It's official Jim Scherr to lead NCHC.

Here is the press release that was released on the NCHC's first commissioner. 

Former U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive officer Jim Scherr has been selected as the first commissioner of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which will house Colorado College starting in the 2013-14 season and will be based in Colorado Springs.

North Dakota athletic director Brian Faison will introduce Scherr during a Wednesday morning news conference at the Penrose House, a person with knowledge of the hire told The Gazette. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement has not yet been made by the NCHC. Scherr did not return phone and email messages. [Gazette.com]

Related articles

• NCHC to hire Jim Scherr (mvn.com)
• NCHC set to name commissioner (denverpost.com)

You can't say dumb with out Carcillo

There is this saying about "Karma"... Wow!!! If you haven't seen this; check out this moronic move by Chicago Blackhawks dunderhead Daniel Carcillo. Really?!? What the heck is this guy thinking? First, Gilbert didn't touch the puck, second Carcillo wipes out himself and Gilbert and hurts both of them. Like the Hawks announcer said, "that's going to be a suspension."

Edmonton Journal --- To make matters much worse, the Oil then lost top defenceman Tom Gilbert to a reported knee injury after he was grossed out by Hawks’ instigator Daniel Carcillo on a dirty and dangerous hit into the end boards.

The boards were still rattling when the Hawks play-by-play man Tom Foley called it as he saw it. “Oh, that’s gonna be a suspension. Danny Carcillo put Gilbert badly into the end boards, and Dan Carcillo is going to have a meeting with Brendan Shanahan.” Good call, Tom.

It will come as no surprise to hockey observers that Carcillo, a noted cheap shot artist, would be considered a repeat offender. He’s been suspended five times since 2008 including twice in 2011, the last of which was a dangerous hit from behind on Joni Pitkanen that bore more than a passing resemblance to the Gilbert hit.

Related articles

• Schuster: Carcillo Costs His Team Big Time (chicago.cbslocal.com)
• Dan Carcillo gets ejected for hit on Tom Gilbert (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Oilers win chippy game against Blackhawks (cbc.ca)

Raffi Torres is at it again.

Raffi Torres is a dirty and reckless players and if you watch this video, you probably have come to the conclusion that Torres should have been suspended a long time ago and for a very long time. The next time this guy hits someone in the head, and it will probably be next week, he should be gone; suspended for 10 games this time.

Last week we had Torres doing this despicable act.

This is the proper response for someone that hits one of your fellow players in the head, this is called sticking up for your fellow players, instead of waiting for the refs to make the call. Nothing pleases me more than watching Adam McQuaid work Raffi Torres like a punching bag.

Let's not kid ourselves, Raffi Torres is notorious for racing all over the ice, taking unneeded runs at guys, many times Torres hits players with dirty hits like this hit on Brent Seabrook last spring during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It's about time this gutless puke pays for his act of transgression on the ice. You can hit someone hard and make a good body check without having to hit a opponent in the head. Nice to see that Brendan Shanahan has gotten it right twice in the same week. Some Day Torres is also going to get what he has coming to him, you would have thought he would have learned his lesson when Adam McQuaid beat the tar out of him.

Related articles

• Adam McQuaid works Raffi Torres like a clown (mvn.com)
• Coyotes' Raffi Torres fined for head shot (theglobeandmail.com)
• Adam McQuaid fights angry, beats the hell out of Raffi Torres (ballhyped.com)
• Phoenix Coyotes' Raffi Torres fined $2,500 for hit on Colorado's Jan Hejda (thehockeynews.com)

NCHC to hire Jim Scherr

Kevin Pates posted this in his twitter feed today. Kevin Pates and Brad Schlossman have been on the fore front of getting us the information on the formation of the NCHC.

Related articles

• Waiting to Exhale, the WCHA is Back (mvn.com)
• RW77′s Take on Conference Realignment Part 2 (mvn.com)
• Tuesday Morning Links (mvn.com)
• Waiting to exhale, the WCHA is back... (realclearsports.com)

Poll Monday, UND 19th USCHO Poll

Ian Cole suspended three games for hit on Justin Abdelkader

After blowing a bunch of calls against the Minnesota Wild since November 30th, 2011, but that's another story, Brendan Shanahan the NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations has finally made the right call again. This suspension was a no-brainer and Cole had to suspended or Shannahan would have lost all of his credibility. The Blues General Managers didn't think the hit was a reckless hit.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said he respected the NHL's decision, but he disputed the notion that Cole's play was reckless.

"I don't think it was a reckless play...I think it was a hockey play that was legal 12 months ago that's not legal today," he said. "I understand the sensitivity on hits to the head and we respect that, but I support Ian in the sense that it was a play that (Abdelkader) coming across the middle has to be aware, and unfortunately he wasn't. [stltoday.com]

Here is the suspension video.

Related articles

• Blues Ian Cole Suspended For Three Games For Hit To Justin Abdelkader (stlouis.sbnation.com)
• Blues D Cole suspended three games for hit to the head (tsn.ca)
• Blues' Cole delivers head hit to Red Wings' Abdelkader (aol.sportingnews.com)
• Blues defenceman Cole suspended 3 games (cbc.ca)

North Dakota vs. Harvard game two shot charts

The Fighting Sioux end the first half of the season with a 10-8-2 record overall and 7-7-0 WCHA. On November 5th 2011 the Fighting Sioux were sitting at 3-6-1 and had been swept by UMN and UW. Since that low spot in the season, the Fighting Sioux have gone an impressive 7-2-1. The Fighting Sioux have gone 3-1-3 in their non-conference match ups and have one more game against the Clarkson Knights next Saturday Night in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Fighting Sioux are currently sitting in 18th or 19th place in the all important Pairwise Rankings; depending on which site you look at. Contrary to what some of our friends to the south say, *cough, cough* choke*, Silly Minnesota Gopher Fans, UND’s season is far from over and they aren’t out of the running for a bid in the NCAA tourney. Like I said before, there is no throphy for finishing first at the half way point on the season. Hockey is a body of work and over the course of a season, you want to be playing your best at the end of the season.

The depleted UND Hockey team went into last night’s game with 11 forwards and 5 defensemen. UND heach hockey coach Dave Hakstol said this the last night after his team pasted the Harvard Crimson 7-3,  “We weren’t real happy about our finish last night, the way we came out in the third period and squandered a two-goal lead. I think that stuck with us through the day. I don’t think the lineup was an issue at all. Our mindset was about how important this game was and how critical it was.”

I think one thing that got lost in the shuffle last night was how well Aaron Dell played. Dell Stopped 29/32 shots and held the Harvard Crimson at bay in the third period. Harvard out shot UND 20-10 during the last two periods.

Looking at the official WCHA stats page here are a few of the numbers

• UND is no longer a bunch of knuckle dragging Nethanderals Goons, UND is ranked 11^th out of 12 teams in the WCHA for Penalty Minutes. UND is averaging 11.6 minutes a game.
• UND is scoring 3.10 goals per game, good for 7^th overall.
• UND is tied for 4^th with Denver in the WCHA for Defense, UND is giving up 2.86 goals per game.
• UND’s power play is ranked 4^th in the WCHA scoring 22 power play goals on  100 power plays, that’s good for 22%.
• Colorado College has had 7 short handed goals scored against them, that is the most in the WCHA.
• Colorado College’s power play is ranked number 1 in the WCHA scoring 21 power play goals on 83 power plays, that’s good for 25.3%.  
• UND is ranked 4^th on the Penalty Kill, killing 69/85 of their opponents power plays.
• UND has scored 15 goals in the third period, that is ranked 9^th in the WCHA.
• The Knight line, Danny Kristo (11g-12a—23pts), Brock Nelson (15g-8a—23pts), Corbin Knight (6g-15a—23pts) is one of the top scoring lines in the WCHA.

Fighting Sioux 1930-2012 R.I.P.

I think we can call December 31, 2011 as the day the Fighting Sioux nickname died, which got me thinking about a song, The Day the Music Died… Of course no one died in a plane crash, but the Fighting Sioux nickname is special to many of us in the UND fan base and this is an emotional day for us all.

As I left the press box of last night’s game and made my way down the to the basement for the press conference I felt a feeling of sadness. I feel like I have lost an old friend.

I don’t like the fact that UND has to surrender to political correctness, it’s not right that a few out of control bureaucrats can decide what a university calls itself.

I consider my self a bit of a constitutionalist and I believe the NCAA's policy is a violation of a states rights. That being said, there is nothing you and I can do about it. We can not jeopardize our sports teams in their transition to Division I. The Big Sky Conference is not amused and will drop us like a bad prom date, if they Fighting Sioux nickname debacle lingers on.

I think that there are many of us that are pleased that the Fighting Sioux won on the last day that UND will be ever be referred to as the Fighting Sioux. It's a fitting way to end 81 years of history in one of the most storied logos in all of college sports. The Fighting Sioux nickname that will live on in the hearts of Fighting Sioux fans around the globe. Fighting Sioux forever… R.I.P. Fighting Sioux…

Going forward what can we do?

What I do think is that UND fans and University of North Dakota Alumni should immediately set forth in motion is a movement to just be called UND, or simply North Dakota. We all know that they can never stop us from saying the home of the Sioux. Like The Sicatoka said on Sioux Sports, "control what's yours to control… If not we will end up with a really bad nickname replacement that none of us will be able to embrace or get behind. Lastly, during the past month we have watched with our vary eyes as the nickname has simply vanished into thin air. Sioux, Yeah, Yeah!!!

Fighting Sioux race past Harvard 7-3

Image via Wikipedia

Grand Forks, ND – The University of North Dakota has suffered their fair share of injuries this season, and coming into tonight they didn’t even have enough healthy players on their roster to have 12 forwards and six defenseman playing in the series finale. 

With all of the players out with various ailments, you could field a pretty good forward line with the players that didn’t dress for tonight’s game between the Harvard Crimson and the University of North Dakota. 

Here is the updated breakdown of the injury reserve list for the UND hockey team: Senior forward Mario Lamoureux, upper body injury, Junior forward Corbin Knight, suffered a lower body injury in Friday’s game and is listed as day to day. Freshman forward Roco Grimaldi has been out with an injured knee.  Grimaldi has played in a total of four games out of the 20 games that UND has played in this season.  Sophomore forward Derek Rodwell was injured in last night's game and is out with an upper body injury.  Rodwell is listed as out indefinitely. 

You can see where this is going...the University of North Dakota has four important forwards out of its lineup and no room for error or anymore injuries. It would be an understatement to say that it has been a season of adversity for the UND hockey team. One might assume that they are due some good Karma.

The UND hockey team didn’t use injuries as an excuse and with their shorthanded/depleted line-up.  Junior forward Danny Kristo did his best impression of Kirby Puckett and took the UND hockey team on his shoulders and lead them to victory. Kristo had two goals and an assist to lead the team to a 7-3 win against the Harvard Crimson. 

Kristo was most impressive during the first period where he scored two goals and almost buried his third goal before the first 20 minutes of the game expired. Kristo would added an assist in the third period on Brock Nelson’s 15^th goal of the season. 

After the game, Kristo was asked about the mentality of the team knowing that the team was playing with 11 forwards and five defenseman.  “We didn’t really talk about that too much we just kind of talked about everyone stepping up a little bit.   We kind of gave that game away there yesterday and everyone was pretty upset about it.  Basically the mentality was to come in hard and play Fighting Sioux hockey and come back and get a victory tonight.” 

This season the Fighting Sioux hockey team has had trouble getting scoring from the other forward lines in their lineup. Tonight the all-freshman line of Mark MacMillan (1g-1a—2pts), 21 Brendan O’Donnell (1g-0a—1 pts) , Connor Gaarder (1g-2a—3pts) was a major force on the ice and chipped in three goals on the delayed penalty. 

Connor Gaarder was asked about the mentality of the team, knowing that the team was playing with only 11 forwards and five defenseman.  "We have a lot of guys out of the lineup, its hard to do, a lot of guys came out and stepped up and made some big plays tonight..."   Gaarder also talked about the importance of having a big weekend, “It’s always good to have a big weekend, every weekend I come out and try to play my best and try to get a little bit better come out and it’s nice to back it up a little bit.” The freshman had a very good weekend (2g-2a—4pts), and doubled his point production for the season. On the other end of the ice, Harvard senior forward Alex Killorn had a big weekend for the Crimson as he recorded (2g-2a—4pts) and was a force all weekend. 

 UND Hockey head coach Dave Hakstol was unhappy with his team’s effort on Friday night.  Compare and contrast a difference one night made.

Fast forward to tonight, coach Hakstol was a little more satisfied with the play of his team on the ice and was asked the mentality of his team knowing they were playing with only 11 forwards and five defenseman. Hakstol said, “ I think our mentality was right, we weren’t real happy about our finish last night, the way we came out in the third period last night and squandered the two goal lead, and I think that stuck with us through the day and I don’t think the lineup was really an issue our mind set was focused on how important this game was and how critical it was to get the win. “

The UND hockey team ends the first half of the season with a 10-8-2 record and a 7-7 record in the WCHA. With the loss the Harvard Crimson drop to 4-4-4 and own a 3-3-2 record.

Box Score

Cross Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY...

UND vs Harvard

UND Forward Lines

29 Brock Nelson – 27 Carter Rowney –7 Danny Kristo

16 Mark MacMillan – 21 Brendan O’Donnell – 13 Connor Gaarder
15 Michael Parks – 28 Stephane Pattyn – 20 Joe Gleason
8 Dan Senkbeil –  14 Taylor Dickin

UND defensive Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (A)–5 Nick Mattson
24 Ben Blood (A)  –18 Dillon Simpson
22  Andrew Panzarella

UND Goalies

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
35 Tate Maris

UND Hockey Stats

Scratches: Derek Forbort, Mario Lamoureux, Roco Grimaldi, Corban Knight, Derek Rodwell
Referees: Jonathan Morrison, Brian Thul Linesmen: Tom Lund, David Spivey

Harvard Forward Lines

21 Marshall Everson–19 Alex Killorn (A) –16 Alex Fallstrom
63 Colin Blackwell–26 Luke Greiner–22 David Valek
27 Petr Placek – 18 Mike Seward–10 Eric Kroshus
17 Rence Coassin–12 Colin Moore–11 Daniel Moriarty (A)

Harvard Defense Pairings

5 Dan Ford – 9 Danny Biega
8 Patrick McNally – 6 Ryan Grimshaw (C)
44 Max Everson – 7 Danny Fick

Harvard Goalies

34 Steve Michalek
30 Raphael Girard

Harvard Stats 

RADIO: 96.1 The Fox • WEBCAST: http://www.undsports.com/
TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, MidcoSN3,
DirecTV 623 

Harvard vs. UND shot charts game one

The Fighting Sioux came out in the first period with a lot of energy and had a lot of nice chances in the slot. There were a couple of shots close in that Sioux forwards had an open net and whiffed on the shot and or heeled the shot.

From the fun stats department; Fighting Sioux freshman defenseman Nick Mattson became the first UND defenseman to score a shorthanded goal since October 16, 2009. With all of the offensive defensemen that graced the Sioux roster during that time period it was hard to believe that it had been 25 and a half months since Derrick LaPoint scored a short handed goal against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Looking at the shot chart in the third period you can see why Fighting Sioux hockey coach Dave Hackstol was not all that pleased with his teams effort in the third period.

After the game, Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol was not very happy with his team’s effort in the third period and said that his team went out soft in the third period. "We had three shots on goal fifteen minutes into the third period. We didn’t go out and play hard in the third period and that is what cost us the game." Coach Hakstol also said that he thought, "the team didn’t play well in the third period..." He thought "they were on their heels and had their heads up their rear ends.“

• Dating back to last season Harvard has scored at least one power play goal in their last 15 games. Harvard scored on their first power play in last night’s game. Ha
• Harvard has trailed 17 times this season and come back to tie the score 14 times. Harvard tied the score in last night’s game two more times.
• The Crimson take a five game unbeaten streak into tonight’s game.
• Until last night Harvard had outscored their opponents 19-11 in the second period. Last night the Fighting Sioux outscored them 4-1.
• The Harvard Crimson are seeking their first win against a WCHA team since December 30^th, 2006.
• The Fighting Sioux have been looking for balanced scoring. Last night, no named Brock Nelson (14g-8a—22pts), Danny Kristo (9g-11a—20pts)  or Corbin Knight (6-15a—21pts) scored a goal for the Fighting Sioux.
• Harvard’s Alex Lillorn was 17-4 in the faceoff circle last night.
• Fighting Sioux freshman Mark MacMillan went 9-6 in the faceoff circle last night.

North Dakota and Harvard Skate to a 4-4 Tie

Cross posted @ Inside Hockey.

Grand Forks, ND – The University of North Dakota and the Harvard Crimson have not played each other very often. The last time that UND and Harvard played was December 6^th, 2008.

While neither team was very familiar with each other, there was one thing that UND could expect, Harvard, led by Head coach Ted Donato was going to play a tough physical game and be smart in the defensive end of the rink. Donato’s team didn’t disappoint as they got in the shooting lanes and limited UND’s time and space while jumping on turnovers and creating opportunities going to the other way. 

It was apparent from the drop of the first puck that Harvard was going to play a defensive 1-2-2 trap style game and try to slow down the Sioux forwards at the blue line.

The Crimson are not a one dimensional team and they brought the seventh ranked offense in the nation to the Ralph Englestad Arena. In tonight’s game the Crimson generated a good counter-attack off of turnovers in the neutral zone and caused havoc in the offensive zone.

Harvard forward Alex Killorn had a big night for the Crimson, as he scored a goal and two assists to led Harvard back from a two goal deficit in the third period, and assisted on the game tying goal at the 13:16 mark of the third period.

The Crimson also came into the game with the nation’s top ranked power play and showed why they are ranked that high, as they scored off the faceoff of their first power play with a goal from Patrick McNally. UND outshot and out played the Crimson in the first period 8-2, but trailed on the scoreboard, 1-0. 

The Second period proved to be an exciting period of hockey as UND outscored the Crimson 4-1, and gave the UND fans a glimpse of the team that many think they can be. The Sioux scored their first goal at the 01:25 mark of the second period with a goal from Nick Mattson. UND scored again 14 seconds later with a goal from Brendan O’Donnell.

Harvard answered the two-goal outburst from UND with a goal 1:16 later, at the 02:55 mark of the second period, when Alex Killorn scored his seventh goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Nick Mattson became the first UND defenseman since October 16, 2009 to score a shorthanded goal at the 05:12 mark of the second period. Connor Gaarder would finish the scoring in the third period with an awesome wrap around goal at the 12:51 mark of the second period. (4-2 UND after 2).

The Sioux had a comfortable lead going into the third period, but looked like they ran out of gas. After a couple of untimely turnovers, UND opened the door and let the Crimson back in the game. The Crimson scored two goals in three minutes to tie the game. There would be no more scoring from either team as the game would end in a 4-4 tie after the overtime period.

UND forward Carter Rowney, when asked what they [UND] have to do better tomorrow night,replied, “we have to concentrate on playing a full 60 minute game, cannot let up at all. Every team is good in this league, good in this country, and you have to play a full 60...you can’t let up at all!"

Tonight neither goalie was very sharp and both teams appeared to be rusty from the holiday break.

The game would go to overtime and the game would end in a 4-4 tie.

After the game, Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol was not very happy with his team’s effort in the third period and said that his team went out soft in the third period. "We had three shots on goal fifteen minutes into the third period. We didn’t go out and play hard in the third period and that is what cost us the game." Coach Hakstol also said that he thought, "the team didn’t play well in the third period..." He thought "they were on their heels and had their heads up their rear ends. “  

The Crimson and UND play game two tomorrow night at 7:07pm at Ralph Englestad Arena.

 Box Score

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Harvard Series Preview (insidehockey.com)

UND vs Harvard

UND Forward Lines

29 Brock Nelson–10 Corban Knight (A)–7 Danny Kristo
11 Derek Rodwell–27 Carter Rowney–15 Michael Parks

21 Brendan O’Donnell–16 Mark MacMillan–13 Connor Gaarder
8 Dan Senkbeil – 28 Stephane Pattyn–14 Taylor Dickin

UND defensive Parings

24 Ben Blood (A) –20 Joe Gleason
2 Andrew MacWilliam (A)–5 Nick Mattson
18 Dillon Simpson – 22  Andrew Panzarella

UND Goalies

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
35 Tate Maris

UND Hockey Stats

Scratches: Forbort, Lamoureux, Grimaldi
Referees: Jonathan Morrison, Brian Thul Linesmen: Tom Lund, David Spivey

Harvard Forward Lines

21 Marshall Everson–19 Alex Killorn (A) –16 Alex Fallstrom
63 Colin Blackwell–26 Luke Greiner–22 David Valek
13 Tommy O’Regan–18 Mike Seward–10 Eric Kroshus
17 Rence Coassin–12 Colin Moore–11 Daniel Moriarty (A)

Harvard Defense Pairings

5 Dan Ford–9 Danny Biega
8 Patrick McNally–6 Ryan Grimshaw (C)
44 Max Everson–7 Danny Fick

Harvard Goalies

34 Steve Michalek
30 Raphael Girard

Harvard Stats 

RADIO: 96.1 The Fox • WEBCAST: http://www.undsports.com/
TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, MidcoSN3,
DirecTV 617 (Friday), DirecTV 623 (Saturday)

 Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Harvard Series Preview (insidehockey.com)

Official Press release - UND Athletics undertakes re-branding initiatives

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Athletics Director Brian Faison announced today the rebranding of several organizations and media and Internet platforms affiliated with UND Athletics.

The rebranding initiative is a result of the retirement of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, as directed by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. The transition process for both is to be substantially completed by Dec. 31, 2011. Beginning on that date, UND’s varsity athletics teams will operate without an official nickname or corresponding logo until at least Jan. 1, 2015, as mandated by the North Dakota State Legislature.

Organizations

• The Fighting Sioux Club, the official fundraising arm for UND Athletics, has been renamed the North Dakota Champions Club.
• Sioux Crew, which promotes student involvement and attendance at UND Athletics events, has been renamed NoDak Nation.
• The Sioux Boosters club has been renamed the UND Boosters, and the weekly fan luncheons have been renamed the UND
Fan Luncheon.
• The Sioux Kids Club will retain its name for the duration of the 2011-12 season due to contractual obligations with sponsors.
• The Sioux-Per Swing golf tournaments have been renamed the North Dakota Champions Golf Tour.
• The Sioux-Per Gala has been renamed A Night of Champions: UND Athletics Auction and Gala.

MEDIA

• The Fighting Sioux Sports Network (television) has been renamed the UND Sports Network, and the Fighting Sioux Radio
Network has been renamed the UND Radio Network.
• UND’s weekly television show, Sioux Sports Extra, has been renamed UND Sports Extra, while the weekly Fighting Sioux
Coaches Show (radio) has been renamed the UND Coaches Show.
• All television and radio network opening and closing billboards have been revised to reflect the changes.

INTERNET

• UND Athletics’ official website, FightingSioux.com, has been renamed UNDSports.com

Friday afternoon Links.

There are two days left in 2011 (or about 1 1/2 days) and there is one more series to close out the year before we ring in 2012.

Roman Augustoviz from the Red Star Sickle and gives his spin on the Fighting Sioux Nickname debate. [Roman Empire]

According to Kevin Pates of the Duluth News Tribune, the much maligned University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi has turned down a request to be interviewed for the commissioner of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. [Rink and Run]

This week in the WCHA by Jim Rich is here. [Click to listen]

Inside Hockey has the series preview; North Dakota vs. Harvard Series Preview

According to Brad Schlossman, Mario Lamoureux tried to talk coaches into letting him play tonight, but he was unsuccessful. Mario's out tonight.

Here is the link to the Harvard Crimson site that has the ins and outs of Harvard hockey. [click to view]

Joe Pasiley has his Friday reading: Previews and recaps [click to view]

According to North Dakota MHockey - Junior forward Corban Knight will return to the lineup tonight against Harvard.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney has been suspended by the AHL for three games for an illegal check. [The AHL]

BReynolds from the Wilderness has this final blog post on the Cody McLeod hit on Jared Spurgeon. This article may make your blood boil or not. [SBNATION]

Michael Russo had Brendan Shanahan explain his troublesome decision to not suspend Av's hack forward Cody McLeod.

Colorado's Cody McLeod faced no discipline for his five-minute boarding major and game misconduct in Monday's Wild loss.

In an interview with the Star Tribune on Wednesday, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan explained his decision. He said the NHL's hockey operations and player safety departments looked at the check extensively.

"McLeod actually sort of reaches out with his hand almost in what appears to us to be an effort to gauge the distance and almost to let him know, 'I'm here,'" Shanahan said. "Spurgeon digs in, applies the brakes and gets run into."

Matt Kassian works Darcy Hordichuk X2

The Minnesota Wild have been pushed around a lot as of late so the Minnesota Wild called up Matt Kassian from the Houston Areos to send a message. The Wild Forward Matt Kassian absolutely destroyed Edmonton Oilers forward Darcy Hordichuck twice.

At least three Wild players -- including Marek Zidlicky, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and most recently Jared Spurgeon -- have been run at in recent games. Yeo has been talking about players standing up for teammates. Just a week ago, in a very physical loss in Edmonton, the Wild got pushed around a little. For this rematch -- the sixth and final game between the two teams -- Kassian got the call. [Star Tribune]

Goon's Weekly Picks 12/29 - 12/31

Thu 12/29/11
Michigan State vs Michigan Tech 4:06 p.m. ET GLI (Detroit, MI)
Western Michigan at St. Cloud State 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-Charter)

Fri 12/30/11
Michigan/B.C. vs Michigan Tech 4:06/7:36 p.m. ET GLI(TV-Champ:FCSa)
Niagara at Minnesota 7:07 p.m. CT Mariucci Classic (Minneapolis, MN)
Western Michigan at St. Cloud State 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-Charter)
Bowling Green at Bemidji State 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
Harvard at North Dakota 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-FSSN,FCSc)
Quinnipiac at Nebraska Omaha 7:37 p.m. CT
USA Under-18 Team at Minnesota State 7:37 p.m. CT Exhibition
Air Force at Colorado College 7:37 p.m. MT
Union at Denver 7:37 p.m. MT

Sat 12/31/11
Quinnipiac at Nebraska Omaha 2:07 p.m. CT
Norestrn/Princeton at Minnesota 6:07 p.m. CT Mariucci 3rd/Champ
Denver at Air Force 6:05 p.m. MT
Bowling Green at Bemidji State 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
Harvard at North Dakota 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSSN,FCSc)
USA Under-18 Team at Wisconsin 8:07 p.m. CT Exhibition
Union at Colorado College 7:07 p.m. MT


Michigan State vs Michigan Tech - MSU Win
Western Michigan at St. Cloud State - Split
Minnesota vs.  Niagara - UMN Win
Bowling Green at Bemidji State - BSU Sweep
Harvard at North Dakota - UND Sweep
Quinnipiac at Nebraska Omaha - Split
Air Force at Colorado College - C.C. Win
Union at Denver - DU Win
USA Under-18 Team at Minnesota State - MSU Win
Michigan/B.C. vs Michigan Tech  - Michigan/B.C. Win
USA Under-18 Team at Wisconsin - Badgers Win
Princeton/Northeastern vs. Minnesota - UMN Win
Denver at Air Force - DU Win
Union at Colorado College - C.C. Win

Last Week 6-1 Record for the season 67-48

RADIO: 96.1 The Fox • WEBCAST: http://www.undsports.com/
TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, MidcoSN3,
DirecTV 617 (Friday), DirecTV 623 (Saturday)

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - December 12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Adam McQuaid works Raffi Torres like a clown

This is the proper response for someone that hits one of your fellow players in the head, this is called sticking up for your fellow players, instead of waiting for the refs to make the call. Nothing pleases me more than watching Adam McQuaid work Raffi Torres like a punching bag.

Let's not kid ourselves, Raffi Torres is notorious for racing all over the ice, taking unneeded runs at guys, many times Torres hits players with dirty hits like this hit on Brent Seabrook last spring during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Mark Fistric hit on Shea Weber

Right now there is a major debate by the hockey pundits to ban fighting in hockey but as Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy mentioned, none of the players Sidney Crosby, Jeff Skinner, Simon Gagne, Shea Weber are not out of hockey because they were hurt in a fight. They were hit in the head, some of them were hit with dirty hits like this. Ironically, the above embedded video didn't result in a suspension but it probably caused a concussion to Shea Weber.

Also, Shea Weber is out with an apparent concussion and his agent Jarrett Bousquet is less than pleased that Mark Fistric wasn't suspended for this hit. In watching the video, it find it puzzling as well.

“We want what’s best for Shea long-term. We want to get it right and make sure it doesn’t happen again, and Nashville wants to exercise on the side of caution, as do we. From my point of view I’m surprised that there’s not been more about this Fistric hit. I’m surprised he’s not suspended. I’m surprised that it has not been reviewed. If the NHL wants to protect their stars, then they have a chance here to right the wrong and get some consistency. If they do want to protect their players, then hits like that have to be suspensions.

“To me it looked like Fistric jumped. The puck had clearly gone past (Weber), because he was ready to look back for the puck. I can’t believe that this hasn’t been looked into closer and examined closer.” [The Tennessean]

I am confused, and I am not sure what is even worthy of a suspension anymore? Isn't Weber's head the the principal point of contact in this check? I have watched the video a few times and it would appear that the head is the principle point of contact. According to Stu Hackle there have been 28 concussions during the month of December.

North Dakota vs. Harvard Series Preview

Cross Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY.

The University of North Dakota entertains  Harvard University at 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 and 623 Saturday).

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

Internet: FightingSioux.com

Tickets: There are still tickets available for this series according to the UND Ticket Site.

Records and Rankings: UND – 9-8-1 overall, 7-7-0 WCHA; Ranked 18^th in the USCHO poll. North Dakota was idle this past weekend.

Harvard 4-3-3 overall, 3-3-2 ECAC; Unranked in the latest USCHO poll. Harvard was idle this past weekend.

Series History:  UND is 3-1-0 against Harvard and swept the Crimson at Harvard (10-1, 4-3) in 2008.

Players to Watch:

For UND: Forwards Danny Kristo (9g-11a—20pts), Corbin Knight (6g-15a—21) and Brock Nelson (14g-8a—22pts). Goaltenders Aaron Dell .895 save percentage and a 2.80 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .918 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average.

For the Crimson: Defenseman Danny Biega (3g-11a—14pts), Patrick NcNally (3g-9a—12pts), Forwards Alex Killom (6g-6a—12pts), Alex Fallstrom (3g-6a—9pts). Goaltender Steve Michalek 4-2-2 .898 save percentage 3.10 goals against average.

Key Numbers:

1 – Aaron Dell has one shutout so far this season.

2 – Harvard’s Dany Biega is second in the nation for points per game by a defenseman.

2 – Harvard’s Patrick NcNally is second in the nation for points per game by a rookie.

7 – UND has 7 conference wins so far this season.

8 – Harvard has 8 conference points so far this season.

9 – UND has 9 wins over all so far this season.

9 – Brock Nelson has 9 power play goals for UND to lead the nation.

10 – The Harvard Crimson have played “only” 10 games so far this season.

11 – Harvard’s Dany Biega with 10 assists is leading the nation in assists per game with 1.40.

14 – UND has 14 conference points so far this season.

22 – UND is ranked 2^nd in the Pairwise Rankings.

25 – Harvard is ranked 25^th in the Pairwise Rankings

Other games in the WCHA: Minnesota State vs. USDT U18 team (Friday), Michigan Tech vs. Michigan State on (Thursday) and Michigan/Boston College (Friday) at Great Lakes Invitational, Minnesota vs. Niagara (Friday) and Northeastern/Princeton (Saturday) in Mariucci Classic, Denver vs. Union (Friday), Denver at Air Force (Saturday), Bowling Green at Bemidji State, Colorado College vs. Air Force (Friday) Union at Colorado College (Saturday), Quinnipiac vs. Nebraska Omaha, Western Michigan vs. Saint Cloud.

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Harvard Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 12 (insidehockey.com)