I was in transit back from West Virginia and in stead of watching Friday night’s game in the stands I was stuck on the snowy tarmac/the gate of MSP airport getting updates from my Blackberry. Actually not all was lost; I was able to listen to most of the first period on my laptop before I boarded my plane. When I got home I was able to watch the game from my DVR. All in all it was a long day.
Hakstol wins 100th game
UND Fighting Sioux head hockey coach Dave Hakstol got his 100 career win as the coach of the Fighting Sioux... Congratulations Dave Hakstol! The Sioux had to deal with adversity as two of their first line forwards were out with an injury. The toughest one to absorb is junior forward Jason Gregoire because he is one of the best two way forwards in the game. Brett Hextall is a big loss as well but he had been in a rut and hadn’t scored a point in 9 games. I am hoping when Hextall returns from his injury that he takes off with a vengeance.
Areas of concern
While I think this year’s version of the Fighting Sioux hockey is the best complete UND hockey team led by coach Hakstol (pre-new year) I have seen in some time, however, there are a few areas of concern, UND is getting production from only one line. More players need to step up their play and be heard on the score sheet.
Sophomore Danny Kristo who scored (15g-21a-36pts) last season has (1g-4a-5pts) this season so far and hasn’t scored a point in two straight games, Danny needs to pick it up and start scoring goals and making plays. Brett Hextall (14g-12a-26pts) last season and (2g-4a-6pts) and hasn’t scored a point in nine games before the injury. Michael Cichy highly regarded and has shown us a glimpse of what is yet to come needs to be consistent and step up his play.
Goon's Three Stars of the game
1.) Aaron Dell Goalie
2.) Brad Malone (2g-1a-3pts)
3.) Matt Frattin (1g-1a-2pts)
Links to the series
My favorite Pseudo reporter from USCHO. [USCHO]
RWD's favorite UND Beat Writer [UND Hockey]
College Hockey News game summary [College Hockey New]
Saint Cloud State Media blog [Saint Cloud Times]
Official Fighting Sioux Hockey team site [Fighting Sioux]
Game highlights from the Sioux and SCSU 12/03/2010 [Click to watch]
[Box Score]
_________________________________
1st Period (20:00)
_________________________________
STC-1 Nick Jensen (2-Interference) NDK 0x1 5:39
STC 1 - 0 6x6 Drew LeBlanc (6) (Brett Barta) 13:53
STC (+): 19,6,23,7,16,G30 NDK (-): 21,18,22,19,3,G32
STC-2 Travis Novak (2-Boarding) NDK 0x2 18:17
_________________________________
2nd Period (20:00)
_________________________________
NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Matt Frattin (14) (Brad Malone) 0:18
NDK (+): 21,22,19,5,24,G32 STC (-): 10,17,7,6,12,G30
STC-3 Chris Hepp (2-Hooking) NDK 0x3 9:04
STC-4 Chris Hepp (2-Tripping) NDK 0x4 11:12
_________________________________
3rd Period (20:00)
_________________________________
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 GW LL Brad Malone (3) (Evan Trupp, Matt Frattin) 6:23
NDK (+): 22,19,21,3,18,G32 STC (-): 25,19,14,26,23,G30
NDK-1 Derrick LaPoint (2-Tripping) STC 0x1 13:01
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 Brad Malone (4) (Chay Genoway, Ben Blood) 15:04
NDK (+): 22,5,24,10,3,G32 STC (-): 19,6,11,23,10,G30
STC-5 Jordy Christian (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x5 18:48
_________________________________
End of Game
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Heads will roll if Wild don't improve...
Personally, I don't think the Wild have much to bargain with, who are they going to trade? They have no prospects in Houston and the past GM ran the team so far into the ground that they are still suffering from it.
Minneapolis Star and Tribune ---- Change is coming for the Wild. If it doesn't come in the form of victories, it'll come in the form of changing faces, and soon.I didn't think that the Minnesota Wild would be that good this year when I looked at their team roster in training camp because they really don't have a very talented line up and I think they are going to be hard pressed to make the playoffs and if they do qualify they are going to play a team like Detroit which they have no change of eliminating until they get more talented in the forwards lines.... I keep reading on line how Wild fans are already ready to have one of their own fired.
The team hasn't been in the top eight in the Western Conference since Nov. 11 and has lost five of six -- four by lopsided scores.
The Wild is back in that dangerous territory of being trapped in the bottom of the conference with a logjam in front. As last season proved, it's a torturous task to leapfrog up the standings.
That's why Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher says things must turn around now. If they don't, you can bet players will either be shipped out or, as much as it would pain Fletcher, coach Todd Richards could be fired.
Fletcher made clear Thursday, however, that players will be held accountable before Richards.
Trade talks are picking up, Fletcher said, but he's willing to give this group one final chance to prove itself.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Sioux and Huskies
Fighting Sioux beat writer Brad Schlossman has the lines posted for tonight's game and there are some interesting changes, Gregoire and Hextall out this weekend. The word on the street is that Hexy is out till the end of December if you watch the replay of the game Hextall crashed awkwardly into the end board during the second period of Saturday's game and didn't return.
Here are some of the predictions from the pundits.
Brandon is sandbagging again [Sioux Yeah Yeah!] Hey Sioux fans, have some faith in your team...
Goal Gophers has Puckato with him this week and their predictions can be read here... [Goal Gophers]
The WCHA bloggers at USCHO give their spin on the Sioux and SCSU Huskies [USCHO.COM]
The Buffoon from the USCHO EZAC blog has his weekly poll, his top twenty is stuffed with EZAC teams of course... [USCHO ECAC Blog]
The story lines for this game is goaltending; Mike Lee has only finished on game against the Sioux and has been on the receiving end of a a big time pummeling last February. Moving on I do expect Aaron Marvin to be hit and hit often by the Sioux players. I am also wondering if we will here from the Huskies fans about the a fourth line player that was sent out to fight the almighty second line player?
UND’s lines
19 Evan Trupp–22 Brad Malone–21 Matt Frattin
25 Jake Marto–10 Corban Knight–7 Danny Kristo
8 Mike Cichy–29 Brock Nelson–11 Derek Rodwell
9 Mario Lamoureux–27 Carter Rowney–20 Joe Gleason
24 Ben Blood–5 Chay Genoway
2 Andrew MacWilliam–4 Derek Forbort
3 Derrick LaPoint–18 Dillon Simpson
32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
SCCC Huskies lines
10 Ben Hanowski–17 Aaron Marvin–12 Travis Novak
27 Tony Mosey–9 Garrett Roe–11 Jared Festler
23 Cam Reid–19 Drew LeBlanc–26 Nic Dowd
28 Mitch MacMillan–13 Jordy Christian–16 Nick Oslund
25 Oliver Lauridsen–14 Nick Jensen
4 Taylor Johnson–18 Chris Hepp
7 Kevin Gravel–6 Brett Barta
30 Mike Lee
41 Dan Dunn
Refson ice buffoon's for Tonight's game
Jon Campion and Derek Shepherd
Here are some of the predictions from the pundits.
Brandon is sandbagging again [Sioux Yeah Yeah!] Hey Sioux fans, have some faith in your team...
Goal Gophers has Puckato with him this week and their predictions can be read here... [Goal Gophers]
The WCHA bloggers at USCHO give their spin on the Sioux and SCSU Huskies [USCHO.COM]
The Buffoon from the USCHO EZAC blog has his weekly poll, his top twenty is stuffed with EZAC teams of course... [USCHO ECAC Blog]
The story lines for this game is goaltending; Mike Lee has only finished on game against the Sioux and has been on the receiving end of a a big time pummeling last February. Moving on I do expect Aaron Marvin to be hit and hit often by the Sioux players. I am also wondering if we will here from the Huskies fans about the a fourth line player that was sent out to fight the almighty second line player?
UND’s lines
19 Evan Trupp–22 Brad Malone–21 Matt Frattin
25 Jake Marto–10 Corban Knight–7 Danny Kristo
8 Mike Cichy–29 Brock Nelson–11 Derek Rodwell
9 Mario Lamoureux–27 Carter Rowney–20 Joe Gleason
24 Ben Blood–5 Chay Genoway
2 Andrew MacWilliam–4 Derek Forbort
3 Derrick LaPoint–18 Dillon Simpson
32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
SCCC Huskies lines
10 Ben Hanowski–17 Aaron Marvin–12 Travis Novak
27 Tony Mosey–9 Garrett Roe–11 Jared Festler
23 Cam Reid–19 Drew LeBlanc–26 Nic Dowd
28 Mitch MacMillan–13 Jordy Christian–16 Nick Oslund
25 Oliver Lauridsen–14 Nick Jensen
4 Taylor Johnson–18 Chris Hepp
7 Kevin Gravel–6 Brett Barta
30 Mike Lee
41 Dan Dunn
Refs
Jon Campion and Derek Shepherd
WCHA statement on the ND tying goal
The Boards Room blog wrote the WCHA a letter to get their clarification on why the game tying goal by Notre Dame counted last Saturday night. I wrote the WCHA as well and this is the line the WCHA is going with... You have to give them credit at least they are consistent.
The only view that the officials have for replay is the overhead view, and talking to the on-ice officials live they thought the North Dakota player caused the Notre Dame player to go into the goalie by the use of his stick, and from the overhead view there was nothing to overturn that. If we had other angles it could have been different.Even after this statement and reviewing the goal numerous by Notre Dames Sam Calabrese there is no reason in my opinion that the goal should have counted. This was a blown call by the WCHA and the fact that they are still making the argument in their favor is mind blowing. This is the WCHA and they just make S#!t as they go.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
So is Sturm a goner for the Bruins.
According to a report from NHL.COM the Bruins have traded Marco "the German" Sturm to the LA Kings. It would appear to be a cap saving room to make room for Bruins Star Marc Savard. Earlier this week the Boston Bruins traded former Michigan Wolverine defensemanMatt Hunwick to the Av's for former BU Terrier Defenseman Colby Cohen. Of course the Bruins haven't confirmed the trade yet.... Sturm last played in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs and had been out recovering from a knee injury.
NHL.COM ------ Marco Sturm is about ready to start playing again. However, it won't be for the Boston Bruins.
Sturm, a 12-year NHL veteran who scored the overtime winner for the Bruins at Fenway Park at the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, has been traded to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, according to multiple media reports.
Details of what Boston received in return were not immediately available. This is the second trade the Bruins have made this week as they look to clear space under the salary cap -- veteran defenseman Matt Hunwick was dealt to the Avalanche on Monday in exchange for young blueliner Colby Cohen.
Sturm hasn't played in an NHL game this season after having right knee surgery. He was injured in Game 1 of the Bruins' Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The 32-year-old Sturm was a first-round pick (No. 21) by San Jose in the 1996 Entry Draft and played part of eight seasons with the Sharks before he was traded to Boston early in the 2005-06 season as part of the package for Joe Thornton.
Former UMD Bulldog Mason Raymond scores hat-trick against the Flames...
Former UMD Bulldog Mason Raymond's scored a hat trick last night against the Calgary Flames. Raymond's hat tricked ended up being one of the stories on the internet last night that caused a big buzz. I think it would be safe to say that Mason Raymond has had a tough go of it lately until last night when he just about doubled his season goal total. Raymond had only scored one goal in his last thirteen games before getting three last night.
Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)
Thanksgiving has now come and gone and we are officially in holiday mode. There was only one WCHA series last weekend which featured UAA visiting CC. This weekend, for the first time this season, we have six league series. It’s about time we have a full six WCHA series, since we’re almost half-way through the season. With 12 teams now, this weekend with all WCHA series might be a rare event, that we don’t see that often. Of course, in a year or so the league might be back down to 10 teams.
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. Minnesota-Duluth....8-1-1…17
2. Denver……………...7-2-1…15
3. North Dakota………7-3-0…14
4. Nebraska-Omaha…6-1-1…13
5. Minnesota…………..5-4-1…11
6. Wisconsin…………..3-5-2…8
7. St. Cloud State….....3-4-1…7
7. Alaska-Anchorage...3-6-1…7
9. Minnesota State…...2-6-2…6
9. Colorado College…..3-5-0…6
11. Bemidji State……….2-7-1…5
12. Michigan Tech……..1-6-1…3
WCHA
#15 Wisconsin @ Alaska Anchorage
Last weekend the Seawolves split with Colorado College in Colorado Springs and the Badgers beat Michigan State and tied Michigan [Edit by Goon]
It’s hard to believe that in the first week of December the Badgers are only one point ahead of the Seawolves in the standings. And that one point separates the top half of the league from the bottom half. UAA has split their last three WCHA series, of course they have all been against other teams in the bottom of the standings. But then again the Badgers are just barely a top half team. This weekend is the start of a six game home stand for the Seawolves (after UW they host DU and CC). Like all teams in the middle of the pack the points are very precious, especially closing in on Christmas break. I like what the Badgers did last weekend against the CCHA teams, but UAA is always tough at home, plus it’s a long road trip for visitors. SPLIT
Colorado College @ Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Tigers split with the Seawolves in Colorado Springs and the MTU Huskies enjoyed having the Thanksgiving weekend off.
Both teams are scoring about 3goals/game in league play, up to this point. The Tigers have already beaten the Seawolves once, 4-3, back in October at the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament. A sweep for either team would go a long way in the standings, CC could even its league record and MTU would most likely move out of the basement. I’m going to take the easy way out in this prediction. SPLIT
St. Cloud State @ #7 North Dakota
Last weekend the Sioux beat and tied Notre Dame and the Huskies enjoyed a long holiday weekend rest.
Will this be the weekend the Sioux get their revenge on SCSU for the Genoway incident last year? I was at last year’s game in St. Cloud when Lamoureux was going to fight with Marvin, but the refs jumped in and stopped it before it started. (The Sioux won that game, putting up a snowman, 8-goals). I’m guessing the Sioux will say they just want to win this weekend and get all four points to solidify their spot in the standings. The Huskies have been, well, up and down, to say the least. Since they were picked to finish in the top three in the preseason, it has been no doubt a little disappointing for them so far. UND has been playing consistently well the last month and show no signs of letting up. SIOUX Sweep
#4 Nebraska-Omaha @ Bemidji State
Last weekend the Beavers split with the Northern Michigan Wildcats in Bemidji and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed the weekend off by eating some turkey.
Here we have the two new WCHA members playing each other for the first time. These teams are off to vastly different starts in the league. UNO one of the best records in the league and the Beavers are two points out of the basement. A win by the Beavers would help them not only with points, but show their new counterpart (and the rest of the league), they aren’t going to roll over and play dead. UNO 3-points
#17 Minnesota @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks swept Umass-Lowell in Lowell and the Gophers lost to Michigan State and beat Michigan in Minneapolis.
This series has turned into a good rivalry the past few years, especially after their playoff match up back in 2008. The Mavericks need to get some more points before Christmas break if they want to stay in the hunt for a top half finish. The Gophers also need to get some wins before semester break to keep them planted in the top half of the league. The Gophers have been far better on the road than at home, to this point in the season, and the Maroon & Gold faithful are hoping that trend holds up this weekend in Mankato. The Mavericks will look to build on last weekend’s success in Massachusetts and carry that moment into this weekend’s tilts with the Gophers. SPLIT
#10 Denver @ #1 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Pioneers beat the Lake Superior Lakers and the Air Force Falcons in Denver and the Bulldogs enjoyed a free Thanksgiving weekend.
This is the big series of the weekend, the top two teams in the league going at it in the last series to be played at the DECC. I’m sure the Bulldogs want to send their old building out in style, but the Pioneers have other plans, they want to walk out of Duluth leading the WCHA standings. The Bulldogs really like to play hockey, that’s why they have played OT in six league games this season. The Bulldogs have had an easy schedule this season, and they have a favorable schedule after Christmas too. Also the Bulldogs have only beaten BSU and UAA in WCHA regulation time, all the other league wins were in overtime. The Pioneers are currently riding a six game winning streak, all of which were home games. I got a feeling the Bulldogs luck might be on thin ice this weekend. Pioneers 3-points
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. Minnesota-Duluth....8-1-1…17
2. Denver……………...7-2-1…15
3. North Dakota………7-3-0…14
4. Nebraska-Omaha…6-1-1…13
5. Minnesota…………..5-4-1…11
6. Wisconsin…………..3-5-2…8
7. St. Cloud State….....3-4-1…7
7. Alaska-Anchorage...3-6-1…7
9. Minnesota State…...2-6-2…6
9. Colorado College…..3-5-0…6
11. Bemidji State……….2-7-1…5
12. Michigan Tech……..1-6-1…3
WCHA
#15 Wisconsin @ Alaska Anchorage
Last weekend the Seawolves split with Colorado College in Colorado Springs and the Badgers beat Michigan State and tied Michigan [Edit by Goon]
It’s hard to believe that in the first week of December the Badgers are only one point ahead of the Seawolves in the standings. And that one point separates the top half of the league from the bottom half. UAA has split their last three WCHA series, of course they have all been against other teams in the bottom of the standings. But then again the Badgers are just barely a top half team. This weekend is the start of a six game home stand for the Seawolves (after UW they host DU and CC). Like all teams in the middle of the pack the points are very precious, especially closing in on Christmas break. I like what the Badgers did last weekend against the CCHA teams, but UAA is always tough at home, plus it’s a long road trip for visitors. SPLIT
Colorado College @ Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Tigers split with the Seawolves in Colorado Springs and the MTU Huskies enjoyed having the Thanksgiving weekend off.
Both teams are scoring about 3goals/game in league play, up to this point. The Tigers have already beaten the Seawolves once, 4-3, back in October at the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament. A sweep for either team would go a long way in the standings, CC could even its league record and MTU would most likely move out of the basement. I’m going to take the easy way out in this prediction. SPLIT
St. Cloud State @ #7 North Dakota
Last weekend the Sioux beat and tied Notre Dame and the Huskies enjoyed a long holiday weekend rest.
Will this be the weekend the Sioux get their revenge on SCSU for the Genoway incident last year? I was at last year’s game in St. Cloud when Lamoureux was going to fight with Marvin, but the refs jumped in and stopped it before it started. (The Sioux won that game, putting up a snowman, 8-goals). I’m guessing the Sioux will say they just want to win this weekend and get all four points to solidify their spot in the standings. The Huskies have been, well, up and down, to say the least. Since they were picked to finish in the top three in the preseason, it has been no doubt a little disappointing for them so far. UND has been playing consistently well the last month and show no signs of letting up. SIOUX Sweep
#4 Nebraska-Omaha @ Bemidji State
Last weekend the Beavers split with the Northern Michigan Wildcats in Bemidji and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed the weekend off by eating some turkey.
Here we have the two new WCHA members playing each other for the first time. These teams are off to vastly different starts in the league. UNO one of the best records in the league and the Beavers are two points out of the basement. A win by the Beavers would help them not only with points, but show their new counterpart (and the rest of the league), they aren’t going to roll over and play dead. UNO 3-points
#17 Minnesota @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks swept Umass-Lowell in Lowell and the Gophers lost to Michigan State and beat Michigan in Minneapolis.
This series has turned into a good rivalry the past few years, especially after their playoff match up back in 2008. The Mavericks need to get some more points before Christmas break if they want to stay in the hunt for a top half finish. The Gophers also need to get some wins before semester break to keep them planted in the top half of the league. The Gophers have been far better on the road than at home, to this point in the season, and the Maroon & Gold faithful are hoping that trend holds up this weekend in Mankato. The Mavericks will look to build on last weekend’s success in Massachusetts and carry that moment into this weekend’s tilts with the Gophers. SPLIT
#10 Denver @ #1 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Pioneers beat the Lake Superior Lakers and the Air Force Falcons in Denver and the Bulldogs enjoyed a free Thanksgiving weekend.
This is the big series of the weekend, the top two teams in the league going at it in the last series to be played at the DECC. I’m sure the Bulldogs want to send their old building out in style, but the Pioneers have other plans, they want to walk out of Duluth leading the WCHA standings. The Bulldogs really like to play hockey, that’s why they have played OT in six league games this season. The Bulldogs have had an easy schedule this season, and they have a favorable schedule after Christmas too. Also the Bulldogs have only beaten BSU and UAA in WCHA regulation time, all the other league wins were in overtime. The Pioneers are currently riding a six game winning streak, all of which were home games. I got a feeling the Bulldogs luck might be on thin ice this weekend. Pioneers 3-points
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
A little historical review of the UND and SCSU hockey series...
This weekend is a rivalry game between two teams that don’t like each other, I think it might be safe to say that both teams hate each other, a lot. The elephant in the room that no one has mentioned very much or at all this week; will there be a repeat of the series that took place last February between the Sioux and the Huskies. This is also the first game that Chay Genoway will be on the same sheet of ice as Aaron Marvin the player that took him out with an illegal and dirty hit.
I don’t think UND is going to try and seek revenge, unless someone from the SCSU hockey team takes a run at one of UND’s players, or if the game gets out of hand either way, then the players on the ice start looking for a pound of flesh. All I can say is set your DVR, just in case… I also wonder if SCSU hockey coach Moztko will keep Marvin on the SCSU players bench if things get rough.
In case you forgot...
Ben Blood hits Aaron Marvin. [Click to view video]
This video proves that you can get a suspension for thinking about a fight. [click to view video]
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Why not have a western college hockey super conference?
Brad Schlossman has an intriguing article about a conversation that took place during the Sioux Boosters luncheon last Friday, during the Notre Dame and UND hockey series. When asked about the impending Big Ten Hockey Conference farce, one of the suggestions offered by Notre Dame head hockey coach Jeff Jackson was the prospects of having a western college hockey super conference with the Big Ten Schools making up one of the divisions.
North Division
Mankato
Duluth
Bemidji State
St. Cloud State
Northern Michigan
Michigan Tech
Western Division
Fairbanks
Anchorage
Colorado College
Denver
Omaha
North Dakota
Big Ten Division
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State
Great Lakes Division
Notre Dame
Miami
Lake Superior
Bowling Green
Western Michigan
Ferris State
Also listen to the Paul Kelly and Tim Hennesy discussion that took place during the ND and UND hockey game last Friday night. [click to listen to the interview]
University of North Dakota Hockey ---- On Friday afternoon, Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson spoke at a booster luncheon in Grand Forks. One fan in attendance asked Jackson for his thoughts on the looming Big Ten Hockey Conference and Jackson talked at length on the subject.I also came up with my own suggestion for division alignment. Personally, I would keep Colorado College, Denver and UND in the same division.
His first comment was that everybody needs to slow down. This is still three or four years away from happening.
His second comment was that he thinks college hockey’s power brokers need to sit down and talk this over and figure out what’s best for the sport. He said the Big Ten absolutely has the right to form the league, but it might not be in the sport’s best interest — or even in the best interest of the Big Ten schools. Is a six-team league any good?
The most interesting idea he mentioned — one that I hadn’t heard before — is that the WCHA and CCHA could join forces, more-or-less combine the leagues, and run like the NHL does with divisions.
Jackson said that you could have a Big Ten Division, which would still allow those schools to get their wish of playing each other twice a season. It also would give them extra conference games, which would make their non-conference scheduling easier.
North Division
Mankato
Duluth
Bemidji State
St. Cloud State
Northern Michigan
Michigan Tech
Western Division
Fairbanks
Anchorage
Colorado College
Denver
Omaha
North Dakota
Big Ten Division
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State
Great Lakes Division
Notre Dame
Miami
Lake Superior
Bowling Green
Western Michigan
Ferris State
Also listen to the Paul Kelly and Tim Hennesy discussion that took place during the ND and UND hockey game last Friday night. [click to listen to the interview]
Bruins trade a Wolverine for a Terrier.
BOSTON, MA – Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that Boston has acquired defenseman Colby Cohen from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Matt Hunwick. Cohen will report to Boston’s minor league affiliate in Providence (American Hockey League).
The 21-year-old Cohen made his NHL debut earlier this season for the Avalanche on November 6 and has skated in three games for the Avs this year. He also registered one goal and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games for Colorado’s minor league affiliate in Lake Erie this season. 2010-11 marks Cohen’s first full professional season after playing three games for Lake Erie at the end of last year.
Cohen skated at Boston University for three seasons from 2007-10 and helped lead the Terriers to the NCAA National Championship in 2009. For his career at BU, the 6’2’’, 200-pound blueliner recorded 25-53=78 totals in 118 Games
Monday, November 29, 2010
John Scott vs Kevin Westgarth
s/t to the Hockey Wilderness I was over on the Hockey Wilderness checking out the score of the Wild game when I saw this hockey fight. Holy Cow! Talk about a beat down... I don't know why anyone would subject themselves to that type of a beating? The former Michigan Tech bad boy John Scott has found himself a niche in the NHL and he worked Westgarth like a clown.
Poll Time
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[November 29, 2010]
1 Minnesota-Duluth 11-1-2
2 Boston University 7-1-5
2 Yale 8-1-0
4 Nebraska-Omaha 9-2-1
5 New Hampshire 7-2-4
6 Miami 9-4-3
7 North Dakota 9-5-2
8 Boston College 9-5-0
9 Maine 6-3-3
10 Denver 10-4-2
11 Michigan 8-4-4
12 Notre Dame 9-4-2
13 Union 7-2-3
14 Alaska 8-5-3
15 Wisconsin 7-6-3
16 Rensselaer 7-3-3
17 Minnesota 8-5-1
18 Merrimack 5-3-4 178 18
19 Western Michigan 7-4-3
20 Ferris State 7-5-3
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 21, Brown 15, Robert Morris 8, Clarkson 2, Niagara 2, Colorado College 1, Michigan State 1
------------------
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
[November 29, 2010]
1 University of Minnesota Duluth 11-1-2
2 Yale University 8-1-0
3 Boston University 7-1-5
4 University of Nebraska Omaha 9-2-1
5 University of New Hampshire 7-2-4
6 Miami University 9-4-3
7 University of North Dakota 9-5-2
8 Boston College 9-5-0
9 University of Maine 6-3-3
10 University of Denver 10-4-2
11 University of Michigan 8-4-4
12 University of Notre Dame 9-4-2
13 Union College 7-2-3
14 University of Alaska 8-5-3
15 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 7-3-3
Others receiving votes: University of Wisconsin 17, Merrimack College 13, University of Minnesota 13, Dartmouth College 1, Robert Morris University 1.
[November 29, 2010]
1 Minnesota-Duluth 11-1-2
2 Boston University 7-1-5
2 Yale 8-1-0
4 Nebraska-Omaha 9-2-1
5 New Hampshire 7-2-4
6 Miami 9-4-3
7 North Dakota 9-5-2
8 Boston College 9-5-0
9 Maine 6-3-3
10 Denver 10-4-2
11 Michigan 8-4-4
12 Notre Dame 9-4-2
13 Union 7-2-3
14 Alaska 8-5-3
15 Wisconsin 7-6-3
16 Rensselaer 7-3-3
17 Minnesota 8-5-1
18 Merrimack 5-3-4 178 18
19 Western Michigan 7-4-3
20 Ferris State 7-5-3
Others Receiving Votes: Dartmouth 21, Brown 15, Robert Morris 8, Clarkson 2, Niagara 2, Colorado College 1, Michigan State 1
------------------
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
[November 29, 2010]
1 University of Minnesota Duluth 11-1-2
2 Yale University 8-1-0
3 Boston University 7-1-5
4 University of Nebraska Omaha 9-2-1
5 University of New Hampshire 7-2-4
6 Miami University 9-4-3
7 University of North Dakota 9-5-2
8 Boston College 9-5-0
9 University of Maine 6-3-3
10 University of Denver 10-4-2
11 University of Michigan 8-4-4
12 University of Notre Dame 9-4-2
13 Union College 7-2-3
14 University of Alaska 8-5-3
15 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 7-3-3
Others receiving votes: University of Wisconsin 17, Merrimack College 13, University of Minnesota 13, Dartmouth College 1, Robert Morris University 1.
INCH Power Rankings
As always I include the INCH Power Ranking for a good laugh.
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Yale
3. Nebraska-Omaha
4. Boston University
5. Maine
6. North Dakota - After a win and tie against Notre Dame at Engelstad Arena, the Sioux are still looking for their first home sweep of the season. With 10 of their next 15 at home, they’ll have plenty of opportunities. 9-5-2 (7-3-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Notre Dame, 6-3; T vs. Notre Dame, 2-2 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. St. Cloud State, vs. St. Cloud State
7. New Hampshire
8. Union
9. Miami
10. Michigan
11. Denver
12. Notre Dame
13. Boston College
14. Alaska
15. Wisconsin
16. Rensselaer
17. Merrimack
18. Ferris State
19. Minnesota
20. Western Michigan
Dropped out: None
Bubble-licious: Brown, Dartmouth, Robert Morris
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Yale
3. Nebraska-Omaha
4. Boston University
5. Maine
6. North Dakota - After a win and tie against Notre Dame at Engelstad Arena, the Sioux are still looking for their first home sweep of the season. With 10 of their next 15 at home, they’ll have plenty of opportunities. 9-5-2 (7-3-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Notre Dame, 6-3; T vs. Notre Dame, 2-2 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. St. Cloud State, vs. St. Cloud State
7. New Hampshire
8. Union
9. Miami
10. Michigan
11. Denver
12. Notre Dame
13. Boston College
14. Alaska
15. Wisconsin
16. Rensselaer
17. Merrimack
18. Ferris State
19. Minnesota
20. Western Michigan
Dropped out: None
Bubble-licious: Brown, Dartmouth, Robert Morris
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Game tying goal by Notre Dame
Here is example number two of buffoonery in motion, “a gong show in stripes.” Now you know why the fans in the WCHA are upset with the quality of the officials in the WCHA. The only constant is that officials are bad on a consistent level. Most of these clowns aren't fit to ref an old timers league.
A few weeks back the Fighting Sioux had a goal disallowed because a Sioux player’s skate was in the crease. In this instance, the whole Notre Dame player is in the crease and interfering with the goaltender, yet this goal is allowed to stand. This latest gaffe by Todd Anderson and Tom Sterns was costly to the Sioux because it cost the Sioux a sweep this weekend. It is my opinion that Todd Anderson is not fit to ref in the WCHA and he needs to be fired.
This last video you see the call on Malone which was weak, whatever, I really don’t have a problem with that call... Like I said the refs were bad in all three zones of the ice all weekend long, so at least they are consistently bad... However, the thing that I think is unprofessional is that while the captain Chay Genoway is getting the explanation from Todd Anderson, you can see Anderson dropping f’ bombs left and right… You can tell that Anderson is upset, then Anderson grabs at Genoway while he is ready to head back to the players bench to relay the message, you can tell by his expression that he he has smelled enough bravo sierra.
The Frattin goal that wasn't
In my opinion that was a good legit goal and should have counted on the score board, again a WCHA official makes another bad call. Even if the puck had hit Frattin’s foot like they claimed it should have counted because there was not a distinct kicking motion. If you watch the video you will see that puck went off of the Notre Dame Player’s skate.
College Hockey scores from 11/27/2010
Saturday, November 27
Alab-Huntsville 6 vs Connecticut 2
Minnesota State 3 at UMass Lowell 2
Clarkson 2 vs Lake Superior 1
Brown 4 at Boston University 4 OT
Bowling Green 2 at Rensselaer 3 OT
Harvard 2 at Dartmouth 5
Merrimack 1 at New Hampshire 2
Quinnipiac 2 at Massachusetts 5
American Int'l 3 at Mercyhurst 0
Canisius 2 at Bentley 3
Niagara 1 at Army 4
Sacred Heart 3 at RIT 3 OT
Alaska Anchorage 0 at Colorado College 2
Air Force 1 at Denver 3
Notre Dame 2 at North Dakota 2 OT
Northern Michigan 0 at Bemidji State 3
Cornell 4 vs Colgate 3
Miami 5 at Western Michigan 1
Alaska 5 at Ohio State 2
Michigan State 1 at Wisconsin 4
Alab-Huntsville 6 vs Connecticut 2
Minnesota State 3 at UMass Lowell 2
Clarkson 2 vs Lake Superior 1
Brown 4 at Boston University 4 OT
Bowling Green 2 at Rensselaer 3 OT
Harvard 2 at Dartmouth 5
Merrimack 1 at New Hampshire 2
Quinnipiac 2 at Massachusetts 5
American Int'l 3 at Mercyhurst 0
Canisius 2 at Bentley 3
Niagara 1 at Army 4
Sacred Heart 3 at RIT 3 OT
Alaska Anchorage 0 at Colorado College 2
Air Force 1 at Denver 3
Notre Dame 2 at North Dakota 2 OT
Northern Michigan 0 at Bemidji State 3
Cornell 4 vs Colgate 3
Miami 5 at Western Michigan 1
Alaska 5 at Ohio State 2
Michigan State 1 at Wisconsin 4
Sioux 2 - Irish 2
Hockey is a game of inches and it’s about cashing in on your opportunities at the right time. In the closing seconds of the overtime period Matt Frattin just missed ending the game when he clanged a shot off of the crossbar. I also thought the game tying goal should have been disallowed because it appeared that the Dell was interfered with on the scramble in front of the net.
After watching a game full of high light goals on Friday night, last night’s game proved to be more of a tight checking game. The Sioux for the most part controlled the play but the Fighting Irish were better after taken to the wood shed the night before.
In only the third series of the season at the Ralph Engelstad Arena the Sioux miss getting another sweep and end up with a tie giving the Sioux a 3-2-1 at home after six games, that record isn’t going to win any championships. Honestly I will take 9-5-2 record before December. The Fighting Sioux ended the month of November with a 5-2-1 record, not too shabby considering who they played.
The Fighting Sioux seem to have trouble closing out opponents coming off a 6-3 win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday night, the Sioux played in a much closer, tight checking game on Saturday night. I wonder sometimes if UND wins with ease one night comes out the next night and isn’t prepared for a team that has obviously made adjustments defensively?
Turnovers prove costly
The Sioux continue to be plagued by untimely turnovers in all three zones of the ice. The Sioux are an aggressive team with the puck. The Fighting Sioux cycle the puck well and move it effectively through all three zones of the ice. The Sioux also are very good at activating the defense and jumping up in the rush when the opportunity allows it. That being said, the Sioux forwards and defense are also very sloppy at times with the puck and when the fail to get pucks deep this leads to a lot of odd man rushes and turnovers going to the other way.
I told a friend of mine last night that some of the reasons the goalies stats this season aren’t as good as they could be is because of bad turnovers that have proven to be costly. You can’t keep turning the game over and leaving the goalie exposed at key times in games.
I can think of a few of these bad turnovers that led to offensive opportunities right now off of the top of my head; the UMD game in overtime that led to a game winning goal on a break away, the DU game where Denver’s all WCHA defenseman Matt Donovan took a loose puck and skated past the entire UND team and scored without even being challenged and even the breakaway on Dell Friday night that fortunately ended with a awesome save. Last night, UND is attacking in the final seconds of the game and the puck get transitioned back up ice and the Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell had to make a game saving save just to preserve the tie. You’re not going to win a national title if you can’t fix this problem.
If you play ranked teams on a weekly basis and you turn the puck over repeatedly the puck is going to get buried in the twine. Think about this, the Sioux have played sixteen games and thirteen of these games have been against teams ranked in the top twenty. They haven’t played the weak sisters of the poor. That is like playing in the NCAA tourney on a weekly basis, getting the nations best players nightly.
Links to the game
PCM - USCHO
South Bend Tribune
Grand Forks Herald
Sioux Beat Writer blog
Goon’s Three Stars of the Game
1.) Aaron Dell UND
2.) Matt Frattin UND
3.) Mike Johnson ND
[Official Box Score]
---------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Elbowing) NDM 0x1 1:32
NDM-1 Stephen Johns (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 10:59
---------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------
NDM-2 Ben Ryan (2-Boarding) NDK 0x2 7:31
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Derek Rodwell (4) (Derek Forbort, Mario Lamoureux) 10:42
NDK (+): 11,4,9,27,3,G32 NDM (-): 11,29,33,18,21,G32
NDM-3 Jeff Costello (2-Roughing) NDK 0x3 13:21
NDM 1 - 1 5x6 SH T. J. Tynan (8) (Riley Sheahan) 14:57
NDM (+): 18,4,24,29,G32 NDK (-): 10,8,17,5,25,G32
NDM-4 Anders Lee (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 16:03
NDM-5 Stephen Johns (2-Roughing) NDK 1x5 20:00
---------------
3rd Period (20:00)
---------------
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP Matt Frattin (13) (Chay Genoway) 1:31
NDK: 21,5,22,7,19,G32 NDM: 29,33,18,4,G32
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) NDM 0x2 5:26
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-High-Sticking) NDM 0x3 13:06
NDM 2 - 2 6x6 GT Sam Calabrese (1) (T. J. Tynan, Jeff Costello) 16:57
NDM (+): 8,18,11,21,24,G32 NDK (-): 5,2,21,22,19,G32
NDM-6 Joe Lavin (2-Holding) NDK 1x6 19:57
---------------
Overtime (5:00)
---------------
NDM-7 Sam Calabrese (2-Tripping) NDK 1x7 4:23
Timeout - North Dakota 4:23
---------------
End of Game
After watching a game full of high light goals on Friday night, last night’s game proved to be more of a tight checking game. The Sioux for the most part controlled the play but the Fighting Irish were better after taken to the wood shed the night before.
In only the third series of the season at the Ralph Engelstad Arena the Sioux miss getting another sweep and end up with a tie giving the Sioux a 3-2-1 at home after six games, that record isn’t going to win any championships. Honestly I will take 9-5-2 record before December. The Fighting Sioux ended the month of November with a 5-2-1 record, not too shabby considering who they played.
The Fighting Sioux seem to have trouble closing out opponents coming off a 6-3 win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday night, the Sioux played in a much closer, tight checking game on Saturday night. I wonder sometimes if UND wins with ease one night comes out the next night and isn’t prepared for a team that has obviously made adjustments defensively?
Turnovers prove costly
The Sioux continue to be plagued by untimely turnovers in all three zones of the ice. The Sioux are an aggressive team with the puck. The Fighting Sioux cycle the puck well and move it effectively through all three zones of the ice. The Sioux also are very good at activating the defense and jumping up in the rush when the opportunity allows it. That being said, the Sioux forwards and defense are also very sloppy at times with the puck and when the fail to get pucks deep this leads to a lot of odd man rushes and turnovers going to the other way.
I told a friend of mine last night that some of the reasons the goalies stats this season aren’t as good as they could be is because of bad turnovers that have proven to be costly. You can’t keep turning the game over and leaving the goalie exposed at key times in games.
I can think of a few of these bad turnovers that led to offensive opportunities right now off of the top of my head; the UMD game in overtime that led to a game winning goal on a break away, the DU game where Denver’s all WCHA defenseman Matt Donovan took a loose puck and skated past the entire UND team and scored without even being challenged and even the breakaway on Dell Friday night that fortunately ended with a awesome save. Last night, UND is attacking in the final seconds of the game and the puck get transitioned back up ice and the Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell had to make a game saving save just to preserve the tie. You’re not going to win a national title if you can’t fix this problem.
If you play ranked teams on a weekly basis and you turn the puck over repeatedly the puck is going to get buried in the twine. Think about this, the Sioux have played sixteen games and thirteen of these games have been against teams ranked in the top twenty. They haven’t played the weak sisters of the poor. That is like playing in the NCAA tourney on a weekly basis, getting the nations best players nightly.
Links to the game
PCM - USCHO
South Bend Tribune
Grand Forks Herald
Sioux Beat Writer blog
Goon’s Three Stars of the Game
1.) Aaron Dell UND
2.) Matt Frattin UND
3.) Mike Johnson ND
[Official Box Score]
---------------
1st Period (20:00)
---------------
NDK-1 Brad Malone (2-Elbowing) NDM 0x1 1:32
NDM-1 Stephen Johns (2-Tripping) NDK 0x1 10:59
---------------
2nd Period (20:00)
---------------
NDM-2 Ben Ryan (2-Boarding) NDK 0x2 7:31
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Derek Rodwell (4) (Derek Forbort, Mario Lamoureux) 10:42
NDK (+): 11,4,9,27,3,G32 NDM (-): 11,29,33,18,21,G32
NDM-3 Jeff Costello (2-Roughing) NDK 0x3 13:21
NDM 1 - 1 5x6 SH T. J. Tynan (8) (Riley Sheahan) 14:57
NDM (+): 18,4,24,29,G32 NDK (-): 10,8,17,5,25,G32
NDM-4 Anders Lee (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 16:03
NDM-5 Stephen Johns (2-Roughing) NDK 1x5 20:00
---------------
3rd Period (20:00)
---------------
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP Matt Frattin (13) (Chay Genoway) 1:31
NDK: 21,5,22,7,19,G32 NDM: 29,33,18,4,G32
NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Interference) NDM 0x2 5:26
NDK-3 Brad Malone (2-High-Sticking) NDM 0x3 13:06
NDM 2 - 2 6x6 GT Sam Calabrese (1) (T. J. Tynan, Jeff Costello) 16:57
NDM (+): 8,18,11,21,24,G32 NDK (-): 5,2,21,22,19,G32
NDM-6 Joe Lavin (2-Holding) NDK 1x6 19:57
---------------
Overtime (5:00)
---------------
NDM-7 Sam Calabrese (2-Tripping) NDK 1x7 4:23
Timeout - North Dakota 4:23
---------------
End of Game
Saturday, November 27, 2010
A few things
Here is the updated Strength of Schedule. The WCHA is definitely the conference that has played the toughest schedule.
1. UND - 57.8947
2. Michigan - 43.5655
3. Wisconsin - 41.0998
4. Notre Dame - 39.9010
5. UNO - 39.3268
6. Bemidji State - 37.3694
7. Boston College - 35.4437
8. Lake State - 35.2524
9. Michigan Tech - 33.4595
10. New Hampshire - 32.9689
11. Alaska - 32.8043
12. Boston U ¬- 32.2427
13. Miami - 30.2733
14. Brown - 29.5985
15. Maine - 29.4034
16. Merrimack - 28.7858
17. Dartmouth - 28.6901
18. Duluth - 28.6304
19. Michigan State - 28.6265
20. Colorado College - 28.3283
2010-2011 Inter-Conference Records
AHA 10-25-7 (.321)
CCHA 23-12-8 (.628)
ECAC 6-12-6 (.375)
HEA 10-9-5 (.521)
WCHA 18-14-8 (.550)
UND Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell is getting notice nationally for his play as he is ranked 20th over all in goals against average.
20. Aaron Dell North Dakota, SO 669:38 26 2.33
1. UND - 57.8947
2. Michigan - 43.5655
3. Wisconsin - 41.0998
4. Notre Dame - 39.9010
5. UNO - 39.3268
6. Bemidji State - 37.3694
7. Boston College - 35.4437
8. Lake State - 35.2524
9. Michigan Tech - 33.4595
10. New Hampshire - 32.9689
11. Alaska - 32.8043
12. Boston U ¬- 32.2427
13. Miami - 30.2733
14. Brown - 29.5985
15. Maine - 29.4034
16. Merrimack - 28.7858
17. Dartmouth - 28.6901
18. Duluth - 28.6304
19. Michigan State - 28.6265
20. Colorado College - 28.3283
2010-2011 Inter-Conference Records
AHA 10-25-7 (.321)
CCHA 23-12-8 (.628)
ECAC 6-12-6 (.375)
HEA 10-9-5 (.521)
WCHA 18-14-8 (.550)
UND Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell is getting notice nationally for his play as he is ranked 20th over all in goals against average.
20. Aaron Dell North Dakota, SO 669:38 26 2.33
College Hockey scores from 11/26/2010
Friday, November 26
Alaska 3 at Ohio State 3 OT
Boston College 3 at Merrimack 5
Alab-Huntsville 1 vs Bowling Green 5
Clarkson 1 vs Air Force 2
Connecticut 5 at Rensselaer 6
Dartmouth 8 at Harvard 2
Minnesota State 8 at UMass Lowell 3
American Int'l 5 at Mercyhurst 2
Niagara 4 at Army 1
Northeastern 2 at Vermont 2 OT
Sacred Heart 1 at RIT 6
Michigan 4 at Wisconsin 4 OT
Michigan State 5 at Minnesota 2
Miami 2 at Western Michigan 5
Lake Superior 3 at Denver 6
Alaska Anchorage 4 at Colorado College 3 OT
Notre Dame 3 at North Dakota 6
Northern Michigan 4 at Bemidji State 0
Analysis – The WCHA went 2-2-1 in non conference play against the CCHA last night.
Northern Michigan University 4 Bemidji State University 0 – NMU goalie Reid Ellingson stopped 37 shots in a shutout win against the home standing BSU Beavers. It was the first shutout of the season for the junior goalie. [BSU Beat Writer Blog]
North Dakota 6 Notre Dame 3 – Junior forward Jason Gregoire had two goals and an assist, to pace the Sioux to an impressive 6-3 non conference win. Also noteworthy; sophomore forward Corbin Knight had a strong night chipping in a goal and an assist. Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell probably solidified his grasp on the starting position as he continued his solid play between the pipes. The sophomore goalie stopped 24 of 27 shots and also stoned Notre Dame forward Ben Ryan on a breakaway in the second period. With the win Aaron Dell improved his record to 8-4-0 on the season. [UND beat writer blog]- [South Bend Tribune]
Alaska Anchorage 4 Colorado College 3 OT – Alaska Anchorage forward Tommy Grant scored his fourth goal of the season at the 3:50 mark of overtime to pace the Seawolves to a conference win against the Colorado College Tigers in the Colorado Springs. With the win the Seawolves vaulted into a tie with the SCSU Tigers for 7th place in the WCHA.
Denver University 6 Lake Superior State University 3 – The Denver Pioneers won their 5th game in a row in front of a half empty building as the Denver University students are out on Christmas break until after the first of the year. Sophomore center Drew Shore had three goals and an assist to pace the Pioneers to the win against the CCHA foe. Check out this work from the Denver Post. If I was the coach of the Denver Pioneers I would call the Denver Post and ask that Terry Frei not cover the Pioneers again. Check it out.
Michigan 4 Wisconsin 4 OT – The Wisconsin Badgers come from behind to tie the Michigan Wolverines 4-4 in the Kohl Center. With the Tie the Badgers stop a 0-4-0 streak. With the tie last night the Wisconsin Badgers have not won a game in overtime since 2007, breaking it down further that means that the Wisconsin Badgers are now 0-8-18 in extra hockey since 2007. Sixty Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets has covered this subject extensively. Badgers goalie Brett Bennett stopped 28 shots in net securing the tie for the Badgers. The Wisconsin Badgers have been 9-6-1 in the college hockey show case under Mike Eaves. The Badgers opted out of the college hockey show case to play more non conference games against Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. [Wisconsin beat writer] - [Game Story]
Alaska 3 at Ohio State 3 OT
Boston College 3 at Merrimack 5
Alab-Huntsville 1 vs Bowling Green 5
Clarkson 1 vs Air Force 2
Connecticut 5 at Rensselaer 6
Dartmouth 8 at Harvard 2
Minnesota State 8 at UMass Lowell 3
American Int'l 5 at Mercyhurst 2
Niagara 4 at Army 1
Northeastern 2 at Vermont 2 OT
Sacred Heart 1 at RIT 6
Michigan 4 at Wisconsin 4 OT
Michigan State 5 at Minnesota 2
Miami 2 at Western Michigan 5
Lake Superior 3 at Denver 6
Alaska Anchorage 4 at Colorado College 3 OT
Notre Dame 3 at North Dakota 6
Northern Michigan 4 at Bemidji State 0
Analysis – The WCHA went 2-2-1 in non conference play against the CCHA last night.
Northern Michigan University 4 Bemidji State University 0 – NMU goalie Reid Ellingson stopped 37 shots in a shutout win against the home standing BSU Beavers. It was the first shutout of the season for the junior goalie. [BSU Beat Writer Blog]
North Dakota 6 Notre Dame 3 – Junior forward Jason Gregoire had two goals and an assist, to pace the Sioux to an impressive 6-3 non conference win. Also noteworthy; sophomore forward Corbin Knight had a strong night chipping in a goal and an assist. Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell probably solidified his grasp on the starting position as he continued his solid play between the pipes. The sophomore goalie stopped 24 of 27 shots and also stoned Notre Dame forward Ben Ryan on a breakaway in the second period. With the win Aaron Dell improved his record to 8-4-0 on the season. [UND beat writer blog]- [South Bend Tribune]
Alaska Anchorage 4 Colorado College 3 OT – Alaska Anchorage forward Tommy Grant scored his fourth goal of the season at the 3:50 mark of overtime to pace the Seawolves to a conference win against the Colorado College Tigers in the Colorado Springs. With the win the Seawolves vaulted into a tie with the SCSU Tigers for 7th place in the WCHA.
Denver University 6 Lake Superior State University 3 – The Denver Pioneers won their 5th game in a row in front of a half empty building as the Denver University students are out on Christmas break until after the first of the year. Sophomore center Drew Shore had three goals and an assist to pace the Pioneers to the win against the CCHA foe. Check out this work from the Denver Post. If I was the coach of the Denver Pioneers I would call the Denver Post and ask that Terry Frei not cover the Pioneers again. Check it out.
With the University of Denver students out of school until after the New Year, Magness Arena on Friday was perhaps half-filled for the first night of the Denver Cup Classic and much more subdued than usual for Pioneer hockey.Michigan State 5 Minnesota 2 – The Minnesota not so Golden Gophers were unimpressive in their final College Hockey Show Case game against Michigan State University. With the win the Michigan State University Spartans broke an unimpressive 0-4-5 skid against the Gophers in the College Hockey Show Case. Kent Patterson started in net for the Gophers gave up three goals and then he was replaced by senior goalie Alex Kangas. The Gophers play the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday night. The game will be on BTN. [Goal Gophers] - [Gopher Puck Live]
Amid the relatively quiet atmosphere, center Drew Shore had three goals and an assist and much-touted freshman winger Beau Bennett had a goal and an assist as the Pioneers stretched their winning streak to five games with a lackluster 6-3 victory over Lake Superior State of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. [read the whole article here]
Michigan 4 Wisconsin 4 OT – The Wisconsin Badgers come from behind to tie the Michigan Wolverines 4-4 in the Kohl Center. With the Tie the Badgers stop a 0-4-0 streak. With the tie last night the Wisconsin Badgers have not won a game in overtime since 2007, breaking it down further that means that the Wisconsin Badgers are now 0-8-18 in extra hockey since 2007. Sixty Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets has covered this subject extensively. Badgers goalie Brett Bennett stopped 28 shots in net securing the tie for the Badgers. The Wisconsin Badgers have been 9-6-1 in the college hockey show case under Mike Eaves. The Badgers opted out of the college hockey show case to play more non conference games against Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. [Wisconsin beat writer] - [Game Story]
Friday, November 26, 2010
Fighting Irish 3, Fighting Sioux 6
Wow. We put a shelacking on the Fighting Irish tonight. For a minute there, I thought I was watching Notre Dame playing Auburn or Oregon in football.... Ok, so it wasn't THAT much of a blowout. I also don't think Notre Dame was that embarrassing on the ice tonight.
The Key
The key to tonight's win wasn't what UND Color Analyst Jim Scanlon said. Yes, it was nice that UND got to the rebounds on those 2nd and 3rd chances on goal, but it wasn't the reason why we won. We won because our defense was just overwhelming for most of the game. True, it wasn't the type of dominance that UND fans saw vs. UW, but it was still stifling at times... especially in the first period. The key was we were always in the passing lane. I hate to say this but: We beat Notre Dame the same way that so many of our opponents had beaten us. We got in the passing lanes, we controlled the puck in the neutral zone, we didn't commit too many bad turnovers (just 1 or 2 that resulted in goals... Guentzel's goal being the most egregious), and we were pretty well disciplined. Dell had a decent night as well.
The Offense
Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. But for Cichy, Gregoire, Frattin, Knight, Genoway, and even Kristo, it was pretty good. Kristo was once again denied an entry on the goal scoresheet but he did garner points. Anyone else think that it is amusing to see Sioux fans complain about Kristo's selfishness with the puck yet Kristo only has 1 goal and what... 4 assists? Then again, I'm not all that concerned about his selfishness. I just wish he'd bury the puck more.
Anyways, Gregoire was amazing. Frattin scored a goal tonight... yeah it was waved off as a nod of the head to Jackson. Look folks, there was no direct kicking action. But hey, the rules have changed since former Gopher (turned NHL bust) Kris Chucko made a living kicking in pucks. So, whatever.
Speaking of turnovers, I was confused on the Guentzel goal. Guentzel intercepts a pass from a Sioux player coming off the boards, or so it appears. The pass is credited to LaPoint but LaPoint isn't the player on the boards. Did LaPoint pass the puck to this Sioux player (I assume it was either his defensive partner or the left wing at the time), the puck hit off of the Sioux player's skate or stick and bounce right to Guentzel or what?
I might've not been able to track the puck very well (webcast was blurry on my computer), but I don't think LaPoint's pass went right to Guentzel. Oh well. Hopefully I can find a replay somewhere. And, for the record, I don't like the delayed penalty goal and subsequent powerplay rule. I think it's dumb.
The Defense
LaPoint had an up and down game but otherwise, I think the D did well. Forbort's illness is frustrating but Simpson's not exactly giving anyone cause to be too concerned about it. I guess, I wonder why Bruneteau isn't playing so well in practice such that Gleason is beating him out for the slot. I guess it doesn't matter. Gleason played well tonight too.
ANYWAYS, Marto showed his worth today. He was great with the puck. Genoway was Kristo-esque (to give credence to the Kristo detractors) for half of the game. He got lucky with one shot but man... it seemed like he didn't care to pass the puck for most of the night... WAIT! I don't care. He saw a shooting lane and he took it. There's never anything wrong with that. And besides, if I criticize Genoway too much I might get a nasty comment how I should spend more time throwing LaPoint under the bus and less time trying to torpedo a great, superhuman, all around great guy like Genoway.
Concerns:
Well, if we play tomorrow like we did tonight, we should be OK. However, we've not exactly torn it up recently on Saturdays following Friday games where we've scored 5+ goals. This goes double for those instances where it happens against decent or good teams. Notre Dame seemed to be overwhelmed in the first period and then started to come back with a vengeance in the 2nd. Jeff Jackson is too good for his team to come out on Saturday looking similar.
Here are the givens for tomorrow's game:
1. UND will not win by 3 goals
2. Neither team will score more than 4 goals
3. It will be a much tighter game
Overall, I think the officials did alright. And the ARs knew how to call offsides. That's a step up from Omaha.
And whoever it was, a Sioux player (TH thought it was Blood) who told Notre Dame "You are only allowed 5" when Notre Dame got called for Too Many Men earned a gold star.
Redwing77's 3 stars:
First Star: Jason Gregoire
Second Star: Mike Cichy
Third Star: Chay Genoway
I should say that Ben Blood gets an honorable mention because he played great.
The Key
The key to tonight's win wasn't what UND Color Analyst Jim Scanlon said. Yes, it was nice that UND got to the rebounds on those 2nd and 3rd chances on goal, but it wasn't the reason why we won. We won because our defense was just overwhelming for most of the game. True, it wasn't the type of dominance that UND fans saw vs. UW, but it was still stifling at times... especially in the first period. The key was we were always in the passing lane. I hate to say this but: We beat Notre Dame the same way that so many of our opponents had beaten us. We got in the passing lanes, we controlled the puck in the neutral zone, we didn't commit too many bad turnovers (just 1 or 2 that resulted in goals... Guentzel's goal being the most egregious), and we were pretty well disciplined. Dell had a decent night as well.
The Offense
Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. But for Cichy, Gregoire, Frattin, Knight, Genoway, and even Kristo, it was pretty good. Kristo was once again denied an entry on the goal scoresheet but he did garner points. Anyone else think that it is amusing to see Sioux fans complain about Kristo's selfishness with the puck yet Kristo only has 1 goal and what... 4 assists? Then again, I'm not all that concerned about his selfishness. I just wish he'd bury the puck more.
Anyways, Gregoire was amazing. Frattin scored a goal tonight... yeah it was waved off as a nod of the head to Jackson. Look folks, there was no direct kicking action. But hey, the rules have changed since former Gopher (turned NHL bust) Kris Chucko made a living kicking in pucks. So, whatever.
Speaking of turnovers, I was confused on the Guentzel goal. Guentzel intercepts a pass from a Sioux player coming off the boards, or so it appears. The pass is credited to LaPoint but LaPoint isn't the player on the boards. Did LaPoint pass the puck to this Sioux player (I assume it was either his defensive partner or the left wing at the time), the puck hit off of the Sioux player's skate or stick and bounce right to Guentzel or what?
I might've not been able to track the puck very well (webcast was blurry on my computer), but I don't think LaPoint's pass went right to Guentzel. Oh well. Hopefully I can find a replay somewhere. And, for the record, I don't like the delayed penalty goal and subsequent powerplay rule. I think it's dumb.
The Defense
LaPoint had an up and down game but otherwise, I think the D did well. Forbort's illness is frustrating but Simpson's not exactly giving anyone cause to be too concerned about it. I guess, I wonder why Bruneteau isn't playing so well in practice such that Gleason is beating him out for the slot. I guess it doesn't matter. Gleason played well tonight too.
ANYWAYS, Marto showed his worth today. He was great with the puck. Genoway was Kristo-esque (to give credence to the Kristo detractors) for half of the game. He got lucky with one shot but man... it seemed like he didn't care to pass the puck for most of the night... WAIT! I don't care. He saw a shooting lane and he took it. There's never anything wrong with that. And besides, if I criticize Genoway too much I might get a nasty comment how I should spend more time throwing LaPoint under the bus and less time trying to torpedo a great, superhuman, all around great guy like Genoway.
Concerns:
Well, if we play tomorrow like we did tonight, we should be OK. However, we've not exactly torn it up recently on Saturdays following Friday games where we've scored 5+ goals. This goes double for those instances where it happens against decent or good teams. Notre Dame seemed to be overwhelmed in the first period and then started to come back with a vengeance in the 2nd. Jeff Jackson is too good for his team to come out on Saturday looking similar.
Here are the givens for tomorrow's game:
1. UND will not win by 3 goals
2. Neither team will score more than 4 goals
3. It will be a much tighter game
Overall, I think the officials did alright. And the ARs knew how to call offsides. That's a step up from Omaha.
And whoever it was, a Sioux player (TH thought it was Blood) who told Notre Dame "You are only allowed 5" when Notre Dame got called for Too Many Men earned a gold star.
Redwing77's 3 stars:
First Star: Jason Gregoire
Second Star: Mike Cichy
Third Star: Chay Genoway
I should say that Ben Blood gets an honorable mention because he played great.
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