Marian Hossa out for game three against the Bruins

Never boring in the leadup to a Stanley Cup Final game. However, this news on Hossa thickens the plot more than most.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 18, 2013

This is some interesting and shocking news... Marian Hossa is out for game three of the Stanley Cup Finals. Former B.C. Eagle forward Ben Smith takes his place in the line up... Smith has played one game for the Blackhawks this season.

#Blackhawks Ben Smith goes in for late scratch Marian Hossa, who apparently got hurt in warmups
— Pat Leonard (@NYDNRangers) June 18, 2013

Ben Smith in the lineup. Does. Not. Compute. For Boston College B's fans. #WeareBC
— BC Interruption (@bcinterruption) June 18, 2013

Former UND forward Corban Knight to test free agent market.

Corban Knight is headed for free agency. “@Lowetide_: Jason Gregor with a story about a center with size. Hmmm. http://t.co/qaVktgAsIE”
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) June 17, 2013

There has been some speculation on-line this summer where the former Hobey Baker Memorial Candidate might end up. It's beginning to sound like it might be the Edmonton Oilers organization.

Jason Gregor, Edmonton Journal - So why didn’t the Panthers sign the resident of High River?

“After my season finished, we had talks with Florida and negotiations took place, but it turned out it wasn’t going to work out for both parties. We told Florida we were going to wait until free agency (Aug. 15) or a trade,” explained Knight.

The Panthers have drafted Jonathon Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck, Nick Bjugstad and Quinton Howden in the past three years, and they want to give them a shot. After speaking with the Panthers and looking at their depth chart Knight and his agent felt it was in his best interest to test the free-agent market.

Three teams have contacted the Panthers about acquiring Knight, and the Oilers are one of them, according to my sources. Will they sign another top college free agent two years in a row?

Is Knight ready to play in the NHL this season?

“To be honest, four years ago and even two years ago I would tell you there was no chance that I was ready to step into professional hockey, and more specifically the NHL,” said Knight.

“However, with my development at UND I was able to get stronger and more physically mature, and I’ve taken big steps improving my foot speed. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for the NHL and the guys playing there, it is the best league in the world. However, I think if I was able to come into a training camp, have a good camp and get some lucky breaks, I’d like to think I’d have a chance to crack an opening-day roster.”

Tough week for hockey: Edmonton loses prospect

Oklahoma City Barons (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week, was a tough week for hockey. While we morn the passing of former Colorado College Tiger forward Scott Winkler. Last week, we also got word that Edmonton Oilers prospect Kristians Pelss had drowned in Latvia.

Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal - For days Josh Green held out hope that Kristians Pelss had not drowned, that it was just a horrible coincidence that he was missing and that someone else had jumped into the Daugava River in Riga, Latvia.

Sadly, the search came to a tragic end on Saturday when Pelss, a 20-year-old Edmonton Oilers prospect, was confirmed dead.

“When I heard the initial reports, I was absolutely floored. You just feel sick to your stomach but you keep hoping for a miracle. It’s so sad,” said Green, the captain of the Oklahoma City Barons.

“We spent most of the year with him. He didn’t play in the playoffs but he was with us every day. Just a real good kid, a real hard worker, and he had this dry wit when it came to his humor, which is what I liked about him.”

Travis Ewanyk spent two seasons with Pelss in the Oil Kings fold, a memorable stretch that included the team’s Memorial Cup run in 2012. Ewanyk then closed out this season with Pelss in Oklahoma City. He had many conversations with Oil King teammates and coaches over the course of the past few trying days.

Related articles

• Edmonton Oilers confirm death of 20-year-old prospect Kristians Pelss (metronews.ca)
• Oilers prospect Kristians Pelss reported missing in Latvia (globalnews.ca)
• Oilers prospect Pelss drowns in Latvia (bnd.com)
• Oilers prospect missing: Report (lfpress.com)

Satisfaction waning for ticket buyers in two of Badgers' biggest sports

s/t Sioux Volley... There was an interesting article that was posted in the Madison Newspaper on June 11, 2013, that was written by Todd Milewski.

I think that you will find some of the points of the article to be very interesting to why Wisconsin Badgers "might" have experienced a drop off in attendance and ticket sales last season.

That comes after a season in which the Badgers did not lead the nation in men's hockey attendance for the first time since 1998.

"I think hockey's in a little bit of what will ultimately be a positive transitional phase in the scheduling in that you're going to have all the games against the Big Ten schools plus the games against nonconference opponents that people are familiar with," Doherty said.

Athletics officials received no shortage of comments from hockey fans. Among them:

• "Take steps to improve game-day atmosphere such as increased marketing to increase attendance, allow signs, etc., in student section."

• "Allow signs, noisemakers, other items to enhance the environment."

• "Allow beer sales at the Kohl Center."

• "The value is severely diminished when you do not get Minnesota and/or North Dakota at home."

Last season, the Badgers sold one of their home games against archrival Minnesota to a company that staged it outdoors at Chicago's Soldier Field.

"Sending your premier rivalry game to Chicago shows disrespect to your fan base," one comment read.

Despite the dip in game-day satisfaction with men's basketball, the report indicates that the athletic department should not expect a decline in renewal rate next season.

Read more: 

(Video) Game 2 Stanley Cup Finals: Daniel Paille goal wins it for Boston in game two

Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille scored at the 13:48 mark of the first overtime, to give the Boston Bruins the win and tie the series 1-1. With the win, the Boston Bruins go back to Boston with the series momentum and the home ice advantage.

If you watched the first period, you saw that the Bruins were on their heels for most of the first period. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask held down the fort until his Bruins teammates could get back into the game. After the game, some of the Boston Bruins thought this was one of their worst periods of the season. On the flip side, the overtime period was one of their best of the season.

How one sided was it? In the first the first period, the Blackhawks out shoot the Bruins 19-4. The score probably could have been 4-0 after one period.

The Bruins would get the momentum back in the second period and would out shoot the Blackhawks 16-9 the rest of the way in regulation. The Bruins also out shoot the Blackhawks in the overtime period as well 8-6.

Game Day: Game two 2013 Stanley Cup Finals Boston versus Chicago

The Boston Bruins have gotten some good news, Nathan Horton will play in game two, so the Hulk Line will "start" the game in tact. It will be interesting to see how long Horton can go, his shoulder has been messed up during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hawks have won 8 of 9, including 3 in OT and 6 straight at home. Bruins have not lost in regulation since Game 6 of the ECQF, 9-2 since.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 15, 2013

#Bruins winger Nathan Horton will play in Game 2 of tonight's Stanley Cup Final.
— Spector's Hockey (@SpectorsHockey) June 15, 2013

CHI's Jonathan Toews wins Selke Trophy as NHL's top defensive forward.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 14, 2013

Related articles

• 2013 Stanley Cup Finals: Lucic's second goals against the Blackhawks (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Milan Lucic goal vs. Blackhawks (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Chicago's Andrew Shaw drops the F-Bomb

I was watching this post game interview with my wife and I said he just dropped an F-Bomb, and Pierre McGuire didn't even bat an eye. It was late and not many people probably noticed.

Travis Beck arrest video portrays NDSU football in a positive light

Check out the Fargo Police video of the arrest of NDSU linebacker Travis Beck's, this was filmed in the back of a Fargo police car as  he's being placed under arrest and then transported to the hospital on June 9, 2013.

If you watch the video, it doesn't shed a very positive light on the NDSU football program or  Travis Beck. [click to watch the video] on this same link you can also watch the incident video, which is sketchy at best. Like I predicted many in the NDSU fan base are making Beck out to be the victim in this incident, if you listen to the video you will hear that this isn't the first time that he's resisted arrest.

Of course Travis Beck is a victim and misunderstood, if you read the fan message boards. Here's the problem, he's downtown intoxicated, getting in an physical altercation, he's not without fault like some have suggested. The fact remains, that NDSU Football program under Craig Bohl has an image problem. Don't expect a suspension in this matter.

Related articles

• NDSU Football: Prosecutors drop felony assault charge against Bison linebacker (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NDSU Travis Beck suspended from Bison Football team after Felonious assault outside Fargo Bar (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Attorney: Bison linebacker's conduct 'defensible' (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

CC mourns death of Scott Winkler

CC mourns death of Scott Winkler: Colorado College and Tiger Hockey are mourning the loss of Scott Winkler, wh... http://t.co/hEZFU990Us
— CC Tiger Athletics (@CCTigers) June 13, 2013

As Redwing77 mentioned, Former Colorado College Tigers forward, Scott Winker died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, in Asker, Norway. Scott Winkler was 23 years old.

C.C. Tigers -- Colorado College and Tiger Hockey are mourning the loss of Scott Winkler, who died unexpectedly on Wednesday at his parents' home in Norway after recently completing his senior season with the Tigers.

No other details of his passing are available at this time.

Winkler graduated from CC on May 20 with a bachelor's degree in economics. A third-round selection of the Dallas Stars in the 2008 NHL draft, he had recorded career highs of 13 goals and 28 points for the Tigers in 2012-13.

"It is an unfathomable tragedy to see a talented young man pass at such an early age," said Ken Ralph, director of athletics at CC. "This spring we have seen Scott put in a great deal of work to prepare himself for his professional career and the rest of his life. He had such a bright future ahead of him. I'd like to ask all Colorado College fans and supporters of college hockey everywhere to keep the Winkler family in your thoughts and prayers."

Born and raised in Asker, Norway, Winkler came to the United States in 2007 to play for the Russell Stover midget major AAA team in Overland Park, Kan. He played a year of juniors for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League in 2008-09 before enrolling at Colorado College as a freshman. He compiled 63 points (24g,39a) in 120 career games with the Tigers.

Some Sad News (RW77)

Ok, I know this doesn't relate to the NHL or to UND Hockey or, I guess, to NDSU athletics but...

Just graduated CC Forward Scott Winkler was found dead at his parent's home in Norway yesterday (Wednesday, June 12th).  He was 23.

This is definitely not cool.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the Winkler family and friends.

I hope the rest of the UND Hockey family would do the same.

NDSU Football: Prosecutors drop felony assault charge against Bison linebacker

Well, Travis Beck will be back on the team, everything will be alright. NDSU can move forward with their star linebacker on the team. Beck will still have to answer to the resisting arrest charges.

Forum Staff Reports, Inforum -- Prosecutors in Cass County have scheduled a news conference for 2:30 p.m. today to address the felony assault charge pending against a star linebacker for North Dakota State University’s football team.

Travis Beck, 21, is accused of punching a man in the head multiple times in what began as a verbal fight in a downtown Fargo bar on Saturday night and Sunday morning, allegedly leaving the man unconscious on the sidewalk.

Beck was arrested on Sunday morning and charged Monday in Cass County District Court with one count of Class C felony aggravated assault.

Defense attorney Bruce Quick said earlier this week that Beck is cooperating fully with the ongoing police investigation.

“There’s much more to this case that what’s gotten out there,” Quick said.

As a tax paying citizen of ND, I want these charges of resisting arrest to remain, I don't want them thrown out. The Average citizen cannot just walk away from the cops when they command you to stop and just because you’re an athlete doesn’t make your special. If you’re innocent you stop.

2013 Stanley Cup Finals: Triple overtime goal by Chicago's Andrew Shaw; Chicago 4 Boston 3

Game one is in the books... At The 12:08 mark of the third overtime period of game one of the Stanley Cup Finals, Chicago Forward Andrew Shaw scored the game winning goal against the Boston Bruins.

Congrats to our 5 winners. Sorry if you didn't win a free T. But, you can buy them for charity and say you won. bucciovertimechallenge.com
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) June 13, 2013

Hilarious tweet from @INCH

When Oduya scored? RT @richarddeitsch: Via @passantino Stunning Getty pic of lightning striking CHI skyline tonight: twitter.com/passantino/sta…
— Mike Eidelbes (@INCH) June 13, 2013

2013 Stanley Cup Finals: Lucic's second goals against the Blackhawks

At the 0:51 mark of the second period, the Hulk Line struck again. Boston Bruins forward, Milan Lucic scored his second goal of the game, his fifth goal of the Stanley Cup Finals, to push the Boston Bruins to a 2-0 lead, assisting on the goal was David Krejci.

That 2-0 lead was short lived as the Chicago Blackhawks would get a goal from Bradon Saad at the 03:08 mark of the second period.

Bruins' top line of Lucic-Krejci-Horton has combined for 56 points this postseason.
— Joe McDonald (@ESPNJoeyMac) June 13, 2013

2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Milan Lucic goal vs. Blackhawks

That's first goal of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs for Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic (4), assisting on the goal for the Boston Bruins, forwards Nathan Horton (11) and David Krejci (13).

The Boston Bruins outshot the Chicago Blackhawks 11-8 in the first period. That was also the first goal of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.

#Bruins are 8-2 this postseason when scoring first goal of the game. #Blackhawks are 3-3 when allowing first goal.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 13, 2013

Attorney: Bison linebacker's conduct 'defensible'

The Spin is starting in Fargo already for NDSU all-star linebacker Travis Beck... It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I predict that this kid will be playing for NDSU when the season kicks for NDSU.

Emily Welker, INFORUM – The attorney for Travis Beck, a star linebacker for North Dakota State University’s football team, said Beck’s conduct “was entirely defensible” in an incident outside a downtown bar here Sunday morning that led to charges of felony aggravated assault.

Beck, 21, is accused of hitting a man in the head multiple times in what began as a verbal fight in Sports Bar, allegedly leaving the man unconscious.

Defense attorney Bruce Quick said Tuesday that Beck is cooperating fully with the police investigation, which is ongoing.

“There’s much more to this case than what’s gotten out there,” said Quick, but he declined to provide details.

Beck was arrested on Sunday morning and charged Monday in Cass County District Court with one count of Class C felony aggravated assault.

If you’re a Bison Team maker or NDSU football fan, do you care? Is this a black eye on your program or is the mentality win at all cost and this is nothing to worry about…Boys will be boys right? Who cares if one of your star players are out punching people out at 0200 in the morning in front of a sports bar in Fargo?

NDSU Travis Beck suspended from Bison Football team after Felonious assault outside Fargo Bar

Ruh-roh! This isn’t going to end well for the NDSU Football team. This incident is going to be hard for NDSU to spin in a favorable way. This isn’t a minor in consumption or a voter fraud charge.

NDSU Linebacker Travis Beck (Munich, ND) the 2012 NCAA FCS Championship Game Most Valuable Players has been suspended indefinitely after being charged with felony aggravated assault. It will be interesting to see if Beck is on the team when the Bison take the field against Kansas State, in Manhattan, Kansas on August 30, 2013.

Jeff Kolpack, INFORUM – A standout North Dakota State University football player was charged Monday with felony aggravated assault, accused of beating a man unconscious in a downtown Fargo street after the bars let out early Sunday.

Travis Beck, 21, is accused of striking 24-year-old Matthew Aanenson several times, knocking him unconscious in the 600 block of NP Avenue, according to a Fargo police report.

Fargo police Deputy Chief Pat Claus said Aanenson was taken by ambulance to Sanford Medical Center with unknown injuries to his head. A Sanford spokesperson said Aanenson was not a patient there as of Monday afternoon.

Beck faces a Class C felony charge of aggravated assault, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.

Beck was suspended from the team pending further information, head coach Craig Bohl said in a Monday written statement:

“Due to the serious nature of the charge of violence, Travis Beck will go through the university judicial process as a student, and as an athlete will be suspended indefinitely from team activities pending further information. Bison football has a zero tolerance for acts of violence.”

So, do you think Beck is kicked off the Bison football team? Is this something that media will let die? Since Beck is a top defensive player for the Bison, will Coach Bohl put winning in front of ethics and what’s right?.

NCHC and B1G raided WCHA of their officials

This is something that I and many B1G and NCHC fans were afraid of. Many fans have feared that we’re going to see the same old recycled officials instead of moving ahead with some new officials. With the 2013-14 season approaching, we will soon find out who the new leagues have selected to be their on ice officials.

Jack Hittinger, Bemidji Pioneer – McLeod also spent some time discussing officiating and other in-game operations with the athletic directors present. Greg Shepherd will return as the league’s director of officials, he said.

He noted that the conference’s officials were “raided a bit” by the Big Ten and NCHC. They’ve also added a few from the CCHA, although said he did not have exact numbers.

“We’re just trying to get everyone on the same page,” McLeod said. “From the NCAA standpoint, it’s not a rule-changing year, so it’s not about updating ourselves on the rules. It’s more about the nuances of how Greg likes to do things.”

And until the teams actually meet together on the ice for the first time in October, there’s going to be a lot of nuances to get used to.

Recently, the NCHC hired former WCHA official Don Adam to be their head of officials and he will institute a new training program. Adam has vowed that the NCHC will have a better officiating product when the NCHC begins play for the 2013-14 season. “One of the key goals for our conference is to develop one of the best officiating programs in the country,” Director of Hockey Operations Joe Novak said.  Thoughs? Weigh in...

Patrick Kane's Hat Trick sends the Black Hawks to the Stanley Cup Finals

And then there were two. You can bet that the 6'9" Zdeno Chara will be glued to Patrick Kane during the Stanley Cup Finals. You can also bet that "the little ball of hate" Brad Marchand will be in Jonathan Toews grill, much like Henrik Zetterberg was during the second round the playoffs.

So, here's how the Stanley Cup Finals shake out. Boston Bruins 28-14-6 regular season, 12-4 playoffs vs Chicago Blackhawks 36-7-5 regular season, 12-5 playoffs... Game one kicks off on Wednesday Night at 7:00 p.m. at the Mad House on Madison.

Will Mandatory visors for new NHL players portends fighting’s demise

This didn’t take long for the anti-fighting cabal to be jump on this one. Fighting isn’t going away in the NHL. If you took fighting away in the NHL, the Matt Cooke type players in the NHL would flourish. Again, I suggest getting rid of the instigator penalty.

The Globe and Mail – We may be too optimistic. Perhaps an enterprising enforcer will invent an ejectable visor. Or fighters will throw off their helmets (at least until someone dies when falling backward on his head). But visors are bound to cover more and more of the face. Players will wonder why they are protecting their eyes and not their jaws. The right to punch the other fellow into oblivion will fade away.

Hockey at all levels is working to reduce or eliminate headshots. It makes no sense that punches to the head are still permitted. The end of fighting won’t come all at once, but gently, when today’s grandfathers have said goodbye to the game.

What you’re going to see is more fights with two guys punching each other in the shield. Also, the AHL already has a mandatory visor law, so does the CHL, as well as the USHL and other junior hockey leagues. That hasn't stopped fights from happening. What do you think?