WDAZ says Goodbye to Phil Neumann

Over the years, you contact with and meet great, professional people. Some of these people leave a lasting impression on you. Over time, some of these people end up being your acquaintances and or friends. Behind the scenes, these are hard working, solid people. I would put Phil Neumann as one of those solid, professional people.

While Neumann came to Grand Forks as a young television reporter, you could tell that he was very gifted and energetic. Some television people have a knack, and it appeared to me Neumann had all the tools to be very successful. I figured his stay at WDAZ would be pretty short. He quickly made his way to sports anchor after Pat Sweeny took a job at UND. It will be interesting to see who steps up and fills that role. Sports reporter Maddie Saddler is new, but also very good.

This past year, I really liked the coverage Phil did for WDAZ at the Frozen Four and the Cincinnati Regional. The reports from the two events were very well done. Also, a really nice touch was the post game video Brad Schlossman and Neumann did after UND won the Frozen Four. I going to miss that.

This past weekend, Neuman announced that he'd taken a job in New York, his home state. I like many others are saddened today that Phil will no longer be part of the hometown team.

Again, we were very lucky to have Neumann here in Grand Forks.  I wish him good luck in the next step.

It's been an incredible 2 years, but today will be my final day anchoring the sports at WDAZ. Thank you RR Valley! pic.twitter.com/PIwKbfJINH

— Phil Neumann (@Phil_Neumann) May 13, 2016

The last two years have been more than I ever could've asked for or expected. Thank you @WDAZsports and its viewers! pic.twitter.com/XEiU8gVQwD

— Phil Neumann (@Phil_Neumann) May 14, 2016

St. Louis Blues No Goal

You can see by the video that the refs got the call right. The Blues even burned a coaches callenge on this one and lost.

BERGLUND!!!! 1-0. #WeAllBleedBlue #NHL17Tarasenko #stlblues pic.twitter.com/z4OY3CdPkz

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 16, 2016

The St. Louis Blues thought Patrick Berglund had scored the first goal of the series between the Blues and the Sharks. However, after further review, the goal was waved off because of goalie interference. Again, this was the right call.

Patrik Berglund goal waved off for goalie interference #Blues pic.twitter.com/IiJLPfYjNx

— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) May 16, 2016

Ryan Callahan Boards Kris Letang: Is There a Suspension Coming?

When I watch this video, I have no idea how Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan wasn't given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. If you watch the video, Callahan was very lucky he wasn't thrown out of the game for this dangerous hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. I agree with Elliotte Friedman, this should have been an automatic ejection. I do think that the NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a look at this dirty, dangerous hit.

In trying to figure out why Callahan not ejected, this is probably the key paragraph in Rule 41. pic.twitter.com/Gn4R6vq3WS

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 14, 2016

But this part makes it seem like it should be automatic. pic.twitter.com/9PHL0pVtx8

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 14, 2016

Palat Boards Dumoulin

In the waning moments of the third period, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ondrej Palat was assessed, a two-minute minor penalty for boarding Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin. This hit was unnecessary. It’s what we call a push check and they’re very dangerous hits. So, will this get a look by the NHL’s Department of Players Safety? Personally, I don’t think this is a suspendable hit. It's dangerous and reckless, but it's not worthy of a suspension.

Television Schedule for SCP Conference Finals

Here’s the schedule for the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. First game is tonight on NBC Sports Net. Who do you have advancing? After the Washington Capitals bowed out, there are no longer any former UND hockey Players in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Time (ET) Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay Networks

Friday, May 13 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Monday, May 16 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Wednesday, May 18 8 p.m. Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Friday, May 20 8 p.m. Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

*Sunday, May 22 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

*Tuesday, May 24 8 p.m. Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

*Thursday, May 26 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Time (ET) St. Louis vs. San Jose Networks

Sunday, May 15 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Tuesday, May 17 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Thursday, May 19 9 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Saturday, May 21 7:15 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC, CBC, TVAS

*Monday, May 23 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

*Wednesday, May 25 9 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

*Friday, May 27 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

Dan Kelly's Dirty Hit on Andreas Johnson

There's no excuse for these kinds of hits. No one can give me a reason why this hit should still be happening in the NHL or at any level of hockey. This is unacceptable, it's a barbaric act of thuggery. Boomer Gordon on XM-Radio's NHL Network said, "This hit was bad during the 1980's." And I agree.

Albany Devils defenseman Dan Kelly's Dirty should be suspended longer for this dirty hit on Andreas Johnson Without even looking at the NHL rule book, I can tell you that this is a violation of the NHL's Rule 48.

Vladimir Tarasenko No Goal: Play was Offside

The call on the ice was a good goal scored by St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko. Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff challenged the play, saying the play was offsides at the blue line.

After further review, the play was offsides. This is a perfect example why I like the coaches challenge. Hockey is a fast game and the refs are human and miss penalties and the offsides. In this instance, the on-ice officials got the call right.

Is Jimmy Vesey Headed To the Boston Bruins

Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner and former Harvard All-American forward Jimmy Vesey says that the Boston Bruins are on his list of teams that he would like to sign with. (Boston Herald)

“I think the Bruins will definitely be on my list of teams,” said the 22-year-old Vesey, who will become an unrestricted free agent August 15 – with probably 30 NHL teams salivating at the prospect at getting the Hobey Baker Award winner’s signature on a contract.

Granato's Fat Contract

Recently, former Wisconsin Badgers forward Tony Granato was introduced as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. Yesterday, we found out what the Wisconsin Badgers are going to pay him. Let's say that he's going to be compensated very well.

Granato received a five-year contract that will provide for base salary of $400,000 for each year, with each receiving considerable additional compensation from the UW Foundation.

Granato will receive an additional $100,000 the first year, with that amount increasing by $25,000 each year up to $200,000 for the fifth year. That would bring his total compensation to $500,000 this season up to $600,000 by the fifth year.

Granato’s predecessor, Mike Eaves, was paid a base salary of $259,605 in his 14th and final season as UW coach. (Dennis Punzel, Wisconsin State Journal)

Granato's assistant coaches Don Granato and Mark Osiecki are also going to be compensated very well. They're set to make about $200,000.00 a year.

The Polls and a Look Back

@ChrisDilks I voted Qpac 1, but would find it hard to rip anyone voting for an 18-2-2 team that hasn't lost or tied in almost 2 months.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) January 11, 2016

A Blue Jay landed on my window and showed me this. Basically, I've said this for years. The weekly polls are fun to look at and discuss, but in the end, the play on the ice is the only thing that matters. Right?

@ChrisDilks @SchlossmanGF they're pretty equal

— Patrick Schneider (@offtheSchneid84) January 11, 2016

Joe Paterno and PSU Knew

They all knew, except for the Cops. Normally, I don't read the Huffpost, but this came across one of the news sites, I clicked on the link. When I read this, my blood boils. Also, I am not sure why Sandusky deserves a new trial, he's not the victim here, the children that he abused are.

HARRISBURG, Penn. — Penn State’s revered former head coach Joe Paterno was told of child sexual abuse by convicted molester Jerry Sandusky as far back as 1976, decades before previously thought, but did not report it to higher authorities, a court document showed.

Paterno, the coach with the most wins in major college football history, died in 2012 after being fired over revelations that Sandusky, his coaching assistant, sexually abused a young boy in the Penn State football showers in 2002.

Paterno told university officials, but not police.

The revelations that Paterno appeared to know about abuse decades earlier come the same day a different judge in Pennsylvania granted Sandusky a hearing later this month to press his case for a new trial.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I was looking through some of my hockey cards yesterday and found these beauties. As we found out this week, the Florida Panthers have re-signed the tireless wonder Jaromir Jagr for another season. The fact that Jagr is still playing at a high level in the NHL is remarkable.  I would credit his offseason training regime. Next season, Jagr will be 45 years old. Also, check out my Denver Pioneers head coach Jim Montgomery.

Grand Forks Herald: Fighting Hawks Logo development Delayed by Championship

Anna Burleson from the Grand Forks Herald is reporting that we'll have to wait a little longer to get a new logo. I am sure many will be disappointed by the announcement. The nickname fiasco has become a gong show. What's a few more weeks, right? Some of us are interested in seeing what SME Inc. comes up with. If the University blows the design of the new logo, they could have a bigger mess.

The finalization of UND's new Fighting Hawks logo is about two weeks behind schedule.

Director of Brand Strategy and Development Conor O'Flaherty of SME Inc., the company working with the school to create the logo, said the delay is due to UND's men's hockey team competing in and winning the Frozen Four championship last month.

O'Flaherty said this means the logo will be finalized in mid-June instead of late May but the change won't have any impact on the planned rollout for the fall 2016 school year.

"We just slipped off timeline simply for the nice reason of UND going to win a national hockey championship, which tended to distract a lot of people," he said.

(Video) Brian Boyle Check and Game-Winning Goal

This is the game-winning that gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 5-4 O.T. win against the New York Islanders. First, the hit by former Boston College Eagle Brian Boyle on Thomas Hickey, it is what it is. Then the great effort by Boyle to get to the blue paint and score the game-winning goal. Thoughts on the hit? Some don't like it. I don't think the league will review it.

What about the flying elbow by scumbag Brian Boyle on Hickey that led to that goal??

— Eric Salzillo (@EricSalzillo) May 4, 2016

So Brian Boyle gets game-winning overtime goal. Suspended for next game. Probably.

— Blog of Brotherhood (@MiamiHockeyBlog) May 4, 2016

Hit to the head and a goal. Yep, that's Brian Boyle in a nutshell.

And it's being reviewed?

— George Malik (@georgemalik) May 4, 2016

Penguins' Kris Letang suspended one game

The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety has suspended Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang for one game for interference against Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson.

So, is this the right suspension? Is a one-game suspension too much or just about right? You can watch the suspension video right here. I know my friends that are Penguins fans are going to disagree with me, but I think this is the right call.

Kris Letang didn't face an NHL hearing for smashing Viktor Stalberg's mouth. He has one for hit on Johansson https://t.co/efYqyZbBu4

— Justin Tasch (@J_Tasch) May 3, 2016

Penguins' Kris Letang suspended 1 game for 'high, forceful hit' https://t.co/RNeajdg6tx pic.twitter.com/XlitcDSeou

— HockeyNightInCanada (@hockeynight) May 3, 2016

Kris Letang to Have Player Safety Hearing

According to the NHL's Department of Players Safety, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang will have a hearing for his hit on Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday for interference on Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson.

The incident occurred 15:41 into the first period of Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series in Pittsburgh on Monday when Letang hit Johansson near his chest and head. Johansson left the game but returned for the start of the second period.

Letang received a two-minute penalty for interference.

Who many games will Letang get?

William Brotherton Is 5 Years Too Late

William Brotherton has written another letter to the editor and something he said in his letter stuck out.  My question is, where was he five years ago. It's too late now? The cows are out of the barn already. There's no way UND is going to retreat from the Fighting Hawks nickname. Like it or not, it's UND's official nickname.

All UND had to do was listen to alumni and supporters when they appealed in unison that the school simply leave UND/North Dakota as its nickname. Or at a minimum, make that nickname one of the choices in the so-called nickname vote.

UND refused to do so, and now it's suffering the consequences.

What a squandered opportunity when our hockey team won the national championship, and we weren't able to capitalize on it! Just imagine how much Fighting Sioux merchandise would have been sold after the championship victory if the name was still in place. Or even if the name was simply UND/North Dakota.

Instead, we have the hated "Fighting Hawks" name that no one wants. Indeed, when I saw an advertisement for sports gear celebrating the victory, the Hawks name was in tiny print on the merchandise. That says it all.

But it's not too late to try and fix this mess and save UND.

I don't think that Brotherton realizes that UND did sell a lot of merchandise under the Dacotah Legacy Collection. The Fighting Sioux wear flew off of the shelves at the Sioux Shop.

The Letang Hit from a Pengiuns Fan's Perspective

I don't even know why he got interference. Provably just because it looked like a serious injury. https://t.co/MrLHeCIvsu

— Tough Call (@ToughCallBlog) May 3, 2016

This is a different way of looking at the Penguins defenseman Kris Letang hit on Capitals forward Marcus Johansson. Talk about living in denial. I am not shocked, though. It's tough to look through an objective lens when a player on your favorite team could face a suspension.

Was it a head shot? Nope. He targeted the chest. If anything, Johansson’s head hit Letang’s name bar because it was behind Letang’s shoulder. Was it an elbow? Not a chance. A charge? Less than two strides. Late? .64 seconds? I think the .04 is covered by the two minute penalty by the on ice official. But it was a violent, open ice hit! A guy was hurt! It was so fast! That can’t be allowed! That can’t be a hockey play! The only way to stop hits like his from happening is to ban hitting. Sorry folks. You’ve. Got. Nothing. (Tough Call)

I wonder how the author would feel if Brooks Orpik had laid this hit on Sidney Crosby? I am sure that his perspective would be different. I think the problem in the NHL is there's no respect among the players anymore. Eventually, we're going to get this right.

Letang could face discipline after late hit on Johansson. MORE: https://t.co/g0uxAkSyyK pic.twitter.com/2WZaCabjdt

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 3, 2016

Kris Letang's Tough Night

I don't know if the players are not learning their lesson or if they're just losing their minds. They seem to be getting caught up in the moment.

There could be another suspension coming when it's all said and done. In my opinion, this is the type of hockey play that we're trying to eliminate from all levels of hockey. First, Kris Letang laid this high, dangerous hit on Capitals forward Marcus Johansson in the first period of tonight's game. Letang was also on the receiving end of a knee to the head. So, should Letang be suspended? Will be suspended? If so, what would be the appropriate number of games?

Letang hit on Ovechkin; Backstrom with the follow up knee to the back of the head pic.twitter.com/0YcttFssSi

— Stephanie (@myregularface) May 3, 2016

Brooks Orpik Suspended 3 Games For Dirty Hit

You've probably seen it by now. In game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik knocked Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta out of the game with a dirty, high, late hit. Of course, none of us were shocked, Orpik has a history of leveling dirty, borderline hits and then turtling when challenged to fight. This time, no one is defending Orpik's actions.

Finally, this time, Orpik wasn't able to escape justice. For the next three games, the Capitals will be without their rugged defenseman. For those wondering at home, Orpik is a repeat-offender and hopefully, this will straighten him out.

Ron Cook from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has this gem in today's article.

Two things … I couldn’t believe Orpik — one of the great teammates in any sport — letting down his Washington Capitals guys. He will miss the next three games of the Penguins-Capitals playoff series after being suspended for his elbow-to-the-head hit on Maatta early in Game 2. His absence will be a severe blow to the Capitals defense. They are a much lesser team without him.

I also thought about how hypocritical so many of us are. We are outraged that Orpik did that to Maatta, who could miss significant time with an apparent head injury, and wanted the NHL to come down on him even harder. Yet we loved Orpik when he delivered those dangerous hits when he played for the Penguins. It was perfectly fine that he delivered borderline-to-dirty hits to Erik Cole, Derek Stepan and Jonathan Toews — among others — and had been suspended twice. It was good, hard hockey, right? Of course, we loved Ulf Samuelsson and Darius Kasparaitis, too. It didn’t matter to us that they were dirty players. They played for the home team.

Hopefully, next time Orpik decides to hit someone with a dirty, bush league hit the NHL will hand out an even stiffer suspension.  I am all for legal, hard hits. Hockey is a rough sport and hitting is a part of the game. There's no room for hits that leaves the opposition with a traumatic brain injury. Finally, Orpik isn't a victim, justice is finally catching up with him.