My thoughts on Matt Frattin

I’m glad to see Matt Frattin back with the Sioux. A kid trying to go to college deserves a second chance. What Matt did was wrong and he was punished in many ways; including a suspension from the Team. It now appears that Frattin has worked hard to get an opportunity for a second chance.

Some are suggesting this may be a desperate move by Hakstol; I don’t see it that way. I truly believe that Hakstol feels based on Frattin’s actions during the time away from the team he deserves a second chance. I also see it as a very smart move with Frattin. With Genoway out indefinitely and other injuries to the team it opens up a spot with an opportunity to see if Frattin is truly ready to make the commitment to the team, on as well as off the ice.

My thoughts are it’s better to find out now, during the second half of this season, if Frattin is committed, than halfway into next year when your options to bring in new talent would be limited vs. the beginning of the season.

Don’t get me wrong, I hope Frattin makes the commitment to himself and it works out, but he must understand that he is “under a microscope” and the success or failure of his return is all up to him.

Let’s Go Sioux!!!!!

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS TONIGHT 7 P.M. EST

A message from HOCKEY ON CAMPUS

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS online radio returns to its regular weekly 3-hour edition this evening, Wednesday December 2nd, from 7 to 10 pm eastern time. The nation’s most comprehensive college hockey podcast program is co-hosted by Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara.

The show can be accessed live through the website at www.hockeyoncampus.com, and is archived on the site (following the live cybercast) so folks can listen at their convenience any time throughout the weekend.

Scheduled for this week’s program:

Norwich University Coach MIKE McSHANE & a preview of the
100th Anniversary Celebration of Norwich Hockey taking place this weekend

Minnesota-Duluth Coach SCOTT SANDELIN
on his team’s upcoming series with North Dakota

Boston College Women’s Coach KATIE KING
BU-BC Video “The Battle of Commonwealth Ave” Producer MATT FULTS
Inside Hockey Writer KEVIN EDELSON
College Hockey News’ ADAM WODIN
The “Hobey Watch’s” ELIOT OLSHANSKY
and more!!!


We’ll also take a look at this week’s national polls in Divisions 1 & 3 (both men and women)…and we’ll review the holiday weekend results and preview more of this weekend’s upcoming activity…

(Check the web site at www.hockeyoncampus.com around 5 pm this afternoon to confirm tonight’s Official Line Up.)

DU 3 UND 2

This was a very disappointing game. In my opinion you only can control what you can control. UND did not do a very good job controlling their emotions. We can blame the Refs or George W for his constant complaining during the game, but the bottom line is you have to adapt; DU adapted to the flow of the game and UND did not.

UND- What I liked about the Game:

• Brad Eidsness - He played great all weekend.
• The power play - UND scored two goals off the power play

UND-What I did not like about the Game:

• UND's Stupid, undisciplined penalties

Time to get over this weekend and focus on next week's series at the Subway Holiday Classic.

DU 1 UND 0

UND lost to Denver in a game that met the expectations of two highly ranked teams.

What I liked about the game:

• Brad Eidsness
• The fourth line of Cichy-Knight- Kristo

What I didn't like about the game:

• The "line change" that was a factor in DU's goal. UND did not get the puck deep enough into the offensive zone before they made their change and it cost them a goal.
• Missed opportunities - hit the goal post twice
• Power play - Six chances nothing to show for it

I hope tonight's game will be as good as last night's game except with a different result - A UND win.

Let's Go Sioux.

UND 4 St Cloud 2

What I liked about the game:

• The play of David Toews
• Joe Gleason's save
• Ben Blood's assist on Lamoureux's goal

What I did not like about the game:

The hit on Chay Genoway.

After reviewing the hit again, in my opinion, this was clearly intentional and could have been avoided. St. Cloud, WCHA and all of College Hockey need to put a stop to this. If they don't the individual Teams will.

Aaron Marvin should be suspended for multiple games. I would send a message to all of college hockey not only implement a suspension, but Marvin should not be able to return to St Cloud until Genoway is back playing with UND and then Marvin can sit out for his suspension.

This would send a message - hurt an opposing team player intentionally and you will be out for the same amount of time, if not more.

A link to the Hit.

Pics from Harvard vs. Cornell

Here are some pictures I took when I was in Ithaca last weekend at the Harvard vs. Cornell game. It's a great place and I look forward to going back in January when the Sioux make a visit.

Link to Pictures

Hockey On Campus - Drops the Puck Tonight!

Here is a note from Bernie and Paul on tonight's Show.

GREETINGS COLLEGE HOCKEY FANS!!!

Another college hockey season has begun and HOCKEY ON CAMPUS radio with Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara is back, starting this Wednesday (October 28) and set to run right through the Frozen Four in April.

We're streaming live each week at www.hockeyoncampus.com from 7 to 10PM (eastern) and throughout the season we will do our best to cover what is happening in all the Division 1 and Division 3 conferences across the country, including the women’s leagues as well.

Each week we'll try to post the planned Line Up for the week on our website on Tuesday evening. We hope you'll join us the following evening for great college hockey talk and the best guests anywhere in college hockey. This week's lineup:A packed house as we lead off with visits from, among others, Atlantic Hockey commissioner Bob DeGregorio, ECAC commissioner Steve Hagwell, Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna, Union men's coach Nate Leaman, #1 Miami (Ohio) coach Enrico Blasi, and Merrimack College coach Mark Dennehy.

Also scheduled for this week: a chat with Eliot Olshansky as he monitors the “Hobey Watch” for another season; a check-in with Denver University coach George Gwozdecky; and some early season comments from both CCHA and WCHA commissioners Tom Anastos and Bruce McLeod. Are you tired yet?

Join us this week and every Wednesday this college hockey season for the best in college hockey talk…

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS, live online at www.hockeyoncampus.com!
Every Wednesday night from 7 to 10 PM

UND 5 - UAA 0

Another great Friday night effort by the Sioux:

What I liked about the game:

• Dell's shutout
• Dell's Assist
• The power play
• The penalty kill
• Trupp's Goal

What I didn't like about the game:

• Corban Knight's checking from behind late in the third period. Second time this season a freshman has received a game misconduct penalty late in the third period.

Other Item: Friday night - Lights Out:

Friday games are starting to look like UND's night. UND has not allowed a goal in eight periods of hockey on Friday night. They have scored at least four goals in each of the games on Friday night and have only allow two goals in total. I am sure there are more interesting stats on Fridays. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as the season progresses.

LET'S GO SIOUX!!!!!

Gwozdecky battled H1N1 - Some things are bigger than Hockey

Denver Post.com reported that "DU coach George Gwozdecky battled H1N1 this week but traveled with the team to Minnesota today. He said he might not go on the ice at practice today but will be behind the bench in Friday’s series opener." Are you kidding me. There are some things that are bigger than a hockey game and this is one of them.

This is a serious illness and it needs to be taken that way. Gwozdecky is not only impacting his players but potentially everyone he comes in contact with. While college campuses across the United States are trying to protect students and stop the illness from spreading, he appears to be saying it's ok to push the limits if you are playing sports.

Now, I hope his Doctor, DU, University of Minnesota, as well as the WCHA, cleared this by saying he is not contagious and he can no longer spread the illness. If there is a small chance that he could spread the illness he should have stayed home to protect all those around him. This doesn't even consider that some of the DU players may now be spreading the illness.

If any coach or player of any team - I don't care who he is - contracts this illness, the illness needs to become bigger than the game.

UND3 Minn3

From a college hockey perspective this was a much more entertaining UND vs. Minn. game


What I liked about the game:

• UND came away with three points for the weekend
• Jake Marto's save late in the third period
• Goals from the blue line( both games)

What I didn't like about the game:

• Gophers short handed goal
• Inconsistent play by UND
• Eidsness being away from the front of the net

UND 4 - Minn. 0

UND had a great team effort in last night’s game. They beat the Gophers 4-0.

What I liked about the game:

• 11 players on UND had at least one point.
• UND scored off the power play.
• UND played their game for the full 60 minutes.
• The whiteout by the fans at the REA.
• The UND “kill” of the five-minute checking from behind penalty.

What I didn’t like about the game:

• Gleason’s five-minute checking from behind penalty - If this was a closer game it could have been a huge issue.
• Watching the Gopher feed on Fox College Sports.

I’m sure tonight’s game will have a very different feel to it. I expect the Gophers will play very differently then the way they played last night.

Let’s Go Sioux!

Ok it's worth one more look....

Great Move - check it out here

Pictures from BU Banner Night - This is Impressive

Hockey on Campus - New website

Follow Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara via thier website Hockey on Campus.com .

See Hockey on Campus at media day for Hockey East. Co-host Bernie Corbett interviews all ten of Hockey East’s men’s coaches at Boston TD Garden.

Nickname - Sioux vs. 'Guns up'

As the Sioux are on the verge of losing their identity and proud tradition, was anyone else struck by the irony surrounding Texas Tech’s “Guns Up” symbol? I read about the symbol last night when I was listening to the football game, and it got me thinking.

From Texas Tech’s web site:

GUNS UP
- The hand sign of Texas Tech is the "Guns Up" which was created in 1972 by a Texas Tech Graduate who was attending law school. The sign is made by extending the index finger outward while extending the thumb upward and tucking in the middle, little and fourth fingers to form a gun. The idea is that the Red Raiders will shoot down their opponents. The Guns Up sign is the widely recognized greeting of one Red Raider to another. It is also the sign of victory displayed by the crowd at every athletic event.

Now, I am all for tradition and, as matter of fact, I think the TTU traditions are very cool, but I guess I don’t understand the NCAA. When it comes to logos that are “hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames, or imagery,” then it’s an issue, but traditions that promote gun violence -- well, that’s ok.

This picture says it all.

Game On!!!

The BC vs. BU match up is on at Fenway. January 8, 2010 at 7:30. See this link for more info.

Bruins Hockey Rules Commercials

The Date

The Tuck In

Cell Phone

The Dance

With Matt Gilroy Hobey Baker Winner

Favorite Moment After the Championship Game

Jack Parker Named Coach of the Year

At the BU party today it was announced that Jack Parker was named College Hockey Coach of the Year!

Parker Parker Parker!!!!!

Terrier Nation Invited to National Championship Celebratory Parade Tuesday

From BU's Web Site

Dean of Students Ken Elmore's Announcement

BOSTON - Boston University will celebrate the men's ice hockey team's fifth NCAA championship with its own Duck Tour parade on Tuesday (April 14), starting in Kenmore Square at 12 p.m. and then rolling up Commonwealth Avenue. When the parade hits Marsh Plaza on campus, the party kicks off with cake and ice cream and will feature speeches from the players and a few glimpses of the trophy.

Leaving for DC you Can Follow me on Twitter

Leaving for DC in a few hours. Hope to make the open ice practice for UVM and BU.  You can follow me on Twitter @siouxbufan as I make my way around DC and the Frozen Four.  

Go BU!!!

Interview of BU's Matt Gilroy

Puck Daddy interview of Matt Gilroy.

BU Today - Stuff on the Frozen Four

Here is a link to info from BU Today on BU Frozen Four info and articles.

Agganis Showing Hockey Game

Info On the party 

Colin Wilson - Thoughts from a year ago

May 2008 - My thoughts about Colin Wilson funny how things worked out.

BU 2008-2009 Regular Season Summary

If you want to see a summary of the BU 2008-2009 regular season, here is a recap.

BU Fans - Hot Dog and Jesus

For those who go to BU games, we all know Hot Dog and Jesus. Here is a You Tube about them.

I hope they are in DC!!!!!

Thiessen signs with Pittsburgh Penguins

One of the Hobey Hat Trick gang Brad Thiessen, signs with the Penguins today.  

Here is a link to the story

Hobey Hat Trick

Congratulations to Brad Thiessien of Northeastern, Colin Wilson and Matt Gilroy of Boston University for making the 2009 Hobey Hat Trick.

Prediction:  Matt Gilroy wins the Hobey.

Link to Hockey East

Pictures of BU in Manchester

Sioux Pictures From Manchester

  

Very Painful From Manchester - However the UNH fans were great

I thought last year's loss to BC in the Frozen Four was painful - this just stings.  

As the BU Ohio State game began, I sat there going through the motions of watching, still thinking about our loss to UNH.  I can't imagine how the UND Seniors are feeling. 

I will say one thing, the UNH fans were great after their win.  We were sitting in a section with mostly UNH fans and they all came up after the game to offer us comfort.  

UNH fan's -  thank you for your thoughts and graciousness.

As a fan that follows BU as well, I really don't feel like making the trip tonight to Manchester. But I will.  I will be there proudly wearing my Sioux jersey.

Tonight's "Hockey On Campus" show previews this weekend’s “round-of-16” play (guests from each region)

Here is Bernie Corbett's and Paul McNamara's email with their line-up for tonight's radio broadcast (also being streamed over the web live):

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS radio will broadcast LIVE from 7 to 9 PM (Eastern Time) tonight, Wednesday March 25, 2009 from the studios of AM-890 ESPN Boston and 1400-AM Lowell, and will also be streamed live online at www.890espn.com.

Tonight’s line up includes:

• Previewing this weekend’s NCAA Division 1 “round-of-16” play…
  1. Dan Parkhurst (UNH – NorthEast Regional)
  2. Keith Lavon (Northeastern – MidWest Regional)
  3. Steven Conn (Yale – East Regional)
  4. Guy Gadowsky (Princeton Coach – West Regional)
  
• Mike Klein, PR Director from the Eastern Junior Hockey League, previewing the Tier 3 National Junior Championships scheduled for this weekend in Marlborough, MA
• Tom Burke from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, to present the 2009 Walter Brown Award
• Possible “mystery guest” from the world of college hockey and broadcasting!
• Your phone calls at 617-242-3776 (E-S-P-N)

BU takes a 1-0 lead in the series

There is an old saying, "if you play with fire you are going to get burned."  Friday night, Maine played with fire by giving one of the top ranked power plays in the nation (BU) eight chances, including giving up the winning goal on a BU 5 on 3 power play with three minutes to go in the game.  

You have to give Maine credit, they came to play and Maine's goalie Scott Darling was terrific in net.  BU did not play to its potential.  BU is a very confident team, maybe too confident.  They need to take care of business.

BU has only played one top ten nationally ranked team since mid February (i.e. Northeastern) and that series ended up with both games in a tie.  BU needs to realize, while they have been playing great hockey since the first game of the season, everyone else is now catching up.  Just look at North Dakota, Michigan and Denver.  BU beat these teams early in the hockey season when each of the three teams were not playing their best hockey.  I am sure North Dakota, Michigan, or Denver would like another "crack" at BU on the national stage. 

Who has more haunting stats? - Wisconsin or Merrimack

Wisconsin lost to UND last night (2-1) which makes it their 10th loss by one goal. USCHO and others are talking about how this is a "haunting stat" for Wisconsin.

Well what about the little Hockey East team that plays in North Andover Mass - Merrimack College.

Here are Merrimack's 2008-2009 haunting stats:

• 14 one goal losses this season while playing in the toughest conference - Hockey East
• They never lost to a team by more than three goals this season and this happened three times; twice against BU and once against BC.
• Of their nine wins this season, four of them were by one goal.

I think Merrimack deserves some credit for how they have played this year. Their stats clearly show they are a team that may become a more widely recognized name in D-I hockey - just ask any Hockey East team.

14, 15, 16

They say you should play your best hockey going into the post season. This is an understatement with BU. Tonight Brandon Yip and Nick Bonino both had hat tricks as BU beat Providence 8-2. Both Yip and Bonino scored their 14th, 15th and 16th goals of the season.

As a team, BU has scored 6, 7, and now 8 goals in the last three games respectively. I guess this means they will score 9 goals on Sunday afternoon as they complete their home and home series against Providence.

You can't ask for a team to be playing any better than the way BU is playing now.

Sign of a Good Team

You don’t realize how good a team can really be until they face adversity, especially on the road.  Down 3-0 BU came storming back to score six unanswered goals to beat UMass 6-3.  Like any great team when you are down and being completely outplayed, you look to your strengths.  For BU their strengths have been their power play and their veteran senior players.  Last night, BU’s iron man Matt Gilroy and sniper Jason Lawrence stepped forward after Coach Jack Parker sent a message to the team by replacing goalie Kieran Millan with Grant Rollheiser.  Down 3-0, with the fourth goal either making or breaking the game, Gillroy put the team on his back and scored two consecutive power play goals, getting BU back into the game.  Not to be outdone, Jason Lawrence then took it from there, with a natural hat trick, scoring the next three BU goals.  David Warsofsky finished the night off with the sixth goal. 

BU will complete their home and home series with UMass tonight at Agganis arena. 

Beanpot Recap

Congratulations to BU for winning their 29th Beanpot! I had a great time, and here are some of my best and worst moments of this year's 57th Beanpot.

Best Dressed:
SiouxFaninBoston and I get the best dressed – we were wearing Sioux Jerseys

Worst Dressed:
The Gopher fan wearing the M jersey who was put on the big screen.

Best Chant:
Goes to Harvard - They began chanting, “You can’t count," at the BC Band after the band began to play three blind mice as the four officials took the ice.

Worst Moment:
Scott Hansen, one of the referees for the championship game was hit in the face with the puck and needed to leave the game.

Most Unusual Moment:
During the consolation game the Harvard fans (i.e., the band) “out chanted” the 3 and 1/2 BC fans in attendance . I guess the BC fans decided to stay home and watch 24.

Best Chance Meeting:
We met a couple who just moved to Boston from East Grand Forks and they were happy to see us in our Sioux Jerseys.

Worst Chance Meeting:
We met three Gopher fans.

Worst Comments:
Go Irish! (referring to our Sioux Jerseys) or, "Did you know [so in so], he played for Sioux City?"

Most Unexpected Moment(s):
BU's three shorthanded goals.

Best Fan Reaction:
BU fans cheered during the post game activities for Northeastern and Brad Thiessen as he won the Eberly award for best save percentage of the tournament.

Best Showmanship:
Northeastern - When the championship game was over, they stood at the blue line and watched BU raise the Beanpot during the post game festivities.

Most Interesting Post-Beanpot Situation:
When BU gets back to Agganis to raise the Beanpot banner, guess who they will be playing,… you guessed it - Northeastern.

Worst Post-Beanpot Situation:
Now that the Beanpot is over, College Hockey will go from front and center in Boston to the abyss – as the Red Sox are ever so close to spring training.

I still like the Beanpot and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Beanpot Match Ups (with pictures from Hockey on Campus - Beanpot Preview Show)

In Boston, the first two Mondays in February means it's time for the Beanpot. This is always a great event and the first round of the 57th Beanpot will be on Monday, February 2nd. Some in Boston call this the BUpot because of their success. BU has been to the final game 46 out of the 56–year history and has won the Beanpot 28 times. However, this year three of the four teams are top ranked teams in the country.

First Game: Boston University vs. Harvard 5p.m. Est

BU and Harvard have played each other 139 times since the 1922-23 season. BU holds the edge with a 71-62-6 (.532) record. In the Beanpot, the teams have met 38 times and BU has a 25-13 (.658) advantage.

Prediction: BU wins this game.


Second Game: Boston College vs. Northeastern 8p.m. Est

BC and NU have played each other 200 times since the 1932-33 season. BC holds the edge with a 145-42-13 (.725) record. In the Beanpot, BC holds the edge with a 30-8 (.790) record against NU. Even though NU is tied for 6th in the Pairwise (while BC is tied for 15th), I am going with past history on this one.

Prediction: BC wins this game


Hockey on Campus - Live Beanpot Preview Show

Once again Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara had a terrific show with Harvard Coach Ted Donato, BC Coach Jerry York, Northeastern Coach Greg Cronin and, due to scheduling conflicts, Travis Roy filling in for Coach Parker. Travis was able to talk about a great event that takes place Monday before the Beanpot, the Corporate Beanpot Challenge, which raises money for both the Travis Roy and Mark Bavis Foundations. Elliot Olshansky, talked about the Beanpot including Chris Dury’s induction into the Beanpot hall of fame.

I have posted a few pictures from the show.



Paul McNamara Raises the Beanpot

Berine Corbert talking to Mike Klein of the Eastern Junior Hockey League


A Sioux Fan (me) with the Beanpot

Mike Klein Director of Media Relations from the Eastern Junior Hockey League with the Beanpot

Sioux - Back in Black

The Sioux broke out their third jerseys for Saturday night's must win. I was glad to see UND play better than their lack luster effort on Friday night. Because of this much improved effort Saturday night, UND was rewarded with a 4-2 win over St. Cloud. Although the split this weekend dropped us to 15th in the pairwise, tied with BC, it could have been worse. Next week's mid-season break, will give the team a needed rest and refocus on the final push towards the NCAA tournament. I have posted a few pictures from last night.

Go Sioux!!

Congratulations to Jack Parker on his 800th Win

BU's win over Merrimack last night gave Jack Parker his 800th win.  He is the third coach to reach this mark and the only one to reach this mark with just one team.  The picture to the left is from BU's web site of Jack with the team after his win 800th win.  

Here are a few more links to stories on Jack's 800th win, The Terrier Hockey Fan Blog, BU Web Site, Boston Herald, Boston.com.

Sioux - Another Opportunity Lost

The Sioux, once again, lost an opportunity to move up the pairwise last night.   With losses to Notre Dame, Vermont, Cornell, Minnesota, Northeastern, Princeton, Ohio State, and BC tied, an opportunity to move up in the rankings and further away from the pairwise "bubble race" was lost.  As mentioned many times during the season, tonight's game (against St. Cloud) is a must win.

Go Sioux.    

Tonight's "Hockey on Campus" Radio Show (7 - 9 p.m. ET) The Beanpot Preview

Here's the line-up for tonight's Beanpot Preview Show with Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara.

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS radio will broadcast LIVE this week from BRANDY PETE’S restaurant (located in Boston’s Financial District at 267 Franklin Street) from 7 to 9 PM (Eastern Time) on AM-890 ESPN Boston, and 1400-AM in Lowell, and will also be streamed live online at http://www.890espn.com/.

Tonight’s line up for our 3rd Annual BEANPOT PREVIEW show includes:

Tournament Director STEVE NAZRO from The Garden
Harvard Coach TED DONATO
BU Coach JACK PARKER
BC Coach JERRY YORK
Northeastern Coach GREG CRONIN
Your phone calls at 617-242-3776 (242-E-S-P-N)


Come see the show LIVE from one of the true downtown Landmarks in Boston…

And bring a camera (or at least the camera in your mobile phone!) and take your picture with the world famous BEANPOT! We will have the “hardware” on hand, and ON DISPLAY!

Take a turn ON THE AIR, talk some college hockey, and make a Beanpot prediction!

Sioux weekend - I have a different take

I know when a team takes three points it's considered a good weekend, especially against a top ranked team. But this past weekend was not a series where UND stole three points, it was a series where UND lost an opportunity to grab four.

Did it bother anyone else that the Sioux let up 3 goals in the last minute of play in three different periods? I know one of the goals was on a power play, but it's really bugging me.

I guess what's really bothering me the most is that the Sioux dug a hole for themselves in the first half of the season and there is very little room for error in the second half. In prior seasons, the strength of the WCHA helped the Sioux in their second-half surge. This year, that same level of strength is lacking. The only thing that is really within North Dakota's control is the way they play in their own games and this year more than ever, every game counts. I guess I don't want to find us on the bubble at the end of the season and not make it into the NCAAs,wondering how things could have been different if we had only won just one more key game during the season. Because to date, there are about seven games you can point to that could have really helped the Sioux if they had pulled out a win: UMass, Cornell, Minnesota- Duluth (the tie), Michigan St., Michigan Tech (two times) and now Denver.

Tonight's "Hockey on Campus" Radio Show (7 - 9 p.m. ET)

Here's the line-up for tonight's show with Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara -- sorry for the late post.


HOCKEY ON CAMPUS for Wednesday January 21, 2009

Hockey On Campus will broadcast live from the studio this evening from 7 to 9 pm (eastern time)
on Boston’s ESPN affiliate 890-AM ESPN Boston,

We also will stream live online at www.890ESPN.com.

Scheduled in the first hour tonight are:

From the Atlantic Hockey Association, Bentley Coach RYAN SODERQUIST

From the ECAC Northeast, Nichols College Men’s Coach LOU IZZI

From the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Publicity Director MIKE KLEIN

And from 8 – 9 pm we are scheduled to welcome:

From ECAC Division 1, Cornell Men’s Coach MIKE SCHAFER

With an update from The Hobey Baker Watch, ELLIOT OLSHANSKY

From Hockey East, UNH Men’s Coach DICK UMILE


Phone calls are welcomed at 617-242-3776 (617-242-E-S-P-N)

Sioux Take 3 Points / Another Dartmouth Turnaround? (Part II)

The Sioux continued their second-half run by taking three points from Michigan Tech (Friday's Game Summary and Saturday's Game Summary). The run is currently at 10-2-1. Back in December, I suggested that the 2008-2009 run has the same feeling as the 2006-2007 run.

It seems uncanny, but I have a few more similarities in addition to the ones I suggested in December.

Sweep of the Gophers
During the 2006-2007 run, the Sioux swept the Gophers at Mariucci Arena by scoring 12 goals during the series. Sound familiar? The Sioux swept the Gophers last weekend scoring 12 series goals.

Battle with Bemidji
During 2006-2007 run, the Sioux had to battle in order to sweep the home and home series against Bemidji. The same was true this season.

Three-Point Series
During the 2006-2007 run, Alaska Anchorage visited the Ralph for a series with the Sioux, one the Sioux were expected to sweep. The Sioux ended up with three points; a tie Friday night 3-3 and a shut-out Saturday night. Sound familiar.... [The Sioux tied Michigan Tech, 3-3 last Friday, and won in a shut-out on Saturday (5 - 0).]

Next Weekend's Denver Series
Although there are similarities to both runs, next weekend is a series where I hope the two runs will differ. In 2006-2007 the Sioux split the late-season series with Denver. This season, I hope the result is the same as last year, instead - a sweep of Denver.

Let's Go Sioux!!!

Tonight's "Hockey on Campus" Radio Line-up (7 - 9 p.m. ET)

Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara circulated their weekly email outlining the line-up for tonight's Hockey on Campus radio broadcast (also being streamed live over the internet, see link below). Below is their email:

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS for Wednesday January 14, 2009

Hockey On Campus will be on the air this evening from 7 to 9 pm (eastern time) on Boston’s ESPN affiliate 890-AM ESPN Boston, broadcasting LIVE once again from our new “home away from home,” Bickford’s Grille in Burlington, Massachusetts.

We also will stream live online at www.890ESPN.com.

Scheduled in the first hour tonight are:

From the NCAA, Coordinator of Officials FRANK COLE

From Hockey East, UMass Lowell Goaltender CARTER HUTTON

From the Atlantic Hockey Association, Mercyhurst Forward PHIL GINAND

From the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Publicity Director MIKE KLEIN

And from 8 – 9 pm we are scheduled to speak with:

From ECAC Division 1, Union Forward JASON WALTERS

From the ECAC Northeast, Curry Men’s Coach ROB DAVIES

And a possible Hobey Baker watch update with ELLIOT OLSHANSKY

Phone calls are welcomed at 617-242-3776 (617-242-E-S-P-N)

Hockey On Campus - Tonight

The following is a message from Bernie and Paul on tonight's show:

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS returns to Airwaves

After a 2 week Christmas Break, the 2-hour weekly college hockey radio program Hockey On Campus returns to the air this evening from 7 to 9 pm (eastern time) on Boston’s ESPN affiliate 890-AM ESPN Boston.

(We are hoping to also be streamed live online as well tonight at www.890ESPN.com. Our first two programs of the season did not make it online due to some technical issues, but we have been assured those have been resolved and we WILL be available at that web address for the rest of the year.)

Once again our show will be “on the road” coming to you live from Bickford’s Grille in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Tonight’s Line up features guests from a number of leagues in college hockey.

Scheduled in the first hour are:

From Atlantic Hockey, Army Coach BRIAN RILEY

From Hockey East, Vermont Men’s Coach KEVIN SNEDDON

From the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Publicity Director MIKE KLEIN

And from 8 – 9 pm we are scheduled to speak with:

From ECAC Division 1, Quinnipiac Forward BRYAN LEITCH

From NESCAC, Middlebury Men’s Coach BILL BEANEY

Hobey Baker watch update with ELLIOT OLSHANSKY

Phone calls are welcomed at 617-242-3776 (617-242-E-S-P-N)

RECAP: Overtime - The order of the night

For me, last night was one of the best and exciting nights for watching sports in a long time. I’m sure like me, many of you were watching multiple games at once, not knowing where to focus. I was watching the following games at the same time, using multiple TVs and computers: the Sioux vs. Bemidji State, the Denver Cup Championship game, the Dodge Holiday Classic Championship game, the World Jrs. semi-final and San Diego vs. Indy. What did they have in common? All of the games went into overtime other than the Denver Cup. What a night!


SIOUX 4 Bemidji State 3 – OT

Truthfully, I am not sure what to make of this weekend. It was a great series and the Sioux took both games. But it feels like the Sioux should have easily taken care of business and they did not. Bemidji came to play and if it were not for the Sioux power play (i.e. both game winning goals were off the power play), the outcome of this weekend could have been different. Hopefully, this past weekend can jump start the Sioux for next weekend’s series against the Gophers.


BU Denver Cup Champion - BU 4 DU 1

BU took care of business against Denver. Taking nothing away from BU, Denver did not come to play and it showed. Other than the third period when BU decided to protect the lead, BU completely dominated Denver. BU’s effort did not include the services of Colin Wilson and Kevin Shattenkirk, who are part of the USA World Junior team.

I had two favorite plays during the night, first Yip's goal off the face off. In a blink of the eye, Bonino won the face off which went directly back to Yip. Yip in one motion shot the puck at the net and scored. The second play was BU’s power play goal. BU passed the puck in the attack zone like a pinball machine and scored. Denver had no chance on defending this power play.

Minnesota – Dodge Holiday Classic Champion – UM 3 NU 2 - OT

This was a great game, two good goalies battling it out for 60 minutes. In overtime, Thiessen was called for a delay of game when he tried to clear the puck off the glass and it went out of play. Minnesota then scored, in overtime, on the power play to win the tournament.

Northeastern surprised me on how well they played. Although a tough loss, this is a game they can build from as they start the second half of the season.

On a side note it was nice to see Don Lucia come out after the game and congratulate John Hill and the team on the win. Hope all is well with Lucia.


Canada 6 Russia 5 in a shootout.

All I can say is - what a game. Canada tied the game with 5.4 seconds left on the clock. The Canadians down 4-3 pulled their goalie to add the extra attacker. Russia took a long shot at the empty net and missed the net, icing was called. With less than 10 seconds on the clock the face off went back into the Russian end. Canada took advantage of this with a last-ditch effort, sending the game into OT. With no scoring in the over-time period, the game went to a shoot-out where Canada beat Russia to move to the gold medal round.

San Diego 23 INDY 17 - OT

This was a fun game to watch. Personally I didn’t care who won. I just wanted to see a good game and San Diego won in OT sending them to the next round.

Games to watch tonight - Hockey East vs. WCHA

Tonight, we will see two key games that "pin" a Hockey East team against a WCHA team.

First the Denver Cup. Boston University will play Denver University. This will be a good test for both teams. If Jack Parker is true to form, he will continue to rotate his goalies and Millian should be in net for BU (since Rollheiser played last night).

My prediction - BU wins in a close game 4-3. The absence of Wilson and Shattenkirk will hurt BU, but they should still have enough "fire power" to win.

The second game is Northeastern vs. Minnesota in the Dodge Holiday Classic. This game will be won or lost based on the play of each team's goalie. In other words, it will be the Thiessen (NU) vs. Kangus (MU) show. He who plays the best....... wins.

My prediction - Minnesota edges out Northeastern 5-3.

On a side note, Boston College lost to New Brunswick last night 5-3. Although only an exhibition game, it is not a good start for BC. York could not have been happy. I hate to see what BC does to New Brunswick tonight.

RECAP: BU 6 RPI 2

BU takes care of business tonight and beats RPI, 6-2. BU held RPI to 15 shots on net. Tonight's win over RPI puts BU into the championship game of the Denver Cup. BU will play the winner of Denver vs. Holy Cross.

Since BU won, the Denver Cup championship game will be televised in Boston on CN8 tomorrow night.

RECAP: Slovakia 5 USA 3

USA was downed by Slovakia, 5-3. There was just one problem for the US tonight, it was Jaroslav Janus, goalie for Slovakia. He was just phenomenal. He stopped 44 shots tonight with multiple game saving goals.