Tampa Bay Lightning: Tyler Johnson's Buzzer Beater Puts Habs on the Brink

The Tampa Bay Lightning have pushed the Montreal Canadiens to the Brink of elimination when Lightning forward Tyler Johnson scored the game-winning goal at the one-second mark of the third period.

I must say that I am shocked. I thought that the Habs would have put up a bigger fight in this series. All the games that I have watched in this series have been exciting and full of action.

:-) pic.twitter.com/YysYOlC1JI

— Callum Fraser (@CallumFraser18) May 7, 2015

Picking a Nickname Won't End the Discussion

First, there's about four months will UND's fall sports kick off the 2015-16 season. For those keeping track on the calendar, UND plays a football game against the Wyoming Cowboys in 120 days. The question is, what will UND's sports teams be referred to when next season rolls around?

Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald kind of reinforced an opinion that has picked up steam since UND dropped the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald -- There were roughly 2,000 submissions—about 50 pages worth—of people suggesting "North Dakota," "UND," "University of North Dakota," "no nickname," "none," or another variation.

This is an option that should get heavy consideration from the university's Nickname Committee and President Robert Kelley for multiple reasons.

Last month, the Committee laid out criteria for the new name, saying that the main priority is that it promotes a sense of pride and passion, that it is distinctly UND's and that it is a unifying and rallying symbol.

At this point in time, it's hard to believe they can pick anything that will be unifying and rallying. A new nickname is much more likely to creative a divide on campus and among the alumni community. That's not something the school and community needs right now.

One opinion that I keep hearing, UND needs to have a nickname for marketing purposes. Really, I don't see why? In hockey, UND already is a big player on the national stage and is well recognized. The Women's hockey team is quickly getting there as well. I just don't buy it. UND has played without a nickname for three years already.

As an Alumnus of UND, I am very worried that the nickname committee will feel pressured to hurry up and pick a nickname. This is how we will end up with a silly nickname like Sundogs or Flickertails.

"Stick with UND" (so everyone can keep calling them Sioux) http://t.co/g29kAUZvO8 Not the answer.

— SiouxFootballInsider (@SiouxFootball) May 6, 2015

What would you find more marketable, a Richardson Ground Squire or North Dakota? Check out exhibit A. That's a rodent, where do I start? That looks like the mascot of one of our rivals. Yuck! That mascot would cause UND to be the butt of many jokes.

Now if we're looking for good nickname choices, this is one that I could get behind. Introducing Reapers or Grim Reapers.

Finally, selecting a nickname probably isn't going to end the debate. I predict, that things will only get more heated when UND finally decides on a nickname. This matter has been festering for years. It's not going to end here this summer.

You're dreaming if you think it will.

People are still going to yell Sioux at the end of the anthem. It's going to happen. Nothing is going to change that.  There are going to be people that will be unhappy with the final product.

Replacement Nicknames

Yesterday the University of North Dakota released a list of potential names for replacing the UND nickname. There are quite a few entertaining nickname suggestions. There were also some funny nicknames that won’t be used. You could write five or six blog posts from that list as well.

People on social media are having a field day with the story. Of course my friend Donna has had a field day as well. True to form, she has made snarky an art form and that's awesome.

Both lists are organized alphabetically and each submission is listed separately, contributing to the length of the documents.

The most-submitted option for consideration appears to be North Dakota, the name the university has used since retiring the Fighting Sioux nickname in 2012. Other popular submissions on the list of considered submissions included the Flickertails, NoDaks and the North Stars.

Johnson noted the process is not a popularity contest based on the number of times a name was submitted. (Grand Forks Herald)

I am concerned when I read the that process isn't a popularity contest. What the hell are we doing then? Wouldn't you pick the most popular nickname or simply "North Dakota".

This is how UND is going to end up with a stupid nickname that no one will be able to get behind. Are we going to end up picking from three crappy nickname ideas or are we going to be able to pick one of the three most popular?  This is also how we are going to end up with a stupid nickname like Sundogs. I will be following this issue very closely. Thoughts?

UND Nickname Suggestion Released

The UND Nick Name Committee has released its names of that will be up for consideration.

Here are the more popular choices. There are some creative nickname suggestions. 

Here's the link to the nicknames under considerations. 

Aviators

BLIZZARD

Cavalry

Explorers

Flames

Nodaks

North Dakota (by far the most popular)

North Stars

Tsunami

Warriors

Here’s the list of nicknames that aren’t going to be suggested 

Fargo Forum Editorial: UND Fans Still Don't Get It

Per the Fargo Forum: Leafy Spurge for the UND fans still don’t get it. I can't wait to see the letters to the editor.

LEAFY SPURGE: To the unreconstructed University of North Dakota fans who say without shame regarding the discredited and retired “Sioux” logo and nickname, “We will never give it up!” That’s akin to saying “Racism,” we will never give it up! “Homophobia,” we will never give it up! “Bullying,” we will never give it up! “Sexism,” we will never give it up! Get over it, kiddies. Times changes. Mores change. A deeper, more complete and more sensitive understanding of American Indian symbols emerges. After years of discussion, debate and eventually thoughtful consideration, the old logo was scrapped. A too-lengthy process has been underway to find a new name. But people of goodwill on both sides of the logo debate have come to consensus about the old one and the need for a new one. Move on.

Crawford takes a Scandella Slap Shot off the Mask

What a slap shot by Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella. Also, it looks like the Scandella slap shot stunned Cory Crawford. No quiet room for Crawford.

Minnesota Wild: Vanek Victim of Poor Officiating

Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek was assessed a two-minute minor for goalie interference. You can watch this play all day long and it's still not a penalty. The on-ice officials in this game should be ashamed of themselves. This is brutal, and some of the worst officiating that I have seen in some time.

You can see that Vanek didn't agree with the call either.

Habs vs. Lightning, Winning goal was offsides

At the 02:06 mark of the second overtime, Tampa Bay Lighting forward Nikita Kucherov scored the game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens. There is one problem, the play appears to be offsides. You can see the play in question below. After the game, the Habs coach Michel Therrien wasn't happy with the Lightning being offsides on the zone entry.

Video: Parise vs Toews

A nice video tribute to two former UND fighting Sioux Hockey Players Zach Parise and Jonathan Toews.

Odds for the Stanley Cup

Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup

New York Rangers                     13/4 

Chicago Blackhawks                 4/1 

Anaheim Ducks                         9/2 

Minnesota Wild                         11/2 

Montreal Canadiens                   13/2 

Tampa Bay Lightning                 15/2 

Washington Capitals                  9/1 

Calgary Flames                         12/1 

The odds to win the Stanley Cup come from Bovada,

SWC Bulletin: Jeff Dubay arrested for suspected meth possession after Cottage Grove traffic stop

This is very sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with Jeff Dubay as he meets this struggle head on. Over the years, I've had a few friends that have fought addiction (drug and booze) and it's a tough, uphill battle. Relapses happen. I just hope Jeff can win fight.

Scott Wente, swcbulletin.com --- Twin Cities sports radio personality Jeff Dubay was arrested Wednesday for suspected methamphetamine possession after a traffic stop for speeding in Cottage Grove.

Dubay, 47, was stopped by police around 5 p.m. after he was driving 50 mph in a 35-mph zone near a school, according to Cottage Grove police. Dubay was driving after suspension and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant out of Wright County for no insurance.

During a search as part of his warrant arrest, Dubay was found in possession of two unused hypodermic needles and a small baggie that contained a trace amount of substance believed to be methamphetamine, according to a police summary of the arrest.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: How Did Your First Round Picks Turn out?

So how did you do? I got them all right the first round. Now it gets dicey.

Grand Forks Herald: Many Oppose UND's Decision to Pick a New Nickname

The Herald has a nice article about fans not wanting to let go of the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald -- Aaron Rients' plan after his UND graduation in December was to get a job at a local accounting firm, find a nice girl and start a family, but with his school looking at replacing its former Fighting Sioux nickname soon, he's having second thoughts about staying in Grand Forks.

"It's stupid that it means this much to me but really, just the thought of being something else doesn't seem right," he said. "I'd have to look at that new logo all day if I lived here."

Rients is one of many in the community and across the country who are vehemently against UND picking a different permanent nickname after retiring its former Fighting Sioux name in late 2012 and playing simply as UND and North Dakota after the NCAA threatened sanctions.

UND President Robert Kelley has remained firm since December 2014 when he said going back to the old name was not an option.

This newspaper article stirred quite a bit of discussion on twitter this morning.

I think most of us know that the University of North Dakota can't go back to being the Fighting Sioux. Doing so would jeopardize their status in the Big Sky Conference. I do like UND being in the Big Sky Conference and there's no way that UND can play as an independent.

We have to look at the big picture. With the Fighting Sioux nickname, UND wouldn't have been able to host the West Regional. this past spring.

I think that most UND fans are worried about the unknown. My biggest concern is that we will end up with a stupid nickname like Sundogs or Flickertails. I can't think of a worse nickname for UND to transition to.

Looks Like a NCAA Hockey Regional

Because of the Baltimore riots, there no fans allowed into Orioles Park in Camden Yards today as the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox played in an empty stadium. Reminded me of an NCAA Hockey Regional in Grand Rapids, Michigan or Toledo, Ohio.

Actually, it's sad that no one was allowed to attend the game today.

Minnesota Wild's Second Round Schedule

The NHL has finally released the schedule for the Blackhawks vs. Wildseries.

Friday, May 1 8:30 p.m. (central) Minnesota at Chicago NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Sunday, May 3 7:30 p.m. (central) Minnesota at Chicago NBCSN, CBC, SN360, TVA Sports

Tuesday, May 5 7:00 p.m. (central) Chicago at Minnesota NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Thursday, May 7 8:30 p.m. (central) Chicago at Minnesota NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

*Saturday, May 9 TBD Minnesota at Chicago TBD, TVA Sports

*Monday, May 11 TBD Chicago at Minnesota TBD, TVA Sports

*Wednesday, May 13 TBD Minnesota at Chicago TBD, TVA Sports

*If Necessary

Kronwall faces Player Safety hearing

It looks like Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall might have finally earned himself a suspension after this hit on Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov.  I think that Kronwall might not be able to get out of this one.

NHL Department of Players Safety -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall will have a telephone hearing Tuesday with the NHL Department of Player Safety for a hit against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday.

Kucherov was hit by Kronwall at 19:00 of the second period. No penalty was assessed on the play and Kucherov remained in the game.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: charging/illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Kucherov gets Kronwalled

The hit of the night. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall steamrolls Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov. Get off the track if you don't want to get run over. I guess you could make the argument that Kronwall hits Kucherov in the chops with his elbow. That being said, I see nothing wrong with this hit.

Betting Odds for the Stanley Cup Final's Exact Matchup

Here Are the Odds for the 2015 NHL’s Stanley Cup Final's Exact Matchup according to Bovada Sportsbook

New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks    5/1  
New York Rangers vs Anaheim Ducks    5/1  
New York Rangers vs Minnesota Wild    8/1  
New York Rangers vs Calgary Flames    12/1  
Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks    9/1  
Montreal Canadiens vs Anaheim Ducks    9/1  
Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild    14/1  
Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames    22/1  
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Chicago Blackhawks    25/1  
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Anaheim Ducks    25/1  
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Minnesota Wild    40/1  
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Calgary Flames    60/1  
Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks    22/1  
Washington Capitals vs Anaheim Ducks    22/1  
Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild    33/1  
Washington Capitals vs Calgary Flames    50/1  
New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks    28/1  
New York Islanders vs Anaheim Ducks    28/1  
New York Islanders vs Minnesota Wild    40/1  
New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames    66/1  
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks    20/1  
Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks    20/1  
Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild    28/1  
Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames    45/1 

 

 

 

Connor McDavid's Awesome Goal

Wow! I guess you could say that Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters has filthy mitts as well. This is McDavid's goal against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Otters are playing the Greyhounds in the OHL conference finals.

Minnesota Wild Move On: Handshake Line; No One Threatened

Tonight, Minnesota finally won a Stanley Cup Playoff series on their home ice. This was the first time ever. I love the end of the series handshakes. No one from either team threatened to kill anyone or kick their ass. No one was pulled out of line.

While the Blues are a great rivalry, there doesn't seem to be a lot of hatred between the two teams. Maybe it's because the players on both teams know each other very well.