UND made 3 Million + Men's Hockey Ticket Sales.

University of North Dakota	Unit ID: 200280
General Information	Athletic Department Information
264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193 Grand Forks,  ND 58202-8193 Phone: 800-225-5863 Number of Full-time Undergraduates: 9,265 Men: 4,897 Women: 4,368	Director: Brian Faison 2751 2nd Avenue North Stop 9013 GRAND FORKS,  ND 58202-9013 Reporting Year: 7/1/2011 - 6/30/2012 Reporting Official: Erik Martinson Title: Business Operations Phone: 701-777-0835 Sanctioning Body: NCAA Division I-AA

Total Revenues by Team
Varsity Teams	Men's Teams	Women's Teams	Total
Basketball	$1,047,088	$1,025,953	$2,073,041
Football	$2,961,719		$2,961,719
Total Revenues of all Sports, Except Football and Basketball, Combined	$5,660,001	$3,899,711	$9,559,712
Total Revenues Men's and Women's Teams	$9,668,808	$4,925,664	$14,594,472
Not Allocated by Gender/Sport			$2,917,820
Grand Total for all Teams (includes by team and not allocated by gender/sport)			$17,512,292
CAVEAT
Men's hockey had an exceptional year with $3,318211.00 in ticket sales for FY12.

You can get all of the stats by searching on this link [click to search]

Former College Hockey Players in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played college hockey (Division I & III).

The players are listed by their NHL team. These are players that have played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.

This list doesn’t include players that are currently injured or that on their teams roster, but haven’t played at least one Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list weekly.

Anaheim Ducks

Nick Bonino, F, Boston University, 4 GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Kyle Palmieri, F, Notre Dame, 4 GP, (1g-2a—3pts)

Andrew Cogliano, F, University of Michigan, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Ben Lovejoy, D, Dartmouth, 4 GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

David Steckel, F, Ohio State, 4 GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Daniel Winnik, F, New Hampshire, 4 GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Boston Bruins

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 2 GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 4GP, (4g-1a—5pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 4GP, (1g-2a—3pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 4GP, (0G-1A—1pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jonathon Toews,F,  North Dakota, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Detroit Red Wings

Brendan Smith, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Gustav Nyquist, F, Maine, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Patrick Eaves, F, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Justin Abdelkader, F, Michigan State, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Danny Dekeyser, D, Western Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jimmy Howard, G, Maine, 2-2, .900 SV%, 2.82 GAA

LA Kings

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 2Gp, (0g-2a—2tps)

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 4GP, 2-2, .941 SV% 1.67 GAA

Minnesota Wild

Matt Cullen, F, St. Cloud, 4GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Jason Zucker, F, Denver, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Charlie Coyle, F, Boston University, 4GP, (0a-2a—2pts)

Zach Parise, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Tom Gilbert, D, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ryan Suter, D, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Torrey Mitchell, F, Vermont, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Montreal Canadiens

Rene Bourque, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Brian Gionta, F, Boston College, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jeff Halpern, F, Princeton University, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Max Pacioretty, F, Michigan, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

New York Islanders

Kyle Okposo, F, Minnesota, 4GP, (3g-1a—4pts)

Matt Moulson, F, Cornell, 4GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Colin McDonald, F, Providence, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Keith Aucoin, F, Norwich University, 4GP, (0a-1a—1pts)

Brad Strait, D, Boston University, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Marty Reasoner, F, Boston College, 1 GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

New York Rangers

Brian Boyle, F, Boston College, 2 GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Ryan McDonagh, D, Wisconsin, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Carl Hagelin, F, Michigan, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Derek Stepan, F, Wisconsin, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Darroll Powe, F, Princeton, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Kreider, F, Boston College, 1 GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ottawa Senators

Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Erik Condra, F, Notre Dame, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Cory Conacher, F, Canisius College 3GP, (1G-0a—1pts)

Eric Gryba, D, Boston University, 2Gp, (0g-0a—0pts)

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Denver, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 4Gp, (2g-2a—4pts)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 4GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (4g-4a—8pts)

Dan Boyle, D, Miami, 4GP, (1g-3a—4pts)

Tommy Wingels, F, Miami, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Justin Braun, D, UMass, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Irwin, D, UMass, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tim Kennedy, F, Michigan State, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Adam Burish, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

T.J. Galiardi, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

St. Louis Blues

T.J. Oshie, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Kevin Shattenkirk, D, Boston University, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

David Backes, F, Minnesota State, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Jordan Leopold, D, Minnesota, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Andy McDonald, D, Colgate, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Porter, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jaden Schwartz, F, Colorado College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Brian Elliott, G, Wisconsin, 4GP, 2-2, .935 SV% 1.67

Toronto Maple Leafs

James Van Riemsdyk, F, New Hampshire, 3GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Phil Kessel, F, Minnesota, 3GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Jake Gardiner, D, Wisconsin, 2GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Matt Frattin, F, North Dakota, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tyler Bozak, F, Denver, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

John-Michael Liles, D, Michigan State, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ryan O’Byrne, D, Cornell, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Michael Kostka, D, UMass, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Vancouver Canucks (Eliminated 4-0 by the Sharks)

Ryan Kessler, F, Ohio State, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Kevin Bieksa, D, Bowling Green, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Andrew Alberts, D, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Higgins, F, Yale, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Mason Raymond, F, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Andrew Ebbett, F, Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jason Garrison, D, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cory Schneider, G, Boston College, 2GP, 0-2, .880 SV%, 4.62 GAA

Washington Capitals

Jay Beagle, F, Anchorage, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Jack Hillen, F, Colorado College, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Steven Oleksy, D, Lake Superior State, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Hendricks, F, Saint Cloud, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine...

You have to love Adam Burish’s candor

This was golden, I know this is a day old but It’s worth the read if you haven’t seen it yet. Former Badger forward and current San Jose Shark Adam Burish responded to Vancouver Canucks defenseman Bieska’s charges that the Sharks were embellishing during their series against the Canucks. On its face, this charge is hilarious, if not preposterous, because the Canucks are known around the National Hockey League as being perpetual divers and have two of the biggest divers in the league. Check it out.

Kevin Kurz, CSNBayArea.com -- [Adam] Burish offered a suggestion to the Vancouver defenseman.

“I guess it if I was him, while he's up on his soap box trying to save the integrity of the game and doing all that stuff, I'd swing by player No. 14 (Alex Burrows) and player No. 17 (Ryan Kesler) – The Beast – and have a little talk with them about diving and the integrity. Then he can work his way over to our room.

“But, I'd start with those two guys in his room.”

Burish wasn't done.

“It was silly to call out the refs and worry about what we're doing. Please, keep worrying about us. But, in our room we're going to worry about our guys, what we've got to do, how we can be better and not worry about the integrity of the game and have props in interviews, and act like a lawyer with video evidence."

This is one of the reasons that no one likes the Vancouver Canucks outside of the Province of British Colombia. The point is also mute now, because the Canucks were eliminated by the Sharks last night.

Chris Neil elbows P.K. Subban and he embellishes yet again

I thought this was funny, even the announcers think that P.K. Subban embellished in an attempt to get the a call from the referee. I also think this is why some people don't like Subban and his antics. I have said this a thousand times, he's an awesome talent, it's the other crap that takes away from his game. I will give him a 4.5 on that one. If Chris Neil really wanted to elbow him, he would know it.

Niklas Kronwall's hit on Emerson Etem

s/t to Kuklas Korner... Last night was pretty tame night of hockey, compared to the night before. Obviously, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators gave us a lot to talk about, but no one was suspended, ironically… I am not sure how that happened.

On Monday night, the other series just played hockey and scored goals, there wasn’t a lot of controversy. In the L.A. and St. Louis series, both teams kept hitting each other. According to Don Cherry of the Coaches Corner there was 92 hits in game three.

This hit is for my two delusional buddies Mafia Man and Redwing77, who for whatever reason enjoy watching paint dry… I mean, watching the Detroit Red Wings play hockey.

Don Cherry talks about Josh Harding on HNIC Coach's Corner

On tonight's Coach's Corner, Don Cherry mentioned Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding. I thought it was a nice touch by Don Cherry. I was talking to someone the other day, and it would make a nice story if the Minnesota Wild were able to make it out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Obviously, it's a tall order, especially against the Presidents Trophy winning Blackhawks and with a goalie that hasn't played very much the last few years. No matter what happens to the Wild going forward, I think that Josh Harding has played pretty well.

Bieksa accuses Sharks of embellishment

"Whether you think we’re embellishers or not doesn’t take away the fact those 2 guys are doing it as well. Forget about the past." - Bieksa
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 6, 2013

This is funny stuff... apparently, Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Kevin Bieksa is accusing the San Jose Sharks of embellishing and head snapping. You can't make this stuff up. Seriously! This is coming from a guy that has on it's team roster such clownish buffoons as Alex Burrows, and Maxim Lapierre, two of the biggest frauds in the NHL. I don't know how he can say this with a straight face. Let's not forget that this is the roster that also includes accomplished divers Henrick and Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kessler, evidence included below. This is way too funny. Maybe Bieksa should worry about his own team first.

More Bieksa: “Those are 2 Canadian guys who are supposed to be playing the game with integrity. Maybe our team has to do more of that.”
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 6, 2013

(This stuff is gold.) Bieksa: “Couture has been snapping his head back. This isn’t my opinion. The evidence is in the video.”
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 6, 2013

Rene Bourque elbow on Cory Conacher

So, I want to know why Montreal Canadiens forward Rene Bourque isn't getting a call from the NHL’s Department of Players Safety today for this vicious elbow on Senators forward Cory Conacher? Seriously? Looking at the video evidence last night’s game, I have concluded that this elbow is just as bad, if not worse than the elbow that resulted in Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference getting suspended for one game. I would really love to hear what others think of this elbow. Why do you think that there is no suspension coming?

Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Donnybrook; P.K. Subban is a clown

Tonight, the Montreal Canadiens acted like a bunch of classless hacks. I don't know who the bigger clown is, P.K. Subban or the head coach of the Montreal Canadians. I don't blame the Ottawa Senators for taking the Habs to the wood shed tonight, Canadiens were begging for a beat down and they kept slashing the Senators and they obliged the Canadiens.

I also don't blame the Senators head coach Paul MacLean who called a timeout very late in the game. Make that 17 seconds left in the game. Of course the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens didn't like it. “As far as I’m concerned, it was classless,” Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien said.



Finally, talking about classless hacks. P.K. Subban runs his mouth up and down the ice, the guy is an absolute circus clown. Subban leaves his feet to check his opponent and is basically a two bit punk. When asked to fight, Subban turtles or runs and hides behind the refs, unless it's someone that weighs less than him.

Tonight, Subban (6'0" 200 lbs) fought heavy weight fighter Kyle Turris (6'0" 170 lbs), who is another player that is not known for his fighting prowess, according to Hockeyfights.com, Turris has been in three fights during his NHL career. Subban should really be proud of this fight, then he breaks the hockey code by punching Turris as he lays on the ice while he is tied up by the official.

subban leaving feet in gm1 RT @sensprospects Besides outcome, how is this hit diff than Gryba's hit? Guess allowed twitter.com/SensProspects/…
— sensblog (@sensblog) May 4, 2013

A bit of randomness from RW77

University of Alaska Anchorage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, it's been a while since I posted here and there's a few random things I'm going to mini-rant about.  Before I do, however, I freely acknowledge that I'm no expert and that these are MY OPINIONS ONLY.

Ok....

Sure, I'll take on a job that's sure to be a lost cause...

That's my take on what a coach would have to think about when accepting the UAA Head Coaching gig.  As a UND fan, you don't get much insight into the internals and the atmosphere around the UAA program in Anchorage, but over the period of time from the end of Hill's tenure until now, it seems like it's just one bad year after another.  Sure, there were a few "ups" along the way but comon...

Now everyone, including alumni and former players, are giving the vote of No Confidence to UAA AD Steve Cobb.  I find myself wondering if Cobb is behind all of it, or is it above even him?

I can't imagine trying to sell UAA to a player from...say... Massachusetts, California, or even the Midwest.  It's so far away and isolated (even if it is a wonderful place...at least that's how I remember Anchorage anyhow).  I remember thinking during the coaching search after Hill left that whoever gets that job will inherit the toughest coaching gig in the WCHA and certainly among the hardest in all of DI hockey.

It seems that NO ONE wants to go to Anchorage.  So, if you keep on dreaming of diamonds being found in the rough that you convince to come to campus, how can you not have bad years year after year?

I don't think UAA should fold their program.  I do think they have something to bring to the table, but UAA is a big time dependent upon institutional support.  If it doesn't get it, it goes under.  I'd venture the same thing goes for MTU and even UNO (living in Omaha, I can tell you if the Husker football team is playing, no one gives a flying bleep about UNO hockey).  UNO gets it.  I believe MTU has gotten it as well.  UAA definitely does not... at least not totally.  If it goes completely, then it will follow the math UAH did but succeed and go the way of Findlay, Iona, and Wayne State.

Submariners on Skates

I despise diving.  I also despise officials that take forever to get the game going again after reviewing it but....  I think that's what's going to have to happen.  I am convinced that on ice officials do not call diving as much as they should because they cannot recognize diving when they see it in real time.  The truth is that diving has become a part of the game.  Not just because the refs don't call it when it happens, but because the coaches (at best) ignore it when players do it or, even worse, condone such acts.  Even the media at times refers to a clever dive as "Drawing a penalty."  (Though I admit freely that not every time a player draws a penalty is he diving).

I think the only ways to eliminate diving are long term or unacceptable solutions.  The long term is simply to replace all the coaches in amateur hockey with hockey coaches that have a heavy hand against diving.  They teach that it is wrong and do something about it when they see it (with or without their rose colored glasses).  There's nothing to say that this is even possible, either.

Secondly, use the replay system... post game.  If the head office spots a dive by another player, that player is brought in for a conduct review and a 1 or 2 game suspension gets handed out for diving after the fact. 

Related articles

• UAA Suspends Search For Head Hockey Coach (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
• Hockey alums give AD a no-confidence vote (sfgate.com)
• UNO Hockey: Ryan Walters to return for senior year (thehockeywriters.com)
• UAA arena to be called Alaska Airlines Center (sfgate.com)
• AD Steve Cobb Interview on UAA Firing/New Arena (thearu.com)

Jason Zucker game winner against the Blackhawks

For the most part I thought that the Minnesota Wild were the better team today, except for the two-four  minute period of time where the Minnesota Wild tried to sit on the lead and it came back to bite them in the back side.

Zucker: On the game winning goal "I Just tried to get it to the net and tried to go up high cause it was open and it did." #mnwild
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

Zucker: "That crowd was unbelievable and you feed on that stuff."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

Did Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick call out Sidney Crosby for taking a dive?

I might have to admit, that I agree with Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick on this one here. I thought it was a bad call. I also thought that Sidney Crosby went down really easy. The word embellishment was on the tip of my tongue as well, after I saw the play live.

If I am not mistaken, they're kind of accusing Sidney Crosby of taking a bit of a dive there... Is that what others are hearing too? I am hearing buzz words here. Pittsburgh was the beneficiaries of a somewhat sketchy call at the end. Crosby also goes down a little bit too easy there. Hum!

Love reading all the tweets about today's games. Even all the bitching and whining those certain classless penguin fans r doing. Comical
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) May 5, 2013

(Video) Jason Zucker levels Brent Seabrook and then stands over him....

In the first two games of the series the Minnesota Wild got outhit, out-hustled and were beat to the puck in every instance. Through two periods of play the Wild have been better. I think it's a fitting way to end the period. Nice hit by Wild forward Jason Zucker as he put a nice hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook

Dion Phaneuf’s High Hit On Daniel Paille

Obviously, we have heard of no hearing or potential suspension upcoming for Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf’s high, questionable hit on Boston forward Daniel Paille during Game 2 Saturday night in Boston. The Bruins have to pick their spots against Phaneuf, because he really isn't known for dropping the gloves either, he likes to hide behind his half shield and the Bruins don't want to get an unnecessary penalty for taking a run at Phaneuf. Getting the win in the series is more important than evening a score against Phaneuf.

This is the reason that I want to see the instigator hit removed from the game of hockey. I think if a player had to answer for their hits on the ice more often. There would be less of these high hits to the head region. I no problem with players that want to play a hitting game – hitting is part of the game of hockey, but you can hit people hard without hitting them in the head.

Wes Walz pokes fun at the Sedin twins

I suppose in today's world someone will take offense to this and probably will complain. To be honest with you, I hate the Vancouver Canucks, I think their a bunch of divers, cry babies and frauds. So, I am inclined to cut Wes Walz some slack and laugh with him on this one... Plus, he's a former Bruins and Wild player.

Carey Price appears to lose a tooth

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price took a skate to the face from fellow teammate Jared Tinordi. At the whistle, Price skated to Canadiens bench and it looks like he handed the trainer his dislodged tooth. So, the first thought that comes to mind. Is there a bare nerve in Price’s mouth?  All I can say is ouch! That has to hurt? Nothing hurts more than losing teeth and air on a bare nerve. One has to wonder; don't these guys wear mouth guards?

(Video) Eric Gryba gets 2-game ban

So, now we suspend players in the NHL for legal hits? According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Senators Eric Gryba is going to get a two game ban for his hit on Lars Eller.

When I first saw the hit, I thought the hit in question was a head shot, but after further review it was pretty obvious that the hit was a vicious, but legal shoulder-to-torso hit, in my opinion this is also not a violation of the NHL's rule 48. So I guess, it's a legal hit unless the player you're hitting is a player from the Montréal Canadiens.

Two game suspension for OTT's Eric Gryba.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 3, 2013

Dustin Brown knees Jaden Schwartz

s/t to Kukla Korner... So, L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown was suspended two games a week and a half ago for elbowing the  Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville, probably ending his season and now we see Brown doing this. Last night, Brown was assessed a two minute minor at the 16:58 mark of the first period for tripping Blues forward Jaden Schwartz, but you can see this could have been a lot worse.

So, I am interested in knowing what the explanation for this one is? To me, it would appear that Brown didn't learn his lesson from last week. We are told that he's not a dirty player and that he's only been suspended once by the NHL. I guess, I don't think he's a dirty player either, but the fact remains that he's leading with his elbow.

I am wondering why more people more upset with this hit?  We have a guy that was hurt by what appears to be a legal hit, the guy that hit him is going to have a hearing today and the hit in question is receiving a ton of chatter. If Brown connects with that elbow on Jaden Schwartz, he probably has  yet another hearing. This would be his second in a two week period.  Had Brown been facing another hearing, he would've been probably been facing his  second  suspension in less than two weeks. Thoughts on this one. Edit: Gryba was given a two game suspension by the NHL for his hit on Eller.

Front page of Ottawa Sun causing stir

Apparently, the front page of this morning's Ottawa Sun is causing a stir in Canada.

Today In Tastefulness: Ottawa newspaper mocks a bloodied & concussed Lars Eller on cover. (Pic) bit.ly/18yXi5Y
— theScore (@theScore) May 3, 2013

NHL: Gryba to have hearing on Eller hit

"It's a clean hit with a bad result," Former NHL official Kerry Fraser. I don't believe there should be any [supplemental discipline], Fraser continued.

NHL.com -- The NHL has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Ottawa Senators defenseman Eric Gryba on Friday for his hit on Lars Eller of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.

With just under 6 1/2 minutes left in the second period of Thursday night's game, Gryba caught Eller with a crunching hit at the blue line as the Canadiens forward was receiving a pass from defenseman Raphael Diaz. Eller was taken off the ice on a stretcher after landing face-first following the hit. He was expected to spend the night at the hospital with head and facial injuries, according to the Canadiens.

The following grounds for potential supplemental discipline are being considered: Illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to these infractions accordingly upon further review.

Gryba was assessed a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct on the play. Montreal scored once during the long power play, but Ottawa rallied with three goals in the third period for a 4-2 victory.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Friday night in Montreal.

Here is what the head coach of the Senators coach Paul MacLean had to say about the hit.

"(If I’m Eller), I’m really mad at player 61 [Raphael Diaz], whoever he is, because he passed me the puck in the middle of the rink when I wasn’t looking,” said MacLean. "That’s always been a dangerous place as far as I know. Ever since I’ve been playing this game, that’s a dangerous place to be — bad things happen."

@goon48 hit to the head. #MTLvsOTT twitter.com/AndyMPressoir/…
— JRoads ™ (@JRoadsreal) May 3, 2013

Related articles

• Lars Eller destroyed by Eric Gryba (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Edit: Lars Eller destroyed by Eric Gryba

After watching some of the analysis post hit, I am not sure we need to page the NHL Department of Player Safety. Former NHL official Kerry Fraser gives us a pretty good explanation of what happened with hit and they had the benefit of having a big screen TV screen to break down the hit.

Edit: Senators defenseman Eric Gryba absolutely destroys Montréal Canadiens forward Lars Eller with a vicious shoulder-to-torso hit, in my opinion this is probably not a violation of the NHL's rule 48. Also, I would not be too happy with my teammate for making that suicide pass.

Andrew Ference suspended for Game 2 for his elbow on

One game suspension for Ference, as expected RT @nhlplayersafety: Andrew Ference suspension video. bit.ly/ZqnxaU #BruinsTalk
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 2, 2013

Andrew Ference is lucky that it was during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs or his suspension would have been longer, this was a violation of the NHL's Rule 48 and his like this are unacceptable. Even though I am fan of the Boston Bruins and Andrew Ference, this is the right call by the NHL.

Do fans have unrealistic expectations?

I was reading Brad Schlossman’s blog the other day when I found a couple of posts from fans that I found to be; well interesting... Having been to numerous media days and press scrums, I was wondering what do the fans think that that media should members should ask the head coach? I mean seriously? There is a level of decorum and what is expected of the members of the media as well. Just because a question is asked, doesn't mean the coach would have to answer the question either.

Lastly, I live in this town too, and I am not seeing a big grown swell of dissatisfied UND hockey fans that want the head coach run out of town. Sure fans are upset with UND’s early exit from the NCAA tourney, but the UND's not going to win the NCAA tourney every season. It's just not possible. Or realistic. That’s life.

I am not sure what Brad or Tom Miller could ask Hakstol on the subject that would satisfy some of the fans that are unhappy with head coach Dave Hakstol. Whatever Dave does, he’s going to have his distractors. It’s also very easy to sit behind a computer screen and snipe at people, however, it much more different to stand or sit, in front of that person and face them and question their actions. That’s a fact of life.

(Video) Andrew Ference to have hearing for his elbow on Mikhail Grabovski

After I saw this elbow, I had a feeling that Andrew Ference was going to get some scrutiny from the Department of Player Safety for this elbow on Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovskiand, and he will. Ference has a hearing today with the Department of Player Safety. I have to think that he will be getting at least a game suspension for this hit.

Word out of Boston. #Bruins Ference will have an #NHL discipline hearing mid-afternoon 2day for his elbow on #Leafs Grabovski.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) May 2, 2013

Related articles

• Andrew Ference elbow on Mikhail Grabovski (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Marchand get speared “in the privates”

It's pretty obvious why Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn’t very happy with Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk after Wednesday’s Game 1. Yikes, I am also happy that Marchand didn't connect with van Riemsdyk, that might have ended up being a suspension.

Marty Reasoner leg check on Jussi Jokinen and shenanigans

You could see this play coming, that's why I included the play leading up to this hit by the New York Islanders forward Marty Reasoner on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen. Both teams were taking runs at each other at the end of a 5-0 game.

If you watch the video, you will see Jokinen looked up to see if the ref was going to call a penalty. Reasoner was assessed a five minute major for kneeing and given a game misconduct.

Andrew Ference elbow on Mikhail Grabovski

Someone mentioned this hit on twitter. I thought originally that Mikhail Grabovski had taken a dive but after further review you can see that he took an elbow to the face from Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference. Bruins fans have to hope that Andrew Ference isn't suspended by the National Hockey Leagues department of player safety. I can bet that Ference will at least be fined for this hit. Last week, Dustin Brown was given a two game suspension for a hit to the head of Jason Pominville.

Bruins vs. Leafs

Tyler Seguin during a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2010-11 season (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Boston 28-14-6 vs. Toronto 26-17-5 

Season Series: The Bruins had a 3-1 record against the Maple Leafs this season. 2-0 in Boston and 1-1 in Toronto.

For the first time in nine seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s right, last time the Maple Leafs made the Stanley Cup Playoffs was during the 2003-04 season.

So, starting tonight, the Leafs are trying to shed the label as the Make Me Laughs. Looking at the history books, the Maple Leafs are also the last “Original Six” team to win a Stanley Cup Championship (1967). That means If my math is correct, that 46 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup. The Bruins ended a 39 year drought when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

One of the stories lines is former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, who was traded to Toronto and the struggles he has had against his former team scoring (3g-6a—9pts) in 22 games against the Bruins. Kessel also didn't want to talk to the media in Toronto this week, either.

Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun – Phil Kessel has managed the impossible — he’s pulled a disappearing act before the playoff series begins against the Boston Bruins.

And in doing so, refusing to fulfil his contractual obligations and meet with the media, he wound up embarrassing team management in the process.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said general manager Dave Nonis, when apparently informed of Kessel’s unwillingness to play meet the press on Monday afternoon and doing his best to explain why. Nonis was clearly unimpressed with Kessel’s silence.

“We’ll deal with it internally,” said Nonis, who added. “Our players will be available on a going forward basis.”

Lets hope that the Boston Bruins make young Nazem Kadri eat his words, I don't know about you, but that looks like bulletin board material to me.

Nazem Kadri: "This is a very, very winnable series."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 1, 2013

(Video) Corey Perry Goalie interference on Jimmy Howard

This could have been a very dangerous play, which could have had a bad end result as Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry's skate was very close to the head area of Detroit Redwings goalie Jimmy Howard. Obviously, it wasn't what I would call a deliberate or a dirty play, it was just a dangerous play. Perry was doing what all good forwards do, he was going hard to the net. Goalies are in a dangerous field. Thank God we didn't have another Clint Malarchuk injury on our hands.

(Video) Jonathan Quick turns over the puck, and game to the Blues in O.T.

I do think that Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick would like to have that play back, not a good play, at the wrong time of the game. So, tomorrow's newspapers will read, at the 13:26 mark of overtime, Blues forward Alexander Steen scores the game winning goal off of a untimely turnover by Los Angeles Kings all-world goalie Jonathan Quick. Blues lead the series 1-0.

(Video) Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom injured during warm ups.

Shall we say that the series is not starting out well for the Minnesota Wild, as their starting goalie Niklas Backstrom was injured during warm ups. The Wild's Backstrom was tied for first in wins with Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi.

The backup goalie, Josh Harding has played in only five games all season long and only two games since January 30, 2013 and was unimpressive in relief against the Edmonton Oilers letting in three goals in the first four shots that he faced. The line on Harding, 1-1-0 .863 Save percentage and 3.20 GAA.

SCP: Blackhawks (Toews) vs. Wild (Parise)

Wild (26-19-3) 8^th vs. Blackhawks (36-7-5)1^st

Game 1: at Chicago Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:00 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

Game 2: at Chicago Friday, May 3, 2013 8:30 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

Game 3: at Minnesota Sunday May 5, 2013 2:00 PM CT, CBC, NBC

Game 4: at Minnesota Tuesday, April 30, 2013 May 7, 8:30 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

GAME 5: at Chicago Thursday May 9, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

GAME 6: at Minnesota Saturday May 11, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

GAME 7: at Chicago Sunday May 12, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

On paper this series looks like a mismatch and one that could be very short series if the Wild don’t right their ship. You have the President’s Trophy winner versus a team that basically backed into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the last day of the season. The Wild went 1-2 against the Chicago Blackhawks this season.

How bad were the Wild?

The Wild went 5-8-1 during the month of April and had to be the lowly Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on the last game of the season, to gain the eighth and final playoff spot.

Two Former Sioux go head-to-head  

 There is an interesting series side note; you have two former Fighting Sioux forwards Zach Parise (18g-20a—38pts) and Jonathan Toews (23g-25a—48pts) who both played two seasons at the University of North Dakota. Currently, both are leaders on their current squads, as well.

While neither player played with each other, while they were at the University of North Dakota.  Parise (49g-67a—116pts) played at UND from 2002-04 and Toews (40g-45a—85pts) played at UND from 2005-07. Both players enjoy icon like status at the University of North Dakota and in city of Grand Forks.

The Quest For The Cup Begins!

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, starting tomorrow night. Who's your choice to win the Stanley Cup?