(Video) Eric Gryba gets 2-game ban

So, now we suspend players in the NHL for legal hits? According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Senators Eric Gryba is going to get a two game ban for his hit on Lars Eller.

When I first saw the hit, I thought the hit in question was a head shot, but after further review it was pretty obvious that the hit was a vicious, but legal shoulder-to-torso hit, in my opinion this is also not a violation of the NHL's rule 48. So I guess, it's a legal hit unless the player you're hitting is a player from the Montréal Canadiens.

Two game suspension for OTT's Eric Gryba.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 3, 2013

Dustin Brown knees Jaden Schwartz

s/t to Kukla Korner... So, L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown was suspended two games a week and a half ago for elbowing the  Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville, probably ending his season and now we see Brown doing this. Last night, Brown was assessed a two minute minor at the 16:58 mark of the first period for tripping Blues forward Jaden Schwartz, but you can see this could have been a lot worse.

So, I am interested in knowing what the explanation for this one is? To me, it would appear that Brown didn't learn his lesson from last week. We are told that he's not a dirty player and that he's only been suspended once by the NHL. I guess, I don't think he's a dirty player either, but the fact remains that he's leading with his elbow.

I am wondering why more people more upset with this hit?  We have a guy that was hurt by what appears to be a legal hit, the guy that hit him is going to have a hearing today and the hit in question is receiving a ton of chatter. If Brown connects with that elbow on Jaden Schwartz, he probably has  yet another hearing. This would be his second in a two week period.  Had Brown been facing another hearing, he would've been probably been facing his  second  suspension in less than two weeks. Thoughts on this one. Edit: Gryba was given a two game suspension by the NHL for his hit on Eller.

Front page of Ottawa Sun causing stir

Apparently, the front page of this morning's Ottawa Sun is causing a stir in Canada.

Today In Tastefulness: Ottawa newspaper mocks a bloodied & concussed Lars Eller on cover. (Pic) bit.ly/18yXi5Y
— theScore (@theScore) May 3, 2013

NHL: Gryba to have hearing on Eller hit

"It's a clean hit with a bad result," Former NHL official Kerry Fraser. I don't believe there should be any [supplemental discipline], Fraser continued.

NHL.com -- The NHL has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Ottawa Senators defenseman Eric Gryba on Friday for his hit on Lars Eller of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.

With just under 6 1/2 minutes left in the second period of Thursday night's game, Gryba caught Eller with a crunching hit at the blue line as the Canadiens forward was receiving a pass from defenseman Raphael Diaz. Eller was taken off the ice on a stretcher after landing face-first following the hit. He was expected to spend the night at the hospital with head and facial injuries, according to the Canadiens.

The following grounds for potential supplemental discipline are being considered: Illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to these infractions accordingly upon further review.

Gryba was assessed a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct on the play. Montreal scored once during the long power play, but Ottawa rallied with three goals in the third period for a 4-2 victory.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Friday night in Montreal.

Here is what the head coach of the Senators coach Paul MacLean had to say about the hit.

"(If I’m Eller), I’m really mad at player 61 [Raphael Diaz], whoever he is, because he passed me the puck in the middle of the rink when I wasn’t looking,” said MacLean. "That’s always been a dangerous place as far as I know. Ever since I’ve been playing this game, that’s a dangerous place to be — bad things happen."

@goon48 hit to the head. #MTLvsOTT twitter.com/AndyMPressoir/…
— JRoads ™ (@JRoadsreal) May 3, 2013

Related articles

• Lars Eller destroyed by Eric Gryba (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Edit: Lars Eller destroyed by Eric Gryba

After watching some of the analysis post hit, I am not sure we need to page the NHL Department of Player Safety. Former NHL official Kerry Fraser gives us a pretty good explanation of what happened with hit and they had the benefit of having a big screen TV screen to break down the hit.

Edit: Senators defenseman Eric Gryba absolutely destroys Montréal Canadiens forward Lars Eller with a vicious shoulder-to-torso hit, in my opinion this is probably not a violation of the NHL's rule 48. Also, I would not be too happy with my teammate for making that suicide pass.

Andrew Ference suspended for Game 2 for his elbow on

One game suspension for Ference, as expected RT @nhlplayersafety: Andrew Ference suspension video. bit.ly/ZqnxaU #BruinsTalk
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 2, 2013

Andrew Ference is lucky that it was during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs or his suspension would have been longer, this was a violation of the NHL's Rule 48 and his like this are unacceptable. Even though I am fan of the Boston Bruins and Andrew Ference, this is the right call by the NHL.

Do fans have unrealistic expectations?

I was reading Brad Schlossman’s blog the other day when I found a couple of posts from fans that I found to be; well interesting... Having been to numerous media days and press scrums, I was wondering what do the fans think that that media should members should ask the head coach? I mean seriously? There is a level of decorum and what is expected of the members of the media as well. Just because a question is asked, doesn't mean the coach would have to answer the question either.

Lastly, I live in this town too, and I am not seeing a big grown swell of dissatisfied UND hockey fans that want the head coach run out of town. Sure fans are upset with UND’s early exit from the NCAA tourney, but the UND's not going to win the NCAA tourney every season. It's just not possible. Or realistic. That’s life.

I am not sure what Brad or Tom Miller could ask Hakstol on the subject that would satisfy some of the fans that are unhappy with head coach Dave Hakstol. Whatever Dave does, he’s going to have his distractors. It’s also very easy to sit behind a computer screen and snipe at people, however, it much more different to stand or sit, in front of that person and face them and question their actions. That’s a fact of life.

(Video) Andrew Ference to have hearing for his elbow on Mikhail Grabovski

After I saw this elbow, I had a feeling that Andrew Ference was going to get some scrutiny from the Department of Player Safety for this elbow on Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovskiand, and he will. Ference has a hearing today with the Department of Player Safety. I have to think that he will be getting at least a game suspension for this hit.

Word out of Boston. #Bruins Ference will have an #NHL discipline hearing mid-afternoon 2day for his elbow on #Leafs Grabovski.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) May 2, 2013

Related articles

• Andrew Ference elbow on Mikhail Grabovski (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Marchand get speared “in the privates”

It's pretty obvious why Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn’t very happy with Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk after Wednesday’s Game 1. Yikes, I am also happy that Marchand didn't connect with van Riemsdyk, that might have ended up being a suspension.

Marty Reasoner leg check on Jussi Jokinen and shenanigans

You could see this play coming, that's why I included the play leading up to this hit by the New York Islanders forward Marty Reasoner on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen. Both teams were taking runs at each other at the end of a 5-0 game.

If you watch the video, you will see Jokinen looked up to see if the ref was going to call a penalty. Reasoner was assessed a five minute major for kneeing and given a game misconduct.

Andrew Ference elbow on Mikhail Grabovski

Someone mentioned this hit on twitter. I thought originally that Mikhail Grabovski had taken a dive but after further review you can see that he took an elbow to the face from Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference. Bruins fans have to hope that Andrew Ference isn't suspended by the National Hockey Leagues department of player safety. I can bet that Ference will at least be fined for this hit. Last week, Dustin Brown was given a two game suspension for a hit to the head of Jason Pominville.

Bruins vs. Leafs

Tyler Seguin during a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2010-11 season (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Boston 28-14-6 vs. Toronto 26-17-5 

Season Series: The Bruins had a 3-1 record against the Maple Leafs this season. 2-0 in Boston and 1-1 in Toronto.

For the first time in nine seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s right, last time the Maple Leafs made the Stanley Cup Playoffs was during the 2003-04 season.

So, starting tonight, the Leafs are trying to shed the label as the Make Me Laughs. Looking at the history books, the Maple Leafs are also the last “Original Six” team to win a Stanley Cup Championship (1967). That means If my math is correct, that 46 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup. The Bruins ended a 39 year drought when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

One of the stories lines is former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, who was traded to Toronto and the struggles he has had against his former team scoring (3g-6a—9pts) in 22 games against the Bruins. Kessel also didn't want to talk to the media in Toronto this week, either.

Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun – Phil Kessel has managed the impossible — he’s pulled a disappearing act before the playoff series begins against the Boston Bruins.

And in doing so, refusing to fulfil his contractual obligations and meet with the media, he wound up embarrassing team management in the process.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said general manager Dave Nonis, when apparently informed of Kessel’s unwillingness to play meet the press on Monday afternoon and doing his best to explain why. Nonis was clearly unimpressed with Kessel’s silence.

“We’ll deal with it internally,” said Nonis, who added. “Our players will be available on a going forward basis.”

Lets hope that the Boston Bruins make young Nazem Kadri eat his words, I don't know about you, but that looks like bulletin board material to me.

Nazem Kadri: "This is a very, very winnable series."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 1, 2013

(Video) Corey Perry Goalie interference on Jimmy Howard

This could have been a very dangerous play, which could have had a bad end result as Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry's skate was very close to the head area of Detroit Redwings goalie Jimmy Howard. Obviously, it wasn't what I would call a deliberate or a dirty play, it was just a dangerous play. Perry was doing what all good forwards do, he was going hard to the net. Goalies are in a dangerous field. Thank God we didn't have another Clint Malarchuk injury on our hands.

(Video) Jonathan Quick turns over the puck, and game to the Blues in O.T.

I do think that Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick would like to have that play back, not a good play, at the wrong time of the game. So, tomorrow's newspapers will read, at the 13:26 mark of overtime, Blues forward Alexander Steen scores the game winning goal off of a untimely turnover by Los Angeles Kings all-world goalie Jonathan Quick. Blues lead the series 1-0.

(Video) Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom injured during warm ups.

Shall we say that the series is not starting out well for the Minnesota Wild, as their starting goalie Niklas Backstrom was injured during warm ups. The Wild's Backstrom was tied for first in wins with Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi.

The backup goalie, Josh Harding has played in only five games all season long and only two games since January 30, 2013 and was unimpressive in relief against the Edmonton Oilers letting in three goals in the first four shots that he faced. The line on Harding, 1-1-0 .863 Save percentage and 3.20 GAA.

SCP: Blackhawks (Toews) vs. Wild (Parise)

Wild (26-19-3) 8^th vs. Blackhawks (36-7-5)1^st

Game 1: at Chicago Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:00 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

Game 2: at Chicago Friday, May 3, 2013 8:30 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

Game 3: at Minnesota Sunday May 5, 2013 2:00 PM CT, CBC, NBC

Game 4: at Minnesota Tuesday, April 30, 2013 May 7, 8:30 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

GAME 5: at Chicago Thursday May 9, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

GAME 6: at Minnesota Saturday May 11, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

GAME 7: at Chicago Sunday May 12, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

On paper this series looks like a mismatch and one that could be very short series if the Wild don’t right their ship. You have the President’s Trophy winner versus a team that basically backed into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the last day of the season. The Wild went 1-2 against the Chicago Blackhawks this season.

How bad were the Wild?

The Wild went 5-8-1 during the month of April and had to be the lowly Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on the last game of the season, to gain the eighth and final playoff spot.

Two Former Sioux go head-to-head  

 There is an interesting series side note; you have two former Fighting Sioux forwards Zach Parise (18g-20a—38pts) and Jonathan Toews (23g-25a—48pts) who both played two seasons at the University of North Dakota. Currently, both are leaders on their current squads, as well.

While neither player played with each other, while they were at the University of North Dakota.  Parise (49g-67a—116pts) played at UND from 2002-04 and Toews (40g-45a—85pts) played at UND from 2005-07. Both players enjoy icon like status at the University of North Dakota and in city of Grand Forks.

The Quest For The Cup Begins!

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, starting tomorrow night. Who's your choice to win the Stanley Cup?

UND Hockey: Three Recruits in Central Scouting Final Rankings

The Central Scouting Final Fankings are out, UND has three incoming recruits in the top 100 of for North American Skaters, for this year’s 2013 NHL Draft. Here is the list of College Hockey player’s s/t to USCHO.

Rank Player's Name Position 2012-13 Team NCAA Commitment

24 Ian McCoshen, D Waterloo (USHL), Boston College

29 John Hayden, F U.S. NTDP, Yale

34 J.T. Compher, F U.S. NTDP, Michigan

35 Michael McCarron, F U.S. NTDP, Western Michigan

40 Brett Pesce, D, New Hampshire

42 Adam Tambellini, F Surrey (BCHL), North Dakota

44 Tommy Vannelli, D U.S. NTDP, Minnesota

45 Connor Hurley, F Muskegon (USHL), Notre Dame

47 Steven Santini, D U.S. NTDP, Boston College

49 Michael Downing, D Dubuque (USHL), Michigan

51 Gustav Olofsson, D Green Bay (USHL), Colorado College

53 Keaton Thompson, D U.S. NTDP North Dakota

56 Ryan Fitzgerald, F Valley (EJHL), Boston College

60 Zach Sanford, F Middlesex (EJHL), Boston College

62 Sean Malone, F U.S. NTDP, Harvard

64 Teemu Kivihalme, D Fargo (USHL), Colorado College

67 David Pope, F West Kelowna (BCHL), Nebraska-Omaha

68 Alex Coulombe, D Stanstead College (Quebec), Vermont

70 Hudson Fasching, F U.S. NTDP, Minnesota

75 Anthony Florentino, D South Kent School, Providence

80 Jake Guentzel, F Sioux City (USHL), Nebraska-Omaha

81 Blake Heinrich, D Sioux City (USHL), Minnesota-Duluth

84 Tyler Motte, F U.S. NTDP, Michigan

86 Luke Ripley, D Powell River (BCHL), Notre Dame

87 Will Butcher, D U.S. NTDP, Denver

88 Connor Clifton, D U.S. NTDP, Quinnipiac

93 Brendan Harms, F Fargo (USHL), Bemidji State

96 Luke Johnson, F Lincoln (USHL), North Dakota

97 Jason Salvaggio, F Indiana (USHL), Connecticut

104 Wiley Sherman, D Hotchkiss School, Harvard

106 Grant Besse, F Omaha (USHL), Wisconsin

108 Aidan Muir, F Victory Honda 18U, Western Michigan

109 Brian Pinho, F St. John's Prep, Providence

111 Nolan DeJong, D Victoria (BCHL), Michigan

119 Troy Josephs F St. Michael's (OJHL) Clarkson

121 Dane Birks, D Merritt (BCHL), Michigan Tech

122 Blaine Byron, F Smiths Falls (CCHL), Maine

129 Carson Soucy, D Spruce Grove (AJHL), Minnesota-Duluth

130 Peter Quenneville, F Dubuque (USHL), Quinnipiac

132 Jonny Brodzinski, F St., Cloud State

136 Alex Kile F Green Bay (USHL) Michigan

138 Miles Wood, F Nobles & Greenough, Brown

140 Parker Reno, D Lincoln (USHL), Rensselaer

141 Neal Pionk, D Sioux City (USHL), Minnesota-Duluth

142 Andrew Copp, F, Michigan

143 Alex Iafallo F Fargo (USHL) Minnesota-Duluth

157 Evan Allen F U.S. NTDP Michigan

160 Zach Glienke F Eagan High School Maine

162 Kevin Guiltinan D Prince George (BCHL) Harvard

169 Ryan Segalla D Salisbury Prep Connecticut

170 Jake Jackson F Waterloo (USHL) Michigan Tech

176 Adam Johnson F Indiana (USHL) Minnesota-Duluth

177 Ryan Lomberg F Maine

178 Willie Raskob D Shattuck-St. Mary's Minnesota-Duluth

181 Clint Lewis D U.S. NTDP Cornell

182 John Stevens F Dubuque (USHL) Northeastern

183 Mike Williamson D Spruce Grove (AJHL) Penn State

184 Josh Healey D Sherwood Park (AJHL) Ohio State

186 Ross Olsson F Cedar Rapids (USHL) Northeastern

191 Anthony Louis F U.S. NTDP Miami

192 Trevor Moore F Tri-City (USHL) Denver

193 Taylor Cammarata F Waterloo (USHL) Minnesota

198 Quin Pompi D Berkshire Prep Princeton

201 Thomas Aldworth F Tri-City (USHL) Providence

202 Keifer Sherwood F Youngstown (USHL) Miami

203 Justin Kloos F Waterloo (USHL) Minnesota

204 Paul Stoykewych D Winnipeg (MJHL) Western Michigan

208 Gabe Guertler F Fargo (USHL) Minnesota

209 Vinni Lettieri F Lincoln (USHL) Minnesota

210 Frank DiChiara F Dubuque (USHL) Yale

Cal Clutterbuck to the Oilers… Ouch!

A while back I took some heat on twitter for suggesting that the Minnesota Wild let Cal Clutterbuck walk, when the season is over. Now we have an Oilers beat writer from the Edmonton Journal suggesting that the Edmonton Oilers trade for Clutterbuck. Yeah that’s going to play well for Oilers and Wild fans. Not!

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal – The Minnesota Wild likely can’t re-sign disturber Cal Clutterbuck for salary-cap reasons, so they will try to trade the restricted free agent this summer. As much as Clutterbuck doesn’t fight, which irks people when he runs them, the Edmonton Oilers should be all over this one. He could be a third-liner, for sure, and he provides energy, which was in very short supply this past season.

It will be interesting to see where some of the players on the Wild end up at the end of the season. Like I have said in the past, there are a lot of moving parts for the Minnesota Wild, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Matt Cullen are unrestricted free agents and you have to think that PMB is going to be gone, based on the unproductive and unimpressive season that he has had. Who knows with Cullen? Clutterbuck, Justin Falk and Jared Spurgeon are Restricted Free Agents; I can't imagine the Wild letting all of these players walk.

Next season, the salary cap for the Minnesota Wild is going to be 64,300,000.00 currently, the Minnesota Wild are sitting at about 70,120,744.00. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has said in the past month, that Dany Heatly is likely amnesty buyout candidate this summer. So we will see. Like I said, there are a lot of moving parts.

Milan Lucic and Chris Neil Fight

This is my definition of a heavy weight fight between Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic and Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil. After not being in a fight for 26 games, Lucic has now been in a fight in two out of his last three games. With the fight tonight, Lucic has now accumulated five fighting majors for the season. That is also the sixth fighting major of the year for the Senators forward Chris Neil.