St Louis Blues turning the corner.

It would appear that the St Louis Blues hockey team is headed in the right direction and should be a force to be reckoned with this season. Personally, I really enjoy watching great young American players like Erik Johnson (UMN) David Backes (MSU-M) and T.J. Oshie ( UND) play hockey.

Fans haven’t been this jacked up since the old President’s Trophy days, when the Blues finished first overall in 1999-2000 and then reached the Final Four the following spring.

Those were heady times. Blues fans believed Bill and Nancy Laurie and their big Wal-Mart dollars would power this franchise to its first Stanley Cup.

But the Lauries lost tens of millions of dollars during their Cup quest. They threw their support behind the NHL lockout, then decided to abandon the team when the league resumed play.

Now Blues fans are hopeful again. They are a bit uneasy about David Checketts’ quest for an NFL team, since his ownership group hasn’t quite finished its job with the Blues.

Otherwise, all is well in Blues Nation. This team commands league-wide respect again. Kariya’s return adds star power to an already entertaining group.

The franchise has developed its best corps group of young players since the Bernie Federko/Brian Sutter days. Johnson is legit, as are David Backes, David Perron, T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Roman Polak.

If Chris Mason falters in goal, Ty Conklin will be a worthy stand-in. Our Town’s Ben Bishop offers huge long-term potential in the nets and numerous other top prospects are toiling for the team’s AHL affiliate this season.

The hockey operation is in great shape. Good organizational depth extends to the low minor league, junior hockey, the college ranks and Europe. The Blues are good now and they should remain good for many years to come.
[stltoday.com]

The first round bust known as Benoit Pouliot.

In the off season I was very disappointed to find out that the Minnesota Wild had decided to keep their first round bust Benoit Pouliot, instead of finding someone else to take his place on the roster in Minnesota. Drafted in the first round of the 2005 NHL entry draft Pouliot is another reminder of the players selected in 2005 that the Minnesota Wild could have had instead of the dead weight known as Benoit Pouliot (52 games 7g-7a-14pts).

Let’s take a quick look at the players who were drafted behind Beniot Pouliot in the first round of the 2005 entry draft, Anze Kopitar 11th by the LA Kings (81g-128a-209pts), Marc Staal 12th New York (5g-22a-27pts), Tuukka Rask 21 by Toronto and T.J. Oshie 24th by the St Louis Blues, 59 games (14g-26a-40pts). I am sure that Kopitar, Staal, Rask and or Oshie would look a much better in a Wild jersey than the slacker currently wearing number 67. Frankly I find that Pouliot is a brutal reminder of the horrible first round draft choices that now departed Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough made during his ho hum tenure in Minnesota. Another reminder is the first rounds busts as James Sheppard I wonder how much longer we are going to have to watch James taking up a roster spot on the Wild.

A line that Kurt Russell immortalized in the 2004 movie, “Miracle,” and a line that fits perfectly with the crossroads that Benoit Pouliot’s career is at.

Drafted 4th Overall in the 2005 Entry Draft, Pouliot was drafted as the Minnesota Wild’s “Next Big Thing.”

Taken just three spots behind Sidney Crosby and ahead of names like Carey Price, Devin Setoguchi, and Anze Kopitar, Pouliot was expected to give the Wild the scoring punch beside Marian Gaborik that they had needed for so long.

Entering his fourth pro season, Pouliot has yet to live up to those lofty expectations.

In 52 NHL games, he has tallied just 7 goals and 14 points. After an impressive rookie campaign with the

 Houston Aeros in the 2006-07 season, one that saw him tally 19 goals and 36 points as a rookie, Pouliot was expected to contend for a roster spot on the big squad the following season. He was even given the opportunity to play pivot between Gaborik and Pavol Demitra in what would form the team’s top line.

Unfortunately, Pouliot didn’t quite make the cut. He did, however, earn a late season call up that saw him get a couple goals in the last eleven games of the season. [Bleacher Report]

Fighting Sioux coaches show.

Check out this week's Fighting Sioux coaches show that aired on 10/07/2009. Coach Hakstol and Tim are on at with 29 minutes left to go in the broadcast.

[click to listen]

Wild not as boring this season.

I know it's only one game and it was the first Wild game that I have been able to watch this season, however, after only one game I can say that the Wild are going to be a much more exciting brand of hockey to watch then they were last year under the defensive minded former coach Jacques Lemaire.

Personally, I don't watch hockey to see the neutral zone trap, I want to see attacking and counter attacking hockey and that was what the Wild did as they pushed the puck up and down the ice and created offensive opportunities all night.

This season with the Wild playing a more up tempo offensive style of play it will cause a higher risk/reward. There were a few instances last night where the Wild got caught up ice focusing on offense and not remembering where the defensive zone was.

Last night I thought defenseman Brent Burns had a poor game and looked like a pylon as there were numerous times he was caught up ice on turnovers in the neutral and offensive zone. None the less, I liked what I saw last night and it was a lot more exciting hockey to watch and I expect more of the same.

Helluva night in the Twin Cities, eh? I’m not about to compare tonight’s comeback at the X in Game 2 of an 82-game season with the Twins’ finish to win the division and advance to the playoffs, but if you happened to be one of the fans that actually attended this doubleheader, man, you won’t ever forget this night.

Wild down 3-zip. Playing absolutely hideously. Coughing up pucks. Giving up 2-on-1’s and 3-on-2’s and even an astonishing 4-on-1. Getting zero done in the offensive zone.

And then … a couple choice words during the second intermission and a fight, and the first-ever Wild comeback from three goals down in the third for a W.

Yes, I know there are people who hate fights, but tonight, there was an example about what a fight can do to a hockey game.

Kinda like when Stephane Veilleux got goaded into fighting Dion Phaneuf in Calgary once when the Wild was ahead 3-0, George Parros decided to fight John Scott. Well the 6-foot-8 Scott absolutely clocked the experienced fighter with a right uppercut. He went down, and for the first time in the game that wasn’t Carlos Gomez scoring at the Metrodome, the Wild fans had reason to cheer.

And, said Todd Richards, “It stirred up some emotion on the bench.” [Russo's Rants]

Da Costa’s Eligibility In Question

Merrimack collge hockey beat writer Mike McMahon has an update on their star freshman's status for this weekend's games. His status is still in doubt. Sounds like if this kid couldn't play this season it would be tough pill to swallow for Merrimack. I can't even remember the last time I seen someone from France playing in college hockey.

Freshman forward Stephane Da Costa has not made it through NCAA clearninghouse as of Tuesday afternoon.

Merrimack officials are currently awaiting word on his status, which is expected to come from the NCAA later this week. The Warriors open the season on Friday night in North Dakota, where they’ll take on the defending WCHA Champions.

Da Costa, who comes to Merrimack from Paris, France, finished fourth in the USHL in scoring last season. [Warrior Rink Rat]

Merrimack Links

Merrimack College hockey beat writer Mike McMahon gave me a few links on this weeks opponent the Merrimack College Warriors.

[Merrimack Overview]

Returning leaders: Chris Barton (9-14—23), Jesse Todd (7-16—23), Joe Cannata (2.35 goals-against average, .918 save percentage)

Coaches poll: Merrimack was picked to finish last for a sixth straight season. The Warriors avoided the Hockey East basement last season, finishing ninth ahead of Providence. The last time the Warriors made the Hockey East playoffs was the 2003-04 season, when the Warriors finished seventh overall and lost to Maine in the first round. The 2004-05 season, the last under former head coach Chris Serino, snapped a streak of nine straight years in which the Warriors made the postseason.

Here is the scouting report on the Merrimack Warriors. This is Mikes words on what the Sioux are going to experience. They sound like your typical WCHA team. Looks like Hexy will have someone to jaw with as well.

They're a big, hard-hitting group - especially some guys on defense. Ryan Flanigan is a pest and sure to be hated by the ND fans quickly. Kyle Bigos (6-5, 240) is a frosh defenseman who was picked by EDM in the draft and is going to be VERY good, I think. He's a big-time physical presence, too.

Here is the link to the [Merrimack Hockey Message Board]

Here is a preview on the Merrimack College hockey team. Sounds like the Warriors are big, physical, play defense first hockey teams. The Sioux will have to have their head on a swivel and be ready to be hammered into the boards. Also, Sioux forwards are going to need to get their feet moving and get the puck deep to defeat the NZT. Should be a couple of good hockey games this weekend.
[Warriors hope scoring machine is eligible]
EDIT: Just for the record; Merrimack lost 14 games by one goal last season — the most in the nation. So the Sioux cannot over look.

Scott knocks down Parros

Check out former MTU Husky and current Wild goon John Scott as he knocked the snot out of former Princeton star and current Duck goon George Parros. Looks like John Scott is going to do what ever it takes to stay in the line up. This was also the turning point in the hockey game as the Wild came back to win 4-3 in overtime. Mark me down; guilty as charged, I relish a fight. [props]
EDIT: Check out what the Ulitmate officials had to say about this fight.

p.s. I remember working games with John Scott, playing for Michigan Tech, and he was HUGE. I mean, he was a MONSTER. I thought, "If you do anything, I literally will jump on your back." (note: he was pretty gentle back then...it took hanging around Boogaard to turn him into a beast. IALTO).

Sioux 3rd in INCH preseason WCHA poll.

Interesting read. I was wondering where Jess Meyers of INCH was going to pick UND to finish this season. I think the WCHA could be very close race again this season. I also predict that you will see 5 - 6 teams in the NCAA playoffs this season. There is going to be a lot of exciting players in this league this year.

1. Denver The Pioneers have everything in place, talent-wise, to finish on top. They also have the jinx of being the consensus favorite, which means they almost certainly will not.
2. St. Cloud State Add a hot freshman goalie to the likes of Lasch, Roe, and Raboin, and all of the pieces are in place for the Huskies to make another run at the NCAAs.
3. North Dakota After wave upon wave of eye-popping offensive talent coming from the Ralph, the duo of Genoway and Eidsness are prepared to do it with defense this season.
4. Minnesota Gopher players expect to be better. With trips to North Dakota and Wisconsin and a home duo with Denver among the first eight games, we’ll know soon.
5. Wisconsin Goaltending is a question in Madison. Although with the array of blue line talent
wearing red this season, you or I could be competitive in goal there.
6. Minnesota Duluth An exciting crop of freshmen, and an even more exciting run last March, has Bulldog fans expecting home playoffs in the DECC’s final full season.
7. Minnesota State The last two teams we’ve picked for seventh have won the MacNaughton Cup. If the senior-laden Mavs find goaltending, they could make it three.
8. Colorado College The schedule gods are smiling on the Tigers, who play 11 of their first 15 games at home. But the holes to fill on offense and in goal are considerable.
9. Alaska Anchorage A respectable 7-10-3 post-holiday record last season gives Seawolf fans confidence that the days of fading away in February are over.
10. Michigan Tech The duo of Jordan Baker and Brett Olson combined for 50 points last season. Those two, and better team health, provide hope in Huskyland.

Here was something that I agree with Jess about, the WCHA has to be better in non-conference play this season. Last year was not a good season for the WCHA. This season I think the WCHA is going come back with a vengence and kick some non-conference foes ass. It starts this weekend with DU vs UVM, MTU vs NMU, C.C. vs NE, SCSU vs MU, MSU-M vs BGSU, UMD vs LSSU, and UND vs MC. It's time to make a statement.

The 10 (soon to be a dozen) coaches of the WCHA might haven take a moment to look around the Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. last April, noticed the dearth of league members there, and realized that we’re a long way from Columbus.

You’ll recall that the 2005 affair in central Ohio was the notorious all-WCHA Frozen Four, which was cheered nearly everywhere west of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and jeered pretty much everywhere else. In sharp contrast, for just the fourth time in Frozen Four history (1993, 1998 and 1999 being the others) there was no WCHA team at the 2009 Frozen. Although the strongest league backers will claim future member Bemidji State’s run to D.C. ought to count. Not likely.

But the 2008-09 doldrums went beyond a rough patch in rounds one and two of the NCAA playoffs. As evidenced by the fact that just one WCHAer (league MVP Jamie McBain from Wisconsin) made the list of Hobey finalists, and the fact that for the second year in a row the MacNaughton Cup champion (this time, North Dakota) ended the season on a 0-3 streak. It was clearly a down year for the WCHA.

Bruins resign Lucic to three year deal.

The Boston Bruins have resigned their tough guy Milan Lucic. Since his arrival in Boston Milan Lucic has developed a cult following with his monster hits and great fights. Last week he brutalized Jay Harrison from the Carolina Hurricanes. I am sure Bruins fans are relieved that Lucic has been locked up for three more seasons after this one. Just off the wire: According to TSN Lucic According to TSN, the deal is worth $12.25 million, giving Lucic a $4,083,333 annual cap hit. Lucic will still be a restricted free agent at the end of the contract. [TSN]

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed forward Milan Lucic to a three-year contract extension through the 2012-13 NHL season. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

The 21-year-old Lucic set career highs in all major statistical categories last year after recording 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points, in addition to tallying 136 penalty minutes and a +17 rating. He netted his first career hat trick and a career-best four points on October 25, 2008, after a 3-1=4 performance against the Atlanta Thrashers.

During the 2008-09 postseason, the 6'3'' 228-pound winger had three goals and six assists and a team best +12 plus/minus rating in 10 games.

In his rookie year in 2007-08, Lucic registered 8-19=27 totals and 89 penalty minutes in 77 contests. Lucic earned the team's "Seventh Player Award" for his efforts, an award voted on by the fans and given to the Bruin who performs above and beyond expectations. He also contributed two goals in seven postseason games.

Lucic has skated in both games during the 2009-10 season and has notched one assist and five penalty minutes.

Matt Gilroy scores his first NHL goal.

Former BU Terrier star defenseman Matt Gilroy scored the first NHL goal of his young career last night as the Rangers beat the Devils 3-2. In my opinion this is a nice story and I hope this kid does really well for the Rangers. Assiting on Gilroy's first goal was former Wild player Marian Gaborik. Former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac scored for the New Jersey Devils, Parise and Clarkson assisted on Zajac's goal.

Genoway makes CHN's first team.

Some nice gee whiz reading for Sioux fans. Chay Genoway is getting some serious love from the college hockey sites. Here is the preseason first team from CHN. Chay was also made the first team of the Inside College Hockey 2009-10 Preseason All-America Team. One might have to start the Hobey Chay campaign.


First Team
F David McIntyre, Sr., Colgate
F Louis Caporusso, Jr., Michigan
F Jordan Schroeder, So., Minnesota
D Ian Cole, Jr., Notre Dame
D Chay Genoway, Sr., North Dakota
His defense has been consistently strong, and he's continued to become more involved in the offense, with 32 points last season. He was WCHA Defensive Player of the Year last season.
G Zane Kalemba, Sr., Princeton

Fighting Sioux ranked 6th in first USCHO poll.

Six WCHA teams are ranked in the first USCHO poll of the season.
1 Denver (20)
2 Boston University (17)
3 Michigan ( 2)
4 Miami (5)
5 Notre Dame (2)
6 North Dakota
7 Cornell
8 Yale
9 Minnesota
10 Princeton
11 Mass.-Lowell
12 Boston College
13 Wisconsin
14 Vermont
15 St. Cloud State
16 New Hampshire
17 Ohio State
18 Minnesota-Duluth
19 Air Force
20 Northeastern
Others Receiving Votes: Northern Michigan 72, Bemidji State 66, Harvard 35, Colorado College 25, St. Lawrence 23, Massachusetts 17, Minnesota State 11, Clarkson 10, RIT 10, Mercyhurst 6, Union 4, Alaska 1, Alaska-Anchorage 1, Dartmouth 1, Ferris State 1, Maine 1, Quinnipiac 1

DU's Anthony Maiani suspended.

Seems that DU hockey team is going to be short in the line up for the next three games as Anthony Maiani has gotten himself into disciplinary trouble, it would be interesting to see what this undisclosed team rule was? I am sure Mr. Maiani wasn't out raising hell, that stuff never happens in Denver.

Junior wing Anthony Maiani, who led the team in scoring last season, will begin a three-game suspension in today's exhibition game against the University of Calgary. Maiani broke an undisclosed team rule and also will miss next weekend's season-opening, two-game nonconference series against visiting Vermont.

Maiani led DU with 30 assists and 41 points as a sophomore. He is practicing with the team but not skating on a regular line.

"It's going to be tough sitting out, watching the team play," Maiani said. "I'm just working hard in practice and being supportive of the team. I'll be ready when I get back in the lineup." [Denver Post]

A couple of things. (Monday Links)

Here was an article that I thought was interesting UAA is one of the bigger teams in the WCHA as well as the NCAA. That's fine and dandy if the Seawolves can skate and keep up the opposition without clutching, grabbing and interfering up and down the ice. The NCAA refs are going to focus on protecting the puck carrier and did so quite well last night during the game between Manitoba and UND. If they call the games like that I don’t know if UAA will be able to keep up with fleet footed teams like DU, UND and Minnesota. If the Seawolves end up taking a bunch of penalties against these teams could get buried.

While some want to make outlandish predictions about the Seawolves finishing in the top five of the WCHA, I just don’t see it happening. To the UAA Seawolves; I beg you to prove me wrong. Personally, I think it’s going to be more of the same and predict that the Seawolves will be a big, slow, lumbering team with mediocre goaltending that will end up 9th or 10th in the WCHA yet again this season.

With no shortage of small, dangerous forwards dancing around the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, UAA has hit upon a tactic aimed to squash such skill: Knock the shiftiness out of them.

"If we play physical and finish our checks, it wears teams down and they get tired and make mistakes,'' said Seawolves coach Dave Shyiak. "As a staff we demand our guys finish their checks and play physical.''

Toward that end, Shyiak and company have assembled a roster that embraces the notion size matters and bigger is better. Goalies aside, the Seawolves average 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, which means it will be rare for them to come across a bigger opponent.

Shyiak, in his fifth season, has recruited size to counter the skilled players that traditional league powers like Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Denver routinely attract.

"You're looking for talent and skating, and size is always a bonus,'' he said. "We're fortunate with being able to find guys who have good size and can still get around the ice. We're strong along the wall and that really levels the playing field against more skilled teams.''

UAA last season went 14-17-5 overall and finished ninth in the 10-team WCHA with a 9-14-5 record in league. That marked an improvement over the previous season, in which they went 7-21-8 overall and 8-19-1 for last place in the league, and the Seawolves flourished most when they banged bodies consistently. [ADN.COM]

Check out Ben Pherson and Jason Feldman's WCHA predictions, yet people give Sioux7 a hard time about his predictions.

Ben Pherson's predictions
1. St. Cloud State.
2. Denver.
3. North Dakota. I'd like to push Feldy's Sioux down this list a little bit, but looking at the rest of the teams, I don't see anyone else with the talent to jump into this spot (Gophers included). I like how good Brad Eidsness was down the stretch for the Sioux ... especially with how shaky the goaltending was early in the season. If he plays well, the Sioux can compete for a top spot. Oh yeah, and Chay Genoway is a stud.
4. Minnesota.
5. Minnesota State.
6. Colorado College.
7. Wisconsin.
8. Minnesota-Duluth.
9. Alaska-Anchorage.
10. Michigan Tech
The ones by Jason Feldman seem a little more reasonable.
1. Denver.
2. Minnesota.
3. Wisconsin.
4. North Dakota. The Sioux lost a lot after last season, but there is a buzz in Grand Forks about this freshman class. Still, relying on 10 freshmen is a lot to ask. Plus, the Sioux need to find out if goalie Brad Eidsness is more like his first three-quarters of the season, or more like the guy who (didn't) show up in the postseason. They should be decent on the blue line, with senior Chay Genoway a possible top-10 Hobey candidate. Watch out for sophomore forwards Jason Gregoire and Brett Hextall, too. They quietly had really good freshman seasons.
5. St. Cloud State.
6. Minnesota-Duluth.
7. MSU, Mankato.
8. Colorado College.
9. Alaska-Anchorage.
10. Michigan Tech
[props]

I have to admit that I miss former Fighting Sioux coach Dean Blais and will enjoy seeing how his team progresses this season. There will be the interesting quotes/zingers in the paper. There was an old song by Cinderella, "You don't know what you got till it's gone." [props] to RWD for pointing that out for me. I also must admit that I saw them in concert at the Boston Garden with ACDC in 1990.

Dean Blais' approach to the UNO hockey team's season-opening exhibition against Lethbridge is simple.

The Mavs' new bench boss sees it as part tuneup and part tryout.

The puck drops on a new chapter in University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey history tonight, when Blais, the two-time NCAA championship coach, makes his Mavericks debut.

The game won't count a lick for NCAA purposes. But it will mean a lot to Blais, who wants to see his players set an aggressive tone for the season. And he expects every person who sets foot inside Qwest Center Omaha to be impressed with his skaters' tireless work ethic.

“It's a dress rehearsal, although the guys, when they put those jerseys on, they're competing for jobs,” said Blais, who was the leader among active NCAA coaches in winning percentage when he stepped down at the University of North Dakota in 2004.

“This community and our fans aren't going to tolerate half (hearted) effort, and we're not going to give it to them. If a kid even takes one shift off, he won't get another one.”

Of course, in addition to sizing up his roster, Blais wants UNO to win.

Rumor: Toronto buyers moving Thrashers to Winnipeg

Here is a rumor that I really hope someday comes to fruition. Moving a team back to Winnipeg makes sense, I mean seriously, since the Phoenix Coyotes have been an utter failure in the desert. I am also not a big fan of having two NHL teams in Florida and on in Atlanta as well. Hockey is a sport that belongs in cold weather markets like Winnipeg. I can remember going to a few games in the old Winnipeg Arena when the Mercury was well below zero on both scales (Celsius and Fahrenheit)

Someone please remind me why that was such a great move? Every since the Jets left Winnipeg in the 1996 I have hoped that someday the NHL will return to Winnipeg 140 miles from my home in Grand Forks, ND. Of Course the Atlanta Trasher are denying the rumor.

There was more NHL/Winnipeg speculation on Saturday night's Hockey Night in Canada's Satellite Hotstove.

On the season's opening weekend, the captivated nation was told that big money from Toronto has done plenty of work already to buy the Atlanta Thrashers and move them to Winnipeg. Is it just another episode of wishful thinking or a real indicator of what's afoot?

True North Sports and Entertainment chairman Mark Chipman wasn't saying on Sunday, taking his usual tack of the less said the better. There are several known quantities to this ongoing story:

* The NHL has more problems than just the financially drowning Phoenix Coyotes.

* Chipman, whose company owns Winnipeg's MTS Centre, has been a consistently keen observer of NHL

franchise matters for longer than his arena has been open (2004) and has never denied his interest in some future deal that might bring the NHL back to the city.

* One of the biggest partners in the True North success story, and certainly its most well-heeled, is Osmington, Inc., the Toronto-based private real estate company of David Thomson, the richest man in Canada and son of the late Ken Thomson.

* Chipman and True North have been to NHL headquarters in New York to address league executives and governors about their new arena, their situation and their interest and they continue to maintain a very quiet but open channel for dialogue with the league's leadership.

* In this case of Saturday's HNIC outburst, the Thrashers' owners, the Spirit group of eight partners, have been embroiled in disputes and legal wrangling for about four years over control of the NHL team, the NBA Hawks and Philips Arena. This summer, a judge tossed out a lawsuit that sent the bickering partners back to the starting blocks over share valuation and how one side or the other could be bought out. It's thought that the group is far more interested in basketball and could sell the Thrashers, but that's only speculation. [Winnipeg Free Press]

Lucic works Jay Harrison

This is the fight that everyone has been talking about on the Bruins hockey blogs. Milan Lucic just proves that he is an animal. Seriously what the heck was Harrison thinking here? 

Sioux smoke Bisons 7-1.

Tonight was one of the first times in a long time that I missed a home Fighting Sioux hockey game and watched the game at home on my television. I was out hunting this weekend and had planned on staying out at the shack through Monday so I gave my tickets away. After getting rained on nonstop all weekend and having the rain make most of my hunting choices impassable and a muddy mess I decided to come home early. So tonight I watched the game at home. None the less I was impressed with what I saw tonight.

While the Sioux were rusty and a maybe little sloppy in all three zones of the ice they displayed a lot speed and offensive creativity. It appears that UND is going to roll 3 - 4 forward lines this season and wear out opponents. I predict that UND will be well balanced on offense and defense. On offense the Sioux will have a combination of grit and speed. Defensively, UND will have a combination of stay at home rugged defenseman (Fienhage , Blood, MacWilliam ) and well as the offensive minded carry the puck up ice and make plays offensively (Genoway, LaPoint, Marto) defenders .

+PLUS+

Andrew MacWilliam is a monster and I can’t wait to see him in this season, it will fun to see how he responds against the Golden Gophers in a few weeks.

Ben Blood has really improved and is going to be a stalwart on defense.

Chay Genoway is going to be one of the top offensive defenseman in the Nation this season. Start the Chay Genoway for Hobey Baker campaign.

Michael Cichy and Danny Kristo appear to be a good as advertised.

This is a very talented team and the freshman have a lot of talent and are very skilled. Hakstol and Company are going to have some tough line up decision to make each week.
[Box Score]

1st Period (20:00)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MTB-1 Chad Erb (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x1 0:56
MTB-2 Troy Crowley (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x2 4:39
MTB-3 Chad Erb (2-Tripping) NDK 0x3 9:25
NDK-1 Danny Kristo (2-Hooking) MTB 0x1 10:58
MTB 1 - 0 6x6 David Brown (Rick Wood) 13:48
MTB (+): 28,27,20,9,11,G34 NDK (-): 24,5,11,15,27,G31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MTB-4 Greg Beller (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 3:46
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Danny Kristo (Chris VandeVelde, Jason Gregoire) 11:23
NDK (+): 7,29,17,3,25,G31 MTB (-): 18,20,16,28,23,G34
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Cross-Checking) MTB 0x2 14:17
NDK-3 Chay Genoway (2-Holding) MTB 0x3 19:07
MTB-5 Tyler Dittmer (2-Holding) NDK 1x5 19:52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 2 - 1 5x5 GW LL Jake Marto (Evan Trupp, Brad Malone) 0:21
NDK (+): 25,19,22,3,G32 MTB (-): 16,19,4,2,G34
NDK 3 - 1 6x5 PP Jason Gregoire (Chris VandeVelde, Chay Genoway) 1:28
NDK: 17,29,5,7,26,G32 MTB: 21,4,5,19,G34
NDK 4 - 1 6x6 Mario Lamoureux (unassisted) 5:34
NDK (+): 9,10,8,4,2,G32 MTB (-): 10,19,21,4,5,G34
MTB-6 Jared Walker (2-Hooking) NDK 2x6 11:13
MTB-7 Rick Wood (2-Interference) NDK 2x7 11:49
NDK 5 - 1 6x4 PP Chay Genoway (Danny Kristo, David Toews) 12:40
NDK: 5,7,18,17,29,G32 MTB: 21,4,20,G34
NDK-4 Corey Fienhage (2-Hooking) MTB 0x4 14:04
MTB-8 Tyler Dittmer (2-Hooking) 15:05
MTB-9 Jared Walker (10-Misconduct) 15:05
NDK-5 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) 15:05
NDK-6 Brad Malone (10-Misconduct) 15:05
NDK-7 Ben Blood (10-Misconduct) 15:05
NDK-8 Ben Blood (2-Roughing) MTB 0x5 15:05
NDK 6 - 1 6x6 Michael Cichy (David Toews, Joe Gleason) 17:28
NDK (+): 8,18,20,9,5,G32 MTB (-): 10,4,19,21,5,G34
NDK 7 - 1 6x6 Brett Hextall (Carter Rowney) 18:28
NDK (+): 26,27,20,3,15,G32 MTB (-): 2,26,9,21,12,G34
MTB-10 Troy Crowley (2-Roughing) 18:59
MTB-11 Troy Crowley (2-Roughing) 18:59
MTB-12 Troy Crowley (10-Misconduct) 18:59
NDK-9 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Roughing) 18:59
NDK-10 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Roughing) 18:59
NDK-11 Andrew MacWilliam (10-Misconduct) 18:59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game

Why the EZAC get so much love?

This is my weekly column that I wrote for the Illegal Curve.

There is a question that a lot of western college hockey fans ask. Why does the EZAC get so much love from the hockey pundits every year in the pre-season polls? This is a question that I would like to see answered. Its common knowledge that the ECAC is made up of schools with great academic records, however, these teams are not as good in NCAA division one college hockey as the ECAC feigning media wants us to believe.


Here are the current pre-season rankings of the teams in question.

INCH has three ECAC teams ranked in the top 15, Cornell 7, Princeton 8 and Yale 11.
The USA Today polls have three ECAC teams ranked in the top 15 Cornell 7, Princeton 9 and Yale 11.
The College Hockey News has three ECAC teams ranked in their top ten preseason poll as well, Cornell 4, Princeton 7 and Yale 10.

Let’s look at this further; the Ivy League teams in the ECAC won’t start their exhibition play until around the 23rd – 25th of October. By that time all other teams in division one college hockey will have played at least an exhibition game and probably at least a game or a series against a non conference opponent. A few teams will have played in a pre-season tourney. The travesty is that college hockey fans are going to have to suffer through two weeks of games when three ECAC teams will be ranked in the top 15 and they won’t have played even one college hockey game.

Just so you think I am not piling on the ECAC, since 2001 the ECAC has a combined NCAA playoff record of 6-18, that is not an impressive record folks. Breaking it down further Cornell is responsible for 5 of those wins with a 5-5 record. The rest of the EZAC teams are 1-13. Yet the NCAA hockey selection committee still gave Clarkson a number one seed in 2007 which Clarkson promptly went out and lost their first round game. Yeah like they were the 3rd best team over all that season. Not!

Seriously folks, the last time an ECAC team won an NCAA title was in 1989 when the Harvard Crimson beat Doug Woog’s Minnesota Golden Gophers 4-3 in overtime. That was 20 years ago. So I ask you again why is there three ECAC teams ranked so high.

Just for historical purposes; here is the break down of the NCAA titles won by ECAC teams.

Cornell 2-time NCAA men's champions (1967, 1970)
Harvard -time NCAA men's champions (1989)
RPI -time NCAA men's champions (1954, 1985)

Bruins are unimpressive in game one.

Alexander Ovechkin proved why he is the best player in the NHL as he ran through the Boston Bruins like they were swiss cheese. The Bruins were a step late all game as they lost the race to the puck and they looked lost. The only bright spot was Patrice Bergeron  scoring on a breakaway and the Bruins are going to need more than one forward going. Final Capitals 4  Bruins 1.

Will Newly Elected Chair Really Make A Difference

That is a very good question. I does appear that there is still a long way to go before UND can secure permission for use of the Fighting Sioux name. Jesse Taken Alive seems to think a vote is not going to happen. I guess time will tell. My only question is what are some in the Standing Rock leadership afraid of? Are they afraid that the members of the Standing Rock Tribe would approve UND’s use of the Fighting Sioux name by an impressive majority like the Spirit Lake Tribe did?

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe voted in a new chairman in Charlie Murphy yesterday. But what does this really mean for the nickname issue. The previous chair was against it .


Yesterday's election brought a new chairman in Charlie Murphy to the Standing Rock Reservation. More than half a dozen new council members will join him. Some existing tribal council members say new people could mean a new outlook on UND's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Jesse Mclaughlin: "They'll be the key there, what their stance is will be some might have a problem some might not."

Even if Murphy supports a tribe-wide vote, two-thirds of the Standing Rock tribal council's 15 representatives have to support it too. And any possible tribe-wide vote at Standing Rock could take a minimum of 2 months to secure. Standing Rock tribal council member Jesse Taken Alive says he doesn't think the council will allow a vote. He says a moratorium banning a referendum vote was passed last year. A two-thirds vote to rescind the moratorium would be needed as well. But others on the council say with seven new members it could change.

Margaret Gates: "At least its being brought up in a good manner instead of just we oppose it. Instead its being brought up as should it be put on the agenda."

Jesse Mclaughlin: "I've been on the council for two terms and my stance is if its that big a deal then let the people vote."

Mclaughlin says he feels past discussions excluded nickname supporters. Something they say Murphy won't do. Jesse Mclaughlin: "I know a couple of them and they don't seem to have problem with it but tribal politics can be crazy."

Margaret Gates: "Its being brought forth with open minds to hear it."

But Taken Alive maintains that a vote is unlikely. He says the council, which is usually 16 members strong, lost a possible vote for the nickname when Murphy gave up his at-large council seat to run for tribal chair. His at-large seat was not filled this election cycle, leaving the council one voting member short. As tribal chair Murphy can only vote to break a tie. Council members say either way the issue needs to be resolved they have more important issues to focus on [WDAZ.COM]