Upon doing my weekly blog reading, it appears my site got some attention. "Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets."(UW blogger) apparently took serious offense to some of my earlier posts. I don't even know where to begin with this clown. I will give it a shot:
-First of all, where do you get off insulting Tony Lucia? The kid plays tough and is tough. He even refers to Lucia as "a little bitch." I find it amusing seeing how he was referring to Lucia's reluctance to fight Zach Jones; however, he apparently forgot about Lucia's pounding of a bigger Darcy Zajac after Zajac cross-checked R.J. Anderson in the neck with no time on the clock. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0QRCtPwp3Q) So, to call Lucia "a little bitch" seems a bit of a stretch in my opinion.
- Second, I was strictly referring to the incenuation that Lucia got what was coming to him because of his supposed record of being a trash talker. Lucia was run from behind and the play warranted retaliation. Shortly after, Barribal was run from behind by Channing Boe. Brian Schack stood up for his teammates, which I think is commendable. Tackling Boe from behind may not have been the best way to do it, but his actions were warranted. It's too bad Boe was injured on the play, but this all could've/should've been avoided by eliminating the cheap hits.
- Lastly, I enjoy reading blogs, and I only read good ones. If blogs are referenced in my blog, it means I am reading the blogs because I enjoy reading them. I may have been a little harsh to some, and if anyone was offended, I apologize. It was all meant in good fun.
"That's how you do it, that's how you debate."-Frank the Tank
Friday, February 13, 2009
Mr. Hockey
The 10 Mr. Hockey finalists have been announced:
Dan DeLisle, Totino Grace(Minnesota-Duluth)
Marshall Everson, Edina (Harvard)
Ben Hanowski, Little Falls(St. Cloud)
Tyler Lapic, New Prague(Wisconsin)
Nick Leddy, Eden Prairie(Minnesota)
Anders Lee, Edina(Notre Dame)
Danny Matson, Holy Angels(North Dakota)
Zach Palmquist, South St. Paul(Minnesota State)
Tyler Pilick, Centennial(Minnesota State)
Max Tardy, Duluth East(Minnesota-Duluth)
I have to be honest, I have not seen everybody on this list play. I have seen most, but not all. My favorite to win is Nick Leddy. He not only is the best player in the state, but he projects as the best pro prospect. As we have seen in recent years, NHL scouts seem to have a lot of input in this award. However, Danny Matson is also having a great year, as has Ben Hanowski. If/when Hanowski breaks the all time scoring record, it would be tough to not consider him for the award, despite the lack of competition for him.
Dan DeLisle, Totino Grace(Minnesota-Duluth)
Marshall Everson, Edina (Harvard)
Ben Hanowski, Little Falls(St. Cloud)
Tyler Lapic, New Prague(Wisconsin)
Nick Leddy, Eden Prairie(Minnesota)
Anders Lee, Edina(Notre Dame)
Danny Matson, Holy Angels(North Dakota)
Zach Palmquist, South St. Paul(Minnesota State)
Tyler Pilick, Centennial(Minnesota State)
Max Tardy, Duluth East(Minnesota-Duluth)
I have to be honest, I have not seen everybody on this list play. I have seen most, but not all. My favorite to win is Nick Leddy. He not only is the best player in the state, but he projects as the best pro prospect. As we have seen in recent years, NHL scouts seem to have a lot of input in this award. However, Danny Matson is also having a great year, as has Ben Hanowski. If/when Hanowski breaks the all time scoring record, it would be tough to not consider him for the award, despite the lack of competition for him.
Gophers vs. UAA Preview
Well, there's not much to be said for this series. The Gophers are on a 4-game losing skid, and are on the verge of being on the outside looking in for the NCAA tournament. They are desperate for wins. They actually did not play terrible last weekend; in fact, I think they outplayed the Badgers on both nights, however, like I predicted, really struggled on special teams. I did like how they played more physical, and that is something they are going to have to stick with here on out. A couple of things for this weekend:
1) Alex Kangas has to improve. Last weekend, it wasn't necessarily the goals he let in that makes me nervous, it was his inability to control rebounds. It seems to me that he is really battling the puck, and he must find himself. The Gophers will only go as far as Kangas takes them.
2) The forwards have to play a more simple game. Just like last year, many of the forwards have a tendency to get "too cute" with the puck. I saw several times last weekend where a forward passed up a good shot to try for a near impossible pass. The forwards are skilled, but not THAT skilled. They need to get more pucks to the net and get more traffic in front.
3) The defenseman played much better last weekend. As much as it pains me to say it, David Fisher makes a huge difference back there. Although he does have a tendency to make terrible decisions with the puck, he may be the steadiest and consistent defenseman the Gophers have. I just hope he can stay in the lineup.
Prediction: Friday=Gophers 5 UAA 2 Saturday= Gophers 3 UAA 1
1) Alex Kangas has to improve. Last weekend, it wasn't necessarily the goals he let in that makes me nervous, it was his inability to control rebounds. It seems to me that he is really battling the puck, and he must find himself. The Gophers will only go as far as Kangas takes them.
2) The forwards have to play a more simple game. Just like last year, many of the forwards have a tendency to get "too cute" with the puck. I saw several times last weekend where a forward passed up a good shot to try for a near impossible pass. The forwards are skilled, but not THAT skilled. They need to get more pucks to the net and get more traffic in front.
3) The defenseman played much better last weekend. As much as it pains me to say it, David Fisher makes a huge difference back there. Although he does have a tendency to make terrible decisions with the puck, he may be the steadiest and consistent defenseman the Gophers have. I just hope he can stay in the lineup.
Prediction: Friday=Gophers 5 UAA 2 Saturday= Gophers 3 UAA 1
#1 Bloomington Jefferson vs. #2 Eden Prairie
Tuesday night pitted a couple of the better hockey teams against each other. It was a very good game to watch, probably one of the better ones I have seen this year. EP ended up winning the game 5-2, but here are a couple of things I took away from the game:
1) Nick Leddy continues to show why he IS the frontrunner for Mr. Hockey. Opponents do not even get a "sniff" when he's out there. He controls the game better than any defenseman I have seen in a long time. He seems to impress me more and more as the season goes on.
2) I think the verdict is out on Jefferson. The defensive core really struggled in this game. They had a horrendous time breaking the puck out, and were getting thrown off the puck by EP's forwards. If they expect to go far into sections and even state, their defenseman have to play better.
1) Nick Leddy continues to show why he IS the frontrunner for Mr. Hockey. Opponents do not even get a "sniff" when he's out there. He controls the game better than any defenseman I have seen in a long time. He seems to impress me more and more as the season goes on.
2) I think the verdict is out on Jefferson. The defensive core really struggled in this game. They had a horrendous time breaking the puck out, and were getting thrown off the puck by EP's forwards. If they expect to go far into sections and even state, their defenseman have to play better.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Gophers vs. BADgers Preview
Keys to the Series...
1) Stay even strength. The BADgers own the best PK in the country, and you can bet it will be at its best against the Gophers. They also have a very good PP(22.3%). UW won't be able to stick with the Gophers even strength this weekend. However, you can bet Eaves and his cronies will do whatever it takes to get the Gophers to take penalties
2) The defensemen have to play much better. Let's be honest, they were AWEFUL last weekend. They have to play a simple game. None of them are that skilled, and I mean NONE of them(Fairchild included). They have to play well positionally and play their roles
3)The "Big Guns" have to play better this weekend. Schroeder and Stoa disappeared last weekend. They were outplayed by a couple of mediocre players from MSU. This just can't happen; they are just too good of players to allow this.
4) Finally, Kangas has to play better. I realize his defensemen are not helping him out, but he has to make some big saves in order for this team to succeed. He had to do it last year, which he did, and he will have to do it again this year.
1) Stay even strength. The BADgers own the best PK in the country, and you can bet it will be at its best against the Gophers. They also have a very good PP(22.3%). UW won't be able to stick with the Gophers even strength this weekend. However, you can bet Eaves and his cronies will do whatever it takes to get the Gophers to take penalties
2) The defensemen have to play much better. Let's be honest, they were AWEFUL last weekend. They have to play a simple game. None of them are that skilled, and I mean NONE of them(Fairchild included). They have to play well positionally and play their roles
3)The "Big Guns" have to play better this weekend. Schroeder and Stoa disappeared last weekend. They were outplayed by a couple of mediocre players from MSU. This just can't happen; they are just too good of players to allow this.
4) Finally, Kangas has to play better. I realize his defensemen are not helping him out, but he has to make some big saves in order for this team to succeed. He had to do it last year, which he did, and he will have to do it again this year.
The Good, Bad, & UGLY...
Check out these comments...
1)You have got to be kidding me.
Dan Meyer from this is the WCHA has a great blog post this week taking issue with what Don Luica has said in a Goal Gophers blog. Meyer is basically saying you can't excuse the unexcusable, yet there is fans that are still trying to.
Star Tribune Minnesota beat writer Roman Augustoviz made note on his blog the other day of Don Lucia's opinion on the melee Friday night in Mankato between Gophers defenseman Brian Schack and Minnesota State defenseman Channing Boe.“That’s not the way we like to play,” Lucia said. “But in some of our kids’ defense, Brian Schack included — and I’ve said it, at some point, we got to protect our own players, too. Brian did that and that’s to his credit."With all due respect coach, give me a break.Lets review the situation here. It's about midway through the third period and the Mavericks are leading by four goals. They're playing at home. Whether Jay Barriball turns his back into Boe is questionable. I happen to think he did. So does former Minnesota head coach Doug Woog, who said so while watching a replay during the FSN broadcast.Here is a comment that has to be one of the silliest things I have read in a long time. You can't make this stuff up folks, this is hilarious.
Anonymous Skippy said; This face to face crap is that, crap. here are facts.1. Boe hit Barriball by the near end bench in relation where the melee took place.2.Schack is a defenseman.3. Boe was skating into the zone towards the puck.4. The combination of 2 and 3 leads to the fact that Schack would be behind Boe, much as Boe was beind Barribal when he drove him into the boards.5. In your world Schack should have:a. skated around Boe until he looked at him.b. asked him to goc. dropped the glovesd. waited for Boe to agreee. then beat the ever loving shit out of Boe with his helmet off and if he gets knocked out and hits his head and god knows what..its ok. It was done within the "code"BS. UND fans and all fans see everything from different colored glasses. To say if you punch a guy out when he is looking at you and has his helmet off is appropriate vs what Schack did? your an idiot. I think Schacks actions are suspension worthy. I don't hide behind some BS code or face to face crap. It doesn't matter, it doesn't belong in hockey period. But, a gopher did it and we all love to hate the gophers. So we jump on this as if our teams have never done this. Guys attack guys from behind all the time. Its not right, its not more wrong when a guy from a team we root against or not for does it. Grow up people. This isn't a Minnesota issue, its a WCHA issue and yes, Minnesota has been involved in 2 series with this crap, with 2 teams MSUM and UND who when they play each other pull the same crap. Its a league issue, let's attack the real issue, the officiating and the league. Lucia has the pull to make changes. Lets get behind the changes for the betterment of the league. Mr. Lucia...no comment might be a wise choice until your steroid treatment program is completed.First; there was a penalty called on the play so you would take five minute power play, there is no need to start a melee at that moment. If you play by the code you learn to pick the right time in a game to right a wrong. There is no reason per the code to immediately exact your revenge for the checking from behind play. Second; if Schack the hack had gone by the code he could have skated up to Boe and challenged him to a fight face to face not perform some chicken shit move by jumping him from behind and pounding Boe’s helmetless head on the ice while you’re still wearing your helmet and gloves, that is 5x worse than the checking from behind call that you’re responding to. Third; Or Schack the hack could have told Boe you and I are going in the next game so better be ready, ala Buress and Kaip. The problem we have seen this season is the Gopher hockey players need to become familiar with the code. So yeah face to face is how you settle things like me, not from behind like a bunch of pansies. So the answers to the the Anonymous skippy's question (5) a, b, c, d, would be yes. If Lucia had the power to change the way games are called in the WCHA Don Luica wouldn’t be making these asinine statements in the media and on television. We all know the Refs in the WCHA are lacking in the quality department, but all teams have to play with the same refs. Maybe some of the Gopher hockey players should make themselves familiar with "the Code". -Courtesy of Goon's World:http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/
2)W/ out the helmet: Tony Lucia
Earlier this week, Tony Lucia, forward w/ the minnesota golden gophers, decided to take his helmet off and show his true self to fans and media (see the picture on the left). Tony is the son of famed coach Don Lucia who would rather lose 8-7 (pulling Wangas in the 2nd period) than win 1-0.It shouldn't surprise anyone that w/ out his helmet Tony would take this form. Tony share one distinct similarity w/ monkeys.Tony Lucia is well known for being a trash talking smart ass who likes to stir the pot and start some sh*t. While I have nothing against trash talkers who want to start some sh*t, most don't run and hide behind the referee when its time to pay the piper or hide underneath his daddy's skirt when the reaper comes calling.Monkeys at the zoo like to pull some sh*t as well. Sometimes they think its funny to throw their crap at visitors and then in true Tony Lucia like fashion, run up into the tree and hide.The moral to this story: a monkey who messes w/ a BADGER ends up owned!Thanks to buckyville poster DoorCountyBadger for finding this picture.- Courtesy of http://noalibisnoregrets.blogspot.com
Both of these posts are absolutely ridiculous...they probably come from two idiots who never made it past Pewee hockey(I don't even know if that is what it's called in Wisconsin or North Dakota...do they even have youth hockey in those areas?!)
Let me start with UND...Since when has "The Code" effected college hockey. Is pounding a guy's bare head off the ice when you take out his legs and stradle him(Radke vs. Vossberg) a part of the code? Give me a break..."The Code" If there is a team in the NCAA that utilizes "The Code" to their advantage it is UND. There is a reason why the Fighting Sioux players and fans are extremely disliked throughout the college hockey community.
Now, let me get to the Badger blogger. There is a reason why Brian Schack went as balistic as he did...prior to Barribal getting pummelled from behind "midway through the third period and trailing by four goals," Tony Lucia was run from behind and took a cheap shot to the head knocking his helmet off and knocking him out of the next game...I don't expect the UND blogger or UW blogger to know that that feels like because...well...Anyways, Channing Boe had what was coming to him based on his and his teamates' action. Bottom line is, pound for pound, Tony Lucia is one of the toughest guys in the league. Brian Schack stood up for his teamates and let's be honest...Brian Schack would pummel 98% of the players on the UND and UW roster if fighting was allowed in college hockey.
1)You have got to be kidding me.
Dan Meyer from this is the WCHA has a great blog post this week taking issue with what Don Luica has said in a Goal Gophers blog. Meyer is basically saying you can't excuse the unexcusable, yet there is fans that are still trying to.
Star Tribune Minnesota beat writer Roman Augustoviz made note on his blog the other day of Don Lucia's opinion on the melee Friday night in Mankato between Gophers defenseman Brian Schack and Minnesota State defenseman Channing Boe.“That’s not the way we like to play,” Lucia said. “But in some of our kids’ defense, Brian Schack included — and I’ve said it, at some point, we got to protect our own players, too. Brian did that and that’s to his credit."With all due respect coach, give me a break.Lets review the situation here. It's about midway through the third period and the Mavericks are leading by four goals. They're playing at home. Whether Jay Barriball turns his back into Boe is questionable. I happen to think he did. So does former Minnesota head coach Doug Woog, who said so while watching a replay during the FSN broadcast.Here is a comment that has to be one of the silliest things I have read in a long time. You can't make this stuff up folks, this is hilarious.
Anonymous Skippy said; This face to face crap is that, crap. here are facts.1. Boe hit Barriball by the near end bench in relation where the melee took place.2.Schack is a defenseman.3. Boe was skating into the zone towards the puck.4. The combination of 2 and 3 leads to the fact that Schack would be behind Boe, much as Boe was beind Barribal when he drove him into the boards.5. In your world Schack should have:a. skated around Boe until he looked at him.b. asked him to goc. dropped the glovesd. waited for Boe to agreee. then beat the ever loving shit out of Boe with his helmet off and if he gets knocked out and hits his head and god knows what..its ok. It was done within the "code"BS. UND fans and all fans see everything from different colored glasses. To say if you punch a guy out when he is looking at you and has his helmet off is appropriate vs what Schack did? your an idiot. I think Schacks actions are suspension worthy. I don't hide behind some BS code or face to face crap. It doesn't matter, it doesn't belong in hockey period. But, a gopher did it and we all love to hate the gophers. So we jump on this as if our teams have never done this. Guys attack guys from behind all the time. Its not right, its not more wrong when a guy from a team we root against or not for does it. Grow up people. This isn't a Minnesota issue, its a WCHA issue and yes, Minnesota has been involved in 2 series with this crap, with 2 teams MSUM and UND who when they play each other pull the same crap. Its a league issue, let's attack the real issue, the officiating and the league. Lucia has the pull to make changes. Lets get behind the changes for the betterment of the league. Mr. Lucia...no comment might be a wise choice until your steroid treatment program is completed.First; there was a penalty called on the play so you would take five minute power play, there is no need to start a melee at that moment. If you play by the code you learn to pick the right time in a game to right a wrong. There is no reason per the code to immediately exact your revenge for the checking from behind play. Second; if Schack the hack had gone by the code he could have skated up to Boe and challenged him to a fight face to face not perform some chicken shit move by jumping him from behind and pounding Boe’s helmetless head on the ice while you’re still wearing your helmet and gloves, that is 5x worse than the checking from behind call that you’re responding to. Third; Or Schack the hack could have told Boe you and I are going in the next game so better be ready, ala Buress and Kaip. The problem we have seen this season is the Gopher hockey players need to become familiar with the code. So yeah face to face is how you settle things like me, not from behind like a bunch of pansies. So the answers to the the Anonymous skippy's question (5) a, b, c, d, would be yes. If Lucia had the power to change the way games are called in the WCHA Don Luica wouldn’t be making these asinine statements in the media and on television. We all know the Refs in the WCHA are lacking in the quality department, but all teams have to play with the same refs. Maybe some of the Gopher hockey players should make themselves familiar with "the Code". -Courtesy of Goon's World:http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/
2)W/ out the helmet: Tony Lucia
Earlier this week, Tony Lucia, forward w/ the minnesota golden gophers, decided to take his helmet off and show his true self to fans and media (see the picture on the left). Tony is the son of famed coach Don Lucia who would rather lose 8-7 (pulling Wangas in the 2nd period) than win 1-0.It shouldn't surprise anyone that w/ out his helmet Tony would take this form. Tony share one distinct similarity w/ monkeys.Tony Lucia is well known for being a trash talking smart ass who likes to stir the pot and start some sh*t. While I have nothing against trash talkers who want to start some sh*t, most don't run and hide behind the referee when its time to pay the piper or hide underneath his daddy's skirt when the reaper comes calling.Monkeys at the zoo like to pull some sh*t as well. Sometimes they think its funny to throw their crap at visitors and then in true Tony Lucia like fashion, run up into the tree and hide.The moral to this story: a monkey who messes w/ a BADGER ends up owned!Thanks to buckyville poster DoorCountyBadger for finding this picture.- Courtesy of http://noalibisnoregrets.blogspot.com
Both of these posts are absolutely ridiculous...they probably come from two idiots who never made it past Pewee hockey(I don't even know if that is what it's called in Wisconsin or North Dakota...do they even have youth hockey in those areas?!)
Let me start with UND...Since when has "The Code" effected college hockey. Is pounding a guy's bare head off the ice when you take out his legs and stradle him(Radke vs. Vossberg) a part of the code? Give me a break..."The Code" If there is a team in the NCAA that utilizes "The Code" to their advantage it is UND. There is a reason why the Fighting Sioux players and fans are extremely disliked throughout the college hockey community.
Now, let me get to the Badger blogger. There is a reason why Brian Schack went as balistic as he did...prior to Barribal getting pummelled from behind "midway through the third period and trailing by four goals," Tony Lucia was run from behind and took a cheap shot to the head knocking his helmet off and knocking him out of the next game...I don't expect the UND blogger or UW blogger to know that that feels like because...well...Anyways, Channing Boe had what was coming to him based on his and his teamates' action. Bottom line is, pound for pound, Tony Lucia is one of the toughest guys in the league. Brian Schack stood up for his teamates and let's be honest...Brian Schack would pummel 98% of the players on the UND and UW roster if fighting was allowed in college hockey.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mr. Hockey Halfway
1) Danny Mattson- (AHA) Not only is he putting up serious point totals, but his overall play thus far has been outstanding. Night in and night out, he is best player on the ice. Without a doubt the most prolific player I have seen in Minnesota thus far.
2)Anders Lee-(Edina) Solid in all zones. Terrific skater and playmaker. Rarely makes a mistake. Leadership is outstanding.
3)Nick Leddy-(Eden Prairie) Plays a great game despite being on the ice for 40 minutes a game. Toughest and best all around player in Minnesota. Hits anybody and anything that is near the puck.
4)Ben Hanowski-(Little Falls) Very entertaining. Interesting skill-set. Seems to be way ahead of competition. He doesn't play against competitive competition, so it's hard to tell where he is at.
5)Tyler Pitlick-(Centennial) Very good power forward. He looks effortless in his skating and strength on the puck. He is the obvious leader of a very good team. Logs a ton of minutes every game yet is always strong on skates and on puck.
2)Anders Lee-(Edina) Solid in all zones. Terrific skater and playmaker. Rarely makes a mistake. Leadership is outstanding.
3)Nick Leddy-(Eden Prairie) Plays a great game despite being on the ice for 40 minutes a game. Toughest and best all around player in Minnesota. Hits anybody and anything that is near the puck.
4)Ben Hanowski-(Little Falls) Very entertaining. Interesting skill-set. Seems to be way ahead of competition. He doesn't play against competitive competition, so it's hard to tell where he is at.
5)Tyler Pitlick-(Centennial) Very good power forward. He looks effortless in his skating and strength on the puck. He is the obvious leader of a very good team. Logs a ton of minutes every game yet is always strong on skates and on puck.
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