Hey, didn't this used to be a college hockey blog? Why yes, it did. So I should probably post something about college hockey every once in a while.
While researching this weekend's games, I noticed an interesting coincidence. In three different series this weekend, it will be the first game between the two games since a late-game fight in their last meeting.
Michigan and Ohio State last met on February 27th, 2007 when the Buckeyes scored late in the third period to win 6-5. At the 20:00 minute mark of the third period, a scuffle broke out between the two teams. Michigan had 5 players receive a 2-minute minor for roughing, the Buckeyes had four players get assessed a 2-minute roughing minor, and Zach Pelletier was given a double-minor and game disqualification.
Minnesota State last met up with Minnesota-Duluth on December 16th in Mankato. The Mavericks had just taken a 5-3 lead early in the third period, when some pushing behind the net escalated into a full blown fight. The fight started between MSU's Kael Mouillierat and UMD's Matt Niskanen, and both players earned double minors for roughing. While the players were skirmishing behind the net, UMD goalie Alex Stalock hit MSU's Zach Harrison in front of the net, for which he was given a double minor. Harrison got up to challenge Stalock, which drew the attention of UMD's Nick Kemp. Seeing his goalie involved in a fight, Kemp cut-in and fought Harrison, with each ending up with game disqualifications for fighting. MSU's Lucas Fransen was also given a double minor for roughing, and UMD's Travis Gawryletz received a roughing minor.
The fight of the year, however, happened the weekend prior to that in Colorado Springs, when Colorado College took on Alaska-Anchorage. CC won the game in overtime on a Scott McCulloch goal. I never saw a full video, but referee Marco Hunt didn't bother with handing out minors. Six Seawolf players(Chris Tarkir, Chad Anderson, Jay Beagle, Blair Tassone, Mark Smith, and Kevin Clark), and 5 Tiger players(Addison DeBoer, Mike Testwuide, Lee Sweatt, Jake Gannon, and Brandon Straub) were all given fighting majors and game disqualifications. Colorado College was only able to dress 5 defenseman in their next game(which they lost), and Anchorage only skated with three lines in their next(which they also lost).
Friday night will the first time all of those teams get back on the ice with each other, which should add another interesting storyline to this weekend's games.
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4 comments:
That UAA vs CC fight was something else. UAA won the first 5 rounds, and CC won the last 4.
I have been looking for video, does anyone no if there is one anywhere?
I know that these stories about fights are total fabrication on your part because both Lucia and Motzko have said that when there is a fight UND is always involved.
:-)
Daniel Erlich will be attending Saunders High School in London and taking a full time course load.
New Knight small but mighty
Thursday, November 29, 2007
By RYAN PYETTE, SUN MEDIA; FREE PRESS SPORTS REPORTER
Sure, Daniel Erlich is small.
At a generously listed five-foot-seven (more accurately two inches shorter) and 155 pounds (and five pounds lighter), the newest London forward makes ex-Knights star Pat Kane look like a bruising behemoth.
And yes, he's young. At only 16, the Thornhill native makes Edmonton Oiler Sam Gagner look like a grizzled veteran.
But Erlich has proved he is more than willing to gamble -- the A student turned down a hefty financial aid package from Northeastern University to join the Knights.
And he's brave -- he recently played in a Jewish tournament in Israel at a rink within spitting distance of barbed-wire fences marking the border with Lebanon.
"I'm nervous, but I'm excited to be in London," he said yesterday before his first Knights practice. "I'm looking forward to this. I struggled with it after leaving (London training camp this summer) to play junior A. It was a tough decision (the OHL or college), but this is where I wanted to be."
Erlich's talent is undeniable. He scored five goals and 20 points in 21 games with the Toronto Junior Canadiens of the Ontario Provincial Junior A League this season -- and that's with limited power-play time.
Last year, he was an offensive catalyst for a talented Toronto Marlies midget AAA team that advanced to the OHL Cup final. London goalie Michael Zador, the Knights first-rounder this summer, was on that club and believes Erlich would've been selected among the top picks if he didn't scare away teams with his school ambitions.
"Yes, we believe he has that kind of ability," London general manager Mark Hunter said. "His size isn't an issue.
"I played with Theoren Fleury and I'm not trying to make a comparison between the two, but he was the same size and he excelled. I played with Mats Naslund and he wasn't any taller but extremely skilled. We're very excited about his (Erlich's) potential."
When London assistant GM Jim McKellar first inquired about Erlich's height, the young man replied, "I'm six-foot-two." He realizes the only way he can take the next step is to play bigger than his body.
"It's been that way all along," Erlich said. "You just have to keep your legs moving and make the plays on the ice. My season was going well (in Toronto) and I was playing with older guys there."
Because of the timing of his signing, Hunter is trying to protect Erlich from being seen a saviour when he takes the ice tomorrow at home against Sarnia. His arrival comes a day after the Knights were hammered 7-1 in Kitchener.
"We still have to remember he's a '91 (birth year)," Hunter said. "There's a learning process he has to go through first. He has to learn our systems. It will take some time."
Had Erlich decided to join the Knights from the get-go, it's a good bet he would be playing with Michael Zador for the Ontario team that will compete in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at the John Labatt Centre next month. He made it to the all-star squad's final camp and felt he played well enough to crack the OHL-dominated roster.
"In fairness, it's not easy to see what guys are made of when they're playing in a league other than the OHL," Mark Hunter said. "I know when I'm scouting, it's hard to project what a young man's going to do at this level unless he's playing against a similar calibre of competition."
Erlich will get that chance with the Knights.
"I went to under-17 camp and realized I can play at that level," he said. "I had a good camp. I didn't make the team, but it doesn't matter now."
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