Why N.D. settled the nickname suit

There have been a lot of criticisms of the settlement of N.D.’s Sioux nickname lawsuit against the NCAA (from questions about what UND got for $1m to theories about a football cabal conspiring to pressure UND to sacrifice the nickname for a chance to play Big Ten teams). The bottom-line, as many noted at the time, was that UND was suing the NCAA on procedural grounds — UND was asserting that the NCAA executive committee didn’t have the authority to issue the nickname rule — so all the NCAA needed to do to render the lawsuit moot was pass the same rule using proper procedures.

What the State of N.D. knew when it settled, and a lot of fans speculated, is that the NCAA was about to change their rules to formally grant the executive committee such authority.

From Increased Authority (Grand Forks Herald)

“In my estimation, we were going to win the lawsuit,” Stenehjem said, “but this amendment would have mooted that. We would have won the lawsuit in December 2007, and this was enacted January 12, 2008. So, it would have been a short-lived victory.”

Fan predictions that the NCAA membership wouldn’t grant its executive committee such authority, due to fear of their own oxes being next to be gored, proved unfortunately wildly wrong.

Stenehjem said he’d been told the amendment vote passed with about 99.6 percent of people voting in support.

UND faculty NCAA representative Sue Jeno attended the Nashville conference and said she was one of only a handful of representatives to vote against the amendment.

A 2007 NCAA student-athlete handbook lists the number of the association’s member institutions at slightly more than 1,000 spread between the three divisions. If the percentage vote quoted to Stenehjem is correct, that would mean Jeno was one of only about five members to vote against the amendment.

Continuing the lawsuit, given this, would have been throwing good money after bad. Given the inevitable outcome, it’s hard to argue that N.D. should have done anything other than precisely what it did. They put an immediate halt to the rising court expenses and won the valuable settlement concessions of being removed from the hostile and abusive list and being granted additional time, not subject to sanctions, to resolve the issue.

As The Sicatoka said in the “Negotiated Settlement” thread:

The AG, Mr. Stenehjem, did what he could with (what little) he had and based on this he deserves some credit:

At least he got us (temporarily) off the list and some time to look for middle ground.

Game Preview: UND vs. St. Cloud State

As I mentioned in my article about the Challenge Cup, the rivalry between these two schools has picked up since the WCHA made North Dakota and St. Cloud State schedule partners five seasons ago.

Both teams come into this series with plenty on the line. The Huskies (17-14-3, 12-12-2 WCHA) are currently tied for fifth place in the league standings with MSU-Mankato. SCSU and MSU-M have collected 26 points in WCHA action, and both of those schools hope to leapfrog idle Wisconsin, which finished up with a conference record of 11-12-5 (27 points). The Mavericks host Michigan Tech on Friday and Saturday.

North Dakota (23-8-2, 18-7-1 WCHA) is the hottest team in the country, owning a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1). During that stretch, the Sioux have allowed a total of 19 goals. UND’s winning ways have them right back in the MacNaughton Cup race with Colorado College, two points behind with two games remaining for each team. CC will play a home-and-home series with Denver University this weekend. For more on the MacNaughton Cup’s travel plans for the weekend, click here.

There are a number of players performing at an incredibly high level for each team. Sioux senior goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (22-8-2) comes into this weekend’s action with the nation’s best goals-against average (1.68). Lamoureux, who has twice been named the league’s defensive player of the week, is second nationally in save percentage (.934) and shutouts (5). Juniors T.J. Oshie (14-21-35) and Ryan Duncan (13-20-33) continue to pace the Sioux offensively, while Chris VandeVelde (14-14-28) and Andrew Kozek (15-3-18) are having breakout seasons. North Dakota is also getting solid contributions from the blue line, as their top four defenseman (Robbie Bina 2-21-23, Chay Genoway 6-16-22, Taylor Chorney 2-18-20, and Joe Finley 4-9-13) have all reached double digits in points. Genoway was injured in early in Sunday’s game at Minnesota-Duluth and did not return. He is questionable for this weekend’s series.

For the Huskies, their top three scorers (Ryan Lasch, Garrett Roe, and Andreas Nodl) are all among the top ten national scoring leaders. No other WCHA player is in the top 15. Sophomore Ryan Lasch (22-24-46) is tied for second in the nation in scoring, and is leading the WCHA with 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in league play. Freshman Garrett Roe (18-22-40) and sophomore Andreas Nodl (17-23-40) are tied for tenth among all Division I players. Surprisingly, Roe also leads all Huskies with 57 penalty minutes. Sophomore Jase Weslosky (14-11-0, 2.20 GAA, .920 SV, 2 SO) has been solid for St. Cloud State, and the Huskies are receiving some production from their blueliners. Senior defenseman Aaron Brocklehurst (3-14-17) and sophomore defenseman Garrett Raboin (1-14-15) have performed particularly well offensively.

The problem St. Cloud has had this season has been in close games. The Huskies are 4-8 in one-goal games and 0-1-3 in overtime contests. So despite outscoring opponents 105-83 for the season (an average of 3.09 goals for and 2.44 goals against/game), SCSU has an overall record of 17-14-3. North Dakota, by contrast, is 5-3 in one-goal games and 2-0-1 when going to overtime. UND is outscoring opponents 104-59 this season (3.15 goals for and 1.79 goals against), and has a sparkling record of 23-8-2.

Specialty teams will be key for this weekend’s games. UND comes in as the second-most penalized team in the country (20.76 penalty minutes/game), while SCSU has collected only 11.38 penalty minutes per game. Further complicating matters for North Dakota is that the Huskies are converting almost 23% of their power play opportunities (4th nationally), while the Fighting Sioux are hovering at right around 18% (17th). Or put more simply, SCSU has scored 38% of its goals with the man advantage; UND, only 27%. Lasch, Nodl, and Roe have scored 31 of St. Cloud’s 40 power play goals. Both teams are very effective at killing penalties. UND has negated 134 of 150 man-advantage opportunities (89.3%-4th nationally); SCSU, 108 of 123 (87.8%-8th)

The UND/SCSU Challenge Cup will be on the line this weekend as the two teams complete their four-game season series. The teams split a pair of games in St. Cloud earlier this season. Incidentally, St. Cloud is the last team to have beaten UND, coming from behind to take Friday’s series opener, 3-2. North Dakota won Saturday’s finale 6-2, chasing goaltender Dan Dunn after scoring three goals in the first period. St. Cloud’s comeback victory on Friday night was UND’s only loss in 2008.

St. Cloud State Team Profile
National Rankings: #11/#11
Head Coach: Bob Motzko (3rd season at SCSU, 61-41-14, .586)
This Season: 17-14-3 Overall, 12-12-2 WCHA (t-5th)
Special Teams: Power Play 22.6% (40 of 177), Penalty Kill 87.8% (108 of 123)
Last Season: 22-11-7 Overall (NCAA East Regional Semifinalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (2nd)
Key Players: Sophomore F Ryan Lasch (22-24-46), Freshman F Garrett Roe (18-22-40), Sophomore F Andreas Nodl (17-23-40), Senior F Nate Dey (10-10-20), Senior D Aaron Brocklehurst (3-14-17), Sophomore G Jase Weslosky (14-11-0, 2.20 GAA, .920 SV, 2 SO)

North Dakota Team Profile
National Rankings: #1/#1
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (4th season at UND, 101-53-13, .644)
This Season: 23-8-2 Overall, 18-7-1 WCHA (2nd)
Specialty Teams: Power Play 18.3% (28 of 153), Penalty Kill 89.3% (134 of 150)
Last Season: 24-14-5 Overall (Frozen Four Semifinalist), 13-10-5 WCHA (3rd)
Key Players: Junior F T.J. Oshie (14-21-35), Junior F Ryan Duncan (13-20-33), Sophomore F Chris VandeVelde (14-14-28), Junior F Andrew Kozek (15-3-18), Senior D Robbie Bina (2-21-23), Junior D Taylor Chorney (2-18-20), Senior G Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (22-8-2, 1.68 GAA, .934 SV, 5 SO)

By The Numbers
Last Meeting: January 5, 2008. North Dakota scored three goals in each of the first two periods and cruised to a 6-2 victory to gain a split of the weekend series. St. Cloud came from behind to win Friday’s opener, 3-2.
Last Meeting in Grand Forks: November 4, 2006. The teams skated to a 2-2 tie after North Dakota won Friday’s game, 3-1. SCSU’s Bobby Goepfert and UND’s Anthony Greico held the teams scoreless over the final 34:36 of the contest, combining to make 32 saves in the third period and overtime.
Most Important Meeting: March 17, 2001 (St. Paul, MN). St. Cloud State defeated North Dakota 6-5 to claim the 2001 WCHA Final Five Championship. Derek Eastman scored the game-winner in overtime after UND scored three goals in the final ten minutes of regulation to force the extra session.
All-time Series: UND leads the all-time series, 47-26-8 (.630), and holds a record of 24-11-3 (.671) in games played in Grand Forks

Game News and Notes
St. Cloud State is 7-7-0 on the road; North Dakota is 13-4-0 at home. UND has swept its last four series at Ralph Engelstad Arena (Michigan Tech, Alaska-Anchorage, Denver, and Bemidji State). SCSU forward Ryan Lasch leads teammate Andreas Nodl and Colorado College forward Chad Rau by two points in the race for the league scoring title. Sioux forward T.J. Oshie is three points back. UND’s 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1) is one shy of the school record. Depending on the outcome of this series, UND can finish 1st or 2nd in the WCHA, while St. Cloud can finish anywhere from 4th to 7th. A tentative WCHA schedule has St. Cloud traveling to Ralph Engelstad Arena on December 12th-13th, 2008 and UND heading to the National Hockey Center on January 30th-31st, 2009.

The Prediction
If the Huskies are going to get any points at all, it will be Friday. Senior Night (Saturday) will belong to UND, as North Dakota’s four seniors (Lamoureux, Bina, Rylan Kaip, and Kyle Radke) will close out the conference season on top. 2-2 tie, UND 3-1.

For more on UND’s senior class, click here.

On a Personal Note
I look forward to this series every year because of the unique relationship we have with the Center Ice Club, the official hockey booster organization for the St. Cloud State University Huskies. On behalf of SiouxSports.com, I would like to invite you to the UND/SCSU pre-game social on Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Southgate Grill and Bar. This event is free and open to all fans 21 and older.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments and suggestons. For reaction to Friday’s game, click here. Check back after Saturday’s game for more reaction, analysis, and commentary.

Weekend React: UND vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux demonstrated yet again why he is among the front-runners for the Hobey Baker award, stopping 50 of 51 shots in the two-game series.  The senior netminder now leads the nation in goals-against average (1.68) and is second nationally in save percentage (.934) and shutouts (5) while playing the most difficult schedule in all of Division I.

Lamoureux was named the WCHA defensive player of the week for his efforts against Minnesota-Duluth, the second time he has achieved that honor this season. He is in a tight race with Colorado College freshman goaltender Richard Bachman for the league’s goaltending title. With two games to play, Bachman’s goals-against average in WCHA play is 1.7434, while Lamoureux’s is 1.7729.

On Saturday afternoon, UND scored late in the first and second periods to down the Bulldogs 2-0. North Dakota junior forward T.J. Oshie tipped defenseman Chay Genoway’s blast past an unsuspecting Alex Stalock with 45 seconds to go in the first period, and sophomore winger Chris VandeVelde scored even later in the second, taking a goal-mouth feed from Oshie and walking around Stalock for a power-play tally with only 23 ticks left on the clock.

UND finished 1 for 6 with the man-advantage in the opener, while UMD ended 0 for 4.

Two other noteworthy items from Saturday’s opener:

North Dakota freshman forward Evan Trupp left the game with a leg injury and did not return. Trupp has 8 goals and 5 assists this season.

UND head coach collected his 100th career victory, joining only Dean Blais, John “Gino” Gasparini, and Rube Bjorkman in that exclusive club. Of those four, only Hakstol and Blais amassed 100 wins in less than four seasons.

Sunday’s contest was much the same: a very physical game, with both teams having trouble creating offensive opportunities. Lamoureux was twice helped out by the pipes behind him, but Duluth finally broke the scoreless tie with under nine minutes to go. MacGregor Sharp ended Duluth’s 232 minute scoreless streak (yes, that’s almost four full games without a goal) and the ‘dogs led, 1-0. But UND junior winger Andrew Kozek, who has elevated his play since his ascent to the top line with Oshie and Ryan Duncan, capitalized on a defensive turnover, burying his wrist shot just 100 seconds later and knotting the game at 1-1.

The Sioux carried the play in the overtime, needing less than a minute to deliver the game-winner. Chris VandeVelde knocked a loose puck home before Alex Stalock could cover up with his glove, and UND had completed the road sweep. North Dakota now holds a stellar 10-4-2 road record this season to complement a home mark of 13-4-0.

North Dakota (23-8-2, 18-7-1 WCHA) is now unbeaten in its last 15 games (14-0-1) since a January 4th setback at St. Cloud State. Remarkably, UND has allowed 1 or zero goals 12 times in that stretch, giving up only 19 goals total in the fifteen games. The Sioux host St. Cloud State (17-14-3, 12-12-2 WCHA) next weekend in the final conference series for both teams.

UND finished 0 for 6 on the power play in Sunday’s finale; the Bulldogs were 0 for 4.

For the second consecutive night, North Dakota lost a player to injury. This time it was sophomore defenseman Chay Genoway, who went into the boards hard after being checked from behind by Duluth’s Michael Gergen just 71 seconds into the hockey game. Genoway, one of the team’s most important players, has season totals of 6 goals and 16 assists. Both he and Evan Trupp will be evaluated more fully this week and will be unavailable for this weekend’s series with the Huskies.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments and suggestions.

UND/SCSU fan social set for Saturday, March 8th

Please join us for the UND/SCSU pre-game social, an annual event which provides an opportunity for fans of the University of North Dakota and St. Cloud State University to gather, celebrate the great sport of hockey, and award the UND/SCSU Challenge Cup, a traveling trophy which is presented to the team which collects more points in the four regular-season games between the schools.

This event, held on Saturday, March 8th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Southgate Grill and Bar in Grand Forks, is free and open to the public. SiouxSports.com is the title sponsor for the event in Grand Forks, while the Center Ice Club (the official hockey booster organization for the St. Cloud State University Huskies) hosts the social in St. Cloud every year.

Fans of both teams enjoy the camaraderie at these social events and regularly comment that the connection between the two fan bases is among the best in college hockey.

Other businesses which have donated prizes to this event include:

American Federal Bank
AZSioux.com
Barnes and Noble/UND Bookstore
Barry’s Collector’s Corner
Domino’s Pizza
Happy Joe’s Pizza
McPherson’s Jewelry
Nature’s Country Store
Ralph Engelstad Arena
Southgate Grill and Bar
Vaaler Insurance

Please consider joining us for this event. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Where’s the MacNaughton Cup?

In my 2007-2008 WCHA Midseason Report, I lamented the fact that “as in recent seasons, (North Dakota’s) disappointing first half has all but dashed any hopes of hoisting the MacNaughton Cup.”

What a difference a second-half surge makes.

At the time of the article, UND had a conference record of 9-7-0. Colorado College sat at 15-3-0, and Denver was second at 12-4-0.

Fast forward to the last weekend of the regular season, and the records are now:

Colorado College..19-6-1 (39 points)
North Dakota……….18-7-1 (37 points)
Denver………………….16-9-1 (33 points)

In other words, while North Dakota has gone 9-0-1 in the WCHA, Colorado College (4-3-1) and Denver (4-5-1) have collected just four victories each.

I also wrote in that same report that “(Denver’s) home and home series against Colorado College on the last week of the regular season may well decide the conference race.”

Truer words were never spoken. I didn’t know at the time, however, that I’d be talking about the race between Colorado College and North Dakota.

So the league is in an interesting situation. Where does the MacNaughton Cup go? My guess is that the Cup will be in Denver for Friday’s matchup between CC and DU, as a Tigers victory would clinch a share of the league title. Colorado College would also clinch a share with a North Dakota loss on Friday night. UND is hosting a two-game series against St. Cloud State this weekend.

If CC loses and UND wins, we have a problem. Both schools would have 39 points in league play with one game remaining. What would the WCHA do?

I spoke with Doug Spencer, Associate Commissioner for Public Relations in the league office, and he told me he was “99% sure that the MacNaughton Cup is in Colorado”. This stands to reason, because Colorado College had a sizeable lead heading into last weekend’s games. Doug also told me that Bruce McLeod certainly has a handle on all of the various scenarios, and that he (Doug) would let me know more of those details (including whether the league has been in conversation with the University of North Dakota) later on this week.

Teams which have shared the MacNaughton Cup in the past have staggered their trophy presentations over two weekends, with one school hoisting the Cup during the last weekend of the regular season and the other school waiting until the first round of the WCHA playoffs.

Jim Dahl has a great overview of the WCHA possibilities, including each team’s remaining games and how they will affect the race.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments and suggestions.

2008 Football Schedule pending?

As UND prepares to release the football schedule for it’s first year of D-I FCS (I-AA) football, fans have deduced that the schedule will probably look something like this:

Aug. 28 Texas A&M-Kingsville
Sept. 6 St. Cloud St.
Sept. 13 UW-La Crosse
Sept. 18 @ Idaho St.
Sept. 27 @ Southeastern Louisiana
Oct. 4 OPEN
Oct. 11 OPEN
Oct. 18 Western Washington
Oct. 25 @ UC Davis
Nov. 1 @ Southern Illinois
Nov. 8 Southern Utah
Nov. 15 OPEN
Nov. 22 @ South Dakota

Note — this is not the official schedule, but a fan compilation of known and rumored games

The first year of the transition is the toughest to schedule, because UND is considered a “non-counter” for teams with aspirations of making the I-AA playoffs. The inevitable comparisons with first-year schedules for other recently transitioned schools have arisen, and bincitysioux came through again with a breakdown of 1st year D-I schedules for current and former Great West members.

SDSU HOME GAMES: three DII’s, one transitional (GWFC game)
SDSU ROAD GAMES: two transitional, 5 established DI’s

UC DAVIS HOME GAMES: four DII’s, one transitional (future GWFC team), one established DI (future GWFC team)
UC DAVIS ROAD GAMES: one DII (future GWFC team), three established DI’s

NDSU HOME GAMES: one non-scholarship, one NAIA, one DII, three established DI’s (2 GWFC games)
NDSU ROAD GAMES: three transitionals (GWFC games), two established DI’s

USD HOME GAMES: three NAIA, one DII, one transitional (GWFC game)
USD ROAD GAMES: five established DI’s (2 GWFC games)

N. COLORADO HOME GAMES: five DII’s
N. COLORADO ROAD GAMES: one DII, one transitional (GWFC team) four established DI’s

UND HOME GAMES: one non-scholarship, three DII’s, one established DI (GWFC game)
UND ROAD GAMES: one transitional (GWFC game), 4 established DI’s (1 GWFC game)

While every football fan should have been hoping for a better schedule, this is on par with what other transitional teams were able to put together.

While comments here are always welcome, you might as well just head over to the UND 2008 Schedule thread and check on the latest.

Game Preview: UND vs. Minnesota-Duluth

November 23rd and 24th, 2007 (Grand Forks, ND). The Sioux and Bulldogs split a two-game conference series, and North Dakota’s record stood at 6-4-1 (4-4-0 WCHA). Even less impressive was UND’s 3-2-0 home record at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

After Saturday’s game (a 4-2 Duluth victory), I took a look at the October/November records of the past three seasons, all of which ended with Frozen Four appearances:

2004-2005 October/November record: 9-5-2 (7-4-1 WCHA)
2005-2006 October/November record: 8-5-1 (4-4-0 WCHA)
2006-2007 October/November record: 7-6-1 (5-4-1 WCHA)

And again, this season in October and November: 6-4-1 (4-4-0 WCHA)

And I wrote these words about the disappointing start:

Think of that what you will; I’m merely suggesting that we’ve played tough teams, we’ve competed well in almost every game (Saturday vs. CC being the only exception), and we can clearly get better in every phase. And that’s reason for optimism, not pessimism, in my book.

Optimism, indeed. Since that series in Grand Forks, North Dakota has gone 15-4-1, including 12-3-1 in the conference and 10-2-0 at home. UND brings a 13 game unbeaten string (12-0-1) to Duluth, the longest current streak in the nation.

Duluth, on the other hand, has won only six games since earning a split at North Dakota, going 6-9-4 to bring its season record to 12-12-6 (8-11-5 WCHA). The Bulldogs were swept at home by Colorado College last weekend, going scoreless in the two games. UMD is 2-4-2 in their last eight games at home after opening the season 4-0-3 at the DECC.

North Dakota has had the better of the results between the two teams recently, going 8-1-1 against Duluth in the past ten games.

Minnesota-Duluth Team Profile
National Rankings: #15/#15
Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (8th season at UMD, 121-155-37, .446)
This Season: 12-12-6 Overall, 8-11-5 WCHA (7th)
Special Teams: Power Play 11.5% (15 of 131), Penalty Kill 89.2% (132 of 148)
Last Season: 13-21-5, 8-16-4 WCHA (9th)
Key Returning Players: Junior F MacGregor Sharp (6-10-16), Junior F Nick Kemp (7-7-14), Junior D Josh Meyers (5-8-13), Sophomore G Alex Stalock (12-12-6, 2.28 GAA, .915 SV, 3 SO)

North Dakota Team Profile
National Rankings: #2/#3
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (4th season at UND, 99-53-13, .639)
This Season: 21-8-2 Overall, 16-7-1 WCHA (2nd)
Specialty Teams: Power Play 19.1% (27 of 141), Penalty Kill 88.7% (126 of 142)
Last Season: 24-14-5 (Frozen Four semifinalist), 13-10-5 WCHA (3rd)
Key Returning Players: Junior F T.J. Oshie (13-20-33), Junior F Ryan Duncan (13-19-32), Sophomore F Chris VandeVelde (12-14-26), Senior D Robbie Bina (2-21-23), Sophomore D Chay Genoway (6-15-21), Senior G Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (20-8-2, 1.76 GAA, .931 SV, 4 SO)

By The Numbers
Last Meeting: November 24, 2007 (Grand Forks, ND). Drew Akins broke a 2-2 third period tie with an 80 foot goal, and Duluth added an empty netter to win 4-2 and split the weekend series. North Dakota won the opener, 8-3.
Last Meeting in Duluth: November 12, 2005. After falling behind 2-0 and losing Matt Smaby and Drew Stafford to checking-from-behind penalties, North Dakota scored five goals in the second period en route to a 7-4 victory, completing the weekend sweep of the homestanding Bulldogs. “When we were behind and lost two players I didn’t even feel this team blink,” said North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol. “To come back and win was very significant for this team. I was happy with the drive and the strong will they showed. We haven’t had a period like that all year.” UND won the series opener, 5-3.
Most Important Meeting: March 22, 1984. Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota meet in a National Semifinal game in Lake Placid, New York. The Bulldogs defeat the Fighting Sioux 2-1 in overtime to advance to the title game. UND goes on to defeat Michigan State 6-5 (OT) for third place, while Duluth falls to Bowling Green 5-4 in four overtimes, the longest championship game ever played.
All-time Series: UND leads the all-time series, 126-70-8 (.637), including a 52-37-5 (.580) record in Duluth.

Game News and Notes
North Dakota holds a 14-2-1 record against Duluth over the past five seasons. MacGregor Sharp leads the Bulldogs with 16 points on the season; seven Sioux players have scored 17 points or more. UND senior goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux saw his string of 55 consecutive starts (a school record which ranks third all-time in NCAA history) come to an end when junior netminder Aaron Walski was given the nod against Bemidji State on Sunday afternoon. Walski collected a shutout in his first career start for the Sioux, but Lamoureux is expected to start both games against the Bulldogs. UND has clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs, and can finish no worse than third place in the conference. North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol has 99 career victories and could join the century club this weekend. Only three coaches in Sioux history (Rube Bjorkman, John “Gino” Gasparini, and Dean Blais) have collected 100 wins at UND. For the second consecutive weekend, the Sioux will play on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The games are scheduled at 2:07 p.m. each day, and are available on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network.

The Prediction
North Dakota has the top-end talent and an edge in special teams situations that should translate into two victories, but the Bulldogs are smarting after being shut out twice at home last weekend and will find a way to earn at least one point. UND 4-1, 2-2 tie.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments and suggestions. Check back after the games for news, reaction, and analysis.

Sunday Game React: UND vs. Bemidji State

In a battle of backup goaltenders, UND junior Aaron Walski outdid his Bemidji State counterpart, fellow junior Orlando Alamano.  Walski stopped all 13 shots he faced on the afternoon in his first career start for North Dakota.  The amount of action was a far cry from the legendary 73 shots he turned aside in a 2-1, triple overtime loss in the North Dakota state high school championship game exactly seven years earlier. 

Alamano made 31 of 32 saves for the Beavers, allowing only Andrew Kozek’s game winner with under five minutes to play.  The game was Alamano’s sixth start of the season.

Kozek’s game-winning goal was a product of T.J. Oshie’s effort behind the net.

 “(Oshie) is just a heck of a hockey player,” Bemidji head coach Tom Serratore noted.  “He had people draped all over him. I mean, what do you do? It’s just a heck of a play.”

Andrew Kozek also appreciated Oshie’s effort.

“T.J. just put it in a great spot for me to kind of step into it,” Kozek said. “He had three guys all over him, like he usually does. It was just a great play by him.”

Kozek leads the team with 14 goals. Oshie has 20 assists this season, second only to Robbie Bina’s 21.

North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol said Oshie’s play elevates his teammates.

“His play is at a very high level, and that has a tendency to bring the level of play of the team up,” he said. “It also has the effect of bringing up the confidence level of our hockey team. He did a tremendous job tonight with his effort and playmaking in all areas.”

The number 13 was lucky for Walski, as he turned aside all 13 shots he faced.  13 was also lucky for the entire North Dakota program, as the Sioux are now unbeaten in their last 13 games (12-0-1), a streak that leads the nation.  That stretch has seen North Dakota’s record go from 9-8-1 to a stellar 21-8-2.  UND also extended its home winning streak to eight games, the longest streak in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena.

UND senior goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux saw his string of 55 consecutive starts (a school record which ranks third all-time in NCAA history) come to an end.

North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol collected his 98th and 99th career victories against Bemidji State, and will look to hit the century mark when the Sioux travel to Duluth to take on the Bulldogs next weekend. Only three other coaches in UND history (Rube Bjorkman, John “Gino” Gasparini, and Dean Blais) have collected 100 wins.  Of those three, only Dean Blais (.679) holds a better career winning percentage than Hakstol’s .639 (99-53-13).

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments and suggestions. For more on the matchup between the teams, click here. For reaction to Saturday’s series opener, click here.

A look at UND’s Athletic Director candidates

As UND looks toward its transition to D-I, it is also evaluating candidates for the Athletic Director who will lead athletics through that transition.

The selection committee has whittled down the numerous applicants to a few leading candidates, though information on those candidates has been somewhat hard to come by from the University itself. Thanks particularly to the efforts of Sioux fans in the 221-post forum thread, UND’s Next Athletics Director, supplemented with an afternoon of web searches, here’s a look at the remaining UND athletic director candidates.

Have anything to say about the candidates, or know something we don’t? Stop by the forum and chat.

Barbara Burke

BurkeSenior Associate Athletics Director, University of Wyoming (NCAA D-I/BCS, Mountain West Conference)

M.E. Education/Administration of Athletics, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 1984

B.S. Physical Education, Western Michigan, 1980 (letters in basketball and softball)

Notable experience

  • 2001 – Wyoming – Senior Associate Athletic Director
  • 1998 – Wyoming – Associate Athletics Director/Senior Women’s Administrator
  • 1998 – Texas El Paso (UTEP) – Interim Athletics Director
  • 1994 – Marshall – Associate Athletics Director/Senior Women’s Administrator

“Burke oversees all internal operations of the UW Athletics Department, as well as directly supervises game management for football and men’s and women’s basketball.”

“In addition to overseeing the sports programs, she is in charge of the day-to-day internal operations of the department, is directly involved in the marketing and promotion of Wyoming’s athletics programs and is responsible for the department’s compliance with Title IX objectives. Currently, her focus is on the completion of several major building projects.”

Resources

Tim Hickman

hickmanAssociate Athletic Director, Operations, University of Missouri (NCAA D-I/BCS, Big Twelve Conference)

B.S. Business Administration, University of Missouri, 1989

Notable experience

  • 2002 – Missouri, Associate Athletic Director
  • 2001 – Missouri, Assistant Athletic Director (following merger of Hearnes and Missouri athletics operations)
  • 1992 – Director of the Hearnes Center

“Hickman oversees all business activities for the Missouri Department of Athletics, including development and oversight of the department’s $44 million budget, purchasing, human resources and daily office operations, while additionally directing the operations of Mizzou Arena and the Hearnes Center. He also oversees the areas of facilities, game operations, food service and computing operations, while serving as the administrative liason to Mizzou’s nationally ranked baseball program and up-and-coming softball program. In his current capacity as department CFO, Tim also works very closely with development, Mizzou Sports Properties and outsourcing contracts.”

Other info from the ‘net

  • Chamber of Commerce – chair of budget and finance committee
  • Callaway Bank – board member
  • He has served on committees or the boards of the Central Missouri Food Bank, the Mid-Missouri Tourism Council, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Balloon Corporation.
  • Grew up in the family grocery business, Hickman’s IGA
  • Owned Columbia, MO, restaurant, T.K. Brothers Grill & Games, with brothers

Resources

Tim Leonard

leonard.jpgAssociate Athletics Director/Development – University of Central Florida (Conference USA, NCAA D-I/BCS)

B.A. Communication, Boise State University, 1992

Relevant experience

  • 2003 – Associate Athletics Director/Development – University of Central Florida
  • 1999 – Assistant Athletics Director for External Affairs and the executive director of the Golden Knights Club
  • 1997 – Assistant Director of the Bronco Athletic Association at Boise State
  • 1992 – Director of Annual Giving at Illinois State University

Led fundraising during the fundraising, building, and naming-rights sale of new football stadium.

“After serving as an assistant athletics director for external affairs and the executive director of the Golden Knights Club for four years, Leonard now has major gifts as his primary fundraising focus for UCF athletics. He also has management oversight of the GKC, premium seating and the University’s Annual Fund.”

“In his six years at Central Florida, Leonard has excelled at getting people to believe in potential. When the football team was struggling, it was tough to convince donors to invest in a program that didn’t appear to have the school’s full commitment. That mentality has been completely transformed, largely because of persistence.”

Resources

Tom Sadler

sadler.jpgPresident, Global Entertainment Corp. Facility Management Company

B.A. Industrial/Organizational Psychology, St. Thomas Aquinas College

Relevant Experience

  • 2005 – President, Global Entertainment Corp. Facility Management Company
  • 2003 – Associate Athletics Director for Administrative Services, University of Hawaii (UH)
  • 1983 – Various positions (incl Assistant Athletics Director, Stadium Management Director) Arizona State University

“While at UH, Sadler was responsible for the internal day-to-day operations of the department that covered multiple sports and related events. He also negotiated a new facility concession contract that generated an increase in revenue.”

“Sadler has been there and done it, helping to implement a $41 million capital campaign for ASU while also eliminating a $1 million budget shortfall.”

“…Arizona State University (ASU) over a period of 20 years, during which he directed intercollegiate operations, managing and staging more than 250 events each year for ASU, and serving as tournament director for several NCAA and Pacific-10 Conference championships. He served as a key member of the host committee in Arizona for Super Bowl XXX, and guided the development of a comprehensive operating manual for several sporting events.”

Resources

Brian Faison

faison.jpgAssistant Vice President for Athletic Development, New Mexico State University (NCAA D-I/BCS, Western Athletic Conference)

University of Missouri, 1972

Relevant experience

  • 2004 – Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development, New Mexico State University
  • 1999 – Athletics Director, New Mexico State University
  • 1988 – Athletics Director, Indian State
  • 1984 – athletics administration, Louisville
  • 1979 – athletics administration, Illinois State
  • 1974 – athletics administration, Missouri

“Faison says the new position frees him up to focus on fundraising and one of his goals will be to elevate the Athletics Department’s revenues from its current $9.2 million to $18 million within the next 12 months.”

“Faison’s five years as head of the department have been highlighted by success in the classroom, on the playing field and in the development of athletic facilities.”

Resources

Paul Schlickmann

schlickmann.jpgStony Brook University, Executive Associate Director of Athletics

B.A. American Studies, Trinity College (men’s basketball player), 1989

M.S. Physical Education, Springfield College, 1995

Relevant Experience

  • 2005 – Executive Associate Director of Athletics, Stony Brook
  • 2003 – Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Stony Brook
  • 1999 – Senior Assistant Athletics Director for Varsity Program Administration and Football Operations, Yale University
  • 1993 – Assistant Athletics Director for Varsity Program Administration, Yale University

“He is a talented administrator who understands that the primary function of intercollegiate athletics at Stony Brook is to advance the educational mission of the university.”

“Schlickmann has supervised the daily internal operations of 35 intercollegiate programs as a member of the senior management team that sets department policy at Yale. He was responsible for all varsity program operations for men’s soccer and men’s lacrosse while also overseeing facility operations and event management. He developed and managed department operating budgets which totaled nearly $2.5 million, and administered athlete initial eligibility, team travel, contest scheduling and the management of conference and postseason championships.

His football operations duties included the oversight of 150 gameday personnel in the 60,000-seat Yale Bowl which had an average attendance of over 23,000 for Yale home games. In addition, he served as the athletics department liaison to undergraduate admissions and financial aid while managing and formulating team budgets.”

“He is responsible for all varsity program operations for men’s basketball, football, baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s lacrosse, men’s tennis and men’s and women’s track and field while also overseeing facility operations and event management.

In addition, he develops and manages a department operating budget of $12 million, administers team travel, contest scheduling and the management of conference and postseason championships. In 2004-05, Stony Brook balanced its operating budget for the first time in the last six years while chairing the search committee for Men’s Lacrosse and Men’s Basketball, the Director of Speed Strength and Conditioning and the Director of Student-Athlete Development.

Schlickmann is responsible for personnel matters including the coordination of national searches for coaches, staff and administrative positions, personnel employment contracts and employee performance appraisals.”

“At the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Schlickmann served as a sector coordinator where he coordinated various aspects of facility preparation and event planning for the men’s and women’s soccer venue. He also worked as the Deputy Commissioner of the Special Olympics World Games in the summer of 1995.”

Resources

Saturday Game React: UND vs. Bemidji State

North Dakota capitalized on a five minute major penalty midway through the first period, scoring three goals in a span of 91 seconds and all but burying the Beavers in the process.

The major penalty was assessed on Bemidji’s Matt Read for checking from behind. The freshman forward, who entered the game as the Beavers’ leading scorer, was sent to the locker room with a game misconduct.

“Obviously, after that, it really deflates you, it really demoralizes you,” noted BSU head coach Tom Serratore. “The kid that gets kicked out is our best player, so it’s a double whammy.”

The teams traded power play goals in the second period, and Brad Miller’s empty net goal with just over one minute remaining made the final score 5-1.

UND finished 4 of 10 with the man advantage and killed four of five Bemidji power plays.

“The key is not to waste power play time, and we didn’t,” Hakstol said. “We generated a lot of opportunities. The power play was absolutely the difference, and I don’t really recall the last time that it was,” he said. “We’ve had an overtime win. We’ve had a real good comeback win. We’ve had some one-goal wins. Tonight was a night when specialty teams separated us. When you’re playing well, you find different ways to win.”

North Dakota is now unbeaten in its last 12 games (11-0-1) and carries a seven-game home winning streak into Sunday’s series finale.

North Dakota senior netminder Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has now allowed one goal or less in 17 of 30 starts this season. His 20-8-2 record, 1.76 goals-against average, .931 save percentage, and four shoutouts are all Hobey Baker-caliber numbers.

Alright, one rant for today: the wave has NO place in a hockey arena. Even my seven-year old son could smell the pointlessness. “Dad, why are they doing that?”, he asked. “Exactly,” I said.

The two teams take to the ice Sunday afternoon. The UND coaches have hinted at the possibility of starting junior goaltender Aaron Walski between the pipes.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments and suggestions. For more on the matchup between the two teams, click here. Click here for reaction to Sunday’s series finale.