Goon's World

Friday, February 24, 2012

UND vs. DU lines

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...

Fighting Sioux Forward Lines

29 Brock Nelson–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo
16 Mark MacMillan–27 Carter Rowney–15 Michael Parks
Stephane Pattyn 28 –9 Mario Lamoureux (C) – 20 Joe Gleason
8 Dan Senkbeil–13 Connor Gaarder–14 Taylor Dickin

UND Defensive Pairings.
4 Derek Forbort – 24 Ben Blood
2 Andrew MacWilliam (A) – 5 Nick Mattson
18 Dillon Simpson–22 Andrew Panzarella

UND Goalies

31 Brad Eidsness
32 Aaron Dell

UND Official Players Stats

UND Injuries: Forwards Rocco Grimaldi (season knee surgery), Brendan O’Donnell (season ending surgery), and Derek Rodwell (season shoulder surgery) are out.

Denver’s Forward lines

17 Jason Zucker–15 Drew Shore–12 Ty Loney
11 Chris Knowlton–23 Nick Shore–18 Luke Salazar
37 Nate Dewhurst–26 Shawn Ostrow–8 Dustin Jackson
14 Larkin Jacobson–25 Matt Tabrum–19 Daniel Doremus

Denver Defensive Pairings

7 Paul Phillips–2 Scott Mayfield
24 John Ryder–4 Josiah Didier
21 Joey LaLeggia–5 John Lee

Denver Goalies

1 Sam Brittain
33 Adam Murray
31 Juho Olkinuora

Denver players stats

Referees: Todd Anderson, Brad Shepherd
Linesmen: Bob Keltie, Tim Swiader

Will we see a Dasher Dance tonight?

WCHA referee Todd Anderson was the on ice official in both games where DU head coach George Gwozdecky did his dances on the dasher. Todd Anderson is one of the on ice officials in tonight's game between the Fighting Sioux and the Denver Pioneers.

The Video above is the game where Mike Prpich performed the cup check on Geoff Paukovich. There was no call on the play and Gwoz lost his mind. Here is the other incident where Gwoz danced on the dasher, made a motion to the crowd and then took a trip across the ice. [Click to view]

Goon's Weekly Picks - 2/24 - 2/25

Fri 02/24/12
St. Cloud State at Michigan Tech 7:07 p.m. ET
Colorado College at Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-My9)
Minnesota at Nebraska Omaha 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-FSn)DirecTV 668
Wisconsin at Bemidji State 7:37 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
North Dakota at Denver 8:07 p.m. MT (TV-NBCSN)DirecTV 603
Alaska at Alaska Anchorage 7:07 p.m. AT Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup (TV-GCI)

Sat 02/25/12
St. Cloud State at Michigan Tech 7:07 p.m. ET
Colorado College at Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-My9)
Minnesota at Nebraska Omaha 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-FSn)
Wisconsin at Bemidji State 7:07 p.m. CT (TV-LPT)
North Dakota at Denver 7:07 p.m. MT (TV-Root) DirecTV 683
Alaska Anchorage at Alaska 7:05 p.m. AT Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup

St. Cloud State at Michigan Tech – Split
Colorado College at Minnesota Duluth – Split
Minnesota at Nebraska Omaha – Split
Wisconsin at Bemidji State – BSU sweep
North Dakota at Denver – Split
Alaska Anchorage at Alaska – Split

Last Week 6-6 Record for the season 127-80

Here are some interesting stats from @UNDSID on the Sioux's record after the first of the year...

Year Before After
2004-05 13-7-2 (.636) 12-8-3 (.587)
2005-06 12-7-1 (.625) 17-9-0 (.654)
2006-07 7-10-1 (.417) 17-4-4 (.760)
2007-08 8-6-1 (.567) 20-5-3 (.768)
2008-09 9-8-1 (.528) 15-7-3 (.660)
2009-10 9-6-3 (.583) 16-7-2 (.680)
2010-11 13-5-2 (.700) 19-4-1 (.813)
2011-12 9-8-1 (.528) 8-3-2 (.682)
Totals 80-57-12 (.577) 123-47-18 (.702)

Two UND Defenseman make HF top 10

Two of UND's defenseman are in Hockey's Futures Top 10 NCAA defensemen. Dillon Simpson made other notables.

4. Derek Forbort, Sophomore, University of North Dakota
NHL Rights: Los Angeles Kings
Drafted: 1st Round, 15th overall, 2010After a successful freshman campaign, Forbort returned to North Dakota this season stronger and better. He has played in 21 games to date, posting five points (one goal, four assists). In the season-opening Icebreaker Tournament championship game versus Boston College on October 8th, Forbort posted his first (and thus far only) collegiate goal. Forbort suffered a lower body injury in the recent World Junior Championship and returned to the lineup on February 10th versus Minnesota-Duluth.

Forbort added roughly ten pounds to his enormous 6'5 frame over the summer. And that has really enhanced his skating. There is more power in his strides without taking anything away from his excellent mobility.

While Forbort is known for his offensive abilities, it's the progress that he has made on the defensive side this season that is noteworthy. His positional and one-on-one play has vastly improved from last season, and he has also added a bit of grit to his game as well. Forbort isn't likely to develop into an overly physical player, but the grit he has begun to show will simply add to his overall skill set. The one area where Forbort will need to continue to improve however is his gap control.

With Forbort's development coming along nicely at North Dakota, it'll only be a matter of time before the Los Angeles Kings will move to sign the Duluth, MN native. It remains to be seen if Forbort will return for his junior season in the fall.

10b. Ben Blood, Senior, University of North Dakota
NHL Rights: Ottawa Senators
Drafted: 4th Round, 120th overall, 2007
Blood is having the best year of his collegiate career right now, but a recent incident versus the University of Minnesota on January 14th has somewhat tainted that. The result was Blood being stripped of his assistant captaincy (He did issue an apology for his actions). Nevertheless, Blood is a player with excellent potential for success at the pro level.

The Plymouth, MN native has played in all 29 games thus far, posting 14 points (two goals, 12 assists). His 14 points tie a career-best, which was set in his sophomore year two seasons ago. Despite the Minnesota incident, Blood has been a strong leader on North Dakota's predominantly young blue line this season.

One area that has developed quite nicely during Blood's collegiate career is his offensive side. He has shown to be an adept puck-handler that can help run the power play as well as set up and finish plays. While it is unlikely that he'll post big numbers at the next level, Blood has the ability to be a solid offensive contributor from the blue line.

Blood was offered a contract by Ottawa at the end of last season, but opted to return to North Dakota to finish out his collegiate career. Barring anything unexpected, the Senators will likely offer him another contract at the end of the season.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Through these doors episode 16

Episode 16 of through these doors. Another great job...

It's UND's fault because they are the Fighting Sioux

Image via Wikipedia

You can read this and form your own opinion. So basically in a nut shell it's UND's fault because they wore the Fighting Sioux jersey's... UND fans I want to know what do you think of this. You can read the whole post at this link.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races It is within that 3rd definition that issues arise. Were the chants insensitive? Yes. Were they intended to insult or put down an entire race of people? No. I believe it says something about our society how we perceive these chants. The chants deemed most racist were those about “Smallpox Blankets” which was done once over that weekend (I am not trying to justify it). I believe more problems have come about from those not in the hockey world trying to understand what happened.

Students are rowdy, students want to be tip-toeing the line, and students want to do as much damage as they can to an opposing team from their seats. Were the chants filled with racial undertones? Yes. However, they were not done as a whole race (white people) chanting them at another race (Native Americans). They were a bunch of students chanting at a team because of their mascot/nickname. Some people have taken the stand that if North Dakota had not recently re-adopted the nickname that the chants would then have not happened. Some say that any reference to genocide is wrong and well over the line.

I thought I would include this blog post because it generated a bit of discussion on twitter earlier this week, not entirely the same thing and it's written much better by our friend Runnin' with the Dogs who doesn't appear to be the fan of the Fighting Sioux nickname either.

UND’s mascot and nickname are dehumanizing and desensitizing. tUMD students demonstrated that a week and a half ago. How can someone stand behind a nickname that leads to chants like the ones the students did? Or shirts like this? Or this one, done by UND students? Or the attitudes spelled out here? Or the people who “honor” the nickname by swearing, vomiting in their seats, fighting, making lewd gestures, etc while wearing the Sioux jersey? (Every fan base has people who do this. But not every fan base is appropriating the image and name of Native Americans and claiming to honor them while behaving in this fashion.)

The nickname and mascot are an embarrassment. The chants are an embarrassment. The history behind the chants is an embarrassment. It’s time for the nickname to go. Getting rid of the nickname won’t change the mind of any student, fan, athlete or administrator who might have been motivated to chant or support the nickname or make one of those t-shirts by actual, active racism, but it will at least stop the people who simply aren’t thinking, who aren’t looking beyond the nickname and mascot to the humans they are based on. (Because it shouldn’t be necessary, humans [Seminole, Dakota, Illini, Irish, Dutch, etc] should not be mascots!)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

This week we almost have a full schedule, we have five WCHA series. This is the second to last weekend of the regular season. Also we pretty much assured of a new WCHA champion, UND would need lots of luck to keep the cup in Grand Forks.

Here is a list of who has won the most MacNaughton Cups (regular season championships):

15 – North Dakota
13 – Denver
11 – Minnesota
10 – Colorado College
7 – Michigan Tech
3 – Minnesota-Duluth
3 – Wisconsin

I’m going to say that the current top six will remain in the top six and host the first round of the playoffs. I know it isn’t that big of a stretch, but hey, why not make some predictions.

WCHA STANDINGS

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota………………17-7-0…..……34
2. Minnesota-Duluth……..14-6-4….…….32
3. Denver…………..………13-7-4………..30
4. Colorado College ……..13-10-1……….27
4. North Dakota.……….….13-10-1….……27
4. Nebraska-Omaha………11-8-5………..27
7. Michigan Tech………….10-10-4………24
8. St. Cloud St……………. 10-11-3………23
9. Bemidji State….…………9-12-3…….….21
10. Wisconsin……………..8-14-2…..……18
10. Minnesota State………8-16-2………..18
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...5-20-1………..11

WCHA Games (#’s are current Pair Wise Rankings)

Wisconsin @ #23 Bemidji State
Last weekend the Badgers split with the Pioneers in Madison and the Beavers were swept by the Gophers in Minneapolis.

Both the Badgers and the Beavers are locked into the bottom half of the bracket. However, both still want to win and avoid going to a top three team in the first round of the playoffs. The Badgers have been downright awful, away from the Kohl Center, going 1-8-1 on the road. The Beavers have been rolling at home going 11-4-1, in the Sanford Center, or should we call it the Lodge? After only putting up a lone goal last weekend BSU needs to get the offense back on track. If BSU can get some timely goals they could move up the standings a spot, or two. BEAVERS SWEEP.

#14 North Dakota @ #11 Denver
Last weekend the Sioux took three points from the MTU Huskies in Grand Forks and the Pioneers split with the Badgers in Madison.

The Pioneers are three points ahead of the Sioux and trail league leader Minnesota by four points. DU is almost locked into home ice and UND needs a couple more points too, to secure a home ice spot. The last time these played was in the NCAA tourney with UND winning 6-1 and before that was the WCHA Final 5 and UND won that 3-2 in overtime. The Sioux need to keep the offense going and put some pucks in the net, if they want to leave the mile high city with some points in tow. Denver just needs to play their game and not get into the physical stuff, which these teams have had in the past. SPLIT

#25 St. Cloud State @ Michigan Tech
Last weekend the SCSU Huskies split with the Seawolves in St. Cloud and MTU Huskies got a point from the Sioux in Grand Forks.

These sets of Huskies are only separated by a lone point in the standing. Both still have a chance to get home ice in two weeks. But both really need a sweep this weekend to bolster their chances of that happening. MTU is winless in their last four games, and have only won twice in their last nine games, going 2-4-3 over that span. SCSU has won three of their last four games; with the one lose coming in overtime. It appears that one dog is going up and the other going down. SCSU 3-PTS

#19 Colorado College @ #5 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend Tigers split with UNO Mavericks in Colorado Springs and the Bulldogs took three points from the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato.

The Tigers have been sliding down only winning twice in their last seven games, going 2-4-1. CC now finds themselves in a three way tie for fourth place. Also of note the Tigers have not won back to back games in 2012. The Bulldogs are 3-3-1 in their last seven games and are unbeaten in their last three games, 2-0-1. The Bulldogs are only two points off the lead of UM and the McNaughton Cup. The last time UMD hoisted the prestigious cup was the 1992-93 season. BULLDOGS 3-pts

#8 Minnesota @ #23 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the Gophers swept the Beavers in Minneapolis and the Mavericks split with the Tigers in Colorado Springs.

This is the first meeting this season between these teams. Last season they played Oct. 15-16, 2010 in Minneapolis, the Mavericks won both of those games. This will be the Gophers first visit to Omaha, as a conference game. The Mavericks are 7-4-3 at home and the Gophers are 7-6-1 on the road this season. UNO plays on a NHL sized rink, which is smaller than the Olympic size the UM plays on. The Mavericks have been scoring about 4gpg in their last couple of series. If UNO can keep that scoring up they should be able to beat the Gophers this weekend. The Gophers have also been scoring at a good pace as of late. If one goalie is able to step up and dominate a sweep could happen, for either team. But with the season winding down, desperation starts to become a big factor too. SPLIT

GOVERNOR’S CUP

Alaska (11-17-4) vs Alaska-Anchorage (8-20-2)
Last weekend the Seawolves split with the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud and the Nanooks were swept by Michigan State in East Lansing.

Friday’s game is in Anchorage and Saturday’s rematch is in Fairbanks. Last season’s GC ended with both teams winning at home, I’m thinking it might be the same result again this year. SPLIT

BYE WEEK
Minnesota State

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Adam McQuaid vs B.J. Crombeen

This was the main event from tonight's game between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid fought St Louis Blues Forward B.J. Crombeen, good fight between two big hombres.

That was the sixth fight of the year for both players. The Boston Bruins are now second with 45 fighting majors on the season. The New York Rangers lead the NHL with 46 fighting majors.

UND vs. DU Series Notes

Image via Wikipedia
The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux travel to Denver University to play the Pioneers at Magness Arena February 24-25, 2012.

Game Time: 9:07 pm CT Friday and 8:07 pm CT Saturday Night

Records and Rankings: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (17-11-3 overall, 13-10-1 WCHA); The Fighting Sioux are ranked 14th in the USCHO poll and 12th in the USA Today Poll. North Dakota took three of four points in their weekend series with Michigan Tech University (4-2 W, 1-1 T). Official Release

Denver Pioneers (18-10-4, 13-7-4 WCHA) are ranked 9^th in the USCHO Poll and 10^th in the USA Today Poll. The Pioneers split their weekend series with the Wisconsin Badgers (3-0 W, 2-5 L). Denver is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games. Official Release

Series History: The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux leads the all-time series against the Denver Pioneers 130-115-8 (.535). UND has a record of 49-66-3 against the DU in Denver. Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol’s teams have a 11-14-1 record against the Denver Pioneers. The Fighting Sioux have won four of the last five games they have played against DU 4-1-0. UND was 3-1-0 against DU last season.

Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast: There will be no webcasts this weekend.

TV Friday: NBC Sports Network – 603 DirecTV

TV Saturday: Root Sports Rocky Mountain – 683 DirecTV

Players to Watch:

For UND: Forwards: Danny Kristo (14g-19a—33pts), Corbin Knight (11g-19a—30pts) and Brock Nelson (20g-15a—35pts), Carter Rowney (14g-9a—23pts). Defense: Nick Mattson (5g-11a—16pts), Dillon Simpson, (1g-13a—14pts), Ben Blood (2g-12a—14pts). Goaltenders: Aaron Dell .890 save percentage and a 2.90 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .926 save percentage and a 1.92 goals against average.

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

For DU Forwards: Jason Zucker (17g-20a—37pts), Drew Shore (18g-24a—42pts), Nick Shore (10g-19a—22pts) Luke Salazar (8g-13a—21pts) Defense: Joey LaLeggia (10g-23a—33pts), Jon Lee (3g-9a—12pts) Paul Phillips (1g-8a—9pts) Goaltender: Sam Brittain .923 save percentage and a 2.51 goals against average.

Other games in the WCHA: Colorado College at Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota at Nebraska Omaha, Wisconsin at Bemidji State, Michigan Tech at Saint Cloud State. Non-Conference Friday: Alaska at Alaska Anchorage. Saturday: Alaska Anchorage at Alaska. Idle Minnesota State.

Wednesday Links - thanks 2 Million

First, I would like to thank the readers of this blog as Goon's World has reached the 2 million hit mark. Thanks to everyone that has visited this blog.

At the Wednesday Media day, coach Hakstol said that there isn't much to report on Fighting Sioux junior goalie Aaron Dell, other than he was back practicing with the team yesterday and I think we can list him as a day-to-day. That's if I understand coach speak correctly, I would probably list him as a game time decision. I can confirm that Dell looked good from my vantage point in practice today.

Also, Senior goalie Brad Eidsness looks like he has returned to form and in my opinion appears to be the same goalie that once won two All-WCHA honors (X2). While he got some lucky bounces he also made some huge saves to probably steal a point for UND when they weren't at their best.

Here is what Hockey Futures had to say about junior forward Corbin Knight.

12. (15) Corban Knight, C, 6.5C
Acquired: 5th round, 135th overall, 2009

Knight, too, got caught up in the injury trend for 2011-12, and has spent time in and out of the UND lineup. However, when he has been on the ice, he has shown why he should still be considered a rising talent in the Florida organization. He has been a point-per-game player for the Sioux, has been once again terrific in the faceoff circle and a demon in the corners. He has the skill to get the puck up ice and to his linemates, the hands to get a good release on his shot even in heavy traffic, and has sound hockey smarts.

Here is what Hockey Futures had to say about freshman Roco Grimaldi.

11. (8) Rocco Grimaldi, C, 8D
Acquired: 2nd round, 33rd overall, 2011

The 2011-12 campaign was a lost season for Grimaldi, who suffered a knee injury early in training camp for the University of North Dakota. He struggled to return to the lineup, and managed to find ice time in four games before having knee surgery that brought a close to his freshman year. Grimaldi will be eligible to take a redshirt, if necessary, but more important is the lost development time for the offensive wizard.

As a result, Grimaldi drops down the ranks for now. Once he gets back on the ice, and gets the opportunity to show off his dazzling offensive skills and skating, he should begin a steady march back up the ranks.

Fighting Sioux Hockey Game Site Of Offensive Chants

Image via Wikipedia
The left leaning Huffington Post has picked up the story that first appeared in the Duluth News Tribune on Tuesday.

Huffington Post --- The Duluth News-Tribune reported on the letter Tuesday.
North Dakota fan Chad Czmowski told the newspaper that students made war-whooping noises and chanted "Hi, HOW are you?" and "smallpox blankets" during the Feb. 10-11 series. The latter refers to some historical claims that Indians were given smallpox-infected blankets by white settlers.

"I thought it was over the top," Czmowski said. "I'm all for rowdy cheering and rowdy student sections. Personal attacks, it was too much and there is no place for it."

Dave Zentner, a season ticket holder since 1955, said he didn't hear anything he considered to be offensive from the student section.

"I'm sure we've heard some dumb things over the years," he said. "I'm not sure if they were racist or bad sportsmanship. We've been road warriors and have been subjected to a lot of profanity and abuse in the league. I think overall, everybody has a few silly fans."

Wow, after reading the comments of Dave Zentners I have to say that some people live in denial, and I am not talking about the river in Egypt

Like I have said in the past, I like the Fighting Sioux nickname, I think it’s the best logo in all of college sports and there is nothing that could ever replace the Fighting Sioux logo that is ever going to be as good. I am also sick and tired of political correctness, and I believe it’s killing this country.

I think this issue goes beyond the issue of nicknames. It’s about ignorance from opposition fans, like one person said on my Facebook page, “thinking that changing a name and logo is going to change the mind-set of the ignorant and the racist is delusional, tunnel vision thinking at its best.”

This is the issue here, UND was required by state law to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname, so there are going to be a lot of people that are going put UND under a microscope and they are going to be on the watch for anything like this that happens.

You’re going to get a lot of, ‘see I told you so’ comments especially from the main stream media elites. You will also see people blaming UND for the something that is way beyond their scope of responsibility.

All you need to do is read the Rachel Blount article that was in the Star and Tribune, this is a perfect example of the types of articles that you’re going to continue to see until the Fighting Sioux nickname is retired.

In closing, a big face-palm to the folks that do these stupid cheers.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Who is hostile and abusive?

Image via WikipediaI saw this the other day and all I can say is, "Wow!!!" Really!!! Comeon UMD fans, you're better than this garbage. What century do you guys live in? This is actually what the Anti nickname people are talking about and they will use this incident to say, "see this is why we need to change the Fighting Sioux nick name."

There is no reason for this type of classless behavior to happen. I find this behavior to be unacceptable.

Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune --- Nielson sent the students a letter dated Feb. 17 that warned “any profane, racial, sexist, or abusive comments or actions directed at officials, opposing players or teams will be grounds for removal from the arena” and could result in a forfeiture of season tickets.

North Dakota fan Chad Czmowski said he was adjacent to the student section during Saturday night’s game when students began chanting “smallpox blankets” and what he described as other racist phrases and actions directed at the university’s mascot. Czmowski said other derogatory statements were specifically directed at the goalie’s mother.

“I thought it was over the top,” Czmowski said. “I’m all for rowdy cheering and rowdy student sections. (But) Personal attacks, it was too much and there is no place for it.”

Dave Zentner, a season ticket holder since 1955 who has seats near the blue line, said he didn’t hear anything racist from the student section during the series.

Nate Newell named interim executive director

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Albany, N.Y. – The Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) today announced
that Nate Ewell has been appointed to the position of interim Executive Director
of College Hockey, Inc., (CHI).

“We are extremely pleased to announce Nate’s promotion to his new position
knowing that he is an experienced professional who is highly regarded at both
the pro and collegiate levels of hockey,” said HCA President Steve Hagwell. “CHI
will be well served by his expertise in the media, communications, marketing
and promotional creativity.”

Prior to joining the staff of College Hockey Inc. in January, 2011, Ewell served
as the Vice President of Communications for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. In
eight seasons with the Caps, he created a comprehensive media strategy for
league MVP Alex Ovechkin, established a program for accreditation of bloggers
that became a model for other sports franchises, and led a staff that captured
four consecutive Dick Dillman Awards as the top media relations group in the
Eastern Conference.

A 1996 graduate of Princeton University, where he was the Sports Editor of the
campus newspaper, Ewell went on to become the Assistant Sports Information
Director at Michigan State University. There, he served as the principal media
contact for the MSU men’s hockey program.

CHI is a non-profi t corporation that operates under the auspices of the HCA and
serves as the educational, promotional and marketing arm of college hockey.

Dion Phaneuf hits Parise and then fights David Clarkson

This is the reason that fighting has to stay in the game of hockey watch the end of the video, Dion Phaneuf hits Zach Parise with a questionable hit to the head and then he has to answer for that objectionable hit almost immediately. The Players can police the game so they don't have to wait for the NHL to react or not react to questionable hits.

Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 2/19/2012

Image via Wikipedia

This is my weekly WCHA Power Rankings for INSIDE HOCKEY, Zack Friedli from Hockey State of Mind and I do a weekly WCHA Power Rankings.

1. Minnesota Duluth – (14-6-4 WCHA, 20-7-5) The Bulldogs took three of four points (4-2 W, 4-4 T) from the Minnesota State Mavericks this past weekend in Mankato. This weekend the Bulldogs entertain the Colorado College Tigers.

2. Minnesota – (17-7-0 WCHA, 21-11-1) The Gophers swept (3-0 W, 4-1 W) the Bemidji State Beavers this past weekend in Minneapolis. This weekend the Gophers travel to Omaha Nebraska to play the UNO Mavericks.

3. Denver – (13-7-4 WCHA, 18-10-4) The Pioneers Split (3-0 W, 2-5 L) their weekend series with the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison. This weekend the Pioneers return home to play the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

3. North Dakota – (13-10-1, 17-11-3) The Fighting Sioux took three of four points (4-2 W, 1-1 T) from the Michigan Tech Huskies this weekend in Grand Forks. This weekend the Fighting Sioux travel to Denver to play the Pioneers. With a sweep of the Pioneers and UND would pass the Pioneers in the standings.

5. Colorado College – (13-10-1 WCHA, 16-12-2) This Tigers split (4-3 W, 3-5 L) their weekend series with the Mavericks in Colorado Springs. This weekend the Tigers travel to Duluth to play the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

6. Nebraska-Omaha – (11-5-5 WCHA, 14-12-6) The Mavericks split (3-4 L, 5-3 W) their weekend series with the C.C. Tigers in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This weekend the Mavericks entertain the Gophers in Omaha.

7. Michigan Tech – (10-10-4 WCHA, 13-15-1) The Tech Huskies took one point (2-4 L, 1-1 T) in their weekend series with the Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks. The Tech Huskies entertain the Saint Cloud State Huskies in Houghton.

8. St. Cloud State – (10-11-3 WCHA, 13-15-4) The Huskies split (2-3 L O.T., 8-3 W) their weekend series with the Anchorage Alaska Seawolves in Saint Cloud. This weekend the Saint Cloud State Huskies make the trek to Houghton Michigan to play the Huskies.

9. Bemidji State – (9-12-3 WCHA, 15-14-3) The Beavers were swept (0-3 L, 1-4 L) in Minneapolis by the Minnesota Gophers. The Beavers look to get back on track when they entertain the Wisconsin Badgers in Bemidji. The Badgers are 1-8-1 on the road in ten games this season.

10. Wisconsin – (8-14-2 WCHA, 13-15-2) the Wisconsin Badgers split their weekend series (0-3 L, 5-2 W) with the Denver Pioneers in Madison and broke a five game losing streak with a victory over the Pioneers on Saturday night. This week the Badgers take their unimpressive 1-8-1 road record to Bemidji where they will play the Bemidji State Beavers.

11. Minnesota State – (8-16-2 WCHA, 12-20-2) The Mavericks took one point (2-4 L, 4-4 T) in their weekend series with Minnesota Duluth. This weekend the Mavericks are idle.

12. Alaska-Anchorage – (5-20-1 WCHA, 8-20-2) The Seawolves split (3-2 W O.T., 3-8 L) their weekend series with the Saint Cloud State Huskies in Saint Cloud. This weekend the Seawolves have a home and home series with their cross-state rival the University of Alaska Nanooks in the Governor’s Cup.

North Dakota’s Knight Named Red Baron® WCHA Men’s Player of the Week

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Corban Knight • Junior, Forward, University of North Dakota
MADISON, Wis. – University of North Dakota center iceman Corban Knight, who led his team with three goals and four points in a victory and tie against visiting conference rival Michigan Tech last weekend, has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for February 21.

A junior from High River, Alberta, Knight also won more than 62% of his face-offs in the two-game series in addition to his four scoring points and played a key role on UND’s penalty-killing units that blanked the Huskies on all six weekend power-play chances. He scored two goals, including a third period insurance goal with 1:37 remaining, drew an assist on teammate Carter Rowney’s game-winning second period tally, earned a +2 plus/minus rating and was the No. 2 star of the game last Friday (February 17) night as North Dakota won 4-2 over MTU. Knight then came back last Saturday (February 18) to score his team’s only goal in a 1-1 (ot) tie against Michigan Tech, giving his club a 1-0 lead with his power-play marker at 6:04 of the third period, earning No. 3 star of the game honors in the process.

In 28 games played so far this season, Knight ranks third in scoring among UND players with 30 points on 11 goals and 19 assists. He is a draftee of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers.

Also nominated: Jaden Schwartz, F, CC; Jason Zucker, F, DU; Erik Haula, F, UM.

Chambers; Stakes are high in University of Denver-North Dakota hockey series

From the opposition media guy; Mike Chambers who covers the Denver Pioneers and writes for the Denver Post and usually has some red meat articles to stir up the masses and enflame the UND hockey fan base. This article is almost too tame.

Mike Chambers, Denver Post --- Each team has four regular-season games remaining. DU needs one victory and a Michigan Tech loss to clinch home-ice advantage for the first-round, best-of-three WCHA playoffs March 9-11. The Sioux could finish anywhere from first to ninth.

The league's top six teams host the bottom six, with the winners advancing to the WCHA Final Five on March 15-17 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. The top four seeds in St. Paul will get a quarterfinal bye in the second year of the six-team format. (The name remained the same because there are five games.)

A year ago, North Dakota beat DU 3-2 in double overtime in the Final Five championship game. The following week, the Sioux eliminated the Pioneers 6-1 in an NCAA Tournament regional title game in Green Bay, Wis.

Friday's game at DU is the first this season between the storied programs and bitter rivals.

Monday, February 20, 2012

The Gloves are off UND vs. DU. – College Hockey’s version of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s

One of the best rivalries in college hockey, DU and UND. I would call it college hockey's version of the Hatfield's and McCoy's, two teams that don't like each other very very much. The first video is the reason that Sioux fans refer to George Gwozdecky as the Dasher Troll and this is what a dasher dance looks like.

The second video is from the game where former UND forward/defenseman Kyle Radke unofficially got into two fights in one college hockey game. It was a game where Todd Anderson and former WCHA official Jon Campion lost control of the game.

I think it would only be fitting if Todd Anderson was the official of this weekend's series.

Incidently, WCHA official Todd Anderson was the referee that was on the ice and called both games that George Gwozdecky was kicked out of and did his dasher dance. [Dasher dance game part II, Prpich cup checks Geoff Paukovich]

Good news Fighting Sioux hockey fans that have DirecTV. Friday's game will be on at 9:00 PM Central Time on channel 603. Saturday night's game will be on channel 683 on Roots on DirecTV, at 8:00 PM on Saturday Night.

Roots Sports is the network that used to be Fox Sports Net Rockey Mountain, this is also the same network that employs Alana Rizzo who doesn't is not a big fan of Sioux fans and doesn't like them very much.

Poll Monday - UND 12th and 14th in National Polls.

INCH Power Rankings

1. Ferris State
2. Union
3. Minnesota
4. Minnesota Duluth
5. Boston College
6. Michigan
7. Boston University
8. UMass Lowell
9. Denver
10. Cornell
11. North Dakota 4 With Aaron Dell sidelined due to injury, goaltender Brad Eidsness made his first back-to-back starts in nearly two years and stopped 42 of the 45 shots he faced in North Dakota’s win and tie against Michigan Tech. 17-11-3 (13-10-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Michigan Tech, 4-2; T vs. Michigan Tech, 1-1 ot. THIS WEEK: at Denver, at Denver
12. Maine
13. Miami
14. Colorado College
15. Michigan State
16. Merrimack
17. Colgate
18. Ohio State 19. Air Force
20. Western Michigan

Dropped out: Notre Dame
Bubble-licious: , Lake Superior State, Quinnipiac, RIT
As always I post the INCH Power Rankings because they add some weekly entertainment for college hockey fans to look at.

This week’s entertainment from INCH has UNION of the ECAC in second place in the INCH power rankings again. I am not sure why they have them ranked so high because they're sitting at 7th in the PairWise Rankings. Yeah, Okay!

Goon's World Extras

Friday, February 24, 2012

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Thursday, February 23, 2012

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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Monday, February 20, 2012

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