Bruins, Sioux humor...

@goon48 the most hated man in St. Paul tonight @thesnake34 pic.twitter.com/ZlcbrI1NVt
— Cliff Nystrom (@chetnystrom) April 8, 2014

This was sent to me on Twiter yesterday. This picture made me laugh. I wonder if he was given a hard time last night at the Wild vs. Bruins game?

Jim Ross calls Matt Frattin's hit on Kevin Wehrs

A little blue bird sent me this video. I predict that you won't see any hits like this during the 2014 Frozen Four. My neck and back hurt just watching that video. This was one of the most violent hits I have ever seen.

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My In-House Rivalry

As we get closer and closer to the much anticipated game against the Gophers, I can't help but see all of the chirping going back and forth between the two fan bases over Twitter and other social media sites.

Coming from a split household myself, I get a first hand experience of the rivalry. My dad, who grew up in Minneapolis, and bleeds maroon, is probably the prime target to chirp with me whenever we end up playing Minnesota.

He is always quick to bring up the National Championship game with Neal Broten's game winner, but like the knowledgeable UND fan that I am, I'm usually quick to fire back with the obvious seven is greater than five, or just bring up the Chris Porter wrap around of 2007.

This in house rivalry for me just makes this series that much more special to me. Not only does it make me get into the games that much more, but it also brings my dad and I closer together, even though we wear opposing colors now.

This is just one of those rivalry's that the fan bases could chirp back and forth for days on and still there could be know true winner, especially from the most knowledgeable fans. That's what makes this fun, but always remember, stay classy everyone.

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NY Police vs NY Fire Department Charity Hockey Game Brawl

I think the Dunkin Donut's taunt is perhaps the cruelest of all cuts. 

New York's finest really are a great example for us all.

More on the story here:

Flyers' Rinaldo to have hearing with the Department of Player Safety

Well this is going to be interesting. Zac Rinaldo is a repeat offender, and Chad Ruhwedel has a concussion from the hit. Spin that wheel of justice.

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports -- Philadelphia Flyers tough guy Zac Rinaldo was thrown out of Sunday's game and could miss many more.

He will have a hearing on Monday after receiving a match penalty for intent to injure for an illegal check to the head of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel during the third period of the 5-2 win.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan said after the game that Ruhwedel had a concussion.

(Video) Zac Rinaldo hit on Chad Ruhwedel

I have to say that there's going to be a review and a good chance that there might be suspension coming from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for this hit. Zac Rinaldo hits Chad Ruhwedel in the head. Thoughts on this one? Rinaldo is like a linebacker on skates.

Philadelphia Zac Rinaldo served by Jay Rosehill Match penalty - 10 min against Chad Ruhwedel

Sunday afternoon Pontifications

I am surprised at after all of these years, four to be exact, this hit is still a topic discussion on message boards. This check in question happened on March 13, 2010. Yep, no doubt it, this was a bad,and dangerous hit, but Frattin is no Matt Cooke and he was given a one-game suspension for this hit. I laugh at the suggestions that he should be thrown out of hockey for life.

Also, contrary to public opinion, North Dakota is no longer a bunch of knuckle dragging  Neanderthal  goons, as some opposition fans like to call them. They're not angels either. UND is ranked 18 out of 59 teams in Penalty Minutes, and averages 12.9 minutes per game. Compared to team of the past, that's not very high.

If you haven't been paying attention to UND hockey, they've changed the way they play. Gone are the big thumpers, UND is now more of a skating team, they play a smart tenacious checking game. Defensively, UND is the top scoring defensive teams in the nation, averaging  2.76 points per game.

Since NCAA went to current format in 2003, Minnesota & BC are 19-1 in regionals in their home state, 7-8 in regionals out of state.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 6, 2014

Gophers have played in 4 Twin Cities regionals, made Frozen Four all 4 times (8-0). They've played in 5 elsewhere, made 0 FFs (2-5).
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 6, 2014

This kind of piggy backs Brad's tweet. I always liked the argument that the Xcel Energy Center is not a home game for the Minnesota Gophers. Yep, and Worcester isn't a home game for the Eagles either right?  The Xcel Energy Center is about seven miles from the University of Minnesota's campus.

Breaking it down further, after winning the 2014 NCAA West Regional, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are now 23-13-0 all-time at the Xcel Energy Center. That's a .639 winning percentage. The Gophers had a (3-1-1, .700) record this season, their only loss, was to the Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1)in the Big Ten Hockey Tourney.

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Open Thread: Behind enemy lines, UND vs. UMN

"It's a national semifinal," Minnesota coach Don Lucia. "Who you play is not as important as playing well.

"I'm sure fans will enjoy it. They've been a big rival over the years. For me personally, I don't care if we're playing North Dakota or (whomever). The challenge is to beat a good opponent on Thursday. That's where your focus is. We're not going to get all amped up just because we're playing North Dakota. It's (whomever), the next in line in our path."

Tim Leighton from the Pioneer Press has a really good read from the Minnesota angle on this week's matchup between Minnesota and North Dakota. It's worth taking a look at. Compare and contrast the two quotes. Leighton also quotes former North Dakota alum Craig Perry. I thought that was interesting, since he hasn't played at UND for a very long time.

"The only thing that could make the rivalry even better is if we were playing each other for the national championship," Gophers junior forward Kyle Rau said. "That would be totally cool and awesome."

NHL Humor: Backes Streit Boyes

When Dany Heatley Sits, Wild Win

March, 29, 2014, Minnesota Wild win 3-1 against the Phoenix Coyotes, much maligned forward Dany Heatley is a healthy scratch. Wild fans rejoice.

March 31, 2014, the Minnesota Wild win against the L.A. Kings 3-2. Again, forward Heatley is a healthy scratch.

Is this a coincidence? Maybe.

April 3, 2014, Minnesota loses in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2., Heatley is a minus (-1) and plays 4th line minutes.

April 5, 2014, the Minnesota Wild shutout the Pittsburg Penguins 4-0, Heatley is again sitting in the press box with a suit and tie.

One of my Facebook friends brought this point up, and I had to look into this further. One has to think that Heatley’s final playing days with the Wild are going to be uneventful, with him sitting in the stands in a suit and tie.

Let’s think about this from an economic angle. For $5,000,000.00 dollars you get this kind of production (12g-15a—27pts). For $600,000.00 you get this kind of production (13g-8a—21pts). To be fair, neither player has produced much in the way of points the last five games. Heatley has (0g-0a—0pts) and Justin Fontaine has scored (0g-1a—1pts). That being said, Fontaine isn’t a defensive liability like Heatley is.

If Heatley hadn't been hurt last season, he would have been an amnesty buyout during the summer. The season can't end fast enough for Heatley. The guy needs a new start in a place not called Minnesota. That being said, he’s not going to be sign another deal for 5 Million a year and play first line minutes for anyone in the NHL.

Couple of NCAA tweets

An early look at the #FrozenFour program: #UnionHockey #BCHockey #UNDHockey #GopherHockey #NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/zNSLdaFkYW
— Union Hockey Blog (@UnionHockeyBlog) April 4, 2014

I want to thank my friends, coaches and most of all, my family for the support over the years. And thank you SCSU for 3 unforgettable yrs.
— Ryan Faragher (@fedz29) April 5, 2014

Tough to say everything in 140 characters.. pic.twitter.com/qqGioIdOzU
— Nic Kerdiles (@NicKerdiles) April 5, 2014

Vancouver Cancuks So true

Lol pic.twitter.com/06RdDhCT37
— Brendan Shanahan (@NHLSafetyShan) April 5, 2014

This tweet is funny, but indicative of the Vancouver Canucks fans.

NCAA Hockey: Early Departures

Jaycob Megna, defense, UNO, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Josh Manson, defense, NE, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Ryan Faragher, goalie, SCSU, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Nic Kerdiles, forward, UW, sophomore, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Gustav Olofsson, defense, C.C., freshman, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Kevin Czuczman, defense, LSSU, junior, NY Islanders (NHL)
Caleb Herbert, forward, UMD, junior, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Phil Di Giuseppe, forward, UM, junior, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Alex Guptill, forward, UM, junior, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Ryan Dzingel, forward, OSU, junior, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Bryce Van Brabant, forward, QU, Junior, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Ryan Haggerty, forward, RPI, Jr. NY Rangers (NHL)
Mike Zalewski, forward, RPI, sophomore, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Matt Carey, forward, SLU, freshman, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Trevor van Riemdsyk, defense, UNH, junior, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Josh Archibald, freshman, forward, UNO, junior, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Christian Folin, defense, UML, sophomore, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Connor Hellebuyck, goalie, UML, sophomore, Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Scott Wilson, forward, UML, junior, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Pheonix Copley, goalie, MTU, sophomore, Washington capitals (NHL)
Jake McCabe, defense, UW, junior, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jordan Oesterl, defense, WMU, junior, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Ryan Carpenter, forward, BGSU, junior, Worcester Sharks (AHL)

Breakdown of early Departures

UMD: 1
UW: 1
RPI: 2
UNO: 2
OSU: 1
UMICH: 2
BGSU: 1
NU: 1
WMU: 1
UNH: 1
C.C.: 1
SLU: 1

SCSU: 1
UML: 3
MTU: 1
QU: 1
LSSU:1

Blast from the past: Vannelli vs.McMahon

The date was October 24, 2004, the Minnesota Gophers beat the UND Fighting Sioux on the score board 6-0. UND would get the best of the Gophers in the physical department. Something you don't see very often in college hockey, a full out knock down fight.

MIN-5 Alex Goligoski (2-Roughing) 20:00
MIN-6 Garrett Smaagaard (2-Roughing) 20:00
MIN-7 Mike Vannelli (5-Fighting) 20:00
MIN-8 Mike Vannelli (10-Game Disqualification) 20:00
NDK-3 Rylan Kaip (2-Roughing)20:00
NDK-4 Quinn Fylling (2-Roughing) 20:00
NDK-5 Rory McMahon (5-Fighting) 20:00
NDK-6 Rory McMahon (10-Game Disqualification) 20:00

UND Hockey: Bench Celly

See told you Hakstol was smiling. MT: NCAA Hockey: UND hockey Embraces Underdog Role - http://t.co/QeB4biyAcP … #THW pic.twitter.com/xTufJO9Ww7
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) April 3, 2014

There's visual evidence of UND head coach Dave Hakstol smiling.

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Blast from the past: the handshake game #2

Blast from the past... The Handshake game. End of game UND vs. Minnesota 1/14/2012: http://t.co/GsPYvWzZvZ via @YouTube
— Goon's ND Redneck (@NDRedneck) April 4, 2014

Who could forget the ending to this game, not many times you see a guy getting yanked out of a handshake line. Although, historically, it might have been a typical ending to a North Dakota vs. Minnesota game.  Blood would lose his "A" for his part in the handshake.

Minnesota Wild: Brandon Bollig Hits Zach Parise in the back of the head

Another night, another NHL player hit in the head by an elbow/forearm, there's no excusing this hit. The NHL needs to start protecting its players from predatory type hits, or we're going to have all of the star players on the shelf. This is unacceptable; please tell me why Brandon Bollig needs to hit Zach Parise in this instance, for one it’s from behind. That’s a penalty in itself.

Yeo on Bollig hit on Parise: "Didn't like it. Saw it coming." Said he "targeted" guys his previous shift with late hits #mnwild #blackhawks
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 4, 2014

Parise says he has a headache from Bollig: hasn't seen replay, but "all I know is I got hit in the head pretty good." #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 4, 2014

Blast from the Past: UND 4 UMN 4

UND had a 3-1 lead  in this game and let it slip away. The Minnesota Golden Gophers would charge back and score two unanswered goals to get the tie. This was the last series that UND played against the Gophers. One of those games that was fun to watch.

UND second most wins the last four years

Most Wins, Last 4 Years 113 - Boston College 105 - North Dakota 104 - Union 97 - Minnesota 90 - Denver, Quinnipiac #cawlidgehawkey
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) April 3, 2014

Here's a great statistic from ESPN'S John Buccigross. UND has the second most wins the last four years.

UND vs. UMN this should get you in the mood

Since Getty images made their images free for use, I have found some nice ones for the blog.