Eric Brewer hit on Maxime Talbot and A door opens for Zherdev

The Flyers and Sabres series last night has had some big hits that will get some review from the NHL brass. Eric Brewer’s hit on Penguins forward Maxime Talbot might also get a look from the Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice as well.


A Flyers fan mentioned this act in the comments of the Mike Richards hit on Patrick Kaleta... Patrick Kaleta for some reason saw fit to open the bench door of the Sabres players bench for Nik Zherdev while he was being checked, unfortunately that's a bush league move that was unnecessary because Zherdev could have been seriously hurt from that knuckleheaded move.

In retrospect I wish I would have watched this game last night instead of the snore feast between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals because it looks like the Flyers and Sabres series has proved to be one of the better series to be played during this season Stanley Cup playoffs so far.

Mike Richards elbow on Patrick Kaleta

I not sure what to make out of this call, if was a definitely an elbow to the head of Patrick Kaleta but I believe that Mike Richards was trying to protect himself from getting hit by Kaleta. Should Mike Richards be suspended for this hit? I don't know, it's different than some of the other hits we have seen during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Was the penalty 5, 10 and a game misconduct enough? That is what the NHL is going to have to decide.

Martin Erat blown up by Jarkko Ruutu...

Jarkko Ruutu’s hit on Martin Erat is going to get some scrutiny from the NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell. Enough is enough someone needs to sit the rest of the playoffs, eliminate them from the game for the rest of the playoffs.

Every night there is another incident that involves another player head hunting an opponent. Eventually, I hate to say it; someone is going to get killed on the ice and it isn't going to be from a fight, it going to be at the should/elbow of one of these gutless pukes that some like to refer to as agitators, I call them P.O.S. they are the Matt Cooke type players that take liberties up and down the ice. These are the same buffoons that commit one of these gutless acts and then hide behind the refs and turtle when challenged to a fight. Unfortunately, none of these repeat offenders players ever seem to get caught with their heads down.

This is why we applaud players like Evander Kane when the bill comes due; this is why I stood up and cheered in my empty living room when Tie Domie knocked Ulfie Samuelsson out cold. These players never seem to pay for their transgressions and they never get what they have coming to them.

Kristo to return to UND for the 2011-2012 season...

According to Runnin' With the Dog's favorite beat writer Brad Schlossman UND Sophomore forward Danny Kristo will be back with the Fighting Sioux next season. The pieceS are beginning to fall into place, the UND fan base is Anxiously awaiting word from junior forwards Brett Hextall and Jason Gregoire. There has been "a lot of speculation and rumors" on the various fan message boards and blogs on whether Brett Hextall and Jason Gregoire are going to sign professional contracts or not. We just have to wait I guess, lets hope they decided to make a return to UND.

UND Hockey Blog ---- Danny Kristo, a second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2008, says he will be on a team that he thinks can sneak up on some people.

“I thought about it and looked it over and obviously could have done either or,” Kristo said. “But I feel like with (Aaron) Dell coming back Bloody (Ben Blood) coming back, that will be huge for us. Knighter (Corban Knight) will be back. He’s one of the most underrated guys in the league. I think we will have a strong team next year and we can surprise a lot of people. Personally, there is still a lot I can accomplish.”

After a slow start in terms of production, Kristo was one of UND’s top point producers come the end of the season. In his last 16 games, he had 23 points. If you average that rate over a full season, it would have equated to 61 or 62 points.

NCAA didn't want an open meeting.

Grant Shaft was on the Flag 1100 A.M. with Scott Hennen yesterday and apparently the NCAA didn't want to participate in an open meeting. Hum! Interesting. That's not very transparent if you ask me. [Click to listen]

GRAND FORKS, ND – Top NCAA executives did not want to participate in a meeting that would have been open to the public; that’s “plain and simple,” according to State Board of Higher Education member Grant Shaft.

Appearing on the Scott Hennen Show yesterday, Shaft was disappointed that the NCAA cancelled its scheduled April 22nd meeting with state and school officials, but was hopeful that another conference could still be arranged.

“I don’t think they were looking for a situation where the meeting would be either covered by the press – or there would be any kind of testimony, or anything like that – and for that reason, they pretty clearly indicated that they weren’t going to come. I’m still hopeful we’ll have the opportunity to speak with the NCAA on this - I haven’t lost hope -it’s just that particular meeting on the 22nd fell through” Shaft said.

Although an open-door forum has been widely favored by the public (and some North Dakota legislators, including Governor Dalrymple) Shaft understood the uncomfortable position this would have presented the NCAA. In his experience, negotiations are best played out under the discretion of a “closed private setting”:

“You have to remember is there’s essentially two hats here: one is providing an opportunity for people to be a part of it, and vent themselves, or whatever they wanted to do – but the other part was for those of us who truly wanted to see if we could get a deal struck with them to retain the nickname and logo” Shaft said.

Shaft anticipates state and school officials will respond to the NCAA retraction after the current legislative session adjourns.

NCAA Will Penalize North Dakota for Use of Sioux Mascot

For the most part I really liked what Allen Corbin of 1340 A.M. had to say in this article, however, I must correct him a bit, The University of North Dakota has a nickname and logo and does not have a "Mascot" there is no one running around dressed up like a “Sioux Warrior” at UND sporting events. In fact I haven’t ever seen this happen since I first attended UND in fall of 1993.

Allen Corbin 1340 the Fan --- Spirit Lake tribal members endorsed the nickname and logo in a referendum, and the tribe’s governing council followed. The Standing Rock Sioux’s tribal council, which has long opposed the nickname, has declined to change its stand.

The letter means UND will be subject to NCAA sanctions after the new law takes effect in August and could be barred from hosting post-season events on campus. Schools like UND will be penalized when honoring and celebrating the heritage of their area and yet the NCAA and its thought police wish to impose its liberal bias on its institutions. This is a slippery slope in our society and the NCAA isn’t helping by throwing water on the path.

This issue doesn’t pertain to just UND or other schools who have aboriginal mascots. If the NCAA prevails, no telling where this road will lead universities and colleges. PETA could very conceivably petition the NCAA to sanction schools who use animals as mascots and could even try to ban use of Texas Tech’s Matador Song. Matador means killer of bulls for those of you in Austin.

UND spokesman Peter Johnson told the Associated Press, “We thought it was important to clarify the NCAA’s position, given all of the activity that’s taken place with this issue over the last two months. I think the letter is pretty clear.”

The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, the Republican majority leader in the North Dakota House, was approved in the House and Senate overwhelmingly. It was signed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple last month a few hours after it was delivered to his office.

“I think the citizens of our state view this quite differently than they do,” Carlson said. “We want to know a lot more than what they’re going to do. We want to know the reasons why, and we want them to listen to our side of the story.”

Jack Edwards hates diving in hockey...

This one is for my buddy Redwing77, as we both hate diving and embellishment in any form of ice hockey... I agree I can't stand watching some bozo/buffoon embellish a hit or penalty and flail around on the ice and act like they have been shot to draw a penalty only to have them to return to the ice for the ensuing power play.

NCAA sticking to 2007 agreement; UND will face penalties for continuing use of Fighting Sioux nickname, logo

It will be interesting to see how this thing plays out... I think there is some time before it gets dicey. It would appear that this is a high stakes poker game; we will have to see who blinks first

In talking to the head of the Alumni Department during the Final Five and the biggest loser if UND is sanctioned by the NCAA would be the woman’s hockey team which will probably be eligible for a home series during the NCAA tourney.  If UND went back on the NCAA list the UND Woman's Hockey team would probably have to travel on the road if they made the NCAA tourney. That is something to think about because they were very close to making it the NCAA playoff this season and with the addition of a few recruits coming in this fall this team could be a title contender or at least in the mix.

Nothing has changed.

That’s the message UND President Robert Kelley received today from the NCAA, after Kelley queried the association on where things stand.

In a letter dated Friday, Kelley asked for “clarification of the NCAA’s position regarding the relationship between the University of North Dakota and the NCAA (with specific reference to the 2007 settlement agreement).”

Kelley also asked “whether the NCAA is willing to revisit, in any aspect, the terms of the agreement,” given that the university “will be bound by state law” after Aug. 1 when a new state law requiring retention of the name and logo takes effect.

In a response dated and received today, Bernard Franklin, NCAA vice president of membership and student-athlete affairs, said the association’s position remains firm.

“The NCAA’s position regarding its relationship with the State of North Dakota on this issue is set forth in the parties’ binding settlement agreement signed Oct. 26, 2007,” Franklin wrote.

“In that document, it was agreed that the policy will apply to North Dakota unless North Dakota either (1) secures namesake approval by Nov. 30, 2010, or (2) transitions away from the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo before Aug. 15, 2011.”

The state “did not obtain necessary support from the identified Sioux tribes,” he noted, and Kelley’s letter on Friday “makes clear that North Dakota will not transition from the current nickname and logo.”

Consequently, “North Dakota will be subject to the provisions of the policy,” Franklin wrote.

Those provisions include sanctions barring UND teams from hosting post-season tournaments or wearing proscribed attire during such tournaments.

The new North Dakota law “cannot change the NCAA policy nor alter the contracted terms of the agreement,” Franklin wrote.[Click to view]

Every since Dr. Robert O. Kelley was hired on as the president of the University of North Dakota I have been less than impressed with his leadership, I have yet to see him show any leadership qualities that I find redeeming. What the heck did the hiring athority like in this guy that made them decide that he was their guy?

I would not be an understatement to say that I am uninspired by Dr. Kelley’s leadership, to date he has done nothing but act as if he was above the fray, as if to say, I didn’t create this mess, please help me. In reading this article as well as the one from last Friday, it looks like Kelley is seeking a life line from the NCAA… Be a leader... Or get the heck out of the way. You work for the people of North Dakota but also the University of North Dakota, that means you're public servant and you answer to the people of North Dakota first.

Denver Post condones Malone headline.

As you know the Denver Post is known for using objectionable titles like this; Avalanche signs Brad Malone, whose hit broke the neck of DU's Martin, to their sports section articles. This is my example of drive-by-journalism at it's best by their beat writers. Is the Denver Post hurting this bad for readers?

This is why I think Sioux fans are lucky; we are blessed a great beat writer in Brad Schlossman and you would never seen anything classless like this come from him or anyone at the Grand Forks Herald in their sports department. You sure as heck wouldn't see it from Virg Foss...

-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:thegoon48@gra.midco.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 2:01 PM
To: Mailbags
Subject: Avalanche Question

Name: Eric B

email: thegoon48@gra.midco.net

hometown: Grand Forks, ND

Question: Why would the Denver Post try to stir up discontent with
Fighting Sioux fans with their latest title; Avalanche signs Brad
Malone, whose hit broke the neck of DU's Martin... Is that really
necessary?


------------------------------
Here is the response to that email...

Hey Eric, I'm gonna sneak in here to answer this because it's a good
question. And Adrian wasn't involved in that headline. I'd like to
answer you, because I know North Dakota fans were upset.

We here actually talked about the story you're referencing when it hit,
because Colorado went through a similar situation with Steve Moore. But
for the context of Brad Malone's signing, that is how most fans in this
area know him. Fans in North Dakota know him differently. The Avs sign
players all the time, and often they're unknown at first to a majority
of NHL fans. But for Malone, readers in Colorado actually have a context
for him.

Also, I'm sure UND fans see something subjective in that headline. But
to be honest, we don't care one way or the other about DU rivalries, in
so far as who wins. And we're not interested in stirring up UND fans.
But for the Malone hit on Jesse Martin, it was penalized and Martin
broke his neck. Those are facts. Thus the headline.

I hope this lends some perspective. Thank you for the question. I'll
make sure Adrian sees it too ... -Nick

Nick Groke
Sports online editor
The Denver Post
303-954-1015
ngroke@denverpost.com

Tampa Bay Hack Steve Downie and Pittsburgh Chris Kunitz suspended for one game by the NHL.

The Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice has spun and the NHL has given Lighting Hack Steven Downie and Chris Kunitz a one game suspension. In Steve Downies’ case he is a repeat offender and I believe his hit was more egregious and deserved more than a flimsy one game suspension. The Chris Kunitz hit was dirty but he isn’t known for being a dirty player like Steve Downie is. Brett Hull was XM-204 this morning and basically said until one of these players is eliminated from the NHL playoffs there will continue to be questionable hits like this in the playoffs. This was an opportunity for the NHL to make a point but they failed in the Steve Downie incident.

NHL.COM --- According to TSN reports, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie have each been suspended one game by the NHL for their actions during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series on Monday.

Downie's ban comes as the result of a charge on Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy during the first period. He was going to be assessed a minor penalty on the play, but the Penguins scored a goal before the Lightning were able to gain possession of the puck for the whistle to be blown.

Kunitz connected with an elbow to the head of Lightning forward Simon Gagne on a separate play in the first period of what ended up a 3-2 win for the Penguins. They hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series with Game 4 back in Tampa on Wednesday.

Drew Stafford with a pretty goal...

Former Fighting Sioux and current Buffalo Sabres forward Drew Stafford with a beautiful highlight goal against the Philadelphia Flyers... The Flyers won the game 4-2 and lead the series two games to one.

Chris Kunitz elbow on Simon Gagne

I saw the TV angle of the Chris Kunitz elbow of Simon Gagne and in my opinion this blatant vicious elbow that warrants at least a game suspension maybe a two game suspension. Of course with the Raffie Torres ruling today, who the heck knows where the Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice will land.

Rink and Run nugget...

I like this idea and yes please... If true this would be a counter weight/punch to the Big Ten Hockey Conference farce.

Rink and Run --- As noted in a comment to a Rink and Run post, there was a buzz at the Frozen Four in St. Paul about the future of Division I hockey, considering the formation of the Big Ten league in 2013-14.

Talk centered on more possible fracturing of the WCHA and the CCHA, with speculation on the formation of another six-team league with Notre Dame, North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha, Denver, Colorado College and Miami of Ohio.

It’s expected that Notre Dame will soon announce intentions to leave the CCHA, without having a spot in another league, yet. WCHA officials did meet with Notre Dame at the Frozen Four.

Jeff Carter goal on Ryan Miller.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Edit - What a goal scorers move by Flyers forward Jeff Carter, as he makes one of the best goaltenders in the NHL look human as he used the defenseman's stick in front of him to deflect the puck past Miller...

Vancouver Canucks forward Raffi Torres gets off Scott free... No suspension coming...

The NHL has decided that it will not suspend Raffi Torres for this hit on Brent Seabrook, of course the Vancouver Canucks fans are happy with this ruling. I think this was a dangerous hit and that some kind of a fine or suspension was warranted. What do you think?

TSN.CA STAFF --- Vancouver Canucks forward Raffi Torres will have no further discipline assessed following his hit on Blackhawks' defenceman Brent Seabrook during Game 3 of their series on Sunday night.

There was no scheduled hearing with the league on Monday. The NHL's Hockey Operations department said that the rule did not violate Rule 48, which provides an interpretation that the area behind the net is designated as a "hitting area".

Torres caught Seabrook with a shoulder to the head during a collision behind Chicago's net midway through the second period. The Vancouver player was given an interference penalty on the play.

More on the canceled 22 April meeting with the NCAA.

Listen to Scott Hennen's of Common Sense Club 1100 A.M. the Flag as he discussed the NCAA backing out of the meeting that was supposed to take place on the 22nd of April 2011...There are some really good points that haven’t been taken into account. [Click to listen]

Cool NCAA Frozen Four Video.

Dell offered a contract by the Habs.

Scout.com

According to the David Marcoux, Aaron Dell was offered a contract by the Montreal Canadians. The Fighting Sioux are also waiting for word from other players whether or not they are going to return for their senior season. There is a chance that the Fighting might not have many seniors on next season's Fighting Sioux hockey team, if Ben Blood, Jason Gregiore and Brett Hextall sign professional deals.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald ---- As UND waits for decisions on whether several drafted players will turn pro or return to school, there is an undrafted player who is attracting NHL attention, according to one person.

Sophomore goalie Aaron Dell, who went undrafted, has received a two-year contract offer from the Montreal Canadiens, according to goalie coach David Marcoux, who is based out of Dell’s home providence of Alberta. That’s not to say that Dell will definitely sign that contract, but add Dell to the long list of players to watch this offseason.

Dell had an outstanding season, finishing first nationally in goals-against average, wins and shutouts. He was named the INCH national goaltender of the year and a second-team All-American.

Raffi Torres Hit On Brent Seabrook

Raffi Torres just got back from a four game suspension and he goes out and does this hit on Brent Seabrook, I predict there is going to be another call from the NHL and possibly another unpaid vacation from the NHL for Raffi Torres.

REDWING77 Playoff Update

So far so good!

My Wings are up 2-0 over the 'Yotes and my only regret is that my Wings will knock off a great coach in Dave Tippett. Get rid of Tippett and Phoenix can rot for all I care.

This game, however, was a bit closer than Game 1 in my opinion. We barely hung on to our lead and Datsyuk was lights out with 1 goal and 3 assists.. Yup. He figured in on ALL of Detroit's points last night. That brings me to my claim:

If this is what Detroit looks like day in and day out in the playoffs.... Detroit won't win the Cup. Deep teams that play a well rounded game AND get the best of what they're given win championships. Teams that have it, but only have 1 line that can reliably "bring it" will find the road to the Cup almost impassible. This is what Detroit is doing right now.

They have great depth and veteran leadership. They are dynamic and fun to watch. However... Howard is still relatively inexperienced against playoff caliber opposition in the playoffs and, though he's more than capable of shutting down opponents, he's not done so consistently in the playoffs. And it's mainly been one line that has taken charge. This means, thus far, the Wings aren't blowing anyone away, so the Wings are making Howard work for the win.

The Wings SHOULDN'T have any trouble with Phoenix, but (though the Wings ARE winning) they aren't shutting them down. This does not bode well.

On a separate Detroit note:

As Goon pointed out, the NHL has banned the tossing of octopi onto the ice pregame. I think this was a marvelous move by the NHL. It turns the league into what Bettman truly wishes the league could be: The NBA on ice skates.

Truth be told, traditions are under attack. UND's traditions are under attack and now this tradition is under attack. Next up is the hats.

In fact, I remember the WCHA or NCAA briefly tried to ban throwing hats on the ice after hat tricks stating that the officials first warn the crowd and then assess the home team a 2 minute minor for delay of game. To this day, I can't understand why opposing fans didn't throw stuff on the ice just to get their team up a man.

This ban is all about image, but I wonder: If Bettman's beloved Penguins had a tradition that had people throwing something onto the ice during the pregame or after the first Pittsburgh goal, would this rule still come about? I'm truly not taking a jab at the Penguins as much as I'm pointing at Bettman's hypocrisy and inept incompetence when it comes to consistency.

In other news:

Chicago and Boston are done. Boston has NEVER, not in 26 tries, overcame a 2-0 deficit in the playoffs. In Chicago, Crawford isn't stealing games like Niemi did last year. Crawford isn't bad, but he's not the netminder du jour.

As for Boston, it pisses me off to see 2-0 and 3-1 defeats because it makes Carey Price look good. The guy is a dunderhead and, though he's doing extremely well this year, I can't stand the guy. Like I said, I hope he gets an extension after this season ala Dipietro and proceeds to pull a Huet-job on the Habs. I just pray that the Habs dont' win the Cup or Price will NEVER fade away.

Pittsburgh vs. Tampa:

COMON TAMPA!!!!! Seriously, 3 reasons why Tampa NEEDS to win:

1. Fleury's a sieve... look at game 2.
2. It would stop NHL Network's persistent whining about how Crosby isn't playing.
3. Matt Cooke needs his season to end and the only two ways that happens is if the Pens are eliminated after the first round or he injures another player. I don't want to see any more injuries so... GO TAMPA!!!

Caps vs. Rangers:

Rangers need someone to show up... SOMEONE! Caps are going to sweep at this pace.

That's allll folks!

Crosby to return to the Penguins lineup?

Sidney Crosby was injured on Wednesday January 5th by this hit from behind by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and Crosby hasn't played since the questionable hit. At the time of his concussion Crosby had (32g-34a-66 pts)in 41 games. The face of the NHL "could" make his return to the ice in the near future, Gary Bettman is probably having kitten hoping Crosby plays and the Penguins' make it more than one round.

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby still isn’t ready to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup, playoffs or not.

Crosby skated on a fifth line with Mike Comrie and Eric Godard during the Penguins’ morning skate in advance of Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against Tampa Bay on Friday. But the Penguins’ captain is not ready to take part in any drills with contact.

Crosby, out since Jan. 6 with a concussion, can’t begin thinking about returning to the Penguins’ top line until he first can absorb contact in practice. Even after he does that, he must be cleared by his doctors to play.

The Penguins have not speculated when that might be, and they have given no sign that he will play at any point during the Tampa Bay series.

Coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t believe Crosby is pressuring himself to return sooner than he should.

Crosby wore a headset during Game 1 while sitting in the press box with assistant to the general manager Tom Fitzgerald and goalies coach Gilles Meloche.

“I have not sensed any kind of pressure on Sid that he feels, based on the fact it’s playoffs or that it’s this time of the year, to get back earlier,” Bylsma said. “Actually he’s more in tune with watching the games and what we can do and what adjustments are they making and those types of things. I haven’t sensed anything to do with Sid trying to get back earlier, feeling that pressure, not one bit.”

No Horseplay League; NHL no more octopi to be thrown on the ice.

Hockey News Photo

This one is for my buddy Redwing77, the NHL has decided after all of these years that rules, regulations and laws are more important than traditions. Wait a minute did I just say that? Well you know what I mean, they have been throwing Octopi on the ice for a very long time in Detroit and now the NHL has decided that they no longer feel that this is acceptable. Personally, it sounds like a bunch of crap to me but that's life.

DETROIT -- The NHL apparently is trying to put an end to Detroit playoff tradition that dates back to the early 1950s -- tossing an octopus onto the ice.

The Detroit Red Wings today released the following statement:

"The throwing of objects onto the ice surface is prohibited by the National Hockey League and persons caught doing so may be subject to prosecution for violating local and state laws.''


A fan reportedly was arrested and fined $500 for throwing an octopus onto the ice just before the opening faceoff in Game 1.

“I don't know anything about it,'' Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I like calamari as much as they next guy, I don't like batter on it, but I like it spicy and cooked. It's part of the tradition here. I just hope the guys that come on to scrape it off aren't digging up the ice. I want it to be smooth.''

A couple of Phoenix players, including goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, said they're not upset when an octopus lands onto the ice in their zone after the national anthem.

NCAA Cancels Meeting With North Dakota Officials About Fighting Sioux Nickname & Logo

Fighting Sioux forever...

Looks like the NCAA doesn't like transparency; I still want the NCAA to look they Spirit Lake Tribe members that voted 67% in favor of UND keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname in the eye and then tell them that the Fighting Sioux nickname is hostile and abusive and that UND can’t keep the name.

Victor Meza, WDAZ --- The NCAA has canceled a meeting with UND and state officials regarding the Fighting Sioux Nickname and Logo.

The NCAA declined to attend because state officials wanted to host an open meeting according to Grant Shaft, a State Board of Higher Education member.

Shaft said just shortly after University of North Dakota's President Robert Kelly informed the NCAA of the changes to the meeting, the NCAA decided to decline the invitation to the April 22 meeting in Bismarck.

The silly season is in full swing. Justin Faulk leaves Duluth

"To the victor go the spoils." Justin Faulk is gone at UMD... While no one wants to see players leave early, this is the reality when you recruit blue chip players, sometimes these players develop quickly or these players are already great studs when they show up at prospective teams. I still think you have to recruit these types of players if you can get them, even if they are only going to stay 1-3 seasons. With how successful the WCHA has been this season, I think we all know that there could be a lot of early departures this season.

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Justin Faulk on a three-year, entry-level contract. Beginning with the 2011-12 season, the contract will pay Faulk an average of $750,000 per season at the NHL level or $67,500 per season at the minor-league level. Faulk will receive a $270,000 signing bonus as a part of the contract, and will immediately join the Hurricanes’ top minor-league affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL), for the Calder Cup playoffs.

Denver Post - Goon's Moron of the year...

North Dakota's Brad Malone checks Colorado College left wing Andrew Hamburg into the boards in a game on Jan. 28. Malone was charged with boarding (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

Wow! All I can say this that whoever wrote this from the Denver Post is my nominee for Moron of the Year. This is what I consider to be drive by gutter journalism, frankly it’s also unacceptable. That is why I like the beat writer that the Fighting Sioux have, you would never see him write a disgusting piece like this.

Seriously! The Denver Post can’t be hurting that much for readership that they needed to piss off Sioux fans and get everyone riled up among the DU and UND fans bases so they would come to the Denver Post site. The bush league aspect of this article is that the author doesn’t even include his/her name, which in my opinion is very classless... Everything written on my blog has a name to it and we take ownership for it.

My first guess was that article was written by the buffoonish Michael Chambers who is the beat writer for the DU Hockey team because its his modus operandi and it would have been my first selection when trying to put a name to this gem, however, that appears to not be the case because a readers posted on the blog that Chambers is on vacation. If it's not Chambers who is notorious for this kind of moronic journalism, then who wrote the piece of S_____? At least be man enough to stand up and put your game to it. Was it Kizla? Adrian Dater? Terry Frei?

I wonder if the Denver Post when referring to Brad Malone is going to mention that he broke Jesse Martin’s neck during a hockey play in every article that they write from here on out… If Malone makes the Avalanche are they going to write Brad Malone who broke Jesse Martin’s neck scored his first professional goal of his career for Colorado.

Avalanche signs Brad Malone, whose hit broke the neck of DU's Martin

The Avalanche on Wednesday signed an entry-level contract with college forward Brad Malone, the player whose on-ice hit broke the neck of Denver's Jesse Martin in a game last season.

Malone will report to the minor-league affiliate Lake Erie Monsters, the Avs said, for the beginning of the American Hockey League playoffs.

The 21-year-old Malone finished his senior season at North Dakota, helping them to the NCAA Frozen Four. His 40 points (16 goals and 24 assists) ranked fourth on the team. He led the Sioux with 108 penalty minutes in 43 games.

Malone was a fourth-round pick of Colorado's in the 2007 NHL draft.

"Brad just finished a strong four-year college career and we look forward to him beginning his pro career with Lake Erie," Avs general manager Greg Sherman said in a release.

In a game on Oct. 30, Martin took an open-ice check from Malone in a game at Grand Forks, N.D. The hit caused a concussion, multiple neck fractures and trauma to Martin's spinal cord.

Martin underwent major surgery and has since regained some use of his legs and arms.

Lastly, I don’t know a Sioux fan out there that isn’t pulling for Jesse Martin and cheering on his recovery, but also Sioux fans hope that Jesse is able to be able to once again play hockey for the Denver Pioneers. However, that being said the Denver Post has done nothing but try to stir up animosity between the two programs for some time now.

The Pipeline Show on the Fans at the Frozen Four...

 Guy Flaming from the Pipeline Show had this to say about the fans at last week's Frozen Four. Guy and Dean get it and they are both great hockey minds.

At the arena I saw people wearing sweaters or t-shirts or hats representing just about every NCAA team there is. All 3 games were complete sellouts with attendance surpassing the final game of the NHL regular season on Sunday (Dallas in town to play the Wild). The fans were loud, especially the North Dakota horde who dominated the stands during Thursday's semi-finals. The best way for Canadian fans to get a feel for Sioux Nation is to think of the CFL's Saskatchewan Rough Riders and the way their fans are everywhere - it's the same thing. I'm told that Denver's only guaranteed sell out of the year is when UND comes to town and it's because the rink is half full of green jerseys. Maybe it's the colour... but Saskatchewan fans are the same way.

Are the Jets coming back to Winnipeg? - Coyotes deal on last leg, True North ready

All I can say is yes please!!! I am seeing a lot of things on the internet that seem to be pointing in that direction. Also, Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean were discussing this very subject on 590 A.M. out of Toronto on how they've heard from multiple sources that the Phoenix Coyotes will relocate to Winnipeg as soon as they're been eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, that would be awesome true. [Click to listen] I guess I am going to have to be a Redwings fan as well.

The NHL is preparing to hold a gun to the City of Glendale’s head and is again planning to use Winnipeg as the bullet.

Reports that Matthew Hulsizer’s $170-million bid to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes is dead may be premature but it appears there is only one chapter left to be played out in this saga.

Expect the next move to be the NHL’s. It will involve positioning the city of Winnipeg against Phoenix in a manner reminiscent of last spring’s leverage play by commissioner Gary Bettman.

Sports radio talk in Toronto on Wednesday had the deal in the desert near or at the end of the line and the Free Press has a Glendale source stating Hulsizer has pulled any concessions he’s made off the table and reverted to his original agreement with the NHL and City of Glendale.

The next move will be Bettman’s and it will likely come in the next five to 10 days. He'll need Winnipeg's help again and it's quite possible that talks between the league and True North have begun anew.

The NHL has painted itself into a bit of a corner by waiting this long to resolve the sale and now runs the risk of having to announce relocation of the franchise during a playoff run. It would be bad enough to make such an announcement in the first round but even worse to make it in the Stanley Cup final.

It’s unlikely Bettman will wait that long to pull the trigger. Expect the commissioner to get in front of this one in the latter stages of the opening round. Bettman will give Hulsizer and the City of Glendale one final crack at closing a deal.

Mark Chipman and his partner David Thomson are still interested in an NHL franchise they would bring to Winnipeg and operate out of the MTS Centre.

Playing stalking horse for the NHL a second time will, however, come with some strings says a U.S.-based attorney with experience in sports franchise transfer-of-ownership deals.

The lawyer, who has been involved in NBA and NHL relocations deals, demanded anonymity but said the next few steps will be common practice in terms of the league’s arrangement with True North.

The healing begins; Goon's in studio on 1310 KNOX - Thursday from 4:30 – 5:00 PM

Listen to the Goon live at 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm on 1310 AM KNOX on Thursday April 14th, 2011. R.J. Richards and the Goon will be talking about the Frozen Four that took place last weekend. We will probably break down the debacle that was the Fighting Sioux versus Michigan... If you live out of town you can listen live by clicking on this web link... [Click to Listen]

Call in 701-775-5559, 1-866-KNOX-1310, email: Live@KNOXRADIO.com

TSN's McKenzie: We should get answers to our Coyotes question soon.

Yes Please...

Bob McKenzie, TSN --- Where will the Phoenix Coyotes be playing next season?

Well, since you asked, I will say it's more likely to be Winnipeg than Phoenix. That's my opinion.

I say probably, and qualify it as my "opinion," because all the factual information I can find says to me very clearly that no final or irrevocable decision on the future home of the Coyotes has yet been made by any of the three vested parties - the NHL, the City of Glendale and would-be (under the right circumstances) owner Matthew Hulsizer.

And if we have learned anything in this long and winding Coyotes' saga in Phoenix it is that it ain't over until one of three parties pulls out and says it's dead.

Could that happen? Sure, it could.

When might it happen? I don't know, it could be days or maybe a week or two or three. Months is certainly not a viable answer because if the Coyotes are going to relocate to Winnipeg or anywhere else, there is much that needs to be done to facilitate it both within the league and the new market as well.

A couple of things on hump day...

If you haven't heard it, I suggest you listen to the call of UMD's game winning goal by Bulldogs forward Kyle Schmidt. Click on the link provided, the game winning goal is at the 20:19 mark. If not listen to this week in hockey podcast. The voice of the UMD Bulldogs, Bruce Ciskie with the call of the game winning goal!!! [Click to listen]

Down goes Brown has his preview for the Bruins and Habs, this is good stuff.

#6 Canadiens vs. #3 Bruins

The matchup: Montreal coach Jacques Martin might have trouble with the Bruins, since he historically struggles in the playoffs when faced with good teams built by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The view from Montreal: The Canadiens would love to get some payback against Zdeno Chara if they weren't being held back by arbitrary rules, like the instigator penalty and also the basic laws of physics.

The view from Boston: Tim Thomas set a league record for save percentage this season, although that number drops significantly if you factor in the ability to save his own dignity in fights against Carey Price.

Player to watch: Dr. Mark Recchi, who has kindly agreed to signal from the bench to let us know whether players being scraped off the ice onto a stretcher are actually injured or not.

Prediction: The Canadiens lose the series, but finally get their revenge on Chara at the end of game four when they all squeeze his hand really hard during the post-game handshakes.

Looks like former UND Fighting Sioux forward Chris Porter has played himself into a job in St. Louis...

Q: There’s a lot of talk about top-six forwards, defensemen and goaltending. But what about the third- and fourth-line forwards? How can you build them up and make the team better?

A: "That gets into the depth of your team, that NHL depth. I’d like to publicly say it, the person who took the greatest advantage of his opportunity was (Chris) Porter. He came in and he really stepped up. In his role, he was the most effective of the call-up players in my opinion. He was the one guy that came in and really said that he wants to position himself to be on the cups of being an everyday NHL player.

"(Ryan) Reaves came up and played well, too, but no one was more consistent at that than Porter. So I want to give that accolade to him. A lot of players are going to have to fight and earn that spot. If we have the depth and these players don’t earn that right, then they have to start in Peoria. I’m excited about what Porter did, I’m excited about what Reaves did, I’m excited (Vladimir) Sobotka back again, (B.J.) Crombeen … I think there’s good depth there."

Apparently the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Red Berenson, wasn't happy with the officiating after the final game of the Frozen Four. Yeah, ok! To some this might sound like sour grapes, but to others he has a point.

“You can’t kill nine penalties,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson. “Like we said before the game, if they get three, if we can kill three penalties, that should be it. We’re not out there to take penalties.”

But that wasn’t all Berenson had to say.

“Every time a player falls down, it shouldn’t be a penalty, not in NCAA championship game hockey.”

This is where I would like to see a national standard in college hockey as far as how the game is called; the games were/are called differently from league to league. As most of us know; the WCHA is more lenient and lets more of the obstruction go than other leauges like Hockey East and CCHA officials call the most. In my opinion, there needs to be a happy medium but also there needs to be a set standard. In watching the NCAA hockey this spring I saw a lot of inconsistencies on how the game was called by the on ice officials, even during the Frozen Four. You never knew what was going to be called from game to game. What was a penalty in the first semi final game of the Frozen Four wasn’t a penalty during the second semi final game.

Odds to win the 2011 Stanley Cup

Odds to win the 2011 Stanley Cup - [Link]
Vancouver Canucks - 3/1
Washington Capitals - 11/2
San Jose Sharks - 7/1
Philadelphia Flyers - 8/1
Boston Bruins - 17/2
Detroit Red Wings - 9/1
Pittsburgh Penguins - 11/1
Anaheim Ducks - 20/1
Tampa Bay Lightning - 20/1
Chicago Blackhawks - 22/1
Buffalo Sabres - 25/1
Los Angeles Kings - 30/1
Montreal Canadiens - 30/1
Nashville Predators - 30/1
Phoenix Coyotes - 30/1
New York Rangers - 35/1

So is Brett Hextall the next one to sign?

Brad Schlossman tweeted this last night on Twitter...

Re: Hextall rumors. Been working for two days to get something confirmed, but haven't gotten anything. I know PHX is after him.

Here is a postcast and at the 12:00 minute mark of the interview with Brad Treliving,
Vice President of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager for the Phoenix Coyotes said that they are trying to get a deal done with Brett Hextall. [click to listen]

Redwing77's NHL Playoff Preview and First Round Predictions

Ok, here's where I run down my first round predictions and what I think of every NHL Playoff team.

First off, congrats to all of the teams who made it to the second season. So sorry, Dallas, thanks for playing. Perhaps Dave Tippett wasn't in fact the right answer...right? Hello? Uh... my bad.

Secondly, so sorry for the fans of the Minnesota Wild. For a while there you thought you had a chance at the postseason. Kindof like how the Timberwolves feel every opening day in the NBA. However, shortly thereafter, that feeling goes away.

Anyways, the teams and the matchups:

First, Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh:

Predictable I'm sure but... I don't want Pittsburgh to win. They are the media darling and everyone loves them, I guess. With Crosby out, the media, to their credit, has found that the Penguins do in fact have more than just Crosby and Malkin. They've now heaped massive amounts of praise on Marc-Andre Fleury. True to their claims, he has been rather good this year. And that's saying something considering I hold Fleury in only slightly better regard than Carey Price.

I'm going to go with my heart here and say that Tampa Bay takes it in 7. I know the media expects the Pens to win it, but... I like Tampa because they deserve it and it would be hilarious to see ESPN and NHL Network turn into apologists for Gary Bettman's team. Also, just for the record, I'd like Tampa to take the series WITH Crosby on the ice. I'd also love it if Malkin were playing too, but he's out for the season. This would eliminate the apologist claims that Crosby's absence was the key to the Lightning's success. As per form, the media is all over the Penguins' losses as due to injury to Crosby. There has never been a better team than Pittsburgh since Crosby was drafted and it is only to circumstance and injury trouble that the Penguins haven't gone undefeated in the years since Crosby came to Pittsburgh.

Next: Vancouver vs. Chicago

I want Chicago. I know Chicago is a rival of my Wings but I love the way they play and the way their team is set up. They're almost like the Anti-Red Wings in the fact that the Red Wings go for veterans and the Hawks go to youth. Toews is a monster and Kane's not bad either.

However, if it comes down to goaltending, I think Luongo (despite the choke jobs he's done in the past) will come away with the victory. Crawford has been great at times but consistency is an issue.

I predict: Chicago in 7

Rangers vs. Caps:

Ok, this is probably THE most likely upset of the first round. The Rangers are playing well and have a great goaltender. The Caps have Ovechkin and they have... did I mention Ovechkin? Their goaltending has to be the youngest trio in the playoffs... perhaps in the NHL? And inconsistency has been a real pain. If the Rangers were smart, they'd try to bog down the Caps offense and turn it into a defensive contest. If that happens, Rangers win.

Rangers in 6.

Nashville vs. Anaheim:

This is, in my opinion, the best first round matchup to be played "in the dark." Meaning, no TV coverage. Nashville is a nice story and Anaheim is boring. Yeah, they got Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Bobby Ryan, but they are a one line wonder. Nashville has a goaltender. A darn good one. But that's it. I'm not sure anyone can name their first line.

Meh. I'm going to go with Keith Jones of the NHL Network and say that the Predators win their first playoff series just for kicks. They'll do it in 5.

Montreal vs. Boston

Montreal is Carey Price. Beat Price, and Les Habitants go away. Hey Bruins: Beat Price. Beat him like a rented mule. Make him throw hissy fits again. Make him shoot pucks at the opposing players during their goal celebratory hugs. And, while you're at it, do it while making Price look good enough that the Canadiens blow a ton of cash on an extension so that Price can return to the 3.00+ GAA and the .895 Save% for the remainder of his contract.

Boston in 6.

LA vs. San Jose:

Blah. I guess LA is banged up. I hear that San Jose doesn't have that great of goaltending. Niemi shines and SJ advances. I don't see them winning more than 3 games... because if they did, they'd advance.

I'm going to say Greene pulls it out in the end. LA in 7.

Buffalo vs. Philly:

Philly has goaltending issues. Buffalo has goal scoring issues. This series could be very interesting or a complete snoozefest. Philly enters with the goaltender most likely to be pulled in Game 1 for a backup in Bobobsky (I know I'm misspelling his last name). Miller might not be 100% but I'll take him in a second over any of Philly's goaltenders. Vanek needs to be hot and Stafford needs to be timely if Buffalo has a chance.

That being said, if Pronger returns, a Sabre will get injured and the Flyers will advance.

Philly in 6.

Phoenix vs. DA WINGS!!!!

The Wings are banged up. Datsyuk is back, thank god, but Zetterberg is out at least Game 1 and Franzen is colder than the arctic circle. Injury issues can be the death of the Wings because I don't trust the depth. Our depth is either too role player heavy or too old. Modano is what... 65? Howard is nice and all but he can let some doozies past him. At least he's not Wasgood (Osgood for you who don't know).

Bryzgalov is the better goaltender and I still think my wings are the better offensive talent.

I don't think the Wings will win it all this year. They're not 100% when they needed it the most. And they're not clicking as well either. I say they squeak past Phoenix and bow out again in the second round.

Detroit in 7.

It's on... Stanley Cup playoffs start tomorrow...

Who is going to win? Who is the favorite to win the cup? Will one of the Bruins shut P.K. Subban's big mouth. Will the Sidney Crosby return for the Stanley Cup playoffs?

Brad Malone signs with the Av's...

Another player from UND's senior class has signed a professional contract. Former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone signed a two way deal and will report to Lake Erie Monsters and try and help them win a AHL Championship.

GRAND FORKS – Brad Malone started his college career with a three-point freshman season.

By the time he was done at UND the power forward from Miramichi, N.B. centered one of the top lines in the country, tallied 40 points in a season and found an NHL contract waiting for him to sign.

Malone inked that contract on Monday morning – a two-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche that will kick in starting in the fall. Malone will report immediately to Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, and he will play in the AHL playoffs on a tryout contract.

Lake Erie, located in Cleveland, takes on the Manitoba Moose in the first round, so Malone will be playing in Winnipeg next Tuesday and Thursday.

Malone’s contract calls for him to make $600,000 next season and $775,000 in 2012-13 if he plays in the NHL, according to capgeek.com He will make $65,000 if he plays in the AHL and will earn signing bonuses of $75,000 each season.

“I think Brad made such good steady progress here,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “Any challenges along the way, he handled really well. He used them to improve himself and to use them as a springboard to the next step developmentally.

“He really developed himself into a powerful two-way centerman. He put himself in a real great position going into the Colorado Avalanche organization. I think he has shown physically and mentally, he’s ready to challenge to play in the NHL immediately next year.”

Chay Genoway to the State of Hockey

India Times

I would like to congratulate former Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway on his signing a one year deal with the Minnesota Wild. Genoway according to multiple tweets on twitter this morning Genoway will not joining the Houston Areos this spring for the AHL playoffs.

StarTribune ---- It's official: The Wild signed Fightning Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway to a one-year deal this morning.

Because Genoway is 24, that's the max term the Wild could sign him to right now. So it's like Nate Prosser. He had to sign a one-year deal last year, but since his contract actually began last year, he became a restricted free agent last summer. Genoway would become one next summer.

Casey Wellman was able to sign a two-year deal, so he burned his first year by playing last year, meaning he's a restricted free agent this summer. Just a little college UFA tutorial.

The Wild, which is continually looking to upgrade its prospect pool, hopes to sign a handful of college and European free agents in the coming days.

Genoway is 5-foot-9, 177 pounds and helped lead UND to the Frozen Four this past season. He's scored 127 points in his career, which is fourth among defensemen all-time at UND. I've got a team of researchers looking up where Brad Bombardir ranks.

Chenoway was named to the All-WCHA First Team this year. He's the first player ever to be named a four-time All-WCHA selection. Genoway was the UND captain the past two seasons, and was named to the All-College Hockey News Second Team in 2010-11. Genoway received a medical redshirt in the 2009-10 season due to a concussion. Genoway, a +48 player in his college career, is the second player in WCHA history to be named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete four times. Genoway hails from Morden, Manitoba and is a 2005 graduate of Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn.

Hey Richards! Guess what! You're Fired! (REDWING77)

For being unable to produce something from Mikko Koivu, a second hand man, a perimeter Johnny Come Around Whenever, a few gritty forwards, and a bunch of AHLers.

Why is Richards being fired when the problem the Wild has is that they have no ability to draft offensive players, they have no one in their farm system who can score, and they refuse to spend the big money on players who can change this dynamic? To me, this is a problem that starts with the ownership and stops in the front office. On ESPN.com’s comment section on the article which states of Todd Richards’ dismissal, a random poster who goes by “tyjohn47” posted the following comment:

It's only the first step. Word around the Wild campfire is that the only person in the organization that is safe is Mikko Koivu. Havlat will most likely be dealt. He can do well as a secondary option but it is clear he is not and should not be a teams primary scoring option.

If the Wild can unload the final year of Backstrom's contract on a team...perhaps the Caps if/when the Caps stumble in the playoffs again this season due to their ####-poor goaltending situation?? Brent Burns is heading into the final year of his contract and he may well command a contract with $ similar to Seabrook...so they'll have to make a decision on him too. Zidlicky...gone....he costs way too much for as often as he is hurt.

The Wild need to get younger, faster, tougher and a lot more athletic, quite frankly. Richards did the best he possibly could have with what he had. No stain on him, here. For those blaming Fletcher, fair enough but also understand this much before you throw him under the bus; owner Craig Leipold more or less ordered him to try and make the playoffs and Fletcher did as he was told.

Fletcher thus far is 0 for 3 in making player for player trades bringing in Latendresse who had a very good season in 09-10 but played all of 11 games this season, Chuck Kobasew who couldn't score in a whorehouse and Cam Barker who the Blackhawks were more than happy to unload on to the Wild late last season.

The time has come to clean house and start over in St. Paul.

I’m having a hard time disagreeing with him. The Wild are a disappointment from top to bottom. They spend money on players who don’t command such a high price (regardless of what the market or their agents suggest). They pass on players who are high priced for the right reasons. They subscribe to a system that either worked in the 1970s or are doomed to fail from the get go with the player personnel they have. To make matters worse, you can have a great system but it can take so long to get out from underneath the weighted rock of the financials and player personnel that it can ruin whatever chances a coach has of being successful.

I know the high stakes free agency market can be hard to afford if not downright ridiculous (Kovalchuk anyone?) but… Kovalchuk started out sucking… and ended the year with 31 goals. Havlat finished the year leading the team with 22 goals… the next best was that torrid goal scorer… Cal Clutterbuck with 19! Yeah… if those two were my leading goal scorers, I’d pretty much mail it in too.

This Wild team has been built to win the 1-0, 2-1 snoozefests. I guess I was spoiled watching a team like the Red Wings who, over the past 10 years or so or maybe even more, do such wonderful things as scoring an average of more than 3 goals per game. The last Minnesota team that scored goals decided to move to Dallas.

Fletcher is getting the wrong idea. He thinks that by changing the coach, you’ll get better results out of the players. I still don't see how you are going to get the players to play better than their God-given talent allows. I mean, it's one thing to teach a pig to sit down and roll over upon command. It's completely another issue to try to teach a pig to sing Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie.

Congrats to Fletcher for firing the coach 2 years into a 5-6 year rebuilding process. Well, back to the 5-6 year rebuilding process.

Matt Frattin on NHL.COM

I have enjoyed watching Matt Frattin play at UND for four season and his presence on the ice will be missed, he is a person that leads by example on the ice. There will also be a few lessons we can all learn from, none of us are perfect but there is nothing wrong with working hard and getting a second chance.

USCHO Final Poll... UMD the champs...

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[April 11, 2011]
1. Minnesota-Duluth (48) 26-10-6 996 11
2. North Dakota ( 2) 32- 9-3 927 1
3. Michigan 29-11-4 926 6
4. Notre Dame 25-14-5 827 9
5. Boston College 30- 8-1 742 2
6. Yale 28- 7-1 725 3
7. Denver 25-12-5 679 5
8. Miami 23-10-6 647 4
9. New Hampshire 22-11-6 571 12
10. Merrimack 25-10-4 544 7
11. Colorado College 23-19-3 512 13
12. Union 26-10-4 505 8
13. Western Michigan 19-13-10 435 10
14. Nebraska-Omaha 21-16-2 373 14
15. Dartmouth 19-12-3 231 15
16. Rensselaer 20-13-5 223 16
17. Boston University 19-12-8 183 17
18. Air Force 20-12-6 154 20
19. Maine 17-12-7 135 18
20. Cornell 16-15-3 51 19
Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin 44, Minnesota 29, Alaska-Anchorage 12, Bemidji State 7, Rochester Institute of Technology 7, Northeastern 4, Princeton 4, St. Cloud State 4, Ferris State 3
-------------------------------
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
1. Minnesota Duluth (34) 26-10-6 510 3
2. Michigan 29-11-4 459 2
3. North Dakota 32-9-3 449 1
4. Notre Dame 25-14-5 395 4
5. Boston College 30-8-1 363 5
6. Yale 28-7-1 314 6
7. Denver 25-12-5 306 7
8. Miami 23-10-6 238 8
9. New Hampshire 22-11-6 246 9
10. Merrimack 25-10-4 204 10
11. Colorado College 23-19-13 182 11
12. Union 26-10-4 146 12
13. Western Michigan 19-13-10 122 13
14. Nebraska Omaha 21-16-2 82 14
15. Rensselaer 20-13-5 16 15
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 10, Boston University 4, RIT 2, Air Force 2

I don't see the logical reason for having one last meaningless poll, in my opinion the tourney is over and the UMD Bulldogs are the NCAA Champions, congrats to them for their great season. I also think that the NCAA tourney should be the final poll... Also, after being spanked by the C.C. Tigers 8-4, the 2010 NCAA champions, the B.C. Eagles still ended up being ranked above the Tigers; so still no love for C.C Tigers in the final poll.

What is it with the voters that voted for teams that didn't even make the NCAA tourney, but also ranking said teams over teams that did... Anyone ready for next season already.

Bruins vs Les Habitants

The Boston Bruins released their schedule for the first round of the NHL Playoff series with the Les Habitants De Montreal.

Game 1: Thursday, April 14, 2011 7 p.m. Montreal at Boston RDS, VERSUS, CBC(HD)
Game 2: Saturday, April 16, 2011 7 p.m. Montreal at Boston RDS, VERSUS, CBC(HD)
Game 3: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:30 p.m. Boston at Montreal RDS, CBC(HD)
Game 4: Thursday, April 21, 2011 7 p.m. Boston at Montreal RDS, VERSUS, CBC(HD)
Game 5: Saturday, April 23, 2011 7 p.m. Montreal at Boston* RDS, VERSUS, CBC(HD)
Game 6: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 TBD Boston at Montreal* RDS, CBC(HD)
Game 7: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 TBD Montreal at Boston* RDS, CBC(HD)

*If Necessary

Strike while the Iron is hot, Wild Fire Todd Richards

While it was obvious that the Wild weren’t going anywhere this season, even though they were in the race for a while, the Wild are still reeling from the Doug Risebrough days where he basically ran the Wild hockey team into the ground with his poor player personnel moves. Going forward, I don’t think even a high profile hall of fame type coach could have taken this thin in talent Wild team to the NHL playoffs.

Minnesota Wild ---- The second head coaching tenure in Minnesota Wild history has come to an end. Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher has announced that Head Coach Todd Richards has been relieved of his duties effective immediately.

The decision was made known Monday morning, the day after the Wild concluded Richards' second season as bench boss. The 44-year-old coach posted a record of 77-71-16 after taking over for Jacques Lemaire, the only other coach in franchise history. In both seasons, the Wild was in playoff contention through the winter, but both seasons also ended without playoff appearances.

“I would like to thank Todd for the hard work he provided to the Minnesota Wild organization the last two seasons and wish him the best in the future,” said Fletcher.

Further quotes from Fletcher regarding the decision will be posted shortly.

While I really never was on the Richards bandwagon nor was I on the campaign to run Richards out of town on a rail this team wasn't going anywhere and I could have told you that after watching them play in December. The Wild are up against the salary cap the cupboard is very bare when it comes to scoring talent for the Minnesota Wild, there is no one to score goals, the defensive unit is pretty good but the fact remains that Minnesota Wild needs to get a couple of high profile scorers they can do this if they do not resign some dead weight and get some talent in their place.

Justin Abdelkader blatant elbow on Brent Seabrook

This should have been a penalty probably a 5, 10 and a game misconduct, this is the kind of hits that that NHL is trying to get rid of. I have seen Redwings fans defending it, but it's a blatant chicken wing elbow, it was it to the head and this needs to be reviewed by the NHL. In my opinion it's worthy of a game or two.