NCHC Hockey: Going down to the Wire

North Dakota	NoDak	42	22	14	8	0	0	0.636	73	61	32	19	10	3	0.641	101	84
St. Cloud State	SCSU	42	22	13	6	3	0	0.659	76	59	32	19	8	5	0.672	114	86
Nebraska Omaha	UNO	39	22	12	8	2	1	0.591	76	60	32	15	15	2	0.500	106	101
Minnesota Duluth	UMD	34	22	10	10	2	2	0.500	60	64	32	15	13	4	0.531	90	91
Western Michigan	WMU	34	22	10	10	2	2	0.500	64	66	34	16	13	5	0.544	91	89
Denver	DU	32	22	9	10	3	2	0.477	54	54	34	15	13	6	0.529	86	77
Colorado College	CC	24	22	6	11	5	1	0.386	47	64	32	6	20	6	0.281	61	100
Miami	MIAMI	17	22	5	16	1	1	0.250	52	74	32	11	18	3	0.391	92	98

 I guess we should take a look at the standings. This is definitely going down to the wire this season. Three teams (UND, SCSU, UNO) have a chance to finish first overall. Tiger’s beat writer Joe Pasiley has the procedures for breaking ties on his blog. This is what happens if teams tie in standings of the NCHC. So, if UND and SCSU win out, UND gets the tie breaker.

1. The team with the greater number of NCHC regular-season wins shall be the higher seed.

2. Head-to-head competition. Among the teams tied in the standings, the team with the highest winning percentage will be the higher seed.

3. Goal differential: Total goals for and against in contests between the teams tied in the standings.
4. Winning percentage of the teams tied in the standings against the remaining NCHC teams, starting at the top of the standings and working toward the bottom until the tie is broken.

5. Coin flip.

 

Vancouver Canucks: Daniel Sedin Injury (Video)

Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin was injured on this play today. Sedin had to be helped off of the ice. I didn't think the hit was malicious or dirty. If Sedin is gone for any length of time it would have a huge impact on the Canucks who are God-awful right now. The Canucks are in the Wild Card race, they're tied with Dallas and Winnipeg for the final Wild Card spot.

(Video) Dmitry Orlov Boards Brayden Schenn; Orlov has hearing for hit

Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov will have a hearing with NHL's Department of Player Safety for this dangerous hit on Flyers forward Brayden Schenn. Orolov was given a five-minutes major for his efforts. The only thing that might save Orlov was that Schenn turned at the last minute. That's still a dangerous hit.

(Video) Keith Ballard no goal

There no reason this goal shouldn't count. This is obviously a blown call by the on-ice official. There's no reason why this goal shouldn't count. Some how the on-ice official thought that Wild forward Erik Haula made incidental contact with Canucks goalie Eddie Lack. Video shows that there was no contact.

I just interviewed Mick McGeough. He admits ref Brad Meier blew the call. "Good screen. Met the criteria for a good goal." #mnwild #nhl
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 1, 2014

Eric Classen's Photo goes Viral on the Internet

Hi @drakecaggiula. pic.twitter.com/l8YZEZ8WqG
— Eric Classen (@eric_classen) March 1, 2014

If you're one of the five people that hasn't seen the picture yet. Here's the photo that Eric Classen of UND's "Through These Doors" took last night during the UND and SCSU game. The picture in question has gone viral on the Internet.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Conference Title up for Grabs in Saint Cloud (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Women's Hockey: Making an Impact on the 2014 Sochi Games (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Colorado College Defenseman Gustav Olofsson not Bolting for the WHL (thehockeywriters.com)

(Video) UND 5 - SCSU 2

Coming into the game against Saint Cloud State University, the UND hockey team talked about having a bad taste in their mouth after being swept by the SCSU Huskies back in November. UND scored five goals during the second period and cruised past SCSU 5-2.

Junior forward Brendan O'Donnell had a solid night tonight, scoring (0g-3a—3pts) and junior forward Connor Gaarder chipped in (2g-0a—2pts). Junior forward Mark MacMillan also had a strong night (1g-1a—2pts). It was a solid effort and a good road win for the UND hockey team. UND also improved to 15-2-1 since starting the season 4-7-2.

UND is in first place with 42 points with three games to go. They will go for the series sweep tomorrow night. If they get the sweep that would be their sixth sweep of the season. Last year, UND had two.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Conference Title up for Grabs in Saint Cloud (thehockeywriters.com)

(Video) UND no goal against Huskies (2/28/2014)

UND forward Colton St. Claire thought he had scored a goal against SCSU Husky goalie Ryan Faragher. Thoughts? Watch at the end of the video, Faragher kicks his pad out, where do you think the puck is?

No goal after video review. Still scoreless 5:22 into the game.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 1, 2014

UND vs. SCSU game one

UND Forward lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair

North Dakota Defense Pairings

5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 22-Andrew Panzarella (Jr., D), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)

SCSU Huskies Forward lines

16 Jimmy Murray–26 Nic Dowd–13 David Morley
10 Ryan Papa–11 Kalle Kossila–22 Jonny Brodzinski
9 Joey Benik–8 Cory Thorson–21 Brooks Bertsch
27 Nick Oliver–37 Joe Rehkamp–6 Daniel Tedesco

SCSU Defense Pairings

15 Niklas Nevalainen–12 Ethan Prow
7 Kevin Gravel–40 Tim Daly
19 Ben Storm–2 Jarrod Rabey

SCSU Goalies

29 Ryan Faragher
35 Charlie Lindgren
33 Joseph Phillippi

TV tonight: CBS Sports Network, DirecTV (channel 221), DISH Network (158). NO webcast tonight.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 1, 2014

Out: Murphy, Ausmus, Panzarella, Sanderson, Hrynkiw || Referees: Todd Anderson, Steve Patafie || Linesmen: Nick Bradshaw, Tony Czech
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 1, 2014

UPDATE: Steve Ott and Ryan Miller being traded to St Louis...

Ryan Miller in his first #Sabres preseason game (9-21-02) still wearing his Michigan State mask. The silly season is about to begin.
pic.twitter.com/HUUEtg3sqp
— Bill Wippert (@BWipp) February 28, 2014

One of my favorite college hockey goaltenders of all time, former Michigan State Spartan Ryan Miller. The All-American was fun to watch during the NCAA playoffs. According to the St. Louis Blues twitter feed, Miller has been traded to the St. Louis Blues along with teammate, forward Steve Ott. In my opinion, the Blues are getting a very good All-World goalie for the playoff stretch. It's kind of weird to see the Buffalo Sabres decline this far.

The Sabres get forward Chris Stewart, goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward William Carrier, 1st round pick (2015) and a 3rd round pick (2016) - See more at: http://thehockeywriters.com/thw-trade-tracker-halak-for-miller/#sthash.93JJa3zE.dpuf. In my opinion, the Sabres got a really good deal.

The "Silly Season" is upon us.

BREAKING: The Blues have acquired Miller & Ott from Buffalo for Halak, Stewart, Carrier & two picks. INFO >>> http://t.co/NGLbm5mwxT
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 1, 2014

Steve Ott was kicking soccer ball with teammates in Sabres' arena when coach Ted Nolan called him to back room to tell him he was scratched.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) February 28, 2014

I'm told there is another goaltender dressing downstairs....Amerks are on road in the Midwest...hmmmm.. #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) February 28, 2014

Before every start, Ryan Miller comes to Sabres' bench to lean on his stick and think about the game. He has not shown up. Not playing?
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) February 28, 2014

Source says expect the Sabres to make official trade announcement tonight, likely soon.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) February 28, 2014

This is why the UND vs SCSU game in on at 8:08 p.m.

I am been critical of the NCHC’s television deal with CBS Sports Network. (NCAA Hockey: Current NCHC Television Deal is Unacceptable)

“When” they the broadcast games, they’re awesome. Their hockey coverage is second to none. I would argue that the quality of the CBSSN broadcasts are top-shelf. I also love what Dave Starman and Ben Holden bring to the booth. But, they’re just not on enough. When we don’t have television coverage for away road games, you have to watch the games on a member school's webcasts. Most of them can't keep up with the traffic that UND hockey fans bring to their webcasts. Those for the most part have been less than acceptable this season as well. (NCAA Hockey: There Has to Be a Better Way)

Tonight’s game between SCSU and UND is on at 8:08 p.m. because the game time is being preempted by a college basketball game between Providence and Seton Hall.

Maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but the NCHC leadership needs to do a better job when they negotiate the next television deal. No more exclusivity deals. So far, exclusive has proven to be fewer hockey games on the tube.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Lots on the line this weekend (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Hockey: Conference Title up for Grabs in Saint Cloud (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: There Has to Be a Better Way (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey: Lots on the line this weekend

The table has been set. The stakes are high. The Penrose Cup will be in the Herb Brooks Arena (aka the Concrete Center) this weekend. If either team sweeps, they "would" clinch at least a share of the the Penrose Cup.

The SCSU Huskies (12-5-3-0 NCHC, 18-7-5 overall) and University of North Dakota (13-7-0-0, 18-9-3) are currently tied at the top of the NCHC standing with four games remaining in regular season.

The order is tall for UND, in their last 10 games against the Huskies they hold a 4-5-1 record and they haven’t had much success against Husky goalie Ryan Faragher. The last time UND beat SCSU was on (11/09/2012) when Clarke Saunders shutout the Huskies 3-0.

Records: UND has a 14-2-1 record the last 17 games. SCSU 7-6-3 record the last 16 games.

SCSU goalie Ryan Faragher has UND’s number

Over the last couple of seasons, Husky goalie Faragher has had UND’s number. In the last two seasons, Faragher has a 4-1-1 record against UND. This includes a series sweep earlier this season in Grand Forks. During his career against UND, the junior goalie has 6-3-1 record with a .940 save percentage and a 1.79 GAA.

Second verse same as the first.

At the Ralph Engelstad Arena, Faragher has been nothing short of amazing, compiling a 4-1-1 record, a.957 save percentage and a 1.50 goals against average. UND hopes their fortunes will change this weekend against the Huskies. The Green and White need to emerge from this weekend’s series with at least a series split, to keep their title hopes alive. To be successful this weekend UND is going to have to get pucks past Faragher. Sounds simple right?

Zane Gothberg is no slouch either

From this week’s game notes: In the last 13 games, UND goalie Zane Gothberg is 11-0-2, with a 1.75 GAA and a .931 save percentage. In 21 games this season, Gothberg is 13-5-3, has a  2.12 GAA and a .922 save percentage. Against the Huskies, Gothberg is 0-3-0, 3.10 GAA and has a .902 save percentage. Saunders is 1-1-1, 2.27 GAA and has a .920 save percentage.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Conference Title up for Grabs in Saint Cloud (thehockeywriters.com)

Oilers Matt Hendricks boards Wild's Nate Prosser

Someone tell my why Oilers forward Matt Hendricks isn't given a penalty on this play? Hendricks clearly hits Wild defenseman Nate Prosser from behind in the numbers.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Kris Letang talks about his stroke

Kristopher Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, at a 4–1 win over the New Jersey Devils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you haven't seen it, this article by Josh Yohe who's the Penguins reporter for the TribLive.com, its worth a look. 

Yohe's article is about Pittsburgh Penguins defensman Kris Letang and what he has gone through after suffering a stroke. Very scary story. 

Letang's absence to the Penguins line-up is a major loss, but his long term health is more important right now.  

It was a scary time.

On the morning of Jan. 29, Letang's wife woke up to find him laying on the floor of the couple's bedroom. He was alert but knew something was wrong.

“I was not able to function,” he said.

Letang's mother-in-law is a nurse and was at their home at the time of his stroke, which stopped him from calling 911. He felt better enough later in the day to fly with the Penguins to Los Angeles.

But after a series of tests, it was determined that Letang had a stroke. He said he is still having “good days and bad days” and is still dealing with fatigue.

Letang looked noticeably thinner than normal. He has recently been given permission to work out though he isn't skating and continues to take blood thinner medication. [Read more]

Drew Stafford Smoking Hot Right Now

PLAYER TO WATCH: Drew Stafford has six goals and nine points in his past seven games for the @BuffaloSabres. pic.twitter.com/UwWiIiqLLk
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2014

There was 23 scouts in the Buffalo Sabres press box for the past two games, preparing for the fire sale that's going to take place in Buffalo. I wonder if Drew Stafford is making the case to be traded? Stafford has scored (10g-14a—24pts) in 51 games this season. Stafford has scored (3g-3a—6pts) in the last five games.

UND Hockey: This week's Inside the NCHC (Video)

The NCHC does a good job promoting their member schools. This is a really nice video. Enjoy.

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Colorado College Defenseman Gustav Olofsson not Bolting for the WHL (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: No Second Thoughts or Regrets (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: Current NCHC Television Deal is Unacceptable (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

The race for the Penrose Cup is on.  We are down to the last two weekends of NCHC regular season play.  We know for sure Miami, CC, UMD, and DU are out of contention for the title.  The title could be decided this weekend in St. Cloud when the top two teams square off.
 

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

North Dakota……………..13-7-0-0…..…….….39
St. Cloud St……………….12-5-3-0…………...39
Nebraska-Omaha………..10-8-2-1…..………..33
Western Michigan………...9-9-2-1…….………31
Denver………………………8-9-3-2………….…29
Minnesota-Duluth………….8-10-2-2….….……28
Colorado College……….. ..6-9-5-1…….….…..24
Miami………………………..5-14-1-1….…….….17
 

NCHC Games

#20 Minnesota-Duluth @ Miami

Last weekend the Bulldogs were swept by NoDak (3-0, 6-2) in Duluth and the RedHawks split with the Huskies (4-3W, 3-0L) in Oxford.

The Bulldogs have taken some lumps the last two weekends, but they have come at the hands of the top two teams in the conference.  Miami showed a sign of life on Friday with a win, but they are still not the team everyone predicted at the beginning of this year.  The Bulldogs still have a good chance to get home ice the first round of the playoffs, so hope is not lost in Duluth.  In Oxford, hope was lost a few months ago, now they can only hope to drag down others with them.  SPLIT

 

#10 North Dakota @ #5 SCSU

Last weekend NoDak swept the Bulldogs (3-0, 6-2) in Duluth and the Huskies split with the RedHawks (4-3L, 3-0W) in Oxford.

If this was a boxing match, it would be the main event, a battle of the heavy-weights.  This series could determine the first ever NCHC regular season title.  If one team gets a sweep they will have clinched at least a share of the Penrose Cup.  A split and it comes down to the last weekend of the regular season.  Way back, the first and second of November these teams played a series in Grand Forks with SCSU sweeping 3-2 and 3-1.  The Huskies are 6-3-5 at home and NoDak is 7-4-2 on the road this season.  I see the title being up for grabs next weekend, with nothing decided in the National Hockey Center this weekend.  SPLIT

 

Colorado College @ Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Tigers swept the Pioneers (3-2, 3-1) in a home and home series and the Mavericks split with the Broncos (5-1W, 5-3L) in Kalamazoo.

The Tigers are seven points behind the Mavericks in the standings and UNO is sitting in a home spot.  The Mavericks are 7-9-0 at home and the Tigers are 1-11-2 on the road this season.  This weekend is the chance the Mavericks need to lock up a home ice spot.  The Tigers are not very good on the road, and their record reflects it, and I don’t see them getting a win in Omaha.  MAVERICKS SWEEP

 

Denver @ Western Michigan

Last weekend the Pioneers were swept by the Tigers (3-2, 3-1) in a home and home series and the Broncos split with the Mavericks (5-1L, 5-3W) in Kalamazoo.

The Pioneers have had a snag, dropping four of their last five games.  The Broncos too have been skidding, having only one regulation win in their last four games.  Back in mid-November these teams played a series in Denver with the Pioneers sweeping 5-3 and 1-0.  The teams are only two points apart in the standings and the Broncos are sitting in the last home ice spot.  This could be a playoff rematch in a couple of weeks… With that last home spot on the line, this should be a good series to watch, I think each team will get a win, in the “Omelet Series”.  SPLIT

Boston Bruins: Torrey Krug sweet move (Vine)

Here's a sweet shootout move by former Michigan State Spartan  and current Boston Bruins defenseman Tory Krug.

Add Your Caption: What is Ryan Miller doing?

Buffalo's trainer kind of looks like Turk from 'Scrubs' pic.twitter.com/6NfroYAdvl — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 27, 2014

What is Ryan Miller doing? Add your caption.