Jason Whitlock Fox Sports ----- Goodell is correctly trying to change the needlessly violent culture of the NFL. I get that. I’m for that. But let’s do it the right way.
Quarterbacks don’t get injured when hands accidentally hit the back of their helmets. The play Coleman and Mikell made on Austin Collie cannot and should not be eliminated from the game.
Collie was not defenseless. The helmet-to-helmet contact was just as much Collie’s fault as it was the Philly defensive back. The contact was unintentional.
You could see all of that watching the replay. The ref on the field did not have the benefit of replay, and he should have.
Use the cameras! The NFL is a reality TV show. There are cameras seemingly everywhere. Use them!
Add a seventh referee who calls the game from the replay booth. Give him a microphone, put a camera on him and make him a part of the game. Let him arbitrate judgment calls such as unnecessary-roughness penalties.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Would this work in Hockey?
Here is a question; you have a hit that might appear to be questionable say like the Joe Tornton hit on David Perron last week. Why not have a replay official to review the play. This is what some are suggesting for the game of football, would this work for hockey? Comments...
Gandalf nails it...
This week features the watch up between the UND Fighting Sioux and UW Badgers. With the BTHC becoming a reality in the future with the addition of the Penn State University Nittany Lions we may not will not see the Wisconsin Badgers as much as we have in the past, it shame as well because it is one of the great rivalries in college hockey. The Badger fan base is one of the best in college sports, they get it and Badger fans are a lot of fun to converse with and talk hockey over a few beers. ExileOnDaytonStreet has a great article on the formation of the Big Ten hockey conference, basically he is telling WCHA fans enjoy it while you can. Here is what Gandalf the Red had to say about the BTHC.
run ruin college hockey. All you have to do is return to the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules committee kerfuffle from this past summer, that was a exercise in futility that looked like a major league Cluster Fuck , oops I mean Charlie foxtrot.
I can guarantee there more Charlie foxtrots and proverbial goat ropes if we continue to let football and basketballbuffoons people like Barry Alverez and James E. Delany continue with their determination to ruin college hockey. Seriously folks, we don’t need a BTHC to maximize the money of the six Big Ten Schools that will have hockey.
I also hate to think how many CCHA schools will just pull up shop and drop hockey, I am sure some of the CCHA schools that have struggled as of late probably depend on big draws like Michigan and Michigan State to beef up their gates. I actually can’t imagine the CCHA without Michigan and Michigan State and without those teams that could drop the CCHA to a league on par with the AHA. Who knows what Notre Dame will do if they are coaxed with the prospects of the playing all of their sports in the Big Ten. I think there is a delicate balance that could be upset with they BTHC goes about this the wrong way.
I'm not sure who this "welcomed by many of us" crowd is. The hardcore Badger HOCKEY fans that I know aren't looking forward to the BTHC, or at best are luke warm to the idea. I think the casual fan who is more into football and basketball, would be the welcoming crowd. You already have your sports, don't ruin men's hockey.I also think the formation of the BTHC is a direct result of what happens when you let athletic directors with football and basketball backgrounds
I don't like the idea of the BTHC. While UAA sucks, and Tech sucks and Mankato sucks, Penn State is going to suck, MSU often sucks, and OSU hasn't exactly ever been a powerhouse though Oz might turn them into something 5 years from now. So what is the trade off? More of the same old boring programs IMHO in the Big 10, or old rivalries built against other WCHA powerhouses over the years. Oh sure we can still schedule North Dakota, St Could, Duluth & Denver in non-conference, but that is a two way street. They have to agree, and just because UW and um leave the WCHA, don't kid yourself, those four schools listed aren't going to turn into Lake Superior State. North Dakota and Denver especially will still recruit stud filled classes. The BTHC won't be anything more special for the junior A players in Canada, or mn high school kids, or kids in the USHL.
Sure it will be more money in the pockets of the big 10 schools, wow that gets me really fuckin excited. Good for Barry who didn't even know what the Hobey Baker was until last year.
I agree about conferences, and opening things up, but it will sure suck to replace home games against great teams like DU and UND w/ OSU & PSU. Wow I can't wait...
Sure I go to Kohl Center to see the Badgers play first and foremost, but I also enjoy watching the boat loads of talent that exist in the WCHA, which is only rivaled by Hockey East, and the BTHC will not feature that kind of talent outside of michigan and minny. Sure it might some day, but if I had a vote on this one, Barry can stuff change right up his fat ass
I can guarantee there more Charlie foxtrots and proverbial goat ropes if we continue to let football and basketball
I also hate to think how many CCHA schools will just pull up shop and drop hockey, I am sure some of the CCHA schools that have struggled as of late probably depend on big draws like Michigan and Michigan State to beef up their gates. I actually can’t imagine the CCHA without Michigan and Michigan State and without those teams that could drop the CCHA to a league on par with the AHA. Who knows what Notre Dame will do if they are coaxed with the prospects of the playing all of their sports in the Big Ten. I think there is a delicate balance that could be upset with they BTHC goes about this the wrong way.
Should I stay or should I go...
There is an ongoing and continuous discussion about division one college hockey players leaving their college hockey early before they have used up their college eligibility to chase the dream of a professional hockey career. It would appear that those who leave early, very few actually move right from the NCAA to the NHL. In fact the numbers are against them. While the promise of big money and the glitz and glamour of the NHL might be very persuasive to a young m an/player, there are very few Jonathan Toews or Derek Stephan’s in Division one college hockey. If you’re still not convinced, check out these posts from Brad Schlossman’s twitter page. I was actually surprised with the numbers.
Summer of discontent
Every spring and summer college hockey fans cringe as they wait for fall to come, past experience has told them that some of the better players on their team or on other teams in the NCAA will lose players before they have played their four years of college.
The teams that suffer the most early departures are the teams that recruit blue chip hockey players. I would rather my favorite team recruit these types of players and take the risk that they play 2 or 3 seasons, than to not have them at all. Not many NCAA fans can saw that I enjoyed the likes of Zach Parise, Drew Stafford, T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews.
The NCAA coaches are trying to work out a deal with the NHL but I am not all that positive that they will be able to get the NHL to back off stealing their prized players. [Pioneer Press]
According to the @inch list of guys who left early, 7 of 36 are in the NHL now. Only Stepan went straight from college to NHL.According to a Denver Post article Former all-WCHA and DU goalie Marc Cheverie is struggling at the next level of his hockey career. As a matter of fact I was really shocked and surprised to read that Marc Cheverie's save percentage isn’t even above .850. Why am I shocked; in college Cheverie wasn't just a good goalie, he was a dominating goalie during his junior year in the WCHA (24-6-3, 2.08 GAA, .932 SV% 6 shutouts). We are talking about a goalie that was near the top in the NCAA for shutouts, wins, save percentage and goals against average. Cheverie was dominating in all facets of the NCAA statistics, now that all star goalie is struggling in the ECHL.
Some are playing well in AHL and might make it up by the end of the year, but still an interesting stat.
12 WCHA players gave up eligibility to sign pro contracts this summer. Only UW's Derek Stepan is in the NHL right now.
The Denver Post - It wasn't at all shocking when Cheverie decided to skip his senior season at DU and sign with the Florida Panthers last summer. He already was 23 years old and had been the WCHA player of the year as a junior.
The Panthers, who claimed him in the sixth round of the 2006 draft, could sell the notion that he had little left to accomplish — at least on the personal level — in the college game.
But this is a bit jarring: While, in theory, the native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, could have been in the net for the Pioneers in the weekend series against Colorado College, Cheverie instead was fighting through a horrible start to his pro career. He's not even in the American Hockey League, but with the Panthers' lower-level affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. And going into the weekend games, he had a 5.04 goals-against average, an .848 save percentage and a 1-2-1 record for the struggling Cyclones, who had won only once in eight games to open the season.
"It's a learning process I have to go through," Cheverie said on the phone last week. "It's not one of my goals to be here, but if this is how I have to get there, this is how I have to get there. I want to be in the NHL someday, but I have some work to do at this level to move up. If I had my way, I'd be in the NHL right now, but obviously, I'm not ready yet, so that's the way it is."
There are worse places to play below the AHL level than Cincinnati, so that's one of the positives.
"I've struggled a bit," Cheverie conceded. "It's been tough mentally, but that's part of the learning experience, part of getting in your comfort zone. You just want to be in a place where you're going to get better, and I think I have that here."
Summer of discontent
Every spring and summer college hockey fans cringe as they wait for fall to come, past experience has told them that some of the better players on their team or on other teams in the NCAA will lose players before they have played their four years of college.
The teams that suffer the most early departures are the teams that recruit blue chip hockey players. I would rather my favorite team recruit these types of players and take the risk that they play 2 or 3 seasons, than to not have them at all. Not many NCAA fans can saw that I enjoyed the likes of Zach Parise, Drew Stafford, T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews.
The NCAA coaches are trying to work out a deal with the NHL but I am not all that positive that they will be able to get the NHL to back off stealing their prized players. [Pioneer Press]
Monday, November 08, 2010
Denver forward Jesse Martin has surgery
ST. PAUL, Minn. - University of Denver senior center Jesse Martin (Edmonton, Alberta) underwent surgery Monday afternoon at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., to stabilize a broken C2 vertebra in his neck. The surgery went as planned. Doctors will reassess his condition on Tuesday morning.
The surgery was performed by Alex Mendez, MD, and Robert Morgan, MD. Mendez specializes in cranial-based neurosurgical procedures, and both complex and minimally invasive spine surgery. Morgan specializes in complex spine surgery and reconstruction.
The surgery was performed at Regions Hospital's Center for Spine and Spinal Cord Injury. The center fosters increased collaboration across the medical, surgical and rehabilitation teams that provide care to patients who sustain injuries or have illnesses of the spine.
Martin suffered the injury during an on-ice collision with North Dakota's Brad Malone on Oct. 30.
Poll Monday, Sioux drop to 10th?
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[November 8, 2010]
1 Boston University (31) 6-0-2 955 3
2 Minnesota-Duluth (11) 7-1-2 867 2
3 Yale ( 5) 4-0-0 863 5
4 Miami ( 2) 5-2-3 842 1
5 Maine 4-1-3 771 7
6 Nebraska-Omaha ( 1) 7-1-0 717 8
7 Boston College 5-3-0 706 4
8 Michigan 5-2-3 675 6
9 New Hampshire 4-1-2 634 10
10 North Dakota 5-4-1 547 9
11 Notre Dame 6-2-1 461 11
12 Union 6-1-3 421 15
13 Wisconsin 6-2-2 406 15
14 Alaska 6-3-1 399 14
15 Denver 4-4-2 302 13
16 Michigan State 3-2-3 214 12
17 Western Michigan 6-2-2 154 NR
18 Rensselaer 4-2-3 145 18
19 Minnesota 5-4-1 141 17
20 Ferris State 5-3-2 132 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Cornell 30, Robert Morris 30, St. Cloud State 26, Colorado College 22, Michigan Tech 16, Quinnipiac 11, Merrimack 7, Clarkson 2, Dartmouth 2, Harvard 1, Niagara 1
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
[Nov. 8, 2010]
1 Boston University (23) 6-0-2 489 3
2 Minnesota Duluth (5) 7-1-2 444 2
3 Miami (Ohio) (3) 5-2-3 424 1
4 Yale (2) 4-0-0 423 6
5 Maine 4-1-3 333 7
6 Boston College (1) 5-3-0 320 4
7 Nebraska-Omaha 7-1-0 297 8
8 New Hampshire 4-1-2 282 10
9 Michigan 5-2-3 278 5
10 North Dakota 5-4-1 232 9
11 Notre Dame 6-2-1 155 11
12 Union 6-1-3 124 14
13 Alaska 6-3-1 105 15
14 Wisconsin 6-2-2 77 NR
15 Denver 4-4-2 56 13
Others receiving votes: Michigan State University, 13; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 13; Western Michigan University, 8; Ferris State University, 2; University of Minnesota, 2; Cornell University, 1; Robert Morris University, 1; St. Cloud State University, 1.
**********************
I am going to bring this up again; The Sioux dominate the Bulldogs on Friday night and come within seconds of scoring the winning goal on Saturday night before losing in overtime yet drop in the ranking and the number two team in the nation keeps their ranking, that’s ridiculous. It's a meaningless poll, but it's silly. Also; no one is saying that UMD isn’t good but let’s put this into perspective, comparing the two teams schedules, the Sioux have played a tougher schedule. Notice I didn’t say that UMD is not a good team. I said lets look at this with some perspective.
[November 8, 2010]
1 Boston University (31) 6-0-2 955 3
2 Minnesota-Duluth (11) 7-1-2 867 2
3 Yale ( 5) 4-0-0 863 5
4 Miami ( 2) 5-2-3 842 1
5 Maine 4-1-3 771 7
6 Nebraska-Omaha ( 1) 7-1-0 717 8
7 Boston College 5-3-0 706 4
8 Michigan 5-2-3 675 6
9 New Hampshire 4-1-2 634 10
10 North Dakota 5-4-1 547 9
11 Notre Dame 6-2-1 461 11
12 Union 6-1-3 421 15
13 Wisconsin 6-2-2 406 15
14 Alaska 6-3-1 399 14
15 Denver 4-4-2 302 13
16 Michigan State 3-2-3 214 12
17 Western Michigan 6-2-2 154 NR
18 Rensselaer 4-2-3 145 18
19 Minnesota 5-4-1 141 17
20 Ferris State 5-3-2 132 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Cornell 30, Robert Morris 30, St. Cloud State 26, Colorado College 22, Michigan Tech 16, Quinnipiac 11, Merrimack 7, Clarkson 2, Dartmouth 2, Harvard 1, Niagara 1
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
[Nov. 8, 2010]
1 Boston University (23) 6-0-2 489 3
2 Minnesota Duluth (5) 7-1-2 444 2
3 Miami (Ohio) (3) 5-2-3 424 1
4 Yale (2) 4-0-0 423 6
5 Maine 4-1-3 333 7
6 Boston College (1) 5-3-0 320 4
7 Nebraska-Omaha 7-1-0 297 8
8 New Hampshire 4-1-2 282 10
9 Michigan 5-2-3 278 5
10 North Dakota 5-4-1 232 9
11 Notre Dame 6-2-1 155 11
12 Union 6-1-3 124 14
13 Alaska 6-3-1 105 15
14 Wisconsin 6-2-2 77 NR
15 Denver 4-4-2 56 13
Others receiving votes: Michigan State University, 13; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 13; Western Michigan University, 8; Ferris State University, 2; University of Minnesota, 2; Cornell University, 1; Robert Morris University, 1; St. Cloud State University, 1.
**********************
I am going to bring this up again; The Sioux dominate the Bulldogs on Friday night and come within seconds of scoring the winning goal on Saturday night before losing in overtime yet drop in the ranking and the number two team in the nation keeps their ranking, that’s ridiculous. It's a meaningless poll, but it's silly. Also; no one is saying that UMD isn’t good but let’s put this into perspective, comparing the two teams schedules, the Sioux have played a tougher schedule. Notice I didn’t say that UMD is not a good team. I said lets look at this with some perspective.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
INCH Power Rankings
INCH Power Rankings
[November 7, 2010]
1. Boston University
2. Minnesota Duluth
3. Maine
4. Yale
5. Miami
6. Michigan
7. Union
8. North Dakota - The Fighting Sioux are in the middle of a six-week stretch of games against teams currently in the INCH Power Rankings — they've already faced Maine, DU, and UMD and have Wisconsin, UNO, and Notre Dame up next.
5-4-1 (4-2-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota Duluth, 4-2; L vs. Minnesota Duluth, 3-2 ot. THIS WEEK: at Wisconsin, at Wisconsin
9. New Hampshire
10. Boston College
11. Nebraska-Omaha
12. Wisconsin
13. Notre Dame
14. Alaska
15. Michigan State
16. Denver
17. Western Michigan
18. Rensselaer
19. Robert Morris
20. Ferris State
Analysis - I think these rankings are a little off, UMD stays in second place after being dominated by the Fighting Sioux on Friday night and then the Sioux lose a close one on Saturday night. This is the same game that Sioux just miss winning in the waning seconds of regulation.
Two other things that don't pass the smell test are Boston College in 10th, Boston College is a better team than 10th. Also, you can't tell me that Union is the 7th ranked team in the nation.
[November 7, 2010]
1. Boston University
2. Minnesota Duluth
3. Maine
4. Yale
5. Miami
6. Michigan
7. Union
8. North Dakota - The Fighting Sioux are in the middle of a six-week stretch of games against teams currently in the INCH Power Rankings — they've already faced Maine, DU, and UMD and have Wisconsin, UNO, and Notre Dame up next.
5-4-1 (4-2-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota Duluth, 4-2; L vs. Minnesota Duluth, 3-2 ot. THIS WEEK: at Wisconsin, at Wisconsin
9. New Hampshire
10. Boston College
11. Nebraska-Omaha
12. Wisconsin
13. Notre Dame
14. Alaska
15. Michigan State
16. Denver
17. Western Michigan
18. Rensselaer
19. Robert Morris
20. Ferris State
Analysis - I think these rankings are a little off, UMD stays in second place after being dominated by the Fighting Sioux on Friday night and then the Sioux lose a close one on Saturday night. This is the same game that Sioux just miss winning in the waning seconds of regulation.
Two other things that don't pass the smell test are Boston College in 10th, Boston College is a better team than 10th. Also, you can't tell me that Union is the 7th ranked team in the nation.
Backes and Ference
Let me preface this with I am a Bruins fan, I also have to admit that admire the way that David Backes plays the game of hockey. Let's look at this hit, its a text book legal shoulder check. Breaking it down further; Backes puts an awesome, legal and violent check on the Bruins Marc Recci, who gets up and skates away. The problem I have is why should Backes have to fight? It wasn't charging, Recci wasn't hurt and it wasn't a dirty hit.
T.J. Oshie steam rolls David Krejci
Wow! This is the hit that everyone was talking about last night. After watching the hit I would think that it's a text book legal hit. Too bad David Krejci is the one on the receiving end of the hit. Krejci is out at least a week with a concussion.
Scores from 11/06/2010
Saturday, November 6
Non Conference
Sweden Under-20 1 at Massachusetts 5
Alab-Huntsville 1 at Ohio State 5
AHA
Robert Morris 2 at Holy Cross 3 OT
American Int'l 2 at Sacred Heart 4
Canisius 1 at Connecticut 1 OT
ECAC
Colgate 1 at St. Lawrence 4
Cornell 6 at Clarkson 1
Princeton 4 at Brown 3
Quinnipiac 1 at Yale 5
Rensselaer 0 at Harvard 1
Union 0 at Dartmouth 0 OT
Hockey East
Vermont 3 at Providence 3 OT
Maine 2 at Boston University 2 OT
New Hampshire 2 at UMass Lowell 1
CCHA
Miami 1 at Ferris State 1 OT
Michigan 5 at Alaska 2
Notre Dame 6 at Bowling Green 3
Northern Michigan 1 at Lake Superior 3
Michigan State 1 at Western Michigan 3
WCHA
Bemidji State 3 at St. Cloud State 2 OT
Denver 2 at Colorado College 9
Minnesota Duluth 3 at North Dakota 2 OT
Minnesota State 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 5
Wisconsin 3 at Minnesota 3 OT
What a wild night of college hockey. The old Cliché is standing true this season anyone can beat anyone on any given night.
Non Conference
Sweden Under-20 1 at Massachusetts 5
Alab-Huntsville 1 at Ohio State 5
AHA
Robert Morris 2 at Holy Cross 3 OT
American Int'l 2 at Sacred Heart 4
Canisius 1 at Connecticut 1 OT
ECAC
Colgate 1 at St. Lawrence 4
Cornell 6 at Clarkson 1
Princeton 4 at Brown 3
Quinnipiac 1 at Yale 5
Rensselaer 0 at Harvard 1
Union 0 at Dartmouth 0 OT
Hockey East
Vermont 3 at Providence 3 OT
Maine 2 at Boston University 2 OT
New Hampshire 2 at UMass Lowell 1
CCHA
Miami 1 at Ferris State 1 OT
Michigan 5 at Alaska 2
Notre Dame 6 at Bowling Green 3
Northern Michigan 1 at Lake Superior 3
Michigan State 1 at Western Michigan 3
WCHA
Bemidji State 3 at St. Cloud State 2 OT
Denver 2 at Colorado College 9
Minnesota Duluth 3 at North Dakota 2 OT
Minnesota State 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 5
Wisconsin 3 at Minnesota 3 OT
What a wild night of college hockey. The old Cliché is standing true this season anyone can beat anyone on any given night.
Sunrise addition; Bulldogs 3 - Sioux 2 O.T.
So here we are; the sun came up today regardless of what happened on the ice last night, no need to jump off any bridges or start the fire Hakstol discussion. Putting in perspective UMD is now 3-12-2 in the REA, that means in 17 games UMD has won three times, you have to figure the Bulldogs would win a game eventually in the REA. Now the UND Fighting Sioux need to go to the “Oil Can” on December 30th and slap that Bulldog ass in front of the UMD fans at the grand opening of their new hockey arena.
Rankings smankings
Here is the $64,000.00 question; if the UMD Bulldogs are the number two ranked team in the country, what does that make UND? Seriously! The UND Fighting Sioux were ranked 9th in both polls by the flat bellied experts going into this weeks play and the UMD Bulldogs were ranked 2nd over all. So are we to believe that UMD is the second best team in the nation? Then one could easily make the argument that UND can’t be far behind them in the rankings. Especially when it looked like the lower ranked team was the better of the two teams for large chunks of the weekend.
Moving forward, I don’t see any reason why Sioux fans can’t feel up beat and optimistic about the future of the Fighting Sioux hockey program for the 2010-2011 season? Defensively UND has great talent on paper and has yet to live up to their expectations, UND also played without one of the second line forwards for the first game and the Sioux were minus two defensemen for the whole weekend that have proven to be two of the best this season on the ice. UMD was missing Mike Montgomery on Friday night as well due to an illness. So the argument is that UND has a lot of dept and it showed this weekend.
On Friday night the Fighting Sioux owned the Bulldogs, the game wasn’t as close as the score board indicated. It was a little different on Saturday night, the game was a more even and the Bulldogs carried the play at times. The Sioux got took a few penalties that ended up burying them. Moving forward UND has to stop taking penalties or learn how to kill them. You can not continue to give talented teams with great forwards and awesome power plays seven minutes or more during a period in penalties and expect to win the game. It’s like playing with fire in a meth lab. You're going to get burned.
Defensively - turnovers kill
This season turn over’s in all three zones of the ice have killed the Fighting Sioux. While I did see improvement this weekend the Sioux still need to limit the opposition being able to cash in on defensive turnovers from the neutral zone in. Also, I hate to say this but I would like to see the Sioux trap a little more (not a lot more) and tighten the reigns defensively a bit more, especially against teams with high skill like Maine. In addition I think the Sioux need to keep counter attacking instead of sitting on a lead when they have a team on the ropes. While I find teams that play defense first and offense second boring, I do think that our team could focus on defense a little more. I don’t know how many times I have seen our defensemen that focus on offense get caught up ice pinching, leaving the goaltender exposed. Even the best goaltenders don't like to face a lot of odd man rushes, eventually you get burned.
Goon's Three Stars of the Game
1.) Mike Connolly, UMD Forward, (1g-1a-2pts)
2.) Kenny Reiter, UMD goalie
3.) Aaron Dell, UND goalie
[Box score]
1st Period (20:00)
NDK-1 Ben Blood (2-Hooking) MND 0x1 4:03
MND-1 Keegan Flaherty (2-Holding) NDK 0x1 6:15
NDK-2 Corban Knight (2-Hooking) MND 0x2 14:59
MND-2 Kyle Schmidt (2-High-Sticking) NDK 1x2 18:07
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP Brock Nelson (1) (Chay Genoway, Corban Knight) 18:39
NDK: 29,5,10,17,7,G32 MND: 22,11,4,25,G35
2nd Period (20:00)
NDK-3 Corban Knight (2-Slashing) MND 0x3 0:48
MND 1 - 1 6x6 Mike Connolly (7) (Wade Bergman, Justin Faulk) 2:48
MND (+): 22,28,25,12,17,G35
NDK-4 Mario Lamoureux (5-Checking from Behind) MND 0x4 3:32
NDK-5 Mario Lamoureux (10-Game Misconduct) 3:32
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Evan Trupp (3) (unassisted) 8:53
NDK (+): 19,29,20,18,11,G32 MND (-): 10,14,24,2,17,G35
MND 2 - 2 6x6 J.T. Brown (5) (Kyle Schmidt, Travis Oleksuk) 13:41
MND (+): 23,7,11,4,25,G35 NDK (-): 11,19,25,29,3,G32
MND-3 Max Tardy (2-Interference) NDK 1x3 15:21
MND-4 Max Tardy (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 15:21
NDK-6 Brad Malone (2-Hooking) MND 0x5 17:30
NDK-7 Ben Blood (2-Interference) MND 0x6 19:32
3rd Period (20:00)
MND-5 Kyle Schmidt (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 15:12
Overtime (0:58)
MND 3 - 2 6x6 GW LL Justin Fontaine (6) (Mike Connolly, Justin Faulk) 0:58
MND (+): 37,22,25,12,4,G35 NDK (-): 7,5,24,26,10,G32
End of Game
Kyle Radke on Fire
Kyle Radke was on fire this past weekend, allowing the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees to sweep the Odessa Jackalopes and take 4 points. Radke had a total of 3 shots on goal, 1 goal, and 3 assists, bringing his season totals to 12 shots on goal, 2 goals, and five assists. Radke is currently tied for third with 7 points on the season.
Radke also got a little frisky this weekend, taking two 5 minute majors and missing the entire third period due to a game misconduct for fighting. He got in some really good uppercuts on Saturday, I think he made the other guy cry.
All in all it was a very exciting series, 16 round shootout victory on Friday and a 4-1 total domination win on Saturday. If you took out all the diving, hooking, and flat out tackling by the Jackalopes we probably would have seen two 8-1 victories. The Jackalopes remind me of a MSUM team with a little Robbie Earl thrown in for good measure.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
UND can't be as bad as some think...
Let’s look at this a little more closely UMD Bulldogs have a roster that sports 5 NHL draft choices and the UND Fighting Sioux have a roster with 16 NHL draft choices. Are we to believe that those 16 draft choices for the Fighting Sioux are just smoke and mirrors and a bunch of prima donnas. Isn’t this the same team that was picked to finish in the top spot of the WCHA standings in both the media and the coaches’ poll? The way some people had talked about the Sioux you would have thought they were a bunch of worthless, talentless hacks.
How the hell did we get there?
So I must say to my fellow fans, yeah some of you are sandbagging. If you’re a golfer you know what I mean. You have probably played against a golfer that claimed to be a really poor golfer and then they go out on the course and shoot lights out and carded a really good score, then you had to listen to them say, "oh, I played the best game of my life. I have no idea I had this in me."
Fast forward to this weekend's series; the Fighting Sioux have incredible and talented dept throughout their line up and can roll four lines if there isn’t aren’t a lot of penalties called against them. Key word in this sentence is “aren’t” but I digress, the Sioux are known traditionally as having a big mean mobile defense that limits their opposition to low shot totals and punishes the opposition when they come in front to the net, hence the high penalty minutes.
On the flip side of that argument the Bulldogs are known to have quick speedy forwards a decent sized defense, however, the Bulldogs are probably more of a two line team, albeit their top line is as good as many in the country. Am I saying that means that UND can’t lose to the Bulldogs, never said that. I am just saying the Sioux are no slouches either. It’s not like the UND Fighting Sioux are sitting at the bottom of the WCHA standings. In spite of the early goaltending
This blog post isn’t intended to disrespect the Bulldogs I think they are a nice team with incredible speed through the forward lines. This post is intended to give credit to our team.
Better Days ahead
I have to be honest with you I am a little worried like everyone else about our defense and goaltending to date; they haven’t looked as good as billed. There have been positives, Dillon Simpson is much better than I would have believed a 17 year old would be. Aaron Dell is starting to settle into the starting position and is getting better with each start in net. Dell has only played in 11 games during his college career and can only get better, I like Dell's positioning and he seems to be getting up to speed and seeing the play more clearly.
I do think that Derrick LaPoint has had a tough season to date, however, traditionally Derrick has been more of a player that gets hot during the second half of the season. If the Fighting Sioux can get consistent goaltending and the defense can limit shots and scoring opportunities this season could prove to be pretty good one.
While some like to say that past history between two teams doesn’t matter I don’t agree at all, UND is 5-1 against the Bulldogs their last six games. Since the 2004-2005 the Sioux are an amazing 16-5-2 against the Bulldogs, you can’t tell me that the record doesn’t play into the opposition players minds. Just saying; does that mean the Sioux can’t lose tonight? Nope!
Links to the this weekends series
College Hockey: WCHA Picks Nov. 5 [USCHO]
Patchwork lineup comes through for Sioux [USCHO]
Friday night rewind [UND Hockey Blog]
Saturday in the WCHA [Rink and Run]
Final: North Dakota 4, UMD 2 [Rink and Run]
College men's hockey: Bulldogs' unbeaten streak ends [Duluth News Tribune]
MEN'S HOCKEY: Sioux hand Minnesota-Duluth first loss of the season [Grand Forks Herald]
Scores from 11/05/2010
Friday, November 5
Army 5 at Massachusetts 2
Colgate 4 at Clarkson 4 OT
Cornell 0 at St. Lawrence 3
Merrimack 0 at Providence 2
Niagara 4 at Northeastern 1
Princeton 3 at Yale 5
Quinnipiac 3 at Brown 3 OT
Rensselaer 4 at Dartmouth 1
New Hampshire 2 at Boston College 1
Union 2 at Harvard 1
Vermont 1 at UMass Lowell 3
Alab-Huntsville 2 at Ohio State 6
Canisius 2 at Connecticut 3
Miami 2 at Ferris State 3
Michigan 0 at Alaska 3
Mercyhurst 6 at Air Force 2
Notre Dame 2 at Bowling Green 3
Northern Michigan 4 at Lake Superior 1
Robert Morris 4 at Holy Cross 2
Bemidji State 3 at St. Cloud State 6
Wisconsin 6 at Minnesota 0
Colorado College 1 at Denver 4
Minnesota Duluth 2 at North Dakota 4
Minnesota State 1 at Nebraska-Omaha 5
Analysis – Gopher fans have pitch forks, rope and torches and they are ready to ________? I don’t know but it’s getting ugly in Minneapolis. The Fire Don Lucia campaign is in full force and prevalent on Gopher Puck Live and USCHO. The 250,000.00 question is; will the UMN administration fire two head coaches in one season? It also sounds like Gopher Senior Jay Barribal isn't all that happy with his fellow teammates effort. Win as a team and lose as a team, I am not so sure it's recommended that you call them out in the media if you haven't scored either.
The Maverick Bowl - (The battle of the cows, Red Cows versus Purple Cows) The UNO Mavericks played the MSU Mankato Mavericks in their first ever home WCHA series. The UNO Mavericks won going away 5-1. The UNO Mavericks continue their winning way and are now 6-1-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the WCHA. [UNO Beat Writer]and [Puckato]
DU and C.C. the fight for the Gold Pan – I watched the end of this game after I got home from the Sioux and UMD game and from what I can see DU dominated the Tigers 4-1. I also saw a stat where the Tigers have scored twenty goals over all and nine of their goals (almost half) of their goals on the power play. The Tigers only goal came at 5:11 left to play in the third period. Moral to the story is don’t let C.C. go on the power play too many times. According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post Jesse Martin is scheduled to have surgury on Monday.
Beavers vs Huskies - Ben Hanowski was benched last weekend by his head coach Bob Motzko and Hanowski responded by getting a hat trick against the Bemidji State University Beavers as the Huskies beat the Beavers 6-3. This was the first away series for the BSU Beavers that played their first two WCHA series at home. [SCSU Beat Writer] and [Bemidji Beat Writer]
Army 5 at Massachusetts 2
Colgate 4 at Clarkson 4 OT
Cornell 0 at St. Lawrence 3
Merrimack 0 at Providence 2
Niagara 4 at Northeastern 1
Princeton 3 at Yale 5
Quinnipiac 3 at Brown 3 OT
Rensselaer 4 at Dartmouth 1
New Hampshire 2 at Boston College 1
Union 2 at Harvard 1
Vermont 1 at UMass Lowell 3
Alab-Huntsville 2 at Ohio State 6
Canisius 2 at Connecticut 3
Miami 2 at Ferris State 3
Michigan 0 at Alaska 3
Mercyhurst 6 at Air Force 2
Notre Dame 2 at Bowling Green 3
Northern Michigan 4 at Lake Superior 1
Robert Morris 4 at Holy Cross 2
Bemidji State 3 at St. Cloud State 6
Wisconsin 6 at Minnesota 0
Colorado College 1 at Denver 4
Minnesota Duluth 2 at North Dakota 4
Minnesota State 1 at Nebraska-Omaha 5
Analysis – Gopher fans have pitch forks, rope and torches and they are ready to ________? I don’t know but it’s getting ugly in Minneapolis. The Fire Don Lucia campaign is in full force and prevalent on Gopher Puck Live and USCHO. The 250,000.00 question is; will the UMN administration fire two head coaches in one season? It also sounds like Gopher Senior Jay Barribal isn't all that happy with his fellow teammates effort. Win as a team and lose as a team, I am not so sure it's recommended that you call them out in the media if you haven't scored either.
Star Tribune --- "They outworked us in the corners, they beat us to the net," Barriball said. "We didn't do too many things good. ... They did the same thing that [Nebraska]-Omaha did to us. We have to find a way to deal with teams like that."Before the Gopher fans run their coach out of town they might want to keep in mind that their team is very young and they have suffered a lot of injuries and illness. Zach Budish injury, Jake Parenteau illness, Nick Larson injury Nick Bjugstad illness. [Gopher Beat Writer]and [Badgers Beat Writer]
The Maverick Bowl - (The battle of the cows, Red Cows versus Purple Cows) The UNO Mavericks played the MSU Mankato Mavericks in their first ever home WCHA series. The UNO Mavericks won going away 5-1. The UNO Mavericks continue their winning way and are now 6-1-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the WCHA. [UNO Beat Writer]and [Puckato]
DU and C.C. the fight for the Gold Pan – I watched the end of this game after I got home from the Sioux and UMD game and from what I can see DU dominated the Tigers 4-1. I also saw a stat where the Tigers have scored twenty goals over all and nine of their goals (almost half) of their goals on the power play. The Tigers only goal came at 5:11 left to play in the third period. Moral to the story is don’t let C.C. go on the power play too many times. According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post Jesse Martin is scheduled to have surgury on Monday.
Marty was scheduled to have surgery on Friday at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Instead, he was transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and surgery is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, according to his father.[C.C. Beat Writer] and [DU Beat Writer]
Beavers vs Huskies - Ben Hanowski was benched last weekend by his head coach Bob Motzko and Hanowski responded by getting a hat trick against the Bemidji State University Beavers as the Huskies beat the Beavers 6-3. This was the first away series for the BSU Beavers that played their first two WCHA series at home. [SCSU Beat Writer] and [Bemidji Beat Writer]
Sioux 4 Bulldogs 2
The Fighting Sioux keep beating/whopping that Bulldog ass. The game really wasn't as close as the score board indicated as the Fighting Sioux dominated play for most of the game and spent long periods of time in the UMD end attacking the UMD net, if it wasn't for Aaron Crandell it could have been a 6-2 game in favor of the Fighting Sioux.
Lets not beat around the bush, seriously, the Bulldog goalie Aaron Crandall was verypretty good tonight and he did a good job keeping the Dogs in the game. In addition to the goaltending exhibition in the UMD net, the Sioux would have run away with the game it it wasn't form some selfish untimely, knuckle-headed penalties. The Ralph Englestad Arena continues to be a house of horrors for the UMD Bulldogs as they are now 2-12-2 against the Fighting Sioux since they moved into the Ralph.
Defense is key?
I am starting to notice a pattern with this year Fighting Sioux team, the defense is preventing/limiting a lot of shots, but they are giving up goals off of untimely turnovers at key times in games. Also, Derrick LaPoint has been a turn over factory and at times has looked slow. I think when the Andrew MacWilliam and Derek Forbort come back, Derrick LaPoint he should be the one sitting in the stands. I would like to see more of Joe Gleason as he looked good tonight and I hope that they Fighting Sioux coaching staff can get him into the line up more frequently. Since it's late I will post more tomorrow.
Goon's three stars of the game
1. Evan Trupp, UND 1g-1a-2pts
2. Matt Frattin, UND 1g-0-1pts
3. Aaron Crandall goalie, UMD
[Official Box Score]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ND-1 Keegan Flaherty (2-SLASHING THE GOALIE) NDK 0x1 5:05
MND-2 Travis Oleksuk (2-Tripping) NDK 0x2 8:12
NDK-1 Brett Hextall (2-Cross-Checking) MND 0x1 9:25
MND-3 Mike Seidel (2-Roughing) 11:46
NDK-2 Mario Lamoureux (2-Holding) 11:46
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Derek Rodwell (3) (Evan Trupp, Brock Nelson) 2:22
NDK (+): 11,19,29,24,18,G32 MND (-): 5,17,8,14,10,G31
NDK-3 Matt Frattin (2-Hooking) MND 0x2 14:50
MND-4 Brady Lamb (2-Roughing) NDK 1x3 16:03
MND 1 - 1 5x5 Travis Oleksuk (6) (Kyle Schmidt, Dylan Olsen) 16:25
MND (+): 11,7,4,28,G31 NDK (-): 8,26,18,24,G32
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP LL Evan Trupp (2) (Chay Genoway) 17:57
NDK: 19,5,17,7,10,G32 MND: 37,5,25,27,G31
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 GW Matt Frattin (8) (unassisted) 5:05
NDK (+): 21,7,8,25,5,G32 MND (-): 23,7,2,28,11,G31
NDK-4 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) MND 0x3 5:39
MND-5 Jake Hendrickson (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 8:41
NDK-5 Jason Gregoire (2-Interference) MND 1x4 14:39
MND 2 - 3 6x5 PP Justin Fontaine (5) (Jack Connolly, Mike Connolly) 15:49
MND: 37,12,22,25,2,G31 NDK: 26,10,3,25,G32
MND-6 Justin Fontaine (2-Shooting after the Whistle) NDK 2x5 18:23
MND-7 Justin Fontaine (10-Misconduct) 18:23
Timeout - Minnesota Duluth 18:23
NDK 4 - 2 6x5 PP EN Corban Knight (5) (Chay Genoway) 19:49
NDK: 10,5,7,21,24,G32 MND: 23,25,11,22,12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lets not beat around the bush, seriously, the Bulldog goalie Aaron Crandall was very
Defense is key?
I am starting to notice a pattern with this year Fighting Sioux team, the defense is preventing/limiting a lot of shots, but they are giving up goals off of untimely turnovers at key times in games. Also, Derrick LaPoint has been a turn over factory and at times has looked slow. I think when the Andrew MacWilliam and Derek Forbort come back, Derrick LaPoint he should be the one sitting in the stands. I would like to see more of Joe Gleason as he looked good tonight and I hope that they Fighting Sioux coaching staff can get him into the line up more frequently. Since it's late I will post more tomorrow.
Goon's three stars of the game
1. Evan Trupp, UND 1g-1a-2pts
2. Matt Frattin, UND 1g-0-1pts
3. Aaron Crandall goalie, UMD
[Official Box Score]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ND-1 Keegan Flaherty (2-SLASHING THE GOALIE) NDK 0x1 5:05
MND-2 Travis Oleksuk (2-Tripping) NDK 0x2 8:12
NDK-1 Brett Hextall (2-Cross-Checking) MND 0x1 9:25
MND-3 Mike Seidel (2-Roughing) 11:46
NDK-2 Mario Lamoureux (2-Holding) 11:46
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Derek Rodwell (3) (Evan Trupp, Brock Nelson) 2:22
NDK (+): 11,19,29,24,18,G32 MND (-): 5,17,8,14,10,G31
NDK-3 Matt Frattin (2-Hooking) MND 0x2 14:50
MND-4 Brady Lamb (2-Roughing) NDK 1x3 16:03
MND 1 - 1 5x5 Travis Oleksuk (6) (Kyle Schmidt, Dylan Olsen) 16:25
MND (+): 11,7,4,28,G31 NDK (-): 8,26,18,24,G32
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP LL Evan Trupp (2) (Chay Genoway) 17:57
NDK: 19,5,17,7,10,G32 MND: 37,5,25,27,G31
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 GW Matt Frattin (8) (unassisted) 5:05
NDK (+): 21,7,8,25,5,G32 MND (-): 23,7,2,28,11,G31
NDK-4 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) MND 0x3 5:39
MND-5 Jake Hendrickson (2-Tripping) NDK 1x4 8:41
NDK-5 Jason Gregoire (2-Interference) MND 1x4 14:39
MND 2 - 3 6x5 PP Justin Fontaine (5) (Jack Connolly, Mike Connolly) 15:49
MND: 37,12,22,25,2,G31 NDK: 26,10,3,25,G32
MND-6 Justin Fontaine (2-Shooting after the Whistle) NDK 2x5 18:23
MND-7 Justin Fontaine (10-Misconduct) 18:23
Timeout - Minnesota Duluth 18:23
NDK 4 - 2 6x5 PP EN Corban Knight (5) (Chay Genoway) 19:49
NDK: 10,5,7,21,24,G32 MND: 23,25,11,22,12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, November 05, 2010
Friday morning pontifications
Here are a few things that are worth looking at this morning.
Apparently Brandon from Sioux Yeah Yeah is either sandbagging or doesn't think our team has a chance of winning the hockey games this weekend. Not mention, that the UND Fighting Sioux are a pretty good hockey team it's self, even with the rash of illnesses and the impending suspension. Add to the fact that the Fighting Sioux have also played a tougher schedule to date to start the season. That's not saying that UMD isn't a good hockey team because they are, but lets not forget that UND is pretty good as well.
Against my advice; Brandon was also participated and was taken to task in this week's gauntlet by Runnin' With the Dogs. I would tell people to enter at your own peril when agreeing to run the gauntlet.
Also apparent, is that Brandon forgot to read the Bruce Ciskie blog, where Bruce said this, "Since it opened in October of 2001, UMD is 2-11-2 in games played at Ralph Engelstad Arena." [Ciskie Blog] Let not your heart be troubled Brandon.
Sioux fans will be able to send DU forward Jesse Martin their best wishes this weekend. This from Jayson Hajdu' Twitter page, the UND Sports Information Director.
A few predictions and thoughts from the Pundits
From the Star and Tribune; N Dakota's Malone suspended 1 game for check that left Denver player with neck fractures [Star Tribune] It seems like every post that involves the Sioux in the Star and Tribune turns into a name calling fest between the Gophers and Sioux fans.
According to Brad Schlossman Carter Rowney is out this weekend with an apparent upper body injury as the result of an elbow.
Roman from Goal Gophers of the Red Star and Sickle thinks the Sioux will slap that Bulldog ass this weekend. I just hope he hasn't jinxed the Sioux this weekend.
Paul Stastny talks about the Malone hit on Martin
Here is what a former DU player and current Av's player Paul Stastny had to say about the Malone hit on Martin.
This whatperpetual Fighting Sioux hater Western College Hockey blogger Chris Dilks had this to say about the Malone hit.
Also, I think in retrospect; unfortunately we all had to know this day was going to happen, when a Fighting Sioux hockey player injured another player on the ice. You could predict that opposition fans would say that, “hey what about Malone, you guys were calling for Aaron Marvin’s head last season as well.” I am not sure we are comparing apples to apples in this situation. It was pretty evident from the video of the Marvin that he followed Genoway all the way up the ice and went around another one of his teammates to put a devastating and a illegal hit on Chay Genoway.
I don't think the Marvin hit on Genoway compares to the hit that Malone put on Martin. Marvin's hit on Genoway was a CFB/boarding penalty. Malone on the other hand it would appear was attempting to put a “legal hit but violent hit" on Martin and unfortunately ended up injuring another player.
Malone has shown remorse for his hit and has had a tough time dealing with this. I hope as fans we don't forget what happened and continue to put both players in our thoughts and prayers. I think all of us have a sick feeling in our stomach about what happened on the ice, none of us want to see another player injured, if they do they aren’t wired right, and need to seek professional help. During last Saturday’s game, if Martin skates away I don’t even know if we are looking at a penalty because hockey happens so fast.
Both players were suspended for their hit(s). I think we could have seen both players get longer suspensions for their hits/checks and the league would have been justified. In talking to a lot of people this week there are a lot of people that said, don't be surprised if there is a lengthy suspension attached to this hit. Malone was given a one game suspension but will now be a repeat offender and the scope will be on him just like it's on Aaron Marvin and it was on on former MSU Maverick Trevor Buress. If both players put a questionable hit on another players they will be subject to heavy disciplinary action. The fans and teams in the WCHA will demand that this happen.
Apparently Brandon from Sioux Yeah Yeah is either sandbagging or doesn't think our team has a chance of winning the hockey games this weekend. Not mention, that the UND Fighting Sioux are a pretty good hockey team it's self, even with the rash of illnesses and the impending suspension. Add to the fact that the Fighting Sioux have also played a tougher schedule to date to start the season. That's not saying that UMD isn't a good hockey team because they are, but lets not forget that UND is pretty good as well.
Against my advice; Brandon was also participated and was taken to task in this week's gauntlet by Runnin' With the Dogs. I would tell people to enter at your own peril when agreeing to run the gauntlet.
Also apparent, is that Brandon forgot to read the Bruce Ciskie blog, where Bruce said this, "Since it opened in October of 2001, UMD is 2-11-2 in games played at Ralph Engelstad Arena." [Ciskie Blog] Let not your heart be troubled Brandon.
Sioux fans will be able to send DU forward Jesse Martin their best wishes this weekend. This from Jayson Hajdu' Twitter page, the UND Sports Information Director.
@UNDSID --- Sioux fans can send their best wishes to DU's Jesse Martin by signing a giant card at REA guest services during this weekend's men's games.So go and sign this card if you are in the building this weekend. The Fighting Sioux fan base is pulling for the Denver University Pioneer forward.
A few predictions and thoughts from the Pundits
From the Star and Tribune; N Dakota's Malone suspended 1 game for check that left Denver player with neck fractures [Star Tribune] It seems like every post that involves the Sioux in the Star and Tribune turns into a name calling fest between the Gophers and Sioux fans.
According to Brad Schlossman Carter Rowney is out this weekend with an apparent upper body injury as the result of an elbow.
UND will likely be without Carter Rowney up front, too. Rowney was injured at the end of the second period Friday when Beau Bennett’s elbow caught him up high. There is no timetable on Rowney’s return yet. He did not practice today.I am wondering why this hit wasn't reviewed by the WCHA officials as well? [Crickets chirping ]
Roman from Goal Gophers of the Red Star and Sickle thinks the Sioux will slap that Bulldog ass this weekend. I just hope he hasn't jinxed the Sioux this weekend.
Roman: Wish I could be in two places at once, at the Ralph and Mariucci. UMD (6-0-2) has the nation's longest unbeaten streak after escaping Bemidji with three points. Beavers slowed down 'Dogs top line, so will Sioux. North Dakota won four of five meetings last season. ... Sioux sweep.This is what Tyler Buckentine WCHA Columnist from USCHO had to say about the match up between the Sioux and the Bulldogs this weekend. The combined record of UMD opponents is 9-20-7.
USCHO --- UMD’s opponents have a combined record of 9–20–7, and Sandelin said he believes the Bulldogs will see the toughest competition they’ve seen all season when they step into Ralph Engelstad Arena on Friday.
“They’re obviously the best team we’ve faced to this point,” Sandelin said. “They’re deeper and a little more skilled than the other teams we’ve faced, plus we’re at [UND’s] rink. We need to take care of the puck and play smart hockey because teams with their ability will take it and put it in your net.”
The Sioux are known for having one of the deepest lineups in Division I and have the ability to roll four solid lines each week.
Paul Stastny talks about the Malone hit on Martin
Here is what a former DU player and current Av's player Paul Stastny had to say about the Malone hit on Martin.
The Denver Post --- Stastny, who played two seasons at DU and skates with Martin and other Pioneers during the summer, was rattled because he knows what happened to Martin can happen to anyone.Where do we go from here?
And Stastny also knows North Dakota's Brad Malone, who delivered the hit on Martin. Malone, a 6-foot-2, 212-pound senior forward, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Avalanche in 2007.
While Martin's hockey career is probably over, Malone will likely continue his career with the Avs organization next season.
"I only saw the replay from one angle and it wasn't the best view, but I don't think there was any intention to hurt him," Stastny said. "Honestly, I've been thinking about it for the last two days. Jesse had his head down, but you don't want to blame anyone."
Martin was skating the puck up ice, out of the defensive zone, and wanted to pass it ahead. But he lost control of the puck and looked down to find it just before Malone crushed him on a forecheck.
This what
All in all, I'm not going to declare Malone the worst person ever because I think he was honestly trying to throw a legal check, but the bottom line is that he definitely threw an illegal check which seriously injured another player. What type of suspension should that be worth? For those willing to search through internet archives, you could probably find all sorts of creative solutions from North Dakota fans, demanding pounds of flesh from Aaron Marvin last year, not the least of which was former Grand Forks Herald writer Virg Foss, who penned an editorial last year saying players that injure a player with an illegal check should be suspended until the injured player returns to the ice. I doubt the Herald will be reprinting that this week. There's no need to be excessive, but the suspension should definitely be significant.Personally, I don’t mind the WCH blog, I read it all the time almost every day, I think there are a lot of good points brought up in this blog but let’s be frank and realistic and call it like it is, Chris Dilks hates everything UND, you can’t tell me otherwise. It is what it is. I get it; I don’t have a problem with that. I have my own teams and players that I have don’t like, cough, cough.
Also, I think in retrospect; unfortunately we all had to know this day was going to happen, when a Fighting Sioux hockey player injured another player on the ice. You could predict that opposition fans would say that, “hey what about Malone, you guys were calling for Aaron Marvin’s head last season as well.” I am not sure we are comparing apples to apples in this situation. It was pretty evident from the video of the Marvin that he followed Genoway all the way up the ice and went around another one of his teammates to put a devastating and a illegal hit on Chay Genoway.
I don't think the Marvin hit on Genoway compares to the hit that Malone put on Martin. Marvin's hit on Genoway was a CFB/boarding penalty. Malone on the other hand it would appear was attempting to put a “legal hit but violent hit" on Martin and unfortunately ended up injuring another player.
Malone has shown remorse for his hit and has had a tough time dealing with this. I hope as fans we don't forget what happened and continue to put both players in our thoughts and prayers. I think all of us have a sick feeling in our stomach about what happened on the ice, none of us want to see another player injured, if they do they aren’t wired right, and need to seek professional help. During last Saturday’s game, if Martin skates away I don’t even know if we are looking at a penalty because hockey happens so fast.
Both players were suspended for their hit(s). I think we could have seen both players get longer suspensions for their hits/checks and the league would have been justified. In talking to a lot of people this week there are a lot of people that said, don't be surprised if there is a lengthy suspension attached to this hit. Malone was given a one game suspension but will now be a repeat offender and the scope will be on him just like it's on Aaron Marvin and it was on on former MSU Maverick Trevor Buress. If both players put a questionable hit on another players they will be subject to heavy disciplinary action. The fans and teams in the WCHA will demand that this happen.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Matt Niskanen vs Sidney Crosby Fight
I figured this would be a fitting video for this weekend's series with the UMD Bulldogs. Ok! For those of you that haven't seen this fight video, former UMD defenseman Matt Niskanen drops the glove against the Penguins
Brad Malone suspended one game by the WCHA
I don't have a problem with the suspension, however, why did it take the WCHA so long for the league to hand it down this suspension? They couldn't have come down with the decision on Tuesday? I mean seriously, by moving slowly in handing down this suspension, the WCHA looks like a bunch of bumbling buffoons, that makes them also look incompetent. I don't think any of us are shocked by the decision, most of us figured a suspension was coming, it was just a matter of how long.
MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (Nov. 4, 2010) announced a one-game suspension to University of North Dakota hockey player Brad Malone for his actions in the October 30 game vs the University of Denver.
Malone's suspension was determined after a review of the incident under the WCHA's Supplementary Discipline Policy and Procedures. At the time of the incident, he was assessed a 5:00-minute major penalty for charging and a 10:00-minute game misconduct.
Malone will be required to serve this one-game suspension in his team's next regularly scheduled game on Friday, November 5 vs the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)
First I want to start off by wishing Jesse Martin (and his family) a quick and full recovery from his broken vertebrae.
There has already been lots of speculating on this incident from fans around the league, and I’ll leave it at that. However, I want to talk briefly about hockey hits in general. I believe that Don Cherry (Hockey Night in Canada announcer, ex-coach), had the answer to all these injuries, years ago. Get rid of the hard plastic arm pads that players wear, and replace them with some of the new cotton/foam padding. Let’s face the physics of the matter, plastic, it doesn’t give much when you hit it, cotton/foam padding on the other hand does.
Now, back to this week, yet again we have five league series this weekend. The standings are starting shake out, but it is still too early to say who really is the best team in the league is right now.
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. Minnesota-Duluth....3-0-1…7
2. North Dakota………3-1-0…6
2. Minnesota…………..3-3-0…6
2. Minnesota State…...2-2-2…6
5. Denver……………...2-1-1…5
5. Wisconsin…………..2-1-1…5
7. Nebraska-Omaha…2-0-0…4
8. Michigan Tech……..1-2-1…3
9. Colorado College…..1-3-0…2
10. St. Cloud State….....1-1-0…2
11. Alaska-Anchorage...0-3-1…1
11. Bemidji State……….0-3-1…1
WCHA
Colorado College vs #13 Denver
Last weekend the Tigers where swept by the Gophers in Colorado Spring and the Pioneers split their series with the Sioux in Grand Forks.
After getting swept last weekend the Tigers need to get back in the win column. Like the saying goes, “you can’t win the league title in first part of the season, but you can lose it.” This is start of this year’s Gold Pan games, and from what I read/know the Pioneers are the Tigers most disliked rival. It seems that most DU fans consider UND to be their arch-rivals the past few years, replacing the Tigers. Any way you slice it, it is still an in-state rival (too bad Air Force is not in the WCHA too). The Tiger need some points this weekend, if they want to stay in contention for a league title come March, or just home ice. For the Pioneers, it will be focusing on this weekend, and trying to put last weekend’s unfortunate incident in the past. After this weekend series, DU will have finished up what looks to be the hardest stretch of their season schedule. I’m going with the home team to win in their home building, SPLIT.
Bemidji State @ #20 St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Beavers lost and tied the Bulldogs in Bemidji and the Huskies split with Quinnipiac in St. Cloud.
The Beavers are still trying to get their first WCHA conference win, with this weekend being their first WCHA road games. BSU came close last weekend with a pair of overtime games. The Huskies have been sporadic to start the year, win here a lose there, repeat. SCSU had/has high hopes for the season, and the league coaches thought the Huskies were/are going to be one of the top teams in the league. This early in the year, you have to look past the standing some, SCSU sits in 10, but they have only played 2 games, where most played four or six games. BSU is winless in four games and sitting in the basement. The Beavers might have too big of a hole to dig out of, if they don’t get some points, and soon. SPLIT
#15 Wisconsin @ #17 Minnesota
Last weekend the Badgers swept the MTU Huskies in Madison and the Gophers swept the Tigers in Colorado Springs.
It looks like the Gophers found their offense last week, who knew it was hiding in Colorado, huh. The Gophers put up 13 goals on the weekend, posting 4 on Friday night and 9 on Saturday. Wisconsin put some goals up the board last weekend too, 5 and 4 respectively. If both those offensives show up in Minneapolis this weekend, we might have ourselves some old fashioned barn burners. Of course, now that I speculate shoot outs, the games will end up more like 1-0. This is the other big rivalry series this weekend, CC vs DU is the other rivals game. I’m going to go with a safe conservative pick here, SPLIT.
#2 Minnesota-Duluth @ #9 North Dakota
Last weekend the Bulldogs took three points from the Beavers in Bemidji and the Sioux split with the Pioneers in Grand Forks.
The Sioux outshot the Pioneers in both games last weekend, 30-17 Friday and 33-17 Saturday. UND has scored 14 goals in conference play and UMD has scored 13 goals, both teams have played 4 games. If you look at BSU being a common denominator between UND, UMD you would have to go with the Sioux in this series. They beat BSU by a pair of 5-2 scores, and UMD beat them 3-2 OT and tied 1-1. I’m going to stick with the home team this weekend, SIOUX SWEEP.
Minnesota State @ #8 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the MSUM Mavericks took three points from the Seawolves in Anchorage and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed a weekend off.
This will be the first time these teams play each other as members of the same league. The last few years these teams have played one another, as non-conference games. That should make for a good background between these pair of Mavericks. Like the cliché goes, “familiarity breeds contempt” and these teams should be familiar with each other. I saw the UNO v UM games a few weeks ago, and the Red Mavericks looked pretty good (of course, the Gophers looked bad then too). I haven’t seen the Purple Pucksters in action this year, so its hard to predict these games. MAVERICKS Win and the other MAVERICKS Win too :)
BYE WEEK
University of Alaska Anchorage – Seawolves
Michigan Technological University – Huskies
I’m Sioux 7 and I approve of this message.
(Man, I’m glad I don’t have to hear that fraise for a couple of years.)
There has already been lots of speculating on this incident from fans around the league, and I’ll leave it at that. However, I want to talk briefly about hockey hits in general. I believe that Don Cherry (Hockey Night in Canada announcer, ex-coach), had the answer to all these injuries, years ago. Get rid of the hard plastic arm pads that players wear, and replace them with some of the new cotton/foam padding. Let’s face the physics of the matter, plastic, it doesn’t give much when you hit it, cotton/foam padding on the other hand does.
Now, back to this week, yet again we have five league series this weekend. The standings are starting shake out, but it is still too early to say who really is the best team in the league is right now.
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. Minnesota-Duluth....3-0-1…7
2. North Dakota………3-1-0…6
2. Minnesota…………..3-3-0…6
2. Minnesota State…...2-2-2…6
5. Denver……………...2-1-1…5
5. Wisconsin…………..2-1-1…5
7. Nebraska-Omaha…2-0-0…4
8. Michigan Tech……..1-2-1…3
9. Colorado College…..1-3-0…2
10. St. Cloud State….....1-1-0…2
11. Alaska-Anchorage...0-3-1…1
11. Bemidji State……….0-3-1…1
WCHA
Colorado College vs #13 Denver
Last weekend the Tigers where swept by the Gophers in Colorado Spring and the Pioneers split their series with the Sioux in Grand Forks.
After getting swept last weekend the Tigers need to get back in the win column. Like the saying goes, “you can’t win the league title in first part of the season, but you can lose it.” This is start of this year’s Gold Pan games, and from what I read/know the Pioneers are the Tigers most disliked rival. It seems that most DU fans consider UND to be their arch-rivals the past few years, replacing the Tigers. Any way you slice it, it is still an in-state rival (too bad Air Force is not in the WCHA too). The Tiger need some points this weekend, if they want to stay in contention for a league title come March, or just home ice. For the Pioneers, it will be focusing on this weekend, and trying to put last weekend’s unfortunate incident in the past. After this weekend series, DU will have finished up what looks to be the hardest stretch of their season schedule. I’m going with the home team to win in their home building, SPLIT.
Bemidji State @ #20 St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Beavers lost and tied the Bulldogs in Bemidji and the Huskies split with Quinnipiac in St. Cloud.
The Beavers are still trying to get their first WCHA conference win, with this weekend being their first WCHA road games. BSU came close last weekend with a pair of overtime games. The Huskies have been sporadic to start the year, win here a lose there, repeat. SCSU had/has high hopes for the season, and the league coaches thought the Huskies were/are going to be one of the top teams in the league. This early in the year, you have to look past the standing some, SCSU sits in 10, but they have only played 2 games, where most played four or six games. BSU is winless in four games and sitting in the basement. The Beavers might have too big of a hole to dig out of, if they don’t get some points, and soon. SPLIT
#15 Wisconsin @ #17 Minnesota
Last weekend the Badgers swept the MTU Huskies in Madison and the Gophers swept the Tigers in Colorado Springs.
It looks like the Gophers found their offense last week, who knew it was hiding in Colorado, huh. The Gophers put up 13 goals on the weekend, posting 4 on Friday night and 9 on Saturday. Wisconsin put some goals up the board last weekend too, 5 and 4 respectively. If both those offensives show up in Minneapolis this weekend, we might have ourselves some old fashioned barn burners. Of course, now that I speculate shoot outs, the games will end up more like 1-0. This is the other big rivalry series this weekend, CC vs DU is the other rivals game. I’m going to go with a safe conservative pick here, SPLIT.
#2 Minnesota-Duluth @ #9 North Dakota
Last weekend the Bulldogs took three points from the Beavers in Bemidji and the Sioux split with the Pioneers in Grand Forks.
The Sioux outshot the Pioneers in both games last weekend, 30-17 Friday and 33-17 Saturday. UND has scored 14 goals in conference play and UMD has scored 13 goals, both teams have played 4 games. If you look at BSU being a common denominator between UND, UMD you would have to go with the Sioux in this series. They beat BSU by a pair of 5-2 scores, and UMD beat them 3-2 OT and tied 1-1. I’m going to stick with the home team this weekend, SIOUX SWEEP.
Minnesota State @ #8 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the MSUM Mavericks took three points from the Seawolves in Anchorage and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed a weekend off.
This will be the first time these teams play each other as members of the same league. The last few years these teams have played one another, as non-conference games. That should make for a good background between these pair of Mavericks. Like the cliché goes, “familiarity breeds contempt” and these teams should be familiar with each other. I saw the UNO v UM games a few weeks ago, and the Red Mavericks looked pretty good (of course, the Gophers looked bad then too). I haven’t seen the Purple Pucksters in action this year, so its hard to predict these games. MAVERICKS Win and the other MAVERICKS Win too :)
BYE WEEK
University of Alaska Anchorage – Seawolves
Michigan Technological University – Huskies
I’m Sioux 7 and I approve of this message.
(Man, I’m glad I don’t have to hear that fraise for a couple of years.)
Hockey culture doesn't sit well with dad
Here is an article from Slam Sports/Canoe.CA, Terry Martin is in favor of changing the culture of hockey as soon as possible.
EDMONTON - The father of a young hockey player who is still recovering in a Minneapolis hospital from a broken neck after a devastating hit says the entire sport is due for a fundamental fix when it comes to bodychecking.
Terry Martin's son, 22-year-old Jesse Martin -- a centreman with the University of Denver -- was taken off on a stretcher Sunday night following the hit by Brad Malone, a player with the University of North Dakota during a match Sunday in Grand Forks.
The former player for the Spruce Grove Saints and a product of the Atlanta Thrashers was rushed to hospital after suffering three fractures to his C-2 vertebrae to his neck.
"I am absolutely in favour of the discussion going on right now about changing the culture of hockey," Terry Martin said in an interview.
Former Duluth Sieve Brady Hjelle Commits to Ohio State University
I just saw this on line over at the Cedar Rapids Roughriders team web page.
Cedar Rapids, IA- RoughRider goaltender, Brady Hjelle, has committed to play the remainder of his college hockey career at Ohio State University.
"We congratulate Brady and are very happy for him and his family. Brady will fit in very nicely with the culture Coach Osiecki and his staff are building at OSU," said Head Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson.
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