Jan Brady State University :)

Remember folks it's just a game. :) The count down begins; 3-2-1...

Booth and Richards settle things on the ice

Mike Richards hit David Booth with this questionable high hit to the face on October 24th, 2009. The hit by Richards cost the Florida Panthers forward 45 games and a shot at making the USA Olympic team. There was no additional disciple from the NHL on the hit by Richards and the Florida Panthers organization was too happy about that. Last night David Booth got some sweet revenge by fighting Mike Richards and having a great game on the score sheet. This is why I like the NHL they settle things on the ice like men.

David Booth wore the smile of satisfaction as he sat at his locker after tonight’s game. Not only did he have a goal and three assists, giving him six points the past two games, but he had them against the Flyers.
And he fought Mike Richards, the guy who dealt him a concussion with a controversial hit Oct. 24. The concussion kept Booth out 45 games and cost him the silver medal he would have gotten with a spot on the USA Olympic roster. His apology from Richards: a text message.

Booth did what I would have done.

It’s one thing to have your teammates stick up for you, which they did when the teams last played Dec. 21 in Philly. It’s another to not only do it yourself, but pay back Richards and the Flyers with a great offensive night.

That’s how you show you’re back.

Here’s what Booth said after the game about what went down with Richards 2:45 into the first period:

“That was kind of expected. I don’t really know what I’m doing when I fight,” Booth said. “But it was just a lot of…I don’t know what’s built up, but what could have been this year if you were playing, you think about that. But that’s behind me now. I don’t have to worry about that. I can just go out there and play and be free of this. I’m back to 100 percent.”

Booth added: “I just wanted to get it off my chest. It wasn’t cheap or anything. I just asked him if he wanted to and he was good enough to give me my shot. [Sun Sentinel]

Thursday Links

Check out Julie from Hockey Buzz as she shoots her interview from the Fighting Sioux's locker room.

According to Brad Chay Genoway is finally working out again but has yet to re-join the Sioux in practice.

The weekly Chay Genoway update is that he is working out on his own, but has not re-joined team workouts or practice or anything like that. He still has a way to go. As said previously here, his return may depend on how far UND can go this season. But Genoway's intention is to play again this season.

Exile on Dayton Street explains his love for the Golden Gopher hocke fans.

You will be surrounded by people who believe that gopher hockey is the pinnacle of existence. You know how whenever you see the gophers announcers on FSN, they're constantly talking about how great the gophers are, how the other team can't skate with the gophers, how the gophers have halos around their heads and everyone else should just be grateful to be basking in the glow of gopher hockey? That doesn't just come from nowhere. They're not just trying to leave a stinky taste in your mouth, Gopher fans actually seem to think this way.

The understatement of the week or possibly the year. Duh!

In my 15 years of covering DU hockey and working with coach George Gwozdecky, I witnessed a first today. With two regular-season games remaining, Gwoz freely admitted the top-ranked Pioneers (24-6-4) are safe and sound when it comes to the 16-team NCAA Tournament. [Denver Post hockey blog]

Eidsness, Kristo nab weekly WCHA awards

Nice to see Kristo and Eidsness get some recognition this week. The Sioux are starting to rack up weekly honors after elevating their play the last 6 games.

GRAND FORKS, N.D.-University of North -Dakota sophomore goalie Brad Eidsness has been named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, while freshman forward Danny Kristo has been named the WCHA Co-Rookie of the week, announced today by the league office.

Eidsness, a native of Chestermere, Alberta, backstopped the Fighting Sioux to their first sweep at Colorado College since 1998-99 by stopping 53 of 57 shots in the series for a .930 save percentage. Eidsness made 26 saves in Friday's 3-2 overtime win, then followed with 27 saves in Saturday's 3-2 victory.

During UND's current five-game winning streak, Eidsness has posted a 1.59 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. In 32 games this season, Eidsness is 17-8-4 with a 2.21 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. He leads all WCHA goalies in minutes played and ranks second in wins and goals against average.

Kristo, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., scored a key goal in each game at CC, including his first career game-winning goal in Saturday's victory that clinched home ice in the first round of the playoffs for the Fighting Sioux. On Friday, Kristo scored his team-leading eighth power-play goal of the season, which also leads all NCAA Division I freshmen.

In 32 games this season, Kristo leads all WCHA rookies in points (27), points per game (0.84), goals (12), power-play goals (eight) and power-play points (18).

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

NHL trade deadline deals

Here is what happened today on the NHL trade deadline. Not a lot going on this season. It would appear that Phoenix is the big winner in today final day of NHL trading.

I don't know if I like the Minnesota trading Eric Belanger to the Capitals or not, sure the Wild got a second round draft choice but now who fills in for Belanger in the lineup? Oh goody; my guess is Wild fans get more James Sheppard. I would rather see Robbie Earl get more playing time with Sheppard sitting in the press box.

Anaheim - Acquired goaltender Curtis McElhinney from the Calgary Flames for goaltender Vesa Toskala; acquired goaltender Joey MacDonald from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2010 seventh-round draft pick.

Boston - Acquired defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and the rights to defenseman Matt Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller and a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Carolina - Acquired goaltender Justin Pogge and a conditional fourth-round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Aaron Ward.

Detroit - Acquired forward Jordan Owens from the New York Rangers for forward Kris Newbury.

Edmonton - Claimed forward Ryan Jones off waivers from the Nashville Predators.

Los Angeles - Acquired center Jeff Halpern from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Teddy Purcell and a third-round draft pick.

New Jersey - Acquired defenseman Martin Skoula from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

Phoenix - Acquired left wing Wojtek Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter; acquired defenseman Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins for a conditional choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft; acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Sean Zimmerman and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Pittsburgh - Acquired a 2010 sixth-round draft pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Chris Peluso.

St. Louis - Acquired forward Matt D'Agostini from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Aaron Palushaj.

San Jose - Reassigned forward Dwight Helminen and defenseman Jason Demers to the Worcester (AHL).

Vancouver - Acquired center Yan Stastny from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for left wing Pierre-Cedric Labrie; assigned defenseman Brad Lukowich to Manitoba (AHL).

Washington - Acquired center Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; acquired forward Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes for a seventh-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

Tim Thomas: I have a no-trade clause

For the fans that keep wanting to throw goalie Tim Thomas under the bus say that he is going to get traded, Tim Thomas isn't going anywhere he has a no trade clause in his contract.

WILMINGTON -- As trades are made, and more rumors continue to swirl, Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas realizes that his name has been mentioned in potential deals prior to today's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

But unlike many of the rumors, Thomas also pointed out, Wednesday after practice, that any potential trade would have to be OK'd by him.

"I have a no-trade clause, that nobody seems to want to mention," said Thomas. "Despite the best efforts of some of the media, I don't think that anything's going to happen."

One rumor has had Thomas and a draft pick going to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Tomas Fleischmann and Jose Theodore. When asked if he had been approached by Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli regarding a trade, Thomas declined to give that information away.

"I wouldn't discuss that with you if I were," he said. "That's private. Even a contract should be private. That wouldn't be something that I'd discuss with the media, anyhow."

WCHA tie breakers.

A few people were asking about tie breakers and where the standings could end after this weekend. UND is going to need a little help and this weekend Fighting Sioux fans are going to be cheering for the Seawolves and the Maverick this weekend.

Minnesota Duluth:
THIS WEEKEND: At Alaska Anchorage.
ON THEIR OWN: Would guarantee fourth by getting three points.
BEST CASE: Finishes second with a sweep if Wisconsin loses twice and
St. Cloud State gets no more than one point.
WORST CASE: If they lose twice and North Dakota gets at least two
points, the Bulldogs will drop to fifth.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Wisconsin; loses to St. Cloud State and North
Dakota.

Wisconsin:
THIS WEEKEND: At Minnesota.
ON THEIR OWN: Three points would clinch second place.
BEST CASE: Second.
WORST CASE: Falls to fourth with two losses if Minnesota Duluth sweeps
and St. Cloud State gets at least two points.
TIEBREAKERS: Loses to Minnesota Duluth; could win or lose against St.
Cloud State.

St. Cloud State:
THIS WEEKEND: vs. Minnesota State Mankato home and home.
ON THEIR OWN: Wraps up third place with two points.
BEST CASE: Climbs to second with a sweep if Wisconsin gets no more than
two points.
WORST CASE: Would finish fifth if they get swept, North Dakota wins
twice, and Minnesota Duluth gets at least three points.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Minnesota Duluth; loses to North Dakota; could win
or lose against Wisconsin.

North Dakota:
THIS WEEKEND: Michigan Tech.
ON THEIR OWN: Has already clinched fifth and can do no better without
help.
BEST CASE: Gets third place with a sweep if St. Cloud State loses twice
and Minnesota Duluth gets no more than two points.
WORST CASE: Fifth.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats St. Cloud, Minnesota Duluth, and Colorado College.

Colorado College:
THIS WEEKEND: At Denver.
ON THEIR OWN: Finishes sixth with a pair of wins.
BEST CASE: Sixth.
WORST CASE: Falls to seventh if Minnesota gets at least one more point
than they do.
TIEBREAKERS: Loses to North Dakota and Minnesota.

Minnesota:
THIS WEEKEND: Wisconsin.
ON THEIR OWN: Can do no better than seventh without help.
BEST CASE: Would climb to sixth if they win twice and Colorado College
does not.
WORST CASE: Seventh.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Colorado College.

Alaska Anchorage:
THIS WEEKEND: Minnesota Duluth.
ON THEIR OWN: Clinches eighth with a sweep.
BEST CASE: Eighth.
WORST CASE: Finishes ninth if Minnesota State gets at least one more
point than they do.
TIEBREAKERS: Loses to Minnesota State.

Minnesota State-Mankato:

THIS WEEKEND: vs. St. Cloud State home and home.
ON THEIR OWN: Has clinched ninth and can do no better without help.
BEST CASE: Gets the No. 8 seed with a sweep if Alaska-Anchorage does not
win twice.
WORST CASE: Ninth.
TIEBREAKERS: Beats Alaska Anchorage
[Rink and Run]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

Bruins make a few head scratchers...

The Boston Bruins appear initially that they were buyers at the trade dead line but a few of their moves are quite unpredictable and unexpected and downright silly. The Boston Bruins pick up a few defensive prospects and move a few defensemen around; most of the moves appear to be a wash. The Bruins biggest need is in the forward position.

This trade is one that shocked me the most, I thought Derek Morris was a high end offensive defenseman and this trade doesn't make any sense unless the Bruins are trying to clear cap space to get a high end forward. I am sure we will know what the Bruins intentions were at the end of the day or at least by the 3:00 pm eastern dead line.

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired a conditional draft pick in 2011 from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Derek Morris.

The 31-year-old Morris has skated in 58 games with the Bruins this season, registering 3-22=25 totals and 26 PIM. Morris has played 851 games in the NHL, recording 79-286=365 totals and 820 PIM. The 6’0” 221-pound native of Edmonton, Alberta was selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed by Boston as a free agent on July 24, 2009.

This move here is also a head scratchers, it doesn't really make any sense to me at all. The Bruins are in need of offense in a very bad way and the Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli seems to be uninterested in improving this season squad. It almost appears that they are standing pat and going to bank on the two first round draft choices in this summers entry draft.

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller and a second round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The second round pick in 2010 will be Tampa Bay’s, which Boston acquired at last year’s trade deadline along with Mark Recchi, in exchange for Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums.

The 28-year-old Seidenberg has skated in 62 games with the Panthers this season, registering 2-21=23 totals and 33 PIM. He currently leads the NHL in blocked shots with 179. Seidenberg has played 376 games in the NHL earning 17-96=113 totals and 162 PIM. The 6’1” 210-pound native of Schwenningen, Germany was selected in the sixth round (172nd overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He recently competed on Team Germany with Bruins forward Marco Sturm at the 2010 Olympic Games, and has been a teammate of Sturm's in four international tournaments (2001 Worlds, 2002 Olympics, 2008 Worlds, 2010 Olympics). Boston will be the fifth NHL team Seidenberg has suited up for, along with Philadelphia, Phoenix, Carolina and Florida. He set career highs in all offensive categories with Carolina in 2008-09 with 5-25=30 totals in 70 games played.

The 21-year-old Bartkowski has skated in 34 games for Ohio State University this year, registering 4-12=16 totals and 16 PIM. Over two seasons with the Buckeyes, Bartkowski has played in 75 games recording 9-27=36 totals and 133 PIM. The 6’1” 196-pound native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (190th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The Boston Bruins picked up another defenseman from Michigan Wolverines Steve Kampfer.

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired the rights to defenseman Steve Kampfer from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional fourth round draft pick.

The 21-year old Kampfer has skated in 37 games for the University of Michigan this season, recording two goals, 15 assists and 48 PIM. Over four seasons with the Wolverines, Kampfer has played in 139 games, registering 6-51=57 totals and 132 PIM.

The 5’11, 188-pound native of Ann Arbor, MI was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (93rd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Jovanovski gets run over by the Oshie

Couldn't have happen to a nicer guy, T.J. Oshie should be given a medal for this hit. Jovanovski is the same goon that was suspended twice in 2009, one of his suspensions was for knocking out Wild forward Andrew Ebbett with this brutal hit.

NHL's Bettman defends TV deal with Versus

Does anyone see anything wrong with this statement by Gary Bettman? I think until the NHL gets back on ESPN or a more visible television network, the NHL is going to be handcuffed for being on Versus, the biggest problem is that Versus it's not available to all markets and cable providers. This is sad because the NHL has all kinds of momentum coming out of the Olympics and this guy is such a buzzkill to the great sport of hockey.

"We think Versus is doing a terrific job for us," Bettman said. "They're giving us the most promotion and attention that we could ask for from a cable and TV partner and, quite frankly, we are the most important property that they have."

Bettman said he is hopeful the cable network will resolve the issues that have kept Versus off DirecTV. [chicagobreakingsports.com]

Standing Rock Supporters: Enough Signatures on Petition

It would appear that supporters of the Fighting Sioux nickname might have gotten some good news. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

WDAZ - A group of Sioux nickname supporters on the Standing Rock Reservation say they have enough signatures to ask for a reservation-wide vote on the issue.

They have collected more than 800 signatures. They only needed 600 for the tribal council to consider the issue.

The tribal council has already voted against putting support for the nickname to a public vote.

Supporters are hoping to present the petition to the council tomorrow to see what the next step is.

One problem: the Standing Rock constitution doesn't outline a procedure to dealing with a petition asking for a referendum vote.

It's up to the council and tribal attorney to outline a plan and that could take a while.

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is waiting until the North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled on an appeal to a decision that previously blocked them from changing the nickname.

That ruling is expected by early April.

Marvin got lucky

For those that haven't seen Bruce Ciskie's blog today, the WCHA really wanted to throw the book at Aaron Marvin. The WCHA wanted to give Marvin a 5 to 8 game suspension. Wow! Personally I actually think 5 games would have been an appropriate suspension lenght for the Genoway hit. SCSU won an appeal to knock it down to only three games.

The WCHA is taking plenty of heat for its decision to suspend St. Cloud State forward Aaron Marvin for three games. The league has been late to the party on hits to the head, and it was assumed they were going to let Marvin off easy, or maybe suspend him for one game heading into their home-and-home with Minnesota State, Mankato, this weekend.

Instead, the WCHA dropped the hammer, giving Marvin a three-game ban that will sit him for the entire MSU series, as well as Game 1 of St. Cloud's home WCHA playoff series (opponent TBA).

While it could be argued that this punishment is a bit excessive, it's in line with what the league should have been doing from the start. Not only that, but it's apparently not nearly as bad as what the initial decision called for.

A source with knowledge of the talks has told me that the WCHA's original punishment would have banished Marvin for the entire first round of the WCHA playoffs, and possibly the WCHA Final Five -- should St. Cloud make it there. That ban -- which could have been as high as five games if the Huskies played a three-game first-round series and eight games if it included the Final Five -- was then reduced to its current state on appeal. The source was unclear if the league wanted to keep Marvin out for the entire league tournament, or just the first round. Either way, the suspension was reduced after the school appealed.

Bracketology

Someone had mentioned Bracketology and Chuck Schwartz has his latest version of that posted over on 60 Minutes, No Alibies, No Regrets, I know it's still early but I think UND might get to see the Miami RedHawks again and that could be an epic game. I don't SCSU getting out of a regional that looks like the one listed below, I would say it looks like another one and done for the Huskies.

Northeast Regional (Worchester, MA):

1 Denver vs 16 Atlantic Hockey Champ
8 Yale vs 10 New Hampshire

Midwest Regional (Fort Wayne, IN):

2 Miami vs 14 Minnesota-Duluth
7 North Dakota vs 9 Alaska

East Regional (Albany, NY):

3 Wisconsin vs 15 Ferris State
6 Boston College vs 11 Cornell

West Regional (St. Paul, MN):

4 St. Cloud State vs 13 Vermont
5 Bemidji vs 12 Michigan State

Men's hockey WCHA first round playoff tickets on sale March 2

If you don't have your tickets for the firt round of the the WCHA playoffs time it's time to start thinking about buying them.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota men's hockey team has clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Tickets for the best-of-3 series will go on sale March 2 at 10 a.m.

Ticket prices for the series, held March 12, 13 and 14 (if necessary):

Adult - $20 single, $40 series
Student - $7 single, $14 series
Youth - $10 single, $20 series
Season ticket holders were sent tickets for series with initial ticket mailings.

Series ticket packages for the general public in non-student areas will be available on March 2 at 10 a.m. Single-game tickets for the pubilc will be available March 8 at 10 a.m.

Student ticket packages can be purchased at the UND Box Office and online at Ticketmaster.com. Student season ticket holders will receive an email with password to purchase tickets. Lower bowl sections and select upper bowl sections will be held for series packages. Students may purchase up to 4 reserved seats with UND student ID, however, seperate UND student IDs must be validated per student ticket for entry into venue on game date.

Student series package sale ends Monday, March 8. All unsold student series tickets will be available as single game tickets for students and general public at 10 a.m. on March 8.

All tickets may be purchased via the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena, Ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location.

MacNaughton Cup History (by Sioux 7)

I found this article a few weeks ago on the St. Cloud Times Newspaper website, and thought this would be a good time to share a little history.


The MacNaughton Cup is a trophy awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The trophy is named after James MacNaughton of Calumet, Michigan, who was an avid supporter of amateur ice hockey. The Cup is hand crafted of pure silver and stands almost three feet high and weighs nearly 40 pounds.

In 1913, MacNaughton purchased a cup trophy for approximately $2,000 and donated it to the President of the American Hockey Association, which was to be awarded to the league’s champion at the end of the season. The MacNaughton Cup remained with the American Hockey Association until 1932. From 1933 to 1950, the Cup was given to semi-pro and intermediate hockey teams in Michigan’s Copper Country.

In 1951, the MacNaughton family arranged to have the Cup awarded to the newly founded Midwest Collegiate Hockey League (MCHL), a precursor to the WCHA. The MCHL was composed of Michigan Tech, Colorado College, Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Michigan Tech became the trustee for the MacNaughton Cup. In the original spirit of the trophy, the league decided to award the trophy to its regular season champion. In 1953, the MCHL became the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL).

The Cup remained a part of the WIHL until the league was disbanded in March of 1958. There was no league play for the 1958-59 season and for the 1959-60 season, the seven teams resumed competition under the new name of the WCHA.

From the 1961-62 through the 1964-65 seasons, the MacNaughton Cup was awarded to the WCHA’s playoff tournament champion instead of the regular season champion, but the WCHA resumed awarding the Cup to the regular season champion again for the start of the 1965-66 season through the 1981-82 season.

Michigan Tech left the WCHA to join the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) for the 1981-82 season. Since Michigan Tech is the trustee of the Cup, the Cup went to the CCHA.

The Broadmoor Trophy was created as a replacement and awarded to the regular season champion until Michigan Tech returned to the WCHA for the start of the 1984-85 season. The McNaughton Cup also returned and continues to be awarded to the regular season champion today. With the return of the MacNaughton Cup, the Broadmoor Trophy is awarded to the WCHA tournament champion.

Poll Monday (Sioux 7th in both polls)

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[March 1, 2010]
1 Denver (48) 24- 6-4 998 1
2 Miami ( 2) 24- 5-7 940 2
3 Wisconsin 21- 8-4 907 3
4 St. Cloud State 20-10-4 833 4
5 Boston College 20-10-2 738 7
6 Yale 19- 7-3 723 5
7 North Dakota 18-11-5 714 8
8 Bemidji State 22- 8-2 671 6
9 Cornell 17- 8-4 601 9
10 New Hampshire 16-10-6 544 11
11 Michigan State 19-11-6 489 12
12 Minnesota-Duluth 19-14-1 457 10
13 Ferris State 19-11-6 339 14
14 Alaska 16- 9-9 332 17
15 Colorado College 17-14-3 252 13
16 Vermont 15-11-6 221 18
17 Maine 16-13-3 212 16
18 Union 18-10-6 183 15
19 Northern Michigan 17-11-8 146 NR
20 Nebraska-Omaha 18-14-6 110 19
Others Receiving Votes: RIT 36, Mass.-Lowell 35, Boston University 7, Colgate 6, Michigan 5, Northeastern 1

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

USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
[Mar. 1, 2010]
1 Denver (32) 24-6-4 508 1
2 Miami (Ohio) (2) 24-5-7 476 2
3 Wisconsin 21-8-4 443 3
4 St. Cloud State 20-10-4 397 4
5 Boston College 20-10-2 345 7
6 Yale 19-7-3 323 5
7 North Dakota 18-11-5 318 8
8 Bemidji State 22-8-2 279 6
9 Cornell 17-8-4 231 9
10 New Hampshire 16-10-6 217 10
11 Michigan State 19-11-6 146 13
12 Minnesota Duluth 19-14-1 138 11
13 Alaska - Fairbanks 16-9-9 100 NR
14 Ferris State 19-11-6 54 14
15 Colorado College 17-14-3 30 12
Others receiving votes: University of Maine, 26; University of Vermont, 19; University of Nebraska Omaha, 9; Rochester Institute of Technology, 8; Union College, 8; Northern Michigan University, 4; University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1.

St Cloud Player, Aaron Marvin Suspended 3 Games

Good.

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (March 1) announced it has suspended St. Cloud State University junior hockey player Aaron Marvin for the next three games as a result of his actions in a recent game played at the University of Wisconsin on February 20.

The supplemental disciplinary action was taken after discussions between officials at St. Cloud State University and the WCHA Executive Committee and Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod.

“Player safety is of paramount concern to all of us in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and players are responsible for conducting themselves in a proper manner,” said Nancy Sampson, Faculty Representative from the University of Denver and Chair of the Association and Commissioner McLeod in a joint statement. “Our student-athletes need to make every possible effort to play within the spirit of the rules and know that they will be held accountable for their actions.

“The Association, through its administrators and officials and member team administrators, coaches and student-athletes, will continue to work together to address concerns in a responsible and constructive way.”

This is certainly well deserved. It's nice that the WCHA is finally taking dirty hits seriously.

One has to wonder if the league had taken the Aaron Marvin hit on Chay Gennoway seriously if Blake Geoffrion would have been injured the way he was.

Edit: Links to the story

Goal Gophers; WCHA suspends St. Cloud State's co-captain

Puck and Bats; WCHA suspends Marvin 3 games (updated)

60 Minutes, No alibis, No Regrets; Erin Marvin Suspended three games

North Dakota Hockey Blog; Marvin suspended three games

Rink and Run; WCHA suspends Marvin

College Hockey News; WCHA Suspends Marvin 3 Games

Western College Hockey; Marvin Suspended Three Games

Grand Forks Herald; HOCKEY: WCHA suspends SCSU's Aaron Marvin for three games

Saint Cloud Times; WCHA suspends SCSU forward Marvin 3 games

Madison.com; Geoffrion returns to practice; St. Cloud's Marvin suspended

The Ciskie Blog; Aaron Marvin First Victim of WCHA Late-Season Crackdown

Dave Shyiak does his George Gwozdecky impersonation

I would like to see the tape on this one, I am sure it was entertaining for the fans at the arena. I want to go on the record and say that I think Dave Shyiak is a good coach and has done a pretty good job coaching the Seawolves, all things considered. Look at the teams the Seawolves have beaten this season.

This past weekend it sounds like UAA coach Dave Shyiak did his impersonation of the dasher dance after the Seawolves were the victim of a bad call by the on ice officials. I have also read a few comments from fans that said that UAA coach Dave Shyiak should be suspended by the WCHA after he threw a water bottle onto the ice and was ejected from Saturday night's 3-2 Governor's Cup loss at UAF. Why? I believe that Shyiak has been punished enough and I don’t expect the WCHA to do anything additionally. Why should they? The WCHA did nothing to the DU coach George Gwozdecky until it was discovered that he had communicated with the DU bench after his ejection.

Unofficially, DU and their fans cheered the performance by George Gwozdecky and the University of Denver issued a flimsy meaningless reprimand. So if the WCHA does anything to Shyiak I am calling foul, because the WCHA would be showing a double standard giving punishment for one act but doing nothing for the same thing. If anything it’s about time the coaches show a little more emotion and help bring to light the shoddy officiating in division one hockey. Below is the statement from the UAA Athletic Director Steve Cobb.

Statement from Dr. Steve Cobb, UAA Director of Athletics - Feb. 28, 2010 ---- "On behalf of the University of Alaska Anchorage athletic department, I sincerely apologize to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, game officials and to UAA supporters for Coach Dave Shyiak's behavior on Saturday night that resulted in a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct and 10-minute game misconduct penalty.

Coach Shyiak's actions were out of character and regrettable. At UAA we have high behavioral standards, not just for student-athletes, but for all department employees. He has received a formal reprimand for his actions and understands that his behavior was unacceptable.

Respect for our opponents and officials is a core value of UAA's athletic program and will remain so in the future. We expect our coaches to model the highest degree of sportsmanship." [goseawolves.com]

INCH Power Rankings

As always I post the INCH Power Rankings for discussion purposes.

1. Denver
2. Miami
3. Wisconsin
4. St. Cloud State
5. Yale
6. North Dakota — Forward Matt Frattin, who didn't score a goal in his first 11 games after returning from a first-half suspension, has five in the Sioux's last five outings including the game-winner in overtime Friday at Colorado College. 18-11-5 (13-10-3 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Colorado College, 3-2 ot; W at Colorado College, 3-2. THIS WEEK: vs. Michigan Tech, vs. Michigan Tech
7. Cornell
8. Boston College
9. Michigan State
10. Bemidji State
12. Union
13. Minnesota Duluth
14. Ferris State
15. Alaska
16. RIT
17. Colorado College
18. Maine
19. Northern Michigan

Dropped out: Boston University
Bubble-licious: Vermont, Colgate

USA something to be proud of; Olympic hockey finish

I was reading the blog post by Redwing77 I got to thinking, US College Hockey has come a long ways. Look at the list of players and where they came from. The best goalie in the Olympics was a colligate hockey player from Michigan State and a Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner. Two of the top forwards Zach Parise USA, Jonathan Toews Canada, came from my alma mater the University of North Dakota. The Top Defensive hockey player was an Wisconsin Badger Brian Rafalski, or as I like to say he is a "dirty Badger", I know I am kidding.

The purpose of this post is not about beating my chests and saying that the NCAA division one hockey is better than the CHL because, I don’t believe this an argument we need to have, I think it's counter productive. I think both hockey associations serve their purpose and both have their strong points. I think it’s just a good time to give recognition where recognition is due, college hockey produces some really good hockey players. Based on the USA WJC finish and the Olympics hockey results, I also think that the USA is closing the gap with the Canadians in hockey.

I also like what Ron Wilson and Brian Burke are trying to do with Team USA, they built a team around players that buy into the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back. This team also excelled when many thought they would be on the outside looking in. Does it sound like a sports cliché? Yeah it does. I only wish there had been another miracle on ice.

Goaltender: Ryan MILLER (USA) Michigan State University
Defenceman: Brian RAFALSKI (USA)University of Wisconsin
Defenceman: Shea WEBER (CAN)Kelowna Rockets WHL
Forward: Pavol DEMITRA (SVK) ZTS Dubnica
Forward: Jonathan TOEWS (CAN) University of North Dakota
Forward: Zach PARISE (USA) University of North Dakota
Most valuable player: Ryan MILLER (USA)

Tournament Directorate Best Player Awards
Goaltender: Ryan MILLER (USA)
Defenceman: Brian RAFALSKI (USA)
Forward: Jonathan TOEWS (CAN)
Cross posted @ the Sin Bin