Big Bad Bruins beat the snot out of the Dallas Stars...

In case you haven't seen this video, called by my favorite homer NESN'S Jack Edwards it's worth a look. As a Bruins fan this makes me smile because I like the toughness that the Bruins displayed last night. Dallas ended up on the short end of the stick as they now have a beat up lineup after last night's game.

ESPN/Dallas.com --- Thursday night's game against Boston was costly for the Dallas Stars.

They placed forward Adam Burish on injured reserve because of a facial injury Friday and recalled forward Francis Wathier from the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Burish was injured in a fight with Boston defenseman Andrew Ference, continued to play and eventually left the game.

Forward Krys Barch is also out with what is being called a facial injury and Ray Sawada is out with a shoulder injury. Sawada also suffered a broken nose after being hit in the head by Boston forward Daniel Paille, who had a disciplinary hearing with the league Friday morning and was suspended four games.

NHL throws the book at Daniel Paille

This is a text book example of the type of hits that the NHL is trying to get rid of. When I saw the hit last night I figured that this hit warranted a multi game suspension and the NHL has decided that Daniel Paille will sit for four games. Going forward I hope the league is consistent in making their decisions.

NHL.COM --- Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille was suspended four games Friday by the NHL for a hit to the head of Dallas Stars forward Raymond Sawada during Thursday's game.

He will forfeit $23,118.28 in salary.

Sawada was carrying the puck into the Bruins' zone midway through the second period when Paille hit him. Sawada left the ice under his own power but did not return to the game. Paille was given a five-minute penalty for an illegal hit to the head, as well as a game misconduct.

"Paille delivered a lateral hit where the principal point of contact was his opponent's head," said Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy. "Additionally, the injury suffered by the Dallas player was a factor in this decision."

The incident occurred at 8:39 of the second period and Paille was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct under Rule 48 for Illegal Check to the Head.

This is the fourth suspension under Rule 48 handed down this season. Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan was suspended three games Oct. 17 for a head check against Anaheim's Dan Sexton. San Jose's Joe Thornton was handed a two-game ban Nov. 4 for striking the head of David Perron of the St. Louis Blues. On Dec. 8, Matt Martin of the New York Islanders was handed a two-game suspension for a check to the head of Vern Fiddler of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Paille hit on Sawada

Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille received ten and a game misconduct match penalty for this hit on Raymond Sawada tonight. Will there be a suspension to Daniel Paille for this hit? It does look like Paille catches Sawada with a elbow to the head.

Thursday night at the fights Boston and Dallas...

Check out this video, this is old old time hockey between the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars. One second into the period Boston's Greg Campbell and Dallas hack and menace Steve Ott drop the gloves, Ott catches Campbell with an elbow. Next not to be out done, Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton works Stars punching bag Krys Barch like a clown sending Barch to the locker room for repairs. Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid show Brian Sutherby why he shouldn't dropped gloves four seconds into the game. Then after a few goals former Wisconsin Badger Adam Burish gets his ass handed to him by Andrew Ference, wow what a fight. Oh yeah and the Bruins won the game as well 6-3.

Here is the call of the three fights to open the game by my favorite homer Jack Edwards. The game wasn't 10 minutes old and there was four fights, and the Bruins had a 3-0 lead.

Friday morning free for all. Why does everyone hate the Gophers so much?

Since the Sioux are on the dreaded bye week and I am bored out of my friggen mind already, I figured I would stir things up a bit with this blog post. Why not? Let’s wade into another area that might be better off left unexamined. Ah, can we say what the hell; lets pose this question that that Gopher fan Paul LaPlante posted on Twitter the other day. I think it’s worth a look. Why do Sioux fans hate the Gophers fans so much? Why do Gopher fans hate Sioux fans so much. Do fellow Sioux fans hate UW fans as much?

@laplante5 Paul LaPlante @UWChuckSchwartz serious? Why does everyone else but Gopher fans hate the Gophers so much? For example, do UW fans hate UND as much?

First off I might rephrase the question to dislike instead of hate, because I really don’t hate too many people. I think back in the days when the Gophers were actually good and weren’t getting knocked out of the NCAA playoffs by Holy Cross or missing the Final Five and the NCAA tourney all together; I think what rubbed people the wrong way was their fans’ in your face lectures and pompous attitudes towards other fan bases by Gopher fans. In their hay day Doug and Frank the clownish but loveable buffoons in the FSN broadcast both helped fan the flames of discontent. Let the discussion begin…

Update on the condition of Fighting Sioux forward Danny Kristo

Here is the latest on Fighting Sioux forward Danny Kristo... Sounds like he is very fortunate.

St. Paul, Minn. - Feb. 3 - University of North Dakota hockey player Danny Kristo remains in fair condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.

Kristo, who is suffering from frostbite on the toes of his right foot, maintains full use of all of his extremities and is in the early stages of recovery.

"I'm doing fine, I'm planning on recovering as safely and as quickly as possible," Kristo said. "I'm just trying to get better day by day. I'm doing better today than I was yesterday and I was doing better yesterday than I was the day before. I'm feeling a lot better than I was the first two days.

"I definitely feel fortunate, I definitely feel lucky. I want to say thanks to the fans and friends and family members who have prayed for me."

Said Kristo's father, Mark Kristo: "Our family wants to express our sincere gratitude for all of the thoughts and prayers from his friends, supporters and the Sioux family during these past few days."

After being discharged from Regions Hospital, Kristo is expected to remain at his parents' home in Eden Prairie, Minn., for continued treatment before returning to Grand Forks.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

We are now into February and the league race for a top half finish is heating up.
And mathematically everyone still has a chance to finish in the top six. However, there are some teams that realistically will not get home ice. I think we all know which team(s) those are. UND’s Danny Kristo suffered frostbite on this right foot this past week, we here at Goon’s World wish him a quick and full recovery.

WCHA standings

TEAM……………..…....W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota……….14-6-0…28
2. Denver………………12-3-3…27
3. Minnesota-Duluth.....12-4-2…26
4. Wisconsin……..….…11-7-2…24
5. Nebraska-Omaha…..10-6-2…22
6. Colorado College……9-9-0…18
6. Minnesota……….……8-8-2…18
8. Alaska-Anchorage….7-11-2…16
8. St. Cloud State….......7-9-2…16
10. Minnesota State……5-11-4…14
11. Bemidji State……….5-11-2…12
12. Michigan Tech………1-16-1…3

WCHA

Michigan Tech @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Huskies were swept the Badgers in Houghton and the Seawolves split with the Gophers in Minneapolis.

The Huskies are, well, not a good team this year, let’s just let those poor doggy’s lie. The Seawolves are still in the hunt for hosting a first round playoff series. The UAA guys need to get all four points this weekend to keep in the race. I saw both UM-UAA games last weekend and the Seawolves played their game on Saturday night and won. They should be able to take out the lowly Huskies twice this weekend. SEAWOLVES SWEEP

#2 Denver vs #20 Colorado College
Last weekend the Tigers split with the Sioux in Colorado Springs and the Pioneers were on a bye weekend.

Earlier this season these teams split their series. This weekend is a huge series for both teams again, more so for CC. The Tigers are looking to secure a home ice spot and the Pioneers are looking to repeat as league champions. DU has pretty much locked up home ice and a spot in the NCAA tourney, barring some type of historical melt down. CC would like nothing better than to beat their archrival – twice – and watch them fall down the standings and rankings. The Pioneers are coming off a bye, so they might be a little rusty on Friday and the Tigers will be out to avenge last Saturday’s blow-out loss. Then Saturday’s rematch should be a good one too. Also of note – CC’s captain alluding to a Tigers sweep of the Pioneers, by win the Gold Pan (it’s good to be confident and not so good to be cocky, in my book). SPLIT

Minnesota @ #4 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Golden Gophers split with the Seawolves in Minneapolis and the Bulldogs enjoyed a free weekend.

Earlier this season, just before Christmas break the Gophers took 3-points from the Bulldogs in Minneapolis. This will be the Gophers first visit to the new AMSOIL arena in Duluth. The Gophers are running out of games to get points to try and climb into a home ice spot. Watching them play UAA last weekend, it looks like they were un-inspired on Saturday. The Gophers appear to be “satisfied” to get splits every weekend. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Bulldogs are in the hunt for the MacNaughton cup and want to keep themselves in that race. UMD fans might say they have been on back-to-back bye weeks; they played MTU two weeks ago. The Bulldogs could be a little rusty on Friday. The Gophers have been good on Friday’s lately, so they hope to continue that pattern this weekend. SPLIT

Bemidji State @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Beavers were on a bye and the Mavericks took 3-points from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

The last time the Beavers were in action they lost twice to SCSU. If the Mavericks are to stick to their four game streaks, they should get a win or two this weekend. Both teams could use a sweep to keep their hopes alive for a home ice spot. Getting swept this weekend, by either, would pretty much seal their fate to a bottom half finish. These teams are similar, not only in their records, but their hot and cold playing. The Mavericks should be motivated this weekend. They don’t want to lose to the new guys in the league and end up behind them in the standings at the end of the year. SPLIT

St. Cloud St. @ #18 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the Huskies got 1-point against the MSUM Mavericks in St. Cloud and the UNO Mavericks split with the UAH Chargers in Omaha.

The Huskies were riding a six game win streak until last weekend. SCSU fans are hoping that was just a blip, and then can get back on track this weekend against the other Mavericks. These teams met in St. Cloud back in mid November with UNO grabbing 3-points that weekend. The Mavericks started the season red hot, but have cooled their heels in 2011. The Huskies have done better this half, after a few players were let go from the team. I kind of wonder if it was those players affecting the others, like one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. Anyway they’re playing like everyone thought they would be playing the whole season. One thing for sure is there will be lots of red, white, and black at the Qwest Center this weekend. SPLIT

BYE week

#5 University of North Dakota – Fighting Sioux
#7 University of Wisconsin – Badgers

Genoway out 3-5 weeks

According to Brad Schlossman and from listening to the UND coaches show, there is some good news on the Chay Genoway front; he will be out 3-5 weeks and his injury is not career/season ending, and we should see him in a Fighting Sioux uniform again.

UND is expecting to get its captain back this season.

Sioux coach Dave Hakstol said on the coaches show this evening that defenseman Chay Genoway is expected to be out for three to five weeks. Genoway, who suffered a leg injury last Friday at Colorado College, was being evaluated for much of this week after returning to Grand Forks.

Hakstol said the team’s medical personnel were thorough in their evaluation, which continued into Wednesday.

“We’ve really taken time to make sure that we went through the right steps and the right processes,” he said. “I know people want to know right away what’s going on, but that’s not possible in a lot of cases.”

Rick DiPietro vs Brent Johnson Goalie Fight

First off I wish Rick DiPietro would have hit Matt Cooke a little harder with his blocker because I think Cooke is a gutless P.O.S. that skates around the ice taking liberties with other teams skilled players and then won’t fight.

Now! I guess we could call getting punched out a fight, both goalies engage and then Brent Johnson floors him. Yeah, I guess you could classify this as a fight, they did on the score sheet as well. If you watch the video you will see that Brent Johnson actually catches Rick DiPietro with his elbow. Here are the penalties minutes from the scrum.

19:43 NYI Rick DiPietro : Game misconduct - 0 min
19:43 NYI Matt Martin : Misconduct (10 min) - 0 min
19:43 NYI Zenon Konopka : Game misconduct - 0 min
19:43 NYI Rick DiPietro : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
19:43 NYI Rick DiPietro served by Rob Schremp : Goalie leave crease - 2 min
19:43 NYI Rick DiPietro served by Rob Schremp : Interference - 2 min
19:43 NYI Matt Martin : Roughing - 2 min
19:43 NYI Zenon Konopka : Roughing - 2 min
19:43 PIT Brent Johnson : Game misconduct - 0 min
19:43 PIT Brent Johnson : Fighting (maj) - 5 min
19:43 PIT Matt Cooke : Misconduct (10 min) - 0 min
19:43 PIT Matt Cooke : Roughing - 2 min
19:43 PIT Brent Johnson : Goalie leave crease - 2 min

RW77 Rant: All Star Games, Head Shots, Physicality in Hockey and Crosby

Ok, it's been quite a while since I've had a good rant to get the blood boiling and commenters telling me how wrong I am/have a personal vendetta/etc.

So, here we go.

All Star Games: Who needs them anyways?

I was watching the AHL All Star game noticing, like the ECHL, that they're just as completely disorganized in their media coverage as the NHL as I was never quite able to find an up to date roster on who was actually on the teams. During the broadcast, they didn't seem to care about updating the player movements or rotation as well. They waxed poetic about the days of yore and bubbled nonsensically on how awesome the AHL is almost to the same effect that the NHL commentators had during the NHL All Star game. Nothing like watching meaningless hockey, showcasing a lot of stickhandling skills and the commentators not even caring provided no one scored. Instead, we watched a hockey game going on in the background of a Ron Francis interview. Whoopdedoo. I was shocked that the commentators even knew who scored at the end of the interview... or maybe the goal ended the interview. I wonder if no one scored for the rest of the second period, would the interview gone on the entire time? HEH. The NHL wants us to believe that this is not a meaningless game despite no points being awarded nor any advantage to either side winning. Yup. Keep dreaming, Bettman you pathetic loser.

Oh, and it was amazing to listen to the AHL people talk up their league. They talked about how the AHLers were every bit as good as the NHLers. Oh my goodness, that was choke on the soft drink laughing good! Do you know what you call the best AHLers? NHL players. There is no such thing as a player who is as good as the average NHL player that plays in the AHL. The AHL is a developmental pro league. Somewhere where the NHL sends players that aren't ready for the NHL yet but snatches them up when they are. Get over yourselves.

To wrap up this portion, I'll say this: The NHL All Stars Skills Competition is good. The Young Guns or Young Stars game is good. The All Star Game is a joke. Be that as it may, the NHL All Star game is still less of a joke than the Pro Bowl. As bad as the MLB All Star Game is, at least MLB is trying to find ways to make it meaningful.

Anyways, Physicality and the reason for this post. (I warned you this was a rant, right?)... During one of the intermissions, they interviewed Brian Burke about the new NHL Rule Changes. He made right to the contact to the head rule and what he said was awesome.

To paraphrase (as I can't seem to find the interview nor can I find a transcript), he said that physical play is an integral part of the sport of hockey. He favored the new head contact rule provided that's as far as it goes. He said that, though no one likes it, injuries happen in a physical sport like hockey. It's the job of the coaches and GMs to put players on the ice who can play the game right and play it safely and the role of the NHL and its officials to enforce the rules and punish improper or unsafe play.

I agree 100%. Physical play is a vital part of the game. Don't believe me? Watch a men's hockey game and then watch a women's game. Both are hockey. Both can be fun, but when you watch a hockey player deliver a great hip check and then get called 2 minutes for "checking" and realize that you are watching a young lady skating to the penalty box and wonder why you're wasting your time. Now, I am a staunch supporter of women's hockey being changed to allow checking as I believe that women can do everything just like men can... but that's a different rant.

Then he talked about Sidney Crosby's concussion. He basically said, you can have the identical hit Crosby got from Dave Steckel on ANY other NHL player and it wouldn't garner the media attention that it is getting. You know what? He's RIGHT THE EFF ON!

The media attention on Crosby's injury is INSANE. People rail me here on why I'm so anti-Crosby and this is exactly it! The media could give a flying fart about ANYONE provided that person getting injured isn't Sidney Crosby. Sure, some players (like Sean Avery, Daniel Carcillo, etc.) garner their share of dislike... but why would I want them injured? Would Sean Avery garner the same disdain if he were injured the same as Crosby is?

Look, I'm not belittling the fact that Crosby got injured. I dislike Crosby, obviously, but I don't think injury is the answer. I would rather he played his entire career injury free but that's not possible. However, I don't think we should sacrifice an integral part of the game just to protect him. Sidney isn't an idiot. He knows damn well that Hockey is a physical game. People get hit...hard. Injury is a potential every time he steps onto the ice.

The truth is that the league's media is set up to be just a circus surrounding Crosby, the Penguins, and Ovechkin (in that order). Everyone else is just supporting cast members. And, like a broken record, I'll say this isn't necessarily Crosby's fault. Sure, he whines to the media on occasion, but I can understand that. He's simply playing to the media's adoration of him. The NHL uses him as a money maker and he certainly obliges their every whim. And I admit that his ability is pretty much epic.

Alex Ovechkin's check on P.K. Subban

Check out this awesome hip check hit by Alexander Ovechkin on Hab's punk P.K. Subban... It's well documented that P.K.Subban is a bit of a show boat and players around the NHL are going to be looking for him and they are going to hit him. My advice to the young Subban is learn to take a hit, take a number and get him back later.

Penguins' Jordan Staal not suspended for punch

NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell has spun the infamous "Wheel of Justice" and Campbell has decided that there will be no suspension for the Penguins' Jordan Staal. I guess I really don't have a problem with it, in a scrum you're going to get hit sometimes especially if you elbow someone.

NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League will not take further action on Penguins center Jordan Staal for his punch to Rangers' forward Brandon Prust's face in the second period of Tuesday's game. Staal received a match penalty and by rule he was automatically suspended until the League reviewed the incident and the Commissioner made a ruling.

"We have reviewed the play and have communicated to (Penguins GM) Ray Shero that Jordan Staal is available to play tonight," NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said.

The Penguins host the New York Islanders tonight.

Staal hit Prust with his left fist and sent him spinning to the ice at the end of a scrum in front of the Rangers' bench. The officials first sent Staal to the box and then sent him to the dressing rooms with the five-minute match penalty.

Prust cleared out Tyler Kennedy with a hard hit and then he got his elbow up on Staal, who appeared to be coming into the fray to defend Kennedy. Staal returned the favor on Prust, dropping him to the ice with a quick left hook.

Nichlas Backstrom robs JMFJ in the shootout...

Usually I find 0-0 hockey games to be extremely boring but this game has some amazing goaltending. Check out this amazing toe save by Wild Goalie Nicklas Backstrom in the shoot out against Jack Johnson aka "JMFJ" of the LA Kings. In my opinion this save has to be one of the top ten save of the year for the 2010-2011 season.

Jordan Staal Sucker punches Brandon Prust

So how many game suspension does Jordan Staal get for punching Brandon Prust? Does Brandon Prust embellish the hit at all? It will be interesting to see what kind of suspension the Colin Campbell "Wheel of Justice" rules. One could make the argument that Brandon Prust tries to take off Kennedy’s head off, then throws an elbow at Staal. Was the punch warranted. It's looks like a very questionable play in my opinion.

Phil Kessel chance in overtime

Wow! Check out this move by Phil Kessel and his shot on goal in overtime - what a save by the Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen, Minnesota Golden Gopher against Boston College Eagle.

Kristo out indefinitely with frostbite - Updated Links

According to Brad Schlossman Fighting Sioux forward Danny Kristo is out indefinitely with "frostbite" Goon's World would like to wish Danny Kristo a speedy recovery... It's a big loss to the Fighting Sioux hockey team because Danny Kristo had been hot as of late, in the past twelve games, Kristo has four goals and 13 assists for 17 points.

UND forward Danny Kristo suffered frostbite on his toes of his right foot due to exposure to extreme cold while walking near campus on Sunday evening, the school announced today.

He is out indefinitely and there is no timeline on a possible return. Kristo is being treated at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

“We have been in close contact with Danny’s family,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “My concern is with Danny’s health and his full recovery.”

"Links to the Story"

Frostbite strikes UND hockey player; return to ice uncertain [PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune]

UND hockey forward Kristo out indefinitely with frostbite [Fargo Forum]

UND hockey player Kristo out indefinitely with frostbite [Grand Forks Herald]

Kristo Has Frostbite, Out Indefinitely [Hockey Buzz]

Sioux Star: Out from Frostbite [MSLSD, AKA MSNBC]

Sioux Star: Out from Frostbite [Valley News Live]

Kristo absence will be felt. [Valley News Live]

Danny Kristo, North Dakota Hockey Player, Hospitalized With Frostbite. [NHL Fan House]

UND Hockey's Kristo Out Indefinitely with Frostbite [WDAZ.com]

Bruins Marc Savard might be done for the season...

According to ESPN.COM Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard might be done for the year after suffering another concussion. This is not good news for the Boston Bruins. Marc Savard missed 23 games to start the season as well due to post concussion syndrome. Marc Savard was hurt on this hit from former teammate Matt Hunwick, there was no penalty called on the hit.

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli admitted Monday night that there has already been an internal discussion of whether or not to shut down center Marc Savard for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season due to his fourth career concussion.

Before a final decision is made, however, Savard will be re-evaluated on Wednesday in Boston.

"There is a strong possibility [of shutting him down], but you have to take it step by step," Chiarelli said in a phone conversation with ESPNBoston.com.

Savard remains at home in Peterborough, Ontario and he's still experiencing symptoms from a moderate concussion he suffered on Jan. 22.

Chiarelli, who is in Raleigh, N.C., with the Bruins as they prepare for their game against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, said he has not spoken with Savard. The team will likely wait to make a decision until after the player's examination on Wednesday.

Wow! It's cold - Tuesday Links

Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets. have their weekly Bracketology up and I have to admit that I really like the brackets that they have up right now. I know it's early and there is a lot of hockey left, but I would really love to see Yale and B.C. in the same bracket, I would be willing to bet that the Yale fans wouldn't like that bracket one bit. There's old saying that something’s gotta give, in that bracket you would take out a top team because only one team Yale or B.C. is going to get out alive. It would also be a region of death. Hum! Been there, done that!

East Regional (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
1 Yale vs 16 RIT
5 Boston College vs 12 Notre Dame

Mid-West Regional (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
4 Minnesota-Duluth vs 13 Union
7 Wisconsin vs 10 Merrimack

Northeast Regional (Manchester, New Hampshire)
3 Denver vs 14 Dartmouth
8 New Hampshire vs 9 Michigan

West Regional (St. Louis, Missouri)
3 North Dakota vs 15 Boston University
6 RPI vs 11 Western Michigan

Former UND Fighting Sioux forward Michale Forney is starting to get it going in the ECHL. [gwinnettedailypost.com]

Former Gopher and current Maple Leaf forward Phil Kessel was picked last in the NHL All Star Game draft and that has rubbed some "Make Me Laugh" fans the wrong way. I mean seriously, someone had to be picked last. There are a lot of NHL hockey fans that didn't like the way Phil Kessel handed his departure from Boston. [Puck Daddy]

Bruce Ciskie has a great blog post about Gopher Hockey head coach Donny Lucia and how he might actually be the best choice to coach the Gophers going forward. [Ciskie Blog]

Lucia has won two national championships and, literally, hundreds of games in college hockey. He hasn't lost his mind, and he hasn't simply forgotten how to coach kids.

If Minnesota thinks they can do better, they're probably mistaken. The Gophers have been hit hard by early departures, and they've been hit hard by the ability of the state's other four NCAA Division I programs -- along with nearby North Dakota -- to recruit Minnesota kids. Minnesota no longer has their pick of Minnesota talent. Instead, they have to 1) compete with UMD, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State, Minnesota State, and North Dakota; 2) realize that they won't win all those races; and 3) succeed in recruiting out-of-state players to make up for the in-state talent they don't get.

The sport isn't what it used to be. It's not easy to get to the NCAA Tournament, the Frozen Four, or the title game. It's not easy to get home-ice and make the WCHA Final Five.

[Save UAH Hockey] has a great blog post up on the lack of media coverage for UAH Hockey. UAH beat UNO this past Saturday in Omaha and it wasn't till Monday that the local news paper [AL.COM] finally decided to post a very small story about UAH's victory. I would say that they were a little late to the party. You're right GeofF, Goon has your back.

[Omaha.com] has their WCHA Power Rankings up and I have to admit that I like the way Chad Purcell thinks.

Poll Monday Sioux 5th in both polls

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
January 31, 2011
1. Boston College (41) 18-6-0 988 2
2. Denver ( 6) 16-5-5 922 3
3. Yale ( 2) 17-4-0 881 1
4. Minnesota-Duluth ( 1) 17-5-3 840 5
5. North Dakota 19-8-2 813 4
6. New Hampshire 15-5-4 745 7
7. Wisconsin 19-8-3 670 8
8. Michigan 17-7-4 629 6
9. Rensselaer 17-6-3 594 10
10. Notre Dame 16-9-5 549 9
11. Union 18-7-3 507 13
12. Merrimack 15-5-4 436 14
13. Miami 14-9-5 427 11
14. Boston University 12-7-7 314 16
15. Maine 11-7-6 289 12
16. Western Michigan 14-6-8 274 17
17. Dartmouth 12-6-3 177 18
18. Nebraska-Omaha 14-10-2 161 15
19. Princeton 14-6-1 157 19
20. Colorado College 15-12-1 80 20
Others Receiving Votes: Alaska 10, Providence 10, Robert Morris 7, Minnesota 4, Northeastern 4, Ferris State 3, Ohio State 3, Minnesota State 2, Rochester Institute of Technology 2, Niagara 1, Quinnipiac 1
_____________________________________________
USA TODAY/USA Hockey men's poll
Jan. 31, 2010
1. Boston College (26)18-6-0 497 2
2. Yale (3) 17-4-0 448 1
3. Denver (2) 16-5-5 445 3
4. Minnesota Duluth (3) 17-5-3 407 4
5. North Dakota 19-8-2 393 5
6. New Hamsphire 15-5-4 325 8
7. Wisconsin 19-8-3 272 7
8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 17-6-3 259 10
9. Michigan 17-7-4 258 6
10. Notre Dame 16-9-5 197 9
11. Union 18-7-3 189 12
12. Merrimack 15-5-4 147 14
13. Miami (Ohio) 14-9-5 95 13
14. Boston University 12-7-7 41 NR
15. Maine 11-7-6 39 11
Others receiving votes: Western Michigan 37; Dartmouth 16; Princeton 10; Nebraska Omaha, 4; Robert Morris 1.

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because they are interesting to look at. Sometimes they provide good cannon fodder. I took the liberty of correcting their post for UND, the Sioux are on the dreaded bye week and play the big slow lumbering team from UAA next weekend.
1. Boston College
2. Yale
3. Denver
4. North Dakota 1 Senior defenseman Chay Genoway was hurt in Friday's loss at Colorado College and didn't play Saturday; his replacement, sophomore Joe Gleason, scored his first career goal in Saturday's 6-0 rout. 19-8-2 (14-6-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: L at Colorado College, 4-2; W at Colorado College, 6-0. THIS WEEK: OFF Next Weekend vs. Alaska Anchorage, vs. Alaska Anchorage
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. New Hampshire
7. Rensselaer
8. Union
9. Michigan
10. Merrimack
11. Wisconsin
12. Notre Dame
13. Miami
14. Western Michigan
15. Boston University
16. Dartmouth
17. Princeton
18. Maine
19. Nebraska-Omaha
20. Colorado College
Dropped out: Ohio State
Bubble-licious: Minnesota, Niagara, RIT, Robert Morris