Gophers and Huskies scrum

Hum, very interesting, color me surprised, I thought it was UND that was always in the middle of these kind of things, don’t see a hint of green and white anywhere, it looks like Minnesota Pansies’ on ice actually have a player with some grit and moxie in seldom used Jake Parenteau, unlike his fellow teammate sophomore defenseman Seth Helgeson whose modus operandi is to cross check someone that already had an opposition player laying on top of him, or yap at someone while being guarded by the ref, Parenteau takes matter into his own hands, literally.

I was watching the game in question on tape delay early Saturday morning and the game was getting very chippy and rough and MTU Husky Royer took exception with the Parenteau hit which some hockey fans might have taken issue with, I have seen worse hits in this league go uncalled. Well that hit lead to this scrum and also was the end of the night for Bennett Royer and Jake Parenteau who were ejected for fighting, kudos to the refs for letting these two actually settle their differences, instead of giving them a disqualification for fighting when they didn’t actually fight... For some reason unknown, the fight was not part of the FSN video and I can’t find it on line anywhere.

Does Fighting have a place in college hockey?

While some will say that Fighting has no place in college hockey or the NHL for that matter, fighting in hockey does serve a purpose, again, if a team is taking too many liberties with the opposition, fighting can be used as a way to settle differences and or send a message that your team will no longer be pushed around on by the team taking the liberties. Some may look at this as being a vigilante justice but I believe the current rules in college hockey are causing some of the problems we have today.

For instance, if I am a smaller, mouthy hockey player in Division 1 college hockey, I know that I can go up the biggest guy on the ice and slash him or try to choke him in a scrum with my carbon fiber stick, ala what Jacob C-Piss did on Andrew MacWilliam earlier this season and know that I don’t have to fight because the ref is going to rescue him before the bill comes due. If that same player was in a hockey league where fighting is permissible that player would probably never do that guttless act because that player knows that he will probably have to fight if he does. I would be willing to bet the same act that I described above would have not happened in the USHL, CHL, AHL or NHL where fighting is permissible or frowned upon.

In this particular incident the two teams were getting after each other and there probably were a few instances where the players might have crossed that line, after this fight the game settled down the players returned to playing hockey. I also think the mask and the no fighting rule is actually making the college hockey game more dangerous and is the root cause of more gratuitous violence.

Ground Hog Day, Sioux 5 Beavers 1 - Edited

What a weekend of hockey, first the North Dakota State Hockey Tourney, the two game series between the Fighting Sioux men and the Bemidji State University Beavers and finally the Sioux women playing against the Beavers in the WCHA first round of the WCHA tourney. As they say in baseball lets play two... Yesterday was an amazing day of hockey, first I was able to watch the Sioux and the Beavers play in the Ralph Engelstad Arena, the Fighting Sioux won the game 5-1 wrapping up their 15th MacNaughton Cup Championship. Then after the game I high tailed it to the Purpur Arena to catch the second game of a double header, between the Sioux women’s team and the Bemidji State University Beavers. Let’s just say I was not disappointed with my first look at the UND women’s team.

The Sioux start slow...

During this afternoon's game the Fighting Sioux started out slow getting behind 1-0 in the first period, the Beavers were limiting the Fighting Sioux time and space and getting their sticks in the passing lanes and they made it difficult for the Sioux to get going... The Fighting Sioux made adjustments after the first period and opened the game up scoring 4 goals in the second period to blow by the BSU Beavers. The Sioux scored again in the third period winning the game 5-1. It only would have been fitting if the Sioux goaltender Aaron Dell had let in one more goal to make the game 5-2. The first three games in the series were 5-2, 5-2, 5-2… With the win the Fighting Sioux clinched at least a tie for first place and a share of the MacNaughton Cup Championship and now get to play MTU in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Actually, the Sioux will get to play the Huskies four games in a row. The Sioux are going to need to stay focused and not get into any bad habits from one could develop from playing the worst team in the WCHA.


Hobey Frattin

During yesterday’s afternoon matinee Matt Frattin continued to play like a man possessed working on his final crescendo as he closes out his final games of his UND career, it definitely looks as if the Senior forward is going to end his career at a fast pace. As we sat and watched Matt Frattin pick apart the BSU defenders, I had commented to my buddy Sioux7 “that Frattin looks like he is a fowl mood this afternoon” that translates to good for the Sioux bad for the Beavers. Seriously, no kidding, if Matt Frattin isn't one of the best players in College hockey right now I would have to question your eye sight because Matt Frattin was like a men among boys this weekend. You can give me all of the candidates from Hockey East and the ECAC but Frattin is probably the best player in college hockey this season hands down.

Off to Purpur Arena

When the first game of the double header was over I hightailed it to the Purpur arena to watch the Sioux women and the BSU Beavers play game three of the WCHA home series, I had the pleasure of watching the game with a couple of friends of mine from Bemidji. I have to admit that this was my first time I had ever watched a UND women's game and I was impressed with what I saw, I think there are definitely some great days ahead for UND Women's hockey. Tonight's game turned out to be a barn burner but also a very tense game as the Sioux came close to losing the game in overtime themselves before Monique Lamoureux-Kolls took the puck on an end to end rush and put the puck in the Beaver net ending the game... For the Beavers goalie Zuzana Tomcikova was amazing as well made some awesome saves in net for the Beavers. Lastly, the Lamoureux twins are elite women’s hockey players and its’ worth the price of admission to see them play hockey. With the win the Sioux women make the WCHA Final Face-Off tournament where the Sioux will face the Wisconsin Badgers…

Domination by the Fighting Sioux

The Fighting Sioux have played the Beavers four times this season scoring 20 goals in four games and while the Fighting Sioux were never in any danger of losing any of these games to the Beavers, in games past the Sioux and the Beavers had been hard fought contested games between the two teams. This season the Fighting Sioux were the better team and played very well in all four games systematically taking apart the Beavers hockey team, the Sioux just seemed to have an extra gear and always seemed to kick it in at the right time scoring timely goals.

While the games might not have ended well for the Beavers against the Fighting Sioux, the future is bright for the BSU Beavers and Tom Serratore is a very good hockey coach that I have a lot of respect for, Serratore is a great hockey mind and he will get the most out of his hockey team and he will his team prepared and ready to play in the WCHA playoffs. Coming into this series the Beavers were riding a five game unbeaten streak.

This season the Fighting Sioux scored a total of 20 goals against the Beavers. Matt Frattin had a goal and an assist today for four points on the weekend (3g-1a-4pts) and should be the player of the week in the WCHA, if Frattin is not it will be a travesty. Frattin was unstoppable against the Beavers this season racking up (7g-2a-9pts) during the four game season series against the BSU Beavers. Tom Serratore had this to say about Matt Frattin, “He’s (Frattin) such a dangerous player and he showed why he’s probably going to be the WCHA player of the year.”

INCH Power Rankings - 2/27/2011

As always I post the INCH Power Rankings because they are worth a look, this week we are to believe that Union is the 3rd best team in college hockey, I don't think so...
1. North Dakota — Matt Frattin scored his 25th, 26th, and 27th goals of the season in the Fighting Sioux's sweep of Bemidji State. In the last 10 seasons, the only NoDak players with more goals in a single season are Bryan Lundbohm (32 in 2000-01), Brandon Bochenski (35 in 2002-03), and Ryan Duncan (31 in 2006-07). 24-8-3 (19-6-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Bemidji State, 5-2; W vs. Bemidji State, 5-1. THIS WEEK: at Michigan Tech, at Michigan Tech
2. Boston College
3. Union
4. Yale
5. Miami
6. New Hampshire
7. Merrimack
8. Michigan
9. Denver
10. Notre Dame
11. Minnesota Duluth
12. Nebraska-Omaha
13. Boston University
14. Western Michigan
15. Rensselaer
16. Minnesota
17. Wisconsin
18. Maine
19. Colorado College
20. Dartmouth
Dropped out: Cornell, RIT, Robert Morris
Bubble-licious: RIT, Air Force, Cornell

Sioux 5 Beavers 2

The Fighting Sioux have played the BSU Beavers three times this season and in each game the score has been an identical 5-2 verdict. One might say that each game has been like ground hog day, same score all over again. In each game Matt Frattin has been on a torrid pace as well, it's almost like it's personal, it's like he sees read against the Beavers.

After watching the game this afternoon, I would imagine that the Bemidji State University Beavers would be happy to never see Fighting Sioux senior forward Matt Frattin again, counting the two goals that Frattin scored this afternoon against the BSU Beavers, Frattin now has (6g-1a-7pts) on the season against the BSU Beavers. Matt Frattin with the two goals today has (26g-14a-40pts) on the season and is one point short of reaching the hundred point mark of his NCAA career (54g-45a-99pts).

Jason Gregoire has also been hot against the Beavers this season as the junior forward has scored an impressive(4g-0a-4pts) against the BSU Beavers in three games. Gregoire has also been hot recently for the Fighting Sioux since returning from his mid season injury as Gregoire has a nine game point streak where he has gone an impressive (9g-7a-16pts), with the two goals today Gregoire now has (48g-48a-96) for his career and is four points shy of the century mark as well...If the Fighting Sioux can continue getting consistent scoring from all four forward lines the Fighting Sioux will be hard to beat during the WCHA and NCAA playoffs.

Balanced scoring

With Mario Lamoureux recording an assist today the Fighting Sioux now have twelve players with 10 or more points, the Fighting Sioux also have 7 players with twenty or more points, four of which have thirty or more points… So the Sioux are getting balanced scoring through the forward lines. The UND Fighting Sioux lead the WCHA with Goals score with 90 and have a game in hand on the rest of the league.

Goon's Three Stars of the game

1.) Matt Frattin (2g-0a-2pts)
2.) Jason Gregoire (2g-0a-2pts)
3.) Brock Nelson (0g-2a-2pts)

Matt Niskanen hit on Eric Staal

Check out this hit by former UMD Bulldog Matt Niskanen on Carolina Hurricane Eric Staal. There was no penalty called on the play and Eric Staal suffered an upper-body injury on the play and will not play against the Montreal Canadians tonight. According to the rules this is not a violation of the NHL's Rule 48.

Derek Stepan Hit On Mike Green

Check out this hit by former Wisconsin Badger and current New York Ranger Derek Stepan on Washington Capital Mike Green, by definition this is probably a violation of of rule 48... There was no penalty called on the play, one could make the argument that the cross check by Green on Stepan was just as bad and could have been called a penalty as well. Just for the record, Derek Stepan is not a dirty player and according to the New York Post beat writer Larry Brooks the NHL will review the hit. Mike Green is listed as questionable.

College Hockey tonight breaks down the BSU and UND series...

Listen to Scott and Moose Richards talk about the upcoming series between UND and BSU. [Click to listen]

At about 10:00 minutes Scott Williams took issue with Tyler Buckentine wrote about the BSU Beavers in a USCHO blog post. After reading the article yesterday, I have to agree with Scott... I am pretty sure that BSU isn't trying to find themselves in their 12th season as a D-I Hockey team... In my opinion that statement is so far from the truth it’s not even funny... The BSU program, whether Tyler wants to admit it or not has been successful in every level of hockey they have competed in and the BSU Beavers will continue to strive in the WCHA as well… As was brought up by Scott, BSU has been to the Frozen Four a couple years ago and they made the NCAA tourney as an at large team so this article really misses the mark, while Tyler’s team the MSUM Mavericks have not…

USCHO.COM ----- The Beavers were coming off two straight NCAA tournament bids and built a flashy new arena. They started the season off with a five-game winless streak and were never able to recover. BSU couldn’t put together four straight games without a loss until its current five-game unbeaten streak.

BSU is two seasons removed from its only Division I Frozen Four appearance but has a rich tradition in other divisions, winning five national titles at the D-II level and one in D-III. The Beavers are still trying to find themselves in their 12th season at the D-I level, and the move to the WCHA can help BSU get noticed.

The key is to break out and establish itself as an accomplished program in the WCHA, something teams like Minnesota State and Alaska-Anchorage are still struggling with. MSU has been in the league since 1999 and UAA came into the league in 1993.

“You want to go out and make sure people know you’re not a bottom dweller,” Lowe said. “It was important to come in here and play these teams and make sure we weren’t a team that would just get rolled over.”

ESPN; Delay of Coyotes sale has cascading effects

Hum, this is an interesting little news tidbit that just came across the Tweet Deck. Why do I get the feeling that the Desert Dogs are on life support in the Phoenix area? They can only fool around so long before the NHL is going to pull the plug on the Coyotes.

Scott Burnside, ESPN --- The trade deadline isn't the only deadline looming on the NHL landscape.

The City of Glendale, never quite on the same page as anyone else when it comes to getting the job done, failed to begin selling bonds to raise money that would go to Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer as part of an agreement on a new lease for Jobing.com Arena. That bond sale must go through before the lease agreement with Hulsizer is finalized, and that deal must be completed before the league will close on its sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to Hulsizer.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN.com Friday that the league has established no deadline for the sale of the bonds and multiple sources familiar with the deal insist they expect the deal will close, just not as soon as had been anticipated.

One of the reasons for the delay in the bond sales, which were expected to be completed by this week, is the specter of a lawsuit by watchdog group the Goldwater Institute.

Goldwater threatened legal action because the deal may contravene state rules on subsidizing private businesses. If the monies committed by the City of Glendale are greater than what they would receive through parking revenues and other monies that would go to the city as part of the deal, it would break state rules.

It's not clear whether Goldwater will take the municipality to court if the deal is consummated.

While the NHL may not have imposed a deadline the reality remains that the NHL does not have infinite patience with the City of Glendale.

NHL should be terrified of threat to Crosby

This article caught my eye this morning and I believe it's worth a look; it’s an issue that won’t go away anytime soon, concussions have become almost an epidemic in the NHL this season. All you have to do is look down the injury list to see this. Look how many names are currently on the NHL injury list for concussions, it’s staggering. At first glance at this list I counted approximately 18 players out with concussion, I think that list actually grew three from last week. The Penguins alone have three players suffering from Concussions.

Bruce Arthur February 23, 2011 – 10:19 pm ----- It has been eight weeks now. Eight weeks since Victor Hedman smashed Sidney Crosby’s head into the glass in Pittsburgh, which was four days after David Steckel ran his shoulder into Crosby’s temple in the Winter Classic at Heinz Field. Which means that it has been eight weeks since Sidney Crosby played an NHL game.

And that should make anybody who cares about hockey nauseous. It should give them a headache. It should cause sleepless nights. In other words, it should make them feel like they have suffered a concussion.

It’s not that Sidney Crosby, as a person, is more important than Marc Savard or David Perron or Matthew Lombardi or Peter Mueller, all of whom have missed most or all of the NHL season with post-concussion symptoms. It’s not that his symptoms are necessarily worse. There were 33 concussions reported in the NHL through Dec. 1. There are a lot of guys sitting in dark and quiet rooms, these days.

But Crosby is different, because he is Sidney Crosby. He is the best player in the world; he is one of the two players in the league who actually have the ability to transcend the league. And since Alexander Ovechkin has spent the season being a more physical Brad Richards — another guy who has the curtains drawn, at the moment — Crosby was, until early January, standing alone.

And then came David Steckel and Hedman, neither of whom were fined or suspended for making contact with Crosby’s head from behind. And as the days stretch out, you start to wonder and worry about what comes next.

The precise severity of Crosby’s concussion has not been made public. The Penguins have said he needs to go symptom-free for 10 days before being cleared, and that has apparently not happened. On Jan. 24 he told reporters in Pittsburgh, “People say mild concussion, but I don’t know that there really is such thing. The good thing is the past four to five days have been pretty good, but that’s not to say symptoms won’t come back.”

That was a month ago, now. Then he talked about headaches, and not knowing what triggered them — light, noise, exertion, it all seemed a little random — and that he was happy to be able to drive a car again. Just 10 days ago he returned from some time away from the team, with his parents, and when Pittsburgh Tribune beat reporter Rob Rossi mentioned he didn’t have much of a tan, Crosby said, “I didn’t want to stay [outside] too long because that might bring on [headaches].”

There has been speculation that he is done for the season, but we won’t know until the season is over. So all we really know is that Crosby’s symptoms have not gone away. Or that if they have, they’ve always come back. And that the vacuum of information coming out of Pittsburgh is like the quiet between bombings.

And the NHL should be terrified. Crosby was having his finest season; he is still fifth in the league in scoring despite missing 20 games. And the greatest difference between Crosby and every other hockey player is not his skating, or his hands, or his size. It is his neural capacity to control his skating, to direct his hands, to see the ice, to think the game with a fine edge. It is his brain.

So many players have never been the same after suffering a concussion this severe, or at least, that has lasted this long. Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya, Pat LaFontaine, Keith Primeau, Savard, on and on. Not every concussion opens a window to more concussions. Maybe this is the only brain injury Sidney Crosby will ever suffer, and he will fulfill the promise of being a generation-defining player. He is just 23.

But either way, he will now play the rest of his career in greater danger of a second concussion, and a third. The worst-case scenario, of course, is that he becomes Lindros all over again. Crosby’s much better at protecting himself, but in a league where those two hits are deemed acceptable, it might not matter. When he decried such hits back in January, Crosby said, “when you get hit like that there’s nothing you can do, there’s no way you can protect yourself.”

And yet they went unpunished.

While driving home from my workout this afternoon, the host from the Point on XM-204 NHL Home Ice was talking about Sidney Crosby’s concussion and basically saying the longer Sidney Crosby is out with this concussion the more likely he won’t be back this season, we are running out of time for his return, there is roughly what six weeks left to the season. Which is a shame you have the top player in the NHL an elite player sitting on the shelf and might not play again this season because he has a head injury.

I think the NHL could prevent more of the head injuries if the NHL took a more serious approach to disciplining the offenders that are laying out this types of questionable hits to the head and started protecting the players, maybe the numbers would go down. Until the NHL front office gets serious about protecting the players on the ice you will continue to see an injury list full of players suffering from concussions and post concussion syndrome.

Goon's on KNOX 1310 Friday from 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Listen to Goon live at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm on KNOX 1310 AM on Friday 25, 2011. R.J. and I will be talking about hockey... We will talk about the WCHA playoff race, and the Fighting Sioux's upcoming series with BSU…. If you live out of town you can listen live by clking on this address. [Click to Listen]

Call in 701-775-5559, 1-866-KNOX-1310, email: Live@KNOXRADIO.com

Chay Genoway Hobey Baker Memorial Award promo

I think when you look at UND senior defenseman Chay Genoway’s and his career at UND, he reminds me of your prototypical Hobey Baker Memorial Award Candidate, he is a 4.0 student, All WCHA Academic, clean cut, the leader on his team. The UND Fighting Sioux hockey team will miss him after he graduates... Here is the link to his Vote for Chay Genoway for Hobey Baker Memorial Award page. Also, here is the official link to the Vote for the Matt Frattin Hobey Baker Memorial Award page...

His Story

Chay Genoway not only thought his college career was over, he thought he may never play hockey again.

Hit to the head early in the 2009-10 season, suffered post concussion symptoms that kept him off the ice.

"Not knowing whether you're going to play at all again is pretty scary," Genoway said.

The captain watched his team go on to win the Broadmoor Trophy and into the NCAA playoffs. He wanted nothing more than to be a part of the team.

Shortly after the season ended, Genoway announced he would return after receiving a medical redshirt.

He wanted to finish what he started.

On and off the ice, Genoway makes a difference. Game changer in the rink. In the community. The class room. Genoway continues on.

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.