Here is the latest blog article that I wrote for Sean Leahy's Going Five Hole.
Top Match ups
Michigan versus Miami
In a key CCHA matchup, the Miami RedHawks 12-5-3 travels to Ann Arbor to play the Michigan Wolverines 13-7-0. Michigan is coming off the GLI championship while Miami limps into Ann Arbor after going 0-2 losing to two of the worst teams in division one hockey Clarkson and Army at the Ohio Hockey Classic.
Prediction: Miami swept the Wolverines earlier in Oxford Ohio 2-0, 2-1 but I don’t expect the same results this time. Michigan is playing better hockey and Miami is going to be reeling from losing two games to two horrible teams. Michigan wins 4-1 and 5-2 behind as strong goaltending performance of starting goaltender Bryan Hogan 11-1-0 1.95 GAA and sv% .917.
Minnesota Golden Gophers versus the North Dakota Fighting Sioux
The Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-3-5 travel to Ralph Engelstad Arena to play a two game series against their heated rival the Fighting Sioux 11-10-1. For the Sioux they must get at least two-three points to stay in the race for an NCAA playoff bid.
It may only be January but this game already will have a playoff feel to it, every game, every series is going to be a must win if they the Fighting Sioux want to be successful in the second half of the season and make another run to the NCAA playoffs.
These games are extra important to the Sioux because they are fighting to get home ice for the WCHA playoffs as well. Both teams are also playing for pride and don’t want to be on the losing end of the score board. Records mean nothing going into this series; in fact you can throw them out the window. For the Gophers they are eyeing the top spot in the WCHA standings as well as solidifying an NCAA playoff berth.
Goaltending is going to be key for this series for the Gophers they have a solid goaltender in sophomore Alex Kangas who has a record of (10-3-5), with a 2.19 goals against average and a save percentage of .921. For the Fighting Sioux rookie goalie Brad Eidsness has a record of (11-7-1), with a goals against average of 2.68 with a save percentage of .907. The success of both teams depends on these two goaltenders.
Top scorers for the Sioux are: Brad Miller 4-17-21, Chay Genoway 2-19-21, Chris VandeVelde 7-9-16, Ryan Martens 8-7-15.
Top Scorers for the Golden Gophers are; Ryan Stoa 11-12-23, Jordan Schroeder 7-14-21, Jay Barriball 6-10-16
Prediction: The Sioux have a 9-6-1 record the last 16 games against the Gophers. The Fighting Sioux win on Friday 3-2 and the Gophers and Sioux tie on Saturday night 3-3.
Goon’s Top Ten
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Northeastern
5. Denver
6. Miami
7. Boston College
8. Colorado College
9. Michigan
10. Vermont
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
White out at the Ralph.
Don't forget to get your t shirt for this upcoming series. They are roughly $13.00 with tax at the REA Sioux shop. I was just there and they lots of t-shirts left. I know there are some that don't want to buy anything with the Gophers logo on it, well then wear a white shirt of some kind. One solution I do have is you can take a sharpie marker and cross the big maroon M out.
Reffing Assignments
Mark my words: for reffing assignments we will get one or more of the following officials: Shepherd, Hunt Todd Anderson and or Donn Adam. I am personally think it
will be the combination of Marco Hunt and Derrick Shepherd. Look for Greg Shepherd to be at one or both games as well this weekend. I wounder if we will run into Greg and his officating crew in the bars this weekend?
Here is how Landon Wilson got hurt.
This is the fight that caused the injury to Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Landon Wilson. That looked painful and Wilson landed on his side causing a rib injury that could keep him out of action for a few weeks. Dustin Penner kind of made Wilson look like a rag doll in that exchange.
Wilson has rib injury
Landon Wilson will likely miss a few weeks of action while recovering from a rib injury, according to the Dallas Morning News. He is just relieved he did not suffer another concussion and said, "I've had a few dings in my career up there, so it's good not to get another one. I think I'm fortunate."
Our View: The club will have a better idea regarding a timetable for his return following an official diagnosis. The 33-year-old winger held little fantasy value with only two goals and six assists over 19 games this season.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Trip down memory lane.
I have to say that I wait for this match up every year. Its one of the more exciting series of the year, you know what your going to get when the hated "M" comes to town.
Of course over the years there have been a few great memories between our two storied hockey programs. The first video shown above is still funny to this day. I have only seen one other goal that was scored from that distance and it was by former Bruin defenseman Ray Bourque from about the same distance against a team that I can no longer recall. Here are some of my favorites from YouTube.COM
This video never gets old either.
This one seems like yesterday in the region of death.
In case you don't get to listen to Doug and the Rug very often here is a sample of the two in rare fashion explaining an awesome goal.
Here is a sick move by T.J. Oshie, how would he look in a Sioux uniform this weekend?
Nothing like a good fight between two willing combatants. It is a know fact that Gopher players don't liek to drop the gloves very often. Unless they are standing behind their coach in the hand shake line. Honestly, I don't expect too much of this kind of stuff this weekend. This
Poll Monday (yawn)
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Jan. 5, 2009
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Notre Dame (32) 16-3-2 504 1
2 Boston University (1) 13-4-1 472 3
3 Minnesota 10-3-5 435 4
4 Northeastern 12-4-2 360 6
5 Princeton 13-3-0 332 8
6 Cornell (1) 9-1-3 316 9
7 Denver 13-6-2 309 5
8 Miami (Ohio) 12-5-3 277 2
9 Boston College 9-5-2 261 7
10 Vermont 11-4-2 218 13
11 Michigan 13-7-0 200 11
12 Colorado College 11-6-5 164 10
13 New Hampshire 9-6-3 74 14
14 Air Farce 15-4-1 50 12
15 Ohio State 13-6-1 38 NR
Others receiving votes: Quinnipiac University, 18; Dartmouth College, 14; University of Maine, 8; University of Nebraska Omaha, 8: University of Wisconsin, 8; Yale University, 6; University of North Dakota, 4; University of Alaska, 2; Michigan State University, 2.
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
January 5, 2009
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Notre Dame (47) 16-3-2 994 1
2 Boston University ( 2) 13-4-1 940 3
3 Minnesota 10-3-5 886 4
4 Northeastern 12-4-2 782 6
5 Denver 13-6-2 720 5
6 Miami 12-5-3 697 2
7 Princeton 13-3-0 690 8
8 Cornell ( 1) 9-1-3 673 10
9 Boston College 9-5-2 660 7
10 Colorado College 11-6-5 534 9
10 Michigan 13-7-0 534 12
12 Vermont 11-4-2 513 13
13 New Hampshire 9-6-3 298 15
14 Air Farce 15-4-1 288 11
15 Dartmouth 9-5-0 198 20
16 Ohio State 13-6-1 197 NR
17 Wisconsin 10-9-3 153 14
18 Nebraska-Omaha 12-6-3 130 16
19 Alaska 10-6-4 123 18
20 Minnesota-Duluth 9-5-6 118 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Quinnipiac 111, North Dakota 88, Minnesota State 86, Yale 33, Maine 30, Massachusetts 8, St. Cloud State 7, Michigan State 6, Niagara 3
Morons are us aka "INCH"
(Link to their Power Ranking)
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Cornell
5. Denver
6. Northeastern
7. Princeton
8. Vermont
9. Miami
10. Boston College
11. Michigan
12. Colorado College
13. Ohio State
14. Dartmouth
15. Air Farce
16. New Hampshire
17. Quinnipiac
18. Wisconsin
19. Minnesota Duluth
20. Nebraska-Omaha
Dropped out: Minnesota State, Alaska
Bubble-licious: Yale, Alaska
Analysis
So we are to believe that Cornell and Princeton are better hockey teams than Denver University. I am going to say Barbara Streisand. Give me a break with that ranking. I want what the posters are smoking because I want some of that. Miami loses to two of the worst teams in Division one hockey and hardly falls, The BADgers lose two games to a crappy NMU team and they still stay in the poll. Minnesota State wins a game against UNO and all they get are votes.
Jan. 5, 2009
Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week
1 Notre Dame (32) 16-3-2 504 1
2 Boston University (1) 13-4-1 472 3
3 Minnesota 10-3-5 435 4
4 Northeastern 12-4-2 360 6
5 Princeton 13-3-0 332 8
6 Cornell (1) 9-1-3 316 9
7 Denver 13-6-2 309 5
8 Miami (Ohio) 12-5-3 277 2
9 Boston College 9-5-2 261 7
10 Vermont 11-4-2 218 13
11 Michigan 13-7-0 200 11
12 Colorado College 11-6-5 164 10
13 New Hampshire 9-6-3 74 14
14 Air Farce 15-4-1 50 12
15 Ohio State 13-6-1 38 NR
Others receiving votes: Quinnipiac University, 18; Dartmouth College, 14; University of Maine, 8; University of Nebraska Omaha, 8: University of Wisconsin, 8; Yale University, 6; University of North Dakota, 4; University of Alaska, 2; Michigan State University, 2.
USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
January 5, 2009
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Notre Dame (47) 16-3-2 994 1
2 Boston University ( 2) 13-4-1 940 3
3 Minnesota 10-3-5 886 4
4 Northeastern 12-4-2 782 6
5 Denver 13-6-2 720 5
6 Miami 12-5-3 697 2
7 Princeton 13-3-0 690 8
8 Cornell ( 1) 9-1-3 673 10
9 Boston College 9-5-2 660 7
10 Colorado College 11-6-5 534 9
10 Michigan 13-7-0 534 12
12 Vermont 11-4-2 513 13
13 New Hampshire 9-6-3 298 15
14 Air Farce 15-4-1 288 11
15 Dartmouth 9-5-0 198 20
16 Ohio State 13-6-1 197 NR
17 Wisconsin 10-9-3 153 14
18 Nebraska-Omaha 12-6-3 130 16
19 Alaska 10-6-4 123 18
20 Minnesota-Duluth 9-5-6 118 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Quinnipiac 111, North Dakota 88, Minnesota State 86, Yale 33, Maine 30, Massachusetts 8, St. Cloud State 7, Michigan State 6, Niagara 3
Morons are us aka "INCH"
(Link to their Power Ranking)
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Cornell
5. Denver
6. Northeastern
7. Princeton
8. Vermont
9. Miami
10. Boston College
11. Michigan
12. Colorado College
13. Ohio State
14. Dartmouth
15. Air Farce
16. New Hampshire
17. Quinnipiac
18. Wisconsin
19. Minnesota Duluth
20. Nebraska-Omaha
Dropped out: Minnesota State, Alaska
Bubble-licious: Yale, Alaska
Analysis
So we are to believe that Cornell and Princeton are better hockey teams than Denver University. I am going to say Barbara Streisand. Give me a break with that ranking. I want what the posters are smoking because I want some of that. Miami loses to two of the worst teams in Division one hockey and hardly falls, The BADgers lose two games to a crappy NMU team and they still stay in the poll. Minnesota State wins a game against UNO and all they get are votes.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
You have got to be kidding me?
I have been astonished at some of the comments that fans write on Brad Elliott Schlossman's blog here is the latest gem.
I wounder where they find these classless skippy's? It is easy to sit behind a anonymous name and say vile and hateful things about people when you don't have to pay for your comments. If you were to walk into a bar and say some of the things people do on message board you would be liable to get punched. Some people are just never happy unless they are constantly bitching and breaking people down. I still want to see a few of the guys tell Finley to his face that he sucks. Heck I will drive them to the arena to see big Joe Finley teach them some manners.
You have to wounder if this guys is another member of the Walski was robbed fan club? I don't know or maybe he is one of Walski's buddies. Here is some perspective: the Fighting Sioux won the game and they also won the series folks, yet people want to pick our starting goaltender and defense apart. Of the three goals scored two of them were grade "A" shots. The one goal was Brad Eidsness fault because he failed to cover his pipe, even Nikolas Bakstrom does that some times. As Brad points out Eidsness is 11-7-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .907 sv%, while Walski is 0-3 with 3.99 and .796. I am not sure why there should be any confusion. It is obvious that this guy didn't do well in his math classes.
wonder if eids will get another courtesy start from hak tonight......
I know everyone thinks hes better than walski but the reason he is playing is because he is drafted and hak is stroking the NHL guys....look at finley how many mistakes did he make his first two years because he is drafted
Oh Eids quit looking at the shoot clock every time you make a save.....if your that worried about your stats...maybe you shouldn't be the starter.........or you know the guy dressing behind you is better than you??????
Posted by: ?????????? on Saturday, January 03 10:23 AM
I wounder where they find these classless skippy's? It is easy to sit behind a anonymous name and say vile and hateful things about people when you don't have to pay for your comments. If you were to walk into a bar and say some of the things people do on message board you would be liable to get punched. Some people are just never happy unless they are constantly bitching and breaking people down. I still want to see a few of the guys tell Finley to his face that he sucks. Heck I will drive them to the arena to see big Joe Finley teach them some manners.
You have to wounder if this guys is another member of the Walski was robbed fan club? I don't know or maybe he is one of Walski's buddies. Here is some perspective: the Fighting Sioux won the game and they also won the series folks, yet people want to pick our starting goaltender and defense apart. Of the three goals scored two of them were grade "A" shots. The one goal was Brad Eidsness fault because he failed to cover his pipe, even Nikolas Bakstrom does that some times. As Brad points out Eidsness is 11-7-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .907 sv%, while Walski is 0-3 with 3.99 and .796. I am not sure why there should be any confusion. It is obvious that this guy didn't do well in his math classes.
Corey Perry elbow on Claude Giroux
Here is the latest act of aggression in the NHL. Duck player Corey Perry received a 4games suspension for this brutal cheap shot. I think the league should have given him a 5-7 game suspension. I personally believe that these types of hits have no place in hockey. You can really light a player up legally without trying to knock their head off with your elbow.
Ducks' Perry suspended for four games --- News NEW YORK: Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry has been suspended for four games, without pay, for elbowing Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux during the third period of NHL Game #564 Friday night, the National Hockey League announced.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Perry will forfeit $114,516.12. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Perry will miss Anaheim's game against Phoenix Jan. 4, the home-and-home series against Los Angeles Jan. 6 and 8, and versus Tampa Bay Jan. 9. He will be eligible to return Jan. 11 against New Jersey.
Scores from 1-3-2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Atlantic Hockey
Air Force 4 at Connecticut 3
RIT 4 at Bentley 2
Analysis
Yawn! Air Forces wins after losing Quinnipiac University and tying the University of Connecticut the weekend before. I have noticed that there isn't as much talk about Air Force being a great team and going to the NCAA tournament as there was before they started losing some games. Personally, I think Air Force fans and the hockey pundits should worry about Air Force qualifying for the National Tournament before they start the discussion again. There are not midseason awards for having a great first half of the season.
CCHA
Alaska 3 at Michigan State 1
EZAC
Harvard 1 at Princeton 5
Dartmouth 0 at Quinnipiac 6
Analysis
Nothing here to see folks. Quinnipiac might be the team that Cornell and Princeton have to worry about the most in the ECAC.
Non-Conference
Nebraska-Omaha 3 at Minnesota State 4
American Int'l 2 at Robert Morris 5
Northern Michigan 6 at Wisconsin 5 ot
Niagara 4 at Sacred Heart 2
Bemidji State 3 at North Dakota 4 ot
Analysis
Wisconsin gets swept by NMU on the weekend, I guess I didn't see that result coming. I wounder if the NMU fans are still going to be calling for Walt Kyle's head. The Sioux sweep the Beavers in a pair of hard fought 4-3 games. The MSU-M Mavericks beat the UNO Mavericks. Last season UNO keep MSU-M out of the NCAA playoffs by beating them twice in two non-conference games.
Dodge Holiday Classic
Northeastern 2 at Minnesota 3 ot
Western Michigan 1 vs. Brown 1 ot
Analysis
Minnesota ends up beating Northeastern in the championship game good for the WCHA's out of conference record after it has taken a few hits this season.
Denver Cup
Rensselaer 3 vs. Holy Cross 4
Boston University 4 at Denver 1
Analysis
Denver University gets beat by BU that was short two of their top players to the WJC. I wounder if DU just had a bad night or if BU is really just that good? I guess time will tell. This season BU has beaten some teams by some big numbers: UND 5-1, DU 4-1, Michigan 7-2.
Ohio Hockey Classic
Army 3 vs. Miami 2
Clarkson 0 at Ohio State 2
Analysis
Honestly after all the talking a certain Miami fan probably named RedHawk has done over on USCHO.COM this season I can't do anything but giggle when I see that Miami got beat by Clarkson and Army two teams at the bottom of the RPI/PWR ranking in the same weekend, it makes our lost weekend more tolerable because at least the teams that the Sioux lost to came from the CCHA and the WCHA. It just goes to show you what comes around goes around.
Catamount Cup
Ferris State 3 vs. Colgate 3 ot FSU wins shootout
St. Lawrence 0 at Vermont 4
Shillelagh Tournament
Mass.-Lowell 1 vs. Union 2
Minnesota-Duluth 1 vs. Notre Dame 3
Analysis
The Bull Dogs put on a good show this weekend. Before losing to the Fighting Irish the Bull Dogs were unbeaten in 8 games including three sister kissings.
Exhibition
Boston College 4 at New Brunswick 2
US Under-18 Team 2 at Merrimack 4
Analysis
Boston college came back to beat New Brunswick after losing the first night 5-3. When I first saw that score I thought it was a miss print.
Atlantic Hockey
Air Force 4 at Connecticut 3
RIT 4 at Bentley 2
Analysis
Yawn! Air Forces wins after losing Quinnipiac University and tying the University of Connecticut the weekend before. I have noticed that there isn't as much talk about Air Force being a great team and going to the NCAA tournament as there was before they started losing some games. Personally, I think Air Force fans and the hockey pundits should worry about Air Force qualifying for the National Tournament before they start the discussion again. There are not midseason awards for having a great first half of the season.
CCHA
Alaska 3 at Michigan State 1
EZAC
Harvard 1 at Princeton 5
Dartmouth 0 at Quinnipiac 6
Analysis
Nothing here to see folks. Quinnipiac might be the team that Cornell and Princeton have to worry about the most in the ECAC.
Non-Conference
Nebraska-Omaha 3 at Minnesota State 4
American Int'l 2 at Robert Morris 5
Northern Michigan 6 at Wisconsin 5 ot
Niagara 4 at Sacred Heart 2
Bemidji State 3 at North Dakota 4 ot
Analysis
Wisconsin gets swept by NMU on the weekend, I guess I didn't see that result coming. I wounder if the NMU fans are still going to be calling for Walt Kyle's head. The Sioux sweep the Beavers in a pair of hard fought 4-3 games. The MSU-M Mavericks beat the UNO Mavericks. Last season UNO keep MSU-M out of the NCAA playoffs by beating them twice in two non-conference games.
Dodge Holiday Classic
Northeastern 2 at Minnesota 3 ot
Western Michigan 1 vs. Brown 1 ot
Analysis
Minnesota ends up beating Northeastern in the championship game good for the WCHA's out of conference record after it has taken a few hits this season.
Denver Cup
Rensselaer 3 vs. Holy Cross 4
Boston University 4 at Denver 1
Analysis
Denver University gets beat by BU that was short two of their top players to the WJC. I wounder if DU just had a bad night or if BU is really just that good? I guess time will tell. This season BU has beaten some teams by some big numbers: UND 5-1, DU 4-1, Michigan 7-2.
Ohio Hockey Classic
Army 3 vs. Miami 2
Clarkson 0 at Ohio State 2
Analysis
Honestly after all the talking a certain Miami fan probably named RedHawk has done over on USCHO.COM this season I can't do anything but giggle when I see that Miami got beat by Clarkson and Army two teams at the bottom of the RPI/PWR ranking in the same weekend, it makes our lost weekend more tolerable because at least the teams that the Sioux lost to came from the CCHA and the WCHA. It just goes to show you what comes around goes around.
Catamount Cup
Ferris State 3 vs. Colgate 3 ot FSU wins shootout
St. Lawrence 0 at Vermont 4
Shillelagh Tournament
Mass.-Lowell 1 vs. Union 2
Minnesota-Duluth 1 vs. Notre Dame 3
Analysis
The Bull Dogs put on a good show this weekend. Before losing to the Fighting Irish the Bull Dogs were unbeaten in 8 games including three sister kissings.
Exhibition
Boston College 4 at New Brunswick 2
US Under-18 Team 2 at Merrimack 4
Analysis
Boston college came back to beat New Brunswick after losing the first night 5-3. When I first saw that score I thought it was a miss print.
Two former Sioux score in the same game.
Last night two former Fighting Sioux hockey players scored in the same game. Here is the goal that Columbus Blue Jacket Mike Commodore scored on the Blues.
Not to be out done, former Fighting Sioux star T.J. Oshie scored his third goal of the season against Steve Mason. T.J. Oshie has points in all three of his games since returning from a leg injury.
The Blues won the game 5-2.
Fedor Tyutin vs David Backes
David Backes has proved to be a pretty good NHL hockey player and a decent fighter. The fight is the result of a questionable hit that former MSU-M player David Backes puts a on Columbus player Kristian Huselius. You wonder if Backes will be disciplined by the NHL league office? I don't think in the end he will,it he is it wont be that long of a suspension. Backes isn't known for being a dirty player.
Check out the write up on the Columbus site:
Notes: Blues forward David Backes drew a game misconduct with about five minutes left in the first after apparently cross-checking Kristian Huselius in the mouth, although Murray thought only both players' sticks made contact. Huselius was hit after stopping just short of a check only seconds after Backes and Jackman sandwiched Nash on an open-ice hit. ... Tkachuk has 87 power-play goals with the Blues in parts of eight seasons, passing Garry Unger for fourth on the franchise career list. ... Nash has 10 points, eight assists, in the last five games.
Sioux vs Gophers week.
Here are a few things that should get you in the mood for this weekends series against the Golden Rodents of Minnesota. Lets just say that there is a lot of history between the two teams. Sometimes the results don't always go our way.
I look forward to these games every season when old rivals can get together to play some hockey and possibly exchange a few pleasantries. I am sure we are going to hear how UND is a bunch of hacks.
Lets just say I expect the Fighting Sioux to ready to play and I can't wait to see how the guys respond in this series.
In years past you would hear a lot of silly comments about UND using a bunch of 25 year old Canadians and how their titles don't count because they cheated. One of my favorites is how the Sioux are a bunch of goons and hacks. Most come backs against Gopher fans can be trumped with 7>5.
Zach Parise makes Puck Daddy's Friday's three stars.
Former Fighting Sioux star aka "God" to the Gopher fans made Puck Daddy's Fridays three stars list. Nice to see Zach get noticed for his stellar play. Parise has been on fire this season and is 5th over-all in the NHL in scoring.
No. 2 star: Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils
The leaders in the Art Ross race were mostly usual suspects before Parise crashed the party Friday with two points to jump past Jarome Iginla into fifth place with 46 points. Parise scored the game-winner late in the first period, doing a nice job of showing pass before sliding one past Montreal's Jaroslav Halak. You'll want to check the highlights for the behind-the-back, behind-the-net pass that allowed Jamie Langenbrunner to put his 10-game goalless drought to bed. Simply a thing of beauty.
SIOUX 4 BEAVERS 3
The Fighting Sioux improved to 11-10-1 on the season and evened their non-conference record 5-5 overall with a series sweep of the gritty and tough Bemidji State University Beavers. Every game from here on out is a playoff game, the guys have gotten themselves into a whole and must claw their way out. Even with losing two games last weekend UND is 6-2 in their last 8 games. Taking it further UND is 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Donna from Runnin With the Dogs got me thinking about this series results with a comment she made about last night's game. Sioux fans; we can't just expect our team to go into the Glas or the REA and blow out the BSU Beavers, our team has to earn it. The Beavers are a good team and they play with emotion and grit. The Beavers are a direct reflection of the coach standing behind their bench. Bemidji should be commended and congratulated on their play this weekend.
Sioux return to WCHA this weekend
This weekend the Fighting Sioux return to league play as they face off against their hated rival the “Dirty Minnesota Golden Gophers”. The Sioux have are currently sitting in 6th place of the league standings and have an unimpressive record of 6-5-1. The Sioux are almost at the half way point; they have 16 games remaining of their WCHA conference schedule. There are eight games at home and eight games on the road. The time to make a move is now.
Another blown call?
I went home after the game to review the goal that was waved off and it appears that the refs blew another call. While Genoway was in the crease he was pushed in the crease by the BSU defender and the goal was incorrectly called off. Sioux7 asked if the WCHA league office still has their forum letter typed up from last season? That is the second legitimate goal that UND has had waived off at home this season.
Bits and pieces
It is no secret that Fighting Sioux forward Ryan Duncan is struggling this season. Dunc has 1 assist in the last 6 games. The Sioux need to have their top forwards clicking going into the last half of the season. While some would say, "see I told you he was overrated". Response to those people is that you don't get to play of top lines and win the Hobey Baker if your a hack. Ryan Ducan is a skilled forward with good offensive skills that will find his way again soon. Mark my words. I thinking that there is no time like the present to break out of the slump.
Positives
The following players have impressed me this season with their play game in game out: Jason Gregoire (5-7-12), Brett Hextall (8-5-13), Matt Frattin (8-5-13), Chay Genoway (2-19-21), Brad Miller (4-17-21). I look for these players to make a bigger contribution the second half of the season.
I told someone that Brad Malone has made some great strides this season. In the face off circle and on the penalty kill Brad Malone has played solid defensive hockey. Malone is also starting to contribute on the score sheet as well.
Vandy breaks out
Fighting Sioux junior forward Chris VandeVelde (7-9-16) aka VV has had what I would call a hot and cold season so far. After this weekend it would appear that Vandy is starting to heat up at the right time as Chris scored three goals and one assist on the weekend. After watching the winning goal I honestly thought that VandeVelde has redirected the puck into the net but they gave the goal to Hextall.
BOX SCORE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMJ 1 - 0 6x6 Brad Hunt (4) (Tyler Scofield, Matt Read) 0:27
BMJ (+): 29,13,19,17,7,G35 NDK (-): 19,29,2,5,21,G31
BMJ 2 - 0 6x6 Matt Francis (5) (Matt Read) 5:07
BMJ (+): 13,19,17,9,5,G35 NDK (-): 26,18,25,6,22,G31
BMJ-1 Jamie MacQueen (2-Slashing) NDK 1x1 6:05
NDK 1 - 2 6x5 PP Chris VandeVelde (6) (Brad Miller, Jake Marto) 6:54
NDK: 29,14,25,16,26,G31 BMJ: 17,5,23,9,G35
BMJ-2 Darcy Findlay (2-Tripping) NDK 1x2 11:00
BMJ-3 Chris Peluso (2-Tripping) NDK 1x3 11:37
BMJ-4 Travis Winter (2-Holding the Stick) 13:00
NDK-1 Matt Frattin (2-CONTACT TO THE HEAD) 13:00
NDK-2 Jason Gregoire (2-High-Sticking) BMJ 0x1 17:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMJ-5 Darcy Findlay (2-Interference) NDK 1x4 3:52
NDK-3 Brad Miller (2-Interference) BMJ 0x2 4:36
NDK-4 Darcy Zajac (2-Interference) BMJ 0x3 11:47
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Chris VandeVelde (7) (Darcy Zajac, Matt Watkins) 14:28
NDK (+): 29,11,20,25,24,G31 BMJ (-): 19,17,13,9,5,G35
BMJ-6 Brandon Marino (2-Boarding) NDK 1x5 15:39
NDK-5 Matt Frattin (2-High-Sticking) BMJ 0x4 18:52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMJ-7 Chris McKelvie (2-Interference) NDK 1x6 6:12
NDK-6 Joe Finley (2-Tripping) BMJ 1x5 8:56
NDK 3 - 2 5x6 SH Jason Gregoire (5) (Chay Genoway) 9:55
NDK (+): 17,5,16,6,G31 BMJ (-): 21,22,8,9,29,G35
BMJ 3 - 3 6x5 PP Tyler Scofield (8) (Chris Peluso, Cody Bostock) 10:44
BMJ: 13,9,19,7,17,G35 NDK: 17,16,3,25,G31
BMJ-8 Brad Hunt (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 2x7 19:01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overtime (0:31)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 4 - 3 6x5 PP GW LL Brett Hextall (8) (Brad Miller, Chay Genoway) 0:31
NDK: 26,14,5,29,16,G31 BMJ: 21,13,5,9,G35
BMJ-9 Graham McManamin (2-Roughing) 0:31
BMJ-10 Graham McManamin (2-Roughing) 0:31
BMJ-11 Graham McManamin (10-Misconduct) 0:31
NDK-7 Matt Watkins (2-Roughing) 0:31
NDK-8 Matt Watkins (2-Roughing) 0:31
NDK-9 Matt Watkins (10-Misconduct) 0:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Donna from Runnin With the Dogs got me thinking about this series results with a comment she made about last night's game. Sioux fans; we can't just expect our team to go into the Glas or the REA and blow out the BSU Beavers, our team has to earn it. The Beavers are a good team and they play with emotion and grit. The Beavers are a direct reflection of the coach standing behind their bench. Bemidji should be commended and congratulated on their play this weekend.
Sioux return to WCHA this weekend
This weekend the Fighting Sioux return to league play as they face off against their hated rival the “Dirty Minnesota Golden Gophers”. The Sioux have are currently sitting in 6th place of the league standings and have an unimpressive record of 6-5-1. The Sioux are almost at the half way point; they have 16 games remaining of their WCHA conference schedule. There are eight games at home and eight games on the road. The time to make a move is now.
Another blown call?
I went home after the game to review the goal that was waved off and it appears that the refs blew another call. While Genoway was in the crease he was pushed in the crease by the BSU defender and the goal was incorrectly called off. Sioux7 asked if the WCHA league office still has their forum letter typed up from last season? That is the second legitimate goal that UND has had waived off at home this season.
Bits and pieces
It is no secret that Fighting Sioux forward Ryan Duncan is struggling this season. Dunc has 1 assist in the last 6 games. The Sioux need to have their top forwards clicking going into the last half of the season. While some would say, "see I told you he was overrated". Response to those people is that you don't get to play of top lines and win the Hobey Baker if your a hack. Ryan Ducan is a skilled forward with good offensive skills that will find his way again soon. Mark my words. I thinking that there is no time like the present to break out of the slump.
Positives
The following players have impressed me this season with their play game in game out: Jason Gregoire (5-7-12), Brett Hextall (8-5-13), Matt Frattin (8-5-13), Chay Genoway (2-19-21), Brad Miller (4-17-21). I look for these players to make a bigger contribution the second half of the season.
I told someone that Brad Malone has made some great strides this season. In the face off circle and on the penalty kill Brad Malone has played solid defensive hockey. Malone is also starting to contribute on the score sheet as well.
Vandy breaks out
Fighting Sioux junior forward Chris VandeVelde (7-9-16) aka VV has had what I would call a hot and cold season so far. After this weekend it would appear that Vandy is starting to heat up at the right time as Chris scored three goals and one assist on the weekend. After watching the winning goal I honestly thought that VandeVelde has redirected the puck into the net but they gave the goal to Hextall.
BOX SCORE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMJ 1 - 0 6x6 Brad Hunt (4) (Tyler Scofield, Matt Read) 0:27
BMJ (+): 29,13,19,17,7,G35 NDK (-): 19,29,2,5,21,G31
BMJ 2 - 0 6x6 Matt Francis (5) (Matt Read) 5:07
BMJ (+): 13,19,17,9,5,G35 NDK (-): 26,18,25,6,22,G31
BMJ-1 Jamie MacQueen (2-Slashing) NDK 1x1 6:05
NDK 1 - 2 6x5 PP Chris VandeVelde (6) (Brad Miller, Jake Marto) 6:54
NDK: 29,14,25,16,26,G31 BMJ: 17,5,23,9,G35
BMJ-2 Darcy Findlay (2-Tripping) NDK 1x2 11:00
BMJ-3 Chris Peluso (2-Tripping) NDK 1x3 11:37
BMJ-4 Travis Winter (2-Holding the Stick) 13:00
NDK-1 Matt Frattin (2-CONTACT TO THE HEAD) 13:00
NDK-2 Jason Gregoire (2-High-Sticking) BMJ 0x1 17:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMJ-5 Darcy Findlay (2-Interference) NDK 1x4 3:52
NDK-3 Brad Miller (2-Interference) BMJ 0x2 4:36
NDK-4 Darcy Zajac (2-Interference) BMJ 0x3 11:47
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Chris VandeVelde (7) (Darcy Zajac, Matt Watkins) 14:28
NDK (+): 29,11,20,25,24,G31 BMJ (-): 19,17,13,9,5,G35
BMJ-6 Brandon Marino (2-Boarding) NDK 1x5 15:39
NDK-5 Matt Frattin (2-High-Sticking) BMJ 0x4 18:52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMJ-7 Chris McKelvie (2-Interference) NDK 1x6 6:12
NDK-6 Joe Finley (2-Tripping) BMJ 1x5 8:56
NDK 3 - 2 5x6 SH Jason Gregoire (5) (Chay Genoway) 9:55
NDK (+): 17,5,16,6,G31 BMJ (-): 21,22,8,9,29,G35
BMJ 3 - 3 6x5 PP Tyler Scofield (8) (Chris Peluso, Cody Bostock) 10:44
BMJ: 13,9,19,7,17,G35 NDK: 17,16,3,25,G31
BMJ-8 Brad Hunt (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 2x7 19:01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overtime (0:31)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 4 - 3 6x5 PP GW LL Brett Hextall (8) (Brad Miller, Chay Genoway) 0:31
NDK: 26,14,5,29,16,G31 BMJ: 21,13,5,9,G35
BMJ-9 Graham McManamin (2-Roughing) 0:31
BMJ-10 Graham McManamin (2-Roughing) 0:31
BMJ-11 Graham McManamin (10-Misconduct) 0:31
NDK-7 Matt Watkins (2-Roughing) 0:31
NDK-8 Matt Watkins (2-Roughing) 0:31
NDK-9 Matt Watkins (10-Misconduct) 0:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Friday, January 02, 2009
Sioux 4 Beavers 3 (FSSN Rant)
This was the first time since UND started playing BSU in Bemidji that I haven't attended the game(s). This year I forgot to schedule the time off from work, over sight on my part and being that it is a holiday weekend my work schedule didn't allow me to make the trip. Snooze you lose. Next year I won't let that happen because this is the one away trip that I enjoy the most, next to the final five of course.
Originally Pat Sweeny had announced that FSSN was going to cover the game in Bemidji but apparently Pat had misspoke and the game ended up not being on FSSN. I think in the end that was a poor move by WDAZ/FSSN but what do you expect from a second tier television station. For what ever reason WDAZ/FSSN doesn’t want to cover Fighting Sioux hockey on a full time basis; and they only want to cover the games at the REA.
Grand Forks is all about the Fighting Sioux hockey team and I am pretty sure the stations sales department can find the needed sponsorship to fund the television broadcasts for Fighting Sioux hockey. I think it is utterly unacceptable that one of the bench mark programs in division one hockey can’t have their away games on television. Maybe UND needs to market its self better and find a better television station to cover the team. You mean to tell me you can’t travel 121 miles to the John Glas Field house in Bemidji, MN to cover a hockey game. Heck you probably could have payed KBSU 17 to put the broadcast on channel 23. Come on lets be a little more creative.
No FSSN No problem
I had the opportunity to watch the game on B2 which turned out to be a pretty good broadcast. Calling the game for the KBSU 17 was former Beaver forward Eric Monsrud and Scott Williams. Scott and Eric did a good job calling the game even being from the other team’s broadcast team.
I have to say theses two guys are much easier to listen to than some of the clowns we have heard this year via the Internet broadcast (copy right Harvard and MSU). Also they are way more objective and we didn’t have to listen play by play man cheering on his squad ever move and great play copy right “the Rug”. Thank God we also didn’t have to listen to the home town broadcast team slaughter Jason Gregoire’s name.
Hey guys we won
After reading siouxsports.com you would have thought the Sioux had lost the game. On the ice the post game celebration was subdued as well. At the end of the game the Beavers hit the post with time expiring. The Sioux players just stood on the ice emotionless. Hey guys we won the game, nothing to be ashamed of here.
Positives of the game
UND moves up to 23rd in the Pair wise rankings with a win tonight.
Sophomore forward Evan Trupp was 1-2-3 for the game tonight.
UND moves back to .500 with a win tonight.
Junior Forward Chris VandeVelde 1-1-2 for the game tonight.
Freshman Brad Eidsness 10-7-1 picks up the win making some key saves at the end of the game to preserve the win.
Trupp, Hextall, Frattin and Jason Gregoire are making a contributions in each and every facet of the game.
The Fighting Sioux known in the past for taking a lot of penalties took three minor penalties the whole night. The Fighting Sioux had to kill only one penalty for 11 seconds all night. I guess you can't call the Sioux a bunch of goons any more eh?
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Chris VandeVelde (5) (Evan Trupp, Matt Frattin) 1:41
NDK (+): 29,19,21,2,5,G31 BMJ (-): 3,4,20,15,11,G1
BMJ 1 - 1 6x6 Matt Read (6) (Tyler Scofield, Matt Francis) 5:51
BMJ (+): 19,13,17,7,29,G1 NDK (-): 10,26,22,3,24,G31
BMJ 2 - 1 6x6 Ryan Cramer (1) (Shea Walters, Ben Kinne) 6:26
BMJ (+): 15,9,20,5,11,G1 NDK (-): 20,8,2,11,5,G31
BMJ-1 Tyler Scofield (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 8:08
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Evan Trupp (3) (Chris VandeVelde, Matt Frattin) 13:51
NDK (+): 19,29,21,24,3,G31 BMJ (-): 13,17,7,29,19,G1
NDK-1 Brad Miller (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 14:11
BMJ-2 Cody Bostock (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 14:11
BMJ 3 - 2 6x6 Tyler Scofield (7) (Matt Read) 18:22
BMJ (+): 13,19,5,17,9,G1 NDK (-): 14,25,16,17,6,G31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 3 - 3 6x6 Brett Hextall (7) (Brad Malone, Andrew Kozek) 3:00 NDK (+): 26,22,10,5,2,G31 BMJ (-): 22,23,6,4,3,G1
BMJ-3 BENCH (2-TOO MANY PLAYERS ON ICE) (Served by Darcy Findlay) NDK 0x2 3:45
BMJ-4 Chris Peluso (2-Interference) NDK 1x3 6:40
NDK 4 - 3 6x5 PP GW LL Ryan Martens (8) (Jason Gregoire, Evan Trupp) 7:11
NDK: 8,17,21,19,5,G31 BMJ: 17,29,23,7,G1
NDK-2 Chris VandeVelde (2-Diving) 7:58
BMJ-5 Graham McManamin (2-CHECKING) 7:58
BMJ-6 Chris Peluso (2-Slashing) NDK 1x4 9:11
BMJ-7 Cody Bostock (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 17:09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timeout - Bemidji State 18:44
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-CHECKING) BMJ 0x1 19:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Originally Pat Sweeny had announced that FSSN was going to cover the game in Bemidji but apparently Pat had misspoke and the game ended up not being on FSSN. I think in the end that was a poor move by WDAZ/FSSN but what do you expect from a second tier television station. For what ever reason WDAZ/FSSN doesn’t want to cover Fighting Sioux hockey on a full time basis; and they only want to cover the games at the REA.
Grand Forks is all about the Fighting Sioux hockey team and I am pretty sure the stations sales department can find the needed sponsorship to fund the television broadcasts for Fighting Sioux hockey. I think it is utterly unacceptable that one of the bench mark programs in division one hockey can’t have their away games on television. Maybe UND needs to market its self better and find a better television station to cover the team. You mean to tell me you can’t travel 121 miles to the John Glas Field house in Bemidji, MN to cover a hockey game. Heck you probably could have payed KBSU 17 to put the broadcast on channel 23. Come on lets be a little more creative.
No FSSN No problem
I had the opportunity to watch the game on B2 which turned out to be a pretty good broadcast. Calling the game for the KBSU 17 was former Beaver forward Eric Monsrud and Scott Williams. Scott and Eric did a good job calling the game even being from the other team’s broadcast team.
I have to say theses two guys are much easier to listen to than some of the clowns we have heard this year via the Internet broadcast (copy right Harvard and MSU). Also they are way more objective and we didn’t have to listen play by play man cheering on his squad ever move and great play copy right “the Rug”. Thank God we also didn’t have to listen to the home town broadcast team slaughter Jason Gregoire’s name.
Hey guys we won
After reading siouxsports.com you would have thought the Sioux had lost the game. On the ice the post game celebration was subdued as well. At the end of the game the Beavers hit the post with time expiring. The Sioux players just stood on the ice emotionless. Hey guys we won the game, nothing to be ashamed of here.
Positives of the game
UND moves up to 23rd in the Pair wise rankings with a win tonight.
Sophomore forward Evan Trupp was 1-2-3 for the game tonight.
UND moves back to .500 with a win tonight.
Junior Forward Chris VandeVelde 1-1-2 for the game tonight.
Freshman Brad Eidsness 10-7-1 picks up the win making some key saves at the end of the game to preserve the win.
Trupp, Hextall, Frattin and Jason Gregoire are making a contributions in each and every facet of the game.
The Fighting Sioux known in the past for taking a lot of penalties took three minor penalties the whole night. The Fighting Sioux had to kill only one penalty for 11 seconds all night. I guess you can't call the Sioux a bunch of goons any more eh?
Goals Scoring/Penalties Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Chris VandeVelde (5) (Evan Trupp, Matt Frattin) 1:41
NDK (+): 29,19,21,2,5,G31 BMJ (-): 3,4,20,15,11,G1
BMJ 1 - 1 6x6 Matt Read (6) (Tyler Scofield, Matt Francis) 5:51
BMJ (+): 19,13,17,7,29,G1 NDK (-): 10,26,22,3,24,G31
BMJ 2 - 1 6x6 Ryan Cramer (1) (Shea Walters, Ben Kinne) 6:26
BMJ (+): 15,9,20,5,11,G1 NDK (-): 20,8,2,11,5,G31
BMJ-1 Tyler Scofield (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 8:08
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Evan Trupp (3) (Chris VandeVelde, Matt Frattin) 13:51
NDK (+): 19,29,21,24,3,G31 BMJ (-): 13,17,7,29,19,G1
NDK-1 Brad Miller (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 14:11
BMJ-2 Cody Bostock (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 14:11
BMJ 3 - 2 6x6 Tyler Scofield (7) (Matt Read) 18:22
BMJ (+): 13,19,5,17,9,G1 NDK (-): 14,25,16,17,6,G31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 3 - 3 6x6 Brett Hextall (7) (Brad Malone, Andrew Kozek) 3:00 NDK (+): 26,22,10,5,2,G31 BMJ (-): 22,23,6,4,3,G1
BMJ-3 BENCH (2-TOO MANY PLAYERS ON ICE) (Served by Darcy Findlay) NDK 0x2 3:45
BMJ-4 Chris Peluso (2-Interference) NDK 1x3 6:40
NDK 4 - 3 6x5 PP GW LL Ryan Martens (8) (Jason Gregoire, Evan Trupp) 7:11
NDK: 8,17,21,19,5,G31 BMJ: 17,29,23,7,G1
NDK-2 Chris VandeVelde (2-Diving) 7:58
BMJ-5 Graham McManamin (2-CHECKING) 7:58
BMJ-6 Chris Peluso (2-Slashing) NDK 1x4 9:11
BMJ-7 Cody Bostock (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 17:09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timeout - Bemidji State 18:44
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-CHECKING) BMJ 0x1 19:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
Should the NHL suspend Ovechkin?
I saw this over on Puck Daddy. Check out Alexander Ovechkin's hit on Jamie Heward its definitely a questionable and bush league hit and one has to wonder if the NHL brass has the intestinal fortitude to suspend one of the NHL’s top draws?
I think the league will review the hit and give Ovechkin nothing. Personally, I think the league office needs to send Alex a message and suspend him for 2-3 games. Just because you are a super star doesn't mean you are above the rules and can do anything that you want.
Lines for UND and BSU
Brad Elliott Schlossman has posted the lines for tonights game in Bemidji. Game time is at 19:35 hours.
UND's lines
17 Jason Gregoire (4-6-10) -- 16 Ryan Duncan (7-8-15) -- 14 Brad Miller (4-15-19)
20 Matt Watkins (3-4-7) -- 11 Darcy Zajac (2-6-8) -- 8 Ryan Martens (7-7-14)
19 Evan Trupp (2-4-6) -- 29 Chris VandeVelde (4-8-12) -- 21 Matt Frattin (8-3-11)
10 Andrew Kozek 3-4-7) -- 22 Brad Malone (2-3-5) -- 26 Brett Hextall (6-5-11)
2 Joe Finley (0-1-1)-- 5 Chay Genoway (2-17-19)
6 Zach Jones (1-0-1) -- 25 Jake Marto (1-3-4)
24 Ben Blood (0-0-0) -- 3 Derrick LaPoint (1-1-2)
31 Brad Eidsness 9-7-1 GAA 2.64 sv% .910
30 Aaron Walski
I guess I am kind of surprised that Miller isn't playing on defense. I really like Miller back on the point. I guess the coach wants to get Blood and Fienhage in the line up this weekend.
Bemidji State's lines
13 Tyler Scofield--19 Matt Read--17 Matt Francis
28 Jamie MacQueen--8 Travis Winter--21 Brandon Marino
20 Ben Kinne--11 Shea Walters--15 Ryan Cramer
22 Ian Lowe--23 Chris McKelvie--6 Darcy Findlay
9 Chris Peluso--5 Graham McManamin
7 Cody Bostock--29 Brad Hunt
4 Dan McIntyre--3 Ryan Adams
1 Matt Dalton
35 Orlando Alamano
33 Dan Bakala
UND's lines
17 Jason Gregoire (4-6-10) -- 16 Ryan Duncan (7-8-15) -- 14 Brad Miller (4-15-19)
20 Matt Watkins (3-4-7) -- 11 Darcy Zajac (2-6-8) -- 8 Ryan Martens (7-7-14)
19 Evan Trupp (2-4-6) -- 29 Chris VandeVelde (4-8-12) -- 21 Matt Frattin (8-3-11)
10 Andrew Kozek 3-4-7) -- 22 Brad Malone (2-3-5) -- 26 Brett Hextall (6-5-11)
2 Joe Finley (0-1-1)-- 5 Chay Genoway (2-17-19)
6 Zach Jones (1-0-1) -- 25 Jake Marto (1-3-4)
24 Ben Blood (0-0-0) -- 3 Derrick LaPoint (1-1-2)
31 Brad Eidsness 9-7-1 GAA 2.64 sv% .910
30 Aaron Walski
I guess I am kind of surprised that Miller isn't playing on defense. I really like Miller back on the point. I guess the coach wants to get Blood and Fienhage in the line up this weekend.
Bemidji State's lines
13 Tyler Scofield--19 Matt Read--17 Matt Francis
28 Jamie MacQueen--8 Travis Winter--21 Brandon Marino
20 Ben Kinne--11 Shea Walters--15 Ryan Cramer
22 Ian Lowe--23 Chris McKelvie--6 Darcy Findlay
9 Chris Peluso--5 Graham McManamin
7 Cody Bostock--29 Brad Hunt
4 Dan McIntyre--3 Ryan Adams
1 Matt Dalton
35 Orlando Alamano
33 Dan Bakala
Gabby is mailing it in.
The saga of Minnesota's selfish super star continues but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I will be glad when this season is over and Wild fans can wave goodbye to GM Doug Risebrough, prima donna Marian Gaborik and head coach Jacques Lemaire because this season has been a train wreck and it is only going to get worse. It's time for a major shakeup of the Minnesota Wild Hockey team. Here is the latest from the Michael Russo.
Doug Risebrough made it pretty clear on the conference call that he’d prefer Gaborik continue playing and not have surgery, saying, “I’m disappointed that he won’t be here with us for this point in the season. But, you know, this is the choice that Marian has made. So I have no other comment.”
Gaborik made very clear that he’s 26 years old and he is unwilling to jeopardize the rest of his career by ruining his hip. He said it very tough not playing, but this is something he has to get fixed. He said if he was 38, it’d be a different story.
He said his plan is to definitely return this season, but he’s got to be smart. He said he believes the hip problems have been the cause of his career-long groin problems, and that this will solve it for good. As an example, he said he’s had no right groin problems after his right hip surgery.
Incidentally, Gaborik is not happy with all the talk that he’s not willing to play through 100 percent and that he’s “milking” the injury. I’ll have more on this on the blog later and in tomorrow’s article
The latest hockey show is up. (UND and BSU)
Here is the (link) to the Hockey show. Moose and Scott and their perspective on the up coming game.
Scott and Moose on the Sioux.
Have heard some Sioux fans complaining about the goaltender. Looking at the numbers he isn't too bad.
There is 13 draft picks on this team so they are going to be good.
Scott and Moose on the Sioux.
Have heard some Sioux fans complaining about the goaltender. Looking at the numbers he isn't too bad.
There is 13 draft picks on this team so they are going to be good.
Two Gophers and one Eagle.
They are not all on the same team but they had a hand in the out come of the game as the Boston Bruins remained hot and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 to sweep the home and home series against last year's Stanley Cup runner up. Yep the Bruins are tied with the San Jose Sharks for the NHL's best team.
Former Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler continues to impress the naysayers as Wheeler added another assist on David Krejci's 14th goal of the season. David Krejci is also second on the Bruins in points with (14 goals - 27 assists - 41 points).
Former Boston College Eagle and Sioux killer Chuck Kobasew assisted on Milian Lucic's 11th goal of the season.
Former Golden Gopher and current Penguin Alex Goligoski remained hot as he assisted on Dustin Jeffrey first goal of the year.
Former Wild Goalie Manny Fernandez is impressed with the Bruin's season so far:
"It is unbelievable to do what we are doing," Fernandez said. "Looking at those numbers kinds of scares me... you don't want to be the one to drop the ball."
Fernandez improved to 9-0-0 at home. Boston has only two regulation losses since Oct. 30 and its winning streak is its longest since March 9-28, 1973.
With the home-and-home sweep over the Penguins, the Bruins also moved into the top spot in the NHL with 62 points, one more than idle San Jose.
"When you have that kind of talent on the other side ... you have to be extremely disciplined and I like the way we responded," Bruins coach Claude Julien said.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Gophers coach might miss game due to illness.
This just came across the wire. Gophers Hockey coach Don Lucia may miss Friday's game because of an undiclosed illness. I hope that Lucia's illness is nothing serious and he can return to the bench soon.
By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune --- Last update: January 1, 2009 - 10:00 PM
Gophers men's hockey coach Don Lucia never has missed a game because of illness in 22seasons as a head coach at three colleges. That streak might end tonight when the Gophers play Brown at 7:07 p.m. in the second game of the Dodge Holiday Classic at Mariucci Arena.
Lucia has made only one brief appearance this week at the rink because of an undisclosed medical problem. Whether Lucia returns tonight depends on how well he feels, said Jim Strick, the men's hockey sports information director for the university.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)