This one's for you Coach...congratulations on your 800th career win! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/6KKnModAkg
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) January 10, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Minnesota and Michigan - Insert Your Caption
UND vs. UMD - Lines game two
You can see there's some changes in the UND lineup tonight. Tucker Poolman is back on the wing. Senior defenseman Andrew Panzarella is back in the lineup and paired with junior Keaton Thompson. This is a big game for UND, one might say that it's gut check time. I also think this is a must win game as well.
Friday, January 09, 2015
Mike Eaves: Coach Speak at it's Best
We talk about when you're up a goal, putting the fish in the boat," Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves said. "I don't do a lot of fishing, but I know sometimes you don't get the hook in the mouth, and sometimes it wiggles off. This one wiggled off tonight."
WHKY Weekend Preview: Green & White meets Orange
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- UND women's hockey returns to play against Syracuse this weekend at the Ralph Engelstad Arena for an afternoon Saturday-Sunday series. The non-conference series will be the first time the teams have met in program history.
UND heads into second-half action after a road sweep of RIT. "We finished stronger than we started. Hopefully we can carry that and be stronger when the play-offs come around," Andrea Dalen said.
This weekend they will focus on containing Syracuse Orange's leading scorers Stephanie Grossi and, fellow freshman, Alysha Burriss. Prior to Saturday's series opener, the Orange are coming off of a 2-0 loss to Colgate.
Look for North Dakota to attempt to carry some momentum and building blocks from the first half of the season. "We want to see a lot more wins, obviously," head coach Brian Idalski said. "I think structurally we're much better. Talent wise, development of some of our younger kids being comfortable within their role."
North Dakota gets underway tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.. Live audio can be heard (free) at UND Sports Tickets are available at the REA box office: adults $7, youth $5 and UND students free with student ID.
UND heads into second-half action after a road sweep of RIT. "We finished stronger than we started. Hopefully we can carry that and be stronger when the play-offs come around," Andrea Dalen said.
This weekend they will focus on containing Syracuse Orange's leading scorers Stephanie Grossi and, fellow freshman, Alysha Burriss. Prior to Saturday's series opener, the Orange are coming off of a 2-0 loss to Colgate.
Look for North Dakota to attempt to carry some momentum and building blocks from the first half of the season. "We want to see a lot more wins, obviously," head coach Brian Idalski said. "I think structurally we're much better. Talent wise, development of some of our younger kids being comfortable within their role."
North Dakota gets underway tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.. Live audio can be heard (free) at UND Sports Tickets are available at the REA box office: adults $7, youth $5 and UND students free with student ID.
Wild Struggles Calls for Change
After a December to forget, the Minnesota Wild still are carrying their struggles into the new year after two more losses to San Jose and Chicago. One may think it is time to make some kind of change, but where that is the question?
You can first point the finger at the goaltending as of late. Between Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom, the two have combined for the second worst save percentage in the entire NHL. Whether they find a goalie through free agency, or they make a trade for one, and hopefully soon, the goalies need to step up, or step back for some new blood in the line up. What they are doing now does not seem to be working too well.
What options are available you might ask? Two goalies come to mind right away for me. James Reimer out of Toronto and Cam Ward out of Carolina. Both of these goalies are proven number one goalies and both would not be that expensive to get either. Also don't forget that Cam Ward is a Stanley Cup winner as well.
One can not forget about Anti Raanta in Chicago either. Corey Crawford is the solid number one there and Raanta is nearing the end of his contract. His .944 save percentage might just be what the Minnesota Wild need in the blue paint to make that push for the playoffs.
A big defenseman is also something that needs to be looked at in the Wild line-up as well. This is a team that lacks grit and a physical presence throughout the line-up, but who to get, that's the other question?
Both Mike Greene out of Washington and Paul Martin out of Pittsburgh are UFA's at the end of the upcoming season and both would be a solid veteran presence on the blue line for the stretch run. Aside from that, there really is not much to expect from a possible trade stand point as of right now to address the lack of veteran presence on the blue line for the Wild.
Finally, the lack of chemistry throughout the forward line-up seems to be a big issue as well. Thomas Vanek can not seem to click with anyone, making his signing seem like one that was wasted by the franchise. Also Jason Pominville can not seem to get going this season either. Now I don't know what happened, but for as talented as the forward roster is, you would think goals would be coming a bit easier than what they are getting right now.
Something needs to change, and very fast for this struggling Minnesota Wild team, or it is gonna leave many experts, and fans alike frustrated, and scratching their heads because this is a team that should easily make the playoffs this season, but are a team that probably will not as of right now.
UND vs. UMD - With Links
North Dakota linechart: pic.twitter.com/dFdPvdh73A
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) January 9, 2015
Minnesota Duluth linechart: pic.twitter.com/T4j8vY3BRR
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) January 9, 2015
UMD vs. UND, A Series Preview - http://t.co/51uCzDxlO8 #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/lmmQD9cFKV
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) January 9, 2015
Dave Hakstol tells UND Fan Luncheon injured D Troy Stecher skated for the first time yesterday. Skated lightly on his own, did not practice.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) January 9, 2015
Potent North Dakota Blue Line Leads Top-Ranked Team in Country | The Ciskie Blog | http://t.co/fQLavYa85l
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) January 9, 2015
Some Friday morning reading before this weekend's UND-Bulldogs series http://t.co/BVUMwW5ndE
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) January 9, 2015
Blame lies with Wild Goalies
I think that Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo should direct a majority of his anger at the Minnesota Wild goaltenders. No sugar coating it, they've been absolutely brutal. Maybe the Wild front office should have gone out and signed a starting goalie in the offseason, too? Backstrom and Kuemper couldn't stop a beach ball if they had to.
#mnwild now has allowed a league-low 26.8 shots per game with a 29th-ranked .893 save percentage
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) January 9, 2015
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Minnesota Wild: Thomas Vanek Boards Marcus Kruger (Video)
First, I want to be clear, I think Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek is a good hockey player that's having a tough season.
Hoever, this is a stupid penalty that cost the Wild a goal. There's no reason for Vanek to hit Chicago Blackhawks forward Marcus Kruger in the numbers like that. Kruger doesn't even have the puck. For his efforts, Vanek received a five-minute major for boarding.
I wouldn't be shocked if Vanek has a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
12:05 Thomas Vanek Boarding (maj) - 5 min against Marcus Kruger
Wednesday, January 07, 2015
He Said What? Comparing the CHL and the NCAA
Recently, I wrote Comparing BU’s Jack Eichel to Other College Hockey Greats for the Hockey Writers and apparently one of my comments in a post caught the eye of a CHL fan.
Nevertheless, college hockey players are playing against older, stronger players in college hockey. The players in the CHL are playing against younger players, there's statistics to back this up.
I found this article and it does a good job of explaining it. Most college hockey fans know this as well. The person in question, didn't
Since McDavid plays in the OHL and Eichel plays in college, it’s almost impossible to compare the two players’ stats. First, Eichel is playing against older players in college hockey. Second, McDavid is racking up points against younger players in the OHL. This is not a slam on either league. Both college and Major Juniors are good routes for development and both players are great talents.
However, we can compare their WJHC numbers. In his first five games for team Canada, McDavid scored (2g-5a—7pts). On the flip side, in five games Eichel scored (1g-3a—4pts). For the sake of comparison, Dylan Larkin who scored (5g-2a—7pts) was the top player on team USA.
Comparing Eichel to the other first round draft choices on the USA WJC team, Alex Tuch scored (1g-1a—2pts), Sonny Milano (2g-2a—4pts).
One of the questions that I wanted to explore was how does Eichel compare to other college hockey greats? Since Eichel has only played 16 games, I am not sure how much of a comparison we can make. In my opinion, the only statistic that we can use to compare him to the others college hockey greats is points per game. (read the rest of the post)
Nevertheless, college hockey players are playing against older, stronger players in college hockey. The players in the CHL are playing against younger players, there's statistics to back this up.
I found this article and it does a good job of explaining it. Most college hockey fans know this as well. The person in question, didn't
“The game is more intense,” Gadowsky said. “I think that makes it more difficult to put up a lot of points. The rosters in college dictate that every player that’s on the ice, is going to be at a very high level.”The fact remains, the CHL and the NCAA are both great routes for development. There's no debating this. The CHL is a great route to the NHL if you're a high draft pick. If you're a late bloomer, the NCAA route is probably better.
The disparity in size and ability between a 16 and 20-year-old is much different than that of a 21 and 25-year-old, he said.
Though there is no fighting in college hockey as there is in major junior hockey, older college-aged players will be more equally developed in strength and stature than their younger counterparts in the CHL. (Matt Nestor, the Daily Collegian)
Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron's Controversial Game-Winning Goal (Video)
I think that the on-ice officials made the right call in this situation. I think Patrice Bergeron's stick was below the cross bar when the puck touched his stick. Nonetheless, this was a hard all to make and I am glad that I am not the official that had to make this call tonight. As you can see in another blog post, the refs blew the call earlier in the night on Craig McAdam's no-goal.
...and there you go. Ruling conclusive that puck hit the stick below the crossbar. #Bruins win in OT vs. #Pens
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) January 8, 2015
In 100% honesty, they got it right. Bergeron's stick was moving downward, and was at, or below the cross bar when the puck was deflected.
— Andy Dudones (@ADudones) January 8, 2015
Pittsburgh Penguins: Craig Adams No Goal, Goalie Interference (Video)
The Boston Bruins caught their second break of the game. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Craig Adams appears to have scored a legit goal. The goal is waved off by the on-ice official. In my humble opinion, this is not the correct call in this instance. Adam McQuaid appears to have pushed a Penguin into Tuukka Rask.
Looked like the Bruins caught a break on the no goal call for Pens. Adam McQuaid pushed Sill into Rask to create the contact with Rask
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) January 8, 2015
(Video) Pittsburgh Penguins: David Perron No Goal
The on-ice officials made the right call in this situation. From the video, you can't actually see if the puck even crossed the red line.
After review, NO GOAL. The score stays 1-1 with 25.2 seconds left in the 1st period. #RivalryNight
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 8, 2015
#PIT #BOS review only to see if puck crossed the line. Closing hand on puck ineligible for video review. #Pens #Bruins
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) January 8, 2015
Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo Goes off on Team
This was long over due. Finally, Mike Yeo has seen enough garbage and bravo sierra from his hockey team.
After losing 8-of-10 games, Yeo went off on his team at practice today. You can tell by the video, that Yeo uses a lot of course language. Yeo explained his emotional out burst after practice.
Again, I think this response is long over due. This should have happened about five games ago. There is way to much talent on this team to be sitting out of a playoff spot. If the Wild don't pick it up soon, they're going to miss the playoffs. I also believe if the Wild don't recover soon, Yeo is going to be the former head coach of the Minnesota Wild.
Phil Kessel goes off on Reporter
I don't blame Toronto Maples Leafs forward Phil Kessel for going off on that reporter. Reporters and media people ask difficult or silly questions sometimes, that's the nature of the game
That question sounded insulting, condescending and I would classify it as a garbage question meant to upset Kessel.
Phil Kessel goes off on Toronto reporter who insinuates he’s to blame for Carlyle’s firing.. http://t.co/pIKIZGW18c #NHL #NEWS
— NHL News (@TRACK_NHL_News) January 7, 2015
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
NCHC Hockey: Taking a look at the KRACH and Pairwise Rankikngs
By Eric Burton
Here’s the NCHC teams from the KRACH rankings. You can see
that Minnesota-Duluth has the hardest strength of schedule to date. St Cloud
State University has the second toughest SOS. Nebraska-Omaha comes in with the third toughest.
You can also see from the Pairwise Rankings that the NCHC is doing pretty well right now and that the top-10 is full of NCHC teams. This weekend's match-up between UMD and UND is going to be important for the Pairwise Rankings. While a weekend doesn't make a season, a sweep for either team would be huge.
3
|
Minnesota-Duluth
|
562.6
|
.8067
|
16
|
12-6-0
|
0.6667
|
2.000
|
1
|
281.3
|
5
|
Miami
|
443.8
|
.7722
|
9t
|
14-6-0
|
0.7000
|
2.333
|
6
|
190.2
|
6
|
North Dakota
|
438.8
|
.7705
|
6
|
13-4-2
|
0.7368
|
2.800
|
9
|
156.7
|
7
|
Nebraska-Omaha
|
435.4
|
.7693
|
13t
|
12-5-3
|
0.6750
|
2.077
|
3
|
209.6
|
13
|
Denver
|
287.3
|
.7010
|
12
|
11-5-1
|
0.6765
|
2.091
|
20
|
137.4
|
21
|
St. Cloud State
|
164.5
|
.5980
|
37t
|
7-10-1
|
0.4167
|
0.714
|
2
|
230.4
|
29
|
Western Michigan
|
107.2
|
.5137
|
36
|
7-9-2
|
0.4444
|
0.800
|
21
|
133.93
|
48
|
Colorado College
|
28.76
|
.2687
|
56
|
3-13-1
|
0.2059
|
0.259
|
30
|
110.9
|
You can also see from the Pairwise Rankings that the NCHC is doing pretty well right now and that the top-10 is full of NCHC teams. This weekend's match-up between UMD and UND is going to be important for the Pairwise Rankings. While a weekend doesn't make a season, a sweep for either team would be huge.
3
|
56
|
12-6-0
|
.6667
|
16
|
.5983*
|
3
|
|
4
|
55
|
14-6-0
|
.7000
|
9t
|
.5899*
|
4
|
|
6
|
53
|
12-5-3
|
.6750
|
13t
|
.5861*
|
6
|
|
8
|
51
|
13-4-2
|
.7368
|
6
|
.5805
|
8
|
|
15
|
44
|
11-5-1
|
.6765
|
12
|
.5587
|
15
|
|
26
|
33
|
7-10-1
|
.4167
|
37t
|
.5180
|
26
|
|
36
|
24
|
7-9-2
|
.4444
|
36
|
.4919
|
36
|
|
46
|
13
|
3-13-1
|
.2059
|
56
|
.4445
|
46
|
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