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

February 22, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	Quinnipiac	(32)	23- 2-7	963	1
2	Boston College	(11)	23- 4-5	944	2
3	St. Cloud State	( 7)	25- 6-1	914	3
4	North Dakota		24- 5-3	849	4
5	Providence		23- 5-4	813	5
6	Michigan		19- 4-5	737	6
7	Yale		18- 5-4	682	8
8	Denver		17- 8-5	609	10
9	Boston University		18- 9-5	596	9
10	Notre Dame		18- 7-7	589	7
11	Massachusetts-Lowell		20- 7-5	524	11
12	Harvard		15- 8-4	449	13
13	Nebraska-Omaha		18-11-1	370	12
14	Michigan Tech		17- 8-5	328	14
15	Penn State		19- 9-4	279	15
16	Cornell		13- 8-6	263	16
17	Rensselaer		16-12-6	169	17
18	Minnesota State		15-10-7	118	19
19	St. Lawrence		16-12-4	111	18
20	Minnesota		16-13-0	75	NR
Others receiving votes: Bowling Green 38, Robert Morris 29, Dartmouth 15, Northeastern 14, Clarkson 10, Miami 8, Union 4.

 

This week, the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks remain fourth in the USCHO poll. UND is also fourth in this week’s Pairwise Rankings. The funny thing, UND swept the Bulldogs this past weekend and dropped one spot in the Pairwise Rankings. Last weekend, UND was swept by the Denver Pioneers and remained at the third spot.

 

(Video) Michal Rozsival hit on Jason Zucker

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival was given a penalty major penalty for interference and a game misconduct for this hit on Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker.

Was this worthy of a game misconduct? Also, is this hit worthy of a suspension? I don't believe so.

Video: UND 2, UMD 1 (2/20/2016)

The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks gutted out another 2-1 win giving them the series sweep. UND also completed the season sweep of the Bulldogs. UND sophomore goalie Cam Johnson was (4-0-0, 0.50 GAA, 986 save percentage).

For those keeping track at home, UMD has had a tough time with ranked teams this season.

Bulldogs just can't get over hump vs. top teams this season: 1-11-4 vs ranked teams. In NCHC, 6-0-0 vs WMU/CC, 1-10-3 vs everyone else.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 21, 2016

Jonathan Toews: 'Fighting Hawks Best of the Available Options'

Hmm, found this interesting. I said pretty much the same thing.

The day has come. The second round of the UND Nickname vote began today at 12:00 hours. My choice for a new nickname is Fighting Hawks, it’s the best choice of three unattractive/bad choices.

Here's a first from a @UNDmhockey alum: Jonathan Toews likes "Fighting Hawks." Called it the best of the available options. #cawlidgehawkey

— Jess Myers (@JessRMyers) February 20, 2016

UND 2, UMD 1 (Video Highlights)

Tonight, I ended up going to the game as a fan. I didn't realize how much I miss with my head in my laptop. My wife was working and my usual babysitter was at the game, too. No way I was missing this game.

In my opinion, the UMD vs. UND games is one of my favorite series. Instead of sitting at home hoping my wife makes it home early enough to make it to the game, I decided to buy a couple of tickets and attend the game. That wasn't cheap by the way.

This season, my eight-year-old daughter hadn't been to a game so I  figured it was a good time to have a father, daughter evening, so I ended up taking her to the one of the best games of the year. Good for UND fans, not so good for our friends from Duluth.

This was very big win for UND. I've had a few people ask me about the penalty that led to the penalty shot. I don't know. If I had been officiating this game, I would've probably called a two-minute penalty. We can write it off as, "hey it's Todd Anderson."

Apparently, Todd Anderson made the wrong call on the play in question (per the rule book). As my buddy Ken says, the refs don't follow the rule book anymore. Of course, he's a Penguins fan.

UMD head coach Scott Sandelin wasn't pleased with the call: “I don’t agree with the call at the end. It was a penalty, but I don’t agree with the penalty shot at all,” Sandelin said. “I don’t care if that gets me in trouble. It certainly was a penalty and they capitalized. We had our opportunities, they had their opportunities. It was a good hard-fought battle.”

tDogs vs. Hawks: Game 1 Lines

The @InjuryNinja has again visited the UND locker room. According to the UND Sid, senior forwards Bryn Chyzyk (lower body) & Colten St. Clair (upper) are both out with injuries. Both players are listed as day-to-day.

Hmm, He Said What?

Leading up to this weekend's matchup between UND and UMD, Coach Sandelin said this.

“Their top line is back together and you saw what they can do when they played here. Their goaltending was great here, so we have got to find a way to solve Johnson. Denver did last weekend. We saw a few weaknesses in his game, so hopefully we can exploit some of those.” — Sandelin on North Dakota

So, did coach Sandelin offer up some bulletin board material? I imagine that Johnson was made aware of those comments. Does he have a point?

I am not so sure that Sandelin is that far off of the mark. While Johnson does have some impressive numbers, he also has a great d-corp in front of him. And after watching Cam play last weekend, I noticed that his positioning was a little off. Last weekend, I thought he was too far back in the crease. I think UMD will do some side to side passes, like the Huskies did to get his feet moving. Stay tuned.

Candace and Matthew Predict a Sweep

Candace Horgan and Matthew Semisch aka Seminich of USCHO predict that the UND Fighting Hawks will sweep the UMD Bulldogs this weekend.

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 19-20

Minnesota-Duluth at No. 4 North Dakota
Candace: Duluth got shut out twice at home by North Dakota in December. Granted, the Fighting Hawks have shown some more vulnerability in the second half, but I like them to get back on track at home. North Dakota 3-1, 3-1 Matthew: UMD will be a tough out here, but I have a feeling UND takes both games. North Dakota 3-2, 4-2

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