Goon's Ramblings 8-16-06

Phil Kessel
Time to make up your mind Kessel

There is a rumbling on the internet that Phil Kessel might in fact be signing a pro contract. There is no confirmaton of this as of yet. Yawn, this is getting boring, almost as boring as the suspense leading up to his press conference, where he announced which college team he was going to play with.

BostonBruins.COM poll on Kessel Staying in College or Going Pro
Here was an interesting poll on the Bruins web page.

Should Phil Kessel leave college early to turn pro?
Current Results:
51.85%
Yes, he should leave now
30.83%
He should wait one more year
17.33%
No, he should play all 4 years

Hammy from the Golden Gopher Blog is saying that it is about to happen.
Hammy's Blog

Goon’s Ramblings 8-13-2006

Harry Sinden Steps Down as President of Boston Bruins
Sinden Steps Down
On could say that 8-09-2006 was a very good day for the Boston Bruins hockey team as well as for their beleaguered fans. Long time president and general manager Harry Sinden resigned as president of the Boston Bruins. Harry Sinden will stay on as advisor to the Bruins, but I can only hope that they use little if any of his advice unless team owner Jeremy Jacobs wants to continue being a mediocre hockey team.

Harry Sinden has been at the helm as the Boston Bruins a once proud hockey franchise have been systematically run into the ground and become the laughing stock of the NHL. It’s a good move because the Bruins can’t continue to be a horrible team in a very competitive Northeastern Division. Last season the Boston Bruins failed to make the playoffs finishing 13th in the East out of 15 teams, that folks is unacceptable.

Breaking down the numbers further: The last season the Bruins made the playoffs was 2004 when the Boston Bruins were taken out of the playoffs by the punch less Montreal Canadians in seven games. In fact the Bruins have failed to get past the second round (missing the playoffs three times including last season) since 1999 when they lost to the Buffalo Sabres in six games.

The last season was totally a disaster as the Bruins fired their head coach, General Manager and shipped two very good hockey players west. The last straw was probably sending Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks where he went on and won the league scoring title. I had a hard time stomaching the trade as the Bruins received little in return for Thornton.

the Future looks Bright?
There is some room for optimism based on trades the Bruins made in the off-season. The Bruins picked up a monster defensemen Zdeno Chara from the Ottawa Senators. Zdeno Chara is a mountain of a man and is also as mean as a cornered rattlesnake. They also picked up Marc Savard from the Atlanta Thrashers who scored 97 points last season.

On the other side of the coin the Boston Bruins have many holes their biggest hole is goaltending. Tim Thomas is brutal at best and I have no clue why the Bruins signed him to another contract but they are stuck with him unless they can find a good replacement. Frankly I would like to see more of Finnish Goalie Hannu Toivonen who came on last season until an ankle injury ended/shortened his season.

Goon's Ramblings 8-6-2006.

The 2006 Hunting Regulations Laws have been posted.
Ducktober is just around the corner and there are some new rules that hunters need to be aware of. The North Dakota Waterfowl season opens for North Dakota residents on the 23rd of September. The following week the season opens for Non-Residents on September 30th. There are some subtle changes to the proclamation that hunters need to be aware of: this season you will be able to take 5 ducks in stead of 6, you can take 5 mallards but only one of them can be a mallard hen, one canvasback, or one pintail.

Mallard Drakes
This could be problematic and I predict there will be a lot of mallard hens stomped into the mud (as one poster mentioned on another web page) or left in the bulrushes for the coyotes to eat. Hunters are going to have to be careful to identify the ducks they are shooting at before they pull the trigger. I would also suggest getting a waterfowl identification guide and study it. You are going to want to make sure that your shooting a mallard drake. Shooting too many mallard hens only reduces the number of ducks that you will have to hunt next season. I once read in an article that for every mallard hen you shoot you potentially erase 15 ducks that could have been born next season.

Hen Mallard

The New Rules-Posted in the Grand Forks Herald
Service OKs liberal regulations; N.D. season likely to begin Sept. 23, Minnesota's on Sept. 30
By Brad Dokken
Herald Staff Writer
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a "Hunter's Choice" aggregate duck limit for North Dakota and four other Central Flyway states during the 2006 waterfowl season.

The service also approved the "liberal" package of waterfowl regulations for the upcoming season. Federal waterfowl managers use a formula called Adaptive Harvest Management, which looks at spring mallard numbers and Canadian wetland conditions, to set fall hunting seasons.

Spring conditions were good enough to warrant the liberal package again this year, officials said. The other options are "moderate" and "restrictive" packages with shorter seasons and reduced bags.

Paul Schmidt, assistant director of migratory birds, made the announcement Friday during a conference call with outdoor writers from across the country. The liberal package means a maximum 74-day season in the Central Flyway and a 60-day season in the Mississippi Flyway, which includes Minnesota.

Three-year test

With approval of the Hunter's Choice regulations, North Dakota hunters will have a five-duck limit instead of the traditional six that liberal regulations traditionally allow. Basically an aggregate limit, Hunter's Choice eliminates the "season within a season" for less abundant species such as pintails and canvasbacks. Hunters can have one mallard hen, one pintail or one canvasback in their five-bird bag.

Other species restrictions include a two-bird limit on scaup and wood ducks. In the category of abundant ducks, hunters can shoot five birds of such species as teal, wigeon and mallards, but only one of those mallards can be a hen.

Other Central Flyway states offering Hunter's Choice regulations are South Dakota, Wyoming, Texas and Kansas. The goal of the three-year experiment is to reduce the harvest of pintails and canvasbacks.

The remaining Central Flyway states will be "control" states adhering to the traditional limited seasons for pintails and canvasbacks.

"That's going to be really exciting to see how that works," said Randy Kreil, wildlife division chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck.

Residents-only opener

Approval of liberal regulations clears the way for North Dakota to open its duck season Sept. 23. Kreil said the state again this year is recommending to set aside the first week of season for resident hunters only. Nonresident hunters could begin hunting waterfowl Sept. 30.

Despite drought conditions across North Dakota and other prairie pothole states, Kreil said he wasn't surprised the service opted for liberal regulations over the moderate or restrictive packages.

"What people need to realize is the factors that determine whether we're in a liberal package are the mallard population, which is still high, and the habitat on the Canadian prairies," Kreil said Friday. "Water conditions all across the prairies and boreal forest (of Canada) are excellent, so that is going to lend itself to very good duck production in Canada."

In Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources again this year is expected to offer a 60-day season beginning Sept. 30, according to Steve Cordts, waterfowl staff specialist for the DNR in Bemidji. Bag limits have yet to be determined, Cordts said Friday, and the DNR likely will issue a news release with more information this week.

Minnesota last year had a four-duck limit, even though they could have offered six birds under the liberal package. That's likely to be the case this year, too, if spring population surveys are any indication. The DNR estimated spring mallard numbers in the state at 161,000 - 33 percent lower than 2005 and the lowest recorded since 1983.

Goon’s Ramblings 8-03-2006

Fix Your Ball Marks Please
One of my personal pet peeves is golfers that don't fix their ball marks on the greens. Today while golfing I notice a lot of ball marks on thee greens. As a former golf course maintenance worker I know that ball marks on greens are a superintendents nightmare if a person doesn't fix their ball marks it will take at least 2 weeks or longer for that ball mark to heel, also when you don't fix your ball mark it the ball mark can further be damaged by the greens mower when they mow the greens I the morning. As I played my round of golf today I noticed that there are a lot of ball marks on the greens at my local course. Not fixing your ball mark seems to be a pattern that is prevalent in the Red River Valley.

Here is the is a perfect example on the proper way of fixing a ball mark. This is taken from a web page on good etiquette.
The Proper way to Fix a Ball Mark
Always repair your ball marks on the green, not to do so is really bad form. In fact, repair a second mark if a player before you has failed to repair theirs. The proper way to repair a ball mark is to use a repair tool, which many courses will gladly give you. Place the prongs of the tool at the edges of the mark and push in towards the center of the mark. Continue around the mark until the depression has been eliminated. Tap down on the repaired area with the bottom of your putter head to even out any bumps or rises that are left. Sometimes a small piece of turf will come out when the ball lands and leaves a mark. Do not replace this in to the depression. Toss it away from the green.

Goon’s Ramblings 8-02-2006

Another Big Loss for the Fighting Sioux Hockey Team.
Fighting Sioux assistant Coach Berry make the jump to the American Hockey League. This past week Fighting Sioux fans were greeted with more bad news (good for the coach and bad for the Sioux) Assistant Coach Brad Berry accepted a job with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Goon’s World is saddened by the loss of a good coach because he was a great mentor of young defensemen, and his work was evident by the play of our blue liners. Coach Brad Berry was instrumental in the development of former Fighting Sioux players Matt Greene, Matt Smaby and last seasons freshman defensemen. This is a major blow to UND because his services will be sorely missed. I would like to take this time to thank Coach Berry for his service to UND and wish him the best of luck in coaching in the pros. As clichés go one team’s lose is another’s gain.

Toews Staying Put at UND.
This past week Fighting Sioux forward Jonathon Toews announced that he was staying put and returning to the Fighting Sioux for another season. It would be an understatement if I said a lot of us are relieved as the latest good news (finally something positive after a summer of disappointments) that the Fighting Sioux will have the services of the highly skilled Toews for at least one more season, I wonder if we can talk him into staying one more season after that? If Toews had signed a professional contract with the Chicago Black Hawks it would have been a serious blow to UND chances this up coming season. Let it be known that Toews is a man of poise, It would have been hard for me to turn down the rookie max 850,000.00 and a 85,000 signing bonus.

I believe with Toews the Sioux will still have a dynamic group of skilled players coming back for the next season. Although UND will not score goals in bunches as they did last season Toews and Oshie will still put the fear in the opposition.
Jack Skille Staying Put in Madison
The Wisconsin Badgers also received some good news in July also. Up and coming super star freshman forward Jack Skille announced that he will in fact be returning for another season with the defending National Champions Wisconsin Badgers. It had been rumored that Chicago was interested in signing Skille along with Fighting Sioux forward Jonathon Toews.

Wisconsin like the other great teams in the WCHA did not go unscathed during the off season as the Badgers suffered some big time losses as well, leading scorer Sophomore Joe Pavelski (56 points) signed with the San Jose Sharks of the NHL and second leading scorer Junior Robbie Earl (50 points) signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. Both players were highly touted marquee players and their loss to their team is huge. Of course the Badgers are still loaded and sport one of colleges best goaltenders in Brian Elliot. The Badgers are still going to be the team to beat as teams are going to have to break through their defense to score. Elliot game teams fits last season.

The Attrition must stop.

Players Leaving Early for the Pros:
The list of players bolting for the pros keeps growing by the day. Its getting to be sckening. Again Goon's world doesn't fault these kids for taking the money but I blame the hockey clubs plucking these kids out of school early. I predict there are going to be more.

Last week, Denver lost a top player in Paul Stastny, one of the bigger loses of the off season (by talent but not pur numbers). Paul Stastny was an explosive player that could light up the lamp. It will be interesting to see if Stastny makes the big club in Colorado. The Badgers suffered another huge lose when Joel Paveliski signed a professional contract with San Jose.

Complete list of underclassmen signings in the WCHA:
Break Down of the List Per Sioux Extra

UND (5)
Travis Zajac, sophomore
Matt Smaby, junior
Drew Stafford, junior
Rastislav Spirko, sophomore
Jordan Parise, junior

Minnesota (3)
Kris Chucko, sophomore
Danny Irmen, junior
Ryan Potulny, junior

Mankato (3)
David Backes, junior
Kyle Peto, junior
Ryan Carter, sophomore

Wisconsin (2)
Robbie Earl, junior
Joe Pavelski, sophomore

Denver (2)
Matt Carle, junior
Paul Stastny, sophomore

Players that could leave.

Phil Kessel (goofers)
Jack Skille (BADgers)
Jonathon Toews (Figthing Sioux)

Best Kept Golf Secret in North Dakota.

Dakota Winds Golf Course
Check out this Golf Course
This past weekend I had the pleasure to golfing the Dakota Winds golf course in Hankinson, ND. This event has become a yearly thing, every summer during the third weekend of July I go golfing group of guys that I know, this years group numbered 20. This year the guy that sets up this weekend worked out a deal for us to play at the Dakota Winds golf course. The price tag for this golf weekend: three nights and five rounds of golf grand total $255.00.

The Course
If a person were to use one word to describe this golf course it would be unbelievable. Every hole is unique and has a different challenge facing you, there are huge deep bunkers lining each fairway and green. The Dakota Winds Sisseston golf course from the tips is a whooping 7000 yards long, but that doesn't end there. For the golfers that are less skilled like myself (I am a 17 USGA handicap) your challenge from the White tees is still a modest 6500 yards long. Basically this golf course is not a short course by anyone standards, some of the courses that I have golfed over the years are 6500 yards from the tips. The fairways on most holes are wide but a way ward shot will punish you and you are almost certain to card a double or triple bogey for misfired shots. You have to think your way around the golf course, and I advise playing the smart shot or your score will balloon quickly. Duff a shot and you will be hitting a long iron or a wood into the small greens that course has. Hitting long irons or woods to the greens only spells more trouble if you have the propensity push or pull your golf shots. I have been known to hit a gradual fade.

There is a lot of long fescue and there are many pot ponds posted all over the course, all of which seem to be where a bogey golfer hit their shots. Over the course of the weekend I lost at least a dozen golf balls, most of which were nice balls straight out my bag that had never been hit. I am sure they will end up in the recycled ball jar at the golf course later this season. The sand traps were just like I like them hard but if you hit your shot thin you might hit the lip of the bunker your trying to get out of. Here are a few of the holes that really caught my eye.

The Hole of the Course
Hole 2
The second hole is a 462 yard par four that has a invisible pond guarding the fairway. This is by far the longest par 4 that I have ever played. The first time I played this hole I launched a drive down the left side only to discover that I had the deposited my new ball into the pond. Now on your second shot if you are able to hit your approach shot to the green there is a bunker guarding the green on the left and another pond guarding the green on the left. Once you get to the green, that in its self is another challenge, the green is severely slopped green that can add more challenge if you go bombing past the hole. I was able to make a couple of bogies on this hole and one time ended up carding a tripple bogey seven after attempting a putt for par.

One Tough Par Three
Hole 6
This hole was a monster, and bogey is a good score. The hole is 137 yards long from the whites and if the wind is blowing it plays longer and harder. I hit an 8 iron to this green all 5 times that I played this hole and ended up with a different result each time. You either hit the green or end up in the water or if your lucky enough to miss the water you might end up in a very deep bunker on the left side of the green. Miss the green or the bunker and your dropping your ball, because there is no room for error. I lost a few balls on this hole. The green itself is another story and it slopes and funnels to the rear. I literally say one of my playing partners sink about a 45 foot par putt.

Monster Par Five
Hole 16
Hole number 16 is one of the hardest holes that I have ever played as far as par fives go. Its 548 yards long and seems longer, you literally could go driver three wood four iron into the green if the wind is blowing from the west. There is water on both sides of the fairway and the green is very small guarded by two bunkers. I did manage to birdie this hole the only one that I made all weekend. That time down the fairway I smashed my drive about 280, on my second shot hit a low screaming three wood and then hit a 8 iron to 2 feet on the approach. Yep I did have to putt this one.

Affordable Golf
The golf course is affordable the price is around $45.00 with a cart I do believe that there is a twilight rate and you can walk the course for $35.00. If you’re a person that likes to tip back a few while you golf the price of drinks is unbelievable. Mixed drinks were around 3 dollars and a six pack of beer was $15.00 a steal if you are used to golfing in the Red River Valley. The PGA Professional Nick Wimer is a class act and very easy to work with I recommend giving him a call. Call 1-800-325-6825, ext. 546 for all the Stay & Play Packages.

A picture can paint a 1000 words.

4-3
Even after 3 months the smile can not be removed from my face, the score board says it all. Actually, I may have to go to the Dr and have it surgically removed. Nah, I think I will leave it there for now. I will use it for motivation. Maybe when ever my golf game is in the crapper I will just pull out this picture from my golf bag. I mean really I have $1500.00 in golf club and I can't put together consecutive good golf shots back to back for 18 holes, make that 9 holes.

The memories of this day was like Christmas coming early. The Shock and pandamonia of 5,000 cocky Gopher fans being deflated all at once. Then a large cheer for Holy Cross. An opportunity lost. I would classify it as the loss of the century. The biggest thing to happen for Holy Cross in their short division one history.
Sieve, Sieve, Sieve

Goon's Ramblings 7-18-2006

The Goon Golfs in the 9th Annual Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament

I had the opportunity to play in the 9th annual Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament that was held at the beautiful Bemidji Town and Country. The golf tournament was a fundraiser for BSU hockey in honor of the late Former BSU Goalie Galen Nagle. The tournament was held at Castle Highlands in Turtle River until moving to the Bemidji Town and Country Club. I think this is a fabulous idea because there is no comparison between the two courses. BTCC is hands down a better course.

I had the honor of meeting this fine gentleman back in the early 1990's when I worked at Castle Highlands golf course during my college days. Galen was truly a great person.

I played with the Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament with Scott “the Commish” Williams the television voice of the Beaver Hockey team, his brother-in-law Cole Jacobson, Eric Gilbertson and Scott Robbins. Even with me on the team; our team still finished in 5th place out of 39 teams. Two of our teammates Robbins and Gilbertson were great golfers and could flat out play, and were members at BTCC. The rest of us made some great shots and putts at key times.

History of the Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament

The Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament began in 1997 in an effort to build the Galen Nagle Endowment Fund.

Nagle, who was a goaltender for the Beavers from 1980-84, went on to serve as a coach and teacher in Minnesota for several years before losing his life to cancer Oct. 18, 1994 at the age of 34.

Nagle was a member of the historical 1984 national championship team at BSU. He earned an 8-1 victory between the pipes to cap off the perfect 31-0 season.

Galen exemplified Beaver hockey, said former BSU men’s hockey coach and athletic director R.H. Bob Peters. “Hard work, dedication and loyalty were inherent to his character, and through his efforts, he became a vital part of our team.

Nagle, a native of Baudette, Minn., graduated from BSU in 1984 and was a 1980 graduate of Bemidji High School.

Golf the Bemidji Town and Country Club
BTCC
I strongly advise anybody visiting the Bemidji to consider playing the Bemidji Town and Country Club, if you can afford dropping $50.00 bucks on a round of golf to go ahead and play this course, you will not be disappointed. Words just can't explain this course, and my description of this course will do it not justice, seriously this course is unbelievable and in awesome shape, in my opinion nothing in Grand Forks even comes close to this course and I play on Kings Walk (no Offense to Kings Walk). I am not kidding. The fairways at BTCC are like walking on carpet in a mansion. There isn't more than two greens that are flat on this course, the person that designed this course was an absolute genius. I know Joel Goldstrand made some improvements on it during the 1990’s but I am not sure if Goldstand is the one who should get the credit for the greens design. My only complaint on the whole course is that the greens are just a little slow after playing out at Kings Walk its hard to judge the speeds. I suppose with the hot weather the greens superintendent doesn't want to burn up his beautiful greens by cutting them any lower or with all the different slopes on the greens making them faster might make the course too hard to play for higher handicap players. Either way I can't fault them for that.

Toews to return to UND?

Toews

Long Off Season

I have to admit that I really hate the offseason, that voidd where there is no hockey for like another 3 months. The offseason that the various message boards turn into a giant moronathon. A classic example of what I am talking aboutThis offseason is especially tough causing me much angst and causing me to be on the cusp of a nervous wreck. This tough offseason started almost at the beginning of the last horn of UND's Frozen Four appearance. Since that horn the Fighting Sioux hockey team has looked more like a sinking ship with many players making the jump to the next level.

It seems like every available draft choice is heading for the exits with big money waiting in the wings. Now again I don't fault these kids for taking the money, I would do the same thing in a heart bea, but it really has been a tough offseason to take, its worse than the offseason when we lost Zach. Hockey Futures Article However, cross your fingers there may actually be some good news.

The Hawks have one of the top rated groups of future talent (ranked 4th by Hockey’s Future) and this class should help build on an already talented core.

Jonathan Toews, C/W – Univ of North Dakota (NCAA)
3rd overall, 6’1 195

In picking Jonathan Toews, the Hawks made a ‘safe’ pick of a player who was the most complete forward in the draft, eschewing the flashier Phil Kessel and Niklas Backstrom. The youngest player in college hockey (born April 29, 1988), the 6’1, 195 lb center was second among all college freshmen in scoring with 22 goals, including nine goals on the power play. He also finished third on the team with a plus/minus of +20. Before North Dakota, he played with the highly-regarded Shattuck-St. Mary’s program.

Toews’ stock skyrocketed in the second half of the season as he helped the Fighting Sioux capture the Broadmoor Cup (WCHA Playoff Championship) as well as earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in his final 24 games of the season. Toews’ memorable performance in the NCAA Tournament West Regional earned MVP honors, as his two goals and three assists helped lead North Dakota to their second consecutive Frozen Four appearance.

In 2005, he captained Canada’s Team Western to a gold medal at the World U-17 Tournament in Lethbridge, AB as well as earned tournament’s MVP honor. In 2003, Toews was the top selection in the WHL Bantam Draft, taken by the Tri-City Americans. But he opted to go the NCAA route rather than the major junior route.

Toews will continue with North Dakota in 2006-07.

Local Driver Comes Close in NST Finale

NST Night Two
Local Driver Comes Close in NST Finale
Local Driver Mark Dobmeier was going into the weekend trying to make a strong impression on the National Sprint Tour and probably walked away successfully doing that. Mark ran strong all weekend finishing 8th on Friday night and 4th on Saturday night. Mark was the local highest finisher all weekend.

Mark improved on Friday nights strong finish and again he trilled the hometown crowd by making multiple attempts at taking the lead from NST Veteran Danny Lasoski before giving way to 11K Driver Tim Kaeding and R-19 driver Jason Solwold. Dobmeier finished the feature in fourth place.

The rest of Mark Dobmeier's night was just as successful as Mark finished first in his heat race and second in the dash. Mark Dobmeier brought the River Cities crowd to their off their seats and to their feat with his strong finish in the dash.

Mark Dobmeier to the big time
My brother-in law asked me when I predicted that Mark Dobmeier would make the jump up and join one of the traveling circuits like the NST or the World of Outlaws racing circuits. I think Mark should or could make the jump next season, in the goon’s opinion the kid is ready, however its all about being able to afford it and getting the right financial backing. If Mark has someone step up and sponser him Mark can be successful on either circuit. Mark has run strong with the big boys all season and there is no reason he can’t be successful with a full time ride.

Some of the best racing I have ever seen
I have watched a lot of races at the action track (River Cities Speedway) in Grand Forks, ND and have seen a good number of races in Fargo, ND (Red River Valley Speedway); in my opinion this was the best sprint car driving I have ever watched, there is no debating it, Sorry RRVS. That being said RRVS is probably one of the fastest dirt track in the country, however, it just isn’t as racy as the track as RCS. On a bull ring like RCS you have to be able to drive and work your way through lap traffic. That was the major difference between Lasoski and Dobmeier on Saturday night, in time Mark will gain the edge that Lasoski has.

Local drivers missing from top 12 in final race.
Mark Dobmeier was the only non-traveler to make the top 12 as the NST driver took 11 of the 12 top spots. Greg Nititenko was the next highest finisher at 14th place followed by local youngster Casey Mack.


A-Feature Finish 7-8-06
1 DANNY LASOSKI 83
2 TIM KAEDING 11K
3 JASON SOLWOLD R19
4 Mark Dobmeier 13
5 SHANE STEWART 26
6 JASON MEYERS 14
7 STEVE KINSER 11
8 DEAN JACOBS 6
9 PAUL McMAHAN 20
10 JASON SIDES 7S
11 BRIAN PAULUS 28
12 KERRY MADSEN 11H
13 Bill Balog 1H
14 Greg Nititenko 6N
15 Casey Mack 8
16 Tim Mulvaney 3
17 Tom Egeland 14x
18 Lou Kennedy 21K
19 Jade Fredrickson 41
20 Scott Butz 34
21 Johnn Cressman 56
22 Dave Sobczak 17
23 Scott McDonald 33
24 Bob Martin 10TR


* Lap 23 caution : 34 is off the track in 3 & 4 (Restarts)
* Lap 24 caution: 56 off the track in 3 & 4 (Restarts)
* Lap 35 caution: 28 is off the track in 1 & 2 (Restarts)

Goon's Ramblins 7-08-2006

This weeks Installment of Goon’s Ramblings

Goon's World Hits the Dirt Tracks
To some people’s shock: From time to time Goon's World will also cover racing during the summer. The off season can be very depressing, all there is to cover during this time transaction of former NCAA players and UND Fighting Sioux players leaving for greener pastures of professional hockey. The Goon enjoying dirt track racing and can be found many of Friday nights sitting in the stands at River Cities Speedway enjoying a Mike’s Hard Lemonade or a Miller Lite and watching racing. River Cities Speedway
Although River Cities Speedway is not Knoxville Raceway it does offer a good race program at an affordable price $12.00 a ticket if you buy them at one of the stores that sells race tickets. The El-Roco sells race tickets in its liquor store.

Player Leaving for the Pro’s
While it appears that Wisconsin up to this point had gone unscathed by players leaving early for the pros it is now being reported by the Wisconsin State Journal that Badger underclassman Joe Pavelski is considering a jump to the next level.

Center Joe Pavelski, a junior-to-be who led the Badgers in scoring the last two seasons, is engaged in talks with the San Jose Sharks that could result in him signing an NHL contract this summer.

This development would be a serious blow to the Badgers hockey team, Pavelski scores big goals at big times and is one of the more talented underclassmen on the Badgers hockey team. While I hate to see players leaving college early I don’t fault these kids for taking the money or entertaining the idea of improving their lot in life.
Elliot staying at Wisconsin for now?
The same newspaper is reporting that Badger Goalie Brian Elliot will be staying put in Madison for his senior season.

There is further evidence that the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team will retain the services of record-setting goaltender Brian Elliott for the coming season. Elliott recently took part in a prospects camp sponsored by the Ottawa Senators, who picked Elliott in the ninth round (291st overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Elliott, 21, was one of four goaltenders at the camp, which requires that U.S. college players or prospects pay their own way in order to retain their NCAA eligibility. A senior-to-be, Elliott showed Ottawa officials why he set UW records for goals-against average (1.55), save percentage (.938) and shutouts (eight) last season en route to being a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Bill Elliott, Brian's father, said he spoke with Senators officials during the camp, and they said they were happy with how his son was developing at UW. "He's going to be back there (at Wisconsin)," Bill Elliott said of his son.

While I earlier I had put Elliot on the Watch it was done so as more of a fishing expedition due to boredom. I was even quoted in Wisconsin Hockey Blog I personally predict that Elliot is still about 60/40. Elliot holds all the cards and I doubt that the Senators would risk losing Brain if he is not signed by August 15th of 2007. At that time Elliot could take offers as from any club if the Senators don’t sign him.

Golf Etiquette
Most of us are not scratch golfers or will we ever be. We play golf for the love of the game and as a way of killing time. It’s a hobby. Nothing makes me more upset than slow play and golfers with bad etiquette. I like to play quick and do not let the grass grow under my spikes.

Recently, I had the misfortune of following a very slow group of players. There were four older gentlemen all walking and all were having trouble staying the fairway, most of the time they were touring the fescue and taking forever on each hole. The course I play is Kings Walk Golf Course in Grand Forks, ND Kings Walk and on a windy day It can be very challenging and very long, its not for the faint of heart. When the wind blows the greens speed up and it can be possible to go driver, three wood eight iron to reach a 400 yard par 4. Using long irons and woods increases the possibility of a wayward shot and a high number. The grounds staff has smartly put red hazards stakes by the fescue on some of the harder longer holes, however, this doesn’t keep players from spending forever looking for their balls in the long grass of the courses various hazzards. My suggestion is when the course is busy and you can’t find your ball in a reasonable amount of time, take your drop and stroke and move on don’t continue looking for a ball that is not going to be found. The balls that go into the fescue grass become buried under the long grass and won’t be found unless you step on it. The difference between a bogey and a double bogey is not going to affect your score that much nor is it going to make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.

When your playing group is slower than the group in front of you let them play through. Remember as each group stacks up behind you on the tee box your slow play is affecting others speed of play as well. In other words your throwing their games off too. Don’t glare at people when they hit into you, pick up your speed of play. Don’t take their balls or hit it back at them, its only going to cause more problems and cause more shots to be hit into your group. It should take no longer than 2 hours to play nine holes of golf.

Lastly when you finish putting, put the flag back in the cup and clear the green, don’t count strokes or put your score on the card, do that on the next tee. As soon as the green clears the group behind you will be ready to shoot their approach shot and the people on the tees behind them will be able to hit their tee shots.

Kaeding takes round one.

Tim Kaeding Drives Like a Genius to Win Night One.
Steve Kinser hired Tim Kaeding in the off season to drive the 11K Maxim and Tim Kaeding has not disappointed his new Boss Steve Kinser as Kaeding picked another feature win, winning the inaugural NST feature at River Cities Speedway on Friday night. This was the first time the NST has come to North Dakota and the only appearance that the NST will make this season in North Dakota (I hope a return trip is already being worked out by Donny Mack).

While it looked as if the feature event would be rained out, in the end the River Cities fans were not cheated. While watching the Late Models feature a light rain suddenly appeared at the River Cities Speedway (I swear a cloud always hangs over my head). At first it appeared as if the rain would never end, however, the light rain was short lived, causing a delay of about 30 minutes. Due to the quick thinking of the RCS grounds crew, as soon as the rain appeared the RCS pace truck driver motioned to the other trucks in the RCS infield to start driving around the track to pack in the much needed moisture. Due to the diligence and quick thinking of this track worker/official, the RCS crew was able to work the track into near perfect conditions, before the features the track had become a dry slick and need a serious drink of water. So mother-nature was good to RCS and luckily after the rain stopped falling the track was in near perfect conditions. In my opinion I would say the inaugural NST feature in North Dakota was an instant classic.

Night of Firsts
Last night was the first appearance of the NST North Dakota during the inaugural season. Last night was the first time the NST has raced in North Dakota (eat that Fargo, ND). This was also the first time the 20 time former World of Outlaws Champion has ever ran in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Steve Kinser’s first race in Grand Forks was a heat race, which Steve won. In Steve Kinser first feature at RCS he finished in third place.

Kinser is a Class Act
Kinser is definitely a favorite of the fans in Grand Forks, ND. On Thursday night Steve Kinser was present at the meet and great and stood out front of the River Cities Speedway in the in 90 degree weather to pose for numerous pictures, sign hundred of autographs on placards, hats, balls (no I am not kidding, Steve Kinser signed a soccer ball) and tee shirts. Steve Kinser is definitely a class act who is very approachable and pictures of Steve Kinser and his sprint car will be appearing soon on Goon’s World very soon.

How Kaeding ended up in the 11K
Tim Kaeding replaced Kraig Kinser used to drive the 11K Maxim but is now racing on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesKinser Craftsman Truck Stats. Kinser is 29th in series points and is currently 5 spots behind former WoO driver Erin Crocker.
Not New to the Winners Circle
Tim Kaeding is leading the NST sprint car series with 8 feature wins and is still only 31 points behind Danny “the Dude” Lasoski for the National Sprint Tour points standing lead. Kinser and Lasoski both have 4 feature wins each. Kinser is also leading the NST series with the most second place finishes.
NST Link

Mark Dobmeier is on a Tear
Dobmeier

It is the Opinion of Goon’s World: Mark Dobmeier is by far the best sprint car driver at the River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks if not the best driver on the NOSA circuit. First off: Mark has won 5 features at River Cities Speedway this season, while no other driver has won more than one race at RCS this season. Second: At times Mark has been so dominating, blowing the competition away by multiple car lengths leaving the competition in the dirt looking for seconds, At times it hasn’t even been funny as Mark has made the others look like fillers or also rans. Lastly it’s not just a local thing: Mark has taken the good driving on the road and been consistent all season.

Huset’s Points Leaders
Mark is also leading the points race at Husets Speedway by 6 points ahead of Jake Peters and leads the Huset’s Speedway (Brandon South Dakota, 320 miles from Grand Forks on I-90) with three feature wins. Huset’s Speedway is one of the most competitive best tracks in the upper Midwest if not the nation. Mark also finished 7th recently at a World out Outlaws feature in Eagle Nebraska and is currently 34th on the World of Outlaws points standings. Marks WoO Standings

New Bleachers Rule
RCS added new bleachers to the east at the RCS speedway this past spring and I must say that these new bleachers are totally awesome. Sitting in these seats you can see the whole race without having to strain your neck. Also, I probably should be telling anybody about these seat because next thing you know they will be full and we will have end up sitting in our old seats. The new bleachers sit high about turn one of the RCS speedway and the only obstacle is when the its really sunny it can get very hot in the east bleachers. Of course you know this won’t be a problem long because the days get shorter in August and we lose about a half hour of light by the end of the month.

A-Feature Finish 7-7-06
Pos First Last No.
1 TIM KAEDING 11K
2 JASON SOLWOLD R19
3 STEVE KINSER 11
4 DANNY LASOSKI 83
5 JASON MEYERS 14
6 DEAN JACOBS 6
7 BRIAN PAULUS 28
8 Mark Dobmeier 13
9 Dave Sobczak 17
10 KERRY MADSEN 11H
11 SHANE STEWART 26
12 PAUL McMAHAN 20
13 JASON SIDES 7S
14 Casey Mack 8
15 Greg Nititenko 6N
16 Bob Martin 10TR
17 Wade Nygaard 9
18 Tim Mulvaney 3
19 Dave Glennon 5x
20 Chris Shirek 1
21 Johnn Cressman 56
22 Lou Kennedy 21K
23 Bill Balog 1H
24 Chris Burke 81

Lap Leaders:
Jason Solwald R19 -- Laps (1-7)
Steve Kinser 11 -- Laps (21-23)
Tim Kaeding 11K -- Laps (8-20), (24-30)

Its Official Jordan Parise Signs with New Jersey.

Star Goalie foregoes his senior year of elgibility
It has been rummored for sometime now but it became official just in the past day or so. Jordan Parise has signed a professional contract to play with the New Jersey Devils system.

Press Release from GDI the Goaltender
Parise signs with Devils...GDI's Jordan Parise signed a two-year deal with the New Jersey Devils.

The New Jersey Devils signed GDI goaltender Jordan Parise to a two-year contract when the free agent market opened up on July 1.

Parise had another great season between the pipes for North Dakota. He guided the Sioux to the NCAA's final four for the second consecutive year.

Goon's Perspective on the Parise Signing
First off Jordan's signing a pro contract is a shock to no one because it had been rumored in the media for some time now, almost since the sesaon ended. That being said, Jordan's signing causes a big hole in the Fighting Sioux roster, Jordan was the cog in the Sioux defense. Jordan Parise has been a stalwart in UND's past two Frozen Four playoff runs and his leadership will be missed by the Sioux hockey team.

Lets get it on. The Big Boys are coming to town.

Tyler Walker
Tyler doesn't show at NST Show
Apparently Tyler Walker forgot to show up for the NST show in Grand Forks on Friday night after telling the fans he planned on running the NST Show.
NST Makes it debut in Grand Forks on Friday
The 7th and 8th of July marks the debut of the National Sprint Tour. This is s must see show if you are a WoO fan or a dirt track racing fan. The National Sprint Tour formed last winter after a few of the WoO drivers broke away from WoO and formed their own Sprint Car racing league. Taking the King of the OutLaws Steve Kinser with them. NST
Kinser Last Hurrah
There is a rumor going around that this is going to be Steve Kinser last year racing full time in a Sprint Car. The latest is that Kinser is going to retire this winter and Run the newly formed NST. The promoter Fred Browsfield of the newly formed Sprint Car League was killed a few weeks ago during an on track incident in Grays Harbor Speedway Washington. Brownsfield was Killed while lining up cars for a D Feature. Brownsfield was only 53 years old.
NST
NST WEB Page
The Offical Press Release on the NST
Introducing the National Sprint Tour!
Brownfield Promotions, Inc. is pleased and excited to announce the formation of the National Sprint Tour with plans to promote dirt track Sprint Car racing nationally starting with the 2006 season.

The new National Sprint Tour will feature many of the best sprint car drivers and teams in the world and bring the best in 410 winged Sprint Car racing to tracks throughout the country.

Teams and drivers committed to racing with the National Sprint Tour in 2006 include Danny Lasoski (Roth Motorsports), Jason Meyers (Elite Racing), Brian Paulus (P and P Motorsports), Woodward Racing’s Volcano Joe’s #2, Steve Kinser (Steve Kinser Racing), Shane Stewart (Rudeen Racing), Tim Shaffer (Parsons Motorsports), Brandon Wimmer (Two Winners Racing), Jason Solwold (Lon Carnahan Motorsports), Jason Sides (Sides Motorsports) and Lucas Wolfe (David Helm/Selma Shell Racing).

When asked his opinion on the formation of the National Sprint Tour, race team representative attorney John Deckard commented, “These dozen or so teams and drivers represent the majority of the very best the sport has to offer. Some of them are like ‘fine wine’; others are young Turks ready to explode. The real winners are going to be the fans. The race program itself will be much more exciting, and of course, they’ll get to see the likes of The Dude, Jason Meyers, Shane, The King, Brian, Jason, Tim and all the rest that stand on 800 horsepower of dynamite to get to the front. I can’t wait. You wanted the best; here they are!”

“I’m excited that something’s finally going to happen here,” commented Steve “The King” Kinser. “I’ve had lots of ups and downs over what’s happened here this winter,” continued the Bloomington, IN driver, “and I feel very fortunate to be a part of starting the series although it is going to be a tough thing. But, I think overall it is the best for what is happening and we are going to make it work.”

“On behalf of myself and Dennis Roth Motorsports we’re really excited to take on this endeavor with this new series to come out,” said Danny “The Dude” Lasoski of Dover, MO. “I feel we are racing the best of the best in the United States and I’m sure we gotta crawl before we walk. I think all the fans out there are going to understand that we are trying to make this sport bigger and better and I support it wholeheartedly.”

"I think this will be good for the whole sport in getting Fred Brownfield behind the new group" commented Jason Sides of Bartlett, TN. “Everyone knows that Fred promotes good racing and we believe it will succeed. I’m really looking forward to the new season.”

Bixby, OK driver Shane Stewart commented, “Working with Fred has always been a privilege, and once they get the National Sprint Tour introduced to the tracks and fans everything should be fine. Maybe the Pettys dropping out of the other group was a good thing as it allows the Brownfield involvement. I know Rudeen Racing and myself are ready for a change and we are looking forward to what we think will be a success.”

“I think this is a really neat and pretty exciting deal,” said Tim Shaffer from Aliquippa, PA. “As a successful businessman, promoter and former driver, Fred has a great background to bring this new deal to the racers. Having been on both sides of the fence, he can understand the wants and desires of both the tracks and the drivers. I also think it is great the way the drivers and everyone is working together to make this a success.”

“There has obviously been a need for a change in the world of Sprint Car racing for the last couple of years,” said Brian Paulus of Mechanicsburg, PA. “Something needed to change. We needed somebody that had the passion about this that wanted to be as instrumental about it as the teams themselves. For Fred to get involved and step up to the plate at this stage of the game is pretty important to all of us teams. He is someone we all trust and respect and I think his rapport with the tracks and promoters will be a step in the right direction. One thing I hope the fans get out of this in the long run is that none of our teams, including Kinser and Lasoski, did this for the money. Look at our teams and all the time and effort we are putting in to this to make it successful; we’ve all pretty much laid our careers on the line with this when we all could have just signed on the line and gone back to race where we came from. We are all willing to do this to race for less money, less tow money and probably fewer dates. We are willing to do this to make the sport better in the long run and it might not be in the next year or two but if the tracks and fans support us in five or six years it could be huge.”

Elliot Watch is offically on.

Badger Goalie Elliot

Elliot Watch is officially on.
Because it is summer and I have nothing better to do and my golf game is already in midseason form I am offically starting the Elliot watch. Although Badger fans are assuring everyone that Elliot that he is safe and returning for his senior season I say B.S. Elliot is a top line goalie that has to have pro scouts drowling all over them selves. Elliot was by far the best goalie in college hockey this past season. In fact Elliot has nothing to gain by coming back for another season. Elliots stock also couldn't be higher. I know Badger fans are worried because Elliots backup Shane Connelly is brutal and with him as the starter the Badgers are not the same team.

The View of INCH
Brian Elliott, Wisconsin (Ottawa Senators)

The Senators don’t need to rush a goaltender to the NHL level – 23-year-old Ray Emery seems ready to take the reins from Dominik Hasek, who may or may not be back as an unrestricted free agent. Elliott has said the right things about coming back, but he doesn’t have anything to prove at the college level, and goalies almost always need a year or two of AHL seasoning. A change of heart wouldn’t be a shock

River Cities Speedway.

Natalie Sathers Sprint Car
Natalie Sather: Not just a pretty Face.
Since Red River Valley Speedway dumped its sprints program this season, River Cities Speedway fans have been given a bigger field of sprint cars for their nightly Friday night show. One of the drivers making the trip from Fargo, ND has been Fargo’s up and coming female sprint car driver Natalie Sather. Natalie Sather is teamed up with
Hall of Fame Crew Chief and Car Owner Kenny Woodruff. Althought Natalie is an
Natalie attractive young lady the woman can flat out drive and has added another good sprint car driver to the River Cities line up. Natalie's strongest finish at River Cities Speedway was on May 30th when she finished 3rd in the feature, where 18 other guys can say hey I got beat by a woman. Natalie has also raced on the ASCS.
ASCS

The Jordan Parise Watch is On.

Jordan Parise
The Parise Watch is on
It has been reported that Fighting Sioux goalie Jordan Parise will be signing a Professional contract at the free agent signing date that is on July 1st. This is a huge loss for the Fighting Sioux hockey team. Parise has been stellar leading UND to two consecutive frozen fours. Jordan will be missed if he does in fact forgo his final year.

Parise Career Stats: A Hard Act to Follow.
Jordan Parise posted some pretty impressive numbers over his three season.
Parise this past season elevated himself to one of UND's best all-time goaltenders.

GP Save% GAA Record Win%
1 Jordan Parise JR 83 .921 2.14 55-20- 7 .713

1st - Career save percentage (.921)
1st - Career goals against average (2.14)
2nd - Career wins (55)
2nd - Career shutouts (10)
3rd - Career winning percentage (.713)
6th - Career games played (83)
(as posted on Fighting Sioux Sports)

Jordan's Leaving, hurts UND's Chances
If Jordan leaves the Fighting Sioux hockey team it is a huge loss to UND's Chances of Making it to the Frozen Four for a third year in a row. That being said I still have confidence in the Fighting Sioux defense and the players they have returning.

Elliot Watch officially on.
Badger fans are hoping that their star shut down goalie is not leaving to go pro. Personally I think Elliot has nothing to gain and should go pro. So offically Goon's world has put Elliot on the list. THE ELLIOT WATCH is Officially on.

For Old Time Sake
Goon's World would like to take this oportunity to say one more time for old time sake that Jordan Parise is by far a better goaltender than Kellin Briggs, in fact Philippe Lamoureux is a better goaltender that Kellin Briggs.

Mike Commodore on Wikipedia.

Mike in a Calgary Uniform
Commodore on Wikipedia
I found this will surfing the web tonight. It actually very interesting.
Mike's Link

Sprint Car Racing at its best. The NST comes to Grand Forks.

The Dude Lasoski's Car
NST Tour Hits Grand Forks July 7th and 8th.
Next weekend the National Sprint tour makes its inaugural trip to River Cities Speedway. The NST was created this past winter after a few drivers from the World of Outlaws broke away from dirt motorsports to form a separate sprint car tour. The race will feature some of the countries top sprint car drivers known to dirt track nationally. Recently during June the The River Cities Speedway had a non-sanctioned sprint car race. Tyler Walker, Danny Lasoski and Greg Wilson (All Stars Circuit of Champions Points leader)Greg Wilson's Car and crew Chief
At the end of the Night former NASCAR BUSCH Series driver Tyler Walker won the race and ended up taking home $5000.00 for the victory. Tyler has been driving the Guy Forbrook car (Mark Kinser old car) and said he plans to be back for the National Sprint Tour event in July. People might ask me where I got this information? I heard this when a fan asked him in the pits after the race at River Cities Speedway if he was going to be back in July? Tyler said, that he would be back.
Tyler Walker's Sprint Car