UND No. 1 IN USCHO Poll

November 02, 2015

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(27)	6- 0-2	975	1
2	Providence	(18)	6- 0-1	956	3
3	Boston College	( 4)	5- 1-0	896	4
4	Massachusetts-Lowell		4- 1-2	756	7
5	Quinnipiac	( 1)	6- 0-0	745	9
6	Minnesota-Duluth		3- 2-2	700	6
7	Harvard		2- 0-0	666	11
8	Nebraska-Omaha		6- 2-0	664	2
9	Denver		3- 3-0	539	5
10	St. Cloud State		6- 2-0	537	14
11	Boston University		3- 3-0	513	8
12	Yale		2- 0-0	511	13
13	Michigan		4- 1-1	414	10
14	Bowling Green		4- 2-1	362	12
15	St. Lawrence		5- 2-1	317	16
16	Merrimack		3- 1-2	226	17
17	Clarkson		5- 1-0	193	19
18	Notre Dame		3- 1-2	92	NR
19	Miami		3- 4-1	85	15
20	Robert Morris		3- 1-2	75	NR
Others receiving votes: Michigan Tech 71, Western Michigan 47, Minnesota State 42, Massachusetts 36, Minnesota 27, Penn State 27, Alaska-Anchorage 8, Mercyhurst 4, Rensselaer 4, Bentley 3, Colgate 3, Cornell 3, Ferris State 1, New Hampshire 1, Union 1.

Looking at the USCHO Poll, I am shocked that Western Michigan didn’t break into the top-20 after sweeping the number two team in the nation. Also, I don’t think that Miami is a top-20 team right now.  Finally, Clarkson should be higher base on who they have beaten. 

WHKY: North Dakota splits with top-ranked Minnesota

Grand Forks, N.D. - Thursday evening's match up against the top-ranked Minnesota Gophers did not produce the kind of results that the University of North Dakota women's hockey hoped for. North Dakota suffered a 5-1 loss to the reigning national champions. UND was never able to surmount the three-goal first period deficit.

Friday was another story when North Dakota  snapped the Gopher's 12-game winning streak that dated back to the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference's Final Face-Off tournament.

"There are so many times they've smacked us around and we've been able to respond the next day, play well and shake it off," head coach Brian Idalski said.

North Dakota was able to hold the Gopher's off for a 4-3 win in front of a crowd of 3,361 at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The team performed 55 minutes of the game without Tanja Eisenschmid who received a five-minute major and game misconduct early in the first period. UND was able to weather the storm holding the Gophers to only two shots on goal during the advantage.

Minnesota's Captain Hannah Brandt opened up the scoring shortly after North Dakota killed a penalty with 3:20 remaining in the first period.

North Dakota's Amy Menke hit back a little over a minute into the second period on a gritty play with traffic around the Gopher net. After that, UND didn't trail again.

Idalski's adjustment for game two was to put Menke and senior, forward Meghan Dufault on the same line. That change paid off.

“He told us if he’s putting us together, we have to produce multiple points,” Menke said. Before the end of the night, Menke and Dufault each tallied two goals a piece. 

Dufault's goals coming only nine seconds apart with about six minutes remaining in the second.

During the third period, Menke tacked on her second goal of the evening. North Dakota held a two-goal lead with less than four minutes remaining in the frame. When trailing, the Gophers, have almost always found a way to turn the game around in their favor.

North Dakota was able to hold the one-goal lead and as the seconds ticketed down, the Kelly green and white fanbase counted down with it.

UND will have a bye week before hosting Ohio State Nov. 14-15.  OSU is 4-4-0 and will face Bemidji State this weekend.

Note: North Dakota was without Halli Krzyzaniak due to her participation in the Four Nations Cup.

You can watch the recap video from Friday's game at UNDSports.com - including Dufault's back-to-back goals.

UND Sports game-day story
Grand Forks Herald - UND beats No. 1-ranked Minnesota 
Box score

Bad Boyz: 3 Griz Football Players Arrested for Felony Burglary Charges

Oops. I guess we're going to have to bring back the Bad Boyz segment. Three University of Montana Griz football players could be headed to the crowbar hotel after being arrest for felony burglary charges.

Dillon Katoa, missoulian.com - Five people, including three University of Montana Griz football players, were arrested on felony burglary charges following an incident that occurred early Sunday morning.

Kendrick Van Ackeren, Joseph Counts and John Schmaing, as well as Courtney Reep and Maclain Tomlinson, were all booked into the Missoula County jail early Sunday. Missoula Police Sgt. Collin Rose said an investigation into the alleged burglary incident is still ongoing. A 9-1-1 call about the incident, which took place at a residence on the 200 block of Pattee Canyon Drive, came in at 2:51 a.m. Sunday. Rose said at this point, police have no evidence of violence or injuries from the incident.

All five individuals were held on $50,000 bail. Reep and Counts have been released after posting bail.

Do you see a pattern here? This sounds like an out of control football programs.

Van Ackeren is the third Griz starting linebacker to be arrested this season. Herbert Gamboa received a six-month deferred sentence after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct in August after instigating a fight at a house party. Gamboa was suspended for the team's first home game. Jeremiah Kose had been arrested the same week for failing to appear in court on three misdemeanor traffic violations.

NCHC Opponent Records

School record opp rec North Dakota (6-0-2) 5-26-6 (.216) Western Michigan (4-2-1) 17-8-3 (.660) Saint Cloud (6-2-0) 20-12-2 (.600) Minnesota-Duluth (3-2-2) 9-9-6 (.500) Denver (3-3-0) 11-11-2 (.500) Nebraska-Omaha (6-2-0) 11-14-3 (.446) Miami (3-4-1) 18-11-2 (.612) Colorado College (0-8-0) 19-3-5 (.796)

Over the past two seasons, a lot has been made about the NCHC’s non-conference record. There’s also been a fair amount of discussion about the fast starts of certain teams in the NCHC.

So, I decided to take a deeper look into the opponent records of each NCHC team. To date, C.C. has played the toughest schedule and has paid dearly for it. On the flip side, UND has played the weakest schedule to date and is unbeaten in eight games. UNO has played the second weakest schedule and has had decent results.

The Buffalo News: Patrick Kane unlikely to face criminal charges

It looks like Patrick Kane isn't going to face criminal charges for rape. Through out, Kane has maintained his innocence and it appears that he was telling the truth.

Dan Herbeck, The Buffalo News: Nearly three months after a local woman told police that Patrick Kane raped her in his Hamburg home, it appears no criminal charges will be filed against the Chicago Blackhawks hockey star, according to three sources closely familiar with the investigation.

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III declined to discuss his plans for the case, but other sources said doubts have emerged about the woman’s allegations and make criminal prosecution highly unlikely.

The three sources also said they do not believe the case will be presented to a grand jury.

“This case is going nowhere,” one knowledgeable source told The Buffalo News when asked about the possibility of criminal charges.

“I was told … the case will be administratively dismissed” without being presented to a grand jury, a second knowledgeable source added.

UND vs. C.C. Game Two

North Dakota Forward Lines 
9 Drake Caggiula (A)–8 Nick Schmaltz–16 Brock Boeser
29 Bryn Chyzyk–27 Luke Johnson–14 Austin Poganski
19 Shane Gersich–10 Johnny Simonson–18 Chris Wilkie
26 Coltyn Sanderson–22 Rhett Gardner–25 Joel Janatuinen

North Dakota Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus (C)–2 Troy Stecher (A)

28 Hayden Shaw–6 Paul LaDue (A)
24 Christian Wolanin–4 Keaton Thompson

North Dakota Goalies

30 Matt Hrynkiw
35 Ryan Anderson

(UND Stats)

Colorado College Forward Lines
14 Trey Bradley–9 Sam Rothstein–13 Cody Bradley
18 Hunter Fejes–8 Luc Gerdes–28 Alex Roos
2 Trevor Gooch–10 Tanner Ockey–15 Mason Bergh
22 Peter Maric–11 Christian Heil–23 Matt Hansen

Colorado College Defense Pairings

16 Teemu Kivihalme–20 David Radke
5 Cole McCaskill–27 Ben Israel
39 Andrew Farny–36 Jake Emilio

Colorado College Goalies

33 Tyler Marble
31 Jacob Nehama
30 Derek Shatzer

(C.C. Stats)

Saturday Morning Post Game Thoughts

Even to the untrained eye, it's obvious that the Colorado College Tigers are struggling. Frankly, they’re not a very good hockey team. The Tigers have won one game in their 23. During that time, the Tigers have gone 1-20-2(.086). This includes a 0-7-0 start this season. I figure that eventually they're going to figure it out.

I don’t think many of us ever expected walk-on, third-string junior goalie Matt Hrynkiw to be the starter when UND kicked off the 2015-16 season. After injuries to two of UND's top goalies, Hrynkiw has taken over in net. Hrynkiw isn't just killing minutes until the others return, he's doing a good job holding down the fort.

Now after appearing five games, Hrynkiw is ranked 18th in the NCAA and is (4-0-1, 1.81 GAA, and a .927 SV%). Hrynkiw has stopped 102-of-110 shots. One could make the argument that Cam Johnson is going to have to earn his spot back when he returns from injury.

So far, senior forward Bryn Chyzyk is having a good season. The senior from Virden, Manitoba, has points in five straight games. During the first seven games, Chyzyk has scored (5g-2a—7pts). That’s a point a game.

UND entered last night’s game ranked 44th on the Power Play. Last night, UND played undisciplined hockey giving the Tigers seven power plays. After the game, head coach Brad Berry said, “We need to clean it up.” After going killing 6-of-7 Tiger power play opportunities UND improved to 44th nationally.

UND brought in a large freshmen class to start the season. Through seven games, here’s a breakdown of the freshmen scoring. Brock Boeser (5g-2a—7pts), Christian Wolanin (1g-2a—3pts), Chris Wilkie (3g-0a—3pts), Shane Gersich (2g-0a—2pts). Rhett Gardner (1g-0a—1pts), Hayden Shaw (0g-1a—1pts), Joel Janatuinen (0g-0a—0pts). So far this season, the freshman class has accounted for 23.6 % of UND’s scoring.

Last night, UND scored five goals against the Tigers. All five of those goals were scored by freshmen: Wilkie (2), Gersich, Gardner, Boeser. The last time freshmen scored five goals in a single game was on February 24, 2006, when Duncan, Oshie, Toews (2) and Kozek. The only upper classman to score in that game was Mike Prpich. UND would go on to win the game 6-2.

Taking a trip down memory lane, this was also the game where Denver head coach George Gwozdecky was thrown out of the game after Prpich cup checked Geoff Paukovich.

(Video Highlights): UND Beats UMN 4-3

Video

The University of North Dakota Women's team beat the No. 1 University of Minnesota 4-3. UND was led by Meghan Dufault (2g-1a—3pts) and Amy Menke (2g-0a—2pts). UND goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie got the win in net and improved to (4-1-1).

UND vs. C.C. Forward Lines

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula (A) –8 Nick Schmaltz–16 Brock Boeser
29 Bryn Chyzyk (A) –27 Luke Johnson–14 Austin Poganski
19 Shane Gersich–10 Johnny Simonson–18 Chris Wilkie
26 Coltyn Sanderson–22 Rhett Gardner–11 Trevor Olson

North Dakota Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus (C) –2 Troy Stecher (A)
28 Hayden Shaw–6 Paul LaDue (A)
24 Christian Wolanin–4 Keaton Thompson

North Dakota Goalies

30 Matt Hrynkiw
35 Ryan Anderson

Colorado College’s Tigers Forward Lines

14 Trey Bradley–9 Sam Rothstein–13 Cody Bradley
18 Hunter Fejes–15 Mason Bergh–28 Alex Roos
2 Trevor Gooch–10 Tanner Ockey–23 Matt Hansen
22 Peter Maric–11 Christian Heil–8 Luc Gerdes

Colorado College Tigers Defense Pairings

16 Teemu Kivihalme–20 David Radke
5 Cole McCaskill–27 Ben Israel
39 Andrew Farny–36 Jake Emilio

Colorado College Tigers Goalies

31 Jacob Nehama

33 Tyler Marble

30 Derek Shatzer

Officials: Refs: Gino Binda, Joe Sullivan Linesmen: Seth Mukai, Scott Staudte

Tucker Poolman out for UND tonight (lower body). Joel Janatuinen still out. Shane Gersich back in with Simonson, Wilkie.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 30, 2015

NCHC Hockey: North Dakota and Omaha Lead the Way - https://t.co/zHPuYLlzR1 #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/oNOy5N55OF

— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 30, 2015

CBC News: Jets won't ban Hawks fans from wearing headdresses

I found this story to be very interesting and thought provoking. The Winnipeg Jest aren't going to ban fans from wearing Indian headdresses. So they say... We will be following this to see how it plays out.  So, if the Jets decided to start banning people from the arena for wearing head dresses, would they be violating a Canadian fan's freedom of expression?

Tiar Wilson, CBC News - The staff at MTS Centre in Winnipeg will be on the lookout for fake headdresses as they let fans in for the hockey game tonight between the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Headdresses are not banned, but if someone arrives wearing one, "We would have a conversation with them and we would make them fully aware of the ramifications of wearing that and the cultural ramifications of it," said Scott Brown, senior director of corporate communications for True North Sports and Entertainment, the Jets owner.

This past spring when the Jets last faced the Chicago team in Winnipeg, a Blackhawks fan sported a fake headdress in the stands. Jordan Wheeler, a longtime Winnipeg Jets fan and season ticket holder, filed a complaint with the Jets owner, True North Sports and Entertainment. He wanted the team to ban headdresses at hockey games.

Hum, I am thinking of a comparison here. Can you think of one?

A headdress is sacred to First Nations, worn by chiefs or those who have earned the right to do so.

Wheeler, who's Cree from the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan, says no one — whether First Nations or not — should be allowed to wear a headdress to a hockey game, especially while carrying beer.

(s/t to the Hockey Writers)

Tigers Struggling

It’s well documented, in present times; the Colorado College Tigers have struggled mightily. The Tigers record under head coach Mike Haviland is (6-32-3, .241). That being said, I don’t think that Haviland should be the fall guy for the Tigers struggles. The last two seasons under Scott Owens, the Tigers went 25-43-11 (.380). So, the current slide was already in motion long before Haviland took the reins.

Let’s break this down further. Since the 2013-14 season, the Tigers have a 13-56-9 (.224) record. Under anyone’s definition, that’s not very good hockey. The Tigers haven’t made the conference tournament championship game since the 2012-13 season, where the Tigers would lose in the championship game to the Wisconsin Badgers. The Tigers haven’t made the NCAA tourney since the 2010-11 season, where they lost 2-1 to the Michigan Wolverines in the championship game of the West Regional.

UND Women's Hockey: Time to Pack the Ralph

Two records have been set when the UND women have played the Gophers at the REA. This weekend, UND looks to set another women’s hockey attendance record when UND plays UMN is an important two-game WCHA series.

The single game record of 5838 was set on January 31, 2014. The series attendance record of 7691  was also set against the Gophers on  January, 31 – February 2, 2014.

Sidney Crosby mired in Slump

Sidney Crosby is one of the best forwards in the world, but the Penguins superstar is having a tough go right now. In nine games, Crosby has scored (1g-2a—3pts). All of his points came in one game against the Florida Panthers. That's very unCrosby like. Everyone wants to know what's wrong with Sid.

Frank Seravalli, TSN -- Sidney Crosby does not have a point in eight of nine games this season, the first time that has ever happened at any point in his career - not just to start a campaign. His run with long-awaited supporting cast member Phil Kessel lasted just seven games.

Crosby, 28, has three points this season. They all came against the Panthers on Oct. 20.

So, what’s going on with Crosby?

“He’s got to be a little more selfish,” Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet diagnosed. “The one game when he had three points, he had nine shots. He’s got to attack the net more. I think he’s looking to pass the puck. He’s got to attack the net more. For me, you can’t play a perimeter game in the NHL.

Pens fans should also be concerned with Phil Kessel’s production (4g-1a—5pts), the forward only has two more points than Crosby. First, it's early, and there are 73 games left in the season. There's plenty of time for players to get hot.

Down to Three Nicknames; Who Are You Voting For?

Every time I go on vacation or head to the hunting shack for some R&R, there's usually some form of breaking news. This weekend was no different. So, were playing catch up here.

Sunday, I was in transit when the nickname story broke. While I am at the shack, for the most part, I am offline, I don't normally take my computer with me. It's my time to get off the grid and do nothing. I did bring my iPad with me, but I didn't use it.

As most of you know, the University of North Dakota now has three final names to choose from. After holding a vote, the Sundogs nickname option has been added to the dustbin of history. For this, I am thankful. As we suggested, Sundogs wasn't a popular choice. Yet, it ended up being a choice for the voters to ponder.

Fighting Hawks: 6,960 votes; 31.20 percent
Roughriders: 4,687 votes; 21.01 percent
Nodaks: 4,571 votes; 20.49 percent
North Stars: 3,231 votes; 14.48 percent
Sundogs: 2,858 votes; 12.81 percent

As before, I will be voting for the nickname Fighting Hawks. No, UND won't be using the logo that some have passed around on the internet. The Chicago Blackhawks already own that logo. Second, it would probably never get past the anti-native American nickname crowd.

I am hoping that when the nickname vote is finally over, the University tasks Bennett Brien with designing UND's new logo. It would be the smart thing to do and it "could" help with the healing process.

I think Fighting Hawks the best option of three unattractive nickname choices. As a taxpayer in North Dakota, I am disappointed in the nickname choices the committee came up with. I think there were many good choices that weren't considered. That being said, I hold no ill will towards the nickname committee, they're solid people.

Finally, like my good friend Jackie, I am worn out. I am ready to move on, reluctantly, but nonetheless, I am ready to move on. I can accept any of the three remaining nicknames, but I would rather not be the UND Rough Riders, I think Rough Riders shows very little creativity. But in the grand scheme of things, it's a hell of a lot better than Sundogs, Flicker Tails, and North Stars.

In today's world, you have the right to not be offended. Eventually, someone is going to be offended by the Rough Riders nickname and we could end up back where we are right now.

Lastly, I am also tired of the fighting, finger-pointing, and name-calling among UND fans. We can't continue to be in a constant state of conflict. We're in this together.

Earlier this past month, I wrote this: and Puck Daddy quoted me.

I know I have said this 100 times. I love the Fighting Sioux nickname. I also realize that this fight should have taken place about 5-7 years ago. It seems like some have been late to the party. The Fighting Sioux nickname is gone and not coming back. If UND had refused to change the Fighting Sioux nickname, there's no way that UND would be able to host an NCAA regional.

… I am pro-Fighting Sioux nickname, I will always be. I am worn out with the argument surrounding the nickname. I am (reluctantly) ready to move on, I will vote for a nickname in October. That being said, I will always wear my Fighting Sioux gear with pride when the opportunity arises. Last Wednesday, I wore a golf shirt with the Fighting Sioux logo on it to the hockey presser. I didn't even realize I was wearing it. Just came out of the wash that way.

What will North Dakota’s new NCAA nickname be: Fighting Hawks, Roughriders or Nodaks? https://t.co/v11I8mdyDi

— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) October 26, 2015

Fighting Sioux fatigue and the quest for a new nickname

Are you tired? Because I’m exhausted. For the past few years the University of North Dakota has been preparing itself for a transition from the Fighting Sioux moniker into a new nickname.

Before and during the transition period there have been multiple times when I’ve said several “unladylike” curse words in frustration. That time when the North Dakota legislative body thought it knew better than UND. An alumni who took out trade-names in an attempt to derail UND from using said names. The weak attempt at a lawsuit to stop voting from happening. The list goes on.

I knew the transition would be difficult, but I didn’t think it would come to the ridiculous lengths that it has to some extent. Admittedly, there were times that I was surprised at the lengths groups and individuals were willing to go. I will also admit that, although, I might not agree with any of the attempts to prolong this battle, I respect the passion and interest in fighting for what one believes in.

I’ve been ready to move forward since the state legislative body decided that, after UND had decided to transition, it would have to go back to using the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. At that time, the university’s Athletics department was already running under the North Dakota moniker. In full disclosure, I worked in the Athletics Department as a student assistant at the time. It was more than frustrating. Since that time I have commonly said that I have Fighting Sioux Fatigue.

As I’m sure many of you have, I followed the new nickname and logo process. I was a participant in one of the ‘conversation cafes’ that was established by UND last year. I voted in the first round and will vote in the second (and third, heaven forbid that it comes to that).

I’m frustrated with the final name selections because I’m not convinced that they truly exhibit the findings that were outlined in the conversation cafés hosted to field what might be a good fit for a new nickname. The nickname selection committee was ultimately responsible for whittling down the massive list.

I foolishly believed that after the first vote I would be one vote away from moving toward closure. When news broke yesterday evening that there would be three, not two names on the next ballot, it was one of the first times I’ve felt truly betrayed by the process. I understand the rationale to some extent, but I wonder if it was the ‘right thing to do.’ Selecting three names to move forward went against the initial process that was outlined and could cause another vote, prolonging the agony. 

Perhaps time and this process has broken me down a bit, but I have decided that I will learn to live with whatever is selected by the majority and that I will continue to support UND. And I truly believe that those of you that love UND as much or more than I do will continue to support the institution and athletics no matter what the final decisions is.

You will not, however, catch me wearing any Roughrider gear if that is what the fates allow.