Stanley Cup playoffs begin tonight.

East

Montreal at Boston, I predict the Bruins will win in 5 games.
NY Rangers at Washington, I predict the Caps will win in 6 games
Carolina at New Jersey I predict the Canes to win in 7 games.
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh I predict the Pittsburgh in 6 games.

West

Anaheim at San Jose, I predict the Sharks will win in 5 games.
Columbus at Detroit, I predict the Blue Jackets will win in 7 games.
St. Louis at Vancouver, I predict the Canucks will win in 7 games.
Calgary at Chicago, I predict the Blackhawks will win in 7 games.

3-2-1 points systems?

Our friend Kyle from the illegalcurve.com has an idea for points in NHL hockey games. Personally, I think that the NHL will never take this approach because there would be less parity in the leagues and teams would be out of the races for a playoff spots earlier in the season and would effect attendance and the over-all dollar. The idea does make you think though. Makes you think how long the Wild would have been in the race with this system?

I thought I could gain some traction for a 3-2-1 system of points. Since I am now a lame duck, I doubt this idea will go anywhere but thought I should share it with readers to get some feedback.

The idea is certainly not new or original by any means, but merely stems by the growing dislike of the “loser point”. My proposal was to change the points system for wins to a 3-2-1 system. 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime win and 1 point for a shootout win. Losing teams would be awarded no points. The idea behind this is to not only eliminate the loser point, but to give teams incentives to win games in regulation. I believe this was the NHL’s original intent when it instituted the shootout and the loser point.

Tavares is No. 1 target for Burke

In a way you kinda have to admire Burke's bravado but there is no way in hell the Islanders are going to give up John Tavares, not in a million years. Also, what does Burke have to bargain with, there is not a lot of talent on the Leafs.

TORONTO -- The Maple Leafs are going to aggressively pursue a top NHL entry draft spot, perhaps even the No. 1 position, says GM Brian Burke.

Going into the draft lottery Tuesday night, Toronto was seventh in the selection order and could move up a maximum of four spots if it wins the weighted draw.

Burke intends to be wheeling and dealing before the top teen talent is dispersed in Montreal with an eye on landing highly touted forward John Tavares.

"We'll immediately attempt to move up," Burke said during a news conference Tuesday morning. "We're going to talk to everyone between us and the first pick and see what the landscape is.

This is the type of General Manager the Minnesota Wild need to hire. I also think there are a few players on the Wild that feel they are entitled as well and don't respect the game, or think the name on the back of the jersey is more important than the logo on the front. After reading all of the crap that James Sheppard has pulled this past season with the Wild a good GM would have shipped his ass off to Houston faster in a New York Minute. Untouchable, I don't know what Risebrough sees in James Sheppard because he has done nothing in his two shorts years for the Wild. Ryan Jones the player they traded away to Nashville is developing at a faster rate than James Sheppard. Ryan Jones has scored two less goals than James Sheppard in 114 less games. Tell me who you would rather have traded last summer?

Burke said he and head coach Ron Wilson have progressed in their attempt to end the "culture of entitlement" some players feel when they play for the Leafs.

"Anyone who thinks he's on this roster because he has a contract is sadly mistaken," he said, adding a mention that the buyout option kicks in July 1.

Joe Finley's first professional fight.

Former Sioux Joe Finley probably was a little rusty and hasn't fought for a while. First off the announcer needs to work on reading the rosters, it's not that hard to do. I mean seriously, it's Joe Finley and not Jeff Finley. Second, politely and professionally my ass, the goon whacked him two more times with Joe's jersey pulled over his head.

Bruins in 6?

Neil from the illegal curve predicts that the Bruins will win in 6. I am going to say Bruins in 5 because Boston has not lost to the Habs in regulation all season and they for the most part have dominated them. Bruins beat them in Offense, Defense and goaltending.

Prediction:

Overall, the Bruins’ offense (especially on the power play), should be the difference maker. As we all know, special teams is always of upmost importance come playoff time. The Habs may have a chance if Price catches fire and steals the series, but the likely outcome will be the B’s heading to the second round and Price heading to Crescent St. for a smoke.

Bruins in 6

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Game winning goal BU and Miami

Check out this game winning goal. This an incredible ending to one of the most exciting NCAA FROZEN FOURS that I have ever seen.

Vandy 75/25 staying at UND.

Someone had this posted over on Sioux Sports; man I hope Chris VandeVelde comes back for his senior season at UND. This would be some welcome news if it turns out to be true this is some really good news for the Fighting Sioux. This season VandeVelde scored some big goals at crucial times in important games.

VandeVelde ‘75 percent’ on staying with Sioux
VandeVelde said Friday that there is about a 75-percent chance he will stay with the Sioux instead of signing with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers drafted the forward in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL draft.

The decision will be made in the next two weeks, VandeVelde said.

“I still have holes in my game that I think I can get better,” he said. “… I think (staying) would help me out.”

BU wins the 2009 NCAA title.

I was on Face book last night after watching the NCAA title game and people were instant messaging me and telling me they were unhappy with the results of the game. Personally, I have to say that I am not all that unhappy with the results; I think the best team in division one hockey won last night (21-1-3 since Jan. 15) and last played in a game that will go down in history as being one of the most exciting NCAA division one finals ever. This was one of the most exciting finals that I have ever witnessed. The Miami Redhawks had the game in the proverbial bag when they were up 3-1 with about 3:24 to go and lost the game.

If BSU wasn’t going to be the winner in the NCAA tourney I would rather see BU win the tourney than Miami or Vermont. I am not into the whole underdog thing, it’s just me. In my opinion, Boston University was the best team in hockey all season long and played the game of hockey the way it should be. The Terriers were fast up front and could score in bunches and were fun to watch. In the era of the neutral zone trap, college hockey has become less watchable than the NHL and this year’s version of Boston University is a breath of fresh air because they attack and counter attack. It just seemed that no lead was possible when playing BU as they found another gear, shifted and won the game when they needed to. Colin Wilson is and awesome player and is probably going to make an immediate impact with the Nashville preditors.

Defensively I thought the BU Terrier were really impressive and I could see why NHL teams are drooling at the prospects of getting free agent Matt Gilroy, he would be a nice addition to any team’s defensive corps. On the blue line the players that stuck out the most for me were Matt Gilroy, Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen.

This season Boston University was at the top or near the top nationally in a lot of categories: 1st in scoring offense, 3rd in scoring defense, 1st in scoring margin, 12th in penalty minutes, 2nd in power play, 12th penalty kill. So there victory is no fluke.

More on the Fighting Sioux name.

I found some interesting points/things in a series of articles in the Grand Forks Herald regarding the Fighting Sioux name and logo. I think we have basically pinned down the major issue here. The anti-logo crowd had gained a lot of traction, their vocal minority was moving the ball forward and they were on the verge of getting the name changed, then the roof fell in on them. These people have basically had their own way for so long. The anti-logo crowd has thrown a lot of stuff out there rarely been challenged by the media.

Now the tide is starting to turn against them, and frankly they don’t like it. Notice the part of the article that mentions that the Spirit Lake nickname supporters, for example, have done an informal survey of tribal members that found an overwhelming majority approve the nickname and logo. Hum! Kind of throws a curveball to the people the anti-logo crowd and to the NCAA’s argument, I guess the people that call themselves Sioux don’t find the name hostile and abusive. Memo to Myles Brand and the hand wringing P.C. Nazi’s, are you hearing the people you claim to represent?

So basically one could read from this is the people that are know as the Sioux don’t want UND to change the Fighting Sioux name. So what does this do to the anti-logo crowd, they are not happy. I look at this way the anti-logo crowd is being beat at their own game and it starting to piss them off, because they are accusing the pro-name crowd of doing the some the same thing they do themselves. They are talking to people and informing them of their side of the issue. The anti-logo people are also trying to blame REA on the matter.

What’s at stake

There’s a lot at stake with the referendums because they may be the last best hope for the nickname.

A 2007 settlement between UND and the NCAA requires the university to win the blessings of the state’s two Sioux tribes to continue using the Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo.

The NCAA considers the use of Indian nicknames in collegiate sports to be derogatory, but it could make an exception if the tribes’ leadership or their enrolled members approve.

Tribal leaders on both reservations have been largely hostile or ambivalent toward the nickname. The Standing Rock Tribal Council, for example, has both opposed the nickname and banned referendums on its use.

Tribal members, though, tend to favor the nickname, and supporters have turned to them. The Spirit Lake nickname supporters, for example, have done an informal survey of tribal members that found an overwhelming majority approve the nickname and logo.

The Spirit Lake survey confirms what Dupris had earlier discovered for the Ralph.

Jody Hodgson, the arena’s general manager, said Dupris’ most valuable role was helping his organization to understand the attitudes of tribal members and why they support or oppose the nickname.

Spirit Lake nickname opponents are scrambling to turn the tide, sending campaigners out to talk to voters, whom they feel do not fully understand what supporters say is the racially charged atmosphere on campus because of the nickname and logo.

In the meantime, Standing Rock supporters are seeking their own referendum

The accusations

Erich Longie, a longtime nickname opponent who’s now fighting the Spirit Lake referendum, is one of many who think the Ralph’s involvement is much deeper than just gathering information.

He theorized that the arena is paying the supporters to talk to their relatives and persuade them to vote for the nickname, using the traditional method of campaigning on the reservation. If that’s the case, he said, “that’s insidious. A small group gets paid, and the majority group that votes for it gets nothing.”
(Read the whole article here)

This is what the Herald editor Mike Jacobs had to say on the issue. It's pretty clear that is for changing the Fighting Sioux name.

Politics in native communities are notoriously complex in North Dakota and elsewhere. The normal means of gauging political opinion might be brought to bear — polling, for example — but since there’s little data about their reliability, there’s little reason to trust them.

So, the issue is in a kind of suspended animation, pending these referendums.

What are we to expect?

While it’s impossible to know for sure, it’s possible that the name might be supported in these referendums.

But will that resolve the issue?

Almost certainly not.

Opponents see this as a moral issue, remember, and they’re not likely to give it up no matter the election results this time around. They’ll continue to raise the issue on campus and in native communities.

That means that the issue will fester — until the name is changed.

It seems to me that this is the political reality and that the best move is to give up the name. That’s the only way to put the issue decisively behind us, and to move on.

This is the position that the Herald has held pretty consistently put forward in its editorials, and that it repeated as recently as January.
(read the whole story here)

Jacques Lemair is done as Wild coach.

Mike Russo is confirming what many thought might happen, Wild Coach Jacques Lemair is stepping down as the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. Lemaire is the only coach the Wild have ever known. In away I wish it was the General Manager Doug Risebrough that was announcing his resignation/retirement, because he has screwed up this team in a bad way. Good luck Jacques, you're a hall of fame player. Holy Cow this didn't take long. The thing that really kills me is that the Wild scored 14 goals in two games, there were times during this season were the Wild didn't score that many goals in two weeks. Where art thou?

Jacques Lemaire, the only coach the Wild’s ever known, has coached his final game with the Wild.

With clear signs before the game that Lemaire was indeed done, Lemaire finally confirmed it after the Wild’s 6-3 win.

“I think it’s time for the players to get a new coach and myself look at other stuff.”

With you coach elsewhere? “I’ll see. It’s exciting. It’s an exciting job. I was behind the bench there just before the game there, and I felt I was getting really tight because it’s something I’ve done for 15 years and I like it and I have to go.”

Lets get it on. Bruins and Habs.

This should get the Bruins fans charged up for the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Bruins owe the Habs after losing to them in seven games last season. This season the Bruins have not lost in regulation to the hated Habs from Montreal. To take a page from Jack Edwards book, "We have beaten them and we have beaten them up." The need to play smart and pick their places to even scores.

NHL --- Pittsburgh's 3-1 victory at Montreal on Saturday night has set up all four Eastern Conference pairings in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Montreal's loss assured that the Canadiens will finish eighth. That earned the Canadiens an opening-round matchup with first-place Boston -- a repeat of last year's first round, in which the Canadiens outlasted the Bruins 4-3. The teams have met 31 times in the playoffs, with Montreal winning 24 times. The Bruins finish their season Sunday on the road against the New York Islanders.

Wild officially done.

As I slept in my bed last night the Anaheim Ducks were putting the finishing touches on ending the Minnesota Wild's season, in a shootout no doubt. It should not have come down to this. The Wild should have been able to compete on the ice but were short changed an incompetent general manager who has missmanged the Wild so poorly they have no room under the cap to operate. Maybe Risbrough could learn from the Boston, Detroit and St Louis GM's.

This paragraph from the Minneapolis Star and Tribune really makes my blood boil because it should have never come down to this. It's not really Jacques Lemaire fault, he did a good job he could coaching the Wild with what he given to him from the teams GM.

I could see that [the fans] were happy the way the guys were working because they let us know," said a proud Lemaire, who might have coached his last home game. "I wish we would have had more games like this and we wouldn't be in the situation that we're in right now.

"Tonight was special. Behind the bench, I don't know how many times I thought, 'Gee, the guys are playing with their heart,' and you could tell."

I get what he is saying. So if only they had given this effort in February or March? I think the Wild gave the best effor they could based on injuries and lack of talented players. What if the Wild had more talented players necessary to make a run. Imagine if Gabby had been around maybe 10 more games this season? You have to wonder if Doug Risebrough had only resigned Brian Rolston during the off season? Come on! Rolston wasn't asking for that much money, it was a drop in the barrel, and who did you get to replace him with?

Could you imagine how Marian Hossa would have looked playing the forward possition in the land of 10,000 lakes. Great! Hossa took less money to play hockey in Detroit a team that has a chance to win a stanley cup and a general manager that knows how to manage the salary cap and develop players in their organization. Their players actually take less money to stay in their organization. The same can't be said about the state of hockey.

Now maybe Jacques Lemaire has coached his last game I don't hold him as responsible as I do Risebrough Lemaire did a lot with very little. Hopefully Doug Risebrough will be shown the door. I have followed this team since their born on date in 2000-2001 season, it is time for a change.

Something to look forward to

While the Wild are out of the Playoff as predicted, T.J. Oshie will get his first kick at the Stanley Cup with the St Louis Blues. The Blues played to a 18-6-3 since Feburary 12th. Oshie was also awarded the goal of the year by the NHL.

According to Brad's blog there will be seven former Fighting Sioux playing for the Stanley Cup. Zach Parise, Travis Zajac (New Jersey), Ryan Bayda (Carolina), Jonathan Toews (Chicago), Ryan Johnson (Vancouver), Mike Commodore (Columbus), T.J. Oshie with the (St Louis). I think the Sioux player(s) that has the best chance of going the furthest in the Stanley Cup playoffs is probably Ryan Bayda and Ryan Johnson. The Devils are a mess right now have gone 11-9-1 the last 20 games and three of their last four wins are against teams not in the Stanley cup playoffs (Lighting, Senators, Sabres).

Clearing up a few things.

During Bemidji’s amazing run to the Frozen Four I have heard a few things that need clearing up or addressing. First off there is one more year to the hockey Conference College Hockey America. The only issue remaining is whether the NCAA is going to grant them an auto bid next season. So the person that wrote to me an email to inform me that BSU doesn’t have a conference. Wrong!

Not deserving of an Auto-Bid

To the people that said Bemidji didn’t deserve to be in the NCAA tourney and took an at large bid away from a more deserving team. I believe that is a straw man’s argument. Evidence is the way BSU took down a number one seed in Notre Dame and beat a tough defensive three seed Cornell to advance to the Frozen Four. While Traditional powers like Michigan, North Dakota and Denver couldn’t get out of their regionals. That is hardly a fluke or an enigma in my opinion. Notre Dame was ranked number one or two for a good part of the college hockey season and was the number two over all seed in the NCAA hockey tourney. BSU has already done what MSU-M and SCSU have ever been able to accomplish advance to the Frozen Four and they have been a Division one hockey team for a shorter period of time that either of the fore mentioned teams.

BSU to the WCHA or not?

There seems to be a lot of emotions on both ends of the argument on whether BSU should be admitted to the WCHA or not. I think Bemidji State University has made a strong case to gain membership to the WCHA. I keep reading where people say just let Bemidji State and University of Alabama Huntsville wither and die on the vine or show apathy towards these two teams.

Like Donna from RWD’s said from a previous blog post that there will be people that will cry whine and complain if the WCHA lets BSU into the league because they won’t get their traditional rivalries like Wisconsin, DU, C.C. or Minnesota. I will buy that argument; however, my next question is what is worse? No match up with your favorite hockey team or missing the NCAA tourney because your favorite league was short sighted? I am going to take not playing a common opponent for one season because I would rather see my team go to the NCAA hockey tourney and possibly to the Frozen Four than being left at home because of stuborness.

I am going to take this argument one further. Imagine your favorite college has a strong season just missed winning their conference tourney, now off to the NCAA tourney. Not so fast. Imagine that favorite college hockey team being eligible under the current PWR and 16 team NCAA hockey tourney, you make your plans to attend a regional and watch your team play. Not going to happen. Due to a number teams folding and not being picked up by one of the five division one hockey conferences the NCAA has decided to drop the NCAA hockey tourney from sixteen to twelve bids. Your favorite hockey team’s season is over and there is no NCAA tourney for you. Do you see what I am getting at? The NCAA is going to pull at large bids if anymore hockey teams decide to fold. Now tell me who does UAH and BSU look. How about adding a few Canadian CIS teams? The University of British Columbia looking pretty good right now.

My Pick for the NCAA championship

I think that the Boston University Terriers are the most complete and balanced team in this season NCAA field and it would be only fitting that they win the NCAA tourney. While Miami trip to the Frozen Four is a nice story I don't think they are going to be able to slow down the Terriers tonight. Also, the final game is going to feature refs from the WCHA according to Fiona Quick on a recent twitter post. Note to the Redhawks expect the refs from the WCHA to make their presence know by calling a bunch of ticky tacky penalties. Also don’t expect the rash of penalties to have much of an effect on the Boston University Terriers who were one of the top penalized teams in the NCAA this season.

Stalock gone. Signs with the Sharks.

With the defection of Alex Stalock to the NHL that bring the total of 9 underclassmen that have left early to sign professional contracts so far this off season. After Stalock's run in the playoffs this spring you had to wonder if the Mighty Stalock's stock had risen pretty high. UND, MTU and SCSU are the only teams not to suffer any early defections as of yet. Also, in today's Grand Forks Herald UND beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman is reporting that Chris VandeVelde is leaning towards staying at UND for his senior season.

Rink and Run had the details of Stalock's contract and even if Alex only plays in the AHL next season 62,000.00 is pretty good start to a post college career.

His two-way contract will be worth $62,500 if playing in the American Hockey League and $630,700 if playing in the NHL, plus an annual signing bonus of $85,000. Its possible Stalock may be assigned next week to San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate in Worcester, Mass.

Early departures in the WCHA (9)

Alaska-Anchorage (1)
Paul Crowder, jr, forward, N.Y. Rangers

Colorado College (2)
Brian Connelly, jr, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
Richard Bachman, so, goaltender, Dallas Stars

Denver (1)
Tyler Bozak, so, forward, Toronto Maple Leafs

Minnesota (1)
Ryan Stoa, jr, forward, Colorado Avalanche

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
Evan Oberg, so, defenseman, Vancouver Canucks
Alex Stalock, jr, goaltender,

MSU-Mankato (1)
Trevor Bruess, jr, forward, Washington Capitals

Wisconsin (1)
Jamie McBain, jr, defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes

Did Chara break the code?

Our friend BrettB mentioned in another blog post earlier that Chara had broke the code when he was pounding on Les Hab's hack Mike Komisarek during last night's game.

BrenttB said:Chara guy was punching guys with gloves on?? Uh oh... numerous amounts of hockey code were broken from the highlights I saw..

True Zedno Chara did run in to the pile and start wailing away on someone that was sort out of the play and being held back by two officials and Chara did keep his gloves on. What does everyone think?

Bruins and Habs first round?

God I hope so and it is looking like that might be the case. I have to say that Jack Edwards is my favorite homer hockey announcer. I am sure he grates on some people but being a Bruins fan his commentary is music to my hears. There are so many Edwardisms that they actually have a Jack Edwards bingo game. Hockey Fights got the names of the combatants wrong for this fight, it was actually Shane Hnidy and Josh Georges and not Maxim Lapierre who was dropped by Brian Lee ealier in the week. Lapierre is really, really, really lucky that Lucic wasn't able to get his hands on him or he would have gotten his ass beaten for a second time this week.

I guess it would be an understatement to say that Milan Lucic was in an ornery mood last night and was looking to dance with former Michigan player Mike Komisarek.

It's just one of the general rules of life: when Canadiens meet Bruins, gloves, helmets and sticks end up as litter on the ice (true to form, there was a line brawl in the second).

Rough-hewn Bruins forward Milan Lucic renewed hostilities with nemesis Mike Komisarek and at one point in the second period chased down the Habs defenceman after he hit Lucic from behind in the neutral zone.

As Komisarek jousted with Bruins enforcer Shawn Thornton, Lucic skated up behind the Canadiens player and grabbed his head with both hands, dragging him to the ice.

Lucic was assessed a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct.

And as the horn blew to end the first, a scrum saw colossus defenceman Zdeno Chara raining blows on a hapless Komisarek - who clearly featured as the top target in the Bruins gameplan.

Though Chara sought out Komisarek, who was exchanging angry words with another Bruin, he received only a double-minor for roughing.

The story that won't go away.

When I first read this story I thought it was a joke, so I checked the calender for the date and it wasn't April 1st. This story contiunes to keep motoring on and won't die, maybe it will die once MSU-M gets rejected by the WCHA.

Earlier this week I said, "Immediately we hear the pontifications about Dean Blais coaching the team." Wow, that didn't take long and Blais angle came full circle in just one short week (three - four days). I wonder if MSU-M realize how expensive it is to have a division one men's and woman's program? Also, coaches like Dean Blais don't work for free either.

MSUM hockey plan includes Blais ---- by Eric Peterson

Metro Sports Foundation proposal outlines potential Division I hockey team

A proposal presented to Minnesota State University Moorhead last month outlines launching Division I hockey with well-known coach Dean Blais leading the men's team.

The Forum obtained a similar proposal through an open records request to North Dakota State.

MSUM is responding to a similar request from The Forum, but had not provided documents as of Thursday.

"I would not be surprised if both of the presentations were exactly the same, exchanging the logos and names of the universities," MSUM Athletic Director Doug Peters said.

MSUM is holding a news conference at 10 a.m. today in the Comstock Memorial Union to discuss its potential move to Division I hockey.

"At this point in time, we are exploring the opportunity," Peters said.

Peters said he received the proposal from Metro Sports Foundation President Todd Berning and Urban Plains Center General Manager Lance Johnson in early March.

The MSF owns and operates the UP Center, which would house the potential Division I program.

Peters said the proposal he received was dated March 7.

"It's a good starting point and a good reference point, and it's been prepared by people that are very, very experienced," Peters said. "We're taking a good look at it. It doesn't mean we have adopted it. It's a good starting point."

The 14-page plan NDSU received is titled, "North Dakota State University Men's and Women's Division I Hockey Plan." It's dated March 25.

On Page 10 of the plan, a section reads:

"Finally, Dean Blais, who will serve as the head coach of the men's team, was the head coach of the Sioux for 10 years."

Peters confirmed the MSUM plan contained the same statement.

Links to the Story

In Forum --- MSUM AD says chances better than 50 percent the school will add D-I men's and women's hockey.

McFeely: No harm in MSUM's push for D-I hockey.

Could we see the Gophers playing the Dragons in a weekend series at the Urban Plains Center in the next few years? Excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor and give a urine sample just for writing that sentence.

Reality check time: The odds of this actually happening, of the Dragons actually fielding a Division I hockey program and playing in the WCHA, are so in excess of astronomical that it is not even worth discussing beyond the hallucinatory level. Drop two acids and call me in the morning.

In Forum --- Dragons, Szymanski set hockey press conference for Friday

So is Standing Rock going to vote as well?

This is the first step in the right direction if UND wants to keep the Fighting Sioux name. I think this is something that should have been started a long time agon and it still might be a little to late.

I also wonder if the Tribal Council Chairman Ron "His Horse Thunder" will let his tribal members vote or not. In the past he has been against it. If RHT doesn't let them have a referendum, what is he afraid of? I would say let the member of the Standing Rock Tribe vote. If after both tribe vote and the results show that the two North Dakota Sioux tribes are against the Fighting Sioux name then it's time to move on and change the name. I don't see any reason why UND needs to rush and change the name without first exhausting all steps in the process.

Sioux tribes begin nickname campaigns
Spirit Lake, Standing Rock reservations to hold referendums
Supporters of the Fighting Sioux nickname on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation are seeking a referendum on the issue, similar to the one being held in a few weeks on the Spirit Lake reservation Antoine American Horse Jr. said he and some other veterans from Standing Rock will be asking the Tribal Council to let tribal members decide whether they support the nickname.

A longtime supporter of the nickname, he’s probably best known as a participant in a tribal flag ceremony at Ralph Engelstad Arena in October.

On the Spirit Lake reservation, nickname opponents are gearing up to win hearts and minds, convinced that, if they could tell voters their side of the story, they could turn the public against the nickname.

Referendums are key because, under a legal settlement with the NCAA, UND needs the blessings of both namesake tribes in North Dakota to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname.

The NCAA opposes the use of American Indian nicknames because it considers them derogatory. Nickname opponents agree, calling the nickname racist.

Tribal councils on both reservations have generally been hostile or ambivalent about the nickname. The Standing Rock Tribal Council has not only opposed the nickname, it also voted to ban a referendum in June.

But tribal members have been more open to the nickname’s use. In the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, nickname supporters, backed by a survey, are confident they’ll win a substantial majority.

Opponents have essentially conceded as much, but they cautioned voters to heed the experience of tribal members that have actually attended UND and felt the sting of racism.

These are not the quotes of a leader.

I have been reading the comments of WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod for the last few months leading up to Bemidji State University applying for membership in the WCHA. There are no other option for BSU due to no fault of their own. Frankly I have to say that I am unimpressed with McLeod’s leadership so far to date. I keep hearing a lot of excuses from McLeod on how 11 teams won’t work, so McLeod is throwing his hand up in surrender. Just once I would like to here some suggestion on how the league might/will try to accommodate BSU and look to to correct the problem in the future.

Time for a change at the top

I have been told that McLeod is looking for an extension on his contract. Maybe the league schools should think twice before they go ahead and renew his contract. Personally, I think there are other people more qualified that would make a much better commissioner than Bruce McLeod, heck I can think of a few off of the top of my head. Here are just a few that come to mind; RH Bob Peters, Gino Gasperini, Jeff Sauer or Dean Blais. There are many people that could do the job. Why does the WCHA we have to settle with Bruce McLeod?

All of these fore mentioned men would be a better choice IMHO to run the WCHA. The WCHA needs a strong leader not just a figure head. A real leader would have been on the fore front to absorb these teams from the CHA and not let it become catastrophe. It is not these teams fault that their league is about to disband. It is also not these teams fault that their future could be on the brink of extinction.

Loss of At-Large Bids Next?

I predict that if NCAA division one hockey loses anymore teams the NCAA will start pulling at large bids. I also believe that some of these leagues are waiting for the stick/carrot approach before they chug ahead with re-alignment. It is a big poker game and they are waiting for someone to make the first move and lay their cards down on the table. I believe we have one season to work things out before the NCAA threatens to start pulling at-large bids. I don't want to see my team stay home because everyone was to stubborn to make concessions. I suggest the big four conferences commishioners start coming up with some solutions. Enough of the excuses.

With January’s announcement that Niagara and Robert Morris are joining Atlantic Hockey for the 2010-11 season, the CHA is officially a dead league walking. Bemidji has applied for membership to the WCHA and Alabama-Huntsville has applied to the CCHA. If either team is rejected, they will have to go it as an independent or…the unthinkable.

Bemidji needs the approval of eight of the ten WCHA teams to join. The league meeting in April 27. It’s going to be a tall order, especially getting the approval of schools that seem to have more to lose than to gain: Colorado College, Denver and Alaska-Anchorage. More travel, and, for all the schools, a lesser share of playoff revenue and a crazy 11-team schedule (since no other team applied for admission, although reportedly as many as four teams from other conferences expressed interest).

Will the feel-good story of the Beavers help?

“It doesn’t change the facts,” WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod told the Grand Forks Herald. “But it certainly changes the feelings when you deal with your heart. In one case, you’re dealing with your heart…You also have to deal with your head and business sense, too.
(read the whole thing here)

Wild Season just about over.

I am going to have to say that it's over for the Wild dead man walking.

Team Pts Games remaining

6. Columbus 92 2 @StL, vs. Wild
7. Anaheim 88 2 vs. Dal, @Phx.
8. St. Louis 88 2 vs. Clb., @Colo.
9. Nashville 86 2 @Det., @Wild
10. Wild 85 2 vs. Nash., @Clb.

While mathematically the Wild are still alive; I don't see St. Louis losing to the Av's nor do I see the Ducks losing two games either especially when the two team they play are really bad. So I think we can finally start kicking dirt on the Wild season. Note to owner Craig Leipold please tell Doug Risebrough he is fired and tell him to pack up his thing. Risebrough is one of the major reasons this team sucks and no free agents want to play here. If think I am being silly look at the development of James Sheppard and Colton Gillies how is that working out for the Wild?