Nick Mattson and Johnny Simonson are Bruisers

Someone has posted this on Sioux Sports today, actually I find it hilarious and worth sharing with ya'll. Apparently, Nick Mattson and Johnny Simonson are now considered bruisers.


Actually, in my opinion, Steph Pattyn and Andrew Andrew Panzarella are more of the bruiser type. This is the problem when you someone that doesn't cover hockey on a regular basis get relegated to the press box. With the termination of Adrian Dater, I am sure that the Denver Post had Mike Chambers covering the Avs game last night.

Nick Groke, Denver Post -- Bad blood boiled over even before the puck dropped Saturday night in the University of Denver's 3-1 loss to North Dakota. DU and UND don't have to try hard to dislike each other.

After Denver's 4-1, runaway victory the night before, North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol inserted some muscle into his lineup, perhaps hoping to push the Pioneers around. He added 185-pound defenseman Nick Mattson and freshman lefty Johnny Simonson.

But while No. 11 Denver and No. 1 North Dakota traded ill will early on, matching retribution penalties, the two new bruisers from Grand Forks put North Dakota out front.

Mattson's slap shot goal off two posts, after Simonson won the puck in the corner, set North Dakota on its way to a victory over the Pioneers at Magness Arena.

SCSU's Jonny Brodzinski Tossed from the Game for a Legal Check (VIDEO)

This is why the St. Cloud State fans are unhappy today. Actually, they have good reason to be mad, too. SCSU power forward Jonny Brodzinski was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for Contact to the Head. No where in the video do you see the actual Contact to the Head.

Here another angle no one is talking about. Whether it's a blown call or not, Brodzinski now has a game misconduct on his record. If Brodzinski receives two game misconducts, he will be suspended for one game. With the way the refs are calling the game, you've got to be careful. I think the case of a blown call, if the refs blow the call, the game misconduct should be rescinded.

22.2 Suspensions - A player who receives three (3) game misconduct penalties in the same season (including exhibition games) shall not be permitted to play in the team’s next regular-season or tournament game against an NCAA member institution. For each additional game misconduct penalty (e.g. four, five, etc.) assessed to the same player in the same season, the

(Video) Drake Caggiula penalty - Blown Call

This is pathetic, Denver forward Daniel Doremus pulls the ole horse collars on Drake Caggiula. Of course Caggiula gets the retaliation penalty. Check out Doremus' embellishment in what would make Ryan Kessler blush. At the end watch the old wave off by head coach Dave Hakstol.

(Video) Andrew Panzarella Rocks Ty Loney and Mark MacMillan Ejected for Check from Behind

Check out the hit that UND defenseman Andrew Panzarella puts on Denver forward Ty Loney, he get absolutely rocked.

I don't know if I agree with this call or not. You do have to be careful when you're hitting another player along the wall. I think the Denver players sold it. That being said, Brad Shepherd and his reffing partner were brutal in the first period.

North Dakota vs. Denver Game One lines - With Links

North Dakota Forward lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan (A)–15 Michael Parks (A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell–8 Nick Schmaltz–27 Luke Johnson
29 Bryn Chyzyk–28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–11 Trevor Olson
26 Coltyn Sanderson–13 Connor Gaarder (A)–14 Austin Poganski

North Dakota Defense Parings

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–3 Tucker Poolman
4 Keaton Thompson–22 Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

Denver Forward lines

8 Trevor Moore–19 Daniel Doremus–20 Danton Heinen
16 Zac Larraza–27 Quentin Shore–12 Ty Loney
26 Evan Janssen–9 Gabe Levin–23 Matt Marcinew
14 Larkin Jacobson–25 Matt Tabrum–39 Grant Arnold

Denver Defense Pairings

21 Joey LaLeggia–11 Nolan Zajac
7 Will Butcher–4 Josiah Didier
28 Adam Plant–6 Matt VanVoorhis

Denver Goalies

31 Evan Cowley
36 Tanner Jaillet
30 Greg Ogard

Bryn Chyzyk returns to the lineup tonight after missing five games due to injury. Andrew Panzarella goes in for the injured Troy Stecher.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) December 12, 2014

Updated TV info for tonight: US: ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain, DirecTV (683), DISH Network (414) Canada: TSN 2, TSN GO (live stream)
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) December 12, 2014

UND vs. DU, a Series Preview http://t.co/oTPiSWRODR #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 12, 2014

Former Moorhead star Brian Lee announces retirement from NHL | INFORUM http://t.co/qz4cSUAEcL
— Chris Murphy (@SeeMurphsTweets) December 12, 2014

Related articles

• Nebraska-Omaha Beats North Dakota in a Shootout(insidehockey.com)

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NHL won't discipline Bruins' Seidenberg for hit on Toews

According to Tracy Myers of CSNCHICAGO.COM, the NHL is not going to discipline Dennis Seidenberg. Puck Daddy also has a nice post on the Seidenberg hit on Toews, too.

Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy -- The NHL’s Department of Player Safety decided on Friday that Dennis Seidenberg’s hit that injured Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks isn’t worthy of supplemental discipline, as there won’t be a hearing for the Boston Bruins defenseman.

As much as Blackhawks fans don’t want to hear it, this was the right call.

Ultimately, the League decided the call on the ice was the right one: a boarding minor. Just because a penalized player injured an opponent – and Toews’ status is still being determined, as the Blackhawks aren’t skating on Friday – doesn’t automatically mean the player deserves a suspension.

Do you agree or disagree with this? Feel free to chime in if you want. Is this the right decision.

Krug Goal, Shaw and Kelly Fight (Video)

Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug scores a beautiful goal. Credit Bruins forward Milan Lucic with the assist.

After the goal, Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw hits Lucic a bit late and Chris Kelly takes exception and works Shaw in a post goal fight.

Julien credits Lucic's "awesome" effort on the Krug goal. "we need more of that... from everyone" ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 12, 2014

Scandella Gets Two Games

Minnesota defender, Marco Scandella, looks to move the puck last week against the
Montreal Canadians. Minnesota won the game 2-1.

Recently reported today, the Department of NHL Players Safety has given out a two game suspension to Minnesota Wild defender Marco Scandella.

In Tuesday night's contest against the New York Islanders, Scandella came across in his defensive zone and caught Brock Nelson in the head with an elbow. During the contest, Scandella was given a two minute minor penalty for illegal contact to the head.

Minnesota fans may argue that how can he get a penalty and suspended when there was no penalty for the Ballard hit earlier that night? The difference in the two hits was if you notice, Ballard turned and tried to brace himself for that lethal hit, which may have created greater injury to him. However, it still doesn't make the hit right and probably should have been given a minor penalty on the play. However, the Scandella hit is his second offence of the season, the first coming in the form of a fine for another elbow to the head of St. Louis forward TJ Oshie.

Simply Being UND One of the Nickname Options

I must say that I was very happy to read this. I still think this is the best option moving forward. Instead of picking a silly, new nickname that none of us will be able to behind. This to me makes the most sense. 

I am dead serious here, would you rather have the sports teams referred to as simply "UND" or would you rather have North Dakota's sports teams named after some silly, moronic, boring nickname like Sun Dogs? 

Anna Burleson , Grand Forks Herald -- At a meeting Wednesday, Jeno and the rest of the UND New Nickname and Logo Process Recommendation Task Force voted to continue to move forward in selecting a new nickname for the institution, with the provision the current name "UND" be included as a possible option. The group developed the skeleton of a plan that involves appointing another committee as soon as possible that will ultimately decide on the next nickname.

The plan, which the group is still working on, will be presented to President Robert Kelley later this month.

The school's former logo, the Fighting Sioux, was retired in late 2012 and at the meeting, the task force decided bringing that name back isn't an option due to a 2007 settlement reached by UND and the NCAA, which had threatened sanctions for using a name they deemed offensive.

"There are people who still think we can go back, but we can't," task force co-chair and UND alumna Sheri Kleinsasser Stockmoe said.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald: Nickname task force further develops open forums(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Wild Defenseman Marco Scandella Has Hearing for Hit on Brock Nelson

I said this last night (See Below) that Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella did learn much from being fined. I think that Scandella will end up being suspended for his hit on Brock Nelson. Apparently, he has a thing for former UND hockey players.

Minnesota defenseman Marco Scandella will have a hearing this evening for an illegal check to the head of NY Islanders forward Brock Nelson.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 10, 2014

Scandella didn't learn much from his fine. I think the NHL "could" give him a one game vacation.
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) December 10, 2014

Related articles

• Marco Scandella Hit on TJ Oshie(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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(Video) Matt Martin Hit on Keith Ballard

"It's a dirty vicious hit, up high, he put Ballard into the Glass," Minnesota Wild color commentator Mike Greenlay said.

You can decide for yourself what you think of the hit. I agree with Wes Walz, it's a questionable hit. It's in the grey area. The thing that might do Martin in, he came from a long way to hit Ballard and he was injured on the play.

If you watch the video, it looks like an elbow "might" have made contact with the head.

#mnwild Keith Ballard is conscious and has been taken to @RegionsHospital for further evaluation and observation. #NHL #isles
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) December 10, 2014

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• Keith Ballard Hip Check on Adam Pardy(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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President Kelly Praised for His Stand on Retiring Logo in Performance Rating

s/t to Rob Port of sayanythingblog.com -- Here's UND President, Rob Kelly's most recent performance evaluation . Check out the comments by his evaluator, North Dakota Chancellor, Larry Skogen. These comments will definitely rub some UND fans the wrong way. 

You can find the whole evaluation at this link.

Doesn't look like the leadership is looking at the no nickname option.

Again, most of us realize that the Fighting Sioux nickname is gone and that it's not coming back. But a lot of people in high places of higher education are out of touch with reality and these comments smack of elitism.  Feel free to argue if you want.

UND lands three-of-four players on the NCHC Players of the Week.

Pretty good week for UND as they land three-of-four players on the NCHC Players of the Week.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) announced its Bauer NCHC Players of the Week for the week of Dec. 1-7 on Monday with North Dakota capturing three of the four awards. The winners for week nine of the season are Miami senior forward Cody Murphy for Offensive Player of the Week, North Dakota junior defenseman Jordan Schmaltz for Defenseman of the Week, UND freshman defenseman Tucker Poolman for Rookie of the Week and North Dakota junior netminder Zane McIntyre for Goaltender of the Week, his second straight week claiming the award.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Jordan Schmaltz, North Dakota
Junior Defenseman
Verona, Wis.

Schmaltz was productive at both ends of the ice in UND’s sweep of Lake Superior State, totaling five points in the series while contributing on both special teams. He notched multiple points in both games, including four on the power play, scoring a goal and chipping in four assists on the weekend. In Friday’s 7-4 comeback win, the Blues prospect handed out a trio of assists, including two on the man advantage, to tie a career high for both points and assists. The next night, Schmaltz tallied a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in a 3-1 victory as his helper set up the game’s first goal while his score late in the third period sealed the win. He blocked a shot in each game, while helping UND go a perfect 9-for-9 on the penalty kill, including 7-for-7 Saturday, and 5-for-9 on the power play in the series.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Tucker Poolman, North Dakota
Freshman Defenseman
East Grand Forks, Minn.

Poolman showed off his versatility in North Dakota’s sweep of Lake Superior State, playing forward one night and defenseman the next, while racking up three points in the series. In Friday’s 7-4 comeback win, he moved to forward after UND lost two forwards to injury in the first period and scored a pair of power play goals in a span of a little more than six minutes in the second period, the latter of which tied the game at 4-4. He was named first star of the game for his efforts. The next night, the Winnipeg draft pick moved back to his natural defenseman position and dished out an assist on a power play goal in the third period that sealed the 3-1 win. Poolman was tabbed third star of the game Saturday. He finished the weekend with eight shots on goal, including seven Friday, and two blocked shots. He also was big on special teams, helping UND go 9-for-9 on the penalty kill in the series and 5-for-9 on the power play with all three of his points coming on the man advantage.

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Zane McIntyre, North Dakota
Junior Goaltender
Thief River Falls, Minn.

For the second straight week McIntyre claimed NCHC Goaltender of the Week after compiling a .933 save percentage and a 1.21 goals-against average in two games and 99 minutes of action. He went 2-0-0 in net in a sweep of Lake Superior State, entering in relief on Friday, as he came in early in the second period with UND down 3-0 and stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced to allow North Dakota to rally for the 7-4 win. The Bruins prospect was named the game’s third star Friday. The next night, he surrendered just one goal late in the contest while making 16 saves in his only start of the series – a 3-1 UND victory. McIntyre helped kill all nine LSSU power plays on the weekend, including seven on Saturday, and stopped 28 of 30 shots against in the series to pick up his NCAA-leading 12th win of the season.

Here is the link to the full article.

UND No. 1 In Both Polls

USCHO Poll
December 08, 2014.

1. North Dakota (38) 12-3-2
2. Boston University (1) 10-3-2
3. Minnesota State (1) 12-4-0
4. Michigan Tech (1) 12-2-0
5. Harvard (6) 9-1-2
6. Miami 11-5-0
7. Minnesota 9-4-1
8. Massachusetts-Lowell 10-3-3
9. Minnesota Duluth (3) 11-5-0
10. Vermont 11-3-1
11. Denver 9-4-0
12. Omaha 8-4-2
13. Bowling Green 11-3-2
14. Colgate 9-5-1
15. Quinnipiac 10-5-1
16. Boston College 8-7-1
17. Robert Morris 10-1-3
18. Providence 8-6-1
19. Merrimack 10-5-2
20. Union 9-6-1

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll

1. North Dakota (29) 12-3-2
2. Boston University (1) 10-3-1
3. Minnesota State 12-4-0
4. Michigan Tech 12-2-0
5. Harvard (4) 9-1-2
6. Minnesota 9-4-1
7. Miami 11-5-0
8. Massachusetts-Lowell 10-3-3
9. Minnesota Duluth 11-5-0
10. Vermont 11-3-1
11. Denver 9-4-0
12. Omaha 8-4-2
13. Colgate 9-5-1
14. Bowling Green 11-3-2
15. Quinnipiac 10-5-1

Traditional Circle of Sticks

Traditional circlenof sticks....

A photo posted by Eric J. Burton (@eric.burton.94801) on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:32pm PST

Okay, so I blew it.

Keith Ballard hits Corey Perry with a Legal Hit, Fights Nate Thompson

If you haven't seen this, it's worth a look. Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard hits Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry with a clean, hard, hip check. Unfortunately for Perry, he was knocked out of the game with a knee injury. Below is the embedded video of the fight in question.

Just for the record, last time the Ducks and Wild played, the Ducks were taking runs at the Wild players. So, they really have no room to complain about this hit.

LSSU vs. UND Game Two Lines

Drake Caggiula is back in the lineup tonight. Scratches for UND: 5- Nick Mattson, 17- Colton St. Clair (injury), 22 - Andrew Panzarella, 29- Bryn Chyzyk (Injury).

McIntyre starts in goal. Caggiula remains in the lineup. Simonson back in the lineup. Chyzyk still out. St. Clair out indef. (upper body).
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) December 6, 2014

Sifting Through the Debris on Saturday Morning

Yesterday I said this at the Hockey Writers... I almost ended up eating my words.

Series prediction

Let’s take a look at the numbers. The Lake Superior State Lakers are ranked 58th nationally in team winning percentage. The Lakes are also currently ranked 54th in the all-important Pairwise Rankings. Keep in mind that there are only 59 teams in division I college hockey.

They say that the numbers don’t lie. On paper this series “should” be a miss match. Statistically, comparing the two teams numbers it’s not even close.

Last weekend, the Lakers were outscored 10-0 by the Minnesota State Mavericks. The Lakers are currently ranked 56th overall in-goal scoring. The Lakers offense is anemic they’re scoring 1.69 goals per game. On the defensive side of the ice, the Lakers are ranked 55th overall. The Laker are giving up 3.88 goals per game.

On paper, this series looks like a practice session. That being said, this has the making of being a trap series. I don’t see UND taking the Lakers lightly, coach Hakstol will have his team prepared.

Prediction: UND sweeps (5-2 W, 7-1 W).

This morning I am going on Steve's Sports Saturday.

@goon48 Eric Burton at 9:35a today on @wzfgradio @SteveHallstrom Steve's Sports Saturday! Click to listen online http://t.co/rgoIHn8NIf
— Dustin Moore (@dcharlesmoore) December 6, 2014

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UND vs. LSSU Game One - With Links

Scratches for UND: 5- Nick Mattson, 10- Johnny Simonson, 22 - Andrew Panzarella, 29- Bryn Chyzyk (Injury).

DDC's take on UND/LSSU http://t.co/oromPhp8Xh @siualbert @EricBoettner1 @UNDSID @SchlossmanGF @goon48 @t_red33
— Scott J. Stone (@stoneySioux) December 5, 2014

Brock Nelson Becoming Table-Setter For New York Islanders - http://t.co/LV9sC30xMh #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/sJnXzLy2qB
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 5, 2014

NCAA Women’s Hockey Morning Skate: December 5th, 2014 http://t.co/t7hQHWS986 #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 5, 2014

UND’s Drake Caggiula’s has Month to Remember http://t.co/x3E0g5UVLt #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 5, 2014

WHKY: UND sweeps the Huskies under the rug and heads to Madison

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota women's hockey team picked up their first home sweep of the season over St. Cloud on Sunday.

The sweep didn't come easy. Although UND held the lead for the entire game, the Huskies outperformed themselves from their Saturday afternoon showing. UND was able to hold onto a 3-1 lead to cap off the weekend before heading to Madison, Wisconsin .

North Dakota goes into their Friday and Sunday series against WCHA top-ranked Wisconsin with a three-game unbeaten streak. In their first meeting this season UND settled for a tie and a loss.

The team hopes to ride their recent momentum into this weekend. "I think we have to score early and keep the lead, and play smart like we have been," jr., forward Becca Kohler said. "Now that we have a few games under our belt we're feeling more confident."

Head coach Brian Idalski said that he anticipates a high pace, high intensity series against the Badgers. North Dakota hopes to snap Wisconsin's 10 game unbeaten streak and five game shutout streak.

North Dakota will play Wisconsin Friday at 3:07 p.m. and Sunday at 2:07 p.m.. Web audio streaming can be heard here. For more information and game day notes visit UNDSports.com.