tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51543501951050658232024-03-05T18:28:19.487-08:00The Maroon LoonFrom the student section at Amsoil Arena to the Curling Club and beyond, I got you covered in all things UMD Bulldogs hockey.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-36398900752396095912011-10-13T12:12:00.000-07:002011-10-13T13:01:20.998-07:00Bring on the Gophers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WCO7dBOrKhGKz4SOJNa3Bs15KH3WLcQM_w02wsNT2OO_se9zymm6MiQEQxDJ6RsmNYgvuC9US58wJRPc19iahUKcvDlKh9pe1k1IO0Bs62TiIhwF7GWAJCLlIC8PkBKvpXhaFlhyphenhyphenbDi-/s1600/TROPHY%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WCO7dBOrKhGKz4SOJNa3Bs15KH3WLcQM_w02wsNT2OO_se9zymm6MiQEQxDJ6RsmNYgvuC9US58wJRPc19iahUKcvDlKh9pe1k1IO0Bs62TiIhwF7GWAJCLlIC8PkBKvpXhaFlhyphenhyphenbDi-/s400/TROPHY%2521.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Well, well, well, a ragtag bunch of Bulldog rejects from the southern branch of our fine university is making their way north this weekend. Maybe we'll let them admire our new hardware. Maybe we can set up a scrimmage pitting our other defending champs (football) against their especially hapless excuse for a team. (<a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201110010029">Michigan 58, Minnesota 0</a> was the most pitiful football game I've ever watched)<br />
<br />
In all seriousness though, this series screams split. We went 1-1-2 against the Gophers last year, outscoring them 12-11 in the process. Every game was close. Mike Connolly going off for five goals at Amsoil and Kent Patterson stopping 78 of 82 shots - including some absolute beauties in the clutch - in a series at Mariuchi stand out as the most memorable moments from our meetings last year.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDucr6C_c0Pp-dLDa_tF-VOv5lo5Zy3JtEsE7pLvhhjfsVPS2EcAjgqz5LHpmSBmgg93AwkvphDQiRRDFOIVF2Yltodtz3a9bq-hjMihM5SedBZiW1eoCuFVca_jVW33-ggeYl4tvNF3O/s1600/gopherhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDucr6C_c0Pp-dLDa_tF-VOv5lo5Zy3JtEsE7pLvhhjfsVPS2EcAjgqz5LHpmSBmgg93AwkvphDQiRRDFOIVF2Yltodtz3a9bq-hjMihM5SedBZiW1eoCuFVca_jVW33-ggeYl4tvNF3O/s1600/gopherhead.jpg" /></a>Fresh off a Class 2A title at Eden Prarie, highly-touted freshman Kyle Rau teams up with Zach Budish and Nick Bjugstad on the Gophers' top line. In goal Patterson has always been good against the Bulldogs, posting a .936 save percentage and a 2.38 goals against, although he has only won one game in six tries.<br />
<br />
This weekend is paramount in building UMD's budding reputation as a true Minnesota hockey power program, as well as setting the tone for a successful run in WCHA play this year. Let's go get it.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-16228216430199352382011-10-13T00:47:00.000-07:002011-10-13T00:47:29.216-07:00Opening Weekend in the Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFEkR8wJPnGeyixcbK0wVcQxYqe5xRZFwXNxPVFcevv0ZofhUhaK9xgguq8xznguEwZIoQqP4zkRRpIbaGHCc118GbcwDVjGZ_PaDv1c1MPvDygIsZ18WxHjbakdzR-QOg0hOnrfoW0It/s1600/umdbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFEkR8wJPnGeyixcbK0wVcQxYqe5xRZFwXNxPVFcevv0ZofhUhaK9xgguq8xznguEwZIoQqP4zkRRpIbaGHCc118GbcwDVjGZ_PaDv1c1MPvDygIsZ18WxHjbakdzR-QOg0hOnrfoW0It/s320/umdbanner.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div>We had an electrifying 4-3 win Friday after raising the banner only to fall apart and give up five straight goals after a bad bounce Saturday. I'll take a split against the top-ranked team in the nation. Let's talk about the good and the bad from the weekend that was.</div><div><a name='more'></a></div><u style="font-weight: bold;">The Good</u><b></b><br />
<div><ul><li>It looks like we have at least four solid guys on offense. JT Brown, Travis Oleksuk, Mike Seidel and of course Jack Connolly will be legit scoring threats for UMD this year.</li>
<li>JT could be the best player in the WCHA and Oleksuk could have a 45+ point season. </li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>I'm drinking the Kool-Aid on both these guys. JT peaked right at the end of the year (Frozen Four MVP) and has really started to remind me of Mike Connolly - not quite as fiery, definitely quicker, and preposterously undrafted. </li>
<li>Oleksuk scored two goals in the exhibition against Lakehead had two assists and two goals against the Irish. He's awesome taking faceoffs and has looked confident. I sat in the third row on Friday (more on that later) and he was our most vocal guy on the ice.</li>
</ul><li>Keegan Flaherty had first career goal Friday. Always nice to see a staple of the penalty kill get one. Here's to a few more for him this season.</li>
<li>The already awesome concessions at Amsoil actually got better this season. As far as I can tell they added a coney dog, (delicious and satisfying), a gyro, (good but small and not worth $6) and a prime rib sandwich, which I did not try. It's not surprising that UMD <a href="http://www.fox21online.com/news/business-amsoil-arena-beating-expectations">increased concession sales by %150</a> after moving into Amsoil last year.</li>
<li>The Duluth News Tribune's front page Saturday. What a great shot. God I'm going to miss the student section.</li>
</ul><div><br />
</div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOq1g5Z7VzbtzAApQmH3y9grOi-CZOBdiqx2UbodjzPqORv2t6w88gX4f6jWN-iGs3OXLI9RMj5g2ReA4dO0d7CspG8Od8hpsEKUvPukEFXoLYHWJTHnk-k3MOBln5_wTM79IXig0FcWx/s1600/jtwinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOq1g5Z7VzbtzAApQmH3y9grOi-CZOBdiqx2UbodjzPqORv2t6w88gX4f6jWN-iGs3OXLI9RMj5g2ReA4dO0d7CspG8Od8hpsEKUvPukEFXoLYHWJTHnk-k3MOBln5_wTM79IXig0FcWx/s400/jtwinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clint Austin/DNT - just check out the <a href="http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/photogallery/id/2047/">whole gallery</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><b><u>The Bad</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><ul><li>What was up with the banner raising celebration? After the huge turnout at the pregame tailgate/drinkfest outside of Amsoil I was really jacked for a hyper-dramatic ceremony of some kind. Instead we got a minute-long voiceover from Howie as a little black sheet was removed from the front of the banner. Compare that to the Boston Bruins' ceremony:</li>
</ul><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l84TfXCgN4I" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Seems like the goaltending will be the same as last year. Kenny Reiter is better than Aaron Crandall, but not reliable enough to be a dominant workhorse goalie. Obviously that could change, and last year Reiter did play well enough to win a national championship, but 14 saves on 17 shots isn't gonna get it done.</li>
<li>After missing all of last season because of a freak ATV accident, Cody Danberg hurt his shoulder in the season opener and will miss all of this season. Ugh, what a bummer. You gotta feel for the guy. </li>
<li>I had tickets in the third row, which I thought was going to be great. Unfortunately my section was right next to the UMD bench, so every time the action went to the far end my view was blocked by the coaches standing behind the bench. It was so, so frustrating having to alternate looking up at the JumboTron and down through the glass all game. Obstructed-view seats in the third row. Amsoil does have flaws.</li>
</ul></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-86923431661465039832011-10-06T01:29:00.000-07:002011-10-06T01:31:18.770-07:00Five Predictions for the 2011-12 Season<div style="text-align: left;"><b>5) UMD will win more games than people think because of an easy schedule</b></div>This year the Bulldogs play both home and away series with only three teams in the WCHA: Alaska-Anchorage, Mankato, and Michigan Tech, AKA the three perennial conference doormats. Not one of these teams has finished above 8th place for the last three years, and they're expected to finish 10th, 11th and 12th again this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivddjF76Pozr9BSNLeZe8XJaKEryzinj8NOwDaMwwjjkdVMOf1_ZkuF4QcAUIH-OtNPxY8epvNeP5LY3PSvJB3MVOPpa8xdO8Y_sSqxGm1w_JvMiGprBPLfnsbMT7eSS-rNR59ocjWY3KG/s1600/techcoachedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivddjF76Pozr9BSNLeZe8XJaKEryzinj8NOwDaMwwjjkdVMOf1_ZkuF4QcAUIH-OtNPxY8epvNeP5LY3PSvJB3MVOPpa8xdO8Y_sSqxGm1w_JvMiGprBPLfnsbMT7eSS-rNR59ocjWY3KG/s320/techcoachedit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now this is good news for the Bulldogs because they can rack up conference points and have a good shot at making the Final Five. Also winning builds confidence, which will be important to a squad that just lost three of its top six scorers and its top two defensemen. In the long run a weak schedule will negatively affect UMD's Pairwise ranking, which could leave the Bulldogs on the outside looking in if they're on the bubble come NCAA tournament selection day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4) WCHA Predictions</b><br />
<b><u>The Contenders</u></b><br />
<b>1) Denver</b><br />
Denver boasts arguably the best line in the WCHA, returning last year's team-leading scorer Drew Shore, future Wild star Jason Zucker, and Penguins' 2010 first-round pick Beau Bennett. Losing starting goalie Sam Brittain until January leaves them vulnerable though.<br />
<br />
<b>2) North Dakota</b><br />
North Dakota lost a ton of guys to the pros - Frattin, Malone, Trupp, Hextall, Gregoire, Genoway - but are so deep they still have a lot of horses left - Blood, Kristo, Knight, Corbin, Dell. Plus I've seen WCHA ROY favorite Rocco Grimaldi in person and he is the real deal.<br />
<br />
<b>3) UMD</b><br />
UMD returns All-American Jack Connolly and Frozen Four MVP JT Brown, as well as Travis Oleksuk, who scored 33 points last season and had two goals in last Sunday's exhibition. Basaraba, Seidel and Reiter are all poised for breakout seasons as well. If things go the Bulldogs' way early they could surprise some people.<br />
<br />
<b>4) Colorado College</b><br />
The Brothers Schwartz scare the shit outta me and goalie Joe Howe is one of the most underrated players in the league. Not very deep, like UMD.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQojcv4KoYBUz647vf3lGgK2rV9MbH9FIjJGaK5WIMrVykaxDTquDaaRVEFsNGGam79oFlsZgl_JCKHTOtiecLdkmj3NwlrbFOAoF_wghesRHDiumDDiwRHXWdLDWcJBFweEmMMZyy_nbp/s1600/brothersschwartz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQojcv4KoYBUz647vf3lGgK2rV9MbH9FIjJGaK5WIMrVykaxDTquDaaRVEFsNGGam79oFlsZgl_JCKHTOtiecLdkmj3NwlrbFOAoF_wghesRHDiumDDiwRHXWdLDWcJBFweEmMMZyy_nbp/s320/brothersschwartz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're looking at a minimum of 50% of Colorado<br />
College's scoring this season</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<b><u>Show Me Something</u></b><br />
<b>5) St. Cloud</b><br />
The Huskies sucked hard after lofty expectations last season. They lost their goon Marvin and their underachieving star Roe, which may be a good thing. Hanowski and Hermantown native LeBlanc anchor St. Cloud up front while Mike Lee is very solid between the pipes.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJAIycqXzAOlGH4b08dxz369oHn33xZxpsOyeDF5NpzkygKf3SdHTJFWRicDojDJwb8BQG9cpPaqr-9xV_MtmDpKZ637VGRyAnBe6lXwiQB-x6TV-Qy3Gabm69PnWvbFAzXRoofO8lxMx/s1600/Donny+lucia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJAIycqXzAOlGH4b08dxz369oHn33xZxpsOyeDF5NpzkygKf3SdHTJFWRicDojDJwb8BQG9cpPaqr-9xV_MtmDpKZ637VGRyAnBe6lXwiQB-x6TV-Qy3Gabm69PnWvbFAzXRoofO8lxMx/s200/Donny+lucia.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/2010/01/kevin-gorg-on-don-lucia.html">via ND Goon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>6) UMTC</b><br />
This has to be the year Lucia gets fired right? New year, same story for the Gophs: A lot of talent and draft picks destined to underwhelm.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Solidly Flawed</u></b><br />
<b>7) Wisconsin</b><br />
The Badgers top two freshman skaters are straight out of high school. After graduating two senior goalies they hand the reigns to freshman Joel Rumpel. They finished 7th last year and I'm hard pressed to see how they improve on that this year.<br />
<br />
<b>8) Nebraska-Omaha</b><br />
The Mavericks lost their entire top line and top defenseman. They have 10 freshmen on the roster. Their senior captain Alex Hudson is <a href="http://www.omaha.com/article/20110928/MAVS/709289718/1001">suspended indefinitely.</a> Blais can only do so much, right?<br />
<br />
<b><u>Probably Gonna Suck</u></b><br />
<b>9) Bemidji</b><br />
<b>10) Alaska-Anchorage</b><br />
<b>11) Michigan Tech</b><br />
<b>12) Mankato</b><br />
<br />
Ugh. Have fun vying for the WCHA title with the CCHA scraps in two years.<br />
<br />
<b>3) Lines</b><br />
<b><u>Forwards </u> </b><b><u>Defense</u></b><br />
JT-Jack-Basaraba Lamb-Bergman<br />
Seidel-Oleksuk-Danberg Olson-McManus <br />
Herbert-Hendrickson-Grun Kishel-Casto<br />
DeLisle-Tardy-Flaherty<br />
<br />
<b>2) Future Awards</b><br />
<b><u>1st Team All-WCHA</u></b> - Jack Connolly<br />
<b><u>2nd Team All-WCHA</u></b> - JT Brown<br />
<b><u>3rd Team All-WCHA</u></b> - Kenny Reiter<br />
<br />
<b>1) Bulldogs win in their season opener against top-ranked Notre Dame Friday night</b><br />
Amsoil will rock like it has never rocked before on Friday night after that championship banner is raised. Reiter will keep us in it, JT will cause too much trouble for the Irish's defense and in the end Jack will find a way to get it done.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BTmEqL6bqds" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-81285973102782656362011-10-03T02:17:00.000-07:002011-10-03T02:17:25.736-07:00Offseason Recap<div>Whew, well that was an eventful offseason. A quick recap:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Comings & Goings</b></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_HMS0IsXhOSCfKU2Vzt2GoR1AGVyICZhd80O1yZWwm5fVwkXUC5QDGLwbchIMZfGrIdZFdqkKE7IhzDsfajZZhGZRmgoDvs5qeHYJKoLs_sCPA6buDeeTr2AAo_7mkLGaSTGof9_tb4_/s1600/sandelin-300x216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_HMS0IsXhOSCfKU2Vzt2GoR1AGVyICZhd80O1yZWwm5fVwkXUC5QDGLwbchIMZfGrIdZFdqkKE7IhzDsfajZZhGZRmgoDvs5qeHYJKoLs_sCPA6buDeeTr2AAo_7mkLGaSTGof9_tb4_/s200/sandelin-300x216.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile Scott, you're rich now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>Sandelin briefly flirted with the brand-new Penn State coaching vacancy, but ultimately ended up <a href="http://rinkandrun.areavoices.com/2011/05/17/sandelin-signs-through-2016-17/">signing a fat extension</a> on the heels of his first ever national championship.</li>
<li>Assistant Coach Brett Larson did leave, however. He <a href="http://rinkandrun.areavoices.com/2011/05/22/brett-larson-to-sioux-city/">took a hefty raise</a> to become the Sioux City Musketeers' (USHL) head coach/general manager. </li>
<li>Sandelin <a href="http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/sports/college/UMD-Names-New-Mens-Hockey-Assistant-Coach.html">replaced Larson</a> with fellow UND alum Jason Herter, who, oddly enough was the head coach/general manager of the Fargo Force (USHL) last season.</li>
<li>Recent UMD alums Justin Fontaine (Wild), Mike Connolly (Sharks), Evan Oberg (Panthers) and Dylan Olsen (Blackhawks) will begin the season in the AHL. </li>
<li>Justin Faulk (Hurricanes) and Tim Stapleton (Jets) have a good chance to make the opening day roster. </li>
<li>Mason Raymond <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Raymond+lucky+standing/5446606/story.html">hopes to be back</a> by mid-season after <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn97tELtNTI">breaking a vertebrae</a> in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. </li>
<li>Championship game hero Kyle Schmidt <a href="http://rinkandrun.areavoices.com/2011/05/07/schmidt-to-play-in-norway/">will play in Norway</a> this season.</li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>College Hockey Apocolypse</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RiLVXunkzTuMB7j55LQ5DljJD8FZQwTdhiyTcN7Hhzi4ItaMBqbMamMTcnw_wFoZQgXfZSHSv7HPJjyZoLx0ptUR0wy_0CEsBX66BfL_ifXqGI0NAGf3b7ZSWQvDkAXyjTCXZrU8gX1B/s1600/Hockey_News_Conference_07132011_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RiLVXunkzTuMB7j55LQ5DljJD8FZQwTdhiyTcN7Hhzi4ItaMBqbMamMTcnw_wFoZQgXfZSHSv7HPJjyZoLx0ptUR0wy_0CEsBX66BfL_ifXqGI0NAGf3b7ZSWQvDkAXyjTCXZrU8gX1B/s400/Hockey_News_Conference_07132011_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's less creative? The name or the logo?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It all started when Penn State decided to take their hockey program to the Division I level behind an $88 million donation by Sabres owner Terry Pegula.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This led to <a href="http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2011/03/21_big_ten_officially_announces.php/">the formation</a> of the Big 10 conference, which led to <a href="http://topics.areavoices.com/2011/07/07/sioux-to-bolt-wcha-and-join-start-up-hockey-conference-for-2013-14-season/">the formation</a> of National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) which led to the leftover programs from the CCHA <a href="http://www.wcha.com/men/pres1112/201108/aug25wcm.php">joining the depleted ranks</a> of the WCHA. Also, as of today, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, and Alabama-Huntsville don't have a formal conference affiliation for the 2013-14 season, but that is sure to change.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So, right now this is what college hockey will look like in 2013-14:</div><div><b><u><br />
</u></b><br />
<b><u>NCHC</u> <u>Big 10</u></b></div><div>North Dakota Minnesota</div><div>Nebraska-Omaha Wisconsin</div><div>Denver Penn State</div><div>Colorado College Michigan</div><div>UMD Michigan State</div><div>Western Michigan Ohio State</div><div>St. Cloud<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">WCHA</u> <b><u>Unaffiliated</u></b><br />
Bemidji State Notre Dame<br />
Minnesota State-Mankato Bowling Green<br />
Alaska-Anchorage Alabama-Huntsville<br />
Alaska-Fairbanks<br />
Michigan Tech<br />
Northern Michigan<br />
Lake Superior State<br />
Ferris State<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFQB0xPsAvxlw566uRX5pF6BLN5IO1nZQEaB4tc7VowDVOQH2jEEBBau7VPrGnr0BpxgxtNKF9b9Yhc_QcIgTx-AhyphenhyphenZCA1ahK-9SbsPbVMD5-R2de2cwy07cSUxTdTU2v-GPNico30L4C/s1600/b1ghckycopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFQB0xPsAvxlw566uRX5pF6BLN5IO1nZQEaB4tc7VowDVOQH2jEEBBau7VPrGnr0BpxgxtNKF9b9Yhc_QcIgTx-AhyphenhyphenZCA1ahK-9SbsPbVMD5-R2de2cwy07cSUxTdTU2v-GPNico30L4C/s200/b1ghckycopy.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/constructing-inevitable-big-ten-hockey-conference-edited-36-more-ccha-games">(via)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Big 10 conference was a no-brainer once Pegula poinied up the cash for Penn State. They already have strong rivalries in place and a programming-hungry TV network to feed. The NCHC was a bit of a surprise, but I can understand the reasoning behind it. Top-tier WCHA and CCHA teams didn't want to get left behind money or recruiting-wise by the new, rich Big 10 conference, so they allied together to create their own powerful conference.<br />
<br />
Of course this ruins a lot of the decades of history and rivalries the two conferences had built. I, for one, loved that all five Division I hockey programs in Minnesota were in the same conference, because it made for great roadtrip opportunities. I doubt I will be driving out to Miami, Ohio or Kalamazoo, Michigan anytime soon to catch a series, but I suppose over the years that could change.<br />
<br />
The good news is that these new 'power conferences' will probably lead to a higher national profile for college hockey. It would be cool to see college hockey get a shoutout on SportsCenter every once in a while, or a package of nationally televised games on Versus/NBC Sports.<br />
<br />
The bad news is that it segregates college hockey into the haves and the have-nots. It's like in college football and basketball, where there are the power conferences and the mid-majors, and I'm not sure Division I college hockey is popular enough to sustain a whole sub-division of mid-major programs.<br />
<br />
Only time will tell if the 2011 offseason brought good or bad onto the world of college hockey. In the meantime let's just agree to enjoy the season. Season preview starts tomorrow, with one post going up every day until puck drop Friday against Notre Dame.</div><div><br />
</div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-6757511620971576042011-06-05T13:14:00.000-07:002011-06-05T13:14:08.125-07:00On Hiatus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOba7th5yFswh5NXfY3yW9U3h9fmt7TfIyb0U97uXxJzJmnNOyz9RhsPfblKRm026ND-NxhrTfTtNt_qKOFtWX0-y14lvU4mAlJPumZyDTn6q5iJokf_VyIOjLW_Px2zL_9PGqA5pF_ZOI/s1600/on-hiatus1jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOba7th5yFswh5NXfY3yW9U3h9fmt7TfIyb0U97uXxJzJmnNOyz9RhsPfblKRm026ND-NxhrTfTtNt_qKOFtWX0-y14lvU4mAlJPumZyDTn6q5iJokf_VyIOjLW_Px2zL_9PGqA5pF_ZOI/s320/on-hiatus1jpg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Summer is here and it's probably sunny out. Go outside and turn that pasty white into peeling pink. Back in July with some season review/preview stuff.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-83023992040577259422011-04-19T19:44:00.000-07:002011-04-19T21:33:13.007-07:00Offseason Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpsEzmzh2wwQ3Oa8lOtKnVWnwGv12CJkLWgLaC0j6GbiREw66lWcWFZpAp6G6Wsjllpqwy1aDCO0bBx0YYwL5FkMT04yPplI33OAxLC6UCj7xabaaD-QZhvq5TnO_uyEw_XQ38MjduxwP/s1600/championsweb4472_article_detail_lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpsEzmzh2wwQ3Oa8lOtKnVWnwGv12CJkLWgLaC0j6GbiREw66lWcWFZpAp6G6Wsjllpqwy1aDCO0bBx0YYwL5FkMT04yPplI33OAxLC6UCj7xabaaD-QZhvq5TnO_uyEw_XQ38MjduxwP/s400/championsweb4472_article_detail_lead.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>The Bulldogs are national champs. Has it sunk in yet? Well their chances at a repeat took a beating in the last week. Let's break it down:<br />
<div><ul><li>The biggest loss of the offseason was Mike Connolly signing with San Jose. He was UMD's best player last season, and due to his size he wasn't a lock to go pro like Justin Faulk was. But his cocky, feisty on-ice demeanor combined with the NHL's efforts to crack down on clutching and grabbing bode well for his professional success. It would be awesome to see him on the ice with Stalock in the Shark Tank in the near future.</li>
<ul><li>NHL $600K/AHL $67.5K/Bonus $180K</li>
</ul><li>As expected, Justin Faulk signed with the Hurricanes and is skating with their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers in the playoffs this week. I can't imagine that booming slapper and remarkable poise (especially for a 19 year-old) keeping him in the AHL for long.</li>
<ul><li>NHL $750K/AHL $67.5K/Bonus $270K</li>
</ul><li>Justin Fontaine signed with the Minnesota Wild. This was somewhat expected, as he skated at the Wild's Development Camp last offseason and played well. This signing comes on the heels of the Wild locking up Chay Genoway to a max deal. As a college hockey and Wild fan I'm pleased to see the Wild brass go after top college talent.</li>
<ul><li>NHL $550K/AHL $60K/Bonus $90K</li>
<li>Genoway $1.2 million NHL</li>
</ul><li>Head Coach Scott Sandelin confirmed today that he will interview for the Penn St. head coaching vacancy. The Penn St. job is the premier opening in college hockey, with billionaire Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pagula bankrolling the program. Penn State is expected to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/penn-state-hockey-gets-another-donation-2011-2">spend between $200K-350K</a> on their first head coach. Sandelin<a href="http://extra.twincities.com/car/salaries/default.aspx"> made $169,552 in 2009,</a> and has one year left on his deal. I expect him to stay at UMD and leverage the Penn St. interview into a hefty raise, but it is worth noting his wife graduated from Penn St.</li>
<li>No one else from the reigning national champs is expected to leave early. Brady Lamb, JT Brown, and Travis Oleksuk are possible candidates, however. </li>
<li>Mike Montgomery is expected to sign a professional contract sometime this offseason and Kyle Schmitt has stated that he would love to continue his career professionally in the US or Europe next year. Best of luck to both of them.</li>
</ul></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-46511307444099694382011-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:002011-04-15T08:48:33.143-07:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 23NATIONAL CHAMPS!!! After opening with a championship celebration montage, we break down the game period by period and offer five thoughts to chew on. Later we preview next season and give out some awards. If nothing else tune in for Kriz's ridiculous screams I caught on tape right after we won it all.<br />
<br />
Runtime: 32:32<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://umdhockey2.podbean.com/mf/play/n225xy/Episode25FinalVoyage.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://umdhockey2.podbean.com/mf/play/n225xy/Episode25FinalVoyage.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-52200629234408905342011-04-11T20:24:00.000-07:002011-04-11T20:24:26.450-07:00Some Great VideosGonna rewatch the game tonight and take a little more time to reflect before writing the season-ending column. In the mean time here's some great videos:<br />
<br />
<b>Schmitt's Gamewinner</b><br />
How great was his celebration? The sliding snow angel is a special move. I might try that next time I score playing pickup hockey out in Hermantown.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6XqjBvwU5rs" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>Jack Connolly Post-game Interview</b><br />
From the limited interaction I've had with Jack this season, I can tell you he's a stand-up guy. Definite similarities exist between him and Mauer. Both are very nice and personable, if not a little bland, and both are hometown kids who have had much success playing for the hometown squad. Either way this interview brings a huge smile to my face:<br />
<br />
(cue Jack's super Minnesoootan accent) "Yeah... I was definitely a little choked up. Ya know, being a hometown kid, making history, first national championship in the program, especially having it down here in St. Paul having my family and friends watch me, and ya know, now we got two (national titles) in the family now, got to match my brother (Jack's brother Chris won a national championship in 2009 with Boston University) which was definitely a special moment for me.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HIaMgcAW_64" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-460790787934967112011-04-10T13:56:00.000-07:002011-04-10T13:56:29.719-07:00CHAMPS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaqCLv_lPwCw1bjDlD_pmAxFD6azd4oyoyGDJOZ82_ipvdQnZYvD67hAQGG5uorVz-rj-5mT4vGvjzXmNM4T9v5yhyvTSvQMnuAr_xzEnCDfyBm0fblkeGJTsVTiJNr8W9IGWB5RC37ns/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaqCLv_lPwCw1bjDlD_pmAxFD6azd4oyoyGDJOZ82_ipvdQnZYvD67hAQGG5uorVz-rj-5mT4vGvjzXmNM4T9v5yhyvTSvQMnuAr_xzEnCDfyBm0fblkeGJTsVTiJNr8W9IGWB5RC37ns/s400/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-34785351697957355102011-04-08T13:45:00.000-07:002011-04-08T13:45:24.044-07:00The Bulldogs are Back Where They Started, Just in Time For the Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGD3-v8iydGBWYpONywywS_PqFGnO2UWi_xf3YwtqJy-Jjp7WlRvomou_0BwgZTAuikgD1wxiqvUXXRmDeKt7rYH_UWz9LIP3fYfFBi-inG4FrTNLWI81-IvM1Y5aAgpaB8WCIu0uzc7p/s1600/championship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGD3-v8iydGBWYpONywywS_PqFGnO2UWi_xf3YwtqJy-Jjp7WlRvomou_0BwgZTAuikgD1wxiqvUXXRmDeKt7rYH_UWz9LIP3fYfFBi-inG4FrTNLWI81-IvM1Y5aAgpaB8WCIu0uzc7p/s320/championship.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>The Bulldogs are playing for a national championship tomorrow. How did this happen?</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As a Minnesota sports fan, I'm conditioned to expect failure from my favorite teams: the Viking's traumatic embarrassments in '98, '00, and '09, Timberwolves' eight straight first round playoff exits and subsequent slide into becoming the NBA's worst team, Twins losing five straight playoff series, ten years of consistently mediocre and underwhelming Wild hockey, the underachieving Tubby Smith teams and Tim Brewster's disastrous reign, the list goes on and on. It should be no surprise that the Bulldog's collapse in the 2004 Frozen Four came to mind yesterday as we entered the third period with that dangerous two goal lead. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">All year everyone knew the Bulldogs were capable of contending for the national title. After a second half slide punctuated by an overtime loss to Bemidji in the Final Five, UMD fell out of the short list of contenders. Many, including myself, thought that the Bulldogs' inconsistent defense and goaltending was too much of a question mark to build a sustained playoff run.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Yet here we are now. Sixty minutes away from a national championship. Three things, above all else are essential to playoff success: special teams, goaltending, and luck, and the Bulldogs gotten huge contributions in all three of these categories.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIJdSmXNHUwIcMSCbZ-krWBSN13G-1N-dkB5ZEBfcBplfkf9P26TMUSYkFgr2WraO4UtntlIHmholm4KMj-6Cd6rDhD3VrFFyfLtNqu4WwlNWt6cmHim9ZvSaMhtztfZujo_hWReMj5HQ/s1600/111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIJdSmXNHUwIcMSCbZ-krWBSN13G-1N-dkB5ZEBfcBplfkf9P26TMUSYkFgr2WraO4UtntlIHmholm4KMj-6Cd6rDhD3VrFFyfLtNqu4WwlNWt6cmHim9ZvSaMhtztfZujo_hWReMj5HQ/s200/111.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yale sucks. Remember<br />
this goon?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Bulldogs got lucky by being put in the East Regional. They got to play two overrated teams from the EZAC and that allowed them to build a lot of confidence going into the Frozen Four. Yesterday they faced Notre Dame, a very solid team from top to bottom, but one that was seeded lower than us in the Pairwise. UMD made the championship game without playing a top five team. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Michigan had to beat a big, physical UNO squad led by the best coach in college hockey, a Colorado College team that hung up eight goals on the defending national champion, and North Dakota, the consensus title favorite all season long. Nevertheless, the Wolverines have had some luck of their own too, escaping their first round tilt with UNO on a very questionable goal in overtime. A goal that only became a goal only after a lengthy replay review.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kenny Reiter was great in the NCAA Regional, shutting out Union and standing tall during the early onslaught against Yale. Yesterday he slipped back into regular season mode, giving up a couple of softies in the first period before settling down and making enough plays to hold on for the win. Which Kenny will show up for the championship? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Above all else, UMD will have to rely on its unbelievable special teams tomorrow. The Bulldogs' penalty kill has been equal parts opportunistic and sacrificial, which is why they have killed off 19 of 22 penalties in the playoffs. Guys have been just eating pucks lately. We have almost double the blocks that our opponents have since the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, and it seems like every time the opposing team makes a mistake on the powerplay, we track the puck down and clear it. Notre Dame had a man advantage five times yesterday, and they managed just TWO SHOTS. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Really though, the best part about watching this team all season has been the chemistry of our top guys. Watching the Connollys, Fontaine, Faulk, and JT cycle the puck in the offensive zone is a delight. They display a combination of trust, creativity and execution that is unparalleled in college hockey. Yesterday they scored twice on that same beautiful tic-tac-toe play they've been running all year. I swear they've scored on that play at least 15 times this season. Fontaine even alluded to it in his post game comments: “We're hitting the exact same plays we've used all year, and we're riding that confidence.” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's funny how cyclical this season has been. UMD started off hot, with the top two lines clicking and lots of puck luck. The goaltending and defense wasn't great, but it was almost always good enough to win. Then the Bulldogs came back to earth just long enough to put serious doubts in the minds of the fans, only to turn around and play the same exact way they did at the beginning of the season in time for the playoffs. So now here we are: a team with two great lines, great special teams and juuust good enough defense and goaltending. I wanted North Dakota, but most of all I want a national title. And the Bulldogs will have a shot at that Saturday night.</div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-88833436753367146262011-04-05T22:42:00.000-07:002011-04-05T22:42:24.146-07:00Notre Dame Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhMf0jpVRIa5XnfenYAqRzPiB2t3leqG6L2aiqLhJfaIzWQ0kM5YX-siULCBSu9P6F7Y2wJHtPdPpnfzDRxJKw6G3pY20h3ouLgsPJvoQ6rkPd_ANHkEeSYDl-Xey-1prfQ_dZ0LhxjVW/s1600/UMDvNDIrish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhMf0jpVRIa5XnfenYAqRzPiB2t3leqG6L2aiqLhJfaIzWQ0kM5YX-siULCBSu9P6F7Y2wJHtPdPpnfzDRxJKw6G3pY20h3ouLgsPJvoQ6rkPd_ANHkEeSYDl-Xey-1prfQ_dZ0LhxjVW/s1600/UMDvNDIrish.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Ahhhh, still 40 hours until puck drop! An entire workweek of life still to go. Oh, well, here's some Notre Dame notes to pass the time:<br />
<br />
<b>Road to Frozen Four</b><br />
After losing only once in their last nine regular season games, the Fighting Irish finished second in the CCHA to fellow Frozen Four participant Michigan. Much like the Bulldogs, they had a disappointing showing in the conference tournament, getting routed by Miami 6-2 in the semifinals and losing 4-2 to Michigan in the third place game.<br />
<br />
Notre Dame ended up ranked 11th in the Pairwise (UMD finished 9th) and received the 3 seed in the Northeast regional. In the NCAA tournament's opening round they beat Merrimack 4-3 in overtime. Former Edina (previously of St. Thomas Academy) football and hockey star Anders Lee scored the game-winning goal. More on him later.<br />
<br />
In the quarterfinals Notre Dame beat New Hampshire 2-1. I watched about half of this game and it was pretty entertaining. Lots of chances for both squads, but in the end Notre Dame goalie Mike Johnson was just too damn good.<br />
<br />
The Irish are 0-2-1 vs. the WCHA this season, losing to Mankato, and losing and tying in a series with the Sioux in Grand Forks. They beat UMD 3-1 in the teams' last meeting, which was two years ago.<br />
<br />
<b>Key Guys</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMWr7RoLbOespYZWRu3oQaL2Vu-j7pI02JetXJ1P0OxhSMLEicAW0FNUKbDhEQia3hY68Pc4hTz8i3g9DbHsmDf-GFt_u0RWY7yQM5SAeZMz2tAvzG7f8qHb5Y5ze2sqcnEdFnTFS6-JX/s1600/NotreDame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMWr7RoLbOespYZWRu3oQaL2Vu-j7pI02JetXJ1P0OxhSMLEicAW0FNUKbDhEQia3hY68Pc4hTz8i3g9DbHsmDf-GFt_u0RWY7yQM5SAeZMz2tAvzG7f8qHb5Y5ze2sqcnEdFnTFS6-JX/s1600/NotreDame.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Anders Lee, TJ Tynan, Mike Johnson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Anders Lee</b><br />
<b>#9 Fr. LW 6-3, 218</b><br />
Led the Irish with 24 goals this year. Big, Strong, Athletic. Think Dylan Olsen, if he played wing. Lee played quarterback for Edina and was the 2008 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, so yeah, he's quite an athlete.<br />
<br />
<b>TJ Tynan</b><br />
<b>#18 Fr. C 5-8, 156</b><br />
Led the Irish with 53 points this year. Small, Quick, Ginger. Think Jack Connolly. Named College Hockey News and CCHA Freshman of the Year. Not a great fighter.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9P4E1np_-FI" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>Mike Johnson</b><br />
<b>#32 So. G 5-10, 194</b><br />
Carried Notre Dame for stretches in the Northeast Regional. Named Regional MVP, stopping 69 of 73 shots. He's young, but he's good.<br />
<br />
<b>Prognosis</b><br />
The Irish are young - 12 freshman and five seniors on their roster, whereas UMD has six seniors/seven freshman - but the upperclassmen have experience. Notre Dame has made the NCAA Tournament three of the last four years. From what I saw against New Hampshire, they are pretty skilled and would rank right up with the upper echelon of the WCHA. That being said, it's always dicey when a team relies on freshman to score in high-pressure games.<br />
<br />
The Bulldogs have the top line in the nation, a hot goalie, just knocked off the #1 overall seed (yes Yale was way overrated, but still) and the Xcel will be full of UMD fans. This will be our toughest playoff test so far, but I feel pretty good about the game overall. I would love to see an all-WCHA final and get another crack at the Sioux, and I think we will. Bulldogs over Notre Dame and Sioux over Michigan. Let's do it boys.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-65874925177830484512011-04-03T21:32:00.000-07:002011-04-03T21:32:13.875-07:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 22THE BULLDOGS ARE GOING TO THE FROZEN FOUR!! We bring East Regional MVP Kenny Reiter into the studio to discuss the victories over Union College and Yale, and also the blonde thing. Later Kriz and I preview Thursday's game against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.<br />
<br />
Runtime: 27:54<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://umdhockey1.podbean.com/mf/play/e62awz/Ep22KennyReiter.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://umdhockey1.podbean.com/mf/play/e62awz/Ep22KennyReiter.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-88938047059813652822011-03-27T16:46:00.000-07:002011-03-27T17:27:42.257-07:00Frozen Four Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJyyZf0PS7CQ6xehT67_Lbn9ETVq0ZCDlUR-a7jq8YwSITkHRBYek1NEWE8H2oeuJx2qrod3DgY-S4NjicjB_UtLZJCHoD0xLObK1fWwhR_lnzbOk7RXLYXSZmU3_uecFDM4GDQueI0YS/s1600/frozenfourcelebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJyyZf0PS7CQ6xehT67_Lbn9ETVq0ZCDlUR-a7jq8YwSITkHRBYek1NEWE8H2oeuJx2qrod3DgY-S4NjicjB_UtLZJCHoD0xLObK1fWwhR_lnzbOk7RXLYXSZmU3_uecFDM4GDQueI0YS/s400/frozenfourcelebration.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We're going to the Frozen Four! Midway through the second period Yale's star forward Brian O'Neill scored to bring the pride of the ECAC to within two goals of UMD. Eight seconds later he was sent off for contact to the head on a vicious hit on Jake Hendrickson, and it was all over after that. We got two goals in the next 72 seconds to go up 5-1 and the rest is history. FROZEN FOUR BOUND! Whoohooo!<br />
<br />
The top line combined for nine points and three pretty goals and Kenny Reiter is playing out of his mind right now. This is good. This is very good. We play the winner of New Hampshire-Notre Dame, who square off at 7 tonight. I'll have more on whoever wins tomorrow, but for now let's celebrate.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="354" id="ep" width="418"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/cvp/ncaa_400x225_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=2011/52143/video" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><embed src="http://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/cvp/ncaa_400x225_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=2011/52143/video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="418" height="354"></embed></object></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-5172727199929318072011-03-26T10:35:00.000-07:002011-03-26T10:35:54.326-07:00Union Was Who We Thought They Were & Other Notes From Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Rapid fire notes from yesterday's 2-0 win over Union:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Union goalie Keith Kinkaid was as good as advertised but it was Kenny Reiter who walked away with the shutout. Kenny was great, keeping UMD in the game early on through some shaky penalty kills.</li>
<li>Overall though, the PK was great for UMD. Did you know Union College had the best power play in the nation? Well, they went 0-9 yesterday.</li>
<li>17 penalties were called total. <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/runwiththedogs/status/51419581876666368">According to RWD</a>, 49% of the game was played 5x5. In the ref's defense, there was a lot of cheap stuff going on, but you gotta let em play in the playoffs.</li>
<li>Union was who I thought they were. Obviously a talented team, but a team that looked nervous and inexperienced. A team coming off two straight losses to lowly Colgate and not accustomed to facing the depth and talent found throughout the WCHA.</li>
<li>So how good is Yale? I don't think they impressed anyone last night, eeking out an OT win over #16 seed Air Force. Their best win all year was a 5-1 victory over Colorado College (sans Jaden Schwartz) back in November. They've been overrated by Pairwise all year, and I feel we will be playing in St. Paul next weekend at the Frozen Four.</li>
<li>I've been hearing a lot of chatter about how much Jack Connolly looks like country singer Zac Brown. I finally googled Zac Brown yesterday and the resemblance is pretty uncanny:</li>
</ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-5JsWSM-0M02ar_silDoQ_yY4A9k9cResDR3vQU2jELJ3gWHI9lnXi2CH5Nj9eoDJUJNSloF5W24Z8lWHJlll0ycG2bU7kyKutLvXFBptpHhqX4vcAwN2ToXcB9Pl-BBcqSOCdxc2o7h/s1600/zacjack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-5JsWSM-0M02ar_silDoQ_yY4A9k9cResDR3vQU2jELJ3gWHI9lnXi2CH5Nj9eoDJUJNSloF5W24Z8lWHJlll0ycG2bU7kyKutLvXFBptpHhqX4vcAwN2ToXcB9Pl-BBcqSOCdxc2o7h/s320/zacjack.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="460" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Colorado College looked impressive in the Final Five last weekend and continued that yesterday, beating defending champ Boston College 8-4. Must be that #tigerblood. Or the Schwartz brothers are really, really good.</li>
<li>UNO was ousted by Michigan on a controversial call in OT. Here's what happened: Michigan put a puck underneath UNO goalie John Faulkner's pads and it was originally ruled no-goal on the ice. After a ten minute review, the refs reversed the call, calling it a goal and ending the game. Although there is no clear, definitive evidence, it was pretty clear that the puck crossed the line. </li>
<li>The ref ruled on common sense instead of definitive proof, a big no-no for officials in any sport. BUT, it was probably a goal, and Michigan moves on. Bemidji beat writer Eric Stromgren tweeted the best visual evidence, you be the judge - <a href="http://plixi.com/p/86934360">http://plixi.com/p/86934360</a></li>
</ul>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-46083800539582997432011-03-24T18:33:00.000-07:002011-03-27T18:38:37.438-07:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 21This week we break down the Final Five, including UMD's disappointing overtime loss to Bemidji on St. Patty's Day. Then we look ahead to NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs were seeded ninth overall and lucked into a weak bracket, so we have a very real chance at a Frozen Four berth. Later we talk about the positives and negatives to take from the formation of the Big Ten hockey conference, which was officially announced on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Runtime: 27:06<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://umdhockey.podbean.com/mf/play/njqkxw/Ep21FinalFive.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://umdhockey.podbean.com/mf/play/njqkxw/Ep21FinalFive.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-81732397368719785532011-03-22T00:04:00.000-07:002011-03-22T00:19:13.502-07:00Why UMD Will Beat Union College<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6sq0On1w1f-AYLWrtYumUHjHYEIZKZmlr_wEsr4qsQnco78wIa9kn9TAMbBz8NGrDgjGzdPqgYrzG95BsK_BnxwRFpC6UWks4nFU-V7Bpm_Rp1VNu7bWrL6fLUpzWLFNXxtlO9IkD6Bg/s1600/kinkaid-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6sq0On1w1f-AYLWrtYumUHjHYEIZKZmlr_wEsr4qsQnco78wIa9kn9TAMbBz8NGrDgjGzdPqgYrzG95BsK_BnxwRFpC6UWks4nFU-V7Bpm_Rp1VNu7bWrL6fLUpzWLFNXxtlO9IkD6Bg/s320/kinkaid-2.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobey Baker finalist Keith Kinkaid will have to be good<br />
Friday afternoon to slow down UMD's offensive attack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Union College is a really old, (est. 1795 according to their jerseys) small, (2,133 enrollment) liberal arts college located in upstate New York. Schenectady, (ska-neck-ta-dee) New York, to be exact, 150 miles north of Friday's game in Bridgeport, Connecticut. But enough with the parentheses and on with the bullet points. Here's why the Bulldogs will beat the Dutchmen on Friday:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Union College plays in the ECAC, one of the weaker conferences in college hockey. The Dutchman only played 3 teams who made the NCAA tournament this year and went 2-4 against those opponents: #1 seed Yale (1-1), #10 Western Michigan (0-2), and #15 Rensselaer (1-1).</li>
<li>Union finished on fire, closing out the regular season 14-1-1. They started the ECAC conference tournament as the #1 seed and proceeded to lose in the first round to last-place Colgate, who managed only four conference wins all season.</li>
<li>The Dutchmen only made the jump to Division I hockey prior to the 1991-92 season and this is their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. After losing to Colgate this year, Union is 5-8 in the ECAC playoffs the last four years.</li>
</ul>So they're inexperienced, coming off an embarrassing playoff loss, and haven't faced much stiff competition. Honestly I don't have a lot of respect for the ECAC. I think the fact that Yale was ranked #1 all year was a joke. Plus UMD has a 6-0-1 all-time record against Union.<br />
<br />
It won't be a cakewalk though. Union is the best defensive team in the country, allowing only 1.95 goals per game. They have the ECAC Defensive Defenseman, Defensive Forward, Goalie, and Coach of the Year. Their goalie, Keith Kinkaid, put up a 1.98 GAA and a .920 save percentage on his way to a Hobey Baker nomination. <a href="http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0809/boxes/mmndprn1.m27">Zane Kalemba flashbacks,</a> anyone?<br />
<br />
My <a href="http://maroonloon.blogspot.com/2011/03/after-up-and-down-season-it-is-what-it.html">earlier misgivings about the Bulldogs' playoff chances</a> have not evaporated, but UMD was put in <a href="http://www.uscho.com/wp-content/pdf/general/2011bracket.pdf">the weakest bracket</a> and could potentially do some damage against opponents from weaker conferences. In the end, the sudden-death format of the tournament makes the whole thing a crapshoot. A few bad bounces, bad calls, or a hot goalie and it's all over. Hopefully Lady Luck is on our side.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-55758544574832799022011-03-15T21:15:00.000-07:002011-03-15T21:15:09.239-07:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 20This week I'm flying solo, with Kriz enjoying his Spring Break. After a quick rundown of UMD's sweep over St. Cloud in the opening round of the WCHA playoffs, I bring on Rick Weegman of the Duluth News Tribune to talk about the Hermantown and Duluth East boys' run to the state hockey championship games.<br />
<br />
Runtime 26:51<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon7loon.podbean.com/mf/play/gxary/Ep20WeegmanSolo.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon7loon.podbean.com/mf/play/gxary/Ep20WeegmanSolo.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-39684970108399500952011-03-14T17:11:00.000-07:002011-03-14T17:51:24.594-07:00Pictures From the "Suicide Box"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYXYAzZ0LGPNXe863MUWZ_Bw2NawKO__oKslpQAznJBFGnk2yNx75-gtXJIjW6_aZrYx_bbkQUCr56KBVOB2czrehyHDtAZq6occs-xVD7zNqpYG4qQ2nusUpLJm6oANQ27e4UrpRaose/s1600/176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYXYAzZ0LGPNXe863MUWZ_Bw2NawKO__oKslpQAznJBFGnk2yNx75-gtXJIjW6_aZrYx_bbkQUCr56KBVOB2czrehyHDtAZq6occs-xVD7zNqpYG4qQ2nusUpLJm6oANQ27e4UrpRaose/s400/176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">About a month ago, I saw a photo essay in the Duluth News Tribune by Bob King. This particular photo caught a number of students' reactions to a scoring chance for UMD. King took it from a new addition to Amsoil Arena called the suicide box. The poorly-named 'suicide box' sits right at center ice, in between the home and away benches, and is for photographers and TV cameras. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After reading King's little blurb I immediately thought about how cool would it be to sit right on the red line, ice-level, and try to snap some photos. After some pressbox inquiries and a visit to the Multimedia Hub, I was all set. During the second and third period of Saturday's game I put my amateur photography skills to the test in the suicide box.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbpjohnson81%2Falbumid%2F5584076634659782881%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="300" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<br />
<br />
Virtually every time someone talks about an encounter with a group of professional (or college) athletes, they say the same thing: You would not believe how big these guys were! It's the de facto cliché to describe an encounter with athletes because it's true. They <i>were</i> big, especially on skates. But more than that, they were fast. I watched Brady Lamb hustle through the neutral zone five feet away from me, and the thing that really struck me was the power behind his first few strides. The crunching noise of his blades digging into the ice as he accelerated past me had an almost bassy sound.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzrrM6lwu9GwzvLGPAO2VGcPysrvnLQm-GrKdk5W8Ji2bpOqxYBVbXBdvGdLkEpQFs-m6P_ZpDiVvP_01b42B15lJPyxlZ8Lc5HxllznlGNW7uf6gdcGIMXgN8jLRsT-opGj7YKdxPoJy/s1600/208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzrrM6lwu9GwzvLGPAO2VGcPysrvnLQm-GrKdk5W8Ji2bpOqxYBVbXBdvGdLkEpQFs-m6P_ZpDiVvP_01b42B15lJPyxlZ8Lc5HxllznlGNW7uf6gdcGIMXgN8jLRsT-opGj7YKdxPoJy/s400/208.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Being in between the two benches made me hyper aware of every line change. There was a big whoosh of air – similar to the one you feel when a semi passes you on a two-lane highway – every time a line came flying in for a change.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My favorite thing about the suicide box was hearing all of the player's banter. A lot of it was run-of-the-mill chatter, similar to what you'd find at one of our intramural softball games: “Good shift here boys, let's get after it now,” “Atta boy Kenny, great save kid!” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Occasionally I'd catch snippets of trash talk, like when Dan DeLisle called Marvin a pussy-ass, which made me like DeLisle a little more. Marvin let out a huge Woooooo! followed by “It's not over yet boys!” as he skated by the benches after his line tied it 2-2. Aaron Marvin is a douchebag.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The banter with the refs was really interesting. On one occasion there was a questionable no-call for icing on a Husky clearing attempt. Faulk went right up to the ref and said “How the fuck is that not icing!” and the ref replied “Ah C'mon now, that hit his blade.” Players and coaches bitch incessantly at the refs and the refs take it all with aplomb and give it right back. WCHA officiating is constantly being criticized, and often for good reason, but as a fan I forget that these guys love hockey just as much as everyone else.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbpjohnson81%2Falbumid%2F5584081362703332033%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="300" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I needed a bigger lens. Although I checked out a legit, expensive-looking camera, my lens was way too short. Any time action went down past the circles my zoom wasn't enough. Later I compared my camera to those of the professional photographers in the press box and realized their lenses were double or triple the size of mine. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sports photography is hard. In photography there's a lot of things to keep in mind – framing, background, context, lighting, etc – when the subject is still. But with ten players and three refs zooming around on ice, it takes great anticipation and a little luck to capture a good shot. You have to think a step ahead, and always have the camera ready, because in sports you never know what will happen next.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Some photos from places other than the suicide box:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbpjohnson81%2Falbumid%2F5584088354731704273%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="300" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<br />
This is what a <a href="http://www.viewthroughmylens.net/Galleries/UMDMensHockey/PlayoffsVsStCloud.html">professional photographer got from the suicide box</a> later that night. Yeah, so I might have a ways to go in my photography career.</div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-26376556352262624682011-03-12T12:52:00.000-08:002011-03-12T12:52:45.462-08:00More Classic Footage Compliments of the Maroon LoonJay Jackson put together another nice video with a ton of great UMD highlights and Loon footage.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E9kVYihIizI" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-54535509415720578212011-03-12T12:22:00.000-08:002011-03-12T12:22:39.925-08:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 19We bring in UMD Sports Information Director Bob Nygaard to talk UMD football and hockey. Later we debate All-WCHA selections and preview the playoffs, with the St. Cloud Huskies coming to the Amsoil for the first round.<div><br />
</div><div>Runtime: 32:10</div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon5loon.podbean.com/mf/play/9sms9v/Ep19Nygaard.mp3&autoStart=no" /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon5loon.podbean.com/mf/play/9sms9v/Ep19Nygaard.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-44147966840677870912011-03-07T23:40:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:46:04.738-08:00After an Up and Down Season, It Is What It Is at This Point for the Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8AvFnHW7lQNUkhfPJEgIMvIr-4BdRkNNAoqG6scR5rzhiUi1ayCt2dezEGEHJMvw4fv4knyjlXhoeZAv3cYq9-NW-8qPxTWQC8z5yGpdPHAwUDHWSA6C540k0F_RKkSN06fM3uwnXWAO/s1600/umd_k_reiter-0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8AvFnHW7lQNUkhfPJEgIMvIr-4BdRkNNAoqG6scR5rzhiUi1ayCt2dezEGEHJMvw4fv4knyjlXhoeZAv3cYq9-NW-8qPxTWQC8z5yGpdPHAwUDHWSA6C540k0F_RKkSN06fM3uwnXWAO/s320/umd_k_reiter-0319.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>An explosive, top-heavy offense will have to carry UMD for an extended playoff run</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">UMD started the season on fire, losing only once in their first 14 games, including a ridiculous 5-0-2 record in overtime. Everyone knew the Bulldogs' top line was arguably the most talented in the nation, but with the emergence of freshman JT Brown and improvement of Travis Oleksuk's play, suddenly the second line was legitimately dangerous. Dylan Olsen and Justin Faulk anchored a powerful top defensive pairing, and even Aaron Crandall, the former walk-on goalie with a 12-40-5 career USHL record, led the nation in save percentage for a few weeks in November. Things were all good as the Bulldogs went 7-1 in the last eight games at the DECC.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In retrospect, a second half drop-off should have been expected. Starting with the 5-0 shellacking at the hands of the Sioux at the Amsoil Arena opening December 30<sup>th</sup>, UMD's flaws have become increasingly apparent. Dylan Olsen flunked out and bolted for juniors in mid-December, helping expose the Bulldogs' inconsistent defense corps. The goaltending, the second line, and UMD's luck all came back to earth.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Bulldogs finished the regular season on a 2-4-2 slide, settling for fourth place in the WCHA after being ranked top-5 nationally for the majority of the year. Now they face a red-hot St. Cloud squad in the first round of the WCHA playoffs this weekend. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Huskies were picked to finish second in the preseason WCHA coaches poll, but had a terribly disappointing first half of the season, both on and off the ice. Garrett Roe, coming off of a 49-point campaign a year ago, was an early favorite for WCHA player of the year. In the first 18 games he was terrible, managing only 11 points as the Huskies fell to a 5-11-2 record. After a <a href="http://blogs.naplesnews.com/everblades/2011/01/most-recent-everblades-signee-tony-mosey-was-arrested-kicked-off-st-cloud-state-college-team.html">spring-break boozefest</a>, two seniors, including assistant team captain Chris Hepp were booted off the team. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DOo5NjH2nsKGUFn8m0x0v15CQS5FbXHtWIIE4qj3FaJCrirSfK7xc_tzmLulnviiO8hBZBOw4o5TQNxWY1oPMsLvj4GPLbmYm9lSzXroAI8EY0CMJ8B-VHZGPUAnbKfPhOISJI8I8nrn/s1600/scsu223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DOo5NjH2nsKGUFn8m0x0v15CQS5FbXHtWIIE4qj3FaJCrirSfK7xc_tzmLulnviiO8hBZBOw4o5TQNxWY1oPMsLvj4GPLbmYm9lSzXroAI8EY0CMJ8B-VHZGPUAnbKfPhOISJI8I8nrn/s200/scsu223.jpg" width="163" /></a>Many wrote off the year as a disappointment, but instead St. Cloud rallied, going 10-5-3 in the second half. Roe notched 24 points in the season's final 18 games and currently the Huskies sit 20<sup>th</sup> in the Pairwise Rankings, a solid Final Five run away from an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament. Obviously this is not a team anyone wants to face in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">St. Cloud routed UMD 8-2 exactly one month from Friday's series opener. Hopefully revenge will be a powerful motivator this weekend, but even with a win over St. Cloud this weekend, persistent doubts still linger over the Bulldogs' long-term prospects of success in the postseason.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">First, UMD is maddeningly inconsistent, with a terrible tendency to allow goals in bunches. Just look at UMD's last 4 losses: </div><ul><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">8-2, St. Cloud – Gave up two goals in 2:26 to blow a lead, and two more in 2:10 to let it get out of hand.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">3-1, Mankato – Gave up two goals in 2:50 to blow a lead.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">5-4, Colorado College – Gave up two goals in 18 seconds at the beginning of the third period to go down 5-3.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">5-2, UNO – Two goals in 22 seconds left UMD in a 2-0 deficit.</div></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Also, as a unit, the defense ranges from porous to average at best. They're not very physical and allow too much traffic in front. Getting Brady Lamb back from injury helped, but the blue line is more likely to lose a game for the Dogs rather than win one.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's not all negative with the Bulldogs right now. Anyone on the top line is liable to explode for a monster scoring effort on any given night. It's nearly impossible to contain both Connollys and Justin Fontaine for 60 minutes – the only time the trio has been held without a point all year was the season's sole shutout loss, against North Dakota on December 30<sup>th</sup>. The second line seems to be clicking again after a mid-season drop-off in production, and although Kenny Reiter probably isn't capable of carrying this team, but he will play good enough to keep the Bulldogs in games. He made a handful of great saves in Saturday's loss to UNO.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Final Five and Frozen Four are sudden death. One bad game and it's over. Unfortunately, it will be easier for a good team to contain UMD's top line for a game than it will be for the Bulldogs to mask their inconsistency and poor defense long enough to go deep into the playoffs.</div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-67962289526170893142011-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:002011-03-06T16:28:34.928-08:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 18We preview the regular season finale against the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks and go in depth on the causes behind UMD's late-season funk.<br />
<br />
Runtime: 29:52<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon5loon.podbean.com/mf/play/kv5ch/Episode18UNOPreview.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon5loon.podbean.com/mf/play/kv5ch/Episode18UNOPreview.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-31306215070048201242011-02-25T17:11:00.000-08:002011-02-25T17:23:10.037-08:00Roadtrip: Mankato<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRdn6-zR6rIEzc112jQX7z34tG0y-F0f-8zF5v6e-U4OlGWfZFGzq487UAf26V-VK53lFOlzKFAN8IA72BUbdRKqc_TLCHdrtIJr_hAD29oZe8xUq5uGiuZPqsE6WhbHEkXx1sCd5TrGk/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRdn6-zR6rIEzc112jQX7z34tG0y-F0f-8zF5v6e-U4OlGWfZFGzq487UAf26V-VK53lFOlzKFAN8IA72BUbdRKqc_TLCHdrtIJr_hAD29oZe8xUq5uGiuZPqsE6WhbHEkXx1sCd5TrGk/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With the sour taste of Friday's 3-1 loss in Mankato still lingering, Kriz and I hopped in my trusty Camry and embarked on another roadtrip to visit my brother Grady. We stopped in the Cities to pick up our buddy Mossberg, and after some shaky driving by yours truly, we finally arrived at Grady's dorm around five.<br />
<br />
After a few pregame beers we went down to the Verizon Center. Saturday's game was a sellout, but we were lucky enough to nab some standing room only tickets and squeezed into the student section. Mankato's student section was WEAK. No creativity, no passion, and everyone had thunder sticks. Gross. It reminded me of going to high school football games with my buddies when I was in middle school. Sure we were there, but strictly to socialize. And by the middle of the third period everyone was long gone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_V5tZfiVT7859j5UwB56wHnfB26sMQ5GZqWXffaFDCI8cSZfrterNlz8ZldW1cymhpT2QoKFK0lcDDcVBQ8T59mlBWpRZtPjV9cj7tXZRDuXKWImFMAPYeKj98Gw1FnJFtoy9NrEnbeE/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_V5tZfiVT7859j5UwB56wHnfB26sMQ5GZqWXffaFDCI8cSZfrterNlz8ZldW1cymhpT2QoKFK0lcDDcVBQ8T59mlBWpRZtPjV9cj7tXZRDuXKWImFMAPYeKj98Gw1FnJFtoy9NrEnbeE/s320/IMG_0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A few more notes about the Verizon Center:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Jack Links is a big sponsor of Mankato hockey. They threw sample packets of something called 'Ham Nuggets' into the crowd during the second intermission and had a Sasquatch mascot running around. Free beef jerky, (or ham nuggets, which were actually not terrible) is always great.</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN48_oYzTqS1QDmxZILKelemESZUIach7c0yMxJ25aFlFrowKfOvkNSHOlhWQtn8b_YN6GUE2YvoYP_KBLor_YppiUz6CrAKVWbpbW3SQrBaOt8e3NuIKwuzCznHWmOi8B2i3Yt-N51LUV/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN48_oYzTqS1QDmxZILKelemESZUIach7c0yMxJ25aFlFrowKfOvkNSHOlhWQtn8b_YN6GUE2YvoYP_KBLor_YppiUz6CrAKVWbpbW3SQrBaOt8e3NuIKwuzCznHWmOi8B2i3Yt-N51LUV/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every lady's dream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<ul><li>The UMD student section is far from sober, but a strategically placed bar directly above the Mankato student section made definitely upped its collective BAC.</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l63uPAonRBxYRu0L-4DdQe7Uh36_1up4jhFsZkNuNVWycBIBl_FO89NPZxFD8LrVDJ4Pb8LTJlGfZiZD2AgeFewxoxZXLKfBQdg0rVXFrixotrd1slYlQRg1IEg623xXXsdSJzzdzFUq/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l63uPAonRBxYRu0L-4DdQe7Uh36_1up4jhFsZkNuNVWycBIBl_FO89NPZxFD8LrVDJ4Pb8LTJlGfZiZD2AgeFewxoxZXLKfBQdg0rVXFrixotrd1slYlQRg1IEg623xXXsdSJzzdzFUq/s320/IMG_0510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two guys, Four beers, One thunderstick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><ul><li>The replay screen was absolutely pitiful. Not to sound like a snob now that Amsoil has opened in all of its world-class glory, but the screen was 100 feet up on the far end of the rink, and it was about 10 feet across. Also the blue/green tint was seriously off. I'd rather have the old-school, cheesy screen we had the DECC over Mankato's piece of garbage. Look at the picture at the top of this post. Try and find the replay screen.</li>
</ul><div>We went to bed around 3 am with no signs of storms or snow. We awoke around noon to 8 inches and counting of blowing snow. It made for an awesome drive back. For some reason Kriz was super concerned about my ability to take video and drive at the same time.<br />
<br />
</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kzd2YJWkl44" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe></div><div><br />
As for the actual game, it was awesome. JT got two, Fontaine got two, and we dug ourselves out of an early deficit to salvage a split. Good times. Overall though, I'm worried about the Bulldogs long-term. They're too reliant on cutesy stickhandling and backdoor passes on offense. They need to get more traffic in front and let Faulk rip shots from the point. They also need to get tougher in front of the net on both ends, which is something I talked about back in December.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Also, the goaltending situation is less than ideal. Reiter is still really shaky at times, and gave up a pretty bad goal on Friday. Still, he has been better than Crandall, who left two wide open nets which the Mavericks inexplicably missed on Saturday. It was about this time last year Sandelin handed the reigns over to Reiter and he responded well, and I'd like to see that happen again.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now we go on the road to face a Colorado College squad that is fighting for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. They just got back dynamic freshman Jaden Schwartz, so it's going to be tough. Luckily history is on UMD's side. In the last two years the Bulldogs are 8-2-1 against the Tigers. This is the time of year we need to be peaking, and it feels like the Bulldogs are sliding. They can change that this weekend.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-52180221580056806482011-02-24T16:16:00.000-08:002011-03-06T16:19:01.189-08:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 17We recap our roadtrip down to Mankato and look ahead to Colorado College next weekend.<br />
<br />
Runtime 28:58<br />
<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon5loon.podbean.com/mf/play/xg9sn/Episode17MankatoRoadtrip.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon5loon.podbean.com/mf/play/xg9sn/Episode17MankatoRoadtrip.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5154350195105065823.post-70532799718948697642011-02-17T12:00:00.000-08:002011-02-28T21:59:35.273-08:00The Maroon Loon Show - Episode 16We bring in special in-studio guest Jack Connolly to discuss St. Cloud last weekend, the upcoming trip to Mankato, the season so far, hockey in Duluth, and much, much more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" width="210"></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon4loon.podbean.com/mf/play/6m7icp/Ep16JackConnolly.mp3&autoStart=no" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://maroon4loon.podbean.com/mf/play/6m7icp/Ep16JackConnolly.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></p><p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></object><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09472645447638900679noreply@blogger.com0