farce poobah

Which, thanks to Big Ten gametime scheduling, means we won't miss UND games.

And its so embarrassing when they don't.

There's always that little thing about classes and grades...

That might be the holdup on announcing Arizona State (that has been rumored / half-announced for a while).

I saw several MSU Mankato games last year. They have definitely changed since the Jutting years. Higher tempo, faster defensemen. They haven't gotten first-round draft choices, but there is a lot more talent than in previous years. Their incoming class is on par with the NCHC rookies.

The central question I have is whether : (a) the NCHC has decided to admit MSU Mankato provided all the paperwork in order, or (b) the NCHC is still information-gathering and due to some astute journalism by Brad Schlossman their application became public earlier than desired (note MSU's president requests that NCHC's Fenton keep it confidential). Seems to me that this is (b) and the NCHC hasn't yet decided to take MSU. But I'm interested in what other people think.

"There's a fine line between wrong and visionary. Unfortunately, you have to be a visionary to see it." -- Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

Happy Canada Day indeed! I'm happy that Chicago got Brian Campbell back for just $2 million. And happy the Wild got some help upfront with Staal and Stewart.

Land of 10,000 Excuses. My first visit was 1979. I had never been called a Communist before, and certainly not as many more colorful adjectives. Thankfully my posse included a couple guys who could serve as bona fide bodyguards. So it was just talk. The best part was winning the WCHA title on Saturday night - punctuated by Dave Christian's slapshot empty-netter - breaking a 12 year drought.

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/stats/ UND: 21.8 (according to that particular website).

Would you settle for a career like David Backes?

A bargain at that. I think he's a potential Selke award winner.

The influence of Lou Lamiorello ...

His family seems like the kind of people that will fit right into the UND hockey family. https://www.nhl.com/news/family-is-overwhelmed-as-tyson-jost-gets-drafted-at-no-10/c-281050278?tid=277764372

No Badger first-rounders since 2008. Then Wisconsin changes coaches and has two. Hmmm.

Now UMD bags their 3rd-ever first rounder. (Riley Tufte, Mr Hockey MN this year.) Pretty good night for the NCHC. Assuming, that is, that the clubs that picked guys give them time to develop in college.

As long as its draft night, a nice historical view: http://collegehockeyinc.com/pages/first-round-nhl-draft-picks Most surprising to me is that DU has only 3 first round draft picks. I'd have expected a lot more. Second most surprising is that SCSU has none. But that might change tonight.

Colorado picks Tyson Jost. Interesting ...

If NHL doesn't move to Phoenix a generation ago, there's probably no way Auston Mathews decides to play hockey. Ironic that he ends up going to an original six franchise in Toronto. Another nice boost for USA Hockey - #1 overall pick.

Good, thoughtful analysis. Thanks for forwarding.

woo hoo A USA player wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for the first time. Another step forward for USA Hockey. (Patrick Kane.)

(I agree with tho0505.) Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall stay our sports teams from the swift completion of their appointed victories.

Bubba Schweigert is a very good speaker. Kudos.

Nick, Congratulations! Thanks for your hard work while at UND, and best wishes toward getting another title with the Blackhawks.

So I see the Red Pepper got a "makeover". I dunno why you'd mess with perfect. http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/business/4052053-red-pepper-gets-facelift