Ok, the NCAAs just begun and well.... some upsets are already happening.
Ferris State vs. Denver:
I chose: Denver
Result? 2-1 Ferris State
I thought Denver would come out firing but apparently Ferris State knew how to handle it. Ferris State wins only their second NCAA tourney game EVER. However, in the end, I think this game was at least a good one. The others? Not so much.
Union vs. Michigan State
I chose: MSU
Result? 3-1 Union
Union has played few challenging opponents. Michigan State has played barely well enough to get in. I guess it stands to reason then, since neither team is clear cut as a favorite, that you'd go with seeding, but I just do not believe that the ECACHL deserves as much respect as the East Coast media gives it. If Union had to play a team like Western Michigan in the opening round, I'm not so sure they win. That being said, in the last 5 years, the ECACHL is 5-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Tourney. And they are 0-5 in the second round. I'd say that's going to continue but...
UMass Lowell vs. Miami
I chose: Miami
Result? 4-3 UMass in OT
Miami gave up a Powerplay, shorthanded, and 2 5 on 5 goals. They looked absolutely PATHETIC for the first 45 minutes of the game. They keep trying to make pretty plays to score goals while UMass keeps trying to score goals merely by jumping on Miami mistakes and just throwing the puck on net. Knapp has looked pathetic. I cannot believe that Blasi is kept him in. Goal #1 was the only goal Knapp wasn't at least partially at fault for. Goal #2 was on a short handed breakaway that beat him 5 hole. 5 hole goals coming head on is just a sign of poor anticipation. It should be the hardest goal in hockey to get unless the goaltender is moving laterally. Goal #3 was plain and simple out of position crap goal bad goaltending. Yeah, it was 2 on 1 but it beat him short side when Knapp had plenty of time to get into position. He correctly anticipated the pass but he just did not cover the post.
Luckily for Miami, they ended up tying the game. They went to OT and then.... Knapp rears his ugly head again! Wetmore scores a goal that NEVER EVER EVER would have gone in had Knapp held the post. He ends up making the initial save off his right side and bounces back to Wetmore who taps it through Knapp and into the net. It was a squibbler and barely got in but it got in. That means, ladies and gentlemen, that 2 of UMass' 4 goals were WEAK, 1 was a fluke, and the other was perhaps somewhat unavoidable.
Tough for Miami to lose in the first round but.... any half-assed decent playoff team worth its salt would have beaten Miami anyways. Can't expect to suck for 45 minutes, be given a 5 minute major at the end of regulation and 1:26 of it in OT, fail to score on it, and still expect to win the game. Ok, ok, to be fair, Miami did a good job in the regulation side of the major powerplay and Doug Carr saved UMass' bacon but every other Miami Powerplay up til then was a Clinic in awful special teams.
Goon may disagree but I believe this marks the downturn of Miami. They've peaked. Sure, they'll get their share of talent, but I think this current squad has ended its stretch run of post season dominance. They'll have to regroup (or reload as it may) and see if they can catch another great run. They're not going to get anywhere with this current squad without some serious infusion of talent.
UMass and Union in the Final? SNOOOOOOOOORE!!!!!! I wonder where this Regional ranks in the list of "worst regionals in NCAA Tourney history?"
If UND being a #2 seed would have gotten them into this regional, they should have thrown the WCHA title game.
Michigan vs. Cornell
I predicted: Michigan
Result? 3-2 Cornell in OT
This game was pretty good... if you enjoyed special teams. We had one ejection (contact to the head major on Cornell) and a barrel full of minors. I'm not sure what Shafer had to say postgame but it probably won't be much because Cornell won. Had they lost though....
I'm not sure what to think about this game overall. Cornell plays a GOD AWFUL style of hockey (one of the major reasons why I despised the Wild under Risebrough/Lemaire). Sure, the trap works, but it makes for a pisspoor hockey game to watch... which I think everyone knew because either everyone sat on the Camera side of the arena or the arena was MAYBE 40% capacity. It just wasn't fun. Michigan, if you consider scoring chances, had the more dominant game but Cornell put the game away in OT.
Rarely do I root for Cinderella stories such as UMass or Ferris State but... I'll be rooting for them tomorrow because I don't believe the trap has any place in bigtime hockey and I wouldn't want boring hockey in Tampa.
So... let's hope no more surprises!
Friday, March 23, 2012
A quick look at the regionals... Goon's Pontifications….
Last weekend I went a perfect 5-0 and picked the Red Baron WCHA Final Five to a “T” but every dog has its day right. I don’t see that happening this weekend, because along the way stuff happens and picks get blown up, teams win that you don’t expect to win.
Northeast Regional
(1) Boston College
(4) Air Force
(2) MN-Duluth
(3) Maine
In the Northeast Regional; this is the region of death for the 2012 NCAA regionals. I also want to say, sorry Bulldog fans, I don’t see anyone beating Boston College this weekend; they are one of the best teams that I have seen play this season. That being said, I am willing to be proved wrong and would relish watching B.C. Eagles lose.
The Eagles are the fourth ranked defense and they are going to be hard to get past. Patrick Milner has been decent in goal for the Eagles and I also believe that Bulldogs senior goalie Kenny Reiter is the weak link on the Bulldogs hockey team. I thought that the UMD Bulldogs looked fast up front through the forward lines in the five games that I saw them play this season but I think goaltending and defense for the Bulldogs are going to have to be flawless to beat the Eagles.
I also think the Boston College Eagles are "probably" the best team in college hockey right now. The Boston College Eagles also come into the Northeast Regional on a roll, as they have won 15 games in a row.
West Regional
(2) Minnesota
(3) Boston University
(4) Western Michigan
(1) North Dakota
I am picking North Dakota to win the West Regional, big shock right? I am also still waiting for Dave from the Minneapolis Metro area to congratulate me for picking “the whole” WCHA Final Five correctly. Dave is the Gophers fan that called me a homer because I picked North Dakota to win the Red Barron WCHA Final Five. Hum!!! I guess I am wrong for not drinking the Gophers Kool-Aide. I have to give the Minnesota Gophers credit; they did play well for 31 minutes in last Friday’s game before the Sioux buried them.
Personally, I never bet against a team that is coached by Dave Hakstol. That being said, I also think that this is a pick-em regional and a bit of a crap shoot and anything could happen in this regional, nothing would surprise me one bit.
I also wouldn’t be surprised one bit if BU and WMU played for the regional championship Sunday. After reading the chat that Roman Augustoviz, (the beat writer for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune), had on his blog yesterday I found it funny that Gophers fans were looking past Boston University. I guess they don’t see any way that the Terriers beat them.
Trivia courtesy of Roman, UND Head Coach Dave Hakstol is 5-4 against the Gophers in the NCAA and WCHA playoffs.
2004: Gophers beat North Dakota 5-4 in Final Five championship game ... both advanced to NCAAs
2005: North Dakota beats Gophers 4-2 in Final Five championship game and 4-2 in Frozen Four semifinals in Columbus, Ohio ... Gophers' season over
2007 Gophers beat North Dakota 3-2 in overtime in Final Five championship game, but lose 2-3 in overtime in West Regional final in Denver ... Gophers' season over
2010: North Dakota beats Gophers 6-0, 2-4, 4-1 in first round of the WCHA playoffs ... Gophers' season over
East Regional
(1) Union
(4) Michigan State
(2) Miami
(3) Mass.-Lowell
I am probably going to get a bit of heat from Joe “Gladdy” Gladziszewski from Inside College Hockey, but this season will be no different than the others past, there is another ECAC team that is a number one seed. There will be another number one seed from the ECAC eliminated by the end of the weekend. Sorry, but I don’t see anyone getting past the Miami University RedHawks in this regional. The Miami RedHawks have righted the ship after a rough start at the beginning of the season. The Miami RedHawks have won 9/10 games since being swept by the Michigan Wolverines back on February 4th, 2012.
Midwest Regional
(2) Ferris State
(3) Denver
(4) Cornell
(1) Michigan
I believe that this is Michigan’s regional to win. Having watched Michigan play in a few games on national television this season and after watching them sweep Miami earlier this season I am convinced they’re the second best team in the NCAA Field. That being said, nothing would please me more than watching the Michigan Wolverines lose but also watching Shawn Hunwick get lit up in the Midwest Regional Denver or Ferris State.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
They aren't listening - Fighting Sioux nickname
 |
| University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athletic logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
s/t to Chuck Haga from the Grand Forks Herald because he has
done a great job covering this story, I don’t care what some of the self-professed
and self-congratulatory experts say, Haga has done a fair job covering all sides of this
issue.
Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- She asks whether the NCAA, in adopting “a policy that blankets the country,” took into account how divisive it would be in Indian Country.
“Within my own immediate family, some words have been spoken that will take a long time to heal, words that have been unkind and caused by the policy of the NCAA,” she writes. “I am hurt and angry that neither I nor my people had a say in informing the NCAA of what their policy would do to me and to my family and to my state.”
She writes that she has “very little knowledge about the pipe ceremony in 1969,” the event at UND cited by nickname supporters as an irreversible gift of the Sioux name to the university. But she says she learned to respect such traditions from her father, the late Joseph Chaske Jr. “I was taught that praying with the pipe is very sacred and should never be disrespected in any way.”
As we go into the regional and our favorite team can’t wear
their regular uniform because it’s considered hostile and abusive the reality
hits that, it doesn’t matter what Native American think about the Fighting Sioux
nickname.
The Attorney General of the state of North Dakota signed a legal settlement agreement, the NCAA doesn’t care what anyone else has to say, the NCAA isn't going to change their minds one
bit, they aren’t budging, they are going to change their mind.
Contrary to some people’s misguided opinion, UND’s
administrators are not going work out a deal to not use the nickname when a certain school
objects to the UND using the Fighting Sioux nickname, it's not going to happened. There simply won’t be
any games scheduled between UND and insert favorite Big Ten School, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin etc.
You're delusion if you think this is going to happen folks. These schools don't care because we aren't playing by their rules, because the University of North Dakota belongs to a private club and we have to abide by those rules and regulations.
These schools will not play UND in “any sport” including college hockey, that they are not
a conference member with, because the University of North Dakota is under NCAA sanctions. Again, they control the terms of the conversation and we need them more than they need us.
The same goes with the Big Sky Conference, UND needs them more than they need us, I don't care what some say. I doubt any of these people have talked to anyone in the know. The UND athletic department is very concerned about the threat of the BSC pulling our membership, maybe not this year or next, but it's a real threat.
The same goes with the Big Sky Conference, UND needs them more than they need us, I don't care what some say. I doubt any of these people have talked to anyone in the know. The UND athletic department is very concerned about the threat of the BSC pulling our membership, maybe not this year or next, but it's a real threat.
These schools won’t find common ground here, frankly, they don’t
have to, because our school is under NCAA sanctions. Right, wrong or indifferent, our school
will be considered damaged goods.
Do I like this, hell no!
I voted for a democrat whose name I don’t even know ( I am a
registered Republican), in 2010 instead of voting for Wayne Stenehjem for North
Dakota Attorney General, because I think he should have never signed that surrender
agreement that he signed. The agreement was a bad agreement and unacceptable in
many of our eyes.
That day was the end of the Fighting Sioux nickname essentially
died. You have to give the NCAA credit,
they knew the Standing Rock Tribe would never agree to let the University of
North Dakota use the Fighting Sioux nickname and they got the best of Stenehjem.
And lastly, Go Sioux!!! Bring home number "8"....Our team is still known as the Fighting Sioux for now. What a fitting end of this season it would be if the Fighting Sioux could win number 8 as the Fighting Sioux. The NCAA would probably tie themselves up in knots over that one.
Through these doors episode 19
This should get you in the mood for the NCAA regional championship this weekend. No matter how this season ends, it has been an exciting group to follow and cover. This team started out 4-7-1 and 1-5 in the WCHA and ended on a hot streak that covered almost three months that saw them go 21-5-2, that's a pretty impressive run in any league.
Did they not see the game? Canucks and their adoring media practice revisionist history…
The most unlikable team is back in the news again whining about the Chicago Blackhawks; their fans can't figure out why we can’t stand their whinny team. There is just so much ammo and so little time. I will make an attempt...
First during last night game, if we need to review at all, there were "two" questionable hits. The only one that seems to be getting any play is the Keith hit on Sedin.
First it’s Daniel Sedin that hit Duncan Keith with a high dirty hit in the head. That is unacceptable as well. Keith not to be outdone returned the favor with a very questionable dirty high hit in the head to Daniel Sedin. For me, all you have to do is watch Alex Burroughs knee Duncan Keith in the groin that should be worthy of a game suspension as well…
Now we have media, fans the hockey pundits eviscerating Duncan Keith will giving the Daniel Sedin a free pass. They shouldn’t. That being said, you can’t have it both ways Canucks apologists. If a player hits someone with a dirty, high hit and then is a victim of the same hit later, that player doesn’t hold a moral high ground. I believe that both players are equally culpable in this situation and they should both be fined the NHL max and given a reprimand from the NHL.
Ed Willes, The Province --- The play in question occurred 13½ minutes into the first period in an affair that had already taken on an edge. Jannik Hansen scored on the game’s first shift. Daniel finished a hit on Keith that was high. Just prior to Keith’s retaliation, Alex Edler flattened Hawks forward Andrew Shaw.Frist off, I am not condoning either hit; they’re both equally bad in my opinion. Both are dirty hits and need to be removed from the game of hockey. My solution is, don’t hit someone with a dirty hit and then scream and bawl when you’re taken out by the same player you hit with a dirty hit.
An aerial pass was then sent over Daniel’s head and as he moved to chase the puck, Keith delivered an elbow to the point of his chin. Sedin went down, didn’t appear to lose consciousness, tried to play a shift on the ensuing power play, then called it a night.
Those, at least, are the facts of the case, your honour, and they will be reviewed in great detail in forthcoming days. But, for once, the Canucks didn’t wait for the officiating crew and/or Brendan Shanahan to mete out justice. For once, the Canucks took matters into their own hands.
First during last night game, if we need to review at all, there were "two" questionable hits. The only one that seems to be getting any play is the Keith hit on Sedin.
First it’s Daniel Sedin that hit Duncan Keith with a high dirty hit in the head. That is unacceptable as well. Keith not to be outdone returned the favor with a very questionable dirty high hit in the head to Daniel Sedin. For me, all you have to do is watch Alex Burroughs knee Duncan Keith in the groin that should be worthy of a game suspension as well…
Now we have media, fans the hockey pundits eviscerating Duncan Keith will giving the Daniel Sedin a free pass. They shouldn’t. That being said, you can’t have it both ways Canucks apologists. If a player hits someone with a dirty, high hit and then is a victim of the same hit later, that player doesn’t hold a moral high ground. I believe that both players are equally culpable in this situation and they should both be fined the NHL max and given a reprimand from the NHL.
Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)
When looking at the tournament as a whole, one thing sticks out to me. And that thing is how even everyone’s records are in terms of wins, loses, and ties. Being a one and done tournament, this thing is up for grabs.
EAST REGIONAL (Bridgeport, CT)
#3 Union (24-7-7) vs. #15 Michigan St. (19-15-4)
The Dutchmen are 4-0-0 and the Spartans are 2-3-0 this season on neutral sites. MSU lost in its first round CCHA playoff games versus Miami. Union is on a five game win streak that helped them capture the ECAC hockey crown. The Dutchmen have only lost two games in the 2012 calendar year (Brown and Cornell). The Spartans have lost three of their four games. I’m going with the obvious choice here - UNION WINS
#5 Miami (24-12-2) vs #12 Mass-Lowell (23-12-1)
The Red Hot RedHawks are winners of 9 of their last 10 games and the RiverHawks, not so hot winning three of their last seven, losing two of their last three. UML is 1-1-0 on neutral ice this year and UM is 2-1-0 on common grounds. However, this is not the far for RiverHawks fans to travel, so it could almost be considered a home game for them. This will be UM-Lowell’s first trip back to the tournament since 1996. I’m going with the hot hand here – MIAMI WINS
EAST REGION FINAL – UC/MSU vs UM/UMass-L winners
I’m going to go with Union over Miami.
NORTHEAST REGIONAL (Worcester, MA)
#1 Boston College (29-10-1) vs #16 Air Force (21-10-7)
The Falcons are 2-1-0 on neutral sites and 8-5-5 on road this season. The Eagles are 6-1-0 on neutral ice and 13-3-1 at home this season; this is basically a home game, since it is about 30 miles away. Last year in the tournament the Falcons gave the top seed Yale all they could handle, losing to them in overtime. The Eagle come into the tourney on a 15-game winning streak, their last lose was on January 21st to Maine. Some might say the BC is ripe for the picking, with that long of a winning streak. The longer this game is tied or within a goal, the more it will favor the Falcons. I’m going with the upset special here and hope I don’t end up in the bird bath. AIR FORCE WINS
#7 Minnesota-Duluth (24-9-6) vs #10 Maine (23-13-3)
The Black Bears are 3-1-0 and the Bulldogs are 0-1-0 on neutral sites this season. The Black Bears have won five of their last seven, with their loses coming at the hands of Merrimack and Boston College. The Bulldogs 2-2-1 in their last five games, with three of them going to overtime and the last game into double overtime. In UMD’s double overtime loss to Denver, they had 70, that is seventy, shots on goal. They through everything they had a them, including the kitchen sink. This should be a fast paced, up and down the ice game. Both teams skate well, which should make for a humdinger to watch. MAINE WINS
NORTHEAST REGION FINAL – BC/AFA vs UMD/UM winners
I’m going to go with Maine over Air Force.
MIDWEST REGIONAL (Green Bay, WI)
#2 Michigan (24-12-4) vs #13 Cornell (18-8-7)
The Wolverines are 4-1-0 and the Big Red 2-3-0 are on neutral ice this season. The Big Red have won five of their last seven games. The Wolverines have won four of their last five games, with two wins coming in double overtime games. Cornell has been a defense first team for as long as I can remember. I think most people know that a defensive team can be rather boring to watch. But, they can lull other teams to sleep with their suffocating defense and then attack. The wolverines are well coached and won’t likely fall victim to it. MICHIGAN WINS
#6 Ferris St (23-11-5) vs #11 Denver (25-13-4)
The Bulldogs are back to the tournament after a nine year break, their last appearance was back in 2003. The Bulldogs have struggled down the home stretch only winning once in their last five games. The Pioneers are just the opposite, only losing once in their last five games. The Pioneers are 2-1-0 and the Bulldogs are 0-1-0 on neutral ice this season. These teams have almost identical records, so one would think it should be an evenly matched game. I’m going to give the nod to Denver based on their defensive play down the stretch. DENVER WINS
MIDWEST REGION FINAL – UM/CU vs DU/FSU winners
I’m going to go with Michigan over Denver.
WEST REGIONAL (St. Paul, MN)
#8 Minnesota (26-13-1) vs #9 Boston U (23-14-1)
The Gopher make their return to the tournament after a three year drought, their last appearance was in 2008. The Terries return too, after a two year delay, they last attended in 2009. In 2009 the Terriers won the title over Miami in overtime, after scoring two late third period goals to tie the game. The Gophers were on three game winning streak, until a bad third period against UND last weekend, cost them that game. The Gophers have plenty of talent up front to score goals, so they can jump on teams easily and take over that game. The Terries enter on a 2-3-0 record over their last five games, three of which have gone to overtime, and two of those where double overtime. If their trend holds on, this could be a lengthy game, or as I like to call overtime, bonus hockey! Technically this is a neutral site, but this will really be a Gopher home game, with many of their fans in the stands. However, I suspect many UND fans will be at this game and will be cheering against the Gophers. (Last weekend it was estimated about 60/40 mix of UM/UND fans at the Xcel center.) If BU can get the first goal, and keep UM’s confidence rattled the Terrier can control the crowd. BOSTON WINS
#4 North Dakota (25-12-3) vs #14 Western Michigan (21-13-6)
The Mustangs enter the tournament on a five game win streak and the team formerly known as the Sioux are on a seven game winning streak. The WMU is 2-0-0 and UND is 3-0-0 at neutral sites this season. In a couple years from now this would be a conference match up, in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The Sioux have found their scoring touch the last few weeks, and have been getting goals from all the lines. UND is playing well as team late in the season, and it shows as they captured their third straight WCHA Broadmoor trophy last weekend. As long as UND focuses on WMU, and aren’t looking for a rematch with Minnesota, they should be able to pull out victory. NORTH DAKOTA WINS
WEST REGION FINAL – UM/BU vs UND/WMU winners
I’m going to go with North Dakota over Boston University.
So my Frozen Four teams are as follows:
Maine
North Dakota
Union
Michigan
EAST REGIONAL (Bridgeport, CT)
#3 Union (24-7-7) vs. #15 Michigan St. (19-15-4)
The Dutchmen are 4-0-0 and the Spartans are 2-3-0 this season on neutral sites. MSU lost in its first round CCHA playoff games versus Miami. Union is on a five game win streak that helped them capture the ECAC hockey crown. The Dutchmen have only lost two games in the 2012 calendar year (Brown and Cornell). The Spartans have lost three of their four games. I’m going with the obvious choice here - UNION WINS
#5 Miami (24-12-2) vs #12 Mass-Lowell (23-12-1)
The Red Hot RedHawks are winners of 9 of their last 10 games and the RiverHawks, not so hot winning three of their last seven, losing two of their last three. UML is 1-1-0 on neutral ice this year and UM is 2-1-0 on common grounds. However, this is not the far for RiverHawks fans to travel, so it could almost be considered a home game for them. This will be UM-Lowell’s first trip back to the tournament since 1996. I’m going with the hot hand here – MIAMI WINS
EAST REGION FINAL – UC/MSU vs UM/UMass-L winners
I’m going to go with Union over Miami.
NORTHEAST REGIONAL (Worcester, MA)
#1 Boston College (29-10-1) vs #16 Air Force (21-10-7)
The Falcons are 2-1-0 on neutral sites and 8-5-5 on road this season. The Eagles are 6-1-0 on neutral ice and 13-3-1 at home this season; this is basically a home game, since it is about 30 miles away. Last year in the tournament the Falcons gave the top seed Yale all they could handle, losing to them in overtime. The Eagle come into the tourney on a 15-game winning streak, their last lose was on January 21st to Maine. Some might say the BC is ripe for the picking, with that long of a winning streak. The longer this game is tied or within a goal, the more it will favor the Falcons. I’m going with the upset special here and hope I don’t end up in the bird bath. AIR FORCE WINS
#7 Minnesota-Duluth (24-9-6) vs #10 Maine (23-13-3)
The Black Bears are 3-1-0 and the Bulldogs are 0-1-0 on neutral sites this season. The Black Bears have won five of their last seven, with their loses coming at the hands of Merrimack and Boston College. The Bulldogs 2-2-1 in their last five games, with three of them going to overtime and the last game into double overtime. In UMD’s double overtime loss to Denver, they had 70, that is seventy, shots on goal. They through everything they had a them, including the kitchen sink. This should be a fast paced, up and down the ice game. Both teams skate well, which should make for a humdinger to watch. MAINE WINS
NORTHEAST REGION FINAL – BC/AFA vs UMD/UM winners
I’m going to go with Maine over Air Force.
MIDWEST REGIONAL (Green Bay, WI)
#2 Michigan (24-12-4) vs #13 Cornell (18-8-7)
The Wolverines are 4-1-0 and the Big Red 2-3-0 are on neutral ice this season. The Big Red have won five of their last seven games. The Wolverines have won four of their last five games, with two wins coming in double overtime games. Cornell has been a defense first team for as long as I can remember. I think most people know that a defensive team can be rather boring to watch. But, they can lull other teams to sleep with their suffocating defense and then attack. The wolverines are well coached and won’t likely fall victim to it. MICHIGAN WINS
#6 Ferris St (23-11-5) vs #11 Denver (25-13-4)
The Bulldogs are back to the tournament after a nine year break, their last appearance was back in 2003. The Bulldogs have struggled down the home stretch only winning once in their last five games. The Pioneers are just the opposite, only losing once in their last five games. The Pioneers are 2-1-0 and the Bulldogs are 0-1-0 on neutral ice this season. These teams have almost identical records, so one would think it should be an evenly matched game. I’m going to give the nod to Denver based on their defensive play down the stretch. DENVER WINS
MIDWEST REGION FINAL – UM/CU vs DU/FSU winners
I’m going to go with Michigan over Denver.
WEST REGIONAL (St. Paul, MN)
#8 Minnesota (26-13-1) vs #9 Boston U (23-14-1)
The Gopher make their return to the tournament after a three year drought, their last appearance was in 2008. The Terries return too, after a two year delay, they last attended in 2009. In 2009 the Terriers won the title over Miami in overtime, after scoring two late third period goals to tie the game. The Gophers were on three game winning streak, until a bad third period against UND last weekend, cost them that game. The Gophers have plenty of talent up front to score goals, so they can jump on teams easily and take over that game. The Terries enter on a 2-3-0 record over their last five games, three of which have gone to overtime, and two of those where double overtime. If their trend holds on, this could be a lengthy game, or as I like to call overtime, bonus hockey! Technically this is a neutral site, but this will really be a Gopher home game, with many of their fans in the stands. However, I suspect many UND fans will be at this game and will be cheering against the Gophers. (Last weekend it was estimated about 60/40 mix of UM/UND fans at the Xcel center.) If BU can get the first goal, and keep UM’s confidence rattled the Terrier can control the crowd. BOSTON WINS
#4 North Dakota (25-12-3) vs #14 Western Michigan (21-13-6)
The Mustangs enter the tournament on a five game win streak and the team formerly known as the Sioux are on a seven game winning streak. The WMU is 2-0-0 and UND is 3-0-0 at neutral sites this season. In a couple years from now this would be a conference match up, in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The Sioux have found their scoring touch the last few weeks, and have been getting goals from all the lines. UND is playing well as team late in the season, and it shows as they captured their third straight WCHA Broadmoor trophy last weekend. As long as UND focuses on WMU, and aren’t looking for a rematch with Minnesota, they should be able to pull out victory. NORTH DAKOTA WINS
WEST REGION FINAL – UM/BU vs UND/WMU winners
I’m going to go with North Dakota over Boston University.
So my Frozen Four teams are as follows:
Maine
North Dakota
Union
Michigan
Daniel Sedin hits Duncan Keith in head
Last night there was a lot of outrage about Blackhawks defensemen Duncan Keith's hit on Canucks forward Daniel Sedin.
What I didn't see was a lot of outrage about Daniel Sedins hit on Duncan Keith, and both hits are bad. Being consistent, I think you can see that both players "could be" required to sit a game or two, both hits are bad and unnecessary. I also think that you can't suspend one without suspending the other. It will be interesting to see how the department of player safety handles this case.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Duncan Keith's hit on Daniel Sedin
With Shane Doan getting suspended for three games for elbowing Jamie Benn in the face, you've got to think that the Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith is going to get a game or two suspension for taking out the Canucks star forward Daniel Sedin with this high elbow to the head.
Daniel Sedin also needs to sit as well because he is not innocent in this situation.
These types of dirty hits are not acceptable and the NHL needs to be more proactive in removing these types of hits from the game of hockey. Dirty hits take out more hockey players than fights do in the NHL. This is the type of plays that the NHL needs to punish severely and with out apology.
Is Krieder gone right after the Eagles are eliminated?
Wow, this isn't going to be a distraction in the Eagles
dressing room. Well probably not, because Jerry York is a great college coach
and I am sure he has seen this drill before.
I would bet even money that Chris Krieder is most
definitely is going to play in the NHL and be a decent player, but what the
rush? Doe Krieder really need to sign on the dotted line the minute his team is
eliminated from the NCAA tourney?
Snyrangersblog.com --- On the NBC Sports Pre game show, Bob McKenzie of TSN talked about Chris Krieder and his current situation.Kind of reminds me of the situation with Jason Zucker and the questions that Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press asked George Gwozdecky last week at the Final Five press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Kreider, who is playing this weekend in the NCAA tournament against Air Force, is expected to sign immediately with the Rangers if BC is to lose and be eliminated.
Lastly, the Rangers better be prepared to wait because there is a good chance that his team is going to be in the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, Florida on April 5th-7th, 2012.
Shane Doan hit on Jamie Benn
I can find no reason the NHL shouldn't suspended the Coyotes forward Shane Doan for this bush league, unnecessary and dirty hit on Dallas forward Jamie Benn. I also don't see how anyone can defense this hit? Rightfully so, Shane Doan has a hearing this afternoon with the department of players safety this afternoon.
Anyone want to guess on what kind of a suspension that Shane Doan gets for his efforts. I don't see how he can escape punishment for this hit. I think it's time for Brendan Shanahan to throw the book at someone and stop letting them escape with a fine or no punishment at all.
Rangers and Devils spill over.
The Rangers and the Devils started out their game the other night and the war of words has continued. I hope these two teams play each other in the playoffs, they are going to beat the crap out of each other, that what a rivalry is. Nice to see a player like Stu Bickel who has little talent but to fight; can actually win a face off...
Personally, I don't have a problem with visiting coach handing in a line up card like that, it sends a message to the other team that your team is not going to be pushed around and be bullied.
Ranger Rants --- DeBoer handed in a starting lineup with pugilists Eric Boulton, Ryan Carter and Cam Janssen, to which Tortorella said he felt compelled to counter with a starting line of Stu Bickel, Mike Rupp and Brandon Prust. That, of course, turned into a staged, three-on-three line brawl that resulted in 40 penalty minutes with the game just three seconds old. After the game, DeBoer said of Tortorella, “I guess in John’s world you can come into our building and start your tough guys but we can’t do the same in here. He’s either got short-term memory loss or he’s a hypocrite.”
“I read it,” Tortorella said of DeBoer’s comment. “I think Peter needs to jog his memory as far as the starting lineups that I’ve put in over in their building and really, basically, just shut up. And I need to also. I think the situation last night is disrespectful to players and I think we took a backwards step. I get put in a position when he puts a lineup like that out - and I’m not sure what’s going to happen if I put my top players out - so I have to answer the way I need to answer. Really, just look at the two lineups and some of the things he’s done through the games here, again, I don’t want to coach his team, but just shut up.
“Fighting’s part of the game, that’s a big part of the game,” Tortorellla said. “But it doesn’t need to be manufactured. In that type of game, Jersey and the Rangers, there were going to be fights. But it’s really gotten old for me, the staged fights, it doesn’t need to be manufactured. Nowadays in our league, if a guy gets hit hard, clean, everybody’s looking to fight. Where hard checking and hard hitting is part of the game. And that crap at the beginning of the game, to try to manipulate it into it, I just don’t think it’s right for the game. I think there’s enough of it, and there always will be and there should be. I’m certainly not one of the pacifists that think fighting should be out of the game, that’s a big part of our game. But let the players decide. I just don’t think coaches should be putting players in situations that basically dictates fighting.”
Ryan Duncan gets 45 stiches from skate blade
If you haven’t seen it, former Fighting Sioux forward Ryan Duncan caught a skate in the face causing 45 stitches. Ouch!!! That is definitely going to leave a mark and I can imagine he will have a scare from that laceration. Picture was on Ryan’s twitter account at http://www.twitter.com/@rduncan16
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
UND Short Handed?
Here is the roster for the Fighting Sioux hockey team you can make the determination.
2 MacWilliam, Andrew D 6-2 230 Jr. Calgary, Alberta (Camrose-AJHL) - Maple Leafs Draft Pick
4 Forbort, Derek D 6-5 207 So. Duluth, Minn. (U.S. NTDP) - L.A. Kings Draft Pick
5 Mattson, Nick D 6-1 178 Fr. Chanhassen, Minn. (Indiana-USHL) - Chicago Blackhawks Draft Pick
7 Kristo, Danny F 5-11 188 Jr. Eden Prairie, Minn. (Omaha-USHL) - Montreal Canadians Draft Pick
8 Senkbeil, Dan D 6-4 215 Fr. Fremont, Calif. (Alaska-NAHL) - Undrafted Free Agent – Walk-on
9 Lamoureux, Mario F 5-9 185 Sr. Grand Forks, N.D. (Tri-City-USHL) - Undrafted Free Agent
10 Knight, Corban F 6-2 193 Jr. High River, Alberta (Okotoks-AJHL) – Florida Panthers Draft Pick
11 Rodwell, Derek F 6-2 200 So. Taber, Alberta (Okotoks-AJHL) – New Jersey Draft Pick – season*
13 Gaarder, Connor F 5-10 183 Fr. Edina, Minn. (Coulee Region-NAHL) Undrafted F/A – Walk-on
14 Dickin, Taylor F 6-2 201 So. Winnipeg, Manitoba (Selkirk-MJHL) – Undrafted F/A – Walk-on
15 Parks, Michael F 5-11 190 Fr. St. Louis, Mo. (Cedar Rapids-USHL) – Philadelphia Draft Pick
16 MacMillan, Mark F 6-0 170 Fr. Penticton, B.C. (Penticton-BCHL) – Montreal Canadians Pick
17 St. Clair, Colten F 5-11 182 Fr. Gilbert, Ariz. (Fargo-USHL) – didn’t play - NCAA Clearing House
18 Simpson, Dillon D 6-2 191 So. Edmonton, Alberta (Spruce Grove-AJHL) – Edmonton Oilers Pick
19 Grimaldi, Rocco F 5-6 165 Fr. Rossmoor, Calif. (U.S. NTDP) – Florida Panthers – out 4 season*
20 Gleason, Joe D 5-9 182 Jr. Edina, Minn. (Des Moines-USHL) – Chicago Blackhawk Draft Pick
21 O'Donnell, Brendan F 6-0 200 Fr. Winnipeg, MB (Penticton-BCHL) – TB Draft Pick – season
22 Panzarella, Andrew D 6-1 190 Fr. Washington, D.C. (Waterloo-USHL) – Undrafted F/A – Walk-on
24 Blood, Ben D 6-4 226 Sr. Plymouth, Minn. (Indiana-USHL) Ottawa Senators – Draft Pick
25 MacMillan, Mitch F 6-0 185 So. Penticton, BC (St. Cloud State University) Undrafted - Transfer
27 Rowney, Carter F 6-2 208 Jr. Sexsmith, Alberta (Grande Prairie-AJHL) – Undrafted Free Agent
28 Pattyn, Stephane F 6-0 185 Fr. Ste. Anne, MB (Portage-MJHL) – Undrafted Free Agent- Walk on
29 Nelson, Brock F 6-4 192 So. Warroad, Minn. (Warroad High School) - Islanders Draft Pick
31 Eidsness, Brad G 6-0 184 Sr. Chestermere, Alberta (Okotoks-AJHL) – Buffalo Sabres Draft Pick
32 Dell, Aaron G 6-0 209 Jr. Airdrie, Alberta (Calgary Canucks-AJHL) – Undrafted Free Agent
35 Maris, Tate G 5-10 175 Jr. Denver, Colo. (Bozeman-NPHL) - Undrafted Free Agent
We keep hearing how the UND Fighting Sioux are a shorthanded hockey team (5 Walk-ons players) and how they can’t make out an entire line-up sheet of 12 forwards, 6 defenseman and 2-3 goalies. Upon having a conversation with a blogger/writer from one of the major college hockey websites told me that your favorite team is hardly shorthanded and that no one is going to feel sorry for the Fighting Sioux and their alleged conundrum.
The logic is that there are currently 12 NHL draft choices in the Fighting Sioux line up or sitting on the bench as a backup goalie. That being said, the team (coaching staff and players) are not using this as an excuse and one could make the argument that there is more talent on this year’s team than the one that won the NCAA Title in 2000.
INCH Power Rankings
1. Boston College — 29-10-1
2. Union — 24-7-7
3. North Dakota — 25-12-3
4. Michigan — 24-12-4
5. Minnesota — 26-13-1
6. Minnesota Duluth — 24-9-6
7. Miami — 24-14-2
8. Denver — 25-13-4
9. Western Michigan — 21-13-6
10. Ferris State — 13-11-5
11. Maine — 23-13-3
12. Boston University — 23-14-1
13. Cornell — 18-8-7
14. Harvard — 13-10-11
15. UMass Lowell — 23-12-1
16. Air Force — 21-10-7
17. Michigan State — 19-15-4
18. Colgate — 19-17-3
19. Merrimack — 18-12-7
20. RIT — 20-13-6
Dropped out: St. Cloud State
Bubble-licious: Colorado College, St. Cloud State
As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because I find them amusing. This week’s amusement is again Union at number two; I honestly don’t get that one. It doesn’t chap my butt and I am not going to have an aneurism over it, but I don’t think a team that lost two games to Brown is worthy of being the second rated team in the nation. Alright, whatever, I predict by weekend’s end they will again be a one and done or a two and done. I don’t expect them to be in Tampa for the Frozen Four.
FSN to Broadcast Saturday's game against WMU
I don't think there was a doubt, at least not in my mind. That means if you have Midco or a cable provider that gets FSN or you have DirecTV you will be able to watch the game this weekend. I imagine that you may also be able to watch the game on FCS as well. As soon as I get confirmation on that I will pass it along.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - North Dakota's NCAA West Region semifinal game against Western Michigan on Saturday, March 24, from the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul will be televised live by FOX Sports North (channel 28 and 623 HD in Grand Forks).
The broadcast will begin at 12:30 p.m. Central and the puck drops at 12:34. Veteran hockey broadcasters Clay Matvick and Dave Starman will call the action.
UND (25-12-3) is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Regional, while Western Michigan (21-13-6) is the No. 4 seed. The other regional semifinal features No. 2 seed and host Minnesota against No. 3 seed Boston University.
The fourth-ranked Fighting Sioux have won seven straight games and won their league-record third straight WCHA Final Five championship last Saturday in Saint Paul.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Michael Komisarek vs. Milan Lucic
The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek and Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic don't like each other very much. I am surprised that Komisarek would fight Lucic again after all of the time Lucic has absolutely worked him over. [Example 1] and [example 2]
Rangers and Devils start the game off with a brawl
I guess the New York Rangers didn't want to let the Boston Bruins beat them in Fighting Majors tonight, so the Rangers decided to have three to start the game off.
This was the opening face-off for tonight's game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils. That is a crazy way to start to a game, I haven't seen something like that for a very long time. Three fights by six different players fighting on the ice at one time. Former Golden Gopher's and current Rangers defenseman Stu Bickel broke the hockey code when he continued to hit Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks forward Ryan Carter as he laid on the ice. Bryce Salvador got a 10 minute misconduct for trying to get Bickel off of Carter.
| 00:03 | NJD | Cam Janssen : Fighting (maj) - 5 min |
| 00:03 | NYR | Mike Rupp : Fighting (maj) - 5 min |
| 00:03 | NJD | Eric Boulton : Fighting (maj) - 5 min |
| 00:03 | NJD | Bryce Salvador : Misconduct (10 min) - 0 min |
| 00:03 | NYR | Stu Bickel : Fighting (maj) - 5 min |
| 00:03 | NJD | Ryan Carter : Fighting (maj) - 5 min |
Maxime Talbot vs Johnny Boychuk
This is the proper way to deal with the "Rats" and the punks in the NHL. Some people like to refer to them as agitators. Personally, I think they are for a most part irritants and these types of players tend to get called out for their actions.
This is the reason that I think the NHL needs to not ban fighting, it keeps these types of players honest. This is also your classic beat down of a players that crosses the line on a regular basis. Hat tip to Johnny Boychuck for stepping up and making Talbot answer the bell.
This is the reason that I think the NHL needs to not ban fighting, it keeps these types of players honest. This is also your classic beat down of a players that crosses the line on a regular basis. Hat tip to Johnny Boychuck for stepping up and making Talbot answer the bell.
Fighting Sioux fourth in both National Polls
George Gwozdecky on Jason Zucker
Denver hockey head coach George Gwozdecky addressed the media after the Denver and Michigan Tech quarter final game and fields a question from Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press at the 4:15 mark of the video about the possibility of Zucker leaving for the professional ranks.
“I will tell you one thing Bruce [Brothers]; Gwozdecky said, "I have never, ever in my 30 plus years and my 18 years at Denver. I have never ever talked to anyone that regretting staying another year. But I have certainly talked to a lot of guys that said that they regret leaving early and so there is never anything wrong with leaving if you’re ready. There is never anything wrong with staying, to be able to get one more extra year to be able to give yourself a better chance to be able play at the top level. What that decision for Jason or for any of our guys, is hard to say right now.”
NCHC conference tourney in the Target Center
The Target Center is less than attractive option for hockey and the ice was horrible last time a hockey game was played in there.
Jess Myers 1500 ESPN --- And what about those armies of North Dakota fans, with their team heading to the new NCHC (with Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State) at the end of next season? For now, it looks as though they could be heading to Minneapolis, as NCHC officials have reportedly been offered a sweetheart deal to hold their post-season tournament at Target Center.Personally, I like the option of rotating the tourney between Denver, Colorado Saint Paul, Minnesota and or Omaha, Nebraska. Seriously, unless the Target Center is going to upgrade it's hockey capabilities, more specifically, the ice making capabilities would have to improve quite a bit. That being said, there are better restaurants and bar options in the Target Center area, than around the Xcel Energy Center.
Of course, that idea raises several questions about the future. The initial good news that there would be one or two college post-season tournaments in the Twin Cities every March is tempered just a bit by several "yes, but..." factors to consider.
For example, while a Minnesota-Michigan tournament final in St. Paul in St. Paul would surely be a sought-after ticket, the notion of filling Xcel Energy Center for a match-up between "new" WCHA teams like Michigan Tech and Bowling Green has no basis in reality. A title game featuring Bemidji State or Minnesota State, Mankato might draw a respectable crowd, but in most years where the Gophers are at Joe Louis, there will be oceans of good seats available.
And the inadequacy of Target Center as a hockey building is one of the reasons the North Stars headed to Dallas rather than moving from the antiquated Met Center to downtown Minneapolis in 1993. A 2010 game between the Gophers and the Badgers is the only hockey game the building has hosted in more than a decade.
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