Friday, October 14, 2016

Jordan Kawaguchi Might Be the First

When a University of North Dakota hockey player makes a commitment they usually send out a tweet thanking those that helped them along the way. I believe that Jordan Kawaguchi is one the first ones to make this tweet.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

The Carson Wentz Phenomenon


During week four, the Philadelphia Eagles had a bye week. During his week off, former NDSU quarterback Carson Wentz returned native North Dakota and had a pretty good week. Wentz watched his former team, the NDSUBison beat Illinois State 31-10. He shot a commercial for a truck accessories business. Scheels is smiling, they can't keep his jersey's in stock.
Mike Greger, CSNPhilly.com --- The place has become pretty synonymous with Wentz these days. ESPN and NFL Network have both broadcast from there. And Wentz held a private party in their back room last Saturday night, right after watching his alma mater roll to a 31-10 win over Illinois State. The party was a low-key affair, but waiters and bartenders were still swapping stories days later.

"As I was waiting on him, I had to look up. He is so tall,” said Rachel, a junior at NDSU who works as a server at Herd & Horns. "He was very humble, especially as a guest. He didn’t treat anyone like they were below him or anything.”

(In case you're wondering, Wentz picked up the entire tab, $1,000 and left a $500 tip. He was whisked off by his cousin in a 1996 Chevy pickup truck. No frills.)
For the common everyday people like myself, I was pleased to know that Wentz shot a really nice buck with his bow. Finally, as you can see from above, Wentz left a really big tip at one of the local bars that he visited. The Carson Wentz phenomenon is growing with each day in North Dakota.

Next week, the Vikings and the Eagles will play in Philadelphia, PA. It should be an exciting day, Wentz will take on the quarterback that he replaced in Philly.

A photo posted by Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz11) on

Monday, October 10, 2016

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Weighs in on Kaepernick's Anthem Protests



Check this out, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, United State Supreme Court, checked in with her opinion of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and him not standing for the National Anthem. Justice Ginsburg thinks it's dumb. In case you didn't know, Justice Ginsburg is one of the most liberal members of the Supreme Court, so I found her response surprising.

"I think it's really dumb of them," Justice Ginsburg said. "Would I arrest them for doing it? No. I think it's dumb and disrespectful. I would have the same answer if you asked me about flag burning. I think it's a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn't lock a person up for doing it. I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act.... If they want to be stupid, there's no law that should be preventive. If they want to be arrogant, there's no law that prevents them from that. What I would do is strongly take issue with the point of view that they are expressing when they do that."

UND Remains atop of USCHO Poll


USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

October 10, 2016

Team(First Place Votes)RecordPointsLast Poll
1North Dakota(45)2- 0-09951
2Boston University( 5)1- 0-09124
3Quinnipiac1- 0-18932
4Minnesota-Duluth2- 0-28286
5Notre Dame2- 0-06999
6Boston College1- 1-06575
7St. Cloud State0- 0-06547
8Massachusetts-Lowell0- 0-26528
9Minnesota2- 0-057113
10Denver0- 2-05113
11Providence1- 1-044310
12Harvard0- 0-044212
13Michigan1- 1-041211
14Minnesota State2- 0-035419
15St. Lawrence1- 1-025516
16Northeastern0- 1-124815
17Yale0- 0-020818
18Air Force1- 0-1160NR
19Ohio State1- 0-1151NR
20Bowling Green0- 2-06314
Others receiving votes: Miami 59, Nebraska-Omaha 57, Bemidji State 48, Penn State 47, Cornell 38, Clarkson 32, Maine 30, Western Michigan 21, Connecticut 16, Michigan Tech 11, Rochester Institute of Technology 7, Bentley 5, Union 5, Wisconsin 5, Vermont 4, Dartmouth 3, Ferris State 2, Holy Cross 2.


While no one receives a banner for being in the USCHO poll in early October, UND does remain at the top of the USCHO Poll.



UND 18th IN FCS Coaches Poll

Rankings - FCS Coaches Poll

Last Updated - October 10, 2016
FCS Coaches Poll


RANKTEAMPOINTSPREVIOUSRECORD
1North Dakota State (26)65015-0
2Sam Houston State61725-0
3Chattanooga58836-0
4Jacksonville State57744-1
5Eastern Washington55555-1
6James Madison50665-1
7Richmond49375-1
8Charleston Southern44083-2
9The Citadel43995-0
10Montana413104-1
11Villanova376125-1
12Youngstown State361134-1
13Western Illinois301144-1
14South Dakota State299153-2
15Harvard266164-0
16North Carolina A&T241184-1
17Eastern Illinois207204-2
18North Dakota202214-2
19Albany178174-1
20Cal Poly133223-2
21Northern Iowa128112-3
22Central Arkansas125244-1
23Grambling State67253-1
24Samford64NR4-1
25New Hampshire51NR4-2
Others receiving votes: Stony Brook (45), McNeese State (22), South Dakota (21), Wofford (18), Southern Utah (16), South Carolina State (14), Tennessee State (12), Illinois State (9), Lehigh (8), Kennesaw State (3), Liberty (2), Monmouth (1), North Carolina Central (1), San Diego (1) 

Sunday, October 09, 2016

Philadelphia's Radko Gudas has Hearing for Hit on Austin Czarnik (Video)



Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas has a phone hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety for this dirty, high, dangerous hit on Boston Bruins forward Austin Czarnik. After the hit, Czarnik left the game and didn't return. Gudas was given a two-minute minor for interference.



Saturday, October 08, 2016

UND vs. Canisius Game 2


There are few changes tonight. Mike Gornall is in, and Rhett Gardner is out with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day. Will we see a traditional circle of sticks at the end of the game?

Friday, October 07, 2016

Canisius vs. North Dakota Game 1



Nice to see the UND coaching staff come back with the big line of Brock Boeser, Tyson Jost, and Shane Gersich... Heavy Line 2, is very interesting, I like it. Those are some big heavy bodies on that line.


Cam Johnson Named to Mike Richter Award Watch List for 2016-17


The webpage Let’s Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation announced the 20 goalies named to the watch list for the 2017 Mike Richter Award. UND goalie junior goalie Cam Johnson was named to the list.

Name
School
Year
Paul Berrafato #
Holy Cross
Junior
Michael Bitzer
Bemidji State
Junior
Gordon Defiel
Lake Superior State
Junior
Parker Gahagen
Army West Point
Senior
Mitch Gillam #
Cornell
Senior
Kyle Hayton #
St. Lawrence
Junior
Cole Huggins
Minnesota State
Senior
Tanner Jaillet
Denver
Junior
Cam Johnson *
North Dakota
Junior
Merrick Madsen #
Harvard
Junior
Chris Nell #
Bowling Green
Junior
Cal Petersen #
Notre Dame
Junior
Colton Phinney
Princeton
Senior
Ryan Ruck #
Northeastern
Sophomore
Eric Schierhorn #
Minnesota
Sophomore
Alex Sakellaropoulos
Union
Senior
Shane Starrett
Air Force
Sophomore
Atte Tolvanen
Northern Michigan
Sophomore
Drew Vogler
Merrimack
Sophomore
Evan Weninger #
Omaha
Sophomore

 

Thursday, October 06, 2016

Schlossman hits the kill zone



By now you've probably seen it. This week, Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman launched a much need cruise-missile at the UND President Mark Kennedy and his Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. Brad put in print what a lot of UND sports fans were thinking.

Thanks Brad.

By now, most of us can see that President Kennedy's IAC is nothing more than a farce or a facade. President Kennedy is the one that wields the power and last time I checked he is the President of the University of North Dakota. Correct? So, why isn't he exercising his power? He doesn't need to form a committee to make changes at UND. This why I think the IAC was doomed to fail from the start. It's nothing more than a show trial. Like Schlossman, I don't fault the people on the board.

 That being said, we don't need someone from the school of Arts and Sciences or the School of Mines making recommendations for UND sports programs. If I had to make a guess, most of these people have probably never played an actual sport in their lives. So, I doubt that they have clue one how to run an athletic department.

IAC members that asking questions about UND dropping back to DII or NAIA is a waste of everyone's time. It was never going to happen and just makes the point that the IAC is a waste of everyone's time. Honestly, in some instances, they should worry about their own departments because I imagine another round of cuts is coming in the future.

If President Kennedy is unhappy with the UND's current Athletic Director, Brian Faison, it's in his power to review his job performance and decide if they want to look for another AD. Personally, I think Faison has done an excellent job moving UND into a new hockey conference and transitioning UND to division I status. But that's why they hire university presidents. Right? From my chair, it looks like President Kennedy is putting some extra scrutiny on Faison's job. Again, that's his decision and it's in his power. 

This IAC is turning into a clown show on steroids, with the new president driving said clown car. The president was hired to run UND and make big decisions. Again, time to earn your paycheck. Also remember some very good people are going to get hurt by your decisions.
Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald -- At Monday's meeting, committee members were given a sheet by chair Kimberly Kenville that identified 12 sports that UND is "committed to sponsoring," which shows Kennedy is already making decisions for the committee.

One of the sports on the list is women's hockey. For the past several months, people in the community have been speculating that it could get cut.

Not only has that caused anguish for people who work with the program and its athletes, it has undoubtedly been used against UND in recruiting. If it's not even under consideration for being cut, why let it hang for two months?
Finally, leaving the UND women's hockey team swinging in the wind for almost two months was shameful. These good folks didn't need the unnecessary agony. Whether President Kennedy intended to this or not, for two months it seemed possible that the UND women's hockey team could fall to the knife. Shameful!

Is The NFL Losing Money?

According to this market watch article, the NFL is losing money. On a side note, I do wonder if the anti-anthem theme has anything to do with this?
The NFL has been sacked for a loss.

Once considered immune to the audience erosion plaguing the television industry, ratings for the National Football League have tumbled through the first four weeks of the season.

TV networks have bet heavily on sports in general, and the NFL in particular, because of the must-see value of their content. While more viewers are watching commercial-free streaming services like Netflix or recording shows on DVRs and skipping the ads, sports is still primarily watched live, making it valuable to advertisers.

Combined, ESPN DIS, +0.41% , Fox FOXA, -0.53% , NBC CMCSA, -0.59% and CBS CBS, -0.35% are spending an average of $5 billion a year for football rights through 2021. The games not only score big ratings and ad sales, but are crucial platforms to promote other programming.

Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Granato, North Dakota-Wisconsin Is a Must-Have on the Schedule

I agree with Badgers head coach Tony Granato. I think that the Wisconsin Badgers and the Fighting Hawks need to play ever single season, no matter what. He's couldn't be more right, this matchup is a must see series between two college hockey powerhouses. The fans want it and the coaches want it, too. The Badgers and Hawks will resume their series next season when UND travels to the Kohl Center.  
But if Badgers coach Tony Granato had it his way, this season would be the last where old rival North Dakota doesn’t appear on the schedule.

“I would like to play them every year,” he said. “For me, North Dakota-Wisconsin is a must-have on the schedule. There’s too much history. And they want the same, talking to their coaches.

“It’d be nice if they were in our league but they’re not, so let’s find a way to play them every year and keep that going.”

UW and North Dakota, longtime opponents when both were part of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, played non-conference series in Madison in November 2014 and in Grand Forks in November 2015 after the teams left for separate leagues in 2013. (Credit: Todd Milewski, Madison.com )
I think it's refreshing to have a new perspective and a new voice in Madison. Frankly, I do like the way Granato is thinking and he seems to be making all of the right moves and saying all the right things. Obviously, the Badgers have been bad for the past two seasons and he's got a lot of work to do moving forward. That being said, I don't think they're going to finish fifth in the Big Ten.

No, Women's Hockey Is Not on the Chopping Block

I've been following UND budget issues for sports, and by now you've probably read by now that there's was a $1.4 million shortfall for the 2015-16 fiscal year. There will be cuts to address that shortfall. According to the Grand Forks Herald, there would be up to eight sports falling to the budget knife. I've had a few people ask me if Women's hockey is going to be on the block. The answer is no.
Twelve sports — men's and women's hockey, men's and women's basketball, football, volleyball and men's and women's track and field and cross country — were identified at as programs UND is committed to sponsoring and appear to be safe from being cut.

That list of sports was given to Kenville in a previous meeting with Kennedy and Athletics Director Brian Faison, Kenville said. There was no discussion at Monday's IAC meeting about the eight sports listed as potentially being cut. (Grand Forks Herald)
I've been following this issue over on Sioux Sports. In one thread there were some openly begging the administration to cut women's hockey. Personally, I am very happy women's hockey isn't going to be cut, not going to happen as I predicted.

First, cutting women's hockey would be a horrible idea, the optics would be horrible and the university would take a beating on the national stage. Some that would see this as cutting a women's sport for the sole purpose of improving a men's sport. We've heard for years, that if UND spent more money on men's basketball and football they'd be better? That would only strengthen that argument. Second, women's hockey is one of the few sports where UND has an actual chance to win a division I national title. Lastly, women's hockey is an Olympic sport. UND has had quite a few players compete in international play and their efforts bring prestige to our university. Also, don't we want the area's daughters to have a place to play women's division on college hockey? I think we would.


Hockey 101: Women’s Hockey



Monday, October 03, 2016

UND Men’s HOCKEY 2016-17 National Television Schedule


The University of North Dakota hockey team has a massive, loyal fan base that lives in many states across the nation. While most of UND Hockey game are on NCHC.TV, not everyone wants to mess around with web based programs. This season, UND will have about 13-15 games on national television. This is good news for the fans that have either Dish Network or DirecTV (with the sports pack).  Also, ASN picked up a two away games that UND is playing in. There's a possibility that the list could grow by two. Last season, ASN televised a few UND hockey games.

Oct. 28 — at Minn. Duluth 7:07 p.m. TV: FSN North, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Nov. 4 — at Minnesota 7 p.m. TV: FS North, Fox College Sports. Tickets.

Nov. 5 — at Minnesota 8 p.m. TV: FS North, Fox College Sports. Tickets.

Nov. 18 — at St. Cloud St. 7:37 p.m. TV: FS North, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Dec. 3 — vs. Boston College in NYC 6:30 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Dec. 10 — WESTERN MICH. 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Jan. 14 — MIAMI 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Jan. 20 — MINN. DULUTH 7:37 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Jan. 21 — MINN. DULUTH 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Feb. 3 — ST. CLOUD ST. 7:37 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Feb. 4 — ST. CLOUD ST. 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Feb. 17 — at Western Mich. 6 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Feb. 25 — OMAHA 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

March 17-18 — NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Minneapolis) TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

March 24-26 — NCAA West Regional (Fargo). TV: ESPNU, ESPN2 or ESPN3. Tickets TBA.

April 6-8 — NCAA Frozen Four (Chicago). TV: ESPN, ESPN2. Ticket info.

Saturday, October 01, 2016

Let's Hang a Banner - Line UND vs. MB



The big question everyone probably wants to know; who's Boeser going to play with. This will be the first NCAA Banner hanging in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena (okay, I know it's 15 years old now). The line to watch will be Brock Boeser, Tyson Jost and Shane Gersich.

The new Heavy Line second version; Joel Janatuinen, Rhett Gardner and Austin Poganski.

No Ryder Cup for Red River Valley Residents

PGA golf fans living in the Red River Valley, will not be able to watch the second round of the Ryder Cup today. Instead, you have to watch the Thundering Herd play against Illinois State. Checking out social media, a few of the people I follow are less than thrilled.
KVLY announced on its Facebook page Friday afternoon that it will not air Saturday's coverage of the Ryder Cup.

Instead, KVLY will broadcast the Bison football game against Illinois State.

KVLY said it offered to carry the Ryder Cup on one of its alternate channels, but NBC refused. (Grand Forks Herald)
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Recently, KVLY usurped a Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoff game with the NDSU Spring Football game.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Drake Caggiula Two Times

Last night, former UND and rookie Edmonton Oilers forward Drake Caggiula scored two goals against the Vancouver Canucks. Caggiula's first goal was a result of being in the right place at the right time and picking up the change in front of the net. (Caggiula First goal) Caggiula's second goal was a thing of beauty. (Caggiula one-timer).



On the other end of the ice, former UND defensemen and current Vancouver Canucks rookie Troy Stecher had a remarkable three-point night. Here's the video of his goal. (Stecher Goal)

Monday, September 26, 2016

Minnesota vs. North Dakota Series on FSN

Good afternoon, there's some very good news for college hockey fans,  The Gophers, and the F'N Hawks will resume their historic series on November 4-5, 2016. Both games will be on Fox Sports North. For example, if you live in Texas and you have DirecTV (sports pack required) or Dish Network, you will be able to watch the series.
FOX Sports North will broadcast 17 regular-season Gopher Hockey games including the regular-season home opener vs. St. Cloud State on Oct. 21, both games in the North Dakota series on Nov. 4-5 and the regular-season finale vs. Michigan State on March 11.

The Oilers New Mascot - Hunter

Speaking of mascots, that the heck is this thing? It looks like a Bobcat.

UND Starts out at Number 1

Preseason USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

September 26, 2016

Team(First Place Votes)RecordPointsLast Poll
1North Dakota(43)34- 6-49931
2Quinnipiac( 1)32- 4-78562
3Denver25-10-68484
4Boston University( 5)21-13-577414
5Boston College( 1)28- 8-56413
6Minnesota-Duluth19-16-56219
7St. Cloud State31- 9-15695
8Massachusetts-Lowell26-10-55357
9Notre Dame19-11-750213
10Providence27- 7-44767
11Michigan25- 8-54706
12Harvard19-11-442210
13Minnesota20-17-0404NR
14Bowling Green22-14-6370NR
15Northeastern22-15-536112
16St. Lawrence19-14-433618
17Michigan Tech23- 9-528516
18Yale19- 9-428311
19Minnesota State21-13-715317
20Ferris State20-15-612615
Others receiving votes: Cornell 92, Nebraska-Omaha 85, Penn State 63, Clarkson 62, Rochester Institute of Technology 62, Ohio State 33, Air Force 17, Vermont 16, Miami 11, Wisconsin 10, Dartmouth 6, Robert Morris 6, Michigan State 5.

UND starts out the 2016-17 season ranked first in the USCHO Preseason Poll. UND is also picked to finish first in the NCHC preseason media poll. Four NCHC teams make up the USCHO poll. 

Last week, the NCHC released the preseason Media Poll. 

2016-17 NCHC Preseason Poll
North Dakota – 235 points (25 first-place votes)
Denver – 200 (3)
Minnesota Duluth – 173 (2)
St. Cloud State – 155
Omaha – 119
Miami – 96
Western Michigan – 65
Colorado College – 37