Randomization...

Excuse me if I am a little giddy today after watching my favorite team the Boston Bruins take apart their last two opponents scoring 12 goals in two games and giving up a meager one goal. How about Bruins goalie Tim Thomas for the league MVP? It seems the roar of the late 1980's early 1990's is back in Boston. I used to live in the Boston area from 1988 - 1990 and I was able to go to seven Bruin's game at the old Boston Garden. In my opinion this years Boston Bruin's hockey team is probably better than the team(s) that went to the Stanley cup playoffs in 1987-1988 and 1989-1990 season. This Years Bruins are bigger, bader, tough and better offensively and defensively that the last two Bruin's teams that went to the Stanley Cup finals.

First after re-watching the Lucic and Brown fight In response to BrentB's comments on another blog post; Yeah I think Milan Lucic crossed the line and violated the code last night by hitting a player that was laying on the ice. Was Lucic justified because Brown hit him before Lucic was ready to fight, I don't know. Here is what Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe had to say on the matter.

* Based on the ruling on Mike Brown (instigating, fighting, 10-minute misconduct), Milan Lucic had a reason to be upset with the Duck's early right to start their fight. The replay showed that Lucic might not have finished shedding his gloves before Brown got in his first pop. That shot prompted Lucic to continue punching Brown when he hit the deck -- usually considered a no-no between fighters.

Here is what Blake Wheeler had to say about last night's game.

"I think guys are playing more loose," said Blake Wheeler, who had two assists. "It might sound like a really easy thing to just flip the switch. But sometimes it's the hardest thing in the world out there to just relax, play your game, let loose, and go about your business. Everyone wanted to do the right thing. When we were struggling for a little bit, everyone wanted to get things going the right way and take it upon themselves. As a group, I think we've found our rhythm again with that calmness. We're going out there and reacting and just playing hard. We're confident that the results are going to be there."

The Boston Bruins are a little banged up after playing against the Dirty Ducks last night. The game was a head banger's ball.

Marc Savard and Milan Lucic, kept out of practice today because of upper-body injuries, are questionable for tomorrow. Marc Savard, roughed up in last night's second period, is questionable for tomorrow. Blake Wheeler took a Chris Pronger shot off the foot in the first period and didn't practice today, but Claude Julien said the rookie should be available tomorrow. Julien said there could be promotions from Providence today if neither Savard nor Lucic can go tomorrow.

A couple of former Fighting Sioux made Puck Daddy's Thursday's three stars. First Zach Parise made the second star of the night. Nice to see Zach Parise doing well, too bad it's for the New Jersey Devils. I hope the New Jersey Devils fall flat on their faces during the NHL playoffs. (Sorry Sioux7)

No. 2 star: Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils We hate to double up on a full-slate night, but Parise and his linemates were that dominant in keeping the heat off Brodeur in his return after four months in mothballs. Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner and Travis Zajac combined for eight points and half of New Jersey's 32 shots. The highlight goal of the evening came when Parise out-muscled Adam Foote before beating Raycroft top-shelf from close range. The goal was his 36th, tying him with Jeff Carter for second in the NHL. Parise added two assists and did some uncredited dirty work in front of the net on the Devils' fourth goal.

It sounds like former Fighting Sioux defensman Brian Lee didn't win over the hearts and minds of the officials last night as he spent a fair amount of time in the Sin Bin.

Ottawa rookie defenseman Brian Lee was called for three minor penalties in the second period against San Jose. The Sens killed the first infraction, but the Sharks scored twice when Lee protested a holding call and had an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty added to his punishment. Final score: 2-1.

The paint thinner will be flowing in Madison

The blog that Yost Built is reporting that Wisconsin and Michigan will be playing in an outdoor hockey game at Camp Randall the day before the Superbowl. Personally, I think the outdoor games are a mildly entertaining gimmick and your at the mercy of mother nature. I can't imagine sitting at a game a Memorial Stadium in Grand Forks, ND freezing in sub zero weather. I also have to admit that I have watched all the outdoor games to date.

Wisconsin formally invites Michigan Wolverines to play outdoor hockey game at Camp Randall Stadium next February
by Kevin Ryan | The Ann Arbor News
Thursday February 26, 2009, 6:34 PM
The University of Wisconsin is banking on Camp Randall Stadium to draw a world-record crowd next year, but not for football.

The university has tendered a formal contract to the University of Michigan for an outdoor hockey game to be played at the 80,321-seat stadium Feb. 6, and the Wolverines are expected to accept the offer, Michigan associate head coach Mel Pearson said Thursday afternoon.

"We're just sort of reviewing (the contract) right now just to make sure everything checks out OK," Pearson said, adding he couldn't provide more details.

If Camp Randall filled to capacity for the Saturday game, it would shatter the current outdoor attendance record, which involves the Wolverines. Michigan and its biggest hockey rival, Michigan State, played to a 3-3 tie before 74,544 fans at Spartan Stadium on Oct. 6, 2001, in a game dubbed "The Cold War."

Fight night in Boston.

The "Big Bad Bruins" are back. I just got done watching the Ducks and Bruins beat each other up on my DVR. Wow! You have got to love the way Bruins TV announcer Jack Edwards calls a hockey fight. On the Lucic fight, I think Andy Brickley is right Mike Brown broke the code when he sucker punched Lucic in front of the Ducks goal and Milan Lucic hammered him. Incidentally, Milan Lucic suffered an upper body injury tonight and didn't play in the third period and I wonder if he broke his hand beating up Brown because he seemed to be favoring right hand in the penalty box after the fight with Brown. I am sure we will find out soon.

In the heavy weight fight of the night Shawn Thornton fought former Princeton grad George Parros. I have to give Thornton credit for fighting Parros because that is about only thing he is good at doing. Parros also took a run at Bruins Star Marc Savard tonight during the second period.

(Hockey fights on the game tonight) It seems that the Bruins have fought in bunches this season. The majority of the team’s fighting majors have come during six multi-fight games. Last night was no different in Boston’s game against the Ducks.

With the B’s up 3-0, a heavyweight bout between Shawn Thornton and George Parros took place eight minutes into the second period. Moments later, things escalated after Mike Brown took exception to Milan Lucic rushing in on Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller, who was covering the puck.

Brown gave Lucic a gloved punch to the face and then continued to go after him. They dropped the gloves and Brown landed a right hand before losing his balance and falling to the ice. Lucic followed him down and hammered away until Sheldon Brookbank jumped on top of him. All of the other players on the ice (sans goalies) piled in but nothing else came of it. Brookbank was ejected from the game for being the third man in.

Less than a minute later, Marc Savard dropped the gloves after being roughed up by Scott Niedermayer, but the two only received roughings. The Bruins and Ducks won’t see each other again this season, but their next meeting might be one to look out for if certain players remain on the respective rosters.

INCH CHAT...

Here is the latest from this weeks INCH Chat, my favorite post from Jess Meyers talking about how he is going to be eating crow. I would be glad to cook him some on my grill at home.

John, (Hartford Conn): Thanks for taking our questions INCH! Being from the east coast I dont get to see much of the WCHA. Whats up with the Fighting Sioux and how come year after year they are able to make their second half run? Do they have a chance at a fifth straight Frozen Four?

Jess Myers: Every year we wonder if this will be the time that North Dakota is consistent start to finish, and every year it seems like the second-half surge is the rule in Grand Forks. Although this year a second half turnaround was maybe a bit more expected because NoDak started the season with so many talented, but young, players, and you're seeing the results of their increased maturity in the second half. As for the Frozen Four, I'd be surprised to see more than one WCHA team there, because I think the league is weaker overall. But if I had
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UND in SLP: St Louis Park, MN: In this week's INCH podcast, you mentioned that UND is winning, and finding ways to win, by playing as a team. In the off season I thought that T J Oshie leaving was a blessing in disguise. The effect of losing JPL and Chorney notwithstanding, Oshie leaving got rid of the Sioux's "star player" notoriety, leaving more room for team cohesion and chemistry, and the inherent success we are seeing. Any thoughts?

Joe Gladziszewski: Absolutely, and thanks for listening to the INCH Podcast. I don't think a team is necessarily helped by losing star players, but it can have a positive impact in re-distributing the roles on the team. The Sioux have done it with an overall team effort and everyone improving to put them in their current position to win the league.
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Jennifer (Madison, WI): What do you think of the battle in the WCHA? Who's going to win? Who will have home ice? And who will be on the road for playoffs? Should end up being a great Final Five this year!

Jess Myers: I'm eating a lot of crow and admitting that North Dakota is going to win the MacNaughton Cup. Denver is my pick for the Final Five title. I see NoDak, Denver, Wisconsin, Minnesota Duluth and Colorado College at home for the playoffs. And I think the Final Five is always a great tournament (often better than the Frozen Four) but I'd be curious to see how much the attendance would drop in St. Paul if the Gophers don't get there.

Another region of death?

Here are the latest Bracketology Brackets from Jayson Moy. Interesting is the first word that comes to mind. I could see a bracket like that. UND beats Princeton and then takes on the winner of UMD and Michigan, sweet. I would love to see Red Berenson's face on the ESPN selection show as Red is explaining how he likes the prospects of playing two of the WCHA tougher teams in their back yard. At least we don't have to go to Yost Ice Arena. If these were the brackets on selection Sunday DU would have a the easiest route to the Frozen Four.

Midwest Regional:

Air Force vs. Notre Dame
Miami vs. Northeastern

West Regional:

Minnesota-Duluth vs. Michigan
North Dakota vs. Princeton

East Regional:

St. Lawrence vs. Denver
Yale vs. Vermont

Northeast Regional:

Bemidji State vs. Boston University
New Hampshire vs. Cornell

Ralph Engelstad Arena in Lawsuit.

Here is an interesting story I don't think many people knew about. It has probably kind of flown under the radar. The company CIMCO that REA is suing is being represented by a UND grad as well.

Ralph Engelstad Arena sues over ‘inefficient’ ice-making
By: Archie Ingersoll, Grand Forks Herald
The ice in Ralph Engelstad Arena hovers just above 20 degrees — the ideal temperature for hockey.

But inches below the hard, fast surface, there’s a multimillion-dollar problem, according to the Grand Forks arena.

The Ralph says the systems that make ice in both rinks in the landmark arena weren’t built to agreed-upon specifications.

“The whole system is just running inefficiently,” said Pat Morley, REA’s attorney. “As a result, the maintenance and energy costs are … way, way too high.”

Because of this alleged inefficiency, REA has brought a lawsuit against CIMCO, a Canadian company that installed the rinks and the ice-making equipment.

But CIMCO’s attorney Mark Hanson argues that his client’s work is not causing The Ralph’s problem.

“We frankly don’t see any issues with the equipment and how it was installed,” he said. “We just believe the arena needs to make adjustments.”

Some residents of Grand Forks County recently received surveys in the mail about the suit from a consultant hired by CIMCO. Hanson said the surveys — which ask questions about REA, UND and its hockey program — were sent out to learn what type of juror could be fair and impartial. (Read the whole article right here)

February Last Games (Sioux 7)

Last week in the WCHA the playoff picture cleared up some. With UND sweeping UAA and DU sweeping UW, both teams have locked themselves into home ice. CC's sweep of UM helped them into 3rd place, but have only 3-games left. UMD took 3pts from MTU to help them stay in the race for home ice. MSU-Mankato is pretty much guaranteed a road trip to start the playoffs which means they join UAA and MTU as teams that will be on the road for the first round.


WCHA STANDINGS
1 North Dakota..............15-6-3...33
1 Denver......................15-7-3...33
3 Colorado College..........12-8-5...29
4 Wisconsin.................13-9-2...28
5 Minnesota-Duluth........10-8-6...26
6 St. Cloud State.........12-11-1...25
7 Minnesota..............10-10-4...24
8 Minnesota State........9-13-2...20
9 Alaska-Anchorage......7-14-5...19
10 Michigan Tech..........1-18-7...9


#16 Wisconsin at Minnesota State
This is the only series these two teams play against each other this year. Last season the Mavericks owned a 2-1-1 record against Bucky. The Badgers need some wins to keep their position in the top half of the league and improve their odds of getting into the NCAA tourney. It looks as if UW will most likely finish somewhere between 3rd and 6th place. While the Mavericks look to finish between 6th and 8th place. MSU-Mankato needs loads of luck to get home ice, so now they can play the spoiler role. UW is 3-3-0 and MSU-M is 2-3-1 in their last six games. Both teams were swept in their last WCHA series. The Mavs magic number seems to be 2, if they hold their opponents to 2 or fewer goals they have a good record, 11-0-1 overall. Bucky has been shut-out in 2 of the last 5 games, so they need to score. I'm going with the Mavericks this weekend, they had last weekend off to rest up and get ready for their final push. Mavericks sweep the Badgers.


#19 St. Cloud State at #5 Denver
The Pioneers are pretty much a lock for the NCAA tourney, and most likely will finish 1-2 in the league. The Huskies are only a point out of the final home ice spot, after a bye last weekend, so they need points to keep the dream alive. Back on Nov. 14-15 SCSU sweep DU at the National Hockey Center. DU is coming off a big road sweep of UW, so they hope to keep momentum rolling, and hope they do not suffer a let down, this weekend. The Huskies would like nothing better than to get a season sweep of DU and really improve their chances for home ice in two weeks. DU would like to take four points and lock them into at least #2 in the league. DU might be without forward Tyler Ruegsegger (5th in team scoring 12g, 11a) who suffered an "upper body injury" last weekend. With that in mind I'm going to call a split in this series. Huskies on Friday and Pioneers on Saturday.


#14 Minnesota-Duluth at #18 Minnesota
Well this is another big series in the race for home ice. IF the Bulldogs sweep the Gophers, UMD is in good shape to hold a playoff series, and the Gophers would be on the road, possible to Duluth... IF the Gophers sweep they would be in position to grab home ice, but would need some help this weekend and next. The Bulldogs are 4-6-4 away from the DECC, and the Gophers are 8-5-5 at Mariucci this season, but are 1-3-1 in their last 5 home games, ouch! If the UM doesn't get some points this weekend, Coach Lucia might feel worse now then when he had his medical condition earlier this year. UMD plays well when they have the lead, and UM has not played well when they have been trailing. With that said the first goal of the games is going to be important and I also say who ever scores first wins the game.


#13 Colorado College at #8 North Dakota (Sat. & Sun.)
The Sioux have secured home ice for the first round, and the Tigers are in a good spot to hold onto home ice. If UND can sweep CC they would only need one more win secure the top spot in the WCHA. CC has 3-games left, these two at Grand Forks and one at Denver, not an easy way to end the season. The Tigers got their second WCHA sweep of the season last weekend, their last was back in mid-October against MTU. While the Sioux swept UAA on the road, in doing so goalie Brad Eidsness became only the 3rd UND freshman goalie to hit the 20-win plateau, joining former Sioux greats Ed Belfour and Karl Goehring - Congratulations Brad! Since the start of 2009 the Sioux have been scoring over 4goals/game and giving up just a shade over 2 goals/game. I watched the CC-UM games last weekend, and CC capitalized on some UM mistakes and got a few bounces. The Tigers were outplayed by the Gophers for large chunks of time, and where out shot 37-19 on Saturday. I don't think they have "turned things around" in C-springs just yet. This is a big weekend for both teams, but with the Sioux rolling and being back at home and CC being 5-5-4 on the road this season, I'm taking the Sioux, sweep.


UAA at UAF (Non Conference)
All I know that this series is for the Governor's Cup, I hope Governor Sarah Palin presents the winners the Cup... A look the standing and records this year points to the Nanooks being the favorite. UAF is 4th in the CCHA and UAA is 9th in the WCHA. So with the "Battle for Alaska" going on this weekend in a home-and-home series, I'm backing the WCHA, and saying the Seawolves sweep the Nanooks.


MTU is on a bye week, next week they host the Gophers.

This is what I like to hear.

This is what I like to hear come out of a hockey coach's mouth. I don't know a lot of hockey fans that like to watch the neutral zone trap. I think the Wild need to adopt this philosophy. Kind of reminds me of the days when Dean Blais was coaching for the Fighting Sioux, race horse hockey.

“We want to attack,” Tortorella said. “I’m not interested in trapping. I’m just interested in getting some puck pressure. And if we have some breakdowns, we’ve got the best goalie in the league,” a reference to Henrik Lundqvist, in his fourth season.

When he coached Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup in 2004, Tortorella used an all-out attacking style that gave lots of ice time to the immensely productive Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards and the power-play specialist Dave Andreychuk. They controlled the puck in the other team’s end and often scored.

Andy Schneider vs. Justin Soryal

While surfing the net tonight I found this fight over on hockeyfights.com. The fight is between former Fighting Sioux defenseman Andy Schneider and Justin Soryal. Soryal is a goon who has been in an impressive sixteen fights this season while playing in the AHL. In comparison Andy Schneider has only been in two fight this season. Let's just say that Soryal's is probably playing for his fisticuffs.

INCH Pod Cast.

The latest INCH podcast, in my opinion is a must listen, there is some funny stuff on this podcast. (Click here to listen) For Fighting Sioux fans at about the 20:00 till 25:00 minute mark there is some really interesting stuff that Sioux fans will get a good chuckle out of. For the Golden Gopher fans the INCH boys all but said the Gophers are done.

Jason Blake News.

There has been a lot of speculation that Former Fighting Sioux forward Jason Blake might get moved at next weeks trade dead line. Fiona Quick reported that Leafs General Manager Brian Burke was at the last Wild game with the L.A. Kings. Is Doug Risebrough & company considering acquiring Jason Blake? Being a Wild fan I would love to see Blake playing for the team of 18,000.

** Jason Blake -- A surly outcast last year, he’s now Mr. Sunshine and attempting to become the first American to lead the Leafs in scoring since Ed Olczyk 20 years ago.
Personally, I would love to see a Former Fighting Sioux Hockey player and a American born hockey player as the top scorer for the Maple Leafs.

Jason Blake is a mess after running into Colby Armstrong check.

A still woozy Jason Blake was not on the ice for the Leafs noon-hour practice today and won’t make the trip to Ottawa for tomorrow’s date with the Senators.

In his place, the Leafs have recalled tough guy Andre Deveaux from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The 24-year-old, who has yet to make an NHL start, will more than just fill the spot on the roster. With 54 penalty minutes in 13 games, he figures to add some much needed toughness.

Here is a clip about the possibility of Jason Blake being moved at the Trade Deadline.

*on Blake

Position: Forward

This year: 56 games, 22 goals, 25 assists, 47 points

Why he might be moved: The veteran forward will likely be retired by the time Toronto starts to compete for a championship.

What he might be worth: Not much. Teams may be only willing to offer a reclamation project or a late-round draft choice.

Why teams are interested: Blake may not score 40 goals again, but a disastrous 2007-08 - 15 goals in 82 games - and time spent in head coach Ron Wilson's doghouse seems to have helped the speedy winger rediscover his offence.

Why he could stay: Despite his improved numbers, the only numbers that league GMs appear fixated on is Blake's age (35) and contract (US$4-million for the next three years).

The scouts say: "I think that the way he's played this year has proven that he's a guy - when motivated - who loves to score goals. You can find fault with him, but the fact of the matter is he has been producing."

University of North Dakota nickname group to meet

Here is the latest from the Fighting Sioux nick name group.

A committee considering the future of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo has scheduled its first meeting.

Board of Higher Education member Grant Shaft is chairman of the group. He says it will meet by conference call at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The panel has 10 members. It includes representatives of UND and the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux tribes.

The group is supposed to talk with tribal leaders about whether UND may keep its Fighting Sioux athletics nickname and Indian head logo. The chairmen of the two tribes want UND to drop the nickname and logo.

The meeting's agenda says Shaft will discuss the committee's responsibilities and organization, and talk about a timeline for doing its work.

What if the Gophers don't make the Final Five?

The beat writers are already starting to ponder the thought of the Gophers not making the Final Five and the West Regional. There is a very good chance this could happen this season.

There will be plenty of time to throw darts — and I’m sure they will be thrown — if the Gophers don’t make the NCAA tournament, with a regional here, and worst yet, if they get bounced in the first round of the WCHA playoffs and don’t make the Final Five.

The wailing will be heard all the way to Colorado Springs, where WCHA commish Bruce McLeod has his office. People have always speculated how well a Final Five without the Gophers would draw, they might get a chance to really find out.
(Read the whole story here)

I keep hearing gloom and doom for the WCHA and the NCAA regional if the Gophers don't make the WCHA Final Five or the NCAA West Regional. I predict that both tourneys will survive even if the Minnesota Gophers fail to make either tourney. NCAA hockey is bigger than the Minnesota Gophers.

Keith Ballard vs Chuck Kobasew

Nothing like a fight between a former Minnesota Gopher and a Boston College Eagle. Kobasew isn't really know for his fighting skills but took exception with Ballard's low hit and held his own against a pretty tough hockey player like Keith Ballard.

Check out VV on the Pipe Line Show.

Check out what UND's Chris VandeVelde had to say on the Pipeline Show.

They asked Vandy if he is ready to make that jump to the next level? Chris is going to sit down after the season with his family advisor and weigh his options. I think there is a good chance that Vandy will not be back with the Fighting Sioux next season.

Bitz makes it big for the Bruins.

Former Cornell Big Red player Byron Bitz is getting his shot with the Boston Bruins and making the best of his opportunity. While staking on the fourth line Bitz has (3g-2a-5pts) in 20 games. As a Bruins fan that watches just about every Bruin's game I have to say that I have been impressed with Bitz so far. (goal 1) (goal 2)

BOSTON (AP)- It wasn't the first time Byron Bitz had a big crowd chanting his name. It had been a while, though.

The rookie fourth-liner scored his second and third NHL goals Tuesday night, leading the struggling Bruins to a 6-1 win over the Florida Panthers in the opener of Boston's six-game homestand.

Bitz's performance had the fans buzzing, just like he used to in his days at Cornell.

"Couple times in college - but 20,000 people's different than 4,000, so it was pretty cool," he said.

Bitz, playing in his 20th game since being recalled from Providence, Jan. 10, scored once in the second period and again in the third as the Bruins won for only the second time in their last eight games.

His second goals made it 4-1 and Aaron Ward and Michael Ryder followed with goals to break the game open. That got the home crowd chanting for Bitz to finish off the hat trick.

He didn't do it, even with a bit of late power play time.

"It would have been nice if it worked out but it?s not that big a deal," he said.

Lucia might start Patterson.

Check out the Story here. Lucia must be feeling the heat? I think Kangas is the least of the Gophers problems. If I was a Gopher fan I would be more concerned with their porous defense that has left their goaltending out to dry numerous times and the Gophers are starting to pay for this. I don't see Patterson making much of a difference.

As the Gophers men's hockey team prepares for its final four games of the men's hockey season, coach Don Lucia says he might have to tinker with his goaltending this weekend.

"Everything's being evaluated right now," he said. "Whether we split our goalies this week, that's not a decision that's been made. Have we talked about it as a staff? Sure we have."

Sophomore Alex Kangas has started all 30 of Minnesota's games as the Gophers have gone 13-11-6, including 10-10-4 in the WCHA going into a weekend home series against Minnesota-Duluth.

After earning the team's designation as most valuable player last season with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, Kangas this season has a 2.94 GAA and a .895 save percentage. The numbers have been even worse as the Gophers have gone 6-11-2 in their past 19 games: 3.63 and .869.

The option is backup goaltender Kent Patterson, a 19-year-old freshman from Plymouth who spent two seasons with Cedar Rapids of the U.S. Hockey League and recorded a 2.75 GAA and a .913 save percentage. Patterson has played only four games for the Gophers and has stats of 2.09 and .933.

Would Kangas benefit from sitting out a game?
(read the whole article)

DU now Tigers fan this weekend.

Props to Fighting Sioux fan for making note of this Blog post from Mike Chambers. If I was DU Pioneers I would worry solely about beating the Huskies who swept the Pioneers in St. Cloud back in November 4-2 and 2-1.

Props to my buddy Sioux7 for bringing out the obvious, "The Pioneers will be playing an hour behind the Tigers, hosting St. Cloud State." FYI - CC and UND play on Sat. & Sun. at 3:37pm CT both days. You have to love Mike Chambers. Lets Go Sioux. It's time to kick some Tiger ass this weekend. Seriously, Roe, Lasch and the Huskies are going to come out flying against the Pioneers and they are not going to give the Pioneers anything. One game at a time.

CC could help DU win WCHA.
By Mike Chambers ---- The Denver Post

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season championship could be awarded to the University of Denver on March 7, and it's a title archrival Colorado College could help produce.

DU fans will be fans of the Tigers this weekend when CC visits North Dakota. But the Pioneers and Tigers end the regular season March 7 at Magness Arena.

DU, tied with the Fighting Sioux atop the WCHA, needs CC to win a game or two in Grand Forks, N.D. The Pioneers will be playing an hour behind the Tigers, hosting St. Cloud State.

"We are concentrating fully on our series here with St. Cloud and feel strongly that if we take care of business over the next couple games, we'll put ourselves in real good position," DU coach George Gwozdecky

They will play at least five games and as many as eight — depending on how far they advance in the WCHA playoffs — before the 16-team NCAA Tournament field is announced March 22.

"I don't want to put the cart before the horse," Gwozdecky said of obtaining a No. 1 seed. "We feel good about ourselves right now, but I certainly don't want to be predicting or making plans. As we've seen from a week ago, the Pairwise can fluctuate so easily because of how close everyone is."

Crosby and Ovechkin.

I saw this story over on Puck Daddy. I love watching these two teams play each other. Also, I can't be the only one that is getting tired of Crosby's antics, while Crosby is a good hockey player he is a bit of a cry baby. Here is Ovechkin had to say about Sidney Crosby.

"What can I say about Crosby?" he said. "He is a good player, but he talks too much. I play hard and if he wants to hit me, he can hit me, not talk to you guys about who plays cheap and who plays dirty. That's my game... If he doesn't like it, it's his problem."

Later on, when I got my chance to speak to Ovie in Russian, he seemed to be jokingly frustrated about the whole "cheap shot" issue.

"What, I can't play hard against him? What is he going to do, cry?"

Wild are boring to watch.

You can't make this stuff up. This is what the Chicago Blackhawks had to say about playing the Minnesota Wild. As a life long Wild fan I think this is a pretty accurate description and it is becoming boring to me. I would recommend that if you're are having trouble sleeping at night, why not watch a replay of this game on DVR. It would put you right to sleep. If you like goal tending last night's game offered quite a few opportunities to see good goaltending. Last night Wild goaltender Josh Harding was nothing short of amazing as he stopped former Sioux Jonathan Toews close in. For the Blackhawks Jonathan Toews scored the only goal of the game for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Maybe it's time for Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold to rethink the Wild's team philosophy. Come on now! Maybe it's time to take a look inward and try to remake the Minnesota Wild into something more exciting, more appealing and a better on the ice product that the fans can be proud of.

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith called the Minnesota Wild's style of play "patient." Coach Joel Quenneville said it was "well-disciplined." Winger Kris Versteeg went with a more basic description.

"It's boring to play against, and it's boring to watch," Versteeg said. "They really put you to sleep out there. They have five guys that basically just stand in front and just block shots.

"Playing against a team like that makes it pretty tough to really get any life in the building."

The boring approach worked just fine for the Wild in a 2-1 victory over the Hawks on Sunday night at the United Center. The defeat snapped the Hawks' four-game winning streak, and they lost for the fourth time in their last five home contests.
(Read the whole article here)

Here is what the Blackhawks hockey blogger Steve Rosenbloom had to say about the Minnesota Wild's style of play. It sounds a lot like Sioux Sports own Redwing_77.

More games for the Blackhawks against Minnesota’s old hockey team instead of the new one.

I hate the Wild. I hate the neutral-zone trap. I hate the way Jacques Lemaire has uglied up the game.

But I really hate that the Hawks had 800 shots, including almost two minutes of a 5-on-3, but couldn’t beat Josh Harding for three stinkin’ goals when three goals is a month’s output for the Wild.

I’m aggravated, but that’s all I really want to say. No sense ranting. The Hawks don’t play the Wild again this season. Thank goodness. We now return to hockey and leave the land of lobotomies behind.