Black Bears 4 Sioux 2 - Shooting yourself in the foot with style

I going to preface this blog post with the comment that the officials probably didn’t cost the Fighting Sioux the game(s) this weekend, however, the officiating in this series was brutal and very one sided almost to the point of being a joke. In fact Hockey East should be ashamed of themselves. Fighting Sioux hockey coach Dave Hakstol might want to think twice about traveling out east again if this is what the Sioux are going to face on the road, that being said, the Sioux looked at times this past weekend to be have been out coached and out played. This is not a team full of 9 – 10 freshman this is a veteran team that had it’s ass handed to them by a decent hockey team.

It's early in the season no need to panic 

I know it’s early and I would never abandon this Fighting Sioux team but what happened this weekend was unacceptable this should not be happening to the Fighting Sioux especially with the personnel that they have on this team. Also, there is no need to start the yearly campaign to fire Dave Hakstol. None the less, there were too many turnover and mental lapses at key times in the game. So with the sweep this weekend he Maine Black Bears have beaten the Fighting Sioux 4 games in a row that is unacceptable as well.

Some need to step it up

Again there is no reason to panic; however, certain players need to play with more disciplined and with a little more heart.  I came away this weekend as being unimpressed with the effort of the Fighting Sioux hockey team. Too many players took the weekend off and or failed to show up to play. It was apparent that Chay Genoway and Matt Frattin played their heart out but a few others were caught standing around watching the Maine Black Bears make plays. I do believe that the Sioux will come back next weekend and put out a good effort.

Check out the box scores and look at the links to the stats, it wasn't pretty tonight as well. The UND Fighting Sioux took five straight penalties and  a few of them were of the weak variety. The Maine Black Bears were tapping Aaron Dell's glove on every save but the Sioux players couldn't respond for fear of being put in the penalty box. Maine comes back to the Ralph for a series I believe next season or the season after and it will be interesting to see if the shoe was on the other foot how would Maine respond.

Frattin continues hot streak

Matt Frattin continues his torrid pace as he has scored 17 goals in 19 games, that is an impressive streak in my opinion, Frattin just seems so focused and driven and it appears that he is trying to lead by example and take the team on his back. Frattin was one of the few players that played hard all weekend and moved his feet.

[Box Score] and or [Live Stats]
Period 1 - No Scoring
Period 2
NDKM 1 - 0 Ben Blood Matt Frattin / Evan Trupp 13:25 EV
MAINE 1 - 1 Nyquist, Gustav Dee, Robby / Abbott, Spencer 16:04 PP
MAINE 1 - 2 Diamond, Joey Dee, Robby / Van Dyk, Josh 18:17 EV
Period 3
MAINE 1 - 3 Flynn, Brian Dimmen, Jeff 00:54 EV
MAINE 1 - 4 Abbott, Spencer O'Neill, Will / Nyquist, Gustav 06:39 PP
NDKM 2 - 4 Matt Frattin Evan Trupp 08:11 SH

PENALTIES

Period 1
NDKM Brock Nelson 2 DIVING 02:11
MAINE Leidermmark, Klas 2 O-INTERFERENCE 02:11
MAINE Beattie, Kyle 2 BOARDING 07:10
NDKM Brad Malone 2 HITTING FROM BEHIND 15:30
MAINE O'Neill, Will 2 ELBOWING 19:00
NDKM Matt Frattin 2 HOLDING 19:48
Period 2
NDKM Team 2 TOO MANY PLAYERS ON ICE 01:56
NDKM Dillon Simpson 2 INTERFERENCE 08:00
NDKM Brad Malone 2 HOOKING 15:58
NDKM Chay Genoway 2 HITTING AFTER WHISTLE 18:17
MAINE Nemec, Mark 2 HITTING AFTER WHISTLE 18:17
NDKM Andrew MacWilliam 2 HITTING AFTER WHISTLE 18:17
MAINE Diamond, Joey 2 HITTING AFTER WHISTLE 18:17
Period 3
MAINE Abbott, Spencer 2 HOOKING 03:21
NDKM Jason Gregoire 2 HOOKING 04:14
NDKM Ben Blood 2 SLASHING 04:51
NDKM Brad Malone 2 TRIPPING 06:20
NDKM Ben Blood 2 O-INTERFERENCE 11:23
MAINE Dimmen, Jeff 2 O-INTERFERENCE 13:15

Canucks' Goon Rypien suspended six games

I think that Canucks Hack/Goon Rick Rypien is getting off lightly for his classless act that took place this past week. There is no reason to try to attack a fan that is sitting in the stands. If I had been the NHL commissioner I would have thrown the book at this moron. I think anything less than 10 games is a travesty. Apparently, James Engquist the victim of the assault isn't all that please with the ruling.

NEW YORK -- Vancouver forward Rick Rypien was suspended for six games by the NHL on Friday, punishment for his altercation with a fan during Tuesday's game in Minnesota.

Including the game already served while Friday's hearing was pending, Rypien will be eligible to return to play Nov. 6 against Detroit. The Canucks also were fined $25,000, as required by League policy.

"Prior to each season, all clubs and players are advised that under no circumstances are club personnel permitted to have physical contact with fans, or enter, or attempt to enter the stands," Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We hold NHL players to a high standard, and there simply is no excuse for conduct of this nature. Fortunately, this incident is not typical of the way NHL players conduct themselves and is not typical of the way Mr. Rypien had conducted himself during his career."

Rypien made contact with the fan as he was heading down the tunnel to the dressing room at the Xcel Energy Center after drawing a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct for an altercation with Minnesota's Brad Staubitz at the 13:38 mark of the second period of an eventual 6-2 loss. As he left the playing bench, Rypien reached up and pushed a spectator who was applauding at the railing separating the stands from the tunnel.

The suspension was announced Friday afternoon after Rypien attended an in-person hearing at the League offices in New York City; a meeting attended by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell.

View from the other side - UMaine and UND

Interesting perspective about UND's style of play from a eastern hockey fan. I am not so sure that I would call UND style of play, “a bullying style,” but ok... I did see both teams taking liberties last night and a one sided officiating job by the Hockey East officials. Like I said earlier I don't blame the officials for the loss but they didn't have a very good effort either.

Something's Bruin --- The crowd was not held in suspense long as the Black Bears struck early and never looked back. Joey Diamond executed a perfect behind the net pass to set up Robbie Dee for the first goal. This was followed up when a Black Bear power play was about to expire but not before Adam Shemansky fed Brian Flynn to make it 2-0. When asked about the importance of getting on the board first, Dee shared, “It definitely got the crowd into it. It was a great atmosphere. [North Dakota] has never been here before so it's probably a little intimidating.”

The Fighting Sioux appeared aptly named tonight as their style was extremely chippy with lots of activity after the whistle and trailing the play. North Dakota starting defenseman Andrew MacWilliam was given a game misconduct after head hunting Flynn who was down on the ice for an extended period. After the game when asked what he thought of the hit Brian said “ I don't remember what happened. I'm not sure if it was dirty.” Undeterred the Fighting Sioux kept up a bullying style but it was no match for Maine's superior skating, passing, forechecking, and netminding.

While Shawn Sirman's performance likely cemented him as the top goalie for Umaine, North Dakota was forced to pull their starter in goal Brad Eidness in favor of Aaron Dell. Unfortunately for the Sioux, Dell fared no better. There was a brief period of suspense as a sloppy Maine turnover on the power play led to a break away, short handed goal by North Dakota Freshman Derek Rodwell but it didn't last long.

On an ensuing Black Bear power play Will O'Neill took a pass at the point, faked a slap shot and then snapped a wrister into the back of the net to make it 4-1 Black Bears. Next, Gustav Nyquist potted his first goal of the year on a hustle play losing a race to a loose puck in the ND defensive zone. Nyquist stuck with it, forced a turnover and easily beat Sioux Goalie Aaron Dell who had come out of net just short of the blue line moments before. Asked to reflect on his first goal of the year Nyquist commented “ It felt great, the team played great. We really wanted to make a statement.”

On MacWilliam's penalty I don't know if it warranted a five minute major and a game misconduct, I would thought a 2 minute penalty would have been enough, but who knows, from the perspective of someone wearing Columbia Blue they are going to say it’s a penalty and from a fan wearing green we are going to see it a little differently. The Flynn was falling down and I suppose Mac could have pulled back. Hey Hockey East has played well against the WCHA as of late so they can beat their chest if they want but I predict that the worm is going to turn pretty soon.

Looking for the silver lining

I did focus on the negative points in the previous blog post and now it’s time to focus on the good things that happened as well. I am not by nature a negative person and it’s easy to pile on when the going gets tough, I can say that the Sioux will come out tonight and compete and put up a good effort.

Last night during the Fighting Sioux hockey chat there were a few people that posted some interesting things. Seriously folks, like Jayson from the UND SID office said, 'there are no championship banners hung in October', and let's get real the Fighting Sioux aren't going to win every game they play this season and Maine is a "quality opponent." Lets give the University of Maine hockey team some respect, they are a good veteran team as well that’s lead by a very good head hockey coach. One could say that they are a program that mirrors ours.

I tend to try to find the silver lining in every game and there were a few last night. Last night Fighting Sioux freshman forward Derek Rodwell’s goal was awesome, it was a bright spot in an other wise bad night. Derek has scored two goals in the last two games. I really like this kids game, he is strong on his skates and plays a strong game.

Matt Frattin's second-period power-play goal was also a thing of beauty, Matt now has 16 goals in his last 18 games. That is an impressive streak. I am sure that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke had to be impressed with that.

While I don’t think officiating was the deciding factor in the game, I do think the officiating was poor and I might have to rethink my criticism of the WCHA buffoons officials. Brad Schlossman sums this up really well. There were a lot of hits that were called a penatly that shouldn't have been.

The reffing didn’t determine the outcome in this one, but it is apparent that they don’t allow much contact out East. Legit body checks — on both sides — were being called. Some very ticky-tack calls. I wonder if that’s the norm for Hockey East or if Friday night was just one of those games. We’ll find out tonight. If it’s called extra tight again, I think it plays into Maine’s advantage. Midway through the third period Friday, the Black Bears had a 10-2 advantage on power plays.

Tonight game will not be on television and you will have to purchase the University of Maine Broadcast for $7.95 here is the link to the broadcast. According to the UND SID office, the University of North Dakota tried to get the broadcast put on MidcoNet but they couldn't come to an agreement.

As I tweeted on Twitter yesterday, former All State Grand Forks Central goalie Seth Lang has reported to the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL. Seth dressed for his first game last night and was the back up goalie to Ryan Faragher.

Dell gets "Housed" - Black Bears 7 Sioux 3

The title of this blog post is a play with words, It came to mind after I witnessed the goal by Tanner House against the Sioux in the second period of last night's game. But I digress, I think the College hockey news sums up last night’s game on their front page quite accurately; “Maine pummeled visiting North Dakota in the night's biggest non-league match up, 7-3.” Last night’s game was embarrassing to say the least, the UND Fighting Sioux were on the big stage playing a big time opponent on CBS College Sports and they failed to show up prepared to play hockey.

I would describe last night’s game as an old fashion ass whopping, the Fighting Sioux were beat in every aspect of the game, in the defensive zone they were turning the puck over and losing the races to loose pucks in both ends of the ice, the Fighting Sioux goaltending was brutal as neither goaltender looked like they had their head in the game, and the Sioux forwards play in the neutral zone was God awful.

Defense a strong point?

While defense is supposed to be a strong point of the 2010-2011 version of the UND Fighting Sioux the team looked like a big, slow, lumbering team. The experienced UND Fighting Sioux Defense were beat to the puck all night long and the Fighting Sioux defense looked like a bunch of road cones, the game film will not lie. I never thought I would see Chay Genoway (0-0-0 4/-3) get beat down the ice to the puck like he did against Maine Sophomore Forward Matt Mangene. That play kind of illustrated how the game went for the Sioux last night.

To be a fly on the wall next week

I would love to be able to watch practice this next week as the Sioux prepare for the Denver Pioneers, it should be all business after being blitzed by a hungrier Maine team. I would also have loved to be a fly on the wall after the first period of last night’s game and after the game. It sounds like UND Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol was not impressed with last night's effort.

“We stood around and watched a good team play well,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “Our feet weren’t moving. We weren’t sharp in any one part of our game. That’s it.”

The Maine Black Bears that stood out for me last night were Junior Forward Brian Flynn (2g-0a-2pts), Junior Forward Gustav Nyquist (1g-1-2pts), Senior Forward Tanner House (1g-1a-2pts), Senior Forward Robby Dee (1g-1a-2pts), Sophomore Forward Joey Diamond (0g-2a-2pts), Junior Defenseman Will O’Neil (0g-1a-1pts) and Junior Forward Spencer Abbott (0g-2a-2pts), these guys skated around, through and over the Sioux defenders all night.

Would someone make a save please!

While I can’t tag all of the Maine goals on the Fighting Sioux goaltenders because the defense was brutal last night and looked like a bunch of pylons the Sioux goaltenders have to start making saves and playing better, because they were God awful last night, and they have less than impressive this season so far to date. That’s not saying that they haven’t played well in stretches they have to start making more saves at key times in the game. I have said this before and had my head taken off by Brad Eidsness admirers’/apologists'
 (I want to preface this by saying have nothing against the kid) that goaltending is the weak link on this hockey team, Eidsness and Dell have to be better and they haven’t been very good at all this season and their numbers speak for themselves. Also, Chay Genoway is an awesome defensive defenseman and is great at getting the puck up ice but his blunders were obvious last night.

Here is a look at the goaltending numbers
Aaron Dell,(2-1-0) GAA 2.46 Save Percentage .881
Brad Eidsness, (1-0-1), GAA 4.46 Save Percentage .762


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

MNE 1 - 0 6x6 LL Robby Dee (4) (Joey Diamond) 0:43
MNE (+): 7,39,10,5,3,G33 NDK (-): 3,10,25,17,26,G31
NDK-1 Jason Gregoire (2-Hitting from Behind) MNE 1x1 1:13
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 2:35
MNE-1 Kyle Beattie (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 2:35
MNE 2 - 0 6x5 PP Brian Flynn (2) (Adam Shemansky, Joey Diamond) 3:00
NDK: 3,19,22,25,G31
NDK-3 Andrew MacWilliam (5-CONTACT TO THE HEAD) (Served by Derek Rodwell) MNE 2x3 5:39
NDK-4 Andrew MacWilliam (10-Game Misconduct) 5:39 MNE 3 - 0 6x5 PP Brian Flynn (3) (Spencer Abbott, Gustav Nyquist) 9:37
MNE: 10,13,89,29,5,G33 NDK: 3,19,22,25,G31
NDK-5 Brad Malone (2-Holding) MNE 2x4 9:37
NDK 1 - 3 5x6 SH Derek Rodwell (2) (Danny Kristo) 10:50
NDK (+): 11,3,7,25,G32 MNE (-): 13,27,89,29,10,G33
NDK-6 Derek Rodwell (2-Elbowing) MNE 3x5 12:10
MNE 4 - 1 6x5 PP GW Will O'Neill (1) (Tanner House, Robby Dee) 12:16
MNE: 27,29,89,13,7,G33 NDK: 3,9,22,25,G32
MNE-2 Mark Nemec (2-O-INTERFERENCE) NDK 0x1 12:47
MNE 5 - 1 6x6 Gustav Nyquist (1) (unassisted) 16:38
MNE (+): 89,29,13,3,5,G33 NDK (-): 5,24,9,11,22,G32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MNE 6 - 1 6x6 Kyle Beattie (2) (Matt Mangene, Mark Anthoine) 2:58
MNE (+): 21,57,24,6,27,G33 NDK (-): 4,5,9,11,27,G32
NDK-7 Derrick LaPoint (2-Elbowing) 4:32
NDK-8 Corban Knight (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) MNE 3x6 4:32
MNE-3 Joey Diamond (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 4:32
MNE 7 - 1 6x6 Tanner House (4) (Spencer Abbott) 8:03
MNE (+): 29,13,4,44,89,G33 NDK (-): 3,5,19,21,22,G32
MNE-4 Tanner House (2-Tripping) NDK 1x2 14:51
NDK 2 - 7 6x5 PP Matt Frattin (6) (Brad Malone) 15:26
NDK: 21,22,4,19,26,G32 MNE: 57,24,3,5,G33
NDK-9 Derek Forbort (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) MNE 3x7 18:24

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

NDK-10 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) MNE 3x8 3:46
NDK 3 - 7 6x6 Brad Malone (2) (Corban Knight) 6:08
NDK (+): 22,8,10,24,25,G32 MNE (-): 24,57,44,4,26,G33
NDK-11 Michael Cichy (2-Boarding) MNE 3x9 6:29
NDK-12 Ben Blood (2-Cross-Checking) MNE 3x10 6:39
NDK-13 Danny Kristo (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 8:17
MNE-5 Tanner House (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 8:17
MNE-6 Robby Dee (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) NDK 1x3 8:27
MNE-7 Matt Mangene (2-Hooking) NDK 1x4 10:38
MNE-8 Kyle Beattie (2-Tripping) NDK 1x5 13:23
NDK-14 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) 18:03
MNE-9 Mike Banwell (2-Roughing) 18:03
MNE-10 Mike Banwell (2-Elbowing) NDK 1x6 18:03
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

College Hockey scores from 10/22/2010

Friday, October 22

Bentley 1 at Clarkson 5
Boston University 4 at Massachusetts 3
Niagara 1 at Union 6
Providence 4 at UMass Lowell 5 OT
RIT 1 at Rensselaer 4
Western Michigan 3 at St. Lawrence 1
American Int'l 5 at Air Force 3
Alaska 1 at Michigan State 1 OT
Alab-Huntsville 4 at Bowling Green 5
Colgate 1 at Lake Superior 2
Canisius 4 at Sacred Heart 1
Ohio State 1 at Ferris State 2
Alaska Anchorage 2 at Minnesota Duluth 3 OT
St. Cloud State 5 at Minnesota 2
North Dakota 3 at Maine 7
New Hampshire 2 at Northeastern 2 OT
Northern Michigan 0 at Miami 4
Nebraska-Omaha 4 at Michigan 2
Colorado College 4 at Minnesota State 5
Wisconsin 2 at Denver 4

Analysis - Pontifications

I Blame Roman!

UND at Maine: Split ... NoDak sweeps in Bangor, Orono or wherever Maine is. Sioux's Matt Frattin is hotter than hot.

How about them UNO Maviericks? The Mavericks roll into Ann Arbor, Michigan and beat the Wolverines 4-2. I don’t think anyone is going to be over looking the Mavericks now.

The big, slow, lumbering team from UAA losses in Overtime to the Speedy Bulldogs. I expect the UAA Seawolves to bounce back tonight as they always play the Dogs tough in Duluth.

Buffoon of the week.

You really can't make this stuff up, check out what Canucks player Manny Malhotra had to say on Rypien attacking a Minnesota Wild fan in the stands at the Xcel Energy Center. For this ridiculous statement, you’re the Goon’s World Buffoon of the week. There is no reason a professional hockey player should go into the stands and assault a fan, especially for saying, 'Way to be professional.' That's unacceptable.

Fan House ---"There's boundaries that should never be crossed. We're in our area of work. We're all for the hooting and hollering and supporting your team and saying whatever is tasteful. But as soon as you cross that line and want to become physical with a player then we have to make sure we take care of ourselves. ... We have no idea of what their intentions are."

The only problem, of course, is there's no evidence that the fan became physical, or did anything to provoke Rypien's actions.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux7)

And they’re off. Last weekend officially opened the WCHA regular season. Granted it was only 3 league series and wasn’t a full set of 6 series. Both new teams, the Beavers of BSU, and the Mavericks of UNO, have their first WCHA series in the books. The Beavers also got to open up a new arena, the BREC (Bemidji Regional Events Center), unfortunately for them they lost the opener and the follow game. UNO on the other hand, went on the road and got a pair of wins to start their WCHA career.

WCHA standings

TEAM……………......W-L-T...Pts
Nebraska-Omaha…2-0-0…4
North Dakota………2-0-0…4
Michigan Tech……..1-0-1…3
Minnesota State…...0-1-1…1
Alaska-Anchorage...0-0-0…0
Colorado College…..0-0-0…0
Denver……………......0-0-0…0
Minnesota-Duluth....0-0-0…0
St. Cloud State….....0-0-0…0
Wisconsin…………..0-0-0…0
Bemidji State……….0-2-0…0
Minnesota…………..0-2-0…0

WCHA

#15 Wisconsin @ #11 Denver
Last weekend the Badgers swept Alabama-Huntsville in Madison, and the Pioneers got swept by Boston College in Denver.

This should be a good series to watch, DU has gotten the best UW in Madison, but now this year it’s in Denver. The Pioneers had a much tougher opponent last week in BC then the Badgers had in the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. Both teams lost some great players after last season. I think both teams are just getting their new players up to speed and getting some cohesion between line mates. I’m going to call this series a SPLIT.

#19 Colorado College @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Tigers beat UAA and lost to UAF at the Alaska Gold Rush tournament and the Mavericks got one point out of the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

The Tigers are on another “road trip” this weekend after the long trip to Alaska last weekend. The Mavericks are at home after a long trip to Houghton. I’m thinking the Tigers will be a little tired from traveling, and the Mavericks will be happy to be back in Mankato. SPLIT.

Alaska-Anchorage @ #6 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Seawolves lost to the CC Tigers and the Union Dutchmen in the Alaska Gold Rush tournament and the Bulldogs swept the Providence Friars in Duluth.

I saw the Seawolves in action two weeks ago in Anchorage and they played okay, not great but not horrible either. The Bulldogs are sporting a high ranking early this year, but is it the same or similar team as last year? Good offense, not much defense? If UAA can limit the quality scoring chances, they have a chance to win games. The season is just getting start, so, of course, it is tricky to pick series. SPLIT.


#14 St. Cloud St. @ #20 Minnesota (Friday & Sunday)
Last weekend the Huskies lost and tied the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in St. Cloud and the Gophers where swept by the UNO Mavericks in Minneapolis.

This has been great series to watch the last couple of years, there have been some real goal-fests between these two schools. I watched the Gophers on TV last weekend, and well they made good comeback attempts. The fans in Minneapolis need their team to play 60 minutes instead of just the last 20-30 minutes. Both teams have talent, but the team whose talent shows up and plays sixty minutes will win the game(s). SPLIT.

Non-Conference

#10 Nebraska-Omaha @ #4 Michigan
Last weekend the Mavericks swept the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Wolverines tied the New Hampshire Wildcats (only played one game).

Last year this was CCHA conference game, now it is a non-conference match-up. Since these teams are familiar with one another, it should be a good series, plus they are both in the top ten rankings. SPLIT.


#2 North Dakota @ #12 Maine
Last weekend the Fighting Sioux swept the BSU Beavers in Bemidji and the Black Bears of Maine tied and lost to the Michigan State Spartans in Michigan.

The Sioux are 11-6-1 all-time against the Maine Black Bears. This will the third weekend in a row that UND is on the road. If they can take a win or two back from Orono, the Sioux will be in great shape for the rest of season. They have back-to-back road series in mid-November (@ UW, @UNO) and after that; the Sioux have no more back-to-back road series. It is a little different with the Sioux getting off to fast start, under Hakstol it has generally been slow starts, and then after Christmas the team goes on a tear. I like the Sioux to continue on their winning ways. SIOUX Win/Tie

BYE week
Bemidji State University Beavers
Michigan Technological University Huskies

Maine, North Dakota hockey programs are similar

I have always liked the University of Maine Black Bears and UND Fighting Sioux hockey rivalry. I also have a lot of respect for the University of Maine Black Bears hockey program. This is a good test that will help the Sioux in the post season. Last time the Black Bears and Sioux met UND was swept at the REA by scores of 6-2 and 3-1.

Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff --- With Black Bear coach Shawn Walsh away in California getting treatment for kidney cancer, which would claim his life less than a year later, UND coach Dean Blais had the names on the backs of his team's jerseys replaced by the name "Walsh" to show his and his team's support for the Maine coach.

It was a classy gesture that will never be forgotten by the Black Bear faithful.

So it was only appropriate that the Fighting Sioux would be on hand at the Alfond Arena four years later under first-year coach Dave Hakstol when Walsh's shamrock was retired and hoisted to the rafters where it sits today.

The two programs resume their rivalry this weekend when North Dakota comes to Orono for a Friday-Saturday night series.

It will be their first meeting since Maine swept the Sioux 6-2 and 3-1 in Grand Forks on Oct. 20-21, 2006. Those wins enabled Maine to overcome a late-season collapse and make the NCAA Tournament and they went on to reach the Frozen Four.

It was the last time Maine participated in the NCAA Tournament.

The programs have a lot in common.

Both have been able to overcome geographic disadvantages to build nationally prominent programs.

They are both in remote locations.

Both have benefited from wealthy donors.

The late Harold Alfond and his family not only made Alfond Arena a reality in 1976, they have continued to donate to the program, including a $3.5 million gift announced last week to renovate the arena.

The late Ralph Engelstad provided the Fighting Sioux with a magnificent, state-of-the-art $110 million arena in his name that opened in 2001.

Both teams are the flagship programs for their respective universities and have rabid followings. The Fighting Sioux have won seven national championships and Maine has won two.

RECENT SCORES
10/21/2006 Maine 3 North Dakota 1 Maine
10/20/2006 Maine 6 North Dakota 2 Maine
2005-2006
2004-2005
10/09/2004 North Dakota 3 Maine 1 North Dakota
10/08/2004 North Dakota 4 Maine 3 (ot) North Dakota

Tweet cast for the game [click for link].

Cross your fingers for Saturday night.

This seems to be a bit of good news. For those that are wondering UND and Maine play on CBS College Sports formerly CSTV.

University of North Dakota Hockey ---- Friday’s game will be on CBS College Sports. It will not be on webcast and FSSN will not pick it up. CBS will not allow it. So check if you have CBS College Sports. If not, find a local bar that has it. If not, hang out with Jayson and I on the live chat.

Saturday’s game will be televised locally. UND is working on the possibility of FSSN/Midco Sports Network picking up the game. If successful, there will be an announcement and I will post it on the blog. On Saturday, there WILL be a webcast of the game at www.goblackbears.com.

NHL doesn't like the first amendment?

NHL refs are no longer able to use facebook, at first glance this rules seems to be an ill conceived, unthought-out (I am not sure that is a word) overstep. One could say that its’ a stupid rule.

the score --- With all the travel and time spent over the last decade, my friend made lasting friendships with guys who are NHL referees and linesmen today. He’s even friends with them on Facebook!

On Tuesday, a number of NHL referees revealed to their Facebook friends they are no longer allowed to use the popular social networking tool. While actual messages — or wall posts — varied, many referees had the phrase “…legally no longer allowed [to use Facebook]” as their Facebook status.

I find this interesting. The NHL doesn’t really have a social media policy set in stone, although recent reports suggest teams have addressed social media use with players. I haven’t heard of any similar situations for referees. Then again, it’s unlikely an NHL referee will pull a “Bissonnette” in the foreseeable future.

The revelation of referees not being allowed to use Facebook isn’t all that interesting, but it makes you wonder what the league’s reasoning is (and what’s up with “legally”?). It also makes you wonder if this is the beginning of a league-wide social media policy for players, referees and anyone else directly employed by the NHL.

Canucks Goon Rick Rypien suspended by the NHL.

There was no reason for Cancucks Rick Rypien to put his hands on a fan and this act could be construed as an assault, I don't care if the fan said something to Rypien. Seriously! I will post the video later today after I get home.

TORONTO (AP) Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien has been suspended indefinitely for grabbing a fan while heading to the locker room in the game against Minnesota.

Rypien was on the way to the visiting locker room in Minnesota on Tuesday night after being assessed a double minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct in the second period. Rypien pushed a Wild fan who was applauding at the railing.

He was pulled away by teammate Manny Malhotra and the fan was removed from the area.

Rypien will have a hearing and the length of his suspension will be determined by the NHL.

Miami continues dominance over WCHA teams.

Last season I wrote a blog post on the Miami RedHawks and how they have had a nice run against the WCHA and the last team to beat them was the Fighting Sioux. Well! That run has continued, as the Huskies laid another egg against the RedHawks last weekend in the National Hockey Center getting beat 6-3 the first night and only a 1-1 tie on Saturday night against the Miami RedHawks.

The SCSU goaltender Sophomore Mike Lee was lit up again on Friday night, giving up 6 goals on 25 shots. Incidentally, SCSU Huskies head hockey coach Bob Motzko is also an unimpressive 0-4 against the RedHawks. Ok, before someone is going to ask me what my point is? It's simple. good teams have to beat other good NCAA playoff teams in their building if they are going to be looked at as a legitimate contender. So far this season SCSU has been shelled by Clarkson 6-2 and Miami 6-3.

Goon's World --- Here is the last 6 games that Miami has played against WCHA teams.

October 8th 2005 UND 3 Miami 0
October 6th 2006 Miami 5 DU 2
December 27, 2007 Miami 2 SCSU 1 O.T.
March 27, 2009 Miami 4 DU 2
March 28, 2009 Miami 2 UMD 1
October 09, 2009 Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.
October 10, 2009 Miami 2 SCSU 0


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

Here is the updated results, the only WCHA team to beat Miami is UND and they have a 1-0-1 record during that time period.

October 8th 2005 UND 3 Miami 0
October 6th 2006 Miami 5 DU 2
December 27, 2007 Miami 2 SCSU 1 O.T.
March 27, 2009 Miami 4 DU 2
March 28, 2009 Miami 2 UMD 1
October 09, 2009 Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.
October 10, 2009 Miami 2 SCSU 0
November 28, 2009 UND 5 Miami 5 O.T.
October 15, 2010 Miami 6 SCSU 3
October 16, 2010 Miami 1 SCSU 1 O.T.

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week - Matt Frattin

It would be an understatement to say that Fighting Sioux senior forward Matt Frattin was a big factor in the Sioux sweep of the BSU Beavers, this past weekend... All you have to do is go back and watch the video highlights from Friday's game to see that Fighting Sioux forward Matt Frattin (5- 1- 6) was on fire and for his awesome performance last weekend Frattin was rewarded with the WCHA Player Of the Week.

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Matt Frattin - Sr., F, North Dakota

photoUniversity of North Dakota right winger Matt Frattin, who sparkled offensively in his team's WCHA-opening series sweep at Bemidji State last weekend, is the men's Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Oct. 19, 2010.

A 6-0, 206-pound senior from Toronto, Ont., Frattin scored a three-goal hat trick last Friday (Oct. 15) and then followed up with another goal and an assist last Saturday (Oct. 16) for a five-point series to lead the second-ranked Sioux to a pair of 5-2 conference road wins over host Bemidji State. In Friday's win, Frattin scored a goal in each period with power-play tallies in each of the first two periods, and an empty-netter late in the third. He also had seven shots on goal. On Saturday, Frattin assisted on Evan Trupp's eventual game-winner, then scored with 1:47 left to put UND up 4-2 and clinch the sweep. He was also a +2 in the plus/minus category.

Frattin, who leads the WCHA and ranks second in the NCAA with five goals, now has scored 15 goals in his last 17 games dating back to last Feb. 13. He is a draft choice of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

Also nominated this week were: Jordan George, F, BSU; Eric Kattelus, F, MTU; Jay Barriball, F, UM; Jack Connolly, F, UMD; Rich Purslow, F, UNO; and Jordy Murray, F, UW.

College hockey's landscape is changing, but is there room for UAH?

I know this is a little old but If you haven't seen this article it's worth a look.

The Huntsville Times --- Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez told Madison.com he expects the creation of Big Ten ice hockey to be at the top of the agenda at this month's conference meeting.

"I don't know the logistics - how long it takes to get out of a league, all of that - but I sense that we will move in that direction," he said.

The Chargers, meanwhile, continue to demonstrate patience. Athletic director Jim Harris has paid close attention to the developing situation in college hockey and hopes to keep UAH in a position to reach a conference agreement.

"We're prepared to visit or talk with any conference, and we'd certainly welcome the opportunity to be in this new landscape," Harris said. "We'd hope that if there is pow-wow of these major conferences, they'd at least include us in the talk to understand that we're still ready and still very viable."

The conference most likely to be affected by this forecasted seismic shift would be the CCHA, which currently claims Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State as members. Commissioner Tom Anastos recognized losing three of the conference's top teams is a possibility but isn't scrambling to make changes until he hears something definitive.

"I'd say it's way too early to really speculate on it," Anastos said. "I'm reading all the speculation, but I really don't want to engage in it because it's simply speculation."

Anastos said the CCHA is completing new organizational structures that will continue to evaluate any potential landscape changes, but stopped short of saying what schools it would take into consideration.

"(Our evaluations) aren't triggered because of any particular reason," Anastos said. "We just think it's good business to be constantly evaluating your structure.

Weekend in review

I will include these pictures from this past weekend again. Also, Eric Stromgren from the Bemidji Pioneer has some really nice photos on his blog as well as in the Bemidji Pioneer.

This past weekend I was one of the lucky ones that was able to take in the historic first ever WCHA hockey series between the BSU Beavers and the UND Fighting Sioux at the “new” BREC in Bemidji. My first impression of the BREC is 100% positive and you can mark me down as being impressed with the layout of the building and the grounds. Bemidji gets an “A” for their new building.

From what I can see in my first viewing of the BREC; its an amazing and impressive facility that will even the playing field for the BSU Beavers hockey team as far as recruitment goes, it’s definitely an up grade from the John S Glas Field House.

In walking around in the bowels of the arena I was impressed with the player’s area, the BREC has something like 4 locker rooms; an impressive weight room, that unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of the weight room, none the less, the weight room had equipment that was top of the line. In today’s recruiting environment, those amenities are important features when recruiting players in the WCHA.

BREC fan friendly

While The BREC has a lot of amenities and will give BSU the edge when going for prized recruits in the future; there are also a lot of nice fan friendly amenities that will make the BREC an attractive option for future road trips and improve the hockey viewing experience for the college hockey fan. Like I said before this is not your daddy’s John S Glas Field House college hockey experience anymore, the two arenas don’t compare 46,000,000.00 > 970,000.00.

Based on what I saw last weekend the BREC has room for about 4373 fans (even though I have read somewhere that it seats 4,700) people and it’s the perfect size for a town like Bemidji that has a population that is roughly about 10,000 people. From what I saw the BREC has good site lines and I didn’t hear any complaints from fans about not being able to see the game.

One thing that caught my eye was that the Student section is positioned right behind the visiting goalie for two of the three periods and with their seating configuration allows the BSU student section to stand for the whole game if they would like, because they are not blocking the view of anyone behind them. In other words, they didn’t build luxury suites behind the student section. So that eliminates one problem there.

I was down by the Zamboni door where the Sioux players were leaving the ice surface after the pregame warm ups and it was interesting to see the BSU student section giving the Sioux players the business as they left the ice. The language coming from the stands was probably PG-13 and probably not as coarse as I thought it would be. The Sioux players seemed to enjoy it and smile as they walked off the ice. I have to admit that it was fun to watch the exchange.

The club seating and suite area is really nice and has a few amenities that really stood out to me as well. The club seating area seat approximately 200 fans in seat in the west end of the arena, that area is finished off with a nice bar, which incidentally serves more than Miller Beer products. One person that I know told me that the loneliest person was the Miller Lite beer stand in the lobby out side of the lower bowl of the arena. There is also leather couches in the club seating area to sit on between periods. The rest room facilities in the Club/Suite level area were nice and not crowded at all.

Bemidiji Regional Event Center

Over the weekend many people twittered me and sent me text messages asking me what I thought about the new BREC. Personally, I am excited about the new facility and I will reiterate what I said earlier, the Bemidji Regional Event Center is an improved high end version of the of the United Plains Center or what will now be called the Scheels Arena in Fargo, ND. The city of Bemidji did the BREC right and didn’t do it on the cheap, and they also laid the ground work for some nice expansion in the future.

Eventually, there is going to be a Holiday Inn Express built that will be connected to the BREC. So a person will be able to attend a hockey game and stay right there on the Grounds of the Bemidji Regional Events Center. That would be a plus in the winter when the weather turns bad.

As I mentioned in a paragraph above, one of the amenities from the BREC that I think the fans appreciated was that there is a bigger selection of adult beverages in the lobby of the lower bowl of the arena. Seriously, if you’re a fan that like to consume a beer or two there are more options than Miller Beer products. Also, you can get a mixed drink if you so chose without having to go to an arena bar. The one issue I saw with the mixed drink stand was there appeared to be only one mixed drink stand on the lower level causing long lines to purchase said mixed drink. It’s a minor issue and not a deal breaker. I was also able to purchase a Dunn Brother’s Coffee in the lobby of the BREC. I thought that was a really nice touch.

BSU a first class organization

First, I want to preface this last paragraph to say that I would like to thank the Bemidji Sports Information Director Brad Folkestad for his hospitality and thank him for giving me press credentials and an opportunity to report on the historic first WCHA series between the BSU Beavers and the UND Fighting Sioux.

It was a pleasure to be a part of what transpired this past weekend, BSU is a first class organization that does everything with class and has a lot of pride as an organization. I attended BSU in the early 1990’s before I transferred to UND and BSU is definitely one of my favorite teams and a town that I still consider home, I also graduate from BHS in 1985. I will always fondly remember the campus and town of Bemidji. I will always remember this weekend positively as long as I live.

Kyle Radke, Showing South Texas What Sioux Hockey is all About

Is there life after playing Sioux Hockey? For Kyle Radke there is, actually you could say he never stopped. For his third professional season, Radke signed with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (www.killerbeehockey.com) of the Central Hockey League. Radke is once again a true blue liner whose Sioux roots run deep. That Fighting Sioux intensity is shining through and has helped Radke make an immediate impact in the Killer Bees program. In two games; Radke has three shots on goal and the Bees have zero goals against with him on the ice.

Radke brings with him a great sense of awareness that allows him to know what’s going to happen before the play fully develops, a skill possessed by all good defensemen. His ownership of the blue line shows almost every shift. Radke is able to cut off huge chunks of ice and force opponents to do his bidding.

Radke has seen a lot of playing time and has landed a spot on both the penalty kill and the power play. The Bees took 3 out of 4 points in their opening series against the Laredo Bucks. The Bees won Friday night 4-2 and lost in a 3-4 OT Shootout on Saturday. All three Laredo goals during regulation time on Saturday came in the second period when Radke was off the ice getting his skate repaired. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not, but to me it shows just how valuable Radke is to this team.

With only five returning players on the Bees roster, fans are still adjusting to the new team. But rest assured, by the end of the season everyone will know who Kyle Radke is and what it means to have a Sioux Alum on the ice. Go Sioux!! And now Go Bees Go!!

Des Moines and Dubuque brawl in USHL hockey

I saw this video over on Puck Daddy and it's definitely old time hockey, I would also say that Buccaneers player Garrett Taylor who is wearing the white number nine jersey violated the hockey code because once your opponent hits the ice you're suppose to stop punching them.

Check out this third period of hockey.
Period 3
Dubuque - Andrew Sinelli - (Tripping), 2 min, 1:20
Des Moines - Kevin Irwin - (Delay of Game), 2 min, 14:18
Dubuque - Tyler Lundey - (Cross Checking), 2 min, 14:18
Dubuque - Luke Curadi - (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 14:18
Des Moines - Doug Clifford - (Fighting (Instigator)), 2 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Doug Clifford - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Doug Clifford - (Fighting Game Ejection), 10 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Garrett Taylor - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Garrett Taylor - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:21
Dubuque - Jordan DiGiando - (Roughing), 2 min, 14:21
Dubuque - Shane Sooth - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:21
Dubuque - Shane Sooth - (Fighting Game Ejection), 10 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Patrick Kirtland - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Peter Stoykewych - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Peter Stoykewych - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Logan Nelson - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Logan Nelson - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Tyler Bruggeman - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Tyler Bruggeman - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Brooks Bertsch - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Andrew Sinelli - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Andrew Sinelli - (Fighting Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Colton Saucerman - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Colton Saucerman - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Matt Morris - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Matt Morris - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Matt Morris - (Crossing Red Line), 2 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Mitch Cain - (Tripping), 2 min, 14:38
Dubuque - T.J. Moor - (Hooking), 2 min, 17:18

Poll Monday - Sioux second in both polls.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[October 18, 2010]
1 Boston College (49) 3-0-0 999 1
2 North Dakota ( 1) 3-0-1 941 2
3 Miami 2-1-1 872 4
4 Michigan 2-0-2 848 3
5 Yale 0-0-0 758 5
6 Minnesota-Duluth 3-0-1 730 7
7 New Hampshire 1-1-1 617 9
8 Boston University 2-0-1 543 10
9 Alaska 3-1-0 514 14
10 Nebraska-Omaha 4-0-0 467 17
11 Denver 1-2-1 443 6
12 Maine 1-1-2 429 8
13 Cornell 0-0-0 406 12
14 St. Cloud State 1-2-1 368 11
15 Wisconsin 3-1-0 341 15
16 Michigan State 1-0-1 267 20
17 Notre Dame 3-1-0 242 19
18 Union 3-1-0 236 16
19 Colorado College 2-1-1 126 18
20 Minnesota 2-2-0 118 13
Others Receiving Votes: Michigan Tech 61, Robert Morris 42, Ferris State 27, Rensselaer 27, Colgate 25, Vermont 19, Bemidji State 12, Rochester Institute of Technology 10, Merrimack 8, Quinnipiac 2, Massachusetts-Lowell 1, Western Michigan 1

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
[October 18, 2010]
1 Boston College 510 (34) 1 3-0-0
2 University of North Dakota 473 2 3-0-1
3 University of Michigan 413 3 2-0-2
4 Miami University 409 4 2-1-1
5 University of Minnesota Duluth 333 7 3-0-1
6 Yale University 324 5 0-0-0
7 University of New Hampshire 250 9 1-1-1
8 Boston University 236 T-10 2-0-1
9 University of Alaska 172 14 3-1-0
10 University of Nebraska Omaha 164 NR 4-0-0
11 University of Maine 134 6 1-1-2
12 Cornell University 113 12 0-0-0
13 University of Denver 107 8 1-2-1
14 University of Wisconsin 102 15 3-1-0
15 St. Cloud State University 71 T-10 1-2-1
Others receiving votes: Union College 63, University of Minnesota 59, Michigan State University 53, University of Notre Dame 38, Michigan Tech University 27, Colorado College 16, Robert Morris University 7, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 4, Ferris State University 1, Rochester Institute of Technology 1.

They said...

Am I the only one that has a problem with quotation? I can’t be. This is why I think the WCHA office should be moved out of Denver. The refs try to give DU some home cooking and still can't seal the deal. Sounds eerily familiar to game that took place between DU and UND last season in Denver.

Mike Chambers Denver Post --- Tough weekend for the new-look Pioneers, who were awful on the power play (0-of-9) Saturday night and lost 3-0 to top-ranked Boston College. The Eagles, who won 6-2 on Friday, committed 11 of the game’s 17 penalties and had just three power plays, but still managed to outshoot DU 33-20.

Some might say — and I’m not one of them — that DU owes thanks to the all-WCHA referring provided by Todd Anderson and Brad Shepherd, who gave DU eight of the game’s first nine power plays. If it was even-up most of the game, I’m betting BC puts up another six goals.

Profound words by former Fighting Sioux and current UNO Maverick head coach Dean Blais. It used to be hard for the opposition to win in Mariucci Arena, how the mighty have fallen.

Chad Purcell, World-Herald Staff Writer--- The No. 17 Mavericks won their fourth straight to open the season Saturday night, punctuating a perfect weekend at Mariucci Arena with a 4-2 victory over 13th-ranked Minnesota. It goes into the books as the first WCHA sweep for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the 9,484 fans inside the Gophers’ famous rink couldn’t have been more stunned by what they saw.

That includes the 100-plus UNO rowdies who made the trip. Their surprise was drenched in joy, however. One of them tossed the symbolic broom onto the ice after the final buzzer, and the red-clad crowd earned a stick salute from the Mavs before they exited the ice.

“To come in here and win two — I’ve had national championship teams at North Dakota that didn’t come in here and win two games,” said UNO coach Dean Blais. “Obviously, I’m very, very happy with the four points.”

Wheels coming off in Minnesota?

I am not sure what to make out of last weekends UNO Maverick sweep of the Minnesota Golden Gophers? The Gophers looked horrible on defense and their goaltending also looked suspect. My first question would be are the Gophers as bad as they looked on television or are the Mavericks that good? That question will be answered in a few weeks after we play a few more series. One thing was evident; Dean Blais and his staff were prepared for the Gophers this past weekend. If it hadn’t been for the life line from the refs on Friday; (Box Score) the refs called UNO for five straight penalties after UNO scored their fourth goal. So; we will never know if the game would have been as close, if the Gophers hadn't gotten a bunch of power plays.

I am also considering suggesting that the Minnesota Gophers hockey team change their team colors to orange and white to so they would resemble big orange road cones, as the opposition blows by them on defense.

TOUGH LOSSES FOR LUCIA

Gophers coach Don Lucia probably took the sweep hard. He knows all three UNO coaches well.

Mavericks coach Dean Blais said he has been friends with Don for 30 years. But it's Blais that critics of Lucia most often mention as the best candidate to succeed him if he gets fired. WCHA finishes of seventh, fifth and seventh have left Lucia a little vulnerable even with two NCAA titles on his resume in 2002 and '03.

Fans have short memories and all the empty seats at Mariucci have to be troubling. Crowds were better for the UNO series, but every section still had open seats in most rows.

Joel Maturi, the Gophers' athletric director stopped by the press box in the middle of the game but didn't stay long. He had the Tim Brewster issue to deal with.

But it was not a good day in hockey for the U of M either. The North Dakota women's hockey team completes a sweep of the Gophers at Ridder Arena, then the UNO men sweep the Gophers at Mariucci. Who would have thunk it?

Sioux second in INCH Power Rankings

The boys from INCH are doing their power rankings again and the WCHA didn't fair that well this weekend and it shows in the rankings.

1. Boston College
2. North Dakota 1 The Sioux welcomed Bemidji State to the WCHA and even let them have the puck every so often, to the tune of 36 shots in two games. 3-0-1 (2-0-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Bemidji State, 5-2; W at Bemidji State, 5-2. THIS WEEK: at Maine, at Maine...
3. Michigan
4. Miami
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Yale
7. Alaska
8. New Hampshire
9. Boston University
10. Union
11. Denver
12. Michigan State
13. Maine
14. Notre Dame
15. Wisconsin
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. Rensselaer
18. Cornell
19. St. Cloud State
20. Robert Morris
Dropped out: Minnesota, RIT

Bubble-licious: Colgate, Colorado College, Michigan Tech

Pictures from this past weekend. (Sioux and Beavers)

Here are some pictures from this weekend's series. While my camera is old and it's definitely not the professional grade Stalker-Razzi camera that some have but it's all that I have. The BREC is a nice place and I was told by a source in Bemidji to pass on that BREC is not 90 Million dollar facility it's more like 44-46 million. Here is the link to the financials of the BREC.

Sioux 5 Beavers 2 (Video)

Thanks to RedFrogND for loading the video of courtesy of Lake Land Public Television.

Scores from 10-16-2010

Saturday, October 16

Union 4 vs Alaska Anchorage 3
Bentley 0 at Rensselaer 3
Bowling Green 3 at Clarkson 0
Michigan 3 at New Hampshire 3 OT
Massachusetts 2 at Boston University 2 OT
Connecticut 1 at Merrimack 7
Elliott Lake 2 at Finlandia 8
Bradford Rattlers 0 at Oswego 17
Colorado College 1 at Alaska 2
St. Lawrence 0 at Ferris State 3
UMass Lowell 4 at RIT 4 OT
Western Michigan 1 at Mercyhurst 0
North Dakota 5 at Bemidji State 2
Boston College 3 at Denver 0

Minnesota State 5 at Michigan Tech 5 OT
Providence 1 at Minnesota Duluth 7
Nebraska-Omaha 4 at Minnesota 2
Miami 1 at St. Cloud State 1 OT
Brock 2 at Colgate 3

Analysis

Gophers and Pioneers both were swept by their opponents this weekend, the Gophers didn't look impressive at all in losing to the UNO Mavericks on home ice. The fans in Minnesota are now in full fire Don Lucia mode. Miami took a win and a tie against the SCSU Huskies. Alaska Anchorage was swept twice this weekend in the Alaskan Goal Rush tourney.

Sioux and Beavers game two...

Even though I have the lines sheet in front of me, I stole them from Brad. This new lap top sucks. 10.0 size screen and small key board.

UND’s lines

17 Jason Gregoire–10 Corban Knight–26 Brett Hextall
19 Evan Trupp–22 Brad Malone–21 Matt Frattin
9 Mario Lamoureux–29 Brock Nelson–7 Danny Kristo
27 Carter Rowney–11 Derek Rodwell

2 Andrew MacWilliam–5 Chay Genoway
4 Derek Forbort–24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint–25 Jake Marto
18 Dillon Simpson

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness

Bemidji State’s lines

28 Jordan George–19 Matt Read–22 Ian Lowe
18 Radoslav Illo–11 Shea Walters–15 Ryan Cramer
17 Jamie MacQueen–13 Drew Fisher–16 Emil Billberg
7 Brance Orban–12 Jeff Jubinville–6 Darcy Findlay

8 Jake Areshenko–29 Brad Hunt
20 Sam Rendle–3 Ryan Adams
4 Dan MacIntyre–25 Brady Wacker

33 Dan Bakala
35 Mathieu Dugas

Score Board

Period 1

Sioux 1 Beavers 1

UND - Genoway from Marto and Knight
BSU - George from Lowe and Hunt
shots Sioux 6 - Beavers 9

Period 2

Sioux 3 - BSU 2

BSU - Read from Hunt
UND - Rodwell from Lamoureux and Nelson
UND - Trupp from Genoway and Frattin

Shots Sioux 9 - Beavers 13

Period 3

Sioux 5 - 2 Final

UND - Frattin from Malone
UND - Hextall EN

Shots Sioux 9 - Beavers 3

Goon's Three Stars
1. Frattin (1g-1a-2pts)
2. Genoway (1g-1a-2pts)
3. Dan Bakala goalie BSU

Sioux 5 Beavers 2

Here are a few links from last night's game. I plan on putting something up at the end of the weekend, as I posted yesterday I had a laptop malfuction and I my computer is in route back from the Best Buy geek squad and I didn't have access to anything but the blackberry. I will be back up in the press box for tonight game at the BREC and will be posting some pictures when I get home that I took from the weekend. The BREC is a nice building and here are some of the pictures that I took with my blackberry.

UND rallies, dominates Beavers in BREC opener - Bemidji Pioneer.

Pioneer beat writer Eric Stromgren has some photos.

Green and white landscape greets Beaver hockey opener - Bemidji Pioneer

Brad Schlossman's blog has the story line as well.

Frattin foils arena opening - Grand Forks Herald


Official Box score for the game [Box Score].

Goon's three stars of the game

1. Matt Frattin 3g-0a-3pts 7/E
2. Jason Gregoire 2g-0a-2pts 3/+2
3. Derek Forbort 0-2-2 0/+2

Thanks to RedFrogND for down loading the video Courtesy of Lake Land Public Television.

Beavers and Sioux game on.

The Sioux and the Beavers open up WCHA play in the new BREC tonight at 7:37 pm. This is also not the first official event to take place on the ice of the BREC. The first official game that took place this afternoon in the BREC between the BSU Beavers and Mercyhurst Lakers in Woman College Hockey. The Beavers lost the inaugural game 4-0. This is a picture from the press box off of my blackberry.
Tonight's game is on B2 Network and on MIDCO 597.

 UND just sent out a release saying that this weekend’s games will be available on most Midcontinent systems on Channel 597. I’m also told you should check PBS, which is Channel 13 in Grand Forks.

I also attended the Beaver Pride Luncheon (I was not able to find a shirt that says "Beaver Pride" yet) and both coaches were very complimentary of each other and their teams. I did have audio of the event but I sat so far away from the speakers my blackberry only was able to pick up the crowds laughter. I swear those phones are way over priced and over rated. You can follow my Tweets on Twitter as I will not have my laptop this weekend in the press box. I had a laptop malfunction last week and my crappy laptop is enroute back to Best Buy from their repair center. The voice of the Beavers Scott Williams was nice enough to let me use his desk top.

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.