>Lithium
>UMD 3, Ref Complainers 8
What kind of a fanbase whines about officiating when their team wins by 5 goals? UND Blogger Goon should be ashamed of himself. Evidently, Sioux fans are only satisfied when zero penalties are called on the Sioux and their opponent is down 2 men for the entire game. Plus, since the UND PP was pretty much crap last night, I would think they wouldn’t want to showcase that too much. Not that they’d ever give our PK any credit.
Yeah, I know, I sound like a sore loser right now. It’s not that. I just hate playing this series. I resent the implication by many of the UND fans that we don’t even deserve to play their team, that we should just roll over and die because our team is worthless and the only team worth their time is UMTC, with whom they are obsessed. I really wish that tDogs could have shown that we were better than that, and for moments during the game, they did. I felt like I developed acute bipolar disorder during the course of the game.
There are five parts to this game. I will divide and conquer.
The first 6 or so minutes of the game were fine. It didn’t seem like much was going on. Blah blah blah.
Then UND scored 3 goals in 1:23, including a goal that didn’t take any skill on their part, just garbage play on our part, 45 seconds after our timeout. I was crabby beyond belief at this point. My cat was cowering in fear.
With 3 seconds left in the period, Nick Kemp scored ON THE POWER PLAY. FINALLY, A POWER PLAY GOAL! RAISE A BANNER! (Wait, this isn’t St. Cloud.) To start the 2nd period, we scored 2 more goals in the first 5 minutes, including Kyle Schmidt’s first Bulldog goal (!!!) and Mike Montgomery’s first assist (!!!), and it was tied. I was on top of the world. My ‘Dogs had shown they could come back with a vengeance.
Then it was 4-3, and then 5-3, and I was still pretty much okay, thinking you know, at least we fought a good fight, and that stupid crap goal was no longer the GWG.
When it became 6-3, I was back to pissed off again. And then the rest of the game happened, and then I lay siege on Tokyo.
Photo: Associated Press.
I’m hoping we can come back tonight and play well defensively as well as offensively. We’re a Saturday night team, and I know we can recover! Let’s split it, ‘Dogs!!
THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 4
Points Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 11
My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 7
Michael Gergen: 6!
Matt McKnight: 5
Mike Curry: 1
Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 3!
Cody Danberg: 1
Rob Bordson: 1
Kyle Schmidt: 1!!!!!!!!
Mike Montgomery: 1!!!!!!!!
Chad Huttel: 0
Evan Oberg: 0 (INJ)
On Notice:
Points
Evan Oberg
Jay Cascalenda
Andrew Carroll
Matt Greer
Cody Danberg
Jordan Fulton
Goals only
Drew Akins
Jason Garrison
Travis Gawryletz
Alex Stalock
Trent Palm
MacGregor Sharp
Justin Fontaine
>The Ultimate Fan
>From today’s Duluth News Tribune, an article about Dick Stewart, founder of Stewart’s Bikes and Sports, and one of tUMD’s most dedicated fans.
CLICK ON THIS LINK. I know people ignore links all the time, but read this story. It’s so heartwarming.
I want the ‘Dogs to win this weekend, for this guy, and for all the dedicated fans who support them whether they sweep or get swept.
Eat some turkey, folks.
>Put ‘Em On The Glass
>tUMD 4, tMTU 1
It’s not really what it looks like. We really won 2-1, with 2 ENGs, which is fine, because a win’s a win no matter how you get it. Our win is JUST as valuable as Denver’s 7-0 whomping of MSUM (vengeance for the 8-7 embarrassment of a few years ago?), if not more valuable, as a win over Tech is more helpful in the PWR. And man, am I glad that we can consider PWR again!
Last night, we went for a little change of pace and sat on the glass next to the penalty box. It’s not exactly the greatest place to sit, as your view is limited in a few place, but it’s also a great feeling to be down on ice level for the glass-rattling hits. Or to see Jason Garrison almost fall into the visitor’s penalty box because the door flew open. I wouldn’t recommend sitting down there often, as I had a distorted view of every goal except the empty netters, but it’s so cool when the action’s in your end. I could see the intensity of Matt McKnight’s face on the face-off, and I could see Gawryletz’s weird mulletesque hair in all its glory.
The major problem with our seats was not the view, but the company. I know people have complaints about a lot of annoying things, like people blocking your view or asking dumb questions (“Who is Huffer Christiansen?” Jeez, what are we teaching in those schools?), so my complaint is minor, but this dude behind me was ripping on Mike Curry. Not cool. I was really hoping for Big Mike to get a goal or an assist or something so I could substantiate my claims of Curry Supremacy, but except for one bone-jarring hit on one of his first shifts, and a penalty for high-sticking (My response: “It’s not fair! He’s just tall!”), he didn’t do much to distinguish himself.
My big complaint this game is with… can you guess? THE POWER PLAY. Oh my god. It’s not good, and we had better get it straightened out before we go to Grand Forks. My first suggestion is: Matt McKnight needs to GET OFF THE POINT. Put someone on there who can hold the zone. Of course, Matt McKnight is one of My Guys, so this isn’t a direct criticism of him, but merely a suggestion on where to play him to his potential. Now, we did have some great chances on the PP, but we got a 5 on 3 for 1:15 and zippo. Tech scored 2 power plays, and their own FANS admitted their PP sucks. We did get a VERY nice delayed penalty goal which I never thought would happen.
One of the zambonis died on the rink between the first and second periods, and crapped snow all over the ice. It was funny.
After the game was fun. I ate some pizza, stalked some dads (hi, Mr. Fulton!), and licked MEg. A good time was had by all.
The drive home today was very annoying. Once we got closer to the Cities, we ran into a bunch of people hauling ATVs/dead deer/snowmobiles/small churches. I would compare our situation to trying to leg out a Texas League double with Frank Thomas, Jason Phillips, and Prince Fielder on the basepaths ahead of me. Yargh. We had a very nice stay at a place called the Firelight Inn, which is not too far away from the RWD Ancestral Home (located at 21st and E. Superior). Nothing says romance like Bulldog hockey and a bed and breakfast! I would certainly recommend the place for anyone visiting Duluth. It’s not dirt cheap or anything, but it’s beautiful, quiet, and the breakfast is grubbin’. The folks who run it are extremely nice, and you get every amenity you’ll get at a hotel and then some.
I’m glad to be home, and I’m glad my first Bulldog series of the season resulted in three points! This coming weekend, we’ll probably see new levels of whining from the UND fans. I can’t wait to see what kind of heinous behavior they will defend this week.
Speaking of heinous behavior, here’s the Mattias Ohlund slash on Mikko Koivu from Friday night’s Wild game. A four game suspension is a slap on the wrist compared to what Ohlund deserves. (If Kyle Radke had done this to, say, Michael Gergen, it would be considered “gritty play,” or “Gergen deserved it,” or “The Bulldogs should wear tutus and dance like hippos if they don’t want to get slashed in the back of the leg, this is HOCKEY!”) Koivu is one of My Guys in pro hockey (along with Mark Parrish), and you just don’t mess with one of my guys. Although no one deserves to be slashed like that.
THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 4!
Points Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 11!
My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 7!
Matt McKnight: 5!
Michael Gergen: 5!
Mike Curry: 1 (But his mere presence in the game cemented our win!)
Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 3
Cody Danberg: 1
Rob Bordson: 1
Everyone else: 0
On Notice:
Points
Evan Oberg
Kyle Schmidt
Jay Cascalenda
Andrew Carroll
Matt Greer
Cody Danberg
Goals only
Drew Akins
Nick Kemp (but getting plenty of chances! Especially shorthanded!)
Jason Garrison
Travis Gawryletz
Alex Stalock
Trent Palm
MacGregor Sharp
>Key To The Game
>Okay, I rarely outline specific tactics for tDogs, but tonight, I would like to see ONE THING changed.
Short passes.
Because seriously, no more icings!
>Give Up The Funk
>Well, at least it wasn’t a 0-0 tie. Jeez. That was a rough game to sit through, and normally I am very pumped about hockey. BUT, I can’t get pumped about hockey when there are so many icings, there IS no hockey! It was a total joke. If I were a student section leader, I’d be chanting “No More Icings!” I’d also be chanting “Painkillers, Painkillers!” at Teslak.
The power play. Oh man. It’s not good. We had better scoring chances shorthanded. And weird people are being put out on the power play. Do we even have power play units, or do we just jumble up the lines and still play just about everyone on the team? I won’t name names here, because I do love my Bulldogs, but seriously, there are people out there on the power play who SHOULD NOT BE ON THE POWER PLAY. I would not have been surprised to see Nate Ziegelmann on the point. Jeez.
Observation of the night
“What did Sandelin say to the WCHA to make us deserve not one Shepherd, but two? Is Greg in the pressbox watching?” -DHG
Quotation of the night
“Minor penalty charged to Michigan Tech’s #4, Mark Malekoff, 2 minutes for cross-dressing.” -Howie
I’m hoping that tonight tDogs will get a fatty-boom-batty W, with Mike Curry and Rob Bordson in the lineup, each pledging to score a goal for me! At the Bulldog Club lunch yesterday, I was going to ask Coach Sandelin about Curry, but I lost the nerve during the Q&A portion (of which there were no Qs, and thus no As, about anything), and then when he was done talking, he was busy talking to the mayor or something. I did eat 2 helpings of the buffet, which was awesome. It was sort of weird being there, as everyone else there was a businessman or a senior citizen.
THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 5
Points Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 13!
My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 6!
Matt McKnight: 4 (A couple of good chances, though)
Michael Gergen: 4!
Mike Curry: 1 (Would be adding a hat trick if he’d been playing!)
Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 3
Cody Danberg: 1
Rob Bordson: 1
Everyone else: 0
On Notice:
Points
Travis Gawryletz
Alex Stalock
Evan Oberg
Trent Palm
Kyle Schmidt
Jay Cascalenda
Andrew Carroll
Goals only
Drew Akins
Cody Danberg
Nick Kemp
Jason Garrison
>X-Post
>I wrote for tTech Hockey Blog, where I was not allowed to use lowercase ts.
It’s brilliant.
>Be My Guest
>As I was very busy with the RWD staff on Saturday night, I asked a few Bulldog fans to help me out with the game recapping.
tUMD radio play-by-play announcer Bruce Ciskie was the first resource I tapped for information.
3-0 CC final. I will discuss it no more.
Thanks, Bruce. You’re so informative.
tPenalty Box legend Beersong was MUCH more helpful.
The Bulldogs gave a great effort tonight, but fell to the CC Tigers 3-0. The first period saw the Tigers take a 1-0 lead and tDogs just couldn’t get one by their brick wall Bachman. The second period was a snoozer and allowed time for me to check out two of my favorite football teams, the North Dakota State Bison and the Kansas Jayhawks, both of whom were victorious. Seriously though, the second period was brutal. The third started great as the Bulldogs appeared to have tied it up with a Cody Danberg goal. It was ruled a goal on the ice, but was disallowed after replay showed a Bulldog player interfered with Bachman. Was he pushed into him?? I don’t know. But it sucks as it killed all momentum. And the wheels then fell off as CC added a goal from right in the wheelhouse and one on a breakaway to put the game away 3-0. There was a sweet promotion tonight at World Arena as fans were encouraged to dress as empty seats. There was great participation by the hometown fans as it made the place look half full. Way to go! And floating, bouncing CC Tiger logo got the night off. He was replaced by stoic, still CC Tiger logo. tDogs have a big matchup next weekend at tDECC as Michigan Tech comes to town. Leave the cowbells in tUP.
On another football note, the FIGHTING ILLINI took out #1 ranked tOSU! Most excellent!
THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 5
Points Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 14
My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 5
Matt McKnight: 4
Michael Gergen: 3
Mike Curry: 1
Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 3
Cody Danberg: 1 (I SHOULD be adding another one!)
Rob Bordson: 1
Everyone else: 0
On Notice:
Points
Travis Gawryletz
Alex Stalock
Evan Oberg
Trent Palm
Kyle Schmidt
Jay Cascalenda
Josh Meyers
Andrew Carroll
Goals only
Drew Akins
Cody Danberg
Nick Kemp
Jason Garrison
>5
>tUMD 3, CC’s stupid annoying logo 5
I am really finding it ironic I’m posting more during this alleged hiatus than I did when I wasn’t on hiatus. But, so what?
5 is the name of the game. 5 goals against. 5 minute power play we couldn’t capitalize, then a 5 minute major on us that resulted in a 5 on 3 for CC (which we killed off!). Number 5 takes 3 penalties (one resulted in a PP goal, one resulted in a SH).
Ok, special teams, you and I need to have a talk. About scoring. On the power play. Especially a 5 minute major. That’s supposed to be a free-for-all, and while there were moments of goodness, there were not moments of greatness and puck in the back of the net-ness.
Welcome back, Gergzilla! We missed you!
That’s enough for tonight. I’m definitely going to miss every second of tomorrow’s game, so I’m going to be stressin’. Let’s have a repeat of last weekend’s Saturday comeback!
THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 5
Points Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 14
My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 5
Matt McKnight: 4!
Michael Gergen: 3 (But! Back in action!)
Mike Curry: 1 (DNP, which is a TRAVESTY!)
Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 3!
Cody Danberg: 1
Rob Bordson: 1
Everyone else: 0
On Notice:
Points
Travis Gawryletz
Alex Stalock
Evan Oberg
Trent Palm
Kyle Schmidt
Goals only
Drew Akins
Cody Danberg
Nick Kemp
>Stalock, Stalock!
>I know I said something about a hiatus, but I just can’t quit you, baby.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Stalock Superfans. And here they are again.
*Warning* If you are lame and have no sense of humor or a strict moral code, just don’t click.
>The Leg Bone’s Connected To The… Uh-Oh
>Bonjour, mes camarades! Sorry I’ve been gone so long. No, I wasn’t out hunting deer, I was just busy, and now I’m horribly sick, and it was a bye week, so it’s not like anyone was checking the site for updates. LGM did come visit me at work, which was excellent.
Anyway, this is highly uncool, as tDogs have had such a strong defence (with the exception of the Friday Denver game) due in large part to Oberg’s mastery of the force.
Runnin' With the Dogs 
