Today in Hockey History, Pierre McGuire fired from the Whalers

20 years ago today Pierre McGuire was fired from his coaching position with the Hartford Whalers pic.twitter.com/sNmAxmXqx2
— Goalie Ways (@GoalieWays) May 19, 2014

Now, with any luck, we could get NBC to fire him. In my opinion, it would be a very good start. Pierre McGuire is one of the most annoying hockey analysts in all of hockey.

Jeff Jacobs; Courant columnist--- With one brush of his newly recovered powers Thursday, general manager Paul Holmgren did more to unify the Whalers than anybody in recent team history.

Holmgren fired coach Pierre McGuire after six months.

It was more than a great idea.

It was justice,

Tin Foil Hat Alert: Canadiens fans say that Chris Kreider Ran Carey Price intentionally

Wow! This story is getting a bit silly, if not ridiculous. Seriously, some Canadiens fans want us to believe that New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider purposely ran Carey Price, with the intention of hurting if not taking out Price.  I heard there's  a black helicopter landing in these fans back yard, with a fully armed swat team exiting the aircraft.

If you're one of these fans that believe this, I going to refer you to the video evidence provided in this blog post. Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin both hack, and causes a Kreider to wipeout. Kreider who skating very fast on the play, has no chance of stopping due to his speed and momentum. The collision with Price, although an accident, was very violent.

According to the Canadiens, Price is done for the series.

CareyPrice hurt by Chris Kreider, Price's status unknown

In re-watching this video, I am not seeing an intent by New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider. Looks like he's coming with speed and gets tripped up by the Canadiens defender. Could Kreider have avoided contact with Price? I don't think he could have base on how fast he was skating.

Apparently, the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens Michel Therrien thinks that Kreider didn't do enough to avoid contact with Carey Price.

Therrien reiterated that he felt the incident between Kreider and Price was "accidental," but took a thinly veiled shot at the Rangers' forward as well. "Let's put it this way, he didn't put much effort to avoid the contact," Therrien said. (Katie Strang, ESPN.COM)

(Video) Chicago Blackhawks goal that was disallowed (Goalie Interference)

Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews thought he had scored Chicago's second goal of the game. The play was ruled goalie interference. Was this the right call or not? Should the goal have counted?  Rule 69.1 states that you can't review goalie interference with the aid of video replay.

So, here's my question, how do we know when the refs didn't didn't use video replay when they called up stairs to make the decision? We don't. This might be one of those plays where the  refs "should" be able to review video to help them make a decision.

NHL Hockey: Evolution of the game?

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I have said in the past, that players that score 30 goals and fight will be a premium some day. I still stand by the assertion. The one dimensional goons (that can only fight) are going to be a thing of the past. Moving forward, in the years ahead, players will need to actually play hockey and contribute to their team in some way.  The John Scotts of the world are going to be on the NHL's unemployment line, very soon. There will still be fighting, just less of it.

Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe -- But it takes an agreement to fight. If a skilled team doesn’t have a slugger, the opponent’s tough guy has no dance partner. Through attrition, the fighter is becoming irrelevant. Heavyweights such as Thornton, Scott (Buffalo), Micheal Haley (Rangers), George Parros (Montreal), Mike Rupp (Minnesota), Cam Janssen (New Jersey), Steve MacIntyre (Edmonton), Ben Eager (Edmonton), Paul Bissonnette (Phoenix), and Kevin Westgarth (Calgary) will become unrestricted free agents this summer. Some of these players may be on their final NHL contracts.

“The fisticuff trend — this doesn’t characterize Thorty as just a fighter, because he’s contributed on that line and that line has had a lot of success in the past — we’re definitely trending away from that style,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said.

The Bruins are in transition. Thornton is doubtful to return. Paille and Campbell will enter the final year of their contracts. This could be the beginning of refreshing the fourth line to keep pace with Chicago’s innovation.

Paille is a good No. 4 left wing. He’s fast, kills penalties, and is good in battles. Justin Florek could replace Thornton on the right side. Florek is big and smart. He’s strong on the walls. He can also kill penalties.

UND Hockey: UND Recruits in the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft

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You can check out my full list at the Hockey Writers. The 2014 NHL Entry Draft is on June 27-28, 2014. I have compiled a list of future UND hockey players that are eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft. This list was based on the Central Scouting’s rankings.

Rhett Gardner, Forward, Okotoks Oilers AJHL, North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

#24 – Nick Schmaltz, Forward, Green Bay USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

Ryan Mantha, Sioux City USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

Austin Poganski, Forward, Tri-City USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

Chris Wilkie, Forward, Tri-City USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

Shane Gersich, Forward, USNTDP USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

**Drake Caggiula, Forward, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

**UND forward Drake Caggiula is still eligible to be drafted, and there’s a possibility that he could be drafted up by a team in the 2014 NHL Draft.
#ISS Hockey Top 30 Prospects Rankings [LINK]

Vote for T.J. Oshie in the TSN Play of the Year

You can vote for former Fighting Sioux and current St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie against Philadelphia Flyer forward Claude Giroux for TSN's Play of the Year. Here's the link for voting.

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• TJ Oshie asks fans for support to grace video game cover

(Video) Derick Brassard Injured After Hit From Mike Weaver

It's better to be the hammer than the nail. New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard is injured after a clean, hard check by Canadiens defenseman Mike Weaver. Brassard left the game and didn't return.

Rangers coach A. Vigneault says Derick Brassard "day to day" after he was injured 1st pd vs. Canadiens (ESPN) http://t.co/wwdwdGz5gU
— Tom Callahan (@CallahanOnAir) May 17, 2014

Humor: Milan Lucic's trip through the handshake line (Video)

This version is more than humorous than Milan Lucic telling someone that he's going F'N kill them.

UND Native American students "want all use" of Retired Fighting Sioux Logo banned

 

 

Here's the whole Tumblr post in question.

Minnesota Wild: Thursday Afternoon Humor

Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand Punches Tomas Plekanec before the Face-Off

This happened right before a face-off during the third period of last night's game. Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand punches Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec in the side of the head. This isn't going to play well with the Marchand haters. During the regular season, this would have probably started a line braul.

Milan Lucic's trip through the hand shake line. Lucic Threatens Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin

At the end of the game, Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic used the handshake line to say his piece to Montreal Canaidens Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin. According to Weise, Lucic threatened him. Traditionally, the handshake line is considered sacred ground and it a taboo to start something in the handshake line. Once the game is over, it's over, the handshake line is supposed to be devoid of extracurricular activities.

From Michael Hurley of CBS Boston.

Weise didn’t repeat exactly what Lucic said, but TSN’s Aaron Ward reportedly watched slowed down video that showed Lucic telling Weise, “I’m going to [expletive] kill you next year.”

“You look at a guy like Shawn Thornton who has been around the league and he plays hard and he plays that role and he had good things to say to everybody,” Weise told the media. “He [lost] with class and Milan Lucic just couldn’t do that. Well I won’t get into what he said — it’s just poor, it’s a poor way to lose.”

Weise says Lucic threatened him in the handshake and said something similarly threatening to Emelin. Emotional series ends with tough words.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 15, 2014

Milan Lucic and Dale Weise had an awkward moment with this handshake, and Lucic giving him a few choice F words. pic.twitter.com/eZMyQNz4AC
— Jeff Adams (@jeffmadams) May 15, 2014

L.A. Kings: Matt Greene Smokes Mathieu Perreault

Former UND defenseman and current Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene lays the wood to Anaheim Ducks forward Mathieu Perreault. You have to love Green's reaction when he realizes that he's been assessed a two-minute minor for interference. "F#ck," Green said.

(Video) Brad Marchand snows Carey Price

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was given a two-minute penalty for snowing Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, seven seconds into the second period. Fortunately for the Bruins, they were able to kill the Montreal power-play.

Minnesota Wild: Erik Haula scores a sweet goal in game six (Video)

Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula scored a beautiful goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in game six of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Blackhawks would win the game and series in overtime with a goal from Patrick Kane.

During the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Haula gave us a glimpse of things to come and tells us that the future is very bright for the Minnesota Wild hockey team.

02:29 MIN Erik Haula (4) Wrist shot - ASST: Matt Cooke (3), Clayton Stoner (2)

Pens to fire head coach Dan Bylsma?

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First, I think that Dan Bylsma is a very good hockey coach. I find it puzzling that the Pens ownership is going to blame the head coach for Sidney Crosby scoring (1g-8a—9pts) in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. I find that troubling that the head coach is always to blame when a team loses. Bylsma did win a Stanley Cup during the 2008-09 season.

If Bylsma is fired, and he probably will be, he will get a new coaching job very quickly. Some  ownership group is going to want him to be their next head coach. I think the biggest issue is that the Penguins don't have a tough guy to protect Crosby and  Evgeni Malkin from all of the extra bravo sierra that they have had deal with on the ice. Like I mentioned earlier this week, if Wayne Gretzky had to put up with this garbage Crosby has during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there would have been blood on the ice.

Rob Rossi, Trib Live --- Those questions already were being asked by majority co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle and CEO David Morehouse.

Penguins ownership will consider a sweeping overhaul that could include terminating general manager Ray Shero in addition to Dan Bylsma and the members of the coaching staff, multiple sources told the Tribune-Review. Ownership specifically is concerned about a perceived lack of accountability for players, overall team toughness and unproductive drafts, the sources said.

The sources also said Penguins ownership might not want to undergo a complete front-office shakeup with only about a month before the NHL Entry Draft.

No decisions have been made, and they will not be rushed, the sources said.

Shero and Bylsma have two years remaining on their contracts. Shero signed Bylsma and top assistants Tony Granato and Todd Reirden to extensions a few days after the Penguins were swept from the conference final by Boston last June

I am not a Penguins fan, but I have been taken back by how many fans are calling for his head. This past season Bylsma lead the Penguins went 51-24-7 record and finished first in the Metropolitan Division. That's a very respectable finish and it's very hard to win in the NHL playoffs.

UND Hockey: Vote for T.J. Oshie for the 2015 EASPORTS NHL Cover Vote

If you're interested in voting. You can vote [by going to this link.]

(Video Highlights) University of North Dakota athletics 2013-14

Check out this sweet video from the University of North Dakota. It's a pretty good video montage.There's some good memories from the past season for UND sports. I like the one with Brewster dancing with the UND first lady. That's classic.

Wild's Ballard not impressed with Bollig's dirty hit or his text

Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard is returning to the lineup tonight and weighed in on Brandon Bollig's dirty hit. Classic stuff.

Ballard: "Too much gets made of the whole, ‘Did he text you?’ I don’t give a shit. I honestly don’t. It’s fine. That’s what happens."
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 13, 2014

Perusing the NCHC Inaugural Season: Year in Review

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Reading the NCHC Inaugural Season in review, something caught my eye. You can read the whole report here at this link. It will be interesting to see how this plays out going forward. In my opinion, I thought it was a pretty successful first season in the NCHC.

2. Exposure/Branding

a. Television – We want to augment the CBS Sports Network partnership with new distribution opportunities, particularly regionally and locally for our member schools.

War of Words, Bruins and Canadiens

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The war of words has started between the two teams. Game seven should be pretty tame compared to last night's game. Unless the game gets out of hand for one team, either way, I don't see any extra bravo sierra happening in game seven. I could be wrong. I always like the exchange of words between the two teams. Always entertaining. Reminds me of North Dakota and Minnesota in hockey.

NESN.COM -- The Canadiens appeared to send their message via Twitter, while Bruins coach Claude Julien defended his club when speaking with reporters in his postgame news conference.

“All I said was that we’re perceived like the bad guys, and they’re the good guys,” Julien said. “When Markov trips Chara and puts his stick between his legs, somebody’s going to react. Whether it’s right or wrong, Zdeno reacted and then everything else happened.”

That wasn’t the only thing that had Julien a little ticked, as he accused Montreal’s David Desharnais of slew-footing Boston’s Brad Marchand late in the period, too.

“There was a slew-foot before, Desharnais on Marchand. It was a slewfoot. Those are things we keep talking about that are dangerous in our game. It’s a rivalry and there are some things going on on both sides. I’m not portraying ourselves as innocent here, I’m just saying it takes two teams to tangle and that’s what happened.”

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All class, Milan Lucic pelted with trash as he leaves the ice in Montreal

The Canadiens fans are unhappy with Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic as is pelted with trash as he leaves the ice. s/t the score.

(Video) Bruins and Canadiens scrum, Markov spears Chara in the groin (GIF)

Another game, and another cup check. This time Andrei Markov spears Zdeno Chara in the family jewels. I would like to know what the cup check count is up to? You have to give the Canadiens coaching staff credit for not having Alexei Emelin and P.K. Subban on the ice at the end of the game. All in good fun right?

(Video) Milan Lucic runs over Alexei Emelin

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic absolutely destroy Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin with a good, hard, legal check. Emelin didn't seem quite right after this hit.

Boston and Montreal: A few GIFS to start game six

Not a real good start to the game between Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens as a puck gets past Tuukka Rask in the early minutes of game six.  The Bruins seemed to pick it up after Montreal tried playing physical against them. The Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask had to be good to start the game.

Two Ex-UND Hockey Players in Top-10 for Playoff Scoring

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Former UND hockey players Jonathan Toews and Zach Parise are still in the top-10 for scoring during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

2013-14 NHL Playoff Leaders Points
1.	Anze Kopitar	15
2.	Zach Parise	14
3.	Ryan Getzlaf	13
	Evgeni Malkin	13
5.	P.K. Subban	12
6.	Marian Hossa	11
7.	Marian Gaborik	10
	Nathan MacKinnon	10
	Corey Perry	10
	Brent Seabrook	10
	Paul Stastny	10
	Jonathan Toews	10

Full 2013-14 Leaders

Gionta, "For the most part of the series we’ve outplayed them"

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Former Boston College Eagle Brian Gionta is delusional if he thinks that the Canadiens have outplayed the Boston Bruins. For the most part. I think that the Habs have gotten some great breaks, but Boston has been the better team.

Pat Hickey, The Gazette --- We knew what we’re getting into in this series,” captain Brian Gionta said Sunday after the team held an optional workout in Brossard. “They’re a good team. We’re playing at home. For the most part of the series we’ve outplayed them and we feel comfortable.”

“Some of our guys have done this before,” added David Desharnais, who was referring to the last playoff meeting between these teams in 2011, when the Canadiens won Game 6 at home and then lost in overtime in Boston in Game 7. “We’re in front of our fans and we like the way we play at home.”

The confidence in the Canadiens’ dressing room might stem from the fact they never trailed in this series until the loss Saturday gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead. There’s an argument to be made the Canadiens could have swept this series — they had a late two-goal lead in Game 2 and a Boston bounce produced a 1-0 overtime win for the Bruins in Game 4.

Stephane Pattyn named UND's Team Captain

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In a move that should surprise no one, UND has named Steph Pattyn team captain for the 2014-15 season. (Official UND hockey press release)

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Head Men’s Hockey Coach Dave Hakstol announced today that rising senior forward Stephane Pattyn has been named team captain for the 2014-15 season. In addition, Hakstol announced that classmates Connor Gaarder, Mark MacMillan and Michael Parks have been named assistant captains.  

Pattyn, affectionately dubbed “The General” by his teammates, served as an assistant captain as a junior in 2013-14. He played in all 42 games and established career highs in points (16), goals (7), assists (9), power-play goals (3) and plus/minus (+10). The Ste. Anne, Manitoba, native has missed just one game in his collegiate career and will enter his senior year as UND’s active leader in career games played with 125.

Gaarder also enjoyed a breakthrough season as a junior, appearing in all 42 games and setting career highs in points (17), goals (9), assists (8), game-winning goals (2) and plus/minus (+5). A native of Edina, Minn., Gaarder was named to the NCAA Midwest Region All-Tournament Team after scoring the double-overtime game-winning goal in UND’s 2-1 win over Ferris State in the regional final. Gaarder also earned academic all-conference honors for the second time and was recently named UND’s 2013-14 Male Unsung Hero (all sports).

MacMillan appeared in 38 games last season and ranked third on the team in scoring with a career-high 26 points, matching his career high with 16 assists. Four of his 10 goals were game-winners. A native of Penticton, British Columbia, MacMillan was one of 18 national candidates for the 2014 Hockey Humanitarian Award while earning academic all-conference honors for the second year in a row.

Parks, like Pattyn, served as an assistant captain in 2013-14 and earned All-National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Second Team honors after collecting a career-high 30 points in 42 games. The St. Louis, Mo., native, who will be UND’s top returning scorer in 2014-15, also set a new career high with 18 assists and matched his career high with 12 goals.

North Dakota (25-14-3, 15-9-0 NCHC) qualified for the NCAA postseason tournament for the 12th consecutive season in 2013-14, the longest active streak in Division I men’s hockey, and won the NCAA Midwest Regional to advance to the 20th NCAA Frozen Four in program history.

(Video) Sidney Crosby cup checks Dominic Moore after being mugged by him

First, I am not a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins by any stretch of the imagination, but in this case I don't blame Sidney Crosby for being upset. Shouldn’t the ref call the penalties as they present themselves? The blatant holding the stick, is a penalty in high school, college and in the NHL.

The treatment that Crosby has been given during the playoffs, that has gone uncalled is ridiculous. Does the NHL want their star players out with injuries or concussions?

Also, what is Crosby supposed to do? Dominic Moore has Sid’s stick and won’t let go, that’s should be a penalty, so Crosby stuck him. While we don't want to see players spearing their opponents, sometimes the opponents should expect "something" in return, especially when they do stuff like this.

You have to give kudos to Chris Kunitz for sticking up for his fellow teammate as well. Can you imagine what former Oilers tough guy Dave Semenko would have done, if someone had done this to Wayne Gretzky? There would have been blood on the ice.

20:00 PIT Chris Kunitz Roughing - 2 min against Dominic Moore
20:00 PIT Sidney Crosby Cross checking - 2 min against Marc Staal
20:00 NYR Brian Boyle Cross checking - 2 min against Sidney Crosby

Non Boston Bruins Fans: Why do you hate the Bruins?

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I figured it would be a good day to have an open forum. I might be painting with a broad brush, but I have come to the realization that a lot of NHL hockey fans hate the Boston Bruins, for whatever reason. So, I would like to conduct some informal, nonscientific research to see why. Here's your chance to give your opinion. Comparing the Bruins to other franchises, it’s amazing how much hate the Bruins get from other fan bases. You don't see this reaction to the Minnesota Wild, unless it comes from the Denver Post beat writers.

Some fans call them the dirtiest franchise in the NHL… Those are the exact words of one of my buddies. Who happens to be a Penguins fan.

Bruins pest extraordinaire Brad Marchand seems to draw a lot of hate from opposition fans, some of it earned.

Bruins tough guy Milan Lucic, isn’t well liked by other fan bases, especially by Habs’ fans. I would also be willing to be that Les Habitants' defenseman Alexei Emelin isn’t going to be sending Looch a Christmas card during the holidays. Personally, I can't stand the rouge, blanc, bleu and I am a know Montreal Canadiens hater.

Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton fined for water bottle incident

I know it's not supposed to be funny, but.... I could just see the video now. Saturday night in Boston, in the waning minutes of game five, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton squirted water from the players bench at Montreal Canadiens Defenseman P.K. Subban, striking him in the visor. This is unsportsmanlike conduct. The NHL Department of Player Safety has decided to fine Thornton $2,820.52.

James Mirtle (@myrtle) tweeted at 10:09 AM on Sun, May 11, 2014: Shawn Thornton fined $2820.52 for "unsportsmanlike conduct" i.e. the water bottle incident with PK Subban. Ho hum.

(Video X2) Shawn Thornton sprays P.K. Subban with the water bottle

It appears that Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton squirted Hab's defenseman P.K. Subban with a water bottle from the players bench. When asked if it was Thornton that squirted him.

“I don’€™t know if it was him, but somebody had squirted water twice at the end of the game there,” Subban said. “Hit me in the visor. I couldn’€™t even see the last minute and a half out there. I was pretty upset about that.”

While Subban doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, the NHL Department of Player Safety might be taking a look at this incident. Shawn Thornton could be looking at a fine from the NHL.

As lame as it may sound, Hockey Ops and safety dept will discuss potential of fine for Thornton squirting water at Subban during play.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 11, 2014

There was a little bit of discussion about the water bottle incident in Subban's post game scrum as well.

Chicago's Brandon Bollig will have a hearing with Department of Player Safety

Looks like Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig's has a date with the NHL's Department of Players Safety. The Chicago forward has a hearing for his dirty, and dangerous hit on Wild defenseman Keith Ballard. After the hit, Ballard was face down on the ice for a period of time before he got up, and skated to the Wild bench. Ballard didn't return.

(@NHLPlayerSafety) tweeted at 12:57pm - 10 May 14: Chicago's Brandon Bollig will have a hearing today for boarding/checking from behind on Minnesota's Keith Ballard.

Minnesota Wild: Putting it all into perspective

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Good morning… I was looking at my favorite new statistics site [hockeyreference.com] and perusing the Minnesota Wild’s playoff stats. I am sure that like many of your, I was surprised to find out that the much maligned Wild forward Dany Heatley has scored (1g-5a—6pts) and is a +7 in nine playoff games. Seriously, a (+7). That’s not a misprint or a typo. Heater was a (-18) during the regular season. Since returning to the lineup, the former Wisconsin Badger has played decent, and hasn't been the usual turnover factory that he was during the regular season. My guess is that Heatley is trying to impress future suitors when July 5th free agent signing period comes around.

Last night, Matt Cooke returned from his league imposed seven-game suspension for his dirty leg check on Tyson Barrie and immediately gave the Wild another dynamic that they lacked while he was gone. Cooke created havoc in the Blackhawks end and assisted on Justin Fontaine’s first period goal.

Justin Fontaine's goal in the first period of last night's game was a thing of beauty. Coming into the season, there were a lot of Fontaine doubters that said the former UMD Bulldog would never get much more than a cup of coffee at the NHL level. Well, I think he's surpassed those expectations. Well, through 66 regular season games and seven Stanley Cup Playoff games, the former Bulldog has scored (14g-9a—23pts). I would think that 73 games would classify as more than a cup of coffee.

Last night, I said on twitter, “When you get past all of the extra bravo sierra Matt Cooke is a really good hockey player.” I thought Cooke’s was a game changer last night, and just proved that when he plays hockey, and doesn’t attempt to decapitate people, he’s a very important asset on the ice. It’s obvious that the Wild missed his play.  As a fan, you just hope that he can behave himself the rest of the playoffs and stay out of suspension trouble.

One of the things that I saw pop up on Twitter last night was that the Wild had six skaters on the ice to open the third period. It's actually pretty obvious that the Wild have way too many on the ice, however, the play went undetected by the on-ice officials. [Here's the link to the video.]

Last night, Wild forward Zach Parise blasted Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane with a stiff, hard, legal check.  I told someone this morning, that I thought that Parise had an extra gear last night.

Brandon Bollig Boards Keith Ballard

Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig absolutely destroyed Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard with a very dangerous, and unnecessary hit. You can't hit a guy in the numbers, not like that. I think that Bollig should have been tossed from the game for this hit and given a five minute major and a game misconduct. Ballard would leave the game with what appears to be a concussion.

Yeo gave no update on Ballard. More tomorrow
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) May 10, 2014

(Video) Matt Beleskey flips Doughty over the boards into the bench

Anaheim Ducks forward Matt Beleskey absolutely destroys L.A. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. The Kings defenseman goes over the boards into the Ducks players' bench. I have been in awe as I have watched this series. I can't get over how physical these two teams have played against each other. Whoever wins this series, is going to be very beat up. One of the questions that I asked myself, would a college hockey be able to be this physical without spending all game in the penalty box? Definitely the Ducks and the Kings are hard to play against.

Mike Haviland named head coach of C.C. Tigers

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It's an interesting selection, Mike Haviland has been hired as the 14th head coach of the Colorado College Tigers hockey team. Haviland played collegiately at Elmira College a Division III school. Also, it looks to be a good hire, Haviland has coached in the American Hockey League and the National Hockey league as an assistant.

Colorado College Tigers --- Mike Haviland has agreed to become Colorado College's next head ice hockey coach. The highly regarded veteran coach with experience at the NCAA, ECHL, AHL and NHL levels will take over as the 14th coach of the Tigers later this month.

Haviland, most recently head coach for the Hershey Bears, the oldest franchise in the AHL, owns an impressive record. He earned a Stanley Cup as assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL in 2010. He was honored with the AHL's Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Coach of the Year Award for the 2006-07 season while serving as head coach of the Norfolk Admirals. He won ECHL championships as head coach of Trenton Titans in 2004-05 and the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2002-03. From 1996-1998 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Elmira College, Haviland helped guide that team to two ECAC championships.

Haviland has more than 20 years of hockey coaching experience, and became head coach of the Hershey Bears in 2013. Prior to arriving at Hershey, he served as associate head coach at Norfolk. From 2008-2012 he served as an assistant coach for the Blackhawks. Haviland got his start in the Blackhawk organization by serving as head coach of Rockford in 2007-2008. He also served as head coach for Norfolk in 2005-2007; of Trenton in the ECHL from 2004-2005; and Atlantic City of the ECHL from 2001-2004. Prior to 2001 Haviland served as assistant coach for several organizations.

Matt Fraser celly (GIF)

s/t to Steph @myregularface.... Check out Matt Fraser's Celly... That was a sweet goal. The last time that he scored a goal was on January 9, 2014, against the L.A. Kings.

Boston Bruins: Matt Fraser scores the game winning goal against Montreal in game four (Video)

Boston Bruins forward Matt Fraser was recalled yesterday, and this was only the fourth NHL goal of his career. His first in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You have to love his quote though.

“I said earlier today that I have played for the Stanley Cup 100 times,” Fraser said. “On an outdoor rink – on my buddy’s outdoor rinks, but to do it on a place like this is pretty amazing.”

Fraser special night congrats it's a series lets gooooooooo
— marc savard (@MSavvy91) May 9, 2014

Jarome Iginla drills Max Pacioretty hard

Boston Bruins forward Jarome Iginla drills Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty with a clean, hard, legal check. Pacioretty looked like he was a bit woozy after the hit. Pacioretty would return to the game.