Happy Hockey Day!

It's Hockey Day Minnesota!

Happy Hockey Day everyone!





Hockey Day's Schedule is as follows...

Details Of Hockey Day Minnesota Schedule Released
Tuesday, 01.12.2010 / 11:36 AM / Hockey Day Minnesota
Minnesota Wild
FOX Sports North, in conjunction with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, today announced details about Hockey Day Minnesota 2010. With over 21 hours of consecutive hockey programming, coverage from Hockey Day events taking place across the State of Hockey and interaction with Minnesota soldiers based in Iraq, the fourth annual event is sure to be a day for hockey fans to look forward to.

FOX Sports North, in conjunction with the Wild, has also produced several special features and vignettes including unique and fun-filled hockey stories. Among these vignettes are:

Duke Pieper - A high school student who used to play hockey for Hill Murray, Duke recently suffered clots on his brainstem which has left him in the hospital fighting for his life. Many hockey teams around the state are rallying around him so he can try to get his life back to normal.

Todd Richards and son - Minnesota native and current head coach for the Minnesota Wild, Todd Richards allows cameras to follow him to one of his son’s hockey games.

Josh Sacco - Five-year old Sacco became a YouTube sensation when he was videotaped giving the Herb Brooks pregame speech to Team USA prior to beating the Soviet Union. Watch him give the famous speech in front of the Herb Brooks statue in St. Paul.

Heritage Center, Duluth - Learn about a community that developed a grassroots initiative in an effort to build a beautiful new ice arena.

Jenny Potter - Former Golden Gopher, UMD Bulldog and US Women’s Hockey Olympic team member, Jenny won the gold medal in 1998.

Joe Piram - A United States soldier from Eden Prairie, Joe was badly burned from a bomb while serving in Iraq. Despite his condition, he continues to coach the Eden Prairie junior Gold B team.

The 2010 Hockey Day Minnesota telecast event begins at 9:00 a.m. with programming anchored from Hermantown, Minn. by Anthony LaPanta, Kevin Gorg and Dick Bremer and from the Xcel Energy Center by Marney Gellner and Darby Hendrickson. Fans will also join Tom Chorske, Robby Incmikoski, former NHL player and Hermantown native Derek Plante and other special guests throughout day.

The Wild has also launched a new website devoted entirely to Hockey Day Minnesota – www.wild.com/Hockeyday. The unique content of the site includes feature stories, video vignettes and live blogs. Fans are encouraged to submit photos of their backyard rinks and hockey games for use on the website.

FOX Sports North reaches more than 2 million homes throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota and telecasts nearly 2,600 hours of locally produced programming per year. For more information: www.foxsportsnorth.com

Complete Hockey Day Minnesota 2010 Schedule Follows

Note: The Duluth vs. Hermantown Girls game begins at 1:30 PM and will be shown in its entirety at 11:15 PM. There will be live look-ins of the game during the Eden Prairie vs. Hermantown game.

Time Event Location
9-10AM Hockey Day Minnesota
10AM-12PM Hopkins vs. Duluth Marshall Hermantown, MN
12-12:15PM FSN Live Postgame
12:15-1PM Hockey Day Minnesota
1:15-3:15PM Eden Prairie vs. Hermantown Hermantown, MN
3:15-3:45 Live conclusion of Duluth vs. Hermantown (girls) Hermantown, MN
3:45-4:30PM Hockey Day Minnesota
4:30-5PM Gopher Live Pregame
5-7:30PM University of Minnesota vs. St. Cloud State Mariucci Arena
8-10:30PM Minnesota Wild vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Xcel Energy Center
10:30-11PM Wild Live Postgame
11-11:15PM FSN Live Pregame
11:15PM-1:15AM Duluth vs. Hermantown (girls) Hermantown, MN
1:15-1:30AM FSN Live Postgame

lolzzzz.....the girls have to play once everyone is in bed.

cehnehdeh wrote:

lolzzzz.....the girls have to play once everyone is in bed.

the problem with girls hockey is that its bad very very very bad, our high school teams could win gold its just terrible, and they don't even hit so you won't see two chicks beating each other. i'm surprised its even on

it depends on which girls teams are playing. You put two top teams out there, and it's a good game. You put two "ok" teams out there, and it's not nearly as good.

I can't believe my cold kept me from watching any games though today. Stayed in bed till about 3 PM before having to help load a jukebox into Jax Cafe then off to my own game (which we won 5-2) and now I'm finally home to watch the Wild game... which is 3-0 now

Wild In-Game & Post-Game article


The State of Hockey News
An objective and balanced view of Minnesota Hockey

Hockey Day in Minnesota: Koivu scores twice as Wild give solid effort in 4-2 home win over Columbus

November 6th, 1926 was when you could say pro hockey really got its first look in the State of Hockey. That was when the Minneapolis Millers battled the Chicago Blackhawks at the old Minneapolis Arena. The Millers got out to a 5-0 lead but the Blackhawks would rally back to a 5-5 tie. Minnesota has seen more professional hockey since then obviously; starting with the great expansion of 1967 and the arrival of the Minnesota North Stars and then later the arrival of the St. Paul Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association in 1972. The Saints played at the St. Paul Civic Center which is the present site the Xcel Energy Center exists on. The Saints would leave just five years after they arrived in 1977, and of course the North Stars would leave for Dallas in 1993 ripping out the hearts of many fans across the State of Hockey. Yet, the NHL would promise us a new franchise in 1997 and in 2000 that became a reality with the Wild and time has flown by as the team is in its 9th NHL season and its been a giant success. The team carries the longest sellout streak in the NHL and so far (knock on wood) its still going.

If this team needs any inspiration and motivation to not take anything for granted and have a fast start all it has to do is look at the brave 16-year old dropping the ceremonial first puck, Duke Pieper. Pieper, the Hill-Murray defenseman who is still battling the condition Cavernous Mangeanoma, that came dangerously close to ending his life has battled back from a surgery where doctors said he had a 5% chance of survival. Duke persevered and then battled through 6 more surgeries and then rehab to be able to walk to center ice with some of his Hill-Murray teammates to be an inspiration to us all. Could the Wild add another positive note to Hockey Day in Minnesota or will it fall into its habit of having a late start? (click on the link for the rest of the article)

There is a big Houston Aeros report too...enjoy!

Gophers In-Game & Post-Game


The State of Hockey News
An objective and balanced view of Minnesota Hockey

Hockey Day in Minnesota: Early Huskies goals again doom Gophers in 4-1 loss in sweep by St. Cloud State

Minnesota Golden Gophers – (12-11-2)

Vs.

St. Cloud State Huskies – (15-7-3)

If you ever needed a dose of perspective in your life, the story of Hill-Murray defenseman Duke Pieper is the one you should hear. Duke, currently a sophomore, is battling back after a very rare blood vessel tumor near his brain almost cost him his life. It all started last year, shortly after Duke Pieper did something truly outstanding when he made the Hill-Murray Pioneers, an elite high school program as just a freshman. Something that surprised him as well as Hill-Murray Head Coach Bill Lechner. Just prior to their season opening game against Burnsville, Pieper did not feel right and his family took him to the hospital. It turned out that a minor abnormality in some blood vessels in his brain had become a tumor, and he was in need of surgery where doctors gave Duke just a 5% chance at survival. He beat the odds and survived 5 more surgeries but his life would be changed forever as he had to learn how to use his muscles all over again. With a positive and courageous attitude Duke has battled back and continues to rehab. His story is not necessarily the one with the perfect ending, where he returned to hockey and who knows he might someday. The condition he suffers from has no cure, but if there is a person with the will to overcome it is Duke and he shows us all of just how precious life can be. The State of Hockey News would like to wish Duke Pieper the best of luck in his continued recovery.

In the hockey realm of things, the Minnesota Golden Gophers took a page out of the Minnesota Wild’s playbook last night at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud as they suffered a 4-3 loss. The reason I make this comparison, is how the Golden Gophers spotted the Huskies a quick 3-0 lead on some bad turnovers and mental mistakes. The Gophers attempted to answer back the way the Wild typically do in the 3rd, except in the 2nd period with 3 goals, but unfortunately another bad turnover in the middle stanza turned into a goal as David Eddy scored on a breakaway after a terrible turnover by Ryan Flynn. Down just by one, 4-3 going into the 3rd the Gophers attempted to complete their come back but just couldn’t solve Dan Dunn who was razor sharp between the pipes and St. Cloud State earned a game one victory.

Minnesota needs to try to at least earn a series split in this home at home contest if it wishes to stay near the hunt for a top 4 spot in the WCHA. The Gophers have been playing better as the offense seems to be closer to finding a level of consistency that has been lacking the last few seasons. St. Cloud will be looking to wrap up an improbable series sweep and take a step closer to a top 3 spot in the WCHA. The Golden Gophers storied program started in 1921, and have a strong and storied history. St. Cloud State also has a storied history, but it was their jump to becoming a Division 1 program under the guidance of Herb Brooks that really started a trend of Division I hockey expansion in the state which now has 5 Division I programs to its credit. (click on the link for the rest of the article)

Eden Prairie vs. Hermantown In-Game & Post-Game article


The State of Hockey News
An objective and balanced view of Minnesota Hockey

Hockey Day in Minnesota: Kyle Rau’s hat trick the difference as Eden Prairie holds on to win 4-3 over Hermantown

Hermantown Hawks – (15-1) ~ recent score: 10-0 win over Ashland, WI

Vs.

Eden Prairie Eagles – (12-2) ~ recent score: 11-0 win over Bloomington Kennedy

As a part of Hockey Day Minnesota, was the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships on Lake Nokomis which was featured in the wonderful documentary film, Pond Hockey. If you ever get a chance, watch that film as it has some terrific lessons to parents and perhaps hockey programs across the nation if they wish to improve the skills of their players as well as increase the fun factor that may be lost in organized practices. The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships features many men and women whose high school hockey days have past them by but where they play the game once again. Its not just for the anonymous former high school players but former college hockey stars and NHL’ers have laced up their skates one more time in an effort to win the Golden Shovel.

This matchup is almost ‘old school’ as they say which pits a Northern hockey power in the Hermantown Hawks who were the champions of Class 1A last year against the champions of Class 2A in the Eden Prairie Eagles. A while back, it would’ve been possible for both of these teams to challenge one another for a state title when it was a one-class tournament. This brings up old memories of the great small town / big city matchups of Warroad vs. Edina and Eveleth vs. St. Paul Johnson. It is part of what turned the Boys High School Hockey Tournament into an institution and a part of the culture in Minnesota.

Hermantown is having another very solid season, sporting a 15-1 record but one can question a bit some of the quality of schedule the Hawks have had this season. The reason their schedule can be question is they have battled primarily Class 1A schools with notable victories over #6 ranked (1A) Virginia/Mount Iron/Buhl, #7 ranked (1A) Thief River Falls, and #8 ranked (1A) St. Cloud Cathedral but haven’t been nearly as dominant against the few 2A schools they’ve faced in a one-goal win over Grand Rapids and a 2-1 loss to Andover. However the Hawks are still a high octane team that certainly can score goals but they will most certainly face their toughest test of the 2009-10 season in Eden Prairie. The Eagles are having another very strong season as they have been successful despite a tough schedule. Eden Prairie has battled its way to the top of the Lake Conference, with just two defeats to two Classic Lake conference opponents in #1 ranked (2A) Minnetonka and #11 ranked (2A) Edina which is coincidentally the conference the Eagles will be joining next season. Eden Prairie are led by junior Kyle Rau, the brother of Minnesota Wild farmhand Chad Rau, who has 24 goals and 41 points in just 12 games. Yet if there is a bright spot for Hermantown, the Eagles are basically a one-line team scoring wise and if they can manage to hold down Rau and senior Mitch Rogge (13 goals, 29 points) they could have a very good chance to win this game. So can the Hermantown Hawks earn a win in front of the hometown fans, or will Eden Prairie sour the outdoor Hockey Day in Minnesota showcase for them? (click on the link for the rest of the article)

Hopkins vs. Duluth Marshall In-Game & Post-Game report


The State of Hockey News
An objective and balanced view of Minnesota Hockey

Hockey Day in Minnesota: Archie Skalbeck’s hat trick carries the Royals to a 6-0 victory over Duluth Marshall

Hopkins Royals – (8-9) ~ recent score: 5-2 loss to Minnetonka

Vs.

Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers – (5-9) ~ recent score: 6-3 loss to Bemidji

Hockey Day in Minnesota is all about celebrating the State of Hockey’s passion for the sport, and perhaps that was best personified by Paul Schulz Arena where he turned his barn into a hockey arena out of his own love for the game. Paul even purchased a Zamboni that had been sitting in a farmer’s barn for 15 years and managed to get the former Fairmont Ice Arena workhorse up and working again. Tragically Paul died of a heart attack, but his family as well as friends in the community have come together to keep the arena going and it continues to be a local mecca for youth hockey in South Central Minnesota.

The first tilt on Hockey Day in Minnesota saw the Class 2A Hopkins Royals travel to Duluth to battle the Class 1A Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers. Hopkins is an improving program hoping to climb up a very competitive ladder in the always tough Classic Lake Conference that features three of the states elite metro area programs in Edina, Minnetonka and Wayzata. The Royals are led by senior Archie Skalbeck, who has put up impressive numbers of 21 goals and 42 points in just 16 games. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers have been one of the best northern teams in Class 1A and they certainly have not shied away from a challenge and their record masks a very tough schedule where they have played against some of the best Class 2A teams in the state already in games against Minnetonka and Hill-Murray; both of which were losses but a testament to their willingness to battle against the best. However recently the Hilltoppers are on a 5-game losing streak, with losses to #1 ranked (1A) St. Thomas Academy and #4 ranked (1A) Hermantown which is the host for this outdoor game between the Royals and Duluth Marshall. So will the suburban kids from Hopkins be able to conquer the windy conditions and earn a victory or will the Hilltoppers preserve Northern school dominance on Hockey Day in Minnesota? (click on the link for the rest of the article)