UW Hockey: How the Mighty Have Fallen

This week, Tom Oates has a great piece in the Wisconsin State Journal on the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team and how far they have fallen. The Wisconsin Badgers fans that I talk to want head coach Mike Eaves gone.

The hockey team is losing at a historic rate — only 10 wins in its past 61 games — and fan support is in decline. The Badgers were 4-26-5 last season, the worst record in program history. They’re a more competitive 6-13-7 this season, but the stain of last month’s sweep at the hands of arch-rival Minnesota, a series in which UW was outscored 13-2, won’t go away soon.

Eaves won an NCAA title in 2006 and took UW to the national final in 2010, but, short of a miracle, this season will be the fourth in six years that UW won’t make the tournament. For a variety of reasons, including an ever-changing roster of assistants, UW’s recruiting has fallen off in the past few years as well. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Last year, the Badgers had the worst year in their storied program’s history. This season, the Badgers aren’t much better. They have improved slightly.

After going 13-6-1 in Big Ten Conference play during the 2013-14 season, the Badgers have won three Big Ten games 3-23-6 (187) over the past two seasons.

Since the 2010-11 season, attendance at Wisconsin hockey games has been trending downward. Comparing the 2011-12 to the current season, UW has averaged 4,407 less fans per game. In essence, the Badgers have gone from leading the nation in attendance (2010-11) to third in the nation. The Badgers have the second largest arena in college hockey so there only selling 57% of their tickets. (USCHO)

2015-16: 8,819
2014-15: 10,931
2013-14: 10,478
2012-13: 9521
2011-12: 11,773
2010-11: 13,226

UND Drops to 4th in USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

February 15, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	Quinnipiac	(32)	22- 2-6	973	1
2	Boston College	(14)	21- 4-5	943	3
3	St. Cloud State	( 4)	23- 6-1	901	4
4	North Dakota		22- 5-3	837	2
5	Providence		21- 5-4	818	5
6	Michigan		18- 4-5	734	6
7	Notre Dame		18- 5-7	679	8
8	Yale		16- 5-4	614	10
9	Boston University		17- 9-4	599	7
10	Denver		15- 8-5	561	13
11	Massachusetts-Lowell		18- 7-5	505	11
12	Nebraska-Omaha		18- 9-1	482	12
13	Harvard		14- 8-3	423	9
14	Michigan Tech		16- 7-5	333	14
15	Penn State		18- 8-4	278	16
16	Cornell		12- 8-5	169	15
17	Rensselaer		15-11-6	141	18
18	St. Lawrence		16-11-3	130	NR
19	Minnesota State		15-10-7	114	17
20	Clarkson		16-11-3	106	20
Others receiving votes: Minnesota 56, Bowling Green 39, Robert Morris 25, Dartmouth 24, Miami 10, Northeastern 6.

 

Looking at this week’s USCHO Poll, I am surprised that UND didn’t drop further. I suppose we will see grumbling from the fans of other teams. Now, let’s have some perspective. In the only poll that matters, UND is no. 3 in the Pairwise Rankings, and they’re tied with SCSU for first in the NCHC standings. UND still controls their destination.  I do expect that Coach Berry and his staff will right the ship.

(A Look Back) NCHC Hockey: All Jammed up with Three Weeks to Go

Exactly on year ago today, I wrote this post. Surprisingly, the numbers are very similar. We all now how last season ended. UND actually has 6 more points and a couple of more wins.

Looking at the standing, it couldn't get any tighter than it is right now. Three teams are tied for first place with three weeks to go in the regular season.

Fight Night in Madison Square Garden: Flyers and Rangers (Video)

For every action, there is a reaction.

If you viciously cross-check Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds in the face with your carbon fiber stick should expect to get your face punched in. Tonight, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers exchanged Valentine's Day greetings. There were two fights in the first 59 seconds of the game.

Here's one perspective, I think it's flawed.

Wayne Simmonds got off with just an ejection, not a suspension, for his punch that KO’d Ryan McDonagh Saturday in Philadelphia. It left the Rangers captain with a concussion and the team without its All-Star defenseman for who knows how long. (News Day)

Feel free to chime in.

Matt Beleskey Knee-on-Knee hit on Gustav Nyquist

Boston Bruins forward Matt Beleskey puts a knee-on-knee hit on Detriot Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist. This is a dangerous hit and needs to be eliminated from the game of hockey. There was no penalty assessed on the play and Nyquist appeared shaken up on the play.

Pavel Datsyuk Scores his 10th Goal of the Year: (Justin Abdelkader High-Stick)

Two goals by the Detriot Red Wings and they were both semi-controversial. Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk scores his 10th goal of the year. From the video, it appears that Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader touched the puck with a high-stick. Thoughts?

Rask likely looking for a high stick call there. Play not reviewed. #NHLBruins still up, 3-2, late in the first.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 14, 2016

Datsyuk on the power play. Or again, is it? Abdelkader might have gotten a stick on Richards' shot above the crossbar.

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) February 14, 2016

Goal stands as Datsyuk tallies his 900th career NHL point. Tuukka saves the Bruins' bacon off a turnover shortly after.

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) February 14, 2016

(2/2) Possible high stick by Abdelkader not a reviewable play by Situation Room. Goal by Datsyuk then entered Boston net in a legal fashion.

— Jack Edwards (@RealJackEdwards) February 14, 2016

Henrik Zetterberg goal versus Boston (Coaches Challenge)

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg scored his 11th goal of the season, but it appears that he might have been a bit lucky. Although the video was not able to confirm, Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader "might" have been offsides at the blue line. The Bruins challenged the play, and as usual, they lost. So, was the play offsides or not?

#NHLBruins using their Coach's Challenge.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 14, 2016

The call on the ice stands. Good goal. 1-1 game.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 14, 2016

DU 4, UND 1 (video)

Not a good night for the boys in green and white. Again, UND failed to cash in on their opportunities and was sloppy in the neutral zone. UND lost most of the 50/50 battles all weekend long.

I think the UND coaching staff will address the areas of concern and come out flying on Friday night against the UMD Bulldogs.

This is the first time that UND has been swept on the road since November 4-5, 2011, when UND lost to the Minnesota Gophers (0-2 L, 2-3 L). For those keeping track at home, the last time UND was swept was on November 1-2, 2013 against the St. Cloud State Huskies (2-3 L, 1-3L).

Hatfields and McCoys Round 2: Game Two - Lines

Tonight, there are a few changes to the UND lineup. UND forward Chris Wilkie is in and Trevor Olson is out. On defense, Paul LaDue is out with an undisclosed injury. Hayden Shaw is in. Shaw will partner with Keaton Thompson. 

North Dakota Fighting Hawks Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula (A)–8 Nick Schmaltz–16 Brock Boeser
25 Joel Janatuinen–27 Luke Johnson–14 Austin Poganski
29 Bryn Chyzyk (A)–10 Johnny Simonson–18 Chris Wilkie
19 Shane Gersich–22 Rhett Gardner–17 Colten St. Clair (A)

North Dakota Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus (C)–2 Troy Stecher (A)
24 Christian Wolanin–3 Tucker Poolman
28 Hayden Shaw–4 Keaton Thompson

North Dakota Goalies

33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Denver Pioneers Forward Lines

8 Trevor Moore–7 Dylan Gambrell–20 Danton Heinen
26 Evan Janssen–27 Quentin Shore–19 Troy Terry
18 Emil Romig–9 Gabe Levin–24 Colin Staub
39 Grant Arnold–23 Matt Marcinew–14 Jarid Lukosevicius

Denver Pioneers Defense Pairings

3 Tariq Hammond–11 Nolan Zajac
25 Blake Hillman–4 Will Butcher
6 Matt VanVoohris–28 Adam Plant

Denver Pioneer Goalies

36 Tanner Jaillet
31 Evan Cowley
30 Greg Ogard

Paul LaDue (undisclosed injury) is likely out tonight. Hayden Shaw in.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 13, 2016

Haakenson: Put logo design on UND’s back burner

From the Letters to the Editor in today's paper. I have come to the conclusion that this guy is delusional.

The fact that UND has moved on with the Fighting Hawks nickname and the University hasn't paid any attention to him, should clue him in that UND doesn't care if he makes a claim to the Fighting Hawks tradename.

Also, the requirement in state law that UND must register the “Fighting Hawks" trade name with the secretary of state’s office has not been fulfilled. Stopping the logo process would give Interim President Ed Schafer and his staff time to address that requirement.

Schafer also could be the person to cure the dissension, unrest and division on the campus and at sporting events, simply be stopping the process and take the steps to find out if I am correct or they are.

If UND cannot register the trade name, "The Fighting Hawks” -- which already is owned by me -- then the university’s only choice will be to leave "ND" for North Dakota on uniforms and everything else, as it has been for three years.

Not only would that save money, but also it would please an overwhelming majority of students, alumni and residents.

Marlan “Hawk” Haakenson

Denver 6, North Dakota 4 (Video)

When  it's was all said and done, UND's sloppy play in their own end was one of the major reasons they lost Friday's game against Denver. That being said, it was definitely an exciting game.

Defensively, the pairing of Paul LaDue and Keaton Thompson had very rough night. I would imagine that the coaching staff will have a chat with them tomorrow at the morning skate.

Credit to Denver for playing a good game, too. They played a good 200-foot game and capitalized off of the turnovers.

Tonight, it was a poor team effort all the way around. The forward play of a few lines was not very good at all. Not the end of the world. The mistakes that were made tonight are minor. However, these numbers below should concern us all.

Bryn Chyzyk	0	0	0	-3	4	0
Luke Johnson	0	0	0	-4	3	0
Paul LaDue	0	0	0	-2	4	0
Austin Poganski	0	1	1	-3	2	2
Tucker Poolman	0	1	1	-2	4	0
Keaton Thompson	0	0	0	-2	1	0

Hatfields and Mccoys Round Two - Lines (UND vs. DU)

Some lineup changes from last game. Senior forward Coltyn Sanderson and Chris Wilkie, and Hayden Shaw are out of the lineup. For UND. There's some good new, Todd Anderson will NOT be reffing tonight's game. :-)

Friday Links

Big Ten’s Traviolia weighs in on fan frustrations, attendance, league’s future plans [USCHO.COM]

Finally, the UND hockey teams is back to full strength. [UND Hockey Blog]

The University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs are probably going to have to win the NCHC tourney to make the NCAA playoffs: College men’s hockey: Hard way only way left for UMD after loss to Bemidji State [Duluth News Tribune]

Bemidji State Hockey: Road trip continues with key series at Lake Superior State [Bemidji Pioneer]

Minnesota-Hockey: B1G Idiot Leads Big Ten Hockey [ Daily Gopher]

MEN’S HOCKEY: Poolman a big piece for UND [Grand Forks Herald]

WOMEN’S HOCKEY: UND’s German-born defenseman and Crookston-born forward have become inseparable [Grand Forks Herald]

UND HOCKEY: For the first time this season, UND has a full lineup available [Grand Forks Herald]

DU-UND 1994: The Last of the Great College Hockey Brawls [Let’s Go DU]

Some Pairwise news from Jim Dahl: North Dakota eyeing taking #1 from Quinnipiac, but don’t count out St. Cloud [collegehockeyranked.com]

North Dakota Fans Begin to Arrive [Let’s Go DU]

Matt VanVoorhis grew up North Dakota fan, dreamed of playing for Denver Pioneers [Denver Post]

Breaking Down the NCHC Conference Races [SBN College Hockey]

Gophers-Ohio State men’s hockey game preview [Star Tribune]

Between the Lines: Potpourri [College Hockey News]

Patrice Bergeron vs Blake Wheeler (Video)

Announcer, "We've got Wheeler and Bergeron. Really."

I couldn't believe it either. Patrice Bergeron came after Blake Wheeler. This was the fist fight for both players this season.

Neither players fight very often. Wheeler has been in seven NHL fights and Bergeron has been in four NHL fights.

Sioux Shop Selling Dacotah Legacy Merchandise

There's been some discussion about the REA selling merchandise with the Fighting Sioux nickname. Of course, there will be some that will not be happy about this.

I was told that the clothing with the Fighting Sioux logo has been going like hot cakes. This is your chance to get something new with the Fighting Sioux logo.

Today, when I was at the Ralph, it looked like they had just gotten a new shipment of goodies.

In addition to the University of North Dakota’s prudent decision to protect intellectual property, UND is required by 2007 settlement agreement with the NCAA to protect certain University trademarks. To protect these marks, the University must continue to use the marks and monitor unauthorized uses.

The first edition of the Dacotah Legacy Collection went on sale Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013 and were sold exclusively at Scheels All Sports in Grand Forks and at the Sioux Shop at Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA). Since then, select commemorative items have been produced for exclusive sale at the Sioux Shop at REA. (UNDSports.com)

Rob Port of Sayanythingblog.com has a blog post about UND selling the merchandise bearing the Fighting Sioux logo. I am not sure why some are shocked by this, the University did say that they were going to do this from time-to-time to protect the trademark.

Beanpot 2016: Minnesota Wild Draft Choice Alex Tuch Scores the Game-Winning Goal

This is a perfect example of why you try to get the puck deep. Great goal if you're an Eagles fan. Tough break if your cheer for the Terriers. It was an exciting game.

Minnesota Wild draft choice Alex Tuch scores the game-winning goal to give the Boston College Eagles the Beanpot championship. Tuch overtime goal gave the Eagles a 1-0 win. The first in the Beanpots 64-year history.

#mnwild prospect, @alextuch17 with the OT winner in the #Beanpot for Boston College 🏒 https://t.co/sxl6zrB5Ak

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 9, 2016

Beanpot 2016: Ahti Oksanen's Academy Award Performance (Embellishment)

Boston College forward Miles Wood was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding. First, the penalty was probably appropriate. That being said, what disgusts me was the acting job by Boston University senior forward Ahti Oksanen. His performance was worthy of an Academy Award. Oksanen miraculously recovered to play on the ensuing penalty.

This is the same guy that put on the acting job at the Ralph when BU and UND played on November 2, 2012., UND defenseman Andrew MacWilliam checked Oksanen with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit. We've seen this act before.

Obviously, the hit was late, but there was a late whistle, too.  Oksanen actually shot the puck on the UND net after the whistle. Oksanen laid on the ice as if he was hurt badly and then somehow miraculously recovered on the bench, well enough to come back during the five-minute power play and score a goal for BU, his first of his career.

I knew we had seen this act before.

(Video) Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton Walks Out Of Post Game Interview

This is what I don't understand. You're paid millions of dollars to play a sport. Football is a team game, the Panthers played poorly as a team.

More specifically, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton played horribly. On many occasions, Newton overthrew his receivers. The Panthers line did a poor job of protecting their quarterback.

He tried to force the ball into double and triple coverage. You can't do that. I think the Denver Broncos did a good job of throwing Newton off his game. On a few occasions, I thought that the Broncos did a good job of disguising their coverage.

Your team got their ass kicked and lost. I think as a player, you should sit and answer questions from the media/writers. They want to hear what you have to say. Be a man, step up and face the music. Don't act like a spoiled brat.

Tom Dennis: Shield UND's logo selection from budget cuts

I don't always agree with Tom Dennis of the Grand Forks Herald, but this time he has a great point. Stopping the process because one college professor is concerned about the cost is not  a good idea.

Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald -- As a UND faculty member put it at the meeting, the logo "cannot be a priority for the university at this time.

"It is not respectful of the financial decisions we must make, nor at this moment does it further the needs of our students, staff and faculty."

But here's the thing: This year of all years, UND's new logo is central—not marginal—to the university. Choosing it will help the university as a whole.

And that, in turn, would help students, staff and faculty—by stamping "Closed" on one of UND's most divisive controversies and letting the newly liberated university get back to work.

While some people are worried about the cost of the nickname logo design, we don't know, the actual cost of the UND president search. The price tag of that process remains a mystery. I am more concerned about that.