NHL Linesmen and Refs announced for the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals

Referees assigned to the Stanley Cup Final: Wes McCauley, Dan O'Halloran, Chris Rooney, Brad Watson.
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) June 9, 2013

The NHL refs and linesmen have been announced according to Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca. Missing is veteran NHL official Stephen Walkom who is supposed to be one of the best in the NHL.

Linesmen assigned to Stanley Cup Final: Shane Heyer, Brian Murphy, Pierre Racicot, Jay Sharrers.
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) June 9, 2013

Related articles

• Referee Stephen Walkom no goal call (Video) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Patrick Kane goal; no penalty called on the play

This was the go-ahead goal by Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, the L.A. Kings were unhappy and felt that there should have been a penalty called on the play. After further review, it might have been the right call on the play. That being said, the goalie needs to be ready at all time, regardless. Jonathan Quick struggled early in the game.

Replay appears to show Williams going down on his own. Good non-call.
— Steve McAllister (@yahoomac) June 9, 2013

More Penguins Humor

Eastern Conference Finals: If only the refs called more penalties

Boston Bruins (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am seeing a theme emerge this morning, the non-call that led to the game winning goal in game three in overtime, the uncalled interference call on Crosby in game four.

 You would have thought that the Penguins were totally hosed in the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins. I guess the Penguins fans didn't see any of the numerous infractions that went uncalled against the Bruins that could have led to another power play in their favor.

 All that I heard after game one was Crosby whining about the officiating and how the Bruins were getting away with bloody murder. Did he see Jonathan Toews getting mugged on the ice against the Detroit Red Wings? It’s not just him.

Ken Campbell, The Hockey News -- There is not enough space in this column or any other to chronicle the litany of blown calls and shoddy work done by the supposed best officials in the world during these playoffs. But wouldn’t you like to, just once, see an important game that is officiated to the same standard as one in the regular season? And it all comes down to one of two things: Either the officials are making up their minds to be far more lax during the playoffs in the name of “letting the players decide it” or the league is mandating they change their approach. Neither one of them, quite frankly, is very appealing.

Case in point was Wednesday night in Game 3 of the Boston-Pittsburgh series. Had referees Marc Joannette and Dan O’Rourke called all the violations of the rulebook, there probably wouldn’t have been enough players to play 5-on-5 at some points in the game. Then again, had they called the fragrant fouls early, perhaps the players would not have gone through the game thinking they could get away with pretty much anything.

Instead, the two of them made it very clear that they were going to call next to nothing. Then what happened? Well, Jaromir Jagr clearly hooked Evgeni Malkin in the neutral zone and scooped the puck from him, a play that ultimately resulted in Patrice Bergeron scoring the game-winner in double overtime. Basically, Joannette and O’Rourke set the standard and the players responded to it and the game was decided in large part by a restraining foul that clearly should have been called.

Here’s my question, did Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins have the mindset that they were entitled to a Stanley Cup? It seems like the Penguins were never in this series. I almost think that the Bruins were the one team that they didn’t want to play from the start.

During the series, the Bruins took away the Penguins time and space and made it tough sledding for the Penguins offensive players. The Penguins never really seemed to make the necessary adjustments until game three and by then it was too late.

On the other side of the ice, the Bruins players got to the dirty areas to score goals and do the little things that they had to do to push their team over the top. Hockey is about making adjustments; the Boston Bruins made the adjustments and did what they had to do to win this series, the Penguins did not.

What if? What If the refs “had” called more penalties and called the games more tightly? Does anyone think that it would have really would have made much of a difference? I don’t… Both teams combined were 0-26 on the powerless play. Maybe the refs were saving us the agony of having to watch the Bruins and the Penguins suffer on the power play.

Here’s some numbers for you; “0” – here’s how it looks; Evgeni Malkin (0g-0a—0pts) -5 Sidney Crosby (0g-0a—0pts) -2 Jarome Iginla (0g-0a—0pts) -4. Tuukka Rask was the first goalie to have two shutouts in a series since Phiadelphia Flyers goalie Michael Leighton in 2010 Eastern Conference finals versus the Montreal Canadiens.

Now that the Boston Bruins have swept the Penguins, and they're going back to the Stanley Cup Finals - for a second time in three seasons - we can finally give the Bruins their due.

A Farewell to a Flagship, an interesting factoid, and an Interesting Comment by a Blowhard (RW77)

English: NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman in 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Say-Oh Nara Pittsburgh

Sad day for Gary Bettman, the NHL PR office, and the city of Pittsburgh.  Their glorious flagship franchise and their face of the NHL is now hanging up their skates for the offseason.   In truth, with the exception of Matt Cooke, there isn't a lot to NOT like about the Penguins... if you forget about all the media hype and attention lorded upon that franchise for seemingly no other reason other than Sidney Crosby.

The truth is, the same thing that haunted the Pens since Crosby was drafted reared its ugly head again:  Bad Team D and spotty goaltending.  The Penguins defense simply ISN'T GOOD.  In many regards, UND fans can understand this by stating the following:  Pittsburgh plays a similar game to Minnesota Gopher hockey.  The Penguins, like the Gophers, are a slick passing, great puck handling, finesse style team that can be disrupted and handled if you can play solid D and be physical.  The Bruins are solid defensively and played very physically.  They swept the Pens.  It was that simple.

The Bruins weren't flashy.  They weren't especially fun to watch (sorry Goon and B's fans).  They were sturdy, lunch pail type players... and Gregory Campbell wins the word for Oh my Goodness fortitude.  Good grief.  They don't nearly have the hype surrounding them as the Pens do.  And the B's let the Pens keep the hype.  I'm sure the media covered the victors only because they had to while really pining to get to the Pens lockerroom to see what the Golden Child had to say.

As for goaltending I don't know what to say about Tomas Vokoun.  I REALLY like Tomas.  I thought he was one of THE most underrated goaltenders in the entire NHL for about a 5 year stretch (until Halak stole that title from him while with Montreal).  It's sad that he's on the decline of his career and he'll have nothing to show for it.  Vokoun and Iginla (again, sorry B's fans) are two of the only players on the Pens I sympathize with.

As for Fleury, I said it before and I say it again:  Fleury is in the top 3 for most overrated goaltenders in the NHL.  The other two being Carey Price (Montreal) and Roberto Luongo (Vancouver), though Luongo is fading from this list because his career is fading as well.  I think Jonas Hiller of Anaheim may take Luongo's spot before long.  To be nicer to Fleury, though, Price is still #1 in this category.  But there's time left despite Price holding the edge in age.

Where do the Pens go from here?  To the Golf Course.

Good riddance.   Now Mr. Bettman... Now's the time to start marketting a team OTHER than your beloved.  Are you going to have the cahones to do it or are you just going to sit back in your office and sulk?

An Interesting Comment by a Blowhard

Speaking of Gary Bettman, I was listening to ESPN Radio blowhard Colin Cowherd the other day and he actually made a decent point (in between fluffing himself up as some sort of uber objective yackityyacker which only his fans actually believe is true).  He commented on the popularity of sports other than the NFL (he said that the NFL is far and away the most popular and there's no sport out there that will come close... and he's right) the NHL has a marketable product that is interesting and entertaining.  However, they don't market the product at all.  They don't make the media talk about the NHL at all.  They hide it away on a cable TV station (Versus) for a long time and then benefit by the purchase of Versus by NBC, which has the rights because they cannot wrest the rights to the NBA from the other networks.  They marketted themselves by saying "We're back" when that was outwardly foolish.

I agree.  I can't believe it but I agree with Cowherd.  ESPN doesn't care about hockey.  He says its because of this failure to make themselves marketable and in the mainstream.  That's probably most of the issue but not all of it.  ESPN's bread and butter is the NBA.  And whenever it mentions the NFL ratings go through the roof.  So, that's where they focus.  ESPN did put in a bid for the NHL TV rights but the bid was low and the priority was such that the NHL would invariably be buried or preempted if something they felt was more important was on.  I have no confidence that, outside of the NHL playoffs (provided they didn't conflict with the NBA playoffs or finals), would even appear on ESPN itself.  Mostly likely it would have been ESPN 2 or 3.  NHL Tonight, even during the years that ESPN did air NHL games, was aired closer to midnight than to primetime.  Why would Bettman, as questionable as his intelligence is at times, want that for his league?

But in truth, Cowherd is right in that the NHL does a VERY VERY VERY VERY bad job of marketting itself.  They put commercials on NBC and the NHL Network and NHL Center Ice does get some Ad time but that's it.  I bet they could find ways to get Crosby on ABC or Ovechkin on Fox Sports pushing the NHL.  I'm sure they could find storylines to push for just about every NHL team if they wanted.  But they don't.  They focus mostly on the Penguins, Crosby, and the Finals and let the rest twist in the wind.

Let's face it:  The NHL will NEVER EVER be as popular as the NFL.  I'm not suggesting they even try to compete with even COLLEGE Football.  But I'm pretty darn sure they could garner more of the viewership market than they are getting now.  Baseball is a slow, tedious, and downright boring sport to watch.  It takes FOREVER to get through a game... heck, it takes too long just for the pitcher to decide upon a pitch and then start his windup.  The NHL is fast, exciting, physical, challenging to play, and ENTERTAINING to watch.  It's time it was marketted that way.

A Final Interesting Factoid

I'll leave this rant with an interesting factoid.  Unless my research is off, if Chicago finishes off L.A., this finals will mark the first time Boston has faced Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals.  How mindblowing that you could have two Original Six teams that have NEVER faced off since the Stanley Cup finals began (1927)

Related articles

• NHL commissioner Bettman talks Crosby, Olympics, outdoor games (triblive.com)

(Video) Game Four: final minute and a half of Bruins and Penguins and then the Handshake

Wow! What a mad finish to the end of a great game. This was a hard nosed series. Hard fought series. The Boston Bruins are going back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in three years.

Against the Bruins in the ECF, Evgeni Malkin (0g-0a—0pts) -5 Sidney Crosby (0g-0a—0pts) -2 Jarome Iginla (0g-0a—0pts) -4
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) June 8, 2013

Tuuka Rask goes 4-0, 0.44, .986 in the series.
— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) June 8, 2013

Incredible to think that the Bruins never trailed the Penguins at any point in their sweep. #domination #hockeynight
— MoniKa Platek (@MonikaPlatek) June 8, 2013

Daniel Paille hit on Sidney Crosby

 Mike Milbury from NBC Sport Network didn't like this play and thought there should've been a penalty called on the play. I don't know. I looks like Sidney Crosby skated into Daniel Paille, but who knows, it really doesn't matter now since the Penguins didn't score on the power play anyways.

Don Cherry's suit

Don Cherry could also double as a piece of your grandparents' hard candy - twitpic.com/cvwc2v”
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) June 8, 2013

Wow! What a colorful suit worn by Don Cherry on the Coach's Corner.

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Boston vs. Pittsburgh game 4; 0-0 after two periods.

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic is 25 years old today (6/07/1988). A good birthday present for Mr. Lucic would be a series win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Game four

Period 1

Bruins  0  - Penguins  0

Peroiod 2

Bruins  0  - Penguins  0

Shots 20 - 17 in favor of the Penguins.

Period 3

3RD PERIOD 05:01 BOS A. MCQUAID (2) SLAP - ASST: B. MARCHAND (9) AND P. BERGERON (6) 1 - 0 BOS

DU Pioneers mascot "Denver Boone" at center of controversy: Let's Go DU shuts down

This week, Damien Goddard of Let's Go DU announced that, “After eight years, 1.5 million visits, 5755 posts, 32,596 reader comments and countless laughs; LetsGoDU is ceasing operations today. LetsGoDU averaged 30 visits a day in 2005 to almost a thousand visits per day in recent years and its been a wonderful journey. We launched a mascot, built school spirit to unprecedented heights, covered many epic victories and more than a few heartbreaking DU losses. To those who supported DU through this Blog [du78 & many others] and helped PioNation fight the good fight, we say thank you.” At first, I thought that was kind of odd, then I took a deeper look…. Yep, the DU nickname issue has gotten really silly.

Mike Chambers, Denver Post – Boone, created in 1968 from a Walt Disney character named "Pioneer," was DU's official mascot until 1998, and its unofficial mascot after alumni took it upon themselves to fill the void in 2009. Chancellor Robert Coombe in March announced that Boone will not be considered by a steering committee that has identified an elk, a jackalope and a mountaineer as finalists for a new mascot.

DU has not had a mascot since the red-tailed hawk and Ruckus were phased out to begin the 2007-08 season.

"There's no point in having the blog if we don't have Boone," said Damien Goddard, the LetsGoDU founder and DU graduate, class of 1989, who spearheaded the "Bring Back Boone" campaign in 2008. "Boone and the blog have become intertwined, and you can't have one without the other. And it's silly to have two mascots. If the school is going to march down this path of political correctness, we decided to let them go down that path alone."

This ought to be fun, tonight’s NCHC match-up between the UND no-names and the UND Jackalopes will go a long ways in determining this season’s NCHC champion. Yeah! Yay!

So, we are to believe that the Denver Boone mascot is racist character? Seriously? How? What world do these pointed headed people live in? Take a look at this mascot, this little smiling cartoon character is a racist.

Blackhawks vs Kings; Blackhawks lead series 3-1

The L.A. Kings lose for the first time at home during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Chicago Blackhawks make L.A. Kings all-world goalie Jonathan Quick look human, the goal by Hossa was an absolute blast, in fact, Quick is probably still looking for the puck.

Scoring for the Blackhawks: Bryan Bickell (8), Marian Hossa (7) and Patrick Kane (3) find the twine and score big goals for the Blackhawks. Scoring For the L.A. Kings: Slava Voynov(6) and Dustin Penner (3).

Bryan Bickell is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and has had a big 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs scoring (8g-3—11pts), you would think that he’s going to be getting a big raise in the offseason. According to capgeek.com Bickell is  making $541,667.00

(Video) Brad Marchand and Chris Kunitz incident

Okay, I have to admit that this was a bush league move, I admit it, I am not condoning this play one bit. It's a cheap play. I don't know any Boston Bruins fan or media member that excused this play. It's unacceptable. 

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was given a two minute minor penalty for kneeing and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz was given a two minute minor for slashing. 

Johnny Boychuk and Sidney Crosby picture

Anyone have a caption for this one?

Hockey players are tough: Gregory Campbell breaks leg finishes shift

According to Joe MacDonald of ESPN Boston.

Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell suffered a broken right leg and is done for the season, according to a team source.

(Video) Gregory Campbell Blocked Shot In The Second Period.

Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell is one tough cookie and according to Claude Julien, "suffered a serious injury on the play." If Campbell can't go for the Bruins, it would be a big blow for the Boston Bruins. Campbell is a key member of the Merlot line.

Julien had no update on Campbell, only saying it was a serious injury. Know more tomorrow.
— Joe McDonald (@ESPNJoeyMac) June 6, 2013

Patrice Bergeron is the Player of the Game; Wears the Jacket

Patrice Bergeron in Player of the Game jacket tonight, passed along from Jagr, who helped lead to his OT winner^CS twitter.com/NHLBruins/stat…
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 6, 2013

(Video) Patrice Bergeron's game winning goal; Bruins lead series 3-0

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron scored the game winning goal at the 15:19 mark of the second overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 2-1 double overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Assisting on the game winning goal was Brad Marchand and Jaromir Jagr. This was the longest game of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the win, the Bruins take a 3-0 series lead and can close the series out on Friday at home.

The Boston Bruins have outscored the Penguins 11-2. Who would've thought that the Penguins with their high flying lineup, would be held to two goals through three games? Not me.

Against the Bruins, Evgeni Malkin (0g-0a—0pts) -5 Sidney Crosby (0g-0a—0pts) -2 Jarome Iginla (0g-0a—0pts) -3
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) June 6, 2013

Against the Pens, Brad Marchand (2g-1a—3pts) +4 Patrice Bergeron (2g-1a—3pts) +3 Nathan Horton (2g-3a—5pts) +6
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) June 6, 2013

Related articles

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• Brad Marchand Shows Penguins He's Not Your Average Pest And Other Leftover Bruins Thoughts (boston.cbslocal.com)

Blackhawk's Duncan Keith suspended one game for high-sticking

Someone mentioned the L.A. Kings forward Jeff Carter slashing Chicago Duncan Keith prior to this high-sticking incident and it appears that the NHL's Department of Player Safety is basically not taking that into account, or is over looking the slash. I am not excusing it. I do think Carter should have been fined if Keith is worthy of a suspension in this case. Thoughts?

Hawks Duncan Keith faces hearing following high-sticking incident

So, we're waiting to see if Duncan Keith is suspended by the NHL's department of Player safety for this hit on the Kings Jeff Carter.

NHL.COM --- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday for a high-sticking incident during Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at Staples Center.

At 7:58 of the second period, Keith was assessed a double-minor for high sticking Kings forward Jeff Carter in the face while the pair was skating behind the play. Carter left the ice, but returned after missing about six-and-a-half minutes of game action.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: high-sticking. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

I am going to say that there's a chance that there could be some kind of a suspension for this slash/high stick. Last night, I was surprised that there wasn't at least a match penalty called on this play. Now that being said, in my opinion, Duncan Keith is not a dirty player and he could be fined for this incident and avoid a suspension. It will be interesting to see what comes out of this.

Blackhawks' Keith: 'I said my piece, and it's up to them' trib.in/11sijzl

— ChiTribSports (@ChiTribSports) June 5, 2013

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Third round stats: former NCAA college players (06/05/2013)

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played Division I college hockey.

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 from teams that have been eliminated. The list doesn’t include players that are currently injured, or on their teams roster, but haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list as much as I can.

Points lead third round

The third round is officially under way. Former Vermont Catamount Patrick Sharp (8g-6a—14pts) is the leader in the club house.  Former Wisconsin Badgers and current San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski (4g-8a—12pts) hangs on to second place, but his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the defending Stanley Cup Champions

Here’s how the rest of the top five places for former college hockey players; currently playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs shakes out.

There is a two way tie for third place, former Michigan State Spartan and current Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (1g-9a—10pts is tied with former Golden Gopher and current Penguins Defenseman Paul Martin (2g-8a—10pts).

Currently, there is a two way tie for fifth place, former Ferris State Bulldog forward Chris Kunitz (4g-5a—9pts) is tied with former Wisconsin Badgers Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris (6g-3a—9pts).  Turris’ spot in the top four is temporary, because his Stanley Cup Playoffs are over; the Senators were eliminated by the top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in round two, four games to one.  

Leader Board (National Hockey League rank in parentheses)

1. (6) Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 15GP, (8g-6a—14pts)

2. (8) Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 11GP, (4g-8a—12pts)

3. (18) Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 15GP, (1g-9a—10pts)

3. (18) Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 13GP, (2g-8a—10pts)

5.  (27) Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 12GP, (4g-5a—9pts)

5.  (27) Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 10GP, (6g-3a—9pts)

 If I have forgotten a player on this list, feel free to drop me a line at thegoon48@gra.midco.net

Boston Bruins (3)

Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 7GP, (4g-2a—6pts)

Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 13GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks (6)

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 14GP, (8g-6a—14pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 15GP, (1g-9a—10pts)

Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 15GP, (1g-6a—7pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 15GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 13GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

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

 LA Kings (5)

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 16GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 7Gp, (0g-2a—2pts)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 16GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Matt Greene, D, North Dakota, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 15GP, 9-7, .941 SV% 1.71 GAA

Pittsburgh Penguins (9)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 13GP, (2g-8a—10pts)

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 13GP, (4g-5a—9pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 13GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 8GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 13GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Brooks Orpik, D, Boston College, 10GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 13GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 5GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

The new Dallas Stars Jerseys

#NewStarRising twitter.com/DallasStars/st…
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 5, 2013

Here are the new Dallas Stars jersey's so, do they look familiar to you?

Pierre McGuire, NBCSN: Pens were "Stunned" by the Bruins

Watch this at WEEI

Interesting perspective by Pierre McGuire, I guess I would say that the Bruins took game two to the Penguins and they probably weathered the storm and had better goaltending in game one.

That being said, I miss listening to the Bruins announcers on NESN. There is way too much Pierre McGuire on NBCSN.

Matt Cooke and Brad Marchand gif

(Click your mouse on the picture to get the picture to move)... What's that thing about karma? You can also tell who the actual skilled player is.  I think this is better than revenge. It's also a good example of how effective that the Boston Bruins have been in getting the Pittsburgh Penguins off of their game. I also believe, that the Bruins have also done a very good job not getting wrapped up in the extra stuff after the whistle causing them to have to kill a bunch of senseless penalties.

According to Court house news, UND the Coyotes.

You know, if you're going to write a story, you should at least get your story straight first before you post it. This is shoddy work here, it's pretty obvious if you spent half a minute that the University of North Dakota has, and uses no nickname at the current time.

Joseph O’Connell, Court House News Service --- "However meaningful the nickname's grant may have been, there was no contract because there was no indication of mutual intent to create a legal obligation, let alone an obligation sufficiently definite and certain that a court could require its performance," the six-page ruling states.

Furthermore, any emotional harm claimed by the committee would not be relevant because "the committee complains of injury from UND's ceasing to use a name because of the policy of an association to which UND voluntarily belongs."

"Even if the Committee's alleged injury is sufficiently concrete and particularized, it does not result from the invasion of a legally protected interest," Benton wrote.

The court also found no support for the claim that the NCAA violated its own rules of due process.

"The committee cannot complain of being denied due process by the NCAA because, as a nonmember, it was entitled to none from the NCAA," Benton wrote.

After the North Dakota Legislature repealed a state law requiring UND to use the nickname and American Indian head logo, voters overwhelmingly approved the measure in the 2012 primary.

UND now uses the nickname Coyotes.

Related articles

• Fighthing Sioux Nickname: Spirit Lake committee's last effort to save Fighting Sioux nickname fails (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Where are is all the antipathy coming from in regards to UND head coach Dave Hakstol (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCAA 2, Fighting Sioux 0 (terrortrials.blogspot.com)

More Chara and Crosby Humor....

Pick a caption...  Mine, I must break you Crosby...

(Video) Brad Marchand scores 28 second in

Great shot of Brad Marchand's opening goal for the @nhlbruins. #StanleyCup #PITvsBOS PIC: twitter.com/NHL/status/341…
— NHL (@NHL) June 4, 2013

Brad "the Little Ball of Hate" Marchand scores 0:28 seconds into the first period for the Boston Bruins in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marchand would go on to score two goals in tonight's 6-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The third Round: Former NCAA Hockey Players (6/03/2013)

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played Division I college.

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 from teams that have been eliminated. The list doesn’t include players that are currently injured, or on their teams roster, but haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list as much as I can.

Points lead third round

The third round is officially under way. Former Vermont Catamount Patrick Sharp (8g-6a—14pts) is the leader in the club house.  Former Wisconsin Badgers and current San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski (4g-8a—12pts) hangs on to second place, but his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the defending Stanley Cup Champions

Here’s how the rest of the top six places for former college hockey players; currently playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs shakes out.

All alone, in third place, former Michigan State Spartan and current Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (1g-9a—10pts).

Currently, there is a three way tie for fourth place. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a pair of former college hockey players, former Gopher defenseman Paul Martin (2g-7a—9pts) is tied with his teammate former Ferris State Bulldog forward Chris Kunitz (4g-5a—9pts). Also, in fourth place, former Wisconsin Badgers Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris (6g-3a—9pts).  Turris’ spot in the top four is temporary, because his Stanley Cup Playoffs are over; the Senators were eliminated by the top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in round two, four games to one.  

Leader Board (National Hockey League rank in parentheses)

1. (6) Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 14GP, (8g-6a—14pts)

2. (9) Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 11GP, (4g-8a—12pts)

3. (22) Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 12GP, (1g-9a—10pts)

4.  (23) Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 12GP, (4g-5a—9pts)

4.  (23) Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 10GP, (6g-3a—9pts)

4. (23) Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 11GP, (2g-7a—9pts)

Badgers king in this year’s 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Wisconsin Badgers are well represented in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs; if my math is correct they have six players that are still currently playing in the second round of the SCP.

 If I have forgotten a player on this list, feel free to drop me a line at thegoon48@gra.midco.net

Boston Bruins (3)

Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 6GP, (4g-1a—5pts)

Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 12GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks (6)

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 14GP, (8g-6a—14pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 14GP, (1g-9a—10pts)

Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 14GP, (1g-6a—7pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 14GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 12GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

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

LA Kings (5)

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 15GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 7Gp, (0g-2a—2pts)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 15GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Matt Greene, D, North Dakota, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 15GP, 8-7, .940 SV% 1.76 GAA

Pittsburgh Penguins (9)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 12GP, (2g-7a—9pts)

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 12GP, (4g-5a—9pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 11GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 8GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 12GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Brooks Orpik, D, Boston College, 9GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 12GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 5GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Cross-Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

Awesome Corey Crawford save

VIDEO: How 'bout Crow with this two-pad slide to save a goal? video.blackhawks.nhl.com/videocenter/co…
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 3, 2013

Going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs one of the question marks for the Chicago Blackhawks was the goaltending. I think the questions have been answered. This is the line for Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, 14 games, 10-4, .938 save percentage and a 1.67 goals against average.

Chicago Blackhawks twitter pictures

I have a feeling a lot of people will be framing this one twitter.com/HawksTalkCSN/s…
— Blackhawks Talk (@HawksTalkCSN) June 3, 2013

Here are some interesting pictures that were posted on twitter right after the game. This has been an interesting and intense series so far, very rough and very hard hitting. Tonight, there were 82 hits in this game, with L.A. dishing out 46 hits.

You know your favorite hockey team is screwed when Jon Toews is smiling. twitter.com/theroyalhalf/s…
— The Royal Half (@theroyalhalf) June 3, 2013

Questionable Dustin Brown hits Western Conference Finals (Keith and Toews)

Does anyone see a pattern here at all? These are two hits from the Western Conference Finals. I know that the Chicago Blackhawks were not happy with Brown's hit on Jonathan Toews.  Lucky for Duncan Keith that he fell and Brown was not able to make contact with him.

I am being serious. Dustin Brown elbows Jason Pominville, this was right after his hit on Antoine Roussel. During the playoffs against the St. Louis Blues we had Dustin Brown's knee on knee and attempted elbow on Jaden Schwartz. Everyone of these hits have been since April. Also, watch Brown's elbow on all of these hits. This is my question, how has this guy only been suspended one time (2 games) by the NHL?

Related articles

• Dustin Brown's knee's Jaden Schwartz (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Dustin Brown knees Jaden Schwartz (getrealhockey.com)

Jordan Kuruc's infamous tweet

Here is the tweet by Jordan Kuruc that went viral on twitter last night after Matt Cooke was kicked out of the game. It's evidence that you should have a breathalyzers or a stupidity meter attached to your twitter account before you send  a tweet out there into cyber space. I actually saw this go through my twitter feed last night during the Bruins and Penguins game and it seem pretty odd at the time.

The bad part is that this will be out there forever and when someone searches his name on the Internet as part of an investigation, whether it be for a a five year background re-investigation for a new job, this will be hanging over his head. I am sure he feels sorry today, but I don't see mention of it on his Facebook page.

I have to figure out how to delete this account. What I said is said I apologize I was just a butt hurt hockey fan.
— Jordan Kuruc (@jordankuruc) June 2, 2013

I made one statement just leave it go! I am not anyone that will gain you fame or anything. Just drop it move on! Fuck!
— Jordan Kuruc (@jordankuruc) June 2, 2013

Quick stops Toews; UMASS vs. UND

Jonathan Quick got a piece of Jonathan Toews' shot to keep the #LAKings within 1 in the 3rd: bit.ly/11wfMj2 #CHIvsLAK #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2013

Blackhawks Dave Bolland won’t be suspended for hit on Kings Mike Richards

If you were asleep last night, #Blackhawks center Dave Bolland won’t be suspended for hit on Mike Richards: bit.ly/ZDWRc5
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) June 2, 2013

Chicago Blackhawks Dave Bolland will not be suspended or receive anymore scrutiny for his questionable hit on L.A. King forward Mike Richards. Yesterday I had said, “I have to think, based on everything that we have seen so far in the playoffs that this could be a potential one game suspension for Bollard.” I still there if there has been more time between games, there might have been more of a look at this play by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Also, there was "no" penalty called on the play.

“He was there,” Bolland said of his jarring hit on Kings center Mike Richards in the final minutes of the Hawks’ 2-1 victory Saturday in Game 1 at the United Center. “I just came in and hit him.”

There apparently won’t be any repercussions — at least, not from the league. There was some concern that Bolland would face a suspension because the principal point of contact was Richards’ head, but the league decided against holding a hearing for Bolland, meaning he won’t face any discipline. [Adam L. Jahns, Suntimes.com]

I know that L.A. Kings fans will not be happy with this call and there is more examples of inconsistency during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. If a repeat offender had made that call or if that had been against a star player would there have been a hearing this morning? I don't know? Maybe Crosby has a point? It could be his delivery though and how he relays his message.

Related articles

• Dave Bolland hit Mike Richards (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

(Video) Boston Bruins goals against Penguins

Boston Bruins forward David Krejci scored two goals in game one against the Pittsburgh Penguins and now leads the NHL in points during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This was Krejci's first goal of the game and also the  first scored in the series, by either team. True to form, Krejci has been big during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs and leads all players in scoring with (7g-12a—19pts).



This was Krejci's second goal of the game.


Fellow line mate Nathan Horton is also having a good 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs as well and is tied for fourth with Sidney Crosby (6g-9a—15pts). This was the goal by Horton that sent the Penguins fans to the exits.

Last night, the Top line was big for the Boston Bruins; Krejci had (2g-0a—2pts) and Horton had a three point night for the Bruins (1g-2a—3pts).

Fitting Penguins Humor; Sidney Crosby crying about the officiating already

Haha this is funny @jroadsreal @goon48 twitter.com/bergcar5/statu…
— gretchen berg (@bergcar5) June 2, 2013

Someone put this on twitter last night, I know it's old but it fits with the current Pittsburgh Penguins, especially with Sidney Crosby whining about the officiating after last night's game. Apparently, Sid bad mustache and all didn't watch the game between the Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.

Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette --- Before Marchand's hit on Neal, Matt Cooke sent Boston defenseman Adam McQuaid into the boards in the second minute of the second period, earning a major penalty for hitting from behind, a game misconduct and a review from the NHL, which could decide to suspend Cooke.

Some of the Penguins' discontent stemmed from Marchand getting a two-minute boarding penalty for the hit on Neal, not something similar to Cooke's penalties. "I don't see the difference, really," Crosby said.

Crosby, rarely one to publicly criticize officiating, said the way referees Chris Rooney and Brad Watson called the game contributed to the overflow of emotion.

"It's tough," Crosby said. "They're letting a lot go out there, and the more it gets like that, the more it's going to escalate. You can only control and channel that stuff so much. You keep letting guys do that stuff, you're just going to push the envelope. That's something we obviously want to stay away from, but it's kind of a natural thing when it gets like that."

Asked if it was also a matter of the Bruins trying to get under the Penguins' skin, Crosby didn't back down.

Look, I don’t think anyone is questioning whether the hit that Brad Marchand put on James Neal was worthy of a five or not – I get that – the call probably should have been a five minute major and I was surprised that it wasn't. Now were going to have to put up with Crosby's excessive whining the rest of the series every time his team doesn't get a call.

No supplemental discipline expected for the Penguins Matt Cooke for his hit on Adam McQuaid

As expected no further #NHL discipline regarding #Pens Cooke hit on #Bruins McQuaid. Cooke avaiable
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) June 2, 2013

Meh! Penguins forward Matt Cooke will escape supplemental discipline for his dirty hit on Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid.  I would suppose that the NHL Department of Players Safety put Cooke on double secret probation and any further bad behavior will result in him being suspended a game for two.

Marchand boards James Neal: Dust up at the end of the period, Malkin vs Bergeron fight

I thought that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was lucky to remain in the game after his hit on Penguins forward James Neal. This could have been a five minute major. There could be two suspensions coming from this game, when it's all said and done. Probably not though. This was not a good hit, dangerous hit. Marchand is a repeat offender as well.

Video of dust up at the end of the period included as well.

Malkin and Bergeron fighting is why the playoffs are rad. Also, I like fighting.
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) June 2, 2013

Sorry but Crosby has no right to go after Rask, Crosby cut into Rask's path and gave him a bit of an elbow
— Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) June 2, 2013

Marchand takes a bad penalty. Not worse than Cooke but still a stupid penalty, only gets 2 minutes, luckily #DailyLive
— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) June 2, 2013