Matt Greene Miked up on March 21st.

Check this out. This is some good stuff. Matt Green known for his bone crushing checks during his playing days at UND is still laying out the opposition with bruising hits. I noticed that Matt has finally shed the wooden sticks for carbon fiber like everyone else.

Coach of the Year Nominations are up

Spencer Penrose Finalists
Dave Burkholder, Niagara*
Rick Comley, Michigan State#@
Dave Hakstol, North Dakota#
Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame*
Joe Marsh, St. Lawrence*@
Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State*
Brian Riley, Army*
Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech*
Dick Umile, New Hampshire*@
Tim Whitehead, Maine#@
Jerry York, Boston College#@

* Conference Coach of the Year
# NCAA "Frozen Four" Participant
@ Previous Winner of the Spencer Penrose Award


Per USCHO

I think that Hakstol would be a good candidate for this award, I am sure that isn't shocking to anyone. Coach Hakstol has taken the Fighting Sioux to three straight teams to the Frozen Four unprecedented in UND school history. Of course UND fans would take a national title over winning the Hobey Baker and the Spencer Penrose award.

Stafford Highlites

A few High Lites I found on YouTube

Drew Stafford does what it takes to get the job done, standing up to a noted tough guy who's MO is to hurt people, after he cheap shotted Super Star Chris Drury. Chris Neil has openly admitted to this in public. I hadn't seen this goal one till today when someone posted it on SiouxSports.com.


It would be an understatement to say the former Fighting Sioux is making an huge impact on the Sabres team. Injuries have allowed him to stay in the line up. Looks like they are going to have a hard time keeping him out of the line up if he keeps playing like this. Like the TSN announcer said he doesn't want to give up his spot. Do you blame him?


Drew's first NHL Goal as he score against the Flyers. Incidently the Flyers have been scored on a lot this year.

Honestly this is a dandy goal against the hated Senators.

Colin Cambell says League should look at Fighting

The Fighting Debate in Hockey

Tood Fedoruk Shouldn't fight

It didn't take long for this issue to come up. If you page down you can see incident in question: Not so tough guy Todd Fedoruk starts a fight with really tough guy Colton Orr. In picking the fight with the wrong tough guy; Todd Fedoruk and gets pummeled and now some in the league think it is time to look at fighting. By the way that is the second beating that Todd Fedoruk too this season. The first one put him in the hospital with a face reconstruction. Funny thing is that it took a total of three punches to know this guy out twice. I am thinking maybe Todd should consider a new career choice. I mean honestly, your going to get killed.

On the heels of the frightening Fedoruk incident, Colin Campbell, the NHL's Senior Vice President, told Canadian Press that it's time to look at whether fighting has a place in the NHL.

"I think you have to ask the question because of what's happening out there," Campbell told CP. "It's incumbent on me, because of my position, to ask the question. ... I think if you discussed this even three or four years ago you would have got pooh-poohed out of the game.

"But now I think because of the size of our players, where we're at in sports and in life, I think we have to look at it."

Boogaard, Minnesota's 6-7, 250-pound fighter, says the fans' reaction -- the crowd was cheering and standing -- when he fought St. Louis' D.J. King on Thursday "shows it's meant to be in the game."If you take fighting out of hockey, it might be exciting for 10, 30 games, and then the rinks will start emptying," Boogaard said.

But Campbell counters, "We've had two players carried out on stretchers because of fair, consenting fights. ... It scares you. ... I think we have to ask the question, is the risk worth it?"

St. Louis Blues President John Davidson, in the Twin Cities for Thursday's game against the Wild, wonders, too, saying, "It needs to be looked at. Seeing fighters fight fighters for the sake of a fight is kind of silly. ... These guys are huge now. Look at Boogaard. I mean, I'm worried. I don't want to see somebody get hurt or worse. It's scary. It's nice to be ahead of the curve instead of behind it."

Gary Bettman Disagrees with Collin Cambell

I have to give Gary Bettmen props here for remaining calm when others have wanted to run off the deep end. I am also glad to know that the league hasn't discussed removing fighting from the game.

Commissioner Gary Bettman says fighting is part of hockey and believes some people have been "running off a little too fast on this topic."

"My view on fighting hasn't changed," he told the Canadian Press. "We've never taken active steps or considered eliminating fighting from the game. I've always taken the view that it's a part of the game and it rises and lowers based on what the game dictates." While Bettman seemed OK with the game's current stand on fighting, he's concerned about the larger safety issues.

David Lebrun suggests an Alternative

AN ALTERNATIVE TO BANNING FIGHTING IN THE NHL

The recent injuries and general consensus that we will someday watch a player die on the ice as a result of a fight are not to be taken lightly.

But I believe it is the recent influx of super-heavyweights and their willingness and desire to compete for an imaginary NHL heavyweight title that is causing the problems. These players have taken the role of fighting in hockey right out of the game.


My suggestion for the NHL is to impose a new rule that would limit a player's fight total throughout the course of a single season. If coupled with a serious suspension for exceeding the fight limit AND the abolition of the instigator rule, this new rule would pressure the enforcers to fight only when it is necessary��" To protect star players and punish players who have crossed the line by attempting to injure or taking cheap shots etc... Under the new rule, the instigator rule would be rendered useless (as if it already isn't), and players would not be punished for policing the game (and essentially cleaning up the game). And players would not be fighting incessantly either.


I believe this new rule would have several impacts on the NHL. It would decrease the amount of fighting and injuries caused by fighting. And it would ELEVATE the excitement of fighting, since most fights would be spirited, justified and fans would see scores settled within games--players being held accountable for their hits. I also believe the new rule would eventually curve the number of super-goons, since teams would opt to be policed by players who can contribute to the score with their ice-time, since fighting would not be as prevalent.

The alarmist opinion that we should abolish fighting is frightening. The NHL needs to recognize both the value of fighting, and the reason why so many super-fighters have infiltrated and tarnished the hockey-fight's reputation.

Fighting has a Purpose in Hockey

The debate about fighting having a place in the NHL and professional hockey is never ending debate. This debate seems to have nine lives and will never die as long as fighting is allowed in the NHL. I think most of the debate about fighting is a result of people not knowing a lot about the game of hockey. It never fails; you see an act like the above mention incident, then there is a firestorm of negative press that follows. Then there are people that want to immediately ban fighting from the NHL. First off if you don’t understand why fighting is part of hockey then you maybe you shouldn’t be a fan of fighting.

Fighting is a necessary tool and is a big part of the game of hockey. There is a code in hockey if you commit an egregious act in a hockey game you will be held accountable for your actions. Hockey players police themselves. It’s called the code. That means if you take a run at a skilled player that is looked at as being questionable you will be met on the ice challenged for this egregious act. In other words it’s designed to keep the players honest.

Now the problem is the instigator penalty, if you start a fight and it’s deemed you started that fight you can be kicked out of the game. Get too many instigator penalties and you can be suspended by the league. It’s been argued that the instigator rule in hockey has caused more problems than it’s prevented. Now the league decided to enact another rule that might actually be facilitating the injuring of the leagues skilled players. Now with 5 minutes or less in the third period if you get into a fight and get tagged with the instigator penalty you can actually get suspended for the next game and cause your coach to get fined $10,000. So now there won’t be any fight but players will think they have the green light to go after the skilled players in the NHL. I witnessed this in Boston one night while the Wild were playing the Bruins.

Boston Bruins to be sold?

Heard on XM-204

There is a rumor that the Boston Bruins might have been sold, this was according to a Boston Bruins fan this morning on XM-204. While nothing has been confirmed in the media as of yet, it would be a dream come true as the Bruins have gone from being a first rate original 6 team to the laughing stock of the North East Division. The Bruins owner is worth one 1 Billion dollars according to Forbes.com but runs his team as if it is an after thought.

Hobey Duncan

Duncan makes the Final Cut

It was officially announced that Fighting Sioux super sophomore Ryan Duncan has made the final cut to three of the Hobey Baker Memorial award. Just making that list is a huge honor. There was a rumor floating around over on USCHO that John Curry from BU was going to be the hands down favorite because of all the Minnesota voters wanting a local kid to be the Hobey Baker winner. I guess one can't get their info for from fan message boards eh? LOL. That is probably true but there probably wasn't enough votes to put him over the top.

The candidates are as follows per the Hobey Baker site

1. Eric Ehn, Air Force
2. David Brown, Notre Dame
3. Ryan Duncan, North Dakota

The Silly Season-Lets see who signs next

End of the Season Chaos

The minute the off-season begins the same damn thing happens every year, its just like clock workand you could set your watch by it. Makes you wonder if these professional teams are faxing the players contract offers as they are showering after the game. It’s no secret that the NCAA Division one hockey is stuffed full of future NHL talent and seems the minute these kid’s college season ends the professional team that owns their rights swarm down on these kids like vultures. Personally, I wish these professional teams would back off a bit and give the kids some air. Every time Chicago’s general Manager Dale Tallon is on XM-204 NHL center ice the hosts are asking Tallon when he is going to sign Jonathon Toews. I am actually sick and tired of hearing about it every day of the week. Incidental, most of us have already accepted that fact that Toews is gone when the season is over, if your a Sioux fan and you haven't your delusional. So take a picture of the 2006-2007 because you can bet next years team is going to look a whole lot different.

As I think back to all of the players that have left UND early in the last few years one could assemble a pretty good team that would go deep into the NCAA tourney. Actually, I still have gotten over the day that Zach Parise went pro. What made it even worse was the fact he went to the New Jersey Devils. To top it all off Zajac also play for the evil empire the hated New Jersey Devils. In case you haven't noticed I am recovering Bruins fan and detest the Devils, that ok I still watch them play anyways.

You really can't blame these young stars for taking the money which isn't bad and all you can do is wish them well. I know most of us wish they would stay all four years but it isn't realistic anymore. What can you do, hold them at gun point. Look at it this way; if you were sitting at your desk or cubical at work and someone came up to you and said, we will pay you 850,000.00 to work 6 months at the most, we would all be gone and we would take the money in a heart beat. There would be a vapor trail behind me if I was given that opportunity.

In Minneapolis, I like how tDon is dealing with the possibility of having another slough of early departures. I kind of admire this approach. This off season Luica is telling his players let me know what your plans are with in next 60 days. You really can't blame Lucia one bit. I pretty sure he probably doesn’t want to be scrambling during the summer to fill the holes departing players have left. Last summer super frosh Phil Kessel signed late in the summer causing Jay Bariball to come early. The move worked out well for Lucia but it would have been a disaster rushing a kid in to college that could have benefited from another year of junior hockey.

I also can't blame him the three mentioned players are stud hockey players and with them the Gophers are strong without them, well they are still good but more beatable.

The Gophers are on hold as three of their best players -- defensemen Alex Goligoski and Erik Johnson and forward Kyle Okposo -- decide whether to sign professional contracts or return for another season.

Lucia has vowed to make the decision of all three known sooner rather than later. He said he has made calls to some advisors to get a sense of where things stand.

"I'm going to sit down with the players and find out where they are at," Lucia said. "I'm not going to wait until July to find out like we have in the past. I would like things to be settled in the next 60 days."

Lucia said he believes all three players would be best served by returning for another season. Johnson and Okposo are freshmen. Goligoski is a junior, but Lucia said he believes Goligoski needs to get stronger before he's ready for the NHL.

Father knows best

I think these young men should take former Sioux player Mark Chourney's advice stay in school.

The excitement of pro hockey wears off quickly when you know it's a business," Marc Chorney said. "Once you turn pro, you can't go back to your college days. It's hard to tell that to a young person when the opportunity is right there in front of him and it's his dream to play in the NHL.

"Among those I know who played college and pro hockey, it's unanimous that the longer you can stay in school, grow up and mature, the better player you'll be when you turn pro," Marc said. "I tell that to everybody, not just my son."

After four years at UND, Marc graduated with a business degree. Today, he owns a company that manufactures hardwood flooring for semi trailers and operates three plants in the U.S. and one in Canada. He and his wife Lynn know what they'd like their son to do, although they haven't discussed it with him yet.

"As parents, our preference is for him to go back to school," Marc said. "The big reason for him to go to Shattuck and to North Dakota was to get a good education. It's ultimately his decision, but I'm hopeful that he feels the same way I do."

While Taylor Chorney concentrates on preparing for UND's upcoming game with Michigan, he makes it clear that when the season is done, he'll give serious consideration to his father's advice.

Mike Santorelli Turns the Money down

Here is an interesting story Mike Santorelli decides to stay in school for now. Kind of like last summer when Brian Elliot could have went pro after last season, what was there to prove he had already won a title, but he decided to return for his senior year. If Mike returns you can bet that NMU will prove to be a strong team in the CCHA. I would love to see them finish at the top of the CCHA.

Northern Michigan junior forward Mike Santorelli finished tied for second in the nation in goals scored with North Dakota's Ryan Duncan. Ted Cook of Niagara was the goal scoring champion at 32 goals and the trio were the only to surpass the 30 goal mark this season.

Santorelli has yet to sign with the Nashville Predators or its AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. A source who will remain nameless reported that Santorelli turned down the first offer from the organization.

Santorelli was unable to comment on the situation last week when I spoke with him concerning his future as a pro but he would talk about the possibility of returning and the advantage of staying in college.

“The season just finished on Saturday night so I don’t know where things are going yet. I can’t really comment on that,” Santorelli said about going pro. “College is a great place and it is another year to mature as a player to get bigger, stronger and quicker.”

Yay for insight! NMU head coach Walt Kyle had a little more to say and while during the season, he has been pretty open about Santorelli leaving, he did say last week that he believes Santorelli could return.

Drew Stafford Scores in one of the Best games of the Year

A Game for the Ages

Former Fighting Sioux Drew Stafford scored a sweet goal in one of the best games that I have watched all season.Actually it was the game winning goal in a wild hockey game. This is the way hockey should be played, it's a no brainer. College hockey needs to get it right just like the NHL has. Stafford got goal number 12 on the year, incidently Stafford has been on fire as he has 5 points in his last 5 games scoreing 4 goals and 1 assist. I guess Stafford doesn't want to get sent down again.

Jersey Pops, this is funny

I saw this over on Sioux sports, if your a Sioux fan it's probably funny, if your a Gopher fan it's probably not as funny as it was last week. Personally, I could care less if the Gophers players want to do their stupid little jersey pops after they score a goal. Some fans have suggested that its bad sportsmanship. I think its just plain stupid, but what ever floats your boat.

In years past; if a player did that in the NHL during the 1970's or 1980's they probably would have gotten their head knocked off by an opposing player. If you think I am crazy listen to Phil Esposito in the afternoons on XM-204. Its about respect for your fellow opponent. It kind of explains today's generation; the gen Y boys, look at me. One could make the argument that it's almost kind of like Terrel Owens when he does his stupid dances after he scores a touch down, the moral of the story is act like you done it before.

This is short satirical video but this is a great response to that. How do you like that jersey pop now? Notice when the Sioux players score a goal they don't do the stupid jersey pop. Actually I saw it once by Taylor Chorney but it was in our house. I have not seen it since and I am sure one of the Sioux coaches would have took them aside and said son, "we don't do that at UND, if you want to do that go play for Minnesota." Just a little observation from what I seen.

3 is an Awesome Number

Its all about the number three

I guess good things come in three.

* Hakstal has been the coach of the Fighting Sioux for three seasons
* Hakstal has led the Fighting Sioux to 3 straight NCAA Frozen Four appearances
* 3 was the number of goals that Oshie had on Saturday night
* 3 was the number of goals that Porter had during the regional
* 3 was the number of assists that Duncan had on Saturday night
* 3 wins against The Golden Gophers this season (3-1 overall)
* 3 was the winning teams score of the last two games between the two teams 3-2
* 3 was the number of times Sioux and Gophers have played in the NCAA tourney with UND holding the edge 2-1
* If the Sioux win the NCAA title they will have 3 more NCAA titles than the Gophers
Now lets get 8 NCAA titles.

The Defections continue. Jack Johnson Signing with LA Kings

Jack Johnson the next to go

I found this when I was reading the Michigan Daily. Apparently the Los Angles Kings Will are in the process of signing their top prospectJack Johnson There is nothing on NHL.Com as of right now there hasn't been an official press release but I am sure there will be something announced tonight or tomorrow.

Sophomore will play for L.A. Kings Tuesday
By Amber Colvin, Daily Sports Editor
3/23/07

DENVER, March 25 - Michigan star defenseman Jack Johnson is negotiating a contract with the Los Angeles Kings today, ending speculation of whether the sophomore would forgo his two remaining years of eligibility.

Johnson confirmed his departure in an exclusive interview with The Michigan Daily this afternoon.

"I thought I was ready for a new challenge," Johnson said. "With all my close friends, the seniors, gone now and everything, I thought it was time for me to pretty much go for a new challenge."

Following Michigan's 8-5 loss to North Dakota Saturday night in the NCAA West Regional semifinals in Denver, the team flew back to Ann Arbor, but Johnson and his family stayed behind. Johnson's agent, Pat Brisson, and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi worked out the details of the contract.

"I'll be flying from Denver to Los Angeles," Johnson said. "Every thing's done except for they're negotiating bonuses."

What a ride it has been.

On the video I have to give props to the RedFrogND for his stellar video that he puts together each and every week dud you are truly unbelievable. I think this video really sums up the Fighting Sioux 2006-2007 season well.

Now the first round of the NCAA regional playoffs starts for the Fighting Sioux starts tonight at 6:30 p.m in Denver, Colorado the scene of Zack Parise’s last game as a Fighting Sioux hockey player. No matter what happens tonight I have to say this has been an exciting season from January on, where the Sioux went 15-3-4, that’s pretty impressive for a team stuffed with freshmen and sophomores going 3-1-1 against the Gophers and the Huskies during that time.

While I wasn’t too happy with the Sioux at the beginning of the season some of the madness is starting to make sense. SCSU proved that winning at the beginning of the season means nothing if you can’t seal the deal at the end of the season.

I don’t have any grand predictions and I am just going to watch the games and see how it shakes up. The Sioux are in a death region and to be the best you have to beat the best. It’s a shame that it has to end this way but lets get it on.

Tech Still Sucks: NCAA Tournament Predicitions

Tech Still Sucks: NCAA Tournament Predictions
Tech Still Sucks picks their NCAA Brackets. Two of the three writers pick UND to beat the Gophers, none of them picks the Sioux to win the championship. I just hope we can prove them wrong and get championship number 8. In fact two of three have the Notre Dame Fighting Irish winning their first ever NCAA title. I am surprised the Gopher fans haven't been over there to cause a ruckus yet?

Orr-Fedoruk

You would have thought that Todd Fedoruk had learned his lesson earlier in the season when Derrick Boogaard kicked his ass; this time around, Todd Fedoruk picks a fight with New York Ranger tough guy Colton Orr who in turns kicks his ass.Both Fights there is a total of about 3 punches thrown.

In looking at both videos it appears that Fedoruk precipitated both fights and was knocked out of both of them. Come on Todd there is taking one for the team, but maybe you should find a new profession because your getting killed.

Don't get me wrong I like a good fight but there are good fights and there are bad fights. These two probably could be classified as bad fights.

Waiting for Stanley had a good perspective on this fight and I agree with what he is saying about the NHL and its regards to fighting. Enjoy

As soon as you start bringing the moral code of human rights into the fighting in the NHL and become sensitive to potential injury, you are pretty much asking for fighting to be eliminated all together, or at least that will be the end result. But I get this sickening feeling that fighting in the NHL is going the way of the dinosaur anyway. Colin Campbell is already looking into it and is concerned.
And in a game that is losing alot of it's physicality already with the new rules, that is a god-damned shame. Alot of the essence that is and always has been NHL hockey is going down the toilet.

And the most ironic thing is: if Fedoruk plays again, guaranteed he will tussle with a Derek Boogaard or a Colton Orr once again. Why? Because he WANTS to. So why is this incident even such a big deal? Let it go. Stop being so damned sensitive! Todd Fedoruk isn't sensitive about is he?

Drew Stafford Gets two.

Drew Stafford got his 10th and 11th goals of the year as the Buffalo Sabres rolled over the Washington Craptials. The Sabres made Kolzig look like a rented bantam "C" goalie. While I have never been a fan of the Buffalo Sabres they do play a type of hockey that I really wish was prevalent in college hockey.

Farwell to the Sioux Seniors

This year's Fighting Sioux senior class consists of three players Scott Foyt, Chris Porter and Eric Fabian. These guys are the heart and soul and the leaders of the 2006-2007 Fighting Sioux squad. These guys are the players that provide grit and do the things that need to be done to be successful. Video is courtesy of REDFROG

College Hockey News Give UND a little of Love

The Latest Awards from CHN

For the most part College Hockey News doesn't seem to give UND a lot of luv, however, CHN did give some well deserved recognition to three Fighting Sioux hockey players. On this occasion I personally don't have a problem with the selections and getting noticed when there are so many top end players this season is a pretty big deal. The envelop please.

First Team All-CHN
F T.J. Hensick, Michigan, Sr.
F Ryan Duncan, North Dakota, So.
F Nathan Davis, Miami, Jr.
D Jack Johnson, Michigan, So.
D Alex Goligoski, Minnesota, Jr.
G David Brown, Notre Dame, Sr.

2nd Team All-CHN
F Scott Parse, Nebraska-Omaha, Sr.
F Brian Boyle, Boston College, Sr.
F David Jones, Dartmouth, Jr.
D Matt Gilroy, Boston University, So.
D Drew Bagnall, St. Lawrence, Sr.
G Bobby Goepfert, St. Cloud State, Sr.
G John Curry, Boston University, Sr.

Honorable Mention: Matt Hunwick (Mich.), Trevor Smith (UNH), Kevin Porter (Michigan), Cory Schneider (BC), Kevin Regan (UNH), Mike Santorelli (NMU), Jonathan Toews (NoDak), Mark Matheson (UMass), Reid Cashman (QU), Ryan Jones (Miami), Nathan Gerbe (BC)

All-CHN Rookie Team
F Andreas Nodl, St. Cloud State
F Teddy Purcell Maine
F Kyle Okposo, Minnesota
D Erik Johnson, Minnesota
D Kyle Lawson, Notre Dame
G Brad Thiessen, Northeastern

Honorable Mention: Mark Letestu (WMU), Brandon Wong (QU), Alex Petizian (SLU), Ryan Thang (N.D.), Kevin Deeth (N.D.), Mike McKenzie (SLU), Chay Genoway (N. Dakota)

The Mass Defections are Starting Already.

Spring Signing Period

The bleeding has already started as another group of college hockey underclassmen are forgoing their college eligibility to sign professional contracts. Personally I don't blame these kids if someone came up to me waving an 85,000.00 signing bonus in front of my nose I would have hard time turning it down. Most of us would have a hard time turning down a chance to get paid to play a game.

This is just a few of the Defections

Wisconsin suffers a hugh loss as Joe Piskula signs a contract with the LA Kings and will play with the Manchester Monarchs. Piskula is a great defensive player that will be missed by the Badgers next season.

The UMD Bulldogs took two hits as the Super SophomoresMatt Niskanen and Mason Raymond Signed professional Contracts. Miskanen signed with the Dallas Stars and will join the Iowa Stars. Raymond signed with the Vancover Canucks and will join the Manitoba Moose.

Alaska Nanooks Junior and leading scorer Kyle Greentreethe leading scorer for the Alaska Nanooks the past three seasons, has decided to forgo his senior collegiate season to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers, Inside College Hockey has learned. The deal is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Let's Go Mav's is smoking made that Minnesota State University Mankato's Steve Wagnersigned with St. Louis and will begin play in Peoria Illinois with the Rivermen.

As teams are eliminated from the post season you will be seeing press releases of players signing professional contracts.

Comley isn't going to win any friends with the CHA

Check out his zinger

I wouldn't say that Rick Comley is totally off the mark, however, he isn't going to win any friends in the CHA either. Also, kind of makes you wonder by Comley's comments if the CCHA is going to be willing to pick up Wayne State which isn't a CHA powerhouse, but they did win their tourney fair and square. Hey they won their league, also the AHA hasn't traditionally done real weal against the CHA so whats one more game.

"What I would like to see is a play-in game [between the CHA and Atlantic Hockey]. The CHA should not have an automatic bid under any circumstance whatsoever. They should have a play-in opportunity."

Good for Eaves

From the same article with the Comley quip comes a piece from Wisconsin Coach Mike Eaves. I think this is well said and I agree with him 100%. Mike is right; how can the strongest conference top to bottom who's teams were ranked 1-10 in strenght of schedule only get 3 teams in the NCAA's? While Hockey East gets 5 teams and the much weaker CCHA gets four teams in? Many WCHA fan's are asking the same thing? Just to prove how much a farce the RPI is. CCHA league champ Notre Dame's strength of Schedule was around 40th most of the second half of the season. This is the same champion that lost to 8th place Mankato as well as CHA new comer Robert Morris University but still was awarded a number one seed for the NCAA tourney. That is a joke in my opinion.

One team on the wrong side of the picks Sunday was Wisconsin, which will not have the chance to defend its national championship. Head coach Mike Eaves expected as much, but was unhappy with a result that saw just three WCHA teams get in.

"It was disappointing. We knew it was a slim chance, but still to see the teams on the wall was disappointing," said Eaves.

"It sure would be interesting to talk to someone on the committee. Because how does the WCHA only get three teams in there? To me, that's the biggest question that I have. You get past our own disappointment, and I look at our league and how strong our league is."

Jordin Tootoo the Latest to get Suspended by the NHL

A Black eye


There is no place in hockey for this type of crap, this is the kind of crap that gives hockey a bad name. Not a week after the Chris Simon another hockey player is disciplined by the NHL. Tootoo checks Madano then when a player comes to his aid and Tootoo sucker punches him. In that case Tootoo was challenged he should have dropped the gloves and squared off with Robidas.

Robidas was knocked unconscious on the play late in the third period of Saturday night's 3-2 win by the Predators at Nashville.

Robidas, who was coming to the defence of star centre Mike Modano, was assessed a minor for charging on the play, and Tootoo received a double-minor for roughing.

Robidas was carried off the ice on a stretcher and was taken to hospital. He's out at least a week after sustaining a concussion.

Related Info
Tootoo, 24, has (3) three goals, (4) four assists and 104 penalty minutes in 61 games this season. Robidas, 30, has 17 assists and 82 penalty minutes in 71 games this season.