Across the Web NHL Pulse

Here's a look at some of the top things on the web for your MN pulse.

• This article is actually a two-parter with the first part being about the St. Louis Blues honoring the best UMD Bulldog ever, Brett Hull followed by Moorhead's Matt Cullen answering questions about why the Carolina Hurricanes are stuggling so mightily.
  Read Article HERE
• Colorado Avalanche beat writer for the Denver Post Adrian Dater took time to compliment the recent play of Blaine's Matt Hendricks and posted a video of his interview.
  Read Article and Watch Interview HERE
• This blog focuses on just how big of an impact Phil Kessel has had on the Toronto Maple Leafs since joining the team.
  Read Short blog HERE
• Toronto defeated Ottawa in in the battle of Ontraio last night and Jason Blake and Phil Kessel both scored goals. Watch Game Highlights HERE
• Warroad's T.J. Oshie and several other Blues made a trip to the local Children's hospital.
  Read Article HERE
• A New Jersey Devils blogger part of the Sports Nation wrote about what the Devils should do when Elk River's Paul Martin returns from injury after a report yesterday suggested he will likely be back before Christmas.
  Read Blog HERE

Meuller and Brian Lee mentioned in trade rumors

It has been reported that the New York Rangers tried to make a play for Peter Mueller of the Phoenix coyotes this past weekend. From the Toronto Sun....

A league source said Leafs GM Brian Burke expressed an interest in Phoenix forward Peter Mueller but didn't have the right assets to strike a deal. Mueller, 21, who has just one goal and five assists in 26 games this season, was the Coyotes' No. 1 choice in the 2006.

And from the Columbus Dispatch came a report that the Blue Jackets are interested in Moorhead native Brian Lee who has bounced back and forth from the Senators to the AHL the past two seasons.

The Blue Jackets have expressed an interest in Ottawa Senators prospect defenseman Brian Lee. No trade is imminent. In fact, it's possible that no trade specifics have even been discussed, but the Blue Jackets have made a call to Ottawa. One must wonder if Lee wouldn't be part of a package coming the Blue Jackets' way should they decide to trade prospect forward Nikita Filatov. [Columbus Dispatch]

WCHA Weekend in Review

Here is the WCHA weekend roudup from the WCHA

MADISON, Wis. – Minnesota, Colorado College and Wisconsin were the big gainers in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play over the Dec. 11-12 weekend and all three teams earned their respective successes on the road. The Golden Gophers gained four big points in the standings with a pair of 3-2 wins at Michigan Tech, the Tigers picked up three points with a 4-4 (ot) tie and 4-1 victory at St. Cloud State, and the Badgers came out of Grand Forks with three points against North Dakota in a 3-3 (ot) tie and 4-3 win.
In the one other conference series contested, host Minnesota Duluth came back from a 3-2 loss to Denver on Friday to hand the Pioneers a 6-3 setback on Saturday to gain a split.

In non-conference play, Minnesota State, Mankato recorded back-to-back road victories at Bemidji State of College Hockey America with a 5-1 triumph on Friday and a 3-2 decision on Saturday, boosting the WCHA’s 2009-10 non-conference mark to an impressive 24-12-2 (.658).

Through games of Dec. 13, and at the halfway point of the league’s 28-games per team WCHA schedule, just four points separate the top five teams. Pre-season favorite Denver (11-5-2, 9-3-2 WCHA) enters the break in first place with 20 points, Colorado College (11-4-3, 8-3-3 WCHA) is second with 19 points, Wisconsin (11-5-2, 8-4-2 WCHA) is third with 18 points, Minnesota Duluth (11-6-1, 8-5-1 WCHA) is fourth with 17, and St. Cloud State (8-7-3, 7-5-2 WCHA) is fifth with 16 points. Defending MacNaughton Cup champion North Dakota (9-6-3, 6-6-2 WCHA) is in sixth place with 14 points, Minnesota State (9-8-1, 5-8-1 WCHA) is eighth with 11 points, Alaska Anchorage (6-12-0, 4-10-0 WCHA) is ninth with eight, and Michigan Tech (3-13-0, 2-12-0 WCHA) is 10th with four. Seven WCHA-member teams own winning records overall.

At John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton on Saturday night, visiting Minnesota completed a WCHA sweep of Michigan Tech with another one-goal, 3-2 triumph before 2,376 as center Mike Carman scored the game-winner at 17:11 of the second period. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period before the Golden Gophers tallied twice in the second, including a go-ahead goal by center Taylor Matson at 11:41. For the Huskies, left winger Malcolm Gwilliam had a goal and an assist while Kevin Genoe had 28 saves in nets.
At the National Hockey Center on Dec. 12, visiting Colorado College skated to a 4-1 WCHA triumph over St. Cloud State before a sellout crowd of 6,053 as the line of left winger Stephen Schultz (2a), center Andrew Hamburg (1g, 1a) and right winger Mike Testwuide (1g, 1a) led the way. Testwuide’s goal at 1:22 of the second period staked the Tigers to a 2-0 lead and held up as the game-winner. For the Huskies, winger Jared Festler had an unassisted tally at 7:09 of the second that closed the gap to 2-1.

At Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks on Saturday night, Wisconsin claimed a 4-3 conference victory over North Dakota before a sellout crowd of 11,760 as the Badgers received 31 saves from goaltender Scott Gudmandson, the game-winning goal from defenseman Brendan Smith (1g, 1a), and converted on 3-of-8 power-play attempts. For the host Sioux, first period goals from right winger Brett Hextall (2g) and center Chris VandeVelde game them a 2-1 lead entering the second stanza before the UW scored three unanswered goals, including a go-ahead tally by left winger Ben Street at 7:55 of the second. Also for the UW, center Derek Stepan had two assists, including one on Smith’s GWG.

At the DECC in Duluth on Saturday evening, host Minnesota Duluth erupted for three third period goals, including the game-winner from right winger Kyle Schmidt (1g, 1a) at 9:20, to break open a tie game and roll on to a 6-3 WCHA triumph over league-leading Denver before 4,568. The Bulldogs, who also scored three times in the first period, received two goals and an assist from center Jack Connolly and three assists from linemate and winger Mike Connolly while winger Rob Bordson and center Travis Oleksuk each added a goal and an assist. For the Pioneers, center Tyler Ruegsegger had a goal and an assist and defenseman Matt Donovan added two helpers.

And at John Glas Fieldhouse in Bemidji on Dec. 12, the WCHA’s Minnesota State gained a second straight non-conference victory over host Bemidji State with a 3-2 triumph before 2,359, despite being outshot 31-14. Left wingers Kael Mouillierat and Michael Dorr led the way for the visiting Mavericks with a goal and assist each, with Dorr’s first goal of the season at 7:34 of the third period proving to be the winner. Also scoring for MSU was right winger Eriah Hayes while in goal, Austin Lee had 29 saves for the win.

This Week in the WCHA
Results of Friday, December 11: Colorado College 4 at St. Cloud State 4 ot (WCHA); Denver 3 at Minnesota Duluth 2 (WCHA); Minnesota 3 at Michigan Tech 2 (WCHA); Wisconsin 3 at North Dakota 3 ot (WCHA); Minnesota State 5 at Bemidji State 1 (nc).
Results of Saturday, December 12: Minnesota 3 at Michigan Tech 2 (WCHA); Colorado College 4 at St. Cloud State 1 (WCHA); Denver 3 at Minnesota Duluth 6 (WCHA); Wisconsin 4 at North Dakota 3 (WCHA); Minnesota State 3 at Bemidji State 2 (nc).

Next Week in the WCHA
Games for Friday, December 18: Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan (nc), 7:35 pm ET; Nebraska-Omaha at Minnesota State (nc), 7:37 pm CT.
Games for Saturday, December 19: Minnesota State at Nebraska-Omaha (nc), 7:07 pm CT; USA Under-20 Team at North Dakota (x), 7:07 pm CT.

Ryan Stoa plays in first NHL game

Just last week this was published about Stoa in the farm report...

After a slow start to the season statistically, Ryan Stoa is starting to find the back of the net in Cleveland.The University of Minnesota product – Colorado’s first selection (second round, 34th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft – made the jump to the professional ranks this season with the Lake Erie Monsters.Stoa recorded goals in back-to-back games for the first time as a pro this past week, netting an even-strength tally during Tuesday’s victory over Grand Rapids and then adding a power-play goal on Friday in Chicago. The Bloomington, Minn., native totaled 11 shots on goal during the two contests.Stoa has now totaled eight points (6g/2a) in 24 games this season.

Then on the Avs website they had this video profile of Ryan Stoa HERE

On Saturday it was announced that Bloomington native and former Gopher Ryan Stoa was called up to the Avalanche along with Plymouth native and former Gopher Derek Peltier. Peltier had been called up before, but this marked the first time for Stoa. Below is that announcement from the team's site.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has recalled defenseman Derek Peltier and forward Ryan Stoa from the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. Peltier is tied for first among Lake Erie defensemen in scoring this season with nine points (1g/8a) in 22 games. The 24-year-old scored his first goal of the year and added an assist in Lake Erie’s 4-3 shootout loss last night at Grand Rapids. Colorado’s fifth selection (sixth round, 184th overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft, Peltier made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in 2008-09, appearing in 11 games (no points). The Plymouth, Minn., native played four seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he served as team captain as a senior in 2007-08.Stoa, 22, has tallied seven goals and nine points in 25 games with the Monsters in his first professional season. He is tied for third on the team in goals and tied for fifth in points. Stoa, who scored in last night’s game against Grand Rapids, has three goals in four games in the month of December.Colorado’s first selection (second round, 34th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft, Stoa led the University of Minnesota with 46 points (24g/22a) in 36 games while serving as team captain during his junior season in 2008-09. The Bloomington, Minn., native captured the WCHA scoring title and was named first-team All-American.

Stoa played 9:22, registered two shots and was a -1. This game Stoa a great opportunity to be part of the y0uth movement taking place in Colorado, which surprisingly hasn't meant a bad season as they are in first place in the Northwest Division.

When Ryan Stoa made his NHL debut tonight, he became the fifth Avalanche player to do so this season (joining Matt Duchene, Justin Mercier, Ryan O’Reilly and Ryan Wilson). All five players were in the lineup tonight, along with fellow rookie T.J. Galiardi. Although he played in 11 games last season for Colorado, Galiardi is still considered a rookie this year by NHL standards. Stoa, recalled from Lake Erie on Saturday, skated on an all-rookie line with Duchene and Galiardi…Derek Peltier, who was recalled along with Stoa yesterday, did not dress tonight

Max Tardy Feature story

Max Tardy was the leading scorer on DuluthEast's team last season where Derek Forbort was a star defenseman. Here is a feature story published on Max Tardy....

Forgive Max Tardy for not buying into the suggestion that first-year players in the United States Hockey League can’t be playmakers.
“I don’t necessarily see myself as always being the go-to guy, but I’m always out there looking to score and make things happen,” says the Tri-City Storm forward. “I expect that of myself every night out.”
Through 19 games, Tardy is tied for third on the team with 12 points, including five goals. After a fast start that included seven points in the Storm’s first nine games, the 6-foot, 180-pound native of Duluth, Minn., has tallied four assists in the Storm’s last three games.
“The game is so much faster at this level than high school. You have to make quick decisions and be more prepared mentally and physically,” Tardy says. “It’s taken me some time to learn what works and doesn’t work.”
Tardy came to the Storm following a storied prep career at Duluth East High School, where he scored 28 goals and 48 points his senior season on his way to being named a finalist for the prestigious 2009 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award. He was also named the 2009 Duluth News Tribune Player of the Year.
“In high school, I was a playmaker. I went out there every game with the expectation of being the guy who would make things happen,” says Tardy.
Despite being a first-year player in the USHL, Tardy says his role with the Storm is similar to his high school playing days. “I have to bring a strong work ethic and good effort every game, and that includes doing all the little things,” he says. “Beyond that, I’m someone who has to contribute on the scoreboard.”
Tardy has already committed to play his college hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and he was a seventh round selection by the St. Louis Blues in the NHL’s 2009 Entry Draft.
Storm Head Coach Drew Schoneck says he would like to see Tardy work at being more consistent.
“We are going to count on him for offense because he’s a competitive guy who can skate and put the puck in the net,” Schoneck says.
“He’s already proven that he’s up to the challenge of playing in this league. At the same time, I want to see increased intensity and consistency from him,” adds Schoneck. “He can’t be great one night and just okay the next.”
Tardy said he’s working at becoming a more complete player by developing his skills on defense.
“As you move up levels and play against stronger competition, you have to focus more on being a good player on both sides of the puck,” he says. “I know I have to get better defensively. I know what is expected of me, and I’m excited about this season and doing what I can to help the team have success.”

Derek Forbort story

This story was posted a while ago on the USA hockey website, but it is work posting....

Skates. Check. Hockey equipment. Check. Backyard rink. Check.National Team Development Program Under-18 defenseman Derek Forbort was always on the ice as a youngster. The time of day didn’t matter in Duluth, Minn.; Forbort was always skating.“I started hockey when I was 2 years old,” Forbort said. “My dad built a rink in the backyard, and my mom ran a daycare. There were obviously huge games going on back there so I was always out there skating.”So, it should shock no one that Forbort is doing something that he loves all while wearing the red, white and blue for Team USA this season.

Derek Forbort mans the blue line for the NTDP.“The best way to describe Derek is that it just comes natural and so easy to him,” Under-18 coach Kurt Kleinendorst, a former coach in the New Jersey Devils’ organization, said. “The way he plays and practices — the agility, puck skills and movement — it seems to come so easy for him.”

Forbort arrived at the NTDP after appearing in 25 games for Duluth East High School last year, posting seven goals and 28 points and leading the team to a coveted Class AA state tournament berth. The transition from high school to the NTDP has been an interesting ride and an eye-opener in some respects for Forbort. In 24 games, he has one goal and 10 points, along with 12 penalty minutes.“The game is so much faster. You have to be more responsible defensively. In high school, you could get away with some things. Here, if you make a mistake you are going to get burned,” Forbort said. “I knew that I was always going to come here. I love my high school and I have a lot of friends back there. Hockey is what I want to do with my life and this is the place to be if I want to do that.”

Not surprising, the most difficult adjustment for the 6-foot-4, 195-pound blueliner has been the workouts.“I thought maybe I would get sick of the rink, but I love hanging out here and with the guys. I love being here, especially in the locker room,” Forbort said. “I knew the workouts would be pretty tough.”As a first-year coach, Kleinendorst can relate to what Forbort is going through this fall.“The players who come in after the first year go through an adjustment period. They have to make the commitment and train,” Kleinendorst explained. “Derek has a great attitude but he probably had no clue to what extent he was going to be pushed. He has really handled it well and I have not really noticed that adjustment period. He is a good player, and he has a great reputation as a good kid and he was raised by very good parents.”

Forbort did have a little taste of USA Hockey last year, appearing in two international tournaments. He competed with the U.S. Under-17 Select Team at the 2009 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament in Slovakia. In addition, he skated in nine games with the Under-17 team, including all six at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in British Columbia.“Last year, I went to Slovakia with the team and that was a really cool experience. I also played at the U-17 Challenge in B.C. and that was a lot of fun to play against the Canadian teams,” Forbort said.

“Getting to know the guys last year at the tournament was a huge help and a feel for international tournament was a huge help.”Forbot will never forget the first time he saw the USA jersey waiting for him. It is a memory that can last a lifetime.“It was unreal. I remember walking into the locker room and I was staring at it for a while. To represent your country is a pretty cool thing and I am really fortunate to be able to do that every day,” Forbort said. “It is a huge honor [to play for the NTDP]. You definitely do not want to take it for granted as you are representing your country, so take it all in — live in the moment.”Living in the moment are words that Forbort tries to live by.

He is currently the top-ranked defenseman in the NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary ranking for United States Hockey League. Yet Forbort is not even worried about the rankings. Instead, he is focused on the team.

Maybe it is that attitude that has the scouts focused on Forbort’s talent.“I do not pay any attention to that at all. I am not thinking about that at all. I am worried about this year and this team winning,” Forbort said. “I need to be solid defensively and do my job back there. If everyone does their job, then we should be able to win.”Even though Forbort attended plenty of Minnesota Duluth games growing up, he committed to the University of North Dakota.

He knows that he needs to continue to work and improve if he is going to get to the next level.“I really like the coaches out there and the program. They seem to be developing their players pretty good so it was the right fit,” Forbort said of his decision to play for the Fighting Sioux. “I need to get a lot stronger on the ice, stronger legs and a better skater. I need to keep working on my game; every part of your game can get worked on and no one is perfect at everything.”

No matter what the future holds, Forbort will always have his early beginnings as a reminder of just how far he has come with hockey. After all, it all began on a backyard rink built by his dad when skates, equipment and a group of kids was all that it took to have a game.

Aaron Marvin stepping up

When Aaron Marvin was in high school in Warroad he wasn't the highest scoring player in the state. He wasn't the fastest skater or biggest hitter. Yet almost every scout on and off the record thought he had the most NHL potential of any player in Minnesota at the time.

Marvin is improving in the WCHA and those scouts are beginning to look like they knew what they were talking about.


Pasted below is a nice Kevin Allenspach column from the St. Cloud Times on Marvin's progress.

To view the article go HERE

Hockey isn't a lot like riding a bike, except in the sense that once you learn to score goals you never forget how.

Sometimes you just hit a slump, that's all.

Ask Aaron Marvin. Last time out he scored twice in an eight-minute span of the second period to help the Huskies sweep Alaska Anchorage. It started with the first short-handed goal of his career and, a couple shifts later, he netted the game-winner.

This wouldn't rate such big type except for the fact that Marvin, St. Cloud State's junior alternate captain, hadn't scored in 21 games — since Feb. 14.

"It takes some pressure off a little bit," Marvin said. "It's nice to score. It makes you feel like you're contributing to the No. 1 goal, and that's team success."

A third-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2007, he scored 10 goals last season and the hope was he would assume a role right behind Ryan Lasch and Garrett Roe as SCSU's most dangerous forwards.

Instead, the first half of the season must've felt like a detour through the ditch. He helped the Huskies by centering a line with Lasch, who's on a team-best eight-game point streak, and killing penalties with Jordy Christian, who scored a shortie last Friday with Marvin assisting before the reversed roles Saturday.

"They were a couple of garbage goals, but that's just what I needed," Marvin said. "The first one, Jordy made the play to get the puck on net and I just whacked away at it. The second one, (Lasch) just passed it to me in front. They weren't pretty, but sometimes those get you going."

With sixth-ranked Colorado College visiting the National Hockey Center this weekend, Marvin and the Huskies — who've won three straight and five of their last seven — can't afford to slow down. It's their last series until after New Year's Day and it could go a long way toward setting up the second half. No. 17 SCSU is in a three-way tie for third in the WCHA and, on Sunday, could be in first or sixth.

"These are going to be the two toughest games we've played yet," Marvin said. "CC's going to battle to continue the start they're on, so this is going to be a big test.

"The goals maybe haven't come like we thought they would so far, but we're still building and we've done OK. It's a long season. We just need to take what's happened and learn from it."

That's to say, keep on pedaling.

www.stcloudtimes.com

Defending Big D not defending Matt Niskanen

Defending Big D is a very well done Dallas Stars blog done on the Sports Nation forum. In a blog posted on November 30th Brandon Worley talks about what he is calling the struggles or decline in Matt Niskanen's game. Niskanen was a star defenseman for Virginia before a very short stint with University of Minnesota Duluth.

I've pasted quite a bit of the blog entry below but you can view the entire article HERE

Matt Niskanen has had a rough time adjusting to life without Sergei Zubov. After playing just 13 games in the AHL after graduating from college, injuries on the Stars' roster thrust him into the starting lineup and he found himself playing next to a future Hall of Fame defenseman. He was second on the team in plus/minus with a plus-22, scored seven goals and was the breakout player of the year for the Stars. He and the rest of the Stars young defensemen, Mark Fistric and Nicklas Grossman, held together down the stretch when Zubov was out due to injury and played admirably in the playoffs that season. Yet the warning signs were starting to show.

In 2008, with Zubov struggling to return to the ice, Niskanen and his fellow defenseman fell flat on their faces. In the first month of the season Niskanen had just one assist and was a minus-7 as the Stars became a sieve on defense and in net, finding themselves in the basement of the conference standings just seven weeks into the season.

Niskanen would finish last season last among defensemen with a minus-11, yet set a career high with 29 assists and 35 points. There were some that played off the subpar season as a 'sophomore slump' and were encouraged by his offensive potential. He played well for the USA in the World Championships over the summer and with Marc Crawford and Charlie Huddy coming to the Stars to implement a new system, Niskanen looked to be on track to return to the form from 2007 that so many fans excited.

What is frustrating is that Niskanen has all of the potential you would want in a defenseman: great skating ability, good size, good speed and a booming shot from the point. What Niskanen is in desperate need of is some extended time in the AHL, where he can just focus on his skills and his approach to the game without the distractions of having to play in top form 100% of the time for an NHL team fighting for positioning in the standings. There's a reason that Ivan Vishnevskiy is still down in Austin and he is well on his way into developing into a top defenseman for the Stars in the near future.

And there lies the crucial missing link for Matt Niskanen: development. Players coming to the NHL are expected to already be as polished as possible; that's what the AHL and ECHL are there for. Jamie Benn is an exception to the rule and he is having some growing pains as well that can be covered up while playing on the wing. As a defenseman, Niskanen's mistakes are all there for the world to see and there's no hiding his shortcomings.

Since there is no doubt that Niskanen possesses all of the physical tools you could possibly want in a defenseman, it all comes down to intelligence, training and confidence.

While he is still playing under his original contract, Niskanen has now played in enough games to necessitate the Stars place him on waivers in order to assign him to the AHL. That option no longer exists for the Stars unless Niskanen gets hurt and can be assigned to a 'conditioning stint' down in Austin.

So what's the cure? Should Marc Crawford bench Niskanen for a few games in favor of Jeff Woywitka to give him some time to get his head in the right place. Will that happen tonight, or will Crawford give Niskanen a few more games to prove that this past weekend is all a fluke? Currently, Niskanen possesses a team-worst minus-11 and is last among all defensemen with an overall plus/minus per 60 minutes (-1.22 per game). He has just seven assists and has not been the weapon on the power play that this team has needed him to be.

Even so, can the Stars afford to sit Niskanen? Are they better off with Woywitka playing more minutes while Niskanen sits? More importantly, will benching Niskanen shatter whatever amount of confidence he has left?

Is Matt Niskanen able to be saved? Without time in the AHL was Niskenen's career put on the wrong track from the start?

Whatever the answers to these questions might be, there's no doubt that the Stars can afford many more blatant mistakes like Niskanen made this past weekend.

-Defendingbigd.com

WCHA weekend Preview

No in depth preview from me, however, I am excited to take in the University of North Dakota game versus Wisconsin on the NHL Network Saturday night. With no television for the Gophers this weekend I may come away a little less saddened about college hockey.

From the WCHA website....

MADISON, Wis. – The upcoming weekend of Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11-12, promises plenty of excitement for Western Collegiate Hockey Association member team fans as the top six clubs in the current standings – all ranked in the nation’s polls – matchup in three key two-game series that will mark the conclusion of conference play for the first half of the 2009-10 season. Pre-season league favorite, first place and No. 2-ranked Denver plays at third place (tie) and No. 12/14-ranked Minnesota Duluth, second place and No. 6-ranked Colorado College heads to third place (tie) and No. 17-ranked St. Cloud State, and third place (tie) and No. 11-ranked Wisconsin visits No. 3-ranked North Dakota.

The Pioneers (10-4-2, 8-2-2 WCHA) and Bulldogs (10-5-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) face-off at the DECC (5,303) in Duluth on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:07 pm CT. These will be the only two regular season meetings between DU and UMD, who met in the Broadmoor Trophy championship game of the 2009 Red Baron WCHA Final Five last March 21, with the Bulldogs prevailing 4-0.

The Tigers (10-4-2, 7-3-2 WCHA) and Huskies (8-6-2, 7-4-1 WCHA) meet up at the National Hockey Center (5,371) in St. Cloud at 7:07 pm CT both Friday and Saturday.

The Badgers (10-5-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) and the Fighting Sioux (9-5-2, 6-5-1 WCHA) go head-to-head at Ralph Engelstad Arena (11,634) in Grand Forks on Friday at 7:37 pm CT and Saturday at 7:07 pm CT. This, too, will be the only regular season matchups between UW and UND.

And in one other WCHA series to be contested Dec. 11-12, Minnesota (6-9-1, 4-7-1 WCHA) travels to Houghton to take on Michigan Tech (3-11-0, 2-10-0 WCHA) at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,128) at 7:07 pm ET both Friday and Saturday.

Outside the WCHA, Minnesota State, Mankato (7-8-1, 5-8-1 WCHA) will hit the road to face streaking Bemidji State (13-2-1) of College Hockey America on Friday and Saturday at John Glas Fieldhouse. The Beavers, who already have a 12-point lead in their conference race, join the WCHA family in 2010-11 along with Nebraska-Omaha. So far this season, WCHA-member teams are an impressive 22-12-2 in non-conference competition for a .639 winning percentage.

Alaska Anchorage (6-12-0, 4-10-0 WCHA) is now idle until Jan. 8-9.

In action last weekend, Dec. 4-5, the five head-to-head conference series saw St. Cloud State and Wisconsin record sweeps at Alaska Anchorage and over Michigan Tech, respectively. In a battle of league co-leaders, Denver took three of four points from Colorado College in a home-and-home set, while both the North Dakota at Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota vs Minnesota State home-and-home series resulted in splits.

Through games of Dec. 6, just three points, and one victory, separate the top five teams in the WCHA standings – Denver (18 points), Colorado College (16 points), Minnesota Duluth (15 points), St. Cloud State (15 points) and Wisconsin (15 points). Defending conference champion North Dakota, meanwhile, is just two points out of third place with 13 points, while Minnesota State is just two points back of the Sioux.

Six WCHA-member teams sport winning records overall this season in DU (10-4-2, .688), CC (10-4-2, .688), UMD (10-5-1, .656), UW (10-5-1, .656), UND (9-5-2, .625) and SCSU (8-6-2, .562).

On the docket for the final weekend of on-ice action prior to the two-week Christmas holiday break – Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 – three conference-member teams will be engaged in non-conference action. Minnesota State will play a home-and-home set against CCHA-member Nebraska-Omaha (@ MSU Friday, @ UNO Saturday), Michigan Tech plays at CCHA-member Northern Michigan on Friday, and North Dakota entertains the U.S. Under-20 Team on Saturday.

In this week’s (Dec. 7) USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Div. 1 Men’s College Hockey Poll, Denver is No. 2, North Dakota is No. 3, Colorado College is No. 6, Wisconsin is No. 11, Minnesota Duluth is No. 12 and St. Cloud State is No. 17.

In the latest (Dec. 7) USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s Div. 1 Poll, Denver is No. 2, North Dakota is No. 3, Colorado College is No. 6, Wisconsin is No. 11 and Minnesota Duluth is No. 14. Also receiving votes was St. Cloud State.

This 2009-10 campaign marks the 58th in the storied history of the WCHA, with the league owning a record 36 national championships. It will also mark the final season with a membership consisting of 10 teams, as both Bemidji State University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha come on board as the 11th and 12th members in 2010-11.

This Week in the WCHA

Games for Friday, December 11: Minnesota at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET; Colorado College at St. Cloud State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Denver at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Wisconsin at North Dakota (WCHA), 7:37 pm CT; Minnesota State at Bemidji State (nc), 7:35 pm CT.

Games for Saturday, December 12: Minnesota at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET; Colorado College at St. Cloud State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Denver at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Wisconsin at North Dakota (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Minnesota State at Bemidji State (nc), 7:05 pm CT.

Alex Goligoski returned last night in Penguins win

Alex Goligoski who played excellent when Pens top defenseman Sergei Gonchar was out injured returned to the lineup and for the first time since early in the year he and the Russian veteran blue-liner are on the ice at the same time.

Here is a pasted version of a story on Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Daily News

MONTREAL — After dealing with crippling injuries for the better part of the past six weeks, the Penguins are almost completely healthy.

Alex Goligoski, who has only played one game in the past month because of two separate injuries, played Thursday in Montreal.

"I feel really good," Goligoski said. "I feel like I'm ready to handle a whole workload."

Goligoski has been terrific all season and should be able to help the team's floundering power play.

Coming into action Thursday, the Penguins were converting only 14 percent of their power plays, good for 28th in the NHL.

"I hope I can help out," Goligoski said. "We'll see."

Goligoski's return meant that the Penguins were able to use their six-man starting defensive unit for the first time since Sergei Gonchar broke his wrist Oct. 20. He played in Montreal with Jay McKee, which was how the duo started the season.

"The guys who got called up did a great job," Goligoski said. "Now we need to stay healthy."

Read Entire Story HERE