DU and UND lines games 1

UND’s Forward lines

16 Mark MacMillan–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula –27 Carter Rowney (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi

21 Brendan O’Donnell– 17 Colten St. Clair –13 Connor Gaarder

8 Daniel Senkbeil – 28 Steph Pattyn––11 Derek Rodwell

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 5 Nick Mattson

18 Dillon Simpson–20 Joe Gleason

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND goalies 

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

Not in lineup: Michael Parks – 15 (injury), 29 Bryn Chyzyk  , Coltyn Sanderson – 26, Andrew Panzarella – 22.

Referees: Marco Hunt, Derek Shepherd

Assistant Referees: Nathan Freeman, Justin Hills

Denver Pioneers Forward Lines

11 Chris Knowlton–23 Nick Shore–19 Daniel Doremus
12 Ty Loney–26 Shawn Ostrow–39 Grant Arnold
9 Gabe Levin–27 Quentin Shore–25 Matt Tabrum
17 Garrett Allen

Denver Pioneers Defensive pairings

6 Dakota Mermis–7 Paul Phillips
21 Joey LaLeggia–2 Scott Mayfield
8 Nolan Zajac–10 David Makowski

Denver Pioneer Goalies

31 Juho Olkinuora
1 Sam Brittain
33 Adam Murray

Related articles

• UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/7-12/8) (thehockeywriters.com)

Midday Links Game Day DU and UND

This was on Brad E. Schlossman’s blog and it’s a very good break down of the wins for the WCHA teams the last 10 years. You can see that Denver and UND have had the best records the last 10 years in the WCHA.

Wins since 2003-04 (last 10 years)

250 — North Dakota
236 — Denver
221 — Minnesota
205 — Colorado College
198 — Wisconsin
179 — Duluth
177 — St. Cloud State
172 — Bemidji State (most games were played in CHA)
161 — Omaha (most games were played in CCHA)
136 — MSU-Mankato
105 — Anchorage
90 — Michigan Tech

Here is UND’s record before Christmas and after Christmas, since Dave Hakstol has been the head coach of UND. Since the hockey season is turning to the post-Christmas time, will UND make another second half run?

2004-05: 13-7-2 (.636) - 12-8-3 (.587)

2005-06: 12-7-1 (.625) - 17-9-0 (.654)

2006-07: 7-10-1 (.417) - 17-4-4 (.760)

2007-08: 8-6-1 (.567) - 20-5-3 (.768)

2008-09: 9-8-1 (.528) - 15-7-3 (.660)

2009-10: 9-6-3 (.583) - 16-7-2 (.680)

2010-11: 13-5-2 (.700) - 19-4-1 (.813)

2011-12: 9-8-1 (.528) - 17-5-2 (.750)

2012-13: 7-5-2 (.538) - ?

Totals 87-62-15 (.576) - 133-49-18 (.710)

There are a few things of interest today.

A Tradition of Excellence has his morning links up.

Joe Paisley and Tyler Buckentine have their weekly predictions up and they’re both predicting a split in this weekend’s series.

Now I am worried, Roman Augustoviz has his WCHA picks up and he has been wrong just about every weekend when it comes to the UND series. This weekend, Roman picks a UND sweep.

Chris Dilks of Western College Hockey has his weekend preview up.

The Hockey Writers – Combine has my feature on Drake Caggiula.

Tech goal that was waved off.

[1:10 mark of video] With about 4 seconds remaining in the second period of Tuesday's game between MTU and NMU, it appeared that Michigan Tech forward Tanner Kero had scored a legitimate goal for the Michigan Tech Huskies... After further review by the CCHA officials, the goal by was waved off.

The ruling on the ice, the officials decided that Kero had interfered with the Northern Michigan goalie Jared Coreau. In looking at this video, I disagree, I this is a bad call. In my opinion, there is no reason this goal wasn't counted, albeit the video wasn't very good, I see no reason this was a goal on the score sheet.

In watching this video a dozen times, I don't see the goalie interference and if anything the goalie took a blatant dive. There is no reason that goalie should be flopping on the ice, in my opinion.  If the MTU forward touched the goaltender Coreau it was very minimal and not worthy of goalie interference, that's going hard to the net. I think that Mel Pearson has every right to be upset with this call.

DU vs. UND WCHA's Version of the Hatfield's versus McCoy's

@goon48 U will be dissapointed. I don't have space to write about the fondness between @du_hockey and #UND. And I'm not traveling. Not happy
— Mike Chambers (@MChambersDP) December 5, 2012

I am disappointed to see that Mike Chambers from the Denver Post isn't going to be here for this weekend's series between DU and UND. Over the years, Chambers has written some great article on the historic rivalry.

So what is your favorite memory from this series?



Lately, one my favorite memories in this series is the goal by UND power forward Matt Frattin at the 05:11 mark of the second overtime in the 2011 Red Baron WCHA Final Five. UND would meet Denver again in the 2011 Midwest Regional Final in Green Bay, Wisconsin and beat Denver again 6-1, to advance to the Frozen Four.

Last season, UND would again go on to beat DU 4-0 in the 2012 Red Baron WCHA Final Five.

I think over the last 10 years this is the most heated of UND's rivals, I would say that UMN is number two and Wisconsin number three. What do you think?

I am looking forward to seeing the games this weekend and wondering who will be the on ice officials for this game and if we will see a dance on the dasher or not?

Related articles

• DU and UND set to take center stage (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/7-12/8) (thehockeywriters.com)

The staches are staying for now

@undwhockey staff will keep 'staches as long as the ladies keep the winning streak is alive! twitter.com/StayaSioux/sta…
— Stay A Sioux (@StayaSioux) December 6, 2012

The UND women's coaching staff's are sporting mustaches a week after Movember ended. This story line has sprouted legs and has the potential to get even bigger... The UND Women's team coaches grew mustaches for Movember. The UND women went on an impressive seven game winning streak starting on November 3rd, 2012 when UND beat Clarkson 3-2 at the Ralph Englestad Arena.

The women kept winning and were on a six game winning streak when November turned to December. So no one dared shave their mustaches. If the UND Women sweep the Badgers this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin the mustaches will probably remain till UND plays Lindenwood College on January 4th and 5th, 2012 in St. Charles, Missouri.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

There were a few surprises last weekend that I didn’t see coming at all.  The biggest was Wisconsin taking three points from the Pioneers in Denver.  If you would bet on that in Vegas you would be having a very Merry Christmas this year.  The other was UMD taking three from the Huskies in Houghton; looks like Coach Sandelin might have his dogs working together now. 

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. Denver…………..………7-2-1………....15
2. St. Cloud St………….…6-4-0………….12
2. Minnesota………………5-3-2………….12
4. Nebraska-Omaha………5-2-1……........11
5. Colorado College ……..5-3-0..….……..10
5. North Dakota.………..…4-2-2…..……...10
5. Minnesota State………..5-5-0.…...……10
8. Michigan Tech………….3-6-1………….7
8. Minnesota-Duluth….…..2-5-3…………..7
8. Wisconsin…....…………2-5-3………......7
11. Bemidji State……..…..2-6-2.…….........6
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....1-4-3…...….…..5

WCHA Games

#4 Minnesota @ #19 Colorado College

Last weekend the Gophers split (2-3, 3-2) with the UNO Mavericks in Minneapolis and the Tigers split (5-3, 2-3ot) with NoDak in Colorado Springs.

The Tigers trail the Gophers by only 2 points in the standings and have played 2 fewer games to boot.  The Gophers are 4-2-1 away from Minneapolis this season and the Tigers are 5-4-1 at home in World Arena.  Both teams are a +4 in goal differential this year in the WCHA, UM is 28-24 and CC is 31-27.  The Gophers have scored almost half of their goals on the power play, so if the Tigers want to increase their odds of winning, they need to stay out of the sin bin.  CC has to be looking to take out a little frustration after Saturday’s loss to NoDak, since they gave up the tying goal with 13 seconds left and gave up the winner 51 seconds into overtime.  SPLIT

Alaska-Anchorage @ Minnesota State

Last weekend the Seawolves split (3-4ot, 3-1) with the SCSU Huskies in Anchorage and the Mavericks swept (3-0, 6-1) the Beavers in Mankato.

The Seawolves notched their first WCHA win last weekend to erase the goose egg in the win column.  The Mavericks notched their second sweep in as many weekends, is now on a 4 game winning streak in the conference.  The Mavericks now find themselves with an even record and are looking to secure a winning record heading into the Christmas break (they play at UNO before the break too).  MSUM is hot right now and UAA is, well, not.  MAVERICKS SWEEP

#14 Nebraska-Omaha @ #17 St. Could St. 

Last weekend the Mavericks split (3-2, 2-3) with the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Huskies split (4-3ot, 1-3) with the Seawolves in Anchorage.

The Mavericks just had their 7 game win streak snapped on Saturday night and are looking to start a new streak this weekend.  The Huskies are 4-4-0 over their last eight games, all WCHA games.  This should be an evenly matched series, with the teams separated by a lone point in the standings.  When the dust settles this weekend from these tilts, I think the one point margin will still exist.  SPLIT

Bemidji St. @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Beavers were swept (3-0, 6-1) by the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato and the Bulldogs took 3-points (7-3, 4-4ot) from the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

The Bulldogs are 2-2-2 over their last six games (UND, SCSU, MTU) and the Beavers are 1-4-1 (MTU, UAA, MSUM) over that same span.  UMD lead the BSU by a point in the standings, but both teams are feeling the pinch with Christmas break just around the corner.  If the Bulldogs can get a sweep this weekend at home they will almost even their record and further themselves from the Beavers.  I’m in the mindset that UMD has gotten their game back on track after a dismal start.  BULLDOGS SWEEP

#6 Denver @ #9 North Dakota

Last weekend the Pioneers got a point (1-1ot, 1-3) from the Badgers in Denver and NoDak split (3-5, 3-2ot) with the Tigers in Colorado Springs.

The Pioneers come to Grand Forks sitting atop the WCHA standings, five points ahead of NoDak; however NoDak has two games in hand on Denver.  The last time these teams met was the Final Five Championship game, which NoDak won 4-0. They met last season for a pair of games in late February in Denver, with the teams trading wins, UND 4-3 in the opener, and DU 5-3 in the rematch.  There has been some animosity between these two teams for a good decade now, it started back up with UND’s Robbie Bina getting checked from behind and suffering a broken neck.  Since then the dislike and contempt for each other has festered.  The most shocking moment was back on January 24, 2009, when DU coach Gwozdecky walked across the ice after being ejected from the game.  Anyway, back to this weekend, both teams fell a little flat last weekend and will obviously be trying to right the wrongs.  DU will be looking to find its scoring touch, after only scoring two goals last weekend.  UND is the opposite, they need to cut down on their opponents scoring chances and shoring up their defensive zone.  SPLIT

Michigan Tech @ Wisconsin

Last weekend the Huskies got a point (3-7, 4-4ot) from the Bulldogs in Houghton and on Tuesday night they lost to Northern Michigan (2-1) and the Badgers took 3-points (1-1ot, 3-1) from the Pioneers in Denver, last weekend.

It might be too early to say the Badgers have turned the corner, but after last weekend’s effort in Denver, fans in Madison have something to be merry about.  Meanwhile the Huskies have just two wins in their last ten games, 2-7-1, over that span. Of course, UW’s win last Saturday was their first October 26^th against UMD, and the Badgers have yet to win at home in the Kohl Center this season.  These two are currently tied in the standings with seven points apiece and I have a feeling they will still be tied come Sunday.  SPLIT

Drake Caggiula turning heads at North Dakota

UND freshman forward Drake Caggiula (Pickering, Ontario) is proving to be a very nice pickup for the University of North Dakota. Caggiula is a true freshman and came to UND from the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Through 14 games of the season, it would appear that Caggiula’s arrival on campus is turning out to be a very positive event.

While being listed at 5’10” 174 pounds on the roster, Caggiula plays as if he was bigger framed player. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him in street clothes, Caggiula has a physical aspect to his game and the freshman has been known to dish out big body checks; leaving the fans in awe.  Caggiula is also a very good skater, that can get down the ice very quickly and sees the ice very well.

After being held off of the score sheet three games in a row, the crafty forward has scored six points in his last seven games.

So far on the season, Caggiula has scored (5g-3a--8pts) in 14 games. 

It usually takes time to make the adjustment from junior hockey to Division I college hockey; Caggiula seems to be making the transition seamlessly.  Last weekend, UND traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado to play the Colorado College Tigers. UND split (3-5 L – 3-2 O.T. W) their weekend series with the Tigers and UND scored 6 goals on the weekend – Caggiula scored three of those six goals, including the game winning goal in overtime of Saturday night’s game.

This is what Caggiula had to say about making the transition from junior hockey to college hockey.

“I am not exactly sure,” Caggiula said. “Defiantly I think I am feeling more comfortable making plays that I would’ve made last year in juniors. Just being more confident in myself – I talked to my dad back home and he just said be confident in yourself – be confident in the plays that you can make – do your think and don’t be scared. Tried some things and they’re starting to work out for me.”

For most of the season, Caggiula has been playing on a forward line with the highly regarded Rocco Grimaldi and the two have had developed a chemistry that has made it tough for UND head coach Dave Hakstol to break up the two.

This is what Caggiula has to say about playing on the same line as Rocco Grimaldi.

Eric Classen/UND Athletics

“We got a lot of chemistry on and off the ice,” Caggiula said.” We have been hanging out quite a bit off of the ice which transfers very well on ice. Playing multi weekends together is defiantly key. We’ve built a lot of chemistry – were starting to know each – where we’re going to be – where we want them  to be – certain habits that we both have.  So definitely, playing with someone for that long creates a lot of experience.  I guess chemistry once again.”

If you look at the roster of UND over the last eight seasons, there have not been a lot of players at UND that have come from the OJHL. The only other player that I can remember during the tenure of Dave Hakstol former goalie Anthony Grieco who played for Wellington Dukes during the 2005-06 season.

Caggiula was asked about how he ended up playing at UND.

“Last year, I started out my season in the USHL playing for Des Moines,” Caggiula said. “I played in the preseason and the first four games of the year through that time UND started watching me and started recruiting me from there and then I returned back home to Stouffville Played my juniors there and UND said that was that was no problem – they said they’re still going to keep their eye on me. They followed me throughout the year and brought me in on a visit last year when they played C.C. at home and made my commitment on the visit.”

Caggiula is also making an impression on his head coach. This is what the head coach Dave Hakstol had to say about his freshman forward.

“That has a way of really building your confidence offensively,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “It’s nice to see a young player that’s offensively gifted finally start to have some things bounce his way, have him start to make plays with confidence. That’s a natural part of his development. Hopefully, we’ll continue to see that grow in the right direction.”

Playing at UND is a unique experience. There are no professional sports teams in North Dakota and with the NHL not playing due to the lockout; UND hockey is currently the most watched hockey team in North America.

This is what Caggiula has to say about playing in the Ralph Englestad Arena.

“It’s an unbelievable experience,” Caggiula said. “Playing back home in juniors you only play in front of 500 fans maybe. Coming here – playing in front of 12,000 strong fans every weekend at home – its unbelievable experience. They’re the greatest fans in the world – were the most followed team in North America right now with the lockout. It’s just a great experience to come out there and to have the screaming fans. Going to school, people congratulate you on how you played. Just the support from everyone it’s just an unbelievable.”

While Caggiula is finishing up his first semester at UND, it appears that the freshman from Pickering, Ontario is a good fit for UND going forward.

Originally Posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine.

Shore removes the doubt...

Although I appreciate the inquiry, I am excited to be with the pioneers and getting ready for North Dakota this weekend, hear arena is sick!
— Quentin Shore (@QShore27) December 5, 2012

Yesterday, Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News started quite a buzz on twitter as he tweeted, "Quentin Shore may be leaving NCAA Pioneers for #WHL Portland." Apparently, that rumor isn't true and Shore is staying with the Pioneers and will be in Grand Forks, ND for this weekends series against UND.

Quentin Shore not leaving Denver just yet - controversy surrounding Portland a factor
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) December 5, 2012

UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/7-12/8)

Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The University of North Dakota entertains the University of Denver Pioneers in an important two game WCHA series at Ralph Englestad Arena on December 7 and 8.

North Dakota (7-5-1, 4-2-2 WCHA) #9 USCHO and #9 USA Today Polls versus Denver #6 USCHO and #6 USA Today Polls (9-4-1, 7-2-1 WCHA)

Game times: 7:37 pm CT on Friday, 7:07 pm CT on Saturday.

Radio:  UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast and Audio:  UNDSPORTS.COM 

TV: Midco Sports Network, FOX College Sports Central, DirecTV 626

Series History: All-Time:  UND leads the series 135-116-8 (.537).  UND has a record of 80-42-5 (.650) against Denver in Grand Forks, ND. UND has a record of 50-67-3 (.429) in Denver, Colorado. UND record against DU at neutral sites, UND has a record of 5-7-0 (.417). Last 10 games against Denver, UND leads 6-4-0 (.600).

Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Danny Kristo (5g-9a—14pts), Rocco Grimaldi (5g-3a—8pts), Mark MacMillan (6g-5a—11pts), Corbin Knight (3g-11a—14pts),  Drake Caggiula (5g-3a—8pts). Defense:  Dillon Simpson (2g-4a—6pts), Andrew MacWilliam (1g-3a—4pts), Derek Forbort (3g-5a—8pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 5-3-2, 2.38 GAA, .921 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 2-2-0, 2.97 GAA, .902 save percentage.

Denver Pioneers: Nick Shore (6g-12a—18pts), Chris Knowlton (8g-7a—15pts), Daniel Doremus (7g-3a—10pts), Shawn Ostrow (4g-6a—12pts).  Defense: Joey LaLeggia  (6g-8a—14pts), David Makowski (5g-5a—10pts), Goaltenders: Adam Murray  2-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .935 save percentage, Juho Olkinuora  3-1-1, 2.15 GAA, .934 save percentage, Sam Brittain 4-3-0, 2.45 GAA, .918 save percentage.

UND Official Web Page

Denver Pioneers Officials Web Page

Originally posted at The Hockey Writers Combine.  

Related articles

• UND: The Weekend Ahead (11/30-12/1) (thehockeywriters.com)

Is Quentin Shore leaving DU for Portland of the WHL?

According to @thnryankennedy, Quentin Shore might be leaving the Denver Pioneers for the Portland Winterhawks.
— Cody Nickolet (@WHLFromAbove) December 5, 2012

My twitter feed has an interesting tweet pop up in the last few minutes. Apparently, there is a rumor out there that Denver Pioneers forward/defenseman Quentin Shore might be leaving the Pioneers mid-season to play with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.

This would be a big story if true. Of course, the minute this news comes out many fans are skeptical because of Portland's recent troubles with the WHL.

Quentin Shore is a freshman from Denver, Colorado and has played in 14 games and has scored (3g-4a-7pts) so far this season. Quetin's brother Nick Shore also plays for the Pioneers and the junior forward is the Pioneers leading scorer (6g-12a-18pts).

It this is true, it has not been a good day for NCAA hockey.

This news comes on the heals of Boston University sophomore forward Yasin Cisse leaving the Terriers for what appears to be the QMJHL.

Potential big news out of Denver: Quentin Shore may be leaving NCAA Pioneers for #WHL Portland
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) December 5, 2012

Grimaldi named to U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi is among 27 players named to the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster today by USA Hockey. The 27 players will attend training camp Dec. 16-18 at the New York Rangers' Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, N.Y. An additional camp will follow in Helsinki, Finland, with the final 23-man roster announcement scheduled for Dec. 23.

The 2013 U.S. National Junior Team will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.

Grimaldi has registered five goals and six assists in 14 games this season, tying him for fourth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) rookie scoring race. The Rossmoor, Calif., native has played in every game this season after missing all but four games last season due to injury.

The preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year and a second-round draft pick (33^rd overall) of the Florida Panthers in 2011, Grimaldi has extensive USA Hockey experience. Prior to coming to UND, Grimaldi spent the previous two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP), amassing 136 points in 120 games. He helped lead the United States to back-to-back gold medals at the 2011 and 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championships.

Grimaldi also was a part of the U.S. Under-18 Team that won the 2010 Four Nations Cup in Sundsvall, Sweden, where he was named the tournament’s top forward with six points in three games.

For more information, visit www.usahockey.com.

Grimaldi and ninth-ranked North Dakota will host sixth-ranked Denver on Friday and Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena. 

WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 8

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Each week, I participate in a WCHA Web Media Poll that is put on by the Tech Hockey Guide with 11 other people that represent both the print media as well as the hockey blogosphere.

The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs were the only team to move up more than one spot in this week’s poll. The Bulldogs jumped from 10th to eighth place after taking three crucial league points from the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Huskies dropped to ninth place in this week’s poll after only securing one point. The Beavers dropped two spots after being swept by the Minnesota State Mavericks.

Here is the results of this week’s the Tech Hockey Guide WCHA Web Media Poll for Week 8

	Team	Pts	Previous	Record	High	Low
1)	Denver (9)	139	1	9-4-1	1	3
2)	Minnesota (2)	131	2	10-3-2	1	3
3)	North Dakota	113	3	7-5-2	2	6
4)	Nebraska Omaha (1)	111	5	9-4-1	1	5
5)	St. Cloud State	102	4	8-6-0	3	6
6)	Colorado College	87	6	8-7-1	5	7
7)	Minnesota State	65	8	7-5-2	6	11
8)	Minnesota Duluth	51	10	4-7-3	8	10
9)	Michigan Tech	48	7	4-7-1	7	10
10)	Wisconsin	46	11	2-7-3	7	11
11)	Bemidji State	25	9	3-7-2	8	12
12)	Alaska Anchorage	18	12	3-5-4	10	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

• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 7 (thehockeywriters.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 6 (thehockeywriters.com)
• How they voted (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

DU and UND set to take center stage

This weekend, the University of North Dakota plays one of their bitter rivals the Denver Pioneers. All you have to do is look at some of the hundreds of videos of UND and DU on YouTube to realize the two teams don’t really like each other very much.

Personally, I would liken the DU and UND match-up to college hockey's version the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s feud. Ironically, the head Villain is the head coach of the Denver Pioneers George Gwozdecky.  Personally, I admire Gwozdecky, I think he is a very good coach that expects a lot out of his players.



Ironically, in the modern time, I have only seen one college hockey players get into two fights in a single game and that player was former UND forward/defenseman Kyle Radke.



Whenever these two teams play against each other, it's like throwing gas on a already raging 10 alarm fire. The games are exciting, tense and ussually instant classics.



Here is one of my favorite memories in recent times between UND and DU. Matt Frattin's game winning goal during the 2011 WCHA Final Five. UND would meet Denver again in the regional finals and beat Denver again 6-1, to advance to the Frozen Four.

It's only fitting, that when the B1G made it's announcement that they would begin league play in the 2013-14 season, a new league was formed known as the NCHC. Word has it that the first call Gwozdecky made was to UND athletic director Brian Faison.  

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: 12/02/12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 11/25/2012 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 11/18/2012 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 11/11/2012 (insidehockey.com)

I like it..

Bay State (ROAD) Sports blog had this posted on his blog and I thought it was worth posting. I hope we hear this song a lot this weekend against our heated rivals the Denver Pioneers. For the latest in smack talk check out the DU Sports Blog.

Ogilthorpe the movie...

Another hockey movie, Ogilthorpe, the guy from the movie Slap Shot, I can't wait to see it. I also read that there will be an sequel to the movie Goon as well.

Though I do feel the need to clarify something from the last article I posted, GOON 2 will be written by @jessechabot and myself.1/2
— Jay Baruchel(@BaruchelNDG) September 24, 2012

Tuesday Night Tilt (by Sioux 7)

In a rare Tuesday night game, this year, two old rivals go out.  So, here is an early week prediction.

Michigan Tech (4-7-1 overall) @ Northern Michigan (5-8-3 overall) (Tuesday)

Last weekend the Huskies got a point (3-7, 4-4ot) from the Bulldogs in Houghton and the Wildcats were swept (4-2, 1-0) on the road, by their CCHA foe Western Michigan.

This will be the first meeting this season between these two Upper Peninsula hockey teams.  It is the battle of the Cats and Dogs in Marquette on Tuesday evening.  Next year this will be a conference games as NMU will re-join the WCHA after a twelve year absence.  I’m going with MTU in this Yopper tilt, since they were at home this past weekend.  HUSKIES WIN

Edit: How they voted

Each week 12 us of vote in the WCHA Web Media Poll put on by the Tech Hockey Guide. There are approximately five of us put our picks on-line.

Chris Dilks of Western College Hockey

1. Denver
2. Minnesota
3. North Dakota
4. Nebraska
5. Colorado
6. St. Cloud State
7. Minnesota State
8. Wisconsin
9. Minnesota-Duluth
10. Michigan Tech
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska-Anchorage

Andy Johnson of Bucky’s Fifth quarter

1. DU
2. UMTC
3. UND
4. SCSU
5. UNO
6. CC
7. Mankato
8. Wisconsin
9. UMD
10. Tech
11. Bemidji
12. UAA

Eric Burton of Goon’s World

1. Denver University
2. University of North Dakota
3. Minnesota Gophers
4. Nebraska Omaha
5. Saint Cloud State
6. Colorado College
7. Minnesota State Mankato
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Michigan Tech
10. Wisconsin
11. Alaska Anchorage
12. Bemidji State

Troy Mills of the Beaver Pond

1.) DU
2.) UND
3.) UMN
4.) SCSU
5.) UNO
6.) CC
7.) MANKATO
8.) DULUTH
9.) Michigan Tech
10.) WISCONSIN
11.) BSU
12.) UAA

Matthew Semisch Radio Free Omaha

1.)DU
2.)UMN
3.)SCSU
4.) UNO
5.) UND
6.) CC
7.) MTU
8.) UMD
9.) UW
10.) MSU
11.) BSU
12.)UAA

Related articles

• EDIT: How some of us voted in WCHA Web Media Poll.

UND drops to 9th in USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

December 03, 2012
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 New Hampshire (31) 11- 1-2 977 2
2 Boston College (19) 11- 2-0 965 1
3 Miami 9- 2-3 883 4
4 Minnesota 10- 3-2 806 3
5 Notre Dame 11- 4-0 791 6
6 Denver 9- 4-1 674 5
7 Boston University 8- 5-0 644 9
7 Western Michigan 8- 3-1 644 10
9 North Dakota 7- 5-2 636 7
10 Dartmouth 6- 2-2 459 11
11 Cornell 6- 3-2 453 12
12 Union 8- 3-2 433 8
13 Quinnipiac 10- 3-2 418 16
14 Nebraska-Omaha 9- 4-1 411 13
15 Yale 6- 2-1 316 15
16 Ferris State 7- 4-3 254 17
17 St. Cloud State 8- 6-0 224 14
18 Niagara 10- 2-3 155 20
19 Colorado College 8- 7-1 145 18
20 Harvard 4- 3-0 123 19
Others receiving votes: Ohio State 59, Providence 15, Alaska 5, Michigan 3,
Minnesota State 2, St. Lawrence 2, Colgate 1, Holy Cross 1, Massachusetts 1.

C.C. and UND game highlights.

This would be the hometown news for Colorado Springs. It's nice to see a few highlights from Saturday's game. This is a shame, there is no reason that the high profile college hockey games can't be on television. A B2 broadcast is not acceptable.

Are the various leagues going to share officials?

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Someone had this article posted on USCHO.

Seeing this article makes my stomach turn when I read this misguided propaganda from the WCHA commissioner.

My first reaction, no thanks and next. Let the WCHA keep their current crew band of bumbling buffoons of referees. I like many NCHC fans, would like to start out new with a different set of officials that aren't currently referring games in the WCHA.I have had a few people tell me that they would like to see a Shepherd free NCHC and I agree with this thought process.

Danny Martin; newsminer.com --- Regarding on-ice officials, McLeod said the revamped WCHA plans to have a core of officials but are planning to propose sharing officials among other leagues.

“We’re going to try to have a minimum number of games that they have to commit to the WCHA, but we’re trying to allow them to work other leagues, too,” he said.

McLeod said the revamped WCHA also will be taking into consideration an NCAA rule that once an official has worked 15 games in a league, he is committed to that league.

“You cannot officiate those games (in other leagues) from a neutrality standpoint,” he said. “We’re really conscious of a lot of those things. We want to have our core group of officials, but there will be hopefully some sharing of officials.”

There are very few officials that I would like to see in the NCHC that are currently working in the WCHA, Butch Mousseaux is one that comes to mind that I would like to see in the NCHC. Mousseaux is one of the more liked officials in the WCHA. My biggest disappointment is that the NCHC hired Don Adam to be their head of officials. This season, Adam has been paired with WCHA official Tim Walsh.

This is a perfect opportunity to start fresh and hire new officials instead of re-using officials currently in the WCHA. If anything, I would recommend that the NCHC brass reject this idea.