Leafs and Bruins Game-Ending Dust Up

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a bunch of goons. :-)

3-1 #NHLBruins! Empty-netter from Matt Beleskey with 49.5 on the clock in the third.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 27, 2016

Luke Johnson Scores UND's Second Goal

University of North Dakota junior forward Luke Johnson has become UND's version of Mr. March. Let's say that Johnson is making quite a name for himself when UND is playing in the big money games.

Today, he's done it again, the sophomore forward has scored another big goal to give UND a 2-1 lead against the Michigan Wolverines. Stick tap to Brad Schlossman: UND's Mr. March Johnson has scored a goal in five straight NCAA tourney games.

Drake Caggiula Scores UND's First Goal of the Game

UND forward Drake Caggiula with another highlight-reel goal. That's goal number 21 of the season for Caggiula. This is the first time since the 2010-11 season that UND has had two players with 20 goals or more.

(Video) Ferris State Ends St. Cloud's Season

Here's the biggest shocker of the day. The number-two seeded St. Cloud State Huskies were eliminated by the Ferris State Bulldogs. Scoring for the Bulldogs was Jared Vanwormer with the assist to Gerald Mayhew.

Former Fighting Sioux Defenseman Mike Commodore with his Prediction

The University of Michigan men's ice hockey team is going to get piss pounded today.

— Mike Commodore (@commie22) March 26, 2016

Today, former Fighting Sioux defenseman Mike Commodore took to Twitter to make his prediction on the North Dakota vs. Michigan game. Some of the responses by the Michigan fans are kind of funny, too.

CBS Line vs. CCM Line

There are no changes to the lineup for UND this afternoon. It's hard to change the lineup when it was so successful in yesterday's game. This is the matchup of the CCM line vs. the CBS line.

Beloved WCHA Official Oliver "Butch" Mousseaux Dies

It's a sad day in the college hockey world. Last weekend, WCHA referee Oliver "Butch" Mousseaux fell and hit his head during the pre-game warmups at Van Andel Arena. Mousseaux suffered a traumatic brain injury from the fall and died from the injuries this morning in an hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Mousseaux was one of the most popular and highly respected officials in college hockey. Make no mistake about it, Mousseaux was a very good on-ice official. He will definitely be missed. Thoughts and prayers going to the Mousseaux family.

From the Peter J. Wallner of MLive -- Butch Mousseaux, who had been a referee with the WCHA since 2003, grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. As the first Native American official, Mousseau's NHL officials' sweater and skates are in the league's Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

He is survived by his wife, Macaire, three children Sam (SJ), Abbie, and Olivia; his parents, Oliver and Mary; sisters Beth and Fran, and brothers Charlie and Joey.

This smile will always be part of the college hockey world, & in the hearts of everyone Oliver "Butch" Mousseau met. pic.twitter.com/SFIX5NTV5x

— WCHA Men's Hockey (@WCHA_MHockey) March 25, 2016

RIP Butchy Mousseau...you will be missed! @TheNCHC @WCHA_MHockey pic.twitter.com/uDhDtAQB8y

— Don Adam (@DonAdam7) March 25, 2016

The Big Indian passed away this morning and he will be deeply missed. Please continue to support his family...@TheNCHC @WCHA_MHockey

— Don Adam (@DonAdam7) March 25, 2016

I wept doing this write-thru, reporting & writing it. Oliver "Butch" Mousseaux, NCAA hockey referee, dies at 48: https://t.co/weuKP6D6na

— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) March 25, 2016

Matt Dumba hit on Patrick Kane

When I look at this hit, I see a suspension coming for Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. First, the hit was high, the head looked like it was targeted.

Second, the hit in question was on a star player. Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane is a star player and the league doesn't take to kindly to its star players being hit like this. Lucky for Dumba, Kane when down the tunnel but came back. Suspension worthy?

UPDATE: No Suspension.

Explanation of Dumba hit on Kane https://t.co/3voVffXOs1

— Anthony LaPanta (@AnthonyLaPanta) March 21, 2016

Now We Know: UND to Cincinnati

The Brackets are set. UND will play the smoking hot Northeastern Huskies. Just like this week, UND will be playing on 1:00 p.m. CT Friday in the early game. That will be the first game of the NCAA tourney. 

 Northeast Regional (DCU Center, Worcester, MA, March 25-26)

#4 Providence vs. #14 Minnesota-Duluth

#5 Boston College vs. #11 Harvard

East Regional (Times Union Center, Albany, NY, March 26-27)

#1 Quinnipiac vs. #16 RIT

#8 UMass Lowell vs. #10 Yale

Midwest Regional (US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH, March 25-26)

#3 North Dakota vs. #13 Northeastern

#7 Michigan vs. #12 Notre Dame

West Regional (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN, March 26-27)

#2 St. Cloud State vs. #15 Ferris State

#6 Denver vs. #9 Boston University

Edit: NCAA Hockey Tourney: Where are we Going?

Looking at the USCHO Brackets from Jason Moy. Most years, Moy nails it, so I would imagine that UND is heading to Cincinnati to play the Northeastern Huskies. It will be interesting to see where UND goes. 

East Regional (Albany):
16 RIT vs. 1 Quinnipiac
10 Yale vs 8 Massachusetts-Lowell

Northeast Regional (Worcester):
14 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Providence
11 Harvard vs. 5 Boston College

Midwest Regional (Cincinnati):
13 Northeastern vs. 3 North Dakota
12 Notre Dame vs. 7 Michigan

West Regional (St. Paul):
15 Ferris State vs. 2 St. Cloud State
9 Boston University vs. 6 Denver

Final Projections from College Hockey News

Albany
1. Quinnipiac vs. 16. RIT
8. Lowell vs. 10. Yale

St. Paul
2. St. Cloud State vs. 15. Ferris State
6. Denver vs. 9. Boston University

Cincinnati
3. North Dakota vs. 13. Northeastern
7. Michigan vs. 12. Notre Dame

Worcester
4. Providence vs. 14. Minnesota-Duluth
5. Boston College vs. 11. Harvard

Compare and Contrast

Thank you fans from @UNDmhockey, @DU_Hockey, @UMDMensHockey and @SCSUHUSKIES_MH for an outstanding #FrozenFaceoff pic.twitter.com/F07lwYbBIR

— Josh Fenton (@Fenton_JC) March 20, 2016

These pictures will tell you all you need to know. The Big Ten Conference Tourney, attendance was light. The NCHC actually drew pretty well.

The Big Ten, with power schools Minnesota and Michigan in the championship game of the Big Ten Championship game at the Xcel Energy Center, drew a grand total of 6,180 fans.

For those keeping track, the Univesity of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena is roughly about 8 miles from the Xcel Energy Center. This should be a home game for Minnesota and they can't draw better than this.

Let's compare and contrast, on Saturday, the NCHC drew 11,643 fans for the consolation and championship games at Target Center. On Friday, the Big Ten drew 5,423. Across town at the grungy, run down Target Center, the NCHC drew 10,926. Basically, in two days, the NCHC doubled the attendance of the Big Ten Hockey Conference.

Finally, two mid-majors and a couple of division II schools outdrew five of the biggest schools in division I hockey. I am dead serious. Think about this, the big five conference schools with all of the advantages, can't outdraw the small schools.

Tell us how you really feel! pic.twitter.com/HD96z6szrn

— Tom Chorske (@hockeylogic) March 19, 2016

Good seats still available for Michigan-Penn St Big Ten hockey semifinal at Xcel. UM 2, PSU 0, end of first. pic.twitter.com/s38yAT8hQ8

— Rachel Blount (@BlountStrib) March 18, 2016

Something to Chew on; Michigan's Three Hobey Baker Finalists

Michigan has only played 3 games this season vs. Top 15 teams in Pairwise. Connor has 0 goals in those games.

— Adam Wodon (@CHN_AdamWodon) March 13, 2016

First, Kyle Connor (30g-31a—61pts), JT Compher (13g-39a—52pts) and Tyler Motte (29g-21a—50pts) are great players, their stats are through the roof. Statistically, this is a true statement. However, if you look at their stats, they were padded by playing bad teams. Imagine if SCSU, UND and DU were able to play four games against each of the B1G teams. Let's face facts, the Big Ten is a bad league. The stats back this up.

Let’s compare, the CBS landed no one in the Hobey finalists. However, the CBS line, Brock Boeser (25g-23a—48pts), Drake Caggiula (19g-23a—42pts) and Nick Schmaltz (8g-32a—40pts). Finally, looking at the strength of schedule, UND played the 12th toughest schedule while Michigan played the 33rd toughest schedule.

Let’s look at the Pacific Rim line, they also had no one in the Hobey finalists; Dylan Gambrell (15g-27a—42pts), Trevor Moore (9g-32—41pts), and Danton Heinen (18g-22a—40pts). The Pioneers also played the third hardest schedule in division I hockey.

I think the Hobey Baker Memorial Award committee had a tough time seeing past the eastern schools. There’s one player west of the Mississippi in the final 10.

Just looked at the Hobey list. Three Michigan forwards. No Kossila, Schmaltz, or Boeser. Zero credibility.

— The Red Army (@RedArmyUNO) March 17, 2016

Torts Wants Columbus to Play Tough

I thought this was an interesting post from Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. This would explain why the Blue Jackets spend a lot of time in the penalty box.

The Blue Jackets are the most-penalized team in the NHL and the team with the most major penalties for fighting.

But those are crude ways to measure their physical nature.

“We talk every game, that if somebody’s in trouble, someone gets in there,” coach John Tortorella said. “If someone’s on our goalie, someone gets in. Everybody gets in the blue (paint) to protect our goaltender. That’s the mindset we’re trying to build here.

“But are we over the top? Are we cheap? Are we dirty? Absolutely not. Do we want to injure people? Hurt people? Absolutely not.”

There will be no apologies forthcoming for the hard-nosed style, even as recent opponents have taken exception.

This can be entertaining hockey for the fans, but it can tax a team's penalty kill.

Hobey Baker Award: 10 Finalist Announced

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee announced their 10 finalists for the award. You can see that the CCM line has all made the top-10. Only one players west of the Mississippi River. I suppose none of us should be shocked though.

F JT Compher, Jr., Michigan
F Kyle Connor, Jr., Michigan
G Thatcher Demko, Jr., Boston College
F Zac Lynch, Sr., Robert Morris
G Alex Lyon, Jr., Yale
F Tyler Motte, Jr., Michigan
F Alex Petan, Sr., Michigan Tech
F Andrew Poturalski, So., New Hampshire
D Ethan Prow, Sr., St. Cloud State
F Jimmy Vesey, Sr., Harvard

UND Bids Farewell to Dan Hammer

This past weekend, UND big farewell to play-by-play announcer Dan Hammer. Personally, I am going to miss his call of UND football and hockey. I think he's a fair, talented announcer and is very prepared when he steps into the booth.

Now, I know there are some fans that are happy that Hammer will no longer be doing UND hockey. However, I can say that I have enjoyed talking and interacting with him over the past four years. I would like to wish him luck.

Comparing him to some of the other NCHC.TV announcers, it's not even close. I would rather listen to him any day of the week, compared to some of the announcers we have, just in the conference alone. Good luck to Hammer.

Who would you like to replace Hammer in the booth next season? Personally, I would like to see Scott Williams from Lake Public TV replace him.

A Couple of Thoughts on the NHL's GM Meetings

I was kind of shocked by this, but I guess the GM's are cool with the current head rule that is known as NHL Rule 48.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The NHL’s general managers didn’t see any reason to expand Rule 48 at their annual meetings.

A sub-group met with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety to go over the topic, amongst other issues. Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was reportedly bullish on adding blindside hits to the rule, which was made to curb headshots. According to general managers who were part of the group, this was shot down.

”Watched a lot of video and unanimously felt the rule is working. And they’re doing an excellent job of having it policed,” Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello said. “I don’t have any numbers. There were no statistics presented in there. You look at isolated incidents and try to see how they could have been prevented, if they could have been prevented and is it part of hitting in the game. But certainly everybody’s concerned about the safety. We had a lot of people in the room today.” (Josh Cooper, Puck Daddy)

The goalie equipment in the NHL is going to get smaller. I would say it's about EFN time. I am very happy about this. I think you will see the goalies numbers go down a bit and the players stats actually improve. So, there are some good things coming out of the NHL's GM meetings.

“The question was asked today, ‘Well, what’s different this time around?' Well, we are attacking it together,” Whitmore said. “You are hearing from some of the best goalies in the game and they think this is what is right. They want a level playing field within their ranks.”

Whitmore said that the league will be “cutting away all the fat, the parts that extend out past the body and don’t wrap” in the chest, pants and upper body area.

He noted that goaltender safety won’t be compromised by changing equipment.

NHL hockey operations director Colin Campbell said there is currently a rule that goaltenders will be suspended two games and fined $25,000 if they cheat with equipment. Campbell said the rule will be better enforced for next season.

“When Kay makes a decision on the goaltending equipment now in place and suspends a guy, don’t holler and scream,” Campbell said. “Believe in the process.” (puck daddy)

UND no. 1 USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

March 14, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(35)	30- 5-3	982	2
2	Quinnipiac	(14)	27- 3-7	943	1
3	Providence	( 1)	27- 5-4	888	4
4	St. Cloud State		29- 8-1	837	5
5	Boston College		26- 6-5	830	3
6	Denver		23- 8-5	749	6
7	Michigan		22- 7-5	679	9
8	Massachusetts-Lowell		23- 8-5	662	11
9	Harvard		18- 9-4	560	12
10	Yale		19- 8-4	517	7
11	Boston University		21-12-5	497	8
12	Michigan Tech		23- 8-5	461	13
13	Notre Dame		19-10-7	408	10
14	Northeastern		20-13-5	296	NR
15	Minnesota State		20-12-7	218	16
16	Minnesota-Duluth		17-14-5	217	20
17	St. Lawrence		19-13-4	202	18
18	Cornell		16-11-7	172	15
19	Penn State		20-12-4	137	14
20	Minnesota		19-16-0	89	19
Others receiving votes: Robert Morris 48, Nebraska-Omaha 45, Dartmouth 31, Bowling Green 28, Air Force 2, Clarkson 2.

 

I musty admit that I am shocked that UND returned to the number one spot in the latest USCHO poll. Also, the national college hockey media has been fawning and slobbering all over Quinnipiac this season. And they're a good team no doubt. Anyways, there still are 30 percent of the media that believes that QU is the top team in the nation. The nice thing about college hockey is that tourney is settled on the ice and not on paper.

 The rankings really means nothing since next weekend, they NCAA Ice Hockey Committee will look at the Pairwise Rankings and make their selections.

BTHC Brackets Are Set: But Will Anyone Watch It?

Question: If a tree falls in the forest, and there's nobody around to hear, does it make a sound?

The conference tourneys are moving on to the Semifinals and the Big Ten will be taking over the Xcel Energy Center. Word has it that tickets sales aren't very good at all. No one is shocked. I can't imagine that too many fans will go out to watch the afternoon game between the PSU Nittany Lions take on the hapless Wisconsin Badgers. Then the night game isn't any more intriguing.

I imagine that the Big Ten Hockey Conference is hoping that the Gophers don't get bounced the first game that they play in.

Frozen Faceoff: The Brackets are Set

Updated #NCHCHockey Tournament bracket with #FrozenFaceoff field set: https://t.co/ac6Y2BpQhb

Semis on Friday, 3/18 pic.twitter.com/OtP4lIWkJt

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 13, 2016

With the win, UND improves to 30-5-3 (.828). This is the first time since the 2010-11 season that UND has won 30 games.

UND hasn’t lost a game this season when they’ve entered the third period with a lead. With the win, UND improves to 23-0-2 when they lead after two periods.

Over the past three seasons, UND has a 15-1-1 record against the Tigers.

With three assists, freshman forward Brock Boeser now is two points shy of 50 points.

With the win, UND goalie Cam Johnson improved to (20-3-1, 1.58 GAA and .938 save percentage). Johnson is leading the nation in goals-against average and is second in save percentage.

(Final Box Score)

Jack Eichel is Good at Hockey

Eichel. So clutch. So easy. So beautiful.https://t.co/IiJP5NHHS0

— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2016

Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Jack Eichel makes scoring a clutch goal look really easy. I also love the call of the goal by hall of fame announcer Rick Jeanneret. This guy is one of the best in the business. Jeanneret is set to retire at the end of the 2016 NHL season.