INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings. I can already see the questions in this week's INCH Chat. I can even write the question that some college hockey fans asking, how come UND is ranked 9th when they are only sitting in 6th place in the WCHA?

1. Miami
2. Denver
3. Wisconsin
4. Cornell
5. St. Cloud State
6. Yale
7. Michigan State
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. North Dakota 5 Maybe it’s coincidence, but the Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald reports that since Brett Hextall has been out of the lineup with an injury, the Fighting Sioux are 1-4-1 and have scored two goals in their last 40 power-play opportunities. 13-10-5 (8-9-3 WCHA) LAST WEEK: L vs. Denver, 2-0; L vs. Denver, 4-2. THIS WEEK: Off
10. Colorado College
11. Bemidji State
12. Ferris State
13. New Hampshire
14. Boston College
15. Union
16. Maine
17. St. Lawrence
18. Massachusetts
19. UMass Lowell
20. Michigan

Dropped out: Vermont

Bubble-licious: Lake Superior State, Vermont, Rensselaer

The Trials of a Down Season

The Trials of a Down Season

As I write this opinion piece, my team, the Sioux, have lost another game in heartbreaking fashion, giving up four straight after scoring two and seemingly emerging from the cocoon of inability to cracking DU goaltender Marc Cheverie.

This team has had so many ups and downs it’s like a really bad rollercoaster ride at a top tier amusement superplex. When they are up, fans (such as myself) are almost in a euphoric state talking about how good we’ve played and aspiring towards greater things such as postseason awards and even, God willing, a National Championship. When we’re down we’re agonizing and pulling our hair out trying to diagnose what is wrong and how to change it.

This brings out the worst in some fans. Some fans are grounded in their beliefs, realist, mature, practical whatever. However, some fans get so caught up in the history of the team and past players and coaches that it paralyses their rationality and forces them to go back and make ludicrous claims and wistful wishes. For example, if former UND and current UNO head coach Dean Blais were still coaching UND, we would have won the games this past weekend. How do we know that? Having watched plenty of games live under the coaching of Dean Blais, I’ve watched UND teams practically give up. I’ve seen them blow leads. I’ve watched them slump like we’re doing now.

It’s hard to take. It’s unimaginable that this team… MY team… OUR team… could falter like they are right now. There are no stats or records that can be put forth to change the reality that this part of our game isn’t working, that part of our game isn’t doing well, and so on.

Brad Schlossman’s blog covers the fact that I’m portraying here. We pine for Blais. We think he’s the savior and Hakstol is the mule. One commenter on his blog states that “before our very eyes, UND is turning into St. Cloud State.” Well, let me tell ya folks, unless the NCAA is going to take away 7 National Championships and all of our NCAA tourney victories, that’s patently untrue. Also, they talk about Hakstol as a recruiter being a problem. Funny how he recruited such guys as Matt Greene, Matt Smaby, had a hand in snatching Johnny Toews, Zach Parise, and all those players we covet so much. Blais didn’t recruit everyone on his teams. Hakstol got the job based upon his ability to recruit, not just coaching ability. If you want to know how important that ability is, ask Scott Sandelin. It’s arguably why he’s still in Duluth after a few down seasons. We talk about how Hakstol should at least show some emotion on the bench yet, when other coaches do so, we berate that coach for being such a fool (see Gwozdecky, George).

UND has a passionate fan base, but we are whiny. I’ve surfed my share of hockey message boards and I have yet to find a fan base that is more over the top critical of their players than UND. Fans talk about how the team “should be better than this.” Or cite historical context and our National Championships as a way of explaining such harsh, unfair, and unbelievably ridiculous criticism of kids no older than 21 years of age. Sometimes it fades, but other times, it festers and becomes an embarrassment upon those who root for the team.

The point to be made is that, whether we think we are entitled to greatness year after year or not, there will be down years. EVERY team in EVERY sport has experienced them. Examples of the Yankees had a Title drought of 18 years between 1978 and 1996. The Canadians may lead the NHL in Stanley Cup victories, but they haven’t even been to the Finals since they last won it all in 1993. The Michigan Wolverines have 9 National Championships to their name, but none since 1998. I’d cite basketball if I gave a darn about that sport. It is true we’re going on 10 years since our last title and what… 3 years since our last NC game appearance? It doesn’t make things easier to take. No one likes down years. No one.

So what can we take out of this season? Well, we can take the highs for what they’re worth. No one likes seeking out silver linings, but those silver linings could be a key to what the next few years bring out in UND’s future. Or fans can take nothing out of this year; start up attempts to run players and coaches out of town. Or fans can simply abandon the team altogether. I see a lot of good from our team. I don’t know if this is the year. It isn’t over yet and we’re not eliminated. It is going to be a huge uphill battle and it will be hard on the players, coaches and especially the fans. However, it is possible. And this fan isn’t going to give up until the fat lady sings. And even then, I’ll eagerly look forward to next year. We’ve hit a bump in the road. It’s gut check time for us fans. Are we on board? Or are we stowaways? Just remember, the power button on the electronic device of choice can be used as a safety device in the event that you don’t wish to stay on board any longer. There’s no shame in pushing the button. The Chicago Cubs probably would thank me for it if they knew who I was.

Jason Blake is now a Duck. (update with links)

The Twitter world has been on fire this morning as there was news of a block buster deal in Toronto. Apparently the Toronto fans are happy to rid them selves of former Fighting Sioux forward Jason Blake. Since he arrived on scene in Toronto with a big contract the Leaf fans have been relentless in their maligning of Blake.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired veteran goaltender Jean-Sebastien from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for netminder Vesa Toskala and veteran forward Jason Blake.

The deal reunites Giguere with his long-time goaltending coach Francois Allaire, as well as former GM Brian Burke.

The most valuable player of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, Giguere needed to waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to go through.

The Montreal native recently lost his starting job to netminder Jonas Hiller, who inked a four-year, $18-million extension on Saturday, clearing the way for the trade.

Giguere, 32, has a one year, $7 million contract remaining while the 32-year old Toskala is making $4 million this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Blake, 36, has struggled playing for the blue and white this season, posting just 10 goals and 26 points in 55 games. The Moorhead, MN native signed with the Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent in 2007 and has 50 goals and 141 points in that span.[TSN.COM]

Links to the deal

Leafs acquire Phaneuf in multi-player deal [National Post]

Anaheim Trades Giguere To Toronto For Toskala And Blake [SB Nation]

The cap hit [the Globe and Mail]

Leafs acquire Phaneuf and Giguere [NHL.COM]

Burke's Busy Morning [the Rink]

Maple Leafs nab Phaneuf, Giguere [NHL.COM]

Risky investments[Sports Net]

Leafs send Toskala, Blake to Anaheim for Giguere [Toronto Sun]

Leafs acquire Phaneuf, Giguere [Globe and Mail]

The NHL silly season begins.

Apparently Toronto didn't get the memo to bag the season and stink up the joint so the Bruins can get Taylor Hall in this summers NHL draft. Now more reason to hate the Toronto Maples Leafs first Mike Komisarek and now Dion Phaneuf. Marvelous.

The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White.

The Maple Leafs and Flames have been working on the components of this blockbuster for a week to ten days, but sources say the details of the deal didn't fall into place until late last night.

"[Phaneuf] is a warrior. He's got a cannon for a shot," explained Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke on Sunday. "He plays the game hard and I want players who play the game hard because they're hard to play against."

Phaneuf has two goals over his last three games and is signed through the 2013-14 season ($6.5 million per). He had 18:49 TOI last night, only the third time this month he's been under 20 minutes in a game. The big defenceman has 10 goals and 12 assists to go with a minus-3 rating over his 55 games.

Sjostrom has played 46 games with one goal and five assists for Calgary this season. Aulie was drafted in the fourth round, 116th overall of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The six-foot-six defenceman had spent this season with the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL.

Hagman has 20 goals and 13 assists, while Stajan has 16 goals and 25 assists, each over 55 games this season. Both players have a minus-3 rating. Mayers had expressed interest in being traded earlier in January. He had two goals, six assists and 78 penalty minutes over his 44 games with the Maple Leafs this season. White had nine goals, 17 assists and a plus-1 rating over his 56 games.

Burke admitted the loss of Stajan and Hagman would leave a hole in the Maple Leaf attack, but explained acquiring Phaneuf was too good to pass up.
[TSN.COM]

Fighting Sioux unimpressive in 4-2 defeat.

This should sum things up from last night pretty well. This weekend’s sweep at the hands of the Denver University Pioneers is unacceptable and down right depressing. The Fighting Sioux had their butts handed to them last night and looked like a bunch of boy playing men. Thirty minutes of hockey will not win you a game even against the last place team in the WCHA.

Cue the cute sports clichés, we didn’t play for 60 for minutes, we didn’t burry our chances, we didn't move our feet; we didn’t put the Pioneers away when we had them down 2-0 and on their heels. Blah, blah, blah, blah…

The home locker room in Ralph Engelstad Arena was full of frustration, disappointment and anger late Saturday night, consumed with a feeling that only two players inside of it have ever experienced.

For the first time in 37 months — a span of more than three years and 25 series — the UND men’s hockey team was swept at home after the University of Denver rallied for a 4-2 victory in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association series finale.

Coupled with a 2-0 victory Friday night, the Pioneers became the first team since Dec. 16, 2006 to win back-to-back games here, snapping the WCHA’s longest streak without getting swept at home. [Grand Forks Herald]

This Fighting Sioux hockey team is, well, lacking leadership, focus and heart. It is what it is, UND is going to be on the road for the first round of the WCHA playoffs and will probably be golfing with the Gophers this spring during the NCAA tourney if the don't get their head out of their collective asses. This is not acceptable at the University of North Dakota. Right now this team isn’t worthy of wearing the proud Fighting Sioux warrior on the front of their jerseys. We are definitely not hostile or abusive. The Fighting Sioux hockey team went down without a fight.

Here is what our fearless leader coach Dave Hakstol had to say after this weekend's debacle at the Ralph.

“It doesn’t sit very well,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “It has to be something that’s a real slap in the face and pushes you in the right direction. You can go two ways. You can start to get individualistic and point fingers at one another or you can pull together, do everything a little better and give a little more to your team and teammates. And that’s what we’ll do.”

Since a sweep of Minnesota State-Mankato earlier this month, UND has just one win in its last six games, dropping to 13-10-5 overall and 8-9-3 in league play. UND’s record against teams ranked in this week’s national polls is now 3-8-2 and the Sioux dropped into a tie for 15th in the Pairwise Rankings.

What was good

The Fighting Sioux won the first half of the game, was ahead for half the game before the roof fell in on them. The Fighting Sioux came out and got pucks deep and fore checked, and chipped pucks out of the defensive zone. The Fighting Sioux were a text book example of what championship hockey looks like. Keep your opponent on their heals; attack and counter attack. Play smart when you don’t have the puck.

Senior forward Chris VandeVelde had another one of those break out games and scored some nice goals, Vandy’s second goal was a thing of beauty.

Sophomore forward Jason Gregoire had a solid game and was flying around all weekend.

Matt Frattin is starting to get back his game legs back and released a few bombs that just barely missed. I expect these will start going in soon. I would have to say that he has one of the harder shots that I have seen.

Freshman Danny Kristo is an awesome player but he needs to shoot the puck more, he has a laser for a shot. If this kid could get hot he could carry the team on his back.

What was not so good

You can not leave an opposition forward all alone in the slot like they did on two of the four DU goals, you're going to get killed. DU has some very talented forwards and if you let them shoot the puck unchallenged in the slot they are going to burry the puck. Half of their goals were scored in said manner.

Sophomore goalie Brad Eidsness lacks focus and needs to get back to the basics, the first things that comes to mind when I see him play is, not square to the shooter, does not cover the short side well, goes down too early. Maybe you should watch some game tape of Marc Cheverie, and see what a fundamentally sound goaltender looks like. Maybe Eidsness should consider employing his goalie coach. While I don’t fault him on most of the goals, you can not keep getting beat on the short side all of the time, his glove had is brutal.

From here on out

UND has games against SCSU (X2), UMD (X2), C.C. (2X), and MTU (2X), I figure that UND has got to go 6-2 or 5-3 in those remaining games to even have a chance to make home ice in the WCHA playoffs. All but one of those teams are sitting ahead of UND in the standings. From here on out there are no mulligan’s or give-me’s. The Fighting Sioux are currently sitting at 15th in the Pairwise rankings right now.

[Box Score]

Let's Go DU hockey Blog [Click to read]

Denver Post write up: DU road rally sweeps Sioux[Click to read]

USCHO write up: Patrick Miller/USCHO Arena Reporter[Click to read]

Grand Forks Herald write up [Click to read]

Post game press conference [Click to listen]

UND and DU Lines. (Gut Check Time)

UND Fighting Sioux hockey beat writer Brad Schlossman has the lines posted for tonight's games. I would have to say that tonight is a must win game, it's officially gut check time. It's time for VandeVelde, Frattin and Gregoire to produce and become leaders. DU is a very good opponent but really, there is no reason UND can't get points against the Pioneers tonight. Come on Sioux lets wipe that cocky grin of their face.

UND's lines

17 Jason Gregoire--29 Chris VandeVelde--21 Matt Frattin
19 Evan Trupp--22 Brad Malone--7 Danny Kristo
10 Corban Knight--27 Carter Rowney--18 David Toews
9 Mario Lamoureux--11 Darcy Zajac--13 Brett Bruneteau

2 Andrew MacWilliam--24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint--25 Jake Marto
20 Joe Gleason--4 Corey Fienhage

31 Brad Eidsness
32 Aaron Dell

[UND Fighting Sioux stats]

Denver's lines

17 Matt Glasser--23 Drew Shore--11 Chris Knowlton
16 Anthony Maiani--22 Brian Gifford--19 Kyle Ostrow
9 Rhett Rakhshani--15 Tyler Ruegsegger--12 Joe Colborne
27 Brandon Vossberg--37 Nate Dewhurst

28 Patrick Wiercioch--5 John Lee
4 Matt Donovan--6 Chris Nutini
7 Paul Phillips--25 Cody Brookwell
24 John Ryder

1 Marc Cheverie
33 Adam Murray

[Link to DU Pioneer stats]

More red meat stuff from Chambers.

This guy must love baiting the UND faithful because he sure seems to like to write the red meat blog articles about UND. It’s almost like he has UND derangement syndrome. Just for the record any WCHA team is going to put up a big fight if they are facing the prospects of getting no points during a season against a team. This why I like Brad Schlossman because I feel he is more objective and even handed than this guy. We can only hope for a full scale war tonight with our favorite dance partner the Denver Pioneers.

Grand Forks — Here are some leftover quotes from DU coach George Gwozdecky and goalie Marc Cheverie after last night’s 2-0 Pioneers’ win over the Fighting Sioux — the first win at Engelstad Arena for any current DU player. The teams conclude their two-game set tonight, in what I think has the makings of a full-scale war. The Sioux, 1-3-1 in their past five games, are falling out of the WCHA race and even the NCAA Tournament picture. They are 0-3 against DU this season, having previously been swept by the Pios in November (the first time UND was swept by anybody in three years).[Denver Post Hockey Blog]

Here are some interesting notes from the other side without the red meat.

Grand Forks — Last night’s game here was a terrific college hockey environment. Great sold-out crowd of nearly 12,000 and DU played extraordinarily well at times. The first period was probably the best stretch of hockey I’ve seen this year since, well, the last time these teams met in November. Back-and-forth, great skill. However, both teams skated off at the buzzer a little frustrated. The Sioux, despite creating a ton of good chances, were blanked for the second time in three games, and fell to 0-3 against DU this season (two shutouts). The Pios, despite a great start, were on their heels in the final 40 minutes — the product of killing off nine power plays — and perhaps lucky to get the full two points.

– North Dakota is scoreless on its last 28 power plays. Without injured stars Chay Genoway and Brett Hextall, who hasn’t played since Jan. 3 (leg injury), the Sioux are just 2-of-36 with the man-advantage. Still, the Sioux move the puck well on the power play. Their problem last night was ineffective finishing around the net, and, of course, DU goalie Marc Cheverie.
[Denver Post Hockey Blog]

Mike Green Elbows Michael Frolik.

Green was only given a two minute minor on the play. I saw this last night while I was watching replays at the Green Mill and it looked like a pretty bad hit to me. The NHL agrees that it was a blatant elbow and has given Mike Green a three game suspension for the elbow.

TORONTO (January 30, 2010) – The National Hockey League announced today that Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an incident that took place during NHL game #802 against the Florida Panthers on January 29.

At 4:24 of the first period, Green delivered an elbow to the head of Panthers’ forward Michael Frolik. Green was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing on the play.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average salary, Green will forfeit $81,606.21. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

In case you haven't seen it.

All I can say is, wow! That was pretty creative.

Saturday morning blah: Cleaning up the mess.

Short of scoring MORE goals I don't know what UND could have done last night, cue the proverbial hot goalie cliché, the Fighting Sioux gave up two quick goals and DU did exactly what Cornell did last Friday night they went into a defensive shell and sat on the lead, they chipped the pucks out and collapsed around their net. It’s almost as if they watched the game film of last Friday’s game between he Big Red and the Fighting Sioux.

On the first goal Dell stopped the first two shots and was beat when the defense failed to pick up the rebound, third shot was in the net. The first and second shot were tough saves as well. Hockey is a team game and they came out flat in the first 3:18 of the game and it cost them. The second goal wasn’t so good; it was your basic five hole.

I have to admit that I am not excited about the current state of the Fighting Sioux hockey team, they have went an unimpressive 1-3-1 in their last five games, however, I believe their record does not tell the whole story. The Fighting Sioux have also played some pretty good hockey during that time frame, that have also ran into three solid goaltending efforts in those three losses.

In the defensive zone of the ice the Fighting Sioux have limited the opposition's shot totals. The Sioux limited the Gophers to 23 shots in the 5-1 loss, against Cornell they limited the Big Red to 31 shots on the weekend and last night the Pioneers were only able to get 20 shots on net. That is good defense, statistically.

During the last three games the Fighting Sioux have only give up four goals. Last night during the second period the Fighting Sioux out shot DU 15-2, and just could put anything past Chevy. What do you do? Sioux7 says that you go out and run over the goalie to start the game. I personally wouldn't recommend that option, unless you want to start a Donnybrook. When Marc Cheverie is on he is a pretty goalie, it is what it is.

Like Tim Hennessey said during the post game comments that eventually they are going to start going in and someone is going to get plastered by this team. [click to the post game]

Latest hatchet job by Mike Chambers.

In case you haven't seen it, here is the latest by uber hack Mike Chambers. Apparently, he is still living in the past and whinning about poor Alanna Rizzo aledged poor treatment at UND last winter. Maybe you should stick to writing about how DU is the greatest team on paper and how they are going to march through the NCAA tourney.

The big screen just showed a video clip of Sioux players urging the crowd to behave and treat all student-athletes and fellow patrons with respect. Nice effort that undoubtedly stems from the university’s crackdown on behavoir at this place. For sure, when I saw the clip I immediately thought of FSN’s Alanna Rizzo, who had a horrible experience here a year ago when covering the DU-UND series. Alanna allowed me to blog her thoughts on fan behavoir, and although many, many Sioux fans didn’t like the piece, I have to think she may have helped the school realize it had a problem.

[Official box score]

Sioux 0 - DU 2

This is the latest goal to be waved off by the refs this season. There is no reason this goal should have been waved off. Horrible call by the officials, the sad part is that Shepherd and Hunt are the best of the worst. I was wondering if someone had broke a mirror in the UND locker room. UND took it to DU all night and came out with nothing to show for. Here is how bad it is, 0-28 on the power play, 4 goals in the last four games. Here is the post game comments. [Click to listen]

UND lines for tonight.

UND Fighting Sioux hockey beat writer Brad Schlossman has the lines posted for tonight's games. Aaron Dell in net for the Sioux. Wouldn't you know it we have Derek Shepherd and Marco Hunt as the officials. There is good possibility we won't see a one sided officiated game either way. While the officials in this league are not good Shepherd and Marco are the best of the worst.

UND's lines

17 Jason Gregoire--29 Chris VandeVelde--21 Matt Frattin
19 Evan Trupp--22 Brad Malone--7 Danny Kristo
10 Corban Knight--Darcy Zajac--Carter Rowney
13 Brett Bruneteau--9 Mario Lamoureux--18 David Toews

2 Andrew MacWilliam--24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint--25 Jake Marto
4 Corey Fienhage--20 Joe Gleason

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness

Denver's lines

17 Matt Glasser--27 Brandon Vossberg--26 Shawn Ostrow
22 Brian Gifford--23 Drew Shore--11 Chris Knowlton
16 Anthony Maiani--14 Jesse Martin--19 Kyle Ostrow
9 Rhett Rakhshani--15 Tyler Ruegsegger--12 Joe Colborne

4 Matt Donovan--6 Chris Nutini
28 Patrick Wiercioch--5 John Lee
7 Paul Phillips--25 Cody Brookwell

1 Marc Cheverie
33 Adam Murray

INCH on this weekend's series.

Here is what INCH had to say about this weekend's series.

Denver at North Dakota

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY --- If nothing else, this weekend's series in Grand Forks will provide a look at the resiliency of these two teams. The Fighting Sioux -- in the midst of grueling seven-week stretch during which they've faced or will face Minnesota, Cornell, Denver, St. Cloud State, Minnesota Duluth, and Colorado College -- are trying to get back into the top half of the WCHA standings. The Pioneers were clipped by Wisconsin in Madison, getting just one point from the Badgers.

Denver's healthier and has the edge in goal with Marc Cheverie, but consecutive high-stakes series at unfriendly venues like Wisconsin and North Dakota can be mentally draining. And you can bet that the Engelstad Arena crowd, which hasn't seen the Sioux play at home in three weeks, will be at a fever pitch for this series
[INCH]

This is what Jess Meyers had to say in the weekly WCHA column.

EARPLUG TIME AT THE RALPH?

This weekend will be Denver’s first visit to North Dakota since last year at about this time, when the Fighting Sioux got a sweep, and four very important points en route to winning the MacNaughton Cup. That was also the weekend that Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky, after an on-ice fracas, made his now-legendary stroll across the ice to speak to the officials, on his way to an ejection.

Needless to say, some Sioux fans have been saving some choice words for coach Gwoz for a long time, eagerly anticipating his return. We’re sure there will be the standard pre-game announcements warning against the use of “foul and abusive language” by fans and threatening ejection for same. We wonder, if ushers stringently enforce that threat, will there be any Sioux fans left in the building by the third period?

DU hockey press conference

Here is what George Gwozdecky had to say about the upcoming series between the UND Fighting Sioux and the DU Pioneers. One thing that I notice is that the DU coach and players are choosing their words very carefully.

Vandy's goal against Cornell.

This is the game winning goal against Cornell last Saturday night. This was the goal that Cornell's head coach Mike Schafer was arguing about and the Cornell coach thought there should have been a penalty called on UND's Chris VandeVelde. I didn't know picking someone's pocket was considered a penalty? There is no penalty there. It was the right call by the on ice officials.

Friday Links.

Here is the link to this week's Wednesday press conference [click to listen]

Here is the link to the Wednesday Coaches show. [Click to listen]

UND is going to celebrate the 2000 NCAA Championship team the weekend of the UND and UMD series, it's been 10 years since the Fighting Sioux won a NCAA title.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of North Dakota athletics department and men's hockey program invites Fighting Sioux fans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UND's 2000 NCAA championship season during the Feb. 19-20 series against Minnesota Duluth.
Members of the 2000 Fighting Sioux will be on hand for a pre-game autograph session prior to the Saturday, Feb. 20 game. The autograph session will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the northeast concourse of Ralph Engelstad Arena and FREE autograph cards will be provided.*

The 2000 Sioux will be introduced on the ice during the second intermission of the Saturday game.

The weekend will also include a series of video board messages from players and staff from that championship team. A commemorative game program will also be available, featuring a team photo of the 2000 national championship team on the insert poster and special 10th anniversary images. [Fighting Sioux]

DU at North Dakota advance

Looks like the DU hockey beat writer and the DU players are picking their words more carefully this time around. John Lee is one of my least favorite DU hockey players.

If nothing else, the University of Denver will find out this weekend how well it has recruited over the past five years. It won’t be a gauge of talent, in which the Pioneers have plenty, but a test of competitiveness and character while playing in college hockey’s toughest atmosphere.

Third-ranked DU, coming off the first leg of its difficult road stretch last weekend at No. 2 Wisconsin, faces No. 4 and simmering rival North Dakota tonight and Saturday at Engelstad Arena.

The Pioneers were boys when they pledged to play for DU, but they’ll need to perform like men against the Fighting Sioux, who arguably have the most animated and loyal fans in the country.

“It’s a product of being apart of high-profile like ours,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said of playing challenging, back-to-back road series. “There is no question that one of the big reasons why these guys decided to come to DU was to play big games, and win big games, whether it’s the regular season or postseason. Part of that is dealing with the expectations, the stress and the anxiety.”

History says this weekend’s series will be a hard-hitting, emotional affair _ similar to the teams’ two-game set in Denver Nov. 20-21. The Pioneers swept with 1-0 and 3-2 victories, both in penalty-filled and controversial fashion.

The rematch in Grand Forks figures to be just as mentally draining.

“Yeah, it’s going to be very intense, we’re going to play with intensity and emotion, but this is not winner take all, the end-all,” Gwozdecky said. “There is a balance that has to be established and I think the team has that right kind of balance.”

DU sophomore defenseman John Lee grew up in Moorhead, Minn., which is about 80 miles south of Grand Forks. Lee’s older brother, Brian, was a standout at UND when John chose Denver over North Dakota and Minnesota.

A year ago, John absorbed plenty of grief from Sioux players and fans in his DU debut at Engelstad.
[Read the Rest of the Article]

DU Defenseman William Wrenn out for this weekend's series

DU Pioneer freshman defenseman William Wrenn is not making the trip to Grand Forks, ND this weekend. Wrenn in 20 games is (0-6-6 +5).

Freshman defenseman William Wrenn is among those that didn’t travel to Grand Forks today. Wrenn, who has experience at Engelstad Arena — he was captain of the U.S. under-18 team last season — is recovering from a hip injury. Senior Cody Brookwell or freshman Paul Phillips will be in the lineup on Friday’s series opener, likely as DU’s sixth blue-liner.

Sophomore forward Luke Salazar also didn’t make the trip.
[Denver Post hockey Blog]

Jack Hillen smoked in the head by Alex Ovechkin Shot

So you want to be a defenseman in the NHL, it can be a dangerous job blocking shots. Unforunately former C.C. Tiger Jack Hillen took a laser in the head. Hillen is going to be out 6-8 weeks.