Results of the WCHA Web Media Poll week 1

Cross Posted at The Hockey Writers - Combine.

The results of the Week one WCHA Web Media poll have been tallied and this how the poll shook out. The first three teams were unanimous, all 12 voters picked Minnesota 1, North Dakota 2 and Denver 3.

Wisconsin was the biggest mover as they dropped from 4th to 9th.

	Team	Pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1)	Minnesota (12)	144	1	2-0-0	1	1
2)	North Dakota	132	2	0-0-0	2	2
3)	Denver	120	3	0-0-0	3	3
4)	Minnesota Duluth	90	6	1-1-0	4	9
5)	Colorado College	89	7	2-0-0	4	9
6)	Nebraska Omaha	79	9	1-1-0	4	9
7)	St. Cloud State	66	5	0-2-0	4	10
8)	Michigan Tech	64	8	1-1-0	5	10
9)	Wisconsin	53	4	0-2-0	4	12
10)	Minnesota State	47	10	1-0-1	5	11
11)	Bemidji State	27	11	0-0-0	8	12
12)	Alaska Anchorage	25	12	1-0-1	6	12

Representing Name Publication Twitter

Alaska-Anchorage, Taylor Hall College Hockey News @thall907
Bemidji State, Troy Mills The Beaver Pond
Colorado College, Joe Paisley, Paisley Hockey @Paisleyhockey
Denver, Mike Chambers, Denver Post @MChambersDP
Michigan Tech, Tim Braun, Tech Hockey Guide @TBraunTHG
Minnesota, Dan Myers, Minnesota Hockey Magazine @1DanMyers
Minnesota Duluth, Bruce Ciskie, The Ciskie Blog @BruceCiskie
Minnesota State, Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey @ChrisDilks
Nebraska-Omaha, Matt Semisch, Radio Free Omaha @matthewsemisch
North Dakota, Eric Burton The Hockey Writers Combine and Goon's World @goon48
St. Cloud State, Jeremy Larson, Husky Hockey Time @jclarson02
Wisconsin, Andy Johnson, Bucky’s 5th Quarter @andyjohnsonB5Q

Related articles

• Results of the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings (10/14/12) (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings (10/14/12) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Results of the 3rd Annual WCHA Blogger & Website Preseason Poll (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Results of the 94X WCHA PRESEASON MEDIA POLL (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Statement Regarding Suspension of WCHA Referee

Official Press Release

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (Oct. 15) announced that men’s referee Peter Friesema has been suspended indefinitely from his officiating duties with the league pending a review of an off-ice incident that occurred at the Anchorage International Airport on Sunday, Oct. 14. The WCHA will have no comment on this matter until all the facts have been gathered and the investigation completed.

UND second in USCHO poll

1 Minnesota (46) 2- 0-0 991 2
2 North Dakota ( 1) 0- 0-0 894 4
3 Boston College ( 2) 0- 1-0 878 1
4 Miami 2- 0-0 751 8
5 Michigan 1- 1-0 726 3
6 Cornell 0- 0-0 714 5
7 Denver 0- 0-0 690 7
8 Union ( 1) 2- 1-0 606 10
9 Notre Dame 2- 0-0 583 14
10 Massachusetts-Lowell 0- 0-1 576 6
11 Boston University 1- 0-0 549 12
12 Western Michigan 1- 1-0 422 9
13 Minnesota-Duluth 1- 1-0 308 13
14 Northeastern 2- 0-0 283 NR
15 New Hampshire 2- 0-0 273 NR
16 Ferris State 0- 1-1 218 11
17 Harvard 0- 0-0 213 17
17 Northern Michigan 2- 0-0 213 NR
19 Colorado College 2- 0-0 194 NR
20 Quinnipiac 2- 1-0 74 18

Others receiving votes: Air Force 47, Wisconsin 47, Maine 40, Rensselaer 40, Ohio State 39, Nebraska-Omaha 37, Merrimack 33, Michigan State 17, Rochester Institute of Technology 12, St. Cloud State 9, Lake Superior 7, St. Lawrence 6, Providence 4, Minnesota State 3, Yale 3.

WCHA official Friesema's comment about bomb lands him in jail, closes airport

Yesterday, we found out that if you make a comment about having a bomb in your suit case while you’re checking in at any airport – you’ll probably cause an airport to be immediately evacuated and people’s flights to be delayed.

What started out as joke – ended up blowing up and going viral on the Internet.

Also, it doesn’t matter if you’re joking or not, the TSA and the Airport police probably will not think that it’s very funny and you will probably be led away from the airport in handcuffs – you’ll also miss your flight and end up in a jail cell until you court appearance.

Early Sunday morning, WCHA on ice official Peter Friesema was charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct after he made an ill-advised comment about having a bomb in his check-in luggage.

More specifically, Friesema in an attempt to be funny made a comment about his friend’s bag having a bomb in it after a gate agent from Alaska Airlines put the wrong bag tag on his checks luggage. As most of us know from flying post 9-11, an airport is the wrong place to make a comment like this.

Lisa Demer and Richard Mauer, Anchorage Daily News --- "But my friend's bag has a bomb in it," the agent remembers him [Frieseman] saying, according to a charging document. He recounted it to authorities slightly differently, more to the effect of "what if my friend's bag has a bomb in it?

"Either way, his comment was "perhaps an effort to be funny or flirtatious," Assistant District Attorney Adam Alexander said Sunday before Friesema made a court appearance.

Developing... The WCHA will release a press release about the status of their on ice official Peter Friesema later in the day.

WCHA Officials Roster

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every season. I post the roster for the WCHA officials, since we're on the discussion of WCHA officials here is this season's roster. 

WCHA Men's Officials: 

SUPERVISOR OF OFFICIALS: Greg Shepherd. 

REFEREES: 

3 - Derek Shepherd; 4 - Todd Anderson; 5 - Justin Brown; 7 - Don Adam; 8 - Tom Sterns; 9 - C.J. Beaurline; 10 - Peter Friesema; 11 - Timm Walsh; 12 - Butch Mousseaux; 14 - Jared Moen; 14 - Brian Thul; 15 - Marco Hunt; 17 - Craig Welker; 22 - Chris Perrault; 23 - Matt Ulwelling; 27 - Dan Dreger; 27 - Jonathan Morrison; 29 - Scott Bokal; 31 - Brett Klosowski; 33 - Brad Shepherd .


LINESMEN:

at UAA: 40 - Carl Saden; 45 - Brent Johnson; 75 - Travis Jackson; 97 - William Moran.

at BSU & UND: 37 - Tom Lund; 70 - Andy Dokken; 78 - Nathan Freeman; 83 - Justin Hills; 92 - Andy Carton; 76 - Bradon Schmitt.

at CC & DU: 52 - Scott Staudte; 57 - Bob Keltie; 82 - Stephen Stankevich; 84 - Phil Stodgell; 86 - Gary Pedigo; 88 - Tim Swiader.

at MTU: 35 - Dan Juopperi. 

at UM, UMD, MSU, SCSU: 42 - Dan Dineen; 44 - Chris Olson; 53 - Rick Nelson; 55 - Jeff Schultz; 62 - Jarod Moen; 68 - Chris Perrrault; 75 - Dana Penkivech; 80 - Tony Czech; 81 - Brandon Polich; 81 - Sam Shikowsky; 81 - Matt Tryee; 90 - Matt Anderson; 91 - Sterling Egan; 94 - Nick Bradshaw; 97 - Neil Missling; 98 - Dan Kovarik.

at UNO: 41 - Eric Johnston; 52 - Chad Evers; 70 - Scott Fitzpatrick; 97 - Nate Stanton.

at UW: 34 - Ed Moberg; 38 - Dan Carey; 51 - Mike Gulenchyn; 65 - Matt Gerlach.

Update: WCHA referee Peter Friesema arrested for making bomb threat at Ted Stevens International Airport

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The first thing that I have to say that I hope that the court slaps Friesema with a very heavy fine. There is no excuse for this type of moronic behavior.

According to the TSA guide lines it looks like Friesema can expect a fine, but the fact that the airport was evacuated and commerical flights were delayed could cost him even more.

Ricahard Mauer and Lisa Demer, ADN.COM --- The breach began when a man trying to check in for an Alaska Airlines flight "made a statement about a bomb in a bag," Parrott said.

"That caused us and the airlines, the TSA, the airport police, to have to evacuate the building, the terminal," he said. "That all started shortly after midnight."

The FBI interviewed the passenger, and the threat was determined to be "non-credible," Parrott said. The man's bag was found and removed.

FBI spokesman Eric Gonzalez identified the passenger as Peter Friesema and said airport police arrested him. Friesema was scheduled to appear in state court Sunday afternoon.

The passenger may have just been trying to get attention, Parrott said.

Maybe a half dozen flights involving hundreds of passengers were affected, Parrott said. Some planes arriving early Sunday pulled up at the North Terminal or their passengers were directed to go there, and other planes scheduled to take off around 1 a.m. departed late, causing passengers to miss connections in other cities. A number of airlines were affected, including Alaska, Delta, U.S. Airways and United, he said.

It will be interesting to see how the WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod and head of WCHA officials Greg Shepherd respond to this incident, you can not make these kind of statements at an airport post 9/11.

Here is more details to this story, and looks like Friesema was put in Jail as well.

Airport manager John Parrott says Friesema was jailed at the Anchorage Correctional Complex with bail set at $5,000. [mysanantonio.com]

I sent an email to Doug Spencer Associate Commissioner for Public Relations for the WCHA to see if the Commissioner or the WCHA head of officials had a comment on the matter. "No Comment, Spencer said.

Related articles

• Bad joke prompts Alaska airport evacuation (mysanantonio.com)
• Alaska airport terminal evacuated following bomb threat (foxnews.com)
• Bomb threat prompts Alaska airport evacuation (ktvb.com)
• Bomb threat prompts Alaska airport evacuation (newsobserver.com)

Foss Nails it - yet again!

If you haven’t read this article by Virg Foss, it’s worth a look. I have always been a big fan of Foss’ work because he puts a lot of emotion into his work and he paints a nice picture with his elegant words.

That’s not a slam on anyone – because the WCHA is blessed with some awesome beat writers starting with UND’s Brad Schlossman – I just like his writing style.

I might date myself here, I can also remember when Foss covered Fighting Sioux Hockey until he retired in the mid 2000’s.

Virg Foss, Grand Forks Herald --- Officially, the days of the Fighting Sioux athletic teams are past. It will be years before another nickname may be adopted.

I’m fine with that indefinite delay. I see reporters are calling UND the “Green-and-White” on occasion in some sports stories and I guess that’s OK. When I think of Green-and-White locally, though, I think of East Grand Forks Senior High, not UND.

It does limit writers/broadcasters when a team has no nickname, I grant you that. And maybe if I covered the UND teams on a regular basis, I’d tire of typing “UND” over and over.

In times long ago, UND’s teams used be called the NoDaks and carried a nickname of the Flickertails.

I’d rather see occasional use of NoDaks than Green-and-White. The Flickertails can remain in the dusty archives, as far as I’m concerned.

Without a nickname now for the teams, I for one prefer the use of North Dakota. Plain and simple, just North Dakota. We are North Dakota.

It’s a proud name, and yes, it is who we are who live in this state.

I am not sure that I am sold on Green and White either – I have only used it once in a post – I am not sure that it rolls off of the tongue or the finger tips but like Foss said, “and maybe if I covered the UND teams on a regular basis, I’d tire of typing “UND” over and over.”

While reading his post-game report in the Herald on Friday night, I saw that Brad used Green and White in the title. Is this the beginning of something new? I don’t know; but we have a long time to be creative until UND comes up with a new name.

Whether people like it or not – Green and White does kind of fill the void by the loss of a historic nickname – although there was no memo released from the UND athletic department this time around – the writers are no longer refer to UND as the Fighting Sioux. Like it or not – most of us old school fans don’t.

No matter what the name becomes there is going to be someone that doesn’t like the new nickname. This is where I think that branding matters.

This is also the reason I am for not being in a hurry to pick something else for a nickname. I have a bad feeling we’re going to get stuck with a really bad nickname that few of us can get behind. I would rather have no nickname and use “Green and White” than to have a nickname that I will never be able to get behind. What do you think?

WCHA Power Rankings (10/14/12)

Back for a second year is this week’s WCHA Power Rankings. This season I will be doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel who is a contributor for College Hockey Weekly. Feel free to give us your thoughts.

Eric Burton's Power Rankings

1.  Minnesota Gophers – (2-0-0, WCHA 0-0-0) - The Gophers dismantled the Michigan State Spartans (7-1 W, 5-1) at Mariucci Arena.  This week, the Gophers travel to Michigan Tech to play the pesky Huskies.

2.  North Dakota – (0-0-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – UND won their exhibition game against the US National Development U- 18 team (6-4 W). This weekend, the Green and White travel to Fairbanks Alaska to play in the Brice Alaska Goal Rush Tourney.

3. Denver University – (0-0-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Pioneers were idle this past weekend. This weekend, the Pioneers entertain non-conference foes the University of Mass-Lowell and Air Force Academy this weekend at Magness Arena.

4. Colorado College – (2-0-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Tigers swept the Clarkson Knights by identical (5-4 W – 5-4 W) score at the World Arena this past weekend. This weekend, the Tigers entertain non-conference foes Air Force Academy and the University of Mass-Lowell at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

5. Minnesota Duluth – (1-1-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Bulldogs split their series with CCHA foe Ohio State University at the Amsoil Arena (6-2 W – 2-3 L). This weekend, the Dogs travel to South Bend to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

6. Nebraska Omaha – (1-1-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Mavericks took second in the Ice Breaker Tourney this past weekend in Kansas City Missouri (5-1 W – 2-3 L). This weekend, the Mavericks entertain the Northern Michigan University Wildcats in Omaha, Nebraska.

7. Michigan Tech – (1-1-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Huskies split their weekend home and home series with the Lake Superior State University Lakers (2-4 L – 8-4 W). This weekend, the Huskies entertain the high flying Minnesota Gophers at the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

8. Saint Cloud State – (0-2-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Huskies were unceremoniously swept by the University of New Hampshire in Durham New Hampshire (3-5 L – 2-4 L). This weekend, the Huskies entertain the Alabama Huntsville Chargers at the National Hockey Center.

9. Wisconsin – (0-2-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Badgers were swept by the Northern Michigan University Wildcats (1-2 L – 2-4 L) at the Resch Center, Green Bay, WI. The Badgers are off this weekend.

10. Bemidji State – (0-0-0, WCHA) – The Beavers 0-0-0; beat the US National Development U- 18 team at the Sanford Center (4-3 W). This weekend, the Beavers entertain Lake Superior State University.

11. Minnesota State Mankato – (1-1-0, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Mavericks beat and tied the Alabama Huntsville Chargers in Huntsville this past weekend (4-1 W – 2-2 T). This weekend, the Mavericks entertain Rensselaer Engineers of the ECAC at the Verizon Wireless Center, in Mankato, Minnesota.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (1-0-1, WCHA 0-0-0) – The Seawolves beat the Canisius College Griffins 2-0 and tied Air Force Academy Falcons 3-3 in the Kendall Hockey Classic Anchorage, Alaska this past weekend. This weekend, the Seawolves travel to Fairbanks Alaska to play in the Brice Alaska Goal Rush Tourney.

 Taylor Seibel's Power Rankings

 1. Minnesota – (0-0-0 WCHA, 2-0-0) The Golden Gophers dominated Michigan State this weekend.  Minnesota showed the college hockey world why they are deserving of their #1 ranking not only in the WCHA, but in the country as well.  Right now, the Gophers are head and shoulders above the rest of the league.  Minnesota travels to Houghton next weekend to take on Michigan Tech.

 2. North Dakota – (0-0-0 WCHA, 0-0-0) North Dakota struggled at times defensively against the USA Under-18 Team this weekend, but still managed to defeat the talented youngsters 6-4.  However, Rocco Grimaldi showed everyone why he was so highly touted coming in as a recruit, scoring twice in the game.  North Dakota is playing in the Alaska Goal Rush next weekend, taking on Anchorage on Friday, and Alaska on Saturday.

3. Denver – (0-0-0 WCHA, 0-0-0) Denver managed only a draw in their exhibition, but with SCSU and Wisconsin both failing to notch a victory, the Pioneers sit at #3.  DU has arguably the best goaltending in the league, and a strong enough defense that should keep the Pioneers in just about any game.  How well they wind up doing will likely result on how quickly their offense can develop.  The Pioneers face an early-season non-conference test as Massachusetts Lowell comes to the Mile High City on Friday, and Air Force comes to Denver on Saturday.

4. St. Cloud State – (0-0-0 WCHA, 0-2-0) The Huskies struggled on the road this weekend, getting swept by New Hampshire.  SCSU will have to play better in their own end if they have plans to compete for the MacNaughton this season.  SCSU hosts Alabama-Huntsville in non-conference action next weekend.

 5. Wisconsin – (0-0-0 WCHA, 0-2-0) Similar to St. Cloud, the Badgers were swept in a weekend series against Northern Michigan.  Wisconsin struggled to score, and lost third period leads in each of the games.  Wisconsin will need better performances out of their forwards and play a full sixty minutes if they want to challenge the top third of the league.  Wisconsin is off next weekend.

 6. Michigan Tech – (0-0-0 WCHA, 1-1-0) The Huskies dropped their season opener on Thursday against LSSU on the road before defeating the Lakers at home on Saturday.  Michigan Tech will have a very difficult test next weekend, as the #1 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers make the trek to Houghton in a series that should tell us a lot about both squads.

7. Colorado College – (0-0-0 WCHA, 2-0-0) The Tigers swept Clarkson in a home non-conference series this weekend by identical 5-4 scores.  If CC can keep this offensive production up, they should contend for home ice in the WCHA, especially if they can shore up their own end.  Colorado College makes the short trek on Friday to take on local rival Air Force, and then plays host on Saturday against Massachusetts Lowell.

 8. Nebraska Omaha – (0-0-0 WCHA, 1-1-0) The Mavericks played in the IceBreaker Tournament this weekend.  Omaha beat Army on Friday before falling to Notre Dame in a tight contest for the title.  Omaha may struggle early this season, but look for Coach Blais to have the Mavs playing very quality hockey by the end of the season.  Nebraska Omaha plays host to former CCHA rival Northern Michigan.

 9. Minnesota Duluth – (0-0-0 WCHA, 1-1-0) The Bulldogs split their home series against Ohio State this past weekend.  Consistency will be a key for Duluth this season, and this was echoed in their series this past weekend.  On Friday the Bulldogs scored 6 goals in a win, but only managed 2 markers in a 3-2 loss on Saturday.  Minnesota Duluth travels to South Bend to take on Notre Dame in a Thursday/Friday series.

 10. Minnesota State – (0-0-0 WCHA, 1-1-0) The Mavericks look to be an improved squad this season, but managed only a split at Alabama-Huntsville this past weekend.  Growing pains will be a central theme for the Mavericks this season, but look out for Mankato by January, as Coach  Hastings should have his players in form by then.  Rensselaer comes to Mankato next weekend as the Mavericks host the Engineers in a non-conference series.

 11. Bemidji State – (0-0-0 WCHA, 0-0-0) The Beavers finished their exhibition schedule this weekend, as Bemidji came back to beat the USA Under-18 Team 4-3 on Saturday.  The Beavers will need to get scoring from throughout their lineup and timely goaltending if they wish to compete for home ice this year, something they got on Saturday in their exhibition.  Bemidji State hosts LSSU this weekend in non-conference action.

 12. Alaska Anchorage – (0-0-0 WCHA, 1-0-1) The Seawolves beat Canisius 2-0 on Friday in the Kendall Hockey Classic before drawing with Air Force 3-3 on Saturday, nearly winning the game before a John Kruse (Air Force) goal with 1 second remaining knotted the score at 3.  It was a strong weekend for Anchorage, and they will need to play with even more intensity this weekend as Anchorage squares off against North Dakota in non-conference action on Friday in the Alaska Goal Rush, before taking on Hockey East foe Merrimack on Saturday.

Saturday night thoughts

I was checking out the box scores from the American Hockey League - this box score caught my attention. What jumps out at you here? There are a couple things that piqued my attention - see if you can find them?

Related articles

• WCHA Unveils All-New Mobile Website (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Albany Edged By Manchester In Home Opener (thehockeywriters.com)
• A Fan's Survival Guide to the NHL Lockout (insidehockey.com)

A few things related to TV broadcasts

DirecTV (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know a few people pinged me both on twitter and on my cell phone last night and said that they couldn't watch the game on DirecTV.

I didn't see the tweet by @UNDSID until I got to the Ralph and when I left my home to go to the game last night the game between UND and USNDT U-18 team the game was still actually listed on my DirecTV channel line up as well (FCS channel 626).

Below is the tweet that Jayson Hajdu put up on twitter last night.

Here is the schedule again if want to peruse it - it looks like every game in January will be on TV this season. [click to view]

@goon48 @john_innes Tonight's game is televised on Midco Sports Network. Every game BUT this one will be on FOX College Sports as well.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) October 13, 2012

This should be the only "home" UND Men's Hockey game that is not picked up by Fox College Sports this season and all of the other games should be on TV.

@fergy2004 Understandable. Fortunately it's the only game NOT picked up by FCS this season.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) October 13, 2012

I have not seen an actual broadcast of UND hockey as of yet so I can't comment on the quality of the broadcasts... I did watch most of the UND vs UNA football game on MidcoNet both at work and on my father-in-laws television and I thought it was a high quality broadcast.

Related articles

• UND squeaks by USNDT U-18 team 6-4 (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey TV options. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Football and Hockey on the Web - the future of broadcasts? (realclearsports.com)

The day that NHL hockey arenas sat empty

This week was supposed to be the start of the NHL season – normally – I sit down in front of my television set to watch whatever teams are going to be playing in the double header that kicks off the NHL Hockey season.  

Opening week came and went with hardly a whimper and there was not a NHL hockey game to be found anywhere on your television dial. Not that TV’s have dials anymore, but you know what I mean.

If you’re keeping track, the NHL is into its 28^th day of the lockout and there is not an end in sight – the two sides aren’t even talking any more – not on any issue of substance anyways.

Yesterday, a banner was supposed to be raised in Los Angeles as the Kings were supposed to celebrate their magical season – instead the Staples Center sat empty.

Normally, I would be well into my first payment for NHL Center Ice – this year I am probably saving the $170.00 dollars and I might not renew my subscription once the NHL hockey season begins.

As I was sitting in the press box of Ralph Englestad Arena before last night’s game between the USNDT and UND, there were two televisions and on each television there was a separate college hockey game – it was at the time that I realized – do we really the NHL to get our hockey fix?

Not really!

There is a plethora of college hockey and minor league pro games to fill the void left by the NHL – tonight, I will probably tune into see the championship game of the College Hockey Ice Breaker Tournament on NBC Sport Network at 6:07 pm Central Standard Time.  

That being said, there is some bad news is – Pierre Maguire handling the color commentary for the game tonight – so you might want to consider turning down your television volume and just watch the game in silence. I don’t know if I can handle listening to Maguire pretend that he is an expert on Division I college hockey.

But I digress.

This is probably all of the hockey; in any form that some fans are going to get tonight – at least in most American television markets, since hockey is a niche sport.

If you think about this way, we’re powerless as NHL hockey fans anyways – neither side cares that much about us anyways – we’re just a means to an end anyway. Both sides are taking us for granted as well – if they weren’t they would have had a new CBA deal signed by now.  

I wish the NHLPA and the NHL owners would just agree to a 50/50 split and get on with it – that is where the owners are going anyways – there’re going to get to that number eventually.

Also, if I was Donald Fehr – one of the terms that I would demand is that the NHL owners to fire Gary Bettman as a gesture of good will to the players and the fans, for the good of the NHL – I think that this would go a long way in the healing process. Lets be honest, the only people that like him are the NHL owners.

It’s all about money and a piece of the pie – being a capitalist I don’t fault them one bit, however, think about it this way – the two sides are squabbling over 3 billion dollars in revenue – while some people haven’t had a job in years due to the economic down turn.

Taking it further, the average salary in the NHL today is roughly about 2.4 million dollars while most of us will probably never make more than 100,000.00 a year.  

Yeah! Both sides need to sit down and stop acting like a bunch of spoiled children so we can salvage what’s left of the NHL season.  In the meantime, tune into NBC Sports Net tonight to watch hockey where the athletes aren’t paid a salary but go just as hard to the net.

Shot charts from Friday's game UND vs USNDT U18

s/t Stats on Crack

One of the topics that popped up on last night’s game discussion was he shot total. While UND was outshot 2-1 by the USNDT 38-19 at no time did I think that UND was in danger of being beat nor did I think that they were being out played a lot of the shots were from the perimeter. UND did get into penalty trouble and was penalized eight times and gave up three power play goals.

UND goalie Clarke Saunders was very good last and made some great saves - Saunders made 20 saves in the first period.

I thought the past two weeks that Zane Gothberg has been a little shaky and has over played the puck at times. I also think that he will get better with practice. I do think that Saunders is the better of the two goalies right now and he will probably get the start on Friday.

My Three Stars of the game.

Rocco Grimaldi (2g-0a—2pts) showed us why he was worth the wait.

Corbin Knight (1g-2a—3pts) was very good in the faceoff circle 18-4.  

Danny Kristo (1g-2a—3pts) played like a man possessed.

UND squeaks by USNDT U-18 team 6-4

Grand Forks, ND – After suffering through an injury riddled season a year ago UND was looking forward to having a full roster to work with.

After one week and an exhibition game under their belt – UND already is two players down with injuries – out this week is sophomore forward Michael Parks’s lower body injury – the severity of his injury is unknown at this time. Also, senior forward Carter Rowney undisclosed injury and is listed as being day-to-day.

After the game UND head coach Dave Hakstol was asked if there was an update on the injured forward Michael Parks.

“You know what… I know I told you that I thought I would have something but I think he’s [Parks] being evaluated right now so I don’t, Hakstol said. I think it will be probably Monday before I have any more information.”

Injuries or not – the game must go on.

UND didn’t seem to miss a beat at all tonight – especially with the newly constructed first line of Rocco Grimaldi, Corbin Knight and Danny Kristo – that line was brilliant as they accounted for eight points on the night and Under 18 team really had no answer for their speed – that line did taper off a bit during the latter part of the game but they were impressive in their first time out together in game action.

UND head coach Dave Hakstol was asked about his impression of the top line.

“I don’t know that I am ready to really evaluate it today,” Hakstol said.  “Obviously there were some good things offensively. I want to take a closer look at it and evaluate it over a couple of days and take a look at some of the game tape, you know there was a lot of good there. I want to take a look I guess in a sense of what small areas we can be improved; you know to improve the overall chemistry of the unit in all three zones. It’s not just one zone of play, that’s what I would like to take a close look at – I thought there was a lot of good there.

Corbin Knight was asked about his impressions of his team’s play in the second exhibition game to start the season.

“I think it worked pretty good, obviously we were able to make some offensive plays I think over all we need to tighten up our offensive game a little bit I think,” Knight said. A couple times we let up a little… too many chances in the defensive zones there so it’s probably something we need to work on this week to get ready for next weekend.

The game was a tale of two goalies, Junior goalie Clarke Saunders started the game and stopped 24 of 25 shots and looked solid. Freshman goalie Zane Gothberg enter the game at the half way point and appeared to fight the puck. Gothberg stopped eight of 11 shots.

For the most part UND out played the USNDT team – but gave up a few untimely goals when they got into penalty trouble during the latter half of the game. Team USNDT U-18 was able to put three power play goals past freshman goalie Zane Gothberg to make the game close.

UND begins their nonconference regular season play as they travel to the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tourney in Fairbanks, Alaska.

UND will face some adversity during their first weekend of the season.

UND will be without senior forward Danny Kristo who is suspended for the first two games of the season and will not be back until the first home series the following weekend against the University of Alaska Anchorage on October 26 and 27.

UND will also miss sophomore forward Brendan O'Donnell, senior defenseman Andrew MacWilliam, senior forward Carter Rowney and senior forward Corbin Knight who will all serve a one game suspension during first game against the University of Alaska Anchorage at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tourney for a violation of team rules.

On the following night of the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tourney, sophomore forwards Connor Gaarder, Stephane Pattyn and sophomore defenseman Andrew Panzarella will all sit out for a violation of team rules.

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine

Related articles

• North Dakota shakes off early rust to beat the University of Manitoba Bison 5-3 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Wednesday press update for UND Men's hockey (thehockeywriters.com)
• North Dakota Shakes Off Rust to Beat Manitoba Bison (thehockeywriters.com)
• ND Shakes Off Rust to Beat Manitoba Bison (insidehockey.com)
• Wednesday press update for UND Men's hockey (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

EDIT: UND versus USDT U-18 lines

UND lineup, forwards: 1. Grimaldi-Knight-Kristo2. O'Donnell-MacMillan-Gaarder3. Pattyn-St. Clair-Rodwell4. Chyzyk-Caggiula-Senkbeil
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 12, 2012

Defense: 1. MacWilliam-Mattson2. Forbort-Schmaltz3. Simpson-GleasonGoalies: 1. Saunders2. Gothberg
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 12, 2012

Out: Parks, MacMillan, Rowney, MarisReferees: Jared Moen, Chris PerraultLinesmen: Andy Dokken, Justin Hills
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 12, 2012

USNDT U-18 Team

USNDT U-18 Forward Lines

L  Frankie Vatrano 5 – C Tyler Kelleher 19 – R Evan Allen R

L Tyler Motte 14 – C Ryan Fitzgerald 17 – R Mike McCarron 24

L Anthony Louis 9 – C Sean Malone 17 – R Hudson Fasching 24

L Shane Eiserman – C Connor Hurley 25 – R Kevin Labanc 12

USNDT U-18 Defensive Pairings

Gage Ausmus 27 – Steven Santini 16

Scott Savage 3 – Connor Clifton 2

Clint Lewis 3 – Trevor Hamilton 11

Will Butcher 4 – Keaton Thompson 6

USNDT U-18 Goalies

Thatcher Demko 29

Hunter Miska 1 

Here is the chat for tonight's game [click to open]

Game time UND vs USDT U-18

This is what caught my attention from the video... “None of the conditioning that we do – do we do it at 80 or 90 percent speed, coach Hakstol said. We do what we can do at 100 percent 100 percent speed.” As it says in the basement at the Ralph - "Speed Kills" and this years UND Hockey team is built for speed.

Rowney and Parks out, MacWilliam in; Grimaldi to play off wing on top line bit.ly/R46Tv9
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 12, 2012

Looks like the injury bug is starting to hit UND a bit already.

Injury bug keeps biting: Carter Rowney out tonight. Status for next week up in air.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 12, 2012

Kerdiles to appeal suspension

According to Andy Johnson of Bucky's Fifth Quarter the NCAA will hear the appeal of the suspension of Nic Kerdiles next week on October 18th, 2012. Wisconsin officials are confirming the same thing.

If you haven't heard, Wisconsin's appeal of a one-year suspension by the NCAA of freshman Nic Kerdiles will be heard next Thursday, Oct 18th
— Andy Johnson (@AndyJohnsonB5Q) October 12, 2012

Wisconsin officials confirm NCAA will not hear Nic Kerdiles appeal this week. No specific timetable for when NCAA will act.
— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) October 11, 2012

Related articles

• Wisconsin freshman Nic Kerdiles suspended for one year by the NCAA (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin freshman Nic Kerdiles suspended for one year by the NCAA (thehockeywriters.com)
• Nic Kerdiles suspended, NCAA still doesn't get it (sbnation.com)
• NCAA Officially Rules Kerdiles Ineligible for Season, Wisconsin Appealing [Updated] (unitedstatesofhockey.com)
• UW Frosh Kerdiles Faces Eligibility Issues, Social Media to Blame? [Updated] (unitedstatesofhockey.com)

College Hockey to fill the void left by the NHL

s/t Fargo Sioux from Sioux Sports. 

The NHLPA and the NHL owners have not scheduled any more negotiations and there appears to have been little progress made during the recent CBA talks this past week.

As each week goes by, I get the feeling that NHL hockey fans are in for a long winter with no hockey. 

No NHL Hockey – no worries – hockey fans have some great options tonight. 

So what would have been the opening week of hockey in the NHL – hockey fans can turn their attention to a pretty nice schedule of Division I college hockey on the television screen tonight.  

Here are the channels these games are all times are Central Standard Time and the games are on Directv. 

603 (6:00 pm) - Maine @ Notre Dame – NBC Sports Net

603 (9:00 pm) - Army @ Nebraska-Omaha– NBC Sports Net

623 (6:30 pm) - St. Cloud @ New Hampshire – Fox College Sports

626 (7:30 pm) - USA U18 @ North Dakota– Fox College Sports

668 (6:00 pm) - Michigan State @ Minnesota – Fox Sports North

Related articles

• Updated College Hockey Television Schedule (thehockeywriters.com)
• NHL prospects represented by many current and former College Hockey players (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NHL Fans Do Have Other Options (insidehockey.com)