Miami continues dominance over WCHA teams.

Last season I wrote a blog post on the Miami RedHawks and how they have had a nice run against the WCHA and the last team to beat them was the Fighting Sioux. Well! That run has continued, as the Huskies laid another egg against the RedHawks last weekend in the National Hockey Center getting beat 6-3 the first night and only a 1-1 tie on Saturday night against the Miami RedHawks.

The SCSU goaltender Sophomore Mike Lee was lit up again on Friday night, giving up 6 goals on 25 shots. Incidentally, SCSU Huskies head hockey coach Bob Motzko is also an unimpressive 0-4 against the RedHawks. Ok, before someone is going to ask me what my point is? It's simple. good teams have to beat other good NCAA playoff teams in their building if they are going to be looked at as a legitimate contender. So far this season SCSU has been shelled by Clarkson 6-2 and Miami 6-3.

Goon's World --- Here is the last 6 games that Miami has played against WCHA teams.

October 8th 2005 UND 3 Miami 0
October 6th 2006 Miami 5 DU 2
December 27, 2007 Miami 2 SCSU 1 O.T.
March 27, 2009 Miami 4 DU 2
March 28, 2009 Miami 2 UMD 1
October 09, 2009 Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.
October 10, 2009 Miami 2 SCSU 0


Breaking it down further, Mike is right, Miami has done pretty darn good job against the WCHA teams as of late. Both DU and SCSU have both lost their last two games they played to the Miami University RedHawks. Also, the Miami RedHawks beat UMD in last season’s Midwest regional championship game at Mariucci Arena. Incidentally, the last WCHA team to beat Miami University was the Fighting Sioux 3-0 in Lefty McFadden Invitational on October 8th 2005 when Jordan Parise got a shut out against the RedHawks. The Fighting Sioux might have to stop that streak if the Huskies can't stop them tonight.

Here is the updated results, the only WCHA team to beat Miami is UND and they have a 1-0-1 record during that time period.

October 8th 2005 UND 3 Miami 0
October 6th 2006 Miami 5 DU 2
December 27, 2007 Miami 2 SCSU 1 O.T.
March 27, 2009 Miami 4 DU 2
March 28, 2009 Miami 2 UMD 1
October 09, 2009 Miami 3 SCSU 2 O.T.
October 10, 2009 Miami 2 SCSU 0
November 28, 2009 UND 5 Miami 5 O.T.
October 15, 2010 Miami 6 SCSU 3
October 16, 2010 Miami 1 SCSU 1 O.T.

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week - Matt Frattin

It would be an understatement to say that Fighting Sioux senior forward Matt Frattin was a big factor in the Sioux sweep of the BSU Beavers, this past weekend... All you have to do is go back and watch the video highlights from Friday's game to see that Fighting Sioux forward Matt Frattin (5- 1- 6) was on fire and for his awesome performance last weekend Frattin was rewarded with the WCHA Player Of the Week.

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Matt Frattin - Sr., F, North Dakota

photoUniversity of North Dakota right winger Matt Frattin, who sparkled offensively in his team's WCHA-opening series sweep at Bemidji State last weekend, is the men's Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Oct. 19, 2010.

A 6-0, 206-pound senior from Toronto, Ont., Frattin scored a three-goal hat trick last Friday (Oct. 15) and then followed up with another goal and an assist last Saturday (Oct. 16) for a five-point series to lead the second-ranked Sioux to a pair of 5-2 conference road wins over host Bemidji State. In Friday's win, Frattin scored a goal in each period with power-play tallies in each of the first two periods, and an empty-netter late in the third. He also had seven shots on goal. On Saturday, Frattin assisted on Evan Trupp's eventual game-winner, then scored with 1:47 left to put UND up 4-2 and clinch the sweep. He was also a +2 in the plus/minus category.

Frattin, who leads the WCHA and ranks second in the NCAA with five goals, now has scored 15 goals in his last 17 games dating back to last Feb. 13. He is a draft choice of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

Also nominated this week were: Jordan George, F, BSU; Eric Kattelus, F, MTU; Jay Barriball, F, UM; Jack Connolly, F, UMD; Rich Purslow, F, UNO; and Jordy Murray, F, UW.

College hockey's landscape is changing, but is there room for UAH?

I know this is a little old but If you haven't seen this article it's worth a look.

The Huntsville Times --- Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez told Madison.com he expects the creation of Big Ten ice hockey to be at the top of the agenda at this month's conference meeting.

"I don't know the logistics - how long it takes to get out of a league, all of that - but I sense that we will move in that direction," he said.

The Chargers, meanwhile, continue to demonstrate patience. Athletic director Jim Harris has paid close attention to the developing situation in college hockey and hopes to keep UAH in a position to reach a conference agreement.

"We're prepared to visit or talk with any conference, and we'd certainly welcome the opportunity to be in this new landscape," Harris said. "We'd hope that if there is pow-wow of these major conferences, they'd at least include us in the talk to understand that we're still ready and still very viable."

The conference most likely to be affected by this forecasted seismic shift would be the CCHA, which currently claims Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State as members. Commissioner Tom Anastos recognized losing three of the conference's top teams is a possibility but isn't scrambling to make changes until he hears something definitive.

"I'd say it's way too early to really speculate on it," Anastos said. "I'm reading all the speculation, but I really don't want to engage in it because it's simply speculation."

Anastos said the CCHA is completing new organizational structures that will continue to evaluate any potential landscape changes, but stopped short of saying what schools it would take into consideration.

"(Our evaluations) aren't triggered because of any particular reason," Anastos said. "We just think it's good business to be constantly evaluating your structure.

Weekend in review

I will include these pictures from this past weekend again. Also, Eric Stromgren from the Bemidji Pioneer has some really nice photos on his blog as well as in the Bemidji Pioneer.

This past weekend I was one of the lucky ones that was able to take in the historic first ever WCHA hockey series between the BSU Beavers and the UND Fighting Sioux at the “new” BREC in Bemidji. My first impression of the BREC is 100% positive and you can mark me down as being impressed with the layout of the building and the grounds. Bemidji gets an “A” for their new building.

From what I can see in my first viewing of the BREC; its an amazing and impressive facility that will even the playing field for the BSU Beavers hockey team as far as recruitment goes, it’s definitely an up grade from the John S Glas Field House.

In walking around in the bowels of the arena I was impressed with the player’s area, the BREC has something like 4 locker rooms; an impressive weight room, that unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of the weight room, none the less, the weight room had equipment that was top of the line. In today’s recruiting environment, those amenities are important features when recruiting players in the WCHA.

BREC fan friendly

While The BREC has a lot of amenities and will give BSU the edge when going for prized recruits in the future; there are also a lot of nice fan friendly amenities that will make the BREC an attractive option for future road trips and improve the hockey viewing experience for the college hockey fan. Like I said before this is not your daddy’s John S Glas Field House college hockey experience anymore, the two arenas don’t compare 46,000,000.00 > 970,000.00.

Based on what I saw last weekend the BREC has room for about 4373 fans (even though I have read somewhere that it seats 4,700) people and it’s the perfect size for a town like Bemidji that has a population that is roughly about 10,000 people. From what I saw the BREC has good site lines and I didn’t hear any complaints from fans about not being able to see the game.

One thing that caught my eye was that the Student section is positioned right behind the visiting goalie for two of the three periods and with their seating configuration allows the BSU student section to stand for the whole game if they would like, because they are not blocking the view of anyone behind them. In other words, they didn’t build luxury suites behind the student section. So that eliminates one problem there.

I was down by the Zamboni door where the Sioux players were leaving the ice surface after the pregame warm ups and it was interesting to see the BSU student section giving the Sioux players the business as they left the ice. The language coming from the stands was probably PG-13 and probably not as coarse as I thought it would be. The Sioux players seemed to enjoy it and smile as they walked off the ice. I have to admit that it was fun to watch the exchange.

The club seating and suite area is really nice and has a few amenities that really stood out to me as well. The club seating area seat approximately 200 fans in seat in the west end of the arena, that area is finished off with a nice bar, which incidentally serves more than Miller Beer products. One person that I know told me that the loneliest person was the Miller Lite beer stand in the lobby out side of the lower bowl of the arena. There is also leather couches in the club seating area to sit on between periods. The rest room facilities in the Club/Suite level area were nice and not crowded at all.

Bemidiji Regional Event Center

Over the weekend many people twittered me and sent me text messages asking me what I thought about the new BREC. Personally, I am excited about the new facility and I will reiterate what I said earlier, the Bemidji Regional Event Center is an improved high end version of the of the United Plains Center or what will now be called the Scheels Arena in Fargo, ND. The city of Bemidji did the BREC right and didn’t do it on the cheap, and they also laid the ground work for some nice expansion in the future.

Eventually, there is going to be a Holiday Inn Express built that will be connected to the BREC. So a person will be able to attend a hockey game and stay right there on the Grounds of the Bemidji Regional Events Center. That would be a plus in the winter when the weather turns bad.

As I mentioned in a paragraph above, one of the amenities from the BREC that I think the fans appreciated was that there is a bigger selection of adult beverages in the lobby of the lower bowl of the arena. Seriously, if you’re a fan that like to consume a beer or two there are more options than Miller Beer products. Also, you can get a mixed drink if you so chose without having to go to an arena bar. The one issue I saw with the mixed drink stand was there appeared to be only one mixed drink stand on the lower level causing long lines to purchase said mixed drink. It’s a minor issue and not a deal breaker. I was also able to purchase a Dunn Brother’s Coffee in the lobby of the BREC. I thought that was a really nice touch.

BSU a first class organization

First, I want to preface this last paragraph to say that I would like to thank the Bemidji Sports Information Director Brad Folkestad for his hospitality and thank him for giving me press credentials and an opportunity to report on the historic first WCHA series between the BSU Beavers and the UND Fighting Sioux.

It was a pleasure to be a part of what transpired this past weekend, BSU is a first class organization that does everything with class and has a lot of pride as an organization. I attended BSU in the early 1990’s before I transferred to UND and BSU is definitely one of my favorite teams and a town that I still consider home, I also graduate from BHS in 1985. I will always fondly remember the campus and town of Bemidji. I will always remember this weekend positively as long as I live.

Kyle Radke, Showing South Texas What Sioux Hockey is all About

Is there life after playing Sioux Hockey? For Kyle Radke there is, actually you could say he never stopped. For his third professional season, Radke signed with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (www.killerbeehockey.com) of the Central Hockey League. Radke is once again a true blue liner whose Sioux roots run deep. That Fighting Sioux intensity is shining through and has helped Radke make an immediate impact in the Killer Bees program. In two games; Radke has three shots on goal and the Bees have zero goals against with him on the ice.

Radke brings with him a great sense of awareness that allows him to know what’s going to happen before the play fully develops, a skill possessed by all good defensemen. His ownership of the blue line shows almost every shift. Radke is able to cut off huge chunks of ice and force opponents to do his bidding.

Radke has seen a lot of playing time and has landed a spot on both the penalty kill and the power play. The Bees took 3 out of 4 points in their opening series against the Laredo Bucks. The Bees won Friday night 4-2 and lost in a 3-4 OT Shootout on Saturday. All three Laredo goals during regulation time on Saturday came in the second period when Radke was off the ice getting his skate repaired. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not, but to me it shows just how valuable Radke is to this team.

With only five returning players on the Bees roster, fans are still adjusting to the new team. But rest assured, by the end of the season everyone will know who Kyle Radke is and what it means to have a Sioux Alum on the ice. Go Sioux!! And now Go Bees Go!!

Des Moines and Dubuque brawl in USHL hockey

I saw this video over on Puck Daddy and it's definitely old time hockey, I would also say that Buccaneers player Garrett Taylor who is wearing the white number nine jersey violated the hockey code because once your opponent hits the ice you're suppose to stop punching them.

Check out this third period of hockey.
Period 3
Dubuque - Andrew Sinelli - (Tripping), 2 min, 1:20
Des Moines - Kevin Irwin - (Delay of Game), 2 min, 14:18
Dubuque - Tyler Lundey - (Cross Checking), 2 min, 14:18
Dubuque - Luke Curadi - (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 14:18
Des Moines - Doug Clifford - (Fighting (Instigator)), 2 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Doug Clifford - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Doug Clifford - (Fighting Game Ejection), 10 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Garrett Taylor - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Garrett Taylor - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:21
Dubuque - Jordan DiGiando - (Roughing), 2 min, 14:21
Dubuque - Shane Sooth - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:21
Dubuque - Shane Sooth - (Fighting Game Ejection), 10 min, 14:21
Des Moines - Patrick Kirtland - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Peter Stoykewych - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Peter Stoykewych - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Logan Nelson - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Logan Nelson - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Tyler Bruggeman - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Tyler Bruggeman - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Brooks Bertsch - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Andrew Sinelli - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Andrew Sinelli - (Fighting Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Colton Saucerman - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Colton Saucerman - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Matt Morris - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Matt Morris - (Fighting Game Misconduct), 10 min, 14:23
Dubuque - Matt Morris - (Crossing Red Line), 2 min, 14:23
Des Moines - Mitch Cain - (Tripping), 2 min, 14:38
Dubuque - T.J. Moor - (Hooking), 2 min, 17:18

Poll Monday - Sioux second in both polls.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[October 18, 2010]
1 Boston College (49) 3-0-0 999 1
2 North Dakota ( 1) 3-0-1 941 2
3 Miami 2-1-1 872 4
4 Michigan 2-0-2 848 3
5 Yale 0-0-0 758 5
6 Minnesota-Duluth 3-0-1 730 7
7 New Hampshire 1-1-1 617 9
8 Boston University 2-0-1 543 10
9 Alaska 3-1-0 514 14
10 Nebraska-Omaha 4-0-0 467 17
11 Denver 1-2-1 443 6
12 Maine 1-1-2 429 8
13 Cornell 0-0-0 406 12
14 St. Cloud State 1-2-1 368 11
15 Wisconsin 3-1-0 341 15
16 Michigan State 1-0-1 267 20
17 Notre Dame 3-1-0 242 19
18 Union 3-1-0 236 16
19 Colorado College 2-1-1 126 18
20 Minnesota 2-2-0 118 13
Others Receiving Votes: Michigan Tech 61, Robert Morris 42, Ferris State 27, Rensselaer 27, Colgate 25, Vermont 19, Bemidji State 12, Rochester Institute of Technology 10, Merrimack 8, Quinnipiac 2, Massachusetts-Lowell 1, Western Michigan 1

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
[October 18, 2010]
1 Boston College 510 (34) 1 3-0-0
2 University of North Dakota 473 2 3-0-1
3 University of Michigan 413 3 2-0-2
4 Miami University 409 4 2-1-1
5 University of Minnesota Duluth 333 7 3-0-1
6 Yale University 324 5 0-0-0
7 University of New Hampshire 250 9 1-1-1
8 Boston University 236 T-10 2-0-1
9 University of Alaska 172 14 3-1-0
10 University of Nebraska Omaha 164 NR 4-0-0
11 University of Maine 134 6 1-1-2
12 Cornell University 113 12 0-0-0
13 University of Denver 107 8 1-2-1
14 University of Wisconsin 102 15 3-1-0
15 St. Cloud State University 71 T-10 1-2-1
Others receiving votes: Union College 63, University of Minnesota 59, Michigan State University 53, University of Notre Dame 38, Michigan Tech University 27, Colorado College 16, Robert Morris University 7, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 4, Ferris State University 1, Rochester Institute of Technology 1.

They said...

Am I the only one that has a problem with quotation? I can’t be. This is why I think the WCHA office should be moved out of Denver. The refs try to give DU some home cooking and still can't seal the deal. Sounds eerily familiar to game that took place between DU and UND last season in Denver.

Mike Chambers Denver Post --- Tough weekend for the new-look Pioneers, who were awful on the power play (0-of-9) Saturday night and lost 3-0 to top-ranked Boston College. The Eagles, who won 6-2 on Friday, committed 11 of the game’s 17 penalties and had just three power plays, but still managed to outshoot DU 33-20.

Some might say — and I’m not one of them — that DU owes thanks to the all-WCHA referring provided by Todd Anderson and Brad Shepherd, who gave DU eight of the game’s first nine power plays. If it was even-up most of the game, I’m betting BC puts up another six goals.

Profound words by former Fighting Sioux and current UNO Maverick head coach Dean Blais. It used to be hard for the opposition to win in Mariucci Arena, how the mighty have fallen.

Chad Purcell, World-Herald Staff Writer--- The No. 17 Mavericks won their fourth straight to open the season Saturday night, punctuating a perfect weekend at Mariucci Arena with a 4-2 victory over 13th-ranked Minnesota. It goes into the books as the first WCHA sweep for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the 9,484 fans inside the Gophers’ famous rink couldn’t have been more stunned by what they saw.

That includes the 100-plus UNO rowdies who made the trip. Their surprise was drenched in joy, however. One of them tossed the symbolic broom onto the ice after the final buzzer, and the red-clad crowd earned a stick salute from the Mavs before they exited the ice.

“To come in here and win two — I’ve had national championship teams at North Dakota that didn’t come in here and win two games,” said UNO coach Dean Blais. “Obviously, I’m very, very happy with the four points.”

Wheels coming off in Minnesota?

I am not sure what to make out of last weekends UNO Maverick sweep of the Minnesota Golden Gophers? The Gophers looked horrible on defense and their goaltending also looked suspect. My first question would be are the Gophers as bad as they looked on television or are the Mavericks that good? That question will be answered in a few weeks after we play a few more series. One thing was evident; Dean Blais and his staff were prepared for the Gophers this past weekend. If it hadn’t been for the life line from the refs on Friday; (Box Score) the refs called UNO for five straight penalties after UNO scored their fourth goal. So; we will never know if the game would have been as close, if the Gophers hadn't gotten a bunch of power plays.

I am also considering suggesting that the Minnesota Gophers hockey team change their team colors to orange and white to so they would resemble big orange road cones, as the opposition blows by them on defense.

TOUGH LOSSES FOR LUCIA

Gophers coach Don Lucia probably took the sweep hard. He knows all three UNO coaches well.

Mavericks coach Dean Blais said he has been friends with Don for 30 years. But it's Blais that critics of Lucia most often mention as the best candidate to succeed him if he gets fired. WCHA finishes of seventh, fifth and seventh have left Lucia a little vulnerable even with two NCAA titles on his resume in 2002 and '03.

Fans have short memories and all the empty seats at Mariucci have to be troubling. Crowds were better for the UNO series, but every section still had open seats in most rows.

Joel Maturi, the Gophers' athletric director stopped by the press box in the middle of the game but didn't stay long. He had the Tim Brewster issue to deal with.

But it was not a good day in hockey for the U of M either. The North Dakota women's hockey team completes a sweep of the Gophers at Ridder Arena, then the UNO men sweep the Gophers at Mariucci. Who would have thunk it?

Sioux second in INCH Power Rankings

The boys from INCH are doing their power rankings again and the WCHA didn't fair that well this weekend and it shows in the rankings.

1. Boston College
2. North Dakota 1 The Sioux welcomed Bemidji State to the WCHA and even let them have the puck every so often, to the tune of 36 shots in two games. 3-0-1 (2-0-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Bemidji State, 5-2; W at Bemidji State, 5-2. THIS WEEK: at Maine, at Maine...
3. Michigan
4. Miami
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Yale
7. Alaska
8. New Hampshire
9. Boston University
10. Union
11. Denver
12. Michigan State
13. Maine
14. Notre Dame
15. Wisconsin
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. Rensselaer
18. Cornell
19. St. Cloud State
20. Robert Morris
Dropped out: Minnesota, RIT

Bubble-licious: Colgate, Colorado College, Michigan Tech

Pictures from this past weekend. (Sioux and Beavers)

Here are some pictures from this weekend's series. While my camera is old and it's definitely not the professional grade Stalker-Razzi camera that some have but it's all that I have. The BREC is a nice place and I was told by a source in Bemidji to pass on that BREC is not 90 Million dollar facility it's more like 44-46 million. Here is the link to the financials of the BREC.

Sioux 5 Beavers 2 (Video)

Thanks to RedFrogND for loading the video of courtesy of Lake Land Public Television.

Scores from 10-16-2010

Saturday, October 16

Union 4 vs Alaska Anchorage 3
Bentley 0 at Rensselaer 3
Bowling Green 3 at Clarkson 0
Michigan 3 at New Hampshire 3 OT
Massachusetts 2 at Boston University 2 OT
Connecticut 1 at Merrimack 7
Elliott Lake 2 at Finlandia 8
Bradford Rattlers 0 at Oswego 17
Colorado College 1 at Alaska 2
St. Lawrence 0 at Ferris State 3
UMass Lowell 4 at RIT 4 OT
Western Michigan 1 at Mercyhurst 0
North Dakota 5 at Bemidji State 2
Boston College 3 at Denver 0

Minnesota State 5 at Michigan Tech 5 OT
Providence 1 at Minnesota Duluth 7
Nebraska-Omaha 4 at Minnesota 2
Miami 1 at St. Cloud State 1 OT
Brock 2 at Colgate 3

Analysis

Gophers and Pioneers both were swept by their opponents this weekend, the Gophers didn't look impressive at all in losing to the UNO Mavericks on home ice. The fans in Minnesota are now in full fire Don Lucia mode. Miami took a win and a tie against the SCSU Huskies. Alaska Anchorage was swept twice this weekend in the Alaskan Goal Rush tourney.

Sioux and Beavers game two...

Even though I have the lines sheet in front of me, I stole them from Brad. This new lap top sucks. 10.0 size screen and small key board.

UND’s lines

17 Jason Gregoire–10 Corban Knight–26 Brett Hextall
19 Evan Trupp–22 Brad Malone–21 Matt Frattin
9 Mario Lamoureux–29 Brock Nelson–7 Danny Kristo
27 Carter Rowney–11 Derek Rodwell

2 Andrew MacWilliam–5 Chay Genoway
4 Derek Forbort–24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint–25 Jake Marto
18 Dillon Simpson

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness

Bemidji State’s lines

28 Jordan George–19 Matt Read–22 Ian Lowe
18 Radoslav Illo–11 Shea Walters–15 Ryan Cramer
17 Jamie MacQueen–13 Drew Fisher–16 Emil Billberg
7 Brance Orban–12 Jeff Jubinville–6 Darcy Findlay

8 Jake Areshenko–29 Brad Hunt
20 Sam Rendle–3 Ryan Adams
4 Dan MacIntyre–25 Brady Wacker

33 Dan Bakala
35 Mathieu Dugas

Score Board

Period 1

Sioux 1 Beavers 1

UND - Genoway from Marto and Knight
BSU - George from Lowe and Hunt
shots Sioux 6 - Beavers 9

Period 2

Sioux 3 - BSU 2

BSU - Read from Hunt
UND - Rodwell from Lamoureux and Nelson
UND - Trupp from Genoway and Frattin

Shots Sioux 9 - Beavers 13

Period 3

Sioux 5 - 2 Final

UND - Frattin from Malone
UND - Hextall EN

Shots Sioux 9 - Beavers 3

Goon's Three Stars
1. Frattin (1g-1a-2pts)
2. Genoway (1g-1a-2pts)
3. Dan Bakala goalie BSU

Sioux 5 Beavers 2

Here are a few links from last night's game. I plan on putting something up at the end of the weekend, as I posted yesterday I had a laptop malfuction and I my computer is in route back from the Best Buy geek squad and I didn't have access to anything but the blackberry. I will be back up in the press box for tonight game at the BREC and will be posting some pictures when I get home that I took from the weekend. The BREC is a nice building and here are some of the pictures that I took with my blackberry.

UND rallies, dominates Beavers in BREC opener - Bemidji Pioneer.

Pioneer beat writer Eric Stromgren has some photos.

Green and white landscape greets Beaver hockey opener - Bemidji Pioneer

Brad Schlossman's blog has the story line as well.

Frattin foils arena opening - Grand Forks Herald


Official Box score for the game [Box Score].

Goon's three stars of the game

1. Matt Frattin 3g-0a-3pts 7/E
2. Jason Gregoire 2g-0a-2pts 3/+2
3. Derek Forbort 0-2-2 0/+2

Thanks to RedFrogND for down loading the video Courtesy of Lake Land Public Television.

Beavers and Sioux game on.

The Sioux and the Beavers open up WCHA play in the new BREC tonight at 7:37 pm. This is also not the first official event to take place on the ice of the BREC. The first official game that took place this afternoon in the BREC between the BSU Beavers and Mercyhurst Lakers in Woman College Hockey. The Beavers lost the inaugural game 4-0. This is a picture from the press box off of my blackberry.
Tonight's game is on B2 Network and on MIDCO 597.

 UND just sent out a release saying that this weekend’s games will be available on most Midcontinent systems on Channel 597. I’m also told you should check PBS, which is Channel 13 in Grand Forks.

I also attended the Beaver Pride Luncheon (I was not able to find a shirt that says "Beaver Pride" yet) and both coaches were very complimentary of each other and their teams. I did have audio of the event but I sat so far away from the speakers my blackberry only was able to pick up the crowds laughter. I swear those phones are way over priced and over rated. You can follow my Tweets on Twitter as I will not have my laptop this weekend in the press box. I had a laptop malfunction last week and my crappy laptop is enroute back to Best Buy from their repair center. The voice of the Beavers Scott Williams was nice enough to let me use his desk top.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Last week I was in Alaska to watch the Sioux play, and take in some tourist sights. Thus I have been busy at work this week, and I’m just now getting to put together a little article for this weekend’s games. PICTURE - It's hard looking into sun, that is Mt. McKinley in the background, the tallest peak in North America at 20,320 feet.


A quick look back, to last year’s final standings


FINAL 2009-2010 WCHA STANGINGS


TEAM………………......W-L-T….PTS
1 Denver--------------------19-5-4….42
2 Wisconsin----------------17-8-3….37
3 St. Cloud State---------15-9-4….34
4 North Dakota-----------15-10-3…33
5 Minnesota-Duluth----16-11-1…33
6 Colorado College-----12-13-3…27
7 Minnesota---------------12-14-2…26
8 Minnesota State---------9-17-2…20
9 Alaska-Anchorage-----9-17-2…20
10 Michigan Tech---------4-24-0….8


WCHA games

Minnesota State @ Michigan Tech
This is the first league games of the season, both teams will want to get off to a good start and get some points this weekend. I’m thinking both these teams need to get points early and often if they want to stay out of the league basement this year. I’m going to call this opening series a SPLIT.


#2 North Dakota @ Bemidji State
I got to watch the Sioux play last weekend at Sullivan arena. It was a nice arena, they even serve beer there too. UND looked good in half of Friday’s game (vs UAA) and all of Saturday’s game (vs UAF). This is the home opener in the new arena for the Beavers, so no doubt they will be fired up. I think UND will be ready for the challenge this weekend. The Beavers are going to take a few lumps this year with a grinding conference schedule. I’m going with the #2 team in the country, SIOUX SWEEP.


#17 Nebraska-Omaha @ #13 Minnesota
Dean Blais is back coacing in the WCHA, and he starts out versus his alma mater, the Gophers. Lets face it, the UM has been a disappointment to their fans the last three years. I don’t know if things in Minneapolis are going to change this year…With UNO being a new team in the league, I’m going to give them a chance this weekend, let’s call it the Blais-factor. SPLIT FINAL 2009-2010 WCHA STANGINGS


NON-CONFERENCE

#1 Boston College @ #6 Denver
Even though I really dislike both the schools, it would be a good series to watch. I know it is early in the season, but I have to do what is best for the WCHA and pick the Pioneers to win one. I would say sweep, but BC has too much talent.


#4 Miami @ #11 St. Cloud
This should be another good match up to watch this weekend. The Huskies are one of favorites to finish in the top 3 in the WCHA this year. I win or sweep of the RedHawks would go a long way, to show that they are a top tier team to take seriously. SPLIT.


Providence @ #7 Minnesota-Duluth
The Friars from Providence invade Duluth for a pair of games. I don’t know much about Providence, they are the only other team jersey that I would buy (other than the Sioux) I really like that skating Friar logo, sweet. The only way I see the Friars getting a win this weekend is if the Bulldogs are really distracted by their opponents cool sweaters; I’m going to say the Bulldogs SWEEP.


Alabama-Huntsville @ #13 Wisconsin (Friday & Sunday)
The Chargers will have a tough task taking on the Badgers in Madison. There is also a little football game in Madison this weekend too, they host Ohio State. So perhaps the hockey team might be a little distracted by that. But, I don’t think that distraction will be enough for Bucky to drop a game. BADGERS SWEEP.



Alaska Gold Rush Tournament

#18 Colorado College vs Alaska-Anchorage(fri), vs #14 Alaska (sat)
The Tigers versus the Seawolves is a non-conference game, just like last Friday when the Sioux and UAA tangled. UAA didn’t look too bad last weekend, just like in years past if you look past them, they will beat you. And I’m going to say CC is looking past them to the Nanooks on Saturday. UAA wins. I think the Tigers will rebound on Saturday and take out the Nanooks, CC wins.


Union vs Alaska-Anchorage
Seawolves win, they actually win a tournament, and at home too.

Bemidji State men's hockey set to open WCHA play, BREC vs. North Dakota

It's game time, no tickets to be had.

Bemidji Pioneer ---The players are anxious. The coaches are anxious. The fans are anxious.

The community is anxious …

It’s time to drop the puck and get this thing started.

The Bemidji State men’s hockey team is geared up for an historic weekend, opening a new arena as a full-fledged member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Beavers start the historic 2010-11 season today, hosting national power North Dakota (No. 2 nationally) at the recently completed Bemidji Regional Event Center. Game time is set for 7:37 p.m. Friday.

The series is a sell-out and the hottest ticket for an event in Bemidji in many, many years.

“We’re ready to play hockey,” said BSU head coach Tom Serratore. “It’s going to be a weekend full of excitement, but we need to focus on the task at hand – competing against the top ranked team in our league.”

UND MEN’S HOCKEY: Bemidji State gets its wish

Not everyone thinks the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team or UND Fighting Sioux hockey Coach Dave Hakstol are rude. Just for the record if I get out of bed tomorrow I am going to luncheon at the BREC at 1130 am where I can listen to both coaches speak about this weekend's match up and the new hockey arena.

Grand Forks Herald --- (Serratore said) “We respect their program so much,” said Serratore, who is entering his 10th season as head coach of the Beavers. “They came and played us at the John Glas Fieldhouse when we were emerging as a D-I program. I look at those guys as great ambassadors to the game.

“They were the only team we really wanted to open up with. I’m glad that they can share this event with us.”

There’s no doubt that UND had a role in helping the Bemidji State program to this day. It was former Sioux coach Bob Peters who led the Beavers through NAIA, NCAA Division III and NCAA Division II levels before hitting the big time. He will drop a ceremonial first puck tonight.

In 2001, UND became the first national powerhouse to travel to Bemidji to play in a two-game, Division I series. The Sioux made subsequent trips to Bemidji in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

UND also lobbied in support of Bemidji State’s acceptance into the WCHA when it appeared the Beavers had no other conference options.

“They took care of us,” Serratore said.

So, when the WCHA released the 2010-11 schedule, Serratore publicly thanked the league for accommodating Bemidji State’s request.

Tonight, reality sinks in for the Beavers.

McLeod excited about 12-team league, new arenas

I guess you could say that I am excited as well of the new team and buildings that will grace the WCHA this season. While some fans weren’t excited about adding the two new teams to the WCHA, I was excited. I mean I get it; I can see why some WCHA fans were upset about adding BSU and UNO; one of the main reasons was that it meant less of the "attractive big money matchups" against teams like the Badgers, Pioneers and Gophers. I think in the long run the changes (the two new teams) will make the WCHA a better league.

Another thing that I am really excited about is that my favorite team the Fighting Sioux is going to be the guest at both new arenas grand openings. Nothing would make me more happy than watching UND beat UMD in the opening of their new arena.

Goal Gophers --- McLeod said he is also impressed by the commitment that Bemidji and Duluth made to build new arenas. The $70-million AMSOIL arena is nearing completion in Duluth. North Dakota will play against UMD in the first game in the new arena on Dec. 30.

"They are mothballing the old DECC [the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center] on Dec. 30," McLeod said, "and I played in that first game at the DECC."

McLeod was playing for the UMD Bulldogs when they beat the Gophers 8-1 on Nov. 19, 1966 in the first WCHA game at the DECC.

Said McLeod, "So looking forward: two new teams, two new buildings and then of course, the changes in our Final Five, kind of the jewel of the season for the WCHA, our tournament in St. Paul at the Xcel Center. A new format there and I look at it as a very positive thing.

"We are obviously going to continue to call it the Final Five because we will have five games there, but we will have six teams with preset brackets. [Nos.] 1 and 2 get a bye, 3 and 6 and 4 and 5 play on Thursday. 1 and 2 play the winners on Friday. And then we have that wrinkle, the championship on Saturday night, but an afternoon game, an NHL game [the Wild vs. Columbus] which we hope will be a treat for a lot of people that come to our tournament and don't get to see an NHL game a lot.

"I could not be more excited, even at my age."