SCSU hopes for success, harkens back to sweep at UND...

Here is what Huskies beat writer Kevin Allenspach has to say about this weekend’s series. Hopefully UND will welcome Mike Lee to the WCHA and the REA with hanging a bunch of goals on him this weekend. UND is 4-1-3 in it’s last 8 games against SCSU in the REA. I would really like to see this streak continue.

Just before the Huskies headed to practice at Engelstad Arena, Bob Motzko wanted to know: "How'd we do in my first year up here?"


The quick answer from a reporter's recollection was the first sweep in SCSU history at North Dakota. Who could forget Matt Stephenson scoring 18 seconds into overtime on that Saturday night, Jan. 28, 2006, and proceeding to celebrate by virtually writing his initials in the ice?


It was a good memory for Motzko, and one he'll want to impart to his current players -- none of whom have experienced victory in Grand Forks. In 2006-07, they lost 3-1 and tied 2-2. In 2007-08, they earned home ice on the final regular-season weekend with 1-1 and 2-2 ties. But last year they met with 3-2 and 7-4 losses -- part of the second-ranked Sioux's current 16-game home unbeaten streak.

"We've played pretty well up here," Motzko said. "It's just all in how you (media) perceive it."

The 0-3-3 streak at UND will be on the line Friday night when the Huskies begin a five-week stretch crucial to their season -- including other trips to Denver and Alaska Anchorage and home series against Wisconsin and Colorado College.

Here are the Huskies' expected lines for Friday: (minus Roe Friday)

Forwards
Jared Festler-Aaron Marvin-Ryan Lasch
Tony Mosey-Drew LeBlanc-Brian Volpei
Ben Hanowski-Nick Oslund-Travis Novak
David Eddy-Jordy Christian-Jon Ammerman

Defensemen
Oliver Lauridsen-Garrett Raboind
Sam Zabkowicz-Chris Hepp
Brett Barta-Craig Gaudet

Goalies
Mike Lee starts, backed up by Dan Dunn [Saint Cloud Times]

REA enacts fan code of conduct...

Ralph Engelstad Arena and University of North Dakota


[Fan Code of Conduct]

Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota are committed to providing a safe, comfortable and enjoyable event experience for all fans and event participants. The Fan Code of Conduct is designed to set clear expectations and encourage an event environment that is enjoyable for all. Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota strive to encourage good sportsmanship, and that includes appropriate fan behavior.

We ask all fans to adhere to the following Fan Code of Conduct in order to meet these goals:

• Abusive language or disorderly conduct is unacceptable and unwelcome. Profanity, racial or sexist comments or intimidating actions directed at the student-athletes, coaches or officials will not be tolerated.
• Fans shall not interfere unduly with anyone else's right and opportunity to enjoy the event.
• Fans shall refrain from throwing objects and/or possessing prohibited items.
• Fans who consume alcoholic beverages shall do so in a responsible manner. Intervention with an intoxicated or underage guest will be handled in a prompt and safe manner. Fans appearing intoxicated will be denied entry and/or subject to ejection.
• Offensive or obscene messages on signs or clothing will not be permitted.
• Fans will be courteous to visiting teams and guests. We will cheer for the Sioux, not against our opponents.
• Fans shall comply with the directions and instructions of Ralph Engelstad Arena staff regarding Arena operations and emergency response procedures.
• Season ticket holders are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats.

Fans shall be treated in a professional and courteous manner by all Ralph Engelstad Arena staff and University of North Dakota personnel.

During games, contact the nearest Ralph Engelstad Arena staff member or text or call our Guest Help Line at (701) 740-5495 if another fan is interfering with your enjoyment of the game. Following the game, please contact us at fans@theralph.com if you would like to report
inappropriate fan behavior.


Fans not adhering to the Fan Code of Conduct provisions may be subject to ejection without refund and may also be subject arrest and prosecution.

Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota thank you for your commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all fans.



- Go Sioux -

Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

The big shocker last weekend was the 7-3 win by UAA over DU on Saturday. The WCHA series last weekend ended in splits, except UND which swept MTU. Come Monday we'll be about 1/3 of the way through the WCHA season, it goes by so quick doesn't it.


Current WCHA Standings

TEAM.......................GP...W-L-T...Pts
1 Colorado College...........6...4-1-1...9
1 Denver......................6...4-1-1...9
1 North Dakota...............6...4-1-1...9
4 Minnesota-Duluth..........6...3-2-1...7
4 Minnesota..................8...3-4-1...7
6 St. Cloud State............4...2-1-1...5
6 Wisconsin..................6...2-3-1...5
8 Alaska-Anchorage.........6...2-4-0...4
9 Minnesota State..........6...1-4-1...3
10 Michigan Tech...........6...1-5-0...2


WCHA

#10 Colorado College at Minnesota State
Last weekend the Tigers split at home with the UMD Bulldogs, while the Mavericks enjoyed the weekend off.

The Tigers are 1-0-1 away from home, they gained those 3-points against UW to start the year (they were UW's first games, they didn't play any non-conference or exhibition before the Tigers came to Madison). It should be more challenging this time around for the Tigers, since the Mavericks have played 8 games this year. MSU-M is 3-1-0 at home this year and would are looking to run their home record to 5-1-0 this weekend. Last season, these teams split each series, both at home and away to end up going 2-2-0 in the CC-MSUM series. The Tigers got some "gimme" points early this season, but now playing a more "seasoned" team we'll see if they are as good as their record indicates. The Mavericks have played some pretty good teams to start the season, and have gotten some points, look for that trend to continue. SPLIT.


St. Cloud State at #2 North Dakota
Last weekend the SCSU Huskies where resting up on a bye week and the Sioux swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

Last season UND won the 4-game series against their "natural rival" SCSU 3-1-0. The Huskies have played the fewest WCHA games this season at four, while most have played six games (UM eight). SCSU is 1-3-0 on the road this season, with a win and loss at MTU, and a pair of loses at Miami(Ohio). The Sioux are playing well right now and all the lines are producing points. SCSU has their top line of Lasch and Roe (who is sitting out Friday for a team rule violation), and then it drops off significantly from there. The Huskies gave the RedHawks (Miami) a run for their money a few weeks ago, so we know they can play with the top teams. However, SCSU has never really gotten over the hump, so to speak, and turned into a top NCAA contender. I have to go with my favorite team, who are rolling right along (before the Christmas break this season) SIOUX SWEEP.


Alaska-Anchorage at Wisconsin
The Seawolves and the Badgers both had home series splits, with DU and UM respectively.

How about them Seawolves, they now have a home over UND (2-1) and a home butt-kicking of DU (7-3) this season. It looks like MTU might have stolen UAA's doormat for their own use this season. But, the Seawolves have not won a game on the road this season, and they travel to Madison for these tilts. The Badgers are 3-2-1 at the Kohl Center this year. The Badgers really dominated the Gophers last weekend (I watched both games) especially on Saturday night, but the Gophers capitalized on 2 of their first 3 shots, and held on from there. If the Seawolves want to get more respect, and start moving up the WCHA standings they need to get road wins. UW is only 1 point ahead of UAA and Bucky would sure like to get a home sweep and put some distance between them and bottom of the standings. The Seawolves should have plenty of confidence, now that they have a couple of quality wins under their collective belt. Look for UAA and UW to both play strong defensively this series, which should lead to some close low scoring games. Of course, they could prove me wrong and light up the scoreboard like a Christmas tree this weekend. SPLIT.



Michigan Tech at #18 Minnesota-Duluth
The Husky Dogs got swept at home by the Sioux and the Bully Dogs split on the road with the Tigers.

The Bulldogs will be looking to get some more points this weekend, before they hit the tough part of their schedule. After MTU, the Bulldogs play at the U-of-M, and then host UND, & DU after that, not exactly easy. The Huskies, need points, if they don't get any in Duluth this weekend, I'm going to say the stay in the doghouse all season long, and own the 10 spot. This is first of 6 straight road games for MTU, after Duluth the Huskies travel to Mankato and Madison. MTU has 0-2-0 a road record (both losses at CC) to start they year. The Huskies have given up 30 goals in 8 games this season, that's a 3.75 GAA, and they have scored 19 goals for a 2.375 GFA. UMD has scored 32 and given up 29 goals in 10 games this year, pretty even, just like their record. MTU has to hold their opponents to under two goals a game if they want a chance to win. In this dog fight, I'm going with a BULLDOG SWEEP.


NON-CONFERENCE

#7 Bemidji State (7-0-1 overall) at Minnesota (3-4-1 overall) (Sat-Sun Series)
Last weekend the Beavers from BSU swept Robert Morris U. and the Gophers split with the Badgers in Madison.

The Gophers have won 3 of their last 4 games, but UM was out-shot in 2 of their 3wins. The Beavers come in averaging over 4 goals/game. In past season's BSU has played well against WCHA teams and next year they will be a new member in the league. This will be a good test for both teams, to see if BSU is deserving of there #7 ranking and if UM is going to live up to their preseason predictions, or slip into mediocrity. In this battle of the rodents, I'm going to call a SPLIT.


BYE WEEK - OFF
#4 Denver University

Scott Hennen with Richie Smith on the restraining order.

For the Sioux fans that are interested, Scott Hennen of 1100 am the Flag interviewed Richie Smith the ND Board of Higher Education President on the temporary restraining order. Click on the link to listen to the interview. [Click here] It seems like the issue is now going to be in the attorney general's hands. It seemed like Mr. Smith didn't have a lot of answers. For more from Scott Hennen check out his twitter page.

Puck Daddy picks Holy Cross goal as #6 most significant goal of decade...

You have to wonder if Gopher fans realized that their loss to Holy Cross would end up be such a significant part of hockey history? Their team was the first number one seed to lose to a sixteen seed. You can bet that Sean Leahy is probably recieving some hate mail from angry Gopher fans.

6. Tyler McGregor ends the 2006 NCAA West Regional Semis in shocking fashion

The 2006 West Regional Finals was supposed to feature the mighty Minnesota Golden Gophers against either college hockey powerhouses Michigan or North Dakota. A funny thing happened on the way to the final in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Little Holy Cross crashed the party and upset the Golden Gophers after Tyler McGregor's overtime goal. This truly was a ‘Miracle on Ice' moment for college hockey. Heading into the game, the Crusaders had never won a NCAA tournament game and Minnesota's roster featured 14 NHL draft picks compared to 0 for Holy Cross.
[Puck Daddy]

Lucic close to returning.

This is really good news because Lucic have missed him and Lucic is one of the core players of the Boston Bruins and his toughness is needed in the Boston Bruins line up. If the Bruins can get Milan Lucic and Marc Savard back and David Krejci going again the Bruins could do some serious damage in the Northeast division.

Lucic edges closer --- A welcome sight for the Bruins at the Garden this morning: Winger Milan Lucic skating with the team during the pre-game skate before tonight’s match against the Florida Panthers. Lucic has been sidelined since breaking a finger in Dallas Oct. 16. He has been skating on his own for the past week or so, but took an important step today and said he is hoping to return to the lineup in the opener of the B’s upcoming four-game trip, in Atlanta Thursday. If he’s not quite ready then, it’s a safe bet he will play at some point on the trip. Lucic plans to take part in practice today.

Center Marc Savard (broken foot) has not yet resumed skating.

The Bruins are looking for their third successive win tonight, with the red-hot Tim Thomas expected in nets. Thomas blanked Pittsburgh Tuesday, 3-0, and has allowed only six goal in his last five games.
[Boston Herald]

Garrett Roe suspended for first game against Sioux.

The SCSU Huskies will be without one of their top players when they play the Fighting Sioux on Friday night. Garrett Roe as been suspended for violating a team rule. I guess the Sioux fans won't have to witness any diving the first game of the series.

Entering perhaps their toughest stretch of the season on Friday at second-ranked North Dakota, the St. Cloud State men's hockey team will get a boost with the return of two forwards from injury. However, it might take both Travis Novak and David Eddy to make up for the loss of another, Huskies leading scorer Garrett Roe, who will miss the series opener against the Sioux because of a one-game suspension.

Roe, a junior who has two goals and six assists through eight games, will be a healthy scratch for the first time in his college career because he "broke a team rule," according to SCSU coach Bob Motzko, who would not elaborate.
Roe missed one game because of an army injury as a rookie — and has 101 career points while appearing in 85 of 86 career games. He practiced with the Huskies' fifth line on Monday and Tuesday at the National Hockey Center and again Wednesday at the Municipal Athletic Complex.
He also had a bruised left eye, but both Motzko and Roe maintained that had nothing to do with his suspension. When asked why he wouldn't be playing Friday, Roe — who is making the trip to Grand Forks — referred questions to Motzko.
"I really can't say — but it was nothing big and it wasn't because of a fight, I'll tell you that," said Roe, who wouldn't explain his bruised eye. "Other than that, I can't tell you anything. I can't give details on my personal life." [Saint Cloud Times]

Video tour of the Bemidji Regional Event Center

Nice to see the BREC taking shape in Bemidji. This building is going to help the Beavers recruit some good players and will even things out with other schools in the WCHA.

Check out this hit.

This hit is worth a second look, Dion Phaneuf absolutley destroys Montreal Canadian Tomas Plekanec. One Hab's blogger wasn't very happy with the hit and thought the refs blew it.

Ness and Schroeder not leaving UMN.

The internet has been abuzz today with a few rumors about Aaron Ness and Jordan Schroeder leaving the Gophers, these rumors have since been debunked. The rumors first started appearing on Gopher Puck Live, Siouxsports and then I also saw it over on rubechat.kfan.com. This Rumor picked up so much steam that the University had to issue a statement that Jordan Schroeder was committed to staying in school and will not be leaving. As a bystander and fan of college hockey there does seems to be a lot of drama surrounding the UMN hockey program and you have to wonder what the heck is going on down there?

On the Ness rumor, I found that one to be pretty entertaining but very improbable. I mean seriously; why Ness would leave UMN and transfer to UND? It wouldn’t make a lot of sense, first Ness would have to sit out a whole year then transfer to UND. In the interim Ness would have to probably play junior hockey in the USHL. Also, I don’t think there is any room for him at UND because the Sioux have recruited some great defensive players.

The University of Minnesota, in a highly unusual move, issued a news release denying rumors that sophomore center Jordan Schroeder is leaving. Here is the release sent at 6:27 p.m.

If I was a conspiracy buff, I might suspect that somone was trying to sabotage the U's recruiting efforts with this gossip.

Here is the U of M statement:

With rumors surrounding the future of Jordan Schroeder, the Gophers’ sophomore forward has stated he has no intention to leave the University of Minnesota men’s hockey program.

“I am fully committed to this team and university,” said Schroeder, who serves an assistant captain this season for the Gophers. “I have no intention of leaving college early to play pro hockey.”

“It is unfortunate that these rumors continue to come out and I have no idea where they begin. I think it’s important for me to publicly state that I am going nowhere. I am dedicated to this team and plan to help us reach our goals for the remainder of this season and future years.”

Schroeder was a first-round draft choice last summer by the Vancouver Canucks and has been the center of several internet rumors over recent months regarding his future in college and professional hockey.

NESS BUZZ

Then there was the Aaron Ness rumor. I got several e-mails on it. Ness is looking into transferring to North Dakota, where his father went to school.

I had talked to Ness, a sophomore defenseman, for a few minutes earlier in the day. Obviously, I didn't ask him if he was thinking of leaving. I had not heard the rumor yet. He seemed his normal self.

To check out the rumor, I called his father Jay in Roseau.

"He loves it there," Jay Ness said, referring to the U of M. "Obviously he wants to win, but it's early in the season."

No hint of family discontent with the U program.

But the hockey situation at the U has been a little chaotic lately. First defenseman Nick Leddy suffers a broken jaw. Then four days later, forward Jay Barriball suffers a season ending knee injury and has surgery last Friday.

And, Monday, sophomore defenseman Sam Lofquist tells coach Don Lucia he is leaving the team.
[Star and Tribune]

Finger to Kessel

As a Boston Bruins fan the trade of Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a couple of first round draft choices in 2010 and 2011 makes my blood boil. Face it you never know what you're going to get with a draft choice you could end up with a James Sheppard or Benoit Pouliot who are first round busts.

As the Bruins continue to struggle to score goals this season and as I watch the speedster Phil Kessel make one of the best goalies in the NHL look sick it makes me even more upset. How about the pass from former SCSU Husky Jeff Finger? That was an awesome pass to get Kessel going through the neutral zone. In the old days that would have been whistled dead for a two line pass.

Red Berenson: Michigan hockey team played like 'spoiled brats'

I saw this over on Todd D. Milewski's weekly blog post. Interesting stuff and I wish that more coaches would say these types of things. It seems like today's coaches coddle their players too much.

If there's a drill that helps hockey players gain composure, you can bet University of Michigan coach Red Berenson will implement it in practice Monday.

Berenson described his players' behavior as amateurish after Michigan's 5-1 loss to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. The Wolverines racked up 65 penalty minutes, including 51 minutes in the third period as the RedHawks pulled away.

Tristin Llewellyn, Kevin Lynch and Chad Langlais each received 10-minute misconduct penalties.

"I'm embarrassed," Berenson said. "We played like a bunch of spoiled brats, and we've gotta suck it up. When you're getting beat, you just keep working hard for the team. You don't take it out on the other team and take stupid penalties that are going to hurt your team even further. That's not the way we play hockey, and this team will learn that."

The education begins Monday, said senior defenseman Chris Summers.

"We need to be a better-composed team, and I think it starts with the upper-classmen and seniors," Summers said. "It starts at practice. It will be addressed on Monday." [Annarbor.com]

Linkorama

Here are a few stories of interest from the college hockey world. It's nice to see Evan Trupp scoring at a more consistent pace, for his offensive creativity he was rewarded with the Offensive Player of the Week in the WCHA. I believe that Evan Trupp has finally arrived and will be having a huge impact on the WCHA this season.

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Players of the Week

Evan Trupp, Jr., F, North Dakota

Sean Wiles, Jr., F, Alaska Anchorage

A pair of third-year forwards who played key roles for their respective teams last weekend - Evan Trupp of the University of North Dakota and Sean Wiles of the University of Alaska Anchorage - are Red Baron® WCHA co-Offensive Players of the Week for Nov. 10-16, 2009.

Trupp, a 5-8, 164-pound junior from Anchorage, Alaska, scored three goals - including a game-winner - to help visiting North Dakota to a two-game conference road sweep at Michigan Tech on Nov. 6-7. He tallied once in a 4-2 win last Friday and then came back with a two more goals on Saturday, including the game-winner, as the Sioux completed the sweep with a 4-1 victory.[WCHA]

Moose from KBUN Radio and the Hockey Show has posted the latest pictures to the Bemidji Regional Events Center. Ironically The Beavers will open the BREC in October of 2010 by playing against the Fighting Sioux, this will also be the Beavers first WCHA series. [Click to see pictures]

What the heck is going on down in Minneapolis? In the old days when you didn't get enough playing time you worked harder in practice and try to earn more playing time. Now days the players call their family advisor and transfer to a junior team or sign with their professional team. I think that when you make a commitment to play for a hockey team you should at least play your year out before you move on. To me this is a character issue.

Minnesota sophomore defenseman Sam Lofquist has decided to leave the university’s men’s hockey team and withdraw from school.

Lofquist, a Somerset, Wis. native, has played in three of the Gophers’ eight games this season and did not register any points. He appeared in 35 of the team’s 37 games as a freshman, totaling one goal and three assists.
The Gophers have only 22 active players on their roster now, with forward Jay Barriball (knee surgery) out for the season and defenseman Nick Leddy (broken jaw) out until mid-December.

The good news is Leddy will be back and come January the team will get another forward, Jacob Cepis.
[Star Tribune]

Apparently Pioneer junior goalie Marc Cheverie who was hurt in game against the Mankato a few weeks ago, is hopeful he can play in next weekend's series against the UND Fighting Sioux. With Cheverie the Pioneers have been really good, without Cheverie in net the Pioneers have been, well not so good.

Chevy wants to start.

Cheverie, who leads the NCAA in save percentage (.959) and shutouts (three), remains on crutches to keep weight off his calf, which required 30 stitches from a skate-blade accident.

Doctors originally said he would miss two to four weeks. The North Dakota series begins three weeks from the injury.

"He's bound and determined to be back before doctors say he is, so we'll see," Gwozdecky said. "It's probably good that he's feeling like he's going to be back, but that's a typical competitive athlete talking."
[Denver Post Hockey Blog]

The Lets Go DU Hockey Blog is reporting that the Magness Arena is almost sold our for the UND and DU hockey series on the 20th and 21st of November. I would recommend that if you want to go to the DU and UND series you will need to order your ticket now or look for a scalper outside the Magness Arena.

The 10 biggest hockey upsets of the last decade...

I found this blog post on Puck Daddy, I am shocked that the Holy Cross upset win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers didn't make the list of the 10 biggest hockey upset of the last decade, I actually thought that the Holy Cross win was more significant because they were the first college hockey team ranked 16th in the NCAA hockey tourney to win a NCAA hockey game. The Boston Bruins loss to the hated Montreal Canadian in the 2002 Eastern Conference quarterfinals still stick in my craw and still give me a bad taste in my mouth till this day.

9. Bemidji State upsets Notre Dame, 2009 NCAA men's hockey tournament

In 2009, we finally were given the answer to an annual scholastic hockey mystery: The hell's a Bemidji State anyway?

Turns out it's a small liberal arts college in Minnesota that was ready to shock the NCAA.

The Beavers were technically a No. 4 seed in the Div. I tournament, but were actually the lowest seed in the 16-team field. Which made their emphatic 5-1 stunner against No. 2 Notre Dame all the more unbelievably -- along with the facts that it was Bemidji State's first D-I tournament win in school history and just the second tourney victory in CHA conference history.

Because of the university's size and budget, the Wall Street Journal ranked the upset as the third most-shocking in recent NCAA sports history.

The Beavers would qualify for the Frozen Four, losing to Miami (Ohio) in the semifinals. But the win over the Irish sparked a Cinderella run that, for a moment, captivated the hockey world.[Puck Daddy]

Krejci back and Lucic skating.

This some of the best news that I have gotten all week. Krejci back from his bout with H1N1 and Milan Lucic is back skating with the team and that should mean he will be playing in Bruins uniform very soon. With Lucic recovering from a broken finger I don't expect he will be getting into many fights though.

WILMINGTON - Bruins' center David Krejci returned to practice this morning at Ristuccia Arena for the first time since being diagnosed with the H1N1 virus last Wednesday. Krejci, who worked out on his own yesterday because the Bruins had a day off, missed Thursday and Saturday's games but could be back in the lineup tomorrow night when the Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Garden.

Michael Ryder did not skate. Coach Claude Julien said he was under the weather but was not suffering from H1N1.

Milan Lucic (broken right index finger) skated before practice in full gear with a puck and was out on the ice for about 40 minutes. Julien said he couldn't give a timetable for his return.

How good is BSU?

Apparently some don't think BSU is worthy of the 7th place ranking in the USCHO Poll/USA Today Poll; first off it’s early and a lot of traditional teams have fallen flat on their faces early in the season. Some have asked me why I am silent this season when BSU is ranked so high in the early season polls and power rankings. Don't get mad at me or blame me for the polls.

I didn’t vote for any of these teams but I don’t disagree with BSU’s ranking so far. Seriously, after BSU dispatched Notre Dame and Cornell in convincing in the NCAA playoffs to make the Frozen Four and then fast forward to this season where the Beavers get off to a fast start, I wouldn't think they would needed to defend their high ranking. Just saying.

I don't understand why should BSU be punished they have beaten everyone on their schedule so far, the pollsters didn't seem to mind last season when it was AFA. Does anyone forget how last season the media was in love and fawning all over the Air Force Falcons when they went 13-1-0 to start the season most of their 13 wins were unimpressive and against the weak sisters of the poor. Look at the schedule they had, there were four wins against one of the worst teams in the AHA and college hockey Sacred Heart, two more of their wins were against cupcakes American International and Bentley those teams don’t exactly make me say “wow I am impressed”.

AFA 2008-2009 Schedule
Win Sacred Heart
Win Sacred Heart
Win Bemidji State
Win Bemidji State
Win American Int'l
Win American Int'l
Win Bentley
Win Bentley
Win Holy Cross
Win Holy Cross
Win Sacred Heart
Win Sacred Heart
Win Colorado College
Loss Denver Univcersity

Fast forward to this season the Beavers have started the season going 7-0-1. The Beavers only blemish on their record was a tie against NMU; before you knock NMU this was the same team that also beat the UMD Bulldogs earlier this season.

Let’s review the BSU schedule to date; the Beavers took Air Force Academy to the wood shed 3-1 and 7-3 revenging last season’s loss to the Falcons. The Falcons are the same team that lost to Alabama Huntsville the next weekend by identical 4-2 scores. The next weekend the Beavers played at Northern Michigan and beat and tied the Wildcats. Then the Beavers traveled to UAH and swept the Charges and played RMU at home and swept the Colonials. The Beavers have beat everyone that is one their schedule except for the tie against NMU. It is what it is.

I personally think the PWR and the Polls mean nothing until after the first of the year. The polls and power rankings make nice reading material but no team has won a championship in October, November or the December. The Beavers also have a tough non-conference schedule coming up in the next three weeks they will play Minnesota, Alabama Huntsville and a game each against Miami and Ohio State. If the Beavers can go 3-3 or 4-2 during that time frame I think they would be worthy of a top fifteen rankings. Let’s see how things play out. Also so far to date the soon to be defunct CHA has proven to be to better than the AHA.

EDIT:My buddy Gary tells me that since Jan 24th 2009 the Beavers record is 19-3-2. That is a pretty darn good record.

Judge orders state board to delay UND nickname decision

I would say this is good news and it's about time someone stepped up. I don't see what the rush is all about? Let's take some time and work this thing out. The Summit League isn't going any where and the other UND teams can't play for anything till 2012. Also, the 30 year agreement was never part of the lawsuit and isn't needed to keep using the Fighting Sioux name.

By: Tu-Uyen Tran ---- Grand Forks Herald The State Board of Higher Education is being told by a district judge that it may not retire UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname until a hearing Dec. 9.

The temporary restraining order, dated Monday, came from Judge Michael G. Sturdevant of Bottineau, N.D., as part of a lawsuit against the board brought forward by the Committee For Understanding and Respect, a group of Spirit Lake nation nickname supporters.

The group’s spokeswoman, Eunice Davidson, said 67 percent of the voters on her reservation agreed to keep the name in a vote earlier this year and felt the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe should be given an opportunity to do the same.

The complaint that sets off the lawsuit argues that the tribes are the owners of the nickname and the state board is merely a trustee, and, therefore, can’t decide to end use of the nickname on its own.

Word of the lawsuit reached the Herald late Monday night and there wasn’t an opportunity to show any state board members the relevant documents.

Tribes in charge

The complaint that sets off the lawsuit takes issue with the way the state board unilaterally changed the deadline, contrary to a settlement between the state and the NCAA.

The NCAA considers American Indian nicknames offensive and the settlement gives UND until Nov. 30, 2010, to win the support of both the state’s Sioux tribes.

But the state board moved the deadline forward to Oct. 31 of this year. If the Standing Rock chairman doesn’t state his intent to move forward with a referendum at the reservation, it appeared the board could enforce that deadline and direct UND to retire the nickname at its Nov. 19 meeting.

But in doing so, the board would be ignoring the rights of the Sioux people, as stated in the NCAA settlement, according to the complaint.

The NCAA settlement says the Sioux tribes “have important contributions in determining whether, to what extent and in what manner the ‘Sioux’ name and the ‘Fighting Sioux’ nickname or logo should continue to be used.”

The complaint interprets that to mean that “the SBHE has become the ‘trustee’ of the nickname and logo for the Sioux People of North Dakota.” In other words, the tribes own the nickname and the state board is only holding on to it until the tribes can decide what to do with the nickname.

Nickname supporters said in the complaint that “the plaintiffs are bringing this action because they strongly believe to lose… this identification with North Dakota’s oldest institution of higher education will cause isolation and diminishing of public interest, knowledge and respect for Sioux history and culture and will be detrimental and not in the best interest of their people.”

The complaint says the supporters are not seeking monetary damages.

Nickname supporters also said the 30-year agreement for use of the nickname the state board wants from each tribe is not in the NCAA settlement. They’re asking the court to order the board to back off that requirement.

Savard and Bruins in contract talks.

The Boston Bruins better think long and hard, without Marc Savard in their line up they are having a tough time scoring goals, frankly they are not very good and are very boring to watch. This past season the Bruins let Phil Kessel go to Toronto and this ill advised move will probably turn out to be a horrible transaction, because the Bruins can't score goals. Players with Marc Savard's talent and skill don't come around very often.

Time running out for Savard-Bruins pact

The agent for star center Marc Savard says contract talks continue with the Boston Bruins, but time is also becoming of the essence.

"We continue to discuss regularly," agent Larry Kelly told ESPN.com Monday night at the Hockey Hall of Fame. "Both sides are interested in getting something done. But obviously there are issues we are working through."

The longer it takes, the closer Savard gets to July 1, when he would become an unrestricted free agent. It's clear from what Kelly said that the clock is ticking. [ESPN]

Toews scores in first game back

Former Fighting Sioux and current Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews missed 6 games with a concussion after being hit by Willie Mitchell came back with a bang as he scored a goal against the LA Kings. During his absence the Hawks went 3-3.

Jason Blake on playing with Phil Kessel.

Interesting interview with former Sioux Jason Blake, nice to see the Maple Leafs putting the two offensively gifted players on the same line (a Sioux and a Gopher on the same line). I also wonder why the person conducting the interview would compare Kessel to Hull, their two different types of players in my opinion.