ISS Top 30 2010 prospects, December

Fighting Sioux hockey recruit Brock Nelson is ranked 28th in the most recent ISS top 30 recruits. Edit: Thanks to RWD for pointing out that Fighting Sioux recruit Derek Forbort is also on the list... 


1 Hall, Taylor LW 14-Nov-91 L *6.00.75 186 Windsor
2 Seguin, Tyler C 31-Jan-92 R *6.00.75 180 Plymouth
3 Fowler, Cam D 5-Dec-91 L *6.02 195 Windsor
4 Kabanov, Kirill LW 16-Jul-92 R *6.01.75 176 Moncton
5 Gormley, Brandon D 18-Feb-92 L *6.02 187 Moncton
6 Tarasenko, Vladimir RW 13-Dec-91 L 5.11 202 Novosibirsk
7 Connolly, Brett LW 2-May-92 R 6.02 181 Prince George
8 Granlund, Mikael C 26-Feb-92 L 5.10 180 HIFK Helsinki
9 Gudbranson, Erik D 7-Jan-92 R *6.03.75 195 Kingston
10 Burmistrov, Alexander C 21-Oct-91 L *5.11.5 162 Barrie
11 Pysyk, Mark D 11-Jan-92 R *6.01 179 Edmonton
12 McFarland, John C 2-Apr-92 R *6.00 200 Sudbury
13 Forbort, Derek D 4-Mar-92 L *6.04.5 198 Under 18
14 Petrovic, Alexander D 3-Mar-92 R *6.03.5 192 Red Deer
15 Bjugstad, Nick C 17-Jul-92 R *6.03.75 188 Blaine
16 Sheahan, Riley C 7-Dec-91 L 6.01.5 202 Notre Dame
17 Watson, Austin RW 13-Jan-92 R *6.03 180 Windsor
18 Hishon, Joey C 20-Oct-91 L *5.09.25 172 Owen Sound
19 Skinner, Jeffrey C 16-May-92 L *5.10 197 Kitchener
20 Kitsyn, Maxim LW 24-Dec-91 L 6.02 194 Novokuznetsk
21 Niederreiter, Nino LW 8-Sep-92 L *6.01 205 Portland
22 Johansen, Ryan C 31-Jul-92 R *6.02.25 194 Portland
23 Tinordi, Jarred D 20-Feb-92 L *6.05.5 205 Under 18
24 Howden, Quinton LW 12-Jan-92 L *6.00.75 183 Moose Jaw
25 Schwartz, Jaden C 25-Jun-92 L *5.10 180 Tri-City USHL
26 Kuznetsov, Evgeny C 19-May-92 L 6.00 174 Chelyabinsk KHL
27 Faulk, Justin D 20-Mar-92 R *5.11.75 196 Under 18 USHL
28 Nelson, Brock C 15-Oct-91 L *6.02.5 205 Warroad MN
29 Merrill, Jonathan D 3-Feb-92 L *6.03.25 198 Under 18 USHL
30 Pulkkinen, Teemu RW 2-Jan-92 R 5.11 183 Jokerit FinE
[Hockey Futures] [Props]

Kristo one of the leaders on Team USA.

Here is an article that was written on Team USA. As a Sioux fan it will be fun to watch Kristo at the WJC and see how he performs as one of the top guys. This will be Danny’s second WJC. As a WCHA fan It will also be interesting to see how  Jordan Schroeder performs on the ice for Team USA.

There was a lot of disappointment within USA Hockey after the team sent to the 2009 World Junior Championship finished fifth.

One year later, three members from that squad will get a chance to avenge the team's worst finish since placing fifth in 2002. Forwards Jordan Schroeder, Danny Kristo and Tyler Johnson will be counted on to provide some of their less-experienced teammates with the knowledge they gained last year in Ottawa.

"Whether they (returning players) are captains or not, we'll let players vote on captains, and then we'll decide on how they vote," U.S. coach Dean Blais told NHL.com. "It certainly helps Jordan Schroeder especially, who's had success scoring, knows what it takes to be in the medal round and playing for a medal. Whether we have that ability or not we'll see real quick. Before we even start thinking about medals, we have to take care of getting there."

That road starts Dec. 26 against Slovakia (8 p.m., NHLN-US) at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, Sask.

"If we have any chance at all, we have to play with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and create turnovers," Blais said.

Schroeder will be at the front of the line leading the team. Playing in his third WJC, the Vancouver Canucks' 2009 first-round pick is just six points shy of Jeremy Roenick's all-time U.S. Under-20 scoring mark. At the 2009 tournament, he led the team with 8 assists and 11 points. This season, the University of Minnesota sophomore is second on the team with 12 points in 18 games.

"He's got to be the energy guy," said Blais. "He's got to be the guy killing penalties, the difference-maker on the power play. He's going to have to play above the checking line of whoever he's out here against. That's what he's going to get, especially when we don't get the last change. We're going to have to make sure he plays with a lot of energy and second-effort in his game. He's going to need it because he's going to be our marked guy."

Kristo had just 1 goal in six games last year, but he'll play a far more prominent role this season. He was impressive at a summer camp in Lake Placid, and the Montreal Canadiens' 2008 second-round pick has kept that pace up in his first season at the University of North Dakota, where he leads the team in scoring with 16 points in 18 games.
[nhl.com]

Merry Christmas from Goon's World.

The Goon’s World team would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here is the Goon’s Christmas list for 2010.

1.)Return of Chay Genoway to the Fighting Sioux line up. The Sioux are 7-1-1 with him and 2-5-2 with him on the shelf.
2.)I like other Wild fans have become bored with James Sheppard and I would like to see the Wild first round bust sent packing. Honestly the kid is a waste of a uniform and has been held scoreless in the last five games that he has played in. Sheppard was an healthy scratch in last night’s game as well. Sheppard has been horrible this season in 32 games (2g-3a-5pts,-5).
3.)I would like to see the Boston Bruins make a run at getting a serviceable super star to replace Phil Kessel and play with Marc Savard.
4.)I would like to see a Healthy Milan Lucic in a B’s uniform again.
5.)I would like to see the Fighting Sioux win a few more series during the second half of the season and play more consistent hockey. No stupid penalties.
6.)Team USA WJC championship.
7.)A Stanley Cup run by the Wild or Bruins or both.
8.)An 8th NCAA title for the Fighting Sioux.
9.)See the Penguins lose in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
10.)Everyone have a safe and happy holiday season.


Lumps of Coal to the following organizations and people.

1.) To WCHA officials who’s performance during the first half of the season have been brutal at best. It’s time for a change at the top.
2.) Individual lumps of coal to the following WCHA officials: Don Adam, Bill Mason, Brian Thul, Scott Bokal your performance on the ice has been unacceptable and brutal during the first half of the season.
3.) To the CCHA for turning down UAH’s membership application.
4.) To Direct TV and not settling with VERSUS.
5.) The Commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman, just cause.
6.) NHL Center Ice for not showing every that I want to see. Recently they didn’t pick up a Wild game that I wanted to see.
7.) Outdoor hockey games. Yawn, boring!
8.) To the people that disrespect the BSU Beavers for not being a legit team. How many times do they have to prove you wrong? Is beating Cornell, Notre Dame and Miami not enough for you? While their not a top 5 team they are worthy of being in the top 15.
9.) Aaron Marvin for [this dirty hit]
10.) Greg Shepherd for only giving said dirty hit a one game suspension.
11.) WCHA official Tim Walsh who overruled a Sioux goal against SCSU because he didn't/could blow the whistle, but he intended to.(props to Whistler). [Link to article]

Is this the end for Lucia?

Here is an interesting article in today's Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Personally if I was the beat writer for the Star Tribune I might wait till the season is over before I start the fire Lucia story line. You might not get much access after this zinger.

Seriously, things must be miserable behind the scenes if this article is making its way into circulation before the season is over. If I was Coach Lucia I would think twice before it let this beat writer into my team’s locker room again. I also think its funny how so many people assume that Lucia is going to automatically be replaced by Blais. We will see. Just because Blais has an out in his contract doesn’t mean he is a shoe in either.

Personally I think Donny Lucia is doing a great job in Minnesota. All season long I have read on the internet and twitter about how Minnesota fans are ready to be done with Lucia, this is the same coach that won a Spencer Penrose and Back to Back Titles and numerous league titles. I am surprised they would throw him under the bus so fast.

Athletic director Joel Maturi has heard the rumblings of discontent. Even diehard fans of the Gophers men's hockey program are disappointed with its struggles.

"Gophers hockey is expected to compete at the highest level each and every year," Maturi said, "and the belief is that's not where we are at."

Coach Don Lucia, who led the Gophers to back-to-back national titles earlier this decade, is having another trying season. The Gophers are seventh in the WCHA, and barring a strong second half, headed for their third consecutive middle-of-the-pack finish.
------------------
Last season, the Gophers started 7-0-4 before a second-half tumble. They were fifth in the conference, lost in the Final Five play-in game to Minnesota Duluth 2-1 and did not get a spot in the NCAA field. Exacerbating the sting was that the West Regional was at Mariucci Arena.

"Growing up watching Gophers hockey, we saw them win national titles a couple years in a row and, year in and year out, be in the NCAAs," Carman said. "A lot of us thought it was a given."
------------------

Recruiting roulette

"Minnesota has missed on players like [Zach] Parise, [T.J.] Oshie, [David] Backes and [Ryan] McDonagh; we've missed some the last five, six years," said Reed Larson, a former Gophers defenseman who played in the NHL for 14 seasons. "There are some pretty good state players at North Dakota and Wisconsin. I am concerned with the school and the team; something's wrong."

Lucia said the Gophers will always primarily recruit Minnesotans, but he has to make offers earlier and earlier -- to compete with other colleges -- and it's harder to predict how good a 16- or 17-year-old player will be. Many WCHA teams stock their teams with Canadian talent. Lucia has brought in only a couple of Canadians; none have been impact players.

McDonagh committed to Wisconsin out of Cretin-Derham Hall as a junior days before Minnesota planned to make him an offer, Lucia said. McDonagh is a Badgers co-captain as a junior defenseman.

------------------

If Minnesota keeps floundering, though, the criticism of Lucia will undoubtedly increase. He has two more years left on his contract, which will pay him a base salary of $250,751 for the 2011-12 season.

"Most Gophers fans already got a guy picked out to replace him," Sonmor said.

That would be Dean Blais, who won two NCAA titles in his 10 years as head coach at North Dakota. Blais, 58, played for the Gophers in the early 1970s and was known for his no-nonsense style and tireless recruiting before he left the Sioux to become an NHL assistant. He is in his first season at Nebraska-Omaha, which joins the WCHA next season.

A couple of years ago, replacing Lucia would have been unthinkable. But with the storied history of the Gophers program, it only takes a couple of mediocre seasons for discontent to boil to the surface.

And it has.
[Star Tribune]

Final USA WJC roster released.

Here is the final USA roster for this years WJC. Here is the link to the press release. Here is the schedule fo the Team USA's games.

GOALTENDERS (2)

1 Jack Campbell, Port Huron, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)
30 Mike Lee, Roseau, Minn. St. Cloud State University (WCHA)

DEFENSEMEN (7)

11 John Carlson, Colonia, N.J. Hershey Bears (AHL)
4 Matt Donovan, Edmond, Okla. University of Denver (WCHA)
24 Cam Fowler, Farmington Hills, Mich. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
28 Jake Gardiner, Minnetonka, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
18 Brian Lashoff, Albany, N.Y. Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
2 John Ramage, St. Louis, Mo. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
5 David Warsofsky, Marshfield, Mass. Boston University (HEA)

FORWARDS (13)

17 Ryan Bourque, Boxford, Mass. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
29 Jerry D’Amigo, Binghamton, N.Y. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECACH)
22 AJ Jenks, Wolverine Lake, Mich. Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
10 Tyler Johnson, Spokane, Wash. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
20 Chris Kreider, Boxford, Mass. Boston College (HEA) New York Rangers
8 Danny Kristo, Eden Prairie, Minn. University of North Dakota (WCHA)
9 Philip McRae, Chesterfield, Mo. London Knights (OHL)
26 Jeremy Morin, Auburn, N.Y. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
23 Kyle Palmieri, Montvale, N.J. University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
19 Jordan Schroeder, Prior Lake, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
21 Derek Stepan, Hastings, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
14 Luke Walker, Portland, Ore. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
16 Jason Zucker, Las Vegas, Nev. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)

Nickname issue likely won’t be discussed at next board meeting

It would appear that the board has given the Standing Rock Tribe a little breathing room and some time to decide if they really want to have a referendum on the Fighting Sioux name. I can bet there isn’t a lot of time to waste here; the State Board of Higher Education will probably start transitioning the Fighting Sioux nickname if there isn’t some movement. The other athletic teams need a conference to play in. I would say that the nickname is on life support right now unless there is some movement at Standing Rock.

The State Board of Higher Education will meet in January but likely won’t take any action on the UND Fighting Sioux nickname, a board member said Tuesday.

Grant Shaft said the Jan. 21 meeting at UND would be the next opportunity to bring up the issue, but he didn’t think the board would be able to take any new action — even though a lawsuit from the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation that attempted to block the board from changing the name was dismissed Dec. 18.

“I suspect that the matter will be under appeal at that time,” he said. “So, it will be very similar to what we’ve been doing up to this point.”

Options

Shaft said the nickname could come up for discussion at the January meeting “in reference to what action we’ve taken previously.”

He said he thinks the board would be prohibited from taking any new action on the issue if the appeal is still under way at the time, but members could possibly take action if it was subject to the appeal’s outcome.

Also possible would be going into executive session, which would allow board members to discuss the appeal with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Still, he said there’s nothing about the nickname on the meeting’s agenda so far.

“From my standpoint right now, I think during the appeal process the matter is essentially on hold until that process is finished,” he said. “And the official position of the board is the action that we took back in October that just remains suspended right now until the legal process is concluded.”
[Grand Forks Herald]

Martin Havlat on a roll.

At the beginning of the season Martin Havlat wasn't producing much in the way of goals and or points, then all of a sudden it clicked for Havlat. Rencently Havlat has been red hot much like the equipment truck that burned up in Ottawa. Then over the last 6 games where Havlat has 9 points. If we break it down futher Havlat has 11 points in 9 games. Now Havlat is starting to earn that 5 million dollars a year contract.

Remember this guy?

This why the beat writers are talking about Chay Genoway when he has missed 10 games due to injury from this dirty hit.

I think if UND doesn't lose Genoway to that bush league hit you can probably add 2-3 wins to their total at the halfway point. Chay Genoway is an elite player who presence is missed in the Fighting Sioux line up. We can only hope that he makes his return to the Fighting Sioux line up soon.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR (so far): With all due respect to Denver goaltender Marc Cheverie and Wisconsin defenseman Brendan Smith, it's North Dakota defenseman Chay Genoway. With the All-American in the lineup, the Fighting Sioux were 7-1-1. Since he suffered a concussion vs. St. Cloud State Nov. 13, they are 2-5-2 with all five losses by one goal.

At last check, Genoway was so debilitated by the injury that he had to watch practice from a distance lest the moving forms on the ice cause dizziness and studying was an issue because he couldn't focus on a computer screen.

Regardless if Genoway is back in the lineup for the series at St. Cloud Feb. 12 and 13, it's reasonable to assume that some payback will be coming for Huskies center Aaron Marvin, whose illegal check injured Genoway.
[Madison.com]

Well that didn't take long.

I was wondering how long it would take before the Leafs fans would sour and get on former Bruin Phil Kessel. Now that Phil Kessel has zero points in his last three games, the questions are starting already. Where’s Kessel? Why isn't Kessel the man? Kessel is getting paid a lot of money for what?

Let's face facts Leafs fans, you should've known by now that Kessel doesn’t play defense, he never has. Kessel plays hockey one way, he is a one dimensional. Kessel isn’t going to check anyone either, that’s not his game. Phil’s game is shoot the puck on net a bunch of times and play on the first or second line. It is what it is. Don’t expect him to play defensively. It’s not like Kessel is an utter hack either he has 21 points in 25 games (13g-8a-21pts). Kessel now knows how Jason Blake feels after he came to Toronto with a nice new contract and the fans got on him he didn’t live up the fans hype.

The Leafs are in need of someone special to help get them over the hump, someone Phil Kessel was acquired to be. Never mind his goals per, it's really about goals when... for Kessel. He did nothing against Boston, nothing against Buffalo, so when??? When will his brilliance be effective? It's games like Monday's against the Sabres the Leafs need most, for morale and to keep up with the divisional Jones'... and really it's on "the star" like Kessel for not contributing. The rest of the team kept itself in the game long enough for that "special someone" to help it rise beyond. But again they, we are left without. Yeah yeah, 3 of 4 points is nice... but this team has to be better, something it won't be unless Kessel ultimately shakes Hansel and comes to terms with being the effin' guy. You ain't in Boston anymore, Phil. You're in Toronto. You're paid like it. Play like it. [Norman James Sports]

Here is a pretty good fan blog article that I found on the Boston Bruins. I have to agree with the writer that the Bruins went from being one of the best teams in the East to barely being able to score goals. I think the Bruins have to make a move to get more offense or they will be a one and done team in the NHL playoffs, if they make it that far. There is no way you can win hockey games when your team if offensively starved or a playoff series if your team is unable to score goals. You can't expect your team to win 2-1, 1-0 hockey games all of the time.

Compare and contrast: I think its funny how one of my favorite teams has gone from being one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL to as boring to watch as last season’s Minnesota Wild team. On the flip side of things; last night’s Wild game was amazing and are now more exciting to watch play hockey. I didn’t think it was possible but Martin Havlat has finally found his scoring tough and has been on a tear.

The Bruins need to find Marc Savard someone to play with fast or this season could go south in a hurry. Sturm and Wheeler are not getting it done; I think the Bruins should try to move one or both of these players along with a prospect. Also the Defense is pretty stacked at defense I think Dennis Wideman is now expendable as well.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Bruins were irrelevant in this town. Last year’s miracle season went a long way towards “making Boston a hockey town again” as Marc Savard recently put it. They were an entertaining team to watch last year, with the second best offense in the NHL, and several bangers and brawlers to put exclamation points on their wins and to give fans something to cheer about in their losses. Fans came back in droves. Attendance went up. TV ratings went up. Season ticket sales spiked. And the revival was underway.

But then things started to go wrong…

The Bruins had a very public, very messy divorce with one of their most popular players in Phil Kessel. Which reminded many of these casual Bruin fans of the days when the Bruins constantly put profit ahead of winning. It didn’t matter that this wasn’t one of those times. And the Bruins rushed right out and signed Lucic and Savard to long term deals, as if to send a message to these fans that they really weren’t being cheap- they just didn’t like Kessel’s game. But the damage was done.

The Bruins also failed to capitalize on all of their pre-season hype and excitement by flopping on opening night, and getting off to a miserable start. The fans that came back, eager to watch a winner, were suddenly getting turned off by a team that wasn’t winning.

To make matters worse- the Bruins were not very entertaining either. Their offense had gone from best in the conference last year to 2nd worst in the NHL by Thanksgiving. Their most entertaining non-scorer, Milan Lucic, was put on long-term-injury-reserve, only to come back for 4 games, get re-injured, and go right back on the LTIR. So even when they finally started winning games consistently, they were boring, low scoring affairs. And while hardcore hockey fans take plenty of gratification out of a hard fought, defensive win, the casual fans that the Bruins need to become relevant again- want to see goals, hits and fights.
[Lunatic Fringe]

Zdeno Chara on being booed in Ottawa

I have always wondered why Senators fans boo Zdeno Chara every time he touches the puck in Ottawa. Personally I can see why Phil Kessel is booed in Boston but “Big Z”?

"I don't know. I can't really control what the fans are doing, if they're booing me or not. I played hard when I played for Ottawa, I always did my best and the organization, at that time, chose Wade Redden and I was fine with that and I had to move on. So when they decided to sign Wade instead of me, I had to move on and obviously management back then — John Muckler and company — they made it look like I went for the money, but that wasn't the case. Basically I liked my chances and options that I had in Boston and that's why I chose Boston and I still believe in that and it's just too bad that they made it look, to the fans and to the public, like I went for the money." [Hockey Capital]

USA Roster Updated.

This is your updated USA WJC Roster. [Click for Roster]
Here is the video of coach Dean Blais discussing the roster cuts.

GOALTENDERS (2)

1 Jack Campbell, Port Huron, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)
30 Mike Lee, Roseau, Minn. St. Cloud State University (WCHA)

DEFENSEMEN (8)

11 John Carlson, Colonia, N.J. Hershey Bears (AHL)
4 Matt Donovan , Edmond, Okla. University of Denver (WCHA)
24 Cam Fowler, Farmington Hills, Mich. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
28 Jake Gardiner, Minnetonka, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
18 Brian Lashoff, Albany, N.Y. Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
3 Max Nicastro, Thousand Oaks, Calif. Boston University (HEA)
2 John Ramage, St. Louis, Mo. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
5 David Warsofsky, Marshfield, Mass. Boston University (HEA)

FORWARDS (14)

17 Ryan Bourque, Boxford, Mass. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
12 Chris Brown, Flower Mound, Texas University of Michigan (CCHA)
29 Jerry D’Amigo, Binghamton, N.Y. RPI (ECAC)
22 AJ Jenks, Wolverine Lake, Mich. Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
10 Tyler Johnson, Spokane, Wash. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
20 Chris Kreider, Boxford, Mass. Boston College (HEA)
8 Danny Kristo, Eden Prairie, Minn. University of North Dakota (WCHA)
9 Philip McRae, Chesterfield, Mo. London Knights (OHL)
26 Jeremy Morin, Auburn, N.Y. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
23 Kyle Palmieri, Montvale, N.J. University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
19 Jordan Schroeder, Prior Lake, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
21 Derek Stepan, Hastings, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
14 Luke Walker, Portland, Ore. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
16 Jason Zucker, Las Vegas, Nev. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)

WJC TV schedule

The TV schedule for the World Junior Championship was posted over on Sioux Sports. All the USA games will be on the NHL Network which is channel 307 on MIDCO in Grand Forks, ND and channel 215 on Direct TV in the Fargo Area. I am excited that Dave Starman is going to be doing the games again this season. Starman does a really good job breaking down a game and you might recongnize him from the CSTV days when he used call the CSTV games and do a weekly podcast with Elliot Olshansky.

A holiday-season tradition will return to the NHL Network-U.S. for the third-straight season, as once again the network will broadcast all of Team USA's games at the 2010 World Junior Championship.

Gary Thorne, Dave Starman and Fred Pletsch will be the broadcast team for the tournament, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.

The network also will televise six other preliminary-round games, as well as all medal round games. For non-U.S. games, the network will utilize the TSN broadcast.

All 16 games will be aired in high-definition.

Thorne, who will handle play-by-play duties, boasts over 30 years of sports broadcasting experience. He served a 12-year stint (1992-2004) as the voice of ESPN's NHL telecasts and was also the lead hockey play-by-play voice of NBC's 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He currently serves as a play-by-play commentator for college football on ESPN and ABC, and for MLB on ESPN Radio.

Starman, who will serve as the color analyst, currently is the lead analyst for CBS College Sports' hockey coverage (AKA CSTV). He served as the analyst for the NHL Network's coverage of Team USA's games at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, as well.

Pletsch, who will serve as the rinkside reporter, is a college hockey analyst on Fox Sports Detroit and has worked as a sideline reporter for ESPN and for NHL Network for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship. He is the associate commissioner of the CCHA.

All times Eastern

Saturday, December 26
Latvia vs. Canada 4:00 pm
Czech Republic vs. Sweden 6:00 pm
Slovakia vs. USA 8:00 pm


Sunday, December 27
USA vs. Switzerland 4:00 pm
Czech Republic vs. Finland 6:00 pm


Monday, December 28
Canada vs. Switzerland 4:00 pm


Tuesday, December 29
Latvia vs. USA 4:00 pm
Sweden vs. Russia 6:00 pm
Canada vs. Slovakia 8:00 pm


Thursday, December 31
USA vs. Canada
8:00 pm

Saturday, January 2
Quarterfinal #1
5:00 pm
Quarterfinal #2
9:00 pm

Sunday, January 3
Semifinal #1 5:00 pm
Semifinal #2 9:00 pm

Tuesday, January 5
Bronze Medal Game 4:00 pm
Gold Medal Game 8:00 pm
[NHL.com]

A few things.

I really liked that picture that I stole off of the internet. Moving forward this is the best time of year, Christmas is so much fun and I have so many gifts that I am thankful for, health, my family and Fighting Sioux hockey. As the hockey season evolves and the year changes to 2010, the college hockey season is approaching the home stretch. I always say that championships are won in February, March and April. The NHL season is almost at the halfway point already, as this year’s season is more compressed due to the Olympic Games in Vancouver

As the calendar year changes to 2010 we will again see if UND has another run to the NCAA championship or a conference championship in them. I don’t know? This Fighting Sioux have many questions to answer. Most of the things the Sioux have to work on and or fix aren't all that difficult to fix. It's just a matter of playing more disciplined hockey including being more responsible in the defensive zone, stop taking mind numbing stupid, knuckleheaded bad undisciplined penalties. It will be fun watching the Sioux go forward into February, March and hopefully April.

Goon’s World would also like to welcome LGM of the now defunct blog Let’s-Go- Mavs. I kept asking her when she is going to return to blogsphere, so here she is. I am hoping for a spirited Archie and LGM debate soon.

Editing note: While I Welcome debate and discussion on my blog if you post insulting comments or demeaning comments directed at me, my team members, my family members or dead family members these comments will be deleted without apology. I don’t have to tolerate comments like that and it's my blog.

Claude Julien on College Hockey.

I found this quote very interesting; here is what the Boston Bruins head coach had to say about college hockey players. Personally I like College Hockey and I have watched college hockey for a very long time, but I don't have a problem with the CHL either. I had the privilege of attending a WHL game between Seattle and Portland in the late 1980’s and it was lot fun. They are more CHL players in the NHL. I personally would like to be able to see more of their games on television.

After further study . . .
Bruins coach Claude Julien, who turns 50 in April, as a player took the Canadian junior route in hopes of making it to the big time, putting in tours with both the Oshawa Generals and Windsor Spitfires over four seasons. During Boston’s rookie camp, held at the start of September in Kitchener, Ontario, he confided that his choice today, some 30 years later, likely would be to play for a top US college program - no doubt music to the ears of the newly formed College Hockey, Inc., based in Newton. Prior to Boston’s game last Saturday on Long Island, Julien said he felt today’s college players typically enter the NHL with better conditioning levels than most of the top junior players, simply because the college players have fewer games and more time for off-ice training. As a trade-off, he noted candidates from the junior leagues arrive with more game experience and are perhaps better prepared for the day-to-day grind of professional hockey.

John Boychuk Hit On Matt Stajan

I don't think that Boychuck will get suspended by the NHL for his hit on Stajan. It's a legal legit body check, when I first saw the hit I thought Boychuck had left his feet but I don't think so. Second, I am a big time Boston Bruins fans and while some might think this hit probably is in the questionable range, it is a perfect example of why you don't skate with your head down. From the video you can see that Matt Stajan skated across the blue line with his head down.

The Leafs head coach Wilson was upset with the hit and if you read his lips you will see him say it was a head shot. Of course who knows what will happened because there does seem to be a lack of logic to the NHL disciplinary system. We will have to see where the Wheel of Justice takes us.

Here is what the Stanley Cup of Chowder had to say on the hit:

- I thought Johnny Boychuk's hit was clean. He only left his feet after the initial contact . Stajan got caught with his head down in the neutral zone and unfortunately in the path of a big kid who is trying to make an impression at the NHL level.

USA 4 UND 2

Here is the way I look at it. The Fighting Sioux just played the best American players aged 18-20 in Hockey and played pretty well against them for three periods of hockey. Remember every one of these kids have been drafted or will be drafted and you have first and second round draft choices playing on third and fourth lines. Let’s also not forget that the Fighting Sioux had three of their better players out of the line up as well. I think for Fighting Sioux fans you have a lot to be positive about. I also included video evidence of Brad Eidsness stoning Jordan Schroeder. The Fighting Sioux goalies played well tonight in my opinion.

[Box Score]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-1 Mario Lamoureux (2-Boarding) U20 0x1 5:03
U20-1 Brian Lashoff (2-Holding) NDK 0x1 10:04
NDK-2 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Michael Cichy) U20 0x2 15:07
U20-2 Jerry D'Amigo (2-Roughing) 16:17
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 16:17

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

NDK-4 Ben Blood (2-Tripping) U20 1x3 6:04
U20 1 - 0 6x5 PP Chris Kreider (Cam Fowler, Derek Stepan) 6:51
U20: 20,24,21,19,4,G30 NDK: 19,25,22,3,G31
U20-3 John Ramage (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 7:03
NDK-5 Corban Knight (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 7:03
U20-4 Chris Brown (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 12:59
U20-5 Jeremy Morin (2-Holding) NDK 1x3 17:06
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Evan Trupp (Brad Malone, Jake Marto) 17:37
NDK: 19,22,25,20,26,G32 U20: 2,21,28,8,G1
U20-6 Tyler Johnson (2-Boarding) NDK 1x4 18:46
U20-7 David Warsofsky (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 19:16
NDK-6 Brett Hextall (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 19:16

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

NDK-7 Ben Blood (2-CONTACT TO THE HEAD) U20 1x4 1:35
U20 2 - 1 6x6 LL Chris Kreider (Matt Donovan, Cam Fowler) 3:36
U20 (+): 20,4,24,21,19,G1
U20-8 Chris Brown (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 5:40
U20 3 - 1 6x6 GW Jason Zucker (Philip McRae) 8:57
U20 (+): 16,9,4,7,22,G1 NDK (-): 9,28,18,4,8,G32
U20-9 Chris Kreider (2-Slashing) NDK 1x6 10:58
NDK 2 - 3 6x6 EA Evan Trupp (Jake Marto) 19:11
NDK (+): 19,20,18,22,25,10 U20 (-): 25,19,26,24,18,G1
Timeout - North Dakota 19:11
U20 4 - 2 6x6 EN Danny Kristo (Derek Stepan, Jerry D'Amigo) 19:43
U20 (+): 8,21,29,5,4,G1 NDK (-): 10,25,17,22,19,26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Edition by LetsGoMavs

Greetings esteemed readers of Goon’s World. Some of you may know me (lucky you!) and some of you may not. I used to write a little infamous blog called LetsGoMavs but decided to hang it up last year due to lack of time, too much drama, and lack of inspiration for blogging. However, since I made this choice I have gotten many e-mails asking me to resume blogging. Ironically, I get the most request from Sioux fans. This is interesting because I was by far the meanest to the Sioux players, fans, and the program in general. I’ll admit that I don’t spew hate anymore towards the Sioux but I’m not going to claim that I “like” them. Hopefully you can all live with that. Thanks to a few things I’ve lightened up on the Sioux. Those things would be meeting some good Sioux fans (Goon & Donn…and company), “Brad Miller Time”, and a surprisingly fun trip to the Ralph last year. Anyways, enough about ME!

Goon has asked me to be a guest writer for his blog and to give his readers updates on my beloved Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks. I’m guessing he’ll also let me write about just about anything else hockey I want…as long as I don’t rip on his Sioux too much. Hmm…makes me wonder if he’s going to let me do my famous “Hot or Not” on his serious blog?!?

So….how have the Mavs been doing? Well, they’re very up and down this season. At times they look great and at times they look like a Pee Wee team. Last night they played UNO and tied. It was one of the most boring games I’ve ever watched. One thing that was very obvious though, UNO has a new coach that’s smart and is going to be a contender next year in the WCHA. I know many Sioux fans hate Blais but let’s face it, the guy knows hockey…and that was obvious with the change in the Faux-Mavs from Omaha last night. They were faster, smarter, and it was obvious that they had watched hours of the real Mavericks on tape. They intercepted more pucks and plays than I’ve ever seen. Now, if the real Mavs had a REAL coach this would have been realized and new plays or variations would have been done about 10 minutes into the game. However, Jutting can’t seem to think or coach like that so changing stuff up was off the table. Cripes, that guy can probably make a lighter out of a Bic pen, a hard stone, and a blade of grass in order to light his cigarettes but can’t manage to switch stuff up in a hockey game!!

Anyways, enough about last night. I figured that I would start out my first post on Goon’s World by giving the Mavericks mid-season grades.

Austin Lee (G): B While Lee has come up big in goal a few times, there is a lot of room for improvement. He often goes down too quick (leave out the perv jokes people!) and appears to not pay as much attention as he needs to. I sometimes wonder if he has untreated ADHD. Let’s get him some Adderall and maybe that’ll make me raise his grade.

Nick Canzanello (D): B- Canzanello has had times of really good play and times of really bad play. I think we can all agree that he’s doing his best but really wasn’t ready to play in the WCHA straight from high school. He just hasn’t developed like he should over the past 3 years but it’s good to see him try and play smarter this year.

Cameron Cooper (D): C Cooper hasn’t had consistent playing time and I’m not really sure why. He hasn’t been as bad as some of the D on the ice, so not really sure why he’s not playing more. While he is on the ice though, he does need to pick up the speed. He tends to be too slow and behind the play.

Ben Youds (D): B Youds has had some really good games but has also had many periods where he played like total crap. As always, I have a torn opinion of Youds and he’s one of my most frustrating players to watch. I’m pretty sure that I say “GOD DAMMIT BEN YOUDS!!” more than anything else at a hockey game.

Tyler Pitlick (F): A Pitlick is a new LGM favorite. This kid is the real deal. He’s an essential player to have on the ice and has some sick moves. While he doesn’t have as many points as one would expect, he had many games where he should have and it just didn’t pan out. Watch for him to turn heads, ala David Backes style.

Kael Mouillierat (F): B- Mouillierat only first moved up to the B- recently. He had a very slow start to the year and it’s been as frustrating for him as it has been for the fans. I’m looking for Mouillierat to have a break out second half though, so be prepared people!

Zach Harrison (F): A Harrison has had a really nice season so far. He always brings a ton of intensity to the ice and is fast and smart. As long as he doesn’t get obsessed with trying for short-handed goals and stays away from dumb penalties he will be great for the Mavs.

Mike Louwerse (F): A- Normally Louwerse is a solid “A game” player. As of the past couple games I’ve watched though he seems distracted and isn’t doing much on the ice to score or make big plays. This is very odd for him, so hopefully he gets back on track really soon. The kid has a ton of talent and plays a much bigger physical game than one would expect.

Rylan Galiardi (F): B- Galiardi has had some nice games but as of late I’m pretty sure he’s mastered the ability of skating with his head up his butt. I’m hoping he pulls his head out soon and starts scoring and making smarter plays.

James Gaulrapp (F): B+ Gaulrapp has played few games but has given 100% each time he’s played and he brings a chemistry to the team. I’m not really sure why Jutts makes him sit but it really makes me mad. Stupid Jutting!!

Justin Jokinen (F): C- I’m not going to lie, I’m not a fan of this kid at all. I think he’s a primadonna who is not a team player and who refuses to play both ends of the ice. He only manages to hustle when it’s in his own end with a chance for him to score. Personally, I think he needs to sit until he’s ready to play both ends of the ice. It’s a shame he’s this type of a player because the kid has a ton of talent.

Jerad Stewart (F): A Stewart has always been a hard working kid on and off the ice and it’s nice to see his hard work pay off. Historically he’s had a hard time stuffing away goals but this year that’s all changed.

Tyler Elbrecht (D): C+ Elbrecht has worked really hard to find a regular spot in the line up. It looks like his hard work has paid off as of late and he’s adjusting nicely to WCHA play.

Evan Mosey (D): C Mosey has been in and out of the line up. I think he’ll be a decent player in the future but for now, he needs to adjust to the pace of WCHA hockey.

Michael Dorr (F): A While Dorr has only played two games (was not eligible until the past 2 games due to transferring), he has made an immediate impact. The kid is talented and it’ll be fun to watch him play. I just hope he can take all of the razzing he’s going to get from opposing fans due to backing out of his commitment to UMD and then leaving the Gophers. Hell, doing both of those things makes me like him MORE!

Geoff Irwin (F): B Irwin has had an ok season thus far but I really thought he would have more goals by now. He’s the captain of the Mavs and I’m interested to see how that pans out. As of now I really don’t have an opinion on it…other than I find him an interesting choice to wear the “C”.

Jason Wiley (F): C+ Wiley has been out with injuries this year, so it’s hard to grade him. When he’s been on the ice he’s had some good games and some not so great plays…thus I’ll stick him with a C+ because I was expecting more from him. Hopefully he gets healed and comes back strong.

Andrew Sackrison (F): A Sackrison is out with a broken leg and that really sucks. He was having a great year and I was excited to see what he was going to produce. Hopefully once he’s back on the ice he’ll be able to pick up where he left off.

Kurt Davis (D): F Anyone that knows me knows I would not give Davis anything but an F, ever. I wish this kid would just go away. He sucks at playing defense, is too worried about scoring, is afraid to get hit or be hit and always tries to do a slap shot from the point that goes 5 feet wide. Ugh, get him off the ice.

Tyler Thompson (F): B Thompson has had some nice games. At times he’s a puck hog though and then ends up losing it because he won’t pass it. If he starts to be more of a team player and keep his temper under control, he’ll be good to go. Between him and Jokinen, I’m not sure who the bigger “Black Hole” is.

Adam Mueller (F): B- Mueller has struggled to find a consistent spot in the line up. I like the passion he plays with, as long as he keeps his temper under control. I think we’ll be seeing more of Mueller playing on the line with Dorr, as they’re friends and former high school teammates. It appears that they have a pretty good chemistry.

Eriah Hayes (F): A Hayes is another LGM favorite. I think everyone has been pleasantly surprised by him. It’s nice to see a big guy on the team to be physical but also bring some talent.

Joe Schiller (F): C Schiller is rarely in the line up. Not really sure what’s going on with him. When he plays he’s not bad but not good either. Just average I guess!

Brett Peterson (F): IC Poor Peterson got his first chance in two years to play for the Mavs and got a season ending injury in the game. That poor kid can’t catch a break!

Channing Boe (D): A Boe is by far the best defenseman on the team and appears to be a strong Alternate Captain. Most people know that Boe is a LGM favorite and I’m especially happy to see him back this year after having his leg broken by Dirty Hack Brian Schack. Boe commits himself fully to playing defense and is having a great year.

Eli Zuck (F): C- Zuck hasn’t played much and when he has, he hasn’t done much to impress me. Seems like he’s struggling to play WCHA hockey, so hopefully he figures it out soon.

Phil Cook (G): A- Cook has started in goal a couple of games and has walked away with the win. He looks like he’s going to be a reliable goalie and I’m more comfortable with him in goal than Lee, so hopefully he plays more!

Kevin Murdock (G): D Murdock has not done well in goal. This really bums me out because I thought he would come in and be the #1 guy. His style is similar to Mike Zacharias and I was told he was just as good. Sadly, we haven’t seen that yet. Hopefully he has a better second half.

Well, that's it for now. I think I've babbled on enough for my first post!

Inventory of the Wild's equipment fire

This is a crazy story that you would have to try real hard to make up. When I first read it on someone's twitter yesterday I thought it was a fraternity prank. Being a former athlete I can’t imagine my equipment just going up in flames. Some of these guys have to start all over again. This has to be hard for the goaltenders, who most of us at time think they are nuts anyways. This is the equivalent of a golfer being given new clubs the day before a big golf tourney the Masters. I can’t imagine trying to break in new skates and having to use them in a game when they aren’t broken in yet.

Here's an inventory, and some are a bit comical:

Zidlicky-Good

Johnsson-Good

Zanon-Lost a ton, but not his knee brace

Stoner-Skates and pants only saved

Koivu-Everything lost but skates

Kobasew-Good

Havlat--Everything lost, but they found a set of skates he used to wear in Chicago and put on a new blade

Brunette-Good

Ebbett-Everything gone

Miettinen-Everything gone

Clutterbuck-Everything gone

Brodziak-Good

Boogaard-Good

Belanger-Good

Hnidy--Everything gone, and two left skates burned

Scott-Everything gone

Earl-Everything gone

Backstrom-Everything gone

Harding-Everything gone

Sheppard--Everything gone, except, get this, his contacts and a mouthguard

Schultz-Everything gone, had skates picked up at his house that he wears in pond hockey and he went to Play It Again sports to buy shoulder pads he likes

Latendresse-Good
[Russo's Rants]

NCAA Round Up: The most wonderful time of the year.

Here is this weeks column that I wrote for the Illegal Curve.

In my opinion this is the most exciting time of the year, with the Christmas holiday season right around the corner, that means many of our favorite college hockey teams are playing non-conference games or in holiday tourneys.

On December 29th – 30th, 2009

Florida College Hockey Classic

Maine vs. Princeton
Colorado College vs. Cornell

Great Lakes Invitational

Michigan Vs RPI
Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech

On January 2nd – 3rd, 2010

Badger Showdown

M.C. vs. Wisconsin
Yale vs. Ferris State

Denver Cup

UNO vs. SLU
B.C. vs. DU

Ledyard Bank Tournament

UML vs. Holy Cross
Northeastern vs. Dartmouth

Sheraton/TD Banknorth Catamount Cup

UAH vs. Vermont
UMD vs. Mercyhurst

Shillelagh Tournament

UND vs. Niagara
Colgate vs. Notre Dame

Dodge Holiday Classic

Clarkson vs. NMU
BGSU vs. UMN

World Juniors take Center Stage

With the holiday season comes this years World Junior Championship in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan between December 26, 2009, and January 5, 2010, I have listed below the US college hockey players that are vying for a spot on the USA roster. This years version of the Canadian WJC team is made up entirely of CHL talent and doesn’t have a single college hockey star on their roster. Incidentally, there were a few Canadian collegians that were vying for spots on the Team Canada roster; Denver University Sophomore Patrick Wiercioch was cut because of a knee injury and Harvard University Freshman Louis Leblanc was one of the last players cut from team Canada. Some thought that Dylan Olsen from UMD and Joe Colborne from DU might have a chance to make the Canadian roster as well but they did not make the team.

Forwards

Name School, Year G-A-PTS
Chris Brown Michigan, Freshman 5-7-12
Jerry D'Amigo RPI, Freshman 5-9-14
Chris Kreider Boston Coll. Freshman 2-3-5
Danny Kristo North Dakota Freshman 6-10-16
Kyle Palmieri Notre Dame Freshman 5-2-7
Vinny Saponari Boston Univ. Sophomore 4-8-12
Jordan Schroeder Minnesota Sophomore 4-8-12
Derek Stepan Wisconsin Sophomore 5-17-22
Dave Wohlberg Michigan Sophomore 2-7-9

Defense

Matt Donovan Denver Freshman 2-7-9
Jake Gardiner Wisconsin Sophomore 1-2-3
Max Nicastro Boston Univ. Freshman 1-5-6
John Ramage Wisconsin Freshman 2-5-7
David Warfosky Boston Univ. Sophomore 4-4-8

Goaltenders

Name School,Year W-L-T/GAA/Save Pct.
Mike Lee St. Cloud Freshmen 4-5-3, 2.63, .926
[NHL.com]

Blais back in Grand Forks, ND

The USA WJC tryout has been at the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, ND this past week and the Fighting Sioux will play the USA WJC team in an exhibition game tonight at 7:07pm. I heard there are still tickets available if you want to attend the game. The USA team is coached by former Fighting Sioux head coach and current UNO Maverick head coach Dean Blais.

I was off from work yesterday and when I heard that coach Blais was speaking at the Sioux Booster’s luncheon I decided to attend my first ever Sioux Booster’s luncheon at the Alerus Center. It was fun listening to the former Fighting Sioux head coach speak. Blais is always good for interesting quote or two. On playing in Canada Blais said, “We have to be prepared to be booed in every game we play — not just against Canada. We’re going to be booed when we play Latvia.” [Grand Forks Herald]

I have a lot of respect and admiration for the former coach and I think team USA is in good hands with Dean Blais. I expect the USA WJC team to be more disciplined this year than some of the teams from the past few years. Last season’s USA WJC team under Ron Rolston took a lot of undisciplined penalties and lost it’s composure against the Canadian team, I don’t expect that to happen under a veteran coach like Dean Blais.

My 2009 Christmas Wish List…

1.) I want more consistency out of the WCHA officials. Consistently calling the games in a poor manner is not consistency. The on ice official’s performance in the WCHA this year can best be described as brutal and unacceptable. No more officiating games by the score board. If it’s a penalty in the first period it’s still a penalty in the closing minutes of a game. Start calling the obstruction, picks and protect the puck carrier, like the NHL does. I believe that the NCAA Division 1 hockey officials should have to answer to USA hockey. If the on ice officials are not up to standard of USA hockey they are terminated and should not be allowed ref in any level of hockey. The officials on ice performance should be made available by a simple freedom of information act request. No more secrecy surrounding the on ice officials. (I am giving a lump of coal for the WCHA league office; your official’s performance during the first half of the season was brutal).

2.) I want to see the NCAA Division 1 hockey mirror the NHL in quality of officiating, video review, discipline of players, coaches and official, and use the rules the NHL has for deciding ties during the regular season. College Hockey is a great game and needs to step forward into the 21st century. I would like to see all the leagues go by the same rules.

3.) I want to see stiffer penalties for players that injure another player on the ice with an illegal check. A weak and non-punitive one game suspension for knocking out a fellow player with a dirty hit is unacceptable. Suspensions need teeth.

4.) I would like to see more college hockey on television. I would like to see a NCAA college hockey offer a package much like my NHL Center Ice. (Kudos to the NHL network and FCS).

5.) I would like to see the Pairwise Ranking go back to the old days were strength of schedule mattered. Teams that racking up wins against the weak sisters of the poor to make the NCAA tourney is unacceptable. I would like to see the KRACH factor into the selection process when picking the 16 NCAA tourney teams. (A lump of coal for the NCAA ice hockey committee).

6.) I would like to see all references and or discussion of the Big Ten Hockey Conference put to bed forever. It’s a pipe dream that some Big Ten administrator(s) with a college football background wants to push. They had a chance to put the Hockey Show Case games on the Big Ten Network and they games were unavailable for people to watch. (Lump of coal to the BTN).

Check out more from Eric at twitter, and the Goon’s World Blog

Wild’s equipment truck catches fire.

When I saw this story at first I thought, you got to be kidding me. You really can't make this stuff up. I never have heard about a player’s equipment truck just bursting into flames. This sounds fishy and it’s going to be hard for the Wild to get all of their equipment replace for tomorrow’s game. Check out the Twitter pictures that someone took of the debris.

(updated 6:20 p.m. EST): Brunette after Wild's 6 p.m. meeting: "Looks like we're going to try to play, I guess."

(updated): Just talked to a bunch of players. They have a 6 p.m. EST meeting at their hotel with the team. There's lot of concern about playing in new equipment. It's not just a feel thing (it takes players weeks to break in equipment), but a safety thing. Knee braces and stuff like that were destroyed. How do you just throw a new knee brace on a player without making sure it fits properly? More soon.

Details are sketchy right now, but the Wild's equipment truck caught fire today destroying much of the Wild's equipment. [Here are pictures courtesy of a couple tweeters].

The Wild practiced at the Kanata Rec Center this afternoon in suburban Ottawa. After a short drive back to the Scotiabank place, trainers apparently got out in the parking lot and noticed the back smoky. When they opened up the back of the truck, much of the equipment was on fire.

Firefighters were called to put out the blaze, but much was destroyed. Police are investigating the cause of the fire, but equipment trainers have no clue.

"It was a five-minute drive," said bewildered head equipment trainer Tony DaCosta.

This is obviously unprecedented and the team is in complete scramble mode. Remember, in practice, players use their game gear, just not their normal game sweaters.

Assistant equipment trainer Brent Proulx is rushing back to Minnesota to gather equipment and bring it here tomorrow on a flight leaving 5:30 a.m., but the team is also on the phone with the league to determine what can be done regarding the game.

It is not easy for hockey players to just change equipment, and much of the gear was completely destroyed.

Henrik Zetterberg hurt by Ohlund hit.

Check out this hit that has to have Redwings and Swedish Olympic fans worrying about the health of one of their stars Henrik Zetterberg. As far as I can see it's legal and legit hit. Nothing dirty about it. Mattias Ohlund also smoked Phil Kessel earlier in the season with another big hit. Word is that Zetterberg will be out for two weeks with a slight shoulder seperation. [SI]

WCHA Midseason Report.

For the people that don’t read INCH or that haven’t seen the latest from Jess Meyers I thought I would include it so you can peruse it for your viewing pleasure. This is Jess Meyer's midseason report for the WCHA.

BEST NEW FACE

Notching 16 points in his first 18 collegiate games really shouldn’t be that surprising of a feat for North Dakota rookie forward Danny Kristo. The USA Hockey NTDP product has had a habit of creating offense for years both in Ann Arbor and with Omaha of the USHL (57 points in 50 games last season), which is likely why the Canadiens used a second-round pick on him in 2008. Over the holidays he’s likely to be in a different version of bleu, blanc et rouge, playing for Team USA at the World Juniors in Saskatchewan.
--------------------------------------
TOUGHEST ROAD IN

Known recently for brutal first halves and all-but-unbeatable second halves, there may be a flip-flop of fortune in the works for North Dakota this season. The Fighting Sioux are a respectable 9-6-3 at the break but a daunting second half looms. After a January weekend in suburban Chicago for the Shillelagh Tournament, NoDak has second-half trips to Minnesota, Cornell, St. Cloud State and Colorado College, along with home dates with league-leading Denver (there’s no truth to the rumor that the Pioneers’ coach will be tethered to the bench this time) and high-scoring Minnesota Duluth. That’s not a great road map for keeping the MacNaughton Cup in Grand Forks, with the Sioux currently sitting in sixth place.
--------------------------------------
MUST-SEE SERIES

Denver coach George Gwozdecky inflamed the passions between DU and North Dakota last January, taking a stroll across the Ralph’s ice sheet en route to an ejection. The Sioux scored 10 goals that weekend, got three points and eventually got the league title. So when the 2009-10 WCHA schedule was released showing a Grand Forks visit by the Pioneers on January 29-30, don’t think those dates weren’t circled in red on the calendars of many, many NoDak fans.
--------------------------------------
INCH’Ss FIRST HALF ALL-WCHA TEAM

G-Marc Cheverie, Denver: By averaging a shutout roughly every third game he starts, Chevy has Denver fans thinking about another Hobey coming to town.

D-Brendan Smith, Wisconsin: Even on a team with two Smiths and two Johnsons, it’s hard for this Badger’s league-leading 18 assists to remain anonymous.

D-Chay Genoway, North Dakota: The Fighting Sioux were 7-1-1 when Genoway got hurt, on Friday the 13th (of November). They’re 2-5-2 since then. Get well soon Chay.

F-Bill Sweatt, Colorado College: Blackhawk fans must drool when they dream of what this speedy kid from the last stop on Metra’s UP West Line may do in black and red.

F-Jack Connolly, Minnesota Duluth: Perhaps inspired by his brother’s NCAA title at BU last season, the townie Duluthians call “J-Con” has put up a dozen Bulldog goals so far.

F-Rhett Rakhshani, Denver: With 11 goals in a hot first half, Rakhshani is on pace for a career best year and has keyed the Pioneers’ run to the top of the WCHA heap.
[Click to read the whole article]

On the latest INCH chat I hope Glady didn't jinx the Fighting Sioux with this prediction. It’s no mystery that the Fighting Sioux are different team when they don’t have Chay Genoway in the lineup. We will have to see what happens to the Fighting Sioux during the second half of the season. It's kinda like ground hog day and we have seen this all before. I like many Sioux fans are hoping Genoway comes back soon. No offense to Corey Finehage but Genoway is a potential All-American and Hobey Baker candidate.

Dustin (Grand Forks)


As a Sioux fan, what concerns me most is their lack of ability to put teams away on Saturday night. They've coughed up 2 goal leads 3 times, and lost other leads, too. Is this their youthfulness showing through? The emotional effect of Genoway out of the lineup? Their goaltending seems weak at times, too. Thoughts?

Joe Gladziszewski (2:41 PM)


Missing Genoway has been a definite issue for the Sioux. I think Eidsness has been a little shaky for the last few weeks as well. In the past few years, they've played better in the second half. With Genoway coming back from his injury they might have the best depth in their lineup in the country. I expect to see them in the Frozen Four. Whenever I watch them I see a very good team.
[INCH Chat]

Wednesday Press Conference

As always the Wednesday press conference is very interesting. Jason Gregoire said, "team USA is a good team and this isn't just a fluff game." Everyone needs to stand up and be more accountable.

Chris VandeVelde said, "we need to get ready for the second half of the season." "With Darcy out of the line Guys will step up, make smart plays and we will be fine." "We want to limit our penalties, they have killed us at times."

Danny Kristo, on playing his teammates 'it will be fun.' When asked about USA coach Dean Blais, Danny said that "he is a tough coach and I love playing for him."

Coach Dave Hakstol said, "It is going to be fun having Dean in the Building again." "There will be a lot of different looks on our powerplay Saturday night." "We are going to try some different things." "This is a critical stretch for our team and for individual players." "We have six one goal losses, we have a ways to go."

Big Ten Network Announces 2009-10 Hockey Schedule

The Fighting Sioux will help kick off the Big Ten Hockey Coverage when they take on the Minnesota Gophers January 15th. The Big Ten Network is on Midco.com channel 318 in Grand Forks, ND.

CHICAGO – The Big Ten Network will televise nine men's ice hockey games this winter, featuring Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin, and all will be broadcast in high definition.

"There is a growing passion and enthusiasm for college hockey and we're looking forward to bringing that excitement to a national and international audience," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said.

The network, available to 73 million homes in the United States and Canada, will televise a regular-season contest every Friday or Saturday, beginning with the North Dakota-Minnesota matchup on Friday, January 15. The second semifinal of the CCHA Tournament will air live at 8 PM ET on Friday, March 19. The network makes its selections in conjunction with the regional sports networks which have existing rights arrangements with both the CCHA and the WCHA.

Additional games throughout the season will be available live anywhere in the world at www.BigTenNetwork.com. The network has made a significant financial investment to provide fans with a high-quality streaming experience that is comparable to watching a game in high definition. The network's full streaming schedule for men's ice hockey will be available at www.BigTenNetwork.com prior to the start the season.

Although the conference does not sponsor ice hockey, Big Ten member schools have combined to win four of the last eight NCAA Championships and 22 titles throughout history. Three different Big Ten schools have won national championships in the last 10 years, including Michigan State's 2007 title.

2009-2010 BIG TEN NETWORK MEN'S ICE HOCKEY SCHEDULE
Friday, January 15 North Dakota at Minnesota 8 PM ET LIVE
Saturday, January 23 Ohio State at Michigan State 5 PM ET LIVE
Friday, January 29 Michigan at Michigan State 7 PM ET LIVE
Saturday, February 6 Michigan at Wisconsin 6 PM ET LIVE
Friday, February 12 Alaska at Ohio State 7 PM ET LIVE
Friday, February 19 Colorado College at Minnesota 8 PM ET LIVE
Saturday, February 27 Michigan at Notre Dame 7 PM ET LIVE
Friday, March 5 Wisconsin at Minnesota 8 PM ET Delay at 11 PM ET
Friday, March 19 CCHA Tournament Semifinal #2 8 PM ET LIVE

College players provide base of USA Junior Team

Interesting Danny Kristo has the second most points of the college hockey players on the USA WJC roster.

The 2010 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships will take place in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, from Dec. 26, 2009, to Jan. 5, 2010. NCAA Division I hockey will be well represented on Team USA, with 15 college players on the roster as of Wednesday. Final cuts are to be made this coming Sunday by coach Dean Blais (University of Nebraska-Omaha) and his staff, but here's a quick capsule look at those 15 NCAA players and their stats as of Wednesday.

Forwards
Name School, Year G-A-PTS
Chris Brown Michigan, Freshman 5-7-12
Jerry D'Amigo RPI, Freshman 5-9-14
Chris Kreider Boston Coll. Freshman 2-3-5
Danny Kristo North Dakota Freshman 6-10-16
Kyle Palmieri Notre Dame Freshman 5-2-7
Vinny Saponari Boston Univ. Sophomore 4-8-12
Jordan Schroeder Minnesota Sophomore 4-8-12
Derek Stepan Wisconsin Sophomore 5-17-22
Dave Wohlberg Michigan Sophomore 2-7-9

Defense
Matt Donovan Denver Freshman 2-7-9
Jake Gardiner Wisconsin Sophomore 1-2-3
Max Nicastro Boston Univ. Freshman 1-5-6
John Ramage Wisconsin Freshman 2-5-7
David Warfosky Boston Univ. Sophomore 4-4-8

Goaltenders
Name School,Year W-L-T/GAA/Save Pct.
Mike Lee St. Cloud Freshmen 4-5-3, 2.63, .926
[NHL.com]

Weekend(s) Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

This will most likely be my last article of 2009, so lets do this thing.

Here are the WCHA standings at the half way mark of the season (everyone has played 14 out of 28 league games).

Looking at the standing a couple things stick out to me.
1-UAA and MTU are the only teams with double digit loses
2-UAA and MTU are the only teams with out a tie
3-Only 6 points separate the top 6 teams

#...TEAM...............W-L-T..PTS
1 Denver...............9-3-2...20
2 Colorado College.....8-3-3...19
3 Wisconsin............8-4-2...18
4 Minnesota-Duluth.....8-5-1...17
5 St. Cloud State......7-5-2...16
6 North Dakota.........6-6-2...14
7 Minnesota............6-7-1...13
8 Minnesota State......5-8-1...11
9 Alaska-Anchorage.....4-10-0...8
10 Michigan Tech.......2-12-0...4

Friday, December 18, 2009
Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan
I'm have to go with the Huskies to beat the Wildcat defectors (fyi - NMU left the WCHA after the 1991-92 season). This should be a good game to watch since they are battling for bragging rights in the Upper Peninsula.

Nebraska-Omaha at Minnesota State
I'm going with the Mavericks to win this game :) This two teams have been playing each other on a regular basis for the past few season, and next year it will be WCHA league games.

Saturday, December 19, 2009
US Under-20 Team at North Dakota
It will be Dean Blais' return to UND, as the coach of the U-20 team. I'm going to say UND uses this game to play with the line match-ups and get all the goalie's some action. SIOUX WIN, welcome back Blais!
Minnesota State at Nebraska-Omaha
The re-match, again I'm going with the Mavericks :)
(I can't lose with these type of games!)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Florida College Classic
Colorado College vs. Cornell
This should be a drubbing, should... TIGERS WIN

Great Lakes Invitational
Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech
I love the WCHA, but I think the Spartans are the better team, SPARTY WINS.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Florida College Classic
Princeton/Maine vs. Colorado College
I'm going to cheat on this won too and pick the the TIGERS (sorry Black Bears).

Great Lakes Invitational
RPI/Michigan vs. Michigan Tech
If its MTU-RPI, I'll go with the Huskies, if MTU-UM I'm going with the Wolverines.

Sioux 7 would like to wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to the Goon's World readers, I'll type at you all next year :)

Bleacher report on checking from behind plays.

It would appear that this is a hockey wide problem and not just indicative to the NCAA. It almost seems like someone is going to have to get killed before something is ever done about the checks from behind. I do not want to see that happen.

The NHL has been handing out suspensions like candy lately, but none seem to be from behind the back.

Joe Thornton got sent out for 10 games for the same hit Minnesota's Voros put on Eric Staal.

Watch the hit here.

So my question is: What is with the NHL's check from behind rule?

It seems like the player has to get hurt for it to be called, which is totally ridiculous. In every game players are getting cross-checked or checked from behind. It seems like the NHL wants people getting hurt.

The NHL needs to open it's eyes and fix the rule. If the rule states that a hit from behind—hitting somebody when their number is facing you—it's a penalty. Then the penalty should be called for a check from behind.

Every other rule is called but this one, and it is going to leave somebody seriously hurt or even worse paralyzed, as Erik Cole almost was.

So NHL, unless you want a player getting paralyzed and their life put into ruins, fix your rule and call the penalty as it is!
[Bleacher Report]

Why?

This question was posted over at INCH. I am not a UMD fan by any means but it is a good question. Let's break this down further. The UMD Bulldogs go 2-2 against two pretty good hockey teams, albeit the refs helped them in one game and you drop them in the Power Rankings in favor of FSU. Wisconsin I don’t have a problem with but FSU? Right!

Let’s take a look at FSU and their schedule; their SOS (Strength of Schedule) of 30 while Duluth has SOS of 7. I would say that the win goes to Duluth. So lets review who FSU has played to date: Canisius twice which includes a loss to them, (not impressive), two wins against Connecticut (not impressive), two wins against RMU (not impressive), then the FSU Bulldogs went to Alaska and where they beat twice (where is UA ranked?) and they return home won two games from lowly BGSU. The FSU Bulldogs then traveled to Miami where they tied twice (semi impressive) and then the Bulldogs beat OSU (not impressive). So if I was a UMD fan I might be a little puzzled.

This time around, we’re the subject of outrage.

Can you explain to the logic of how a team that splits with the No. 2 team in the country, and then splits with the No. 1 team in the country can fall three spots in your rankings?—Glen, St. Paul, Minn.

Glen refers to Minnesota Duluth dropping a few notches despite respectable splits against North Dakota and Denver. Our first impulse was to thank him for insinuating that logic plays a role in anything we do. He should listen to a podcast.

As we’ve often said regarding our Power Rankings, hockey is not played in a vacuum. And UMD’s slide isn’t really a result of anything they’ve done. As a staff, we felt the need to reward Ferris State (owners of a 10-game unbeaten streak) and Wisconsin (10-3-1 after a 1-2-1 start), so both crept ahead of UMD in recent weeks. Simple as that.

David Koci boards Mike Green and fights John Erskine

In my opinion this was another dirty hit and will be the on the next installment of the Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice. I am thinking 2-3 games for this one. I have to give Erskine credit he came right to the aid of his fellow teammate after he was checked through the boards with a downright dirty hit. Koci is nothing more than a cement head.

I do have to agree with some of the posters on Hockey Fights the Capitals really don't have a heavy weight to protect their star players. Sounds like the Captials head coach Bruce Boudreau was not impressed with the hit; rightfully so.

The game was marred by a major boarding penalty by Avs enforcer David Koci to star Washington defenseman Mike Green in the second period, a hit from behind that left Green down for a few minutes, bleeding from the head. Koci almost surely will face a suspension from the NHL over the hit, and Washington coach Bruce Boudreau was livid over it.

"Please, the guy's got one goal in six years. He couldn't play in the American League," Boudreau said. "I've faced David Koci an awful lot, he might be a nice guy, I have no idea. I'm glad he's making a living, but if this is any game, he gets on the ice for the first three minutes, he gets into his fight with the guy and then he sits at the end of the bench, so what good is he?


[Read the rest of the article]

Wisconsin and North Dakota pack them in...

Here is an impressive article on attendance for college hockey. Interesting how bad the Desert Dogs are drawing in Phoenix that three NCAA teams are out drawing them. I would imagine that the poor economy and high tickets prices of the NHL might be affecting some of the attendance numbers on Long Island and Phoenix.

Welcome, one and all, to USCHO.com’s newest blog. I hope to use this resource to address noteworthy material that falls outside the scope of my weekly ECAC Hockey column (though many of my readers would argue that over the years, precious little has qualified as falling out of range of a carefully crafted tangent).

Turnstiles do the Talking
Thanks to USCHO reader Vic Berardelli for noting this little nugget of college hockey information: the games are popular.

No, really. Three WCHA teams (Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota) have out-drawn the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes in per-game attendance, and the Badgers are edging the New York Islanders as well. Wisconsin leads the nation in attendance with 12,638 per game, while UND (11,605) and the U (9,889) also draw quite well. (Michigan and New Hampshire rank fourth and fifth, but fall more than 3,000 short of Minnesota.)

The Coyotes, on the other hand, pull up dead last in the National Hockey League at 9,825 … which is to be expected from a team with high lame-duck potential. The Islanders – despite top pick John Tavares – only pull 12,429 through the gates at Nassau County Coliseum, and rumors are flying that they, too, could soon be on the move.

But it’s not just the pitiful that the WCHA troika is trouncing: they each topped the American Hockey League’s best draw, the Hershey Bears (8,906). Berardelli’s perspicacity also led him to note that in Lowell, Mass., the local UMass-Lowell River Hawks have walloped the AHL’s Lowell Devils by better than a two-to-one margin … while playing in the same building. Up in Rochester, RIT drew more than 7,400 against Colgate at the Blue Cross Arena, home of the AHL’s Rochester Americans. It took the “Amerks” three home games combined to equal that total. (Thanks to editor Ed Trefzger for that note.) The UNH Wildcats sit over 1,500 more per game than the Manchester Monarchs down the road.

Expanding the scope, 22 of the NCAA’s 58 Division I programs are beating the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s 3,202 per-game average. Wisconsin and UND are ahead of the Quebec Remparts’ 11,175, a figure that is more than doubling all other QMJHL teams. [USCHO.COM]

I could only wish: Kovy trade to consider

This was over on John Buccigross blog at ESPN and I while I realized that it's nothing more than mere speculation, and just a pontification I would hope the Bruins are considering a move for offense or a deal similar to this one. In their current state the Bruins aren't going to win many a series games against the better teams in the NHL like Washington or Pittsburgh.

Kovalchuk ($6.3 million cap number going forward) is a pending unrestricted free agent who has yet to sign an extension with the Thrashers. If he doesn't soon, Atlanta will have to trade him. I really believe the Thrashers will make the playoffs in the East as long as their health holds up and goaltending stays solid. And they can make the playoffs whether they trade Kovalchuk or not.

I do think there is a trade to be had with the Bruins because of their young assets and juicy draft picks. If I am the Thrashers, I look for a goal scorer, goalie and the 2010 No. 1 draft pick (from Toronto) that the Bruins own, and that roughly equals Blake Wheeler (restricted free agent after this season), Tuukka Rask and the pick, which should be a No. 4 to No. 12 overall pick. The standings are too close to call right now. Wheeler would be a nice complement to Evander Kane for the next five years. With more ice time and power-play time, Wheeler looks to have 25-30 goal potential. I don't think he is designed to play in a Claude Julien system.

Rask appears to be a potential high-end goalie with an outstanding contract (a $1.2 million cap number for two years after this season). That alone might keep the Bruins from trading him. If the Bruins deem Rask untouchable, Atlanta may still have an interest in Marco Sturm. Sturm and Wheeler would really give the Thrashers great depth at forward. Also, the Thrashers are set up very well cap-wise going forward.

From the Bruins' perspective, this trade makes sense if they can get Kovalchuk to sign an extension (nine years, $63 million?). The cap numbers for Wheeler ($2.8M) and Rask or Sturm roughly equals Kovalchuk's $6.3 million cap number. Wheeler is a good player who will have a long NHL career, but he's not a player of Kovalchuk's caliber.

The No. 1 draft pick is a valuable chip, but it's a chip that likely won't materialize for a few years; if it's not a top 3 pick, and I don't think it will be, the chances of that player being an elite NHL star drops. Sturm would be missed, especially if Wheeler also goes, but it's an easy choice, especially at $3.5 million again next year. Rask is a tough choice; Tim Thomas has not been great and he potentially has a bloated, cap-killing contract if he doesn't return to last season's form. Thomas has a $5 million cap number until the 2012-13 season, when he'll be 39.
[ESPN.COM]