UND vs. UMD series notes

The University of North Dakota  Fighting Sioux travel to Duluth Minnesota to play the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena February 10-11, 2012.

Game Time: 7:07 pm both nights.

Records and Rankings: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (15-10-2 overall, 11-9-0 WCHA); The Fighting Sioux are ranked 16^th in the USCHO poll and 15^th in the USA Today Poll. North Dakota was off last weekend. Official Release.

The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (18-6-4, 12-5-3 WCHA) split their last series with the UAA Seawolves in Anchorage Alaska (4-1 W, 2-3 L). The Bulldogs are ranked 3^rd in the USCHO and 3^rd in the USA Today Polls. Official Release 

Series History:  The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux are 17-6-2 in the last 25 games against the Bulldogs. UND also leads the all-time series between the two teams with 134-74-8 (.639), The Fighting Sioux have a 54-38-5 (.582) record in Duluth.

Radio: UMD 94X (94.1/104.3 FM)UMD’s Bruce Ciskie with the play-by-play. UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox, UND’s Tim Hennesy with the play-by-play. 

WEBCAST: www.b2tv.com

TV: CBS Sports Network (Friday only) 613 on DirecTV. 

Players to Watch: 

For UND: Forwards: Danny Kristo (14g-17a—31pts), Corbin Knight (8g-18a—24pts) and Brock Nelson (19g-12a—31pts), Carter Rowney (8g-8a—16pts). Defense: Nick Mattson (5g-10a—15pts), Dillion Simpson, (1g-12a—13pts), Ben Blood (2g-11a—13pts).  Goaltenders: Aaron Dell .892 save percentage and a 2.81 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .917 save percentage and a 2.31 goals against average.

UND Injuries: Forward Rocco Grimaldi is out (season knee surgery), Brendan O’Donnell out (season ending surgery), defenseman Derek Forbort questionable; Derek Rodwell is out (season shoulder surgery).

For UMD: Forwards: Jack Connolly (15g-27a—42pts), J.T. Brown (16g-21a—37pts), Travis Olesuk (16g-21a—37), Caleb Herbert (10g-14a—24pts) Defense: Brady Lamb (5g-14a—19pts). Scott Kishel (3g-14a—17pts). Goaltender: Kenny Reiter .914 save percentage and a 2.30 goals against average. 
 
Other games in the WCHA:  Minnesota State at Alaska Anchorage, Minnesota at Denver, Colorado College at Bemidji State, Nebraska Omaha at Michigan Tech. Saint Cloud, Wisconsin Idle

Related articles

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Make that 3 down for the count (RW77)

UND beat writer Brad Schlossman reports that freshman forward Brendan O'Donnell is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Surgery is soon to come. This means that we've now lost three for the season: 2 freshmen (O'Donnell and Grimaldi) and 1 sophomore (Rodwell).

What it also means is that we have exactly ZERO depth as UND will dress EVERY healthy skater they have. They will only have one healthy scratch overall: Tate Maris. What does this mean?

For me, as a realist (ok cynic), it means that everything we do in the second half that is positive comes with added bonus. It also means that the chance of a "Fire Hakstol" thread appearing on SS.com and other message boards will increase exponentially. The haters will start appearing in force and demanding change. No, I don't think the masses will rise up, but the haters always become more vocal (and therefore more visible) when bad news rears its ugly head.

Which leads me to wonder:

1. Can they convince the Lamoreaux twins to get boy cuts and certain cosmetic alterations so as to boost our depth?

2. Is there a way that UND could go out and hold tryouts for depth players? If we get further injuries, things could get worse!

3. If we make the NCAAs this year with all the adversity behind the nickname distraction and all the injuries, would Hakstol be considered for coach of the year (haters need not answer this one. We already know what you'd say).

4. If we stop being able to dress 4 lines of forwards and 3 lines of D, how will expectations for this team be affected?

5. What about physical play? If we start dropping like flies, will our playing style have to change? I'd think it'd have to...

Dan Barreiro on the Fighting Sioux Nickname

I had a few people pinged me about Ban Barreiro radio show this afternoon and if you haven't heard this or listened to this podcast you iTunes, here is an opportunity to do so. I thought I would include up on the blog so you can listen to it yourself.

Doug Fullerton on the Petition – UND can be voted out

Image via WikipediaHere it is straight scoop, this straight from the horses mouth, Big Sky Commissioner Fullerton was on Mike McFeely's show this afternoon and you can listen to what he had to say. 

You can hear Doug Fullerton, commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, words. LISTEN NOW

These are the comments by Fullerton that really caught my attention...

“I would remind them that the NCAA is a club, a voluntary association. If you don’t like the club’s rules, you can leave. But this isn’t a government agency. The NCAA is UND and NDSU. These are colleagues who have made these rules.”

Related articles

• Fighting Sioux nickname supporters file petitions with 17,000 signatures (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• So is the Fighting Sioux nickname on the way back (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• University of North Dakota resumes using Fighting Sioux nickname (foxnews.com)
• Opinion: Big Sky Should Admit North Dakota Mistake, Let Fighting Sioux Go (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Fighing Sioux 1930-2012 R.I.P. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Big Sky Conference not Bluffing.

Image via WikipediaO.K. now the Big Sky Conference has weighed in... Sounds like they are not fooling around and they are concerned about the recent events in North Dakota. It also sounds like the notion that the BSC won't expel UND is not quite true.

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- UND’s status within the Big Sky Conference won’t change immediately as a result of this week’s tentative restoration of the university’s Fighting Sioux nickname, Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton said today.

But he said “it’s absolutely not true” that UND could not be dropped from the league, as some nickname supporters have said in seeking to dismiss concerns about consequences if the fight over the name continues.

“Our concern, as before, is not that they are the Fighting Sioux,” Fullerton said, “but rather whether they can be an effective Division I program and a benefit to our conference.”

UND’s membership status is still probationary, he said. “But even a full-fledged member can be removed from the league at any time by a vote of the presidents.” Such a vote, he said, would have to be unanimous.

Fullerton said he’s concerned about another example of what he called “misrepresentation” by nickname supporters, a suggestion “that we need UND more than UND needs us,” which would seem to counter concerns expressed by university and other officials that keeping the nickname could cost UND conference membership and Division I status.

Fighting Sioux nickname supporters file petitions with 17,000 signatures

Image via Wikipedia
Just when you think that the nickname is dead and gone, there is another event that resurrects it and brings back the Fighting Sioux nickname.

This is going to be interesting going forward, and maybe not in a good way. I am not sure anyone knows what will happen and there will be some anxiety as we wait to see what happens this week and in the future. Contrary to what some say about the Big Sky Conference, there is a very real possibility that UND’s membership could be in jeopardy.

That threat is very real and not something to be taken lightly, I don’t care what some have gleaned out of the letters that they received through the freedom of information act. Most of us know that the NCAA isn’t going to take this laying down and they are going to be behind the scenes pulling strings. You can count on it. The NCAA is an out of control organization. But we have to play by their rules if we want to be in Division I sports. Do I like it not one bit.

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- After a last, celebratory campaign for signatures at a Bismarck Century-Bismarck High hockey game and from an RV parked outside the Capitol, Fighting Sioux nickname supporters delivered petitions to the secretary of state’s office Tuesday night to force a statewide vote on the long-running and controversial issue.

Members of the sponsoring committee, including members of the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux tribes, delivered 604 petitions they said contained about 17,000 signatures, well more than the 13,452 required to make the June 12 primary election ballot.

“It’s still a long way to go, but I’m really pleased today,” said Reed Soderstrom, the Minot attorney who has helped to lead the petition drive, as he was about to enter the Capitol about 10 p.m.

Like I said before, I love the Fighting Sioux nickname and I think it’s "the best" logo in all of college sports and nothing will ever be able to replace it. I also find it interesting that the NCAA is telling UND that the Fighting Sioux nickname is hostile and abusive and then you see two Native Americans representatives from the two tribes handing in petitions last night at the dead line. What does that tell you?

UND President Robert O. Kelley has said that UND will again be called the Fighting Sioux.

Kelley said the action was taken “in keeping with state law” and direction from Shaft.

“I want to reaffirm our respect for the laws of the state and the processes guaranteed under the North Dakota Constitution,” Kelley said.

Related articles

• Organizers have petitions to restore Fighting Sioux (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Fighting Sioux backers say had in petitions (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Supporters move to restore Fighting Sioux name (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Fighting Sioux Nickname Could Be Up for a Vote (nytimes.com)
• So is the Fighting Sioux nickname on the way back (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Fighting Sioux backers finish petition work (sfgate.com)
• Organizers say they have enough signatures to restore University of South Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname (foxnews.com)
• Fighting Sioux backers get 16,000 to sign petition (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Spirit Lake Sioux to sue the NCAA. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

King on the CHL; Misguided anger from NCAA

You had to know that the response would be coming... Here is the response/rebuttal to the UND head coach Dave Hakstol's comments that appeared in a Grand Forks Herald article this past week.

Patrick King, Sportsnet --- Their arguments make about as much sense as the analogy Hakstol presented. We've heard it all before; a player makes a verbal commitment and must then fulfill his obligations. Should he back out, he is then viewed as a liar and accused of using the NCAA as a bargaining chip to land in whichever CHL destination he desires most.

What's never mentioned is the timing the commitments are being made. To get a leg up on the CHL, players are being recruited and giving verbal commitments around the same time as they're attending a Grade 9 math class.

Kenny Ryan's father, K.C., once put it in perspective when his son was being wooed by college programs.

"Here's a kid who is still having sleepovers," he said.

And yet, when a young kid returns from said sleepover, he's supposed to have his college career sorted out well before high school graduation day. Should he change his mind, as teenagers are prone to do and hardly ever chastised for doing with any other decisions, he's suddenly a liar unwilling to see through a commitment.

From reading this article, it would appear that some parents of kids that are being recruited by Division I college hockey programs, also take issue with the age which kids are now recruited at. Personally, I do think it's asinine that college hockey programs are getting kids to commit so early to college hockey programs. But I think that this feigned outrage is a bit disingenuous, because the CHL is recruiting kids a very young age as well.

How come it's not an issue for some that the CHL is recruiting kids when they are 14, 15 and 16 years old as well?

That being said, college hockey programs have to recruit players at a young age to prevent losing the top end recruits to the CHL so it's really a double edged sword. your damned if you do and damned if you don't

Related articles

• Coach Hakstol takes issue with Wally Shaver's comments... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
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The University of South Dakota

Someone posted this on Sioux Sports today... Here is the link to the Fox News web page. Before we go and bag on Fox News, this is an Associated Press story. I am sure that the same mistake could happen at the Huffington Post or MSNBC as well.

Joey Crabb vs Johnny Oduya

If you watch the video closely it looks like Johnny Oduya slew footed Joey Crabb, hence the reason you hear Joey Crabb tell Oduya ef you. Then, there is fight, albeit not a very good one. I've got give Crabb credit for at least taking a poke at Oduya who is one tough S.O.B.

Worst fight of the year... Subban vs. Wheeler

Far be it from me, to stick up for Blake Wheeler because I think he is a big bodied player that plays like he is 5'9" but P.K. Subban was trying to elbow Wheeler in the head. I am surprised that the Canadian's fraud Subban didn't turtle from this fight as well. I guess he saw Wheeler as not being much of a threat.

Now compare and contrast, former Gopher and current New York Rangers defenseman Stu Bickel is making quite a name for himself with the Rangers.

Apparently, the other night the former Gopher defenseman got in two fights in a game against Philadelphia Flyers. One of his fellow combatants Flyers cement head Tom Sestito got into three fights. I got to give Bickel credit, and he is a much better fighter than former fellow Gopher team Blake Wheeler. Unlike some of the fighters around the league and Bickel respects the hockey code and doesn't hit an opponent once he hits the ice. I have to respect that.


 Here is the other fight. -  Bickel vs. Wayne Simmonds

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A Miami Redhawks goal or not?

I just finished watching the Miami and Michigan game on my DVR and wow what a game. Also, if you think WCHA officials are bad, you should go back and watch game if you have it at your disposal, the officials Keith Sergott and Brian Hill were brutal in this game, but they did appear to get this call right. Check out the video at the 02:00 minute mark. That was close.

Redskin Warriors --- There are two things you’ll notice after the 2:00 minute mark of the highlight video posted above. First of all, take a look at the goal/no-goal that Rico was rather furious about. From just about every vantage point I’ve seen – on the replays in the arena (I’m amazed the arena staff kept replaying it on the video boards) and afterwards on the DVR – the puck doesn’t appear to cross the line.

That being said, when the NCHC starts it's league play they have to decide if they want to use WCHA and CCHA officials. There are so many poor officials in both of those leagues that I would caution the NCHC leadership to think long and hard before they decide to use these officials. There needs to be some transparency, the refs need to ref the game the way its meant to be officiated.

Jets Evander Kane played with concussion for 14 games.

Image via WikipediaThis is today's shocking revelation in the NHL. During the present time, when the NHL is concerned about players with concussions, we have a player that is suffering form a concussion for 14 games and doesn't take himself out of the line up.

Tim Campbell, WINNIPEG Free Press - Evander Kane is ready to try to help the Winnipeg Jets out of their offensive funk.

The 20-year-old left-winger will return to the lineup tonight when the Jets meet the Toronto Maple Leafs at the MTS Centre (7:30 p.m., TSN Jets, TSN 1290).

Kane has missed the last seven games because of a concussion and admitted this morning he may have played with concussion-like symptoms since taking a hit against the New York Islanders on Dec. 20. He played the rest of that game and 14 more before the symptoms became more acute.

Luca Sbisa hit on Tim Jackman

Check out this hit by Ducks defenseman Luca Sbisa on Calgary Flames forward Tim Jackman. While Sbisa does hit Jackman in the head, I definitely think the hit in question looks accidental and not malicious.

For the hit in question, Sbisa was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for headbutting Jackman. After the hit, Jackman left the game and didn't return. I don't think the league will give Sbisa any more supplemental discipline.

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So is the Fighting Sioux nickname on the way back

Looks like the Fighting Sioux nickname issue isn't over just yet. I actually think this is going to be a huge mess and who know who this is going to play out.

Effective January 1st, 2012, the University is in the process of transitioning away from the nickname.

I guess UND will get to find out if the Big Sky Conference is bluffing or not? I have been told by people in the know that say that the Big Sky is not blowing hot air and that they are serious.

I predict that we will see a constitutional challenge in the future.

Grant Shaft, president of North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education, is on record of saying, "that if an effort to refer a bill repealing the state’s “Fighting Sioux” law is successful his board may have to assert its constitutional authority."

Valley News Live --- It appears UND's Fighting Sioux nickname will be restored tomorrow, reversing legislative action to drop it last fall.

Nickname supporter, Frank Black Cloud tells Valley News Live they have over 15,000 signatures on petitions in support of restoring the Fighting Sioux Nickname. They needed at least 13,500 signatures to overturn existing legislation.

North Dakota Secretary of State, Al Jaeger says if nickname supporters file the required 13,500 signatures, it will instantly restore the original legislation that requires North Dakota and UND to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname. Then, Jaeger says their office will verify the signatures within 35 days. If they wind up with fewer than 13,500 "good" signatures, the law will return to drop the nickname.

Al Jaeger, ND Sec. Of State: "We will randomly select at least 2,000 names that we will be contacting with post cards or other means to verify certain information. We go through a very thorough process."

In the meantime the Fighting Sioux nickname will once again become law, unless voters throw it out during a statewide election in June.

UND officials aren't commenting about this latest development. They're in the process of retiring the nickname.

Like I have said in the past; I love the Fighting Sioux nickname and I am not happy that the University of North Dakota has to kowtow to political correctness.

As I have said in the past, I am proud supporter of UND athletics, I think the Fighting Sioux nickname is a honor. My question is; how long do we continue to fight the NCAA? They aren't fooling around either... The only chance we have of winning is the Spirit Lake Law Suit. If anything I suggest donating money to their cause so they can fight the NCAA.

UND lost the Fighting Sioux nickname the minute the North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem signed the surrender agreement with the NCAA. Because of Stenehjem signing that surrender agreement I will no longer vote for him as long as he runs for public office, he is useless to me and far as I am concerned not worthy of receiving my vote anymore.

Related articles

• Petitions to retain Fighting Sioux nickname for UND begin circulating (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Fighing Sioux 1930-2012 R.I.P. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Opinion: Big Sky Should Admit North Dakota Mistake, Let Fighting Sioux Go (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Tim Mathern has bill to repeal UND Fighting Sioux nickname law (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Changes coming to NCAA Hockey Recruiting?

Image via WikipediaRWD favorite beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman has a very good article about the letter of intent and the college hockey recruits being poached by the CHL teams until after they have played their freshman year.

I honestly don’t know how they are going to get the CHL to honor those agreements? I don’t think the NCAA is going to get the CHL to agree to that. Why should they? I can’ t see the London Knight’s caring about a blue chip recruit signing a letter of intent to play for a division I college hockey team. It didn't seem to stop the Plymouth Whalers, because J.T. Miller had signed an LOI to play for UND. How did that end up working out for us? Obviously, they didn't care one bit. The thing I would want to know is how much money changed hands on that deal.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald --- College Hockey Inc., is working to enact legislation — either with the oversight of the NHL or through the transfer agreement between USA Hockey and Hockey Canada — to bar Canadian major junior teams from stealing a player who has signed a letter of intent until after the player’s freshman year.

And while this is happening, there is a behind-the-scenes movement by some coaches to try to ditch the longstanding gentleman’s agreement between coaches that they won’t recruit players that have made verbal commitments.

If either happens, letters of intent will become big deals to the college hockey world.

The Canadian Hockey League, which routinely tries to poach college players and recruits, is driving these developments to an extent.

I am going to get some flak for this because there are a lot of fans college hockey fans that are against CHL players playing in NCAA Division I hockey once they have played in the CHL.

I am all for it. Why not let them play in the NCAA? I think the NCAA should reevaluate this stance, I think that this policy is out dated and wrong.

I would have no problem with allowing a player that has played hockey in the CHL play in the NCAA if they haven't reached their 19th birthday. The CIS teams don't seem to have a problem with these players playing for their teams and NCAA teams play them in the exhibition games at the beginning of the season.

Maybe that kid was recruited to go to the CHL when he is 16 and he has a change of heart and decides that he would like to play in the college ranks and get his college education. Why not allow him to play for an NCAA Division I team? 

Personally, I would have no problem with an NCAA college team going up to Canada or to a CHL team in the USA and recruiting one of their players to play in Division I hockey. The CHL is actively recruiting our players right now as we speak.They don't seem to care what our players have signed.

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• Monday Links... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
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• NCAA Hockey is on the Score... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
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Poll Monday - UND moves up to 15/16