Grand Forks Herald Letters: Frank Burggraf: A proud name that meets every requirement: Sioux

Former UND hockey Players Frank Burggraff has a letter to the ediotr in today's Grand Forks Herald. It's worth a read. Thoughts on the article?

FARGO — I have to ask: Why the urgency to so quickly pave over 80 years of tradition at UND by drafting a new nickname?

Coming on the heels of the national midterm elections where Americans loudly and overwhelmingly rejected the overreach of the government and its policies, I have to question the rush.

I attended the public meeting for a new name. What I heard surprised me: “We need a nickname that is cool, competitive, attractive, proud, honorable, respectful, one that resonates with all and one that people will want to wear, even infants.”

Really? We already have such a name, just like the Seminoles, Utes and Warroad Warriors (among others) do.

So, why did we have to abandon the gift from the Sioux elders in the first place? I thought this issue really was about mascots done in poor taste.

Has there been any hostility or abuse, accusations from other schools, sanctions from athletic conferences or teams refusing to play UND now because UND doesn’t have a nickname?

It would be prudent for us all to stop and consider just what is going on at UND.

Silence does not constitute consent. I can assure Herald readers that the majority of Sioux still are hurting and angered over the deceit perpetuated on them during their fight to save the name and image.

The university’s administration should show some respect and give them time to heal before trying rebrand UND.

Do people really think Ralph Engelstad donated a facility — which carries the flags of two Sioux nations — so that after his passing, the university could take the Fighting Sioux name and dump it for a “better” one?

Engelstad’s donations to UND were loud and clear statements assuring a home for the Fighting Sioux — for all UND athletics and students in staunch support of the continued tradition of Sioux Pride at UND — forever.

I would be embarrassed to walk into his buildings, if I thought that my fingerprints were on the stripping of 80 years of Sioux Pride from the floors, seats, walls and hearts of generations of Sioux alumni while dishonoring the sacred Pipe Ceremony of 1969.

Ben Brien, a UND alumnus and American Indian artist, created a priceless symbol that people of all backgrounds and skin colors could and did embrace. It captured strong qualities that we try instill in our young people: pride, honor, respect and a fighting competitive spirit — the very essence of what those on the nickname committees seek.

Why is this symbol so priceless? Because of what is in it:

“A gaze is that of focus and determination, necessary in life and in the search for knowledge and wisdom.

“The feathers stand for brave and honorable things achieved in one’s life. Red stands for the life-blood given us by our Creator and that of our ancestors, who sacrificed that we may be here and have our moment in time.

“Green symbolizes growth and the gift of the Earth. Yellow, the sun’s warmth and light, necessary for us as we continue our life’s journey. White, purity of mind, respect for life and respect for all peoples.”

Only a fool would try to replace a priceless image that has inspired us and intertwined with our hearts while keeping the Sioux name on people’s lips.

(Read the rest of the Letter)

Darryl Sutter, 'We never really had the lead'

#450724504 / gettyimages.com

I love listening to Darryl Sutter's post-game press conferences. Personally, I love these old school hockey coaches. Sutter kind of reminds me of another head coach. Here's a sample. s/t L.A. Kings Insider.

On how he’d describe the 6-5 shootout loss to Anaheim:
How’d I describe it? Lost in a shootout.

On how “intense” the game was:
It was very little, quite honest. It was just kind of a pond hockey game. It looked like one of our preseason games. [Reporter: Seriously?] Very seriously. You want me to say ‘not seriously?’ [Reporter: Are you talking about just from your team’s end, that you weren’t happy with letting this thing get away, or no?] No, I don’t think we let it ‘get away.’ We never really had the lead. [Reporter: A couple of two-goal leads?] I know you define it by goals having a lead, but we really never had the lead. If it wasn’t for Jonathan, it wasn’t even close. They’re a much better team that we are. They proved it last year and they did again tonight. [Reporter: So what was lacking, do you think tonight? For the most part?] I don’t think we had much energy, much focus, much execution. We used a short bench. Too bad actually we lost the shootout, because then Jonathan feels tough, right? He stood on his head to get us a point

UND vs. Miami, You Have Options

This weekend, UND vs. Miami can be seen on NCHC.tv. The Saturday's game is also on FCS. Here's the rest of UND's National Television Schedule.

Date Opponent Network 
Nov. 15 Miami FOX College Sports
Nov. 21 SCSU FOX College Sports
Nov. 29 Omaha FOX College Sports

Dec. 12 Denver Root Sports

Jan. 10 at Minnesota Duluth CBS Sports Network
Jan. 23 Colorado College CBS Sports Network
Jan. 24 Colorado College FOX College Sports
Jan. 30 at Omaha CBS Sports Network
Jan. 31 at Omaha FOX College Sports
Feb. 14 Denver FOX College Sports
Feb. 20 at Western Michigan CBS Sports Network
Feb. 27 St. Cloud State CBS Sports Network
Feb. 28 St. Cloud State FOX College Sports
March 6 at Miami CBS Sports Network
March 7 at Miami FOX College Sports

Related articles

• Eight UND games on FOX College Sports TV schedule(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Phil Kessel's Goal Shouldn't Have Counted

This is one of the reasons that the NHL needs a coaches challenge, this should be a tie game, still. Check out this video, Phil Kessel's goal shouldn't have counted. The puck hits a player on the bench and comes back into play. It will be interesting to see if the NHL GM's finally decide to have a coaches challenge. That was only the fourth goal Kessel has scored against the Bruins in 28 games. Make that five in 28. Thoughts?

That is Phil Kessel's fourth goal in 28 regular-season vs. Boston.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 13, 2014

Redwing77 Unsolicited Opinion on the Nickname Debate

I thought about posting this as a comment to the SayAnythingBlog post on this site, but I think it would be better if all the "hate" that might come from my opinion be posted in the comment section below rather than in Goon's article.

My opinion is this:  The "no nickname" cabal will fail.  I don't know how soundly it would fail, but it will fail.

Why?

Because, as offensive and insensitive as it sounds, those who opposed the nickname for years were marginalized and now they've tasted power.  Now, their opinion matters and to put it bluntly, those who spent their time as activists in this crusade no longer have it as a crusade.  In other words, they got their way.  What is an activist who gets their way?  Not sure, but they're no longer an activist.  If they're not an activist, then they'll sooner or later be ignored once again as they've got what they wanted and they should just "shut up and move on" themselves.  This. cannot. be.

So, the activists find a new banner to wave.  And here it is, ladies and gentlemen:

No new nickname means the inference of the old one.

In other words, we're not replacing Fighting Sioux with a new nickname, so people can still fill in the blank.  It sounds ridiculous (because it is), but I truly feel that's what they'll argue.  We've already seen it with the call of those same activists to ban all Fighting Sioux memorabilia and gear from Campus and Campus events (including home hockey games).

Since the PC crowd now has societal control, the only viable option to keep UND out of the PR nightmare that has owners being forced to sell teams because of one stupid epithet (even if it is illegally obtained and reprehensible in nature), financial outpourings due to some imagined or wrongly interpreted transgression is to create a new altogether different nickname.  One that preferrably refers to an inanimate object (like a Sabre) or fictional being (like a Dragon) or some sort of action word (like Crushers) or force (like Lightning or Thunder).

So, the good news is that we may not be the Flickertails, but we will be "something."  And what it is will be the least of all evils via politically motivated nonsense.  In otherwords, the option no one really likes but doesn't overly object to it enough for UND to lose that much money.

Sure, I'd support wholeheartedly the no nickname cabal, but I do so knowing that, in all likelihood, it will not succeed.

Related articles

• Sayanythingblog: 'No Name Is Best Way To Move On'(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Sayanythingblog: 'No Name Is Best Way To Move On'

Hum, I and many have been saying this for a very long time. Nice to see SayAnythingBlog.com get on board. Actually, it doesn't hurt that North Dakota's most popular political blog is behind this. Say Anything gets hundreds of thousands of hits every month.

Let me be clear, I understand the Fighting Sioux nickname isn't coming back. That's obvious to most of us. But that being said, nothing the nickname committee comes up with -- as far as  a nickname goes -- is going to be acceptable to many UND fans. Me included.

I am also not that thrilled with some of the possible replacement names that have been thrown out there. First, I am going to snap if UND's sports teams are called the Sun Dogs, what a stupid name.

Legit Slater, Sayanythingblog.com --- That solution is simple– stay North Dakota. No new nickname needed.

This is not a new idea. Indeed it has been one floated by people who are both for and against the Fighting Sioux name before. But it is starting to crecendo more and more as this taskforce does their work, and UND’s self-imposed deadline of end of December looms.

Why is that? Well, perhaps because it just makes sense. What has been missing from this debate since inception has been a sincere attempt to find a win-win for all. In order to “move on” — to truly heal, that win-win has to be realized.

What is important to some is the Fighting Sioux name is not used by UND, and this would be achieved with no replacement. What is important to others is the proud name “Fighting Sioux”, and the 80 plus years of heritage that went with it, is not erased. This solution does that.

A few (including our lawmakers on the Appropriations Committees no doubt) are concerned with the expense UND will incur with changing their branding to a new name and logo. No new name completely addresses that concern.

Some want to make sure UND still has a name to be proud of. If we all (regardless of our feeling on the Fighting Sioux name) can’t be proud of the name of our own state, then no other name exists which we can be proud of.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald: Nickname task force further develops open forums(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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More Bad News for UND: Nick Schmaltz Is out Indefinitely

UND's task just got a little taller this weekend.UND will be without three of their top players when they take against NCHC foe Miami on Friday night.

Last season, UND suffered a rash of injuries in October and November.

UND's injury list now includes, Mark MacMillan (5g-2a—7pts), Nick Schmaltz (1g-7a—8pts), Paul LaDue (3g-5a—8pts). MacMillan and Schmaltz are out indefinitely.

Dave Hakstol says freshman forward Nick Schmaltz is out indefinitely. No new updates on Mark MacMillan or Paul LaDue.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 12, 2014

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Jonathan Toews Salutes the Troops in Warm Ups

Jonathan Toews salutes the troops in his camo warmup jersey! pic.twitter.com/9PlSsNGipp
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 12, 2014

I want one of these sweet jerseys. Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews with the Camo jersey.

(Video) Connor McDavid breaks hand in fight vs. Bryson Cianfrone

First I want to be clear, I think fighting has a place in hockey. That being said, there's no reason for your star players to be fighting, in any level of hockey. Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid is probably going to be the first player taken in 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and he leave the ice fighting Bryson Cianfrone. To date, McDavid has some sick numbers scoring (18g-35a—51) pts in 18 games.

Eight UND games on FOX College Sports TV schedule

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) announced today that 11 NCHC games have been added to the league’s national television schedule on FOX College Sports (FCS) in 2014-15, including seven involving the University of North Dakota.

The five home games, produced in high-definition by Midco Sports Network (MidcoSN), include games against Miami (Nov. 15), Omaha (Nov. 29), Colorado College (Jan. 24), Denver (Feb. 14) and St. Cloud State (Feb. 28).

Dan Hammer is his third season as the play-by-play voice for UND Athletics while former UND forward Scott Koberinski returns as color analyst. Veteran broadcaster Katie Hale also returns as the ice-level intermission reporter.

UND will also have two road games air nationally on FCS: the Jan. 31 game at Omaha, produced by PBS affiliate Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET1), and the March 7 game at Miami, produced by Time Warner Cable Sports Channel in Ohio.

Today’s announcement increased the number of regular-season UND men’s hockey national broadcasts in 2014-15 to 13, up from seven in 2013-14. This year’s national broadcast schedule also includes six previously-announced games on CBS Sports Network (CBSSN): vs. Minnesota Duluth (Jan. 10), vs. Colorado College (Jan. 23), at Omaha (Jan. 30), at Western Michigan (Feb. 20), vs. St. Cloud State (Feb. 27) and at Miami (March 6).

UND Men’s Hockey National TV Schedule

Date Opponent Network
Nov. 15 Miami FOX College Sports
Nov. 21 SCSU FOX College Sports
Nov. 29 Omaha FOX College Sports
Jan. 10 at Minnesota Duluth CBS Sports Network
Jan. 23 Colorado College CBS Sports Network
Jan. 24 Colorado College FOX College Sports
Jan. 30 at Omaha CBS Sports Network
Jan. 31 at Omaha FOX College Sports
Feb. 14 Denver FOX College Sports
Feb. 20 at Western Michigan CBS Sports Network
Feb. 27 St. Cloud State CBS Sports Network
Feb. 28 St. Cloud State FOX College Sports
March 6 at Miami CBS Sports Network
March 7 at Miami FOX College Sports

Arctic Ice on Tucker Poolman

This is what happens when you don't watch the games and then report on the prospects. Anyone that has watched UND for more than a minute this season knows that Tucker Poolman has been a major cog in UND's defense corps. You have a senior defenseman sitting in the stands and a freshman d-man playing over him.

2013 5th Round (2011 eligible): RD Tucker Poolman; 8 GP, 3G, 0A, 3 PTS, +3, 2 PIM, 15 SOG

Month GP G A PTS PIM
October 5 2 0 2 2

Poolman struggled at first to earn ice time as a freshman, but -with the help of a 20% shooting percentage and some strong play- the young defenceman is starting to earn his keep and gain more responsibilities as time goes on. His performance has been strong, although it must be reminded that this is his Draft+4 season technically. (read the rest of the article here)

(Video) Brad Marchand Embellishment Penalty

I realize that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has earned himself a reputation of being a player that embellishes, but this is a horrible call. To quote Andy Brickley, "It's Marchand. That's the problem"

NJD Damon Severson Interference - 2 min against Brad Marchand 16:39
BOS Brad Marchand Embellishment - 2 min against Damon Severson 16:39

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. Boston University
4. UMass-Lowell
5. Michigan Tech
6. Colgate
7. Miami
8. Boston College
9. Minnesota State
10. Vermont
11. Denver
12. Union
13. Minnesota-Duluth
14. Nebraska-Omaha
15. St. Cloud State
16. Providence
17. Robert Morris
18. Northern Michigan
19. Bowling Green
20. Quinnipiac

(Video) Dallas Star Punk Antoine Roussel Runs Alex Stalock, Sucker Punches Justin Braun

s/t to Kuklas Korner. I don't know about you, but I am growing tired of Dallas Stars punk Antoine Roussel and  his antics. First I understand going hard to the net, but this is bush league. The goalie has an expectation to not be run over. This is unacceptable. Then the spineless punk sucker punches an unsuspecting player that's not ready to engage him. Roussel has an hearing tomorrow for the sucker punch, I am thinking a five-game suspension for this clown. Feel free to chime in.

Dallas F Antoine Roussel will have a hearing tomorrow for a sucker-punch to San Jose D Justin Braun.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 9, 2014

Related articles

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UNC = Fraud 

How many other school are behaving like this? That's what I want to know. (Read the whole story here )

News Observer -- During the season that the UNC men’s basketball team made its run to the 2005 NCAA championship, its players accounted for 35 enrollments in classes that didn’t meet and yielded easy, high grades awarded by the architect of the university’s academic scandal.

The classes, some advertised as lectures but that never met and others listed as independent studies, were supervised by Deborah Crowder, a manager in African and Afro-American studies who a report from former U.S. Justice Department official Kenneth Wainstein says graded required end-of-semester work leniently as part of a “paper class” scheme to keep athletes eligible. Crowder was not a professor and admitted to investigators that she assigned grades without reading the papers.

Of the 35 bogus class enrollments, nine came during the fall semester of 2004, when eligibility for the spring was determined. Twenty-six were during the spring semester, when the season climaxed with a victory over Illinois in St. Louis.

When I read this story my blood boils. College sports is supposed to be about the student athlete. The University of North Carolina should be given the death penalty, but that won't happen, they're part of the Big Five cabal. Meaning if the "Big Five" doesn't like way things are going they will just leave the NCAA and form their own athletic affiliation. They should just call it crooks are us.

Related articles

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UND sweeps UW in Madison

North Dakota Sweeps Bucky

The University of North Dakota swept the Wisconsin Badgers in convincing fashion beating them 4-3 on Friday night and then blitzing them 5-1 on Saturday night.

On Saturday, North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre stopped 23-of-24 shots and UND got five goals from five different players (Luke Johnson, Drake Caggiula, Brendan O’Donnell, Troy Stecher, Gage Ausmus) to finish the sweep against the Badgers.

From the historical stats department: With Saturday’s victory over Wisconsin, UND (7-1-1) is unbeaten in eight games (7-0-1). With the road win, UND improves 5-0-0 on the road for the first time since the 1980-81 season.

Finally, UND is 6-0-1 in their past seven games against the Badgers.

Wrapping up another @UNDMHockey sweep #NDProud #SiouxSweep pic.twitter.com/S4EJSHLZ0S
— Stay A Sioux (@StayaSioux) November 9, 2014

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UND vs. UW - Game two (Television Info)

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–27 Luke Johnson–7 Wade Murphy
9 Drake Caggiula–8 Nick Schmaltz–15 Michael Parks (A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A)–14 Austin Poganski
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Pairings

22 Andrew Panzarella–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
4 Keaton Thompson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goaltenders

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

*According to Brad Schlossman, Paul LaDue is out with an undisclosed injury. 

Wisconsin Badgers Forward lines

16 Joseph LaBate–11 Adam Rockwood–24 Jedd Soleway
9 Morgan Zulinick–19 Cameron Hughes–12 Grant Besse
27 Matt Ustaski–13 Ryan Wagner–26 Brad Navin
23 Aidan Cavallini–8 Matt Pappe–3 Corbin McGuire

Wisconsin Badgers Defense Pairings

28 Kevin Schulze–4 Jack Dougherty
5 Chase Drake–10 Jake Linhart
25 Cullen Hurley–7 Keegan Ford

Wisconsin Badgers Goaltenders

33 Joel Rumpel

30 Landon Peterson

Television: Tonight's game is being picked up by Midconet.
Webcast: (Here's a free link to the game). 

North Dakota linechart: pic.twitter.com/vWdnkkAKU7
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 9, 2014

UND Hockey: Bryn Chyzyk's WWF Move?

This play got little air time on Twitter last night. I had someone ask me what I thought of the play. If you lay on the puck, before the whistle has blown, there's a good chance this is going to happen to you. In my opinion, Bryn Chyzyk is trying to dislodge the puck. The old go hard to the whistle play. Some have made the argument that the Badger player could have been given a delay of game penalty. Also, I wouldn't call this a WWF move, but I don't watch that sport either.

AndyJohnson, B5Q -- With Wisconsin center Cameron Hughes sprawled out on the ice in the corner, UND winger Bryn Chyzyk dropped two WWF style elbows to Hughes' back. After Chyzyk dropped the first one, he got back up and dropped another for good measure. Somehow the official standing four feet away didn't see anything wrong with that.

I want to be clear. The officiating this season has been absolutely brutal at times. If you don't believe me, read this blog post from another writer. The men in stripes have had some rough games. That being said, I am somewhat surprised penalty wasn't assessed on the play.

Kyle Clifford's Dirty Hit on Johnny Boychuck

Another night, another dirty hit. For his efforts, L.A. Kings forward Kyle Clifford's didn't receive a penalty for this dirty, bush league hit on Islanders defensman Johnny Boychuck.

Dustin Byfuglien's Dirty Hit on Steve Downie following Goal

First, Steve Downie is no saint; he'd probably tell you that. But check out this dirty, unnecessary, bush league hit that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien put on Downie. This is unacceptable. After the play is over, I believe that Downie has the expectation to not be slambed into the end boards. I don't think that's being unreasonable, right? The play is over, he's scored a goal.

I think the NHL’s Department of Players Safety need to make an example out of Byfuglien. I am thinking a couple of game suspension would be about right. Maybe Big Buff should skate faster.

Trip Down Memory Lane: UND vs. Wisconsin

It's rivalry week. North Dakota and Wisconsin. Last time the two teams played, UND beat Wisconsin 5-2 in the semi-finals of the Midwest Regional. The Badgers won't really resemble the team UND beat last season. Wisconsin lost nine seniors and two other players who signed early.

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BC Interruption: I Wonder How they Feel Today?

Someone posted this article on Sioux Sports. I was wondering If Brian still felt this way? Especially after last night's game, the newly added UConn Huskies shutout the B.C. Eagles 1-0.

Brian Favat, B.C. Interruption -- Tuesday, Grant gave us the glass half full look at the addition of UConn to Hockey East. While I appreciate a bit of enthusiasm for the Hockey East Association's newest member, I have other plans in mind for Boston College hockey.

It's time for Boston College to leave Hockey East.

My reasoning is simple: Hockey East has straight up botched expansion. There hasn't been a well-thought out expansion plan. Or maybe no expansion plan at all. Perception is reality and the perception, at least to me, is that the league all but fell over themselves themselves to toss a life raft out to Notre Dame hockey when the NCHC turned the Irish away. Expansion to 11 necessitated expansion to 12 to get to a round number, I suppose, and now a historically bad Atlantic Hockey club calls eastern college hockey's premiere conference home.

To recap, here has been Hockey East's two most recent moves:

1. Added Notre Dame as the Association's 11th team, despite the Irish striking their own TV deal with NBCUniversal (NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus) to broadcast all Irish men's hockey home games. Mind you, this was a dealbreaker for another conference (the nascent NCHC) which has yet to play a league game.

2. Added UConn to get to 12, a program that has never played in the NCAA Tournament, doesn't offer scholarships in men's ice hockey and has decided to play its HEA home games 20+ miles from campus at the HCC. If Toot Cahoon just resigned from UMass citing lack of institutional support as his reason, who do you think UConn is going to get to coach the program; one squarely behind women's basketball, men's basketball, football and maybe baseball in terms of fan support and popularity?

Midco Picks up Saturday's Game Between UND and UW

If you get Midcontinent there's some good news for you. Saturday's game between the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin will be on Midco Channels 622 and 26. For those wondering, the game will not be Fox College Sports.

Mike Yeo: Zach Parise has a concussion

#489866461 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild received some bad news on the status of Zach Parise. According to Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo, Parise has suffered a concussion. In Parises' absence, Thomas Vanek is going to be reunited with former line mate Jason Pominville. The two played together when they were teammates with the Buffalo Sabres.

Parise has a concussion, says Yeo #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 6, 2014

Jiri Sekac Boards Nikita Zadorov

Again, these are the types of hits that should be removed from all levels of hockey. If you see numbers, you shouldn't hit the opposition. Montreal Canadiens forward Jiri Sekac is assessed a two-minute minor penalty for boarding on Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Is that penalty punitive enough?

Mike Yeo updates Media on Zach Parise

Yeo met with media today to give an update on Parise and talk about the road trip. WATCH on WildTV: http://t.co/JAIGYjvg0H #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 5, 2014

This is not good news for the Minnesota Wild. Zach Parise is a key player in the Wild's lineup.

Updated: Zach Parise Injured - Upper Body Injury

#457967354 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise is injured and not skating at the morning practice. Hopefully, he won't be out of the lineup too long. Zach is the heart and soul of the Wild. According the Minnesota Wild, Parise will not be going on the road trip.

Russo's Rants -- The Wild dropped its first home game of the season tonight to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the biggest concern after the game was the status of Zach Parise, the Wild’s leading scorer and heart and soul.

Parise didn’t emerge for the third period after sustaining what coach Mike Yeo called an upper-body injury. There were two big collisions I remember with Parise tonight. One came his first shift when he was bowled over from behind by Robert Bortuzzo. The other came 5:44 into the second when he was cross-checked the ice by Blake Comeau in the slot. Comeau received an interference penalty on the play.

So perhaps the injury stemmed from one of those two hits.

Yeo didn’t reveal the seriousness or nature of the injury postgame. He said he hoped to have a better update after practice Wednesday and said “I sure hope not” when asked if he felt it was serious. The Wild does leave after practice for a trip to Ottawa and Montreal (it’s actually a 3-game trip that also goes to Parise’s old home, New Jersey, but the Wild returns to Minnesota for a day-and-a-half after the Canadiens game), so the hope obviously is that Parise is on that charter to Canada’s capital.

Yeo: Parise not on the road trip (upper body injury). Meeting with doctors today. #MNWild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 5, 2014

RT @BlountStrib: Parise not on ice at Wild practice Wednesday morning.
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 5, 2014

BLOG: Zach Parise injured in #mnwild's first home loss of the season http://t.co/wDpL0crEK0
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 5, 2014

Nick Schmaltz Named NCHC Rookie of the Month and Honorable Mention National Rookie of the Month

Freshman forward Jack Eichel (@TerrierHockey) has been named National Rookie of the Month #HockeyEast #HEA pic.twitter.com/c1mU1ZGD8G
— Hockey East (@hockey_east) November 5, 2014

It's been a good first month for UND forward Nick Schmaltz.

NCHC October award winners: @UNO_Hockey's Massa (Player) & @UNDMHockey's N. Schmaltz (Rookie): http://t.co/JIcSuLsXgV pic.twitter.com/J5D11jrmmX
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 4, 2014

Minnesota Vikings: Report: No prison, $200,000 fine for Vikings' Peterson in expected plea deal

The Minnesota Viking might have received some good news. There’s a chance than their star running back Adrian Peterson could be making a return to the lineup sooner rather than later.

Reuters Media -- Probation, 80 hours community service and a $2,000 fine would be the only punishment facing Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson if a no-contest plea to misdemeanor reckless assault.

AdvertisementPeterson will appear Tuesday in a Montgomery County, Texas, courthouse where the plea is expected to be entered before Judge Kelly Case. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the plea will not include reference to family violence or violence against a minor.

If the plea deal fails, Peterson is expected to push for an expedited trial date, a goal of his defense team led by Rusty Hardin since the arraignment on charges of felony child abuse was held in the same courthouse.

Peterson maintained he was not trying to injure his 4-year-old son when he allegedly whipped the boy with a tree branch, inflicting visible wounds that surfaced before the arraignment.

Peterson was placed on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list in mid-September and is being paid his full salary of $11.25 million for the 2014 season.

Post-race brawl between Gordon and Keselowski

I went to a NASCAR race and a hockey game broke out... This was the story that everyone was talking about today. Even Fox News. I would imagine that NASCAR will have something to say when it's all said and done.

It would seem that trouble has a way of following Brad Keselowski around. Only two weeks ago, he was getting into a post-race altercation with Matt Kenseth. After watching this transpire, a guy might want to watch the rest of the chase, this could get good.

Jeff Owens, Sporting News -- Keselowski later emerged from the pile, bruised and spitting blood. After the fight, Gordon – with a bloody lip – didn’t mince words.

“He’s just a dips***,” Gordon said. “The way he races, I don’t know how he ever won a championship.”

This is Keselowski’s second post-race fight in four weeks. The last time it was Matt Kenseth jumping Keselowski after a race in Charlotte, with Keselowski earning a $50,000 fine for hitting Kenseth’s car on pit row and trying to wreck driver Denny Hamlin’s car after the race.

Keselowski said Sunday’s crash is all part of the race.

“We were just racing for the win,” he said. “I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s day. I wanted to win the race, and that was our opportunity.”

We had fresher tires, With a win & the championship on the line. You either take the gap, or regret it forever... pic.twitter.com/jfJJOTUEJP
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 3, 2014

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll

Rk. School (1st place) Record Pts. PR
1. Minnesota (24) 5-1-0 500 1
2. North Dakota (9) 5-1-1 474 2
3. Boston College (1) 4-2-0 382 5
4. Colgate 6-2-0 378 4
5. Boston University 4-1-0 354 6
6. St. Cloud State 3-3-0 309 7
7. Massachusetts-Lowell 5-1-1 307 9
8. Union 5-3-0 262 3
9. Michigan Tech 6-0-0 230 NR
10. Providence 2-3-1 190 8
11. Miami 5-3-0 178 10
12. Denver 4-2-0 146 11
13. Minnesota State 5-3-0 80 12
14. Notre Dame 5-2-1 73 NR
15. Vermont 4-1-1 70 14

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

November 03, 2014
1. Minnesota (30)
2. North Dakota (11)
3. Boston College (1)
4. Colgate
5. Boston University
6. Mass-Lowell
7. St. Cloud State
8. Union
9. Michigan Tech (1)
10. Denver
11. Miami
12. Providence
13. Minnesota State
14. Vermont
15. Notre Dame
16. Ferris State
17. Minnesota-Duluth
18. Robert Morris
19. Nebraska-Omaha
20. Northern Michigan

UMD's Kasimir Kaskisuo makes an amazing behind-the-back save

Check out this amazing save by Minnesota-Duluth freshman goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo. For those that are wondering, Kaskisuo is a product of Espoo, Finland.

Men's Division I Hockey Inter-Conference Records: 2014-2015

So far so good. To date, the NCHC has the best non-conference record in division I college hockey. Last season, the NCHC had a mediocre out of conference record and it ended up costing the league in the end.

Edited: Traditional Circle of Sticks

Traditional circle of sticks.

A photo posted by Eric J. Burton (@eric.burton.94801) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:06pm PDT

UND vs. Air Force: Bryn Chyzyk game-winning, overtime goal

University of North Dakota junior forward Bryn Chyzyk picked a heck of a good time to get his second goal of the season. Chyzyk's game-winning goal was his second goal of the season.

From the fancy stat department: UND and Minnesota-Duluth lead the nation with five shorthanded goals each. UND has five shorthanded goals in seven games and that leads the nation in .071 shorthanded goals per game.

Related articles

• UND Blitzes Providence College 6-1(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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• North Dakota Beats Providence in Grand Forks(insidehockey.com)

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UND vs. Air Force - Lines

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn (C) –27 Luke Johnson–15 Michael Parks (A)
9 Drake Caggiula–8 Nick Schmaltz–7 Wade Murphy
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A) –11 Trevor Olson
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–14 Austin Poganski

UND Defense Pairings

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
5 Nick Mattson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Not in the Lineup: 15 – Mark MacMillan (wirst), 4 – Keaton Thompson, 17 – Colten St. Clair, 22 – Andrew Panzarella, 26 – Coltyn Sanderson

Air Forc Forward lines

19 Scott Holm–17 Chad Demers (A) –22 Cole Gunner (A)
7 Matthew Meier–26 Ben Carey–18 George Michalke III (C)
8 Max Hartner–13 Tyler Ledford–24 A.J. Reid
20 Will Vosejpka–14 Ben Kucera–27 Erik Baskin

Air Force Defense Pairings

3 Johnny Hrabovsky–11 Dan Weissenhofer (C)
4 Phil Boje–52 Jonathan Kopacka
2 Kyle Mackey–55 Mike McDonald

Air Force Goalies

30 Chris Truehl
31 Connor Girard
41 Austin Priebe

Grand Forks Herald: Nickname task force further develops open forums

More details are starting to emerge from the UND Nickname and Logo Task Force. I like many, received an email asking me if I would like to attend one of these four-hour forms.

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald -- The UND Nickname and Logo Task Force fleshed out a few more details for upcoming community forums at a meeting Friday.

The group plans to address those who still hold on to UND’s former Fighting Sioux logo and mascot, which was officially retired in late 2012 after the NCAA deemed it offensive.

“The tagline around here is ‘Fighting Sioux forever,’ and a lot of people still maintain that passion and feeling and there is no way you’re ever going to change their mind that it has to change,” task force and UND faculty member Sue Jeno said. “We need to respect it and honor it, but we don’t need to inflame it.”

The four-hour forums will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, and 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Howard Johnson. They are open to the public and attendees outside of the 90 stakeholders specifically invited to each meeting will have an opportunity to leave their comments and suggestions as well.

After a brief welcoming session, each table of people will have a task force facilitator guide three 20-minute brainstorming sessions, with attendees switching tables for each session.

Florida Panthers Recall F Rocco Grimaldi

Former Fighting Sioux forward Rocco Grimaldi has been recalled by the Florida Panthers.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers Executive Vice-President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has recalled F Rocco Grimaldi and F Vincent Trocheck. In addition, the club announced that F Dave Bolland has been placed on injured reserved retroactive to October 17, 2014 and F Brandon Pirri has been placed on injured reserved retroactive to October 30, 2014.

Grimaldi, 21, has appeared in eight games with San Antonio (AHL) this season, recording three goals with one assist and four penalty minutes, after signing his entry level contract with Florida this past summer. Prior to playing in San Antonio, Grimaldi spent three years (2011-2014) at the University of North Dakota (NCHC) recording 31 goals and 46 assists. Grimaldi was drafted by Florida in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Russo: NHL watching, but Thomas Vanek's agent reiterates client is in no criminal trouble

Interesting... It appears that Thomas Vanek spent over 1 million dollars on football betting.

Michael Russo, Star Tribune --- While the National Hockey League said Friday it will continue to keep an eye on a federal illegal gambling and money laundering case in Rochester, N.Y., that Thomas Vanek has testified in as the government’s prime witness, the Wild forward likely won’t face league discipline unless he faces criminal charges or bet on hockey.

Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, told the Star Tribune Friday that “Thomas is not in any way, shape or form involved in any illegal activities or in trouble here.”

Vanek bet on football and was paying off a gambling debt, according to Bartlett.

Vanek’s in the news again because a defense attorney for a man who pleaded guilty to illegal gambling and conspiracy to launder money Thursday alluded to the fact that the check his client helped launder came from Vanek while he played for the New York Islanders.

In an interview with WHEC-TV’s Berkeley Brean in Rochester, N.Y., lawyer Jim Wolford, who represents Mark Ruff, said the $230,000 “check that was identified as far as the money laundering was a New York Islander check.”

Air Force Goalie Chris Truehl makes a great save against RIT

Here's something for the scouting report. Saturday night, UND plays the Air Force Academy in a non-conference matchup. This is a great save by Falcons goalie Chris Truehl (2-4-0, 3.36 GAA, .881 SV%).

Related articles

• Zane McIntyre snubbed by USCHO

Torey Krug Injured after Slash from Zach Parise (Video)

Yesterday it was announced that Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug will be out for 2-3 weeks with a broken finger. Now we know how Krug broke his finger, watch the slash from Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise.

Drew Miller's Disallowed Goal, Luke Glendening Goalie Interference

From the blown call department. Here's the video of Detroit Red Wings forward Drew Miller's disallowed Goal. If you look closely you will see that Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby trips all by himself. Red Wings forward  Luke Glendening was given a two-minute penalty for goalie interference.

Should Minnesota be 8-0-0 Right Now?

#457967436 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild have had a dominating play style in each of their first eight games of the season, but little errors have not allowed them to win games that they probably should have won. The power play alone could be the biggest factor in all of this.

As of last night, only Buffalo and the Wild were the only two teams in the NHL without a power play goal in this young season, however, it is not for the lack of trying in the case of Minnesota. They are among the top in the NHL in power play shot attempts, but just have not been able to find the twine as of yet. A team will average three to four power plays a game, and the good power plays will usually score one out of every five power play opportunities. The Wild have all the tools in place to be considered a power play elite, but their current power play misfortunes are costing them games.

Lets look at Monday night's game at Madison Square Garden. The Wild went 0-4 on the power play, including two five minute major opportunities. If the Wild score on one of these, this game is sent at least to overtime and they earn a valuable point in the standings. That being said, I am not trying to make excuses for the epic third period collapse, just trying to say if the shoot first power play was finding the net on one in five chances, they very well could be 8-0-0 right now.

The season is long and I am sure once one goes in, they will gain their confidence back and pucks will start going in with the extra man. Who knows, maybe two birds will be killed with one stone if Thomas Vanek is able to score the first power play goal for Minnesota.

John Moore Suspended Five Games for Dirty Hit on Erik Haula

I was hoping for a longer suspension. Rangers defenseman John Moore is a repeat offender and was suspended just last spring during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Apparently, he didn't learn his lesson from the last suspension that he received.

NEW YORK -- New York Rangers defenseman John Moore has been suspended for five games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula during NHL Game No. 122 in New York on Monday, October 27, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Moore is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $51,859.75. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Moore was assessed a match penalty 7:12 into the second period.

For a full explanation of the Department of Player Safety's decision, complete with video, please click on the following link.

Related articles

• (Video) John Moore's head shot on Erik Haula

Boston Bruins: Seth Griffith's amazing goal (Video)

What an amazing goal by Boston Bruins forward Seth Griffith. This goal gave the Boston Bruins a 2-1 lead. In seven games with the Bruins, Griffith has (3g-1a-4pts).

Rangers John Moore to Have Hearing for Dirty Hit on Haula

The NHL's Department of Player Safety will have an in person hearing with Rangers defenseman John Moore for his dirty, high, dangerous hit on Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula.

Scott Lewis, Sports Net -- New York Rangers defenseman John Moore will have face a supplementary discipline hearing as a result of his check to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula on Monday night.

John Shannon on Twitter: “Let’s get that right…John Moore will have a hearing for hit on Haula…while still no indication on Kreider on Brodin.”

Moore is a repeat offender: Last season, the NHL suspended Moore during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs for two games for a dirty hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise. As history tells us, a suspension during the Stanley Cup Playoffs are usually shorter than the regular season.

(Video) John Moore's head shot on Erik Haula

At the 07:12 mark of the second period, New York Rangers forward John Moore was given a match penalty for this dirty, dangerous, inexcusable head shot on Wild forward Erik Haula.

This hit is worthy of a suspension  and should land Moore a game or two vacation. Because this penalty is a match penalty, it will reviewed by the NHL. There is no excuse for this dirty hit.

John Moore's actually going by Haula, slows and extends elbow right into Haula, who leaves the game. Match's are automatic reviews
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) October 28, 2014

NY Rangers determined to make sure Wild have no players left by tomorrow's game in Boston.
— Matt Kalman (@TheBruinsBlog) October 28, 2014

(Video) Chris Krieder Boards Jonas Brodin

This is an unnecessary, dangerous hit by New York Rangers forward Chris Krieder. If you don't believe me, check out the video, Krieder throws Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin violently into the boards. This is the kind of hit that needs to be eliminated from the game of hockey.

I also believe that this is a hit that needs more examination by the NHL's Department of Player safety and that Krieder should be suspended for this hit. A game or two would be appropriate. Thoughts?

Paging @NHLPlayerSafety @NYRangers Chris Krieder on line one for his appointment. Nasty hit on @mnwild Jonas Brodin.
— Daren Millard (@darenmillard) October 27, 2014