>2-2, 2-2, 2-2
>UMD Attack Dogs 2, Lake State Lakers 2.
Well, here we are folks, the long wait is over, the season is underway, and there’s already controversy! Not in tDogs game, of course, but in the Gopher/RPI game, where the hometown call was in full effect. I don’t want to get into it, as this is not a Gopher site, but I had the game on TV while I was watching tDogs, so I did see what went down. And it was UGLY.
Conversely, in the Bulldogs game, I wouldn’t say the officiating was that poor. I mean, I may have raised my arm a few times when I felt the officials missed something, but I did appreciate the Bulldogs were allowed to play with a physicality unseen in the past few seasons. Kemper the Wrecker was breaking skulls all over the place, and overall the guys were playing the body a lot more. I can’t wait to see what Mike Curry can do with the New Bulldogs. Elbows will be flying!
I was pretty disappointed with some of the first power plays, as I like to see a lot more shots on the power play, and for crying out loud, when you go into the corner with someone, YOU COME OUT WITH THE PUCK WHEN YOU HAVE THE MAN ADVANTAGE. You just do, okay? I don’t care how you do it. But then I was placated with a power play goal, and our penalty kill kept the streak alive, so all in all, I’m pleased with the outcome. We did have some interesting PP units, as I saw Fontaine out there quite a bit (the B2 feed makes it hard to see 1. numbers on jerseys and 2. the puck, which is a bit challenging), but hey, we got a goal.
And the freshman. Oh mother, were they fun to watch! When I got the lineups for the game, I thought hmm… an all-freshman line… I don’t know about that. Then I figured they’d just see limited ice time. And yet, they were out there regular-shifting (it seems… can’t tell who was on the ice, remember?) and they seemed pretty good. We already know that I am a big fan of Rob Bordson (he is #15, and I tend to like players with #15!), but The Danberg is quickly becoming my favorite freshman. Those guys seemed to cycle fairly well and hustled. I felt they had a few pretty good scoring chances as well.
It was very, very wrong for there to be a player named Schwab (except, no e) from Saskatchewan playing, and have it not be the Almighty One.
Trent Palm = awesome. We are going to get so many freaking goals from the defencemen this year. Garrison was letting it rip, Chaser was letting it rip, Palm was letting it rip, Oberg is known to give some offensive production, Meyers has proven himself offensively already, and Gawryletz looks like a serial killer, so no one is going to score on him. We have not seen Chad Huttel yet, but I have heard he likes to bang around the body (The Hutt was also a halfback/middle linebacker for the Hawks), which I always appreciate.
Al made some crucial saves, but I could always, always, always use more rebound control and puck awareness. I’ll never get tired of that, so don’t stop, baby. I am overly critical of goalies, so I’m going to stop there, because seriously, what do I know?
My Guys played well, as they ALWAYS DO, for they are My Guys. MacGregor Sharp was a one-man playmaking machine, and he assisted on Trent Palm’s goal, which was totally sweet and right off the face-off. I love goals like that, and I feel like we have the defencemen to score a lot of those. I love the element of surprise. Gergen created a scoring chance out of absolutely nowhere, and let me tell you, it is no surprise that Sharp and Gergzilla led the team with 5 shots apiece. Matt McKnight played to his usual Matt McKnight awesomeness, although he did not stand out as much as the other two. I probably should have taken notes on the game, as I’d have more to say. Mike Curry, as we all know, did not play. I can only assume that he would have had a hat trick and prevented both LSSU goals.
I am SO GLAD I am able to watch the games on TV now. Seriously, it has made recapping WAY more fun, and I can get a little more technical, although that is not my strong suit. $50 is SO worth it for the season pass!
Tomorrow’s forecast will be a little late, as I have something going on all day, and then have to go in to work for an hour or so. I can’t say that it will be all that exciting, excecpt that I’m not very happy Tech lost to Northern, as we don’t need Northern to come in with any momentum. However, they do have to bus it over to Duluth, so that should wear them down a bit.
THE NUMBERS (back despite zero demand!)
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 8 (conference-only)
Points Until We Surpass Last Year’s Total: 20 (ditto)
My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 1
Everyone Else: Zipparoo
Freshmen:
Nobody scored… yet
On Notice (for those who don’t know, people are On Notice when they go more than 4 games without a goal):
No one, obvs.
TOMORROW: Win! Win! Win! Let history repeat itself, copying last year’s opening weekend! Then don’t let history repeat itself ANYMORE, as the rest of the first half kind of sucked a lot.
>…pation
>So, a little over 3 hours to go.
>Antici…
>Yeah, I’m ready.
Never mind that I am sitting here practically on my deathbed with bronchitis. I am freaking ready.
I haven’t adjusted that ticker in months, and now it’s reading zero days. ZERO DAYS.
I have some notes for tomorrow night:
ONE, Mike Curry is not playing due to a “violation of team rules.” This is distressing, naturally, but like I told Bruce, he would be Mike Curry if he wasn’t violating a rule or two now and then.
TWO, those of us unlucky enough to miss seeing this game in person will be able to watch the game over the internet on the B2 Network. I should be compensated for this advertisement. Due to the amazing timing of my illness, I will now be able to watch the game.
THREE, there is a hilarious picture of the seniors on the UMD hockey page. I love it, and would like a larger size of it to tack up on my ceiling above my bed.
FOUR, Jake Hendrickson, a prolific centerman out of Burnsville High School, committed to tDogs for 2009.
FIVE, DHG of tPenalty Box is looking for a columnist to write a weekly pregame article for his site. Great hockey minds with a knack for humor are encouraged to apply.
SIX, LET’S GO BULLDOGS!
>Me Me Me-Me-Me
>Did you know I was an expert? Because I was totally unaware.
WCH asked me some questions, and I attempted some answers.
>Friendly Reminder
>RWD would just like everyone to know that the Gauntlet has been thrown down to the bloggers of Tech Still Sucks, and they as yet have not even acknowledged it. Will they give me satisfaction, or be branded cowards for the rest of their days?
>The Gauntlet: Multimedia Edition
>
That’s right, baby. It’s back. Sort of. For the first The Gauntlet of the season, RWD interviewed sometime Bulldog photographer, copy-editor, and mixmaster Larry R.
RWD: So, usually I am better prepared, with planned lines of questioning, but since I’m not out to trap you into admitting something or trying to make you look crazy, I’m not as organized.
Larry: Considering most of the tens [of people reading RWD…] already think I’m nuts, feel free to fire away.
RWD: Tens of people may be exaggerating.
Larry: Well I know I read it, not with any dedication, but I’ve been there multiple times. [Oooh! That means elevens of readers!]
RWD: Superb! That makes me very happy. Perhaps you could start out by informing my readers who don’t know you exactly how you are involved with the UMD hockey program.
Larry: Now my involvement is as a volunteer. I’m available to them as needed for whatever type [of] help they need: stats, photography and operations director for game nights. Back in 1997, I was involved in setting up their music system, and brought full time planned music to games. I did that for 5 years, and now it’s more of a support role. [Isn’t Larry the genius behind “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which has been ripped off by everyone from other sports teams to tSopranos?]
RWD: How long have you been a Bulldogs fan?
Larry: I’m really aging myself, but I’ve been a fan since 1983. I became a Dogs fan when Mom said I couldn’t go to Madison to go to college because it was too big, so I traded Cardinal Red and White in for Maroon and Gold.
RWD: The best choice you’ve ever made.
Larry: Without a doubt, the friends I’ve made with my involvement at UMD are priceless. [For buying additional friends, there’s MasterCard.]
RWD: Were you a college hockey fan in college?
Larry: I was a freshman in 1985. I waited outside (it was a true camp out back then) the Thursday night before the Monday tickets went on sale. I failed my first collegiate exam because I was out drinking when I should have been studying for a [microeconomics] exam. I was a season ticket holder for four years, and my last year, I worked for the Sports Info Office, so I didn’t need a ticket.
RWD: So that’s a yes.
Larry: Definitely. I think I missed a total of 6 home games in 5 years.
RWD: 5 years is a bit accelerated compared to some current tUMD fans. [RWD included!]
Larry: I was ready to go. 1987-1990 weren’t the best hockey years. Seriously, I love Dale Jago, but top scorer?
RWD: I’ll just note that here… *man-love for Dale Jago*
Larry: I’m sure his wife will appreciate that.
RWD: Are the college years a bit of a blur for you, or do you have some outstanding memories of Great Moments in Bulldog History?
Larry: I don’t have my media guide within reach to cheat, so I’m all on my own. It started so strong with Hull. Just to watch him skate was amazing. I remember a shot that he took from the blue line that hit behind the top rows at the top of the DECC and bounced back to where the Zamboni comes out. It might have broken the safety net; it was that hard. After that, you know the team trended down, so it wasn’t a great set of years to be there. We had some fun, I traveled a lot to the away games, but there were certainly more nights drinking over losses than partying over winning… It was different back then, the team had house parties and they lived at the Warehouse, so it was never a boring time.
RWD: Team house parties! Sounds exciting! [It must have been much easier to be a stalker back then.] Where was this “Warehouse” located?
Larry: One of the many Park Point Hotels is now occupying its place. It was right next to the Burger King that used to be on Park Point. It was “THE” college bar during the time I was in school. Grandma’s was for the upscale kids and where girls went because they didn’t want to get spilled on. Everyone else was at the Warehouse.
RWD: I would definitely be at the Warehouse. [Getting Old Milwaukee dumped on me and getting confused for a guy, obvs.]
Larry: You would have been right at home there. It was definitely a tPB type of place.
RWD: Would you say there was more interest in Bulldog hockey back then (both in the community and among students), or less?
Larry: I think it has followed the same course it does today. 1984-86 there would be people scalping tickets outside, much like the end of 2004 and to some extent 2005. But when the team isn’t winning, the interest goes down. My first senior year, nobody waited in line for student season tickets.
RWD: It goes in cycles, I suppose. It would be nice if those winning cycles were longer.
Larry: I think that everyone wishes that. I’d be happy to finish in the top 5 every year. In this league that is all you can ask for.
RWD: So after college, did you stay in Duluth or double-cross it back to Wisconsin?
Larry: I left for 6 years, moved a lot working for a company in Wisconsin, but they opened an office in Duluth and I moved back [for awhile].
RWD: Do you still cheer for Bucky, or have you seen the light?
Larry: I [currently] live about 90 minutes from Madison, and so I still cheer for them when they don’t play the Dogs, but you won’t see me in any Wisconsin hockey gear anytime soon. I’m a huge Badger Football and Basketball fan. But part of that comes from the fact there is absolutely no way you will every see me with an M on shirt.
RWD: So you save your real hatred for UMTC.
Larry: I have absolutely no love for their program at all.
RWD: Back when you were in college, who were some of your favorites (other than your bf Dale)?
Larry: Hull, of course, but I was more a fan of the working class guys. Joe DeLisle will probably be one of my all time favorite players.
RWD: When did you start doing photography for the games?
Larry: I traveled with the team in 2004 to Boston, and I had my camera there. In 2005, I got a call from Jess Myers (who was working for Inside College Hockey) asking if I could shoot a game, and I’ve been covering for them ever since.
RWD: Who do/did you enjoy photographing the most?
Larry: I like shooting goaltenders [I agree, I sometimes feel like shooting goaltenders, too.]; they provide the best action shots. Alex is a lot of fun to shoot because he is so mobile. Elliott from Wisconsin always seemed to come up big, and Lamoureux from North Dakota provided a great shot that ended up being a save that was ESPN’s play of the day during the Frozen Four. I have that as a poster that I’m waiting to get signed. [Larry = the ultimate Fan Boy.]
RWD: Are most of the photos from the Bulldogs’ site your own?
Larry: The school has an official photographer, so most are his. I try to schedule my trips home when he isn’t there so I can get something up on the web.
RWD: Do you ever do photos for the DNT?
Larry: I do some freelance for them; I do some work when they don’t have coverage and I’m in town or if they are on the road, I’ll send pictures up.
RWD: You would think they would have a staff photographer just for the Bulldogs.
Larry: Their sports department is pretty small and they have a huge area to cover. Budgets just don’t allow them to keep someone like that on staff.
RWD: I just laughed. What exactly are they covering that’s more important than the Bulldogs? Smelt fishing? [No offense, DA and Gramps.]
Larry: I’m sure they spend a great deal of time covering things like the DHW [Drunk Hockey Walk] [Brilliant! I couldn’t think of a better use of resources. Except that nothing I do on the DHW is anything I’d want documented for the public domain]. That goes in cycles too. When they win, they get more coverage. When I was in Boston, they had 3 people out there, so keep winning is the rule to better coverage. That’s why the women’s team gets its fair share.
RWD: Oh man, you touched on the hot button issue. [Bracing for impact.]
Larry: I am usually on the wrong side of that issue.
RWD: I don’t have an issue with women’s hockey, other than no checking. Who would you say are some of your current favorite Bulldogs? Or are you going to Ciskie-out and say all of them?
Larry: Nah. I don’t have to deal with them on a daily basis or need them to keep a talk show running. Do I get bonus points for Mr. Curry? Jason Garrison is one of them, I was a big Bryan McGregor fan (they’ll miss him) and I like Alex because he is so unpredictable.
RWD: Well, don’t lie. If you don’t like Curry, don’t say you do to suck up to me. Not that anyone could NOT like him.
Larry: Not knowing what you like about him aside, he is a great presence on the ice, and I like how he works. And if he ever gets paired up in the penalty box, you can learn a lot why he gets under peoples skin.
RWD: I’m a fan of that. Everything he does it seems is designed to irritate someone.
Larry: He’s a lot like Stauffacher, except bigger. [Um, like a whole freaking foot bigger.]
RWD: I’m surprised you would find “unpredictability” in a goaltender “likeable.” [I’m sure Scott Sandelin thinks it’s a laugh riot.]
Larry: That’s the photographer talking. My dad would like him to be more predictable.
RWD: How about your all-time Bulldog favorites?
Larry: Hull, Podein, DeLisle, Plante, Lessard (love the accent).
RWD: What do you think about Junior’s professional situation?
Larry: He has enough talent to play in the league. I’m not an expert on NHL clubs and their needs, but he could be an every day player for someone.
RWD: Evidently no one felt that way, as he cleared waivers and will be in the AHL. [With the extremely sexy Chris Conner.]
Larry: Hopefully he’ll end up in Milwaukee and I can go see him play. I’ll drop $12 a night to go watch him skate.
RWD: If you were the coach of the Bulldogs, what would you do differently?
Larry: Not that Scott needs my help, but I’d really like to see two things: get someone who isn’t afraid to crash the offensive zone with the puck, and I’d really like to see them try something different with the power play. [NO FREAKING KIDDING. Maybe they need to try a little more cowbell.]
RWD: That was a nice roundabout way of seeing where you stand on the coaching issue.
Larry: He has a tough job, and I imagine there is some real pressure on him to win. I think losing Nisky is the big loss, my understanding that while UMD may miss the scoring touch, they’ll be better off as a team without Raymond.
RWD: Wow, can I print that without being sued for libel?
[some stuff]
RWD: Most Bulldogs fans have two outlooks to the season: what they hope will happen, and what they believe will happen. The two rarely align. What are your predictions and hopes?
Larry: As a lifelong Packer fan, I know how that goes. I think they finish 5th, and end up making it to the WCHAs. I always hope they make a run, because it makes the post season more fun when you have somebody to cheer for at the rink.
RWD: So you think, realistically, they are going to be 5th in tWCHA? [As you can probably tell, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this.]
Larry: I think they have a shot at it. Alex is going to have to carry the team, and he does have the talent. If the team gets off to a good start, they have the ability to catch people. If the team comes out as a team, they’ll be able to string some wins together, and that will give them the confidence they need to be successful. But then, I was always the [delusional] optimistic guy.
RWD: To wrap things up, as this could go on all night, I’ll open it up to any comments you want to make about Bulldog hockey.
Larry: I think the Dogs will surprise some people this year. I’m excited for the year, The Superior Cup with some teams that used to be good rivals, and a league that is always stacked with talent. If they get some league wins early they can position themselves for a playoff run. Unfortunately, the schedule at the end of the year is a big test. But that’s when you’ll see what character they have.
RWD: Any bold predictions, or “calls” as Bert Blyleven says?
Larry: Wisconsin wins the league in a runaway. The three first round picks that they have make them a force to be dealt with right away. That being said, they probably finish 4th.
RWD: Whoa, it’s not a call unless you believe it’s going to happen. No qualifiers. No reneging.
Larry: I believe they have the ability to run away with the league. But, if reality sets in…
RWD: Who’s your breakout player of the year for tDogs?
Larry: Put your money on Michael Gergen. [I have none, thanks for reminding me.] I think he has the most to gain from Raymond leaving early. If he steps up and takes the offensive role that they brought him in with, watch out.
RWD: Ooh, he is My Guy, other than Curry. Most Impactful Freshman?
Larry: Evan Oberg. He’ll step up and replace Nisky right away. Close second for Cody Danberg if he stays healthy.
RWD: Larry’s Personal Player of the Year?
Larry: Andrew Carroll. He provides the leadership and will lead the team in points.
RWD: Well, that’s the good word.
I can’t believe I friggin’ forgot to ask him who the hottest Bulldog was!
>My Super Ex-Bulldogs
>Okay, this part may be total garbage, but exciting news!
Matt Niskanen made the lineup for the Dallas Stars and will be playing tomorrow night! YOU SEE, PEOPLE! This is what HAPPENS when you are My Guy of the Year. FAME AND GLORY. I know I’ll be watching Vs tomorrow night.
Additionally, Mason Raymond is slated to play on a line with the Swedish Twins. All I can think of is that commercial where the Sedins were hired for that bachelor party and they brought a crappy boombox and tentatively started doing the cabbage patch.
>America’s Next Top Bulldog*
>It’s what you’ve all been waiting for! It’s time for RWD to name My Guys for the 2007-2008 season! Last year, My Guys were Mike Curry, Michael Gergen, Matt McKnight, Jason Garrison, and Matt Niskanen. My Guy of the Year (based solely on points scored) was Matt Niskanen, who has abandoned me for the hated Dallas Stars.
This year’s My Guys are:
Mike Curry
Michael Gergen
Matt McKnight
MacGregor Sharp
My Guys hold the distinction of being my favorites amongst the Dogs, which means they are not eligible for the Humane Society of the WCHA (where I send Bulldogs when they are bad), and I will not tolerate any criticism from outsiders.
Please note that freshmen are not eligible to become one of My Guys as I have not had the chance to see their stuff. Thus, they have their own competition, Freshman Scoring Champion. Last year’s title was shared by Jordan Fulton and Drew Akins. This year, we have a significantly larger number of competitors:
Rob Bordson
Cody Danberg
Justin Fontaine
Chad Huttel
Mike Montgomery
Evan Oberg
Kenny Reiter
Kyle Schmidt
There are no special exemptions for the freshmen, so they had better play hard every night or they will end up in the HSWCHA.
*And so what if I watch ANTM? It’s like a trainwreck, I can’t look away!
>Across the Rink
>I’m watching hockey right now. Regular season hockey. (And wow, Parros has quite the mustache. He looks like an extra from Almost Famous.) It’s kind of annoying that it has to be the hated Ducks, but it’s still hockey. I wonder if my dear friends from the dormant Nottingham Pandas site have managed to get tickets to the sold out games in London. I also wonder if maybe they have quit enjoying hockey and gone back to football, or Footballers Wives.
The Bulldogs still have just under two weeks to go until their season gets started, and let me tell you, I am SICK AND TIRED of hearing people saying they are SO EXCITED for NEXT weekend. Screw you all.
I have been networking quite a bit lately. In addition to the WIB from a few weeks ago, I had a conversations with Duluth radio hick Bruce Ciskie, and rage-filled blogger Donald Dunlop. Bruce thinks tDogs are going to be awesome this year and finish much higher than expected because everyone else is going to suck more than expected. Donald thinks soccer is awesome and baseball is all about people scratching themselves out of boredom. As you can see, some discussions were more valuable than others.
There are things I’m going to write about in the next few weeks, but information is pretty limited and I’ll have to wait until the season really gets underway before this blog really kicks into high gear. Relatively speaking.
TWELVE MORE DAYS!
>Ad Nauseum
>Please note: you will not be seeing the Grand Folks Herald WCHA Coaches’ Poll on RWD. Please visit one of the MANY fine blogs in my links section to see what those drunks think their teams are going to do.
Runnin' With the Dogs 