Will the NHL ban staged fights?

The subject of banning staged fights is coming up again at the GM's annual meetings in Naples Florida. I am not so sure the league wants to go there. Fighting is a big part of professional hockey and I would be willing to bet there are a good number of Wild fans that go to the games to watch Derek Boogaard take on one of the leagues tough guys, it’s an interesting side show and it’s fun to watch. Also, these so called goons or tough guys make room for the skilled players and keep the opposition players honest. If a player cheap shots a skilled player like Marian Gaborik they know the Boogey man is going to take a piece of him eventually.

What I love about the "anti-Boogaard" brigade that has surfaced as of late, is I bet you its all the people that were extremely pissed and calling for Brad May to face Derek Boogaard in the playoff series with the Ducks, when May-Day punched out Kim Johnsson. Same with when we seen Mattias Ohlund break Koivu's leg. I bet they called for Ohlund's suspension to be reduced, just so he got to face Boogaard in the matchup a few games later. Its old, really. Onto Boogaard, he is one of the few reasons to actually see a game. Do you really think people went to a Kings/Wild game a couple weeks ago, looking to see Anze Kopitar? I HIGHLY doubt it. Again, I'll bet you, a lot of the people that went (myself included), went to the game hoping to see the heavy weight fight between Derek Boogaard and Raitis Ivanans. Same thing a few weeks before that when the Preds came to town. Yay, lets all go out and see Radek Bonk! Please. A lot of people would be kidding to say they didn't want to see Boogaard/Belak IV. Its a dirty secret to hockey, but, when the team has played as up and down, and very boring as the Wild have this year, there isn't much else of a reason to see some games. (comments section of article)

They just can’t leave well enough alone, can they? Hockey is a niche sport and I could care less if we are scaring some social high brow elite from the north east away because they are offended by fighting in the NHL.

Also, I don’t know if the NHL wants to go there you could end up going down a very slippery slope here. Fighting is a deterrent to further violence. I know this sounds silly to some but have you watched a division one college hockey game lately? The DQ for fighting and the face mask have actually raised the level of violence, stick work and checking from behind penalties. A lot of the stuff goes on because the players in the NCAA division one hockey know they don’t have to fight if they cheap shot someone.

Lastly, if the National Hockey League really decided that they wanted to ban staged fights, how do you decide when a fight is staged or not staged? This would be almost as ridiculous as it sounds. Who’s is going to decide? Two refs aren’t going to be the same. Are the on ice officials going to call Toronto for a ruling?

Based on interviews with several GMs, there is at least one form of fighting most of them would like to see disappear, but no one knows how to do it without an outright ban on fights. And no general manager could be found who supports the complete elimination of fighting.

What most of them would like to see is an end to the staged fight, where two players whose only role on the team is to fight, drop their gloves and go at it.

"The sense I get is there will be a lot of discussion on staged fights," said Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli. "I'm against that. But no, I don't see an outright ban on fighting." (Read the whole story here)

Poll Monday 3-09-2009

USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
March 9, 2009

1 Boston University (42) 27- 5-4 992 1
2 Notre Dame ( 8) 27- 5-3 958 2
3 Michigan 26-10-0 894 3
4 Northeastern 23- 9-4 828 4
5 Denver 20-10-5 791 5
6 North Dakota 22-12-4 709 6
7 Vermont 20- 9-5 670 7
8 Miami 19-10-5 641 8
9 New Hampshire 19-10-5 579 9
10 Yale 20- 7-2 552 11
11 Princeton 20- 9-0 533 10
12 Cornell 18- 7-4 479 12
13 Colorado College 16-10-10 383 13
14 Ohio State 22-12-4 352 14
15 St. Lawrence 19-11-4 302 15
16 Minnesota 15-12-7 200 17
17 Wisconsin 17-15-4 174 19
18 Boston College 16-13-5 124 20
19 Minnesota-Duluth 16-12-8 91 16
20 St. Cloud State 18-15-3 82 18
Others Receiving Votes: Mass.-Lowell 65, Air Force 58,
RIT 18, Alaska 8, Minnesota State 8, Alaska-Anchorage 3,
Union 3, Northern Michigan 2, Dartmouth 1
----------

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
March 9, 2009
1 Boston University 502 (26) 1 27- 5-4
2 University of Notre Dame 484 (8) 2 27- 5-3
3 University of Michigan 462 3 26-10-0
4 Northeastern University 394 4 23- 9-4
5 University of Denver 380 5 20-10-5
6 University of North Dakota 322 6 22-12-4
7 University of Vermont 294 7 20- 9-5
8 Miami (Ohio) University 245 8 19-10-5
9 University of New Hampshire 226 9 19-10-5
10 Yale University 204 10 20- 7-2
11 Princeton University 179 11 20- 9-0
12 Cornell University 163 12 18- 7-4
13 Colorado College 80 15 16-10-10
14 The Ohio State University 71 14 22-12-4
15 St. Lawrence University 48 13 19-11-4

Others receiving votes: University of Wisconsin 9, U.S. Air Force Academy 6, University of Minnesota 6,
University of Massachusetts Lowell 3, Rochester Institute of Technology
1, St. Cloud State University 1.

INCH Power Rankings.

INCH Power Rankings
March 8, 2009
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Michigan
4. Northeastern
5. North Dakota - On Dec. 28, the Fighting Sioux dropped a 2-1 decision to Michigan Tech in the GLI consolation game. This weekend, the WCHA champs host the Huskies in a first-round playoff series. Would this be categorized as coming half circle? 22-12-4 (17-7-4 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Wisconsin, 2-1; L at Wisconsin, 4-1. THIS WEEK: vs. Michigan Tech (WCHA First Round Series)
6. Denver
7. Vermont
8. Miami
9. Yale
10. Princeton
11. New Hampshire
12. Cornell
13. St. Lawrence
14. Ohio State
15. Colorado College
16. Minnesota
17. Boston College
18. Wisconsin
19. St. Cloud State
20. Air Force

Dropped out: Minnesota Duluth

Bubble-licious: RIT, UMass Lowell

I am actually surprised that INCH put us infront of Denver University.

Brad Eidsness for ROY in the WCHA.

I believe that Jordan Schroeder of the University of Minnesota overall (13 assists – 27 goals -40 points) and (11 assists – 24 goals - 35 points) conference play will be the Rookie of the Year in the WCHA. I don't think there is going to be any debate on the subject because the voters’ minds have been made up already. This was suggested by the voice of the Fighting Sioux hockey team Tim Hennesey last week during the weekly coaches’ radio show last Wednesday. I concur with Tim's assessment and that it's basically goig to be a rubberstamp for Jordan Schroeder. I wish the voters would be more objective when looking at the candidates and also take a look more closely at Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness because I believe there is a strong case for Brad Eidsness being the ROY in the WCHA. I like a lot of Sioux fans believe Brad Eidsness is a legitmate contender for the ROY.

In Eids we trust

Where would the Sioux be without Brad Eidsness this season? Probably not first in the WCHA and would probably be getting ready to travel on the road for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Brad Eidsness is a rookie/freshman goalie in a league dominated by juniors and seniors, but he has stood tall and answered the bell. Also, Brad Eidsness is the only freshman goalie that I know of that started every game but one for his team during WCHA conference play this season.


Brad Eidsness by the Numbers

The numbers speak for themselves Brad Eidsness is 22-9-4 and GAA 2.47 and Save% of 0.909 and is 17-5-4 GAA 2.39 save% .909 1 shutout in league play. While hockey is a team game and the Sioux are balanced on all four lines Brad Eidsness lead his team to a first place finish in the WCHA with his strong play between the pipes. If it hadn't been for Brad Eidsness the Fighting Sioux could very well could have been a ninth place team. While the Gophers backed into the fifth spot in the WCHA playoffs and almost ended up on the road for a second year in a row to start the WCHA playoffs.


Final goals against averages for the WCHA
1.) Alex Stalock UMD JR 1679:42 67 2.39
2.) Brad Eidsness UND FR 1604:24 64 2.39
3.) Marc Cheverie DU SO 1671:12 67 2.41

Final Save Percentage in the WCHA

1.) Marc Cheverie DU SO 748 67 .918
2.) Alex Stalock UMD JR 727 67 .916
3.) Richard Bachman C.C. SO 765 73 .913
4.) Shane Connelly UW SR 710 69 .911
5.) Jase Weslosky SCSU JR 761 75 .910
6.) Brad Eidsness UND FR 640 64 .909

Winning Percentage:
1.) Brad Eidsness UND FR 17- 5- 4 .731
2.) Marc Cheverie DU SO 16- 8- 4 .643
3.) Richard Bachman C.C. SO 12- 8- 7 .574

Brian Lee back with the Senators.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Brian Lee is being sent back to the Ottawa Senators after being sent down to Binghamton at the end of February. It will be interesting to see if Brian Lee can spend the rest of the season with the Senators. The Ottawa Senators are in 12th place and will miss the NHL playoffs this season so I can imagine that Lee will be rejoining the Binghamton Senators for the AHL playoffs.

Ottawa ---- The Ottawa Senators today recalled defenseman Brian Lee on an emergency basis from the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

Lee has two goals, nine assists and 14 penalty minutes over 36 games with the NHL club this season, while averaging 19:09 minutes of time-on-ice. This will be Lee's fourth appearance with the Senators this season, after most recently playing 28 games before being assigned to Binghamton on Feb. 27.

In 27 AHL games with Binghamton this season, the 21-year-old has two goals, 10 assists and 41 penalty minutes.

The Senators next see action tomorrow night, when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:30 p.m.

How they finished.

This is how I predicted the teams would finish at the begining of the season. Yeah! I did real well didn't I?
1. C.C.
2. Minnesota
3. UND
4. Denver
5. Wisconsin
6. Minnesota State
7. UMD
8. SCSU
9. MTU
10. UAA

This how the season actually ended.

(1) North Dakota 38 (22-12-4)
(2) Denver 36 (20-10-5)
(3) Wisconsin 31(17-15-4)
(4) Colorado College 31(16-10-10)
(5) Minnesota 29(15-12-7)
(6) St. Cloud State 28(18-15-3)
(7) Minnesota-Duluth 27 (16-12-8)
(8) Minnesota State 26 (15-15-6)
(9) Alaska-Anchorage 23 (14-15-5)
(10) Michigan Tech 11 (6-23-7)

This was my What If prediction.

UND 28 38
UMN 28 37
Denver 28 36
CC 28 30
UW 28 30
Mankato 28 26
UMD 28 25
SCSU 28 23
AA 28 22
MTech 28 13


38th Annual Coaches Poll.

1. Colorado College (8) 78
2. UND (2) 67
3. Denver 62
4. (tie) Minnesota 53
4. (tie) Wisconsin 53
6. St. Cloud State 48
7. MSU-Mankato 38
8. Minn.-Duluth 24
9. Michigan Tech 14
10. Alaska-Anchorage 13


Here are the results of the Capital times media poll.
Team (first-place votes) Points Last year
1. Colorado College (22) 247 1
2. North Dakota (3) 210 2
3. Denver 192 3
4. Minnesota 156 7
(tie) Wisconsin 156 6
6. St. Cloud State 133 t4
7. Minnesota State 124 t4
8. Minnesota-Duluth 78 8
9. Michigan Tech 51 9
10. Alaska Anchorage 32 10

Here is how Sioux7 picked the team to finish.
1. UND
2. Denver
3. CC
4. SCSU
5. Minnesota
6. Wisconsin
7. UM-Duluth
8. MSU-Mankato
9. MTU
10. UAA

This is how Jess Meyers from INCH picked the league to finish. Nah, Jess Meyer's picks didn't go real well either.

1. Colorado College
2. Denver
3. St. Cloud State
4. Wisconsin
5. Minnesota State
6. Minnesota
7. North Dakota
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Michigan Tech
10. Alaska Anchorage

Here is what I had to say at the beginning of the season after the exhibition game against the Manitoba Bison.

After watching the Sioux play in an exhibition game against the Manitoba Bison last night I have to say that there is a lot to be positive about. The overrated senior team captain and 2007 Hobey Baker Memorial winner Ryan Duncan (that is how some WCHA fans describe him) looked really good on a line with Chris VandeVelde and Brad Miller. Got that Ducan haters? Even without T.J. Oshie or Toews flanking him, Ryan Duncan managed to score two beautiful goals helping the Sioux to a 6-2 route of the Manitoba Bison.

Also, there is some positive mojo emitting from the Fighting Sioux hockey team getting a balanced attack as 10 of the 14 forwards factored into the games scoring. Granted there were two extra forwards because the game was listed as an exhibition and the Sioux could dress as many players as they wanted. None the less; the Fighting Sioux hockey team looked small (aside from Malone and Davidson), quick and moved the puck around nicely dominating a much slower Manitoba game. The speedy Sioux appeared to run out of gas in the third period but that is to be expected since the Sioux have only had one official practice going into the game.

Up next WCHA playoffs.

The Brackets are now set for the first round of the WCHA playoffs.

(1) North Dakota (22-12-4)
(10) Michigan Tech (6-23-7)

(3) Wisconsin (17-15-4)
(8) Minnesota State (15-15-6)

(4) Colorado College (16-10-10)
(7) Minnesota-Duluth (16-12-8)

(5) Minnesota (15-12-7)
(6) St. Cloud State (18-5-3)

(9) Alaska-Anchorage (14-15-5)
(2) Denver (20-10-5)

BADgers 4 Sioux 1

First off I was reading the board over at Sioux sports after I returned from my buddies house where I watched the third period. While I am not happy with a loss I have seen better teams than this one get swept in Madison. The 2000 Fighting Sioux hockey team was swept by the Badges in Madison 3-2ot and 6-5ot in January 14 and 15 2000.

Seriously! Who didn't expect a let down tonight after clinching the first MacNaughten cup in 4 seasons. UND has lost two games in 2009 (13-2-3) so the sky is not falling, I repeat the sky is not falling. Wisconsin wanted it more than UND did tonight and while I never can really appreciate a loss this particular loss can help the coaching staff refocus the team for the playoffs. After the WCHA playoffs the next loss will end the Fighting Sioux's season.

Power Play not good tonight

I can not remember the last time I have seen a team get two short handed goals scored on them during the same power play. I would have to think that it has to be a long time since we have seen something like that. I am sure that Coach Hakstol and his staff will review the game film from this weekend and make the proper adjustments. The power play was not good this weekend and the Fighting Sioux need to get better if they want to be successful in the WCHA and NCAA playoffs.

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

WIS-1 Brendan Smith (5-Checking from Behind) (Served by Michael Davies) NDK 0x1 2:15
WIS-2 Brendan Smith (10-Game Misconduct) (Served by Michael Davies) 2:15
NDK-1 Chay Genoway (2-Cross-Checking) 14:54
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Roughing) (Served by Andrew Kozek) WIS 0x1 14:54
WIS-3 Patrick Johnson (2-Roughing) 14:54
NDK-3 Zach Jones (2-Holding) WIS 0x2 16:08

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

WIS 1 - 0 6x6 Ben Grotting (4) (John Mitchell, Jake Gardiner) 0:34
WIS (+): 14,24,19,16,2,G35 NDK (-): 8,20,6,11,25,G31
NDK-4 Matt Frattin (2-Hooking) WIS 0x3 1:34
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Brad Malone (4) (Brad Miller, Mario Lamoureux) 4:05
NDK (+): 22,14,10,9,24,G31 WIS (-): 4,12,3,10,14,G35
WIS-4 Ryan McDonagh (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 9:18
WIS 2 - 1 5x6 SH GW LL Derek Stepan (7) (Andy Bohmbach) 9:30
WIS (+): 21,11,19,2,G35 NDK (-): 17,8,5,21,19,G31
WIS 3 - 1 5x6 SH Derek Stepan (8) (Andy Bohmbach) 11:12
WIS (+): 21,11,3,19,G35 NDK (-): 17,8,19,5,10,G31
WIS-5 Jamie McBain (2-Interference) NDK 0x3 12:22
WIS-6 Jordy Murray (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x4 14:55
WIS-7 Ryan McDonagh (2-Roughing) NDK 0x5 19:05

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

WIS 4 - 1 6x6 John Mitchell (14) (Tom Gorowsky) 12:28
WIS (+): 24,15,4,16,3,G35 NDK (-): 16,25,17,26,6,G31

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

The latest Bracketology

Here is the latest addition from the Bracketology Blog: I swear Jason Moy has had the Fighting Sioux in every bracket but the North East Regional. I don't see the NCAA sending us anywhere but Minneapolis if the Gophers don't make the NCAA playoffs.

East Regional (Bridgeport)

15 Air Force vs. 1 Boston University
9 Yale vs. 6 Vermont

West Regional (Minneapolis)

16 Bemidji State vs. 2 Notre Dame
11 Miami vs. 7 North Dakota

Northeast Regional (Manchester)

13 St. Lawrence vs. 3 Denver
10 Cornell vs. 8 New Hampshire

Midwest Regional (Grand Rapids)

13 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Michigan
12 Princeton vs. 5 Northeastern

Moron of the week.

Where do they find these people? Don't let this guy near a bridge or the IDS building. Actually this clown comments are hilarious and he is also my candidate for moron of the week. This skippy is probably one of these guys that will corner in the bathroom at the Xcel Energy Center to lecture you on horrible UND and North Dakota is while his team is sitting at home after the Gophers have missed the Final Five.

As I am stuck in traffic on 494 or I-94 I thank God that the biggest traffic jam I have been involved in lately is leaving the Alerus after a concert or a Sioux football game or Red River Valley Speedway after a World of Outlaws show.

I always laugh at these people who think North Dakota is such a horrible place but they sure find the way to Englestad Arena or happen to be everywhere in North Dakota come Duck and Pheasant hunting season. Thank God they also go home after hunting season is over.

voner 26--- Nice commentary. What else does North Dakota have? Nothing. Their entire claim to fame is college hockey. That's it, nothing else. College hockey ranks behind women's college volleyball in terms of TV and TV ratings, with no offense intended towards women's volleyball. Grand Forks is a God forsaken hell hole with absolutely nothing to do up there, that these people need to cry out for attention in any way they can find it. Unfortunately for them, the vast population of the US doesn't know college hockey even exists. It's really quite sad, the plight of the Flickertail fan.

posted by maxwell812 on Mar. 7, 09 at 8:42 AM |

The Slash that got Downie 20 games.

Someone made mention of Steve Downie getting suspended for 20 games for his slash on a linesman during a face off at center ice. You know, I dun no the video isn't that good but it appears that the ref was inadvertently hit by uber hack Steve Downie and received the suspension based on his preceding reputation.

Steve Downie sits again, this time for 20 games after slashing an AHL linesman during a Feb. 28 game against the Hershey Bears.

A member of the Norfolk Admirals, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Downie had been suspended indefinitely until being informed of yesterday's decision by the AHL. He is slated to return to the Norfolk lineup on April 11, although the Admirals are likely to miss the AHL playoffs.

Downie was assessed a game misconduct late in the third period of the Norfolk-Hershey game for deliberately striking an official with his stick. Admirals officials noted that the slash occurred before a faceoff and that Downie had meant to knock the stick out of the hands of an opposing player. Instead, Downie missed and struck the linesman.

Admirals general manager Mike Butters said his player was simply trying to knock the stick of the Bears player and - oops! - missed and struck Hamilton by accident.
(read the whole story here)

The Wheels are still coming off Part II.

I have been surfing some of the sites around the internet getting a feel for how things are going around the college hockey blogsphere and the Gopher fans are in full melt down. You have Gopher fans calling for Don Lucia's head. I can't imagine the University of Minnesota Firing a coach that has won 2 NCAA titles. I just doesn't seem possible.

Check out these examples of lynch mob type mentality. I mean I get it the Gopher fans are unhappy with the state of their team. (Example 1) (Example 2) (Example 3)

This post right here caught my eye it was over on Star Tribune.

Out with Lucia now!!!
Dear UofM AD....Your mens Hockey coach wins two titles with Woog's teams, can recruit any player in the country and we have this season? then finish it by loosing to a absolutely pathetic 1-18 Mich Tech team who score 6 on us?? His teams don't come close to ND's season for season and they don't have 20% the recruiting ability he's given?? Not to mention the all time worst upset in NCAA history to Holly Angels just a few years back?? This is coaching 100%, were not going anywhere with this "goody two shoes" clown....we need a tough, gritty authority figure who recruits the right players and gets them to show up and play like they can. We got no chance with him at the helm, zero...I wouldn't want him coaching my daughters teams...ok that was a lie, he'd be fine with girls. I've been sooo patient with this but now it's over...Imgane what Gwozdecky (Denver) or Hakstol (UND) could do with Gophs recruiting power? They already run circles around Goph's hockey teams operating from the north pole? If the AD fires the FB coach after a bad 1/2 at a bowl game whens he goanna show nuts it takes to do it again at the hockey rink? This is 100x's worse....incredibly pathetic, I feel bad for the players to be honest, and they're certainly accountable but c'mon...look at the teams and talent we have had....allstar teams year in year out and he cant do anything with em????? Please move on with him...no more Lucia.....Move on from the Grand Rapids alumni mafia and get with the times, not the 70's and 80's.

posted by azlizard99 on Mar. 6, 09 at 10:57 PM |

Sioux MacNaughton Cup Champions: Sioux 2 - Badgers 1

I included a picture of the MacNaughton Cup because it has been such a long time since we have seen it. It’s been four long years. Yep! The last time the Fighting Sioux had won the MacNaughton Cup Zach Parise was still playing for UND. I can’t wait to take a look at it again when it’s sitting in the lobby of REA.

So for the First time in four seasons the WCHA regular season champs reside in Grand Forks, ND. In case anyone is keeping score that is the 14th MacNaughton Cup that UND Fighting Sioux have won.

At the beginning of the season I had a conversation with a buddy of mine and we were discussing how the Sioux haven't won a MacNaughton cup or an NCAA title yet. Well we can mark that off the list, the Sioux got their cup. The mission for the Fighting Sioux is not complete, this is just one checkpoit on a long road trip.

Since Dave Hakstol has been the Coach of the Fighting Sioux his teams have progressively gotten better each season as he has built the UND program around players that reflect his personality; gritty, talented, modest and hard working. Now for their hard work the 2008-2009 Fighting Sioux will hang another banner from the REA rafters.


(Dave Hakstol's UND career coaching line)
2004–2005 North Dakota 25-15-5 13-12-3 5th NCAA Runner-up
2005–2006 North Dakota 29-16-1 16-12-0 t-4th NCAA semifinal
2006–2007 North Dakota 24-14-5 13-10-5 3rd NCAA semifinal
2007-2008 North Dakota 28-11-4 18-7-3 2nd NCAA semifinal
2008-2009 North Dakota 22-11-4 17-6-4 1st To be determined.

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

WIS 1 - 0 6x6 Ben Grotting (3) (Patrick Johnson, Matt Thurber) 6:12
WIS (+): 14,10,12,17,4,G35 NDK (-): 9,10,14,24,22,G31
NDK-1 Joe Finley (2-Holding) WIS 0x1 7:03
WIS-1 Sean Dolan (2-Interference) NDK 0x1 10:54
WIS-2 Brendan Smith (2-Boarding) NDK 0x2 12:38

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

WIS-3 Brendan Smith (2-Interference) NDK 0x3 6:26
NDK-2 Andrew Kozek (2-Tripping) WIS 0x2 16:41
NDK 1 - 1 5x6 SH Matt Watkins (7) (unassisted) 16:56
NDK (+): 20,11,5,2,G31 WIS (-): 9,21,24,7,2,G35

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

NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) WIS 0x3 6:24
WIS-4 Jamie McBain (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 8:43
WIS-5 Sean Dolan (2-Interference) NDK 1x5 12:56
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP GW LL Chris VandeVelde (14) (Ryan Duncan, Chay Genoway) 14:01
NDK: 29,16,5,14,26,G31 WIS: 14,13,27,17,G35

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

Sabres prospect on Eidsness and Fienhage

This is what Kris Baker of the Sabres prospects had to say about Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness and Fighting Sioux defenseman Corey Fienahage.

12 - Brad Eidsness, G, North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA), 2007 5th round (139th overall)

Leading the NCAA in minutes played through January, the freshman netminder walked into the starting gig in Grand Forks and demonstrated quick adjustment on the rugged WCHA learning curve. With inconsistency plaguing the Sioux early in the season, Eidsness has battled his way to an impressive 20 wins, earning WCHA Rookie of the Weeks honors three times while hanging among the top-5 in goals against and save percentage all season.

The reigning MVP of the Junior "A" AJHL, Eidsness plays a tight butterfly style with quick side-to-side movement, and has penchant for the big save. He's an excellent reader of the developing play, and with better rebound control, the 5'11 backstop has the ability to be a top-tier goaltender in the NCAA ranks as a sophomore.

20 - Corey Fienhage, RHD, North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA), 2008 3rd round (81st overall)

Unlike his Sioux teammate Eidsness, Fienhage did not enjoy a developmental season of Junior "A" before hitting the collegiate ranks. Thought to be heading to Indiana (USHL) in 2008-09, Taylor Chorney's early departure to the Edmonton Oilers opened up the scholarship spot for the 6'3, 214-pound Fienhage to enter college immediately.

The jump from Minnesota high school to the WCHA takes some time, and Fienhage, 18, has struggled some with the pace of the game. Stout and aggressive with good foot speed, the athletic rearguard still made a rugged statement with 28 PIM in his nine appearances. The encouraging sign is the nature of the calls - six roughing minors, one high stick, one check from behind, a misconduct from a fight, and another for interference.

He wasn't intimidated, and he wasn't taking hooking and tripping calls as one would expect from an inexperienced defender. Aside from Weber, the former high school safety's fierce demeanor represents the best option for toughness in the Sabres pipeline.

So while on the surface the WCHA freshman may appear to be a disappointment to most Sabre fans, a season of limited exposure while letting the pace marinate in practice was almost foreseeable. Dressing in roughly a quarter of his teams contests, the rookie has earned the praise of coaches with his continued hard work in practices.

Michigan Tech is not a Cup Cake.

You have to love the blogger from the Red Star and Sickle. You have to wonder why the blogger from the Strib would even write that? No teams in the WCHA are pushovers, every game is a battle. Last weekend the 9th place team in the WCHA took out the 4th place team in the CCHA.

Roman is right Michigan Tech is going to clog up the neutral zone and make life miserable for the Gophers. Michigan Tech is going to pressure and get in the Gopher's face. The Tech Huskies are a physical team and are going to be playing for pride this weekend. There are also a lot of WCHA fans that are hoping the Real Huskies can take a bit out of the Golden Gophers. I think that if the Huskies had suffered so many devastating injuries they would have been fighting for home ice in the WCHA.

U men’s hockey: Tech not a cupcake, goalie and PairWise talk, etc.
By Roman Augustoviz --- Gophers coach Don Lucia, whose team is still in the hunt for a first-division finish in the WCHA, said his team will not take Michigan Tech lightly this weekend. The series is in Houghton, Mich.

“They have just been on the wrong side of a lot of one-goal games,” said Lucia, referring to the Huskies who are 1-18-7 in the WCHA. ”You look at how many overtime games they have played. … They don’t give up much and we will have to try to win some low-scoring games. That’s the way they are going to be. And I think we are comfortable in that, because that’s the way we have been involved all year long too.

“But we have to remain patient knowing, you know what, it’s probably going to get decided in the third period sometime.”

North Dakota High School All State

Here is the list for the North Dakota High School All State Hockey Team:

2009 Boy's All-State Team Announced:
F-Casey Purpur [G.F. Central]
F-Jake LaDouceur [G.F. Red River]
F-Patrick Anderson [Bismarck High]
F-Peter Orson [Fargo South]
F-Tyler Richter [Bismarck High]
F-Justin Moody [G.F. Central]
F-Riley Olson [Hazen/Beulah]
F-Russel Crary [G.F. Red River]
F-Bryce Schmitt [Minot]
D-Jake Axtman [Williston]
D-Danny Ray [G.F. Central]
D-Nick Romanick [Bismarck High]
D-Ryan Hills [Grafton/Park River]
D-Tyler Peterson [Bismarck High]
D-Dan Kovar [Bismarck Century]
D-Josh Hooey [Fargo South]
G-Scott Buchholz [Fargo South]
G-Darren Medler [Minot]
G-Seth Lang [G.F. Central]

Fighting Sioux coaches show.

(Click here for the broadcast)

Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol was on the Fighting Sioux coaches show at 43:45. First question out of the gate was about league expansion and coach Hakstol didn't have any information on it at all.

The next question out of the gate was about injuries and Coach Hakstol said, “That he talked to Derek LaPoint in the weight room and he is not coming back this season.” Coach Hakstol said Derrick is coming along in his recovery. Other than that he said that he really couldn’t comment on injuries and that basically everyone is banged up this time of year.

Tim Hennesy said, “I just got my ballot today for the all league voting and all that. I like Brad Eidsness, I think that Brad Eidsness should be a slam dunk for Rookie of the year. I don’t think it is negotiable. But the people I am talking to I don’t think he is going to be. In your mind is he the best rookie and done the most for his team that is on top of the league right now in the WCHA. Shouldn’t he, shouldn’t he be a slam dunk? Coach Hakstol said, he is pretty good. Coach Hakstol also said, “I am not campaigning or on a on a soap box for any of our players, that is not what our team is about.” Coach Hakstol said there are lots of good young players in our league.

Boucher goes Frazee.

Check out Zidlicky's goal, talk about getting a favorable bounce. I never thought I would see a goal from this far out again, at least not in the NHL. This was the game tying goal between the Wild and the Sharks. Brian Boucher does his best Jeff Frazee impression. The ice was really bad in the Shark Tank last night and this one just keeps on bouncing right on into the net.

INCH CHAT...

Here is the latest from the boys at INCH. First; call me a homer but I think UND is a little stronger than Denver right now, when the Pioneers get Tyler Bozak back then I think they are probably a little better than the Fighting Sioux.

Second; I don't see Walski playing this weekend, UND doesn't have the luxury of giving him another start, he played himself out of a starting job at the beginning of the season. I don't see how it would benefit UND in playing Walski. Based on the PWR numbers the Fighting Sioux can't afford to just throw games away. This is Brad Eidsnes's team and he has earned the Starting position on the merits of his play. Brad Eidsness give the Fighting Sioux the best chance to win this weekend. Again over the last twenty three games the Badgers and Sioux have spilt the series 11-11-1, In Madison the Sioux have gone 3-2 the last 5 games in Madison. Last season the Sioux were 2-1.

Third I could see the MTU Huskies winning a game against the Gophers this weekend. The Gophers have gone 2-4-2 in February and 6-8-2 since the turn of the year. It's the Huskies last weekend of hockey in Houghton, Michigan before they travel to Denver or Grand Forks, ND. Look for the Huskies to clog up the neutral zone and give the Gophers fits. I also expect the Huskies to hit the Gophers every chance they get.

Eric Fargo, ND: The Sioux have made another fabulous second half run. They have four lines contributing to the scoring. So what do the INCH guys think about UND chances to make the Frozen Four this year?

Jess Myers: If I were a betting man, I would not pick them to get to DC. Of the past five Sioux teams, this one is probably the deepest because the lack of a superstar (like Toews or Oshie) makes them harder to play, and kudos to them on a widely-expected MacNaughton Cup this weekend. But if I had to pick a WCHA team to get to the Frozen, I would pick Denver right now.
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KS (Minneapolis-for now): Since I'll be watching the next batch of stars tonight at Mariucci, I'll miss the UM/Tech game. Unless I ignore work-and watch the live scoring-I can only imagine what happens. Put me, and the rest of Gopher Nation at ease and tell me they get 4 this weekend and make some noise at the Final Five.

Jess Myers: I'm picking a split. The Huskies have not won a WCHA game since Halloween night, but they've been pesky at home lately, earning some nice ties with teams clearly more talented than them. Combine the emotion of senior night with the fact that not many of us are sold on this Gopher team lately and I see Minnesota bringing two points home on the long bus ride from the U.P.
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Dustin (Grand Forks): If North Dakota clinches the cup with their game Friday, does Dave Hakstol give senior goalie Aaron Walski a start for Saturday?

Jess Myers: Yes. It makes sense to give Brad Eidsness a physical and mental break heading into what could be a tougher-than-expected playoff series with Michigan Tech.
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Ryan (Grand Forks, ND): Do you think Ryan Duncan is an underrated player this year? He wasn't on the ballet for WCHA player of the year, but he is near the top in most statistics. That doesn't even take into account his leadership and all the hard work he brings to every shift on the ice that helped him win a Hobey a few years back. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Jess Myers: Duncan has been a pure joy to watch on the ice and, as a member of the media, to cover. I agree with you that for a guy with a Hobey on his resume, he's surprisingly overlooked a great deal. Part of that is his size, and part of it is by his own design, as Ryan is always quick to proclaim there are no superstars on the Sioux roster
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The GM's at the trade dead line.

Today I was listening to Puck Daddy Greg Wyshynski on XM-204 and he rated the NHL general managers at the trade dead line. I think Wyshynski's grade on Boston is is spot on. My next question is; anyone notice how the Bruins have done since the former General Manager Harry Sinden left the Bruins in 2006? The Bruins have gotten drastically better and have drafted well and have a stable full of good young players. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli is doing a bang up job getting the Bruins back into the hunt for a Stanley cup championship.

Boston Bruins: Acquired F Mark Recchi and a 2010 second-round pick from Tampa for D Matt Lashoff and F Martins Karsums; Traded F Petteri Nokelainen to Anaheim for D Steve Montador.

After swinging for the fences with Marian Hossa last year (and missing the ball), GM Peter Chiarelli managed like a man with a first-place team yesterday. Recchi's career resurgence now gives him a chance for a Cup, and there's no way that isn't going to energize him even more. Montador is another player already having an outstanding season, and a rather perfect fit for what the Boston blue line needed. Boston sniffed around some high-end deals (like one for Keith Tkachuk), but were unwilling to move a major asset like Phil Kessel. Maybe Lashoff becomes a top-pairing defenseman, and maybe Nokelainen finds his game with the Ducks; it won't matter if Recchi and Montador win a Cup for Beantown. GRADE: A-.

Now! Compare and contrast the two organizations. The Boston Bruins are in the playoffs will probably get the number one seed in the east unless they really fall apart. They also added more high end talent at the dead line for the playoff run. The Boston organization had players in their organization they could use to bargain with and make trades if they need to. Minnesota on the other hand is in a state of disarray. They are barely alive for the eighth and final playoff spot. I don't see a way the Minnesota Wild can manage to make the playoffs this season.

Minnesota also has nothing as far as prospects in their minor league system they can offer to other teams. Minnesota is team made of third liners and has a shortage of talent that can score goals and make plays. Yet they want to hold on to players like James Sheppard who show no sign of ever scoring goals this season or even in this life time. Like Archie said in a previous blog post that Doug Risebrough as managed to screw up two teams in a matter of a decade and smugly sat by and did nothing to better his team. Doug Risebrough should have gotten an F- and for his efforts should be shown the door.

The thing that is also a major head scratcher is that there are no players on the Wild roster that have been division one college hockey players. I want to know how Doug Risebrough can reside in a state with five division one hockey teams and not end up with one player that isn't a former college hockey player. You also have Wisconsin and North Dakota in neighboring states. Boston on the other hand has a roster stuff with former college players; Tim Thomas (Vermont), Phil Kessel and Blake Wheeler (Minnesota), Mark Stuart (Colorado College), Byron Bitz (Cornell), Matt Hunwick and Aaron Ward (Michigan), Chuck Kobasew (Boston College).

Minnesota Wild: Nada. While the team did ink goalie Niklas Backstrom to an extension before the deadline, it did jack and squat otherwise. Pending UFAs Marc-Andre Bergeron and Martin Skoula didn't move. The asking price for Marian Gaborik was too high, so he becomes a de facto deadline move when he rejoins the Wild lineup soon. While he deserves credit for not overpaying for, say, Olli Jokinen, General Manager Doug Risebrough was taken apart by The State of Hockey for his inactivity at the deadline. GRADE: C-.