Keith Ballard scores on his own net.

Former Gopher Keith Ballard must feel bad after knocking the puck into his own net with his hand during tonight game against the Senators. [props]

John Scott works Dean Arsene

I don't know; the hit actually looks worse in slow motion than it does in real time. Former MTU Husky John Scott mops the ice with Edmonton Oiler Dean Arsene after his ill timed hit on his team mate James Sheppard. Scott show Arsene that he is not a very good fighter. Also, Arsene should be thankful that he fell down during the fight while getting the be-jesus beaten out of him and the ref finally stepped in before Scott could punch him again. Question: with the emergence of John Scott as the team goon it would appear that Derek Boogaard is expendable.

UND Fighting Sioux nickname petition to go before Tribal Council

This could be good news for the Fighting Sioux Nickname. I also think that is a good first step in keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname.

A petition seeking to put UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname on the ballot at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation is up before the Tribal Council today, according to a nickname supporter.

Archie Fool Bear, one of several supporters who gathered 1,004 signatures for the petition, said he believes the council reaction will be “pretty positive.” With that many signatures, he said, he wouldn’t think the council would deny voters their say.

In the last tribal election in September, voter turnout was about 1,900.

The tribe’s approval is necessary if UND is to keep the nickname as a condition of a settlement with the NCAA, which considers American Indian nicknames offensive. The other North Dakota Sioux tribe, the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, has approved the nickname after a 67 percent “yes” vote last year.

Nickname opponents there are seeking another vote to undo the approval.

At Standing Rock, nickname opponents are arguing the nickname isn’t worth the cost of a special election. No general election is scheduled this year.

Fool Bear said the tribe has money for a special election, and he feels the issue is important to voters.

The nickname is a topic of discussion for another government body this week, the State Board of Higher Education, which is meeting Thursday at Mayville State University. Board members have indicated they would’ve wanted to retire the nickname much earlier because UND wants to apply to join the Summit League athletic conference as soon as possible to enhance its Division I transition.

The league refuses to accept a membership application until the nickname issue is resolved.

The board took the position it did last fall because there had been no move at Standing Rock. But board members held off on a decision because of a lawsuit by nickname supporters at Spirit Lake, which went to the Supreme Court late last month. The court hasn’t issued an opinion yet.
[FARGO FISH WRAPPER]

Bryce Christianson leaves UAA.

Looks like we can update the early departures list, former UAA goalie Bryce Christianson has decided to forgo his college eligibility and sign a professional contract with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL. Looks like the rumors we heard about Bryce leaving UAA.

Bryce Christianson, who played at University of Alaska-Anchorage, will serve as the emergency backup goalie behind Andrew Perugini. Springfield hasn't announced if it will send goalie Bryan Pitton back to Stockton. [Recordnet.com]

Alaska-Anchorage (2)
Lee Baldwin, Fr, D, New York Rangers
Bryce Christianson, Jr G, Stockton Thunder

Denver (2)
Joe Colborne, So, F, Boston Bruins
Patrick Wiercioch, So, D, Ottawa Senators

Minnesota (1)
Jordan Schroeder, So, F, Vancouver Canucks

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks

Vandy signs with Oilers

I am kind of surprised it took as long as it did to get Chris VandeVelde signed, during last Tuesday's show on Coming Down the Pipe, VandeVelde said his agent was working on the contract and it was supposed to be done in the next couple of days. None the less VandeVelde is now moving on to the next stage of his hockey career. Here is the official announcement from the Oilers.

The Oilers remained busy on Monday as they also signed NCAA prospect Chris Vande Velde.

The 23-year old Vande Velde will report to the Oilers' AHL affiliate in Springfield this weekend. The University of North Dakota product was chosen in the fourth round, 97th overall by the Oilers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In 43 games for the Fighting Sioux this season, the Moorhead, Minnesota native had 18 goals and 17 assists.
[TSN.COM]

Maple Leafs' frat pack...

Here is another interesting story from the Toronto Star about former college hockey star Tyler Bozak (DU), Viktor Stalberg (UVMJ) and Christian Hanson (ND), this is a different story than the hard hitting one by Damien Cox in yesterday's Toronto Star.

Three university kids, each 24 and single, come to the big city to make it in Canada's most fanatical hockey market. They become fast friends, share an apartment and, just to stretch credulity even further, end up playing together on a line with the Maple Leafs.

Imagine the hijinks? Kind of a new-age Slap Shot. Except with players who have mad skills, instead of anger management issues. There'd even be a Hanson in it.

Nah, who'd ever believe that?

"It really is unusual isn't it?" says Christian Hanson. "We all came from college. We all have the same birth year and we all signed within a week of one another. Then we all lived together over the summer. Now it so happens we're back together. I don't know if that happens too often."

No, it could be an NHL first. But the Frat Pack – the line of Tyler Bozak, Viktor Stalberg and Hanson that earned a catchy nickname and a lot of media attention at training camp – was reunited by Leafs coach Ron Wilson last week and he was impressed enough that he mused about keeping them together as a unit next season.

In roughly seven periods in their latest incarnation, they've scored three goals – all from Stalberg – with six points.

"I think we have all the different skills you need on a line really," says Stalberg. "Tyler is obviously the brains behind most things. He's a real good playmaker and a smart guy out there. He wins a lot of faceoffs and gets the puck in our hands with a lot of speed. Christian is a big guy who wins a lot of battles; gets pucks out and is pretty solid defensively. I think I can help out with my speed, find ways to get open and put pucks in the back of the net." [Read the rest of the story here]

Wild screwed by Burrow's antics

It would appear that Canucks hack Alex Burrows is the NHL version of Garrett Roe and Jacob Cepis. There needs to be something done about players that embellish and dive. I suggest suspensions and fines for repeat offenders like Burrows.

After the Wild shockingly forced overtime on goals by Cody Almond and Antti Miettinen 23 seconds apart in the final 42 seconds of the third period, Alex Burrows, the king embellisher in the NHL, drew a bogus penalty in overtime when he lifted Greg Zanon's stick into his own face and then shot his head back like he was nailed by a Matt Cooke elbow.

Zanon was called for high-sticking even though Burrows essentially high-sticked himself. It's clear as day on video.

The refs bit, the Canucks got a 4-on-3 power play and the Canucks won it on Sami Salo's blast through traffic. So, basically, Burrows -- as is his reputation -- once again made a pair of refs look bad.

Now, this was not an easy call. In real time, the refs see Zanon's stick in Burrows' face, so it's hard to blame LaRue and Meier. So here's the solution: Burrows is a known diver, an embellisher and really I'm amazed refs ever give him the benefit of the doubt. So if I was reffing, I'd just err on the side of -- Alex Burrows is embellishing yet again, so sorry pal. Tough luck. You're now the boy that cried wolf. Stephane Auger tried to tell him that earlier this season (Auger felt Burrows made him look bad on a dive in Nashville), which was Auger's mistake.
[Russo's Rants]

Phil Kessel vs Kris Russell

Stick salute to Maple Leafs Zone. Here is the video of a Phil Kessel only NHL fight that happened back in December of 2009, it would appear that Phil Kessel learned how to fight from the same people that taught Blake Wheeler and Erik Johnson how to fight. Should we say that they are not very good at it.

R.J. Umberger on the Captials.

Check out what former OSU Buckeye R.J. Umberger had to say about the Washington Captials last night.

Blue Jackets left winger R.J. Umberger had some rather frank words to say about the Washington Capitals after a 3-2 Capitals win over the Blue Jackets tonight in Nationwide Arena:

Umberger is not known as a smack talker. He probably didn't think his words would incense the Caps' fanbase or members of their front office. Typically, he's brutally honest, even blunt.

Here's what Umberger said:

“I don’t think any team in the West would be overmatched by them,” Umberger said. “They play the wrong way. They want to be moving all the time. They float around in their zone, looking for breakaways and odd-man rushes.

“A good defensive team is going to beat them (in the playoffs). If you eliminate your turnovers and keep them off the power play, they’re going to get frustrated because they’re in their zone a lot.”
[Blue Jackets Extra]

Leafs still not ready to compete

Check out this article. There are a few zingers and it's kind of what we have seen with different teams in divsion one college hockey, this article also kind of reminds me of certain WCHA teams that like to play offense but don't like to hit or play a gritter style hockey. To make it at the next level you have to play in all three zones of the rink.

In Viktor Stalberg (UMV), Christian Hanson (Notre Dame) and newly signed Brayden Irwin (UVM), the Leafs had some size in the lineup, but none of those players yet have a solid concept of how to use their bulk at the NHL level.

To some degree, that can be taught.

But all those players were U.S. college stars who found their way to the Leafs mostly by being talented offensive players in the NCAA, not by being nasty pieces of work.

It's fine to be well over 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, but quite another to go into a corner with the likes of Chara, Denis Wideman or Johnny Boychuk and emerge unbruised and/or with the puck.

That's why the coming summer is so important to the Leafs beyond what the unrestricted free-agent market may offer. Forwards like Tyler Bozak (DU), Stalberg, Hanson, Irwin, Luca Caputi and Nazem Kadri will all need to apply themselves to become more thorough professionals and harder players to compete against.

If any decide to treat the off-season as a holiday, they won't be in the NHL next fall. [The Star]

The book on Kessel seems to be the same where ever he goes, all flash and offense no grit, doesn't hit or back check. Plays one way.

The oft-winded Kessel, meanwhile, delivered a disappointing performance in a game crying out for him to assert himself. When the Leafs resume competition next fall, they will need Kessel to be a much fitter, grittier athlete.

Happy Easter - Few things...

According to Guy Flaming from the Pipeline show, Vandy is close to getting his contract signed. It will be interesting to see how Chris VandeVelde does in the professional ranks.

The Pipeline Show has learned that the contract between the Edmonton Oilers and prospect Chris Vande Velde is to be settled on Sunday. The timing sounds a bit odd considering the holiday but since the deal was apparently very close to being inked on Tuesday evening, it's already a bit overdue.

The Springfield Falcons have just three games remaining on their schedule this season, the next coming on Friday night in Providence. In fact, the AHL club completes its Oilers affiliation next weekend with three games in three days finishing at home on Sunday against Manchester.

According to Stanley Cup of Chowder former DU Pioneer Joe Colborne had two points in his professional debute.

- Joe Colborne had 2 assists in his pro debut on Friday night for the Providence Bruins. The Baby B's beat the Worcester Sharks 3-1 .

Apparently the Philadelphia Flyers and Make Me Laughs are interested in former Cornell goalie Ben Scrivens.

Philadelphia and Toronto among the NHL teams with interest in Cornell goaltender Ben Scrivens.

The talk of having an NHL franchise return to Winnipeg is not going away and keeps popping up in the Canadian media and blogspehere almost daily. I am telling the nay sayers that an NHL team returning to Winnipeg is a possibility.

In some ways, if the Coyotes do stay in Phoenix — and that’s still an if when you’re dealing with politicians and lease concessions until the transaction between the NHL and either Ice Edge or Jerry Reinsdorf is signed, sealed and delivered — it will only help Winnipeg’s chances in the long run.

How can it help Winnipeg’s chances, you rightfully ask?

That’s simple. Chipman and company are playing the game the way the NHL want it to be played.

That means no outlandish quotes in the press and no season ticket deposits being accepted before the NHL has rubber stamped a move.

Chipman has succeeded on that front, to the point the NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly went on record saying discussions have been held with Chipman and billionaire David Thomson for quite some time and that Winnipeg could be a viable market, should the need arise down the road.

There was always something about the prospect of the Coyotes returning to their birthplace that intrigued many in this city — and province, for that matter.

You know, the theory that this could right a past wrong.
[Winnipeg Sun]

Phil Kessel Looking to end jinx against former team Saturday

I have to admit that I have enjoyed watching Phil Kessel have no success against his former team and I love hearing the boos and the Kessel jeers every time he steps on the ice or touches the puck against the Boston Bruins at the TD North Garden. I have watched every game (the wonders of NHL Center Ice) and I am not bitter but I do wish this would have ended better, it was kind of a buzz kill going into the season. I know that some day I will forget about this trade if the Boston Bruins end up with a top notch first round draft choice like Taylor Hall. Kessel’s absence this season caused a huge hole in the Bruins’ offensive scheme that they were unable to replace.

There hasn't been a drop off for Phil Kessel’s play this season, some thought his numbers would fall off when he didn't have Marc Savard to pass him the puck, however, that is not the case and his numbers this season are pretty similar to last season point totals. This season Kessel missed 12 games because of the shoulder surgery and only has 5 points less than last season’s numbers (30g-25a-55pts) compared to last season (36g-24a-60pts). I think with a full season Kessel could very well score 40-50 goals, I think that is what hurts Boston the most and I think he was worth the money he was asking for.

Now, there's no question Phil Kessel is a gifted sniper.

Most of the time.

Just not when it comes to playing the Boston Bruins, because against his former team, Kessel is remarkably less than ordinary.

In five games this season against Boston, Kessel has zero goals and one assist. This despite 16 shots and an average of 19 minutes, 55 seconds of ice time a game, most among Toronto forwards. But he's a minus-4, worst on the team.

"I'd like to get (a goal), but sometimes they don't come," said Kessel. "I've had a bunch of chances, I've had three or four breakaways on them and I haven't been able to score yet. It's one of those things where it's just not going in."

Kessel has a chance to break his goose-egg Saturday night when the Bruins – who are in the playoff hunt – come to town for the final time this season. Kessel insists he doesn't take any particular pleasure in watching Boston stumble to the finish line.

"We're going to play to win," said Kessel. "But they're going to be there. They're a good enough team to be there."

The Leafs have a much better record in games when Kessel scores, 15-7-2. That the Leafs have a winning record against the Bruins – 3-2-0 – suggests to coach Ron Wilson the team isn't a one-trick pony, that there is more to Toronto's offence than just Kessel.

"I'm sure the Bruins would be cognizant of his strengths and what he likes to do and try to take that away," said Wilson. "It's nice to win games when Phil doesn't score. I want Phil to score every game. But if he doesn't (and we win) that's just showing we're starting to develop some of our other guys and do some of the right things that creates offence for guys who aren't as naturally gifted as Phil."

That includes Tyler Bozak, who thrived when playing with Kessel at the beginning of February and hasn't slowed down since being reunited with Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg.

"He has the ability to make anybody he plays with better," Wilson said of Bozak. "He's playing with two other rookies and he looks better than he did two weeks ago with (Nikolai) Kulemin and Kessel.
[The Star]

Leafs owe their GM huge effort vs. Bruins

Here is an interesting article from the Star on the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke. The man has went through a lot and is taking a beating over the Phil Kessel trade that sent two first round draft picks to the Boston Bruins. Kessel has had a rough go of it against his former team getting a measly assist in five games.

From a human point of view, of course, it's been an awful year for Burke, who stood behind his 21-year-old son Brendan last fall when the young man decided to publicly declare his homosexuality, and then buried Brendan this past winter after a terrible accident that killed his son and an 18-year-old friend.

He not only kept doing his Toronto job through that nightmare, but he led Team USA into the Vancouver Olympics as well, answering questions every day along the way while fighting back the urge to burst into tears at the mention of Brendan's name.

He has hung in there better than the Leafs. Well, now's a chance for the Leafs, to a man, to win one for their boss, a GM who has been known throughout his career as an executive for whom players like to play. As mentioned, beating the Bruins won't change the fact Boston owns the Leafs' top pick in the June draft.

And having Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin going head-to-head in a high profile OHL playoff series – even NHL.com is covering it – certainly brings the commodities the Leafs sacrificed into even sharper relief.

Kessel, then, might want to deliver an inspired effort. For five years, this 22-year-old from Madison, Wisc., has been alternately praised and panned. It was once suggested that if he'd been eligible for the 2005 draft, Kessel would have competed with Sidney Crosby for top billing.

Instead, he slipped in the rankings amidst widespread criticism of his game and personality and was taken fifth overall in 2006. In Boston, he struggled enough to be benched in his first-ever NHL playoff spring, but then rebounded well last season after a 35-goal campaign by scoring six goals in 11 playoff games with a bum shoulder that required surgery.

This is a player who has inspired either admiration or sneers for years, but Burke staked his reputation on the belief Kessel will be a star in Toronto.

On Saturday night, Kessel would be well-served to deliver a performance indicating an appreciation for that.

This season, Kessel has not fared well against his former Bruin teammates, who have seemed to delight in making his life miserable after he essentially declared he didn't want to play with them any longer. He has one measly assist in five games, three of them Boston victories.

Saturday night on national TV is the final chance Kessel will have this season to shine in the spotlight. To prove he has been worth all the fuss.
[The Star]

Goon's World - Goal of the Year, the future looks bright...

A week ago today the Fighting Sioux ended their season with an uninspiring effort against the Yale Bulldogs. I still scratching my head on the ending of the season for the Fighting Sioux. I like most Sioux fans hate losing, there is no medal for second and third place and I hope this painful loss burns hot in each and ever one of the Fighting Sioux players' gut during the offseason. I hope that the 2010-2010 Sioux take the mind set that they refuse to lose, be a bear to play against in all three zones. Do whatever it takes to be a winner. The more the league fans and teams bitch about you and your style of play the more you’re successful you will be. I think the 2010-2011 team has a chance to be one of the better Sioux teams in the last 10 seasons.

I think that ine the end the Sioux ran out of gas and their six games in nine days caught up with them. If anything it taught the Sioux a valuable lesson, put teams away when you have the chance early in the season. The Sioux were one point from not having to play in the Thursday play in game.

Watching this goal against the Yale Bulldogs makes me wonder; what is Matt Frattin’s upside? I think if Frattin had not been kicked off the team last summer the Fighting Sioux might be waving good bye to Matt Frattin in the offseason. Frattin had (11g-9a-19pts) in 24 games, and the points came in bunches Frattin was held scoreless in 10/24 games. Matt Frattin ended the season on a hot streak nine points in the last six games. I can only hope that we are watching Frattin light the league goalies up next season; most of Frattin's goals this past season were pretty highlight reel goals. This goal is the Goon's World goal of the season - unbelievable.

Yeah like we didn't already know - The Wild Suck...

Like someone said on facebook earlier today the Wild are officially out of the playoffs. I could have told you that in October when the Wild went an unimpressive 4-9 for the month of October and it was a hole they couldn't get out of. I think most of the blame can be laid at the feat of former General Manager Doug Risebrough.

The result left them cold, just as losses always do. Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit, the Wild fell 3-2 to San Jose on Friday night, officially eliminating it from playoff contention.

This time, though, the players could leave Xcel Energy Center with a much warmer feeling about the impression they made. On fan appreciation night, their first priority was to atone for the lousy effort on Wednesday that provoked a chorus of boos from their faithful and a none-too-subtle message from their coach. [Star and Tribune]

What a night for Jason Blake

Check out this night that former Fighting Sioux Jason Blake had for the Anaheim Ducks on March 31st, 2010, Blake had (1g-4a-5pts), Blake has (5g-7a-12pts) in 20 games since coming over to the ducks. Blake also with his five point night tied a franchise record.

Jason Blake has another assist in tonight's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

My candidate for "Moron of the Week"

I found this little nugget of wisdom on Brad’s blog tonight when I was surfing. Maybe there should be a law that you shouldn't post on an Internet webpage or site when you’re drunk. If you can’t legally drive you can’t post either. :) Also, posting in all caps is rude because it's construed as shouting. Wow!

FINEHAGE IS JUST ANOTHER RECRUIT THAT HASN'T PROGESSED UNDER HAK'S STAFF. FINEHAGE, CICHY, TOEWS, BRUNOTOE, GREICO, AND DELL...NOT TO MENTION FINK. EVEN GUYS THAT STAYED THAT DIDN'T GET BETTER FROM YEAR ONE TO YEAR FOUR LIKE KOZEK, WATKINS, AND JONES.

THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS AVERAGE RECRUITING AND GUYS NOT DEVELOPING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS (WAS KOZEK BETTER OR WORSE AS A FRESHY VERSUS A SENIOR)?

BIGGEST LOST RECRUIT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

TONY HRKAC NOT BEING HIRED AS AN ASS. COACH A FEW YEARS BACK!!!!! THINK OF THE RECRUITING AND TEACHING A GUY LIKE THAT COULD HAVE BROUGHT TO UND?

Posted by: FIRG VOSS REPORTING on Tuesday, March 30 3:14 PM

Thrashers' Armstrong suspended for two games

The NHL decided that this hit in question will cause Colby Armstrong to sit for two games. I think it's the right decision and reinforces the fact that you can't hit your opponent in the head without suffering the consequences. It will be interesting going forward to see if the Colin Campbell wheel of just will spin equally in cases where the league stars like Crosby or Ovechkin are involved?

TORONTO – Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong has been suspended for two games, without pay, for using his elbow to deliver a blow to the head of Washington Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault in NHL game #1152 last night.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Armstrong will forfeit $24,870.47. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Armstrong was assessed no penalty for the hit, which occurred 12:40 into the second period. Perreault was injured on the play but returned later in the game.

Armstrong will miss Saturday's game at Pittsburgh and Tuesday’s home game vs. New Jersey. He will be eligible to return April 9 at Washington.

Colby Armstrong hit on Mathieu Perreault

I was watching the Caps and Thrashers game last night and I was surprised this wasn't a penalty this is the type of hits that the league wants to eliminate from the NHL. Here is what Sean Leahy of Puck daddy had to say about the hit.

Colby Armstrong laid another in a long line of questionable hits on Mathieu Perreault of the Capitals. The Thrashers forward was not penalized for the blow to the head, but was sent to the box after his post-whistle scrum with Shaone Morrisonn:

It's true I felt the same way when I say that hit; Armstrong is famous for catching players in vulnerable positions and laying questionable devastating hits on them. I watched two games last night and saw two hits that the NHL wants to eliminate. It doesn't appear that the players are getting the message or have even watched the video on the hits to the head. You can lay someone out with a clean devastating hit without head hunting them and trying to take them out.

Tanner Glass Hit on Jeff Halpern

This is the types of hits that the NHL is trying to eliminate hits to the head apparently Glass didn't get the memo. I applaud former Fighting Sioux Matt Green for stepping in and challenging tough guy Tanner Glass who has been in 15 fights this season.