Chorney Makes the Cut
Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney has made the INCH's First Half All-WCHA Team. Some more Gee-Whiz reading that I don't mind at all. INCHLink Taylor is a solid defensman and the Fighting Sioux will need him to continue his solid play in the second half of the season if the Fighting Sioux are to make another second half run to the NCAA and WCHA playoffs.
Stats of Interest:
While sitting in the stands recently while the Sioux were being swept by the Wisconsin Badgers a guy that sits next to me told me that Hakstol had not a very good coaching record against the likes of Wisconsin and Minnesota since he has been the head coach at UND. Here is a break down of Hak's record against his two WCHA rivals.
Minnesota: 4-4-0
Wisconsin: 4-7-1
Hakstols Sioux may not have the best regular season record against the Badgers, however, when it matters the most Coach Hakstol has beaten the Badgers twice during the WCHA playoffs at the Final Five. They say the creme rises to the top during defining moments.
Against Minnesota Coach Hakstol has a .500 record against the Minnesota Gophers, however, he does have a winning record against the Gophers during the playoffs winning twice in the 2004-2005 season.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
The Goals of the Week. A couple of Former Sioux light the lamp
These are some awesome goals
Zach Parise and Jason Blake light the lamp. Peter Bondra gets his 500th of his career. The Wild Finish in St. Paul as the Wild beat the dead things.
Zach Parise and Jason Blake light the lamp. Peter Bondra gets his 500th of his career. The Wild Finish in St. Paul as the Wild beat the dead things.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Sioux and Dartmouth Game thread.
UND Fighting Sioux and Dartmouth Big Green
First period Underway:
Score in the first period short handed, finally a goal by a third or fourth line. It took 18 games for the Sioux to score a short-handed goal. Rylan Kiap with the short-handed goal. Even though it was a special teams goal, Brad's Blog has Kaip on the third line with Martens and Fabian, so Sioux fans will take it. The third and fourth lines could make some noise tonight. It would be key if the Sioux want to win the game in convincing fashion.
Penalty to Chay Genoway at 5:57 of the first.
Penalty Shot: awarded to the Sioux. Oshie misses on the penalty shot, Oshie was flexing his hand before the penalty shot, just hoping he isn't hurt again. I suppose we shouldn't worry that much since "the Oshie" has a huge threshold for pain.
Sioux with the parade to the box. Now they are down 5 on 3 for 1:18. Can we say it's time to tighten it up and stop taking stupid selfish penalties.
There is a 7 second delay between the Internet broadcast and the radio broadcast.
More Penalties: Zajac and Lewis at 17:15 of the first period, matching roughing minors 4 on 4 play. The officials for this game must be from the ECAC because there has been a parade to the penalty box all night.
Sioux fourth line was buzzing around the Dartmouth net.
After One Period.
Fighting Sioux up 1-0. Fighting Sioux looking strong and keep a lot of the shots to the outside. There were no assists on Kaip's goal his first of the year and only the fourth goal of his fighting Sioux career.
Second Period: UND gets the power play right away.
Short handed goal for Dartmouth by Jones his 7th goal of the season as he walks by Scott Foyt. Make that an unassisted shorthanded goal by Dartmouth. Second period is not been kind to UND.
Sioux look to be working on a second period stumble again as Dartmouth looking better in the period.
Only 14 shots on net half way through the game, that's only a pitiful 7 shots for each team, this has not been a very exciting game so far.
Another penalty at 9:13 of the second period as Duncan making the trip to the box.
Sioux kill off the penalty and Dartmouth now in the Penalty box. Now is the time for a power play goal for the Fighting Sioux. The Sioux came into the game scoring 21% on the power play but are 0-3 so on the power play so far for the game.
Make that 0-4 on the power play. The Sioux are looking like they are little disorganized so far in the game; maybe it’s the fact that they haven’t played a game in about two weeks. Power play is not clicking. There have only been 10 shots on goal for each team so far.
Big Joe Finley takes a stupid crosschecking penalty, although in reviewing the penalty it looked pretty weak to me.
Oh my God, another fricken penalty at a really bad time as the Sioux are down 5-3 with a boarding penalty to Jones. The assistant referee made the call from way across the ice. Hak is not happy with the call. This is a big kill coming up. Now is not the time to implode. Lets kill the penalty boys.
Sioux only down one man as Finley back on the ice. Johnson from Dartmouth pulls down Genoway, penalty Dartmouth. Sioux will get the power play in 26 seconds. Lammy making some big saves to keep the Sioux in the game. Scratch that PP as Kyle Radke with another untimely stupid penalty. Sioux have been penalized 8 times in the game already, with one period to go. Dartmouth's Glass runs into Lammy so the Sioux will have a 4-3 power play.
End of the Second Period
Sioux will have a 4-3 power play to start the third period.
UND's Lamoureux with 11 saves Dartmouth's Devine with 9 saves after two periods of play.
Third Period Underway:
Sioux come out on fire; Sioux were on the power play again 5 on 4. Scratch that Kyle Radke takes another stupid penalty only 1:25 into the third period.
Sioux kill the penalty. Sioux are buzzing the Dartmouth net again.
Forney with a penalty, come on guys we are playing with fire. Even though Dartmouth is 11/95 on the power play.
Glass is going to get a penalty for ramming into Lamoureux. Holy cow the refs need to let the boys play some hockey. There has been a rash of penalties; there is absolutely no flow at all to this game. We are playing 4 on 4 hockey again, unless there is another parade to the penalty box again, as the referee continues to call the game very tight.
Sioux Score:
Bina scores from Duncan and Oshie on a beautiful goal. That is the third goal of the season for Robbie Bina.
My God; another penalty to Matt Watkins, the 11th of the game at 7:26 of the third period. These clowns in the ECAC can't call a game to save their lives.
Fighting Sioux Andrew Kozek Scores:
That is number 4 on the year for Andrew Kozek finally gets off the snide, assist on the goal to Chris Porter. Finally; that is what I am talking about. On the night that makes two goals 4 on 4 goals in the third period.
I have decided to give up reporting Penalties just too many to call at with 5:49 left in the third period. There are just too many to report. In fact as I write there is no one in the penalty boxes. Cross your fingers folks. UND hasn't given up any power play goals to the Big Green so far and that should bring UND's penalty kill numbers up. Looking at the silver lining in this.
Sioux Score an Empty Net Goal:
Duncan his 12th of the year assist from TJ Oshie. All UND goals were scored either 4 on 4 or short-handed. The first two short handed goal of the year.
Keys to the win:
Limit power play goals by the opposition there were non-score tonight. Dartmouth was about 0-13 on the night. The Fighting Sioux will have to limit the amount of penalties they take if they want to be successful. The Fighting Sioux needed to get good defense from the defensive core; that happened tonight for the first time in a long time.
Goaltending Proves to be the Key to the Game: The Sioux got very solid goaltending from their starter tonight. It must happen every night for the Sioux to win in the second half of the season.
Intangibles; I know this win is against a weaker team from a weak division but it stops a 4 game losing streak where the Sioux had lost 7 out of 8 games. This is something the coaching staff can build on and get the confidence of this team going again.
Scores from tonight:
Clarkson Beating Wisconsin 4-1
SCSU beats UNION 6-2
UMD getting beat by OSU 4-1
Minnesota beating Cup Cake Alabama Huntsville 3-0
SLU beats BU 4-3 in OT on a penalty shot.
First period Underway:
Score in the first period short handed, finally a goal by a third or fourth line. It took 18 games for the Sioux to score a short-handed goal. Rylan Kiap with the short-handed goal. Even though it was a special teams goal, Brad's Blog has Kaip on the third line with Martens and Fabian, so Sioux fans will take it. The third and fourth lines could make some noise tonight. It would be key if the Sioux want to win the game in convincing fashion.
Penalty to Chay Genoway at 5:57 of the first.
Penalty Shot: awarded to the Sioux. Oshie misses on the penalty shot, Oshie was flexing his hand before the penalty shot, just hoping he isn't hurt again. I suppose we shouldn't worry that much since "the Oshie" has a huge threshold for pain.
Sioux with the parade to the box. Now they are down 5 on 3 for 1:18. Can we say it's time to tighten it up and stop taking stupid selfish penalties.
There is a 7 second delay between the Internet broadcast and the radio broadcast.
More Penalties: Zajac and Lewis at 17:15 of the first period, matching roughing minors 4 on 4 play. The officials for this game must be from the ECAC because there has been a parade to the penalty box all night.
Sioux fourth line was buzzing around the Dartmouth net.
After One Period.
Fighting Sioux up 1-0. Fighting Sioux looking strong and keep a lot of the shots to the outside. There were no assists on Kaip's goal his first of the year and only the fourth goal of his fighting Sioux career.
Second Period: UND gets the power play right away.
Short handed goal for Dartmouth by Jones his 7th goal of the season as he walks by Scott Foyt. Make that an unassisted shorthanded goal by Dartmouth. Second period is not been kind to UND.
Sioux look to be working on a second period stumble again as Dartmouth looking better in the period.
Only 14 shots on net half way through the game, that's only a pitiful 7 shots for each team, this has not been a very exciting game so far.
Another penalty at 9:13 of the second period as Duncan making the trip to the box.
Sioux kill off the penalty and Dartmouth now in the Penalty box. Now is the time for a power play goal for the Fighting Sioux. The Sioux came into the game scoring 21% on the power play but are 0-3 so on the power play so far for the game.
Make that 0-4 on the power play. The Sioux are looking like they are little disorganized so far in the game; maybe it’s the fact that they haven’t played a game in about two weeks. Power play is not clicking. There have only been 10 shots on goal for each team so far.
Big Joe Finley takes a stupid crosschecking penalty, although in reviewing the penalty it looked pretty weak to me.
Oh my God, another fricken penalty at a really bad time as the Sioux are down 5-3 with a boarding penalty to Jones. The assistant referee made the call from way across the ice. Hak is not happy with the call. This is a big kill coming up. Now is not the time to implode. Lets kill the penalty boys.
Sioux only down one man as Finley back on the ice. Johnson from Dartmouth pulls down Genoway, penalty Dartmouth. Sioux will get the power play in 26 seconds. Lammy making some big saves to keep the Sioux in the game. Scratch that PP as Kyle Radke with another untimely stupid penalty. Sioux have been penalized 8 times in the game already, with one period to go. Dartmouth's Glass runs into Lammy so the Sioux will have a 4-3 power play.
End of the Second Period
Sioux will have a 4-3 power play to start the third period.
UND's Lamoureux with 11 saves Dartmouth's Devine with 9 saves after two periods of play.
Third Period Underway:
Sioux come out on fire; Sioux were on the power play again 5 on 4. Scratch that Kyle Radke takes another stupid penalty only 1:25 into the third period.
Sioux kill the penalty. Sioux are buzzing the Dartmouth net again.
Forney with a penalty, come on guys we are playing with fire. Even though Dartmouth is 11/95 on the power play.
Glass is going to get a penalty for ramming into Lamoureux. Holy cow the refs need to let the boys play some hockey. There has been a rash of penalties; there is absolutely no flow at all to this game. We are playing 4 on 4 hockey again, unless there is another parade to the penalty box again, as the referee continues to call the game very tight.
Sioux Score:
Bina scores from Duncan and Oshie on a beautiful goal. That is the third goal of the season for Robbie Bina.
My God; another penalty to Matt Watkins, the 11th of the game at 7:26 of the third period. These clowns in the ECAC can't call a game to save their lives.
Fighting Sioux Andrew Kozek Scores:
That is number 4 on the year for Andrew Kozek finally gets off the snide, assist on the goal to Chris Porter. Finally; that is what I am talking about. On the night that makes two goals 4 on 4 goals in the third period.
I have decided to give up reporting Penalties just too many to call at with 5:49 left in the third period. There are just too many to report. In fact as I write there is no one in the penalty boxes. Cross your fingers folks. UND hasn't given up any power play goals to the Big Green so far and that should bring UND's penalty kill numbers up. Looking at the silver lining in this.
Sioux Score an Empty Net Goal:
Duncan his 12th of the year assist from TJ Oshie. All UND goals were scored either 4 on 4 or short-handed. The first two short handed goal of the year.
Keys to the win:
Limit power play goals by the opposition there were non-score tonight. Dartmouth was about 0-13 on the night. The Fighting Sioux will have to limit the amount of penalties they take if they want to be successful. The Fighting Sioux needed to get good defense from the defensive core; that happened tonight for the first time in a long time.
Goaltending Proves to be the Key to the Game: The Sioux got very solid goaltending from their starter tonight. It must happen every night for the Sioux to win in the second half of the season.
Intangibles; I know this win is against a weaker team from a weak division but it stops a 4 game losing streak where the Sioux had lost 7 out of 8 games. This is something the coaching staff can build on and get the confidence of this team going again.
Scores from tonight:
Clarkson Beating Wisconsin 4-1
SCSU beats UNION 6-2
UMD getting beat by OSU 4-1
Minnesota beating Cup Cake Alabama Huntsville 3-0
SLU beats BU 4-3 in OT on a penalty shot.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Season's Greating From a Gopher fan.
Anti Sue?Satnu's Church
Hum, I not sure I want to touch this one. I don't want to be struck down by a higher power in the next thunderstorm. The Golden Nation has a way of coming up with interesting posts, some border on demented. It almost seems like the author has a Sioux fixation. Thats fine. Satnu's work gives me something to laugh about during what has turned out to be one of the roughest seasons on record for Fighting Sioux fans during the last 10 seasons. In a way it's kind of funny because I have a bunch of buddies that keep telling me this all the time, I keep telling them 7>5. I am not sure if the sign is legit or not it could be an urban legend, or someone with a photo shop program and I also the authors church is in Cambridge England.
Personally, I am not so sure I would want to defile a Church sign like this but to each his own.
Check out these Fugly Uniforms.
New Hockey Uniforms: Yuck
These are for the five people that haven't seen these uniforms yet. When I first saw this I thought it was a joke, but these are some ugly jerseys. The new Jerseys for maine are the worst. Yuck, you have to be kidding me.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Miller Takes on the Double A-Zone: This is Some Classic Stuff.
Pat Miller in the Zone:
I wonder if the NC$$ ever feels like it picked the wrong fight, when it deemed the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux name hostile and abusive... Seriously I bet the NCAA never expected some of the responses they have gotten from Sioux fans since the NCAA picked a fight with UND. Give them hell Pat Miller.
Double A Zone
Minnesota takes a stand. Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi announced that the school will not compete against North Dakota in any sport other than men’s or women’s ice hockey because of its Fighting Sioux nickname. Both schools compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and I assume that’s why the Gophers will keep playing North Dakota on the ice. While the NCAA has come under much criticism for the Executive Committee’s policy restricting the use of Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery, this reinforces that there are plenty of people who work in higher education who don’t condone the use of racially sensitive monikers in the athletics arena. Maturi isn’t the first to take a stand and likely won’t be the last.
Patrick Millers Response:
We will all be patiently waiting for Josh to respond to Miller’s comments I doubt one will be forth coming any time soon. Hey, we will wait. Mostly likely Josh will take the high road, and fail to answer Pat’s comments. Probably just blow them off as more UND anti NCAA rhetoric. Sadly the NCAA continues to sit in its ivory tower and look down on people, wringing their hands and trying to rid the college athletic world of social injustices. The sad part is that look like a bunch of elitist boobs. There is an old saying about not throwing stones when you live in glass houses.
Here is another comment from a fan that I thought was interesting, but it does add to the discussion. Read and enjoy:
Someone should call Maturi and ask him to explain this policy and aske him why the University of Minnesota can play CMU in golf but not UND in basketball. Seems like the University of Minnesota pretty much violated its own policy they were beating their chest about. Finally, be happy Gopher fans that your team doesn’t have to play mighty FSU in Football. Realistically speaking, your team barely beat the NDSU Bison a provisional member of Division 1AA (and a very good one I might add also) what makes you think your team can win a game against a legitimate 1-A football opponent. But Hey your moral fiber won't allow you to play the Sioux. Thats your loss by the way.
The point of contention for me and other UND fans is that one name/mascot is good for one some schools and under the same types of circumstances another name is not good for other schools, mostly schools that aren't as big and as powerful as FSU. Because of this flawed policy some schools remain on the list, while other schools do not. I hate to cloud the issue with fact but:
The NCAA attempts to distinguish UND's situation from CMU's by stating that it "received no Resolutions or other official statements in opposition from Chippewa Tribes in connection with use of the name by CMU" (emphasis added) while not denying that it has been on actual notice that in fact five other Chippewa Tribes in Michigan actually do oppose CMU's use of the name, which UND pointed out to the NCAA in its Nov. 4th 2005 memo. (Def. NACD's Mem. Opp"n to Pl.'s Mot. for Prelim. Inj. at 41-42). The NCAA's disparate treatment of CMU and UND constitutes bad faith.
EDIT: My Response, I wrote this response to poster by the name of Scott who had posted on the NCAA blog.
I am betting Josh won't comment on any of the 6 responses that have been posted to his blog entry.
I wonder if the NC$$ ever feels like it picked the wrong fight, when it deemed the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux name hostile and abusive... Seriously I bet the NCAA never expected some of the responses they have gotten from Sioux fans since the NCAA picked a fight with UND. Give them hell Pat Miller.
Double A Zone
Minnesota takes a stand. Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi announced that the school will not compete against North Dakota in any sport other than men’s or women’s ice hockey because of its Fighting Sioux nickname. Both schools compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and I assume that’s why the Gophers will keep playing North Dakota on the ice. While the NCAA has come under much criticism for the Executive Committee’s policy restricting the use of Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery, this reinforces that there are plenty of people who work in higher education who don’t condone the use of racially sensitive monikers in the athletics arena. Maturi isn’t the first to take a stand and likely won’t be the last.
Patrick Millers Response:
So when's the NCAA going to dump Pontiac as a sponsor? That's the auto manufacturer that uses the name of a famous American Indian chief for profit and a stylized arrowhead logo for marketing purposes. Or are economic factors more important than high-minded principles to the NCAA?
When is the NCAA going to change the name of its Theodore Roosevelt Award? After all, it was Roosevelt who once said: "I suppose I should be ashamed to say that I take the Western view of the Indian. I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are, and I shouldn't like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth." Why does the NCAA continue to honor a man who engaged in hate speech and advocated the genocide of American Indians?
Of course, Minnesota itself is an American Indian word. The University of Minnesota rests upon land once occupied by the Santee Sioux tribe, a tribe forced off its land by broken treaties at the point of a gun. Other Sioux tribes in Minnesota suffered the same fate. Many of their ancestors now live in North Dakota and attend UND because of its 25+ programs for American Indians. Perhaps the good citizens of Minnesota could better display their sensitivity and sense of social justice by returning that stolen property to its original owners.
If you think that the the University of Minnesota, which has four times the number of students as UND, actually enrolls more American Indian students that its "hostile and abusive" neighbor to the west, you'd be wrong. The hypocrisy displayed by the NCAA and the University of Minnesota on this issue is nothing short of stunning.
We will all be patiently waiting for Josh to respond to Miller’s comments I doubt one will be forth coming any time soon. Hey, we will wait. Mostly likely Josh will take the high road, and fail to answer Pat’s comments. Probably just blow them off as more UND anti NCAA rhetoric. Sadly the NCAA continues to sit in its ivory tower and look down on people, wringing their hands and trying to rid the college athletic world of social injustices. The sad part is that look like a bunch of elitist boobs. There is an old saying about not throwing stones when you live in glass houses.
Here is another comment from a fan that I thought was interesting, but it does add to the discussion. Read and enjoy:
What a fine stand to take. But wait a second, oops, he seems to have forgotten that wrestling competed against Central Michigan....the Chippewas. And, oops, forgot to check that pesky Golf schedule on their web page....where they played in the "Fighting Illini Invitational." You want an example of a stand? Find someone who isn't also a hypocrite.
Lucky for Minnesota their football team won't be good enough to meet Florida State anytime soon.... Imagine the backpedaling he’d have to do then!
Posted by: Jerry Hatch
Someone should call Maturi and ask him to explain this policy and aske him why the University of Minnesota can play CMU in golf but not UND in basketball. Seems like the University of Minnesota pretty much violated its own policy they were beating their chest about. Finally, be happy Gopher fans that your team doesn’t have to play mighty FSU in Football. Realistically speaking, your team barely beat the NDSU Bison a provisional member of Division 1AA (and a very good one I might add also) what makes you think your team can win a game against a legitimate 1-A football opponent. But Hey your moral fiber won't allow you to play the Sioux. Thats your loss by the way.
The point of contention for me and other UND fans is that one name/mascot is good for one some schools and under the same types of circumstances another name is not good for other schools, mostly schools that aren't as big and as powerful as FSU. Because of this flawed policy some schools remain on the list, while other schools do not. I hate to cloud the issue with fact but:
The NCAA attempts to distinguish UND's situation from CMU's by stating that it "received no Resolutions or other official statements in opposition from Chippewa Tribes in connection with use of the name by CMU" (emphasis added) while not denying that it has been on actual notice that in fact five other Chippewa Tribes in Michigan actually do oppose CMU's use of the name, which UND pointed out to the NCAA in its Nov. 4th 2005 memo. (Def. NACD's Mem. Opp"n to Pl.'s Mot. for Prelim. Inj. at 41-42). The NCAA's disparate treatment of CMU and UND constitutes bad faith.
EDIT: My Response, I wrote this response to poster by the name of Scott who had posted on the NCAA blog.
Scott,
A long time ago Minnesota couldn’t beat Denver in college hockey and some speculated it was because DU used too many 25-year-old Canadians… The Gophers decided not to schedule Denver for some time (that made them look petty IMHO). However, Minnesota won’t be so silly this time around, for one it would make them look petty just like they did when they wouldn’t play DU in hockey, but the real reason the University of Minnesota doesn't want to forgo playing the UND Fighting Sioux is because they would be cutting off their nose to spite their face, they would lose too much money.
Don’t let the Gopher administrators fool you…UND is one of their biggest rivals in hockey. So when the Fighting SIOUX play the University of Minnesota they play the games in arenas packed to the rafters. Almost every game between UND and UMN that I can remember has been sold out. Second UMN doesn't want to forfeit the games. If some ridiculous school doesn’t want to play UND one of the other sports so be it, it’s their loss. However, notice no one is saying hey, we don’t want to play UND in hockey. The athletic director apologized to her minions for scheduling UND in hockey (a move that she has since been lambasted for) but notice she didn’t pull UND invitation, because she knows UND is a big draw in college hockey and will pack her arena.
When this is all said and done we will really find out that political correctness run amuck will be met with severe pushback from the rest of the non-liberal elites. The majority of people are sick of liberal social engineering. The Minnesota issue just proves how far out of touch with the rest of mainstream society the NCAA and hand wringing liberal elites are.
Posted by: Goon | December 27, 2006 01:02 PM
I am betting Josh won't comment on any of the 6 responses that have been posted to his blog entry.
WJC Tourney Under Way.
USA Loses to Germany in OT.
USA gets of to a bad start in the WJC tourney as team USA loses to weak sister Germany. Team Germany scores in the over time to shock USA 2-1. Wouldn’t you know it, Fighting Sioux defensemen, Brian Lee and Taylor Chorney were on the ice when the Germans scored the game-winning goal? Lee staying consistent and continuing to play poorly looked like a pylon as the player from German skated right by Lee like he was standing still.
Finland Shocked by Belerus
The shocker of the WJC after one day is Belarus beat team Finland and top goalie Tuukka Rask, it has been said that Rask is one of the top goalie in the WJC tourney this season and a future of the Boston Bruins. Rask gave up 4 goals on 11 shots.
Get all the updates on the WJC at TSN WJC, IIHF, Brad's Blog, Team Canada, USA Hockey
UNDHOCKEY Blog has picked team USA to win the WJC Tourney.
My Response: Yeah, not this year. I don't see it happening the USA team made a lot of good plays but failed to click offensively against a lesser team like Germany. Also, the USA players were rather selfish with the puck in the offensive end. Soon to be NHL player Kyle Okposo was awesome as he drew like 5 penalties on his own with his quick feet and tireless efforts.
Rules Changes for WJC
The WJC has now followed the NHL and gone to the 4 on 4 for overtime followed by a shoot out if the game is still tied. Also the WJC tourney is calling the game like it should be called. I think it is time for college hockey to follow suit.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
At the Half Way Point.
A look at the Standings for the WCHA Version II
Goon's World Projected Final WCHA Standing
1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. Denver
4. Wisconsin
5. Colorado College
6. Minnesota-Duluth
6. St. Cloud
8. Minnesota State
9. Michigan Tech
10. Alaska-Anchorage
Here are the actual points after the first half of the season.
Standing as of 12-24-2006
1.) Minnesota 21 points
2.) Denver 18 points
3.) C.C. 16 points
4.) SCSU 15 points
5.) UAA 14 points
6.) MTU 14 points
7.) Wisconsin 12 points
8.) UND 11 points
9.) MSUM 10 points
10.) UMD 06 points
Things are shaking out in ways I didn't think would happen.
Should be an interesting second half.
Edit: Here is the Preseason Grand Forks Herald Coaches Poll
1. (tie) Minnesota (5) 74
1. (tie) Wisconsin (3) 74
3. North Dakota (2) 66
4. Denver 55
5. St. Cloud State 48
6. Minnesota Duluth 45
7. Colorado College 37
8. Michigan Tech 19
9. Minnesota State, Mankato 18
10. Alaska Anchorage 14
Goon's World Projected Final WCHA Standing
1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. Denver
4. Wisconsin
5. Colorado College
6. Minnesota-Duluth
6. St. Cloud
8. Minnesota State
9. Michigan Tech
10. Alaska-Anchorage
Here are the actual points after the first half of the season.
Standing as of 12-24-2006
1.) Minnesota 21 points
2.) Denver 18 points
3.) C.C. 16 points
4.) SCSU 15 points
5.) UAA 14 points
6.) MTU 14 points
7.) Wisconsin 12 points
8.) UND 11 points
9.) MSUM 10 points
10.) UMD 06 points
Things are shaking out in ways I didn't think would happen.
Should be an interesting second half.
Edit: Here is the Preseason Grand Forks Herald Coaches Poll
1. (tie) Minnesota (5) 74
1. (tie) Wisconsin (3) 74
3. North Dakota (2) 66
4. Denver 55
5. St. Cloud State 48
6. Minnesota Duluth 45
7. Colorado College 37
8. Michigan Tech 19
9. Minnesota State, Mankato 18
10. Alaska Anchorage 14
Pierre-Marc Bouchard Penatly Shot against Habby.
This was an awesome penatly(some would say contriversial) shot in the Wild's win against the Chicago Black Hawks on December 5th, 2006. Infact it turned out to be the winning goal in the shoot out against the Black Hawks. This season Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been improving almost by the week as he is second on the Wild with 25 points in 35 games. When it is all said and done this will probably turn out to be a top 10 clip.
Brian Rolston
He Did What?
I am a huge Minnesota Wild Fan and I have watched them play religiously the past two seasons. Actually, it would be an huge understatement if I told you that I watched a lot of hockey this season. Ah the beauty of NHL Center Ice.
There is no question about it Brian Rolston is an All-Star-Hockey player, his value to the Minnesota Wild is very high. It would be a crying shame if he isn't on the All-Star team this season. There is no doubt that when the Wild signeed Rolston as a free agent from the Boston Bruins it was an awesome addition to the Wild's line up. It was a very smart move by the Wild Brass. Check out these clips, Rolston has a slap shot that is out of this world. How would you like to be a goalie facing one of these shots? Lastly, Rolston is one of my favorite players I just how the Wild keep him locked up and in a Wild uniform. Maria who? Enjoy.
I am a huge Minnesota Wild Fan and I have watched them play religiously the past two seasons. Actually, it would be an huge understatement if I told you that I watched a lot of hockey this season. Ah the beauty of NHL Center Ice.
There is no question about it Brian Rolston is an All-Star-Hockey player, his value to the Minnesota Wild is very high. It would be a crying shame if he isn't on the All-Star team this season. There is no doubt that when the Wild signeed Rolston as a free agent from the Boston Bruins it was an awesome addition to the Wild's line up. It was a very smart move by the Wild Brass. Check out these clips, Rolston has a slap shot that is out of this world. How would you like to be a goalie facing one of these shots? Lastly, Rolston is one of my favorite players I just how the Wild keep him locked up and in a Wild uniform. Maria who? Enjoy.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
US MarinesMerry Christmas from the Goon
First off, lets not forget our men and women fighting for Freedom in the Middle East, being a former US Army soldier myself, I know how tough it is to be away from family and friends during the holidays. Guarding our nations interests around the world is a twenty four seven, 365-day a year job. The mission doesn’t stop for the holidays. Whether you agree with the politics of the war or not, our soldiers don’t get enough credit for the hard work they do. May each and every one of our soldiers, sailor marines and airmen be in all of our thoughts and prayers, till they all come home. Lets kick some Taliban and Al-Quaida ass.
Dug a Pretty Hole
This first half of the season has been tough to swallow for rabid Sioux fans; what we have seen during the first half of the season is not Fighting Sioux hockey . Fighting Sioux hockey traditionally has been scoring timely goals, having a strong stingy defense and getting good solid goaltending from its goaltender. Of the three things listed, none has come to fruition this season as of yet. The time is now, there is no tomorrow.
While I am not giving up yet, key word is yet; I figure to make a run at the playoffs the Fighting Sioux are going to have to win 13-16 and only lose about 4-5 games, getting swept at home or on the road is not acceptable. Sounds easy enough, right? Not the way the Sioux played in the first half of the season. Nothing comes easy in this world. The road to the playoff is going to be very tough if the Fighting Sioux doesn’t get their act together and fast. Finishing in the top five is a must if the Fighting Sioux are to be successful at all.
The Schedule reads like this: The Sioux play C.C. on the 5th and 6th of January, minus Toews, Lee and Chorney (all are at Sweden for the WJC), then back at home against UAA on the 12th and 13th of January (0-2 this season against UAA), a home and home series against BSU Beavers on the 19th and 20th of January before they finish the month against the red hot UMN Gophers (lets hope they are over confident). I figure they have to go at least 6-2 or 5-3 to have a chance, anything less and it is going to be curtains for the Sioux’s playoff chances.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Take the Team Canada Hockey Challenge.
Check this out
Check out this fantasy sports game Fantasy Sports Network
I played it last year during the World Juniors tourney and it is a lot of Fun. Straight from the Site: It's simple: before each round, make your picks for the winners of each game. Every time you guess right, you rack up points. At the end of it all, you could WIN the Grand Prize: a Bubble Hockey Table, or a bunch of other cool prizes! Take the Challenge.
Check out this fantasy sports game Fantasy Sports Network
I played it last year during the World Juniors tourney and it is a lot of Fun. Straight from the Site: It's simple: before each round, make your picks for the winners of each game. Every time you guess right, you rack up points. At the end of it all, you could WIN the Grand Prize: a Bubble Hockey Table, or a bunch of other cool prizes! Take the Challenge.
Another Memory from the Past
Drew Makes Good on Penalty Shot.
How big would this kid be if he was still in a Fighting Sioux uniform. This is Drew scoring on a penatly shot in overtime against Maine in the 2004-2005 season. Big players make big plays when the game in on the line. Drew we miss you here in North Dakota. Unforunately I am a RABBID Bruin's fan and it pains me very much to see Drew wearing a Buffalo Sabres uniform.
How big would this kid be if he was still in a Fighting Sioux uniform. This is Drew scoring on a penatly shot in overtime against Maine in the 2004-2005 season. Big players make big plays when the game in on the line. Drew we miss you here in North Dakota. Unforunately I am a RABBID Bruin's fan and it pains me very much to see Drew wearing a Buffalo Sabres uniform.
Monday, December 18, 2006
All I want for Christmas!!!
Letter To Santa 
Christmas Tree
Dear Santa,
I am sending you my Christmas wish list for the 2006-2007 Fighting Sioux hockey season.
1.)Solid Goaltending each and every night, any save percentage above .900% would be appreciated, all we are asking for is just a few more saves per game and one less goal per game being scored against our team.
2.)Solid defense is a must; we want a defensive core that limits the opposition to fewer than 25 shots per game, and defensemen that pounds the living daylights out of the opposition in when they decided to skate in front of our goal.
3.)Consistent Goal scoring each and every weekend from all four lines.
4.)A couple of 20 goals scores, two will be fine but more would be appreciated.
5.)A top five finish in the WCHA standing and a home WCHA playoff series.
6.)Penalty Killing percentage of 85%, 77% is not getting it done.
7.)A berth in the Final Five in March.
8.)A berth in the NCAA playoffs.
9.)If possible a NCAA Frozen Four Berth.
10.)National Championship number 8
In conclusion Sioux fans aren’t asking for too much we just want a winning team and a successful season, please grant us our Christmas wishes, we aren’t asking for too much just joy and happiness in the new year. GO FIGHTING SIOUX.
P.S. Please put lumps of Coal in the Gophers stockings.
Respectfully,
The Goon
Christmas TreeDear Santa,
I am sending you my Christmas wish list for the 2006-2007 Fighting Sioux hockey season.
1.)Solid Goaltending each and every night, any save percentage above .900% would be appreciated, all we are asking for is just a few more saves per game and one less goal per game being scored against our team.
2.)Solid defense is a must; we want a defensive core that limits the opposition to fewer than 25 shots per game, and defensemen that pounds the living daylights out of the opposition in when they decided to skate in front of our goal.
3.)Consistent Goal scoring each and every weekend from all four lines.
4.)A couple of 20 goals scores, two will be fine but more would be appreciated.
5.)A top five finish in the WCHA standing and a home WCHA playoff series.
6.)Penalty Killing percentage of 85%, 77% is not getting it done.
7.)A berth in the Final Five in March.
8.)A berth in the NCAA playoffs.
9.)If possible a NCAA Frozen Four Berth.
10.)National Championship number 8
In conclusion Sioux fans aren’t asking for too much we just want a winning team and a successful season, please grant us our Christmas wishes, we aren’t asking for too much just joy and happiness in the new year. GO FIGHTING SIOUX.
P.S. Please put lumps of Coal in the Gophers stockings.
Respectfully,
The Goon
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Sioux Hit Rock Bottom.
Losing Skid hits 3 Games
A listless Fighting Sioux hockey team lost 3-1 to the upstart and improved Michigan Huskies, in WCHA action. The loss was the Fighting Sioux’s sixth loss in the past seven games and hence, the third loss in row for the Fighting Sioux. If one had to use one single word to describe the Fighting Sioux effort the past three games it would be: UNACCEPTABLE. This is not Fighting Sioux hockey. Fighting Sioux hockey is about effort and out working opponents, it's about winning battles and pushing people around. Fighting Sioux hockey is about winning ugly and scoring dirty goals. The MTU Huskies out worked the Fighting Sioux for 50 of 60 minutes, and it showed on the scoreboard in the end. The Sioux put on a valiant effort in the final 1.32 of the game; finally getting a single goal past Nolan. One must ask where was that at in the second period when you were MIA.
Big Problems in Goal
Also, Fighting Sioux junior goalie Phil Lamoureux continues his slide towards goaltending mediocre, losing for the third game in a row. Since Phil Lamoureux has regained his starting duties the Fighting Sioux have taken (2) TWO league points. Please? Can someone please tell me why he is still the starting goaltender? At this point in the season I don’t’ think Grieco could do any worse than Phil, at least rotate the two goalies until someone estasblishes as the go to guy. Phil isn't lighting the world on fire. I am almost ready to start the call for Walski, could he do any worse, I guess he could. In fact you can put me in the anybody but Phil camp. Give me Grieco or Walski. If your not going to play Grieco what did you bring him here for? If anything you rushed him into the league dominated by upper classmen. I also can't believe this was the best recruit that the Fighting Sioux could get, are you kidding me? In case you haven't taken a look in rafters lately this isn't Canisus College, this is the University of North Datkota the FSU of college hockey, one of the bench mark programs in division one hockey. We should have young talented goalies lined up to play for our school.
I am tired of hearing the same thing week after week, year after year: Phil is a good goalie that hasn’t gotten any offensive support, Phil hasn’t been given a fair shake (when Jordan Parise was here), the offense isn’t scoring for him, its obvious Phil isn’t cutting the mustard, the goals he let in were the defenses fault. Two of the three goals scored last night could have been stopped by a bantam “A” goalie; in fact I know one the Fighting Sioux should consider picking up. Seth are you ready to go in yet?
If the Sioux coaching staff is smart they should start combing western Canada for a shut down, stud goalie and I suggest sooner rather than later. Lets hope that the Coaching staff will not accept losing and the status quo, it's not about hurting people's feelings it's about winning hockey games. Fighting Sioux hockey is not entitlement hockey, and Sioux hockey team needs goaltending help bad.
The was for the most part last nights game was a hard game to watch, when MTU scored the third goal, I thought the stands were going to clear out for good as the fair-weather Sioux fans headed for the exits, some of which won’t be back tonight. That isn’t a bad thing. I was there to the brutal end and booing at Fighting Sioux’s effort. Something are going to have to change or the season will be lost.
A listless Fighting Sioux hockey team lost 3-1 to the upstart and improved Michigan Huskies, in WCHA action. The loss was the Fighting Sioux’s sixth loss in the past seven games and hence, the third loss in row for the Fighting Sioux. If one had to use one single word to describe the Fighting Sioux effort the past three games it would be: UNACCEPTABLE. This is not Fighting Sioux hockey. Fighting Sioux hockey is about effort and out working opponents, it's about winning battles and pushing people around. Fighting Sioux hockey is about winning ugly and scoring dirty goals. The MTU Huskies out worked the Fighting Sioux for 50 of 60 minutes, and it showed on the scoreboard in the end. The Sioux put on a valiant effort in the final 1.32 of the game; finally getting a single goal past Nolan. One must ask where was that at in the second period when you were MIA.
Big Problems in Goal
Also, Fighting Sioux junior goalie Phil Lamoureux continues his slide towards goaltending mediocre, losing for the third game in a row. Since Phil Lamoureux has regained his starting duties the Fighting Sioux have taken (2) TWO league points. Please? Can someone please tell me why he is still the starting goaltender? At this point in the season I don’t’ think Grieco could do any worse than Phil, at least rotate the two goalies until someone estasblishes as the go to guy. Phil isn't lighting the world on fire. I am almost ready to start the call for Walski, could he do any worse, I guess he could. In fact you can put me in the anybody but Phil camp. Give me Grieco or Walski. If your not going to play Grieco what did you bring him here for? If anything you rushed him into the league dominated by upper classmen. I also can't believe this was the best recruit that the Fighting Sioux could get, are you kidding me? In case you haven't taken a look in rafters lately this isn't Canisus College, this is the University of North Datkota the FSU of college hockey, one of the bench mark programs in division one hockey. We should have young talented goalies lined up to play for our school.
I am tired of hearing the same thing week after week, year after year: Phil is a good goalie that hasn’t gotten any offensive support, Phil hasn’t been given a fair shake (when Jordan Parise was here), the offense isn’t scoring for him, its obvious Phil isn’t cutting the mustard, the goals he let in were the defenses fault. Two of the three goals scored last night could have been stopped by a bantam “A” goalie; in fact I know one the Fighting Sioux should consider picking up. Seth are you ready to go in yet?
If the Sioux coaching staff is smart they should start combing western Canada for a shut down, stud goalie and I suggest sooner rather than later. Lets hope that the Coaching staff will not accept losing and the status quo, it's not about hurting people's feelings it's about winning hockey games. Fighting Sioux hockey is not entitlement hockey, and Sioux hockey team needs goaltending help bad.
The was for the most part last nights game was a hard game to watch, when MTU scored the third goal, I thought the stands were going to clear out for good as the fair-weather Sioux fans headed for the exits, some of which won’t be back tonight. That isn’t a bad thing. I was there to the brutal end and booing at Fighting Sioux’s effort. Something are going to have to change or the season will be lost.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Mid Term Stats Report: A Breaking Down the Numbers
The Fighting Sioux by the Numbers Nationally.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 4th nationally on the power play scoring on 23% of their power plays.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 54th out of 59 teams nationally in penalty killing at 77.3% (that has to improve to at least 85 percent).
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 37th nationally in penalty minutes taken at 17.3 minutes a game by the Fighting Sioux.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 37th nationally in goals scoring that works out to 3.19 goals per game.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 24th nationally in goals scored against with 3.19 per game.
In winning percentage by Sioux goaltenders.
Fighting Sioux goalie Philippe Lamoureux is ranked 51st nationally out of 78 goalies in winning percentage with a .400 percent winning percentage.
Fighting Sioux goalie goalie Tony Grieco is ranked 25th nationally out of 78 goalies with a .583 winning percentage.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 4th nationally on the power play scoring on 23% of their power plays.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 54th out of 59 teams nationally in penalty killing at 77.3% (that has to improve to at least 85 percent).
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 37th nationally in penalty minutes taken at 17.3 minutes a game by the Fighting Sioux.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 37th nationally in goals scoring that works out to 3.19 goals per game.
The Fighting Sioux are ranked 24th nationally in goals scored against with 3.19 per game.
In winning percentage by Sioux goaltenders.
Fighting Sioux goalie Philippe Lamoureux is ranked 51st nationally out of 78 goalies in winning percentage with a .400 percent winning percentage.
Fighting Sioux goalie goalie Tony Grieco is ranked 25th nationally out of 78 goalies with a .583 winning percentage.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Something to Cheer You Up.
Better Days Ahead
Looking at this tape should make Sioux fans feel a lot better, one could say that we have seen better times up here in Title Town (Grand Forks, ND), I know the season is far from over. Good times lie ahead for the Fighting Sioux Hockey team. My father sent me an email this past week that said son, "it's only a game" My response to him was "Bull Feathers". Fans of other programs can say its only a game. Winning at UND is a way of life.
Check out Big Mike Prpich's fight during the hall of fame game, it was also Jordy first game as a fighting Sioux. I hope we can see more Andrew Kozek's pattened wrist shot for a goal, aned finally the boys lifting the throphy in St. Paul at the final five, yep I was there. Haven't missed a final five in 8 years.
Looking at this tape should make Sioux fans feel a lot better, one could say that we have seen better times up here in Title Town (Grand Forks, ND), I know the season is far from over. Good times lie ahead for the Fighting Sioux Hockey team. My father sent me an email this past week that said son, "it's only a game" My response to him was "Bull Feathers". Fans of other programs can say its only a game. Winning at UND is a way of life.
Check out Big Mike Prpich's fight during the hall of fame game, it was also Jordy first game as a fighting Sioux. I hope we can see more Andrew Kozek's pattened wrist shot for a goal, aned finally the boys lifting the throphy in St. Paul at the final five, yep I was there. Haven't missed a final five in 8 years.
Hey Sioux Fans Remember this Kid? Sparky Where Have You Gone?
Sparky Makes Briggs Look Sick
When I first heard that Spirko was leaving the team I thought oh well if he doesn't want to be here, fine, so be it. After watching this years fighting Sioux hockey team struggle through the first 16 games it's apparently our offense is like a toothless tiger, UND needs an offensive spark. How big would this kid be in the Fighting Sioux line up right now? I am sure he would have tallied a few goals and made other goalies, not just Kellen Briggs look sick. Enjoy the Video and Sparky we hardly knew you.
When I first heard that Spirko was leaving the team I thought oh well if he doesn't want to be here, fine, so be it. After watching this years fighting Sioux hockey team struggle through the first 16 games it's apparently our offense is like a toothless tiger, UND needs an offensive spark. How big would this kid be in the Fighting Sioux line up right now? I am sure he would have tallied a few goals and made other goalies, not just Kellen Briggs look sick. Enjoy the Video and Sparky we hardly knew you.
Classic Don Cherry.
Think Don Likes the Refs
Don Cherry is a sports icon in my opinion, the former Boston Bruins coach has a show every Saturday night on CBC, his rants are classic. Although I am not a Canadian I appreciate his points on life. Don is a patriot and calls the game of hockey as he sees it. I really like the part where he breaks down the Drake hit as opposed to the the Ovechkin hit.
Andrew Alberts Big Hit
Former Boston College Eagle Alberts talks about the officating and how it's inconsistant from night to night. In this clip former fighting Sioux player Zach Parise gets into a scrum in front of the net with a bunch of Boston Bruins defenders.
Don Cherry is a sports icon in my opinion, the former Boston Bruins coach has a show every Saturday night on CBC, his rants are classic. Although I am not a Canadian I appreciate his points on life. Don is a patriot and calls the game of hockey as he sees it. I really like the part where he breaks down the Drake hit as opposed to the the Ovechkin hit.
Andrew Alberts Big Hit
Former Boston College Eagle Alberts talks about the officating and how it's inconsistant from night to night. In this clip former fighting Sioux player Zach Parise gets into a scrum in front of the net with a bunch of Boston Bruins defenders.
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