Goon's Weekly Picks 12/09 - 12/10

Friday 12/09/2011

Fri 12/09/11 Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin 7:05 p.m. CT (TV-BTN)
Fri 12/09/11 Michigan Tech at Minnesota 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSn)
Fri 12/09/11 Denver at Bemidji State 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
Fri 12/09/11 Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-FSSN,FCSc)
Fri 12/09/11 Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College 7:37 p.m. MT
Fri 12/09/11 Alab-Huntsville at Minnesota State 7:37 p.m. CT

Saturday 12/10/2011

Sat 12/10/11 Denver at Bemidji State 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
Sat 12/10/11 Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSSN,FCSc)
Sat 12/10/11 Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College 7:07 p.m. MT
Sat 12/10/11 Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin 8:07 p.m. CT (TV-TVW,Charter,Wisc,My9)
Sat 12/10/11 Michigan Tech at Minnesota 8:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSn)
Sat 12/10/11 Alab-Huntsville at Minnesota State 7:07 p.m. CT


Denver at Bemidji State – Split
Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota – Split
Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College –Split
Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin – Split
Michigan Tech at Minnesota – Sweep Gophers
Alabama Huntsville at Minnesota State – Sweep Mavericks

7-4 Record for the season 51-45

Television: TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV (Ch. 617 Friday, Ch. 623 Saturday).

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: FightingSioux.com

Links for the weekend

Series Preview INSIDE HOCKEY

Brad Schlossman; Friday morning reading.

Rob White Omaha Hearld; Sioux trip no distraction to Blais.

Rob White Omaha Hearld; Top Sioux line will test UNO defenders

A Tradition of Excellence; Fighting Sioux versus Nebraska Omaha 

Related articles

• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

WCHA STANDINGS
Team………………………W-L-T………Points1. Minnesota…………...……10-2-0…..……20
2. Minnesota-Duluth……… 9-2-1….……..19
3. Nebraska-Omaha………6-3-3……….. 15
4. Colorado College……… 6-4-0……….. 12
4. North Dakota……….…...6-6-0….……..12
6. Denver…………..………..4-3-3……….. 11
6. Michigan Tech…………. 5-6-1…….…..11
6. St. Cloud St……………. 4-5-3……….. 11
9. Bemidji State…………. 4-6-2……….. 10
10. Wisconsin……………..4-7-1…..……..9
11. Alaska-Anchorage……2-9-1…………5
12. Minnesota State……… 2-9-1…………5

WCHA Games

Nebraska-Omaha @ #19 North Dakota
Last weekend the Mavericks split with Alabama-Huntsville in Nashville and the Sioux swept the Seawolves in Anchorage.

These teams have only played four games all time, going 2-2-0. The Sioux seem to be warming up, going on a four game winning streak. The Mavericks are 2-1-1 over their last four games, and UNO is 3-4-2 away from Omaha this season. The Sioux or the UND formerly known as the Sioux, are 5-2-1 at The Ralph this year. This is the last official games for both teams (UND has an exhibition game next weekend) until December 30-31. Needless to say both teams would like to head into break on a good note. NORTH DAKOTA 3-PTS


#13 Denver @ # Bemidji State
Last weekend the Pioneers lost to the CC Tigers in Colorado Springs and the Beavers took three points from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

The Beavers are hard to figure sometimes, one night they give up five goals the next they shut you out. The next series they give up six the first night and one the next, a bit of Jekyll and Hyde. Denver has been more consistent with their scoring and defense this year than Bemidji. The Pioneers have not fared to well on the road this season owning a 1-3-1 record away from Magness. SPLIT


Alaska-Anchorage @ #6 Colorado College
Last weekend the Seawolves were swept at home by North Dakota and the Tigers beat the Pioneers in their one game in overtime.

The Tigers remain purr-fect at home this season boosting a 5-0-0 record at world arena, thanks to a overtime game winning penalty shot last Friday night. The Seawolves are 1-4-1 away from Anchorage this year. The Seawolves need to find a way to score goals, they have scored only 20 goals in 12 league games. The Tigers need play their game, and use their speed to their advantage on the big sheet of ice. TIGERS SWEEP


Michigan Tech @ #2 Minnesota
Last weekend the Huskies got swept by the Bulldogs in Duluth and the Gophers swept the MSU Mavericks in Minneapolis.

The Huskies got off to a fast start and now have cooled down, going 2-5-0 in their last seven games, with the wins coming over UAA and St. Lawrence. The guys from Houghton have been scoring this year, so they just need to shore up their own end. The Gophers rebounded last weekend after stumbling at Michigan State. The Gophers are tough at home this year sporting a 8-1-0 record at Mariucci arena. Tech needs to right their ship before Christmas break, but this is a tough task this weekend. GOPHERS SWEEP


#1 Minnesota-Duluth @ Wisconsin Badgers
Last weekend the Bulldogs swept the MTU Huskies in Duluth and the Badgers enjoyed a weekend off.

The Bulldogs haven’t lost a game since October 15th against the Gophers, and are unbeaten on the road, going 4-0-2 this season. This is the start of a six game road trip for UMD, but they have the Christmas break in their too. After this weekend, they don’t play again until January 6-7 at Western Michigan. The Badgers are good at the Kohl center this year going 7-3-0, but away from home they are 0-5-1. I’m not sure who will be favored; okay I’m sure UMD will be with their ranking. SPLIT


NON-CONFERENCE

Alabama-Huntsville @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Chargers split with the UNO Mavericks in Huntsville.

The Chargers got their first win of the season on Friday night, which now mover their record to 1-15-1 this year. The Mavericks have most of their wounded back, so look for them to start coming together this weekend. MAVERICKS SWEEP


BYE WEEK
St. Cloud State Huskies

Kyle Brodziak's Hit On Anze Kopitar

First off, the NHL officials for the most part do a pretty good job officiating games. That being said, I think the Wild forward Kyle Brodziak got a raw deal during last night's game. This time I believe the on ice official handed out an excessive and an incorrect penalty.

If you go back and watch the embedded video you will see that Brodziak didn't drive Anze Kopitar head first into the boards, he also didn't hit Kopitar from behind in the numbers. In my opinion this was a shoulder to shoulder hit. Frankly, I was surprised by the call. What do you think?

Apparently, the Minnesota Wild were less than impressed with Kopitar's laying on the ice like he had been shot. I also think it was an amazing recovery as well and Kopitar who laid on the ice for that long shouldn’t be able to just come back and play on the ensuring power play. I would have to say, in my opinion I think that Kopitar was embellishing an injury and embarrassed the NHL officials. 

Sooooo, [Kyle] Brodziak, one of the Wild's most important forwards, is booted for more than half the game AND L.A. got a five-minute major (actually 3:38 after a 1:22 4-on-4 ended) out of it. AND, Kopitar conveniently heals for the major.

Brodziak hopes the league understands it was a puck battle in the corner (I'd be shocked if it doesn't) and let's him off with time served.

"It's you're lying on the ice for five minutes like that and play the next shift, you're obviously not that hurt," Brodziak said, sarcastically.

Everyone on the Wild bench knew it was a bad call, and Koivu, the Wild's captain, stood up. [Russo's Rants]

Related articles

• Kings Can't Tame Wild Sports Day (laist.com)
• Hackett leads Wild past Kings 4-2 in 1st NHL start (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Hackett Leads Wild Past Kings 4-2 in 1st NHL Start (nytimes.com)

Brad Malone called up to the Av's

Former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone has been called up to the Colorado Avalance and is set to make his NHL debute because of an injury to former DU Pioneer Paul Stasnty and a suspension to former Michigan Wolverine Kevin Porter.

CALGARY — Avalanche forward Kevin Porter has been suspended four games for his knee-on-knee collision with Vancouver’s David Booth in Tuesday’s 6-0 loss against the Canucks at Rogers Arena. As a result of that and Paul Stasnty’s lingering torso injury, Colorado has called up forward Brad Malone, a first-year pro from the University of North Dakota.

Knight line second in the WCHA

If you haven't seen this, Rob White beat writer for the World Herald put together a ranking on the WCHA tops lines. The Knight line is ranked second in the WCHA.

Top WCHA Lines
63, Nick Bjugstad (26), Kyle Rau (19), Zach Budish (18), Minnesota
62, Brock Nelson (22), Corban Knight (21), Danny Kristo (19), North Dakota
58, J.T. Brown (24), Travis Oleksuk (19), Caleb Herbert (15), Minnesota-Duluth
52, Jason Zucker (20), Drew Shore (19), Beau Bennett (13), Denver
48, Mark Zengerle (25), Tyler Barnes (17), Brendan Woods (6), Wisconsin
46, Terry Broadhurst (23), Ryan Walters (13), Brock Montpetit (10), UNO
45, Ben Hanowski (20), Travis Novak (14), David Eddy (11), St. Cloud State
42, Jack Connolly (25), Mike Seidel (12), Joe Basaraba (5), Minnesota-Duluth
40, Matt White (23), Alex Hudson (10), Johnnie Searfoss (7), UNO
40, Rylan Schwartz (17), Jalen Schwartz (17), William Rapuzzi (6), Colorado College

Related articles

• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Worth a listen? - This weeks GPL Podcast...

If you haven't listened to the Gopher Puck Live Podcast it's remotely entertaining. I listen to their podcast every week when I am out walking the dog or riding my bike. It's definitely skewed toward the Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team but still interesting.

This week the first 7-8 minutes is spent complaining about the refs and how the WCHA officials called the Gophers and Mavericks game poorly. Hello!  What did you expect? I have been saying some of the stuff for years.

Apparently, they just got the memo down in the "Cities," I am going to say that it's not an earth shattering revelation. I guess when your team is taking 14.6 minutes per game in penalties minutes, you're going to see your team spending a lot of time in the penalty box.

Ryan Cardinal on the refs, “I didn’t buy into the whole the WCHA referees are garbage, mainly because it started from Grand Forks, and I usually go the other way whatever those people think, but I am totally on board with that now, it’s getting worse by the weekend, it almost seems. “

[Click to listen] 

For all of these years Sioux fans have been called "halos" by Gopher fans. What the heck does this qualify as?

Also, before someone comes on here from the Gopher fan base and accuses me of being a Gopher hater or something to that nature, this wasn’t my intention. I enjoyed the hilarity of their podcast and I am passing it along so others have a chance to listen to it.There is not a lot of college hockey talk anywhere and I genuinely like this podcast. Email all questions to podcast@gopherpucklive.com...

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)
• Will the Gophers want to duck the Sioux? (mvn.com)
• Frank Mazzocco gets second chance... (mvn.com)

Alex Ovechkin cup checks Chris Neil

Check out this spear by Alex Ovechkin, that is unacceptable and it will be interesting to see if the league will suspend Ovechkin for his spear on Ottawa Senators tough guy Chris Neil. The video doesn't lie, that was a blatant spear and if Ovechkin doesn't like being checked he should take a number and get Neil back the correct way or Ovechkin can challenge Chris Neil to a fight and he they can settle it like men.

To add injury to insult Chris Neil was given a 2-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for “diving,” after the game the Senators forward Chris Neil was less than impressed with the spear by Alex Ovechkin.

UND and UNO Series Preview

Image via Wikipedia

Cross Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY.

The University of North Dakota entertains the University of Nebraska Omaha at the Ralph Engelstad Arena this weekend.

Game Times: 7:37 pm Friday and 7:07 pm Saturday.

Television: TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV (Ch. 617 Friday, Ch. 623 Saturday).

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: FightingSioux.com 

Records and Rankings: UND – 8-7-1 overall, 6-6-0 WCHA; Ranked 19^th in the USCHO polls. North Dakota swept unranked Alaska Anchorage in Anchorage, Alaska last weekend (5-2 win, 4-1 win).

Nebraska Omaha – 8-7-3, 6-3-3 WCHA; unranked in both National polls. The Mavericks split a non-conference series with University of Alabama Huntsville in Nashville, Tennessee last weekend (3-1 loss and 6-2 win).

Series History: UND and UNO have split the all time series 2-2. Both teams are 1-1 in their own buildings. 

Players to Watch:

For the Fighting Sioux: Forwards Danny Kristo (8g-11a—19pts), Corbin Knight (6g-15a—21pts) and Brock Nelson (14g-8a—22pts) are the top line for the Fighting Sioux. Goaltender Aaron Dell currently holds a .881 save percentage and a 3.09 goals against average.

For the Mavericks: Forwards Terry Broadhurst (14g-9a—23pts), Matt White (8g-15a—23), Jayson Megna (6g-11a—17pts), Josh Archibald (7g-4a—11pts). Defense Andrej Sustr (3g-8a—11pts), Michael Young (3g-6a—9pts). Goalies Dayn Belfour currently holds a .899 save percentage and a 2.30 goals against average.

Key Numbers:

1 – Numbers of wins UNO got against the UAH Chargers last weekend.

3 – UNO is in third place in the WCHA standings.

4 – Wins in a row for the Fighting Sioux.

6 – Both UND and UNO have 6 conference wins so far this season. 
9 – Brock Nelson has 9 power play goals for the Fighting Sioux to lead the nation.

12 – UND has 12 conference points so far this season.

14 – Brock Nelson has 14 goals on the season.

15 – UNO has 15 conference points so far this season.

18 – UND is ranked 18^th in the Pairwise Rankings.

23 – UNO forward Terry Broadhurst has 23 points so far this season.

27 – UNO is ranked 27^th in the Pairwise Rankings.

Other games in the WCHA: Alabama Huntsville at Minnesota State, Michigan Tech at Minnesota, Denver at Bemidji State, Alaska Anchorage at, Colorado College, Minnesota Duluth at Wisconsin. Saint Cloud State is Idle this weekend.

Related articles

• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux-Beavers Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Series Preview: Sioux vs. Tigers (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)

David Krejci hit on Mark Stuart

So the question is, will David Krejci get a call from Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety? What do you think? There was no penalty call for the hit, Krejci was given a penalty for roughing after engaging with the Jets Zach Bogosian.

Not so fast, UAH isn't done yet...

Image via WikipediaThey aren't going away just yet... This is the latest from the UAH story.

Paul Gattis, The Huntsville Times--- Members of The University of Alabama in Huntsville administration met this evening with hockey supporters, following discussions with Chancellor Malcolm Portera, and came to a consensus to work closely together to pursue institutional and community support to continue UAH hockey at the Division I level.

Related articles

• Save UAH Hockey - a program on the "brink" (mvn.com)
• Save - UAH Hockey (mvn.com)
• Effort to Save UAH underway... (mvn.com)

Hey Seguin set your alarm clock.

Image via WikipediaForward Tyler Seguin (13g-12a—25pts) is the future of the Boston Bruins and is the leading scorer for the Bruins so far this season and he leads the Bruins second leading scorer Milan Lucic by 5 points.

Boston Herald --- “He missed a team breakfast and a team meeting this morning,” said GM Peter Chiarelli, explaining Seguin’s absence from the lineup vs. the Jets. “He didn’t wake up. Honest mistake. But we have team rules. We abide by them. He has to abide by them. So that’s the reason for his scratch.”

The Bruins flew from Pittsburgh late Monday night, arriving at their Winnipeg hotel at around 2 a.m. today. Chiarelli said this was not the first time Seguin has broken such team rules.

“He’s had a couple of instances before,” said the GM. “I don’t see it as a problem. I see it as a young player who sometimes forgets to set his alarm. We gave him a couple of passes (in the past). It’s a young kid who’s learning to be a pro — and is a heck of a player.”

That being said it’s time to grow up and get to the meetings when you’re supposed to, a mandatory meeting means that everyone needs to show up. I also think it’s time for some of his teammates to make sure that he doesn’t miss anymore meetings.

Matt Frattin ties the game with 3rd goal of the year

As a Sioux fan we have seen this before. Nice to see former Fighting Sioux all-American and current Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matt Frattin get his third goal of the year. Frattin (3g-4a—7pts) has points in three of his last four  games.

Related articles

• Frattin ready to break out? (mvn.com)
• Burke on Frattin - "He's going to get a good look in camp." (mvn.com)
• Maple Leafs recall rookie forward Matt Frattin after injury to Connolly (thehockeynews.com)
• Joey Crabb recalled by Maple Leafs; Matt Frattin assigned to AHL Marlies (thehockeynews.com)
• Maple Leafs recall rookie forward Matt Frattin (theglobeandmail.com)

UAH hockey supporters to meet with new UAH President tonight

It looks like the UAH hockey program might still have a Fighting chance to survive. I will try and get an update from the meeting that is scheduled to take place tonight.

Paul Gattis, The Huntsville Times --- Members of the Save UAH Hockey grass-roots effort will meet with new UAH President Robert Altenkirch tonight to discuss the hockey program, the school confirmed Monday.

Huntsville attorney Doug Martinson Jr., a vocal advocate for hockey, said the expectation is that Altenkirch may spell out specifically what is needed to sustain the program financially. That's something UA System Chancellor Malcolm Portera never did when he ended the 30-year program in October while serving as interim president at UAH, Martinson said.

"I guess it will be what (financial) number he throws out (to sustain the program)," Martinson said of any optimism going into the meeting. "We think we can come up with a plan.

"If they get in a conference and have home games, they will have more attendance and get a better deal at the (Von Braun Center). You bring in the alumni money and possibly more along with that."

Related articles

• Save - UAH Hockey (mvn.com)
• Effort to Save UAH underway... (mvn.com)
• Save UAH Hockey - a program on the "brink" (mvn.com)

UND’s Nelson, O’Donnell garner WCHA weekly honors

Image via WikipediaGRAND FORKS, N.D. – Outstanding performances by Brock Nelson and Brendan O’Donnell in a sweep at Alaska Anchorage have netted the North Dakota forwards Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) weekly honors, announced today by the conference office.

Nelson was named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, while O’Donnell garnered WCHA Rookie of the Week honors. It was the second straight week in which Nelson captured at least a share of the award after being named WCHA co-Offensive Player of the Week one week earlier. A sophomore from Warroad, Minn., Nelson collected four goals and an assist in UND’s two wins at UAA last weekend. In Friday’s 5-2 victory, Nelson potted a pair of power-play goals and led all players with eight shots on goal. In Saturday’s 4-1 win, Nelson had two more goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist.

Nelson leads the WCHA with 12 goals during league games and has a team-leading 14 goals overall. His nine power-play goals lead the nation and are more than halfway to the UND single-season record of 17, shared by Ryan Duncan (2006-07) and Doug Smail (1979-80). A first-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2010, Nelson has 11 points (7g, 4a) during a current 4-game point streak and has four 2-goal games in his last six outings.

O’Donnell scored a pair of goals on Friday and was a +2, helping spark the eventual UND win. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native scored twice in the game’s opening minutes, with the second goal holding up as the game-winner. A sixth-round draft pick of Tampa Bay in 2010, O’Donnell now has three goals in six games since returning from a six-game injury absence.

Bemidji State senior defenseman Brad Hunt was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.

Nelson, O’Donnell and the 19th-ranked Fighting Sioux (8-7-1, 6-6-0 WCHA) host Nebraska Omaha on Friday and Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

MEN’S HOCKEY – DECEMBER 6, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gregory Campbell and Pittsburgh's Joe Vitale fight

I think teams had better take notice around the NHL, this is what happens to you when, you take a run at the Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas. This is the correct response to said moment of stupidity by the Penguins Joe Vitale, hence the ensuing fight between Gregory Campbell and Joe Vitale.

Seriously, If players around the NHL think they are going to take a run at the Bruins net they're going to get the full wrath of angry bear. The Boston Bruins don't have to wait for the Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety, they will take the matters into their own hands and settle it on the ice like men. This is one reason that I don't like the idea of taking fighting out of the game of hockey. It keeps players honest and the players will police the game via the hockey code.

I think that Pittsburgh's Joe Vitale will think twice before coming into the Bruins crease next time because Tim Thomas will also protect said crease.

Tootoo suspended two game by the NHL.

I had a feeling that Jordin Tootoo would be suspended by the NHL for his hit on the Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. I believe that the National Hockey League had to make an example out of Jordin Tootoo. This also gave Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety a way to save face as well for failing suspending Milan Lucic for running over Ryan Miller in a game earlier this season. Incidentally, this was also the first game back for Ryan Miller after being injured on the hit by Milan Lucic.

Can you imagine the outcry from the Buffalo Sabres camp if Predators forward Jordin Tootoo had not been suspended by the NHL? The league had to suspend Tootoo or they would be giving off the impression that goalies in the NHL are fair game and that a player can run over a goalie if they feel compelled to do so.

NEW YORK -- Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo has been suspended, without pay, for two games for charging Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller during NHL Game #379 Saturday night, Dec. 3, in Nashville, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.


Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Tootoo will forfeit $13,513.52. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.


The incident occurred at 15:54 of the second period. Tootoo was assessed a major penalty for charging and game misconduct on the play.


Tootoo will miss games tonight vs. Phoenix and Dec. 8 at Columbus. He will be eligible to return Dec. 10 vs. Anaheim.

Brad Marchand vs Matt Niskanen

Bruins forward Brad Marchand slew-foot the former UMD Bulldog and current Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen at the 03:19 mark of the third period behind the Penguin net. Marchand was given a two minute penalty for the slew-foot. I think you've got to give the smaller Marchand credit, instead of hiding behind the referee and begging for the ref to rescue him from the much bigger Penguins defenseman, Marchand stood up and answered the bell and fought the bigger Niskanen.

You can see from the video that neither player's first job is to fight and it ended up being more of a hug feast than anything. I would probably give the edge in the fight to the former Bulldog.

Related articles

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• Five Observations: Bruins vs Sabres (insidehockey.com)
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Bless their little hearts but... (RW77 Rant)

Student Organizations should not be allowed to run cameras at fast-paced sporting events.

Seriously, thank goodness for the UAA announcer calling the game very similarly to that of a radio commentator... or maybe he was the radio commentator overlaid with video?

In any case, I cannot tell you how awful it was watching the games this weekend where we'd see closeups of players while the puck is off screen (and the player close up didn't even have the puck!), or when the puck is shot into the zone and the camera focuses in on the ref... or the best? In Saturday's game Aaron Dell makes two great, close in saves.... BOTH of them off camera. Heck, apparently Aaron Dell had a fabulous glove save. I'll take the announcer's word for it.

It was a downright MIRACLE that Kristo's goal was on camera instead of perhaps one of the 50 fans on the bench side of the ice.

Look, everyone learns sometime but it was beyond unbelievable how poorly they were able to track the puck! It's almost as if they were trying to disguise their $10 Gear Head Webcam they bought from a discount online retailer by trying to be creative with zooming in every minute or 2 and on every faceoff. It also seems like they had no idea where the camera was facing at times and while checking on its position, lost track of the puck.

The most important thing on the ice isn't the players... it's the puck! The game cannot be played without a puck!

So, here's what I'd do to help them out: First, lose the zoom button entirely. Forget it exists. If you wish to have zoom capability, buy a second webcam and have that zoomed in all the time. Then, if they capture something while zoomed, go to it on replay. With the camera zoomed out permanently, there will be the best chance of keeping the puck on the screen. Second, run a fundraising campaign to purchase decent equipment. Namely a web-broadcasting capable REAL camera like the ones that almost all other schools use. Look at the webcams UND uses at the Ralph.... or maybe those are web broadcast directly from the TV feed. If that is the case, perhaps they can outfit a real video camera with a similar system. It will improve the quality of the broadcast big time.

There are more drastic suggestions I have, but they defeat the purpose of a student run broadcast.

Best of luck and remember: If the cameraman can't follow the puck, he ain't worth a F***!

NHL re-alignment, NHL opts for four conferences

According to the USA Today this is the  NHL is going to look like next season. The good news is that everyone will play everyone twice a season. 

East 1: New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Carolina and Washington

East II: Florida, Tampa, Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, Ottawa and Boston.

Central: Columbus, Detroit, Winnipeg, Nashville, Dallas, Minnesota, St. Louis and Chicago

West: Phoenix, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vancouver, Colorado, Edmonton and Calgary

Here are a few more detail from Darren Dreger of TSN.

  

U.S. National WJC team Preliminary Roster

 Team USA has released it's U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster