So being at another UND vs. UM game you expect a heated contest. Lucia, said a few years ago, that everytime some fight breaks out, it seems UND is involved. Well Don, it happened again tonight in Grand Forks. Hey Don, why didn't you or your coaches stop your players from getting on the ice at the end of the second period? Even after the benches had emptied, the Gopher staff did nothing to get their players off the ice (neither did the UND coaches). If the Don is that against fighting, like he has always said, why did he let his team get in that "situation" at the end of the second? I think Lucia finally said to this players, "you better fight" it's not just my job , but your scholarships that are on the line. :)
I suspected UND was due for a loss, going on a nine game unbeaten streak, you are due a game where things just don't go your way. I wasn't impressed by the UM of play or UND's play for that matter. Tomorrow's another day, the only downside is that it is the same refs/linesmens' again.
Again it was another subpar night for the officials. I don't know how many times the Gophers had too many men on the ice and the linesman didn't blow the whistle. It generally wasn't a big issue, but come on guys, that's a penalty.
If I could make an offical box score it would read 2-2-2 game, UM 2, UND 2, Refs 2. Neither team really "earned" a win tonight, and the officials deserved at least a tie, if not a win.
Lucia, you should keep your players under control, since they are essentially paying your salary. You should be ashamed of your hipocracy after tonight, ashamed. I'm happy you recovered from your infection they other season. But the way you handled, or in this case, didn't handle the situtaion at the end of the second period, is another mark against the Gopher program as a whole. Malone's check was legal, he didn't get a penaltly for it, watch the replay, their was nothing wrong with it. I don't want anybody to get hurt, it's only a game, but I like checking, this isn't the womens' league.
All in all I'm looking forward to Saturday's night game, hope to see you there.
PS - Have you all seen last weekend's "incident" where the Goon falls down? As the press might say, "alcohol may have been a factor." :)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Redwing77's Gopher/Sioux Opener Recap
I'm going to leave the authentic recap to Goon as, due to professional obligations (that turned out were awful), I was unable to catch the first period. Upon reflection, I'm glad I didn't.
We lost this game. We made it close thanks to some stupid plays by the Gophers, but the Gophers won this one clean. I'm going to break down a few points as we go so it is going to be a bit choppy, but that's how it rolls tonight.
Team Defense
I rail on the Gophers for having abysmal Team D and maybe I've been only partially wrong on this one. They may not have bad Team D, they just have subpar coaching (Hill sucks, I don't care what happens this series or the rest of the season. There's nothing that can change this opinion) and are unbelievably inconsistent. Tonight, they showed a Team D scheme that, if they put this kind of effort on from day one, they'd be competing with UND and UMD for first place in the WCHA and would be ranked in the top 10 nationally. They blocked something like a million shots on goal (+ or - 999,950 shots) and really clogged up the front of their net. They gave UND very little. Mostly the center of the offensive zone just inside the blue line. I don't think many goals will be given up if you can't control the puck inside the faceoff circles.
Passing
I maintain that the Gophers are one, if not the best passing team in the WCHA. Their passes tonight always seemed to be crisp, tape to tape passes. If we didn't get a stick on it, it made it to its target. That is usually bad.
Penalties
As Goon stated, Hextall took incredibly stupid penalties. This might have been one if not the worst game Hextall has played in a Sioux jersey. Yeah, UND played with some fire in the second and third, but we always seemed to piss it away with penalties. Now, there were some good penalties in this game, such as two Minnesota took (Condon and Schmidt I think were the two) that basically prevented UND goals and the one Simpson took that prevented a sure Gopher breakaway. However, you cannot commit penalties on a good passing team that is playing desperation hockey and expect Dell to bail you out.
The Rivalry
Folks, I've said this so many times on message boards I've frequented and to various Sioux fan buddies: It doesn't matter what the records say. It doesn't matter what streaks are relevant when the puck drops. It doesn't matter what venue or when in the season it occurs. The Gophers always play their best hockey when facing North Dakota. Sometimes, it doesn't look like it because North Dakota comes ready to play and their will overpowers Minnesota. But 9 times out of 10, both teams bring their top games to the arena. Tonight, Minnesota played a great game AND they added desperation into the equation. Lucia said they absolutely needed points in Grand Forks and they earned it tonight hands down.
UND didn't exactly play poorly in the second and third, but they didn't play dominant consistently. When they did dominate, Patterson had things covered. Sachetti's game winner was just a great shot. I didn't see their first two goals.
The Scrum
There were good points and bad points. First off, that was a legal hit. I loved the look on Wehr's face though. He looked pissed. It was a shoulder to sternum shot that sent Wehrs flying back first into the boards. The dasher knocked Wehr's lid off and he sat there looking. The Gophers immediately started a scrum and went after everyone, including Chay Genoway.
This is where it got shady. Forget the Genoway business. I look at Malone's actions and then what happened to Forbort. First, Malone. He headlocked a Gopher player to the ice. Instead of letting go and facing off against those who are still in the scrum, he kept the headlock on. I don't know, maybe this is what you should do once initiating the headlock, but it didn't look clean to me. Speaking of dirty, scrum or not, you never double team guys. Genoway and Forbort were doubled teamed by Gopher players. If you want to fight or scrum, then go one on one. If you're going to scrum out, take on someone your own size. Apparently even the Gopher announcers were critical of the Gophers players scruming with Genoway. However, Captain or not, I think Genoway should've been more careful.
The smartest Sioux in the scrum? Corbin Knight. He was in the penalty box and the period was over when the scrum happened. He could have skated over but he didn't. He stayed in the penalty box and waited for the scrum to conclude before skating to the bench.
The officiating
Mediocre. And that's a compliment. Yes, UND did get something like 4 or 5 straight PKs, but UND earned every penalty they got called on. The Rodwell penalty was moronic (on Rodwell) and we already talked about Hextall. They did miss a horrendous penalty on a Gopher player for checking Hextall into the net well after the puck left the zone, but to my knowledge, that was really the only missed call I caught.
UND players of the Game
I don't know. I know who wasn't. It's not Hextall or Rodwell. I liked the play of Kristo and Trupp. I think Gregoire had a good game despite seeming a bit sluggish. I think I'd give Gregs the Sioux Player of the Game.
Player of the Game overall
....is probably Kent Patterson.
Tomorrow is an important game for UND. They need to win. This is a Minnesota team that lost to Union and Couldn't dominate a mediocre Ferris State. They're not going to let off the gas. UND has to bring it Saturday.
We lost this game. We made it close thanks to some stupid plays by the Gophers, but the Gophers won this one clean. I'm going to break down a few points as we go so it is going to be a bit choppy, but that's how it rolls tonight.
Team Defense
I rail on the Gophers for having abysmal Team D and maybe I've been only partially wrong on this one. They may not have bad Team D, they just have subpar coaching (Hill sucks, I don't care what happens this series or the rest of the season. There's nothing that can change this opinion) and are unbelievably inconsistent. Tonight, they showed a Team D scheme that, if they put this kind of effort on from day one, they'd be competing with UND and UMD for first place in the WCHA and would be ranked in the top 10 nationally. They blocked something like a million shots on goal (+ or - 999,950 shots) and really clogged up the front of their net. They gave UND very little. Mostly the center of the offensive zone just inside the blue line. I don't think many goals will be given up if you can't control the puck inside the faceoff circles.
Passing
I maintain that the Gophers are one, if not the best passing team in the WCHA. Their passes tonight always seemed to be crisp, tape to tape passes. If we didn't get a stick on it, it made it to its target. That is usually bad.
Penalties
As Goon stated, Hextall took incredibly stupid penalties. This might have been one if not the worst game Hextall has played in a Sioux jersey. Yeah, UND played with some fire in the second and third, but we always seemed to piss it away with penalties. Now, there were some good penalties in this game, such as two Minnesota took (Condon and Schmidt I think were the two) that basically prevented UND goals and the one Simpson took that prevented a sure Gopher breakaway. However, you cannot commit penalties on a good passing team that is playing desperation hockey and expect Dell to bail you out.
The Rivalry
Folks, I've said this so many times on message boards I've frequented and to various Sioux fan buddies: It doesn't matter what the records say. It doesn't matter what streaks are relevant when the puck drops. It doesn't matter what venue or when in the season it occurs. The Gophers always play their best hockey when facing North Dakota. Sometimes, it doesn't look like it because North Dakota comes ready to play and their will overpowers Minnesota. But 9 times out of 10, both teams bring their top games to the arena. Tonight, Minnesota played a great game AND they added desperation into the equation. Lucia said they absolutely needed points in Grand Forks and they earned it tonight hands down.
UND didn't exactly play poorly in the second and third, but they didn't play dominant consistently. When they did dominate, Patterson had things covered. Sachetti's game winner was just a great shot. I didn't see their first two goals.
The Scrum
There were good points and bad points. First off, that was a legal hit. I loved the look on Wehr's face though. He looked pissed. It was a shoulder to sternum shot that sent Wehrs flying back first into the boards. The dasher knocked Wehr's lid off and he sat there looking. The Gophers immediately started a scrum and went after everyone, including Chay Genoway.
This is where it got shady. Forget the Genoway business. I look at Malone's actions and then what happened to Forbort. First, Malone. He headlocked a Gopher player to the ice. Instead of letting go and facing off against those who are still in the scrum, he kept the headlock on. I don't know, maybe this is what you should do once initiating the headlock, but it didn't look clean to me. Speaking of dirty, scrum or not, you never double team guys. Genoway and Forbort were doubled teamed by Gopher players. If you want to fight or scrum, then go one on one. If you're going to scrum out, take on someone your own size. Apparently even the Gopher announcers were critical of the Gophers players scruming with Genoway. However, Captain or not, I think Genoway should've been more careful.
The smartest Sioux in the scrum? Corbin Knight. He was in the penalty box and the period was over when the scrum happened. He could have skated over but he didn't. He stayed in the penalty box and waited for the scrum to conclude before skating to the bench.
The officiating
Mediocre. And that's a compliment. Yes, UND did get something like 4 or 5 straight PKs, but UND earned every penalty they got called on. The Rodwell penalty was moronic (on Rodwell) and we already talked about Hextall. They did miss a horrendous penalty on a Gopher player for checking Hextall into the net well after the puck left the zone, but to my knowledge, that was really the only missed call I caught.
UND players of the Game
I don't know. I know who wasn't. It's not Hextall or Rodwell. I liked the play of Kristo and Trupp. I think Gregoire had a good game despite seeming a bit sluggish. I think I'd give Gregs the Sioux Player of the Game.
Player of the Game overall
....is probably Kent Patterson.
Tomorrow is an important game for UND. They need to win. This is a Minnesota team that lost to Union and Couldn't dominate a mediocre Ferris State. They're not going to let off the gas. UND has to bring it Saturday.
Gopher 3 - Sioux 2 (scrum video)
Gophers cashed in on their opportunities and the Sioux didn't. Can't win a game only playing forty minutes of a sixty minute game. Game two tomorrow night barring a massive blizzard or natural disaster. The Sioux have to play better and cut down on the knuckle headed penalties. Tonight, Brett Hextall took three stupid, ill advised penalties, that has to change tomorrow. If I was coaching this team he would be sitting in the stands tomorrow night.
Don't have much time tonight, have to work tomorrow morning, I will put something up tomorrow. I watched the video a few times and it's a text book legal check... Funny that the golden boys in maroon are going after the smallest guy on the ice Chay Genoway, Malone is the one that hit Wehrs... Like T.H. said none of them want anything to do with Malone or McWilliam.
[box score]
Bruins and Flyers
This is one of the better NHL Hockey games that I have watched in a very long time, it was an impressive offensive exhibition there were 12 goals were scored. I also think that these are the two teams that are going to be fighting it out for the Eastern Conference title for a trip to the Stanley Cup finals. You heard it here folks. On a side note; if you watch closely on the Nikolai Zherdev goal you will see that he was offsides.
INCH Chat dominated by UND fans...
Check out the latest INCH chat it was dominated by UND fans.
Terry F. ((Les Grandes Forches))
Gotta ask the question you don't want to hear, if the Sioux sweep the gophers this weekend, do they finally earn the tag of "better than Yale"?
Joe Gladziszewski (2:05 PM)
That's a question we'd love to hear, and I'll answer by saying that it probably won't change our minds that much. We evaluate teams after each weekend. North Dakota is playing at home against a .500 team. Union, second-best to Yale in ECAC Hockey, recently won at Minnesota. We keep an eye on all results, North Dakota and Yale are pretty even, and Yale has a decent test this weekend in a home-and-home against Brown. We'll see.
__________________________
Curt (Minnesota)
What are your guys expectations of the biggest rivalry in college hockey for this weekends series between Gophers and Sioux?
Mike Eidelbes (2:06 PM)
Minnesota has played pretty well at times this season, but they haven't been at North Dakota's level. It'll certainly be the most hostile environment the Gophers have seen to date. In order for them to get out of Grand Forks with any points, I think they'll have to get a huge performance from goalie Kent Patterson on one or both nights.
__________________________
K-Unit (UND)
Out of all of college hockey's areas, which team do you think is the toughest area to play at? Also, which fans do you think are the craziest about their team? ~GO SIOUX
Mike Eidelbes (2:11 PM)
If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to bait me. Each league has its toughest place to play--Cornell, Michigan, and, certainly, North Dakota. Maine might be tops on that list, however. Orono is impossible to get to and once you get there, you've got all those fans literally hanging over the ice making your life miserable. Ask the Fighting Sioux how that trip back in October went for them.
__________________________
Stat (Atlanta)
Will Matt Frattin's off ice issues of season's past make hobey baker voters look past him (like they did to former Nodak standout Brandon Bochenski) or will the fact that he leads the country in goals while playing the nations toughest schedule be enough to garner support? Also, Go Sioux, stomp the rodents!
Joe Gladziszewski (2:19 PM)
Man, good to see such excitement about North Dakota before the fans' favorite series of the year. Frattin's case is an interesting one. Some voters consider past indiscretions more highly than other voters. There's no doubt that Frattin has taken positive steps and is having a great season. Hobey or not, that should be applauded.
__________________________
cliffy (Grand Forks, ND)
I feel that the ECAC writers and fans are little sensitive when fans of other leagues question Yale and if they are a legit team. I would be willing to be that UND head coach Dave Hakstol would love to have a home and home series with Yale... The Sioux have traveled out east almost every season.
Joe Gladziszewski (2:32 PM)
I'm a longtime follower and writer on ECAC Hockey, and I don't know if it's over-sensitivity (funny, this coming from Grand Forks) but the dismissal of Yale by North Dakota fans doesn't add up. North Dakota has played home-and-home series with top teams in ECAC Hockey in the last two years, and both were splits against Cornell. Yale knocked North Dakota out of the NCAAs last year, and this year's Yale team is better. You'd think after those types of results, Sioux fans would maybe realize that there's some good hockey out here.
Extra security on tap for Sioux-Gopher hockey series
There will be extra law enforcement and security guards for this weekend's WCHA series between the Sioux and the Gophers. Last season there was a major incident between two fans that ended up sending a guy to the hospital with a head trauma. That incident sparked this blog post - Fan Behavior.
Grand Forks Herald --- In the shadow of a scuffle that left a hockey fan seriously injured last season, UND police and Ralph Engelstad Arena officials are beefing up security for the Sioux-Gopher games set for Friday and Saturday.
At both games, UND police will have three uniformed officers and two plainclothes officers in the arena. That’s three more officers than usual, Lt. Tracy Meidinger said.
“In the past, we’ve had a few problems,” he said. “This time, we’re trying to be a little more proactive and a little more visible.”
Meidinger said the additional officers come at the request of arena officials. “They’re interested in making sure this is safe, too,” he said.
Arena spokesman Chris Semrau said The Ralph typically has more than 20 of its own security officers at men’s hockey games. For this series, the arena will have four to six extra officers on duty.
“There’s a little greater attention paid to this weekend, but no major shift in approach,” Semrau said. “For the most part, fans behave very appropriately. There’s always a handful that may step out of line.”
After the UND-Minnesota hockey game Oct. 16, 2009, two fights broke out simultaneously on opposite sides of the arena, Meidinger said.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Feeling Minnesota
Tomorrow is the start of the “Rivalry” series with our heated conference opponent the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This series usually is a pair of very contested games where the penalty minutes can rack up into the historic levels. I would compare this rivalry to the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s feud. The Sioux players don't like the Gophers and the Gopher players don't like the Sioux.
Now, while I think that this series could go either way and the series have historically, I do believe the Fighting Sioux are hands down the better of the two teams. None the less, I don’t know how to read this weekend’s tilt, the Gophers haven’t been very good as of late, they sport an unimpressive and mediocre record of 9-8-3, The Gophers unimpressive record includes losses to EZAC team Union and CCHA cellar dweller Michigan State and they were also swept by a mediocre MSU-M team. Fighting Sioux hockey head coach Dave Hakstol has owned the Gophers during his tenure and has a record of 14-8-3 against the Gophers. This weekend, I predict UND gets three points against the Gophers.
Last season of the Fighting Sioux and Gophers
This series is historic because it will be the last time the Sioux will play the Gophers. Next season the Fighting Sioux we will probably become just the University of North Dakota. So in a sense it’s bitter sweet in my opinion.
The legislative action to attempt to keep the Fighting Sioux name is nothing more than grand standing, in my humble opinion and nothing will change what is already taking place, if anything I would ask the leaders of the great state of North Dakota where were you a few years back, it’s a little too late now, the ball is already rolling and don’t know how you could stop it accept by a law suit against the NCAA. Next season the Fighting Sioux will become the University of North Dakota.
Links
Dan Hammer and Chay Genoway [Click to listen]
Here is what Jacob C-Piss had to say about the rivalry. [Click to listen]
Alex Kangas talks about his upcoming surgery, his recovery will take four months. [Click to listen]
Coach Luica on the series between the Sioux and Gophers [click to listen]
PA and Cardinal discuss the Gophers and Sioux [Click to listen]
The latest INCH podcast [click to listen]
FanHouse's Top 10
1. North Dakota (16-5-2)
2. Yale (14-1)
3. New Hampshire (12-3-4)
4. Boston College (15-5)
5. Minnesota Duluth (14-4-3)
6. Denver (13-5-4)
7. Wisconsin (14-7-3)
8. Michigan (13-6-4)
9. Notre Dame (14-7-3)
10. Nebraska-Omaha (12
Now, while I think that this series could go either way and the series have historically, I do believe the Fighting Sioux are hands down the better of the two teams. None the less, I don’t know how to read this weekend’s tilt, the Gophers haven’t been very good as of late, they sport an unimpressive and mediocre record of 9-8-3, The Gophers unimpressive record includes losses to EZAC team Union and CCHA cellar dweller Michigan State and they were also swept by a mediocre MSU-M team. Fighting Sioux hockey head coach Dave Hakstol has owned the Gophers during his tenure and has a record of 14-8-3 against the Gophers. This weekend, I predict UND gets three points against the Gophers.
Last season of the Fighting Sioux and Gophers
This series is historic because it will be the last time the Sioux will play the Gophers. Next season the Fighting Sioux we will probably become just the University of North Dakota. So in a sense it’s bitter sweet in my opinion.
The legislative action to attempt to keep the Fighting Sioux name is nothing more than grand standing, in my humble opinion and nothing will change what is already taking place, if anything I would ask the leaders of the great state of North Dakota where were you a few years back, it’s a little too late now, the ball is already rolling and don’t know how you could stop it accept by a law suit against the NCAA. Next season the Fighting Sioux will become the University of North Dakota.
Links
Dan Hammer and Chay Genoway [Click to listen]
Here is what Jacob C-Piss had to say about the rivalry. [Click to listen]
Alex Kangas talks about his upcoming surgery, his recovery will take four months. [Click to listen]
Coach Luica on the series between the Sioux and Gophers [click to listen]
PA and Cardinal discuss the Gophers and Sioux [Click to listen]
The latest INCH podcast [click to listen]
FanHouse's Top 10
1. North Dakota (16-5-2)
2. Yale (14-1)
3. New Hampshire (12-3-4)
4. Boston College (15-5)
5. Minnesota Duluth (14-4-3)
6. Denver (13-5-4)
7. Wisconsin (14-7-3)
8. Michigan (13-6-4)
9. Notre Dame (14-7-3)
10. Nebraska-Omaha (12
Thank You Kessel
ota |
| Image courtesy of NESN |
Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)
Here we are mid-January, the dead of winter, but it’s the heart of college hockey season. Everyone has now played 14 league games that means we are half way done with this season. Well let’s get down to business.
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota………11-3-0…22
2. Denver……………...9-3-2…20
2. Minnesota-Duluth....9-3-2…20
4. Nebraska-Omaha….9-4-1…19
5. Colorado College…..8-6-0…16
6. Minnesota…………..6-6-2…14
6. Wisconsin…………..6-6-2…14
8. St. Cloud State….....5-8-1…11
9. Alaska-Anchorage...4-8-2…10
9. Minnesota State…...4-8-2…10
11. Bemidji State……….4-9-1…9
12. Michigan Tech……..1-12-1…3
WCHA
#6 Denver @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks swept American International in Mankato and the Pioneers enjoyed a free weekend.
This will be the first and only meeting between these two teams this year. The Pioneers are on a roll, they are 9-1-2 in their last 11 games, and the lone loss was to UMD. The Mavericks are heating up too, they are riding a 4 game winning streak, and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games with both losses coming at the hands of UND. MSUM might have an advantage on Friday, being they played last weekend and DU did not. These teams have had some wild games in past seasons and I would like to see some more of them. This time of year points are becoming a valuable commodity, for DU they are in the title hunt and MSUM is in a race for home playoff ice. I’m going with the Mavericks on Friday night and the Pioneers on Saturday. SPLIT
Bemidji State @ #11 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the Beavers split with Alabama-Huntsville and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed a weekend off.
Back in early December these teams played a series in Bemidji with the Beavers coming out on top with a sweep. I’m sure the Mavericks want to return the favor this week. BSU got off to a slow start this season, but have been picking up steam (6-3-0 in their last 9 games) as they have progressed through the WCHA season. UNO got off to a blistering start (8-1-1) to the season and has cooled down of late going 3-5-0 in their last 8 games. The Beavers in the midst of playing 10 out of 14 games on the road, ouch, maybe. BSU can start to be road-warriors with picking up some points this weekend. UNO needs points too, if they are to keep pace with the other top teams, considering they play at UND next week. The Mavericks will need to shake the rust off quickly to get some wins, but that is easier said than done. SPLIT.
Minnesota @ #2 North Dakota
Last weekend the Gophers beat the USA Under-18 team and the Sioux (well that’s what we still get to call them for at least another few months) swept Robert Morris in Grand Forks.
The Gophers are struggling this season, owning an even record in league play to this point. The GoGo’s are 2-4-2 in their last 8 games, however the wins came at the expense of Michigan and UMD, both ranked in the top ten. The last few trips to Grand Forks for Minnesota have been, well, let’s just say it has not been good for them. The Sioux have been on a steady boil the first half and are currently on a 7 game winning and 9 game unbeaten streaks. The Sioux have been stingy on defense allowing only one goal in the past three games. UND’s stiff defense coupled with the Gophers offensive inconsistencies could spell trouble for the Mariucci-land fans. However, this is a big rivalry for both teams, so I would expect the GoGo’s to be up for this series… should? In the end, I think the Sioux are playing too well for the Gophers to handle them right now. SIOUX SWEEP
#9 Wisconsin @ #5 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Badgers swept Canisius in Madison and the Bulldogs beat the USA Under-18 team.
These teams met in Madison back in mid-November with UMD winning both games in overtime. Those of you may remember that the refs blew one of those games in OT. The buffoons (as Goon so lovingly calls them) messed up again, when they didn’t call a hooking penalty on UMD that directly resulted in them scoring the overtime winner. The Bulldogs have cooled their heels going 3-3-1 in their last 7 games. Meanwhile the Badgers have been heating up, they are riding a 7 game winning streak. This should be one of the hotly contested series of the week. UW is looking to climb up the standing and try and put some space between them and the rest of the WCHA middle pack. UMD is in their own dog fight, only two points out of first and tied with DU for second. SPLIT.
#17 Colorado College @ Alaska Anchorage
Both teams were on bye-weeks last weekend. The Seawolves last played games back on December 10-11 when they hosted DU in Anchorage (UAA lost Friday and tied Saturday). The Tigers last played December 29-30 against Michigan State and Michigan at the Great Lakes Invitational (they beat MSU and lost to UM).
The Tigers have been quietly playing good hockey, sitting in fifth place, since they are not in the thick of the McNaughton cup race, they are not really on anyone’s radar, in my opinion. The Seawolves find themselves still in the race for a home ice playoff spot. It currently looks like an even record could net a team a home ice series. Back in October the Tigers defeated the Seawolves in a non-conference game during the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament. It is always a long trip up to the great state of Alaska, which can affect a team. SPLIT
NON-CONFERENCE
St. Lawrence (6-10-3 overall) @ Michigan Tech (3-15-2 overall)
Last weekend the MTU Huskies were swept by the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.
Let’s give everyone a little background on St. Lawrence. The university was founded in 1856 in Canton, NY, the enrollment is about 2,000, colors are scarlet and brown, and they are coached by Joe Marsh (he has been their coach for 26 seasons).
I always like to pick WCHA teams to win non-conference games because it is good for everyone in the WCHA. I just hope Tech can make us all proud this weekend and get a win or two. (We all need to cheer for MTU this weekend) HUSKIES SWEEP
BYE Week
St. Cloud St.
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota………11-3-0…22
2. Denver……………...9-3-2…20
2. Minnesota-Duluth....9-3-2…20
4. Nebraska-Omaha….9-4-1…19
5. Colorado College…..8-6-0…16
6. Minnesota…………..6-6-2…14
6. Wisconsin…………..6-6-2…14
8. St. Cloud State….....5-8-1…11
9. Alaska-Anchorage...4-8-2…10
9. Minnesota State…...4-8-2…10
11. Bemidji State……….4-9-1…9
12. Michigan Tech……..1-12-1…3
WCHA
#6 Denver @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks swept American International in Mankato and the Pioneers enjoyed a free weekend.
This will be the first and only meeting between these two teams this year. The Pioneers are on a roll, they are 9-1-2 in their last 11 games, and the lone loss was to UMD. The Mavericks are heating up too, they are riding a 4 game winning streak, and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games with both losses coming at the hands of UND. MSUM might have an advantage on Friday, being they played last weekend and DU did not. These teams have had some wild games in past seasons and I would like to see some more of them. This time of year points are becoming a valuable commodity, for DU they are in the title hunt and MSUM is in a race for home playoff ice. I’m going with the Mavericks on Friday night and the Pioneers on Saturday. SPLIT
Bemidji State @ #11 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the Beavers split with Alabama-Huntsville and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed a weekend off.
Back in early December these teams played a series in Bemidji with the Beavers coming out on top with a sweep. I’m sure the Mavericks want to return the favor this week. BSU got off to a slow start this season, but have been picking up steam (6-3-0 in their last 9 games) as they have progressed through the WCHA season. UNO got off to a blistering start (8-1-1) to the season and has cooled down of late going 3-5-0 in their last 8 games. The Beavers in the midst of playing 10 out of 14 games on the road, ouch, maybe. BSU can start to be road-warriors with picking up some points this weekend. UNO needs points too, if they are to keep pace with the other top teams, considering they play at UND next week. The Mavericks will need to shake the rust off quickly to get some wins, but that is easier said than done. SPLIT.
Minnesota @ #2 North Dakota
Last weekend the Gophers beat the USA Under-18 team and the Sioux (well that’s what we still get to call them for at least another few months) swept Robert Morris in Grand Forks.
The Gophers are struggling this season, owning an even record in league play to this point. The GoGo’s are 2-4-2 in their last 8 games, however the wins came at the expense of Michigan and UMD, both ranked in the top ten. The last few trips to Grand Forks for Minnesota have been, well, let’s just say it has not been good for them. The Sioux have been on a steady boil the first half and are currently on a 7 game winning and 9 game unbeaten streaks. The Sioux have been stingy on defense allowing only one goal in the past three games. UND’s stiff defense coupled with the Gophers offensive inconsistencies could spell trouble for the Mariucci-land fans. However, this is a big rivalry for both teams, so I would expect the GoGo’s to be up for this series… should? In the end, I think the Sioux are playing too well for the Gophers to handle them right now. SIOUX SWEEP
#9 Wisconsin @ #5 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Badgers swept Canisius in Madison and the Bulldogs beat the USA Under-18 team.
These teams met in Madison back in mid-November with UMD winning both games in overtime. Those of you may remember that the refs blew one of those games in OT. The buffoons (as Goon so lovingly calls them) messed up again, when they didn’t call a hooking penalty on UMD that directly resulted in them scoring the overtime winner. The Bulldogs have cooled their heels going 3-3-1 in their last 7 games. Meanwhile the Badgers have been heating up, they are riding a 7 game winning streak. This should be one of the hotly contested series of the week. UW is looking to climb up the standing and try and put some space between them and the rest of the WCHA middle pack. UMD is in their own dog fight, only two points out of first and tied with DU for second. SPLIT.
#17 Colorado College @ Alaska Anchorage
Both teams were on bye-weeks last weekend. The Seawolves last played games back on December 10-11 when they hosted DU in Anchorage (UAA lost Friday and tied Saturday). The Tigers last played December 29-30 against Michigan State and Michigan at the Great Lakes Invitational (they beat MSU and lost to UM).
The Tigers have been quietly playing good hockey, sitting in fifth place, since they are not in the thick of the McNaughton cup race, they are not really on anyone’s radar, in my opinion. The Seawolves find themselves still in the race for a home ice playoff spot. It currently looks like an even record could net a team a home ice series. Back in October the Tigers defeated the Seawolves in a non-conference game during the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament. It is always a long trip up to the great state of Alaska, which can affect a team. SPLIT
NON-CONFERENCE
St. Lawrence (6-10-3 overall) @ Michigan Tech (3-15-2 overall)
Last weekend the MTU Huskies were swept by the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.
Let’s give everyone a little background on St. Lawrence. The university was founded in 1856 in Canton, NY, the enrollment is about 2,000, colors are scarlet and brown, and they are coached by Joe Marsh (he has been their coach for 26 seasons).
I always like to pick WCHA teams to win non-conference games because it is good for everyone in the WCHA. I just hope Tech can make us all proud this weekend and get a win or two. (We all need to cheer for MTU this weekend) HUSKIES SWEEP
BYE Week
St. Cloud St.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Injuries end Alex Kangas' college hockey career...
As a Sioux fan I am saddened by the departure of Alex Kangas from the college hockey ranks, his career has ended due to a lower body injury. Alex Kangas has sure been good to the Fighting Sioux. According to Roman from Goal Gophers Kangas is one of the better goaltenders to ever put on a UM jersey.
Kangas Ranks
1st: in save percentage, .912
3rd all time: in minutes played, 6,359,
3rd all time: in saves, 2,802,
3rd all time: in games, 108;
3rd all time: in consecutive starts, 51 in freshman and sophomore seasons.
4th all time: goals-against average, 2.56
Sweet shootout goal by Mason Raymond’s
Check out this sweet shootout goal by former UMD Bulldog forward Mason Raymond. Apparently the Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin thought it was a showoff move… If the NHL is going to continue to use the shootout to decide games players are going to find creative ways to score goals.
So you don't like our refs?
I found this comment over on INCH's first shift to be interesting. All I would say is welcome to the club buddy; most of us in the WCHA nation aren't all that thrilled with the quality of our officials either.
In the first half I can only think of three games when we were in the box a lot, the game against Brown and two games at St. Cloud, but we were a road team against the WCHA in those.”
One of the topics of conversations in last week’s ECAC Hockey notebook was that Quinnipiac is among the least-penalized teams in the nation. Bobcats head coach Rand Pecknold offered the above reflection on the first half of the season with a chuckle months after the fact. It’s not a criticism of the officials, but we felt it was worthy to share simply for the reason that a number of other coaches and fans are probably saying, “Yeah, I’ve seen that movie before.”
A few things on hump day...
Here is this weeks review from Goal Gophers. I personally can’t fault Roman on this because he is not the first one to get the town or the school location of the Fighting Sioux wrong. During the 2008 Final Five the WCHA had hand outs with UND being NDSU… EDIT: Roman has since changed it but I will leave it up so you can see it. Enjoy!
Putting the wraps on the SCSU incident
While there seems to be more stuff coming out from the SCSU incident in Florida, I have had a few people basically say so what? Adults over 21 can drink, so what’s the big deal? I say this, “look at it from this angle.”
While it’s legal for people older than 21 to drink, if the older teammates are bringing the beer or alcohol back to the hotel rooms and giving it to other students that aren't 21, then it becomes a legal problem... The fact that someone showed up in an area emergency room is in it’s self a problem.
There are other things to think of as well, if you’re part of an prestigious or public organization you're in the public eye 24/7 whether you want to admit it or not, and you’ll always be under observation and public scrutiny. Everything you do is up for review, by the media and fans a like, that’s part of being an adult in the real world... The fact that the SCSU athletic department and hockey team has tried to covet this incident up makes it more suspicious because there is no transparency, what the heck are they really hiding?
Let’s put the foot on the other shoe, can you imagine if this had been the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team and it was coach Hakstol’s and his assistants that were driving the team van but also if this had been the Sioux players that were kicked off of the team or had been in trouble? There would be all kinds of blow back from an event like this, like there was from past events. I can think of a couple of different fan bases that would have had a field day with it. Fans are still making jokes about elevators and or lawn mower tossing’s.
What do think the impression or reports would have been like if the Fighting Sioux Hockey team was loading up on beer on the team bus or van with the coach driving after a hockey tourney? I can only imagine it would have been a major media circus. It gives the appearance that the coaches are sanctioning the behavior… It would probably be different it the bus had been a hotel bus or a taxi that a player had rented. Also the SCSU coaches are state employees of the Minnesota State and College and University system so wouldn’t that vehicle they are driving be under state control and then you’re opening up a whole other can of worms. I know from my college football days this wouldn't have been acceptable.
Here is an update on former Fighting Sioux forward David Toews.
Gophers at North Dakota
The No. 2-rated Sioux are on an nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1) and twice last season completely manhandled the Gophers in the first game of a series in Grand Forks. But this is a desperate U of M team, one that was up and down the first half of the season. One with only one proven college goalie that's healthy.
After 4-0 and 6-0 drubbings last season, the Gophers tied and won the next game. So give the opener to the Sioux, and the maroon and gold win on Saturday. That would make for a happy bus ride home. Gophers coach Don Lucia said his team needs points from the trip to Fargo. So to sum up, at the Ralph these teams will ... Split
Putting the wraps on the SCSU incident
While there seems to be more stuff coming out from the SCSU incident in Florida, I have had a few people basically say so what? Adults over 21 can drink, so what’s the big deal? I say this, “look at it from this angle.”
While it’s legal for people older than 21 to drink, if the older teammates are bringing the beer or alcohol back to the hotel rooms and giving it to other students that aren't 21, then it becomes a legal problem... The fact that someone showed up in an area emergency room is in it’s self a problem.
There are other things to think of as well, if you’re part of an prestigious or public organization you're in the public eye 24/7 whether you want to admit it or not, and you’ll always be under observation and public scrutiny. Everything you do is up for review, by the media and fans a like, that’s part of being an adult in the real world... The fact that the SCSU athletic department and hockey team has tried to covet this incident up makes it more suspicious because there is no transparency, what the heck are they really hiding?
Let’s put the foot on the other shoe, can you imagine if this had been the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team and it was coach Hakstol’s and his assistants that were driving the team van but also if this had been the Sioux players that were kicked off of the team or had been in trouble? There would be all kinds of blow back from an event like this, like there was from past events. I can think of a couple of different fan bases that would have had a field day with it. Fans are still making jokes about elevators and or lawn mower tossing’s.
What do think the impression or reports would have been like if the Fighting Sioux Hockey team was loading up on beer on the team bus or van with the coach driving after a hockey tourney? I can only imagine it would have been a major media circus. It gives the appearance that the coaches are sanctioning the behavior… It would probably be different it the bus had been a hotel bus or a taxi that a player had rented. Also the SCSU coaches are state employees of the Minnesota State and College and University system so wouldn’t that vehicle they are driving be under state control and then you’re opening up a whole other can of worms. I know from my college football days this wouldn't have been acceptable.
Here is an update on former Fighting Sioux forward David Toews.
The Prospect Park --- David Toews (NYI 2008 3rd) was the only prospect to see action on Tuesday night and it was yet another heartbreaking loss for Toew's Brandon Wheat Kings as they fell to the WHL's best team the Saskatoon Blades 5-4 in the shootout.
Toews registered his 10th goal of the season as Brandon make a great third period comeback from down 4-1 only to fall short. Got to feel bad for Toews as while he is doing his best, it is hard when you are playing on a last place team.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Aaron Dell is WCHA defensive player of the week
For a second time this season Fighting Sioux SOPHOMORE goalie Aaron Dell has been named the WCHA defensive player of the week. It would be an understatement that Dell was impressive last weekend giving up only one goal in sixty four shots and was about 19 seconds away of having three shutouts in a row.
WCHA.COM ---- University of North Dakota goaltender Aaron Dell, who came within :20 seconds of posting back-to-back shutouts in two victories over visiting Robert Morris and also extended his shutout streak to 224:31 – the second longest mark in school history – has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Jan. 11, 2011. He also earned the award on Nov. 16 for his performance at Wisconsin.
A 6-0, 190-pound sophomore from Airdrie, Alberta, Dell stopped 63 of 64 shots on goal in the series for a .984 saves percentage, recorded five shutout periods, blanked the Colonials on all nine of their power-play opportunities, and earned the No. 2 star of the game in each contest. He stopped all 32 shots in North Dakota's 8-0 win last Friday (Jan. 7) for his second straight shutout. He then lost his bid for a third straight shutout with just :20 seconds left in the third period on Saturday (Jan. 8) when Robert Morris scored an extra-attacker goal. Dell finished the game with 30 saves as the Sioux prevailed 2-1 to run their unbeaten streak to nine games at 8-0-1. Robert Morris' late goal last Saturday ended Dell's shutout streak at 224 :31 seconds, the second longest in school history and just 25 minutes shy of a 57-year old school record.
Potter: Senior SCSU hockey players 'crossed the line'
Now we know the rest of the story. Sounds like there was a big party down in Florida after the SCSU Huskies won their holiday tourney the Florida College Classic and the president of SCSU doesn't blame the coaches for the incident in Florida. Porter says he is proud of them. Apparently the beat writer for the Florida Everblades Naples News Woody Wommack saw the SCSU Huskies loading up the team vans with beer. I am not an expert with NCAA rules but I can't imagine the NCAA looking to fondly at this incident.
Potter also told the paper that he's "proud of my coaches. I'm proud of my athletic director. We had a couple young men, who are seniors and should have known better, and they crossed the line."
This is where things get interesting for me. Following the tournament's championship game, I finished my work and was headed home. I stopped for gas at the new Race Trac gas station near the intersection of Daniels and I-75. Also there were three 15-passenger vans carrying the entire St. Cloud State team.
As I filled my car up with gas, I watched player after player leave the store with beer and get into the vans. I figured the team was celebrating the tournament victory, but I also wondered how team officials, who were driving the vans, could allow players to buy large amounts of beer and bring them on the team van.
Normally, I would keep this information to myself, the team won the tournament and they wanted to blow off some steam. But for the St. Cloud State president to put all the blame on the players and say his staff was innocent is a little irresponsible.
What do you think? Are you happy the Everblades signed Mosey or do you think they should stay away from players with sketchy backgrounds?
Lucia: North Dakota is nation's best college hockey team
How dare Golden Gophers head coach Donny Lucia say that UND is the best hockey team in the nation. I guess he didn't get the memo? Lol!!!
Goal Gophers ---- Gophers coach Don Lucia said North Dakota fans will fill the Ralph and make it a tough place for his team to win.
"They give their team a great advantage," Lucia said on Monday during his weekly radio show on WCCO. "There is no question the games will be sold out. They will be all excited that we are coming in because we are their greatest rival. But beyond that, they have a very good team.
"I really, truly believe, they are the best team in the country. They've got all facets of what you are looking for: good goaltending, a big, strong, vetereran D-corps and a group of forwards that can score and can play physical, too.
"They have a bunch of guys that decided that we all are going to come back because they felt that this team could win a national title. And I am sure for this group that anything less will be a disappointment for them. They are kind of geared up for it this year."
The Fighting Sioux were picked to win the WCHA regular-season title and, at the halfway mark, are in first place by two points over UMD and Denver. North Dak
More Matt Frattin goals...
This is an awesome video that is making it's way around the Internet right now. Like I said in another blog post; "Golden Gopher goalies, you can watch all of the film you want, it’s not going to make a difference, you're going to be in the butterfly and Matt Frattin is going to release his howitzer and all you're going to feel is the puck zinging by your ear as you wave at the puck. Then we will hear the horn and see the fireworks going off."
Keith Ballad hit on Drew Miller
Since it's Gopher vs Sioux week I thought I would include a check by former Golden Gopher Keith Ballard as he give former MSU Spartan Drew Miller a ride with a marvelous hip check. Unfortunately for the Gophers none of the current Gopher defensemen or forwards can hit like this.
Little Caesars AAA Hockey Tournament info...
My friend Kyle wanted me to pass this information along.
The Hockey Academy at The Ralph Engelstad Arena will once again be hosting the Little Caesars North American Classic AAA Hockey Tournament, to be held the weekend of January 20th to the 23rd. Some of the best midget AAA programs in Canada and the US will be featured, including Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Little Caesars from Detroit, MI. Both programs produce a great many collegiate players and future NHL’ers, and have a history of providing recruits for the Fighting Sioux.
Other teams participating include; Alliance Bulldogs (Dallas, TX), Thunder Bay Kings, Pursuit of Excellence (British Columbia), Edge Academy (Alberta), Okanagan Hockey Academy (British Columbia), Marquette Electricians, Capital Center Pride (Lansing, MI) and the Northwest Regulators (Salt Lake City, UT).
There are several Fighting Sioux connections with the teams, as former Sioux Dixon Ward coaches the Okanagan Hockey Academy team and James Greene (father of former Sioux captain Matt Greene) is the manager of the Capital Center Pride. In addition to the Sioux connections, there are two Grand Forks players coming back to play, with Jake Davidson skating with Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Mitchell Byrne tending the nets for the Northwest Regulators.
Admission to this event is free, and Reebok will be on hand to display samples of their new equipment lines. Come out and watch some great hockey and see the next generation of college hockey players live!
The Hockey Academy at The Ralph Engelstad Arena will once again be hosting the Little Caesars North American Classic AAA Hockey Tournament, to be held the weekend of January 20th to the 23rd. Some of the best midget AAA programs in Canada and the US will be featured, including Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Little Caesars from Detroit, MI. Both programs produce a great many collegiate players and future NHL’ers, and have a history of providing recruits for the Fighting Sioux.
Other teams participating include; Alliance Bulldogs (Dallas, TX), Thunder Bay Kings, Pursuit of Excellence (British Columbia), Edge Academy (Alberta), Okanagan Hockey Academy (British Columbia), Marquette Electricians, Capital Center Pride (Lansing, MI) and the Northwest Regulators (Salt Lake City, UT).
There are several Fighting Sioux connections with the teams, as former Sioux Dixon Ward coaches the Okanagan Hockey Academy team and James Greene (father of former Sioux captain Matt Greene) is the manager of the Capital Center Pride. In addition to the Sioux connections, there are two Grand Forks players coming back to play, with Jake Davidson skating with Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Mitchell Byrne tending the nets for the Northwest Regulators.
Admission to this event is free, and Reebok will be on hand to display samples of their new equipment lines. Come out and watch some great hockey and see the next generation of college hockey players live!
They said what?
You have got to be kidding me Aaron Dell is a Sophomore, you could have gotten that from checking the roster at College Hockey News... Edit: The author has since changed his post but this is the same guy that RWD took issue with earlier this season for another post he wrote.
The Fighting Sioux have scored four or more goals 13 times, the Fighting Sioux are ranked 5th in the nation offensively and are ranked 12th nationally on defensive, I am not sure how you can come to any conclusion other than they are good, based on their strength of schedule of the games that they have played. The Fighting Sioux are one of the best defensive teams in the country, this was achieved by playing WCHA teams, there is no shame in losing to UNO, DU and UMD who are all in the top ten of the PWR. I mean seriously; the Fighting Sioux outscored their opponent last week 10-1 and won the last three games by a combined score of 15-1, how is that not flashy?
Edit: Here is the comment that I find amusing, they (Yale) aren’t putting up big numbers against bottom-of-the-barrel teams. Really? What's your definition of bottom-of-the-barrel? Let’s review some of the teams they have played; Sacred Heart 3-13-5, Vermont 3-11-4, Brown 5-6-4, Colgate 3-16-1, Holy Cross 7-11-2, Harvard 3-11-0. They lost to Air Force Academy 8-8-3.
2. North Dakota (16-5-2, 11-3-0 WCHA)This article is incoherent, UND has played the toughest schedule to date and compiled a record of 16-5-2 and have the most wins in division I hockey. What do you mean, "they aren't flashy?" What the hell is that? You're not going to be flashy playing WCHA teams, every game is a war.
Have there ever been questions about North Dakota’s legitimacy? The team is not flashy on offense, nor defense, but the returns of seniors Matt Frattin and Chay Genoway have given way for the Sioux’s younger stars, such as Danny Kristo, to have off-nights once in a while without having to worry about the offense suffering. And for the most part, freshman goalie Aaron Dell has been sturdy when it has. They’ve split weekends with league foes Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, and Nebraska-Omaha, but have edged all three in the standings. In those three losses, they’ve been outscored 7-2, which is a cause for concern heading forward, but the Sioux are atop the WCHA standings, and with a history of second-half domination, there’s little reason to believe that will change.[Click to read]
The Fighting Sioux have scored four or more goals 13 times, the Fighting Sioux are ranked 5th in the nation offensively and are ranked 12th nationally on defensive, I am not sure how you can come to any conclusion other than they are good, based on their strength of schedule of the games that they have played. The Fighting Sioux are one of the best defensive teams in the country, this was achieved by playing WCHA teams, there is no shame in losing to UNO, DU and UMD who are all in the top ten of the PWR. I mean seriously; the Fighting Sioux outscored their opponent last week 10-1 and won the last three games by a combined score of 15-1, how is that not flashy?
Edit: Here is the comment that I find amusing, they (Yale) aren’t putting up big numbers against bottom-of-the-barrel teams. Really? What's your definition of bottom-of-the-barrel? Let’s review some of the teams they have played; Sacred Heart 3-13-5, Vermont 3-11-4, Brown 5-6-4, Colgate 3-16-1, Holy Cross 7-11-2, Harvard 3-11-0. They lost to Air Force Academy 8-8-3.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)