If they don't call it they will miss their next assigment.

Here is a novel idea that Bruce M. McLeod and Greg Shepherd could consider enacting. If one of your refs doesn't call something that is supposed to be called or one your official misses a call, or God forbid does a poor job officiating a game maybe just maybe you could consider suspending that official, causing him to miss his next assignment. Just a thought. (Check it out)

The protocol penalty against the Dutchmen was for going out to greet the goalie at the end of the period. Stewart said there is a rule about that, and he wants his officials to call it. If not, he said that they will miss their next assignment

Here is something to chew on.

I was reading this morning's Grand Forks Herald and this couple of paragraphs really stick out like a soar thumb. This is utterly unacceptable folks. Time for some the upper class men to step it up and be leaders. Enough with the excuses, we are tired of hearing them.

You're a hockey player in one of the top division one hockey programs in the country start playing like it. I would be willing to bet that a lot of the players from the other teams in the league would love to have the opportunity you have been given, stop stinking up the Ralph and acting like a bunch of spoiled prima donnas.

Enough of the stupid sports cliches and saying we are all most there, you are not play like it. It's time to stop talking and it is time step up and get results. I am sick and tired of watching this crap for the last 5 season. This isn't Sioux hockey, you're pissing your season away right now. If you lose your next four non-conference game your going to be hard pressed to make the NCAA tourney. How you guys like to be the first Fighting Sioux Hockey team to miss the NCAA tourney since 2001-2002? The answer is start playing with some pride. There isn't any other answer.

***Sioux seek answers*** The Sioux are three games under .500 at 4-7-1, which ties the lowest point since Dave Hakstol became coach in 2004.

The 2006-07 squad started the season 7-10-1 and rallied in the second half to reach the Frozen Four behind a dynamic top line of Ryan Duncan, T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews.

This year’s squad doesn’t have the luxury of having two first-round NHL draft picks up front, though. They must find scoring throughout the lineup, but it hasn’t been happening recently.

(Edit)
"Coaches" its time to take it up an notch you share some of the blame for this horrible start to the season. The Sioux can salvage the season, but it must start now.

Scores from 11-22-2008

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Atlantic Hockey
Sacred Heart 1 at Air Force 7
Canisius 2 at Bentley 4
American Int'l 0 at Holy Cross 3
Army 3 at Mercyhurst 6
RIT 5 at Connecticut 4

Analysis
This is the schedule that Air Force has played to date (it is not impressive at all): Sacred Heart 2-8-2 (x4), Bemidji State University 3-7-0 (x2), American International 3-9-0 (x2), Bentley 5-4-1 (x2), Holy Cross 3-7-1 (x2). So the cumulative record of teams that Air Force has played is (16-35-4) The real test for the Falcons will be when they play C.C. and DU in back to back games. I don't see them winning either game.

CCHA
Notre Dame 9 at Bowling Green 1
Michigan State 1 at Nebraska-Omaha 3
Ohio State 2 at Northern Michigan 0
Alaska 2 at Ferris State 0
Michigan 1 at Miami 2

Analysis
Michigan State has lost 6 games in a row and Jeff Lerg 3-7-1 in 11 games.
Notre Dame hasn't lost in 8 games. UNO has lost only twice in 12 games.
Michigan is swept by league leading Miami.

CHA
Bemidji State 3 at Niagara 1

Analysis
BSU with the split.

ECAC
Harvard 2 at Colgate 2 ot
Quinnipiac 5 at St. Lawrence 2
Dartmouth 1 at Cornell 3
Princeton 4 at Clarkson 2

Analysis
Cornell comes to Grand Forks, ND next weekend get ready for some defensive boring hockey. Yawn.

Hockey East
Boston College 3 at Massachusetts 4 ot
Providence 3 at New Hampshire 4
Vermont 4 at Boston University 3
Northeastern 4 at Mass.-Lowell 3
Merrimack 1 at Maine 1 ot

Analysis
Gittle from Yardbarker wrote: BU is 1-3 after being number one, including a home sweep at the hands of UVM. Nobody had gone onto Comm Ave and swept a series in 16 years, but it happened. Not only that, but the 1992 team was the Maine national champion juggernaut that only lost one game all season, and I would not put the Catamounts in the same stratosphere. I would have to agree UVM is no where near the 1992 Maine Black Bears team.

Northeastern rolling along at (9-2-2). UMass splits with Boston College.

WCHA
North Dakota 1 at Minnesota-Duluth 3
Minnesota 0 at Denver 4
Wisconsin 1 at St. Cloud State 0
Minnesota State 4 at Michigan Tech 2
Colorado College 4 at Alaska-Anchorage 3 ot

Analysis
Splits-ville in Saint Cloud, Anchorage and Denver. The Purple Cows from MSU-M beat the real Huskies twice in the Houghton, Michigan.

Non-Conference
Robert Morris 4 at Lake Superior 3
Alabama-Huntsville 2 at Yale 6

Luongo injuried

It appears that All-World goalie Roberto Luongo the corner stone of the Vancouver Canucks has injured his groin in a game against the Penguins today.

If Luongo was out for an extended period of time it could be bad for the Canucks. I guess I am also going to have to look for a new goalie because I have Luongo on one of my four fantasy hockey teams.

No sister kissing tonight. UMD 3 UND 1

The Fighting Sioux were stifled by a strong goaltending effort of Alex Stalock and lose 3-1 to the Bulldogs in Duluth. With the loss tonight the Sioux also break a streak of splits in league play. The Sioux out shoot the Bulldogs 38-29 but come up short on the score board.

Sioux fans lets give credit where credit is do. Alex Stalock was good this weekend and I hate cliches but this team IS close to doing some great things.

Pro's from this weekend
~ Brad Eidsness is establishing himself as the starting goaltender.
~ A defenseman scored a goal tonight, their first goal by a defenseman this year.
~ Brad Malone was a physical force this weekend and is mean and nasty to play against.
~ Brett Hextall continues to impress me with his grit and heart.
~ Gregiore is a sniper and will score a lot of goals this season.
~ David Toews is close to breaking out, I think the points will come in bunches.
~ Defensively the Fighting Sioux are getting where they need to be defensively.


Box Score
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1st Period (20:00)
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NDK-1 Matt Frattin (2-Interference) MND 0x1 0:50
MND-1 Josh Meyers (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 2:05
NDK-2 Evan Trupp (2-Hooking) MND 1x2 4:56
MND 1 - 0 6x5 PP LL Michael Gergen (3) (Trent Palm, Jack Connolly) 6:27
MND: 10,54,12,7,24,G32 NDK: 22,3,5,16,G31
MND-2 Matt Greer (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 6:45
MND-3 Jordan Fulton (2-Slashing) NDK 0x3 8:46
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Checking from Behind) MND 1x3 12:15
NDK-4 Chay Genoway (2-Roughing) 14:33
NDK-5 Brad Malone (2-Cross-Checking) 14:33
NDK-6 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 14:33
MND-4 Mike Connolly (2-Roughing) 14:33
MND-5 Mike Connolly (2-Interference) 14:33
MND-6 MacGregor Sharp (2-Roughing) 14:33
NDK-7 Andrew Kozek (2-Charging) MND 1x4 18:34
MND-7 Michael Gergen (2-Interference) NDK 0x4 19:34

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MND-8 Evan Oberg (2-Hooking) NDK 0x5 2:44
NDK-8 Brad Malone (2-Roughing) 10:24
MND-9 Nick Kemp (2-Roughing) 10:24
NDK-9 Brad Miller (2-Slashing the Goaltender) 13:08
MND-10 Evan Oberg (2-Roughing) 13:08
MND-11 Trent Palm (2-Hooking) NDK 0x6 14:08
MND 2 - 0 6x6 GW Jordan Fulton (3) (Justin Fontaine, Jack Connolly) 18:37
MND (+): 23,37,12,17,24,G32 NDK (-): 14,19,17,25,21,G31
NDK-10 Chay Genoway (2-Hooking) MND 2x5 19:16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MND 3 - 0 6x5 PP MacGregor Sharp (7) (Mike Connolly, Josh Meyers) 0:52
MND: 18,22,17,4,37,G32 NDK: 20,11,6,3,G31
MND-12 Michael Gergen (2-Tripping) NDK 0x7 2:46
MND-13 Evan Oberg (2-Slashing) NDK 0x8 8:26
MND-14 Trent Palm (2-Holding) NDK 1x9 11:25
NDK 1 - 3 6x5 PP Brad Miller (3) (Evan Trupp, Chay Genoway) 12:32
NDK: 14,19,5,8,16,G31 MND: 11,16,4,26,G32

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Lineup for tonights game.

RWD's favorite hockey blogger Brad Elliott Schlossman has tonight lines posted for round 2 of the Sioux and the Bulldogs.

Time for the Sioux to get things rolling.

UND's lines

16 Ryan Duncan--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
20 Matt Watkins--22 Brad Malone--18 David Toews
17 Jason Gregoire--19 Evan Trupp--21 Matt Frattin
10 Andrew Kozek--11 Darcy Zajac--8 Ryan Martens

3 Derrick LaPoint--5 Chay Genoway
6 Zach Jones--25 Jake Marto
24 Ben Blood--14 Brad Miller

31 Brad Eidsness
30 Aaron Walski

Edit Zajack is in the game after it was reported that he was a scratch after suffering from an undisclosed injury. Mario Lamoureux is out of the line up.

UMD's lines (As posted by RWD):

M. Connolly - Sharp - Kemp
Fulton - J. Connolly - Fontaine
Carroll - Akins - Gergen
Greer - Bordson - Schmidt

Meyers - Montgomery
Palm - Huttel
Oberg - Lamb

Stalock
Hjelle - Reiter

Check out this podcast

Scott and Moose from KBUN in Bemidji talk about BSU and possibility of realignment/expansion as well as the state of the Beavers and their new hockey arena. If you have an iPod you can down load the broadcast here.

Please make note.

Please Note: the weekly prediction/pontification are done by Sioux7 and not me. So please do not burn an effigy of the Goon for this weeks predictions, I am not responsible for the predictions nor do I edit my other team members work. If you have an issue with Sioux7's predictions please address them to him not me.

Scores from 11-21-2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

Atlantic Hockey
Holy Cross 1 at American Int'l 5
Army 2 at Mercyhurst 6
RIT 1 at Connecticut 2
Sacred Heart 1 at Air Force 8
Canisius 3 at Bentley 4

Analysis
Air Force continues to rack up wins against a less than impressive schedule, yet the pundits are impressed. Next weekend we will know if Air Force is a paper tiger or a legit team when they face Denver University Pioneers and the Colorado College Tigers.

CCHA
Michigan State 1 at Nebraska-Omaha 7
Ohio State 1 at Northern Michigan 3
Alaska 3 at Ferris State 2
Michigan 0 at Miami 2
Bowling Green 1 at Notre Dame 5

Analysis
Michigan State is 0-5-1 in their last six games. Michigan is down this season as well, going 3-3 in their last 6 games. The Blog that Yost Built gives us a few reasons why. Miami continues to win and is leading the CCHA of course they have played 11 games as well.

CHA
Bemidji State 1 at Niagara 3

Analysis
Tough season for the Bemidji State University Beavers.

EZAC
Dartmouth 1 at Colgate 0
Princeton 2 at St. Lawrence 1
Harvard 1 at Cornell 2
Quinnipiac 4 at Clarkson 2

Analysis
Princeton continues to be out shot by their opponents as the Tigers goalie Zane Kalemba stands on his head. Cornell continues to win.

Hockey East
Providence 1 at Mass.-Lowell 6
Merrimack 1 at Maine 2
Massachusetts 0 at Boston College 2
New Hampshire 2 at Northeastern 3
Vermont 4 at Boston University 3

Analysis
The Hockey East is class of Division one hockey in the first half of the season. Northeastern and Boston College win again.

WCHA
Wisconsin 2 at St. Cloud State 6
Minnesota State 3 at Michigan Tech 2 ot
Colorado College 2 at Alaska-Anchorage 4
North Dakota 2 at Minnesota-Duluth 2 ot
Minnesota 5 at Denver 2

Analysis
Minnesota dismantles Denver University (boo) as the Gophers continue to play good hockey one has to wonder if they are peaking already? UAA shocks the Tigers in Anchorage. SCSU whoops the Badgers in the Concrete center.

Non-Conference
Alabama-Huntsville 1 at Yale 0
Robert Morris 1 at Lake Superior 3

Sister kissing in Duluth: Sioux 2 Dogs 2

They say that ties in hockey feel like kissing your sister, I have no idea about that, however, 65 minutes of hockey solved nothing and both teams skated off the ice still tied. While this game ended in a tie, it had to be the better games that I have seen so far this season. End to end action and a lot of hard hitting.

Ties are worth one point and a lot of WCHA fans are cool with this result, however, this game would have been a perfect game to end with a shootout (they are measuring the ropes folks, I wonder if they can find a tree big enough). If this had been a CCHA game, it would have ended in a shootout. Both teams still would have gotten one point with the winner getting an additional point. While the shootout win would counted in the league standings, the shootout loss would have counted as a tie in the RPI/PWR rankings. No harm, no fowl; right?

The stars of the game in my opinion were the two goalies Brad Eidsness and Alex Stalock, both goalies played really well and held their teams in the game. I have said before Alex Stalock is a great goalie that doesn’t get as much love as he should when the end of the season awards are handed out.

For the people that are still hacking on Eidsness and saying he isn't very good, or he isn't as good as Phil Lamoureux; here are some stats for you. Sioux rookie goalie Brad Eidsness is 4-3-1 his goal against 2.83 with save percentage .902. Yet there are still people that want to see Aaron Walski play for the Sioux. When you goalie's save percentage is over .900 you have a good chance of winning. Eidsness is getting it going, have faith.

The Refs in the WCHA suck

While both team played well and should be commended for their play, the refs Marco Hunt, Derek Shepherd were God Awful. The refs called a whooping 29 penalties during last nights game. The funny thing is that the refs actually missed quite a few calls as well they made up a few calls as well. In my opinion Derek Shepherd shouldn’t be allowed to ref squirts, peewees or bantam games.

The leadership in this league is trying to apply the new rules (which are the old rules they refused to enforce in years past) to the WCHA play while using the same horrible officials, this is a combination for disaster. Isn't cronyism and nepotism great?

Someone needs send these clowns/moron to hockey officiating school, the refs in the MSHL are better than these guys. Checking someone face first into the boards is checking from behind, it is the same penalty in the first period as it is in the third period or over-time. If charging is a penalty for one team, then it should be a penalty for the other team.

I have read other fans around the league complain about the officiating in this league I am not going to fault you, because you are watching the same crappy officiating that I am watching. THE REFS SUCK IN THE WCHA AND THE FANS AND PLAYERS OF BOTH TEAMS DESERVE BETTER. Enough is enough.

Hextall for Hobey

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves but I really like watching Brett Hextall. The fresman forward has points in five straight games (4-2-6) this kid is really a gamer and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. What I like about Brett Hextall is tough and he gets into the places you need to be to score gritty dirty goals. Pound for pound he is one of the toughest players on the ice.

Jason Gregoire impresses

Freshman Jason Gregoire has points in 6 of 8 games (4-2-6) and is starting to give Sioux fans a glimpse on why we should be excited about him being here. I think it is just a matter of time before we see a Gregoire break out.


Goals Scoring/Penalties Time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-1 Brad Miller (2-Slashing) MND 0x1 3:07
MND-1 Michael Gergen (2-Interference) NDK 1x1 4:43
MND-2 Trent Palm (2-Holding) NDK 1x2 4:43
NDK 1 - 0 6x4 PP Matt Frattin (2) (Ryan Duncan, Chay Genoway) 6:39
NDK: 21,16,6,19,25,G31 MND: 24,17,16,G32
MND-3 Andrew Carroll (2-Hooking) NDK 1x3 7:07
NDK-2 Brett Hextall (2-Charging) MND 1x2 9:11
MND 1 - 1 6x5 PP MacGregor Sharp (6) (Justin Fontaine, Josh Meyers) 9:17
MND: 18,37,17,22,4,G32 NDK: 6,20,11,3,G31
MND-4 Jay Cascalenda (2-Hooking) NDK 1x4 10:38
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-Elbowing) MND 1x3 14:52
NDK-4 Chris VandeVelde (2-Interference) MND 1x4 15:14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MND-5 Trent Palm (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 5:50
NDK-5 Andrew Kozek (2-Elbowing) MND 1x5 9:06
MND-6 Chad Huttel (2-Holding) NDK 1x6 14:31

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-6 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) 1:30
NDK-7 Darcy Zajac (2-Roughing) 1:30
NDK-8 Andrew Kozek (2-Roughing) 1:30
NDK-9 Matt Watkins (2-Roughing) 1:30
NDK-10 Andrew Kozek (2-Hitting after the Whistle) 1:30
MND-7 Trent Palm (2-Roughing) 1:30
MND-8 Drew Akins (2-Roughing) 1:30
MND-9 Andrew Carroll (2-Roughing) 1:30
MND-10 Matt Greer (2-Roughing) 1:30
MND-11 Matt Greer (2-Tripping) 1:30
MND-12 Travis Oleksuk (2-Slashing) NDK 2x7 2:53
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP Jason Gregoire (4) (Brett Hextall, Chay Genoway) 4:26
NDK: 17,26,5,16,14,G31 MND: 24,26,19,22,G32
NDK-11 Jake Marto (2-Roughing) 9:46
MND-13 Jack Connolly (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Travis Oleksuk) NDK 2x8 9:46
MND-14 Jack Connolly (10-Game Misconduct) (Served by Travis Oleksuk) 9:46
NDK-12 Derrick LaPoint (2-Tripping) MND 1x6 10:15
MND-15 Evan Oberg (2-Tripping) NDK 2x9 14:57
NDK-13 Brett Hextall (2-Tripping) MND 1x7 15:49
NDK-14 Chris VandeVelde (2-Tripping) MND 2x8 16:39
Timeout - Minnesota Duluth 17:36
MND 2 - 2 6x5 PP GT Josh Meyers (5) (MacGregor Sharp, Evan Oberg) 18:30
MND: 17,22,18,4,37,G32 NDK: 26,6,3,20,G31

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overtime (5:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Lines for tonights game.

Brad Elliott Schlossman has the lines for tonights game post. Kozek and Trupp in, Martens and Davidson out of the line up. Come one Sioux lets kick some Bulldog ass.

UND's lines

16 Ryan Duncan--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
10 Andrew Kozek--11 Darcy Zajac--20 Matt Watkins
17 Jason Gregoire--19 Evan Trupp--21 Matt Frattin
9 Mario Lamoureux--22 Brad Malone--18 David Toews

3 Derrick LaPoint--5 Chay Genoway
6 Zach Jones--25 Jake Marto
24 Ben Blood--14 Brad Miller

31 Brad Eidsness
30 Aaron Walski

Duluth's lines

22 Mike Connolly--18 MacGregor Sharp--19 Nick Kemp
20 Andrew Carroll--12 Jack Connolly--10 Michael Gergen
23 Jordan Fulton--7 Drew Akins--37 Justin Fontaine
16 Matt Greer--13 Travis Oleksuk--11 Kyle Schmidt

17 Josh Meyers--24 Mike Montgomery
4 Evan Oberg--54 Trent Palm
14 Jay Cascalenda--26 Chad Huttel

32 Alex Stalock
30 Brady Hjelle
1 Kenny Reiter

Barely Legal. (UAA Recruit)

The early verbal commitments from really young hockey players keep on coming. This isn't a slam on UAA, as they get a verbal commitment from a kid that just turned 16. Make that TODAY. Wow... I wonder if they will start giving verbal from in Junior High (7th, 8th and 9th grade) next?

According to Chris Heisenberg’s reliable 2009 college hockey recruiting site, the Seawolves have a commitment from Sam Mellor of the Kimberley Dynamiters (great name) in the British Columbia-based Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Mellor turns 16 today.

Michael Komisarek vs Milan Lucic

I just got to watch this game between the Bruins and the Canadians (I was heading to the deer camp and didn't get to see it live) and if this game and fight doesn't fire Bruins fans up you have to be dead. Lucic is animal and he works former Michigan Star Michael Komisarek over. I guess next time Komisarek won't be so quick to challenged Lucic to a fight.

Friday Linkorama...

Last weekend UND's 3-1 win over UAA was a game of firsts.

• There were plenty of firsts to be had last Saturday when North Dakota beat Alaska Anchorage 3-1 in the fourth consecutive weekend split for the Sioux. Sophomores Brad Malone and Matt Frattin each scored for NoDak, snapping a pair of notable droughts in the process. Frattin hadn’t scored in 14 games, while Malone had gone 32 games since last lighting the lamp. There were also special teams milestones, as Malone’s goal was the first shortie of his career, and Frattin’s goal was the first power-play goal of his career.

This could be seen as a play on words Maine's Darling was suspended for a “violation of team rules.” I guess Scott isn't going to be the darling of the Maine Black Bears anymore eh? Actually, Scott Darling has been nothing short of awesome in the net this season for the Black Bears so his absence will probably hurt the Maine Black Bears tonight.

Lets put this feat into perspective it is an understatement to say that the Fighting Sioux hockey players can eat. Joe Finley ate an unprecedented 50 wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. That is a lot of red meat folks.

Jones no light weight himself, can put down 6 soft shells from the Red Pepper. I might have to try that.


This weekend's match up
No. 20 North Dakota @ Minnesota Duluth
Overall Records: UND — 4-6-0 (4-4-0 WCHA). UMD — 4-4-3 (1-4-2 WCHA).
Head-to-Head: UND leads the overall series, 128-70-8.

I find it hard to believe that Gophers Sophomore goalie Alex Kangas has only had one shutout for his college hockey career. Kangas got his first collegiate shutout last Sunday when he beat the real Huskies 3-0.

According to Maverick Hockey Luv super pest and former Purple Cow hockey player John Kalinski will be making his NHL debute against the Buffalo Sabres. Maybe Drew Stafford can welcome him to the NHL?

Wisconsin and UMD highlights

Here is some highlights (Low lights if your a Bulldog fan)from last Saturday night's game between the Wisconsin BADgers and the UMD Bulldogs. I would imagine when the Sioux play the Bulldogs this weekend we will not see this Alex Stalock. Stalock is a good goaltender and the Sioux better be ready to play.

INCH CHAT...

In case you haven't seen it yet here is the latest from the INCH/ESPN chat.

UND in SLP, St. Louis Park, MN: How important is it for Joe Finley to get back into the Sioux lineup? Barring any assumptions about a second half revival, what will it take for UND to begin pressing the upstart gophers for the top spot in the WCHA?

Jess Myers: Since the biggest question mark for the Sioux in the preseason was goaltending, and because goaltending has proven to be a real problem in some of the games where they've struggled thus far, I see the return of a shut-down defenseman like Finley as vitally important for the Sioux defense. For them to press the Gophers for the top spot, or to even press for a top-five spot, North Dakota is going to need a more consistent every-game effort, unlike their recent play, when they look like completely different teams (some good, some bad) from night to night.

You kind of wonder if Jess Meyers is just saying these silly ridiculous things to get a rise out of Sioux fans? You almost have to wonder if Jess is lonely and wants Sioux fans to send him nasty emails? Please don't send objectionable emails so Jess thinks Sioux fans are a bunch of blood thirsty, knuckle dragging, rabid fans. We can respectfully disagree with him. (I am rolling my eyes)

Just for the record the talent on this years Sioux team compared to 2001-2002 isn't even close. This guy clown is supposed to be the WCHA expert for INCH? The 2000-2001 team was decimated by graduation and lost many key members of its team (Karl Geohring, Wes Dorey, Bryan Lundbohm, Trevor Hammer, Jeff Panzer). The 2001-2002 team was a shell of the team that finished second over all in the NCAA Frozen Four. My question to Jess is; how many games has Jess watched of the Sioux this season? Nothing like flying under the radar folks.

William (Atlanta, GA): The Sioux always seem to start slow (.500 in the winter the last few seasons), then seem to turn on the jets to finnish strong enough for four straight frozen fours. Do you guys forsee the same second half turn around and if not what do they need to do to turn it around this season?

Jess Myers: Interesting that the sioux and Alaska Anchorage split last weekend, as those two teams seem to always be around .500 at the holidays, and then go in polar opposite directions. I don't foresee as big a second-half push by North Dakota this season for some reason. Something just doesn't feel right. I'm reminded of the 2001-02 NoDak team that had no good reason to struggle, but did anyway. These Sioux have some talent, are struggling for some reason.

Check out this question. LOL, Air Force as a frozen four participant. Please! The Air Force Falcons have a nice record by they haven't played ANYONE that is good. Not one team has a winning record. Talk about choking on cup cakes and a couple of the these guys have them penciled as a possible participant in the Frozen Four. They will be lucky to get through their first game in the regional. Same with Princeton.

Yeah, I would love to make some bets with these guys. I do think that B.C., BU and Minnesota are the top teams right now.

Shad (Alexandria, MN): I know it's early but just for fun who do you have in the frozen four this year?

Joe Gladziszewski: Oh good ... this question already. Let's throw it around the horn ...

Jess Myers: Making predictions like these before Thanksgiving are guaranteed to make you look and feel foolish somewhere down the line. But if the Frozen Four were being held this weekend, I think the four teams vying to get an audience with President Obama would be Boston University, Denver, Notre Dame and New Hampshire, with Air Force as my favorite dark horse.

Jeff Howe: I'll go with BU, BC, Air Force and Colorado College.

Mike Eidelbes: Put me down for Boston College, Boston University, Minnesota, and Notre Dame ... for now.

Joe Gladziszewski: ... and I'll start with Minnesota and Denver, gimme Notre Dame, and sure -- Princeton.

Weekend Pontifications... (Sioux7)

This week we have another full slate of WCHA games, 5-series, you know it doesn't happen that often.


Wisconsin (4-4-2) at #17 St. Cloud (2-3-0)
This is a match between the team that has played the most league games, 10 (UW) and the team that has played the least league games, 5 (SCSU). With SCSU being 6 points back of UW and having 5 games in hand, this is more important for UW to win this series. However, UW has boldly denied my picks of them losing series the last two weeks. Thus, the odds should be in my favor this week (the key word there is SHOULD). The Huskies shocked a lot of us last weekend by sweeping the Pioneers. Have these dogs stopped barking and started biting? I say yes, and they will bite the Badgers this weekend. Huskies sweep. Good doggie :)


#3 Colorado (5-2-1) at Alaska Anchorage (3-3-2)
The Tigers are a good team, but again I don't think they are as good on the road as at home. And lets face it, Alaska is far away from their home. Plus the Seawolves are proving to be a mediocre team this season, so far, I didn't see them doing this well at this point. I say all the animal lovers will like this prediction, the cats win one and the dogs win one, splitsville. Mediocrity says, "welcome Anchorage."


#20 North Dakota (4-4-0) at Minnesota-Duluth (1-4-2)
The Sioux outshot UAA both games last weekend, and didn't surrender a power play goal, but still ended up with a split...UMD gave up 2ppg, 1 each night, and was outshot on last Saturday. UND is averaging 2.75goals/game and UMD is at 2.14g/g. The Bulldogs have been gracious hosts to the Sioux are 8-1-1 their last 10 games at the DECC, the loss was in Dec. 2004. In keeping with the Thanksgiving tradition, I think the Bulldogs will give the Sioux what they want, their continue good run at the DECC, Sioux sweep. Thanks you Bulldogs for being such good hosts :)


#1 Minnesota (5-0-3) at #10 Denver (4-3-1)
Denver need some points this weekend to solidify their spot in the top of the league, after getting swept last weekend. The Gophers were lucky, some say good, to escape last weekend at home with 3pts, from MTU. MTU outshot UM on Sunday, 38 to 27, and carried the play for a good portion of the time. A sweep by DU puts UM pack to reality and back into the WCHA mix-up for the top five spots. I say the Pioneers end up with a new hat, and it's not a coon skin hat either, wink wink, nudge nudge, DU sweeps.


#11 Minnesota State (3-3-2) at Michigan Tech (1-6-1)
The Tech-sters deserve better after seeing those games last weekend (I saw MeanEGirl on TV). However, the Mavericks might have something to say about that. MSUM is in middle of the pack right now and would like to move up, and MTU wants to move out of the lonely basement. Both teams have given up 24goals this WCHA season, but MTU has only scored 11 compared to MSUM's 26. Sorry to say but I like the team that is scoring 3.25 goals per game to win this series. Mavericks sweep the Huskies. Ooh, poor doggies, would you like some treats...

Goon's Illegal Curve...

Here is an round table article that I contributed to on the illegal curve.

This season the Minnesota Wild have played all but two games without super
star Marian Gaborik, yet even without the super star the Minnesota
Wild have an impressive record of 11-4-1 and sit in third place in the
Western Conference standings.

It looks as if the Wild are going to be unable to sign Marian Gaborik and
are in the process of looking for a team to make a trade with according to
the rumors from TSN.

I am sure that Gaborik's big price tag; the fact that he is often injured,
and his current injury status will make Gaborik hard to move to another
team. These factors are going to make it difficult for Wild to get as much
for Gaborik as they would like. As I write this it appears that the Wild GM
Doug Risebrough might be trying to trade Gaborik to the Rangers.

Personally, I am getting tired of the Gaborik saga and I would like to see
the Wild get some closure on the Gaborik situation as soon a possible. If
Gaborik doesn't want to remain a member of the Wild, then so be it, then it
is time for Doug Risebrough to ship him off to a team that wants him. Let's
face the fact even if Gaborik can get healthy again, after June he is worth
nothing to the Minnesota Wild if they can?t get him signed to a deal.

The fan base in Minnesota seems to becoming tired of Gaboriks antics as well. Many of them are saying don?t let the door hit in the butt on the way out.

In Gaboriks absence the Wild have still got some solid play from these
three forwards; Mikko Koivo (3-13-16), Antii Miettinen (6-6-12) and Andrew
Brunette (6-5-11) have played well offensively and have kind of gotten the
fans to forget about their super star Marian Gaborik. To soften the blow of
losing Gabby, rookie forward Beniot Pouliot has also started to make a
contribution to the wild offensively and is second on the team in goals5-2-7
in 16 games this season.

The Wild are rock solid especially in net and need to get All-World goalie
Niklas Backstrom signed for the long term deal as soon as possible. It would
be an understatement to say that Niklas Backstrom is the bedrock of the
defensive minded Wild hockey team. Backstrom has been that good and it makes
it possible for the Wild to win 1-0 and 2-1 games.

Blake on his days at UND.

Props to the UNH Hockey blogger for giving me a heads up on this story. "Ah yes our college days."

Blake recalls fond days at North Dakota Thursday...
On Campus By James Murphy - NHL.com Correspondent
"You'll never get those years back, that time when it's just you, your teammates and the game. It's all business when you leave." -- Jason Blake

Bring up North Dakota hockey to Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake and watch his face light up. He'll drop whatever he's doing at that moment to talk. Forget the fact that his game has been struggling of late and on more than one occasion this season he's found himself in the press box as a healthy scratch. If you want to chat about his time in Grand Forks (1996-99), Blake is more than willing to travel to a period of his life he still cherishes dearly.

"Oh man, I haven't really sat and thought about that in too long," Blake said recently when asked to reminisce about his college career. "You're bringing tears of joy to my eyes here, yeah, let's talk about that. Man, that was a great time in my life."

As the Toronto equipment manager cleans the Leafs dressing room after a recent practice and screams "bus leaves in 20 minutes," Blake starts to take his equipment off as he utters: "He can wait. I love talking about my days with the Fighting Sioux."

Here is an argument for staying in school and not rushing to the professional ranks.
You will never get those days back. You're a piece of meat once you leave school.

"You'll never get those years back. That time when it's just you, your teammates and the game. It's all business when you leave. Obviously Parise has done great at this level and I'm happy for him. But for others I always let them know that. Nothing can ever take that time away from me."

Bruins 7 Sabres 4

The Bruins played the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Boston and and the College hockey was represented pretty heavily on the score sheet. The Bruins chased former Michigan State University goalie Ryan Miller from the game after putting six pucks behind him.

Former Gopher Thomas Vanek score two goals for the Buffalo Sabres (1st goal) (2nd goal) Vanek also had an assist to give him three points for the evening.

Former Boston College Eagle Chuck Kobasew and Fighting Sioux killer Boston's first goal tonight and the Bruins fifth goal.

Former Michgan player Matt Hunwick had two assists for the Boston Bruins to goal along with a goal he scored the other night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Former Gopher and current Bruin Phil Kessel has two points a goals and an assist on the evening.

Former Sioux and current Sabre Drew Stafford had a an assist on Buffalo's second goal.

Joe Finley favorite dance partner Blake Wheeler had an assist on Chuck Kobasew's first goal of the evening.