Nabokov robs Richards

Check out Evgeni Nabokov's save on Brad Richards during last night game. Great camera work.

Is Charley Waters on crack?

Here is the latest Charley Walters rumor. I wonder how much truth there is to this little rumor? I wonder if he has been smoking the pipe or hitting the scotch again?

There's whispering that the Big Ten Network might make it financially prudent for Big Ten hockey schools to reconsider their status in the WCHA. And talk continues that Alaska Anchorage could be leaving the WCHA because of transportation costs, which the school pays for visiting teams.

I don't see this happening and I suppose the UAA fans will be packing his email box with flames. Seriously what league are they going to play in? I have read and heard from Gophers fans that Shooter isn't all that accurate. UAA isn't going anywhere.

Yawn, anyone else bored with the Big Ten Hockey conference talk? Seriously? Okay, say there is a BIG TEN hockey conference; so what? Who cares? Contrary to a few elitist fans from a handful of schools this isn't going to kill the rest of college hockey. There is still going to be other good schools that don't reside in the Big Ten (6-10).

Do you think Michigan, Michigan State Wisconsin and Minnesota are going to like kicking the snot out of each other for 4-6 games each? Talk about getting stale and boring. Lastly; who is the 6th, 7th or 8th team going to be?

WCHA coaches push for changes

Today was a great news day for college hockey, after a brief lull in the news. Brad has another great article that also covers the annual coaches meeting. The title of his article is pretty funny WCHA coaches push for change. Seems the league office is the one that is being resistant to change and doesn't want to change the STATUS QUO.

In the past year I have talked to a lot of fans from many different teams that are sick and tired of watching their star players being mugged, brutalized, raped and slashed up and down the ice. If you're a star player(s)and you have a chance to score goals in a league like the CCHA where the games are called more tighter or be constantly brutalized in a league like the WCHA; where are you going to want to play? It hasn't come down to this yet but it could if the league office doesn't get its head out of its fourth point of contact. The only reason I can see the WCHA commish not wanting to call the games like the NHL is that McCloud is afraid the have nots won't be able to keep up on the ice with the have mores. This is a possibility.

The time has come for the Bruce McCloud and his sorry band of officials to step into the 21st century, the fans should not have to accept mediocrity anymore. The days of bush league hockey is over.

During last weekend’s American Hockey Coaches Association meetings in Florida, coaches expressed their interest in a two-referee system and tighter calls when it comes to obstruction.

They hope that will lead to faster-paced, higher-scoring games. The end result of the talks won’t be known for another month, when the NCAA rules committee meets and decides on what changes to make for the upcoming season. But it’s clear where the WCHA stands on the issue.

“We were overwhelmingly in favor of two-and-two (two referees, two linesmen),” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “It gives us a better opportunity to do some things. We had a lot of great discussions about trying to take the hooking, holding and obstruction out of the game. We talked about the NHL rule of not being able to change (lines) after icing the puck.

“You need a two-and-two system to be able to do that.”

WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said he clearly sensed a movement toward the NHL standard of calling penalties, although nobody wanted to duplicate the NHL standard.

College hockey has been stricter on checking from behind calls than the NHL, and coaches don’t want to see that change. But they would like to see stick-work eliminated.

RECRUITMENT: When is a verbal a verbal?

Check out Brad Elliott Schlossman's article in today's Grand Forks Herald. The article address the verbal commitment and the gentleman's agreement that the WCHA has in place.

Apparently Don Lucia is not happy with the idea that once a team get a verbal from a recruit they are basically hands off for the other coaches to recruit them. I think it is a great idea Denver's Coach George Gwozdecky does as well. It think the gist of it is that Lucia has lost some great recruits from the MPLS/St Paul area that committed early that he would love to have another crack at. I know UND has a few of those coveted recruits. I has said this before, I am not sure that Lucia wants to go there. I like the staus quo; I could also see a few of his prized recruits possibly changing their mind and deciding to go some where else.

While it appears that the gentlemen’s agreement will remain in place this year, it might not stay that way for long.

“It’s kind of a mess right now,” Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bruce McLeod said. “It’s a highly debated topic. Emotions are pretty strong about it.”

Minnesota’s Don Lucia is one coach who has publicly stated that he wants to do away with verbal commitments.

“And he’s got a few allies,” McLeod said. “It’s not a majority. But the problem is that the three or four guys talking about (recruiting committed players) are the leaders, the more veteran coaches. That’s what has caused a commotion more than anything.”

Lucia said that some Hockey East schools pushed a new gentleman’s agreement that would allow schools to contact verbally committed players until May 1 of their junior year. The thinking is that the recruiting age would go back up under this type of system.

“The whole issue here is ninth- and 10th-graders,” Lucia said. “What’s going on right now is not good for the players, colleges or anybody. It shouldn’t be a race to see who can first discover and get a ninth-grader.”

Gwozdecky, the most veteran coach in the WCHA, is on the other side of the issue. He says he’d hate to see the day when coaches are recruiting committed players.

Rangers not happy with the reffing?

I thought this was as funny picture; one description that I thought of right away was give me my purse back. Another one that came to mind; you just caused me to break a nail. Don't get me wrong this has been a great series to watch but there has been a lot of whining by both teams. When did hockey players become such cry babies?

From watching this series and reading the New York papers and blog it appears that the Rangers hockey team is not happy with the officiating in this series so far. As a non-partisan it would appear that the reffing has been OK, but there is ground for improvement. Some have suggested that the Penguins star power is dictating the way the game is being reffed.

RANGERS NEED REFS TO LET 'EM PLAY
By LARRY BROOKS
STAR TREATMENT: The problem isn't that Sidney Crosby, talking with ref Bill McCreary, works officials, it's that some officals are influenced by star power. The Rangers can't afford that to happen in Game 5.

May 3, 2008 -- This is where we came in, with the Rangers New York Rangers needing a victory in Pittsburgh, and with the Rangers needing the game officials to allow them to play the kind of game that will translate into a victory.

None of the Rangers will touch the subject now, and why would they following the storm that was whipped up last week when officiating was front and center among topics of conversation?

It is, however, a fact that the Blue shirts must be allowed to knock down Sidney Crosby, Evegni Malkin and Marian Hossa just as they did in Thursday's playoff deathbed of a 3-0 Game 4 victory at the Garden in order to survive tomorrow afternoon's Game 5 at the Igloo.

I think the article ilustrates why the NCAA needs to crack down on ugly obstruction and let the offense players decide the game. Goal scoring puts butts in seat and not some defensive battle between two goalies. Most fans I know do not want to watch a 1-0 game. I watch hockey for the action on ice, hard hititng and goal scoreing. That is why they have the top 10 goals of week in the NHL. The goal is like the home run in baseball. I am tired of seeing trap feasts. I think it is a matter of time before college hockey will finally decide to show case the offensive talent it has.

Scoring Erupts in the Playoffs:
By JEFF Z. KLEIN and LEW SERVISS

Goal scoring is up substantially this spring. The league’s stricter enforcement of obstruction rules, now in its third season, seems to be accomplishing its objective of opening up play.

“Certainly over the last three years, play has gotten much more open,” said Neil Smith, a former Rangers general manager and a current commentator for Versus. “Referees are making sure players can’t obstruct or hook, and they’re making calls at every point during the game.”

Smith said that a couple of things stood out about the games he had seen this spring. “The speed is very impressive now,” he said. “The way play changes hands and goes back and forth so quickly, that’s something that has really impressed me.”
For Goalies, Small Is Good

The rise in goal scoring is one reason goaltenders no longer dominate the conversation the way they once did; the average save percentage in the playoffs through Thursday, .915, was the second lowest of the decade.

But if you look at the handful of goalies who are doing well and carrying their teams deep into the playoffs, a pattern emerges.

Former Badger Joe Pavelski forces game 6.

Former Badger star Joel Pavelski scored 3:55 into the first overtime to force a game 6 against the Dallas Stars in Dallas. During the Stanley Cup playoffs the former Badger Pavelski has been impressive playing in 12 games, scoring 5 goals and adding 4assists for 9 points for a plus +4.

CURRENT POSTSEASON NOTES:
- T-2nd in the League lead in game-winning goals (3)
- Has one point in eight out of the 12 games this playoffs (5-4=9)

Brendan Morrow scores or not.

The Sharks were lucky to win last night. Here is the video from Brendan Morrow's NO-goal that was disallowed. I kind of wonder why it was called a no goal? Look good to me last night and when I watched the video today.

Coyotes close to signing Wheeler

Here is a story that keeps popping up this off-season. It would appear that Gophers Blake Wheeler is close to signing a contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. It is fun watching some Gopher fans try to tell everyone that Blake is coming back

Minnesota Gophers junior forward Blake Wheeler and the Phoenix Coyotes, who hold his NHL rights, appear to be moving closer to a contract agreement that will be worth more than $500,000 over two years.

Malkin slew-foots Paul Mara in game 5.

The conclusion of last night game between the Rangers and the Penguins was exciting to say the least. Pittsburgh super star Evgeni Malkin's slew footed Paul Mara almost causing full out brawl. While I have to admit that I have enjoyed watching this series (I am not a rabid fan of either team) this has been nothing short of exciting, with up and down the ice action.

I am also very excited that the Rangers on the verge of being eliminated, I can't stand Jaromir Jagr I think he is a cry baby and a prima donna. I am also happy that he is on the verg of playing some where other than the NHL. That being said the latest move by Evgeni Malkin was nothing less than a bush league cheap shot that I would expect from a second rate thug like Sean Avery and not a super star like Malkin.

This is a perfect example why I think that the NHL needs to do away this is the instigator rules. Malkin is a great hockey player but he should have paid for his bush league move on Paul Mara.

Here is Kristie Ackert's from the New York Daily News perpecitive on the Malkin slew foot.

With 13.6 seconds left Thursday night in Game 4, young Penguins star Evgeni Malkin finally showed some frustration.

As he and Paul Mara raced back toward the Rangers' net, Malkin kicked the legs out from under the defenseman while pushing him back with his arm. Malkin was whistled for a 10-minute misconduct penalty, capping the frustration of the Penguins' first loss in the playoffs.

"He did it twice - right at their blue line going into their zone and then right in our zone right in front of the ref," said Mara, who also received a 10-minute misconduct plus an extra minor penalty for roughing. "That's a classless act by a superstar. And there's no need for that in our game. We're up (3-0) and it's not like it's a little slew-foot - it's a full kick if you watch the replay. There's no need for that in our game."

Hockey Buzz blogger Scott Gallof thinks Crosby is a diver. Read his comments below, he is right hockey fans are going to get sick of Crosby's diving and the league office should warn him as well. I think that his diving should be rewarded with a 2 minute unsportsman like penalty for diving.

The Rangers need to make a statement in this afternoon's game. Forget all this Crosby cradled by the NHL nonsense, let the Penguins' coach Michel Therrien prattle on and on from his gamesmanship soapbox pulpit. Of course Crosby dives, and with the refs giving him the benefit of the doubt, if you were him, wouldn't you? I can respect a guy who will do what it takes for his team to win. It's the same argument I made for Avery with all the stick waving shenanigans in the last series. It's up for the refs and the league to crack down on him, and that is really outside the control if the Rangers. Someday that gravy train will come to a screeching halt for Crosby.

The Vancouver Canucks Version of at we still have hockey.

Recently there was a video spoofing the University of North Dakota, titled we still have hockey. It has been said that this video was might be the work of a NDSU Bison fan, I have not gotten confirmation of this.

The video was pulled almost immediately after the University of North Dakota had a ugly incident involving a UND student of Jewish decent in a UND residence hall. Kuklaskorner has a video posted with the same scene only from the 2005 German movie the Downfall, also known as In the Bunker. This time the clip spoofs the Vancouver Canuck's and their lack of success.

I am not of Jewish decent I come from a mixture of European nationalities, (Czech, Dutch, German English, Welsh and a few other I can't remember) one might say that the the Goon is a Hines 57. Personally to me their is nothing funny about Hitler, the third Reich or the Holocaust, 6+ million Jewish people died at the hands of Hitler and the third Reich. I am not a prude or someone that you would call a PC zealot but I would like to know why people think these type of spoofs are funny?

Hey Greg Shepherd the Jig is up.

I thought this was an interesting article that I thought that needed to be passed on. The Hockey East coaches came up with some good ideas during their spring coaches meeting down in Florida. The Hockey East coaches voted 7-0-3 to ref their games more like the NHL.

The Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said: The league’s coaches voted 7-0-3 in favor of adopting the more stringent NHL standards on hooks, holding, high sticks and interference.

Whitehead explained they want to encourage scoring since it has been "down consistently the last 10 years."

Agreed. You want to showcase your skilled players.

Enough is enough; I think that this is the way the NCAA should go with the officiating of their games. The NCAA should not give the different leagues lee-way to call the games any other way. Set the standard and enforce it.

I agree with the Maine coach it is time for the NCAA to show case its talent, the college game has taken a step back in the last 3-4 years. I can't imagine that a lot of fans want to see defensive systems and 1-0 game, fans want to see goals being scored. I am sick and tired of watching the college game degrade to the product we saw this last season, clutching and grabing up and down the ice. Now is the time for all of the NCAA leagues to ref their games like the NHL. Lets get some race horse hockey going.

I suppose you're going to have some push back. However, I would hope that there wouldn't be a senario where you have one league reffing game one way and then some other league(s) reffing their games another way. It time for Greg Shepherd and the WCHA front office to take note. Division one hockey is eventually going to call start their games more like the NHL. It is time to get on board and get with the 21st century.

Team Canada has 8 former College hockey players on World Championship roster.

I didn't mean to slight team Canada and as the Rink Rat brought up there are 8 former college hockey players on team Canada

Duncan Keith (Mich. State - went to WHL in soph. year, though)
Patrick Sharp (Vermont)
Chris Kunitz (Ferris State)
Dany Heatley (Wisconsin)
Jon Toews (I think you know)
Kyle Turris (Wisconsin)
Jamal Mayers (Western Michigan)
Martin St. Louis (Vermont)

The Emmy Goes to Carey Price.

While it is no mystery that I am not a fan of Philly thug Steve Downie, I have to stick up for him in this instance. Watch the performance by Habs goaltender Carey Price; his performance is worthy of receiving an Emmy, Hollywood would be pleased. I saw this game on Sunday and if you watch the video it would appear as if Downie didn't even tough Price. I am sick and tired of the diving that is taking place in the NHL. This once great league is starting to look like the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation.

Blast from the past: Hextal and Chelios

After watching Habs go down in defeat tonight I thought I would dust off an clip of the Habs and Flyers during the 1989 Wales Conference Finals. I wonder if any of the current Habs or Flyers remembers this series.

Just a little someting to think about Sioux fans; we are getting Ron Hextal's kid here at UND in the fall, I hope he is half as intense as his father.

Seems that others are getting tired with Sid the Kid and his antics.

I would imagine that Boosh will like this picture. Seems that Rangers are not the only ones that are fed up with Crosby's diving antics. While I think Crosby is a good hockey player he does get a little tiresome.

Eklund the Anonymous Hockey Blogger: A Plea to Stop Booing Anthems From Broad Street to rue Sainte-Catherine.

I have read on the Internet where the Hab's fans were booing the American anthem before the games in Montreal between the Canadians and Flyers. I think this is a very classless act and makes me hate the Montreal Canadians even more, I despise that team and cheer against them when ever they play. The Boston Bruins fan's had the correct response to the classless Hab's fans that booed the American anthem in 2006. The Bruins fans did not stoop to the classless Hab's fan level, instead they stood cheered through out the anthem.

Here is what Eklund the anonymous hockey blogger had to say abou the issue.

In game 1 in Montreal I didn't really hear the booing of the American Anthem, but I did hear a lot of talking through it. In Game 2 I did...Both REALLY bothered me as an American, but even more so as a hockey fan.

I truly hope that there aren't some idiots who take the eye for an eye mentality in Philly tonight.

But I fear there will be, so I implore those of you heading down...If you are near someone who begins to boo the anthem tonight: shut them up.
Hockey is NOT about politics. It is our escape from such things. There are real problems in this world of ours. Real issues that I have with both of our Governments. I am very active politically and express those views elsewhere. I encourage all to do the same. Make a difference with your government...

But NOT HERE.
This is just hockey. And as far as I'm concerned there are no borders in North America in Hockey. We are all Hockeyans. It is our religion and where you live, your status, or the colour of your skin has no bearing on it whatsoever. If you love hockey you are my brother or sister.

In America especially, since hockey has NEVER really been mainstream, we Hockeyans have been FORCED to stick together. We are connected by a bond stronger than politics and lobbyists. Hockey is the biggest cult sport in American history. And if you love it you are all in...

American Hockeyans take a deeper offense to the Anthem being boo'd because let's face it..We grew up rooting for our players in Canada Cups wearing that big Maple Leaf...still my favorite jersey of all time. I sat and cheered for Bobby Clarke and other Flyers against the Russians time and time again. (read the whole blog here)

I like Eklund plea to the fans in Philly do not stoop to that level.

Durno and Harrington drop the mitts.

Nothing like seeing a couple of former WCHA players dance together on the ice. Former Golden Gopher Chris Harrington and Michigan Tech Husky Chris Durno get into a fight during a AHL playoff game on April 18th. Chris Durno plays for the San Antonio Rampage and Chris Harrington plays for the Toronto Marlies. True to form the Gopher looks for the ref to rescue him.

Here is an interesting discription of the fight.

After San Antonio’s Chris Durno thumped the Marlies’ Chris Harrington in a fight before the puck was even dropped to start the period, the Rampage tallied three goals in just 3:12.

NCAA coaches concerned about players leaving early

Here is an on going debate that is proving to be pretty interesting and is worth taking a look at, however, the NCAA coaches should tread lightly and proceed very carefully with this issue. The college coaches do not have a lot to bargin with and could do more damage than good. Honestly, I would rather see my team have a player like Toews or Oshie play two to three year than not have them at all. By having these types of blue chip hockey players might be enough to give my team a chance to win a national title. There also doesn't need to be any new rules made by the NCAA, unless the NHL is going to compensate the NCAA team they have just taken the player from.

4/24/2008
NCAA coaches are meeting this week in Naples, Florida and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly are there to listen to their concerns, among them, the increased numbers of underclassmen leaving the college ranks to turn pro.

Prior to the start of the 2006-2007 NHL season, 33 players with college eligibility signed NHL contracts, up from 19 prior to the lockout.

So far this season, 16 players have agreed to NHL deals; the most noteworthy being Kyle Turris, who finished his freshman season in Wisconsin before agreeing to a contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Unlike Turris, New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo made his decision to leave the Minnesota Golden Gophers in December, a move that is still regarded as highly unusual.

The manner in which some NHL teams deal with colleges and college players is also a huge area of concern, specific to unsigned or undrafted unrestricted free agent sophomores who in some cases are hounded to distraction by NHL teams hoping to sign him.

The league and Players' Association agreed a protocol to discourage this needs to be considered.

Unlike the CHL and the IIHF, the NCAA doesn't receive financial compensation from the NHL, primarily because the NCAA won't allow it. However, there was discussion with college coaches on implementing a development fee whereby NHL teams would have to provide compensation to college teams if they pull a player out early.

Because of the salary cap, NHL teams are using young players to keep costs down, while there is also incentive for these players to get into the NHL as quickly as possible to burn through the financial restrictions of the entry-level contract.

It's unlikely any changes will take effect by next season.

Did they just say that. Leave it to the AP.

Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE


Here is a funny head line Flyer's want to skate faster. That is like saying if we score more goals we will win. Danny Briere is right if the Flyer's don't move their feet in this series they are going to get run out of the building by speedy Habs.

Center Daniel Briere said that he and his teammates need to bring up their tempo Saturday night in Game 2.

"I don't think we skated as well as we did in the Washington series," Briere said. "We did in stretches but not consistently enough (Thursday) night to get us the win and that's one area we have to improve and get our legs moving instead of trying to make plays standing still."

Series Prediction: Habs in 5 games. The Flyer's will not be able to keep up.

Goalie masks.

I found this interesting article on the various goaltender's masks over on the fan house. Check out all of the art work. It is nice to see the former NCAA stars: Rick DiPietro, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller, Marty Turco and Ed Belfour's

The first picture is former Michigan State goalie and Hobey Baker Winner Ryan Miller mask.

Goalie Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at HSBC Arena on September 30, 2006 in Buffalo, New York

Former University of Vermont and current Boston Bruins all star goalie Tim Thomas.

Boston Bruins net minder Tim Thomas used to wear this cage with a "Beware of Bear" sign on the side, but he has changed his mask this season to reflect the team's uniform change.

Here former BU star Rick DiPietro's mask is in my opinion one of the nicest goalie masks in the NHL. Dipietro's mask has a very patriot theme to it.

NHL Goalie Masks: Rick DiPietro
Massachusetts native Rick DiPietro honors U.S. veterans with his patriotic mask. The goalie's dad says "It honors the flag and honors my service. It means a lot to me as a father."

Fighting Sioux fans will remember this guys mask. This is the mask that Eddie the Eagles first wore when he broke into the NHL

Eagle Mask
Throughout his career, Belfour has worn masks featuring an eagle on either side of his helmet. When asked why an eagle, he stated "I've always liked the eagle as a bird. It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence, and outstanding vision. Its hunting and aggression are characteristics I admire, So when I was thinking of what I wanted on my mask, the eagle was a natural choice". Belfour's eagle has changed dramatically, from a rough Native looking style in Chicago, to a fierce competitive image in Dallas, while the background always features his current team's colours. On the chin, there is an image of the logo for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity very close to Eddie's heart, and the back plate highlights Eddie's passion for speed and restored cars. The car on the back is a 1941 Willys, along with the words Carman Racing, which is the name of Ed's Car customization and restoration shop in Freeland, Michigan. Upon seeing Belfour's eagle mask for the first time, Mike Keenan, his head coach when he started in the NHL, nicknamed him "The Eagle".[5]