Matt Frattin Hobey Baker Memorial Award promo

Here is the promo for UND senior Matt Frattin and his official promo for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, in my opinion this is well done and I was impressed by the quality of work. Goon’s world would like to send major kudos to the UND Sports Information Department for their great work for both Candidates Chay Genoway and Matt Frattin. Here is the official link to the Vote for Matt Frattin Hobey Baker Memorial Award page.

His Story

Matt Frattin has the skill set every hockey player dreams of. Fast. Powerful. Elite scorer.

He was living his dream of playing college hockey. That came to an abrubt end.

"The way he was living his life away from the rink wasn't what it needed to be," UND head coach Dave Hakstol said.

After two alcohol-related incidents — one of which he was later acquitted of — Frattin was dismissed from the team.

Frattin didn't give up. He showed other aspects of his character.

Hard work. Selflessness. Committment. Teamwork.

With his scholarship taken away, Frattin decided against going pro. Instead he took out a loan and came back to UND. He worked hard and earned his way back onto the team, earning respect in the process.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

We have 5 league series lined up this weekend again. Interesting fact - there was not a single sweep last weekend in the 6 WCHA series last weekend. The top 4 teams are separated by only 3 points. Also 5th place thru 11th place is only separated by all 5 points. It looks like the last home ice playoff spot will come down to the last weekend of play, the way things are going. It looks like the top four teams this week will be the top four teams come playoff time. Most teams only have 4 WCHA games left (UAA and MSUM only have 2). The standings show the top 4 have distanced themselves from the middle of the pack, and it is very unlikely that they will be caught. Interesting fact, both UND and CC go their first league tied games last Friday night. If UND sweeps, UNO-DU split, and UMD gets no more than 3-points, the Sioux will claim a share of the MacNaughton Cup this weekend.

Remember, I’ve changing my rankings; I was using the USCHO poll, but changed to the PairWise Rankings. Since the PairWise mimic who is selected to the NCAA tourney.

WCHA Standings

TEAM……………..…....W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota……….17-6-1…35
2. Denver………………15-6-3…33
3. Minnesota-Duluth.....14-6-4…32
3. Nebraska-Omaha…..15-7-2…32
5. Wisconsin……….…11-10-2…25
6. Minnesota……..…..10-10-4…24
6. Colorado College…11-12-1…24
8. Alaska-Anchorage…10-14-2…22
9. Bemidji State…….….8-12-4…20
9. St. Cloud State…......8-12-4…20
9. Minnesota State…….8-14-4…20
12. Michigan Tech………2-20-2…6

WCHA

Michigan Tech @ #18 Minnesota
Last weekend the Huskies split with the DU Pioneers in Denver and Gophers took 3-points from the UW Badgers in Madison.

Can we say MTU is making waves, late in the season? They have gotten a win and a tie over their last two WCHA series, doubling their point total. Have the Gophers finally hit their stride this season? They are 2-1-1 in their last 4 league games, and those are teams that are higher in the standings. Three weeks ago I would have said the Gophers should sweep MTU, but now I’m not sure. The Huskies should be gaining some confidence now with some success, as should the Gophers. The Maroon & Gold faithful better hope they don’t have a letdown after their big UW road series. The Gophers now control their own fate, win out and they get home ice. The Huskies can put a kink into the Goldy’s hopes if they can pull a point or two out of Mariucci. The Gophers are 7-8-1 at home this season, and without a sweep they will not have winning home record in the regular season. GOPHERS 3-POINTS

#4 Denver @ #8 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend Pioneers split with the MTU Huskies in Denver and the Mavericks split with the UAA Seawolves in Anchorage.

This should be the “premier series in the WCHA” this weekend. Both the Pioneers and Mavericks suffered minor setbacks last weekend. This is a very important series for both teams; DU and UNO both have a chance to win the league. Both have secured home ice, so that isn’t an issue, but the PairWise ratings are. The Mavericks have a sparkling 12-3-1 record at the Qwest Center this season and the Pioneers have a decent road record of 6-5-3. The Pioneers are 2nd in league scoring with 82-goals and the Mavericks are 3rd with 81-goals. Denver has played the Mavericks a few times with DU holding a 7-2-0 all-time mark versus UNO. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw a couple of shoot-outs in Omaha’s barn this weekend. SPLIT

Bemidji State @ #2 North Dakota (Sat. & Sun. @ 3:37pm)
Last weekend the Beavers took 3-points from the CC Tigers in Bemidji and the Sioux took 3-points from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

BSU opened their WCHA schedule by hosting the Sioux at their new arena, back in October. The Sioux spoiled their opening by sweeping the Beavers in a pair of 5-2 games. The Beavers still have an outside chance at home ice, but the need points and lots of help to get there. UND is looking to put a strangle hold on first place this weekend with getting a home sweep. UND is averaging 3.54goals/game in the WCHA and BSU is at 2.25goals/game. The Sioux lead the WCHA in goals scored at 85 and fewest surrendered at 56. Not too often does a team lead in both categories, this late in the season. It is senior weekend at Grand Forks, since it is the last regular season home games. No doubt, that the 7 seniors on the team will want to go out with a sweep, and the rest of the team wants to see that too. If the Sioux continue their consistent play, I see them taking care of business this weekend. SIOUX SWEEP.

#14 Wisconsin @ St. Cloud St.
Last weekend the Tigers split with the MSUM Mavericks in Colorado Springs and the Beavers took 3-points for the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

Two weeks ago the Badgers looked to have a lock on a home ice spot. But getting only one point in their last four games has hurt them badly, not only in the WCHA standings but the PairWise too. The Huskies have played well as of late going 1-1-2 against UMD and UND the past two weekends. SCSU can continue their climb and sink the Badgers this weekend, if, they can pull off a sweep at the National Hockey Center. It appears these teams are heading in opposite directions now, SCSU going up, UW going down. The Badgers are 5-5-2 away from home this year and the Huskies are a dismal 4-8-4 at home. The Badger’s can ill afford to get swept this weekend. If that happens the Kohl Center might see a protest or two, just like the Wisconsin capitol building. It appears that both teams might be circling the panic button. SCSU has nothing to lose, and UW is getting desperate, so this series could have some good action. SPLIT

#7 Minnesota-Duluth @ #19 Colorado College
Last weekend the Bulldogs split with the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato and the Tigers got 1-point from the BSU Beavers in Bemidji.

The Bulldogs still have a shot at the title, and are pretty much locked into home ice. The Tiger lose the tie-breaker to the Gophers for 6th place currently, so they need points to try and grab a home ice spot. The Bulldogs are an impressive 10-3-1 away from Duluth and the Tigers are 9-7-1 at World Arena this season. UMD has slipped a little going 1-2-1 in their last 4 games, all against lower half teams. The Tigers will need sink their teeth into this series and claw their way back into the top half of the league. If CC contains the “law firm of Connelly, Connelly, & Fontaine” they should be able to get some points. SPLIT

Governor’s Cup

Alaska-Anchorage (11-16-3) vs Alaska (13-14-5 overall)
Last weekend the Seawolves split with the UNO Mavericks in Anchorage and the Nanooks split with the Michigan State Spartans in Fairbanks.

In any case, if you’re wondering the current governor of Alaska is Sean Parnell. This is a home and home series, at Fairbanks Friday and Anchorage on Saturday. I was in Anchorage to kick of the season at the Kendall Classic back in October. Back then I saw UAF play a couple of games, they didn’t look to bad, but that was 4 months ago. I just saw UAA two weeks ago in Grand Forks; they looked a bit slow compared to the Sioux. I have to go with the Seawolves in this series, just because I loved the city of Anchorage, when I was there. SEAWOLVES SWEEP

BYE WEEK
Minnesota State University Mankato – Mavericks

Thursday Links - EDIT

Just a few things going on today... Here is Ryan Cardinals weekly appearance on 1130 KFAN yesterday, it’s a day earlier because P.A. is in Indy for the Combine. [Click to listen]There were some interesting things said during the thirty two minute interview. Said UND is the Favorite to win the WCHA and that the Fighting Sioux have the best chance at playing in the Xcel Energy Center.

You probably didn't hear it because most of us don't listen AM 1500 out of the Twin Cities... In So here is the audio of Don Lucia [Click to listen]

Jim Rich brings you This Week in the WCHA... [click to listen]

Don Lucia was also on 1130 KFAN this past Monday, a very interesting interview as well. [Click to listen]

Jamestown Girls hockey coach Brad Schaack is headed to the Girls state hockey tourney this weekend. [Jamestown Sun]

Here is what UND head hockey coach Dave Hakstol had to say at yesterday's press conference. [Click to watch]

Fighting Sioux hockey and two weeks remain before the playoffs [Click to read]

The Boy's at INCH have their First Shift up for Week 20

Tyler Buckentine from USCHO has prematurely called the race for the WCHA’s MacNaughton Cup. [Click to Read]...The last thing the Sioux want to do is mail in their last four games and think the race is over. There is a decent chance that they could win the cup but the Beavers are going to have something to say about the race as well.

Without a Peer has their Bracketology up again this week. [Click to view]

Sixty Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets, has their Bracketology up this week as well. [Click to view]

Mike McMahon has his own version of Bracketology up and I would love to see the bracket he has on his blog. [Click to view]

The DU Pioneers are now having a change of heart and net and will probably play Sieve goalie Adam Murray in Friday’s series opener at Nebraska-Omaha... [Click to read article] Also, Pioneers Captain Kyle Ostrow will not travel with the team to Omaha; Ostrow is still out with an injury.

Gophers goalie Kent Patterson would like his forwards to score more goals so he doesn't have to stand on his head every night. [Goal Gophers]

Slightly Chilled has a great article about Gopher hockey fans have a sense of entitlement. Well, I am glad to see that I am not the only one that says this. The more I read this blog to more I admire this guy's work.

Joel Colborne Sega hockey goal

Back in the 1990's Sega Hockey was popular and you could score almost every time using this type of a goal. Check out this dipsy doodle goal by former DU Pioneer and Providence Bruin Joel Colborne. Joel Colborne was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Tomas Kaberle and a first and second round pick. This is Colborne playing for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Ice Breaker tourney coming to Grand Forks October 2011 - UPDATED

 

The University of North Dakota is hosting the Ice Breaker Hockey tournament on October 7 & 8 2011. Tickets for the tourney go on sale on March 4^th 2011 at 10:00 am.

Tournament ticket packages will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. Packages are $70 (adult) and $40 (youth). Tickets may be purchase at the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

UND men's hockey season ticket holders will have the ability to purchase their seats for the Ice Breaker at a discounted rate of $50 beginning today through April 12. Season ticket holders may purchase their seats by logging onto their ‘My Fighting Sioux Account' at www.fightingsioux.com or at the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Ticket packages are being held for UND students and will go on sale in the fall.

UND’s Fighting Sioux Nickname May Stay Despite Conflict

UND’s Fighting Sioux Nickname May Stay Despite Conflict: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Well lets not let facts get in the way of a good argument. Check out these comments from Fighting Sioux logo opponent Mike Forcia.

Other opponents -- including Native American groups -- say the logo is also racist and demeaning.

“It is mocking. It’s the antics that go along with it,” explained Mike Forcia. “They wear face paint and war bonnets. Some of those things are sacred to our people.”

Forcia said he understands that some of the proponents mean well, but he said they don’t understand the full impact on the American Indian culture.

Never once have I seen anyone wear a war bonnet or war paint, since I have been in Grand Forks, ND (1993). This statement absolutely incorrect and fallacious this doesn't happen at UND and I dare him to actually back up his facts. Nothing like making up your own facts to forward your argument.

Eric Staal Hard Check on His Brother Mark Staal

Wow, that was a nice body check. Looks like a clean hit to me, elbows are down, doesn’t leave his feet.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard spinorama goal against the Oilers

Edit: I was following two games tonight, my other favorite team the Boston Bruins were playing the Calgary Flames which the Boston Bruins won 3-1, None the less, check out this spin-o-rama breakaway goal goal from Minnesota Wild center Pierre-Marc Bouchard that he scored against the Edmonton Oilers, this has to be one of the top goals of the season. Bouchard also had two assists to go along with this goal as the Wild beat Edmonton 4-1.

Pens’ Thug Matt Cooke checked into the boards by Matt Bradley no one cares…

There is an old saying in hockey you live by the sword you die by the sword; well that sword sliced Matt Cooke in the posterior last night. I was watching the game between Washington and Pittsburgh on Versus last night and during his second game back from his most recent suspension for being a putz on the ice: probably to many fans amusement; the despicable and unlikable Matt Cooke was checked face first into the boards by Capitals winger Matt Bradley, what I find even more amusing that no one is upset about it Cooke getting check head long into the boards.

I spent most of the last hour combing through the major NHL Hockey blogs (Puck Daddy, Kukla’s Korner) and there is no outrage what-so-ever. I even checked a prominent Pittsburg Penguins fan blog and showed little if any empathy or outrage for the Bradley hit on Pens hack Matt Cooke. I think that is a telling story of just how people feel about Matt Cooke.

I think eventually all of the transgressions that Matt Cooke has done on the ice are going to catch up with him, some day someone is going to catch him with his head down and some is going to blast him and he isn’t going to get up. My next question is will anyone but some Penguins fans care?

Fighting in Hockey

Recently, in the last couple of day there has been much discussion about the role of fighting in hockey and whether it should be banned or punished more severely. A research group did a poll that said a majority of Canadians want fighting banned from hockey, I highly doubt it was a poll made up entirely by hockey fans. I would actually like to see the break down of who their flawed poll actually surveyed. I am sure there are a fair number of these people that were surveyed that don’t have a clue what a hockey puck is for and when they see a fight in hockey they are probably clueless to what purpose fighting actually serves in hockey.

Fighting in hockey serves a purpose and keep the players that play by the hockey code honest. If there wasn’t fighting in hockey I would be willing to bet you would see more "guttless pukes" like Matt Cooke or insert your favorite player ___________ skating up and down the ice taking liberties with other teams skilled players because they know they wouldn’t have to fight, they could hide behind the refs and yap because they know they wouldn't have to fight anymore. Basically, I see it all of the time in college hockey now a days where players know they can do bush leagues things because they know that they rarely have to fight. I also think that you would see more questionable checks in retribution for these bush league tactics from players like Cooke.

Brett Hextall Red Baron® WCHA Co-Offensive Players of the Week

Fightingsioux.com photo

Fighting Sioux forward Brett Hextall has been named the Co-Offensive player of the week. Unfortunately, Hextall has to share the award with Gopher fraud Jacob C-Piss. This past weekend Brett Hextall was impressive has he scored (3g-0a-3pts) on the weekend and now has 7 points in the last 5 games (5g-2a-7pts).

WCHA.COM ---- Hextall, a junior from Manhattan Beach, Calif., scored three critical goals to lead North Dakota to a three-point weekend at St. Cloud State. All three of his goals in the series gave the Sioux the lead. He scored a game-winning power-play goal in third period last Saturday to give UND a 3-2 win, after having earlier provided UND a 2-1 lead with an even-strength goal late in the second. He was named the No. 1 star of the game. Hextall also scored the opening goal late in the first period of last Friday's 3-3 (tie) at SCSU, earned a +2 rating in the series and had five shots on goal. In the midst of a five-game point streak, Hextall has 17 points (8g, 9a) in 28 games this season.

Also nominated this week: Jamie MacQueen, F, Bemidji State; Drew Shore, F, DU.

Most Canadians want hockey fights banned: poll

The Boogey man beating the tar out of some stiff

I would really like to see the ins and outs of this poll; I would like to see their data and who they sampled. I highly doubt that many NHL Hockey fans would like to see fighting taken out of hockey. There is a big difference between asking hockey fans from Canada about fighting in hockey and asking Canadians about fighting in hockey.

Bradley Bouzane, Postmedia News ---- While most older Canadians say fighting is not an important part of hockey and want the National Hockey League to crack down on violence, younger Canadians are less inclined to blow the whistle on dropping the gloves, an exclusive poll has found.

An Ipsos Reid poll, conducted for Postmedia News and Global National, found 54 per cent of those surveyed say an outright ban should be placed on fighting in the NHL. The poll also found 68 per cent disagree that “violence is just a part of the game and penalties for playing rough and tough should not increase.”

However, the majority (about 60 per cent) of respondents between 18 and 34 are opposed to an outright ban against on-ice fisticuffs. In fact, nearly half of younger Canadians say fighting is an important part of hockey.

In contrast, 56 per cent of the 35 to 54 age group support a ban, while 65 per cent of those 55 and over say they want an end to fighting.

Under current rules, fighting leads to five minutes in the penalty box — and often a spot on the nightly highlight reels.

Meanwhile, the majority of those polled also say the NHL should punish other violent behaviour — which has led to serious injuries, including concussions.

I doubt we will ever see fighting gone from NHL and junior hockey in our life times. Take fighting out of the NHL and you will be letting thugs like Matt Cooke get away with taking liberties on skilled players in the NHL, the level of violence will actually go up and there will probably be more head injuries. Allowing fighting in hockey lets the players police the game and doesn’t make the NHL teams and their players rely on the NHL front office to dole out suspensions and punishment for questionable acts of violence on the ice. For example; if I am an NHL hockey player and I knew I can take a run Crosby or Ovechkin an not have to answer for my actions by having to fight I basically have a green light to skate up and down the ice taking liberties that may never be answered for. Having to fight keeps the players semi honest.

Sioux Victory in the House!

The bill in the North Dakota House to preserve the Sioux name was passed 65-28.

Now it moves to the Senate where I think it will do as well.

Go Sioux!

More from my blogging partner (boss) at Say Anything.

HB1263, instructing the State Board of Higher Education to keep the Fighting Sioux Nickname, just passed the state House by a 65 – 28 vote. HB1263 was sponsored by House Majority Leader Al Carlson. Other Sioux-related bills, HB1257 and HB1208 both failed by wide margins obviously because the House found consensus behind Carlson’s bill.

“This isn’t the most important bill this session,” said Rep. Carlson. “But it’s important to a lot of people.”

Opponents to the bill, including Grand Forks’ Rep. Elliot Glassheim, called it legislative overreach. He argues, as Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem does, that the state legislature doesn’t have the authority to pass this legislation.

Which is actually correct (would that these critics were more in tune with the state constitution when it came to, say, the unconstitutional nature of economic development spending). The state constitution establishes the State Board of Higher Education as an almost totally unaccountable 4th branch of the state government. Outside of funding, and approving board appointees, the state legislature has almost no control over higher education in North Dakota.

And that’s a big problem that goes far beyond the Fighting Sioux nickname. That the SBHE is trying to get rid of the nickname over the protests of a majority of the public is an example of just how arrogant and drunk with power they are, and from there we go to their endless demands for more funding despite huge double-digit increases in their state budgets every legislative session. We look at the waste, fraud and abuse in the higher education system.

What the Fighting Sioux nickname debate illustrates is that the state’s higher education system needs to be less autonomous and more accountable to the elected representatives of the people.

Poll Monday - Sioux number 1 in both polls

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
[February 21, 2011]
1 North Dakota (21) 22-8-3 959 2
2 Boston College (13) 22-7-1 941 1
3 Yale (15) 22-5-0 937 3
4 Merrimack ( 1) 21-5-4 832 6
5 Union 24-7-3 749 7
6 Denver 19-8-5 741 4
7 Minnesota-Duluth 19-7-5 715 5
8 Notre Dame 20-9-5 639 9
9 New Hampshire 18-7-5 610 8
10 Michigan 21-9-4 576 11
11 Miami 17-9-6 540 10
12 Nebraska-Omaha 19-11-2 404 13
13 Wisconsin 19-11-4 362 12
14 Rensselaer 19-9-4 360 14
15 Boston University 16-9-7 328 15
16 Maine 14-10-6 199 19
17 Western Michigan 15-9-10 183 17
18 Dartmouth 15-9-3 144 16
19 Colorado College 17-15-2 88 18
20 Minnesota 13-12-5 67 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Princeton 33, Robert Morris 28,
Cornell 24, RIT 20, Ferris State 17, Northeastern 3,
Ohio State 1
_____________________________________________

USA Today poll
[February 21, 2011]
1. University of North Dakota, 487 (18)222-8-320
2. Boston College, 468 (7)122-7-120
3. Yale University, 463 (9)322-5-020
4. Merrmiack College, 406521-5-47
5. Union College, 354724-7-317
6. University of Denver, 407419-8-520
7. University of Minnesota Duluth, 298619-7-520
8. University of Notre Dame, 256820-9-517
9. University of New Hampshire, 236918-7-520
10. University of Michigan, 2201121-9-420
11. Miami University, 2141017-9-620
12. University of Nebraska Omaha, 1221219-11-216
13. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 941419-9-412
14. University of Wisconsin, 681319-11-415
15. Boston University, 491516-9-717
Others receiving votes: University of Maine 8, Dartmouth College 7, Western Michigan University 5, Robert Morris University 4, Rochester Institute of Technology 3, Cornell University 1.

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because they are worth a look, I am actually shocked that they picked UND number 1. UMD and DU seem to be dropping in the rankings.

1. North Dakota 1 Forward Brett Hextall, who scored three goals in his first 23 games this season, scored three more in the Fighting Sioux's tie and win at St. Cloud State. He has five goals and two assists in his last five games. 22-8-3 (17-6-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: T at St. Cloud State, 3-3 ot; W at St. Cloud State, 3-2. THIS WEEK: vs. Bemidji State, vs. Bemidji State
2. Boston College
3. Yale
4. Union
5. Merrimack
6. Miami
7. New Hampshire
8. Denver
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Michigan
11. Notre Dame
12. Rensselaer
13. Nebraska-Omaha
14. Boston University
15. Wisconsin
16. Western Michigan
17. Cornell
18. RIT
19. Robert Morris
20. Minnesota
Dropped out: Dartmouth, Colorado College
Bubble-licious: Maine, Dartmouth, Princeton, Colorado College

Goon In studio today on KNOX from 3:00 - 4:00 PM

I am on the air in studio with R.J. Richards on KNOX 1310 in Grand Forks, ND from 3:00 - 4:00 pm. We will be talking hockey. You can listen live by clicking on this link... Call in number is 701-775-4611. email the booth at live@knoxradio.com

Sioux 3 Sled Dogs err Huskies 2

SCSU Hack/Thug Aaron Marvin is stopped by Aaron Dell - SC Times photo

I have to admit that I didn’t see the game last night because I didn’t want to watch another Sioux hockey game on the B2TV Network. I must say that this season I have been less than impressed with the quality of video broadcasts that the B2Network have produced. Since I have been unimpressed with their hockey broadcasts this season, adjectives like lackluster come to mind in describing them. In my opinion I don’t think their broadcast was worth the $7.00 that the B2TV Network charges to watch the games, so we spent $7.00 and went to the EDC hockey tourney instead. Speaking frankly the B2TVNetwork broadcasts suck, I don't know how I can say it any other way.

I know that this only lends credence to the argument that the NCAA needs to have a NCAA Center Ice hockey package so fans can view their team and not have to watch their favorite team on a laptop or desktop computer.

So yesterday; I decided to take in EDC Hockey yesterday with a buddy of mine and we spent the afternoon and evening watching North Dakota high school hockey. We watched three hockey games back to back and got to see player that hopefully will be a future Fighting Sioux hockey player in Keaton Thompson who said last week that he would like to be a member of the Fighting Sioux. It hard to believe that this kid is only a freshman in high school because he shows great poise and puck handling skills for a kid that is still developing physically, it will be interesting to see what he looks like in a couple of seasons. Thompson is supposed to join the Force now that his season is over. This is a developing story that I will follow closely. It will be interesting to see if he accelerates his high school studies or not.

While I was at the EDC games I followed the game on the FightingSioux.com chat and it sounded like that WCHA officials had what can only be classified as another very bad game on the ice. What I gleaned from the chat is that officials were blowing calls up and down the ice for no particular reason other than they are incompetent. Apparently, coach Hakstol was less than pleased with what he saw on the ice gave WCHA official Brad Shepherd an earful after the second period. Incidentally or maybe ironically, Brad Shepherd happens to be the son of WCHA on ice officials Greg Shepherd, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

It’s the opinion of this blogger that Brad Shepherd is not a good on ice official and is only officiating hockey games in the WCHA because of his father’s position. I believe that nepotism and cronyism in the WCHA front office is having a very serious affect on the quality and integrity of play in the WCHA. I have been unimpressed with Brad Shepherds work all season long and I am not finding this situation to be amusing or funny.

I am hoping that when the Big Ten is finally a reality that Shepherd and crew of on ice buffoons go with the Big Ten Hockey Conference where they can team up with CCHA buffoon Matt Shegos, the fans deserve better than what they are getting from the on ice officials in college hockey. I don't believe the argument that they are only part time so fans should just shut the hell up and take it. The member schools need to start speaking up and let them selves be heard. I think we have seen enough of the WCHA officials quality of work to realize that they are being fed a red herring. This is the best hockey league in college hockey and the refs are bunch of bumbling buffoons that I wonder how they are able to tie their skates before the games they officate.

With the win last night there is some positives, Junior Brett Hextall now has 4 goals in 5 games, some have linked Hextalls resurgence to Hextall wearing his give blood play hockey hat during post game and Wednesday interviews. Hey if it works keep doing it, don’t take that hat off or wash it till after the season is over. I would recommend Mr. Hextall sleep with that hat on his head if he has to, whatever it takes.

With the win last night the Fighting Sioux are 7-1-2 on the big sheets this season (1-0-1 Kendall Hockey Classic), (2-0-0 Wisconsin), (2-0-0 Mankato), (1-1-0 C.C.), (1-0-1 SCSU) = 7-1-2 in ten games on Olympic sheets of ice this season.

Links to the game

Huskies fight hard but denied the win [SC Times]

North Dakota Edges Huskies 3-2 at the National Hockey Center [Center Ice]

Box Score

UND MEN'S HOCKEY: It’s old hat for Hextall and the Sioux [Grand Forks Herald]

Mark Stuart vs Jean-Francois Jacques Feb 19, 2011

Former C.C. Tiger and Boston Bruin Mark Stuart makes his presence known in his first game with his new team the Atlanta Thrashers. Looks like another example of where a player throws a good clean check, then the teammate of that player that was checked challenges that player to a fight. None takes a number anymore.

Hockey Scores from Friday, February 18

Atlantic Hockey Association
Air Force 5 at Mercyhurst 3 AH
American Int'l 4 at Army 6 AH
Connecticut 2 at Bentley 4 AH
Sacred Heart 2 at Holy Cross 3 AH

CCHA
Lake Superior 1 at Ohio State 1 CC OT
Michigan State 1 at Alaska 4 CC
Notre Dame 3 at Ferris State 2 CC
Northern Michigan 2 at Bowling Green 2 CC OT
Western Michigan 3 at Michigan 6 CC

ECAC
Brown 3 at Princeton 7
Dartmouth 3 at Colgate 5
Harvard 4 at Cornell 3
Rensselaer 3 at St. Lawrence 5
Union 4 at Clarkson 3 OT
Yale 6 at Quinnipiac 1

Hockey East
Merrimack 4 at Massachusetts 3 OT
Maine 4 at UMass Lowell 0
Northeastern 7 at Boston College 7 OT
Providence 1 at Boston University 2
New Hampshire 6 at Vermont 1

WCHA
North Dakota 3 at St. Cloud State 3 OT Box
Nebraska-Omaha 2 at Alaska Anchorage 3 Box
Minnesota 5 at Wisconsin 2 Box
Colorado College 5 at Bemidji State 5 OT Box
Minnesota Duluth 1 at Minnesota State 3 Box
Michigan Tech 3 at Denver 2 Box

The Frattin goal that wasn't

This was the Frattin goal that was waved off in the third period of Friday night's game. Obviously, the video from Charter wasn't very good and I also used my wife digital camera to record the video, but if you watch the video you will see Mike Lee reach out with his catching glove and knock Trupp off stride causing a pile up in the SCSU goal. I don't know? What do you think, should the goal counted? I think there is an argument to be made either way. By Lee grabbing Trupp he actually cause interference so I think the goal could have counted, Lee also appeared to have enough time to get back into position in my opinion... Let the debate begin.

AW, UND's Illegitimate President Has Issues With Legislature Listening To Citizens on Sioux Nickname

I think some background is in order. UND has a long proud tradition of using the Sioux name as it's identity for sports team. For a long time there's been a small but vocal group trying to create discord by saying that the name is disrespectful. Of course the Sioux tribal members don't see it that way no matter how much racial discord the haters, a malcontent humanities professors, tried to whip up.

It finally came down to a law suit against the NCAA. While we had a winning case, the Attorney General and the State Board of Higher Education stabbed us in the back by agreeing to an unprecedented agreement. We not only had to get our neighboring tribe to agree to the name we had to get a tribe hundreds of miles away to agree. According to interviews I heard of Archie Fool Bear, that tribe really doesn't have a lot of contact with UND.

I would like to ask the Attorney General how many other schools had to get two tribes to approve of the name. I expect though we'd get the kind of dishonest answer that Scott Hennen when he asked AG Wayne Stenehjem why he had never visited the tribes to negotiate when he promised he would the day of the settlement. Stenehjem said on the radio that he had early on. However in the Grand Forks Herald newspaper story, the Long Bitter Fight, Grant Shaft said that Stenehjem's involvement in the matter ended at the time of the settlement.

The anti's in the administration and Board of Higher Education were happy to not negotiate with the tribes and leave the blame on the Tribes until Tribal members took up the issue on their own and were forcing a vote. Then UND's illegitimate president pressured the Summit league commissioner to say that our application was being held up until the matter was settled. The Board of Higher Education then using that as an excuse started working on retiring the name right away.

Now since the people of Grand Forks and the Tribal Members and the UND alumni have been ignored the North Dakota state legislature has taken up the issue. Robert Kelley doesn't like anyone that doesn't agree with him having a say in this matter.

He also expressed concern about “the profound negative, deleterious effect” he fears recent legislative involvement in the long contentious nickname issue could have on the university.

Just like he made up the issue about the Summit league he's trying to obscure the facts. The lawsuit was settled under North Dakota state law. The state legislature can and should change the law so that people have a say.

Kelley would like to pretend that if he gets his way here that everything will just settle down. I don't think so. If UND had allowed the case to go to court and we lost we would have regretted it, but at least we tried. If UND and the state government had tried to get the tribes approval and failed we would have regretted it but at least we tried.

Instead nobody from the state negotiated with the Tribes. The Kelley administration didn't want to keep the name. The State Board of Higher Education formed a committee to try to keep the name. Grant Shaft headed up one organizational meeting and as soon as Tribal members on the Spirit Lake reservation started working on the issue on their own they he said we couldn't wait for the Summit league and made the motion to drop the nickname.

Shaft says that they had contact with the tribes. I don't believe him. Where is the documentation? Where are the expense forms for travel?

Things aren't going to just go away:

[Al] Olson also expressed concern about the effect the controversy is having on UND’s current major fundraising campaign, as many potential donors have strong feelings about the Fighting Sioux name and logo.

Tim O’Keefe, executive director of the UND Alumni Association, agreed that there are potential costs to stretching the transition out over several years. “I think this president has a great agenda … that’s being impaired,” he said. The nickname issue dominates discussions he has with alumni around the country, and consequently “they’re not talking about the many great things that are happening here.”

But a great many of UND’s 112,000 alumni “are in mourning,” O’Keefe said.

Tim, great things aren't going on at UND. Robert Kelley is running this institution into the ground.

And we're not in mourning. We're angry that our side has been ignored when it hasn't been denigrated. The great majority of people on and off the reservation have this in common. We want to keep the Sioux nickname. The university people work for us, not the other way around.

Contact your House members, there is supposed to be a vote around noon on Monday to save the name.

Cross posted from Say Anything Blog