Vancouver Cancuks So true

Lol pic.twitter.com/06RdDhCT37
— Brendan Shanahan (@NHLSafetyShan) April 5, 2014

This tweet is funny, but indicative of the Vancouver Canucks fans.

NCAA Hockey: Early Departures

Jaycob Megna, defense, UNO, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Josh Manson, defense, NE, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Ryan Faragher, goalie, SCSU, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Nic Kerdiles, forward, UW, sophomore, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Gustav Olofsson, defense, C.C., freshman, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Kevin Czuczman, defense, LSSU, junior, NY Islanders (NHL)
Caleb Herbert, forward, UMD, junior, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Phil Di Giuseppe, forward, UM, junior, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Alex Guptill, forward, UM, junior, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Ryan Dzingel, forward, OSU, junior, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Bryce Van Brabant, forward, QU, Junior, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Ryan Haggerty, forward, RPI, Jr. NY Rangers (NHL)
Mike Zalewski, forward, RPI, sophomore, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Matt Carey, forward, SLU, freshman, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Trevor van Riemdsyk, defense, UNH, junior, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Josh Archibald, freshman, forward, UNO, junior, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Christian Folin, defense, UML, sophomore, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Connor Hellebuyck, goalie, UML, sophomore, Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Scott Wilson, forward, UML, junior, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Pheonix Copley, goalie, MTU, sophomore, Washington capitals (NHL)
Jake McCabe, defense, UW, junior, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jordan Oesterl, defense, WMU, junior, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Ryan Carpenter, forward, BGSU, junior, Worcester Sharks (AHL)

Breakdown of early Departures

UMD: 1
UW: 1
RPI: 2
UNO: 2
OSU: 1
UMICH: 2
BGSU: 1
NU: 1
WMU: 1
UNH: 1
C.C.: 1
SLU: 1

SCSU: 1
UML: 3
MTU: 1
QU: 1
LSSU:1

Blast from the past: Vannelli vs.McMahon

The date was October 24, 2004, the Minnesota Gophers beat the UND Fighting Sioux on the score board 6-0. UND would get the best of the Gophers in the physical department. Something you don't see very often in college hockey, a full out knock down fight.

MIN-5 Alex Goligoski (2-Roughing) 20:00
MIN-6 Garrett Smaagaard (2-Roughing) 20:00
MIN-7 Mike Vannelli (5-Fighting) 20:00
MIN-8 Mike Vannelli (10-Game Disqualification) 20:00
NDK-3 Rylan Kaip (2-Roughing)20:00
NDK-4 Quinn Fylling (2-Roughing) 20:00
NDK-5 Rory McMahon (5-Fighting) 20:00
NDK-6 Rory McMahon (10-Game Disqualification) 20:00

UND Hockey: Bench Celly

See told you Hakstol was smiling. MT: NCAA Hockey: UND hockey Embraces Underdog Role - http://t.co/QeB4biyAcP … #THW pic.twitter.com/xTufJO9Ww7
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) April 3, 2014

There's visual evidence of UND head coach Dave Hakstol smiling.

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: North Dakota Embraces Underdog Role
• UND Hockey: It's Simple, Win and They're In
• NCAA Hockey: Attendance Issues Plague NCAA Regional Tournaments
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Blast from the past: the handshake game #2

Blast from the past... The Handshake game. End of game UND vs. Minnesota 1/14/2012: http://t.co/GsPYvWzZvZ via @YouTube
— Goon's ND Redneck (@NDRedneck) April 4, 2014

Who could forget the ending to this game, not many times you see a guy getting yanked out of a handshake line. Although, historically, it might have been a typical ending to a North Dakota vs. Minnesota game.  Blood would lose his "A" for his part in the handshake.

Minnesota Wild: Brandon Bollig Hits Zach Parise in the back of the head

Another night, another NHL player hit in the head by an elbow/forearm, there's no excusing this hit. The NHL needs to start protecting its players from predatory type hits, or we're going to have all of the star players on the shelf. This is unacceptable; please tell me why Brandon Bollig needs to hit Zach Parise in this instance, for one it’s from behind. That’s a penalty in itself.

Yeo on Bollig hit on Parise: "Didn't like it. Saw it coming." Said he "targeted" guys his previous shift with late hits #mnwild #blackhawks
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 4, 2014

Parise says he has a headache from Bollig: hasn't seen replay, but "all I know is I got hit in the head pretty good." #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 4, 2014

Blast from the Past: UND 4 UMN 4

UND had a 3-1 lead  in this game and let it slip away. The Minnesota Golden Gophers would charge back and score two unanswered goals to get the tie. This was the last series that UND played against the Gophers. One of those games that was fun to watch.

UND second most wins the last four years

Most Wins, Last 4 Years 113 - Boston College 105 - North Dakota 104 - Union 97 - Minnesota 90 - Denver, Quinnipiac #cawlidgehawkey
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) April 3, 2014

Here's a great statistic from ESPN'S John Buccigross. UND has the second most wins the last four years.

UND vs. UMN this should get you in the mood

Since Getty images made their images free for use, I have found some nice ones for the blog.

Mike Milbury responds to Paul Bissonnette tweet

If you haven't seen it, good stuff here. I think both Mike Milbury and Paul Bissonnette have a point

Knowing Mike Milbury has a job talking hockey makes me feel good about life after I'm done playing. Guy's a zero.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) March 31, 2014

Boston Bruins: Torey Krug no goal (Video)

Blown call by the officials. Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug was robbed of a legit goal. Zdeno Chara made no contact with Jimmy Howard.

(Video) Alex Burrows Hit on Ryan McDonagh

This is why people don't like the Vancouver Canucks and Alex Burrows. The game is over, there's 40 seconds to go in the game. There's no way that the Canucks are going to get two goals past all-world goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Burrows decides that its a good time to take a run at  Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh almost starting a brawl. Now, if watch the video you will see that Canucks forward Zach Kassian already had McDonagh tied, nothing illegal with that play. Burrows comes in high on a defenseless player that can't defend himself.

There's no punishment coming from the NHL for this hit. This is why the Rats need to be held accountable in the NHL. I would like to see the NHL get rid of NHL Rule 46.12.

46.12 Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time (or Anytime in Overtime) - A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major penalty for fighting, and a game misconduct penalty, subject to the conditions outlined in 46.22.

19:16 VAN Alexandre Burrows Elbowing (maj) against Ryan McDonagh
19:16 VAN Alexandre Burrows Game misconduct against Ryan McDonagh

Canucks' Burrows should not expect an NHL hearing for this hit on Rangers' McDonagh last night. Watch: http://t.co/qHohe1S38Z @sportsnet
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) April 2, 2014

#NYR No supplementary discipline expected for Vancouver's Alex Burrows' hit on Ryan McDonagh last night.
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) April 2, 2014

Hobey Hattrick has been announced

The 2014 Hobey Baker Hattrick has been announced. These are the two other players that will sit with Johnny Gaudreau when he wins the Hobey Baker Memorial Trophy on April 11, 2014. Congrats to all three players. They're all good candidates and they're amazing players.

Greg Carey (St. Lawrence University)
Nic Dowd (St. Cloud State)
Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College)

(Video) Brad Malone vs Derek MacKenzie Fight

s/t to The Whistler who sent me this video in an email today. Brad Malone absolutely works Derek MacKenzie. Not even a close fight; Malone also scored a goal as well.

(video) Douglas Murray on Mike Kostka

Here's the video of the Douglas Murray on Mike Kostka. It's pretty clear that it's a shoulder to the head. Murray has a hearing with the NHL's department of player safety. Murray never been suspended by the NHL according to his player page on TSN.CA.

Moment of impact on Murray-Kostka hit. #Habs #Bolts pic.twitter.com/NjNt4LYX19
— NHLEXPERTPICKS.COM (@NHLexpertpicks) April 2, 2014

Douglas Murray hit on Mike Kostka (GIFS) Has Hearing...

GIF: Doug Murray elbowing Mike Kostka in the head. Awful. http://t.co/El6d6JAUyQ
— Pat Iversen (@PatIversen) April 2, 2014

Hab's defenseman Douglas Murray should be getting a long suspension from the NHL's Department of Player Safety after this dirty, bush-league hit on Lightning defenseman Mike Kostka. This is unacceptable. What's your prediction for this suspension?

@CanadiensMTL Douglas Murray awaits a hearing with player safety after hit on @TBLightning Mike kostka. He has been suspended Indefinitely.
— NHL News (@Chel_Stats) April 2, 2014

Porter Wraparound or Gaarder 2OT Winner?

Ok UND fans, I need your help on this one. Which game winning goal was bigger in your opinion?

First we have the 2007 West Regional championship goal scored by Chris Porter. Porter scored the goal at 11:43 of the first overtime against none other then the hated Minnesota Golden Gophers. This would send the Sioux to the Frozen Four to face Boston College.

Now we have the most recent Connor Gaarder 2OT winner against Ferris State last weekend. This goal sent UND to their 20th Frozen Four in school history and the sixth one for head coach Dave Hakstol. Gaarder took the loose puck out front and shoved it five hole on the Hobey Baker finalist Motte to win the game for the good guys.

Let me hear your vote UND fans. Either comment your response here or send them to my Twitter handle @siouxhockey33. I know you all will have an opinion on this.

Pierre McGuire interviews Devils forward Travis Zajac

NBC's Pierre McGuire interviews New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac. The Former UND forward gives the University of North Dakota  hockey team some love going into the Frozen Four.

Two Games Without Heater and Two Wild Wins

For the first time in his career Saturday, Dany Heatley was a healthy scratch for the Minnesota Wild as they played Phoenix, in what quite possibly was the biggest regular season game for the Wild to this point.

Being demoted to the fourth line this season, Heater hasn't done much for the Wild, but I still will say the trade to San Jose to get him was one worth while. It got rid of a Martin Havlat who really didn't do much of anything for the Minnesota Wild.

However, is the offensive fuel for Dany Heatley running on empty? I think these past two games have shown that. His veteran presence in the locker room is probably one that is well liked, but his lack of production on the ice is one I think the fans won't miss.

Maybe Heatley was the thorn in the side as of late, keeping guys like former UMD Bulldog Justin Fontaine off the ice and I'm sure many will agree to this, and because of this, I don't see Heater getting much, if any, playing time until the playoffs, if he even gets any there.

Blast from the past: UND's Robbie Bina beats Jeff Frazee

Who could forget this goal. UND defenseman Robbie Bina beats Gophers goalie Jeff Frazee just over the end line. Tie game 3-3.

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• The Rivalry

UMN vs. UND (throwing out a few numbers)

The University of North Dakota (25-13-3) meets the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (27-6-6) in the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game.

Date: April 10 2014, at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, Pa.

Breaking down the historic series: The two teams haven’t met on the ice this season. Minnesota had a 1-0-1 record against North Dakota last season.  Minnesota is 6-3-1 in the last 10 games against North Dakota. In his 10 seasons, UND head coach Dave Hakstol has a 17-14-4 record against Don Lucia’s Golden Gophers. All-time playoff record against Minnesota: UND has a 22-19 record against Minnesota in the NCAA and WCHA playoffs.

Common opponents: UND (6-4-1), UMN (7-3-0)

UND vs. Bemidji State 1-0-1, Minnesota-Duluth 3-1-0, SCSU 1-3-0, Wisconsin 1-0-0

UMN vs. Bemidji State 2-0-0, Minnesota-Duluth 1-1-0, SCSU 2-0-0, Wisconsin 2-2-0

There is some discrepancy in the records

According the Minnesota: Minnesota leads the all-time series 145-130-15

According to North Dakota: Minnesota leads the all-time series 130-138-15

@Lefthook44 @goon48 UND only counts the games since it has been a varsity program (1946-47). Minnesota includes UND's pre-varsity days.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) April 1, 2014

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• NCAA Hockey: Attendance Issues Plague NCAA Regional Tournaments

Two Brothers, different teams

💛💛💛 “@Brodzyy: @Mbrodzinski20 you better win it all now! #BrothersForever pic.twitter.com/s99fOmfUEi”
— Abby (@ybba2215) March 31, 2014

This is a nice picture.

The Rivalry

Next Thursday, April 10th, 2014 is the day every NCAA hockey fan in the upper Midwest had hoped for since the addition of the NCHC and Big 10 this season, a MN vs. UND match-up. On the line is a trip to the national title game.

This is a rivalry that dates way back, but I am going to highlight some of the more exciting games in recent history, and a couple of older events between the two schools as well.

We will start back in 1979 in the national championship game. The then Fighting Sioux would match-up against the Gophers in a national title game for the first time in school history. The game, who many thought UND should have won, went into overtime and Minnesota native Neal Broten would score the game winner to earn Minnesota their third national championship.

Moving along to more recent times, one can't forget their many battles in the Final Five or even just in the regular season. We first go back to 2007 at Mariucci Arena. There is just over a minute left in the first period and the Sioux are down 3-2. Defenseman Robbie Bina clears the puck from the bottom of the circles, and 180 feet later, the puck is sitting behind Gopher goalie Jeff Frazee. I do believe that this is still the longest goal scored in NCAA history still, correct me if I am wrong.

Later in 2007 at the Final Five, Minnesota would counter this fluky Sioux goal with an overtime victory over the Sioux in the championship game. Trying to avoid an icing call, now Winnipeg Jets player, Blake Wheeler, would do a Superman like dive and chip the puck over the shoulder of JP Lamoureux to win the game. This was also the very first UND Gopher game that I ever attended. Unfortunately for me, I was young and influential so with how big of a Gopher fan my dad is, I was cheering for the dark side, however lets just not talk about that part of my life.

UND would get the last laugh in 2007. It would come in the West Regional championship game, once again in overtime. This goal was no fluke either. Sioux forward would gather up a lose puck, take it behind the net and have the wraparound of his life, putting the puck behind Frazee and sending the Sioux to the Frozen Four.

Among the many memories of scuffles, triumphs, and defeats, my personal favorite would have to be my very first Sioux Gopher game at the Ralph my freshman year at UND. It was a chilly January Friday, and our first weekend back from Winter break. Like the great UND students always do, I would wait in line for six hours that day, losing feeling in my feet, to get a seat on the glass for this epic battle. Little did I know it would be a game to remember. This game had everything. A lot of big hits, scrums, and great game speed. Oh yeah and a UND victory. What made this game memorable for me though is, then junior defenseman Andrew MacWilliam scoring his very first collegiate goal in his 102nd game played for the Sioux. Being right on the glass right next to where he shot the puck from made it just that much better.

Finally, one can't talk this rivalry without talking the comeback of the decade at the 2012 Final Five. the first 30 minutes of their semi-final match-up was all Minnesota. Late in the second down 3-0, Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol calls the infamous timeout, and the floodgates opened. It would start with a quick goal off of a face-off from Derek Forbort and UND would go into the locker room down 3-1 with one period left. UND would strike quick when Michael Parks would find the twine to pull the Sioux within one goal. While the PA guy was announcing the goal, Brock Nelson would make it a tie game. Minnesota was now playing on their heels and half of the Xcel Energy Center was left stunned. The guy who scored the fourth goal, and game winner couldn't have been more fitting though. The captain, the Grand Forks native, a guy who bleeds green, Mario Lamoureux would make it 4-3 and the comeback would be officially complete. UND would score two more, including one more from Lamoureux to send UND to their third straight WCHA championship.

I will be sharing more of my favorite memories from this historic rivalry as we get closer to the game on April 10th. Feel free to share your favorite memories with me via Twitter @siouxhockey33.

(Video) Brooks Orpik hit on Jonathan Toews

I am not a fan of Brooks Orpik, not at all. He will lay people out with huge hits that seem to always be in the grey area. He'll layout a star player and not answer the bell when challenged. That's my biggest problem with this guy. This hit is right on the edge. It could go either way. I am not a fan of either team. I have no dog in this fight.

But look at it this way. If someone hit Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby this way, what would happen to that player in question. It Wild forward Matt Cooke hit Jonathan Toews with this hit, would he be getting a call from the Department of Player Safety?

Still not convinced?

Let me put it to you this way. I am sure that if the Bruins forward Milan Lucic hit Sidney Crosby like that Penguins fan's would be fine with that hit, right? I am sure they would be.... Right? They wouldn't be screaming for a suspension, right? Of course not. I am not saying that Brooks deserves to be suspended by the NHL. He won't be. The next time someone takes a run at Crosby, remember this hit.

@tjmcaloon the suspension train is pulling in the station. pic.twitter.com/KSjZlakOt9
— Michael Keating (@KeatingSports) March 31, 2014

UND vs UMN a trip down memory lane

The storied feud continues, Hatfield's and McCoy's. After taking a year off during the regular season, the hockey gods are going to allow this game to happen. UMN and UND will renew their rivalry at the Frozen Four in Philly. The city of Brotherly love. Oh the Irony.



I had actually forgot this game.

Who can forget the Evan Trupp goal in overtime.

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What does your brackets look like?

I picked three-of-four Frozen Four teams right.

Connor Gaarder

Lets just take a quick glance at Connor Gaarder at UND.......
2011: Came on as a freshman walk on from Edina, Minnesota fighting for a roster spot.
2012: Sophomore season records first Hat Trick in NCAA career against Boston University
2014: Junior season scores the GWG against Ferris State in double OT to send UND into the Frozen Four

I'd say for a walk on, this kid has scored some pretty impressive goals, and pretty big goals at that. Not only does he score big goals, but when Connor Gaarder scores, he seems to do so in bunches.

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• UND Hockey: Third Line Making an Impact

Connor Gaarder game winning goal - GIF

s/t to @cjzero What a night of hockey eh?

Gothberg and Gaarder lead team to Frozen Four

Like most UND hockey fans, I am still trying process what happened this past weekend. I don’t think that many saw this coming. Especially after they started the season 4-7-2. Since December 1, 2013, UND has been on a tear and gone 21-6-1 (.768). That's one of the best records in college hockey during that time span.

Before leaving the Wednesday press conference, Jayson Hajdu told me that UND would be playing in two weeks. "There will be a press conference next week." Maybe we should re-name him Carnac the Magnificent.

No one in the blogosphere really gave UND much of a chance to win the Midwest Regional. When I saw that UND was playing Wisconsin in the Midwest Regional semifinal game, I felt there was a “good chance” UND could advance to the Midwest Regional final. Ironically, there are a lot of similarities between last year’s Yale team and this year’s UND team. UND was the last team in the NCAA tournament, so was Yale. The Bulldogs beat a one-seed and a two-seed. Ditto for UND.

The winning goalie after the game...

“Growing up, you hear about North Dakota hockey and it is just tradition,” UND sophomore goalie Zane Gothberg said. “It’s something we take pride in practice or in games. A lot of it starts with the coaching staff instilling that level of competition and pride. It feels great and all of our hard work has gone for a good cause.”

On scoring the game winning goal.

“We were scrumming in the corner and it just came to a point out there,’ junior forward Connor Gaarder said. “I knew I had to get to the net. The rebound came right to me and kind of just slid it in there.”

UND 2 FSU O.T. (game winning goal video)

I have said numerous times this season that this is a good hockey team. They might have flown under the radar, but they're in the Frozen Four. So, they will finish no worse than third this season. I do think that this is one of  Dave Hakstol's best job as head coach.

Think about this, since Hakstol has been the head coach at the University of North Dakota, his hockey team's qualified for the Frozen Four 6-out-10 seasons that he has been the coach at UND. That's pretty damn good. More tomorrow. #rolltribe

@Buccigross "@TheNCHC: @UNDMHockey celebrates its Midwest Regional championship! Photo courtesy @tripledekephoto pic.twitter.com/jDc5CHFCZt"
— Rachel Lewis (@tripledekephoto) March 30, 2014

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UND vs. FSU Lines (NCAA Midwest Regional)

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair–22 Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Defense Pairings

18 Dillon Simpson–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Ferris Forward Lines

21 Justin Buzzeo–6 Kyle Schempp–16 Garrett Thompson
18 Andy Huff–8 Cory Kane–20 Gerald Mayhew
17 Jared VanWormer–11 Kenny Babinski–9 Chad McDonald
22 Matt Robertson–19 Justin DeMartino–28 Seth Adams

Ferris Defense Pairings

2 Scott Czarnowczan–3 Travis White
23 Brandon Anselmini–10 Ryan Lowney
25 Sean O’Rourke–7 Jason Binkley

Ferris Goalies

30 C.J. Motte
29 Charles Williams
31 Trace Pennoc

Don Cherry uninformed when it comes to college hockey

This is a really good read. I know you're going to be shocked by this news. Apparently, xenophobe Don Cherry of the Coaches Corner stepped on it again this week blasting US division I college hockey. Cherry is not a  fan of an ex-college hockey player taking the ice over a player that played in the Canadian Hockey League. This article kind of piggy backs on this subject. See tweets below.

Stephen Whyno, The Canadian Press – "I think that if more Canadian families were exposed to what college can do -- as parents for your kid socially, athletically and academically ... I think more people would be doing it," said University of Denver coach Jim Montgomery, a Montreal native who went to Maine and ended up playing 122 NHL games.

One opportunity for exposure is the NCAA tournament, which begins Friday and includes 109 Canadian players. There are 35 players from Ontario, 35 from British Columbia, 18 from Alberta and seven each from Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Many of those players are trying to follow in the footsteps of several successful Canadian NHLers who went to college, including four members of the gold-medal-winning Sochi Olympic team: Jonathan Toews (North Dakota), Martin St. Louis (Vermont), Patrick Sharp (Vermont) and Chris Kunitz (Ferris State).

Among the 945 players to see NHL action this season, 100 were Canadians who played at a U.S. college.

Naturally, many went the more traditional road, through the QMJHL, OHL or WHL. But the NCAA is slowly becoming another acceptable way to get there.

Here's are the tweets in question from Don Cherry. I must say that Cherry is clueless when it comes to college hockey. Also, historically, the Toronto Marlies have had a fair number of college hockey players on their roster. Two years ago, when the Marlies made a run in the playoffs they had many ex-college hockey players, making a huge contribution for the Marlies on the ice. This season, if my math is correct, the Marlies have three players with college hockey experience.

5) kid coming from college. We wanna have a look-see. Imagine how he feels. But the dumb dumb media who never played the game, coached the
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

4) expense of a kid who has been playing regularly all year. Imagine going to tell a kid he's not playing. Why? He asks. Cause we've got a
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

3) Flyers. Thought he is big and must be tough. But that wasn't the point I was making. Make no mistake about it. Eric is dropping in at the
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

2) it's ridiculous. I know Eric was a 2009 5th round draft choice. In fact I remember reading about him when he played for Philadelphia Jr
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

1) I really am amused when I see media types criticize me for saying Eric Knodel, US College guy, dropping in to take the spot of a Marlie.
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

NCAA Hockey: What does your bracket look like this morning?

What does your bracket look like this morning... I picked the Quinnipiac and Providence game wrong.

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Mark MacMillan goal - GIF

As always s/t to @CJZERO 

Edit: UND 5 UW 2 (Video)

Tonight, UND beat a very good Wisconsin team 5-2. Wisconsin came into tonight's game with nine seniors on their roster. UND played tonight's game with two seniors in their lineup captain Dillon Simpson and Derek Rodwell. Senior goalie Clark Saunders was the backup goalie and Mitch MacMillan was a healthy scratch. To put it in perspective, UND beat a very good veteran team. The Badgers were built to go deep into the NCAA playoffs and their season was cut short. 

This past week, I read a lot of blog posts and newspaper articles, and no one gave UND much of a chance of winning this game. Big night for UND sophomore forward Rocco Grimaldi, who scored (3g-0a—3pts). According to UNDSID Jayson Hajdu, Grimaldi had played in 83 games and never scored two goals in a game. Looks like he saved his best effort for one of the most important games of his UND hockey career.

The following players also had a big night for UND, junior forwards Mike Parks (1g-1a—2pts), Mark MacMillan (1g-2a—3pts). UND will play Ferris State tomorrow night for a chance to go to the Frozen Four.

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UND vs. UW Lines (NCAA Midwest Regional Semi Finals)

UND Forward lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)

28 Stephane Pattyn(A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson21 Brendan O’Donnell –13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell

29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair – 22 Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Defense Pairings

5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 25 Mitch MacMillan (Sr F), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)

Wisconsin Badgers Forward Lines

17 Nic Kerdiles – 9 Mark Zengerle – 7 Tyler Barnes

15 Morgan Zulinick – 14 Jefferson Dahl – 25 Michael Mersch

21 Grant Besse – 16 Joseph LaBate – 18 Sean Little

26 Brad Navin – 12 Keegan Meuer – 22 Jed Soleway

Wisconsin Badgers Defense Pairings

19 Jake McCabe – 24 Joe Faust

28 Kevin Schulze – 27 Frankie Simonelli

20 Eddie Wittchow – 5 Chase Drake

Badger Goalies

33 Joel Rumple

30 Landon Peterson

General Pattyn 'Play Sioux Hockey'

@GeneralPattyn28 your intuition and spirit are correct...SIOUX hockey. https://t.co/c1d42NPCID
— Katie O'Keefe-Hale (@KOKeefeHale) March 28, 2014

Got to love the General. The guys solid and will probably be your team captain next season.

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NCAA Hockey: Jonathan Turk knees Shane Gostisbehere (Video)

Vermont’s Jonathan Turk was given a two minute minor penalty for Charging. To me, this looks like Turk hit the Union defenseman Shayne Gotisbehere with a knee on the back of the knee hit. Union wasn’t happy with the hit. Gotisbehere did return to play in the second period.

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