Toews and Backes fight

For the ten people that haven't seen this fight, here is the video from the Toews and Backes fight. A Maverick and a Sioux getting after it. After tonight the Fighting Sioux favorite dance partners come to town.

The German scores; Bruins win 2-1 at Fenway.

I thought I would include this video of the goal that helped the Bruins beat the Flyers in the Holiday Classic. I thought it was a nice goal to end a relatively boring game. What an effort by Patrice Bergeron to get the puck on net where it was tipped into the Flyer net by Marco Sturm. Its plays like this; is why Bergeron is going to be on the Canadian Olympic team.

John Scott and Matt Greene.

This fight was from the other night when the Wild were beat at home by the LA Kings. Actually, to call this a fight is kind of a stretch, it was more of a hug feast between former MTU defenseman John Scott and former Fighting Sioux star Matt Greene.

I think this video illustrates they only reason John Scott is playing with the Wild is because he can Fight and shows a willingness to drop the gloves. Now that the Wild have Clayton Stone on their roster who is more talented than Scott and can fight; we will probably see Scott sent back to Houston. On the flip side Greene is in the NHL because he has the talent to play in the NHL and will fight if he has too.

Russo's slight?

After reading one of Russo's articles about the USA Olympic roster selection yesterday I realized that he had left out Zach Parise's college "UND" after mentioning a few area players and where they had gone to school. I was going to make a blog post about it but decided against it because I like Russo's work; I doubt that Russo would do it maliciously.

Parise, a Minneapolis native, former Shattuck-St. Mary's player and current Devils star, will be one of the Americans' go-to scorers. He finished third in the NHL last season with 45 goals, and he's scored 42 points this season and leads the league with a plus-21.
-------------------
Besides Parise and Langen- brunner, six other Olympians have Minnesota ties: Devils defenseman Paul Martin is a former Gopher and Elk River High standout; St. Louis defenseman Erik Johnson hails from Bloomington and is a former Gopher; St. Louis winger David Backes is a former Spring Lake Park High and Minnesota State, Mankato standout; Tampa Bay winger Ryan Malone played at St. Cloud State and lives in Plymouth; Toronto's Kessel is a former Gopher, and Los Angeles defenseman Jack Johnson played at Shattuck-St. Mary's. [Russo's Rants]

Apparently one of our fellow Sioux fans noticed the slight (it was probably unintended) and took issue with it because here is what Russo put in one of his blog posts today. You have to love Russo's humor.

Lemaire nuggets; Burns traveling; Gushing about the Devils, and hatred of the Sioux

As usual, Lou Lamoriello's put together another great room with guys like former UND star Zach Parise (labeling it that because a reader today accused me of hating UND, and in actuality that we at the Star Tribune have a "policy" of not naming UND when a player played there. Being the longtime Minnesotan that I am, he's right. I have an immense hatred for the Fighting Sioux. It keeps me up at night. I have a dartboard with Jonathan Toews' face on it), two of my favorite players that I've ever covered, Brian Rolston and Rob Niedermayer, Brodeur, Jamie Langenbrunner, etc., etc, etc. I'll write a lot about Rolston for tomorrow.
[Russo's Rants]

Time for the "what-if" calculator

You can go over to the what if calculator and make your predictions for the final WCHA standings. I was goofing around with the numbers on the "what if" calculator and this is what I think the Fighting Sioux can do. I preface this with the assumption that the Sioux will get Chay Genoway back soon for the second half and will pull off one of their historical patented second half runs.
["What if" calculator]

WCHA Final
Team GP Pts
Denver 28 39
UND 28 38
CC 28 37
UW 28 35
SCSU 28 30
UMD 28 29
Mankato 28 27
UMN 28 22
AA 28 16
MTech 28 7

Sioux skate past Purple Eagles 3-1.

There were a couple of themes to this game. It was the first time the Sioux had played a meaningful game in 21 days and the boys might have been a little rusty. It was also the first game Matt Frattin had played since Northeast Regional Semifinal game against UNH on March 28th 2009.

Frattin has rejoined the Fighting Sioux this week after satisfying Coach Hakstol’s expectations and changing his off ice behavior(those are my words that I inferred from listening to everyone involved talk this week). Frattin had been suspended indefinitely or basically expelled from the team pending further review at a later after being arrested last summer for two alcohol related incidents in very short period of time. That review at a later date ended up being this week, so Frattin had been given a life line by the Fighting Sioux coaching staff. It's up to him to make the best of it and to keep his nose clean and out of trouble. I am hoping Frattin can chip in 5-10 goals in the second half of the season.

Not burying the shots?

I read on line were some people are worried about the Sioux getting more goals after putting 40 shots on the opposition net. Sometimes an opposition goalie gets hot and it’s impossible to get a few more shots past him, as we know from the past UND has a target on it’s back every time they play. Everyone wants to take a piece of the Fighting Sioux. That’s the way it is, look how many times the Wild’s goaltender Niklas Backstrom has held the Wild in a game when they should have lost or had no business winning.

As I write this blog post, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have made easy work of EZAC opponent Colgate smoking them 5-2 in the other semi final game so the Fighting Sioux will play the Fighting Irish tomorrow night in the championship game of the Shillelagh Tournament.

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

NIA-1 Jason Beattie (2-CTH ELBOWING) NDK 1x1 7:48
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP LL Brett Hextall (7) (Evan Trupp, Jake Marto) 8:05
NDK: 26,19,20,22,25,G31 NIA: 5,7,9,22,G33
NDK-1 Ben Blood (2-Interference) NIA 0x1 8:53
NDK 2 - 0 6x6 GW Carter Rowney (1) (Brett Bruneteau, Mario Lamoureux) 13:50
NDK (+): 13,9,4,20,27,G31 NIA (-): 3,19,24,27,28,G33

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

NDK-2 Corey Fienhage (2-CTH ROUGHING) NIA 0x2 3:12
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Slashing) NIA 0x3 9:29
NDK-4 Michael Cichy (2-Boarding) NIA 0x4 14:02
NIA-2 Marc Zanette (2-O-HOLDING) NDK 1x2 17:06
NDK-5 David Toews (2-Hooking) NIA 0x5 18:16

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

NIA-3 Egor Mironov (2-Charging) NDK 1x3 8:31
NIA 1 - 2 6x6 Ryan Olidis (10) (Chris Moran, C.J. Chartrain) 11:04
NIA (+): 11,21,12,4,10,G33 NDK (-): 2,4,9,13,27,G31
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 Evan Trupp (5) (Brett Hextall) 16:49
NDK (+): 19,26,2,22,24,G31 NIA (-): 4,7,19,23,24,G33

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

Their press release said what?

Check out the title to this game summary. Please! The Sioux bombed your goalie for 40 shots and you were lucky it wasn’t 6-1 or 8-1. Maybe the Niagara goalie should sue his defense for non support, because they left him out to dry all week. The game wasn’t as close as the score would indicate and I didn't think that the Purple Eagles would get back into the game or win it.

No. 6 North Dakota Squeaks By Men's Hockey, 3-1
HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. - A third period rally by the Niagara men's hockey team (3-11-2, 1-3-1 CHA) fell a tad short, dropping a close 3-1 decision to the No. 6 North Dakota Fighting Sioux (10-6-3, 6-6-2 WCHA) in the opening round of the 2010 Shillelagh Tournament.

With Niagara down 2-0 halfway through the period, the Purps would dent the scoreboard to come within one. Senior Ryan Olidis (Uxbridge, Ont.) picked up a bouncing puck due to a Chris Moran (Buffalo, N.Y.) shot, spun around and fired it low past Fighting Sioux netminder Brad Eidsness to come within one. The goal extended the point-scoring streaks of both Olidis and Moran to 10 games, but it wasn't enough as the Fighting Sioux would net another insurence marker with four minutes left to round out scoring.

The Purple Eagles are back in action against either No. 20 Notre Dame or Colgate on Sunday,

Moving forward, hockey today.

The Sioux play a meaningful game for the first time in 21 days. I actually thought the exhibition against the USA WJC team was a meaningful game because it let them play at a high level before the Christmas Break.

The UND defense is ranked 7th nationally with a GA of 2.17 that is 39 goals against in 18 games.

The UND offense is ranked 20th nationally with 58 goals in 18 games for 3.22.

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 9th nationally on the power play 25/106 23.6%.

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 10th on the penalty kill 83/ 96 86.5.

In combined special teams the Fighting Sioux are ranked 9th nationally 108/202 53.5.

Unfortunately UND is ranked 1st in penalty minutes nationally. But if you look below you will see that 5 of the top ten teams are in the WCHA so that might be more of a statement of how bad the WCHA officials are.

1 North Dakota 18 385 21.4
2 Ferris State 18 384 21.3
3 Alaska Anchorage 18 372 20.7
4 Wisconsin 18 354 19.7
5 Canisius 20 374 18.7
6 Minnesota Duluth 18 329 18.3
7 Miami 20 360 18.0
8 Michigan Tech 19 330 17.4
9 Michigan 20 347 17.4
10 Mercyhurst 20 345 17.2
[College hockey stats]

Frattin Revisited

I have seen where a few people think Coach Hakstol’s reinstatement of Matt Frattin to the Fighting Sioux hockey team as an act of desperation. My response to these people is hardly. I also don't think in his six seasons of coaching the Sioux hockey team I have seen Coach Hakstol act in a desperate manner.

I believe it was a calculated move, based on an analysis of the situation. From reading the newspapers and listening to the double speak and innuendo you can see where Hakstol gave Frattin some very tough benchmarks to accomplish and Matt took the hard road. Matt could have probably just signed a contract and played in the ECHL but he chose to recommit himself to the Fighting Sioux hockey team. I would also think that Matt had to make some difficult life changing moves to become eligible to compete with the Fighting Sioux again this season. Here is why I say this. Read what Coach Hakstol said this week.

Hakstol said four months ago, he didn’t think Frattin would return this season and the door wasn’t open for him at that time.

“He changed that with his actions,” Hakstol said, “and with the method he’s gone about taking responsibility. Accountability is a big thing with this program and Matt has been very accountable to earn his way back here.”

I think we can read into responsibility as took step to address issues that they coaching staff felt he needed to take care of. I will leave it at that.

Tim Thomas on being selected to the USA Olympic team.

I have to admit that I was touched by the way the USA did the announcement of the USA Olympic hockey team today. I really liked the announcement with the kids wearing the team USA jerseys with the player’s names on the back. Let’s say that it was a cool way to announce the USA team.

It thought it was even classier to see Tim Thomas skate out onto Fenway Park field wearing his USA jersey. While I am on record as not being a big fan of the outdoor game (I have seen them all) I thought the presentation of team USA after the Winter Classic was a nice touch. That being said, the outdoor game really doesn’t work in really gold locations like the Midwest. Winters aren't as bad in Massachusetts or New York as they are in North Dakota, I know because I lived in Massachusetts. I know that I really have no urge to go to a hockey game at memorial field in Grand Forks, ND when it's -20.

While for the most part I thought today's game was a bore, the end of the game was pretty exciting as Tim Thomas made some big saves then the German Marco Strum scored the game winner and I danced around my living room, a win against the dirty Flyers no matter where it's played always feels good.

Team USA passes on Okposo.

Here is what Islander Blogger had to say about KO not making team USA. I know there are a few head scrathers on team USA's roster this year. There is no way Chris Drury deserves to be on Team USA. In my opinion I believe that Drury has done nothing this season that makes me believe he is worthy of being selected. I think two players off the top of my head that deserve to be there more than him; Kyle Olposo, T.J. Oshie.

The first thing you realize about Team USA’s decision to pass on Kyle Okposo is that Scott Gordon clearly had no say. For the last 100 games, Gordon has played Okposo in every situation and in just about every position except goal. The Islanders are not world-beaters, but Gordon coaches Okposo like he’s world-class.

I’ll just say what I told several writers on press row after the USA announcement. I’m a big fan of David Backes and Ryan Callahan. However, it is completely impossible to have watched Okposo, Callahan and Backes play this season - as Brian Burke said his committee did dilligently - and determine that Okposo was the player to keep off the team.

On the positive side for the Islanders, this will make Okposo a better and more rested player this season and a better player for years to come.
[READ THE REST]

Team USA (Parise Makes Team USA)

Jan 1, 2010 - Team USA has announced the roster for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Here's who made the cut:

Forwards:

David Backes (WCHA, MSU-M)
Dustin Brown
Ryan Callahan
Chris Drury (HE, BU)
Patrick Kane
Ryan Kessler (CCHA, OSU)
Phil Kessel (WCHA, UMN)
Jamie Langenbrunner
Ryan Malone (WCHA, SCSU)
Zach Parise (WCHA, UND)
Joe Pavelski (WCHA, UW)
Bobby Ryan
Paul Statsny (WCHA, DU)

Defensemen:

Eric Johnson (WCHA, UMN)
Jack Johnson (CCHA, MICH)
Mike Komisarek (CCHA, MICH)
Paul Martin (WCHA, UMN)
Brooks Orpik (HE, B.C.)
Brian Rafalski (WCHA, UW)
Ryan Suter (WCHA, UW)

Goaltenders:

Ryan Miller (CCHA, MSU)
Jonathan Quick (HE, UMASS)
Tim Thomas (ECAC, UVM)

Here is what I predicted team USA would look like:
Goaltenders

Ryan Miller (MSU)
Tim Thomas (UVM)
Craig Anderson (OHL)

Defense

Andy Green (MU)
Ryan Whitney (BU)
Ryan Suter (UW)
Brooks Orpik (B.C.)
Brian Rafalski (UW)
Jack Johnson (UMICH)
Mike Komisarek (UMICH)

Forwards

David Backes (MSU-M)
Phil Kessel (UMN)
Dustin Byfuglien (OHL)
Patrick Kane (OHL)
T.J. Oshie (UND)
Zach Parise (UND)
Paul Stastny (DU)
Ryan Malone (SCSU)
Bill Guerin (B.C.)
Jason Pominville (QMJHL)
Bobby Ryan (OHL)
Jamie Lagenbrunner (OHL)
Ryan Kesler (OSU)
First off: Nice to see former Fighting Sioux star Zach Parise make team USA. That makes two former Sioux to be on Olympic roster for the 2010 games.

Second: I am surprised that T.J. Oshie didn’t make the Olympic team over Chris Drury. I know Drury has played in International play before but I don’t think his play this season has warranted being selected to play in the Olympics.

Apparently, LGM has connections to Team USA to know that Backes was a lock to be on team USA. I am not shocked by the selection and David has played in International competition for team USA before. I kind of felt that he would be there as well.

As a Bruins fan do we have to cheer for Mike Komisarek? I just every time I see him on the ice I vision him getting worked by Milan Lucic.

Flyers, Bruins say don't expect fight in Fenway Winter Classic

Oops, that prediction didn't pan out the way they said it would. I figured if you put these two teams on the ice there is going to be some fighting. Guess what? There was a Fighting between Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton and Flyers hack Dan Carcillo during the first period.

BOSTON -- Shawn Thornton(notes) of the Boston Bruins knew the question was coming.

"Oh God," he sighed, obviously exasperated, "here we go."

No, there has never been a fight in a Winter Classic, or the Heritage Classic for that matter. No, there's never even been anything approaching a dustup. The closest anyone has gotten is a pair of matching roughing penalties in the Heritage Classic between Francis Boullion and Jason Chimera(notes). It was real exciting stuff.

So hockey fans are waiting for that historic first fight. And the media talks about it. Dan Carcillo of the Philadelphia Flyers said his team wasn't ignorant to the talk. But that doesn't mean players are making plans to fight like it's seventh grade meeting by the flagpole at recess.

"I don't know," said Thornton. "I honestly have never gone into a hockey game thinking about fighting. This is no different. I mean, you guys can ask because it's kind of one of my roles, but other than you guys bringing it up, I don't think about it." [Puck Daddy]

Happy News Years (USA Olympic roster prediction)

Happy New Years from Goon’s World. Here is what I would like to see the Olympic hockey team look like when it is announced tomorrow.

Goaltenders

Ryan Miller (MSU)
Tim Thomas (UVM)
Craig Anderson (OHL)

Defense

Andy Green (MU)
Ryan Whitney (BU)
Ryan Suter (UW)
Brooks Orpik (B.C.)
Brian Rafalski (UW)
Jack Johnson (UMICH)
Mike Komisarek (UMICH)

Forwards

David Backes (MSU-M)
Phil Kessel (UMN)
Dustin Byfuglien (OHL)
Patrick Kane (OHL)
T.J. Oshie (UND)
Zach Parise (UND)
Paul Stastny (DU)
Ryan Malone (SCSU)
Bill Guerin (B.C.)
Jason Pominville (QMJHL)
Bobby Ryan (OHL)
Jamie Lagenbrunner (OHL)
Ryan Kesler (OSU)

Goon's ten favorite goals of the decade. (In no particular order)

1.) This Goal would have to be number one for me. The Bina goal against Gophers sieve goalie Jeff Frazee. It was one of the longest goals that I have ever seen in college hockey history.



2.) This goal doesn't require much discussion. As the Holy Cross homers said, "It's the second chance and the second effort."



3.) The Kessel return and subsequent goal in Madison after he scores for the Gophers, then cups his hand and put it up to his ear. The Wisconsin Badger fans didn't really like that one. I thought it was ballsy thing to do that in Madison, others thought it lacked class.



4.) I never get sick of seeing goal; in fact it still brings tears to my eyes. The Gophers had beaten the Sioux the week before on this sick goal.



5.) It never gets old beating the Badgers, Kozek with a beautiful goal to send the Sioux to the 2008 Frozen Four.



6.) Sparky Scores; watch this video as he goes down town against Gophers sieve  goalie Kellen Briggs for a short handed goal in the 2005 Final Five in St Paul. I wish this kid would have stayed and played for the Sioux for another two years.



7.) This has to be one of the hardest goals to duplicate, the Trupp goal. It seems like most of his goals are of the highlight variety.



8.) The Stick is hot, Alexander Ovechkin's 50 goal for a third straight season. The Tampa Bay lightning wasn't impressed but they could have stopped him.



9.) The Irish man Owen Nolan's pretty goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning.


10.) The Jonathan Toews Goal vs Colorado October 19th 2007, it even sounds good in French.
[Note] There are some of the goals of the past decade that I really like, there are others that I have probably forgotten or couldn't find video of. One goal that comes to mind is the Wild's goal to win the playoff series against the Av's to send Patrick Roy is one of my favorites as well.

Phaneuf destroys Kopitar

This was the hit that everyone was talking about last night. I was watching this game last night and I came to the determination that this why some will call for the no touch icing to become the rule of law in the NHL. While Dion Phaneuf absolutely destroys Anze Kopitar and the hit looks really violent, I don’t know if a five minute major and a game misconduct was the right call. What do you think? Interference is what most are saying the call should have been.

Hakstol and Frattin speak out.

I think at the press conference Coach Hakstol and Matt Frattin do a lot of speaking around the issues but it appears that Matt went back to Canada and worked on some personal issues and accomplished some bench marks that the coaching staff set for Frattin.

I have to admit that I am excited about the prospects of adding an experienced offensive player to a lineup that is starving for goals. Let’s hope that the young man can get his act together and realize that it’s a privilege to wear the Fighting Sioux uniform. I like the fact that he is very contrite.

Oshie looking to make Team USA.

Tim Oshie sent me this in my email so I decided to put it up on the blog. It would be neat to see a few more former UND boys make Team USA. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to see quite a few former WCHA players on team USA.

For Immediate Press Release
December 29, 2009

By Jack McCarthy
Special to USAHockey.com

Warroad, Minn., may not be very large, yet it carries an outsized representation in U.S. Olympic hockey circles.

Home to 1,700 people and perched on the southwest shoreline of Lake of the Woods in northern Minnesota, Warroad is home to three Olympic goal medal winners and at least five more who represented the United States on the ice.

And 22-year-old St. Louis Blues center T.J. Oshie hopes to become the latest on the list.

“There are a lot of Olympians from Warroad and they talked to me about it and told me I’d be there some day,” said Oshie, who won two Class A state championships while at Warroad High School. “Henry Boucha, he’s my cousin, he talked to me quite a bit about it and showed me his [1972] silver medal and that was pretty special.”

Warroad also is home to 1960 gold medal winners Bill Christian and brother, Roger. Bill’s son, Dave, was a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice gold medalists. The Christian family also manufactured hockey sticks of the same name in Warroad for 35 years. The town secured its first female Olympian last week when Warroad native Gigi Marvin was named to the U.S. women’s Olympic team.

Oshie has experienced a whirlwind 16 months as he jumped from college (University of North Dakota) to the pros (St. Louis Blues) and now stands poised to represent his country at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

“It’s unbelievable. I never thought I’d be here, especially at this age, but I’m very proud,” said Oshie, who skated with 19 other forward prospects at the Team USA orientation camp in suburban Chicago during August. “It’s surprising with all the caliber of players here, but everyone is bonding very well and everyone gets along.”

Oshie is coming off a successful, if slightly abbreviated rookie season with the Blues.

Hampered by an ankle injury early in 2008-09, he went on to appear in 57 regular season games and made increasingly bigger contributions as the season progressed.

He closed with 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points. Fourteen points came in the Blues’ final 15 games as St. Louis reached the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2004. In 30 games so far this season, Oshie has 18 points (7-11).

A popular YouTube video featured Oshie’s punishing, but clean hits on Columbus winger Rick Nash last March. And he’s so popular with Blues fans that his No. 74 jersey is a top-seller, reportedly three-times better than his closest teammate.

He frequently updates a Twitter page and said prior to the orientation camp that he “hoped to make Blues fans proud.” And his Facebook page has nearly 2,800 followers. It includes a 2005 clip from Oshie’s high school days when he won a faceoff, then earned an assist on a game-winning goal in the Minnesota state championship game.

Shortly thereafter, the centerman was the Blues’ top pick (24th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

But pro play was put on hold as Oshie opted for a college career at North Dakota. He put in three seasons and 129 games for the Fighting Sioux, collecting 59 career goals and 83 assists for 142 points. North Dakota reached the NCAA Frozen Four three straight times with Oshie on board.

He also has two previous associations with Team USA, including seven games in the 2006 World Junior Championships, where he had one goal. Earlier this year, he played nine games in the Men’s World Championships, picking up one goal and a pair of assists.

“It’s great. I love the guys to death and we’re all good friends,” Oshie said. “There’s a lot of good friendships and we only get to hang out at these events, so it’s fun.”

And he’d like nothing better than to renew some of those summertime camp acquaintances in Vancouver.

Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Fenway ice build

Here is the Fenway Park time elapse rink build for the Winter Classic. I have to say that I never imagined a hockey game being played on the hallowed grounds of Fenway Park. I wonder if the Bruins will face the curse of the Babe?

I must admit that I have been to thirteen baseball games at Fenway Park during the late 1980’s and frankly it might be worth going to a hockey game in Fenway, just because of the history. I am also bored with the outdoor hockey games. I think the concept is a real yawner, this year the forecast is calling for 40 degrees and snow.

Toews makes team Canada.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews has made team Canada. [Roster]
Goalies

Martin Brodeur (NHL)
Roberto Luongo (NHL)
Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL)

Defense

Chris Pronger (A) (NHL)
Shea Weber (NHL)
Brent Seabrook (NHL)
Scott Niedermayer (C) (NHL)
Dan Boyle (NHL)(Miami University - CCHA)
Drew Doughty (NHL)
Duncan Keith (NHL)

Forwards

Sidney Crosby (A) (NHL
Jarome Iginla (A) (NHL)
Jonathan Toews (NHL)
Rick Nash (NHL)
Eric Staal (NHL)
Mike Richards (NHL)
Brenden Morrow (NHL)
Dany Heatley (NHL)(University of Wisconsin, WCHA)
Joe Thornton (NHL)
Ryan Getzlaf (NHL)
Patrick Marleau (NHL)
Corey Perry (NHL)
Patrice Bergeron (NHL)

Boggie kicks the snot out of Nick Boynton and linesman.

Derek Boogaard absolutely beats the snot out of former Boston Bruin Nick Boynton and then the ref gets hit in the ribs with a Derek Boogaard punch while breaking up the fight. My first question; is Nick Boynton crazy? What the heck was he thinking? You're taking on the Boogie man who is one of the best most feared fighters in the NHL?

This goes back to the premise of fighting someone for a checking someone. In this instance Derek Boogaard didn’t even hit the Ducks forward Dan Sexton, yet Boynton is going to stand up and fight an experienced cement head like Derek Boogaard for a non-hit. Of course Boogaard is going to Oblige. I see challenging someone for a dirty hit, a checking from behind or for a head shot. Boynton deserves to get his butt kicked.

Who's going to be on Team USA.

Well we know two of the players on "Team USA" they are Phil Kessel and defenceman Mike Komisarek. I would predict that Zach Parise, Paul Statsny, Patrick Kane, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller, Jamie Langenbrunner are also locks to make the team.

EDMONTON – Leafs forward Phil Kessel and defenceman Mike Komisarek appear to have sewn up spots on the American Olympic hockey team.

Leafs coach Ron Wilson — who's also the coach of the U.S. team — let the cat out of the bag at Leaf practice when he was asked if the upcoming Olympic team announcements could be a distraction for players or even himself.

"Not at all. I know what the team is. To me it's not a distraction," said Wilson. "I think Phil Kessel knows pretty well and probably Mike Komisarek knows they're probably on the team. They've been talked to a lot about it.

"I think pretty much everybody on our team knows who's going, you're just waiting for an official announcement."

The Americans are set to announce their lineup on Jan. 1 as part of the festivities at the NHL's Winter Classic at Boston's Fenway Park. The Canadians are making their announcement Wednesday in Saskatoon at the world junior hockey championship.
[thestar.com]

Drew Stafford on fire.

Former Fighting Sioux star Drew Stafford was a healthy scratch in his team’s last game against T.J. Oshie and the St. Louis Blues’. Stafford took his benching to heart and responded by getting two goals and an assist, to help the Sabres over come a three goal deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sabres all world goalie Ryan Miller was pulled after giving up three goals.

Stafford also assisted on former Fargo resident Paul Gaustad's 8th goal of the season. So with Stafford two goals and an assist tonight Drew has(9g-10g-19pts)Stafford's two goals tonight broke a 15 game goaless streak.

Frattin back with the Fighting Sioux

The Fighting Sioux got some good news today as it was announced that Junior forward Matt Frattin has re-enrolled in school and will make a return to the Fighting Sioux line up. Frattin. Frattin was dismissed from the team last August after getting arrested for DWI in Grand Forks, ND.

This news was also on UND beat writer Brad Schlossman's twitter.com feed. This is pretty good news for UND, who have at times been offensively challenged.

Schlossman - Hakstol says Frattin returned to campus in good shape. "It's very apparent to me that he's done - not a little bit of work - a lot of work."
---------
Schlossman - Frattin will travel to Chicago, but Hakstol says it's too early to know whether he will play.
---------
Schlossman - Hakstol on Frattin: "To this point, he's done all the right things. It's one day at a time. He's eligible to play."
---------
Schlossman - Matt Frattin has re-enrolled at UND and will be at media day Thursday morning

Here is the offical press release.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota head men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced today that junior forward Matt Frattin has enrolled in spring classes at UND and has resumed practicing with the Fighting Sioux.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Frattin is immediately eligible for NCAA competition.

Frattin was dismissed from the team in August due to a violation of team rules.

In 42 games with the Sioux last season, Frattin scored 13 goals and added 12 assists for 25 points. A fourth-round draft pick (99th overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007, Frattin has 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 85 career games at UND

Pension Plan Puppets has also picked up the story. To answer the blogger’s question, yeah its good news for Frattin because life has given him a second chance and it's time to make hay with the opportunity.

Coach Hakstol weighs in on the move: Here is what coach Hakstol had to say about Fratting being given another chance.

To this point, he’s done all the right things,” Hakstol said. “He’s eligible to play. I’m approaching it one day forward at a time. He needs to continue doing a good job day by day. If he continues to do the right things day by day, there will be another opportunity for him.

“I’m really impressed with the way Matt has handled everything right from Day One. He had other options. He probably chose the most difficult path in deciding to return to the University of North Dakota. He decided to do whatever it took.”

Frattin, a fourth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, had 13 goals and 25 points last season. He was the team’s third-leading goal scorer behind Ryan Duncan and Chris VandeVelde.

During the past few months, Frattin has been working out and skating near Edmonton.

“It’s tough to do things on your own, but he found a way,” Hakstol said. “It’s very apparent to me that he’s done. . . not a little bit of work. . . but a lot of work. He’s in very good condition judging by the two practices we’ve had — which were pretty competitive practices.”

Frattin is expected to address the media on Wednesday morning.

When Frattin was dismissed following a driving under the influence arrest, UND said that his status may be revisited. He has been reinstated for two main reasons.

“The program comes first,” Hakstol said, “and this is about having a good outcome for a good, young man that needed to get himself back on track.”
[Grand Forks Herald]

Head shots...

I am not sure why this doctor Dr. Charles Tator is picking a fight with Hockey personality and hockey legend Don Cherry? I have watched Don Cherry on the Coaches’ Corner for over 25 years and I have never heard him out there promoting hitting the opposition in the head. If anything I have heard the opposite, I have heard Cherry blast thugs like Ulfie Samuelsson that play the game cheap. During many shows I have heard Cherry speak against using some of the hardened equipment that players use today. Listen to video and what Cherry has to say, he isn't promoting head shots.

Recently, at the Regina workshop, I indicated that the "rock 'em, sock 'em" type of hockey espoused by commentators such as Don Cherry can no longer be the culture that dictates our game. We need to depart from the "win at all costs" mentality and return to the game when players had respect for their own bodies and respect for their opponents.

This message has been given by many others, such as the McMurtry report on amateur hockey violence in Ontario in 1974. In my book on sports and recreational injuries published last year, the cost of all sports and recreational injuries in Ontario was estimated at about $3 billion.

However, the costs in terms of grieving families and suffering athletes is much more important and of even greater magnitude than we had imagined, as demonstrated by the work from Boston University reported recently in the Star. This report included the case of former NHL player Reggie Fleming whose brain had major damage after repeated concussions.
[The Star]

Minnesota Wild equipment fire damage estimated at $100,000.

I couldn't believe it when I first saw that the Wild equipment fire damage was estimated at $100,000.00 that is a lot of money for hockey equipment. After watching last night’s games between the Wild and the Kings there seems to be no lingering effects of the fire.

Tony DaCosta stood in the middle of the Wild's dressing room Sunday morning at the Xcel Energy Center, holding an ice skate in each hand and exchanging wisecracks with players.

In the middle of packing the team's gear for its first road trip since fire destroyed more than two-thirds of it on Dec. 18 in Ottawa, DaCosta seemed in his usual good mood; the Wild had won two straight games, and everything appeared to be back to normal.

DaCosta put the skates down and shook his head.

"We're far from back to normal," he said. "We're about 50 percent."

DaCosta believes a blowtorch ignited in the back of the Ottawa Senators' equipment truck during the short drive from the Kanata Recreation Centre, where the Wild practiced, to Scotiabank Place, where the Senators defeated the Wild 4-1 on Dec. 19.

He estimated damages at about $100,000.

No one knows for sure if a blowtorch started the fire, but DaCosta knows one thing: "First of all, there'll never be a torch again on a truck that I'm on, that's for sure."

He's not nervous, just "more aware" as the team sets off on another road trip.

DaCosta, 42, the head equipment manager for the Wild from the beginning, reached into a cabinet and pulled out one of the blowtorches players use to custom bend the blades of their sticks. He pushed the ignition button and released it, and there was only a short burst of propane. He held the button, and the torch flamed to life.

For that to happen on the truck that day, he said, was "one in a million."
Equipment personnel go by the Boy Scout motto: be prepared.
[TwinCities.com]

Some of the best hockey of the decade CBC style.

I found this over at Kuklas Korner and I personally love CBC NHL hockey coverage because they just cover the games and don't get into all of the homerisms that you get when watch some of the hockey games on NHL Center Ice. The Duck's announcers are the worst in the business.

I believe 2000-2009 decade was definitely filled with some great hockey moments. For hockey events I would include the 2005 WJC tourney that was held at the Ralph. The NHL was locked out and the WJC tourney included many great NHL hockey players like Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Dion Phaneuf, Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter and Patrice Bergeron also current NHLers and former WCHA stars Drew Stafford and Phil Kessel were on Team USA. I must admit that I paid 100.00 to watch the championship game between Canada and Russia; I have never heard the Ralph rock like it did that night.

Minnesota Wild's James Sheppard copes with loss of playing time

When I saw this article I couldn't resist, however, my celebration was short lived because reality set in really fast. Unfortunately for the Minnesota Wild, the waste of a first round pick James Sheppard is going to be playing more because of the untimely injury to Chuck Kobasew who is out for at least a month with a leg injury after running into Keith Tkachuck in the third period of Saturday night’s game. The hit was a knee on knee hit but I didn’t think it was dirty or pre-meditated, Tkachuck is not known to be a dirty player.

According to Wild beat writer Michael Russo, the Wild will be without right wing Chuck Kobasew for four to six weeks with a sprained MCL. There's also some damage to the ACL, but the swelling needs to decrease before the extent is determined. This is a tough loss for the Wild because Kobasew can play defense and chip in offensively and is a nice third line player.

Forward James Sheppard, one of only two players to appear in every game for the Wild last season, has missed five games this season but returned to the lineup after a one-game absence when Minnesota played host to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night.

Asked if being in and out of the lineup is frustrating or simply something he has to shake off and demonstrate in practice he's worthy of playing, he said, "It's both."

A 21-year-old forward who was grabbed ninth overall in the first round of the 2006 NHL draft, Sheppard went into Saturday's game with only two goals and three assists in 32 games and occasionally has become the odd man out up front in coach Todd Richards' offense.

All Sheppard can do, he said, is work to change that.

"I don't get the final say who's in," he added, "so I have to give them no choice but to put me in there." [Twin Cities.com]

Mason Raymond with the hat trick.

I love watching the former college hockey and WCHA stars do well in the professional ranks after their college career is over. Check out former UMD Bulldog and current Vancouver Canuck Mayson Raymond’s hat trick. Raymond is having one heck of a season; in 39 games he has (17g-12a-29pts). Raymond has already surpassed his career best in goals and assists in a season as well.

Fighting Sioux nickname #2 story of the year.

Let's see we have two wars, a horrible economy, companies bleeding jobs and this is the number two story of the year according to the Alerus center cheerleader, I mean Grand Forks Herald writer Tu-Uyen Tran,.

No. 2: UND nickname dispute

The dispute over UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname simmered and boiled into yet another year. True to form, it continued to defy anyone’s guess at how it might end. In theory, the university has until Nov. 30, 2010, to win approval from both the state’s Sioux tribes. That’s what it says in the settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes American Indian nicknames.

One of the tribes, the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, voted overwhelmingly in April to grant that approval. Yet the following month, the State Board of Higher Education put a crimp in their victory by imposing its own September deadline for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to grant the same approval. The stated reason is UND wants to join the Summit League, but that athletic conference won’t consider an application until the nickname issue is settled.

With little movement from Standing Rock even to have a public vote, the board moved its deadline to Oct. 31 to see if the tribe would show any sign of granting approval. The board was on the verge of retiring the nickname in November when Spirit Lake nickname supporters sued the board to force it to abide by the original deadline. They lost, but the appeals process means the nickname issue will continue into next year.

Thomas save on Leopold

Check out this save by Tim Thomas at the end of the game to rob former Gopher Jordan Leopold. What a save.

A couple of Bruins things.

Stanley Cup of Chowder has Boxing Day Poll who is the best Bruins fighting of the Decade. In my opinion it's Milan Lucic. Why because he can fight but he can also play the game. Most of the other Bruins goon's were one dimensional. One NHL GM once refered to Lucic 'as a whole lot of nasty.'

There is also some good news on the Milan Lucic front, looks like Lucic is close to returning to the Bruins line up. We can only hope, because the Bruins could use Lucic's toughness in the lineup, especially with Mark Stuart out of the lineup with a broken sternum.

Milan Lucic is with the team on the road trip. But Lucic has yet to be activated from injured reserve, indicating that he will not dress in either game. This is the first time Lucic has traveled with his teammates since spraining his ankle against Minnesota last month. [Bruins blog]

NCAA Round Up: Half way looking at the pre-season top 20

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

This was my pre-season top twenty and their current record. It would appear that Notre Dame, Minnesota, Boston University, Vermont are not as good as I originally thought they would be. Also, we can infer that college hockey is going to be wide open this season, there is a lot of parity. I believe that Miami and DU are the favorites right now but that doesn’t mean either of these two teams are going to win the whole thing. I hope I don't upset my Canadian Friends from the Illegal Curve: Go Team USA and Merry Christmas.

1.) Denver University – 11-5-2
2.) Miami University – 13-2-5
3.) Notre Dame – 8-8-4
4.) University of North Dakota – 9-6-3
5.) Boston University – 4-9-3
6.) University of Michigan – 9-9-0
7.) Vermont University – 8-6-2
8.) University of Minnesota – 8-9-1
9.) University of Wisconsin – 11-5-2
10.)University of Mass Lowell – 10-6-1
11.)University of Minnesota Duluth – 11-6-1
12.) Boston College – 10-3-2
13.) Yale University – 7-3-2
14.) Princeton University – 4-8-1
15.) University of New Hampshire – 8-6-3
16.) Northeastern University – 6-8-1
17.) Saint Cloud State University – 8-7-3
18.) Northern Michigan University – 7-8-4
19.) Cornell University – 7-2-2
20.) U.S. Air Force Academy – 8-6-4

Team USA captains.

Here are the captains for team USA's. [USA Hockey Press Release]

• CAPTAINS OF THE SHIP -- On Christmas Eve, Team
USA’s players selected their captains for the 2010 IIHF
World Junior Championship:
Derek Stepan Captain
Jordan Schroeder Alternate
David Warsofsky Alternate
John Carlson Alternate

Adams hit on Alfredson

There has been a lot of discussion head shot the past season and if the NHL decides to change the rules on head shots it, "would prohibit contact with the head - even with a shoulder." I think it would mean that this hit would be ruled to be an illegal. [NHL.COM]

In my opinion this is a legal check and doesn’t appear to be a head shot. The thing that makes it look bad is Daniel Alfredson loses his helmet because it appears that it's not on tight enough. I can see where the ref would probably assume that he Daniel was hit in the head. Hockey is a physical sport and if they enact this rule it's going to cause hockey hitting to decline.

Merry Christmas...

Rex Howell from the Deer Camp Blog has a yearly Christmas card on his outdoor blog and I made it again this season. See if you can pick me out in the picture. I hope everyone is safe and sound at home and not trying to travel through the blizzard that is currently raising havoc on the Midwest. This morning while leaving my house for work I had to wade through 6-8 inches of new snow. It’s definitely hockey weather now. I am sure the sub zero weather will be up soon. 

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]