Ducan Keith Suspended Six Games For Slash On Charlie Coyle

You can watch the video here.

 The hearing is over, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Ducan Keith has been suspended for six games. In my opinion, that suspension is a joke. This should be a 10-15 game suspension.

The conspiracy theorist will say since Keith is a star player on the Blackhawks, he's been afforded some leeway by the NHL. It almost appears that this is the truth. If the NHL is serious about removing thuggery from the game, they would punish the star players more severely.

First, this isn't the first time that Keith has viciously slashed someone during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If you haven't seen it, Keith viciously slashed Jeff Carter of the L.A. Kings. Nowhere, in any league of hockey is it acceptable to slash a player in the face with your stick.

For those that are defending this hit. Don't. This bush league hit is indefensible. This is a barbaric, thuggish, dangerous act. The cross check was labeled as a light hit by the NHL. I agree. There was no slew foot, either. Even if there was, there's no defending this hit. If a third line player had slashed Charlie Coyle we would be seeing a long suspension.

DCU Center Defends NCAA Hockey Attendance

I have to chuckle when I read this article. Apparently, Sandra Dunn, who's part of the management team company that runs the DCU Center, thinks that the NCAA North East Regional that was held in Worcester, Massachusetts last weekend was successful. Uh, okay.  

For Finals - 62% of Seats Were Empty

Worcester’s attendance for the two games on Friday was 6,682 — just over half the seats were filled. For the regional final, despite regional favorite and national power Boston College playing, the attendance dropped from Friday to just 4,572 — 62 percent of the seats were unsold.

“This was the 14th regional held at the DCU Center. Worcester is held in high esteem with the NCAA including a variety of records like “Most Hockey Tournament Games by any Arena (2012)”, “Most Regional Games by any Arena (45)” and “Largest Crowd for a Session (1999)”. In fact, we hold 4 of the top 5 most attended Regionals in NCAA history,” said Dunn.

Actually, if you think about it, Ms. Dunn is probably right. The NCAA loves to play in listless, empty buildings. This regional championship had more fans attend it than the West Regional Championship that was held at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. So, I guess we can look at this as being successful.

Honestly, I think it's funny. Boston College is a 45-minute bus ride from DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Can't they fill up the DCU Center? Apparently not.

Dave Hakstol: We've Seen this Act Before

In the offseason, we saw head coach Dave Hakstol make the transition from the University of North Dakota to the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. Naturally, as a UND fan, I have watched Hakstol's Flyers with great interest this season. However, last season, I would've had to take a shower after saying that. Times have changed for me.

As a Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild fan I have to admit, that in the past, I hadn't been much of a Flyers fan. I've always looked at them as being a dirty team that happens to play in the Eastern conference. However, like many UND fans, I had to see how Hakstol's transition in Philadelphia, went. They Flyers have also piqued my interest. They're an exciting young team that plays the game the right way. They also have boughten into Hakstol's systems and are playing an exciting brand high-octane hockey.

So, during the season, I have watched the Flyers play a couple of times a week. I've even gotten eight-year-old daughter, semi-interested in Hak's Flyers. They're like our third favorite team.

During Hakstol's tenure at UND, his teams tended to start out slow and peak during the end of the season going into the playoffs. Hak's first season in Philly has also transpired the same way.

Sam Carchidi, Philly.Com -- After a slow start, the Flyers are 21-9-6 since returning from a winless West Coast trip after the holiday break. That type of upswing was part of the coach's resumé at North Dakota, where his teams showed marked improvement in the second half of the season.

In his 11 seasons at North Dakota, Hakstol's teams were 113-73-19 (.598) before Christmas and a staggering 176-69-24 (.699) after Christmas.

"There's so many different stories to those years," Hakstol said the other night. "We were building a completely new team every year, and I don't care how many players you have back; we had anywhere from half our team being rookies during that stretch to a veteran-laden team. But you're building a new team every year there. The same approach here: Show up. Work to win games. Work to get better. Every week, every month - and make sure you're playing your best hockey at the critical time of the year, which is now."

This season, the Flyers weren't expected to make the playoffs, and they were said to be missing a few key parts to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think that Hakstol should be one of the top candidates for the Jack Adams Award for the NHL's coach of the year.

No matter what Hakstol's team does in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I think it's safe to say that he's found a home in Philadelphia.

Spenser Penrose Award Finalists Announced

Here are the eight finalists for the Spencer Penrose Award. University of North Dakota head coach Brad Berry is one of the eight finalists. Coach Berry lead his team to a 32-6-4 record. Also, Berry's team won a National Collegiate Hockey Conference Penrose Cup and a Midwest regional championship. If you're keeping track at home, all four of the coaches from the Frozen Four are on the list.

Spencer Penrose Award finalists

Brad Berry, North Dakota
Jim Montgomery, Denver
Rand Pecknold, Quinnipiac
Frank Serratore, Air Force
Nate Leaman, Providence
Jerry York, Boston College
Red Berenson, Michigan
Mel Pearson, Michigan Tech

Hobey Hat Trick Announced

The Hobey Hat Trick, has finally been announced. Here are your three candidates. Famed CCM line member, Michigan Wolverines  freshman forward Kyle Connor, Boston College Eagles All-Hockey East junior goalie Thatcher Demko. And finally, Harvard senior forward Jimmy Vesey have made the Hobey Baker Memorial Trophy Hat Trick Finalists.

(Video) Duncan Keith Slash on Charlie Coyle; Dumba & Shaw Fight

You can watch the video here.

First, Chicago Defenseman Duncan Keith's dirty slash on Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle is unacceptable. I know that the Blackhawks fans are going to disagree with me, but there's no excusing that dirty slash. That's an intent to injure. Nothing Coyle did justifies being slashed like that, Keith could have severely injured Coyle with that gutless act.

Hopefully, the NHL will hand down a harsh sentence. Keith should receive at least a five-game suspension. However, because Keith is a Blackhawk and a star player, he will probably get a one-game suspension if we're lucky. If I was the head of Department of Players Safety, it would be at least a 10-game suspension. This is a bush league act and there's no excuse for this.

Apparently, Patrick Kane can't fight is own battles. First, the hit by Matt Dumba on Kane was a clean, hard, legal hit. (You can take a look for yourself). Nice Dumba beat Andrew Shaw, it was a good fight.

Never Going to Happen

CHL has submitted a brief to NCAA asking major junior players no longer be ineligible to play at US colleges. No response as yet.

— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) March 20, 2016

I don't think this is ever going to happen. There are too many high-level college hockey people that are against this idea. In my opinion, the CHL and the NCAA are in competition with each other. Also, I don't like the CHL people being able to use the NCAA as a fall back if the CHL doesn't work out for them.

Leafs and Bruins Game-Ending Dust Up

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a bunch of goons. :-)

3-1 #NHLBruins! Empty-netter from Matt Beleskey with 49.5 on the clock in the third.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 27, 2016

Luke Johnson Scores UND's Second Goal

University of North Dakota junior forward Luke Johnson has become UND's version of Mr. March. Let's say that Johnson is making quite a name for himself when UND is playing in the big money games.

Today, he's done it again, the sophomore forward has scored another big goal to give UND a 2-1 lead against the Michigan Wolverines. Stick tap to Brad Schlossman: UND's Mr. March Johnson has scored a goal in five straight NCAA tourney games.

Drake Caggiula Scores UND's First Goal of the Game

UND forward Drake Caggiula with another highlight-reel goal. That's goal number 21 of the season for Caggiula. This is the first time since the 2010-11 season that UND has had two players with 20 goals or more.

(Video) Ferris State Ends St. Cloud's Season

Here's the biggest shocker of the day. The number-two seeded St. Cloud State Huskies were eliminated by the Ferris State Bulldogs. Scoring for the Bulldogs was Jared Vanwormer with the assist to Gerald Mayhew.

Former Fighting Sioux Defenseman Mike Commodore with his Prediction

The University of Michigan men's ice hockey team is going to get piss pounded today.

— Mike Commodore (@commie22) March 26, 2016

Today, former Fighting Sioux defenseman Mike Commodore took to Twitter to make his prediction on the North Dakota vs. Michigan game. Some of the responses by the Michigan fans are kind of funny, too.

CBS Line vs. CCM Line

There are no changes to the lineup for UND this afternoon. It's hard to change the lineup when it was so successful in yesterday's game. This is the matchup of the CCM line vs. the CBS line.

Beloved WCHA Official Oliver "Butch" Mousseaux Dies

It's a sad day in the college hockey world. Last weekend, WCHA referee Oliver "Butch" Mousseaux fell and hit his head during the pre-game warmups at Van Andel Arena. Mousseaux suffered a traumatic brain injury from the fall and died from the injuries this morning in an hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Mousseaux was one of the most popular and highly respected officials in college hockey. Make no mistake about it, Mousseaux was a very good on-ice official. He will definitely be missed. Thoughts and prayers going to the Mousseaux family.

From the Peter J. Wallner of MLive -- Butch Mousseaux, who had been a referee with the WCHA since 2003, grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. As the first Native American official, Mousseau's NHL officials' sweater and skates are in the league's Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

He is survived by his wife, Macaire, three children Sam (SJ), Abbie, and Olivia; his parents, Oliver and Mary; sisters Beth and Fran, and brothers Charlie and Joey.

This smile will always be part of the college hockey world, & in the hearts of everyone Oliver "Butch" Mousseau met. pic.twitter.com/SFIX5NTV5x

— WCHA Men's Hockey (@WCHA_MHockey) March 25, 2016

RIP Butchy Mousseau...you will be missed! @TheNCHC @WCHA_MHockey pic.twitter.com/uDhDtAQB8y

— Don Adam (@DonAdam7) March 25, 2016

The Big Indian passed away this morning and he will be deeply missed. Please continue to support his family...@TheNCHC @WCHA_MHockey

— Don Adam (@DonAdam7) March 25, 2016

I wept doing this write-thru, reporting & writing it. Oliver "Butch" Mousseaux, NCAA hockey referee, dies at 48: https://t.co/weuKP6D6na

— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) March 25, 2016

Matt Dumba hit on Patrick Kane

When I look at this hit, I see a suspension coming for Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. First, the hit was high, the head looked like it was targeted.

Second, the hit in question was on a star player. Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane is a star player and the league doesn't take to kindly to its star players being hit like this. Lucky for Dumba, Kane when down the tunnel but came back. Suspension worthy?

UPDATE: No Suspension.

Explanation of Dumba hit on Kane https://t.co/3voVffXOs1

— Anthony LaPanta (@AnthonyLaPanta) March 21, 2016

Now We Know: UND to Cincinnati

The Brackets are set. UND will play the smoking hot Northeastern Huskies. Just like this week, UND will be playing on 1:00 p.m. CT Friday in the early game. That will be the first game of the NCAA tourney. 

 Northeast Regional (DCU Center, Worcester, MA, March 25-26)

#4 Providence vs. #14 Minnesota-Duluth

#5 Boston College vs. #11 Harvard

East Regional (Times Union Center, Albany, NY, March 26-27)

#1 Quinnipiac vs. #16 RIT

#8 UMass Lowell vs. #10 Yale

Midwest Regional (US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH, March 25-26)

#3 North Dakota vs. #13 Northeastern

#7 Michigan vs. #12 Notre Dame

West Regional (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN, March 26-27)

#2 St. Cloud State vs. #15 Ferris State

#6 Denver vs. #9 Boston University

Edit: NCAA Hockey Tourney: Where are we Going?

Looking at the USCHO Brackets from Jason Moy. Most years, Moy nails it, so I would imagine that UND is heading to Cincinnati to play the Northeastern Huskies. It will be interesting to see where UND goes. 

East Regional (Albany):
16 RIT vs. 1 Quinnipiac
10 Yale vs 8 Massachusetts-Lowell

Northeast Regional (Worcester):
14 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Providence
11 Harvard vs. 5 Boston College

Midwest Regional (Cincinnati):
13 Northeastern vs. 3 North Dakota
12 Notre Dame vs. 7 Michigan

West Regional (St. Paul):
15 Ferris State vs. 2 St. Cloud State
9 Boston University vs. 6 Denver

Final Projections from College Hockey News

Albany
1. Quinnipiac vs. 16. RIT
8. Lowell vs. 10. Yale

St. Paul
2. St. Cloud State vs. 15. Ferris State
6. Denver vs. 9. Boston University

Cincinnati
3. North Dakota vs. 13. Northeastern
7. Michigan vs. 12. Notre Dame

Worcester
4. Providence vs. 14. Minnesota-Duluth
5. Boston College vs. 11. Harvard

Compare and Contrast

Thank you fans from @UNDmhockey, @DU_Hockey, @UMDMensHockey and @SCSUHUSKIES_MH for an outstanding #FrozenFaceoff pic.twitter.com/F07lwYbBIR

— Josh Fenton (@Fenton_JC) March 20, 2016

These pictures will tell you all you need to know. The Big Ten Conference Tourney, attendance was light. The NCHC actually drew pretty well.

The Big Ten, with power schools Minnesota and Michigan in the championship game of the Big Ten Championship game at the Xcel Energy Center, drew a grand total of 6,180 fans.

For those keeping track, the Univesity of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena is roughly about 8 miles from the Xcel Energy Center. This should be a home game for Minnesota and they can't draw better than this.

Let's compare and contrast, on Saturday, the NCHC drew 11,643 fans for the consolation and championship games at Target Center. On Friday, the Big Ten drew 5,423. Across town at the grungy, run down Target Center, the NCHC drew 10,926. Basically, in two days, the NCHC doubled the attendance of the Big Ten Hockey Conference.

Finally, two mid-majors and a couple of division II schools outdrew five of the biggest schools in division I hockey. I am dead serious. Think about this, the big five conference schools with all of the advantages, can't outdraw the small schools.

Tell us how you really feel! pic.twitter.com/HD96z6szrn

— Tom Chorske (@hockeylogic) March 19, 2016

Good seats still available for Michigan-Penn St Big Ten hockey semifinal at Xcel. UM 2, PSU 0, end of first. pic.twitter.com/s38yAT8hQ8

— Rachel Blount (@BlountStrib) March 18, 2016

Something to Chew on; Michigan's Three Hobey Baker Finalists

Michigan has only played 3 games this season vs. Top 15 teams in Pairwise. Connor has 0 goals in those games.

— Adam Wodon (@CHN_AdamWodon) March 13, 2016

First, Kyle Connor (30g-31a—61pts), JT Compher (13g-39a—52pts) and Tyler Motte (29g-21a—50pts) are great players, their stats are through the roof. Statistically, this is a true statement. However, if you look at their stats, they were padded by playing bad teams. Imagine if SCSU, UND and DU were able to play four games against each of the B1G teams. Let's face facts, the Big Ten is a bad league. The stats back this up.

Let’s compare, the CBS landed no one in the Hobey finalists. However, the CBS line, Brock Boeser (25g-23a—48pts), Drake Caggiula (19g-23a—42pts) and Nick Schmaltz (8g-32a—40pts). Finally, looking at the strength of schedule, UND played the 12th toughest schedule while Michigan played the 33rd toughest schedule.

Let’s look at the Pacific Rim line, they also had no one in the Hobey finalists; Dylan Gambrell (15g-27a—42pts), Trevor Moore (9g-32—41pts), and Danton Heinen (18g-22a—40pts). The Pioneers also played the third hardest schedule in division I hockey.

I think the Hobey Baker Memorial Award committee had a tough time seeing past the eastern schools. There’s one player west of the Mississippi in the final 10.

Just looked at the Hobey list. Three Michigan forwards. No Kossila, Schmaltz, or Boeser. Zero credibility.

— The Red Army (@RedArmyUNO) March 17, 2016

Torts Wants Columbus to Play Tough

I thought this was an interesting post from Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. This would explain why the Blue Jackets spend a lot of time in the penalty box.

The Blue Jackets are the most-penalized team in the NHL and the team with the most major penalties for fighting.

But those are crude ways to measure their physical nature.

“We talk every game, that if somebody’s in trouble, someone gets in there,” coach John Tortorella said. “If someone’s on our goalie, someone gets in. Everybody gets in the blue (paint) to protect our goaltender. That’s the mindset we’re trying to build here.

“But are we over the top? Are we cheap? Are we dirty? Absolutely not. Do we want to injure people? Hurt people? Absolutely not.”

There will be no apologies forthcoming for the hard-nosed style, even as recent opponents have taken exception.

This can be entertaining hockey for the fans, but it can tax a team's penalty kill.