Ovechkin scores number 50

Check out the video Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Smaby was on the ice when Alex Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season. I think the celebration by Ovechkin was a little over the top and maybe he should act like he's been there before. We has 50 times this season.

Matt Watkins interview on Hockey Buzz.

Julie Robenhymer from Hockey Buzz interviewed Matt Watkins Some good stuff here and Watty's opinion on who should be the next host of Miller Time.

Here is what Julie had to say about the UND Fighting Sioux and the fan support at the Xcel. Pretty accurate assessment of this past weekend.

In the second semifinal, the Bulldogs took on the Fighting Sioux, who's fans showed up in full force. No joke, you might have thought this tournament was being held in Grand Forks there was so much green in the crowd. Too bad it didn't help the Sioux as the crowd was taken out of the game early on a big time boo boo by their goaltender, Brad Eidsness. He went behind the net to corral the puck coming around the boards and then left it there for his defenseman and skated around the long way to the front of the net, but was unaware of McGreggor Sharp, who has been Johnny on the Spot for the Bulldogs this weekend, coming up around the other side who scooped up the puck and tapped it into an essentially empty net. Did I mention that was shorthanded?? The Sioux finally got their act together in the middle of the second and started playing to their potential, but Stalock put up another solid performance and didn't let anything by as the Bulldogs advanced to the Championship Game.

Wow, Bulldogs make history.

A few weeks back after the Bulldogs had lost five games in a row and one of the local Duluth writers; Howie Hanson had wrote a scathing hit piece on the Bulldog hockey team and their coach. The article as called ANOTHER BULLDOGS MELTDOWN After reading this drive by shooting by Howie Hanson I wrote this blog post in response to Howie Hanson's ridiculous premature blog post.

The quote that is posted below, is the part that really struck a nerve cord with me. If you fast forward to this weekend Howie's hit piece was basically ruled to be irrelevant and a premature panic attack. Who could writtem this story any better than Scott Sandelin’s scrappy Bulldog team. UMD because the first play in game winner to win the Final Five, yeah I guess the WCHA was closer this season than you thought. Maybe those 9th place Seawolves weren't as bad as you made them out to be.

Competing for fifth-place and a home ice series in the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs in the final weekend, UMD’s once-proud program sunk to perhaps the most pitiful low in Coach Scott Sandelin’s mostly unproductive tenure last weekend — when the poorly-prepared Bulldogs lost twice at home to (drum roll, please) the mighty, ninth-place Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.

This is the response that I wrote to Howie's blog post. I guess I was pretty close on my prediction eh? The Bulldogs winning the Final Five from the play in game is definitely one of the Cinderella sports moments.

To taking a quote out of the sports cliches' it isn't over until the fat lady sings. Hey Howie, the season isn't over for the Bulldogs, not yet anyways. Why don't you let the games play out first. In case you haven't noticed the Bulldogs get to play C.C. in the Springs this weekend where they have a record of 1-0-1 against the Tigers this year. Personally, I would wait till the end of the season before you start kicking dirt on the Bulldogs season.

You have to wonder if this guy followed the rest of the WCHA very closely because seeding for the WCHA playoffs were not really decided until the last hours of the season. Maybe he should stick to high school hockey. Seriously, who is to say the Bulldogs don't go to Colorado College beat the Tigers in two or three games and get to the Final Five? UMD is also ranked 17th in Pair Wise Rankings so a series win in Colorado Springs and a couple of games in St Paul could put them into the NCAA tourney. During the 2005-2006 season the UMD Bulldogs were 11-25-4 and went to DU and won a WCHA playoff series against the Pioneers in Denver.

The answer to the question was.

To the fellow Sioux fan that wanted to bet me a $1000.00 that tried to convince me that Rory Mcmahon had fought Matt Demarchi. I knew he was wrong, I just couldn't remember that it was in fact Mike Vannelli, I remember this triva fact this morning when I woke up. I wish I would have taken this guys money.

Putting the final touches on the Final Five.

I have been going to the Final Five for ten years (1999) since it was held at the Target Center and this was the best time that I have had of my ten trips to St. Paul. Sioux7 and I were three for three, we closed three bars in three nights and we had fun doing it. McGovern’s (Thursday night), Tom Reid’s (Friday Night) and the Liffey's (Saturday Night). This is what the Final Five is all about; fellowship with your fellow fans, it's not about getting in people’s faces, the final five is about socializing and cheering our teams on, and hanging out with friends.

The Final Five is about ringing in the spring and the beginning of the end to the college hockey season for another season. As our teams are eliminated we sit on pins and needles and wonder if our favorite player is going to go pro or not.
In my opinion the Michigan Tech fans are the MVP of the weekend, while their team was not in St. Paul they were there in full force representing their University.

Sandy is King

Anyone that doubted Scott Sandelin before this weekend; all I can say is, how do you like him now? I know a few of the UMD fans were ready to make a change and getting antsy. The Bulldogs were the first team to win a Final Five from the Play in game. That is an impressive feat, it just doesn't happen very often. The Bulldogs gave up one (1) goal in three games. That is unprecedented, that just doesn't happen very often.

Here is the latest Bracketology from Jason Moy, it will be interesting to see if his prediction are on or not. There will be three WCHA teams UND, DU and UMD. There will be no Wisconsin Badgers, no SCSU Huskies and no Minnesota Golden Gophers in this year's NCAA tourney.

Midwest Regional:

Bemidji State vs. Notre Dame
Princeton vs. Northeastern

West Regional:

Miami vs. Denver
Cornell vs. Minnesota-Duluth

East Regional:

Air Force vs. Michigan
Vermont vs. Yale

Northeast Regional:

Ohio State vs. Boston University
New Hampshire vs. North Dakota

Badgers 4 Sioux 1

Today's effort was disappointing because we failed to show up and the Badgers handed it to us. Also, I am disappointed with the power play which was abysmal, pathetic and listless. We need remind a few of the players that when you put on the Fighting Sioux it means something. Losing two games at the final five is unacceptable and not a good way to launch the team into the NCAA playoffs.

I also think it is bushleague that a Blake Geoffrion would go after a Finley after Joe hit Jordy Murray with a clean a legal text book hit. Come on what a bush league move. Some Badger fan sitting next to me said that Finley is the Sioux version of Ryan Flynn. I told him what do you expect big Joe to do? Just let the guy attack him.

***I didn't bring my camera but will post some pictures later.


Box Score
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1st Period (20:00)
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NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Ryan Duncan (19) (Jason Gregoire, Brett Hextall) 7:45
NDK (+): 16,17,26,14,24,G31 WIS (-): 16,24,14,3,7,G35
WIS-1 Blake Geoffrion (2-Roughing) 10:16
WIS-2 Blake Geoffrion (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) NDK 0x1 10:16
NDK-1 Joe Finley (2-Roughing) 10:16
WIS-3 Jamie McBain (2-Cross-Checking) 10:57
NDK-2 Brett Hextall (2-Slashing) 10:57
NDK-3 Matt Frattin (2-Holding) WIS 0x1 14:20
WIS-4 Ryan McDonagh (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 18:41
NDK-4 Ryan Duncan (2-Tripping) WIS 0x2 19:28

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2nd Period (20:00)
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WIS 1 - 1 6x6 Andy Bohmbach (10) (Ben Grotting, Craig Johnson) 3:37
WIS (+): 11,14,5,3,7,G35 NDK (-): 24,21,14,22,29,G31
WIS-5 Blake Geoffrion (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) NDK 0x3 4:31
WIS-6 Brendan Smith (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 6:16
NDK-5 Matt Frattin (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 6:16
WIS 2 - 1 6x6 GW LL Jordy Murray (7) (Michael Davies) 8:28
WIS (+): 18,9,19,21,7,G35 NDK (-): 16,17,6,25,26,G31
NDK-6 Darcy Zajac (2-Holding) WIS 0x3 8:41
WIS-7 Jake Gardiner (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 11:16
WIS-8 Brendan Smith (2-Holding) NDK 0x5 15:29
NDK-7 Matt Frattin (2-Slashing) WIS 1x4 18:04
WIS 3 - 1 6x5 PP Brendan Smith (9) (Blake Geoffrion, Jamie McBain) 19:15
WIS: 7,5,2,9,21,G35 NDK: 6,25,22,17,G31

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3rd Period (20:00)
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NDK-8 Ben Blood (2-Interference) WIS 1x5 3:48
WIS-9 Blake Geoffrion (2-Hooking) NDK 0x6 4:08
WIS-10 Aaron Bendickson (2-Tripping) NDK 0x7 5:18
WIS-11 Patrick Johnson (2-Hooking) NDK 0x8 9:49
WIS-12 Cody Goloubef (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x9 12:30
NDK-9 Brad Miller (2-Hooking) WIS 1x6 14:27
NDK-10 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) WIS 2x7 15:20
Timeout - Wisconsin 15:20
WIS 4 - 1 6x5 PP Jordy Murray (8) (Andy Bohmbach, Brendan Smith) 17:04
WIS: 18,11,7,17,21,G35 NDK: 6,25,22,11,G31
WIS-13 Blake Geoffrion (2-Roughing) 18:38
WIS-14 Blake Geoffrion (2-Cross-Checking) 18:38
WIS-15 Blake Geoffrion (10-Misconduct) 18:38
NDK-11 Joe Finley (2-Roughing) 18:38
NDK-12 Joe Finley (2-Cross-Checking) 18:38
NDK-13 Joe Finley (10-Misconduct) 18:38

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End of Game
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Much fun to be had.

Went to Tom Reids in St. Paul tonight after the game and ran into some neat people and my buddies met Julie Robenhymer from hockey buzz. Julie was a lot fun to talk to and knows her hockey really well.

Also had the opportunity to meet Jess Meyers from INCH. I told Jess that I forgave him on his seventh place prediction for UND.

Also, all the refs showed up at Tom Reids to night as well, no we didn't engage them.

UMD 3 UND 0

Cue the cliche' the Fighting Sioux ran into a smoking hot goalie tonight, nothing you can do but congratulate Stalock and have him take a bow. In talking with Sioux7 tonight I don't think UND played all that bad and I thought UND carried the play once they got going. The Sioux has to be better on the power play especially when they get handed a 5 minute power play.

Brad Eidsness needs to be more careful with the puck. That being said I can't remember the last time I saw a goalie leave the puck for opposition to have him beat the goalie back to the net and score.


BOX SCORE
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1st Period (20:00)
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MND-1 BENCH (2-TOO MANY PLAYERS ON ICE) (Served by Justin Fontaine) NDK 0x1 4:53
MND 1 - 0 5x6 SH GW LL MacGregor Sharp (22) (unassisted) 5:10
MND (+): 18,22,14,26,G32 NDK (-): 26,14,25,16,29,G31
MND-2 Brady Lamb (2-Roughing) 7:05
NDK-1 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 7:05
MND 2 - 0 5x5 Mike Montgomery (2) (Josh Meyers, Justin Fontaine) 7:41
MND (+): 24,17,37,12,G32 NDK (-): 20,22,6,25,G31
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Holding) MND 0x1 11:33
NDK-3 Zach Jones (2-Interference) MND 0x2 15:20

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2nd Period (20:00)
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NDK-4 Ryan Duncan (2-Slashing) MND 0x3 0:36
MND-3 Brady Lamb (5-Kneeing) NDK 0x2 4:33
MND-4 Chad Huttel (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 14:54
MND-5 Michael Gergen (2-Slashing) NDK 0x4 17:32
MND-6 Andrew Carroll (2-Roughing) 20:00
NDK-5 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 20:00

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3rd Period (20:00)
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MND-7 Mike Connolly (2-Slashing) 5:00
NDK-6 Ryan Duncan (2-Interference) 5:00
MND-8 Brady Lamb (2-High-Sticking) NDK 0x5 7:16
NDK-7 Chay Genoway (2-Slashing) MND 0x4 9:47
NDK-8 Joe Finley (2-Roughing) MND 0x5 15:26
MND 3 - 0 6x6 EN Mike Connolly (12) (MacGregor Sharp, Jay Cascalenda) 18:07
MND (+): 22,18,14,19,17,G32 NDK (-): 29,16,5,14,17,26

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End of Game
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DU 3 Wisconsin 0

It was a fitting end for the Wisconsin Badgers, this time the Denver Pioneers got sweet revenge on their hated rivals that had held a 11-0 record against them in the playoffs. The Pioneers returned the favor from last springs west regional in Madison Wisconsin. This time it was the Pioneers that ended the Wisconsin Badgers playoff hopes.

The score of today's game was 3-0. For the most part the Denver Pioneers kept the Badgers shots to the outside and didn't allow them space between the dots. This afternoon's game turned out to be a relatively uneventful game and the fans were given little cheer about. Wisconsin scored a goal with about two minutes left to go in the game but it was ruled that the puck was kicked in with a skate.

Box Score
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1st Period (20:00)
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WIS-1 Andy Bohmbach (2-Slashing) DEN 0x1 11:07
DEN 1 - 0 6x6 GW LL Brian Gifford (4) (unassisted) 15:20
DEN (+): 22,8,27,11,7,G1 WIS (-): 12,17,18,10,27,G35
DEN-1 Rhett Rakhshani (2-Holding) WIS 0x1 15:34

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2nd Period (20:00)
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DEN 2 - 0 6x6 Kyle Ostrow (14) (Luke Salazar, Patrick Mullen) 13:40
DEN (+): 19,18,7,12,6,G1 WIS (-): 16,2,24,19,14,G35
DEN-2 J.P. Testwuide (2-Holding) WIS 0x2 17:00

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3rd Period (20:00)
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WIS-2 Brendan Smith (2-Hooking) DEN 1x2 5:35
DEN 3 - 0 6x5 PP Patrick Wiercioch (12) (Patrick Mullen, Joe Colborne) 6:01
DEN: 28,7,12,9,16,G1 WIS: 5,18,17,27,G35
DEN-3 John Lee (2-Interference) WIS 0x3 9:11
DEN-4 Jesse Martin (2-Cross-Checking) WIS 0x4 18:07
WIS-3 Blake Geoffrion (2-Elbowing) 18:46
DEN-5 John Ryder (2-Slashing) WIS 0x5 19:27

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End of Game
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A couple of things (Dubay sighting)

***This is the most emotion you will probably see Coach Hakstol display. Props to Bob from BadgerSioux.

***Last night I ran into Jeff Dubay formally of P.A. and Dubay show and Jeff wanted me to relay to the Sioux fans that he was very gracious for how he was recieved in Grand Forks, ND during the Sioux and Gophers series. I told him that a quite a few of us just want to see him get well and turn his life around. Personally while I still listen to the P.A. show, it isn't the same without PUFFY.
I want to see Jeff turn it around and will be pulling for him.

UMD 2 UMN 1

Wow, what a great game! No really! I thought tonight's game was one of those games where it was fun to be in the stands watching the game. Sucks that one team has to lose this game. Right team won.

In the game Alex Stalock was awesome and I would say the difference in this game. Word is that Kangas had the Flu tonight and that was the reason he was pulled in favor of Patterson. It was a fun night. I finally got to meet the famous Boosh and Dirty.

Tomorrow the Fighting Sioux meet the UMD Bulldogs in a game that will probably turn out to be a street fight, two team that don't like each other very much. Funny thing the Gophers will not be playing evening game as a few predicted. See you torrow night.

Box Score.


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1st Period (20:00)
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MND 1 - 0 6x6 LL MacGregor Sharp (21) (Evan Oberg) 3:46
MND (+): 18,4,19,22,2,G32 MIN (-): 29,19,26,28,6,G33
MND-1 Chad Huttel (2-High-Sticking) MIN 0x1 7:56
MND-2 Matt Greer (2-Tripping) MIN 0x2 8:51
MIN-1 Drew Fisher (2-Holding) MND 0x1 15:26
MND-3 Michael Gergen (2-Interference) MIN 0x3 17:25

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2nd Period (20:00)
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MIN-2 Cade Fairchild (2-Interference) MND 0x2 7:34
MND-4 Mike Connolly (2-Slashing) MIN 0x4 12:25
MND 2 - 0 6x6 GW Matt Greer (5) (Drew Akins, Chad Huttel) 14:34
MND (+): 16,7,26,22,14,G32 MIN (-): 16,12,7,10,20,G35

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3rd Period (20:00)
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MIN 1 - 2 6x6 Cade Fairchild (9) (Jay Barriball, Jordan Schroeder) 6:08
MIN (+): 29,28,26,19,6,G35 MND (-): 16,24,17,21,7,G32
MND-5 Jay Cascalenda (2-High-Sticking) MIN 0x5 10:34
Timeout - Minnesota 13:43
MND-6 Andrew Carroll (2-Hooking) 20:00

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End of Game
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Play-in Game (Sioux7)

Well, their you have it, the Bulldogs upset the Gophers in the first game of the final five. This will definitely help the Bulldogs with their chances of getting into the NCAA tourney next week. The Bulldogs took advantage of their scoring opportunities tonight to jump on top to 1-0 lead in the first, and then they extended their lead to 2-0 in the second period. The Gophers put a plethora of shots on UMD goalie Alex Stalock and were finally able to solve him in the 3rd period to cut the lead to 2-1, but they just couldn't get the equalizer. The UM had a chance in the first to even the game at one when they had a 5 on 3 power play for over a minute, but the Bulldogs stood their ground and killed it off.

The Bulldogs advance to play the Sioux tomorrow night at 7pm.

I and the Goon are off to get some food...

Final Five is upon us.

The All conference teams are up and posted on WCHA.COM. UND has some decent representation.

First team all-WCHA

F Ryan Stoa, Minnesota, 335
F Ryan Lasch, SCSU, 274
F Chad Rau, CC, 257
D Jamie McBain, Wisconsin, 328
D Chay Genoway, UND, 313
G Alex Stalock, Duluth, 316

Second team all-WCHA

F Ryan Duncan, UND, 199
F Jordan Schroeder, Minnesota, 180
F Justin Fontaine, Duluth, 177
D Patrick Wiercioch, Denver, 161
D Garrett Raboin, SCSU, 159
G Marc Cheverie, Denver, 154

Third team all-WCHA

F Garrett Roe, SCSU, 166
F Anthony Maiani, Denver, 139
F Rhett Rakhshani, Denver, 116
D Josh Meyers, Duluth, 146
D Kurt Davis, Mankato, 85
G Brad Eidsness, UND, 103

All-rookie team

F Jordan Schroeder, Minnesota, 77
F Joe Colborne, Denver, 43
F Mike Connolly, Duluth, 33
D Patrick Wiercioch, Denver, 77
D Jake Gardiner, Wisconsin, 31
G Brad Eidsness, UND, 77

POY -- Jamie McBain, Wisconsin
ROY-- Jordan Schroeder, Minnesota
DPOY-- Chay Genoway, UND
Coach of the year -- Dave Hakstol, UND
Student-athlete of the year -- J.P. Testwuide, Denver

WCHA Coach of the Year Dave Hakstol, who led his UND Fighting Sioux to the WCHA regular season championship and MacNaughton Cup here in 2008-09, is a four-time national finalist for the HCA Spencer Penrose Award. Hakstol has led North Dakota to an NCAA Frozen Four appearance in each of his four seasons and is already the fourth-winningest coach in UND history. Hakstol's teams have posted a winning percentage of over .700 from Jan. 1 on over his five seasons behind the bench. The Sioux are 24-12-4 through games of March 15 and ranked No. 5/6 in the latest polls.

11 Sioux on all-WCHA Academic Team...

This is the week that the WCHA awards come out. First one out is the All-WCHA Academic teams. here is the break down by teams.

Denver University-18, Alaska-Anchorage-14, St. Cloud State-12, North Dakota-11 Minnesota State-11, Colorado College-11, Minnesota-Duluth-10 Michigan Tech-9 Minnesota-6 Wisconsin-5

University of North Dakota: Brent Davidson, So, F (Morden, MB); ***Ryan Duncan, Sr, F (Calgary, AB); ***Joe Finley, Sr, D (Edina, MN); Matt Frattin, So, F (Edmonton, AB); **Chay Genoway, Jr, D (Morden, MB); Derrick LaPoint, So, D (Eau Claire, WI); ***Ryan Martens, Sr, F (Selkirk, MB); Jake Marto, So, D (Grand Forks, ND); ***Aaron Walski, Sr, G (Fargo, ND); ***Matt Watkins, Sr, F (Aylesbury, SK); **Darcy Zajac, Jr, F (Winnipeg, MB).

Pair Wise Predictor is up...

The USCHO PairWise Predictor 2009 is now up. This what I came up with, I have Minnesota losing in the first game of the Final Five. I have UND beating Wisconsin in the championship game of the Final Five. I figure since the series is equal the last 25 games (12-12-1) and since the Wisconsin Badgers won the last game, I believe there is a good chance that the UND Fighting Sioux will beat the Badgers in the Final Five. I also have DU winning the third place game against UMD. Feel free to post your PWR numbers. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UMD are definately bubble teams. REMEMBER this is for fun.

1 Boston University (BU)
2 Notre Dame (Nt)
3 Michigan (Mi)
4 North Dakota (ND)
5 Denver (DU)
6 Northeastern (NE)
7 Princeton (Pn)
8t Vermont (Vt)
8t Yale (Ya)
10 New Hampshire (NH)
11 Cornell (Cr)
12 Miami (Mm)
13 Ohio State (OS)
14 Minnesota (Mn)
15t Wisconsin (Wi)
15t Minnesota-Duluth (MD)
17t Boston College (BC)
17t St. Lawrence (SL)
19t Mass.-Lowell (ML)
19t Air Force (AF)
19t Colorado College (CC)
22t RIT (RT)
22t Northern Michigan (NM)
24 St. Cloud State (SC)
25 Alaska (Ak)
— Bemidji State

Pictures from the REA 3-14-2009

Edit Here is some pictures Sioux7 sent me. Garlynn took the pictures from last Saturday's game using Sioux7's camera.

DU has concerns at the Center Position. (edit)

DU coach George Gwozdecky has a couple concerns at the center ice position; meaning he is missing two of his top centers to knee injuries. 1.) Tyler Bozek (7-14-21) has been after having knee surgery in December, Bozek was injured he was one of the top forwards in the WCHA and in my opinion would've had a good chance of finishing with the WCHA scoring title. Bozek was also a +14 when he was hurt. 2.) Tyler Ruegsegger (15-11-26) had a season ending injury last weekend against UAA. EDIT-According to Brad's blog Denver forward Jesse Martin is "questionable for this weekend. Stay tuned.

DU coach George Gwozdecky hasn’t paid attention to his record in St. Paul (6-1, 6-0 at the WCHA Final Five) or against Wisconsin (4-0 this season). The only numbers he’s concerned with is four _ the amount of centers he’ll need to field a lineup.

DU lost junior center Tyler Ruegsegger to a season-ending knee injury last Friday in the league playoff opener against Alaska-Anchorage, and sophomore center Jesse Martin went down late in Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury. Gwozdecky said Monday that Martin, who had a goal in each game against the Seawolves, is questionable for Friday and won’t try to practice until Wednesday in St. Paul.

The Pioneers have played the past 18 games without star sophomore center Tyler Bozak, who is scheduled to return in about 10 days when DU begins the NCAA Tournament.
(Read the Whole Article Here)

BGSU Hockey teams safe for now.

Hot off the presses from the Bronco Hockey Blog BGSU hockey is safe for now. That is good news, now its time for the BGSU administration, the BGSU alumni and their boosters to come up with a solution to keep hockey running at Bowling Green.

We have heard the concerns raised by supporters of BGSU ice hockey and appreciate their passion for the program. We also recognize the significant role the Ice Arena plays in the Bowling Green community. We will work with Recreational Sports (which operates the arena) and the community to review the issues related to the facility and begin collaborating on the development of possible solutions.
(Read the whole story here)

How would Ryan Jones look in a Wild uniform?

I was watching this game last night on NHL Center Ice when former Miami Redhawk Ryan Jones scored the game winning goal at 17:42 minute mark of the third period against the L.A. Kings. I thought funny how would that player look in a Wild Uniform? We will never know since Wild GM Doug Risebrough traded him away to the Predators before we got a chance to find out.

Just for comparison sake, Mr untouchable James Sheppard has 4 goals and 12 assist for 16 points in 69 games while Ryan Jones has 7 goals 9 assist in 41 games. In case you're mathematically challenged it took Jones 28 less games for Jones to score the same amount of points. So one could make the argument that Risebrough was wrong again in his analysis so young players.Please I am begging the Minnesota Wild ownership group, do us a favor get rid of Risebrough, please!

Where is Phil?

I got this from the Bruins beat writer today. You have to wonder what a maintenance day is? I have been trying to get some clarification on this one. Hopefully it isn't anything serious and Phil has been sick the last two seasons.

Practice lineup, with Shane Hnidy and Matt Hunwick as the two spare defensemen:

Forward lines:

1.) P.J. Axelsson Marc Savard Blake Wheeler
2.) Mark Recchi Patrice Bergeron Chuck Kobasew
3.) Milan Lucic David Krejci Michael Ryder
4.) Shawn Thornton Stephane Yelle Byron Bitz

Defense:

1.) Zdeno Chara, Dennis Wideman
2.) Andrew Ference, Steve Montador
3.) Mark Stuart, Aaron Ward

Goalies

Tim Thomas
Manny Fernandez

UPDATE: Phil Kessel was given a maintenance day today. He was the only Bruin not to practice today.