Saturday, October 01, 2016

No Ryder Cup for Red River Valley Residents

PGA golf fans living in the Red River Valley, will not be able to watch the second round of the Ryder Cup today. Instead, you have to watch the Thundering Herd play against Illinois State. Checking out social media, a few of the people I follow are less than thrilled.
KVLY announced on its Facebook page Friday afternoon that it will not air Saturday's coverage of the Ryder Cup.

Instead, KVLY will broadcast the Bison football game against Illinois State.

KVLY said it offered to carry the Ryder Cup on one of its alternate channels, but NBC refused. (Grand Forks Herald)
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Recently, KVLY usurped a Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoff game with the NDSU Spring Football game.
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Thursday, September 29, 2016

Drake Caggiula Two Times

Last night, former UND and rookie Edmonton Oilers forward Drake Caggiula scored two goals against the Vancouver Canucks. Caggiula's first goal was a result of being in the right place at the right time and picking up the change in front of the net. (Caggiula First goal) Caggiula's second goal was a thing of beauty. (Caggiula one-timer).



On the other end of the ice, former UND defensemen and current Vancouver Canucks rookie Troy Stecher had a remarkable three-point night. Here's the video of his goal. (Stecher Goal)

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Monday, September 26, 2016

Minnesota vs. North Dakota Series on FSN

Good afternoon, there's some very good news for college hockey fans,  The Gophers, and the F'N Hawks will resume their historic series on November 4-5, 2016. Both games will be on Fox Sports North. For example, if you live in Texas and you have DirecTV (sports pack required) or Dish Network, you will be able to watch the series.
FOX Sports North will broadcast 17 regular-season Gopher Hockey games including the regular-season home opener vs. St. Cloud State on Oct. 21, both games in the North Dakota series on Nov. 4-5 and the regular-season finale vs. Michigan State on March 11.

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The Oilers New Mascot - Hunter

Speaking of mascots, that the heck is this thing? It looks like a Bobcat.
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UND Starts out at Number 1

Preseason USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

September 26, 2016

Team(First Place Votes)RecordPointsLast Poll
1North Dakota(43)34- 6-49931
2Quinnipiac( 1)32- 4-78562
3Denver25-10-68484
4Boston University( 5)21-13-577414
5Boston College( 1)28- 8-56413
6Minnesota-Duluth19-16-56219
7St. Cloud State31- 9-15695
8Massachusetts-Lowell26-10-55357
9Notre Dame19-11-750213
10Providence27- 7-44767
11Michigan25- 8-54706
12Harvard19-11-442210
13Minnesota20-17-0404NR
14Bowling Green22-14-6370NR
15Northeastern22-15-536112
16St. Lawrence19-14-433618
17Michigan Tech23- 9-528516
18Yale19- 9-428311
19Minnesota State21-13-715317
20Ferris State20-15-612615
Others receiving votes: Cornell 92, Nebraska-Omaha 85, Penn State 63, Clarkson 62, Rochester Institute of Technology 62, Ohio State 33, Air Force 17, Vermont 16, Miami 11, Wisconsin 10, Dartmouth 6, Robert Morris 6, Michigan State 5.

 UND starts out the 2016-17 season ranked first in the USCHO Preseason Poll. UND is also picked to finish first in the NCHC preseason media poll. Four NCHC teams make up the USCHO poll. 

 Last week, the NCHC released the preseason Media Poll. 

 2016-17 NCHC Preseason Poll
North Dakota – 235 points (25 first-place votes)
Denver – 200 (3)
Minnesota Duluth – 173 (2)
St. Cloud State – 155
Omaha – 119
Miami – 96
Western Michigan – 65
Colorado College – 37
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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

David Backes not Impressed with Phil Kessel's Tweet

Last night, after Team Canada beat Team USA 4-2, Phil Kessel tweeted this. Apparently, some didn't like Kessel's tweet.
 





From Puck Daddy:

“It’s disappointing. It’s almost to say that we were coasting or don’t care, weren’t representing our countries as well as we could have and for other guys that have worn the jersey, it’s disappointing,” Team USA forward David Backes said. “I understand there’s hard feelings if you weren’t picked for the team or if whatever, but the comments are, I think – as a team guy and as a guy that stands by my teammates, win lose or draw, it’s a little distasteful and aggravating but everyone’s got a Twitter account and you can have freedom of speech to say whatever you want and so be it. But those comments don’t get lost in the fray and those comments are there and have been read and I think will be remembered when whatever happens going forward happens going forward.”
First, I thought Kessel's tweet was spot on. During the first two games, I thought Team USA looked slow, uninspired and old. They lost all of the 50/50 battles. Team USA didn't look like they even wanted there. Finally, I am more than disappointed with the team that built to beat Canada.
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Sunday, September 18, 2016

Herald Letter: New logo conspicuous by its absence at UND

Yesterday, while reading the Grand Forks Herald letters to the editor, I came across this interesting letter. Mr. Johnson isn't the first one to ask this question. When Brad Schlossman tweeted the picture of the ice going in, missing was the new logo. There were a few tweets back asking where and when the new logo was going to be at center ice.
UND's new nickname is the Fighting Hawks. So, why is UND not getting behind it and painting in on the ice at Ralph Engelstad Arena—or on the basketball or volleyball floor at Betty Engelstad Arena—or on the football field at the Alerus Center?

Instead, those facilities are using the interlocking ND logo, which is being phased out. Why? Does UND not even like the Fighting Hawks logo?

The university wants all the fans to get on board with the new logo, but the school itself has not even fully embraced it.

J.R. Johnson

Grand Forks
From what I have heard and read, the new logo isn't going to be on any playing surface this season. However, we're to expect to see it there during the 2017-18 season.
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Thursday, September 15, 2016

ASN to Broadcast 10 NCHC GAMES in 2016-17

Today, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced that American Sports Network will carry 10 of the league's games. This is very good news, it gives the NCHC more exposure on the national level.

For UND fans that don't live in the area or like to watch hockey games through an Internet hookup will be able to see two more of their games on TV via cable or a satellite dish (DirecTV or DISH).

Per the NCHC:

Games selected to air on ASN are centered on member institutions that have limited local/regional television exposure from their home venues. With that in mind, CC and WMU each host a trio of ASN games, while Omaha will host two ASN broadcasts and Denver and Miami will each have one ASN telecast originate from their arena. Eight of the 10 games ASN will air are conference games with only two non-conference contests on the slate. 


“The announcement of 10 additional NCHC distributed games through American Sports Network speaks to our commitment toward national exposure,” NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton said in an official press release. “We appreciate ASN’s partnership with our conference and their overall coverage given to college hockey. We look forward to another great year on their network.”

2016-17 NCHC ASN Television Schedule
Date
Game
Time (ET)
Fri., Oct. 21, 2016
Vermont at Omaha
8:00 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 4, 2016
Miami at Western Michigan
7:00 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 11, 2016
St. Cloud State at Colorado College
9:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 18, 2016
Air Force at Western Michigan
7:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 9, 2016
Minnesota Duluth at Denver
9:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 7, 2017
North Dakota at Omaha
8:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 13, 2017
Denver at Western Michigan
6:30 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 13, 2017
Omaha at Colorado College
9:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 28, 2017
North Dakota at Colorado College
8:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 18, 2017
Denver at Miami
8:00 p.m.
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Jake Brandt Returns to Midco Sports Network for UND Hockey Games

Another hockey season is almost upon us. Like last season, former University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux goalie Jake Brandt will do color for hockey games broadcast on Midco Sports Network.
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Not so Fast

It appears the Holy Cross to Hockey East rumor might be a bit premature.


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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Holy Cross to Hockey East?

Looks like college hockey realignment might not be done after all. According to Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram, the Holy Cross Crusaders could be headed to Hockey East.
According to multiple sources, Holy Cross has been approached about replacing Notre Dame in Hockey East when the Fighting Irish leave after this winter. That move would require the Crusaders to play their home games at the DCU Center.

And in the event the change in leagues occurs, Holy Cross would be sharing the building with the new Worcester Railers of the ECHL.

The Railers are scheduled to begin play in October, 2017.

“We became aware of it (Monday),” said ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna, “and we’re very concerned about it. Beyond that, we don’t care to comment further.”

Neither Holy Cross athletic director Nathan Pine nor Railers owner Cliff Rucker would comment about the Crusaders’ possible move to Hockey East and the DCU Center.
Got to love the duck by the DCU Center staff. Where there's smoke, there's fire. For those that haven't heard, former Michigan Tec head coach Jamie Russel is going to be the head coach of the new ECHL team.
Sandy Dunn, general manager of the DCU Center, referred all questions to Holy Cross. However, in an interview during the NCAA hockey tournament in the building in March, Dunn was asked if the DCU was ready to play host to the Crusaders should they need a bigger home.
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Monday, September 12, 2016

Ryan Anderson's New Goalie Mask

Thoughts on Ryan Anderson's new goalie mask? Courtesy of headstronggrafx. I live in Grand Forks, and I have started to see the community embrace the new Fighting Hawks logo.

Now before you bite my head off.

I see the new logo around town, more and more. While a big percentage of hockey fans' aren't on board or with the new logo, the other sports programs that aren't hockey (players and fans) seem to be embracing the new logo. I have to say, I thought that the new logo looked okay on the football helmets. I also love the new uniforms. I see kids wearing the new logo on the way to school. I talked to a manager at Scheels and he said that the new clothing with the Fighting Hawks logo is moving off of the shelves.

A photo posted by Jason Livery's (@headstronggrafx) on
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Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Torts, "I'm not backing off."

At first, when I read this, I didn't think it would be an issue. That being said, Torts reiterated again today that he's not backing off. Don't stand for the national anthem and you won't play for team USA.

“There is no chance an anthem and a flag should come into any type of situation where you are trying to make a point,” Tortorella told Aaron Portzline Wednesday. “It’s probably the most disrespectful thing you can do as a U.S. citizen is to bring that in because that’s our symbol. (I’m) all for express yourself. That’s what is so great. Everybody does. But no chance when it comes to the flag an anthem. No chance.”

“I have no problem (with it),'" Seth Jones told the Columbus Dispatch. "You’re not going to see anything from any of us with Torts, so I have no problem with that.”

While many fans and media aren't a fan of the firey coach from the Columbus Blue Jackets, no one can accuse him of being wishy washy. He's sticking to his guns.

“Understand: I’m not criticizing anybody for stepping up and putting their thoughts out there about things. I’m the furthest thing away from being anything political,” Tortorella told SportsNet.

“This is your anthem. This is your flag. That shouldn’t come into play for a second. Not what these people do.”

Check out what former UMD Bulldog forward J.T. Brown tweeted on the matter.



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Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Fighting Hawks not Flying at Center Ice

The 2016-17 college hockey season is almost upon us. Finally, the ice is going back in the Ralph and the #neverfightinghawks fans will be happy. At least for this season, there will not be a Fighting Hawks logo at center ice this season.

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Torts, Stand For Anthem or Don't Play

Today, team USA World Cup of hockey head coach John Tortorella was asked what would happen if one of his players took up Colin Kaepernick's cause and failed to stand for the National Anthem. Some will like his response, won't.

“If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game,” Tortorella said.

So, if the USA players don't stand for the national anthem they will sit.


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Monday, September 05, 2016

Collin Kaepernick's Stand, He Refuses to Stand

I am sitting here alone at work on Labor Day I am looking through some of my friends Facebook posts. Of course, there’s the usual, Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump posts.

There’s been one topic that hasn’t’ died and seems to have a life of its own. You know the one, the San Franciso backup quarterback Collin Kaepernick’s and his refusal to stand for the national anthem. Last week, Kaepernick made the following statement when asked why he wouldn’t stand for the national anthem.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

This week, President Barrack Obama weighed in on Kaepernick’s position.

“[H]e’s following his constitutional right to make a statement,” President Obama said at a press conference in Hangzhou, China. “I think there’s a long history of sports figures doing so. ”The president added, “I don’t doubt his sincerity. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. And if nothing else, he’s generated some conversation around some topics that need to be talked about it.”

Like I have said in the past, I am not all that fussed about Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the national anthem. As an American, he has that right to take this stand, or in this case, not to stand. Whether we like it or not, it’s protected speech under the first amendment.

It doesn't matter if we have a pen and a phone. We're a nation of laws. We can’t pick and choose what amendments or  laws we like to follow. As a constitutional conservative, I am not offended by this man's opinion. Do I agree with it? Nope. But it's not about me.

This is America, people are allowed to have differing opinions. We also have the right to "respectfully" disagree with these folks. Not everyone is going to see the world the same way or have the same personal experience. In my case, I have no idea what it's like to be a rich person or a minority.

There’s another side to this story. Kaepernick has also worn socks that depict cops as pigs. This move has offended police and law enforcement officers nationwide.

Now, the Santa Clara Police Officers Association (their police department's union) has come out and said some of their officers aren't going to work the San Francisco 49ers games.

"I'm already hearing it this week that next week on Monday Night Football, some officers are not going to work," said Frank Saunders, president of the Santa Clara Police Officers Association.

Before you go off on these police officers and say that they’re ducking their responsibilities and disregarding safety, they're not. They're exercising their first amendment rights. Like Kaepernick, they also have the same protected speech. They have choice to not work these events, this isn’t mandatory overtime. This is an overtime gig to supplement their incomes. They’re also exercising their freedom of speech by failing to sign up for the overtime shifts. There will be other officers that will take those shifts.

This is the beauty of America, you can’t pick and choose. It's hypocritical to approve of one’s protected first amendment speech and then turn around and say, “Hey! They can’t do that.” Everyone is protected under the first amendment, whether you like it or not. Live with it. In other words, the law enforcement officers that Kaepernick attacks can also turn around let him know their feelings about his actions. That's life.
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Saturday, September 03, 2016

Did the Vikings Give up Too Much to Get Bradford?

Today, we found out that the Minnesota Viking acquired Sam Bradford of the Philadelphia Eagles for a first-round and fourth-round draft choice. I’ve been told by a few people that the Eagles have officially fleeced the Vikings.

Bradford, 28, is an oft-injured quarterback and it will be interesting to see if he can lead the Vikings back to the NFL playoffs in 2016. As you can see, he's got the curse of the Heisman Trophy.
Sam Bradford, the first-overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, has thrown for 14,790 yards, 78 TDs, 52 INTs and has a 81.0 passer rating in his 63 career games, all of which are starts. Bradford, who was acquired by Philadelphia via trade during the 2015 offseason, set Eagles franchise records in completions (346) and completion percentage (65.0%) and finished fourth in team history in passing yardage (3,725) in his lone season with the club. The former Heisman winner and 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year still holds the NFL rookie completion record (354). (Vikings.com)

I keep reading how the Vikings got the short end of the deal. I also read a reference to the Hershel Walker trade. So, did the Vikings give up too much to get Bradford? I guess we will soon find out.
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Thursday, September 01, 2016

Coltyn Sanderson Signed by the Solar Bears

Today, it’s been a great news day and another great story. The Orlando Solar Bears of the East Coast Hockey League has signed former University of North Dakota forward Coltyn Sanderson. In my humble opinion, Sanderson's last season at UND was very exciting, he ended up being one of the top goal scorers for UND the second half of the season. Sanderson ended up showing us an offensive flare and scored a couple of big-time goals.

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Former UND Goalie Aaron Dell penciled in as Sharks backup

According to Kevin Kurz of CSNBAYAREA.com, former Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell is "currently" the San Jose Sharks number two goalie. It will be interesting to see if he ends up being the number two goalie on the Sharks opening day roster.
2015-16 year in review: In his first full season in the American Hockey League, Aaron Dell seized the number one job on the Barracuda by posting a 17-16-6 record, 2.42 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 40 games. That earned him a two-year, $1.25 million contract extension with the Sharks this offseason, and he’s currently penciled in as the backup to Martin Jones on the depth chart.

Dell’s extension also fulfills the Sharks’ obligation to expose at least one goaltender under contract for the upcoming expansion draft next summer, allowing them to protect Jones.

2016-17 outlook: It’s difficult to predict just how Dell will fare in what is expected to be his first taste of NHL hockey, but the University of North Dakota product is much older than your standard NHL rookie, so it’s unlikely his game will drastically change at this point in his career. By all accounts he was outstanding with the Barracuda last season, so he’s earned a chance to make his NHL debut.
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Three Former UND Players Make Blackhawks 2016 Rookie Tournament Roster

Today, the Chicago Blackhawks released their roster for the 2016 Rookie Tournament today. The tournament will be held at Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City, Michigan, from Sept. 16-20. If you look at the Blackhawks rookie tournament roster there are three former UND players on it.

The fourteen forwards on the roster include Nick Schmaltz, Bryn Chyzyk and Luke Johnson.
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