So, the last time I blogged, I got a very good question from the crowd - and feel free to leave more of those, by the way…love the comments - asking about Air Force forward Jacques Lamoureux.
After a month and a half of play this season, Lamoureux certainly has an impressive case. He’s leading the undefeated Falcons in scoring, and sharing the national points-per-game lead with teammate Brent Olson and Boston College’s Brock Bradford. Of course, there’s no guarantee he can keep it up - Lamoureux was held off the scoresheet this past weekend at Holy Cross - but watching the way Lamoureux has started the season reminds me of two former Hobey finalists.
One, of course, is his older brother, former North Dakota goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux -more for name reasons than anything else - but we’ll get to him in just a second. The other, more fitting name that comes to mind is Eric Ehn.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Hobey Baker Talk (Lamoureux focused)
Our friend Elliot Olshansky has a nice article about a possible Hobey Baker candidate, Air Force hockey player and former Grand Forks Central Knight Jacques Lamoureux. Being from North Dakota It would be a nice story to see a kid from Grand Forks, ND win the Hobey Baker. It would even be more interesting to see back to back brothers be in the running for the Hobey, however it is still early.
What the heck is going on with the Badgers?
I found this article over at the Badger Beat and the Wisconsin Badgers have lost another recruit. I suppose you will see charges of over recruitment by college hockey fans. It will be interesting to see where this kid ends up.
That makes four recruits that have de-commited from Wisconsin. Travis Erstad, Nick Prior, Patrick Wiercioch, and Brock Montpetit...
Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey: State recruit decommits
By Andy Baggot --- 11/19/2008
Brock Montpetit, an 18-year-old winger from Somerset, was expected to join the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team during the NCAA early signing period that ends Wednesday.
Instead, Montpetit decided not to sign a national letter of intent that was sent to him last week, informing UW coach Mike Eaves that would not play for the Badgers.
That makes four recruits that have de-commited from Wisconsin. Travis Erstad, Nick Prior, Patrick Wiercioch, and Brock Montpetit...
INCH on Sioux recruit Danny Kristo
Kyle from the illegal curve had this to say on Sioux recruit Danny Kristo. Looks like Sioux have selected a good player in Kristo.
Montreal Canadiens 2nd-Rounder and current Omaha Lancer Danny Kristo plays a game that highlights his speed and creativity with the puck. Standing 6′0 and weighing 175, the University of North Dakota recruit has had a slow adjustment to the United States Hockey League, putting up only 8 points in 10 games thus far. He has been playing on a line with Louis Leblanc, but is plagued by the inconsistency that has affected the entire Lancers team. He was recently selected to play for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, AB and scored 3-4-7 in 5 games en route to helpin the US win gold.
INCH on a few former Sioux players.
I found this over on INCH. Nice to see the former Fighting Sioux players doing well in the professional ranks.
• Say this about North Dakota forwards, they sure can snipe. Drew Stafford (Buffalo Sabres) and Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) each have three shootout goals this season, tied for the best in the NHL. Ex-Sioux star Zach Parise, now with New Jersey, is one of 10 players with two tiebreaker goals.
• There's no doubt that Roberto Luongo is the number one man in the nets for the Vancouver Canucks, and that means good news for Vancouver's affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, where former first-round pick Cory Schneider (Boston College) leads the AHL with a 1.30 goals-against average. The Moose have the second best winning percentage in the league, and Schneider has a 9-1-0 record while Karl Goehring (North Dakota) is 3-2-0.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Goon goes five hole (NCAA round up)
Here is an article that I wrote for Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.
Match up of the week --- Michigan 8-4-0 vs 6-3-3
The Michigan Wolverines by their standards are having an OK season so far this year. The Wolverines record the past four games is 2-2. During those four games the Michigan Wolverines have lost two games to Western Michigan University and University of Alaska (Fairbanks). Some of these struggles could be the key personnel that Michigan is missing from last year’s squad that went an impressive 33-6-4 before bowing out in the semifinal game of the Frozen Four.
It has been well documented that Michigan has also suffered some pretty significant injuries on the blue line this season. The Wolverines are missing senior Mark Mitera (knee) and junior Steve Kampfer (neck) and these two players are going to be gone for significant amount of time. Mitera may or may not make it back this season.
Offensively, Michigan has some big holes to fill losing a trio of key forwards Kevin Porter (graduation), Chad Kolarik (graduation), Max Pacioretty (NHL). That dynamic trio of forwards scored 158 points in offense last season and is now missing from the Michigan line up. Also, if you add the 40 points from the two injured blue liners you‘re missing a grand total of about 200 points from the line up. That is a big hole to fill. The fact that the Wolverines are 8-4-0 after 12 games is impressive. Most teams would have a tough time recovering from those losses.
Miami also has suffered some key personnel losses but not quite as significant as Michigan. Miami lost all-American forward Ryan Jones (graduation) and junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (NHL). The Miami Redhawks are leading the CCHA with 5-3-0 record and are 6-2-2 overall. Michigan is 5-3-0 and sitting in second place.
Series record: Michigan is 10-4-1 the last 15 games against the Redhawks.
Goon’ s Top Ten
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Colorado College
4. Boston College
5. Northeastern
6. Miami
7. Notre Dame
8. Michigan
9. Denver
10. Minnesota State
Match up of the week --- Michigan 8-4-0 vs 6-3-3
The Michigan Wolverines by their standards are having an OK season so far this year. The Wolverines record the past four games is 2-2. During those four games the Michigan Wolverines have lost two games to Western Michigan University and University of Alaska (Fairbanks). Some of these struggles could be the key personnel that Michigan is missing from last year’s squad that went an impressive 33-6-4 before bowing out in the semifinal game of the Frozen Four.
It has been well documented that Michigan has also suffered some pretty significant injuries on the blue line this season. The Wolverines are missing senior Mark Mitera (knee) and junior Steve Kampfer (neck) and these two players are going to be gone for significant amount of time. Mitera may or may not make it back this season.
Offensively, Michigan has some big holes to fill losing a trio of key forwards Kevin Porter (graduation), Chad Kolarik (graduation), Max Pacioretty (NHL). That dynamic trio of forwards scored 158 points in offense last season and is now missing from the Michigan line up. Also, if you add the 40 points from the two injured blue liners you‘re missing a grand total of about 200 points from the line up. That is a big hole to fill. The fact that the Wolverines are 8-4-0 after 12 games is impressive. Most teams would have a tough time recovering from those losses.
Miami also has suffered some key personnel losses but not quite as significant as Michigan. Miami lost all-American forward Ryan Jones (graduation) and junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (NHL). The Miami Redhawks are leading the CCHA with 5-3-0 record and are 6-2-2 overall. Michigan is 5-3-0 and sitting in second place.
Series record: Michigan is 10-4-1 the last 15 games against the Redhawks.
Goon’ s Top Ten
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Colorado College
4. Boston College
5. Northeastern
6. Miami
7. Notre Dame
8. Michigan
9. Denver
10. Minnesota State
Brad Eidsness awarded WCHA co-Rookie of the week.
Goon's world would like to congratulate Brad Eidsness on his award for his play last weekend.
Official Release
WCHA co-Rookies of the Week Brad Eidsness, Fr., G, North Dakota and Tyler Thompson, Fr., F, Minnesota State
University of North Dakota goaltender Brad Eidsness, who stopped 29 of 30 shots on goal in a weekend conference series against Alaska Anchorage, and Minnesota State University forward Tyler Thompson, who played a key role in his team's split with No. 3-ranked league opponent Colorado College, are the Red Baron® WCHA co-Rookies of the Week for Nov. 18-24. A 6-0, 173-pound freshman from Chestermere, Alberta and a draftee of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, Eidsness kicked aside 23 of 24 shots on goal last Saturday (Nov. 15) and blanked his opponents on all seven of their power-play chances as North Dakota recorded a 3-1 victory over the visiting Seawolves. One night earlier (Friday), Eidsness came off the bench in the second period with his team trailing 3-0 and stopped all six shots as the Sioux fell short...
See it isn't just the WCHA officials.
I found the link to this article over on USCHO.COM. I find it interesting because it shows that the WCHA officials aren't the only ones making mistakes and controversial calls. In this case Paul Stewart is a respected former NHL official and has a lot of credibility.
Ted Donato was livid.
The Harvard coach thought his team had scored a short-handed goal with 39.3 seconds left in the third period against Union last Saturday at Messa Rink. The goal would have cut Union’s lead to 3-2.
But the goal went to video review because Crimson forward Doug Rogers bumped Dutchmen goalie Corey Milan just as the puck was arriving at the net. The officials —referees Andy O’Brien and Eric Ernst and linesmen Richard Patry and Robert St. Lawrence — had a conference at center ice before going to the video. After reviewing the video, the officials determined that Rogers interfered with Milan before the puck went into the net. The goal was taken away, Rogers was penalized for goalie interference and Donato was ejected from the game for vociferously protesting the call.
Paul Stewart, director of officiating for ECAC Hockey, praised his officials on how they handled the play.
More on expansion.
This was in today's Red Star and Sickle (Star and Tribune.) I have always said that if Minnesota coach Don Luica wants something to happen in the WCHA, there is a good chance the league office will lean/go his way. I think letting BSU join the WCHA is the right decision and it will be interesting to see how this shakes out now that tDon is on board.
Will the WCHA expand?
The University of Minnesota has made a request to the WCHA to lift the present moratorium on expansion. The 10-team conference's executive committee will decide today whether to make that request an action item at its January meeting at the NCAA convention.
Bemidji State is building a new arena and appears eager to apply to the WCHA if the ban on expansion is lifted. The Beavers are now part of College Hockey America, a crumbling league down to four teams. The Bemdiji State women's hockey team is a WCHA member.
Another hot conference topic is the WCHA Minnesota Hockey Showcase. All four WCHA teams located in Minnesota played in the first showcase on Nov. 1. It drew more than 10,000 at Xcel Energy Center.
Athletic directors from those four will participate in a teleconference call Wednesday to decide its fate.
"It will kind of be a postmortem, where we want to go from here," said Bruce McLeod, the WCHA commissioner.
Schedule changes will have to be made to hold it again next season.
Bemidji State is building a new arena and appears eager to apply to the WCHA if the ban on expansion is lifted. The Beavers are now part of College Hockey America, a crumbling league down to four teams. The Bemdiji State women's hockey team is a WCHA member.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Blake scores for the Leafs.
It has been pretty well documented that former Fighting Sioux Hockey player Jason Blake has had a tough go of it as of late in Toronto. Some have suggested that Blake should be sent out of Toronto to the first suitor that will take him but his fat contract is keeping him from being moved anytime soon.
On a positive not Jason Blake scored a sweet goal against my Boston Bruins tonight.
On a positive not Jason Blake scored a sweet goal against my Boston Bruins tonight.
UND 20th in the latest poll.
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
November 17, 2008
1 Minnesota (42) 6-0-4 990 2
2 Boston University ( 4) 7-2-0 943 1
3 Colorado College ( 2) 7-2-3 863 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 824 5
5 Notre Dame 7-3-1 715 9
6 Northeastern 7-2-2 701 7
7 Miami 6-3-3 666 10
8 Princeton ( 1) 5-1-0 616 12
9 Michigan 8-4-0 581 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 566 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 480 11
12 Air Force ( 1) 10-0-0 469 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 447 6
14 Cornell 2-0-2 385 14
15 Vermont 5-3-2 239 15
16 Massachusetts 5-3-1 166 20
17 St. Cloud State 7-4-0 125 NR
18 Harvard 4-2-0 124 NR
19 Nebraska-Omaha 7-2-1 114 NR
20 North Dakota 4-6-0 91 18
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 79, Mass.-Lowell 66, Alaska-Anchorage 37, Ferris State 37, Clarkson 35, Yale 34, Maine 33, Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 16, Minnesota-Duluth 7, Lake Superior 6, Bemidji State 5, Colgate 5, Ohio State 5, St. Lawrence 5
Actually I am surprised that UND is still ranked in this poll. Not that it matters in November and there is no national award for having the best record in October, November or December.
INCH Poll
1. Minnesota
2. B.U.
3. C.C.
4. Notre Dame
5. Northeastern
6. Boston College
7. Princeton
8. D.U.
9. Mankato
10. UNH
11. Air Force
12. Cornell
13. Miami
14. Michigan
15. Vermont
16. Dartmouth
17. UNO
18. SCSU
19. U Mass Lowell
20. U Mass
Nov. 17, 2008
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Minnesota (34) 6-0-4 510 2
2 Boston University 7-2-0 463 1
3 Colorado College 7-2-3 430 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 394 6
5 Northeastern 7-2-2 318 7
6 Notre Dame 7-3-1 309 9
7 Miami (Ohio) 6-3-3 276 10
8 Princeton 5-1-0 250 11
9 Michigan 8-4-0 241 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 222 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 147 12
12 Air Force 10-0-0 139 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 138 5
14 Cornell 2-0-2 118 14
15 North Dakota 4-6-0 19 NR
Wow, 15th in the USA Today Poll, I am not sure even as a Fighting Sioux homer the Sioux deserve that ranking at this time. That not to say that the Fighting Sioux won't get it going. I believe the boys are very close to making a run and will turn it around but give the ranking to someone else right now.
November 17, 2008
1 Minnesota (42) 6-0-4 990 2
2 Boston University ( 4) 7-2-0 943 1
3 Colorado College ( 2) 7-2-3 863 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 824 5
5 Notre Dame 7-3-1 715 9
6 Northeastern 7-2-2 701 7
7 Miami 6-3-3 666 10
8 Princeton ( 1) 5-1-0 616 12
9 Michigan 8-4-0 581 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 566 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 480 11
12 Air Force ( 1) 10-0-0 469 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 447 6
14 Cornell 2-0-2 385 14
15 Vermont 5-3-2 239 15
16 Massachusetts 5-3-1 166 20
17 St. Cloud State 7-4-0 125 NR
18 Harvard 4-2-0 124 NR
19 Nebraska-Omaha 7-2-1 114 NR
20 North Dakota 4-6-0 91 18
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 79, Mass.-Lowell 66, Alaska-Anchorage 37, Ferris State 37, Clarkson 35, Yale 34, Maine 33, Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 16, Minnesota-Duluth 7, Lake Superior 6, Bemidji State 5, Colgate 5, Ohio State 5, St. Lawrence 5
Actually I am surprised that UND is still ranked in this poll. Not that it matters in November and there is no national award for having the best record in October, November or December.
INCH Poll
1. Minnesota
2. B.U.
3. C.C.
4. Notre Dame
5. Northeastern
6. Boston College
7. Princeton
8. D.U.
9. Mankato
10. UNH
11. Air Force
12. Cornell
13. Miami
14. Michigan
15. Vermont
16. Dartmouth
17. UNO
18. SCSU
19. U Mass Lowell
20. U Mass
Nov. 17, 2008
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Minnesota (34) 6-0-4 510 2
2 Boston University 7-2-0 463 1
3 Colorado College 7-2-3 430 3
4 Boston College 6-3-1 394 6
5 Northeastern 7-2-2 318 7
6 Notre Dame 7-3-1 309 9
7 Miami (Ohio) 6-3-3 276 10
8 Princeton 5-1-0 250 11
9 Michigan 8-4-0 241 8
10 Denver 6-4-1 222 4
11 Minnesota State 5-3-2 147 12
12 Air Force 10-0-0 139 13
13 New Hampshire 4-4-3 138 5
14 Cornell 2-0-2 118 14
15 North Dakota 4-6-0 19 NR
Wow, 15th in the USA Today Poll, I am not sure even as a Fighting Sioux homer the Sioux deserve that ranking at this time. That not to say that the Fighting Sioux won't get it going. I believe the boys are very close to making a run and will turn it around but give the ranking to someone else right now.
Please tell me why Air Force is ranked so high?
I was giving this some thought today. Air Force is getting all of these great rankings for beating the weak sisters of the poor. I would love to see what their strength of schedule is. To bad the PWR rankings aren't out yet.
Analysis:
Here is there schedule that Air Force has played to date (it is not impressive at all): Sacred Heart 2-6-2 (x2), Bemidji State Unveristy 2-6-0, American International 2-8-0 (x2), Bentley 3-4-1 (x2), Holy Cross 2-6-1 (x2), the strongest team on that list is Bemidji State University and they are having a down season as well, the rest on the Schedule are cup cakes.
Analysis:
Here is there schedule that Air Force has played to date (it is not impressive at all): Sacred Heart 2-6-2 (x2), Bemidji State Unveristy 2-6-0, American International 2-8-0 (x2), Bentley 3-4-1 (x2), Holy Cross 2-6-1 (x2), the strongest team on that list is Bemidji State University and they are having a down season as well, the rest on the Schedule are cup cakes.
Check out this post.
So for the Sioux fans that are making the trip to Duluth this weekend Running with the Dogs does a pretty good job breaking down the places to eat and drink while attending Bulldog hockey games in Duluth, Minnesota. Talking about running the Gauntlet. Yikes! Just for the record, Little Angie's and Grandmas Saloon are great choices for eating and the Comfort Inn and Suites is a great place to stay.
Also, it sounds like some of the Duluth fans have gotten antsy with the way things are going in Duluth. A few of the fans/posts have gotten impatient with former Sioux player and Assistant coach Scott Sandelin's.
Also, it sounds like some of the Duluth fans have gotten antsy with the way things are going in Duluth. A few of the fans/posts have gotten impatient with former Sioux player and Assistant coach Scott Sandelin's.
Melrose Place done in Tampa.
I spent most of Friday hunting and losing my wallet and Sioux hockey tickets so I missed this story. I actually just found out about it today. Wow, this didn't take long, 16 games before you fire an NHL coach? Maybe Barry should have thought twice before he quite his day job. I am kind of bummed by this news, Melrose is an interesting personality but I guess the straight talk express doesn't work behind the behind the bench in the NHL.
Links to the Story
Was Barry Melrose firing caused by Clashing Personalities?
Calling out star players isn't career enhancing.
Barry Melrose Shoots Straight on his Firing
Links to the Story
Was Barry Melrose firing caused by Clashing Personalities?
Only four points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and 66 games to go, the Lightning are clearly still in the playoff hunt. That leads me to believe -- and this is pure speculation -- that there may be more to this situation than poor play on the ice. There may have been gears grinding in the front office and in the dressing room that we don't know about and may never hear about.
Calling out star players isn't career enhancing.
Barry Melrose Shoots Straight on his Firing
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A few Pictures from this weekend.
Our friends sat down in the low bowl seats on Saturday night and got some nice pictures. Life in the fast lane.
Scores from 11-15-2008 and 11-16-2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
Army 3 at RIT 6
Bentley 1 at Mercyhurst 1 ot
Connecticut 0 at Canisius 6
American Int'l 0 at Sacred Heart 4
Air Force 5 at Holy Cross 1
Analysis
Air Force rolls along knocking off another cup cake. It will be interesting to see where Air Force ends up in the polls this week. Their schedule is not impressive.
CCHA
Lake Superior 2 at Notre Dame 5
Michigan 5 at Western Michigan 0
Ferris State 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
Miami 3 at Michigan State 1
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2
Analysis
Miami is leading the CCHA. Michigan state has lost 4 games in a row. Notre Dame is unbeaten in 5 games. UNO off to a good start 7-2-1.
ECAC
Colgate 2 at Cornell 2 ot
Clarkson 1 at Dartmouth 5
Quinnipiac 5 at Rensselaer 1
Brown 0 at Yale 3
St. Lawrence 0 at Harvard 1
Princeton 4 at Union 1
Analysis
another night and not many goals scored. Cornell is coming to Grand Forks, ND in two weeks. Get ready for some low scoring boring hockey.
Hockey East
Maine 3 at Providence 0
New Hampshire 6 at Boston College 8
Mass.-Lowell 2 at Massachusetts 0
Analysis
Boston College goalie John Muse has been unimpressive in net for the Eagles so far this season; his stats 6-3-1 3.27 gaa and save percentage of .882.
WCHA
Michigan Tech 2 at Minnesota 2 ot
Colorado College 4 at Minnesota State 3
Wisconsin 4 at Minnesota-Duluth 1
Denver 1 at St. Cloud State 2
Alaska-Anchorage 1 at North Dakota 3
Sunday 11-16-2008
Atlantic Hockey
Connecticut 2 at Canisius 3 ot
Hockey East
Merrimack 1 at Vermont 2
Northeastern 0 at Boston University 3
WCHA
Michigan Tech 0 at Minnesota 3
Analysis
Michigan Tech University played the Gophers tough on Sunday but were shut out by Alex Kangas 3-0. Seems that Kangas has a lucky rabits foot in his breezers because Michigan Tech out shot Minnesota 38-27. Giving up high shot totals will eventually come back to haunt the Gophers.
Bostoin University comes back and wins the battle of Boston after losing on Friday night. Hello Minnesota, you're the new number one team in the meaningless polls.
Atlantic Hockey
Army 3 at RIT 6
Bentley 1 at Mercyhurst 1 ot
Connecticut 0 at Canisius 6
American Int'l 0 at Sacred Heart 4
Air Force 5 at Holy Cross 1
Analysis
Air Force rolls along knocking off another cup cake. It will be interesting to see where Air Force ends up in the polls this week. Their schedule is not impressive.
CCHA
Lake Superior 2 at Notre Dame 5
Michigan 5 at Western Michigan 0
Ferris State 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
Miami 3 at Michigan State 1
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2
Analysis
Miami is leading the CCHA. Michigan state has lost 4 games in a row. Notre Dame is unbeaten in 5 games. UNO off to a good start 7-2-1.
ECAC
Colgate 2 at Cornell 2 ot
Clarkson 1 at Dartmouth 5
Quinnipiac 5 at Rensselaer 1
Brown 0 at Yale 3
St. Lawrence 0 at Harvard 1
Princeton 4 at Union 1
Analysis
another night and not many goals scored. Cornell is coming to Grand Forks, ND in two weeks. Get ready for some low scoring boring hockey.
Hockey East
Maine 3 at Providence 0
New Hampshire 6 at Boston College 8
Mass.-Lowell 2 at Massachusetts 0
Analysis
Boston College goalie John Muse has been unimpressive in net for the Eagles so far this season; his stats 6-3-1 3.27 gaa and save percentage of .882.
WCHA
Michigan Tech 2 at Minnesota 2 ot
Colorado College 4 at Minnesota State 3
Wisconsin 4 at Minnesota-Duluth 1
Denver 1 at St. Cloud State 2
Alaska-Anchorage 1 at North Dakota 3
Sunday 11-16-2008
Atlantic Hockey
Connecticut 2 at Canisius 3 ot
Hockey East
Merrimack 1 at Vermont 2
Northeastern 0 at Boston University 3
WCHA
Michigan Tech 0 at Minnesota 3
Analysis
Michigan Tech University played the Gophers tough on Sunday but were shut out by Alex Kangas 3-0. Seems that Kangas has a lucky rabits foot in his breezers because Michigan Tech out shot Minnesota 38-27. Giving up high shot totals will eventually come back to haunt the Gophers.
Bostoin University comes back and wins the battle of Boston after losing on Friday night. Hello Minnesota, you're the new number one team in the meaningless polls.
Sioux 3 Seawolves 1
I would have wrote something sooner but I was in pursuit of Bambi's brother. I was not successful but I did witness a young kid shooting his first deer. Hopefully some day my Abby will want to go hunting with her daddy. The other positive was I found my digital camera again, it has been missing for most of November. Unfortunately I didn't get any picture of said deer or youth.
Keeping with a positive theme, (I can't stand a lot of negativity and people that complain excessively, constructive criticism is ok); the Sioux beat the Seawolves to gain the split for the series. Negative, Friday's loss was only the third all time to the Seawolves in Grand Forks, ND. I like most Sioux fans hate watching the Sioux losing, especially to a team like the UAA Seawolves, so a win on Saturday was positive. The Sioux have played .500 hockey so far in conference play keeping up with the pack and home ice in site. Eerily similar to last season's first half of the season, split all the way till the new year. The Sioux are tied for 5th place with UAA and MSU-M.
Positives for the weekend.
1.) The play of Brad Eidsness, one goal in 29 shots on net. I don't care what the Eidsness haters say that is nothing to sneeze at. Although Hakstol has not said it yet, I believe the starting job belongs to Brad Eidsness. If I was the coach I would ride him the rest of the way. Just for comparison sake, Brad Eidsness has better statistics than goalie John Muse of the defending national champs Boston College Eagles.
2.) Brett Hextall I just love his style of play, the guys is a agitator and a hard nosed player that gets under the opponents skin. Every Sioux team has had a player that plays this role. Sioux7 and I decided that he is Prpich light. (That is a compliment in our opinion).
3.) Sioux defense only gives up 4 goals on the weekend. (see 5)
4.) Sioux remain in 5th place even with giving up the second highest number of goals against.
5.) The Sioux are very close to getting it going.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Slashing) AKA 0x1 1:51
AKA-1 Tommy Grant (2-Holding the Stick) 2:35
AKA-2 Josh Lunden (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) NDK 0x1 2:35
NDK-2 Matt Watkins (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2:35
AKA-3 Nick Haddad (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-4 Luka Vidmar (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-5 Shane Lovdahl (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-6 Kevin Clark (2-High-Sticking) NDK 0x2 5:43
NDK-3 Brad Miller (2-Roughing) 5:43
NDK-4 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 5:43
NDK-5 Matt Frattin (2-Roughing) 5:43
AKA-7 Brian Bales (2-Tripping) NDK 0x3 8:12
NDK-6 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) AKA 0x2 9:29
AKA-8 Tommy Grant (2-Holding) NDK 1x4 12:38
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Matt Frattin (1) (Jason Gregoire, David Toews) 12:47
NDK: 21,17,18,25,8,G31 AKA: 22,40,23,10,G49
NDK-7 Matt Frattin (2-Tripping) AKA 0x3 14:28
NDK-8 Chris VandeVelde (2-High-Sticking) AKA 0x4 19:01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-9 Nils Backstrom (2-Holding) NDK 1x5 4:00
AKA-10 Tommy Grant (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 1x6 6:33
NDK-9 David Toews (2-Tripping) AKA 0x5 9:02
AKA 1 - 1 6x6 Kane Lafranchise (1) (Kevin Clark, Luka Vidmar) 11:06
AKA (+): 4,9,23,36,20,G49 NDK (-): 18,11,3,5,17,G31
AKA-11 Sean Wiles (2-Slashing) NDK 1x7 12:53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-12 Josh Lunden (2-Roughing) 3:59
NDK-10 Jake Marto (2-Roughing) 3:59
AKA-13 Kevin Clark (2-Tripping) NDK 2x8 10:11
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP GW LL Brett Hextall (4) (Brad Miller, Ryan Duncan) 10:29
NDK: 26,14,16,29,25,G31 AKA: 12,13,14,24,G49
NDK-11 Derrick LaPoint (2-Tripping) AKA 0x6 10:49
NDK 3 - 1 5x6 SH Brad Malone (1) (unassisted) 12:31
NDK (+): 22,16,6,25,G31 AKA (-): 18,20,23,9,4,G49
NDK-12 Mario Lamoureux (2-Hooking) AKA 0x7 14:45
AKA-14 Craig Parkinson (2-Diving) 19:26
NDK-13 Chay Genoway (2-Cross-Checking) 19:26
AKA-15 Tommy Grant (2-Hooking) NDK 2x9 19:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Perspective.
I was reading Brandon's post calm the F$%K Down and Dirty's humors post (Yeah the Sioux played like dog crap) That post was fricken hilarious by the way.
Blowing Sunshine
1.) Championships are won in March and April, there isn't a banner for having the best record in the first half of the season. If there was the would be banners hanging in Saint Cloud and Minneapolis. The PWR ranking doesn't even start mattering until February and March. I have seen team drop out of the top 14 teams faster than a prom dress at a after prom party.
2.) Sioux7 and I put our deposit down for the Holiday INN right across from the Xcel Center and believe the boys are going to turn it around and get there come March, I believe the boys are getting closer to being that team to finish in the top 3 or 4. If not we will still be there and so will Jake.
3.) The University of North Dakota is not going to fire Dave Hakstol for his teams fumbling and playing poorly in the first half of the last 4 1/2 seasons. For a joke I started the Fire Hastol thread over on Siouxsports.com There have been some really good posts on the subject. Come folks on its early, if they are playing like this at the end of December and January I will be concerned. I am not there yet.
I like anyone else are frustrated by the Sioux's play so far but I believe that the Sioux will get it together. Again the Sioux haven't played that poorly, when the first half champions starting to play poorly because their teams have peaked and now can't fight their way out of a paper you will see a whole different make up in the standings of the conference.
Perspective your team wants to be playing good at the end of the season. If your favorite team peaks too fast before the regular season is over. I have seen a lot of teams win the WCHA regular season title only to tank in the it playoffs, see C.C. team from last season. The does have to be some happy medium and I would like to see the Sioux win earlier in the season so they can be in contention for an WCHA regular season title. The room for error wouldn't be so small if they could win 3-4 more games during the first half of the regular season.
4.) For the experts that think this years UND team is going to be like the 2001-2002 season get a grip there is way more talent on this team than that one. Also, some of our friends would love UND to have a down season this year. Right Amy?
Blowing Sunshine
1.) Championships are won in March and April, there isn't a banner for having the best record in the first half of the season. If there was the would be banners hanging in Saint Cloud and Minneapolis. The PWR ranking doesn't even start mattering until February and March. I have seen team drop out of the top 14 teams faster than a prom dress at a after prom party.
2.) Sioux7 and I put our deposit down for the Holiday INN right across from the Xcel Center and believe the boys are going to turn it around and get there come March, I believe the boys are getting closer to being that team to finish in the top 3 or 4. If not we will still be there and so will Jake.
3.) The University of North Dakota is not going to fire Dave Hakstol for his teams fumbling and playing poorly in the first half of the last 4 1/2 seasons. For a joke I started the Fire Hastol thread over on Siouxsports.com There have been some really good posts on the subject. Come folks on its early, if they are playing like this at the end of December and January I will be concerned. I am not there yet.
I like anyone else are frustrated by the Sioux's play so far but I believe that the Sioux will get it together. Again the Sioux haven't played that poorly, when the first half champions starting to play poorly because their teams have peaked and now can't fight their way out of a paper you will see a whole different make up in the standings of the conference.
Perspective your team wants to be playing good at the end of the season. If your favorite team peaks too fast before the regular season is over. I have seen a lot of teams win the WCHA regular season title only to tank in the it playoffs, see C.C. team from last season. The does have to be some happy medium and I would like to see the Sioux win earlier in the season so they can be in contention for an WCHA regular season title. The room for error wouldn't be so small if they could win 3-4 more games during the first half of the regular season.
4.) For the experts that think this years UND team is going to be like the 2001-2002 season get a grip there is way more talent on this team than that one. Also, some of our friends would love UND to have a down season this year. Right Amy?
Scores from 11-14-2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Atlantic Hockey
Sacred Heart 4 at American Int'l 5 ot
Army 5 at RIT 3
Bentley 5 at Mercyhurst 2
Air Force 1 at Holy Cross 0 ot
Analysis
Air Force wins again, yippie! Air Force has yet to play and beat anyone from the Big four conferences and they will find out where they stand on 11/28 and 11/29 when they play DU and C.C..
CCHA
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2 ot
Western Michigan 2 at Michigan 1
Ferris State 3 at Nebraska-Omaha 2
Lake Superior 3 at Notre Dame 3 ot: Notre Dame wins shootout
Miami 5 at Michigan State 1
Analysis
Michigan State University is not having a strong season so far and have lost three games in a row. Michigan is having a tough go at it as well after missing a couple of top defenders.
ECAC
Clarkson 1 at Harvard 5
Princeton 4 at Rensselaer 1
St. Lawrence 3 at Dartmouth 4 ot
Quinnipiac 6 at Union 3
Analysis
The ECAC is finally in full swing.
Hockey East
Boston College 5 at Merrimack 5 ot
New Hampshire 3 at Mass.-Lowell 8
Boston University 1 at Massachusetts 5
Northeastern 5 at Vermont 3
Maine 3 at Providence 2
Analysis
Maine is over .500 after a tough season last year. Boston University is beaten, we will see another number one next week. Northeastern stays hot.
WCHA
Wisconsin 3 at Minnesota-Duluth 3 ot
Colorado College 1 at Minnesota State 2
Denver 2 at St. Cloud State 4
Alaska-Anchorage 3 at North Dakota 2
Analysis
C.C. has lot 2 out of 3 games. Like LGM says while everyone talks about Richard Backman being the class of the WCHA but Mike Zacharias is pretty damn good. SCSU is now 1-3-0 in the WCHA as they win their first league game. There is some serious parity in the WCHA this season.
Non-Conference
Ohio State 4 vs. Robert Morris 0
Analysis
tOSU wins another game.
Atlantic Hockey
Sacred Heart 4 at American Int'l 5 ot
Army 5 at RIT 3
Bentley 5 at Mercyhurst 2
Air Force 1 at Holy Cross 0 ot
Analysis
Air Force wins again, yippie! Air Force has yet to play and beat anyone from the Big four conferences and they will find out where they stand on 11/28 and 11/29 when they play DU and C.C..
CCHA
Northern Michigan 1 at Bowling Green 2 ot
Western Michigan 2 at Michigan 1
Ferris State 3 at Nebraska-Omaha 2
Lake Superior 3 at Notre Dame 3 ot: Notre Dame wins shootout
Miami 5 at Michigan State 1
Analysis
Michigan State University is not having a strong season so far and have lost three games in a row. Michigan is having a tough go at it as well after missing a couple of top defenders.
ECAC
Clarkson 1 at Harvard 5
Princeton 4 at Rensselaer 1
St. Lawrence 3 at Dartmouth 4 ot
Quinnipiac 6 at Union 3
Analysis
The ECAC is finally in full swing.
Hockey East
Boston College 5 at Merrimack 5 ot
New Hampshire 3 at Mass.-Lowell 8
Boston University 1 at Massachusetts 5
Northeastern 5 at Vermont 3
Maine 3 at Providence 2
Analysis
Maine is over .500 after a tough season last year. Boston University is beaten, we will see another number one next week. Northeastern stays hot.
WCHA
Wisconsin 3 at Minnesota-Duluth 3 ot
Colorado College 1 at Minnesota State 2
Denver 2 at St. Cloud State 4
Alaska-Anchorage 3 at North Dakota 2
Analysis
C.C. has lot 2 out of 3 games. Like LGM says while everyone talks about Richard Backman being the class of the WCHA but Mike Zacharias is pretty damn good. SCSU is now 1-3-0 in the WCHA as they win their first league game. There is some serious parity in the WCHA this season.
Non-Conference
Ohio State 4 vs. Robert Morris 0
Analysis
tOSU wins another game.
Blues 1-4-1 since Sarah Palin dropped the puck.
Thank God she didn't drop the puck for the Boston Bruins or the Minnesota Wild. Check out Elliot Olshansky's latest article. Who said you can't mix sports and politics? How does this article fit with the current theme? This article fits because the Fighting Sioux are playing UAA and Palin is the Governor of the Great state of Alaska and I am fan of Elliot's work, if he sends it to me its going to get posted.
Elliot is right, Sarah has gotten people talking about hockey but also she has people excited about her and she isn't going to go away any time soon, Palin is going to be player on the political scene. I don't have a problem with her promoting hockey. Love her or hate her she is an exciting and refreshing person.
Lastly, Goon is a huge Sarah Palin fan and she has my vote in 2012 if she decides to run for president of the United States of America. Also, she can go hunting with me any time.
Elliot is right, Sarah has gotten people talking about hockey but also she has people excited about her and she isn't going to go away any time soon, Palin is going to be player on the political scene. I don't have a problem with her promoting hockey. Love her or hate her she is an exciting and refreshing person.
Lastly, Goon is a huge Sarah Palin fan and she has my vote in 2012 if she decides to run for president of the United States of America. Also, she can go hunting with me any time.
One thing's certain: Palin didn't do much for the teams who hosted her. The Philadelphia Flyer's lost their first six games after hosting Palin at their season opener. When they finally won, on October 24, Palin was dropping the puck at a St. Louis Blues game, and Blues goaltender Manny Legace injured himself tripping on the Alaska governor's red carpet. With Legace out of the lineup, the Blues have gone 1-4-1.
------snip-------
Given that Palin's values-based conservatism resonates loudest in many of the areas where hockey has traditionally struggled to gain traction, her ability to bring national news media attention to hockey during her run on the GOP ticket was a plus for the sport.
"I think where we're at as a sport, any time we can get any mention in things nationally, I think it's a positive," said Danton Cole, in his second year as head coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. "I thought when that first came out at the convention, and she mentioned it in her speech, that was outstanding. We look at that as a definite positive thing for the sport of hockey."
Cole knows a thing or two about high-profile hockey moms - Chargers goaltender Wyatt Russell is the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn - and as the head coach at the only NCAA Division I hockey program in the South, he could recognize the impact Palin made in communities where the sport takes a backseat.
"We are a bit of a cult sport," Cole said. "We're off the beaten path. Around here, it definitely came up in the arenas, and certainly a few people in the neighborhood brought up the 'hockey mom' thing. It was something that people in hockey and out of hockey definitely commented on."
Friday, November 14, 2008
UAA 3 Sioux 2.
First off I am sick and tired of this Walksi experiment. Coach Hakstol can tell us all he wants that Walski is a potential starter, but I am not buying it, the results don't lie, Walksi is a mediocre goalie at BEST. We can keep coming back with him but Walski is not going to be the man in the Fighting Sioux goal. The Sioux have the best chance of winning when Brad Eidsness. If the coaching staff is compelled to start someone other than Brad Eidsness in net, why not give Grahme Harrington a chance? This kid can't be any worse than Walksi, if he is why is he here? Lets see what he can do. Walski has had 3 1/2 years to prove himself. It's time for a new generation.
Let's be frank, Aaron Walski is a nice story, The kid is from Fargo, ND playing for the home town Fighting Sioux, but he isn't half the goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was/is. Right now I am checking to see if we can have a mulligan on this game. This is disgustiong. Walski is a third string practice goalie and there is a reason he is a walk on.
Lacking in effort.
The Sioux put up a sub par effort for 58 minutes then decided to put up a fight and make it interesting in the final two minutes of the game, that is unacceptable. Losing to the UAA Seawolves is troublesome and UACCEPTABLE. The leadership on this team can not allow the Sioux to lose games like this.
I am sure I am not the only fan that is sick and tired of watching the Fighting Sioux stumble through the first half of the last 4 seasons, only to kick it in and drive towards the playoffs. True to form the Sioux are sucking air again early.
It is pretty obvious that UND has a lot of talent and is quick talented team up front. Talent can't win you games if they aren't giving 100 percent. Can someone please step up and play 60 minutes of hockey?
In conclusion: I know my analysis of the game might seem harsh to some but I hate it when people don't give 100%, losing sucks ass. Playing hockey for the Fighting Sioux is a privilege not a birth right, wearing the Fighting Sioux uniform is honor. Personaly, I hate losing a pick up game of goal, let alone watching my favorite team game like this. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
Cheap shots on top players should be responded to, Hunts charge on Gregoire at the end of the game was cheap and a bush league move. I would like to see one of our guys collect on that bush league hit tomorrow. Make it know if you hit one our skilled players you're going to pay for it.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA 1 - 0 6x6 LL Nils Backstrom (1) (Trevor Hunt, Nick Haddad) 1:07
AKA (+): 13,24,18,9,40,G30 NDK (-): 16,25,26,3,29,G30
AKA-1 Nils Backstrom (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 7:35
AKA-2 Nils Backstrom (2-Slashing) NDK 0x2 13:56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-1 Ryan Martens (2-Tripping) AKA 0x1 3:09
AKA 2 - 0 6x6 Curtis Leinweber (1) (Luka Vidmar, Jared Tuton) 6:58
AKA (+): 11,23,9,20,16,G30 NDK (-): 21,6,17,19,25,G30
NDK-2 Brad Miller (2-Hooking) AKA 0x2 8:23
AKA 3 - 0 6x6 GW Sean Wiles (1) (Paul Crowder, Tommy Grant) 13:01
AKA (+): 27,20,23,11,16,G30 NDK (-): 17,3,21,5,19,G30
AKA-3 Kane Lafranchise (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 0x3 14:33
AKA-4 Kevin Clark (2-Slashing) NDK 0x4 17:01
AKA-5 Craig Parkinson (2-DELAY OF GAME) NDK 0x5 18:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-6 Jade Portwood (10-Game Misconduct) 3:17
AKA-7 Jade Portwood (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Tyler Moir) NDK 0x6 3:17
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-Holding) AKA 0x3 8:49
NDK-4 Ben Blood (2-Boarding) AKA 0x4 15:17
AKA-8 Trevor Hunt (2-Charging) NDK 1x7 17:48
NDK 1 - 3 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (4) (Chay Genoway, Chris VandeVelde) 17:56
NDK: 16,5,29,26,14,G31 AKA: 20,27,10,13,G30
NDK 2 - 3 6x6 EA Brett Hextall (3) (Chay Genoway, Brad Miller) 19:17
NDK (+): 26,5,14,16,29,17 AKA (-): 14,33,27,4,21,G30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Let's be frank, Aaron Walski is a nice story, The kid is from Fargo, ND playing for the home town Fighting Sioux, but he isn't half the goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was/is. Right now I am checking to see if we can have a mulligan on this game. This is disgustiong. Walski is a third string practice goalie and there is a reason he is a walk on.
Lacking in effort.
The Sioux put up a sub par effort for 58 minutes then decided to put up a fight and make it interesting in the final two minutes of the game, that is unacceptable. Losing to the UAA Seawolves is troublesome and UACCEPTABLE. The leadership on this team can not allow the Sioux to lose games like this.
I am sure I am not the only fan that is sick and tired of watching the Fighting Sioux stumble through the first half of the last 4 seasons, only to kick it in and drive towards the playoffs. True to form the Sioux are sucking air again early.
It is pretty obvious that UND has a lot of talent and is quick talented team up front. Talent can't win you games if they aren't giving 100 percent. Can someone please step up and play 60 minutes of hockey?
In conclusion: I know my analysis of the game might seem harsh to some but I hate it when people don't give 100%, losing sucks ass. Playing hockey for the Fighting Sioux is a privilege not a birth right, wearing the Fighting Sioux uniform is honor. Personaly, I hate losing a pick up game of goal, let alone watching my favorite team game like this. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
Cheap shots on top players should be responded to, Hunts charge on Gregoire at the end of the game was cheap and a bush league move. I would like to see one of our guys collect on that bush league hit tomorrow. Make it know if you hit one our skilled players you're going to pay for it.
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA 1 - 0 6x6 LL Nils Backstrom (1) (Trevor Hunt, Nick Haddad) 1:07
AKA (+): 13,24,18,9,40,G30 NDK (-): 16,25,26,3,29,G30
AKA-1 Nils Backstrom (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 7:35
AKA-2 Nils Backstrom (2-Slashing) NDK 0x2 13:56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK-1 Ryan Martens (2-Tripping) AKA 0x1 3:09
AKA 2 - 0 6x6 Curtis Leinweber (1) (Luka Vidmar, Jared Tuton) 6:58
AKA (+): 11,23,9,20,16,G30 NDK (-): 21,6,17,19,25,G30
NDK-2 Brad Miller (2-Hooking) AKA 0x2 8:23
AKA 3 - 0 6x6 GW Sean Wiles (1) (Paul Crowder, Tommy Grant) 13:01
AKA (+): 27,20,23,11,16,G30 NDK (-): 17,3,21,5,19,G30
AKA-3 Kane Lafranchise (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 0x3 14:33
AKA-4 Kevin Clark (2-Slashing) NDK 0x4 17:01
AKA-5 Craig Parkinson (2-DELAY OF GAME) NDK 0x5 18:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AKA-6 Jade Portwood (10-Game Misconduct) 3:17
AKA-7 Jade Portwood (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Tyler Moir) NDK 0x6 3:17
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-Holding) AKA 0x3 8:49
NDK-4 Ben Blood (2-Boarding) AKA 0x4 15:17
AKA-8 Trevor Hunt (2-Charging) NDK 1x7 17:48
NDK 1 - 3 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (4) (Chay Genoway, Chris VandeVelde) 17:56
NDK: 16,5,29,26,14,G31 AKA: 20,27,10,13,G30
NDK 2 - 3 6x6 EA Brett Hextall (3) (Chay Genoway, Brad Miller) 19:17
NDK (+): 26,5,14,16,29,17 AKA (-): 14,33,27,4,21,G30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
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