redwing77

Yeah, he is that at times. At other times, he is the only player on the ice willing just to throw the puck on net. I'll always be a fan of that. It's why I was a fan of Nick Fuher too.

Agreed, but let's look at this from the Wild perspective: Back when Gaborik was healthy, on the Wild, and on the first line, the Wild had nothing on the other three lines but career role players and defensive forwards... in other words, very little in the way of offense outside of the first line. Therefore, all the opposing coach had to do was to plan his shifts and defensive alignments to make sure that his best defensive forwards and d-pairs were out when Gaborik was on the ice. The rest of the time, matchups weren't as important because, as long as the first priority (the one mentioned regarding Gaborik) remains in effect, the remainder of the team can be eliminated offensively simply by playing solid fundamental hockey. The Hawks opponents are keying on Kane and Toews and Hossa (although I believe Hossa's injured at this point) and having a lot of fun picking on the other lines Chicago is putting on the ice. You see, yeah, Toews and Kane played lights out all of last season, but the key to the Hawks winning it all last year was balance and depth throughout the roster. They've got neither. It's kind of like Pittsburgh when Crosby first broke into the league. Crosby may have been the bee's knees even then, but the team around him was simply awful. Crosby got a decent team around him and suddenly he had Pierre MaGuire having to change his shorts every time Crosby touched the puck. I don't know about how things will turn out in Chi-town, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Hawks turn it around and make the playoffs or not turn it around and watch the playoffs from home.

I think there will be some mistakes made on Friday. You don't lose 4 players (3 to injury or illness) and have a seamless transition.

Nothing against Toews but.... I think last year was THE year for the Hawks. Turco sucks. He sucked last year and Dallas cut him. He sucks this year. He's just a younger version of Osgood. Their cap woes basically did them in. As for the Devils... I think they've fought the cap longer than the Hawks. They've got no depth... only one scoring line with one of those wingers injured and one of those wingers slumping... Heh... The Devils look like the Wild while they had Gaborik. It's a shame that Lamoriello has degraded into Risebrough. I rather like Lou.

If you expect consistency out of the officials after being a fan of college hockey for as long as you have, then I can safely assume one of two things: 1. You've never actually watched a game (live or on tv) 2. Well... if I said #2, I'd get a warning or suspended from the board for seeming to take a personal attack on you. Now, I know you've watched a good deal of hockey and college hockey to boot. So I know what I stated above to be false... I'm just saying that the on ice officials aren't paid to be consistent. They aren't expected to be either. They are not punished if they aren't consistent, even if it is a trend rather than a bad game or weekend. They're only expected not to make the league overtly look bad and to call the game according to institutionalized guidelines. If they make a mistake, they may miss a weekend or two of work but that's about it. It would take something on the scale of Randy Schmidt to get any sort of action more severe than a month.

Yup. There's no conspiracy about the suspension actually occurring. brianvf is right on with Hakstol, imo. It goes with precedent. Why did they wait this long? I don't know. Either UND appealed the suspension (I don't know how they'd keep the appeal and initial suspension under wraps though...) or Shepturd and McLoser were trying to find a way to suspend Malone while making the WCHA look better. Remember, McLeod and Shepherd are more concerned with appearances than the integrity of the game. If something happens that is unpleasant but legal in the league on or off ice, they can't stand by its legality unless they look good by doing so.

I'd guess that if Malone were suspended more than 2 games then UND would look at appealing. Otherwise, if the suspension occurs, I'd see no appeal at all.

Good luck Wilbur. We're in a reactionary era of sports. I truly believe that if Malone is given a lengthy suspension (to me, this means more than 2 games), then McLeod and Shepherd can claim that they are truly concerned about the players well being. Sure, that's an out and out lie, but look around you at where the NHL and especially the NFL is going in terms of physical play. Also, it makes them look good, so to speak, with anyone and everyone not truly familiar with the situation and the rules of the game. In other words, present the act, the aftermath (what happened and is happening to Martin), and the reaction by the league to some casual sports fan and how do you think they'll look? If the casual sports fan cares at all, I think they'd see it as a positive move. McLeod and Shepherd have shown time and time again that they care very little for the integrity of the game. They don't care for the spirit of the game either. All they care about is their own professional self images and institutionalized parity. My guess is that Malone won't be able to play on Friday but will play on Saturday. Since Rowney and Malone won't play on Friday, I'm sure we'll see Bruneteau and Davidson. The question is, who will take Malone's spot on that line? Do they break up the Nelson line? Or do they put Bruneteau on that line?

My first reply came out wrong. What I meant to say is: This is not something anyone wants to see happen to anyone. I think about Travis Roy's injury and wonder about how Mitch Vig took it. This isn't think kind of thing that one wants to be a part of, and that's what I'm getting at with my first post (which I deleted). I hope Martin makes a fast recovery and that Malone learns from this and becomes a better player because of it. My thoughts are with Martin. I hope he comes through ok.

The WCHA is a reactionary league. That's why it took the injury to Bina for checking from behind to be called a penalty. The injury to Genoway was the impetus for the contact to the head penalty. So, yes, you can plan on Malone being suspended. However, my question is: how many games? Will he miss 1? Both UMD games? more than that? Surely, someone will bring up the fact that we all called for Marvin to be suspended for as many games as Genoway was out injured. I'm sure DU fans (some of them) feel as though that should be the length of Malone's suspension as well. Anyways, I say we just pull the plug on the season, fire Hakstol, execute Eidsness, throw a multimillion dollar contract at Blais and, when Blais turns it down, summarily disband the Men's hockey program. Anyways, despite the fact that SS.com (despite JimDahl's best efforts) is going down the crapper, I'll still continue to support UND, even if I'm accused of being a homer. I think tUMD gets 1 point this next weekend. Davidson plays for the suspended Malone on Friday and Bruneteau gets the nod on Saturday (if Malone is suspended the entire series).

No one wins when Sioux fight Sioux.

Don't forget stops in the AJHL too. I would say Shattuck/BCHL/AJHL with the USHL always bolstering all four stops.

IIRC here are a few things I noticed: I believe Karl Goehring is working with UND as a Volunteer Assistant now? Also, Steve Johnson is the Assistant Coach at SCSU. Good grief.. Prpich is slowly touring Europe and Asia. I think next he should try the KHL, then the Czech Leagues, DEL, Danish Leagues and then end his career touring Scandinavia... Start in Finland, then Sweden then finally Norway.

Hmmm... I think Blood could be a flight risk this year. Forbort next year.

I think Dell starts Friday and Eids gets Saturday unless Dell blanks (or gets close to it) DU. Eids has had a rough start. He's already got a few of us pushing him, pads and all, toward the emergency exit door of the team bus while it's going 75 on I-29. To be honest, I don't like it, but it happens. Bachman was stellar his freshman year and then had a sophomore slump. Eidsness may never have been "stellar" but his slump has come 1 year late. I look to Eids to snap out of it soon and start showing us why he was a pre season Hobey candidate (though even though I am a fan of Eidsness, he'll never win that award... unless he pulls off a Cheverie or Eilliott his senior year). Dell did ok vs. Maine. Not great. I think both goaltenders will be looking to perform better this weekend. And perhaps the team will be better prepared to face crappy officials. Surely this weekend will see Shepherd and his partner.

True, but we needed humble pie. The hype was starting to get in our way. Now we can play great hockey and leave the hype to teams like Maine, BC, Miami, and Michigan. Then, in April, we can watch as they leave the NCAAs one by one and hopefully we're left when the dust settles.

This poll is fail. What kind of pie? Pizza pie? Apple? Pumpkin? Cherry?

Lucia is the least of their problems. Although it actually does go back to him. He doesn't recruit any grit. He doesn't adjust well with the talent he's got. He thinks John Hill can coach...

I got lucky too. My Cox digital cable in Omaha here, has it too. However, it isn't in HD. Waaaah!

Since I'm terrible at predictions, let's try this on for size: Maine scores first. 1-0 at the end of 1. UND then scores to tie it up. Maine gets a gift powerplay and goes up 2-1. Maine scores again to go up 3-1. SS.com starts up the FIRE HAKSTOL and BENCH EIDSNESS threads. Frattin scores to make it 3-2 (Powerplay goal) Hextall scores to tie it up just into the 3rd period. Eidsness makes an incredible save when a defensive gaff leaves Maine open for a 2 on 1 from their own blue line. Maine gets the short end when they're called for a penalty with about 5 minutes and change to go in the game. UND does almost nothing for most of the powerplay. Gregoire scores just as the powerplay expires. 4-3. Review of the goal reveals that this one shouldn't have gone in... the old "Sirson would like to have that one back" call by the commentators. Maine starts putting on pressure and really carries the game, pulling Sirson for the empty net with about 1:35 seconds to go. UND clears it and then Maine does something stupid, coming in offsides with about 35 seconds left. (upon review, it was VERY questionable) Forbort scores on the empty net with 5 seconds left in the game. Sioux win 5-3. In the end, the Sioux win by the skin of their teeth as Maine really pushes play for most of the first and second periods and for about 2.5 minutes late in the third. How's that for a prediction?

True, but I think the rise would have started with 3 inches. If he had 6 inches, then he'd be top 15 I bet.

I don't have anything personally against John Hill.

Hmmm... I wonder if they'd consider someone like Carl Pelini from Nebraska? Maybe they could entice Brad Childress to jump ship and start up there? Then you get Childress where he belongs and the Vikings can take another step in the right direction?

If Rocco were 3 inches taller, I wonder what this report would read?

Hmmm Kinda reminiscent of TJ Oshie his sophomore year. The dude was snakebit for the first half of his sophomore year. Kristo looks to be sophomore snakebit as well. He'll recover. The big news is: We got 2 good goaltenders! We now can rotate them as needed. I wonder if JPL would have done better had he had that luxury his senior year?