Sioux 4 Pioneers 3 - No Dasher Dancing tonight

Ho Hum, that is how I would describe this evening game between two teams that are supposed to be bitter rivals that hate each other. This is one of those series that traditionally is supposed to look like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. Unfortunately; this game was really clean, almost boring and there were only four penalties in the entire game.

The part that is even more unbelievable was that the UND Fighting Sioux ended up getting three power play and Denver only got one power play through sixty minutes of hockey. I suppose the Denver head coach George Gwozdecky will call his coffee drinking buddy WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod and lobby for a few more power plays tomorrow night; of course I am kidding but it does seem odd that this game wasn't a parade to the penalty box with at least three scrums. There wasn't any international choking signs, dances on the dasher or walks across the ice. In fact the DU coach never left the bench to enter the playing surface. There wasn't even a conference between the Refs and the DU coach at the DU bench.

I actually expect tomorrows game to be more spirited, more contested. Just not your typical grudge match between the two teams that are supposed to hate each other. What next a hug at center ice after the game showing solidarity? God I hope not.

Defensive Juggernaut?

While the Sioux won the game I am still concerned with the goaltending and the team defense, tonight I saw a few things that concerned me. I know it’s early but the goaltending numbers so far this season are brutal and what I would consider unacceptable and subpar, None the less, seven games into the hockey season and the Fighting Sioux don’t have a goalie with a save percentages over 90 percent. You’re not going to win a lot of hard fought close hockey games with that poor of defensive numbers like that, things have to tighten up if the Fighting Sioux are going to win some hockey games.

Now I know that Matt Donovan is an elite player but on his goal in the second period, he skated around the entire Sioux hockey team before slipping the puck through the goaltenders pads, I mean seriously! That was embarrassing that no one challenged him. That can’t happen. I just hope the Sioux are better tomorrow night.

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[Box Score]
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1st Period (20:00)
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DEN 1 - 0 6x6 Jason Zucker (3) (Shawn Ostrow, John Ryder)6:19
DEN (+): 17,26,24,10,15,G1 NDK (-): 7,5,29,2,27,G32
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Dillon Simpson (1) (Jason Gregoire, Corban Knight)11:51
NDK (+): 18,7,17,26,24,G32 DEN (-): 17,18,24,14,21,G1
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2nd Period (20:00)
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DEN 2 - 1 6x6 Matt Donovan (3) (unassisted) 1:53
DEN (+): 4,11,10,26,16,G1 NDK (-): 7,27,29,18,24,G32
DEN-1 Drew Shore (2-Hooking) NDK 0x1 3:32
DEN-2 Matt Donovan (2-Holding) NDK 0x2 6:00
NDK 2 - 2 6x6 Michael Cichy (1) (Mario Lamoureux, Derrick LaPoint)9:04
NDK (+): 8,9,3,11,25,G32 DEN (-): 24,14,19,6,18,G1
NDK 3 - 2 6x6 LL Corban Knight (3) (Brett Hextall, Jason Gregoire)16:43
NDK (+): 10,26,17,2,5,G32 DEN (-): 16,18,4,14,21,G1
DEN-3 Beau Bennett (2-Elbowing) NDK 1x3 19:57
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3rd Period (20:00)
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NDK 4 - 2 6x5 PP GW Corban Knight (4) (Danny Kristo, Brock Nelson)1:13
NDK: 17,10,7,5,29,G32 DEN: 17,6,15,24,G1
NDK-1 Danny Kristo (2-Hooking) DEN 0x1 5:05
DEN 3 - 4 6x6 Jason Zucker (4) (Beau Bennett, Drew Shore)10:37
DEN (+): 17,9,15,24,10,G1 NDK (-): 10,11,24,18,8,G32
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End of Game
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Goon's Three Stars of the game

1. Corbin Knight (2g-1a-3pts)
2. Jason Gregoire (0g-2-a-2pts)
3. Brett Hextall (0g-1a-1pts)

Links to the game

DU loses at North Dakota 4-3 [Denver Post]

Sioux erase bad memories with win over Denver [Grand Forks Herald]

Lines for the Sioux tonight

Someone commented that it was my fault that the Sioux lost because I didn't post the Sioux lines so here they are. I will post updates on Twitter for the those that like to text me during the games. You can read them here [twiter.com/goon48]

UND lines - Forward(s)

Jason Gregoire - Corbin Knight - Brett Hextall
Evan Trupp - Brad Malone - Matt Frattin;
Danny Kristo - Brock Nelson- Carter Rowney
Mike Cichy - Mario Lamoureux - Derek Rodwell

Defense

Andrew MacWilliam - Chay Genoway
Derrick LaPoint - Jake Marto
Dillon Simpson - Ben Blood

Goalie
Aaron Dell
Backup Brad Eidsness

Derek Forbort, Brett Bruneteau, Joe Gleason.

DU Lines - Forwards


19 Kyle Ostrow–14 Jesse Martin–18 Luke Salazar
11 Chris Knowlton–16 Anthony Maiani–9 Beau Bennett
17 Jason Zucker–15 Drew Shore–26 Shawn Ostrow
22 Jarrod Mermis–27 Dan Olszewski–37 Nate Dewhurst

Defense

4 Matt Donovan–6 Chris Nutini
5 John Lee–21 William Wrenn
24 John Ryder–10 David Makowski

Goalies

1 Sam Brittain
28 Josh Rosenholtz

Denver athletic department is losing 7 million a year.

Wow! I found this article in the Denver Post this morning when I was conducting a visual recon of the opposition’s newspaper and I must say; that is a lot of money.

The Denver Post --- Despite having one of the country's premier hockey programs, the University of Denver athletic department is operating on an annual budget deficit of more than $7 million. The massive shortfall is the result of the school's pledge to remain in NCAA Division I in all sports, as well as its effort to upgrade its struggling men's basketball program.

Athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes said there has been no discussion about Denver returning to Division II in its core sports.

"I believe the chancellor and the board feel very, very, very good about the direction of our program, and confident in the direction of the program," she said in a recent interview. "This university takes pride in that we educate student-athletes. . . . There is no quick fix here."

According to documents obtained by The Denver Post, the DU athletic program lost more than $22 million during a three-year period ending June 30, 2007, the deficits growing from $7.1 million to $7.8 million in the third year. DU is a private school and would not make its recent budgets available.

Brett Hextall on the Pipeline Show...

I was going to put this up the other day but got side tracked. In case you have heard it yet, Brett Hextall was on the Pipeline Show, and you can read their hockey blog Coming Down the Pipe blog here. It's an interesting interview and Dean Millard and Guy Flaming do an awesome job talking to various players from Juniors and NCAA hockey. [Click to listen to the interview]

DU’s Brittain is better than 1-1-2 record

The Media and fan bloggers from Denver have been pretty tame this week and haven’t been their usual belligerent selves. Actually, I am a little disappointed so far. I also believe there has been a lot of sand bagging going on as well.

Denver Post --- DU and true freshman goalie Sam Brittain departed for North Dakota this morning and will begin a two-game WCHA series against the Fighting Sioux Friday night in Grand Forks.

Please look for our series advance in Friday’s paper and catch our blogs and game stories throughout the weekend (I’m traveling Friday). Here are some leftover Brittain items and quotes.

In four games against three quality teams — Vermont, Boston College and Wisconsin (two) –Brittain has allowed just seven combined goals. His 1.70 goals-against average and .940 save percentage ranks sixth and seventh nationally among 62 eligible goalies. (By the way, UND’s Brad Eidsness is 62nd in save percentage, at .762.)
Brittain is 1-1-2, and DU has scored just seven goals in those four games.

“Still looking for those wins,” he said. “The ties are alright but the individual numbers don’t really matter. The only numbers that matter are the W’s for the team.”

Two years ago, Brittain says he remembers thinking about the DU-North Dakota rivalry while playing midget triple-A hockey in Calgary.

In looking at the numbers the better goalie for Denver is going to be playing for the Pioneers this weekend, sophomore goalie Adam Murray who is hurt this weekend has also struggled since he got to Denver, and his numbers aren’t all that impressive 1-1-0. 4.50 GAA and Save Percentage of .859, which is still better than Brad Eidsness’ numbers as noted above. If the Fighting Sioux are going to be successful this weekend they have to get back to basics this weekend, the Fighting Sioux need to concentrate on playing solid defense, moving the puck out of the defensive zone and cutting down on turn over’s down low in the defensive zone but also in teh neutral zone as well.

The Sioux also need to get a good cycle going and set up in the offensive zone and put some heavy sustained pressure on the young Denver Pioneer goalie(s). Lastly, the Fighting Sioux that is usually know for its stellar defense needs to limit shots on their goaltending that has been unimpressive and at times shoddy this season.

EDIT: I misspoke seems as if the smack talk has started and you can go here to get into the act.

Weekly press conference

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Now we are officially going, every team has now played at least two league games, and some have played four (MSUM and UM). This week we almost have a full slate of league games, we have 5 conference match-ups.

WCHA standings

TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
Minnesota-Duluth....2-0-0…4
Nebraska-Omaha…2-0-0…4
North Dakota………2-0-0…4
Denver……………...1-0-1…3
Michigan Tech……..1-0-1…3
Minnesota State…...1-2-1…3
Colorado College…..1-1-0…2
St. Cloud State….....1-1-0…2
Wisconsin…………..1-1-0…2
Minnesota…………..1-3-0…2
Alaska-Anchorage...0-2-0…0
Bemidji State……….0-2-0…0

WCHA

#3 Minnesota-Duluth @ Bemidji State
Last weekend the Bulldogs swept the Seawolves in Duluth, and the Beavers enjoyed a weekend off.

The Bulldogs had to come from behind on Friday and then win in overtime and on Saturday they scored less than a minute into the game, and cruised to a 6-0 win. The Beavers will be at home for their second series in the new BREC (soon to be Sanford Health) arena, and will be itching to win a game or two for the home town crowd. SPLIT.

#20 Minnesota @ #19 Colorado College
Last weekend the Gophers split a series with the SCSU Huskies in Minneapolis, and the Tigers split with the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato.

The Gophers got in the win column on Sunday with an efficient win over SCSU. I watched that game it wasn’t flashy, but effective. It would appear that up to this point both teams have had some problems scoring goals. The team which can finally put the puck in the net will get some wins. SPLIT.

Minnesota State @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Mavericks split with the Tigers in Mankato, and the Seawolves were swept by the Bulldogs in Duluth.

The Mavericks have to make the long trip up to Anchorage this weekend. In the past few years UAA has done pretty well at home, and have gotten some wins against upper level WCHA teams. Both teams were picked in the preseason to finish in the bottom of the league this year. If one of these teams can get more than a split, it will help them to stay in the middle of the pack in this fledgling season. SPLIT.

#12 Denver @ #8 North Dakota
Last weekend the Pioneers took three points from the Badgers in Denver, and the Fighting Sioux were swept by the Black Bears in Maine.

The Sioux managed to rack up penalties to the tune of 14-for-39 minutes on Friday and 12-for-24 minutes on Saturday. They also managed to get a short-handed goal in each game too, Rodwell and Frattin got them. The Sioux need to stay out of the box if they want to win games this season. The upside is UND will be back home for their first “official game” of the season (they played an exhibition game versus U-Manitoba). The Pioneers on the other hand will take to the road for the first time this season. DU has a tough schedule to start the year, they already played Boston College, Wisconsin, and now North Dakota, and next week in-state rival Colorado College. The series between these two old programs has really heated up of the past decade. I hope we have another couple of barn burner games this weekend. Sioux 3-pts.

Michigan Tech @ #18 Wisconsin
Last weekend the Huskies enjoyed a free weekend, and the Badgers got a point from the Pioneers while in Denver.

MTU is off to one of their best starts in a long time, and Wisconsin is in somewhat of a rebuilding year. The Badgers lost a lot of good players to graduation and the pros after last season’s run in the NCAA tournament. This series couldIt is always hard to predict game early in the season, okay, its hard predict them all the time. SPLIT.

NON-CONFERENCE

Quinnipiac @ #17 St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Bobcats beat Holy Cross once, and the Huskies split a series with the Gophers in Minneapolis.

SCSU looked good on Friday against the Gophers, but then again, most teams have looked good against the Gophers this season (I couldn’t resist a little Gopher bashing). Sunday the Huskies looked a little flat, like they were happy knowing they had already gotten a split on the road, and the Gophers played better too, which also factored into the game. I have to go with our beloved WCHA conference in this series. Huskies Sweep.

BYE week
#9 University of Nebraska Omaha – Mavericks

DU Pioneers bit by the injury bug

While the Denver Pioneers have suffered some injuries problems and appear to have broken a mirror in the team locker room, hence the bad luck, the Fighting Sioux hockey team can’t overlook the Denver Pioneers. Let's give credit where credit is due; any team that is lead by Denver head coach George Gwozdecky is a good hockey team, there also appears to be some sandbagging going on in Denver as well. One thing we learned from last season first series with DU is that while the media reports someone as being out and or questionable they seem to show up dressed and ready to play on game day as well, that same scenario happened last season with Chevy their goaltender.

Denver Pioneer --- DU’s maximum 22-player traveling party will feature the 22 players capable of playing at North Dakota this weekend. Weird injuries and illness continue to plague the Pios, who depart for Grand Forks on Thursday and face the Fighting Sioux on Friday and Saturday at Engelstad Arena.

I was at practice today and learned that sophomore goalie Adam Murray and classmate Paul Phillips, a defenseman, will remain in Denver over the weekend. Murray, who missed last weekend’s series against Wisconsin with a groin injury, skated with his gear before practice but then sought treatment during it.

“It’s just slow,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said of Murray’s recovery. “It’s the groin area; that major muscle goaltenders need. It’s improving but very, very slow in improving. He’s going to stay home and continue to rehab and hopefully start skating and practicing next week.”

Phillips, who has played in all six games this season, is out after suffering complications from a dry, bloody nose. True story. He required nasal surgery.

“He had sinus congestion that turned into an infection, and as a result, his nose was running and he was blowing it,” Gwozdecky said of Phillips. “The combination of the infection, blowing the nose, the high altitude and dry air, he developed a pretty severe nose bleed on Monday.

“It would start, and stop, and start again (over and over). We thought it had it stopped, but Tuesday morning about 3 a.m. he couldn’t get it to stop and he was admitted to the hospital. They did some exploratory surgery (Tuesday) night . . . and found he had blown out a blood vessel. They cauterized it and he is about to be released. He’s probably 10 days to two weeks away (from returning).”

Meanwhile, junior forward Dustin Jackson (mononucleosis) and freshman center Nick Shore (broken wrist) will remain out. Jackson has yet to play this season and Shore hasn’t played since the season opener at Vermont. Freshman forward Justin Jones still has not been academically cleared by the NCAA, thus he cannot practice with the team. Senior defensemen Jon Cook and Joey Brehm are DU’s only extra players, so both will travel to North Dakota.

WTF - UND in 18th

Check out this buffoon's top twenty; I mean seriously is John Stewart or Bill Mayer writing about college hockey?

My Top 20

I noticed this week that, with a few exceptions, each team has about a four-spot “zone” in which they could reasonably fit. In other words — and this is a news flash, I know — the polls aren’t incredibly scientific.

1. Miami
2. Boston University
3. Boston College
4. Nebraska-Omaha
5. New Hampshire
6. Michigan State
7. Michigan
8. Yale
9. Minnesota-Duluth
10. Notre Dame
11. Maine
12. Michigan Tech
13. Colorado College
14. Union
15. Denver
16. Cornell
17. Wisconsin
18. North Dakota
19. Western Michigan
20. Alaska

NHL Network = UND Network?

This is good news for people that can't watch Fighting Sioux Sports Network. Also, for those that want to watch the Sioux on the NHL network, its on Midco channel 307 in Grand Forks. You have to have the extened sports package to get it.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of North Dakota has reached an agreement with the NHL Network to re-broadcast eight Fighting Sioux men's home hockey telecasts beginning with Friday night's home opener against the University of Denver.

The NHL Network is seen on numerous cable systems in the United States and is available on channel 403 on Dish Network and channel 215 on DirecTV.

This Friday's broadcast will be seen on the NHL Network Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Central.

UND Hockey On NHL Network
Friday, Oct. 29, 2010 (Denver at North Dakota)
Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 (Minnesota Duluth at North Dakota)
Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 (Notre Dame at North Dakota)
Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 (St. Cloud at North Dakota)
Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 (Robert Morris at North Dakota)
Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 (Minnesota at North Dakota)
Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 (Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota)
Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 (Alaska Anchorage at North Dakota)

Six games into the season the Gophers haven't traveled anywhere.

Six games into the 2010-2011 season and the Gophers haven't left the friendly confines of the Mariucci Arena. It will be interesting to see how they respond against the C.C. Tigers this weekend.

Roman Augustoviz --- The Gophers will practice Thursday morning at Mariucci Arena before flying to Denver, then they will bus to Colorado Springs. "Our guys like if we can practice at home before we head on the road," Lucia said. "Usually it is a much more productive practice. Flying, you are sluggish, and coaches get upset because you don't have a good practice. It's just the way it works."

Flying into and out of Denver, Lucia said, also means the Gophers can avoid an early morning flight back on Sunday from Colorado Springs.

Up to eight freshmen will be on the Gophers' trip to Colorado College this weekend, Lucia said. Doing the math, that means only one healthy freshman may stay home. There are 10 freshmen on the roster and center Nick Bjugstad is out for a month with mono.

The faces of George Gwozdecky

I couldn't resist, I had to share this picture with those that haven't seen it yet, this is definitely a keeper and a great illustration of the animated character that is George Gwozdecky. This picture is from Fargo Sioux's signature over on Sioux Sports. All we need now is one of him standing on the dasher and walking across the ice.

DU’s John Lee and Sam Brittain honored by WCHA

The Fighting Sioux hockey team’s favorite punching bag the Denver Pioneers, have a couple of players that won weekly awards from the WCHA this past week. One of the least popular Denver Pioneers amongst Sioux fans is University of Denver junior defenseman John Lee.

The Denver Post ---- The WCHA on Tuesday tabbed University of Denver junior John Lee and freshman goaltender Sam Brittain with weekly awards, after the Pioneers got through the weekend with a victory and a tie against Wisconsin.

Lee was named defensive player of the week after posting a plus-2 rating over the two games. He also had four blocked shots and an assist on the game-winning goal Friday.

Brittain was named rookied of the week after stopping 51 of 55 shots over the two games. His compiled a .927 saves percentage over the weekend in relief of starter Adam Murray.

Leafs Orr takes out goalie - goal counts

I was watching this game tonight and I can't believe this goal counted. It's definitely goalie interference in my opinion. What do you think? Should the goal have counted?

Wheeler and Ryder on the trading block?

Marco Sturm has a no trade contract so you can bet that the German is going anywhere and the Bruins are going to have to make room for their two returning players, that leaves Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder as possible trade bait. The Bruins are going to have to make room and apparently Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli hasn't ruled out sending Tyler Seguin back to Plymouth Whalers of OHL before 10-game mark.

CSNNE.com--- The B's GM is burning up the phone lines with other general managers around the league while setting the framework in place for potential deals when salary-cap issues come to a head with the Bruins.

It's getting to be about the time for the B's to kick up trade talks, and Chiarelli is doing just that for a Bruins team that's already shown plenty of promise in a handful of games this year.

Several hockey sources indicated to CSNNE.com that the Bruins are in the beginning stages of discussing deals involving several players, including Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder. The urgency for Chiarelli and the Bruins is a need to make room for at least two forwards when Marco Sturm (knee) and Marc Savard (post-concussion syndrome symptoms) are ready to come off long-term injured reserve.

Matt Hunwick could also be in the trade mix for the Bruins if they can find a willing partner, but thus far the market hasn't quite developed for the aspiring puck-moving defenseman. Hunwick has been inconsistent over the last year-plus since a promising rookie season two years ago, but his skating ability remains unquestioned.

Mark Stuart has drawn interest around the league at points over the last two seasons, but he's an integral part of the B's leadership inside the dressing room.

Dustin Brown levels Antti Miettinen

Here is the controversial hit from last night's Wild and LA Kings game. So did this warrant a 5 minute major and a game misconduct? From the video it does appear that Brown hit Miettinen high, however, it's kind of inconclusive if Brown was hit in the head.

Bruins get good news; Savard, Sturm hit the ice

The return of these two players would help the Boston Bruins in the line up offensively. Sturm was hurt last spring during in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last; Sturm was hurt attempting to check former Denver Pioneer Matt Carle.

WILMINGTON -- Good morning from Ristuccia Arena, where Marc Savard and Marco Sturm are skating prior to their teammates taking the ice for practice.

Both Savard and Sturm are currently on long-term injured reserve as they work their way back from their respective ailments. Savard and Sturm are dressed in the black jerseys usually worn by the defensemen. Savard is wearing a shield, which he has not done throughout his career.

Sturm confirmed that today was his first day on the ice. Sturm said he's feeling no pain in the knee, but said it's not as strong as the other one.

The left wing had originally planned to start skating upon the team's return from Prague. But Sturm said the travel and some fluid in the knee pushed his plans back. He will skate on his own for the next several weeks as he continues to strengthen the knee.

"It's going to be tough," Sturm said of returning by mid- or late-November. "I don't know. I really don't know. We just have to see how the next 2-3 weeks go. I want to make sure I'm going to be full strength. Before that, I'm not going to play."

UND and DU week – A trip down memory lane.

Since it’s UND and DU hockey week I thought I would post a few reminders about the DU and UND rivalry to get your juices flowing. One could make the argument that the Pioneers have replaced the Gophers as our top rival. Both teams hate each other and there is no love lost between the fan bases as well. I also think most of us enjoy the games between the two programs.

I think that this is going to be a hard fought series this weekend and I think the DU fans and their media is kind of sand bagging and down playing how good their team is. While DU has a few good players nicked up I do think they are better than they are leading on.

The Fighting Sioux can not over look this DU team and they need to play smart and take some of their pride back after last weekends spanking at the hands of the Maine Black Bears. The Sioux will also have to play smartly because DU is the darling of the WCHA and will get all of the breaks from the WCHA officials this weekend. You have to wonder if another WCHA will get suspended or if UND will get 6 straight penalties in a row.

I am sure Sioux fans are wondering what the over and under of the chances of there being a dancer dance or not. I am also wondering if Todd Anderson is going to be one of the officials for this weekend’s series.

Here are some of the videos from previous games. Fighting Sioux and the Denver Pioneers from February 2008. [click to view video]

Last season was no different as the game got heated between the Pioneers and Sioux. [Click to view video]

Denver University Pioneers coach Gwozdecky takes a stroll across the ice. [Click to watch the video]

Here is the infamous cup check on one of the most hated Pioneer’s player of all time. Mike Prpich of the Fighting Sioux "Pops" Geoff Paukovitch with his stick. George goes nuts and dances on the dasher [Click to view viedo]

Lastly, how can we forget that Alanna Rizzo doesn't like the Fighting Sioux fans.

Denver Post - FSN Rocky Mountain reporter Alanna Rizzo covered last weekend’s DU series at North Dakota, returning to Denver on Sunday with mostly bad memories from her first trip to Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks.

“Honestly, if I’m not covering Denver the next time they go there, I would never have any reason in the world to ever go to a North Dakota hockey game,” she told me Tuesday. “(Sioux fans) need to realize they leave a bad taste in an opponent’s mouth, or anyone that’s going to see the arena for the first time.”

Rizzo’s angst stems from obnoxious and seemingly uncontrollable Fighting Sioux fans — particularly adults.

“It was a little too much for too long,” Rizzo said. “It wasn’t the student section as much as the older crowd, right on top of the DU bench, and I stood in the hallway going into their locker room.

“There were a lot of derogatory comments . . . from men and women, young and old, asking me about Coach Gwozdecky’s behavior, calling him a ‘Little Man,’ asking me ‘Why are you really here?’ and ‘I vote for last night’s outfit.’ It’s one thing to cheer for your own team, I’m all for that, but to constantly berate college athletes that are not being paid to play a sport for the constant length of the game was a little much.”

Rizzo, who also covers the Colorado Rockies, is in her second season working DU hockey for FSN. Previously, she covered the University of Wisconsin’s men and women’s hockey teams in Madison for WISC, a CBS affiliate. She worked Badgers games in 2006, the year both UW teams won NCAA championships.

Canucks' Goon Rick Rypien apologizes for grabbing fan during NHL game

Yawn! Rypien is probably only sorry because the NHL told him he has to be, I do believe his sentence from the NHL was a slap on the wrist and should have been in the 10-20 games area.

VANCOUVER - British Columbia - Canucks forward Rick Rypien has apologized for grabbing a fan during a game last week.

Rypien is serving a six-game suspension for making contact with James Engquist during a game against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul on Oct. 19.

"I know what I did was wrong," Rypien said.

Rypien was headed to the locker room Tuesday night after being assessed a double minor for roughing and 10-minute misconduct when he reached up and grabbed Engquist, a fan applauding at the railing. Rypien was pulled away by teammate Manny Malhotra and coach Alain Vigneault. Engquist and his brother, Peter, were removed from the area.

The Canucks also were fined $25,000, as required by NHL policy.

Lamoureux, Falcons respond to coach's scolding

Here is an interesting story that is worth a look from Sioux_Yeah_Yeah's favorite college hockey beat writer Mike Chambers.

The Denver Post - Last Saturday, the morning after Air Force fell to 0-4 with a shocking home-opening loss to downtrodden American International, Falcons coach Frank Serratore took the Herb Brooks approach of teaching.

"I lit into these guys like you couldn't believe," the emotional coach said Monday, two days after the Falcons crushed American International 12-0 in the finale of the two-game series. "I had had it with these guys. We needed to become a team."

Serratore was furious at his seven seniors for failing to lead and earn respect from seven freshmen.

"There was a generation gap, and I blame the older guys for not closing it," he said.

He was particularly critical of senior center and co-captain Jacques Lamoureux and senior linemate and assistant captain Derrick Burnett. Lamoureux was an All-American and Hobey Baker Award finalist as a sophomore but went into Saturday without a goal.

"I told them we had too many coaches and not enough players. We need one coach and one villain, and that's me. That's my job," Serratore said. "I want guys that love each other and want to go to war together. There's nothing worse than having an 'ununified' room. That was torturing me. I want a team that faces the Denver Pioneers and fights their tails off for each other. We're Air Force, and that's why I love this place. We have to have the chemistry-brotherhood thing on our side, because without that we don't have a chance."