Bryan Bickell hits Tom Gilbert

In football we used to have a saying, it's better to be the hammer, than the nail. Ouch! Check out this big time hit by Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell puts on Minnesota Wild Defenseman Tom Gilbert.

NCAA Hockey: Coaches want to keep the status quo

A couple of things have come out of the NCAA hockey meetings so far. Frankly, I am not all that happy with what has come out of the NCAA meetings. I didn’t really have that high of expectations anyways.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald – There was a proposal at the annual Florida meetings last week to change the NCAA tournament format to allow the top eight seeds to host a best-of-three series in the first round, but it was met with resistance from a segment of coaches, Faison said.

“Clearly, for me, I’ve always been a supporter of the top eight hosting in the first round,” said Faison, who will be a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee in September. “I think it’s a better way. There are still going to be upsets. It’s just better for the game.”

The primary concern of coaches with that format is that it’s not a competitively fair situation, Faison said.

In a nut shell, “certain” schools appear to want to keep the status quo, when it comes to the NCAA Division I Hockey Tourney.  But why would they want to change? Currently in its present form, the NCAA Hockey Tourney working marvelously for them.  Why would the eastern schools want to get on a plane and have to travel to say Denver, Minnesota, North Dakota or Wisconsin and play a best-of-three series when they can play a one-and-done series in their own back yard.

The same schools would also benefit from hosting their share of best-of-three series as well. So their refusal to be open to change is puzzling.

Going forward, this means, we will continue to let the schools out east drive an hour or less and play in what is basically their own back yards.

On the flip side, the NCAA will continue to have the western schools fly long distances and play in empty arenas, in unattractive cities in places that you would never dream of traveling to.

For whatever reason, the NCAA won’t make the eastern teams travel.

According to Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman, “BU and BC have got on a plane 3 times for a regional in the last 13 years. The teams lost by four goals in the 1st round each time.”

The NCAA wants regional games played in arenas posing as quiet emotionless mausoleums, all under the guise of the regional being held at “neutral” sites. The fact remains, these sites are not in fact “neutral” sites. All you have to do is look at Google maps to prove my point. The University of New Hampshire is 45 minutes away from last year’s regional site in Manchester, New Hampshire.

It appears that the UND hockey team is going to get a chance at hosting a regional “close” to Grand Forks, ND. Again, since the NCAA has decided in their infinite wisdom they don’t want any more regionals on-campus and want to play in empty arenas posing as quiet emotionless mausoleums, all under the guise of the regional being held at “neutral” sites. This would be the next best option, next to the Xcel Energy Center.

UND athletic director Brian Faison said the school is working on putting together a bid to host a men’s hockey regional at Fargo’s Scheels Arena in 2015 or 2016.

I know, be careful what you ask for. Right? That being said, there is going to be a problem with having a regional championship at that location. Having been to the Scheels Arena in Fargo, I don’t think it’s big enough for a regional championship. The Scheels Arena only seats 5,000 people for hockey.

What if the NCAA puts Minnesota and North Dakota in the same regional, they’ve done it on many occasions. In essence, Scheels Arena wouldn’t be big enough to accommodate both schools ticket demands. When you put a regional close to a host school like North Dakota with a rabid fan base like UND, their fans are going to show up. The same is true with Minnesota.  It will be interesting to see how this ends up.

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: Coaches want to keep the status quo (thehockeywriters.com)
• Time to move the NCAA Hockey Tourney back on campus (thehockeywriters.com)
• Time to move the NCAA Hockey Tourney back on campus (insidehockey.com)

David Krejci scores the Game Winner in Overtime for the Bruins

Boston Bruins forward David Krejci scored a hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs, including this game winning goal. With the win tonight, the Boston Bruins also take a 3-1 series lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring three goals in 15 minutes period during the second period, before the Toronto Maple Leafs evened the score. Krejci scored the game winning goal at the 13:06 mark of the overtime period. The Bruins can end the series on Friday night in Boston.

Vancouver Canucks new logo

“@thegemlife: Canucks new logo twitter.com/TheGemLife/sta…” @knuter7
— Tyler Lindstrom (@TylerLindstrom_) May 9, 2013

So sue, I hate the Vancouver Canucks.

UND made 3 Million + Men's Hockey Ticket Sales.

University of North Dakota	Unit ID: 200280
General Information	Athletic Department Information
264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193 Grand Forks,  ND 58202-8193 Phone: 800-225-5863 Number of Full-time Undergraduates: 9,265 Men: 4,897 Women: 4,368	Director: Brian Faison 2751 2nd Avenue North Stop 9013 GRAND FORKS,  ND 58202-9013 Reporting Year: 7/1/2011 - 6/30/2012 Reporting Official: Erik Martinson Title: Business Operations Phone: 701-777-0835 Sanctioning Body: NCAA Division I-AA

Total Revenues by Team
Varsity Teams	Men's Teams	Women's Teams	Total
Basketball	$1,047,088	$1,025,953	$2,073,041
Football	$2,961,719		$2,961,719
Total Revenues of all Sports, Except Football and Basketball, Combined	$5,660,001	$3,899,711	$9,559,712
Total Revenues Men's and Women's Teams	$9,668,808	$4,925,664	$14,594,472
Not Allocated by Gender/Sport			$2,917,820
Grand Total for all Teams (includes by team and not allocated by gender/sport)			$17,512,292
CAVEAT
Men's hockey had an exceptional year with $3,318211.00 in ticket sales for FY12.

You can get all of the stats by searching on this link [click to search]

Former College Hockey Players in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played college hockey (Division I & III).

The players are listed by their NHL team. These are players that have played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.

This list doesn’t include players that are currently injured or that on their teams roster, but haven’t played at least one Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list weekly.

Anaheim Ducks

Nick Bonino, F, Boston University, 4 GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Kyle Palmieri, F, Notre Dame, 4 GP, (1g-2a—3pts)

Andrew Cogliano, F, University of Michigan, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Ben Lovejoy, D, Dartmouth, 4 GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

David Steckel, F, Ohio State, 4 GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Daniel Winnik, F, New Hampshire, 4 GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Boston Bruins

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 2 GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 4GP, (4g-1a—5pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 4GP, (1g-2a—3pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 4GP, (0G-1A—1pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jonathon Toews,F,  North Dakota, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Detroit Red Wings

Brendan Smith, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Gustav Nyquist, F, Maine, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Patrick Eaves, F, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Justin Abdelkader, F, Michigan State, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Danny Dekeyser, D, Western Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jimmy Howard, G, Maine, 2-2, .900 SV%, 2.82 GAA

LA Kings

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 2Gp, (0g-2a—2tps)

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 4GP, 2-2, .941 SV% 1.67 GAA

Minnesota Wild

Matt Cullen, F, St. Cloud, 4GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Jason Zucker, F, Denver, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Charlie Coyle, F, Boston University, 4GP, (0a-2a—2pts)

Zach Parise, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Tom Gilbert, D, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ryan Suter, D, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Torrey Mitchell, F, Vermont, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Montreal Canadiens

Rene Bourque, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Brian Gionta, F, Boston College, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jeff Halpern, F, Princeton University, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Max Pacioretty, F, Michigan, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

New York Islanders

Kyle Okposo, F, Minnesota, 4GP, (3g-1a—4pts)

Matt Moulson, F, Cornell, 4GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Colin McDonald, F, Providence, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Keith Aucoin, F, Norwich University, 4GP, (0a-1a—1pts)

Brad Strait, D, Boston University, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Marty Reasoner, F, Boston College, 1 GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

New York Rangers

Brian Boyle, F, Boston College, 2 GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Ryan McDonagh, D, Wisconsin, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Carl Hagelin, F, Michigan, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Derek Stepan, F, Wisconsin, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Darroll Powe, F, Princeton, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Kreider, F, Boston College, 1 GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ottawa Senators

Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Erik Condra, F, Notre Dame, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Cory Conacher, F, Canisius College 3GP, (1G-0a—1pts)

Eric Gryba, D, Boston University, 2Gp, (0g-0a—0pts)

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Denver, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 4Gp, (2g-2a—4pts)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 4GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (4g-4a—8pts)

Dan Boyle, D, Miami, 4GP, (1g-3a—4pts)

Tommy Wingels, F, Miami, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Justin Braun, D, UMass, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Irwin, D, UMass, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tim Kennedy, F, Michigan State, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Adam Burish, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

T.J. Galiardi, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

St. Louis Blues

T.J. Oshie, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Kevin Shattenkirk, D, Boston University, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

David Backes, F, Minnesota State, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Jordan Leopold, D, Minnesota, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Andy McDonald, D, Colgate, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Porter, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jaden Schwartz, F, Colorado College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Brian Elliott, G, Wisconsin, 4GP, 2-2, .935 SV% 1.67

Toronto Maple Leafs

James Van Riemsdyk, F, New Hampshire, 3GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Phil Kessel, F, Minnesota, 3GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Jake Gardiner, D, Wisconsin, 2GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Matt Frattin, F, North Dakota, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tyler Bozak, F, Denver, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

John-Michael Liles, D, Michigan State, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ryan O’Byrne, D, Cornell, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Michael Kostka, D, UMass, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Vancouver Canucks (Eliminated 4-0 by the Sharks)

Ryan Kessler, F, Ohio State, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Kevin Bieksa, D, Bowling Green, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Andrew Alberts, D, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Higgins, F, Yale, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Mason Raymond, F, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Andrew Ebbett, F, Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jason Garrison, D, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cory Schneider, G, Boston College, 2GP, 0-2, .880 SV%, 4.62 GAA

Washington Capitals

Jay Beagle, F, Anchorage, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Jack Hillen, F, Colorado College, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Steven Oleksy, D, Lake Superior State, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Hendricks, F, Saint Cloud, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine...

You have to love Adam Burish’s candor

This was golden, I know this is a day old but It’s worth the read if you haven’t seen it yet. Former Badger forward and current San Jose Shark Adam Burish responded to Vancouver Canucks defenseman Bieska’s charges that the Sharks were embellishing during their series against the Canucks. On its face, this charge is hilarious, if not preposterous, because the Canucks are known around the National Hockey League as being perpetual divers and have two of the biggest divers in the league. Check it out.

Kevin Kurz, CSNBayArea.com -- [Adam] Burish offered a suggestion to the Vancouver defenseman.

“I guess it if I was him, while he's up on his soap box trying to save the integrity of the game and doing all that stuff, I'd swing by player No. 14 (Alex Burrows) and player No. 17 (Ryan Kesler) – The Beast – and have a little talk with them about diving and the integrity. Then he can work his way over to our room.

“But, I'd start with those two guys in his room.”

Burish wasn't done.

“It was silly to call out the refs and worry about what we're doing. Please, keep worrying about us. But, in our room we're going to worry about our guys, what we've got to do, how we can be better and not worry about the integrity of the game and have props in interviews, and act like a lawyer with video evidence."

This is one of the reasons that no one likes the Vancouver Canucks outside of the Province of British Colombia. The point is also mute now, because the Canucks were eliminated by the Sharks last night.

Chris Neil elbows P.K. Subban and he embellishes yet again

I thought this was funny, even the announcers think that P.K. Subban embellished in an attempt to get the a call from the referee. I also think this is why some people don't like Subban and his antics. I have said this a thousand times, he's an awesome talent, it's the other crap that takes away from his game. I will give him a 4.5 on that one. If Chris Neil really wanted to elbow him, he would know it.

Niklas Kronwall's hit on Emerson Etem

s/t to Kuklas Korner... Last night was pretty tame night of hockey, compared to the night before. Obviously, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators gave us a lot to talk about, but no one was suspended, ironically… I am not sure how that happened.

On Monday night, the other series just played hockey and scored goals, there wasn’t a lot of controversy. In the L.A. and St. Louis series, both teams kept hitting each other. According to Don Cherry of the Coaches Corner there was 92 hits in game three.

This hit is for my two delusional buddies Mafia Man and Redwing77, who for whatever reason enjoy watching paint dry… I mean, watching the Detroit Red Wings play hockey.

Don Cherry talks about Josh Harding on HNIC Coach's Corner

On tonight's Coach's Corner, Don Cherry mentioned Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding. I thought it was a nice touch by Don Cherry. I was talking to someone the other day, and it would make a nice story if the Minnesota Wild were able to make it out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Obviously, it's a tall order, especially against the Presidents Trophy winning Blackhawks and with a goalie that hasn't played very much the last few years. No matter what happens to the Wild going forward, I think that Josh Harding has played pretty well.

Bieksa accuses Sharks of embellishment

"Whether you think we’re embellishers or not doesn’t take away the fact those 2 guys are doing it as well. Forget about the past." - Bieksa
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 6, 2013

This is funny stuff... apparently, Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Kevin Bieksa is accusing the San Jose Sharks of embellishing and head snapping. You can't make this stuff up. Seriously! This is coming from a guy that has on it's team roster such clownish buffoons as Alex Burrows, and Maxim Lapierre, two of the biggest frauds in the NHL. I don't know how he can say this with a straight face. Let's not forget that this is the roster that also includes accomplished divers Henrick and Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kessler, evidence included below. This is way too funny. Maybe Bieksa should worry about his own team first.

More Bieksa: “Those are 2 Canadian guys who are supposed to be playing the game with integrity. Maybe our team has to do more of that.”
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 6, 2013

(This stuff is gold.) Bieksa: “Couture has been snapping his head back. This isn’t my opinion. The evidence is in the video.”
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 6, 2013

Rene Bourque elbow on Cory Conacher

So, I want to know why Montreal Canadiens forward Rene Bourque isn't getting a call from the NHL’s Department of Players Safety today for this vicious elbow on Senators forward Cory Conacher? Seriously? Looking at the video evidence last night’s game, I have concluded that this elbow is just as bad, if not worse than the elbow that resulted in Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference getting suspended for one game. I would really love to hear what others think of this elbow. Why do you think that there is no suspension coming?

Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Donnybrook; P.K. Subban is a clown

Tonight, the Montreal Canadiens acted like a bunch of classless hacks. I don't know who the bigger clown is, P.K. Subban or the head coach of the Montreal Canadians. I don't blame the Ottawa Senators for taking the Habs to the wood shed tonight, Canadiens were begging for a beat down and they kept slashing the Senators and they obliged the Canadiens.

I also don't blame the Senators head coach Paul MacLean who called a timeout very late in the game. Make that 17 seconds left in the game. Of course the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens didn't like it. “As far as I’m concerned, it was classless,” Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien said.



Finally, talking about classless hacks. P.K. Subban runs his mouth up and down the ice, the guy is an absolute circus clown. Subban leaves his feet to check his opponent and is basically a two bit punk. When asked to fight, Subban turtles or runs and hides behind the refs, unless it's someone that weighs less than him.

Tonight, Subban (6'0" 200 lbs) fought heavy weight fighter Kyle Turris (6'0" 170 lbs), who is another player that is not known for his fighting prowess, according to Hockeyfights.com, Turris has been in three fights during his NHL career. Subban should really be proud of this fight, then he breaks the hockey code by punching Turris as he lays on the ice while he is tied up by the official.

subban leaving feet in gm1 RT @sensprospects Besides outcome, how is this hit diff than Gryba's hit? Guess allowed twitter.com/SensProspects/…
— sensblog (@sensblog) May 4, 2013

A bit of randomness from RW77

University of Alaska Anchorage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, it's been a while since I posted here and there's a few random things I'm going to mini-rant about.  Before I do, however, I freely acknowledge that I'm no expert and that these are MY OPINIONS ONLY.

Ok....

Sure, I'll take on a job that's sure to be a lost cause...

That's my take on what a coach would have to think about when accepting the UAA Head Coaching gig.  As a UND fan, you don't get much insight into the internals and the atmosphere around the UAA program in Anchorage, but over the period of time from the end of Hill's tenure until now, it seems like it's just one bad year after another.  Sure, there were a few "ups" along the way but comon...

Now everyone, including alumni and former players, are giving the vote of No Confidence to UAA AD Steve Cobb.  I find myself wondering if Cobb is behind all of it, or is it above even him?

I can't imagine trying to sell UAA to a player from...say... Massachusetts, California, or even the Midwest.  It's so far away and isolated (even if it is a wonderful place...at least that's how I remember Anchorage anyhow).  I remember thinking during the coaching search after Hill left that whoever gets that job will inherit the toughest coaching gig in the WCHA and certainly among the hardest in all of DI hockey.

It seems that NO ONE wants to go to Anchorage.  So, if you keep on dreaming of diamonds being found in the rough that you convince to come to campus, how can you not have bad years year after year?

I don't think UAA should fold their program.  I do think they have something to bring to the table, but UAA is a big time dependent upon institutional support.  If it doesn't get it, it goes under.  I'd venture the same thing goes for MTU and even UNO (living in Omaha, I can tell you if the Husker football team is playing, no one gives a flying bleep about UNO hockey).  UNO gets it.  I believe MTU has gotten it as well.  UAA definitely does not... at least not totally.  If it goes completely, then it will follow the math UAH did but succeed and go the way of Findlay, Iona, and Wayne State.

Submariners on Skates

I despise diving.  I also despise officials that take forever to get the game going again after reviewing it but....  I think that's what's going to have to happen.  I am convinced that on ice officials do not call diving as much as they should because they cannot recognize diving when they see it in real time.  The truth is that diving has become a part of the game.  Not just because the refs don't call it when it happens, but because the coaches (at best) ignore it when players do it or, even worse, condone such acts.  Even the media at times refers to a clever dive as "Drawing a penalty."  (Though I admit freely that not every time a player draws a penalty is he diving).

I think the only ways to eliminate diving are long term or unacceptable solutions.  The long term is simply to replace all the coaches in amateur hockey with hockey coaches that have a heavy hand against diving.  They teach that it is wrong and do something about it when they see it (with or without their rose colored glasses).  There's nothing to say that this is even possible, either.

Secondly, use the replay system... post game.  If the head office spots a dive by another player, that player is brought in for a conduct review and a 1 or 2 game suspension gets handed out for diving after the fact. 

Related articles

• UAA Suspends Search For Head Hockey Coach (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
• Hockey alums give AD a no-confidence vote (sfgate.com)
• UNO Hockey: Ryan Walters to return for senior year (thehockeywriters.com)
• UAA arena to be called Alaska Airlines Center (sfgate.com)
• AD Steve Cobb Interview on UAA Firing/New Arena (thearu.com)

Jason Zucker game winner against the Blackhawks

For the most part I thought that the Minnesota Wild were the better team today, except for the two-four  minute period of time where the Minnesota Wild tried to sit on the lead and it came back to bite them in the back side.

Zucker: On the game winning goal "I Just tried to get it to the net and tried to go up high cause it was open and it did." #mnwild
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

Zucker: "That crowd was unbelievable and you feed on that stuff."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

Did Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick call out Sidney Crosby for taking a dive?

I might have to admit, that I agree with Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick on this one here. I thought it was a bad call. I also thought that Sidney Crosby went down really easy. The word embellishment was on the tip of my tongue as well, after I saw the play live.

If I am not mistaken, they're kind of accusing Sidney Crosby of taking a bit of a dive there... Is that what others are hearing too? I am hearing buzz words here. Pittsburgh was the beneficiaries of a somewhat sketchy call at the end. Crosby also goes down a little bit too easy there. Hum!

Love reading all the tweets about today's games. Even all the bitching and whining those certain classless penguin fans r doing. Comical
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) May 5, 2013

(Video) Jason Zucker levels Brent Seabrook and then stands over him....

In the first two games of the series the Minnesota Wild got outhit, out-hustled and were beat to the puck in every instance. Through two periods of play the Wild have been better. I think it's a fitting way to end the period. Nice hit by Wild forward Jason Zucker as he put a nice hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook

Dion Phaneuf’s High Hit On Daniel Paille

Obviously, we have heard of no hearing or potential suspension upcoming for Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf’s high, questionable hit on Boston forward Daniel Paille during Game 2 Saturday night in Boston. The Bruins have to pick their spots against Phaneuf, because he really isn't known for dropping the gloves either, he likes to hide behind his half shield and the Bruins don't want to get an unnecessary penalty for taking a run at Phaneuf. Getting the win in the series is more important than evening a score against Phaneuf.

This is the reason that I want to see the instigator hit removed from the game of hockey. I think if a player had to answer for their hits on the ice more often. There would be less of these high hits to the head region. I no problem with players that want to play a hitting game – hitting is part of the game of hockey, but you can hit people hard without hitting them in the head.

Wes Walz pokes fun at the Sedin twins

I suppose in today's world someone will take offense to this and probably will complain. To be honest with you, I hate the Vancouver Canucks, I think their a bunch of divers, cry babies and frauds. So, I am inclined to cut Wes Walz some slack and laugh with him on this one... Plus, he's a former Bruins and Wild player.

Carey Price appears to lose a tooth

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price took a skate to the face from fellow teammate Jared Tinordi. At the whistle, Price skated to Canadiens bench and it looks like he handed the trainer his dislodged tooth. So, the first thought that comes to mind. Is there a bare nerve in Price’s mouth?  All I can say is ouch! That has to hurt? Nothing hurts more than losing teeth and air on a bare nerve. One has to wonder; don't these guys wear mouth guards?