Slightly Chilled on Sioux recruit Rocco Grimaldi

USHL Photo

Ryan Clark from the Fargo Forum has a really nice article on Fighting Sioux recruit Rocco Grimaldi who is coming to UND this fall. Some have compared Roco Grimaldi to players like Brian Gionta or a Nate Gerbie because of the type of game that he plays. Roco coach on the U-18 team has already compared him to Brian Gionta. Personally, I hope Roco is half a good as the two aforementioned players.

Slightly Chill ---- Just about anyone following sports or even pop culture knows that Tebow is a God-first athlete that’s just about as devout as it gets. He did mission trips to the Philippines where he was born and during spring break at Florida, he did ministry with inmates in the Florida prison system.


Has Grimaldi done that? No. Should he? No. But can he leave a mark on college hockey like Tebow did with college football? Absolutely. It has come out that Grimaldi is an extremely devout young man. Sit down and hear the kid talk and you know this isn’t an act. He has his favorite Bible verses, he understands the stories in the Bible and furthermore, you know he’s the kind of kid that’s grateful for everything.

Every sport has its knuckleheads and its good guys. Hockey, whether it be pro or college, has its good guys but there’s a chance Grimaldi could become that shining example. He’s going to a school where hockey is religion and at that place, if you’re good enough, people will treat you as if you are larger than life.

That’s a lot for a 18-year-old to handle. Really, it is a lot for many people to handle. The pressure of a fan base can cripple anyone but this is what makes kids like Grimaldi so different. His faith, he feels, can lift that burden and make him stronger for it.

Grimaldi might not give “The Speech” like Tebow but he can certainly have an impact on a locker room and his infectious attitude and views can spread further. Colten St. Clair, who’ll also be at UND next year, said he was impressed with the way Grimaldi handles himself and how he is strong in his faith.

His faith could also be the other thing that really impresses people. We all have heard the jokes regarding Tebow and his faith and we saw the way he dealt with it. Of course, Grimaldi won’t get nearly the national attention Tebow got, but we all know whether it be in the stands or through a message board, people can be pretty vocal. Just ask Todd Reynolds about it.

EDIT: This blog post was lost in hyperspace and reappeared today.

Ending of game one between Boston and Tampa Bay.

Check out this exchange between the Bruins and Tampa Bay at the end of game one, Lucic and Horton were given a 2 and a 10 for their lack of composure. These two are lucky that the Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice didn't spin in their disfavor, because it's an ill advised and classless move to punch an unexpecting opponent in the face at the end of a game that has already been decided, this is coming from a Boston Bruins fan..

Atlanta Spirit, True North in negotiations about Thrashers sale, relocation

Image via WikipediaThis newspaper article gives me hope that we could still see the NHL return to Winnipeg, Manitoba.  That being said I have to remain realistic and I am not going to hold my breath just yet, but I do like where this conversation is going.

By Chris Vivlamore The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ----- The Atlanta Spirit has begun negotiations with True North Sports and Entertainment on the sale of the Thrashers, which would result in relocation to Winnipeg, according to a person familiar with the NHL’s sale process.

A deal has not been completed and it is also not known how long the two sides have been negotiating. However, the fact that talks are on-going could mean the Thrashers would relocate to Manitoba perhaps as soon as next season. "I have never confirmed nor denied specific parties we have been talking to in regards to a possible sale of the Thrashers," Atlanta Spirit co-owner Bruce Levenson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday.

Typically, confidentiality agreements are signed between parties in negotiations which would prohibit Atlanta Spirit ownership from identifying suitors NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, reached via e-mail, said there was "nothing I'm prepared to say at this point." A True North Sports and Entertainment spokesperson had no comment.

NHL owners do not have to get league approval get league approval to identify potential buyers and work out an agreement to sell their franchise. However they would have to get permission to negotiate with a party interested in relocation. Once an agreement in principle has been reached, the NHL’s Board of Govenors would be asked to judge the acceptability of the new ownership.

Why isn't Tyler Seguin playing more for the Boston Bruins.

I think it's fair to ask after watching this goal why isn't the Bruins rookie Tyler Seguin playing more for the Boston Bruins? The kid played about nine and a half minutes and racked up (1g-1a-2pts) in his first game in over a month. I think maybe it's time for the Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien to re-evaluate his decision to not play Tyler Seguin the first 11 games of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Remembering former Wild Enforcer Derek Boogaard.

Yesterday morning I woke up at my hunting shack to find a depressing email on my iPhone from the Whistler; telling me that the former Minnesota Wild enforcer the "Boogeyman" Derek Boogaard had died in his Minneapolis apartment. Cause of death unknown at this time, pending the results of a autopsy from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office... The Boogaard family is going to donate Derek's brain to science.  I don't want to speculate what caused Derek's death and I would actually urge others to not jump to conclusions like some have before we know the truth.


This was Derek Boogaard's last NHL goal which game against the Washington Capitals back in November of 2010. Incidentally that goal by the Boogeyman had broke a long goalless streak going back to January 7th of  2006, that goal broke a 234 game goalless streak.
 
Boogaard's last NHL game was on December 9th, 2010 against the Ottawa Senators where Boogaard sustained a concussion in a fight with Matt Carkner. Boogaard would never play again do to post concussion syndrome.

In closing I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Boogaard family and may Derek Boogaard rest in peace. Personally, this is a sad day for me because I admire the enforcers in the NHL and I like what Boogaard brought to the ice for the five years that he played for the Minnesota Wild. Boogey might have been a tough guy but he played by the hockey code and was not a dirty player and he played the game straight up and you didn’t see him head hunting like some of the agitators around the NHL today.From everything that I have heard and read Derek was an awesome selfless person that gave back to the communities that he lived in.

conference finals predictions

Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning: i find this series to be really interesting. Tampa Bay has the firepower to match any team with guys like Vincent Lacavailer and Martin St. Louis. the Boston Bruins have gotten good goaltending throughout the playoffs from Tim Thomas and Tampa Bay has as well with Dwayne Roloson. If Boston wants to win the series they will need to activate their defenseman into offensive zone and to take advantage of Chara's rocket shot from the point. the bruins need to break down Tampa Bay's 1-3-1 trap and to get their big guys like Milan Lucic and Michael Ryder in front of Roloson who is very good at stopping the first shot and doesn't give up a lot of rebounds. If Tampa Bay wants to win they will want to keep getting points from guys like dominic moore and teddy purcell to help out the big guns and for Roloson to shut down boston's top line of Lucic,Horton, and Krejci. I like the Bruins in 6 games because of the play of Tim Thomas in these playoffs, he has been amazing and i think the Bruins top line is going to have a big series.
Guys to Watch in this series: Krejci, BOS and Martin St. Louis, TB

San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks: in the western conference we have a battle of two teams that at times in the playoffs have been very inconsistent and have giving up big leads in previous series. I think we haven't seen the best of the Sedin Twins yet and expecting them to have a big series. the MVP of the playoffs so far has been Ryan Kesler, who seems like he is a man on a mission so far and is dominating every facet of the game. He is seen as one of the best two-way players in the NHL. The key for the Sharks to win this series is too shut down the Sedins and Kesler. The play of Dan Boyle of SJ in the playoffs has been amazing and he has made some key defensive plays as well as setting up a lot of offensive chances. Devin Setoguchi has also had a great playoff run so far and look for that to continue in this series. Anetti Niemi had a great series vs the Red Wings and that save he made vs Datsyuk in game 7 was just awesome. this series is going to come down to goaltending and i think Niemi has the advantage over Roberto Luongo in this series because Luongo has been very inconsistent throughout the playoffs and i think Niemi is coming into this series with a lot of confidence after taking down the red wings. i like the San Jose Sharks In 6 games because of the play of Niemi
Guys to Watch in this Series: Joe Thornton, SJ and Ryan Kesler, VAN

2010-2011 Detroit Redwings Season Reflection (REDWING77)

Check out 1:08 and the last 40 seconds of this film. Incredible. Datsyuk is good.


What a Year

We had our ups and downs or lefts and rights, so to speak, but our year has come to an end thanks to an incredible Game 7 performance by the San Jose Sharks. Interesting, to me, that the goaltender that did us in was the same goaltender that last year was cast aside as being a nice story but will be the soft spot that will eventually sink the Hawks. I wonder how Philly is feeling knowing that they could've gotten Niemi if they wanted him. To be honest, I'm not even sure they tried.

What a Career

It's largely anticipated, if it hasn't already been announced, that Mike Modano will retire from hockey. This is a guy who has been incredible for pretty much his entire career. He put the US on the map when it comes to all time hockey greats. Sure, he's no Gretzky or Howe. However, until Modano came along, we were always the "Feel good" story to hockey. The "little brother God bless him" of hockey. It's true that Canada still dominates the hockey world and the hockey legend arena, and will probably do so for eternity to come, but it's nice to be in the mix.

I wish him the best and I thank him for being a team player his final year after being such a pivotal part of the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization.

Oh, and by the way, this was the guy who wanted to end his career in Minnesota. He wanted to sign with Minnesota after the lockout and Risebrough balked saying that Modano's game "wasn't compatible with the Wild system of hockey." It's not often that someone who is a surefire, first ballot Hall of Famer isn't described as a sure fire fit, even if the Hall of Famer to be is in the twilight of his career. That's ok. The Wild are great offensiv... ahm... Moving on...

I'd also say that Chris Osgood's career, at least as a Red Wing, is over. Or it should be. Can't imagine wanting to pay Osgood to be a backup when you had pretty good backup goaltending in Joey MacDonald and a potential NHL prospect in McCollum in the wings.

My Awards:

Unsung Hero: Nicklas Kronwall -> It's hard to call any Red Wing unsung. I wanted to put Franzen here, but how is he unsung? Kronwall is one of the best open ice hitters in the game and he can contribute in both the offensive and defensive zones. Maybe Jimmy Howard belongs here.

Most Improved Player: Abdelkader - The guy didn't impress me at all his rookie season. He did ok this year. Not top line good, but certainly much better at what he was asked to do.

Best Overall Player: Nicklas Lidstrom -> He's 41. He's better than most D half his age. And Chelious may have played longer but only Lidstrom has been effective almost his entire career.

Best 2 way forward: Pavel Datsyuk -> Need I explain this? Oh, and by the way, I wonder what GMs who drafted players before Datsyuk (he went in the 6th round) thought of him before he was drafted. It's not hard to imagine what they think of him now.

MVP: Datsyuk again. The guy is arguably top 5 among active players in terms of overall value to his team. I wonder what kind of frenzy would occur if he hit the free agent market?

Former Wild Enforcer Derek Boogaard Dead at 28

Sad:

Boogaard's body was found by family members in an apartment in the 400 block of First Street North, in Minneapolis' warehouse district, late Friday. Police said they would not release further details about the death Friday.

Boogard was just 28 years old.




I'm sure that Goon will have more to say. I wish that his family and friends can find peace somehow.

Wild prospect Mikael Granlund impersonates Mike Legg

This is an amazing goal by Mikael Granlund it's simply one of the best of the year. I am not sure I can do Grandlund's goal justice by trying to describe it. I hope the Wild get him in a uniform next season right away because this kid is the real deal. Granlund was big for team Finland during the IIHF World Championship.Granlund is 9th in scoring with (2g-6a-8pts) in 8 games for team Finland.

Is a lockout looming in the future for the NHL???

Image via WikipediaJust when things are going well and we have witnessed some very good hockey you start hearing and reading about the NHL and a possible lockout. Talk about a looming NHL lock out would be a buzz kill. First off; last night’s hockey game between the Sharks and the Redwing was probably the type of hockey that the NHL envisioned when they were trying to remake In the last couple of days, Damien Cox from the Toronto Star wrote an interesting article about a possible NHL lockout and all I can say is that I hope not. I hope the NHL doesn't kill what momentum and good will that they have built in the last few years since the 2004-2005 lockout.their soiled image after the 2004-2005 lockout.

Damien Cox; Sports Columnist --- You could have argued at one point that the new cap system was a big break for the richest teams, since instead of spending $80 million on players they could spend a lot less. But those teams are now contributing huge amounts to the league’s revenue sharing system and contributing funds to pay for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Maybe that’s why, so far, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan hasn’t been able to get anyone to meet its asking price for its chunk of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Business may be good, but not $1.5 billion-for-controlling-interest good.

So with Phoenix a punchline and propped up only by the inexplicable antics of local politicians, Columbus hemorrhaging upwards of $25 million a season, Atlanta bathing in red ink, the Islanders about to try and get Nassau County taxpayers to pay $350 million for a new rink on a flimsy I.O.U., Nashville looking for new equity partners and any number of other clubs looking to sell, hockey fans better get ready for what’s coming.

Another lockout. Oh yeah.

Unthinkable? They’d never do that again? Think again. Hockey fans surely swallowed their pride and came back after the 2004-05 season was erased from the record books, quickly forgetting their promises to never support the league that had betrayed them.

Don’t think the NHL didn’t notice.

The league didn’t get its “idiot-proof” CBA; therefore, it must try again.

The morning after; Sharks and Redwings game seven

Last night I witnessed one of the more climatic ending to a game seven that I have seen in some time, the Bruins and Habs series was pretty good as well during the first round, for disclosure, I have to admit that I am a Boston Bruins fans first and foremost, second; I am an NHL hockey fan so I will watch any team, at any time play hockey on television, I have had the NHL package on cable for at least 8 season in a row. Finally, I am more of a San Jose Sharks fan than I am a Detroit Redwings fan, that being said, it was hard to take my eyes off of the television screen last night, the action in this game was fast and furious, thank God this game wasn’t a clunker by any means. We had enough clunker games in the Nashville and Vancouver series.

Finality of a Knockout game

I also think that both teams in this series were very good solid balanced hockey teams – great talent through the forward lines, good defense and very good goaltending. Special team for both clubs are very good as well it was a shame that one of these two teams had to lose.

I believe that either team could have won this game/series if the bounces had gone their way. Last night the bounces went the Sharks way and they were able to stop a three games slide. The thing that made this series very good was that both teams got up and down the ice and the games were played at a fast pace, when one team got a few good scoring chances, the other would counter attacked very well in response.

Last night I thought the Sharks started the game the way they wanted, they got a two goal lead one off a very bad turnover and they limited the Redwings time and space. The Sharkswere very fast through the neutral zone and were generating offensive opportunities from the Redwings miscues and untimely turnovers.

It was a shame that one of these teams had to lose but that's hockey and I always love watching the teams at the end of a series shake hands and wish the other team well. It’s very interesting to watch the hand shake because both of these teams got after it during this series it was a very heated and contested series, unlike the later games of the Bruins and Flyers.

Pavel Datsyuk is awesome

After watching the Redwings the last couple of season I have to say that Pavel Datsyuk is currently one of the best two way players in the NHL and I would love to seem him on my favorite NHL (X2) teams. It was revealed that Datsyuk had an injured wrist and wasn’t taking faceoffs but still managed to score (2g-7a-9pts) and 8+ in seven games. If the Redwings had advanced to the finals I believe that Pavel Datsyuk would have been a very good candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

Are the Trashers going to Winnipeg?

First off it appears that a whole day of posts that were posted on Goon’s World after 05-11-2011 are now gone, toast, índice de, acabado, pasado and or flashed into hyper space, because of a Blogger.com screw up or glitch or whatever happened... I am not a techie, don’t pretend to be a techie so I have no clue what happened to two blog posts of mine. None-the-less, Goon's World is moving forward because this really is just a minor inconvenience and I am not going to spend a lot of time ranting and raving about it.

The new buzz around the “twitter world and the Internet” is that the Atlanta Thrasher hockey team is now rumored to be the next NHL team “that could be headed” to Winnipeg, Manitoba; I am not holding my breath waiting to see what happens, I applaud the effort by some to get an NHL hockey team in Winnipeg again but it does appear that this is going to be a tall order and we may or may not see it happen anytime soon. The prospects of a team landing in Winnipeg are more possible than they were in 1997.

Chris Vivlamore; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution --- It is unclear this morning if the Thrashers have been granted permission by the NHL to begin negotiations with True North Sports and Entertainment, the entity that would purchase the franchise and move it to Winnipeg, or if those talks have already begun.

However, it does appear the situation is headed in that direction. All attempts to find a buyer with the intention – and wherewithal – to keep the franchise in Atlanta have not moved past the preliminary stage. After signing a non-disclosure agreement for an initial look at team financial records, a prospective buyer must provide proof of the financial assets to complete a sale. No interested party has done so to this point. Time is running out.

As I was told and reported this week, things could move quickly in regard to a sale and relocation. Although, contrary to reports, it won’t get done by this weekend.

There is also no timetable on the possible completion of a deal with True North. It is also not known if such an agreement could be reached in time for next season. The structure for a deal could be in place as True North had first hoped to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes, owned by the NHL, until a resolution was reached to kept the team in Arizona for another season earlier this week. The Glendale City Council voted to pay $25 million to the NHL for operating expenses to keep the team at least for next season.

NHL bylaws require that an owner seeking to relocate a team submit a written application to the commissioner by Jan. 1 of the year preceding the proposed move — “unless a majority of the [clubs] consents to a later filing date.” That clause and caveat leave open the question of whether a move, if a deal is reached, would be for the 2011-12 or 2012-13 season.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, speaking on NHL Live radio Thursday, said the situation in Phoenix differs from Atlanta.

Brad Eidsness returning to UND for senior season.

USA Today Photo

According to UND hockey guru Brad Schlossman junior Goalie Brad Eidsness will be returning for his senior season at the University of North Dakota. This past season Eidsness was relegated to back up goalie after sophomore goalie Aaron Dell took over the starting duties. With the return of Brad Eidsness to the Fighting Sioux roster, it will mean that the Fighting Sioux will not have to rush the development of Sioux goalie recruit Zane Gothberg who was the back up goalie with the Fargo Force last season.

Brad Elliott Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald; Grand Forks Herald --- The UND men’s hockey team will have plenty of question marks next year, but not in the most important position of all.

Goaltender Brad Eidsness, who will earn his undergraduate degree in three years, has decided to return to school for his senior year of eligibility while he begins his pursuit of a masters degree.

Coupled with the decision of Aaron Dell to return for his junior year, UND will have perhaps the best 1-2 tandem in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Dell was an All-American last year after setting the school record in victories and Eidsness is a two-time all-conference goaltender.

While Eidsness played in only seven games as a junior (4.09 goals-against average, .812 save percentage), he proved during his first two seasons that he’s a reliable goaltender capable of carrying the Sioux to a championship.

During his freshman year, he led the Sioux to the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular-season champions by playing 41 games and posting a 2.56 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. As a sophomore, he led UND to the Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA postseason champion by posting a 2.11 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 41 games.

Eidsness weighed whether to move on from UND because of his lack of playing time as a junior coupled with the completion of his degree.

All I can say is... (Redwing77)

WOW!!!!

I'll be the first Red Wing fan to say, "I'm surprised and amazed." San Jose fans will be the first to say, "And we were part of those mocking Boston last year? Uh...."

Down 3 games to none, I pegged Detroit as done. They played San Jose pretty close, but, in my opinion, they lacked the finishing ability to make San Jose pay. Sure, on paper, they have plenty, but in reality, they'd seem to dominate and all that would happen is that Detroit would have the puck a lot. We made Niemi look absolutely incredible. To be truthful, Niemi is good and he should not feel bad about the turn of events. However, Detroit's defense has been porous and their risks exploited by San Jose up until Game 4 and, even in Game 4, we barely clawed out a win.

So, imagine my nonsurprise to see Periods 1 and 2 tonight. Detroit pretty much dominating the first 40 minutes and unable to finish. Then, to win, we score 3 goals in 20 minutes and only give up 1. Wow.

To be truthful....

The first period featured officiating that, I thought, reminded me of WCHA officiating. Dan Boyle gets a checking from behind or boarding penalty....no wait. The ref forgot to raise his arm. However, he remembers to call Boyle a few seconds later for a tickytack holding call. Total make up call. Remember, folks, you don't need make up calls if you just call the game the way the rule book says. But these are the playoffs and the rulebook somehow changes. Oh well.

And Detroit scored the 3rd goal as a gift. San Jose was right. We had too many men on the ice. Sure, the angles don't show when Filpula got off the ice and match it with when Helm touched the puck, but I counted 6 and Helm, to me, was skating up ice while Filpula was still technically on the ice. It would have made the last 40+ seconds unbelievable if the refs got it right and put San Jose up a man.

However, I stand by my previous statement: San Jose went up 3-0 and has only to win 1 of the next 4 games to move on. Detroit has just taken up all the slack and play San Jose has to make it a big game. San Jose could still very well pull it off. And they have the guy in net who knows the feeling. It took 7 games to beat Philly for Niemi to raise the cup. Howard is in untested waters. Sure, he's not played poorly throughout, but Niemi still holds the edge.

What if...

If San Jose wins Game 7, as a Red Wings fan, I'll be bummed for sure. However, I will not blast Detroit for choking or yellow trickling down the leg. I would have had they bowed out in 4 or 5 games, though.

Go Wings, beat the Sharks. Then beat the pesky Canucks!

Ice Edge pulls out of Coyotes deal ahead of City Council vote

Here is the latest in the never ending saga...

PHOENIX - Ice Edge Holdings has withdrawn its minority interest in the proposed purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes ahead of a Glendale City Council vote that would put off finalizing any deal by as long as a year.

Ice Edge CEO Anthony LeBlanc said Tuesday that his organization had been involved in the process with the Coyotes "long enough."

Ice Edge once had tried to buy the team as the majority owner but accepted minority status when Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer entered the picture.

Hulsizer's efforts to buy the team from the NHL have stalled in the face of a threatened lawsuit by the conservative Goldwater Institute watchdog group over terms of a lease agreement worked out with Glendale for the team to continue to play in Jobing.com Arena.

LeBlanc said his company would concentrate on its minor league hockey operations in Thunder Bay, Ont. He also plans to run for political office there, he said.

The move has no serious implications for the bid by Hulsizer, whom LeBlanc said would be "a terrific owner."

But Hulsizer's efforts have hit a logjam that may be impossible to break, since he has indicated he has made his last, best offer and the Goldwater Institute vows to sue if the city follows through on the deal. The institute is concerned that the generous terms of the lease violate the state's constitutional ban on subsidizing private enterprise.

The TV Schedule for the Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning series.

1. Saturday May 14th, 2011 Boston – 7:00 pm Central. (Versus)
2. Tuesday May 17th, 2011 Boston – 7:00 pm Central. (Versus)
3. Thursday May 19th, 2011 St. Petersburg – 7:00 pm Central. (Versus)
4. Saturday May 21st, 2011 St. Petersburg – 1:30 pm Central. (NBC)
5. Monday May 23rd, 2011 Boston – 7:00 pm Central.* (Versus)
6. Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 St. Petersburg – 7:00 pm Central.*
7. Friday May 27th, 2011 Boston – 7:00 pm Central.* (Versus)

The Bruins and the Lighting will begin play on May 14th...

Herald Opinion Page; Lawmakers assumed responsibility for nickname

I think this opinion piece from Tom Dennis brings up a good point, that I am going to expound on just a little more; why aren't our elected leaders from “Team North Dakota” (Kent Conrad, John Hoeven, Rick Berg) also involved in this process as well? Why not give the North Dakota's elected leaders congressional a call and ask them; here are the phone numbers, Senator Conrad’s office: 701-232-8030, Senator Hoeven's office: 701-239-5389 or Congressman Berg's office: (701)-224-0355. Remember, if you call them be respectful, I have found in the past Senators Conrad's staff to be very polite and easy to work with.

Tom Dennis for the Herald, Grand Forks Herald ---- “You break it, you own it.” That’s the Pottery Barn rule, said former Secretary of State Colin Powell. It’s also the warning Powell gave to President George W. Bush on the eve of the invasion of Iraq.

Today, Gov. Jack Dalrymple and North Dakota legislative leaders should remember the Pottery Barn rule as they weigh their options regarding the Fighting Sioux nickname.

By passing a law forcing UND to keep the nickname, the Legislature and governor took responsibility for the issue. That means they now have a duty to minimize or eliminate any harm to UND.

And that, in turn, means they should act to bring about a positive outcome rather than passively observing what happens next.

“Be a player who makes things happen,” smart coaches often tell their athletes. It’s good guidance for the governor and legislative leaders, too, if they’re looking for advice on what to do next.

For UND and the State Board of Higher Education were on their way to settling the issue when the Legislature and governor intervened. Now, the best outcome — convincing the NCAA to relax its upcoming sanctions against UND — very likely will demand the governor and lawmakers’ leadership and active involvement.

They’re the elected officials with the status and clout that offer the best chance of persuading the association. They’re the leaders with the stature to ask North Dakota’s congressional delegation to join the effort, thereby presenting a united front of impressive strength to the NCAA.

Edit: The Bisonville faithful are at it again...

EDIT: This is the kind of crap that you see on the message board from our neighbors to the south on a regular basis. That's why I refer to this objectionable message board as Belligerentville.... Just for the record; while the cartoon in question was posted by an alleged Bison fan Notorious, the actual cartoon in question was drawn by this artist Marty G. Two Bulls.

Here is my question to the readers; I want to make sure that I am getting this right. Are we to believe that Govenor Jack Dalrymple is a KKK Clansman because he signed a bill that had great support from the people of North Dakota to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname?

From what I have gleaned from reading the political blogs and various newspaper articles around the state of North Dakota, it was kind of inferred that the Governor of North Dakota “wasn’t” all that crazy about signing this bill in the first place and might have after receiving a lot of pressure from people around North Dakota.

Lawmaker group wants attorney general's opinion on Fighting Sioux bill

But of course!!! I have a feeling that this is why the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education also voted 7-1 to direct the University of North Dakota to cease transitioning away from the Sioux nickname and logo. I bet that they knew that these lawmakers would be coming forward with this challenge. Stay tuned this summer could prove to be interesting.

BISMARCK — A group of lawmakers want Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem to decide whether it's legal for the Legislature to order the University of North Dakota to keep its Fighting Sioux nickname and American Indian head logo.

The 10 lawmakers sent a letter to Stenehjem today asking for his opinion on the issue.

It was written by Grand Forks Democratic Rep. Lonny Winrich and signed by eight other Democratic lawmakers and Fargo Republican state Rep. Kathy Hawken.

The letter asks whether the bill that orders UND to keep its nickname and logo is unconstitutional, because it interferes with the Board of Higher Education's administrative power.

It also asks whether the Legislature can overturn an agreement between the NCAA and UND that resulted in the decision to drop the nickname and logo.

Jeremy Roenick tells it like it is.

Apparently these comments by Jeremy Roenick offended some that were watching the post game on Versus last night. Personally, I don't have a problem with them what-so-ever; I think that Jeremy Roenick's comments were an honest assessment of a player that he noticed not to be playing as good as he could. It is what it is; Jeremy Roenick challenged Patrick Marleau level of commitment and effort that’s all.

I mean think about this; according to Cap Geek, Patrick Marleau is paid 6.9 million dollars a year to play hockey for the San Jose Sharks. In your opinion are the San Jose Sharks getting Patrick Marleau's full potential with (2g-3a-5pts) in 11 games and has a grand total of "ZERO" points in the second round of the playoffs against the Redwings, personally in my opinion that's unacceptable for an elite player in the NHL.

I am going to break this down further. What's wrong with telling it like it is and straight talk? Jeremy Roenick is paid by Versus/NBC to give his opinion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and to break down the games that he is watching from the perspective of a former NHL hockey player. I mean seriously, what is wrong with that? Have we become so thin skinned that we can't listen to an honest critique of a particular player(s) and or of a hockey? I hope we are not going down that road to being a nation of whiny ninnies that are so afraid to listen to an honest but relevant opinion.

Higher ed board stops process to drop UND nickname bill

In case anyone is keeping track or watching this issue. Personally, I think that the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is going to step back and plan their next move and I have a feeling that we will see them again. You can almost bet on it, I can't see them letting this go without a fight.The Fact that UND is in the transition from Division II to Division I still probably plays a factor.

BISMARCK — The North Dakota Board of Higher Education voted 5-3 today to ratify the chancellor’s recommendation to continue merchandising of Sioux nickname apparel for the 2011-12 season.

The board also voted 7-1 to direct the University of North Dakota to cease transitioning away from the Sioux nickname and logo.

Board President Jon Backes said he expects the board will discuss at its June meeting whether it’s appropriate for the board to challenge the action taken by the Legislature requiring UND to keep the Sioux nickname.

“We have a state law and that state law is presumptively valid until it is determined to be otherwise,” Backes said.

Good News for Vikings fans; Minnesota Vikings Stadium: Minneapolis Produces A Plan

This is the latest from the state of Minnesota on the Vikings stadium. Hopefully; we will get the new Vikings stadium details worked out soon so the Minnesota Vikings fans won't have to worry about hearing any more rumors about the Vikings relocating to another city.

Just days after Ramsey County announced that they were very close to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings to bring the team's proposed new stadium to the site of the old Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills and the Farmer's Market site near Target Field took themselves out of consideration, it sounds like the city of Minneapolis might want in on the action after all.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the city of Minneapolis will announce a proposal today to build a new Vikings' stadium on the site where the Metrodome currently sits, and says that the city will pick up 25% of the cost. This comes with just two weeks left in the 2011 Minnesota Legislative Session.

The Star-Tribune is reporting that the plan would use sales taxes from the city's convention center, and would also provide money for renovations to the Target Center, the home of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pavel Datsyuk the magician...

This one is for my buddy Redwing77, this play by Pavel Datsyuk is a thing of beauty and from what I have read it sounds like that Pavel Datsyuk is playing hurt and was a game time decision because he has a injured wrist. Pavel Datsyuk is one of the best two way forwards in the NHL, if the Redwings advance to the Stanley Cup might get some love as Hart Trophy.

Joe Thornton should be ashamed of himself with this shameful dive.

h/t to Puck Daddy.. This is absolutely shameful and unbelievable, the league officials are starting to look like a joke when they let this stuff go on... Joe Thornton should be fined by the NHL for embelishment and should have been given a 10 minute misconduct for this despicable behavior. I mean seriously, are we to believe that little love tap from Johan Franzen would cause a big man like Joe Thornton to crumble to the ice like he had been shot. In looking at the video I am not sure Franzen even touched him. If I was Franzen I would be upset as well.

Dirty Hit By Sami Salo

,

I'm pretty sure that it's just not cricket to put your elbows behind a guys head and drive him into the boards.

I say this is suspension worthy considering how Salo made sure to put his entire body weight behind the hit.

Goon's Edit: Thanks to the Whistler for adding this hit. No word yet if the NHL is going to review this hit or not but I think we can assume that it's worthy of a look due to it's dangerous nature.

NHL to crack down on "divers" Canucks Diving team might be in trouble

Global Image

My buddy Redwing77 will like this article as he has been an outspoken critic of players both in college and the professional ranks that over embellish infractions and leap to the ice like they have been shot every time they are hit to draw penalties so their team can go on the power play. Personally, I have to admit that I am sick and tired of these antics as well and I am pointing the finger at the Vancouver Canucks players especially, we know who they are -> Alex Burrows. If you want to act like you’ve been shot every time you’re touched go play soccer or hockey in Europe.

Eric Francis; Calgary Sun --- Colin Campbell is tired of seeing his officials embarrassed by players throughout these NHL playoffs and isn’t going to stand for it any more.

Due to the increasing number of players diving and embellishing throughout these playoffs, Campbell and director of officiating Terry Gregson have instructed officials to crack down on players who snap their heads back to sell a call.

Teams and players have been warned to cut it out or referees will be handing out diving calls as well as “two and twos,” tagging both the victim and the perpetrator.

While diving generally increases in the post-season, what complicates the issue this year is the heightened desire to protect players from head-shots, leading players to prey on this and act as if anything coming close to their noggin makes contact, a la Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo and teammate Maxim Lapierre.

This topic has kind of come to a head in round two; watching the Vancouver Canucks Hockey frauds/diving team and how they flail around on the ice every time they are hit, it’s like most of their players went to drama school and will have a career in acting after they are done playing hockey.

I don’t know if the over embellishment is a result of their General Manager Mike Gillis whining about the reffing being one sided in Chicago’s favor during round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs or not? None-the-less, the topic of diving has become a hot button issue and has generated a lot of discussion on how the Canucks players throw their heads back every time they are hit or tapped by a Predators player. Apparently, the Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa thinks that diving can cross a line. I agree…

Seriously, I think diving is poor sportsmanship and this needs to stop now in all level of hockey, if I was a head hockey coach and I saw one of my players embellish on the ice in attempt to draw a call, like I have seen on the ice this past season, that player would sitting on the end of the bench until he learned that North American players don’t play hockey like soccer players.

Is it gloom and doom for UND?

The Grand Forks Herald has an interesting series of articles on the Fighting Sioux nickname in this mornings Sunday paper, the articles focus on the impending August 15th deadline for the University of North Dakota to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname and the possible outcomes for UND not being compliant. I am going to forewarn you, there going to be a lot of articles like this from the Grand Forks Herald and other newspapers and television channels from around the area covering this story.

The first fallout?
Since UND is not eligible for NCAA postseason play in all sports but hockey for the upcoming year, the 2011-12 season is relatively manageable for the department. But there will be challenges, starting with women’s hockey.

“If women’s hockey is a top-four seed for the first-round (NCAA) playoff games next season, and they were knocking on the door this past season, they potentially would be the first team to be impacted by the inability to host a game on home ice,” Faison said.

There are other challenges as well, not directly related to the NCAA sanctions.

Recruiting in all sports could be affected as schools may use the NCAA sanctions against UND to their advantage.

Scheduling is another issue. One of the perks of the move to Division I in 2007 was the thought of scheduling Minnesota in more than just hockey.

“Minnesota did pull back on a cross country meet in the fall,” Faison said. “And we’ve been discussing future football scheduling (with Minnesota). But they’ve pulled back that discussion for now. They’re in a holding pattern. They don’t want to commit to anything until everything is sorted out here.”

And it doesn’t appear anything will be sorted out any time soon, leaving the department and its coaches to forge ahead without knowing the outcome of the controversy.

By state law, UND will be known as the Fighting Sioux. And the state Legislature won’t meet again until January of 2013. Potentially, UND could be known as the Fighting Sioux for two more seasons.

Will UND remain the Fighting Sioux forever?

“I don’t really have an answer for that,” Faison said. “I do know that it will stick around for another year.”

Bruins close out Flyers with 5-1 win; Bergeron has concussion...

I glad that I can finally say that the Boston Bruins have made the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1992. Yeah I do remember the Bruins that year. Last year the Boston Bruins had a comfortable series lead of three games to nothing and were leading in game seven 3-0 when the roof came down on top of them.

So the Boston Bruins finally exercised the demons of last season and now will move on to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will play the Tampa Bay Lightning… I think that it's safe to say that this season was different than last, there have been no four game collapses (to date) and the Bruins put their boot on the neck of the Flyers and this time they didn’t take that foot off… This year’s team seems like it has something to prove to both themselves and to the fans. I think it’s safe to say that, the Bruins have played with a chip on their shoulder all season long. I would also describe this years Bruins team as being very gusty and a hard working team and after two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs… Now we are down to two teams remaining teams in the eastern division.

Last night’s series win didn’t come without a cost as the Bruins leading scorer during the Stanley Cup Playoffs Patrice Bergeron (2g-10a-12pts) went down with an undisclosed upper body injury which today is being reported as being a concussion by Steve Silva and Kevin Paul Dupont. So Boston Bruins fans are now holding their breath that Bergeron won’t be out very long.

MPR links up MacTavish blog post...

I thought it was interesting so posted it.

4) THE NEW WILD COACH IS...?

The Star Tribune and other sports outlets are reporting that former NHL player and coach Craig MacTavish is the favorite to be the next coach of the Minnesota Wild.

That presents an immediate PR problem -- maybe -- for the Wild. MacTavish killed a woman while he was driving drunk years ago on the main drag north of Boston, where he played as a member of the Bruins. Vehicular homicide in Massachusetts carried a 20-year prison term. He got a year in a minimum security prison and his release from the Bruins to go play for somebody else.

Is that a problem? One hockey blogger -- Goon's World -- says it is:


While I am sure that some of you will say but that it was a long time ago and what's the big deal Goon, however, I ask you to look at this way, think of the victim and her family, Kim Radley would have been 53 years old today if her life hadn't have been cut short by a selfish drunk driver. I am being serious, do we really want a coach of the hometown team the Minnesota Wild to be a former felon that committed vehicle homicide? Which in my opinion was a very preventable and unnecessary death. If I am missing the point, please tell why, I also imagine that I am not the only one that feels this way.


MacTavish got his master's degree in business last year

Claude Giroux hit on Patrice Bergeron...

Here is the video to the hit that injured Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. I don't think it was a dirty hit by the Flyers Claude Giroux, I have watched the hit about 5 times I don't see any thing that was out of the ordinary, it appears to be a legal and hard hockey check... I am hoping that Patrice Bergeron doesn't have a concussion and that he left the game as a pre-caution.

A couple UND early departures and MTU has a new coach.

Brett Bruneteau moves on

According to Brad Schlossman UND Junior Forward Brett Brueteau will be transferring to UVM of the Hockey East. Best to luck to Brett Bruneteau as he starts graduate school... Nice to see our athletes getting their graduate degrees. We wish Bruno the best in everything that he does.

UND sophomore forward Brett Bruneteau is graduating from UND after two years and will attend grad school in Vermont, where he will play hockey alongside his younger brother, Nick.

Bruneteau, an Omaha native, played in four games as a sophomore and finishes his time at UND with one goal, four assists and five points in 31 career games.

Michael Cichy to transfer to a new NCAA team - Destination unknown

One of the more puzzling moves is Junior Forward Michael Cichy is transferring to an unknown college. This is according to Jason Hajdu of the UND SID office.

Another junior-to-be, Mike Cichy, is also transferring. Destination not yet official. Best of luck to @MikeCichy!

To me this move is a bit of a "HEAD-SCRATCHER" because you would have to think that Michael Cichy is really close to playing in the line up on a regular basis and being a major contributor on the score sheet, because Cichy shown glimpses of greatness in his two short season at UND. The bad thing for Mike is that he is going to have to sit out for a whole season before he can play at his new college. We wish him the best of luck.

MTU has their coach

The Michigan Tech University Huskies now have a new head hockey coach. Below is the official release from MTU. Best of luck to former MTU Husky player and former Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Mel Pearson as he takes the next step his career.

HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech athletic director Suzanne Sanregret has appointed former Huskies' player and assistant coach and long-time University of Michigan associate head coach Mel Pearson to the position of head hockey coach. Pearson, who spent the last 23 years at Michigan helping the Wolverines to a 667-243-71 record, 11 Frozen Fours and two national championships, will be introduced at a press conference Tuesday (May 10).

"I'm very excited and grateful for this opportunity," said Pearson. "Michigan Tech was the school that gave me my first chance not only as a player but as a coach, and I'm looking forward to working with the University, alumni and community in bringing back the winning tradition."

"I'm thrilled that our search has led us to someone with the quality background of Mel," said Sanregret. "He has extensive experience in all aspects of college hockey, but his reputation as a recruiter made him our top candidate. He has contacts within all of hockey from juniors to the professional ranks, and he's well connected to our alumni."

Pearson, a former winner of the Terry Flanagan Award which honors an assistant coach's career, has been hailed as one of the best recruiters in the nation. He was credited with landing the bulk of the players on Michigan's 1996 and 1998 NCAA championship teams, and has recruited dozens of All-Americans and several Hobey Baker finalists during his time in Ann Arbor. A total of 54 Michigan players have gone on to play in the NHL since 1988.

SNY POINT BLANK TV: DAVE HAKSTOL North Dakota coach on Nelson and Gregoire

I know this is a little old and I just found it, however, UND Fighting Sioux hockey coach Dave Hakstol was on with Chris Botta on April 27th, 2011, Chris runs an independent Islanders blog that has a lot of good information on the New York Islanders.

No thank you to Craig MacTavish as the next coach of the Minnesota Wild!!!

Sportsnet.ca

According to Michael Russo the beat writer from the Star Tribune for the Minnesota Wild hockey teams says that Craig McTavish is an emerging candidate to be the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. All I can say is; that I hope not, seriously, I don’t think McTavish is a good role model for youngsters and there are other better candidates for this head coaching job that the Wild can select from.

If you don't remember or maybe you weren't alive yet, former Boston Bruins Craig MacTavish struck and killed a young woman while he was driving his car under the influence of alcohol, he plead guilty and was sentenced to a year in jail. Kim Radley died as a result of a senseless incident and MacTavish got a mere slap on the wrist as he lived in dormitory like conditions at the Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center. Hardly a fitting penalty for MacTavished, you can barely call it a jail type setting.

“Hockey players have not been the only victims, either. Craig MacTavish, a player at the time and now the coach of the Edmonton Oilers, pled guilty to vehicular homicide in 1984 after killing a woman in a car accident while he was impaired. He spent a year in jail, and spoke against drunk driving as part of his community service. “

While I am sure that some of you will say but that it was a long time ago and what’s the big deal Goon, however, I ask you to look at this way, think of the victim and her family, Kim Radley would have been 53 years old today if her life hadn’t have been cut short by a selfish drunk driver. I am being serious, do we really want a coach of the hometown team the Minnesota Wild to be a former felon that committed vehicle homicide? Which in my opinion was a very preventable and unnecessary death. If I am missing the point, please tell why, I also imagine that I am not the only one that feels this way.

Michael Russo, Star Tribune ----With the Wild in the early stages of its deliberate search to find a replacement for Todd Richards, veteran coach Craig MacTavish has emerged as a strong candidate.

According to multiple league sources, the former Edmonton Oilers coach has had a handful of conversations with Chuck Fletcher and was recently interviewed by the Wild general manager at a Toronto hotel.

The 52-year-old MacTavish, who coached the Oilers from 2000 to '09, has been unwilling to talk about any of the NHL coaching vacancies other than to say he's "recharged" and ready to return to coaching.

"He's one of my favorites," Los Angeles Kings veteran forward Ryan Smyth, coached by MacTavish for six seasons, said in a phone interview Thursday. "He knows and understands the game very well and was exciting to play for. He understands the players very well. He knew me more than I did at times."

MacTavish, who guided the eighth-seeded Oilers to within one game of a Stanley Cup in 2006, would bring instant credibility to the Wild bench. He won four Stanley Cups in his 19-year playing career player -- three with Edmonton and one with the New York Rangers.

One of the great defensive centers, the well-spoken MacTavish brought that same acumen to his coaching. He's known as a defensive-oriented, technically sound coach, one who's a shrewd in-game bench manager and good communicator.

Keith Ballard Hip Check Jordin Tootoo

This happened back on April 28 during game one of the Vancouver and Nashville series. Check out this awesome hip check by former Gopher defenseman Keith Ballard, I have watched video quite a few times and there is no reason in my humble opinion why this should be a penalty. Ballard

Former NHL player Jim Thomson wants to ban fighting in the NHL.

We live in a gladiator society and majority of NHL fans love watching a fight between two willing combatants; fighting in hockey is also an aspect of the NHL that I like. Two people square off and fight it "usually" solves the problem and it "usually" ends right there.

As far as an out right ban on fighting in the NHL, I also don’t think the NHL GM’s, coaches and players would probably ever go for it. Here is the way I see it, it you take fighting out of hockey, how in the heck are you going to police the game? You can’t count on the Colin Campbells of the NHL to protect the players on the ice, nor can the referees do so as well. Also, if there is no threat of player ever having to fight on the ice in the NHL you will see more acts of violence from the Matt Cooke type players around the NHL…

TORONTO — If it was Chicago, it might be two bottles of wine. They always seemed to have tough guys in Chicago, scary guys who would keep Jim Thomson awake the night before a game, and the extra wine at dinner helped to fortify him for what lay ahead.

Sometimes the anxiety led to more self-medication, pills that helped him get over the fear of being knocked unconscious in front of 20,000 fans. He was a fighter.

“As a fighter in hockey, you live in fear,” Thomson said.

He lived on the margins of the roster, protecting Wayne Gretzky one year, playing for the Phoenix Roadrunners the next. Thomson logged dozens of fights over a 115-game career, and when it ended, he suffered.

“I went through periods of depression,” he said. “I’m a recovering alcoholic. I believe a lot of my demons, if you will, came from hockey ending and the head blows and certain things that I wasn’t aware of.”

Now 45, Thomson said he “easily” suffered five or six concussions. During one stretch in the American Hockey League, he was punched so hard in a fight on Friday that he cannot remember what he did on the ice during Saturday or Sunday’s games.

On Wednesday, Thomson was among a collection of current and former athletes gathered at the Hockey Hall of Fame to promote a website (stopconcussions.com) designed to help educate athletes on the cause, effects and consequences of concussion. Retired NHL star Keith Primeau was the keynote speaker, but Thomson delivered perhaps the most radical solution to reducing the risk on the ice.

The former fighter would like a blanket ban on fighting in hockey.

“Get it out,” he said. “I mean, come on, why do we need it?”

He referred to it, more than once, as “bare-knuckle fighting.”

2011-2012 Fighting Sioux Hockey Schedule...

Brad Schlossman has posted the Tenative Fighting Sioux Hockey schedule. Thanks Millsy for the correction...

2011-12 TENTATIVE
Oct. 7 -- ICEBREAKER
Oct. 8 -- ICEBREAKER
Oct. 14 -- MAINE
Oct. 15 -- MAINE
Oct. 21 -- at Wisconsin
Oct. 22 -- at Wisconsin
Oct. 28 -- ST. CLOUD ST.
Oct. 29 -- ST. CLOUD ST.

Nov. 4 -- at Minnesota
Nov. 5 -- at Minnesota
Nov. 19 -- at Bemidji
Nov. 20 -- at Bemidji
Nov. 25 -- COLO. COLLEGE
Nov. 26 -- COLO. COLLEGE

Dec. 2 -- at Anchorage
Dec. 3 -- at Anchorage
Dec. 9 -- OMAHA
Dec. 10 -- OMAHA
Dec. 16 -- FERRIS
Dec. 17 -- FERRIS
Dec. 30 -- HARVARD
Dec. 31 -- HARVARD

Jan. 7 -- Winnipeg game
Jan. 13 -- MINNESOTA
Jan. 14 -- MINNESOTA
Jan. 20 -- at St. Cloud
Jan. 21 -- at St. Cloud
Jan. 27 -- WISCONSIN
Jan. 28 -- WISCONSIN

Feb. 10 -- at Duluth
Feb. 11 -- at Duluth
Feb. 17 -- MICH. TECH
Feb. 18 -- MICH. TECH
Feb. 24 -- at Denver
Feb. 25 -- at Denver

Mar. 2 -- MSU-MANKATO
Mar. 3 -- MSU-MANKATO
Mar. 9-11 -- WCHA first rd
Mar. 15-17 -- WCHA Final Five
Mar. 23-25 -- NCAA regionals (Worcester, Bridgeport, St. Paul, Green Bay)

Ut...Oh... (Redwing77)

It's been a while since my last rant so here goes...

Poor Poor Bettman

NHL Ninconpoop Gary Bettman is now demoralized again. First, his beloved Pens were eliminated. Next, he finds out that Crosby was holding out on him on his condition (so all along Gary held onto the hope that Crosby would be back just in time for naught). Now, his second favorite team (albeit red headed stepchild indeed) is gone. Tampa Bay eliminated the Craps in 4 games today. This behind 75 year old Dwayne Roloson's stellar play. Hey Wild fans, Roloson is in the Eastern Conference Finals. At least one former Wild is enjoying life right now.

In any case, I can revert back to being a general hockey fan now that the Craps are gone too. Perhaps we'll get to see what the NHL PR department has up its sleeve now that they have to try to promote someone not named Ovechkin or Crosby and not teams like Pittsburgh or Washington. I can't wait to see their creative juices flow.

Finishers anyone? Maybe finished is the better term.

Yup, I'm calling out the Red Wings. They've played San Jose close. Too bad they've rarely played San Jose well. They seemed lackadaisical at times and almost over confident. This OT was the first time I saw Detroit actually taking it to San Jose... only to see the D abandon them once again.

They now find themselves down 3-0 to San Jose. The big question, from my seat, is thus: Will Detroit end their season being swept or will they at least take one game? Right now, they seem to be unable to finish. San Jose seems to find finishers when they need it the most. Oh, and weak goals are great, right Howard? Setoguchi's second goal was W-E-A-K. Detroit's stupidity at D helped San Jose tie the game.

It's a stupid charge but... if Detroit wants to prove something, they're going to have to win Game 4 in big fashion... like by 3+ goals. I'm not saying Howard has to pitch a shutout, because with the D in front of him, that's like asking positive thinking along to stop mudslides from occurring in California. It's just not going to happen. Game 3 was a must win. They lost. buy a lottery ticket folks, you have a better chance at winning than Detroit has to move on. Stats and odds be darned.

Win or you're considered a pretender not a contender. I'm not going to say that Detroit has to win out to prove themselves because, this Red Wings fan thinks that there's now way Detroit advances. But if they want to have ANY respect at all from me, they're going to have to challenge San Jose more than they already have.

Color me a pessimist, but I doubt it.

And before anyone calls me out for daring point to a bunch of hockey players and call them pretenders or losers and then cite how I vehemently defend UND and collegiate hockey players know this: Datsyuk isn't an amateur. Howard isn't an amateur. Detroit isn't a member of the NCAA. These guys are PROs. They are being paid hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars per year to push their team towards the Stanley Cup. Detroit, further more, isn't the Atlanta Thrashers or Florida Panthers. They shouldn't just be happy to have made the playoffs.

Play like you want to be there or dress all your young players so they can get playoff experience and pack it in.

Oh, and last but not least...

Anyone want to earn some notoriety? I hear they're looking for a goaltender in Philadelphia. They've got plenty of backup goaltenders ready to push for your starting job so there is some pressure involved. The good news is, if you can stop a beach ball from going behind you, you have a pretty decent team in front of you. With Pronger on the ice, your team may even injure enough players to make it even if it isn't!

Sean O'Donnell vs Nathan Horton

You don’t see as many fights during NHL Stanley Cup as you do during the regular season because of the instigator rule, but down by a few goals and trying to spark his team Sean O'Donnell started a fight with Nathan Horton. If you look at this way, it was a smart move by the veteran Sean O'Donnell because he takes a more skilled player off the ice with him.

Can the NHL survive in smaller markets in Canada?

In reading that article my first question is; are we to believe from reading this article that NHL is better off struggling in markets like Phoenix and Atlanta than the small Canadian markets like Quebec City and Winnipeg. Some my next question would be; are we to glean from the article that it would be a down grade if one of these two Canadian cities were able to have an NHL franchise again?

Let’s break this down further; the Phoenix Coyotes drew an unimpressive average of 12,208 fans per game this past season, this ranked the Coyotes 29th out of 30 teams. Also, the Atlanta Thrashers were a little better, but not much, as the Thrashers averaged an also unimpressive figure of 13,403 fans per game, that’s good enough for 27th out of 30 teams… If you don’t’ believe me click on the attendance number yourself and look at the numbers.

OTTAWA, May 4 /CNW/ - The market conditions in Québec City and Winnipeg have improved since National Hockey League (NHL) franchises left about 15 years ago— but both cities face additional challenges to make new NHL teams sustainable, The Conference Board of Canada concludes in its third publication on the pro sports market in Canada.

"Compared to the mid-1990s, when their respective teams departed, Quebec City and Winnipeg have higher populations and increased per capita disposable income, and Canadian franchises enjoy a loonie at parity with its U.S. counterpart. The prospective teams in both Quebec City and Winnipeg would unquestionably be in small markets, but the NHL's player salary cap would give them a chance to stay competitive with teams in larger cities," said Mario Lefebvre, Director, Centre for Municipal Studies, and co-author of The Four Market Pillars at Work: The Case of the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets.

"Whether the overall conditions are sufficient to bring back a team to the passionate fans in either city remains debatable. Quebec City has a very small corporate presence. Winnipeg's fans would face a challenge of supporting both NHL and Canadian Football League teams. Overcoming these hurdles will require a lot of work and dedication from all stakeholders."

The Conference Board's previous publication in its Playing in the Big Leagues series identified four market factors - market size, income levels, corporate presence and a level-playing field - that help to explain why NHL teams departed from Quebec and Winnipeg in 1995 and 1996, respectively.

Both the Québec City and Winnipeg Census Metropolitan Areas now have populations over 750,000 - they both stood at roughly 680,000 in the mid-1990s. As discussed in the previous briefing in this series, Defining the Market Conditions for Success, the Conference Board estimates that the population of a market must match the potential total number of tickets sold in a season. Thus, a successful NHL franchise in Canada requires a minimum population of approximately 800,000 people. This conclusion is based on a review of the sports economics literature and the Conference Board's hypothesis on key market-based factors.

Income levels have also improved in both cities. Winnipeg moved from sixth in the 1990s to fifth in 2009, in terms of per capita income levels among Canada's nine largest cities (population wise). Québec City's per capita income ranking improved from eighth to seventh place during the same time period.

The biggest change in favour of a return of NHL teams to Canada is the evolution of a more level playing field. The Canadian dollar is now hovering around parity with its U.S. counterpart, and the Conference Board forecasts that the loonie will remain in that range for the foreseeable future. As a result, Canadian teams are no longer paying an exchange-rate premium on player salaries.

In addition, a player salary cap has been established. While the NHL could do more when it comes to revenue sharing, the salary cap gives some assistance to smaller-market franchises in competing with larger centres.

Goon's in studio on 1310 KNOX - Thursday from 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Listen to the Goon live on the R.J. Richards Show at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm on 1310 AM KNOX on Thursday May, 5th, 2011. R.J. and the Goon will be talking about NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs... 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

Glendale pays NHL $25 million for Coyotes losses

The city of Glendale should send Gary Bettman the bill for the Coyotes losses.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The NHL has exercised its option to take $25 million from the city of Glendale to cover losses by the Phoenix Coyotes this season.

The city had placed the money in escrow a year ago at the NHL's insistence to cover such losses if the sale of the team had not gone through by the end of this season.

The city says the NHL took the funds on Monday.

The NHL bought the team out of bankruptcy in September 2009 with the intention of finding a buyer to keep the team in Arizona.

The proposed sale to Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer has been stalled by the threat of a lawsuit by the Goldwater Institute, a conservative watchdog group.

After leaping into the boards Adam McQuaid has a sprained neck...

In case you were wondering, Brendan Hall from ESPN is reporting that Adam McQuaid has a sprained neck that he suffered from attempting to check Mike Richards during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. McQuaid is listed as day to day.

BOSTON -- Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid has a sprained neck and is day to day, coach Claude Julien said on Tuesday.

McQuaid slammed headfirst into the boards late in the first period of Monday night's Game 2 overtime win over Philadelphia and lay motionless on the ice for several minutes before skating off with the help of teammates Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. He also received help getting to the locker room.

The defenseman was taken to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia but flew back to Boston Monday night with the team.

"Everything so far has come out negative," Julien said of testing. "He's a day-to-day player right now."

Dion Phaneuf smokes Simon Mose with a hard check

Holy Cow does Dion Phaneuf tattoo Simon Mose from Switzerland with a hard, vicious, and what appears to be a legal check in my opinion. Using Google Translate I was able to come up with this gem...

www.hockeykanalen.se ---- Canadian Dion Phaneuf tackled Simon Moser so badly that he fainted from the bench in the middle of the second period between Switzerland and Canada. According to TV10's expert, he swallowed his tongue and the judge had interrupted the match for a while.

- This does not look good, "says TV10's expert Calle Johansson.

The incident occurred in the second period when Switzerland was in the lead with 1-0. Canadian Dion Phaneuf tackled Simon Moser hard - but the rigging looked cool even if the blast was powerful. Bang took offense, but Moser took still get out to the stall.

- He receives a huge bang. Phaneuf get on proficient in melee combat, says TV10's expert Calle Johansson.

Drama

Moser's condition deteriorated quickly and it was dramatic.

- He is in pain and is almost faint. It does not look good, he looks completely out, "says Calle Johansson.

A few seconds later, television pictures showed how he passed out of the stall. The leaders agreed with him and tried to keep his head up. And as TV10's expert, he swallowed his tongue and the referee stopped the match for a while. 22-year-old witty spirit, however, and was taken to hospital.

Fred Pletsch hired as CCHA commissioner

The CCHA now has a new commissioner to replace Tom Anastos who was hired as the head coach of Michigan State.

USCHO.COM ---- CCHA schools have picked Fred Pletsch to lead the conference through a key period in its history.

Pletsch, who has been serving as interim commissioner since March 23 after Tom Anastos became Michigan State’s coach, had the interim tag removed from the title on Monday.

He joined the league in 2001 as director of communications, then became associate commissioner in 2008.

The CCHA lost Nebraska-Omaha to the WCHA in 2010 and will lose three more members — Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State — when the Big Ten Conference starts sponsoring men’s hockey in 2013.

“Fred steps into the commissioner’s role at an important time for the CCHA,” Greg Christopher, chair of the CCHA Council and athletic director at Bowling Green, said in a statement.

“He has been integrally involved in the direction of the conference for nearly a decade, and understands the details of the position along with the broader vision necessary to lead the CCHA. All 11 institutions have confidence in Fred and believe that he is the right person to help us navigate the future.”

The vote was taken last week at league meetings in Naples, Fla.

Heck yeah it was in - David Krejci's Overtime goal; Bruins lead series 2-0

I will be the first to say that the Flyers could of won this game tonight. Talk about an all world goaltender steeling a game for a hockey team, that is what happened in Philly tonight. The Boston Bruins were out shot 54-41 and Tim Thomas was nothing short of amazing as the Philadelphia Flyers had a lot of jump and had the Boston Bruins back on their heels as times during tonight's game. I have no idea how the refs and the goal judge didn't see the puck go in without a review.

Edit: Adam McQuaid misses Mike Richards

I thought I would post this in case you haven't seen it yet, this attempted check by Adam McQuaid on Mike Richards, it didn't end well for Adam McQuaid... You can bet that the Bruins players would love to get a piece of Mike Richards but you have to play under control and pick your spots. Apparently McQuaid was taken to Jefferson Hospital for evaluation, no word on his status for game three.

Lineup decisions for Philly...

According to The Bruins Blog Flyer head coach Peter Laviolette will again go with sieve goalie Brian Boucher as their starting goalie for game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinal. That could be good news for the Boston Bruins.

PHILADELPHIA — Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette left no doubt about who his starting goaltender will be tonight against the Bruins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series at the Wells Fargo Center.

Brian Boucher, the Game 1 starter who was pulled in the second period of Boston’s 7-3 win, will get another chance to solve Boston’s offense.

Also, according to the Boston Herald Flyers Thug Defenseman Chris Pronger is a scratch for game two and will not play tonight. I guess the Bruins forwards don't have to worry about being hacked by Pronger the lumberjack.

PHILADELPHIA — Late word from the Flyers camp that cornerstone defenseman Chris Pronger will not play tonight, due to a new, undisclosed injury incurred in Saturday’s series-opener. There was no confirmation on his ailment, but it was believed to be in the lower back, upper leg or perhaps both. Pronger returned from a broken hand to play the final two games of the Flyers’ first-round series vs. Buffalo, and played 19:45 in Game 1 against the B’s.

Doug Smail interview on the Illegal Curve



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 David Minuk from the Illegal Curve hockey blog has a nice interview on former Fighting Sioux forward Doug Smail. Doug was a member on UND's 1980 NCAA championship team.

He played over ten seasons with the Winnipeg Jets from 1980/81 until the 1990/91 season when he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars. He came to the Jets undrafted from the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux where he played 3 years in the WCHA, ending his collegiate career with the 1980 Frozen Four tournament. He helped the Sioux win the National Championship (breaking a 17 year drought), as they won the Tournament with a 5-2 victory over Northern Michigan University.

While playing for the Jets he was known for his exceptional speed. He was a gifted two-way hockey player, who was often used in a penalty killing role by Winnipeg. For those IC readers who may not be old enough to recall the 80′s, if I had to compare him to a current NHL player, you could draw a parallel to St. Andrews Manitoba’s Darren Helm, a center for the Red Wings, who has speed aplenty and is often used by the Wings to kill penalties.

Doug currently resides in Colorado where he is the head coach of the Rocky Mountain Roughriders U-15 AAA squad. He was nice enough to take some time to answer some questions for fans of NHL hockey in Winnipeg.

IC: You came to Winnipeg as an undrafted free agent straight from college after winning a National Championship with UND and joined the Winnipeg Jets who only won 9 games that year. How difficult was that first year of pro hockey for you?

Doug: It was thought of as a horrific year by many…and believe me it was not fun. But Fergie and Mike Doran thought they had to begin to gut the organization from a player standpoint and totally rebuild it. I knew it would be tough the way they threw some of us rookies to the wolves in a baptism by fire means, but we also lost a ton of games that year by only a goal…and were quite close to having a pretty decent record if the one goal games had just a little bit more maturity in the lineup. [read the rest of the story]