tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105793192012-01-31T15:06:47.811-06:00Sports fan discussing matters usually related to sports. Email thoughts, comments, suggestions, and salutations to bciskie@gmail.comBruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.comBlogger16101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-71949574461200263852012-01-31T12:30:00.001-06:002012-01-31T12:33:17.231-06:00

As expected for some time, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference -- which launches in 2013 and includes UMD -- has signed a multi-year deal with CBS Sports Network. The press release is below. CBS Sports Network has agreed to a multi-year agreement with the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, beginning in the 2013-14 season. CBS Sports Network will be the exclusive national

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-71916517661002226622012-01-30T11:28:00.000-06:002012-01-30T11:28:47.116-06:00

Former UMD defenseman Mike Montgomery -- the captain of last season's national championship team -- has bounced between the ECHL and AHL this season. His time in the ECHL has been spent with the Ontario (Calif.) Reign, while he's had a couple cups of coffee in the AHL, including with the Wild affiliate in Houston. Saturday night, Montgomery was involved in a line brawl that has gone viral on the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-56131349637783443642012-01-30T09:37:00.002-06:002012-01-30T09:37:29.439-06:00

After a weekend that shocked many and was deemed unacceptable by most around the program, the UMD men's hockey team is back to work Monday in preparation for a weekend set against Alaska-Anchorage. Saturday's 5-0 loss to Michigan Tech was UMD's first home loss since Oct. 15 to Minnesota, and the first time it had been shut out in a league game in over 100 games. (Shutout losses to North Dakota

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-30677603938702867642012-01-28T18:10:00.000-06:002012-01-28T18:10:14.654-06:00

No time for chit chat. Sorry. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Herbert Crandall (Justin) - Oleksuk - Brown Flaherty - Hendrickson - Basaraba Krause - Tardy - Grun Bergman - Lamb Kishel - Casto Olson - Smith Reiter - Crandall (Aaron) - Gaffy MTU Pietila (Blake) - Olson - Baker Johnston (David) - Johnstone (Jacob) - MacLeod Furne - Kero - Gordic Reddick - Rix - Pietila (Chad) Stebner -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-31263917256067374192012-01-28T09:40:00.000-06:002012-01-28T09:40:05.614-06:00

When UMD rallied from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to earn a 3-3 tie at Denver in November, it was deemed a good point by everyone on the UMD side. When UMD rallied from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to earn a 3-3 tie at Wisconsin in December, it was deemed a good point by everyone on the UMD side. They were right. Along the way, I got a couple questions from people asking what would constitute a "bad point,"

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-591693313687562242012-01-27T17:56:00.000-06:002012-01-27T17:56:04.255-06:00

Roads around these parts are a tad greasy, so be cautious on your way to the rink. Arrive early if you can, because if this game isn't sold out already, it will at least end up being close. Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk - Brown Crandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - Grun DeLisle - Tardy - Flaherty Bergman - Lamb Kishel - Casto Olson - McManus Reiter - Crandall (Aaron) -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-66456446991934869992012-01-27T08:37:00.000-06:002012-01-27T08:37:07.265-06:00

Two weeks ago, UMD experienced the unfamiliar feeling of a loss. The Bulldogs hadn't lost in 18 games, and it doesn't sound like they enjoyed the feeling very much. "It was pretty special," sophomore forward Joe Basaraba said of the streak. "We can't sit back now that we've started a new one. We got two here, we're looking for number three on Friday night." I've mentioned this before, but the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-57270667099584026032012-01-26T10:18:00.002-06:002012-01-26T10:18:58.299-06:00

Jack Connolly's season goes beyond his Hobey Baker candidacy, his point streak, his exemplary work as UMD's captain, or his march up UMD's all-time scoring list. The UMD senior center had four points last weekend -- including three on Saturday -- in a non-conference sweep of Alabama-Huntsville. That lifted Connolly into sole possession of 12th place on UMD's all-time list with 177 points. It

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-35406461060813531612012-01-25T13:06:00.000-06:002012-01-25T13:06:04.196-06:00

One of the prices you pay for success in college hockey is the risk of losing star players early to professional hockey. Sometimes, even losing teams can have players coveted by the pros.Defenseman Jason Garrison played at UMD from 2005-2008, flashing his big slapshot at times and developing his game enough that he got noticed by pro scouts. Garrison signed as a free agent with the Florida

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-78590968120626560092012-01-24T11:42:00.001-06:002012-01-24T11:42:38.556-06:00

Within a couple days of UMD winning the NCAA title last April, I had already grown tired of people -- both in and out of the Twin Ports area -- asking if the championship would make a difference in UMD's recruiting. After all, the Bulldogs had already secured the services of players like forwards Tony Camaranesi and Kyle Osterberg, defenseman Andy Welinski, and goalie Matt McNeely, and while I

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-80636038080848323622012-01-23T08:46:00.001-06:002012-01-23T08:46:10.059-06:00

Since taking over as the NHL's dean of discipline, there have been a lot of tough decisions for Brendan Shanahan and his group in the Department of Player Safety. Outside of dropping the ball a couple times -- most notably involving hits on Minnesota Wild players -- Shanahan and his people have done a pretty good job. But Shanahan's biggest challenge comes Monday, when he has a hearing with

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-43725691278529583802012-01-21T18:03:00.003-06:002012-01-21T18:03:53.170-06:00

Unhappy with most of his team's Friday night effort, UMD coach Scott Sandelin is looking for more in Saturday's series finale. Alabama-Huntsville kept UMD largely in check Friday night, and the Bulldogs seemed to struggle more as the game went on. We'll see how this one goes, with some changes for UMD. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk - Brown Crandall (Justin

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-48819478340291613872012-01-21T13:10:00.000-06:002012-01-21T13:10:12.696-06:00

It's been a hell of a few months for second-year head coach Chris Luongo and Alabama-Huntsville. Faced with plenty of gloom and doom surrounding his independent program already, the Chargers players found out early in the season that this would be their last season as a varsity program. Many in the community and among UAH's alumni protested, and Luongo was recently made aware of his team's

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-26675101749454681632012-01-20T18:06:00.001-06:002012-01-20T18:06:22.705-06:00

Good news. I didn't get lost on the way in here. Now let's pack this place and make it loud ... like home. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk - Brown Crandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - Grun DeLisle - Tardy - Flaherty Bergman - Lamb Kishel - Casto Olson - Smith Reiter - Crandall (Aaron) - Gaffy UAH Roy - Csester - Lysaght Geoffrion (Sebastian) - Easton - Kotlarz

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-1558834297728377552012-01-20T10:15:00.001-06:002012-01-20T10:15:21.950-06:00

After nine weeks, it's nice to have a home game to look forward to again. UMD is back at Amsoil Arena to host Alabama-Huntsville in a two-game series. The Chargers aren't having a good year -- 2-22-1 playing an independent schedule that includes just ten home games out of 31 total -- but they are coming off a weekend split at Denver Jan. 6-7, a split that came after it was announced the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-539959468940649762012-01-19T17:20:00.002-06:002012-01-19T17:20:38.551-06:00

Outside of Danny Kristo's hit from behind, last Friday's North Dakota-Minnesota game was relatively tame. Just two rivals playing a hard, physical game that ended on a third-period goal by Brock Nelson. Saturday was more of the same, for the most part. Minnesota defenseman Mark Alt was sent off for a hit from behind, but otherwise, the game stayed clean until the clock was at zeroes. Here is

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-9476686859144554582012-01-18T08:49:00.001-06:002012-01-18T08:49:21.764-06:00

On Tuesday, the WCHA shocked some -- namely me -- by suspending Nebraska Omaha freshman forward Dominic Zombo one game for a kneeing incident during Saturday's game against UMD. If you were listening to our broadcast, or you follow me on Twitter, you know how upset I was by the hit. Zombo clearly was guilty of a blatant knee-on-knee hit on JT Brown, a hit that probably should have been a

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-16944929330329922382012-01-17T09:23:00.000-06:002012-01-17T09:23:01.064-06:00

Yes, we know. The Packers lost. It was glorious, assuming you're not a fan of the Packers. And I don't blame you one bit for thinking it was glorious. Packer fans can be an insufferable bunch, especially when their favorite team looks like it's going to repeat. The team isn't going to repeat now. A virtual no-show against the New York Giants Sunday made that a certainty. (GIVE CREDIT TO THE

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-42689064694680832022012-01-14T16:55:00.002-06:002012-01-14T16:55:30.552-06:00

OMAHA, Neb. -- After Friday's sellout promotion, the crowd doesn't look to be as big for Saturday's finale. There are large pieces of tarp over a large part of the seating in the higher reaches of this facility. If the rest of the seats are filled, you're probably looking at a crowd in the neighborhood of 11,000 at the most. UMD tries to run its unbeaten streak to 18, and improve to 13-0-3 away

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-3176783214367135752012-01-14T08:45:00.001-06:002012-01-14T08:45:41.220-06:00

OMAHA, Neb. -- For the UMD men's hockey team, it's unquestionably been an awesome ride. J.T. Brown made sure it continued. The sophomore's career night Friday helped UMD past Nebraska Omaha 6-2 in front of over 16,000 paid customers, a record crowd for this program. It was a monumental night for UNO hockey, but the Bulldogs did their thing and ruined it. UMD used a four-goal third period to

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-18135817531843200812012-01-13T16:28:00.002-06:002012-01-13T16:28:55.062-06:00

OMAHA, Neb. -- Only standing room and single seats remain for this Friday night tilt. UMD and Nebraska Omaha should have an awesome atmosphere to play in front of, and they are the kind of teams that can produce an awesome game in that environment. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk - Brown Crandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - Grun DeLisle - Tardy - Flaherty Bergman

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-9327256134376992272012-01-12T20:32:00.000-06:002012-01-12T20:32:08.661-06:00

OMAHA, Neb. -- It's almost getting to the point where UMD's next loss can be greeted by a table talking about what the price of gas was the last time UMD lost, or how much it cost to buy a gallon of milk.That's somewhat sarcastic, but Oct. 15 was a long time ago. After all, we had no idea the Wild would be good.(Wait, we still don't really know. Carry on.)The 16-game unbeaten streak is something

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-91493229362010455782012-01-11T11:53:00.000-06:002012-01-11T11:53:12.130-06:00

You. Need. To. See. This. Incredible save by Smith. Big spot, too. And, yes, I'm accounting for the fact the Rangers got the two points anyway.

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-63701843036864458352012-01-11T09:30:00.000-06:002012-01-11T09:30:14.226-06:00

NHL Central Scouting released its mid-term rankings Wednesday morning. A number of players with local ties -- including some UMD recruits -- are included. North American skaters are here. Follow the links to check out the other lists. UMD recruits on the list are as follows: 100. Austyn Young, F, Sioux Falls (USHL) 139. Adam Johnson, F, Hibbing 187. Austin Farley, F, Fargo (USHL) 34 (goalies).

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-6340495783070735562012-01-11T07:57:00.001-06:002012-01-11T07:57:41.511-06:00

The UMD Bulldogs are unbeaten in 16 straight. You know this. You're aware they haven't lost since Oct. 15. You're aware who that loss came to. You're aware that it doesn't seem to matter as much now as it did then. This school-record run started innocently enough, as the Bulldogs got back on the proverbial horse with a win and tie at Providence Oct. 21-22. What's happened since is almost

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-14182823090689537222012-01-07T16:19:00.002-06:002012-01-07T16:19:45.965-06:00

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The record is theirs. Can they add to it? UMD is set to try to run its unbeaten streak to 16. Friday's win -- among other things -- sealed a winning road trip for the Bulldogs, who are 4-0-1 with three road games left before the Jan. 20-21 dates with Alabama-Huntsville. Another win here could be huge in the Pairwise, and that's a plus for a league that is flat-out hurting in

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-37211330530335234002012-01-07T09:09:00.000-06:002012-01-07T09:17:49.774-06:00

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- You could see it coming. It almost seemed as inevitable as a sunrise and sunset. And Western Michigan couldn't stop it. Not even a 27-day layoff could stop it. The UMD men kept it rolling here Friday night, beating Western Michigan 4-1 to run its unbeaten streak to a school-record 15. As has been the case for much of this streak, the Bulldogs got the job done with an

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-49239952134239220312012-01-06T15:21:00.002-06:002012-01-06T17:32:36.116-06:00

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Here we go. Off a break of almost exactly four weeks, the UMD men return here to start a two-game series. Along with the normal radio coverage, the Friday clash can be seen on CBS Sports Network if you have DirecTV or Dish Network. Ben Holden, the great Dave Starman, and Shireen Saski provide the coverage. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-53000207008674841832012-01-05T20:23:00.000-06:002012-01-05T20:23:44.933-06:00

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The National Collegiate Hockey Conference doesn't launch until 2013, but the league's formation has already begun. The eight teams -- UMD, Colorado College, Denver, Miami, Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota, St. Cloud State, and Western Michigan -- have been announced, and the league hired its first commissioner Wednesday. Former USOC head Jim Scherr is going to be front and center

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-39429047067270080392012-01-05T14:40:00.001-06:002012-01-05T14:40:51.831-06:00

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- This break felt like it was six months, instead of close to one month.In some ways, it feels like the UMD men's hockey team is starting the season all over again. The Bulldogs haven't played since beating Wisconsin 4-2 in Madison on Dec. 10.The team practiced the following week, then went their separate ways for a two-week hiatus. They returned to practice at the DECC last

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-85927452623876169182012-01-03T09:19:00.000-06:002012-01-03T09:19:21.466-06:00

Hope everyone had a good New Year's weekend. Back in the grind we go, I guess. After back-to-back losses on Hail Mary throws derailed Wisconsin's BCS title hopes before October was over, there was still a chance for the Badgers to finish the season on a high note. The Big Ten title was within their grasp -- thanks in large part to the numerous flaws shown by division foes Ohio State and Penn

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-30362542474599575962011-12-30T09:44:00.003-06:002011-12-30T09:44:56.859-06:00

After a two-week hiatus, and near the three-week mark since its last game, the UMD men's hockey team returns to the ice on Friday. The Bulldogs will work out at the DECC for a couple days, because of a DSSO show scheduled for Saturday night at Amsoil Arena. UMD is at Western Michigan next weekend. The Broncos lost at St. Cloud State 4-2 on Thursday, as the Huskies scored three goals in the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-39297066950533105112011-12-28T10:49:00.001-06:002011-12-28T14:24:45.370-06:00

Every year, I usually kill some time during mark the midseason break in college hockey by taking a stab at what my actual WCHA awards ballot would look like, if I had to fill out such a thing now. This year is no different, so let's get a move on this. We'll start with the all-league teams. First team Forwards Nick Bjugstad, Minnesota Jack Connolly, Minnesota Duluth Jason Zucker, Denver 

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-18755408216205852492011-12-28T09:42:00.002-06:002011-12-28T10:04:27.868-06:00

On Nov. 30, impressed with a recent drop-off in NHL suspensions, as well as the general consistency we were seeing with them, I wrote this piece for SB Nation. It seems so very simple, but it's a complicated and stressful process. Guys like (Brendan) Shanahan, Stephane Quintal, and Rob Blake are not that far removed from playing in the NHL. There are players in the league who know these guys,

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-77289450780007536902011-12-22T09:35:00.000-06:002011-12-22T09:35:09.156-06:00

USA Hockey has announced the roster for this year's World Junior Championships, which start Monday in Edmonton and Calgary. Here is the announcement: USA Hockey today announced the 22 members of the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2011-Jan. 5, 2012, in Edmonton and Calgary, Alta.Among those on the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-85801242967580612312011-12-22T07:45:00.000-06:002011-12-22T07:45:16.113-06:00

I'm on and off the grid lately, and between normal responsibilities and my new SB Nation responsibilities and everything that surrounds Christmas prep. I know you all understand, and I'm certainly appreciative of the continued support. For shorter updates, check out my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter. Links are on the left-hand side. UMD is off until late next week, when they'll resume

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-466102193497784622011-12-20T12:36:00.000-06:002011-12-20T12:36:03.982-06:00

This might be better than the Florida Panthers singing Christmas carols. Former UMD defenseman Chad Huttel is in his first year with the Sheffield Steelers, a team in England's Elite Hockey League. Huttel played four years at UMD, helping the Bulldogs win a national championship and make two NCAA Tournament appearances in his time here. That came after he was the captain of the Hermantown Hawks

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-84954516772048597202011-12-20T09:12:00.001-06:002011-12-20T09:12:59.031-06:00

Things are going great for the Florida Panthers. Kevin Dineen looks like a Jack Adams Award candidate. Former UMD Bulldog Jason Garrison leads all NHL defensemen with ten goals. Forward Kris Versteeg is on pace for 40 goals. Oh, and Florida leads the Southeast Division by eight points. In the spirit of the season, the Panthers want to wish all of us a Merry Christmas. Using the power of song

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-45980809322839567342011-12-15T10:15:00.004-06:002011-12-15T10:15:55.693-06:00

So the NHL has decided not to suspend Winnipeg Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian for his hit on Minnesota's Pierre-Marc Bouchard Tuesday night. Player Safety Dept. feels that Bogosian did not run at Bouchard and that Bouchard turned just prior to the hit.   Okay. So if Bouchard doesn't turn, and Bogosian cross-checks him in the face, breaking Bouchard's nose in the process, is that somehow a

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-61898290631863359202011-12-14T08:39:00.000-06:002011-12-14T08:39:40.197-06:00

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian should be expecting a telephone call from Brendan Shanahan soon. His hit on Minnesota forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard left Bouchard injured, and apparently also created new stains all over the MTS Centre. Bouchard's status is unknown at this point, but Bogosian's shouldn't be questioned. He's facing a suspension, as he very well should. What say you?

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-71832687879363058502011-12-10T14:47:00.001-06:002011-12-10T19:10:24.926-06:00

MADISON, Wisc. -- The halfway mark happens as of this game, and the Bulldogs' national title defense probably couldn't have started any better than it has. UMD has a chance to sail into the holiday break with a school-record 14-game unbeaten streak with a win in this game against Wisconsin. There is a lot of other potential significance to this game that we'll talk about on the air during the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-79048374635249005092011-12-10T12:28:00.001-06:002011-12-10T12:37:26.943-06:00

It wasn't a great night for former UMD players Justin Faulk and Jason Garrison in terms of final scores and team results. Tim Stapleton might disagree. Faulk's Carolina Hurricanes fell 4-2 at Stapleton's Winnipeg Jets Friday, while Garrison and the Florida Panthers lost 2-1 in a shootout at Buffalo. However, both blue-liners tallied goals for their respective teams. Stapleton got one for the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-31577497908492499572011-12-10T09:06:00.001-06:002011-12-10T10:10:57.151-06:00

MADISON, Wisc. -- The UMD Bulldogs and Wisconsin Badgers have danced this dance before. In fact, it seems like routine at this point. Going back to the 2007-2008 season, the teams have been involved in plenty of close games at the Kohl Center. In the previous five meetings over that span, UMD had won four, with all of them being one-goal games, and three of them going overtime. The game

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-86692130331787064142011-12-09T18:07:00.001-06:002011-12-10T14:49:37.773-06:00

MADISON, Wisc. -- What a super day for a drive. Since it's the trip to Madison, it must be "a great day for hockey," right? UMD tries to run the unbeaten streak to 13, one off the school record, and tries to run the away-from-Duluth unbeaten streak to 11, which would be a school record. Wisconsin has been good at home, and will try to stop those things from happening so it can grab some

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-90419760254344152062011-12-08T10:06:00.001-06:002011-12-08T10:32:45.250-06:00

In 2003-2004, Scott Sandelin's UMD Bulldogs ripped off a school-record 14-game unbeaten streak. Included in that run were road sweeps of Denver and Colorado College. So Sandelin has been through this before. Less can be said of a guy like senior Travis Oleksuk, who told me this week that he has not been part of a 12-game unbeaten streak since he was a youth hockey player some 15 years ago.

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-4966091217588560142011-12-06T08:42:00.001-06:002011-12-06T08:45:31.580-06:00

Former UMD defenseman Matt Niskanen is not known as a fighter. In fact, this is his fourth NHL season, and he has only fought five times, counting a good one he had Monday night in Pittsburgh. The Penguins blue-liner was on the wrong end of a rather nasty-looking slew-foot from Boston forward and noted pest Brad Marchand. Instead of looking for someone else to fight Marchand in his honor,

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-35925319234585253562011-12-05T10:00:00.001-06:002011-12-05T10:04:03.295-06:00

I love the Teddy Bear Toss. Great hockey promotion. Hell, when Minnesota State did it one year while UMD was in Mankato, we went out and bought a bear to throw on the ice. It's fun, for a good cause, and makes for a cool visual. Especially when there are 25,000 teddy bears flying everywhere. Witness. This is from the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, who had over 26,000 teddy bears at their event in

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-32309476201704929312011-12-03T16:07:00.001-06:002011-12-03T16:07:33.738-06:00

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- It's about to be snowy here in Houghton. So Mr. Pates better have brought his good typing hands here to the rink. Heh.Actually, if this turns into another Bemidji trip (if you don't get the reference, just imagine needing six-plus hours to drive to Duluth from Bemidji, while people who left 20 minutes before you needed less than half that.), we're spending the night in Ironwood

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-2385392793479628712011-12-02T22:28:00.001-06:002011-12-03T09:15:29.451-06:00

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- This is my seventh year with the honor of calling UMD hockey games. Over that time, I've seen a lot of different types of teams here. The one that has started this season 10-3-2 might have the inside track on being the most mature team I've covered. Obviously, we have a long way to go, but UMD keeps showing its smarts and experience seemingly every time something bad happens.

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-61365278698446879042011-12-02T16:16:00.001-06:002011-12-03T15:32:09.781-06:00

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Greetings and salutations. UMD is prepared to defend a ten-game unbeaten streak, but to do so, they'll have to avoid the slow start that plagued them in the Friday win over Minnesota State Nov. 17. It's something that will be addressed -- in all likelihood -- in the pregame show before this one. I know it was brought up on Wednesday during our show at Buffalo Wild Wings. Lines

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-88899925917412328392011-12-01T21:36:00.000-06:002011-12-01T21:36:25.792-06:00

The road odyssey begins. Luckily, it's not like pro sports, where teams go on the road and don't come back until they're done playing road games. We at least get to travel home in between the games, and there's a three-week gap between consecutive weekends on the road. This weekend, it's a two-game series at Michigan Tech, a team that looks completely different from the one that was swept aside

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-22746187294339085242011-12-01T09:31:00.001-06:002011-12-01T09:50:47.014-06:00

You see all sorts of different teams when you get into the playoffs, especially when it's something like Division II football that is quite the regional sport. The farther you get in the playoffs, the more likely that it's an unfamiliar opponent that your team is preparing to face. Oftentimes, it's someone your team never plays against during the regular season, and may have never played before

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-31926328832905378062011-11-29T07:38:00.001-06:002011-11-29T08:46:21.396-06:00

I doubt anyone is really surprised to see the UMD football team in the regional final Saturday. They've been a staple in the Division II playoffs in recent years, and UMD has made four straight Super Region Three finals (wins over Grand Valley State and Augustana, with a loss to Grand Valley in 2009). This is the third straight year that the Super Region Three final will be contested at Malosky

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-59361396735396007992011-11-28T17:09:00.001-06:002011-11-28T17:30:35.900-06:00

I've made no qualms about the fact that the BCS sucks. Hell, I typically refuse to seriously entertain arguments that it's good in any way for college football. Back in 2006, Michigan and Florida were jousting for the final spot in the BCS title game against unbeaten and top-ranked (and, as it turned out, severely overrated) Ohio State. Michigan had lost its season finale to Ohio State in a

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-33538879488680180122011-11-26T08:33:00.001-06:002011-11-26T08:53:24.182-06:00

This has been fun, I have to admit. I haven't even logged into the computer since early Thursday, and that was to look at Black Friday ads. It's always good to get away, even if it's only for a couple days, and even if you don't necessarily go anywhere. We're hockey fans here, and I have a greater appreciation for the sport virtually every day I cover it. But down time is a must, even if you

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-77962909398686041522011-11-22T07:51:00.001-06:002011-11-22T08:43:57.188-06:00

If the media had things the way the media would probably have wanted it, this wouldn't have played out the way it did. Some 29 hours before the opening faceoff of Monday's Pittsburgh Penguins-New York Islanders game in Pittsburgh, the Penguins announced that captain/superstar/hockey lightning rod Sidney Crosby would be returning. Crosby was scheduled to play in a game for the first time since

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-34697353893399354812011-11-21T08:38:00.001-06:002011-11-21T08:42:47.324-06:00

During timeouts at Amsoil Arena, there are often things put on the Jumbotron meant to engage the fans and get them involved. Fans are encouraged to kiss each other, dance, and on Saturday, they were implored to do something called "The Bernie." Thanks to the recent 1980s classic movie "Weekend at Bernie's," we have a dance craze on our hands. Just ask UMD sophomore goalie Aaron Crandall.

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-66894005156275888652011-11-21T07:55:00.001-06:002011-11-21T07:56:58.457-06:00

Woo! The Ciskie Blog Ballot - Week 13 Rank Team Delta 1 LSU Tigers -- 2 Alabama Crimson Tide -- 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys -- 4 Arkansas Razorbacks 1 5 Boise St. Broncos

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-41936665739453263402011-11-19T18:18:00.001-06:002011-11-19T18:18:18.088-06:00

Let's make it ten, shall we? Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - BasarabaHerbert - Oleksuk - BrownCrandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - GrunKrause - Tardy - FlahertyBergman - LambKishel - CastoOlson - McManusReiter - Crandall (Aaron) - Gaffy MSU Mueller - Zuck - Dorr Burkemper - Lehrke - Hayes Lafontaine - Leitner - Gaede McInnis - Jokinen - Leivermann Louwerse - Schiller Palmquist - Mosey

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-81541156644366105072011-11-19T09:53:00.001-06:002011-11-19T10:18:36.032-06:00

Yeah, it's cheesy. I don't care. UMD ran its unbeaten streak to nine with a 5-2 win over Minnesota State Friday at Amsoil Arena. It was a game that featured a little bit of everything, including an absolutely unstoppable second line for UMD. Two weeks ago, coach Scott Sandelin put Travis Oleksuk at center after a few games as a left wing on Jack Connolly's top line. Sandelin reunited Oleksuk

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-6789702237184642982011-11-18T17:16:00.001-06:002011-11-18T18:30:54.958-06:00

Hopefully everyone drove carefully. Slick on the side streets with snow falling that wasn't exactly in the forecast. At least not for Friday. Minnesota State is in town, hoping to end a six-game winless streak in Duluth by succeeding in its first game inside Amsoil Arena. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - BasarabaHerbert - Oleksuk - BrownCrandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - GrunDeLisle -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-16958208246045282272011-11-18T09:25:00.001-06:002011-11-18T09:39:50.686-06:00

UMD has only had two road trips so far this season. The Bulldogs will get to spend a lot of time on buses coming up in the next two months. This weekend, UMD hosts Minnesota State at Amsoil Arena. Once we hope to hear "Holiday Road" after a UMD win and (again, hopefully) get a stick salute Saturday, it will be the last time Amsoil Arena's lights come on for a UMD men's home game until January.

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-78048226721928522082011-11-16T09:54:00.001-06:002011-11-16T09:59:44.078-06:00

For the second straight week, UMD is front-and-center as the WCHA releases its weekly individual awards. This time, the Bulldogs are double-dipping, with players of the week on both ends of the ice. Here is the press release from the league: Veteran forward Jack Connolly, who figured in on half of the University of Minnesota Duluth's eight goals in a two-game conference home-ice sweep of

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-53749489355505489802011-11-16T08:57:00.001-06:002011-11-16T09:52:43.332-06:00

I've tried not to harp too much on this year's NFL happenings, mainly because I completely whiffed on the NFC North, outside of Green Bay. I am not going to rub anyone's face in the Packers' success. It's been a lot of fun to watch, and it's probably not a lot of fun for a lot of the readers of this blog, many of whom are not Packers fans. I thought Minnesota would be good. I actually thought

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-28958150209279124302011-11-14T08:45:00.001-06:002011-11-14T08:46:43.908-06:00

Here goes ... The Ciskie Blog Ballot - Week 12 Rank Team Delta 1 LSU Tigers -- 2 Alabama Crimson Tide -- 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys 1 4 Oregon Ducks 2 5 Arkansas Razorbacks

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-81178024488903355342011-11-12T17:16:00.001-06:002011-11-12T17:59:19.458-06:00

UMD is trying for a second straight home series sweep. A win and a Minnesota loss leaves UMD one point out of the top spot in the WCHA, not that it will stop much of the Twin Cities contingent from kneeling before their favorite hockey team. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk - Brown Crandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - Grun DeLisle - Tardy - Flaherty Bergman - Lamb

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-1321886632234716752011-11-12T09:28:00.001-06:002011-11-12T11:01:04.818-06:00

Sorry. Sometimes I can't resist. The streaking UMD Bulldogs bamboozled Alaska-Anchorage early and cruised to a 5-0 win at Amsoil Arena Friday night. UMD scored three goals in a span of less than two minutes in the first period, added one more later in the period, and then put the game in auto-pilot. Kenny Reiter set a school record by running his scoreless streak to over 160 minutes. He'll

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-57238549923444208442011-11-11T17:17:00.001-06:002011-11-11T17:23:11.109-06:00

Should be an interesting weekend, as a desperate Seawolves team tries to break a four-game slide against a UMD group that hasn't lost in six. Start of a four-game homestand at Amsoil Arena, which will be followed by eight straight road games (in wondrous locales like Houghton and Kalamazoo) spread out over two months before UMD returns home in January. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-15006149581440049282011-11-11T09:20:00.001-06:002011-11-11T09:36:05.313-06:00

For the UMD men's hockey team, there have already been tests this season. Their speed was tested against Notre Dame. The series against Minnesota -- especially the outcome -- tested their mettle. Providence was the first road trip, and it tested UMD's ability to play a patient game and play in front of a less-than-ideal atmosphere. Bemidji State tested the Bulldogs' patience even more, and Denver

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-26013525101033782072011-11-09T12:43:00.000-06:002011-11-09T12:43:56.882-06:00

It was really good to see UMD respond like it did last weekend in Denver.Down 1-0 after 64 seconds, 2-0 later in the first, and eventually 3-1 in the second period, the Bulldogs had nothing going offensively. Head coach Scott Sandelin decided to mix up UMD's lines, and the changes worked. UMD scored two power-play goals to force a 3-3 tie Friday. The Bulldogs then used their newly-drawn lines for

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-7858789617020032642011-11-08T11:50:00.001-06:002011-11-08T11:50:31.807-06:00

Not a surprise, but I'll throw the information out there for all those interested. Sellouts and full houses have been hard to find in St. Paul this season, but I think it would be really nice if we could fill the XCel Energy Center for this. The Minnesota Wild announced plans Tuesday to honor former player Derek Boogaard, who died in May. The plans surround Minnesota's home game against Calgary

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-36764250677034503032011-11-08T09:43:00.002-06:002011-11-08T09:43:30.206-06:00

As we get wound up for the hot stove season in baseball*, the Minnesota Twins made their first significant move of the offseason Monday. (* - Yes, I know free agency has started, but nothing of note generally happens until after the winter meetings.) The Twins' move doesn't involve a player. Instead, the team has gone to its past to try to save its future. General manager Bill Smith was fired

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-48431810063305508522011-11-07T09:24:00.001-06:002011-11-07T09:24:26.350-06:00

Here it is for this week. The Ciskie Blog Ballot - Week 11 Rank Team Delta 1 LSU Tigers -- 2 Alabama Crimson Tide -- 3 Boise St. Broncos -- 4 Oklahoma St. Cowboys -- 5

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-36895796604228885172011-11-05T18:29:00.001-05:002011-11-05T18:29:29.528-05:00

DENVER -- This will be the first game for some new-look forward lines for UMD. Meanwhile, Denver is dressing 12 forwards and six defensemen -- a more "standard" lineup -- for the first time this season. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Basaraba Herbert - Oleksuk - Brown Crandall (Justin) - Hendrickson - Grun Krause - Tardy - Flaherty Bergman - Lamb Kishel - Casto Olson - Smith Reiter -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-21881673161987257122011-11-05T10:26:00.003-05:002011-11-05T10:26:52.090-05:00

Before I throw out any comments, here's the video from Friday's Camping World Truck race at Texas. Absolutely ridiculous move by Busch, and NASCAR struck quickly, parking Busch for the weekend's Nationwide and Sprint Cup races. NASCAR immediately parked Busch and continued that process Saturday morning by invoking Section 9-12 in its rule book, which states, "A NASCAR Supervisory Official

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-44184429489919401602011-11-05T09:41:00.003-05:002011-11-05T09:41:45.703-05:00

DENVER -- Before Friday's game, UMD coach Scott Sandelin and I were having our normal pregame conversation, and I asked him what he thought of his forward line tweaks made for the previous weekend's series against Bemidji State. Predictably, the 12th-year head coach wasn't terribly excited about what he saw in Saturday's 1-0 win. But I wasn't expecting to hear what I heard. "You might see some

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-45702785410871357862011-11-04T18:57:00.001-05:002011-11-04T18:57:29.254-05:00

DENVER -- Greetings from beautiful Denver, where UMD is ready to open a two-game series against the Denver Pioneers. In case you're wondering, there is still snow on the ground, especially in areas that don't get a lot of sun because of tall buildings nearby. Despite the presence of snow, it's been a great day, with mainly partly cloudy skies and temperatures into the 50s. Enough weather. Time

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-73627705794400423132011-11-04T08:05:00.000-05:002011-11-04T10:31:55.504-05:00

This is my first attempt this season at listing former UMD men's hockey players currently in pro hockey. I may have missed a few guys. Please send me an email or comment on this post if you know of any omissions. Nick Anderson, Pontebba (Italy), 13 GP 1-4-5 Rob Bordson, Trenton (ECHL), 7 GP 1-4-5 Andrew Carroll, Hershey (AHL), 9 GP 0-1-1 Mike Connolly, Worcester (AHL), 7 GP 5-6-11

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-80651955526458091312011-11-03T19:33:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:33:08.187-05:00

DENVER -- It's a road trip that became quite familiar for the UMD Bulldogs a few years ago. Between March 10, 2006, and Nov. 8, 2008, UMD played 11 games in Denver (4-7 record). Buoyed by two playoff series here, it was UMD's most-visited venue in that timespan. Since Nov. 8, 2008, the Bulldogs have played as many games at Magness Arena as they have at Wessman Arena. Zero. It's an odd

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-52749103424297264432011-11-03T16:44:00.002-05:002011-11-03T16:44:47.830-05:00

No one questions my loyalty toward the Packers. I want to see my favorite football team win, and I don't care who they play against. Obviously, though, it's a bit more special when they play the Vikings and Bears. The fun of NFC North rivalries could end up being tempered a bit soon, thanks to uninspired, clueless politicians in Minnesota. The Vikings stadium debate has been going on since Red

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-51535221128139946492011-11-02T09:38:00.003-05:002011-11-02T09:38:57.808-05:00

The college hockey television landscape has grown. As previously reported, rumored, and discussed, NBC Sports Group is adding a package of college hockey broadcasts on what is now known as Versus. That channel will become NBC Sports Network Jan. 2, the day of the NHL Winter Classic. Three days prior, on New Year's Eve, it will broadcast its first-ever college hockey game. That game, between host

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-69123287629371452652011-10-31T09:37:00.001-05:002011-10-31T09:37:58.000-05:00

One of the things that gets cast aside once my attention span gets dominated by college hockey is college football. I love college football, but the fact that we still don't have a likable system to decide a major-college champion is a problem, and it doesn't help that the Big Ten is basically a non-competitive entity in the sport. If that hadn't been proven beyond a doubt before this weekend,

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-3208414679111566962011-10-31T08:01:00.000-05:002011-10-31T08:01:02.271-05:00

Another week, another ballot. The Ciskie Blog Ballot - Week 10 Rank Team Delta 1 LSU Tigers -- 2 Alabama Crimson Tide -- 3 Boise St. Broncos -- 4 Oklahoma St. Cowboys -- 5

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-72926233579416641592011-10-29T18:03:00.003-05:002011-10-29T18:03:42.885-05:00

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Bemidji State is going to bring a much better effort in this game. The question: Can UMD match or exceed that effort? Lines? Lines. UMD Oleksuk - Connolly - Brown Seidel - Hendrickson - BasarabaCrandall (Justin) - Herbert - GrunDeLisle - Tardy - FlahertyBergman - LambKishel - CastoOlson - McManusReiter - Crandall (Aaron) - GaffyBSUKinne - George -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-86705395138820764682011-10-29T09:38:00.000-05:002011-10-29T09:38:12.076-05:00

I know we're barely a month into this college hockey season, and I know that means some teams still have 30 or more regular season games to play. I know that we've danced the "quick start" dance with programs in the past, and I know that it hasn't always ended well. But I don't care. This can no longer be ignored. Without a doubt, the biggest and best story of this young college hockey season

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-43720165446614126082011-10-28T17:18:00.001-05:002011-10-28T17:18:34.868-05:00

The Bulldogs haven't taken good care of Amsoil Arena in its short tenure as the Bulldogs' home. It's not like they've been bad here, but they haven't created a culture where everyone expects the home barn to lead to wins. That needs to change soon, as UMD is in the middle of a run of ten out of 14 games at home to start the season. Must make hay while the sun, well, you know. Lines? Lines.

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-10610181284781606272011-10-28T09:58:00.003-05:002011-10-28T09:58:43.309-05:00

Just think. Had the 2010-11 season played out differently, we could be sitting here talking about how the Bulldogs are trying to exact a measure of revenge this weekend. Instead, it's just another opponent that will try to measure itself against the defending NCAA champions. Weird how that works out, isn't it? Last March, Bemidji State got a controversial power play in overtime against UMD at

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-57782896811517189682011-10-26T07:42:00.000-05:002011-10-26T07:42:03.809-05:00

I know it's still a couple weeks away, but I wanted to let you know about a cool event that will be taking place on Veteran's Day during the UMD-Alaska-Anchorage men's hockey game. For the details, I call on this press release from Defending the Blue Line, a group whose mission is to help offset the cost of playing hockey for the families of military members from all branches. Defending the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-82817048891751204652011-10-24T11:58:00.001-05:002011-10-24T11:58:26.992-05:00

The inevitable became the reality Monday. The University of Alabama-Huntsville announced that it is dropping its varsity Division I men's hockey program, effective at the end of the season. UAH interim president Malcolm Portera made the announcement, one week before he leaves the position to make room for the school's new president. As a result of a financial analysis of our athletic program,

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-88249621450025552352011-10-24T07:54:00.001-05:002011-10-24T07:54:10.785-05:00

Discuss. The Ciskie Blog Ballot - Week 9 Rank Team Delta 1 LSU Tigers -- 2 Alabama Crimson Tide -- 3 Boise St. Broncos 2 4 Oklahoma St. Cowboys 3 5 Stanford Cardinal

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-23075540397187736902011-10-22T16:27:00.001-05:002011-10-22T16:27:13.277-05:00

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- UMD tries for a sweep in this game, after a 5-2 win Friday. The Bulldogs are now 8-0-1 in their last nine games against non-WCHA opponents away from Duluth. They are trying to sweep a Hockey East team in a road series for the first time since beating UMass-Lowell twice in the 2007-08 season (also the last time they played a road series against a Hockey East team). Lines?

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-51843727584112817262011-10-22T08:44:00.001-05:002011-10-22T08:44:04.054-05:00

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The first road trip of UMD's young season got off to an auspicious start Friday night, and the finish to a 5-2 win over Providence was even better than the start. The Bulldogs got a goal from their fourth line just 3:11 into the game, as Keegan Flaherty tipped in a goal-mouth feed from Scott Kishel after Kishel stole a puck in the neutral zone and led the charge three on one/

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-42198670978700029202011-10-21T16:33:00.001-05:002011-10-21T17:11:53.666-05:00

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- On the road for the first time this season, UMD is trying to snap a three-game slide. It's the Bulldogs' longest losing streak since the tail end of the 2009-2010 season. A long time ago. Time for it to end. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Brown Tardy - Oleksuk - Basaraba Crandall (Justin) - Herbert - Grun DeLisle - Hendrickson - Flaherty Bergman - Lamb Kishel -

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-53503372623097854672011-10-20T18:55:00.001-05:002011-10-20T18:55:32.559-05:00

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Four straight home games and ten out of 14 sounds like a great way to start the season. Yet, it's a trip out east that could get UMD the team bonding they seek. The Bulldogs are off to a surprising -- not in a good way -- 1-3 start to the season. This weekend, they have made the trip to Providence for a two-game series against the Friars of Providence College. So far, the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-89295570297940458482011-10-19T07:56:00.002-05:002011-10-19T07:56:41.596-05:00

We've discussed this before, but high school football is a bit different in Wisconsin than it is in Minnesota. In Minnesota, the high school football playoffs include everybody, with the exception of the bottom teams in sections that have more than eight teams (there aren't many). In Wisconsin, teams have to finish .500 or better in league play to qualify for the state football playoffs. Upon

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-14393394226747999692011-10-17T08:47:00.002-05:002011-10-17T08:47:15.208-05:00

Discussion points after, but here is the ballot. The Ciskie Blog Ballot - Week 8 Rank Team Delta 1 LSU Tigers -- 2 Alabama Crimson Tide -- 3 Wisconsin Badgers -- 4 Oklahoma Sooners --

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-28398252772515616832011-10-15T18:24:00.001-05:002011-10-15T18:24:29.562-05:00

These two teams played a heck of an entertaining game Friday. Can they match or exceed that in the series (weekend and, sadly, season) finale? Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Brown Hendrickson - Oleksuk - Basaraba Crandall (Justin) - Herbert - Grun Flaherty - Tardy - Krause Bergman - Lamb Kishel - Casto Johnson - Olson Reiter - Crandall (Aaron) - Gaffy UMTC Warning - Haula - Hansen

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-50105570975991617682011-10-15T13:59:00.002-05:002011-10-15T13:59:56.839-05:00

When Nate Condon made a great play to bat the puck out of the air past UMD goalie Kenny Reiter in overtime Friday night, it marked the first time UMD lost an overtime game in Amsoil Arena, and it marked the first time the Gophers scored a goal in the game while each team had five skaters on the ice. The Gophers took advantage of opportunities presented to them by an undisciplined UMD squad,

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-6489545069648019622011-10-14T18:25:00.001-05:002011-10-14T18:25:24.440-05:00

Game 216 of this rivalry is ready to go. Coverage on 94X, KQ 105.5, KQ 106.7, or online at www.94xrocks.com. Lines? Lines. UMD Seidel - Connolly - Brown Hendrickson - Oleksuk - Basaraba Crandall (Justin) - Herbert - Grun Flaherty - Tardy - Krause Bergman - Lamb Kishel - Casto McManus - Olson Reiter - Crandall (Aaron) - Gaffy UMTC Condon - Matson - Ambroz Warning - Haula - Hansen Serratore

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579319.post-28859754816214224002011-10-14T09:46:00.002-05:002011-10-14T12:02:07.520-05:00

It's that time of the year again. Bulldogs-Gophers. What was always a great rivalry -- despite being largely dominated by Minnesota -- got a jolt of new energy April 9, when Kyle Schmidt put a centering pass from Travis Oleksuk past Michigan goalie Shawn Hunwick. It gave UMD its first national championship in men's hockey, and it was accomplished in a Frozen Four that was hosted by the

Bruce Ciskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18047065575250548176noreply@blogger.com1