Well the two weeks are in the books. I noticed that there were 4 shut outs this past weekend quite a few considering that's out of 10 league games. Could this be the year of the goalies in the WCHA, we will have to wait and see. This week we only have three WCHA match ups.
Here are the current WCHA standings
TEAM................... GP...W-L-T...PTS
1 Colorado College........4...3-0-1.....7
2 Minnesota-Duluth.......4...2-1-1.....5
2 North Dakota............4...2-1-1.....5
4 Denver...................2...2-0-0.....4
5 St. Cloud State..........2...1-0-1.....3
5 Wisconsin................4...1-2-1.....3
7 Alaska-Anchorage.......2...1-1-0.....2
7 Minnesota State.........4...1-3-0.....2
9 Minnesota................4...0-3-1.....1
10 Michigan Tech..........2...0-2-0.....0
WCHA
St. Cloud State at Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Huskies from SCSU took 3-pts from the visiting Bulldogs of UMD, and the Huskies from MTU were sweep at World Arena by the CC Tigers.
SCSU got some PPG's and 2 SHG's against UMD to take three points. The shocking part is that Lasch got one goal and Roe had two assist on the weekend. SCSU needs to have scoring from their other lines to win, and that is what they did. If their top line gets it going, and the other lines continue to produce, they could really start burning up the ice. The boys from MTU scored once on Friday, but five times on Saturday. They held a 4-3 lead on Saturday after 40-minutee, and then the skis came off the sled, giving up 5 goals in the third. MTU has given up 18 goals in 4 games, that's 4.5 GAA for the team. MTU needs to stop the bleeding if they want to win some games and get out of the graveyard. I'm going to say the Huskies from SCSU take 3-pts this weekend.
Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota
Last weekend the Seawolves split at home against the Sioux and the Gophers were swept at home by the Pioneers.
I watched both UAA-UND games last weekend, and both UM-DU games too. I have to say that the ref's did a great job in the Friday night UAA-UND series, hats off to Tim Walsh and Scott Bakol (not so good on Saturday). Also props go to the UAA announcer Kurt Haiyder (spelling?) he does an excellent job with the play by play, fun size candy bars go to Kurt. The Sioux skated circles around UAA on Friday, but the Seawolves responded on Saturday. UAA held the Sioux to 3 shots in the second period and gave them very few quality scoring chances all game. If the Seawolves play defense the way they did on Saturday the Gophers may not get any treats this weekend. The Gophers have now been shut out in 3 of their last 4 games, ouch, thus it' no surprise they haven't scored a power play goal either. UM played with good solid efforts both nights but didn't have many quality scoring chances, credit DU's defense and goalie with that effort. The shots on goal were 34-30 DU, and 30-26 UM respectively last weekend. Those numbers considered, things might be on the up tick for both the offense and defense at the U of M. The Gopher-ville faithful still have reason to be spooked, with the obvious lack of scoring. Their question is "when will we score a goal?" I say they will score this weekend. I'm going with a SPLIT.
Minnesota State at #2 Denver
Last weekend the Mavericks split at home against the Badgers and the Pioneers swept the Gophers in Minneapolis.
Denver looked really good for a team that was suffering from the flu last weekend. The Mavericks rebounded after getting waxed 6-0 on Friday, with a 3-2 win Saturday. The Mavericks will have to be even better this weekend if they want to get some points at Magness Arena. MSUM has given up 16 goals in 4 league games, they have to play better in their own end and stay out of the penalty box. DU will look to keep their shut out streak intact when they return home. DU had given up 14 goals in 4 non-conference games. I think the Pioneers might worry about a let down this weekend after a road sweep. I'm going to call a SPLIT, MSUM Friday, DU Saturday.
NON-CONFERENCE
New Hampshire at #19 Wisconsin
Last weekend the Wildcats beat fellow Hockey East teams Northeastern and Maine, and the Badgers split a pair at MSU-Mankato.
The Badgers sprung to life with a 6-0 drubbing of Mankato last Friday. They may have gotten more points on the weekend if not for two 5-minute major penalties in the 3rd period of Saturday's game. Now that UW is up to speed, having played 4 WCHA games, they are ready to massacre a Hockey East team. I haven't seen or know much about UNH, they are 2-2-1 on the season with a lose and a tie versus Miami (OH). This series could help the WCHA as a whole if the Badgers sweep the Wildcats.
We ALL have to cheer for our WCHA brothers in non-conference play. Badgers SWEEP and the Wildcats end up going home with only some candy bars.
Clarkson at Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Golden Knights (ECAC) beat St. Lawrence (ECAC) 4-1, and the Bulldogs got one point from a visit to St. Cloud.
CU is 3-2-0 this season, with the wins coming at home and the loses on the road. CU is a small school, about 3000 students located in Potsdam, NY. CU was picked to finish 11th in the 12 team ECAC in their preseason coach's poll. Again I haven't seen CU play and I'm not that familiar with them. I'm going with the Bulldogs in this series, given recent success at home in the DECC and CU hasn't won on the road yet. Again we ALL need to cheer for our WCHA friends especially in non-conference games, Bulldogs SWEEP, CU weeps.
OFF - Bye Week
#3 North Dakota
#15 Colorado College
We here at GOONS WORLD wish everyone a save and Happy Halloween weekend, and hopefully your team gets the treats and not the tricks!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
N.D. higher ed board chancellor willing to extend UND nickname deadline
BISMARCK — The chancellor of the North Dakota University System says he’s willing to grant the Standing Rock Sioux tribe 30 more days to consider UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.
Saturday is the deadline for Standing Rock leaders to weigh in on the debate. Some tribal members want to put the issue to a vote.
Chancellor William Goetz said he talked with tribal Chairman Charles Murphy on Wednesday. He said the Tribal Council is not scheduled to meet until the week of Nov. 9.
The state board has said it will drop the Sioux nickname and logo unless it gets long-term agreements from Sioux tribes.
Murphy told KNOX radio of Grand Forks earlier that he knows some people support a tribal vote on the issue but said it’s not clear if or when that will happen.
Under terms of a settlement with the NCAA, which considers American Indian nicknames offensive, UND has until February to win the approval of both Sioux tribes in the state. The Spirit Lake tribe has approved the nickname, but the Standing Rock tribe has not.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
How long will Wild fans tolerate this?
This clip sums up the Wild season so far. Donna from Running with the Dogs inspired this question; how long with the 18,568 screaming, adoring fans put up with this crap and stop coming to the games? I said I wouldn’t walk across the street, buy cheap tickets from a scalper and sit in the upper deck to watch this crap.
Then I had an epiphany, it just came to me. I want to know if Richards and Fletcher are playing for the number one overall draft choice in hopes of getting a Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin or even a John Tavares. Based on the talent the Wild have this season it probably wouldn’t be that hard, there is also a lot of dead weight on this team. First round bust(s) Beniot Pouliot (1g-2a-3pts) actually got an assist tonight, and then he acted like he has scored a goal during the Stanley Cup playoffs. James Sheppard (0g-0a-0pts) has another unproductive night and again put up a goose egg on the score sheet. Why are these two clowns still here?
Positives +
I was happier than hell when the Wild scored three goals on four shots during the second period, it brought tears of joy to my eyes. Brent Burns got things rolling as he scored a nice goal on the power play, Cal Clutterbuck scored a beautiful goal on a slap shot and that goal was followed by a gritty workman like goal that was also a thing beauty as the Irish man Owen Nolin power the puck past the Predators goalie. The Wild were rolling and then they quit.
Wild Fans how long to we put up with this crap?
Teen's death hits Blake hard.
Former Fighting Sioux hockey player and current Maple Leaf Jason Blake apparently knew the 13-year-old hockey player Evan Frustaglio that died from H1N1 last week. This young kid was healthy and yet this virus took his life, it breaks your heart. I think this really puts things in perspective. I just hope that we can beat back this damn virus.
The death of 13-year-old Evan Frustaglio from the H1N1 flu virus hit hard for one Toronto Maple Leafs player.
Two years ago, Leafs forward Jason Blake was new to the team and the city and struggling to deal with the news he had chronic myelogenous leukemia, a rare but treatable form of cancer. However, the little boy next door who loved hockey always made him smile.
“‘I can’t imagine what they are going through,” Blake said Wednesday morning of his former Etobicoke neighbors, the Frustaglio family, two days after Evan died from the flu. “They are a great family with great kids. Evan was a hell of a hockey player.
“It’s tough. My prayers and thoughts go with them.”
Blake, his wife Sara and their three children lived in the house next door to the Frustaglios for the 2007-08 season, his first in Toronto after signing a five-year $20-million (U.S.) contract with the NHL team. It was a difficult year for Blake, as his illness weighed heavily on his play. While the disease was treatable with regular medication, Blake went from 40 goals the season before with the New York Islanders to 15 with the Leafs.
Things were a little better at home, though, as Paul and Ann-Marie Frustaglio welcomed the Blake family to the neighbourhood.
“We became good friends with them,” Blake recalled as the Leafs got ready to play the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. “They showed us the ropes when we got to town. They were our next-door neighbours, their kids came over and played driveway hockey. We had dinners together.
[Globe and Mail]
Big Shocker: Gaborik doubtful for Wild game
Honestly, you just can not make this stuff up; this is unfolding into a pretty good drama. Some might say that this is poetic justice that Marian Gaborik is doubtful for the game against the Wild. I would love to be at the game and be able to boo Gabby as he skates out on the ice at the Xcel Energy Center.
NEW YORK — Minnesota Wild fans anticipating the return of erstwhile superstar Marian Gaborik on Friday night likely are in for a disappointment.The always colorful interview that is New York Ranges head coach John Tortorella, I wonder how many times Torts has taken Larry Brook’s head off.
The first-year Rangers right-winger will travel to Minnesota for his team's only game in 2009-10 at Xcel Energy Center, but a leg injury threatens to ruin the homecoming.
Gaborik injured his leg late in Tuesday night's 5-2 victory over Phoenix, a game in which he scored two goals and added an assist.
He and the team emphasized the problem is unrelated to his hips or groin muscles, which have plagued him most of his career. Gaborik will not play tonight against the Islanders and his status for Friday is doubtful.
Gaborik, the Wild's first draft choice who played eight seasons in Minnesota, signed a five-year, $37.5-million contract with the Rangers after Minnesota declined to make him an offer upon becoming a free agent July 1.
In the Big Apple, he is off to his best start in seven years. Gaborik is tied with Anze Kopitar of Los Angeles for the league lead in goals with 10, and his 18 points are second only to Kopitar's 21.
Gaborik came out of the trainer's room at the Garden late Monday night and said the injury was unrelated to the hip and groin ailments that have bothered him in the past, and John Tortorella stressed that again Tuesday while saying that he wasn't overly concerned with the injury.
"It was a little sore, so we just kept him off the ice," the coach said. "It has nothing to do with any of his (past) injuries."
Asked to confirm whether it was a lower-body injury, Tortorella said, "It's a body injury."
Read more: [New York Daily News]
Grand Forks Man Hurt in Sioux-Gopher Hockey Fight Moved to Rehab
Sounds like the Jason Smith's condition is improving.
A Grand Forks man hurt in a fight after the Sioux-Gopher hockey game is still in the hospital but has been moved to Altru's rehab center.
34-year-old Jason Smith of Grand Forks was severely hurt in the fight.
Police say 28-year-old Peter Chwialkowski (fee-uh-cuss-key) hit 34 year old Jason Smith of Grand Forks.
Chwialkowski faces an aggravated assault charge.
He has been released after posting $1,000 cash bond.
According to Jason Smith's caringbridge site, during the fight he fell to the ground, hitting his head on the concrete.
The site says Smith had surgery to remove pieces of shattered skull and doctors inserted plates and 65 screws.
It says he will now have physical therapy, speech therapy and respiratory therapy for 8 hours each day. [WDAZ]
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
WCHA coming down on CFB's?
It would appear that the WCHA is going to be cracking down even harder on the checking from behind infractions this season [props]. Wisconsin's forward Craig Smith got an additional game suspension on top of his game disqualification that he received during last Saturday night's game against the Mavericks. Smith checked Mavericks player Geoff Irwin from behind, causing an undisclosed upper body injury. Irwin is out of this weekend's line up as a result of the violent check from behind. I think this ruling sets a good precedent; if a player tries to plant an opposition player into the boards with a bush league illegal checking from behind play, that player should be punished accordingly. I wish this policy would have been in play earlier.
Smith originally received a major penalty and game disqualification for checking from behind against Minnesota State-Mankato Oct. 24. That meant Smith would have to sit out Friday's series opener.
But Eaves said he was notified by the WCHA that Smith has had another game added to that punishment. Eaves didn't disagree with the action because Smith didn't appear to slow down when he crosschecked Mankato left winger Geoff Irwin into the boards in the third period of a 3-2 loss.
[Madison.Com]
Gabby hurt again.
As a Wild fan I almost snicker at the thought. Say it isn't so, Marian Gaborik the "Glass Groin" Czech is hurt again. Of course Rangers fans say that they aren't worried. You should be, should we review the [list of injuries again?]
"It's nothing related to my groin or hip or torso," Gaborik said afterward. "We'll see how everything is in the morning. I collided with one of their players, but it's nothing major. It happened with about five minutes left and the game was pretty much over."
[Blue Shirt Banter]
After further review the Wild really suck.
After watching the Minnesota Wild being dismantled and beaten for the eight time in eight games on the road I am have come to the conclusion that the Minnesota Wild suck worse than I thought they would or possibly could.
Blame to go around
First round busts James Sheppard (10 games, 0g-0a-0pts) and Benoit Pouliot (1g-1a-2pts) both are still with the team and contributing nothing on the ice or on the score sheet. I would bet that James Sheppard is now more untouchable; reason, no one would want this useless waste of a uniform on their team. Again, please remind me why this kid was selected in the first round? If the Wild had to trade Sheppard they probably couldn’t get a late 7th round draft choice for his worthless butt. The Minnesota Wild’s off season acquisition Peter Sykora (11 games, 0g-1a-1pts) and is also a defensive liability at -8. I would love to be able to make a million dollars at my job offering little productivity.
The earth shattering off season acquisition of former Blackhawk Martin Havlat has been an utter disappointment and very unimpressive (1g-4a-5pts) and -10 in 9 games. Last season free agent acquisition Owen Nolan has looked old and is contributing very little (11 games, 1g-2a-3pts) and is also a -5. It won’t be long before the boo birds will be raining down on the Wild from the 18,000+ loyal fans that pay too much to watch a team suck this bad. Nice to see Russo asking questions about player performance. [Wild Player stats]
Blame to go around
First round busts James Sheppard (10 games, 0g-0a-0pts) and Benoit Pouliot (1g-1a-2pts) both are still with the team and contributing nothing on the ice or on the score sheet. I would bet that James Sheppard is now more untouchable; reason, no one would want this useless waste of a uniform on their team. Again, please remind me why this kid was selected in the first round? If the Wild had to trade Sheppard they probably couldn’t get a late 7th round draft choice for his worthless butt. The Minnesota Wild’s off season acquisition Peter Sykora (11 games, 0g-1a-1pts) and is also a defensive liability at -8. I would love to be able to make a million dollars at my job offering little productivity.
The earth shattering off season acquisition of former Blackhawk Martin Havlat has been an utter disappointment and very unimpressive (1g-4a-5pts) and -10 in 9 games. Last season free agent acquisition Owen Nolan has looked old and is contributing very little (11 games, 1g-2a-3pts) and is also a -5. It won’t be long before the boo birds will be raining down on the Wild from the 18,000+ loyal fans that pay too much to watch a team suck this bad. Nice to see Russo asking questions about player performance. [Wild Player stats]
James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot will be back in the lineup after being forced to sit with us lowly know-it-all scribes the other night.
Coach Todd Richards wants more from both players. He wants physicality, skating, crashing the net and battling.
Sheppard was real good this morning talking: "It gives me a chance to react and make a positive from a negative."
He said watching from upstairs was like watching a video game, which is what I always say. You don't appreciate the lack of time and space the guys have on the ice from up in the pressbox. Everything's in slow motion, but it does give you a good ability to watch and see how plays develop.
I asked Richards about "why Pouliot?" It does seem the underachiever is finally showing some life, but that isn't enough for Richards. He said when he goes into the corners, he better no longer turn away from bodies and better start finishing checks. Funny, but I pointed that out in LA that Pouliot cost the Wild the winning goal bailing out on a check, and I got a bit lambasted for that observation. But he's been a lot better lately. A lot more physical. [Russo's Rants]
Mercyhurst interested in the CCHA.
This is an interesting turn of events. Wouldn't that be a huge slap in the face to UAA if actually accepted Mercyhurst after denying admission to UAH. Of course that would open up a spot for UAH in the AHA. Mercyhurst must want to bump up its scholarship threshold, the AHA doesn’t fun a full 18 scholarships like the big four conferences do. Also, the soon to be defunct CHA does fund a full 18 scholarships.
Nature Abhors a Vacuum
Apparently, the idea of an 11-team league is too great a temptation to resist.
Word came to me recently that Mercyhurst was interested in joining the CCHA. At first I thought this absurd, until I remembered the lesson learned from the offseason Big Ten talks, of Wisconsin playing with the idea of jumping ship to the CCHA.
So I did some poking around by e-mail.
According to Aaron Kemp, associate director of athletics and director of compliance at Mercyhurst College, the Lakers are “exploring membership opportunities with the CCHA” but have “not submitted a formal application to the league.”
Kemp added that Mercyhurst is “very happy with the Atlantic Hockey Association and [is] proud to be affiliated with its member institutions.”
CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos said that he doesn’t know whether or not Mercyhurst will submit an application, and that since it takes the CCHA “the better part of a year to review an application and complete [its] due diligence before admitting a new member,” the league is going ahead with an 11-team schedule for 2010-11.
That schedule will likely include some clustering of some kind, said Anastos, and the Big Ten certainly may factor into it. “Having the BT teams clustered together is certainly an option we are looking at,” said Anastos, “as it will maximize competition between Big Ten schools and allow for more content to be available to air on the Big Ten Network.”
Anastos said that such scheduling isn’t money-driven, that it’s about content and exposure for the CCHA and college hockey.
As for Alabama-Huntsville after the 2010-11 season — a drum that I apparently can’t avoid beating — Anastos said, “Never say never.” [USCHO]
Monday, October 26, 2009
Scott works Conboy like a clown.
This is a fight that happened this past weekend between Former SCSU Husky Tim Conboy and former MTU Husky John Scott. What in the heck was Tim Conboy thinking? Scott treated Conboy like a rag doll and worked Conboy like he was a punching bag.
Hakstol on the 2-1 loss.
I really think Siouxtra is an awesome thing for providing information to Sioux hockey fans. Checkout Tim Hennessey's post game interview with Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol. Hakstol doesn't mince words, and give his unvarnished opinion on what the Fighting Sioux hockey team didn't do during the game. Sounds like the Guys are dinged up, which seems kind of odd after only three weeks of play.
Poll Monday (Sioux 3rd and 2nd)
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
[26 October, 2009]
1 Miami (26) 4-1-1 925 1
2 Denver (20) 4-2-0 899 4
3 North Dakota ( 1) 4-1-1 867 2
4 Boston University 1-2-0 760 3
5 Michigan 2-2-0 697 5
6 Cornell 0-0-0 627 6
7 Yale ( 1) 0-0-0 562 8
8 Notre Dame 3-3-0 523 9
9 Mass.-Lowell 3-1-0 507 13
10 Vermont 2-2-0 467 7
11 Princeton 0-0-0 466 10
12 Nebraska-Omaha 3-0-1 437 12
13 Boston College 1-1-0 427 14
14 Bemidji State 3-0-1 327 16
15 Colorado College 4-1-1 309 19
16 Alaska 3-0-1 291 15
17 Massachusetts 3-0-0 179 NR
18 Quinnipiac 3-0-0 133 20
19 Wisconsin 1-2-1 117 17
20 Michigan State 4-2-0 109 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota 106, St. Cloud State 91, Minnesota-Duluth 75, New Hampshire 64, Western Michigan 41, Harvard 22, Ferris State 20, Providence 16, Northeastern 10, Merrimack 2, Holy Cross 1, Lake Superior 1, St. Lawrence 1, Union 1
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's preseason poll
[Oct. 26, 2009]
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week's rank
1 Miami University (Ohio) (22) 4-1-1 490 1
2 North Dakota 4-1-1 446 2
3 Denver (11) 4-2-0 433 5
4 Boston University 1-2-0 407 3
5 Michigan 2-2-0 368 4
6 Cornell 0-0-0 294 6
7 Yale 0-0-0 256 9
8 Massachusetts Lowell 3-1-0 220 12
9 Princeton 0-0-0 203 8
10 Vermont 2-2-0 201 7
11 Notre Dame 3-3-0 193 10
12 Boston College 1-1-0 129 15
13 Nebraska Omaha 3-0-1 117 13
14 Colorado College 4-1-1 80 NR
15 Bemidji State 3-0-1 53 NR
Others receiving votes: University of Alaska (Fairbanks), 49; University of Massachusetts, 40; University of Minnesota, 26; Quinnipiac University, 20; University of New Hampshire, 14; St. Cloud State University, 11; University of Minnesota Duluth, 10; Western Michigan University, 9; U.S. Air Force Academy, 4; University of Alaska Anchorage, 3; College of the Holy Cross, 1; Ferris State University, 1; Michigan State University, 1; University of Wisconsin, 1.
Analysis:Awesome to see BSU getting some deserved love in the national polls. I wonder if the WCHA can take credit for UNO and BSU for this season if they make the NCAA's? I think it's a big joke that Cornell lost the USDT Under 18 team and hasn't played a game year and is listed as high as 6th in a few polls.
[26 October, 2009]
1 Miami (26) 4-1-1 925 1
2 Denver (20) 4-2-0 899 4
3 North Dakota ( 1) 4-1-1 867 2
4 Boston University 1-2-0 760 3
5 Michigan 2-2-0 697 5
6 Cornell 0-0-0 627 6
7 Yale ( 1) 0-0-0 562 8
8 Notre Dame 3-3-0 523 9
9 Mass.-Lowell 3-1-0 507 13
10 Vermont 2-2-0 467 7
11 Princeton 0-0-0 466 10
12 Nebraska-Omaha 3-0-1 437 12
13 Boston College 1-1-0 427 14
14 Bemidji State 3-0-1 327 16
15 Colorado College 4-1-1 309 19
16 Alaska 3-0-1 291 15
17 Massachusetts 3-0-0 179 NR
18 Quinnipiac 3-0-0 133 20
19 Wisconsin 1-2-1 117 17
20 Michigan State 4-2-0 109 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota 106, St. Cloud State 91, Minnesota-Duluth 75, New Hampshire 64, Western Michigan 41, Harvard 22, Ferris State 20, Providence 16, Northeastern 10, Merrimack 2, Holy Cross 1, Lake Superior 1, St. Lawrence 1, Union 1
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's preseason poll
[Oct. 26, 2009]
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week's rank
1 Miami University (Ohio) (22) 4-1-1 490 1
2 North Dakota 4-1-1 446 2
3 Denver (11) 4-2-0 433 5
4 Boston University 1-2-0 407 3
5 Michigan 2-2-0 368 4
6 Cornell 0-0-0 294 6
7 Yale 0-0-0 256 9
8 Massachusetts Lowell 3-1-0 220 12
9 Princeton 0-0-0 203 8
10 Vermont 2-2-0 201 7
11 Notre Dame 3-3-0 193 10
12 Boston College 1-1-0 129 15
13 Nebraska Omaha 3-0-1 117 13
14 Colorado College 4-1-1 80 NR
15 Bemidji State 3-0-1 53 NR
Others receiving votes: University of Alaska (Fairbanks), 49; University of Massachusetts, 40; University of Minnesota, 26; Quinnipiac University, 20; University of New Hampshire, 14; St. Cloud State University, 11; University of Minnesota Duluth, 10; Western Michigan University, 9; U.S. Air Force Academy, 4; University of Alaska Anchorage, 3; College of the Holy Cross, 1; Ferris State University, 1; Michigan State University, 1; University of Wisconsin, 1.
Analysis:Awesome to see BSU getting some deserved love in the national polls. I wonder if the WCHA can take credit for UNO and BSU for this season if they make the NCAA's? I think it's a big joke that Cornell lost the USDT Under 18 team and hasn't played a game year and is listed as high as 6th in a few polls.
INCH Power Rankings
For your weekly perusing and a good chuckle the INCH Power Rankings
1. Miami
2. North Dakota — Fighting Sioux freshman goalie Aaron Dell pulled off a unique feat against Alaska Anchorage Friday, shutting out the Seawolves in his first career start and notching an assist to boot. 4-1-1 (2-1-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Alaska-Anchorage, 5-0; L at Alaska-Anchorage, 2-1. THIS WEEK: Off
3. Denver
4. Boston University
5. Michigan
6. Vermont 3
7. Cornell
8. Princeton
9. Notre Dame
10. Nebraska-Omaha
11. UMass Lowell
12. Yale
13. Alaska
14. Bemidji State
15. Boston College
16. Massachusetts
17. St. Cloud State
18. Colorado College
19. Michigan State
20. New Hampshire
Dropped out: Minnesota, Wisconsin
Bubble-licious: Quinnipiac, Wisconsin
1. Miami
2. North Dakota — Fighting Sioux freshman goalie Aaron Dell pulled off a unique feat against Alaska Anchorage Friday, shutting out the Seawolves in his first career start and notching an assist to boot. 4-1-1 (2-1-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Alaska-Anchorage, 5-0; L at Alaska-Anchorage, 2-1. THIS WEEK: Off
3. Denver
4. Boston University
5. Michigan
6. Vermont 3
7. Cornell
8. Princeton
9. Notre Dame
10. Nebraska-Omaha
11. UMass Lowell
12. Yale
13. Alaska
14. Bemidji State
15. Boston College
16. Massachusetts
17. St. Cloud State
18. Colorado College
19. Michigan State
20. New Hampshire
Dropped out: Minnesota, Wisconsin
Bubble-licious: Quinnipiac, Wisconsin
Brock Nelson a coup for the Sioux?
Nice props to Fighting Sioux recruit Brock Nelson but I don't think you can really count Brock Nelson committing to the Fighting Sioux as being a coup since his uncle Dave Christian played for UND. Also, UND assistant coach Cary Eades was the head coach in Warroad from line 1995 till 2004 so maybe just Eades still has some connections to the Warroad High School. Geographically UND is closer to Warroad than Minnesota.
Warroad (Minn.) High School power center Brock Nelson recently committed to the University of North Dakota, and the Fighting Sioux can really count this one as a coup in smuggling the emerging star out of state right from under the noses of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Nelson, who is currently playing this fall in the Midwest Elite League until the local high school season starts in about six weeks, is one of Red Line's favorite early line sleepers for the 2010 Draft. Not many scouts outside of Minnesota have ever heard of him, and he didn't blossom until last season, so he's never been a part of the whole U.S. select process. So he may suffer from underexposure for now, but that won't last much longer.
Nelson, 6-2/205, with a great stride and powerful shot, also has a very strong bloodline in the sport. His uncle is Dave Christian, one of the key scoring cogs on the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning squad. Christian is also a former UND All-American and won a national championship with the Sioux before launching an NHL career that spanned over 1000 games and nearly 800 points, so he likely had some influence on young Nelson's decision. [USA Today]
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Grand Forks Herald Publishers' Phony Call for Civility
Cross Posted From Say Anything Blog, where I make my home.
The one thing I didn't say when I first posted this is that I agree with Goon and even Jacobs that there's no reason to be profane. (Nor is there any reason to be rude to a visiting fan.)
Then again when I bring the kids to the game and they do the brilliant original chant, I tell the kids they're saying "Puck the Gophers."
The Grand Forks Herald's editor and publisher had an column calling for civility to be shown during hockey games. When I read this I thought that I was in another world.
Now it's true that the UND students have gotten a bit profane during the games against the Minnesota Gophers. But then again it's been that way for years and other efforts to do better have been fruitless. So a call by the old radical, Mike Jacobs, isn't probably going to change much.
On the other hand, Mike Jacobs has control of what his reporters say about members of the public. How about some civility from them Mike?
About two weeks ago, his reporter, Tu Uyen Tran referred to people in the Tea Party movement by an obscene act. I haven't seen Mike Jacobs condemn the lack of civility to people living in the same community as he publishes in.
Some may say that it was only on Tran's blog. That's not an excuse because the area voices and the Herald are the same entity and the Herald regularly links to Trans blog on their front page.
I guess when it comes to people like Mike Jacobs civility is something that doesn't count when a liberal is talking about a conservative.
The one thing I didn't say when I first posted this is that I agree with Goon and even Jacobs that there's no reason to be profane. (Nor is there any reason to be rude to a visiting fan.)
Then again when I bring the kids to the game and they do the brilliant original chant, I tell the kids they're saying "Puck the Gophers."
The Grand Forks Herald's editor and publisher had an column calling for civility to be shown during hockey games. When I read this I thought that I was in another world.
Now it's true that the UND students have gotten a bit profane during the games against the Minnesota Gophers. But then again it's been that way for years and other efforts to do better have been fruitless. So a call by the old radical, Mike Jacobs, isn't probably going to change much.
On the other hand, Mike Jacobs has control of what his reporters say about members of the public. How about some civility from them Mike?
About two weeks ago, his reporter, Tu Uyen Tran referred to people in the Tea Party movement by an obscene act. I haven't seen Mike Jacobs condemn the lack of civility to people living in the same community as he publishes in.
Some may say that it was only on Tran's blog. That's not an excuse because the area voices and the Herald are the same entity and the Herald regularly links to Trans blog on their front page.
I guess when it comes to people like Mike Jacobs civility is something that doesn't count when a liberal is talking about a conservative.
Jacobs misses the point again.
If the Grand Forks Herald ever wonders why they lose subscriptions they might want to take a look at the editor. Seriously! Crappy articles like this stinker probably don't help circulation very much. This is the reason why newspaper circulation is failing nationwide. This is the reason potential readers are discontinuing their subscription and turning away from purchasing your local rag. This is also why newspapers failing as a daily source of information. I already dropped my newspaper back to three days a week and I am this close to cancelling it all together. The only reason I read the newspaper is for the Fighting Sioux Hockey coverage. I am definitely not reading the Grand Forks Herald for its coverage of city hall politics or the oversight of the Alerus Center.
In his latest debacle, the Editor of the Grand Forks Herald is attempting to say that the pre-game videos are disrespectful to the Fighting Sioux’s opponents and hence might cause the opponents to not respect the Fighting Sioux name. Holy Cow! That is some very flawed logic. How did Mike Jacobs ever become the editor to the Grand Forks Herald?
During yearly questioners at the Final Five, the WCHA’s 10 captains are asked various question and one of them is about the best conference logo and many years the Fighting Sioux logo has been listed as one of the best or most awesome logos in the WCHA. Also, the Hockey News also recently had a jersey tourney and the Fighting Sioux logo won the over-all contest. Jacob's letter to the editor would probably meet my defintion of tripe. It's definately a poorly written editorial and definately worthless because it misses the point.
Also, the arena’s ‘in-your-face video highlights that the arena presents after the opposing team is introduced’, has to remain and should not be looked at as a cause for bad behavior or disrespect for the Fighting Sioux name. The reason we had poor behavior in the arena is a issue that must and will be addressed but maybe we will leave the decision to the people that know what they’re doing. If you can't run a newspaper what makes you think you can solve a more complex problem such as this.
Here is a reader comment to another article that I really like and it hits the right message.
In his latest debacle, the Editor of the Grand Forks Herald is attempting to say that the pre-game videos are disrespectful to the Fighting Sioux’s opponents and hence might cause the opponents to not respect the Fighting Sioux name. Holy Cow! That is some very flawed logic. How did Mike Jacobs ever become the editor to the Grand Forks Herald?
During yearly questioners at the Final Five, the WCHA’s 10 captains are asked various question and one of them is about the best conference logo and many years the Fighting Sioux logo has been listed as one of the best or most awesome logos in the WCHA. Also, the Hockey News also recently had a jersey tourney and the Fighting Sioux logo won the over-all contest. Jacob's letter to the editor would probably meet my defintion of tripe. It's definately a poorly written editorial and definately worthless because it misses the point.
The editorial raised a second issue, suggesting that the arena’s own special effects contribute to this suspension of civility.The problem is that Jacobs is anti-logo and has been for some time and he probably looked at this as another opportunity to pile on and spew his anti Fighting Sioux logo rhetoric. I think Jacobs should stick to running the newspaper albeit poorly and writing stories about birds. So in this instance we can say a swing and a miss Mike.
Hodgson, and most of those who commented on Thursday’s editorial, rejected this idea. The in-your-face video highlights that the arena presents after the opposing team is introduced are standard fare in most arenas, I’m told.
Perhaps so.
But the reaction to the highlights reel raises an issue particular to UND, one related to the name and logo. UND’s opponents won’t respect the name and logo if their players aren’t respected here. The chants and taunts at UND hockey games show a lack of respect, and invite reciprocation.
I’ve been in several college rinks and half a dozen professional arenas, but it’s been a few years since I’ve been to a hockey game outside Grand Forks, so maybe I’m not in a position to know — but I still think it’s not sportsmanlike to taunt an opponent. [Grand Forks Herald]
Also, the arena’s ‘in-your-face video highlights that the arena presents after the opposing team is introduced’, has to remain and should not be looked at as a cause for bad behavior or disrespect for the Fighting Sioux name. The reason we had poor behavior in the arena is a issue that must and will be addressed but maybe we will leave the decision to the people that know what they’re doing. If you can't run a newspaper what makes you think you can solve a more complex problem such as this.
Here is a reader comment to another article that I really like and it hits the right message.
[Randy L. --- East Grand Forks, MN]
I wonder why so many commenters seem to missing the fact that this "topic" is actually 2 separate issues. The first is the vulgarities and message of the crowd chants, and the second is are choices of individuals in settings outside the game (in the concourse, outside the venue, etc.). There is no reason the crowd can't get loud, raucous, and in the face of the opposing team and fans without being physical or vulgar. Do chants, sing songs, show the opposing player in the penalty box with a smart-aleck sign behind him. All of those things can easily be accomplished "cleanly" but still be intimidating. Some of the earlier posters who defend the hockey history and experience are right in the sense of the atmosphere. If you dont' like it rowdy at a Divison 1 college hockey game, don't go. But that same atmosphere doesn't have to be truly offensive. Chant "Shoot the Gophers" - it doesn't have to be F***, does it? It's the same message.
Richards will not be suspended.
Flyers forward Mike Richards will NOT BE suspended for his hard hit on David Booth. In looking at this hit initially I had incorrectly thought it was a dirty hit but after further review I think it was the classic example of a player skating across the blue line with their head down skating and getting pummeled by the opposition. A player needs to know where they are at all times in reference to the opposition. You can not skate with your head down accross the oppostion's blue line, that is a cardinal sin.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly had informed him that Mike Richards would not face any discipline for his hit on David Booth of the Florida Panthers last night. [Puck Daddy]
UAA 2 - UND 1
On Thursday I made the prediction that UND would split the series with the UAA Seawolves, I had the games mixed up but I predicted the final outcome of the series. The reason I made that prediction of a split was, no matter where UAA is sitting in the WCHA standings, UAA is a tough place to play at, it’s a historical fact. While I still think UND should have and could have swept the Seawolves, they didn't. It doesn't take much to figure out that the Sioux are defiantly a better team. Honestly, I not too disappointed with a series split.
Silver lining time: Even with the loss UND is 7-2-1 in the last 10 against the Seawolves. UND is also 3-1-0 in its last four games in Anchorage. I am sure with the win some fan with a press pass soiled himself after the Fighting Sioux lost to the UAA Seawolves. With the loss UND is 4-1-1 going into the Bye week. If I remember correctly UND was 2-4-0 after six games at this point last season.
Here is what College Hockey News had to say about the game last night. I can also confirm that UAA is big and slow and if the officials allows them to get away with their obstruction tactics they are hard to play against. This scheme can still be beat by keeping the feet moving and getting pucks deep. There were also a lot of questionable penalties called during last night's game. Andrew MacWilliam is UND's new version of Matt Greene who was punished by the officals for throwing legal checks.
Insignificant senior forward Darcy Zajac continued his solid play and had (1g-1a-2pts) for the weekend.
Local boy Mario Lamoureux (1g-1a-2pts) on the weekend. Mario Tied for seventh in the the WCHA for scoring (2g-2a-4pts) also tied for seventh in the WCHA in scoring are teammates Dacry Zajac with (1g-3-a-4) and Chay Genoway (4g-0a-4pts).
Freshman goaltender Aaron Dell getting the shutout in his first career start on Friday night, I still wonder why Hakstol didn't come back with him last night. There are going to be choices in net for the Fighting Sioux and I personally like Dell’s stand up style play better than the out of control butterfly goaltending of Brad Eidsness.
While his game does have some flaws, statistically Brad Eidsness is ranked 12th nationally in goaltending.
Negatives -
The last three of four goals scored against Brad Eidsness have been scored on his glove side/weak side while he failed to cover the post. These weak untimely goals can't not happen all the time, a weak goal deflates a hockey team and that first goal killed UND momentum, before the goal in question they were taking it to UAA. Seriously, someone needs to work with Brad Eidsness on staying square to the puck and positioning. There is also no reason to be lying down on the ice all of the time.
[Box Score]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-1 Craig Parkinson (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 6:23
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Kneeing) AKA 0x1 15:37
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA 1 - 0 6x6 LL Kevin Clark (4) (Lee Baldwin, Josh Lunden) 0:29
AKA (+): 9,7,16,21,22,G49 NDK (-): 17,5,29,7,24,G31
NDK-2 Ben Blood (2-Holding) AKA 1x2 4:21
AKA 2 - 0 6x5 PP GW Kane Lafranchise (1) (Tommy Grant, Daniel Naslund) 6:06
AKA: 4,16,7,21,40,G49 NDK: 11,5,2,9,G31
AKA-2 Josh Lunden (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 7:32
NDK-3 Jason Gregoire (2-Tripping) AKA 1x3 8:05
NDK-4 Mario Lamoureux (2-Elbowing) AKA 1x4 12:47
NDK-5 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) 15:12
AKA-3 Kevin Clark (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 15:12
NDK-6 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Interference) AKA 1x5 18:05
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-4 Trevor Hunt (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 13:14
AKA-5 Curtis Leinweber (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x4 15:16
NDK 1 - 2 6x6 Darcy Zajac (1) (Mario Lamoureux, David Toews) 18:34
NDK (+): 11,9,18,5,25,G31 AKA (-): 36,4,17,11,14,G49
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Silver lining time: Even with the loss UND is 7-2-1 in the last 10 against the Seawolves. UND is also 3-1-0 in its last four games in Anchorage. I am sure with the win some fan with a press pass soiled himself after the Fighting Sioux lost to the UAA Seawolves. With the loss UND is 4-1-1 going into the Bye week. If I remember correctly UND was 2-4-0 after six games at this point last season.
Here is what the Sioux have done the last five years in Anchorage. [props]
2004-05 Season Split in Anchorage
2005-06 Season Split in Anchorage
2006-07 Season Were swept in Anchorage
2007-08 Season Didn't play in Anchorage
2008-09 Season Swept in Anchorage
2009-10 Season Split in Anchorage
Here is what College Hockey News had to say about the game last night. I can also confirm that UAA is big and slow and if the officials allows them to get away with their obstruction tactics they are hard to play against. This scheme can still be beat by keeping the feet moving and getting pucks deep. There were also a lot of questionable penalties called during last night's game. Andrew MacWilliam is UND's new version of Matt Greene who was punished by the officals for throwing legal checks.
CHN: Big and slow -- that's been the knock on UAA, and it looked like it Friday in a 5-0 loss. But the Seawolves were able to slow down North Dakota in this one, and use their strengths to their advantage this time. The Sioux only mustered 23 shots on goal in losing for the first time this season. UAA got two goals in the second, and didn't allow one until the closing minutes. “We gave up that first goal in the first minute of the period,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “We spent a majority of the second killing three minor penalties that happened right in a row. That killed any type of a chance we had at gaining momentum. It allowed (Anchorage) to build momentum and keep it.”Positives +
Insignificant senior forward Darcy Zajac continued his solid play and had (1g-1a-2pts) for the weekend.
Local boy Mario Lamoureux (1g-1a-2pts) on the weekend. Mario Tied for seventh in the the WCHA for scoring (2g-2a-4pts) also tied for seventh in the WCHA in scoring are teammates Dacry Zajac with (1g-3-a-4) and Chay Genoway (4g-0a-4pts).
Freshman goaltender Aaron Dell getting the shutout in his first career start on Friday night, I still wonder why Hakstol didn't come back with him last night. There are going to be choices in net for the Fighting Sioux and I personally like Dell’s stand up style play better than the out of control butterfly goaltending of Brad Eidsness.
While his game does have some flaws, statistically Brad Eidsness is ranked 12th nationally in goaltending.
Negatives -
The last three of four goals scored against Brad Eidsness have been scored on his glove side/weak side while he failed to cover the post. These weak untimely goals can't not happen all the time, a weak goal deflates a hockey team and that first goal killed UND momentum, before the goal in question they were taking it to UAA. Seriously, someone needs to work with Brad Eidsness on staying square to the puck and positioning. There is also no reason to be lying down on the ice all of the time.
[Box Score]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-1 Craig Parkinson (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 6:23
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Kneeing) AKA 0x1 15:37
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA 1 - 0 6x6 LL Kevin Clark (4) (Lee Baldwin, Josh Lunden) 0:29
AKA (+): 9,7,16,21,22,G49 NDK (-): 17,5,29,7,24,G31
NDK-2 Ben Blood (2-Holding) AKA 1x2 4:21
AKA 2 - 0 6x5 PP GW Kane Lafranchise (1) (Tommy Grant, Daniel Naslund) 6:06
AKA: 4,16,7,21,40,G49 NDK: 11,5,2,9,G31
AKA-2 Josh Lunden (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 7:32
NDK-3 Jason Gregoire (2-Tripping) AKA 1x3 8:05
NDK-4 Mario Lamoureux (2-Elbowing) AKA 1x4 12:47
NDK-5 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) 15:12
AKA-3 Kevin Clark (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 15:12
NDK-6 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Interference) AKA 1x5 18:05
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-4 Trevor Hunt (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 13:14
AKA-5 Curtis Leinweber (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x4 15:16
NDK 1 - 2 6x6 Darcy Zajac (1) (Mario Lamoureux, David Toews) 18:34
NDK (+): 11,9,18,5,25,G31 AKA (-): 36,4,17,11,14,G49
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Richards smokes Booth.
The NHL want to do away with dangerous head shots like this. Check out the hit, Flyers forward Mike Richards smokes David Booth with a shoulder to the head, you have to wonder if Richards will get between 3-5 games for this check. The Florida Panthers aren't happy with the incident.
“I thought it was a late hit and I thought it was a dirty hit,” Panthers general manager Randy Sexton said. “He tracked him from behind and you could see it clear he put his shoulder right to his face, to his head, and then he followed through.”
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren defended Richards and called out Sexton, saying, “Randy should watch more hockey games.”
“It was a good hit,” Holmgren said. “I don’t see how they can (suspend him). Mike was doing his job. He was back tracking, he caught up to the play. His feet never left the ice. David Booth turned his head or it would have been a shoulder on shoulder hit. It’s a physical game and sometimes these things happen.
“Everybody in the league knows Mike isn’t a dirty player. He’s a player every team in the league covets.” [Courirer post]
Feeling Minnesota.
This is the latest NCAA Round up column that I wrote for the Illegal Curve.
I was reading the Star Tribune’s write-up this morning about another Gophers loss (0-2-1) and I got to thinking how long before the Gopher faithful want to throw head coach Don Lucia under the bus? For my amusement, I decided to check out the comments section of that very same article. Holy cow! Wow! It sounds like there is a full blown lynch mob down in Minnesota already. That’s right, three games into the young season and the not-so-Golden Gophers have been shut out twice, outscored 10-3 and now there very well may be an angry mob pounding at the door of Mariucci Arena.
Lets break this down further; three games into the season and the Gophers' top forward, and pre-anointed Player of the Year in the WCHA, Jordan Schroeder has no points whatsoever, nix, nada, nay (0g-0a-0pts) and he is a minus -2.
I am wondering how long it will take before the rumors about Vancouver not being happy with Schroeder’s development start surfacing? Last night I watched the DU and Minnesota game and Schroeder, on numerous occasions, took the puck up the ice in an attempt at an end-to-end rush only to lose the puck to a Denver player in the defensive zone. The result, of course, was a turnover and a rush up ice in the other direction. This type of play was kind of reminiscent of another former Gopher player that was run out of Boston and now resides in Toronto.
If anything, the Gophers' start to the season makes makes me scratch my head and wonder how a team stacked with at least 10 NHL draft choices can be 0-2-1. It hasn’t been pretty, in the first three games the Gophers have been outshot by an astounding 111 - 71 margin. Of the team's 71 shots, they have scored a measly three goals--meaning they have scored on just under five percent of their shots. On the defensive side of the equation the Gophers have given up ten goals, or just about a goal on ten percent of the opposition’s shots. Morever, their power play is clicking at an even zero percent (they are 0-12 on the power play). On top of that, they have also given up a shorthanded goal.
Coach on the Hot Seat?
The last two seasons Don Lucia’s Gophers have gone a mediocre 17-13-7 and 19-17-9. Last season they missed the NCAA playoffs altogether and now three games into this season it looks as if they could be in for another tough season.
So would it be reasonable to say that Lucia is on the hot seat?
What do Gopher fans think?
I know people have short memories and forget that that Lucia won two NCAA titles in the early 2000’s but what has he done lately?
Check out more from Eric at twitter, and the Goon’s World Blog
I was reading the Star Tribune’s write-up this morning about another Gophers loss (0-2-1) and I got to thinking how long before the Gopher faithful want to throw head coach Don Lucia under the bus? For my amusement, I decided to check out the comments section of that very same article. Holy cow! Wow! It sounds like there is a full blown lynch mob down in Minnesota already. That’s right, three games into the young season and the not-so-Golden Gophers have been shut out twice, outscored 10-3 and now there very well may be an angry mob pounding at the door of Mariucci Arena.
Lets break this down further; three games into the season and the Gophers' top forward, and pre-anointed Player of the Year in the WCHA, Jordan Schroeder has no points whatsoever, nix, nada, nay (0g-0a-0pts) and he is a minus -2.
I am wondering how long it will take before the rumors about Vancouver not being happy with Schroeder’s development start surfacing? Last night I watched the DU and Minnesota game and Schroeder, on numerous occasions, took the puck up the ice in an attempt at an end-to-end rush only to lose the puck to a Denver player in the defensive zone. The result, of course, was a turnover and a rush up ice in the other direction. This type of play was kind of reminiscent of another former Gopher player that was run out of Boston and now resides in Toronto.
If anything, the Gophers' start to the season makes makes me scratch my head and wonder how a team stacked with at least 10 NHL draft choices can be 0-2-1. It hasn’t been pretty, in the first three games the Gophers have been outshot by an astounding 111 - 71 margin. Of the team's 71 shots, they have scored a measly three goals--meaning they have scored on just under five percent of their shots. On the defensive side of the equation the Gophers have given up ten goals, or just about a goal on ten percent of the opposition’s shots. Morever, their power play is clicking at an even zero percent (they are 0-12 on the power play). On top of that, they have also given up a shorthanded goal.
Coach on the Hot Seat?
The last two seasons Don Lucia’s Gophers have gone a mediocre 17-13-7 and 19-17-9. Last season they missed the NCAA playoffs altogether and now three games into this season it looks as if they could be in for another tough season.
So would it be reasonable to say that Lucia is on the hot seat?
What do Gopher fans think?
I know people have short memories and forget that that Lucia won two NCAA titles in the early 2000’s but what has he done lately?
Check out more from Eric at twitter, and the Goon’s World Blog
Tuomo Ruutu suspened for CFB.
First off I hate checks from behind and I am not a big Darcy Tucker fan but that check was unnecessary. Tuomo Ruutu has been suspended by the NHL for three games for his check from behind on Darcy Tucker. I think it's even funnier when listening to the TV announcers trying to tell us that Tuomo Ruutu is a hardnosed hockey player, in my opinion he is a hack and a thug. Then the ref rescues him before the Av’s can take a pound of flesh from him.
Oshie emergency apendectomy
Former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie has had an emergency apendectomy, Goon's World would like to wish Osh a speedy recovery. Let's hope he is not out of the line up too long.
Blues forward T.J. Oshie had an emergency apendectomy this morning and will be out of the lineup indefinitely, a source has told the Post-Dispatch.
Oshie went to the hospital Friday night, following the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Minnesota at Scottrade Center. He played 17 minutes, 33 seconds in the game.
The recovery time for the surgery varies from person to person. Blues goaltender Chris Mason had a similar surgery last season and missed approximately two weeks. [Stltoday.com]
Sioux 5 - Seawolves 0
In the offseason we heard about how UAA was the biggest team in college hockey, we were also told by the self appointed experts and the college hockey media pundits that UAA was going to be bigger, stronger and better skaters. We also heard how UAA was going to use that size and new found skill to wear down their opposition and take a game over in the third period. Hum...
After watching the game last night and seeing UAA play against Michigan a few weeks ago, I would say that this season’s version of the UAA Seawolves resembled last season’s UAA team. It's no mystery that the Seawolves work hard and try to play an up tempo game but frankly the Seawolves have had a hard time keeping up with the skilled teams like UND and Michigan. In boths instances they were out classed and they got smoked. Last night the Seawolves were beat to the puck up and down the ice by a speedier Fighting Sioux hockey team. Frustration set in and the Seawolves started taking ill advised penatlies. UND was 3-7 on the PP while UAA went 0-7. UND has yet to give up a power play goal on the season so far.
We got a Dell
I not a fan of that stupid commercial but the Fighting Sioux started freshman goaltender Aaron Dell and the rookie responded with a shutout win in his first start for the Fighting Sioux. Dell’s start breaks a streak by Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness who had started 37 games in a row was relegated to back up last night. I would like to see both goalies split time untill one of them establishes himself as being the "starter". While Eidsness was the top freshman goalie in the WCHA last season he tenders to wander and fails to cover the short side post in key situations. This was replayed last weekend against the Gophers, where he over played the puck and cost the Sioux a goal. All I can remember the first goal he gave up to UMD during the Final Five game last season. It's like on replay loop in my brain and it plays over and over again.
I believe that Dell will and should get more starts this season based on his "solid" performance in last night’s game. Although Dell wasn’t tested a whole lot he did make some impressive saves and stopped UAA freshman forward Mitch Bruijsten’s cold on a breakaway in the second period. From watching Dell in the UAA game and during the Manitoba exhibition, I like Dell's positioning and he does stay more square to the puck than Brad Eidsness, Dell also didn't get caught out of position by over playing the puck in key situations. Hakstol and company now have options and don't have to have one goaltender shoulder the whole load himself. Having two goaltenders should make both of them better.
Insignificant players get points and score goals for UND
This was a pontification of a unnamed bombastic blogger from UAA. I am sure that he will delete the post. Lets break down how insignificant these guys are.
Evan Trupp (1g-1a-2pts)
Darcy Zajac (0g-1a-1pts)
Jake Marto (0g-1a-1pts)
Derrick LaPoint (0g-1a-1pts)
[Box Score]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 GW LL Mario Lamoureux (2) (Darcy Zajac, Carter Rowney) 5:47
NDK (+): 9,11,27,2,20,G32 AKA (-): 21,17,20,4,11,G30
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Hooking) AKA 0x1 8:15
AKA-1 Jade Portwood (2-High-Sticking) NDK 0x1 10:58
AKA-2 Jared Tuton (2-Holding) NDK 0x2 11:15
AKA-3 Jade Portwood (2-Charging) NDK 1x3 16:30
NDK 2 - 0 6x5 PP Jake Marto (3) (Evan Trupp, Joe Gleason) 17:24
NDK: 25,19,20,22,26,G32 AKA: 16,27,11,4,G30
NDK 3 - 0 6x6 Jason Gregoire (3) (Derrick LaPoint, Danny Kristo) 18:40
NDK (+): 17,3,5,7,29,G32 AKA (-): 22,7,16,18,9,G30
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-2 Carter Rowney (2-Tripping) AKA 0x2 2:02
NDK-3 Jake Marto (2-Cross-Checking) AKA 0x3 3:57
AKA-4 Josh Lunden (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 5:41
AKA-5 Kevin Clark (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 5:41
NDK-4 Chay Genoway (2-Tripping) AKA 0x4 6:01
AKA-6 Mitch Bruijsten (2-Hooking) NDK 2x6 11:11
NDK 4 - 0 6x5 PP Evan Trupp (1) (Brad Malone) 12:39
NDK: 19,22,20,25,26,G32 AKA: 7,14,22,21,G30
NDK-5 Jake Marto (2-Holding) AKA 0x5 14:11
NDK-6 Darcy Zajac (2-High-Sticking) AKA 0x6 15:37
AKA-7 Kane Lafranchise (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Craig Parkinson) NDK 3x8 16:27
AKA-8 Craig Parkinson (10-Game Misconduct) 16:27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 5 - 0 6x5 PP Chay Genoway (4) (Chris VandeVelde, Aaron Dell) 0:34
AKA: 36,21,4,11,G30
NDK-7 Derrick LaPoint (2-Tripping) AKA 0x7 8:48
NDK-8 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Cross-Checking) 10:11
AKA-9 Tommy Grant (2-GRASPING THE FACEMASK) 10:11
NDK-9 Corban Knight (5-Checking from Behind) AKA 0x8 15:50
NDK-10 Corban Knight (10-Game Misconduct) 15:50
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
After watching the game last night and seeing UAA play against Michigan a few weeks ago, I would say that this season’s version of the UAA Seawolves resembled last season’s UAA team. It's no mystery that the Seawolves work hard and try to play an up tempo game but frankly the Seawolves have had a hard time keeping up with the skilled teams like UND and Michigan. In boths instances they were out classed and they got smoked. Last night the Seawolves were beat to the puck up and down the ice by a speedier Fighting Sioux hockey team. Frustration set in and the Seawolves started taking ill advised penatlies. UND was 3-7 on the PP while UAA went 0-7. UND has yet to give up a power play goal on the season so far.
We got a Dell
I not a fan of that stupid commercial but the Fighting Sioux started freshman goaltender Aaron Dell and the rookie responded with a shutout win in his first start for the Fighting Sioux. Dell’s start breaks a streak by Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness who had started 37 games in a row was relegated to back up last night. I would like to see both goalies split time untill one of them establishes himself as being the "starter". While Eidsness was the top freshman goalie in the WCHA last season he tenders to wander and fails to cover the short side post in key situations. This was replayed last weekend against the Gophers, where he over played the puck and cost the Sioux a goal. All I can remember the first goal he gave up to UMD during the Final Five game last season. It's like on replay loop in my brain and it plays over and over again.
I believe that Dell will and should get more starts this season based on his "solid" performance in last night’s game. Although Dell wasn’t tested a whole lot he did make some impressive saves and stopped UAA freshman forward Mitch Bruijsten’s cold on a breakaway in the second period. From watching Dell in the UAA game and during the Manitoba exhibition, I like Dell's positioning and he does stay more square to the puck than Brad Eidsness, Dell also didn't get caught out of position by over playing the puck in key situations. Hakstol and company now have options and don't have to have one goaltender shoulder the whole load himself. Having two goaltenders should make both of them better.
Insignificant players get points and score goals for UND
This was a pontification of a unnamed bombastic blogger from UAA. I am sure that he will delete the post. Lets break down how insignificant these guys are.
A UND fan would naturally think nearly all of their upperclassmen are significant. Big surprise.Further investigation revealed that of the fore mention players only one of them (Davidson) didn’t register a point during the game. If my math is correct that is five points for the insignificant upperclassmen of the Fighting Sioux. I am pretty sure that if Alaska native Evan Trupp played for the Seawolves he would be one fo their top players. PWND!
But yes ...
Darcy Zajac is insignificant.
Brent Davidson is insignificant.
Jake Marto and Evan Trupp are .5 insignificant each.
Derek Lapoint is insignificant.
That equals 4 significant upperclassmen. And I actually undercounted UAA's significant upperclassmen. I probably should have said 11. But I left off the goaltenders and underrated a couple of other guys. I was sandbagging.
Evan Trupp (1g-1a-2pts)
Darcy Zajac (0g-1a-1pts)
Jake Marto (0g-1a-1pts)
Derrick LaPoint (0g-1a-1pts)
[Box Score]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 GW LL Mario Lamoureux (2) (Darcy Zajac, Carter Rowney) 5:47
NDK (+): 9,11,27,2,20,G32 AKA (-): 21,17,20,4,11,G30
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Hooking) AKA 0x1 8:15
AKA-1 Jade Portwood (2-High-Sticking) NDK 0x1 10:58
AKA-2 Jared Tuton (2-Holding) NDK 0x2 11:15
AKA-3 Jade Portwood (2-Charging) NDK 1x3 16:30
NDK 2 - 0 6x5 PP Jake Marto (3) (Evan Trupp, Joe Gleason) 17:24
NDK: 25,19,20,22,26,G32 AKA: 16,27,11,4,G30
NDK 3 - 0 6x6 Jason Gregoire (3) (Derrick LaPoint, Danny Kristo) 18:40
NDK (+): 17,3,5,7,29,G32 AKA (-): 22,7,16,18,9,G30
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-2 Carter Rowney (2-Tripping) AKA 0x2 2:02
NDK-3 Jake Marto (2-Cross-Checking) AKA 0x3 3:57
AKA-4 Josh Lunden (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 5:41
AKA-5 Kevin Clark (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 5:41
NDK-4 Chay Genoway (2-Tripping) AKA 0x4 6:01
AKA-6 Mitch Bruijsten (2-Hooking) NDK 2x6 11:11
NDK 4 - 0 6x5 PP Evan Trupp (1) (Brad Malone) 12:39
NDK: 19,22,20,25,26,G32 AKA: 7,14,22,21,G30
NDK-5 Jake Marto (2-Holding) AKA 0x5 14:11
NDK-6 Darcy Zajac (2-High-Sticking) AKA 0x6 15:37
AKA-7 Kane Lafranchise (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Craig Parkinson) NDK 3x8 16:27
AKA-8 Craig Parkinson (10-Game Misconduct) 16:27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 5 - 0 6x5 PP Chay Genoway (4) (Chris VandeVelde, Aaron Dell) 0:34
AKA: 36,21,4,11,G30
NDK-7 Derrick LaPoint (2-Tripping) AKA 0x7 8:48
NDK-8 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Cross-Checking) 10:11
AKA-9 Tommy Grant (2-GRASPING THE FACEMASK) 10:11
NDK-9 Corban Knight (5-Checking from Behind) AKA 0x8 15:50
NDK-10 Corban Knight (10-Game Misconduct) 15:50
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Friday, October 23, 2009
UND, REA willing to take suggestions
This was on Brad's blog tonight and it's a good step in the right direction. It's also been addressed here and here as well. Both articles have facilitated a lot of good discussion.
UND, in conjunction with Ralph Engelstad Arena, says its willing to take suggestions to avoid some of the unfortunate incidents that happened at the rink during last weekend's series against Minnesota.
Discussions already have started with students, season-ticket holders, event staff and security personnel in this process.
"We have one of the best men's hockey programs, the best collegiate hockey facility and the best college hockey fans in the country, but there were events during last weekend's home hockey series that point to a need for change," UND athletic director Brian Faison said. "The vast majority of the nearly 12,000 people in the building both nights created an electric atmosphere.
"We don't want our fans to dampen their enthusiasm for Fighting Sioux hockey one decibel, but what I am asking them to do is direct their passion in a more positive manner." [UND Hockey]
The recipe for beating a defensive hockey team.
I found this article in the Cornell Sun and I think this is a recipe for a really boring brand of hockey. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to watch this crap. Just ask Minnesota Wild Fans, we have finally been freed of this mentality. Maybe this is why the Cornell coaching staff wants to get away from this type of hockey.
This conservative team scheme that Cornell plays was exposed by two national coaches last season; BSU coach Tom Serratore, actually did it to two teams on consecutive nights during the NCAA Midwest regional’s in Grand Rapids, MI. The first night the Beavers took it to Notre Dame and then followed up that effort against Cornell the next night in the regional championship game. UND coach Dave Hakstol also exposed Cornell during a Friday night game last November 28, 2008 at the REA.
Here is how you defeat that type of team scheme. First you get on top of them early with a fore check, when they have the puck you’re in their face and on top of them. Cash in on your offensive zone opportunities and get a lead and make them press and skate, skate, skate and force them to play your game. Also, with the high pressure game you take way the passing lanes and you get into their face. Keep pressing and don’t let up. This offensive mind set took Notre Dame off its game and they could never recover. Keep getting the pucks deep; keep the shifts short roll three and four lines and counter attack at every chance you get. Don’t let them slow the game down.
This conservative team scheme that Cornell plays was exposed by two national coaches last season; BSU coach Tom Serratore, actually did it to two teams on consecutive nights during the NCAA Midwest regional’s in Grand Rapids, MI. The first night the Beavers took it to Notre Dame and then followed up that effort against Cornell the next night in the regional championship game. UND coach Dave Hakstol also exposed Cornell during a Friday night game last November 28, 2008 at the REA.
Here is how you defeat that type of team scheme. First you get on top of them early with a fore check, when they have the puck you’re in their face and on top of them. Cash in on your offensive zone opportunities and get a lead and make them press and skate, skate, skate and force them to play your game. Also, with the high pressure game you take way the passing lanes and you get into their face. Keep pressing and don’t let up. This offensive mind set took Notre Dame off its game and they could never recover. Keep getting the pucks deep; keep the shifts short roll three and four lines and counter attack at every chance you get. Don’t let them slow the game down.
The transition from a “grind-it-out” style to a more offensive-centric formula will signal a shift in of coaching tactics from Schafer. Throughout Schafer’s tenure at Cornell, the program built a reputation for superior goaltending, defensive-minded forwards and oversized defensemen who controlled the neutral zone and shut down top-line scorers.
The approach to winning games included systematically wearing down the opponent through relentless cycling, capitalizing on the best opportunities, and playing a trap game in the third period.
With stronger league competition and national contenders like North Dakota and Boston University on the schedule this year, Schafer understands that to win, the team must run four lines that consistently threaten to score. Without a checking line, the team may sacrifice the best counter-punch to top scorers, but it gains a level of offense perhaps unseen in Schafer’s 15 years on East Hill. A hybrid approach, balancing the need for strong defense with the need to score more goals, makes Cornell a legitimate threat to make a deep run this year. [Cornell Sun]
Latest Versus commercial
Here is the latest NHL on Versus commerical. See if you can noticed any familier faces in the commerical.
UAA defense hurting.
Here is the key to this weekend's series. UAA's top defenseman are banged up and a couple of their top defenseman have not even played yet this eason. UAA because of the injuries have had to rely on less experienced defenseman in the line up. It will be interesting to see how UND does on it's first road trip of the season.
Seawolves notes
• Already hurting on the blue line -- literally -- the Seawolves could again be down to five defensemen tonight, as they were in Saturday's 5-3 loss to Robert Morris in Fairbanks. Teams generally dress six defensemen.
Shyiak said senior defenseman Nils Backstrom (wrist) remains out and has not been practicing. Senior Trevor Hunt (wrist surgery) is listed as questionable -- he's practicing with limited contact. And Shyiak lists junior Luka Vidmar (groin/hip) as doubtful.
Backstrom and Hunt have yet to play this season and Vidmar missed the loss to Robert Morris. Those three have a combined 221 games of college experience and all three play on special teams, so the Seawolves are hurting without them. [ADN.COM]
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Yawn! Its UAA week.
I have been a little under the weather this week and I kind of feel that blah, you know, that late fall yuck that I get every year before winter comes. I don't know if it's the changing of the seasons or what. Actually, that’s how I feel with this season’s matchup with the UAA Seawolves. This year like last season we are blessed with the opportunity to be able to see both away games on channel 23 on FSSN in Grand Forks, ND.
One of the biggest teams in College Hockey
A lot have been made about the Seawolves being the biggest team in college hockey. I say so what and big deal. I have referred to the Seawolves ‘as being a perennial WCHA doormat team, a big, slow, lumbering team, with little recognizable talent.’ The last four seasons UAA has finished a consistent 10th, 10th, 10th and 9th , looking at those finishes I think perennial WCHA doormat team would be an accurate assessment. I also predicted that Michigan would run UAA out of the building during their own tourney and I was correct.
On the flip side of the equation I have seen a lot of wide eyed pontifications from the UAA back bencher on how his mediocre team that lost to RMU is going to sweep UND. This is the same team that is missing two of its defensive cogs senior defensemen Nils Backstrom and Trevor Hunt who would probably be on most teams top six defensive parings.
UND is 6-1-1 in it's last 8 games against UAA. In Anchorage last season UND also beat UAA 2-1 in overtime in a very close game the first night then ran them out of their building 6-1 the second night.
Prediction
I predict a series Split; Anchorage is a tough place to play, while I think UND should and could sweep, I am going to say the lose Friday and win on Saturday. Please prove me wrong.
One of the biggest teams in College Hockey
A lot have been made about the Seawolves being the biggest team in college hockey. I say so what and big deal. I have referred to the Seawolves ‘as being a perennial WCHA doormat team, a big, slow, lumbering team, with little recognizable talent.’ The last four seasons UAA has finished a consistent 10th, 10th, 10th and 9th , looking at those finishes I think perennial WCHA doormat team would be an accurate assessment. I also predicted that Michigan would run UAA out of the building during their own tourney and I was correct.
On the flip side of the equation I have seen a lot of wide eyed pontifications from the UAA back bencher on how his mediocre team that lost to RMU is going to sweep UND. This is the same team that is missing two of its defensive cogs senior defensemen Nils Backstrom and Trevor Hunt who would probably be on most teams top six defensive parings.
UND is 6-1-1 in it's last 8 games against UAA. In Anchorage last season UND also beat UAA 2-1 in overtime in a very close game the first night then ran them out of their building 6-1 the second night.
Prediction
I predict a series Split; Anchorage is a tough place to play, while I think UND should and could sweep, I am going to say the lose Friday and win on Saturday. Please prove me wrong.
Keep your head up.
Former Fighting Sioux hockey star Joanthan Toews gets clocked by former Wild and Current Vancouver Canuck defenseman Willie Mitchell during last nights games. No word yet on Toews's status. There is an interesting discussion over on Kuklas Korner on a player made a legal hit and smoked a guy and now he has to fight. I would be willing to bet that Toews wil be a little more careful next time he is skating through the neutral zone.
Weekend Match Ups (Sioux 7)
This weekend will be the first weekend in which everyone is playing a WCHA schedule.
The early season will tell us how is going to be a contender and who are the pretenders. Some teams already need to get wins this season for instance the UW-MSUM series, both went winless in WCHA play last weekend. So with that lets look at the WCHA standings and this weekends tilts.
WCHA STANDINGS
...........................GP... W-L-T
1 Minnesota-Duluth.......2... 2-0-0
2 Colorado College........2... 1-0-1
2 North Dakota............2... 1-0-1
4 Minnesota...............2... 0-1-1
4 Wisconsin...............2... 0-1-1
6 Alaska-Anchorage......0... 0-0-0
6 Denver...................0... 0-0-0
6 Michigan Tech..........0... 0-0-0
6 St. Cloud State.........0... 0-0-0
6 Minnesota State........2... 0-2-0
#4 Denver(0-0-0) @ #11 Minnesota(0-1-1)
The Pioneers shut-out Ohio St and then got shut-out last weekend, splitting their series in Columbus. The Gophers received one point last weekend by salvaging a tie against UND in Grand Forks.
The Pioneers lose Joe Colborne to a broken finger for what appears to be couple of weeks, since he had to have surgery on it. All of us here at GOONS WORLD wish Joe a speedy recovery. Minnesota can ill afford an effort like last Friday and risk falling into an early season hole. The Gophers have a tough schedule to open the season, UND, DU, UAA, and UW. Then after Christmas break they spend much of that time on the road. Denver is fortunate that they have depth up front, losing Colborne is big, but they have others that can pick up the slack. DU's offense will look to avenge their being shut-out by putting up some goals this weekend. The Gophers gave up 43 and 34 shots on goal last weekend and will need to lower those numbers this weekend. The Gophers top weapon, Schoeder didn't get a point last weekend, so UM definitely wants him to get his game going this weekend. You can't afford to be giving up 30+ or 40+ shots a game in the WCHA, that's flirting with disaster.
DENVER takes 3-pts
Michigan Tech(0-0-0) @ #19 Colorado College(1-0-1)
The Tigers took a big bite out of Bucky Badger's behind last weekend. In the Badgers defense, those where their first games of the season. The Huskies from Houghton were off last weekend and should be ready to rumble in the Rockies this week.
Both teams were picked to finish in the bottom of the standings this year. This series could serve as proof if they end up splitting and setting both on the path of mediocrity. However, if one team gets a sweep that will definitely help them in the this years early standings. Last season CC won the series 3-0-1 against MTU, but this is a new season.
SPLIT
#18 Minnesota-Duluth(2-0-0) @ St. Cloud State(0-0-0)
The Bulldogs started the season strong with a sweep of the Mavericks at the DECC. Meanwhile a couple of hours south of Duluth in St. Cloud the Huskies took three points from the Union Dutchmen(ECAC) in a pair of non-conference games.
Duluth will be out to prove they can win without Stalock in net, and last weekend wasn't a fluke. St. Cloud will being looking to get their top scorers rolling this weekend. Look for Roe and Lasch to put up some offensive numbers this weekend, as both were held in check last weekend (Roe 1g, Lasch 1g, 1a). Last year the teams split their series 2-2-0. This should be a good series and don't expect a blow out by either team. After looking at some of last weekends numbers, expect to see some offense in these dog fights. I'm going a puppy a piece, SPLIT.
#2 North Dakota(1-0-1) @ Alaska-Anchorage(0-0-0)
The Sioux ran their home winning streak to 16 games (13-0-3) by taking three points from the Gophers. The Seawolves beat Rensselaer on Friday and lost to Robert Morris on Saturday in the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament.
UAA has got the toughest schedule to start the WCHA seasons, UND, @UM, DU, and @UW. Makes my wonder what UAA did to deserve a schedule like that to start the season, probably just bad luck. Coach Shyiak and the Seawolves will look to make his own luck, with hard work and determination, over those four weeks. UAA will be a battle hardened team by mid November with that schedule. Last year the Sioux sweep the Seawolves in Anchorage, and the teams split in Grand Forks. Even with 10 freshmen in the line up the Sioux have good depth through all four lines. The Seawolves will try to use their size to their advantage, but with an Olympic size sheet of ice it doesn't help their style of play. The faster, quicker Sioux will need to move their feet, that should result in UAA taking a few penalties, and UND power plays. The Seawolves will most likely play a more defensive style game and keep the scoring chances low. I'm going with a Sioux Sweep in this series.
#17 Wisconsin(0-1-1) @ Minnesota State(0-2-0)
The Badgers have now played two games this season and will continue to build off of last weekends series against Colorado College, after getting only one point at home. The Mavericks lost both games last week to UMD at the DECC, but will be looking to get in the W column this weekend.
With UW and MSUM going win-less last weekend in league play both teams will be looking to get some valuable league points this weekends. Playing four league games and coming away with only one or two points is putting yourself in peril to start the season. Last year MSUM took 3-pts at home against UW and UW swept MSUM in Madison. The Badgers gave up only one goal on Saturday, on a 5-3 power play. I think it's safe to say UW has it's defensive game intact from last year. UW might have last seasons problem too, they only scored one goal themselves on Saturday. MSUM put up two goals each night last weekend, but gave up five and three goals. It looks to be a good series between these two teams this weekend, which makes it like all the WCHA series, tough to pick a winner. With that, they are both winners, SPLIT.
The early season will tell us how is going to be a contender and who are the pretenders. Some teams already need to get wins this season for instance the UW-MSUM series, both went winless in WCHA play last weekend. So with that lets look at the WCHA standings and this weekends tilts.
WCHA STANDINGS
...........................GP... W-L-T
1 Minnesota-Duluth.......2... 2-0-0
2 Colorado College........2... 1-0-1
2 North Dakota............2... 1-0-1
4 Minnesota...............2... 0-1-1
4 Wisconsin...............2... 0-1-1
6 Alaska-Anchorage......0... 0-0-0
6 Denver...................0... 0-0-0
6 Michigan Tech..........0... 0-0-0
6 St. Cloud State.........0... 0-0-0
6 Minnesota State........2... 0-2-0
#4 Denver(0-0-0) @ #11 Minnesota(0-1-1)
The Pioneers shut-out Ohio St and then got shut-out last weekend, splitting their series in Columbus. The Gophers received one point last weekend by salvaging a tie against UND in Grand Forks.
The Pioneers lose Joe Colborne to a broken finger for what appears to be couple of weeks, since he had to have surgery on it. All of us here at GOONS WORLD wish Joe a speedy recovery. Minnesota can ill afford an effort like last Friday and risk falling into an early season hole. The Gophers have a tough schedule to open the season, UND, DU, UAA, and UW. Then after Christmas break they spend much of that time on the road. Denver is fortunate that they have depth up front, losing Colborne is big, but they have others that can pick up the slack. DU's offense will look to avenge their being shut-out by putting up some goals this weekend. The Gophers gave up 43 and 34 shots on goal last weekend and will need to lower those numbers this weekend. The Gophers top weapon, Schoeder didn't get a point last weekend, so UM definitely wants him to get his game going this weekend. You can't afford to be giving up 30+ or 40+ shots a game in the WCHA, that's flirting with disaster.
DENVER takes 3-pts
Michigan Tech(0-0-0) @ #19 Colorado College(1-0-1)
The Tigers took a big bite out of Bucky Badger's behind last weekend. In the Badgers defense, those where their first games of the season. The Huskies from Houghton were off last weekend and should be ready to rumble in the Rockies this week.
Both teams were picked to finish in the bottom of the standings this year. This series could serve as proof if they end up splitting and setting both on the path of mediocrity. However, if one team gets a sweep that will definitely help them in the this years early standings. Last season CC won the series 3-0-1 against MTU, but this is a new season.
SPLIT
#18 Minnesota-Duluth(2-0-0) @ St. Cloud State(0-0-0)
The Bulldogs started the season strong with a sweep of the Mavericks at the DECC. Meanwhile a couple of hours south of Duluth in St. Cloud the Huskies took three points from the Union Dutchmen(ECAC) in a pair of non-conference games.
Duluth will be out to prove they can win without Stalock in net, and last weekend wasn't a fluke. St. Cloud will being looking to get their top scorers rolling this weekend. Look for Roe and Lasch to put up some offensive numbers this weekend, as both were held in check last weekend (Roe 1g, Lasch 1g, 1a). Last year the teams split their series 2-2-0. This should be a good series and don't expect a blow out by either team. After looking at some of last weekends numbers, expect to see some offense in these dog fights. I'm going a puppy a piece, SPLIT.
#2 North Dakota(1-0-1) @ Alaska-Anchorage(0-0-0)
The Sioux ran their home winning streak to 16 games (13-0-3) by taking three points from the Gophers. The Seawolves beat Rensselaer on Friday and lost to Robert Morris on Saturday in the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament.
UAA has got the toughest schedule to start the WCHA seasons, UND, @UM, DU, and @UW. Makes my wonder what UAA did to deserve a schedule like that to start the season, probably just bad luck. Coach Shyiak and the Seawolves will look to make his own luck, with hard work and determination, over those four weeks. UAA will be a battle hardened team by mid November with that schedule. Last year the Sioux sweep the Seawolves in Anchorage, and the teams split in Grand Forks. Even with 10 freshmen in the line up the Sioux have good depth through all four lines. The Seawolves will try to use their size to their advantage, but with an Olympic size sheet of ice it doesn't help their style of play. The faster, quicker Sioux will need to move their feet, that should result in UAA taking a few penalties, and UND power plays. The Seawolves will most likely play a more defensive style game and keep the scoring chances low. I'm going with a Sioux Sweep in this series.
#17 Wisconsin(0-1-1) @ Minnesota State(0-2-0)
The Badgers have now played two games this season and will continue to build off of last weekends series against Colorado College, after getting only one point at home. The Mavericks lost both games last week to UMD at the DECC, but will be looking to get in the W column this weekend.
With UW and MSUM going win-less last weekend in league play both teams will be looking to get some valuable league points this weekends. Playing four league games and coming away with only one or two points is putting yourself in peril to start the season. Last year MSUM took 3-pts at home against UW and UW swept MSUM in Madison. The Badgers gave up only one goal on Saturday, on a 5-3 power play. I think it's safe to say UW has it's defensive game intact from last year. UW might have last seasons problem too, they only scored one goal themselves on Saturday. MSUM put up two goals each night last weekend, but gave up five and three goals. It looks to be a good series between these two teams this weekend, which makes it like all the WCHA series, tough to pick a winner. With that, they are both winners, SPLIT.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
College Hockey fan behavior
This is an article that I wrote for the Illegal Curve.
My dad sent me an account of a Gopher fan’s experience at Ralph Engelstad Arena this past weekend. Was I sitting in a different arena this past weekend?
Not to pick on the college students there are many examples of adult fans, both Sioux and Gopher fans, getting out of hand and acting like imbeciles as well. I heard from a friend that a female Gopher fan who happened to be pregnant was heckled and jostled at the arena this past weekend. Who the heck does that kind of a thing? Imagine your girlfriend, wife or mother having this happen to them.
In yesterday’s Grand Forks Herald there was a letter to the editor in which a person described an experience where someone dumped a beer on a Gopher fan’s head from the upper deck. That kind of behavior is unacceptable and only a moron would defend behavior like this. People like this are going to ruin it for the rest of us that like to enjoy a beer without having the game ruined by drunk, belligerent idiots. I can foresee a time where the REA might ban beer sales to college students and or everyone. These types of incidents do not paint a positive picture of Grand Forks, ND, the University of North Dakota, the University of Minnesota or the WCHA. As fans collectively we must behave better, we don’t want to look like a bunch of knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.
I know, call me old-fashioned, but some of the stuff that happened this past weekend seems to be borderline criminal or at least anti-social behavior and should be deemed as inappropriate and unacceptable. None of us should have to be a witness to this type of crap. To top off the weekend, we had an incident between two fans that could be classified as felonious with one person ending up in the ICU wing of Altru Hospital. There is nothing about this series that should lead any of us to start throwing punches at each other.
I am as pro-Fighting Sioux hockey as they come: I am all for a loud arena and an intimidating atmosphere, but some of this stuff is atrocious behavior and unfit for television. My boss who is new to the area went to a Sioux hockey game for the first time and I am sure she was impressed with the F’ the Gophers cheer, way to go UND. Remember there is friendly acceptable back and forth banter and then there is crossing the line. I also have friends that are Gopher fans, and some of them won’t even come up to Grand Forks anymore based on the type of treatment they have received from our fans.
I have to wonder if it is time for college hockey to institute a fan code of conduct for its fans like some NFL teams have. Eventually the University of North Dakota is going to have to address the behaviors of its fans at the REA.
My dad sent me an account of a Gopher fan’s experience at Ralph Engelstad Arena this past weekend. Was I sitting in a different arena this past weekend?
Sioux Gophers and idiots on both sides.While this weekend I didn't see a lot of this stuff going on, I have witnessed this type of behavior first hand in the past at venues like the Final Five at the Xcel Energy Center. Who uses this type of language when talking to another fan from a different team in front of young children? These people should have their mouths washed out with soap. That does cross the line of what is considered acceptable behavior at a sporting event. If I brought my two year old daughter to the game I don’t want her to have to listen to this kind of vile stuff. Just because you’re a college student doesn’t give you the right to act like an ass. There is no birthright to sit in that seat at the arena; if you can’t behave, I am sure the REA management can sell that prime seat to someone will be able to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner.
I was at the Sioux/Gopher hockey games this weekend. The games were in Grand Forks and I was wearing Gopher gear on Friday night. Our tickets were also in the student section. We sat on the very far side of the student section. There were some Gopher fans in front of us who were clearly from the U. They were receiving a bit of heckling, and for the most part it was all in good fun, but there were a few weekend warriors” that went over the line from the UND side of things. They were invading some personal space and getting face to face with the kids from the U. Lots of you are a bitch. and you suck balls. Luckily for everybody involved where I was at, the Gopher kids stayed very chill about these 2 or 3 idiots getting too close to them.
The UND kids clearly had had way too much to drink. The problem was they kept coming back trying to instigate more and more each time. It could have turned bad pretty easy. Check out the story below. On Saturday night we also had student section tickets. I was not looking forward to the abuse again.
The night before there was a very drunk kid behind us who fell into our seats a few times. We were standing each time, but my wife got kicked once. He’s lucky he did not catch the 4 year old girl with a foot. So we got lucky Saturday nights, while we were waiting in line to get into the game some kids from the U said they had normal tickets but wanted to sit in student section. I overheard this and we traded our 4 student tickets for their 4 normal tickets. It was a much better game Saturday and we did not have to get kicked by drunk 19 year olds. All around a better experience.
Not to pick on the college students there are many examples of adult fans, both Sioux and Gopher fans, getting out of hand and acting like imbeciles as well. I heard from a friend that a female Gopher fan who happened to be pregnant was heckled and jostled at the arena this past weekend. Who the heck does that kind of a thing? Imagine your girlfriend, wife or mother having this happen to them.
In yesterday’s Grand Forks Herald there was a letter to the editor in which a person described an experience where someone dumped a beer on a Gopher fan’s head from the upper deck. That kind of behavior is unacceptable and only a moron would defend behavior like this. People like this are going to ruin it for the rest of us that like to enjoy a beer without having the game ruined by drunk, belligerent idiots. I can foresee a time where the REA might ban beer sales to college students and or everyone. These types of incidents do not paint a positive picture of Grand Forks, ND, the University of North Dakota, the University of Minnesota or the WCHA. As fans collectively we must behave better, we don’t want to look like a bunch of knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.
I know, call me old-fashioned, but some of the stuff that happened this past weekend seems to be borderline criminal or at least anti-social behavior and should be deemed as inappropriate and unacceptable. None of us should have to be a witness to this type of crap. To top off the weekend, we had an incident between two fans that could be classified as felonious with one person ending up in the ICU wing of Altru Hospital. There is nothing about this series that should lead any of us to start throwing punches at each other.
I am as pro-Fighting Sioux hockey as they come: I am all for a loud arena and an intimidating atmosphere, but some of this stuff is atrocious behavior and unfit for television. My boss who is new to the area went to a Sioux hockey game for the first time and I am sure she was impressed with the F’ the Gophers cheer, way to go UND. Remember there is friendly acceptable back and forth banter and then there is crossing the line. I also have friends that are Gopher fans, and some of them won’t even come up to Grand Forks anymore based on the type of treatment they have received from our fans.
I have to wonder if it is time for college hockey to institute a fan code of conduct for its fans like some NFL teams have. Eventually the University of North Dakota is going to have to address the behaviors of its fans at the REA.
Fan code of conductLike another hockey fan suggested from DU, I like the NFL fan code of conduct policy and I am all for this if being enacted at REA. If you’re an unruly fan and you can’t act in an acceptable manner, your ticket should be taken from you and you will no longer be allowed to be able to attend events in the arena. Attending college hockey is a privilege, not a right. If you can’t act like a member of the human race, do not bother coming to the arena. Someone else will gladly pay a handsome fee for that ticket and act in a respectful manner in your place.
"The National Football League and its teams are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all fans, both in the stadium and in the parking lot. We want all fans attending our games to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. When attending a game, you are required to refrain from the following behaviors:
» Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature.
» Intoxication or other signs of alcohol impairment that results in irresponsible behavior.
» Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
» Interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field).
» Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.
» Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans.
"Event patrons are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats. Stadium staff will promptly intervene to support an environment where event patrons, their guests, and other fans can enjoy the event free from the above behavior. Event patrons and guests who violate these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games."
More bad news for the Bruins.
When I first read this new clip I thought it was a joke, now the Bruins have Lucic and Savard on the long term injured reserve. Savard is the Boston Bruins best forward and it will be hard to the team fill the void left by Savard's injury. I am just hoping the Bruins can keep their record close to 500 until after the first of the year.
BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has placed forward Marc Savard on long term injured reserve (broken left foot) and has recalled forward Trent Whitfield from Providence on an emergency basis.
Savard is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury. He has led the Bruins in scoring each of the last three years and currently leads the team in scoring this year, with 4-3=7 totals in seven games. In 2008-09, Savard played in all 82 games with a 25-63=88 line.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wild getting wounded back.
Some really good news for the Wild who have a depleted lineup right now. Marian Gaborik clone Marty Havlat is going to play tonight and Sykora is due back soon. Some of these players need to toughen up a bit.
Guess what? I had today off but ran into Marty Havlat and his girlfriend at a restaurant in Minneapolis. He hopes to play Wednesday against the Avalanche. He practiced today (Tuesday) but said he does want to test his groin at Wednesday's morning skate before a final decision is made.
I talked to Rachel Blount, who covered practice today. She said Petr Sykora (groin) skated again on his own and coach Todd Richards said they're hoping he can rejoin practice any day. He's still day-to-day and won't play against Colorado.
Chay Genoway is your Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.
Fighting Sioux All-American Defender Chay Genoway was given the Defensive player of the week in the WCHA. Genoway was a major factor in the Fighting Sioux getting three out of four points this past weekend.
Chay Genoway, a veteran defenseman at the University of North Dakota, has been chosen as the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Oct. 20-26, 2009 asa result of his outstanding play in a weekend series against league rival Minnesota. Genoway A 5-9, 174-pound senior and team captain from Morden, Manitoba, Genoway scored three goals – all on the power-play – in helping
No. 4 North Dakota gain three of four WCHA points from No. 9 Minnesota last weekend in Grand Forks. He is currently the top scoring defenseman in the WCHA with six points (3g, 3a) in four games.
Genoway’s three goals matched his output from the entire 2008-09 season, when he was a secondteam All-American and the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. In last Friday’s (Oct. 16) 4-0 win over UM, Genoway scored a PPG goal in the third period to give the Sioux a 3-0 lead and seal the game. He was also a +1 and was named the game’s No. 3 star by the media. Last Saturday (Oct. 17), Genoway scored two more PPGs, both in the second period, and was named the game’s first star. Genoway quarterbacked a UND power-play that went 4-for-12 (25%) in the series and anchored a penalty-killing unit that thwarted all nine UM power-plays. Also nominated were: Joe Howe, G, CC; and Marc Cheverie, G, DU.
[Official Press Release]
Monday, October 19, 2009
More hockey Links.
Andy Bagott had a neat blog post today with a few tid bits in it that are worth reading. Big loss for the DU Pioneers, Colborne is a big talented forward that hopefully be playing in Boston next season.
Line men: The Bulldogs aren't real deep up front, but their unit of senior left winger Jordan Fulton, sophomore center Jack Connolly and junior right winger Justin Fontaine looks pretty lethal. They've combined for 50 shots on goal in four games, led by Fontaine with a WCHA-best 23. Connolly (4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points) and Fontaine (6-3-9) lead the league in scoring.Sounds like Gopher goalie Alex Kangas won't be getting as many starts as he has in the past. Looks like Patterson will get a few more starts.
That will hurt: Denver will be without center Joe Colborne indefinitely after the sophomore suffered a broken finger against Ohio State, an injury that required surgery. Colborne was a first-round NHL draft pick of Boston in 2008.
Travel alert: Preseason title favorite Denver heads to Minnesota, where coach George Gwozdecky is 5-8-1 going head-to-head with Gophers counterpart Don Lucia. Meanwhile, Wisconsin plays at Minnesota State-Mankato, where the Badgers are 1-7-2 since Mike Eaves took over as coach in 2002.
Stat of the weekend: Minnesota center Jordan Schroeder, arguably the best all-around player in the WCHA, didn't register a shot on goal during a 4-0 loss to North Dakota. [Wisconsin Hockey Blog]
Outstanding for the Gophers was sophomore goalie Kent Patterson . Lucia said he had planned all along to split this series between Kangas and Patterson, and after making 31 saves Saturday night, that will likely continue.There was some question where the UAA games being televised and where they would be shown. Brad clears it up with this [blog post].
“That’s kind of a week-by-week [decision], but obviously Kent, the way he played tonight, earned himself more playing time,” Lucia said. “That’s the way it should be, performance should dictate play.” [MN Daily]
The games will be carried live on all Fighting Sioux Sports Network cable systems, including Midcontinent Communications and all other independent FSSN affiliates. (This means all Midco stations will have the games).
Grand Forks -- Midcontinent Communications
Fargo -- Cable One
Devils Lake -- North Dakota Telephone
Bemidji -- Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone
Thief River Falls -- Sjoberg's
Minot -- SRT Communications
Minot -- Vision Systems
Park River, N.D. -- Polar Communications
Langdon, N.D. -- United Telephone Mutual Aid
Perham, Minn. -- Arvig Communications
Perham, Minn. -- Loretel Cablevision
Steele, N.D. -- BEK Communications
Jamestown, N.D. -- Cable Services
Dickinson, N.D. -- Consolidated Cablevision
Carrington, N.D. -- Dakota Central Telecommunications
Ellendale, N.D. -- Dickey Rural Networks
Halstad, Minn. -- Halstad Telephone Company
Maddock, N.D. -- Maddock Cable TV
Enderlin, N.D. -- MLGC, Inc.
Ray, N.D. -- Northwest Communications
Poll Monday (Sioux 2nd in all polls)
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
1 Miami (46) 3-0-1 994 1
2 North Dakota ( 1) 3-0-1 940 4
3 Boston University ( 2) 0-1-0 820 2
4 Denver 2-2-0 801 3
5 Michigan 1-1-0 784 5
6 Cornell 0-0-0 701 6
7 Vermont ( 1) 2-1-0 650 11
8 Yale 0-0-0 589 8
9 Notre Dame 2-2-0 554 7
10 Princeton 0-0-0 530 10
11 Minnesota 0-1-1 454 9
12 Nebraska-Omaha 3-0-1 366 16
13 Mass.-Lowell 1-1-0 363 14
14 Boston College 0-1-0 273 12
15 Alaska 3-0-1 253 17
16 Bemidji State 2-0-0 243 15
17 Wisconsin 0-1-1 205 13
18 Minnesota-Duluth 3-1-0 175 NR
19 Colorado College 2-1-1 160 NR
20 Quinnipiac 3-0-0 150 18
Others Receiving Votes: Massachusetts 136, St. Cloud State 107, Northeastern 74, New Hampshire 48, Michigan State 31, Alabama-Huntsville 22, Harvard 21, Northern Michigan 18, Ohio State 12, Lake Superior 8, Union 8, St. Lawrence 6, Providence 3, Ferris State 1 [Link]
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's preseason poll
[Oct. 19, 2009]
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week's rank
1 Miami University (Ohio) (33) 3-0-1 509 1
2 North Dakota 3-0-1 465 4
3 Boston University 0-1-0 388 2
4 Michigan 1-1-0 386 5
5 Denver 2-2-0 378 3
6 Cornell 0-0-0 319 6
7 Vermont 2-1-0 295 11
8 Princeton 0-0-0 245 9
9 Yale 0-0-0 226 10
10 Notre Dame 2-2-0 221 7
11 Minnesota 0-1-1 139 8
12 Massachusetts Lowell 1-1-0 126 13
13 Nebraska Omaha 3-0-1 113 15
14 Minnesota Duluth 3-1-0 59 NR
15 Boston College 0-1-0 42 12
Others receiving votes: University of Alaska (Fairbanks), 39; Bemidji State University, 30; University of Massachusetts, 28; Colorado College, 24; University of Wisconsin, 18; Quinnipiac University, 15; St. Cloud State University, 6; Northeastern University, 4; U.S. Air Force Academy, 3; University of Alabama Huntsville, 1; University of New Hampshire, 1.
INCH Power Ranking (just for laughs)
1.) Miami
2.) UND --- Defenseman Chay Genoway entered his senior season with 16 career goals. He scored three against Minnesota this weekend, all on the power play. 3-0-1 (1-0-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota, 4-0; T vs. Minnesota, 3-3 ot. THIS WEEK: at Alaska-Anchorage, at Alaska-Anchorage
3.) UMV
4.) DU
5.) BU
6.) Michigan
7.) Cornell U
8.) Princeton
9.) Notre Dame
10.) UNO
11.) Yale
12.) UMASS - Lowell
13.) Alaska
14.) Minnesota
15.) BSU
16.) B.C.
17.) SCSU
18.) UMASS
19.) C.C.
20.) Wisconsin
Dropped out: Union, Michigan State
Bubble-licious: Michigan State, Quinnipiac, Minnesota Duluth, Alabama-Huntsville
1 Miami (46) 3-0-1 994 1
2 North Dakota ( 1) 3-0-1 940 4
3 Boston University ( 2) 0-1-0 820 2
4 Denver 2-2-0 801 3
5 Michigan 1-1-0 784 5
6 Cornell 0-0-0 701 6
7 Vermont ( 1) 2-1-0 650 11
8 Yale 0-0-0 589 8
9 Notre Dame 2-2-0 554 7
10 Princeton 0-0-0 530 10
11 Minnesota 0-1-1 454 9
12 Nebraska-Omaha 3-0-1 366 16
13 Mass.-Lowell 1-1-0 363 14
14 Boston College 0-1-0 273 12
15 Alaska 3-0-1 253 17
16 Bemidji State 2-0-0 243 15
17 Wisconsin 0-1-1 205 13
18 Minnesota-Duluth 3-1-0 175 NR
19 Colorado College 2-1-1 160 NR
20 Quinnipiac 3-0-0 150 18
Others Receiving Votes: Massachusetts 136, St. Cloud State 107, Northeastern 74, New Hampshire 48, Michigan State 31, Alabama-Huntsville 22, Harvard 21, Northern Michigan 18, Ohio State 12, Lake Superior 8, Union 8, St. Lawrence 6, Providence 3, Ferris State 1 [Link]
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's preseason poll
[Oct. 19, 2009]
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week's rank
1 Miami University (Ohio) (33) 3-0-1 509 1
2 North Dakota 3-0-1 465 4
3 Boston University 0-1-0 388 2
4 Michigan 1-1-0 386 5
5 Denver 2-2-0 378 3
6 Cornell 0-0-0 319 6
7 Vermont 2-1-0 295 11
8 Princeton 0-0-0 245 9
9 Yale 0-0-0 226 10
10 Notre Dame 2-2-0 221 7
11 Minnesota 0-1-1 139 8
12 Massachusetts Lowell 1-1-0 126 13
13 Nebraska Omaha 3-0-1 113 15
14 Minnesota Duluth 3-1-0 59 NR
15 Boston College 0-1-0 42 12
Others receiving votes: University of Alaska (Fairbanks), 39; Bemidji State University, 30; University of Massachusetts, 28; Colorado College, 24; University of Wisconsin, 18; Quinnipiac University, 15; St. Cloud State University, 6; Northeastern University, 4; U.S. Air Force Academy, 3; University of Alabama Huntsville, 1; University of New Hampshire, 1.
INCH Power Ranking (just for laughs)
1.) Miami
2.) UND --- Defenseman Chay Genoway entered his senior season with 16 career goals. He scored three against Minnesota this weekend, all on the power play. 3-0-1 (1-0-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota, 4-0; T vs. Minnesota, 3-3 ot. THIS WEEK: at Alaska-Anchorage, at Alaska-Anchorage
3.) UMV
4.) DU
5.) BU
6.) Michigan
7.) Cornell U
8.) Princeton
9.) Notre Dame
10.) UNO
11.) Yale
12.) UMASS - Lowell
13.) Alaska
14.) Minnesota
15.) BSU
16.) B.C.
17.) SCSU
18.) UMASS
19.) C.C.
20.) Wisconsin
Dropped out: Union, Michigan State
Bubble-licious: Michigan State, Quinnipiac, Minnesota Duluth, Alabama-Huntsville
More on the Bruins and Wild trade.
Here is what the Boston Bruins beat writer had to say about the trade of former Boston College Eagle star Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild. I think that the Wild got the better end of this deal.
Even before the Bruins’ 4-1 loss Saturday in Phoenix, a game in which Boston showed zero fight once the Coyotes made it 2-0, Peter Chiarelli was not pleased with the atmosphere surrounding his players.From the other side of the equation, the Wild free up 625,000.00 of dead weight that had no value what so ever to the Minnesota Wild. Craig Weller was another one of Doug Risebrough's horrible blunders, seriously, I think the Wild could have gotten more value out of a bag of pucks and a truck load of carbon fiber sticks than playing this guy.
They were too comfortable, believed the general manager. Too sleepy. Too full of themselves following an Eastern Conference regular-season crown. Too confident that with a flick of a switch, they could turn things on and revert to the 2008-09 version - which, considering its regular-season achievements, fell short of expectations.
“We won one playoff round,’’ Chiarelli said. [Boston Globe]
Losing Weller is a coup. Wild doesn’t have to pay his $625,000 salary anymore in Houston. So, if you assume Fletcher can eventually acquire a second-round pick to replace this second, this was Fallstrom for Kobasew. We’ll know how that works out in about five years. Is Fallstrom a bust, or is he the second coming of Tomas Holmstrom? We will see.
As for Kobasew, who’s hit the 20-goal plateau in three of the past four years, I know a lot of people in Boston, and the scouting report from a bunch is this: “Good skater, works hard, drives to the net relentlessly, plays bigger than his size, has some skill, generates a ton of scoring chances for others but needs many scoring chances for him to be the scorer, is streaky undersized for the way he plays, which is very gutsy. Just goes to the net, plays hard on the wall. Because of that, he does get injured often. Best fit as a third-liner on a good team, but can be a second-liner on a bad team. Teammates love him. Reporters love him. Well-spoken, great guy.”
Talked to Shane Hnidy, who played with Kobasew the past two seasons in Boston.
He said his cell phone rang, and “I was like, Why’s Chuck Kobasew calling me? I wonder if we just traded for him.” [Russo's Rants]
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