NCAA Round Up: Stuff your schedule with cupcakes.

Here is this weeks NCAA Round up that was posted at the Illegal Curve

I touched on this subject a bit last week on my blog but it does stimulate an interesting debate. I referenced an article by the Wisconsin Badgers hockey beat writer Andy Baggot; apparently in the future the Wisconsin Badgers are going to load up on unimpressive opponents in hopes of making the NCAA tourney. One might call these said team cupcakes.

Personally, I think the NCAA screwed up when they decreased the power rating equation from 50 percent to 21, now there will be no need for scheduling quality opponents and teams might just decide to load up on bottom feeders in the CCHA, AHA and ECAC teams to pad their stats and rack up wins and stats. The down side of that equation is that if your teams loses to these unimpressive cupcakes they will hurt your teams strength of schedule and the out of conference record.

Question: does a team compromise their principles or good name by racking up wins against poor competition? Or anything to make the NCAA tourney, you can't win if your team is not in?

NCAA tourney formula drives changes

Eaves said recent adjustments in how strength of schedule factors into an NCAA tournament resume is driving the changes. In the past three years, the value of an opponent's winning percentage has decreased significantly in the power rating equation (from 50 percent to 21) and a school with a record under .500 can no longer qualify for an at-large berth regardless of its schedule strength or where it stands in the Pairwise Rankings.
Alabama-Huntsville, projected to be an NCAA Division I independent in 2010-11, and Massachusetts, a consistent second-division club in Hockey East, will play series here next season.

Mike Cerniglia, the UW director of hockey operations, said another non-conference home series will likely be added for 2010-11 because the Icebreaker is exempt from the normal 34-game regular season and UW prefers to have 20 home dates per season.
[Madison.Com]

Goon's Predictions.

I am going to be out of pocket this weekend in pursuit of the great white tail deer. By the time this post hits the blog I could have my deer already tied to a tree. I am proud to confess that I won last week's bet with Sioux7. Last week I bet Sioux7 a beer that UAA would get no points against the Minnesota Gophers, of course I was right Minnesota made UAA look like a big, slow, lumbering team. Now lets see how I do this week.

Minnesota at #18 Wisconsin

In this series I am going to agree with Sioux7 and say the Wisconsin Badgers SWEEP the Gophers this weekend. The loss of important cogs Bariball and Leddy will start to add up. I expect the Badgers to come out and hit the Gophers from the drop of the puck to the last whistle. Gophers see red. The Badges are loaded on defense; Brendan Smith, Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner, Cody Goloubef, Justin Schultz are a pretty good group of defensemen.

#20 Minnesota-Duluth at #12 Colorado College

I am going to predict a SPLIT in this series: C.C. will be looking for some sweet revenge against the Bulldogs this weekend. Last season UMD knocked C.C. out of the WCHA tourney as well as the NCAA tourney. Up front UMD has some really nice players in Jack Connolly and Justin Fontaine, also the other Connolly Mike is a pretty nice player as well.

#3 North Dakota at Michigan Tech

On paper I would say that nothing less than a sweep is acceptable, however, hockey is played on the ice and not on paper. Last season the Huskies were brutal and they lost a lot of games they were last in the WCHA with a record of (6-25-7), the Huskies also lost a lot of players to injury. Back for a 6th season is the Huskies star player Malcolm Gwilliam who suffered a season-ending stroke last season and was granted a medical redshirt, Gwillian has been impressive early scoring (5g-3a-8pt). The realist in me says the series is before the first of the year so I am going to say Sioux 3 points.

#2 Denver at Alaska-Anchorage

The Pioneers have been pretty good when DU goalie, Mark Chevrie is in net, when Chevy is not in net the Pioneers have been average. Unfortunately for the Pioneers Chevrie suffer a injury to his leg last weekend, and the Pioneers are going to go with their rookie goalie Adam Murray has been brutal early on with a (1-2-1, GAA 4.27, .856 SV %). That being said I expect the Pioneers to take 3 points this weekend against the UAA Seawolves. Rhett Rakhshani (4g-5a-9pts) Tyler Ruegsegger (4g-4a-8pts) will lead the way for the Pioneers.

BYE - Off Week

Minnesota State University - Mankato
St. Cloud State University

This will get you a one game suspension.

Sean "sloppy seconds" Avery got so far under Shane O’Brien's skin during a recent game between the Rangers and the Canucks that O'Brien jabbed Avery with his stick while standing on the Vancouver players bench. For his efforts O'Brien got a one game suspension. While I think Sean Avery is a punk the man does add a lot of drama to the NHL. Just for the record the Canucks beat the Rangers 4-1.

Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

This week we only have WCHA contests, four series to be specific, and no non-conference games. UM and MSUM have played 6 WCHA games this year and everyone else has played 4. After this weekend, UM will be leading the WCHA in one catagory, games played, with 8. (Everyone else will be at 6, except SCSU at 4.) We should get a much better idea where each team is at, as far as progress, and where they might end the year, top or bottom half of the league.


WCHA standings

TEAM.................GP...W-L-T..PTS
1 Colorado College.....4...3-0-1...7
1 Denver................4...3-0-1...7
3 Minnesota-Duluth....4...2-1-1...5
3 North Dakota.........4...2-1-1...5
3 St. Cloud State.......4...2-1-1...5
3 Minnesota.............6...2-3-1...5
7 Wisconsin.............4...1-2-1...3
7 Minnesota State......6...1-4-1...3
9 Alaska-Anchorage....4...1-3-0...2
9 Michigan Tech........4...1-3-0...2


Minnesota at #18 Wisconsin
The Gophers got their first win last weekend, and earned a sweep over visiting UAA. Wisconsin flexed their muscles in a sweep over Hockey East perennial power New Hampshire

It is safe to say UW has played against some tough teams and won, UM hasn't. The Gophers failed to win a game against UND and DU. Gopherville has to be happy that they put some goals up on the scoreboard last weekend, but beating UAA doesn't tend to help one out in the rankings. We here at GOONS WORLD wish Nick Leddy a speedy recover to the broken jaw he suffered last weekend. The Badger's moved up one spot in the poll from last week. UW only allowed 1 goal each night, against a good UNH team. The Gopher might find themselves back in the land of 10,000 zeros this weekend in Madison. UW has arguably the best set of d-men in hockey, and see the UM's track record this season against good teams... UM might get a new nickname the O-phers. I'm going to back Bucky in these tilts, WISCONSIN SWEEPS.


#20 Minnesota-Duluth at #12 Colorado College
The Tigers were resting last weekend with a bye, and the Bulldogs swept Clarkson U.

The Tigers are the early surprise this season in the WCHA, leading the league, when most of us picked them to finish in the bottom half of the league in the preseason. The Bulldogs are right on the Tigers tail, in 3rd place only two points behind. In 4 WCHA games this season CC has scored 16 goals and UMD has scored 13 goals. These teams should light the lamp this weekend too, making it an exciting series to watch. If either team gets a sweep it will help them to get a good grip on the WCHA top half of the league. I say both teams come up winners, SPLIT.


#3 North Dakota at Michigan Tech
UND was off last weekend, while MTU split a pair of home games with scores of 1-3 and 3-1 against SCSU.

UND should be well rested and recovered from their bye-week, meanwhile the Huskies are trying to get their offense going. MTU has only scored 10 goals (5 were in one game) through 4 WCHA games and given up 16. The Huskies have to be more consistent on offensive if they want to avoid being in the dog-house. The Sioux are looking to rebound after suffering their first lose of the season two weeks ago in Anchorage.
Again this time out for the Sioux the opposing teams fans don't look to be an issue, with MTU getting about 1,500 people in the seat for a game (much like UAA's attendance). I have to pick my alma mater, SIOUX SWEEP.


#2 Denver at Alaska-Anchorage
The Pioneers took 3 points from visiting MSU-Mankato, and the Seawolves were swept at the hands of the Gophers. DU's star goalie, Mark Chevrie also suffered a cut to his leg by a skate and is expected to miss a few weeks, we all wish him quick recovery.

UAA has been "better" at home (2-2-0) than on the road (0-2-0), DU has 3-0-1 road record and is 2-1-1 at home for the season. The Seawolves have scored a total of 4 goals in their past 4 games, the Pioneers have scored 14 goals in their last 4 games. DU may have lost their starting goalie, but their offense is still intact. I always say UAA is a tough road trip, but the Seawolves are a beat-able team. I'm going to say #2 wins, PIONEERS SWEEP.


BYE - Off Week
Minnesota State University - Mankato
St. Cloud State University

Krejci has H1N1.

If the Boston Bruins are going to win tonight they are going to have to do it without one of their young guns David Krejci. So now Bruins are down Savard, Lucic, and Krejci that is a lot of fire power out of the Bruins line up.

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club’s medical staff has confirmed a diagnosis of H1N1 for David Krejci. Based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, Krejci will be isolated from the rest of the team until he is symptom and fever free for 24 hours.

“Like most people, we are taking many precautions to try to prevent our players and staff from contracting the H1N1 virus,” said Chiarelli. “Our medical staff is working with David to get him healthy as soon as possible, and our players and staff will continue to take precautions with hopes of preventing the spread of the virus to others in the organization.”

Gophers lose senior forward Barriball

You never want to see an opposition player go down to injury this is a big loss for Barriball that has been a pretty solid three year player for the Gophers. We want to wish him a speedy recovery. I looks like he will apply for the medical redshirt which the NCAA will more than likey grant.

Jay Barriball, the right winger on the first line of the Gophers men's hockey team, is expected to have season-ending knee surgery on Friday.

Preliminary results from a magnetic resonance imaging exam taken Wednesday indicated that Barriball will require surgery, but a final decision likely will be made today. The senior was injured in a routine drill during Tuesday's practice.

"It is not a [torn] ACL," coach Don Lucia said, referring to a common knee injury in contact sports, "but it is serious enough that if you have surgery, it is a four-, five-month deal."

Barriball scored a goal and had two assists last weekend vs. Alaska Anchorage to reach the 100-point milestone. He has 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points in 125 career games.

"[His loss] leaves a big void," Lucia said. "The good thing for Jay is he did not get past the threshold" to apply for medical redshirt year this season. The threshold is one-third of the season. If the NCAA gives Barriball a redshirt year, he would have another year of eligibility in 2010-11. [Star Tribune]

Michael Liambas suspended for the year.

The wheels of justice have hit Michael Liambas hard as he has been suspended for the rest of the season for his hit on Ben Fanelli. I have to say that I applaud the ruling and other leagues should take notice. It also shows that you have to show respect for your opponents.

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of its review of an incident which occurred in the game played in Kitchener on Friday, October 30th, 2009 between the Kitchener Rangers and the visiting Erie Otters.

The incident in question involved player Michael Liambas of the Erie Otters who was assessed a match penalty for boarding as the result of his hit on Kitchener Rangers player Ben Fanelli who sustained an injury to the head on the play.

In making the announcement as the result of the review, Commissioner David Branch stated that…”players must understand they shall be held accountable for their actions. We must all work towards improving the level of respect players have towards opposing players and the game in general”.

“It is the position of the Ontario Hockey League that player Michael Liambas of the Erie Otters Hockey Club be suspended for the balance of the 2009-10 playing season including playoffs”. [ontariohockeyleague.com]

Shall we review?

Let me preface this: I know this happened two years ago but it paints a picture. Just maybe tDon should check out YouTube and not throw stones at other fan bases and maybe they should worry about their own fan base first. Ah the beauty of the Internet. [Example Number 2] and [example number 3] I would say that this guy and his buddies are probably in violation of the fan code of conduct at the University of Minnesota.

Kessel's first game back.

Welcome back to the NHL. Check out this monster hit by Mattias Ohlund on Phil Kessel. All I can say is "OUCH." You have to keep your head up when you come across the Blue line. The part I don't like is someone lays out a player with a legal hit and then someone comes after Ohlund and wants to fight. That's ridiculous.

More on the goal drought in Boston.

This is more that I was talking about. The void that Kessel left when he went to Toronto has not been filled. Also, Marco Sturm has never scored more than 28 goals in a season and I don't see him coming close to scoring 30 goals in this line up. The aging Mark Recchi isn't going to score 20 goals at his current pace, he will be lucky to break 10 or 15 goals this season. Of course there is alway the bright side, the Bruins got a slew of draft choices they can use.

Nobody in Boston wants to hear this, but these Bruins sure could use Kessel. Somebody in the Bruins dressing room mentioned Kessel's stats from the Toronto game and it was met with an ugly look from one of the Boston players. The look was clear. Kessel is gone; nobody here wants to know how he's helping another team.

Julien said as much on Monday, even before his team turned in another zero.

"We made a deal and we've moved on," Julien said. "We've got guys who have moved in and done a pretty good job with (replacing Kessel). It is what it is. Phil Kessel has moved on and we've moved on."

If only the part about replacing Kessel were true. It's not easy to replace 36 goals. The hope was that a healthy Marco Sturm would help.

"We replaced one (30-goal scorer) with another," Mark Recchi said.

Sturm has two goals. Another potential 30-goal scorer, Michael Ryder, has three. David Krejci has one. Recchi has two.

Not the goal totals of players jumping in to pick up scoring production that left with Kessel.

"When you replace people, it takes a little time," Recchi said. "We've got guys who can do what he was doing. Right now, it's just not happening. Eventually it will." [Sporting News]

A Question for the Boston Bruins: Where Has All the Offense Gone?

Yeah I can't believe someone would ask this question, you sent 36 goals to Toronto in the form of Phil Kessel, you have two others on the IR in Marc Savard and Milan Lucic. During the offseason the Boston Bruins general manager thought that Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron which was wrong. The fact remains that this is going to be a very rough year for the Bruins if they don't address their offensive needs.

This year, the Bruins have done a complete 180. Through their first 13 games, they have scored a total of just 31 goals, good enough for 27th in the league and have the worst pp scoring 11.5 percent of the time. In the eight games the Bruins have lost, they have scored one goal or less in six of them. This year, their leading goal scorers are Patrice Bergeron and Blake Wheeler, with four goals each.

There can be many different excuses for why this has happened. The first is the fact that the B's traded their No. 1 goal scorer last year Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kessel scored 36 goals to lead the Bruins. While he put up some great numbers a big reason was because of the playmaking abilities of Marc Savard. So this is not the reason why the Bruins are slumping as much as they are.

A second reason would be the losses of Marc Savard and Milan Lucic. Both were lost earlier in the year to injuries and won't be back for at least another 10-15 games. Savard is the Bruins best playmaker finishing with 63 assists last year. Losing him really hurt the Bruins because he could make the pass that no one else could on the team. [Bleacher report]

Injuries are piling up.

This was from Hammy's Twitter page.

Bad news out of today's Gopher practice... Barriball reportedly injured. Doesn't sound good... season ending?

If true the guys at Goon's world hope that Jay Barriball isn't hurt too bad and will make a speedy return to the line soon for the Gophers. Also, add to the Gophers injuries Nick Leddy.

That being said, there does appear to be an inordinate amount of injuries this season. DU goalie Marc Cheverie's injured leg seems to be more serious than originally thought and could miss the UND and DU series. I also hope Marc makes a speedy recovery. Also, Big Joe Colborne the Bruins number one draft choice just returned to the line up after suffering a broken finger. You have to wonder if someone put a hex on the DU hockey team as well.

So who is Lucia referring to?

The first thing I would say is WTF? Check out these condescending comments by Minnesota Gophers coach/prima donna Donny Lucia. I don’t think he needs to wonder why some of the fans in the WCHA don’t like his pompous smart-alecky ass. Lucia also shouldn’t wonder why some fans are not endeared to him.

Seriously, what kind of a coach makes these types of comments. Was it really needed in the article as well? Maybe we should blame the Minnesota beat writer as well. So what fans are you referring to Donny? I haven’t seen the fans jawing at you on the bench like they were George Gwozdecky. Can you imagine if Dave Hakstol or Bob Motzko had said something classless like that? Also, don't flatter yourself Donny the Badger fans hate you and your team as well.

I like going to Wisconsin," Lucia said. "The fans are into it. They have a good band there and you don't have the vile language or anything like that. The fans are just into the game which is the way you like to see it. From that standpoint, it fires us up. We have always had pretty good luck at the Kohl Center over the years."

Last season the Gophers played a series there in late October. The first game was a 2-2 tie, the Gophers won the next night 5-2.

"We have played well there," Lucia said. "It is a good rivalry but again it is not the swearing, the hatred, the viciousness as in some other buildings we have to go in our league."

Wonder which ones he was referring to? I can guess one pretty easily.
[Goal Gophers]

Fiona Quick says Portwood won't be suspended.

From the quick facts twitter account:

After speaking with Greg Shepherd QuickFacts does not expect any further discipline against Alaska's Portwood on for his hit on Nick Leddy.

I think the Gophers coach Don Lucia is a hypocrite in this instance after what Brian Schack did to MSU-M Maverick defenseman Channing Boe last season with his Todd Bertuzzi style attack and now wants the league to look at the Portwood hit on Leddy and possibly level a game or two suspension for something that is about ten times less serious. The first question I have to ask is, “are you kidding me?” Why doen’t Lucia suggest that the league also suspend the league officials working that game as well?

In fact Lucia basically condoned the Brian Schack attack on Channing Boe and called it sticking up for a teammate when the refs wouldn’t protect the Gophers players. I think this set a horrible precedence and it isn't good. If Brian Schack wasn't suspended by the University of Minnesota, coach Lucia or the WCHA for that brutal attack, I don’t see how they can in this situation. I saw the hit in question and I watched it no less than ten times and I see no reason for Portwood to be suspended. Was the hit in question questionable? Maybe. However, I don’t’ think there was malicious intent, especially when Portwood didn't lead with his elbow; he kept his shoulder down and into his body and didn't leave his feet to check the Gopher defender. It's unfortunate that Leddy got hit and suffered an injury nobody wants to see anyone get hurt ever. In fact being a Wild draft choice I want him to develop into a top of the line player that will contribute to the Minnesota Wild, however, what happened last year and Lucia’s inaction in dealing with his own player and now wanting a suspension in this instance is troublesome and very hypocritical. What if a Maverick player had done that to one of his Gopher players? I bet Lucia would have asked for a suspension in that case as well. You can’t have it both ways Donny.

Lastly, I know the WCHA officials are God awful I have been railing on them for years but if they can’t make the proper calls on the ice maybe they should be on the ice in the first place. In this case I think they made the right decision

Text book head shot

There has been an ongoing discussion about eliminating head shots in hockey both college and professional. The video included here would be a text book description of a head shot and what hockey would like to eliminate from the game. The guy left his feet and went for the opposition’s head. The Duck’s defenseman James Wisniewski was correctly suspended for two games by the NHL.

Sidney Crosby and Marek Zidlicky fight.

I would say that Marek Zidlicky didn't do real well in his fight with Cindy Crosby. In fact Crosby worked him pretty hard.I would rank this fight as being a bit of a yawner. First thing both guys aren't very good or known for their fighting skills. Looks more like a purse fight between two Sissy's.

Nickname deadline still a toss-up

First off let the Standing Rock tribe do their work stop badgering them about the deadline, if you want them to sign a 30 year agreement you might need to slow down a bit and let them digest it. Second, the real dead line for getting agreement from the two tribes was/is Nov. 30, 2010 and it should have never been moved up. Lastly, I am sick and tired of all these people being in the hurry to apply for a second rate league like the Summit League.

If the Summit League is so awesome and they really want us then they can wait just a little longer, I can't see how a couple of months is going to make that much of a deal. The Fighting Sioux name is a storied and awesome logo and I would hate to lose it for a basketball game with the Oakland, Western Illinois, Oral Roberts... I mean I understand that you need a league to play in, however, you can’t play for anything until 2012 at least.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Charlie Murphy has written a letter rejecting a deadline on UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname, but there are differences of opinion among State Board of Higher Education members about what that actually means.

Board Chairman Richie Smith said it’s pretty clear to him that the tribe won’t work under a deadline. If that’s the case, “I wouldn’t personally extend the deadline,” he said today. “This issue is more or less holding UND back from going on about its business,” he said.

Without a deadline extension, the board likely would ask UND to begin retiring the 79-year-old nickname, which some have called racist.

Board member Grant Shaft, who’s from Grand Forks, took a different view.

“I took it as though they are wanting to dialogue with this, as though the month of November would be useful to them,” he said. If there was indication that Standing Rock leaders are working to make a decision on the nickname, he said he doesn’t see a problem giving the tribe more time.

“I don’t want the deadline to be a deterrent in itself for the tribe from being able to speak on the issue,” he said.

The board is scheduled to meet Nov. 19 at Minot State University, and Smith said he expects the nickname deadline will come up then. There would be no special board meeting earlier than that.

Shaft said he understands there’s a Tribal Council meeting Nov. 9. If the tribe reaches a consensus on the nickname then, he said, it would affect the board’s discussion.
--------------(snip)--------------
Summit League

For some board members, Dec. 31 is another deadline. Shaft said no board member is willing to cross that threshold.

The driving force behind the deadlines is UND’s desire to apply to the Summit League athletic conference as soon as possible. The mostly Midwestern league is seen as a good fit for the university, but the league won’t consider an application until the nickname issue is resolved.

With the start of the new year, league members will begin working on scheduling, Shaft said, and it would be harmful if UND still was struggling with the nickname.

In recent meetings, board members have indicated they were anxious to move on after shuffling deadlines to wait out the Standing Rock tribe.

The Tribal Council at the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, the other Sioux tribe in the state, has approved the nickname after a referendum in which 67 percent of tribal members gave their approval.

Shaft recognized that many board members feel what he called “issue fatigue.”

“Those of us here in Grand Forks, we’re more on the front line of the issue,” he said. “This issue for board members that aren't here in Grand Forks isn't as front and center." [Grand Forks Herald]

Poll Monday (Sioux 3rd and 2nd)

USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll
[November 2, 2009]
1 Miami (41) 6-1-1 931 1
2 Denver ( 4) 5-2-1 856 2
3 North Dakota 4-1-1 833 3
4 Michigan 4-2-0 711 5
5 Cornell 1-0-0 657 6
6 Yale ( 1) 1-0-0 634 7
7 Boston University 2-3-0 613 4
8 Mass.-Lowell 4-2-0 572 9
9 Notre Dame 4-3-1 552 8
10 Nebraska-Omaha 4-0-2 430 12
11 Bemidji State 5-0-1 385 14
12 Colorado College 4-1-1 372 15
13 Alaska 5-0-1 363 16
14 Princeton 1-1-0 314 11
15 Vermont 2-3-0 271 10
16 Boston College 2-2-0 233 13
17 Michigan State 6-2-0 231 20
18 Wisconsin 3-2-1 225 19
19 Massachusetts 4-1-0 205 17
20 Minnesota-Duluth 5-2-1 92 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Quinnipiac 53, Minnesota 36, Harvard 22, St. Cloud State 21, Providence 18, Northeastern 10, New Hampshire 7, Merrimack 6, Minnesota State 6, Ohio State 1

USA Today poll
[November 2, 2009]
1. Miami (29)
2. North Dakota
3. Denver (4)
4. Michigan
5. Boston University
6. Cornell
7. Yale (1)
8. UMass-Lowell
9. Notre Dame
10. Nebraska-Omaha
11. Colorado College
12. Bemidji State
13. Princeton
14. Alaska
15. Vermont
Others receiving votes: Boston College, 46; University of Massachusetts, 42; University of Wisconsin, 42; Michigan State University, 24; University of Minnesota Duluth, 13; Quinnipiac University, 5; St. Cloud State University, 2; University of Minnesota, 1.
Analysis: Some one gave Yale a first place vote in both the USA and USCHO polls, it would be interesting to know who the homer was. Yeah, ah, ok.

Standing Rock chairman wants no nickname deadline

You kind of have to wonder what this means? Sounds like he is saying we can negoiate, but... We will see what happens.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - Standing Rock tribal Chairman Charles Murphy says the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname is not at the top of his administration's priorities right now but he's willing to talk about it if no deadlines are imposed.

In a letter to University System Chancellor William Goetz, Murphy says tribal members clearly are divided over the nickname and Indianhead logo.

The NCAA considers the nickname and logo hostile and abusive. The state Board of Higher Education plans to drop them unless the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes sign off on long term agreements.

Murphy says he's aware of the desire for a 30-year agreement but he says those types of conditions are "better discussed and agreed upon rather than stipulated."

His letter says he's ready to meet with board members if they're willing to talk about it without deadlines and stipulations.

Gophers coach protesting hit on Leddy.

I watched the tape of the hit and I don't think it's an illegal hit, just my humble opinion, it's probably a questionable hit but it's basically the same thing as the hit from Mike Richards on David Booth. Portwood didn't lead with his elbow and he kept his shoulder in. I mean seriously, are we going to come up with a rule now that six feet plus players can't hit ones that are under six feet? Nick Leddy knows better, you have to be aware of who is on the ice at all times, you can not leave yourself exposed on the ice especially when player like Jade Portwood is on the ice. The kid is not known for scoring goals, he is on the ice to hit players.

It was a tough hit. I don't think it was anything intentional with the kid but it was still, in my view, after watching the videotape --- the paper had an unbelievable shot of it. [See Sunday's Star Tribune Sports section.] It was a shot to the head.

"As much as you want to say it was a good hit, there are rules put in. And that's why there is zero tolerance for shots to the head. Just as in football, you don't allow crackback blocks. You don't allow blows to the head. You have rules in there to protect the players for a reason. I don't think the kid tried to, but still it was a shot to the head."

Lucia said he has already talked to Greg Shepherd, the supervisor of officials, about the play. "I talked to our referee in chief and I forwarded it and I think those things have to be looked at because that is a dangerous play," Lucia said. "Even though you are in a vulnerable position, that doesn't mean you can make that hit like that. That is my opinion. That is why the rule is in there."

One reporter after the Gophers' 4-1 victory over Alaska Anchorage, asked Lucia how a player can avoid a hit like that? "You just can't hit him in the head, plain and simple," Lucia said. "That's why it is in the rulebook. Zero tolerance.

"Look at the concussions in the game today. [Leddy] gets out because of a fractured jaw. Those are the kind of hits you want to eliminate from the game."

Lucia said he does not think Leddy will have to have his jaw wired. "I am hoping that within a week or two he can come out and skate a little bit," Lucia said, "so he can stay in conditioning. We'll see how it goes from here."

Shepherd was at the Gophers vs. Alaska Anchorage game on Sunday. But the on-ice action was very tame compared to Friday's game when there were 35 penalties called for 78 minutes.

On Sunday, there were eight minorrs, four per side, for 16 minutes total .

After the league reviews Portwood's hit on Leddy near the end of the first period, I expect he will suspended for at least one or two games. And it should happen quickly, by Monday or Tuesday.

Portwood is a 6-3, 207-pound sophomore from Victoria, British Columbia.
[Star Tribune]