For the Four people that haven't seen this goal.

Wow, I actually just watched that goal again for like the second time. Seems like the more you watch the play the more you think: Wow, that is one hell of an awesome move. When Toews first announced that he was going to the NHL I thought ok, he will probably be on the third line and play 10-15 minutes a game. After after watching a few of the Black Hawks games, I believe that JT and Pat Kane are the face and future of the Chicago Black Hawk's. That being said I don't think the Hawks make the playoff this season, the west is too loaded, but the future looks bright.

Tale of the Tape for the Young Rookies

Pat Kane 8gp 1g - 8a for 9 points leads the team.
Jon Toews 6gp 2g -4a for 6 points fourth on the team.

Grand Forks Life: The Fargo Farce

There is a pretty good debate starting at the Grand Forks Life Blog on the fighting Sioux name.

Grand Forks Life: The Fargo Farce

In case anyone is wondering the Force is UND's marketing campaign, it started first with the football team and then it was used with all of the Sports teams at UND. For the people that are experiencing a case of wishful thinking UND isn't going to change the Fighting Sioux name to the Force; I mean lets get real people, why would UND spend millions of alumni dollars if the school was just going to turn around and change the Fighting Sioux name. Honestly, for one it makes no sense economically what so ever. I would basically violate anything that is practical.

Lastly, If UND decides to change the Fighting Sioux name it will be because the Board of Higher Education in North Dakota deems its the move UND will make. Realistically speaking the next UND president will have little if any imput on the matter. If UND is going to change the name I am sure the Board of Higher Ed, the Students and the Alumni will decide what the next name will be. Don't count on that happening any time soon.

Sioux play 2/3 of a game and get the tie.

Gong Show in Boston

If I was part of the administration at Boston College I would be very embarrassed today. What happened last night on national television was a debacle, a gong show and there is no excuse for it, this is utterly unacceptable.

If you had to describe how I feel today the word disappointed would be the first thing to come to mind. I waited all week for the watch up of the fall in college hockey. The Boston College Eagles and the UND Fighting Sioux were renewing the rivalry and the match up was supposed to be a must see game of the week.

In the end the game was a non-starter and ended up being a fog bowl and had to be called after two periods due to the safety reasons of the athletes involved. Before this game I thought of Boston College as being one of the bench mark teams in Hockey East, on further review they have some major issues with their hockey facility that should be fixed before UND makes the trip out east. One could describe this as being unacceptable.

If I was Hakstol I would tell Jerry York thanks for the invite but we aren’t coming back until you get your arena in order, or suggest playing the game at an alternative site like the TD Bank Garden. Hell I bet this doesn’t happen at the University of Mass Lowell and it should happen at a bench mark school like Boston College.

In the face of a debacle there is something possitive, our goaltending has been great so far as Lammy has faced 47 shots and not let a goal in as of yet, in fact many of these saves have been of the high quality type.

BOSTON- For the second time in two seasons, a game at Boston College was called because of poor ice conditions, and once again it came in front of a national TV audience.

The game between Boston College and North Dakota on Friday was halted after two periods with the game tied, 0-0. It will go down as an official game, a tie for both teams.

Last season, a game between BC and Boston University was halted in the first period because humid conditions caused fog and poor ice. That game was resumed from where it left off and finished at a later date.

In this case, the game was official, and was declared complete. A power outage caused a delay to the start of the game. Reports indicate that de-humidifying machines, brought in to Conte Forum in anticipation of the humid conditions, contributed to the power failure. Later there was another brief outage.

Power was eventually restored, but the foggy conditions forced the game to be halted. The final decision came during the second intermission, during a meeting with the two game referees and Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna.

Bertagna indicated that the "safety of the athletes was the most important concern." He said that consideration was given to starting the period, and then seeing how things went. But he said there was concern a team would score a quick goal, and then officials would be put in position of having to call a game without giving the trailing team an opportunity to respond.

Temperatures were unseasonably warm throughout the Northeast on Friday, and it was raining most of the day.

North Dakota (1-0-1) heads down the road to Northeastern on Saturday. BC (1-1-1) is off until Sunday, when it plays at Vermont.

This Post is the 500th post of Goon's World

More on Bochenski

Found this in the: Boston Globe Newspaper

Staying prepared

Neither Brandon Bochenski nor Jeremy Reich have suited up yet for a regular-season game. ‘’I’ve talked to those guys,’’ said head coach Claude Julien. ‘’I’ve told them to stay ready.’’ During today’s workout, Bochenski and Reich both work as extras on a line that is comprised of P.J. Axelssson, Thornton and Metropolit.

In everything that I have read this season makes me believe that Bruins Coach Claude Julien has penciled Bochenski in as being a fourth line player. Which is puzzling in my opinion? I am also going to go on record as saying that I am not a fan of Julien one bit, there is a reason he has been fired from all of these places he has coached. First off; what the heck is he doing Phil Kessel; Phil is not a third line player. I also don’t get the reasoning of having Bochenski and his $600,000.00 sitting out for every game. If Bochenski is a extra piece trade him away for a player to be name later and give this kid a chance to play on someone else’s team.

WILMINGTON — The Black & Gold returned to full-squad workouts here today after wrapping up their 3-2 road trip over the weekend.

The lines looked familiar, picking up from where they left off in San Jose:
Marco Sturm-Patrice Bergeron-Glen Murray
Peter Schaefer-Marc Savard-Chuck Kobasew
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Phil Kessel
P.J. Axelsson-Glen Metropolot-Shawn Thornton
Extras, also in uniform: Jeremy Reich and Brandon Bochenski

The D’ pairings:

Andrew Alberts-Andrew Ference (the Two Drews)
Mark Stuart-Dennis Wideman
Zdeno Chara-Aaron Ward
Extra man: Bobby Allen
Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez were the goalies

Also it is puzzling that the Bruins wouldn’t play Manny Fernandez more? While Manny had a couple of games that were very Manny like he is still a top line goalie in my opinion. While I believe that Tim Thomas is a decent back up goalie he has proved the last two seasons he is nothing more than a mediocre starting goalie. Manny needs to play on a regular basis or he isn’t going to be very happy and could end up being a distraction to the Bruins

Linkorama: Check out this B.C. blog

I like reading other people's blogs to see how they think. If you are interested in reading a different perspective from the other side of the ice check out this blogFor Here Men are Men. This Hockey East blog talks about the B.C. Eagles. In this particular post he talks about the Eagles and their up coming season and how tough the Eagles schedule is to start the off season. They played Michigan, followed by RPI and now they play the Sioux. Its no mystery that mnch like the Sioux the Eagles always have a target on their back. Everyone wants to beat them and those teams brings their "A" game when they play the Boston College Eagles.

Finally, we get to the schedule. It ain't easy. We jump right into the fray with Michigan followed by RPI or Minnesota, then come back to Chestnut Hill for a home tilt against North Dakota in what has become college hockey's best intersectional rivalry.

I have to agree with him the Sioux and Eagles is one of those rivalries that you mark off on your calender. It think this weekend this will be the spot light game of the week. Playoff hockey in October.

Boring hockey

I found this over on article over on
Chris Dilk's blog:

Notre Dame hosted Denver tonight, in the first game of a two-game series. The game was moved to Thursday because Notre Dame's football team(and I use the term football team extremely loosely) has a football game to lose on Saturday.

Denver jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead off a Kyle Ostrow goal, and led 2-1 after the first period, but Notre Dame dominated the second period, outshooting Denver 9-3, and scoring twice to take the lead. Notre Dame extended their lead by a goal in the third period when freshman Ben Ryan scored on the powerplay. Denver answered back 32 seconds later, but could not get any closer.

Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce made 17 saves, while Denver's Peter Mannino made 14.

My first comment is is that the first period of hockey? That can not be for the whole game. My first though on that game was I thank God that I didn't have to watch that defense feast. Honestly, who likes to watch that type of hockey? I guess no one unless you are fan of the Wisconsin Badgers or the Cornell Big Red. Recently on Sioux Sports Redwing77 said that the Wild play a boring style of hockey. While appreciate Redwings's post I don't think he could be further from the truth. Check out the link below and then tell me how anyone can call the Wild hockey games boring hockey?




Ovechkin now has 100 goals for his short NHL career

Alexander Ovechkin got 100 goals in 167 games. For the people that aren't math wiz's, that is 100 goals in 2 season plus 7 games this year.

Cool Hockey Picture(s)

I found this picture over on the
Win Twins blog I don't know if Heather took the picture herself or she found it on the Internet but it is a really cool picture, I mean I can appreciate it even if it is a picture of SCSU hockey players. The two players Nodal and Lasch are two of the more exciting players in the WCHA. Check out Win Twins blog she focuses on the now out of the playoffs and golfing Minnesota Twins, however, the blog isn't just about baseball it also a WCHA/SCSU hockey.


I have to say that this picture is really funny, its of the famous Michigan Tech Fan MeanGirl. This picture was part of a blog that I found this over on Amy's Lets Go Mav's, I have to say hey MeG nice shoes. While I am a big fan of Adidas, I wonder if she bought the last pair of gold and black Adidas. Should we say that they are not my color. This is the same Mean Girl that was given a rough time by a bunch of drunk rude Gopher Fans.

Where are they Now: Winchester mixing it up in the NHL

I found this clip on YouTube, seems as if Brad Winchester has found a calling in the NHL. I am sure that Sioux fans will remember the former Badger player that got into trouble in February 2003 for allegedly punched Madison Police Officer Caleb Bedford several times in the nose at 2:20 a.m., leaving Bedford with a bloody nose, after Bedford physically restrained Winchester. Officers arrived at 2:20 a.m. to 529 N. Lake St. to break up a fight involving between eight and 10 people outside the Kollege Klub, in Madison Wisconsin. Now Winchester is getting paid handsomely to hit people and seems as if he is pretty good at it as well.

I remember when Winchester was playing with the Badgers and saying this guy is nothing more than a goon or a heathen; yep these clips prove it; Brad Winchester is a goon, and a pretty good one at that. Here is a good fight against Bruins new comer and punching bag Milan Lucic seems this is one of reasons that keeping Brandon Bochenski in the stands wearing a suit and out of the line up for the Boston Bruins. Maybe Bochenski should go out and beat someone up as soon as he cracks the Boston Line up.

Here is a classy move by Winchester, this a fight from game on March 12th 2007 when Winchester was with the Edmonton Oilers in this fight Winchester he jumps LA Kings tough guy Raitis Ivanans.
This is from the same March 12th 2007 game, another great short fight from the same game from last season Thornton and Winchester I have to give it to Winchester he is sure stacking up the fights on YouTube.

Goon's WCHA picks for the 19-20 October

Goon's Picks for the Weekend

MSU-Mankato and Michigan Tech Tech Sweeps Sorry Amy.
UND and B.C. Fighting Sioux win
UND and North Eastern Fighting Sioux win
C.C. and Minnesota Split
SCSU and UMD Split
Wisconsin and RMU Wisconsin Sweep
Denver and Notre Dame DU Sweep
UAA and Alaska Fairbanks Split We are wondering if Donald sobers up by Monday Morning?

Sweet Goal


I have read where there are people wondering where the Fighting Sioux's goals are going to come from this season, I belive that this is only the beginning of many more from number 29.

Bochenski not cracking the line up in Boston

As a Bruins fan I can not understand why recycled coach Claude Julian isn't playing Former Sioux Brandon Bochenski. Boston Bruins Blogger Gerry Bourdeau weighs in on the matter as well.

As a side note, I am upset that Dennis Wideman and Brandon Bochenski were not in the line-up. I understand there isn’t room for everyone on the roster but I would’ve sat Allen and Kobasew in favour of Bochenski and Wideman. We’re talking potential and offense here. I’m sure coach Julien has his reasons for his decisions and I am anxious to see what the next game’s line-up will look like.

I have to say that I am anxious as well to see if Brandon Bochenski cracks the line up soon or what if anything are the Bruins going to do with the young Bochenski, Brandon is due to make 600,000.00 and that is a lot of cash to be sitting in the press box. The Bruins have played 5 games and he has been a healthy scratch in each game. This is Bochenski's third NHL team and it appears that he has already worn out his welcome in Boston.

Boogaard gets even with May

I was watching the replay of the Wild and Ducks on my DVR this afternoon when I was very happy to see this fight happen. Some will say, “that fighting has no place in hockey”. Well Folks these people are dead wrong. The May vs. Boogaard fight is a direct result of the Brad May’s cheap gutless sucker punch of Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson.

In this instance the code worked well both men dropped the gloves and settled this thing on the ice. Brad May while he might be a classless hack knew eventually that he was going to have to pay for this egregious act against a defenseless unsuspecting competitor/player and fought instead of turtling.

The reason the Miller goal was waved off.

Kudos to the ND redfrog from Sioux Sports for posting this video. When this goal was first waved off I thought it was a brutal call (I was sober by the way not clouded by alcohol) but after reviewing this video I would say that video evidence proves that the refs made the right call. Far be it from me to want to compliment the refs.

Video replay shows that Kyle Radke definitely interfered with the MSU player in front of the net. I also wouldn't have been shocked if it had been ruled a good goal.

Two Ref System (EDIT)

This season the WCHA will be experimenting with the 2-and-2 officiating system during the 2007-08 season in about 60 games, in both the men's league and the women's league. (Thanks PCM for the correction) I personally think the two ref system is going to slow the flow of the game down and in essence your going to have a parade to the penalty box. Stay tuned as the season unfolds. I guess if the two ref system can work in the NHL, there is no reason this transition can't be successful in the WCHA/NCAA.

Speaking of horse bleep calls: here is the video of Oshie check from behind penalty while that should have been a penalty, it didn't warrent a 5 and a game in my opinion'.

Ode to the Bruins and Kessel with a hat trick

Former Gophers star/player Phil Kessel scoring a hat trick against the LA Kings. One could say that Kessel's hat trick is very good news since the Boston Bruins haven't really been scoring a lot of goals to start the season. However, there is hope in Boston as the Bruins recently went 3-2 in a western road trip. Incidently the Bruins will not leave the eastern time zone the rest of the season.

A weak attempt at Humor

Lastly, some fans think they are so funny (especially New Jersey Devils Fans), first off even though two former Sioux hockey players play on the Devils I am not a fan of their team; not to mention I think the Devils are going to be a punching bag in the east and have a down season. Sioux7 sent me this poem about the Boston Bruins.

Ode to the Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins,
Their Stanley Cup dreams are in ruins.
One cup in thirty-five years,
Has caused many tears,
Fans drown their sorrows in beers
As the players get jeers,
And the cup still avoids them.

Their players are all washed-up jocks,
They're even worse than the sox!
In the playoffs they choke,
And all their fans' hearts are broke.
Half the team is on coke,
The franchise is a joke.
So the cup still avoids them.

Each year the results are the same,
And Peter Chiarelli is the person to blame.
There are thirty-five more
Years of failure in store.
They can't even score,
From the cup they won't pour.
'Cause the cup still avoids them.

Hockey East on the Decline?

I found this post in my email from the hockey list last night: I wonder if this has anyone concerned on the east coast? Actually I had to take a double take to make sure it wasn't a miss print.

Hockey East did NOT fare very well last night. In eight games, Hockey East went 1-7 with the lone victory coming from Merrimack (4-2 over Niagara). There were some very surprising results too, such as New Hampshire losing an exhibition to New Brunswick and BU falling to Robert Morris. -Deron

Friday, October 12, 2007
Non-Conference
Vermont 1 at Miami 2 (L)
Providence 1 at St. Lawrence 4 (L)
Niagara 2 at Merrimack 4 (W)
Maine 0 at Denver 2
Massachusetts 1 at Clarkson 2 ot (L)

IceBreakerBoston College 3 vs. Michigan 4 ot (L)

Nye Frontier Classic

Robert Morris 3 vs. Boston University 2 (L)

Exhibition

New Brunswick 4 at New Hampshire 3 (L)

I believe the most stunning loses are New Hampshire losing to a Canadian University and Hockey East power house Boston University losing to Robert Morris.

Toews Score his first NHL Goal

I just watched this goal for the first time, man what a move. One could say that this is probably the first of many goals to come during his NHL career. Now I see what everyone was ranting and raving about.

Ballard and Backes Part 2.

These two guys are probably not going to be sending each other Christmas Cards or be going out to dinner any time soon. Incidently that was their second fight in two seasons of hockey. Last April Ballard and Backes got into a good tussel stay tuned to see how this match up shakes out.

Steve Downie is a hack

This was a significant incident that happened while my computer was in the Geek Squad shop. This incident is probably the first of many with this guy; its just the type of player Steve Downie is, a 20 game suspension although probably steep won't stop thugs like guy from striking again. This is the same guy that attacked a fellow teammate. I still believe that Jack Johnson should have been cheered in Vancouver instead of booed for his elbow on Downie.

This is the latest black mark for the National Hockey League Boulerice crosschecks Kesler, Flyers vs Canucks Oct 10, 2007
I can see another 10-20 game suspension.

Goon Back up and Running.

The Computer has landed

Finally I get my lap top computer back from the Best Buy Geek Squad tonight. This was after not having a computer for one day short of a month. I sent my computer in on the 14th of September 2007. I should be back up and running in the next couple of days. I have like 1500 emails to clean out of my inbox and my outlook express locked up on me. I don't know what it is with computers and me.

Sioux win exhibition game (by Sioux 7)

On Sunday night UND started the season, un-officially, with win over the U. of Manitoba. The Sioux trailed after the first period, 2-1, since Phil Lame-a-reaux failed to stop the first two shots that the Bisons took. Hopefully he gets that bad karma off of him that first period. In the second period the Sioux took control and would eventually run away with the game in the third period, winning 9 to 3. Rylan Kaip the new captian had a hat-trick in this game, to bad it doesn't officially count in the statistics columns since it is an exhibition game.

Next Saturday the #1 Sioux host the #2 Spartans of Michigan State. This should be a good game, not to often do #1 and #2 play each othere in the offical season opener. I have not gotten a new magic 8-ball since I broke my last one, but I'll take a stab at the final out come of this weekends game, Sioux win, 4-2.

USCHO preseson poll (by Sioux 7)

I know that poll was released a few days ago, but the Goon and I have been out duck hunting for the past 5-days.

The preseason poll from USCHO features 6 teams from the WCHA, they are:

1. North Dakota
5. Minnesota
11. Colorado College
13. Denver
15. Wisconsin
17. St. Cloud State

UND got 13 first place votes and Minnesota got 1 first place vote. This poll really shows the strenght of the conference as a whole. Six out of ten teams ranked in the top 20, not to bad. They only other conference with that many ranked teams is the CCHA with:

3. Michigan State
4. Miami (Ohio)
8. Notre Dame
10. Michigan
16. St. Lawrence
19. Ohio State

Hockey East has five teams in the poll.

2. Boston College
6. New Hampshire
9. Boston University
12. Maine
20. Vermont

The ECAC has three teams in the poll.

7. Clarkson
14. Quinnipiac
18. Cornell

The CHA and Atlantic Hockey do not have any teams ranked in this preseason poll.
(Remember this most likely be the last year of the CHA, since Wayne State will be dropping their mens hockey program.)

The breakdown of how many from each conference is not to shocking. Consider that the CHA and AH have gotten very little love from any pollsters in past years and that they haven't faired to well in non-conference games.

I wonder how close this ratio will be to the teams that make the NCAA tourney come March...5-WCHA, 5-CCHA, 4-HE, 2-ECAC...