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Western College Hockey: Fun With Numbers

Chris plays with the numbers on WCHA officials, while he doesn't name a specific official it isn't hard to tell who he is talking about. I think this pretty much backs up the Wistlers theory.

While I don't know exactly which official he is talking about my guess is Team X is the Gophers and Ref Y is John Campion. The reason I say this is that during the series between the Mavs and the Gophers the had 26 power play opportunities while the Mavericks only had 15. Also when the Sioux played the Gophers Minnesota had 27 power play opportunities while UND had 10.

The Fighting Sioux show how to Dismantle a top 5 Team

A thing of Beauty

Everyone talks about the championship game between UND and UMN being a game to remember I think other wise; most of those fans making those claims are Gopher fans. I actually thought Saturday's game was less than exciting and ranked just behind the MTU and Wisconsin game on Thursday night.

I had the pleasure to Witness the game live between the Sioux and Huskies on Friday afternoon. Friday's game was a text book example of how to play championship hockey, it was the best I have seen UND play in two season. The game plan UND used was also a text book example of how to cycle the puck, fore check and generate offense, and put the opponent away. It was an amazing game to watch.

Intangibles

Chris Porter showed us how valuable seniors can be by scoring a timely goal to put the final nails in the coffin. Although he doesn't score a ton of goals his 172 games is a testament of the type of player he is. Next season it will be evident that Porter is no longer part of the team. Since day one I have liked his game.

Goal tending and defense wins games if not championships. The Huskies left Bobby out to dry all game long. In fact Bobby should have sued his defensive corps for non-support. Even an all-American goal tender can get shelled if he gets little if any support from his blue liners. I don't see the Huskies going far if they continue to play like this.

Chris Vande Velde showed us a glimsp of the future, the kid is going to be a power forward. I like what I saw on Friday afternoon.

NCAA Tourney Picks

The
NCAA Hockey Bracket Challenge is up again on Sioux sports. Get you picks in. Naturally I am picking the Sioux. No big shock there.

The Weekend that Wasn't

The Weekend in Review 

This past weekend the Sioux put up a decent effort and came up just a little short. Friday against the Huskies I thought the Sioux owned SCSU, lets just say that the Sioux pasted the Huskies and it wasn't even close. The DOT line made Bobby look Briggs like.

The Fighting Sioux were were all over the Huskies from the drop of the puck till the last whistle. The Sioux got balanced scoring and that was key to winning the game against the Huskies.

Against the Gophers the Sioux got out of their rhythm from the drop of the puck as they took stupid penalty after stupid penalty. The denfense game up a few soft goals and the Sioux just seemed to be a step behind the Gophers all game. If the Sioux could have picked it up they could have won this game but the Fighting Sioux spent too much of their game trying to even scores and running their mouths. The Sioux played undisciplined in Saturday's game.
 

The Brackets for the NCAA Tourney

Northeast Regional, Manchester, N.H.

(1) New Hampshire vs. (4) Miami
(2) Boston College vs. (3) St. Lawrence

The North East is a tough bracket and it really doesn't favor any team in my opinion. If there is a favorite I would have to say that it is the Eagles. It will be like a home game for the Wild Cats but the Eagles will prevail in the end.

East Regional, Rochester, N.Y.

(1) Clarkson vs. (4) Massachusetts
(2) St. Cloud vs. (3)Maine

SCSU has the easiest bracket, however it's not a given they can win their first game. This will be another one and done for the SCSU Huskies. Talk about a bracket I would love to see UND in. I am picking Maine in this bracket. This is the easiest bracket to the Frozen Four.

Midwest Regional, Grand Rapids, Mich.

(1) Notre Dame vs. (4) Alabama-Huntsville
(2) Boston Univ. vs. (3) Michigan State

Just as I predicted earlier there would be a Michigan school in Grand Rapids. The Michigan schools travel well in the state of Michigan and State fans will pack the arena. Personally, I think the NCAA selection committee is trying to make sure that HE and the CCHA gets a team or two into the tourney because the NCAA is tired of seeing the WCHA win the national championship year after year.

West Regional, Denver

(1) Minnesota vs. (4) Air Force 2:30 p.m. Saturday
(2) Michigan vs. (3) UND 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Satnu has called this the Death Match Regional, I have to agree with his assessment. This regional is brutal to say the least, its like the committee had a bad hangover and decided lets sock it too the traditional powers this year. Incidently, this regional looks just like last years REA regional minus Holy Cross. I like UND's chances of winning this regional, winning is possible and you have to beat the best to be the best. Also, not having to play Michigan in the state of Michigan is huge in my opinion. No excuses, time to strap it on for the Sioux and stop taking knuckle headed penatlies. If you would have asked me if UND would be a three seed in the NCAA tourney back in December I would have told you that your high.

Whoever wins this regional will be the eventual NCAA champion. I just hope finally UND can get number 8. I think 8 > 5 sounds better than 7 > 5.

This is what happens when you lose a bet

 

I normally don't wear a Gophers jersey, nor would I ever buy one but I lost a bet and keeping true to my word I posed for a picuture wearing the hated Gopher Jersey. Let it be known that right after the picture I took it off immediately. I was affraid that I was going to break out in hives. All in good fun right?

This is a good example of horrible Defense

The Sioux really blew it last night. This is also a text book example of how to not play defensive hockey, especially in over time. The puck is turned over by Chorney in the defensive zone, Matt Watkins whiffs and fails to get control of the puck in the defensive zone, the puck is shot down the ice and finally Lee fails to stop the shot by Wheeler, I am not so sure if Lee could have anyway. Lastly, I wouldn't fault Lammy because of the folly of mistakes that took place before shot, but he wasn't in position to make the save and if he had been standing up maybe he could have saved it. Overall a poor effort by the Fighting Sioux last night. Not all that concerned though you could put that in the Oh well category.

Sioux get some love in the WCHA Season ending Awards

The Envelope Please

WCHA Awards

*Player of the Year*
Ryan Duncan, So, F, North Dakota

*Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year*
Lee Sweatt, Sr, D, Colorado College

*Defensive Player of the Year*
Alex Goligoski, Jr, D, Minnesota

*Rookie of the Year*
Andreas Nodl, Fr, F, St. Cloud State

*Coach of the Year*
Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State
Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech

*Scoring Champion*
Ryan Duncan, So, F, North Dakota

*WCHA Goaltending Champion*
Brian Elliott, Sr, G, Wisconsin

*2006-07 All-WCHA First Team*
F Ryan Duncan, North Dakota
F Mason Raymond, Minnesota-Duluth
F Andrew Gordon, St. Cloud State
D Alex Goligoski, Minnesota
D Matt Niskanen, Minnesota-Duluth
G Bobby Goepfert, St. Cloud State

*2006-07 All-WCHA Second Team*
F Jonathan Toews, North Dakota
F Travis Morin, Minnesota State
F Kyle Okposo, Minnesota
D Mike Vannelli, Minnesota
D Taylor Chorney, North Dakota
G Brian Elliott, Wisconsin

*2006-07 All-WCHA Third Team*
F Andreas Nodl, St. Cloud State
F T.J. Oshie, North Dakota
F Ryan Dingle, Denver
D Lee Sweatt, Colorado College
D Steve Wagner, Minnesota State
G Michael-Lee Teslak, Michigan Tech

*2006-07 All-WCHA Rookie Team*
F Andreas Nodl, St. Cloud State
F Kyle Okposo, Minnesota
F Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State
D Erik Johnson, Minnesota
D Jamie McBain, Wisconsin
G Alex Stalock, Minnesota-Duluth

The Awards were a lot better than last year when UND basically took it in the shorts. I really believe that Taylor Chorney should have been a first team player.

Duncan Make the Cut

Ryan Duncan makes the Hobey Baker Top Ten.

Boston University's John Curry
Notre Dame's David Brown
St. Cloud State's Bobby Goepfert
St. Lawrence's Drew Bagnall
Miami's Nathan Davis
Michigan's T.J. Hensick
WCHA Player of the Year Ryan Duncan (North Dakota)
Air Force's Eric Ehn
Dartmouth's David Jones
UNO's Scott Parse

I guess I could say that I was shocked that there were only 2 candidates from the WCHA, surprisingly no Gophers and some how Brian Elliot was left off of the list. Definately an East Coast bias.

Jutting Staying in Mankato

Jutting gets a new deal

CHN Staff Report

MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State coach Troy Jutting, whose was in the last year of his contract, reached an agreement in principle today on an extension that will keep him behind the Mavericks' bench. According to the school, a few remaining details will be finalized when Jutting meets with athletic director Kevin Buisman early next week.

Maverick fans can rest assured they have a coach at least for the time being. I know there are fans in Mankato that aren't going to be happy but in my opinion its the right thing to do. Jutting's teams have hard competative and working and fun to watch play.

Bruins and Redwings

Bochenski got two assist and the Bruins beat the Red Wings 6-3. Bochenski has 5 points in the last five games. Not too bad for a player that the Chicago Black Hawks found no use for. I just don't get it one bit. Since coming to Boston all Bo has done is score points. I guess the Boston Bruins got the best of that deal. I am going to get me a black Bruins jersey with a number 10 on the back, thank God Zhamanov didn't put any bad mojo in that number.

I believe that for Bochenski to be successful he had to be on one of the top lines playing with top end players. Phil Kessel is the same way, since he has been on one of the top lines and not mired on the fourth line, Phil has been pumping in points on a steady basis as well. The future for the Burins is really bright. I suppose there is a reason that Chicago is mired in the bottom half of the standings.

Goon's Final Five Predictions

Thursday Night Play in game:
I believe this game will be an ugly game with little if any action. Wisconsin needs to win the tourney to get in the NCAA's I pick the Huskies over the Badgers in an ugly 1-0 game.

Friday Afternoon UND and the SCSU Swoonskies, I will take the Sioux in ot 4-3. The Sioux are hot and will continue the streak.

Minnesota rule

Golden "Chokers" Gophers against upstart MTU Huskies I am taking the Huskies in another 5-4 game.

Saturday Afternoon

Gophers finally beat the Swoonskies 4-1 and break a losing streak at the X-Cel Energy Center.

Saturday Evening

Sioux over the MTU Huskies in a Rvenge Match 4-2

I believe the MTU Huskies will make the tourney as a at Large Bid. Wisconsin is one and done. Sorry Badgers.

Chris Simon is a thug.

This kind of stuff has no room in hockey and the NHL has rightfully suspended Chris Simon for the rest of the season and into the playoffs. So that means if the Islanders make the playoffs and go a couple of rounds, Simon would be able to return next season. If the Islanders miss the playoffs Simon will miss more games next season as well.

Western College Hockey: New Commitments

Western College Hockey and Chris Heisenberg are reporting Western College Hockey: New Commitments

The Sioux steal a big time recruit out of the Gophers back yard, as the Sioux get Joe Gleason from Edina. I can't wait to hear the Gopher fans say oh well Gleason wasn't on the Gopher's radar and the Gopher's are set on defense didn't want him anyway...

Bo is Money in Boston

Clips of the Bruins and Wild game. Bochenski with the only Bruin's goal in the contest as the Wild won the game 2-1 Typical Bochenski goal in the paint picking up the trash. Bochenski followed up that game with a two point game against the Red Wings. Bocheski's numbers on the season 11 goals and 8 assist for 19 points in 28 games.

Vegas

Vacationin in Las Vegas for 4 days and hockey isn't king in the the Silver State, we are probably going to an ECHL game on Tuesday. I have needing a hockey fix becasue there has been some hockey on the tube in the sports book but it appears to be an after thought. I did manage to win actually win a three team parlay but realized I had paid $5.00 to win 9.15, incidently it's about the only money I won the whole time I have been here. When it comes to gambling a person would be more successful if you just take your money you were going to spend in a slot machine and throw it into the street, you would get the same results and your chances of winning are better. It appears that DU and C.C. are probably out of the national tourney again this season. That's the breaks for the WCHA beating up on each other all season long.

Interesting Article on ESPN and the NHL

I found this article on Off Wing Opinion

This is an interesting perspective about ESPN and the NHL

looks like we are going to be stuck with Versus for sometime to come. This is why I went and purchased NHL center ice I didn't want to be at the mercy of the local cable company now I can pick the games that I want to see.

Lucia with PA and Dubay

Lucia trying to keep it together

Check out this interview that took place today on
KFAN 1130 PA and Dubay

You have got to hear this interview; it’s interesting to say the least. It's hard to win when you don't get good goaltending. Lucia on the Erik Johnson interview, " there will be no more interviews that don't relate to college hockey”. “With the Internet today you say something and it’s all over.” “No talk with personal advisors we need to focus on our team and on the moment right now.” Sunday morning we sent a message to our players.

Moronic Fans at the John.

The MTU fans (Mean Girl and Boosh) from the Michigan Tech Blog ran into some real classy Minnesoda fans this past weekend. In the day of the world wide web and the internet this stuff could come back to haunt these folks. Imagine your future employer is close to picking you for a job and they come across this stuff. It's a deal breaker. Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son.

Check out this Goofy Bochenski Video.

This video is odd, I found it on YouTube. This is from Bochenskis days as a Lincoln Star. Wouldn't you know it Brandon scored his first NHL goal against his current team the Boston Bruins. Figures it's against Andrew Raycroft.

March 7 Bracketology is up

Jason Moy has his latest Brackets up on
USCHO

West Regional:

St. Lawrence vs. St. Cloud
Denver vs. Clarkson

Midwest Regional:

Sacred Heart vs. Minnesota
Michigan vs. Boston University

East Regional:

Niagara vs. Notre Dame
Boston College vs. Miami

Northeast Regional:

Michigan State vs. New Hampshire
Maine vs. North Dakota

I could see the NCAA committee doubling up a WCHA team or two to make sure they don't have another all WCHA Frozen Four. The East Regional is the weakest in my opinion and would all but assure the Eagles a trip to the Frozen Four. The West Regional isn't all that strong and I could see the Huskies making the trip.

Moy Predicts that

Teams that are in no matter what:
North Dakota and up.

Here are my first team WCHA Picks

1st Team:
F Ryan Duncan (North Dakota) 22-17-39 (1.39ppg)
F Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) 8-20-29 (1.27ppg)
F TJ Oshie (North Dakota) 10-16-26 (0.93ppg)
D Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) 4-16-20 (0.71ppg)
D Taylor Chorney (North Dakota) 5-14-19 (0.73ppg)
G Bobby Goepfert (St. Cloud State) 2.19 gaa, .929 sv%

Call me a homer but this is what I think they should be.
I am sure the Sioux will at best have two players on the first, second and third team.

Mav's and Sioux part III

Scoreboard
The second season begins this weekend

The Sioux's quest for an 8th national title begins when the Sioux face off against the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks. This weekend's match up will be a battle. Let's just say that it will be another one of those hard nosed games where there will be some very rugged play and probably a good fight or two. These two teams will not let us down. Rest assured you can expect a parade to the penalty box, as both teams are known to take a high number of penalties, however, that is just my personnel prediction. I could be wrong, but its not likely. Last time the two teams hooked up there were two fights, one at center ice and a ton of penalty minutes.

Wheres the Goalie
This weekend's series will be one of those times to strap it on tight and be ready to play some old time hockey. Jutting's team's are tough and they never seem to be intimidated. Make no mistake about it the Mavericks are not a pushover and are a tough draw for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. The Mavericks are a team that will fight for every inch and will give the opposition nothing. In a way I kind of admire the Maverick's style of play.

I am not sure why this is but the Mav's always seem to bring their "A" game when they play the Sioux.


Skilled players

The Mavericks have a couple of awesome and skilled players in Morin and Kalinski. Look for Kalinski because the kid has a knack for scoring short handed goals, he can also fly and will be one of the faster players on the ice this weekend. The Sioux must be aware of him when they are killing a penalty. Travis Morin is well Travis Morin, a four year senior that always seems to score at the right time. The Sioux must not let him roam free this weekend.

Predicting the outcome

The Sioux should win but they must not disrespect the Mavericks or they will be watching the Final Five on TV. They need to take care of the defensive zone and score timely goals. Gut tells me Sioux in two but this series could go three games. Get your ice packs ready.