Pictures from U-18 Medal Games

I went to the medal games in yesterday's U-18 IIHF championship and I have to say that that I watched two very good hockey games. The first game with Canada was very interesting as the Canadans squandered a 4-1 lead then lost the game in a shootout.

UMD's recruit Dylan Olson was on team Canada and I was impressed with him, he is going to be a very good player in the WCHA for the short time he will be with the Dogs. Dylan Olson is big and skates well and some NHL team will call his name during the entry draft (either this year or next).

Sioux recruit Nick Mattson will be a nice addition to the Fighting Sioux blue line in 2010. I like his game he doesn't try to do to much and is smart with the puck.

The Urban Plains Center is nice but it isn't even in the same league as the REA. I told Sioux7 we are spoiled as Sioux fans to have the facility that we have. When they finish the landscaping of the UPC it will be a nice place. While the UPC isn't the REA it is better building than most college hockey buildings. It is going to be interesting to see if MSU-M will try to make a go of it.

Lucic sentence one game.

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has been suspended for one game by the NHL for his cross check on Hab's hack/punk Maxim Lapierre.

NHL: Lucic suspended for 1 game
Posted by Gary Dzen ---- Boston.com
Milan Lucic has been suspended for one game for the match penalty he received in a 5-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night. Lucic will miss Game 3 against the Canadiens Monday at the Bell Centre.

Lucic received the penalty in Game 2 after he checked Maxim Lapierre in the head with his stick in front of Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak with 4:32 remaining in Game 2.

"While it is unclear whether Lucic's glove or stick makes contact with Lapierre, what is clear is that he delivered a reckless and forceful blow to the head of his opponent," said NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell in a statement.

Byron Bitz, a healthy scratch in Games 1 and 2, will be in the lineup for Game 3. Bitz will most likely skate with Shawn Thornton and Stephane Yelle on the fourth line. Blake Wheeler, who was on the fourth line for the first two games, should take Lucic's spot on the third line.

Herald practices gutter journalism.

Our friend the Whistler from sayanythingblog.com has an interesting article on the city beats Tu-Uyen Tran and his shameful example of gutter journalism.

The Herald “reporter” says that the person who brought this up has an affidavit that this happened, but can’t find it right now. I realize that they are claiming that they are only reporting on the accusation, not the underlying baseless charge. But the fact is that this is a smear put on by the Editor and reporter of the Grand Forks Herald.

The Herald’s also been reporting unfounded accusations that the Ralph Engelstad Arena people have been flooding the reservation with money to pass this referendum. Of course the Herald’s reporter hasn’t been able to come up with any examples so once again he’s stuck reporting what the opponents say. It seems to me that the reporter could at least bother to find out how that money is supposedly being spent.

I guess trying to confirm a news story isn’t important when you’re on a moral crusade.

Not only is Ralph Engelstad the largest benefactor ever for a North Dakota college, his gift was one of the top gifts at the time of his death and is probably still in the top ten for the country.

I wish I was paying for a subscription to the Herald because if I was I’d be canceling it Monday morning.

Update: I’ve never done this before but I want to ask the Grand Forks Readers to send this story around. To do so you can click on the share button right under the title of the post. We need to show the Herald were outraged by the smear.
(Read the whole article right here)

Here is a hint to the second rate city beat writer Tu-Uyen Tran if you don't have a signed affidavit that someone claims they have it doesn't exist and until you have this alleged affidavit it in your hot little hand it doesn't exist and it's nothing more than tabloid conjecture. I would think ethically you shouldn't have wrote this story. This is nothing more than a dirty rumor or an urban legend that isn't going to be confirmed or never will be, but don't worry you got that story out.

Let's not let facts get into the way of a good story right. I would be willing to bet that you have no intentions of getting the signed affidavit that doesn't exist it either. Another point is your just trying to cloud the waters and muck up the story so eventually UND will be forced to change the name, but hey you had the story that got everyone riled up.

I also find it funny that that when the anti-name change crowd begins to lose the debate of ideas they resorts to dirty tricks and tactis the Herald city beat reporter plays right into their hands. If it wasn't for the coverage of the Sioux hockey beat writer I would cancel this rag and never pay another dime for this leftist rag. Mike Jacobs is a second rate editor at a back water newspaper and is by far one of the worst editors in the state of North Dakota that never lets facts get in the way of a good story. Maybe the people of Grand Forks should boycott the Grand Forks Herald?

The origins

It’s difficult to convey the impact of the alleged Engelstad quote containing the racial epithet, but the Herald is choosing not to repeat it because the newspaper cannot verify its origin.

Terry Morgan, another anti-nickname organizer, said Friday that opponents had a “signed affidavit” from a witness who allegedly heard the damning quote but that he’d have to find it.

The Herald could not reach him Saturday to see if he found the document.

Morgan said the witness was a white bartender who served two men in 1997. The men said terrible things about Indians in the course of a conversation about the Fighting Sioux nickname. The bartender thought one of the men was Ralph Engelstad and checked with his manager, who verified it was.

Morgan noted that the bartender said he was proud of the nickname until he heard those words.

Jody Hodgson, the general manager of Ralph Engelstad Arena and a representative of the foundation, questioned the timing of the allegation. This quote was spoken 12 years ago, he said, but it is just now emerging in the middle of a contentious political campaign.

Milan Lucic to the principals office.

TSN is reporting that Milan Lucic is being sent to Colin Campbell's office for a hearing for his cross check to the chops on Lapierre's with 4:00 + minutes left in the game. Maybe while the Bruins are at the league office they should show some of the game film of Hab's hack Mike Komisarek and how he is trying to gouge the Bruins player's eyes out. While the cross check may or may not warrant a suspension (it probably does) Komisarek is going to blind someone or hurt their eyes with his bush league face scrapes. I thought it was only the Gophers players that did these bush league moves. (tongue in cheek)

TSN ---- Sources say Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will have a disciplinary hearing with NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell today.

The exact time of the hearing hasn't been set.

Lucic received a minor and match penalty for crosschecking Montreal's Maxim Lapierre in the neck and head late in the third period of Boston's 5-1 win over the Canadiens.

Following Game 2, the Bruins, hoping to avoid losing one of their stars to suspension, submitted a video clip to Campbell they believe shows Lucic's gloved hand striking Lapierre's neck and head before his stick.

It will be up to Campbell to decide whether all of the factors, including the time of the game, score and Lucic's reaction to Lapierre, who approached the Boston forward in defense of Montreal's Mathieu Schneider add up to a suspension.

Bruins go up 2-0 on the Habs. (Lucic suspension coming)

Nothing pleases me more than watching the Habs go down to defeat against the Bruins.
It has been a long time since the Big Bad Bruins have played this well or this physical. This years team is big, fast and agressive and when they play their game they are very hard to beat.

Lucic to be suspended? It would appear that a suspension is coming for Milan Lucic.

While the Bruins hold all the momentum now that they are up 2-0 in the series, they likely will be without sparkplug Milan Lucic for Game 3, if not longer, for a third period incident in which Lucic cross-checked Montreal’s Maxim Lapierre in the face. Lucic received a two-minute cross checking minor and match penalty on the play.

“(The match penalty) means he is automatically suspended, pending a review,”league disciplinarian Colin Campbell said in an email to Sun Media after the game.

Lapierre shrugged his shoulders when asked about the incident.

“It’s not my business to say if there will be one or not,” Lapierre said, sporting a gash on the bridge of his nose where the stick of Lucic made contact. “In the playoffs, you give some, you get some ... This time I got mine.

“He tried to cross check (Mathieu Schneider). We needed to show them that we have plenty of team unity.”

Lucic was not made available to the media after the game.

So does Lucic get suspended?

This happened at the end of the game and you have to wonder if Lucic will get suspended for a game by the NHL for his vicious high cross check on Maxim Lapierre. Not that Lapierre didn't deserve it, because he did I am hoping the league doesn't suspend Lucic based on the fact that Lapierre came flying at Lucic.

The Montreal Canadians are getting their asses handed to them by the Bruins and their frustration is starting to show and the lack of class by the Canadians as well. Mike Komisarek is also begging for a beat down and his bush league face washes and it has become tiresome and one of the Bruins need to answer the bell.

Josh Gorges vs Patrice Bergeron

This series has been nasty. Patrice Bergeron is not known for his fighting skills knocks the crap out of Josh Gorges. That is the second time in less than two weeks that Gorges has had the snot knocked out of him by a Boston Bruins. Shane Hnidy also had his way with him as well.

More unflattering things about Risebrough.

Minnesota Wild beat writer Mike Russo has a few more interesting revelations that make you really shake your head and wonder how Risebrough could get away with this stuff for so long. You can not play a player with a concussion and you hope that Brent Burns doesn't have any long term effects because of him playing with a concussion. Sinus infection? Give me a break the team trainer needs to be sent packing as well.

Burns, 24, was injured in practice Jan. 26 but wasn't shut down until March 7. He is still affected with severe postconcussion syndrome.

"I met with Brent in L.A. [March 6]," Salcer said. "We're having lunch with him and [fellow client Derek Boogaard] and he's telling me about when he hit his head six weeks earlier. So I'm listening to him, and I'm incredulous listening to him.

"He's telling me how, 'Ronny, I'm an avid reader and I'm not able to read on the bus anymore. I get headaches that go all around my head. I can't sleep. During the game, I'm not focusing. I feel like everything is happening, but I'm reacting slow. I go, 'Brent, are you kidding me? You've got a concussion. You cannot play. You cannot play anymore!'

He's so loyal to the team, he was afraid. He said, 'I don't want to tell them that. I don't want to burn a bridge.' I said, 'Burn a bridge? They just exploded one on you. You cannot play.'"

Burns was shut down the next day.

There you go Wild fans the General Manager didn't re-open negotiations with Gaborik's agent said that the Wild didn't even open negotiations, how the hell are they going to sign him if you don't at least make an offer to sign him? This doesn't make sense at all. The old school general manager that treats players like piece of meat are over.

Salcer said this all comes back to Risebrough.

"It starts at the top. He's the manager, and he's got that old-school, you've-got-to-play-through-everything [attitude]," Salcer said. "They did the same thing to Marian before he had hip surgery."

With Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire gone, Salcer was asked if this would sway Gaborik to returning.

"I called Tom Lynn personally in November, spoke with Tom and said, 'Would you be interested in reopening negotiations with Marian?' I'm still waiting for him to return that phone call. I never heard back ever," Salcer said.

"That's in November. And so, the season went. And now when you look at July 1 on the horizon where we can talk to every team in the league, certainly we have to take that opportunity very seriously and we will. Having said that, should the organization want to call me, we'll listen to and explore anything. But we certainly see July 1 in the landscape here."

Is James Sheppard a bust?

There is this mind set that we have to give James Sheppard a break because he is young and needs to grow. Under Doug Risebrough he was untouchable. I don't see anything in this kids play that leads me to believe that he is going to come to camp next season and light it up. Just think the Wild could have had Olli Jokinen (29g-28a-57pts) but Rishebrough wouldn't trade Sheppard to get him, Sheppard was untouchable.

Now that Doug Risebrough is finished with the Wild lets look at some of the players drafted after Sheppard in the 2006 entry draft.

9. James Sheppard Minnesota 160 games (9g-34a-43pts)
10. Michael Frolik Florida 79 games (21g-24a-45pts)
12. Bryan Little Atlanta 127 games (37g-30a-67pts)
25. Patrik Berglund St. Louis 76 games (21g-26g-47pts)
28. Nick Foligno Ottawa 126 games (23g-18a-41pts)
44. Nikolai Kulemin Toronto 73 games (15g-16a-31pts)
50. Milan Lucic Boston 149 games (25g-44a-69pts)

Yep Mike Komisarek is still a hack.

I am going to say this is one of the dirtier things that I have seen in some time. Check it out; this is at the end of the game time clock at 0:00 and watch where Bruins defenseman Matt Hunwick gets his eye gouged by his a fellow former Wolverine Mike Komisarek. This is why Bruins fans hate Mike Komisarek and he is public enemy number one in Boston. This should make for an exciting game two tomorrow night.

Matt Gilroy signs with Rangers.

Former BU star and Hobey Baker Memorial winner Matt Gilroy has signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers.

TSN ----- Boston University free agent defenceman Matt Gilroy has signed a two-year deal worth $3.5 million with the New York Rangers.

It is a one-way contract however, he is not eligible to play for the Rangers in this year's playoffs. He will be eligible for free agency in three years.

Last week, Gilroy was named the winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the best U.S. college hockey player.

He followed that with a victory over Miami of Ohio in the national championship game at the NCAA's Frozen Four tournament.

One of the most sought-after free agent players, Gilroy scored eight goals and added 29 assists for 37 points in 45 games this past season.

BU's Wilson signs with the Preds.

It's offical BU's super star Colin Wilson has signed an entry level professional contract with the Nashville Predators. Ussually it is the WCHA that gets hit hard in the off season but this is the third underclass man to leave Hockey East in the last two weeks (James van Riemsdyk Flyers, Colin Wilson Predators and Viktor Stahlberg Leafs).

Predators sign top prospect Wilson
By John Glennon • THE TENNESSEAN • April 17, 2009

The Predators have signed top prospect Colin Wilson to a three-year entry-level contract.

Terms of the deal weren’t immediately available, but it’s likely that Wilson will receive the maximum allowed for an entry-level contract.

Wilson, who just finished his sophomore season at Boston University, will leave Sunday for the World Championship in Switzerland. He’ll be playing there for the U.S. team and under the watch of Predators general manager David Poile, who’s an associate GM for Team USA.

A finalist this season for the Hobey Baker award as college hockey’s best player, Wilson is likely to challenge for an NHL roster spot at Nashville’s training camp this fall.

He helped Boston University win the NCAA championship earlier this month, posting a team-best 55 points (17 goals, 38 assists) in 43 games.

The 6-foot-1, 213-pound Wilson was the seventh overall pick in the 2008 draft.

The Canucks are a bunch of whimps.

This one is way too funny the Canucks are crying about the St. Louis Blues skating through Roberto Luongo's crease and spraying him with snow. This is hockey and it's game played by men not a bunch of girls. Come on Roberto your 6+ feet tall be a man not some sniveling junior high girl.

Well, if you are one who thinks the game has tamed down perhaps too much over the years, the latest round of whining out of Vancouver will make you laugh.

After Game 1 Canucks coach Alain Vigneault complained that the St. Louis Blues weren't just skating through Roberto Luongo's crease and bumping into him a couple of times, they were spraying him with (gasp!) snow.

"I'm embarrassed to talk about that. It's ridiculous. Nonsense," said St. Louis winger Keith Tkachuk. "There is no way our game plan is to go out and try to spray their goalie. You have to stop on the puck - just in case he tries to play it.

"You can tell the game has changed over my 17-year career, when you complain about something like that. As opposed to runnin' someone from behind or starting a brawl."

Vigneault did not want to address the situation again on Thursday. He said on Wednesday that he would talk to the league about his concerns.

Risebrough gong show is over.

As WCHA Dominates mentioned earlier, Leipold had decided a month a go that Risebrough was gone, this is right decision and it couldn't have been made a minute too soon. I will be tossing back a few beers this weekend to celebrate this event. This feels like Christmas in April

These are some of the questions/answers that MICHAEL RUSSO has come up with. As you can see Russo has touch on a lot of the issues the team of 18,000 were also frustrated with. One of them is the inaction of Risebrough and his willingness not to trade a couple of players to make the team better. Josh Harding could have gotten the Wild a top player at the dead line.

It would have been interesting to see what Harding would have gotten from the Redwings in a trade at the dead line. From reading all of the rumors it would appear James Sheppard is a cancer, a prima donna and needs to go. I would also like to see some players from the area that could help the Wild.

When did owner Craig Leipold decide?

A month ago, but he didn't want to disrupt a potential playoff run.

Does Leipold have a candidate in mind?

He has compiled a list, and was solicited by candidates Thursday.

How does this affect the hiring of a coach?

The new GM will determine the new coach and style of coach he wants, and this will be Priority No. 1.

In the past, James Sheppard and Josh Harding have been untouchable in trades. Has that changed?

Leipold said it was important to get "new eyes" in here, which usually means new opinions.

It's official Risebrough is gone.

I have to say that I am giddy as well. Today is a good day. The Wild will be better for this move. I would like to see the Wild hire a GM that is more user friendly, one that likes draft players from the CHL and the NCAA.

Wild owner Craig Leipold thanked the Wild GM, but decided a change at the top was in order.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune --- Last update: April 16, 2009 - 12:40 PM

Wild GM Doug Risebrough has been fired by owner Craig Leipold, in a surprise decision annouced by the team today.

The Wild, in an annoucement released to the media just after noon, said Risebrough's contract will not be renewed "beyond the 2008-2009 season."

“The entire Minnesota Wild organization is forever indebted to Doug for his substantial efforts in establishing this franchise’s solid foundation and winning tradition,” said Leipold in the statement. “The positive impact of Doug’s service will be felt for many years to come. We wish Doug the very best.”

The search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. The first order of business for the incoming General Manager will be to select the Team’s next Head Coach.

Until a replacement is found, Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn, will be acting-general manager, the team said.

Is Risebrough gone?

Props to BigGreyAnt41 Michael Russo is a good blogger and I can't see him printing this without being true. This would make my whole summer. Risebrough has done a horrible job running the Wild and it's time for him to go. Out next should be James Sheppard.

Sources: Risebrough fired as Wild GM According to two outside NHL sources, Wild GM Doug Risebrough has been fired by owner Craig Leipold.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune ---- Last update: April 16, 2009 - 12:04 PM
According to two outside NHL sources, Wild GM Doug Risebrough has been fired by owner Craig Leipold.

The report has not yet been confirmed by members of the Wild organization.

Come back to startribune.com for more details.

Show us the money MSU-M

We keep hearing a lot of talk about MSU-M has the money to start and support a division one hockey program. First thing that comes to mind is the line from the movie Jerry McGuire, "show me the money." Talk is cheap it takes a lot of money to sustain a hockey program. It will cost the university even more money if they are going to run both a woman's and men's program.

I also disagree with the comment that their program would be on the level of a North Dakota or Minnesota, I think that is a ridiculous statement. It takes a long time to develop a hockey program and they would be lucky to get to the same level of an SCSU, MSU-M Mankato or a BSU.

Now comes Minnesota State University Moorhead with an intriguing proposal to add Division I men’s and women’s hockey to its sports programs. MSUM is serious about taking the plunge if all the pieces of the D-I puzzle can be put into place. It’s very early in the process, but a couple of the major pieces – affiliation with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and playing at the new Urban Plains Center – appear to be sliding into place.

But there is a much bigger piece: money, at least $10 million in external funding, said MSUM President Edna Szymanski. The president said a D-I hockey program could be very good for the school in terms of profile and student recruiting, but she said MSUM will not proceed unless the money is on the table.

Which brings us back to the intensity and dedication of hockey fans: The $10 million would have to come from sources other than public higher education appropriations. Private money will fund the hockey venture. MSUM Athletic Director Doug Peters says at this point getting a program up and running has a 50-50 chance. But it is unlikely the school would have gone public without some sort of commitment from a heavy hitter, or two or three, regarding the $10 million.

Make no mistake about it: D-I hockey at MSUM would mean world-class hockey in the style of the University of North Dakota Sioux and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers would come to town. Collegiate hockey does not get any better. It would be a huge coup for obsessive fans and a high-quality sports attraction for casual fans.

It’s worth a look. It’s worth a hard-headed, eyes-wide-open analysis. When all is said and done, it will mean one of two things: another successful D-I sport for Fargo-Moorhead or another indication Fargo is not a hockey town.
(read the whole article here)

Habs want to play the Bruins.

Check this quote posted below. This should be up in the Bruins locker room either written on the black board or posted on the bulletin board. It would be interesting to see who this unnamed player was. Funny that they would say this to a former Bruin's players as well.

Interestingly enough, former Bruins scrapper P.J. Stock works as a TV analyst for CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada” and said prior to Saturday night’s Canadiens game that an unnamed Habs player told Stock that the Canadiens preferred to play the B’s rather than face Alexander Ovechkin and the second-seeded Washington Capitals. According to Stock, the Canadiens believe that they can do damage against Boston’s second and third D pairings. That doesn’t exactly scream out the sort of cliched athlete-speak you normally hear from hockey teams prior to a playoff series. Let the war of words — and gloved fists — begin.

Here is why this unamed Hab's logic is flawed. 1.) The Habs have not beat the Bruins in regulation this season. 2.) The Bruins defense has played well against the Habs. The Canadians have scored something like a whopping 12 goals in 6 games that isn't very good. 3.) The Bruins aren't starved for offense as they have seven players with 20 goals or more.

This should worry logo supporters.

This statement should worry Sioux fans that want to keep the Fighting Sioux name. I interpret this as a plea to get the name/logo issue solved (Fighting Sioux name changed very quickly) so we can get into the less than stellar Summit League. There is a lot of pressure from the football and basketball cabal to change the name so they can find a conference.

Personally, I would like to see UND still try to get into the Big Sky Conference because I feel there are better more attractive teams in the BSC than the Summit. I think that the nick name committee should be allowed to see transpires at Standing Rock and Spirit Lake before the University moves with their decision. Again, the Fighting Sioux should not be changed on a whim but after all avenues have been exhausted with the two tribes. The university and the State board of higher education owe it to the people that helped fund the lawsuit with their donations. If not; please tell me why they spent a million plus suing the NCAA if the University was going to just change the name anyways? It isn't just about football and basketball. I also don't believe that the University needs to rush change the name and undo the work of Sam Dupris who seems to be making progress with his out reach to the two Sioux tribes.

USD to announce Summit League acceptance today
“From my perspective, it’s been urgent all along,” Faison said. “It isn’t any less urgent. There’s a new committee and they’re in the process of going through their work.

“Obviously it makes it even more problematic in terms of our league affiliation,” UND athletic director Brian Faison said. “We’ll have lost an important part of that conference.”

On Tuesday, the Summit’s Presidents Council voted unanimously to invite the school into the conference beginning July 1, 2011, according to an e-mail sent to Summit League member schools. USD will not compete in team tournaments that season, the last that the Coyotes are ineligible for NCAA postseason competitions.

In 2012-13 USD will be an active member of NCAA Division I and will participate in Summit League tournaments.

USD announced it would lift its athletic programs from NCAA Division II to Division I in 2006 and is now competing as a Division I independent. UND is in the same situation.

USD and South Dakota State, a member of the Summit League, will resume head-to-head competitions in sports other than football by fall 2011. The in-state rivals have not competed against each other in most sports since SDSU left Division II after the 2003-04 season.

The same is true for North Dakota State, a member of the Summit League, and UND.

So South Dakota’s good fortune means UND’s ability to resolve the nickname and logo issue quickly has heightened.

“From my perspective, it’s been urgent all along,” Faison said. “It isn’t any less urgent. There’s a new committee and they’re in the process of going through their work.

But again that’s a time line that we don’t really control. All we can do is encourage that they go as quickly as they can, and I’m sure they are.”

Faison said the nickname and logo issue has affected many UND programs. The University of Minnesota, for instance, won’t play UND in sports hosted by the school.

Faison said the Sioux might have been able to get the Gophers on the schedule for football, if the issue had been resolved.

The Gophers play South Dakota State this year, South Dakota in 2010 and NDSU in 2011.

Minnesota plans to play at least one BCS opponent every year while also committing to play Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) opponents from the region.

“If we would have had things resolved, I think we could have been in the mix,” Faison said.

It’s hurting other programs, too. They can’t get games or competitions against Minnesota. It means fewer opportunities to compete close to home, Faison said.

“At this point we need to get the nickname and logo issue resolved so we can move on,” he said.

Komisarek "you must be in control of your emotions.

Former Michigan Star Mike Komisarek is public enemy #1 to Bruins and their fans but he is right. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs you have to play with controlled recklessnes, meaning you can not lose your mind. You must pick your time and place to exact revenge. Use also must use your head and don't put your team in a bad situation.

The Canadiens defenceman got a generous taste of Boston leather last Thursday, his face massaged by the gauntlets of Milan Lucic and used as a speed bag by Zdeno Chara in a boxing match that earned the Bruins captain a double minor for roughing, a great non-call in a game teeming with them.

Komisarek must play on the edge. He’s an imposing presence who must ticket the Bruins for parking – even idling – in front of the Canadiens net. He must win the battles, or at least wage ruggedly good ones, on the walls in Montreal’s zone.

“Controlled recklessness,” Komisarek called it Monday as his team set up three days of practice shop in Brossard. “You have to be in control of your emotions and intensity.”