How to improve the NHL

Tom Jones from the St Peterburg Times had a nice article on how to improve the NHL. A couple of these ideas are really good ideas. The NHL should have a lot of momentum coming out of the Olympics and the game of hockey should be looking to expand on that momentum going forward to the Stanley Cup playoffs, of course there will be a whole segment of our population that won't be able to see the games because they are on Versus.

Get back on ESPN

The NHL's cable deal in the United States is with Versus, which does an excellent job covering the games. But it's not about that. It's about being part of the sports fans' consciousness, and that's what ESPN provides (and Versus doesn't). Sports fans instinctively turn their TVs to ESPN, often not even knowing what will be on. It's habit. ESPN carries every major sport — the NFL, NBA, major-league baseball, golf, NASCAR, tennis, soccer, college basketball and football. It even shows poker, for crying out loud. But not the NHL, not since 2004. ESPN sets the nation's sports agenda. If ESPN covers something, the event becomes important to sports fans. Many believe that if ESPN carried the NHL again, the network would dedicate more time to it on SportsCenter and maybe even again have a specialized show for it like it did when it carried the games; its NHL 2Night was a hockey version of Baseball Tonight and NFL Live.

How many times have you stayed at a motel/hotel or went to a friend’s house who doesn't have Versus on their television dial? That is unacceptable in my opinion, this should not happen. During the day of ESPN you didn’t see this happening. The squabble between Direct TV and Versus is also mind numbing, because if it dispute doesn’t get solved soon a lot of people aren’t going to get to see the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This idea is one that I really find acceptable and I am sure I am not the only NHL fan hoping for this change. It's time to tell Gary Bettman thanks for a job well done but don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. The things that are going to stick out the most with me is the lock out in 2004-2005 NHL season and how we lost a whole season of the NHL under the leadership of Gary Bettman.

Find a new commissioner

This isn't meant to slam Gary Bettman, because he's not as bad as many fans and media members think he is. But he has been on the job 17 years now, and it's time for new blood, someone with fresh ideas and a different approach. Don't hire an old-school hockey guy or someone in the NHL office. Owners need to think outside the box by going outside the "company.'' Look to an up-and-coming whiz kid from another sport. Look at a top-level executive from a company outside sports. Find someone who isn't going to keep doing it the way it has always been done. After all, the way it has always been done isn't working.

Trenten Metcalf hit on Matt Walters

This was a hit from the North Dakota High school hockey game between Grand Forks Central High and Bottineau High School on the first day of the North Dakota High School hockey game. There was no penalty on the play. Matt Walters did not play again during the tourney. All right all you referees at home would you call a penalty on the play?

WCHA Playoffs; breaking down the teams. (final numbers)

1. Denver University - Record 25-7-4 WCHA 19-5-4. Second half record 18 games played 14-2-2. The Pioneers went 8-0-0 in February. Open the WCHA playoff against MTU. This match up on paper has route written all over it. [DU player stats] [Beat writer blog]

2. University of Wisconsin - Record 22-9-4 WCHA 17-8-3. Second half record 16 games played 11-3-2. The Badgers went 7-1 in February. Open the WCHA playoffs against UAA who the Badgers have owned and they are an impressive 1-10-1 in their last 12 games against the Seawolves. [UW player stats] [Beat writer blog]

3. Saint Cloud State University - Record 20-11-5 WCHA 15-9-4. Second half record 18 games played 12-4-2. The Huskies went 3-2-1 in February. Open the WCHA playoffs against the MSU-M Mavericks, the Mavericks are 7-1-1 in its last nine visits to St. Cloud. [SCSU player stats] [Beat writer blog]

4. University of North Dakota - Record 20-11-5 WCHA 15-10-3. Second half record 18 games played 11-5-2. The Fighting Sioux went 5-1-0 in February. UND is 6-0 all time against Minnesota in the WCHA playoffs in Grand Forks, ND. [UND player stats] [Beat writer blog]

4. University of Minnesota Duluth - Record 20-15-1 WCHA 16-11-1. Second half record 18 games played 9-9. The Bulldogs went 2-4-0 in February. UMD swept the Tiger in the Springs during the WCHA playoffs last season to advance to the Final Five. Now C.C. gets a chance to return the favor. UMD is 3-1-0 against the Tigers this season so the chances of that happening aren't very good. [UMD players stats] [Beat writer blog]

6. Colorado College - Record 18-15-3 WCHA 12-13-3. Second half record 16 games played 6-10-0. The Tiger went 2-4-0 in February. Has a tall order to make the Final Five, beat the UMD Bulldogs at the DECC. The Bulldogs have not been swept at home this season. [C.C. player stats] [Beat writer blog]

7. University of Minnesota - Record 17-17-2 WCHA 12-14-2. Second half record 18 games played 9-8-1. The Gophers went 3-3-0 in February. [UMN player stats] [Beat writer blog]

8. Alaska Anchorage - Record 11-21-2 WCHA 9-17-2. Second half record 16 games played 5-9-2. The Seawolves went 0-5-1 in February. They have a tall order ahead of them. The Seawolves are 1-10-1 in their last 12 games against the Badgers. [UAA player stats] [Beat writer blog]

8. Minnesota State - Record 15-18-3 WCHA 9-17-2. Second half record 16 games played 6-9-1. The Mavericks went 2-4-0 in February. Mankato is 7-1-1 in its last nine visits to St. Cloud, however, I don't see how they get past the Huskies. [MSU-M player stats] [Beat writer blog]

10. Michigan Tech University - Record 5-28-1 WCHA 4-24-0 Second half record 15 games played 2-12-1. The Huskies went 1-5-0 in February. The MTU Huskie had four wins during the WCHA season. The Huskies beat the UMD Bulldogs twice and the SCSU Huskies and MSU-M Mavericks once each. They play at DU for the WCHA playoffs. [MTU player stats] [Beat writer blog]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

Sioux 3 Huskies 2

Check out this great tireless effort by Mario Lamoureux, Mario took three shots at the net and finally burried the third shot that he put on net. That is a great effort in my opinion. Talk about not giving up on a shot.

Clearing up a few loose ends

First off; some house keeping details to end the regular season, for the SCSU fans that were beating/thumping their chest about UND being behind SCSU in every poll, blah, blah, blah, the Fighting Sioux have the same record as the Huskies and are ahead of the Huskies more important Pair Wise Rankings.

5 North Dakota 19 0.5540 20-11-5 0.6250 Mar 6 MTech
6 St Cloud St 18 0.5511 20-11-5 0.6250 Mar 6 Mankato

Sioux come out flat

The Fighting Sioux hockey team are riding a seven game winning streak but tonight the looked as if they were trying to hand the game to the MTU Huskies early and were very lucky to get a win against the 5-28-1 MTU Huskies. You would have thought it was the Fighting Sioux that had the 5-28-1 record. It's imperative that the Sioux not play like this next weekend if they want to advance to the Final Five, anything less than a 100 percent effort would be unadvisable and unacceptable.

A few things that I saw tonight were the Sioux didn’t move their feet to start the game and looked a little sluggish. You have to wonder if they took the Huskies lightly or they just didn’t have their “A” game tonight. Also, there were a few times where the Sioux didn’t get the puck deep and that could come back to haunt them in the playoffs if they don’t right that ship in a quick hurry. Also, you cannot let the offensive player go untested in the slot, which is what happened on the second MTU Husky goal.

Stay out of the penalty box

The MTU Huskies came into the game with a national ranking of 46th over all on the power play and they ended up going 2-5 while the Fighting Sioux went 0-7. Tonight I thought the Fighting Sioux lacked discipline and took some really stupid unnecessary penalties. Taking three straight penalties is no way to start a hockey game and likened to playing with an open flame in a meth lab.

Up next for the Fighting Sioux is the not so Golden Gophers 16-17-2, UND is 6-0 all time against the Gophers in the WCHA playoffs in Grand Forks, ND. In the last 14 games against the Gophers, the UND Fighting Sioux are 8-3-3, six of these games have gone to over time.

[Box Score]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

The NHL Trade Deadline and the Red Wings (Redwing77)

Just like the Wild, the Red Wings didn't do much. They made two trades, a bubble player/prospect for another and a veteran washout for a younger winger. Neither look to be an impact player for this year and probably next year as well.

It was very disappointing that we couldn't make a move on a goaltender. I would have LOVED to see Halak in Red Wing red... or better yet, make true the rumors around Tomas Vokoun and bring him to Motown.

I think Howard is going to be a good goaltender, but I'm not sold on him as a #1.

I am sold on the fact that "WasGood" is done. At least he's done as a #1 goaltender in Detroit. Not a bad career for him.

Detroit, though, is with Chicago and New Jersey in that they're not exactly swimming in cap space. Only making it worse is the fact that there is a HUGE question in depth after the current NHL goaltending duo. McCallum might be a good one, but he's a ways out and facing an upward battle after looking dismal in the 2008-9 World Juniors. Daniel Larsson has seen sparing time in the NHL and looks to be the only one even remotely close to NHL ready. Other than McCallom, the Wings have two former NCAA goaltenders in Notre Dame's Jordan Pearce and Yale's Alec Richards in their ECHL affiliate. Neither are NHL material yet...if at all.

Overall, there are teams that are hit by the injury bug and play ok despite it... Detroit isn't one of them. What makes it worse is that they SHOULD have been able to. Osgood SHOULD have been a good #1 goaltender...but he wasn't. Datsyuk and Zetterberg SHOULD have been as dynamic as they've been the past two years... they're still good but they're not.

Oh well. Hopefully Chicago can get Huet and Niemi to play out of their minds so I can see Toews do well at least.

Derek Boogaard suspended for hit on Ryan Jones

This was the hit that had the Internet buzzing last night before I went to bed. Being a Wild fan I have to admit it's really an unnecessary hit that Boogaard didn't need to make. According to Mike Russo the Boogieman has already had a conference call with league executive Mike Murphy this morning meaning we will probably be seeing a spin of the Colin Campbell wheel of justice. Since Boogaard is a one dimensional goon and a repeat offender the league will probably throw the book at him and they should. Edit: I want to go on record that I am a Boogaard fan but you have to play within the rules of the game. The NHL has stepped up and issued a two game suspension for the hit.

The Beat writer David Staples for the Edmonton Oilers isn't all that impressed with Derek Boogaard as well. Check out his thoughts about Boogaard in last night's blog post.

So it happened again, just as it's happened so many times with Derek Boogaard and an Edmonton Oiler, Boogaard -- the very definition of a goon hockey player -- making an illegal hit and almost crippling Edmonton winger Ryan Jones.

This wasn't a hockey play, this was a crime on ice, the kind Boogaard is known for, and the kind he will continue to commit in NHL rinks until some player gets badly injured and decides to sue Boogaard, his coach, his franchise and the NHL.

All of them are complicit in Boogaard's ongoing, illegal on-ice violence. Why do I say that?

Because each time Boogaard maims someone, or comes close to maiming them, he is not handed the kind of sentence that might stop him from maiming again. Last year he got five games for an atrocious elbow to the head of Brandon Prust. He should have been suspended for the season for that vicious late hit, another evident intent to injure
[Edmonton Journal]

Here is an reoccurring argument that I have seen before about players like Derek Boogaard they don’t play very good hockey and they are basically one dimensional players, one could call them fighters on skates, albeit not very good skaters either. I find these comments interesting since the Oiler have their own verision of Boogaard in Zack Stortini who is a little more talented and has 118 minutes in penalties and has been in 13 fights this season.

There should be no place in hockey for the likes of Boogaard. In 243 career NHL games, he has two goals, 14 points and 527 penalty minutes. He is not a player who can fight, he's a fighter who can't play. He's so lame on the ice that in three years of major junior play he only scored two goals.

His only job is to intimidate, threaten, beat and maim.

Will the NHL review this kneeing of Jones and give Boogaard a good, long suspension? The rest of the season is certainly in order for such a blatant attempt to injure.

I'm certainly not holding my breath. If there's one thing that the NHL is, it's soft on crime.

P.S. Boogaard's explanation after the game to Joanne Ireland of the Journal: "I was just trying to make a hit and he slipped out of the way."

Hab's hack Maxim Lapierre Suspended 4 Games

Props to KuklasKorner. Habs player Maxim Lapierre was given a four game suspension for this hit. I can't believe that there wasn't a penalty called on the play and the ref was right there.

TORONTO (March 5, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre has been suspended for four games, without pay, for a late hit on San Jose Sharks forward Scott Nichol during NHL game #949, last night, the National Hockey league announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Lapierre will forfeit $14,248.72. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

At 1:50 of the third period, Lapierre knocked Nichols into the end boards with a late, careless hit. Nichol was injured on the play and did not return to the game. No penalty was assessed on the play.

UND 5 MTU 1

As I type this blog post the Seawolves just scored against the UMD Bulldogs to take a 3-2 win. UAA Senior forward Kevin Clark scored the game winning goal for the Seawolves. So there is a good chance that the Sioux can finish in 4th place in the WCHA standings, the Sioux hold the tie breakers against the Bulldogs. For the UAA fans that are down on their coach, I believe Dave Shyiak is a good head coach and has the UAA program going in the right direction. Shyiak's team this seaosn has only been swept once at home all season long, incidentally the Seawolves got more points against DU than the Gophers and Sioux combined.

Sioux start slow against the Huskies

I think it would be an understatement if I said the Fighting Sioux came out flat tonight to start the game against the MTU Huskies. The Sioux were behind and didn't score a goal until the 10:22 mark of the second period, it was then that the Sioux started getting things going and scored three goals in about a minute and twenty seconds.

MTU penalty kill dead last

You would have thought that Sioux would be licking their lips with the prospects of facing a team that is ranked dead last on the penalty kill. MTU is ranked 58th out 58 team nationally on the penalty kill and the Fighting Sioux went a lethargic and a pathetic 1/7 on the power play. That can not happen in the WCHA tourney and NCAA tourney if they want to be sucessful. Just for the Record UND is the 10th ranked team on the power play in the nation as well. I do have to give credit to the MTU goalie Kevin Genoe who was impressive and stopped 43/48 shots. Genoe is only a freshman and stopped 50 shots on goal last weekend against the Wisconsin Badgers and I like what I have seen of him this season. Genoe also stopped Brad Malone on a break away in the first period.

Zajac leads the way for the Sioux

The Sioux almost never lose when Dary Zajac scores a goal for the Fighting Sioxu. Tonight Zajac had a big night leading with a three point night (2g-1a-3pts). Zajac was a victim of the famous, "I intended to blow the whistle and that prevented Zajac from having a hat trick and a four point night.

[Box Score]

Cross posted at the Sin Bin.

Erik Johnson vs Jamie Benn

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher Erik Johnson is not known for being a fighter, he has been in two fights his whole NHL career, ironically both fights havve been in the second half of this season. I am also sure that Erik Johnson will probably never try to throw off his elbow pad while his opponent is knocking the snot out of him. Ouch! Benn feed Johnson about three hard punches to the head.

Mix-up sent Gophers men's hockey team scrambling for arena

Someone post the picture of the Target Center Ice on Gopher Puck Live. The Gophers and Badger will be playing in the Target Center this weekend. A screw up of epic proportions has moved the game to downtown Minneapolis, while there have been a few reports of bad ice, that could play into the Gophers favor against the speedy Badgers, I don’t think all is lost nor is this a complete buzz kill. In the past when attending the Final Five when it was at the Target Center I still have very fond memories of the Target Center. The Sioux winning the Final Five against the Badgers in 2000 was a blast.

While it’s defiantly not the Xcel Energy Center, there were a lot off good bars and restaurants with in walking distance of the Target Center. My favorite was Gluek’s restaurant and bar, Gluek’s also has one of the best beers, the Gluek’s Dark was my favorite.

If you don't mind spending an arm and a leg the Hard Rock Café right across the street from the Target Center and is a good place to eat and enjoy a beer. I ate there two years ago during the Final Five and it cost me about 25.00 for a beer and supper.

Forgive the Minnesota Gophers for feeling like guests in their hometown this weekend against interstate hockey rival Wisconsin.

The esoteric sport of synchronized skating is staging its national championships at Mariucci Arena, forcing the Gophers to prepare for the Badgers in a season-ending series that will determine Minnesota's first-round playoff opponent.

Communication became muddled in the bureaucratic swamp between the athletics department and arena officials, who booked the U.S. Figure Skating event for March 3-6 believing this weekend's Badgers-Gophers series was in Madison, Wis.

A mad scramble to rebook garnered stern opposition from U.S. Figure Skating and brought lawyers into the picture, producing a buyout price deemed too expensive to swallow, according to Mariucci manager Craig Flor.

With Ridder Arena hosting the Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's final and the Xcel Energy Center booked for high school wrestling, the Gophers were caught in the headlights until Target Center officials stepped into the breach.

The Timberwolves are on the road this week, which allowed the downtown Minneapolis arena to host its first hockey games in 10 years.

Tonight's match is the first collegiate game there since March 18, 2000, when North Dakota beat Wisconsin in the WCHA Final Five title game.
[Pioneer Press]

Brad Miller Time - The Senior Class

Couple of things that I noticed. Nice to see Chay Genoway back in work out gear. Ben Blood has cut his hair again, I think he looks meaner with a shaved head.

I think this week's episode was one of more funnier ones. While this is a small class of seniors all of them have played a big role their four season at UND. Zajac is an awesome defensive player. Chay Genoway is one of the most dynamic players on defense in the WCHA and Chris VandeVelde has been a solid offensive player his last three seasons at UND.

Friday Morning pontification

There has been some speculation on where the Fighting Sioux are going to finish in the final WCHA standings. A few weeks ago home ice looked bleak but the Fighting Sioux made up 10 points in 15 days and switched places in the standings with the C.C. Tigers to secured home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs for the 8th season in a row.

The Sioux can finish as high as 3rd place, however, 4th or 5th place probably seems more realistic for the Fighting Sioux. It's a long shot and not very probably, but the Fighting Sioux could finish 3rd, first the Fighting Sioux have to sweep the MTU Huskies and the SCCC Huskies would have to lose to games to the MSU-M Mavericks. While I would love to see that, I don’t see that happening, in fact the chances of that happening are slim and none, but also there isn't a snowballs chance in hell. In fact if that happens I will donate a $100.00 to LGM's favorite charity and wear a purple cow jersey to the Final Five (a game of LGM's choosing).

Sioux will be UAA fans this weekend

I think it’s safe to assume that the Fighting Sioux will be Seawolves fans this weekend. If UAA can get a split with the UMD Bulldogs and the Fighting Sioux can get a sweep of the MTU Huskies, the Sioux would end up in 4th place. UND holds the tie breaker over UMD and SCSU. UAA has only been swept one time at home this season so a split isn’t out of the question this weekend, either is a sweep. UMD has cooled off the second half of the season going 8-8-0 and 2-6 in February. Last year UAA swept the Bulldogs at the DECC before the Dogs went on a run to the NCAA tourney. Breaking it down further; UAA has been tought to beat at the Sully and has split with UND, DU, MSU-M, C.C., and UMN. While UAA might only be sitting in 8th place, UAA has more points against DU than the Gophers and the Sioux combined (1-2-1, 3 pts).

Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

Well, here we are, we’re at the end of the regular season in the WCHA. We have a full slate of games, 5 WCHA series to play this weekend. Congratulations to the Denver Pioneers, they are the 2009-2010 MacNaughton Cup champions. To go with that, we now know the home teams for the playoffs, DU, UW, SCSU, UMD, and UND, but the order can still change. Since this is the end of the regular season, let’s look back to the past and see how close the WCHA coaches were in their preseason voting.

Pre-Season
Grand Forks Herald WCHA Coaches
1. Denver
2. North Dakota
3. Wisconsin
4. Minnesota
5. St. Cloud State
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. Minnesota State
8. Colorado College
9. Alaska Anchorage
10. Michigan Tech


CURRENT WCHA STANGINGS
(Everyone has played 26 league games now)

TEAM………………....W-L-T….PTS
1 Denver…………….......18-4-4….40
2 Wisconsin………….....16-7-3….35
3 St. Cloud State……..15-8-3….33
4 Minnesota-Duluth…..15-10-1…31
5 North Dakota………....13-10-3…29
6 Colorado College…....11-12-3…25
7 Minnesota…………......11-13-2…24
8 Alaska-Anchorage.....8-16-2….18
9 Minnesota State……..8-17-1….17
10 Michigan Tech……...4-22-0…..8


WCHA

#12 Minnesota-Duluth at Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Bulldogs split a series with the Gophers in Duluth, and the Seawolves got swept by their in-state rival UA-Fairbanks.

With a win on Saturday night the Bulldogs stopped a three game losing streak, but are still struggling going 3-7-0 in their last ten games. I watched both UMD-UM games last weekend, and the announcers pointed out that UMD has gotten 43% of their goals on the power play. That tells me one, they do have a great power play, and two if you can keep it 5-on-5 you have a good chance of beating the Bulldogs. UMD goalie Hjelle got his first WCHA shut-out on Saturday, so congrats to him. The Seawolves continue to put together some wins, they now have an overall record of 10-20-2 and a home record of 6-9-0. UMD is 6-7-1 away from the DECC this season. UAA seems to have developed a pattern in WCHA home series, they tend to lose on Friday and then bounce back in win on Saturday. I think this is due to coaching adjustments made by UAA bench boss Shyiak. I don’t think people give Shyiak enough credit for his coaching abilities. With that, it is never an easy task for anyone making the trip to Alaska. SPLIT


#3 Wisconsin at Minnesota
Last weekend the Badgers swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton, and the Gophers gained a split on the road with UM-Duluth.

Back in the first week in November these teams split their series in Madison. The Badgers locked up home ice last weekend are now looking to finish in 2nd place. The Gophers gave themselves hope on Friday with a win, but lost on Saturday, which coupled with UND’s win puts them on the road next weekend. These games are on Friday night and then Sunday afternoon, which is a weird time for a game, in my opinion. The Badgers only need one win to hold on to 2nd place in the league (I believe they have the tie breaker on SCSU) so it is possible if they win on Friday, they might rest up some on Sunday’s game. The Gophers now in 7th place might look to move up to 6th place and pass CC. The Gophers can somewhat control who they might want to face in the playoffs. Even the FSN guys said UM would have a better chance of pulling off an upset in the first round if they avoid UW or UND. UW is one of the hottest teams in the WHCA and country now, and well, UM is not so hot. It will be interesting to see if the Gophers can elevate their game to match the Badgers in this Border Battle. If the Gophers can score first and get the crowd into it, they have a chance. If the Badgers score first, and silence the crowd, the Gophers might phone it in. BADGERS SWEEP


#1 Denver vs #15 Colorado College
Last weekend the Pioneers got a road swept at the expense of MSU-Mankato, and the Tiger got swept at World Arena by the visiting Sioux.

Earlier this season the DU won at CC, and then they tied in Denver. DU is on a 10 game winning streak and CC is on a 4 game losing streak. Since the calendar flipped to 2010, the Tigers are 3-9-0 in WCHA play, while the Pioneers are 9-1-1. Obviously these teams are on two different paths in the second half of the season. However, this is the battle for the Gold Pan. I can see DU taking a game off in this series, since they really have nothing to play for, they have got the MacNaughton Cup, and pretty much sown up a number one seed in the NCAA tourney. The Tigers are still alive to make a NCAA berth, but need to start winning games to get back in the mix. Of course, I’m sure DU knows this as well and would like to have CC watching the NCAA tourney from their dorm rooms. All this makes a tough series to predict, but the crystal ball has been extraordinary that last couple of weeks, so I will consult it again. SPLIT


Michigan Tech at #7 North Dakota
Last weekend the Huskies got swept in Houghton by the UW Badgers, and the Sioux swept the CC Tigers in Colorado Springs.

Earlier this season the Sioux swept the Huskies in Houghton. The Huskies will be on the road this weekend, and next weekend too, when they will travel to Denver to take on the Pioneers in the first round of the playoffs. The Sioux will be hosting a 1st round playoff series next weekend, most likely against CC or UM. The Sioux have now surged into the top ten in the PWR (which mimics NCAA selection) and look to get locked into a number two seed in the NCAA tourney. The Sioux are now on a season best 5-game win streak, and will most likely add two more wins to that streak this weekend. The hapless Huskies own a 1-12-0 road record and have had another rough season. MTU has scored the fewest goals in the league, and UND has given up the fewest. Those stats don’t bode well for the Huskies this weekend. All of MTU’s 4 WCHA wins have been against teams from the state of Minnesota; they have beat MSUM, SCSU, and UMD twice. I don’t see UND letting their foot of the gas pedal this weekend. SIOUX SWEEP


#4 St. Cloud State vs Minnesota State Mankato
Last weekend the Huskies enjoyed a weekend of rest, and the Mavericks were swept by the Pioneers in Mankato.

This is a home and home series for these teams, Friday in Mankato and Saturday in St. Cloud, since this is the only games these teams play against each other this year. However, it is possible that these teams my tangle again next weekend in the first round of the playoffs. The Huskies have been surprisingly good this season and will likely finish 3rd in the league. The Mavericks gave DU a scare last weekend and had a chance to upset them in the OT, but lost with 13 seconds left. MSUM only has one win over the top 5 teams in the conference; they beat UW back in October. In WCHA play the Mavericks are 3-9-0 in 2010, while SCSU is 8-3-1. I don’t see the Mavericks sweeping this weekend, or for that matter getting any points. SCSU SWEEP.

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.