Miller slams Cooke for Savard hit - Hjalmarsson suspened two games

Bravo to former Michigan State Spartan Ryan Miller. I am glad that someone has the balls to say this. Incidently, Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended by the NHL for his hit on Jason Pominville.

Boston Globe --- Withering words from Ryan Miller, courtesy of Buffalo's WGR 550, regarding head shots in the wake of Niklas Hjalmarsson's blast from behind on Jason Pominville. During the interview, Miller was asked if the Pominville incident would have drawn more eyeballs had a star player been injured.

The Buffalo goalie responded that Marc Savard, one of the NHL's premier setup men, remains out with post-concussion syndrome following Matt Cooke's hit to the head last season.

"Savard's still not playing," Miller said. "One of the best playmakers we have in this game is still not playing because of a stupid, [foolish] hit."

INCH Preview.

Dan Meyers from CHN has written his preseason preview for the WCHA.
WCHA Preview 2010-11, Part II: WCHA Preview, 2010-11.

North Dakota Fighting Sioux
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol
2009-10 Record: 25-13-5 overall, 15-10-3 WCHA, (4th)

Who's Back: Jr. F Jason Gregoire (20-17—37), So. F Danny Kristo (15-21—36), Sr. F Evan Trupp (8-26—34), Jr. F Brett Hextall (14-12—26), Sr. F Brad Malone (11-14—25), Sr. D Chay Genoway (4-6—10), Jr. G Brad Eidsness (24-10-4, 2.11, .914).

2010-11 Outlook: North Dakota loses just one of its top eight scorers and regains the services of perhaps the best college hockey player in the land in Chay Genoway. The loss of Chris VendeVelde isn't a small one — he led the Fighting Sioux in scoring last season (16-25—41) — but his loss should be covered by returning forwards Jason Gregoire, Danny Kristo, Evan Trupp and others, along with a full season of senior Matt Frattin, who returned for the second half last season and scored 19 points in 24 games. If that's not enough, sophomore Corban Knight looks primed for a breakout sophomore campaign and freshman Brock Nelson could make an immediate impact. On the blueline, Genoway is back after a horrific concussion cost him most of last season. He is joined by fellow senior co-captains Jake Marto and Derrick LaPoint, junior Ben Blood and freshman phenom Derek Forbot to form perhaps the best defensive corps in the country. And oh yeah, UND also has one of the best goaltenders in the country in Brad Eidsness, a junior who was among the conference leaders in just about every category last season.

"Instead of looking at the predictions and the polls, our goal is to get our team back to the level they were playing at at the end of last season," said Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol. "We found that we could be a tough team to play against if we had everyone playing within their role and at a very high intensity level."

Prediction: North Dakota is the preseason favorite of the league's coaches and media for a reason — it's loaded at every position. There really appears nothing that can slow them down, especially if UND can avoid its traditional slow starts. Look for the Fighting Sioux to challenge for the MacNaughton Cup, the Broadmoor Trophy and the National Championship this season.

In Case you haven't seen it. Delusion of Grandeur is whining about UND Fighting Sioux Hockey Coach Dave Hakstol not attending the coaches luncheon. I am sure the UND athletic director isn't going to care if Hakstol goes to the luncheon, Hak's reason he didn't attend seems legit to me. While I don’t need to give Delusions of Grandeur any extra hits to his blog, I do find his pontifications and his ranting and raving to be amusing. I can guarantee I am not Anon @838…

No, I say let's never invite them again because Dave Hakstol is discourteous. First, he doesn't show up for the coaches luncheon and passes along the excuse that it was the only time his team could schedule ice. Um ... the team wasn't invited to the luncheon ... Dave, you were. Apparently, Hakstol's two assistants are completely incapable of running a game day skate? He HAD to be there ya know? Weak sauce, Dave.

Here's the deal, the WCHA Coaches Luncheon's are a pretty frequent event across the WCHA realm. But there is one coach who really hates them. He's been openly negative about going to them. Donnie Lucia. He's elaborated his reasons and I won't get into them too deeply here. Suffice to say that tDon has lots of requests for his time from fans and media ... and the coaches luncheon is one place he thinks he shouldn't have to be if he doesn't want to go. Especially, on the road.

So Dave Hakstol thinks he's Donnie Lucia? Well, not exactly ... but in this case he's all about riding Donnie's anti-luncheon coattails. Gee, Dave. Do something original ... be your own man. Why you gotta try to act like tDon?

Here's the thing. It's a fucking tournament, not some regularly scheduled league game. Your team is going to get to schedule two home games and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue from it's participation here by cashing in the exemptions it gets from playing here. Doubtless that along with the invitation, UAA paid some of your team's airfare here. So you get all that benefit from the trip and you're discourteous enough to not show up to the luncheon?

Did I mention how they apparently had to get to the airport to leave and didn't stick around to collect their championship booty? Weird, cause I saw them in the building late in the 3rd period last night.

Let's never waste another tournament invitation on UND eh? This is what happens when you invite trailer-trash ... they act like trailer-trash. It's ZERO skin off UAA's nose if they are never invited again.

And oh yeah Coach Hakstol, you wouldn't have been the only coach in Frank Serratore's speaking shadow. Why are you so skerred of Serratore? Does your wife like his brother Tom or something?

Brian Faison is the UND Athletic Director. His email address is brianfaison@mail.und.edu. Let him know how you feel about the lack of sportsmanship and discourtesy of his premier program's head coach. I'll give away a pair of passes (good to any regular season game) to any fan that actually get's Faison to reply and let's us know what he said.

Poll Monday (on Tuesday)

I would have put this up yesterday but I was out of town hunting ducks in Devils Lake and there is no internet at my hunting shack. Sioux stay at number two in both polls.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[October 11, 2010]
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Boston College (48) 1-0-0 998 1
2 North Dakota ( 2) 1-0-1 916 2
3 Michigan 2-0-1 833 5
4 Miami 1-1-0 827 3
5 Yale 0-0-0 751 6
6 Denver 1-0-1 636 9
7 Minnesota-Duluth 1-0-1 608 8
8 Maine 1-0-1 601 7
9 New Hampshire 1-1-0 571 10
10 Boston University 2-0-0 546 14
11 St. Cloud State 1-1-0 545 4
12 Cornell 0-0-0 453 11
13 Minnesota 2-0-0 422 15
14 Alaska 1-1-0 353 12
15 Wisconsin 1-1-0 268 13
16 Union 2-0-0 255 19
17 Nebraska-Omaha 2-0-0 187 NR
18 Colorado College 1-0-1 169 20
19 Notre Dame 1-1-0 167 17
20 Michigan State 0-0-0 135 16
Others Receiving Votes: Vermont 57, Bemidji State 42, RIT 37, Colgate 21, Alaska-Anchorage 13, Michigan Tech 13, Rensselaer 13, Mercyhurst 12, Ferris State 11, Robert Morris 11, Canisius 10, Merrimack 6, Northern Michigan 4, Ohio State 4, St. Lawrence 3, Quinnipiac 2

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
October 11, 2010
Team Points (First Place Votes) Last Poll Record
1 Boston College 507 (31) 1 1-0-0
2 University of North Dakota 467 (3) 2 1-0-1
3 University of Michigan 427 4 2-0-1
4 Miami University 392 3 1-1-0
5 Yale University 345 5 0-0-0
6 University of Maine 300 7 1-0-1
7 University of Minnesota Duluth 299 9 1-0-1
8 University of Denver 241 11 1-0-1
9 University of New Hampshire 226 8 1-1-0
12 Cornell University 137 10 0-0-0
13 University of Minnesota 129 15 2-0-0
14 University of Alaska 71 12 1-1-0
15 University of Wisconsin 46 13 1-1-0
T10 Boston University 218 14 2-0-0 2 T10 St. Cloud State University 218 6 1-1-0 2 Others receiving votes: Union College 45, University of Nebraska Omaha 19, University of Notre Dame 11, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 9, Colorado College 7, Michigan State University 4, University of Vermont 4, Merrimack College 2, Colgate University 1, Michigan Tech University 1, Robert Morris University 1.


Read more:

Conference Action starts this week - Review of the WCHA.

Here is my prediction on how the season will shake out.

1.) UND Fighting Sioux
Returning players – UND
Last Season’s Record - 25-13-5
Forwards: Jason Gregoire (20g-17a—37pts) Jr, Danny Kristo (15g-21a—36pts) So, Evan Trupp (8g-26a—34pts) Sr, Brett Hextall (14g-12a—26pts) Jr, Brad Malone (11g-14a—25pts)Sr. Matt Frattin (11g-8a—pts) Sr.
Defense: Chay Genoway (4g-6a—10pts) Sr, Derrick LaPoint (2g-20a—22pts) Sr, Jake Marto (5-13—18) Sr, Ben Blood (5g-9a—14pts) Jr.
Goalie: Brad Eidsness (24-10-4, 2.11, .914).
Key Loss(es): Darcy Zajac, Chris VandeVelde.
Fan Blog: Goon's World, Sioux Yeah Yeah!, Dirty's Diatribe.
Message Board/Blog: Sioux Sports
Media Blog: University of North Dakota Hockey.

2.) SCSU Huskies
Returning players – SCSU
Last season’s Record - 20-11-5
Forwards: Garrett Roe (20g-29a—49pts) Sr, Tony Mosey (14g-26a—40pts)Sr, Drew LeBlanc (6g-25a—31pts)Jr, Ben Hanowski (9g-10a—19pts) So, Aaron Marvin (5g-11a—16pts) Sr.
Defense: Oliver Lauridsen (6g-6a—12pts) Jr, Chris Hepp (0g-2a—2pts) Sr.
Goalies: Mike Lee (12-9-3, 2.80 GAA, .917 SV%) So. Dann Dunn (12-5-2, 2.80 GAA, .917 SV%) Sr.
Key Loss(es): Ryan Lasch, Garrett Raboin.
Message Board: Da Huskies.
Fan Blog: Husky Hockey Time.
Media Blog: Husky Hockey.

3.) UMD Bulldogs
Returning players – UMD
Last Season’s Record - 22-17-1
Forwards: Jack Connolly (18g-31a—49pts) Jr, Mike Connolly (14g-26a—40pts) Jr, Justin Fontaine (21g-25a—46pts) Sr, Travis Oleksuk (10g-14a—24pts) Jr.
Defense: Brady Lamb (11g-13a—24pts) Jr, Mike Montgomery (2g-15a—17pts) Sr, Dylan Olson (1g-11a—12pts) So.
Goalie: G Kenny Reiter (13-10-0, 2.36 GAA, .912 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Jordan Fulton, Brady Hjelle, Rob Bordson.
Message Board: The Penalty Box.
Fan Blog: Runninwiththedogs.
Media Blog: Ciskie Blog, Rink and Run.

4.) DU Pioneers
Returning players – DU
Last Season’s Record - 27-10-4
Forwards: Anthony Maiani (8g-26pts--34) Sr, Sr. F Kyle Ostrow (16gt-10a—26pts) Sr, Jesse Martin (14g-8a—22pts) Sr, Drew Shore (5g-14a—19pts) So.
Defense: Matt Donovan (7g-14a—21pts) So, John Lee (2g-10a—12pts) Jr, William Wrenn (0g-7a—7pts) So.
Goalie: Adam Murray (3-4-1, 3.79 GAA, .874 SV%) So.
Key Loss(es): Joe Colborne, Patrick Wiercioch, Marc Cheverie, Rhett Rakhshani, Tyler Ruegsegger.
Fan Blog: Let's Go DU.
Media Blog: Mike Chambers.

5.)UW Badgers
Returning players – UW
Last Season’s Record - 28-11-4 overall,
Forwards: Craig Smith (8g-25a—33pts) So, Jordy Murray (12g-9a—21pts) Jr, Derek Lee (1g-8a—9pts) So.
Defense: Jake Gardiner (6g-7a—13pts), John Ramage (2g-10a—12pts), D Justin Schultz (6g16a—22pts),
Goalie: Scott Gudmandson (20-5-4, 2.34, .913) Sr., Brett Bennett (8-6-0, 2.82 GAA, .885 SV%) Sr.
Key Loss(es): Cody Goloubef, Brendan Smith, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Davies, Blake Geoffrion.
Fan Blog: 60 Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets.
Media Blog: Badgers Hockey.

6.) UMN Golden Gophers
Returning players – UMN
Last season’s Record - 18-19-2
Forwards: Mike Hoeffel (14g-10a—24pts), Jacob Cepis (7g-12a—19pts) F Zach Budish (7-10--17),
Defense: Cade Fairchild (4-17--21), Sr. F), Aaron Ness (2-10--12) So, Seth Helgeson
Goalie(s): Alex Kangas (16-15-1, 2.60 GAA, .911 SV%) Sr., Kent Patterson (2-4-1, 3.10 GAA, .901 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Jordan Schroeder, Josh Birkholz, Nick Leddy.
Message Board/Blog: Gopher Puck Live.
Media Blog: Goal Gophers.

7.) UNO Mavericks
Returning players – UNO
Last Season’s Record - 20-16-6 (First Year WCHA)
Forwards: Rich Purslow (14g-13a—27pts) Sr, Joey Martin (10g-16a—26pts) Sr, Alex Hudson (14g-11a—25pts) Jr, Terry Broadhurst (13g-11a—24pts) So, Matt Ambroz (10g-14a—24pts) Sr.
Defense: Eric Olimb (2g-18a—20pts), Jr, ( Kyle Ensign (0g-8a—8pts) Jr.
Goalie: John Faulker (13-10-4, 2.60 GAA, .905 SV%).
Key Loss(es): Eddie Del Grosso, Nick Fanto, Mark Bernier, Jeremie Dupont, Jeric Agosta
Fan Blog: Husker Mike Blasphemy.
Media Blog: Mavericks Today.

8.) BSU Beavers
Returning players – BSU
Last season’s Record - 23-10-4 (First Year WCHA)
Forwards: Matt Read (19-22—41) Sr, Jordan George (13-21—34) So, Ian Lowe (21-10—31) Sr.
Defense: D Brad Hunt (7-26—33) Jr, Brady Wacker (1g-10a—11) So.
Goalie(s): Dan Bakala (19-8-3, 2.32, .917) Jr, Mathieu Dugas (4-2-1, 1.93 GAA, .918 SV%) So.
Key Loss(es): Tyler Lehrke, Chris McKelvie.
Message Board: The Beaver Pond.
Media Blog: Up North Sports Report, College Hockey Tonight, Brian's Corner Of Cyberspace.

9.) CC Tigers
Returning players – CC
Last season’s Record – 19-17-3
Forwards: Rylan Schwartz (6-22--28), Tyler Johnson (14-9--23), Stephen Schultz (5-15--20),
Defense: Gabe Guentzel (3-20--23), Sr. D Ryan Lowery (4-14--18),
Goalie: Joe Howe (17-15-3, 2.80, .907).
Key Loss(es): Bill Sweatt, Mike Testwuide, Nate Prosser.
Fan Blog: (?)
Media Blog: Eye of the Tigers.

10.) MSUM Mavericks
Returning players – MSUM
Last Season’s Record - 16-20-3
Forwards: Rylan Galiardi (11g-14a—25pts) Sr, Michael Dorr (5g-11a—16pts) Jr, Eriah Hayes (8g-6a—14pts) So, Mike Louwerse (7g-6a—13pts) Jr.
Defense: Ben Youds (3g-23a—26pts) Sr, Kurt Davis (5g-18a—23pts) Sr, Channing Boe (2g-5a—7 pts) Sr, Ben Youds (3g-23a—26pts) Sr.
Goalie(s): Phil Cook (8-6-2, 2.59 GAA, .908 SV%) So, Austin Lee (7-11-0, 2.85 GAA, .907 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Zach Harrison, Geoff Irwin, Kael Mouillierat, Tyler Pitlick, Jared Steward, Kevin Murdock.
Media Blog: Puckato, MavBlog.

11.) UAA Seawolves
Returning players – UAA
Last Season’s Record - 11-23-2
Forwards: Tommy Grant (9g-17a—26pts, Sr. F Sean Wiles (9-8--17), So. F Daniel Naslund (3-10--13), Jr. Jade Portwood (3g-2a—5pts)
Defense: Curtis Leinweber (4g-8a—12pts), Kane Lafranchise (3g-12a—15pts), Luka Vidmar (2g-10a—12pts).
Goalie: Dusan Sidor (0-0-0 6.00 GAA .846 SV%) So.
Key Loss(es): Lee Baldwin, Bryce Christianson, Kevin Clark, Josh Lunden.
Fan Blog: Delusions of Grandeur.
Media Blog: Woody on Hockey.

12.)MTU Huskies
Returning players – MTU
Last Season’s Record - 5-30-1
Forwards: Brett Olson (18g-12a—30pts), So. F Jordan Baker (9g-9a—18pts), Eric Kattelus (2g-8a—10pts), Bennett Royer (4g-6a—10pts),
Defense: Steven Seigo (4g-15a—19pts), Deron Cousens (1g-7a—8pts),
Goalies: Kevin Genoe (4-18-1, 3.54 GAA, .904 SV%) So, Josh Robinson (1-12-0, 4.68 GAA, .876 SV%) Jr.
Key Loss(es): Malcolm Gwilliam, Drew Dobson, John Kivisto.
Fan Blog: MTU Hockey Blog,
Media Blog(?): Mining Gazette.

Fighting Sioux beat the Alaska Nanooks in the Kendall Hockey Classic

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux played air tight defense and beat the Alaska Nanooks in the Kendall Hockey Classic 3-1. The win gave the Fighting Sioux the Kendall Hockey Classic title. After looking like a bunch of pylons the night before the Fighting Sioux made adjustments on defense and held the University of Alaska (Fairbanks) Nanooks to 15 shots and 5 shots the first two periods.

The Sioux were dismal the first night of the Kendal Hockey Classic the next night they turned their fortunes around and tightened up their play in their own end and showed great speed moving the puck through the neutral zone. The Sioux also limited their defensive turn overs and let the Aaron Dell see the puck. When you limit your opponents scoring opportunities and cut down on critical mistakes it enhances a team's chances to win.

If the Sioux continue to play stingy defense like they did last night they will be hard to beat this season. If they play like they did on Friday night it could be a long season. I expect more of the later, and more stingy defensive efforts. I think the key to the Sioux defensive play is the return of senior defenseman Chay Genoway if Chay can get back on track (pre-concussion) I believe the Fighting Sioux Hockey team will go far in the post season.

On Friday night Chay Genoway had a tough night, much like his teammates, Genoway (0g-1a-1pts) and was a -2. On Saturday night Genoway seemed to pick up his play and was a 0 in the plus/minus department. I believe that as Genoway gets his legs and conditioning back he will contribute on the score sheets and make major contributions in the defensive zone and on the power play.

This past weekend I was impressed with the play of freshman defenseman Derek Forbort, the rookie defenseman really impressed me with his hockey sense, poise creativity with the puck. Forbort didn't seem out of place at all and picked up three assists in last night's game, two of which were on the power play.

Sophomore forward Corbin Knight was also impressive this past weekend, Corbin picked up two goals and an assist on the weekend and looks to be on the verge of breaking out and putting up some stats this season.

3 Stars of the game

1.) Jason Gregoire (1g-0a-1pts)
2.) Derek Forbort (0g-3a-0pts)
3.) Scott Greenham Solid in the loss

[Box Score]

Eidsness Save in O.T.

Here is the save that everyone was talking about on Saturday morning. Yeah, it's a game saver. The save came off of a defensive turn over in UND's end by senior defenseman Chay Genoway in overtime against UAA.

It was inevitable (RW77)

We've now played 3 games with Eidsness and Dell sharing the duties and already there are people calling for Dell to play over Eidsness.

Here's why that's ridiculously stupid:

1. Eidsness was on the All WCHA team last year and was among the best goaltenders in the country last year. You don't get that by sucking.

2. I'd like to see Dell do as good as Eidsness did on Friday with just as much (meant as sarcasm) Team D in front of him. Something tells me, UAA would still have tied the game or won.

3. Eidsness is the man according to Hakstol.

It's still unfortunate that people seem to think that the only good goaltender is the one that can steal the game for you. My perspective is this: If you need a goaltender to steal a game for you, even if it is once in a while, then you're only saying that because you don't want to come to the realization that the team in front of the goaltender is prone to sucking. Ok, ok, there is value to a game stealing goaltender (Devils and Brodeur, Canadiens and Halak, etc.) but there are just as many examples of great teams with goaltenders that did what was asked of them but wasn't flashy or stole games (like Leighton/Boucher for the Flyers or Marc-Andre Fleury - who is good, but not flashy).

The point is this: if your dominance depends solely on the play of one player, regardless of position, then your team will eventually fail. That is, unless your sport is focused upon individual performances in a team setting (such as the Olympics, the Ryder Cup in golf, etc.).

Hockey is a sport that requires solid play in all areas of gameplay or your team will struggle, from the obvious loss to squeaking by with the win.

How about a non-hockey point to beat the dead horse? Yesterday, Alabama lost to South Carolina in football. Though this delighted me to no end (as did LSU's win over Florida... suck it ESPN), it displays my point exactly. Alabama should NEVER have lost to USC. But their defense let them down and game over. What we're doing with the Eidsness issue, in this context is, had the middle linebacker played better, Alabama would have won. Ahm... Nope.

Saturday we saw great team defense. Fairbanks tested Dell..... twice according to Brad the entire game. One of those two times, Fairbanks scored. It took a 5 on 3 powerplay to generate that chance. See how important Team Defense is? It took Fairbanks 10 minutes to get their first shot on goal (made while on the powerplay) and another 7 minutes on top of that to get their first even strength shot on goal! I think Tate Maris could have looked better than Eidsness with this kind of Team D in front of him.

So what do we take from this weekend? Two things:

1. If we play good on Team D, it doesn't matter who is in net.

2. We may have what could be a solid tandem in net. Dell just needs to be tested a bit more.

Eidsness is still the #1 goaltender on the Sioux. Sioux fans will just have to come to grips with the fact that Eidsness isn't going to be a game stealer. And as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather he not be expected to be so.

No webcast for tonight's game.

According to Brad's blog there is no webcast tonight from the Fighting Sioux site.

Today’s game is NOT available for webcast. It is televised on FSSN and Midco Sports Network. It is NOT on FCS.

They Said... most thrilling rallies in tournament history ...

I was thinking that it was one of the more painful and something you would want to wipe from your memory, I was thinking that It would be more of a historic collapse.

ANCHORAGE – Senior winger Tommy Grant had a goal and an assist Friday as Alaska Anchorage stormed back from a four-goal deficit to register a 5-5 tie against 2nd-ranked North Dakota in Game 2 of the Kendall Hockey Classic at Sullivan Arena.

After trailing 5-1 midway through the second period, freshman right wing Brett Cameron capped one of the most thrilling rallies in tournament history when he knocked a shot slap shot past Brad Eidsness early in the third period.

Another Seawolf freshman, goalie Chris Kamal (25 saves), made the lead hold up by stopping the Fighting Sioux the rest of the way, including eight total saves in the third period and overtime.

Following the overtime period, North Dakota prevailed in a shootout, 2-1, which would go toward breaking a potential tie to determine the tournament champion. The game, however, goes in the official books as a tie in what was the season-opener for both teams.

Scores from other games.

You can get all of the scores on College Hockey INC and College Hockey News
Thursday, October 7, 2010

Non-Conference
Ferris State 4 at Alabama-Huntsville 1

Friday, October 8, 2010

CCHA
Michigan 4 at Bowling Green 1

Hockey East

Northeastern 2 at Providence 3
Mass.-Lowell 2 at Maine 8

Non-Conference

Ohio State 1 at Quinnipiac 2
Rensselaer 1 at Colorado College 2
Ferris State 2 at Alabama-Huntsville 4
St. Lawrence 5 at Minnesota State 5 ot
Sacred Heart 0 at Union 9
Denver 5 at Vermont 3
New Hampshire 3 at Miami 6
Canisius 5 at Western Michigan 3
Massachusetts 3 at Minnesota 5

IceBreaker

Holy Cross 3 vs. Notre Dame 6
Boston University 4 vs. Wisconsin 3

Maverick Stampede
RIT 1 vs. St. Cloud State 3
Clarkson 0 at Nebraska-Omaha 8

Superior Showcase

Michigan Tech 4 at Northern Michigan 3 ot
Minnesota-Duluth 6 at Lake Superior 6 ot

Kendall Hockey Classic

Air Force 2 vs. Alaska 5
North Dakota 5 at Alaska-Anchorage 5 ot

Exhibition

Western Ontario 5 at Michigan State 3

UND 5 UAA 5

I know it’s early and I don’t see a need to start the Fire Hakstol threat over on Sioux Sports as of yet but last night’s game was tough one to stomach. The Sioux raced to a 5-1 lead only to cough the lead up and then had to win the game in a shoot out. While some might blame the Sioux's listless play on the time change and travel but the Sullivan Arena has turned into a house of horrors for the UND hockey team in the last 9 games the Sioux are an unimpressive 4-4-1. The fact remains that the Fighting Sioux had UAA’s rookie goalie Chris Kamal on the ropes but the Fighting Sioux hockey team let him off of the hook by letting the Seawolves score and get back into the game. Seriously, the Sioux had the young goalie rattled but they took the foot off of the gas. The Sioux will need a better effort tonight if they are going to beat the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks.

If I had to explain last night’s game in one sentence it would be, “It was a horrible effort all the way around and magnified by bad defense and goaltending.” In my opinion the goals that did the Sioux in were the third and fourth goals. Those two goals were a comedy of errors that leaves even the most die hard fans scratching their heads. I would have to ask, where was the team effort after they got a 5-1 lead? At 10:57 of the second period the Sioux gave up the first of four unanswered goals. 

On the third UAA goal Brad Eidsness goes into the corner to play the puck is beat to the puck by UAA forward Jade Portwood, the big forward pass the puck to Sean Wiles who has an empty UND net to shoot the puck into.  The fourth UAA goal was a horrible effort all the way around, the puck is turned over in the offensive zone and Tommy Grant makes the Sioux hockey team look like a bunch of uninspired pylons.

Three Stars of the Game

1.  Corban Knight UND, 2 goals
2. Jason Gregoire UND, 2 assists
3. Tommy Grant  UAA,
 

 Box Score
--------------------------------1st Period (20:00)--------------------------------
AKA-1 Mark Pustin (2-Holding) NDK 1x1 2:07
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Brad Malone (1) (Brett Hextall) 3:06
NDK: 22,26,21,4,19,G31 AKA: 15,27,36,8,G35
AKA 1 - 1 6x6 Curtis Leinweber (1) (Tommy Grant, Jordan Kwas) 12:25
AKA (+): 11,16,23,14,17,G35 NDK (-): 29,8,5,2,7,G31
AKA-2 Luka Vidmar (2-High-Sticking) NDK 1x2 15:09
AKA-3 Quinn Sproule (2-Charging) NDK 2x3 19:05
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP Jake Marto (1) (Chay Genoway) 19:38
NDK: 25,5,7,10,17,G31 AKA: 15,8,14,36,G35
--------------------------------2nd Period (20:00)--------------------------------
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 Corban Knight (1) (Jason Gregoire, Derrick LaPoint) 0:47
NDK (+): 10,17,5,2,26,G31 AKA (-): 27,16,8,20,11,G35
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Boarding) AKA 0x1 1:38
NDK 4 - 1 6x6 Carter Rowney (1) (Jason Gregoire) 3:41
NDK (+): 27,17,22,3,2,G31 AKA (-): 27,40,36,23,9,G35
NDK 5 - 1 6x6 Corban Knight (2) (Danny Kristo) 7:32
NDK (+): 10,7,4,24,27,G31 AKA (-): 27,20,16,13,3,G35
AKA 2 - 5 6x6 Matt Bailey (1) (Brett Cameron, Mitch Bruijsten) 10:57
AKA (+): 21,7,12,3,13,G35 NDK (-): 9,27,21,4,24,G31
NDK-2 Evan Trupp (2-Interference) AKA 0x2 14:24
NDK-3 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) AKA 0x3 15:00
AKA-4 Craig Parkinson (2-Boarding) NDK 2x4 16:41
AKA 3 - 5 5x6 SH Sean Wiles (1) (Jade Portwood) 18:07
AKA (+): 27,36,23,11,G35 NDK (-): 24,10,5,7,17,G31
AKA 4 - 5 6x6 Tommy Grant (1) (unassisted) 19:00
AKA (+): 16,20,14,8,15,G35 NDK (-): 10,5,25,17,9,G31
--------------------------------3rd Period (20:00) --------------------------------
AKA 5 - 5 6x6 GT Brett Cameron (1) (Mitch Bruijsten, Matt Bailey) 1:34
AKA (+): 7,12,21,13,3,G35 NDK (-): 4,29,24,7,8,G31
NDK-4 Andrew MacWilliam (2-Elbowing) AKA 0x4 4:06
Overtime (5:00)
--------------------------------End of Game--------------------------------

UND Foundation Seems to Have Lost a Lot of Money Subsequent to the Dropping of the Sioux Nickname

With the UND administration's insistence on abandoning the Sioux nickname for it's identity the talk has been that donors have cut back.

I've heard of some serious hitters saying that they weren't giving the school any money in the future. Of course that's anecdotal. I mean surely those that were against the name would have stepped up to the plate once they got their way.

I've been waiting for UND Foundation to release their report for some months now. After all their fiscal year ends June 30th. Well today, in the GF Herald I saw the first indication that things aren't pretty.

In 2007, before the recent economic downturn, UND was talking about bringing its endowment up to $500 million. A

As of the end of fiscal year 2010, the endowment was $106 million, Johnson said.

According to the last Foundation report for fiscal year 2009, on page 17, they had $144 million in net assets. So if they're down to $106 million there are some issues. There is a chance that they consider something less that that as their endowment. I don't see any line item on their books as an endowment though.

It will be very interesting when they do release their financials. Back in the spring of 2009 the Board of Higher Education made the move to eventually retire the name. If they say a drop in 2009-2010 I would predict an even larger drop in the current fiscal year, now that the name is apparently killed off by the current administration.

I have a hard time believing that the UND Foundation should have lost money in their investments in the last fiscal year. My 401K did pretty well over that period.

The same article says that there's a big announcement for a new fund raising campaign tonight. I wasn't invited. But if I had to bet I'd say that the only thing that UND President Robert Kelley could raise funds for at this point is moving expenses.

Cross Posted from Say Anything Blog

Genoway and Eidsness make USCHO's Hobey Baker Watch.

Elliot Olshansky from USCHO has included Fighting Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway and Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness in his 2010-11 Hobey Baker Watch: Preview, Part II.

DEFENSEMEN

Chay Genoway, Sr., North Dakota – Genoway was named to the All-WCHA third team despite playing a grand total of nine games due to a concussion sustained at the hands of St. Cloud’s Aaron Marvin, but was granted a medical redshirt to complete his college career at North Dakota. In those nine games, he had four goals and six assists, and was generating his share of Hobey talk. Given a full, healthy season on a North Dakota team that always seems to get hot at the right time of year, he should be able to contend for the award again.

GOALTENDERS

Brad Eidsness, Jr., North Dakota – Eidsness was an All-WCHA second team pick last season after finishing eighth nationally in goals-against average and 23rd in save percentage. The return of Chay Genoway to the UND blueline corps should be helpful, and while it’s always tricky to pick goalies, Eidsness is one worth looking at.

Friday Morning Pontifications....

The UAA Seawolves will have a new goaltender(s) to start the 2010-2011 season, the previous goaltenders/sieves Jon Olthuis (Senior) and Bryce Christian (signed professional contract) have left the team making way for three inexperienced goalies to battle for the starting position.

The Seawolves don't have a projected No. 1 goalie, or even a proven college backstop, among the three men who play the position.

Gunderson is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound freshman from the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Chris Kamal is a 5-9, 186-pound freshman from the North American Hockey League. And the college game resume of returning junior Dusan Sidor, a 6-foot, 170-pounder, consists of a two-period relief stint last season.

The UAF Nanooks made their first trip to the NCAA tourney last season and are now poised to make another run to the NCAA tourney. Sounds like the Nanooks spent the off season preparing for the up coming season.

FAIRBANKS — “All summer, we had that taste in our mouths,” junior right wing Ron Meyers said after the recent Blue-Gold Game at the Patty Center. “We worked our butts off so we can get back there and get that taste ... and get more of a taste, staying there for more rounds and seeing how far we get there.”

More rounds in the NCAA Tournament starts with the regional final. If a team is fortunate there, it means a trip to the Frozen Four, where it will play in a national semifinal and if its fortune continues, it will play for the national championship.

The 22 veterans have stressed to the five newcomers — freshmen Colton Beck (left wing), Cody Kunyk (center), Erik Slemp (right wing) and Michael Quinn (defenseman) and sophomore center Adam Henderson, a transfer from Central Collegiate Hockey Association rival Michigan State — that they want that taste to stay throughout the regular season and remain with the Nanooks for, hopefully, another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Nanooks hockey seeks repeat postseason trip

The Alaska Nanooks Hockey Blog has an interesting blog post on the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team. It's always interesting to see how others scout the Sioux. Britton is a more user friendly than Delusions of Grandeur. [Click to read]

Dominating is the goal for SCSU [SCSU Times]

Lee, a third-round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, went into his freshman season with a lot of accolades and awards. He was the United States Hockey League Goalie of the Year and USA Hockey Junior Hockey Goalie of the Year in 2009. In preseasons polls of the media and the coaches, he also was the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year.

Last winter, he won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships and started the last six postseason for the Huskies. He also had a 6-7-2 record and a 3.04 goals-against average in WCHA games.

"It was about as good a learning year as anybody could ask for with all of the ups and downs," said Lee, a sophomore who led Roseau to the 2007 Class 2A state high school title. "I went through about everything that somebody could go through in a season. It was good to get that experience under my belt for my freshman year.

"We're looking to build off that year," said Lee, who started in the WCHA championship game and won an NCAA first-round playoff game. "The more times you play for championships, the better your odds are. That's our goal, to keep putting ourselves in those situations."

Dominating? Yeah! Uh, oh, OK! I have been on record as saying that I think that Mike Lee is over rated and that Dan Dunn is the better of the two goalies for the SCSU Huskies. Last season Mike Lee folded in the big games in college and on the World stage. Lee was pulled in the WJC against Canada in the championship game, pulled in the Final Five against UND and was 0-3 UND last season (4-0 L, 8-1 L, 5-3 L), in fact Mike Lee only finished one game against the Sioux last season a 4-0 loss in November. On the flip side of that goalie combo Dunn was 2-0 against UND.

UND Fighting Sioux hockey Season on... First off the Seawolves.

The UND Fighting Sioux travel to Anchorage Alaska to play in the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska. Game time is at 11:07 pm Grand Forks, ND time. You can watch the game on FSSN Channel 27 or listen to the game on 96.1 or via the internet on FightingSioux.com. The Fighting Sioux radio broadcast between UND and UAA is free but requires that you register at FightingSioux.com.

Here are some of the key returning players for the Fighting Sioux

Forwards

Danny Kristo Soph, 15g-21a-36pts
Matt Frattin Sr, 11g-8a-19pts
Jason Gregoire Jr, 20g-17a-37pts
Brett Hextall Jr, 14g-12a-26pts
Evan Trupp Sr, 8g-26a-34pts

Defense

Derrick LaPoint Sr 2g-20a-22pts
Jake Marto Sr, 5g-13a-18pts
Ben Blood Jr, 5g-9a-14pts
Chay Genoway SR, 4g-6a-10pts

Goalie

Brad Eidsness Jr, 24-10-4, 2.11 GAA, SV% .914

Here are some of the key returning players for the UAA Seawolves.

Forward

Tommy Grant Sr, 9g-17a-26pts
Sean Wiles Sr, 9g-8a-17pts
Craig Parkinson Sr, 6g-5a-11pts
Jade Portwood Jr,3g-2a-5pts

Defensemen

Nick Haddad Sr, 5g-5a-10gpts
Luka Vidmar Sr, 2-g10a-12pts
Brad Gorham Jr, 0g-5a-10pts
Chris Crowell So, 0g-0a-0pts

Goalie

Dusan Sidor So, 0-0-0 6.00 GAA SV% .846
Rob Gunderson Fr.
Chris Kamal Fr.

Comparing the two teams

UND averages 6'0.07" and 187.96 lbs.
UAA averages 6'0.71" and 187.13 lbs.

UND record against UAA the last 12 games 7-4-1

UND has a 4-4 in it's last 8 games in Anchorage.

Read what the College Hockey News has to say about the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska.

All the more reason for the defense to stay strong.

"On the flip side, we need to manufacture more shots that lead to an increase in goal production," said Shyiak. "We want to be a team that is tough to play against and keep teams scoring chances to a minimum."

North Dakota, coming off a 5-2 exhibition victory over Manitoba, has epitomized consistency during the past decade-plus, reaching the NCAA tournament in 13 of the last 14 years, including each of the last eight. Last year, the Sioux fell to Yale in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Still, six of the Sioux's seven 20-point scorers from a season ago return this year, so it's no wonder that talk of the Frozen Four is already swirling around Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. In addition, Chay Genoway returns to the Fighting Sioux defensive corps after a concussion kept him out of last season.

Genoway played regular shifts in North Dakota's win over Manitoba last week.

Familiar faces returning to WCHA

Kevin Pates from the Duluth News Tribune has a nice article about the two new teams that will begin play in the WCHA this season. I have a feeling that the WCHA is going to get to know Tom Serratore and Dean Blais’ teams pretty quick as both coaches like to play an up tempo race horse hockey type of game.

Duluth News Tribune ---- The newest members of the league — Serratore with Bemidji State and Blais with Nebraska-Omaha — begin 2010-11 play in the next two weeks. On Tuesday, they were warmly welcomed by fellow WCHA head coaches during a media conference call. They needed no introduction.

Serratore, 46, is entering his ninth year as Bemidji State’s head coach with a mark of 140-120-29. He was a St. Cloud State assistant for five years in the WCHA from 1993-99.

Blais, 59, is entering his second year at Omaha and spent 10 seasons in the WCHA as North Dakota’s head coach with a 262-115-33 record. He had another nine years as a North Dakota assistant and played for Minnesota from 1969-73.

“It’s an exciting time in Bemidji, something we’ve dreamt of for years,” said Serratore, who grew up in Coleraine and was a Bemidji State hockey captain. “The longtime goal of this program has been to be a member of the WCHA, and it’s nice to see it come to fruition.

“All of northern Minnesota and the Iron Range has been looking forward to this, and we hope to compete day-in-and-day-out with the teams in our league.”

Bemidji State knocked on the WCHA’s door with the demise of College Hockey America. Nebraska-Omaha was then courted by WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod to make the league an even dozen members, the largest size since its inception in 1951.

Bemidji State, which grew to national small-college stature under Bob Peters, has been in three NCAA Division I tournaments the past six years. The Beavers were 23-10-4 last season, won the College Hockey America regular-season title and lost to Michigan 5-1 in the NCAA Midwest Regional’s first round. The four-team College Hockey America then dissolved.

Bemidji State opens its first WCHA season in impressive fashion with the christening of the $44 million, 4,500-seat Bemidji Regional Event Center on Oct. 15 against North Dakota.

Inside Fighting Sioux hockey

The inaugural season of Inside Fighting Sioux hockey. It will be a weekly show that will go on for 23 weeks. I guess you could say that it will be the inaugural and well probably last season of Inside Fighting Sioux hockey. Next year UND will drop the Fighting Sioux logo and who knows what will happen.

The NHL season is here...

s/t to Brad "Sioux Rube" Schack for the video, I took it from his Face Book page. I am pumped, today is the opening day of the NHL season and I will be able to watch the Wild game at 11:00 on Versus. I already bought my subscription to NHL Center Ice, this season it's 170.00 plus dollars. Yikes! I predict that finally the Boston Bruins will win the Stanley Cup.

UPDATE - Season opener...

Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom with a new goalie mask.

Martin Havlat with a new number he is now 24.

The newest member of the Minnesota Wild former SCSU Husky Matt Cullen wearing number 7.

First goal for the 2010 - 2011 NHL season - MIN Guillaume Latendresse (1) Wrist Shot - Assists: M. Koivu (1) & K. Brodziak (1).

19:50 Carolina Brandon Sutter (Jussi Jokinen, Jamie Mcbain) PP... Former Wisconsin Badger Jamie Mcbain with the assist.

Derek Boogaard, noted fighter, will be looked at to do more than brawl with Rangers: John Tortorella

This is an interesting article that some Wild fans might be interested, if anything it’s an entertaining read. Also, I didn't realize it had been that long since Boogeyman had scored a goal. Let’s be real and who are we kidding? Derek Boogaard's only hockey skill is to fight and his specialty is beating the crap out of goons and if people expect him to do anything else it's silly. Also, Boogaard is very effective scowling and waving his finger at the opposition on the player’s bench. Now; don’t get me wrong I enjoy watching him beat the crap out of out players but he isn’t worth the money the Rangers are going to pay him.

When John Tortorella talks about Derek Boogaard, he does so with a tiptoeing delicacy that stands in stark contrast to the subject.

"We all know what his biggest strength is," the coach says on more than one occasion when asked about the 6-7 mountain of a man who signed a four-year, $6.5 million contract with the Rangers this summer. "It's still in our game. Guys feel more comfortable when a guy like that is around."

Boogaard has not scored a regular-season goal since Jan. 7, 2006, and he would love to end his 222-game drought. It's just that scoring isn't what earns him seven figures. [Read more]

When I read this quote, it's very hard to me not to snicker or to break into uncotrolled laughter. "Yeah Right." You're kidding right? If Boogey scores more than 3 goals I would be surprised.

"I'm not sure how he was treated in Minnesota - if he was just told to go out and fight - that's not what we're looking for here," said the coach. "He'll have his opportunities to do that, but we also want to try to help him become a better player and help us by adding some minutes to our lineup."

Boogaard welcomed that challenge. He struggled through the conditioning tests at the beginning of training camp, but made it through, and he hopes that will allow him to get in the box score for something other than fighting penalties. That's what he did in the preseason, scoring on Friday against Ottawa. But he is still waiting for the real thing. [Read more]

WCHA Website/Blogger Preseason Poll - Sioux the run away winner.

I participated in the Inaugural WCHA Website/Blogger Preseason Poll and here is how the vote played out. I am pretty sure I know who gave Duluth the first place vote. :)

1. North Dakota (12) 177
2. St. Cloud (2) 158
3. Duluth (1) 154
4. Denver 125
5. Minnesota 117
6. Wisconsin 113
7. Nebraska-Omaha 81
8. Colorado College 77
9. Bemidji State 73
10. Minnesota State 39
11. Michigan Tech 30
12. Alaska-Anchorage 26

WCHA Player of the Year:

Jack Connolly-Duluth (6)
Garrett Roe-St. Cloud (5)
Jacob Cepis-Minnesota (1)
Chay Genoway-North Dakota (1)
Jason Gregoire North Dakota (1)
Matt Read-Bemidji (1)

WCHA Rookie of the Year:

Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College (6)
Beau Bennett-Denver (2)
Derek Forbort-North Dakota (2)
Nick Bjugstad-Minnesota (1)
Erik Haula-Minnesota (1)
Matt White-Nebraska Omaha (1)
Mark Zengerle-Wisconsin (1)
Sam Rendle-Bemidji (1)

Voters:

Goon-Goons World (North Dakota)
RWD-Runnin' With The Dogs (Duluth)
Brandon-Sioux Yeah Yeah! (North Dakota)
Chuck Schwartz-Sixty Minutes (Wisconsin)
Exile on Dayton Street-Sixty Minutes (Wisconsin)
Gandalf The Red-Sixty Minutes (Wisconsin)
Hammy-Gopher Hockey Blog (Minnesota)
Dirty-Dirty's Diatribe (North Dakota)
Jeremy-Husky Hockey Blog (St. Cloud)
USAFA Bulldog-The DECC is Stacked (Duluth)
Jon-Mav Puck (Nebraska-Omaha)
Fade to black and gold-Michigan Tech Hockey Blog (Michigan Tech)
Exiled One-College Hockey Recruit Exchange & DaHuskies.com (St. Cloud)
Donald - Delusions of Grandeur (Anchorage)
Millsy-The Beaver Pond (Bemidji)

Here is my ballot

1.) UND
2.) SCSU
3.) UMD
4.) DU
5.) UW
6.) UMN
7.) UNO
8.) BSU
9.) CC
10.) MSU
11.) UAA
12.) MTU

Poy Chay Genoway-UND
ROY Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College