Goon's World

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Good Day for UND at the Draft (RW77)

North Dakota was well represented today at the draft with all highlighted players drafted and one off the board being drafted.

Here's the breakdown:

Adam Tambellini was drafted in the 3rd round (65th overall) to the NY Rangers.
Keaton Thompson was drafted in the 3rd round (87th overall) to the Anaheim Ducks.
Tucker Poolman was drafted in the 5th round (127th overall) to the Winnipeg Jets.
Luke Johnson was drafted in the 5th round (134th overall) to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gage Ausmus was drafted in the 5th round (151st overall) to the San Jose Sharks.
Wade Murphy was drafted in the 7th round (185th overall) to the Nashville Predators.

Undrafted UND Draft eligible players were: Drake Caggiula, Cam Johnson (incoming 2014), Trevor Olson, Troy Stetcher, Colton St. Clair, Luke Voltin, Charlie Pelnik, and Jack Rowe.

Surprises

In my opinion, I have no surprises to say because I'm terrible at predicting who will and will not get drafted. I still have memories of thinking Kyle Radke would be a end 4th to mid 5th draft pick and watching him fall straight off the board.

So UND has 6 drafted players from various rounds incoming.

I think this is pretty good considering that this was, according to several "experts" a "down" year for NCAA and NCAA-inbound players in terms of high end talent. Only one player (current WMU recruit Michael McCarron went in the first round. His MJ rights are owned by London of the OHL, btw, so it will be interesting to see if he actually goes to WMU in the fall (my bet is that he won't).

There weren't as many trades as they expected but here are a few interesting ones:

NJ Devils trade the 9th pick overall to Vancouver for Cory Schneider - This pick makes a lot of sense for NJ and absolutely NO sense for Vancouver. Luongo wanted out. Vancouver front office wanted Luongo out. So they trade Schneider. Definitely a head scratcher.

-->

Wild trade Cal Clutterbuck to the Isles for Nino Neitereider and a pick. This is an interesting trade because you have a tried and true gritty forward being traded for a former first rounder whose offense has been suspect. In other words, it's Risebrough-esque. I've seen Nino play and he's pretty good if you give him space. If you crowd him, he disappears. At best, Nino is another Pierre Marc Bouchard. At worst, he's a nobody.

But probably the worst trade by the Wild had to be Justin Falk for the rights to Benn Ferriero and a 2014 6th rounder. Sorry Wild fans, but Ferriero is another Veillieux in terms of offensive talent. 22 points in 92 NHL games. The Wild do not need defensive forwards... well maybe they do now that Clutterbuck is gone? So they ship away a decent young defenseman for the RFA rights to Ferriero? Yuck. If that pick was a 2013 mid rounder (say 4th-6th round) then I'd say "Ok." But blech.

In wrapping up: Boston College and UND had 6 players drafted last count. That tops them out for NCAA schools. Not too shabby.

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Friday, June 28, 2013

Chicago Blackhawks class, check it out

Wow! The Chicago Blackhawks organization is a first class organization. Very touching gesture.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have taken out a full-page advertisement in The Boston Globe thanking the city and its fans.

The Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins on Monday to win the Stanley Cup championship. On Friday, Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and team chairman John McDonough ran an open letter to the Bruins and the city of Boston. In the letter the Blackhawks extended their ‘‘heartfelt appreciation’’ to the Bruins and the citizens of Boston.

The Blackhawks say Boston ‘‘demonstrated respect, good sportsmanship and a genuine love for the great game of hockey.’’ The letter remarks on Boston’s ‘‘big heart and gracious spirit.’’

Brad Schaack Named Coach of the Year by NDAPSSA

Congrats to my friend Brad "Shacker" Schaack for being selected as coach of the year by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportswriters and Sportscasters. I would also like to wish him well as he starts a new chapter of his life.

JAMESTOWN (NewsDakota.com)- There was a three-way tie for female high school coach of the year, but that doesn’t make it any less special for Brad Schaack who was among those chosen by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportswriters and Sportscasters.

“I am very humbled,” Schaack said Tuesday. “Usually coaches that get this award win state champs or conference champs. But in my mind, these girls I coached for the last four years, are champions.”

Schaack lead the Jamestown Blue Jay girls hockey team from the depths of North Dakota hockey over his four years at the helm. Taking the Jays to four state tournaments including a fifth place finish in 2012 and a fourth place finish in 2013.

Jamestown also beat the Bismarck Blizzard during the regular, the Blizzard beat heavy favorite West Fargo in the state championship game.

His daughter, Amber, was named North Dakota’s Miss Hockey after a stellar senior season that saw her finish third in the state with 41 goals. Goalie Carissa Finck was also named to the all-state team and is headed to Lake Forest (Ill).

Schaack has stepped down as the girls hockey coach so he can watch his daughter at Concordia-Moorhead and his son Nick, who will be a sophomore on the boy’s team.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Dan Bylsma to coach team USA for the 2014 Sochi Olympic

USA Flag (Photo credit: freefotouk)

According to Kevin Allen of the USA today, Dan Bylsma head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been selected to lead team USA in the 2014 Sochi games. Bylsma is a good head coach and a great selection for to be the next head coach to USA Olympic team. I would imagine many of us have a preliminary line up in our minds that would make the team.

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports -- USA Hockey is putting the band back together for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, although the members will have a different place on the stage.

According to two people with knowledge of the decision, the Nashville Predators' David Poile will be the team's general manager, while Pittsburgh Penguins Ray Shero will be his associate general manager and Anaheim Ducks consultant Brian Burke will be the director of player development.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has been selected to be the USA's coach in Sochi.

The two people asked not to be identified because the official announcement will come Saturday in New York, the day before the NHL draft in Newark.

Catching up and moving forward

Stanley Cup, on display at the Hockey Hall of ...

Well the NHL playoffs are over. Finally, we can move forward, the College Hockey season is roughly three months away. The Stanley Cup Playoffs were exciting and a grind as well.

Moving forward, I close one chapter and open another one. Last September, I was invited to write for the Hockey Writers Combine by the former editor Andrew Eide. The Hockey Writers Editor Bruce Hollingdrake decided that he no longer wanted to have a number of 'off shoot' sites connected to THW. I was invited to write for the Hockey Writers and I can now be found here as a lead college hockey writer. Below are two of my latest submissions.

Should Puck Over Glass be an Automatic Penalty?

Calgary Flames Acquire Smilin’ Corban Knight

I was also invited to write for the Hockey Wilderness by Bryan Reynolds on his way out the door as editor of the Hockey Wilderness …. So, now I will write a weekly college hockey column or two during the regular season as some Wild related stuff. Currently, during the summer months, every Saturday afternoon have been writing a weekly column that’s published at 2:00 p.m..

This was one of the latest. Stupid Penalties: Two minutes for taking your helmet off during a fight

I have also continued to write for the new hockey blog Get Real Hockey which is owned by Former NHL great Bernie Nicholls. Click to view

Entire UND Sports Radio Network, on-air talent return for 2013-14

English: Ralph Engelstadt Arena at the Univers...

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Fans of North Dakota Athletics will once again be served by a strong UND Sports Radio Network in 2013-14. UND Athletics Director Brian Faison announced today that all 12 of UND’s radio affiliates will return from the 2012-13 season, including North Dakota affiliates in Beulah, Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Langdon, Minot, Williston and Wimbledon, as well as Minnesota affiliates in Mahnomen and Warroad.

“We are excited that Clear Channel Grand Forks will continue to serve as our flagship stations for North Dakota Athletics,” said Faison. “We continue to enjoy exceptional local coverage throughout the state and the region for UND Athletics thanks to a great group of affiliates.”

Clear Channel Grand Forks will once again serve as the flagship stations for UND Athletics. KQHT-FM (96.1 “The Fox”) continues as the home for UND men’s hockey and football, while KSNR-FM (100.3 “Cat Country”) will be the home for men’s and women’s basketball. Women’s hockey will once again air on KKXL-AM (1440 “The Fan”). The new four-year contract includes UND baseball and volleyball for the first time, both of which will also air on KKXL-AM. Additionally, the UND Coaches Show will be carried live on Wednesday nights on KKXL-AM.

“There will also be daily two-minute "UND Sports Today" updates, which will air across most of the UND Sports Radio Network.

“Clear Channel is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with the University of North Dakota,” said Clear Channel Grand Forks Market Manager Pat McLean. “UND Athletics has been a big part of the growth of our radio stations over the past decade-plus. Thank you to Mr. Faison and his staff for the faith they have in our people.”

“WDAY-AM 970 in Fargo returns with double the signal strength and will carry UND football, men’s hockey and the UND Coaches Show, as well as other mutually agreed upon events under a new contract that calls for up to 100 events. In addition, both KFYR 550 AM and ESPN 710 AM in Bismarck will carry football and men’s hockey games, with ESPN 710 AM also carrying the UND Coaches Show.

The on-air talent for UND Athletics also remains intact for the 2013-14 season. Tim Hennessy returns for his 35^th year as the voice of UND men’s hockey, while Jack Michaels returns for his third year as the voice of UND football. Paul Ralston (ninth year) and Mitch Wigness (second year) return to call men’s and women’s basketball, respectively, and Darrin Looker returns for his eight season as the voice of women’s hockey.

Hennessy and Ralston will team to host the UND Coaches Show every Wednesday night from the final week of August through the end of the men’s hockey season. The UND Coaches Show broadcasts live from the Ground Round Grill & Bar in Grand Forks at 6:30 p.m. Central. Fans are encouraged to attend the live show to interact with UND coaches and broadcasters while enjoying food and drink specials.

The first broadcast of the UND Coaches Show in 2013-14 season is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28.

2013-14 UND SPORTS RADIO NETWORK
City Station Content
Grand Forks 96.1 FM The Fox Football (flagship), Men’s Hockey (flagship)

100.30 FM Cat Country Men’s & Women’s Basketball (flagship)

1440 AM The Fan Women’s Hockey (flagship), UND Coaches Show (flagship)

Fargo WDAY 970 AM Football, Men’s Hockey, UND Coaches Show, WDAY Game of the Week

Bismarck KFYR 550 AM Football, Men’s Hockey

ESPN 710 AM Football, Men’s Hockey, UND Coaches Show

Minot Oldies 1390 AM Football, Men’s Hockey

Williston 101.1 Jack FM Football, Men’s Hockey, UND Coaches Show

Dickinson 1460 AM Men’s Hockey

Valley City / Jamestown 103.1 FM The Raven Football, Men’s Hockey

Devils Lake Cruiser 102.5 FM Football, Men’s Hockey

Beulah FOX Sports Radio 1410 AM Football, Men’s Hockey

Mahnomen Gold 101.5 FM Football, Men’s Hockey

Warroad Classic Rock 1410 AM Men’s Hockey

Langdon Classic Rock 95.7 FM Football, Men’s Hockey

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Fandom: blurring the lines

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews during a game against the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place on November 22, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At the Beginning of the Stanley Cup Finals, after the Blackhawks qualified for the Stanley Cup Finals, I told my wife that no one in this house hold wears a Jonathan Toews t-shirt or a Chicago Blackhawks t-shirt during entirety of the Stanley Cup Finals. My wife looked at me and said, “you can’t be serious.” I told her, “I was dead serious.” I continued on with my rant, I don’t care if he went to UND or not, I am Boston Bruins fan, blah, blah, blah…. Nonetheless, that wish was honored. The fact that no one ever wore one of the t-shirts in question was probably a pure accident, or a divine intervention, because my wife takes orders from no one.

I even considered deleting the song Chelsea Dagger from my iPod. Before I did anything rash, I regained my senses, when I realized that I was in fact allowed to keep that song on my iPod.

I had an epiphany, and it dawned on me. Of course, I can keep Chelsea Dagger on my iPod, because whenever the UND hockey team scores a goal, the song Chelsea Dagger is played over the Ralph Engelstad Arena’s loud speakers. Disaster was avoided, for at least that moment.

Just for the record, last season, Chelsea Dagger was played 71 times at Ralph Engelstad Arena, s/t to Jayson Hajdu. So, I had a reprieve. My daughter is also a big fan of the song as well. Somehow, my five year old daughter also knows who Jonathan Toews is as well and she seemed to be talking about him a lot during the Stanley Cup Finals, I am sure she had some coaching, from someone. I am not sure who is to blame.

Last night, before I went out for a bike ride, before I left, I was looking for a t-shirt to put on and I just couldn’t bring myself to slip any of the aforementioned shirts on at the present time. Not now, maybe later. I just wasn’t up to it right now. The wounds are still fresh. I know, I know, as a UND alumnus, I am supposed to be happy for Toews winning his second Stanley Cup, but his team just beat my favorite NHL team. I am still in a state of mourning.

Yay, good for him, but he was part of the enemy for two weeks.

While riding my bike last night, I began to percolate for the subject of this blog post, I thought of an article that also inspired me as well that is worth reading. It’s a good article written by Ian Cameron McLaren, one of my colleagues from the Hockey Writers.

Ian Cameron McLaren, ScoreNation – First, let’s talk about why things are the way they are.

This past week, Jeff Marek made an interesting point on the MvsW podcast that speaks to the divisive nature of sports fandom. His basic premise was that sports marketing and culture is set up to create and “us vs them” mentality, and that this is expressed most clearly in the use of “(Blank) Nation” or “(Blank) Army” to describe a fan base. What this does is establish a mobilization of the fans wherein we feel as though we are actually part of the battle, so to speak. We follow and support the cause of our favorite teams, and feel intimately linked to the outcomes that befall them. If they win, we take to the streets to celebrate; if they lose, we feel like our home and native land has been invaded and pillaged, leaving us wander aimlessly until the battle picks up again.

The fallacy here, of course, is that what will be, will be, regardless of how we personally feel about the team in question. Our attachments to our teams are mostly peripheral, in the sense that we likely have no personal knowledge of or attachment to the actual people who are playing the game. We pay money for tickets, jerseys and cable packages, investing in war bonds if you will, but we don’t affect the outcomes of the games, Bartman notwithstanding.

Again, regardless of what happens, it’s not a reflection of who we are personally; if they win, we cheer but the accolades are not ours, and if we lose, it stinks but the failure is also not really ours.

Think about this, we have no “affect” on the outcomes of favorite team’s games. No matter what jersey we wear to the games or what we eat meal we eat in our pre-game meals, we have no “affect” on the outcomes of favorite teams games. None! Zero!

Although, looking back, former UND hockey players from the past will talk about how the amazing the fan following was, while they were in Grand Forks playing for UND. So, that could be up for some debate.

But I digress.

While we might be unhappy that our favorite team lost a game, division, or championship, those losses are not ours. These losses belong to our favorite teams, they own them. We’re just along for the ride, but sometimes that ride can be pretty awesome.

On November 19, 2011, while covering the UND hockey team for Inside Hockey, UND was playing the Bemidji State Beavers at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. While finding my assigned seat in the press box, I came across a beat up practice puck that was sitting where my laptop was going to sit in the BSU press box. There it was, just sitting there in the press box, so I put the puck in my bag.

Coming into the series against the Beavers, UND was mired in a 3-6-1 slump. UND would leave the series and the Sanford Center with a series split and a 4-7-1 season record.

That beat up hockey puck would travel with me in my backpack, to and from the arena for the rest of the season. From that weekend forward, the UND hockey team would go 22-6-2. With puck in toe, UND would win its third Final Five championship in a row, before losing in the NCAA West Regional championship at the Xcel Energy Center the week later.

After the season was over, I contemplated keeping the good luck puck in my bag for the 2012-13 season. The puck has since been retired; it sits in my dresser at home. I know the puck played no part in the UND’s success that season, but I didn’t want to upset the apple cart and I am very superstitious. I don’t like to even golf without the correct number of balls and tees in my pocket.

Think a lot of us even though we might just be fans or bloggers, we still get wrapped up in our favorite team’s success and failures and feel it, when they lose their last game of the season.

Since 2000, I have only had one of my favorite team’s win its final game of the year that resulted in a championship once, and that team was the Boston Bruins, who won the 2011 Stanley Cup in seven games over the Vancouver Canucks.

So, since 2000, I have only had one favorite team of mine win it all, and more times than not, these favorite teams of mine (UND hockey, Vikings, Boston Bruins) have had their seasons ended in defeat, many times in the early rounds of the playoffs, when they were the heavy favorites.

In conclusion, while we might just be fans, our favorite teams play a very big part of our lives, even if the games are only an escape from the reality of our boring lives. It is what it is.

AMSOIL Arena Will Bid for 2015, 2016 NCAAs

English: National Collegiate Athletic Associat...

If I am reading this article right, then the Ralph Engelstad Arena should be able to apply for a regional Championship. Right? I don't see a difference.

Zach Schneider, Northland's Newscenter --- The rink previously submitted a bid in 2010 to host a 2013 regional, but officials said that was eventually rejected because of the NCAA's preference to use neutral sites.

Now, AMOSIL Arena officials say they were told the NCAA has dropped that preference and will exert no bias against arenas that are home to an NCAA Division I men's hockey team.

AMSOIL Arena has played host to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four and Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Face Off on the women's side, but it has never been selected to host a major men's tournament.

The arena will prepare its bid over the next couple of months, officials said, before submitting it to the NCAA for review.

Final Finals Numbers: Former NCAA Hockey Players

Throughout the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I compiled a list of NHL hockey players that participated in at least one season of division I college hockey, which competed in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The players were listed by their NHL team. These were players that 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.

Points lead after the completion of the final round

The Finals are officially over. The top three spots are owned by Chicago Blackhawks. Former Vermont Catamount Patrick Sharp (10g-6a—16pts) is the leader in the club house. His teammate former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathon Toews (3g-11a—14pts) is in second place.

Third place, is former Michigan State Spartan and current Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2g-11a—13pts).

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski(4g-8a—12pts) was able to hang on to fourth place, even though his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the defending Stanley Cup Champions the L.A. Kings in the Semi-Finals.

Fifth place, goes to former Golden Gopher and current Penguins Defenseman Paul Martin (2g-9a—11pts), whose team was eliminate by the Boston Bruins 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Leader Board (National Hockey League rank in parentheses)

1. (6) Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 23GP, (10g-6a—16pts)

2. (13) Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 23GP, (3g-11a—14pts)

3. (14) Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 22GP, (2g-11a—13pts)

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

5. (23) Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 15GP, (2g-9a—11pts)

Boston Bruins (3)

Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 15GP, (4g-2a—6pts)

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

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 21GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks (7)

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 23GP, (10g-6a—16pts)

Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 23GP, (3g-11a—14pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 22GP, (2g-11a—13pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 23GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 19GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 5GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ben Smith, F, Boston College, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Odds for the 2014 Stanley Cup

Puck Daddy has the odds posted from the gambling site Bovada and the Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorites or win next season’s Stanley Cup. I would bet good money that they will choke or underperform yet again. Also, I would be willing to bet that the Blackhawks and Bruins don’t go as deep in the playoffs this season after how long they played into the summer and how beat up both teams are. I would have to say that my early favorite for the Stanley Cup next season is the Detroit Red Wings. Yep, I have a bad feeling we’re going to be watching paint dry next summer.

Odds to win the 2014 Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins 13/2
Chicago Blackhawks 15/2
Boston Bruins 9/1
St. Louis Blues 12/1
Los Angeles Kings 14/1
Vancouver Canucks 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 16/1
New York Rangers 16/1
San Jose Sharks 16/1
Anaheim Ducks 20/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 25/1
Washington Capitals 25/1
Montreal Canadiens 28/1
Carolina Hurricanes 33/1
Edmonton Oilers 33/1
Minnesota Wild 33/1
New York Islanders 33/1
Ottawa Senators 33/1
Philadelphia Flyers 33/1
Colorado Avalanche 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 40/1
Nashville Predators 40/1
New Jersey Devils 40/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 40/1
Winnipeg Jets 40/1
Buffalo Sabres 50/1
Calgary Flames 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Phoenix Coyotes 50/1
Florida Panthers 100/1

(Video) CBC HNIC Stanley cup Playoffs Tribute 2013

Just like that, the 2013 season is over. This is a pretty good video and I am sad that I don't get CBC anymore, since I switched over to DirecTV. None the less, this is a very good video by CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

Monday, June 24, 2013

(Video) edit: Boston Meltdown: Chicago scores two goals in 17 seconds

So, the season ends on this unfortunate sequence of plays. The Boston Bruins were 77 second way from forcing a game seven. With the score 2-1 in Boston’s favor, many Boston fans were already looking forward to a game seven in Chicago and then the roof fell in on the TD North Garden.

The Boston meltdown started at the 18:44 mark of the third period when Chicago forward Bryan Bickell scored the game tying goal. The game winner was scored by Chicago forward Dave Bolland 17.7 seconds later. Turnaround is fair play right? Chicago had done to the Boston Bruins, what the Bruins had done to the Toronto Maple Leafs three rounds earlier. Such is life...

UND’s Connection to the Stanley Cup

Most, UND hockey fans will be happy for former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews as he wins his second Stanley Cup. Actually, that's two Stanley Cups in four seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks captain (2010, 2013). Toews joins the Great One in winning two Stanley Cups, as a captain, before his 26th birthday. Toews was big on the score sheet as well tonight, as he scored a goal and an a assist tonight

Bergeron had a broken rib, torn cartilage, and a separated shoulder, the last of which happened tonight.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 25, 2013

Stanley Cup Final game six: Lucic goal

This was the goal by Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic scored at the 12:11 mark of the third period. Of course the Blackhawks weren't done as they scored two goals, 17 seconds apart to win the 3-2 and the Stanley Cup Series 4-2.

Wild resign Backstrom

According to Michael Russo, beat writer for the Star and Tribune, the Minnesota Wild have resigned their starting goalie Niklas Backstrom to a new three-year deal worth 10.25 million. For the people that aren’t good at math, that’s 3.42 per year for Nik.

With the signing of Backstrom, the Wild now have $3,321,132.00 in cap space left and still have to sign forward Cal Clutterbuck, defensemen (x2) Jared Spurgeon and Justin Falk. All three players are restricted free agents. Some have suggested that Falk is a defensive liability and the Wild should let him walk.

Now we have to wonder who that Amnesty buyout is going to be? I have a suggestion, from the blue line, former Badger Tom Gilbert.

Steve Rosenbloom on the Boychuk hit

All right! Interesting perspective, no mystery that the NHL isn’t consistent in their call of the head shots, it’s well documented. Here’s my question; why is it, that players like Dustin Brown of the L.A. Kings has been able to get away with many of the same kind of hits for so long? Most of them have been deemed hockey hits, just like the hit that Brown put on Toews in the Western Conference Finals.

Steve Rosenbloom, The RosenBlog – Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk went after Jonathan Toews' head with his forearm in the second period of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night. Toews didn’t play a shift in the third period. Game over. Game 6 over for Boychuk.

Just as a penalty in the first period is supposed to be a penalty in the third period, then a head-hunting move in Game 5 of the final ought to warrant a suspension the way it does in Game 1 of the regular season.

It wouldn't matter if it was Viktor Stalberg instead of Toews, but I'd bet if it was done to Sidney Crosby, then Boychuk would've been suspended between periods.

The product the NHL is selling is not Boychuk’s act. It is selling exceptionally skilled players. It is selling stars such as Toews and Crosby.

Like Crosby, Toews is part of the Hart Trophy conversation. At least he is when Eastern writers stay up late to watch.

Also like Crosby, Toews is a repeated concussion victim whose head is targeted continually.

The league cannot afford these kinds of acts. The Hawks certainly can’t.

I have always said, “that the NHL has two sets of rules. One for goon’s and fourth line players and one for super stars.” I don't know why the NHL didn't take action against Boychuk or why they pick and choose which hits to discipline. I don’t know how anyone can make rhyme or reason out of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety’s rulings anymore. They're allover the place.

I like everyone else is confused, as a Bruins fan, I guess I am kind of relieved that Boychuk can play, but know he may have gotten away with one, but so have a lot of other players, as well. It sounds like both Toews and Bergy are going to play in game six tonight.

Say it isn’t so; are the Wild interested in the Penguins sieve?

Wow! This looks like a ready-made disaster. There has to be a better option in net for the Minnesota Wild than Marc-Andre Fleury who recently hasn’t been able to stop a beach ball and was relegated to opening the Penguins bench door during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Michael Russo, Star Tribune -- Fletcher has said his priority is to re-sign Backstrom, and Backstrom, 35, wants to return. But salary-cap space is limited, so the Wild might decide to trade for a long-term No. 1 goalie or decide whether Kuemper or Johan Gustafsson can eventually take the reins.

The Wild has also expressed interest in Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury, who backstopped Pittsburgh to the 2009 Stanley Cup but has struggled in the playoffs the past two seasons and was ultimately unseated by Tomas Vokoun in this year’s playoffs. Fleury has not asked for a trade, however

Thoughts on this one?

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Former UND Standout Matt Frattin traded to the LA Kings (RW77)

LA @ Van, Round 1 of Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Former UND standout Matt Frattin is now joining former UND standout Matt Greene in Los Angeles. Frattin was traded as part of a trade that involved Toronto and LA.

The trade as it is written sends Frattin and former Cornell goaltender Ben Scrivens (and a 2nd round pick in 2014 or 2015) to Los Angeles for Jonathan Bernier, a goaltender who has spent his entire career thus far as a backup.

Bernier had a great year backing up Quick but it is apparent that Quick isn't about to be usurped and that his Stanley Cup performance was more the norm rather than Giguere-esque. Scrivens is young and, at least at this point, seemed destined to be a good career backup goaltender. Frattin has had 27 points (15g-12a) in his 82 game NHL career thus far.

Who Won?

I think Bernier is the winner in this trade. He now comes into a fluid goaltending situation in Toronto and can more than likely take over.

Who Lost?

It's a toss up between Frattin and Toronto incumbent goaltender James Reimer. Frattin was getting a ton of chances with Toronto and it's not all that guaranteed with Los Angeles. Who knows if Frattin will stick in the NHL next season with LA when he suredly would have with Toronto.

As for Reimer, he sits at home having thought that Toronto was high on him. He did do a lot for Toronto this year after all and he is young. So Toronto goes out and acquires another young goaltender. Bernier isn't being acquired to ride the pine. In the end, I believe this amounts to a slap to the face to Reimer. The NHL is a business and sometimes the business is harsh.

Johnny Boychuk not suspended for hit On Jonathan Toews

I was out of town at a WoO race in Fergus Falls, MN, but I did see the hit in question last night on my iPhone. I showed the video to the guy I was at the races with and said, "Boychuk is going to get suspended by the NHL for this hit." Apparently, the NHL saw fit not to suspend Johnny Boychuk for game six. The NHL didn't even have a hearing and ruled it was a legal hit. Not my words. Just for the record, the Bruins Boychuk was not penalized on the play.

As expected, no supplemental discipline for BOS's Boychuk.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2013

A Basic Recap of Game 5 by RW77

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

I say basic because I'm in the middle of a study break in Grad School (9 grad credits in 4 weeks means VERY busy). I'll leave videos and pictures to Goon.

Big News

The Big News off the bat is that both teams suffered key losses in this game. In the second period, Bruins star Patrice Bergeron left the game having only played 49 seconds of the second period. He never returned. He went to the hospital via ambulance between the second and third period.

This is a HUGE loss for the Bruins, but a baffling loss for those of us fans who watched the game. The commentators tried to rationalize and tell us what happened but when you see his last full shift (playing on a 4 on 4 at the time) he seems to stand up straight and cannot seem to gather any speed or ability to quickly change direction. However, he doesn't favor any leg or even seem to wince in any sort of pain. Initially, I thought it might be a muscle spasm in his lower back, hip, or left side. But I have absolutely no clue. The injury occurred while he was along the boards alone. No one touched him. In fact, the replay showed that there was no other player in the picture. VERY odd.

The second injury came to former UND standout Jonathon Toews. He got absolutely CRUSHED by Bruins defenseman Boychuk. And yeah, folks, it was a CLEAN hit. Toews was between the circles lining up for a shot when Boychuk comes from out of the picture from center ice and a high rate of speed and absolutely destroys Toews. The hit occured on Toews' left shoulder. However, I believe the injury occured when Toews hit the ice. The hit occured so fast and so violently that Toews had no time to cushion is fall, so he took the fall on his right shoulder and his helmet bounced off the ice. Take into consideration that Boychuk also fell on top of Toews with his knee ending up either hitting his shoulder or coming awfully close to hitting Toews' head, and it's very plausible that the injury occured on the play. The Hawks have him listed as "Day to Day with an upper body injury." Toews did not play the entire third period but he was on the bench and skated out to do the stick salute after the game. To me, this is good news as I doubt Toews would be allowed to do this if he had a concussion.

In News that reeks of the more things stay the same...

Officiating was again brutal. I noticed several absolutely BRUTAL noncalls. To start the game, Chara armdragged Bickell (I think?) to the ice by his arm, an act that took Bickell from in front of the net to almost beside the goal post, and there was no call.

Second, Boston was assessed a hooking or tripping penalty when Frolik grabbed the stick of the Boston player and fell to the ice. It may have been a legit call on Boston but come on!

Third, absolutely loved the noncall when Lucic was high sticked by Kane. Saying that sarcastically really. First off, I don't like Lucic. Second, I'm no fan of Boston. However, you HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE to make this call! YOU HAVE TO! It's a PLAYER SAFETY issue! I'm becoming more and more concerned that the only way you will see penalties in the finals is if there is an injury involved! Don Adam officiating is dangerous! Just ask Chay Genoway, Robbie Bina, and that UW player... Smith? I can't recall right now.

Finally, assist to the officials on the empty netter. Frolik (again) BLATANTLY tripped B's defenseman Krug that set up Bolland for the empty netter. You could come up with some hair brained excuses for the previous three penalties or non calls but this one? I was rooting for the Hawks (sorry Goon) and good LORD!

I'll reiterate my conspiracy theory and Doc Emerick stated part of it early in the first period: The officials aren't making any calls so there is lots of action! This is Gary Bettman's plan. The NHL is hurting for ratings and media attention. Instead of looking at the PR campaign that everyone knows was pretty poor, he decides to have the officials pretty much ignore the rule book. If everything goes, the game flows. Maybe that's Bettman and Campbell's slogan. Sorry, I don't buy the NHL officials being poor or incompetent. There's REAL accountability in the NHL (even if it is a moving target for players thanks to the sad interpretations by Shanahan). It doesn't go from "ok" to "Bad" depending upon regular season to post season. It just doesn't happen. This is all Bettman. All of it.

The Game

The first period was pretty even, in my opinion, if you take out statistics. Statistically speaking, Boston dominated the first period in shots on goal and hits. They dominated the entire game in hits to be honest. And they targetted Toews... A LOT. And Chara had a VERY poor first and second period, which was unusual.

In the end, Kane ended the first period on a high note for the Hawks with a cleanup play from an Oduya shot that had puck luck written all over it. The Oduya shot hit and broke the stick of Seidenberg (or maybe it was Ference? Memory is hazy). This alterred the path of the puck enough for it to get behind Rask and slightly wide and behind the net. Kane came in and tucked it home.

Kane again struck in the second period after a nice set up by Toews and Bickell. However, again Seidenberg may have helped Kane and the Hawks when it appeared that he got a bit tangled up in Rask's pads preventing Rask from getting all the way over to make a play on Kane's shot.

The second period was ALL Chicago. It surprised me that Boston didn't give up any more goals during that period. Likewise, the third period was ALL Boston. Chara's goal was an exercise in stupidity by Chicago. Watch the replay. You'll notice only ONE Chicago player making any play at all to defend (Bickell IIRC). The rest are standing and watching as Chara comes in uncontested and snipes a shot high and glove side.

By the way, can anyone else name a goaltender with a worse glove hand than Crawford to make it this deep in the playoffs as the #1 goaltender? I mean, Crawford has given up 13 goals this post season, which is good, but of those thirteen NINE have been high glove side. NINE!

It's my opinion that Tuokka Rask is by far the better goaltender of the two. Unfortunately, he can't win games by himself that often.

That being said, both sides missed golden opportunities. Sharp is still kicking himself over an open net and getting absolutely robbed by Rask (though to be fair, if he'd've elevated his shot it would have been an open net). I think he missed just wide again in the second period as well. Boston should have tied the game again but Jagr's shot went high over the open net.

Where I currently stand

Ok, after game 3, I told Goon that there is NO WAY the Cup doesn't change hands in Game 5 or 6. Now, I think the series goes 7 games. And, depending upon Bergeron and Toews, that may very well determine who wins the Cup. If Bergeron cannot play I think that Chicago will win it all even if Toews can't play either.

But the big factor (pun not intended) is actually Chara. When Chara was playing poorly, especially the second period, Chicago was running away with it. Chara was much better in the third and the Hawks almost (perhaps should have) lost the game.

With Game 4 being an anomaly, my player of the playoffs has to be Tuokka Rask. That guy has been amazing.... and he was basically a throwin player from Toronto in the Kessel trade. It isn't as bad of a trade as the Wild trading Leddy for Cam Barker, but looking at Toronto's goaltending situation.... Leafs fans can't be too happy about it.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Gwoz not in the running for UAH coaching job

George Gwozdecky says Huntsville could be a "gem,'' but won't be coaching there. "The way my career has evolved, it wasn't the right fit.''
— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) June 21, 2013

According to Andy Baggot from the Madison.com, former DU head coach George Gwozdecky is no longer in the running for the UAH head coaching position. This is disappointing, because it would have been interesting to see what a high profile coach like George Gwozdecky would've done with a program like UAH. Given the right support, I do think Huntsville can be a winner in the new look WCHA.

Madison.com -- Gwozdecky had an opportunity to get back into the mix this week, but said Friday he's no longer a candidate for the opening at Alabama-Huntsville, which is the only school among the 59 in NCAA Division I looking for a coach.

"The way my career has evolved, it wasn't the right fit,'' Gwozdecky said.

That's not to say the opportunity at the newest Western Collegiate Hockey Association member lacked appeal. He and his wife, Bonnie, flew to Alabama and met with Huntsville athletic director E.J. Brophy this week. The school is looking to replace Kurt Kleinendorst, who resigned last month to pursue opportunities in the pro ranks.

"I was really impressed,'' Gwozdecky said of the school and the city. "It could be a real gem.''

I do think that Gwozdecky would be an interesting choice for the WCHA Commissioner as well. That would be interesting as well. Thoughts on that?

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Gwoz to Huntsville?

This would be a bold move by the UAH administration, but it would also be a step in the right direction. After all the UAH hockey program has been through in the past couple of years, it would be nice to see them land a top notch coach like George Gwozdecky.

USCHO.COM -- According to WHNT in Alabama, ousted Denver coach George Gwozdecky is a candidate for the vacant Alabama-Huntsville head coaching position and spent Wednesday afternoon on campus.

Reportedly, Gwozdecky was seen walking into Spragins Hall with UAH athletics director E.J. Brophy.

It is unclear if Gwozdecky has actually interviewed, but the TV station did say that “it seems like Gwozdecky is on the short list as a replacement.”

Goon's World Extras

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Friday, June 28, 2013

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Related articles

Related articles

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Related articles

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Monday, June 24, 2013

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Related articles

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Related articles

Thursday, June 20, 2013