Puck Daddy
Subscribe in a reader
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Where to Find Me
While I'm away from Going Five Hole, you can still find me talking puck at the following places, feel free to join in:
Facebook
Twitter
Puck Daddy
Subscribe in a reader
Puck Daddy
Subscribe in a reader
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I'm Shuttin' Down the Studio for a While
Good news and some bad news.The bad news is that I'm shutting things down for a while, at least here on Going Five Hole.
The good news is you will still be able to find me over at Puck Daddy posting regularly each week.
I may throw up a post every now and then, but trying to put some quality posts up on Puck Daddy and finding stuff for here on GFH has become too time consuming and really taken me away from my daydreaming of Kate Beckinsale and Scarlett Johansson.
In all seriousness, blogging was starting to become a job and to avoid the burnout, I'm going to focus on Puck Daddy material for the time being. I'm not retiring GFH as I do plan to keep things updated and will post from time to time. Hell, if the Penguins keep playing like they are, this might evolve into my own venting space. We'll see.
Thanks for reading over the past year and a half and be sure to check out Yahoo!'s Puck Daddy where Wyshynski and I plan to take over the world. Also don't forget to pop in to GFH from time to time as well.
Subscribe in a reader
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Puck Daddy Live Blog Tonight: Pens-Caps
Be sure to stop by tonight over at Puck Daddy as Wyshynski and I live blog the events unfolding inside Mellon Arena.
The fun begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and lasts until we have a four-way dance between Sid, Geno, AO, and Semin, no-holds barred style.Ok, maybe not.
Subscribe in a reader
CHL Top Prospects Game on NHL Network Tonight
The Homehardware CHL Top Prospects Game featuring the best junior hockey players in Canada will be shown tonight on the NHL Network in the United States beginning at 7pm ET.Being able to see some of the junior prospects who will be drafted come June will be a special treat for hockey fans in the US. Coming off see all of the United States and Canadian World Junior Championship games last month, the NHL Network is slowly but surely increasing its presence in the US and, much to the joy of American puckheads, expanding its programming.
Bobby Orr and Don Cherry will be your coaches tonight. Below are the rosters of both teams.
| Team Orr (Red) | |
| Forward (12) | Teams |
| Ryan O'Reilly | Erie Otters (OHL) |
| Brayden Schenn | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| Peter Holland | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| Scott Glennie | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| Michael Latta | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| Taylor Beck | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| Cody Eakin | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| Marcus Foligno | Sudbury Wolves(OHL) |
| Levko Koper | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
| David Gilbert | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| Philippe Paradis | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| John Tavares | London Knights (OHL) |
| Defencemen (6) | Team |
| Jared Cowen | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
| Brayden McNabb | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| Tommi Kivisto | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| Ryan Ellis | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| Charles-Olivier Roussel | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| Calvin de Haan | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| Goaltenders (2) | Team |
| Oliver Roy | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) |
| Scott Stajcer | Owen Sound Attack (OHL) |
| Team Cherry (White) | |
| Forward (12) | Teams |
| Matt Duchene | Brampton Battalion (OHL) |
| Alex Hutchings | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| Andrej Nestrasil | Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) |
| Landon Ferraro | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| Zack Kassian | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| Carter Ashton | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
| Evander Kane | Vancouver Giants (WHL) |
| Jimmy Bubnick | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| Ethan Werek | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) |
| Jordan Caron | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) |
| Michal Hlinka | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) |
| Nazem Kadri | London Knights (OHL) |
| Defencemen (6) | Teams |
| Taylor Doherty | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) |
| Stefan Elliott | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| Tyson Barrie | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| Dmitry Kulikov | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
| Éric Gélinas | Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL) |
| Simon Després | Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) |
| Goaltenders (2) | Teams |
| Nathan Lieuwen | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| Edward Pasquale | Saginaw Spirit (OHL) |
Last night, Team Cherry won the Skills Competition portion of the event.
Subscribe in a reader
VICTORY!
What a nice feeling.
To see the Penguins play a complete game, very little turnovers, and settle down defensively to beat a good Flyers team. After losing 7 of their last 8 and about 73 of their last 75 games it seemed, Pittsburgh played with some fire and hunger tonight.
It was refreshing.
Matt Cooke being elevated/tried-out on the top line alongside Sid definitely worked and knowing Michel Therrien, he'll stick with that combination until it doesn't work any longer and then change things up again.
Wednesday night's game against Washington is a big test. Not just because it's a rivalry game and all the Semin-Crosby/Ovechkin-Malkin hoopla surrounding it, but because it's important for the Penguins to keep up their intensity for a second night in a row.
A bad loss against the Capitals and things are back to square one. A hard-fought victory and suddenly the word "hope" creeps back into the Pittsburgh vocabulary.
Subscribe in a reader
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
NCAA Round up.
There aren’t a lot of great College Hockey match-ups to watch this week that really do anything for me. I want to return to a point that I touched on earlier this season, the perceived strength of Princeton, Cornell and Air Farce Academy all of these team have or are ranked pretty high in the college hockey rankings for most of the season. I believe that these teams are not as good as some would like to believe.
Air Farce Academy: At the beginning of the season Air Farce was the talk of college hockey going an impressive 13-0-0, this schedule was at the expense of the cup cakes teams and the weak sister of the poor. During that 13-0-0 streak the Falcons had one semi-impressive win a 4-1 victory at Colorado College, the next night they were beaten by Denver University. Rightfully so, Air Farce has since fallen off after a fast start and has since gone 2-4-1 pretty much squelching any premature talk of the Falcons going to the frozen four, but I digress. See, I told you so.
Cornell University: Sure it’s a nice story that Cornell is 11-1-3 but seriously folks who have they beaten? Cornell has played the least games out of anyone in the top 20 and has a very questionable schedule the rest of the way, its stuffed full of horrible teams except Princeton if you believe the hockey pundits. I see another number one seed exiting the first round NCAA tourney early, ala Clarkson two seasons ago.
If Cornell is such a national power house why did they lose 7-3 to North Dakota? According to the hockey experts like INCH the Fighting Sioux are a mediocre team. The Big Red won the next game 2-1 because UND had a goal waved off on a very questionable call (Cornell should have given props to the WCHA official that gift wrapped them the game). The Big Red also played SCSU in the Florida College Classic Championship. In the first game of the tourney the Big Red were out shot 38-26 and barely beat SCSU 3-2. SCSU was all over the Big Red in the third period and the Big Red escaped with the win thanks to Cornell goalie Ben Scrivens.
In the Championship game of the Florida College Classic the Big Red needed a shootout to beat a poor Colgate team (6-9-5) in the championship game. So; either Colgate is one of the best 6-9-5 hockey teams in division one hockey or Cornell is highly over rated. I am thinking the later.
Princeton University: During the past 2 weekends the 5th ranked Princeton Tigers (13-5-0) lost three games in a row, two of these games to very questionable teams; Union 11-8-1 and Rensselaer 4-15-2. This weeks the same two teams play media darling Cornell University. It will be interesting to see if Cornell can escape with a victory. I could also see RMU beating Princeton in two weeks when the two teams play in a single nonconference game.
Goon’s Top Ten
1 Notre Dame
2 Boston University
3 Northeastern
4 Denver
5. Michigan
6. Ohio State University
7. Vermont
8. Boston College
9. New Hampshire
10. Colorado College
For more from Goon, check out Goon' World.
Subscribe in a reader
Air Farce Academy: At the beginning of the season Air Farce was the talk of college hockey going an impressive 13-0-0, this schedule was at the expense of the cup cakes teams and the weak sister of the poor. During that 13-0-0 streak the Falcons had one semi-impressive win a 4-1 victory at Colorado College, the next night they were beaten by Denver University. Rightfully so, Air Farce has since fallen off after a fast start and has since gone 2-4-1 pretty much squelching any premature talk of the Falcons going to the frozen four, but I digress. See, I told you so.
Cornell University: Sure it’s a nice story that Cornell is 11-1-3 but seriously folks who have they beaten? Cornell has played the least games out of anyone in the top 20 and has a very questionable schedule the rest of the way, its stuffed full of horrible teams except Princeton if you believe the hockey pundits. I see another number one seed exiting the first round NCAA tourney early, ala Clarkson two seasons ago.
If Cornell is such a national power house why did they lose 7-3 to North Dakota? According to the hockey experts like INCH the Fighting Sioux are a mediocre team. The Big Red won the next game 2-1 because UND had a goal waved off on a very questionable call (Cornell should have given props to the WCHA official that gift wrapped them the game). The Big Red also played SCSU in the Florida College Classic Championship. In the first game of the tourney the Big Red were out shot 38-26 and barely beat SCSU 3-2. SCSU was all over the Big Red in the third period and the Big Red escaped with the win thanks to Cornell goalie Ben Scrivens.
In the Championship game of the Florida College Classic the Big Red needed a shootout to beat a poor Colgate team (6-9-5) in the championship game. So; either Colgate is one of the best 6-9-5 hockey teams in division one hockey or Cornell is highly over rated. I am thinking the later.
Princeton University: During the past 2 weekends the 5th ranked Princeton Tigers (13-5-0) lost three games in a row, two of these games to very questionable teams; Union 11-8-1 and Rensselaer 4-15-2. This weeks the same two teams play media darling Cornell University. It will be interesting to see if Cornell can escape with a victory. I could also see RMU beating Princeton in two weeks when the two teams play in a single nonconference game.
Goon’s Top Ten
1 Notre Dame
2 Boston University
3 Northeastern
4 Denver
5. Michigan
6. Ohio State University
7. Vermont
8. Boston College
9. New Hampshire
10. Colorado College
For more from Goon, check out Goon' World.
Subscribe in a reader
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday Afternoon Required Reading
Fluto Shinzawa predicts Team USA 2010. (Bruins Blog)Be sure to check out the new and improved PensBlog. (ThePensBlog)
Improving the Avalanche. Like right now. (Jibblescribbits)
Is hockey fixed? (Greatest Hockey Legends)
A look at the Sharks as we hit the midway point of the season. I think you could just put "awesome" and be done with the whole thing. (Fear the Fin)
Pavol Demitra like you've never heard him before. (Waiting for Stanley)
In Russia, they don't even let you finish games if you're getting fired as coach. (TSN) UPDATE: Turns out Fleming was just told not to finish the game. He hasn't been fired...yet.
Something you probably didn't think you'd be reading today: a comparison of Owen Nolan and the Greek god Zeus. (18,568 Reasons Why)
Remember when Sammy Pahlsson was known as a defensive stopper? Looks like he's improved his power-play game as well. (Battle of California)
Oh, the puns those headline writers come up with. (Melt Your Face Off)
Frank D. would like fellow Pens fans to tell him how they feel about their team in a group therapy session. (PensBurgh)
A list that would be wonders if shown to fans in Pittsburgh. (Pension Plan Puppets)
I'm known for my fondness of Ice Girls, but when they challenge Zdeno Chara in size, well, that's when I back away. (Barry Melrose Rocks)
Help the Carolina Hurricanes design sandwiches. Seriously. (Carolina on Ice)
Who's says tough guys aren't articulate? George Laraques on fighting and the code. (Sportsnet)
Do check out my spot with Scotty Wazz and the rest of the FOHS crew. (Faceoff Hockey Show)
It sure does smell in Pittsburgh, PU. (LCS Hockey)
Eric Duhatschek enters into the Crosby/Ovechkin debate. (Globe & Mail)
Mike Komisarek became the player and person he is today thanks to his parents. (Newsday)
Mats Sundin still being held to words he uttered last season. And it's true. (He Score He Shoot)
Those Vincent Lecavalier trade rumors? Just some hogwash according to his agent who's been assured by Tampa ownership that Vinny will be a Lightning for life. (Damien Cristodero)
"Two Degrees of Mike Sillinger": the home game! (St. Louis Game Time)
So the anti-All-Star Game stuff has come to this? (Boycott the NHL All-Star Game)
Goaltending controversies and Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer go together like caramel and apples. (The Record)
When you're referring to your team as the "suckity sucks", things can't be going well. (Scarlett Ice)
Why Gary Bettman should conspire to keep any future first overall picks out of the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Scotty Wazz)
*Sigh* Versus, don't you realize you could be doing so much more? (Puck the Media)
Subscribe in a reader
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Week at Puck Daddy
Pass or Fail: The NHL playing games on Christmas Day
Video: James vanRiemsdyk goes to the ole trick bag in OT
Farewell Burnaby Joe; it's been a fun ride
This is pretty much the worst time to call for helmetless players
From trade bait to Sid's wing, spotlight on Jordan Staal's new deal
Fight Video: Matt Hunwick's One Punch Debut
Subscribe in a reader
Puttin' On the Foil - A Weekly NHL Recap 1/11
MONOLOGUEThe National Hockey League announced the lineups for the 2009 All-Star Game this week and the debate has raged not only this week, but during the entire voting process about how the players are determined going forward.
I think the entire voting debacle should force the League to include fan voting as only a percentage. Let the players, general managers, and even coaches have a say as to who starts and who fills out the lineups. Starting in the All-Star Game should be an honor bestowed on to those players who are deserving and not handed out because of voting scripts and mass text message campaigns by teams.
As tough as it is to select players to round out the rest of the conference teams when every team has to have representation, I think that policy should continue forward. Every team should be represented, no matter the comparisons to players who might have been left off the roster. Having Mark Streit named to the Eastern Conference roster may not ensure that every New York Islander fan will be watching the game, but the All-Star Game is a celebration of the league's best and the Swiss defensemen was deemed to be the best choice from Long Island.
The game itself isn't supposed to be like a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Obviously, there won't be checking or physical play and while the goalies will be under fire all game long, the point is to see the best playing alongside the best.
WEEK THAT WAS
Brendan Shanahan is likely joining the New Jersey Devils, but a contract has not been finalized as of yet.
At the moment, Pat Quinn won't be joining the Ottawa Senators according to owner Eugene Melnyk.
Team Jagr (Europeans and North Americans) defeated Team Yashin (Russians) 7-6 at the KHL All-Star Game played outdoors at Red Square in Mosco.
Omsk of the KHL benched their coach, Wayne Fleming, for a period last week. Never a dull moment over there.
Possible number one overall pick John Tavares was traded from the Oshawa Generals to the London Knights and will debut this afternoon.
Canada claimed its fifth straight U20 World Junior Championship gold medal after defeating Sweden 5-3 in the final.
EXCELLENT ELEVEN POWER RANKINGS
11. Vancouver Canucks
10. New Jersey Devils
9. New York Rangers
8. Calgary Flames
7. Chicago Blackhawks
6. Philadelphia Flyers
5. Washington Capitals
4. Montreal Canadiens
3. Detroit Red Wings
2. Boston Bruins
1. San Jose Sharks
LET'S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE
This week's Coach's Corner with Don Cherry.
Joni Pitkanen has himself a self-made snack.
Which Montreal Canadien wears too much cologne? Carey Price's answer is fantastic.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK (1/4-1/10)
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
3 GP, 4 G, 1 A, 5 PTS, 2 PPG
GAME OF THE WEEK
Philadelphia at Washington, 1/6/09
A rematch of the emotional first-round playoff series from a season ago was all it was hyped to be. Both teams accumulated four penalties apiece and exchanged power-play tallies before heading to the shootout to decide things. A packed house at the Verizon Center wound up going home happy after the Capitals won the shootout 1-0 thanks to Viktor Kozlov on the first attempt.
Highlights:
UPCOMING GAME OF INTEREST
Wednesday, January 14, 7p.m. ET
Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins
The first meeting between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Semin since the infamous Puck Daddy interview where the Capitals star didn't see what was so special about the NHL's poster boy. The Capitals are surging and the Penguins are struggling, but the Ovechkin-Crosby-Malkin rivalry will continue in likely entertaining fashion.
GRATUITOUS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS RELATED AWESOMENESS
Play-by-play man Paul Steigerwald at his finest.
Subscribe in a reader
Friday, January 9, 2009
Jagr 3:16 Says Do It Ray Shero
My good buddy Greg Wyshynski over at Puck Daddy found this delicious nugget via Ken Campbell of the The Hockey News regarding Jaromir Jagr and his affinity towards Mario Lemieux.“I was thinking about it and if Mario would call me and say, ‘I’d like you to play for our team,’ I would think about it a lot,” Jagr said in a telephone interview from Moscow where the Kontinental League will hold its inaugural All-Star Game outdoors at Red Square Saturday. “I would play for the minimum salary. I would play for $350,000 just for him because I owe him my hockey life. I want to pay him back because he has made me what I am…besides my parents.”
Hmmm...Pittsburgh is still on the ever-lasting search for a winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby. Why not bring back one of the games greatest players at the league minimum? Ray Shero, your problems are solved. Jagr was still playing at a high level last season with the New York Rangers and he was arguable their best player in the playoffs. It's worth the gamble.
Of course, Jagr is known to be somewhat of a jokester, so if push came to shove, who knows if he'd balk at such a low offer, since, you know, he wasn't willing to do the same the first time around with the Penguins.
Who cares if he's under contract with Omsk until 2010? If Alexander Radulov can escape Nashville for Russia, why can't Jagr do the opposite? Let's let things get even muckier between the National Hockey League and the KHL, cold war style. And while we're at it, Jagr can even bring back the mullet, like old times.
Subscribe in a reader
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Shero Locks Up Staal at Four Years, $16 Million
The news broke within the past hour that the Pittsburgh Penguins have signed center Jordan Staal to a four-year extension, with TSN reporting the deal is worth $16 million.Staal's new deal will run through the 2012-13 season, giving those Pens fans who have been calling for the young center to be dealt, four years to conjure up more trade rumors.Now Pittsburgh is set down the middle for quite a while. The question now becomes is how long Staal, making $4 million a year beginning next season, will continue to be a third-line center. With this increase in salary, will we see the 20-year get more time on either of the top two wings?
UPDATE: So much for those Staal-Therrien feud rumors, eh? Unless Jordan knows Therrien is going to be fired in 3...2...1...
UPDATE #2: Staal's having himself a good day. Therrien's putting him up top with Sid and TK.
Subscribe in a reader
1980's Mike Lange Schilling For Ford
I always thought Mike Lange was a Chrysler guy, since one of his famous quotes is, "Hop in the Cordoba baby, we're going bowling."
Subscribe in a reader
Workout With Sidney Crosby
Improve your chances for acquiring abs like Sidney Crosby with his own personal workout via MSN's Health and Fitness section. There's three weeks of workouts with Crosby's trainer, Andy O'Brien are available with video demonstrations of each exercise.
You'll be NHL ready in no time...or for any puck bunnies out there, you'll just have a good time enjoying looking at the Penguins captain.
Subscribe in a reader
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
On the Faceoff Hockey Show Tonight at 8:20 pm ET!
I'll be on the Faceoff Hockey Show tonight with Scotty Wazz and the gang around 8:30 pm ET.Listen live here or download the podcast through iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
UPDATE: Listen to the show here.
Subscribe in a reader
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Fight Video: Ruslan Fedotenko Busts Hand on Colby Armstrong's Beak
Former Penguin Colby Armstrong was everywhere tonight during the Thrashers 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. It seemed as if he was involved in every scrum and in on every scoring opportunity. To me, Armstrong was much more visible than the Atlanta goal scorer, Ilya Kovalchuk.
Just a minute and a half into the first period, Armstrong hit Ruslan Fedotenko from behind and the Ukrainian took exception. After a brief sizing up period, Fedotenko makes his one punch count.
Fedotenko was seen flexing his hand on his way to the penalty box and almost immediately made his way to the Pittsburgh locker room to be examined. He didn't return and his status is unknown at the moment.
Subscribe in a reader
Just a minute and a half into the first period, Armstrong hit Ruslan Fedotenko from behind and the Ukrainian took exception. After a brief sizing up period, Fedotenko makes his one punch count.
Fedotenko was seen flexing his hand on his way to the penalty box and almost immediately made his way to the Pittsburgh locker room to be examined. He didn't return and his status is unknown at the moment.
Subscribe in a reader
NCAA Round Up.
Top Match ups
Michigan versus Miami
In a key CCHA matchup, the Miami RedHawks 12-5-3 travels to Ann Arbor to play the Michigan Wolverines 13-7-0. Michigan is coming off the GLI championship while Miami limps into Ann Arbor after going 0-2 losing to two of the worst teams in division one hockey Clarkson and Army at the Ohio Hockey Classic.
Prediction: Miami swept the Wolverines earlier in Oxford Ohio 2-0, 2-1 but I don’t expect the same results this time. Michigan is playing better hockey and Miami is going to be reeling from losing two games to two horrible teams. Michigan wins 4-1 and 5-2 behind as strong goaltending performance of starting goaltender Bryan Hogan 11-1-0 1.95 GAA and sv% .917.
Minnesota Golden Gophers versus the North Dakota Fighting Sioux
The Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-3-5 travel to Ralph Engelstad Arena to play a two game series against their heated rival the Fighting Sioux 11-10-1. For the Sioux they must get at least two-three points to stay in the race for an NCAA playoff bid.
It may only be January but this game already will have a playoff feel to it, every game, every series is going to be a must win if they the Fighting Sioux want to be successful in the second half of the season and make another run to the NCAA playoffs.
These games are extra important to the Sioux because they are fighting to get home ice for the WCHA playoffs as well. Both teams are also playing for pride and don’t want to be on the losing end of the score board. Records mean nothing going into this series; in fact you can throw them out the window. For the Gophers they are eyeing the top spot in the WCHA standings as well as solidifying an NCAA playoff berth.
Goaltending is going to be key for this series for the Gophers they have a solid goaltender in sophomore Alex Kangas who has a record of (10-3-5), with a 2.19 goals against average and a save percentage of .921. For the Fighting Sioux rookie goalie Brad Eidsness has a record of (11-7-1), with a goals against average of 2.68 with a save percentage of .907. The success of both teams depends on these two goaltenders.
Top scorers for the Sioux are: Brad Miller 4-17-21, Chay Genoway 2-19-21, Chris VandeVelde 7-9-16, Ryan Martens 8-7-15.
Top Scorers for the Golden Gophers are; Ryan Stoa 11-12-23,
Jordan Schroeder 7-14-21, Jay Barriball 6-10-16
Prediction: The Sioux have a 9-6-1 record the last 16 games against the Gophers. The Fighting Sioux win on Friday 3-2 and the Gophers and Sioux tie on Saturday night 3-3.
Goon’s Top Ten
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Northeastern
5. Denver
6. Miami
7. Boston College
8. Colorado College
9. Michigan
10. Vermont
For more from Goon, check out Goon' World.
Subscribe in a reader
Michigan versus Miami
In a key CCHA matchup, the Miami RedHawks 12-5-3 travels to Ann Arbor to play the Michigan Wolverines 13-7-0. Michigan is coming off the GLI championship while Miami limps into Ann Arbor after going 0-2 losing to two of the worst teams in division one hockey Clarkson and Army at the Ohio Hockey Classic.
Prediction: Miami swept the Wolverines earlier in Oxford Ohio 2-0, 2-1 but I don’t expect the same results this time. Michigan is playing better hockey and Miami is going to be reeling from losing two games to two horrible teams. Michigan wins 4-1 and 5-2 behind as strong goaltending performance of starting goaltender Bryan Hogan 11-1-0 1.95 GAA and sv% .917.
Minnesota Golden Gophers versus the North Dakota Fighting Sioux
The Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-3-5 travel to Ralph Engelstad Arena to play a two game series against their heated rival the Fighting Sioux 11-10-1. For the Sioux they must get at least two-three points to stay in the race for an NCAA playoff bid.
It may only be January but this game already will have a playoff feel to it, every game, every series is going to be a must win if they the Fighting Sioux want to be successful in the second half of the season and make another run to the NCAA playoffs.
These games are extra important to the Sioux because they are fighting to get home ice for the WCHA playoffs as well. Both teams are also playing for pride and don’t want to be on the losing end of the score board. Records mean nothing going into this series; in fact you can throw them out the window. For the Gophers they are eyeing the top spot in the WCHA standings as well as solidifying an NCAA playoff berth.
Goaltending is going to be key for this series for the Gophers they have a solid goaltender in sophomore Alex Kangas who has a record of (10-3-5), with a 2.19 goals against average and a save percentage of .921. For the Fighting Sioux rookie goalie Brad Eidsness has a record of (11-7-1), with a goals against average of 2.68 with a save percentage of .907. The success of both teams depends on these two goaltenders.
Top scorers for the Sioux are: Brad Miller 4-17-21, Chay Genoway 2-19-21, Chris VandeVelde 7-9-16, Ryan Martens 8-7-15.
Top Scorers for the Golden Gophers are; Ryan Stoa 11-12-23,
Jordan Schroeder 7-14-21, Jay Barriball 6-10-16
Prediction: The Sioux have a 9-6-1 record the last 16 games against the Gophers. The Fighting Sioux win on Friday 3-2 and the Gophers and Sioux tie on Saturday night 3-3.
Goon’s Top Ten
1. Notre Dame
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Northeastern
5. Denver
6. Miami
7. Boston College
8. Colorado College
9. Michigan
10. Vermont
For more from Goon, check out Goon' World.
Subscribe in a reader
Fantasy Frenzy: Taking Stock
I am going to take some time here to talk to those of you playing in roto leagues. As we turn the page to 2009 now is the perfect time to take a look at how your team is performing and make a plan moving forward.
The great thing about roto-style is that it is real easy to look at the numbers, figure out where you can improve, and then act accordingly. You may need to make a roster change that on the surface looks like a bad move, but in reality helps your team in a category where you are hurting. You may also want to look at the other teams in your league and try to find a good trade partner. Look for teams that are strong where you are weak and vice versa. If you have a wealth of goal scorers and need help in net look around. The odds are there is an owner in your league that has a surplus of goalies and needs some help in the scoring department. There is no reason why you can't make a deal work for both of you in a situation like that.
Finally... do NOT give up hope yet. You would be surprised how much ground can be made up in a short time in a roto league. Just a couple seasons ago I won a 10-team league where I was in second to last with roughly 8 weeks to play. I formed a plan, executed, and moved into first place the day before the regular season ended and won the league by 5 or 6 points. It can be done. Just analyze your roster and get to work. It really is that simple, it just may not be that easy.
Pick-Up of the Week:
Subscribe in a reader
The great thing about roto-style is that it is real easy to look at the numbers, figure out where you can improve, and then act accordingly. You may need to make a roster change that on the surface looks like a bad move, but in reality helps your team in a category where you are hurting. You may also want to look at the other teams in your league and try to find a good trade partner. Look for teams that are strong where you are weak and vice versa. If you have a wealth of goal scorers and need help in net look around. The odds are there is an owner in your league that has a surplus of goalies and needs some help in the scoring department. There is no reason why you can't make a deal work for both of you in a situation like that.
Finally... do NOT give up hope yet. You would be surprised how much ground can be made up in a short time in a roto league. Just a couple seasons ago I won a 10-team league where I was in second to last with roughly 8 weeks to play. I formed a plan, executed, and moved into first place the day before the regular season ended and won the league by 5 or 6 points. It can be done. Just analyze your roster and get to work. It really is that simple, it just may not be that easy.
Pick-Up of the Week:
- Andy McDonald (C-STL) - This is one of those cross your fingers kind of moments. McDonald has been skating again and should be back in the Blues lineup shortly. If he was dropped in your league you should pick him up immediately as McDonald was playing great before getting hurt and should provide a boost to any roster.
- Brian Rafalski - Rafalski has been on fire for the Wings for about the last month, and that culminated in a 6-point week for the Detroit defender. Rafalski was also a +4 and chipped in a game-winner.
- Brent Burns - Burns matched Rafalski's goal and 5 assists on the week. He also had 4 points on the power play and a game-winner, just like Rafalski. The only real separation was that while Rafalski was a +4 for the week Burns was simply even. Splitting hairs I know, but that is what it takes sometimes.
- Rick Nash - I was tempted to go with Marc Savard here, but Nash's game-winner and +6 put him over the top. He also led all scorers this week with 7 points (1g-6a) and is helping to keep the Blue Jackets in the playoff hunt in the West.
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
