4 this season, 0-4 on the road.

Weekend Match Ups (Sioux 7)

Last weekend the WCHA as a whole did okay, 2 teams are 2-0-0, 5 teams are now 1-1-0, and 1 team is 0-0-2, and 2 teams didn't have any record 0-0-0.

WCHA

Minnesota State at Minnesota-Duluth

In state rivals, the Bulldogs will play host to the Mavericks this weekend to start both teams WCHA schedules. Last weekend the Mavericks sweep the Falcons of Bowling Green, while the Bulldogs beat Lake Superior St on Friday and losing to Northern Michigan on Saturday. The big question is going to be how well are the Bulldogs going to be in net and on defense? The season is fledgling and teams are still getting all the pieces to fit. I'm going to call a SPLIT in this series.

On a side note Aaron Fox, MSU-M alum (1997-2000), scored a "Mike Legg" goal the other night. See and read about more of it [here] and [here]

Colorado College at #13 Wisconsin

Last weekend CC split a series with visiting Northeastern (Hockey East) and UW did not play. The Badgers appear to have the better team on paper, but the Tigers have a couple of games under their belt. I like the Tigers to win on Friday. Why? The Badgers have not played a game yet this season and will need to iron some things out yet, plus they need to get "up to speed" with the speed of the game. I think the Badgers will bounce back on Saturday and even the series. SPLIT.

#9 Minnesota at #4 North Dakota
The Sioux come into this weekend look to add a pair of wins to their 2-0-0 start. The Gophers have only played one exhibition game this season, against British Columbia two weeks ago. This should be the marquee match up this weekend in all of college hockey, with two old rivals that both ranked in the top 10. I'm leaning towards the home team in this series, one reason is UND has played a couple of games and have gotten use to the speed and hitting of the game again, and UM hasn't had that opportunity. I would like to see results like last season, but I don't think the Sioux will score 12 goals, but I do think the SIOUX SWEEP is the prediction.

Non-Conference

Denver at Ohio State
The Pioneers split a pair of games last weekend with the Vermont Catamounts, and the Buckeyes got sweep by Quinnipiac. This is a Thursday and Saturday two game series, why Friday off, your guess is as good as mine... I got a feeling that the Pioneers are going to send the Buckeyes to an 0-4-0 start, call it a hunch. DU SWEEPS

Union at #19 St. Cloud State
The Huskies lost a pair to #4 Miami (OH) last weekend (who now jumped to #1 in the rankings) and the Dutchmen swept Maine. The Dutchmen are picked to finish in the middle of the ECAC this season. The Huskies should take care of the Dutchmen, but still have to play a full 60 minutes of hockey if they want to secure a pair of wins this weekend. HUSKIES SWEEP.

Rensselear & Robert Morris vs. Alaska-Anchorage
The Seawolves are playing in another tournament, apparently they are backwards up their, most teams like to play in tournaments at the end of the season, instead of at the start of the season. The Engineers from RPI are pick to finish in the bottom half of the ECAC this year, well with that info, I'm going to take the Seawolves in the Friday night game. On Saturday they play the Colonials from Robert Morris, who will be moving from the CHA to Atlantic Hockey next year. I'm going take the Seawolves in this one. UAA 2-wins, remember you heard it here first!

Gabby is laughing now.

I had the misfortune of watching the Minnesota Wild go down to defeat again in another game where the opposition scored first, in fact I can't remember a game where they actually had the lead or scored first. So I come home tonight and turn on NHL Center ice and this season they have replays of the games that have been played today. Low and behold Marian Gaborik scored this highlight reel goal against the L.A. Kings. Gabby is off to a fast start and has scored 6 goals 4 asssits in 7 games for the Rangers. The Rangers are tied with the Pengiuns for best record in the NHL.

The first round dead weight known as James Sheppard.

I am wondering how long the Wild are going to keep coming back with this kid? As a Wild fan I have tried to look for something in this kids game that leads me to believe he was worthy of a first round pick in 2006. Through four games this season he has put up a big zero on the score sheet. Through two seasons and including the beginning of this one James Sheppard has played in 164 games, scored 9 goals 34 assist for 43 points. Funny thing is Sheppard is one of the more productive ones of his 2006 draft class that where taken after him in the first round. Here is the list of players that were taken after him that have been more successful in the NHL.

Richards again reiterated that with no Cal Clutterbuck, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Sykora, it’s essential Benoit Pouliot and James Sheppard step up. He liked Pouliot’s game in San Jose, but he said Sheppard is going through spells of not moving his feet on the ice, which leads to ineffectiveness all over the ice.

Really, there’s a lot of pressure on Sheppard now. I mean, he’s going to get ice time now. He’s going to get responsibility. If you can’t do it now, when are you going to, in other words. And remember, this is the guy assistant GM Tom Thompson guaranteed publicly this offseason would have a breakout year. He’s got no points in four games.

I meant to mention this yesterday, but I had sort of a weird interview with Sheppard yesterday. With Clutterbuck, Bouchard and Sykora out, both Chuck Fletcher and Richards singled out Sheppard and Pouliot as two guys who must step up with the extra ice time and responsibilities. Pouliot said it is a must and he can’t mess it up.

I threw three or four questions at Sheppard about stepping up specifically, and he consciously made it a point to never use the first person during the back and forth. Here’s two examples of back-to-back questions and answers:

Russo: With all the injuries now, how much do you feel you’re going to need to step up now with the extra ice time you’re going to get?

Sheppard: “Everyone’s got a bigger job. We’d love to have everyone playing, but for the guys who get more minutes or get into the game more, they’re going to be more focused because they’ve got a bigger job and they’re going to be in the game, touching the puck more and getting more minutes. It works both ways. There’s negatives and positives to both things. but for the most part, the guys who are going to play are going to play more intense.”

Russo: Chuck and Todd mentioned you and Pouliot specifically, so do you feel you need to be the guy who steps up?

Sheppard: “Just like I said, the guys who do get these minutes are going to touch the puck more and get more ice time. Hopefully for those guys, they can use them well and not take them for granted and make sure they … I think what I’m trying to say is that it’s not really a big deal for quote-unquote these guys.”

You kinda needed to be there to actually understand what I’m saying, but Sheppard tried hard, and I mean hard, to make it a point to never personalize it. I don’t know what the motivation there was. Maybe he’s sensing the pressure, but I just didn’t see a very confident player there.
[Russo's Rants]

INCH Podcast

I would have to say that it was an interesting pod cast, semi thought provoking for the discussion check out the return of Goon's favorite college hockey web page INCH  podcast [click here for the podcast] about nineteen minutes into the podcast the discussion of EZAC hockey comes up. Apparently they saw the article that was at the Illegal Curve or here because they quoted this blog post. I still stand by those comments, they would hard pressed to get home ice for the WCHA playoffs. Also, they mentioned a couple of ECAC goaltenders (Ben Scrivens, Cornell and Zane Kalemba, Princeton). I believe that these goaltenders wouldn't have the same low goals against averages and high save percentages as well if they played in the WCHA. These goaltenders are over inflating their numbers playing against mediocre teams that aren’t as competitive (Brown, RPI, Union, Clarkson, Quinnipiac). If these players played in one of the more competitive big four leagues these player might be at the top of the league but they wouldn't have the gaudy numbers.

When I saw this CHN poll I thought you have got to be kidding me? This is a joke right? I mean seriously we have three EZAC teams in the top ten. The same three teams that if you put them in the WCHA would be struggling to make the top five to gain home ice for the WCHA playoffs. I know there are many that feel the same way as I do.

Sioux and Gophers week.

Ah the good ole days of Sioux and the Gophers weekend. No clue what to expect this weekend when the two teams meet. I am sure we will have some rough stuff. Friday can't come fast enough. I would compare this matchup to Hatfield and McCoy fued.

Series History

The Gophers lead the all-time series 137-124-12, though North Dakota won both meetings last year with 6-3 and 6-1 victories at home. The Fighting Sioux are 7-2-1 in the last 10 encounters with the Gophers. Prior to last year's sweep, four of the previous six meetings had gone to overtime and eight of the previous nine had been decided by two goals or less. The Gophers also are 4-3 in their last seven games at Englestad Arena.

About the Fighting Sioux


North Dakota opened its season with a home sweep of Merrimack by 5-2 and 3-2 scores last weekend. The Fighting Sioux controlled both games, outshooting Merrimack 40-17 on Friday and 35-18 on Saturday. Freshman forward Michael Cichy had a goal and two assists in his collegiate debut series and was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week. Brad Eidsness played both games in goal, finishing with 15 saves on Friday and 16 saves on Saturday. The sophomore was a third-team all-WCHA selection last season and has now started 35 consecutive games, which is the third-longest streak in school history. Senior defenseman Chay Genoway was last season's WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Inside College Hockey Preseason All-American team. North Dakota returns 16 letterwinners from last year's WCHA championship team and has 10 freshmen on this year's roster.

Historical Memories

Sioux and Gophers in December of 2007

Sioux vs Gophers 2nd Period Scrum Feb 3rd 2008, Gorg from between the Penalty Box.

Blast from the past Vannelli vs McMahon. Vannelli got worked in this fight.

Last season there were a lot of goals from the Green and White. Highlights from last season 2-0 series win by the Sioux.

Stafford Scores against Detroit.

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford scores his first goal of the season for Buffalo against the Detroit Redwings. Last night  the Buffalo Sabres took it to the Detroit Redwings beat them 6-2 on Versus.
The Northeast Division has started out the season pretty weak this season and the Sabres are actually leading the Northeast division with a 3-0-1 record early on.

Matt Hendricks vs Garnet Exelby

Who says that Former Huskies can't fight? Former SCSU Husky Matt Hendricks and Garnet Exelby get into a pretty good fight, unfortunately Hendricks slips and got the worse of the exchange. The Maple Leafs are an unimpressive 0-5-1 so far this season. 

USCHO Poll. (UND 4th)

[October 13, 2009]
1 Miami (28) 2-0-0 871 4
2 Boston University (17) 0-0-0 859 2
3 Denver 1-1-0 772 1
4 North Dakota 2-0-0 759 6
5 Michigan 1-1-0 685 3
6 Cornell 0-0-0 608 7
7 Notre Dame 1-1-0 598 5
8 Yale 0-0-0 523 8
9 Minnesota 0-0-0 521 9
10 Princeton 0-0-0 459 10
11 Vermont 1-1-0 408 14
12 Boston College 0-0-0 395 12
13 Wisconsin 0-0-0 352 13
14 Mass.-Lowell 1-1-0 348 11
15 Bemidji State 2-0-0 183 NR
16 Nebraska-Omaha 2-0-0 154 NR
17 Alaska 2-0-0 126 NR
18 Quinnipiac 2-0-0 110 NR
19 St. Cloud State 0-2-0 109 15
20 Northeastern 1-1-0 105 20

Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota-Duluth 102, New Hampshire 84, Union 55, Michigan State 53, Minnesota State 46, Northern Michigan 43, Ohio State 32, Colorado College 24, Harvard 17, Massachusetts 11, Air Force 9, Alaska-Anchorage 7, RIT 7, Colgate 5, St. Lawrence 4, Alabama-Huntsville 3, Rensselaer 2, Canisius 1

Obsession.

 

Being it's Sioux and Gophers week, I figured it was never too early to get this picture posted. Fighting Sioux hockey fans know that Gopher hockey fans are obsessed with anything that is about Fighting Sioux Hockey. We are still debating who is the better player Parise or Vanek. We also can't forget that the Holy Cross game still comes up after six years. I know it's a long time ago but it is still funny. Nothing was more pleasing that watching a bunch of over confident Gopher fans leave the arena in disbelief. My wife informed me yesterday that Scheels is selling Holy Cross shirts. Get them while they are hot.

Of course there are Gophers fans that like to bring up the UNH game but it's still not the same as the Holy Cross game. UNH was a pretty good hockey team, Holy Cross was a sixteen seed.

Not to be out done by Sioux fans, Gopher fans like to bring up this game but this game still brings me much joy as well. A Regional championship > League playoff Championship.

Dirty over at Ditry's Diatribe posted a site that I found pretty comical, the blog post is pretty funny as well. I hope we all remember in the end that this is just a game. We don't need any fights in bars like we had last season. When you get to the point that your ready to start swinging you might have an anger management issue.

Some people really have no life. Apparently Goofs fans love Dave Hakstol as well. This one hasn't gained any steam what so ever.

Leafs in shambles Bozak called up to the Leafs.

The Make Me laughs are a mess, last years top scorer Jason Blake has two points in 5 games, the goaltending can't stop a beach ball. Why not call up former DU star Tyler Bozak? Seriously, I was surprised when they sent him down and he could add some spark to the line up?

[Sun Media] Reeling from their worst start in almost 20 years, the 0-4-1 Leafs called up centre Tyler Bozak from the Marlies, apparently benching forwards Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman and sitting goalie Vesa Toskala out with a lower body injury.

”Why not?,” coach Ron Wilson said of the high-profile benchings. “We need more from everyone, we’re giving opportunities to younger guys.”

Toskala was shaken up in Monday’s 7-2 loss to the New York Rangers, when teammate Jason Blake crosschecked Ranger forward Ryan Callahan over top of him while he was in the butterfly position. With Joey MacDonald already slated to start after Toskala registered no wins, a 5.56 goals-against average and an .812 save percentage, the Leafs called up James Reimer from the Marlies to back up MacDonald tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. Toskala went for an MRI today, but the problem is not thought to be serious.

The game will also see the return of the Leafs’ top scorer in pre-season, Viktor Stalberg, who suffered a mild concussion a week ago early in the club’s third game after getting one point in two previous starts. He and Bozak live together with forward Christian Hanson, who is also with the Marlies.

“Viktor and I were on different schedules, but I was jealous whenever he went on (an NHL) road trip,” Bozak said.

Bozak received word via text last night he would be called up.

Aaron Fox goes Mike Legg on KHL goalie.

Check out this amazing goal by former MSU player Aaron Fox who's currently playing for Zagreb Medvescak of the KHL, incidently this is also former Fighting Sioux hockey player Mike PrPich's team.
[props] and [props]

Hey ref you...

Fighting Sioux hockey beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman has now posted the numbers for the WCHA refs just in time for the WCHA season. Sweet.

Personally, I was kind of disgusted that the refs have now gone chicken, so the fans no longer know who they are without the roster, because they no longer put their names on the back of their jerseys. I can't be the only on that thinks that was a stupid thing to do? I mean seriously, if the officials are not doing a good job (like usual) there should be a name attached to the product. I suppose the League Commissioner Bruce McLeod believes that it will decrease the complaints against their crappy officials. Not a chance. If you doing a horrible job there should be some ownership connected with the crappy product.

3 -- Derek Shepherd
4 -- Todd Anderson
5 -- Justin Brown*
7 -- Don Adam
8 -- Tom Sterns*
9 -- C.J. Beaurline
10 -- Peter Friesema
11 -- Tim Walsh
12 -- Butch Mousseaux
14 -- Brian Thul
15 -- Marco Hunt
17 -- Craig Welker
18 -- Max Battimo
20 -- Brad Albers
22 -- Bill Mason
23 -- Matt Ulwelling
24 -- Jon Campion
25 -- Mike McCreary*
27 -- Jonathan Morrison
29 -- Scott Bokal
31 -- Brett Klosowski
33 -- Brad Shepherd

Poll Monday

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine
Men’s College Hockey Poll - #2

1 Miami University, 496 (24) 1 2-0-0 2
2 Boston University, 470 (9) 3 0-0-0 2
3 University of Denver, 413 2 1-1-0 2
4 University of North Dakota, 394 8 2-0-0 2
5 University of Michigan, 365 4 1-1-0 2
6 Cornell University, 298 7 0-0-0 2
7 University of Notre Dame, 294 5 1-1-0 2
8 University of Minnesota, 269 6 0-0-0 2
9 Princeton University, 213 9 0-0-0 2
10 Yale University, 204 11 0-0-0 2
11 University of Vermont, 155 15 1-1-0 2
12 Boston College, 144 (1) 12 0-0-0 2
13 University of Massachusetts Lowell, 136 10 1-1-0 2
14 University of Wisconsin, 74 14 0-0-0 2
15 University of Nebraska Omaha, 36 NR 2-0-0 1
Others receiving votes: Bemidji State University, 27; University of Alaska Anchorage, 17; University of Minnesota Duluth, 17; St. Cloud State University, 15; Quinnipiac University, 11; Union College, 9; Michigan State University, 8; University of New Hampshire, 6; Northeastern University, 3; Northern Michigan University, 3; Minnesota State University, 2; University of Massachusetts, 1.

Just for laughs
INCH Power Rankings

1.)Miami
2.)UND -- Fourteen of the 18 skaters who dressed for the Sioux's sweep of Merrimack registered at least one point on the weekend. 2-0-0 (0-0-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Merrimack, 5-2; W vs. Merrimack, 3-2. THIS WEEK: vs. Minnesota, vs. Minnesota
3.)DU
4.)BU
5.)Notre Dame
6.)Michigan
7.)Cornell
8.)Princeton
9.)Minnesota
10.)Yale
11.)Vermont
12.)U-Mass Lowell
13.)Wisconsin
14.)Boston College
15.)Alaska (Fairbanks)
16.)BSU
17.)UNO
18.)SCSU
19.)UNION
20.)MSU

USCHO.COM Poll (comes out Tuesday because of the holiday)

Latest Versus Hockey Comercial (Toews)

Goon's world is going to have a partnership with Versus hockey and the folks at Versus sent us this video to get things rolling. Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews is featured in this commercial. Stay tuned for details.

OILERS RECALL TAYLOR CHORNEY

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney has been recalled by the Edmonton Oilers. Nice to see Chorney get called up, hopefully he will stick with the Edmonton Oilers this time.

[Official Press Release] General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenceman Taylor Chorney from the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.

Chorney, 22, currently leads the Falcons in scoring (tied with three others) and is third among all AHL defencemen in scoring with five points (2-3-5) in four games.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native made his National Hockey League debut last season, appearing in two games with the Oilers.

In 68 games with the Falcons, Chorney tallied five goals and 16 assists for 21 points and 22 penalty minutes.

Plan for Big Ten hockey Conference put on ice

This is an article that has cause a stir in the college hockey world for WCHA fans. We all know the CCHA was mad after UNO decided to join the best college hockey conference in College Hockey the WCHA. According to an article written by Badgers hockey beat writer Andy Baggot apparently some in the athletic department leadership at Wisconsin actually entertained the idea of moving to the CCHA. Luckily Eaves a smart man and doesn’t want to switch leagues. Duh!

Seriously, why would anyone move from a league like the WCHA to the CCHA? First: the move to the CCHA would make them a whole lot less money than the WCHA? Do you think CCHA schools get 90,000.00 per team after the Final Four at the Joe? Second; After Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame who would fill the Kohl center like UND, Wisconsin and DU? 15,000 fans aren’t going to come to the Kohl center to watch a team like LSSU or BGSU. I would bet any of my friend in Madison a case of Bud Light on that one. Also, Alvarez should stick to something he knows football.

I think one thing that is driving some of this is nonsense is the Big Ten Network. While I receive BTN on my digital cable package a lot of house holds do not. You have to have an expanded cable package or some kind of satellite television package to receive it. If the Big Ten Network wants to get serious and make money off of the hockey first show more hockey teams and match ups, how about more games of Wisconsin Vs UND, Minnesota Vs UND, Minnesota Vs Denver, Minnesota Vs UND ecetera. Also, if OSH is concerned about not getting any exposure have the BTN come up to Grand Forks, ND during the Thanksgiving Weekend and broadcast a few of the Subway Classic Holiday Tourney games. I am sure UND pasting OSU in a few games would be good for the ratings.

Multiple college hockey sources said UW officials responded to the slowing of the talks by making it known they would consider moving to the CCHA. That league will go from 12 members to 11 in 2010-11 when Nebraska-Omaha defects to the WCHA. Omaha will join Bemidji (Minn.) State to make the WCHA a 12-school conference.

Frazier acknowledged that UW would be a "jewel'' for the CCHA, but he denied such rhetoric, saying, "We're loyal to the WCHA." In an e-mail, CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos said he's had no contact with UW officials about such an idea, but said he'd be interested in the Badgers coming to his league.

Yet the option of moving to the CCHA was certainly broached by UW officials at some point. Asked about the notion, Alvarez said men's coach Mike Eaves wasn't interested in changing leagues.

"If Mike's not interested, I'm not interested,'' Alvarez said. "I'd be interested in other things. As I've said before, regionalizing hockey makes sense.'' [Madison.com]

I believe this is the crux of the arguement right here, it would be harder to qualify for the NCAA tourney if Minnesota or Wisconsin played MSU, Michigan and or Ohio State for 6 games and went 2-4 in non conference play. Taking that line of thinking further: this could also be another reason to kill the Big Ten Hockey Conference, if you put a bunch of top teams like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State in a league not everyone is going to have a winning record or a strong PWR number. The almight NCAA dollar = NC$$. You don't want to bite the hand that feeds you.

Minnesota and UW currently have annual matchups with Michigan and Michigan State in the College Hockey Showcase, but Ohio State has no consistent access to the two WCHA schools.
"It's something I think we'd like to see accomplished,'' Schneider said of the Big Ten men's hockey league, "but I think we can achieve some of the same goals through a scheduling alliance.''

According to a source, it was proposed that UW and Minnesota devote their six non-conference games to series with Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. The idea was rejected in part because those games would make difficult schedules even more so and make it harder to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

"I think (a new conference) would be nice, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary,'' Schneider said. "It's something we definitely want to continue exploring.''

Talks about a Big Ten men's hockey league have been going on for years, with varying degrees of intensity.

"Where it stands now is that it's still a discussion point,'' Maturi said. "There's nothing imminent.''

UBC to the NCAA?

Actually I have put a great deal of thought into idea and I think that UBC would be a good addition to NCAA Division one Hockey. Why not? I have heard people say that it would cause more competition for recruiting for teams like DU, UND, UMD and Wisconsin. Yeah so what! If anything it would affect teams that recruit more heavily in the BCHL.

Seriously, all these fore mentioned teams have or will have nice facilities and have storied programs that speak for themselves. For my team, I don’t think it would affect UND all that much since the Sioux have a 110 million dollar arena, a storied history and program, seven NCAA titles and a top notch coaching staff. Recently, UND has gotten a majority of their Canadian recruits from the AJHL recently so I am not so sure it would affect our team anyways. I am open to the idea. The more the merrier. Hockey is eventually going to need a regional re-alignment we need more teams in the west.

BC MAY APPLY TO NCAA

Simon Fraser of Burnaby, British Columbia was accepted into the NCAA earlier this year, It will compete at the Division II level starting in 2011. Simon Fraser will be the first Canadian college in the NCAA.

The University of British Columbia is exploring the possibility of applying, too. "It's up to our athletic administration to apply," Dragicevic said. "And they want to make sure that everything is in order to apply either this summer or next summer.

"You might see it happen. We have a brand new facility of 6,000 people. They want to pack that place. They want to bring NCAA to UBC for a couple of years and they are just waiting for the right opportunity."

Dragicevic said there has been some interest from conferences who want UBC as a member.

"In one end, it is an exciting time for UBC because of the new facility and potentially having the NCAA down the road," he said,

The Doug Mitchell Sports Center actually seats 5,700. It will be used for women's hockey in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. "It is a world class facility," Dragicevic said. "You will probably hear more news about this in the upcoming months."
UBC has 40,000 students and is a strong academic school.

One thing that would make it difficult for UBC to go Division one hockey would be: the moratorium on "playing-up". UBC would have to play Division II first and currently there are no Divison II hockey teams. It would take at least 5-10 years before there would be any benefit to moving to the NCAA.

Prospective Division I members would be required to spend at least five years as active members of Division II before beginning the five-year reclassification process under a set of recommendations being considered by the Division I Leadership Council The Council also is considering an application fee model, though the exact amount, parameters and eventual uses for the fee have yet to be determined.

The recommendations discussed at the Council’s October 6 meeting in Indianapolis are expected to be part of a full report sent to the Division I Board of Directors after the Council’s January meeting and distributed to the membership for feedback. The proposals are the result of the Council’s year-long study of membership standards. The Board, which declared a membership moratorium in August 2007, directed the Leadership Council to develop standards that will balance the desire to allow access to the division with a need to provide full services and consistent competitive opportunities to its members.

The recommendation that schools spend five years as active Division II members before beginning the reclassification process arose out of comments from Division II, though preliminary recommendations from the Council also would have required that institutions be a member of Division II before applying for Division I membership. No time limits were suggested, though, in the original proposal.

Gopher Vs Sioux in pictures.

This should get Sioux fans in the mood for this weekend series with the Golden Gophers from Minnesota.

UND to attempt to end RedHawks streak.

True to form; SCSU lost again to the Miami RedHawks last night. Miami has now won six games in a row against WCHA teams. Just for the record the last WCHA team to beat Miami University RedHawks was the Fighting Sioux 3-0 in Lefty McFadden Invitational on October 8th 2005 when Jordan Parise held of a Miami surge and got a shutout against the RedHawks. When Miami plays UND on November 28, 2009 in the Subway Holiday Classic UND has a chance to end the RedHawks streak against Miami. This could prove to be an exciting game with huge PWR implications.

Here is the last 7 games that Miami has played against WCHA teams.

October 8th 2005 UND 3 Miami 0
October 6th 2006 Miami 5 DU 2
December 27, 2007 Miami 2 SCSU 1 O.T.
March 27, 2009 Miami 4 DU 2
March 28, 2009 Miami 2 UMD 1
October 10, 2009 Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.
October 11, 2009 Miami 2 SCSU 0.

Scores from 10-10-2009

Non-Conference

Northeastern 4 at Colorado College 3
Maine 3 at Union 6
Ferris State 0 at Canisius 1
Colgate 3 at RIT 2
St. Cloud State 0 at Miami 2
Vermont 6 at Denver 4
New Hampshire 1 at Rensselaer 3
Alabama-Huntsville 1 at Notre Dame 3
Clarkson 3 at Michigan State 4
Merrimack 2 at North Dakota 3
Air Force 3 at Bemidji State 7
Bowling Green 1 at Minnesota State 4
Holy Cross 1 at Providence 2

Analysis: DU shows that it’s not unbeatable by losing to the UVM Catamounts. BSU gets revenge on AFA by repaying the favor and sweeps the Falcons 3-1 and 7-3, does anyone want to rehash the CHA > AHA? Go Beavers. Notre Dame beats UAH after the Chargers shocked the college hockey world with a win over the golden boys from Notre Dame the night before. Incidentally, ND is 1-2 in its last three games against CHA teams. Still an impressive showing for UAH Chargers which is sure to have many fans from all over college hockey in their corner this winter, screw the CCHA. UNH loses to EZAC team Rensselaer not impressive at all. WCHA teams went 2-3 last night. The Two Colorado teams and SCSU dropped the ball last night. SCSU was swept by the Miami RedHawks and now have lost three games in a row to the RedHawks.

IceBreaker

Mass.-Lowell 3 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
St. Lawrence 5 vs. Army 2

Dean Blais and the UNO Mavericks win the Icebreaker Championship. The Mavericks beat a good team in UMass Lowell.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha kicked off the Blais era in grand fashion this weekend, winning the Mutual of Omaha Icebreaker with a pair of gutsy victories. The Mavs locked up the tournament title Saturday night with an impressive 4-3 win over UMass Lowell, a team ranked Nos. 10 and 11 in the country and picked to finish second in the heavyweight Hockey East conference. [omaha.com]

Kendall Hockey Classic

Mercyhurst 1 vs. Alaska 5
Michigan 6 at Alaska-Anchorage 1

University of Alaska Fairbanks wins the Kendall Hockey Classic.
My prediction on the UAA and Michigan game looked pretty good.

It's here Sioux and Gophers week.

This is the game on the calender that most of us put a mark next to and get fired up for. The "Brown and Yellow" Rodents and their fans are coming to town. Here is a break down of how the games have gone the last five seasons.

2008-2009 Sioux 2-0
2007-2008 Sioux 2-1-1
2006-2007 Sioux 3-1
2005-2006 Goofs 3-1
2004-2005 Sioux 3-1

The Sioux have a 11-6-1 the last 18 games against the Golden Rodents.

Fighting Sioux 3 - Merrimack Warriors 2

Edit: First off my prediction about UAA being a big slow, untalented, team is coming to fruition as the Seawolves are getting run out of their own building and losing 5-1 to Michigan in the second period. We will see what the final score ends up being. What can I say; same UAA team as the last four seasons, same results. Yeah this team is going to finish in the top four. How?

Series notes:

What can I say about this weekend, the hockey for the most part lacked the emotion of a conference game but the Warriors were a good test for the Fighting Sioux, in preparing them for the regular season. The Merrimack College Warriors have two very good goalies in Joe Cannata and Andrew Braithwaite and both goalie played well this weekend and gave the Fighting Sioux nothing. Merrimack College plays a neutral zone trap and they are very good in their own end and are very smart with the puck. They will give the Hockey East a good fight this season.

Freshman Impress

This past weekend I was very impressed with Danny Kristo, Mike Cichy and Joe Gleason. First off, based on his play this past weekend I don't see how Joe Gleason sits, the kid has earned a spot in the line up because plays very smart hockey, Gleason is an offensive defenseman but he doesn't get carried away and he always keeps the opposition in front of him.

Cichy and Kristo both left a good impression as I thought both were very good with the puck and have great offensive imagination and will score a lot of points before they leave UND.
[Box score]

1st Period (20:00)

NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Brett Hextall (2) (Brad Malone) 4:11
NDK (+): 26,22,20,2,19,G31 MER (-): 7,3,14,23,12,G33
MER-1 John Heffernan (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 7:39
NDK-1 Darcy Zajac (2-Interference) MER 0x1 10:08
MER-2 Simon Demers (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 14:21
NDK-2 Jake Marto (2-Hooking) MER 0x2 15:06

2nd Period (20:00)

MER 1 - 1 6x6 Chris Barton (2) (Jesse Todd) 0:32
MER (+): 23,27,7,3,16,G33 NDK (-): 25,22,26,19,3,G31
NDK-3 Mario Lamoureux (10-Game Misconduct) 0:55
NDK-4 Mario Lamoureux (5-Checking from Behind) MER 0x3 0:55
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 LL Michael Cichy (1) (Chay Genoway, Carter Rowney) 7:15
NDK (+): 8,5,27,11,24,G31 MER (-): 17,26,23,9,15,G33
MER-3 Brandon Sadlowski (2-Slashing) NDK 0x3 11:37
MER-4 Kyle Bigos (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x4 19:31

3rd Period (20:00)

MER-5 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Brandon Brodhag) NDK 0x5 4:43
MER-6 Jesse Todd (2-Interference) NDK 0x6 5:26
MER-7 Kyle Bigos (2-Slashing) NDK 1x7 7:19
NDK 3 - 1 6x5 PP GW Jake Marto (1) (Chris VandeVelde, Danny Kristo) 8:53
NDK: 25,29,7,26,17,G31 MER: 26,4,15,27,G33
MER 2 - 3 6x6 Chris Barton (3) (Jesse Todd, J.C. Robitaille) 16:08
MER (+): 23,27,16,4,5,G33 NDK (-): 22,3,25,26,19,G31
Timeout - Merrimack 18:53

End of Game

Is Miami a powerhouse?

Here is this weeks Illegal Curve Article.

On October 27th 2007 Miami Student writer Mike Zoller declared that Miami University hockey ‘was on the Brink of being a dynasty.’ While Miami Hockey is not a dynasty by definition (need to win a few NCAA titles), I am also going to hold off calling them a dynasty for now but Miami does have a good shot at being a title contender this season if they play up to their potential.

Since 2003-2004 the Miami RedHawks have compiled a 144-76-23 record and have made the NCAA tourney five out of the last six seasons. Last spring the RedHawks had the NCAA chapionship in their grasp, the RedHawks made it to the NCAA Championship game, took a 3-1 lead before losing the game in over time to the Boston University Terriers. [Box Score]

This is what I found in my Twitter posts this morning when I got up this morning.

MikeSwainey @goon48 All I know is Miami continues to knock off WCHA teams. IIRC, 5 straight wins against your league. But tomorrow’s another day.

First off I wouldn’t be surprised tonight if SCSU loses to the RedHawks again tonight to make it six games in a row. Breaking it down further, Mike is right, Miami has done pretty well against WCHA foes as of late. Both DU and SCSU have both lost their last two games they have played against the Miami University RedHawks. Also, the Miami RedHawks beat UMD in last season’s Midwest regional at Mariucci Arena. Incidently, the last WCHA team to beat Miami University was the Fighting Sioux 3-0 in Lefty McFadden Invitational on October 8th 2005 when Jordan Parise held of a Miami surge and got a shutout against the RedHawks.

Here is the last 6 games that Miami has played against WCHA teams.

October 8th 2005 UND 3 Miami 0
October 6th 2006 Miami 5 DU 2
December 27, 2007 Miami 2 SCSU 1 O.T.
March 27, 2009 Miami 4 DU 2
March 28, 2009 Miami 2 UMD 1
October 10, 2009 Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.

First off; I wouldn’t be surprised tonight if SCSU loses again to make it six games in a row. Breaking it down further, Mike is right, Miami has done pretty darn good job against the WCHA teams as of late. Both DU and SCSU have both lost their last two games they played to the Miami University RedHawks. Also, the Miami RedHawks beat UMD in last season’s Midwest regional championship game at Mariucci Arena. Incidentally, the last WCHA team to beat Miami University was the Fighting Sioux 3-0 in Lefty McFadden Invitational on October 8th 2005 when Jordan Parise got a shut out against the RedHawks. The Fighting Sioux might have to stop that streak if the Huskies can’t stop them tonight.

Non Conference scores from last night

Last night the WCHA went 7-1 in non conference play. Last season the WCHA’s non conference play was their Achilles heal, last night SCSU was the only team in non conference play from the WCHA to lose.

UND 5 Merrimack College 2
MTU 5 NMU 3
C.C. 4 Northeastern 2
UMD 4 LSSU 3
MSU-M 3 BGSU 2
DU 5 VMU 4
UAA 5 Mercyhurst College 3
Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.

CHA 2-0 in Non Conference play last night

UAH 3 Notre Dame 2 (this one makes me happy)
BSU 3 AFA 1 the battle of the Serratore brothers

More on Sioux and Warriors.

Here are a couple of the goals from last night's game.

Looks like David Toews has found his scoring touch early.

Here is Corbin Knight's first collegiate hockey goal.

Hextall should've scored two or three goals last night. This goal was a thing of beauty.

Here is what Mike McMahon the hockey beat writer from Merrimack College had to say on last night's game. In my opinion Mike does a pretty good job reporting the news and I enjoy reading his blog.

The score was 5-2, but this game was not out of reach for the Warriors until the very end.

North Dakota scored two early goals but Merrimack battled back with tallies from Chris Barton and Justin Bonitatibus to close the first tied at 2-2.

Getting back in the game the way they did was a promising sign for this team. In years past, down 2-0 early meant that the Warriors would fold and you’d see a 5-1 or 6-0 game. That wasn’t the case on Friday night and shouldn’t be going forward.

Trailing 4-2 entering the third the Warriors needed a big period and came out flat. Merrimack was outshot 17-5 in the third period (40-17 overall); obviously a gap that isn’t going to be a recipe for success.

Three of ND’s five goals came off of rushes or other plays in which Merrimack attacked and was caught coming back the other way. Joe Cannata played a solid game (35 of 40 on shots) and was tested more often than I’d like to see. But, he held his own and, as he did last season, kept his poise and made his saves. [Warrior Rink Rat]

Here are the heaviest teams in division one hockey. The Fighting Sioux are the 11th heaviest team in the WCHA.
1. Vermont 194.61
2. Alaska-Fairbanks 191.96
3. Notre Dame 191.78
4. Boston University 191.54
5. Ohio State 191.50
6. Alaska-Anchorage 191.42
7. Rensselaer 190.97
8. Minnesota State 190.67
9. Miami 190.35
10. Michigan Tech 190.27
11. North Dakota 190.16
15. New Hampshire 189.92
16. Nebraska-Omaha 189.81
17. Minnesota-Duluth 189.80
18. Clarkson 189.71
19. Northern Michigan 189.45
20. Providence 189.35
21. Minnesota 189.23

Who has egg on their face now?

The big upset win of the night was in South Bend as the UAH Chargers stung the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 3-2. This win by the Chargers had me smiling from ear to ear. The CCHA might want to go ahead and reconsider UAH's application for admission since the Chargers just took down one of the top teams in the CCHA. I read a lot of post during the off season where fans were saying UAH doesn’t belong in the CCHA or they can’t compete. Yeah! How do you like the Chargers now?

SOUTH BEND — Alabama-Huntsville coach Danton Cole downplayed the significance, but his Chargers hockey team came to town with something to prove.

Denied admission this summer into the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, UAH exacted some revenge Friday night against the league's defending champions.

Cody Campbell scored a power play goal with five seconds left to give the Chargers a stunning 3-2 upset win over No. 5 Notre Dame in front of a sold-out Joyce Center crowd.

Alabama-Huntsville, looking to join a new league since its current home, the CHA, will disband after this season, found motivation from the summer snub. UAH Goaltender Cameron Talbot told the Huntsville Times earlier in the week, "We want to show we can play with the big dogs of the CCHA."

Sioux 5 - Warriors 2

The Fighting Sioux got a very solid effort from all four lines as the Fighting Sioux beat the Merrimack Warriors 5-2. This was the first time I got to see the new line up live and I was really impressed with the efforts of David Toews 1-1-2, Chay Genoway 0-2-2, Michael Cichy 0-2-2. If last year’s team was well balanced, then I have got to think this year is even more balanced. Team speed wise I think the Sioux are faster with the addition of Cichy, Kristo. David Toews had a really good start tonight.

Also, I hope I am not the only one that is impressed with freshman Joe Gleason, I thought he made a very strong case for staying in the lineup as Joe played a very well with the puck and was smart defensively. Gleason also chipped in with an assist.

I thought the Sioux got sloppy in the offensive end at the end of the first period that led to two untimely goals. It's not good to let the opposition score a goal at the end of a period, it can be a serious momentum killer. The forwards have got to be aware when Chay Genoway pinches in the offensive zone a forward has got to pick up the point. That didn't happen and Eidness let in a goal on a breakaway.

More to follow tomorrow.

[Box Score]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Jason Gregoire (1) (Chay Genoway, Danny Kristo) 0:39
NDK (+): 17,5,7,24,29,G31 MER (-): 11,4,25,20,7,G35
MER-1 Karl Stollery (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 2:22
NDK 2 - 0 6x6 David Toews (1) (Darcy Zajac) 12:31
NDK (+): 18,11,25,24,8,G31 MER (-): 17,20,4,25,11,G35
MER 1 - 2 6x6 Justin Bonitatibus (1) (Francois Ouimet, Joe Cucci) 15:20
MER (+): 17,21,14,4,7,G35 NDK (-): 5,24,22,19,26,G31
NDK-1 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Holding the Stick) MER 0x1 16:32
MER-2 Joe Cucci (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 17:21
MER 2 - 2 6x6 Chris Barton (1) (Joe Cucci, Pat Bowen) 19:35
MER (+): 23,14,4,27,26,G35 NDK (-): 5,29,17,7,26,G31

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

NDK-2 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Michael Cichy) MER 0x2 8:03
NDK 3 - 2 6x6 GW LL Chris VandeVelde (1) (Chay Genoway, Michael Cichy) 10:16
NDK (+): 29,5,8,17,24,G31 MER (-): 3,5,16,18,17,G35
NDK 4 - 2 6x6 Corban Knight (1) (David Toews, Michael Cichy) 10:57
NDK (+): 10,18,8,2,20,G31 MER (-): 15,18,22,26,10,G35
MER-3 Kyle Bigos (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x3 12:30
NDK-3 Chris VandeVelde (2-Roughing) MER 0x3 17:13

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

MER-4 Pat Bowen (2-Holding) NDK 0x4 3:14
MER-5 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Justin Bonitatibus) NDK 0x5 5:25
MER-6 Bobby Kramer (2-Roughing) NDK 1x6 13:59
NDK 5 - 2 6x5 PP Brett Hextall (1) (Evan Trupp, Joe Gleason) 14:51
NDK: 26,19,20,22,3,G31 MER: 3,23,27,26,G35

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End of Game
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