Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Last week I was in Alaska to watch the Sioux play, and take in some tourist sights. Thus I have been busy at work this week, and I’m just now getting to put together a little article for this weekend’s games. PICTURE - It's hard looking into sun, that is Mt. McKinley in the background, the tallest peak in North America at 20,320 feet.


A quick look back, to last year’s final standings


FINAL 2009-2010 WCHA STANGINGS


TEAM………………......W-L-T….PTS
1 Denver--------------------19-5-4….42
2 Wisconsin----------------17-8-3….37
3 St. Cloud State---------15-9-4….34
4 North Dakota-----------15-10-3…33
5 Minnesota-Duluth----16-11-1…33
6 Colorado College-----12-13-3…27
7 Minnesota---------------12-14-2…26
8 Minnesota State---------9-17-2…20
9 Alaska-Anchorage-----9-17-2…20
10 Michigan Tech---------4-24-0….8


WCHA games

Minnesota State @ Michigan Tech
This is the first league games of the season, both teams will want to get off to a good start and get some points this weekend. I’m thinking both these teams need to get points early and often if they want to stay out of the league basement this year. I’m going to call this opening series a SPLIT.


#2 North Dakota @ Bemidji State
I got to watch the Sioux play last weekend at Sullivan arena. It was a nice arena, they even serve beer there too. UND looked good in half of Friday’s game (vs UAA) and all of Saturday’s game (vs UAF). This is the home opener in the new arena for the Beavers, so no doubt they will be fired up. I think UND will be ready for the challenge this weekend. The Beavers are going to take a few lumps this year with a grinding conference schedule. I’m going with the #2 team in the country, SIOUX SWEEP.


#17 Nebraska-Omaha @ #13 Minnesota
Dean Blais is back coacing in the WCHA, and he starts out versus his alma mater, the Gophers. Lets face it, the UM has been a disappointment to their fans the last three years. I don’t know if things in Minneapolis are going to change this year…With UNO being a new team in the league, I’m going to give them a chance this weekend, let’s call it the Blais-factor. SPLIT FINAL 2009-2010 WCHA STANGINGS


NON-CONFERENCE

#1 Boston College @ #6 Denver
Even though I really dislike both the schools, it would be a good series to watch. I know it is early in the season, but I have to do what is best for the WCHA and pick the Pioneers to win one. I would say sweep, but BC has too much talent.


#4 Miami @ #11 St. Cloud
This should be another good match up to watch this weekend. The Huskies are one of favorites to finish in the top 3 in the WCHA this year. I win or sweep of the RedHawks would go a long way, to show that they are a top tier team to take seriously. SPLIT.


Providence @ #7 Minnesota-Duluth
The Friars from Providence invade Duluth for a pair of games. I don’t know much about Providence, they are the only other team jersey that I would buy (other than the Sioux) I really like that skating Friar logo, sweet. The only way I see the Friars getting a win this weekend is if the Bulldogs are really distracted by their opponents cool sweaters; I’m going to say the Bulldogs SWEEP.


Alabama-Huntsville @ #13 Wisconsin (Friday & Sunday)
The Chargers will have a tough task taking on the Badgers in Madison. There is also a little football game in Madison this weekend too, they host Ohio State. So perhaps the hockey team might be a little distracted by that. But, I don’t think that distraction will be enough for Bucky to drop a game. BADGERS SWEEP.



Alaska Gold Rush Tournament

#18 Colorado College vs Alaska-Anchorage(fri), vs #14 Alaska (sat)
The Tigers versus the Seawolves is a non-conference game, just like last Friday when the Sioux and UAA tangled. UAA didn’t look too bad last weekend, just like in years past if you look past them, they will beat you. And I’m going to say CC is looking past them to the Nanooks on Saturday. UAA wins. I think the Tigers will rebound on Saturday and take out the Nanooks, CC wins.


Union vs Alaska-Anchorage
Seawolves win, they actually win a tournament, and at home too.

Bemidji State men's hockey set to open WCHA play, BREC vs. North Dakota

It's game time, no tickets to be had.

Bemidji Pioneer ---The players are anxious. The coaches are anxious. The fans are anxious.

The community is anxious …

It’s time to drop the puck and get this thing started.

The Bemidji State men’s hockey team is geared up for an historic weekend, opening a new arena as a full-fledged member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Beavers start the historic 2010-11 season today, hosting national power North Dakota (No. 2 nationally) at the recently completed Bemidji Regional Event Center. Game time is set for 7:37 p.m. Friday.

The series is a sell-out and the hottest ticket for an event in Bemidji in many, many years.

“We’re ready to play hockey,” said BSU head coach Tom Serratore. “It’s going to be a weekend full of excitement, but we need to focus on the task at hand – competing against the top ranked team in our league.”

UND MEN’S HOCKEY: Bemidji State gets its wish

Not everyone thinks the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team or UND Fighting Sioux hockey Coach Dave Hakstol are rude. Just for the record if I get out of bed tomorrow I am going to luncheon at the BREC at 1130 am where I can listen to both coaches speak about this weekend's match up and the new hockey arena.

Grand Forks Herald --- (Serratore said) “We respect their program so much,” said Serratore, who is entering his 10th season as head coach of the Beavers. “They came and played us at the John Glas Fieldhouse when we were emerging as a D-I program. I look at those guys as great ambassadors to the game.

“They were the only team we really wanted to open up with. I’m glad that they can share this event with us.”

There’s no doubt that UND had a role in helping the Bemidji State program to this day. It was former Sioux coach Bob Peters who led the Beavers through NAIA, NCAA Division III and NCAA Division II levels before hitting the big time. He will drop a ceremonial first puck tonight.

In 2001, UND became the first national powerhouse to travel to Bemidji to play in a two-game, Division I series. The Sioux made subsequent trips to Bemidji in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

UND also lobbied in support of Bemidji State’s acceptance into the WCHA when it appeared the Beavers had no other conference options.

“They took care of us,” Serratore said.

So, when the WCHA released the 2010-11 schedule, Serratore publicly thanked the league for accommodating Bemidji State’s request.

Tonight, reality sinks in for the Beavers.

McLeod excited about 12-team league, new arenas

I guess you could say that I am excited as well of the new team and buildings that will grace the WCHA this season. While some fans weren’t excited about adding the two new teams to the WCHA, I was excited. I mean I get it; I can see why some WCHA fans were upset about adding BSU and UNO; one of the main reasons was that it meant less of the "attractive big money matchups" against teams like the Badgers, Pioneers and Gophers. I think in the long run the changes (the two new teams) will make the WCHA a better league.

Another thing that I am really excited about is that my favorite team the Fighting Sioux is going to be the guest at both new arenas grand openings. Nothing would make me more happy than watching UND beat UMD in the opening of their new arena.

Goal Gophers --- McLeod said he is also impressed by the commitment that Bemidji and Duluth made to build new arenas. The $70-million AMSOIL arena is nearing completion in Duluth. North Dakota will play against UMD in the first game in the new arena on Dec. 30.

"They are mothballing the old DECC [the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center] on Dec. 30," McLeod said, "and I played in that first game at the DECC."

McLeod was playing for the UMD Bulldogs when they beat the Gophers 8-1 on Nov. 19, 1966 in the first WCHA game at the DECC.

Said McLeod, "So looking forward: two new teams, two new buildings and then of course, the changes in our Final Five, kind of the jewel of the season for the WCHA, our tournament in St. Paul at the Xcel Center. A new format there and I look at it as a very positive thing.

"We are obviously going to continue to call it the Final Five because we will have five games there, but we will have six teams with preset brackets. [Nos.] 1 and 2 get a bye, 3 and 6 and 4 and 5 play on Thursday. 1 and 2 play the winners on Friday. And then we have that wrinkle, the championship on Saturday night, but an afternoon game, an NHL game [the Wild vs. Columbus] which we hope will be a treat for a lot of people that come to our tournament and don't get to see an NHL game a lot.

"I could not be more excited, even at my age."

Bemidji State vs. North Dakota

This is what the BSU Beavers had to say about playing the UND Fighting Sioux, s/t to Bemidji Pioneer sports writer Eric Stromgren. I would not be surprised if this weekend series ended up being a split. I have seen where some think that the Sioux are going to blow out the Beavers this weekend. I would caution Sioux fans about taking the Beavers lightly and expect this weekend's games to be close hard fought games. In the last eight games UND has played the Beavers; while they have won all eight of the games they have played against the Beavers, five of these games have been won by a goal. The last game between UND and BSU went to overtime.

Recent Scores
01/03/2009 Bemidji State 3 North Dakota 4 (ot)
01/02/2009 North Dakota 4 Bemidji State 3
02/24/2008 Bemidji State 0 North Dakota 1
02/23/2008 Bemidji State 1 North Dakota 5
01/20/2007 Bemidji State 3 North Dakota 6
01/19/2007 North Dakota 3 Bemidji State 2
12/17/2005 Bemidji State 1 North Dakota 5
12/16/2005 North Dakota 2 Bemidji State 1

Colton Orr vs. Deryk Engelland

Check out this fight, it's one of the better hockey fights that I have seen for a long time. I don't think you're going to see Colton Orr get knocked out very often. Penguins tough guy Deryk Engelland will definitely be a force to be reckoned with this season in the east.

The next suspension in the NHL?

While I am not a fan of either of these two hacks, Maxim Lapierre should be suspended for his hit on uber hack Steve Downie. Lapierre is also lucky the refs rescued him before Steve Downie could get a piece of him. You can bet that the NHL front office will probably review this hit.

Satire or buffoonery?

Check out this top twenty by EZAC Hockey Columnist Brian Sullivan. Originally, Brian's article was going to get him nominated for buffoon/moron of the week, but then I got to thinking, this guy can't be serious with this poll. I mean seriously, I recognize satire when I see it.

My Top 20
1. Boston College
2. Boston University
3. New Hampshire
4. Miami
5. Denver
6. Nebraska-Omaha
7. Yale
8. Colorado College
9. Minnesota
10. Union
11. Michigan
12. Cornell
13. North Dakota
14. Colgate
15. Minnesota-Duluth
16. Wisconsin
17. Maine
18. Notre Dame
19. Vermont
20. Alaska

[Read more this post]

UND's Chay Genoway a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in hockey

I just saw this on the WDAZ evening news. This is a pretty nice honor for Chay Genoway. There were three other WCHA players as well that were nominated: Jay Barriball, Forward, Minnesota, Kyle Ostrow, Forward, Denver and Matt Read, Forward, Bemidji State. Former Grand Forks native Jacques Lamoureux, Forward, Air Force was selected as well.

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Twenty NCAA® men’s ice hockey student-athletes who excel both on and off the ice were selected as candidates today for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in hockey. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. The complete list of candidates follows this release.

For more information on all the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.


2010-11 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Hockey Candidates

Name, Position, School
Jay Barriball, Forward, Minnesota
Chris Barton, Forward, Merrimack
Stephane Boileau, Forward, Union (New York)
Carter Camper, Forward, Miami (Ohio)
Cory Conacher, Forward, Canisius
Paul Dainton, Goaltender, Massachusetts
Jeff Dimmen, Defense, Maine
Chay Genoway, Defense, North Dakota
Carl Hagelin, Forward, Michigan
Tanner House, Forward, Maine
Chris Kushneriuk, Forward, Robert Morris
Jacques Lamoureux, Forward, Air Force
Broc Little, Forward, Yale
Bryant Molle, Defense, Alaska Fairbanks
Kyle Ostrow, Forward, Denver
Chase Polacek, Forward, Rensselaer
Matt Read, Forward, Bemidji State
Zach Redmond, Defense, Ferris State
Calle Ridderwall, Left Wing, Notre Dame
Evan Stephens, Defense, Dartmouth

Just for the Record.

While some blogger(s) may want to say that Fighting Sioux head hockey coach Dave Hakstol is classless hack, lacked sportsmanship, was discourteous and of course rude. I just got word that he will be attending the Beaver Pride Luncheon on Friday at the New BREC.

Friday begins with Beaver Pride Lunch with both squad's Coaches & WCHA Commissioner McLeod, Friday from 11:30am to 1pm at the BREC

Seriously! I think Dave Hakstol is a class act and a gracious host and has gone out of his way to travel to other programs on the east coast when other programs in the WCHA would have stayed home and played a home game instead. If Hakstol said he wanted to practice in stead of going to the luncheon I would not fault him one bit. While UND did in fact benefit from the trip to Alaska and will be able to schedule two more games because of it, I am sure that UAA probably did benefit from UND being in their tourney.

Where is the Beef?

The Golden Gophers had better expect to be hit and hit often this weekend when they play the UNO Mavericks in the WCHA season opener. UNO is the biggest team in Division 1 hockey and I don’t know if the Gophers will fair will if they attempt to get into a physical game. The Gopher coach Don Lucia tends to recruit more of the finesse type players.

Goal Gophers --- "We got off to a a good start last weekend, but now it is WCHA play so the intensity goes up a little more," Budish said.

UNO is the nation's biggest Division I team. The Mavericks average slightly over 6-1 in height and 199 pounds, one inch and 11 pounds more per man than the Gophers.

"We got a lot of guys who can play the body," said Budish, a former Division I prospect at linebacker when he played football at Edina. "We've got some big forwards. We've got a couple big D back there. We can play physical and match teams like North Dakota and Nebraska Omaha that have bigger guys.

"Even little guys on our team play the body. You don't have to be 6-foot to play the body. Little guys like [5-8 Jacob] Cepis and guys like that play physical and they finish their checks. We've got to get it from every guy in the line-up."

The Gophers coaches have stressed that, especially this week.

NHL Suspendeds Wisniewski for making an obscene gesture.

s/t Puck Daddy. Holy Cow what is this world coming to? Now the NHL is suspending hockey players for making obscene gestures to their fellow competitors on the ice, in the heat of battle. My first response is; you have got to be kidding me? We have guys being pounded head long into the boards causing them to suffer a concussion and miss major amounts of games and the NHL has determined that obscene gestures are as serious as head shots and boarding incidents. The NHL has it’s priorities screwed up.

TSN --- The National Hockey League has suspended New York Islanders defenceman James Wisniewski two games for making an obscene gesture to New York Rangers forward Sean Avery in the first period of their Monday night game, reports TSN.ca.

The gesture was made during a shoving match between the two on Monday night. After the game, the 26-year-old claimed that he didn’t recall making the gesture.

Avery, meanwhile, said “can you imagine if I did that? They sent me to rehab the last time I did something. It’s crazy.”

Miller slams Cooke for Savard hit - Hjalmarsson suspened two games

Bravo to former Michigan State Spartan Ryan Miller. I am glad that someone has the balls to say this. Incidently, Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended by the NHL for his hit on Jason Pominville.

Boston Globe --- Withering words from Ryan Miller, courtesy of Buffalo's WGR 550, regarding head shots in the wake of Niklas Hjalmarsson's blast from behind on Jason Pominville. During the interview, Miller was asked if the Pominville incident would have drawn more eyeballs had a star player been injured.

The Buffalo goalie responded that Marc Savard, one of the NHL's premier setup men, remains out with post-concussion syndrome following Matt Cooke's hit to the head last season.

"Savard's still not playing," Miller said. "One of the best playmakers we have in this game is still not playing because of a stupid, [foolish] hit."

INCH Preview.

Dan Meyers from CHN has written his preseason preview for the WCHA.
WCHA Preview 2010-11, Part II: WCHA Preview, 2010-11.

North Dakota Fighting Sioux
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol
2009-10 Record: 25-13-5 overall, 15-10-3 WCHA, (4th)

Who's Back: Jr. F Jason Gregoire (20-17—37), So. F Danny Kristo (15-21—36), Sr. F Evan Trupp (8-26—34), Jr. F Brett Hextall (14-12—26), Sr. F Brad Malone (11-14—25), Sr. D Chay Genoway (4-6—10), Jr. G Brad Eidsness (24-10-4, 2.11, .914).

2010-11 Outlook: North Dakota loses just one of its top eight scorers and regains the services of perhaps the best college hockey player in the land in Chay Genoway. The loss of Chris VendeVelde isn't a small one — he led the Fighting Sioux in scoring last season (16-25—41) — but his loss should be covered by returning forwards Jason Gregoire, Danny Kristo, Evan Trupp and others, along with a full season of senior Matt Frattin, who returned for the second half last season and scored 19 points in 24 games. If that's not enough, sophomore Corban Knight looks primed for a breakout sophomore campaign and freshman Brock Nelson could make an immediate impact. On the blueline, Genoway is back after a horrific concussion cost him most of last season. He is joined by fellow senior co-captains Jake Marto and Derrick LaPoint, junior Ben Blood and freshman phenom Derek Forbot to form perhaps the best defensive corps in the country. And oh yeah, UND also has one of the best goaltenders in the country in Brad Eidsness, a junior who was among the conference leaders in just about every category last season.

"Instead of looking at the predictions and the polls, our goal is to get our team back to the level they were playing at at the end of last season," said Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol. "We found that we could be a tough team to play against if we had everyone playing within their role and at a very high intensity level."

Prediction: North Dakota is the preseason favorite of the league's coaches and media for a reason — it's loaded at every position. There really appears nothing that can slow them down, especially if UND can avoid its traditional slow starts. Look for the Fighting Sioux to challenge for the MacNaughton Cup, the Broadmoor Trophy and the National Championship this season.

In Case you haven't seen it. Delusion of Grandeur is whining about UND Fighting Sioux Hockey Coach Dave Hakstol not attending the coaches luncheon. I am sure the UND athletic director isn't going to care if Hakstol goes to the luncheon, Hak's reason he didn't attend seems legit to me. While I don’t need to give Delusions of Grandeur any extra hits to his blog, I do find his pontifications and his ranting and raving to be amusing. I can guarantee I am not Anon @838…

No, I say let's never invite them again because Dave Hakstol is discourteous. First, he doesn't show up for the coaches luncheon and passes along the excuse that it was the only time his team could schedule ice. Um ... the team wasn't invited to the luncheon ... Dave, you were. Apparently, Hakstol's two assistants are completely incapable of running a game day skate? He HAD to be there ya know? Weak sauce, Dave.

Here's the deal, the WCHA Coaches Luncheon's are a pretty frequent event across the WCHA realm. But there is one coach who really hates them. He's been openly negative about going to them. Donnie Lucia. He's elaborated his reasons and I won't get into them too deeply here. Suffice to say that tDon has lots of requests for his time from fans and media ... and the coaches luncheon is one place he thinks he shouldn't have to be if he doesn't want to go. Especially, on the road.

So Dave Hakstol thinks he's Donnie Lucia? Well, not exactly ... but in this case he's all about riding Donnie's anti-luncheon coattails. Gee, Dave. Do something original ... be your own man. Why you gotta try to act like tDon?

Here's the thing. It's a fucking tournament, not some regularly scheduled league game. Your team is going to get to schedule two home games and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue from it's participation here by cashing in the exemptions it gets from playing here. Doubtless that along with the invitation, UAA paid some of your team's airfare here. So you get all that benefit from the trip and you're discourteous enough to not show up to the luncheon?

Did I mention how they apparently had to get to the airport to leave and didn't stick around to collect their championship booty? Weird, cause I saw them in the building late in the 3rd period last night.

Let's never waste another tournament invitation on UND eh? This is what happens when you invite trailer-trash ... they act like trailer-trash. It's ZERO skin off UAA's nose if they are never invited again.

And oh yeah Coach Hakstol, you wouldn't have been the only coach in Frank Serratore's speaking shadow. Why are you so skerred of Serratore? Does your wife like his brother Tom or something?

Brian Faison is the UND Athletic Director. His email address is brianfaison@mail.und.edu. Let him know how you feel about the lack of sportsmanship and discourtesy of his premier program's head coach. I'll give away a pair of passes (good to any regular season game) to any fan that actually get's Faison to reply and let's us know what he said.

Poll Monday (on Tuesday)

I would have put this up yesterday but I was out of town hunting ducks in Devils Lake and there is no internet at my hunting shack. Sioux stay at number two in both polls.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[October 11, 2010]
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Boston College (48) 1-0-0 998 1
2 North Dakota ( 2) 1-0-1 916 2
3 Michigan 2-0-1 833 5
4 Miami 1-1-0 827 3
5 Yale 0-0-0 751 6
6 Denver 1-0-1 636 9
7 Minnesota-Duluth 1-0-1 608 8
8 Maine 1-0-1 601 7
9 New Hampshire 1-1-0 571 10
10 Boston University 2-0-0 546 14
11 St. Cloud State 1-1-0 545 4
12 Cornell 0-0-0 453 11
13 Minnesota 2-0-0 422 15
14 Alaska 1-1-0 353 12
15 Wisconsin 1-1-0 268 13
16 Union 2-0-0 255 19
17 Nebraska-Omaha 2-0-0 187 NR
18 Colorado College 1-0-1 169 20
19 Notre Dame 1-1-0 167 17
20 Michigan State 0-0-0 135 16
Others Receiving Votes: Vermont 57, Bemidji State 42, RIT 37, Colgate 21, Alaska-Anchorage 13, Michigan Tech 13, Rensselaer 13, Mercyhurst 12, Ferris State 11, Robert Morris 11, Canisius 10, Merrimack 6, Northern Michigan 4, Ohio State 4, St. Lawrence 3, Quinnipiac 2

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
October 11, 2010
Team Points (First Place Votes) Last Poll Record
1 Boston College 507 (31) 1 1-0-0
2 University of North Dakota 467 (3) 2 1-0-1
3 University of Michigan 427 4 2-0-1
4 Miami University 392 3 1-1-0
5 Yale University 345 5 0-0-0
6 University of Maine 300 7 1-0-1
7 University of Minnesota Duluth 299 9 1-0-1
8 University of Denver 241 11 1-0-1
9 University of New Hampshire 226 8 1-1-0
12 Cornell University 137 10 0-0-0
13 University of Minnesota 129 15 2-0-0
14 University of Alaska 71 12 1-1-0
15 University of Wisconsin 46 13 1-1-0
T10 Boston University 218 14 2-0-0 2 T10 St. Cloud State University 218 6 1-1-0 2 Others receiving votes: Union College 45, University of Nebraska Omaha 19, University of Notre Dame 11, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 9, Colorado College 7, Michigan State University 4, University of Vermont 4, Merrimack College 2, Colgate University 1, Michigan Tech University 1, Robert Morris University 1.


Read more:

Conference Action starts this week - Review of the WCHA.

Here is my prediction on how the season will shake out.

1.) UND Fighting Sioux
Returning players – UND
Last Season’s Record - 25-13-5
Forwards: Jason Gregoire (20g-17a—37pts) Jr, Danny Kristo (15g-21a—36pts) So, Evan Trupp (8g-26a—34pts) Sr, Brett Hextall (14g-12a—26pts) Jr, Brad Malone (11g-14a—25pts)Sr. Matt Frattin (11g-8a—pts) Sr.
Defense: Chay Genoway (4g-6a—10pts) Sr, Derrick LaPoint (2g-20a—22pts) Sr, Jake Marto (5-13—18) Sr, Ben Blood (5g-9a—14pts) Jr.
Goalie: Brad Eidsness (24-10-4, 2.11, .914).
Key Loss(es): Darcy Zajac, Chris VandeVelde.
Fan Blog: Goon's World, Sioux Yeah Yeah!, Dirty's Diatribe.
Message Board/Blog: Sioux Sports
Media Blog: University of North Dakota Hockey.

2.) SCSU Huskies
Returning players – SCSU
Last season’s Record - 20-11-5
Forwards: Garrett Roe (20g-29a—49pts) Sr, Tony Mosey (14g-26a—40pts)Sr, Drew LeBlanc (6g-25a—31pts)Jr, Ben Hanowski (9g-10a—19pts) So, Aaron Marvin (5g-11a—16pts) Sr.
Defense: Oliver Lauridsen (6g-6a—12pts) Jr, Chris Hepp (0g-2a—2pts) Sr.
Goalies: Mike Lee (12-9-3, 2.80 GAA, .917 SV%) So. Dann Dunn (12-5-2, 2.80 GAA, .917 SV%) Sr.
Key Loss(es): Ryan Lasch, Garrett Raboin.
Message Board: Da Huskies.
Fan Blog: Husky Hockey Time.
Media Blog: Husky Hockey.

3.) UMD Bulldogs
Returning players – UMD
Last Season’s Record - 22-17-1
Forwards: Jack Connolly (18g-31a—49pts) Jr, Mike Connolly (14g-26a—40pts) Jr, Justin Fontaine (21g-25a—46pts) Sr, Travis Oleksuk (10g-14a—24pts) Jr.
Defense: Brady Lamb (11g-13a—24pts) Jr, Mike Montgomery (2g-15a—17pts) Sr, Dylan Olson (1g-11a—12pts) So.
Goalie: G Kenny Reiter (13-10-0, 2.36 GAA, .912 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Jordan Fulton, Brady Hjelle, Rob Bordson.
Message Board: The Penalty Box.
Fan Blog: Runninwiththedogs.
Media Blog: Ciskie Blog, Rink and Run.

4.) DU Pioneers
Returning players – DU
Last Season’s Record - 27-10-4
Forwards: Anthony Maiani (8g-26pts--34) Sr, Sr. F Kyle Ostrow (16gt-10a—26pts) Sr, Jesse Martin (14g-8a—22pts) Sr, Drew Shore (5g-14a—19pts) So.
Defense: Matt Donovan (7g-14a—21pts) So, John Lee (2g-10a—12pts) Jr, William Wrenn (0g-7a—7pts) So.
Goalie: Adam Murray (3-4-1, 3.79 GAA, .874 SV%) So.
Key Loss(es): Joe Colborne, Patrick Wiercioch, Marc Cheverie, Rhett Rakhshani, Tyler Ruegsegger.
Fan Blog: Let's Go DU.
Media Blog: Mike Chambers.

5.)UW Badgers
Returning players – UW
Last Season’s Record - 28-11-4 overall,
Forwards: Craig Smith (8g-25a—33pts) So, Jordy Murray (12g-9a—21pts) Jr, Derek Lee (1g-8a—9pts) So.
Defense: Jake Gardiner (6g-7a—13pts), John Ramage (2g-10a—12pts), D Justin Schultz (6g16a—22pts),
Goalie: Scott Gudmandson (20-5-4, 2.34, .913) Sr., Brett Bennett (8-6-0, 2.82 GAA, .885 SV%) Sr.
Key Loss(es): Cody Goloubef, Brendan Smith, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Davies, Blake Geoffrion.
Fan Blog: 60 Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets.
Media Blog: Badgers Hockey.

6.) UMN Golden Gophers
Returning players – UMN
Last season’s Record - 18-19-2
Forwards: Mike Hoeffel (14g-10a—24pts), Jacob Cepis (7g-12a—19pts) F Zach Budish (7-10--17),
Defense: Cade Fairchild (4-17--21), Sr. F), Aaron Ness (2-10--12) So, Seth Helgeson
Goalie(s): Alex Kangas (16-15-1, 2.60 GAA, .911 SV%) Sr., Kent Patterson (2-4-1, 3.10 GAA, .901 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Jordan Schroeder, Josh Birkholz, Nick Leddy.
Message Board/Blog: Gopher Puck Live.
Media Blog: Goal Gophers.

7.) UNO Mavericks
Returning players – UNO
Last Season’s Record - 20-16-6 (First Year WCHA)
Forwards: Rich Purslow (14g-13a—27pts) Sr, Joey Martin (10g-16a—26pts) Sr, Alex Hudson (14g-11a—25pts) Jr, Terry Broadhurst (13g-11a—24pts) So, Matt Ambroz (10g-14a—24pts) Sr.
Defense: Eric Olimb (2g-18a—20pts), Jr, ( Kyle Ensign (0g-8a—8pts) Jr.
Goalie: John Faulker (13-10-4, 2.60 GAA, .905 SV%).
Key Loss(es): Eddie Del Grosso, Nick Fanto, Mark Bernier, Jeremie Dupont, Jeric Agosta
Fan Blog: Husker Mike Blasphemy.
Media Blog: Mavericks Today.

8.) BSU Beavers
Returning players – BSU
Last season’s Record - 23-10-4 (First Year WCHA)
Forwards: Matt Read (19-22—41) Sr, Jordan George (13-21—34) So, Ian Lowe (21-10—31) Sr.
Defense: D Brad Hunt (7-26—33) Jr, Brady Wacker (1g-10a—11) So.
Goalie(s): Dan Bakala (19-8-3, 2.32, .917) Jr, Mathieu Dugas (4-2-1, 1.93 GAA, .918 SV%) So.
Key Loss(es): Tyler Lehrke, Chris McKelvie.
Message Board: The Beaver Pond.
Media Blog: Up North Sports Report, College Hockey Tonight, Brian's Corner Of Cyberspace.

9.) CC Tigers
Returning players – CC
Last season’s Record – 19-17-3
Forwards: Rylan Schwartz (6-22--28), Tyler Johnson (14-9--23), Stephen Schultz (5-15--20),
Defense: Gabe Guentzel (3-20--23), Sr. D Ryan Lowery (4-14--18),
Goalie: Joe Howe (17-15-3, 2.80, .907).
Key Loss(es): Bill Sweatt, Mike Testwuide, Nate Prosser.
Fan Blog: (?)
Media Blog: Eye of the Tigers.

10.) MSUM Mavericks
Returning players – MSUM
Last Season’s Record - 16-20-3
Forwards: Rylan Galiardi (11g-14a—25pts) Sr, Michael Dorr (5g-11a—16pts) Jr, Eriah Hayes (8g-6a—14pts) So, Mike Louwerse (7g-6a—13pts) Jr.
Defense: Ben Youds (3g-23a—26pts) Sr, Kurt Davis (5g-18a—23pts) Sr, Channing Boe (2g-5a—7 pts) Sr, Ben Youds (3g-23a—26pts) Sr.
Goalie(s): Phil Cook (8-6-2, 2.59 GAA, .908 SV%) So, Austin Lee (7-11-0, 2.85 GAA, .907 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Zach Harrison, Geoff Irwin, Kael Mouillierat, Tyler Pitlick, Jared Steward, Kevin Murdock.
Media Blog: Puckato, MavBlog.

11.) UAA Seawolves
Returning players – UAA
Last Season’s Record - 11-23-2
Forwards: Tommy Grant (9g-17a—26pts, Sr. F Sean Wiles (9-8--17), So. F Daniel Naslund (3-10--13), Jr. Jade Portwood (3g-2a—5pts)
Defense: Curtis Leinweber (4g-8a—12pts), Kane Lafranchise (3g-12a—15pts), Luka Vidmar (2g-10a—12pts).
Goalie: Dusan Sidor (0-0-0 6.00 GAA .846 SV%) So.
Key Loss(es): Lee Baldwin, Bryce Christianson, Kevin Clark, Josh Lunden.
Fan Blog: Delusions of Grandeur.
Media Blog: Woody on Hockey.

12.)MTU Huskies
Returning players – MTU
Last Season’s Record - 5-30-1
Forwards: Brett Olson (18g-12a—30pts), So. F Jordan Baker (9g-9a—18pts), Eric Kattelus (2g-8a—10pts), Bennett Royer (4g-6a—10pts),
Defense: Steven Seigo (4g-15a—19pts), Deron Cousens (1g-7a—8pts),
Goalies: Kevin Genoe (4-18-1, 3.54 GAA, .904 SV%) So, Josh Robinson (1-12-0, 4.68 GAA, .876 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Malcolm Gwilliam, Drew Dobson, John Kivisto.
Fan Blog: MTU Hockey Blog,
Media Blog(?): Mining Gazette.

Fighting Sioux beat the Alaska Nanooks in the Kendall Hockey Classic

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux played air tight defense and beat the Alaska Nanooks in the Kendall Hockey Classic 3-1. The win gave the Fighting Sioux the Kendall Hockey Classic title. After looking like a bunch of pylons the night before the Fighting Sioux made adjustments on defense and held the University of Alaska (Fairbanks) Nanooks to 15 shots and 5 shots the first two periods.

The Sioux were dismal the first night of the Kendal Hockey Classic the next night they turned their fortunes around and tightened up their play in their own end and showed great speed moving the puck through the neutral zone. The Sioux also limited their defensive turn overs and let the Aaron Dell see the puck. When you limit your opponents scoring opportunities and cut down on critical mistakes it enhances a team's chances to win.

If the Sioux continue to play stingy defense like they did last night they will be hard to beat this season. If they play like they did on Friday night it could be a long season. I expect more of the later, and more stingy defensive efforts. I think the key to the Sioux defensive play is the return of senior defenseman Chay Genoway if Chay can get back on track (pre-concussion) I believe the Fighting Sioux Hockey team will go far in the post season.

On Friday night Chay Genoway had a tough night, much like his teammates, Genoway (0g-1a-1pts) and was a -2. On Saturday night Genoway seemed to pick up his play and was a 0 in the plus/minus department. I believe that as Genoway gets his legs and conditioning back he will contribute on the score sheets and make major contributions in the defensive zone and on the power play.

This past weekend I was impressed with the play of freshman defenseman Derek Forbort, the rookie defenseman really impressed me with his hockey sense, poise creativity with the puck. Forbort didn't seem out of place at all and picked up three assists in last night's game, two of which were on the power play.

Sophomore forward Corbin Knight was also impressive this past weekend, Corbin picked up two goals and an assist on the weekend and looks to be on the verge of breaking out and putting up some stats this season.

3 Stars of the game

1.) Jason Gregoire (1g-0a-1pts)
2.) Derek Forbort (0g-3a-0pts)
3.) Scott Greenham Solid in the loss

[Box Score]

Eidsness Save in O.T.

Here is the save that everyone was talking about on Saturday morning. Yeah, it's a game saver. The save came off of a defensive turn over in UND's end by senior defenseman Chay Genoway in overtime against UAA.

It was inevitable (RW77)

We've now played 3 games with Eidsness and Dell sharing the duties and already there are people calling for Dell to play over Eidsness.

Here's why that's ridiculously stupid:

1. Eidsness was on the All WCHA team last year and was among the best goaltenders in the country last year. You don't get that by sucking.

2. I'd like to see Dell do as good as Eidsness did on Friday with just as much (meant as sarcasm) Team D in front of him. Something tells me, UAA would still have tied the game or won.

3. Eidsness is the man according to Hakstol.

It's still unfortunate that people seem to think that the only good goaltender is the one that can steal the game for you. My perspective is this: If you need a goaltender to steal a game for you, even if it is once in a while, then you're only saying that because you don't want to come to the realization that the team in front of the goaltender is prone to sucking. Ok, ok, there is value to a game stealing goaltender (Devils and Brodeur, Canadiens and Halak, etc.) but there are just as many examples of great teams with goaltenders that did what was asked of them but wasn't flashy or stole games (like Leighton/Boucher for the Flyers or Marc-Andre Fleury - who is good, but not flashy).

The point is this: if your dominance depends solely on the play of one player, regardless of position, then your team will eventually fail. That is, unless your sport is focused upon individual performances in a team setting (such as the Olympics, the Ryder Cup in golf, etc.).

Hockey is a sport that requires solid play in all areas of gameplay or your team will struggle, from the obvious loss to squeaking by with the win.

How about a non-hockey point to beat the dead horse? Yesterday, Alabama lost to South Carolina in football. Though this delighted me to no end (as did LSU's win over Florida... suck it ESPN), it displays my point exactly. Alabama should NEVER have lost to USC. But their defense let them down and game over. What we're doing with the Eidsness issue, in this context is, had the middle linebacker played better, Alabama would have won. Ahm... Nope.

Saturday we saw great team defense. Fairbanks tested Dell..... twice according to Brad the entire game. One of those two times, Fairbanks scored. It took a 5 on 3 powerplay to generate that chance. See how important Team Defense is? It took Fairbanks 10 minutes to get their first shot on goal (made while on the powerplay) and another 7 minutes on top of that to get their first even strength shot on goal! I think Tate Maris could have looked better than Eidsness with this kind of Team D in front of him.

So what do we take from this weekend? Two things:

1. If we play good on Team D, it doesn't matter who is in net.

2. We may have what could be a solid tandem in net. Dell just needs to be tested a bit more.

Eidsness is still the #1 goaltender on the Sioux. Sioux fans will just have to come to grips with the fact that Eidsness isn't going to be a game stealer. And as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather he not be expected to be so.

No webcast for tonight's game.

According to Brad's blog there is no webcast tonight from the Fighting Sioux site.

Today’s game is NOT available for webcast. It is televised on FSSN and Midco Sports Network. It is NOT on FCS.

They Said... most thrilling rallies in tournament history ...

I was thinking that it was one of the more painful and something you would want to wipe from your memory, I was thinking that It would be more of a historic collapse.

ANCHORAGE – Senior winger Tommy Grant had a goal and an assist Friday as Alaska Anchorage stormed back from a four-goal deficit to register a 5-5 tie against 2nd-ranked North Dakota in Game 2 of the Kendall Hockey Classic at Sullivan Arena.

After trailing 5-1 midway through the second period, freshman right wing Brett Cameron capped one of the most thrilling rallies in tournament history when he knocked a shot slap shot past Brad Eidsness early in the third period.

Another Seawolf freshman, goalie Chris Kamal (25 saves), made the lead hold up by stopping the Fighting Sioux the rest of the way, including eight total saves in the third period and overtime.

Following the overtime period, North Dakota prevailed in a shootout, 2-1, which would go toward breaking a potential tie to determine the tournament champion. The game, however, goes in the official books as a tie in what was the season-opener for both teams.

Scores from other games.

You can get all of the scores on College Hockey INC and College Hockey News
Thursday, October 7, 2010

Non-Conference
Ferris State 4 at Alabama-Huntsville 1

Friday, October 8, 2010

CCHA
Michigan 4 at Bowling Green 1

Hockey East

Northeastern 2 at Providence 3
Mass.-Lowell 2 at Maine 8

Non-Conference

Ohio State 1 at Quinnipiac 2
Rensselaer 1 at Colorado College 2
Ferris State 2 at Alabama-Huntsville 4
St. Lawrence 5 at Minnesota State 5 ot
Sacred Heart 0 at Union 9
Denver 5 at Vermont 3
New Hampshire 3 at Miami 6
Canisius 5 at Western Michigan 3
Massachusetts 3 at Minnesota 5

IceBreaker

Holy Cross 3 vs. Notre Dame 6
Boston University 4 vs. Wisconsin 3

Maverick Stampede
RIT 1 vs. St. Cloud State 3
Clarkson 0 at Nebraska-Omaha 8

Superior Showcase

Michigan Tech 4 at Northern Michigan 3 ot
Minnesota-Duluth 6 at Lake Superior 6 ot

Kendall Hockey Classic

Air Force 2 vs. Alaska 5
North Dakota 5 at Alaska-Anchorage 5 ot

Exhibition

Western Ontario 5 at Michigan State 3

UND 5 UAA 5

I know it’s early and I don’t see a need to start the Fire Hakstol threat over on Sioux Sports as of yet but last night’s game was tough one to stomach. The Sioux raced to a 5-1 lead only to cough the lead up and then had to win the game in a shoot out. While some might blame the Sioux's listless play on the time change and travel but the Sullivan Arena has turned into a house of horrors for the UND hockey team in the last 9 games the Sioux are an unimpressive 4-4-1. The fact remains that the Fighting Sioux had UAA’s rookie goalie Chris Kamal on the ropes but the Fighting Sioux hockey team let him off of the hook by letting the Seawolves score and get back into the game. Seriously, the Sioux had the young goalie rattled but they took the foot off of the gas. The Sioux will need a better effort tonight if they are going to beat the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks.

If I had to explain last night’s game in one sentence it would be, “It was a horrible effort all the way around and magnified by bad defense and goaltending.” In my opinion the goals that did the Sioux in were the third and fourth goals. Those two goals were a comedy of errors that leaves even the most die hard fans scratching their heads. I would have to ask, where was the team effort after they got a 5-1 lead? At 10:57 of the second period the Sioux gave up the first of four unanswered goals. 

On the third UAA goal Brad Eidsness goes into the corner to play the puck is beat to the puck by UAA forward Jade Portwood, the big forward pass the puck to Sean Wiles who has an empty UND net to shoot the puck into.  The fourth UAA goal was a horrible effort all the way around, the puck is turned over in the offensive zone and Tommy Grant makes the Sioux hockey team look like a bunch of uninspired pylons.

Three Stars of the Game

1.  Corban Knight UND, 2 goals
2. Jason Gregoire UND, 2 assists
3. Tommy Grant  UAA,
 

 Box Score
--------------------------------1st Period (20:00)--------------------------------
AKA-1 Mark Pustin (2-Holding) NDK 1x1 2:07
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Brad Malone (1) (Brett Hextall) 3:06
NDK: 22,26,21,4,19,G31 AKA: 15,27,36,8,G35
AKA 1 - 1 6x6 Curtis Leinweber (1) (Tommy Grant, Jordan Kwas) 12:25
AKA (+): 11,16,23,14,17,G35 NDK (-): 29,8,5,2,7,G31
AKA-2 Luka Vidmar (2-High-Sticking) NDK 1x2 15:09
AKA-3 Quinn Sproule (2-Charging) NDK 2x3 19:05
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP Jake Marto (1) (Chay Genoway) 19:38
NDK: 25,5,7,10,17,G31 AKA: 15,8,14,36,G35
--------------------------------2nd Period (20:00)--------------------------------
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 Corban Knight (1) (Jason Gregoire, Derrick LaPoint) 0:47
NDK (+): 10,17,5,2,26,G31 AKA (-): 27,16,8,20,11,G35
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Boarding) AKA 0x1 1:38
NDK 4 - 1 6x6 Carter Rowney (1) (Jason Gregoire) 3:41
NDK (+): 27,17,22,3,2,G31 AKA (-): 27,40,36,23,9,G35
NDK 5 - 1 6x6 Corban Knight (2) (Danny Kristo) 7:32
NDK (+): 10,7,4,24,27,G31 AKA (-): 27,20,16,13,3,G35
AKA 2 - 5 6x6 Matt Bailey (1) (Brett Cameron, Mitch Bruijsten) 10:57
AKA (+): 21,7,12,3,13,G35 NDK (-): 9,27,21,4,24,G31
NDK-2 Evan Trupp (2-Interference) AKA 0x2 14:24
NDK-3 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) AKA 0x3 15:00
AKA-4 Craig Parkinson (2-Boarding) NDK 2x4 16:41
AKA 3 - 5 5x6 SH Sean Wiles (1) (Jade Portwood) 18:07
AKA (+): 27,36,23,11,G35 NDK (-): 24,10,5,7,17,G31
AKA 4 - 5 6x6 Tommy Grant (1) (unassisted) 19:00
AKA (+): 16,20,14,8,15,G35 NDK (-): 10,5,25,17,9,G31
--------------------------------3rd Period (20:00) --------------------------------
AKA 5 - 5 6x6 GT Brett Cameron (1) (Mitch Bruijsten, Matt Bailey) 1:34
AKA (+): 7,12,21,13,3,G35 NDK (-): 4,29,24,7,8,G31
NDK-4 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Elbowing) AKA 0x4 4:06
Overtime (5:00)
--------------------------------End of Game--------------------------------

UND Foundation Seems to Have Lost a Lot of Money Subsequent to the Dropping of the Sioux Nickname

With the UND administration's insistence on abandoning the Sioux nickname for it's identity the talk has been that donors have cut back.

I've heard of some serious hitters saying that they weren't giving the school any money in the future. Of course that's anecdotal. I mean surely those that were against the name would have stepped up to the plate once they got their way.

I've been waiting for UND Foundation to release their report for some months now. After all their fiscal year ends June 30th. Well today, in the GF Herald I saw the first indication that things aren't pretty.

In 2007, before the recent economic downturn, UND was talking about bringing its endowment up to $500 million. A

As of the end of fiscal year 2010, the endowment was $106 million, Johnson said.

According to the last Foundation report for fiscal year 2009, on page 17, they had $144 million in net assets. So if they're down to $106 million there are some issues. There is a chance that they consider something less that that as their endowment. I don't see any line item on their books as an endowment though.

It will be very interesting when they do release their financials. Back in the spring of 2009 the Board of Higher Education made the move to eventually retire the name. If they say a drop in 2009-2010 I would predict an even larger drop in the current fiscal year, now that the name is apparently killed off by the current administration.

I have a hard time believing that the UND Foundation should have lost money in their investments in the last fiscal year. My 401K did pretty well over that period.

The same article says that there's a big announcement for a new fund raising campaign tonight. I wasn't invited. But if I had to bet I'd say that the only thing that UND President Robert Kelley could raise funds for at this point is moving expenses.

Cross Posted from Say Anything Blog

Genoway and Eidsness make USCHO's Hobey Baker Watch.

Elliot Olshansky from USCHO has included Fighting Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway and Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness in his 2010-11 Hobey Baker Watch: Preview, Part II.

DEFENSEMEN

Chay Genoway, Sr., North Dakota – Genoway was named to the All-WCHA third team despite playing a grand total of nine games due to a concussion sustained at the hands of St. Cloud’s Aaron Marvin, but was granted a medical redshirt to complete his college career at North Dakota. In those nine games, he had four goals and six assists, and was generating his share of Hobey talk. Given a full, healthy season on a North Dakota team that always seems to get hot at the right time of year, he should be able to contend for the award again.

GOALTENDERS

Brad Eidsness, Jr., North Dakota – Eidsness was an All-WCHA second team pick last season after finishing eighth nationally in goals-against average and 23rd in save percentage. The return of Chay Genoway to the UND blueline corps should be helpful, and while it’s always tricky to pick goalies, Eidsness is one worth looking at.

Friday Morning Pontifications....

The UAA Seawolves will have a new goaltender(s) to start the 2010-2011 season, the previous goaltenders/sieves Jon Olthuis (Senior) and Bryce Christian (signed professional contract) have left the team making way for three inexperienced goalies to battle for the starting position.

The Seawolves don't have a projected No. 1 goalie, or even a proven college backstop, among the three men who play the position.

Gunderson is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound freshman from the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Chris Kamal is a 5-9, 186-pound freshman from the North American Hockey League. And the college game resume of returning junior Dusan Sidor, a 6-foot, 170-pounder, consists of a two-period relief stint last season.

The UAF Nanooks made their first trip to the NCAA tourney last season and are now poised to make another run to the NCAA tourney. Sounds like the Nanooks spent the off season preparing for the up coming season.

FAIRBANKS — “All summer, we had that taste in our mouths,” junior right wing Ron Meyers said after the recent Blue-Gold Game at the Patty Center. “We worked our butts off so we can get back there and get that taste ... and get more of a taste, staying there for more rounds and seeing how far we get there.”

More rounds in the NCAA Tournament starts with the regional final. If a team is fortunate there, it means a trip to the Frozen Four, where it will play in a national semifinal and if its fortune continues, it will play for the national championship.

The 22 veterans have stressed to the five newcomers — freshmen Colton Beck (left wing), Cody Kunyk (center), Erik Slemp (right wing) and Michael Quinn (defenseman) and sophomore center Adam Henderson, a transfer from Central Collegiate Hockey Association rival Michigan State — that they want that taste to stay throughout the regular season and remain with the Nanooks for, hopefully, another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Nanooks hockey seeks repeat postseason trip

The Alaska Nanooks Hockey Blog has an interesting blog post on the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team. It's always interesting to see how others scout the Sioux. Britton is a more user friendly than Delusions of Grandeur. [Click to read]

Dominating is the goal for SCSU [SCSU Times]

Lee, a third-round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, went into his freshman season with a lot of accolades and awards. He was the United States Hockey League Goalie of the Year and USA Hockey Junior Hockey Goalie of the Year in 2009. In preseasons polls of the media and the coaches, he also was the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year.

Last winter, he won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships and started the last six postseason for the Huskies. He also had a 6-7-2 record and a 3.04 goals-against average in WCHA games.

"It was about as good a learning year as anybody could ask for with all of the ups and downs," said Lee, a sophomore who led Roseau to the 2007 Class 2A state high school title. "I went through about everything that somebody could go through in a season. It was good to get that experience under my belt for my freshman year.

"We're looking to build off that year," said Lee, who started in the WCHA championship game and won an NCAA first-round playoff game. "The more times you play for championships, the better your odds are. That's our goal, to keep putting ourselves in those situations."

Dominating? Yeah! Uh, oh, OK! I have been on record as saying that I think that Mike Lee is over rated and that Dan Dunn is the better of the two goalies for the SCSU Huskies. Last season Mike Lee folded in the big games in college and on the World stage. Lee was pulled in the WJC against Canada in the championship game, pulled in the Final Five against UND and was 0-3 UND last season (4-0 L, 8-1 L, 5-3 L), in fact Mike Lee only finished one game against the Sioux last season a 4-0 loss in November. On the flip side of that goalie combo Dunn was 2-0 against UND.

UND Fighting Sioux hockey Season on... First off the Seawolves.

The UND Fighting Sioux travel to Anchorage Alaska to play in the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska. Game time is at 11:07 pm Grand Forks, ND time. You can watch the game on FSSN Channel 27 or listen to the game on 96.1 or via the internet on FightingSioux.com. The Fighting Sioux radio broadcast between UND and UAA is free but requires that you register at FightingSioux.com.

Here are some of the key returning players for the Fighting Sioux

Forwards

Danny Kristo Soph, 15g-21a-36pts
Matt Frattin Sr, 11g-8a-19pts
Jason Gregoire Jr, 20g-17a-37pts
Brett Hextall Jr, 14g-12a-26pts
Evan Trupp Sr, 8g-26a-34pts

Defense

Derrick LaPoint Sr 2g-20a-22pts
Jake Marto Sr, 5g-13a-18pts
Ben Blood Jr, 5g-9a-14pts
Chay Genoway SR, 4g-6a-10pts

Goalie

Brad Eidsness Jr, 24-10-4, 2.11 GAA, SV% .914

Here are some of the key returning players for the UAA Seawolves.

Forward

Tommy Grant Sr, 9g-17a-26pts
Sean Wiles Sr, 9g-8a-17pts
Craig Parkinson Sr, 6g-5a-11pts
Jade Portwood Jr,3g-2a-5pts

Defensemen

Nick Haddad Sr, 5g-5a-10gpts
Luka Vidmar Sr, 2-g10a-12pts
Brad Gorham Jr, 0g-5a-10pts
Chris Crowell So, 0g-0a-0pts

Goalie

Dusan Sidor So, 0-0-0 6.00 GAA SV% .846
Rob Gunderson Fr.
Chris Kamal Fr.

Comparing the two teams

UND averages 6'0.07" and 187.96 lbs.
UAA averages 6'0.71" and 187.13 lbs.

UND record against UAA the last 12 games 7-4-1

UND has a 4-4 in it's last 8 games in Anchorage.

Read what the College Hockey News has to say about the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska.

All the more reason for the defense to stay strong.

"On the flip side, we need to manufacture more shots that lead to an increase in goal production," said Shyiak. "We want to be a team that is tough to play against and keep teams scoring chances to a minimum."

North Dakota, coming off a 5-2 exhibition victory over Manitoba, has epitomized consistency during the past decade-plus, reaching the NCAA tournament in 13 of the last 14 years, including each of the last eight. Last year, the Sioux fell to Yale in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Still, six of the Sioux's seven 20-point scorers from a season ago return this year, so it's no wonder that talk of the Frozen Four is already swirling around Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. In addition, Chay Genoway returns to the Fighting Sioux defensive corps after a concussion kept him out of last season.

Genoway played regular shifts in North Dakota's win over Manitoba last week.

Familiar faces returning to WCHA

Kevin Pates from the Duluth News Tribune has a nice article about the two new teams that will begin play in the WCHA this season. I have a feeling that the WCHA is going to get to know Tom Serratore and Dean Blais’ teams pretty quick as both coaches like to play an up tempo race horse hockey type of game.

Duluth News Tribune ---- The newest members of the league — Serratore with Bemidji State and Blais with Nebraska-Omaha — begin 2010-11 play in the next two weeks. On Tuesday, they were warmly welcomed by fellow WCHA head coaches during a media conference call. They needed no introduction.

Serratore, 46, is entering his ninth year as Bemidji State’s head coach with a mark of 140-120-29. He was a St. Cloud State assistant for five years in the WCHA from 1993-99.

Blais, 59, is entering his second year at Omaha and spent 10 seasons in the WCHA as North Dakota’s head coach with a 262-115-33 record. He had another nine years as a North Dakota assistant and played for Minnesota from 1969-73.

“It’s an exciting time in Bemidji, something we’ve dreamt of for years,” said Serratore, who grew up in Coleraine and was a Bemidji State hockey captain. “The longtime goal of this program has been to be a member of the WCHA, and it’s nice to see it come to fruition.

“All of northern Minnesota and the Iron Range has been looking forward to this, and we hope to compete day-in-and-day-out with the teams in our league.”

Bemidji State knocked on the WCHA’s door with the demise of College Hockey America. Nebraska-Omaha was then courted by WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod to make the league an even dozen members, the largest size since its inception in 1951.

Bemidji State, which grew to national small-college stature under Bob Peters, has been in three NCAA Division I tournaments the past six years. The Beavers were 23-10-4 last season, won the College Hockey America regular-season title and lost to Michigan 5-1 in the NCAA Midwest Regional’s first round. The four-team College Hockey America then dissolved.

Bemidji State opens its first WCHA season in impressive fashion with the christening of the $44 million, 4,500-seat Bemidji Regional Event Center on Oct. 15 against North Dakota.

Inside Fighting Sioux hockey

The inaugural season of Inside Fighting Sioux hockey. It will be a weekly show that will go on for 23 weeks. I guess you could say that it will be the inaugural and well probably last season of Inside Fighting Sioux hockey. Next year UND will drop the Fighting Sioux logo and who knows what will happen.

The NHL season is here...

s/t to Brad "Sioux Rube" Schack for the video, I took it from his Face Book page. I am pumped, today is the opening day of the NHL season and I will be able to watch the Wild game at 11:00 on Versus. I already bought my subscription to NHL Center Ice, this season it's 170.00 plus dollars. Yikes! I predict that finally the Boston Bruins will win the Stanley Cup.

UPDATE - Season opener...

Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom with a new goalie mask.

Martin Havlat with a new number he is now 24.

The newest member of the Minnesota Wild former SCSU Husky Matt Cullen wearing number 7.

First goal for the 2010 - 2011 NHL season - MIN Guillaume Latendresse (1) Wrist Shot - Assists: M. Koivu (1) & K. Brodziak (1).

19:50 Carolina Brandon Sutter (Jussi Jokinen, Jamie Mcbain) PP... Former Wisconsin Badger Jamie Mcbain with the assist.

Derek Boogaard, noted fighter, will be looked at to do more than brawl with Rangers: John Tortorella

This is an interesting article that some Wild fans might be interested, if anything it’s an entertaining read. Also, I didn't realize it had been that long since Boogeyman had scored a goal. Let’s be real and who are we kidding? Derek Boogaard's only hockey skill is to fight and his specialty is beating the crap out of goons and if people expect him to do anything else it's silly. Also, Boogaard is very effective scowling and waving his finger at the opposition on the player’s bench. Now; don’t get me wrong I enjoy watching him beat the crap out of out players but he isn’t worth the money the Rangers are going to pay him.

When John Tortorella talks about Derek Boogaard, he does so with a tiptoeing delicacy that stands in stark contrast to the subject.

"We all know what his biggest strength is," the coach says on more than one occasion when asked about the 6-7 mountain of a man who signed a four-year, $6.5 million contract with the Rangers this summer. "It's still in our game. Guys feel more comfortable when a guy like that is around."

Boogaard has not scored a regular-season goal since Jan. 7, 2006, and he would love to end his 222-game drought. It's just that scoring isn't what earns him seven figures. [Read more]

When I read this quote, it's very hard to me not to snicker or to break into uncotrolled laughter. "Yeah Right." You're kidding right? If Boogey scores more than 3 goals I would be surprised.

"I'm not sure how he was treated in Minnesota - if he was just told to go out and fight - that's not what we're looking for here," said the coach. "He'll have his opportunities to do that, but we also want to try to help him become a better player and help us by adding some minutes to our lineup."

Boogaard welcomed that challenge. He struggled through the conditioning tests at the beginning of training camp, but made it through, and he hopes that will allow him to get in the box score for something other than fighting penalties. That's what he did in the preseason, scoring on Friday against Ottawa. But he is still waiting for the real thing. [Read more]

WCHA Website/Blogger Preseason Poll - Sioux the run away winner.

I participated in the Inaugural WCHA Website/Blogger Preseason Poll and here is how the vote played out. I am pretty sure I know who gave Duluth the first place vote. :)

1. North Dakota (12) 177
2. St. Cloud (2) 158
3. Duluth (1) 154
4. Denver 125
5. Minnesota 117
6. Wisconsin 113
7. Nebraska-Omaha 81
8. Colorado College 77
9. Bemidji State 73
10. Minnesota State 39
11. Michigan Tech 30
12. Alaska-Anchorage 26

WCHA Player of the Year:

Jack Connolly-Duluth (6)
Garrett Roe-St. Cloud (5)
Jacob Cepis-Minnesota (1)
Chay Genoway-North Dakota (1)
Jason Gregoire North Dakota (1)
Matt Read-Bemidji (1)

WCHA Rookie of the Year:

Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College (6)
Beau Bennett-Denver (2)
Derek Forbort-North Dakota (2)
Nick Bjugstad-Minnesota (1)
Erik Haula-Minnesota (1)
Matt White-Nebraska Omaha (1)
Mark Zengerle-Wisconsin (1)
Sam Rendle-Bemidji (1)

Voters:

Goon-Goons World (North Dakota)
RWD-Runnin' With The Dogs (Duluth)
Brandon-Sioux Yeah Yeah! (North Dakota)
Chuck Schwartz-Sixty Minutes (Wisconsin)
Exile on Dayton Street-Sixty Minutes (Wisconsin)
Gandalf The Red-Sixty Minutes (Wisconsin)
Hammy-Gopher Hockey Blog (Minnesota)
Dirty-Dirty's Diatribe (North Dakota)
Jeremy-Husky Hockey Blog (St. Cloud)
USAFA Bulldog-The DECC is Stacked (Duluth)
Jon-Mav Puck (Nebraska-Omaha)
Fade to black and gold-Michigan Tech Hockey Blog (Michigan Tech)
Exiled One-College Hockey Recruit Exchange & DaHuskies.com (St. Cloud)
Donald - Delusions of Grandeur (Anchorage)
Millsy-The Beaver Pond (Bemidji)

Here is my ballot

1.) UND
2.) SCSU
3.) UMD
4.) DU
5.) UW
6.) UMN
7.) UNO
8.) BSU
9.) CC
10.) MSU
11.) UAA
12.) MTU

Poy Chay Genoway-UND
ROY Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College

TSN TOP 50 PLAYERS: 2010 EDITION

Two former UND Fighting Sioux hockey players made the TOP 20 of the TSN top 50 players.

3. F - Jonathan Toews (1,398)
16. F - Zach Parise (1,047)

A couple of things (Sioux Hockey)

As the summer winds down and the days gets shorter and the weather gets colder, on can only notice that college hockey is back on the “radar”. This weekend the Fighting Sioux travel to the last frontier to play in the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska. There is good news for Sioux hockey fans that have Midco as their cable carrier.

Fighting Sioux --- This weekend's games will be broadcast live on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network on cable systems in North Dakota and Minnesota. FSSN is picking up the GCI production of both games.

A video webcast of Friday's game against UAA can be purchased at www.GoSeawolves.com, where FREE live stats are also available. There will not be a video webcast for Saturday's UND-UAF game, but FREE live stats will be available. Live audio of both games can be heard at FightingSioux.com.

All UND home games are broadcast live on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Midco Sports Network and Fox College Sports Central. Sunday's game will also be carried live on DirecTV 617.

Since the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team plays the big slow, lumbering team from UAA I thought I would direct your attention to something Delusions of Grandeur had to say about UND. Let's hope Aaron Dell shuts out UAA again this season. Also, Sioux7 is making the trip this week so hopefully we will get a full report from Alaska when he gets back.

North Dakota

It is finally the last year that this team is allowed to continue using it's offensive nickname in the NCAA. Thank christ for that. UND returns eleven skaters as upperclassmen this season. That 11 may very well equal SCSU's 15 in terms of overall talent.

But their 8 sophomore skaters could likely drive this team. There is definitely a lot of scoring potential in their sophomore class. UND will be tough across all four lines. And all four lines will be potential scoring lines.

Sure, they could be the WCHA team to get to the Frozen Four and kill kittens. But I think that just like every other year when UND puts Minnesota in their rear mirror they'll lose the motivation that keeps them so ultra competitive in the WCHA. So they'll finish 2nd in the league. They'll finish 3rd or 4th at the Final Five. Then lose to lower seeded B.C. in the first round.

Don't think for a second that I don't see this talent-laden roster. There's a bunch of real goal scorers on it; Cichy, Knight, Rowney, Gregoire, Kristo. But the mantle of "dealing with personalties" has shifted a bit from it's ever-presence at Minnesota to UND. Those fucking guys all know they're studs.

Okay? So yah ... you manage that. They also better hope Eidsness is good to go all year. Because they're going to ride that boy like they rode Lammy.

This is what Dean Blais had to say on media day. Looks like UNO might get a new hockey arena on campus.

12:32 p.m.: UNO's Dean Blais spoke Tuesday afternoon on the WCHA coaches teleconference. Here's some of the highlights of what the legendary coach -- who led North Dakota to NCAA titles in 1997 and 2000 -- had to say:

>>“We're glad to be in WCHA. It's a great bunch of guys, as far as coaches … and even the referees -- we kind of enjoyed (seeing them) last week when we played British Columbia. We had a good crowd here, we had 5,700 fans, and won 6-1. We had five different players scoring, and it was a really exciting game.”

>>“A new building, like Duluth and Bemidji, is hopefully going to be announced here. We've got three more years at the Qwest Center, then we want to break ground in the spring, and it will take about two years to build. They're thinking 7,500 to around 8,000 (seats). Details should be out hopefully within a month or two.”

INCH gives Sioux the kiss of death

In case you haven't seen it, INCH has The Great 58 up and they have University of North Dakota ranked number one. I would say that B.C. should be number one because they are the reigning NCAA champ and they returned most of their good players.

1. North Dakota - A crucial four-week stretch of October and November for the Sioux has home series with Denver and UMD sandwiched between trips to Maine and Wisconsin.
2. Boston College
3. Miami
4. Michigan
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. St. Cloud State
7. Yale
8. Maine
9. New Hampshire
10. Alaska
11. Denver
12. Union
13. Rensselaer
14. Boston University
15. Cornell
16. Notre Dame
17. Michigan State
18. Minnesota
19. Wisconsin
20. RIT

Michael Cammalleri Slash on Nino Niederreiter

In looking at this video I don't think a one game suspension is a stiff enough punishment for this egregious act. The slash by former Michigan Wolverine hack Mike Cammalleri on Nino Niederreiter is a bush league move and there is no room in hockey for this type of crap. Cammalleri should be out at least 2-4 games in my opinion.

Poll Monday

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[October 4, 2010]
1 Boston College (45) 29-10-3 993 3
2 North Dakota ( 3) 25-13-5 935 4
3 Miami ( 2) 29- 8-7 892 1
4 St. Cloud State 24-14-5 749 7
5 Michigan 26-18-1 741 11
6 Yale 21-10-3 719 8
7 Maine 19-17-3 639 18
8 Minnesota-Duluth 22-17-1 618 14
9 Denver 27-10-4 534 2
10 New Hampshire 18-14-7 510 12
11 Cornell 21- 9-4 509 6
12 Alaska 18-12-9 435 17
13 Wisconsin 28-11-4 295 5
14 Boston University 18-17-3 280 NR
15 Minnesota 18-19-2 271 NR
16 Michigan State 19-13-6 191 19
17 Notre Dame 13-17-8 156 NR
18 RIT 28-12-1 152 20
19 Union 21-12-6 136 16
20 Colorado College 19-17-3 127 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Vermont 105, Bemidji State 101, Northern Michigan 96, Ferris State 83, Nebraska-Omaha 49, Northeastern 39, Rensselaer 32, Mercyhurst 31, Quinnipiac 18, Merrimack 15, Ohio State 13, Colgate 9, St. Lawrence 5, Air Force 4, Mass.-Lowell 2, Robert Morris 1

Sioux 5 - Bisons 2

First; I thought the game was kind of a yawner and the Sioux played very sloppy at times, however, that is probably to be expected since they haven’t had many practices under their belt, I was told that the Fighting Sioux hockey team had like one practice before this game. I also thought Manitoba was a bit cheap and took a lot of runs that UND’s skilled players. I am not sure I would put them in the hack category but they did seem to play with a bit of a edge. It’s one thing to play hard but I don’t think it’s necessary to try and start a brawl during an exhibition game, we would like to save the brawling for conference opponents like the Pioneers and the Gophers.

Second; I thought that Manitoba Bison defenseman Chris Benias and Zachery Tully were a couple of punks. Tully’s hit on Pointer in the corner during the third period was unacceptable and should have been a penalty, I don’t know if it was of the “Major Penalty” variety but it was definitely a hit to the head and could have been five and a game misconduct. Here is the video from the NCAA ice hockey rules committee and at 12:00 they show the definition of major penalty for hits to the head.

Just a few observations from last night's game...

Corban Knight – I thought Knight played well last night and looked good playing at the center. I also thought Knight played a strong physical game. I think Corban Knight is ready to break out this season and fill the net with pucks the up side on this kid is very good.

Mike “Ocho” Cichy – I thought Mike Cichy looked pretty good last night and it would be a plus to have him playing at a higher level to start the season. Last year coach Hakstol said that Cichy came into came out of shape and this season Mike appears to be leaner and in better shape. From the sidelines it would appear that his hard work might have paid off.

Derek Forbort – I think that Forbort is going to fit right into the Sioux line up and didn’t look out of place at one bit. I was impressed with Forbort’s poise in the defensive zone.

Chay Genoway – I think Chay looked a little rusty from only playing nine games last season but I believe he will get back up to speed after a few games and practices.

Brock Nelson – I think Nelson showed us a glimpse of the future and will only get better as the season unwinds. I also expect that he will gain some much needed muscle during the season as he gets into the weight room.

Matt Frattin – Wow! What can you say but Fratts was a beast last night, he looks bigger, stronger, faster, meaner and ready to make an impact on the WCHA. His shot from the point last night on the power play was a laser and it appeared as if it was shot out of a howitzer.

Dillon Simpson – Although he didn’t play that much, I thought that Simpson looked a bit like a deer in the head lights last night. I would say that he will probably be the extra to start the season for the Sioux on defense.



Goon's three stars of the game

(1) Corban Knight
(2) Jason Gregoire
(3) Matt Frattin

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

MTB-1 Tyler Dittmer (2-Slashing) NDK 0x1 1:19
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Tripping) MTB 1x1 2:16
MTB 1 - 0 6x5 PP Dane Crowley (Ian Duval, Blair Macaulay) 3:38
MTB: 5,18,26,11,4,G34 NDK: 4,21,24,19,G31
MTB-2 Blair Macaulay (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 6:48
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Corban Knight (Brett Hextall, Jason Gregoire) 14:20
NDK (+): 10,26,4,17,24,G31
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 LL Jason Gregoire (Derek Forbort) 17:25
NDK (+): 17,4,10,26,24,G31 MTB (-): 11,26,15,19,4,G34

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

NDK 3 - 1 6x6 GW Brett Hextall (Jason Gregoire) 1:11
NDK (+): 26,17,24,4,10,G31 MTB (-): 3,23,4,21,9,G34
MTB-3 Troy Crowley (2-Interference) NDK 0x3 1:44
NDK-2 Mario Lamoureux (2-Interference) MTB 1x2 4:57
MTB-4 Troy Crowley (2-Slashing) NDK 1x4 13:11
MTB-5 Travis Mealy (2-Slashing) NDK 2x5 13:58
NDK 4 - 1 6x4 PP Matt Frattin (Corban Knight, Derek Forbort) 14:16
NDK: 21,10,22,4,19,G32 MTB: 19,2,5,G34
NDK 5 - 1 6x5 PP Brad Malone (Matt Frattin, Brock Nelson) 15:11
NDK: 22,21,29,19,4,G32 MTB: 3,10,4,17,G34

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

NDK-3 Evan Trupp (2-High-Sticking) MTB 1x3 0:05
MTB-6 Chad Erb (2-Roughing) 4:05
MTB-7 Tyler Dittmer (2-Roughing) 4:05
MTB-8 Chris Benias (2-Roughing) 4:05
MTB-9 Zachery Tully (2-Tripping) NDK 2x6 4:05
MTB-10 Zachery Tully (2-Roughing) NDK 2x7 4:05
NDK-4 Derek Forbort (2-Roughing) 4:05
NDK-5 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) 4:05
NDK-6 Corban Knight (2-Roughing) 4:05
MTB 2 - 5 6x6 Mike Hellyer (Blair Macaulay, Dane Crowley) 9:18
MTB (+): 11,26,5,15,18,G34 NDK (-): 22,19,24,26,4,G32
MTB-11 Dane Crowley (2-Holding) NDK 2x8 9:54
MTB-12 Dane Crowley (2-Roughing) 12:13
MTB-13 Dane Crowley (2-Roughing) 12:13
NDK-7 Mario Lamoureux (2-Roughing) 12:13
NDK-8 Mario Lamoureux (2-Roughing) 12:13
NDK-9 Chay Genoway (2-High-Sticking) MTB 1x4 14:21

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

UND 5, the OTHER Bisons 2

Holy Crap! We had to come from behind against the Bisons! Fire Hakstol! Bench Eidsness! Call a Priest to put our season 6 feet into the ground!

No, seriously, it was just an exhibition game, so I won't pontificate on our season based off of this game. However...

Jason Gregoire and Corbin Knight had great games offensively. Derek Forbort was head and shoulders the best freshman on the ice.

I didn't get as much out of this game than perhaps Goon did (however, I THINK I saw Goon on the FSSN feed for a fleet second...), but those three stood out the most to me.

Brock Nelson will eventually be pretty good, but he wasn't the best on the ice.

Also, Chay Genoway did ok, but he did have his rough moments.

I also thought the officials did a passable job tonight...except when it came to protecting the players safety. Derek LaPoint was checked into the boards from behind, no call. I thought for a second that Don Adam was officiating but I remembered that he wasn't. How'd I know? Because if he had, he'd've done two things in the aftermath of the play:

1. He would have called LaPoint for a 10 minute misconduct for telling him that he wasn't doing his job. (By the way, I found out Don Adam guest starred on South Park. You can see him right here.)
2. He would have found a way to give Manitoba the powerplay. He'd've probably added a 2 minute minor to LaPoint for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Manitoba actually played very well all things considered. Steve Christie played alright. He didn't do a great job on Malone's goal. Erb and Dudar did a decent job as well.

They Sioux looked like they hadn't played together at all in the first period (which, except for one practice and a handful of captain's practices, was true) but played better and better as the game wore on. I also thought the first period was also where they missed Kristo the most. Manitoba scored simply by throwing the puck on net. It deflected off of Blood's skate and voila. Danny Kristo isn't afraid to shoot the puck, which, up until that point, was basically what the Sioux seemed to need. No one shot the puck. They tried to be too cute and flashy.

Of course, I've always been a strong proponent of "when in doubt, shoot the puck" as well as the adages "No goals have ever been scored on a pass" and "The more you pass on the power play the more your opponent gets away with too many men on the ice." To further beat the dead horse, a garbage goal is just as good as a highlight reel goal and are much easier to come by.

Anyways, we've got a little work to do before we play Anchorage.

Annnnnnnnnd We're off!

The season is 25 hours and change away when we start the season with the OTHER Bison skating to (hopefully) defeat in the Ralph.

Thus begins the last season as the Fighting Sioux and the following as whatever lame toothless name the idiots on the SBoHE and the UND Administration pigeonhole us into.

But I digress, HOCKEY!

Manitoba boasts a ton of "talent" with again being the team to actually bring a bunch of 25 year old Canadians back to Grand Forks. So, once again, this is the one time a season where Minnesota fans can point at Grand Forks and say that there is a hockey team playing there full of 25 year old Canadians and be right.

Manitoba is a classy program even if the CIAU (or whatever they now call it) is truly a third tier hockey league. To be honest, I'd love to see a USHL team, a DIII team, and a MJ team play a CIAU team and see who would win. I think a USHL team could give them a run for their money and both the DIII and MJ teams have a very good chance at winning.

Anyways, Manitoba brings back 2 former 7th rounders and 2 former 6th round draft picks. A few of their players have actually played pro hockey, in either the AHL or overseas. Their starting goaltender will undoubtedly be Steve Christie, though their backup was, at one time, the Brandon Wheat Kings' rookie of the year before his performance slowly faded into fail.

Once again, Manitoba brings to Grand Forks a washed out ex-NCAA player. The first time it was some former NMU defenseman whose name I don't care too much to remember or even look up. This time it is former Bemidji State University defenseman Joey Moggach.

Just once, I'd like to bring in that team in Alberta that Graeme Harrington transferred to or perhaps U Alberta or U British Columbia to see what they can do. But who cares really. And then there's real news.

We start things off with a little backwards movement: UND Forward and reigning WCHA Rookie of the Year Danny Kristo did something stupid and got caught. Unlike Finley, Kristo wasn't able to do something unique in getting caught doing something stupid, but it was stupid nonetheless. So, he starts the season when UND heads to Alaska.

I'll take flak for this but.... I think Kristo should sit a regular season game in addition to the exhibition. I know that there is some power to sitting him tomorrow because the Sioux start the regular season on the road facing hapless UAA and less hapless UAF and being on the ice when the Sioux skate out with the Broadmoor would be special, but... No.

I think Kristo sitting against UAA would send the message double time without Hakstol hurting the team any more than is absolutely necessary. I think we could bench half our forwards and still win against UAA though.

Speaking of UAA....

They lose Kane LaFranchise for a semester because he actually found something to do other than go to classes last Spring or Summer! Maybe it was the endless sunlight or temps over the freezing point of water that distracted him? I dunno. In any case, UAA goes into the season without much in the way of scoring, nothing in the way of proven goaltending (even MTU has that!) and now, almost nothing in the way of defense.

Looks like my prediction of picking UAA dead last (while Goon and the rest of the media world went with MTU and even MSUM finishing behind UAA!) may become reality. Don't worry, folks, I'll be sure to taunt Goon mercilessly on his blog over this should a Redwing77 Prediction actually come true. Why? Because, to my knowledge, this would be the first time one of my predictions even remotely came true!

Kristo will sit for Sunday's game

According to RWD’s favorite beat writer Brad Schlossman, Sophmore forward Danny Kristo will be sitting out for the exhibition game against Manitoba because he was cited for underage drinking. I hope once the season begins that the Fighting Sioux hockey players focus on the task at hand. Unacceptable!

Sophomore forward Danny Kristo will be benched for Sunday’s exhibition against Manitoba after being cited for drinking underage.

UND announced the suspension for violating team rules today. Kristo will be eligible to return to the team for the first regular-season game against Alaska-Anchorage next weekend.

Blais on the BTHC

I have to agree with Dean Blais on this one, what does Barry Alvarez really know about hockey? I think the Big Ten should concentrate on things that they do well;  like Basketball and Football championships. These athletic directors are messing with college hockey that is already successful and there is a delicate balance that they could upset if they get greedy.

Q: What's your take on the Big Ten possibly starting a hockey league?

A: I don't know what's going to happen for sure. I hear Penn State is starting a program and building an arena. It's hard, hard to get into a conference. They are talking about it. There's got to be a lot of thought that goes into it if the Big Ten schools are going to get together at the expense of hurting college hockey. If you have 55 (58) schools playing hockey and five fold because of that, you better know what you're doing.

(Five programs would fold? Blais said it could happen in the CCHA if it loses three teams to the Big Ten. He had some strong words for the Big Ten schools in the WCHA. “Barry Alvarez, the Wisconsin athletic director, has been pushing this. He's a football guy. Does he know anything about hockey? This could really hurt the sport. Minnesota and Wisconsin have to think about the backlash in future schedules. What's keeping everyone from blackballing them and making them look east?”)